Heaven Within

Why would we fear to look within our own hearts? Why would we fear seeing our true self? Perhaps we feel that to look within would involve some sort of life review which would require us to answer for every supposed sin we've committed. But what if we're looking within at our pure and perfect Self, as we are created by divine Love? And what if, after we find what we've forgotten, we allow it to come forth and live with us? In the process, we truly forgive ourselves for all of it, allowing thought to stay on the good and the true, releasing guilt and fear, living only in Love. What if ...

“When speaking of God's children, not the children of men, Jesus said, ‘The kingdom of God is within you;’ that is, Truth and Love reign in the real man, showing that man in God's image is unfallen and eternal." 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 476:28-32

“I will not fear to look within today. Within me is eternal innocence, because it is God’s Will that it be there forever and forever. I, His Son, whose will is limitless as is His Own, can will no change in this. For to deny my Father’s Will is to deny my own. To look within is but to find my will as God created it, and as it is. I fear to look within because I think I made another will that is not true, and made it real. Yet it has no effects. Within me is the Holiness of God. Within me is the memory of Him.

“The step I take today, my Father, is my sure release from idle dreams of sin. Your altar stands serene and undefiled. It is the holy altar to my Self, and there I find my true Identity.”

A Course in Miracles W-309.1:1–2:3

Time Will Tell …

Photo credit: Christine Panas

Numerous sayings about time come to mind when reading today’s ACIM workbook topic:  “This instant is the only time there is.” Here is a sampling of what came to me: “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.” (Kung Fu Panda) I'm also reminded of something Deepak Chopra said: "Time is something we have made up so everything doesn't happen all at once." Albert Einstein showed us that time is relative. Time spent in a dentist chair passes differently from time spent visiting with a dear friend. Later in life, Mr. Einstein came to believe that time was not just relative, but unreal! Here is a quote from him, written in a letter to a friend: "To those of us who believe in physics, this separation between past, present, and future, is only an illusion, if a stubborn one." So why do we limit ourselves with time? We always think we're too young or too old, or this physical malady will pass with time, or that we simply don't have time to do the things we want to do. When I realize that I'm not a mortal living in what seems to be now, but an immortal living in eternity, then some major shifts in perception can take place. Only "time will tell" what happens with that realization!

“This instant is the only time there is. I have conceived of time in such a way that I defeat my aim. If I elect to reach past time to timelessness, I must change my perception of what time is for. Time’s purpose cannot be to keep the past and future one. The only interval in which I can be saved from time is now. For in this instant has forgiveness come to set me free. The birth of Christ is now, without a past or future. He has come to give His present blessing to the world, restoring it to timelessness and love. And love is ever-present, here and now.

“Thanks for this instant, Father. It is now I am redeemed. This instant is the time You have appointed for Your Son’s release, and for salvation of the world in him.”

A Course in Miracles - W-308.1:1–2:3

“Never ask for tomorrow: it is enough that divine Love is an ever-present help; and if you wait, never doubting, you will have all you need every moment.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Miscellaneous Writings Page 307

Quiet in the Storm

Art by Dee Nickerson

Find Your Quiet in the Storm - from Etheric Echoes 

“Some days, the world feels too sharp,

Too loud, too raw to touch.

Headlines scream, phones ring,

And chaos dances at our doorstep.

But I've learned to find sanctuary

In small moments of grace—

The way sunlight paints shadows on walls,

How wind whispers through leaves,

The steady rhythm of my own breath

When I remember to just... breathe.

I've learned to turn off the noise,

To silence the endless chatter,

To find strength in gentle things—

A cup of coffee at dawn,

A moment of kindness between strangers,

The quiet courage of growing things.

They say the world's gone mad,

But perhaps the secret is knowing

When to step away from the storm,

When to guard your peace like gold,

When to let your heart be still

In a world that never stops spinning.

