Separation or Unity

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #330

“I will not hurt myself again today.”

I hurt myself by believing in separation more than unity. Feelings of aloneness are manifested in many ways in our daily life. Perhaps we think everyone is out to get us, or maybe we feel like no one knows what's best other than those in our particular tribe. There are any number of ways we assert our specialness and keep ourselves separate from God, hence from everyone, and sometimes this separation is manifest in ugly ways. Maybe something is said to another which we wish we could take back, or perhaps anger flares suddenly and we feel guilt over our feelings and shame about the outcome. There are a multitude of human actions we may regret, but the acceptance of our heritage as a child of divine Love allows us to forgive and choose again. For this, I am grateful.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Error begins by reckoning life as separate from Spirit, thus sapping the foundations of immortality, as if life and immortality were something which matter can both give and take away.”

Science & Health Page 539:3-7

Limitless Mind

photo credit: Jim Young

ACIM Workbook Lesson #329 “I have already chosen what You will.”

The custom of celebrating birthdays has always seemed odd to me. I love the way the Aboriginal people think of this. They see no reason to celebrate being a year older, but rather announce to loved ones when they have grown in some way, and this is the reason for celebration. I have never wanted my children to make a big deal of mother's day or my birthday. I feel that we honor one another every day, and occasionally things happen which make us appreciate each other even more. Recently my son posted on Facebook that I am his hero. It doesn't get much better than that! The leaving behind of our personal sense of will and the acceptance of the divine Will leaves nothing but Thanksgiving every day. For this I am grateful.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Infinite Mind cannot be limited to a finite form, or Mind would lose its infinite character as inexhaustible Love, eternal Life, omnipotent Truth.”

Science & Health Page 257:26-29

Gratitude

ACIM Workbook Lesson #328 "I choose the second place to gain the first."

I Am grateful for the footsteps of Truth which have brought me to this present understanding. I Am grateful for where these steps will take me tomorrow. I Am most grateful for the omniscient Love which upholds me right where I Am. Today will be a day of gratitude expressed in every action. Every abundance witnessed leads me to a humble appreciation for All that Is.

Thank You greatly ~~~

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Are we really grateful for the good already received? Then we shall avail ourselves of the blessings we have, and thus be fitted to receive more. Gratitude is much more than a verbal expression of thanks. Action expresses more gratitude than speech."

Science & Health Page 3:22-27

The Liberating Power of Love

Photo Credit: Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #327

"I need but call and [Love] will answer me."

Change is liberating! I'm seeing many people releasing the past, and it's bringing them peace and a new level of joy. One friend tells me of her beloved cat being at the vet's office, perhaps getting ready to pass on. In years past, she would have been distraught, but is surprised that she is not. It's not that she loves any less, and perhaps she's experiencing love even more fully. Another friend tells me she's going through a time of letting go -- without even being aware of what exactly is being released! Isn't this great? We don't have to know what it is that's bothering us in order to be freed from it. This concept in itself is liberating! To have no need for analysis or so-called deconstruction, but to simply give yourself the gift of freedom -- what a joy! I am so grateful for all of you who stand unafraid, welcoming the new paradigm!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The depth, breadth, height, might, majesty, and glory of infinite Love fill all space. That is enough!”

Science & Health Page 519:3-5

A Transformed and Forgiven World

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #326 “I am forever an Effect of God.”

Today's Course in Miracles lesson states: "Let us today behold earth disappear, at first transformed, and then, forgiven..." These are the types of statements which are often deemed as incomprehensible. My suggestion would be to read the text with an open mind, not trying to make any intellectual evaluations, simply listening for inspiration within your own self. At some point, the confusion related to hearing new ideas will pass and we will experience a new world. What a perfect time is today to let it all go and surrender to our true Being as the expression of divine Love!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"What is the scientific statement of Being? Answer: There is no life, truth, intelligence, nor substance in matter. All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation, for God is All-in-all. Spirit is immortal Truth; matter is mortal error. Spirit is the real and eternal; matter is the unreal and temporal. Spirit is God, and man is His image and likeness. Therefore man is not material; he is spiritual." Science & Health Page 468:8-15

Ideas of Truth

photo credit: Jay Vrecenak

ACIM Workbook Lesson #325 “All things I think I see reflect ideas.”

I Am an idea of divine Mind. I am a product of all the thoughts I have, I decide what those thoughts mean, and what might come about because of them. Which one of these sentences do you think is true? Thinking about being an idea of God is one thing; Being that Idea is yet another! Objectively thinking about being an idea of Mind is easy, but to subjectively reflect this idea might seem impossible. Could a sunbeam be anything other than an emanation of the sun? We, as a creation of divine Mind, cannot be anything other than Its experience. As a material creature subject to all the whims of mortal mind, we never know what to expect. Thank goodness we're actually spiritual!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Ideas of Truth alone are reflected in the myriad manifestations of Life, and thus it is seen that man springs solely from Mind.” Science & Health Page 543:26-28

Leadings of Divine Mind

ACIM Workbook Lesson #324

“I merely follow, for I would not lead.”

We, as humans, seem to need -- even enjoy -- following the lead of others. Many of us blindly go along with the ideas of others, perhaps without questioning the wisdom of doing so. Often three or four cars turn down the dead-end street on which I live, each following the lead car without noticing the signs indicating there is no way out. The lemming effect often takes over! We seek out and follow orders from anyone we perceive to be wiser or more knowledgeable than we are. Perhaps we do this in case things go wrong, then we can say it wasn't our fault because someone else told us to do it (whatever it may be!). I'm sure there are more reasons for this behavior than the simplistic examples I've given here today, which are really irrelevant because we don't need to tarry at the problem, but focus on the solution. And the solution is to follow the inward direction which we all hear, but often ignore. I pray for the courage to listen and follow, secure in the knowledge that a sure ending is inevitable.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The Christian Scientist wisely shapes his course, and is honest and consistent in following the leadings of divine

Mind.” Science & Health Page 458:26-28