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January-April, 2024

Salvation in a Snow Globe

by Rev. Robin Singler, Ordained Ministerial Counselor

According to the Course, forgiveness is my function, and forgiveness looks and waits and judges not. This means forgiveness is the act of looking and suspending all judgment. It is looking at all things in my awareness, both within and without, from a place of calm observance and of detached watching, absent of all need to form opinions or condemn what is being observed.

When I first started studying the Course and attempting to apply it in my life I thought that Awakening would be reached by clearing my mind of all extraneous thoughts and all negative emotions. This led me to go down a path of denying the full experience of my feelings, fears and doubts because I thought it was “not spiritual” to have thoughts or experiences of suffering and that the goal was to somehow eliminate them from my mind and my awareness. But my Inner Teacher; the wise Voice deep inside my mind, has given me a very helpful symbol to use to apply the teachings of A Course in Miracles.

After asking my inner Guidance to help me apply a particular workbook lesson, I was asked to think about a snow globe, and how each snow globe features a figure of some kind at its center that is firmly fixed to the bottom of the snow globe. No matter how much you shake the snow globe the figure never moves; it remains stationary and stable and firm in its place even as the little bits of snow or glitter swirl all around it in chaotic fashion. No matter how much the little bits swirl around the figure, they all settle down eventually and the globe is calm and clear again. It is just as it was before the chaos started and the figure is not affected by the debris circling around it.

As I was guided to observe how a snow globe works, I have noticed many similarities with my own situation in my life and what the act of forgiveness really entails. Forgiveness doesn’t ask me to turn off my feelings and to deny any experience in the moment. Forgiveness asks me to watch what comes up, to welcome it to be there, and to judge it not. To deny my true feelings no matter if they’re ugly or messy or beautiful or shameful is not helpful; it merely keeps them pushed down and unhealed, waiting to reemerge in the future.

Forgiveness doesn’t ask for “perfection” in the world or in my life.
Forgiveness asks me to be just like the figure in the snow globe; to be still and watch in faith that this too shall pass and that I will remain untouched when the storm has passed. The figure gets jostled around just like the rest of the snow globe but it doesn’t move. It is not convinced it is in danger and it is not swayed by the swirl of debris around it. It knows that there is nothing of concern going on and that all is well in Truth.

Forgiveness asks me to observe with full awareness my inner and outer surroundings. Forgiveness asks me to watch without condemnation the thoughts, feelings and emotions in my mind and all of the appearances that seem to be out in the world. I am asked to not identify with them as being part of me. Looking without judgment from a calm, stable center allows me to accept that I am not what I observe. I am not what changes; I am Eternal.

The Course tells me that I am the dreamer of a dream, and that I am merely asleep as I experience myself as an individual person. I can’t possibly be both the dream figure who experiences all the chaos and drama of the dream AND the dreamer.  In other words I can’t watch a play in the audience and be on the stage at the same time. I must be one or the other, I cannot be both.
J
esus asks me in the Course over and over again to step back and look at the dream with Him; to step back and look without judgment on my own projection. So when I shake the snow globe and watch all the debris swirl around the figure in the middle that is very still at the center, I remember this is my goal: To allow chaos, sadness, upheaval and uncertainty all swirl around me while remaining in my calm center. I am to keep my eyes open to notice what is around me and to use it for my mind healing… to smile at it and to love it and to sit in that calm center and feel the stability and the strength of God within me and allow it to hold me up in moments where I am tempted to take the chaos seriously and to worry about what’s going on out there. If I am really The Observer then nothing of the world can harm me. I am untouchable and safe forever and this is very good news. This Truth is what makes forgiveness possible.

I really love the teaching of the snow globe that’s been brought to me. I always thought snow globes were such a waste of space but now I’m quite attracted to them and I’ve added a couple to my living spaces to remind me of my purpose in this world of dreams. It is very possible to look without judgment on chaos as it swirls around me and there is great joy and peace in this.

Rev. Robin Singler is a Pathways of Light minister living in Huntley, IL. Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

© 2023, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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January-April, 2024

Be Fueled with Kindness — It’s Not Combustible

by Rev. Vicki Evans, Ordained Ministerial Counselor

During a phase of peace, I asked Holy Spirit to join me to help me remember that I am Love, not a judge sputtering out assumptions. Whenever I start to judge others or judge a situation, I remind myself that I really don’t know, I only think it! I am now making it a habit to start my assumptions and judgment statements with “I think”…… which tells me: “I imagine…. which then leads to: It’s not real; I don’t know!”

