predencia

‘No one can fail who seeks to reach the truth.’

Failure is all about you while you seek for goals that cannot be achieved. You look for permanence in impermanence, for love where there is none, and for safety in the midst of danger; immortality within the darkness of the dream of death. You look for safety and security, while in your heart you pray for danger and protection for the little dreams you made.

Yet searching is inevitable here. Be glad that search you must. Be glad as well to learn you search for heaven, and must find the goal you really want. No one can fail to find this goal, and reach it in the end. No one can fail who seeks to reach the truth, and it is truth we seek to reach today.

We will devote ten minutes to this goal three times today. Begin with this:

I ask to see a different world, and think a different kind of thought from those I made. The world I seek I did not make alone, the thoughts I want to think are not my own.

For several minutes watch your mind and see, although your eyes are closed, the senseless world you think is real. Review the thoughts which are compatible with such a world, and which you think are true. Then let them go and sink below them to the holy place where they can enter not.

This is a long lesson, about 1,500 words long, with lots of repeated phrases. Essentially its about seeking the truth, and being confident that if we really want the truth we will find it. What was amazing today was when the truth appeared, from the lips of Connie B of ABELA Lifelong Learning, I was very reluctant to accept it.

I met Connie at the Narrating the Caribbean Nation Conference inLeedslast month. She’s doing some work inBirminghamas we agreed to meet up. What I thought was going to be a discussion about writing quickly descended into a spiritual one in which she suggested I needed to listen to and be guided more by my ancestors. Not just the recently departed but the long ago ones for whom time and space does not exist anyway.

I came home and checked out some Egyptian stuff and was lead to MAAT the God of Truth. I found nothing there would contradict the teachings of ACIM and therefore can happily run them in tandem. After all, at the end of the day, we are all heading to the same place.

The new novel is still at research phase. I spent a few very happy hours with my son looking through old photos, school records and memorabilia from their childhood. I just hope I can do them justice.

‘It is impossible to see two worlds.’

Perception is consistent. What you see reflects your thinking. And your thinking but reflects your choice of what you want to see. Your values are determiners of this, for what you value you must want to see, believing what you see is really there. No one can see a world his mind has not accorded value. And no one can fail to look upon what he believes he wants.

Yet can you really hate and love at once. It is impossible to see two worlds which have no overlap of any kind. Seek for the one; the other disappears. Today we will attempt no compromise where none is possible.

Six times today, in thanks and gratitude, we gladly give five minutes to the thought that ends all compromise and doubt, and go beyond them all as one. Come to these five minutes emptying your hands of all the petty treasures of the world. You wait for God to help you as you say:

It is impossible to see two worlds. Let me accept the strength God offers me and see no value in this world, that I may find my freedom and deliverance.

I had to fight hard today not to see two worlds. It’s amazing how split my mind can be. One moment I’m totally focused on the world of love and peace and joy and happiness, then someone cuts me up at the lights and my mind wants to go first to calling him a w**ker. There is a split second before I realise he’s part of me and I might just as well be calling myself a w**ker.

Or working with a client today and recognising that he was not telling me the truth and wondering if that’s how obvious I am when I’m splitting myself in two and trying to be two people at once and seeing two worlds.

As I walked by the fountain by the central library I had to do a double take. There, under the clock, was a gondola and four gondoliers, in front of a make believe scene fromVenice. They were offering photos set against this backdrop. It brought home today’s lesson visually. Looking at it close up you could believe you were inVenice, pull back and the full picture becomes visible.

That’s what this course is allowing me to do…to stand back and see the bigger picture.

‘Beyond this world there is a world I want.’

This is the thought that follows from the one we practiced yesterday. You cannot stop with the idea that the world is worthless, for unless you see that there is something else to hope for, you will only be depressed. Our emphasis is not on giving up the world, but on exchanging it for what is more satisfying, filled with joy, and capable of offering you peace.

Practice your willingness to make this change ten minutes in the morning and at night, and once more in between. Begin with this:

Beyond this world there is a world I want. I choose to see that world instead of this, for here is nothing that I want.

Then close your eyes upon the world you see, and in the silent darkness watch the lights that are not of this world light one by one, until where one begins and another ends loses all meaning as they blend in one.

Take a moment each hour to confirm your choice by laying by whatever thoughts you have, and saying:

The world I see holds nothing that I want.

Beyond this world there is a world I want.

