Miracle Studies Australia http://www.miracle-studies.net A resource for students of A Course In Miracles Sun, 29 Jun 2008 00:36:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 en http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ The World as a Place of Freedom http://www.miracle-studies.net/musings/the-world-as-a-place-of-freedom/ http://www.miracle-studies.net/musings/the-world-as-a-place-of-freedom/#comments Sun, 29 Jun 2008 00:35:08 +0000 Linda http://www.miracle-studies.net/?p=252 In Workbook Lesson 57 there is a  review of the lesson: There is another way of looking at the world, Jesus teaches that insofar as we are presently seeing the world upside down, if we are seeing the world as a prison for God’s Son, then it must be a place where he can be set free.

In the review of the lesson that directly follows: I could see peace instead of this, Jesus states:

“When I see the world as a place of freedom, I realize that it reflects the laws of God instead of the rules I made for it to obey. I will understand that peace , not war, abides in it. And I will perceive that peace also abides in the hearts of all who share this place with me.” (W.57:4)

What extraordinary statements! The question then becomes: how am I seeing the world? The way I see the world reflects what I am choosing to believe and therefore choosing to make real for myself. Contemplate this- seeing the world as a place of freedom. The heaviness and darkness implied in both our superficially accepted  and deeply ingrained assumptions are the opposite of what Jesus would have us learn and teach. 

Beware the temptation to harbor thoughts such as these: the world is a rat race, all politicians or policeman or used car salesmen are corrupt, damning thoughts about the United States or Arab nations and their figureheads, judgements about any minority group, drug addicts, heads of corporations, rich people, people on welfare etc.  You get the general idea. Any thought that suggests that the world is something other than a place in which the Son of God has another opportunity to choose whose voice he will listen to about His true nature, is a limiting and therefore damning thought. Unquestioned, thougths such as these foster the underlying assumption that error is very real and therefore has real and heavy effects. This is not the joyfulness and peace of the miracle- minded. In fact when we feel this darkness and heaviness, however mildly or apparently justifiably, we know that we are the ones in need of a miracle!

Beware also of the temptation to use even apparently spiritual ideas to damn. I have heard people use the idea of the world being an illusion to support the overall attitude that it is therefore really “shitty” and dark here.  Any hint of impatience, disgust, weariness, resignation and belief in the reality of corruption and victim/victimizer are signs that we are looking from the point of human judgement, even if we seem to be seeing from a higher moral or spiritual perspective. All that is egoic and that partakes in the selfishness, cruelty and destructiveness of the egoic is not the truth and is the very veil that hides the face of Christ’s true nature. That veil, Jesus teaches us, is inherently neutral and ultimately nothing. 

To see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil is in fact the Course way. We as mere mortals cannot attain that way of Being and in fact we as the very idea of mortality represent the  obstruction to that way of Being. The way out is clear. Release all that you think you know and all beliefs and concepts about who you think you are, others are and what the purpose of the world is.  Release and allow for a state of mind that looks past of all appearances. Releasing and finding the place of peace within ourselves is the only way we can recognize that that peace must abide in what appears to be “other”. We all abide in the peace of God, whether we realize it or not. As we enter into this more deeply the words of Jesus ring more and more distinctly with the clarity of truth:

“Now is the question different. It is no longer, “ Can peace be possible in this world? but instead, “ Is it not impossible that peace be absent here?” (M.11.4:11-12)

 

