I Am Free, As God Created Me

 

Photo by Aaron Springston

Our local meeting of A Course in Miracles is always uplifting and insightful. This evening we read through the reviews of Workbook Lessons 201-220, which are centered around the idea: “I am not a body, I am free. I am still as God created me.” The comments about these words prompted deep thought on their meaning, and I am grateful. When returning home from this delightful evening, I opened my mailbox and found a note from a dear friend. She tells me she has been diagnosed with bone cancer. Because I was still floating from our discussion on the true, spiritual nature we all share, it didn’t occur to me to be sad or to see her as anything other than the image and likeness of God. I have found through the years that telling someone “they are not a body, they are free”, does nothing for them other than make them think you’re a bit loony and, perhaps, turn them against learning what the statement truly means. I tend to listen to intuition, and a couple of weeks ago I ordered the book by Anita Moorjami titled “Dying To Be Me”. This is her journey through cancer and near death. She is now an inspirational speaker. I didn’t know why I ordered this book, but now I do. It’s for my friend.  The ideas in this book are the perfect starting point for the uninitiated in divinely metaphysical thought. I now know who I bought it for …

“In divine Science, man is the true image of God. The divine nature was best expressed in Christ Jesus, who threw upon mortals the truer reflection of God and lifted their lives higher than their poor thought-models would allow, — thoughts which presented man as fallen, sick, sinning, and dying. The Christlike understanding of scientific being and divine healing includes a perfect Principle and idea, — perfect God and perfect man, — as the basis of thought and demonstration.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 259:6-14

“Be free today. And carry freedom as your gift to those who still believe they are enslaved within a body. Be you free, so that the Holy Spirit can make use of your escape from bondage, to set free the many who perceive themselves as bound and helpless and afraid. Let love replace their fears through you. Accept salvation now, and give your mind to Him Who calls to you to make this gift to Him. For He would give you perfect freedom, perfect joy, and hope that finds its full accomplishment in God.” 

A Course in Miracles W-199.7:1-6

Focus on the Moment

 

Grand-baby Torin living in the moment

I have a friend who occasionally comes to me for help with her computer. Today was one of those days. She had been trying to complete a simple task, and after two hours of failed efforts, she came to me. I signed in to her account and got it done quickly. And then we had a talk. I know this woman well or I wouldn’t have been quite as blunt about her plight. I told her she needed to concentrate on one thing at at time. She told me she had attention deficit disorder. What I didn’t tell her was that I think we all do, but we can train ourselves to focus. I suggested meditation for her, perhaps reading Ram Dass’s “Be Here Now” and/or Eckhart Tolle’s “The Power of Now” — and she broke in to tell me she had done that years ago. She knew all about it. I smiled and told her to come to me if she wanted any help in her experience of the present. This caused me to think back to the years I flitted from one task to another, never finishing anything and becoming quite frustrated in the process. It took years to figure out what I was doing, and it’s an ongoing process to stay calmly on track. I truly feel it’s the acknowledgement and awareness of what we’re doing, then deciding if that’s how we want to live. If you don’t like the way things went today, be happy in the knowledge you can choose again!

“Your distorted perceptions produce a dense cover over miracle impulses, making it hard for them to reach your own awareness. The confusion of miracle impulses with physical impulses is a major perceptual distortion. Physical impulses are misdirected miracle impulses. All real pleasure comes from doing God’s Will. This is because not doing it is a denial of Self. Denial of Self results in illusions, while correction of the error brings release from it. Do not deceive yourself into believing that you can relate in peace to God or to your brothers with anything external.” 

