The Limiting Nature of Names

photo from Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #184

“The Name of God is my inheritance.”

From the moment we come into this form, people begin to teach us the names of things, what those names represent, and the meaning we should place on them. These names and meanings separate us from each other: they de-unify us. We think of learning as knowing what these things are, and we study to find out everything about them. In this world we have made, we need these symbols, these names, in order to convey information, yet we keep getting glimpses of true communication -- and, if you're like me, you want more! Watching birds fly in formation is but one way we taste a higher form of knowing. Rather than learning more about the illusion of names and notions, I'd rather work toward understanding the reality of a shared unity, via divine Mind. The knowledge that the confusion we are faced with in daily life is not true creation is a key to the door of Truth. Therein we find peace.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“In the Scriptural allegory of the material creation, Adam or error, which represents the erroneous theory of life and intelligence in matter, had the naming of all that was material. These names indicated matter's properties, qualities, and forms. But a lie, the opposite of Truth, cannot name the qualities and effects of what is termed matter, and create the so-called laws of the flesh, nor can a lie hold the preponderance of power in any direction against God, Spirit and Truth.”

Science & Health Page 177:15-24

July 2, 2015 - Essence of Love

photo from Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #183

“I call upon God's Name and on my own.”

There was a time in my life when I declared that I did not believe in God. Writing these words bring back feelings of cynicism and self-importance which accompanied this seeming-revelation. I think what I was pushing away was the universal belief of this essence we call God. While I had been steeped in the Science of The Christ as a child, when I left home I was sure there was something better waiting to be found. Looking for this illusive something took me along many avenues, from university classes in the bible as literature to LSD trips. During these times, I couldn't even say the word "God". I know many feel this way for various reasons. The following synonyms for God bring me to another level of thought when contemplating the meaning of today's lesson: Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth, Love. I think we are being asked to invoke the essence of God, realizing there is nothing else, that I Am that, and that is all. I have made gods many in my life, but today I will leave them behind and sit with the unity of one God, which is All-in-All.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Question: What is God?

Answer: God is incorporeal, divine, supreme, infinite Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth, Love.

Science & Health Page 465: 8-11

July 1, 2015 - Going Home

"Basin Park - Eureka Springs"
photo from Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #182

“I will be still an instant and go home.”

Any number of people, whom I know quite well, have told me they don't feel like they belong here. I think we all, at some time or another, have felt this way. What if, rather than us not belonging here, this "here" we speak of isn't what we think it is? What if we don't belong in this crazy world, but the world we see isn't reality? Perhaps our true home is something we've sensed is there, sort of like seeing a movement out of the corner of your eye, but when you look directly at it, it's not there.  For years I grasped at straws while ignoring the vast Truth of eternity. We're not strangers in a strange land when we realize the truth of Life. We may think everything is real that we touch and see, but it's shifting and changing, as opposed to the omnipresent stability of our true home. So let's be still a moment and ask to know what that home is. We want it so badly, but we've forgotten what it is. Now we're not afraid to remember!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“As mortals begin to understand Spirit, they give up the belief that there is any true existence apart from God.”

Science & Health Page 282:30-32

June 30, 2015 - One Spirit

photo of Beaver Bridge
from Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #181

“I trust my brothers, who are one with me.”

It seems "they" are trying to harm "us" everywhere we look! From fluoride in our drinking water to desecrating our countryside with electrical lines and chemicals to kill the foliage and fauna, it feels as though we're under attack! And so I'm very happy to have this beautiful ACIM lesson to guide my thought from defense mode to an understanding which affirms the goodness of all mankind -- and explains the reason why. There are so many disciplines which teach us how to deal with material circumstances. They are lovely reminders of how to improve what we call the human condition. Many tell us that we're humans having a spiritual experience, but very few tell us that we're actually spiritual. In divine metaphysics we learn that everything is an idea of God. I am a spiritual idea right here and now! And you are, too! And so are all those who don't realize their inherent goodness. I'm going to pick a person who seems to fall into this category and concentrate on their true Being as an expression of divine Love. This feels like a Science project, don't you think? I shall record the results!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"It should be thoroughly understood that all men have one Mind …one Life, Truth, and Love. Mankind will become perfect in proportion as this fact becomes apparent, war will cease and the true brotherhood…will be established."

