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early twenty years ago, a book came out entitled, The Purpose Driven Life.

It became a huge success because the idea spoke to a deep need and desire in each of us; we all want to know our purpose. We want to know how we fit in — how we can make a difference. We want to feel our contribution is valuable. We often view our purpose as our profession... what we do for a living. Our profession can be what we get paid for, or what we do without pay, which can be just as important, such as being a parent. I kept a Mother’s Day card my son gave me a few years back in which he told me how important I was to him and the important lessons I had taught. It said... “Mom, I can’t imagine what life would be like without you. I’d probably be eating candy I got from a stranger, talking with my mouth full, and waving around sharp objects while I sit too close to the TV in yesterday’s underwear.” Of course, this is supposed to be a funny Mother’s Day card, but it does highlight the important jobs we do without recognizing them.

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A Course in Miracles for a Purpose Driven Lifeby Beverly Hutchinson McNeff

MARCH / APRIL 2019A Miracle Distribution Center Publication

•

•“Our work is part of our purpose, but it is not all of it. Things will always

change. Our jobs get downsized at work and even at home, as our

children grow up and no longer need us reminding them about yesterday’s

underwear.”

Beverly is the co-founder and president of MDC, one of the longest running organizations basedon A Course in Miracles. As a student, lecturer and author on the Course since 1977, herrecorded weekly commentaries on Course principles have become a wonderful source of inspira-tion and study for many around the world. Receive a FREE recording by contacting MDC.

Our work is part of our purpose, but it is not all of it. Things will always change. Our jobs get downsized at work and even at home, as our children grow up and no longer need us reminding them about yesterday’s underwear. And that can make us feel uncer-tain and purposeless in this world.

I think the plethora of reality television shows is a symptom of a deeper societal desire. Reality shows propel the everyday Joe and Jane into stardom, and we live vicariously through their experi-ences. It seems to give our lives purpose, as

we call in to vote for our favorite singer on The Voice or gather at viewing parties to rally for our favorite Bachelor. I used to shake my head in annoyance at the over-whelming number of reality shows until I realized the deeper purpose of their appeal.

Continued on page 12

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A Course in Miracles Seminar with

Beverly Hutchinson McNeff

e are told that “God’s Voice speaks to me all through the day,” that “the part of your mind in which truth abides is in constant communication with God,” and this part “is calm, always at rest and wholly certain.” This awareness and connection is the Kingdom of Heaven, and it is God’s will that we experience it now. What a beautiful truth! It is time for us to access this gift of God. A Course in Miracles offers us “a very direct and a very simple learning situation, and provides the Guide Who tells you what to do. If you do it, you will see that it works.” Over my forty-two years of studying the Course, I have found that it is filled with very direct instructions on refocusing our attention to experience the guidance we are searching for in our lives. The key, howev-er, is in this line: “If you do it, you will see that it works.” So let’s do it together! I invite you to join me on Saturday, April 6, for this day-long seminar on “Getting God’s Guidance” at the Center. You can attend in person or by live stream; either way, you will have access to the seminar for download and to keep later (See page 3 for details). Remember, God is not distant from us, so let us not be distant from Him. v

Getting God’s

Guidance

Q ACIM Free Overview - Would you like a brief, written overview of A Course in Miracles to help introduce it to a friend? Or

perhaps a two-hour audio introduction? We offer a free version of each on our website. Just go to our website and click on “About”, then “About

A Course in Miracles.” You can print it out, send a link to a friend, listen to the audio version, or download an mp3.

Q Lessons in Light series - Beginning March 6 and continuing through the forty days lead-ing up to Easter, this popular series shines a new light on the concepts surrounding this season. As Rev. June in Salinas, California, shared with us about this series: “Lent is not my favorite time, as thoughts and acts of sacrifice lead away from communion with God. The Workbook lessons you chose brilliantly keep us aligned with the Presence. Thank you.” The lessons in this series are list-ed on page 8-9, or you can go to our website where the weekly lessons will also be listed. We will be discussing these les-sons as part of the Center’s Weekly Live Stream meet-ings, so consider joining us as a listener! Contact the Center for details.

Q “To be treated with such loving kind-ness filled my heart to the brim! I recently ordered something from the Center over the phone. It was so comforting to be talking to someone who is also studying the Course.” This lovely note from Martha in Rochester, Minnesota, meant a lot to us. For more than forty years, the Center has provided this type of personal service because that’s what we would like to experience. Technology is wonderful, but there is no substitute for a live voice! The Center is open Monday - Friday from 9am to 4 pm Pacific Time with a live person to help you. Unlike the larger online

superstores, we are always happy to talk with you on the phone to help find the perfect books and recordings to help with your study of the Course. And, all of the proceeds from your purchases help to fund our many free services, including The holy encounTer. We can also serve you 24 hours a day via our website. Please allow us be “truly helpful” to you!

Q Marianne Enters the Race - On January 18th in Los Angeles, Marianne Williamson declared her candidacy for President of the United States saying, “We need an alterna-tive to outmoded 20th Century thinking, in politics as well as in every other area. We need to do more than water the leaves of our democracy; we need to water the roots.” You can find out more about her empowering campaign in these two interviews: Marianne on CNN (9 minutes): www.tinyurl.com/yc6fhk6l and from Iowa with the editorial board of the Des Moines Register (1 hour): www.tinyurl.com/ybcebxd4. You can find out more about her campaign at: marianne2020.

com

Q Giving a truly meaning-ful Gift - Here’s what many students of the Course have done: Given a

tax-deductible donation to MDC in someone’s honor or memory. If you would like to give in such a way, send your donation and request, and we will send him, her, or the family a personalized letter acknowledging your appreciation and support. It’s a wonderful honor for that dedicated someone or their family. And, what a blessing it will be to those the Center serves, for your donation will go to support its free services! Gifts in honor of... Priscilla Palmer and Bryan from Brenda Tennyson in Arizona. Gifts in memory of... Conrad Hanson from Bud Hall in Texas.

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For more information go to www.miraclecenter.org or call 714-632-9005

Q “I love going to meetings at Miracle Distribution Center! Beverly has amazing skills to teach the Course to both a beginner and a seasoned student. She is engaging, lov-ing, and humorous in her ways of conveying the difficult but simple lessons to students. I attend weekly lectures and enjoy the benefits that come in the form of miracles every day.”

We want to thank Bo in Mission Viejo for sharing her loving comments about Center’s founder, Beverly, and the weekly meetings. These meetings have become a real benefit and support to many and that is why we offer them free on our weekly live stream Wednes-days at 7PM (Pacific Time). If you can’t watch at that time or attend in person, we suggest you become a subscriber for as little as $5 a week! Then you can watch at your leisure and access nearly 200 Course meetings in our archive. We look forward to welcoming you!

