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January-March, 2021

ACIM Practitioner Course 905

by Rev. Joyce Peebles, Ordained Ministerial Counselor

Reading A Course in Miracles is worthless unless I actually apply it to my life. It repeatedly tells of the need to practice looking beyond the body to see the Christ in everyone.

I just completed Pathways ACIM Practitioner course 905. We were asked to do a process with our mind healing partner on seeing the Christ in someone. Reference was made to Lesson 161 8:1-2 “Who sees a brother as a body sees him as fear’s symbol. And he will attack because what he beholds is his own fear external to himself, poised to attack, and howling to unite with him again.” I have a much clearer understanding of these words now.

The process with a partner was to read paragraphs 11 and 12 on Workbook pages 305 and 306. Then share our experience. My experience was that I had failed. My partner helped me to see I failed because I was attempting to use my ego thinking brain to figure the process out. She also reminded me that vision is a gift, and I must ask for it if I really want it.

The workbook instructed as follows, “Select one brother, symbol of the rest, and ask salvation of him. See him first as clearly as you can, in that same form to which you are accustomed. See his face, his hands and feet, his clothing. Watch him smile and see familiar gestures which he makes so frequently. Then think of this: What you are seeing now conceals from you the sight of one who can forgive you all your sins; whose sacred hands can take away the nails which pierce your own, and lift the crown of thorns which you have placed upon your bleeding head. Ask this of him, that he may set you free: Give me your blessing, holy Son of God. I would behold you with the eyes of Christ and see my perfect sinlessness in you.” (W-pI.161.11.1-8)

I reluctantly selected my sister. I did not want to think about her. I had given up years ago trying to have a relationship with her. The primary emotion she brings is fear. She suffers being lonely and friendless with a caustic personality. I did not want to think of her for at the time I did not genuinely desire to see her differently. Therefore, I announced to my partner that I had failed to see the Christ in this person.

My partner reminded me that the vision to see the Christ in her was a gift and one that I must ask for sincerely to receive. She also pointed out I would have to try again at another time as this process was not optional. We only wake up when we recognize the whole Sonship without exception. I could learn the lesson now or it would be presented to me again and again until I got it.

That night I was unable to sleep. I asked the Holy Spirit to help me see my sister differently. I asked for this gift of vision. The thought came to focus on what I know to be absolutely true. I thought that I am a Mind not a body and therefore healing must occur in the Mind. I also knew my reaction to my sister was one of fear. I was aware that I was using my fear of pain as a defense. I heard those words that in my defenselessness my safety lies. This must be true as Jesus is not a liar.

Since I am a Mind and fear was present, I understood that I projected my fear onto her to not look at it within myself.

When I entertained the tiny mad idea for specialness, I lost my awareness of having everything; all the love, safety and joy that is part of the Sonship. Then my vision changed; my Mind was crystal clear. “Who sees a brother (my sister) as a body sees him as fear’s symbol. And he will attack (my defensiveness and judgments against her), because what he beholds is his own fear external to himself, poised to attack, and howling to unite with him again.” (W-pI.161.8.1-2)

The only one needing forgiveness was me for believing false ideas of separation, vulnerability, the possibility that I was not safe. It was these false beliefs that needed changing, nothing external to me.

I was able to see my sister beyond the body and know her as Christ. My erroneous thinking was the source of the nails piercing my hands and the crown of thorns was of my own making. All that had happened was me projecting my fear, self-hatred, and guilt onto my sister.

As I clearly saw what was going on, I understood how she was my savior, a way to choose again how I saw her and liberate my mind.

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)

© 2020, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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January-March, 2021

Soul Nectar

by Rev. Mary Lenihan, Ordained Ministerial Counselor

Ever since a hummingbird and I had a mutual exchange of souls as I stood praying in the meditation garden outside St. Mary’s while my mom’s soul was moving towards full transparency; ever since, I have been communicating with my soul. Two weeks after the fluttering wings of the hummingbird danced Infinity upon my forehead, I received the meaning of this encounter and clear direction in these words, “to companion souls.” That answered an eternal question I had asked over many days and many of nights. Pouring myself out to the Holy Spirit, waiting upon Spirit to pour upon me.

