INNER LIGHT MINISTRIES JOURNAL VOLUME 19 NUMBER 1
REALIGNMENT
by Jim Gordon, President of ILM
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(from the talk, The Truth of Who You Are – 12/02/07)
here are days when meditation is so simple. I’ll be meditating and, oh my gosh, it’s just open and it’s flowing and the Loving is there. And I can get up and do the day and the Loving goes with me and I’m just ever aware. I’m living from the seat of the soul, and my words come from there and my expressions come from there and my experience comes from there, and it returns to there. However … there are other days that I sit down to meditate and it’s like — “What the heck am I doing this for? This is just too hard. I should just get up and go get that cup of coffee now because I need it. I need it more than I need this meditation.” That’s when I know, “Okay, I’m going to be reminding myself a lot today of who I really am, because, right now, I’m not there.” And I know that that very moment is when I really want to be sitting down and doing my meditation. I want to be in my meditation. I want to spend as much time as I can in my meditation, just continually ‘reminding myself back’ to the seat of the soul, back to the truth of who I am as soul — over and over and over. And whatever it is that’s calling me ‘down and out’ in that moment, that’s causing me to be in separation — that’s what I’m going to be talking to, that’s what I’m going to be sharing my loving, my truth, with. Even if I don’t believe it, even if in that moment I can’t connect into the “I am that I am,” even if at that moment I can’t wake up into the Divine Essence of Loving that I am as soul — I’m going to talk to myself as if I’m there so that it begins to move in me. You have to open the door. You have to open the door through your own expression, through your own choice. There are times when I’m going through the day that I just have to keep reminding myself — “I am. I am. I am. I am Spirit. I am soul. I am God. I am Divine.” And even though I’m reminding myself, it’s just words. And that’s okay, because inside I know the truth. I now that beyond those words is the truth — and I’m speaking the truth even though I don’t feel it. I’m speaking the truth and reminding myself back into that
MARCH, 2008
truth so that the truth can once again live in me fully. And that’s what meditation is about. Meditation is ‘remembering ourselves back’ into the truth of who we are. Remembering ourselves back into the truth. And in our meditation, we can begin to remember. We can begin to wake up and remember the truth of who we are as Divine. And then, once we have that remembrance, once we know that Divine Loving inside of us, once we begin to share that with God and know God’s Loving with us, right here (motioning above and between the eyebrows) at the seat of the soul, then we have a good reference point … so then when we feel separate in the future all we have to do is come back to that reference point, and we once again know the truth. So that’s why meditation is so important — because meditation is us remembering the truth of who we really are. At some level, we know the truth, and through meditation it’s easier for us to get back into it. Now believe me, the body, the imagination, the emotions, and the mind all have their own experience, and they all have their own awareness of self at that level of existence, and they all believe that they’re the truth of this creation. The emotions are sure that they know everything, and the ‘mind of the emotions’ will do everything it can to convince you that it knows it all, that it knows the truth. Or the mind of the imagination, or the mind of the body, or the mind of the mind, will do all it can to convince you that they’re all there is. “This is the truth, this is who you really are, and you better live from here because I know the truth of who you are.” Do not believe that ‘man behind the curtain’ when he is talking to you — that’s just one of the ‘wizards of this creation’ trying to deceive you and make you believe that it knows more than it really does. You’ve got to connect back into the truth of who you really are so that you can apply that loving, that awareness, that truth into all the levels of existence of this physical creation and have dominion over them. What does meditation do? It brings about realignment. Until we begin to meditate, until we begin to hold our attention here at the seat of the soul, our consciousness is in disarray. It’s all over the place and totally out of alignment. And so it is for us to begin to gather all that has been misplaced, misdefined, misdirected, and bring (REALIGNMENT continues on page 3)
FULFILLMENT
THROUGH GRACE by Brian Yeakey, Vice President of ILM
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forward — even if I don’t have a clue as to where I’m going. I’ve heard Jim often express it as: we place in motion many possibilities, but really it’s just one pattern — the karma within. The physical details of all the possibilities can look many different ways, yet it’s all fulfilling the same thing, the karma.
(from the talk, Fullfillment Through Loving – 3/25/07)
would like to share with you about Grace. The experience of Grace does, in a sense, set us free. And we may think that Grace can take away our karmas … and, well, it does. But sometimes the process by which the action of Grace takes place does not quite seem to line up with the way things are going in our lives. The way I found Grace to work in my life is that as I really focus into the Loving, as I open myself to allow that action of Grace, or God’s Loving, to awaken within me … then the more Grace action is actually present in my life no matter where I am, who I’m with, or what I’m doing.
Then we move into the emotional level of the challenge. We each have our different fears, our feelings, that come up and prevent us from moving forward, from doing those things that we do want to do. Maybe we want to be closer to somebody but we’re afraid: what are they going to think … maybe they’re going to pull away … I’ve been hurt before and I don’t want to be hurt again. And all these things come up that prevent us from really taking those actions and steps to do what we truly want to do, to bring completion, to fulfill ourselves. And so it’s important once again to remember that as you keep focusing into the Loving, it’s through action that God’s Grace participates with us — it comes present and gives us the courage and strength, or the endurance, or clarity, or understanding, or knowing. Through action we open to allowing those things to come forward so that we can walk through them.
