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Showing posts from 2010

Ask: Removing Blocks to Love (Guilt/Fear)

Can you talk about what the Course says about love and removing blocks to love (guilt/projection)? – Anonymous A Course in Miracles teaches that you do not have to learn Love, earn Love, or attain Love, because Love is always within you. So, if you are not aware of Love always, you must have obstacles to this awareness. To be at peace, then, you must seek for and remove your obstacles to your awareness of Love’s Presence within you. God is an experience of Formless, Boundless Love, Peace, and Joy. This is your natural State of Being. “Love”, then, is another word for God. Your obstacle to being aware of your natural State of Being is your belief that you are something else, which takes the form of you thinking that a personal self in a body in a world is your reality. Underlying this belief is the belief that you have “attacked” God to make this separate “reality”, so at the heart of your identification with a personal self is guilt, and fear of punishment fr

Ask: Psychoactive Drugs and Course "Purists"

Thank you for your recent blog entry (December 10, 2010). It is very helpful and rings true with what I understand the Course to be saying about the mind/body 'split'. I have one question - and others may have the same question as well - does the same thinking also apply to medications that address problems such as ADHD and depression? At the end of the day, if I feel peaceful about my decision to take psychoactive medication isn't that all that matters? Then again, I can see that maybe some Course 'purists' would consider that a cop out and just show that we haven't been going to God often enough. As you can see, I have conflict about this issue… -MP Of course, psychoactive drugs are no different from other drugs which you take to ease your suffering or discomfort. There is no reason for you to suffer, not just physically, but psychically, or with the chaos of ADHD. Just as with physical illness, you can trust that, as you center your mind in God, you will

Ask: Spiritual Partnership

...I am friends with, and see so many people on this planet now, who are so striving to be in a healthy, committed spiritual partnership. They have drawn to them people who seem perfect for this dance of love and yet the feeling isn't mutual and has all the additions of "I love you, but, not in the way you love me", etc. Then the victim comes out, why am I not good enough? On and on the inner ego screams. And we feel alone and know that we aren't. Can you comment on how we can keep our inner balance and peace in the d ays where the person we think is the most wonderful for us as our beloved spiritual partner really isn't the one? – Anonymous Your real “spiritual partner” is the Holy Spirit (the Truth in your mind). If you want inner peace, which is a state of mind, this is the relationship that you must make your primary relationship. When you do this, relationships in the world then become extensions of your relationsh

Ask: The Mind/Body Split

I have a point on which I would love some clarity. When one’s newborn is sick and needs antibiotics for pneumonia, wouldn't the most recent message from the Course concede that one not identify with the illness as the ill body is not God Consciousness? Therefore, leading one not to treat the sick infant? When a woman bleeds every month she must take care of her body? The mind/body split has me perplexed… I can be in full loving consciousness, living out of the Love Consciousness not the fear consciousness and have a back spasm that necessitates a focus. Is one to deny this? – Anonymous I’m not sure what you mean by “most recent message from the Course ”, but A Course in Miracles is quite clear on your first question about treating an illness or not: You (or anyone that you are caring for) do not need to suffer. Take whatever is necessary to ease your discomfort or pain. The appropriate course of treatment to pursue will come into your mind as a manifestat

Ask: Disease and Healing

Ask ACIM Mentor: Would you please comment on disease - how our thoughts create it and how we heal again. Thank you. – AM You are mind. Diseases of the body are no different than any other appearance. The world, the body, diseases of the body – all of these are thoughts in your mind. They are the effect of your mind, which is their cause, but they are not you. They are “illusions”, because they are not your Reality. God is your Cause and Reality. God is Limitless, Formless Being, or Mind, extending infinitely and eternally. The experience of God is boundless love, peace, and joy. God extends only God, so as God’s Effect, you extend God infinitely and eternally. In God, then, Cause and Effect are One and the Same, but in your belief that not-God is possible, you are cause of effects unlike God. When you identify with (give your attention to) a personal self in a body in a world, then, you believe that you are limited, time-bound form. This is not true, so it is p

Ask: Forgiveness Can Take Different Forms

In your October 29th newsletter, there was a question about forgiving and how the person had trouble forgiving an “abusive” person. In your answer, you suggested that “forgiveness” can take different forms, and that choosing not to speak to someone might be “a miracle, not a failure”. This perspective helped me a lot, after I felt into it for a while. I agree that this might be a way of letting go, and free myself and the other person from grievances and other attachments. However, there is one thing that is still puzzling me. It seems to me that there are people where choosing not to speak/interact is not an option. Close family members, for instance. What about my 4-year-old-son? What about my mother? It seems to me I can’t just choose to not to speak to them, or stop taking care of my son, although I must admit that I sometimes feel like it. On the other hand it seems that not having all options would contradict the idea of forgiveness and miracle

Ask: How Can I Choose to Not Suffer?

