A Distribution Center Publication September / October 2012

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Love Heals... a personal story • { by Beverly Hutchinson McNeff • Reflections

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emember the old children’s song but what sealed the deal was when he and • • •••••on Mariann{e There was an Old Lady that Ann were running to catch a plane with by Beverly Hutchinson McNeff Swallowed a Fly ? If you remember bags in tow, and he just couldn’t make it to his seems to be an issue filled with it, then you know the gate. This was unusual for Richard who R personal reflections, so I want to that after the lady has always been very physically strong share a few thoughts about my swallows a fly, she and able. So his wife (as all good wives do!) friend . then swallows a put her foot down and told him he needed T spider to catch the to get this checked out. This is the 20th anniversary of the fly, and then swal - Well, as Richard told me, he couldn’t publication of Marianne’s landmark book, A Return to Love . To celebrate this lows a bird to catch finish his stress test, so he went in for an and her first appearance on The Oprah the spider to catch angiogram. Those results were pretty dire. Beverly Hutchinson McNeff the fly, and so on. But He was going to need triple bypass heart Winfrey Show , Oprah invited Marianne to in the end, no one knows why she swal - surgery, immediately! His blockages were be with her on the lowed the fly. When I think back to how quite severe. We were able to get to Network’s Super Soul Sunday in July. The episode is our Center got started, it’s sort of like that Arizona the night before his surgery and old song... one thing lead to another, and had time to be with him. He was affirming archived another, and another, and I don’t know a number of Course thoughts to keep his online and how any of it really happened! The only mind centered on the truth. One of his can be seen by follow - constant is that if it weren’t for my brother favorites was,“I am not a body. I am free. Richard finding A Course in For I am still as God created ing the link 35 years ago, the me.” found in this issue’s Center wouldn’t have He was afraid - He was afraid — we all Marianne & Opra Winfrey “What’s Happening” section on page 2. It been here for the past 34 “we all were - but we were — but we also knew years. fear was a distraction that was a wonderful episode and one you So unlike the old lady also knew fear was a was of no value to Richard’s won’t want to miss. who swallowed the fly, I distraction that was healing. It distracted us from Marianne’s presence and articulate know why Richard found our one focus which was to conversation on the practical value of the Course — it was for of no value to see him as God created him. miracles, love and forgiveness in our our healing. And I’m grate - Richard’s healing. The Course reminds us the day-to-day lives, put God on the“front ful so many of you have ego always speaks first and is page” of the news those twenty years joined us on this journey of healing. With the loudest, but God’s presence is the ago. Articles about her book and her that in mind, I want to share with you a peaceful,”constant reminder in our minds message appeared in newspapers personal story about Richard. that is there when we are willing to stop around the world and in magazines such In June, when Richard (who now lives in for a moment and see past the frenzy of as Time, Newsweek, and Vanity Fair . Arizona with his wife Ann) and I were on the world. Marianne stepped up to the plate to the phone, he told me he was going to the We kept replacing our thoughts of fear share the message of A Course in doctor for a stress test. He had been get - Miracles . She became a beacon to a ting tired easily and had some chest pains, Continued on Page 12 world hungry for someone to put words to the inner yearning of their hearts. Beverly is the co-founder and president of MDC, one of the longest running organizations based on It hasn’t always been easy. She . As a student, lecturer and author on the Course since 1977, her recorded weekly commentaries on Course principles have become a wonderful source of inspiration and study for many around the world. Receive a FREE recording by contacting MDC. Continued on Page 13 What’s Happening { It is with great appreciation that we bookstore or by calling us at 1-800-359- { Holy Encounter Weekend in Boston acknowledge a recent gift from the estate 2246 . — Our next Holy Encounter Weekend will take place on April 5th and 6th , 2013 in of Herb Brazer, a long-time supporter of { Vacationing in Dubai? No matter Boston, Massachusetts . This popular our Center. Mr. Brazer made the loving where in the world you are traveling, or weekend seminar is presented by Beverly decision to include a bequest to MDC in where in the world you live, we probably Hutchinson McNeff and offers attendees a his will. He felt strongly about the impor - know of a Course study group there. We chance to go deeper into the Course’s tance of continuing the message of now display study groups in 62 countries. A Course in Miracles in future years. Now View our Google Map of the world and life-changing principles to truly experi - that he has gently laid down his body, we zoom-in to your area to find nearby ence miracles. As one attendee wrote, still feel his mighty spirit. We thank this groups on our website at “... Beverly, you are an amazing teacher. kind gentleman for placing his trust in us. www.miraclecenter.org You help the learning process for your For information on including the Center in students by making the message of the your estate plan, see page 9 of this issue. { Our latest Miracle Moment Podcast is Course so much clearer and easier to now available online. Join Center founder understand. When you read the Course, it { A Return to Love turns 20! — Marianne Beverly Hutchinson McNeff and her hus - went right into my mind and heart! It Williamson’s band Paul (both students made the greatest sense.” A Friday evening mega-bestseller of the Course with over lecture sets the stage for a day-long celebrated its 20th 60 years of study com - intensive experience of A Course in anniversary in July. bined!) for these free Miracles . Watch our video about the Oprah Winfrey, podcasts which cover who helped weekends by visiting our website, then Course concepts as they make your reservation to join us. launch the book apply to questions sent on her television in from people all { “This is God’s Final Judgment: ‘You are show in 1992, Marianne Williamson& Opra Winfrey around the globe. Just go to our website still My holy Son, forever innocent, forever recently sat down with Marianne on the at www.miraclecenter.org , click on loving and forever loved... ’ ” says the OWN network to record an interview on “Services,” then “Miracle Moment.” And, Course. Sometimes it’s hard to remember the occasion of the book’s anniversary. You send us your questions, as well! that truth, so we have constructed a Wall can watch the Oprah Super Soul of Innocence on our website to help us Sunday archived episode here: { Share a forgiveness story... A fellow remember. We invite you to send us your http://tinyurl.com/bvn2jo3 Course student is currently completing her childhood photo (around the age of five or PhD in Health Psychology. Her dissertation six, but younger is okay, too) so we can { A Return to Love in the movies. When is on the subject of forgiveness, specifi - Marianne Williamson wrote A Return to post it on the wall. You can email us your cally the role of a person’s support group photo or send us an original which we will Love in 1992, she never expected that a in the forgiveness process. She is looking few of the words she wrote would turn up scan and return to you. Please include for volunteers to interview in the Fall. If your name, city and state and your in films as pivotal plot points. Yet, that is you feel you could be of help to her, please approximate age at the time of the photo. what has happened in two movies. In the contact Cindy Maynard at 805-748-5987 or Check back to our site often to see the 2005 movie Coach Carter , starring Samuel [email protected]. L. Jackson, it became the answer a high school player gave to a question by Continued on Page 15 Jackson, which turned the tone of the movie. In the 2006 movie Akeelah and the Bee , it became the quote hanging in a spelling bee coach’s study that finally Available from the Center awakened Akeelah’s“light.” This is the beginning of the quote: “Our deepest fear is From Marianne Williamson not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear A Return to Love Print $4.00 is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is A quotation from A Return to Love is beautifully printed on our light, not our darkness, that most fright - 8”x10” coated stock in full color, ready for framing. ens us... “ This beautiful quote has been put Price plus S&H. CA residents add sales tax on an 8” x 10” poster and is available To Order through the Center, in our online 1-800-359-ACIM (2246) or at miraclecenter.org

