March 31, 2013 - No Problems

"Dogwood Blossoms"
photo by Marsha Havens

ACIM Workbook Lesson #90

Review: “Let me recognize the problem so it can be solved.” and “Let me recognize my problems have been solved.”

I love these lessons which tell us there is no problem other than the multitude of beliefs in separation we have promulgated for ourselves. The solution is simply a matter of realizing that our seeming problems are solved as soon as we know the unreality of them. Such an idea may seem silly to someone who doesn't accept the unreality of the material world. I guess these concepts seem natural to me because nothing made sense when I looked at it from various standpoints put forth by mortal mind. Concepts from the natural sciences to astrology always appeared to have big holes in their veracity. I listened to the facts taught us in school and thought, "What's wrong with this picture?" In time, I came to understand that it was an innate knowing that we are spiritual, not material. Basically, knowledge and understanding come with a yielding of material belief. And I love letting this yielding guide me in every endeavor! Throughout today, certain "problems" concerning an old and dear friend kept coming to mind. I recently spoke with a family member of hers who has not seen her for quite some time. She is worried about my childhood friend who now lives far away. And the worries seem valid, as there are things which need attended to and they are being neglected. The situation has deep roots running through the history of this family relationship. I feel like it could be picked apart from every angle and no solution would be found. And so when this sweet family comes to mind today, I will simply see them as happy, responsive to each other, and willing to love. By staying away from all the "what-ifs" of this situation, by not holding onto visions of past hurts on both sides, by only seeing the family as God sees them, whole and perfect, all worries are chased from my thought. Each remembrance of them is pure and sweet, requiring no fixing from me or anyone else. By realizing God's law of adjustment, we see that it is already done, with nothing needed on our part other than the recognition thereof.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Human reason and religion come slowly to the recognition of spiritual facts, and so continue to call upon matter to remove the error which the human mind alone has created.”

Science & Health Page 173:25-28

March 30, 2013 - Letting it Go

"That's Where We're Going -
 Aaron in Mongolia"

ACIM Workbook Lesson #89

Review: “I am entitled to miracles.” and “Let miracles replace all grievances.”

At a meeting of our book club, we discussed a book which dealt with a young woman who had lived in foster care all her life. We talked about the 'problems' which seem inherent to a child who is not loved unconditionally; who is perhaps abused in multitudes of ways. It's the general belief in this world that some things are too horrendous to get over, and that we will be plagued with certain conditions forever, no matter what. On "The Dog Whisperer", (which I have and will mention often in these writings) Cesar Millan tells us he rehabilitates dogs and trains people. I love hearing him tell us that dogs live in the moment. When he is helping people to understand a dog which seems maimed by past experiences in its life, he always tells us that feeling sorry for the animal is of no help. How can this be? The dog is hurting and we're being asked to deny that? Yes!! This is why we are learning that it is necessary to give up all beliefs -- not just those we deem to be "bad", but all material beliefs. By letting them go and replacing them with an openness of thought which allows us to hear the Truth of our Being, we experience the so-called miracle which is the natural order of Life. It may not seem logical to say that we can simply release feelings of fear and anger. They seem very real to us, but if we stop and examine them, do they have any purpose other than to bind us to the past? One dog Cesar worked with had slid into a glass door. The dog was now afraid to walk on any floor without a carpet. Upon investigation of its people's reactions, they had immediately reinforced the dog's fears by petting, and commiserating, and talking about what a horrible experience it had been. They held the fear in thought by acts they thought of as compassion. What Cesar explains is that dogs live in the moment, unless they're held in the past by everyone around them. How easy it is to replay unhappy circumstances, bringing more into our experience by our expectations of them. We tell ourselves that bad things come in threes, that this is a "bad day", that Murphy's Law is in effect (one of my personal pet peeves!). We think this is our lot in life. I'm so grateful for every experience which helps me to discern between belief and reality -- especially when it's shown to me by my dog!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“MIRACLE:  That which is divinely natural, but must be learned humanly; a phenomenon of [the] Science [of the Christ].

