Divine Mind's Path

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #74

“There is no will but God’s.”

Yesterday we pondered what it means to “will there be light”. Today we examine the thought, “there is no will but God’s”, and then ask ourselves what, exactly, that means. I don’t take this to mean that there is a divine laundry list which I am expected to complete each day to win favor from a higher being. Rather, by realizing that my will and God’s will are the same thing, by virtue of the fact that I am an idea of divine Mind, I can comfortably allow myself to listen inwardly for this thing we call intuition, trusting that I will be led in paths of productivity, harmony, and Love. I vow today to not dictate what those paths are, but I will go forward with an open heart and mind, letting my will be God’s! 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The scientific unity which exists between God and man must be wrought out in life-practice, and God’s will must be universally done.” 

Science & Health, with Key to the Scriptures 202:3-5

The Light of Truth

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #73

“I will there be light.”

"Quantum information is like the information of a dream. We can't show it to others, and when we try to describe it we change the memory of it." (Charles Bennett) This information we are learning is very difficult to put into words. We have already assigned long-held interpretations to many of these words, and  hearing them in a different context can be confusing and even upsetting. That is why we are asked to see everything with no meaning, so that Truth becomes visible.  Many new-age teachings advocate affirmations and various hypnotic means of convincing ourselves of certain things. The "will" spoken of in today's lesson has nothing to do with our own personal will power. As the expressions of divine Mind, we have access to an all-encompassing will which we can tap into by our willingness to do so. Looked at from this perspective, "I will there be light" sort of means "To infinity and beyond"!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"The power of the human will should be exercised only in subordination to Truth; else it will misguide the judgment and free the lower propensities. It is the province of spiritual sense to govern man. Material, erring, human thought acts injuriously both upon the body and through it."

Science & Health Page 206:4-9

No Fault in Love

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #72

“Holding grievances is an attack on God’s plan for salvation.”

As I searched my thoughts for a glimmer of inspiration this evening, nothing came. I am engulfed in sadness, missing my dog. So I opened my email and found what my busy mind was hiding from itself! A dear friend in The Netherlands said this: “I used to have difficulty with seeing what ‘plan’ is. But seeing Love, for instance as being the mother that takes all care, maximum care, - we see that the necessary and fulfilling aspect or plan can never be failing. Plan involves care. Care involves plan, the goal is the perfect solution.” I feel better now!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Divine metaphysics explains away matter. Spirit is the only substance and consciousness recognized by divine Science. The material senses oppose this, but there are no material senses, for matter has no mind. In Spirit there is no matter, even as in Truth there is no error, and in good no evil. It is a false supposition, the notion that there is real substance-matter, the opposite of Spirit. Spirit, God, is infinite, all. Spirit can have no opposite." Science & Health Page 278:3-11

Love, Understood and Demonstrated

photo credit: Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #71

“Only God’s plan for salvation will work.”

The topic for today's workbook lesson could be misinterpreted as meaning there is some sort of predestined plan which we must follow if we are to achieve happiness and fulfillment. What we are learning has nothing to do with blindly following something we don't understand. It involves knowing that we are the expression of God, and until we realize what that means, we have no hope of trusting what we hear within our being. Mortal mind (the thoughts which come to us from material teachings and long-held beliefs) tells us that to listen to anything other than "logic" is foolishness. And so we plant our feet on the shifting sands of materialism and think we're doing the best we can under impossible circumstances. Salvation is an ongoing event, facilitated by releasing our belief in separation. I’m ready to surrender to unity! How about you?

Mary Baker Eddy quotes: "Salvation is as eternal as God. To mortal thought Jesus appeared as a child, and grew to manhood, to suffer before Pilate and on Calvary, because he could reach and teach mankind only through this conformity to mortal conditions; but Soul never saw the Savior come and go, because the divine idea is always present." Unity of Good: 59:13-18

Mary Baker Eddy quote: “Salvation: Life, Truth, and Love understood and demonstrated as supreme over all…” Science & Health Page 593:20-21

Peace Within

photo credit: Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Lesson #70

“My salvation comes from me.”

An old friend tells me that it has taken her seven decades to stop believing the things her parents told her about herself. They said she was ugly, stupid, worthless, and other hurtful damnations. She believed these things and they stayed with her until being in a group with spiritually aware people allowed her to see the truth about herself. She no longer feels unworthy of love and goodness. Hallelujah! Her salvation has come! How often do we all believe lies about the reality of our being? We don’t realize we have chosen guilt for ourselves, but thankfully we are recognizing this and seeing that we have a choice! Nothing outside of our own self can save us; nothing from outside can bring us peace. The source of salvation and peace lies within. This acceptance is, indeed, cause for celebration!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Innocence and Truth overcome guilt and error.”  Science & Health Page 568:1

Love Never Dies

Resting Place

ACIM Workbook Lesson #69

“My grievances hide the light of the world in me.”

Every animal which has come into my life, every person I’ve loved, have enriched my daily experience and helped me see through the illusion of separation, allowing me to feel the light of the world shining. Every dog I’ve ever known has taught me more about pure Love, and I am most grateful. Today I choose to see the light, to let it shine through me in everything I do, to allow it to brighten all. Even though I no longer have my Chili Dog by my side, I feel his presence and cherish the Love which never dies. 

Mary Baker Eddy Quote:

“The mortal mind through which Truth appears most vividly is that one which has lost much materiality--much error--in order to become a better transparency for Truth. Then, like a cloud melting into thin vapor, it no longer hides the sun.” Science & Health Page 295:19-24

An Angel Entertained Unawares

ACIM Workbook Lesson #68: “Love holds no grievances.”

"You want to switch off your heart and mind", I was told by a dear woman who used to read these writings. This is how she interpreted A Course in Miracles teachings. Wow, really?! I wanted to know more about why she felt this way, as strong opinions tend to close the mind and I try to stay open. She was translating these teachings into a mind control system which is just the opposite of what it is meant to be. On the contrary, it seems to me that the opinions we hold about ourselves shut us off from the function for which we were created -- which, as we learned a few days ago, is happiness! I love to have conversations like this, testing my understanding of what I am learning, to see if there are holes in my logic, or dead-ended trails of principles. Let's allow ourselves to experience the one Mind, through which we shall express infinite individuality, with open hearts and minds!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The circumstance, which your suffering sense deems wrathful and afflictive, Love can make an angel entertained unawares.”

Science & Health Page 574:27-30