Featured

Why Worry? This need not be!

The Courage Bench – Sits at Westpoint, overlooking the Hudson River

I don’t know about you but there are several things going on in my life and in our Country’s life that make me worry.  I worry about the division that is making people blind these days.  Maybe it has always been and always will be BUT I don’t have to buy into it and take sides.  But my ego wants to of course.

The Course reminds us to “look within” and realize it is my choice to be worried but….this need not be!  Since it is a choice I don’t have to choose it…..do I?  What part of my mind is choosing?  Where is my decision maker?  A few days ago I caught a thought; actually it was a judgment (condemnation) about a person who was obese.  I caught the thought and said “I don’t have to think this or believe this thought – I don’t choose it.”  It was disturbing to think it!  I stopped the ego – this need not be! 

When your mood tells you that you have chosen wrongly, and this is so whenever you are not joyous, then know this need not be. ³In every case you have thought wrongly about some brother God created, and are perceiving images your ego makes in a darkened glass.”(ACIM, T-4.IV.2:2-3)

That was it! I started seeing the beauty in that individual and the fine intelligent mind that out shown the form in every way. The judgment turned to acceptance and then opened to love.

One night I was worried sick about my son who was very late getting home.  I finally decided I would put him in “God’s Hands” and let it go.  This need not be!!  I went to bed. Everything was fine and even if it turned out differently, he was in God’s Hands forever where I had placed him.  The truth is WE, you and I are in God’s Hands too!  If we are in God’s Hands then what is there to worry about? “

“Search sincerely for what you have done and left undone accordingly, and then change your mind to think with God’s. ⁶This may seem hard to do, but it is much easier than trying to think against it. ⁷Your mind is one with God’s. ⁸Denying this and thinking otherwise has held your ego together, but has literally split your mind.” (ACIM, T-4.IV.2:5-8)

Denying that we are One with God has left us bereft and lonely.  When I am worried I am also sad because I made a mistake and wonder what the consequences will be and then that makes me anxious.  This is all 1000% ego thoughts!

When you are sad, know this need not be. ²Depression comes from a sense of being deprived of something you want and do not have. ³Remember: you are deprived of nothing except by your own decisions, and then decide otherwise.   When you are anxious, realize that anxiety comes from the capriciousness of the ego, and know this need not be. ²You can be as vigilant against the ego’s dictates as for them.” (ACIM, T-4.IV.3:1–4:2)

And then I feel guilty because of the mistake – The Course tells us that only the ego can experience guilt and I am not my ego and neither are you!

When you feel guilty, remember that the ego has indeed violated the laws of God, but you have not. ²Leave the “sins” of the ego to me. ³That is what Atonement is for. ⁴But until you change your mind about those whom your ego has hurt, the Atonement cannot release you. ⁵While you feel guilty your ego is in command, because only the ego can experience guilt. This need not be.  Watch your mind for the temptations of the ego, and do not be deceived by it. ²It offers you nothing.” (ACIM, T-4.IV.5:1–6:2)

The Course mentions “sin” in the above paragraph and defines sin as lack of love!  That’s it!  I’m not sure what Jesus means when he says “to leave the ego to him” but I trust he has a good plan. And the “Atonement” means that we are called upon to Remember we are One with God….That’s it!!  You don’t have to give yourself lashes with a whip or “atone” in some other way.  We just need to re-member or re-attach ourselves to the memory of God…..we never left God!  We SEEM to find ourselves alone in the world without him.  Not True!  He is with you and will be with you Always because He is in your Mind and always will be.

Watch your mind for the temptations of the ego, and do not be deceived by it. ²It offers you nothing. ³When you have given up this voluntary dis-spiriting, you will see how your mind can focus and rise above fatigue and heal.” (ACIM, T-4.IV.6:1-3)

DECIDE – to Watch your mind, all thoughts that judge and separate, negative and good thoughts both separate you from others and are dis-spiriting.   We are no longer in SPIRIT. 

The Course says this is a HABIT to be developed if you let your mind slip, and feel moody, just look and see what you have thought that God would not have thought.  Forgive – letting it go!  You are FREE!

See Chapter 4. Section IV. This Need Not Be!!

