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April-June, 2013

God Is In the Details…

by Rev. Andrea Sassa, O.M.C.

I was one of those people who woke in the morning with a list running in her head. It was that way for years. For a long time, I thought this was good. I thought I was helping myself by immediately setting my day in order and then getting right to it. I prided myself on how much I accomplished and that I did not “waste” time sitting idly. Every second had a purpose!

At some point, I noticed I was holding a lot of anxiety in my body throughout the day. I was anxious about finishing everything on that list, about running out of time. For a while, I accepted the anxiety as a product of our modern life. I challenged myself to be more creative about accomplishing more in each day. I became an expert multi-tasker ­— driving while talking to colleagues on my cell phone, while reading a report, while eating lunch… a perfectly productive modern woman!

I now know that Spirit was gently tapping my awareness, leading me to pay more attention. She kept gently tapping and one day I received the knowingness that I had a choice in this. I was shown that I was anxious because I was choosing anxiety. So, I set about incorporating more relaxation into my day to balance the anxiety. I scheduled yoga, meditation, and more spiritual reading for myself. Did this relieve the anxiety? Well, not at all! It just meant my days started earlier and ended later with a longer list to accomplish.

Then one day I heard myself ask, “What other choices do I have?” You see, prior to this moment, I was receiving the awareness and responding by solving it myself, with my small self. It did not even occur to me to ask Spirit for help. But, the day I asked the question a complete cure for the anxiety became assured.

In A Course in Miracles, Spirit tells us that,

The truth is that you are responsible for what you think, because it is only at this level that you can experience choice.

Whenever you are afraid [anxiety is a form of fear], it is a sure sign that you have allowed your mind to miscreate and have not allowed me [Spirit] to guide it. (T-2. VI.2:6,10) You must change your mind, not your behavior, and this is a matter of willingness. (T-2.VI.3:4) (Italics added)

When I asked the question I became willing; willing to let Spirit lead the way. In Spirit’s tender care, I learned that I was not only choosing anxiety, I was also choosing to have a list in the first place. Life without a list? It was such a novel idea for me to even consider but I continued asking questions. I asked, “Was it possible to not have a list and still be a responsible and productive person? What would a day not driven by a list be like?”

Then one day I tried it. I awoke. My mind jumped into its pattern of list-making. But, this time, I got out of bed and put the list on a mental shelf. I turned to Spirit and asked, “Well, what do I do now?” She said, “Go brush your teeth.” Simple enough, I thought, seemed like a sensible way to start the day.

For years the dentist had been telling me I brush my teeth too hard, to use a soft touch of small circles. I had tried to do this many times but I got too impatient. I would always start thinking about that list and soon I was rushing making large circles with a too firm hand. But, on this day, I brushed tenderly in small circles. I effortlessly stayed present to what I was actually doing.

As I finished this seemingly mundane task, a gentle clarity filled my mind. Spirit was showing me that life without a list would put me in the present. Without the list, I would be free to savor what was happening as it was happening. I would be free of the anxiety I was creating by pushing myself from task to task, living in the future, and missing the tender joy of each moment. So for me, God truly is in the details… and my teeth are no longer over-brushed!

Rev. Andrea Sassa, O.M.C., is a Pathways of Light minister and Reiki Master Teacher living in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

© 2013, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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April-June, 2013

On My Son’s Transition Back to Spirit — A Poem

by Rev. Judy Rae Angus, O.M.C.

My soul aches
and undulates…
as it comes to life.

Triggered awake
by the pain, the grief
it moves…
breathes…

Spirit begins to unfold
in the emptiness
left by
by ego in shock.

The ego —
quieted, stilled, stunned.
bereft of answers,
it easily gives way now

To another Way, another Voice
a Higher Perspective…
A Loving Presence…

Ah. Love is the Builder.
Life. Truth, the Real.
The Only. Love the Eternal.

Yes.

Rev. Judy Rae Angus is a Pathways of Light minister who lives in Orland Park, Illinois.

© 2013, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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April-June, 2013

Healing with the 30-Day Home Study Program: Listen & Receive

by Rev. Linda Wisniewski, O.M.C.

For the past eight months, the body that Linda made in the story of separation has been acting out with a vengeance — pain, inflammation, Lymes. It doesn’t matter. It’s all effects of an unhealed mind that believes it is guilty and has to punish itself because in one instant it had a deluded thought that it could separate from God. And, like ACIM says it forgot to laugh at this silly thought. So, because of the belief that the guilt is real, Linda believes that suffering is necessary to atone for her “sins” of separation. She even believes the pain is real. When she saw pictures of her blood cells, she really went into fear mode and it seemed so scary. Weren’t we taught in the separation story that what we see with the physical eyes tells the real story?

Thank God, Linda has been working with ACIM and learning to place her trust in Holy Spirit. However, the ego thought that it has power over God doesn’t like that Linda is turning to Spirit. In its fear of its own undoing, it is kicking and screaming in resistance, just like a two year old’s temper tantrum trying to out shout the gentle Voice of Love.

For a while it felt like a battle going on in Linda’s mind and left her feeling confused, weakened and vulnerable. How could she receive Holy Spirit’s gentle corrections with that loud voice continually intruding 24/7? Well, Linda had one thing going for her, her willingness to see it differently and a desire to awaken from the dream and a desire to have the body be used for a holy purpose while still in the dream. But how could she quiet these loud and fearful voices?

