Today’s ACIM Lesson

26 Sep 2015 Comments Off on Wouldn’t You Rather Make Love?

Wouldn’t You Rather Make Love?

Making love starts in the mind. It is what we’re thinking that turns us on or off. Making love can be using the body sexually to express love, tenderness, and pleasure. Making love can be purely sensual, e.g., giving your partner a massage or a bath that is fragrant with essential oils. Making love can be sharing companionship — doing things together. Most of all, making love is letting our partner know that we see the best in him or her, that we genuinely like who they are, that they inspire us. Love is generous, non-judgmental, appreciative, and brings us closer.

Arguing is oppositional. Arguing is about one person being right and the other wrong. It is about justifying our point of view and making a point. The well-known spiritual book A Course in Miracles asks, “Would you rather be right or would you rather be happy?” Arguing is about getting our way, being opinionated, judgmental, and divisive. Arguing incites angry feelings, hostility, and can result in low self-esteem. Some people say, “We’re not arguing. We’re having a discussion!” or “We’re having a good debate,” but debate is a form of verbal warfare, and discussions with winners and losers are arguments!

It’s okay to feel excited and passionate about what you believe as long as you don’t force your beliefs on another. It’s okay to have varying levels of volume in a conversation as long as your partner doesn’t feel bullied or trapped. And it’s more than okay to have a heated discussion lead to the bedroom — as long as you celebrate your increased understanding, not to sweep an unresolved issue under the rug.

Love is unifying. We can disagree without being oppositional. We can disagree with respect, empathy, and an interest in getting to know each other better. We can learn to agree to disagree. Understanding each other is more important than agreeing on everything.

One of the most loving things we can do for ourselves and our partner is to identify our own needs. If we can be honest with ourselves about what we need, emotionally, physically, sexually, mentally, etc., and learn to express this need without demanding it be met, then we’re onto something that will really transform our relationships.

Many people think that it is unselfish to keep their needs out of their awareness — they may not even know they have certain kinds of needs buried below the surface. This is actually a disservice to themselves and their partners. Your partner doesn’t stand a chance of meeting your needs if you can’t express what they are! And even if you think this is selfless, eventually it will lead to resentments. Making love is choosing to have a conscious relationship — choosing to become more self-aware of our personal agendas.

One aspect of emotional maturity is taking responsibility for our feelings, thoughts, and needs so rather than unconsciously acting them out and testing our partner, we choose to ask for our partner’s help and participation. This draws us closer. Of course, not all our needs can be met by our romantic partner, or perhaps at all. But we always deserve love for how we feel, even if our feelings don’t seem to make sense.

Remember, if you sincerely would rather make love than argue, all you have to do is share your needs rather than prove your point. With a cooperative partner, this will go a long way toward improving your communication, deepening your understanding of each other, and cultivating a more loving relationship.

I’m available for coaching sessions on emotional intelligence and harmonious communication. To set up an appointment, email miracles@amytorresacim.com

by Amy Torres in Today's ACIM Lesson

26 Sep 2015 Comments Off on The Ability to Resolve Conflict Is Key to Healthy Relationships

The Ability to Resolve Conflict Is Key to Healthy Relationships

Can we agree that everybody disagrees with somebody else at one time or another? This is inevitable in a dualistic world, but there is a harmonious way to deal with disagreement.

There are ways to communicate which help us resolve conflict, avoid unnecessary arguments and develop harmonious relationships. Most people who use the techniques offered below report improvements, not just in their love life, but in relationships with other family members, co-workers, friends, and complete strangers. In other words, everybody!

The great conflict negotiator, Marshall Rosenberg, shared that when he taught his non-violent communication skills to young children in elementary schools that they picked up the ability to identify their feelings and share them responsibly far more quickly than did their teachers and the school administrators. Although it is generally true that young minds absorb information more easily than when we’re older and more stuck in our ways, there’s always hope if we’re willing to try. On that note, here are three proven tools for improving communication between you and your partner.