Q The Gift that Gives Back - Through a charitable gift annuity, donors are able to make a lasting gift to the Center and, in return, receive income for the rest of their lives. New, higher rates have just been announced by the American Council on Gift Annuities. This is the first rate increase in more than six years. Watch a video about this innovative retirement option by visiting the Legacy Page on our website. Help our outreach on behalf of A Course in Miracles as you help yourself! Or request a Legacy brochure by mail.

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It’s Here!It’s Here! Our 2019 Prayer Ministry Bookmark

Request your FREE copy today which lists all the thoughts in the prayer ministry for 2019.

call 714-632-9005 or email info@miraclecenter.orgContinued on page 13

Q Have you ever wanted to find a quote in the Course? Well, we have the answer: our Online ACIM Look-up! It’s a wonderful way to search the Course, read the text, or find your workbook lesson for the day. It’s always avail-able on MDC’s site, so you can access it on your computer, iPhone, iPad or any electronic device. You never have to worry about where your book is; you’re always connected. As Franchita Cattani in Switzerland said, “Thank you — I’m using and enjoying your helpful online ACIM lookup!!” We hope you will join

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•

•“Too many years of a

cultural bias dictated to me that as a man you look

weak if you show your emotions, but as an actor

the opposite is true. Powerful, strong male

actors are in touch with their emotions...”

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Miracle Musings...The Awakeningby Paul McNeff

rowing up under the rigid constraints of a conservative Baptist upbringing,

I was emotionally stunted by the barrage of rules and regulations that were supposed to make me a better Christian. As a young college vocal music student, I struggled with getting in touch with my emotions — especially when it came to love — and how they could be freely expressed in my singing. I had the vocal talent and technique, but allowing them to be engagingly expressed was beyond my emotive reach. In an attempt to liberate me from my reserved nature, my voice teacher suggested I learn a love song with the hope it would help me develop into a more expressive singer. To bring about this transformation, I was assigned “Younger Than Springtime” from Rogers and Hammerstein 1949 hit Broadway show, South Pacific. In the song, Lt. Cable, an American G.I., effusively professes his love to Liat, a young native girl of Pacific Islander heritage. Theirs was a love which knew no boundaries. It could not be contained by nationality, religion, ethnicity, or any of the social customs of the time. Lt. Cable sings to Liat...

I touch your hand And my arms grow strong,

Like a pair of birds That burst with song. My eyes look down At your lovely face, And I hold a world In my embrace.

Younger than springtime, are you Softer than starlight, are you,... —Oscar Hammerstein

These are such beautiful lyrics, but I just could not access the appropriate feelings from my emotional reserve to confidently “sell” the song. Too many years of a cultural bias dictated to me that as a man you look weak if you show your emotions, but as an actor the opposite is true. Powerful, strong male actors are in touch with their emotions, so they may bring forth an experience for their audience. That’s when I learned about “subtext.” In acting, subtext is a below-the-surface theme or experience that the actor can call forth to give more depth to their character. In the movie Sideways, the characters discuss wine

as a metaphor for something deeper. Maya starts by asking Miles why he is so obsessed with pinot noir. He replies, “It’s a hard grape to grow. Thin skinned, temperamental. It ripens early. It’s not a survivor like cabernet.” The subtext here is that the pinot grape is a symbol for himself. As Miles is speak-ing about the pinot noir grape, beneath the surface he’s really describing himself in his search for the right woman who can be patient with him because he too is fussy and not very hearty. He identifies with the difficult grape but also infers the reward for cultivating it is well worth the wait. Searching my life experiences I could use as subtext for interpreting “Younger Than Springtime,” I recalled the recent “Eureka!” moment I had experienced at the announce-ment of my daughter’s birth (from my first marriage) when the attending nurse blurted out, “It’s a girl!” Coming from a large family of eight boys and three girls and already parenting a two-year-old baby boy, it had never occurred to me that my second child would actually be a girl. I remember the bouquet of emotions that were awakened within me. It was as if the dam had burst and the waters of parental pride, feminine grace, and unconditional love had been unleashed. I could not believe I was the father of a girl! It was very emotional, an unexpected awakening of my “feminine” side, and the yin to its complementary yang. Quite unexpectedly, I felt I had permission to express my love without sacrificing my manhood. After her birth, the next time I approached my singing of “Younger Than Springtime,” I found I had a valuable new dramatic tool I could use in my performance arsenal. As I sang “I touch your hands and my arms grows strong,” I would access that “It’s a girl” moment. Suddenly, the music came alive, as I wed that Eureka moment to the lyrics of the song. It was a real breakthrough! As a student of A Course in Miracles,

“Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” Ephesians 5:14

“You will awaken to your own call, for the Call to awake is within you. If I live in you, you are awake. Yet you must see the works I do through you, or you will not perceive that I have done them unto you. Do not set limits on what you believe I can do through you, or you will not accept what I can do for you. Yet it is done already, and unless you give all that you have received you will not know that your redeemer liveth, and that you have awakened with him. Redemption is recognized only by sharing it.” T-11.VI.9

Paul McNeff is married to MDC’s founder and has been a student of the Course since 1986. He is a professional singer and conductor and holds a master’s degree in vocal performance. In 1997, along with Beverly, he founded KidSingers, an inner-city, afterschool children’s chorus. The program has won many awards and been featured on Good Morning America. Learn more at: www.kidsingers.org

5

I have often equated the experience I had with the birth of my daughter to the experience of awakening to our true identity as a holy, innocent child of God. The Course gently guides us through a series of awakenings to this truth as we practice its precepts — “I am not a body. I am free. For I am still as God created me,” (W-201) “My birth [Christ] in you is your awakening to grandeur.” (T-15.III.9.5) Three hundred and sixty-five lessons and so many more instructional moments from the text are strategically designed to help us awaken to our true self. Like all other advancements in our spiritual journey, the Course is never condescending as to the remedial nature of the ego which often seems to entrap us. We must not forget, in our ego state, we are merely asleep to our true potential. We have merely forgotten who we truly are and what our true state is. Don’t beat yourself up; that’s just another trick of the ego.