One of the main ways I’ve found Grace to work with me on the physical level is that it assists me to walk through the physical experiences that otherwise would be so challenging that I might not be able to get through them. I’m talking about those ‘hardest things’ that we know we need to do but won’t do, that we do everything we can to avoid or resist doing … yet are always in our face. I have found that the action of Grace as it comes forward, and as I allow it forward within me, really is that movement or impetus that can carry me through and enable me to do those physical actions or karmas, so that I can walk through them. Because it is in walking through those experiences that we have the awakening and the learning that the soul has come into this physical level to experience. With physical challenges, I’ve found that the most important thing is to begin taking action. Often we expect things to just be better without realizing that, necessarily, we need to take action, to somehow be responsible to create what it is we want in our lives. A lot of that creating is taking action so that we begin to clear away the old. We’ve heard those stories such as cleaning our closets, going and looking and getting a job, or beginning to take classes, going to school and getting our homework done, and so on. What actions are we taking in our own lives? I have found that all I need to do is to keep stepping 2
Then, after you may get through different emotional challenges or struggles, there’s that mental process. There are the belief systems we’ve grown up with, the rules, the regulations, what’s right, what’s wrong, what’s moral, what’s ethical, what’s the appropriate way and the inappropriate way, the judgments, the good and the bad of the world. The mind is such a great trap because it’ll make us believe there is ‘the right way’ and ‘the wrong way.’ But I‘ll tell you what — in Spirit there is no right or wrong way. All there is is Loving and movement. That movement of Loving enlivens us in this world, and we begin to take action. There it is again — action! So we’re going to begin to confront all these constructs of the mind — but all we have to do, once again, is begin to take action, which allows that Loving to come into those ‘rights and wrongs’, those belief systems, those constructs and concepts. You’ll begin to see things dissipate, release. You’ll find yourself becoming more flexible, more knowing, more understanding, more intuitive, with a greater (FULFILLMENT continues on page 3)
I NNER L IGHT M INISTRIES
CALENDAR
CLASSES & PROGRAMS: SPRING – SUMMER ‘08 PRESENTED BY JIM GORDON and BRIAN YEAKEY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS:
W
EEKLY
For additional information, call 512-306-1056.
CLASSES:
Jim and Brian’s weekly class is held on Sundays, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm at the ILM Center, Franklin Sq. Bldg, 3724 Jefferson, Ste. 100.
Each class includes spiritual teachings, practical exercises, group discussion, and meditation. Jim and Brian help participants to become more deeply aware of the Spirit within. No charge. (ILM Calendar continues on pages 4 - 9)
REALIGNMENT (continued from page 1)
coming into alignment is that as things come back into alignment, we do see lights, we do hear sounds, we do feel the movement of Loving moving in and around us. It’s just automatic. As things come into alignment, we begin to experience that Divine River of Loving moving in us and through us and around us in a way that we didn’t before.
by Jim Gordon
it back into alignment with the true self of soul. And that’s what meditation does. Meditation isn’t about getting out of body, about seeing lights, hearing sounds and all of that. It’s really about alignment. And the wonderful thing about that action of meditation and
And that’s what we really want.
FULFILLMENT (continued from page 2)
you or hold you into bondage — you know the truth, you know you’re free. Then you just play the game as long as you’re here. And what I’ve just described here, this process — this is what the action of God’s Grace actually is and does.
by Brian Yeakey
understanding of how Spirit truly works beyond the mind. And then there it is — Grace working with us, awakening us to how the mind functions, allowing us to unhook ourselves so we begin to move beyond the right and wrong, and to move instead to that place of non-judgment, of neutrality.
When you take action and Grace comes in, the soul becomes joyful because it knows that it’s fulfilling what it came in to do. That’s why we feel so good when we complete something, when we do the homework, when we pass the test. We experience what life really is: simply opportunities of learning that we, as soul, as that Divine being of God, came into this creation to have in order to learn and grow.
You initiate the action to create the difference, the change. You create your reality. And remember that a lot of this creation is just bringing things to completion in order to free yourself, to complete all those things that you put into creation from so many other lifetimes. And they get complete by you taking action in loving, by doing in loving, by perceiving in loving. That’s how you bring them to completion. And then life really becomes a joyful process because you know the game and you just play it with joy. No longer does the game trap
God, in the greatest sense, is not going to do it for us. God, as we ourselves are as soul, will do it for us as we allow ourselves to move in the Divine Loving. And so be open to that. Look at those things in you and in your life and begin to have Grace take action in many ways. That’s where you’ll find your greater fulfillment. 3
Experiencing The Divine – A Meditative Retreat
facilitated by
Jim Gordon and Brian Yeakey
Get on the waiting list for: Austin, Texas:
at Red Corral Ranch Renewal Center
Wimberley, Texas
Thursday, March 20 at 6 pm thru Sunday, March 23, 2008 at 1:30 pm
COST: Single Occupancy – $350
Double Occupancy (per person) – $275 If you would like to sign up for this retreat go to the ILM website (ilm.org) or contact ASAP: Laura Doggett at 512-306-1056.
Almost full: Kalamazoo, Michigan: at Yarrow Conference Center
Augusta, Michigan
Thursday, May 15 at 6 pm thru Sunday, May 18, 2008 at 1:30 pm 4
COST: Single Occupancy – $425
Double Occupancy (per person) – $275 If you would like to sign up for this retreat please contact: Steven McAfee at 260-485-2167.
ILM presents:
in Michigan and in Indiana
in Kalamazoo:
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
SHARING AND Q& A with JIM GORDON and BRIAN YEAKEY
TIME OF EVENT: 6:30-9 PM
AT UNITY CHURCH, 1204 WHITES ROAD, KALAMAZOO
DONATION
in Ft. Wayne:
Tuesdays – May 27, June 3, & June 10
SHARING AND Q& A with JIM IM GORDON ORDON and BRIAN RIAN YEAKEY EAKEY
TIME IME OF OF EVENT VENT: 7-9:30 PM PM
AT AT ILM MIDWEST IDWEST CENTER ENTER, 220 INSURANCE NSURANCE AVENUE VENUE, FT T. WAYNE AYNE
DONATION ONATION
(For further information regarding these events please contact Steven McAfee at 260-485-2167 or by e-mail at mcafeesa@aol.com.)
