A Miracle Distribution Center Publication May / June 2010

IN M O E J at the •

CENTER'S • •

CONFERENCE •

See Page 11 • A u 9 gu 2 • Rev. Hugh’s st 28• •

Treasure Hunting • { by Beverly Hutchinson McNeff • •

• Homilies s children, my brother and I used to out of our being. But, searching the world • So Simple It’s Insulting • pretend we were pirates looking never quite seems to bring us the purpose • ••••••by Hugh Prather { for buried treasure. We would make we are looking for. That doesn’t mean that a map and put a we deny the world or our participation in s we amble along our chosen A path, we encounter many big“X” on the the world, we just stop looking to it to give spot where the us what we can only find within. distractions. One of the most treasure was This year’s annual International Confer - Ainsidious is buried. We then ence on A Course in Miracles in Irvine, the notion that would proceed to California is entitled, The Treasure of God . to pursue a hunt for that This title comes from the section in the path is treasure in the Course’s text of the same name and is a sufficient, that Beverly Hutchinson McNeff woods around our powerful reminder that we are what we pursuit is an home in Oregon. We never really found are looking for — not in an ego sense of end in itself. At the chest of gold, but we enjoyed the our personal self importance but in the a local organi - Hugh Prather hunt. sense of our true Self value to God and to zation that our church asked Gayle and Nowadays, people still play this game all our brothers. The true treasure we me to address, the group leader told us with their hand-held phones or GPS de - can be. with a hint of pride,“We here are all vices. Called geocachers, This section also offers the seekers of truth.” these people go out and Course’s restatement of the We opened the meeting with the hide trinkets and then The Course tells us story of the prodigal son... invitation to interrupt us at any time write clues for anxious “that God wants only “Listen to the story of the with comments or questions. We then treasure hunters to follow prodigal son, and learn what proceeded to talk about our spiritual and find the booty. Once us because nothing in God’s treasure is and yours: beliefs and practices and we demon - you find the treasure, this world holds any This son of a loving father left strated with a volunteer couple just though, you are supposed his home and thought he had how easily an issue could be resolved to put it back so the next value. We are His squandered everything for when the couple switched from their hunter can find it. It seems only treasure. nothing of any value, al - ego minds to their connected mind. to be that the fun is still in though he had not under - We walked the couple through the the hunt. stood its worthlessness at the steps and, sure enough, it worked just What is the hunt all about? We all wan - time. He was ashamed to return to his father, as we had said it would. der in the world looking for our“treasure.” because h”e thought he had hurt him. Yet So there we were, talking about the We call it by many names... career, relation - when he came home the father welcomed difference between our chattering, agi - ship, family, fame, but they are really all him with joy, because the son himself was tated mind and our peaceful mind and substitutes for purpose. We are trying to his father’s treasure. He wanted nothing demonstrating fairly dramatically the find out why we are here; to make sense Continued on Page 12 practical implications of being aware of Together, Gayle and Hugh Prather have Beverly is the co-founder and president of MDC, one of the longest running organizations based on written twenty books including: Morning A Course in Miracles founded in 1978. As a student, lecturer and author on the Course since 1977, her recorded weekly commentaries on Course principles have become a wonderful source of inspi - Notes, The Little Book of Letting Go, Standing ration and study for many around the world. Receive a FREE recording by contacting MDC. on My Head, Love and Courage, and How to Live in the World and Still Be Happy, all avail - able through MDC. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook! See page 11 for details Continued on Page 13 •

The Holy Encounter •

...when you meet anyone, • remember it is a holy encounter... • •

What’s Happening • Heal Your Mind, Heal Your World EDITOR: Beverly Hutchinson McNeff • Comments on the Treasure of God... Is there a Pot of Gold at the End of the Rainbow? endars for this inspirational gathering •

