David speaks about releasing the identification and attachment to private thoughts, and the experience of living in constant peace of mind. Everything merges together in the experience.
Questioning
Letting Go of the Illusion
As in the movies, we forget the world is a dream. The illusion seems so real. It was made so we would forget who we are. From our little role our problems seem magnified. But we are called into a purpose, a function that will take us through a washing of our mind that takes us into a more surreal state. We let go of our conditioning and gain a fresh, new perspective on the “set.” We get into a rhythm of bringing our false thoughts up and out. Then, instead of defending, we experience peace of mind. When we have a charge, the way out is to question it. Reflect on it; notice your contraction. It has no cause; you can just let it go. You don’t have to think like that anymore.
2008 Kentucky Retreat
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?
Trust and Unlearning the World
David Hoffmeister shares about how he was guided to start traveling around 1991 and how that was a big lesson in trust. There are many sections in A Course in Miracles (ACIM) which state that if we trust, everything we seem to need will be taken care of. This world is layer upon layer of much ado about nothing and it all has to be unlearned. ACIM is a course in unlearning. You have to empty your mind. While you still believe there is time and space to move through, you will be guided gently, easily, and gracefully.
The Crucible of True Intimacy
To begin this journey of Awakening can be very frightening. Getting out of your comfort zone by revealing and releasing your resistance and judgments takes courage. “Creating your own reality” is a notion coming from the ego. This is not about improving the personality, it is about letting it go and moving in the direction of the unknown. The gap between what is known and what is unknown can be terrifying. Old ways of relating seem to be falling apart and bringing us to our knees.
Inquiry
Inquiry is a way of getting underneath unquestioned assumptions. ACIM asks you to question every value that you hold. Are you willing to to look at and let go of your basic assumptions? These include such concepts as career. As you practice the Course, Spirit will gently guide you down into your mind. Ultimately all the concepts rest on linear time.
Giving It All over to the Holy Spirit
It doesn’t matter how high your principles are; if you don’t apply them, it’s not going to give you peace of mind. If you took just ONE spiritual principle and applied it in your life across the board with all your situations, you could reach Enlightenment so much faster than by trying to accumulate hundreds of principles. And if you really wanted to boil “A Course in Miracles” down to one idea or principle, it would be the serenity prayer: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.” The things I cannot change would be anything of this world of form, of time and space; the only thing I CAN change is my mind; and the wisdom to know the difference is the Holy Spirit’s Love which has already been given.
Jesus Did Not Suffer
How did Jesus not suffer? To the ego, it looked as if Jesus was suffering on the cross with nails in his hands and feet. Why do we see this event as suffering? Because the ego made up suffering. And, when we see suffering, we are looking with the ego. It made up the appearance of the body, the nails, and the cross. It made up an innocent lamb and the judgment cast upon it. Yet these are all mere concepts, mere duality. The mind that has been healed of all concepts rests in a freed perspective, or state of Christ.
Health Is Inner Peace
Come away from focus on symptoms. All illness is mental illness. Seek dismantling of the ego rather than a bit of magic. Magic may temporarily minimize fear. Sickness is a defense against the truth. Healing occurs when you see no more value in sickness. You can change your mental habit. There is no world apart from what you think.
David’s Satsang
David speaks with depth and humor on copyright lawsuits, non-dualism, debt, completion, the world, One Mind, judgment, denial, projection, daily practice, cause and effect, the ego, time, Krishnamurti parables, and forgiveness.