“Correction is for all who cannot see. To open the eyes of the blind is the Holy Spirit’s mission, for He knows that they have not lost their vision, but merely sleep. He would awak-en them from the sleep of forgetting to the remembering of God. Christ’s eyes are open, and He will look upon whatever you see with love if you accept His vision as yours. (T.12.VI.4)

The recent feature film Stan & Ollie recounts the waning days of the famous movie comedy team Laurel and Hardy. In a heated argument, each comedian points his finger blaming the other for their downward career spiral. As they completed the final shows of a stage tour of the U.K., which had been undertaken to try and re-ignite their movie career, they vowed never to work with one another again. Not long after, Ollie suffered a heart attack and his doctor’s orders were bed-rest for an indeterminate amount of time. Stan, finding he could not go on to complete the tour without Ollie, went to Ollie’s bedside to visit his ailing old friend, and there the healing of their past hurts began. In an intimate moment at the end of the film, Ollie asks Stan; “Did you really mean those hurtful things you said?” To which Stan sheepishly replied, “No.” Stan then posed the same question to Ollie with the same response from Ollie, “No.” Each one had found a place in their hearts that transcended their differences and re-awakened, through the power of forgive-

Continued on page 14

The World I SeeFrom Two Eyes To One Insightby Joseph Miller

Joseph Miller is a writer, broadcaster and drapery tradesman. He has practiced the Course for twenty-five years, and participates in a weekly study group at Unity Church, Santa Barbara. He is also an associate of United Lodge of Theosophists. He lives in Goleta, CA with his wife, Kim.

n my Workbook practice, Lesson 108 always turns a bright corner. For three and a half months I have been reading and puzzling about “vision” and “seeing” and “light.” I’ve been told that the body’s eyes don’t see, and I’ve been asked to affirm “Above all else I want to see.” “To learn this course,” we’re told in the Text, “requires willingness to question every value that you hold.” (T-24.in.2) Asking questions is hard. To suspend self-certainty, and accept the emptiness of not knowing, is a tough sell for the ego. But dwelling in that emptiness will generate a ripeness that compels breakthroughs. For me, Lesson 108 is one of those. Suddenly we are told:

“And what is light except the resolution, born of peace, of all your conflicts and mistaken thoughts into one concept which is wholly true?... True light that makes true vision possible is not the light the body’s eyes behold. It is a state of mind that has become so unified that darkness cannot be perceived at all... This is the light that shows no opposites, and vision, being healed, has power to heal. This is the light that brings your peace of mind to other minds, to share it and be glad that they are one with you and with themselves. This is the light that heals because it brings single percep-tion, based upon one frame of reference, from which one meaning comes.” (W-108.1:3)

What is a unified state of mind? What sort of light shows no opposites? This sounds wonderful. A Course in Miracles tells us repeatedly that the path to peace is the resolution of inner conflict. The lesson is brilliant, but through an

I indirect route. It picks up on a theme central in Lessons 105, 106 and 107: giving and receiving. “A major learning goal this course has set is to reverse your view of giving, so you can receive.” (W-105.3:1) We are afraid to give, because of our investment in the “scarcity principle.” We mistakenly view the self as a separate container, with limited life and energy. We don’t see the self as inbound with the whole of the universe. We don’t feel the nature of God, and Its limit-lessness, at our root. But we can practice in that direction, and get a taste for what it means.

In Lessons 105 and 106 we are given two striking, and mystical, passages, on “giving everything away:”

“True giving is creation. It extends the limitless to the unlimited, eternity to timelessness, and love unto itself. It adds to all that is complete already, not in simple terms of adding more, for that implies that it was less before. It adds by letting what cannot contain itself fulfill its aim of giving everything it has away, securing it forever for itself.” (W-105.4:2)

“The bringer of all miracles has need that you receive them first, and thus become the joyous giver of what you re-ceived. Thus does salvation start and thus it ends; when everything is yours and

Continued on page 14

•

“Why is this so brilliant, and how does this theme turn on the light? Lesson 108 reminds us of what

elsewhere it calls ‘transfer of learning.’”

•

6

Continued on page 11

Change Your Mind Change Your LifeAnother Way of Looking at Life and Death from a 94-Year-Oldby Gerald Jampolsky, M.D. and Diane V. Cirincione-Jampolsky, Ph.D.

M y parents suffered greatly from their fear of dying. I picked up some of their fears which lasted until I started A Course in Miracles in 1975. When I was guided to start the Center for Attitudinal Healing for children later that year, I realized that I still carried a lot of fear about my own death. My work with these children, who were facing death, helped me to heal and to see death differently. There is a wonderful lesson in the Course that says, there is no death and the innocent child of God is free. The children at the Center were living examples of this truth. One child I remember quite vividly was an eleven-year-old boy who was in the hospi-tal, critically ill with leukemia. He was losing weight because he was no longer eating. One night he had an amazing dream in which he was talking to God. He said to God, “I’ve been helping other children who are facing death, and I know I have very serious leukemia. I would like to ask your permission to stay alive a little longer so I can help other families face death in a peaceful way.” The next morning, he woke up full of life and asked his parents if he could have a Big Mac. When he started eating it, his energy

returned. About this time the 60 Minutes program came to Tiburon to interview me. I told them about two children with cancer who lived in different parts of the country and became buddies when I introduced them by phone to support each other. When 60 Minutes heard the story of these two boys, they decided to film them. That program was shown not only in the United States but also in several other countries as well. I got goose bumps when I remembered the dream this boy had, asking God for permission to stay alive a little longer to

help more people. These two boys sharing their stories helped hundreds of thousands of people in many countries to let go of their fears of dying and to see a new way to reach out and help each other during difficult times in their lives. Another person I remember well was a woman who had stage four cancer. In June, her doctor told her that she had only two or three months to live. The woman said, “This isn’t possible. My daughter is getting married at Christmas time, and I am going to attend her wedding.” This woman did not listen to others, but trusted her own self-determina-tion. As it turned out, shortly thereafter, her physician died of a coronary, but the woman lived to see her daughter married. I smile when I remember another young woman who also had stage four cancer and

was critically ill in the hospital. I visited her one day and she looked as though she could die that night. Then she heard there was going to be a Halloween celebration that night and her son was going to ride in a fire engine at the parade. To my great surprise the wom-an came to the Halloween party, all dressed

up and wearing make-up. She didn’t look at all like she was dying and enjoyed every minute of the celebra-tion. Isn’t it amazing how our attitudes can

change everything? It is forever fascinating to see how peoples’ attitudes can impact how long they live. Motivation can oftentimes be beyond measure. Another example was a seven-year-old child who was critically ill with cancer. When I went to visit him at home, I didn’t know whether he was deeply asleep or in a coma. After holding his hand silently for a half hour, I decided to talk to him. I told him I had a dictation machine in my briefcase, and I wondered if he would say a few words that could help other people who were suffering from cancer. To my surprise he immediately became wide awake, took my dictation machine and said, “Jerry, tell everyone, whether they are seriously ill or not, that their true mission in life is to share love with everybody. Love is more powerful than cancer. Love is the only thing that is real.” Having taken this child’s message to heart, one of the things I like to do is find new, creative ways of giving love. For example, one time I purchased a bunch of small hearts and put some in the envelope whenever I wrote a letter. When the letters were opened, the hearts would usually flow out. On one occasion, a friend opened my letter on the elevator and the hearts went all

Gerald Jampolsky, M.D. and Diane Cirincione-Jampolsky, Ph.D., international lecturers and bestselling authors, share their insights and experiences in applying the principles of A Course in Miracles in our world. Diane’s therapeutic counseling practice specializes in applying ACIM to all aspects and situations in life. Their books are available from the Center at www.miraclecenter.org

•

•“About this time the 60 Minutes program came to Tiburon to interview

me. I told them about two children with cancer who

lived in different parts of the country and

became buddies when I introduced them by phone

to support each other.”