A Course in Miracles T-1.VII.1:1-7

“Materialists contradict their own statements. Their belief in material laws and in penalties for their infraction is the ancient error that there is fraternity between pain and pleasure, good and evil, God and Satan. This belief totters to its falling before the battle-axe of Science.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 389:22-27

Saving Grace

 

Photo credit: Aaron Springston

My latest binge-watching series is called “Bull”. It’s about a psychologist who works with attorneys to select juries. Of course, during these trials he ends up discovering the truth and the innocent are always found to be so.  It’s wonderful to hear stories of people being rescued who have fallen through the wide cracks of our legal system. One of my dear friends is in danger of being convicted in what appears to be a victimless crime. Although I don’t know the details (and probably don’t want to know), this man is a fine human being who is trying against all odds to straighten his life out and be an asset to our community. I’ve known him for decades and want to do anything possible to help him. And I feel like I have. Will there be anything to be done tomorrow or the next day? I don’t know. But what I can do every moment he comes into my thought is to see him as a reflection of the divine Mind which created him. Knowing that he is seeing past the impediments which seem to be in his way, listening for the guiding thoughts of Love, he’ll make it through this. On my new favorite show, technology and great employees help “Bull” to see his way to saving clients. Listening for the guidance of the Universe will see my friend home. Namaste ….             

“We cannot fathom the nature and quality of God’s creation by diving into the shallows of mortal belief. We must reverse our feeble flutterings — our efforts to find life and truth in matter — and rise above the testimony of the material senses, above the mortal to the immortal idea of God. These clearer, higher views inspire the God like man to reach the absolute centre and circumference of his being.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 262:9-16

“Without love is justice prejudiced and weak. And love without justice is impossible. For love is fair, and cannot chasten without cause. What cause can be to warrant an attack upon the innocent? In justice, then, does love correct mistakes, but not in vengeance. For that would be unjust to innocence.” 

A Course in Miracles T-25.VIII.11:7-12

Evolutionary Religion

 

A lot has changed in the last couple of millennia, don't you think? We have a far deeper understanding of the workings of our universe, and our thinking has expanded exponentially about many topics. Something which has not changed appreciably is our idea about God. Religion has pretty well held us locked in to what has been taught as truth. Many of us are fearlessly admitting that we are all, each and every one, the expression and experience of God. We're happily allowing our thoughts to embrace new concepts such as, "I am the light of the world"! This is not a self-important declaration, but an all-inclusive, divine-Love centered exclamation of the wonder we know as Life. Our expanding thought is bringing a joy we never dreamed would be possible on this earth plane. We're beginning to understand that the kingdom of heaven is right here, right now, waiting for us to embrace it. If your belief system doesn’t  answer every question you have, if you are believing doctrine simply because you’ve been told to do so, you aren’t alone. Never be afraid to question so-called authority!

“The Hebrew and Greek words often translated belief differ somewhat in meaning from that conveyed by the English verb believe; they have more the significance of faith, understanding, trust, constancy, firmness. Hence the Scriptures often appear in our common version to approve and endorse belief, when they mean to enforce the necessity of understanding.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 488:7-1

“A major tenet in the ego’s insane religion is that sin is not error but truth, and it is innocence that would deceive. Purity is seen as arrogance, and the acceptance of the self as sinful is perceived as holiness. And it is this doctrine that replaces the reality of the Son of God as his Father created him, and willed that he be forever. Is this humility? Or is it, rather, an attempt to wrest creation away from truth, and keep it separate” 

A Course in Miracles T-19.II.4:1-5

Right-Mindedness

 During the years I worked with the public, I learned to say "you may be right about that" when someone said something with which I disagreed. It's a good way to say absolutely nothing, yet somehow not agree. But now there are too many injustices being perpetuated all around us to be silent. When I hear someone say that healthcare is not a right, it's a privilege, I must say that it is a privilege for the privileged at this point in time, and that is not right. When someone tells me they've worked hard for what they have and if someone can't take care of themselves then they haven't worked hard enough, I wonder what sect they come from, because the man for whom Christianity was named did not teach this. When someone tells me a woman's body is everybody's business and we should dictate its purpose, I can't even fathom where that idea originated. People who think oil is more important than the natural state of things, when they find fault with the power of the sun and wind and water, I wonder what corporation they are bowing down to. When I am told we can't feed the world by organic means and we must use pesticides and genetically modify our foods, I know the brainwashing which got them to this way of thinking -- because I've seen it develop in my lifetime. I could go on and on, as I'm sure you could, too. But the bottom line is I will no longer be saying, "you may be right about that", when I know darn well they are not. 

