Lesson 41 has been previously discussed on this blog regarding the theme of meditation. This was one of the lessons that really gets, gets into why, why meditation is so important.
It makes the point, as does the Course in some other places, that we have one main problem in our existence: we are separated from the divine. And that we have chosen to separate from the divine which has led us to be out of touch with the source of the solutions that can help us in our lives. As a result, we then fabricate lots of complexity around the solutions we think are needed, almost none of which work to fundamentally solve our problems. If you think of any of the big global problems in life and the world - environmental issues, gun violence, terrorism, bioterrorism, nuclear proliferation, etc - you’ll find that our separation from God created these problems and our solutions are not effective with regard to really solving the problem.
So the main solution is to reconnect with God. This lesson says, “Today's idea will eventually overcome completely the sense of loneliness and abandonment all the separated ones experience. Depression is an inevitable consequence of separation. So are anxiety, worry, a deep sense of helplessness, misery, suffering, and intense fear of loss.”
I use this lesson a lot with clients because if they're feeling down, depressed, anxious, then clients usually recognize themselves. And maybe separation is the cause, while fixing separation is the solution. So it's, it's just a great teaching and coaching tool. Then in paragraph two, the teacher says, “The separated ones have invented many cures for what they believe to be the ills of the world.”
Then in paragraph three, the teacher says, “Deep within you is everything that is perfect, ready to radiate through you and out into the world. It will cure all sorrow and pain and fear and loss because it will heal the mind that thought these things were real and suffered out of its allegiance to them.” So this is what I refer to as the “inner genius” or the “inner GPS”. This source, this power deep within all of us where every, every form of perfection radiates from. And so the rest of the lesson is really about how to plug into this, this God inside. But it's really about the steps of meditation to connect with the source inside, to get to the light that's inside of us where the solution is really light.
So it says, “There will be only one long practice period today, in the morning, as soon as you get up if possible, sit quietly for some three to five minutes with your eyes closed. At the beginning of the practice period, repeat today's idea very slowly, then make no effort to think of anything. Try instead to get a sense of turning inward. Past all the idle thoughts of the world. Try to enter very deeply into your own mind, keeping it clear of any thoughts that might divert your attention” In this, we are trying to leave appearances in the external world, and it is quite possible to reach God within. In fact, it is very easy because it is the most natural thing in the world.
For me, personally it's really, really important that I start my day out with my centering regimen. Let me give you a metaphor to explain my reason behind this daily habit. I think of myself (and my clients or anybody in our audience for that matter) as being like a pilot who's in the cockpit of the plane doing a pre flight checklist rundown before you push away and start to taxi, and then eventually take off for the day. Just as no one would like a pilot who just wakes up, is half asleep, and immediately jumps into the cockpit, revs up the engine, and takes off without completing any preliminary pre-flight checks. That's not gonna work. So, early morning meditation as part of the daily regimen is checking with the flight plan, how's the engine doing, how's the fuel doing, checking the weather, how the passengers are, etc. can be compared to navigating the day as leaders, business owners, entrepreneurs, CEOs, executives, so that the flight we make for the whole day and how we start it out adds to the legacy that we're building over a lifetime. Each day we fly, we fly on the life plan that is part of our ultimate legacy and it's important to be centered. The meditation part is the real traffic control. This is the best way to do your day. If you don't check with God, you're going to have a much more random day.
The same can be said about training the mind just before going to sleep. I will usually take a lesson 47 from ACIM, “God you are the strength in which I trust”, and I'll just repeat it over and over and over again as I fade into sleep so that my mind is totally unambiguous about the source of strength that I'm tapping into even as I go to sleep. Then when I wake up, I do the meditations. It could be the same process of meditating on a lesson from ACIM to myself, or I might even do a hypnosis meditation, guided imagery. But all through them, we're making suggestions to the psyche about how to be regulated through the whole day while we're awake.
These are just suggestions to enhance the power of the mind. Sometimes clients will ask me, if I fall asleep during meditation or hypnosis, does it count? To that, I say, well, it's a little bit like being in the hospital: It's one thing when they bring you your food and it's the actual meatloaf, beans, and potato, whatever it is that you're going to eat physically. But a lot of what you get in the hospital is intravenous. It just goes in and you don't taste anything, but it's feeding you for a long period of time. Sustenance taken orally or however it can get into your body. You might not be tasting it and relishing the taste, but it's definitely feeding you. It's all adding to the subconscious programming that we're carrying.
To conclude this lesson, and this is where we get into the implications of miracles, it says in paragraph eight, sentence five, “This exercise, this exercise of meditating to deliberately attempt to reach God inside with your mind, this exercise can bring very startling results even the first time it is attempted.” That's the code for miracles right there. It can bring very startling results. It's going to bring you results and you're going to be amazed at the results. Even the first time it is attempted, and sooner or later it is always successful. We will go into more detail about this kind of practice as we go along, but it will never fail completely. An instant success is possible. I use this in the coaching and teaching process to help clients who are looking for quick results in the immediate crisis that they're in. It says that you can get instant results, instant miracles, and that sooner or later you'll get a good result, you'll get success, but I like to give that hope that something can happen immediately.
