2005 Vol 1, March by Inner Light Ministries

NEWSLETTER EWSLETTER NNER L IGHT M INISTRIES N IINNER LIGHT VOLUME 16 NUMBER 1

MARCH, 2005

S PIRITUAL INTERVIEWS by Jim Gordon, President of ILM

s I look to the present moment and continue to step forward into what is next, I am ever referencing to my past experiences to see what I have learned and what I can bring forward and apply to this moment. I learned many years ago how important it is to build a strong foundation upon which to construct the ‘structure’ of one’s life. Recently, I have been very aware of this action of building a foundation upon which I am expanding into new activities and new ways of living my life. When I was 16 years old, I was working on a ranch and the owner decided to build a new barn. When we began the work, the first thing we did was to prepare the ground upon which the new structure was going to stand. We then began the work of laying in the foundation. I learned as we went along that this is a very important part of the construction. If we’d put in a foundation that was not level, that was not strong, and that was not sitting on a firm supportive base, then the barn we were building would have had structural problems that would appear in the future and undermine the integrity of the structure. So we spent a lot of time preparing the base and foundation before we ever started raising the barn. In 1967 I began to do my spiritual service in the world, and again I was told to build on solid rock and to build a strong foundation — this time in spirit. Then whatever came forward in my life, I would know that my base and my reason for doing would stand strong and sturdy. Now, as I look back over the years at how I have put together ILM, and I look at the spiritual action and service that has come forward, I know that the foundation I built upon is on rock — sturdy and sound. Today there are changes that are taking place in ILM, and I can see that the foundation laid so many years ago, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, is sound and strong. One of the big changes in ILM is the action that started in 2003 of initiating into the meditation practice of Sound and Light. With this action coming forward many other

changes have come into being as well. One is the action of me taking better care of myself: giving myself more time to meditate, taking better care of my body through exercise and nutrition, and having others come into ILM to help me in getting things done. And so besides having Tom Beaver, Laura Kesten, and Steven McAfee on staff, we now also have Brian Yeakey, Bill Stratton, Laura Doggett, Jaden von Behren and Steve Bratsch all helping and working in ILM. Another action that came forward was for me to end my counseling work that I had been doing with people since 1967. Through my own meditation the Holy Spirit has made it clear to me that it is now time for me to focus on the many who are coming to ILM for initiation into the inner spiritual meditative path, rather than focusing on the outer lives of individuals in counseling. This change has been a bit of a challenge, for I love people so much and enjoy sharing with them from a spiritual place that they might better understand their lives. I have seen how spirit has helped so many people through the counseling work that I have done with them over the years. And so it was challenging to do what the Holy Spirit directed. Recently, however, it has been laid out for me why this new action on my part is necessary, and it is very clear to me that this phase of my service has come to completion. As ILM moved forward in initiating people, I asked Brian Yeakey to step forward and continue the counseling work I had been doing. He has been doing counseling work with people since January 2001. He has performed a wonderful action of service and has assisted many people over these last four years. As Bob Dylan said in one of his songs, “The times they are a changin’.” And this is true for Brian as well as myself. Brian and I have now been asked to hold a focus of loving and service for those who are drawn to initiation. This means serving those initiates, intended initiates and seekers interested in finding out more about the spiritual, inner path of meditation. With this awareness coming forward from the Holy Spirit, to be more available in this way, we have realized that change is once again taking (INTERVIEWS continues on page 3)

MORE DOGS! MORE JOY! by Laura Kesten, ILM Minister

the little puppy pulling on my sweatshirt sleeve, the big puppy pulling on my shoestring, and with the two older dogs lying close by ‘supervising’. It’s spontaneous, disorderly — and it’s joyful! This combination is a brand new experience for me.

couple of days ago, as I rolled around on the floor with our dogs, getting dog-kissed and tangled in legs and tails, my daughter looked at me with wide eyes and said, “I’ve never ever seen you let a dog lick your face, much less get down on the floor to play with them! I love it, but who are you?”

I find myself waking each morning with joy as I wait to be greeted by my Maltese puppy, Caper: a fluffy-white, under-two-pound bundle of loving joy. He pops his head over his basket and whines for me to take him out. Wiggling in my arms, he lunges for my face and douses me with good morning kisses, so happy to see me. I return his happiness with kisses of my own and highpitched puppy-baby talk.