{ A new DVD set that focuses on the • ASSISTANT: Darin Zakich •••••••• by Gerald Jampolsky, M.D. and D iane V. Cirincione, Ph.D . { IN M of lecturers and Course students from O E scribes of A Course in Miracles has just J at the been released. In this three-hour cele - around the world. For more details, THE HOLY ENCOUNTER is published bimonthly by bration of the 25th anniversary of the see pages 15 and 16. Miracle Distribution Center to support and or the first half century of my life I, my healing had to do with healing my the sweater and CENTER'S aid its worldwide readers in their study of Course’s publication, held in Anaheim, (Jerry) believed in what my culture own split mind. happened to look CONFERENCE A Course in Miracles . Subscriptions are See Page 11 { Handy Reference Now Available - A California in 2001 at Miracle Distribu - available without charge, but tax-deductible taught me about my purpose in life. Since I was a little boy, I have been fasci - into a mirror. That was ug 9 Do you ever find yourself on the road ust 8•2 donations are gratefully received to support What I thought 2 tion Center’s Annual Conference, Dr. without your Course book? Would you nated with rainbows. When I became a when I made the discovery. the printing and mailing expenses of this F then about my Kenneth Wapnick and Judith Skutch like to be reminded of your daily student of the Course, I began to look at Rather than believing that there is a treas - Whitson share their experiences with publication. A suggested donation of $24.00 a purpose was that rainbows as being the doorway to God. ure at the end of the rainbow, I discovered lesson or find a particular passage? If year is invited. and recollections of Drs. Helen Schuc - if I worked real so, our new online Course will be They were always so spectacular and all that I am the treasure! I am the treasure, man and William Thetford. Aug - Miracle Distribution Center is an international hard and got a helpful. Visit our website at www.mira - the colors seemed to be representing and so are you and everyone who is in a mented by more than a hundred non-profit organization founded in 1978, college educa - clecenter.org to see our new online dedicated to making the teachings of A Course something beyond the world, something life form. We are each God’s gift. What our photos, this DVD set gives an intimate tion, I would reference text of A Course in Miracles . in Miracles more available and to aid students that made my soul soar. egos do is make us believe we are on a view of the lives of the two people re - in their practice of its transformational reach a sense Jerry Jampolsky & Diane Cirincione When I founded the first Center for lifelong hunt for a material treasure that is sponsible for bringing the Course to principles. The Center does this through its of wealth that Attitudinal Healing, I chose a rainbow for outside of ourselves, and hide from us that { Free Podcasts! A new Miracle the world. Call 1-800-359-2246 or many free services, which are supported by would make me feel secure. our symbol. I actually had an artist paint a the treasure we seek is within each of us. your tax-deductible donations: order it online at Moment Podcast is now online for I believed in the statement from my rainbow on the door to my office with a Sometimes I think that what I have www.miraclecenter.org your free listening experience. As one THE HOLY ENCOUNTER , 32-page Catalog of parents that hard work would give me the sky blue background. I wanted my day to done in life is traded in my Medical Degree Books and tapes, Worldwide Study Group listener wrote, “Just a note to tell you luxuries of life: a green Austin Healey, a begin with the rainbow. Now I realize that (M.D.) for an M.O.G, which for me, means { Giving a truly Meaningful Gift Listings, Meetings & Lectures, Counseling how much I enjoyed the latest podcast. I large home, money in the bank and Many students of the Course have Referral Service and Prayer Ministry. the sun is always shining in my heart and Messenger of God. The happiness, joy, cer - love the concept of focusing on my les - prestige in the community given a tax-deductible donations to that there are always rain - tainty, state of blissfulness, and state of son rather than the experience in this Bequests & Endowments - are a way to where I lived. I believed bows in my heart making me everlasting love that can only expand and MDC in someone’s honor or memory. world. Great job, you and Paul really got support the Center and ensure its work into that there WAS a pot of smile all day long. fold and unfold gently upon itself is what I, If you would like to give in such a way, the message across!” Founder Beverly the future. Contact the Center for further in - In 1973, my first formation on including the Center in your will. gold at the end of the Rainbows just seem to and each of us, are. send your donation and request and and her husband Paul, share practical “ marriage, which rainbow and that if I follow me wherever I go. I We each have an opportunity every we will send him, her or the family a Course insights from their combined For more information, contact worked hard enough, I lasted twenty years, have spent many hours moment to remind ourselves that we are personalized letter acknowledging nearly 60 years of study! Listen today Miracle Distribution Center at: would find that pot of taking photos of amazing always the rainbow, we are always the gift your appreciation and support. It’s a by going to www.miraclecenter.org ended in divorce. 3947 E. La Palma Ave. gold. rainbows in Hawaii and of God’s treasure, as we continue to focus wonderful honor for that dedicated and clicking on Miracle Moment Anaheim, CA 92807 If I made enough I ended up depressed, Arizona. only on our treasure within, the presence someone or their family. And what a Podcast . An archive of past podcasts blessing it will be to those the Center (714) 632-9005 money, I would possess agitated, drowning In the early 80s, Diane and of the essence of Love and God within our - can also be found there for your Fax (714) 632-9115 that pot of gold and be I were invited to give a series selves. I am convinced that is why we are serves, for your donation will go to listening enjoyment. in guilt and feeling support its free services and continue E-mail: [email protected]. happy forever. I was not of talks in New Zealand. New here — to shine our treasure, our light to the Course’s outreach! Gifts in { Do we have your email address? Website: www.miraclecenter.org aware of the ego’s mes - hopeless. Zealand has more sheep than help the darkness of the world we see dis - sage from the Course memory of ... Maureen Des Chenes of Each month we send out an Articles (1,000 words or fewer) may be sent to the any place I had ever visited. appear. address above. which tells us to seek but never find what Marlboro, VT in loving memory of her e-newsletter on the Course and Cen - At the end of our visit, we were each given you were looking for. Continued on Page 11 and their holy relationship from John ter happenings. Some months feature Quotations from ACIM are referenced: T=Text, rainbow ”sweaters. One day I was wearing WB = Workbook, M=Manual: PPP=Psychotherapy & So, the first half century of my life I Des Chenes ; Maureen Des Chenes of an article written just for our online SP = The Song of Prayer. Marlboro, VT in honor of her from Rev audience; others offer a free audio made what I considered a lot of money THE HOLY ENCOUNTER is a registered trademark of Mir - and had most things and trinkets money Storm of Greenfield, MA; Gary Cro - download. We also announce new acle Distribution Center. man in loving memory of my friend items from our bookstore and give would buy. I sure found out that money Available from the Center ˆ2010 Miracle Distribution Center and material things did not bring me last - who introduced the Course to me previews of upcoming events. Be sure Printed on recycled paper from Gene Paolini of Auburn, CA; we have your email address by going ing peace and happiness. Fbyi Gneradld iJanmpgol skOy, Mu.D.r a ndW D iaaney V. CHirincoionme, Phe .D . Michael Timberlake Tyler in memory to our homepage at www.miracle - In 1973, my first marriage, which lasted twenty years, ended in divorce. I ended up of her brother from Jill Gresham of center.org and entering it there. We In a deeply heartfelt way Jerry and Diane share stories of depressed, agitated, drowning in guilt and Centerville, TX; Deb Barton of Alta look forward to continuing our con - their spiritual journey, detours they’ve taken, and people 11 Loma, CA from Golden Hanger . nection! feeling hopeless. I tried to drown my pain who have impacted them along their life trail. EIacth i’sssue o f FTHE rHOLeY ENeCOU!N!TER and guilt in alcohol. It was not until 1975, $14.95 + S&H. CA res, add sales tax { The Treasure of God That is the { Save the date for our 2011 Week - is sent free to you! To keep receiving simply when I was introduced to A Course in To Order title of MDC’s 2010 A Course in end of Miracles — Our next Weekend keep in contact with us once a year. Miracles , that I began to find another way 1-800-359-ACIM (2246) or at miraclecenter.org Miracles Conference which will take of Miracles will take place in West And remember, your tax deductible to look at the world and understand that Palm Beach, Florida on April 8th and place in Irvine, California on August donations help us to continue to provide Gerald Jampolsky, M.D. and Diane Cirincione, Ph.D., international lecturers and bestselling authors, share their insights and experiences in applying the 28-29 . Make sure you mark your cal - Continued on Page 15 this free service to you. principles of A Course in Miracles in our world. Jerry and Diane’s books and other items are available at www.miraclecenter.org

2 THE HOLY ENCOUNTER May / June 2010 3 Day Twenty-six: The Reality of Time

Time in its linear sequence of past and •

• future is an illusion. Though at first it may • “It has been a difficult year and I have • seem abstract to think in this way, the • Recognizing Spirit • direct practicality of this truth can save

• Creating Meaning and Purpose in Work turned to God quite often. Thank you for •

