amiracledistributioncenterpublication september/october2012 … · 2020-03-26 ·...

by Beverly Hutchinson McNeff�

emember the old children’s songThere was an Old Lady thatSwallowed a Fly? If you remember

it, then you knowthat after the ladyswallows a fly, shethen swallows aspider to catch thefly, and then swal-lows a bird to catchthe spider to catchthe fly, and so on. Butin the end, no one knows why she swal-lowed the fly. When I think back to howour Center got started, it’s sort of like thatold song... one thing lead to another, andanother, and another, and I don’t knowhow any of it really happened! The onlyconstant is that if it weren’t for my brotherRichard finding A Course inMiracles 35 years ago, theCenter wouldn’t havebeen here for the past 34years.So unlike the old lady

who swallowed the fly, Iknow why Richard foundthe Course— it was forour healing. And I’m grate-ful so many of you havejoined us on this journey of healing.Withthat in mind, I want to share with you apersonal story about Richard.In June, when Richard (who now lives in

Arizona with his wife Ann) and I were onthe phone, he told me he was going to thedoctor for a stress test. He had been get-ting tired easily and had some chest pains,

but what sealed the deal was when he andAnn were running to catch a plane withbags in tow, and he just couldn’t make it tothe gate. This was unusual for Richard whohas always been very physically strongand able. So his wife (as all good wives do!)put her foot down and told him he neededto get this checked out.Well, as Richard told me, he couldn’t

finish his stress test, so he went in for anangiogram. Those results were pretty dire.He was going to need triple bypass heartsurgery, immediately! His blockages werequite severe.We were able to get toArizona the night before his surgery andhad time to be with him. He was affirminga number of Course thoughts to keep hismind centered on the truth. One of hisfavorites was, “I am not a body. I am free.

For I am still as God createdme.”He was afraid—we all

were— but we also knewfear was a distraction thatwas of no value to Richard’shealing. It distracted us fromour one focus which was tosee him as God created him.The Course reminds us theego always speaks first and is

the loudest, but God’s presence is thepeaceful, constant reminder in our mindsthat is there when we are willing to stopfor a moment and see past the frenzy ofthe world.We kept replacing our thoughts of fear

R

Beverly Hutchinson McNeff

“

Beverly is the co-founder and president of MDC, one of the longest running organizations based onA Course in Miracles. As a student, lecturer and author on the Course since 1977, her recordedweekly commentaries on Course principles have become a wonderful source of inspiration andstudy for many around the world. Receive a FREE recording by contacting MDC.

”

AMiracle Distribution Center Publication September / October 2012

Love Heals...a personal story

He was afraid -we all were - but wealso knew fear was adistraction that was

of no value toRichard’s healing.

• • • • •

his seems to be an issue filled withpersonal reflections, so I want toshare a few thoughts about my

friend MarianneWilliamson.This is the 20th anniversary of the

publication of Marianne’s landmarkbook, A Return to Love. To celebrate thisand her first appearance on The OprahWinfrey Show, Oprah invited Marianne tobe with her on the OprahWinfreyNetwork’s Super Soul Sunday in July. Theepisode isarchivedonline andcan be seenby follow-ing the linkfound inthis issue’s“What’s Happening” section on page 2. Itwas a wonderful episode and one youwon’t want to miss.Marianne’s presence and articulate

conversation on the practical value ofmiracles, love and forgiveness in ourday-to-day lives, put God on the “frontpage”of the news those twenty yearsago. Articles about her book and hermessage appeared in newspapersaround the world and in magazines suchas Time, Newsweek, and Vanity Fair.Marianne stepped up to the plate toshare the message of A Course inMiracles. She became a beacon to aworld hungry for someone to put wordsto the inner yearning of their hearts.It hasn’t always been easy. She

Tby Beverly Hutchinson McNeff�

Reflectionson Marianne

Marianne & Opra Winfrey

••••••••

Continued on 3

Continued on Page 12

2 THE HOLY ENCOUNTER

� It is with great appreciation that weacknowledge a recent gift from the estateof Herb Brazer, a long-time supporter ofour Center. Mr. Brazer made the lovingdecision to include a bequest to MDC inhis will. He felt strongly about the impor-tance of continuing the message ofA Course in Miracles in future years. Nowthat he has gently laid down his body, westill feel his mighty spirit. We thank thiskind gentleman for placing his trust in us.For information on including the Center inyour estate plan, see page 9 of this issue.

� A Return to Love turns 20!—MarianneWilliamson’smega-bestsellercelebrated its 20thanniversary in July.OprahWinfrey,who helpedlaunch the bookon her televisionshow in 1992,recently sat down with Marianne on theOWN network to record an interview onthe occasion of the book’s anniversary. Youcan watch the Oprah Super SoulSunday archived episode here:http://tinyurl.com/bvn2jo3

� A Return to Love in the movies.WhenMarianneWilliamson wrote A Return toLove in 1992, she never expected that afew of the words she wrote would turn upin films as pivotal plot points. Yet, that iswhat has happened in two movies. In the2005 movie Coach Carter, starring SamuelL. Jackson, it became the answer a highschool player gave to a question byJackson, which turned the tone of themovie. In the 2006 movie Akeelah and theBee, it became the quote hanging in aspelling bee coach’s study that finallyawakened Akeelah’s “light.” This is thebeginning of the quote: “Our deepest fear isnot that we are inadequate. Our deepest fearis that we are powerful beyond measure. It isour light, not our darkness, that most fright-ens us... “ This beautiful quote has been puton an 8”x 10”poster and is availablethrough the Center, in our online

bookstore or by calling us at 1-800-359-2246.

� Vacationing in Dubai? Nomatterwhere in the world you are traveling, orwhere in the world you live, we probablyknow of a Course study group there.Wenow display study groups in 62 countries.View our Google Map of the world andzoom-in to your area to find nearbygroups on our website atwww.miraclecenter.org

� Our latest Miracle Moment Podcast isnow available online. Join Center founderBeverly Hutchinson McNeff and her hus-

band Paul (both studentsof the Course with over60 years of study com-bined!) for these freepodcasts which coverCourse concepts as theyapply to questions sentin from people all

around the globe. Just go to our websiteatwww.miraclecenter.org , click on“Services,” then “Miracle Moment.” And,send us your questions, as well!

� Share a forgiveness story... A fellowCourse student is currently completing herPhD in Health Psychology. Her dissertationis on the subject of forgiveness, specifi-cally the role of a person’s support groupin the forgiveness process. She is lookingfor volunteers to interview in the Fall. Ifyou feel you could be of help to her, pleasecontact Cindy Maynard at 805-748-5987 [email protected].

� Holy EncounterWeekend in Boston—Our next Holy EncounterWeekendwilltake place on April 5th and 6th , 2013 inBoston, Massachusetts. This popularweekend seminar is presented by BeverlyHutchinson McNeff and offers attendees achance to go deeper into the Course’slife-changing principles to truly experi-ence miracles. As one attendee wrote,“... Beverly, you are an amazing teacher.You help the learning process for yourstudents by making the message of theCourse so much clearer and easier tounderstand.When you read the Course, itwent right into my mind and heart! Itmade the greatest sense.”A Friday eveninglecture sets the stage for a day-longintensive experience of A Course inMiracles.Watch our video about theweekends by visiting our website, thenmake your reservation to join us.