2 THE HOLY ENCOUNTER • • • • •

• Heal Your Mind, Heal Your World

• Prescription for Creating a Fearful, Negative Dream from Hell •

• •••••••• by Gerald Jampolsky, M.D. and D iane V. Cirincione, Ph.D . {

e believe the world is full of to others. • Is it not possible we wrote the movie and people who are experts at also play every character? creating dreams based on fear. Please allow yourself It is actually the to stop for a moment and It is not possible • Is it not possible we are also W think about this prescrip - the movie critics? role of the ego to tion: “we have been caught create these What would happen to us dreams, and • Is it not possible the in a dream full of if we woke up from this often we are not majority of us live by this illusions, where we nightmare and realized it even aware that Prescription, which was only a dream? What if we are creating originates within our are every person in we woke up and realized we fearful egos? the dream? were in a new reality, where Jerry Jampolsky & Diane Cirincione there was only Love, situations • Is it not possible we have Oneness with our Creator, around ourselves. been caught in a dream full of illusions, and a peace beyond our imagination? Ǣ When we exert the power of our ego, where we are every person in the dream? ” and create those fearful dreams, we are really creating this prescription for fear, suffering, anger, and being at war with each other and ourselves: • Believe and act as if anger and judging others gets you what you want. Join the Awakening! • Believe holding WIt’s aamalzinlg too sefe thIensmnilesoon cence grievances is a way to stay safe. people’s faces when they look • Believe not forgiving is a way to stay safe. at their own childhood photos. They remember their • Believe people who forgive others are innocence, and if they can weak. remember their own perhaps • Believe if something goes wrong in your they can remember that same life, there is someone outside of yourself innocence when other who is to blame. people tempt them to anger. Our innocence, no matter • Believe guilt and suffering are of value. what we have done, can never be lost. It’s time for us • Believe you are a body rather than spirit. to awaken to that truth and • Believe when you die, that’s the end of reflect that truth to others. life. We invite you to join us in • Believe love may hurt you, and that it is your innocence by sending important to be afraid of love. us your childhood photo (around the age of 5 or 6, but younger is okay, too) so we can • Believe money is the key to happiness. post it on the Wall of Innocence . • Believe peace and God are your enemy. www.miraclecenter.org • Believe peace is impossible, and fighting can get you what you want. You can email us your photo or send us an original which we will scan and return to • Believe your eyes and physical senses tell you. Please include your name, city and state and your approximate age at the time of you what is real. the photo. Check back to our site often to see the wall grow in love and innocence. • Believe God is your enemy, and project “Awaken and be glad, for all your sins have been forgiven you. This is the only message your guilt from separating from God on that any two should ever give to each other.” (PPP21)

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

September / October 2012 3 • • • • •

• Miracle Musings...

• Of a Recovering Fundamentalist - Who am I? •

• •••••••• by Paul McNeff {

oses said to God, “Suppose I go to stairs closet to escape the hectic and often say: “Are you kidding me?! Who am I to go the Israelites and say to them, 'The chaotic life of our large 13-member, mid- back to the Hebrews and pronounce that God of your fathers has sent western family. The closet had a very deep I’m really one of them, and then proclaim Mme to you,’ and they construction and the ceiling line tapered to the whole Egyptian kingdom that I’ve ask me, 'What is his down so that by the time I burrowed my come back to free the Israelites from name?’ Then what shall body through the clothes, blankets and hundreds of years of oppressive bondage I tell them? ”God said to other accumulated junk to the back, I under Pharaoh! People here will be really Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. could barely sit down. Here in the com - confused. Each side will think I’m against This is what you are to plete void and absence of light, I could them because they don’t know where my say to the Israelites: shut out the world. Time and space stood allegiance lies. AND GOD!! Even if I would ‘I AM has sent me to still. It was as if I were suspended in a be willing to do as you are asking me... Paul McNeff you.’ ” (Exodus 3:13-14) universe far separated from my home, what kind of military rank or power and “I am the holy Son of God Himself. Here is where I would have an experience of deep credibility can you give me to do such a your declaration of release from bondage of serenity and oneness with everything. In massive task?” the world. And here as well is all the world contrast to Needleman’s spangling stars, “And God said to Moses,‘I AM WHO I released.” (Lesson 191) my experience was in a room so dark that I AM’; and He said,‘Thus you shall say to the In his book What is God? , noted writer could not even see the hand in front of my sons of Israel,‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ” and philosopher, Jacob Needleman face. But it was still the same experience. I’ve always seen the Moses story of free - recounts an experience he had as a nine- Regardless of the form, it is the content ing his people as a powerful metaphor for year-old child gazing with of the experience that our own lives. Just as the turning point in his father into the full, hot, teaches truth. The truth I felt Moses’ life and mission was one of summer night sky. They sat The truth I felt was was that I identity, so too it is for us. By way of the“I outside in wonder, not “that I belonged to belonged to something AM” principle, by no power of his own, speaking to one another, greater than just myself. Moses was able bring the children of Israel transfixed by the teeming something greater And somehow, if I could cut out of bondage. life of his father’s garden. It than just myself. And out all the world’s distrac - You and I have the same opportunity wasn’t until, as Needleman tions, I could find me. and mission. We have become enslaved by describes it;“. . .when I somehow, if I could Isn’t this the first big, the ways of this world, by buying into looked up into the sky that, cut out all the burning question we all power, fame, status, a great job, graduat - at that moment, I appeared world’s distractions, have asked ourselves in one ing from the right college, or being born . . . And suddenly, incom - form or another:“Who am into the right family or country. Not that prehensibly, all at once, I could find me. I?” I remember as a child any of these are wrong, but we have despite the heavy summer some clarity coming to me looked to them for our salvation and they air that always absorbs most of the regarding this question of identity when I have all eventually failed, because we have starlight —suddenly, as if by , the first read t”he bible story of Moses and the asked them to be what they can never be. black sky was instantly strewn with burning bush. We have put form over content; fabrica - millions of stars... Or, as it also seemed, as Precipitating their holy encounter, tion over truth. though the whole universe itself suddenly Moses, known in the Egyptian empire only “Deny your own Identity, and you will opened its arms to me, saying to me:“Yes, I as a son of Pharaoh, had just fled the land not escape the madness which induced am here. See, this is what I really am!” of Egypt after killing an Egyptian for strik - this weird, unnatural and ghostly thought Call it an“aha” moment, an epiphany, a ing a Hebrew. Now, as a fugitive from jus - that mocks creation and that laughs at holy instant. The experience changed his tice, the burning bush of God called upon God. Deny your own Identity, and you life forever. Moses to go back to Egypt and deliver his assail the universe alone, without a friend, I wonder how many of us have had that people out of Egyptian bondage. a tiny particle of dust against the legions type of experience. In my pre-teen years, I Moses, lacking any kind of confidence of your enemies. Deny your own Identity, remember retreating into a large down - or credentials, pleaded with God as if to and look on evil, sin and death, and watch

