Following Spirit's Lead

Practice

I recently heard a talk given by a spiritual teacher where he shared his experience of counselling students over the phone on a radio show. He said he found himself asking each one respectively if they were actively participating in a daily spiritual practice. He relayed invariably with each one that the answer was no.
 
I’ve heard this same sentiment shared by other spiritual teachers and have also received this answer from some of my own students experiencing issues or lack of progress on their path. Like any good spiritual practice worth its salt, A Course in Miracles is a course in mind training as usually the goal is to bring the practitioner out of a place of darkness and into a place of light.
 
By definition, the word “training” requires that we PRACTICE certain ideas and ways of behaving systematically and repeatedly. According to Robert Perry’s Glossary of Terms from A Course in Miracles, regarding our attempt to internalise a new thought system, or a spiritual thought system, “practice entails dwelling on the meaning of key ideas and teachings and actually applying them to the people, events and situations in our lives.”
 
In addition, designating an appropriate study time each day can be most helpful. My morning practice for example, includes a cold water splash in the face and a ten-minute stretch (to wake up my sleepy morning mind), followed by twenty minutes of silent mindfulness meditation. Afterwards, I usually have a thirty minute study period where I read my work-book lesson for the day, or another related spiritual text.

I realise not everyone has loads of time in the morning, but practice does not necessarily denote time as much as consistency. In fact, the Course says technically speaking, we only need to devote five minutes in the morning thinking of God; make it a point to connect with Spirit as often as possible throughout the day and then devote another five minutes in the evening before bed.

I find that a morning mindfulness meditation in addition to my study practice makes it easier for me to maintain my connection with Spirit throughout the day as it helps me to stay fully present in the moment. In this way, when I’m feeling challenged by something, I’m aware instantly that I’m moving out of peace and I can more readily ask for a miracle (a shift in perception) when I need one.
 
Remember, practice makes perfect so it’s well worth making a decision to commit to your daily spiritual practice, however long or short, as long as it’s consistent. Remember also, that practicing our lessons throughout the day in every situation is essential. Lastly, it’s also lovely to know that we have the full support of Holy Spirit in our minds to help us along our path and all we ever have to do is ask for help.

© 2012, Pathways of Light. http://pathwaysoflight.org
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Healing

A Course in Miracles says, “Health is peace of mind” and concludes that “A beautiful healthy body is the same as a sick, ugly body. They are both equally unreal.” According to ACIM principles, true healing can only take place in the mind and occurs when wrong thinking is replaced with right thinking. Can this reflect as a healing in the physical body? Yes, but not always.

The idea of a mind-body connection is becoming increasingly seductive these days, as more Course students and teachers seem to be focused on the idea that the body can be healed, through the mind. Of course this is true, especially if it could be helpful as a symbol of forgiveness to another needing healing; however the emphasis seems to be on healing the body as its own entity rather than the mind itself with physical healing resulting as a possible “side-effect” or “symptom” of the healed mind.

I see this as particularly dangerous for Course students because the ego can so easily high-jack failed efforts to heal the body via the mind and turn these efforts into a sense of defeat that one is simply not spiritual or good enough to receive a physical healing. This sense of failed effort can actually perpetuate the condition of dis-ease mentally and physically for the person experiencing sickness and in the end do more harm than good.

Ultimately, once we start to look at the body in the first instance as the “proof” that healing in the mind has taken place, we are simply barking up the wrong tree. The ego’s purpose of the body is to serve as proof that we are separate, not proof that we are healed and whole. Because the ego is always concerned with the FORM and not the CONTENT it can easily distract a mind experiencing physical sickness into believing that physical healing is the main priority, thus keeping us focused on the illusion of separation.

In reality, according to the Course, the body is neutral or nothing. It has no will or mind of it’s own to tell you that it is happy or sad or needs something. It has no real instincts or reflexes that we haven’t endowed it with. However, when used for Spirit’s purposes (and not the ego’s), it can serve as a valuable communication device, but it doesn’t HAVE to be physically healed in order to carry out this “special function,” as Spirit’s focus is always on the content not the form.