I now practice adding the prefix words of “I think” or “I imagine” attached to my judgment sentence or thought and replace this thought with a self-question of, “Do I know this for a fact?” If not, move on, let judgment thoughts go and evaporate into the air. I am taking this activity a step further by replacing any judgment thoughts or false assumptions with a kind thought for the person or situation I started to judge or thinking a self-mantra of “I really don’t know — no false assumption!”

Pathways of Light teaches that peace comes to me if judgment is traded in for connections to others as we are all Love.

I want to create a world that I want to live in as I realized that when I stop judging others and writing a script for them, I open a lock that has been keeping me away from connections. The stance of not knowing can be a powerful peace and kindness creator. If I don’t know the person or the situation, I am practicing using the mantra of “assume the best.”

When I went into peace and joined with Holy Spirit, I practiced an activity where any negative statements that float by in my mind are breathed in as I physically take a deep breath. Then I breathe out, transforming the negative judgment statement out with a physical breath out and a visualization of sparkling confetti.

Now these judgments have no power over me as I can bring those thoughts in with a breath and release them immediately with visualizations of specks of confetti that remind me of scattering Love and oneness to all I encounter in my day.

A further visual came to me that transforms the confetti into specks of light that can spread out as lighted fireflies that reinforces the connectedness that I strive for in my relationships!

I also felt enlightened when I realized that when I share my judgments and false assumptions with others, I am giving them a life of their own. When I give these impulse reactions a life, they grow into a big gray cloud mass that blocks the light that I want to always be in my life.

I take a step back and offer myself a new perspective so that impulse judgments will extinguish. I remind myself to move in another direction!

Go towards the Holy Spirit and keep the Light. Don’t incite — pass the Light, not the fire! Be the channel of Light and peace! I now visualize myself fueled with kindness – it’s not combustible!

Rev. Vicki Evans, O.M.C., is a Pathways of Light minister living in Dallas, Texas. Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  Phone: 713-775-9153

© 2023, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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January-April, 2024

My Brother and I Are One Forever

by Rev. Christine Anderson, Ordained Ministerial Counselor

In the year 2000, I rented a large home that would be big enough for my brother Ed from Vienna to stay with me when he came to visit twice a year and have his own space in the upper part of the house.

My memory from childhood was that I didn’t think he liked me very much. And it didn’t seem like there was much love in our relationship. So I really felt guided by Spirit to have this opportunity to live together and open to Love, a love that we could both enjoy. I invited him to stay with me and share the house when he would visit, and he agreed that it would be a good idea, and that he would also pay me rent.

During his visits, every morning he would greet me with a “Happy Good Morning” and it made my day and brought a lot of happiness to my mind. Our days were filled with going places together and enjoying each other’s company. I gave him his privacy and never went upstairs unless he invited me.

He was used to being alone and played computer games often in his living space upstairs, so I didn’t see him that much apart from our outings together. I learned to trust that all was well, and that he was spending his time as he wished to in a way that was comfortable for him, and so I learned to accept him as he was and to be okay with that. I opened my mind to see that he was my spiritual brother, and I became very comforted by having his presence in my home, right upstairs from me.

As each year passed a flow of love between us got stronger and stronger. I learned to see my brother through the eyes of love and kindness and what appeared before me on his visits to stay with me was the Christ. We went to family parties together and enjoyed connecting with family members and friends.

I’m so glad I had the opportunity to see him differently. For in seeing him differently, I got to see myself differently. I discovered that I could be less judgmental, less attacking, and more peaceful and loving. I’m very happy that I had that experience with my dear brother in Christ.

In 2015, when he was at his home in Vienna, Ed became sick and was hospitalized. I couldn’t see him due to my own health issues, but we talked and I gave him this phrase to practice using, to bring healing, comfort and peace to himself: “everything is alright.” I wanted to share the whole Course with him, but he was not willing or ready to receive the entire Course. But the one phrase “everything is alright” was enough for him to benefit from. I’m so grateful that he was able to use this phrase.

He did end up returning to his Heavenly home that year. I think of him quite often; I think of him in peace, only in peace. I see my brother now flying free in God’s Love.