Who am I? I’m a person who has recently discovered a new level of joy, and it comes from the least expected source — dogs! More Dogs! We’d already had two, but recently we doubled that number! Our daughter, Cally, thought it would be a cool idea to give her parents each a puppy for Christmas. Knowing what we had both wanted: my husband Tom — something big, me — something little, she took us to pick out puppies on Christmas Eve. Tom got his big dog — a Rottweiler, and I got my little dog — a Maltese.

I take Caper everywhere I go; placed in a large satchel I carry like a purse, he nestles under his blanket. When I show a store clerk what’s in my bag, she shrieks with delight, attracting all the other clerks and customers to come take a peek. They too shriek with delight as they pass him around getting puppy-kissed: their faces light up, then a big breath is taken in and sounds of extreme joy are exhaled. At one store, four young men who worked there got down on their bellies to play with Caper. I told them they should think about getting one for themselves — it could be a real chick magnet. One of them looked up at me and said, “Well, right now lady it’s a real guy magnet!”

As I drove home, the little Maltese puppy asleep on Cally’s lap, the big puppy snuggled in Tom’s arm, one resounding question pounded on my brain: Oh, my God, what have we done?! And it only boomed louder after the big puppy got sick on the way home. But when we got home and took a good look at our new additions, introduced them to our two adult dogs and our indoor and outdoor cats, and watched with joy as they immediately made themselves at home (our aging Rottie Bleu, especially, was instantly ‘taken’ with his new protégé), I knew we indeed hadn’t made a mistake.

Another time I was sitting in a waiting room when a woman walked in, gasped with joy, and immediately sat on the floor with Caper and me. Caper ran to her with reciprocated joy. After a few minutes, she asked, “How do you get anything done?” I laughed and said, “Exactly! A lot of happiness is being accomplished!” Jim Gordon has spoken about the value of having a “reference point for joy,” an experience in our lives that is so purely joyful that we can, by just remembering it, create a little pocket of joy within us for whenever we want it or need it. For me, that’s exactly what Caper is: a spiritual experience God has blessed me with of joyful loving action, and which I get not only to experience for myself, but also to witness Caper spreading to others everywhere he goes. Every day now, I get to drop down (MORE JOY continues on page 3)

As the weeks go by, the dishes pile in the sink, the layer of dust thickens, puppy toys are scattered everywhere — and I care not in the least! I get my work done for ILM, and whatever else I absolutely need to do every day, but nothing more. Instead, I spend all my ‘housekeeping time’ watching the puppies play, watching them learn from the older dogs, watching them leap and bound when we call out to them. Even now as I write this article, I’m sitting on the kitchen floor with my computer on my lap, 2

I NNER L IGHT M INISTRIES

CALENDAR

CLASSES & PROGRAMS: MARCH – JUNE, 2005 P RESENTED

BY J IM G ORDON and B RIAN Y EAKEY : For additional information, call 512-306-1056.

EEKLY

CLASSES:

Jim’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 Sunday afternoon service project to plant Light Columns around North Austin. Facilitated by Bill Stratton. Participants will group together and drive to various points in the North Austin area to experience this wonderful service of bringing forward greater Light for greater good to the Austin community. A potluck starts things off. Call Bill to RSVP, and for more information.

JUNE 12

12:30 Lunch, 2:30-4 pm Light Columns

Bill’s house, North Austin

No Charge

(ILM Calendar continues on pages 4 - 9)

by Jim Gordon

Interviews (continued from page 1)

More Joy (continued from page 2) by Laura Kesten

place. So Brian and I are now going to be doing Spiritual Interviews rather than personal counselings. The focus will be on sharing about the inner pathway and in bringing clarity around The Path of Sound and Light. And so the interviews we give will be to answer any questions about the inner path and to assist focusing people inward toward God. As the Bible says, “Seek first the Kingdom of Heaven and all else will be given unto you.” So rather than focusing on helping people with the outer problems of the day, we are now focusing on the inner truth and loving that answers all questions and brings clarity into one’s daily life.

on the floor and allow the joy of God to flow through Caper (and Teddy, the Rottie puppy) to me. And every day I get to look into the eyes of all those who stop to connect with Caper’s God-joy, and to share this moment with them. The dishes will get washed, and the dusting and vacuuming will get done, eventually. But for right now, I don’t want to miss one moment of this newfound joy, the one wrapped in small bundles. Every day my heart opens to these blessed occurrences. And every day, my gratitude swells.

