The Unity of Principle

creation of Sandy Starbird

ACIM Workbook Lesson #262

“Let me perceive no differences today.”

I saw a totally white hummingbird in my yard! I had never seen one before and perceived it to be really special. Seeing this lesson topic causes me to examine if I feel this way about people, too. It is difficult to not perceive people and things as good or bad, pretty or plain, and other made-up designations I’ve learned to use throughout my life. I posted to Facebook that I’d seen this sweet bird and asked if anyone else had seen it, too. One woman had, and another brought me a beautiful book with the above painting in it. If you’re interested, the book is called Moon Dances and is written by Nancy Wood. These thoughts and this experience help me to look at everything through the eyes of divine Love, perceiving it all as the reflection of that Love, allowing myself to embrace the wonder and perfection of it all. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“With one Father, even God, the whole family of man would be brethren; and with one Mind and that God, or good, the brotherhood of man would consist of Love and Truth, and have unity of Principle and spiritual power which constitute divine Science.”

Science and Health Page 469:30–5

We are Harmless, Useful, Indestructible

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #261

“God is my refuge and security."

It's easy to feel my security comes from physical things and my refuge is my home. I feel so safe and happy and often find myself expressing gratitude out loud for the peace and comfort I find here. To say that "God is my refuge and security" is, I feel, saying the same thing, but even more expansively and inclusively. As I learn to trust what is invisible to the human eye but palpable deep within mySelf, peace becomes possible no matter what the circumstance. Of course, it's easy to forget and become caught up with hectic circumstances in daily life. But the process of discovering Truth is an adventure which is never-ending. That's why I love it so much! No matter how much I come to know, there is always more.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“All of God’s creatures, moving in the harmony of Science, are harmless, useful, indestructible.”

Science & Health Page 514:28-30

No Dead Ends - September 17, 2015

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #260

“Let me remember God created me.”

I Am the experience and expression of God. We are learning what that means and it's a wonderful adventure! For too many years, high officials of churches have tried to tell us that we are mortal sinners and the only way we can gain favor with God is to go through them, performing odd penances and other rituals which I feel certain have nothing to do with the Oneness we are embracing. God Is; I Am. There really isn't anything else to say, but yet there is so much! We have questions that seem unanswerable, but perhaps that's because we have been told there are many things we must simply accept because we can't understand. Through the study of divine metaphysics, we find there are no unanswerable questions. In this remembering, I find there are no dead ends where I must simply "believe", relying on blind faith alone. God is as close as I am to myself, and all answers lie within, available for the asking -- and, most importantly, for the listening!! Remembering what is true leaves me with a wonderful peace. I am most grateful.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Infinite Mind creates and governs all, from the mental molecule to infinity. This divine Principle of all expresses Science and art throughout His creation, and the immortality of man and the universe. Creation is ever appearing, and must ever continue to appear from the nature of its inexhaustible source.Science & Health Page 507:24-28

The Reflection of Perfection

photo from Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #259

“Let me remember that there is no sin.”

In these "remember" lessons, I have been making an effort to forgive myself the things I continue to feel guilty for and about. There are only a few, but they recur in thought like the moon making an orbit. Today while talking to a friend, she told me how it took her a long, long time to forgive someone who accused her of terrible things years ago. After we finished talking I wondered if we ever truly forgive as long as we remember the occurrence. I have a feeling that some day I won't remember these things I hold onto today, they will simply be gone from thought because God is "of purer eyes than to behold iniquity", and I'm a reflection of that perfection. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Question: Is there no sin?

Answer: All reality is in God and His creation, harmonious and eternal. That which He creates is good, and He makes all that is made. Therefore the only reality of sin, sickness, or death is

the awful fact that unrealities seem real to human, erring belief, until God strips off their disguise. They are not true, because they are not of God.”

Science & Health Page 472:23-30

Remember to Remember

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #258

“Let me remember that my goal is God.”

I had a friend who died from cancer. She was always busy doing things. I once asked her if she ever had any quiet time and she honestly told me that she didn't want any because then she would have to think. Many traumatic events had happened in her life, including the violent deaths of her parents and tragic passing of her children. Maybe our thoughts are constantly occupied by collecting material possessions, or perhaps we simply need the busyness of daily life to keep us from thinking about painful memories, but in either case we rarely allow ourselves the quiet we need to hear Spirit. We fear the unknown and think that these things around us are what we need, rather than looking beyond them to the Truth which heals our fear. We may use alcohol and drugs to cover up the turmoil for a little while, but lasting peace only comes through knowledge of Love. Sometimes love is used as a soporific, placating our desire for an all-encompassing Love with no beginning nor end. Today I will remember to remember what I have forgotten, which is only found within.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“This scientific sense of being, forsaking matter for Spirit, by no means suggests man’s absorption into Deity and the loss of his identity, but confers upon man enlarged individuality, a wider sphere of thought and action, a more expansive love, a higher and more permanent peace.” Science & Health Page 265:10-15

What Do I Want To Be?

Utah Sunset
photo courtesy of Nick Franchi

ACIM Workbook Lesson #257

“Let me remember what my purpose is.”

What is my purpose? I'm sure we were taught as young children to have goals, to want to "be" something, to have a life plan. I never did very well at that, and I'm sure many of you didn't either. It never felt right to decide what should be and then do everything possible to make that happen. So when I'm told that my purpose is to discard all my beliefs and listen inwardly, to allow myself to know God and have that as my one goal -- well, I'm just delighted!! My purpose is to know God, and thereby to know myself as an expression of divine Mind. I want to understand what it means to be animated by Spirit, led by Soul, guided by Principle, and to shine forth with Life, Truth, and Love. What a lofty, yet simple, goal! One thing have I desired ...

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Spirit, God, gathers unformed thoughts into their proper channels, and unfolds these thoughts, even as He opens the petals of a holy purpose in order that the purpose may appear.”

Science & Health Page 506:18-21

Quiety Notice Insanity - September 13, 2015

Mr. Timpanogos Goat
photo taken by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #256

“God is the only goal I have today.”

We are learning to differentiate between Love and fear. Sometimes we’ve become so accustomed to thinking in fearful ways that it’s difficult to see it. We may want to keep fear-filled behaviors, perhaps thinking that they serve a necessary purpose.  When we realize erroneous thought within ourselves, often we’ll start trying to talk ourselves out of it and attempt to change our minds. This seldom works for anyone. Many end up with guilt because they can’t change their thought; some may even turn away from a spiritual path because they feel like failures. Don’t!! It’s sort of like meditation. If we try to stop all thought and can’t, we may become agitated and give up a very worthwhile activity. But if we can quietly accept that thoughts we don’t want are running amok in our head, acknowledge them and let them go — well, we have a chance of attaining our goal of quietude. So it goes with this study, too. Let's not beat ourselves up or try to force a particular way of thinking.  Let’s quietly notice when we’re slipping into the insanity, laugh at ourselves, and go forward with joy!!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“There is but one primal cause. Therefore there can be no effect from any other cause, and there can be no reality in aught which does not proceed from this great and only cause.”

Science & Health Page 207:20-22