Hearing Heartbeats

"Ozark Rainforest"
photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #191

“I am the holy Son of God Himself.”

What barriers am I putting up which keep me from seeing my reality as the experience of divine Mind? This is something I will think about today, because it could be anything. I’m reading a novel right now with the intriguing title of “The Art of Hearing Heartbeats”. The main character loses his eyesight when he’s a young boy. One of his mentors tells him that the true essence of things is invisible to the eyes. He says the eyes distract us as they love to be dazzled, and that we rely too heavily on them and neglect our other senses — and he means more than hearing or taste or smell. “I’m talking about the organ within us for which we have no name. Let us call it the compass of the heart.” So today I will let barriers fall and intuition rise, knowing in Truth I’m the holy reflection of Love.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“God creates neither erring thought, mortal life, mutable truth, nor variable love.”

Science & Health Page 503:24-25

From Pain to Joy - July 9, 2015

photo from Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #190

“I choose the joy of God instead of pain.”

I witnessed a simple example of pain and guilt being turned into forgiveness and joy. I went for a car ride with a friend. As I got in she asked how I was and I said, "To quote my dear friend, Richard, it's the best day of my life!" She said, "Oh, I've only said that once, and I've regretted it for 20 years." She explained that she had been working in a restaurant and had said it was the best day of her life to a young couple when they asked how she was. Later on, she found out that they had just lost a baby, and she felt so guilty about feeling good that she not only never said that again, but has remembered it, with guilt, all these years. When she finished telling her tale, I laughed. I told her that if they were out eating and drinking that soon after their loss, they must have wanted happy diversion or else they would have stayed home. My sweet friend was thrilled! She said that after all that time of feeling guilty, it was suddenly gone! So there was a perfect, simple example of how a little shift in perception can turn pain to joy. Woo-hoo!!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Willingness to become as a little child and to leave the old for the new, renders thought receptive of the advanced idea. Gladness to leave the false landmarks and joy to see them disappear, — this disposition helps to precipitate the ultimate harmony." 

Science & Health Page 323:32-4

Ever-Present Love

ACIM Workbook Lesson #189

“I feel the Love of God within me now.”

I know a friend who doesn’t want to quiet her mind. She tells me that goal would go against everything she’s ever worked toward all their life. She says it’s taken a lifetime to gain all this knowledge and she wants to hold on to every bit of it. It can be scary, I suppose, to let go of belief and ritual, not to mention wanting to stop thinking about all the memories of a lifetime. I woke up this morning and decided to notice every thought I had which was not necessary. They started coming to me fast and furious, but with each acknowledgement, it became easier to “hold thought to the enduring, the good, and the true…” MBE. I have a reason for wanting these thoughts to be gone: to allow the ever-present Love of God to be foremost. This Love is everywhere, and I know I need only clear the way for it to be felt and expressed!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Love inspires, illumines, designates, and leads the way. Right motives give pinions to thought, and strength and freedom to speech and action. Love is priestess at the altar of Truth."

Science & Health Page 454:17-21

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