So if you call and ask for a counseling with Jim or Brian, please be aware that Laura Doggett will be sharing with you more about this new action we are taking. If you have any questions about this action, please call so we can clarify how we can best serve you.

and to those who have written letters of intention towards initiation. If you would like to order the CD please call and let Laura Doggett know.

There is also a CD available for those who would like more information concerning the new actions of ILM. During our regular weekly class in Austin on December 14, 2004, I shared about my process and the changes that are taking place. We have sent this CD out to our initiates

And so, with the firm foundation of the Holy Spirit and The Path of Sound and Light to build upon, ILM continues to move forward in its mission of loving service to those who come to us with a desire for an inner spiritual journey. You are welcome to join us! 3

Experiencing The Divine – A Meditative Retreat

facilitated by

Jim Gordon and Brian Yeakey

DATES:

Thursday, March 17, 2005 at 6 pm

(beginning with dinner; check-in begins at 4 pm)

thru Sunday,

March 20 at 1:30 pm

(ending after lunch) PLACE: Red Corral Ranch 505 Red Corral Ranch Road Wimberley, Texas 78676

COST: $37500 (includes lodging and all meals; this is ILM’s actual cost for the retreat accommodations)

In this meditative retreat, Jim and Brian will be taking participants on an experiential journey into the greater knowing of their divine nature. Jim and Brian 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, rejuvenation, and resurrection.

For further information and to register for this retreat contact: Diana Vandel at 512-328-5649 or dianavandel@mac.com, 916 Calithea Road, Austin, Texas 78746. 4

Kalamazoo:

Saturday, April 2, 2005

A DAY WITH SPIRIT

with JIM IM and BRIAN RIAN with

HARING S HARING

and and

Q&A Q&A

TIME: 1-- 5 pm WHERE: Country Inn & Suites, 1912 East Kilgore Road, Kalamazoo, Mich. Country Inn & Suites is located on Old Kilgore (formerly Howard Johnson s) by the airport.

Donation For further information please contact Carolyn Dailey at 269-327-6851.

Kalamazoo: NITIATION and and INITIATION PIRITUAL INTERVIEWS NTERVIEWS ˜ SPIRITUAL will be available for ˜ Brian spiritual interviews.

April 3 & 4 Jim and Brian will be available for initiation for those who have been approved.

To schedule spiritual interviews with Brian Yeakey or to talk with Jim Gordon regarding initiation into The Path of Sound and Light, please call Laura Doggett at 512-306-1056.

Ft. Wayne Wayne:

Saturday, April 9

EDITATION ILM MEDITATION

with JIM IM and BRIAN RIAN with and S SHARING HARING and with Q&A Q&A with TIMES OF EVENTS

MEDITATION: 9:30 am-12 12 noon Lunch break: 12-2 pm Sharing and Q&A: 2-5:30 pm WHERE: Brigade of Light meeting room at the YWCA Villa, 2000 N. Wells St, Ft. Wayne, Ind. Donation For further information please contact Steven McAfee at 260-485-2167.

Ft. Wayne:

April 6-10

INITIATION NITIATION and and Jim and Brian will be available ˜ SPIRITUAL PIRITUAL INTERVIEWS NTERVIEWS for initiation for those who have been approved. Brian will be available for ˜ spiritual interviews. To schedule spiritual interviews with Brian Yeakey or to talk with Jim Gordon regarding initiation into The Path of Sound and Light, please call Steven McAfee at 260-485-2167. 5

Sunday, April 24, 2005

New York City:

ILM INTRODUCTION with with

HARING S HARING and and

Q&A

with JIM and BRIAN

TIME: 1:30--6 pm WHERE: Ford Crull’s Apartment 258 Broadway, 3E, New York City. Donation For further information please contact Ford Crull at 212-619-0582.

London, England:

ILM MEDITATION and and

Sunday, May 22

HARING S HARING

with Q&A Q&A with

with JIM IM and BRIAN RIAN with

TIMES OF EVENTS MEDITATION: 9:30 am-12 12 noon Lunch break: 12-1:30 pm Sharing and Q&A: 1:30-5:30 pm WHERE: Mayfair Conference Center, 17 Connaught Place, London, W2 EL Phone: 020 7262 0416 Donation

NITIATION and and INITIATION PIRITUAL INTERVIEWS NTERVIEWS SPIRITUAL will be available for ˜ Brian spiritual interviews.

May 9-20 Brian will be available ˜ Jim and for initiation for those who have been approved.