I stepped outdoors for a walk muttering the words in my mind, “Soul, I want to connect with you.” The word soul does something for me. I am opened, drawn more inward, deeper, while the expansiveness lures me to envision what I otherwise would not see.

The Course doesn’t use the word “soul.” “The term “soul” is not used except in direct biblical quotations because of its highly controversial nature. It would, however, be an equivalent of “spirit,” with the understanding that, being of God, it is eternal and was never born.” (ACIM, Clarification of Terms) I can see that, but for me to call upon my soul is without the constriction of dogmatic walls. I have always been able, since a child sitting in the pew, to see beyond the traditional definitions, meanings, and understanding of “religious” words.

This walk had a purpose. Two questions are repetitively being asked of me by well-meaning people. Not having answers to these questions leaves me feeling hanging in midair, quite like the hummingbird. Hmm. Hummingbirds are said to pause in mid-flight to drink the sweet nectar from the flower. I suppose this is what I am doing in conversations with my soul~flower, consuming God’s sweet nectar.

Over many years several people have asked me in regard to our nonprofit, Pause For Inspiration. “Who is your target audience”? I have always thought, “What is it with this target audience business”? To which others will say, “Oh, you have to have a target audience, that’s how marketing works.” Hmm. Firstly, I have never been interested in marketing Pause or myself. I am willing to share my experiences of applying The Pause Practices with everyday life stuff, hopefully encouraging others to give it a whirl and experience it for themselves.

The purpose of Pause was to “Inspire the dispirited.” Pause is a simple blessing I received from Inner Inspiration. I trust Wisdom Within will provide the vision, arrange all encounters, and give me all I need to do my part in it. Let me tell you this, the way I see, and experience Pause, in NO WAY fits into the world’s ideas of “vision.”

Somewhat adrift with my soul, I ask these two questions. After all, who could answer these two questions better than who I am as God created me? As I walk with my soul, I am aware that I am remembering something. My soul is helping me to remember. The following communication ensues:

Soul: Mary, Pause is helping the whole world in ways seen and unseen. And as you accept your part in God’s plan for salvation, you will be doing your part in the world. Your cooperation on this side of the veil is essential. As you accept your part in God’s plan for salvation, that is cooperating.

Mary: I realize that my soul has relayed an ACIM lesson to me; “My part is essential in God’s plan for salvation.” (Lesson 98) Hmm, my soul knows the Course! And one of my favorite lessons. I look forward to opening the Course and practicing the lesson when I get home from walking. I feel immensely relieved. Since childhood I have been wanting to do my part, to know that I even had a part. Hoping for God’s sake that I did because otherwise, what was I doing here?

Acceptance brings with it no need to continue struggling with these ominous questions about Pause. No need to feel shame, that something is wrong with me because I can’t seem to focus on a target audience or conjure up a vanishing vision for Pause.

And the repetitive thoughts about “Am I doing my part? Is there something else I should be doing? What is my part?” can stop harassing me because I choose to hear another Voice, the Voice that was sent to speak for the Unspeakable.

I can stop feeling like a failure because I don’t have a business plan for something wonderful that was given me by a Mind so complete, an Insider LOVE, a LOVE that loves me; a LOVE who’s business plan is a healed mind, whose currency is forgiveness, and whose revenue is giving.

Now, I am clear that as long as I accept my part in God’s plan for salvation, I will be doing my part. The acceptance of my part is the fulfillment of my part because LOVE is the Great Fulfiller. How cool is that?

Soul:  Whew!

