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January-March, 2023

Driving Home

by Rev. Joyce Peebles, Ordained Ministerial Counselor

Have you ever been driving while thinking about something else and missed an exit or arrived somewhere on autopilot because your mind was elsewhere? As bodies we can live our life like that too. Going through all the motions but not fully present. Unknowingly we choose blindness.

When you realized you have missed the exit you immediately seek to get back on track to your destination. The same occurs with our spiritual development. The Holy Spirit speaks, and we recognize where we are and decide to take another path. There are certain intersections we come to in life and we must make a choice. One of the most important intersections we come to is the recognition that love, compassion and empathy are essential. We can decide not to take this road but avoiding it does not get us where we want to go.

A road does not appear desirable until we learn what is valuable and what is valueless. Lesson 182 (8:1) says, “When you are still an instant, when the world recedes from you, when valueless ideas cease to have value in your restless mind, then will you hear His Voice.” This voice leads in the direction of love, compassion and empathy.

What stands in the way of taking this road? Our belief in victim-hood, blame and guilt, and the belief that what we are seeing is real rather than an illusion. From the point of view that the upset is a projection, a judgment made by my mind, a learning tool I need and want, I cannot be the victim or unfairly treated. I hear the Holy Spirit say the other person is always innocent, despite what appears to be happening. We are not these ego bodies.

The book, A Course in Miracles, is itself another intersection you come across on your journey. It is not the only road you can take to get home, but it is a shortcut. In the introduction it says, “This is a course(road) in miracles. It is a required course. Only the time you take it is voluntary. Free will does not mean that you can establish the curriculum. It means only that you can elect when you want to take it at a given time.” Whether you take this course or use another route, learning forgiveness, the fore bearer of miracles, is required.

Psychologist Lee Jampolsky Ph.D. says, “I may not know you, but I can say this: Much of the upset in your life is due to two reasons — either someone did not live up to your expectations, or some event did not go as you think you wanted it to go.” Ah, identifying with the ego body, I get my panties in a wad because somebody has fallen short of fulfilling the function I decided they should fill. Coming from this perspective, even my ego finds it hard to justify grievances.

Ego based thoughts and the Holy Spirit’s thoughts are opposites. One road leads to misery and one road leads to happiness. For example, as a human walking this earth Jesus’s focus was not on how others viewed him. It was on how he saw others as innocent or guilty because that told him how he saw himself. He recognized that other people were either giving love or they were asking for it, no exceptions. To accept this mindset is another intersection we come to on the journey home. We take the road that we want by what appears valuable at the time. Once we come to understand the road we are on cannot get us where we want to go, we finally take another road.

The road of love, compassion, and empathy; that sees others as innocent and perfect, and that recognizes others as either giving love or asking for it, is always before us. It is the fastest way home and only our misperceptions stand in our way.

Rev. Joyce Peebles is a Pathways of Light minister living in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

© 2022, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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January-March, 2023

Learning to Welcome Love

by Robert and Mary Stoelting, founders of Pathways of Light

The world we see is a mirror that shows us what we believe is real. The perception of a world outside is a projection of our beliefs. This is an important key that the Holy Spirit uses to show us where our mind needs healing.

If the world we see seems to make us feel unhappy, fearful or unloved, we are being shown a belief that needs healing. If we practice bringing these perceptions to the Holy Spirit for His loving correction, we step forward on our journey of awakening to Love. Love is ever present. It is What we are.

We have induced a dream of lovelessness by identifying with the ego thought system of separation from God’s Love. But the Holy Spirit will gently help us awaken from this dream. He shows us the Love beyond the appearances if we are willing to accept His help. He helps us respond to calls for Love which we may see in others. These calls represent our own calls based on our belief in lack of Love.

Mary: I had an experience recently that showed me where there was a need to heal my mind. One morning we turned on the television to catch the weather report. What came on the screen was a video of three policemen punching a teenager who was on the ground. He looked unconscious and didn’t seem to be a threat to the policemen. It seemed shocking to me that they just kept punching him. I found myself tensing up and judging the policemen.

