Two Worlds?

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #145 Review of: #129 "Beyond this world there is a world I want." #130 "It is impossible to see two worlds." The main thought to hold to in this review: “My mind holds only what I think with God.”

The changes we have witnessed in our lifetime have been exciting and — to take a phrase from the ‘70s — mind blowing! Decades ago, when we were told about the Age of Aquarius and, more recently, when 2012 was explained as a shift in consciousness, I'm not sure we recognized there would be any real change in our lives. Those who are looking for material reasons to explain the shifts in everything from politics to weather, are feeling helpless and overwhelmed. Looked at from a different perspective, we see changes are necessary in order to facilitate the realization of this new earth which we are ready to embrace. As with any shift in thought, some people are afraid and working to keep the old ways, but it is impossible to "see two worlds”. For this reason, I choose Love!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“During this final conflict, wicked minds will endeavor to find means by which to accomplish more evil; but those who discern Christian Science will hold crime in check. They will aid in the ejection of error. They will maintain law and order, and cheerfully await the certainty of ultimate perfection.”

 Science & Health Page 96:31-4

Through Love, With Love, As Love

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #144 Review of: #127 "There is no love but God's." #128 "The world I see holds nothing that I want.” And the main thought to hold to in this review: “My mind holds only what I think with God.”

Thinking about love and perception reminds me of a story a friend once told about a relative who had been married seven times. This man felt he was a failure at love for having been divorced numerous times, so he was very much surprised when an uncle told him it was a wonderful thing! Why would you say that?, everyone wanted to know. The uncle said, How wonderful that seven women have loved you enough to marry you! This is an example of a slight shift in perception making a huge difference to everyone involved, don't you think? Seeing the world through Love shows us reality in a way which looks nothing like what we've become accustomed to viewing. A world of judgment and fear is not one which holds an interest for me.  I want nothing more than to see through Love, as Love, with Love.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“When the divine precepts are understood, they unfold the foundation of fellowship, in which one mind is not at war with another, but all have one Spirit, God, one intelligent source…”

Science & Health Page 276:4-8

Be Impeccable in Your Word

Photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #143: Review of: #125 "In quiet I receive God's Word today." #126 "All that I give is given to myself." And the main thought to hold to in these review: “My mind holds only what I think with God.”

Once again, I am reminded of the Toltec wisdom as translated by Don Miguel Ruiz in The Four Agreements. The first agreement is, "Be impeccable in your word." In the world we're learning of, the spiritual reality of our Being, there is only one Truth. Mortal mind, ego, fights against this and tells us that if there is only one truth, then we won't have individuality, we will be giving up free will, and we will all be the same. Looked at from another perspective, perhaps this loss of freedom is what happens to us when we steadfastly believe the material concepts which have been fed to us every day of our lives. What if freedom comes from being open to the reality of Spirit? To quietly "receive God's Word" would then be the ultimate impeccability. I needn’t rely on deciphering right from wrong, truth or lie, nor any other gauge I've set up for determining what to do. I need only be aware of what "my mind holds" with God. By this awareness and the expression of it, I allow myself to give and receive with every thought and action. There is no room for anything else when I fill my thought with Truth.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“There is but one I, or Us, but one divine Principle, or Mind, governing all existence; man and woman unchanged forever in their individual characters, even as numbers which never blend with each other, though they are governed by one Principle. All the objects of God's creation reflect one Mind, and whatever reflects not this one Mind, is false and erroneous, even the belief that life, substance, and intelligence are both mental and material.” Science & Health Page 511:11-19

The Gospel of Love

"Dancing With Your Shadow Self"
creation of Sandy Wythawai Starbird

A Course in Miracles Workbook lesson #142: Review of: #123 "I thank my Father for His gifts to me." #124 "Let me remember I am one with God." And our main thought to hold in these review lessons: "My mind holds only what I think with God."

I love “Dancing With The Stars”! I began watching it a couple of years ago and have found it to be entertaining and, also, a lovely reminder that we all have the same fears and insecurities, along with the same possibility of greatness. Through this twice-yearly show, which lasts a number of weeks, I have gotten to know some of the most amazing people. There is a beautiful 72-year old singer, a woman who dances like no one’s watching and exhibits the joy of a young child. I have been particularly inspired by a man missing an arm and a leg, and he made it to the finals of this demanding show. One season we were introduced to the offspring of well-known movie stars, a young woman who was convinced by the media that she wasn’t pretty. They said horrid things about her and she had no idea how beautiful and graceful she was, but she has discovered her gifts by way of dancing in this show. What a heart-expanding experience it is for these participants, as well as all who watch them discover more about their true Self. They inspire me to spread my wings!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The human sense of Deity yields to the divine sense, even as the material sense of personality yields to the incorporeal sense of God and man as the infinite Principle and infinite idea, — as one Father with His universal family, held in the gospel of Love.” Science & Health Page 576:31-4

Clearing the False Image

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #141: Today begins a review of the last 20 lessons. Our main theme is: “My mind holds only what I think with God"  Review of: #121 “Forgiveness is the key to happiness” #122 “Forgiveness offers everything I want.”

A couple of years ago, I spent time in the offices of a company where I was being fitted for a prosthetic leg. While sitting in the waiting room, I met a number of angry and sad people. One woman blamed her husband for wrecking the motorcycle she was riding on, another woman condemned herself for a lifestyle which brought about the loss of a limb, a man was angry because he couldn’t continue his former way of living. I never asked anyone questions; these stories came pouring forth. Of course, not everyone was unhappy. There was a guy who used this circumstance as a way to pick up women. He’d been married five times and was looking forward to the sixth! I sat there smiling and doing my best to think loving thoughts toward everyone. They probably thought I was on heavy drugs — haha! Forgiving is the undoing of the denying of Love. Forgiving clears the false image and opens my mind to Love. If I can manage to live this forgiveness within myself, I am extending it to a world in need of Love. Namastè!!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Mind, joyous in strength, dwells in the realm of Mind. Mind's infinite ideas run and disport themselves. In humility they climb the heights of holiness.” Science & Health Page 514:6-9

Remembering Who We Really Are

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #140: “Only salvation can be said to cure.”

Almost everyone has something they wish could or would be cured. Perhaps it’s an addiction to cigarettes, or maybe you have a relationship which is painful and you wish for resolution. Of course, there are the myriad of physical maladies which we are bombarded with daily, many of which are manifest in us or those we love. The multitude of magic potions given us to deal with these conditions are proof that none of them are a healing cure, only a temporary stop-gap put into place while we falter towards salvation. And this salvation spoken of is “the day when separation ends and we remember Who we really are.” (ACIM) Today let’s remember that illusions are not true, and we needn’t feel guilty for denying their veracity!

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

Unity of Mind

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #139:

"I will accept Atonement for myself."

Atonement is one of those words which may trigger uncomfortable feelings. Visions of atoning for sins can be rather frightening, especially when we may have committed these sins without even knowing it! This is the way the concept of atonement has come to be interpreted by many, but we are learning to define sin as anything which separates us from the Love which is God. Simple, huh? Atonement is accepting our Oneness as the expression and experience of God. It may sound like a form of sacrilege to say you're one with God, but I think it's sacrilege not to! To acknowledge God as the only Cause, and to see ourselves as the effect of that Cause, is to accept our at-one-ment with All that Is. What could be more humble? I will accept this reality today, and see everyone I meet in this light. Namasté!!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Atonement is the exemplification of man’s unity with God, whereby man reflects divine Truth, Life, and Love."

Science & Health Page 18:1-3