7

he brink of collapse and the threshold of spiritual transformation often share

the same ground. We would all rather be happy learners on our way to awakening rath-er than reluctant participants being dragged kicking and screaming. Thus, it behooves us to know how to choose between the two. Many people are concerned about our current world situation, and not infrequently I am asked what A Course in Miracles and Inspirational Psychology have to say about it all. In this and the next issues of The holy encounTer, I share some of my thoughts. In the early 1980s, I wrote a doctoral dissertation on the Course and the rela-tionship between inner, interpersonal, and international peace. I later founded a doctoral program in Peace Psychology, and in 2001, I wrote a book entitled, Healing Together: From Crisis to Calm During Turbulent Times. After nearly four decades, questions now arise: Has much progress occurred? Is transformation underway to a world where the ego and all of its individual and collective fear-based expres-sions and manifestations are being healed and lessened? Have we reduced our self-cre-ated suffering, and are we reaching out to one another in more compassionate ways, or are we on our way to a division so deep that hatred will take root and never heal? It is true that in many places today fear-based consciousness is more predominant and widespread than the love-based awak-ened consciousness the Course teaches. It also may be true that there is a likelihood that division in the world may become more pro-nounced and lead to more crisis and turmoil. However, even in the midst of this, as more people become aware of love and intercon-nection, we are healing. This is because every thought of love makes a difference, and every time we do not capitulate to fear, we further awaken, are less affected by the world, and offer an example of what is possible. Listening to the mainstream news, you may come to the despairing deduction that

things have entered a downward spiral with little chance for changing course. The daily news cycle is feverish, and there are plenty of terrible and shocking things that happen. Globally, the numbers of crises appear to be escalating at an unprecedented pace. However, I suggest this is not the entire story of our current times. There is also good hap-pening in the world, a spiritual transformation underway to which each of us can make a contribution. The Course teaches us of two worlds; one is of God (knowledge and truth), and the other is of the ego (perception and illusion). The Course focuses on relationships, with an emphasis on how the world consists of projections of our thoughts. What

this means on a practical level is that we are encouraged not to try and change the world (effect), and to focus instead on changing/healing our mind (cause) about the world. Yet this can be tricky ground to navigate. Although the Course states, “This is a course in cause and not effect,” (T-21.VII.7:8) this should not be interpreted as suggesting it is best to ignore suffering by way of calling it an illusion or a projection. It is a worthy undertaking to do your best to awaken happiness and healing in your life

and with those in it, but be aware of certain pitfalls the ego can bring. Wanting good for the world is undoubtedly a positive and well-intentioned undertaking, but a futile one if the emphasis is on changing others or even being a better person. It may surprise you to hear me, a psychologist, say I don’t emphasize trying to be a better person. The path to true peace within us and the world is not trying to be good, but instead living a life dedicated to discovering Love and goodness

within you and with each person you see or think about. It is not a complicated path; its only real instruction is to focus on the Love within you right now

and to see this in all beings. Put more directly, rather than trying to be different or improve, find the divine presence of love within you and allow it to blossom through whatever you are doing and wherever you are. Inspirational Psychology, based on the Course, differs from many approaches in that it does not emphasize or focus on seeking to improve yourself or anybody else. With my books in the “self-improvement” genre of publication, it may sound surprising for me to tell you that, as marketable and alluring bet-tering your self-image may be, it will not bring you enduring peace and happiness. This is because your freedom from the suffering the ego causes does not come by strengthening your self-image and your attachment to it; your freedom comes by loosening your at-tachments and by removing the blocks to the awareness of love. The Course emphasizes forgiveness as a primary means of expanding awareness of love. In short, the Course does not teach us how to be good; it shows us how

T

•

•“Listening to the

mainstream news, you may come to the

despairing deduction that things have entered a downward spiral with

little chance for changing course. The daily news cycle is feverish, and

there are plenty of terrible and shocking things that happen.”

Continued on page 11

Recognizing SpiritLove and the Art of Compromiseby Lee Jampolsky, Ph.D.

Dr. Lee Jampolsky is the founder of Inspirational Psychology and the author of ten books in fourteen languages. For free articles and free online courses visit www.drleejampolsky.com. He is a retired psychologist and currently offers online spiritual mentoring and coaching. He can be reached at lee@drleejampolsky.com

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Sacrificing SacrificeLessons in Light... Shifting our Perception of Lent

s lesson 323 in A Course in Miracles says, “I gladly make the ‘sacrifice’ of fear.” If the idea of releasing fear and sacrifice appeal to you, then perhaps we can use the traditional time of Lent as a way to do just that. The Course invites us to look with a new vision, guided by the Holy Spirit, to view the ideas of Christianity in a new light. Not one that separates us from each other, but one that unites us in healing. Therefore, during this time that leads up to Easter which is referred to as the Lenten season, we will offer a series entitled: Lessons in Light. Why even deal with Lent, since the Course does not speak about it? Well, it may not say the word but it does address the concept that is the focus of Lent, and an important one it is: sacrifice. So, as most in the western world might approach this time from the perspec-tive of sacrifice, perhaps we can offer an alternative: light! In the Course, light represents knowledge or truth and can be radiated into this world. Just as the light of the sun causes life to exist on this planet, so does the light we radiate allow others to realize their true life/purpose and thereby allow us to know it as well. So, we symbolically allow our light to shine during this time of Lent so the darkness and illusion of sacrifice maybe be shone away. In the Christian tradition, Lent is a time of fasting and penitence that begins with Ash Wednesday and continues until Easter. It is a time of sacrificing something we value, such as a certain type of food, a particular activity, etc., so that we might be closer to God, become more holy, and so on. In this scenar-io, God’s Love is seen as something we must bargain for, as the Course says, “giving to get” (T-4.II.6:5), which is the central belief of the ego’s thought system. “When you associate giving with sacrifice, you give only because you believe that you are somehow getting something better, and can therefore do

without the thing you give.” (ibid)

Under the Holy Spirit’s guidance there is no sacrifice, for there is nothing to pay or atone for. We are God’s perfect children — heirs to His Kingdom. In His Presence, all pain is healed and all thought of loss is met with peace. We are asked only to make the “sacrifice” of sacrifice (of suffering, sadness, anxiety, doubt, etc.) and to allow God’s Love and light to come streaming into our awareness.

Therefore, let us use this time of Lent as a symbolic way of releasing the idea of sacrifice — a world of suffering and pain — and to learn to live in the world while not being of the world. The Course says that truth does not demand that we give up the world, for that would appear as sacrifice if we still value it, nor does it advocate we cherish the world. It invites us to walk a path that is between these two, one that leads away from loss, sacrifice and deprivation. To follow this path, we are asked to step back and let Him lead the way. We are asked to think of Him a while each day, so that He may speak to us and tell us of His limitless Love and great trust.