God Bless – you ARE LOVED!!

Featured

Happy August Birthday to me!

Birthday’s have a way of creeping up even though I have always tried to deny the dreaded approach. Do you remember in grade school the practice was that we were to be spanked for the number of years accumulated? For that reason I always was grateful that my birthday arrived BEFORE school started. In those years it was September but now they have moved the start date into August.

Are we born only to die? And if so Why?  That was my waking thought on the morning of a recent Birthday!   “What a revolting development this is,” as a character on TV used to say in disgust.  Can it be that we are born, enter the body and the world only to ultimately march steady and directly to our death?  What a (bad) joke!

First we are born helpless and totally dependent on others for our care.  Second, growing up you realize gradually that you have to figure out how to take care of yourself. (I’m still learning.) Growing up is not easy as there are a lot of hoops to jump through.  Looking back, I realize I’ve had it easier than many in the world simply because I was born in America.

However, regardless of our ethnicity or gender we are all in the same boat, regardless if we are Democrats, Republicans, Christian; Muslim, Jewish; Atheists; Buddhists; Hindus or no religion. No one is getting out alive and everyone is fighting a hard battle! 

Who created this world? Would a God that is Changeless, Eternal, and All Love, have you accumulate some knowledge, express your gifts, overcome challenges, suffer from an illness or accident and then die – kaput – the end?   Would a loving God create that kind of scenario?

This is the ego’s world and it is a “bad joke.”  God has had nothing to do with it.  That thought:”God has nothing to do with it” is the cool breeze on the fevered cheek.  This is the ego’s world where it alone rules.  It is not True and it is not Real.  The only thing in this whole world that is True and Real is Loving Thought.   The only reason you are here is to forgive and consequently remember the Loving Thoughts held within your powerful decision making mind.

The ego does not want you to know you have a mind period, let alone a decision making one.  In coming to this world the ultimate lesson is to find and follow your inner truth with the beautiful decision making mind that you have.  The ego will come up with ways to “seek and do not find.” There are always distractions, carrots and dilemmas that it insists will make you happy and offer up zillions of ideas.  Everyone, no matter the lessons that their soul came to learn, has entered a dream, an illusion, and in this world EVERYONE has the same problem.  We think we are separate from God, i.e. Love.  That is the only problem – our wrong thinking. The good news is: It is not true.

In summing up this Birthday thought:  The ego is a parasite attached to the mind.  It’s not who we are. It made up a world and bodies that die to separate from Love.  If we choose it, which we all did when we came here, it will fill us with doubt, hatred, misery littleness or specialness and grandiosity and throw in a little piece of happiness now and then to keep you going.  But it is not True. Only Loving Thought is True.  Laugh at the ego and remember that as you go through your life’s lesson, forgive yourself for all mistakes, yours and theirs, and for coming into this illusion, and dream the best dream you can!

There is no death! The eternal cannot die. Realize, what and who you are; embrace the glorious love within that is changless, eternal that will never die.  Learn that you are NOT the body! It is not your identity. You are changless, eternal, loving, Spirit and one with God and Every ONE who lives now, has ever lived, or yet to come. Feel the love and be embraced in the light that lasts forever. 

You are totally guiltless! Enjoy some Happy Birthday Peace along with your cake! 

See A Course In Miracles Lesson 97 – I am spirit!!

” Spirit am I, a holy Son of God , free of all limits, safe and

healed and whole, free to forive and free to save the world.”

Featured

Love cannot condemn

IMG_0878

Is it possible to really love someone and at the same time judge them?  “He or she’s really great but……” Maybe they are not doing what you would do or want them to do i.e. teens getting home late; partner over spending or not spending on the right things; children, friends acting out and annoying you. There are irritations in our lives but WHO is annoyed and why? Identify the part of your mind that is upset. It is the part that is impatient, judgmental and is angry demanding punishment. Yes parents need to discipline children but it can be done with love, calmly verses anger or blame. The ego mind judges and demands discipline or  punishment but it is not your identity. You are much more than that.

