Tag: Grace

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In the fox holes of life!

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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.

 

 

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Love Makes No Comparisons

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I have been listening to a CD series of  Dr. Ken Wapnick called: The Experience of A Course In Miracles, A Commentary on the section: “Development of Trust.”  This 10 CD series covers the development of trust and the six stages a student goes through while on the path set forth by the Course.

All of the ten characteristics of God’s teachers rest on Trust which is the first.  The other nine are: Honesty; Tolerance; Gentleness; Joy; Defenselessness; Generosity; Patience; Faithfulness and Open Mindedness.  I am sharing the below notes because it is a powerful look at the dynamic  of why we “LOVE to hate!  (You can purchase the CD series at http://www.facim.org)

Notes from Ken Wapnick, Ph.D. – Development of Trust CD 2.4

“Love makes no comparisons. Love is perfect Oneness.  In Heaven there is no duality – no comparing – no judgment.   In Heaven there is only ONE – not even God and Christ are separate and that One knows nothing else.  God does not know we are here. God  does not know of illusions – if He did it would make it true. No Duality – only One. (For those who are put off by the term “God” just think Love because no one knows what the mystery of God could be.)

In this world however, we have the ego’s distortion of love which in the Course is called “Special Love.”  Here, in the world of duality, everything is based upon comparisons. You have something that I lack and therefore what I lack is what I want – so I set out to get it from you.  We make special relationships very interesting in all the ingenious ways we go about getting or stealing from others what we think we need for our own salvation.

This works both in the forms of special love and special hate.  Special hate is when what you have, that I lack, which is innocence, I then feel sinful because I believe I’m a sinner (and I compare you to me) therefore what I do is I project my sin onto you thereby making you the sinner, and thereby making you worthy of my hate!

That’s why we all love to hate in our world. I hate you because if I make you are the repository of sin, then I am innocent because in the ego thought system it is always one or the other. (So when I hate someone that makes him the sinner and therefore  I am innocent….. per the ego.  This is why we “love” to hate.  We get rid of our guilt nice and neatly.  I’ve always wondered why it is we “love” to hate – especially those of another political party, or someone who is richer, prettier, more talented, etc.  Find an example in your own life to understand the projection/psychology behind it but don’t feel guilty about it just look at what your ego does to keep love away!)

Everything in this world is based upon comparisons. It is impossible to avoid this. Perception is all about comparisons and judgments. You couldn’t see otherwise. When we perceive something we’ve already make the judgment that it is important and everything else is unimportant.

The Right minded use of comparisons is to evaluate the difference between the ego’s thought system and the Holy Spirits. What is the ego’s thought system is all about is judgment and separation.  When we catch the ego’s tricks we understand what it is up to. We see it is false and it is all made up. Our resistance in looking is what makes this so difficult.”

I recommend going to the book: A Course In Miracles; see the Manual for Teachers towards the back of the book; and see # 4. What are the Characteristics of God’s Teachers, I. Trust. and A. Development of Trust.

http://www.facim.org

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Can we ever agree?

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Yes we can agree and it happens when we find common ground on SOMETHING!
The gift is in finding what that SOMETHING is that we can agree upon!
When we are in agreement there is peace.  Where is peace when we disagree?
Eventually when we master the Course In Miracles we will have PEACE even when “disagreement” is seemingly before us.
The Course says “See love or the call for love.”
As we learn to master the Course, little by little  the judgments are fewer.
They gradually become challenges to find shared values rather than separation.
I wanted to share the link below of Professor George Lakoff of the University
of California Berkley.  He explains why we disagree and has an example of how
we can learn to find common ground and become more agreeable!
It is 27 minutes  interview with Tavis Smiley of PBS  (if you cannot open it just google
Tavis Smiley)
 
Professor of Cognitive Science, George Lakoff, UC Berkeley:
 
“Teach only love, for that is what you are.”  ACIM T.6. I.13.
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The Light Has Come

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The Metaphysical/Spiritual book called A Course In Miracles contains a workbook that offers a lesson for each day.  The lessons are offered online so you do not have to buy the book to get started.   http://www.acim.org – see directions below.

