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January-March, 2011

In Gratitude to Tomas

by Rev. Larry Glenz

Tomas Viera transitioned this month; his body shut down from cancer. I first met him at the four-day workshop in Kiel, Wisconsin called “Undoing the Ego II” a few years ago. At the time I was still skeptical of the “spiritual people” that were associated with Pathways of Light. Only months earlier, I completed my ministerial training and became ordained as a Pathways of Light reverend.

I knew my life story was not very reverend-like, so I expected to have little in common with those that I would be meeting in Kiel.  Nevertheless, I was a devoted student of A Course in Miracles and was enthralled with the book that Tomas had co-authored with his former wife, Nouk Sanchez. 

What a surprise to discover how incredibly cool this couple was. Tomas and Nouk had us all laughing for the whole four days. In fact, they had us practice laughing at ourselves. 

One of the important exercises had the effect of teaching us to stop taking ourselves so seriously. In small groups we were to tell each other who we thought we were. When one of us would describe our life according to our occupation, social status, skill-set, personality, life challenges, family situation or any other self-perception — the rest of us were instructed to laugh hysterically. No matter how each one of us described his or her life, we roared with delight at the foolishness of the perception.  The point being that each one of us is an innocent Child of God — safe, complete, healed and whole. We are not our ego perception with which we so often identify. 

Tomas was so much fun and really was quite a character to be around. In the presence of Tomas, strengthening my ability to trust in Holy Spirit came joyously.  I found myself just wanting to hang out with him. I spent a very enjoyable night with him after dinner at one of Kiel’s finest restaurants and felt like he was one of my oldest and dearest friends. This dynamic Aussie was a lot more than just fun though. He had a trust in Spirit that inspired all those around him. 

In listening to some of his experiences with his daughter, Rikki, I was inspired to handle my perceived difficulties with my son, Kevin, differently. This change in my perception is what we call a “miracle.”  And it is that miracle that has made all the difference in how I have been able to handle the perceived circumstances of my son passing on this year.

The manner in which Tomas handled the illness of his body during the past year was the zenith of trust in Divine Guidance.  Tomas was a great teacher in his role as an author or in a workshop or seminar setting. But his greatest teaching to us is through his example of how he faced his body’s illness with such courage, strength, and grace. It is all about trust.

We truly teach others by example. Tomas is a great Teacher of God. I am and will remain grateful for his presence always.  Thank you, Tomas, for your inspiration in trusting Holy Spirit and not the ego’s dream of sickness and death.

© 2011, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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