Pathways of Light Miracles News, 7/00 p. 1

Miracles News Summer 2000

A Habit Revealed • What Is My Business and What Is Not My Business?
Renewal • Journaling with Holy Spirit • More Summer 2000 Articles
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A Habit Revealed -- by Rev. Mary Manke

I would like to share with you insights I gained recently about headaches that I have had. As I continue to study with A Course in Miracles, I am more aware of the resistance to peace and love that comes up. I am learning that this is okay; it is not something to make into a "big deal." Instead of trying to fight it, I soften and return to peace. I let it go by not making the resistance into something it is not. The headache that I experience is part of the resistance, a defense against the truth of what I am.

When I feel pain, I am accepting the ego's verdict: I am guilty, a sinner, a loser; I will never be loved by God; I am hopeless. This is a mistake, nothing more than an error. But the power of my mind has made it "real," just as my use of this power has made this body real to me. This is undone gradually, as I allow it. This body is not outside me, it is inside my mind.

Insight from Spirit

When you have a habit that has been deeply ingrained, it is not easily changed. If you understood that a habit brings only pain, then you would discard it. A habitual response that has lasted for years is not brought to question because you think it is truth. A habit that has the appearance of truth thus holds much resistance to change or to be seen as false. Many things appear as true to you, but really have no meaning at all. You have a habit of perceiving yourself as a body, others as separate bodies, and things in your world as apart from you. You have the habit of seeing the world and your body as outside of you, not within your mind.

You do not raise to question or doubt the reality of what appears to be truth to you. This is what you must do to learn what is beyond habit (habitual thinking). Beginning to question what you believe is truth does not mean you will lose, though this is what the ego system tells you will happen. When you are willing to doubt your "truth," you will find Holy Spirit's perspective highly useful. The old habit will be gently given new meaning which does not entail loss at all. Each time you hear the whisper that "you will lose," take it to Holy Spirit. He is here to help you. You do not have to clean your mind alone. In fact, you cannot do it alone. This would be cruel indeed if this were the case. Take each and every thought of failure, loss, despair to Spirit and give it to Him wholly. With just a bit of willingness, you will find freedom from the chains of habitual thinking.

You still have a belief that you alone must make yourself pure, without help. Look carefully at such belief, for you never are without the help you need or want. This belief is another denial of Love, and would try to keep you separated from love. You have never-ending aid from the Teacher Who loves you totally. You have this aid till you have learned your lessons so well that you have no more need of lessons. With a Teacher such as this you cannot fail, for your goal is His only desire and His goal as well.

You think you have failed in "life pursuits," but such are always ego pursuits. But to pursue the healing of God's Son is the only meaningful goal there is, for it leads Home. It is the return of mind to Love. This means to return your mind to the only place that it can be, where it belongs and remains as the Father created it. What earthly goal has more merit than this?

The question I need to ask myself is, "Am I willing to let go of the false story that I left God?" It is the belief in this story that causes me to attack myself with headaches. It is the hidden rage I hold and then think I deserve what manifests as headache. It then makes the error (thought of separation) appear real. Only with the guidance of Spirit will this error be undone. With the constant, unfailing guidance of my holy Self, will I finally come to recognize Love for what It is and pain for what it is. I will accept the undoing of error and know the truth about myself and everyone. Why not accept this now? Why wait for a "future" freedom, a future atonement, when it is here now?

The false self will do anything to keep me from looking within and seeing the unity of my Father, brothers and Christ. For the light is within me; the truth, peace and joy are within me. When I look on the truth of my Being, I will attack myself no more. I will see the error for what it is/was. The light of Love will remain undimmed, unclouded, a beacon for others to follow and know their true Selves.

What God creates is eternal. God's Love is eternal. I am eternal Love. Everyone is eternal Love.

Click here if you want to email Mary.

What Is My Business and What Is Not My Business? -- by Rev. Mary Stoelting

When growing up I heard, "Don't mind what other people are doing or saying and stick to your own business." When I get quiet enough to feel the Presence of Love in my mind, I remember what my real business is -- my real purpose for being here. I am reminded that, in truth, my highest priority is to heal my mind.

My Inner Teacher knows my business -- what my real job is. When I get wrapped up in worldly matters, I forget the priorities of my Inner Teacher -- the Holy Spirit. When I forget, everything else seems more important than quieting my mind and letting myself be taught by the One who knows and remembers for me, the Holy Spirit.

When I sit down and read A Course in Miracles, I am reminded often that I do not know. I really need this reminding, because so often I think I do know, and it seems unnecessary to take the time to be quiet and consult the Holy Spirit about my priorities. The worldly matters at the time seem so important that they need to come first. When I am in this mind set, stopping to spend time with Holy Spirit gets delayed or even deleted from my busy daily schedule.

