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January-March, 2007

The Importance of Remembering “I Know Nothing”

by Revs. Robert & Mary Stoelting

It is thinking we already know ‘what’s what’ that blocks the Holy Spirit from entering our minds. When we think we are separate and alone and can think clearly on our own, we are mistaken. The separation we see through our body’s eyes is really showing us the opposite of the truth of our oneness in God’s Love.

Then how do we function in this world? The answer is to develop the habit of stepping back and being willing to follow Holy Spirit’s lead.

In Text, Chapter 14 we are taught to say to ourselves when anything threatens our peace, “I do not know what anything, including this means. And so I do not know how to respond to it. And I will not use my own past learning as the light to guide me now.” T-14.XI.6:7-9

This stepping back takes vigilance because the ego’s purpose for this world is to be independent — to decide things on our own — and to project the guilt we feel onto others.

Reversing this habit of making decisions on our own takes some work. It takes consistent practice. When it says, “I need do nothing” in the Course, it is reminding us that it is not our job to usurp what is Holy Spirit’s job. Our job is to step back and let Him lead the way. Our job is to be quiet and listen. Our job is to step back from what we think we know and be taught true perception, which is the opposite of the perception of separation. “To do nothing is to rest, and make a place within you where the activity of the body ceases to demand attention. Into this place the Holy Spirit comes, and there abides.” T-18.VII.7:7-8

In Chapter 27, Section IV of the Text it says, “In quietness are all things answered, and is every problem quietly resolved.” T-27.IV.1:1 When we develop the habit of giving time to quiet listening with an open mind, one of the first things we receive is Holy Spirit’s gift of peace. We can tell if we are truly opening up to the Holy Spirit by the level of peace we experience. If we remain locked in our squirrel cage of going round and round in our deluded thought system, we effectively block receiving Holy Spirit’s gift of peace.

If we soften and allow peace to enter our minds, we will notice a difference in how we feel. Holy Spirit’s gift of peace is not a small gift. It lightens our mind and brings us to an awareness that we are being carried to the truth, if we allow it.

As we allow peace to fill our hearts and minds, our sense of irritation disappears. All tension fades. The magnitude of peace is known. The gentleness of peace is felt. We love God’s gift of peace and we would carry it in our awareness. We would not push it away. We would be in peace. We would extend the peace we receive. We know there is no other way to experience true and lasting happiness.

And all this comes from remembering this one thing — “By myself, I know nothing.” Stepping back and letting Holy Spirit bring us to a peaceful state of mind starts the whole ball rolling in the right direction — toward awakening to the truth.

There is a quote in the Course which applies here that is our favorite — “I must have decided wrongly, because I am not at peace. I made the decision myself, but I can also decide otherwise. I want to decide otherwise, because I want to be at peace. I do not feel guilty, because the Holy Spirit will undo all the consequences of my wrong decision if I will let Him. I choose to let Him, by allowing Him to decide for God for me.” T-5.VII.6:7-11

Mary & Robert Stoelting are co-founers of Pathways of Light. They live at the Pathways of Light Center in Kiel, Wisconsin.

© 2007, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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January-March, 2007

How to Bring Immediate Healing to Any Relationship

by Revs. Paul and Deborah Phelps

The following are excerpts from Paul and Deb’s Appreciation Inspiration Method for enhancing your relationships. Paul and Deb will also be facilitating a workshop on July 14-15 at Pathways of Light.

Recently we recorded our insights about our TALKS Appreciation Inspiration Method before a live audience at Pathways of Light. This method helps to bring immediate positive healing effects in any relationship. Appreciation Inspirations can be used to shift any uncomfortable situation or conflict with another person to a place of forgiveness, healing, release, peace and love in a matter of minutes, no matter how long the particular situation existed.

Appreciation Inspirations bring us to a better place of feeling good about ourselves. The more we practice giving Appreciation Inspirations, the better we feel and the better we get at extending them. More joy begins to fill our life experience with others and with ourselves. We begin to feel more connected and in harmony with God.