In other words, a physically sick or disabled body can serve as a communication device just as easily as a perceived “healthy body.” The point is that although a healed mind CAN result in a healed body, it is not always the case, and although everyone would like to be physically “healthy” many have experienced awakening, deep inner peace and joy EVEN while living in a sick, disabled or dying body. The key is not to give it importance it simply does not have. Heaven is ultimately in our mind.

© 2012, Pathways of Light. http://pathwaysoflight.org
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Making the Inner Shift: The Final Move from Fear to Love

At the heart of A Course in Miracles, God’s only Will for us is happiness… But is it really POSSIBLE to be happy all of the time? The Course says yes, if we are willing to make the Inner Shift.

What is the Inner Shift?

The “inner shift according to Chapter 21 of ACIM is, ‘the choice to be constant in our decision for happiness.’ The Course says, we all know that we WANT happiness, but we deny it simply BECAUSE it’s the truth.

In other words, we are afraid of it, because it poses a threat to our current ego experience, which we THINK is real. In fact, The Course says, ‘constant joy is a condition quite alien to our understanding.’ However, once the final decision for ONLY happiness is made, it has no exceptions; it’s unshakeable and unchangeable.

How do we make the Shift?

1. Keep things simple to avoid over-thinking and ego-resistance.
2. Understand the dynamics of our decision making process.
3. Examine and transform our core beliefs with the help of eternal Spirit (HS).
4. Establish a firm commitment to making the Shift.

The Dynamics of our Decision Making Process

We have two mindsets: Love and fear and we are always swinging between the two. The problem is, one mindset is real, but the other is false. So why then do we constantly swing back and fourth?

Basically, it’s our choice. One minute we can choose love and peace and the next minute, we can simply change our mind back again. But if we REALLY want ONLY happiness why do we keep changing our minds? Deep down we think this world holds something of value.

But, in order to fully understand the dynamics of our current decision making process, we need to examine our core beliefs (perceptions).

Examining our Core Beliefs

Since our core beliefs are always being projected outward and reflect back to us what we perceive to be real in the world, examining them can show us where they might be limiting us from choosing total happiness all the time.

I recently had an experience where I fell into a real upset over being reprimanded on a work project. I felt that he treatment I received was unfair and I also felt guilty because “I should have known better.” My stress over the matter mounted and I decided to take time off work to reflect over why I was feeling so heavily adversely affected.

I discovered after taking a close look at my values and perceptions (which I hadn’t done for some time) that I was holding onto an underlying belief from childhood that I was somehow unworthy. It was a real eye opener in that it was being reflected back to me in the form of not allowing myself to make and learn from simple mistakes in my life, but rather, demonstrate perfectionist behaviour to avoid being judged and feeling victimised when I received minor criticism.

I later read in the Louise Hay book, You can Heal you Life, that out of the thousands of people that she has counselled over the years, almost all of them held the underlying belief that they were “not good enough.”

I actually knew this because the Course teaches us that we all feel unworthy of love at a deep level because we falsely belief that we have separated from God and from each other and we feel guilty as a result. However it wasn’t until I stepped back and made a proper evaluation of my thought system that I realised this concept in action.

Once I came to recognise that this underlying belief was influencing my decision to be constant in my choice for happiness, with the help of Spirit, I am able to remain mindfully aware that I am the dreamer of the dream and I constantly choose what it is I see and experience (this is what it means to receive miracles all day, everyday).

Transformation of Beliefs with Spirit

So, let’s take some time now to look at the limited thought patterns and beliefs that may be limiting your choices and experiences currently and then take them to eternal Spirit (HS) for transformation:

• Limited beliefs about people?
• Limited beliefs about abundance and possessions?
• Limited beliefs about relationships?
• Limited beliefs about health?
• Limited beliefs about self-worth or value?