To schedule spiritual interviews with Brian Yeakey or to talk with Jim Gordon regarding initiation into The Path of Sound and Light, pleaseCarolyn call Nana Brincker at ?????????. For further information please contact: Dailey at 269-327-6851. 6

I NNER L IGHT M INISTRIES CALENDAR PRESENTED BY LAURA KESTEN: For additional information, call Laura at 512-894-0992. TORIES UNTOLD: Have you heard your “calling” to write? Have you answered it yet? In this S program, we attend to our own personal callings to write — to write from the heart about our life

experiences — our tragedies, our triumphs, our insights, our wisdom, our awakenings, and our opening hearts. We do this through the healing words of our own untold stories as we write them down on paper, and then share them (optional) with a loving, safe and supportive group. This is an awesome experience! Try it for one weekend and see for yourself. No experience is necessary!

MICHIGAN: SEVEN DAY RETREAT: JUNE 18-25, Martha’s Cottage, Saugatuck: This is a week-long Intensive and each participant must have attended at least three previous STORIES UNTOLD weekends in the past year (unless there is availability). $350 WEEKEND WORKSHOPS: APR 1-3, Kellogg, Richland AUG (TBA), GilChrist, Three Rivers SEPT 30-OCT 2, The Orchard, Lawrence DEC 9-11, Pretty Lake, Mattawan $125 per weekend TEXAS: MAR 12-13, MAY 7-8, JULY 9-10, SEPT 24-25, NOV 12-13

SAT: 9 am – 7 pm, SUN: 10 am – 4 pm

ILM Center, Austin, Texas

Donation

365 D AYS OF IVING C ONSCIOUSLY : What if you had one year to live? How would you want to live it? Might you want your yearlong journey to be about living each day mindfully, living it authentically, with integrity; and might you have it include forgiveness, acceptance, and loving? What if you could live each day this year consciously and deliberately? Throughout 2005, our LIVING CONSCIOUSLY group will meet one Sunday each month. Join us anytime!

MAR 27, APR 24, MAY 22, JUNE 12, JULY 17

SUNDAYS

2-4 pm

ILM Center, Austin, Texas

Donation

CIRCLE OF WOMEN: MAR 25: TOUCH PAINTING – This is a unique meditative technique in painting requiring no brushes, no messy fingers, and no skill — but the results are absolutely amazing! Come and be amazed yourself! APR 15: AN EVENING OF PAMPERING – This is a great evening for unwinding. We’ll have all sorts of pampering items from footbaths to massage. You won’t want to miss this evening!

•

MAY 13: MUSIC MEDITATION – We invite you to float on the sound waves of a truly unique musical arrangement of harps and flutes, violins and bagpipes, concluding with a silent meditation. The above events are on Fridays, 7–9 pm

ILM Center, Austin, Texas

No Charge

(Note: please be aware that new programs are often scheduled after the newsletter goes to press, and, in some instances, published schedules may have to be altered. For current information on any event or series, please call the presenter or contact person listed with the program. Thank you.)

(ILM Calendar continues on next page)

I NNER L IGHT M INISTRIES CALENDAR PRESENTED BY STEVEN R. MCAFEE, MIDWEST COORDINATOR: For additional information, call Steven at 260-485-2167. Steven offers a series of weekly ILM classes in Ft. Wayne on Tuesday UESDAY CLASS SERIES: T nights from 7-8:30 pm at Unity Christ Church. Each series focuses on a specific spiritual topic and runs from 4-6 weeks in length. Some of our recent topics have included: Jim Gordon’s book, The Knowing of God, mystical teachings from the Kabbalah, a study of first century Christianity, and the ‘lost books’ of the Bible. Please call Steven for up-to-date information on the current series.

ILM

OMMUNITY NIGHT: More music nights are on the way! We’ll provide soft drinks and C munchies. Please RSVP a week ahead so we can plan appropriately.

MAR 9, APR 6, MAY 11, JUNE 8

7-10 pm

Steven & Anita’s home, Ft. Wayne

No Charge

THE “ INDRED SPIRITS” STUDY GROUP: The following events are open only to those already enrolled in the year-long KINDRED SPIRITS study program.

RETREATS: MAR 18-20

Fri. 7:30 pm-Sun. 2:30 pm

Yarrow Conference Center, Augusta, Mich.