� “This is God’s Final Judgment: ‘You arestill My holy Son, forever innocent, foreverloving and forever loved... ’ ” says theCourse. Sometimes it’s hard to rememberthat truth, so we have constructed aWallof Innocence on our website to help usremember. We invite you to send us yourchildhood photo (around the age of five orsix, but younger is okay, too) so we canpost it on the wall. You can email us yourphoto or send us an original which we willscan and return to you. Please includeyour name, city and state and yourapproximate age at the time of the photo.Check back to our site often to see the

What’s Happening


Available from the CenterFrom Marianne WilliamsonA Return to Love Print $4.00A quotation from A Return to Love is beautifully printed on8”x10” coated stock in full color, ready for framing.

To Order1-800-359-ACIM(2246) or at miraclecenter.org

Price plus S&H. CA residentsadd sales tax

Marianne Williamson& Opra Winfrey

3September / October 2012

e believe the world is full ofpeople who are experts atcreating dreams based on fear.

It is actually therole of the ego tocreate thesedreams, andoften we are noteven aware thatwe are creatingfearfulsituationsaround ourselves.When we exert the power of our ego,

and create those fearful dreams, we arereally creating this prescription for fear,suffering, anger, and being at war witheach other and ourselves:

• Believe and act as if anger and judgingothers gets you what you want.

• Believe holdinggrievances is a way to stay safe.

• Believe not forgiving is a way to stay safe.

• Believe people who forgive others areweak.

• Believe if something goes wrong in yourlife, there is someone outside of yourselfwho is to blame.

• Believe guilt and suffering are of value.

• Believe you are a body rather than spirit.

• Believe when you die, that’s the end oflife.

• Believe love may hurt you, and that it isimportant to be afraid of love.

• Believe money is the key to happiness.

• Believe peace and God are your enemy.

• Believe peace is impossible, and fightingcan get you what you want.

• Believe your eyes and physical senses tellyou what is real.

• Believe God is your enemy, and projectyour guilt from separating from God on

to others.

Please allow yourselfto stop for a moment andthink about this prescrip-tion:

• Is it not possible themajority of us live by thisPrescription, whichoriginates within ouregos?

• Is it not possible we havebeen caught in a dream full of illusions,where we are every person in the dream?

• Is it not possible we wrote the movie andalso play every character?

• Is it not possible we are alsothe movie critics?What would happen to us

if we woke up from thisnightmare and realized itwas only a dream?What ifwe woke up and realized wewere in a new reality, wherethere was only Love,Oneness with our Creator,

and a peace beyond our imagination?

“

”

It is not possiblewe have been caughtin a dream full ofillusions, where weare every person in

the dream?

Heal Your Mind, Heal Your World••••••••• • • • • • • • • by Gerald Jampolsky, M.D. and Diane V. Cirincione, Ph.D.�

Jerry Jampolsky & Diane Cirincione

Gerald Jampolsky, M.D. and Diane Cirincione, Ph.D., international lecturers and bestselling authors, share their insights and experiences in applying theprinciples of A Course in Miracles in our world. Jerry and Diane’s books and other items are available at www.miraclecenter.org

WPrescription for Creating a Fearful, Negative Dream from Hell

�

It’s amazing to see the smiles onpeople’s faces when they lookat their own childhood photos.They remember theirinnocence, and if they canremember their own perhapsthey can remember that sameinnocence when otherpeople tempt them to anger.Our innocence, no matterwhat we have done, cannever be lost. It’s time for usto awaken to that truth andreflect that truth to others.We invite you to join us inyour innocence by sendingus your childhood photo (aroundthe age of 5 or 6, but younger is okay, too) so we canpost it on theWall of Innocence.

www.miraclecenter.orgYou can email us your photo or send us an original which we will scan and return to

you. Please include your name, city and state and your approximate age at the time ofthe photo. Check back to our site often to see the wall grow in love and innocence.

“Awaken and be glad, for all your sins have been forgiven you. This is the onlymessagethat any two should ever give to each other.” (PPP21)

Wall of Innocence Join the Awakening!


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 amaster’s degree in vocal performance. In 1997, along with Beverly, he founded KidSingers, an inner-city, after-school children’s chorus. The program haswon many awards and been featured on GoodMorning America. Learn more at:www.kidsingers.org

Miracle Musings...••••••••• • • • • • • • • by Paul McNeff�

Of a Recovering Fundamentalist - Who am I?

oses said to God, “Suppose I go tothe Israelites and say to them, 'TheGod of your fathers has sent

me to you,’ and theyask me, 'What is hisname?’ Then what shallI tell them? ”God said toMoses, “I AM WHO I AM.This is what you are tosay to the Israelites:‘I AM has sent me toyou.’ ” (Exodus 3:13-14)

“I am the holy Son of God Himself. Here isyour declaration of release from bondage ofthe world. And here as well is all the worldreleased.” (Lesson 191)In his book What is God?, noted writer

and philosopher, Jacob Needlemanrecounts an experience he had as a nine-year-old child gazing withhis father into the full, hot,summer night sky. They satoutside in wonder, notspeaking to one another,transfixed by the teeminglife of his father’s garden. Itwasn’t until, as Needlemandescribes it; “. . .when Ilooked up into the sky that,at that moment, I appeared. . . And suddenly, incom-prehensibly, all at once,despite the heavy summerair that always absorbs most of thestarlight —suddenly, as if by magic, theblack sky was instantly strewn withmillions of stars... Or, as it also seemed, asthough the whole universe itself suddenlyopened its arms to me, saying to me: “Yes, Iam here. See, this is what I really am!”Call it an “aha”moment, an epiphany, a

holy instant. The experience changed hislife forever.I wonder howmany of us have had that

type of experience. In my pre-teen years, Iremember retreating into a large down-

stairs closet to escape the hectic and oftenchaotic life of our large 13-member, mid-western family. The closet had a very deepconstruction and the ceiling line tapereddown so that by the time I burrowed mybody through the clothes, blankets andother accumulated junk to the back, Icould barely sit down. Here in the com-plete void and absence of light, I couldshut out the world. Time and space stoodstill. It was as if I were suspended in auniverse far separated frommy home,where I would have an experience of deepserenity and oneness with everything. Incontrast to Needleman’s spangling stars,my experience was in a room so dark that Icould not even see the hand in front of myface. But it was still the same experience.Regardless of the form, it is the content

of the experience thatteaches truth. The truth I feltwas that Ibelonged to somethinggreater than just myself.And somehow, if I could cutout all the world’s distrac-tions, I could find me.Isn’t this the first big,

burning question we allhave asked ourselves in oneform or another: “Who amI?” I remember as a childsome clarity coming to me

regarding this question of identity when Ifirst read the bible story of Moses and theburning bush.Precipitating their holy encounter,

Moses, known in the Egyptian empire onlyas a son of Pharaoh, had just fled the landof Egypt after killing an Egyptian for strik-ing a Hebrew. Now, as a fugitive from jus-tice, the burning bush of God called uponMoses to go back to Egypt and deliver hispeople out of Egyptian bondage.Moses, lacking any kind of confidence

or credentials, pleaded with God as if to

say: “Are you kidding me?!Who am I to goback to the Hebrews and pronounce thatI’m really one of them, and then proclaimto the whole Egyptian kingdom that I’vecome back to free the Israelites fromhundreds of years of oppressive bondageunder Pharaoh! People here will be reallyconfused. Each side will think I’m againstthem because they don’t know where myallegiance lies. AND GOD!! Even if I wouldbe willing to do as you are asking me...what kind of military rank or power andcredibility can you give me to do such amassive task?”“And God said to Moses, ‘I AMWHO I

AM’; and He said, ‘Thus you shall say to thesons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ”I’ve always seen the Moses story of free-

ing his people as a powerful metaphor forour own lives. Just as the turning point inMoses’ life and mission was one ofidentity, so too it is for us. By way of the “IAM”principle, by no power of his own,Moses was able bring the children of Israelout of bondage.You and I have the same opportunity

and mission.We have become enslaved bythe ways of this world, by buying intopower, fame, status, a great job, graduat-ing from the right college, or being borninto the right family or country. Not thatany of these are wrong, but we havelooked to them for our salvation and theyhave all eventually failed, because we haveasked them to be what they can never be.We have put form over content; fabrica-tion over truth.