Science & Health Page 591:21-22

March 29, 2013 - No Fear of Light

"Park City, Utah Sunrise"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #88:

Review -- "The light has come." and "I am under no laws but God's"

At some point, I realized that a number of people whom I know rather well seem to be incapable of making decisions. They often need confirmation that their beliefs are worthy, and so they wait for someone else to tell them they think that way, too, and then they are comfortable enough to speak their opinion. This need for validation is not a rare condition. I believe I may have suffered from it at various times in my life. The tools we have at our disposal from the study and practice of divine metaphysics tend to let us walk past the temptation to feel so self-important that we're afraid to be wrong. While it's usually thought of as low self-esteem which causes this, it seems to me that it's valuing your own story over your true image in the likeness of God. Letting go many long-practiced ways of life facilitates our recognition of the light which has come, the Truth which is known within. And with the peaceful recognition of these things, we know the Truth which sets us free. This God-felt spiritual sense allows us to speak without fear. I love listening to divine Mind rather than chasing in circles with mortal mind! It's more interesting, it frees me from worry and doubt, it leads me in fascinating paths, it teaches peace.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"There is no material truth. The physical senses can take no cognizance of God and spiritual Truth. Human belief has sought out many inventions, but not one of them can solve the problem of being without  the divine Principle of divine Science. Deductions from material hypotheses are not scientific. They differ from real Science because they are not based on the divine law."

Science & Health Page 273:2-9

March 28, 2013 - Light of the World

"Fruit Blossoms"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #87

Review: “I will there be light.” and “There is no will but God’s.”

There was a time when my gallery, Eureka Thyme, had a reception for a group of people who were in town for a state meeting of the Keep America Beautiful group. At the time, there was construction going on out front which involved a large hole, surrounded by orange cones, sandbags, and black plastic filled with rainwater. My temptation was to be embarrassed by the general air of destruction. Interestingly, not a single one of the party attendees said anything about the mess, but only complimented us on our beautiful town, the great gallery space, and the wonderful food provided for them. The Light which was expressed by the people I met at this event was palpable! One woman, with whom I felt an immediate affinity, was not only the leader of her local beautification program but had spearheaded an unusual art show. The Arkansas State Hospital is dedicated to the treatment of mental illness. This woman inaugurated an art show featuring works from the patients. She said most of the people there had nothing but the clothes on their back when they came to the facility. This amazing art show and sale is benefiting them in many ways. Not just by increasing self-esteem, but by putting some cash back for them to have upon their release. She said this has helped them want to get better, as many stay all their life for fear of returning to the "real world". How inspiring it is to meet people who are following inner guidance in the bringing of light to the world! Today I vow to listen deeply and follow through on what I hear!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The admission to one's self that man is God's own likeness sets man free to master the infinite idea. The understanding and recognition of Spirit must finally come, and we may as well improve our time in solving the mysteries of being through an apprehension of divine Principle. At present we know not what man is, but we certainly shall know this when man reflects God.”

Science & Health Page 90:24-32

March 27, 2013 - Singing Your Song

"Happy Camels in Mongolia"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #86

Review: "Only God's plan for salvation will work." and "Holding grievances is an attack on God's plan for salvation."

Have you noticed that you're stretching what you've always thought of as your boundaries? It seems everyone I know is doing something they before thought was impossible. In listening to what I think of as free-form piano playing of the new-age variety, it struck me how important it is to be singing your song, whatever form that may take. For those of you who think you "don't have any talent" I would suggest you follow your heart in trying something new, or examine what you are doing and see it as expression of inner knowing. For me, piano lessons began at the age of four. By the time I went to college, playing was so engrained that it was like speaking. But it was always structured interpretation from pages of music. Never once had I just sat down and played without thought. A few years ago, I did. Something pulled me to the piano and a tune came out. It's a simple tune which mutates here and there, with interesting progressions and surprises. It's never the same, and it never leaves me where I started. It has beautiful healing notes which shift and appear when they are needed. We all have a song to sing, an expression in some way of the Divine. These expressions give us something which mere education cannot. It's a purely divine voice which requires a yielding of material senses in order to hear and reproduce. It may be prose, or poetry, or music, or painting. But don't forget it might be words said to a loved one, or vegetables grown with love, or the salvation of an animal from misery when you adopt it. The forms this Love demonstrated will take are without number. Just as we are the ideas of God, so are these emanations which shine through us. Let's free ourselves to let Love shine through us in all its varied forms of salvation.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Salvation: Life, Truth, and Love understood and demonstrated as supreme over all."

