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January-March, 2016

Trusting I Am in Good Hands

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

I feel like my “Trust” level is steadily increasing. I have been practicing forgiveness — ACIM style — for more than two decades. Seeing the world as a classroom and every circumstance and situation as a “forgiveness opportunity” is the goal of the practice.  And I am definitely getting better at it.

Why do I think that I am getting better at this? It seems to be in the way I feel — the amount of love that comes my way — a feeling of confidence that everything is exactly as it should be for my continuing spiritual growth. I am so grateful to have this pathway to travel while I slowly yet steadily realize that I am the “dreamer of the dream.”

The situation that I can apply this to today has to do with the fact that my book, Forgiving Kevin, is being made into a full-length motion picture. Although this was not my idea, I did say, “yes” to the project after going to Holy Spirit. In fact, I felt that I heard Spirit tell me, “say yes, and then let go and leave the rest to Me.”

The screenplay of the book is now completed in its first version. I did not write it. It was written by my new friend, Chris, who is also the director and producer of the movie.

I am being reminded that the ego knows exactly how to enlist all my fears to challenge my intentions of true forgiveness – my efforts to let go and let God. Although Chris is well experienced in this field and I certainly am not, something makes me feel like the expert. After all, I was there. I wrote the book.

Chris has said many times that he expects to collaborate with me to keep the movie “honest and authentic” to the story. As a result, upon reading the screenplay I made more than 100 notations of changes I believe should be made to achieve this “honesty and authenticity.”

I spoke to my friend Picch, the editor of my book, about this. He asked with some skepticism, “Do you believe suggesting over 100 corrections to be letting go?”

I replied with confidence, “Yes, I went to Spirit with the intention of being helpful. I had the opportunity to give my thoughts in detail over a 3-hour meeting. Now, I can let go and help only when asked or directed.”

But it really is not that easy for me. My ego rails at the words the script has me say. Those were not my words. I don’t talk like that.

There are actions of Kevin or me that never happened the way described in the screenplay. My ego screams, “Hey, do you want it authentic or not?” I am quick to forget that I promised to “let go.”

Reducing a seven-year period into about 105 minutes requires skill and innovation. I know little to nothing about filmmaking. I feel I was clearly advised by my Higher Power to hand all the details to Him. He (Spirit) will involve me as He sees fit. Without His clear direction, I need do nothing.

This is my opportunity to practice true forgiveness — to let go and let God. This whole scenario has been set up perfectly for my continued spiritual growth. My trust has grown over the years of practice with ACIM.

I have also enlisted the spirit of my son, Kevin, to help me stay focused on this true form of forgiveness. He often serves as a guiding angel to remind me to laugh at all these ego thoughts that enter my mind. I ask both Holy Spirit and his assistant coach, Kevin, to keep me vigilant in this practice of forgiveness.

And I trust that I am in good hands.

Rev. Larry Glenz, O.M.C., is a Pathways of Light minister living in Long Beach, New York. Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).  See Rev. Larry Glenz at the ACIM Conference in Las Vegas, NV April 8-10, 2016. To read more about the movie production in progress and view a video by Larry Glenz about the purpose of the move project, go to: http://www.forgivingkevin.com

© 2015, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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January-March, 2016

My Thanksgiving Crash

by Rev. Barbara Goodman Siegel, O.M.C.

I am ashamed to say that my day after Thanksgiving crash is as predictable as Thanksgiving. It has been a personal “tradition” for as long as I remember. Every year, I vow that this will be the year it won’t happen. This year, like so many years past, I think I have guarded against it, but, alas, I awaken this day after Thanksgiving and here it is.

The story that precipitates the crash is pretty much the same each year. Here are the highlights: No kids of my own and my step-children go to their mother’s house for Thanksgiving. Relatives ask us to join them for Thanksgiving and it feels like a “pity” invite. I feel like a fifth wheel as they are surrounded by their children and grandchildren. In Course words, my ego screams: “Separate, separate, separate” and I get up Friday morning depressed and feeling alone in the world.

I realize that this “Poor me, I have no children that love me” is my go to victim story. It is my ego’s comfort zone. As much as I tell myself: “I will not go there again this year,” here I am.

Contemplating this, I realize that somewhere deep down I made up the belief that “Pity” translates to love and by being the “Pitiful victim” I will at least receive some kind of love from the relatives who include me (and my husband) at their Thanksgiving dinner.

So what does the Course have to tell me? The first obvious answer is that I have given this Thanksgiving story all the meaning it has for me. I know this Course lesson well. I understand it and I feel it deep in my heart, but a permanent antidote for the Friday morning after Thanksgiving seems to have eluded me.

