Giving and Receiving

photo credit: Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #126 "All that I give is given to myself."

Here are a few examples of what we often give: advice, judgment of another's actions, support for loved ones, opinions which we hope will change the world — this list could go on and on. In examining what I'd like to give today, I see that the only true thing which can be given is Love; anything else is but a material opinion in some form. Often what we think of as forgiveness is a mortal concept which generally includes stipulations. There may be an implication that I'm forgiving you because I'm a better person than you are. Oh my! We know that forgiveness is the key to the door of truth, so how do we forgive without material trappings? Love! When we give and live Love, there is nothing else to think about. Before I give anything today, I will ask myself, Is this what I want to receive? If it's not, then I'd best not give it. My realization that God is Love and that Love is all there is, allows me to slip into that sweet space of living from Truth, which is expressing all the Good which is our essence.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“We cannot fathom the nature and quality of God's creation by diving into the shallows of mortal belief. We must reverse our feeble flutterings--our efforts to find life and truth in matter--and rise above the testimony of the material senses, above the mortal to the immortal idea of God. These clearer, higher views inspire the God-like man to reach the absolute centre and circumference of his being.” Science & Health Page 262:9-16

Lifted Above the Thinking of the World

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #125

"In quiet I receive God's Word today."

I’ve been having conversations with someone about listening, finding common ground, and seeing the sameness in our differences. Today’s topic highlights things we have been discussing, and I find comfort and courage in the text, including this: “Only be quiet. You will need no rule but this, to let your practicing today lift you above the thinking of the world, and free your vision from the body's eyes.” [ACIM #125] Today I will practice silencing my busy thoughts while listening quietly for guidance from divine Mind. This is what I think of as God’s Word — the voice heard only when my own is quiet. We, as the experience and expression of God, are capable of this listening and hearing. My gratitude is overflowing for these teachings and the people from whom I continually learn!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The ‘still, small voice’ of scientific thought reaches over continent and ocean to the globe's remotest bound. The inaudible voice of Truth is, to the human mind, ‘as when a lion roareth’. … Then is the power of Truth demonstrated,--made manifest in the destruction of error.”

Science & Health Page 559:8-16

Just As You Are

photo credit: Aaron Springston

A Course in Miracles Lesson #120 Review of: #109 "I rest in God." #110 "I am as God created me."

An astute reader tells me that I skipped Lesson #120 a few days ago. To rectify that error, I repeat the entry from last year. 

A friend recommended that I read, Dying to be Me: My Journey from Cancer, to Near Death, to True Healing by Anita Moorjani. One of the important points made in this book is something that is recognized in our studies: Sickness is not your fault. Often new-age teachings tell us that past thoughts and actions create karma which returns to you in terrible ways. Ms. Moorjani assures us that this is not the case. The recognition that you are pure Love, the knowledge that you are connected to everything, the joy which comes from acceptance of yourself just as you are -- this understanding of your being is what allows the body to be well. It doesn't matter what caused it, what "stage" the problem has advanced to, what mortal predictions are on the table -- nothing matters but the acceptance of yourself as a product of Love. When feeling the purity of Oneness, all material thought must be silenced. We can stop striving and start Being. When slipping into this space of pure Love, nothing else matters. And all is well.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Mortal mind must part with error, must put off itself with its deeds, and immortal manhood, the Christ ideal, will appear.”

Science & Health Page 430:3-5

Restored to Tranquility

"Bryce Canyon" photo credit Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #124 "Let me remember I am one with God."

"Today we see only the loving and the lovable. We see it in appearances of pain, and pain gives way to peace. We see it in the frantic, in the sad and the distressed, the lonely and afraid, who are restored to the tranquility and peace of mind in which they were created." [ACIM Lesson #124] Today I saw an old friend who feels like she’s drowning in sadness. A man she didn’t want to live without died, and she’s having a tough time going forward on her own. I can understand how she feels as she tries to remember how to be happy. The things we spoke of today led me to tell her about Mary Haskell, the woman who loved Kahlil Gibran. Although she was much older than him, he died many years before her. At his funeral, her friends were amazed that she was so peacefully happy and they wanted to know how that could be. She told them she felt closer to him than she ever had before. I talked to my friend about our unity in divine Love and our inseparability as the experience of God. I’m not sure if she felt better, but I certainly did!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Principle and its idea is one, and this one is God, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent Being, and [Its] reflection is man and the universe." Science & Health Page 465:17-1

The Gifts of Divine Love

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #123 "I thank my Father for His gifts to me."

Our whole world seems to be telling us we are special and that we deserve much more than the gifts of divine Love can supply. We yearn for peace and plenty, purity of heart and environment, joy, satisfaction -- but we keep forgetting the spiritual Principle which guarantees this reality, simply for our perception of it. Sometimes we catch glimpses of what could be. For instance, I witnessed a man and woman in their 70s cavorting like teenagers in giddy expectation of exchanging marriage vows. Their happiness was infectious! A true new beginning is at hand -- your hand and mine, today, right now.  I will not be distracted by ego-based taunting to play the game being enacted all around me. I will look through the temptation to stay stuck in the muddle of material belief by giving energy to the lower propensities. Raising thought above what cries out so loudly for attention, I'll see a beginning in every situation. If there is no end, can there be a beginning? Ah -- ever-flowing, forever, now!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Gratitude is much more than a verbal expression of thanks. Action expresses more gratitude than speech.

Science & Health Page 3:25-26

Let it Go

PC: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #122 "Forgiveness offers everything I want."

Immediately after reading the above-quoted topic, I read this: “We do ourselves a great disservice when we let the bitter opinions of others mingle and subvert our own thoughts.” (Dodinsky) This brought to mind one of the Four Agreements as interpreted by Don Miguel Ruiz: “Don’t take anything personally.”  It seems as though these two thoughts summarize exactly what I’m feeling right now. And these ideas remind me of Gandhi’s wisdom: “If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change toward him.” Namastè, dear Friends.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Hold thought steadfastly to the enduring, the good, and the true, and you will bring these into your experience proportionably to their occupancy of your thoughts." Science & Health Page 261:4-7

Unforgiven Episodes

photo credit: Nick Franchi

ACIM Workbook Lesson #121 “Forgiveness is the key to happiness.”

When we have a lesson which mentions forgiveness in its topic, I always pause and search my memories for treasured pain and long-held grievances. While I don’t find many of these feelings toward others, there are a few recurring things I hold against myself. These unforgiven episodes range from childhood mistakes to unthinking acts in later life, and some bring tears because I find them to be so heinous. I stop to wonder how these actions were interpreted by those toward whom I feel such guilt. Perhaps they didn't know, and if they did, they may not remember it in the same light as I do. In this reliving of the past, I recall a quote from someone, somewhere, which brings me solace: "What you do in the present redeems the past and changes the future." Namasté to myself, and you, and all ---

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

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

Science & Health Page 520:3-5