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

4 THE HOLY ENCOUNTER despair snatch from your fingers every true identity. God’s plan. Whether we think our part is scrap of hope, leaving you nothing but the “Then let the Son of God awaken from great or small, we are needed to offer this wish to die.” (ibid) his sleep, and opening his holy eyes, return awareness of truth by accepting this In an interview with Bill Clinton after he again to bless the world he awareness of truth. had left office, I remember the interviewer made. In error it began, but “Look about the world, asking the former President why there was it will end in the reflection of and see the suffering so much war in the world... why so much his holiness. And he will I’ve always seen the there. Is not your heart despair. In Clinton’s inimitable, hoarse sleep no more and dream of “Moses story of free - willing to bring your Arkansas drawl, he gave a brief but very death. Then join with me weary brothers rest? They astute response, one that I will always re - today. Your glory is the light ing his people as a must await your own member:“I think the problem is one of that saves the world. Do not powerful metaphor release. They stay in identity.” withhold salvation for our own lives. chains till you are free. Due of the shortness of the interview, longer.” (ibid) They cannot see the Clinton was not able to elaborate on that Let’s join together and call Just as the turning mercy of the world until point, but I think he was saying that the forth the“I AM” that Moses point in Moses’ life you find it in yourself. . . solution did not lie in building more accessed. Together we will They die till you accept powerful armies, stockpiling more nuclear remember our true identity. and mission was one your own eternal life. You weapons, or creating stronger immigra - It cannot be contained on a of identity, so too are the holy Son of God tion laws. The solution lay in the recogni - business card, a Facebook Himself. Remember this, tion that we are all human beings, with the page, a website, PH.D or it is for us. and all the world is free. same need to love and be loved. Although D.D.D. You are a being of infi - Remember this, and earth we perceive ourselves in separate forms, nite possibilities and saving powers! ” and Heaven are one.” we have the same content and unity of Just as Moses doubted, we may doubt, (ibid) possibility. Our true identity is spirit and but in the end we will fulfill our part in Ǣ the sooner we come to grips with that, the sooner we reach our own salvation and our brothers as well. “I am the holy Son of God Himself... . let “I very much appreciate all the love, wisdom today’s idea find a place among your thoughts and you have risen far above the and guidance I’ve garnered from studying the world, and all the worldly thoughts that hold it prisoner. And from this place of Course and in particular reading THE HOLY safety and escape you will return and set it NCOUNTER free. For he who can accept his true WEe appreciate thias“nFadn lyetoteur”rfroamrtDiuclalneesy” in Bozeman, MT written to Identity is truly saved. And his salvation is our columnists. It is an honor to be part of her beautiful story. Read on... the gift he gives to everyone, in gratitude to Him Who pointed out the way to Dear Beverly, Diane, Jerry, Paul and Lee, happiness that changed his whole I’ve been practicing the Course for 7 years now and feel it has helped me in perspective of the world.” (ibid) numerous ways. I very much appreciate all the love, wisdom and guidance I’ve When he got his own calling card right, garnered from studying the Course and in particular reading THE HOLY Moses returned to free his people. He was ENCOUNTER and your articles. partnered with the“I AM.” He then knew My late mother even noticed the change. In fact, it was the Course practice his true identity. He had to get that that guided me in working through my forgiveness issues surrounding our straight first before he could be any good relationship. Thankfully, we did so in February of 2009 and she passed away in to anyone else. “One holy thought like this and you are June 2009. She even shared with her physician that she was grateful for her free: You are the holy Son of God Himself. cancer because it caused our relationship to heal. Of course, it was the Course, And with this holy thought you learn as not cancer! well that you have freed the world.” (ibid) Please accept the enclosed check as an expression of my gratitude. Thank I love how Lesson 191 ends. It is such a you for all that you do and have done to bring the Course to light and perfect capstone for this whole idea of understanding on this planet. Keep up the terrific work! identity. A voice teacher once told me I • • • • • • needed to acquiesce to my own greatness. We’re honored to be able to share the message of the Course to so He was so right. That awareness ignited a many, and we are grateful for the support of those who are able. Please belief in myself, and I became a better use the enclosed envelope in this issue to support if you can. We thank singer because of it. So, too, is our ultimate cosmic coach telling us to acquiesce to our you!

