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Safe in God While I Heal

by Rev. Peggy Rivera, O.M.C.

For the past two weeks I have struggled with what started out as a virus and then soon became a lung infection. I have had asthma for many years along with several other health conditions I have been concerned about. One night I became so distressed over not being able to get any air I considered calling 911.

My husband works away and commutes so I am alone part of the time. I cried out to Holy Spirit, “What do I need to learn from this? Where do I need to heal my mind?”

When I ask for help, it doesn’t always come as words; it is often symbols that appear to me. I saw flashbacks of my younger sister nearly dying from asthma and then I saw my father being put on a ventilator. I said, “Holy Spirit I am so frightened, I cannot breathe and I am afraid I may not make it through the night.”

That night we had a teleconference class for ACIM Practitioner Course 910: Living I The World While Waking Up. When I shared about my experience to the group, some of the students understood and offered Love and Light to me. I felt held in that cocoon of Love and Light all night after that. After the teleconference session, our mind healing partner (facilitator) emailed me to tell me that I didn’t need to believe I was bound to what happened to my family.

I again thought about the flash backs I experienced before and asked Holy Spirit for help again. I repeated from the Text, I do not know what anything, including this, means. And so I do not know how to respond to it. And I will not use my own past learning as the light to guide me now. (T-14.XI.6:7-9) This is what we had been discussing during the teleconference session. I was just listening because of the circumstances, but I am so glad I did.

I went to pray and I told God, “I Love you Father and I know you Love me and I will bask in your Love through the night. I am safe in your Love.” Soon I felt calmer and I noticed I was breathing more rhythmically and relaxed.

I continued to have flash backs throughout the night. I remembered my brother Jimmy taking his last breath as I held him in my arms and my mother struggling as she took her last breath. I thought, “I wonder if this is about fear or loss?” The flash backs continued, but now they were about grievances I had held about being mistreated. My thoughts felt like a part of me was in conversation with Holy Spirit about feeling like my life has been a little bit of a battle ground and I have had to fight to survive. Then I heard, “Your outer world is a reflection of your inner world.” Wow! No wonder I haven’t received some miraculous healing. I would not have grown through it. I realized the pictures were stimuli to show me what was in my inner world. I will heal, but it may not happen overnight. I will use every chance to learn how to heal my mind.

If I just woke up one day and didn’t have asthma anymore, I might not have been able to heal my thoughts, so I don’t think the healing would be complete. It is not easy, but I did not receive a promise that it would be. As long as I keep in mind that God only wants what is good for me and He Loves me, I am willing to keep working on the goal.

Rev. Peggy Rivera, O.M.C., is a Pathways of Light minister living in Palm Bay, Florida.  Website: http://www.rev.priveralifeministries.com

© 2014, 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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Teaching All the Time

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

“The power of witness comes from your belief. And everything you say or do or think but testifies to what you teach to him.” (T-27.II.5:4-5)

We are all teaching — all the time. So truly, what is it that I desire to teach?

It seems that this has been the question in my mind ever since I retired from teaching history at Lynbrook High School on Long Island. As I continue my study of A Course in Miracles, I am becoming more aware that we are always teaching something to each other. I just need to keep asking, “Is it love or fear that is guiding my thoughts right now?”

I lost my son Kevin four years ago on Valentine’s Day. Sometimes it feels like it was yesterday but it also feels like it was a dream that happened long ago. That day does split time for me in my mind into things that occurred before his fatal overdose and events that took place after.

During the seven years of Kevin’s opiate addiction, I was full of fear thoughts. At the same time, I was trained and focused on letting Holy Spirit change my thoughts and guide my behavior as the father of an addict. I have often told this story to others and wrote a book, Forgiving Kevin, to describe my experience. I often had difficulty following Spirit’s advice but I made a strong effort to put Him in charge.

