Let It Be

photo by Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #268

“Let all things be exactly as they are.”

What if everything that bothered us didn’t? What would life be like if we “let things be exactly as they are”, in Truth, without the interpretations we have given them? This thought shift may seem impossible at times, but we are learning that it is an easy transition when we decide to release our specialness. By forgetting all beliefs of creation, whatever that may be, we can let all things be exactly as they are. We can see how things are, rather than how we think they are when we give up our specialness and return to Love. Each one of these workbook lessons is a step toward freedom! 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Human sense may well marvel at discord, while, to a diviner sense, harmony is the real and discord the unreal.”

Science & Health Page: 563: 1-3

Effectual States of Mind

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #267

“My heart is beating in the peace of God"

Living the "peace of God" may seem like a fantasy to those who abide by the laws of materiality. Some think that in order to live this way they would have to be delusional, or stick their heads in the sand, or deny reality in favor of wishful thinking. But many of us see this state of mind in another way! As we learn about the peace which is the Truth of being, we are able to live it in all of daily life, and thereby we see that our ”heart is beating in the peace of God". That state of mind does more for the world than all the preaching we may be tempted to do!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“More effectual than the forum are our states of mind, to bless mankind”

Pulpit and Press, p. 87

Calm, Exalted Thought

photo by Christopher Fischer

ACIM Workbook Lesson #266

“My holy Self abides in you, God's Son.”

Peace is a state of mind. We can feel the epitome of peace in the midst of turmoil. At other times, we may be in an outer oasis of stillness but, due to our tumultuous state of mind, be anxious and upset. It helps me to know that we are all the "son of God". With this realization, I am able to see everything through the eye of divine Love. This is not to say that I'm always calm. Sometimes I forget I am the idea of God, and that everyone else is, too. At those times, who knows how I may be interpreting events! In a state of forgetfulness, I am at the mercy of material belief, being swayed by thought systems which were put in place long before my appearance in this world. But when I remember my holy Self, things appear differently to me. And there is peace.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The calm and exalted thought or spiritual apprehension is at peace. Thus the dawn of ideas goes on, forming each successive stage of progress.”

Science & Health Page 506: 11-14

Creation's Gentleness

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #265

"Creation's gentleness is all I see."

Creation's gentleness is everywhere, but often is covered up by belief in harshness. More and more we're seeing animals showing us the way to being gentle with each other. In our realization of Oneness, we're starting to see that if violence is done to or by one, it's done to or by All. We're allowing our thought to change from fear and anger to Love and gentleness. There may still be many people who want to stay with the old paradigm and say it's necessary for heinous acts to be committed along with retaliation in kind. But there are more people everyday who realize the error of this and know it's possible for the lion to lay down with the lamb.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The new birth is not the work of a moment. It begins with moments, and goes on with years; moments of surrender to God, of childlike trust and joyful adoption of good; moments of self-abnegation, self-consecration, heaven-born hope, and spiritual love.” Miscellaneous Writings, 1883-1896, p. 15

Panoply of Love

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #264

“I am surrounded by the Love of God.”

I don’t usually listen to the radio, but there was an occasion where I was bombarded by one for a couple of hours. This forced exposure graphically brought into focus how insane the content was! The songs were totally inane and yet mesmerizing, the commercials were mostly for drugs and disease, the news -- yikes!! It may seem that we are being brainwashed from every direction, including collective consciousness, but this is the illusion. This illusion is not the consciousness of Love which is God. Love permeates everything, leaving no room for anything else to intrude. Nothing but this Love truly has power.  "Clad in the panoply of Love, human hatred cannot reach me." (MBE) "I am surrounded by the Love of God." (ACIM) When I am tempted to be mesmerized by material sense, I will remember what  is True: I am surrounded by the Love that is God, which is my essence, my essential Being. So I needn't try to see or feel this Love, because it is what I Am.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The very circumstance, which your suffering sense deems wrathful and afflictive, Love can make an angel entertained unawares.”

Science & Health Page 574: 27-30

Beyond the Appearance

photo courtesy of Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #263

“My holy vision sees all things as pure.”

In the past, I would try to avoid those who have a tendency to rant and rave about the behavior of others. Now, although I do not seek out their company, I can listen to them and see beyond the appearance to the Truth. They may be berating their neighbor for some action or another, but I can see the call for Love and allow myself to say, “You may be right about that”, or something similar. I don’t need to agree or disagree, I do not need to correct their actions, but I do need to correct my perception. If they appear to be angry, I needn’t attempt to change that or love that, but I do need to change my thought and remember that they are, in truth, only Love and Its reflection. “I do not need to love the appearance, I need to love the reality beyond the appearance.” (ACIM) There is a lovely innocence involved in seeing through the eyes of Spirit!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“When we learn that error is not real, we shall be ready for progress, forgetting those things which are behind.”

Science & Health Page 353:22-24

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