September / October 2012 5 • • • • •

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

our worth is not established by needs constant fixing and maintenance. teaching or learning. Your worth is Our happiness is DEPENDENT on getting when I have not been trying to achieve “ established BETTER, because this moment is simply anything. My greatest catastrophes have byYGod. Nothing you not good enough — WE are not good been when I have been trying to make think, or wish, or make enough. This is one of the most prevalent something happen or have been trying to is necessary to establish lies of the ego-dominated thought system. “fix” something I perceive as your worth.” (T 4.1:7) The old time metaphysi - not being good enough. As The most difficult cians spoke quite a bit we all know, the spiritual part of my spiritual about the hypnotic nature The voices of the path is one of tremendous journey has been of this world. It is very help - “world are a kind of paradox. “The first shall be giving up all attempts Jacob Glass ful for us to remember this last, and the last shall be at“self-improvement” and“self-help.” What now. The voices of the programming and first,” and so on. I have I found for myself is that the desire to world are a kind of pro - hypnotic trance spent years finding peace always be“getting better” was really just gramming and hypnotic that is forever by abandoning the ambi - another aspect of the ego’s assumption trance that is forever seek - tious driven aspects of my that I am wounded, unacceptable, not ing to keep us dissatisfied seeking to keep us human personality in order enough, too much, and am basically to one degree or another. dissatisfied to one to uncover the true Self damaged goods in one way or another. We focus on fixing rather which is under that person - The entire western world is deeply rooted than on appreciating, on degree or another. ality. Of course, it is a daily in this belief system and becoming more improving rather than on practice for me to say, “Of and more so all the time. savoring. We are trained to be hungry and myself, I can do nothing — it is the Father A few months ago as I was sitting at insatiable. To be satiated and satisfied is within Who”does everything. So, You know lunch at my favorite restaurant, the man lazy and practically un-American. This is where to find me God and how to most joy - sitting at the next table, who’d already had why the Course’s teaching of “I need do fully use me. Let me know if there’s anything a few cocktails, started chatting me up in nothing” is so terrifying to the ego mind. You want me to do. In the meantime, I’ll be an overly zealous way. He was very good- It is part of my particular personality to busy enjoying and savoring the day.” And it natured and teasing so I didn’t mind a bit. be extremely ambitious and driven, and is STILL amazing to me how often He uses He started telling me all about himself that’s the part of my personality that has me to achieve something wonderful I without my ever asking a single question. caused the most extreme stress and men - could NOT have done if I’d been trying to Mostly, he wanted to let me know what he tal suffering. That’s why the vast majority make it happen. does for work because of course many of my work is on allowing the Holy Spirit As I often say in classes, my part is people think they ARE what they DO. He to heal that insane part of my mind. And simply to show up, on time, prepared, wanted to make sure I knew that he’s been what has come of this is the unending re - doing what I said I would do, with a good an advertising executive for 18 years. He alization that my most significant“achieve - attitude. The rest is out of my control and named several long-term clients of his — ments” in life have come in the moments none of my business. I cannot fix anything companies whose commercials are on EVERY time I ever turn on the television. He is quite good at his job. Then, he asked me what I do for a living. Available from the Center $ 00 I replied, “I deprogram people from what 19 you do.” He laughed, and we chatted all Starve a Bully, Feed a Champion through lunch and had a very nice time as by Jacob Glass I explained to him I was totally serious A 101 day spiritual boot camp to guide the mind away from the about my reply. Miracles are a definite de - tormenting thoughts of the ego and toward the peaceful, joyous and programming from the world thought sys - loving thoughts which lead to peace of mind. Paperback - 288 pgs. tem that insists you NEED whatever it is To Order 1-800-359-ACIM (2246) Price plus S&H. CA residents add sales tax they are selling right now, because obvi - or at miraclecenter.org ously there is something in your life that 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.

6 THE HOLY ENCOUNTER or anyone, including myself. And my peace now comes from knowing there is really nothing wrong with me or anyone else to begin with. God just happened to create us all perfect — so what’s to fix? Nothing but our thinking. Once our thinking is right, then our behavior will come forth from that. Therefore, I have learned to stop motivating myself to change anything as I focus instead on accepting myself as God created me. Instead of motivating myself, I soothe and uplift myself as I would a sweet child whom I’d been given care over.

HAVE A STAFF MEETING So, how do I soothe and uplift myself? Every morning I sit at a coffee shop with my daily reading and my notebook. Recently a friend came over to me and asked what I was doing. I said I was having my 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 tell them to take more time off, that they deserve a bonus, and that it’s time for a massage and some real pampering!” Of course I am the only person on my staff because I work for myself. My friend is the same way, and he liked the idea

The inner peace that is “ the goal of this course begins every morning with

the way we speak to something wrong with us? The inner thing left is love and peace. That’s not ourselves and emotional peace that is the goal of this Course when your life starts to fall apart — that’s tone we set with that begins every morning with the way we when genuine success begins because speak to ourselves and emotional tone we you begin to actually EXPERIENCE what inner conversation. set with that inner conversation. Would the Course means when it speaks of you tell your best friend she looks fat and “effortless accomplishment.” Ǣ because he admitted he is very hard on his is wasting her life? Would you tell your staff usually — always pushing to do ” five-year-old child his best years are more, more, more! But we all know that is behind him and he better get his butt in You can now follow us on NOT how we really get the most out of a gear or he’s going to end up eating out of staff. Cruelty and endless“motivation” to garbage cans? If your inner conversation do better is really just stressful and to yourself is anything you would not look demeaning. It is the way the ego keeps into the eyes of a dear friend who was moving the line so we never arrive stretched out on a hospital bed and say, Please anywhere and are always dissatisfied with then I suggest you not say it to yourself say you “like” ourselves and with life. either. us on What if there really is nothing wrong There is no such thing as constructive Facebook with you? What if the only problem any of criticism. It is another myth of the ego. To sign up, just go to our home page at us has is that we have simply been That is like saying“helpful attack.” Drop all hypnotized into thinking there is self-criticism and you will find the only www.miraclecenter.org

