NEWSLETTER EWSLETTER NNER L IGHT M INISTRIES N IINNER LIGHT VOLUME 16 NUMBER 4
DECEMBER, 2005
THE ANSWER TO LIFE’S QUESTIONS by Jim Gordon, President of ILM
T
he spiritual journey is like any journey. A journey has a beginning point, an initial destination or goal, and a final completion point. Unlike a journey that we might start in the physical, however, a spiritual journey’s starting point — where the wordly ends and the spiritual begins — may not be very well defined in our awareness. I share this because over the last few years I have been sharing much more about the inner focus, the inner journey, and about inner awakening. And yet much of my sharing has also been about the outer journey of life as well. How do the two interact? And where do they ultimately diverge? The outer journey is much about the physical body, the physical experience; and so the focus is on the external. We learn how to walk in the physical, talk in the physical, and so much more. We live in a physical body and in a physical universe, so it makes sense that our experience, our process, our responsibilities, and our questions are in the physical. “What will I be when I grow up; who will I be; how will I make my living; do I change jobs; do I get more education; do I change my relationship; why are things not working the way I want them to; who do they think they are, telling me how to live my life?” And so these are some of the topics of concern in people’s lives that I have dealt with over the years. And yet, many people eventually realize, “There seems to be something missing. Why do I feel empty, why do I not feel complete? If I can just find out what is missing and get that, then I will be complete.” What that missing something is can be unclear, but it has to do with things such as: “How do I love myself even when others do not seem to love me; why can’t I forgive others and myself; why do I hurt inside; why can I not have joy in my life; when will things change; why can I not change?” The questions seem endless and complicated. We are taught by the world to look ‘outside’ for
solutions, for answers, but when I have looked outside I have found only partial answers and solutions, which only lead to still more concerns and questions. And yet there is an end to these big questions of life; there is an answer to them; there is a way. The thing is, it is not found in the outer physical world at all. It is found inside, in the inner kingdom, in the inner way. The inner way, the inner path, the inner truth, the inner kingdom: these are things we hear about from time to time, especially if we go to religious services, read philosophical or spiritual books, or work with self-help materials. Then the next question is, “How do I learn to walk this inner pathway?” That was my question when I was growing up, and I think at some level that is always the deeper question that is ever being asked inside each of us, even if not on a conscious level. And so many of us go on a great quest. Like the knights of old looking for the Holy Grail, we go walking the planet, walking the outer physical world, looking for the ‘gold’, looking for the solution, looking for the answer, looking for the love, looking for the way. Where do we find the Truth? This is the real challenge in this life. The one thing I have found over the years is that the answer to the questions, the solution to the problems, the way to get peace, joy, loving, acceptance, forgiveness, and so much more — is found inside. I have also learned that very few people, and I mean very few, know of, understand, or can truly share about this inner way to loving. There seem to be so many people who are sharing about getting the answer to all life’s problems, and yet when we listen to them and follow their instructions, we may not get the fulfillment we are wanting and that they say we are going to find. So what should we do? I have found a way that does work and that does give a full answer, and that does give access to the inner kingdom that religious teachers and philosophers have shared about. It has been called The Way, or The Tao, (ANSWER continues on page 10)
KEYS OF INITIATION by Brian Yeakey,
Moses and Aaron, and Shams Tabriz and Rumi are two examples in history of this taking place. I know that this may cause some confusion with people as to whom they are working with and who their spiritual teacher is ... just remember, the True spiritual teacher is The Holy Spirit, and those that serve the True teacher are the spiritual teachers in the world.”
Vice President of ILM
I
n March of 2003 I began the next level of my spiritual journey on this Path of Sound and Light that we teach in ILM. I would now like to share about this with everyone so that you have an understanding of how things are unfolding in ILM. As most of you know, the mission of ILM is to assist souls in their spiritual journey of awakening back into the Heart of God. And the main way we do this is through initiation into The Path of Sound and Light, giving individuals the ‘keys of awakening’ (The Sacred Names of God) through a very specific meditation practice ... and if you didn’t know this, now you do!
We want you to know that Jim and I are both here to initiate and support those who are drawn to this pathway of initiation back Home into The Heart of God through ILM. That is what we are here to do. That is our purpose. It is often said on this spiritual path that, “The sheep recognize the voice of their shepherd.” And so it is with those who recognize the voice of the spiritual teacher that is to initiate them on this wonderful journey of spiritual awakening! Now you have two to choose from, but truly, the two are One! So, it doesn’t matter to whom one is drawn (if one is drawn to this pathway), whether to Jim or myself, because both will take you to the same place. And truly, we are working together in this action of service, so it’s not Jim or Brian — it’s Jim and Brian. And remember, it really is The Holy Spirit doing the work. Jim and I are just serving that action of God’s Loving.