INITIATIONS and and In Kalamazoo:
APPOINTMENTS
May 19-May 25
(For scheduling, please contact Penny Miller by phone 269-664-3577 or e-mail at pmiller@mei.net.)
In Ft. Wayne:
May 26-June 15
(For scheduling, please call Steven or Anita McAfee at (260) 485-2167 or by e-mail at mcafeesa@aol.com.)
Jim Jim and and Brian Brian will will be be available available for for appointments, appointments, and and for for initiations initiations for for those those who who have have been been approved. approved. 5
ILM presents:
Steven McAfee in Austin, Texas
The Spiritual Path in Ancient Biblical Texts
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nn this this workshop, workshop, we we will will be be sharing sharing Biblical Biblical and and nonnoncanonical canonical texts texts from from the the fifirst rst and and second second century, century, which which contain contain explicit explicit references references to to the the inner inner meditative meditative path path of of Sound Sound and and Light Light and and the the “Unspoken “Unspoken Name Name of of God.” God.” Discover Discover the the inner inner spiritual spiritual teachings that are revealed, and yet hidden, within the sacred texts teachings that are revealed, and yet hidden, within the sacred texts of of the Jewish/Christian tradition. The Sunday session will be the conclusion the Jewish/Christian tradition. The Sunday session will be the conclusion of of Saturday’s workshop, allowing ample time for group discussion and Q & A. Saturday’s workshop, allowing ample time for group discussion and Q & A.
PART 11 – Saturday, April 5 PART 22 – Sunday, April 6
9:30 am – 4 pm (with a 2-hour break for lunch) 3-5 pm at Austin ILM Center Donation
C
Music Night!
ome and experience a evening of song and loving fellowship with ILM’s Midwest Co-ordinator, Steven McAfee, and his talented friends, Lisa & Larry Heral (regulars at the Midwest music nights). You will hear a sampling of their inspirational original music, as well as more familiar sing-along songs, and a few fun ones you may not have heard. Whether you like to sing or simply enjoy listening, you are welcome to come. Light refreshments will be provided.
Saturday Evening, April 5 at 7pm at Jim & Brian’s home No charge
For further information regarding these events please contact Pat Doggett at 281-757-5544. 6
I NNER L IGHT M MINISTRIES CALENDAR PRESENTED BY LAURA KESTEN:
For additional information, call Laura at 512-266-9400 or 512-658-4117 or email: LSKestenB@aol.com.
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TORIES UNTOLD: Jim and Brian talk about Loving, Acceptance, and Forgiveness in every talk they give. Through our writing in STORIES UNTOLD, we first-handedly get to practice and experience Loving, Acceptance and Forgiveness in the events of our lives, letting go of the past so that we can open more fully to the Divine. As a bonus, the process of writing also prepares us in the present, as well as laying a foundation for the future – keeping us more aligned and in the flow of God’s Loving. These weekends are magical! Try it for one weekend and see for yourself. No experience necessary! You just have to show up!
TEXAS: MAY 17, JULY 12, SEPT 13, NOV 15 9 am - 5 pm MICHIGAN:
ILM Center Office
No charge
APR 25-27 JUNE 15-21 AUG 22-24 OCT 24-26 DEC 12-14
Breeze Inn Saugatuck, Mich. $125 Martha’s Cottage Saugatuck, Mich. $325 Yarrow Augusta, Mich. $125 The Hide Out Saugatuck, Mich. $125 Yarrow Augusta, Mich. $125 * * * Also, in Texas, there is a small group of writers who write 2-3 times a month during the week. This is not a workshop but a time to work on your own writing within a group setting of other writers. We meet from 10 am – 6 pm at Laura Kesten’s home in Lakeway. Please contact Laura for upcoming writing sessions.
AUSTIN ILM COMMUNITY MOVIE NIGHTS:
Join Tom and Laura at their home in Lakeway on the 1st Friday of every month to watch an uplifting movie. Come early (6 pm) and have a fresh bowl of homemade soup and slice of Great Harvest bread. Movie starts between 7:30 -8:00 pm. Everyone is welcome. Bring nothing but your beautiful self. No charge. MAR 7, APR 4, MAY 2, JUNE 6, JULY 4 (ILM Calendar continues on next page)
ILM.org — the INNER LIGHT MINISTRIES Website You don’t have to be in Austin to attend the Sunday classes! ILM.org ILM.org is is being being offered offered to to share share the the basics basics on on ILM, ILM, an an organization organization dedicated dedicated to to teaching teaching The The Path Path of of Sound Sound and and Light, Light, and and to to enable enable everyone everyone interested interested to to purchase purchase ILM ILM books, books, tapes tapes and and CDs CDs online. online.