1. Self-awareness. Set aside some time to work on gaining more awareness of what’s going on inside of you when you are upset with your partner. For example, if you are frustrated that your partner has agreed to take out the garbage when it’s full, but doesn’t actually do so, you may feel fully justified in being angry. But let’s break it down. It sounds like it’s more about him keeping his word, and participating in the household chores. Underneath your anger, you may feel you can’t trust him to follow through on what he says, and that you have more than your fair share to do around the house-you may feel a lack of partnership. Gaining self-awareness about the deeper issues empowers you and facilitates better communication. Once you clarify what is going on within you, communicate constructively using “I”-talk, that is, using the word “I” and “me” rather than accusing or blaming.

For example, rather than saying, “You never take out the garbage! I’ve had it!” and angrily doing it yourself, you might say, “It would make me happy if you took out the garbage regularly without me reminding you. I could relax and trust that you’ll follow through and it’s a good feeling when you share the chores with me.” Can you feel the difference in the emotional tone?

2. Acknowledgment. It would go a long way at this point if your partner is willing to acknowledge what you have said. This means he remains open, not defensive, and says something simple, like, “I know I haven’t been consistent taking out the garbage.” When we acknowledge what our partner said without defending, this usually has a soothing effect on the one who is upset. It is also empowering to the one “in the wrong” because s/he finds there are ways to communicate without escalating the situation. Neuro-linguistic programming, a powerful approach to interpersonal communication, found that using the same words as the other person help him/her to feel understood. Harville Hendrix uses a similar technique called mirroring in his Imago Relationship Therapy Work.

Mirroring sounds like, “It would make you happy if I took out the garbage regularly without you reminding me. You could relax and trust that I’ll follow through, and you feel good when I share the chores with you.” When we reflect back accurately what the other person has said to us, the person feels understood and respected. This is a powerful tool in de-escalating conflict and re-establishing cooperation.

3. Accountability. Accountability means taking responsibility for our feelings and actions. This, too, takes some self-searching to become more self-aware. So if I’m the one who hasn’t been taking out the garbage, I would find out what’s going on inside myself. Maybe I’ve been busy at work and too tired to do one more thing. Maybe I’ve been fixing things around the house and feel unappreciated. Maybe I’m getting back at you for something else. Maybe I just don’t like taking out the garbage. Whatever it is, I need to clearly know this for myself in order to communicate well.

When you’re working with a partner, it really helps if you both make a sincere effort to understand and cooperate with each other. Make a statement out loud to each other setting your intention to find more peaceful ways of interacting so that you communicate better, have less arguments, and more constructive discussions. If your partner won’t work with you, state an intention to yourself and use the methods below on your own. They will still prove very useful.

by Amy Torres in Today's ACIM Lesson

08 Sep 2015 Comments Off on 4. What Is Sin?

4. What Is Sin?

Commentary (full lesson beneath commentary)

In Part II of the Workbook, every 10 lessons we are given an instruction. It comes in the form of a question. There are 14 of these questions all together, and each one of them corresponds to a set of 10 lessons, and is to be read every day for the next 10 days along with our lesson for the day. “What Is Sin?” is the fourth instruction and goes with Lessons 251 – 260.

4. WHAT IS SIN?

Sin is insanity. It is the means by which the mind is driven mad, and seeks to let illusions take the place of truth. And being mad, it sees illusions where the truth should be, and where it really is. Sin gave the body eyes, for what is there the sinless would behold? What need have they of sights or sounds or touch? What would they hear or reach to grasp? What would they sense at all? To sense is not to know. And truth can be but filled with knowledge, and with nothing else.

The body is the instrument the mind made in its efforts to deceive itself. Its purpose is to strive. Yet can the goal of striving change. And now the body serves a different aim for striving. What it seeks for now is chosen by the aim the mind has taken as replacement for the goal of self-deception. Truth can be its aim as well as lies. The senses then will seek instead for witnesses to what is true.

Sin is the home of all illusions, which but stand for things imagined, issuing from thoughts that are untrue. They are the “proof” that what has no reality is real. Sin “proves” God’s Son is evil; timelessness must have an end; eternal life must die. And God Himself has lost the Son He loves, with but corruption to complete Himself, His Will forever overcome by death, love slain by hate, and peace to be no more.

A madman’s dreams are frightening, and sin appears indeed to terrify. And yet what sin perceives is but a childish game. The Son of God may play he has become a body, prey to evil and to guilt, with but a little life that ends in death. But all the while his Father shines on him, and loves him with an everlasting Love which his pretenses cannot change at all.