Ask ACIM Mentor: How can I choose not to suffer? In my head I can, but I still feel the pain of rejection. - AM In Truth, you cannot suffer, but you need to be in touch with the Truth in you to be able to turn toward It, away from suffering. So, before you can stop suffering, you must cultivate your awareness of God within you. In your mind, you have two thought systems. One comes from God – what A Course in Miracles calls the “Christ Mind” or “Holy Spirit” in you. This is the Part of your mind that knows that you are One with God (eternal, limitless love, peace, and joy). The other thought system is what the Course calls “ego”, and I have translated as “personal mind” or “personal thought system”. This thought system is the opposite of God in every way. Its foundation is guilt, therefore fear-of-God, which manifests as anxiety, anger, insecurity, irritation, worry, etc. It is your identification with this thought system that leads to your suffering, so the ob

The Limited Value of Theology, revisited

From May 19, 2007: http://acimmentor.blogspot.com/2007/05/limited-value-of-theology.html >>>>> You can read all of The ACIM Mentor Articles at www.acimmentor.com under "Answers by Topic" or buy them in a bound book here . Learn about The Plain Language A Course in Miracles at www.placim.com . If you have a question that you want answered in the ACIM Mentor Blog/Newsletter, then email me at Liz@acimmentor.com and indicate that you want your question answered here.

How Do I Forgive What I Am Not?

Ask ACIM Mentor: This week's story on forgiveness was very enlightening. You said that most people who find another troubling is because the “other” has somehow said something that connected (not well) with our ''story of me'' (ego) and has made us feel like a victim. What if the people you don’t want to be around have what you think are qualities you don’t have? Not because there is anything wrong with the person (being abusive, etc.) but their personalities just seem to drive home the ''story of me'' that you think is ''wrong'', such as, not being outgoing enough, not being family oriented, ....these are the people I don’t want to be around, not the obviously nasty ones. This always is my problem...comparisons which make me feel like I’m lacking, no one is ever “bad”, really, they are “good”, it's just that I feel bad because I’m not like them...self-assured and outgoing etc. I’ve never seen t

Ask: Trouble Forgiving

From Ask ACIM Mentor: I have a person in my life that I am having a lot of trouble forgiving. Usually, when I have a problem with a person, I usually find something good to concentrate on. By doing this, I have something to hold on to when there is a conflict. But with this new person, I can't find any good in them. Sorry if that sounds harsh but that is the total truth. This person has done a lot of harm to people. It's hard to ignore that - I know I'm supposed to believe that the world is an illusion and there is no loss, but it's very difficult to see people being victimized. Is the Course saying I literally made this person up? I am torn between the two concepts of cowardice and forgiving. Sometimes I feel like the Course is asking us to "back down" which, in my mind, could easily be seen as an excuse for cowardice. I think about this in terms of dealing with this person in the world. In other words

"Master" Teachers, revisited

From May 15, 2007: http://acimmentor.blogspot.com/2007/05/master-teachers.html >>>>> Read The ACIM Mentor Articles online at www.acimmentor.com under "Answers by Topic" or order in a bound book here . Learn about The Plain Language A Course in Miracles at www.placim.com . If you have a question that you want answered in the ACIM Mentor Blog/Newsletter, email it to me at Liz@acimmentor.com , and be sure to let me know that you want it answered here.

Ask: Advice on Sticking with the Path

From Ask ACIM Mentor : …my question for you has to do with the effectiveness of the Course in waking up from this dream. Now, I've read of your own mind blowing experiences of God, which seem to have started early in your study. I've met a lot of people who have been working with the material for years (myself included) who have not had direct revelation. I've been studying other teachings that promise quicker results, but I still don't have anything earth shattering to report. Feeling a bit discouraged, but no matter how much I try to turn away from ACIM, I just seem to always be pulled back to it. Any advice you have on sticking with the path and releasing doubt would be greatly appreciated. Much love and thanks, Bryan in L.A. Despite my early experiences of revelation, Bryan, I didn’t experience any comprehensive shift toward peace until I had been a student for over 20 years. A revelation is simply a glimpse of the Ultimate Goal of God. If I could stay

Evolving Toward the Holy Spirit, revisited

From May 12, 2007: http://acimmentor.blogspot.com/2007/05/evolving-toward-holy-spirit.html >>>>> Read The ACIM Mentor Articles for free at www.acimmentor.com under "Answers by Topic", or buy them in a bound book here. Learn about The Plain Language A Course in Miracles at www.acimmentor.com . Want peace faster and easier? That's what having mentor is for! Learn more at www.acimmentor.com .

