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Liar, Liar

by Rev. Paula Richards, Ordained Ministerial Counselor

“Massachusetts.” Usually, I wouldn’t pick up, but I noticed the same number calling for the third time and intuition told me it was important.

The caller turned out to be someone inquiring about my ministerial counseling, so I was relieved that I had answered. I apologized for not having picked up before, saying that the ID only said Massachusetts and I thought it might be a scam.

To my surprise, the woman tersely said, “That’s not possible. My name and number always show up.”

“I’m just telling you what a saw.” I replied.
“You are a liar,” she snapped. “How dare you call yourself a minister and then lie like that?!”

After I got over being shocked, I calmly asked her for more information about why she had called in the first place, but she just continued her verbal attack, which was getting more heated by the minute. On and on she went, giving me no chance to reply. 

Since I have difficulty hearing, my phone was set to speaker mode, so my friend was hearing the whole conversation. Hands on her hips, eyes narrowed, I could see she was ready to grab the phone from me and give the caller an earful, but I waved her away. I knew that defense was not the answer. The caller was clearly troubled, and I knew this wasn’t about me. Still, my hands were shaking at the unexpected assault.

As the caller ranted on, I took a slow breath and silently asked Holy Spirit for guidance. Since this was a one-sided tirade with no hope for a dialogue, my next thought was that I might have to simply, quietly hang up.

I would begin by trying to interject that this conversation was unacceptable and wish her well, but I didn’t have much hope that she would hear me. Before I could say or do anything more, the caller abruptly hung up on me.  

Not being used to that type of confrontation, it took me a few minutes to regain my composure. Once I did, I blocked the caller from calling back and mentally sent her a healing prayer for inner peace. As I sat there wondering if there was something more effective I could have done and what this whole incident was for, my friend shook her head.

“Wow,” she said. “I was ready to blast her out, but you handled it so calmly and lovingly. There would have been quite a different outcome if you had handed the phone to me. I’m glad I got to see that.”

I know that everything is either love, or a call for love, but I am smiling as I realize that this was, quite literally, a “call” for love. I am so grateful that I realized this and didn’t fall into victim mode.

Although the caller seemed unable to receive the love I was offering during the call, I am at peace, knowing that love is all I offered.

Rev. Paula Richards, O.M.C., is a Pathways of Light minister living in Green Valley, AZ. Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address): spiritrisingministries.com 508-517-9361

© 2022, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
You may freely share copies of this with your friends, provided this notice and website address are included.

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Accepting Gratitude

by Rev. Mary Manke, Ordained Ministerial Counselor

Are you one of those who has difficultly receiving thanks when it is given to you? 

I am in error of this egoic idea.

The ego wants to keep me in littleness or smallness. It would like to keep me in shame, regret and guilt. It never wants me to know my wholeness (holiness). That is why it reacts to gratitude with defense or denial, to deny the truth of Love’s Oneness.

My Beingness is part of God’s. God knows not of separation or in-completeness. Holy Spirit knows the “separation” never happened. My innocence is guaranteed.

I was given this idea to practice when anyone expresses gratitude to me:

I am willing to accept this gratitude, in recognition that God knows my holiness,
which is my thanks to Him.

Rev. Mary Manke is a Pathways of Light minister who lives in Wautoma, Wisconsin. Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

© 2022, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
You may freely share copies of this with your friends, provided this notice and website address are included.

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You’re My Tecket Home

by Rev. Barbara Adams, Ordained Ministerial Counselor

He: “You’re my ticket Home.”

His friend: “What are you talking about?”

He: “I’m saying that you’re the one who’s gonna help me get Home.”

Friend: “I know what you said. What the heck do you mean?”

He: “OK, look, I’ve been trying to get Home for a while. Every time I think I’m on the right path, I hit a brick wall. Then, BAM! I feel like I lose my way again.”

Friend: “I go home ‘every day. Don’t you?”

He: “No. I’ve seen glimpses of Home, but I’m having trouble staying put, you know, living at Home.”

Friend: “You’re scaring me, Dude.”

He: “Oh no! Don’t get scared. Fear is the exact opposite of Home.”

Friend: “Have you been drinking?

He: (Laughs) “No, I’m in my right mind, well, at least most of the time.”

Friend: “See, there you go again. I’m outta here!”

He: “NO! Don’t go! You’re my ticket Home.”

Friend: “Hey, either you start making sense or…”

He: “Or what? Listen my friend. I’m your ticket Home, too.”

Friend: “Now you’re really freakin’ me out!  C’mon, Dude, maybe you’re sick or something. I can get you some help.”

He: “You’re right, well kinda right. I was sick. In fact, I was insane, wrong-minded. But I changed my mind and now I’m right-minded. I’m all better.

It’s just sometimes I make the decision to listen to the wrong voice in my mind. That’s when I have trouble getting Home. But then, I remember to ask Inner Wisdom and He reminds me that you’re my ticket Home!’”

