September/October 1998
Articles on the theme "Health Consciousness"
A Matter of Life and Death
by Sylvia Jackson
The writer, who is dying of brain cancer,
gives some advice concerning prevention and medical exams.
Magic Tea Plus
by Constance Felos
How an attorney and her client created an adventurous new paradism of health
consciousness. The recipe for a special herbal tea.
Health-Minded Living
by Bob Gonzalez
Some tips from the manager of a health
food store how to achieve and maintain optimum physical health.
Miracle Consciousness
by JoAnne Gregory
Miracles, fake or real? What is it
that makes miracles possible?
How's Your Subconscious?
by Patrick Plaskett
Habits and their effect on our health.
Changing bad habits. Creating a different future.
True Health Consciousness
by Carol L. Roberts, MD
A doctor talks about what you can do
to avoid visits to the doctor.
Becoming Health Conscious
by Dr. Audrey Craft Davis
The importance of our words and thoughts.
Becoming food conscious. Our attitude to things, especially money. Counting
our blessings. Awareness of others and the environment.
A Simple Clay Bath!
by Lauana Lei
How the writer, suffering from heavy
chemical/metal poisoning, recovered her health by taking a clay bath.
A Healing Education
by Barbara Bedingfield
An account by a Waldorf teacher of
the basic educational requirements for maintaining the health of a child.
Our Spiritual Source
by Rev. Pat Cross
On connecting with our spiritual source
to realize a true health consciousness. Using our spiritual powers to heal
ourselves.
Other Feature Articles
2000 and Beyond!
by David Findlay
Natural Health Q&A
by Dr. Scott Rubin
Parasites and allergies -- some natural
remedies.
What is . . . A Course In Miracles?
by Mary Barbara
How "A Course In Miracles"
came to be and some of its basic teachings.
Mineral Kingdom
by Judy Power
Featured stones for September and October:
Labrodorite and Opalized Quartz
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What is . . . A Course In Miracles?
by Mary Barbara
How it all started
"A Course in Miracles" (the Course) could be called "A Course
in Relationships." It consistently asks us to attain peace of mind
by healing our relationships with each other (especially the "each
others" who upset us the most). The Course originated with two such
people, Bill Thetford and Helen Schucman. They worked together in a stress
filled environment in New York City. Their relationship was anything but
peaceful. One day Bill had had enough of the strife and said to Helen, "There
has got to be a better way!" To his surprise, Helen did not come back
with her usual facetious remarks but said instead, "Yes Bill and I'll
help you find it." With this joining, the Course was conceived. Soon
Helen began to hear an inner voice which identified itself as Jesus. This
voice began to dictate what has come to be known as A Course in Miracles.
As to its authorship, the Course states that it is not necessary to believe
that the author is Jesus but it may be helpful to do so. When the dictation
was completed in 1972, three volumes, a "Text", a "Workbook"
and a "Manual for Teachers" were born. The Text contains the theory
of the Course. The Manual for Teachers, a simplified version of the material
in the Text. And the Workbook, the practice of the Course material. The
Workbook leads us through 365 lessons which we are asked to apply to the
happenings of our daily lives. This is what makes the Course different from
many other higher-truth material. The Workbook could well be looked at as
the laboratory where the theories of the Text are worked out.
Mirrors, mirrors everywhere
The Course is about relating to our world in the here and now. It reminds
us over and over that everyone and everything is a mirror for us. The purpose
of these mirrors is to help us become aware of what there is in our holy
minds which needs our attention. Thankfully, some of the people we encounter
are very flattering mirrors. They reflect that part of our holy mind which
remains in touch with our "Real Self." People who bring the love
energy to our attention are just as valuable to us as the other "each
others". So the next time you are experiencing great admiration for
someone, remind yourself that this is a mirror image of that same quality
in you. We like to return a compliment with the words "Mirror Mirror".
Forgiveness . . . the way to God
Then there are those others who bring up thoughts and feelings of judgment
anger and rejection. The Course tells us that these people are actually
our saviors. By this we mean that these folks bring to us the perfect opportunities
to know what there is in our holy minds which blocks the experience of the
energy of love. The energy of love is abandoned when we judge each other
and think, "Now I can't love you!" Thus, the return to love is
done through the practice of forgiveness. In the Course, forgiveness never
refers to pardon. The Course uses the word forgiveness to mean withdrawal
of judgment or the release from the past. "I am never upset by what
you said to me. I am always upset by what I say to me about what you said
to me." Although this brings a smile to most people, it is a very profound
truth. Another light and easy way to withdraw judgment is to remove the
words "to me" from all interpretations of what occurs between
us. I like jokingly to call the words "to me" the worst four letter
word in the language of the human tribe. If someone says or does something
that gets an ego reaction from me, my response often was to think or even
say aloud, "How could you say/do that "to me"? The "to
me" is what makes the reaction painful. However, when I delete the
words "to me" from my perception, the situation becomes more neutral.
I do not mean to belittle forgiveness by making light of it. There is a
line in the Course that says that the way to God is through forgiveness
here. There is no other way. When I read that, I knew that I had found the
way Home at last. However, for me, the profound is best understood when
handled with a light touch. Therefore, I would like to end this topic with
a cute little saying: "Holding a grievance is like drinking a glass
of poison and expecting the other person to die."
Forgiveness prayer
There are times when a more reverend method of forgiveness seems appropriate.
I would like to share with you the following prayer.
"Holy Spirit whatever this represents, I give it to you to forgive
and heal for me. Please, take this from me and forgive it for me. Don't
let me hurt myself anymore with this. Thank you. Amen."
There are many, many of us who have found that this prayer brings amazing
results, both in our inner worlds (by freeing us from past perceived hurts)
and in our outer worlds (by changing the energy in our current work relationships,
romantic relationships, and relationships with family and friends). The
Course guarantees that the fruit of forgiveness is always peace of mind.
And, peace of mind is the only goal of A Course in Miracles. Yes, working
with the Course has brought us better conditions in our lives but this is
only due to the principle of as within so without. As we heal our minds
of all that blocks the awareness of love's presence, our outer world begins
to become what the Course calls the "happy dream". I love it when
my outer world is loving and peaceful and joyful but I have learned to value
the other times as well. At these times, I know that love has brought something
to the surface of my awareness that needs to be removed so that I can move
up to a higher level of consciousness.
In closing, I would like to share with you the names of some famous people
who have worked with or who are working with the Course: Shelly Long, Oprah
Winfrey, Quincy Jones, Robert Young, Brett Butler, John Denver (Lord rest
his beautiful soul), Richard Thomas, Cher, Laura Dern, Shirley MacLaine,
Elizabeth Taylor, Gore Vidal, You, and I. So, it would appear that we, the
local stars who love the Course, are in good company.
Mary Barbara has been leading A Course in Miracles groups
in the Tampa Bay area since 1983. She recently opened a center in St. Petersburg,
FL. (727) 217-0120
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