• you from great suffering. The truth is that •••••••• by Dr. Lee Jampolsky, Ph.D. { the past and the future do not exist except reminding me yet again.” Gene in Auburn, CA writes about THE HOLY ENCOUNTER ... in your mind, and if you use them as a n the last issue of THE HOLY ENCOUNTER , gins with your connection with a Higher living being. reference in your decision making, you Please find my donation enclosed. I have been intending to send this gift I presented the first fifteen daily Power, and then every interaction is per - see something that is not there. contemplations for uncertain times. meated with this. Day Twenty-Two: The Paradox of Success for over a month. It is now 1:40a.m. and I have been reading and praying for AIs described last Though none of us really want to admit Day Twenty-Seven: the past hour and a half. Beverly, your article in THE HOLY ENCOUNTER month, uncertain Day Seventeen: Don’t Be a Fault Finder. it, our egos are always looking for a return The Universal First Step (March/April 2010) on God having my back brought tears to my eyes. It has times can lead to The level of quality of every communi - on our investment. We all, to some degree Your thoughts, not the situation, are the been a difficult year, and I have turned to God quite often. Thank you for increased fear cation is always an extension of the in business and career play the game of force behind your successes and your reminding me yet again. and stress, but thoughts you hold in your mind. If you fill “what do I get for doing this?” Our ego is failures. The first step in any problem your mind with judgmental, angry, and re - always looking at the potential profit and I send this gift in loving memory of my friend Gary Croman who can also lead to solving or communication is to determine introduced me to “A Course in Miracles.” increased focus, sentful thoughts, and see value in them, loss of every interaction. Giving only to what you want to be thinking while you clarity, purpose, you will have interactions that are filled get, which is the law of the ego, will bring are in the midst of it. Most people never P.S. : I promise to send more Lee Jampolsky, Ph.D. and meaning. The with conflict and a career void of success. you bitterness and greed rather than suc - even realize this, yet it is the key to any difference is up to us and where we direct Finding faults in others and then holding cess and prosperity. successful career, or for that matter any This has been a difficult year for many, and we are honored to be here for our thinking. In this issue, the next fifteen onto them is a sure guarantee of a way to interaction. those in need. We appreciate every gift support no matter the amount, Day Twenty-Three: Stop Waiting thoughts for contemplation are presented, sabotage your own career growth. for it ensures that we will be here when you need us. Thank you. Today stop waiting, and start to live the designed primarily for the workplace, but Day Eighteen: One and the Same life you want right now. Do this by asking, also applicable to all areas of life. It is sug - Your spiritual path is not something you “How do I want to act, and what thoughts Your thoughts, not the gested that you spend time in the morn - Day Twenty-Nine: God Doesn’t Gossip the key to success, boundless abundance, do separate from work that ends the mo - to do I want to have?” ing and a few minutes each hour, “ situation, are the force In your work relationships, don’t allow and infinite freedom. If all the world’s spiri - ment you encounter other people in the contemplating each Course-based idea. your mind to be filled with thoughts of the tual teachings could be summed up in work place who are a chal - Day Twenty-Four: behind your successes and These can be combined past in the form of gossip or sharp judg - four words these well may be, “Love from lenge. We are all teachers and Where Your Greatest Teacher Lives with your daily lessons your failures. The first step ments. Instead, be willing to bring forth the moment.” It is this one action that can students to each other. If you are looking for a guide to happi - from the Course as well. in any problem solving or the truth about who a person is (including promise to deliver you to the Kingdom of If you want freedom, ness and success that is possible no matter yourself) by seeing them through the eyes Heaven, even at work. When this is the Day Nineteen: what happens, then come to the present Day Fifteen: “ offer it. communication is to of Love. Then your thoughts, actions, and goal of all of your work related interac - Utilize What is in Front of You moment — absent of the guilt and resent - There is a Better Way. determine what you want words will be coming from integrity, and tions, the power of your success is beyond If you want success, Though developing work-re - ments of the past, or the worry of the Notice that when you effectiveness will be a natural outcome. comprehension. Don’t underestimate the lated skills is helpful, in the end future — and ask “What is possible now. to be thinking while you have no real idea what help others. If you power that comes simply from being a there is often still something to do, you just keep are in the midst of it. Day Thirty: good person, connected with your Higher want happiness, give vital missing: your own com - Day Twenty-Five: doing the same things Recognize the Heart of Spirituality. Power. mitment to utilizing what is Creativity and Innovation Ǣ in life, and you continue with a smile. Being mindful of your use of time holds happening in your work — Imagine you have three lenses you can Day Twenty-Eight: The Power of Giving to think and communi - ” both positive and negative — to learn the choose to look through whenever you Success comes from knowing that now cate in the ways you always have, ineffec - lessons God wants you to learn. interact with someone at work, or any - is the only time there is and each instant is tively, from fear and an unhealed past, and ” where in your life. The first lens is clouded for giving. If you want a career life full of without spiritual purpose. Believe there is Day Twenty: with past memories, resentments, and happiness, it is important to know the another way to go through life, and ask for Every Interaction Holds the Key guilt. When you hold it up to your eye, it is The Envelope Please... source of happiness. Though emphasis in In this issue of THE HOLY ENCOUNTER , you should have found an it to be revealed. In short, what is missing in most peo - most difficult to see what is happening today’s workplace can be focused solely envelope addressed to Miracle Distribution Center. ple’s work life is a spiritual focus in every now. The second lens is occluded with Day Sixteen: on the bottom line, profits, and personal human interaction. Bring prayer to work worries and fears about what will happen If you appreciate this magazine (and our many other projects and Giving and Receiving Are the Same. salary, what is needed is to recognize and today. in the future. This too greatly reduces your services), we hope you will take a moment and return the envelope to us with a Perhaps more than any other spiritual harness the power of giving. When you are ability to see clearly what is happening contribution enclosed. truth, this one can offer you immediate creating true success you are always in - Day Twenty-One: right now. The third lens is of the present Printing and postage costs continue to escalate, and the troubled economy release from the bondage of the past. If cluding giving. When you are inhibiting The One Decision that Matters moment. It is clean and clear, allowing you has negatively affected donations. We are counting on our readers and sup - you want freedom, offer it. If you want success you are projecting a negative past Make the decision to open your heart. to see the situation accurately and to react porters to help us make up the difference. success, help others. If you want happi - into the present, and experiencing lack Ask for the power of God’s guidance in to it. Creativity and innovation can only ness, give with a smile. Your success be - and thus not giving. When you include Your gift supports all of Miracle Distribution Center’s services for each and every encounter with another come from looking through this third lens. giving in all you do, you will be creating a A Course in Miracles students...and it’s tax-deductible. 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 positive outcome. be reached at www.DrLeeJampolsky.com Thanks in advance for your generosity!

4 THE HOLY ENCOUNTER May / June 2010 5 let go of any allegiance I have to suffering,

• OIN ME guilt and fear. I can even cry and mourn • J at the • without SUFFERING and being tormented •

