November 1, 2013 - Pure Peace is Ours

photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #305

“There is a peace that Christ bestows on us.”

The ten workbook lessons we are delving into (301-09) ask the question: What is the second coming? We are learning that this is an internal awakening. It involves seeing and feeling the never-beginning, never-ending Truth of our being. This burgeoning understanding has brought me the peace which intellectual reasoning never did. I see the world as a loving place, filled with people who care about each other and their environment. In the past, most every day numerous people would tell me why they felt the world was a hate-filled place. Now it's a rarity. Have they changed or have I? Is there a difference if we're all One? Love = Peace = Harmony. Feel the Love!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:[This is from the Glossary, where she gives us the spiritual significance of terms.]

"Japhet (Noah’s son): A type of spiritual peace, flowing from the understanding that God is the divine Principle of all existence, and that man is His idea, the child of His care." 

Science & Health Page 589:8-11

October 31, 2013 - Clear Sight

"Zion National Park"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #304

“Let not my world obscure the sight of Christ.”

Throughout the ages, we have been given hints as to unrealized possibilities. As attested by powerful mythological characters, we have longed for the ability to change what seems to be the reality of situations in and around our personal existence. The world tells us that we are victims of circumstance, with life being experienced at the whim of luck, this being either good or bad. Every time we hear a story telling of something we think is impossible, but which contains outcomes so beautiful we wish it could be true, let's contemplate the fact 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 I set free any thought of limitation, any assumptions I may have as to what's what, and by doing so open the inner ways of sight.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“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.”

Science & Health Page 299:24-30

October 30, 2013 - One God, One Mind

"Lake Leatherwood, Eureka Springs"
photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #303

“The holy Christ is born in me today.”

These writings often contain words which elicit negative reactions in many of us. Perhaps these reactions can be set aside by letting go of preconceived meanings and learned dogma.  I reiterate that there is One God, and no need of thinking in terms of my god and your god. There is only One God. Only our interpretation of what that means allows for a belief in many ruling principles. So let's release these thoughts and see where that takes us! "The Christ is born in me today" is the acknowledgement that the presence of God is within. Please, please, change these words into whatever feels right to you. And please, please don't allow these words' connotations to turn you away from the Love which you are. And if you feel disoriented and sort of happily confused, don't fear that either! This giddiness is part of the shift to this beautiful realization of God within! Embrace it and be free!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“CHRIST: The divine manifestation of God, which comes to the flesh to destroy incarnate error.”

Science & Health Page 583:10-11

October 29, 2013 - We Look Upon the Light

"Sunrise in the Ozarks"
photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #302

“Where darkness was I look upon the light.”

Haven't we all had times when we are recounting an event (probably in great detail) and someone insists that the details are other than what we remember?Our perceptions are nuanced by expectations and experiences. A mere hundred years ago, the things we speak of today would have been thought of as blasphemous.  Now we speak of quantum theory and metaphysics without fear. Others, looking through the lens of Spirit, give us confidence to admit that we see it, too! Remember "the emperor has no clothes"? If everyone were pretending not to see/feel this shift, then we might stay silent, too. But they're not! We are admitting to this shift, and we're shouting it from the pinnacle of our understanding. We look upon the light!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“EYES: Spiritual discernment,--not material but mental.”

Science & Health Page 586:3

October 28, 2013 - Sorrow Debunked

"Fall at Lake leatherwood"
photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #301

“And God Himself shall wipe away all tears.”

Kahlil Gibran had a life-long relationship with a woman named Mary Haskell. When he passed on, she was peacefully smiling while greeting the grieving people at his funeral. No one understood how this could be. At one point, she quoted words he had written to her during their platonic love affair: "You listen to so much more than I can say. You hear consciousness. You go with me where the words I say can’t carry you." How could she have sadness when the love they shared had always been experienced in thought rather than physical expression? She understood what we are learning about the true reality of our Being.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Take heart, dear sufferer, for this reality of being will surely appear sometime and in some way. There will be no more pain, and all tears will be wiped away. When you read this, remember Jesus' words, ‘The kingdom of God is within you.’ This spiritual consciousness is therefore a present possibility.”

Science & Health Page 573:28-2

October 27, 2013 = Only an Instant

Photo by Heather Magnan

ACIM Workbook Lesson #300

“Only an instant does this world endure.”

This is the last of the ten lessons which ask us 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 learn that most of the American history we learned in school 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. Everywhere we turn, there is a story that we have been told which has affected the way we view life. It is such a relief to know that we can leave behind all of these stories! It's freeing to understand we need do nothing but silently listen within ourselves to hear and know the Truth which is waiting for our awareness. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Life is divine Principle, Mind, Soul, Spirit. Life is without beginning and without end. Eternity, not time, expresses the thought of Life, and time is no part of eternity. One ceases in proportion as the other is recognized. Time is finite; eternity is forever infinite. Life is neither in nor of matter. What is termed matter is unknown to Spirit, which includes in itself all substance and is Life eternal. Matter is a human concept. Life is divine Mind. Life is not limited. Death and finiteness are unknown to Life. If Life ever had a beginning, it would also have an ending.”

Science & Health Page 468:26-6

October 26, 2013 - I Am

"Ourside Eureka Thyme"

ACIM Workbook Lesson #299

“Eternal holiness abides in me.”

At this time of year, there are many masquerade balls and parties centered around pretending to be someone else. We revel in the excitement of becoming unrecognizable through costumes, face paint and masks. I've never been one to join in these activities, but have enjoyed watching others partake in make believe. And watching others watching these activities is interesting, too! Some people are terribly uncomfortable if they don't know who they're talking to. One of the most interesting reactions i've observed is people reacting to a girl dressed in geisha garb, not speaking, but simply smiling sweetly. We all seem to react in different ways to illusion. And isn't it fun trying to figure out which is which!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“How are veritable ideas to be distinguished from illusions? By learning the origin of each. Ideas are emanations from the divine Mind. Thoughts, proceeding from the brain or from matter, are offshoots of mortal mind; they are mortal material beliefs. Ideas are spiritual, harmonious, and eternal. Beliefs proceed from the so-called material senses, which at one time are supposed to be substance-matter and at another are called spirits.”

Science & Health Page 88:9-16