WORKSHOPS (usually on the third Sunday of the month): APR 17, MAY 15, JUNE 12 2:30-5:30 pm Brigade of Light, YWCA

Ft. Wayne

$235 Donation

C M P W : The morning session will F introduce basic teachings from the Kabbalah (Jewish mystical writings) as the framework on which Jewish IRST

ENTURY

YSTICAL

RACTICES

ORKSHOP

mystics, including Jesus, built their prayer and meditation practices. In the afternoon session, we will have the opportunity to actually practice some of their prayers, chants, and meditations together. Lunch provided. MAR 5

9:30 am-3 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 Hebrew people from bondage in Egypt, and will 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 in the evening, as there is a great deal of preparation involved. Seating is limited, so register early. APR 23

6-9 pm

Unity Christ Church

Ft. Wayne

Donation

HE MERKAVAH MYSTICS: The morning session will present an overview of the “Merkavah” or T “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. MAY 29

11 am-4 pm

Lakeshore Interfaith Institute

Ganges, Mich.

Donation

S : Steven frequently serves as a guest speaker for various churches and spiritual S 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: MAR 27, APR 17, MAY 15, JUNE 12 JUNE 5

11 am 10:30 am 8

Brigade of Light Unity Christ Church (Midwest Calendar continues on next page)

I NNER L IGHT M INISTRIES CALENDAR EVENTS IN THE KALAMAZOO AREA: Please contact Carolyn Dailey at 269-327-6851 or email carolee12@chartermi.net for more information on the activities below.

S : Carolyn Dailey is conducting semi-monthly ILM tape seminars in T the Kalamazoo area. Each seminar includes: Calling in the Light, a short meditation time, and listening ILM

APE

EMINARS

to a tape or CD by ILM Ministers Jim Gordon, Steven McAfee, or Brian Yeakey. 2nd & 4th Thursdays

11am-12:30 pm

2485 Brahms Ave., Portage, Mich.

No Charge

ILM TUDY G ROUP: Carolyn Dailey is facilitating a weekly study group based on the ILM book, Love and Loving by Jim Gordon. Participants will read a chapter of the book in preparation for each session, which will consist of discussion, exercises and processes based on that chapter. Wednesdays

6:15-8:30 pm Executive Suites and Services, 5955 West Main, Kalamazoo

No Charge

NOW AVAILABLE:

The Staff of the Shepherd by Jim Gordon

This is a revised and expanded edition, with additional information about Inner Light Ministries and The Path of Sound and Light. “The rod and the staff were tools of the ancient shepherds, used to usher their flocks of sheep along. In its symbolic meaning, the ‘rod and staff’ refer to the many tools, or ‘instruments’, by which God ushers us, His ‘flock’, along on our journeys through life. And perhaps the most important of the ‘instruments’ by which God assists us are his many assistants, or agents, which He sends to guide, serve and protect us on our way.” – Jim Gordon

NEW TALK AND MEDITATION

ALK and MEDITATION EDITATION) The Pearl Of Great Price (TALK

by Jim Gordon Excerpt from The Pearl Of Great Price by Jim Gordon:

"That divine melody that comes out of the heart of God, the place where we came from, is being sung eternally. And it's ever there being sung, waiting for us to one day begin to hear that great song ... and for us to begin to sing that song with it so that we can begin to go back to where we came from. It's in singing that song which we hear being sung, and becoming one with it, that we get this pearl of great price, and that we return back to the place from which we came." To order, please turn to the back page for further information.

THE

MANY FACES OF GOD

by Bill Stratton, ILM Minister keep one’s spiritual experiences to oneself instead of diluting the experience by sharing it with others. However, as I later thought about my friend’s question to me, I remembered many years ago a teacher’s reply to a student’s question about wanting to see the face of God: “Look in the mirror.” That response was not exactly the answer any of us wanted to hear at the time, but a little later I realized the profoundness of it. We all are aspects of God, and we need only look at ourselves and others in that radiance and connect to that experience, in order to understand the teacher’s response.

fter Christmas I decided I would put together a photo album of 2004’s ILM events: pictures of my own and from others which I had gathered over the year. In the process of going through all the pictures I looked at a great number of faces, of many different ages, all smiling and expressing joy, loving, and peace. As I sorted through these photos I realized I was experiencing a very loving sensation inside which, simply, lifted my spirits. It was such a good feeling, that I thought I would share it with the first ILM class I facilitated while Jim and Brian were away for the holidays. So I placed the pictures on a CD and played it for the class as a slide show with music playing in the background, and I introduced it as a meditation through which the viewers could experience for themselves the Light and Loving in each face. The slide show played for around 20 minutes, and as I looked around at the faces of the class members watching the presentation I could sense the effect it was having on them — a recognition inside of them of something greater than just the physical faces showing in front of them. It was a recognition which stirred in them all those qualities that are inside each of us — of joy, loving and peace. The viewing brought forth, for that brief time, an experience that is greater than all of those qualities combined. It was an experience of seeing the many faces of God.