Friend: “Oh boy. It’s worse than I thought.

Let me get this straight: You were sick. In fact, you were insane…because you heard voices. So far, we’re in agreement. But then you listened to another Voice that made you change your mind because the Voice told you I’m your ticket home. Did I get it right?”

He: “Exactly! You got it! YES!!”

Friend: “Here sit down. I’m just gonna make a phone call to get you to a hospital.”

He: “No, no. You’ve got it all wrong, Bro. Here, I think this might help.

Relax, and let me share some thoughts with you. 

I had been in a lot of emotional pain. It’s as though I was walking around in the dark and I couldn’t find my way out. I couldn’t turn off the constant ego chatter in my head and I found myself projecting my thoughts and judgments onto everyone else. Of course, I didn’t realize it. For some reason, I felt as though I was special and they were wrong in how they acted and what they said. I believed that I had it right and everybody else was screwed up.

Lot of good that did me. I felt guilty for the way I was acting and anxious about what the next day would bring. I was in a bad way, My friend. Finally, I said, ‘There has to be another way. Somebody, please help me!’

That’s when I felt this subtle shift. The guy at work who used to tick me off didn’t irritate me anymore. Now we eat lunch together. He’s the one who told me about the Big Blue book.”

Friend: “What Big Blue book?”

He: It’s called, A Course in Miracles. Jesus shared messages with two people who scribed his Words…in the Big Blue book.”

Friend: (Pauses. Raises an eyebrow and sighs.) “You’re telling me that Jesus showed up one day and started giving dictation to two strangers and they just sat there and wrote it all down without getting freaked out?”

He: “I’m telling you that they did what they felt called to do: to take notes, type it all out, make it into a book, the…”

Friend: “Yeah, the Big Blue book.”

He: “Yes. That’s what they did. But, Jesus didn’t physically show up and the two people weren’t strangers to him. They’re his sister and brother.

Jesus communicated from his mind to the mind of the woman. Well it’s really just one mind, the Mind of God. Jesus’ sister, Helen took the notes. Jesus’ brother, Bill typed it all up.

Friend “Jesus’ brother and sister, eh?”

He: “Yes! You’re catching on!

Good buddy, that book has changed my life. Or, better said, that book has changed the way I perceive my life.”

Friend: “So, you’re not nuts?

He: (Laughs) “No, I’m not nuts. I’m saner than I’ve ever been in my life. More peaceful; happier.”

Friend: “Then, what’s the deal about me being your ticket home.”

He: “I don’t mean home, as in the brick and mortar house I live in. I mean Home, with a capital H.”

Friend: “You mean, Heaven?”

He: “Yes, but not Heaven the way most people think about it, up in the sky. I’m talking about a state of mind. That’s the real Heaven, where we are in sync with the Will of God. Where we see everyone through Holy Spirit’s vision; where we look past the mistakes or perceived ‘sins’ we think others have committed. That’s real Heaven, my Brother.”

Friend: “So, you want to get to, and live in Heaven…in your mind, and I’m your ticket there. Is that what you’re saying?”

He: “YES! That’s it!”

Friend: “Oh, man. (To himself.) Well I’m in it this deeply, I might as well keep going.

Dude, how am I your ticket Home?  With a capital H. And, how are you my ticket Home? Again, capital H.

He: “I’ll try to just give you the ACIM 101 version. It’s very simple. It’s just not easy.  You ready?”

Friend: “Sure. Hit me with it. I can’t be more confused than I am now.”

He: “We’re one, Bro.  You and I…and everyone else. Our minds are one.”

Friend: (Shaking his head.)  “Yeah, okay. Keep going, Man. I got nothin’ to lose.”

He: “When I’m listening to ego, you’re a projection—from the wrong-side of my mind—of my fears and my guilt. But, and here’s the good news, when I’m listening to Inner Wisdom, I perceive you from the right-side of my mind, and all I see is that you and I are one; we’re united. We’re love, good buddy! You’re love.  I’m love. We’re’ one big love fest, Bro. AND…and, we’re one with God!”

Friend: “I began to think you weren’t insane… (Turning away and raising his arm as if hailing a cab.) “Taxi. Taxi!”

He: “Hold on, Brother, don’t go anywhere. It’s getting good now.

Just tell me this, have you ever felt fearful? Guilty? Angry and judgmental?”

Friend: “Of course, I have. Everyone does. It’s normal.”

He: “No, it’s not normal. It’s abnormal and it’s destroying us.

What’s normal is to know that the pure essence of who we are is love. That we are united with each other and with God. Our natural, normal state is peace and joy. Seeing each other as enemies is just what the ego ordered. Yet seeing each other as pure and innocent light is truly how God created us.

C’mon, tell me you wouldn’t rather live in peace and joy than anger and hate. Tell me.”