What is the Experience of the Holy Spirit?, revisited

From May 8, 2007: http://acimmentor.blogspot.com/2007/05/what-is-experience-of-holy-spirit.html >>>>> Read The ACIM Mentor Articles for free online at www.acimmentor.com under "Answers by Topic", or buy them in a bound book here . Learn about The Plain Language A Course in Miracles at www.placim.com . The first volume (Text), The Message of A Course in Miracles , is now available at www.amazon.com .

How Holiness "Shows Up", revisited

From May 5, 2007: http://acimmentor.blogspot.com/2007/05/how-holiness-shows-up.html >>> Read The ACIM Mentor Articles for free at www.acimmentor.com under "Answers by Topic", or buy them in a bound book here . Find out about The Plain Language A Course in Miracles at www.placim.com . The first volume (Text) is now available for purchase at www.acimmentor.com .

Overcoming Jesus' Crucifixion, revisited

From April 17, 2007: http://acimmentor.blogspot.com/2007/04/overcoming-jesus-crucifixion.html >>>> You can read The ACIM Mentor Articles online at www.acimmentor.com under "Answers by Topic", or you can order them in a bound book here . Learn about The Plain Language A Course in Miracle s at www.placim.com .

Sex and the Course Student, revisited

From April 14, 2007: http://acimmentor.blogspot.com/2007/04/sex-and-course-student.html >>>> Read The ACIM Mentor Articles for free online at www.acimmentor.com under "Answers by Topic", or order them in a bound book here . Use coupon code REMARKABLE305 until 9/30/2010 for 15% off! Learn about The Plain Language A Course in Miracles at www.placim.com .

Error and Sin, revisited

From April 10, 2007: http://acimmentor.blogspot.com/2007/04/error-and-sin.html >>>> Read The ACIM Mentor Articles for free at www.acimmentor.com under "Answers by Topic", or buy them in a bound book here . Learn about The Plain Language A Course in Miracles at www.placim.com .

But I'm Not Feeling God!, revisited

From March 27, 2007: http://acimmentor.blogspot.com/2007/03/but-im-not-feeling-god.html >>>> Read The ACIM Mentor Articles for free online at www.acimmentor.com under "Answers by Topic", or order them in a bound book here . Learn about The Plain Language A Course in Miracles at www.placim.com .

You Won't Lose the Special Relationship, revisited

From March 24, 2007: http://acimmentor.blogspot.com/2007/03/you-wont-lose-special-relationship.html >>>> These ACIM Mentor Articles are available for free at www.acimmentor.com or you can buy them in a bound book here . Take advantage of free shipping until August 23! The release of The Message of A Course in Miracles: A translation of the Text in plain language has been pushed back to September due to the publisher over-booking with their printer. You can pre-order it at www.amazon.com , or read it online or request a free download at www.placim.com .

Revelations, revisited

From March 20, 2007: http://acimmentor.blogspot.com/2007/03/revelations.html >>>> All of these ACIM Mentor Articles are available for free online at www.acimmentor.com under 'Answers by Topic', as well as in a bound book that you can order here at Lulu.com. Take advantage of free shipping this summer, as well as a 15% discount until August 15 by using discount code BEACHREAD305.

Evolving Concepts of God, revisited

From March 17, 2007: http://acimmentor.blogspot.com/2007/03/evolving-concepts-of-god.html >>>>> Read these ACIM Mentor Articles online at www.acimmentor.com under "Answers by Topic", or buy them in a bound book here . Take advantage of free shipping for the summer!

You Don't Have to Analyze Your Projections, revisited

From March 14, 2007: http://acimmentor.blogspot.com/2007/03/you-dont-have-to-analyze-your.html >>>>> These ACIM Mentor Articles are available for free at www.acimmentor.com under 'Answers by Topic', or you can order them in a bound book here . Take advantage of free shipping this summer, and of a 15% discount until August 15 with the discount code BEACHREAD305.

Accepting the Pain of this Existence, revisited

From March 3, 2007: http://acimmentor.blogspot.com/2007/03/accepting-pain-of-this-existence.html >>>>> You can read all of these ACIM Mentor Articles under "Answers by Topic" at www.acimmentor.com , or order them in a bound book here . Take advantage of free shipping this summer! Until August 15, get 15% off with coupon code BEACHREAD305.

You're in Ego? So What?, revisited

From February 27, 2007: http://acimmentor.blogspot.com/2007/02/youre-in-ego-so-what.html >>>>> Read all of these ACIM Mentor Articles for free at www.acimmentor.com under 'Answers by Topic', or by them all in a bound book here .

