Tilba, Australia 2009. David’s journey to the “A Course in Miracles.”
Tag: Pain
Inspiration 5–10 mins, Anger, Consistent Experience, Contentment and Happiness, Dreamer of the Dream, Miracles, Pain, Perception, Self-Honesty
Choosing the Miracle
This is a clip from the May/June 2010 retreat at the Living Miracles Monastery on choosing the miracle, which is a happy, peaceful state of mind no matter what seems to be going on.
Guidance 5–10 mins, Discernment, Ego, Judgments, Mind Training, Miracle Worker, Miracles, Pain, Pleasure, Theory vs Experience, True Joy
Discerning between the Ego and Spirit
In this David Hoffmeister ACIM teaching, we dive into the topic of discernment. Becoming aware of the difference between the voice of the ego and the Voice of the Spirit is our life’s work. It is a gradual and gentle process. David shares on his own experience of getting in touch with feelings and intuition, following the Spirit, and finding joy and freedom. The best way to discern between the voice of the ego and Spirit is to ask yourself, “How do I feel?” The ego generates a lot of feel-good disguises. But it is impossible to seek for pleasure without finding pain. It is as if you got an electric shock every time you had sex. This discernment work takes deep introspection and inner work. Only the miracle gives you everything you want. Yet it costs you nothing; there is no deprivation. Just follow the tickle of your heart, of your intuition, which will lead you to the truth.
Trust 10–30 mins, Authority Problem, Beliefs and Concepts, Control, Ego, Equality, Pain, Pleasure, True Freedom, True Peace, Trust
Withdrawing Investment in the Ego
We can take an honest look at how we have invested the mind’s energy: “you made it [the ego] by believing in it, so you can dispel it by withdrawing belief from it,” (T-7.VIII.5:2) says ACIM. It’s not about trusting more (you’ll just beat yourself up over that one); it’s about reinvesting your trust in that which will bring true fruition, true peace of mind. We’ve invested our belief in personal freedom and special people and places to bring us truth/peace. Loosen your investment in the personal and come to freedom as a state of mind.
Stress and Worry 10–30 mins, Denial, Distractions, Forgiveness, Mind, Misperception, Pain, Perception, Repression
Divine Mind
The cosmos has kept us mindless, yet we are abstract Mind. Go into your divine Mind. Pain is a misperception. Be mindful. Face what you’re feeling and the belief underneath it; question it and forgive it.
Health and Sickness 5–10 mins, Body, Desire, Function, Memory, Miracle Worker, Miracles, Non-Compromise, Pain, Personality-Self, Time and Space
Giving up Compromise
Pain is a selective memory. We are learning from the Holy Spirit that memory is an ability we have made up. It’s common to think of memory in terms of being in the past, and that is painful. Pain and pleasure, both equally illusory, are ego devices that reinforce the identification with the body. With healing, we are opening up to the present moment. Through miracle working, we are focusing our mind on the present. Desire leads the way, not our own preparation or works. The spiritual journey is simply giving up compromise, and being a miracle worker is simply giving up all compromise.
Health and Sickness 10–30 mins, Duality, Feelings of Lack, Healing, Miracle Impulses, Pain, Pleasure, Sex and Sexuality
Distorted Miracle Impulse
David answers questions about pain and pleasure. He shares that every desire of this world is a distorted impulse for the experience of our connection with God.
Health and Sickness 10–30 mins, Beliefs and Concepts, Christ-Identity, Invulnerability, Jesus, Pain, Transcendence
The Crucifixion
The crucifixion is only painful in the ego’s interpretation. Everything is mental. In “A Course in Miracles,” Jesus says, “And you will recognize you practiced well by this: The body should not feel at all.” W-136.17:2 The crucifixion’s lesson is: Teach only love for that is what you are. And the reason that Jesus could teach that lesson during the crucifixion was because his mind was “above the battleground.” Nothing can harm the Spirit and this is why, in truth, you need no defenses.
Health and Sickness 10–30 mins, Call for Love, Grief and Sadness, Holy Spirit, Miracles, Pain, Perception, True Forgiveness
Pain as Opportunity
Pain is a strong calling for the love that is right beneath it. Don’t try to figure the pain out or distract from it. See it as an opportunity to correct perception. Being miracle-minded is the best protection. Take an active approach to align with Spirit. In the Holy Spirit’s interpretation, there is no error. Forgive your misperceptions of pain or upset. You have a glorious Source and the sourceless ego can’t harm you. Crying can let painful feelings up and out.
Who’s Driving?
The ego is never still, it never arrives, it’s always perpetually striving for nothing. This leads to an enormous amount of fear. Giving our lives over to the Holy Spirit lifts us gradually into an experience of joy.