Friend: “Who wouldn’t want to live in bliss, but it’s not possible. People would think we’re weirdos.”

He: “Do you think Jesus was a weirdo? Gandhi? The Dali Lama? Martin Luther King, Jr? Buddha? Nelson Mandela? Mother Theresa?

Friend: “No, but…”

He: “But what? You could see peace instead of this, my good friend. (W-34) The choice is yours.”

Friend: “Wait a minute, you didn’t tell me how I’m your ticket Home.”

He: “Simply this: the way I perceive you is the way I perceive myself. If I see us as separate and judge you harshly, I’m given the Speed Pass to Hell. In other words, I remain angry, guilty, judgmental and in pain.

But…wait for it…drum roll please…

If I see us as one, joined through love with God, then all I will perceive and experience is the Truth; that, united with God, each other and all of Creation, as one we are love, peace and joy. Voila! Heaven, a/k/a Home.” 

(Silence)

Friend: “Hmmm. What was that you said? It’s a choice?”

Rev. Barbara Adams, is a Pathways of Light minister living in Webster, New York. Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) Website: PeaceAndHarmonyMinistry.org (585) 633-8769

© 2022, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
You may freely share copies of this with your friends, provided this notice and website address are included.

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A Journey of Awakening

by Dani Novak, Pathways of Light Ministerial Student

I, this mythical me, was born in Israel as an only child in 1949 to a couple, Zdenka and Zvonko Novak, who lost most of their family in the Holocaust (in the Balkans, former Yugoslavia, 1941). Until age 14 I seemed to experience a happy childhood. The black bird appeared in my life in the form of a high school mate who told me that I was gay. This memorable moment caused me to spiral down quickly into insanity. I will not bother you with the details except to mention that death would have been the sweetest solution, yet I knew that it was not an option and decided to continue living.

Around age 17 I was introduced to Yoga and later to Zen buddhism. I started studying pure Mathematics and in 1976 moved with my wife Haya and our three year old daughter to the USA to complete my PhD at the University of Connecticut in Storrs. After completing my studies our second daughter was born and the four of us moved to Ithaca NY for my first and only job as a college mathematics teacher at Ithaca College (https://www.ithaca.edu/faculty/novak).

Most of my life from age 14 until about 2020 I suffered from deep depressions and at the same time continued to explore spirituality in various forms. The first of the two most significant forms was ACIM. I heard Jerald Jampolsky talk on NPR about the book he wrote: “Love is Letting Go of Fear.” I bought the ACIM book but could not read it for two years because of the Christian style that collided with my Jewish background. But when I entered into a most severe depression the book became an infinite poem and I was singing it in my attic. I also started going to a local ACIM group.

A few years later I experienced another form of transformation when a being of light (in the form of Sathya Sai Baba) entered into my body one night and much fear was transformed. I started traveling to India and ACIM took the back seat until C0VID-19 started. Haya and I got stuck in New Zealand for two years. There I found the Pathways of Light inspirational ACIM daily lessons and also other current ACIM lighthouses. 

I am starting to know that I am not this body nor the mind but am always connected to my Source. This means that I am also not my personality and that the stories I believed and still partially believe in are only relatively true. For example, one story that I am starting to release is that I am a child of Holocaust survivors and that I was my mother’s first husband Fritz who died on the Island of Pag in 1941. But to completely let go of a story, I need to clear the roots and traces that may still be haunting me in the darkness of my subconscious mind. The process still continues.

When my mother died in 2003, I started preparing for a 14-year exploration of the past that started in 2005 and ended in 2019. I wanted to find out what actually happened to my mother’s family. I believe that I need to complete this investigation so that gradually I will be able to let go of the story and eventually all stories and travel the journey without distance from nowhere to Now Here. I summarized my findings in this 18 minute youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zairekm47Yw

I am very grateful for A Course in Miracles and the Pathways of Light program that help me navigate from the unreal to the Real, gradually bringing me back to the sanity of my True Nature. (I started taking the ministerial courses with Greg Hesch).

Over the years I experienced so many miracles that were like drops of water to a man dying from thirst in the desert of this world. One memorable experience was that out of a deep depression I was transported to a white room with lots of water, that was actually my mother’s womb. Then suddenly, I saw a cave and in it the ugliest and scariest monster my mind could imagine. When I saw the monster I was literally transported to Heaven and sang Hallelujahs for about 15 minutes.

Later I understood that I was so happy since I knew that I am not that monster (my fears) but an infinite soul always united with God. The monster was a symbol for my distress in the womb when my mother, who was pregnant with Trauma and guilt, could not respond to my call for Love.
I hope to continue sharing inspiring experiences in the upcoming offerings of Miracles News.

Dani Novak is a Pathways of Light ministerial student who lives in Ithaca NY. Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

© 2022, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
You may freely share copies of this with your friends, provided this notice and website address are included.

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