March of 2003 began the unfolding of my stepping forward as one to initiate students into this pathway of Spirit. Jim Gordon and I have been working together over the past six years as Spirit has guided us in this inner and outer journey of teaching The Path of Sound and Light and giving initiation to those who have chosen to walk this spiritual journey with Inner Light Ministries. Part of Jim’s service has been to assist me in stepping forward into the fullness as one, as a spiritual teacher, who can initiate as well. And now, that has come about. So I am now initiating my own disciples upon this Pathway, as well as assisting Jim with his disciples ... and, Jim is working with me, and with those whom I initiate. We are doing this together, in partnership; so there is no separation ... only Oneness. Truly, it is The Holy Spirit that is the authority and does the work, but God works through those vessels in this world, those spiritual teachers, who serve God by giving initiation into the meditation practice as God has guided them.
So, this is the latest in the unfolding of ILM, and we wanted to let you know about it. If this is all new to you and/or you would like to learn more about what I’m sharing here, Jim and I go into greater detail on the newest ILM CD, Keys Of Initiation With Jim And Brian. On this CD is the sharing where we first announced this new development, and on it we also explain much more about the action of having a spiritual teacher for someone who is experiencing the ‘inner calling’ to begin this spiritual journey. If you would like to listen to this CD, just give us a call and we’ll send you one, or you can order it right from our website (ILM.org) ... or, you can listen to it right on the website, in the audio section! ILM’s other audio tapes and CD’s (Understanding The Inner Pathway; A Simple Way — The Path of ILM; and The Path Of Sound And Light) are also important to listen to if you want a greater understanding about this spiritual pathway and what it encompasses — the spiritual teacher, initiation, and meditation. Please let us know how we can assist you on this journey!
I would like to share with you a quote from Jim Gordon in regards to what is unfolding: “Brian has stepped forward as a spiritual teacher who is now calling forward his own initiates as well as working with me and with my initiates. He and I are working as one and working with each other’s initiates to bring them home to God. This is a very unusual event; though it has happened in the past, this is not usually the case. 2
I NNER L IGHT M INISTRIES
CALENDAR
CLASSES & PROGRAMS: DEC – APRIL 2006 P RESENTED
BY J IM G ORDON and B RIAN Y EAKEY : For additional information, call 512-306-1056.
W
EEKLY
CLASSES:
Jim and Brian’s weekly Austin class is held Tuesdays 7-9 pm,
ILM Center, Franklin Sq. Bldg, 3724 Jefferson, Ste. 100, Austin, Texas No Charge
Each class includes spiritual teaching, practical exercises, group discussion, and meditation. Jim and Brian help participants to become more deeply aware of the Spirit within.
PRESENTED BY BILL STRATTON: For additional information, call Bill at 512-218-1995. IGHT COLUMNS in AUSTIN: This ILM event will be a service project to plant Light ColL umns throughout Austin. The first half hour will be a sharing on Light Columns, and then the partici-
pants will group together and drive to various points in Austin to experience this wonderful service of bringing forward greater Light for greater good to the Austin community. APRIL 9
Sunday, 1-3 pm ILM Center, Austin, Texas (Rain Date: APRIL 16 — same time, same place)
No Charge
“ILM has really become a pathway of meditation. It’s a pathway for those who are seeking to understand more of the inner kingdoms, the inner regions, the inter-action in connection with God and Soul. It’s also a pathway through initiation — to begin to wake up to the truth of who we really are as Spirit.” – Jim Gordon
NEW CD Available January 2006: Meditation and Talk This new CD is a three CD set, which was inspired by the recent ILM retreat, Waking Up In Spirit. The first CD is a short meditation by Brian Yeakey, followed by his repeating the phrase, “Wake Up, Wake Up,” once every 10 minutes for an hour. The second CD is intended to be used with your meditation and only has Jim Gordon saying, “Wake Up, Wake Up” once every 10 minutes for the entire length of the CD. The third CD is the talk, Wake Up, Wake Up, And Don’t Go Back To Sleep, which was given by Jim Gordon at this retreat. ORDERING INFORMATION : This CD is $15.00 plus $3 postage and handling per order (not per item). Checks may be made payable to I NNER LIGHT M INISTRIES and sent to: ILM, P.O. Box 164332, Austin, Texas 78716-4332. Or, in January, you can go to our website, ILM.org to order (see page 11).
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(ILM Calendar continues on pages 4 - 9)
Upcoming Christmas Events:
o r K i d s ‘05 Co i n s inFAustin Our Shopping Day was very successful — we purchased gifts for around 150 children. And now we’re prepared for Wrapping DAY, which will be on:
SATURDAY, DEC 10th, 12-5 pm at the ILM Center. Pizza and other refreshments will be provided. Please join us.
CHRISTMAS POTLUCK PARTY Join us for ILM’s Christmas celebration on SUNDAY, DEC 18th from 12-5 pm at 203 Buckeye Trail, Austin, Texas. Everyone is welcome! It’s a potluck — so bring a dish to share.
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ILM presents:
Sunday, January 29, 2006 MEDITATION & SEMINAR with JIM GORDON and BRIAN YEAKEY
T TIMES EVENTS IMES OF OF E VENTS M 12 EDITATION:: 10:00 am-12 MEDITATION 12 noon noon Lunch Lunch break break Sharing and Q A: Q&A: Q A: 1:30-5:00 Sharing and Q&A: 1:30-5:00 pm pm
WHERE: Ohana East Hotel, Waikiki, Hawaii Meeting Meeting Room Room off off of of lobby lobby located located on on the the 2nd 2nd floor. floor. Park Park in in the the Ohana Ohana East East garage garage located located at at 2375 2375 Kuhio Kuhio Avenue Avenue (all (all day day parking parking with with validation validation is is $3.00) $3.00)
DONATION For further information please contact: Nadine Ferraro at 808-988-7509.