For in this rush of endless moments,

We must remember to be gentle

With ourselves, with each other,

To find beauty in broken places,

To create spaces of quiet wonder

In corners of our own making.

This is how we stay whole—

Not by hardening our hearts,

But by knowing when to soften,

When to rest, when to breathe,

When to let the world's noise fade

Into the background of our being.“

“Find Your Quiet in the Storm” by Etheric Echoes

“We cannot serve two masters nor perceive divine Science with the material senses.”

Mary Baker Eddy - Science and Health Page 167:11-12

“Conflicting wishes cannot be my will. Father, Your Will is mine, and only that. There is no other will for me to have. Let me not try to make another will, for it is senseless and will cause me pain. Your Will alone can bring me happiness, and only Yours exists. If I would have what only You can give, I must accept Your Will for me, and enter into peace where conflict is impossible, Your Son is one with You in being and in will, and nothing contradicts the holy truth that I remain as You created me.

“And with this prayer we enter silently into a state where conflict cannot come, because we join our holy will with God’s, in recognition that they are the same.”

A Course in Miracles W-307.1:1–2:1

A Natural State of Grace

The study of divine metaphysics requires a willingness to question every value that we hold, to let light into our minds, to allow grace to be our natural state. To study A Course in Miracles takes a willingness for your mind to be healed from fear and limitation; it requires you to question every value you hold. We tend to think it’s a good thing to hold strong opinions about any number of things, such as politics. It may seem as though I’m saying we shouldn’t work for social reform, that we shouldn’t stand up to wrong-doers, that we should become the proverbial doormat. Not so! I think that giving up the things which make us angry, the things for which we become fighting mad, enables us to open ourselves to this gift of divine Love.  Then we are guided to do meaningful work in ways we hadn’t considered, because strong mindsets were hiding them from our vision. I think it will be an interesting exercise to take note of the thoughts I have which keep me from the gift of divine Love. I hope you’ll join me!

“Christ is the true idea voicing good, the divine message from God to men speaking to the human consciousness.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 332:9-11

“The gift of Christ is all I seek today. What but Christ’s vision would I use today, when it can offer me a day in which I see a world so like to Heaven that an ancient memory returns to me? Today I can forget the world I made. Today I can go past all fear, and be restored to love and holiness and peace. Today I am redeemed, and born anew into a world of mercy and of care; of loving kindness and the peace of God.

“And so, our Father, we return to You, remembering we never went away; remembering Your holy gifts to us. In gratitude and thankfulness we come, with empty hands and open hearts and minds, asking but what You give. We cannot make an offering sufficient for Your Son. But in Your Love the gift of Christ is his.”

A Course in Miracles W-306.1:1–2:4

Bathed in Beauty and Light

Photo courtesy of Blake Lasater

You have probably heard of, or witnessed, people facing dire situations calmly, with an other-worldly peace. I experienced one of these times when visiting with a couple who were learning how to cope with the change we call death. When I walked into their home, the first thing I felt was an all-encompassing peace. My dear friend related how inspired she was by the leaves falling from the trees in their regular autumnal cycle. She told me how they take care of themselves. She never rakes them up into piles, but allows them to go where they need to be, and there they change to whatever form is required of them -- soil, protection for seedlings, shelter for insects and small animals. She sees perfection in this plan and knows that the same perfection is taking place in all existence. I am grateful to have experienced this deep and quiet peace with them. The peace of God is there for all, no matter what the material circumstance. The gift of Love satisfies the hungering senses, it calms fear, it allows us to release the ties which bind us to material existence, giving us more than we knew was possible. This understanding is priceless …

“Life is reflected in existence, Truth in truthfulness, God in goodness, which impart their own peace and permanence. Love, redolent with unselfishness, bathes all in beauty and light.”