(paraphrase W-155) This is our dedication as we begin these Lessons in Light together, that we may place into God’s Hands the pain, fear, worry, suffer-ing, sickness and burdens of life, so that we may awaken to the resurrected child of God

we truly are. As the mythical bird, the Phoenix, arose out of the ashes, we too dust off the years of sacrifice by affirming our desire to “step back and let Him lead the way.”

Lessons in Light(The following lessons will be discussed at MDC’s study group beginning on Wednes-day, March 6.These lessons need not be a substitute for your regular workbook lesson from the Course, but rather a supplement, if you so choose. The printed series is available online at www.miraclecenter.org)

1st Week of Light - Ash Wednesday (March 6) Workbook Lesson 157:“Into His Presence would I enter now.”

This is our dedication, to enter into God’s Presence and allow Him to lead the way. This awareness and willingness becomes a blessing that touches everyone we meet, think of, or who thinks of us. It becomes a vision that can truly transform this world and assure us that peace and healing are possible, for it is God’s Will for us.

2nd Week of Light (March 13)Workbook Lesson 93: “Light and joy and peace abide in me.”

“Salvation requires the acceptance of but one thought; — you are as God created you, not what you made of yourself. ...Your sinlessness is guaranteed by God.” We have forgotten our true Identity and made a self which contradicts God’s opinion. It is time for us to stop believing in a lie and join our will with God’s Will. This is our resurrection, our salvation and the world’s.

A

•

•“The Course invites us to

look with a new vision, guided by the Holy Spirit,

to view the ideas of Christianity in a new light. Not one that separates us from each other, but one

that unites us in healing.”

by Beverly Hutchinson McNeff

9

3rd Week of Light (March 20)Workbook Lesson 46: “God is the Love in which I forgive.”

“God does not forgive because He has never condemned,” but through His Love we find the strength to look at the pains of our lives and only see the calls for love. And as we recognize the “pains” for what they are, we recognize our innocence and that of all our brothers.

4th Week of Light (March 27)Workbook Lesson 68 “Love holds no grievances.”

“You who were created by love like itself can hold no grievances and know your Self.” Therefore, if we are to know God’s gifts and help for us, we must be willing to “sacrifice” grievances. “Love holds no grievances. I would wake to my Self by laying all my grievances aside and wakening in Him.”

Update: Prison Project

ost of us know the need for spiritual connection in our lives. We have read or heard about the healing benefits of group interaction and faith-based support, especially for those facing physical or emotional challenges. When an individual is imprisoned, however, this most important element may be sorely missing. A news report coming out of La Crosse, Wisconsin, featured Judge Scott Horne sharing his thoughts on the benefits that those in prison can experience when exposed to spiritual connections...

“When people are sitting in jail, especially if they’re sitting there for extended periods of time, they’ve reached rock bottom. They’ve lost relationships at home, they’ve lost housing, they’ve lost jobs. That’s when people reach out. They look for something that will help give them meaning but we can’t order people to participate in religion or go to church but what we can do is encourage them to connect with organizations that will support them in filling their spiritual needs, filling their emotional needs, giving them a positive group.”

Over the years that we have been offering our Prison Project, we have received countless letters from prisoners who want to experience the transforming power of A Course in Miracles. More and more families are also asking for help to support loved ones who have been incarcerated. Thanks to your loving donations for the Center’s Prison Project, we have been able to send items to those in need so they can begin a healing change. We have been blessed to hear back from many who have received those gifts.

The following is an excerpt of an email from Laurie in Georgia. At her request, we sent Course materials to her son in a Federal Correctional Institution in Louisiana:

“My son called me tonight to say he received all of the books you sent to him. He sounded very happy and uplifted. He is sharing them with a group inside who are trying to study A Course in Miracles with him, and he said this will help him so much. Thank you for remembering him!”

Our Prison Project is dedicated to helping incarcerated individuals access the healing message of the Course. If you would like to help make sure this service is there for all who truly need it, please consider making a tax-deductible donation toward this free service. If you know of someone in need, please contact us as well.

Read more about the Prison Project under “Services” at www.miraclecenter.org

5th Week of Light (April 3)Workbook Lesson 34:“I could see peace instead of this.”

“Peace of mind is clearly an internal mat-ter. It must begin with your own thoughts, and then extend outward. It is from your peace of

mind that a peaceful perception of the world arises.” It is our choice to experience peace!

6th Week of Light (April 10)Workbook Lesson 47:“God is the strength in which I trust.”

Our own strength has failed us, but God is our safety and strength in every circum-stance. “Use it [this thought] as your answer to any disturbance. Remember that peace is your right, because you are giving your trust to the strength of God.”

7th Week of Light (April 17)Workbook Lesson 50:“I am sustained by the Love of God.”

“Put not your faith in illusions. They will fail you. Put all your faith in the Love of God within you; eternal, changeless and forever unfailing. This is the answer to whatever confronts you today.”

M

“The Lessons in Light during Lent always help fortify me. In looking

back over the past three years of doing this series, I can see how the Holy Spirit put me on this intensive in

preparation for things to come. Mega spiritual vitamins! The first year it was the passing of my Mom that summer. The second year, my eye surgery in

May. I’m so grateful for Bev’s teachings as they keep me stronger in the truth.”

Rae Karen in Florida v

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The Great Undoingby Jacob Glass

iracles are not a doing but an undoing. I keep reminding myself

of this all the time, so that I let go as gracefully and easily as possible. But some ideas really do stick in there, don’t they? We’re all mind-trained from birth in some very specific ways of thinking, mostly fearfully, though not with malintent. We are taught to think fear and separation, usually by family, culture, religion, and so on. I liken it to having stored marinara sauce in a plastic container in the fridge for a while. The sauce seems to leave a “permanent” stain if there are any scratches inside the container and it seems hopeless trying to get it out. That’s been my experience with some of the more deeply ingrained brainwashing that I went through for many years in my child-hood. I mean, I’m 30 years into studying A Course in Miracles and still find these seemingly hidden, old limiting beliefs and de-fenses much more frequently than I thought I would at this point. It used to depress me, but now I get kind of thrilled when I find one because I know that as soon as I let the miracle “undo” it, I’m going to be more free and happy. But it often DOES take a miracle to do it. The past year or so the Holy Spirit has been really working on me, by my invitation, to clean out as much of this nonsense as pos-

sible, and joyfully, please, if you don’t mind. This is how we started calling “BULLSHIT” as soon as one of those ego ideas would come into my awareness. Just like that. As soon as it comes to me that I am believing some old religious nonsense or some limiting thought or buying into fear, if I am alone, I just shout out, “BULLSHIT!” and choose again.