INITIATIONS and and SPIRITUAL INTERVIEWS January 23 - February 3 Jim and Brian will be available for spiritual interviews and for initiations for those who have been approved. To schedule spiritual interview appointments with Jim or Brian please call 512-306-1056 and speak with Laura Doggett.
NEW ILM SEMINAR in LOS ANGELES: Please contact Victoria Eng at 310-980-2224 for directions. Each seminar includes: Meditation time, and listening to a tape or CD by ILM Ministers Jim Gordon and Brian Yeakey. These seminars will be held from 6-7:30 pm on the following dates. No charge. 2006: JAN 10 & 24, FEB 7 & 21, MARCH 7 & 21, APRIL 11 & 25, MAY 9 & 23, JUNE 6 5
Experiencing The Divine – A Meditative Retreat
facilitated by
Jim Gordon and Brian Yeakey
Austin, Texas: at Red Corral Ranch Renewal Center
Wimberley, Texas Thursday, March 23 at 6 pm – Sunday, March 26, 2006 at 1:30 pm In this meditative retreat, Jim and Brian will be taking you on an experiential journey into the greater knowing of your divine nature. They will be sharing about the meditation practice of The Path of Sound and Light to “experience the divine,” and there will be gracious periods of time for meditation, relaxation, and rejuvenation.
and Kalamazoo, Michigan at Seasons – A Center for Renewal at the Fetzer Institute
Thursday, April 6 at 6 pm thru Sunday, April 9, 2006 at 1:30 pm
There is limited space available. If you would like to sign up for either of these retreats please contact: Laura Doggett at 512-306-1056. 6
I NNER L IGHT M INISTRIES CALENDAR PRESENTED BY LAURA KESTEN: For additional information, call Laura at 512-894-0992.
LAF
: L OVING , A CCEPTANCE AND F ORGIVENESS : Laugh (LAF) all the way to God through three simple actions: Loving, Acceptance, and Forgiveness. This workshop is designed to facilitate the ridding of ‘old baggage’ — belief systems that we think and act upon which, in fact, no longer serve us — through lifting our spirits to greater heights, so that we can begin to walk the straight and narrow path back to the Heart of God. JAN 6-8
Kellogg Biological Station
Kalamazoo, Mich.
$125
OUPLES G ATHERING & D INNER : You and your partner, significant other, better half, C etc., are cordially invited to share in an evening of dining with other couples. Regardless if your
relationship is brand-new or long-lived, a partnership or a marriage — we’ll celebrate our loving and gratitude with these persons with whom we live and share our lives. Potluck. JAN 14
5-9 pm
Laura and Tom’s Home, Dripping Springs, Texas
No Charge
TORIES UNTOLD: Writing is a dynamic tool on the journey to self-healing and self-fullfilment. S Writing can be a way to find our hearts, our truths, and our voices. In Stories Untold, we invite the
heart to openly and freely feel and express itself, which can ultimately lead to greater levels of acceptance and forgiveness. Sharing our stories (optional) with a loving, safe and supportive group can deepen our experience. This is an awesome experience! Try it for one weekend and see for yourself. No experience necessary! MICHIGAN: $125 2006: FEB 24-FEB 28, APR 21-23, JUNE 24-JULY 1 (intensive), AUG 25-27, OCT 20-22, DEC 1-3
TEXAS: $50 2006: JAN 28-29, MAR 11-12, MAY 22-28 (intensive), JULY15-16, SEPT 23-24, NOV18-19
OHIO and INDIANA: Check out an Introductory Day of Stories Untold. We’ll give you an overview of what goes on in Stories Untold including a practice run; the benefits you could receive on all levels: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual; and future dates for 2006. I cannot stress enough the pure magic of Stories Untold, and how your life, both inwardly and outwardly, can transform. Remember, you do not have to be a ‘great writer’. You just have to show up and be willing. We all have stories; it may be time for you to tell yours.
OHIO: MAR 2 INDIANA: MAR 3
6-9:30 pm 6-9:30 pm
Place to be announced Place to be announced
No Charge No Charge
PIRITUAL TOOLS – THE NUTS AND BOLTS OF THE INNER L IFE: This workshop is based on a series of Tuesday night talks given by Jim Gordon in Austin, Texas, where he shared valuable tools which we can acquire and use as we walk the spiritual Path of Sound and Light. We’ll first explore our own personal toolboxes by taking a closer look at what’s already ‘in there’, seeing what works and what doesn’t, and then we’ll further our exploration by actually putting to use some of the tools shared by Jim Gordon. We invite you to see what’s in your toolbox, and to take this opportunity to add a few more ‘spiritual implements’.