I slept for four hours last night and woke up this morning too excited, head too full of the new book to go back to sleep. Although I hadn’t planned to, I went to Fit Bootcamp this morning (I knew I wouldn’t be going to Ceroc as I was going to watch the Cuban Contemporary Dance company at the Hippodrome) and I need the exercise.

There were no spare moments in my head today as every would be spare moment was occupied with thoughts and plans for the new novel. New possibilities presented themselves throughout the day. I was actually grateful that it rained for most of the day, staying in and slaving over a hot laptop was preferable to anything I could possibly have found to distracted me. I know this is right now. It took me 5000 words to find the right format, but I’m confident it will flow now.

Back to the lesson. I’ve already seen a most beautiful world beyond this one, I know its there and it’s more real than this one. My way of getting there is by completing the things I came to do, and as writing is one of them, I’m getting on with it.

Another of course is parenting, isn’t it great when one can kill two birds with one stone?

The performance by Danza Contemporanea de Cuba was spellbinding in places. Such energy, such grace. They moved like flowing water. See separate review in events review.

‘The world I see holds nothing that I want.’

The world you see hold nothing that you need to offer you; nothing that you can use in any way, nor anything at all that serves to give you joy. Believe this though and you are saved from years of misery, from countless disappointments, and from hopes that turn to bitter ashes of despair.

Each thing that you value here is but a chain that binds you to the world, and it will serve no other but this. Escape today the chains you place upon your mind when you perceive salvation here.

Today we practice letting go all thought of values we have given to the world. Pause and be still a little while, and see how far you rise above the world, when you release your mind from chains and let it seek the level where it finds itself at home.

Give it ten minutes rest three times today. And when you open your eyes afterwards…your whole perspective on the world will shift just a little, every time you let your mind escape its chains. And when you think you see some value in something of this world say with quiet certainty:

This will not tempt me to delay myself.
The world I see holds nothing that I want.

I looked around at all my dream boards today when I returned from Fit Bootcamp  and recognised that there are lots of things in this world that I want – houses, cars, furniture, holidays, etc. I want these things, but for me the lesson meant that these are not the things that will bring me peace. None of these things in and of themselves can replace the peace that comes from letting go of grievances and focusing on love.

What brought me the greatest excitement today was clarity about the parenting book. Even though I was writing I still hadn’t connected with it in a way that made the words spin off the end of my finger tips, and race to secure their place on the page. It happened about 4 p.m.I was talking to a friend about being in a year 9. I just wanted to check my year 6 again in relation to creativity. There it was bold as anything – The year 6 focuses energy on relationships…and on children and family within this framework.

That was my clear message that this is the right time to be addressing issues of children. I sat down again with certainty that I’m absolutely supposed to be doing this now. Within a few minutes of beginning writing again the style changed. It became more conversational, dialogue started to appear, and I suddenly realised that I was not writing an academic or ever a professional book but a book of one parent’s experience of raising her children; of the ups and downs, the fears, disappointments, near deaths, achievements and above all the love.

It will be an easier book to write on some level and yet a more difficult one on another. It require honesty that will expose things I’ve only ever shared with those closest to me. One thing in particular I cringed at the thought of sharing – but realised that without it I could not give a true picture of how things were at that time – and hopefully it may be of help to someone else.

Tonight I was asked if I’d like to take part in a major poetry performance piece in July. It’s something I’d love to do, and especially as the performance will be on my mother’s birthday, but I have to see if I can run poetry and prose. Ironically I’m required for my sensual poetry.

These are the things that I value most, the opportunity to use my gifts and express myself. Another aspect of the year 6 is ‘a fertile time for your creativity.’

BRING IT ON!!!

‘There is no love but God’s.’

Perhaps you think that different kinds of love are possible. Perhaps you think that there is a kind of love for this, a kind for that; a way of loving one, another way of loving still another. Love is one. It has no separate parts and no degrees, no kinds nor levels, no divergences and no distinctions. It is like itself, unchanged throughout. It never alters with a person or a circumstance. It is the heart of God and also of His Son.

Love cannot judge. Love is a law without an opposite. Its wholeness is the power holding everything as one. No law the world obeys can help you grasp love’s meaning. Today we take the largest single step this course requests in your advance towards its established goal.

For fifteen minutes twice today escape from every law you now believe. Open your mind and rest. At least three times an hour think of someone who is sharing this journey with you and say:

I bless you, brother, with the Love of God, which I would share with you. For I would learn the joyous lesson that there is no love but God’s and yours and mine and everyone’s.

