Higher Enjoyments

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Miracles Lesson #272

“How can illusions satisfy God's Son?”

Often we think something is bringing us satisfaction. It's the stuff of classic songs and movies. From prospective soul mates to the dreamed-of perfect surroundings, we're compelled to keep searching for the completeness we feel we do not have. And there are moments we think we've found it, but a circumstance can change and we're back where we started. I have a friend who refers to this as "filling up the God hole". He says that's why he drinks and smokes and flits from woman to woman, trying to fill that emptiness. And even though it's recognized for what it is, he finds it too hard to turn within for the fulfillment he so relentlessly seeks. I see this in myself, too: the unwillingness to let go of illusions and dreams which block the entry of higher ideals. To paraphrase a Bible verse, That which I don't want, I do; that which I do want, I don't. Today I'm forgetting what I don't want and holding thought to what I do!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Higher enjoyments alone can satisfy the cravings of immortal man.” Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures Page 60:31-32

Knocking at the Portal of Humanity

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #271

“Christ's is the vision I will use today."

Are we finally ready for truth? I've heard it said that we, as a human race, can’t stand to hear Truth. This is said about everything from extraterrestrial life to religious doctrine, but I think we are ready to hear it! People say if truth were known about everything, society would break down. It seems to me this might be a good thing, because our current belief systems don't appear to be be functioning too well! Perhaps everyone's dissatisfaction stems from feeling we’re being lied to on many levels. A few centuries ago, a total eclipse of the full moon would cause many fear-based reactions when the orb turned red, disappeared, then reappeared. As the the truth has set us free from that irrational fear, so it may in other ways, allowing us to joyfully look up and say “Wow"! I think we're ready, don't you?!

Mary Baker Eddy quote: “Truth, independent of doctrines and time-honored systems, knocks at the portal of humanity.” Science & Health Page vii:13-15

Vision and Insight

created by Sandy Wythawai Starbird

ACIM Workbook Lesson #270

“I will not use the body's eyes today.”

During these times of shifting thought, many of us are frightened by the feelings and insights we are having. I love my interactions with artists, and one of the reasons is because they fearlessly allow multi-dimensional energy into their experience. By the act of looking upon their palpably loving works of Art, I am guided to other ways of seeing. Their artistic expressions take me past the obvious into the ethereal. Every instance of this "seeing through the veil" brings us closer to our goal of seeing this way all the time. Slipping into the silence between thoughts, seeing past the obvious, listening within -- all this and more seeks our awareness. Listen, See, Be.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Spiritual vision is not subordinate to geometric altitudes. Whatever is governed by God, is never for an instant deprived of the light and might of intelligence and Life.”

Science & Health Page 215:11-13

One Sight

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #269 “My sight goes forth to look upon Christ's face.”

As we begin to understand our Oneness as the expression and experience of God, we realize that every time we look in the mirror, or greet a friend or stranger, we're seeing the face of Christ. Jesus was here to teach us many things, but it all boils down to Oneness. We are all the children of God. What a beautiful day it is, seeing everyone in this light! Everywhere we are witnessing people being inclusive, rather than focusing on their differences while watching them multiply. I'm very happy for this lesson today, at a time when so many seem to want things from life which have nothing to do with peace. I vow to see the face of Oneness in everyone today!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The eternal Truth destroys what mortals seem to have learned from error, and man's real existence as a child of God comes to light.” Science and Health Page 288:31–1

Let It Be

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #268 “Let all things be exactly as they are.”

What if everything which bothered us didn’t? What would life be like if we “let things be exactly as they are”, in Truth, without the interpretations we have given them? This thought shift may seem impossible at times, but we are learning it is an easy transition when we decide to release our specialness. By forgetting all beliefs of creation, whatever they may be, we can let all things be exactly as they are. When we give up our specialness and return to Love, we can see how things are, rather than how we think they are. Each one of these workbook lessons is a step toward freedom! 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Human sense may well marvel at discord, while, to a diviner sense, harmony is the real and discord the unreal.” Science & Health Page: 563: 1-3

The Peace of Divine Love

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #267 “My heart is beating in the peace of God"

My son and I were watching the finals of America’s Got Talent. At one point he said, “This has been a tough year”. I immediately agreed and began listing why I thought it had been difficult. After three or four reasons, I burst into tears and left the room to blow my nose. When I returned, he apologized and told me he had been referring to the television program having tough competition this year. This broke the spell of my tangled thoughts and we both laughed. As I read the current Course in Miracles lesson, I am grateful for the ability to feel the peace of divine Love. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Spiritual living and blessedness are the only evidences, by which we can recognize true existence and feel the unspeakable peace which comes from an all-absorbing spiritual love.” Science & Health With Key to the Scriptures Page 264:24-27

The Dawn of Ideas

ACIM Workbook Lesson #266 “My holy Self abides in you, God's Son.”

Today’s ACIM workbook lesson ends by saying — and I paraphrase — that we have been given a world full of saviors, and we have been given the sight to understand what that means. When someone misinterprets our motives, or our acts, it seems natural to try to set them straight. I just finished doing something like this. I wasn’t trying to change his mind, only attempting to correct what I saw as his misinterpretation. This was a perfect example of what I do not want to do. Rather than hearing the words as a cry for love, I saw them as an attack and attempted to turn the situation into what I wanted it to be. The result was not harmonious! But after reading today’s lesson, along with the following Mary Baker Eddy words, I am at peace. “Thus the dawn of ideas goes on, forming each successive stage of progress.” Namastè…

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The calm and exalted thought or spiritual apprehension is at peace. Thus the dawn of ideas goes on, forming each successive stage of progress.” Science & Health Page 506: 11-14