Mary: I began to laugh because it is all so simple. “They will see their function in your shining face, and hear God calling to them in your happy laugh.” (W.98) So, there you have it, our part. A shining face, a happy laugh, an embodiment of God’s calling to those longing to know their part, so they can once again be fulfilled. And, yes, an embodiment! The body has this glorious role as a vehicle of Inspiration’s communication that gives fulfillment. And so, I do not deny the body, yet I don’t identify myself as a body either. “Give me your face” says the Great Fulfiller. “Give me your laugh. Give me your tears. Give me your eyes. Give me every word that enters your consciousness, and I will give you back the Word in their place.”

Oh, how easy You make this sound. So mathematical. Give me this and I will give you that. “Holy Spirit, give me the how.”

HS:  When you judge people, you disrespect your Self. Self-respect is something I can give you; others cannot. Lack of respect for your soul and the communication it is constantly sharing within you, causes deep pain and inner conflict. You are at war with yourself. Self-acceptance is not surrender. It is the end of suffering. Acceptance of Self is the end of self-conflict, the war with yourself. There is no conflict, Mary. With whom would LOVE provoke a war? Let LOVE ~ love you.

HS:  Stop judging the self, in you and everyone else.

Mary:  But HOW do I stop judging the self? Show me —

HS:  I will show you. As you live your life, ask me all throughout the day, this question, “Holy Spirit, SHOW me how to accept my Self, in this moment?” And I will SHOW you. I will be a living, visual demonstration of the Word. Watch me, and follow.

Mary:  Okay. I can do that, beginning now.

Mary:  At that moment, my ACIM hourly lesson bell went off. It was Lesson 100, “My part is essential in God’s plan for salvation.” Hmm. Then I received the answers to those two annoying questions about the Pause target audience and vision in words the world seems to need right now! I saw the yellow book in my mind and the words I first heard when Pause showed up in October 2008.

“Someone needs to help these people. They need training on how to be helpful. We are all one another’s customers in this world. We are here to provide one another with supreme customer service — to be truly helpful. I am your customer. You are my customer. . . This is for the WHOLE WORLD.” (There’s the target audience!)

Then I saw the vision:

The Pause Vision is a simple one brought to life through Your Helpful Self.

Use these Pause Practices to meet Your Helpful Self and experience that it is in your shining face, your happy laugh, your voice, your hands, your feet, that LOVE ~ loves. Let LOVE ~ love you. Let LOVE ~ love everyone. Set your heart and mind at ease. Everyone is waiting to be truly loved. Pause is a Present Hope because of you.

Rev. Mary Lenihan, O.M.C., is a Pathways of Light minister living in St. Louis, MO.
She is Co-founder and Co-creator of www.pauseforinspiration.org
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

© 2020, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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January-March, 2021

Our Power Is in Our Willingness

by Rev. Maria Kingsley, Ordained Ministerial Counselor

When we are willing, we are in the Now.

Through our willingness, we can remember that what we are experiencing is our choice. Does it feel good or bad? When we don’t like it, we have the power of choice to change it.

Of course, sometimes we don’t want to change. We want to be right, be angry, feel justified and want others to feel the pain we are feeling. That is the moment when it is really important to ask for help.

In all the Pathways of Light courses, we begin with the Dedication Statement. It begins with “I am willing to …”

If we are not willing, nothing will happen. Even the bad things have to be willed by us. Yet we are usually not aware that we have chosen what we experience. We allow the little self to will for us, but there is no guarantee that the outcome will be a happy one.

I am willing to be mindful. I am willing to ask the Holy Spirit for help. An open mind is needed: Trusting that it will actually change what we experience. This world is not what it seems, and we have given all that we see the meaning it has for us.

I am always amazed what we can do when we want to accomplish something. Our mind is very powerful, but we have to believe in it.

There is one more ingredient that really helps, and that is Love.

When we use love, things run so much smoother. Love is not an emotion, and we don’t have to be ‘in love’ with something. Love is a power and an intelligence. We are asked to command with Love. We command our world to be what we co-create with the Divine. We will not do this alone, because we are all One. But we are here to extend love in whatever way is best, and guided for the greater good of all. Since we don’t really know what that is, we need the Guidance from the higher perspective.