You can start the lessons anytime you want but be sure to start at lesson #1, as they follow a mind training process that is powerful and helps us see through the world and the illusions that make us sad, angry, depressed, anxious, happy at times, sadness over death, destruction, injustice and more.  I believe the Course has brought many back from the brink hopelessness because it did for me.

Would you like to forgive the world?  It may not seem that you need to but the world has a way of showing us what we dislike as well as what we like.  The world is dualistic.  It contains the opposites that we then judge as good or bad!  We gradually give the world up by forgiving seeing it for what it is and in doing so we become the Light that is our true identity!

Today, March 16th is the 75th day of the year and today’s Lesson 75. The Light Has Come.

The lessons can be read online and they have been recorded so you have the option of sitting back and listen to the lesson being read to you!

“The Light Has Come.”

Go to http://www.acim.org

click on Online Lessons

click on Workbook table of Contents and

Choose 75!    Enjoy being in the Light!  Listen to a lesson any time you want!

 

YOU ARE COMPLETE, HEALED AND WHOLE

On By SallyIn A Course In Miracles, forgivenessLeave a comment

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  • Note: You may not believe the statements below, you may not accept or welcome them but do not allow yourself (the ego mind) to question or judge them.  Merely find one that resonates with you and repeat over and over several times a day.   The purpose of repetition is that eventually you WILL believe.  Repeat it at night as you go to sleep, while driving the car, waiting in line at the grocery store or anytime you notice your mind  wandering to various thoughts. The ego will try to convince you this won’t work to keep you from ascending the ladder HOME and ultimately be free of it.

How do you get to Carnegie Hall?  Practice, practice, practice!

FIND A  STATEMENT THAT “FEELS RIGHT.”  REPEAT IT OVER AND OVER SEVERAL TIMES A DAY , WHEN DEPRESSED OR UPSET.  PRINT OUT A COPY TO CARRY WITH YOU, TAPE IT TO YOUR BATHROOM MIRROR, DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT.

  • I AM COMPLETE, HEALED AND WHOLE.
  •  I  AM SPIRIT, A HOLY SON OF GOD.
  • I AM ONE WITH GOD.GOD IS LOVE AND THEREFORE SO AM I.
  • GOD GOES WITH ME WHEREVER I GO. GOD IS IN MY MIND.
  • GOD PUT THE HOLY SPIRIT IN MY MIND TO ANSWER PROBLEMS.
  • RECOGNIZING I HAVE A SPLIT MIND, IN THIS DUALISTIC WORLD, I CHOOSE THE HOLY SPIRIT IN MY RIGHT MIND, NOT THE EGO.
  • IN QUIET I ASK THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR HELP – NOT MY EGO.
  • WHEN I GIVE LOVE TO EVERYONE I FEEL THE LOVE THAT I AM.
  • I AM LOVED, I AM A MIND, I MOVE FORWARD WITH CONFIDENCE BELIEVING IN THE STRENGTH OF MY SPIRIT AND GOODNESS.
  • I AM NOT GUILTY OR A VICTIM THE EGO WOULD HAVE ME BE.
  • I AM A DECISION MAKING MIND, AN INNOCENT HOLY SON OF GOD WITH POWER TO CHANGE MY MIND ABOUT THE WORLD.
  • INNER PEACE IS IN MY MIND – I CHOOSE PEACE NOW.
  • FORGIVENESS IS: RECOGNIZING PAINFUL THOUGHTS AND GLADLY BRING THEM TO THE HOLY SPIRIT AND LET HIM HEAL EVERY LITTLE THOUGHT OF HURT.
  • IN MY DEFENSELESSNESS MY SAFETY LIES.
  • I CAN BE HURT BY NOTHING BUT MY THOUGHTS. I THEREFORE CHANGE MY THOUGHTS AND CHOOSE PEACE.
  • I EXCLUDE NO ONE FROM MY LOVE.
  • I AM ALWAYS HELPFUL AND HARMLESS IN ALL THINGS.
  • YOU MAY NOT BELIEVE IN GOD, BUT GOD BELIEVES IN YOU AND LOVES YOU
  • The above inspirations from the Spiritual/Metaphysical book: A Course In Miracles Visit THESE WEBSITES
  • http://www.facim.org
  • http://www.acim.orgwww.miraclecenter.org
  • NOW IS THE TIME TO TRAIN YOUR MIND…..PLACE YOURSELF UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF THE LOVE WITHIN YOUR MIND AND YOU WILL HAVE PEACE.

