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Study of Manual for Teachers 6-7-12

6-7-12

2 In this perception of the universe as God created it, it would be impossible to think of Him as loving. For who has decreed that all things pass away, ending in dust and disappointment and despair, can but be feared. He holds your little life in his hand but by a thread, ready to break it off without regret or care, perhaps today. Or if he waits, yet is the ending certain. Who loves such a god knows not of love, because he has denied that life is real. Death has become life’s symbol. His world is now a battleground, where contradiction reigns and opposites make endless war. Where there is death is peace impossible.

‘The Holy Spirit has had me looking at anger the last few days. This is different. I don’t usually get angry… I thought. Maybe I got angry and then set it aside really quickly. Maybe I got angry and called it something else. At any rate, I have seen the anger and while I have been surprised by it, am grateful to have this opportunity to heal. You can’t even ask for healing of something you have not acknowledged.

Maybe all that anger is just symbolic of the anger we have about death. For many years I held a secret grudge against God because I knew He could take my children any time He wanted to. It was a secret because if I acknowledged it maybe that would make God angry enough to do it. Then I began to learn that God doesn’t do that, but I noticed that He doesn’t prevent it either, and so He was still guilty in my eyes. I never told Him how I felt, of course. I never even told myself.

Many, many people hold this belief. At the funeral of a child someone said to the parents, “You must have done something really awful for God to punish you this way.” Where does a belief like this come from? It comes from that seemingly bottomless well of fear and guilt that keeps all the prodigal children from running back into their Father’s loving embrace.

This woman seemed cruel in her harsh words, but was really just afraid of God Whom she saw as terrifyingly omnipotent. This kind of thinking is simple projection, placing the fear of death onto someone else by making them guilty and therefore deserving of punishment. It gives a way out of heartbreak, for as long as the frightened person can be good enough, God will not visit them with tragedy. In her confused mind she dared not feel compassion for the grieving person or she would be opening up her life to the same pain.

The problem with giving God the credit for all the things in life we like and all the things that go right, is that we also must place blame for all the things we don’t like and that don’t go our way. A Course in Miracles helps us to unravel this confused thinking as we learn that life as we know it does not exist and is simply an illusion, a belief in the mind, a thought picture which we experience as being outside ourselves.

We are only experiencing the answer to an ancient question. We don’t die because there is nothing to do die from, there is nowhere to go. The idea of death is just another effect of the idea of separation, and separation is not reality, so death could not be reality. Separation is not real because it is not of God and so death is not of God. God is not cruel.

Now that I understand and accept the idea of death so differently, this morning I looked at those old thoughts of “what if death were imminent” to see what was in my mind. I didn’t find any fear about my own death. I don’t think of it as dying anymore. I think of it as waking up somewhere else. Maybe I would die to the illusion altogether and never again believe in it.

So I thought about one of my kids with a terminal illness or lying in the hospital on life support. How would I react? What would be my prayer at that time? Would I still pray for them to be saved? Would I still beg for mercy from a capricious God, bargain with promises of a life better lived, offer myself in my child’s place? I can’t imagine believing in that God again. I think I would pray for the strength to see through the appearances to the truth of that child’s being.

What I would dread would be the grief of separation, too many days stretching before me without that wonderful person in my life. I think that communication is meant to cross all barriers within the illusion. I don’t think it is necessary that we lose contact with any part of the Sonship just because that one is no longer appearing as a body, but evidently I have not reached that place where belief becomes certainty so I cannot see past the grief of loss at this time. As always, I open my mind and heart to you, Holy Spirit. Please heal my uncertainty. 

© 2012, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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Study of Manual for Teachers 6-6-12

6-6-12
27. WHAT IS DEATH?

1 Death is the central dream from which all illusions stem. Is it not madness to think of life as being born, aging, losing vitality, and dying in the end? We have asked this question before, but now we need to consider it more carefully. It is the one fixed, unchangeable belief of the world that all things in it are born only to die. This is regarded as “the way of nature,” not to be raised to question, but to be accepted as the “natural” law of life. The cyclical, the changing and unsure; the undependable and the unsteady, waxing and waning in a certain way upon a certain path,-all this is taken as the Will of God. And no one asks if a benign Creator could will this.

Lies about death: The only thing certain in life is death and taxes. Life sucks and then you die.

A Course in Miracles make a dramatic departure from the most accepted concept of them all; that what we experience here is life and the inevitable result is death. Everyone pretty much believes this, even many of us who are coming to doubt it hold onto the concept in one way or another.

My mother died a year ago. I know mom didn’t really go anywhere. She wasn’t here to begin with because there is no here. All of this that we think of as life is just a story in our mind. It has no existence outside of mind.