• CENTER'S • Never Face Facts by it. I can let it pass THROUGH me as a ••••••••by Jacob Glass { CONFERENCE temporary experience within this illusion. A See Page 11 u But this is a real discipline and I am gu 29 st 28• extremely happy even when I make one ou know, denial has gotten such a human being, you are going to find out had faced the facts in order to even know penguin step forward because I was raised bad rap over the past 20 years or so. the things that you need to know. what they were! What we’re talking about to worry and then get depressed. It was NEW And while I do understand some of I am far more helpful to myself, others here is not BELIEVING the facts as if the my emotional set-point for decades, and I Ythe excellent rea - and the world in general when I am happy facts have the final power. Instead we can experienced quite a bit of pain and loss for sons for this, I am and slightly out of the 24/7 bad news loop. look at them and say to those facts, “That many years. Add to that being a romantic bringing it back, I am more generous, kinder, more patient, has nothing to do with me! I have con - drama queen and you’ve got a formula for because honey, highly optimistic, much, much more sulted a Higher Authority, so begone be - victim thinking of epic proportions. ...with one of these we sure can use loving, and I also participate in the world fore someone drops a house on you!” Just It took some real spiritual maturity and wristbands! some good old- in more helpful ways through financial as the Course quote above points out, an ever on-going spiritual practice to un - fashioned denial contributions, volunteering and showing we’re not ACTUALLY ignoring the facts or derstand that only a happy teacher (and of if we ever plan to Jacob Glass up. But given enough dire facts, I close the hiding them but rather we are not living at course we are all teachers) is of any real stop judging according to appearances. blinds, turn on the TV, order the pizza and the effect of the worldly facts and we are use here. If I am unhappy, I am literally Our newest wristband presents a powerful thought from A Course in Miracles workbook lesson It was about 30 years ago that I read don’t leave the house for long stretches of invoking the power of Christ to correct teaching unhappiness. If I am worried, I 20, “I am determined to see.” In a vibrant teal color this band reminds us that we can find Ruth Gordon’s autobiography and in it she time. My own personal experience is that I and neutralize the facts. I deny the ulti - am literally teaching worry. If I beat the salvation in any situation if we are determined to join our minds with God. Right now we can said, “never face the facts” — because if do not have to feel bad in order to do mate power of the facts, invoke Divine drum of all the dire facts in the world, I am experience heaven because we are determined to see the truth in every person or situation. she had faced the “facts” about herself she good. Guilt and fear are 100% unnecessary Guidance and Power to correct my mind teaching that facts are more powerful Choose from the following wristbands... would never have become for me to move into action. I and then begin affirming a greater Truth. than miracles. Whatever I demonstrate, I • “I could see peace instead of this” in orange a great actress and play - am not pretending to know This is not about pretending that you am teaching. wright. She wasn’t conven - My own personal what is true for you, but this don’t have a drinking problem or ignoring The early metaphysicians were very em - • “God goes with me wherever I go” in hunter green tionally pretty, she is my own experience of the eviction notice or turning a blind eye phatic about this and did not waver from it • “I walk with God in perfect holiness” in royal blue Get Your sounded funny, she was “experience is that I being “truly helpful.” to the neighbor child who is clearly being in quite the same way that many of us • “I am the light of the world” in yellow, Wristbands Today very short and she didn’t do not have to feel abused. But as I always tell people, an modern miracle workers do. They taught • “I am as God created me” in a light blue, For Only have the right connections “True denial is a powerful angry, worried, hysterical savior is of no positive denial as one of the foundations • “I am sustained by the Love of God” in lime green bad in order to do protective device. You can $$ 0000 and all the other things use to anyone. It took me a long time to of the spiritual path. Many of us are too • “I rest in God” in purple 22 ea. that the world’s egoic good. Guilt and fear and should deny any belief really BELIEVE the Course when it says, quick to join with others in suffering as a or our newest band +S&H thought system tells us is are 100% unneces - that error can hurt you. This “true empathy does not mean to join with way to show compassion, and yet I can’t necessary in this life. She kind of denial is not a con - another in suffering.” It doesn’t even mean find any times where Jesus said, “Oh, poor • “I am determined to see” in teal simply chose to ignore it all sary for me to move cealment but a correction. to join with my own ego personality in suf - you, that must suck.” In fact, he was rather Your right mind depends on These are such wonderful reminders of the truth. We hope and go on with the busi - into action. fering. I can remain totally calm and tough on people at times and certainly you will order one or all eight and join in our awakening! it.” (T19) ness of living her dream. peaceful even while calling Child Protec - much of the tone of the Course can be Also, send us your favorite quotes from the Course. And let me tell you my fellow miracle tive Services, declaring bankruptcy, going pretty tough and strict about not allowing Of course Ruth didn’t literally mean we Yours might be next! workers, it is so much worse these days through chemotherapy — as long as I am our minds to go unguarded. should ne”ver face the facts. Obviously she because we are INUNDATED with facts and willing to question my ego thoughts and the vast majority of them are very bad “The disheartened are useless to them - Become a Holy Helper NOW and news indeed. In fact, scientific studies selves and to me, but only the ego can be have shown that you should be broke, disheartened. Have you really considered receive your choice of one wristband sick, homeless or dead by now. That’s just Available from the Center how many opportunities you have had to FREE along with a beautiful pin a fact. gladden yourself, and how many you have created just for our Holy Helpers ! Receive this beautiful I try to live as much of my life in denial The Crabby Angels Chronicles refused?” (T64) pin FREE with your by Jacob Glass monthly gift of $20 of stressful facts as I possibly can. Actually, As a Holy Helper , you make a monthly gift to MDC to A handy spiritual tool kit to soothe, uplift, guide, direct, and renew At the same time, I really try to never in - or more to the Center . I do my best to not even read or hear them guarantee that its many services are available to all those in you on your daily walk through a sometimes overwhelming world validate anyone’s feelings in the least be - because, for me, they tend to paralyze me need. Our monthly donors form the backbone of the Center’s support network. As a in which it is easy to lose connection with what really matters and cause feelings just are. But I am not afraid into total depression and inactivity. And Holy Helper you will become part of the circle of supporters who are ensuring the future what is really true. Note: contains adult language. at all to invalidate their stressful thoughts anything that is really important I find out of our work. We look forward to welcoming you as a Holy Helper of the Center. Paperback - 311 pages $22.95 + S&H. CA res, add sales tax if there is an opening for them to hear, the about because unless you have no radio, To Order timing is right and Holy Spirit gives me the no TV, no internet and don’t know another 1-800-359-ACIM (2246) or at miraclecenter.org Use the envelope provided to become a Holy Helper and request your free inner signal to do so. In fact, the majority wristband, or donate online: or by calling: Jacob Glass has been speaking on spirituality since 1987. He is the author of Invocations: Calling Forth the Light That Heals . He lectures weekly in Santa www.miraclecenter.org 1-800-359-ACIM (2246) . Barbara, San Diego and Palm Springs, CA. Continued on Page 9

6 THE HOLY ENCOUNTER May / June 2010 7 read one sentence from the Course’s text.

• Jesus promises that if we ask him to help •

• us during these times, he, as our elder •

• brother, will help. No matter how upset we

• Emotional Healing

• get, we can choose any of these actions.