Where is inner peace these days?

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When we look out at the world, the problems, the Presidential Election, no matter which one you like or dislike…..and we wonder……where is the PEACE?

Peace cannot be found in the world.  Well you say, what about the quiet stream and the birds singing and the flowers and the walk in the woods.

Yes, some remnants of peace can be found in the world BUT…..for how long?  Snippets at a time.

Then what about your thoughts as you sit by the steam?  What are you thinking about?  When you took the kids fishing and OH….and that son is now dead.  Where is the peace?

Peace can only be found when we FORGIVE EVERYTHING and FORGIVE OURSELVES from thinking I am a separate little EGO and instead remember:

“I could choose peace instead of this”  Then the thought doesn’t matter.  Yes that son is now dead but A Corse In Miracles says there is no death in this world.  This world is not REAL.

Yes, this world has betrayal, upsets, fun, danger, competition and strife but the only way to BE in the WORLD but NOT of IT is to remember with the help of that tiny small voice found only inside:

RISE above the BATTLEGROUND……this is NOT ALL THERE IS.

PEACE is within and what is found within is that still small voice that reminds you there is TRUTH and it is not here. This is not real.  God IS

Peace can be found in a Spiritual Path….that is where GOD IS.

There are thousands….and they all say “The Son of God is innocent”

One path to Peace is: A Course In Miracles  –

http://www.facim.org  (Ken Wapnick books and tapes found here)

http://www.acim.org

http://www.miraclecenter.org   (You can find a list of world wide study groups on this website)

 

 

 

The Grace of Forgiveness

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Forgiveness is Grace

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The only thing to forgive is our self for believing the “seeming” separation from God. That is what A Course In Miracles calls The Atonement : acknowledging and remembering we are not separate from God….. because it is impossible that we could ever be separate from God, Oneness, our Source. That is like a wave “believing” it is separate from the Ocean.

We are loved beyond our comprehension but the ego mind denies it because if we ever accepted that we are loved, we would withdraw our belief in the ego and that is a very big threat.

So the ego is busy, busy, busy running the programs that keep us in lock step with it and all our goals in its favor. You know, that busy chatter that runs in the background throughout the day.

Your assignment on the spiritual path, whether a student of the Course or another, is to look at the ego’s gyrations, wait and judge not. When we are still for a moment and go within and wait, we are quieting the mind enough to hear the still small voice of Spirit that is always there, and waiting for an opportunity to offer its peaceful guidance and to be heard.

Its guidance can be a quiet little peaceful thought and it may not come right away but only in stilling the ego chatter, will it be heard. In other words you quiet ego the chatter by not acknowledging it or letting the thoughts pull you into a boiling brew. Just notice them, let them go and wait.

*A Course In Miracles Lesson 84
Love holds no grievances.
Grievances are completely alien to love. Grievances attack love and keep its light obscure. If I hold grievances I am attacking love, and therefore attacking my Self. My Self thus becomes alien to me. I am determined not to attack my Self today, so that I can remember Who I am.
These specific forms for applying this idea would be helpful:

This is no justification for denying my Self.
I will not use this to attack love.
Let this not tempt me to attack myself.

That is Grace. God Is.

* http://www.acim.org/Lessons/lesson.html?lesson=84

click on “hear lesson”