Vol. 2, No. 2 The INNER LIGHT Ministries Newsletter October, 1991

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A Message from Jim

One of the central themes ofILM is the importance of medita-tion. Of course, meditation hasbeen emphasized in almost allschools of spiritual study for manycenturies. Although the specifictheories and techniques may vary,meditation has long been consid-ered the one great key to commun-ion with the spirit of God.

For the beginning student ofmeditation, there are many chal-lenges and questions that surfaceas we begin to enter into a wholenew world and begin to explorethe "many rooms in my Father'shouse," as Jesus phrased it in John14:2. Some of those challengesare obvious ones, like learninghow to still the body and how tohold a focus. But some are moresubtle, and one of them, the issueof expectations, is what I'd like totalk about here.

A lot of people ask why it’simportant to meditate and why it’simportant to give so much time toit each day when they don’t reallysee themselves as getting muchout of it in return. Some peopleexpress disappointment that “Ididn’t get anything this time,” orthat “nothing ever happens in mymeditations.”

But meditation isn’t reallymeant to have obvious effects in

the everyday world of the physi-cal. As soon as we place expecta-tions on the process of meditation,something is already lost, becausemeditation isn't about gettingthings in the world. It's an actionof our conscious-level self inwhich we attune ourselves at thislevel to the greater spiritual Selfwithin us. Through meditation,we open ourselves to the upliftingpresence of the Spirit within andin a sense "anchor" it into theconsciousness in which we dwellon a daily, worldly basis. Medita-tion also offers us a "place" wherewe can go and offer our loving toGod in a worshipful manner. Thisis what Jesus meant when he en-couraged us to go into our "room"or "closet," shut the door, and prayin secret (Mt 6:6).

Whenever we go to God withexpectations, we are adding anelement that prevents the open-ness and receptivity required formeditation to provide its greatestbenefit. It's well for us to recallthat meditation doesn’t changeSpirit, because "your Father knowswhat you need before you askhim" (Mt 6:8). What it does in-stead is to change us by strength-ening our awareness of our rela-tionship with God and our trueplace in Spirit, and by giving usmore direct access to our true spiri-tual self. In this regard, it defi-nitely does have an influence“down here” in the physical. Itbrings us at this level into greateralignment with and acceptance ofthe Father's will, and into greatertrust in the process that the Fatheris unfolding before us.

But so many of us expect it to

solve our problems at work or inour relationships, to bring us an-swers about how to get a new caror a raise in salary. That' s medi-tating with a hook – if I do this,then I will get such and such, orthis will or won't happen – andthat’s just not the way it works.

Instead, our unspoken thoughtin meditation must always be, likeJesus', "not what I will, but whatyou will" (Mk 14:36). We shouldsee ourselves as placing ourselvesin God's light and allowing (notdemanding) His perfect plan tounfold for us and to manifest inour daily lives. Holding things inHis light does make a difference.Our prayers are always heard andalways answered, but not neces-sarily according to our personalexpectations or our personal timeframes.

Often, when we take some-thing into meditation and "noth-ing happens," that may in a sensebe our answer – that nothing issupposed to happen in the worldin this way at this time. Perhapswe are being asked to continue toembrace the challenge we are fac-ing and to continue to learn itslessons, or to provide the servicebeing required in this situation.

The point is really very simple:rather than expecting God to sayor do something in our medita-tions, we should ask ourselves todo something – to place ourselvesand our lives in His light accord-ing to His will. In this way, we"seek first his kingdom and hisrighteousness," and by such let-ting go, we allow the things we areseeking to then be "given to us aswell" (Mt 6:33).

ON THE BULLETIN BOARD

We've all heard this familiar expression, and weall have a sense that this is important in living theSpirit-centered life. But there are many "flows"within us, and each of these has its source. Unless wecan identify the source, how do we know whether weare moving with the flow of the Spirit within us orperhaps with some other flow?

Although God is the ultimate source of all energy,it is also true in the more immediate sense that thereare energies originating in our personal emotionsand our individual minds. Whether these are alsoenergies "born of God" and reflecting His love,wisdom, and intentions depends on the degree towhich we have centered ourselves in His Spirit andare living our lives in alignment with it. This is amatter of self-awareness and self-identification:which of the many voices within do I consider to be"my real self?"

Jesus, and all the great ones, have taught us thesimple truth that the spirit of God resides within andwe must "seek first his kingdom." Meditation, inaddition to many other benefits and purposes, allowsus to learn to distinguish the various energies withinus – what is or is not truly "born of God."

We can learn whose voice is calling from within.We can center ourselves in His light and learn to gowith His flow. Does anything else really matter?

ILM has been developing an expanding list ofwritten and taped materials for group or individualstudy, including dozens of cassettes and four newbooklets by Jim Gordon:

The Many Mansions in My Father's House

Spirits, Guides, and Beings

Love and Loving

What God Is (and Isn't)

Please write or call for a free listing.

More softly than a silent song,I whisper.

Can you hear Me?

More softly still than candlelight,I touch you.

Can you feel Me?

Hush... Let fall your eyelids,For in that spacious "nothingness,"

I love you "from afar."