But It's Not Real, Right?, revisited

From February 24, 2007: http://acimmentor.blogspot.com/2007/02/but-its-not-real-right.html >>>>> These ACIM Mentor Articles are now available in a bound book. You can purchase it here . As always, you can read them all for free at www.acimmentor.com under "Answers by Topic." Read, request a download, or pre-order the first volume (Text) of The Plain Language A Course in Miracles at www.placim.com .

From Intending to Willing, revisited

From February 20, 2007: http://acimmentor.blogspot.com/2007/02/from-intending-to-willing.html >>>>> These ACIM Mentor articles are now available in a bound book! You can purchase it here . As always, they are available for free at www.acimmentor.com under "Answers by Topic". I will be introducing the Plain Language A Course in Miracles online at www.acimgather.org on July 18 at 5pm PST. Join us, and bring your questions!

From Seeking to Having, revisited

From February 13, 2007: http://acimmentor.blogspot.com/2007/02/from-seeking-to-having.html >>>>> These ACIM Mentor blogs are now available in a book! Click here to order. As always, they are also available for free online at www.acimmentor.com under 'Answers by Topic'.

Reincarnation

First published on February 6, 2007: http://acimmentor.blogspot.com/2007/02/reincarnation.html >>>>>> These ACIM Mentor Blog Articles are now available in a book! Click here to buy, or read them all for free online at www.acimmentor.com .

The Bliss of Letting Go, revisited

From January 30, 2007: http://acimmentor.blogspot.com/2007/01/bliss-of-letting-go.html\ >>>> These ACIM Mentor Blog articles are now available in a bound book! Click here to order. As always, you can read all of these articles at www.acimmentor.com under "Answers by Topic."

ACIM Mentor Articles Book Now Available!

The ACIM Mentor Articles: Answers for Students of A Course in Miracles is now out! This is a collection of the articles that you all have been reading on this blog for the past 4 years. You can read all of the articles at my website, www.acimmentor.com , under "Answers by Topic", or buy the book here .

"Getting Into" Heaven

From January 20, 2007: http://acimmentor.blogspot.com/2007/01/getting-into-heaven.html >>>> Learn about the Plain Language A Course in Miracles at www.placim.com .

A Miracle to Share, revisited

From January 16, 2007, a miracle involving an abusive relationship: http://acimmentor.blogspot.com/2007/01/miracle-to-share.html >>>>> Learn about The Plain Language A Course in Miracles at www.placim.com .

How Do I 'Accept the Atonement' For Myself?, revisited

First published on January 13, 2007: http://acimmentor.blogspot.com/2007/01/how-do-i-accept-atonement-for-myself.html >>>>> The Plain Language A Course in Miracles is now available at www.placim.com .

Maintaining Your Peace Outside Your Home, revisited

First published on January 3, 2007: http://acimmentor.blogspot.com/2007/01/maintaining-your-peace-outside-your.html >>>> The Plain Language A Course in Miracles is now available at www.placim.com .

The 'Happy Dream' Error, revisited

From December 27, 2006: http://acimmentor.blogspot.com/2006/12/happy-dream-error.html >>>>> The Plain Language A Course in Miracles is now available at www.placim.com . Read, request a download of, or pre-order the first volume (Text). You can also request a download of the combined second and third volumes (Workbook/MFT), or find a PLACIM study group, teacher, or event.

Martyrdom: The Common Mistake, revisited

From December 9, 2006: http://acimmentor.blogspot.com/2006/12/martyrdom-common-mistake.html >>>> The Plain Language A Course in Miracles is now available at www.placim.com . There, you can read, request a download, or pre-order the first volume (Text), request a download of the second and third volumes (Workbook/MFT), or find a PLACIM teacher, study group, or event.

What Happens to My Relationships When I Detach, revisited

First posted on December 6, 2006: http://acimmentor.blogspot.com/2006/12/what-happens-to-my-relationships-when-i.html >>>>> Read, request a download, or pre-order The Message of A Course in Miracles: A Translation of the Text in Plain Language at www.placim.com . There, you can also download the entire Plain Language A Course in Miracles , find teachers, study groups, and events related to PLACIM.