Well, as fate would have it, (please read that with air quotes) today, Friday, November 27th, I am on Lesson 323 — “I gladly make the ‘sacrifice’ of fear.” As is my daily ritual with the Course, not only do I read the lesson for the day several times, but I also write affirmations for each lesson (which I hope may someday be made into a book to help all Course students). I pick up my pen and I wait to “hear” what affirmations to write. I write the following:

Lesson 323:
I gladly make the “sacrifice” of fear.

1. I gladly give up all suffering.

2. I gladly give up all sense of loss and sadness.

3. I gladly give up all anxiety and doubt.

4. I freely let God’s Love come into my awareness.

5. I freely accept God’s eternal joy.

I take deep breaths and repeat the affirmations over and over again. As I do so, I feel myself releasing my “victim” thoughts. I smile at the self that thought it could be unloved. I smile at the ego that so enjoys this after Thanksgiving tradition. I feel my Higher Self looking with love and compassion on the self that felt so alone and separate. I hear It tell me: “No one is unloved! No one is a victim! No one is or can be alone and separate. They can create the illusion, but that is not the Truth and only the Truth is real.”

I decided to write this account of my Thanksgiving crash (or perhaps crashes would be more appropriate) because it is something I am ashamed of. After all, I have studied the Course for almost 20 years; I am a Pathway’s of Light minister; I teach and I write. What would people think if they knew how far down the rabbit hole I could go with my ego thoughts and emotions? But, I have come to realize that shame is one of the ego’s most dangerous tools for keeping us small. It keeps us in hiding, and it keeps us from living up to our full potential by repeating the age old story: “If they only knew the real you…” Shame is the ego’s way of blackmailing us and this is how it keeps us from being our true Self.

I no longer want to be the prisoner of shame. It has kept me small for many years. I think when we expose our “shame” it takes all the energy out of it. So, I am telling you, dear reader, this story. It is not my only “Shame” story. I intend to expose them all, maybe some in writing, maybe some with a friend or in a trusted spiritual group, or maybe just by going to one person and saying: “I am ashamed of how I acted, please forgive me.” However I expose my “Shame” stories, I intend to get them all out. Then I will be free of them. Then I will be free to be my authentic Self. What could I be more thankful for then that? I intend for 2016 to be the year I freed my Self. I invite you to join me.

Rev. Barbara Goodman Siegel, O.M.C., is a Pathways of Light minister living in St. Louis, Missouri. 
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

© 2015, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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January-March, 2016

My Inner Wisdom

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

As a nondenominational minister, I embrace all religious and spiritual traditions as they are understood at their core. The shared core teaching being that we are all connected. Because of this interdependence, it behooves each of us to act with kindness and compassion toward one another. In this sense, ‘As we give, so do we receive.’

Believing in this faith, I still encounter many situations where I do not know what compassionate or kind act to take; what should I give or allow myself to receive? Over the years, though I have cultivated a reliable relationship with an Inner Guide, known to me as Inner Wisdom, that unfailing Guide aids me in choosing the exactly perfect act, or compassionate gesture, or knowing what to give and what to receive in every situation.   

How does this happen? How does my Inner Wisdom know what the people I am interacting with need? How does my Inner Wisdom know what I need, even when I don’t? Well, I’ll tell you a story… 

This past May, I noticed myself feeling fatigued and edgy. I was sure my feelings were caused by something my husband was doing and that if he would just change, I would return to peace. My husband indulged me and explored making the changes I was asking for.

At the same time, I began inviting my Inner Wisdom into my tension and fatigue. I call this invitation prayer, which in my practice is much more about listening than speaking or petitioning. I asked to be shown what the source of my tension was and I surrendered any hold on what the answer would be.

The days went by. My prayer continued, and in mid-June, I saw an announcement for a women’s group called Reclaiming Balance. The group was using meditation, chakra energy and art making to explore feelings, thoughts, and whatever else arose. Wow!, that looked fun and I joined the eight-week journey.

In the seventh week I created a three-part pastel drawing that was to depict in part 1.) a problem in my life; in part 2.) how to resolve the problem; and, in part 3.) how my life would be transformed with the problem resolved. With great ease I drew all three parts, colorfully and boldly guided by my Inner Wisdom. Yet, when I was finished, I reported to the group that I had no idea what the problem was or how to resolve it. I knew part 3.) was showing me an integration within myself that felt whole and complete. But an integration of what? For what? Unbeknownst to me, my Inner Wisdom was planting a seed in my awareness.

By September, my husband and I were discerning that I may have been wrong — that he was not responsible for the tension and fatigue I was feeling. At the same time, a friend who knew our situation intimately made an off-the-cuff suggestion that I explore possible codependent patterns in my thinking as a way to return to peace. I didn’t embrace this comment when it was made, but I didn’t dismiss it either. I continued asking my Inner Wisdom to guide me in returning to peace, surrendering what my path to peace should look like.