Going with the Flow by Nick Martin

Nick MartinFaithful Heart CenterSteven McAfee

A truly gifted teacher andthe Educational Director ofFaithful Heart Center, Stevenoffers a broad variety of seminarsand retreats in Michigan andIndiana, as well as Thursdayevening classes in Fort Waynecovering various aspects ofspiritual development (on a loveoffering basis). Surrender, thefirst in his new series ofmeditation and music cassettes,is now available. For details,call Steven at (219) 485-2167.

Under the dedicated and lovingdirection of ordained minister,Marilyn Schuiling, Faithful Heartoperates out of Grand Rapids andsponsors seminars and retreats inMichigan and Indiana. It alsooffers weekly study groups and anon-going metaphysical trainingprogram. The retreat, "Harvest ofFreedom," will be held Nov. 22-24 in the beautiful setting of CampMack near Fort Wayne ($48 pluslove offering). For details, pleasecall Marilyn at (616) 887-7841.

ILM minister, author, andnewsletter editor, Nick will offera week of seminars in FortWayne, October 19-27. Privatecounseling will also be available.For information, call BrendaFishbaugh at (219) 749-5062.

Nick will also offer a class on"Individuality in Relationships"in New Orleans, Wednesday,Nov. 13, 7:30-9 PM at the UnityChurch in Metairie, 118 GiuffriasRd. Contact: Rev. Bob or RuthFatur at (504) 833-9486.

New ILM Materials

Dear Friends:

As a way of focusing our vision of ILM, what it does and whom it represents and serves,we are asking those who are interested to affirm their solidarity with us in our work.

What follows is the official “ILM Creed.” If you share this vision with us, please sign theform below and allow us to think of you as part of our body of membership. There areno contingencies, requirements, or expectations involved – only the affirmation of ourshared vision.

INNER LIGHT MINISTRIES CREED

We believe in God (the Father-Mother Creator), in Christ, and in the HolySpirit, who together form the Holy Trinity. We believe that Christ is theconsciousness of light and love, and that we can obtain the same awarenessof being Christ that Jesus promised in saying: “the works that I do shall hedo also; and greater works than these shall he do” [Jn 14:12]. We believethat the Holy Spirit is the presence of God and that, through the action of theHoly Spirit, we are lifted up into our own Christ consciousness.

We believe in the ever present grace of God through the uplifting action ofthe Holy Spirit. We believe that this upliftment is available to all who seekto find it. As it is said in scripture, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, andye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” [Mt 7:7]. We believethis is accomplished through meditation, prayer, study, and service.

We believe that through meditation, prayer, study, and service, we openourselves more each day to the loving light of Christ and the uplifting graceof the Holy Spirit, and we enter into ever greater oneness with God, whodwells within.

Yes, please consider me a member of ILM:___________________________________

If you would like to remain on our mailing list but do not wish to be thought of as a memberof ILM, no action is necessary on your part.

If for any reason you would prefer to be removed from our mailing list altogether, pleasejust let us know by signing below.

Please remove my name from the ILM mailing list:_____________________________

We do our best to keep our mailing list up-dated, and we sincerely apologize for any errorsin spelling. Please help us to serve you better by making any appropriate changes to yourname and address beside the label on the reverse side.

We thank you and bless you!

A Letter to Our Readers

Please return to: ILM, P.O. Box 36, Center Point, Texas 78010

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Please cut along dotted line

The many services of ILM aregeared towards this path of in-dividual unfoldment – throughmeditation, study, and prayer onan individual and group basis.

Service to humanity and theplanet is its second major empha-sis, and ILM encourages individ-ual service, in any of a wide vari-ety of possible forms, as a vitalaspect of our daily experience.

Please write or phone formore information.

ABOUT ILM

Vol. 2, No. 2 The INNER LIGHT Ministries Newsletter October, 1991

Inner Light Ministries (ILM)is a non-profit outreach organiza-tion founded in the fundamentalprinciples of ancient and esotericChristianity. It is dedicated to thedevelopment and balancing of thefourfold nature of the individual.Towards this end, it provides edu-cation and services concerned withthe integration of the spiritual,mental, emotional, and physicalaspects of the self, and with thedevelopment of publications andmaterials that aid in this process.

Among its fundamental tenetsis that we really are “temples ofthe Holy Spirit.” As we seek andexpress this presence within, wefind the peace, love, power, andwisdom we all so earnestly desire.

ILM ActivitiesIN HONOLULU

Inner Light Ministries is of-fering and/or sponsoring a num-ber of weekly study groups at itsHonolulu location. An ILM studygroup meets on most Tuesday eve-nings from 7-9 PM, and a medita-tion group meets on Sundaymornings from 10-12.

Other worthwhile spiritualstudy groups are held on Monday,Wednesday, and Thursday eve-nings. Meetings are held at:

108 Kuine PlaceHonolulu, HI 96816

For more information contact:Tom Beaver

(808) 732-8934

INNER LIGHT MINISTRIESP. O. Box 36

Center Point, Texas 78010

Phone: (512) 634-7269

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Center Point, TXPERMIT #36