The goal of a peaceful life unfolds when we decide to change our thoughts.  We become  uncomfortable with our current modus operation.  We have a split mind – love and hate.  We finally realize the part of the mind where the ego’s schemes are hatched and how it can disrupt our lives.  The ego is NOT who we are and we no longer heed its urgings.  We gradually awaken to our true identity and accept that we are the love, the Spirit within. The ego tries to cover it up and creates havoc but you take charge and recognize the LOVE within that you are.  That love has been there all along.

If we listen to the ego’s voice we will never love un-conditionally. The ego’s way of loving amount’s to manipulation to get its way or giving in order to get. What’s in it for me? Challenge yourself to watch its gyrations and observe it but don’t follow it or feel guilty.  We all have ego thoughts. Just look and laugh! Even something as innocent as going to lunch or dinner and seeing someone the ego judges as “different,” maybe it’s their annoying clothes, their voice or the way they chew food. It is a judgment and it is from 100% separation. That person could be someone you have longed to meet (a favorite author or a professor of quantum physics) if you only knew! The ego does not know anything. Judgment separates us into lonely boxes. Even a “good” judgment, for example “what beautiful hair she has,” which really means I do not have hair like that and so we are different.  The ego likes to compare.  Love never condemns.  You have a powerful mind that DECIDES; you can choose to listen or dismiss the judgmental thoughts of separation. And if you judge yourself it is the ego trapping you.  Don’t listen!

Imagine what it feels like to be deeply accepted, loved and totally guilt free. Feel that within; give it to yourself and you will give it to others. If you condemn others you are condemning yourself.  Jesus said “Judge not so ye be not judged.”  Condemn and you are a prisoner of guilt; but love and you are guilt free.  Realize how guilty or sorry you feel after you have attacked someone and eventually we know it is not worth it!  Love sweeps all ego beliefs away with a gentle hand of compassion.

Love is within and not found out there in the world. Go within and think of someone who has loved you unconditionally.  Maybe a grand parent, aunt or uncle?  If you cannot identify anyone, then entertain the thought of an all loving Creator; Yahweh; Allah, Jesus; Mohammed; Krishna or God (or your dog) beaming love at you like a laser beam. Feel it – and it is yours.   It is your inheritance. You are no longer lost. Love found you. Hear the inner voice of Spirit telling you that you are LOVE; a loving mind choosing love. Everyone is included in the same identity of Oneness.

Wear that identity of LOVE into the world. There is a blessed relief that washes over us when we realize our Oneness with everyone and all things. All bitter struggles, the distractions and loneliness end when we refuse thoughts of separation. Be a love finder, not a fault finder and pure joy will fill your mind and Peace Prevails.   “When you want only love, you will see nothing else.” A Course In Miracles T. 12. VII. 8. (pg. 231)

https://acim.org/workbook/lesson-92/

Miracles are seen in light, and light and strength are one. Workbook lesson 92. “If we see others as different from ourselves …  we judge and condemn but do not love.”

Click on “arrow” to hear the lesson read to you.

http://www.facim.org

http://www.miraclecenter.org

 

Featured

Open Your Mind: Open Your Heart

IMG_0811.JPG

Does an open heart, open the mind or does an open mind, open the heart?

Maybe it doesn’t matter which one happens first, but for me, when I’m waiting in line at the market feeling anxious because the line is slow, my mind is locked, closed and my heart constricted. That is why having a practice in watching the mind helps because when aware of the “agitation” I can say “I want to see this differently” and with that I am open to the Souls who share the line with me and let go and relax. I can see the silliness in spending energy on something trivial like agitation. I want and choose peace, inner peace. The Course In Miracles tells us the goal of the Course is inner peace and the workbook lessons certainly help us look at the blocks we have put up to keep peace away, and as it turns out LOVE too. The ego is the culprit but it is ONLY a thought, we happen to believe.

Monitoring your thoughts and mind is the key: How do YOU feel? Are emotions in charge of you or are “YOU” in charge of your Mind and consequently the emotions. But we have to look at the emotions rather than indulge or believe them and when we look, which is part of the forgiveness instructions, in the What is Forgiveness link below, they dissipate like smoke on a windy day. We no longer live from our emotions or let them run our lives unless it serves us somehow.   There are those who like an emotional state of anxiety and fear because they think it keeps them motivated but it is not good for the health of the body, which we need in order to go through the lessons we came here to learn and it is also not good if inner peace is our goal.

