Powerful Peace

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #221

“Peace to my mind.  Let all my thoughts be still.”

Today begins part two of the Course in Miracles workbook. Now is the time for us to stop telling ourselves what we are and to Be! We are reminded that an unforgiving thought is very busy in its judgment, closing our mind to everything other than the injustice we deem has been done us. Contrary to this skewed view of reality is forgiveness in all its peaceful stillness. I’m thinking back to times when I was upset because of others’ actions, perhaps feeling hurt by a slight I took personally or a seeming attack of some sort. It’s easy to feel justified in seeking to avenge an action we see as wrong, but as our text tells us: “Do nothing, then, and let forgiveness show you what to do…”. A peaceful mind with still thoughts is far more powerful than all the vengeful action we can imagine. How fortunate we are to have plentiful opportunities to practice this Truth! 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Spiritual living and blessedness are the only evidences, by which we can recognize true existence and feel the unspeakable peace which comes from an all-absorbing spiritual love.”

Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures Page 264:24-27

Put Off the Old Man, Put On the New

"John Muir Trail"
photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #219

Central Theme: “I am not a body. I am free. For I am still as God created me.” Review: #199 “I am not a body. I am free.”

"If you want to change your dog's behavior, you first have to change your belief of what you think is possible." This statement was made by Cesar Milan, a/k/a The Dog Whisperer. I've quoted this mindful man many times in the past, and his words have brought me much guidance and comfort. We, as people, tend to hold on to our learned behaviors, keeping ourselves and our animals stuck in place even if we recognize the need to move upward in thought. Our expectations are powerful hindrances or goals for forward movement. My dog teaches me many things, but the most important is how I sabotage myself with my fixed way of seeing myself and others. Calm, assertive behavior brings an instant karma which shows Truth mirrored forth in both myself and those I see as others!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"This mortal is put off, and the new man or real man is put on, in proportion as mortals realize the Science of man and seek the true model." Science & Health Page 408:22-26

Evolution of Thought

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #218

Central Theme: “I am not a body. I am free. For I am still as God created me.” Review: #198 “Only my condemnation injures me.”

Recognition of our unity is a major turning point in our evolution. With the knowledge that everything is connected, that what affects one affects all, we are prompted to stand up and make the change within ourselves that we would like to see in the world. Knowing that there are only two choices, Love or fear, dispels the blindness which has kept us helpless for so long. We have within ourselves the ability to change the world! True evolution is an evolution of consciousness. To wake up from the hypnosis we have allowed ourselves to fall under is a very exciting proposition, don’t you think?  Love is the liberator! Open yourself to divine Mind and live as you were created, accepting your reality as the reflection of Love, allowing Spirit to guide your every action. The time is now!

Mary BakerEddy quote:

“The miracle introduces no disorder, but unfolds the primal order, establishing the Science of God’s unchangeable law. Spiritual evolution alone is worthy of the exercise of divine power.”

Science & Health Page 497:24-27

Projections of Thought

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #217

Central Theme: “I am not a body. I am free. For I am still as God created me.” Review: #197 “It can be but my gratitude I earn.”

The last few days' reviews we have released the past, the future, the present. How do we let go of a memory of an event which haunts us? How do we forgive an incident which seems unforgivable? The ultimate understanding is that it never happened; that it's an illusion, a projection of thought from our mortal mind, and nothing more. But how do you see that reality when the seeming-reality keeps coming back, causing you to relive the painful memory of whatever it is? When my mind wants to replay a circumstance in all its glorified pathos, I recognize that I have a choice. I can choose again and not see that person, that event, in a way which causes me to feel yet more pain, anger, sorrow. I can think instead of the goodness, kindness, and love inherent in everyone, and allow its reality to form an image in my thought. I can play lots of games with myself in this way, and perhaps cajole myself out of thinking badly or sadly, but to get to the root of this circular dream, the answer may lie in the ideas we're studying today: "It can be but my gratitude I earn". I take this to mean, in part, that I needn't worry about what anyone else thinks about me. If I am being true to myself, to God, that is enough! 

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.” 

Science & Health Page 323:32-4

Am I Attacking Myself?

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #216

Central Theme: “I am not a body. I am free. For I am still as God created me.” Review: #196 “It can be but myself I crucify.”

Years ago, I jokingly told someone that my neighbor was so upset with me that I thought he might tie himself to a cross in my front yard and set it on fire. In today’s review we are told that, “…you will realize that to attack another is but to attack yourself. You will be free of the insane belief that to attack a brother saves yourself. And you will understand his safety is your own, and in his healing you are healed.” Thinking about these past events, I wonder if I am attacking us by not forgiving. And how do I know I haven’t forgiven these things? Because I remember them.

Mary Baker Eddy quote: “When we realize that there is one Mind, the divine law of loving our neighbor as ourselves is unfolded; whereas a belief in many ruling minds hinders man’s normal drift towards the one Mind, one God, and leads human thought into opposite channel where selfishness reigns.” Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures  Page 205:22-27

Putting One Foot in Front of the Other

photo credit: Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #215

Central theme: "I am not a body. I am free. For I am still as God created me." Review: #195 "Love is the way I walk in gratitude."

A year ago, I was re-learning to walk. Having spent six months in a wheelchair after an amputation, I was eagerly putting one foot in front of the other with the aid of a prosthetic device. It was odd because, in that short time, I had forgotten some of the finer points of walking. I would watch other people to see what I was or wasn’t doing right, as it didn’t feel natural. this unnaturalness can also be observed in people who know something is missing in their lives, but aren’t sure what it is. When we meet someone who shines forth with goodness, has a spark in their eyes, a feel-good energy emanating from their being, we naturally want to emulate that person. As I walk through this day, I shall do so in gratitude, thankful to recognize that “certain something” and follow it!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“As the crude footprints of the past disappear from the dissolving paths of the present, we shall better understand the Science which governs these changes, and shall plant our feet on firmer ground.”

Science & Health Page 224:4-7

Emptying Vessels

photo credit: Arthur Lau-Sed

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #214

Central theme: "I am not a body. I am free. For I am still as God created me." Review: #194 "I place the future in the Hands of God."

I’ve had a shift in thought toward my parents. They were beautiful, kind, generous people; this I've always acknowledged and appreciated. But those memories seemed to be dimmed by the stronger remembrances of their latter days. I had feelings of anger and betrayal, and guilt concerning my part in it all. I've realized that many things they did came from their love, although their actions were influenced by strong opinions about the way things should be. My regrets come from actions based in selfishness and fear. In acknowledging these memories (which may not be at all the way they actually occurred, as that’s how our ego remembers!) I feel as though they are falling out of me and I’m sweeping them away into the ethers. With every release of well-rehearsed past events, or the quiet recognition of rarely-remembered guilt and pain, peace becomes reality for me. It doesn't matter if anyone was right or wrong, it doesn't make any difference what motives were involved, part of me has been emptied to be filled with the only reality: Love.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“We cannot fill vessels already full. They must first be emptied. Let us disrobe error. Then, when the winds of God blow, we shall not hug our tatters close about us.”

Science & Health Page 201:13-15