The Saving Grace of Unity

Photo courtesy of Blake Lasater

In the last decade-plus of writing this daily blog, there have been many entries in which I've mentioned that every thought we have is important. In tandem with this idea, I've said that the last thing we think before sleep and the first thought upon waking are the most important of all. While I still wholeheartedly believe this to be true, I find it increasingly difficult to keep my mind from sinking to depths I haven't witnessed in myself since my heavy drinking days of long ago. Today's Course in Miracles workbook topic assures us that sinlessness protects from harm. Since we've defined sin as being anything which separates us from the Love which is God, I feel certain that my lifeline will come by way of accepting our unity with divine Mind and the infinity of Love. I'm going to ask for guidance by way of this ever-presence, listening open-heartedly and trustingly, knowing fear is truly “false evidence appearing real”. 

“The sinless joy, — the perfect harmony and immortality of Life, possessing unlimited divine beauty and goodness without a single bodily pleasure or pain, —constitutes the only veritable, indestructible man, whose being is spiritual."

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 76:22-26

“My sinlessness protects me from all harm. My sinlessness ensures me perfect peace, eternal safety, everlasting love, freedom forever from all thought of loss; complete deliverance from suffering. And only happiness can be my state, for only happiness is given me. What must I do to know all this is mine? I must accept Atonement for myself, and nothing more. God has already done all things that need be done. And I must learn I need do nothing of myself, for I need but accept my Self, my sinlessness, created for me, now already mine, to feel God’s Love protecting me from harm, to understand my Father loves His Son; to know I am the Son my Father loves.

“You Who created me in sinlessness are not mistaken about what I am. I was mistaken when I thought I sinned, but I accept Atonement for myself. Father, my dream is ended now. Amen.”

A Course in Miracles W-337.1:1–2:4

Wiping Away Dreams of Separation

Photo courtesy of Richard Quick 

Our perception is that we are separate human beings who must work hard to see our commonality. While we believe this to be true, we are not experiencing the world as it is — not at all. “Forgiveness sweeps away distortions, and opens the hidden altar to the truth.” We are able to look at everything without judgment when we release our ego and choose “that mind to be in us, which was also in Christ Jesus”. We tend to think judgment is part of the human experience, and that we have no choice but to look at everything as either right or wrong. As we go through our day, let’s notice how many times we separate ourselves from each other by judgment. We have a choice of looking past bodies and experiencing the Oneness which is our holy self, that Self which has always been there. This simple message is not always easy, but I rejoice in knowing it is possible!

“Forgiveness lets me know that minds are joined. Forgiveness is the means appointed for perception’s ending. Knowledge is restored after perception first is changed, and then gives way entirely to what remains forever past its highest reach. For sights and sounds, at best, can serve but to recall the memory that lies beyond them all. Forgiveness sweeps away distortions, and opens the hidden altar to the truth. Its lilies shine into the mind, and call it to return and look within, to find what it has vainly sought without. For here, and only here, is peace of mind restored, for this the dwelling place of God Himself.

“In quiet may forgiveness wipe away my dreams of separation and of sin. Then let me, Father, look within, and find Your promise of my sinlessness is kept; Your Word remains unchanged within my mind, Your Love is still abiding in my heart.”

A Course in Miracles W-336.1:1–2:2

“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

Seeing Each Other In A Holy Light

Have I been superimposing my feelings onto my fellow humans? For the last decade, I’ve made a special effort to examine my beliefs and opinions about the political atmosphere. Fully realizing that when I point a finger at anyone, three are pointing back at me, I have made up a mythical me which I think of as above untruth and belief. I’ve convinced myself that I can differentiate between truth and lies, which brings a separation between myself and whomever I deem to be a liar. We all have a personal agenda, which can clash with another person with a personal agenda. I cannot change what anyone else thinks; only myself. As the daily lesson tells us: “I never see my brother as he is, for that is far beyond perception. What I see in him is merely what I wish to see, because it stands for what I want to be the truth.”  Today I shall release humanity from my false beliefs, thereby releasing myself. Namaste …

“I choose to see my brother’s sinlessness. Forgiveness is a choice. I never see my brother as he is, for that is far beyond perception. What I see in him is merely what I wish to see, because it stands for what I want to be the truth. It is to this alone that I respond, however much I seem to be impelled by outside happenings. I choose to see what I would look upon, and this I see, and only this. My brother’s sinlessness shows me that I would look upon my own. And I will see it, having chosen to behold my brother in its holy light.