On a lovely mid-October Sunday afternoon in Santa Fe, I was strolling through our enchanting Plaza sipping a yummy chocolate cafe latte when I noticed how peaceful I was feeling being by myself. My thoughts were absorbed in enjoying my day which included an earlier lunch with a wonderful girlfriend. My thoughts were not focused on my husband at all. Throughout my stroll, my Inner Wisdom guided me in realizing that I was voluntarily choosing to focus on my husband to the point of giving away my peacefulness. I saw my insanity and prayed to my Inner Wisdom, ‘Why was I choosing to give away my peacefulness?’

Over the next week, my Inner Wisdom gently guided me to the answer. I was using codependent thinking in my marriage. I was choosing the fear of codependency and its controlling self-reliance instead of choosing to let go and be in peace.

I am not a new-comer to codependent thinking. I lived with the family disease of alcoholism for a long and protracted period of my life. I have spent years healing from the effects of this disease, and yet, here it was again… really?

For the next several weeks, I sat in Al-anon meetings listening with my mouth hanging open. Each speaker was telling my story, revealing what I was feeling, and showing me that even after so many years there was more healing to do. I’d been in these “rooms” before and must have heard all this again and again over the years, and yet it was as if I was learning about the effects of distorted thinking for the very first time. Shortly thereafter, my Inner Wisdom’s revelation dawned fully into my awareness — that earlier planted seed was ready to bloom.

I was driving home from meeting with a couple whose wedding ceremony I was soon to officiate. I was reflecting on their twinkling eyes for each other and their joyful laughter and was reminded of my love, my husband. My earlier drawn three-part picture appeared in my mind. In that instant I knew part 1.) was showing me my yet unhealed codependent thinking; and, part 2.) was showing me the path to healing I was finding in the fellowship and understanding of Al-anon meetings and literature.

With great humility I tell you, without my Inner Wisdom’s guidance I would never have realized how codependent thinking was affecting my marriage and my life. I am in awe of how my Inner Wisdom guided me so gently and so compassionately to becoming aware of my need for healing. The concept of Inner Wisdom, a key component to the freedom offered by A Course in Miracles, is why I study and teach from this beloved text. I cannot say enough about the ‘miracles’ that have occurred in my life as a dedicated student and teacher of the Course. In great gratitude for each and every one of these miracles, humbly, Amen.

Reverend Andrea Sassa Archuleta is a Pathways of Light Ordained Minister living in Santa Fe New Mexico. Rev. Andrea joyfully joins with you for spiritual counseling and to officiate your wedding and ceremonies. Find Rev. Andrea at Awakening JOY Ministries, LLC at http://www.spiritualcounseling.us and by emailing her at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

© 2015, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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January-March, 2016

Mind Watching — A Family Affair

by Rev. Lee Catalano, O.M.C.

The most powerful thing I have ever learned in my life is that there are two very distinct realities happening in the mind. You can call them light/dark… ego/christ… negative/positive… whatever you call it ...the single most important thing you can learn is to recognize it inside yourself. At 28 I opened up A Course in Miracles and what a relief to discover life was coming from me and not happening to me. Everything I was and am experiencing is coming from my thoughts.

My kids now 30, 26 and 12 would agree that the single most important thing that I have passed on to them is “mind watching.” My daughter Robin says, “When I am feeling down the most important thing that I can do is extend myself to others.” This is a very powerful statement if you look at it more closely. I have observed Robin watch her mind and offer only words that are filled with innocence and acceptance to others. In turn she is one of the most consistently happy people I have ever known.
When our thoughts are filled with resentment… self abasement and negativity… it is important to learn to do or say nothing.

My little son Cavan understood the concept of “pain body” and changing his mind at three years old. He was able to spend three minutes in his room and turn himself around. According to Eckhart Tolle, the pain body is an energy force inside of each of us that is fed by negative thinking and emotion. We can learn with focus and determination to dissolve it within ourselves. Acting from a mindset of pain body leads to an experience of more pain body. This is right in step with Jesus telling us to choose from a place of innocence with Holy Spirit. We also see it written in Abraham’s words telling us not to do or say anything when out of the Vortex.

Mind watching means that you keep to yourself; you don’t tell sad stories for the sake of telling them and you wait for it to pass. Jesus teaches us “this too shall pass.” He was speaking of a low state of mind. He doesn’t need for us to do or say anything; we just need to be kind to ourselves and allow it to pass.

When we are feeling out of the Vortex of happiness and innocence, around here some of the things we do to remember are: This too shall pass, meditate, listen to inspiration, take a nap, take a hot bath, exercise, make healthy food, watch an uplifting movie, do something for someone else. Most of all don’t do anything self destructive, like speak harsh words or indulge in addictions, and never get down on yourself for needing some self Love. Self Love is the Love of God and it is your inheritance from Heaven!

Rev. Lee Catalano is a Pathways of Light minister living in Watertown, MA. Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) Web site: heavensongministrypages.com

© 2015, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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