Process: Transforming beliefs with Eternal Spirit.

Now close your eyes and relax…

Allow your body to relax and your mind to quiet…

Breathe deeply and allow yourself to go within…

Centre your mind… and feel the peace and gentleness emanating from deep inside you…

Breathe it in…

Feel the constant Love… and the ever present peace that comes from your eternal spirit…

Allow this awareness of peace to extend to everyone…
Let it flow…

From this peaceful happy state, ask your eternal Spirit for insight on how to transform
your limited beliefs into unlimited beliefs. Begin with…

• People in your life… (Pause).
• Abundance and possessions… (Pause).
• Relationships… (Pause).
• Health… (Pause)
• Self-worth or value… (Pause)

Spend at least five minutes more reflecting on what you might still be afraid to give up if you make the constant choice for happiness? Remember we all secretly believe this world has something of value to offer us that we may not be that keen to release just yet, such as special grievances, worldly pursuits, etc. Then take these also to Spirit for a healed perception.

After the transformation process with Spirit, take a pen and paper and make notes about your experience and what are now your unlimited beliefs as received from your inner Teacher. These can be reflected on in the future and can slowly serve to replace your limited thought patterns as they arise.

• Unlimited beliefs about people?
• Unlimited beliefs about abundance and possessions?
• Unlimited beliefs about relationships?
• Unlimited beliefs about health?
• Unlimited beliefs about self-worth or value?

Making the Final Commitment

Now that we’ve examined and transformed our perceptions, this should lower any resistance to choosing love over fear. It’s important to note, that making the final choice for constant happiness requires that you no longer desire to waver back and fourth. Remember, this is your choice.

It’s also helpful to remember you’re not alone in your decision for happiness. You’re always supported by the universe and provided with every resource necessary. In addition, Eternal Spirit is always available when you call to provide a healed or “corrected” perception, also known as the miracle. There is no order of difficulty in miracles.

The choice you’re making now is not abut BE-ING happy all the time, but the desire to be CONSTANT in your decision for happiness. And lastly, by answering “yes,” to this final question, the Course says, “you will have renounced your decision to change your mind again.”

Is the decision for happiness [truth] all that I would see?

                            ~Namaste~

 

© 2012, Pathways of Light. http://pathwaysoflight.org
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Stay in the Light

As we all know, staying in the idea of light and remembering to choose peace first can be so challenging at times. Worries about health, money, family and work can occupy much of our thoughts if we allow them, and one moment of focusing on these issues can quickly turn into a full time preoccupation.

And it’s not just the obvious troubles of the world that can lead us into this ‘dark side,’ but more often than not it’s the mental anguishes such as uncertainty, judgments or holding grievances that cause our unrest and disturbs our peace.

However it’s during these times that staying in the light is so important. It may sound cliché to make a statement as obvious as ‘keep a positive attitude,’ but staying in an aware high frequency flow is crucial to maintaining inner-harmony and the stillness needed to hear the quiet, gentle Voice of the Holy Spirit.

Staying in the light involves allowing ourselves to be led step by step, moment by moment, trusting that all things are happening for our good. It means taking a deep breath and remembering to think a moment before speaking; to let things go easily and to not take life so seriously.

Staying in the light means always seeing the good in ourselves and others and knowing that we are all doing the best that we can. It means not beating ourselves up when things don’t seem to go our way or when we make a mistake.

Staying in the light means the ability to laugh at ourselves and with others instead of blaming or fault finding. It means allowing ourselves to have some fun every once in a while and not feeling guilty for things left unsaid or undone (there’s always tomorrow).

Staying in the light actually clears the path for receiving God’s Love and Blessings and frees us from trying to control every aspect of the illusion (it’s uncontrollable anyway). It’s living the ‘happy dream’ and allowing the snow of fear and worry to melt so that the blossoms of spring can bloom…

The dark side of our thoughts is always waiting and when eyes are closed, darkness can seem to be all there is.  Staying in the light however is a decision to keep eyes open, front and centre. It’s a decision to remember the truth of whom and what you really are, love and nothing else.

