Extending Peace

photo credit: Kailey Jones

ACIM Workbook Lesson #346

"Today the peace of God envelops me, And I forget all things except His Love."

I am so grateful for this topic today, telling me that the peace of God is all there is and reminding me of the all-encompassing power of Love. A few days ago I self-righteously engaged in the correction of a cousin who lives far away. He posted something to social media which I deemed to be inaccurate and I felt obligated to tell him why this was. He asked why I was being oppositional and I told him it was because his comments were incorrect and inflammatory. It seems I momentarily forgot that I cannot change anyone’s thinking but my own, and I regret doing so. Today I shall climb down off of my high horse and remember kindness is more important than my perception of right and wrong. Through forgiveness, I extend peace!

Mary Baker Eddy quote: "Love, redolent with unselfishness, bathes all in beauty and light. "

Science & Health Page 516:12-13

Miracles Everywhere

photo credit: Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #345

"I offer only miracles today,

For I would have them be returned to me."

"Do you think we live in a police state?" These were the opening words of a phone call. Yes, of course, was my response. These are the types of conversations I  generally walk away from, but since he had just had this realization and was upset, I stayed with him on the subject. While I did express more strong opinions than I generally am willing to admit I have, the conversation was, for the most part, a cry for him to return to Love. I see our current mortal, mental state as a reflection of the fear we harbor; a fear which is fed by most everything in daily life. I talked to him of tipping points, and mass consciousness, and our true consciousness as an expression of God. We could  go on and on about the material conditions, causes, and solutions, but to get to the heart of it all takes spiritual sense, which cannot be gleaned from intellectual exercises. And that's where I see the miracle: the revelation which reveals the omnipresence of divine Mind in every situation, no matter how dire physical sense tells us it is.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The great miracle, to human sense, is divine Love, and the grand necessity of existence is to gain the true idea of what constitutes the kingdom of heaven in man.”

Science & Health Page 560:11-15

Universal Love

ACIM Workbook Lesson #344

"Today I learn the law of love; that what I give my brother is my gift to me."

A friend brought me an interesting question, which I’d never heard before. He said one of his friends had asked him to pray for them, that they had an incurable disease and they wanted his prayers. He explained to the person that he was an atheist and he couldn’t do that. They begged him to do so anyway. He called me wanting to know what to do, mainly wondering what to say to them in order to not hurt their feelings by refusing. I assured him it wasn’t necessary to believe in a big guy in the sky which would grant favor if he asked; that it was perfectly acceptable to tell his friend he would send good thoughts to the universe, or something along those lines. Anything which expresses love is a gift, and one which may be given in a multitude of ways. Honestly expressing love to those in need is a gift which circulates freely to them, back to us, and out to everywhere!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Truth has no consciousness of error. Love has no sense of hatred. Life has no partnership with death. Truth, Life, and Love are a law of annihilation to everything unlike themselves, because they declare nothing except God.” Science & Health Page 243:25-29

Love Without Expectations

ACIM Workbook Lesson #343

"I am not asked to make a sacrifice

To find the mercy and the peace of God."

What if all I need do to find peace is to stop thinking habitual, limiting thoughts? Let's say someone wants to change a personal relationship which we've had for some time. An example is when my son was 14 and he told me he didn't belong here, in this town, going to this school. My first thoughts were ones of blame -- toward myself and him. Why would he want to leave? What have I done to cause him to feel this way? Looking back, I see that his going away to school was the best thing that could have happened for both of us, but at the time it felt devastating. Living with the certainty that all is well, yielding to the intuitions given by divine Love, allows relationships to ebb and flow with nourishing experiences.  What a joy it is to give up personal agendas and preconceived notions of how things should be,  welcoming Love without the expectations we so often have of others! I feel no sense of sacrifice in this trade-off!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“…divine Principle never repents, but maintains the claim of Truth by quenching error. The pardon of divine mercy is the destruction of error.” Science & Health Page 329:24-26 

Knowing the Truth

"Self and self"
created by Sandy Wythawai Starbird

ACIM Workbook Lesson #342

"I let forgiveness rest upon all things,

For thus forgiveness will be given me."

I am amazed that it is so difficult to accept myself for what I truly am! In Christian Science, this acceptance is often called "knowing the Truth”; in A Course in Miracles, it is known as forgiveness. Of course, there are many other ways to define this, but it's all semantics. What it boils down to is not just talking about this Principle, but really, truly knowing it! We are not material, we are spiritual. Spiritual perception is reality; material illusion is just that. I can talk about this until the cows come home, but it doesn't make it true in this reality I’ve created unless I quit talking and begin knowing! Our learned behavior is strong, but not as strong as Truth. Ego, mortal mind, wants us to stay with what seems real. I've convinced myself it is real and it seems impossible to release this fallacy, but I shall hold to the Truth of spiritual reality until the false falls away. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"The spiritual reality is the scientific fact in all things. The spiritual fact, repeated in the action of man and the whole universe, is harmonious and is the ideal of Truth. Spiritual facts are not inverted; the opposite discord, which bears no resemblance to spirituality, is not real. The only evidence of this inversion is obtained from suppositional error, which affords no proof of God, Spirit, or of the spiritual creation. Material sense defines all things materially, and has a finite sense of the infinite."

Science & Health Page 207:27-4

No Defense in Love

photo credit: Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #341

"I can attack but my own sinlessness, and it is only that which keeps me safe."

From today's introduction to the next workbook lessons: "A miracle is a correction. It does not create, nor really change at all. It merely looks on devastation, and reminds the mind that what it sees is false." Today starts a ten-day study of "What is a Miracle?" The need to defend and attack cannot come from the reflection of God. Divine Love does not need to defend itself or fear anything, as it knows nothing of such things. The world we live in was made to hide the innocence which is our Being. Viewed through the miracle of forgiveness, we see a world different than one viewed through the eyes of revenge and retribution. I may see a dream of darkness, but Truth is light. You may be interested in reading more. If so, here is a link: http://acim.org/Lessons/lesson.html?lesson=341

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"The miracle of grace is no miracle to Love."

Science & Health Page 494:15

Relaxing Into Silence

photo credit: richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #340

"I can be free of suffering today."

Perhaps you know someone who feels they are following their path, who works hard to make a living in this way, yet seems to fail at every turn? I have a friend who is fearfully wondering why this is, and so I ask her: Are you desiring success or are you finding ways to understand your Being as the expression of God? Are you joyful in everything you do? Are you grateful for every little thing which brightens your day? It seems to me that people are dropping their negative reactions and unfounded beliefs, but often are floundering because they have nothing to fill the void left from this letting go. I feel that some sort of active spiritual practice is necessary to facilitate a joyful existence. So my advice is to go to Sufi dances, or practice yoga, or study the teachings of something you feel demonstrates Truth. But most importantly, meditate. Make time to relax into the silence, regularly and as often as possible. And don't forget that five seconds of stillness, caught in between activity is priceless!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Who that has felt the loss of human peace has not gained stronger desires for spiritual joy? The aspiration after heavenly good comes even before we discover what belongs to wisdom and Love. The loss of earthly hopes and pleasures brightens the ascending path of many a heart. The pains of sense quickly inform us that the pleasures of sense are mortal and that joy is spiritual." Science & Health Page 265:25-30