"Think of this, dear reader, for it will lift the sackcloth from your eyes, and you will behold the soft-winged dove descending upon you. The very circumstance, which your suffering sense deems wrathful and afflictive, Love can make an angel entertained unawares." 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 574:25

“I have already said that miracles are expressions of miracle-mindedness, and miracle-mindedness means right-mindedness. The right-minded neither exalt nor depreciate the mind of the miracle worker or the miracle receiver. However, as a correction, the miracle need not await the right-mindedness of the receiver. In fact, its purpose is to restore him to his right mind. It is essential, however, that the miracle worker be in his right mind, however briefly, or he will be unable to re-establish right-mindedness in someone else.” 

A Course in Miracles T-2.V.3:1-5

One Decision at a Time

 

Art: Ruth Evans Art

From Mary Reynolds’ “We Are the ARK”

“It’s time to go to work to save the sovereignty of our land, our water, our air, and all the creatures we share this planet with. The earth has become a barren green, brown, and scorched desert, but we can be the ones to create the island oases in this desert. These oases will be the seeding grounds for our new story. They will be sanctuaries for as many creatures as we can fit into them, safe havens for the magic and abundance in the natural world. They will become the ark for the flood of extinction that is already upon us. We are the last frontier and the last generation with enough time left to save this planet, by the skin of our teeth.

One person can effect such big change in this world, simply by inspiring change all around them.

One person, one patch of land, one decision at a time.

~ Mary Reynolds from “We Are the ARK - Returning Our Gardens to Their True Nature Through Acts of Restorative Kindness”

“The Garden of Eden, or the pre-separation condition, was a state of mind in which nothing was needed. When Adam listened to the ‘lies of the serpent,’ all he heard was untruth. You do not have to continue to believe what is not true unless you choose to do so. All that can literally disappear in the twinkling of an eye because it is merely a misperception. What is seen in dreams seems to be very real. Yet the Bible says that a deep sleep fell upon Adam, and nowhere is their reference to his waking up. The world has not yet experienced any comprehensive reawakening or rebirth. Such a rebirth is impossible as long as you continue to project or miscreate. It still remains within you, however, to extend as God extended His Spirit to you. In reality this is your only choice, because your free will was given you for your joy in creating the perfect.” 

A Course in Miracles T-2.I.3:1-10

“Mortal error will vanish in a moral chemicalization. This mental fermentation has begun, and will continue until all errors of belief yield to understanding. Belief is changeable, but spiritual understanding is changeless.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 96:21-24

With Apologies …

Photo courtesy of Blake Lasater

It is difficult to express what I’m trying to say in a short paragraph, and sometimes I fail miserably. It seems as though yesterday was one of those times, as this morning I had a response from someone who interpreted my words to mean I want people to ignore the plight of our planet and just be happy. I have apologized to him, and I apologize to you.  My goal had been to address the question of, “Do you want the problem or the answer?” The reason I suggested my fatalistic friend be happy and grateful for every little thing is because he is so miserable. It’s not necessarily climate change he’s given up on, but people as a whole.  He laments life and seems to have no desire to be proactive. And so I suggested he do something to free his mind, hoping that would free up space for something to  get in there other than his circular thinking on problems. A friend and educator once had a poster on her wall which told us she only wanted to hear about the problem as an identifier; after that, look for solutions. I love that. Namaste 

“We should examine ourselves and learn what is the affection and purpose of the heart, for in this way only can we learn what we honestly are. If a friend informs us of a fault, do we listen patiently to the rebuke and credit what is said? Do we not rather give thanks that we are ‘not as other men’? During many years the author has been most grateful for merited rebuke. The wrong lies in unmerited censure, — in the falsehood which does no one any good.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 8:28-4

“By recognizing spirit, miracles adjust the levels of perception and show them in proper alignment. This places spirit at the center, where it can communicate directly.” 

A Course in Miracles T-1.I.30:1-2