September / October 2012 7 • • • •

• Recognizing Spirit •

• Writing on a Spiritual Path •

• •••••••• by Dr. Lee Jampolsky, Ph.D. {

his article is to all Course students, you, and it is this: We are writers and, to your writing, honor that you are giving but particularly to those who may write most meaningfully, we must be birth to something, something that will in either already consider themselves willing to do our best to transcend the ego some ways come from the depths of who Twriters, or those and listen to Holy Spirit. This is how and you are and in other ways come from who have been why I believe writing with depth is a beyond your self. To try to approach such curious about spiritual path in itself. a wonderfully unique experience from the writing. I have Some of what I am about to say may be confines of what the ego thinks it all discovered that provocative or even sound disrespectful, should look like simply does not work well. many Course so be sure to read until the end before In short, write from a knowing that you are students find that coming to any lasting conclusion. One just where you need to be right now, this writing — thing that I know about writing, or any moment. When you take a breath and see whether a journal Lee Jampolsky deep act of discovery or creativity, is that this, then all frustration, negative entry, a letter to a friend, an article, or a we should not give into the temptation to judgment, and guilt begin to melt, and book — can deepen their understanding believe that when nothing is coming forth new direction and insight come, or and faith, as well as communicate to oth - in a tangible way, that this means nothing perhaps a re-commitment to a path you ers their innermost thoughts and feelings of value is happening within us. What I know to be true and valuable. about the Course. If you have not tried mean is that the struggle — be it with There are patterns in being a writer, writing as a tool to deepen your aware - finding the time, creating the space/envi - similar steps we each take on the journey, ness of Love while studying the Course, I ronment, making priorities, having writer’s and they are old, even beyond time, now invite you to give it a go. block, etc — is all part of the creative in the fabric of what it is to be human and If the paragraph you just read speaks to process and journey, and will lead us to creative. But don’t make the mistake of you on some level, even deeper and increasingly thinking that you have something special just piquing your curiosity, meaningful work in the end. to say and that the unveiling of this spe - then I consider you a What I mean is that In short, I know as a writer cialness is the purpose of your writing. As fellow writer on the path, you will have times of frustra - the writers of the world and the creative and will address you as “the struggle – be it tion and doubt, but rather ones, we may want to believe that our such. Also, if you are in - with finding the than responding to it with process is new, magnificently different, volved in any other artistic guilt or what you think you right or wrong, etc, or even that we have process, you may simply time, creating the “should” be doing, respond something remarkable and new to say, I replace the word“writing” space/environment, with curiosity, intrigue, and have found that the truth is something with that creative making priorities, an honoring of the unfolding quite different than this. The truth is: You medium, or just use the of what is within you. are not special. Write to realize and reveal word“artist.” I suppose having writer’s Think of the span from this, not prove it wrong. you could even simply use block, etc. – is all conception to birth; there are In so many ways I have come to see that the word“work” if you times when it appears noth - at the core, I am telling the same story in want to make whatever part of the creative ing is happening, and times it my writing that other people have told, you undertake, including process and journey, looks like everything is hap - offering the same guidance, and bringing your vocation, a spiritual pening at once; times where the same wisdom to the table. I have endeavor. and will lead us to it is messy and painful, and nothing new to share that has not been In the drafting of this deeper and increas - times that are contemplative said, and neither do you, neither does article I am going to just ingly meaningful and sweet. I think the same anybody else. But what we do have to write, not even think is true for any creative act, share are the fruits of our creative journey, about what I should say or work in the end. including the process of whatever they may be, and our experi - should not say, but rather writing. This is not to say that ences, and hopefully this is contributing to just turn within and ask Holy Spirit to let you won’t need to prioritize your time, etc. an awakening of a universal experience of words flow to the page. I do this because but don’t”focus only on what you see as my intention is to model something for the challenge, obstacle, or problem. In Continued on Page 14

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

8 THE HOLY ENCOUNTER “ExcepttfforrGodd’’sstteacherrs ttherre woulld be lliittttlle hope offsallvattiion,,fforrtthe woorrllddoffsiin woullddsseeeemmffoorr -- eevveerrrreeaall...... GGoodd’’sstteeaacchheerrssaarreennoottppeerrffeecctt,,oorrtthheeyywwoouullddnnoottbbeehheerree..YYeettiittiisstthheeiirrmmiissssiioonnttoobbeeccoommee ppeerrffeecctthheerree,,aannddssootthheeyytteeaacchhppeerrffeeccttiioonnoovveerraannddoovveerr,,iinnmmaannyy,,mmaannyywwaayyss,,uunnttiilltthheeyyhhaavveelleeaarrnneeddiitt..””

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CALL 1-800-359-ACIM (2246) • e-maiill [email protected]

September / October 2012 9 • • • • •

• Emotional Healing •

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

sat on an elevated porch in a light needs to be on a 5150 psychiatric hold, felt That worked for about 45 seconds until jungle in Central Thailand wondering annoyed with these people who, refusing pain shot up my right ankle to my knee. I when the rumored floods were any payment, fed, housed and taught him. then sat up with both feet on the floor, cIoming from the What was the loving thing to do? I gently sweating from everywhere. The flies found heavy rain up ignored the voice in my head and happily my closed eyes particularly intriguing and north. I wanted to ate the ham and the eggs .The next meal I felt defeated. stay a little longer we had more ham so I gently said again to I had experienced one of the primary this time in the my monk friend that I would prefer to obstacles to peace: the desire to get rid of monastery learn - have what the monks were eating. That it, since meditation is a legendary oppor - ing meditation worked. Funny how well the exact same tunity for inner peace. But the Holy Spirit from my monk words said with love, communicated didn’t leave me helpless. My monk friend friend while prac - Dick Gayton perfectly while before the same tense smiled, brushing away the flies from my ticing my A Course in Miracles thought communication had fallen on deaf ears. face and gently suggested it didn’t matter system. All that sounded great, except my After one day I noticed how far I was how or where I sat as I long as I tried to ego doesn’t like meditation. It will tolerate from town and my mind asked what I was calm my mind. He is obviously a stealth the Course because it has to, but it would going to do for five days in a monastery. I Course student. only go along with the idea of meditation suggested we learn meditation. A black The next morning at 6 a.m., I hauled if I promised compensation. My sore back cloud formed in my mind. It reminded me myself out of bed for alms to walk through likes Thai massage. Thai language is fun to that this monastery had no nice massage the small villages to help the monks try. Thai food is the perfect diet for cancer. and no quaint little food stalls but it did receive food offerings. They got to show At this monastery I found the cook who have lots of quiet time alone. I tried to off the tall foreigner. But this morning I remembered me from my last visit, and placate my ego with the thought that had an oozing blister on my big toe from she immediately made it her learning meditation would new sandals. My Nikes were far away in my mission to meet my food please my hosts. My ego hut, and I would miss the truck leaving for needs. Unfortunately, she I had experienced was suspicious. Meditation alms. I couldn’t wear the sandals didn’t speak English, and I “one of the primary in the abstract was one because they caused the strawberry; it speak enough Thai to be thing, but when my monk was barefoot or don’t go. The fog laced entertaining to the puzzled obstacles to peace: friend invited me to across a nearby hill of jungle as the sun Thai listener. Part of my diet the desire to get actually meditate with gently rose above rice fields. The truck is eating small amounts of them, my ego locked up. stopped, and I looked down at tiny, food. This immediately rid of it, since I had some time needle-sharp gravel on the road. I said a alarmed the cook, and she meditation is a leg - before the session. My back prayer, gingerly got out of the truck and told my monk friend that I was sore so I did a little took my spot at the end of the line of didn’t like Thai food and was endary opportunity yoga to relax, but my mind monks. I walked carefully, received the being polite by eating small for inner peace. doesn’t like yoga either. happy greetings of the local people and amounts of what the monks Finally I reluctantly took got back no worse for wear. The body were eating: vegetable soups, soy and rice myself to meditation. I sat on the floor in tends to lose power to mis-create when thingies, fresh mango and papaya. I the meetin”g hall with a lovely view of the the mind is properly aligned. There were fervently assured the monk that I loved mountain. A gentle breeze wafted in other alignments too, since several local Thai food. The cook was convinced I was through an open window bringing atten - ladies inquired as to my marital status. hiding a craving for fried, cured, red meat tion-seeking flies. Ignoring the files, my I returned to my one room chateau for and commissioned a car to take her 8 friend and another monk got right to work a morning nap. More mind alignment miles into town to find American chow. trying to get my right ankle to sit over my would be needed. Biting ants, flies, She then fried up a bunch of ham and two left knee. My right knee and my ego didn’t centipedes and other crawlers seemed to eggs in the pork fat and watched me like that and both balked. My legs didn’t suddenly be everywhere I stepped. I hopefully. want to stretch and neither did my mind. swept, swatted, then carefully sealed all Naturally my ego, who we all know Still I was into looking good, so I did it. my food in plastic bags and finally napped

