Meet Jamaal

Say hello to Jamaal, yet another supporting character in The Adventures of the Course KidsTM -Through Faith and Grace©, soon to be published and released by...

 So many questions pop into young Grace's head upon first encountering Jamaal and the other guests at The Hospitality House:  "Why is he here?  Where is he from?  Why isn't he staying with his family?"

Grace has difficulty moving beyond her fear.  Will Jamaal's actions help her recognize her light within?

"O Captain! My Captain!"

This past week I got word that one of my dear uncles is dealing with some very challenging health issues.  He and my aunt were a big part of my support/care system when I was growing up. They each made me feel loved, important and embraced.

Since I'm not able to make the trip to visit him right now, I wrote this valued family member a personal message of gratitude for all that he and my aunt have done for me over the years. One recollection that I shared with this man, who served his country proudly in the Navy during WWII and who then taught me how to safely drive a pleasure boat, was the selflessness and gentle strength that he demonstrated to me on the waters of Long Island Sound. By turning over control of his vessel to me, he reinforced my abilities and capabilities.

After reminiscing and offering him gratitude, I then moved on to share a spiritual message with my uncle that I hope will inspire him to, once again, be the captain of his ship as he navigates these choppy waters.

***

My dear uncle, I’d like to share some things that I know for sure:

I’m guessing that you know that I’m a spiritual person.  Not necessarily religious because of the way many church honchos have decided who and who will not receives God’s blessing. I’ve said “Phooey” to them, and have found the direct line to Jesus and the Holy Spirit, thus eliminating the middleman. 

Here are just a few things that Jesus and/or the Holy Spirit have communicated to me. What they’ve shared with me holds true for you and everyone else.

• We are One with God.  So, believing in this truism the only conclusion is that we are as God is.  We are Peace, Joy, Truth and Love. We are Eternal! If God always was and always shall be, then so are we.  If God is Spirit, then so are we.  We take on these bodies while we’re on earth so that we have a means of symbolically communicating with each other, a way of extending our love, and a means by which we can learn our lesson of forgiveness.  But we are not our bodies. We are spirit directly connected with God…as One.

• Miracles do occur!  Healing happens at the level of the mind.  If what we perceive we choose to believe, then too often we are allowing ourselves to be victims.  But if we reverse that phrase…and more importantly that belief, then we take hold of the wheel and steer our ship in the direction in which we want it to go. So instead think, What we believe, we perceive!

If we believe our bodies are sick, we reinforce that belief  and we perceive sickness. But, if we say, “Forget it.  I'm not believing that and I choose not to perceive that!  My right-thinking puts me in charge here!!” Then, we become the captains of our ship.  We activate the miracle by appealing to the liaison to the Commander-in-Chief by asking,

“Holy Spirit/Jesus, please help me to see this situation differently.   I don’t know how you’re going to do this, 

but I believe that you can and you will.” 

Then rest and believe.  

Let the Holy Spirit/Jesus take over from there.  And through your belief system have faith that they will do what God ordains them to do.

God’s Peace will be your peace.  God's Grace will be your grace. God's Wholeness will be your wholeness.  All you need to do is ask, believe, still your mind and receive.

"Seek and ye shall find

Knock and the door shall be opened. 

Ask and it shall be given 

As His love comes tumbling down.”

 Photos by Barb Adams (c) 2014

The title, "O Captain, My Captain," is borrowed from the poem of the same title by Walt Whitman (A fellow Long Islander.)

of Course Publishing

I'm proud to introduce you to my company, of Course Publishing!

The mission of of Course Publishing is to create, produce and distribute original and inspiring spiritual and educational media, materials and products related to A Course in Miracles and similar spiritual paths.

The initial book to be published by of Course Publishing, will be the first in the series, The Adventures of the Course Kids ™ Through Faith and Grace©  Our anticipated release of the book, geared toward children-tweens and their parent/caregiver/teacher, is set for mid-late October.

My company, my book and my practice are all based on A Course in Miracles. Our books, media and related products will resonate with ACIM students and those who follow similar spiritual paths.

I invite you to follow my blog so that you will be among the first to receive updates.

Through the Fog I Heard His Voice

The fog was thick and in the darkness I felt afraid.  Ghoulish images crossed my path and my instinct was to attack. I felt that if I could scream loud enough and swipe fast enough, I could rid myself of those demons. But my voice seemed to be sucked into a vast vacuum and my arms felt numb. I could barely move.

“Am I dreaming?” I heard myself ask. Yet, to whom was I speaking?

I started to cry. “I’m so scared,” I sobbed…to seemingly no one.

The fog only got thicker. My fear only intensified. And I fell deeper into the dream.

“I love you,” I faintly heard.