This collection of photographs gave me that experience. As I looked at all the gleaming faces I realized that it didn’t matter the age, gender, race, ability or disability; the face was always the same. The face of Loving shown through in all of its many expressions. And in that realization gratitude swelled up inside of me as I realized how in so many ways ILM has given us all a variety of opportunities throughout the past year to have this kind of experience — both inwardly and outwardly, within ourselves and with others. Since my experience with these photos I’ve been exercising this learning when I’m at the mall, or at the grocery store, or at a coffee shop, by simply looking at people and ‘seeing’ a smile on their face. Sometimes when they look my way I smile, and then I see the smile returned. And that same feeling of gratitude returns to me! It’s like God looking at God.

A few weeks before this ILM class, at a busy and somewhat noisy restaurant, a friend had asked me, “When do you see the face of God?” I answered at the time that such a thing as “seeing the face of God” was a personal spiritual experience about which I’d rather not share. I have been taught over the years that it’s best to 10

At the ILM Center, Austin, Texas

ILM E VENTS

COINS FOR KIDS Shopping ...

and Wrapping Days. Much Loving!

ILM E VENTS continued SPIRITUAL ABUNDANCE RETREAT

Midwest MUSIC NIGHT

Midwest KINDRED SPIRIT

Ft. Wayne COINS FOR KIDS

Much Joy! “Christmas is a time many of us treasure, and this year it was so much sweeter because of the COINS FOR KIDS experience.” 12

– Steven McAfee

Q&A ON MEDITATION by Jim Gordon, President of ILM you are looking at whatever you are seeing; or listening could be just listening, in the quiet, in the peace. And as long as you’re in that place, then hold to that. But always hold it in here at the seat of the soul, and upward. And allow yourself to receive the Peace of God, the Quiet of God, the Loving of God, and let it begin to move in you and fill you, or let it begin to pull you inward and upward more, until you begin to leave the body. But if there’s a time where you become more aware again of the psychic world, or the material world such as the body, then begin chanting again, to bring your focus and attention more directly upward and towards God. So what you’re describing isn’t unusual; it’s what a lot of people go through. But I would just say, begin by holding your attention more ‘vertically’, more upward. Or even begin to hold your attention up through the crown chakra (on the top of the head), and just see if you can kind of look up and see through that window up there, into those higher realms, and share your loving with God that way.

I’ve been meditating for a couple of decades, trying to focus on Spirit inside. And I have to say that probably more than half the time it’s like a fight in there. I mean, at times it’s like ants with paint ball guns in there! How does one address that when it comes, when it feels like you’re being fought against in there?

When you’re chanting your names (given at initiation) inside, and you’re holding your focus at the seat of the soul (at the “Third Eye” center, between the brows), what else is going on? Are you holding your attention on the names? If you are, then at the same time you’re chanting the name of God inside, let yourself know that this is you sharing your love with God: “I am now sharing my love with God as I chant the name of God. This is my loving I’m sharing with you.” And that’ll begin to bring you up into the higher frequency of the seat of the soul. Otherwise, you may still be focused more towards the lower part of you, if you will.

Jim:

It seems more comfortable for me to look straight out, so I probably should be doing this instead.

Jim:

The third eye has three levels to it. The first level focuses down at the world, and that’s where most people are today. They’re just looking into the world, and they’re trying to figure out the world and get from the world what they want. The next level is more directly straight out, and it’s of the psychic realms. And it has to do with all the unseen, unknowable worlds of the physical creation. For most people it’s unseen and unknowable. But it’s there, and that’s the psychic level. And the third level is the realm of Spirit. So we really want to be looking up, truly up; not just holding our attention here (between the brows), but also focusing upward. And as you do, say, “Lord, I’m sharing my love with you as I chant these names.” And begin to be aware of that movement of love, and share your love with God. Say the names in loving, so that the names go to God. And as you say them with love, you’re sharing your love with God and creating a space for God to share Loving with you as well. And that sharing of God’s Love with you is the Audible Lifestream. It may come in as a color, a light. It may come in as a sound. It may come in as a feeling. However it comes, you continue chanting until you feel the peace, until you feel the quiet, or until you hear the sound, or until you see the purple or the blue light. And then you become quiet and you listen for the Sound. Now listening could be as