Well, it just so happened that when Linda was at the height of her confusion and despair, Pathways of Light was working on updating the Listen and Receive 30-Day Home Study Program that was originally published in 1995. So Linda, guided by the Voice of her Higher Power within, embarked on this 30-day program. And this was Holy Spirit’s way of showing Linda that even in the midst of confusion, doubt and pain, Holy Spirit’s Voice and inspired wisdom and Love does come through.

Before embarking on the program, Linda really believed she was listening to Spirit. But after doing the program, she realized she was still trying to be in control of the conversation and did more talking than listening. She was trying to tell Holy Spirit how she wanted the problem of the body fixed so she could remain in the illusion, not awaken from it. Was Linda really willing to surrender her control and put Holy Spirit in charge?

This is some of my experience with the Listen and Receive 30-Day Program:

For 30 days, there is a daily thought and a CD, which helped still the mind so I could relax and listen, plus a weekly focus card for me to carry to remind me to Listen and Receive. There is also a lined page where I was able to journal what I received.

What I received was 30 days and nights of loving images and thoughts. While listening to the loving messages on the CD, Spirit brought me an image of melting butter and I felt like I was melting into Love. I also was given the image of a river flowing, a river of Love which flows unobstructed and where all thoughts of pain and misery float away with it. In the stillness of listening and receiving, time disappeared, the body disappeared, the world disappeared. I was flowing in a river of Love, just being carried. I also heard the gentle Voice within tell me: Let go of control and let the Love flow through.

Another image I received was on the morning of day 21: I was shown several raw eggs separate, standing alone; no connection with the other eggs. Then all the eggs cracked and the yolks all were flowing together into One Light. The thought came, that cracking the hard shell of an egg is like cracking an ego thought; but as soon as we allow the shell to crack, Love and Light freely flow through.

I loved the message I received from Holy Spirit on day 12: Dear One, Be in the flow of Love; Practice the three “R’s”: Rest, Relax, Receive; and one more, Release.

Doing this 30-day program was the best medicine I could give myself. It helped me release so much guilt and allow Love in. It felt like I was being purified and detoxified from all ego’s toxic messages. And like day 25 in the program states: Love heals all problems.

Day 30 was devoted to Celebration and as it states in the Program: Thank You, Inner Teacher, for taking the lead in bringing me Home to Love.

P.S. I’m now doing the program again. It’s a gift that keeps on giving.

Rev. Linda Wisniewski is a Pathways of Light minister living in Plymouth, Wisconsin

© 2013, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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April-June, 2013

Coaching LaCrosse with Shakti

by Rev. Larry Glenz, O.M.C.

I am in my 41st consecutive year as a high school coach with the same lacrosse team — the Lynbrook Owls. Having retired five seasons ago from being the head coach, I have since served as a volunteer assistant coach to the program. My role is now remarkably different and, for me, very exciting.

The current head coach and his other assistants are in charge of everything that has to do with specifically coaching the game of lacrosse (e.g. offense / defense strategies, transition play, stick skills, conditioning, personnel decisions, schedules, scouting opponents, etc.). Serious attention to these critical aspects of the game is essential to success of the team — but that doesn’t really hold my interest much anymore.

My role now is in talking to the team about connecting to the Shakti — the cosmic power of the Universe. Shakti is a Sanskrit word referred to in the teaching of Vedanta — an ancient spiritual path from India. I came across this term many years ago and just liked the sound of it. It became our secret word for the players on the varsity lacrosse team to share when referring to the connecting energy that allows our team to play at the highest level.

This season the head coach (my former assistant of 15 years) has allowed and encouraged me to use the ability that I honed from being a Pathways minister to teach this concept: We are capable as players and coaches of connecting to each other through the heart.

We call this process “building Shakti.” I am given the first 10 minutes of every practice to teach them about the power of Shakti while they sit in the stands just before we warm up. I have a captive audience and I love the topic that I am teaching.

Sometimes I have them to close their eyes and give them a guided meditation. They are asked to imagine waves of loving energy flowing through each teammate’s heart and into another’s with no break in the connection through all 33 players on the team. They are asked to envision this energy with green and gold light (our school colors) flowing through each heart and increasing the love we have for each other.

The players are taught that our efforts to focus on this connecting energy will give our team the ability to come together to play our best at the most critical moments. Not only will we play better as a team but we will enjoy each other more as we send love — Shakti — to our brothers. They are told that it is the joining with each other that gives us the strength to overcome adversity by refocusing our minds on this common connection. When things are not going well, the players are asked refocus — to choose again — to let go of their negative thoughts and choose the Shakti instead.

Coaches of all teams want their players to create a belief in brotherhood. Nevertheless, I don’t think that many teams make it part of their practice preparation. Team captains and leaders are expected to teach the importance of being good to each other at all times. Sending love and compassion to each other builds Shakti. They are encouraged to find ways to build this bond off the field as well. The greater the flow of Shakti among all teammates — the more joy we feel in playing the sport together and in sharing each other’s company. Teammates are asked to lessen their thoughts of individuality and choose the wholeness.

There are ups and downs for a team during every game and throughout every season. When things are not going well, the team is directed to refocus on the Shakti — the connecting love that allows us to be our best. Every player may not be equally valuable in the skills that create excellence on the field — but they are all equal in the creation of the all-important energy — the Shakti. This collective belief allows players with less skill or less field opportunities to participate fully in the outcome. The players on the sideline send Shakti from their hearts into the hearts of those on the field.

Our ministry in Pathways of Light can take many forms. I am particularly fond of this one. Go Owls!

Rev. Larry Glenz, O.M.C., is a Pathways of Light minister living in Long Beach, New York.

© 2013, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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