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Deb wrote:

"Don't get sucked in by your success; don't always expect agreement
either."

Hi Gary,

I saw via the Fearless Newsletter/Updates that you're
planning on going the "book lecture route" and as I
read that, I felt concerned. That's a treacherous
path, lots of pot holes (dealing w/fame is a challenge
for anyone).

I tried ignoring my feelings. But, that didn't work,
the concern kept coming back. Then on a 'fluke' ~ I
reached out, and randomly opened up your book …. And
the quote see above, was on the page I opened to, and
where my eyes were drawn.

At that point I didn't know if I should say anything
or not, because I can't be sure that I didn't pull
that quote to me, because of my feeling concerned.

Well, finally I decided, ahhh ~ what the heck (!),
I'll post this. Because, it's good advice, and
perhaps you really do need the reminder. (?)

~anyway...
Take care,
Love
Deb

Hi Deb. Well, I certainly don't always expect agreement! But yeah, I
thought about what Pursah said before any decision was made, so I'll
tell you why I think I'm guided by the Holy Sprit to do some
appearances. I appreciate the love with which your post was written.
So let me say first, I'm not going "on tour" or doing the traditional
book lecture route. I'll be doing a light schedule, maybe as few as a
half dozen appearances this year. I wouldn't want to work hard or
anything. (LOL) Second, something Jon Mundy said in April got my
attention. He was talking about Carlos Casteneda (I hope I spelled
that right) the author of the Don Juan materials. This master
appeared before Carlos for many years and was the teacher in his
books. But Carlos never appeared in public, ever. And today, people
don't really know how he felt. Was he ambivalent about these
appearances? How much of it was made up and how much of it was true?
Was it embellished? Even though I think Carlos may have done a couple
of magazine interviews, because no one could see his sincerity,
people don't really know how he felt. You could also say the same
about Helen Schucman. I don't blame her for not wanting to speak in
public. As I conveyed in the book, I'm not the kind of person to
really do that sort of thing either. That in itself is an important
forgiveness lesson for me. Why should it have any effect on me? Why
should I be nervous? But as for Helen, I wouldn't mind being able to
see some interviews with her today and really see for myself how she
felt about what was going on.
So I can promise you one thing, (and not much else!) people in
the future aren't going to have any trouble figuring out how I feel
about Arten and Pursah's appearances and how much of the book is
true. I'm going to tell them in person and on camera that this is how
it happened. This is my experience. It's not made up or embellished.
This is how it happened for me. I say right in my author's note that
it's not *necessary* for people to believe it in order to derive
benefits from the information in the book. But I'm not going to leave
any doubt about where I'm coming from or what my position is.
The other reason is to encourage people to not back away from
the message of the Course or "The Disappearance of the Universe."
This is one radical freakin' book, and there's no getting away from
that. As my teachers said, "Do it. Do the Course, Gary. Don't dumb it
down." So Deb, I may not always be a writer and I certainly will not
always be a speaker, but while I am I'm going to make sure people get
that this isn't some act. With love, thanks and peace, Gary.

--

Wow Gary! That was powerful. I really support you in the way you

are doing this. Our book study went very well Thurs. night and there
is a different feel about studying DU out loud with others. We found
ourselves reading the parts and not wanting to summarize anything.
There's just too much good stuff there.

Blessings,
Suzanne

Hi Deb. Well, I certainly don't always expect agreement! But yeah,

I

thought about what Pursah said before any decision was made, so

I'll

tell you why I think I'm guided by the Holy Sprit to do some
appearances. I appreciate the love with which your post was

written.

So let me say first, I'm not going "on tour" or doing the

traditional

book lecture route. I'll be doing a light schedule, maybe as few as

a

half dozen appearances this year. I wouldn't want to work hard or
anything. (LOL) Second, something Jon Mundy said in April got my
attention. He was talking about Carlos Casteneda (I hope I spelled
that right) the author of the Don Juan materials. This master
appeared before Carlos for many years and was the teacher in his
books. But Carlos never appeared in public, ever. And today, people
don't really know how he felt. Was he ambivalent about these
appearances? How much of it was made up and how much of it was

true?