I’m grateful to be aware that Spirit can use any relationship for healing, and I know that my son and my brother are the same Love. What seems to be happening to them in the dream is perfect because my brothers are eternal Light and Love and what they are portraying in the dream are lessons that will lead them Home eventually. My part is to be truly helpful and to extend love at all times, and to remember that I know nothing on my own.

Here’s a quote from A Course In Miracles, reminding me that my brother is myself, and to treat him kindly, knowing that when I treat my brother kindly, I am being kind to myself.

“Dream softly of your sinless brother, who unites with you in holy innocence. And from this dream the Lord of Heaven will Himself awaken His beloved Son. Dream of your brother’s kindnesses instead of dwelling in your dreams on his mistakes. Select his thoughtfulness to dream about instead of counting up the hurts he gave. Forgive him his illusions, and give thanks to him for all the helpfulness he gave. And do not brush aside his many gifts because he is not perfect in your dreams.” (T-27.VII.15:1-6)

PS: To write these articles, I need the help of a scribe, who types out my words and sends them to the Pathways office. As this article was being scribed, a profound experience of Love and joining took place that was so beautiful. In the middle of our connecting, my scribe Robin and I had a profoundly joyful encounter. A divine appointment was kept between the three of us as an overwhelming Loving Presence was felt, and we joined with the Whole Sonship in the awareness of the Presence of Love. It overtook us and I was filled with a joy that is indescribable. I accepted that everything that happened between Ed and me was perfect, and that only Oneness is real. This wave of Love is the evidence that Spirit brought to us to demonstrate the Truth, and there is such gratitude for this.

Rev. Christine Anderson is a Pathways of Light minister living in N. Aurora, IL. Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) Phone: 773-704-5483

© 2023, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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January-April, 2024

I Am the Light of the World…?

Rev. Holly Honorato, Ordained Ministerial Counselor

I don’t know about you, but I forget about this at least a hundred times a day (if not more).

What is it about life that gets in the way of this realization? Sure, it’s easy to remember when we’re in church, sweat lodge ceremony, or in a study group, but once we step into the ‘lab’ or the real world our light often dims and it can be very frustrating.

Usually, for me, it’s others’ inability to recognize or appreciate my light that dulls it, because, at the end of the day, we are all mirrors. Many times we reflect back on what is directed at us (commonly referred to as projection). While studying the Course assists us on our journey, I often wonder why it’s so hard to practice.

Here are some pointers to staying illuminated:

1. Remember that others are operating from their own capacity and that’s okay (not everyone is capable of doing such deep, inner work).

2. Observe how you are feeling throughout the day. In times of calm and distress, notice your breathing, heartbeat, and other bodily sensations. I often like to make a game of noticing the moments when I am totally FINE or content, not thirsty, hungry, etc.

3. Practice the Pause, because that’s where our power lies. Especially when something upsetting happens, or we’re triggered. Remember, you can always ‘shelve it’ and return to it later, when you have ample time to process it fully (usually by sitting in meditation or walking in nature). Not everything requires a response and that itself is powerful.

4. Return to the lesson of the day, or other spiritual text or music, several times throughout the day. There are always messages in there that seem to fit exactly what we’re going through.

5. Cultivate daily AM and PM rituals (preferably ones devoid of social media, shopping, drinking/using substances, or mindlessly scrolling online). Also referred to as ‘bookending’ our day, or beginning and ending each day with practices that remind us who we are and nourish our soul, such as journaling, yoga, art, dance, etc.

6. Meditate or simply practice radical acceptance or surrendering to what Is. Resist the urge to fix everything or even talk about it, which only keeps the ‘story’ going, giving it more energy (which could be used for other tasks).

Knowledge is power and the first step is always just observing how you are feeling and noticing the sensations present in your body. That’s how we know it’s time for a quick reset.

Personally, my daily meditation practice is my life raft, and without it, I’m really off-center. Taking the time to just breathe deeply does wonders and best of all, it doesn’t cost anything. It’s always up to me to surrender the fact that life is not always pleasant or easy, but I have tools to combat the darkness. At the end of the day, it’s my breath, my best friend and confidant, that moves energy or feelings of stuckness. It’s truly a gift worth celebrating more often.

Rev. Holly Onorato is a Pathways of Light minister living in Rahway, New Jersey. Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

© 2023, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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