And then the final part of this lesson that I wanted to highlight, which I really like a lot, says, “Concentrate on the holiness,” which means power, to do things, to get things done, to get out of the nightmare. “Concentrate on the holiness that, all these words imply about you. On the unfailing companionship that is yours. On the complete protection that surrounds you.” This is the part I love here, “You can indeed afford to laugh at fear thoughts, remembering that God goes with you wherever you go.” In other words, once you get on separated, then scary things that seem to be developing in your life and health, wealth, love, or enlightenment. You can laugh at them, knowing that you are protected and safe. Normally, these things would be terrifying, but we're being encouraged to laugh at fear thoughts.
Transitioning to my book, ‘Nightmares to Miracles,’ some elements in the book that are important to me that have supernatural overtones to them, but I don't really discuss that openly or explicitly. These are elements frequently utilized in my personal life, forming integral components of both my pre-flight checklist and daily routine. I seek guidance through them regularly, and they contribute significantly to what I consider the miraculous in a broader context.
The initial excerpt I wish to present does not originate from my book itself but instead from 'A Course in Miracles.' Its significance lies in emphasizing a recurring theme we have touched upon during our previous articles. In this particular passage, Jesus, who is presented as the instructor within 'A Course in Miracles,' imparts his teachings, comprising 365 lessons and a myriad of supplementary content spanning roughly a thousand pages, all centered around the theme of miracles. The depth of instruction therein is akin to that of a Ph.D. program, with a particular focus on Jesus sharing his knowledge and best practices as a miracle worker approximately 2,000 years ago.
Allow me to share a brief excerpt from this text, which underscores the idea that Jesus serves as the primary teacher: “I have been correctly referred to as the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world, but those who represent the Lamb as blood-stained do not understand the meaning of the symbol. Correctly understood, it is a very simple symbol that speaks of my innocence. The lion and the lamb lying down together symbolize that strength and innocence are not in conflict, but actually live in peace.”
This passage forms part of a more extensive discourse in which Jesus clarifies that being bloodstained or serving as a sacrificial offering to atone for sins was not his intended purpose. Instead, he asserts that he was subjected to crucifixion due to human egos, cruelty, and the rejection of innocence. His resurrection from the dead is highlighted as the true miracle, eclipsing the significance of his bloodstained sacrifice for sins. He articulates this argument meticulously, dispelling misconceptions surrounding his role.
It is noteworthy that everything presented within 'A Course in Miracles' is attributed to Jesus, channeled through a woman named Helen Schucman. She was an esteemed academic psychologist at Columbia University in New York City, and this collaboration spanned several years throughout the 1970s. She serves as the scribe, transcribing the dictations of Jesus, a spiritual entity who communicates with her, shaping the contents of what we know as 'A Course in Miracles.' This compilation comprises numerous elements that many might classify as supernatural. It involves Jesus, a spiritual being, dictating teachings to Helen Schucman, who possessed no prior knowledge of these matters.
Schucman's task is to transcribe these teachings, culminating in the creation of 'A Course in Miracles,' a comprehensive instructional guide on the subject of miracles. It's noteworthy that she embarked on this journey with little to no prior understanding of the subject. Jesus appeared to her and instructed her to document his teachings, thus commencing this extraordinary project. It's essential to maintain a balanced perspective, as some individuals assert that the entity communicating with Schucman is, in fact, a demonic force disseminating falsehoods. This is a perspective that may arise for those deeply engaged in studying these matters. However, it's worth noting that the core message of the teachings emphasizes connecting with God more intensely, fostering love for others, and embracing forgiveness—objectives seemingly misaligned with demonic intent.
Regarding academic expertise, my own doctoral research focused on religion, miracles within Christianity, synchronicity, and psychoanalysis from both Freudian and Jungian perspectives. Over a decade of study culminated in a 300-page dissertation, an achievement I'm proud of. Nevertheless, the depth and sophistication of 'A Course in Miracles' eclipses my own work and that of countless others in the field. It offers insights and teachings of unparalleled quality, making it a remarkable gift. Despite occasional detractors, I remain steadfast in my commitment to spreading the message that the Jesus who walked the Earth 2,000 years ago sought to elaborate on his miraculous abilities. He aimed to explain the mechanics behind feats such as walking on water, raising the dead, restoring sight and speech, and feeding multitudes—questions that 'A Course in Miracles' addresses more comprehensively than any previous work.
