No Fear

PC: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #323 "I gladly make the 'sacrifice' of fear"

Why is it so difficult to let go of something we don't want? No one wants to live in fear, but it seems that we've convinced ourselves it’s necessary for survival. I know I sometimes fall into this trap. I want to think subjectively from divine Mind, but constantly fall into the objective stance of thinking about God rather than thinking as the expression of God. The fear-based life going on around us seems to be contagious. I'm tired of living from a place of worry about what-if situations! The confusion which comes from a mind full of crazy scenarios and potentially dangerous situations is not the way I choose to be. So today I am actively giving away these feelings in favor of peace and Love, knowing it becomes easier with every so-called sacrifice of fear.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Give up your material belief of mind in matter, and have but one Mind, even God; for this Mind forms its own likeness."

Science & Health Page 216:30-32

Give Up What?

photo credit: Richard Quick 

ACIM Workbook Lesson #322 “I can give up but what was never real.”

When you think of giving things up, what comes to mind? Perhaps it's giving up certain habits, or maybe foods that we deem to be bad for us, or perhaps things which are cluttering our life. Whatever comes to thought, rest assured it's not real! I often think of this statement: It's not what enters the mouth which defiles us, but what comes out. But giving up negative chatter and gossipy talk is also not real, given the definition we're working with today! Only that which is a manifestation of divine Mind, God, is real. So these things we give up are simply clearing the way for reality! This reality becomes apparent, but we know it's always been there, waiting to be revealed in the "twinkling of an eye" if we're truly willing to release what binds us. Let there be light!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Man is the idea of Spirit; he reflects the beatific presence, illuming the universe with light.”

Science and Health Page 266:27–29

Harmony and Bliss

PC: Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #321 “Father, my freedom is in You alone.”

Someone close to me has been going through an experience which would traditionally be thought of as betrayal and a cause for great emotional pain. As we spoke over the phone, he mentioned more than once how odd it was that he felt all right about the situation. He is seeing the relationship as one which has brought great joy to his life experience. As we grow in our understanding of Creation, we start to see we actually are the expression of divine Love, God. In this realization, we begin to utilize spiritual sense, which opens a whole new view of life. Releasing thoughts of how we should react to situations as dictated by material senses, we free ourselves to be expressions of Creation, without the belief systems we've always relied upon. And in this freedom, there is joy!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“God’s being is infinity, freedom, harmony, and boundless bliss.” Science & Health 480:3-4

True Sense of Things

photo credit: Arthur Bruno

ACIM Workbook Lesson #320 “My Father gives all power unto me.”

Most religious doctrine and non-secular belief propounds the idea that we, as humans, are weak, sinful, and powerless. Our interpretation of the language of ACIM and Mary Baker Eddy could tend to keep us in that belief too, if we are holding onto past perceptions. But we are being asked to release everything we ever knew in order to see ourselves as the actual experience of God. It's very difficult to stop thinking of God as somewhere out there, and that's why I find it helpful to use some synonyms for Deity. Thinking of myself as a creation of divine Mind, a reflection of divine Love, makes it easier to grasp these concepts without separation. Would I rather see God as an old man in the sky, or as divine Love flowing in and through everything, not as a judgmental figure but as a gentle presence? I know which one brings me peace!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Mortals must look beyond fading, finite forms, if they would gain the true sense of things. Where shall the gaze rest but in the unsearchable realm of Mind? We must look where we would walk, and we must act as possessing all power from Him in whom we have our being." Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures Page 264:7-12

Humility or Arrogance?

ACIM Workbook Lesson #319 “I came for the salvation of the world.”

I love how this lesson tells us there is no arrogance in the realization that we are here for the salvation of the world! When we think we can do everything through our own mortal thought, this is the height of arrogance. Perhaps true humility comes from the realization that we can do nothing on our own, but that we are capable of everything when allowing our true self to shine, demonstrating what it means to be a reflection of divine Mind. By this humble yielding to our divine nature, we are admitting that what/who we are is indeed spiritual not material. From this point, there are no limits and we are free to live Truth.

Mary Baker Eddy quotes:

“Millions of unprejudiced minds--simple seekers for Truth, weary wanderers, athirst in the desert--are waiting and watching for rest and drink.”

Science & Health Page 570:14-17

We're All This Together

ACIM Workbook Lesson #318 “In me salvation's means and end are one.”

We're all in this together, although it appears as though we all see things through different eyes. We seem to be satellites, rotating around something unseen, sometimes floating in unison, often bumping into each other and throwing our orbit out of sync — but we're all in this together. Let's leave out the word "in": We're all this together. This togetherness sometimes manifests itself as groups of people who commingle for the joy of being with each other. We may have book clubs,  study groups, sewing circles, and various groups of people who come together in communion. This fellowship has been sought-after since the beginning of time. Personally, I have no interest in being a part of any group simply to be with others. There must be a communication which surpasses the ordinary. I want stunning honesty, inspiring exchanges, Love shared. From this demonstrated Oneness with each other as the experience of God, salvation is realized as the means, the end, the Only.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

 "Knowing the Science of creation, in which all is Mind and its ideas, Jesus rebuked the material thought of his fellow-countrymen: 'Ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?' How much more should we seek to apprehend the spiritual ideas of God, than to dwell on the objects of sense!"

.Science & Health Page 509:28-3

Listening

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #317 “I follow in the way appointed me.”

Often we think the "still, small voice" will come to us through loud speakers. Only once have I heard an actual voice telling me what to do. Usually it's in the form of avenues opening up in unexpected ways, sometimes over and over until I notice. Through the years, I've learned to recognize the difference in material desire and spiritual guidance. The time I heard a voice, it said: Take the job! It was such a surprise that I looked over my should and said, What? Usually these guiding lights are more subtle, perhaps presenting something again and again until I pay attention. We are learning, aren't we? Whether it feels too right to ignore, or it's something we wish we could ignore, I think we're finally waking up, don't you?

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“All the evidence of physical sense and all the knowledge obtained from physical sense must yield to Science, to the immortal truth of all things.”

Science & Health 493:6-8