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For any one that knows me, they know that I have a large German Shepherd female dog, that I take out for a long walks early in the morning. We got her when she was six years old, and were assured that she was a gentle dog. The first day we had her, I took her over to an off leash park, and she got into three separate fights with other female dogs. I tried taking her back to the farm where we had bought her, but they would not take her back. From my understanding she had been used as a breeding dog, and in her last litter, she had eleven pups. And then they had her spayed. So we kept the dog, and have had many forgiveness lessons with her. First of all she was not used to the city, and she seemed to think that she was invincible when it came to cars. She had absolutely no fear of them, and would run in front of a moving bus or car, so I tried to keep her safe by taking her, to an out of the way natural park. Which I came to like as well. The road to this place, however was a well traveled road, with cars often speeding along almost bumper to bumper. However I quickly ushered her into the wooded paths and away from all traffic. The only thing I did not seem to having control over however, were coyotes or squirrels, and my dogs instinctive nature to chase them. This happened one day, as my dog, actually chased a coyote back to the main road, and across, in the midst of rush hour traffic. She got safely across, and then just as quickly came running back. And I watched in horror as I saw her bouncing off of a car. Actually it kind of stopped all traffic, but to everyone's amazement, she got up and came running back over to me. The driver of the car, drove back into the park where I was, and quickly began comforting me, as I was crying by now, and also checking to make sure my dog was all right. When I assured him that we were fine and then I apologized to him, he then said: "I am just wondering about my car though?" And then I noticed the whole side of his car was dented in. And he added, that he was not insured for being hit by animals. I was so relieved that my dog was still alive, and I gave him my drivers license and phone numbers, and assured him it would all be taken care of, while again, apologizing to him. A few days later I was contacted by his insurance company, and told the damage was over two thousand dollars, and that kind of blew me away. And then they said, perhaps my homer insurance would pay it, but it was not their responsibility. I gave him my home owners insurance number, little expecting them to pay for a dog, that was not any where near its home when it happened. But surprisingly they paid for it. And our insurance rates did not even go up. Lately, in our morning walks, I have noticed two huge Rotweillers (s?) with their owner, walking in the park, and I have tried to stay clear of them, as I thought I heard the man call the biggest one, by a female name. And knowing of my dogs history with other female dogs, did not want to have to deal with any dog fights. Yesterday morning however we bumped right into them, without any forewarning. Immediately I began shooing away this one dog, who I thought was a female, and looked to be about a hundred and fifty pounds, and then its companion quickly came to its defense. And then all the dogs were baring their teeth at one another. And me, trying to control the whole situation. (lol) I can laugh now in retrospect. The other owner called his dogs off, and then it was all over. This morning as I walked the paths, I was wondering what I should do, if I happened to meet up with them again? Then it suddenly dawned on me, that these dogs had never attacked before. But it seemed as though they had all sensed my fear, and they immediately became defensive and non trusting. So I decided to give a little bit of trust. Realizing that I don't really have control over this situation, and my fear, did not help at all. In fact, it only made matters worse. It almost seemed as though I knew we would meet them again, and sure enough we did. This time however, I just allowed the dogs

Hello lklanglois@..., In reference to your comment: è Yes, I have heard that, too. In this case I tend not to è agree. She is like an "old spirit" and has a very good è understanding of the Course having really good insight è and really delving in looking at the ego. There are exceptions (which is a given). I have met some young folks who I feel are very old souls, and it seems like they know exactly why they are here. However, the more I understand how this ego thought system work and how fool proof it is, there are certain stages that we have to go through. We have to try things in this world in order to finally come to the conclusion it does not work. Even those of us who have been doing the Course for a while, we are still struggling between accepting the Course for what it really is, or trying to make this illusionary world a better place to live via the Course. We have to become a fully developed "ego" and see that it doesn't work before we are in enough pain to start to question even question it. There are some good Course concepts/principles that young adults can use and appreciate .. but for the most part, if they want to get married, have children, careers which is the normal pattern for folks ... the real message of the Course can be a challenge. Peace All ignorance is actually repression that exists in order to produce a particular effect for a specific reason. :-)

Hi Martha and Namaste All, I reread Ken's comments on lesson 23 last night and this time I think I got a clearer understanding. The first time my comprehension was being blocked by my desire for "specialness" or to make my body/brain real. It is a very helpful commentary and again I appreciate your efforts. Maybe I'll purchase the tapes someday, but at present I don't have enough money -- I think I'm under the ego's law of scarcity which was the first law I learned when I took Economics "101" in college. I look forward to reading your latest transcription of Lesson 26. I see D_of_U list it is a good outlet for people to express themselves freely. I believe each of us has their own way of learning, assuming one wants to learn, and each list has its own value. I can't judge what is right for "others" in any case, but I learn when I write, irregardless of the list or possible listener -- still I like sitting here (thinking I'm here :o) with my coffee wondering what someone might think of my words. A good lesson for me everyday is to let the Holy Spirit judge or as Gary writes, a Higher Court, what I observe. I also admit that I have to ask the Holy Spirit to help me see all personal attacks, including my own, in His Light and not through my biased eyes. Peace, Tom May your Heart Sing and be at Peace. May your Spirit fly and be filled with Gods Illuminating Light. And with every step you take may it bring you closer to Yourself and in that closer to God.~Nicole Renee DeWitt ~~~~ ~~ ~

Ossie wrote: (In referring to how she tells people about the Course.) there is no one out there ... this is all in your mind .. and the mind is not in your brain ... this is an insane world because the ego has tricked you into believing all this crazy stuff was made by God and it that it is real; there is no opposite to Love .. etc., I could go on and on and my favorite sayings when I meet men ... relationships are about "kill or be killed" which part are you interested in? and the looks I get LOL So I recommend your book first now. :-) Hi Ossie. You are too funny. I'd give anything to be a fly on the wall on one of your dates! (LOL) Love and peace, Gary.