“Ask for the Light and let it guide you without questioning where it takes you. Remember that until you see all the world within the Light, you may be lost, letting the darkness lead your way (Holy Spirit’s Interpretation of the New Testament, NTI, MT.6:5-6).”

© 2012, Pathways of Light. http://pathwaysoflight.org
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I Am Love…

Like my Creator
I am Love.
I cannot be more,
I cannot be less,
I cannot deny it
And I cannot change.

Love is the truth of all that is
And it is my identity in eternity.

As I accept Love
It is what I share.
And because I share it
I know it is mine.

As I rest in the truth
Of what and where I am,
All else falls away…

Love is clear.
Love is here.
Love is what I am.

© 2012, Pathways of Light. http://pathwaysoflight.org
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The Five Stages of Acceptance - A Path for Transformation

In light of the upcoming Miracles conference in April themed, “At the Heart of A course in Miracles,” I thought I might start the year by writing a series of blogs related to what I believe are subjects at the ‘heart’ of ACIM and its students.

One key theme that stands out for me is transformation. Transformation by definition is a ‘process of change’ (hopefully for the best). The key transformation that must occur for those of us on the spiritual path, according the Course, is the undoing of the ego. Although the Course discusses various ways this process can take place, I found in my experience it can be likened to the five stages of death as outlined by the modern expert on death, dying and grief, Elisabeth Kubler-Ross.

According to Kubler-Ross the five stages are: Denial, anger, bargaining, depression and finally acceptance. These five stages are often referred to by psychologists who have patients discovering they have a terminal illness or who are dealing with the grief process. It has even been humorously explained by the late controversial comic, Lenny Bruce who, like me, finds weird comfort in poking fun at the insanity of basic human nature and the panic we experience when it comes to letting go of something we feel is important.

So when Jesus asks us to even consider letting go of everything we believe is real, in other words to allow the undoing of the ego, we are bound to have some resistance. Let’s face it, to the ego, its undoing or death is a very serious matter and isn’t going to be welcomed with open arms (thus the denial, anger, bargaining and depression). Still, if we are ever going to progress spiritually the ego must be let go as it is ultimately the very source of our guilt, pain and suffering.

However, it’s good to know that these stages are a natural part of the death, or transformation process. For instance, denial: I recall experiencing major denial when reading my very first Course lesson, ‘Nothing I see in this room means anything.’ It challenged everything I believed and worked hard for. How dare anyone tell me it all means nothing? On that very day I refused to read anymore, closed the book shut and placed it on the shelf for two months.

When I realised my reaction was just a defence mechanism of the ego to secure its existence, I came back and read lesson two, ‘I have given everything I see in this room all the meaning that it has for me.’ Well, that was quite a different story… I could actually see how I have in fact given everything all the meaning it has for me based on past conditioning, personal values, etc.

Fortunately, once I got past my initial obstacle to peace, denial, I could then go on to lesson three, four and five (along with anger, bargaining and depression), eventually completing the workbook and making great advances along my journey to acceptance.

For many, denial, anger, bargaining and depression seem to be an ongoing uphill battle. Acceptance is like finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Sure we may accept things as they are sometimes, but every time? Acceptance every time is what it actually means to be awake, but arriving at this stage is obviously no simple task.

Jesus understands this and discusses it thoroughly in the Manual for Teachers under the heading, “The Development of Trust.” He realises the hurdles, the advances and set-backs we seem to experience on our twisting, winding road to enlightenment. He understands that this curriculum is asking us to, in essence, die to an old way of seeing and being so that we can awaken to a new way of being in the “real world,” the world of only Love, Joy and Peace.

