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Gentle Healing Journal Lesson 92 2-4-19

LESSON 92
Miracles are seen in light, and light and strength are one.

Wednesday, I worked my way through a significant grievance, the content of which began when I was quite young. It felt really uncomfortable when I was in the grievance but it was worth it to release that unhealed belief that had been taking up space in my mind for my whole life. When I went to my Al Anon meeting, the first two people I greeted commented on how good I looked, like there was a glow about me. I told them that was just happiness.

So, Thursday night more stuff came to my awareness. I suddenly felt this overwhelming sadness about the state of the world, the divisiveness, the completely unfounded fear, the anger and even hatred. I just sat there and choked out sobs, that was how strong the feeling was. I let it out without trying to control it or even think about it. When I thought it was done, I asked what this was really about but the answer didn’t come at first.

Added to the extreme emotional reaction was the fear of not knowing what was going on and the realization that it was not over. Every time I thought I was through with the feeling part, strong emotion moved through me again. I wanted to let it have its way, but I didn’t want to wallow in it. Too much focus on the ego response tends to harden it in my mind. I go from simply watching it, to being lost in it.

Finally, I gave up dealing with it and decided to see how I felt this morning. Much to my dismay, the feeling was still there, not as strong, but then the day was still young. Again, I had another “come to Jesus” moment in which I asked him to help me understand what this was really all about. I must have been ready for the answer because I felt the word hopeless burst out of my mouth on another sob. Good! Now we are getting someplace!

I also heard the word helpless. I was looking at the belief in hopelessness and the belief that I was helpless to do anything about it. So, I reminded myself that this could not be true and I did my best to release it. I was having a hard time, though. I did this over and over and then decided to just do my next lesson for the Gentle Healing group, although I wondered if I would be able to do a good job considering how I felt.

And of course, here in the lesson was my answer and my healing.

3 It is God’s strength in you that is the light in which you see, as it is His Mind with which you think. His strength denies your weakness. It is your weakness that sees through the body’s eyes, peering about in darkness to behold the likeness of itself; the small, the weak, the sickly and the dying, those in need, the helpless and afraid, the sad, the poor, the starving and the joyless. These are seen through eyes that cannot see and cannot bless.

4 Strength overlooks these things by seeing past appearances. It keeps its steady gaze upon the light that lies beyond them. It unites with light, of which it is a part. It sees itself. It brings the light in which your Self appears. In darkness you perceive a self that is not there. Strength is the truth about you; weakness is an idol falsely worshipped and adored that strength may be dispelled, and darkness rule where God appointed that there should be light.

It was like a light came on in my mind and I saw everything in crystal clarity. It seems I was fooled by the strong emotional response into believing that because it was so intense there must be something real behind it, that it must have meaning. I immediately shifted my awareness to my right mind and all the emotion faded away and happiness returned with no other effort on my part.

I feel just a little bit of a lump in my throat thinking about the sad state of the world right now. That is the ego mind wanting to think about the illusion as if it is real. It wants to go back into the story. I release that to the Holy Spirit, too. I want always to be in my right mind because it is as close to God and to the state of Heaven as I will manage while I am still in time.

Regina’s Tip
Today’s lesson also introduces a new opportunity to pay attention to awareness, a method that can be practiced throughout the day everyday no matter where you are or what you are doing.

If you pay careful attention to yourself, you will see when you believe “I am a body.” Some of the symptoms of this belief are judgment, condemnation, fear, attack, self-hatred and a sense of being separate from everyone and everything outside of your body.

Today’s lesson asks us to shift our attention from that weakness (“I am a body”) to strength (awareness). We are asked to repeat today’s workbook lesson to our self throughout the day today. To really maximize the benefit, it is helpful to linger for a few seconds after repeating the workbook lesson. Simply linger in a relaxed state and notice awareness (isness, aliveness).

My Thought
It is helpful to realize that our judgment, condemnation, fear, attack, self-hatred and a sense of being separate from everyone and everything outside of your body are indicative of a belief we are a body. I watch for this stuff all the time and I release it when I find it. Sometimes it feels like I will never get to the end of it, but all of those many thoughts represent the one thought that I am a body, so I will succeed eventually.

© 2019, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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Posted by Rev. Myron Jones.

Gentle Healing Journal Lesson 91 2-3-19

Lesson 91
Miracles are seen in light.

I’m starting this study by looking closely at the main points in this lesson.

