June 19, 2015 - No Cruelty

"St Elizabeth's Belfry"
photo by Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #170

“There is no cruelty in God and none in me.”

We often hear of cruelty beyond comprehension. How could anyone possibly perpetrate such behavior? I would hazard to guess that, if asked, the people responsible would not think they were acting in a cruel manner. They would probably say it was necessary to protect themselves or others from some threat. Somewhere along the way, we have decided that it's all right to kill and perform other heinous acts because it's a logical defense against something or the other! Once again, The Four Agreements come to mind. In this wonderful interpretation of ancient Toltec wisdom, Don Miguel Ruiz explains four simple rules to live by which would ensure peace and happiness for everyone. The second agreement is, "Don't take anything personally". He goes so far as to say that even if someone shoots you in the head, it's not your problem, but theirs! I love this as it puts into perspective what we have misinterpreted. We seem to think retaliation is an acceptable behavior. I have a friend who tells me that Jesus told her she'd forgiven her sister enough, and it was all right to hate her now. Wow. I guess that's what I mean by people thinking they're doing a service to the world by killing or other gross behavior. We can convince ourselves, with our mortal minds, that anything is good, which illustrates the importance of letting go of all material beliefs. We are learning to listen, allowing ourselves to understand that as a reflection of divine Love we are capable of living Truth. We are not only capable of living this pure Life which is God, but it is our natural state, expressing only Love. The Utopia which comes with such a dream is a reality, when we allow it.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“And we solemnly promise to watch, and pray for that Mind to be in us which was also in Christ Jesus; to do unto others as we would have them do unto us; and to be merciful, just, and pure.”

Science & Health Page 497:24-28

June 18, 2015 - Receiving Grace

"Thailand"
photo from Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #169

“By grace I live. By grace I am released.”

We are taught today that grace cannot be learned, although it is the goal of learning. We are told that grace is laid at the prepared table. This preparation is what we are doing in these divinely metaphysical studies. It takes an open mind to be willing to wake up from the material existence we have accepted as reality. Most have heard the words, Let go and let God! Why is this simple, but not easy? I think it's because of the constant cacophony from physical senses, bombarding us every moment with how things are supposed to be.  Once again, we look for ways to tune in to Truth, God, and turn off the constant chatter. These studies, the practice of meditation, and other avenues, occasionally allow a clear mind in which to feel the Presence which we crave. Through our desire for rest in Oneness, the blissful quiet which has no purpose other than communion with the One, we live by grace and are released from the seeming reality around us, into our true Being as a reflection of divine Mind.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The fading forms of matter, the mortal body and material earth, are the fleeting concepts of the human mind. They have their day before the permanent facts and their perfection in Spirit appear. The crude creations of mortal thought must finally give place to the glorious forms which we sometimes behold in the camera of divine Mind, when the mental picture is spiritual and eternal. Mortals must look beyond fading, finite forms, if they would gain the true sense of things. Where shall the gaze rest but in the unsearchable realm of Mind? We must look where we would walk, and we must act as possessing all power from [It] in whom we have our being.”

Science & Health Page 263:32-9

June 17, 2015 - Giving Grace

photo courtesy of Chris Fischer

ACIM Lesson #168

“Your grace is given me. I claim it now.”

One definition of grace is: "Divine Love bestowed freely on people." I’ll always remember a young woman who came in my gallery one evening and told me that she loved art, but that she didn't have any talent because she had been sexually abused as a child. I smiled at her and she said, No, really, every day for years and years! I told her I wasn't smiling about what she had said or what had been done, but I was smiling at the part of her which had never been touched by any of this. I told her everyone has lots of talent and for her to try different things until she found something she really loved -- and then keep on doing it! Her eyes lit up as she listed things she loved and wanted to do. By practicing kindness when faced with hardness of heart, meekness when those around us are aggressive, loving those who seem unlovable, and paying it forward at every opportunity, we acknowledge the grace which is our true heritage. By this, we learn what it feels like, not just what it means.

Mary Baker Eddy quote: “What we most need is the prayer of fervent desire for growth in grace, expressed in patience, meekness, love, and good deeds."