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 516:9-13

“There is a peace that Christ bestows on us. Who uses but Christ’s vision finds a peace so deep and quiet, undisturbable and wholly changeless, that the world contains no counterpart. Comparisons are still before this peace. And all the world departs in silence as this peace envelops it, and gently carries it to truth, no more to be the home of fear. For love has come, and healed the world by giving it Christ’s peace.

“Father, the peace of Christ is given us, because it is Your Will that we be saved. Help us today but to accept Your gift, and judge it not. For it has come to us to save us from our judgment on ourselves.”

A Course in Miracles W-305.1:1–2:3 

Revealing Celestial Peaks

Photo credit: Arthur Bruno

Throughout the ages, we've been given hints about the unrealized possibilities in our world.  We have longed for the ability to change what seems to be the reality of situations in and around our personal existence, and we enjoy stories of powerful mythological and fictional characters who do so. The world tells us that we are victims of circumstance, with our life experiences being changed at the whim of happenstance. Every time we hear a story telling of something we think is impossible, but which contains an outcome so beautiful we wish and hope it could be true, let's contemplate the possibility that there are no limits. Who knows what we're capable of doing? We seem to exceed expected outcomes in every avenue of existence. Wasn't it said that running a mile in less than four minutes was impossible? Today let’s surrender any thoughts of limitation, thereby opening the door to a new understanding.

“Truth never destroys God's idea. Truth is spiritual, eternal substance, which cannot destroy the right reflection. Corporeal sense, or error, may seem to hide Truth, health, harmony, and Science, as the mist obscures the sun or the mountain; but Science, the sunshine of Truth, will melt away the shadow and reveal the celestial peaks.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 299:24-30

“Let not my world obscure the sight of Christ. I can obscure my holy sight, if I intrude my world upon it. Nor can I behold the holy sights Christ looks upon, unless it is His vision that I use. Perception is a mirror, not a fact. And what I look on is my state of mind, reflected outward. I would bless the world by looking on it through the eyes of Christ. And I will look upon the certain signs that all my sins have been forgiven me.

“You lead me from the darkness to the light; from sin to holiness. Let me forgive, and thus receive salvation for the world. It is Your gift, my Father, given me to offer to Your holy Son, that he may find again the memory of You, and of Your Son as You created him.” 

A Course in Miracles W-304.1:1–2:3

Surrounded by Holy Thoughts

Photo credit: Aaron Springston

If someone told you that “the holy Christ is born in you today”, you would probably interpret the statement by way of your past or present belief system. Some will wonder if this means they’re passing from this realm. Some may think this is a blasphemous statement. Others will feel a sense of relief, knowing that they have permission for Love to rule their thoughts and actions, without concern for material circumstances. You may be relieved, knowing the second coming is being born right now, just as soon as you can get out of Its way! A dear friend made a profound statement, which seems appropriate in connection with this lesson: Resurrect Gratitude Daily!! Is this not the second coming? The moment-by-moment rebirth of Love, gratitude, joy, beauty, harmony, and all that The Christ embodies, opens us to the unity of Life. Sharing this gift is as individual as we are, and as timely as our interactions. Freely I have received, freely I give!

“Having no other gods, turning to no other but the one perfect Mind to guide him, man is the likeness of God, pure and eternal, having that Mind which was also in Christ.”

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 467:13-16

“The holy Christ is born in me today. Watch with me, angels, watch with me today. Let all God’s holy Thoughts surround me, and be still with me while Heaven’s Son is born. Let earthly sounds be quiet, and the sights to which I am accustomed disappear. Let Christ be welcomed where He is at home. And let Him hear the sounds He understands, and see but sights that show His Father’s Love. Let Him no longer be a stranger here, for He is born again in me today.

“Your Son is welcome, Father. He has come to save me from the evil self I made. He is the Self that You have given me. He is but what I really am in truth. He is the Son You love above all things. He is my Self as You created me. It is not Christ that can be crucified. Safe in Your Arms let me receive Your Son.”

A Course in Miracles W-303.1:1–2:8