S
MAR 17-19 (retreat), MAY 21 (day-long) APR 2, MAY 7, JUNE 4 10 am-4 pm
Kellogg Biological Station ILM Center 7
Kalamazoo, Mich. $150 Austin, Texas No Charge (ILM Calendar continues on next page)
I NNER L IGHT M INISTRIES CALENDAR PRESENTED BY STEVEN MCAFEE, MIDWEST COORDINATOR: For additional information, call Steven at 260-485-2167. UESDAY CLASS SERIES: Steven offers a series of weekly ILM classes in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, on T Tuesday nights from 7-8:30 pm at Unity Christ Church. Each series focuses on a specific spiritual topic
and runs from 4-5 weeks in length. Please call Steven for up-to-date information on the current series.
ILM
OMMUNITY NIGHT: More fun community nights are on their way! We’ll provide soft drinks C and munchies. Please RSVP a week ahead so we can plan appropriately. No charge.
JAN 11 FEB 8 MAR 8
7-10 pm MUSIC NIGHT Steven & Anita’s home Ft. Wayne 7-10 pm MOVIE & POPCORN NIGHT Unity Christ Church (downstairs) Ft. Wayne 7-10 pm MUSIC NIGHT Steven & Anita’s home Ft. Wayne
No Charge No Charge No Charge
“ INDRED SPIRITS” YEARLONG STUDY GROUP: The following workshops and retreat are open only to those already enrolled in the Kindred Spirits program this year. If you are interested in learning more our yearlong study programs, please contact Steven.
K
JAN 8, FEB 5, APR 2 MAR 10-12 Retreat
Workshop Seasons at Fetzer Institute
Ft. Wayne Kalamazoo, Mich.
No Charge $150
HE “RETREAT” RETREAT: Instead of a program consisting mostly of teaching and Q & A times, T this retreat will consist largely of unstructured time — time you may choose to spend in solitude, with
others in spontaneous fellowship, or in whatever way serves your soul. The daily program will consist of: morning and evening meditations, chanting, a midday communal lunch, and early evening singing and storytelling. The program ends Sunday after lunch. Participants who arrange to do so in advance are invited to stay through Monday afternoon to have additional time on their own (there will be no program on Monday). JAN 13-15
Fri 7:30 pm - Sun 3 pm
GilChrist
Three Rivers, Mich.
-OR-
$140/person (Fri-Sun) $175/person (Fri-Mon)
HE MERKAVAH MYSTICS: The morning session will present an overview of the “Merkavah” T or “chariot” — ancient teachings about the methods used by prophets such as Ezekiel for consciously
experiencing the inner realms. In the afternoon session, we will learn about some of their prayer and contemplation practices. Lunch provided. FEB 18
9:30 am-4:30 pm
Cottage Retreat Center
Jackson, Mich.
$50
PASSOVER SEDER DINNER:
Please join us for an evening of delicious food, beautiful candlelit decor, and inspirational sharing. We will recount the story of the liberation of the Hebrews from bondage in Egypt, and we’ll reveal the symbolism in the story about the path of liberation of the soul from bondage in the realms of matter. There is no fee for attending, but you MUST register by April 9th to take part within the evening, as there is a great deal of preparation involved. Seating is limited, so register early. APR 12
6:30-9:30 pm
Unity Christ Church
Ft. Wayne
Donation
S : Steven frequently serves as a guest speaker for various churches and S spiritual groups in the Fort Wayne area. If you would like him to speak to your group, please call to make UNDAY
ERVICES
arrangements. The following are presently scheduled: JAN 8, FEB 5, MAR 5, APR 16 (Easter)
11 am 8
Brigade of Light
No Charge
(Midwest Calendar continues on next page)
I NNER L IGHT M INISTRIES CALENDAR EVENTS IN THE KALAMAZOO, MICH AREA: Please contact Carolyn Dailey at 269-327-6851 (or email carolee12@chartermi.net) or Penny Miller at 269-664-3577 (or email pmiller@mei.net) for more information on the activities below. Study groups and seminars will be suspended starting December 19, resuming January 10, 2006.
ILM APE S EMINARS: The tape seminars will meet until December 14, 2005, and resume again on January 10, 2006. Each seminar includes: Calling in the Light, a short meditation time, and listening to a tape or CD by ILM Ministers Jim Gordon, Brian Yeakey, or Steven McAfee.