If I am not alone, I do it mentally. Wow, what FREEDOM! One of the most fabulous of all miracles in this undoing process was recognizing how I had gotten into a bad habit of studying and analyzing ego instead of studying the Christ. I had read some books many years ago that made quite a big deal about endlessly and

minutely analyzing Helen’s ego and Bill’s ego — and it sucked all the joy out of my studying the Course for many years, actually. It divert-ed my previous joyous study of the Course to one of being some kind of arm chair therapist focused on policing the ego in myself and

everyone else. Just pure BULL-SHIT used to steal my joy and peace! And the Course says that the ego LOVES nothing more than to study itself, so it

makes sense that this would be an easy trap to fall into — talking with great “insight” about the ego tendencies of ourselves and our brothers and sisters, whether it is our spouse, a co-worker, or some political figure. It’s all a way to steal our joy and peace. I ended up undertaking a 12 week program of daily undoing, undoing, undoing, of these old destructive mental habit patterns and letting them be replaced by Truth. Spirit took me by the hand and just kept dissolving away these old erroneous ways of thinking and living so that I have been able to DRA-MATICALLY increase my JOYOUS STUDYING again. I am now actively studying joy, peace, prosperity, health, wholeness, oneness, innocence, and giving everyone a BREAK, including myself. Like anything else, the way to break an old habit is by creating a new one. I couldn’t just give up a few decades of ego study cold turkey. I had to replace it with a new fledgling habit of studying the Christ in us all. This requires the Course’s reminder that we must “overlook” errors in others (and ourselves) because forgiveness is a “selective remembering” of only the love given and love received. I cannot tell you how much more joyful this path is than the endless sophisticat-ed discussion of how messed up someone is and how cleverly I have broken down all the ego tendencies involved. Well, the MIRACLE that happened was quite unexpected, of course. Instead of doing this daily work of trying to “get rid” of those

“Prepare you now for the undoing of what never was. If you already understood the difference between truth and illusion, the Atonement would have no meaning.” T-18.V.1

M

•

•“The sauce seems to

leave a ‘permanent’ stain if there are any scratches inside the container and it seems hopeless trying to get it out. That’s been my experience with some of

the more deeply ingrained brainwashing that I went through for many years

in my childhood”

800-359-2246(ACIM) or www.miraclecenter.organd click on “Store” to see our large selection of books, CD’s and other Course related items

Remember when you purchase from the Center you help to support its many free services.

Plus CA Sales Tax, S&H

$1500The Crabby AngelsNo Bullshit Guide to Peace,Joy and Prosperity by Jacob Glass

This new book pushes the envelope even more by cutting through religious and spiritual hangups in order to be, do, and have the life you choose. With many quotes from A Course in Miracles, this book can help you get more out of life without suffering, struggle, sacrifice, or guilt. (Adult language)

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old thought-stains-in-the-mind container, I simply got a new mind altogether. I suppose this is what it means to not conform to this world, but be ye transformed by the RENEW-ING of your mind. I have a new mind in Christ when I remember that “the holy Christ is born in me today” and tomorrow and the next day and so on. It’s a new mind every day. “Getting rid of” is quite different than “undoing.” Miracles don’t get rid of, they undo. I just had no idea they could undo by simply swapping out the old mind for a new one altogether. In my old mind, I was still of the religious thinking of the apostle Paul who “died daily,” but, in my new mind, I am born daily as the living Christ. Much more joyful, as far as I’m concerned! Since ideas are strengthened by sharing, the twelve weeks of renewing of my mind became my new book, The Crabby Angels No Bullshit Guide to Peace, Joy and Prosperity. The best way to truly learn is to study, study, study and teach, teach, teach. I’ve been talking to myself on stage in front of people for 30 years, but now, instead of getting burned out, I am enjoying it more than ever before. The better it gets, the better it gets.

Another Way...Continued from page 6

over the floor. Everyone on the elevator had fun scurrying around collecting the hearts and giving them back to my friend. Another time, a friend received my letter on the day her son was killed in an auto accident; she decided to put the hearts in the casket with her son. When you give love, you never know where that love is going to go.

We are often asked to be speakers at friends’ funerals to acknowledge them and

•

•“Another time, a friend

received my letter on the day her son was killed

in an auto accident; she decided to put the hearts

in the casket with her son. When you give love, you never know where that

love is going to go.”

their lives. One day in my meditation, I got the message, “Why wait until people die before you acknowledge them?” I decided to telephone people I hadn’t talked to in a long time to let them know how much they meant

to me and what a differ-ence they made in my life. One of my friends, whom I had contacted, called to tell me he thought this was a great idea, and he was calling people he loved to acknowledge his appreci-ation for them, too. If you feel guided to do so, you might find it helpful to do

something similar. One quotation from A Course in Miracles addresses the belief in death perfectly: “I am not a body. I am free. For I am still as God created me.” I’m happy to say, today at the age of 94, I have absolutely no fear of dying. I no longer see it as real. I no longer believe that fear from the past or worry about the future can hurt me. I believe the only time that is real is now and that each instant is for giving. Maybe it’s time we all celebrate life rather than death. v

Love and the Art...Continued from page 7

to remember our goodness and how to let it come forth. How this brings healing to others and the world is that as we practice the Course, we have less and less to defend because we do not identify ourselves with our self-image and our various mental constructs and posi-tions. Thus, we become more open-minded about diverse beliefs and are therefore more tolerant of perspectives that differ from ours. This leads to understanding, empathy, and compassion because when we are not busy defending our way of thinking we can step into another person’s shoes and feel and see the world through their perspective. Only by way of this spiritual process of undoing the ego can we find a means to live peacefully. This is because the ability to com-promise with others is essential to peaceful and respectful coexistence with our family, neighbors, community, country, and the world as a whole. To be able to compromise is predicated on being able to be open-mind-ed, tolerant, empathetic, less defensive, and being less attached to our self-image

and perspective. In contrast, when people are unwilling to compromise, it is because of their inability to see past their ego. They remain attached to being right, winning, and strengthening their self-image. At best this leads to arguing and gridlock, and at worst hatred and violence. Without being able to see our interconnectedness, the ego goes

about solidifying its perspective through em-phasizing our separateness and differences to the point that it appears cooperation and compromise are dangerous. This results in seeing the “other” as an enemy and believing our existence is threatened, and in turn, we avoid compromise at all costs. The Course states, “A happy outcome to all things is sure.” (W-292) As the Holy Spirit

gently leads us from the world of the ego (illusion) to the world of love (truth), our perception of ourselves as separate from each other and God is healed/corrected. This is how we move from attachment to our self-image to remembering our higher Self. We recognize that God created us and we be-gin to accept the Christ (Love) within. Slowly we begin to see with Christ’s vision, and we remember our oneness with God, our Self, and all humanity. Let us end with a lovely direction/prac-tice from the Course that sets us in the right direction to expand our awareness of Love:

“Simply do this: Be still, and lay aside all thoughts of what you are and what God is; all concepts you have learned about the world; all images you hold about yourself. Empty your mind of everything it thinks is either true or false, or good or bad, of every thought it judges worthy, and all the ideas of which it is ashamed. Hold onto nothing. Do not bring with you one thought the past has taught, nor one belief you ever learned before from anything. Forget this world, forget this course, and come with wholly empty hands unto your God.” (W-189.7)

•

•“...rather than trying to be different, or improve, find

the divine presence of love within you and

allow it to blossom through whatever you

are doing and wherever you are.”

