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An ACIM Inspired Perspective on Alzheimer’s

by Rev. Curtis Graf, M.D., O.M.C.

Question: I would love an ACIM-inspired interpretation of Alzheimer’s. I am living with and caring for a relative who has been diagnosed. I’ve gotten good support from a group but it doesn’t feel adequate. I am a long time Course student and would like help with a perspective on this ‘disease.’ 

Rev. Curtis Graf, M.D.: I am a retired Neurologist and a Course student. As you know any attempt to explain an illusion within an illusion is like trying to explain a dream while still dreaming, but I’ll try. I saw many patients with Alzheimer’s disease and there always seemed to be a sense of withdrawal from life. This was associated with a lot of denial and the biggest denial of all was that anything was wrong with them. This often led to paranoid delusions where they would accuse family members of affairs or care givers of theft. They had fixed beliefs that they could not seem to let go of.

I suspect some of these beliefs represented their deepest fears in life which they could not let go of and which worsened with time. But the memory loss of their disease gradually lessened these fears and the beliefs associated with them. I believe this condition is chosen by their ego mind to reduce the guilt and fears (mostly unconscious) that have plagued them in life and for most of them I think they are successful. I was always impressed by many of the patients who eventually became peaceful and docile. They had no more thoughts, guilt or fears that plagued them.

In this world of illusion we eventually get to a point where we start looking for a way out. Without the right guide (Holy Spirit), we choose insane ways to escape and I believe Alzheimer’s disease is just one of these ways. Many people just choose to leave the world early by dying, but Alzheimer patients may be scared of death and therefore choose a more protracted way out.

These patients deserve only our love, compassion, and acceptance. As we try to see the face of Christ in them, I believe it will help them to see that they have another choice and that is to choose their right mind. Fortunately we are all children of God in Spirit and these illnesses we invent are unreal, harmless, and neither good nor bad.

Rev. Curtis Graf, M.D., O.M.C., is a Pathways of Light minister living in Mobile, Alabama.

© 2012, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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Holy Spirit’s Study Group

Rev. Julieanne Paige, O.M.C.

It has been three days since my ordination. I have been busy catching up with friends and family that wanted to congratulate me, setting up my website, filing and organizing.

As I was sorting through my filing I came across the sign up form for the ‘ACIM Study Group Leader Program’. I currently meet once a month with a friend over the phone to study ACIM, and we love this time together. I have also received a request from someone in another county that would be interested in joining a Book Study.

The form has been filled out for a few weeks. I just thought I would wait until after my ordination to send it. I placed it in my scanner and the thoughts started.

‘Who are you to start a Book Study? There are many other people that are far more qualified and familiar with ACIM than you.’

‘What if someone comes and asks questions you don’t know how to answer?’

These thoughts kept coming. I stopped and asked Holy Spirit – ‘What is this? I want to see this differently.’

Holy Spirit guided me to the Manual for Teachers, page 5, 4th paragraph. What was standing out to me was the 4th sentence (M-5.4:4)... ‘The pupil comes at the right time to the right place.’

There it was. I had forgotten that Holy Spirit is the one in charge. Anyone in a Book Study has been assigned by Holy Spirit to be a part of that group.

Holy Spirit guided me further by reminding me that the Introduction to A Course in Miracles clearly states in sentence 4: ‘Free will does not mean that you can establish the curriculum.’

So the curriculum is not my concern either. My thoughts have now turned to the excitement of meeting those that Holy Spirit will send to me. I know today that all I need is a willingness to let Holy Spirit take the lead. I am grateful for Holy Spirit’s reinterpretation today and will now email these new thoughts along with my form, asking to please sign me up for ‘Holy Spirit’s ACIM Study Group Leader Program’!

Rev. Julieanne Paige, O.M.C., is a Pathways of Light minister living in Torquay, Devon, United Kingdom.