1. 1. It It is is now now simpler simpler and and faster faster to to gain gain access access to: to: ** Audio Audio versions versions of of ILM’s ILM’s weekly weekly Sunday Sunday Morning Morning Classes Classes in in Austin, Austin, Texas Texas ** All All past past and and present present ILM ILM Newsletters Newsletters ** Information Information on on ILM ILM Initiation Initiation into into The The Path Path of of Sound Sound and and Light Light ** Online Online registration registration for for some some ILM ILM workshops workshops and and retreats retreats 2. 2. There There is is also also aa special special section section for for ILM ILM Initiates Initiates Only. Only. 3. 3. You You can can now now download download the the talks talks from from the the audio audio section. section. Some Some of of the the recent recent talks talks are: are: “The “The Tree Tree Of Of Life” Life” “The Truth Of Who “The Truth Of Who You You Are” Are” “Practices “Practices Along Along The The Path” Path”
Check out our recently updated http://www.ILM.org today! 7
I NNER L IGHT M MINISTRIES CALENDAR PRESENTED BY STEVEN MCAFEE, MIDWEST COORDINATOR:
For additional information, call Steven at 260-485-2167 or by e-mail at mcafeesa@aol.com.
ILM M IDWEST C ENTER D EDICATION Please join us as we gather to open the new ILM Midwest Center and dedicate both the Center and ourselves to bringing forward a fuller manifestation of Spirit in our lives. There will be a Music Night afterward with refreshments served. MAR 1
6 pm
Midwest ILM Center: 220 Insurance Avenue, Ft. Wayne
No charge
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Steven offers a series of weekly ILM classes in Ft. Wayne on Tuesday UESDAY CLASS SERIES: nights from 7-8:30 pm at the ILM Midwest Center. Each series focuses on a specific spiritual topic. Some of our recent topics have included: lost books of the Bible; meditation in the Bible; and the mystical inner path in sacred scriptures. Please call Steven for current information. More fun community nights are on their way! We’ll provide soft drinks OMMUNITY NIGHT: C and munchies. Please RSVP a week ahead so we can plan appropriately.
ILM
MAR 1 JUN 7
“
7 pm 7 pm
MUSIC NIGHT! MUSIC NIGHT!
INNER STUDIES:”
MAR 2, MAY 4, JUNE 1
ILM Midwest Center ILM Midwest Center
Ft. Wayne Ft. Wayne
No charge No charge
The events below are open only to those already enrolled in this program. 2:30-5:30 pm
WORKSHOPS:
ILM Midwest Center
Ft. Wayne
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 arrangements. UNDAY
ERVICES
The following is presently scheduled.
MAR 21 7 - 8 pm Good Friday Meditation ILM Midwest Center Ft. Wayne Donation This will be a silent meditation. Please plan to arrive 10 to 15 minutes before the meditation starts. MAR 23 APR 20 MAY 4
11 am 11 am 11 am
Easter Service
New Brigade of Light Room New Brigade of Light Room New Brigade of Light Room
Ft. Wayne Ft. Wayne Ft. Wayne
Donation Donation Donation
ASSOVER 101 – A WORKSHOP OF UNDERSTANDING: Explore the history and inner spiritual P meaning behind the traditions, customs and terminology used during the rituals of Passover. You MUST
register in advance for this workshop; registration closes April 7th. APR 20
2 – 4 pm
ILM Midwest Center
Ft. Wayne
Donation
ASSOVER SEDER DINNER: “The Story of A Soul’s Journey.” Share in the joy of this unique evening P as we partake of a special Passover dinner and recount the mystical story of spiritual liberation. There is no
fee for attending; however, advance registration is REQUIRED and seating is limited. To register, send in the Passover registration form or contact Steven or Anita. APR 22
6 – 10 pm
ILM Midwest Center 8
Ft. Wayne
Donation
I NNER L IGHT M MINISTRIES CALENDAR Community ILM Seminars and Events Worldwide
••
ILM ACTIVITIES in KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN:
For more information on the activities below please contact Carolyn Dailey at 269-327-6851 (or email carolee12@chartermi.net) or Judy Richards at 269-349-3943 (e-mail jg.richards@charter.net).
G : We meet twice monthly to support our spiritual growth with a group meditation S and the study of ILM books, CD’s or tapes. Join us for an enriching experience of growing in our loving. TUDY
ROUP
1st & 3rd Tuesdays
M
OVIE
6:15–8:15 pm
Judy Richards, 4715 Thistle Mill Ct.
No charge
NIGHT: Fun, enjoyable evenings with ILM friends, watching favorite movies with a spiritual
message. Welcome all — yourself, friends and family members! A light meal is provided. 4th Tuesdays
5:45–8:15 pm
Judy Richards, 4715 Thistle Mill Ct.
No charge
ILM SEMINAR in CHICAGO:
•
S
Please contact Richard or Trisha LoveJoy at 630-768-8313 for more information. TUDY
GROUP: We meet approx. monthly to support our spiritual growth with a group meditation
and the study of ILM books, CD’s or tapes. Join us for an enriching experience of growing in our loving. MAR 16, APR 27, JUN 22
1–3 pm 490 Woodcreek Drive, Suite D, Bolingbrook, Illinois No charge
ILM SEMINAR in LOS ANGELES: Please contact Victoria Eng at 310-980-2224 to RSVP before coming.
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EMINARS: The focus of each evening is on spiritual awakening, and on supporting one another in experiencing and sharing greater Loving within ourselves and with others. These seminars will be held every other Wednesday at 6 pm at Victoria and Willard Eng’s home in Beverlywood. Please call for exact dates. No charge.
ILM SEMINARS in HAWAII:
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1. Please contact Nadine Ferraro at 808-988-7509, or 551-3123 (cell) for directions.
EMINARS:
Share in a one-hour meditation and fellowship opportunity on: Monday evenings from 6-7:30 pm in Manoa Valley, Honolulu No charge
2. Please contact Tana Hagen at 808-988-7509, or Mig Gaspar at 808-638-8153 for directions. (Mig’s house is on Pupukea and Tana’s house is located at 59-748 Kamehameha HWY, just before Pupukea.)