“Deny your own Identity, and you willnot escape the madness which inducedthis weird, unnatural and ghostly thoughtthat mocks creation and that laughs atGod. Deny your own Identity, and youassail the universe alone, without a friend,a tiny particle of dust against the legionsof your enemies. Deny your own Identity,and look on evil, sin and death, and watch

M

Paul McNeff

“

”

The truth I felt wasthat I belonged tosomething greater

than just myself. Andsomehow, if I could

cut out all theworld’s distractions,I could find me.


despair snatch from your fingers everyscrap of hope, leaving you nothing but thewish to die.” (ibid)In an interview with Bill Clinton after he

had left office, I remember the interviewerasking the former President why there wasso much war in the world... why so muchdespair. In Clinton’s inimitable, hoarseArkansas drawl, he gave a brief but veryastute response, one that I will always re-member: “I think the problem is one ofidentity.”Due of the shortness of the interview,

Clinton was not able to elaborate on thatpoint, but I think he was saying that thesolution did not lie in building morepowerful armies, stockpiling more nuclearweapons, or creating stronger immigra-tion laws. The solution lay in the recogni-tion that we are all human beings, with thesame need to love and be loved. Althoughwe perceive ourselves in separate forms,we have the same content and unity ofpossibility. Our true identity is spirit andthe sooner we come to grips with that, thesooner we reach our own salvation andour brothers as well.

“I am the holy Son of God Himself... . lettoday’s idea find a place among yourthoughts and you have risen far above theworld, and all the worldly thoughts thathold it prisoner. And from this place ofsafety and escape you will return and set itfree. For he who can accept his trueIdentity is truly saved. And his salvation isthe gift he gives to everyone, in gratitudeto Him Who pointed out the way tohappiness that changed his wholeperspective of the world.” (ibid)When he got his own calling card right,

Moses returned to free his people. He waspartnered with the “I AM.”He then knewhis true identity. He had to get thatstraight first before he could be any goodto anyone else.

“One holy thought like this and you arefree: You are the holy Son of God Himself.And with this holy thought you learn aswell that you have freed the world.” (ibid)I love how Lesson 191 ends. It is such a

perfect capstone for this whole idea ofidentity. A voice teacher once told me Ineeded to acquiesce to my own greatness.He was so right. That awareness ignited abelief in myself, and I became a bettersinger because of it. So, too, is our ultimatecosmic coach telling us to acquiesce to our

Dear Beverly, Diane, Jerry, Paul and Lee,I’ve been practicing the Course for 7 years now and feel it has helped me in

numerous ways. I very much appreciate all the love, wisdom and guidance I’vegarnered from studying the Course and in particular reading THE HOLYENCOUNTER and your articles.

My late mother even noticed the change. In fact, it was the Course practicethat guided me in working through my forgiveness issues surrounding ourrelationship. Thankfully, we did so in February of 2009 and she passed away inJune 2009. She even shared with her physician that she was grateful for hercancer because it caused our relationship to heal. Of course, it was the Course,not cancer!

Please accept the enclosed check as an expression of my gratitude. Thankyou for all that you do and have done to bring the Course to light andunderstanding on this planet. Keep up the terrific work!

• • • • • •We’re honored to be able to share the message of the Course to so

many, and we are grateful for the support of those who are able. Pleaseuse the enclosed envelope in this issue to support if you can.We thankyou!

“I very much appreciate all the love, wisdomand guidance I’ve garnered from studying theCourse and in particular reading THE HOLYENCOUNTER and your articles”We appreciate this “Fan letter” from Dulaney in Bozeman, MT written toour columnists. It is an honor to be part of her beautiful story. Read on...

true identity.“Then let the Son of God awaken from

his sleep, and opening his holy eyes, returnagain to bless the world hemade. In error it began, butit will end in the reflection ofhis holiness. And he willsleep no more and dream ofdeath. Then join with metoday. Your glory is the lightthat saves the world. Do notwithhold salvationlonger.”(ibid)Let’s join together and call

forth the “I AM” that Mosesaccessed. Together we willremember our true identity.It cannot be contained on abusiness card, a Facebookpage, a website, PH.D orD.D.D. You are a being of infi-nite possibilities and saving powers!Just as Moses doubted, we may doubt,

but in the end we will fulfill our part in

God’s plan.Whether we think our part isgreat or small, we are needed to offer thisawareness of truth by accepting this

awareness of truth.“Look about the world,

and see the sufferingthere. Is not your heartwilling to bring yourweary brothers rest? Theymust await your ownrelease. They stay inchains till you are free.They cannot see themercy of the world untilyou find it in yourself. . .They die till you acceptyour own eternal life. Youare the holy Son of GodHimself. Remember this,and all the world is free.Remember this, and earthand Heaven are one.”(ibid)

“

”

I’ve always seen theMoses story of free-ing his people as apowerful metaphorfor our own lives.Just as the turningpoint in Moses’ lifeand mission was oneof identity, so too

it is for us.

�


There Is Nothing Wrong With You••••••• • • • • • • • • by Jacob Glass�

Jacob Glass has been speaking on spirituality since 1987. He is the author of The Crabby Angels Chronicles and lectures weekly in Santa Barbara,San Diego and Palm Springs, California.

our worth is not established byteaching or learning. Your worth isestablished

by God. Nothing youthink, or wish, or makeis necessary to establishyour worth.” (T 4.1:7)The most difficult

part of my spiritualjourney has beengiving up all attemptsat “self-improvement”and“self-help.” WhatI found for myself is that the desire toalways be “getting better”was really justanother aspect of the ego’s assumptionthat I am wounded, unacceptable, notenough, too much, and am basicallydamaged goods in one way or another.The entire western world is deeply rootedin this belief system and becoming moreand more so all the time.A fewmonths ago as I was sitting at

lunch at my favorite restaurant, the mansitting at the next table, who’d already hada few cocktails, started chatting me up inan overly zealous way. He was very good-natured and teasing so I didn’t mind a bit.He started telling me all about himselfwithout my ever asking a single question.Mostly, he wanted to let me know what hedoes for work because of course manypeople think they ARE what they DO. Hewanted to make sure I knew that he’s beenan advertising executive for 18 years. Henamed several long-term clients of his —companies whose commercials are onEVERY time I ever turn on the television.He is quite good at his job.Then, he asked me what I do for a living.