]]> http://www.miracle-studies.net/musings/the-world-as-a-place-of-freedom/feed/ http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ Do I stay or go? Decisions in the “world” http://www.miracle-studies.net/questions-and-answers/do-i-stay-or-go-decisions-in-the-world/ http://www.miracle-studies.net/questions-and-answers/do-i-stay-or-go-decisions-in-the-world/#comments Mon, 23 Jun 2008 08:42:22 +0000 miracles http://www.miracle-studies.net/?p=251  How does the course apply to making decisions in the world? ie;do I stay or do I go etc. My partner recently had an affair and used the year afterwards for the practice of forgiveness on all levels, not wanting to make that illusion more real than say the stubbing of a toe. I did this because I felt I wanted to ‘experience’ the real world and not just have the course be conceptual for me. Anyway, Im concerned that I may sometimes choose forgiveness out of fear of change. How can I really know when I’m doing this? Is there a right decision as opposed to an incorrect one? I dont want to fail at practicing the Course to its upmost but am concerned I stay in situations evern after perhaps it is time to go feeling that I ’should’ be able to stay and to see this differently and also believe that it wouldnt be happening if I could change me mind… am I taking too much responsibility, is there such a thing. I mean, the course says there is no world and so Ive made it up. I dont want to run from my own illusions because I know Ill just recreate them yet I dont want to use the ideas of the course out of fear of change. Im really at a crossroads, in an unhappy relationship and staying for the children, for security and the belief that I can somehow fix this if I keep practicing the forgiveness (some 12 years on). I feeling somewhat unclear as to my own guidance and perhaps simply not trusting it .  So any help from the Holy Spirit through you would be much appreciated. Thank you!

You have asked a number of very important questions. The Course is not concerned with the comings and goings that belong to the behavioral level. Our only responsibility is to release all that is not peaceful in our mind, whatever it is that we are doing at the time. So to directly answer one of your questions: the decision to release judgment and condemnation of any kind is the right decision. The decision to listen to the voice of fear, or the ego is the wrong decision. It has nothing whatsoever to do with what we do in worldly sense. How we do things or more specifically who we do things with and who we think with is the heart of the matter.

You used the word “should”. Whenever that feeling comes up you can be guaranteed it is the egoic voice. The fact that your doubts have been recurring over quite a lengthy period strongly suggests to me that there is something else for you to be looking at. You mentioned more than once a fear of change. It sounds like this might be the very thing you need to be honestly looking at with the forgiving presence of Holy Spirit or Jesus as your Guide. It might well be that it is time for you to move on from a situation that is no longer serving you. In this context it would be helpful to review question 3 “What are the Levels of Teaching?” in the Teacher’s Manual. From a reading of this section it is clear that some relationships are not destined to last a lifetime in a form sense.

There is absolutely nothing in the Course that would suggest you stay in an unhelpful or dysfunctional situation and forgive, forgive, forgive as if that will make it all better. Yes, as Course students we are called upon to forgive all people, situations and events as a way of transcending our belief in limitations entirely. But that refers to a state of Mind, not to what we are doing or not doing.

You are right in suggesting you are taking on too much responsibility in assuming you can change the outcome of things by forgiving. The part of us that has made this entire drama is most definitely not the little tiny self that appears to be on the stage of the world. The sleeping Son of God is the one that has made this apparent reality, not the little you you think you are. Each of our tiny little selves is simply a fragment of that dream and as these little tiny selves we have very little chance of affecting the outcome of anything! To come back to the all-important point: our only responsibility is to release judgment and to forgive ourselves for identifying with a self we are not. The peace of God is our goal, not any worldly outcome. Forgiveness is certainly not to be used as a tool or device via which we hope to affect a change in a person or situation. Yes, things do often change when the love and acceptance behind judgment is able to flow freely after fear and condemnation is released. But they may not. Remember, Jesus was crucified even though He emanated complete forgiveness!

Our very lives are the curriculum or the backdrop in which to apply Course teachings. If in all honesty, it feels it is time for you to move on, then that will be the very circumstance in which to practice forgiveness and coming back to stillness in God. The same will be the case if you decide to stay. Giving ourselves over to Spirit in a spirit of trust is an absolutely essential part of the very practice. In all things rely upon your little willingness joined to the strength of God, Holy Spirit and Jesus. That fundamentally is the Way for all Course students. 

]]> http://www.miracle-studies.net/questions-and-answers/do-i-stay-or-go-decisions-in-the-world/feed/ http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ FACIM on YouTube http://www.miracle-studies.net/events/facim-on-youtube/ http://www.miracle-studies.net/events/facim-on-youtube/#comments Tue, 17 Jun 2008 01:03:10 +0000 miracles http://www.miracle-studies.net/?p=250 Just found a channel for the Foundation for A Course in Miracles (FACIM) on YouTube. The site currently has excerpts from Ken and Gloria Wapnick’s workshop on The Real World. Hopefully it is an authorised site and there will be more postings. A good intro to Ken’s teaching style.

