Amazing Grace

There are many definitions given in the dictionary for the word grace. It is a noun, a verb, and an adverb, so it covers a lot of ground. The definition which best suits today’s Course in Miracles Review of Lessons 160 and 170 would be this: "Divine love and protection bestowed freely on people." This grace which is ours shows itself in many ways. Perhaps it is seen in our kindness to others, and in theirs to us. Grace is emerging in the synchronicities we see in daily life. Perhaps it is demonstrated in an apology, or an act of benevolence, a charitable deed, or an acceptance of someone's opinion which is opposite of ours. Grace is mine today, simply by acknowledging its presence. To quote William Blake:

“To see the world in a grain of sand,

And heaven in a wild flower,

Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,

And eternity in an hour.”

“Grace and Truth are potent beyond all other means and methods.”

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health  Page 67:23-24

“Grace is acceptance of the Love of God within a world of seeming hate and fear. By grace alone the hate and fear are gone, for grace presents a state so opposite to everything the world contains, that those whose minds are lighted by the gift of grace can not believe the world of fear is real.”

A Course in Miracles W-169.2:1-2

The Affection and Purpose of the Heart

Photo courtesy of Aaron Springston

When someone tells me I’m mistaken about a “fact”, or that I’m interpreting something incorrectly, or maybe that my memory is faulty, I’m grateful for the correction. Much in the same way I’m thankful when someone tells me my skirt is stuck in my waistband — thereby sparing needless embarrassment — I’m glad if knowledge keeps me from spreading information which is not factual. Apparently not everyone feels this way! Not only are we seeing public figures who are afraid to say “I was wrong and I’m sorry”, but I’ve been witnessing a situation with a friend whose family has maligned him for years because of his understanding of current events. When did knowledge and the accumulation of information become something to be ridiculed? Metaphysical practitioners recognize that energy follows thought, and so I do my best to not replay memories of behaviors which I don’t want to manifest. Some days it’s a full-time job!

“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

“You do not recognize the enormous waste of energy you expend in denying truth. What would you say of someone who persists in attempting the impossible, believing that to achieve it is to succeed? The belief that you must have the impossible in order to be happy is totally at variance with the principle of creation. God could not will that happiness depended on what you could never have. The fact that God is Love does not require belief, but it does require acceptance. It is indeed possible for you to deny facts, although it is impossible for you to change them. If you hold your hands over your eyes, you will not see because you are interfering with the laws of seeing. If you deny love, you will not know it because your cooperation is the law of its being. You cannot change laws you did not make, and the laws of happiness were created for you, not by you.” 

A Course in Miracles T-9.I.11:1-9

Let Spiritual Harmony Reign

Photo credit: Mark McGee

In these times of radical religious pontificating, we often hear disparaging words about science. So when the subject of melding science and religious is mentioned, many people think it is impossible. In the traditional meaning of religion, this would be true. Religion has taken on too many facets to be purely the knowledge of God. On many levels, it has become more political than spiritual. Science, on the other hand, means knowledge. But since its definition includes rational explanations and predictable results, it has long been left out of spirituality. Typically, religion encompasses the knowledge of God, but could never qualify as a provable science. When Mary Baker Eddy discovered the science of the Christ in the 1860s, she envisioned that religious leaders would be excited and happy to share in her vision. In her 600-page textbook, Science and Health, With Key to the Scriptures, she explains this Science to be demonstrable by anyone and everyone. In this time of rapidly shifting perceptions, many people are grasping what this means and embracing the beauty and perfection of it. Mary would be pleased!

“When the final physical and moral effects of Christian Science are fully apprehended, the conflict between truth and error, understanding and belief, Science and material sense, will cease, and spiritual harmony reign.”

Mary Baker Eddy - Science and Health Page 288:10–14

“Brother, this day is sacred to the world. Your vision, given you from far beyond all things within the world, looks back on them in a new light. And what you see becomes the healing and salvation of the world. The valuable and valueless are both perceived and recognized for what they are. And what is worthy of your love receives your love, while nothing to be feared remains.”

A Course in Miracles W-164.6:1-5

Destroy Erroneous Belief With Truth

Photo from Aaron Springston

An article was making the rounds on social media which concerned a public school in Tennessee forcing children to participate in Muslim practices. The comments to this post ranged from mildly ignorant to wildly speculative. Finally, someone named Doug calmly recited all the reasons this is not happening, stating that the article is a satirical joke, and nicely asking if all the responders felt silly for believing it. In other words, The Emperor has no clothes!!  We see this same scenario take place numerous times a day, in some form or fashion, and usually we look the other way — possibly because it’s happening on the television news! We must speak truth to error of all sorts. I encourage everyone to refute lies which are “going viral”. May the calm voices of reason prevail!