S
EMINARS:
•
Listen to Jim and Brian’s weekly meditations and talks on: First Tuesday at Mig’s and other Tuesdays at Tana’s. Starting at 7 pm on the North Shore, Honolulu No charge
ILM SEMINAR in LONDON, ENGLAND:
Please contact Nanna Brinker at 0207-485-0699 for directions.
: Each evening will consist of a short meditation and the listening to a CD or tape S by Jim and Brian. Our ILM seminars are at 42A Montpelier Grove, London NW5, on the following dates. EMINARS
Sundays 4 pm MAR 9 & 30, APR 20, MAY 11, JUNE 1 & 22 9
No charge
New ILM Meditation and Talk On CD (For more ILM CDs see pgs. 11-12) SOON ON CD – THE ACTION
OF GIVING AND RECEIVING
Excerpt from THE ACTION OF GIVING AND RECEIVING:
A
nd so the inner journey is one of awakening to become a true co-creator. Truly as God Loves all creation, so too are we, as co-creators on journeys of learning, learning how to Love as God Loves, to Love all of His creation. So it’s up to us as creators to love all of our creations. No judgment, no fear, no anything, other than Loving. We’re on journeys of learning to become like God -- because that’s who we are ... that’s what the soul is! The soul’s not only like God, but really is God — the same. And so remember, as you learn to love all things, to use those keys you’ve been given for unlocking the doors. It is you doing the unlocking, and it is you opening the doors ... the doors to yourself, to allowing yourself to expand into all of its loving expression. That’s what creation is — it’s simply that expression of Loving. Creativity, creation, expression — all of it. It is the movement of that Loving. – Brian Yeakey ORDERING INFORMATION: See page 12, or you can go to our website ILM.org to order (see page 7).
Welcome to Inner Light Ministries! Introductory Packet In this packet you will find ILM’s book LOVE AND LOVING, the CD UNDERSTANDING THE ‘INNER’ PATHWAY, the CD LOTUS MEDITATION, ILM’s brochure INNER LIGHT MINISTRIES GUIDELINES FOR INITIATION AND INITIATES, and a copy of our latest newsletter.
All of these materials were selected to give a newcomer a good understanding of who we are and what we’re about. If you would like an Introductory Packet for yourself or someone else, just let us know. Call us, email us, or write us! Feel free to take a look at our website too: www.ilm.org (more information on page 7). We are happy to do what we can to assist you on your spiritual journey. Blessings of Peace, Joy and Loving To You! Jim Gordon, Brian Yeakey, and The ILM Staff 10
ILM Meditation and Talks On CD THIS CD IS AN OLDIE BUT GOODIE:
Excerpt from THE THREE FOLD PATH:
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he Path of Sound and Light is a path of action. It’s a path of inner action: of going inside and being active inside, of chanting the name of God inside ... over, and over, and over. Bringing your attention to that ‘seat of the soul’, the ‘third eye’, and drawing up the soul quality of who you are out of matter and collecting it fully back unto itself. And then in that self, waking up and knowing the Self that you are as Soul. And then, in that awakeful state, going out the ‘tenth door’, the third eye, and traveling the realms of spirit.
RECENTLY RELEASED CDS:
– Jim Gordon
Excerpt from RETURNING BACK INTO SPIRIT:
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he Divine Plan is simply to awaken. It’s not about overcoming evil or the bad of the world, it is simply to awaken to the Loving within yourself. And as you awaken to that Loving within yourself you will awaken to the Loving in all things, in all creation, and beyond ... beyond creation itself. The greater purity of Loving that is beyond manifestation, beyond creation, beyond the realm of time and space — that is the greater journey that we begin to experience and move into. And once we awaken beyond this realm of illusion, once we awaken into Soul Consciousness, into the knowing of who we are as Soul, then we begin a new journey ... a journey into the Divine, even beyond Soul. That’s what is called Soul Transcendence — an awakening to the realms of spirit, awakening to the fullness of God directly. That journey begins after the journey of awakening to Soul. This journey into the Divine is the greater journey that we are really after in this process. As we go through the experience of this world of the body, the mind, the emotions, it is the greater journey in Spirit that is the greatest experience of all. – Brian Yeakey Excerpt from THE PATHWAY AS A CLASSROOM:
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hen some karmas die — when they’re done, when they’re complete and you’ve learned the lesson — then you’ve passed that test and you move on to the next thing. And that “next thing” can be unfamiliar sometimes, because you are so used to doing it a certain way and you’re now having to allow yourself the process of experiencing it in a different way. That can be challenging because we’re so habitualized in the way we’ve been doing it. So a big key to the spiritual journey is that we’ve got to allow ourselves the freedom to experience things in a new way, so we can keep growing and freeing ourselves to travel ever higher into and through the realms of spirit. — Brian Yeakey
ORDERING INFORMATION: These CDs are each $10.00 plus $3 postage and handling per order (not per item). Checks may be made payable to INNER LIGHT MINISTRIES and sent to: ILM, P.O. Box 164332, Austin, Texas 78716-4332. Or you can go to our website ILM.org to order (see page 7). 11
INNER LIGHT MINISTRIES MATERIALS LIST ILM AUDIO CDS & TAPES
Each CD and tape is $10.00, except for the ABUNDANCE I & II and the WAKE UP, WAKE UP! CD packets which are each $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):
CD/Tape
THE ACTION OF GIVING AND RECEIVING* NEW THE PATHWAY AS A CLASSROOM* NEW RETURNING BACK INTO SPIRIT* NEW LOVING WHO YOU ARE* TO BE OR NOT TO BE* THE LIVING LOVING ESSENCE* THE TENTH DOOR* BECOMING SOUL LIBERATED* THE TOOLBOX* WAKE UP, WAKE UP!* KEYS OF INITIATION WITH JIM AND BRIAN* THE THREE FOLD PATH* THE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE* 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
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CDS & TAPES ON MEDITATION
CD/Tape
LOTUS MEDITATION by Jim Gordon THE SPIRITUAL PATH MEDITATION by Jim Gordon THE HEART OF GOD MEDITATION by Brian Yeakey TWO MEDITATIONS by Jim Gordon Sacred Place Meditation Forgiveness Meditation
THREE MEDITATIONS by Jim Gordon
Starry Sky Meditation, A Healing Meditation & Balancing The Consciousness Meditation
MEDITATION AND THE HEALING PROCESS by Brian Yeakey
PRACTICING MEDITATION – CONNECTING WITH THE DIVINE by Steven McAfee
ILM BOOKS ($10 each) BY JIM GORDON
LOVE AND LOVING
(REVISED)
THE KNOWING OF GOD THE STAFF OF THE SHEPHERD
(REVISED)
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* This CD set includes a Meditation and Talk.
