Peace Grows!

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #230

“Now will I seek and find the peace of God."

I read about an interesting experiment. Two people were placed face to face. One was instructed to smile as happily as possible, and the other was asked to retain a neutral look. In most of the cases, the person who was supposed to stay neutral couldn't keep from smiling, too. Happiness, joy, and peace are all spiritual attributes which shine forth through us as the experience of divine Love. They are infectious, don't you think? Let's broadcast this seed far and wide today and watch it grow!

 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 Page 264:24-27

No Separation in Love - August 17, 2016

photo credit: Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #229

“Love, which created me, is what I am."

Many of us have a hard time seeing ourselves as Love. We may feel there are events in our lives so unlovely that we couldn't possibly be the reflection of divine perfection. Many great sages have taught us how to save ourselves from the horror of past events. Thich Nhat Hanh and Mahatma Gandhi teach us ways to rise above our feelings of guilt. No matter how this advice is worded, it comes down to one basic concept: extend Love to others, to everything and everyone. This is our atonement, to see the Oneness of all that Is and realize that nothing can ever occur which will separate us from divine Love. By giving it to the world, we give it to ourselves and feel major changes within. We can forgive ourselves even as we are forgiven, because we were never condemned.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Love inspires, illumines, designates, and leads the way. Right motives give pinions to thought, and strength and freedom to speech and action. Love is priestess at the altar of Truth. Wait patiently for divine Love to move upon the waters of mortal mind, and form the perfect concept. Patience must 'have her perfect work.'" 

Science & Health Page 454:18-24

Pointing Fingers

photo credit: Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #228

“God has condemned me not. No more do I."

If I condemn another, I condemn myself — and it happens so easily! When condemning others, I always feel like I've "fallen off the wagon".  I remember a time when I found myself in a conversation wherein I was condemning the motorcycle riders who visit our town, and the woman I was chatting with was blaming another segment of our society for other things. Was my face red when I realized what I was doing! Pointing a finger at someone else always leaves three pointing back at myself. Rather than engaging in this type of verbal judgment, I will practice loving actively. Or perhaps it's gratitude which triggers a return to Love. Whatever the case, I will hasten to drop the inflammatory words and thoughts I sometimes experience. But if and when they happen, I will choose again!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Man is the idea of Spirit; he reflects the beatific presence, illuming the universe with light. Man is deathless, spiritual. He is above sin or frailty. He does not cross the barriers of time into the vast forever of Life, but he coexists with God and the universe.” Science & Health Page 266:27-32

A Foretaste of Eternity

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #227 “This is my holy instant of release.”

Every moment is a holy instant and everything is a meditation! Every time I have an attack thought and turn it into a loving, non-judgmental one, I am in meditation. When someone says something which could send me into a tirade of condemnation or defense, but I calmly think and say something like “you may be right”, it’s a holy instant acknowledged. One moment of slipping between the thoughts is “a foretaste of eternity”!

Mary Baker Eddy quote: “One moment of divine consciousness, or the spiritual understanding of Life and Love, is a foretaste of eternity.” Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Page 598:23-24

I'll See You There!

"Thailand" photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #226 “My home awaits me. I will hasten there.”

When we speak of departing this world, we are usually referring to the change we call death. In today's lesson, this departure refers to changing our mind about the purpose of the world. What does it mean that my home awaits me? How does this affect my existence? One thing I anticipate eagerly is communication without words, which is readily observable in the animal kingdom. It can be seen while watching birds fly in formation, or when a dog expects someone home five minutes before they get there. With each stretching past our accepted limitations, fresh insights will appear. You may know people who are frightened of this new/old way of living. They find reasons to stand still, afraid that things could be worse than they are if they buck the status quo. I see you, dear One, flying freely, leaving behind stuck thought and viewing life from a higher perspective than you knew was possible! Join with me today in changing my mind about the purpose of the world, while viewing insight and intuition as divine Mind speaking, and seeing home as the kingdom of Love, wherein lies safety. I'll see you there!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Take heart, dear sufferer, for this reality of being will surely appear sometime and in some way. There will be no more pain, and all tears will be wiped away. When you read this, remember Jesus' words, ‘The kingdom of God is within you.’ This spiritual consciousness is therefore a present possibility.”

Science & Health Page 573:27-2

One In Love

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #225

“God is my Father, and His Son loves Him.”

Today’s lesson is asking us to experience the Love which is ever-present by virtue of Oneness, which includes everything and everyone. With one infinite Mind, there are no degrees of unity. It’s easy for me to feel at One with people I like and admire, but what of those I’d rather not be around? I can certainly see myself as One with Meryl Streep or Richard Gere, but what about Donald Trump or — well, you get the idea, I’m sure! If I'm not judging someone to be awful, I won’t feel the need to condemn them in my thought. Today I will remember to see beyond personalities and witness the reality of everyone as the expression and experience of Love! 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“…with one Mind and that God, or good, the brotherhood of man would consist of Love and Truth, and have unity of Principle and spiritual power which constitute divine Science.” 

Science & Health Page 470:2-5

GMass Recommendation

If you are having problems with your mass emailings, I would highly recommend GMass. This service is easy to use, with many helpful features, including tracking of your emails, automatic follow-ups, and many features which the more expensive newsletter services offer. Try them! I think you'll be as happy with this as I am! Mass Mailing With Security and Ease