Because I find it so easy to get wrapped up in the "busy-ness" of this world, It is important to remember that I need help. The Course tells me that the reason the world was made is to maintain the belief in separation. I am gradually getting it that underneath most of the "business" of this world is really the motivation to reinforce individuality (division) and to avoid the awareness of oneness -- that we are really one in the Mind of Love. I am learning that whenever I feel lack, whenever I am coming from a mind set that I am an individual with unique likes and dislikes, whenever I think I am separate from an "other," my brother or God, whenever I think I am different -- I am not tending to my real business. It is the business of forgiveness --the business of letting go of the false idea of separation in whatever form it takes.

I am learning I need to stop often, quiet my mind and consult with my Inner Teacher, who will remind me once again what my real business is. I am glad the Holy Spirit has so much patience, and is so consistent. When I allow It in, the peace and joy and Love of the Spirit of Oneness is always there, eternally, waiting my return to allowing in the truth of oneness in Love.

The Course reminds us, "God is but Love and therefore so am I." When I am willing to quiet my mind and listen, I can feel the truth of these words. All the business of the world falls away as the Light of peace shines in my mind. There is nothing to "get." It is all here now.

The reason I am writing this article is to reinforce more deeply in my mind the need to pay more attention to my real business -- my real life purpose -- which is to return to the awareness of Oneness with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

The only way to do this is for me to remember once again that, of myself, I do not know. But I have within me One who does. When I am willing to listen, this Inner Teacher helps me recognize the false ideas which are reinforcing the belief in separation. My Inner Teacher shines a Light on these ideas so I can see that they are really meaningless. As I let in the peace of the Holy Spirit, all sense of urgency, all the busy-ness of the world, falls away. I am led to tend to my real business -- the business of waking up to what is real -- Love.

Click here if you want to email Mary.

Renewal -- by Rev. Kevin L. Fields

I found what I was seeking in this Holy Place: A re-connection and recommitment to my Spirit, the Holy Spirit and the path that I had set upon so long ago. This quiet place had found me a year ago, in the same manner that Pathways of Light had found me. In the quiet of this predawn moment, I am reminded of the Light which shines in us all, and of the ongoing awakening which is transforming our lives.

I first came to this Hermitage almost a year ago. Where had the year gone? In that period of time, I had started massage school, changed jobs, moved to another city, and laid down the Pathways of Light work which had opened up the possibilities that had become realities in my life.

I had allowed the busy-ness of life to overshadow the commitment I had made to the Holy Spirit, and I had judged myself harshly for it. In the ensuing chaos that was created, I almost lost sight of the Truth, for and of us all -- that as we do to ourselves, we do to each other.

I had not allowed myself what I believed to be the luxury of rest and renewal. Today, I am sure that rest and renewal are as necessary as the air that we breathe. Now, in this quiet moment, my Spirit sings for another lesson has been learned, another desert crossed.

Nearly two weeks ago, while in meditation, a still, small voice reminded me of the commitment I had made to my ongoing spiritual growth. And I was "told" to pick up the work once more, to make time in the seeming endless busy-ness to reconnect with the Power that had saved my mortal life.

Coming out of the silence, I called my Pathways of Light facilitator and shared the experience. Gently and patiently, she told me that when the Holy Spirit speaks, we have the choice to listen or not. She suggested I listen, following the lead of my Heart. So, I put down the anatomy lesson I was preparing to study, opened the Pathways lesson I had been working on, and opened my mind and heart to the healing that all-ways comes when I am willing.

So now, sharing these events with those I may never meet but know, I am convinced you know what I speak of: Those times in all of our lives when ego tells us we are too busy to stop and "indulge" our Spirit, that everything is just fine, or that our work can wait just one more day. You know what I am talking about. But even the Christ had to go "...to a quiet place to Pray..." and in doing that I found that the Holy Spirit had not moved away at all, I had.

It is no wonder that I had grown weary, and physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually tired. Perhaps ego tried to tell me that I could do "it" without the rest and renewal my Spirit needed. I do not know. What I do know, however, is that the Pathways of Light that had found me is still shining, and that the Holy Being that I am, we all are, was patiently waiting for me to return to Love.

As the sun begins to brighten the morning sky, I find gratitude welling up from deep inside me. Gratitude that the door to Spirit and Love is not ever closed. As the birds outside my Hermitage begin their song of praise to the new day, I feel gratitude for the awareness that each moment is like a new day in which we can recommit to the holy work we are called to and have chosen. This work of continued awakening for ourselves and others who seek what we have found.

I am reminded of the words of Jesus, "...I am with you all-ways..." I know that Love is with us always, even in those times we cannot see It or feel It. Our lives as students on the path are living testaments to this truth. Love has brought us together, to remind us we are not ever separated.

What was I seeking in this holy place? The joy and comfort that only spiritual awareness can bring. I am at peace, I am in Love with all that is. I am re-newed.

Click here to email Kevin.

Journaling with Holy Spirit -- by Rev. Bob Slawson

In my journaling with Holy Spirit, I have had many profound experiences. I would like to relate a few of them. My practice is to type my questions or concerns on my laptop computer and wait for answers.

