Antidote to Rhetoric

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #160

“I am at home. Fear is the stranger here.”

“Fear is a stranger to the ways of love.” This beautiful statement is the first line in today’s workbook lesson. At the weekly Course in Miracles meeting, one of the attendees read a statement from a past lesson which had stuck with him: “Love cannot judge.” These two statements seem to fit perfectly as an antidote to the barrage of rhetoric which is being thrown at us daily during the seemingly-eternal political campaigns. As I steadfastly turn from judgment, rather seeing myself as the embodiment of divine Love, I cannot feel fear as it is impossible when living the ways of love!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Let neither fear nor doubt overshadow your clear sense and calm trust, that the recognition of life harmonious — as Life eternally is — can destroy any painful sense of, or belief in, that which Life is not.” Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures  495:16-20

Hearing Impaired or Enhanced?

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #159

“I give the miracles I have received.”

Through these writings, I've made a number of friends. One man in the Netherlands has brought me many insights and new ways of looking at Life. For the past few days, we have been discussing what people might term miracles -- specifically as pertaining to a deaf man who won Dancing With the Stars and a mostly-deaf woman who is an incredible musician, playing with orchestras and contemporary artists all over the world. We're pondering what exactly it is which enables these people to achieve a level of competence which could be thought of as impossible with hearing loss. Evelyn Glennie, a deaf percussionist, states that she hears with her whole body. She has given a Ted Talk on the art of truly listening, which is most enlightening. Is this miraculous or simply the way we are meant to be? It seems that extremities of condition always push us to reach past what we've thought of as limitations. I feel that the world is starting to realize this phenomenon and we are beginning to live in a new way. I thank the Internet for allowing us to hear of these happenings, and for helping us to connect with others of like mind the world over!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Sight, hearing, all the spiritual senses of man, are eternal. They cannot be lost. Their reality and immortality are in Spirit and understanding, not in matter, — hence their permanence.” 

Science & Health Page 486:23-26   

Reciprocity of Love

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #158

“Today I learn to give as I receive.”

Before we learn to give as we receive, we must realize what we are receiving! It could be said we're receiving the gifts of God — but what is that? We are learning it is the knowledge and demonstration of our true being as Spirit; that we are one with All That Is. We needn't worry that we're not good enough, or that we don't know enough, or that we've made too many mistakes to qualify as the reflection of God, the image of Love, the idea of Mind. Many belief systems try to make us think we’re not worthy to think of ourselves in this way, but we can replace those beliefs with truth. And once we have received Love, we can give it away!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The sun, giving light and heat to the earth, is a figure of divine Life and Love, enlightening and sustaining the universe.” 

Science & Health Page 538:11-13

The Presence of Love

"Mexico" photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #157

“Into His Presence would I enter now.”

"Practicing the Presence" was the first book I read by Joel Goldsmith. In it, he reminds us that we already are and always will be "in his Presence", as this Course in Miracles lesson is reminding us today. The space "I enter now" is a shift in my perception, a change of my thought. This shift allows me to realize that I always was and always will be the experience and expression of God. I Am that I Am. If good news were reported in the media, they would be proclaiming universal yielding to Truth, because we're seeing it everywhere! That's what it's all about, huh? We are being "renewed by the transforming of our mind". We're transforming our mind into Mind and entering into the kingdom of heaven which is within. How wonderful to know we have that choice!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“One moment of divine consciousness, or the spiritual understanding of Life and Love, is a foretaste of eternity.”

Science & Health Page 598:23-25

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