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

10 THE HOLY ENCOUNTER on my futon. I awoke hungry and took out the bag with a Trader Joe’s pound plus dark chocolate bar in it. As I was about to Available from the Center $ 00 pop a square in my mouth, I saw it teem - 10

Aby HnughUMapgee grader’s Guide The body tends to Presents dissatisfied Christians with a challenging idea: Christianity is obsolete. In its place, Hugh recommends a more credible, - “ lose power to mis-create centered thought system. Paperback - 100 pages when the mind is To Order 1-800-359-ACIM (2246) Price plus S&H. CA residents add sales tax properly aligned. or at miraclecenter.org ing with little black ants. In that instant my trick is changing my mind about the world Thai massage, Thai people and Thai mind changed completely. I smiled and ” because I will keep projecting my ego on monks, and, instead of chocolate, I can eat surrendered. I carefully picked up the bag the world, and I will need to forgive the almond butter with roasted flax seeds. and sat it outside my hut and let the small whether it be ants or people trying to help In fact, I even love those little black, bitey manifestations of the Holy Spirit have at it. me. It is tempting to look for a world ants. Clearly, I can be a Course student and a outside that will no longer need forgiving. Oh come on now, guys, not in the Buddhist or Christian or a Zoroastrian or It ain’t going to happen until I change my almond butter, too! Ǣ an Oldsmobile man for that matter, the mind. In the meantime, I love Thai food,

Join with thousands of people around the world who are ready to take a stand for peace in their lives and this world by making the inner FREE! commitment to peace. Declare this powerful pledge from A Course in Miracles : The peace of God is my one goal, the aim of all my living here, Receive a FREE wristband the end I seek, my purpose and my function and my life, when you take the pledge! (If you live outside the U.S., there is a while I abide where I am not at home. $2 shipping charge) Take the pledge for peace online or fill out the form below and mail it to MDC. View our online map which charts those who have taken the pledge and view our video at our site www.miraclecenter.org or on You Tube at youtube.com/miraclecenter.org Join us today and take the Pledge for Peace Ǣ I pledge to make the Peace of God my one goal! Ǣ I join with others in making a conscious choice for peace in every moment of my day. Ǣ I am willing to let two or more people know about my pledge and invite them to join me. Ǣ Please chart my pledge on the“Pledge for Peace” map online. Ǣ Send me my FREE wristband (you must include your postal address) First & Last Name ______Address ______City, State/Province ______Country & Zip/Postal Cod e______

September / October 2012 11 there, there are no needs. But here on earth, focused on joining and truth. I want to Love Heals... the miracle is closer to Your gifts than any thank all of you who have been and Continued from Page 1 other gift that I can give. Then let me give continue to hold the truth for Richard. We this gift alone today, which, born of true have all been deeply touched by the with thoughts of truth. I love how the forgiveness, lights the way that I must travel outpouring of support from so many. Course suggests we employ a number of to remember You. (Lesson 345) these thoughts“to rule our minds and With this truth in mind, we greeted the make them a habit in our problem-solving doctor and anesthesiologist and told repertoire,” so when we are tempted to them they were in our prayers, too, which fear they are a quick reaction to that temp - they seemed grateful to hear. tation. The three nurses who would be in the We affirmed thoughts from the Course like: operating room came by, and I was able “I rest in God” to mention we knew a scrub nurse in “I place the future in the Hands of God” Pennsylvania (even though I didn’t tell them her name, let me give a shout out to “God is but love, and therefore so am I” Holly Henry right now!) who assisted in “I walk with God in perfect holiness” heart surgeries, and she had told me that “I will step back and let Him lead the way” during her surgeries, whenever she had a Ann and Richard ... just to name a few. free hand, she would lay it on the patient People are always wondering why It was also comforting to remember the and say a silent prayer. We invited the things happen, as if there was something image we are given in Lesson 70. Jesus nurses to feel free to lay as many hands as that should have been done differently. It’s invites us to move through the“clouds” they wanted on Richard during the not that we can’t learn from situations that (those thoughts of fear and worldly surgery. They said they would be happy to occur, but the goal is not to get stuck in illusions) that seem very real and imper - do just that. guilt. The“if onlys” of life — if only I had meable to us. He reminds us they are I gave each nurse a hug and told them done this or that, everything could have nothing more than clouds that cannot we would be praying for them. When I been different, etc. — are delaying tactics stop us. And then he offers us this beauti - hugged the head scrub nurse, she didn’t the ego likes to distract us with. ful image, saying,“If it helps you, think of seem to want to let go! We are told that“the motivation for this me holding your hand and leading you. I asked Richard after the surgery if he Course is the attainment and the keeping And I assure you this will be no idle felt any hands on him, and he said he felt of the state of peace.” (T24.IN.1:1) If peace is fantasy.” hands all over him! I know they were our goal, then our attention must be with - The next day was a day filled with lovingly touching him, but I drawn from guilt and placed on forgive - miracles. I prayed each en - also feel there were many ness. As the Course reminds us,“You who counter would be a holy unseen hands offering a want peace can find it only by complete encounter and they were. While we abide healing touch. forgiveness.” (T1.VI.1.1) Ann and I accompanied “ where we are not We all continued our Complete forgiveness sounds like a Richard down to pre-op silent, constant prayers for mighty task, but it begins, as every journey where he would wait until at home, things in Richard and the entire staff begins, one step at a time. Forgiveness, his operation. We silently this world will seem throughout the operation from the Course’s perspective, is simply a blessed each person we to affect us in a very that usually takes three focus on our reality which is love... the calls saw, for we knew the law of hours, but was completed in for love and the extensions of love. Noth - love was universal... what real way. Our an hour and a half. He had ing else really exists. we gave, we would receive, healing will not no complications and was up If we react as if we are being persecuted and we wanted all the walking the next day. or punished, we have stepped away from blessing we could get! I come ‘by cursing the This is not to say any of peace and our answer of forgiveness, but love how the Course tells darkness, but by this was“a walk in the park”, we can choose again. There is no punish - us in Lesson 345: lighting a candle,’ as or hasn’t been, and contin - ment in God; His only goal for us is that we Father, a miracle reflects ues to be, quite an ordeal for know who we are. So to the many ques - Your gifts to me, Your Son. the saying goes. Richard and Ann. While we tions of this world that we may have, we And every one I give returns abide where we are not at are given this answer: to me, reminding me the law of love is uni - home, things in this world will seem to af - “Hear, then, the one answer of the Holy versal. Even here, it takes a form which can fect us in”a very real way. Our healing will Spirit to all the questions the ego raises: You be recognized and seen to work. The mira - not come“by cursing the darkness, but by are a child of God, a priceless part of His cles I give are given back in just the form I lighting a candle,” as the saying goes. Kingdom, which He created as part of Him. need to help me with the problems I per - What I have taken from all of this is that Nothing else exists and only this is real. You ceive. Father, in Heaven it is different, for real healing comes from prayerful minds have chosen a sleep in which you have had