• When the Mind Just Won’t Behave: Reboot • •••••••• by Richard Gayton, Ph.D. { So what will I do today when I roll out of bed? Choices, choices. I can go back to You have probably heard about them and maybe even read them, so we decided we needed to have one. rible. We can start thinking the behavior of getting my body worked on, go to the am lying in my hotel room bed in ever I got here, I did find a quiet mind and Yes, we now have a blog on our website. For those these people create our pain. Yet Jesus beach or work on the screenplay. Today Thailand doing nothing, having spent the peace of God flowed — for awhile. It is of you who don’t surf the web (is there anybody out there who teaches that we can stop blaming others it’ll be easy to choose peace — I just know two grueling days (three hours each said if you don’t want troublesome stray doesn’t?), we thought we would print the first entry from and transform these special relationships it! After all, what could possibly go wrong? the Center’s blog for you to read. Since this one was printed day) getting Thai critters around, don’t feed them. Boon - I into joyful, holy ones and turn T.V. watch - Oh, oh, Windows XP — or is it Word? — in March, there have been numerous additions. Some are about massage — the docks, one of my favorite cartoon shows, ing into peace, if we choose. Our minds has just locked up my keys and is making a news and happenings, others are about Course insights elbow into back, portrays two ghetto kids living with their into everyday or worldly situations. Either way, they are can be quiet while surfing the Internet. I dinging sound instead of typing letters. foot into calf, leg upscale grandpa in suburbia. Grandpa fun and inspirational. We invite you to read on know that sounds impossible, but that is There goes the error message. Do I want to stretching kind of brings home a 20 year-old beauty from and hopefully make our blog a visiting point on our website at: the miracle. report the error to Microsoft? No, but I can www.miraclecenter.org. See you in cyberspace! massage — and I the grocery store and the savvy, youngest Perhaps you know to choose again feel my back tightening up. Am I going to am very relaxed. grandson screams, “Grandpa don’t feed when you get upset, or even spot the ego lose the entire file? My body is totally her!” recognizing everything will change. when it starts to get suspicious, and you More importantly am I going to lose my at peace and also Dick Gayton Yes, it’s okay to be still, but not too long, have stopped blaming your wife for your peace? my mind. There is nothing I need, nothing oh and yes, now I remember, you were moods. Sometimes the mind will just not No, I’ll just reboot — my mind that is. “I can’t begin to tell you how important the I want to do, no back/elbow/ knee com - supposed to get your article for The Holy shut up and behave. I have difficulty turn - It’ll all be okay. “I should’ve got a Mac. plaints, and I have no plans. What a relief Encounter to Beverly. Did you remember study group recordings have been for me ing to peace when I take on big projects No, PCs are cheaper. But they get viruses.” — for about two minutes. Honestly, I to buy organic dog food before you left? — even creative ones such as working on Shhh! Where’s the massage lady’s achieved two full minutes of total inner Do you suppose lack of wanting to do any - over the last month.” a film project. Perhaps it is the large num - number? Ǣ That’s the sentiment of Joan in Mission Viejo, CA. She writes... peace before my mind weighed in with, thing is a depressive sign? and on and on. ber of “interactions” with people in the “Maybe something’s wrong Suddenly my thoughts Dear Beverly, projects. I forget to take time to return to because you don’t want to throw me into the “world,” nothingness and peace between interac - I can’t begin to tell you how important the study group recordings have do anything.” My mind that set of images Jesus The best special tions, and the tension mounts. After a day been for me over the last month. I have been a listener since June 2009. I would think this since it has “ calls illusions. of phone calls, paper work and perhaps a have a chronic disease and one of the principal symptoms is fatigue. I meant been running me around distracters from Usually the ego’s first ap - conflict or two, a psychic storehouse of for the past few months peace can be pearance in our mind is a to attend the conference last year, although I didn’t sign up for it because I illusion builds in my mind, and my with lots of plans and tasks suspicious watchfulness never know how much I will be able to do. And sure enough, the Saturday of husbands, wives, thoughts are sped up so I hardly know Never Face Facts and the worries that go that comes unaware unless Continued from Page 7 the conference I had the beginning of a five day period where I could do vir - what I’m thinking. My body tenses up so with them. I came to Thai - children, mothers, we are skilled in spiritual tually nothing. It is during times like these that I really appreciate the record - that a few minutes of focusing on peace at of my work with myself is in invalidating land to devote time to practice. However, we will fathers, lovers the end of the day are not enough to truly MOST of my thoughts, since so many of ings. I have them all in a drawer in my nightstand, so even though I couldn’t peace and joy, and during readily know this imaginary and friends who are relax. Most spiritual paths suggest turning them are merely echoes of the ego’s focus on a lesson or read the book, I was able to hear the Course every day the last few days I have had identity by the negative to God at least three times a day in prayer stressful limited belief system. Life within through the†recordings. the knots and tensions of alternately loving feelings it produces: uneasi - or meditation, and that is certainly a ne - the illusion is too often heartbreaking and my body removed by a ness, fear or anger. The trick and disappointing, cessity for me to stay reasonably sane terrifying to allow my mind to just believe wonderful, matronly Thai is to seek a return to peace We are honored to have you listening, Joan. These recordings have when I’m actively creating. I also need pe - everything I see, think or hear. woman. She smiles the wonderful and as soon as we notice these been so valuable to people who cannot attend study group meetings riodic “retreats” from the world in the form So yes, I DO in fact face the facts on a most glorious smile, speaks feelings emerge, rather than but still want the connection and support of A Course in Miracles . Each terrible. of conversations or meetings with friends daily basis, but I am now much more picky not a word of English, but turn to the world to distract who share my spiritual path, or even days about the ones I choose to believe in and week MDC’s founder, Beverly Hutchinson (a Course student for 33 years), chats cheerily with the other ladies while us. Ego thinking would have us look out - away from normal distractions. focus on. It is a daily discipline now for me brings clarity and practical wisdom to the Course. These recordings have they beat the tension out of us Westerners side ourse”lves and away from it to the Sometimes we can’t run off for a to put my faith in remembering that only helped thousands apply the transformative power of the Course to their who all have a lot of important things to endless world of mind stimulants and “retreat” in Thailand or find friends to what is loving is true. Some days it is defi - do. numbing agents: drugs, alcohol, sex, com - daily lives. Won’t you join us today? remind us of God. We can always stop in nitely easier than others, but I can tell you When I give time for nothingness, my puters, Internet, television, or to special re - the moment and think of God or peace or for sure that once you get a real momen - Receive a When ordering monthly, each weekly meeting on ego disappears since it requires something lationships — other people. The best love, name whatever we think is upsetting tum going you can change your mental CD is $6.50 (including postage) or $5.00 on mp3! to be “going on” in my mind to even exist. special distracters from peace can be hus - FREE We can charge your credit card, or debit your checking us and give it to God. We can whisper a and emotional set-points until happiness CD or mp3 It took leaving my country (my world of bands, wives, children, mothers, fathers, account, automatically once a month. silent request to see the situation differ - and joy become an easy way to join with of our meetings! thought) for a few weeks and the help of lovers and friends who are alternately lov - ently. We can read a workbook lesson or Jesus instead of trying to drag him down If you would like to order call or go online: others to achieve nothingness. Yet how - ing and disappointing, wonderful and ter - Call 1-800-359-ACIM into our nightmare. And every day I re - (2246) 1-800-359-ACIM(2246) or Dick Gayton is a psychologist and writer. His new novel, The Mind Travelers (which is now a short film) , and his self help book The Forgiving Place: Choosing Peace After Violent Trauma mind myself, “to heal is to make happy.” Limited time offer and are available through the Center. You can contact him at [email protected] Ǣ [email protected]

8 THE HOLY ENCOUNTER May / June 2010 9 •

•

• Comments • Continued from Page 3

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• SThihs coalumrn sehar es athe evMerydaiy “rmiaraccles”l oer, as A Course in Miracles says, the “shifts in our perception” that are constantly • When we develop the state of mind that • taking place in our lives to remind us of our unity and love. We invite readers to share their “miracles” with us. It’s a Win - Win!

•

• the treasure of God is what we are, worry Receive income for life.