The way I think of it (and this is not real either, just a way to envision it) is that the story of mom was the focus of attention for awhile and now the attention is elsewhere. There was never a person in a body living a life, and there was never a death. And certainly, God had nothing to do with either of those things.

On the other hand, In the story of Myron her mom died and Myron misses her mom very much. I am very involved in the story of Myron, and I experience these things as if they are real. I seem to be able to know it isn’t real and yet to live it as if it is real, and so far there is not a total unwavering decision about this. Its like I’m sitting on a fence, leaning first one way then the other.

What I don’t waver on, what I am certain of, is that God is not involved in this. I look to the Holy Spirit in my mind to give me clarity about it, to comfort me, to direct me, but not to influence the outcome. To ask Him to influence the outcome would be to accept that God is the cause of death and so a very cruel God. Instead I ask that my mistaken thoughts about the nature of life and the existence of death be corrected.

© 2012, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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Study of Manual for Teachers 6-5-12

6-5-12
4 Do not despair, then, because of limitations. It is your function to escape from them, but not to be without them. If you would be heard by those who suffer, you must speak their language. If you would be a savior, you must understand what needs to be escaped. Salvation is not theoretical. Behold the problem, ask for the answer, and then accept it when it comes. Nor will its coming be long delayed. All the help you can accept will be provided, and not one need you have will not be met. Let us not, then, be too concerned with goals for which you are not ready. God takes you where you are and welcomes you. What more could you desire, when this is all you need?

This paragraph is very encouraging. Letting go of guilt is the job I have to do here, and even though the entire Course teaches me I have nothing to be guilty for, I have always felt guilty when I found the dark places in my mind, and felt guiltier still when I seemed unwilling to immediately let them go. I didn’t see as clearly as I do now, but I felt guilty for my existence here. But I kept doing the work and I now I have let go of so much guilt, and it feels wonderful.

The way I did it is exactly as he states here. I behold the problem, ask for the answer and then accept it when it comes. It really is that simple. I always receive as much answer as I am ready for and that readiness is not determined by me, but by the Holy Spirit within me, for that is part of His function. His function is to determine the specifics of my path Home and to guide me there, and to comfort me along the way. He never fails in his job.

For so long I was discontented no matter how well I was doing because it never felt like enough. I always wanted to be in the next place. Now I feel so much happier as I simply enjoy where I am and realize that I am not in charge of this journey. When there is something for me to do I will be told.

Yesterday something happened and I became angry about it. I haven’t been angry in a really long time and it is a miserable condition to find myself in. I observed the anger and asked that it be transformed. Then I picked it back up. I did this several times. I noticed that the ego wanted to make stories and to solve the problem. I mean it really, really wanted to do this. But I know the folly of going there, so I continued turning it over.

I felt panic when it didn’t seem to be working but then I remembered Regina’s very good advice to just rest in God and let the storm pass, because that’s what storms do. I did that and I felt calm and certain. The ego tried to engage me again but I had lost interest. Then I heard the Holy Spirit tell me that the person I was angry with was innocent. Of course she is, and thinking she was guilty was the reason I felt so uncomfortable. When I thought she was guilty, I automatically felt guilty, because I will always receive what I give.

It all melted away like butter on the stove. “Thank you, Holy Spirit! Thank you for helping me see the cause of my pain and thank you for healing my mind.” Later the ego made a last run at me. I saw the thoughts and was delighted to realize they held no appeal and quickly went away.

Looking back on that situation and others lately, I feel like I am cleaning up all that is left of a wild and crazy party. A few empty bottles under a chair, a party hat behind the couch, some confetti I missed on the first run-through. I’m happy to do this and happy that I feel no concern that there is still this bit of work to do.

© 2012, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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Study of Manual for Teachers 6-4-12

6-4-12
3 Sometimes a teacher of God may have a brief experience of direct union with God. In this world, it is almost impossible that this endure. It can, perhaps, be won after much devotion and dedication, and then be maintained for much of the time on earth. But this is so rare that it cannot be considered a realistic goal. If it happens, so be it. If it does not happen, so be it as well. All worldly states must be illusory. If God were reached directly in sustained awareness, the body would not be long maintained. Those who have laid the body down merely to extend their helpfulness to those remaining behind are few indeed. And they need helpers who are still in bondage and still asleep, so that by their awakening can God’s Voice be heard.