Resting in Forgiveness

I have been asked why I have been recycling my articles for my blog and newsletters this year instead of writing new ones. In thinking about this, I’ve realized that teaching for me comes in two forms: active and passive. “Active” teaching occurs for me when I feel spontaneously motivated, even compelled, to teach. I have been surprised to discover that what motivates me to “go out” and teach (write, speak) is a perception of lack. I used to perceive a lack of understanding of A Course in Miracles in others, or a need for correction in how they read or practiced the Course, and this motivated me to actively teach. Of course, this perception was my projection of my own need to learn the ideas in the Course , and to be corrected, but this only became obvious to me as my need to teach “others” fell away as I became more and more aware that there is nothing to teach or to correct! The Truth is unchanged and Perfect, so there is nothing to fix There, and, as I recog

Detaching From Attack, revisited

First published on November 22, 2006: http://acimmentor.blogspot.com/2006/11/detaching-from-attack.html ****** The entire Plain Language A Course in Miracles is now available for download at www.placim.com . There, you can also read or pre-order the first volume, The Message of A Course in Miracles: A Translation of the Text in Plain Language.

You Will Never Convince the Ego, revisited

First published on November 15, 2006: http://acimmentor.blogspot.com/2006/11/you-will-never-convince-ego.html >>>>> Visit www.placim.com to download the entire Plain Language A Course in Miracles , to read online or pre-order the first volume, or to find a PLACIM-related study group, teacher or event.

Revisiting the Idea of 'Conscience'

First posted October 7, 2006: http://acimmentor.blogspot.com/2006/10/conscience.html First posted October 11, 2006: http://acimmentor.blogspot.com/2006/10/conscience-revisited.html ******** The entire Plain Language A Course in Miracles is now available for download at www.placim.com . There you can also read or pre-order the first volume, The Message of A Course in Miracles: A Translation of the Text in Plain Language

Do I Have to Give Up....?, revisitged

First published on September 27, 2006: http://acimmentor.blogspot.com/2006/09/do-i-have-to-give-up.html ******* Check out the new website for the Plain Language A Course in Miracles , www.placim.com . There you can read or pre-order the first volume, or you can download all three volumes. Also, you can find a PLACIM study group, teacher/mentor/coach, or PLACIM-related event.

Fearing the God We Made, revisited

First published on September 17, 2006: http://acimmentor.blogspot.com/2006/09/fearing-god-we-made.html ****** Now available for download and pre-order at www.acimmentor.com : The Plain Language A Course in Miracles.

The Course and Raising Children, revisited

First published September 3, 2006: http://acimmentor.blogspot.com/2006/09/course-and-raising-children.html **** The entire Plain Language A Course in Miracles is available for download at www.acimmentor.com . Pre-order the first volume, The Message of A Course in Miracles (translation of the Text), at www.o-books.com or www.amazon.com .

The Past and Forgiveness, Revisited

First published on August 12, 2006: http://acimmentor.blogspot.com/2006/08/past-and-forgiveness.html The Message of A Course in Miracles: A Translation of the Text in Plain Language is now available for pre-order at www.amazon.com or www.o-books.com . The entire Plain Language A Course in Miracles is now available for download at www.acimmentor.com .

To Dream or To Awaken - That is the Question, revisited

First published June 30, 2006: http://acimmentor.blogspot.com/2006/06/to-dream-or-to-awaken-that-is-question.html The Message of A Course in Miracles: A Translation of the Text in Plain Language is now available for pre-order at www.amazon.com or www.o-books.com . Then entire Plain Language A Course in Miracles is now available for download at www.acimmentor.com

Hiding Your Fear of God, revisited

First published June 19, 2006. An article about trusting the Holy Spirit, and the sneaky way that denial works: http://acimmentor.blogspot.com/2006/06/hiding-your-fear-of-god.html The entire Plain Language A Course in Miracles (PLACIM) is now available for download at www.acimmentor.com .

Which is the Real Sacrifice?, revisited

First published on March 31, 2006: http://acimmentor.blogspot.com/2006/03/which-is-real-sacrifice.html ***** The entire Plain-language A Course in Miracles is now available for download at www.acimmentor.com .

Distinction: Peace vs. Boredom, revisited

http://acimmentor.blogspot.com/2006/03/distinction-peace-vs-boredom.html (On another note, my website, www.acimmentor.com , has been restored, and you may visit the archive for this blog under 'Answers by Topic' anytime).

The Course and Jesus, revisited

From March 6, 2006: http://acimmentor.blogspot.com/2006/03/course-and-jesus.html (My website, www.acimmentor.com , has been hacked and is temporarily unavailable as this issue is being resolved. Thank you to all of you who have brought this to my attention).

The Time Saving Tools of the Course, revisited

From February 28, 2006: http://acimmentor.blogspot.com/2006/02/time-saving-tools-of-course.html

When the Course Becomes an Idol, Revisited

First posted February 27, 2006: http://acimmentor.blogspot.com/2006/02/when-course-becomes-idol.html