I was reading one of Robert Perry's booklets about my three selves: 1. The Christ, 2. The mind, 3. The ego. The Christ, who never left heaven and always remained with and part of God. The mind, who knows who he really is but is experiencing living inside a body. The ego, who believes he is a separate identity, a human being, separate from all others, unique and individual. Perry was also speaking about when this dream began and that God's answer to it was the Holy Spirit. He said that none of this really happened, that we are just dreaming and our Reality is as it has always been, that we are safe at Home with God.

My Question

If this is true, why does this world seem so real, and why does my body feel pain and experience growing old? Why am I haunted by lingering beliefs that this world is real? Holy Spirit, help me to release these beliefs and choose only to listen to You. Help me release the pain of specialness, and see all my brothers as the same -- the Christ. Help me!

Holy Spirit's Response

My precious child, I hear your cry for love. I hear your longing for the Truth. You have always had the answer. You have had the awareness of the solution for some time. Your willingness is inconsistent. Your discipline has been lacking. You have been easily distracted. You have frequently chosen to listen to that part of your mind that doesn't know the meaning of truth. You must choose to listen to Me. I will not impose on you. You must willingly ask for My help, as you are presently.

You do not require a computer, you need not write all I tell you. What we are doing now is helpful, but it is not to be the only time you call on Me. The world you see will exist in form until you discipline your mind to the point that you hear only the Voice for God. You can do this. It is within your power. But, it is a choice! You still see an attraction to the body, and this is because you still think it is real. If you really wish my help, then do the following: Use your computer with me, whenever you think of bodily thoughts, i.e., physical pain, desire to smoke, hunger, thirst, anger, envy, sexual desire, or any thoughts of lack of any kind. Ask me to reinterpret and redirect your thoughts. I can't change your thoughts for you, but I can assist you when you ask for help.

I ask, "What lesson am I to have today?"

Today we will discuss listening. You think you listen with your ears. You do not. What you hear with your ears is not real. You pay great attention to what you hear with your ears. You also pay great attention to what you hear through your mind. But most of the time you are unaware that you are hearing a thing. That is your problem. You must be vigilant about your thoughts. It is your thoughts that are speaking to you. And you are listening to your thoughts. There are two thought systems that speak to you. It may seem to you that there are many voices that speak. However, there are but two thought systems. There is the system that you made up that we call the ego system and there is God's. We may call this Voice the Holy Spirit, Jesus or the Voice for God.

Any time you think you hear with your ears, you begin the perceiving process. You take what you think you heard through your ears and filter it through either one of your thought systems. You decide which system to use or listen to. You are rarely aware that you are doing this. That is what must change. When I say you must be vigilant, this what I mean. If you are not conscious of this process, you are listening to the ego. Until you form a strong habit of deliberately listening to Me, asking for My help, you will need to be alert.

Do not worry about this. This will take time, but that is what this world is for. You will not always listen to Me, or when you do, you will not always do what I advise. That is not a reason to feel guilty. There is never a reason to feel guilty. The ego thought system has taught you to feel guilty at the smallest mistake or error. The Voice for God tells you that you are perfect now and always have been because you were created by God, like God and can never change. If you believe you have sinned, then you believe you deserve to be punished. This is exactly what the ego thought system wants you to believe. This is a lie. The Son of God cannot sin. The Son of God can do no wrong. The Son of God is perfect just exactly like His Father.

The thoughts you have are made by you and, because they are, you have complete control over them. That is what is meant by freedom of choice. You can choose to be in fear or in peace. You can choose to have joy or pain. It is all up to you.

In the long term, however, God's Will shall prevail. You will see the Light and listen to the Voice for God and realize Who you really are. Until then practice awareness, and ask for my help.

My Question

My concerns revolve around my health and my age. Will I be able to take care of myself? Will I be able to stay at Pathways? I don't think I fear dying, but I fear a long illness where I cannot manage on my own. I guess I fear being alone.

Holy Spirit's Response

My child, I have already told you that you are never alone, nor can you ever be alone. I am always with you. You listen to other voices that tell you that you will be helpless and unable to fend for yourself. You listen to the voice for deceit that tells you lies that only make you afraid and unhappy. You listen to the voice that tells you that you do not deserve to be happy and that you have forfeited the very right to peace and love. That is nonsense! You are the beloved Son of God! It is your inheritance to be joyful, happy, content, at perfect peace and loved.

You lack trust in Me. You still have a great investment in your body. You still think that is who you are. You question what will happen after your body is laid aside. At times you seem obsessed with this question. The answer is that nothing changes. You will still be the perfect Son of God. Do not worry. You are safe. You will always be safe. Nothing can ever harm you. Only you can cause what appears to be danger or harm to you.

Nothing happens outside of you because there is nothing outside of you. Only your thoughts can cause you pain and unhappiness. If you really want peace, then be careful of what you think. What you think is completely up to you. Nothing outside of you causes you to think. You do. There is nothing outside of you. Be vigilant of your thoughts.

If you want peace, continue to ask me for help. This is the way you will learn the Truth. It would be better if you asked every day.

Click here if you want to email Bob.

A Habit Revealed • What Is My Business and What Is Not My Business?
Renewal • Journaling with Holy Spirit • More Summer 2000 Articles