T
2nd & 4th Tuesdays 6:15-8:00 pm Exec. Suites & Services, 5955 West Main, Kalamazoo
ILM
No Charge
G : The Love & Loving study group will meet until December 7, 2005, S and resume again on January 17, 2006. Our purpose is to explore the many aspects of Love and discover TUDY
ROUP
the dynamic energy of Loving as we become living instruments of God’s love. We will learn practical tools for living the Loving in relationship to “me, myself, and I,” for finding the Loving within, for maintaining a loving relationship, and much more. 1st & 3rd Tuesdays 6:15-8:00 pm Exec. Suites & Services, 5955 West Main, Kalamazoo
No Charge
NOW AVAILABLE ON CD: Two Newly Remastered Talks by Jim Gordon Excerpt from WAKING UP IN SPIRIT:
“And that’s what I did. I woke up. “And that’s what we’re all doing all the time anyway, whether we know it or not, with every little experience we have — and they may seem very little, but they’re really not. Every experience we have is magnificent — that magnificence isn’t a measurement of size or proportion. Every experience is magnificent. And with every experience we are awakening. For some of us it’s a gradual awakening, because we haven’t prepared in ourselves a place where God can bring forth that second birth, the birth of the Spirit. We haven’t prepared a place of love, a place of forgiveness, a place of acceptance. “So love God before all things. Have no other Gods before me ... not money, not lust, not possessions of any kind, not titles ... just God. And love God with all your heart, your mind, and your soul, your Spirit. And love your neighbor as yourself. “If you just begin to focus on those three statements, and begin to live those three, and begin to look and see how to do that for yourself, you will begin to prepare a place where that second birth will take place inside of you.” Excerpt from MANIFESTING ABUNDANCE I:
“Whenever I get my paycheck, or whenever I get money, I bless it before I deposit it. And when I take money out of my checking account to go buy things, I bless it before I spend it. I say, ‘I give thanks for the abundance in me, and may the abundance expand through this action of spending this money. And may that expansion, that awareness of abundance, also go to whoever touches it’.”
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INNER LIGHT MINISTRIES is pleased to announce:
ILM.org — the INNER LIGHT MINISTRIES Website ILM.org is being offered to share the basics on ILM, an organization dedicated to teaching The Path of Sound and Light, and to enable everyone interested to purchase ILM books, tapes and CDs online. Those who also choose to register on the website as an ILM Member (with no financial obligation) also gain access to: * Online registration for some ILM workshops and retreats * Audio versions of ILM's weekly Tuesday Night Classes in Austin, Texas * All past and present ILM Newsletters * Information on ILM Initiation into The Path of Sound and Light There is also a special section for ILM Initiates Only. Some of the recent talks in the audio section that you can listen to are: “Being Renewed, Refreshed & Restored” “Allowing God To Fill You Up” “Facing Our Fears With Loving” “Experiencing God's Loving” “Living each day from SOUL” “Experiencing the River of Loving” “Living Spirit In This Physical Creation” “Living Beyond The Psychic Material World” “Experiencing the Ocean of Love and Mercy” “Simplicity of Meditation” “Awakening to the Audible Life Stream” Come and check out http://www.ILM.org today! by Jim Gordon
is this action of awakening. It is through the awakening to the Inner Light and Sound which is known as The Word, The Audible Life Stream, The Holy Spirit, that we find the loving, the answer, the solution — and God.
Answer (continued from page 1)
by Lao Tzu. It has been called The Path by so many such as Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. Jesus, the Apostle John, and others have called it The Inner Kingdom. I have learned that this Way is the pathway home to God, the way to the answers to all questions, the key to the true Holy Grail that so many are looking for. I have found that The Way is the practice of devotion through the action of meditation. It is a practice of focusing above the mind, above the realms of the physical world and the physical self, in order to wake up into the greater truth, into the complete truth that is you as Soul. It is the looking to the Inner Light and the Inner Sound that
This practice is so easy, and yet so few truly sit down and go inside, often because they do not know how to wake up inside, how to focus inside, or where to hold a focus in order to experience inside. My focus, as is Brian Yeakey’s and Inner Light Ministries’ focus, is to assist people in finding The Inner Way to The Inner Kingdom so that the answers are known, so that the solutions are revealed, and so that Loving becomes The Way of life. “Seek first the kingdom and all else shall be given” — the one answer to your questions, the solution to your life, and the way to live in the Loving. 10
