In this “A Course in Miracles” (ACIM) retreat at the end of summer of 2008, David discusses some of the deepest themes in the teachings and application of the principles of ACIM: judgment and guidance. What is judgment, and how does the Holy Spirit use discernment to lead the mind to its escape from specifics and back to Heaven?
Anger
Using Relationships for Healing (Part 1)
The special relationship is a futile attempt to complete your self by adding another self. But completion can only be found within your mind. Your relationship mirrors what is in your mind. Does it serve the purpose of projection and blame? Or do you use it to help you identify your own feelings, thoughts, and beliefs so you can turn them over to the Holy Spirit?
Denial and Suppression
If you notice the mechanism of denial and suppression, you’ll notice the ego uses it to hold on to secrets and private thoughts. You can smile, put on a happy face, have a stiff upper lip. You can maintain a facade of dignity and peace, and even have a pride about the surface level things. But if you have an inner churning, the thoughts surrounding that upset need to be expressed and released. Jesus points the mind towards a purified state of being. Healing takes place as you clean and clear the mind.
Disappearance and Use of the Body
What’s the correct use of the body? What is it for? David Hoffmeister explains the practical application of “A Course in Miracles” by sharing a story about a friend who hypnotized herself to not see her body, and yet still had guilt to expose and release before experiencing the neutrality of the body and the disappearance of the universe. After this story and healing lesson, David shares the experience of the whole mind or forgiven dream in which there are no “parts” or judgments present.
Relationships Mirror Unconscious Beliefs
David Hoffmeister describes the way to forgive relationships by seeing the value that people offer as mirrors of unconscious beliefs. Through relationships and spiritual community you recognize the “fast track” to enlightenment. The ego is undone when it no longer holds any value or attraction, and forgiveness lights the way.
Working with a Spiritual Teacher
When you invite a spiritual teacher to work with you, as Dan invites Socrates in the movie Peaceful Warrior, your experience can be more intense and bring up resistance. But exposing at that accelerated rate leads to transformation.
Christ Consciousness
Let Love be your adviser in these matters, let Love lead you day to day, moment to moment. Ask for Christ consciousness. You are the Christ and Christ is not a manager of money! ACIM is drawing us into an experience of peace of mind and the desire for that experience must be out front! We must want this experience and trust that Spirit will use everything that comes our way for that experience.
Feeling Angry at the World
The belief in separation is projected out onto specific people and situations. It’s typical for it to be experienced as anger with bosses, judges, policeman, parents; people with authority. The little-me takes the role of victim and is stuck feeling angry at the world. David quotes Alanis Morissette: “Thank you for your most generous triggers.” (Alanis Morissette, “Madness”) The ego rages at God, strangely wanting to be “right” about its misperception of littleness. If we can remember this gentle phrase from the songwriter however, we can stop the explosion of the ego and approach the truth of any situation with some grace. Taking responsibility for our own projections is ultimate and true humility.
Healing Anger and Rage
Authentically healing anger and rage ultimately comes down to working with thoughts. Expressing anger with the body can be useful initially to break through patterns of repression and denial but ultimately it is the thoughts that need to be released.
Follow the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit sees only two orders of thought: love or a call for love. You as a person cannot make this distinction. Yet, this distinction is the gateway back to eternal life. Therefore, this important distinction is the Holy Spirit’s job to make for you when you surrender your will for His. This sends the mind into a state of humbleness where the prayer to the Holy Spirit is “show me.” Ultimately, we do not follow people, we follow Spirit. David Hoffmeister is a living example of the teachings in “A Course in Miracles.” For those who are feeling the call to Awaken, David Hoffmeister offers pure inspiration! “A Course in Miracles” is a pointer towards non-dual awareness, Oneness.