Giving up What?

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #156

“I walk with God in perfect holiness.”

“Walking with God in perfect holiness” implies a yielding, don't you think? How else could you walk this walk without giving up what you think of as yourself? You can't. What finally got through to me was the realization that what I was giving up was NOT myself, but a mishmash of everything I had ever been told was true, combined with an erratic belief system I had decided was me. Add to that the hypnotism of media and the pull of mass consciousness and we're left with a pretty convoluted idea of what we are. Little by little, I'm letting go of beliefs and learned behaviors. Being present in the moment, giving my full attention to whatever may be in front of me, loving myself and everyone and everything in Its oneness -- this is what I see as walking with God. Accepting myself and everything as holy becomes easier when viewed without judgment. Simply witnessing events, perhaps with amusement, is certainly more fun!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“We must look where we would walk, and we must act as possessing all power from [It] in [which] we have our being.”

Science & Health Page 264:10-12

Quietly Led By Love

photo credit: Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #155

“I will step back and let Him lead the way.”

It's sometimes difficult to know when to speak, when to act, or when to be quiet. It’s not always easy to remain silent about something we have passionate feelings toward. Sharing what we’re learning is a good thing, but pushing our attitudes on others, particularly if they’re not ready to hear them, serves no purpose. I recently had a lovely day with old friends who have very strong opinions about a number of things in this life. It was an opportunity to step back and ask myself if I wanted to express my opinions and engage in sport-arguing by joining in the contentious conversation, or if I would choose to enjoy listening while maintaining inner peace. I didn’t feel the need to make my views known or to correct what I feel is wrong, choosing rather to be led by Love. And I am grateful!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Spiritual sense, contradicting the material senses, involves intuition, hope, faith, understanding, fruition, reality." Science & Health Page 298:13-15

Ministers of Love

ACIM Workbook Lesson #154

“I am among the ministers of God.”

Does this statement cause you to be nervous or perhaps feel unworthy of such a title? It sent me to the dictionary to see how our ego-ridden definitions might apply. I like these: "providing spiritual guidance to people" and "tending to the needs of others". The first time I thought of this word in relation to myself was when a friend told me my art gallery was my ministry. Thinking back to the way people in need of spiritual guidance were drawn there as if by a magnet, I must agree with him. We all are "ministers of God" in our own individual way. Just as we all have different talents, we all have something of value to give. As today's lesson states: "It is not our part to judge our worth, nor can we know what role is best for us." We are also advised to not be arrogant nor falsely humble. Our role as a minister of Love is clearly defined, but not by our human desire. Today let's listen with hearts wide open!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Millions of unprejudiced minds--simple seekers for Truth, weary wanderers, athirst in the desert--are waiting and watching for rest and drink. Give them a cup of cold water in Christ's name, and never fear the consequences.” Science & Health Page 570:14-17

Defenselessness or Defensiveness?

photo credit: Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #153

“In my defenselessness my safety lies.”

This is my favorite topic of all! The reason I love this lesson so much is because I feel it pertains to absolutely everything we say, do, and feel in our daily existence. Obviously this topic could inspire the writing of a very large book, but here I shall give you some words from the lesson and a short example of what they mean to me. “Defenselessness is strength; defensiveness is weakness.” How did you feel and what did you do the last time someone disagreed with you, perhaps vehemently? If you began a verbal defense, listing all the reasons you were right, you may have been left feeling many negative emotions such as anger. On the contrary, any time I’m able to witness events and calmly watch and listen, perhaps saying something simple such as, “You may be right”, then I am able to walk away happily and peacefully. We are told in this workbook lesson that we will not see the light until we offer it to others and they take it; then we will recognize it as our own. How lovely is that! I look forward to the opportunities for seeing peace today.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Truth and Love enlighten the understanding, in whose ‘light shall we see light;’ and this illumination is reflected spiritually by all who walk in the light and turn away from a false material sense.”

Science & Health Page 510:9-12

Liberal, Conservative, Moderate??

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #152

“The power of decision is my own.”

I received a call from a political pollster which has left me confused about more than a few things. Mainly, I’m wondering when three words in particular began to imply varying degrees of lunacy. Here are the words, with a short definition: Liberal - open to new behavior or opinions and willing to discard traditional values. Conservative - holding to traditional attitudes and values and cautious about change or innovation. Moderate - average in amount, intensity, quality, or degree. These words and their definitions do not convey the extreme meaning which the news media apparently wants us to feel. When I was asked by the pollster which I considered myself to be, I was speechless. But then I threw caution to the wind and answered boldly, remembering what I write about every day: change of thought, seeing a new world where illusions appear to be, living fearlessly as Love!

Mary Baker Eddy quote: “Progress takes off human shackles. The finite must yield to the infinite. Advancing to a higher plane of action, thought rises from the material sense to the spiritual, from the scholastic to the inspirational, and from the mortal to the immortal.” Science & Health Page 256:1-5

Letting Loose the Lies

photo credit: Christopher Fischer

ACIM Workbook Lesson #151

“All things are echoes of the Voice for God.”

What is truth? Everywhere we look, it seems we have been and are being told lies. Religion, science, politics, the news media, advertisements, history — the list goes on. If we know something is a lie, why would we cling to it so adamantly?? It seems we prefer to live in a world of lies rather than to take a step into the great unknown world of Truth. And then we ask, How do we know what is Truth in a world of lies? That, dear Ones, is why we must listen within. Today’s Course in Miracles workbook lesson describes this as “echoes of the Voice for God”. We are told that all things are these echoes. But what of the lies we just spoke of? Those are all material, mortal, ego-based beliefs. The reality of our existence is covered up so thoroughly we have forgotten how to experience it. But we are remembering, aren’t we? Infinite Mind never hides Its voice! 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“As the reflection of yourself appears in the mirror, so you, being spiritual, are the reflection of God. The substance, Life, intelligence, Truth, and Love, which constitute Deity, are reflected by creation; and when we subordinate the false testimony of the corporeal senses to the facts of Science, we shall see this true likeness and reflection everywhere.”

Science & Health Page 516:2-8

Going Viral With Love!

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #150

Review of: #139 "I will accept Atonement for myself." #140 "Only salvation can be said to cure." The main thought to hold to in this review: “My mind holds only what I think with God."

On the last day of our ten-day review, I am thinking about the main theme for this review: "My mind holds only what I think with God". I'd like to see this thought "go viral" today! We've all seen the contagious nature of fear in the web of our existence, but its opposite is infectious, too! Today as we enjoy every moment of this day, let's eradicate all erroneous, fearful thoughts we may witness with the balm of Love. And why are we able to do such a thing? Because of Truth: “Nothing real [Love] can be threatened. Nothing unreal [fear] exists. Herein lies the peace of God.”

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Human hate has no legitimate mandate and no kingdom. Love is enthroned.”

Science & Health 454:9-10