Note: Listen to a 3 minute sample clip and read more on our Appreciation Inspiration site at http://www.appreciationinspiration.org

Process: We encourage you to take a moment to reflect on Lesson 195, “Love is the way I walk in gratitude.” After you are finished, let someone come to mind, someone who seems to be an enemy, someone whom you may have been in conflict with either presently or in the past. Then begin the following process:

First, set your intention with Holy Spirit.

“Holy Spirit, I am willing to walk my life in gratitude. And I do so now with my brother ________.”

Then begin to write things that you are grateful for about this person for a minimum of 30 minutes. Write each grateful thought that comes to mind on a line. Then think of another, then write that on the next line. Continue this process until you fill the page or until you feel complete. When finished, journal on your experience.

We are reminded of the Truly Helpful prayer on p. 28 of the Course. We’ve changed the words here slightly to affirm for ourselves the idea of adding appreciation into our daily lives.

I am here only to be appreciative.

I am here to appreciate through Him Who sent me.

I do not have to worry about when or what to say because He Who sent me will direct me in appreciation.

I am content to be where He wishes, knowing that those who I am to appreciate will be there before me as He goes there with me.

I will feel appreciated as I let Him teach me to appreciate my brothers.

Through this will we see that to give and to receive are one in truth!

Remember to join thanks and praise, appreciation and gratitude to Him Who helps you accomplish all your goals of forgiveness today. Joy and blessings and good tidings to you today! Do not be afraid that you cannot accomplish this with Him today. Turn this fear over to trust, surrender to Him every fearful thought you have today and let Him take care of your day for you. He has a wonderful lesson plan for you for, He is a wonderful Teacher and Friend indeed.

Remember to trust and surrender and to forgive today. Be at peace, walk in peace,  walk in complete trust, walk in complete surrender to peace today. Let every step you make symbolize your choice of stepping into peace in that moment. You may find it helpful to quietly say to yourself, “I am at peace,” as you mindfully make every step today. —From our Reflections on Lesson 279.

Rev’s Paul & Deb Phelps are Pathways of Light ministers living in Madison, Wisconsin. Their website: http://www.miraclesone.org

© 2007, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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January-March, 2007

True Balance

by Rev. Cheryl Ford

It seems that on the path of spiritual enlightenment we are always trying to find some sense of balance in regard to our spirituality and the world of form. Jesus’ interpretation of balance in Tom & Linda Carpenter’s book, Dialogue on Awakening says, “Attempting to achieve a sense of balance between the infinite and the finite intellectually is much like juggling a combination of feathers and bowling balls.”

To me, this statement is so true, and I became painfully aware of it over the last week when I felt inundated with attempting to balance work, family and spiritual practice. I actually had an insane schedule for work that required a lot of advanced planning, paperwork, driving and full day meetings that exhausted me mentally and greatly reduced my connection with Holy Spirit.

Basically, although the meetings themselves were always quite wonderful with kind and pleasant people, in between meetings I found myself feeling overwhelmed and irritable. I felt pressed for time and reactive. I even found myself complaining to friends and family about how busy I was and how put upon I felt!

Ironically, two weeks ago I wrote in my journal about being in God’s grace and recited a quote from the Course that said, once the “table is prepared, it [grace] is inevitable and will come instantly to the alter [mind] that is clean and holy for the gift.” (ACIM) In light of my experience, I really learned a lesson about the real meaning of that quote.

As I mentioned earlier, I noticed that my connection with Spirit seemed greatly reduced. If it were strong, I believe I would have remembered that feeling overwhelmed is simply a trick the ego plays on the mind. In reality, we are totally capable, unlimited beings who have access to the endless energy supply of the universe.

The Course says, ‘in a state of God’s grace we can dip into oneness whenever we want to bring back the light with us…’ Yet, I felt I was not receiving this ‘gift’ because I was simply not making a space for it at my table.

According to the Course, ‘peace comes to the quiet mind,’ the mind that is receptive and open. Holy Spirit will never barge His way in uninvited. But if we can only show a little willingness, and find a center within us somewhere where we can sit with Him awhile, He is there.

By the end of the week, this idea became crystal clear… In retrospect, I did notice little ways that Spirit attempted to throw me a life raft. One way was the unexpected arrival of a full copy of the Peace Pilgrim’s biography that I had requested months ago and had completely forgotten about. Reading about her dedication to service and cheerful exploits while walking 25,000 miles on foot gave me a lot of comfort, as well as wonderful reminders of what it means to be committed to Spirit.