Check it out: FACIM on YouTube

I have also added it to our links page: http://www.miracle-studies.net/links/

]]> http://www.miracle-studies.net/events/facim-on-youtube/feed/ http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ Lady in the Water http://www.miracle-studies.net/film/lady-in-the-water/ http://www.miracle-studies.net/film/lady-in-the-water/#comments Sun, 11 May 2008 23:51:03 +0000 miracles http://www.miracle-studies.net/?p=249 A bedtime tale from the director/writer who gave us “The Sixth Sense”. A rather special bedtime story in that he actually made it up, telling it to his children. A quirky little movie, not quite horror but a bit of suspense. It develops quite an inclusive feeling as you watch and become more involved. Canned by the critics for not being another “Sixth Sense”, a missed opportunity for those who listened to them.

Of course no film will directly represent Course principles. They can however reflect them or aspirations towards them. This is a story that touches on many themes familiar with a student of the Course. Once such theme being faith or the willingness to believe in what, by all “rational” thinking would be ludicrous. This is also a story of purpose, or more specifically, finding your purpose. Everyone has a purpose! A story of healing and letting go of the past rather than being consumed by it. A story of redemption, for all involved. Really quite nice.

 

 

]]> http://www.miracle-studies.net/film/lady-in-the-water/feed/ http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ Miracle Principle #7 http://www.miracle-studies.net/questions-and-answers/miracle-principle-7/ http://www.miracle-studies.net/questions-and-answers/miracle-principle-7/#comments Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:21:29 +0000 miracles http://www.miracle-studies.net/?p=248

Miracle Principal no.7 that says purification is necessary first.
What does he mean by purification?

Perhaps the first thing to remember is that the Course is a course in mind training. What you do or do not do behaviourally flows directly from whatever your intent or purpose is at the time.

Often, students in their early time with the Course, will immediately latch on to words and phrases that have a familiar, though invariably egoic, ring to them. There are no actions that are of themselves correct. Everything, with no exceptions, is of the mind, and thus stems from purpose.

The second thing to remember is that the Course is, in the main, descriptive, nor prescriptive. Yes it does give you clear direction in certain areas but on the whole it describes either the way the ego plays out, or the way the Son of God plays out.

The 50 miracle principles are just that, principles. They are not directions or commandments to interpret as “I need to do this” or “I need to act like this.” The simply provide statements of fact, descriptions of how Truth is revealed.

The purification Jesus is speaking of in this principle is that of the mind. In a sense it is a restatement of the introduction where he tells us that this is not a course about teaching the meaning of Love, but aims “…at removing the blocks to the awareness of love’s presence…”

In other words the purification of which he speaks is the work he asks us to do with him in allowing the blocks to our awareness of Love to rise and be let go of.

The purification is what naturally happens as you do your part. It is not some conscious cleaning out or imposed regimen of purification in the common sense of the word which may include set practises, changes to eating and other activities. It is not some forced detoxification programme.

It is a natural consequence of being a Course student. In a true sense, the Course is the purification process that is required to reach the goal he promises us.

]]> http://www.miracle-studies.net/questions-and-answers/miracle-principle-7/feed/ http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ Self Concept vs Self - Audio from a talk at the TS http://www.miracle-studies.net/sound/self-concept-vs-self-audio-from-a-talk-at-the-ts/ http://www.miracle-studies.net/sound/self-concept-vs-self-audio-from-a-talk-at-the-ts/#comments Mon, 31 Mar 2008 08:21:56 +0000 miracles http://www.miracle-studies.net/?p=247 These mp3’s are from the talk given by Linda and James Hale with Graham Watts at the Melbourne Theosophical Society in the late 1990’s

Unfortunately there are no existing notes to these talks.

Clicking on the links below will play the tracks, right click to download.

