Glimpses of Freedom

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #279

“Creation's freedom promises my own.”

When we are told we are free, we have images of what that means, and these imaginings may cause us to wonder about our perceived bondage. I know I live with limiting beliefs every day, and it often seems impossible to be released from them. We think a multitude of rules and beliefs must be obeyed in order to survive and thrive, and when we start to realize most of these so-called rules have nothing to do with our true existence, it can be frightening -- and exhilarating! The freedom of our true creation is seen through a change in our perception of reality. Taking ourselves out of the prison of preconceived notions allows the Love we are to show through our actions in sublime ways. And we glimpse freedom!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The periods of spiritual ascension are the days and seasons of Mind’s creation, in which beauty, sublimity, purity, and holiness — yea, the divine nature — appear in man and the universe never to disappear.”

Science and Health Page 509:24-28

Infinitely Unbound

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #278

“If I am bound, my Father is not free.”

It's easy to feel bound by illnesses and injuries, financial burdens and grief. Our lives appear to have a beginning and an end, but do we believe there is an end to Love, to Spirit, to Soul? We are gaining an understanding that we are the image and likeness of what we call God, or Mind, and that as this Idea we are without beginning nor end, free and boundless as infinity! And the Truth sets us free!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The admission to one's self that man is God's own likeness sets man free to master the infinite idea.”

Science & Health Page 90:24-25

The Law of Freedom

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #277

“Let me not bind Your Son with laws I made."

Change is good! We are all releasing laws that hold us to thought which simply is not working. We're changing many things in our experience, from the way we shop to the way we love. As we examine the beliefs we live by, we realize we can be a law unto ourselves. The fears which have followed us throughout our lives have shaped our views of everything around us, but a universal shift in thought is upon us and we're each feeling it in our own way. The understanding that we don't have to be bound by any material belief, because our true identify is spiritual, is bringing us to a tipping point in consciousness realization. This freedom will be absolutely experienced, not only personally, but in the collective. When? Well, since we're not slaves to time, why not now!!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Laws of nature are laws of Spirit; but mortals commonly recognize as law that which hides the power of Spirit.” Science & Health Page 183:19-20

Curiouser and Curiouser

[from Alice in Wonderland, Disney movie]

ACIM Workbook Lesson #276

“The Word of God is given me to speak.”

My favorite quote from Alice in Wonderland is: “Sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast!” I've always felt a kinship with Alice, as I'm sure many of you do, too. Everything seems to be “curiouser and curiouser” until we realize it’s a dream — not just our dream, but a collective consciousness illusion what is reinforced to such an extent that we think it’s our own! In these studies, we’re working toward taking ourselves out of the illusion, away from the beliefs which are so instilled in our minds that we think they are Truth with a capital “T”. I think the Course in Miracles lesson for today could have been an inspiration to Alice. To speak the Word is to live it; to live it is to understand the purity and perfection of true creation. I want to continue allowing Love to lead, taking me to places I never thought could be, thereby finding my way to Truth, just like Alice!

 Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Let discord of every name and nature be heard no more, and let the harmonious and true sense of Life and being take possession of human consciousness.”

Science and Health Page 355:11-14

Dance of Mortal Mind

photo credit: Heather Peters

ACIM Workbook Lesson #275

“God's healing Voice protects all things today.”

I had a lovely, long lunch today with an old friend I hadn’t seen in a couple of years. He has been through some interesting situations with his body, including bouts of extreme dizziness. As we talked of this and other things, he told me he has discovered that getting upset over situations worsen this condition. Intense emotional reactions seem to be a triggering mechanism, causing him to become unbalanced. How’s that for a metaphor?!! One thing we quickly agreed upon was how the physical changes we both have been through since we last visited with each other were wonderful catalysts for change in our lives — for which we are both very grateful. I feel this beautiful day has prepared the ground for receiving these words from today’s workbook lesson: “Yet has this day been chosen as the time when we will seek and hear and learn and understand. Join me in hearing. For the Voice for God tells us of things we cannot understand alone, nor learn apart. It is in this that all things are protected.” And so it is …

Mary Baker Eddy quote: “Upon this stage of existence goes on the dance of mortal mind. Mortal thoughts chase one another like snowflakes, and drift to the ground. Science reveals Life as not being at the mercy of death, nor will Science admit that happiness is ever the sport of circumstance.” 

Living Love

photo credit: Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #274 

“Today belongs to love. Let me not fear.”

I saw a movie in which a businessman was hit in the head, developed a blood clot, and became happy all the time. Since happiness cannot be contained and overflows with no expectations, wonderful things began to happen! He ran a very large, money-making-oriented company, which had always catered to the prospering of the business not the contentment of the employees. After he became happy, he built a daycare center, gave everyone raises in salary, and began to see money as a tool rather than a goal. Then his children were angry because the company wasn't making as much money and they were afraid. While he recognized what was important in life, his children wanted him to go back to his money-based way of living, fearing they wouldn't have enough. He was living Love; they were living fear. We see it every day, don't we? I vow today to support every act of Love-based living I see. While we can't set out to eradicate fear, we can scatter joy and happiness, and watch Love blossom.

Mary Baker Eddy quote: 

"PSALM XXIII [Divine love] is my shepherd; I shall not want. [Love] maketh me to lie down in green pastures: [love] leadeth me beside the still waters. [Love] restoreth my soul [spiritual sense]: [love] leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for [love] is with me; [love’s] rod and [love’s] staff they comfort me.

[Love] prepareth a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: [love] anointeth my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house [the consciousness] of [love] for ever."

Science & Health Page 577:4-18

Disturbed or At Peace?

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #273

“The stillness of the peace of God is mine.”

“If we give way to a disturbance, let us learn how to dismiss it and return to peace.” [ACIM] This evening at a monthly gathering of friends, I was talking to someone about how to leave behind disturbing events and hold to the peace of which we speak today. It seems that when this woman wakes up in the night, her thoughts turn to troublesome things which seem to have no solution. Another friend spoke up and said that when this happens to her, she takes deep breaths and repeats the word, “thankful”. As she loses herself in her breath and gratitude, she peacefully returns to sleep. I like that a lot. We all have our ways of turning off this voice which is based in mortal mind, not divine Mind. I love hearing how others tune into the channel of peace, so let me know what you do! I love the realization that if we get lost in the insanity we have the choice of returning to tranquility!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The calm and exalted thought or spiritual apprehension is at peace.Thus the dawn of ideas goes on, forming each successive stage of progress.” Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures Page 506:11-14