We don’t have to believe our thoughts just because we think them. An example is my boss told me he’d like to see me in his office for a meeting the next day at 2 pm. I hadn’t a clue what it could be about but I can tell you thoughts ran rampant through my mind, and they were not all good thoughts. What could it be? Maybe I’d be fired or asked to resign! Well, it turned out I received a compliment and a promotion! All that energy spent in worry, fear of the future, fear of the past! Everything but: “Right Now, all is well.” Ahhhh…..right NOW….all is Well. This instant is the only time there IS! Everything else is my projecting into the future and the ego fear running amok.

As students of the Course we are told we are the Christ, a Holy Son of God and Jesus our elder brother will guide us, if we take his hand and invite him in. Share all your emotions and thoughts with your elder brother. He awaits your invitational prayer – this is one I use:

Jesus Christ, Holy Son of God, Dear elder brother, please guide my heart and mind and help me look at and remove the blocks to the awareness of love’s presence, which is my natural inheritance, as I journey to the Home and Father, I never left.”

I try to repeat this whenever I am upset about something and especially when I can’t sleep at night because I’m ruminating about a worry; a meeting I dread; a bill to be paid; someone I need to forgive but don’t want to. Unlock your mind and look at all those thoughts with your elder brother; let him give you a thought to replace the ones you think are true…..and your Heart will Open.

Click on these links and click on the arrow, “play” and have it read to you – close your eyes.

ACIM: Introduction https://acim.org/acim/what-it-says/

Workbook Lesson 185. W. pg. 348. I want the peace of God. https://acim.org/workbook/lesson-185/

What is Forgiveness –W. pg. 401 https://acim.org/workbook/what-is-1/

You are worth it because you are LOVED!

 

Featured

Identify with Love and you are safe.

IMG_3528

In A Course In Miracles Workbook lesson #261 – God is my refuge and security, W.pg 426,  we are gently guided to see God aka LOVE as our security blanket in all situations.  Yes, you can even suck your thumb if needed!

My youngest son used to drag his security blanket, an old white one that I continually had to make smaller because of the ragged condition, until it finally became the size of a small towel.  He would hold the blanket under his arm with his thumb as his comfort.  Sometimes he would have “White-ie”, our white cat tucked under his other arm.

So like him we can use God as our security blanket or whatever we imagine God to be, placing Him in a safe spot to carry around during the day.

If you read in the Workbook pg. 425, What Is the Body?  Jesus tells us in the last paragraph:

“You will identify with what you think will make you safe  Whatever it may be, you will believe that it is one with you.  Your safety lies in truth, and not in lies.  Love is your safety.  Fear does not exist.  Identify with love, and you are safe.  Identify with love and you are home.  Identify with love, and find your Self.”

As you go throughout your day, driving, waiting in line, working, walking or exercising, project LOVE out at the world and everyone and everything.  Just look and with your powerful mind…..beam LOVE!  Love is our Security Blanket in all situations.

Beam LOE it at yourself in the morning mirror: at  your depression, addictions, loneliness, worries or any problems with yourself or anyone you are holding a grudge or grievance.  Give it up and Give it to Love!

Here is the link to Lesson 261:

Just click on it and then click on “hear” and close your eyes and listen:

https://acim.org/workbook/lesson-261/

You are LOVED!!

 

Featured

Rest in Love, Rest in Truth

Apil 2014 2014-03-19 015

You are loved!  Most of us do not allow ourselves to feel it.  Why?  Don’t we believe we are lovable?  You ARE loved, warts, gifts and all!  Give yourself the gift of feeling it.  Really feel it.   Go to a silent place within, close your eyes and feel yourself being held, as if you were a small child again.  Feel yourself being rocked gently and a soft hand stroking your cheek and telling you that you are loved.  Feel the care and sweetness in your heart.  That is how God loves you.  Your spirit is love and as bright, as soft and innocent like this blossom.

I invite you to go to the A Course In Miracles website and listen to Lesson 109, I rest in God, being read to you as you close your eyes.