Was it embellished? Even though I think Carlos may have done a

couple

of magazine interviews, because no one could see his sincerity,
people don't really know how he felt. You could also say the same
about Helen Schucman. I don't blame her for not wanting to speak in
public. As I conveyed in the book, I'm not the kind of person to
really do that sort of thing either. That in itself is an important
forgiveness lesson for me. Why should it have any effect on me? Why
should I be nervous? But as for Helen, I wouldn't mind being able

to

see some interviews with her today and really see for myself how

she

felt about what was going on.
So I can promise you one thing, (and not much else!) people in
the future aren't going to have any trouble figuring out how I feel
about Arten and Pursah's appearances and how much of the book is
true. I'm going to tell them in person and on camera that this is

how

it happened. This is my experience. It's not made up or

embellished.

This is how it happened for me. I say right in my author's note

that

it's not *necessary* for people to believe it in order to derive
benefits from the information in the book. But I'm not going to

leave

any doubt about where I'm coming from or what my position is.
The other reason is to encourage people to not back away from
the message of the Course or "The Disappearance of the Universe."
This is one radical freakin' book, and there's no getting away from
that. As my teachers said, "Do it. Do the Course, Gary. Don't dumb

it

down." So Deb, I may not always be a writer and I certainly will

not

always be a speaker, but while I am I'm going to make sure people

get

that this isn't some act. With love, thanks and peace, Gary.

Hi Gary,

About your response …

Okay … what I'm hearing from you about this is that your first
priority is deeply personal ~ you want to make sure (as best you
can/or can be done) that people know your feelings (unlike those
important teachers before you) and understand that your experience
was real and not embellished (again, like the confusion left by those
first teachers), and your second priority is to promote interest in
the studying of ACIM.

I can also see & hear your sincerity and your depth of feelings about
your experience.

I think I don't have the same `intensity' (?) of emotion about your
experience(s), and their being `accepted' as truth and such, first
because this is your experience (*I have had that same intensity
about my own though), and second because I don't think your
experience (or your book) are all that `radical' (as you call it)
….but you're right ~ for some people, your experience certainly
will be seen as radical (or a fantasy, embellished, etc.)

But, Gary ~ remember … you can be totally sincere in all you say & do
~ but it can still not be enough. (!) To be understood and accepted
still requires that those seeing and hearing are first open, with
eyes to see and ears to hear ~ and are interested.

But those that aren't the problem(s) I was referring to. (The traps)

Be careful of pedestals that will be offered to you. Be careful of
the seductions. [physically/energetically] Those that have fallen
into these (and other) traps also started upon their personal paths
of success with the same `high hopes' as you do.

The audience, Gary ~ they mean well … and it feels so `good' …
(there's nothing like it). Talk to others about this before you go.
(I'd suggest Hugh Prathers)

Those questions you asked – "Why should it have any effect on me? Why
should I be nervous?" – Well, you'll get your answer(s).

It helps to keep your priorities clear, and staying checked in with
friends that you trust, friends that were your friends `before' all
of this.

Thanks Gary, for listening to my concerns, and for taking the time
to explain yourself with such depth & feeling.

Good luck, and Happy days to you.
Love,
Deb

Hi Deb. Thanks for your postings. I assure you I will take your
advice. Just one correction: I never said this was my first priority.
I only gave you a couple of reasons why I was making a few public
appearances, which included advising people to not back away from the
teachings. But I would not consider any particular appearances to be
as important as promoting interest in the studying of ACIM, which is
clearly the major goal of the book, and will also be a major part of
any workshop that I do. BTW, I like your suggestion about talking to
Hugh. I'll see what he has to say. Love and peace, Gary.

Hi Suzanne. I'm really glad to hear your group's book study is
proceeding well. I've heard that some Course study groups are giving
the book to their new visitors and members as a primer so they'll be
able to catch up fast with what the group is talking about. Between
hearing that and hearing from you today, it makes me feel like the
book is doing its job. Of course Arten and Pursah knew it would, but
what do I know? (LOL) BTW, if anyone in your book group has a
question that's important to them please feel free to pass it along
and I'll answer the best I can. I really appreciate you keeping me
posted. Love and peace, Gary.