Problems Solved!

Part of Our Book Club

ACIM Workbook Lesson #90

Review: “Let me recognize the problem so it can be solved.” and “Let me recognize my problems have been solved.”

I’ve mentioned my book club a number of times in past writings. We are a group of women who have met for over twelve years with a book as the center of our monthly discussion, but really that’s just a reason to get together and enjoy each others’ company. We have some who think logically from the standpoint of science, and some who live intuitively from the heart. We have teachers, a yoga instructor, a veterinarian, businesswomen, cattle and turkey farmers, a librarian — actually, a single definition isn’t enough for any one of these women. They are multi-talented and diverse. We have incredible discussions and enjoy one another more than I can say. While I feel that this group of women could solve all the problems of the world — and actually feel like we do that every time we get together! — I believe this feeling comes because despite our various opinions, we all live from Love. Everything we do is guided by something larger than what our human reason can encompass. And so as I bask in the glow of being with them, I will remember that the only problems comes from a belief in separation, and I thank these women for helping me to feel whole. Namastè ~~~

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Human reason and religion come slowly to the recognition of spiritual facts, and so continue to call upon matter to remove the error which the human mind alone has created.”

Science & Health Page 173:25-28

Held in Place by Thought

ACIM Workbook Lesson #89

Review: “I am entitled to miracles.” and “Let miracles replace all grievances.”

"The Dog Whisperer", (whom I mention often in these writings) Cesar Millan, tells us he rehabilitates dogs and trains people. He observes that dogs live in the moment. When he is helping people to understand a dog which seems maimed by past experiences in its life, he always tells us that feeling sorry for the animal is of no benefit. How can this be? The dog is hurting and we're being asked to deny that? Yes!! This is why we are learning that it's necessary to give up all beliefs -- not just those we deem to be "bad", but all material beliefs. By letting them go and replacing them with an openness of thought which allows us to hear the Truth of our Being, we experience the miracle which is the natural order of Life. It may not seem logical to say that we can simply release feelings of fear and anger. They can appear very real to us, but if we stop and examine them, do they have any purpose other than to bind us to the past? One dog Cesar worked with had slid into a glass door. The dog was now afraid to walk on any floor without a carpet. Upon investigation of its people's reactions, they had immediately reinforced the dog's fears by petting, and commiserating, and talking about what a horrible experience it had been. They held the dog in fear by acts they thought of as compassion. What Cesar explains is that dogs live in the moment, unless they're held in the past by everyone around them. I’m so grateful for every experience which helps me to discern between belief and reality -- especially when it's shown to me by a dog!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“When an accident happens, you think or exclaim, 'I am hurt!' Your thought is more powerful than your words, more powerful than the accident itself, to make the injury real."

Science & Health Page 397:12-16

Put the Big Rocks in First

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #88:

Review -- "The light has come." and "I am under no laws but God's"

Many of you have probably heard the story of the teacher who fills a pail with rocks and asks his student if it is full. Yes, says the student. Then the teacher pours gravel into it until it can hold no more. Is it full? Yes. Then he does the same with sand, then water. The moral of the story? Put the big rocks in first! I remembered this tale today when a series of events began to unfold which left me a bit flustered. I won’t go into detail, but I am getting ready for my book club to meet here in two days, and I had planned a leisurely two days of cooking and cleaning and arranging. After returning home from a fun day of bridge, there were phone messages which brought unexpected news, the most surprising was that I needed to take part in a memorial service and it would involve some rehearsal in preparation for the actual service on Wednesday. I had a few moments of panic until I reminded myself to sit down and breathe and remember that the reason I don’t make plans is because I don’t know what the future may hold. And as I tell you all often, we must simply face whatever is happening and do what we need to do! I welcome the guidance of divine Mind and the laws of Love which shall guide me through the activities of the next two day — and I’ll remember to put the big rocks in first!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“To suppose that God constitutes laws of inharmony is a mistake; discords have no support from nature or divine law, however much is said to the contrary.” Science & Health Page 183:4-7

Led By Love

"After the Metafizzie Meeting - 2007"

ACIM Workbook Lesson #87

Review: “I will there be light.” and “There is no will but God’s.”