Talks For Those Interested In Initiation Through ILM Excerpts from KEYS OF INITIATION WITH JIM AND BRIAN: “In that idea of oneness, remember that this is an action of the Holy Spirit. That it is one spirit, the Loving of God, that is ever manifesting as The Audible Lifestream — and that is what this is about. And that is the oneness that is the initiation. It is about The Holy Spirit. And The Holy Spirit works through us individually and collectively to serve those who are initiated and those who are seeking — to bring them clarity on their path in the direction that they might go.” – Jim Gordon “Having this outer action (a spiritual teacher), somebody physically or personally to relate to, is a wonderful action that Spirit has given us to really assist us in our own spiritual awakening — to move past all of our own inner blocks so that we can wake up and have that greater experience of the oneness inside. “And so there is that process of the outer reflection. It all takes place inwardly, but in this world of reflection the way this works is out here, by reflecting back to one another that greater truth. And so that is part of the action that takes place when you have the individual expression (the teacher), who is that reflection we can see — so that we can really begin to awaken into the greater impersonal, if you will, or the formless, where we truly are all one.” – Brian Yeakey
Excerpt from THE PATH OF SOUND AND LIGHT: “This pathway of liberation, this pathway of soul transcendence, is a pathway that will take you inside, and awaken you inside, to the truth of who you really are. It is a pathway that will begin the process of your soul traveling back through the realms of this creation into the realms of God’s creation, the spiritual realms.” – Jim Gordon
Excerpt from UNDERSTANDING THE ‘INNER’ PATHWAY: “We in Inner Light Ministries present a teaching that is universal. It is one pathway that is a pathway of Loving. It is a pathway of truth. Throughout time it’s been called many things ... but mostly it is The Path, or The Way. This pathway is an’‘inner’ pathway. It has nothing to do with evolution, it has nothing to do with the Masters of Hierarchy, or angels, or teachers outside. It has everything to do with the divine spark that is in you, and you connecting back to that, and awakening to that, and then traveling as that divine spark on up to your own soul and uniting and connecting back there once again in fullness and awareness. Thus knowing who you are in the whole being of God, and living that and manifesting that at this level as well.” – Jim Gordon
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INNER LIGHT MINISTRIES MATERIALS LIST AUDIO TAPES & CDS Each tape and CD is $10.00, except for the Abundance I & II CD packet which is $15. Only the titles with the CD icon next to it are available as a CD as well. Two titles together indicate different lectures on each side. Please place a check in either the circle or box in front of your choice(s):
ON MEDITATION
CD/Tape
T HE S PIRITUAL P ATH M EDITATION by Jim Gordon T HE H EART O F G OD M EDITATION by Brian Yeakey
CD/Tape
KEYS OF INITIATION WITH JIM AND BRIAN (MEDITATION AND TALK) THE THREE FOLD PATH (MEDITATION AND TALK) THE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE (MEDITATION AND TALK) A SIMPLE WAY—THE PATH OF ILM UNDERSTANDING THE ‘INNER’ PATHWAY THE PATH OF SOUND AND LIGHT WAKING UP IN SPIRIT WHAT SEPARATES US FROM OUR LOVING A FREQUENCY OF CHANGE FOR A NEW MILLENNIUM A SOUL’S JOURNEY FOCUSING ON CHRIST GUARDIAN ANGELS SOUL VS EGO ANGELS (MANIFESTING) ABUNDANCE I } CD Set (MANIFESTING) ABUNDANCE II SENDING THE LIGHT AURA CLEANSING WORKSHOP AWAKENING TO YOUR INNER LIGHT and CALLING IN THE LIGHT KEYS TO INNER COMMUNICATION YOU AS A COMMUNICATOR, YOU AS A CREATOR and A MEDITATION MOVING INTO SOUL CONSCIOUSNESS and COMMUNION CEREMONY MEDITATIVE TECHNIQUES COMMUNICATION THROUGH DREAMS THE LEVELS TO SOUL AND BEYOND OUR RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD SONGS OF PRAISE TO GOD and A NEW UNDERSTANDING OF RELATIONSHIPS THE PATH OF NEUTRALITY UNDERSTANDING CHRIST CONSCIOUSNESS INNER REVELATION and A FLOWER FROM HEAVEN LORD, MAKE ME WORTHY and THE MASTER IN YOUR HEART FROM HERE TO ETERNITY and RESPONSIBILITY HEALING AND COLOR THERAPY
T WO M EDITATIONS by Jim Gordon (2005)
Sacred Place Meditation Forgiveness Meditation
(2003)
T HREE M EDITATIONS by Jim Gordon (2003)
Starry Sky Meditation, A Healing Meditation, and Balancing The Consciousness Meditatio n
(2003)
M EDITATION A ND T HE H EALING P ROCESS
(2003)
by Brian Yeakey
(2002) (2001)
P RACTICING M EDITATION — C ONNECTING W ITH T HE D IVINE
(2001)
by Steven McAfee
(2000) (1999)
ILM BOOKS
(1999) (1998)
B Y J IM G ORDON ($10 each)
(1998) (1997)
LOVE AND LOVING (REVISED)
(1997) (1997)
THE KNOWING OF GOD
(1994)
T HE STAFF OF THE SHEPHERD (REVISED)
(1994)
ORDER FORM
(1994) (1992) Name:
(1992) Street Address: City & State: (1991) Daytime Phone:( ) (1991) Check or money order enclosed (1991) Charge my: Visa MasterCard (1991) Discover American Express (1991) Card Number:
(1990) (1990) (1987) (1986) (1985) (1984) (1980)
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Expiration Date: Signature:
Total Amount
(including shipping):
$
ORDERING INFORMATION: Each tape and CD is $10.00, except for the Abundance I & II CD packet which is $15. Please add $3 postage and handling per order (not per item). Checks may be made payable to Inner Light Ministries and sent to: Inner Light Ministries, PO Box 164332, Austin, Texas 78716.
MEDITATION
– BEING PRESENT an excerpt by Jim Gordon* up in this timeline here, and we’re ever living in the past, present and future. If we’re lucky we find ourselves living more in the present. But the way to do that isn’t through luck, it’s really through the practice of meditation. Because when we sit in meditation, when we close our eyes and go inside, we’re ever training ourselves to live more in the now. Every time we are in meditation and our mind carries us away, or our emotions take us away, or our bodies carry us away ... it’s up to us to bring ourselves present to the now, and say, “No, I’m doing now. I’m doing God. I’m loving God. God is loving me.” And keep yourself present in that now moment.