I cannot speak about a direct union with God. I don’t know what that is. I have had a few mystical experiences. I have had a peak behind the veil, only to have it fall back in place quickly. I have had one experience of Love, which was so incredible I hate to even write about it because words just diminish the experience. The memory of the experience is fading, but not my longing for its return. But a direct union with God? I cannot even imagine.

Jesus says it can happen but its very rare and cannot be maintained. Evidently, when this happens one may simply lay the body down and continue to be helpful from that state. Well, ok, I’m open to the possibility, but since I still struggle with the everyday challenges of living as a body and the temporary plunges into forgetfulness and confusion, I don’t see this happening any time soon.

What I can imagine is that I could live in an awakened state. By that I mean I could live as Myron knowing I am not that. I could reach a place in which I never become confused about what I am. This is not the ultimate goal, but I can see it as attainable. I think this is important because not very long ago I did not imagine that I could do this, at least not in this lifetime. It wasn’t that long ago that I would have been happy to just live with less guilt and less fear.  Now I know that I can live without fear and guilt. I have not achieved that state, but I know I can and will.

I love how Jesus ends this paragraph. He says that those who have gone ahead of us,  and have fully awakened are helping us to wake up, and they need our help. It is our own awakening that is teaching others. We are helping each other awaken from this crazy dream. I feel so much gratitude for all of us who are doing our best.

I have a few friends who have moved into a more enlightened state and I follow in their footsteps. I am so grateful for their light. In moments when my thoughts are dark, their light guides me back to truth. I have friends who struggle with the very beliefs that I only recently let go. I am so grateful for their willingness. I go no place without them.

I have friends who turn to me to help them. I am so grateful, as I receive only as I give. I have people in my life that I still experience as challenges to my peace and I am grateful to them for the opportunity to remember I am not a victim. These brothers have a gift for me if I care to accept it.

We are like one great flower longing for the warmth of the sun, each leaf turning toward the light. It is a fully collaborative effort and what does it matter which leaves turns first, because in the end all leaves must turn for they are a single flower.

© 2012, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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Study of Manual for Teachers 6-3-12

6-3-12
2 There are those who have reached God directly, retaining no trace of worldly limits and remembering their own Identity perfectly. These might be called the Teachers of teachers because, although they are no longer visible, their image can yet be called upon. And they will appear when and where it is helpful for them to do so. To those to whom such appearances would be frightening, they give their ideas. No one can call on them in vain. Nor is there anyone of whom they are unaware. All needs are known to them, and all mistakes are recognized and overlooked by them. The time will come when this is understood. And meanwhile, they give all their gifts to the teachers of God who look to them for help, asking all things in their name and in no other.

As I read this paragraph I thought of Regina. She has received help through the teachings that came through her as scribing. She did not just receive the words and record them; she studied them as she received them. They were lessons for her. She called on these master teachers to help her, and they answered. When receiving The Holy Spirit’s Interpretation of the New Testament she noticed the difference in the various voices that came through. The Teachings of Inner Ramana came from Ramana Maharshi.

Jesus is letting us know that any of us can call for help and be heard. We can call on the Teachers of teachers to help us and we will be answered. How that answer is given may not be in the same way it was received by Regina, but it will be given. It may simply come as ideas, but however it comes it will be the way that is most helpful to us.

I would not ask to be a scribe or to receive help in any specific way because I understand that I don’t know what is most helpful to me. I do trust that the Teacher I call upon knows and so I call for help with complete confidence that I will be answered and the answer is one I will understand and find useful. I feel the strongest attraction to Jesus to whom I am eternally grateful. But I also make him special in my mind and so feel reluctant to call his name. I give this error to the Holy Spirit and ask that it be corrected.

I know that he doesn’t need or want me to worship him, or make him special in any way. I also know he doesn’t judge me for doing so. He sees my error, understands it and completely overlooks it. This is why I feel safe with him, and utterly trust him. This is the help I ask for, that I might be become a Teacher of teachers, to be able to see the error and to completely overlook it. Jesus, I call on your name and ask that you help me with this.

© 2012, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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Study of Manual for Teachers 6-2-12

6-2-12
26. CAN GOD BE REACHED DIRECTLY?
1 God indeed can be reached directly, for there is no distance between Him and His Son. His awareness is in everyone’s memory, and His Word is written on everyone’s heart. Yet this awareness and this memory can arise across the threshold of recognition only where all barriers to truth have been removed. In how many is this the case? Here, then, is the role of God’s teachers. They, too, have not attained the necessary understanding as yet, but they have joined with others. This is what sets them apart from the world. And it is this that enables others to leave the world with them. Alone they are nothing. But in their joining is the power of God.