12
ORDERING INFORMATION:
Each CD and tape is $10.00, except for the ABUNI & II and the WAKE UP, WAKE UP! CD packets which are each $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. DANCE
E
ILM Events of 2007
ven though the main focus of Inner Light Ministries is inside, in meditation, there is also an outer dynamic of community that is an important part of ILM as well. When we in ILM get together we outwardly share that dynamic, because Loving is a dynamic expression, a movement. And when we get together, whether it’s to do a service project or just for pleasure, it gives us an opportunity to share that Loving in a greater way, in a way that we may not get to express in our everyday living. – Brian Yeakey
Coins For Kids in Austin and in Ft. Wayne:
13
ILM Events of 2007
Austin - Retreat, Pot-
continued
lucks and Christmas Party:
Hawaii-
Potlucks & Events:
14
ILM Events of 2007
Midwest - Retreat,
continued
Music Nights, Potlucks and Christmas Party:
15
WITH
Q& A
JIM
AND
(This Q&A is from the “Experiencing The Divine Retreat,” – 4/07/06)
Q: My body is throwing a temper tantrum when I meditate. I think it thinks I’m paying less attention to it because I’m going out of body. So I’m waking up with more aches and pains than I ever did before, because it wants more attention.
A: (Brian) Yes. As the loving comes in during
meditation it will begin to stir things, things that maybe were stuck inside of us — the old baggage, the old patterns. As the holy Spirit pours in it begins to stir those things so that they can now be washed away, released. So I would say that as the Loving is filling you it’s starting to shake loose these things, and part of the way you’re experiencing that is through how you described as having a temper tantrum.
When I have things that kick up like that, when it’s so much that I really can’t hold the focus to do the meditation, that’s when I go ahead and just make it okay to take time to deal with it, to handle it, to work with it, to learn from it, to grow with it. If you could just think of the human consciousness as always seeking attention — the body is the same, it’s seeking attention. What is the attention that the body is seeking? It’s loving. It’s just seeking loving, to be filled with the Life Force of Loving. And so what I’ve learned to do is: if I have anything — whether it’s physically, mentally, emotionally, imaginatively, whatever level — I’ve just learned to go ahead and share the loving with whatever part of me is yelling out for attention. I love all of it – whether it’s sadness or anger or whatever it is, I look at those as expressions seeking attention. And so I give it attention. I let it know, “I hear you and I also love you. I love you.” And I just start to love that part of me, and I keep loving it until I actually experience Love go into it and it starts to become quiet.
BRIAN
part of yourself, then you say, “I love you;” you let the Loving come in and you just let it know that it’s okay. “I love you and I’m here.” This is the body which is a home, a vehicle, for the soul for this physical world. And it’s a wonderful vehicle. So if we can love and bless the vehicle, then it’s going to do a better job for us. It’s like taking care of the car. You know, you get the maintenance, you get the tune-ups, you get a little gas, a little oil. For the body, there’s nutrition, the diet, taking care of it physically — but right now I’m talking more about feeding it the Life Force, Love. So how can I feed my body the Life Force? I just simply say, “I love you.” To me, that’s the simplest way. And sometimes I’ll say, “God bless you. I love you. God bless you.” I used to have some longer dialogues, those counseling techniques — I’ve done a lot of those and they’re nice in some ways, but then it just got too complicated for me. I was too much in my mind. I just want to be in the Loving so I asked myself: what’s the simplest way that I can be in the Loving and get the message across? And it was just saying, “I love you.” But then I had to really mean it. I had to be sincere. I had to do the loving, not just say it. And as I did that, it was just like a waterfall — I received the Loving into my consciousness, and then I learned to let that waterfall of Loving move through every level of my consciousness. So it was me saying, “I love you,” that started the movement of loving. And that’s each of our responsibilities: to start that movement of loving, so all we have to do is focus on the Loving, to say, “I love you.” And so getting back to your question, if it shows up while in meditation, I will try sometimes to hold my focus here anyway … but if it just can’t seem to get free, that’s when I do the loving, acceptance, forgiveness and just go and handle it right in the moment.