How long, O Son of God, will you maintain the game of sin? Shall we not put away these sharp-edged children’s toys? How soon will you be ready to come home? Perhaps today? There is no sin. Creation is unchanged. Would you still hold return to Heaven back? How long, O holy Son of God, how long?

Remember, in Part II of the Workbook, every 10 lessons we are given an instruction. It comes in the form of a question. There are 14 of these questions all together, and each one of them corresponds to a set of 10 lessons, and is to be read every day for the next 10 days along with our lesson for the day. “What Is Sin?” is the fourth instruction and goes with Lessons 251 – 260.

Let’s practice together! Watch and hear Amy reading each ACIM Lesson on Youtube. Also, check out Workin’ the Workbook, Amy’s online class which supports the ACIM Workbook practice.

by Amy Torres in Spiritual Psychotherapy, Today's ACIM Lesson Tags: My experience with the ACIM Workbook Lessons, Spiritual Psychotherapy

29 Aug 2015 Comments Off on 3. What Is the World?

3. What Is the World?

Commentary (full lesson beneath commentary)

In Part II of the Workbook, every 10 lessons we are given an instruction. It comes in the form of a question. There are 14 of these questions all together, and each one of them corresponds to a set of 10 lessons, and is to be read every day for the next 10 days along with our lesson for the day. “What Is the World?” is the third instruction and goes with Lessons 241 – 250.

3. WHAT IS THE WORLD?

The world is false perception. It is born of error, and it has not left its source. It will remain no longer than the thought that gave it birth is cherished. When the thought of separation has been changed to one of true forgiveness, will the world be seen in quite another light; and one which leads to truth, where all the world must disappear and all its errors vanish. Now its source has gone, and its effects are gone as well.

The world was made as an attack on God. It symbolizes fear. And what is fear except love’s absence? Thus the world was meant to be a place where God could enter not, and where His Son could be apart from Him. Here was perception born, for knowledge could not cause such insane thoughts. But eyes deceive, and ears hear falsely. Now mistakes become quite possible, for certainty has gone.

The mechanisms of illusion have been born instead. And now they go to find what has been given them to seek. Their aim is to fulfill the purpose which the world was made to witness and make real. They see in its illusions but a solid base where truth exists, upheld apart from lies. Yet everything that they report is but illusion which is kept apart from truth.

As sight was made to lead away from truth, it can be redirected. Sounds become the Call for God, and all perception can be given a new purpose by the One Whom God appointed Savior to the world. Follow His light, and see the world as He beholds it. Hear His Voice alone in all that speaks to you. And let Him give you peace and certainty, which you have thrown away, but Heaven has preserved for you in Him.

Let us not rest content until the world has joined our changed perception. Let us not be satisfied until forgiveness has been made complete. And let us not attempt to change our function. We must save the world. For we who made it must behold it through the eyes of Christ, that what was made to die can be restored to everlasting life.

Remember, in Part II of the Workbook, every 10 lessons we are given an instruction. It comes in the form of a question. There are 14 of these questions all together, and each one of them corresponds to a set of 10 lessons, and is to be read every day for the next 10 days along with our lesson for the day. “What Is the World?” is the third instruction and goes with Lessons 241 – 250.

Let’s practice together! Watch and hear Amy reading each ACIM Lesson on Youtube. Also, check out Workin’ the Workbook, Amy’s online class which supports the ACIM Workbook practice.

by Amy Torres in Today's ACIM Lesson Tags: My experience with the ACIM Workbook Lessons, Spiritual Psychotherapy

07 Jun 2015 Comments Off on The House of Cards Falls When You Are Ready by Sundance Burke

The House of Cards Falls When You Are Ready by Sundance Burke

The ego or mind-made false self is a house of cards that collapses completely the very instant it is realized that YOU, the perceiving consciousness, are not an object. The True Self is not difficult to realize, as it merely involves an unbiased looking at what you think and feel you are. In other words, it involves your interest in witnessing the mind’s story of self-identity.

The only real challenge to Self-realization is the issue of your readiness to face the possibility that you will have to let go of every self-concept and self-image that proves to be false by your own investigation. Even coming close to such an inquiry always provides the intuition that you are getting ready to face a great unknown. It is not uncommon to experience the fear of dying in this context. However, the intimation of death is more often related to the ego than the physical body.