Guidance is such a wonderful thing. It is gentle and yet clear. It is so helpful, and I have experienced often what happens when I don’t follow the gentle Voice within. It does seem a little tricky at times, because the guidance sometimes comes immediately before we act, and so there is no time to reconsider. Yet we will, at times, just go ahead with the wrong choice, and so we hurt ourselves, or we spill something, or we say the wrong thing.

I ordered a computer the other day, and I got Guidance that I should not go ahead with it. But I wanted that computer. Well, it was very messy, and I tried to correct some of the aspects of the purchase, but no matter what I did, it didn’t work out.

I got very angry and upset, and I tried to get the customer support with a foreign accent to do what I wanted, but he could not or would not. I finally decided to cancel the whole deal. It took my sleep that night, and I felt unsettled and unhappy for the rest of the day. When I finally canceled the order, it again took me a few hours to let the whole story go. But I felt better, and I realized I should have listened in the first place.

Fortunately, I realized right away I should not have made the purchase, and immediately after I did what I was not supposed to, I felt a twinge, almost like a pain, within. It was a recognition that I acted alone, I did not listen. It was a good lesson.

Why don’t we listen? Don’t we know that the gentle Voice within can see just a bit further than we can? We act out of habit, thinking we know best. Yet we do know that we don’t always know best.

It’s an inner Awareness that we need to practice and pay attention to. Ideally, we want to consistently ask ourselves, “Am I feeling good, or is there something in the background that I need to first pay attention to so that I am clear on what is happening in my life?” It is my life that I want to be clear about. It is this life within me that I am in charge of. I can steer it down a clear path and stay out of the bushes, or I can take what seems to be a shortcut and get stuck in no man’s land. Our little self will try to move us onto paths that follow our dreams or selfish wishes, but it does not get us to peace and joyful experiences.

And so, for myself, I choose to be willing.

Jesus tells us in ACIM to ask: “What do you want to come of it?”

And the answer is usually, “I want to feel good, be peaceful, have things work out for me and others.” But, in order to get there, or be there, we have to be guided and allow all things to be as they are, trusting that there is a way to get there. But we need help.

And so I need to be willing to let go of tension, to soften and imagine my true Self leading me into peace. Everything else will fall into place.

For the power to turn it over, I am thankful!

Rev. Maria Kingsley is a Pathways of Light minister living in Tucson, Arizona. Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  520-780-0170

© 2020, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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January-March, 2021

There Is and Old Ego That Lives in My Head

by Rev. Barbara Adams, Ordained Ministerial Counselor

There is an old ego that lives
in my head, has multiple voices.
I often feel dread.

Been trying to tame her and
drag her on down. “I got you,”
I scolded. She screeched
like a clown.

“Shut up!” I would tell her.
“Stop screaming at me.”
“Your voice is so loud.
I’ll never be free!”

“I know,”I once offered.
“I’ll smother your face.
And then I’ll be happy
and claim my own space.”

She sat there so stubborn,
so smug and aloof, tempting and
taunting, and claiming her truth.

And, almost as sure as I was of
her sound, a Light caught my eye
and turned me around.

“Just ask me, dear one. I’m the
truth of God’s Voice, I’ll tell you
what’s real and offer true choice.

“For all you need know
is that I am your Guide.
I’m always right with you.
I’m here by your side.”

“Don’t fret with confusion
and call yourself bad.
Remember the Truth.
Feel joyous! Feel Glad!”

“Let ego be other than
temptress and foe,
her voice is a call
to remember, Me so.”

“I’m here to remind you there’s
nothing to fear. Just ask for my
input, be silent and hear…

“…that I’ll guide you and
love you and offer you peace.
My word is your comfort.
Your worries will cease.”

“I love you my sister,
we’re one with our Source
Our joining’s a given.
Our direction’s on Course.”

Rev. Barbara Adams is a Pathways of Light minister living in Rochester, New York.
Web: PeaceandHarmonyMinistry.org Phone: (585) 633-8769

© 2020, 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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