What Was I Thinking?

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #281 “I can be hurt by nothing but my thoughts.”

Thought brings experience, and listening to the thoughts of the ego brings the experience of pain, loss, and lack, because ego thoughts originate in a belief in separation from divine Mind. Two friends of mine are currently going through a period of emotional upset stemming from such a belief. One has been spoken to harshly by a neighbor, and the other is a vendor at our farmers market whose feelings have been hurt by public comments from a customer. I have told them both that it’s none of their business what anyone else thinks about them; that only they know the truth of their intentions and, if they’re pure, there is no reason for distress. I welcome reminders that it is my own perceptions which need adjustment, not someone else’s actions — and for these prompts, I am most grateful!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“When examined in the light of divine Science, mortals present more than is detected upon the surface, since inverted thoughts and erroneous beliefs must be counterfeits of Truth.” Science & Health Page 267:19-22

Limitless Mind

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #280

"What limits can I lay upon God's Son?"

We all know of instances which seem miraculous to material sense. The most profound one which comes to me is of a woman born without eyes, yet she could see. We are able to understand this phenomena on many levels. Materially we could say that she is mind reading, "seeing”, what others think about colors and placement of furniture and such things. Spiritually we know that we are all One, and hence know everything because we reflect all that Is. Both of these concepts can seem impossible while we're stuck in the day-to-day illusions we accept as real. Let's start out with small practice sessions to see where expansion of thought can take us. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Mind is limitless. It never was material. The true idea of being is spiritual and immortal, and from this it follows that whatever is laid off is the ghost, some unreal belief. Mortal beliefs can neither demonstrate Christianity nor apprehend the reality of Life.” Science & Health Page 353:28-32

Freedom of Our Divine Nature

PC: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #279

“Creation's freedom promises my own.”

When we are told we are free, we have images of what that means, and these imaginings may cause us to wonder about our perceived bondage. I know I live with limiting beliefs every day, and it often seems impossible to be released from them. We think a multitude of rules and beliefs must be obeyed in order to survive and thrive, and when we start to realize most of these so-called rules have nothing to do with our true existence, it can be frightening -- and exhilarating! The freedom of our true creation is seen through a change in our perception of reality. Taking ourselves out of the prison of preconceived notions allows the Love we are to show through our actions in sublime ways. And we glimpse freedom!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The periods of spiritual ascension are the days and seasons of Mind’s creation, in which beauty, sublimity, purity, and holiness — yea, the divine nature — appear in man and the universe never to disappear.”

Science and Health Page 509:24-28

Never-Ending Ideas

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #278 “If I am bound, my Father is not free.”

It's easy to feel bound by illnesses and injuries, financial burdens and grief. Our lives appear to have a beginning and an end, but do we believe there is an end to Love, to Spirit, to Soul? We are gaining an understanding that we are the image and likeness of what we call God, or Mind, and that as this Idea we are without beginning nor end, free and boundless as infinity! And the Truth sets us free!

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.”

Science & Health Page 90:24-25

Universal Shift in Thought

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ACIM Workbook Lesson #277 “Let me not bind Your Son with laws I made."

Change is good! We are all releasing laws that hold us to thought which simply is not working. We're changing many things in our experience, from the way we shop to the way we love. As we examine the beliefs we live by, we realize we can be a law unto ourselves. The fears which have followed us throughout our lives have shaped our views of everything around us, but a universal shift in thought is upon us and we're each feeling it in our own way. The understanding that we don't have to be bound by any material belief, because our true identify is spiritual, is bringing us to a tipping point in consciousness realization. This freedom will be absolutely experienced, not only personally, but in the collective. When? Well, since we're not slaves to time, why not now!!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Laws of nature are laws of Spirit; but mortals commonly recognize as law that which hides the power of Spirit.” Science & Health Page 183:19-20

Lofty Goals

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A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #276

“The Word of God is given me to speak.”

Following the advice of Mary Baker Eddy to neither see, hear, nor repeat any imperfection, I look forward to today's lesson which reinforces these lofty goals. It seems most people want you to join in their misery, so the goal of hearing and repeating only good becomes an interesting exercise. I find myself simply witnessing, without comment, while engaging in lots of smiling. A good friend taught me to say, "You may be right!" This is a good comment to make just before wandering away -- which I'm prone to do. I'm sure many think I'm daft, but that's okay. I often tell people I wake up in a new world every day, and this excuses many of my actions, as they think I'm addlepated and forgive me -- or at least they don't push me for comments! Whatever the case, it's all right as long as I don't feel that uneasiness which comes from not living Truth.

Mary Baker Eddy quote: “Let discord of every name and nature be heard no more, and let the harmonious and true sense of Life and being take possession of human consciousness.” Science and Health Page 355:11-14

Protected

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #275

“God's healing Voice protects all things today.”

The fragile feeling which envelopes us following the loss of a loved one isn't often thought of as something to cherish. In times past, I may have wished this feeling away. Now, I choose to honor it as one of the exquisite experiences we are granted in this beautiful plane of existence we call life. As with love, we are told life is fleeting. We are advised to grab hold and not let go, because there is a finite amount of it. Our human experience of life and love does seem to be as elusive as a breeze, and it can feel just as difficult to hold on to. From the perspective of mortal mind, this is so. When looked at from our humanness, there is no predicting when we may lose life or love. Accepting ourselves as spiritual Beings allows an expanded viewpoint of our experiences. Yes, they are to be savored. But enlarged perceptions of existence bring us something different. Understanding that my true self is a product of divine, never-ending Love causes me to want to experience it here and now. And so I'll listen for this healing Voice we are told of in today's ACIM lesson, because an inner knowing tells me of its Truth.

Mary Baker Eddy quote: “Upon this stage of existence goes on the dance of mortal mind. Mortal thoughts chase one another like snowflakes, and drift to the ground. Science reveals Life as not being at the mercy of death, nor will Science admit that happiness is ever the sport of circumstance.” Science & Health Page 250:28-32