So far, you have been attached to and identified with a matrix of concepts, beliefs and images about yourself, others and the world. “I am a human being, a short-lived and insignificant object (body) in a vast and enduring universe of greater things.” We don’t really say this consciously, but it is assumed by the power of our human conditioning. This human idea is called self-knowledge, but is it true? Are you really what you think or perceive? Even to contemplate or be curious about this question is a sign of your readiness for Self-realization.

It’s true, if you have been hanging your hat on mental ideas and images of self and they’re all perceived to be false, then their influence will disappear from your consciousness. However, you will never know whether your notions of self are false or true unless you put them to the test. Here are two powerful ways to test your concept and feeling of self for truth or falsehood.

First, in this moment or any other, look at any idea, image or feeling of self that arises in your awareness and ask yourself: Am I this perception?

This question really is: Am I an idea, perception, image or feeling?

Well, are you such a thing?

If not, why base your Being upon such a flimsy foundation. Nonsense does not require your serious attention. It can be safely and light-heartedly dismissed and even forgotten altogether.

The second way to test the mind is to ignore it completely for a single moment and intuit who you are in the absence of a single thought or assumption.

Check it out. Drop all knowledge and every desire for understanding and just Be.

Can you feel it?

What is the nature of this Being?

This truth cannot be realized, unless you taste what it is to be simply aware and free of all desire for a self-understanding.

If a thought arises like, “Oh, I cannot possibly be free of all thought, even for a moment.” Ignore this thought, surrender the doubt it voices and directly perceive the Being that remains and is deeper as your essence.

Yes, this is high adventure, and while it might appear to involve some risk, it does not. Just as it’s been said, “there is nothing to fear, but fear itself.” However, you cannot know this as Self-truth if fear keeps you from testing it for reality. Just as you cannot know the joy of eating without tasting the food, you must leave the idea of yourself for being.

What will you discover by self-inquiry? You will realize that beyond the mind and the individual body that it claims as self, you are Pure Consciousness, the awareness of all experience. Unknowable as anything of name or form, you are that which knows all experience.

That which you cannot know, cannot be. So, your death cannot be, because it would have to known by you, as life. Truth is not something external to you. Truth is within the Self you are. Let’s face it, as Consciousness, life is all you know now or have ever known. Death is a belief proposed by others and there aren’t any others, except as an idea and sense that is perceived by your conscious Being.

Thought-free awareness is Pure Consciousness. Essentially, this is the Self of all. Just because you can see a reflection of your Being in the mirror of mind doesn’t mean that you are that image. The mind serves one purpose only: it points to the source from which it arises. Turn away from the mirror and realize the Self directly.

This is the way open to all who are ready.

Peace & Blessings to All, Sundance Burke, author of Free Spirit

http://www.katiedavis.org/FriendsoftheHeart.html

by Amy Torres in Today's ACIM Lesson

01 Jun 2015 Comments Off on Ask Amy: The Script Is Written

Ask Amy: The Script Is Written

Q: According to A Course in Miracles, “the script is written.”* If the script is already written by ourselves, why don’t we all write the perfect script for the illusion – health, money, beauty, etc.?

KONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA A: When taken out of context, “the script is written” appeals to human curiosity about fate, destiny, and the possibility of rewriting our lives. It seems to refer to us as people. Many books and movies have been based on traveling to the past or future and the consequences of changing actions and events. But this is the ego script.

Read Lesson 158 and you will find that “The script is written” refers to the end of belief in the ego. “The script is written,” is actually about forgiveness, Christ’s vision and God’s plan for salvation; it is not referring to the fearful ego script based within time and place.

“Time is a trick, a sleight of hand, a vast illusion in which figures come and go as if by magic. Yet there is a plan behind appearances that does not change. The script is written. When experience will come to end your doubting has been set. For we but see the journey from the point at which it ended, looking back on it, imagining we make it once again; reviewing mentally what has gone by.” (W-158)

ACIM is an exposé of the ego’s ideology. The ego’s secret script deliberately dictates, “Seek and do not find” in order to keep us endlessly consumed in a state of chronic dissatisfaction, be it avoiding pain or seeking pleasure. In the Course, Jesus exposes the self-sabotaging script which the ego has written and buried, and asks us to look at it with him in God’s Light.

