Fall in Love

Photo courtesy of Richard Quick

"May you fall madly in love this year ...in love with someone who unhinges your tired trajectory, in love with a spouse of several years who might be aching for lightning, in love with demanding children and crazy relatives ... in love with the particular pedigree of genius insanity that has perhaps claimed you in spite of your reluctance .. and certainly in love with an animal, a cloud, a redwood, the wild .. these at least once a day.

May you fall in love with this fragile jewel of a world, with hard work, real learning, just causes, petitioning and prayers. May you fall in love with wonder itself, with the grand mystery, with all that feeds you in order that you may live .. and with the responsibility that that confers.

May you fall in love with heartbreak and seeing how it's stitched into everything.

May you fall in love with the natural order of things and with tears, tenderness and humility. May this be a magnificent year for you.

May you fall deeply, madly, hopelessly, inextinguishably in love."

~ Rachelle Lamb: Poetess

“The course does not aim at teaching the meaning of love, for that is beyond what can be taught. It does aim, however, at removing the blocks to the awareness of love’s presence, which is your natural inheritance. The opposite of love is fear, but what is all-encompassing can have no opposite.”

A Course in Miracles T-in.1:6-8 

“From Love and from the light and harmony which are the abode of Spirit, only reflections of good can come. All things beautiful and harmless are ideas of Mind. Mind [Love] creates and multiplies them, and the product must be mental.”

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 280:4-8 

Justifiable Defense?

 

Photo of Unknown Origin

The belief in separation fosters fear. Fear and cruelty go hand in hand. Fear causes us to act defensively: standing up for our loved ones, along with values which are of importance to us, and our way of life. To this defensive end, we are willing to attack others in both our words and actions, not listening to the voice of sanity which divine Mind is forever supplying. This sentence from today’s Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson speaks to these defenses: “It is their enemies who are unreasonable and insane, while they are always merciful and just.” As I witness attack thoughts around me today, I will remember that those propounding such ideas believe they are justified in their defenses, and I will see them as a child of Love, knowing they will see our commonality, also.

“And we solemnly promise to watch, and pray for that Mind to be in us which was also in Christ Jesus; to do unto others as we would have them do unto us; and to be merciful, just, and pure.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 497:24-28

“It seems to be the enemy without that you attack. Yet your defense sets up an enemy within; an alien thought at war with you, depriving you of peace, splitting your mind into two camps which seem wholly irreconcilable. For love now has an ‘enemy,’ an opposite; and fear, the alien, now needs your defense against the threat of what you really are.”

A Course in Miracles - W-170.3:1-3

Inevitable Grace

“Grace is acceptance of the Love of God within a world of seeming hate and fear.” [A Course in Miracles] While having an anything-goes conversation with a group of friends, it became apparent that we have different ways of talking to people with whom we disagree. In recent years, I have made an extreme effort to listen to others rather than immediately responding with admonitions and/or corrections of what I deem to be their erroneous thought. I’ve written in the past that a favorite statement in such situations is, You may be right about that. This is something I don’t say anymore. In the face of “alternative facts” I now say something like, “If that’s true, we need to do something about it.” And then I’ll suggest we research the topic and begin a dialogue about it. This has opened up a whole world of communication I would not normally be willing to have. And so “By grace I live. By grace I am released.” [A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson 169] These conversations feel like amazing grace to me!

“The miracle of grace is no miracle to Love.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 494:15

“Grace is an aspect of the Love of God which is most like the state prevailing in the unity of truth. It is the world’s most lofty aspiration, for it leads beyond the world entirely. It is past learning, yet the goal of learning, for grace cannot come until the mind prepares itself for true acceptance. Grace becomes inevitable instantly in those who have prepared a table where it can be gently laid and willingly received; an altar clean and holy for the gift.” 

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #169.1:1-4

The Power of Grace

I remember a young woman who came into my gallery one evening and told me that she loved art, but that she didn't have any talent because she had been sexually abused as a child. I smiled at her and she said, No, really, every day for years and years! I told her I wasn't smiling about what she had said or what had been done, but I was smiling at the part of her which had never been touched by any of this. I told her everyone has tons of talent, and I hoped she would continue trying things until she found something she really loved -- and then keep on doing it! Her eyes lit up as she listed things she loved and wanted to do. By practicing kindness when faced with hardness of heart, meekness when those around us are aggressive, loving those who seem unlovable, and paying it forward at every opportunity, we acknowledge the grace which is our true heritage. By this, we learn what it feels like, not just what it means.

“The notion that animal natures can possibly give force to character is too absurd for consideration, when we remember that through spiritual ascendency our Lord and Master healed the sick, raised the dead, and commanded even the winds and waves to obey him. Grace and Truth are potent beyond all other means and methods.”

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 67:18-24

“If you but knew the meaning of His Love, hope and despair would be impossible. For hope would be forever satisfied; despair of any kind unthinkable. His grace His answer is to all despair, for in it lies remembrance of His Love. Would He not gladly give the means by which His Will is recognized? His grace is yours by your acknowledgment. And memory of Him awakens in the mind that asks the means of Him whereby its sleep is done.”