Right. It is more comfortable because that’s

what the body, and the consciousness, is more used to; so that’s where we’re naturally going to look. But that’s the thing that keeps the soul in the world. Because when the soul came down into the physical manifestation, it took on the mind. The mind said, “Well, the answers are in the world; so we have to go get a body with two eyes to look out into the world, to find out where the answers are. And so the mind is ever looking out, out into the world, for the answer. So if we close our eyes and go inside and we’re still looking straight out, the mind goes, “Oh, okay, so now we’re just going to figure it out from in here.” And so you’re still engaged in the mind. You’ve got to focus above the mind. The mind will protest, “No, no, no, I’m down here!” And you go, “I know, I’m not looking for you right now.” And it’ll go, “Well, what are you looking for?” Eventually, the mind will actually look up with you. And as you begin to have inner experiences the mind will go, “Well, how did you do that? Where did that come from? Can we have more of that? That was pretty good!” And then it’ll begin to support you in meditation. But until then, it’s going to say, “You’re wasting your time, come back down here and let’s talk!” 13

WORKING ON SELF

AND SELFLESS SERVICE by Brian Yeakey, Vice President of ILM I have found that my real work is to bring myself into this place within. I do my part to get there, and God does His part from there on. Sometimes I find it challenging to get to this place within, because of those things that are separating me from God, things that I have to work through to get to that open place. That’s when I call it “work.” Other times it just opens up and I find it easy. That’s when I call it fun. Either way, however, I have learned to keep on going until I get there, because it is in the getting ‘there’, to this inner place, that the full experience and understanding take place.

s the years go by of ‘doing’ Spirit as an everyday part of my life, I am always experiencing ever-greater levels of awareness and loving with God. In doing my work for ILM, what is foremost for me is to go inside to experience what is there for me in any given moment. It is in that experience that I discover the truth as it lives within me. And it is from this ‘place’ inside myself that I share, and learn even more, when I talk about God, Spirit, and my inner experiences. I constantly pay attention to what is going on inside of me, and as I do, I continue to become more aware of my ‘inner’ environment and how it relates to my outer environment. My ‘inner observation’ is where I start in learning more about myself and others and the environment around me. As things come up that make me uncomfortable or are trying, I begin to look inside and observe what is taking place — physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Then I begin a process within myself where I ‘open up’ to Spirit and let Spirit fill me and lift me in such a way that it brings me into a place of peace and vulnerability; and from that place I am better able to handle whatever challenge I may be going through. This quite often is referred to as “Letting go and letting God,” or rising above the situation. It is from this place that I become more aware of what it is that’s going on within me, what is causing the challenge, and how I may see my way through it. It is from this heightened place of observation where my ‘greater’ learning takes place. It is also in this place that I begin to experience my freedom.

Once I’m there, I continue to do what I can to stay there, by keeping that ‘inner door’ open within me. I have found that this is as simple as holding my focus inwardly, always making God first. And as I do that, the Loving just keeps on flowing from Above and I move with it, doing my life internally as I move through my life externally. In moving through the external, physical world I do my service by being in this internal flow of Loving. I have found that my True Service is simply letting God’s Loving flow through me ... there’s nothing else really for me to do. Sure, I do physical actions such as talking with people, facilitating workshops and classes and other such outer actions of service, but it is in the sharing of the Spirit flowing through me, during these physical actions, that I know the True Service. If I can hold that door open within me, and let God’s Loving flow through, I have done my part. And I leave the rest up to God, because I know that God will do God’s part! And that’s the most magnificent part of all.

In my ‘opening up’ process I experience God’s Loving filling me and freeing me, assisting me in releasing any attachments or reactions to whatever may be taking place within me or around me. And as this freeing and releasing action of Loving takes place, an understanding of the nature of what is going on inside of me in any given situation quite often comes into my awareness. It is in this understanding that my learning takes place.