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he more we wake up in our meditation to the living moment, to the now, and be with God here and now, then the more we begin to live in that essence of knowing. And all the knowing is present right now. There’s no place you have to go, no thing you have to do, in order to have understanding, to have experience, to have God. There’s no place. You don’t even have to leave the body, because God is right here in the body. Out of God, at the moment of creation, came a direct emanation of God’s essence ... Loving ... and that is the Soul. And that sits right here (motioning to the Third Eye). So right here at the Seat of the Soul (again motioning to the Third Eye) is a direct emanation of God. This is a divine spark of God dwelling here. And as we wake up into the doing of that, the being of that, the knowing of that, the living of that, the loving of that, then we begin to live in the now — the now of God. And we begin to realize who we truly are as that divine living, loving essence of the Lord. And as we wake up into that, we realize that there’s no place to go. God is right here. God sits right here within us. We are God. We are a divine emanation of God. And God is ever longing for us to wake up into the knowing of that. And it’s when we wake up into that, as I’ve always said, that then you’ll realize you’ve never left the Heart of God. And you can sit here in the physical body with your eyes open, doing paper work, doing a talk, or whatever, and still know that you are in the Living, Loving Heart of the Lord, right now, right here. And there is no separation.
And as you do that, the timelines of the world — the past and the future — disappear. They melt in that moment. And then when you open your eyes and begin to do the day, it’s really up to you to become that living moment, to be the living prayer, to be a living meditation, and to get up and go and do what you just did in meditation, where you connected into the now moment with God. And go and do that in your day. And don’t get caught up in the past or the future. Don’t worry about what people said yesterday at work. And don’t be concerned about tomorrow in paying your bills. Take care of this moment. Take care and live in this moment and be a living prayer, be a living meditation, and live in the now. And let the past and the future drop away, because they really do not exist. It is only right now. And there is a time in the now where you will wake up (laughter). Now isn’t that a funny statement. There is a time in the now. And there is ‘no time’ in the now. There is, in the now, that place where you will wake up in the knowing of you and God as one.
But because our consciousness, in this world of mind and ego, has entrapped our awareness of who we really are as the divine emanation of the Lord, we now look ‘outward’ trying to find our truth, trying to find ourselves, trying to find our way home. And we keep looking outward and into the world for answers, solutions, and understanding. And it’s not there. And as we do that we get caught
* (This article is an excerpt from a talk, Blessings And Liberation, given by Jim Gordon on March 29, 2005. To hear more of this talk log onto the audio section of the ILM website, ILM.org, which is advertised on page10.) 13
MEDITATION CHALLENGE by Laura Kesten, ILM Minister
tried to get out of brushing your teeth ... when our mothers asked if we brushed, we’d squeak out a, “Yes,” when indeed we hadn’t. And despite all the good reasons she’d given us, we still had more reasons why not to: we didn’t want to miss the program we were watching, the hallway to the bathroom was too dark, we didn’t like the toothpaste. Or perhaps you were the ‘promiser’ type who would promise to do it on the next commercial, or when the show was over, or when you had to go to the bathroom, or on your way to bed — when you really had no intention of brushing at all! Or maybe you’d just beg off, saying, “I’m too tired so I’ll just brush them ‘extra good’ in the morning.” As adults, our minds throw out excuses not to meditate: “I work such long hours,” “The kids had so much going on this week,” “I’ve got piles of laundry to do,” “I have a headache.” And then we may promise: “I’ll meditate later in the morning after I sleep a little longer; I’m busy now but I’ll meditate right after lunch; something has come up but I’ll get to it before I go to bed; I’m so exhausted, I’ll just skip meditation today and will meditate extra long tomorrow.”
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recently had a discussion with a friend about meditation. She expressed how difficult it was to find time to ‘fit it in’. I agreed that sometimes it does seem like there aren’t enough hours in the day. But I asked her to think of one thing she does every day, “no ifs, ands or buts,” and not something that is required to stay alive like eating or sleeping. She answered, “Brushing my teeth.” I quickly returned, “Well then, try not brushing your teeth for three days.” We both laughed at the absurdity. Later, I thought more about the parallels between brushing our teeth and, (in italics) practicing our meditation. When we were little, our parents had to teach us about the brushing routine, morning and night. When we first began our spiritual path, we were taught that the best way to get to the heart of God is to meditate daily. Our parents gave reasons as to why it’s important to brush our teeth each day. After studying The Path of Sound and Light, we learned that the best way to travel this inner pathway is by following the recommended guideline of meditating for 1/10 of the day.
Of course, now, as an adult, I’ve outgrown the excuses, and I really do brush my teeth everyday, twice, and nobody has to remind me. I do it because it feels better to brush them than not to; I do it without thinking; it’s become automatic, a habit if you will. This too can be true for my spiritual practice of meditation: to become a rock-solid habit each day.
Our parents taught us how to brush our teeth. At our initiation by our Spiritual Teacher, we were taught the Sound and Light meditation practice of chanting The Names of God.
And so, I’ve decided to take on what I call my “tooth-brush challenge:” I won’t brush my teeth until I meditate that day.