I understand why this is billed as the largest single step in the course. It is asking that we treat everyone exactly the same in terms of love. One cannot have different kinds of love; essentially there isn’t a different kind of love for our wives, husbands, children, siblings, friends, colleagues, and the man-in-the-street. There is only one love and it must be applied equally.

It took me till the end of the course last time to grasp this concept, and even now I still sometimes struggle with it. How can I not love my children more than the people on Erdington High Street or in the Bullring markets? Shouldn’t I have a different love for my husband than shopkeepers and neighbours?

I’ve been trying today to apply this lesson, but in all honesty I’ve not been able to love my son’s ex-landlady as much as I love my son. I will keep working on it though.

Pic is of the bull outside the Bullring – all ready for the Olympics

‘All that I give I give to myself.’

Today’s idea, completely alien to the ego and he thinking of the world, is crucial to the thought reversal that this course will bring about. If you believed this statement, there would be no problem in complete forgiveness, certainty of goal, and sure direct ion.

Let us consider what you do believe, in place of this idea. It seems to you that other people are apart from you, and able to behave in ways which have no bearing on your thoughts, nor yours on theirs. Therefore, your attitudes have no effect on them, and their appeals for help are not in any way related to your own.

Today we try to understand the truth that giver and receiver are the same. You will need help to make this meaningful, because it is so alien to thoughts to which you are accustomed. But the help you need is there.

Give fifteen minutes twice today to the attempt to understand today’s idea. I silence, close your eyes upon the world that does not understand forgiveness, and seek sanctuary in the quiet place where thoughts are changed and false beliefs laid by. Repeat today’s idea and ask for help in understanding what it really means. Be willing to be taught.

As often as you can, remind yourself you have a goal today; an aim which makes this day of special value to yourself and all your brothers. Do not let your mind forget this goal for long, but tell yourself:

All that I give is given to myself. The help I need to learn that this is true is with me now. And I will trust in Him.

In one day I was hit by so many things.

1. Complementary healing treats symptoms – without the allopathic side effects – but still symptoms not cause.
2. The only real treatment of the cause of sickness is a change in thinking (not using my Reiki does not compromise my purpose as healer as I am more focused on cause than symptoms.)
3. Healing can be instant, because a change of thought can be instant
4. It is very easy to slip back into grievance, especially when one’s children what are involved.
5. Wishing karmic retribution on someone is not forgiveness.
6. What irritates me in someone else is a reflection of some unresolved issue in me.

After seeing a client this morning where I was reminded of many of these things I went to watch an open air performance as part of the International Dance Festival 2012. An innovative piece called ‘Home’.(See separate blog)  The cast was a mix of professional and inexperienced dancers and was incredibly moving at times.

‘In quiet I receive God’s Word today.’

Let this day be a day of stillness and of quiet listening. Your Father will you hear His Word today. He calls to you from deep within your mind where He abides. Hear Him today. No peace is possible until His Word is heard around the world; until your mind, in quiet listening, accepts the message that the world must hear to usher in the quiet time of peace.

This world will change through you. In stillness we will hear God’s Voice today without intrusion of our petty thoughts, without our personal desires, and without all judgement of His holy Word. Today we will not listen to the world, but wait in silence of the Word of God.

Three times today, at times most suitable for silence, give ten minutes set apart from listening to the world, and choose instead a gentle listening to the Word of God. As every hour passes by today, be still a moment and remind yourself you have a special purpose for this day; in quiet to receive the Word of God.

As the sun was out this morning I took the opportunity to spend my quiet time in the park. Although I had my headphones in my ears I decided to leave the music off to allow thought to drift through unimpeded. I really wanted to hear God’s this morning. I didn’t so much hear God as saw the beauty of His creation all around me. New flowers have replaced the cherry blossoms, and the magnolia trees have become balding old men, the lush spread of flowers now reduced to a sprinkle, threads in a fading tapestry.

A three mile walk prepared me well for our Writers Without Borders meeting which it was my turn and pleasure to chair. As usual I was stunned by the unrehearsed emergence of themes. Even our visitor Gary Longden’s (poet, spoken word critic and publicist). pieces fitted right in.

I had an opportunity to practice healing today, unexpectedly. I cannot pretend that it was all my idea, I’m pretty certain that I was guided, by the voice that I allowed in, to the source of the malaise, thus obviating the need to treat the symptoms.

It is possible to be totally at peace in a world full of drama and stress.

‘Let me remember I am one with God.’