I have many concepts about what God is and how I relate to Him and yet I know that none of them are true and so I don’t dwell on them. I am satisfied to know that I cannot be apart from God and it brings me courage and to think this. It makes my heart glad to think that He is in my memory and cannot be erased, and that His Word is written on my heart, even though I don’t know what that means. I am surprised to discover that I no longer care that I don’t understand anything and am content to work where I am until I am someplace else.

How do I come to remember God? This is my work. I have placed many barriers in my mind to block that memory, but now have tired of the game and long to return Home, so must remove the blocks to the awareness of God’s Love. Now when I encounter anything in my mind that is unlike God, I become willing for it to be gone. I become willing to live without it and the Holy Spirit takes it from me.

And so the wall starts coming down, slowly at first, one bit at a time, then more quickly as I begin to realize that there are not many different blocks. I see that each block is a different shape, but while they look different, they are all the same. This understanding helps move the process along, but alas, I am still easily distracted and sometimes forget the blocks are harmless illusions of separation. When I take them seriously, I believe they must be treated seriously and deserve my attention. I give them power to make feelings of guilt and fear and temporarily become uncertain of my desire to reach God.

All of this seems to take time and seems to be sometimes very hard. I feel optimistic though because I feel the Love that is God more often. I feel it moving in me, and tears of joy spring to my eyes. Even though I still get lost in my stories for awhile, I also have these moments of clarity.

Jesus says the reason I am waking up, the reason I am removing those barriers, is that I have joined with others for this purpose. And you, my readers, are the others I have joined with. Together, we will take down the wall of concepts, beliefs, judgments, and guilt that hides the truth from our mind. It was our desire for a separation experience that caused it to go up, and it is our desire for truth that brings it down. Alone we are nothing, but in our joining is the power of God.

© 2012, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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Study of Manual for Teachers 6-1-12

6-1-12
6 Any ability that anyone develops has the potentiality for good. To this there is no exception. And the more unusual and unexpected the power, the greater its potential usefulness. Salvation has need of all abilities, for what the world would destroy the Holy Spirit would restore. “Psychic” abilities have been used to call upon the devil, which merely means to strengthen the ego. Yet here is also a great channel of hope and healing in the Holy Spirit’s service. Those who have developed “psychic” powers have simply let some of the limitations they laid upon their minds be lifted. It can be but further limitations they lay upon themselves if they utilize their increased freedom for greater imprisonment. The Holy Spirit needs these gifts, and those who offer them to Him and Him alone go with Christ’s gratitude upon their hearts, and His holy sight not far behind.

I have always believed in psychic abilities and known there was more to the world than was obvious, but I did not think of these things as serious or important. In fact, I thought of them as being really interesting ego distractions. I wondered why the Course was giving a whole section talking about them. Now I see this differently. Here is what I have learned while studying this section.

Psychic abilities are natural and available to anyone and these powers will become accessible to them as their awareness increases. Psychic abilities are forms of communication that supersede the barriers to communication made to keep the illusion in place. These abilities are useful to the degree that they are under the Holy Spirit’s direction. If not used for the purpose of true communication they will devolve into magic and simply strengthen the ego. I have been dissuaded of any idea I had that psychic abilities are not useful to the Holy Spirit and thus not worthwhile, as I read the last sentence in this section.

The Holy Spirit needs these gifts, and those who offer them to Him and Him alone go with Christ’s gratitude upon their hearts, and His holy sight not far behind.

Studying this section on psychic abilities has changed my thinking about this subject. I have had some truly inspirational messages come through me from the Holy Spirit. I have even had brief instances of genuine automatic writing. I have spoken words that did not come from my thinking mind and were as much of a surprise to me as to the person to whom the words were directed.

I have had many “knowings” that did not come from thinking and this is increasing. I have suddenly noticed that I am speaking to someone in a way that is unlike me, and I don’t know why. It is not what I say that is different, but how I say it, and later realized that I was meeting that person’s needs in a way I couldn’t have done on my own.

These are some of the abilities of amplified communication that are evolving as I become open and willing, but I also block this at times. I say that it is nothing, just coincidence or imagination. A couple of times I have known that Jesus was speaking through me but completely turned my back on that voice because I still saw Jesus as special and felt unworthy.

I am now removing some of the blocks to greater communication because I understand that they are useful and natural, more natural than not having them. I understand that the Holy Spirit has use of these powers. I am not afraid of misusing them because I know my purpose and I will not forget it. I know there is no one special because I know there is only one. Misusing the abilities for the glorification of the ego was certainly a consideration at one time, but that is no longer true. I am not seeking anything in particular, but I open myself to any ability that Holy Spirit would find helpful.

© 2012, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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