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Miracles News Fall 2000 |
Impossibilities • Come Back to Center • Who Is My Teacher? • Show Me the Way to Go Home
I Have Slipped up the Mountain into the Temple of My Self • More Fall 2000 Articles
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As we look out into the world, we see many situations that make us give pause and wonder how these situations can exist. We see war, starvation, atrocities, addiction, rage, murder, molestation, insecurity, unhappiness, hate, fear, guilt, sadness, shame, loneliness, disease, retardation, death, destruction, car, plane, boat and train accidents. All of the above-mentioned and more are the creations of this world.
We, as a society, abhor these situations and hard as we try, we make little impact, if any, on these seeming imperfections that we have to put up with while we dwell in this world. Over and over, we look for solutions that never seem to be quite the answer. Ever since the beginning of time, the things that have plagued mankind still seem to plague him and bring him pain.
Perhaps we need a different perspective. A different way of looking at an old problem will perhaps bring a new perception into our awareness that we have not been open to because it seems an unlikely answer. This perception opens a new way of seeing, and because we do not open ourselves up easily to new ways of thinking, it may be a perception that is not readily accepted.
All of our ‘new thinking' encourages us to open up to new possibilities, and this is a good thing for us to do. But what about all of the situations in the world that are not open to new possibilities? These are the situations that have gone on for centuries. All of the new possibilities have not made much of a difference. What needs to be done to correct these unhappy conditions that exist? Is there an answer that will help us better understand how correction can happen?
I was meditating the other day and it popped into my mind that we do not live in a world of possibilities, we live in a world of impossibilities.
When we were created, we were never meant to experience the impossible situations that we experience and see in the world. Our mind, or the essence of our being, was not created under such duress. Because it was not created to experience such things, it is constantly trying to make corrections. These corrections are impossible to make because from a spiritual standpoint, or from the aspect of Mind, they do not exist. How can we correct something that in reality does not exist? It is impossible.
When we deny what we are, which is Love, and go about trying to correct something that does not exist, we focus our attention away from what is real. This leads to frustration. It would be like trying to convince a thirsty man that a mirage is not really water, it is an illusion.
We will never heal starvation by focusing on the disease; it will be healed only by focusing on Love. Love is real, the disease of starvation is not, and therefore it is impossible to heal what does not exist.
By looking at anything that is impossible to solve, we delay the effects of Love. This is the same as asking what 3 + 3 has to do with the solution of 6 or what the problem has to do with the solution. But even if there were no problem, the solution would remain the same. We do not get an answer by looking at the problem, and even if we do look at the problem, the answer remains the same. When we try to make the answer something other an 6 it is wrong. Love is the 6 and also the solution to the problem of starvation. When enough of us look only at Love instead of the starving people of the world, the impossible situation will be solved.
Does this mean that we do nothing? No, it means that we only look at the solution, or Love. If we are inclined to give, then give. If we do nothing except look at the power of Love, or what is real, we accept that Love has the power to heal our mind of this impossible situation.
The question of what is real and what is not real has to be answered in time because in Eternity there are no such questions. Love answers all calls and when there are enough of us calling on the Force of Love in time, Love will be extended into time and heal the problem of starvation. We are the ones that must turn away from the power of starvation and return to Power in our own mind to that of Love. This is true of any situation that seems hopeless.
When we observe something that does not seem like it will ever get solved, we must begin to acknowledge that it is an impossible situation. By this I mean that it could not possibly be real. Then call on the Power of Love to heal our mind of believing that this is real. When we try to fix something that isn't there, we buy into the illusion or the unreality of time.
Click here to email Cheril. 
© Copyright 2000, Pathways of Light and/or the author.
Part of my early morning routine has been practicing yoga. I am not proficient at it, mind you, but I certainly do enjoy the peace that I feel when I do. I tend to use a variety of yoga videos for this morning routine. Recently, I had resumed the practice after a short absence.
One day, not too long ago, something had struck me rather brilliantly. As I listened to the instructor's voice and the repetition of a particular phrase, I found new meaning in what he said. Simply put, he said, "Come back to center." Coming back to center can mean in a physical sense, obviously. But this particular morning and ever since, when "Come back to center" is repeated, I certainly feel a strong pull in a spiritual sense.
"Coming back to center." What does it mean to me? It means returning back to the path. I had been through the brush and now I am back on clear ground.
"Come back to center." The words resounded in my mind. Where had I been? I had a struggle before this point for about a year or so. I had been at a traditional Christian college in an accelerated Degree Completion program for a B.S. in Community Ministry. Although, I felt strongly led by God to be there, I could not figure out why. I had been a student of A Course in Miracles five years prior, and was concerned about the conservative Christian atmosphere, but I gladly accepted this commission.
At this point I may add, I had not been what I would call an "exceptional" student of the Course. I instead concentrated on being an exceptional student in the classroom by completing assignments on time and receiving excellent grades. As time went on, my thought system veered back to the traditional way of thinking. I slowly became sad and depressed. My ego rejoiced. I felt alone in this class. I wanted to be loved and accepted. By the end of the first year of the program, I was so deeply depressed that I could not handle it any longer. I could no longer play the game.
Approaching New Year's Eve 1999, I had a long talk with myself. I could say I had the same emphatic speech within myself that Bill and Helen had right before the Course was born. "There must be another way!" I said this from the top of my head to the bottom of my soles (and my soul).
I spent time on the Internet. I became instant friends with some other gals from across the country who also were also in traditional churches, yet studying ACIM. As I continued, I delved into ACIM deeply, studying daily, getting whatever I could Course-related into my hands.