I replied, “I deprogram people from whatyou do.” He laughed, and we chatted allthrough lunch and had a very nice time asI explained to him I was totally seriousabout my reply. Miracles are a definite de-programming from the world thought sys-tem that insists you NEED whatever it isthey are selling right now, because obvi-ously there is something in your life that

needs constant fixing and maintenance.Our happiness is DEPENDENT on gettingBETTER, because this moment is simplynot good enough—WE are not goodenough. This is one of the most prevalentlies of the ego-dominated thought system.The old time metaphysi-

cians spoke quite a bitabout the hypnotic natureof this world. It is very help-ful for us to remember thisnow. The voices of theworld are a kind of pro-gramming and hypnotictrance that is forever seek-ing to keep us dissatisfiedto one degree or another.We focus on fixing ratherthan on appreciating, onimproving rather than onsavoring.We are trained to be hungry andinsatiable. To be satiated and satisfied islazy and practically un-American. This iswhy the Course’s teaching of “I need donothing” is so terrifying to the ego mind.It is part of my particular personality to

be extremely ambitious and driven, andthat’s the part of my personality that hascaused the most extreme stress and men-tal suffering. That’s why the vast majorityof my work is on allowing the Holy Spiritto heal that insane part of my mind. Andwhat has come of this is the unending re-alization that my most significant “achieve-ments” in life have come in the moments

when I have not been trying to achieveanything. My greatest catastrophes havebeen when I have been trying to makesomething happen or have been trying to

“fix” something I perceive asnot being good enough. Aswe all know, the spiritualpath is one of tremendousparadox. “The first shall belast, and the last shall befirst,” and so on. I havespent years finding peaceby abandoning the ambi-tious driven aspects of myhuman personality in orderto uncover the true Selfwhich is under that person-ality. Of course, it is a dailypractice for me to say, “Of

myself, I can do nothing — it is the Fatherwithin Who does everything. So, You knowwhere to find me God and how to most joy-fully use me. Let me know if there’s anythingYou want me to do. In the meantime, I’ll bebusy enjoying and savoring the day.” And itis STILL amazing to me how often He usesme to achieve something wonderful Icould NOT have done if I’d been trying tomake it happen.As I often say in classes, my part is

simply to show up, on time, prepared,doing what I said I would do, with a goodattitude. The rest is out of my control andnone of my business. I cannot fix anything

Jacob Glass

Y“

“

”

The voices of theworld are a kind ofprogramming andhypnotic trancethat is forever

seeking to keep usdissatisfied to onedegree or another.

Available from the CenterStarve a Bully, Feed a ChampionA 101 day spiritual boot camp to guide the mind away from thetormenting thoughts of the ego and toward the peaceful, joyous andloving thoughts which lead to peace of mind. Paperback - 288 pgs.

To Order 1-800-359-ACIM(2246)or at miraclecenter.org

$1900

by Jacob Glass

Price plus S&H. CA residents add sales tax


or anyone, including myself. And my peacenow comes from knowing there is reallynothing wrong with me or anyone else tobegin with. God just happened to createus all perfect — so what’s to fix? Nothingbut our thinking. Once our thinking isright, then our behavior will come forthfrom that. Therefore, I have learned to stopmotivating myself to change anything as Ifocus instead on accepting myself as Godcreated me. Instead of motivating myself, Isoothe and uplift myself as I would asweet child whom I’d been given care over.

HAVE A STAFF MEETINGSo, how do I soothe and uplift myself?

Every morning I sit at a coffee shop withmy daily reading and my notebook.Recently a friend came over to me andasked what I was doing. I said I was havingmy morning“staff meeting.”He replied,“That must get ugly.”I said, “Oh not at all. I love my staff! I tell

them what a great job they’re doing. I tellthem to take more time off, that they deservea bonus, and that it’s time for a massage andsome real pampering!”Of course I am the only person on my

staff because I work for myself. My friend isthe same way, and he liked the idea

because he admitted he is very hard on hisstaff usually — always pushing to domore, more, more! But we all know that isNOT how we really get the most out of astaff. Cruelty and endless “motivation” todo better is really just stressful anddemeaning. It is the way the ego keepsmoving the line so we never arriveanywhere and are always dissatisfied withourselves and with life.What if there really is nothing wrong

with you?What if the only problem any ofus has is that we have simply beenhypnotized into thinking there is

�

“

”

The inner peace that isthe goal of this course

begins every morning withthe way we speak to

ourselves and emotionaltone we set with thatinner conversation.

something wrong with us? The innerpeace that is the goal of this Coursebegins every morning with the way wespeak to ourselves and emotional tone weset with that inner conversation.Wouldyou tell your best friend she looks fat andis wasting her life?Would you tell yourfive-year-old child his best years arebehind him and he better get his butt ingear or he’s going to end up eating out ofgarbage cans? If your inner conversationto yourself is anything you would not lookinto the eyes of a dear friend who wasstretched out on a hospital bed and say,then I suggest you not say it to yourselfeither.There is no such thing as constructive

criticism. It is another myth of the ego.That is like saying “helpful attack.”Drop allself-criticism and you will find the only

thing left is love and peace. That’s notwhen your life starts to fall apart — that’swhen genuine success begins becauseyou begin to actually EXPERIENCE whatthe Course means when it speaks of“effortless accomplishment.”

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Recognizing Spirit••••••••• • • • • • • • • by Dr. Lee Jampolsky, Ph.D. �

Writing on a Spiritual Path

Dr. Lee Jampolsky is a licensed psychologist in private practice in Carmel, CA. He is the author of several books based on A Course inMiracles. Lee can be reached at www.DrLeeJampolsky.com

T his article is to all Course students,but particularly to those who mayeither already consider themselves

writers, or thosewho have beencurious aboutwriting. I havediscovered thatmany Coursestudents find thatwriting—whether a journalentry, a letter to a friend, an article, or abook— can deepen their understandingand faith, as well as communicate to oth-ers their innermost thoughts and feelingsabout the Course. If you have not triedwriting as a tool to deepen your aware-ness of Love while studying the Course, Iinvite you to give it a go.If the paragraph you just read speaks to

you on some level, evenjust piquing your curiosity,then I consider you afellow writer on the path,and will address you assuch. Also, if you are in-volved in any other artisticprocess, you may simplyreplace the word“writing”with that creativemedium, or just use theword“artist.” I supposeyou could even simply usethe word“work” if youwant to make whateveryou undertake, includingyour vocation, a spiritualendeavor.In the drafting of this

article I am going to justwrite, not even thinkabout what I should say orshould not say, but ratherjust turn within and ask Holy Spirit to letwords flow to the page. I do this becausemy intention is to model something for

you, and it is this: We are writers and, towrite most meaningfully, we must bewilling to do our best to transcend the egoand listen to Holy Spirit. This is how andwhy I believe writing with depth is aspiritual path in itself.Some of what I am about to say may be

provocative or even sound disrespectful,so be sure to read until the end beforecoming to any lasting conclusion. Onething that I know about writing, or anydeep act of discovery or creativity, is thatwe should not give into the temptation tobelieve that when nothing is coming forthin a tangible way, that this means nothingof value is happening within us. What Imean is that the struggle— be it withfinding the time, creating the space/envi-ronment, making priorities, having writer’sblock, etc — is all part of the creativeprocess and journey, and will lead us to

deeper and increasinglymeaningful work in the end.In short, I know as a writeryou will have times of frustra-tion and doubt, but ratherthan responding to it withguilt or what you think you“should”be doing, respondwith curiosity, intrigue, andan honoring of the unfoldingof what is within you.Think of the span from

conception to birth; there aretimes when it appears noth-ing is happening, and times itlooks like everything is hap-pening at once; times whereit is messy and painful, andtimes that are contemplativeand sweet. I think the sameis true for any creative act,including the process ofwriting. This is not to say that

you won’t need to prioritize your time, etc.but don’t focus only on what you see asthe challenge, obstacle, or problem. In

your writing, honor that you are givingbirth to something, something that will insome ways come from the depths of whoyou are and in other ways come frombeyond your self. To try to approach sucha wonderfully unique experience from theconfines of what the ego thinks it allshould look like simply does not work well.In short, write from a knowing that you arejust where you need to be right now, thismoment. When you take a breath and seethis, then all frustration, negativejudgment, and guilt begin to melt, andnew direction and insight come, orperhaps a re-commitment to a path youknow to be true and valuable.There are patterns in being a writer,

similar steps we each take on the journey,and they are old, even beyond time, nowin the fabric of what it is to be human andcreative. But don’t make the mistake ofthinking that you have something specialto say and that the unveiling of this spe-cialness is the purpose of your writing. Asthe writers of the world and the creativeones, we may want to believe that ourprocess is new, magnificently different,right or wrong, etc, or even that we havesomething remarkable and new to say, Ihave found that the truth is somethingquite different than this. The truth is: Youare not special. Write to realize and revealthis, not prove it wrong.In so many ways I have come to see that

at the core, I am telling the same story inmy writing that other people have told,offering the same guidance, and bringingthe same wisdom to the table. I havenothing new to share that has not beensaid, and neither do you, neither doesanybody else. But what we do have toshare are the fruits of our creative journey,whatever they may be, and our experi-ences, and hopefully this is contributing toan awakening of a universal experience of