Here is the link to past in your browser:   https://acim.org/workbook/lesson-109/

The Course offers 365 lessons, one for each day of the year.  We being at lesson number 1 and  read a lesson per day and on the 109th day of the year we learn we can and DO rest in Love, in God and can be at Peace.   We just need to accept it.  At the end of the 365 lessons you will never be lonely again or feel unloved…….when you remember your true identity – God’s Holy Precious Son.

Happy New Year!

 

Featured

Christmas: Giving and Receiving

peace

Years ago our youngest son looked inquiringly at his Dad and said “Why Christmas?” It was a perceptive and honest question from his little three year mind. How would you answer that question? It is a good question to pose to our grown up selves. We rush about planning and making lists and drive ourselves crazy or get on the internet and figure out the best deals. We fret over what to give to whom and will they like it, that’s the big question. And then we imagine them opening it up and watching carefully for the expression that comes in that twinkling moment.

Maybe that “instant” is our gift! That shining twinkling moment when we made someone happy, made them smile and gasp with surprise. Then we hear their laughter, hopefully not a groan, and words of thanks or maybe a smooch!

My husband’s father loved Chocolate Covered Cherries. Every year we gave him a box. Finally one year he opened the gift and said, “Oh No, not Cherries again.” That was the last year we gave him cherries! How many of us have opened presents we definitely did NOT like and managed to feign appreciation showing we “love it” and have “always wanted one?”

Back to Why Christmas? Well it is all about Jesus and his Birth right? Look at how we avoid Jesus and his teachings these days. A few years ago I was reading a book about Jesus. The author had put his beautiful face smack on the cover. A gentleman stopped to inquire what I was reading.   I closed the book and showed him the cover. You would have thought I was pointing a machine gun in his face! He was absolutely horrified, shocked! His eyes were big, brows shot up and he looked like someone had hit him with a stun gun. His adverse reaction was palpable. He said “Oh” and hurried away as quickly as he could.

Where does that reaction come from? For over 2,000 years the world has had Jesus to deal with. All faiths have their concepts but where does that “aversion” comes from.

One reason (and I am not a scholar) could be because the Bible claims he is God’s ONLY begotten son. So where does that leave the rest of us and the horrified man? We know of families that have a favorite child whose attributes out shine everyone else; that special child. Could it be collective unconscious jealousy runs through a society feeling resentment and somehow unloved. It can fester over a lifetime and throughout the ages. How many of us, deep down, feel as adored as that baby? The sweet song, ‘Away in the Manager’ always brings tears to my eyes.

If we don’t resent him we may try to out-do him! Climb the highest mountains; make the most money; give the biggest gift; have the biggest house or most expensive car or? We are all looking for love and appreciation. Maybe God (and others) will love us if we do such and such.

And yet we celebrate baby Jesus at Christmas and sing carols to him not knowing that baby is also us, you and me. If we had been students of the spiritual book, A Course In Miracles, at the time our young son asked, we could have told him that baby Jesus was (and still is) loved very much by God and YOU my child, are too! We are all God’s sons, the Christ. God being Eternal Unchanging Love never condemns or rejects anyone. In the First Chapter of the Course Jesus tells us:

“You are a perfect creation, and should experience awe only in the Presence of the Creator of perfection. Equals should not be in awe of one another because awe implies inequality. It is therefore an inappropriate reaction to me. An elder brother is entitled to respect for his greater experience, and obedience for his greater wisdom. He is also entitled to love because he is a brother, and to devotion if he is devoted. It is only my devotion that entitles me to yours. There is nothing about me that you cannot attain. I have nothing that does not come from God. The difference between us now is that I have nothing else. This leaves me in a state which is only potential in you.” ACIM I.II.3.

So….Jesus our elder brother is devoted to us, YOU and ME, everyone! He demonstrates to us our potential. No one is excluded from Love not even a politician. He tells us we are all the same in the ego world because we feel separated from God and our only need is to choose love instead of fear and hatred.  And like Jesus we can offer tolerance, love and yes forgiveness too as we free our spirit from the tight grip of judgment and hatred. For 2,000 years his wisdom has endeavored to open our hearts and minds to the clarity of healing light. We come here to learn lessons, to see through the ego and world programming and to exclude no one from our love. All hate is from the ego; all love is God. When we give Love, we receive love.