• miracles and vision necessarily go together
• the miracle is always there
• you will see them in the light; you will not see them in the dark
• light is crucial so that miracles will be seen
• if I deny the light that is there, its presence will be unknown to me and the idea of light will be meaningless. I believe what the eyes show me and so reject what is really there
• I am not alone in gaining vision, I have strong support
• we will devote ourselves to the attempt to let you feel this strength in you
• miracles your sense of weakness hides will leap into awareness as you feel the strength in you.
• instruct yourself that you are not a body, faith goes to what you want
• Your will remains your teacher, and your will has all the strength to do what it desires
• Miracles are seen in light.
The body’s eyes do not perceive the light.
But I am not a body. What am I?
• What you think you are is a belief to be undone
• The truth of what you are calls on the strength in you to bring to your awareness what the mistake conceals.
• you need to feel something to put your faith in, as you lift it from the body.
• I am not weak, but strong.
I am not helpless, but all powerful.
I am not limited, but unlimited.
I am not doubtful, but certain.
I am not an illusion, but a reality.
I cannot see in darkness, but in light.
• your efforts, however meager, are fully supported by the strength of God and all His Thoughts. It is from Them that your strength will come.
• Their strength is yours. Their strength becomes your eyes, that you may see.

Miracles and light go together. Miracles are always there but because I am not always aware of the light, I am not always aware of the miracle. What gets in the way of the light? My denial of the light blocks it from my awareness and thus keeps me from the miracle. When I deny the light, I believe what my eyes show me instead. This encompasses what my ears tell me and what my body senses. When I deny the light, I will believe I am the body that reports this information to me.

How do I regain the light I have denied? Alone this would not be possible, but I am not alone. I am fully supported by God and all His Thoughts. My part is to increase my willingness through practice. I do this in meditation as I become open and receptive to Their help in remembering what I am. My will is my teacher and my will has all the strength to do what it desires. My will along with the support of God and all His Thoughts will succeed, cannot but succeed.

And here is how my Helpers worked through me this morning. I took this lesson apart sentence by sentence to squeeze all the juice I could from it. I read Regina’s tips carefully for the same reason. This morning I had three people to speak to and in each case, I had the opportunity to include portions of what I learned in this lesson and so the discussion further reinforced it. Thank you, Holy Spirit.

Regina’s Tips
Regina says:
What is the miracle?
Today’s workbook lesson says, “The miracle is always there.” The miracle in this context is what you are.

What is light?
Light is awareness.

“Miracles are seen in light” means: Your truth is known in awareness.

Today’s workbook lesson also says, “To you, then, light is crucial. While
you remain in darkness, the miracle remains unseen.”

The ego thought system is darkness. While we remain focused on the ego thought system, we are not aware of truth. We are not aware of what we are.

I love how Regina simplifies ideas, pulling out what is most important to me.

Regina also says:
When we combine intention with action (spiritual practice), we call out to our true Self with a power that the mind cannot fathom, and the true Self answers. This answer to our call is certain. We simply need to put out the call.

Do your part to the best of your little ability, and the true Self will do its part, and its ability is way beyond yours. Prepare to be amazed.

Self Visualization Plan

This is Regina’s:
This is the visualization plan that I have come up with for me now. It supports my spiritual aspiration.

Relaxed in Self-certainty, I know where to place attention in every moment including how to think, how to perceive and how to spend my time. I easily focus attention without distraction. I use the mind effectively when it is useful. It rests silently when not in use. I abide in Self-realization, even as the body is engaged in activity. I experience truth as it is, without a second. I am the direct experience of truth.

My Thoughts
Could I just adopt her plan? ~smile~ Well, ultimately, yes, but maybe I should start where I am and develop a plan to get where Regina is now.

I will start by asking HS to be in charge of my plan, to guide me to the perfect elements for me right now.

I know I am good at vigilance but I see no reason to abandon that. I already spend the majority of my time directly involved in spiritual activity of some sort and all of my time with a spiritual purpose. That time seems well spent and helpful so I will continue that as well. I resolve to spend more time in meditation and to change my script around meditation from a focus on my past experience with it, to the experience I intend to have going forward. I intend to give more attention to root cause when I notice dark thoughts that I am still tempted to believe, taking it all the way back to the TMI as I forgive them. I am guided to find my gratitude for all things, all people, all happenings and make that a deliberate focus.

This is what I have so far.

© 2019, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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Posted by Rev. Myron Jones.

Gentle Healing Journal Lesson 90 2-1-19

Lesson 90
(79) Let me recognize the problem so it can be solved.
80) Let me recognize my problems have been solved.

“The problem is a grievance; the solution is a miracle. And I invite the solution to come to me through my forgiveness of the grievance, and my welcome of the miracle that takes its place.”

This morning, I read a news blurb about a tragedy involving children and I had a strong emotional reaction to it. I prayed for the people involved and then I asked the Holy Spirit for another way to see this because it was breaking my heart. Something very similar happened the day before and I forgave that grievance as well. The miracle that that took its place was peace of mind. Peace came to take the place of my grief because I welcomed it. In time, there is tragedy, but time doesn’t exist, and I do so in spite of appearances I must not be in time.