Lee Jampolsky

“

”

What I mean is thatthe struggle – be itwith finding thetime, creating thespace/environment,making priorities,having writer’sblock, etc.– is allpart of the creativeprocess and journey,and will lead us todeeper and increas-ingly meaningfulwork in the end.


This quote from the Manual for Teachers of A Course inMiracles seems to indicate that we have a mission in this worldto “teach”or rather demonstrate the truth of God’s love overand over in many, many ways until we have learned it. Thatseems to be a process for most of us. So we all need as muchsupport as we can get!The Center has been here to help students understand and

apply the Course for 34 years now, and with your help this willcontinue. So, we wanted to share with you ways that you canhelp us continue to serve you.In addition to regular financial support, many of the Center’s

friends have also made a statement of their desire to have themessage of A Course in Miracles continue into the future. OurLegacy Community was created for this purpose. Many peoplewho support our mission say they derive great satisfactionfrom their generosity, but they are on a fixed income and can-not afford to give more than they already are.Two of the simplest ways you can leave a legacy is by

naming Miracle Distribution Center as a beneficiary in your will

or living trust. Another popular way to make your support felt iswith a gift annuity. Not only are there an array of tax benefits,but you can also receive steady, secure payments for life, oftenwith higher yields than those you’d receive from other invest-ments.If you notify the Center of your intent to support our work

with a planned gift, you will become of member of our LegacyCommunity. Members receive a lifetime subscription to THEHOLY ENCOUNTER, are entitled to a 10% discount from our cata-log and also receive free admittance to any of our events.Plus, your support will allow us to be able to use these con-

tributions to keep the message of the Course alive bybuilding an endowment that will help keep this messageavailable for future generations.Below are easy ways that you can include the Center in your

planned giving. If you have any questions, please call DarinZakich at Miracle Distribution Center, he will be happy to betruly helpful.

“I give, devise and bequeath toMiracle Distribution Center, aCalifornia 501(c)(3) corporationwith offices located in Anaheim,California, the sum of $(specifyamount), to be used for its generalpurposes as determined by its Boardof Directors.”

Add this word-ing to yourWillor Living Trust...

A charitable gift annuity benefits both you and theCenter. Your gift provides an immediate tax deductionand then pays you a fixed income for the rest of yourlife, part of which may be tax deductible as well.Annuity rates are based on your age, with annuitypayments as high as 9% for more senior persons.

Many of our friends have found that making amonthly commitment is the easiest way they canhelp the Center. In doing so, you become a HolyHelper of the Center. We are able to charge yourcredit card or debit your checking account on a

monthly basis and you are able to budget throughout the year tocontinue supporting the Center and its many free services.

CALL1-800-359-ACIM (2246) • e-mail [email protected]

“Except for God’s teachers there would be little hope of salvation, for the world of sin would seem for-ever real ... God’s teachers are not perfect, or they would not be here. Yet it is their mission to becomeperfect here, and so they teach perfection over and over, inmany, manyways, until they have learned it.”

This quote from the Manual for Teachers of A Course inMiracles seems to indicate that we have a mission in this worldto “teach”or rather demonstrate the truth of God’s love overand over in many, many ways until we have learned it. Thatseems to be a process for most of us. So we all need as muchsupport as we can get!The Center has been here to help students understand and

apply the Course for 34 years now, and with your help this willcontinue. So, we wanted to share with you ways that you canhelp us continue to serve you.In addition to regular financial support, many of the Center’s

friends have also made a statement of their desire to have themessage of A Course in Miracles continue into the future. OurLegacy Community was created for this purpose. Many peoplewho support our mission say they derive great satisfactionfrom their generosity, but they are on a fixed income and can-not afford to give more than they already are.Two of the simplest ways you can leave a legacy is by

naming Miracle Distribution Center as a beneficiary in your will

or living trust. Another popular way to make your support felt iswith a gift annuity. Not only are there an array of tax benefits,but you can also receive steady, secure payments for life, oftenwith higher yields than those you’d receive from other invest-ments.If you notify the Center of your intent to support our work

with a planned gift, you will become of member of our LegacyCommunity. Members receive a lifetime subscription to THEHOLY ENCOUNTER, are entitled to a 10% discount from our cata-log and also receive free admittance to any of our events.Plus, your support will allow us to be able to use these con-

tributions to keep the message of the Course alive bybuilding an endowment that will help keep this messageavailable for future generations.Below are easy ways that you can include the Center in your

planned giving. If you have any questions, please call DarinZakich at Miracle Distribution Center, he will be happy to betruly helpful.

“I give, devise and bequeath toMiracle Distribution Center, aCalifornia 501(c)(3) corporationwith offices located in Anaheim,California, the sum of $(specifyamount), to be used for its generalpurposes as determined by its Boardof Directors.”

Add this word-ing to yourWillor Living Trust...

A charitable gift annuity benefits both you and theCenter. Your gift provides an immediate tax deductionand then pays you a fixed income for the rest of yourlife, part of which may be tax deductible as well.Annuity rates are based on your age, with annuitypayments as high as 9% for more senior persons.

Many of our friends have found that making amonthly commitment is the easiest way they canhelp the Center. In doing so, you become a HolyHelper of the Center. We are able to charge yourcredit card or debit your checking account on a

monthly basis and you are able to budget throughout the year tocontinue supporting the Center and its many free services.

CALL1-800-359-ACIM (2246) • e-mail [email protected]

“Except for God’s teachers there would be little hope of salvation, for the world of sin would seem for-ever real ... God’s teachers are not perfect, or they would not be here. Yet it is their mission to becomeperfect here, and so they teach perfection over and over, inmany, manyways, until they have learned it.”


Emotional Healing•••••••••

• • • • • • • • by Richard Gayton, Ph.D. �Monk Chronicles

Dick Gayton is a psychologist and writer. His book The Forgiving Place: Choosing Peace After Violent Trauma is available through the Center.