(Jim): If it’s about going out of body and your body
is in reaction with that, it’s probably that your body Keep doing this until you experience it; just love it thinks that you’re dying. It feels that the only time this until you experience the quiet, until you experience really happens is in the moment of death, so it feels that the calm, whatever it is. And if you need to talk to that you’re trying to kill it — and it’s rebelling. It’s saying, (Q&A continues on page 19) 16
T
HE
I
BOOK OF LIFE – YOURS!
by Steven McAfee,
and what to expect from you once you are in our class. I tell them I do not want to hear it. I do that because I don’t want to start out with an opinion of you based on what you have been in the past. I want you to know that this year, in my class, none of that matters. We are wiping the slate clean. This year you can be whomever you choose to be. You can enjoy learning and growing this year and surprise yourself with what you can do. You can learn to share your ideas, to be a good student and a great person. You can become whoever you want to be. And I will help you to succeed in all you want to achieve.”
ILM Minister
t is the first week of the new year, 2008, and a new blank page lies before me waiting to be filled with an article for the “ILM Journal.” The page is empty. Anything can be written upon it. It is my task to choose what that will be. Will it be funny? Will it be sad? Will it be inspiring? Or, will it remain rather empty, even though it gets filled with words? That is up to me. When I first came into this world, my entire life was like a blank page. I brought into embodiment all the previous experiences and wisdom of my soul. From that inner treasury, I have selected — sometimes with conscious awareness, often without — what to write upon that ‘blank page’ of my life. I am aware that there is more within me than I can ever put into words. However skillfully or unskillfully I create, what is revealed will be only the smallest expression of my true being, a mere glimpse into the boundless Loving that I am as soul.
Year after year I was amazed to watch the transformations I saw in her students as they grew through the school year. Shy students speaking out with confidence; poor students enjoying learning and believing in themselves and their abilities; the ‘bad kids’ behaving themselves, helping others, and enjoying school. History became the favorite subject for many of them every year. And all because someone had given them permission by telling them: “You are free.” Let me share an example of ‘getting free’ in my own life. Once, when I was a young child, I was singing at the top of my voice when I discovered that my grandpa and some other relatives were standing in the hall watching me, grinning and chuckling to themselves. I thought they were laughing at me and the way I was singing. Years later I came to understand that they were actually enjoying how cute I was dancing around the room singing. But at that moment, I thought I must look stupid and sound awful. The impact of that moment was long-lasting. I didn’t sing any more after that. I was sure I couldn’t. It wasn’t until I was in college that a musician friend heard me quietly singing to myself one of the songs I had written. He said, “Wow, that was beautiful! You should sing more.” I told him that I couldn’t sing. He said that I could. I said I was sure I couldn’t. To which he replied, “Who cares whether you can or can’t. Just let the joy in you out! Don’t sing it to anyone else — sing out to God.” And that instant, something in me broke open. It was the same kind of thing I saw happening with my wife’s students. My friend, in essence, had told me, “You are free.” At first, I didn’t believe it. I wanted to, but I wasn’t sure I could trust this new feeling
That is what each of us does. And though as we go through our lives we may often appear to be at the mercy of outer circumstances and conditions, it is actually up to us to decide what gets written into our “Book of Life.” Each of us alone — and no one else — decides how much or how little of our soul will be revealed upon the pages of our lives. So, what have you written so far? A comedy or a tragedy? Are you a hero or a victim? Do you like what you see? How would you edit your life if you could? Because you can! My wife taught 6th grade history in a middle school for many years. At the start of school each year, she would talk with her incoming class. “This class is about history. Each of you comes here with a history already. You have a reputation you have created, a mark you have left upon your school. Some of you are considered the “good students,” some of you are known as the “trouble-makers.” Some of you are outgoing, some painfully shy. Your elementary school teachers sometimes try to tell us sixth grade teachers about you 17
(BOOK continues on page 19)
FROM FUMING TO LAFING
A
by Laura Kesten,
for a few days. On the flight over, we were in the second row back from the first class seating. While in flight, I got up to go to the bathroom and began to walk towards the lav at the front of the plane — through first class. A flight attendant snapped at me from behind the drink cart: “You can’t come up here.” Politely, I said, “I was just going to use the bathroom because it’s so much closer than going all the way to the back of the plane.” Huffing, she said, “The bathroom up front is for first class passengers only — so if you’re not a first class passenger, go to the back of the plane.” Stiffly, I turned and walked to the back of the plane. I fumed for the rest of the flight … and then some.
ILM Minister
few months ago I had yet another lesson on working “LAF:” loving, acceptance and forgiveness. Like the Duracell Bunny, for me the LAF lessons just keep on running. How many of these experiences does one have to have in a lifetime to finally “get it?” I don’t really know. What I do know is that my experiences with LAF are not necessarily getting any easier for me, but I do find myself chuckling at God’s play more often. “But of course,” I say to myself, “once again God knows what I need to unload next so that I can be more present with Him.”
Then while we were in Mexico, we took a ferry over to Cozumel for the day. I bought a couple of things, all breakable. On the ferry’s return we picked a vacant bench, scooted down to the end, and then I carefully placed my shopping bag, still looped around my arm, on the bench next to me. Tom and I were talking so I didn’t notice how full the boat was getting. All of a sudden, a woman tapped me on my shoulder and pointed toward the seat where my bag was. Without thinking, I waved a no to her indicating that the seat was not available. In one swooping motion, the woman picked up my bag, twisted it in front of me, and placed it in my lap … then she squeezed into the spot. I was so mad, I stayed firmly planted, not giving her another inch of the bench. I couldn’t help it, and to make things worse, the woman spoke no English and I spoke no Spanish, so I couldn’t even tell her off! I held onto my bag and fumed. I tightly closed my eyes and continued my dedicated fuming. Fortunately for me, ‘eyes closed’ was my lucky break.