Fortunately I noticed how judgmental and tense I was feeling. I paused and took a deep breath… and asked, “Holy Spirit, how would you have me see this?” … I was quietly reminded of the eternal and changeless innocence of these three policemen. I was reminded that the ego’s world of fear and attack was just a dream and could never be the eternal truth of these three men. 

In Workbook Lesson 250 we are told, “Let me behold the Son of God today, and witness to his glory. Let me not try to obscure the holy light in him, and see his strength diminished and reduced to frailty; nor perceive the lacks in him with which I would attack his sovereignty.

He is Your Son, my Father. And today I would behold his gentleness instead of my illusions. He is what I am, and as I see him so I see myself. Today I would see truly, that this day I may at last identify with him.”

As I keep practicing day by day, I continue to learn that Love has no limits, being eternal and changeless. I am called to return to the truth of Love’s oneness unceasingly. I answer the call by accepting the Holy Spirit’s help to heal my false beliefs and welcome the Love that is ever present.

How Do We Welcome Love?

We welcome Love as we are willing to remember that God is one and it is His Will that everything He creates is one with Him. Separation is not His Will and is therefore impossible. Because this world comes from the belief in separation, all our perceptions in the world that are based on this belief are false. This whole world can be completely undone by withdrawing belief in separation. But because we believe in separation, it is real to us and to withdraw that belief we need help from outside that belief system to guide us back to Reality. That is the Holy Spirit’s role in our mind. Our belief in lies has confused us about the truth. We need to learn to turn to the Holy Spirit, Who will help us out of this confusion and avoid pain.

Remember that what we believe is true for us. That does not make it true in reality, but we experience it as true because of our belief.

Robert: Recently I had an experience in which I had been told information and I believed it was true. I relayed the information, fully believing it was true. Then I learned from a source with a bigger picture that the information I had received was only a potential for truth sometime in the future but not yet a “fact” in this world. With this new information I changed my belief so what had seemed to be true was no longer true for me.

This second source of information could be likened to the Holy Spirit in our minds. The Holy Spirit sees all of totality. From this perspective, He is able to bring us a bigger picture, if we are willing to receive His insight. This allows us to recognize where we have been believing in a falsity. “His Voice will teach you how to distinguish between pain and joy, and will lead you out of the confusion you have made.” (T-7.X.7:3)

No one believes in a lie they recognize as a lie. And so with the Holy Spirit’s help, we can let go of our false beliefs and learn to accept into our minds only what is true. That is our only need: To let go of the false and accept only what is true into our minds. This is how we return to the Heaven of our unity with Love.

When we let the Holy Spirit guide our perception, we see no one as a body and do not confuse the behavior of the body with the Son of God. The Son of God remains as he was created — Love and nothing else. It is this and only this the Holy Spirit sees in all our brothers.

Why is seeing our oneness with our brother so important to our awakening?

It is important because we need to return to the truth that Love is one. Being one, Love cannot perceive separate things. It cannot prefer one thing over another, value one thing more than another and be Itself.

Love gives itself equally to all. God, being Love, gives Himself equally to all His Sons and so His Sons are one. To know our Self as God created It, we must see the Love that is the same in all things. Love sees past differences to the oneness of Love in everyone.

The ego is a thought system that makes up a world with countless different forms so that it appears justifiable to value one thing more than another. This is just a typical ego mechanism to hold separation in place. We are being told not to believe the ego’s lies, not to let the ego thought system be our teacher.

We do have a Teacher in our mind Who will always show us the vision of Love with perfect impartiality. As we listen to this Teacher, we will learn to embrace the Love that is in all things and is all that is real. We will experience the inclusion of the truth in all things as our one Self. “If you are to be conflict-free yourself, you must learn only from the Holy Spirit and teach only by Him. You are only Love, but when you deny this, you make what you are something you must learn to remember.” (T-6.III.2:2-3)

Here is perfect safety. As we identify with the vision of the Holy Spirit that shows us the reality of Love, our only response to every experience, every perception, is to embrace the Love in it, knowing it is our own. Form has no meaning of its own. We return to peace as we let the Holy Spirit teach us the only real meaning, which could only be Love for only Love is real.

