David Hoffmeister has been teaching the principals found in ACIM for many years. He has been uncompromising in his practice of what the Course teaches. Because of his uncompromising approach, he is now a living demonstration of the Awakened Mind. As “A Course in Miracles” states: “You will learn this Course completely or not at all.” This series of videos recorded at the Kalani retreat center in Hawaii helps one to understand some of the steps required to awaken to the clear and beautiful state that the Course describes as the Christ Mind. Enjoy!
Power of Thought
Becoming Passersby
Empty the mind of concepts. The mind is the classroom. Spirit will use many different backdrops for mind training. The goal is to be able to watch the world without having investment in it, to become a passer-by.
The Belief in Separation
The belief in separation is actually the belief in impossibility. The ego created the world. God did not create the world. You can’t connect a God of Love to a distorted perceptual world where there seem to be so many problems. We have a belief in the concept of duality. This is an error. This very error has to be exposed. We have to look at this error together and expose its falsity. This whole world was made as a giant hiding place. Duality is in the mind, not in the world. When the mind decided to take the idea seriously (forgot to laugh) the whole cosmos was created as a giant fig leaf to cover up the belief in shame and guilt. You have to look within and see and expose the shame for the nothingness it is instead of trying to project it into time and space. The problem is not time and space, it is in your mind that made up the belief. We need to release the error and realize that it has no consequence. The instant the error seemed to arise the Answer was given.
Unworthiness and Miracles
Fear of experiencing miracles comes from our deep-seated unworthiness that we are not worthy of love. We need new experiences—miracles—that contradict our limited sense of self. We are afraid to drop the mask and experience our power because we think we misused our power and are afraid of experiencing it again. The ego would keep us small. So, “A Course in Miracles” reminds us of how worthy we are. You are worthy of experiencing miracles. The mind has a deep sense of being not worthy, but the Spirit is trustworthy and worthy of your trust in Him. The belief in being unworthy of love runs deep in the mind, but it is a worthy task to allow feelings of unworthiness to come up for healing. Healing is something you’re worthy of, and you can embrace your own self worth now.
Reading the Course
How you read the Course depends on the readiness of the mind. A teenage “crystal child” went to a Course group in Cincinnati and read their minds. Such a one need not read the Course cover-to-cover. Most Course students, however, read the Course cover-to-cover, not just once, but many times. Some don’t read it front-to-back, but pick it up and open it to use as an oracle.
Non-Judgment Is the Goal
As A Course in Miracles teaches, the happy dream of non-judgment is the goal; not God. As we release our beliefs and see through forgiving eyes, the Holy Spirit will provide everything we think we need. As we let go of judgment, the Spirit will work through us in a very beautiful and joyful way! We will experience the happy dream!
Say What You Need to Hear
Our voices are a mechanism for us to teach what we would learn. We even draw forth characters and situations that reflect what’s going on inside of us. When we allow the Holy Spirit to use us as communication devices, the words we say are what we most need to hear.
Facing Discomfort
Allow the darkness to come up. Don’t distract away from discomfort and it will disappear in the light. It is all a reflection of thought. Nothing in the world can stop you from being happy.
Sickness Is in the Mind
Santa Barbara retreat 2010: David is asked about health issues.
Insurance Is a Bet Against Yourself
Health is inner peace. I can be hurt only by my own thoughts. “As I cleared my mind of fearful thoughts, I lost the need to be cautious. I simply followed Spirit into so-called “dangerous” situations. Rather than seek healing for myself, I have experienced the healing of others.” –David