12 THE HOLY ENCOUNTER bad dreams, but the sleep is not real and replaced by a prayer that God may use us... to join us for a conference, she has at times God calls you to awake.” (T6.IV.6) as the Course suggests, “I will step back moved mountains to be here... and she How do we awaken? “Very simply the and let Him lead the way.” has always participated as a gift to the Holy Spirit teaches you to awaken others.” Marianne’s emphasis is not to glorify her - Center. (T9.VI.5:2) This is our mission now. Let’s not self, but to glorify the message of love so She believes in the message of this tome wait to mobilize our awareness of the this world might truly become the Heaven that we all study, and calls herself a stu - truth for an emergency. I think this world on earth we all are entitled to. For that, she dent who is willing to teach, which, as the is in need right now, and that’s why teach - is a clear conduit of the Course’s prose, Course reminds us, is to demonstrate. ers of God are needed now. and I am honored by her willingness to So, thank you Marianne, for accepting your You are ready to be a teacher of God. take its message into her heart and live it. function in God’s plan for salvation and Remember: to teach is to demonstrate. Let Her generosity is legendary here at Miracle demonstrating it beautifully. I’m honored us demonstrate our love by being active Distribution Center. When I have asked her to walk this path with you! Ǣ participants of love. For those who are in need, let us silently affirm the love that is their reality. For those who seem confident and in control, let us silently affirm the “A double ‘thank Heaven’ for the Study love that is their reality. For those whose That’s how Lois in Arizona feels when she listens to acts seem insane and out of control, let us Group.” silently affirm the love that is their reality. the Center’s study group lecture recordings. She e-mailed us... What will awaken this world is not our judgment, but our love. Because only A double “thank Heaven” for the Study Group. I doubt if I would still be love heals. listening after all these years if the participants were perfect and never Ǣ repeated the negatives in life. It’s their weekly attempts to understand the very same problems that we all have that allows me to cut myself some slack when I take two steps forward and one step back. Reflections Continued from Page 1 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 - performed the marriage of Liz Taylor and ring to. These meetings offer a“right where you live” approach. If you Larry Fortensky and chummed around would like to understand the Course and bring that meaning more with the Clintons. Her high profile at times practically into your life, we invite you to try a meeting or become an made her the target of ridicule, but she moved through these moments with ongoing listener. As an ongoing listener you become part of our grace. worldwide spiritual family each week through our recordings by CD As a student of the Course for 35 years, I or mp3... and you also have access to an online listener message have known Marianne personally for many board so you can continue the conversation and develop a global of those years. Together we have cele - family of support! Meetings are lead by Beverly Hutchinson, Center founder and a 35 year student of the Course, and tackle real life Marianne stepped up to the challenges using the healing power of the Course. We look forward “plate to share the message to welcoming you. of A Course in Miracles. Receive a As an ongoing listener, you not only receive the weekly She became a beacon to a FREE lessons, but you have access to an online listener world hungry for someone CD or mp3 of our meetings message board so you can continue the conversation and develop a worldwide family of support. to put words to the inner or go online and listen to a meeting. When ordering monthly, each weekly meeting yearning of their hearts. is only $6.50 on CD or $5.00 on mp3! We can Call 1-800-359-ACIM charge your credit card, or debit your check - (2246) brated landmark birthdays, watched our Limited time offer ing account, automatically once a month. children grow, and seen the passing of o”ur mothers. We have hopefully grown a little If you would like to order, call or go online : wiser with age. The angst of youth and the tendency to run ahead of truth, has been 1-800-359-ACIM(2246) or [email protected]