It only seems difficult to follow the Holy Spirit’s universal teaching because there are still some beliefs that we treasure and want to keep. If we believe we are the ego, then giving up our unique individuality seems to be loss.

The Course is here as an instrument of the Holy Spirit to gently and patiently teach us that the ego offers us nothing of value. It is teaching us where we can find the lasting happiness and Love that we thought we lost. This teaching has two parts. One helps us undo our mistaken beliefs in what is valuable. The other teaches us the value of the knowledge of oneness we have thrown away. We will only release something if we believe that by releasing it we will gain something of greater value. Thus the Course offers us a means to give up what is truly valueless and accept what is truly invaluable — the Love of God.

The Holy Spirit tells us, “Teach only Love, for that is what you are.” (T-6.III.2:4) As we practice extending only Love, we are teaching It and learning It. This is where our true safety lies. As we let go of the ego thought system which is an attempt to attack God’s oneness, Reality can dawn upon our mind. Within God’s Reality comes a deep sense of safety and well-being — a knowing that all is truly well. Nothing can harm or be harmed. All are truly safe, no matter what nightmares anyone may be dreaming.

Jesus tells us, …“your salvation lies in teaching the exact opposite of everything the ego believes. This is how you will learn the truth that will set you free and will keep you free as others learn it of you.” (T-6.III.4:1-2)

That is what our job is now, learning and teaching the exact opposite of everything the ego believes. The ego believes in separate bodies. The Holy Spirit knows only oneness. The ego believes we are alone and vulnerable. The Holy Spirit knows, “Your Godlike mind can never be defiled.” (T-6.III.1:6)

Your Godlike mind is Love. Your Godlike mind is What you are. As we are willing to relinquish attack, which is the ego thought system, we return to remember that we are Love. We teach peace by being peaceful, knowing we are safe in the oneness of God.

Robert and Mary Stoelting are Founders of Pathways of Light. Web: http://www.pathwaysoflight.org Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

© 2022, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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January-March, 2023

Release Judgments and Be Free

by Rev. Dan Strodl, Ordained Ministerial Counselor

Judgments are the ego’s favorite tool for keeping us locked in hell. Not neutral judgments like “what should I wear today, what shall I eat for dinner, who shall I call” but condemnation judgments like “You’re fat. I’m stupid. You’re mad.” These judgments fill our minds with fear, hate, anger and separation. They pop into our minds and thrive in unconsciousness.

But we can escape these judgments, first by being aware of them, and then asking the Holy Spirit to help us see them with our right minds.  The Holy Spirit is always there to lift us up out of the insanity of judgments to love and peace.

“You have no idea of the tremendous release and deep peace that comes from meeting yourself and your brothers totally without judgment.”  (T-3.VI.3:1) 

My mind used to be full of judgments about myself and others, but as I noticed them and gave them to the Holy Spirit for healing, they weakened and disappeared. I still get triggered by the ego’s judgments, but not as often.

I had a judgment about a girl recently… she was in a study group I used to go to, and she wanted to meet up for coffee. We met, and she talked and talked and talked for an hour and a half. She never asked me how I was. I felt upset and judged her as selfish and self-obsessed. I gave it to the Holy Spirit and asked, “How would you have me see this?” What came to me was “She is alone and has no-one to talk to, she just wants to be heard. Open your heart and listen. And you can set a time limit, maybe half an hour.”  She wants to meet me again and I’m happy to see her, but I will have a time limit.

Another judgment… I saw an old man sitting on the street begging, and he had a sign which said “Any change please.” I don’t carry change, so I kept walking. Then I remembered that I had a £5 note… so I turned around and bent down to his level, looked at him in the eyes, and I said “How are you?” He said “Go away.” I held out the £5 note and said “Here, this is for you.” He took the money and said “Go away.” I got up and walked away, and I felt upset that he could be so rude and ungrateful. So I paused and asked the Holy Spirit “How would you have me see this?” What I received was, “Give love without expecting anything in return.”

