The beginner’s mind is the “I don’t know” mind. It’s a beautiful place to live. It’s a wonderful feeling to have no opinions; very freeing. One doesn’t feel dumb or credulous; just free. And everything that is needed in any situation is given without any vote from you at all.
True Freedom
How Will You Spend Your Life?
In this gathering in Toowoomba, Australia, David explores the question of one’s life purpose. He shares the teaching that it is not that you ask for too much of life, you ask for far too little. David shares a parable about his Australian friend Les, who has called upon Spirit for answers and received all that he asked for.
Including Everything In
David Hoffmeister speaks in New York City about reinterpreting “giving up” and “letting go” to including everything into the mind. The process is seeing that judgment and rejection are impossible. Discernment involves practical guidance to accomplish this state of mind.
Tired of the Rat Race
You believe you are personally responsible for your survival, but you can change your mind about that! The belief that you are a separate individual creates exhaustion, weariness, depression. When you are tired of the rat race, ask instead for guidance. This goes beyond material props. It is about the attitude of joy that happens spontaneously as you open to divine inspiration. In the story of Pinocchio when he want’s to become a real boy, he’s taken to Pleasure Island, and some scary things happen! The body is like a puppet, wanting to be real. “A Course in Miracles” talks about the authority problem; wanting to make the puppet real. You get to experience trying to make a living, fighting off disease and death, struggling to survive. It’s a drama! Your prayer to the Holy Spirit can be, “Get me back on the strings!” Or as Saint Francis said, “Make me an instrument.”
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.
What Is Meditation and ACIM
In this clip, David Hoffmeister has been asked about meditation. He says that “A Course in Miracles” is a pathway to meditation. The Course is designed to remove any obstacles to peace that are in the mind. This leads perfectly into being able to meditate without the “monkey mind” and all its distractions. The latter part of this talk introduces the idea of living from inspiration and not doing things merely from a sense of obligation. Here, true peace and freedom is found. “What is meditation?” is a question many people ask. This video answers the questions: “How do I meditate?” and “How can I get into a state of relaxation through meditating using the ‘A Course in Miracles’ Workbook?” Being in a state of mindfulness deepens the meditative state and gives a sense of stress relief.
Reduce Stress and Worry, Grace vs. Control
We want to experience peace. We want to reduce stress and worry in our lives. But how? In this clip, David Hoffmeister shares on letting go of the illusion of control and sinking into divine Grace. The ego seeks to demonstrate that it is the author of itself by working, planning, and controlling as many “personal” aspects of life as possible. But doing each “must” and “have to” is highly stressful. The alternative to attempting to control things is to relax into divine Grace.
David Hoffmeister – A Course in Miracles
David Hoffmeister shares his ideas on a range of topics at the Swedish Peace House near Hoor, Sweden. David Hoffmeister has visited Sweden several times since 2006. In 2008, a non-profit Awakening Mind branch was established in southern Sweden to help bring David back to Sweden and Europe and to help distribute his teaching resources and materials in Europe. The ideas are based on the living experience of the principles of “A Course in Miracles.”
Linear World: Real World
In “A Course in Miracles,” the “real world” is synonymous with the happy dream, the forgiven world, and true perception. Everything is seen as simultaneous, equal, connected, and unified in the moment. What is deemed as valuable in the linear world (money, education, status, credentials, the body’s health, etc.) is seen as of no value in the real world. Seeing this, the mind can rest. It is clear that nothing valuable can truly be left behind. What you are and what God is alone has value and is eternal.
Non-Judgment
Let all things be exactly as they are. It is very practical in every situation to see with the eyes of non-judgment. By having no investment in the play of form, the mind can rest and see only Love behind all things.