Bathed in Beauty and Light

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #305 “There is a peace that Christ bestows on us.”

You've probably heard of, or witnessed, accounts of people facing the direst of situations calmly, with a seeming other-worldly sense of peace. I experienced one of these situations 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.

Mary Baker Eddy quote: “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.”

Science & Health Page 516:9-13

As The Mist Obscures the Sun

photo credit: Alden Stallings

ACIM Workbook Lesson #304 “Let not my world obscure the sight of Christ.”

When my oldest son was in school, we watched a movie that both he and I thought was hilarious. Shortly afterwards, he took the movie over to a friend's house and shared it with her and her mother. The mother thought the movie was a tragedy and cried through most of it. This perfectly illustrates a part of today's workbook lesson: "Perception is a mirror, not a fact. What I look on is my state of mind, reflected outward." Isn't that the truth! I’m sure we can all remember times when you and someone interpreted things totally differently. I will try to remember this dichotomy when someone looks at something in a way I do not understand. Today I will strive to clear my mind, in order to allow Truth to melt away illusion.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“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.”

Science & Health Page 299:26-30

Resurrect Gratitude Daily

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #303 “The holy Christ is born in me today.”

Hearing that the holy Christ is born in me today will probably bring something to mind within your thought system. Some will think, oh good! Some may feel this is a blasphemous thought, and then others will feel a sense of relief, knowing  this means Love can rule in our thoughts and actions, with no worries about what else may be going on around us. To me, I think, Ah, the second coming is being born right now, just as soon as I get out of Its way! A dear friend made a profound statement this evening, 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!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“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.” Science & Health Page 467:14-16

Leaving Darkness for Light

PC: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #302 “Where darkness was I look upon the light.”

Haven't we all had times when we are recounting an event and someone insists the details are different from what we remember? Our perceptions are nuanced by expectations and personal experiences, including our understanding of these teachings. A mere hundred years ago, the things we speak of today would have been thought of as blasphemous. What a relief to openly speak about quantum theory and metaphysics without fear! Any bookstore will have an abundance of books by people looking “upon the light”, and they give us confidence to admit that we see it, too! Remember the story of ”the emperor has no clothes"? If everyone were pretending not to see and feel this paradigm shift, then we might stay silent, too. But they're not! We are joyfully acknowledging this shift, and we're shouting it from the pinnacle of our understanding. We look upon the light!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Willingness to become as a little child and to leave the old for the new, renders thought receptive of the advanced idea. Gladness to leave the false landmarks and joy to see them disappear, — this disposition helps to precipitate the ultimate harmony.” Science & Health Page 323:32-4

Restoring the Never Lost

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #301 “And God Himself shall wipe away all tears.”

There are any number — perhaps thousands — of wonderful teachings in this world. I have always leaned toward a non-dualist teaching that doesn’t leave me asking questions which are answered with non-answers such as, “you just have to believe”. These ten workbook lessons are under the heading of “What is the Second Coming”. This term has long been interpreted from a material standpoint, with expectations of a human form appearing and then everything will be all right. ACIM and MBE assure us that everything is all right here and now, and we don’t have to wait until some future time or event to bring us happiness and peace. One of the phrases in the workbook lesson tells us the second coming “restores the never lost”. In other words, everything we are searching for is ours already! Our judgment in a dualistic world reflects back to us our losses and griefs, and the understanding of unity allows us to choose a brand new world of Love, and all our tears are wiped away. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Love propagates anew the higher joys of Spirit, which have no taint of earth. Each successive stage of experience unfolds new views of divine goodness and love.” Science & Health Page 573:28-2

What is the Real World?

Making Snow in Park City
PC: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #300 “Only an instant does this world endure.”

This is the last of ten lessons which ask the question, "What is the real world?" Is reality what we are told it is by the daily news? Is it what we learn in school? I remember how surprising and embarrassing it was to find out that most of the American history we studied in lower school classes was no more than a myth perpetuated by men who wanted it to be that way. We are beginning to understand that spiritual Truth is not to be found within the religious institutions of our world. It seems that every day another illusion is being uncovered, dissipated by truth. Happily leaving behind our stories of duality and erroneous thought frees us to discover truth. Listen, Love, Live!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Love is priestess at the altar of Truth. Wait patiently for divine Love to move upon the waters of mortal mind, and form the perfect concept.” Science & Health Page 454:21-23

Spiritual Facts of Being

PC: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #299 “Eternal holiness abides in me.”

When you ask someone who/what they are, the answers typically will be name, profession, perhaps astrological sign, and things of this sort. We are learning that we embody something entirely different from our history and the material stories which have acted as our identity. I heard a story today which was described as a tale of “betrayal bordering on fraud”. Apparently a young woman came to town a couple of years ago and got a job in a popular restaurant. Everyone liked her, she was competent, and helped the business to grow. Then it came to light that she was not who she said she was. Whereas everyone thought she was from somewhere in the Hebrides and knew the story she had told of herself, it seemed she made everything up and was “not who she said she was”. Upon hearing this, I had to laugh! As my friend told me of people’s reactions to this fantasy, I stopped her and said that we shouldn’t make assumptions about any of this. What if the woman had something traumatic happen and wanted a brand new start, so she went all the way with a complete change of her story? Whatever the case, I hope that all involved can put their ego-based reactions aside and listen with their heart, letting Love lead their actions, with their intention set for a good result!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“To divest thought of false trusts and material evidences in order that the spiritual facts of being may appear, — this is the great attainment by means of which we shall sweep away the false and give place to the true.” Science & Health Page 428:8-12