Each track is approximately 15 minutes. 
Self Concept track one
Self Concept track two
Self Concept track three
Self Concept track four
Self Concept track five
Self Concept track six
Self Concept track seven
Self Concept track eight
Self Concept track nine
Self Concept track ten
Self Concept track eleven

]]> http://www.miracle-studies.net/sound/self-concept-vs-self-audio-from-a-talk-at-the-ts/feed/ http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ The Obstacles to Peace - Audio from a talk at the TS http://www.miracle-studies.net/sound/the-obstacles-to-peace-audio-from-a-talk-at-the-ts/ http://www.miracle-studies.net/sound/the-obstacles-to-peace-audio-from-a-talk-at-the-ts/#comments Mon, 31 Mar 2008 08:15:01 +0000 miracles http://www.miracle-studies.net/?p=246 These mp3’s are from the talk given by Linda and James Hale with Graham Watts at the Melbourne Theosophical Society in the late 1990’s

Unfortunately there are no existing notes to these talks.

Clicking on the links below will play the tracks, right click to download.

Each track is approximately 15 minutes. 

Obstacles track one
Obstacles track two
Obstacles track three
Obstacles track four
Obstacles track five
Obstacles track six
Obstacles track seven
Obstacles track eight
Obstacles track nine
Obstacles track ten
Obstacles track eleven
Obstacles track twelve
Obstacles track thirteen

]]> http://www.miracle-studies.net/sound/the-obstacles-to-peace-audio-from-a-talk-at-the-ts/feed/ http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ Christmas and ACIM - Audio from talk http://www.miracle-studies.net/sound/christmas-and-acim-audio-from-talk/ http://www.miracle-studies.net/sound/christmas-and-acim-audio-from-talk/#comments Mon, 31 Mar 2008 02:11:57 +0000 miracles http://www.miracle-studies.net/?p=245 These mp3’s are from the talk given by Linda and James at the Miracles Cafe, Melbourne on the 21st and 28th of November, 1997.

The notes of the talk can be found here:
Part 1
Part 2

Clicking on the links below will play the tracks, right click to download.

Each track is approximately 15 minutes. 

Christmas track one
Christmas track two
Christmas track three
Christmas track four
Christmas track five
Christmas track six
Christmas track seven
Christmas track eight

]]> http://www.miracle-studies.net/sound/christmas-and-acim-audio-from-talk/feed/ http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ Michael Dawson’s Australian and German workshops http://www.miracle-studies.net/events/michael-dawsons-australian-and-german-workshops/ http://www.miracle-studies.net/events/michael-dawsons-australian-and-german-workshops/#comments Sat, 29 Mar 2008 11:47:01 +0000 miracles http://www.miracle-studies.net/?p=244 Here are details of workshops to be held in Australia (Clare, SA April 5-6; Hillier, SA April 12-13) and Germany (Bonn June 14-15; Freiburg June 7-8)

A Course in Miracles Workshops in AUSTRALIA in 2008
Led by Michael Dawson

Clare, Sth. Aust. - April 5-6, 2008
(2 hours drive north of Adelaide)

The Key to Inner Peace.
 Moving from a somebody to a nobody

A Course in Miracles workshop

You are not special.
If you think you are, and would defend your specialness
against the truth of what you really are, how can you know the truth?
A Course in Miracles

One day, I discovered I didn’t need a personal history, so, like drinking, I dropped it.
 Carlos Castaneda in Tales of Power

As we release our beliefs, concepts, seeking, self-importance and goals, peace and joy will return.
When we no longer defend our self-created image (ego), awareness of our eternal spiritual reality awakens.
Exercises to help undo our ego and listen within will be given.

No previous knowledge of A Course in Miracles is required.

DATE:
April 5-6, 2008

TIME:
Sat. 5 April 9.30am - 5.30pm
Sun. 6 April 9.30am - 4.30pm

BOOKINGS:
Tel: 08 - 8842 3114
PO Box 614
Clare SA 5453

COST:
Booking Fee (non-refundable) - $60 to cover basic costs
Workshop Fee - by donation at the workshop.
Food provided.