I sat on an elevated porch in a lightjungle in Central Thailand wonderingwhen the rumored floods were

coming from theheavy rain upnorth. I wanted tostay a little longerthis time in themonastery learn-ing meditationfrommymonkfriend while prac-ticing my A Course in Miracles thoughtsystem. All that sounded great, except myego doesn’t like meditation. It will toleratethe Course because it has to, but it wouldonly go along with the idea of meditationif I promised compensation. My sore backlikes Thai massage. Thai language is fun totry. Thai food is the perfect diet for cancer.At this monastery I found the cook who

remembered me frommy last visit, andshe immediately made it hermission to meet my foodneeds. Unfortunately, shedidn’t speak English, and Ispeak enough Thai to beentertaining to the puzzledThai listener. Part of my dietis eating small amounts offood. This immediatelyalarmed the cook, and shetold my monk friend that Ididn’t like Thai food and wasbeing polite by eating smallamounts of what the monkswere eating: vegetable soups, soy and ricethingies, fresh mango and papaya. Ifervently assured the monk that I lovedThai food. The cook was convinced I washiding a craving for fried, cured, red meatand commissioned a car to take her 8miles into town to find American chow.She then fried up a bunch of ham and twoeggs in the pork fat and watched mehopefully.Naturally my ego, who we all know

needs to be on a 5150 psychiatric hold, feltannoyed with these people who, refusingany payment, fed, housed and taught him.What was the loving thing to do? I gentlyignored the voice in my head and happilyate the ham and the eggs .The next mealwe had more ham so I gently said again tomy monk friend that I would prefer tohave what the monks were eating. Thatworked. Funny how well the exact samewords said with love, communicatedperfectly while before the same tensecommunication had fallen on deaf ears.After one day I noticed how far I was

from town and mymind asked what I wasgoing to do for five days in a monastery. Isuggested we learn meditation. A blackcloud formed in my mind. It reminded methat this monastery had no nice massageand no quaint little food stalls but it didhave lots of quiet time alone. I tried toplacate my ego with the thought that

learning meditation wouldplease my hosts. My egowas suspicious. Meditationin the abstract was onething, but when mymonkfriend invited me toactually meditate withthem, my ego locked up.

I had some timebefore the session. My backwas sore so I did a littleyoga to relax, but my minddoesn’t like yoga either.Finally I reluctantly took

myself to meditation. I sat on the floor inthe meeting hall with a lovely view of themountain. A gentle breeze wafted inthrough an open window bringing atten-tion-seeking flies. Ignoring the files, myfriend and another monk got right to worktrying to get my right ankle to sit over myleft knee. My right knee and my ego didn’tlike that and both balked. My legs didn’twant to stretch and neither did my mind.Still I was into looking good, so I did it.

That worked for about 45 seconds untilpain shot up my right ankle to my knee. Ithen sat up with both feet on the floor,sweating from everywhere. The flies foundmy closed eyes particularly intriguing andI felt defeated.I had experienced one of the primary

obstacles to peace: the desire to get rid ofit, since meditation is a legendary oppor-tunity for inner peace. But the Holy Spiritdidn’t leave me helpless. My monk friendsmiled, brushing away the flies frommyface and gently suggested it didn’t matterhow or where I sat as I long as I tried tocalmmymind. He is obviously a stealthCourse student.The next morning at 6 a.m., I hauled

myself out of bed for alms to walk throughthe small villages to help the monksreceive food offerings. They got to showoff the tall foreigner. But this morning Ihad an oozing blister on my big toe fromnew sandals. My Nikes were far away in myhut, and I would miss the truck leaving foralms. I couldn’t wear the sandalsbecause they caused the strawberry; itwas barefoot or don’t go. The fog lacedacross a nearby hill of jungle as the sungently rose above rice fields. The truckstopped, and I looked down at tiny,needle-sharp gravel on the road. I said aprayer, gingerly got out of the truck andtook my spot at the end of the line ofmonks. I walked carefully, received thehappy greetings of the local people andgot back no worse for wear. The bodytends to lose power to mis-create whenthe mind is properly aligned. There wereother alignments too, since several localladies inquired as to my marital status.I returned to my one room chateau for

a morning nap. More mind alignmentwould be needed. Biting ants, flies,centipedes and other crawlers seemed tosuddenly be everywhere I stepped. Iswept, swatted, then carefully sealed allmy food in plastic bags and finally napped

Dick Gayton

“

”

I had experiencedone of the primaryobstacles to peace:the desire to getrid of it, since

meditation is a leg-endary opportunityfor inner peace.

September / October 2012 11

on my futon. I awoke hungry and took outthe bag with a Trader Joe’s pound plusdark chocolate bar in it. As I was about topop a square in my mouth, I saw it teem-

ing with little black ants. In that instant mymind changed completely. I smiled andsurrendered. I carefully picked up the bagand sat it outside my hut and let the smallmanifestations of the Holy Spirit have at it.Clearly, I can be a Course student and a

Buddhist or Christian or a Zoroastrian oran Oldsmobile man for that matter, the

Join with thousands of people around the world who are ready to takea stand for peace in their lives and this world by making the innercommitment to peace. Declare this powerful pledge fromA Course in Miracles:

The peace of God is my one goal,the aim of all my living here,the end I seek, my purpose and my function and my life,while I abide where I am not at home.

Take the pledge for peace online or fill out the form below and mail it to MDC. Viewour online map which charts those who have taken the pledge and view our video at our sitewww.miraclecenter.org or on You Tube at youtube.com/miraclecenter.org

trick is changing my mind about the worldbecause I will keep projecting my ego onthe world, and I will need to forgivewhether it be ants or people trying to helpme. It is tempting to look for a worldoutside that will no longer need forgiving.It ain’t going to happen until I change mymind. In the meantime, I love Thai food,

Join us today and take the Pledge for Peace� I pledge to make the Peace of God my one goal!� I join with others in making a conscious choice for peace in every moment of my day.� I am willing to let two or more people know about my pledge and invite them to join me.� Please chart my pledge on the “Pledge for Peace”map online.� Send memy FREE wristband (you must include your postal address)

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Thai massage, Thai people and Thaimonks, and, instead of chocolate, I can eatthe almond butter with roasted flax seeds.In fact, I even love those little black, biteyants.Oh come on now, guys, not in the

almond butter, too!

“

”

The body tends tolose power to mis-create

when the mind isproperly aligned.

�


Love Heals...Continued from Page 1

with thoughts of truth. I love how theCourse suggests we employ a number ofthese thoughts “to rule our minds andmake them a habit in our problem-solvingrepertoire,” so when we are tempted tofear they are a quick reaction to that temp-tation.We affirmed thoughts from the Course like:“I rest in God”“I place the future in the Hands of God”“God is but love, and therefore so am I”“I walk with God in perfect holiness”“I will step back and let Him lead the way”... just to name a few.It was also comforting to remember the

image we are given in Lesson 70. Jesusinvites us to move through the “clouds”(those thoughts of fear and worldlyillusions) that seem very real and imper-meable to us. He reminds us they arenothing more than clouds that cannotstop us. And then he offers us this beauti-ful image, saying, “If it helps you, think ofme holding your hand and leading you.And I assure you this will be no idlefantasy.”The next day was a day filled with

miracles. I prayed each en-counter would be a holyencounter and they were.Ann and I accompaniedRichard down to pre-opwhere he would wait untilhis operation.We silentlyblessed each person wesaw, for we knew the law oflove was universal... whatwe gave, we would receive,and we wanted all theblessing we could get! Ilove how the Course tellsus in Lesson 345:

Father, a miracle reflectsYour gifts to me, Your Son.And every one I give returnsto me, reminding me the law of love is uni-versal. Even here, it takes a form which canbe recognized and seen to work. The mira-cles I give are given back in just the form Ineed to help me with the problems I per-ceive. Father, in Heaven it is different, for

there, there are no needs. But here on earth,the miracle is closer to Your gifts than anyother gift that I can give. Then let me givethis gift alone today, which, born of trueforgiveness, lights the way that I must travelto remember You. (Lesson 345)With this truth in mind, we greeted the

doctor and anesthesiologist and toldthem they were in our prayers, too, whichthey seemed grateful to hear.The three nurses who would be in the

operating room came by, and I was ableto mention we knew a scrub nurse inPennsylvania (even though I didn’t tellthem her name, let me give a shout out toHolly Henry right now!) who assisted inheart surgeries, and she had told me thatduring her surgeries, whenever she had afree hand, she would lay it on the patientand say a silent prayer. We invited thenurses to feel free to lay as many hands asthey wanted on Richard during thesurgery. They said they would be happy todo just that.I gave each nurse a hug and told them

we would be praying for them.When Ihugged the head scrub nurse, she didn’tseem to want to let go!I asked Richard after the surgery if he

felt any hands on him, and he said he felthands all over him! I know they were

lovingly touching him, but Ialso feel there were manyunseen hands offering ahealing touch.We all continued our

silent, constant prayers forRichard and the entire staffthroughout the operationthat usually takes threehours, but was completed inan hour and a half. He hadno complications and was upwalking the next day.This is not to say any of

this was “a walk in the park”,or hasn’t been, and contin-ues to be, quite an ordeal forRichard and Ann.While weabide where we are not at

home, things in this world will seem to af-fect us in a very real way. Our healing willnot come“by cursing the darkness, but bylighting a candle,” as the saying goes.What I have taken from all of this is that

real healing comes from prayerful minds

focused on joining and truth. I want tothank all of you who have been andcontinue to hold the truth for Richard.Wehave all been deeply touched by theoutpouring of support from so many.

People are always wondering whythings happen, as if there was somethingthat should have been done differently. It’snot that we can’t learn from situations thatoccur, but the goal is not to get stuck inguilt. The “if onlys”of life — if only I haddone this or that, everything could havebeen different, etc. — are delaying tacticsthe ego likes to distract us with.We are told that “the motivation for this

Course is the attainment and the keepingof the state of peace.” (T24.IN.1:1) If peace isour goal, then our attention must be with-drawn from guilt and placed on forgive-ness. As the Course reminds us, “You whowant peace can find it only by completeforgiveness.” (T1.VI.1.1)Complete forgiveness sounds like a

mighty task, but it begins, as every journeybegins, one step at a time. Forgiveness,from the Course’s perspective, is simply afocus on our reality which is love... the callsfor love and the extensions of love. Noth-ing else really exists.If we react as if we are being persecuted

or punished, we have stepped away frompeace and our answer of forgiveness, butwe can choose again. There is no punish-ment in God; His only goal for us is that weknow who we are. So to the many ques-tions of this world that we may have, weare given this answer:

“Hear, then, the one answer of the HolySpirit to all the questions the ego raises: Youare a child of God, a priceless part of HisKingdom, which He created as part of Him.Nothing else exists and only this is real. Youhave chosen a sleep in which you have had

“

”

While we abidewhere we are notat home, things inthis world will seemto affect us in a very

real way. Ourhealing will not

come ‘by cursing thedarkness, but by

lighting a candle,’ asthe saying goes.

Ann and Richard


ReflectionsContinued from Page 1

performed the marriage of Liz Taylor andLarry Fortensky and chummed aroundwith the Clintons. Her high profile at timesmade her the target of ridicule, but shemoved through these moments withgrace.As a student of the Course for 35 years, Ihave known Marianne personally for manyof those years. Together we have cele-

brated landmark birthdays, watched ourchildren grow, and seen the passing of ourmothers. We have hopefully grown a littlewiser with age. The angst of youth and thetendency to run ahead of truth, has been

“A double ‘thank Heaven’ for the StudyGroup.” That’s how Lois in Arizona feels when she listens tothe Center’s study group lecture recordings. She e-mailed us...

A double “thank Heaven” for the Study Group. I doubt if I would still belistening after all these years if the participants were perfect and neverrepeated the negatives in life. It’s their weekly attempts to understandthe very same problems that we all have that allows me to cut myselfsome slack when I take two steps forward and one step back.

Dealing with our day to day challenges and learning how to trans-form these issues using the power of the Course is what Lois is refer-ring to. These meetings offer a “right where you live”approach. If youwould like to understand the Course and bring that meaning morepractically into your life, we invite you to try a meeting or become anongoing listener. As an ongoing listener you become part of ourworldwide spiritual family each week through our recordings by CDor mp3... and you also have access to an online listener messageboard so you can continue the conversation and develop a globalfamily of support! Meetings are lead by Beverly Hutchinson, Centerfounder and a 35 year student of the Course, and tackle real lifechallenges using the healing power of the Course.We look forwardto welcoming you.

Receive aFREE

CD or mp3 of our meetingsor go online and listen to

a meeting.

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As an ongoing listener, you not only receive the weeklylessons, but you have access to an online listenermessage board so you can continue the conversationand develop a worldwide family of support.

When ordering monthly, each weekly meetingis only $6.50 on CD or $5.00 onmp3! We cancharge your credit card, or debit your check-ing account, automatically once a month.

If you would like to order, call or go online:11--880000--335599--AACCIIMM((22224466)) or iinnffoo@@mmiirraacclleecceenntteerr..oorrgg

replaced by a prayer that God may use us...as the Course suggests, “I will step backand let Him lead the way.”Marianne’s emphasis is not to glorify her-self, but to glorify the message of love sothis world might truly become the Heavenon earth we all are entitled to. For that, sheis a clear conduit of the Course’s prose,and I am honored by her willingness totake its message into her heart and live it. Her generosity is legendary here at MiracleDistribution Center. When I have asked her

bad dreams, but the sleep is not real andGod calls you to awake.” (T6.IV.6)How do we awaken? “Very simply the

Holy Spirit teaches you to awaken others.”(T9.VI.5:2) This is our mission now. Let’s notwait to mobilize our awareness of thetruth for an emergency. I think this worldis in need right now, and that’s why teach-ers of God are needed now. You are ready to be a teacher of God.

Remember: to teach is to demonstrate. Letus demonstrate our love by being activeparticipants of love. For those who are inneed, let us silently affirm the love that istheir reality. For those who seem confidentand in control, let us silently affirm thelove that is their reality. For those whoseacts seem insane and out of control, let ussilently affirm the love that is their reality.What will awaken this world is not ourjudgment, but our love. Because only love heals.

“

”

Marianne stepped up to theplate to share the messageof A Course in Miracles.She became a beacon to aworld hungry for someoneto put words to the inneryearning of their hearts.

to join us for a conference, she has at timesmoved mountains to be here... and shehas always participated as a gift to theCenter. She believes in the message of this tomethat we all study, and calls herself a stu-dent who is willing to teach, which, as theCourse reminds us, is to demonstrate. So, thank you Marianne, for accepting yourfunction in God’s plan for salvation anddemonstrating it beautifully. I’m honoredto walk this path with you! �

�


Writing on a Spiritual Path

Continued from Page 8

love, of Truth, within ourselves and others.I believe this is the true purpose of awriter. I think this is what the Coursemeans when it says that the goal is not tomake a universal theology, but to offer auniversal experience. When you thinkcarefully about this, if we remove thetemptation for guilt and negative judg-ment in the whole writing process we aremore easily aligning ourselves with HolySpirit, and we discover we are just wherewe need to be, and all that is there in themoment for us to discoverand put on a page.Another way of not so

nicely saying this — and Isay this to myself, you, andall other writers and artists— The sooner we see thereis nothing special about ourwriting and get over our-selves, the better. What thismeans, stated in moreCourse-like language, is:the sooner we let go ofguilt and how we thinkour writing is supposed tolook, and how the processof writing is supposed to go, the soonerwe will listen to the voice and guidance ofthe Holy Spirit with more consistency.When you are feeling badly about yourwriting or the creative process, it is be-cause you want to have it all look yourway, neat, tidy, complete, and with dead-lines met. I am not saying that some ofthis does not have a place, it may, butdon’t hook yourself to it. Instead, let yourself drop into wherever you are, even the

messiness or painful aspects of life, anddiscover what is there for you, what wis-dom the Holy Spirit can show you.One tangible suggestion about imple-

menting all of this is to have a practice ofwriting for three minutes of every hour.Just stop on the hour whatever you aredoing, turn to Holy Spirit, and write apoem or a thought, a sentence or a de-scriptive image, a word or a phrase. Justwrite from the moment, automaticallywith no critic, no agenda, no plan. Justtake three minutes an hour to turn withinand put something down on the page,nothing more. You may surprise yourself atthe beauty and wisdom you discover.I realize many may read this article

looking for guidance on the path, and it isnot a very nice thing to say tosomeone when they aredown, the frank direction,“Get over yourself.” But this isthe most loving thing I cansay to you, to myself, and toevery creative person whoencounters times of low energy, getting side-trackedby life, etc. “Get over your-self” means, in essence, stopjudging yourself and open upto the true wisdom in themoment. I have worked withmany “creatives,” and I knowmost every creative person

has more periods of feeling low than theaverage person, even existential despair.You may even be in this place right now,and you may prefer more words on how toget back to achieving your goals, how toget on track, how to feel normal, etc. Instead it may seem like I’ve just whackedyou with a stick. But I know well of thestruggle to find meaning and purpose inwhat I do and the feeling of falling short in

my work. I have been there, and I knowthe answer is not primarily in setting orchanging goals, getting good advice on asubject, or producing more. I invite you tolearn from my mistakes in the creativeprocess. Honor all that is happening withinyou, at all times, and know it is part of asurrendering, a softening of your soul, anda coming open-hearted to the Holy Spirit.Though you are not special, what you

write can be unique. This may seem like Iam saying two opposing things, one thatthere is nothing new to say and the otherthat what you write can be unique. Butwhat I am saying is that the Holy Spirit willand has guided you to present His truthsthrough your story or experience, and thatcan touch people in a way to create theuniversal experience. Condensed, yourunique experience in this eternal momenthelps create the universal experience. Abit of a paradoxical mouthful, but true,and this is the beauty of it all. To me, thisalso defines the creative or artist’s journeyand purpose: To share your unique experi-ence in this eternal moment in order to reacha universal experience.I realize we are all faced with difficult

times in our writing or creative work of anykind, but know this: Trust in the process,trust your life, and trust Holy Spirit. When Iwork with people on their spiritual journeytheir most difficult times don’t scare me abit, nor do they much concern me. In fact,I am happy about them, especially for writ-ers or people who wish to bring wisdomto the world through a universal experi-ence. I am happy because this journey ofcreativity can lead to true freedom andsurrender. If any of these words ring true, Isay this to you: You are a writer. Let thesewords come in now: You are a writer. Youare, like me, from long line of storytellerscoming down throughout time. Feel the

�

“

”

But don’t make themistake of thinking

that you have something special to say and that the unveiling of this specialness is the purpose of your writing.

15July / August 2012

What’s HappeningContinued from Page 2

Wall grow in love and innocence. Go towww.miraclecenter.org

� A song inspiration! “Hey there! I receive The Holy Encounter and was inspired by Beverly's article "A Wink FromGod" in the latest issue (July/August 2012)to write a song. Here it is! Hope you enjoyit and thanks for the miracles!” We want tothank Douglas Knight of Orlando, Floridafor taking the inspiration and putting it tomusic. We have posted it on our FacebookPage and our Blog at www.miraclecen-ter.org. Take a listen…we know you willlove it! We want to thank Douglas so muchfor the song.

� Giving a truly meaningful Gift Here’swhat many students of the Course havedone: Given a tax-deductible donation toMDC in someone’s honor or memory. Ifyou would like to give in such a way, sendyour donation and request and we willsend him, her or the family a personalizedletter acknowledging your appreciationand support. It’s a wonderful honor forthat dedicated someone or their family.And, what a blessing it will be to those theCenter serves, for your donation will go tosupport its free services! Gifts in memoryof ... Barbara Nilan and Ramon Weber—

�

�

“long-time members of my ACIM group(over twenty years)” — from BarbaraKoenig of Grover Beach, CA. Gifts in honorof ... Dr. Vernon Sylvester of the HealingWaters Lodge in Headwaters, VA “for beinga friend and ACIM teacher” — from Du-laney Collins of Bozeman, MT.

� “God is my refuge and security.”(Lesson 261) As the lazy days of summer giveway to the busy times of fall, let us remem-ber that God is here and with us now. Wecan turn to God for any need. Join us as weremember the power and presence of Godthrough the Miracle Prayer Ministry eachday at 4:30 PM (Pacific Time). We inviteyou to pause for a moment of prayerfulsupport for yourself, a loved one and allthose whose names and needs are in theprayer ministry as we behold God’s heal-ing presence in all our lives. If you have aprayer request, please send it to the Cen-ter by post or email. Request your free,full-color bookmark today which lists allthe thoughts in the prayer ministry for2012.

Affirmations for:September: I place the future in the Hands

of God. (L194)October: Let me remember I am one with

God. (L124)November: I share God’s Will for happiness

for me. (L102)

kinship, silent but tangible, there support-ing you, and then write. And keep writing.I recently watched a movie about Carl

Jung. I was reminded of the hero’s journey,and I am now reminded that you and I areon this path as we practice the Course. Thehero’s journey is a universal one, and hasoccurred in every good story, and in everyculture, throughout time. The journey ofthe hero is a rough one at times, and weare faced with elements, including whatyou may be going through now. We facethese challenges with care and buildingcommitment to Truth, and we do thisthrough trusting in the Holy Spirit and theprocess.Our ego can want to put judgments, cri-

tiques, and timelines on our work. I amworking on a novel that I started twentyyears ago, and still feel challenged and attimes want to throw it all away. I have alsowritten books in under six months. I haveother books I wrote and have not doneanything with. I have tried at times to finda particular style or tone, and often failed.In all of this, the hero’s journey has beenboth comforting and disturbing. Knowingour path and that we are not alone is com-forting, but the hero’s journey is also dis-turbing because it does not allow at all forthe ego to have its way. I still have times,in fact many lately, that I feel like I am afool for pursuing ideas in the way I do withthe written word, year after year. But I am awriter, and so are you, so we keep going,and this is what you may do after readingthis. Keep going. Again, listen to thewords I say, You are a writer. Now go write.

• • • •

InvitationIf any of you would like to share your writ-ing that came from reading this article,please send to me via the contact page onmy website, www.drleejampolsky.com. I would love to read whatever you send.

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is sent free to you! To keep receiving simplykeep in contact with us once a year. And remember, your tax deductible

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Anaheim CAPermit No 143

In this issue of The Holy Encounter. . .• Beverly Hutchinson McNeff tells us how "Love Heals"

• Jerry Jampolsky and Diane Cirincione help Heal Our Mindand World

• Jacob Glass insists "There is Nothing Wrong with You"• Lee Jampolsky explores "Writing on a Spiritual Path"• Dick Gayton shares the "Monk Chronicles"• Paul McNeff asks "Who Am I?"• Our 2013 Wall Calendar is published

and so much more!

amiracledistributioncenterpublication september/october2012 … · 2020-03-26 ·...

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