Reversing the “Laws” of the World

Photo credit: Aaron Springston

"Your holiness reverses all the laws of the world. It is beyond every restriction  of time, space, distance and limits of any kind." [ACIM Workbook Lesson #38] Haven't you always felt this to be true? Isn't that the appeal of Harry Potter stories? We know -- we just know! -- that there is more to all of this than what we see with our mortal eyes. It’s very exciting to ponder these new/old ideas!  The writings of Mary Baker Eddy and the teachings of A Course in Miracles reveal the spiritual interpretation of our material belief. A multitude of teachers give us books and videos to help us understand. The internet has brought us a plethora of information which can be accessed in an instant. Tapping into our inner knowing is facilitated by the knowledge that it is possible. There are many ways to practice recognizing intuitive knowledge. And that's all it is: recognition. No one is without this ability. As with many decisions in life, if we choose based on material evidence, everything may seem to be a matter of luck. When we allow our holiness to guide us, there is only the peaceful certainty of Good.

"Lulled by stupefying illusions, the world is asleep in the cradle of infancy, dreaming away the hours. Material sense does not unfold the facts of existence; but spiritual sense lifts human consciousness into eternal Truth." 

Mary baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 95:28-32

“My holiness is unlimited in its power to heal, because it is unlimited in its power to save. What is there to be saved from except illusions? And what are all illusions except false ideas about myself? My holiness undoes them all by asserting the truth about me. In the presence of my holiness, which I share with God Himself, all idols vanish.” 

A Course in Miracles  W-58.3:2-6

Seeing Ourselves as Whole

Photo Courtesy of Aaron Springston

Have you seen the movie or read the book, “The Hundred-Foot Journey”? It’s very beautiful for many reasons. We are shown lovely French countryside, exquisite food, and a wonderful acceptance of and by people who are learning about our connection with each other. When we accept our holiness, we do so by realizing that we are the expression of Love. When we see this truth, we understand that we are not alone, as we are all the reflection of divine Mind. How can we express racial prejudice, or any other form of hatred and fear, when we realize these things? I am freed by the understanding that the act of seeing everything in its spiritual reality is my function. It is everyone's function! By our realization of spiritual Truth, we see that everything is already complete and whole. I look forward to seeing more of this expanding vision which awaits us, just beyond the horizon of our material views.

"We are all sculptors, working at various forms, moulding and chiseling thought. What is the model before mortal mind? Is it imperfection, joy, sorrow, sin, suffering? Have you accepted the mortal model?" "We must form perfect models in thought and look at them continually, or we shall never carve them out in grand and noble lives." 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 248:15-17 and 26-29

“My holiness envelops everything I see. From my holiness does the perception of the real world come. Having forgiven, I no longer see myself as guilty. I can accept the innocence that is the truth about me. Seen through understanding eyes, the holiness of the world is all I see, for I can picture only the thoughts I hold about myself.”

A Course in Miracles W-58.1:1-5

Visions of Holiness

Rock Formations in Peru

Markawasi, Peru is high in the Andes Mountains in South America. At this site, there are hundreds of figures, faces, and various shapes which may be seen in the living stone. There is much speculation concerning the origin of these fabulous monuments, yet some people cannot see them. As shown by time-lapse photography, these illusive figures are more obvious at some times of the day than at others. I would suppose it also is predicated (as so many things are) on whether we want to see or not. While watching a documentary on this subject, I was repeatedly reminded of its metaphorical relationship with our spiritual study. The very first Wayne Dyer book I discovered  jumped out at me because of its title: When You Believe It, You'll See It. This is the exact opposite of our material basis of truth: When I see it, I'll believe it. These stone faces are easily overlooked if you don't want to see. With these thoughts as my inspiration, I shall go through this day seeing my holiness enveloping everything. And while many things are beyond my ability to see, that's okay, because knowing they're there is enough for now.

"As mortals gain more correct views of God and man, multitudinous objects of creation, which before were invisible, will become visible. When we realize that Life is Spirit, never in nor of matter, this understanding will expand into self-completeness, finding all in God, good, and needing no other consciousness." 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 492:7-11

“From my holiness does the perception of the real world come. Having forgiven, I no longer see myself as guilty. I can accept the innocence that is the truth about me. Seen through understanding eyes, the holiness of the world is all I see, for I can picture only the thoughts I hold about myself.” 

A Course in Miracles W-58.1:2-5

The Oneness of Divine Mind

Photo Courtesy of Aaron Springston

A good friend has struggled with depression all her life. She feels her existence has been a series of horrible events, occasionally interrupted by happy times, which inevitably end in pain. In an attempt to escape this existence, she has turned to alcohol, drugs, and God. But the judgmental God she sees makes deals with her, and never deems her worthy of favor. She often recounts events from the past, and this seems to affect her every action. We can escape this trap by accepting that we are actually the holy reflection of divine Love, a/k/a God. Any feeling of hopelessness and sadness can disappear in an instant! By releasing our material history, we are free to learn the reality of our spiritual self, which is unending, uninterrupted good. It's a beautiful thing to witness someone realize the nothingness of their personal history and to see the wondrous peace which lies within. 