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• Another Day, Another Chance disappears, thinking about the past disap - The Center’s charitable gift annuity “You might worry that today’s generosity could • •••••••• by Samantha Keith { pears, and concerns about the future is an ideal way to give and to jeopardize your plans for a comfortable retire - disappear. Is it not possible that God is the receive. With your charitable ment. A charitable gift annuity lets you live well treasure that is beyond words, and we are donation of $10,000 or more, you and give back at the same time.” f you are like me, you have days when, ages us to do what we know is best for sist on driving to work before doing my here to reflect everything that God is? will receive a high, fixed rate of - Kiplinger.com despite your best efforts, you don’t us. lesson, then I can do my lesson after I Oh, I wish I would remember this every return for the rest of your life. And “More and more people are discovering these arrive. Sometimes we have to practice start your day with your daily dose of • Give yourself a reward for maintaining second that I am here. Diane and I con - best of all, payments to you are products as a neat solution to both their charitable our lessons in creative ways! AI Course in Mira - your consistency. Pick something that tinue to struggle being “works-in-progress” unaffected by economic downturns. intentions and their desire to create more reliable income in retirement.” cles . The most im - works for you personally. It could be as It’s never too late to try again. So, if you like everyone else. But we are happy to • Sample age Yearly Rate - The Wall Street Journal portant thing you simple as rewarding yourself with your have forgotten in the busyness of life to report that the ego’s vise is loosening its can do for your - morning beverage of choice AFTER you do your lesson that morning, MDC’s grip and we continue to feel more free. 60 5.0% “Charitable gift annuities are gaining favor with self in this case, of start your day with God. Prayer Ministry (with a daily prayer time When we actually know that the treas - 70 5.7% retirement savers looking to blend their passions with pension-like financial security. Depending on course, is to let it of 4:30pm PST) is a wonderful way to ure of God’s Love is within us all the time, • Remind yourself that the morning time 80 7.1% your situation, they can offer attractive income go and make an - join with others around the world. The we find it much easier not to take our - investment can save time spent in frus - 90+ 9.5% and some nice tax breaks, even as they help other choice in prayer thought changes monthly and selves so seriously. We laugh a lot more, favored causes.” Samantha Keith tration during the day. I know from my - The Chicago Tribune the present mo - you can find the current one by going and when we find worry entering into our Or defer payment for a higher annuity rate: personal experience doing my daily les - ment to spend quality time with God and to www.miraclecenter.org. But, whether minds, we remind ourselves that worry is son can help me move quickly past Age now Rate at 65 your daily workbook lesson. We get to or not you have the prayer thought, an ego thought and not a thought that those pesky judgmental thoughts and 50 9.8% choose again and reap the benefits of you can always join your mind with God puts into our minds. those moments spent in peace with God. feelings when some challenge presents Your charitable God. I laugh at myself on this warm sunny N5e5w 8.0% is eligible for itself during my day. day as I wear my rainbow sweater and at - donation There are other days Starting my day with my These are just a few ideas that have Our gift annuities give us the fund - certain tax benefits and a portion when, admittedly, you tempt a first draft of this article with the ing needed to continue our out - of your annuity payments may be I know from my workbook lesson can helped me. To be effective, it helps to think hope that by wearing my rainbow sweater, don’t put forth your best ef - mean the difference of ideas that speak to you and your spe - reach on behalf of A Course in tax-free. In addition, you will fort to spend quality time “personal experience I will become more inspired and inspira - Miracles . Please consider joining receive a lifetime subscription to between getting stuck in cific reasons for resistance. Of course, none tional. with God. We resist doing doing my daily the ego and letting go of us is perfect and things in life will pre - and becoming a part of our Legacy THE HOLY ENCOUNTER and free admis - our lessons for a multitude On the days I wear my rainbow sweater, Community. sion to any of the Center’s events. lesson can help me and having a better day. vent us from spending this quality time I find that people will often remark about of excuses that maybe we every day. Be kind and gentle to yourself, Minimum amount to establish an annuity: $10,000.00. Minimum amount for California • Be creative. If you find that what a lovely rainbow sweater I’m wear - residents: $20,000.00. For more information, please complete the form below. believe and maybe we move quickly past trust your path and just keep doing your don’t. Either way, we can there are specific ing. I like responding, “Look again; It is not best. The fruits of your labor will be very + S&H. CA res, add sales tax those pesky excuses that cause you to just that my sweater is a rainbow sweater choose to look back and apparent in your life in the level of peace, The Center’s Gift Annuity Coupon judge ourselves or look to judgmental resist starting your day but that I AM THE RAINBOW; THE TREAS - Name ______joy and love in your life. URE AT THE END OF RAINBOW IS WITHIN the present moment and with God, then it is benefi - Ǣ thoughts... ME. WE ARE BOTH THE RAINBOW AND THE Address ______choose again. Sometimes cial to come up with cre - TREASURE JOINED AS ONE.” the hardest thing we can do ative ideas based on your City/State/Zip ______How can anyone look at a rainbow and is to push through our resistance and do current lifestyle to Use Your Will Power! Date of Birth ______You can extend your support for not smile. How can you not smile when our lesson. This is a gift to us and to the suppor”t you in doing your daily lessons A Course in Miracles into the next you KNOW you are the rainbow. We do not Telephone______E-mail ______world. consistently. Miracle Distribution Cen - generation by remembering Miracle think of the past or future when we look at I’m considering donating $ ______to establish my annuity. How can we help ourselves move ter (MDC) has a multitude of products Distribution Center in your will. Our a rainbow, we enjoy the rainbow without through our resistance to start our day that have helped me during some Mail to: MDC, 3947 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim, CA 92807 Development staff stands ready to analyzing it as our egos would stimulate with God? rather chaotic times in my life. For ex - or email to: [email protected] advise you on all forms of planned us to do. Rainbows keep us in the present ample, I keep the perpetual flip calen - giving including wills, insurance, gift and open the gate for our hearts to flow • Remember a day that you didn’t start dar near my toothbrush so that if I annuities and charitable trusts. out with love, joy and zest that is beyond your day with your quiet time with God oversleep I can at least multitask and belief. and the day turned out to be less than get a shot of the Course while I brush Contact us at You can now follow us on Recognizing the treasure that God is to your liking. This sometimes can be a my teeth that morning. Another trick is 1-800-359-2246 or at Sign up with twitter.com to receive our “tweets” and learn immediately of and the treasure of God’s Love that is good motivator; i.e. Avoiding the pain to keep my smaller version of my articles and audio files we’ve placed online, new books in our bookstore, [email protected] within us allows us to experience the real inspirational thoughts and other news of the Course community. of what we don’t want often encour - Course textbook in my car so that if I in - world where there are no illusions and our We've also established a page on Facebook. Become a "fan" of the Center Samantha Keith has been studying A Course in Miracles for ten years. MDC has been instrumental in her education of the Course since her move to hearts are filled only with God’s Love and by visiting the page and then join in the discussion. California. Whenever she can, she volunteers with MDC’s prayer ministry and Study Group Listings. Do you have a lesson that you find worth repeat - with Peace, Joy and Light. ing? She would love to hear from you at [email protected]! Ǣ To sign up, just go to our home page at www.miraclecenter.org