© 2012, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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The Spiritual Gift of Now

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

Now is the center of all that was:
all the experiences of disappointments,
joy and laughter; it is the
All of that was, seen and unseen.

Now holds the key stepping into
tomorrow, your next thought,
next action, and next choice.

Now is this moment in time.
It is all you have.

Now is the point you choose to forgive
yourself for actions taken, actions that
were driven by a state of unknowing.

Now is the time to look at the
unknowing with a new Light,
a new Thought,
rather than from a state of judgment.

Now is the time to ask to see
others as God sees them.

Now is the time to raise the vibration
of gratitude of all your experiences,
allowing the Light of Love
to shine upon the Truth

Now is the time to choose to see
the glorious truth in All.

Now is the intersection of your life.
Life choices that are motivated by
thoughts; thoughts that become emotions
that affect choices in your health,
relationships and prosperity.

Now is greater than yesterday
and the engine into tomorrow.

Now is learning the importance
of forgiving the past.

Now is the time to bless the past
and present with gratitude and love.

Now is the accumulation of the All,
resting in the palm of your hands.

Now is the time to choose from the heart
of forgiveness; forgiveness opens the
Hearts’ door to Love —
Love opens the door to Peace.

Now is the time to allow Love
to flourish with abandon.

Now is the time to accept
your Greatness.

Now is all you have and all there is.

Rev. Linda Ledbeter is a Pathways of Light minister who lives in Plymouth, Wisconsin

© 2012, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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A Lesson in Love

by Rev. Rebecca Brown, O.M.C.

When I moved to Florida a little over a year and a half ago, I moved into a low socioeconomic neighborhood, where it soon became apparent that alcoholism was prevalent. Although I know that this disease transcends all socioeconomic levels, it seemed to be higher here. I suspect that is the result of the depression associated with the unemployment and low incomes that exist here.

I was somewhat dismayed by this as I felt that I had more than my share of relationships with active alcoholics who had hurt me, both in my family and with my intimate partners. I was determined to remain polite but distant from my neighbors. One of my neighbors, about my age whom I shall call Francesca, made several attempts to befriend me but I would not relinquish my judgment about getting too involved, so I remained distant.

About six months ago, she sent me a card and I began to open up more to her. I asked her over for Thanksgiving but was told by her partner that she was in very bad pain and was unable to come. She spent the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas staying indoors due to severe pain in her abdomen. I invited her again at Christmas but she was still unable to come as she was having a great deal of difficulty walking.

During early February, she was forced to see her doctor (I am not sure if it was fear or lack of insurance or both that prevented her from going for help sooner), and she was admitted to the hospital after being told she had only had forty days to live. She found out she had cancer and it had spread to virtually every organ in her body, including her brain, which had several tumors. 

Francesca passed away this week while being cared for in a hospice. Her long–term partner told me that she spent the last few weeks asleep and that she was able to transcend this realm and into the arms of our Father peacefully. I asked her partner if there was going to be any type of memorial service for her and was told there was not going to be one. He said her family lives several thousand miles away and she simply was going to be cremated with no one there to commemorate her life. I felt devastated, as did my family.

Every being contributes equally to this world and should be recognized for that contribution. I know she taught me a great deal about innocence and love. She had always been humble and gentle, even when I refused to let go of my own judgments about her drinking behaviors. I’m not sure she ever knew why I stayed so far away, and if she did, I hope she was able to forgive me for it, as I am learning to forgive myself for allowing my fear to get into the way of expressing the unconditional love we both held within our hearts.

Whatever may have happened in the years she journeyed here, one thing is for certain; she was one of my greatest teachers, whom I deeply love and will always remember, someone who unknowingly assisted in healing me. I thank her for her life, her love, and for her great courage and I thank the Holy Spirit for that holy relationship. I have grown immeasurably from it.

Rev. Rebecca Brown, O.M.C., is a Pathways of Light minister living in Orlando, Florida.

© 2012, 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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