Peace Within - July 7, 2015

"Salt Flats, Utah"
photo from Aaron Springston

ACIM Lesson #188

“The peace of God is shining in me now.”

A cantankerous friend who insists he’s an atheist engaged me in a discussion about God today. His diatribe consisted of stories from the news about people’s actions in the name of their church and beliefs. He told me of close friends who profess to be Christians, yet have become increasingly, vocally hateful in the last few years. I countered each of his stories with stories of my own which illustrated what I think of as God. I told him of a non-dualistic God, one which doesn’t sit up on a cloud granting favors and dispensing retribution, but which is found within. I endeavored to explain how this ever-presence wasn’t pantheism because God is not IN us, but God IS us in much the same way as a sunbeam is the expression of the sun. We are the experience of divine Love, Mind, Soul, Truth, Spirit, Life. “The peace of God is shining in me now.”

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Truth and Love enlighten the understanding, in whose "light shall we see light;" and this illumination is reflected spiritually by all who walk in the light and turn away from a false material sense.”

Science & Health Page 510:9-12

The Blessing of Divine Love - 7/6/15

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #187

“I bless the world because I bless myself.”

 
I have just finished reading a novel called “American Savior” by Roland Merullo. While this book is a delightful political satire, it is also a satisfying spiritual read.  The basic premise is that Jesus runs for president of the United States. He’s just a regular guy who is really nice and extremely capable. He keeps telling us in the novel that we can do everything he does, if only we’ll let ourselves do so. He tells us the same thing in A Course in Miracles texts. I think we’re more ready to listen and understand with every passing day! 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Divine Love blesses its own ideas, and causes them to multiply, — to manifest His power. ”

Science & Health, Page 517:30-31

Celebrating Freedom - 7/5/15

photo from Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #186

“Salvation of the world depends on me.”

A national celebration of independence is happening as I write this. My celebration occurred while I was on the front porch, watching fireflies rise from my overgrown flowerbed-of-a-lawn. I could hear the far-away noise of fireworks, police sirens wailed somewhere in the distance, but I was smelling the flowers and herbs rather than the pungent odor of explosives. I commemorated freedom with my dog while reveling in the peace of God on the porch. Substitute “freedom” for “salvation” in today’s topic — and go forth your day with a freedom of thought as pure as the Voice for God!

Mary Baker Eddy quote: "God creates all forms of reality. His thoughts are spiritual realities. So-called mortal mind — being non-existent and consequently not within the range of immortal existence — could not by simulating deific power invert the divine creation, and afterwards recreate persons or things upon its own plane, since nothing exists beyond the range of all-inclusive infinity, in which and of which God is the sole creator. 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 513:28-9

Independence: Do I Have It?

"Beaver Bridge"
photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #185

“I want the peace of God.”

On this day of celebrating independence, I pause to examine what self-imposed shackles may still be holding me in bondage. There could be many things which keep me from feeling the peace of God, but I don’t think I’m going to concentrate on those today. All of those fears, worries, habits, and such will fall away when I am single-minded in what I truly want. Do I have goals that I have set for myself, limiting in and of themselves, or am I willing to open myself to Spirit’s guidance? We are told in today’s lesson that if we really, truly want the peace of God, we will have it. I’m happy for the reminder to examine my motives. For instance, why am I writing this right now?? Is it for accolades from others or is it to learn how to be open to and learn from what comes through me? Good question! I hope this recognition will allow me to be willing to examine my actions and words, stepping aside and wanting only Peace. Now there’s something to celebrate!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"A few immortal sentences, breathing the omnipotence of divine justice, have been potent to break despotic fetters and abolish the whipping-post and slave market; but oppression neither went down in blood, nor did the breath of freedom come from the cannon’s mouth. Love is the liberator."

Science & Health Page 225:16-22

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