 Hillier (Gawler) Sth. Aust. - April 12-13, 2008

 

(40 minutes drive from the centre of Adelaide)

Awakening to Our Spiritual Reality.
A Course in Miracles workshop

You do not have to seek reality.
It will seek you and find you when you meet its conditions.
A Course in Miracles T-8.IX.2:4-5

The deepest but forgotten truth about ourselves is that we are one with the love and mind of God. Identification with our bodies and personalities blinds us to our spiritual reality. The Course teaches us how to awaken from this dream of separation from God and to experience joy and peace. If our intention to awake is sincere and we have the humility to realise we know nothing and are willing to be taught by spirit we will meet the conditions of awakening. In the end everyone will overcome their fear to awaken and joyously remember what they have forgot. This workshop aims to help bring that time nearer by learning to forgive the blocks we have created to God’s love for us.

Topics will include:

  • What is enlightenment?
  • Why we fear to awaken.
  • Traps on the spiritual path.
  • Pointers on the path
  • Not knowing-the need for humility
  • Sinlessness
  • Development of trust-the ladder home
  • Forgiveness
  • Undoing our blocks to guidance

Exercises will be used to help remove the obstacles to peace and open to the guidance within.

No previous knowledge of A Course in Miracles is required.

VENUE:
“Riverdell”
Clifford Road
Hillier
South Australia
(40 minutes drive from the centre of Adelaide)

TIME:
Sat. 12 April 9.30am - 5.00pm
Sun. 13 April 9.30am - 5.00pm

COST:
Booking Fee - $30 (non-refundable)
Workshop Fee - By donation at the workshop
Some accommodation on site - $40
Bring food to share for lunch both days

For Details Contact:
Pamela St. Claire
Tel: 08 - 8322 0444
Email: pstclaire@chariot.net.au

People should send their Booking Fee to:
Pamela St. Claire
36 The Causeway
O’Halloran Hill SA 5158
and include a cheque made payable to P. St. Claire

 GERMANY 2008 WORKSHOPS

 

Bonn - Sat. 14 - Sun. 15 June, 2008

Awakening to Our Spiritual Reality.
A Course in Miracles workshop

You do not have to seek reality.
It will seek you and find you when you meet its conditions.
A Course in Miracles T-8.IX.2:4-5

Content as for Hillier, above.

Introductory talk on A Course in Miracles - evening Fri 13 June

CONTACT:
Albert-Schweitzer-Haus
Beethovenallee 16
Bonn 53173
Germany
Tel: 0228 - 364737
http://www.albert-schweitzer-haus-bonn.de

 FREIBURG - Sat. 7 - Sun. 8 June, 2008

 

Awakening to Our Spiritual Reality.
A Course in Miracles workshop
10am to 6pm

You do not have to seek reality.
It will seek you and find you when you meet its conditions.
A Course in Miracles T-8.IX.2:4-5

Content as for Hillier, above.

Introductory talk on A Course In Miracles - evening Fri 6 June at 8pm.

LOCATION of workshop:
Center Margarete Sennekamp
Schauinslandstr. 39
79100 Freiburg-Günterstal
Germany
(Tram 4, Klosterplatz)

CONTACT:
Sophia-Institut
Margarete Sennekamp
Adalbert-Stifter-Str. 16
79102 Freiburg
Germany
Tel/Fax: 0761 - 73930
www.Sophia-Institut.de

]]> http://www.miracle-studies.net/events/michael-dawsons-australian-and-german-workshops/feed/ http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ Laws of Chaos - Audio from talk http://www.miracle-studies.net/sound/laws-of-chaos-audio-from-talk/ http://www.miracle-studies.net/sound/laws-of-chaos-audio-from-talk/#comments Sat, 29 Mar 2008 03:07:10 +0000 miracles http://www.miracle-studies.net/?p=243 These mp3’s are from the talk given by Linda and James at the Miracles Cafe, Melbourne on the 19th and 26th of September, 1997.

The notes of the talk can be found here:
Part 1

Part 2

Clicking on the links below will play the tracks, right click to download.

Each track is approximately 15 minutes. The complete session(s) went for just over 3 hours.

Chaos track one
Chaos track two
Chaos track three
Chaos track four
Chaos track five
Chaos track six
Chaos track seven
Chaos track eight
Chaos track nine
Chaos track ten
Chaos track eleven
Chaos track twelve
Chaos track thirteen
Chaos track fourteen

]]> http://www.miracle-studies.net/sound/laws-of-chaos-audio-from-talk/feed/ http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/