Today we will once again give thanks for our Identity in God. Our home is safe, protection guaranteed in all we do, power and strength available to us in all our undertakings. We can fail in nothing. Everything we touch takes on a shining light that blesses and that heals. At one with God and with the universe we go our way rejoicing, with the thought that God Himself goes everywhere with us.

No miracle can ever be denied to those who know that they are one with God. No thought of theirs but has the power to heal all forms of suffering in anyone, in times gone by and times as yet to come, as easily as in the one who walks beside them now. Their thoughts are timeless, and apart from distance as apart from time.

Peace be with you today. Secure your peace by practicing awareness you are one with your Creator, as He is with you. Sometime today, whenever it seems best, devote a half an hour to the thought that you are one with God. This is our first attempt at an extended period for which we give no rules and no special words to guide your meditation. We will trust God’s voice to speak as He sees fit today, certain He will not fail. Abide in Him this half an hour. He will do the rest.

Repeat hourly:

‘Let me remember I am one with God, at one with all my brothers and my Self, in everlasting holiness and peace.’

Two things leapt out at me from today’s lesson. Both are highlighted in the first two paragraphs above. The first one was, We can fail in nothing. Put another way, when our identity is in God, everything we do is a success. I read it about ten times, and let it sink in before carrying on with the rest of the lesson. What would you do if you knew you could not fail? What would you do if you knew success was guaranteed?

The other was about our power to heal suffering in the past and future as well as in the present. I was stunned because this was a discussion I was having with a friend just the night before, and had also focused on it during my morning meditation, prior to reading the lesson. I watched an amazing film called What the Bleep Do We Know, and an accompanying box set of five DVD called Down the Rabbit Hole a few years ago which clearly shows what all mediators know: that time exists only in the mind. It’s based on quantum physics, but for me the physics is only now catching up with what the mystics have known for eons.

It’s the basis of Family Constellations, where we can return to situations in the past in order to heal them so that they are not carried into the future. It is the basis of clairvoyance where the future is visible to those willing to see it.

Sitting for half an hour seemed like such a long time when I first did the course, now it is a welcomed haven in overcrowded days. Was it the stillness that brought the call that helped clear my writer’s block? I don’t know, but my friend from Barbados called and when I explained that I was having difficulty writing the course because my parenting hasn’t exactly been conventional, she suggested that I write the book I want to write about my parenting and then take what seems right from it for the course. That way I will not have compromised my integrity, and in any case, maybe the book is more important than the course.

I felt freed from the constraints of academia and the words began to flow.

Other great news! I got my first cheque from the publisher today for the first quarter’s sales of Dare to Love. I won’t be giving up my day job just yet but I am extremely happy!

‘I thank my Father for His gifts to me.’

Today let me be thankful. We have come to gentler pathways and to smoother roads. There is no thought of turning back and no implacable resistance to the truth. A bit of wavering remains, some small objections and a little hesitance, but you can well be grateful for your gains, which are far greater than you realise.

A day devoted now to gratitude will add the benefit of some insight into the real extent of all the gains which you have made; the gifts you have received. Today in gratitude we lift our hearts above despair, and raise our thankful eyes, no longer looking downward to the dust. Today we smile on everyone we see, and walk with lightened footsteps as we go to do what is appointed us to do.

Remember hourly to think of Him, and give him thank for everything.

When I was in the middle of trying to reclaim my hacked email account I had to bear this and yesterday’s lesson of forgiveness in mind. Before I made any attempt to sort out the computer I sat for fifteen minutes and thought of all the things I had to be grateful for. Even after fifteen minutes I still had not exhausted my long list of blessings. It was in this frame of mind I approached the hacking, and managed to see it as one small drop of inconvenience in a sea of good.

Hotmail were very good and took me through a process to regain my account without anyone else piggy-backing on it and using it to send out SPAM. I’m so sorry if you were caught up in that whole episode, and if you did I hope you found my email about how to rectify it helpful.

Throughout the day I focused on gratitude, beginning with making it to Fit Bootcamp and back in one piece. It was gruelling work in an old converted warehouse under the stone arches somewhere round the back ofSt Paul’s Square. Not the most salubrious of places but Maria (who was also one of the Zumba instructors at theEthiopia charity do a couple of weeks ago) really put us through our paces.

There’s something about working up a sweat at the start of the day that sets you up for taking on anything for the rest of the day.

Only thing resisting change is my writer’s block.

Pic is of the Zumba night. Maria is the one in yellow.