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“In the final scene, when he realizes his true identity and purpose, the

Matrix begins to dismantle itself. Neo doesn’t have to necessarily destroy it; it falls apart all by itself.”

Purpose Driven LifeContinued from page 1

These shows speak to our longing to make a difference in the world... to be purposeful. But, we need a purpose that is eternal. Otherwise, when the reality show is over, we feel empty until the next installment. That is why it is so important for us to have a spiritual path. A spiritual path gives us purpose and direction that is “in the world but not of it.” It has been said that we are mind, body, and spirit. As we start our day, we plan our schedules and set our goals. We make sure our hair is combed, our clothes are on, and everything is zipped, but we will walk around with little thought of our soul’s spiritual yearning. We would never leave the house looking a mess, but we

don’t think twice about leaving our minds a mess. We think no one will see, but the world we experience is the direct result of our unmade, purposeless minds. In the Bible, we are told a very important truth: “Seek ye first the kingdom of Heaven and everything else will be given unto you.” This thought answers the struggles of the world and sets us in line with our real purpose. In A Course in Miracles, it says, “But seek this [the Kingdom of Heaven] only, because you can find nothing else. There is nothing else. God is All in all in a very literal sense. All being is in Him Who is all Being. You are therefore in Him since your being is His.” (T-7:IV.7) Therefore, when we start inviting God’s presence into everything we do, making that our purpose, we will see the world as we know it begin to transform. The world will be transformed into its true purpose, and so will we. Remember the sci-fi movie thriller The Matrix? In it, our world has been taken over by computers and humanity is on the verge of extinction. Mankind is looking for the “One” who will be their “messiah.” Well, the actor Keanu Reeves comes along as Neo (clever how if you move the letters around it spells “one”), and he ends up being the “One” they

are looking for. But, for Neo to become the “one,” HE must realize that he IS the “One.” In the final scene, when he realizes his true identity and purpose, the Matrix (the thing that holds the computer world of control together) begins to dismantle itself. Neo doesn’t have to necessarily destroy it (although we do have the big movie fight scene for the sake of ratings); it falls apart all by itself. This is analogous to our experience in this world. A Course in Miracles reminds us over and over again we are not here to change the world but to change our minds about the purpose of the world. Once we do that, the

world as we know it will be no more. It will be transformed by the power of God, the power of healing love.

The Course tells us what the purpose of the world is when it says... Forget not that the healing of God’s Son is all the world is for. That is the only purpose the Holy Spirit sees in it, and thus the only one it has. Until you see the healing of the Son as all you wish to be accomplished by the world, by time and all appearances, you will not know the Father nor yourself. For you will use the world for what is not its purpose, and will not escape its laws of violence and death. Yet it is given you to be beyond its laws in all respects, in every way and every circumstance, in all temptation to perceive what is not there, and all belief God’s Son can suffer pain because he sees himself as he is not. (T-24.VI.4)

I truly believe this is one of the most pow-erful, straightforward, and practical passages in the Course. If we do not use the world for the purpose that the Holy Spirit sees in it, which is to heal ourselves and those we think of or come in contact with, then we will be misusing the world and will suffer under

•

•“We are trying to be ‘ducks,’ when we are

actually ‘swans.’ We are trying to fit into the world

and make it work. But it will never work since the world was made to exclude God

and the awareness of our spiritual purpose.”

its laws of violence and death. Where are we living right now? Do we see violence and death all around us? Or, have we changed our purpose about the world? We have the ability to escape the world’s laws entirely, but we must change our minds about the purpose of the world and how we fit in. We think we are the ugly duckling when we are actually the beautiful swan. If you remember the children’s story, the baby swan is accidentally left with the duck family to be raised. Not knowing he is a swan, the poor fella never fits in. His feet look funny, and his neck is too long. His life is one of suffering and sadness because he is trying to be what he is not. It is only when he finally sees the other swans that he realizes he is not a duck after all. We are trying to be “ducks,” when we are actually “swans.” We are trying to fit into the world and make it work. But it will never work since the world was made to exclude God and the awareness of our spiritual purpose. You might be wondering, “Does that mean that if I function in this world, i.e., have a job, have a relationship, make money, etc. that I am excluding God?” No, not at all. We must be “in this world but not of it” to truly make a difference. We can do everything in this world, but with a new and revitalized purpose. It is time for us to live like secret agents. We do everything that everyone else does — get up every morning, make meals, take care of our kids, go to work, put money away in a savings account, pay our bills, etc., but we do

it with a deeper purpose. Knowing that we are nowhere by accident and that our “real” purpose is to heal the Son of God (which is everyone we come in contact with), gives us great purpose to get out of bed every day! The world may tell you this is a “mission impossible,” but, to God, it is a very possible mission. Actually it is a “mission inevitable,” because it is God’s Will that we heal, and

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•

•“Bob’s first thought

was ‘payback,’ so he put the clothes in a trash bag and put them in the trash can. That night, however,

Bob could not sleep. It didn’t feel right.”

there is nothing else but His Will. A Course in Miracles reminds us of the purpose of our learning when it says... The purpose of your learning is to enable you to bring the quiet with you, and to heal distress and turmoil. This is not done by avoiding them and seeking a haven of isola-tion for yourself.

You will yet learn that peace is part of you, and requires only that you be there to embrace any situa-tion in which you are. (W-r.I.In.4:4)

Our purpose is not to deny the world or our place in it, but to walk through this world bringing the peace of God into every situation where we find ourselves. How do we do that? By embracing every situation in which we find ourselves, realizing our deeper purpose, and remembering that we are not alone. Therefore, as God’s Presence leads the way in our lives, “every relationship becomes a lesson in love.” (T-15.V.4:6) For He “sees the world as a teaching device for bringing you home.” (T-5.III.11)

It is time for us to reevaluate the world and the things of the world. In the midst of tragedies, we see opportunities to express God’s healing love instead of a reason to sit in feelings of pity and powerlessness. It is time for us to accept our true purpose and ask God what he would have us do for His beloved Child. I remember a story told by a member of the Center’s study group many years ago. Bob shared that he had finally asked his adult son to move out of the house. His son had been on his own for quite a while but needed a little help during a tough time, and Bob of-fered him a place to stay. After a few months, Bob felt it was time for his son to be on his own again. There were hard feelings. When the son finally moved out, he did some things that were not very kind — in fact, downright nasty. Bob found, in his son’s haste to leave, he left his laundry in the dryer. It was important laundry since it included a lot

of his work clothes. Bob’s first thought was “payback,” so he put the clothes in a trash bag and put them in the trash can. That night, however, Bob could not sleep. It didn’t feel right. The next morning before work, Bob took the trash bag out of the trash and put it on the front porch with a note saying, “You left these in the dryer. I thought you might need them. Love, Dad.” The world would say Bob needed to teach his son a lesson, and quite frankly he did: He taught him a lesson in love. That lesson will transform the world because Bob joined with the Presence of God and sought a deeper

purpose. There is a wonderful poem that has been attributed to Mother Teresa, because it was found in 1997 on the wall of her children’s home in Calcutta, India. But, she did not

write the poem. It was a rendering adapted from a poem by Kent Keith, who wrote it in 1968. However, do you think it would have had as much influence were it not attributed to Mother Teresa? And, for some reason, Kent Keith didn’t seem to mind “anyway.” The message is what was important.