At the end of the day, death comes to us all. However it’s not the painful, sad loss of final termination as the ego would have us believe, but simply the passing away of illusion and the false idea that we have separated from God, each other and our true Self. So let’s welcome our anger, denial, bargaining and depression on the path of awakening as part of the process. If we can recognise our challenges for what they are – another opportunity to have our minds healed, we are well on our way home.

© 2012, Pathways of Light. http://pathwaysoflight.org
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My New Year’s Clearing Out

There is a poem by the 13th Century Persian Poet Rumi titled the “House Guest” that reads:

“This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.”

Well this was certainly my experience over this Christmas and New Year period. In fact, as excited as I was before the holiday about starting a fresh new year filled with possibility and light, I discovered that I had a load of unexpected and unwelcome “guests” knocking at my door…

For some reason, I felt especially hit hard the week between Christmas and New Year. Perhaps it had something to do with one year ending and another beginning (at my age), but I suddenly found myself ridden with feelings of unworthiness and self-doubt. This was really strange because we literally just last month moved into a great new house and life seemed to be going well.

I wrestled with these feelings and thoughts for several days beating myself up for things done or said, or things not done or left unsaid over the past year. During this time I developed the flu and found myself in bed for most of the week. This actually proved to be a good opportunity however to really connect with Holy Spirit and with His guidance, I sank deeply (and guilt free) into meditation and reflection for hours and hours at a time thinking and playing out scenarios in my mind.

Then on the morning of 1st January the New Year came and with it an epiphany! I might even go as far as to call it a revelation because the realisation and experience of complete and total forgiveness came with such love, peace and joy that it completely swept my entire house clean in one fowl swoop…

It all started(as it always does)with an idea. An idea that Holy Spirit gave to me while contemplating an A Course in Miracles quote that I had read or heard numerous times before. The idea was, “Spirit is in a state of grace forever. Your reality is only spirit. Therefore you are in a state of grace forever (T-1.III.9:4-6).” As this idea began to melt deeply into my mind, I verbally repeated it to myself several times, “My reality is only spirit and spirit is in a state of grace forever. Therefore I am in a state of grace forever.”

Slowly Holy Spirit revealed all of my illusions to me one by one in their various vicious forms and reminded me in a very gentle and kind way that they are all the same in their non-reality, and in truth come from the original belief in separation and specialness that we all share. Not only the belief that we are separate from one another, or better or worse than someone else, but also separate from God.

He reminded me that the idea of unworthiness was ultimately the ego aspect of my mind trying to get me to push God away and protect my false beliefs, but that these false ideas have no real power to change the truth of Who and what I really am: Spirit existing in a state of grace forever. In that concept, I experienced a complete shift in perception, also known as a miracle. But even more, God’s Love filled me in a way that I can’t fully describe and blanketed me in an utter sense of confirmation, “you are so loved, you are so loved.”

I can’t tell you the impact that this renewed realisation had on me. I’ve heard people say that they get the Course “intellectually” but not in practice, and the teaching of ‘separation’ for the average Course student is pretty basic, but I’m here to tell you that the full experience is what it’s all about. And if you really open your heart to Jesus, He is your friend and will walk with you the whole way no matter what you think your issue is, or how far you think you have or have not come in your life or spiritual practice.

I was mainly reminded that Holy Spirit works through me and that I must always be open and honest with myself if I am to allow Him to do that. Acting as Spirit’s eyes, ears, hands and feet is all of our reason for being so it is of utmost importance that we really grasp the concept that we ARE worthy and deserving of all things wise and wonderful(contrary to what ‘Wayne and Garth’ might repeatedly chant in the film “Wayne’s World”).

But overall, I am grateful for the “house guest” that never really had any power to hurt me, but that prompted me to take a hard look at my illusions and examine them with the Holy Spirit in the light of love, so that we might laugh them away together right out the back door. Which we did!

Happy New Year with Blessings and Light,

Cheryl

© 2011, Pathways of Light. http://pathwaysoflight.org
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