Science & Health Page 593:20-21

March 26, 2013 - Cynicism Hides Light

"Joyous Child in Mongolia"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #85

Review: "My grievances hide the light of the world in me." and "My salvation comes from me."

Cynicism hides the light of the world very effectively. As a small child, I freely expressed joy in everything and to everyone, but slowly and thoroughly this joy was quieted by rules and other forces of conformity. By the time I was a teenager, cynicism had taken over my every action. This is a definition of cynicism: "An attitude of scornful or jaded negativity, especially a general distrust of the integrity or professed motives of others." During the 60s and 70s, although it was heralded as the Age of Aquarius, the free love that permeated our atmosphere was actually a charade of the Love I had felt as a small child. We made fun of those who weren't like us, and by doing so became unsure of what we were. There was an attitude of disdain which came with our superiority. We knew our government was wrong, as were our parents, most teachers, and the majority of our peers. It's no wonder that a major magazine's cover declared that God was dead, because materialism and cynicism had killed any expression of real Love. I was convinced that to have children would be a travesty, as this world was no place for humans to be. Nearly half a century past those turbulent times, I see wonderful changes in all of us. Everyone I know realizes that Love is a force within us which can't be quieted; that fear can never be as powerful as Love; that there is no reason to pretend only the foolish think this way. More people every day are waking up to the Truth of their being, living the salvation of this realization, and not allowing anything to hide this light. Any day now everyone will awaken to their function as a living ray of this Love, and we won't be afraid of it. It is our heritage! We have denied it as long as we can. The Truth is alive within us and it only takes recognition to bring it to fruition. Let's live our salvation today!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"'Thy kingdom come:' let the reign of divine Life, Truth, and Love be established in me, and rule out of me all sin [erroneous thoughts of separation]; and may Thy Word enrich the affections of all mankind, and govern them!"

Daily Prayer from the Church Manual

March 25, 2013 - Love and Grievances

"Made It To the Top - Mongolia"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #84

Review: “Love created me like Itself.” and “Love holds no grievances.”

During extremely busy times in our tourist town, I sometimes feel like I'm suffering from overload after a day of talking to hundreds of people. Spring break is one of those times, as there are also many children involved in this give-and-take flow of energy and information. A day I particularly remember is one when I didn't want to talk to another person. I had retreated to my space behind the checkout counter, trying to look pleasant, but not truly feeling it. Then a family came in with a number of children, and a feeling of dread came over me. The dad had a small child, around a year old, on his shoulders. The baby was fussy and sort of crying as his dad came up to me and started asking questions about where to eat dinner. I began talking to the baby -- answering the dad's questions, but looking at the whining child. Suddenly joy spread through my chest -- and the baby started to giggle, too! No more was I a tired mortal wishing I could be somewhere else. And the baby suddenly seemed to realize he had the best seat in town and he was the loved of Love. Whew! Am I glad that spell was broken!!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The rich in spirit help the poor in one grand brotherhood, all having the same Principle, or Father; and blessed is that man who seeth his brother's need and supplieth it, seeking his own in another's good. Love giveth to the least spiritual idea might, immortality, and goodness, which shine through all as the blossom shines through the bud. All the varied expressions of God reflect health, holiness, immortality-- infinite Life, Truth, and Love."

Science & Health Page 518:15-22