“What?” I asked, as I rubbed my eyes and looked around.

“I love you,” whispered the Voice.

“Who are You?” I asked as I quickly turned to see Who was speaking to me.  “And, what do You want?”

“I want you to remember who you truly are, that you were made from Love, that you are Love.  Know this and your fear will vanish.”

“What?  Who are You?”

“I am Love and I created you. 

“What?”

“You don’t have to live in that dream, in that nightmare.  But, it is your choice,” said the Voice.  “I have been calling to you through the fog, but you have continued to turn and run away. The farther you have ventured from My Voice, the more fearful you have become. Come home to Me. Come home to yourself. Then, you shall awaken and know the Truth.”

“I’m afraid!” I whimpered.

“And where has your fear taken you, but only deeper into the fog; into the nightmare.  Has that abolished your fear or simply intensified it?”

“Well, its....wait! How do I know that I can trust You?”

“Do you trust Fear? the Voice asked.

“No. Of course not.”

“Then, why do you follow him?”

“I don’t follow him!  I make up my own mind.”

“Yes, you do,” said the Voice.  “You make up your mind that you’d rather live in fear than in peace and joy.  It is by your decisions that you follow him.

“Hmmm, you’ve got a point there.  But, I don’t know You.  Why would I follow You?”

“Of course you know Me,” the Voice said ever so gently.  “I am your Joy.  I am your Peace.  I am Love and I created you in My Image.  What is there not to trust?”

“Uh, I don’t know.  What do I have to do?” I asked hesitantly.

“It’s simple,” said the Voice. All I ask is that you forgive yourself for what you perceive as your errors, and forgive your brothers and sisters for what you perceive as theirs.”

“Are you kidding me here?”  I said incredulously.  “I have sinned and there’s no way I can forgive myself for what I’ve done.  And forgive my brothers and sisters? That won't happen!  Not the way they’ve hurt me!”

“And by holding on to those grievances, and by punishing yourself,” asked the Voice, “has that made things better? Do you feel more peaceful, more joyful and loving?”

“Of course not!” I scolded.  But I can’t forgive myself for what I’ve done, and I’ll never let those guys off the hook.  They hurt me too badly.”

As those word poured out of my mouth, I began to sob uncontrollably.  “Dear Lord, help me,” I pleaded.

“Peace be with you,” the Voice breathed into me.

At once I felt my chest release. My crying subsided. “Wait, what did you just do?” I asked the Voice.

“I gave you My Peace,” came His reply.

“But…how did you do that?

“Easily,” said the Voice.  “You had a moment when you began to believe again. It was then that you were able to feel my Love.”

“Oh…my…God!” I said.

“Yes,” said the Voice.”

I laughed. The fog was lifting and I felt more awake. My mind was at peace.

“OK,” I said.  “I’ll give this thing a try, but you have to promise me that you’ll hang with me while I’m figuring all of this out.”

“No prob,” said the Voice.

I smiled.

"Yay!"

This essay, written and submitted by my partner and I, and was first published in the Rochester, NY Democrat and Chronicle newspaper in July 2010.

Each day when he learns something new, he says, “Yay!” with great enthusiasm. His body arches and he giggles out loud.  We, his grandmothers who care for him three afternoons each week, applaud and answer his glee with our own celebratory outpourings. 

As retired educators, we know the benefits of honoring success and providing a stimulating environment through cooperative, exploratory, and imaginative activities. Our almost-five year-old grandson radiates joy, excitement and love of learning as he manipulates his body and various objects and pours through books with intense concentration.  Within his relatively brief tenure as a learner, he has made amazing strides. 

As he enters kindergarten in the fall, we ask his future teachers:  What will you do to keep this flame alive?  How will you ensure that our grandson’s curiosity and love of learning continue?  How will you applaud his (and his peers’) successes and encourage his interest in the unknown?  Will you resist the temptation to provide all the answers and instead encourage him to ask higher-level questions? Will you have the confidence to guide him in seeking answers through various means?  What meaningful steps will you take to broaden his literacy in reading, writing, speaking, music and movement? What will you do to assure his parents and us that when we walk into his classroom, we will not find him sullen and discouraged and lost within the masses? 

Oh, what a travesty that would be. 

******************************************************** 
I post this letter for our newest grandchildren who will be entering through the school house doors within the next few years, and in honor of all kids who will be starting school this coming fall. 
Barb 8.30.2014

"There Must be Another Way" Part II

Is there a better way? YES

Is guilt a package-deal with one’s faith? NO. IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE.

There is a better way.  But you have to be ready to completely change the way you perceive yourself, others and the world.  Not to mention Heaven.  And yes, Hell, yet another name for guilt and fear.

