No Judgment in Love

photo credit: Heather Peters

ACIM Workbook Lesson #352 "Judgment and love are opposites. From one Come all the sorrows of the world. But from The other comes the peace of God Himself."

I know that if I’m not peaceful, I must be choosing separation and exhibiting judgment. I’ve found this to be a good gauge in all areas of life. By noticing whether I feel agitated, perhaps nervous or angry, or if I’m calm and joyful, gives me the clues to recognizing if my thought is being ruled by emotions and beliefs or if I’m allowing a higher thought to be channeled through me. During the five years I spent attending a metaphysical gathering in our town, I had plenty of practice in recognizing these differences. You know how we often refer to people “pushing our buttons” — meaning that we get angry about most everything they say! — well, during these meetings, there were numerous people whom I felt caused these reactions in me. Through years of examining my thoughts and reactions, I’m beginning to understand the source of peace, and it’s the same place I find its opposite: within.  Changing my thought from judgment to Love becomes a reward in and of itself, as I find the pure peace which had always seemed so fleeting. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Teach them that their being is sustained by Spirit, not by matter, and that they find health, peace, and harmony in God, divine Love.” Science & Health Page 416:32-2

The Revolution Where You Live

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #351

"My sinless brother is my guide to peace. My sinful brother is my guide to pain. And which I choose to see I will behold."

I’ve always known that what I need will show up when I need it — or when I’m ready for it! Today I had a long visit with a close friend, after which she sent me an article from the editor of Yes! magazine. I had forgotten about this wonderful publication to which I subscribed over a decade ago, but it has reappeared at a perfect time. This quote grabbed ahold of me and shook hard a couple of times: “When you only see the dying era, things that are full of life appear either irrelevant or poignant. ... These are not anomalies—they are indicators of a much greater dynamic that is allowing us to become whole.” This dovetails perfectly with the series of ten Course in Miracles workbook lessons which delve into the question, “What Am I?” I look forward to an in-depth study of this topic, along with inspiration from Yes! — and also reading the book co-founder, Sarah Van Gelder will be releasing shortly, The Revolution Where You Live.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The death of a false material sense and of sin [separation], not the death of organic matter, is what reveals man and Life, harmonious, real, and eternal.” Science & Health Page 296:10-13

All or Nothing

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #350 "Miracles mirror God's eternal Love. To offer them is to remember Him, And through His memory to save the world."

I love this quote attributed to Albert Einstein: “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” Through various religious teachings, most of us think of a miracle as being divine power setting aside a material law, allowing something otherworldly or supernatural to occur. What if a miracle is simply a correction pf our limiting beliefs, opening us to divine Mind and the limitless Life which is our true heritage as a child of Love? By this remembrance, we heal our mind of separation, giving us a clarity of thought and sight before unknown. I am very grateful —

Mary Baker Eddy 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 135:6-10

Loving Out Loud

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #349

"Today I let Christ's vision look upon all things for me and judge them not, but give each one a miracle of love instead."

It may seem impossible to look upon all things without judgment, seeing the miracle of love instead. When I think about doing this, my ego goes into overdrive and tells me that doing so would be condoning injustice; that instead I must point out wrongdoing and find ways to right it. To me, looking through the eyes of divine Love means that I’m willing to wear my heart on my sleeve and do whatever I’m called on to further the cause of unity. This doesn’t mean that I’ll just say, Oh, bless his heart, and continue on as though nothing is wrong. Seeing with divine vision isn’t a sugar-coating coping device; it’s a way to see through the bullshit to Truth. We hear a lot of discussion about how to recognize what truth is, or how to know what to believe and what to discredit and ignore. We’re discovering that by releasing what we think of as right and wrong allows divine Mind to be heard loud and clear, and we receive that reviving cup of cold water when we feel as though we’re wandering through the desert!

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 570:14-18 

On Tipping Points and Such

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #348 "I have no cause for anger or for fear, For You surround me. And in every need That I perceive, Your grace suffices me."

I have always felt as though there is a tipping point in mass consciousness, a point in which everyone sees their perfection and recognizes there is no difference in their own self and the self of that person over there. In this sight, there is a world bathed in peace and contentment. There are no conflicts because everything good and pure is done for the good of everyone, and nothing contrary exists because we do not have such thoughts in the face of beauty and Love. There is no world of separation because we are all One and happily recognize this Truth. In order for perfection to emerge, error must be washed away. A dear friend, who has never believed these things I espouse, called to ask me what’s happening to this tipping point of Love, as he feels we’ve tipped the other way. Once again, I reiterate: Every thought is important! I feel like we're getting close!

Mary Baker Eddy quote: "We cannot build safely on false foundations. Truth makes a new creature, in whom old things pass away and ‘all things are become new’."  Science & Health Page 201: 7-9

Self Judgment

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #347

"Anger must come from judgment. Judgment is the weapon I would use against myself, to keep the miracle away from me."

I love to play bridge. I play a competitive form of this game which takes away the luck of the shuffle and deal, allowing people to compete on a purer level. Part of the fun of this game is watching how I, personally, react to mistakes in play. When I first became involved with this game around a year ago, I was very insecure concerning the play of the cards and would judge myself, often replaying situations while feeling inadequate. There is one couple in our group who regularly berate each other, loudly judging the others' bids and play. At first I found them disruptive, eventually seeing them as amusing. Today I thank them for showing me what I was doing to myself with my self-judgment. I could have easily walked away from this activity, giving any number of excuses for not enjoying something which I find to be fun and challenging. Living a life with no excuses allows us to examine situations for what they are, not for what we fear might be, opening us to the miracle that's looking for us!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Material man is made up of involuntary and voluntary error, of a negative right and a positive wrong, the latter calling itself right. Man's spiritual individuality is never wrong." Science & Health Page 491:7-10

Bathed in Beauty and Light

ACIM Workbook Lesson #346 "Today the peace of God envelops me, And I forget all things except His Love."

I am often chastised for not watching or listening to the news as it's presented through various media sources. I have taken the suggestions of others under consideration and decided I am informed sufficiently on current events, but not over-informed and saturated with people's opinions. A few individuals have insisted I need to know about this or that horrid event in order to "pray about it". Years ago, I discovered that I didn't need to know details in order to see everything in the light of Truth. I feel we all have different purposes in this world, different things we do well, and talents with which to facilitate good. In new age terms, I would perhaps be called a holder of light. We all are part of this light, and when we listen inwardly for what brings peace, we will know our function as an ambassador of Love!

Mary Baker Eddy quote: "Love, redolent with unselfishness, bathes all in beauty and light." Science & Health Page 516:12-13