Since that day four years ago, there seems to have been a transformation in my thinking. I have been able to better understand what ACIM has been teaching me for two decades: There is no death. Kevin’s love pours into me when I turn to him for help. I see him as Holy Spirit’s lieutenant — perhaps as a guiding angel. That might seem like a big stretch for someone who is not practicing this program of spiritual mind training. But I am certain that my son sends me messages in my thoughts that resonate with me as if I was hearing his voice.

Most important, I trust he, like Holy Spirit, has my best interests at heart. The “voice” is playful and usually brief. The personality in it is distinctly like Kevin’s except it never seems to take anything seriously. He seems to laugh at me a lot as if he were shaking his head at me in amused disbelief. It is almost as if he were saying, “Hey Dad, you might want to think about this and choose differently.” I can feel the laughter in his voice. It is a signal for me to pause and step back a moment. It is a gentle invitation to let inspiration in to guide me.

I find it very comforting to know that Kevin’s story was in truth just an illusion. The love we shared and continue to extend to each other since his transition is palpable. Because I have learned that only the love is real in any situation or circumstance, I have received much love from so many. I know this outpouring of love I feel comes from my choice to see it. These days I feel like I am being carried through life’s difficulties by my Higher Power. It brings with it a feeling of peace and confidence.

Spirit guided me in a process of forgiveness both before and after Kevin passed. The fear that gripped me often then has now disappeared. I regret the times that I used anger, guilt, and shame to try and change his drug habit. And sometimes I followed the advice of Spirit to just love him anyway. Those times when I got it right are especially meaningful to me now.

I have forgiven myself for my fear-based thoughts and actions. I have been able to let go of the nightmare of Kevin’s addiction. I have forgiven Kevin and those associated with the nightmare. And I am heartened by the ACIM concept that it never really happened. It was a dream — a play — a video — not real at all. This type of forgiveness — forgiving what never really happened — is the cause of my healing. I could not have healed as quickly or completely any other way. “Forgiveness is not real unless it brings a healing to your brother and yourself.” (T-27.II.4:1) I am still working on this with all my brothers.

I think back to my question, “What is it that I desire to teach?” I feel like I am being guided to teach that great strength comes from connecting to my Inner Guide. I trust that I can be a demonstration of how well forgiveness works. My conviction that only the Love matters is the message that I choose to teach.

We are all teaching — all the time. I am choosing to hold Spirit’s hand and I am grateful for His strength.

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

© 2014, 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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Don’t Complain — Reclaim

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

Isn’t it ironic that, in an instant of time, a thought came into our mind to make a world separate from our Creator; a world where we wanted a separate identity; a world where we could feel special. Now doesn’t that sound like a teenager in rebellion against his parents?

And guess what, we got what we asked for, but did we really?

We made a body where we can hide from our Creator and then all we do is complain about the body we made: It’s too short. It’s too tall. It’s too skinny. It’s too fat. It’s too frail. It’s in too much pain… complain, complain. So here we are, complaining about what we made.

And then we complain about where this body lives. If you live in the Midwest — It’s too cold and snowy. If you live in the Northeast — It’s too rainy. If you live in the South West — It’s too hot and why doesn’t it rain? …complain, complain, complain.

We left our home in God because we craved for specialness, but then we complain: Why does my spouse not appreciate me? Why does he/she act so insane? …complain, complain, complain.

Why do my friends attack me? Why do they ignore me? Why don’t they ever call me? …Complain, complain, complain.

We made a world because we wanted to feel valued for what we do, but then we complain about the drudgery or meaninglessness of our work. Our bosses don’t respect us. Our bosses don’t promote or protect us. So we spend more of the day complaining.

We say we want to live happily ever after but then we worry about death and spend millions of dollars to ward off death. And guess what — only in the Real World is there happily ever after.

So how great can the world we made as a substitution for our home in God be, if we continually complain and hold grievances against it and everyone in the world.

Lesson 155 in the workbook of ACIM says: Love Holds No Grievances.

So what would a world look like if we were to refrain from complaining. What does the Real World look like, our true Home? When I step back from complaining, when I step into stillness, I experience a deep peace, innocence and joy. ACIM says this is Heaven. There are no grievances; only the I AM.

