Higher Enjoyments

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Lesson #272

“How can illusions satisfy God's Son?”

Often we think that illusions will bring us satisfaction. Perhaps we've been brainwashed by classic songs and movies. From prospective soul mates to the dreamed-of perfect surroundings, we're compelled to keep searching for the completeness we feel we do not have. There may be  moments we think we've found it, but a circumstance can change and we're back where we started. I have a friend who refers to this as "filling up the God hole". He says that's why he drinks and smokes and flits from woman to woman, trying to fill the emptiness. Even though it's recognized for what it is, he finds it too hard to turn within for the fulfillment he so relentlessly seeks. To paraphrase a Bible verse: That which I don't want, I do; that which I do want, I don't. Today I will remember to forget what I don't want and hold thought to what I do!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Higher enjoyments alone can satisfy the cravings of immortal man.”

Science & Health Page 60:31-32

Are We Ready For Truth?

photo from Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #271

“Christ's is the vision I will use today."

Are we finally ready for the truth? People aver that we can’t take the truth. I’m told this about everything from extraterrestrial life to religious doctrine. I think we can take it. People say if the truth be told about everything, society would break down. Perhaps that’s a good thing, huh? Maybe our upheavals stem from the feeling that we’re being lied to everywhere we turn. The total eclipse of the full moon turned my thoughts to these things. In the not-that-far-ago past, the sight of a disappearing moon which turns red and reappears would have caused many fear-based reactions. But the truth sets us free and we can joyfully look up and say “Wow!”. I’m ready!!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Truth, independent of doctrines and time-honored systems, knocks at the portal of humanity.” Science & Health Page vii:13-15

Seeing With Love

Glacier National Park
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #270

“I will not use the body's eyes today.”

After being testy with someone during a phone call, I thought of Bicknell Young’s writing wherein he says that if you don't bring God into your experience first thing in the morning, it may be impossible to do so the rest of the day. He explains that although divine Mind is always with us, it's like electricity and if we don't plug into it, then it is of no benefit. After bluntly, perhaps rudely, expressing my opinion to someone, I realized I had awakened to the roar of motorcycles in the hills, grumbling to myself a bit about their presence in our town, and then became busy with things and did not take time to meditate and open thought to divine Love. I don't like feeling disgruntled and I don't want to spend another moment in that state! Reading today's ACIM workbook lesson and seeing these words, "The quiet of today will bless our hearts...", I recognize that the quiet of today is waiting withIn and nothing going on outside can disrupt that peace. I will plug into the Source which fills my consciousness and rest in Love, letting everything be as it is, without my judgments!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Spiritual vision is not subordinate to geometric altitudes. Whatever is governed by God, is never for an instant deprived of the light and might of intelligence and Life.”

Science & Health Page 215:11-13

Come Together Right Now

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #269

“My sight goes forth to look upon Christ's face.”

Acknowledging that everything and everyone we look upon is the face of divine Love takes our perception to another level. In this sight, we do not need to see race or nationalism of any sort, gender issues are neutralized, there are no political parties with which to wave flags, no enemies nor allies to side with. I see beautiful things happening in our world. Long-held beliefs are being released in favor of an open-hearted acceptance of everyone as they are, not as we want them to be. Our new perceptions of Life are a conscious choice, breaking free of habits and old thought patterns which have held us in bondage for far too long. Let’s celebrate our new-found sight today!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The eternal Truth destroys what mortals seem to have learned from error, and man's real existence as a child of God comes to light.”

Science and Health Page 288:31–1

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