I recently came into possession of the recordings from metaphysical meetings we had 8 or 9 years ago. Today I listened to a discussion which included people telling how they  came to live in Eureka Springs. In this joyous conversation everyone had a different story, but they had a common denominator: they had not consciously made the decision, but had been led, in various ways, to be here. There was something at work which had nothing to do with human will. People talked about divine guidance, serendipity, blind luck — it all involved a will which had nothing to do with logic or human understanding. The events which led to us being in the same room talking about metaphysics, God, Life, Love — all the while laughing and expressing joy openly — was also something which came about seemingly by chance. Life is so wonderful when we don’t have to know what’s going to happen next!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Will, as a quality of so-called mortal mind, is a wrong-doer; hence it should not be confounded with the term as applied to Mind or to one of God’s qualities.”

Science & Health Page 597:24-26

Resurrection of Thought

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #86

Review: "Only God's plan for salvation will work." and "Holding grievances is an attack on God's plan for salvation."

What does the Easter story mean to you? I see it as a tale which illustrates the death of false beliefs and the resurrection of thought to the Truth of being. Jesus was here to teach us that we are all the children of God, that we are all capable of far more than we realize, and that we are all immortal. And he did teach these things, but people have diluted the message throughout the years. You would think such a lesson of power and freedom would grow in thought rather than dissipate, but it has not. At this point in time, we seem satisfied living a mortal life of fear and guilt. Perhaps it's easier than accepting the majesty of our Being. Truth is that we are not mortal sinners, but rather immortal reflections of divine Love. We crucify ourselves on the cross of belief and stay there because we don't know how to get down. Jesus told us to know the Truth and be freed. This Truth is that the kingdom of heaven is within! Today I want to celebrate a rebirth which is happening continually when I open myself to the Christ Idea within. And if you want to call it by another name, that’s just fine, too!!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Salvation: Life, Truth, and Love understood and demonstrated as supreme over all."

Science & Health Page 593:20-21

Let the Light

photo credit: Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #85

Review: "My grievances hide the light of the world in me." and "My salvation comes from me."

A dear friend passed on recently. I feel she died of a broken heart. She, like you and me, had the light of the world in her, but it was hidden by grievances. She felt let down by people and held back by life's circumstances. As today's review reiterates, we must want to see in order to do so. At times I thought she was ready to lay aside past hurts, but it never happened. As we are told in Lesson 70: “Today I will recognize where my salvation is...I will not look for it outside myself. It is not found outside and then brought in. But from within me it will reach beyond, and everything I see will but reflect the light that shines in me and in itself." During this time of renewal and resurrection, may we all look past the circumstances, turning to the Truth of being, and find salvation!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Ignorance of the divine idea betrays at once a greater ignorance of the divine Principle of the idea — ignorance of Truth and Love. The understanding of Truth and Love, the Principle which works out the ends of eternal good and destroys both faith in evil and the practice of evil, leads to the discernment of the divine idea."

Science & Health Page 560:28-4

Living Expressions of Love

photo credit:
Faith Pettit-Shah

ACIM Workbook Lesson #84

Review: “Love created me like Itself.” and “Love holds no grievances.”

Pondering today's review, I'm thinking of all the people I know who are living expressions of Love. There is the local woman who makes others happy by dressing up as a beautiful clown for various events and, on the side, cares for the elderly.  Down the street lives a physically handicapped woman who participates in various ways to help feed the needy in our town. Organizations, such as a small independent school, provide children an education in a free atmosphere, allowing many to develop in a joyous way that may not have been possible otherwise. I'm sure you can name a multitude of people who are examples of Love's reflection. Let's spend this day noticing examples in others -- and in ourselves, too!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Love giveth to the least spiritual idea might, immortality, and goodness, which shine through all as the blossom shines through the bud. All the varied expressions of God reflect health, holiness, immortality-- infinite Life, Truth, and Love."

Science & Health Page 518:18-22