“I believe that the problem comes first, and time must elapse before it can be worked out. I do not see the problem and the answer as simultaneous in their occurrence.”

This quote is not so clear to me. I understand the concept, I just don’t experience the problem and the solution simultaneously so I can’t really speak to that. I can say that the elapse of time is so much shorter now, but until they are simultaneous, I don’t think I can really understand that my problems have been solved. I can accept that this must be true and look forward to the day when this is my experience. Another thought that came to me is that I must be resisting this idea or it would already be my experience. Is there still some desire in me for the problem, the drama, the chance to solve it myself? Sigh.

Regina’s Tips
A Course in Miracles tells us:

“The value of deciding in advance what you want to happen is simply that you will perceive the situation as a means to make it happen.”

In other words, as we become crystal clear on what we want and focus on what we want, we will see clearly our part in achieving it. However, that’s not all there is to it. In the Meta-Secret film we were told to expect quantum leaps. Those are the miracles that we are entitled to. As we envision our spiritual aspiration and as we do our part to achieve our spiritual aspiration, the deeper part of our Self rises to join with us, and shifts occur that are beyond our little efforts.

This will happen!

So as I said, my heart beats excitedly with joyous anticipation of the journey ahead. We can’t imagine it, but it is coming because we are inviting it.

My Thoughts
I join Regina in her excitement. Every day is an opportunity to decide what matters, where I want my focus. I expect quantum leaps!

© 2019, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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Gentle Healing Journal Lesson 89 1-29-19

Lesson 89
(77) I am entitled to miracles.
(78) Let miracles replace all grievances.

The world as I see it now is not a happy place. It is filled with conflict, hatred, pain, suffering and death. The world is like this because it is a reflection of the grievances we hold in our mind. It would take a miracle to change things, and luckily, I am entitled to miracles. Miracles will reveal the real world, the happy dream. This happens because miracles replace grievances. My only part is to notice the grievances that are hurting me and the world and be willing to release them. The miracle does the rest.

One might ask why bother? The world isn’t real anyway, and eventually we will all be released from it. It’s that eventually part that motivates me. Eventually could take a very long time and in the meantime there is a lot of suffering going on. The more love I allow in my awareness, the more compassion I feel for everyone. I can only do my part, but I will not fail to do that.

Regina’s Tips
“Everything will be alright in the end, so if it’s not yet alright, it’s not yet the end.”

My Thoughts
Like everyone else, I sometimes despair of myself thinking I will never get to the end. I judge myself for forgetting and not doing well enough. I don’t know how many times I have stopped in my tracks because I noticed that I was feeling guilty for failing to do the meditation well enough or long enough. I stop right there and I reminded myself that it’s OK. I will do better next time or I won’t, but it’s still OK. I’m loving that quote from Regina.

© 2019, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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Gentle Healing Journal Lesson 88 1-27-19

Lesson 88
(75) The light has come.
(76) I am under no laws but God’s.

“Salvation is a decision made already. Attack and grievances are not there to choose.”

I imagine the tiny mad idea in which we wondered what separation from God would be like and the instant in which our curiosity was answered in full and the world in all its variations unfolded. I imagine how we gently laughed and turned away from that idea and the decision made, we were saved from our curious play. But there were some of us who continued to wonder, who wanted to explore this idea more deeply. And so God placed in our mind the call to joy so that we would always find our way back Home when we were ready.

We wanderers are beginning to tire of the game and those of us who are ready to return our attention to reality are learning to make that choice. We are discovering that the world we imagine we are living in is not real, but is a dreamscape from which we must choose to awaken. This morning as I sat here before the computer ready to add to my journal, I did as I often do. I stopped for a few moments and rested my fingers on the keyboard. I looked at them and let myself remember that there is no keyboard and there are no fingers. It is still a surreal experience for me, but I think that as I continue this practice, my mind will shift and the belief in my fingers and my keyboard will become the surreal experience.

“I am perfectly free of the effects of all laws save God’s. And His are the laws of freedom.”

I cannot completely believe in the laws of God until I fully accept that the world as such does not exist. If I believe in this dreamscape, I will obey the laws set up to allow its seeming existence. But if I encourage the light to come into my mind and gently awaken me, and at the same time I practice the idea that I am affected only by God’s laws, I will accept my freedom. I have ample opportunity for practice all during the day. Yesterday, I spent more than half the day being vigilant and stopping frequently to spend some minutes in stillness. But eventually, I allowed my mind to be attracted to the distractions the ego prefers.