At first glance, it does seem perverse that the ego writes a horror story with so much suffering. But scratch the surface and the motivation is obvious: guilt. On a deep, unconscious level, we believe we have attacked God and usurped His throne. Somebody must be punished. The ego’s tale is one of guilt, betrayal, vendetta and death – not love and happily-ever-after.

Beneath guilt is an even deeper reason. The ego needs to keep itself asleep in order to “exist.” Ego survives through contraction and sleep – God’s Mind is always awake and expansive; that is Its natural state. God is the greatest Author and He writes Timeless Truth; the ego cannot outshine God in the happiness department.

“God’s creations are given their true Authorship, but you prefer to be anonymous when you choose to separate yourself from your Author.” (T-3.VI.8:7)

When Jesus says “the script is written” he is referring to the spiritual law that giving is receiving (forgiveness), to Christ’s vision (Oneness), and to God’s plan for salvation (choosing the Holy Spirit as our teacher). These are three ways of prescribing Perfect Happiness and the tools to recognize that we are an extension of pure God-Mind created out of Timeless Love.

“Christ’s vision has one law. It does not look upon a body, and mistake it for the Son whom God created. It beholds a light beyond the body; an idea beyond what can be touched, a purity undimmed by errors, pitiful mistakes, and fearful thoughts of guilt from dreams of sin. It sees no separation. And it looks on everyone, on every circumstance, all happenings and all events, without the slightest fading of the light it sees.” (W-158)

* Recommended Reading:
“The script is written” is from Lesson 158. There is also mention of “the script” in Lesson 169 and Chapter 30, Section VII: The New Interpretation.

This Q&A appears in the Ask Amy column from the May-June 2015 issue of Miracles magazine. Miracles is a well-loved staple in the ACIM community. For a subscription, email Jon@miraclesmagazine.org or call 845-496-9089. To ask Amy a question, email miracles (at) amytorresacim (dot) com

by Amy Torres in Ask Amy, Today's ACIM Lesson

11 May 2015 Comments Off on Yeshua… Eesho… Iesous… Jesus by Wahiduddin

Yeshua… Eesho… Iesous… Jesus by Wahiduddin

As odd as it may seem, the name Jesus is a relatively new invention, only a few hundred years old, that was created by multiple translations and stylistic changes to the original name.

The name of the one born in Bethlehem to Mary and Joseph about 2000 years ago was written as in Aramaic. Most scholars agree that the common language of the entire region was Aramaic and that Jesus probably spoke Aramaic and was most likely named in Aramaic.

The modern transliteration of the Aramaic into English has been written in many forms, including Yeshu’, Eesho’ or Eshoo. There were, and still are, many different, and often contradictory, dialects of Aramaic, making it impossible to know for certain how his name was actually pronounced 2000 years ago. That same name would be written as in Hebrew and is commonly transliterated into English as Yeshua, which is a Hebrew contraction for the name Yehoshua meaning Yah is salvation or Yah saves. Many Biblical references, such as Young’s Analytical Concordance, have concluded that his name was Yeshua.

The really odd changes to his name all began with translation into non-Semitic languages.

When the name was translated into Greek, the translators were first faced with the task of deciding whether they should translate the name phonetically to try to keep the sound the same, or whether they should translate the name according to its meaning. Apparently, they chose to use the phonetic approach so that the sound of the name would be preserved, even though the meaning of the name would be lost in the phonetic translation.

Unfortunately, the Greek language lacks some of the sounds used in Aramaic. And to further complicate the issue, all Greek masculine names must end with the letter “s”. So, without the proper sounds and forced to add the “s” to the end of the name, the best that the Greek translators could do was translate the name as which may be pronounced something like “ee-ay-soos”. Still, that’s pretty close to the original name, except for the letter “s” that was added at the end.

Then, as the books of the bible began to gain wider circulation, the name was again translated, this time from Greek into Latin. In the official Catholic bible version called the Vulgate, the name was established in Latin as “Iesus”. In Latin the letter “I” when used as a consonant has somewhat of a “Y” sound, so the name may have been pronounced something like “ye-soos”, which is a still pretty good approximation to the original name, except for the “s” at the end.