Another life raft was the ‘Tuesdays with Spirit’ program online at ACIM Gather. The opportunity to join each week with amazing like-minded individuals around the world in a learning-teaching forum is an incredible blessing! It also provided a dedicated space and time that I had to commune with Spirit together with others.

Another was a conference call with Pathways of Light in Kiel, for the development of POL-UK. Chatting with other ministers and friends was productive and heart-warming and helped me to feel that I was being led in my ministry. There was also a wonderful training call with two other ministers where I’m learning to facilitate a spiritual relationships counseling program.

Lastly, was the loving, gentle teaching directly from Spirit over the weekend that reminded me to stay in present moment awareness, and to remember that I do not have to look forward to things anxiously with a feeling of dread. After all, what is impossible for me is completely possible with God, and I am never alone.

There is a poem called ‘Footprints in the Sand,’ where an old man with Jesus looks back on the years of his life and witnesses two sets of prints in the sand during the good times, but only one set during the hard times. The man turns to Jesus and says, ‘I notice your footprints along with mine during the good times of my life, but where were you during the bad times?’ Jesus responds kindly, “It was then that I carried you.”

This poem always brings a tear to my eye when I think of the tenderness of God’s Love and how often I simply don’t notice. I vainly attempt to ‘balance’ truth and illusion and the two are just not compatible; like feathers and bowling balls. I’m so grateful to know that Spirit is always with me and all I need do is remember Him.

Rev. Cheryl Ford is a Pathways of Light minister living in Birmingham, England. Read more of her inspiring Healing Journal articles on the Pathways of Light web site. Web site: http://www.awakentothelight.org

© 2007, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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January-March, 2007

The Price of Being Right

by Rev. Mary Manke

We recently went to Menard’s and picked out a carpet remnant for the office.

My partner was tired and ready to leave, asking if there was anything else we needed to look at. I made a comment about kitchen flooring, which he again dismissed. He surmises that “I” want everything “new” in the house. So the ego mind flipped out. I abruptly walked away. My behavior made it plain that I was angry — but also there was “hurt” — Is that about my request being denied? Or that my judgment is solely wrong?

As I waited by the exit, I wondered what this was reflecting back to me? A belief that I never “get” what I want? Or the belief that I have to struggle or fight to get anything? The pain “I” experience is only from my thoughts.

“I am never upset for the reason I think. I am upset because I think I am in competition with God.” (When I am upset with my brother, I am in competition with God.)

The Course is teaching me that when I attack a brother, I am really attacking myself. (There is no ‘other’ out there.) When I attack myself, I’m really attacking God.

Yet, I am part of God. God does not attack Himself, so my belief is insane. I hold my insane thoughts so I can “be right” and stay in the world as I know it. And I continue to inflict more pain on myself. Don’t I know how to ask for help? Of course I do, but will I ask the correct One for help and healing? Am I willing to surrender my insanity? “My meaningless thoughts show me a meaningless world.”

I did not stop, ask for help and accept truth. That’s the real reason for my anger/upset. I wrote the script; I put those words into the actor’s mouth. And instead of forgiving the idea that I am lacking anything, I made the mistake of thinking this was real. Wanting to be right took precedent over being happy. I wrote that scene so I could have the opportunity to release the idea that I don’t have it all. The truth is I have been given everything; I am part of everything, everywhere, every instant. I am whole, complete, eternal.

Do I really want to continue the belief that I have nothing and am nothing? Do I really want to continue playing the innocent victim? The Course tells me over and over that the insanity will not last.

I will finally decide that I no longer want or need the pain. I will decide to wake from the silly dream, I will decide that I want truth above all else. My inner peace will be the witness that I have surrendered the insane ideas/thoughts. The inner peace will shine away the mistakes, bringing Light into every mind. And I am grateful that this is so.

Rev. Mary Manke is a Pathways of Light minister who lives in Wautoma, Wisconsin. Read more of her inspiring Healing Journal articles on the Pathways of Light web site.

© 2007, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
You may freely share copies of this with your friends, provided this copyright notice and website address are included.

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