“What could restore Your memory to me, except to see my brother’s sinlessness? His holiness reminds me that he was created one with me, and like myself. In him I find my Self, and in Your Son I find the memory of You as well.”

A Course in Miracles W-335.1:1–2:3

“Reasoning from cause to effect in the Science of Mind, we begin with Mind, which must be understood through the idea which expresses it and cannot be learned from its opposite, matter. Thus we arrive at Truth, or intelligence, which evolves its own unerring idea and never can be coordinate with human illusions."

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 467:29-3

The Peace of Forgiveness

Eureka Springs, AR trail

Photo Credit:Richard Quick

Many people are in a state of fear and anger. After receiving a phone call from an old friend, whom I had not seen since the early part of the 21st Century, I stopped to ponder how many people may feel as helpless as she does. This beautiful, smart woman has a PhD and is working in her chosen field. She feels estranged from her family. She is seeing a psychiatrist and has been diagnosed with Asperger’s. He wants her to take antidepressants and other medications. When she finished hurriedly telling me these things (and more), I was silent. She said, What do you think? I laughed and said I thought she shouldn’t listen to what other people thought she should do, but rather to do what was right for her. Because she felt hurt by her family’s words and actions, I reminded her that she needn’t take personally what others say, and not to assume that she knew why they said/did what they did. By this time I was ready to jump up on my soapbox, so I continued. My advice was to enjoy each and every thing, and a good way to begin this practice was by walking in the woods, stopping and noticing flora and fauna, being grateful for every breath, planting things in the ground, swimming — enjoying life! She said she had goosebumps and felt these words were true. As my friend, Jim, often says: We’re here to lend ourselves to each other. Let us not fear to “claim the gifts forgiveness gives”!

“Today I claim the gifts forgiveness gives. I will not wait another day to find the treasures that my Father offers me. Illusions are all vain, and dreams are gone even while they are woven out of thoughts that rest on false perceptions. Let me not accept such meager gifts again today. God’s Voice is offering the peace of God to all who hear and choose to follow Him. This is my choice today. And so I go to find the treasures God has given me.

“I seek but the eternal. For Your Son can be content with nothing less than this. What, then, can be his solace but what You are offering to his bewildered mind and frightened heart, to give him certainty and bring him peace? Today I would behold my brother sinless. This Your Will for me, for so will I behold my sinlessness.”

A Course in Miracles W-334.1:1–2:5

“Think of this, dear reader, for it will lift the sack cloth 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 574:25-30

The Dream of Conflict

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The days between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day are traditionally times of parties and gatherings where family and friends enjoy the connections which tie us together. This year, in particular, we have some major disagreements about the way our government should be conducted. This is a perfect time to turn to our Course in Miracles Workbook Lessons for guidance. In addition to advising us to “blast the room with love before you walk in”, Marianne Williamson has given us some important pointers for these trying times. She ends with these: “In A Course in Miracles it says that if we’re judging someone, we’re wrong even if we’re right. We think we’re going to understand someone to see whether or not they’re worthy of our love, but until we love them we will never understand them. Seek to be a vessel of love at the table more than anything else. Speak your truth without withholding respect for the truths of others. Be nice to people; it makes all the difference.” For the past two weeks, I’ve become dependent on unpacking of our daily lesson with Nouk and Coreen. Here is the link, in case anyone needs a boost of good vibes! 

https://youtu.be/9h1CuyrBkuk?si=k7hNA98jAl8IHlqY

“Forgiveness ends the dream of conflict here. Conflict must be resolved. It cannot be evaded, set aside, denied, disguised, seen somewhere else, called by another name, or hidden by deceit of any kind, if it would be escaped. It must be seen exactly as it is, where it is thought to be, in the reality which has been given it, and with the purpose that the mind accorded it. For only then are its defenses lifted, and the truth can shine upon it as it disappears.

