Peace Entertained Unawares

photo credit: Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #112: Review of: #93 "Light and joy and peace abide in me" #94 "I am as God created me."

We are, each and every one, the home of light and joy and peace — whether we remember this Truth or not! It would seem that events conspire to keep us from this peace. We’re rocking’ along being joyful and light, then bam! — something blows up on our car, or a loved one does something we deem wrathful, or our business falls apart, or — well, as we often say, it’s always something! I find comfort during these times by reminding myself that I don’t have to know what’s going to happen, I simply need to remember that the best possible outcome is there waiting for me to discover it. It’s not going to benefit anyone or anything if I innumerate every possible outcome, worrying about the pros and cons until I’m worn out and feeling hopeless. Instead I will rest in the knowledge that creative Mind is the principle which governs everything with the light of Love!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Think of this, dear reader, for it will lift the sackcloth from your eyes, and you will behold the soft-winged dove descending upon you. The very circumstance, which your suffering sense deems wrathful and afflictive, Love can make an angel entertained unawares.”

Science & Health Page 574:25-30

Rudyard Kipling Would Be Pleased!

ACIM Workbook Lesson #111 Review of:  #91 “Miracles are seen in light." #92 "Miracles are seen in light, and light and strength are one.”

What a miraculous time we live in! Innovations in technology are unprecedented, and the fruits of these changes are a constant source of amazement and amusement! Today a dear friend and I went to the movies and were awe struck by the 3D version of "The Jungle Book". In this dimensional technology, it is very easy to forget everything other than what is before your eyes — because it seems to be coming from your brain. We were in the jungle with talking animals and fantastic, exciting happenings! These rapidly-changing improvements from movie makers remind me of the ever-unfolding view of reality which we are realizing. Our burgeoning understanding of quantum physics and divine metaphysics is taking us to a new level of living, just as the movies we see today are on a whole other level than they were a few decades ago. What a wonderful time to be experiencing Life!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“What to material sense seems substance, becomes nothingness, as the sense-dream vanishes and reality appears.” Science & Health Page 312:5-7

True Image

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #110

“I am as God created me.”

During a conversation, I was asked how I could have come through a particular time without some form of psychological therapy. I hadn't considered that as an option, but in retrospect, I see that it was because I accepted reality over illusion. The reality is that I am as God created me. The illusion is all the stories I encountered which could affect how I feel about myself and others. Let's say you have just found out about something which happened in the past. This new knowledge changes many material truths you believed, including your name, age, and heritage. What reaction would you have? Perhaps your initial response would be anger. People would say this is a normal reaction to betrayal. With the realization that you are as Love created you, this situation is seen to have absolutely nothing to do with your true self, allowing the hurtful illusion to dissipate as mist hit by sunlight. Our hurt feelings, our fears, can disappear into their native nothingness, being replaced with the Truth: "I Am as God created me". Anything other than our true creation is changeable, and so today I choose unchanging, eternal Truth!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“In divine Science, man is the true image of God. The divine nature was best expressed in Christ Jesus, who threw upon mortals the truer reflection of God and lifted their lives higher than their poor thought-models would allow.”

Science & Health Page 259:6-9

Resting in Truth

photo credit: Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #109

“I rest in God.”

To rest in divine Mind frees us from all planning and worry. To give away all belief in and living from past experience clears the way to knowing Truth. To know Truth means to know ourselves, and to demonstrate Principle in our every thought and action. Although I find this spiritual practice invigorating, not everyone feels the same. I know people who think they would be giving away their individuality if they let go of their personal history. I find the opposite to be true. When I lose a sense of personal responsibility, when I let go the beliefs I've had about certain circumstances, there is a pure empty space in thought. This space is now open to recognize what has always been there: Love. Divine Love. This is our power: the ability to accept the good that is there for us, the ability to rest in God. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“…when we realize that immortal Mind is ever active, and that spiritual energies can neither wear out nor can so-called material law trespass upon God-given powers and resources, we are able to rest in Truth, refreshed by the assurances of immortality, opposed to mortality."

Science & Health Page 387:8-12

Giving and Receiving

photo credit: Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #108

“To give and to receive are one in truth.”

Most of the people I know are givers. They give of their time and money to causes they support; they give love and affection to family and friends; they give of themselves generously, always stepping up when anyone is in need. But many of these wonderful people aren't comfortable receiving compliments, or taking a helping hand when they're having problems, or accepting a gift when they're in need. Why do they give so freely, but are uncomfortable accepting others’ offerings to them? This duality in thought is negated with the understanding of today's lesson, which tells us that giving and receiving are one in truth. "One thought, completely unified, will serve to unify all thoughts." [ACIM] This unification is the spiritual Principle which governs everything, when seen for what it is: Truth. Today I will open my heart to receive all the good which is innately mine, and this reception opens avenues to share in unexpected ways. I will offer to others everything I want for myself: peace, happiness, joy, contentment, satisfaction, grace, love. Freely I have received, freely I give!

Mary Baker Eddy quotes:    

"A musician demonstrates the beauty of the music he teaches in order to show the learner the way by practice as well as precept. Jesus’ teaching and practice of Truth involved such a sacrifice as makes us admit its Principle to be Love."  

--Science & Health Page 79:30-32

Corrected Thought

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #107

“Truth will correct all errors in my mind.”

Every prayer, every meditation, every expression of divine Mind is magnified exponentially. We have the power to change the world through ourselves. Every interaction identifies us with either a world of love or of fear. This healing Love spreads through the web of Oneness. In the same way that we take personal responsibility for ourselves, our health, our well-being, we can take responsibility for a return to Love. Every thought contributes to the whole! We never know what difference a simple interaction could make in someone's life. A single word or a smile may turn them away from reactive fear to healing Love. The Truth which corrects all errors in our mind is our ascension into heaven within. Never doubt that you matter, that you make a difference.  Allow silence and listening to guide you in your role of being the change you want to see! 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Immortal ideas, pure, perfect, and enduring, are transmitted by the divine Mind through divine Science, which corrects error with truth and demands spiritual thoughts, divine concepts, to the end that they may produce harmonious results." Science & Health Page 259: 27-31

Be Still and Know

photo credit: Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #106

“Let me be still and listen to the truth.”

We are advised today to "be still and listen" to Truth. We are also told that for every five minutes we spend listening, a thousand minds are opened to the Truth we hear. Don't you feel we are very close to a tipping point in spiritual discernment? Every thought we have is important, especially during difficult times. When events occur which bring forth strong negative emotions in people, it is even more important to hold thought to this Truth which is heard in silence. Listening, hearing, receiving, and giving the Truth which is God is our job today and every day!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Willingness to become as a little child and to leave the old for the new, renders thought receptive of the advanced idea. Gladness to leave the false landmarks and joy to see them disappear,--this disposition helps to precipitate the ultimate harmony. The purification of sense and self is a proof of progress.”

Science & Health Page 323:32-5