The Gift of Joy

photo credit: Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #166 “I am entrusted with the gifts of God.”

Laughter is contagious, don’t you think? Most of us have “gotten the giggles” and been unable to stop laughing. There are numerous videos on the internet where people are sharing laughter in the most joyous of ways. I particularly like one which shows people’s reactions when someone tells them they are beautiful. The sheepish grins which emerge and the eyes lighting up are sure to bring a smile to my face and an expansion of my heart no matter how many times I see it. Joy, laughter, happiness — these are given freely to us as a part of our divine heritage. Today I will make the most of every opportunity I have to give the gift of joy to others. I shall give this freely, with no reservations or restrictions!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Happiness is spiritual, born of truth and love. It is unselfish; therefore it cannot exist alone, but requires all mankind to share it." Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures Page 57:18-21

I Know Nothing

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #165 “Let not my mind deny the Thought of God.”

When I was a school-aged child, I never wanted to admit I didn't know things. Most of the education I received seemed more like a reminder, rather than learning new information. So when I didn't understand something because it actually seemed foreign, I wouldn't admit it. Only in the past few years have I been comfortable with the acknowledgement, “I know nothing”. Now it’s a wonderful relief and freedom to say those words -- both silently in prayerful humility and out loud as an odd sort of open confessional. I'm so grateful for this cleansing of false pride and egoism. I was full of self-importance. Now I welcome into my mind every thought that divine Mind has to offer me. I love this type of education!

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.” Page 514:6-9

Science and Religion

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #164 “Now are we one with Him Who is our Source."

We hear much talk nowadays about the melding of science and religion. In their traditional meanings, this would be impossible. Religion has taken on too many facets to be purely the knowledge of God. On many levels, it has become more political than spiritual. Science, on the other hand, means knowledge, but since its definition includes rational explanations and predictable results, it has long been left out of spirituality. While typical religion may never qualify under this definition, the knowledge of God certainly does. When Mary Baker Eddy discovered the science of the Christ in the 1860s, she first called it moral science. In her 600 pages of explanation, this science is shown to meet all the criteria to be called such. In this time of rapidly shifting perceptions, many people are grasping what this means and embracing the beauty and perfection of it. Mary would be pleased!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“When the final physical and moral effects of Christian Science are fully apprehended, the conflict between truth and error, understanding and belief, Science and material sense…will cease, and spiritual harmony reign.” Science and Health Page 288:10–14

Leaving It Behind

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #163  "There is no death. The Son of God is free."

Some people may think of these ideas as platitudes designed to placate some of us with Pollyanna thoughts and wishful thinking. Personally, I see these teachings as much more. Actually, I see them as everything. A well-known author and seer wrote a book declaring there is a spiritual solution to every problem. He was much decried by many serious metaphysical students because he seemed to be admitting there are problems and then trying to solve them. I saw it as using the title to get people to read the book, and then showing them a purer way to think about all of this. Everything we see or read is interpreted by our brain based on past experience. This is what I so badly want to leave behind. This is the freedom I seek. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“This spiritualization of thought lets in the light, and brings the divine Mind, Life not death, into your consciousness.” Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures Page 407:26-29

Fairy Tales and Reality

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #162 “I am as God created me."

We all have a purpose. Some of us are sure of it, others feel they’re searching, and some don’t seem to know or care. One thing I know for sure, if we try to be something other than true to ourselves, things turn ugly. I have witnessed that within myself recently. I have espoused something which is not me, and I’m not sure what caused this lapse. But I will know, because I’m asking for this knowledge. In the meantime, I shall remember this from A Course in Miracles textbook: “…Fairy tales can be pleasant or fearful, but no one calls them true. Children may believe them, and so, for a while, the tales are true for them. Yet when reality dawns, the fantasies are gone. Reality has not gone in the meanwhile.” (ACIM: T170)

Mary Baker Eddy quote: “The substance, Life, intelligence, Truth, and Love, which constitute Deity, are reflected by His creation; and when we subordinate the false testimony of the corporeal senses to the facts of Science, we shall see this true likeness and reflection everywhere.” Science & Health Page 515:4-8

True Brotherhood

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #161 “Give me your blessing, holy Son of God.”

We are asked today to see our perfection through seeing it in another. I am choosing someone I don’t particularly enjoy being around, and undoing the separation which has caused me to think of him as an enemy. I no longer want to replay past events and conversations. I don’t want to remember things which caused me to think I’m somehow better than him. I want to allow hard feelings to dissipate and fill up the void which is left with Love. This Love is the source of his being as much as it is mine and yours. I am the Love I want him to be. He is the Love I strive to understand and live. We are One whether I think so or not, so now is the time to allow myself to be blessed by his perfection. Namastè!!

Mary Baker Eddy quote: "It should be thoroughly understood that all men have one Mind, one God and Father, one Life, Truth, and Love. Mankind will become perfect in proportion as this fact becomes apparent, war will cease and the true brotherhood of man will be established." Science & Health Page 467:16-20

Fear or Love

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #160

“I am at home. Fear is the stranger here.”

“Fear is a stranger to the ways of love. Identify with fear, and you will be a stranger to yourself.” I’m sure most of you know someone who identifies with fear, turning every situation into a nervous drama. A minor incident from today’s wanderings comes to thought. I was in the media center of our library and a woman I’ve known for years was all atwitter about her first computer lesson. As she got up from the keyboard, she had a barrage of questions for the librarian, most of them fearful what-ifs. As I was choosing videos to check out, she came up to me and continued fretting about the computer, telling me she was afraid she would break it. I assured her that unless she took a baseball bat to it or threw water on it, she wasn’t likely to do it harm. I immediately noticed the contrast between this woman and a young woman whom I’d met earlier while doing laundry. She had moved to a strange town with two young children, knowing deep inside she was in the right spot. She was at home and she wore that loving knowledge for all to see. What a beautiful sight!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Let neither fear nor doubt overshadow your clear sense and calm trust, that the recognition of life harmonious — as Life eternally is — can destroy any painful sense of, or belief in, that which Life is not.” Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures  495:16-20