I recall writing a letter to the editor of our local newspaper.  The topic of my essay was about the inherent identity of people. Because judgment leads to discrimination, which I had experienced too many times and which runs rampant throughout so many cultures, I felt compelled to take a stand.  I wrote:

If the true essence of a person is his/her soul and not the color of his skin, her body weight, the accent of his native language, or his/her gender or sexual orientation, then aren’t we all alike?  Essentially, aren’t we each our spirit, which has no color, weight, accent, gender or sexual orientation?  So, if our real identity is that of our soul, how then can we judge and discriminate against another when there is truly nothing to judge and we are all the same?

I was on to something, but not receiving any feedback on my contention (and feeling a little uneasy about even having it published), I abandoned my stand.  I put my premise out there and then walked away from it, not fully developing my thoughts. Yet, something deep within my being was calling out to be recognized, if not by others, then surely myself.

So, what is this better way?  Why isn’t it making headlines?  How come people haven’t heard about it? Why are we suffering when there’s no need to?

The better way isn’t just one way.  There are many paths out there and one must choose that which calls to them; that resonates with them.  My better way is A Course in Miracles.  The Course first caught my attention in 1996 when I picked up my sister’s ACIM book.  The Introduction hooked me, and I quote it here verbatim from the Combined Volume, Second Edition, published by the Foundation for Inner Peace:

This is a course in Miracles.  It is a required course.  Only the time you take it is voluntary.  Free will does not mean that you can establish the curriculum.  It means only that you can elect what you want to take at a given time.  The course does not aim at teaching the meaning of love, for that is beyond what can be taught.  It does aim, however, at removing the blocks to the awareness of love’s presence, which is your natural inheritance.  The opposite of love is fear, but what is all-encompassing can have no opposite.

This course can therefore be summed up very simply in this way:

Nothing real can be threatened.

Nothing unreal exists.

Herein lies the peace of God.  I-1-2

You want to know what first caught my eye in this beautiful introduction?  The statement, The opposite of love is fear…  That is pretty darn powerful.  Had I been asked, What is the opposite of love? prior to reading that line I would have answered: hate.  But guess what?  Hate is based on fear.  So is envy, spite, jealousy, animus, ridicule, bullying, discrimination, anger, resentment, abuse, repugnance, attack, repulsion, abandonment, enmity, hatred, hostility, loathing, antagonism, rancor, revenge, guilt, shame, disgust, aversion, disgust, animosity, grievance, revulsion, scorn, war. And yet the list is not complete. But how easily these synonyms came to mind.  Er-r-r-r!

My challenge:  Would words and actions, which compliment LOVE burst forth as easily?

I knew that I had found my path, away from fear and toward a remembrance of Divine Love.  But it would take me another sixteen years until I found the connection to my Inner Teacher.

 Photos by Barb Adams (c)2014

This is what I understand today.

"There Must be Another Way" Part I

Years ago when I used to go to Confession, I would first do a mental inventory.  I'd try to figure out how I had sinned so that when I knelt down in that dark box and waited for the male figure on the other side to slide open the little door, I’d have something to say.

“Bless me Father for I have sinned.  It’s been six weeks since my last Confession.  Father, I ________ (This is where I had to fill in the blank.) 

When I was a kid, I’d say something like: “I lied to my mother three times and I disobeyed her twice.”

“Is there anything else?” the priest on the other side would ask.

“No, Father.”

“For your penance, say five Hail Mary’s, and five Our Fathers.”

“Yes, Father.”

Then the priest would pray over me to absolve me of my (made up) sins.

The little door would slide closed.  I’d get up off my knees, open the heavy velvet curtain and walk up to the altar railing, kneel down again, then bless myself. 

“In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Hail Mary full of Grace, the Lord is with Thee. Blessed art Thou among women and blessed is the fruit of Thy Womb, Jesus.  Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.  Amen."

“Hail Mary…..”

I’d say my penance, feel cleansed and hot-tail it out of church.  Then, I’d breathe a sigh of relief that I had survived that ordeal…until the next time.

What I learned from that early religious experience was that I had been instructed to feel guilt, to search my mind for artifacts of guilt, sometimes for things that I hadn’t done.  Even if I had not sinned I felt compelled to make something up so that I could feel the requisite guilt.  I had to tell some mysterious, authoritative man sitting in a little box about it, and then wait for him to tell me that I was OK.

With all the mandates, rules and guidelines for obedience, I carried the feeling with me of living in that dark little box with the specter of guilt choking me for most of my life. Orthodoxy can do that to innocent minds. “Slam!” the door would shut closed and I’d find myself in the dark, smelling the incense of damnation.

“There must be a another way.”  

And I have found it!

 

Top photo by Barb Adams (c)2014