“Erroneous belief is destroyed by truth. Change the evidence, and that disappears which before seemed real to this false belief, and the human consciousness rises higher.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health  Page 297:12-15

“Complete abstraction is the natural condition of the mind. But part of it is now unnatural. It does not look on everything as one. It sees instead but fragments of the whole, for only thus could it invent the partial world you see. The purpose of all seeing is to show you what you wish to see. All hearing but brings to your mind the sounds it wants to hear.”

A Course in Miracles W-161.2:1-6

Laugh and Choose Again!

I'm listening to Eckhart Tolle's classic book, A New Earth. It seems quite appropriate at this time of quickly-changing values. As consciousness unfolds into form, we are witnessing fearful reactions from millions of people who are stuck in old ways of thinking. Living from Love should be as easy as pie, but apparently mortal mind (as Mrs. Eddy refers to it, or ego as it’s known in A Course in Miracles) can misinterpret anything in multitudinous ways. Eckhart has reminded me that every one of us who accepts this shift from fear to Love helps to pave the way for others to move into this space. While every thought we have is important, let's not beat ourselves up when we feel we have failed -- because thoughts of failure and guilt are, once again, the ego jerking our chain. Let's learn to laugh at ourselves as we choose again and go forward with joy!

“Erroneous belief is destroyed by truth. Change the evidence, and that disappears which before seemed real to this false belief, and the human consciousness rises higher.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 297:12-15

“There is a stranger in our midst, who comes from an idea so foreign to the truth he speaks a different language, looks upon a world truth does not know, and understands what truth regards as senseless. Stranger yet, he does not recognize to whom he comes, and yet maintains his home belongs to him, while he is alien now who is at home. And yet, how easy it would be to say, ‘This is my home. Here I belong, and will not leave because a madman says I must.’”

A Course in Miracles W-160.2:1-4

Love Leaves No Room For Fear

Glacier National Park

A friend went on an 8-month camping trip to remote regions of the United States. She’s 74-years-young and she jumped into her car with a pup tent, a few blankets and changes of clothing, her sketch pad, her dog — and not much else! She slept under the stars, when possible by a river, and met many interesting people, while getting quite an education about Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Oregon, Arizona, and Utah. As I related some of Lizzy’s adventures to a mutual friend, she said she could never do anything like that until she “conquered her fear”. Hum, what an interesting concept! I suppose we are taught that fear is something to be overcome, but I think of it as something to be replaced. I suggested she start by ceasing to listen to or watch the news, and definitely not to watch any crime dramas on television or horror movies. She thought I was joking, as she can’t imagine life without any of those activities. The conversation caused me to stop and think about the things I’m indulging unnecessarily which may bring on angst. I find there are a few!

"One moment of divine consciousness, or the spiritual understanding of Life and Love, is a foretaste of eternity."

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 589: 8-11

“Into Christ’s Presence will we enter now, serenely unaware of everything except His shining face and perfect Love. The vision of His face will stay with you, but there will be an instant which transcends all vision, even this, the holiest. This you will never teach, for you attained it not through learning. Yet the vision speaks of your rememberance of what you knew that instant, and will surely know again.”

A Course in Miracles W-157.9:1-4

Peace For the Restless

Photo courtesy of Aaron Springston

Often we realize change is necessary in our lives, but various reasons may keep us from moving forward. Perhaps there are factors of fear, stubbornness, or hedonistic desires involved in our reluctance. Almost 30 years ago, I was prompted to make some major changes. I brought my children to Eureka Springs and started a new life. We changed everything from our furniture to our way of thinking and daily activities. The cleansing effect of this change brought happiness and peace where drama and turmoil had been before. Through an in-depth study of the works of Mary Baker Eddy, and eventually A Course in Miracles, life has become a walk on the path of “perfect holiness” — for which I am most grateful. Accepting that “God is Love and so am I” brings peace to the restless soul. Namaste …

"… we must first turn our gaze in the right direction, and then walk that way. We must form perfecta 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 247:25-29

“There is a way of living in the world that is not here, although it seems to be. You do not change appearance, though you smile more frequently. Your forehead is serene; your eyes are quiet. And the ones who walk the world as you do recognize their own. Yet those who have not yet perceived the way will recognize you also, and believe that you are like them, as you were before.”

A Course in Miracles W-155.1:1-5