Searching...

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #201 Central Theme: “I am not a body. I am free. For I am still as God created me.” Review: #181 "I trust my brothers, who are one with me."

"Searching For the Wrong-Eyed Jesus" is a documentary on life in the South of the United States. This film takes us to small towns where people turn to drugs and/or religion when they've given up all hope of finding happiness. I watched in fascination, realizing for the first time what people find in so-called "holy-roller" churches. In their feverish love of God, they find the pleasure they crave. Others turn to mood-elevating drugs for the same reason. One person in the movie says that everyone is "lonely for God" in these desolate towns. Another line which struck me was this: "He was just a regular ol' Southern lunatic. In his quest for union, he ended up being more separate than ever." There is such Truth to be found in their longing! I longed with them as they jumped up and down, speaking in tongues and dancing in odd jerky movements. There wasn't much difference in the drunken barroom scenes on Saturday night and the gyrations of the Sunday morning gatherings. They're all looking for the same thing: They want to fill the emptiness inside. They want excitement, fun, a way to pass time without feeling alone. I can't keep from thinking of how they would be set free with the knowledge of their true Being. The only way this can happen is if I realize it -- really realize it! --not just intellectually, but with my heart.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The rich in spirit help the poor in one grand brotherhood, all having the same Principle, or Father; and blessed is that man who seeth his brother's need and supplieth it, seeking his own in another's good."

Science & Health Page 518:15-19

Peace As An Inalienable Right

Photo Credit: Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #200 “There is no peace except the peace of God.”

Peace is a spiritual attribute. While we may perceive peace as changeable, that is only our material perception of it. As our topic today tells us, "There is no peace except the peace of God." Now, this statement may bring to mind a picture of a big Buddha ohm-ing away up in the sky, because that's the way we've come to think of deity -- something outside of us, looking down on us, watching over us, giving us things. But that's not the God we're beginning to know as Life, Truth, Love. This divine Mind, infinite Spirit, eternal Soul is you and me. As I learn to recognize the difference in material belief and spiritual truth, life becomes easier. The peace that is God is mine right now for the acceptance of it. We can't lose it, because it's eternally available no matter what the outward circumstance!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Truth will at length compel us all to exchange the pleasures and pains of sense for the joys of Soul.” Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Page 390:10-11

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