September / October 2012 13 messiness or painful aspects of life, and my work. I have been there, and I know discover what is there for you, what wis - the answer is not primarily in setting or Writing on a dom the Holy Spirit can show you. changing goals, getting good advice on a Spiritual Path One tangible suggestion about imple - subject, or producing more. I invite you to Continued from Page 8 menting all of this is to have a practice of learn from my mistakes in the creative writing for three minutes of every hour. process. Honor all that is happening within love, of Truth, within ourselves and others. Just stop on the hour whatever you are you, at all times, and know it is part of a I believe this is the true purpose of a doing, turn to Holy Spirit, and write a surrendering, a softening of your soul, and writer. I think this is what the Course poem or a thought, a sentence or a de - a coming open-hearted to the Holy Spirit. means when it says that the goal is not to scriptive image, a word or a phrase. Just Though you are not special, what you make a universal theology, but to offer a write from the moment, automatically write can be unique. This may seem like I universal experience. When you think with no critic, no agenda, no plan. Just am saying two opposing things, one that carefully about this, if we remove the take three minutes an hour to turn within there is nothing new to say and the other temptation for guilt and negative judg - and put something down on the page, that what you write can be unique. But ment in the whole writing process we are nothing more. You may surprise yourself at what I am saying is that the Holy Spirit will more easily aligning ourselves with Holy the beauty and wisdom you discover. and has guided you to present His truths Spirit, and we discover we are just where I realize many may read this article through your story or experience, and that we need to be, and all that is there in the looking for guidance on the path, and it is can touch people in a way to create the moment for us to discover not a very nice thing to say to universal experience. Condensed, your and put on a page. someone when they are unique experience in this eternal moment Another way of not so down, the frank direction, helps create the universal experience. A nicely saying this — and I But don’t make the “Get over yourself.” But this is bit of a paradoxical mouthful, but true, say this to myself, you, and “mistake of thinking the most loving thing I can and this is the beauty of it all. To me, this all other writers and artists say to you, to myself, and to also defines the creative or artist’s journey — The sooner we see there that you have every creative person who and purpose: To share your unique experi - is nothing special about our something special encounters times of low ence in this eternal moment in order to reach writing and get over our - to say and that the energy, getting side-tracked a universal experience. selves, the better. What this by life, etc. “Get over your - I realize we are all faced with difficult means, stated in more unveiling of this self” means, in essence, stop times in our writing or creative work of any Course-like language, is: specialness is judging yourself and open up kind, but know this: Trust in the process, the sooner we let go of to the true wisdom in the trust your life, and trust Holy Spirit. When I guilt and how we think the purpose of moment. I have worked with work with people on their spiritual journey our writing is supposed to your writing. many “creatives,” and I know their most difficult times don’t scare me a look, and how the process most every creative person bit, nor do they much concern me. In fact, of writing is supposed to go, the sooner has more periods of feeling low than the I am happy about them, especially for writ - we will listen to the voice and guidance of average ”person, even existential despair. ers or people who wish to bring wisdom the Holy Spirit with more consistency. You may even be in this place right now, to the world through a universal experi - When you are feeling badly about your and you may prefer more words on how to ence. I am happy because this journey of writing or the creative process, it is be - get back to achieving your goals, how to creativity can lead to true freedom and cause you want to have it all look your get on track, how to feel normal, etc. surrender. If any of these words ring true, I way, neat, tidy, complete, and with dead - Instead it may seem like I’ve just whacked say this to you: You are a writer. Let these lines met. I am not saying that some of you with a stick. But I know well of the words come in now: You are a writer. You this does not have a place, it may, but struggle to find meaning and purpose in are, like me, from long line of storytellers don’t hook yourself to it. Instead, let your what I do and the feeling of falling short in coming down throughout time. Feel the self drop into wherever you are, even the

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14 THE HOLY ENCOUNTER kinship, silent but tangible, there support - “long-time members of my ACIM group ing you, and then write. And keep writing. (over twenty years)” — from Barbara I recently watched a movie about Carl What’s Happening Koenig of Grover Beach, CA. Gifts in honor Continued from Page 2 Jung. I was reminded of the hero’s journey, of ... Dr. Vernon Sylvester of the Healing and I am now reminded that you and I are Waters Lodge in Headwaters, VA “for being on this path as we practice the Course. The Wall grow in love and innocence. Go to a friend and ACIM teacher” — from Du - hero’s journey is a universal one, and has www.miraclecenter.org laney Collins of Bozeman, MT. occurred in every good story, and in every { A song inspiration! “Hey there! I { “God is my refuge and security.” culture, throughout time. The journey of receive The Holy Encounter and was (Lesson 261) As the lazy days of summer give the hero is a rough one at times, and we inspired by Beverly's article "A Wink From way to the busy times of fall, let us remem - are faced with elements, including what God" in the latest issue (July/August 2012) ber that God is here and with us now. We you may be going through now. We face to write a song. Here it is! Hope you enjoy can turn to God for any need. Join us as we these challenges with care and building it and thanks for the miracles!” We want to remember the power and presence of God commitment to Truth, and we do this thank Douglas Knight of Orlando, Florida through the Miracle Prayer Ministry each through trusting in the Holy Spirit and the for taking the inspiration and putting it to day at 4:30 PM (Pacific Time). We invite process. music. We have posted it on our Facebook you to pause for a moment of prayerful Our ego can want to put judgments, cri - Page and our Blog at www.miraclecen - support for yourself, a loved one and all tiques, and timelines on our work. I am ter.org. Take a listen…we know you will those whose names and needs are in the working on a novel that I started twenty love it! We want to thank Douglas so much prayer ministry as we behold God’s heal - years ago, and still feel challenged and at for the song. ing presence in all our lives. If you have a times want to throw it all away. I have also prayer request, please send it to the Cen - written books in under six months. I have { Giving a truly meaningful Gift Here’s ter by post or email. Request your free, other books I wrote and have not done what many students of the Course have full-color bookmark today which lists all anything with. I have tried at times to find done: Given a tax-deductible donation to the thoughts in the prayer ministry for a particular style or tone, and often failed. MDC in someone’s honor or memory. If 2012. In all of this, the hero’s journey has been you would like to give in such a way, send both comforting and disturbing. Knowing your donation and request and we will our path and that we are not alone is com - send him, her or the family a personalized Affirmations for: forting, but the hero’s journey is also dis - letter acknowledging your appreciation September: I place the future in the Hands turbing because it does not allow at all for and support. It’s a wonderful honor for of God. (L194) the ego to have its way. I still have times, that dedicated someone or their family. October: Let me remember I am one with in fact many lately, that I feel like I am a And, what a blessing it will be to those the God. (L124) fool for pursuing ideas in the way I do with Center serves, for your donation will go to November: I share God’s Will for happiness the written word, year after year. But I am a support its free services! Gifts in memory for me. (L102) Ǣ writer, and so are you, so we keep going, of ... Barbara Nilan and Ramon Weber — and this is what you may do after reading this. Keep going. Again, listen to the words I say, You are a writer . Now go write.

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

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July / August 2012 15 In this issue of The Holy Encounter. . . • Beverly Hutchinson McNeff tells us how "Love Heals" • Jerry Jampolsky and Diane Cirincione help Heal Our Mind and 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!

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