That is giving and receiving.

Be like God – Love Every ONE!

Visit http://www.acim.org or http://www.facim.org

To find out more about A Course In Miracles

Featured

Peace and Joy I Offer You

Water Lillies

We cannot find peace if we continue to remember and replay hurtful events from the past.  Are you happy being stuck on automatic thinking about an old event?  Are you replaying blame, pain and guilt?  Was it their fault or yours?  If it was your fault  you  feel guilty.  If it was theirs, you feel victimized.  Neither are happy making!

What part of your mind is doing the replaying?   Ask Yourself: Do I want peace and joy rather than guilt or victimhood?

If the answer is YES, then decided to STOP replaying the past!

HOW?  It is up to you……yes YOU!  You are doing the replaying yourself!

You could choose to look at it another way.

Say:  “OK – I’ll look at this another way for the sake of my own peace.”

Begin to think of the people involved (or the situation) and realize that you are denying them peace and joy  (that is their right under the equal laws of God) AND you are ALSO denying peace and joy to yourself.

WOW:  If you hold a grievance against someone….it is held in your MIND!  You are trapped in the grievance with them.  Are you happy? You are trapping your light and joy!

Think of the people involved a little while and tell them in your mind:

* “My brother/sister/:  peace and joy I offer you,

That I may have God’s peace and joy as mine.”  

We don’t think that just because we have denied peace and joy to someone that we are in effect really denying peace to our Self.  If you hold hate or a grudge in your mind, you are the one doing the HOLDING, so you are the effect of your own suffering!   Do you like how you feel?

Do you think your brother is suffering?  We don’t know but we know you are.

Would you rather say to that brother?

My brother/sister/myself: misery and suffering I offer you

That  I may have the ego’s misery and suffering as mine.

Which version do you choose?  If the word God bothers you, take it out.  God won’t care.  That mystery which is love, never condemns.  It doesn’t know how to.  Make a copy of the pledge and paste it around the house.  Take yourself on as a student and train yourself to accept that peace and joy is your inheritance and that you are worth it.

* The quote is from A Course In Miracles, Workbook lesson 105 God’s Peace and Joy are Mine.  Visit  www.acim.org  go The Workbook lessons and then click the lesson selector. You can also click “hear” and listen to the entire lesson and close your eyes.   Choose peace!

Hint: When you give you also receive!

Featured

In the fox holes of life!

IMG_1852

In the fox holes of life: ‘I Am There.’

Easter and Passover join hands this year!  Passover and Good Friday on March 30 and Easter April 1. Jesus always takes center stage for Easter. For years I had problems with the concept of Jesus until I started studying the spiritual psychological non- dual metaphysical book, ‘A Course In Miracles.’  Maybe since he was proclaimed the CHOOSEN one i.e. the favorite son of God, it made me wonder about the rest of us. Did he (God) care about me or anyone else for that matter? I decided probably not. But Jesus in the Course tells the scribe, Helen Schucman, that yes, he is a Son of God but so are you and I. He is not special. We are equals and all equally loved!

“The miracle is a sign of love among equals. Equals should not be in awe of one another because awe implies inequality. It is therefore an inappropriate reaction to me. An elder brother is entitled to respect for his greater experience, and obedience for his greater wisdom. There is nothing about me that you cannot attain.   I have nothing that does not come from God. The difference between us now is that I have nothing else. This leaves me in a state which is only potential in you.” T.1.II.3.4-12.

He also says that we do need help and He and the Holy Spirit are here for us.

“I go before you because I am beyond the ego. Reach, therefore, for my hand because you want to transcend the ego. My strength will never be wanting, and if you choose to share it you will do so.” T. 8.V.6 7-9.

Hold out your hand i.e. your mind and he is there. Yes, He is the Christ but so are you and I and everyone, whether we accept it or not.

Another wonderful thing about the Course is that since Jesus’s Mind joined with Helen’s we know he is not dead!  He tells us throughout the Course that there is no death.  He did not die on the cross!  His body did but HE did NOT!

I have come to believe that Jesus is really REAL!  Not in the bodily sense but within the fox holes of life where faith holds our hand and trust, the light. God does not need us but we need to know, that HIS love and grace are always here with us – Within.