"Immortal ideas, pure, perfect, and enduring, are transmitted by the divine Mind through divine Science, which corrects error with truth and demands spiritual thoughts, divine concepts, to the end that they may produce harmonious results."

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 259:26-31

“As I share the peace of the world with my brothers, I begin to understand that this peace comes from deep within myself. The world I look upon has taken on the light of my forgiveness, and shines forgiveness back at me. In this light I begin to see what my illusions about myself kept hidden. I begin to understand the holiness of all living things, including myself, and their oneness with me.” 

A Course in Miracles W-57.5:3-6

I Could See Peace …

Valerie Damon in a Eureka Springs, Arkansas Parade

Photo courtesy of Richard Quick

“I could see peace instead of this.” ACIM Lesson #34. This statement reminds me  that I am not a victim of the world I see. It suggests that perhaps there is another way of looking at it all; a way where I could see peace rather than turmoil. It reminds me that my mind is of God, and that I am Its holy image. What if we could simply relax into truth, not feeling the need to make others think as we do, nor to attempt to change anyone's mind about anything. It wouldn't matter if anyone believed in God, or followed any particular teaching system or religion -- it simply wouldn't be of any importance to us.  We could all relax and "let it Be". I know quite a few people who are ready to stop the madness and let freedom of thought take us to new heights of equality. And it's not just the airy-fairies who think this way, but physicists and learned people from all walks of life. Every thought counts! Let's go forward today with joy, knowing that peace is something which will spread without any effort, other than the sheer happiness in our hearts!

“When I see the world as a place of freedom, I realize that it reflects the laws of God instead of the rules I made up for it to obey. I will understand that peace, not war, abides in it. And I will perceive that peace also abides in the hearts of all who share this place with me.” 

A Course in Miracles  W-57.4:2-4

“Truth and Love enlighten the understanding, in whose 'light shall we see light;' and this illumination is reflected spiritually by all who walk in the light and turn away from a false material sense.”

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 510:9-12

Another Way of Looking at the World

Painting by Carol Dickie

Everywhere we look, changes are occurring. It’s wonderful that we are not afraid to look at traditional values in a new light! New ways of looking at old words, such as The Lord's Prayer give us fresh insights and understanding. Some people fear that these interpretations are sacrilegious, and perhaps they are. Religion should be about spirituality, but often it is no more than dogma and tradition, which is often perpetuated through fear. There are many interpretations of what we call The Lord’s Prayer. Here is a beautiful modern-day interpretation by Peter Russell. I feel these words are very helpful in facilitating our shifting perceptions of ancient Truth.

Peter Russell's Contemporary Lord's Prayer

“Our essential Being, that dwells within,

'I am' is thy name.

May thy true nature be revealed.

May thy knowing inform our daily lives

As it does our inner Being.

Nourish us today with thy Presence.

Release us from any judgment we have held against ourselves,

As we release others from judgments we've held against them.

Let us not be tempted to seek solace in worldly things.

Liberate us from that which veils the truth.

For it is in our Being that we find your Presence,

The Source of all good, the home of all joy,

Eternally, and without change.

So be it.”

Peter Russell

“As human thought changes from one stage to an other of conscious pain and painlessness, sorrow and joy, — from fear to hope and from faith to understanding, — the visible manifestation will at last be man governed by Soul, not by material sense.“ 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 125:12-15

“Peace is the bridge that everyone will cross, to leave this world behind. But peace begins within the world perceived as different, and leading from this fresh perception to the gate of Heaven and the way beyond. Peace is the answer to conflicting goals, to senseless journeys, frantic, vain pursuits, and meaningless endeavors. Now the way is easy, sloping gently toward the bridge where freedom lies within the peace of God.” 

A Course in Miracles W-200.8:1-4

We See What We Want

Art by Catrin Welz-Stein

I often wonder if we are hesitant to live from the heart because we worry others might think we're foolish. When we insist on seeing as Mind sees, rather than through the interpretation of human belief, we are often looked at askance! I remember once when I was in a monthly meeting of gallery owners in our town and the talk turned to theft in their shops. I turned my attention away from the discussion and was looking into a corner, thinking about something else, when suddenly I noticed everyone had stopped talking. I looked up and saw they were all looking at me! Someone asked me what I thought about this situation and I honestly told them that thievery was not a part of my existence and I didn't want to make it a reality by giving it energy. Someone said, Good for you! And the conversation continued in a different vein. With that in mind, I will not hesitate to wander away from discussions centered on fearful beliefs or angry reactions, while reinterpreting them with the Love which defines our being. 

“Hold thought steadfastly to the enduring, the good, and the true, and you will bring these into your experience proportionably to their occupancy of your thoughts." 

Mary Baker Eddy- Science & Health Page 261:4-7

“You are not the victim of the world you see because you invented it. You can give it up as easily as you made it up. You will see it or not see it, as you wish. While you want it you will see it; when you no longer want it, it will not be there for you to see.” 

A Course in Miracles W-32.1:2-5