In this message I hope to convey to you that what I have come to find out over all these years of ‘working’ with Spirit, with God’s Loving, is that all any of us really need to do is to do our part of opening to and connecting with God’s Loving Spirit, and to live our lives in that on-going flow of Loving. In living more and more this way, our lives become much simpler and easier, and more joy-filled. 14

THE

FREEDOM OF INNOCENCE

by Steven McAfee,

person he met, his face seemed to be saying, “Oh boy, a new friend!” To Jayden, everybody looked the same. He had not yet learned to make internal judgments about people based on the clothes they were wearing, how fat or skinny they were, how old or young they were, what color their skin was, or any of the other things we use in making instant assessments of the people we meet. To him, every person was just a person — and a potential playmate.

ILM Minister his winter we spent a weekend with some of our friends and family at a ski lodge. Our grandson Jayden, being just a year old, didn’t ski, but he had a great time wandering around the lodge looking at everything. It was, of course, all brand new to him. Most everything is. I spent most of my time watching him.

As I watched Jayden make a whole variety of new friends, I realized how often I make up little stories within myself about the people I see. Based on their appearance, I imagine them to be gruff or pleasant, lazy or ambitious, poor or wealthy, competent or not. It’s not that I hold any judgment in the sense of condemnation against them, but I subtly create an attitude about the kind of person I think they are. Jayden waits to see how someone treats him before he forms an opinion of them. Once he knows someone, then he adopts certain feelings toward them — like when his God-papa Larry walks into the room, Jayden’s whole face lights up (so does Larry’s).

After Jayden had finished lunch in his stroller beside us in the lounge, he made this funny face, stuck out his tongue, and “pthrrrr’d” at me (you know, “the raspberry”). I instinctively did it back to him. He laughed. Then he did it to me again and waited, with this twinkle in his eye and this expectant look on his face. I did it back again. He giggled so loud and hard that his face turned red. The game was on! We kept doing it back and forth to each other, over and over. I expected him to tire of it quickly, but he didn’t. Each time we did it was like the first time to him — as if he had never seen it before and it was the funniest thing in the universe. I was amazed at how long it went on — probably 30 minutes! We finally quit — not because he tired of the game or found it less amusing, but because I did (not to mention he has a much greater capacity for saliva than I do!).

It seems that Jayden intuitively knows some things that I have nearly forgotten. Our relationships with people are the most free when they are based upon what people actually do, not on what we imagine they might think or do. However, we often relate more to our own selfcreated images of people than to who they really are. For example, we fall in love with an image of who we want a person to be, without getting to know who he or she really is. Later, we discover they are not who we thought they were, and we are disappointed. Or, we assume someone is unintelligent, uncooperative, or untrustworthy because of the way they look, without giving them a chance to demonstrate their character through their actions. What we imagine about others influences, and often inhibits, the way we behave toward them, and sets us up for disappointment.

Our little game made me think about the effect that the face of innocence has in the world. It certainly had an effect on me: I played. I didn’t think about how ridiculous I must look or what others would be thinking of me. I just naturally responded. I entered the game. The innocence in him naturally reached out to the innocence in me, and my innocence responded to his. And, to the innocent, the game is always new and fresh. I also watched during the weekend as Jayden interacted with the strangers around us. As he toddled about, looking down at his feet while he walked (he has new shoes), he would suddenly see other feet in front of him, then look up into the face of that person and smile with a delighted grin. Some smiled back or even bent down to play with him. Others ignored him completely, and a few looked mildly annoyed. When someone didn’t respond favorably to him, he wasn’t disappointed; he just cheerfully went on to the next encounter. With each

In his innocence, Jayden is free to explore and encounter his world. Accepting people (and ourselves) as they are frees us from so much weight — from the worry of being rejected, from the reluctance to reveal our own playfulness; from the wearisome stress of always trying to fix everyone else; and mostly, from the desperate need to pretend to be the way we think we are supposed to be. Without these weights, we are free, like Jaden, to be innocent. 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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New Product

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The Pearl Of Great Price (Talk and Meditation) by Jim Gordon

2 CD set or Tape — $9.00 (See page 9 for a quote from talk.) 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 P.O. Box 164332 Austin, Texas 78716-4332

Executive Office: Jim Gordon, P.O. Box 164332, Austin, TX 78716-4332; Business Office: Tom Beaver, P.O. Box 1086, Dripping Springs, TX 78620; Midwest Office: Steven McAfee, P.O. Box 5139, Fort Wayne, IN 46895

Inner Light Ministries Editorial and Publishing Office P.O. Box 164332 Austin, Texas 78716-4332 Phone: 512-306-1056 FORWARDING SERVICE REQUESTED