Recently I learned about the mystical poem ‘I am There’ by James Dillet Freeman. He is sometimes known as “the poet laureate of the moon” because two of his poems are on the moon. ‘I Am There’ was taken by Astronaut, James B. Irwin in 1971 and ‘Prayer for Protection’ by Lunar Commander ‘Buzz’ Aldrin in July 1969. Here are the poems of assurance and a blessed Passover and Easter to all.

I am There

Do you need Me?

I am there.

You cannot see Me, yet I am the light you see by.

You cannot hear Me, yet I speak through your voice.

You cannot feel Me, yet I am the power at work in your hands.

I am at work, though you do not understand My ways.

I am at work, though you do not recognize My works.

I am not strange visions. I am not mysteries.

Only in absolute stillness, beyond self, can you know Me as I am, and then but as a feeling and a faith.

Yet I am there. Yet I hear. Yet I answer.

When you need Me, I am there.

Even if you deny Me, I am there.

Even when you feel most alone, I am there.

Even in your fears, I am there.

Even in your pain, I am there.

I am there when you pray and when you do not pray.

I am in you, and you are in Me.

Only in your mind can you feel separate from Me, for only in your mind are the mists of “yours” and “mine.”

Yet only with your mind can you know Me and experience Me.

Empty your heart of empty fears.

When you get yourself out of the way, I am there.

You can of yourself do nothing, but I can do all.

And I am in all.

Though you may not see the good, good is there, for I am there.

I am there because I have to be, because I am.

Only in Me does the world have meaning; only out of Me does the world take form; only because of Me does the world go forward.

I am the law on which the movement of the stars and the growth of living cells are founded.

I am the love that is the law’s fulfilling. I am assurance. I am peace. I am oneness. I am the law that you can live by. I am the love that you can cling to. I am your assurance. I am your peace. I am one with you. I am.

Though you fail to find Me, I do not fail you.

Though your faith in Me is unsure, My faith in you never wavers, because I know you, because I love you.

Beloved, I am there.

 

The Prayer of Protection

The light of God surrounds us;

The love of God enfolds us;

The power of God protects us;

The presence of God watches over us;

Wherever we are, God is!

Learn more about the history and mystery of ‘I am There’ by James Dillet Freeman at http://www.unity.com.

 

 

Featured

January Peace of Mind

Mt. Shasta's Heart

OK – So it is mid January!  You may have made some resolutions about things you want to happen or do this year.  How you doing?  The only part of your mind that would care or “seem to mind” is the ego.  The ego is the part of your mind that carries the judge’s gavel and seems to run you around like the cartoon road runner.

But what if you set your goal at the beginning of each day so that no matter what happened that day you would have peace?

A Couse In Miracles Lesson 34.  I could see peace instead of this.

“Peace of mind is clearly an internal matter.  It must begin with your own thoughts and then extend outward.  It is from your peace of mind that a peaceful perception of the world arises.”

Go to http://www.acim.org – click on lessons and then scroll to lesson 34.  You can even close your eyes and have it read aloud to you.

So – each morning, before you get out of bed lie there for a few restful minutes and ask yourself:  “What kind of a day do I want?  What do I want to have happen today? Run through all the events and circumstances that you think the day will hold.

Then looking at them all say:

“But above all, today I choose peace.  No matter what happens I want the peace of God.”

Then it won’t matter if you get the job interview; the check you’ve been expecting; the date or meeting you’ve been waiting for or the diagnosis you’re hoping for.  No matter what happens since your goal is PEACE, you will have it regardless of the outcome of any of the circumstances in your life.

On my white board in the kitchen I’ve written:  Today I want the Peace of God.   You can put it on a note card you carry in your pocket.

In Chapter 17. of the Course, Section VI. Setting the Goal, p.4. (pg. 366)

The value of deciding in advance what you want to happen is simply that you will perceive the situation as means to make it happen.”

If we decide in advance what we want, then we will perceive it and even if we don’t, we will be upset and then remember “Oh, I could see peace instead of this.”

Even if you get what you want, how long will it make you happy?

No matter what happens in our crazy mixed up world, you can have peace!