Science & Health Page 467:9-13

June 29, 2015 - Released by Grace

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #180 Central Theme: "God is but love and therefore so am I." Review of: #169 "By grace I live. By grace I am released." #170 "There is no cruelty in God and none in me."

"By grace I live. By grace I am released." This spiritual truth was recently brought to worldwide attention by the president of the United States, Barack Obama. In giving the eulogy at a memorial service for nine people who were murdered by a lone gunman in a church in South Carolina, he twice repeated the words, Amazing Grace. Then he slowly started to sing the old hymn. The whole room began to sing along. In a lifetime political rhetoric and drama, it was the most moving and heartfelt moment I have ever witnessed from a public figure. It is grace which allows us to embrace those who persistently speak words with which we disagree. It is grace which permits us to look past the actions of those whose lives run counter to the standard we have set for ourselves. It is grace which keeps us looking inward for peace while others shout for revenge. "Twas blind, but now I see."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmRAxJIa0u8

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"As aforetime, the spirit of the Christ, which taketh away the ceremonies and doctrines of men, is not accepted until the hearts of men are made ready for it."

Science & Health Page Page 131:22-25

June 28, 2015 - Deathless Life

photo from Jim Young
www.creationspirit.net

ACIM Workbook Lesson #179

Central Theme: "God is but love and therefore so am I." Review of: #167 "There is one life, and that I share with God." #168 "Your grace is given me. I claim it now."

I joyously accept the fact that Life is deathless! But then I try to turn that immortality into material existence. I imagine myself going into the "afterlife" in this body, with these feelings, seeing others I love in their bodies with their individuality intact. I may get very upset if anyone tries to tell me differently! I think it's comforting to believe that life beyond the "pearly gates" will be just like this one is -- except better! But wait a minute. If we are spiritual right now, not material, if we are One by virtue of being an idea of God, then we are joined with everyone we love right here and now. We needn't wait until we die to be together because we've never been apart! No one of us knows exactly what will happen after the change we call death, but by listening to those who have more experience than I do in such matters, I am gaining a sense of what seems plausible and what doesn't. One thing I'm absolutely sure of is that there is nothing to fear and nothing to lose. Life is eternal right now!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"If the Principle, rule, and demonstration of man’s being are not in the least understood before what is termed death takes mortals, they will rise no higher spiritually in the scale of existence on account of that single experience, but will remain as material as before the transition, still seeking happiness through a material, instead of through a spiritual sense of life, and from selfish and inferior motives."

Science & Health Page 290:3-10

June 27, 2015 - Answered Prayer

photo from Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #178 Central Theme: "God is but love and therefore so am I." Review of: #165 "Let not my mind deny the Thought of God." #166 "I am entrusted with the gifts of God."

How surprised would you be if your prayers were answered? I have a friend who tells me she's given up on God because she's never seen any proof. Upon questioning her, it turns out she has a laundry list of things she asks for regularly, and none of her wishes have come true. Once again, I feel we often confuse divine Love with Santa Claus. We may be asking some guy in the sky for special dispensation, rather than recognizing that this Principle is an eternal activity which we can plug into at any time. It's kind of like electricity: It's there, but it doesn't supply our needs unless we know how to utilize it. And the secret to plugging in is to not want anything! By not delineating what we think we need, but rather keeping our thoughts tuned to the divine Mind, all our needs are supplied. The nature of this Oneness insures that what we need comes to us, and goes out to others, and we needn't tell It what that need is!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“How empty are our conceptions of Deity! We admit theoretically that God is good, omnipotent, omnipresent, infinite, and then we try to give information to this infinite Mind. We plead for unmerited pardon and for a liberal outpouring of benefactions. Are we really grateful for the good already received? Then we shall avail ourselves of the blessings we have, and thus be fitted to receive more. Gratitude is much more than a verbal expression of thanks. Action expresses more gratitude than speech.”

Science & Health Page 3:17-27