Holy Spirit truly works with us when we forget where we came from, the Real World. Holy Spirit will transform our complaints into seeing the truth and help us remember our wholeness; our Oneness; our Innocence; our Purity.

Holy Spirit showed me a 3-step process to work with when I am tempted by complaints; ACIM would say this is the process of Forgiveness.

1. When the temptation to complain is strong, step back and Refrain.

2. Ask the Holy Spirit to Reframe: Holy Spirit, help me see this differently.

3. Reclaim the Truth: I am not a victim of the world I made. I AM the Holy Spirit of Love.

And one more step was revealed to me.

I express gratitude for the gift of the miracle received by Holy Spirit; Love holds no grievances and I am Love.

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

© 2014, 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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All Are Called

Rev. Mary Gerard Lenihan, O.M.C.

Holy Spirit, my Inner Teacher, Helper, Comforter, I look to you for help with writing this article for the Pathways of Light Miracles News. Much has transpired in this still short year.

The following are timeless experiences in time, clearly connected, one opening into the one that follows. The sequence began in a pause: Jesus’ presence at my side, telling me “Accept the Atonement for yourself.” > I begin practicing being present to Presence during my daily activities >

Days later feeling out of sorts, I hear “Find Mary” > turning inward I am aware of this Stable Presence > there is a clarity of my moment-to-moment choice for unawareness or Awareness > in choosing Awareness, Awareness is witness, showing the ego as a tiny bubble of pain and suffering, housing ego stories > in seeing this bubble I see it is not reality, not who I am, not who anyone is > something new is rising up on the inside and I hear, this is “true compassion” > true compassion releases my judgments >

During a Sunday morning Pathways ACIM teleconference we are reading about Innocence; I experience true compassion and see compassion is Innocence looking upon the ego bubble > In this we are all absolved from guilt > my “double vision,” seeing “two” resolves in these moments > I experience healing > We all rest in Innocence. All this given through Inner Wisdom is undoubtedly available to everyone. Shall I share about these experiences? What would be truly helpful now?

I want to hear from you Holy Spirit. You know my heart, you know my mind, you know my thoughts about the body and you are living inside of my life. I want to learn.

I also heard you thinking, “I want to teach.” You did not type it out – why?

I want to teach others how to truly open to connecting more deeply with the loving Teacher Within. I didn’t write it down because ego peaked up with a feeling of embarrassment. Telling me to hide. The teaching I am called to teach is the reality and absolute practicality of the Teacher Within, who teaches truth. The ego feels embarrassed by truth.

What is happening in “embarrassment”?

Some part of me is trying to hide this other part of me that she doesn’t want anyone to see. The hider thinks she is protecting the one she is hiding, who actually is my True Self. Meanwhile the hider, as the front person, comes out to mingle.

What does this hider think she is protecting the hidden one from?

Being seen.

What is the ego telling you will happen if you step back from the hider and let “this hidden you” be seen?

I feel free at the very thought! But ego tells me I am risking everything; risking protection.

In letting one’s SELF be seen no longer is one in need of hiding for protection. It is not who was being hidden, your True Self, who was ever in need of protection. It is the one doing the hiding.

When I let my SELF be seen, freedom flows, joy bounces all over the place. It’s glorious!

So what’s stopping you?

Unawareness telling me that I should be spouting out truths and sounding all wise and everything so that I will be looked at as a wise teacher; in this I will finally have achieved a sense of personal value. My ego wants to be the authority! But who I am experiencing as SELF, is not at all drawn to appearing wise and being put up on a pedestal. I am letting the ego stop my SELF from being in the service of Spirit in helping others access their Inner Wisdom, with God as the authority.