In late January, I found the Pathways web site. What a blessing indeed! Having felt the call to be an ordained minister for about six months, and not feeling comfortable with affiliating myself with a particular denomination, I was delighted and relieved at the same time. My ego had a field day. What could this bring you? Quietly I spoke back, "Peace and a quiet mind."
The experiences over these months of studying the Pathways ministerial curriculum courses opened up the connection with my True Self in such a way that blessings just poured forth. One of my favorite passages in the Course is T-20.IV.8:4-7: "Once you accept His plan as the one function that you would fulfill, there will be nothing else the Holy Spirit will not arrange for you without your effort. He will go before you making straight your path, and leaving in your way no stones to trip on, and no obstacles to bar your way. Nothing you need will be denied you. Not one seeming difficulty but will melt away before you reach it."
Indeed when I came back to my path and accepted my purpose, all barriers were lifted. In a physical sense, we were able to purchase a home (we joked that it was a miracle of biblical proportions, if you only knew our previous situation.) I had been increasingly unhappy in a position with my church since I felt the draw outward but yet did not know where.
My husband's employer offered me a position that I could do from our home and also be with our three daughters. The possibilities have been endless and increasing. Most importantly has been my spirituality, my ability to trust the Holy Spirit. I feel the peace when I meditate, whether my own quiet times or using the guided meditations from Pathways. I have the full realization now of my true learning. Formal education may have nourished my mind with the how-to's and the quaint philosophies, but Pathways' courses have nourished my soul by being a beacon to my soul, my True Self.
By looking within at myself and at my relationships with others, a deeper growth that I could never have experienced in the traditional atmosphere has been brought to fruition. I did come to discover what my lessons were in the traditional program. I needed to recognize ego's perception of separation, to seek unity and oneness, to come back to the Course, and to simply recognize my path. Through this I now co-facilitate an ACIM study group on a weekly basis.
All this I see now. I am grateful to those who have been there, those who have guided me on the path, the chance holy encounters and the wonderful holy relationships. They have all helped to keep me centered. I now choose to see the True Essence in my brothers and sisters.
I appreciate the awareness of my ego responses, and how to discipline them. I see the love of who I am. So, "Come back to center" for me means many things: Come back to the path; come back to God; come back to your True Self; come back to Love.
Click here to email Deb.
© Copyright 2000, Pathways of Light and/or the author.
I've been riding the horse of better than.
A trickster so he is.
He's side-skirted the truth of
seeing my Brother as equal.
He did a mindless two-step
with denial.
He snorted at the idea I'd
been projecting.
The high-horse has been tranquilized --
by the beauty of my Brother's Love.
I'll not throw smoke screens to
hide my Beloved's Light.
It was this Light that shone
on my path of remembrance.
Now each day is an opportunity
for feeding the remembering
Click here to email Nancy.
© Copyright 2000, Pathways of Light and/or the author.
On climbing mountains -- Perhaps the point isn't to get to the top (ego), but to get to the resting places (stillness) along the way.
I gave myself four days to conquer the mountain; an attempt each day. On the second day I was giving a lot of attention to the cries of my body: heart pounding, eyes scanning the switch-backs before me. So I sit a spell, and the spell comes over me... in a flow of peace.
Here is where I see the fog lifting, hear the chant of the cicadas. In this peace I experience the invisible beyond all the seeing, all the striving. I turn from the endless looking about to the path (opportunity) at my feet.
My brow softens, my jaws relax and I remember the pure energy that fuels my soul. No more... no less.
In the turning to go down I remind myself that I didn't get one step further than yesterday. I surrender to what I cannot conquer. In this surrendering the insights flow -- tumble from the open chamber of my awareness.
I never conquered the mountain. On my third attempt it occurred to me to let Love do the work and I climbed much higher than before. When I experienced where my true strength was, there was no value in "conquering" the mountain.
On the fourth day Love led me to a pleasant experience -- an easy trail through the woods, with a view of a valley, then a soothing meditation in the cascading stream.
Released from striving, I could be present in the moment... and grateful.
Click here to email Nancy.
© Copyright 2000, Pathways of Light and/or the author.
Show Me the Way to Go Home -- by Rev. Bob Slawson
I walk this road, sometimes alone, sometimes with others. When with others, I am still alone. In this prison, surrounded by rivers of time and space, I choose to hide. Mostly I succeed. Mostly no one can see the real Me, least of all me.
Now and then the veil grows transparent and even lifts altogether. I give myself away. A few see Me and recognize Who I am. On rare occasions even I know Who I am. This seems to happen when I see in another more than is visible. I am in rapture when this occurs, but it is also in some way frightening.
This is a harsh and bumpy road. The weather is stormy and blustery. The temptations are endless. What makes this voyage so tempestuous and treacherous is that this journey to Somewhere starts at and takes me through nowhere.
There is no turning back. Once started, the trail cannot be reversed. I can detour and delay, but I must continue. The prison doesn't appear as attractive as it once did, but then it's older. Other jails still have allure, but even they don't draw as before.
Is this freedom? Sometimes it seems to be. Slavery and freedom can be confusing. Once even the hint of Truth has been recognized, nothing is ever the same again. It has become obvious that I have lost my way.
I have a map and a good one. Frequently I forget to look at it, and even when I do, I often don't follow it. I have been reluctant in the past to stop and ask for directions.
Maybe there is a better way.
Click here if you want to email Bob.
© Copyright 2000, Pathways of Light and/or the author.
Impossibilities • Come Back to Center • Who Is My Teacher? • Show Me the Way to Go Home
I Have Slipped up the Mountain into the Temple of My Self • More Fall 2000 Articles