Limitless

photo credit: Alden Stallings

ACIM Workbook Lesson #199 “I am not a body. I am free.”

Have you ever dreamed you could fly? My favorite freedom dream is one of running fast, sometimes leaving the ground and floating in mid-stride. Although I haven't had this recurring dream for some time, I can still feel it. As I watch people dance and use their bodies in other life-affirming ways, I marvel at the beauty and grace expressed in these activities. Just as physical boundaries are broken and new records set, there is more to come in this so-called physical existence. We are learning of the limitlessness of divine Mind’s ideas, of which we are One. What is your highest ideal of freedom? 

Mary Baker Eddy quote: "This mortal is put off, and the new man or real man is put on, in proportion as mortals realize the Science of man and seek the true model." Science & Health Page 408:22-26

Rethinking Avoidance

photo credit: Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #198

“Only my condemnation injures me.”

For several years I avoided one of my neighbors, who was 90-plus years old, because it seemed there was no such thing as a short visit. She would tell me things I didn't want to know about her family and other people, so I began to avoid her. One morning she was sitting on her porch and asked for my help. Her phone was not working and it's connected to a Lifeline button which she can push if she needs help. As it was going to take some time to get the phone company there to reconnect her, I told her I'd come over every hour and make sure she was okay. As we sat on her porch, she started talking about herself, from childhood through more recent times, and it was fascinating! She told me the happiest times of her life were picking cotton with her sisters in the 1930s on a farm in Mississippi. Every visit brought me new stories from her life. When she wandered into condemnation of others, I would simply tell her I had to go, but would be back soon and wanted to hear more stories about her -- not others. It was like watching a documentary -- and I'm glad I was tuned in! She’s gone now and although I’ve forgotten all of her gossipy news, I remember some delightful looks into her life experience — and I am grateful. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The poor suffering heart needs its rightful nutriment, such as peace, patience in tribulation, and a priceless sense of the dear Father’s loving-kindness.” Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures  Page 365:31-2 

Complete

ACIM Workbook Lesson #197 “It can be but my gratitude I earn.”

Yesterday we began freeing ourselves from attack. Today we start to loosen the ties imposed by expectations of gratitude. Have you ever felt as though your effort to help someone was met with indifference or, perhaps, disdain? I have a good friend who lives to help others. Recently her actions have not only been unappreciated, but a certain recipient of her goodness has made false accusations against her. She has taken these words to heart, feeling so hurt and used that she has become ill. I discovered today that she had been considering committing suicide. (As a suggested lifeboat to others, may I say she went to the animal shelter and got a cat instead.) In my efforts to help her see past the pain and remember the joy which serving others brings to her, we have become closer friends. As a bonus, I am more deeply understanding of what it means to give with no expectation. We are all complete within each other, and what we give we also receive. Namastè.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“One kind of faith trusts one's welfare to others. Another kind of faith understands divine Love and how to work out one's ‘own salvation, with fear and trembling.’ ‘Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief!’ expresses the helplessness of a blind faith; whereas the injunction, ‘Believe . . . and thou shalt be saved!’ demands self-reliant trustworthiness, which includes spiritual understanding and confides all to God.” Science & Health Page 23:23-31

Set Down Your Burden - July 15, 2017

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ACIM Workbook Lesson #196 “It can be but myself I crucify.”

“The dreary, hopeless thought that you can make attacks on others and escape yourself has nailed you to the cross.” [from today’s workbook lesson] I watched a dual attack happen in the street outside my house today. My volatile neighbor, whom I’ve mentioned before in these writings, and the son-in-law of a woman who passed away this year, became embroiled in a loud and profane exchange of words. As I witnessed their angry attacks on each other, I thought how miserable they both appeared to be. I would be willing to bet these two men are still replaying these angry words in their thoughts, crucifying themselves time and again on what was said, what could have been said, and what would be said next time. If we’re tempted to attack someone for whatever the reason, let’s remember where that attack ultimately comes to rest. I saw so clearly the heaviness of the cross carried by these men today. May they realize their burden and set it down. 

Mary Baker Eddy quotes:

“The real cross, which Jesus bore up the hill of grief, was the world’s hatred of Truth and Love.” Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures Page 50:30-31

Dwelling and Inquiring

ACIM Workbook Lesson #195 “Love is the way I walk in gratitude.”

Yesterday, I quoted a verse from Psalms concerning dwelling in a house and inquiring in a temple. I've been asked by an old friend and mentor to clarify what I think that means. I believe today's ACIM lesson can be used as an aid to this end: "Love is the way I walk in gratitude." Living this Love and being a transparency for its transmission certainly feels like "dwelling in the house of the Lord". I do not think it's a place for which to be searched, but rather a gentle presence to be felt. And I see the phrase "inquiring in his temple" to be telling us to ask within ourselves for clarity   as to living within the single eye of all-encompassing Love. We are the experience and expression of divinity, Love, so we needn't go searching here and there for something we feel is lacking. We already are whole, complete, and ready to acknowledge this unity of Spirit. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Temple: Body; the idea of Life, substance, and intelligence; the superstructure of Truth; the shrine of Love…”

Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures Pages 595:7-10

Thanks For The Reminder!

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #194 “I place the future in the Hands of God.”

It takes practice to let go. A mere 25 years ago, I still thought I was in control. It took a child's illness for me to realize I didn't have the power to bend life to my liking. In the space it took to hear a diagnosis, I had a change of heart. I'm sure I went through all the emotions associated with this sort of thing: sorrow, anger, blame, and so on. But I knew deep down that there was only one answer: to release my wants and desires, then listen deeply for guidance. "One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple." (Psalms:27:4) Sometimes I forget this. I'm happy to have this reminder today!

Mary Baker Eddy quote: “Life is divine Mind. Life is not limited.” Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures Page 469:4-5

A New Way of Living

Bryce Canyon
photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #193

“All things are lessons God would have me learn.”

"A new species is arising on the planet. It is arising now, and you are it!" These lines end Eckhart Tolle’s book, A New Earth. I wish it was required reading for every person on earth! The beautifully clear way he explains how we cling to old belief, allowing ourselves to be influenced by fear, by the past, by illusion, is both inspiring and illuminating. We are told in today's ACIM workbook lesson, "Forgive, and you will see this differently.” Mr. Tolle's book gives numerous examples of seeing differently. I am dedicated to seeing this new world, allowing the disappearance of old belief and hypnotic thought to provide a transparency for the arising of our new way of living. What an exciting time for humanity!

Mary Baker Eddy quote: “The Revelator tells us of “a new heaven and a new earth.” Have you ever pictured this heaven and earth, inhabited by beings under the control of supreme wisdom?” Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures  Page 91:1-4