Our parents reminded and encouraged us to brush daily, becoming ‘broken records’: “Go brush your teeth,” or, “Don’t forget to brush your teeth,” or, “Do it — NOW!” Our Spiritual Teacher reminds us again and again that meditation is the most important thing we can do every day, even if we can’t do it for the full twoand-half hours. That the answer to every question we ask the teacher is ‘a broken record’ — meditate, meditate, meditate!
The challenge has been quite interesting, to say the least. I’ve brushed my teeth at all hours of the day! And sometimes, not until I’m going to bed at the end of the day! But, I am getting my meditation in each and every day now. In truth, it’s actually been kind of fun — to make a game of it, where I’m the winner! So how ‘bout it? Are you ready to take on such an absurd challenge? If you are, or if you come up with another one that works for you, let me know about it. I’d love to hear what works for you!
As children, if you were like me, you may have slyly 14
DEVOTION by Steven McAfee,
the action of loving, of loving God deep inside, in those most intimate of all places that no one else ever sees. Being devoted to God means ever turning my attention to Spirit, whether I am sitting quietly absorbed in my devotion, or whether I am actively engaging in some outer form of activity in the world. It means giving my time to our mutual relationship through my practice of meditation; it means sharing my life with Him in prayer; it means studying sacred teachings to open my mind and heart more willingly to His action in my life. Devotion is a commitment to act in loving, and devotion is made manifest through that action.
ILM Minister
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evotion is one of those qualities that has always held a special place in my heart. I like the energy of devotion, and I like myself when I am being devoted to what I love. When I am not consciously experiencing devotion I feel empty inside, like something important is missing. When I am living in devotion, I feel enthusiastic and alive in a much fuller sense. Since devotion has been such a central part of my life, I wanted to share my devotion with you.
What does acting in devotion look like? Let me give you an example using my dog Simcha. When Simcha wakes up in the morning, the very first thing he does is look for me. Even before he goes outside, before he eats breakfast, even before he plays, he wants to connect with me. Then, he goes out to potty, eats, plays, and moves into his day. Throughout the day, he continually returns to me, checking in, ready to play, to snuggle, to sit quietly beside me, or to go outside for an adventure with me. He doesn’t much care what we do as long as we do it together. When he is happy, he runs to me to share it. When he is afraid or sad, I am again the first one he runs to. When we have a house full of people with many different activities going, and he is feeling a little ‘beside himself’, I am the one to whom he turns to get his bearings. And the place he wants most to be when he lies down to sleep at night is beside me. Simply put, I am the one from whom he takes his lead. Simcha is devoted to me.
Devotion is often associated with a feeling or emotion. But the word “Devotion” comes from a Latin verb meaning “to vow,” and means, “to promise to bind oneself to an act, service, or condition.” Emotions come and go, rise and fall. Devotion does not. What we are devoted to is constantly with us and present within our awareness. For example, when I travel alone away from home, my wife is ever with me. No matter what activities engage my attention, she is never absent from my awareness, even when I am not having any particular feeling associated with her. When we chose to bind ourselves, one to another, in marriage, our vows were the expression of our commitment, our devotion, to each other. It is similar in my relationship with God: it is my devotion that binds me to God, which keeps God ever present in my awareness, even if, in any given moment, I am not emotionally feeling God’s presence. Being devoted does not “bind” me in the sense of restraining me, like being bound with a rope, keeping me tied down and limiting my freedom. Instead my vow of devotion gives me the ability to make a connection — a conscious link — with that which I love.
So, being devoted does not mean that I have to feel emotional about God every instant of the day. It does mean that I focus on being aware of our connection throughout the day. When I awaken, I can turn my attention first to my Lord, to connect with God before I engage the world that day. When I am hurt or frightened, I can run into His arms for comfort. When I am happy, I can share my joy. When I am excited or overwhelmed by the flurry of activities around me, I can seek His Face to get my bearings. And I can turn my thoughts toward Him each night as I go to sleep. Devotion to God is about the constancy of inner commitment, the level of intimacy in sharing ... it is about our enduring connection to Spirit.
I used to think that feeling love for God was what mattered most. But I have come to understand that the connection exists even when I don’t feel it. Notice that in its definition, devotion is not about emotion, but about action. Being devoted means to pledge oneself to an action. In the case of marriage, to the actions of fidelity, companionship, and all the rest that go with the intimacy of that relationship. In Spirit, it is simply 15
I NNER L IGHT M INISTRIES NEWSLETTER ABOUT ILM INNER LIGHT MINISTRIES (ILM) is a non-profit organization dedicated to teaching spiritual awakening through an inner practice of meditation. This meditation practice is an inner path through which the soul transcends the physical realms of creation to its true home in the spiritual realms within the heart of God. In spiritual teachings and literature this inner path is often referred to as “The Path of Sound and Light,” “The Path of The Holy Spirit,” “The Path of Love,” or simply as “The Path” or “The Way.” ILM offers initiation into this meditation practice enabling one to fully experience this inner journey of awakening. To provide support for those individuals interested in this path, Inner Light Ministries offers numerous publications, materials, programs, and services, which encourage devotion to God and support a life-long practice of prayer, meditation, spiritual study, and service.
ILM:
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