Over the years, as the pronunciation of the European languages gradually changed, and as the manner of writing the various letters also changed, an embellished version of the letter “I” gradually acquired a sound of it’s own and over time became an entirely new letter, the letter “J” with it’s current “J” sound. And, along the way, the long “u” sound of “oo” was lost and it became a short “u”. So, as the newly invented printing press churned out bibles, the Latin version of the name gradually became written as “Jesus” and the English pronunciation as we know it today was gradually adopted.

Although the spelling “Iesus” or “Iesvs” was used in the King James version of the New Testament from 1611 to 1628, by the year 1629 the King James version began to adopt the spelling “Jesus”. Gradually, during the 17th century, the name shifted from “Iesus” to the pronunciation “Jesus” that we are still using today.

Thus, the name was gradually changed to the English name Jesus…. which is indeed quite a different sounding name.

Fortunately, it seems that the pronunciation of the words in our prayers is much less important that the heartfelt intent of our prayers. And thereby all true seekers receive the same results whether they have learned to call on the sacred name of Jesus or Eeso or Yeshu’ or Iesous.

That is to say, the pronunciation of the name is really not very important, but rather it is our intent, purpose and faith that truly matter.

The ancient Semitic root of the word for “name” is s-m, and while it does certainly mean “name” it also means much more. The s-m of something is that by which it is known, it is that which makes something different in a way that it can be distinguished from something else, it can mean light or sound or vibration, it is the very essence of something.

So, to call upon someone’s “shem” is not simply to call upon the sound of their name, but it means to call upon their very essence… which is far beyond the mere utterance of a name.

Words come and words go, languages come and languages go, yet the magnificent heart of each person remains the glorious temple of God, the abode of Love Everlasting… if only we will cast off our veils of selfishness and allow the Divine Light to shine forth.

Matters such as alphabets and names and spelling are ephemeral matters, they come and go like the shifting sands. For those who are willing to seek it, there is something which is like a rock in the midst of those shifting sands, something more fulfilling than any ephemeral matter… and that “something” is the goal of the spiritual path. Let us strive to focus our attention beyond words, beyond momentary concerns, and strive to discover that glorious ever-present essence which is beyond the name.

Wishing you love, harmony and beauty,
wahiduddin

Aramaic Audio Recordings:

http://www.v-a.com/bible/aramaic-jesus.html … eashoa in Aramaic

http://www.beith-morounoye.org/special/yeshu.wma … Yeshu’ in Aramaic

http://www.v-a.com/bible/prayer.html … lord’s prayer in Aramaic
Aramaic References:

http://www.peshitta.org

http://www.v-a.com

Additional Resources:

The Cambridge Encyclopedia of The English Language, by David Crystal, Cambridge University Press, 1995, p.260

http://www.plim.org/JesusOrigin.htm

Many thanks to Wahiduddin for this loving explanation. To see the original article, click here https://wahiduddin.net/words/jesus.htm

by Amy Torres in Today's ACIM Lesson

11 May 2015 Comments Off on Different Teacher, Same Message: God-Communication

Different Teacher, Same Message: God-Communication

God-Communication Is the Best Communication that True Spiritualism Can Teach Us

by Hazrat Inayat Khan

The most profound inspiration comes always from the divine mind, and to God alone the credit is due. Even if an inspiration comes through the mind of a person living on earth or through a soul who has passed on to the other side, it still has come from God, for all knowledge and wisdom belong to God.

It is a fault on the part of mankind to attribute inspiration to some limited being who is nothing but a shadow covering God. When a person believes that an old Egyptian comes from the other side to inspire him or that an American Indian comes to lead him on his way, he builds a wall between himself and God. Instead of receiving directly from the source that is perfect and all sufficient, he is picturing his limited idea, making it a screen between himself and God.

from http://wahiduddin.net/mv2/II/II_43.htm

Is not God enough for our souls, and is He not sufficient to inspire us and to illuminate our wills and guide our souls? Is he any less of a friend here or in the spirit life? He is the great well-wisher. In Him mercy is complete. He is the Soul of all souls. When we devote ourselves to the thought of Him, all illumination and revelation are ours. God-communication is the best communication that true spiritualism can teach us.