Today, I will remember that I want to see in each situation only what is there, and I will choose vision rather than sight. I will allow God’s laws to work in these situations instead of my own.

Regina’s Tips
The ego often tells us that awakening is impossible. Or, at least it will say it is impossible for “me.” However, A Course in Miracles says:

“In an impossible situation, you can develop your abilities to the point where they can get you out of it.”

My Thoughts
I hear the ego voice telling me that I cannot do this, at least in this lifetime. I hear it all the time. If I let my attention linger on that thought, I hear all the reasons and the proof that I am not waking up any time soon. But, I am doing what I need to do to get out of this impossible situation, so awakening is inevitable.

© 2019, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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Posted by Rev. Myron Jones.

Gentle Healing Journal Lesson 87 1-25-19

Lesson 87
(73) I will there be light.
(74) There is no will but God’s.

As I wrote those two lines, I thought, “Woah! If I will there be light and there is no will but God’s, my will must be the same will as God’s.” And immediately, I thought, “Right. This from the woman who can’t decide on a diet and stick to it for two days in a row.” But, no, that’s not right. It is not my will that I lose weight or I would.

It is not my ego will that is in alignment with God’s Will. We are talking about my true self here. I use my ego will to get up in the morning and I guess it helps me with my spiritual practice as well. It is the ego drive to finish what I start that is helpful in this instance. But the ego does not will there be light. The ego doesn’t want light because it operates only in darkness.

I say, “Let there be Light,” and the ego says, “Don’t be ridiculous. Are there any more of those chocolate bars?” I compromise and eat an Atkins Bar but I also come back to the lesson and remember that this cannot hide the light I will to see.

Regina’s Tips
As mentioned in yesterday’s tip, discouragement is of the ego. It is a very successful ego trick, because it can lead us to let go of the practice that awakens.

“But I can promise you, if you will take up such a path – simply, joyfully, gently, patiently – the end of your journey is certain.”

My thoughts
Of the quotes given by Regina, that was the one that spoke to me. It is my path, gentle and patient. Well, gentle, anyway. Patience came after I realized that struggle and impatience wasn’t helping. Now I take it a step at a time and the path itself has become more joyous as I have done so. This more laid back approach does not preclude effort.

I do this work more vigilantly than ever before and it is the focus of my life. The difference now is that I do it without a lot of moaning and hair pulling. I am just walking forward a step at a time knowing that the end is certain even if the timing is yet unknow.

© 2019, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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Gentle Healing Journal Lesson 86 1-24-19

Lesson 86
(71) Only God’s plan for salvation will work.
(72) Holding grievances is an attack on God’s plan for salvation.

I noticed that when the contractor was putting up the toilet paper holder and towel holder, he put it in a place on the wall that would not hold it. Now they are falling off and I am going to have to replace them and repaint. I was feeling aggrieved.

I checked my bank balance just a few minutes ago and noticed the bank clerk deposited my money into my checking even though I asked her to put it in my savings, and for just a moment I felt annoyed with her. Lesson 21 says that annoyance is nothing but a veil drawn over intense fury. Jeez! That’s crazy.

But it is an example, I think, of the value I place on grievances. It seems that I am resisting the holy instant so that I can be furious at a nice lady for a simple error. I did, however, catch it quickly and I changed my mind just as quickly, so there is that. I would be discouraged with myself except that Jesus reassures me that I will have the holy instant and he also reminds me that it has gone nowhere. It may be obscured, but it has not ceased to exist.

Something that bears looking at is that my grievances are an actual attack on God’s plan for salvation. They seem to prove that God’s plan doesn’t work, when all along if I am willing to see the obvious, my grievances will prove to me that my plan is not working. They make me miserable and frighten me. I am astounded at myself as I realize how often I have these little grievances in my mind. I am happy to let them go. I do that as quickly and thoroughly as I can. I don’t want to defend against God any more.

Regina’s Tips for this lesson
Discouragement is of the ego. It is one of the ego’s preservation strategies, since discouragement keeps us from spiritual practice. If we see discouragement as an ego trick, it may help us NOT listen to thoughts of discouragement.

My thoughts
I used to go through discouragement periodically and it was painful. Now I experience it briefly and it is still painful, but only for a short time until I move out of it. Understanding that this is just ego or bad code is helpful in keeping me from getting drawn deeply into it. I am also aware that where I place my attention becomes my experience, so I try never to place my attention on what I don’t want to experience.

If I have an ego moment of discouragement, I shift my attention to the truth because the truth gives me an experience that I prefer. What is true now, is that the ego mind has become vicious in its attempts to maintain itself and so those rare attacks are brutal. I guess that’s good, really, because I am highly motivated to end them.

© 2019, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
You may freely share copies of this with your friends, provided this notice is included.