Do it Anyway People are often unreasonable, illogical and

self-centered... Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives... Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies...

Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you... Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight... Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous... Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow... Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough... Give the world the best that you’ve got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God... It was never between you and them anyway.

We are here for a deeper purpose. We need to move past the pettiness of the world and hold on to the truth. We are here to heal the Son of God, and we are given a chance every day in every holy encounter to do just that. And, when we do, we will experience a purpose driven life.

What’s HappeningContinued from page 3

Franchita by using MDC’s online look-up. There are many wonderful services available at our website, so stop by and check out all that is going on!

Q “Into His Presence would I enter now.” This thought in the Miracle Prayer ministry for March reminds us that we can join with God’s healing love and light at any moment. It is up to us. Remember every moment we dwell in the healing presence of love, of God, it has worked. Let us have the faith of a mustard seed to experience the miracles that are all around. Join us every day at 4:30pm (Pacific Time) to remember the power of love that will transform our lives and this world. If you have a prayer request, please send it to us; it is our great pleasure to join with you in prayer.

Affirmations for:March: Into His Presence would I enter now.

(Lesson 157)

April: I could see peace instead of this. (Lesson 34)

May: God’s Voice speaks to me all through the day. (Lesson 49) v

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•

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“Each one had found a place in their hearts that

transcended their differences and re-awak-ened, through the power of forgiveness, their bond

for each other. Their movie career was not saved, but

their love was.”

From Two Eyes...Continued from page 5

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The AwakeningContinued from page 5

ness, their bond for each other. Their movie career was not saved, but their love was. And, so it is in our relationship with ourselves. If we do not awaken to our true nature, we are fated to a nightmare of ego insanity. Just as a dog endlessly chases its tail, our lives remain purposeless as we chase the shiny objects in this old world, the illusion, and remain caught in our deep sleep of nothingness.

Sleeper’s Awake! The Watchman’s voice commands us. Known as J.S. Bach’s most famous choral oratorio, “Sleeper’s Awake!” is a spiritual call to action. The challenge to all of us who are asleep to our true nature, is to awaken. A Course of Miracle says: “When you have seen this real world [our true nature and heavenly state of mind], as you will surely do, you will remember Us [Father, Son, and Holy Spirit]. Yet you must learn the cost of sleeping, and refuse to pay it. Only then will you decide to awaken. And then the real world will spring to your sight, for Christ has never slept. He is waiting to be seen, for He has never lost sight of you. He looks quietly on the real world, which He would share with you because He knows of the Father’s Love for Him. And knowing this, He would give you what is yours.” (T-12.VI.5)

everything is given away, it will remain with you forever. And the lesson has been learned.” (W-106.6:5)

Why is this so brilliant, and how does this theme turn on the light? Lesson 108 reminds us of what elsewhere it calls “transfer of learning.” In the Workbook, we practice repeatedly with specifics as a step towards true generalization, which the Course says will happen automatically, if we are impartial and wholehearted with the specifics. One thought will serve to unify all thought; one correction for all correction; forgiveness of one brother brings salvation to all minds. Lesson 108 tells us “these are but some special cases of one law which holds for every kind of learning.” The reason why the unity of giving and receiving is chosen as a theme now is “because it can be tried so easily and seen as true.” It is one of the less difficult mind-splits to get beyond. Once we gain even a little finesse, “the thought behind it can be generalized to other areas of doubt and double vision.” The exercise then that Lesson 108 gives us for experiencing the unity of giving and receiving, is to hold out for everyone any-thing we can think of that we truly value for ourselves. By way of example, it suggests:

“To everyone I offer quietness. To everyone I offer peace of mind. To everyone I offer gentleness.”

In the Will of God, there is no exclusion. The root “double vision” we suffer from is the belief there is a will other than the Will of God. In voicing, slowly and deeply, univer-sal affirmations like these, we are literally providing a channel for the Holy Spirit to take form. We are aligning our whole being to the Will of God. And, in so doing, we begin to release the healing light of single perception.

The more wholehearted and single-minded, the more powerful the result. As Lessons 105 and 106 put it, give everything away in order to secure it for yourself. Lesson 108 puts this in terms of a law of reciprocity: the assurance of the spirit “will come to you in the amount in which you gave it.” “You will find you have exact return...” Lesson 107 gave the reader a pithy formulation of this law the day before: “Today belongs to truth. Give truth its due, and it will give you yours.” Effect and cause are not arbitrarily joined; they are the same. Give full measure, and you will receive full measure. If we achieve right perception about giving and receiving, we can look forward to resolving other dualities that gnaw at us, “other areas of doubt and double vision.” Like what? I’ll give you my top ten: action and inaction; work and play; vocation and avo-cation; passion and restraint; pleasure and pain; idealism and realism; self-fulness and selflessness; time and eternity; innocence and experience; effort and ease; form and formlessness. I am benighted at one time or another by each of these pairs; and my ego always steps in to arbitrate the debates (often an all-night congressional filibuster!). Yet, I have also experienced moments of clarity, where the split and the conflict are suddenly seen as meaningless and illusory. And that is an experience of true light! Finally, let me leave you with the words of a great American poet, Robert Frost, who appeared to have some of this figured out. Here are the wonderful closing lines from “Two Tramps in Mud Time.”

“But yield who will to their separation, My object in living is to unite My avocation and my vocation As my two eyes make one in sight. Only where love and need are one, And the work is play for mortal stakes, Is the deed ever really done For Heaven and the future’s sakes.”

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Plus CA Sales Tax, S&HLooking WithinAffirmations from A Course in Miracles by Beverly Hutchinson and Steven HalpernAffirmations from the Course surrounded by peaceful music, recorded in a way that allows the listener to participate by repeating the thoughts.

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MARCH / APRIL 2019

In This Issue...• A Course in Miracles for the Purpose Driven Life• The Awakening• From Two Eyes to One Insight• Another Way of Looking at Life and Death• Lessons in Light• Love and the Art of Compromise• The Great Undoing... and much more!

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