from http://wahiduddin.net/mv2/VII/VII_21.htm

Thus the ultimate purpose, for which the soul is seeking every moment of our life, is our spiritual purpose. And you may ask how to attain to that purpose. The answer is that what you are seeking for is within yourself. Instead of looking outside, you must look within. The way to proceed to accomplish this is for some moments to suspend all your senses such as sight, hearing, smell, touch, in order to put a screen before the outside life. And by concentration and by developing that meditative quality you will sooner or later get in touch with the inner Self which is more communicative, which speaks more loudly than all the noises of this world. And this gives joy, creates peace, and produces in you a self-sufficient spirit, a spirit of independence, of true liberty. The moment you get in touch with your Self you are in communion with God. It is in this way, if God-communication is sought rightly, that spirituality is attained.

from http://wahiduddin.net/mv2/VI/VI_4.htm

Many thanks to Wahiduddin and his Bowl of Saki — the source of the above writings of Beloved Murshid, Hazrat Inayat Khan.

by Amy Torres in Today's ACIM Lesson

06 May 2015 Comments Off on Proof of Nothing: I = 1

Proof of Nothing: I = 1

It occurred to me this morning that “I” as in “I am” is equivalent to the number “1.” proof

The personal “I” that goes with “Amy” and “me” is not what I’m referring to. This discussion begins with the collective “I” from which duality springs, and, according to A Course in Miracles, where the power of decision abides.

“I” is the arising of otherness without fear or guilt. “I” is the ability to regard the God-Self in blissful reverence. “I” is the knowing of aliveness before the body or any form seems to exist.

Non-duality means “not two.” “I” is not-twoness. We could say “I” equals “one.”

The number “1” means what? Solo. Only. Single. Unified. Doing spiritual math, “I” minus “1” equals “0” … minus any number from th yin yang brush stroke e same number and you get zero. It just struck home this morning that, in English, “I” and “1” look awe-fully (not awfully) alike.

Big clue. Super obvious. I = 1. One thought of separateness, believed in, equals countless forms. One thought returned to Zero undoes that initial first thought.

One could say that 2 – 1 = 0. Realizing that you are not-two could seem to logically mean we are One … but deeper examination reveals there is no One. This recognition annihilates the belief in a personal self/ego. What is left is … no self-concept, no-thing, nada, zilch, Zero (another name for God ;-)).

Art by Kaku-an as reproduced by Shubun

“When there exists no form of dualism, even a thousand-eyed one fails to detect a loop-hole.” ~Kakuan Shien, translated by D.T. Suzuki

Thanks to Paul Hedderman for inspiring this piece: www.zenbitchslap.com

by Amy Torres in Today's ACIM Lesson

25 Apr 2015 Comments Off on Why Attend “Weekend of Freedom” 2015?

Why Attend “Weekend of Freedom” 2015?

Intimate retreats like Weekend of Freedom 2015 are powerful and enlightening because they encourage communion with Truth (sometimes called satsang).

By committing to attend, whether you notice it or not, you immediately start to:

* Experience spontaneous miracles
* Clarify your understanding of ACIM concepts
* Immerse yourself in an atmosphere of Truth, Love and Freedom
* Connect with teachers who truly inspire you
* Just be … simply allow Spirit to guide you every day
* Absorb the healing energy of the retreat even before it’s begun
* Be more willing to practice forgiveness each day
* Meet like-minded people who are supportive of your spiritual life
* Get a natural facelift from smiling so much!
* Allow the Holy Spirit to provide, even when money seems scarce. After all, your nature is Unlimited Abundance and if you’re meant to attend, you will tap into God’s Inheritance 😉

As soon as you sign up, you begin to reap the benefits of the retreat! You have put your willingness into action. You have planted the seed of awakening. Miracles effortlessly ripple through you (even if it seems as though nothing is happening).

In my experience, signing up for retreats, workshops, intensives and other spiritual events has been a big opening for my healing and unlearning. There is every reason for Weekend of Freedom to be that opportunity for you.

Here’s more info about the event: http://weekendoffreedomretreat.com/price_list.php and how to commute there: http://stonypointcenter.org/events-retreats/getting-here#.VTv9pJPUzYB

Also, feel free to email me questions at miracles (at) amytorresacim (d0t) com

I look forward to hanging out with you during the Weekend of Freedom! Please introduce yourself to me and let’s have a hug! Much appreciated if you check the “Amy Torres” box on the registration form.

by Amy Torres in Today's ACIM Lesson