“Father, forgiveness is the light You chose to shine away all conflict and all doubt, and light the way for our return to You. No light but this can end our evil dream. No light but this can save the world. For this alone will never fail in anything, being Your gift to Your beloved Son.”

A Course in Miracles W-333.1:1–2:4

“The suppositional warfare between truth and error is only the mental conflict between the evidence of the spiritual senses and the testimony of the material senses, and this warfare between the Spirit and flesh will settle all questions through faith in and the understanding of divine Love.”

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 288:3-7

Thankful For This Day

As a child growing up in Berryville, Arkansas, we didn’t watch very much television. We received one channel, the NBC affiliate out of Springfield, Missouri. When a favorite yearly event would take place, such as The Wizard of Oz or the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, it was cause for great excitement in my small world. Unfortunately, my parents insisted I accompany them to the Thanksgiving morning service at a nearby Christian Science Society. As a participant in our local marching band, I was eager to see bands from all over the country in this annual event. But alas, after a few minutes of the televised parade, we would be out the door for a dreaded day with old people. While that’s the way I felt decades ago, now things have turned around. I can’t think of many things I’d rather NOT do than watch the Macy parade, either in person or on television. Now I love the study of divine metaphysics, particularly in the company of old people! I hope each and every one of you are doing exactly what you’d like to do today. Happy giving of thanks, today and every day!

“The ego makes illusions. Truth undoes its evil dreams by shining them away. Truth never makes attack. It merely is. And by its presence is the mind recalled from fantasies, awaking to the real. Forgiveness bids this presence enter in, and take its rightful place within the mind. Without forgiveness is the mind in chains, believing in its own futility. Yet with forgiveness does the light shine through the dream of darkness, offering it hope, and giving it the means to realize the freedom that is its inheritance.

“We would not bind the world again today. Fear holds it prisoner. And yet Your Love has given us the means to set it free. Father, we would release it now. For as we offer freedom, it is given us. And we would not remain as prisoners, while You are holding freedom out to us.”

A Course in Miracles W-332.1:1–2:6

“The human mind, imbued with this spiritual understanding, becomes more elastic, is capable of greater endurance, escapes somewhat from itself, and requires less repose. ... It raises the thinker into his native air of insight and perspicacity." 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 128

My Will is Yours

Photo credit: Kailey Jones

When did you last tell a lie? Perhaps it was a “polite” lie, designed to protect someone’s feelings, or maybe a “white lie” to cover an embarrassing situation. But what about a lie told to benefit yourself, without caring who it hurts or what harm it causes? And what of cheating? Maybe you moved your Monopoly piece too many squares during family game night, but how about taking goods and services from people, then refusing to pay for them? I don’t know many, if any, people who do this. Everyone I interact with has a higher sense of integrity and a moral standard which precludes such actions. Actually, most people I know would never consider lying or stealing or cheating, be it a small indiscretion or grand theft. It always comes as a surprise to me when I witness blatant misconduct in public officials, movie stars, ministers — anyone, anywhere. I remind myself constantly that everything is either expressing Love or calling out for love. And so I shall not look the other way, and I will do my best to answer that call. Namaste...

“Take away wealth, fame, and social organizations, which weigh not one jot in the balance of God, and we get clearer views of Principle. Break up cliques, level wealth with honesty, let worth be judged according to wisdom, and we get better views of humanity." 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 239:5

“There is no conflict, for my will is Yours. How foolish, Father, to believe Your Son could cause himself to suffer! Could he make a plan for his damnation, and be left without a certain way to his release? You love me, Father. You could never leave me desolate, to die within a world of pain and cruelty. How could I think that Love has left Itself? There is no will except the Will of Love. Fear is a dream, and has no will that can conflict with Yours. Conflict is sleep, and peace awakening. Death is illusion; life, eternal truth. There is no opposition to Your Will. There is no conflict, for my will is Yours.

“Forgiveness shows us that God’s Will is One, and that we share it. Let us look upon the holy sights forgiveness shows today, that we may find the peace of God. Amen.”

A Course in Miracles W-331.1:1–2:3