No Conflicting Wishes

photo credit: Aaron Springston

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #307

“Conflicting wishes cannot be my will.”

When someone close to us has a problem, we tend to think of it as our own. We have been conditioned to think we can fix others, and if we don't try, we fear people will think we don't care. Then we're thrown into a quandary of feelings: love for them, perhaps embarrassment over their actions, worry about what will happen to them, concern over what others will think -- the list can be endless! When we are able to release these feelings and see everyone as the spiritual creation they truly are, we begin to release our sense of personal responsibility, while affirming their goodness as a reflection of divine Love.  Claiming as our own the thoughts of divine Mind frees us from the conflict imposed by material wishes!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“We cannot serve two masters nor perceive divine Science with the material senses.” Science and Health Page 167:11-12

Grace As Our Natural State

PC: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #306 “The gift of Christ is all I seek today.”

To allow light to fill our mind, to live grace as our natural state, to begin to learn this Course and experience a mind healed of fear and limitation, requires us to be willing to question every value we hold. We tend to think it’s a good thing to hold strong opinions on any number of subjects, such as politics. I’m not saying we shouldn’t work for social reform, or stand up to harmful behaviors, or that we should become the proverbial doormat.  But I do feel that giving up things which make us angry allows us to open ourselves to this gift, this Love which guides us in meaningful ways — ways which were being hidden by a strong mindset. I think it will be an interesting exercise to take note of the thoughts I have which keep me from divine Love. I hope you’ll join me!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Christ is the true idea voicing good, the divine message from God to men speaking to the human consciousness.” Science & Health Page 332:9-11

Bathed in Beauty and Light

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #305 “There is a peace that Christ bestows on us.”

You've probably heard of, or witnessed, accounts of people facing the direst of situations calmly, with a seeming other-worldly sense of peace. I experienced one of these situations when visiting with a couple who were learning how to cope with the change we call death. When I walked into their home, the first thing I felt was an all-encompassing peace. My dear friend related how inspired she was by the leaves falling from the trees in their regular autumnal cycle. She told me how they take care of themselves. She never rakes them up into piles, but allows them to go where they need to be, and there they change to whatever form is required of them -- soil, protection for seedlings, shelter for insects and small animals. She sees perfection in this plan and knows that the same perfection is taking place in all existence. I am grateful to have experienced this deep and quiet peace with them. The peace of God is there for all, no matter what the material circumstance. The gift of Love satisfies the hungering senses, it calms fear, it allows us to release the ties which bind us to material existence, giving us more than we knew was possible.

Mary Baker Eddy quote: “Life is reflected in existence, Truth in truthfulness, God in goodness, which impart their own peace and permanence. Love, redolent with unselfishness, bathes all in beauty and light.”

Science & Health Page 516:9-13

As The Mist Obscures the Sun

photo credit: Alden Stallings

ACIM Workbook Lesson #304 “Let not my world obscure the sight of Christ.”

When my oldest son was in school, we watched a movie that both he and I thought was hilarious. Shortly afterwards, he took the movie over to a friend's house and shared it with her and her mother. The mother thought the movie was a tragedy and cried through most of it. This perfectly illustrates a part of today's workbook lesson: "Perception is a mirror, not a fact. What I look on is my state of mind, reflected outward." Isn't that the truth! I’m sure we can all remember times when you and someone interpreted things totally differently. I will try to remember this dichotomy when someone looks at something in a way I do not understand. Today I will strive to clear my mind, in order to allow Truth to melt away illusion.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Corporeal sense, or error, may seem to hide Truth, health, harmony, and Science, as the mist obscures the sun or the mountain; but Science, the sunshine of Truth, will melt away the shadow and reveal the celestial peaks.”

Science & Health Page 299:26-30

Resurrect Gratitude Daily

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #303 “The holy Christ is born in me today.”

Hearing that the holy Christ is born in me today will probably bring something to mind within your thought system. Some will think, oh good! Some may feel this is a blasphemous thought, and then others will feel a sense of relief, knowing  this means Love can rule in our thoughts and actions, with no worries about what else may be going on around us. To me, I think, Ah, the second coming is being born right now, just as soon as I get out of Its way! A dear friend made a profound statement this evening, which seems appropriate in connection with this lesson: Resurrect Gratitude Daily!! Is this not the second coming? The moment-by-moment rebirth of Love, gratitude, joy, beauty, harmony, and all that The Christ embodies opens us to the unity of Life. Sharing this gift is as individual as we are, and as timely as our interactions. Freely I have received, freely I give!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Having no other gods, turning to no other but the one perfect Mind to guide him, man is the likeness of God, pure and eternal, having that Mind which was also in Christ.” Science & Health Page 467:14-16

Leaving Darkness for Light

PC: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #302 “Where darkness was I look upon the light.”

Haven't we all had times when we are recounting an event and someone insists the details are different from what we remember? Our perceptions are nuanced by expectations and personal experiences, including our understanding of these teachings. A mere hundred years ago, the things we speak of today would have been thought of as blasphemous. What a relief to openly speak about quantum theory and metaphysics without fear! Any bookstore will have an abundance of books by people looking “upon the light”, and they give us confidence to admit that we see it, too! Remember the story of ”the emperor has no clothes"? If everyone were pretending not to see and feel this paradigm shift, then we might stay silent, too. But they're not! We are joyfully acknowledging this shift, and we're shouting it from the pinnacle of our understanding. We look upon the light!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Willingness to become as a little child and to leave the old for the new, renders thought receptive of the advanced idea. Gladness to leave the false landmarks and joy to see them disappear, — this disposition helps to precipitate the ultimate harmony.” Science & Health Page 323:32-4

Restoring the Never Lost

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #301 “And God Himself shall wipe away all tears.”

There are any number — perhaps thousands — of wonderful teachings in this world. I have always leaned toward a non-dualist teaching that doesn’t leave me asking questions which are answered with non-answers such as, “you just have to believe”. These ten workbook lessons are under the heading of “What is the Second Coming”. This term has long been interpreted from a material standpoint, with expectations of a human form appearing and then everything will be all right. ACIM and MBE assure us that everything is all right here and now, and we don’t have to wait until some future time or event to bring us happiness and peace. One of the phrases in the workbook lesson tells us the second coming “restores the never lost”. In other words, everything we are searching for is ours already! Our judgment in a dualistic world reflects back to us our losses and griefs, and the understanding of unity allows us to choose a brand new world of Love, and all our tears are wiped away. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Love propagates anew the higher joys of Spirit, which have no taint of earth. Each successive stage of experience unfolds new views of divine goodness and love.” Science & Health Page 573:28-2