10 THE HOLY ENCOUNTER May / June 2010 11 serving as Mayor of Oakland. me their corrections. So Harry had to start learning who he was, laws of violence and death.” (T512) This is ing is so near. Let us not get distracted by Treasure Hunting It is unconventional in politics to go Our denial of the world will not make make mistakes and keep trying. where many of us feel we are now. We the world that seems so overwhelming Continued from Page 1 “backward” (from governor to mayor,) but the world go away or prove to anyone If you saw the first Harry Potter movie, have forgotten that we are God’s treasure. when we are promised that our salvation Brown does not see it that way. “All great how spiritual we are by separating our - you will remember that he had to take a We have forgotten that this world cannot is at hand. It is time for us to arise in glory else.” (T148) religious traditions focus on the dangers selves from all those deluded ones who train to Hogwart’s (the wizard school) and diminish us or frighten us if we allow the and accept our Father’s opinion of us...that The Course tells us that God wants only of vanity and pride and ego, and that’s the are cherishing the world. The only thing the train left from track “9-3/4’s.” It was not Holy Spirit to reinterpret the world to His we ARE His treasure and He wants nothing us because nothing in this world holds any continuous struggle, particularly in public that will undo the illusion is our focus on track 9 or 10, it was a track between the purpose: a teaching device for bringing us else. This awareness in our minds may value. We are His only treasure. In truth, it’s life where there’s so much adulation and the truth ... the love of God within us, the two. We watched as all the other Hogwart home. seem to change nothing in this world, but the same for us. Nothing in this world attention. It is crucial that a person see treasure that we ALL are. students walked into a place between the Let our intention be to focus on the it will change us. And as our focus begins holds any value and does not provide us through the emptiness of many of the The path between denial of the world two tracks and disappeared. Harry tried to treasure of God within us all. Let us not to change, from illusions to truth from fear with the purpose we are thoughts and statements and cherishing the world, as the above walk into that place over and over again to focus on the hurts and hates we may want to love, the world will change. seeking. This does not that people are given to.” passage suggests, is new to us and will no avail, but he didn’t give up. Even to dwell on when the promise of our heal - Ǣ mean we stop participat - When announcing his take practice. That is why the Course’s though this was something he had never ing in the world. It means The only thing that candidacy, Brown said he workbook lessons are so helpful in provid - done before and was not having much that we participate in a “will undo the illusion was best suited to be gover - ing us with that daily practice, but we also success at, he kept trying until he made it. “new” way. As lesson 155 in is our focus on the nor because he is someone just have to begin. We can’t wait until the Once he made it, it became the most natu - the Course’s workbook “with insider’s knowledge, kids go off to college or until we retire so ral thing in the world to him. This Sometimes only one. But we find that we truth...the love of but an outsider’s mind.” we have more time for our spiritual metaphor echoes what the Course tells us So Simple stop and still our minds several times a says... Continued from Page 1 “The world is an illusion. God within us, the No matter what side of the development. If we hope to find our when it says, “It is quite possible to reach day, not on any schedule, but whenever Those who choose to come political aisle you are on, this purpose and live a life of fulfillment, we God. In fact it is very easy, because it is the both, when the questions and comments we sense that we are getting caught up in to it are seeking for a place treasure that we approach will be an interest - must start right now. Walt Disney once most natural thing in the world. You might started coming. something trivial. where they can be illusions, ALL are. ing one to watch. I am not said, “The way to get started is to quit even say it is the only natural thing in the The remarks were all over the place, In our opinion, it is not how many ways and avoid their own reality. endorsing any particular talking and begin doing.” world. The way will open if you believe comparing our philosophy to past speak - you have of stating the truth but how that it is possible.” (Lesson 41) Yet when they find their own reality is even candidate but simply bringing to light that My son, Jeffrey, has been reading the ers’ beliefs, questioning that we had made committed you are to carrying it out mo - here, then they step back and let it lead the in one of ”the most ego-embedded arenas Harry Potter books, and I am reminded of It is possible to walk a path of faith in a certain basic assumptions, disagreeing ment by moment that determines way. What other choice is really theirs to around, these thoughts are being how Harry, while he was growing up, was world of illusions. It is possible to see the with how we had worded certain points, progress. Many people get caught up in make? To let illusions walk ahead of truth is expressed and someone is attempting to never made aware of his true wizard na - valuelessness of the world without deny - and all-in-all rejecting anything we had looking for better statements of truth ing your experience of it. But, it does re - madness. But to let illusion sink behind the approach politics from another way. ture. When he finally finds out who he is, said with certainty. One person said, “You rather than practicing what they already quire practice and intentionality. We can’t truth and let the truth stand forth as what it It can be done. We can approach life he has to catch up to the other students aren’t very dynamic. We’ve heard all of this know. get discouraged when the world doesn’t is, is merely sanity.” from a spiritual perspective without it who had always known they were wizards. before.” Although he did And we all know enough. support our walk because the world We can still participate in this world that being called nai ve or airy-fairy. I believe add that the demonstra - We know enough to get us wasn’t made to support our truth, but that is truly not our home and thereby be the that the Course has some very wise coun - tion with the couple was through today. Whether it’s doesn’t mean that the world can’t be used However, what this treasure that God would have us be. This is sel for doing this, as we read in lesson 155: “interesting.” the Sermon on the Mount, to help us awaken. The Course reminds us “long-standing and how we become the sanity in a world of “If truth demanded they [we who walk this New Online Naturally, each of us has the Golden Rule, the Twelve that love does not condemn the illusions insanity; this is how we bring purpose to a world] give up the world, it would appear to our own individual apparently sated Steps, or simply the desire to purposeless world. them as if it asked the sacrifice of something AHCaInMdy R eTfereenxcet Now Available of the world that we value, respecting be kind to those we en - what we have made, but shows us how process, and Gayle’s and group was challeng - I recently heard an interview on NPR that is real. Many have chosen to renounce mine clearly is not a good counter and think of, any of with the Attorney General of California, the world while still believing its reality. And they can be used lovingly to help awaken ing was not the those approaches, plus thou - us from our illusions. fit for many people. How - Jerry Brown, which echoed these ideas. they have suffered from a sense of loss, and ever, what this long-stand - merit of our answers sands of others that are sim - Brown is currently seeking the office of have not been released accordingly. Others My friend Jerry Jampolsky once shared ple, familiar, and much-used, a story about a meeting he had with ing and apparently sated but the fact that we Governor of California. Brown already have chosen nothing but the world, and they group was challenging are sufficient. served as Governor of California from have suffered from a sense of loss still Mother Teresa. He admitted to her how he had answers. Gayle and I are students of wanted to remember God every moment was not the merit of our 1975-1983, had an unsuccessful run for deeper, which they did not understand. answers but the fact that A Course in Miracles , and here the U.S. Senate and ran for President three Between these paths there is another road of the day and practice a more forgiving too, if just one truth were pulled from that and patient behavior, but he kept forget - we had answers. times. After his senate run, he traveled to that leads away from loss of every kind, for With a few exceptions, the individual scripture” and sincerely lived by anyone, all Japan to study Zen Buddhism. When sacrifice and deprivation both are quickly ting and falling back into old habits. possible spiritual blessings would flow Mother Teresa lovingly told him that it was members had convinced themselves that asked what he learned from Buddhism left behind. This is the way appointed for you Do you ever find yourself on the road it’s better to seek than to find. They were their way. Why? Because Truth is One. Any now.” his intentionality that was important, not that might help him in his current run for without your Course book? Would you offended that we had settled on a way part of Truth contains it all. governor he said, “Illusions are endless and his acts. If his heart had the intention of Renouncing this world as an illusion like to be reminded of your daily lesson that was best for us. If your purpose is to The following is one way of stating the our job as human beings is to cut them peace and healing, he would succeed. and saying that we should not participate or find a particular passage? If so, our “seek the truth,” finding the truth pulls the ideas that Gayle and I try to live by: down.” in it, is a useless form of denial. I am always The Course tells us that the Holy Spirit new online Course will be helpful. You meaning of your life out from under you. 1. Keep it simple. amazed when I get emails from well sees only one purpose for the world and After a very public gubernatorial youth can browse through the entire Course The beliefs that Gayle and I try to live by in which he dated singer Linda Ronstadt meaning Course students who tell me I am that is our healing. When we believe that 2. Don’t make things worse. and even search for selected passages. are quite simple. We have noticed, in fact, and was dubbed “Governor Moonbeam,” too focused on the world and don’t I the world can fulfill us and bring us the 3. Ask for help often. that they become simpler the longer we Brown has been quietly serving the state Just go to our website at happiness and treasures we seek, we get 4. Having asked, trust that the One who is understand that the world is an illusion, as work at practicing them. Our prayers now of California by returning to politics and they use their illusory computers to send www.miraclecenter.org lost in the world, and misuse it. The world then owns us and we “will not escape its are often only two or three words long. Continued on Page 15

12 THE HOLY ENCOUNTER May / June 2010 13 Don’t forget to request your free, full- 10. Stay in the present. God’s presence can

• color bookmark which lists all the only be entered into now.

