Turn on the Light!

photo from Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #198

“Only my condemnation injures me.”

It seems impossible to stay away from thoughts of condemnation. While it may be tempting to jump up on our high horse and expound on the rightness and the wrongness of external events, this justification is only from the standpoint of belief. Mortal mind, ego, tells us that we know this is real and we must do something about it. But listening and allowing ourselves to be led is much more productive than going off on a tangent and telling people how they should change their ways and everything will be better. The internet is known as the world-wide web, and that is quite an analogy for the Oneness which we share as spiritual beings. The instant and constant connection we all have with each other through our unity is there for the recognition of it. It's akin to flipping on the light switch in a dark room. If we don't know that's possible, we continue to sit in the dark. But when we sit with quiet expectation that our inner knowing will supply us with all we need, we may just find ourselves walking over to that unknown element and turning on the light! 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The condemnation of mortals to till the ground means this, — that mortals should so improve material belief by thought tending spiritually upward as to destroy materiality.”

Science and Health Page 545:7-10 

One in Gratitude

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #197

“It can be but my gratitude I earn.”

We tend to project our own feelings onto God, don't you think? I guess it's part of our illusionary training to see Source as anthropomorphic, and so it's easy to put conditions and limitations on forgiveness and gratitude. Seeing myself as a reflection of God is a great first step in developing spiritual sense, but it's easy to think that God is a reflection of me! I may feel that I can never forgive certain things because they're just too bad. But God "is of purer eyes" than to see these things. So there is nothing to forgive when I'm living in Oneness. My beliefs may tell me I'm grateful that things aren't as bad as they could be, but God's creation is only good. And so anything unlike God, good, is unreal. Mortal mind, or ego, would tell me many other stories, but I choose to listen to Truth. My gratitude, your gratitude, God's gratitude -- it's all One and the same, as is the Love which conveys it!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“When man is governed by God, the ever-present Mind who understands all things, man knows that with God all things are possible."

Science & Health Page 180:25-27

Upward and Inward

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #196

“It can be but myself I crucify.”

At this point in the Course in Miracles workbook lessons, we are repeatedly told that we are on the brink of realizing salvation, revelation, heaven. The belief systems we have put into practice throughout the years may begin to talk back to us in protest of our new way of thinking. Fear not! We have the tools to stand fast in our knowledge. We have each other as reminders in support. We have inner knowing to tap into for verification on our path. We can move onward, upward, inward, fearless and secure in Love!

Mary Baker Eddy quotes: “Mortal error will vanish in a moral chemicalization. This mental fermentation has begun, and will continue until all errors of belief yield to understanding. Belief is changeable, but spiritual understanding is changeless.” S&H Page 96:21-24

The Gratitude Walk

photo from Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #195

“Love is the way I walk in gratitude.”

I am loving this workbook lesson today! Having had a prosthetic device for a couple of months which is enabling me to walk unaided, after a few months of not being able to do so, I am particularly grateful to be walking -- and especially to be walking in gratitude! Today's ACIM topic is not about being grateful to God, but because of God! God is Love. To experience and demonstrate this Love, nothing is required of us other than our awareness of it. When facing circumstances which feel difficult, I will look at them through the lens of Love, honestly wanting to know the Truth of the situation. In gratitude I open my eyes to whatever may be revealed!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"We should examine ourselves and learn what is the affection and purpose of the heart, for in this way only can we learn what we honestly are.”

Science & Health Pages 8:28-31

Radical Reliance on Love

photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #194

“I place the future in the Hands of God.”

I used to be a worrier. I remember the oppressive feeling. When I would be waiting for my husband to come home from work, if he was late, the worry was so intense that I couldn't stand myself! I remember at one point I just started thinking that the worst had happened, that this truck-driving man had died on the road and I'd never see him again. This seemed to be easier to accept than all the what-ifs involved in the waiting and wondering game. Whew, am I glad that's over! Today I only want to know one thing: what it means to be a creation of divine Mind. Having this radical reliance on Love allows me to release worry and fear of the future. It is stated in today's ACIM lesson that if we see this yielding for the deliverance it is, we won't be hesitant to give it our wholehearted effort in order to make it a part of us. Eventually, trusting this Truth will permeate our every thought and action, allowing us to see the world as a friend rather than the opposite. What a beautiful Life!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“It is the prerogative of the ever-present, divine Mind, and of thought which is in rapport with this Mind, to know the past, the present, and the future.”

Science & Health Page 84:11-13

I Will Forgive and This Will Disappear

photo from Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #193

“All things are lessons God would have me learn.”

I am learning to let go of illusions. Some of these illusions are perceived hurts and grudges which tend to accumulate until they form a dam keeping us from a more wholesome way of thinking. Sitting down to write these words, I looked back at last year’s daily writing. In it I spoke of seeing someone whom I held grudges toward and wondering what she thought of me. At that time, I vowed to release those feelings. As I read the words, I had absolutely no idea who or what I was referring to! I have changed my mind about that situation — whatever it was! Yippee!!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Take heart, dear sufferer, for this reality of being will surely appear sometime and in some way. There will be no more pain, and all tears will be wiped away. When you read this, remember Jesus' words, 'The kingdom of God is within you.' This spiritual consciousness is therefore a present possibility.”

Science & Health Page 573:28-2

Strength Through Forgiveness

photo from Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #192

“I have a function God would have me fill.”

Forgiveness is the function I am to fill. How often have you heard it said that we must remember some horrendous event, that we must never forget? Throughout the ages, we've heard these words (or something similar) so often that we think there is a mandate telling us that this is the way to handle our hurt. From the Holocaust to 9/11, these words resound over and over in memory. By releasing this type of fear and hatred and disgust, we clear the way for something else to appear: the reality of our Being, the wholeness of this Life, the beauty of Love. This is not a weakness, but the ultimate strength. Today I want to build on this until it overtakes me. I want to know Truth until illusion is pushed away. In mercy I find freedom.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Not to avenge one's self upon one's enemies is the command of almighty wisdom; and we take this to be a safer guide than the promptings of human nature. To know that a deception dark as it is base has been practiced upon thee, and yet not to avenge thyself, is to do good to thyself; is to take a new standpoint whence to look upward; is to be calm amid excitement, just amid lawlessness, and pure amid corruption."

Miscellaneous Writings Page 228