Another one I had yesterday… I was walking down the street, and a woman and a young girl (maybe 5 years old) were walking towards me holding hands. As they got close, I noticed that the little girl had make-up on, including lipstick. Judgments kicked in, and I thought “What’s wrong with that mum. How could she let her little girl wear makeup. How could she let her daughter look so ridiculous.” I noticed that I was judging her, so I paused and asked Holy Spirit for a new way to see this. What came to me was “Times are constantly changing, there are no rules. It’s all meaningless.”  So I let it go and returned to peace.

I’m so grateful for all the opportunities to catch my judgments and have Holy Spirit heal my mind.

Rev. Dan Strodl is a Manager of Miracle Network, A Pathways of Light Spiritual Counselor, Accessing Your Inner Wisdom Counselor, Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

© 2022, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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January-March, 2023

The Three Bullet Points

by Rev. Larry Glenz, Ordained Ministerial Counselor

About twelve years ago or so, I took a trip from Long Island down to Ormond Beach, FL to see Robert and Mary at the new Florida home of Pathways of Light. I was leasing a new 2014 Mustang convertible and I was looking forward to taking it on a long trip. I had something on my mind, and I wanted to talk to Robert and Mary and see the new headquarters in Florida.

I was retired from teaching social studies at Lynbrook High School and my son, Kevin had passed a few years earlier at the age of 27. I was being guided to speak to high school kids about Kevin’s struggle as an opioid addict. I wanted to refine my words to meet with what I had learned from my years as a student of A Course in Miracles.

I wanted a final uplifting message after telling the chilling story of the All-American boy who fell into the depths of addiction and died after 7 years of rehabs, recovery, and relapses. I needed to believe that I was inspiring the audience instead of scaring them with the horror of drug addiction.

I stayed in the guest house on the Pathways of Light property for two nights. Through my meditations and my conversations with Robert and Mary, I was able to come up with three bullet points for the conclusion of my PowerPoint presentations:

• In this world, only the Love matters

• Forgiveness is the key to happiness

• Great strength comes from a connection to your Higher Power

On my drive back to NY, I had the top down and the music blasting all the way. I knew I had my message. I was made ready to speak to thousands of young people and their parents over the next decade.

Fast-forward to this week. These past two mornings I had the opportunity to speak to the students of Connetquot HS out on Long Island. I did a separate one hour-long presentation for each class – freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors. I spoke to over 1800 students in all.

For the first bullet point, I speak of how I feel Kevin’s presence with his arm around me as I speak to them. I explain how I never lost the love that Kevin and I have always had. Having that love with me has allowed me to heal from the tragedy and reach out to others about the dangers of opioid abuse.

The second bullet is from Lesson 121 of the Workbook of ACIM. I spoke of how I had to forgive myself for not being able to save my son’s life. I had to forgive Kevin for his disease of addiction. I had to forgive everyone involved or I would continue to suffer. I believe that when I healed, Kevin’s mom, brother and extended family were also able to heal. I explain that this type of tragedy happens in good families and guilt is not justified.

In reference to the third bullet, I speak briefly of my connection to my Higher Power as the reason I have been able to heal myself. I explain that this connection is not something that I could give to Kevin or anyone else. But my example — my demonstration of healing — seems to help those who loved Kevin the most.

At the very end of all my presentations I lighten the mood. I show pictures of Kevin’s daughter Olivia from over the years and that she has grown to be a beautiful 13-year-old girl. My family’s focus is united on our love for her. Olivia was only four months old when Kevin passed. She is a big part of our healing.

As I was leaving the gymnasium, I was presented with some thank you notes from the freshmen class that I spoke to the day before. They touched my heart. Some said that the most meaningful part to them was “only the love matters in this world.” Others said that they are thinking about the power of forgiveness and to whom they need to apply it. There were so many touching comments and it filled me with such gratitude.

My ministry seems to be taking some new forms lately. I continue to try to let Spirit take the lead and direct me to where I need to go and what to say, and to whom. And I am so grateful to be in His service.

Rev. Larry Glenz, O.M.C., is a Pathways of Light minister living in Long Beach, NY. Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

© 2022, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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