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• What’s Happening thoughts in the prayer ministry for

• Available from Continued from Page 2 11. Act from strength and certainty. As you • Share a Miracle 2010. • This column shares the everyday “miracles” or, as A Course in Miracles says, the have been promised, you will awaken from

• 9th, 2011. Plan to join us at the beau - Affirmations for:

• “shifts in our perception” that are constantly taking place in our lives to remind the Center hell into heaven.

• tiful Crowne Plaza Hotel as we explore May: I will step back and let Him lead • us of our unity and love. We invite readers to share their “miracles” with us. 12. Heal everyone and every thing. Heal • A Course in Miracles in this intensive the way. (L155) • Memories of the world. Salvation depends on you. All • seminar consisting of lectures, guided June: God’s peace and joy are mine.

• Healing the Past in the Present of God’s angels lovingly sustain you in this • experiences and music. More details (L105) • •••••••• by Helen Bonner { Helen and Bill God-given assignment. will be provided in future issues. July: You peace is with me, Father. I am Ǣ Sit quietly and ask yourself what you be - {“Trust would settle every problem safe. (L245) lieve. Do you want to be a better person now,” says A Course in Miracles , but Course in Miracles says miracles bastard.” But here he was. Though he today than you were yesterday? Then that how do we get to the point where we happen naturally as expressions of looked ill, he had driven three hours from is enough. Do you notice that you are are willing to trust? That is where love. When they do not occur, the San Francisco bay area, where he’d happier when you are kind rather than prayer comes in. Taking time to pray, something has spent his life as a physicist in a radiation So Simple controlling? Then that is enough. Do you A to simply quiet our minds allows us to Continued from Page 13 gone wrong. I can lab. Kathy was the first to speak. “What experience the power of God, for the find that the harsh circumstances of the attest to that brought you here after all these years?” with you is now helping you. world soften a little when you meditate? truth. Fifty years “I was lonely,” he said, with dignified “memory of God comes to the quiet 5. Don’t be arrogant and think that you Then that is enough. after something simplicity. The three of us stood silent, mind.” When we take those quiet mo - can’t learn or do what God wills. Anything that comes up today, any - went wrong with tears streaming down our faces. Some - ments during the day to have faith that God can and will settle every 6. God’s will is already your will. You al - thing at all, cannot block you completely my marriage, thing in my heart opened. Was this what from having some degree of peace. Be still here’s what hap - the Course calls a Holy Instant? This man I problem now, we call upon the power ready want to be as happy as God wants Helen Bonner of the universe, the power of love to you to be. a moment and you will feel it. God is pened to me. remembered as closed off, expressing no peace. God embraces you in peace. God I was enjoying my high school reunion, feelings except anger, was now admitting A 2-Disc DVD set that focuses work miracles in our lives. We invite 7. Trust that each individual is God’s cho - you to practice this awareness with us guides you through peace. The hand of our fiftieth, in the small town of Placerville. his vulnerability, his need. His wife had re - sen home. on lives of the scribes of everyday at 4:30pm as we join with all peace is on your forehead. Feel it now. Once a year we see one another not as old cently died after years of Alzheimer’s. “Her A Course in Miracles, Dr. Helen in our prayer ministry to remember 8. Forgive anything you see in another that Then hear peace speak to you these gentle folks, but as the beautiful, flirtatious, hope - brain wouldn’t tell her feet what to do,” so the power of love to transform our God did not make. words: “Nothing is lost and no one is far ful kids we once were. Age he carried her from room to Schucman and Dr. William lives and this world. If you have a 9. Forgive yourself. The desire to remain away, for I am with you always.” becomes an illusion. But at room in their lonely house. Thetford. prayer request, please send it to MDC. guilty comes from your ego. Ǣ this reunion, a thin, un - I was enjoying my From the look of him, I In this three-hour celebration happy-looking old man ar - “high school reunion, thought it must have taken of the 25th anniversary of the rived whom none of us the last of his strength. He Course’s publication, held in recognized, or even cared our fiftieth, in the had paid his dues. to approach, as he looked small town of We talked for hours, but Anaheim, California in 2001 at so dismal. My sister-in-law, Placerville. Once a when I suggested we get to - Miracle Distribution Center’s Kathy, brought him to me, gether with our sons, he fled Annual Conference, Dr. Kenneth holding him by one skinny year we see one like a man faced with the Wapnick and Judith Skutch arm as if he were about to another not as old Last Judgment, or at least a Whitson share their experiences run away. “Do you know long delayed demand for who this is?” folks, but as the child support. It would take with and recollections of Dr.’s No, I didn’t. I saw only beautiful, flirtatious, many more miracles to heal Schucman and Thetford. the wrinkled face, the large hopeful kids we our family, and this fright - Augmented by more than a nose, the bad teeth. But ened man, soon to be diag - hundred photos, this DVD set then I looked into his eyes. once were. nosed with leukemia, had gives an intimate view of the “Jimmy!” I threw my arms only a few months to live. lives of the two people around his skinny body. He looked The Course says the past can be healed shocked. I was too. I did not know why I in the pres”ent. If we have even a little will - responsible for bringing the had thrown my arms around this man who ingness to bring forgiveness to a situation, Course to the world. had nothing to do with me for decades. the Holy Spirit will enter in the form of Two DVD’s We had married right out of high school love. What peace that brought to me and + S&H. CA res, a$dd 3sale0s t.ax00 and bitterly divorced after six years of to Jim, who died surrounded by his family. quarreling. Our two sons, now grown, had To Order long ago written him off as a “cranky old Ǣ 1-800-359-ACIM (2246) or at Dr. Bonner is the author of First Love Las and can be reached at [email protected]. Her miraclecenter.org website is hbonnerbooks.com.

14 May / June 2010 15 In this issue of The Holy Encounter. . .

• Beverly Hutchinson McNeff takes us “Treasure Hunting” • Hugh Prather says it’s, “So Simple It’s Insulting” • Jerry Jampolsky and Diane Cirincione comment on “The Treasure of God” • Jacob Glass suggests that we “Never Face Facts” • Lee Jampolsky helps us create meaning and purpose in our work • Dick Gayton recommends that we “reboot” our minds • And so much more!

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An International Conference on A Course in Miracles

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