Moving on to another topic, the notion of a wisdom figure, influenced by Carl Jung's concepts, emerges. Jung himself had experiences with a wisdom figure, a connection that resonates with me personally. During the challenging phases of my own doctoral journey, I encountered a dream in which a wise being appeared. This figure offered to simplify the complexities of quantum physics for me, demonstrating its principles in a tangible manner. The dream, remarkably vivid, left a lasting impression. The wisdom figure's explanation of quantum physics was not solely about the physics itself but about how it relates to understanding the miraculous. It emphasized the importance of connecting these dots to enhance my comprehension of miracles and my ability to convey these concepts to others. The dream's impact persists, fostering my connection to angelic figures in literature and media. Additionally, it has led me to perceive contemporary superhero characters in cartoons, television, and film as modern interpretations of traditional angelic beings, possessing remarkable powers.
One of the books I've cherished since the mid-80s came into my possession at Wesleyan University, where I lived near the campus in Middletown, Connecticut. While perusing the shelves of Atticus Bookstore, seeking inspiration on the spiritual aspects of wealth, my hand landed on a book titled 'Creating Money: Keys to Abundance' by Sunaya Roman and Dwayne Packer. Upon delving into its pages, I discovered that the wisdom about wealth presented within was channeled by the author from an entity known as Orin. Given my background in a more right-wing charismatic Christian group, I initially approached this with caution, fearing it might involve negative influences or demonic forces. My knowledge of 'A Course in Miracles' was limited at this point. However, as I read further, I found the book's insights on money, spirituality, generosity, and abundance to be profoundly comforting and reassuring. 'Creating Money' has remained a cherished companion, and I continue to utilize its audio programs and meditations. The teachings channeled by Orin have had a lasting impact on my perspective.
In my bibliography, I make reference to 'Creating Money' as a nod to the broader field of channeled wisdom on wealth creation. I exercise caution when sharing it with my clients, presenting it as an option only to those who express openness to its ideas.
Shifting our focus to figures in media, several films come to mind. 'It's a Wonderful Life' features Clarence, an angel who assists the protagonist in recognizing the beauty of his life, despite his desire to end it due to unhappiness. 'The Bishop's Wife' showcases Dudley, portrayed by Cary Grant, as an angel aiding a struggling minister. Similarly, Denzel Washington takes on the role of Dudley in 'The Preacher's Wife,' offering a modern adaptation of the same theme. These films convey messages that appear to transcend mere human creativity, suggesting a source of inspiration beyond our world. 'Miracles from Heaven' recounts the true story of a young girl facing a seemingly incurable illness, whose encounter with a divine entity, presumably Jesus, leads to her miraculous healing and a mission to teach others. Her response to skepticism is a powerful lesson: 'People get there when they get there,' emphasizing that her role is to share her experience, not convince anyone.
In the realm of television, 'Highway to Heaven' features Michael Landon as an angel assisting humanity, while 'Touched by an Angel' offers a more contemporary take on angelic interventions. These shows provide endless inspiration through their portrayal of beings from another dimension resolving human dilemmas when we heed their guidance. I find the 'Miracles from Heaven' movie particularly intriguing, given its basis in a true story. Additionally I have been made aware of YouTube videos featuring individuals recounting their near-death experiences and detailing their experience of consciousness following the incidents in a different realm of existence. They serve as strong affirmations of the principles we discuss on this show. These accounts validate concepts such as the idea that salvation is not a prerequisite for entering heaven, which might differ from traditional biblical interpretations. Instead, they indicate that all individuals ultimately return to a common origin, regardless of their religious or non-religious backgrounds. What unifies these accounts is a clear message: those who have near-death experiences are invariably told that they have a specific purpose to fulfill upon returning to Earth. While some receive explicit instructions, others are simply made aware of their extraordinary potential. Remarkably, many of these individuals had previously led challenging lives, with some surviving suicide attempts or engaging in reckless activities that brought them close to death.
One common thread that emerges from these experiences is the profound sense of love. Additionally, it's worth noting that many report a divine sense of humor in the beings they encounter during these episodes. While the appearance of God remains a mystery, these accounts often include encounters with figures resembling Jesus or other human-like entities. For those interested in delving further into this topic, I recommend exploring the wealth of testimonies available on YouTube from various channels. There is one channel completely dedicated to telling these stories called Coming Home. There's also a Netflix series titled 'Surviving Death,' with the first episode focusing on near-death experiences. The Netflix series is particularly compelling due to its inclusion of multiple witnesses with corroborating experiences. It's an exceptionally rich area of exploration, and the alignment of these experiences with our discussions is truly awe-inspiring.
To conclude, I'd like to leave you with a practical application. Consider incorporating morning meditation into your daily routine to help clear your mind and center yourself. It's a simple yet effective practice to enhance your overall well-being. Additionally, if you haven't already, I encourage you to check out Dave's book, 'Nightmares to Miracles,' available on Amazon. It provides a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the topics discussed here in this blog.