Science & Health Page 4:3-5

June 16, 2015 - Frozen Thought

"Rainbow Over The Ozarks"
photo from Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #167

“There is one life, and that I share with God.”

After watching the movie, "Frozen", I learned that it had been accused of being propaganda for a liberated way of living which particular groups think of as ungodly. I decided to see if I could turn the movie into a vehicle for what I think, so here it is -- without going into too much detail. We are frozen in a thought system which has been perpetuated by years of dogma and habit. When someone happens to realize their power as the expression of divine Mind, they are labeled as bad, perhaps someone to be feared, maybe even told to hide their light so as not to upset others. And so they hide until someone finds out how fabulous they are, then they either deny it and continue to hide or accept themselves in all their glory -- and they shine! This shining lights up the world from the inside out. "For the wakened mind is one that knows its Source, its Self, its Holiness." (ACIM)

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Question: What is Life?

Answer: Life is divine Principle, Mind, Soul, Spirit. Life is without beginning and without end. Eternity, not time, expresses the thought of Life, and time is no part of eternity. One ceases in proportion as the other is recognized. Time is finite; eternity is forever infinite. Life is neither in nor of matter. What is termed matter is unknown to Spirit, which includes in itself all substance and is Life eternal. Matter is a human concept. Life is divine Mind. Life is not limited. Death and finiteness are unknown to Life. If Life ever had a beginning, it would also have an ending.”

Science & Health Pages 468:26-6

June 15, 2015 - Palpable Joy!

photo courtesy of Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #166

“I am entrusted with the gifts of God.”

Happiness is profoundly palpable. It affects everything and everyone around it. We all have stories of watching situations change when touched with peaceful joy. This doesn't mean we laugh in the face of misery. That is not compassion, but neither is being overly sympathetic while perpetuating the illusion. I hope to never lose the ability to empathize with others. On the other hand, I want to retain the ability to see past the form we call sorrow and know the Truth of the situation. Carrying a calm, buoyant feeling of happiness wherever we go is to bring healing to everything, everywhere. Whether it's a gentle internal smiling or an exuberant outward giggling, I invite you to join me today in the expression of Love, "giving living waters to the thirsty" -- and never fearing the consequences!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Whatever inspires with wisdom, Truth, or Love--be it song, sermon, or Science--blesses the human family with crumbs of comfort from Christ's table, feeding the hungry and giving living waters to the thirsty.”

Science & Health Page 234:4-8

June 14, 2015 - I Know Nothing

photo courtesy of Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #165

“Let not my mind deny the Thought of God.”

When I was a school-aged child, I never wanted to admit I didn't know things. Most of the education I received seemed more like a reminder rather than learning about something new, so when I didn't understand something because it actually seemed foreign, I wouldn't admit it. Only in the past few years have I been comfortable with the words, "I know nothing." Now it seems like a wonderful relief and freedom to say those words -- both silently in prayerful humility and out loud as an odd sort of open confessional. I'm so grateful for this cleansing of false pride and egoism. I was full of self-importance. Now I welcome into my mind every thought that divine Mind has to offer me. I love this type of education!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Mind, joyous in strength, dwells in the realm of Mind. Mind's infinite ideas run and disport themselves. In humility they climb the heights of holiness.”

Science & Health Page 514:6-9

June 13, 2015 - United in Goodness

photo from Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #164

“Now are we one with Him Who is our Source."

The enormity of Oneness may seem more than we can fathom!  But to be united in goodness is such an exciting prospect, don't you think? Realizing our spiritual nature as the experience of divine Love opens a new world in which I am not a victim of mortal mind and its manifestations. I am unafraid to take a stand for harmony and peace, knowing that it is our birthright as reflections of Mind.

Mary Baker Eddy quote: 

"As mortals gain more correct views of God and man, multitudinous objects of creation, which before were invisible, will become visible. When we realize that Life is Spirit, never in nor of matter, this understanding will expand into self-completeness, finding all in God, good, and needing no other consciousness.”

Science & Health Page 264:13-19