A Course in Miracles - W-168:2:1-6

Life Is Not Limited

Art by Kaoru Yamada

“There is one life, and that I share with God.” ACIM Lesson #167. This topic reminds me of being in the check-out line at the market when the young man sacking groceries was trying on the checker's glasses. He said he didn’t know how anyone could see through them, and she told him they're reading glasses and he'll find out someday.  He said, "I hope God comes before that happens." The checkout lady replied, "That's horrible! No, that's wonderful. No ..." At this point, I also was somewhat speechless! She had interpreted his comment to mean he hoped he died before he lost his 20/20 vision. But upon reflection, he could have meant other things -- perhaps "the rapture"?? The whole conversation reflected our society’s muddled, confused thought. He was assuming that getting older requires a loss of sight, she was assuming he wanted to die before he was old, he was believing God was somewhere separate from him. Erroneous assumptions were rife. Rather than wonder what others were thinking, I asked myself what I thought of my life, realizing that to relish every moment is enough for me.  Using the word Life as a synonym for deity helps me see that there is no separation, and I can relax into the ever-constant wonder of loving existence!

“There are not different kinds of life, for life is like the truth. It does not have degrees. It is the one condition in which all that God created share. Like all His Thoughts, it has no opposite. There is no death because what God created shares His life. There is no death because an opposite to God does not exist. There is no death because the Father and the Son are one.”

A Course in Miracles W-167.1:1-7

“Question: What is Life?

Answer: Life is divine Principle, Mind, Soul, Spirit. Life is without beginning and without end. Eternity, not time, expresses the thought of Life, and time is no part of eternity. One ceases in proportion as the other is recognized. Time is finite; eternity is forever infinite. Life is neither in nor of matter. What is termed matter is unknown to Spirit, which includes in itself all substance and is Life eternal. Matter is a human concept. Life is divine Mind. Life is not limited. Death and finiteness are unknown to Life. If Life ever had a beginning, it would also have an ending.”

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Pages 468:26-6

Shared Joy

Laughter is contagious, don’t you think? Most of us have “gotten the giggles” and been unable to stop laughing. There are numerous videos on the internet where people are sharing laughter in the most joyous of ways. I particularly like one which shows people’s reactions when someone tells them they are beautiful. The sheepish grins which emerge, the eyes which light up, are sure to bring a smile to my face and an expansion of my heart. Joy, laughter, happiness — these are given freely to us as a part of our divine heritage. Today I will make the most of every opportunity I have to give these gifts, freely, joyously, with no reservations or restrictions!

"Happiness is spiritual, born of truth and love. It is unselfish; therefore it cannot exist alone, but requires all mankind to share it." 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 57:18-21

“Become the living proof of what Christ’s touch can offer everyone. God has entrusted all His gifts to you. Be witness in your happiness to how transformed the mind becomes which chooses to accept His gifts, and feel the touch of Christ.Such is your mission now. For God entrusts the giving of His gifts to all who have received them. He has shared His joy with you. And now you go to share it with the world.” 

A Course in Miracles  W-166.15:2-8

Be With Those Who Help Your Being

Good Friends at a Jim Young Book Signing

Gathering with others is a lovely way to be reminded of the Truth inherent in us. “Let not my mind deny the Thought of God.” [A Course in Miracles Workbook #165] The Thought of God isn't our thinking about God, but our listening to the Thought which is God. I love to talk with others and hear how these images of divine Mind shine through the myths we have created for ourselves in daily life. More and more, we are realizing what is true and what is simply habitual thinking, perpetuated by repetition. And how do we know if it's coming from the one Source or our mortal, limited thinking? Does it make my heart sing and my mind feel at peace? Does it bless all equally, along with me? Or do I feel an uneasiness which I can't exactly pinpoint? Maybe there's a feeling of importance and superiority. These last two things are sure indicators that the thoughts are coming from my limiting sense of ego and not the One Mind, God. Today I want to "Be with those who help [my] being." Rumi

“How empty are our conceptions of Deity! We admit theoretically that God is good, omnipotent, omnipresent, infinite, and then we try to give information to this infinite Mind. We plead for unmerited pardon and for a liberal outpouring of benefactions. Are we really grateful for the good already received? Then we shall avail ourselves of the blessings we have, and thus be fitted to receive more. Gratitude is much more than a verbal expression of thanks. Action expresses more gratitude than speech.”
Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 3:17-27

“The Thought of God created you. It left you not, nor have you ever been apart from it an instant. ³It belongs to you. By it you live. It is your Source of life, holding you one with it, and everything is one with you because it left you not. The Thought of God protects you, cares for you, makes soft your resting place and smooth your way, lighting your mind with happiness and love. Eternity and everlasting life shine in your mind, because the Thought of God has left you not, and still abides with you.” 

A Course in Miracles - W-165.1.1-7