Resting here now, trusting you — this is the experience I am called to call others to, as nothing else compares. Walking today, looking back over my life — all the education, trainings, jobs, career, interests — I eventually became bored with everything the world had to offer. In The Mentor Within, “The Holocaust Vision” the man had “lost his taste for this world.” This has been my experience for years. Then I saw what I have never grown weary of or experienced boredom over – that is God, listening to you and my relationship with Jesus. Each moment I focus on this, I feel connected. This experience brings a sense of purpose and meaning and I become enthusiastic about helping others experience a higher purpose in the midst of everyday life. I may not always want to accept what the Inner Teacher teaches, but I have no doubt deep within that it is true.

So, what’s the problem? You don’t think it’s worthwhile to share this with others?

Oh, I think it is worthwhile, but it seems few truly want to invest their lives this way. A Course In Miracles says, “All are called but few choose to listen.” (T-3.IV.7:12) There is much talk about the Inner Teacher. Yet, I observe so many who are more interested in finding an outer teacher or making up an inner teacher. It is not that “outer” teachers cannot serve a helpful purpose, for surely they can — for that matter we are all teachers, all students.

Tell me about accepting the Atonement. What is it doing to you on the inside?

I am experiencing a moment-to-moment unfolding awareness of this Stable Presence extending innocence — true compassion in which everyone is absolved of all guilt and judgment falls away. In this, I am finding “Mary” my True Self. I am not in this experience permanently, but now the choice for Awareness is so close in sight, I see it is the only true choice. I choose Awareness more frequently now, but not consistently.

What is Awareness doing for you?

Bringing rest, healing and discernment. Awareness taught this on discernment:

Discernment is not yours to figure out. The irony is that in your willingness to choose Awareness over unawareness, Awareness will discern for you. This Vast View does the discerning within you. Awareness communicates with you through your heart and mind. It is through This Knowing that you will know, in your willingness to lay your self at the feet of this Knowing. To put faith in your own power of discernment is limiting — it may get you some temporary answers to some temporary problems,  but you will not receive the Vast View. Unawareness does not have access to the Vast View. No matter how well read, well studied, well achieved, well spoken or “spiritual” …Awareness is out of sight to unawareness so how would unawareness detect Awareness.

And what is that doing in you?

I experience who I am differently. I know this ego Mary. She is a good person, a good daughter, responsible, hard working, contributes to the wellbeing of others, well educated, myriad life accomplishments, etc. All this and she still feels “not enough.” I know this Mary well.

As I practice pausing for Inspiration in the midst of everyday life, I come into Awareness and I am coming to know “Another Mary.” This Mary is an inner rest being present. She is not whom hardly anyone has ever wanted me to be. But she is who some part of me has always wanted to be. I am watching her and wondering.

Wondering what?

Will I let her be seen.

You are doing that now. What is this like letting your SELF be seen?

Quiet inside; A Strong Quiet. Quiet outside. A Stable, Present, Inner Focus. The Ground for meaning and purpose.

If your Inner Teacher is revealing all this to you, how much more do you think will be revealed to the few who are willing to listen? These few are your teachers as it is in your teaching them to listen that they are teaching you to listen. If these few can do this for you, certainly you can do this for them. As for all those still gripped by unwillingness to turn around and come face to face with their Inner Teacher, what is your plan for them?

Will you let your judgment of them stop you in your True Self tracks?

I will turn that question back on you.

There is your answer. Your having all this experience at your disposal and still are not fully willing in your mind to follow your Inner Teacher all of the time, how much more do you expect those who have not these experiences, to choose such.

Remember your sleeping dream 22 years ago when you saw the face of Christ looking back at you as you knelt at the water’s edge peering into the depths? The light coming off Christ’s face was so brilliant it blinded you and you had to turn away. So too will I blind you. I will blind you so you can see.

Synchronicity strikes. As I just typed about seeing, I look up and John and I see the most amazing spontaneous fireworks display igniting outside our large 11th story picture window!

I told you I love you. Teach the few, teach anyone choosing to listen. Teach because you really want to learn.

Rev. Mary Gerard Lenihan is a Pathways of Light minister living in St. Louis, MO. Websites: http://www.pauseforinspiration.org www.thementorwithin.com

© 2014, 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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