Here’s my story: While standing in line at the post office for a very, very, very long time, I intently studied the face of the only clerk behind the counter — who was methodically and disinterestedly waiting on each person. I was studying her as I wondered what would be the best approach for asking her to get my mail out of my PO box since I had left my key in our other car … which would not have been a problem if we still lived in our old house just five minutes away … but since we moved fifty minutes away and still have our old PO box, it was a huge problem … for me … because the clerks are no longer allowed to open the boxes of key-forgetters ... such as me. Finally, it was my turn. I approached the counter with a smile and asked the non-smiling lady how she was — tactics for appealing to the clerk’s softer side. I then cleared my throat and, in spite of the sign above that read, “If you do not have your PO box key, we will absolutely not retrieve your mail for you,” I began to explain my situation to her. Briefly I saw in her eyes that she considered letting me off the hook, but quickly that look faded and she pointed upward toward the sign. The smile disappeared from my face and I retorted, “I can’t believe you won’t make an exception, especially with gas prices so high!” She looked past me, her expression unchanged, and said, “Next.” Sheepishly I turned and walked past the long, long line of waiting customers. Then I fumed the entire fifty minutes home, and then some. The next week, my husband, Tom, and I went to Mexico 18
Out of nowhere, a question was able to express itself inside my head: “Where is your loving?” Keeping my eyes closed, I listened some more inside. The greater part of me knew I was being thrown a lifejacket from my own wretched self. I felt the Loving come in … but another part of me still wanted to hold onto my madness. It quickly flashed to all these other recent persecutions as well, and it screamed back, “Why does this keep happening to me? Why is everyone being mean to me? What am I doing wrong that I keep attracting this to me?” I felt like I was having my own private temper tantrum. (LAFING continues on page 19)
Q& A (continued from page 16)
into cooperation.
by Jim Gordon and Brian Yeakey
Isn’t it amazing that when we start getting out of body through meditation and really traveling consciously, that the physical form, the emotional form, the mental form — especially the mind — can really go into rebellion because to them you’re trying to commit suicide. You’re trying to kill them, and so they will do everything they can to keep you from going there, and instead staying here.
“You’re trying to kill me. You’re trying to leave me. I need you here. If you don’t stay here, I don’t have life. Where are you going? Don’t leave. Don’t do that now. You’ve got thirty-five more years. What are you doing?!” And so if that’s the case, talk to it and say, “You know, I’m not trying to harm you whatsoever. I am waking up in Spirit, but I’m going to stay here as Spirit, in you, to have experience here and to fulfill all of what this is about.” And then it might come more
So try what Brian is sharing and try this as well, because I think it’s a combination of it all.
BOOK
(continued from page 17)
for God.
by Steven McAfee
This year of 2008 is one more beginning for each of us. Whatever you have done or left undone, whoever you have been in your choices and actions — this year give yourself permission deep inside to be who you really want to be. Be the loving you hope to find. Be the joy you are seeking. Be the one who creates a story of beauty and grace and wonder in the book of your life. There is greatness in you, in every one of us, because the Spirit of the living God indwells us all. Let it be that Spirit that is given expression and brought to life upon your page. It is the story for which you have been sent into the world. And only you can live it.
of freedom. It took a while to grow into it. Deep inside myself, when I finally stopped hearing him saying, “You are free,” and began hearing myself saying, “I am free” — everything changed. By first becoming aware of the possibility and then by accepting it, I stepped through my fear and shame into a whole wonderful new world of sharing my soul through my music. I felt like a bird whose cage door has been opened. With my new-found wings came a new-found voice, and I began to sing ...
LAFING
(continued from page 18)
eyes he pointed to a young man who was leaning over the side of the boat in front of us looking rather sea-sick. The woman in front of me had wrapped a scarf around her face to protect herself in case he did get sick. In an attempt to lessen the possible impact, I turned my head into Tom’s arm and tried hiding my face. The woman next to me tapped my arm. When I turned and looked at her she pushed a bunch of napkins in my hand and pointed to the sea-sick young man. I smiled and said, “Gracias.” She nodded and we laughed together.
by Laura Kesten
“Tap into your loving, that’s all you have to do,” I heard. Repeatedly, I continued to hear, “Just tap into your loving, accept what is, and forgive yourself and all others.” I could feel the disturbance ease and my breathing became more relaxed. The thing about breathing is that if you breathe in, you have to breathe out — that’s how the Loving was working with me. With each breath of Loving I allowed in, the Loving simply had to come out as well. Slowly, inch by inch, breath by breath, I began to move closer to Tom to give this woman, who sat beside me, more room.
Somewhere along the way, I’d separated from the Loving and was drawn back into the world: the world of polarities, of right and wrong, of victimization, of disturbance. God, that Clever Being, kept giving me opportunities to choose back into the Loving and know, once again, myself more fully as the Divine Essence of the Lord.
Then Tom gave me a little nudge, and when I opened my 19
IGHT MINISTRIES JOURNAL INNER LIGHT
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:
“You are soul. You are Divine. You are the Living, Loving Essence of the Lord. Wake up! Wake up and know who you are. Live that Divinity. Love that Divinity. Be that Divinity. And all those things that are not of the Divine in you do not matter. Let them go. Let them drop away. Do not be other than the Divine that you are. Live and walk the Divine at all times as best you can ... and you will wake up into that.” – Jim Gordon
Main Office: Jim Gordon, Brian Yeakey, P.O. Box 164332, Austin, TX 78716-4332; Financial Office: Tom Beaver, 14618 Mansfield Dam Ct., #16, Austin, TX; 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