Hi Gary, Today as i was mowing the lawn and thinking about your book,it came to mind how utterly astonishing it must have been to your friends,family and especially Karen when you finally got around to explaining the appearence of Arten and Pursah in your life.I wondered how one could approach such a subject and the reactions you got. My lawnmower is very slow so I have lots of time to get lost in my thoughts as you can probably tell. I read the disappearance so quickly,I almost gobbled it down,that now I cannot recall all its finer details ,hence the lack of great metaphysical questions now but after I read it again I'll be back with a more spiritual focus!!!! At the start of this year as I was making my list of "to do's" the course was not even a distant thought on my mind,now having been thrown for a loop since reading Disappearance I'm still feeling bemused about how quickly i've crossed a threshold of sorts and how it has all become very important to me. thanks, Simon

I mentioned in another post, and just looked up to get the exact name and details. This is a report of his "passing" and something about him and his life. Our beloved minister/teacher and spiritual guide, Eric Butterworth, made a peaceful transition into the Flow of Eternal Life on Thursday, April 17, 2003, at Greenwich Hospital in Greenwich, Connecticut. Eric was considered a legend and spiritual icon in the Unity movement. Charles Fillmore, grandson of the founder of Unity, has described him as "Unity's leading spokesman." We will never know the countless number of lives that have been changed by applying the Spiritual Principles taught by Eric Butterworth. The author of 16 best-selling books on metaphysical spirituality, a gifted theologian, philosopher, and lecturer, Eric was a highly respected New Age pioneer and innovator of New Thought, whose life was dedicated to helping people to help themselves. His teaching was focused on the Divinity of all people and his desire was that everyone would know their Oneness with God. He began his daily radio broadcasts, which at times went around the world, with the words: " You can change your life by altering your thoughts." A gentle voice with a powerful message, he inspired hundreds of thousands of people for over fifty years. His vital radio messages, most needed in our time, will continue. A scholar and educator, Eric established three powerful Unity ministries. The first was in Pittsburgh. He then moved to Detroit, where his teaching resulted in the building of the Detroit Unity Temple, the largest Unity church at that time, where more that 2,000 people attended his Sunday Services each week. While in Detroit, he authored his first book, Unity: A Quest for Truth. In 1961, Eric began his ministry in New York City. He lectured every Sunday at Carnegie Hall, then Town Hall, and since 1976, Avery Fisher Hall, where the weekly attendance grew to several thousand. In 1968, Eric wrote his first bestseller, Discover the Power Within You, which is considered a classic in the New Thought Spiritual Movement. His other popular books include Spiritual Economics, The Universe Is Calling, and Life Is for Loving. His latest book, The Creative Life: 7 Keys to Your Inner Genius, has received widespread recommendation and praise. Eric's books have been translated into several languages, and he has often been referred to as a "Twentieth Century Emerson." A visionary and an innovator, he originated the Spiritual Therapy Workshops, which he conducted for over 35 years. His devotees include people from all walks and stations of life, all of whom state that his teachings helped to change their lives. In the premier issue of "O" Magazine, Oprah Winfrey identified Discover the Power Within You as one of the books that changed her perspective on life and religion. It is on her list of "classics" that she will recommend in her new book club. Oprah states: "Eric Butterworth teaches that God isn't 'up there.' He exists inside each one of us, and it's up to us to seek the Divine within." Her favorite quote by Eric is: "The greatest mistake is believing that we are 'only human.' We are human by expression but Divine in creation and limitless in potentiality." Dr. Maya Angelou, beloved by millions, has stated of Eric: "He has been, is now, and shall forever be my teacher." The unique spiritual bond that existed between Eric and Maya is evident to all who know them. Noted composer, Marvin Hamlish, another admirer, said: "All who heard him were truly inspired. He led them home to themselves. Eric was a true prophet." Born in Winnipeg, Canada in 1916, Eric attended Fresno State University and Capital University in Ohio, where he studied music. He began training for the ministry at Unity Village in Missouri during WWII. He left to join the army and, as a lieutenant in the Medical Corps, trained medical personnel and also served as chaplain and counselor. After the war, he returned to his ministerial studies and graduated from Unity Ministerial School. Eric Butterworth was scheduled to deliver his much-antici

Thanks Gary. I plan to read it just like any other book, not like I know the author or have read discussions about it. Don't know how long this will take, I seem to have gotten away from reading, which I used to do all the time. Either I'm getting old (and it's harder to see small print (LOL) or it's because of having a computer and now being on cyber time. Also, this morning I got stung by a bee, on my eyelid! I was outside and it just sort of came out of nowhere. I don't think I've gotten stung by a bee for over 10 years, I remember one time getting stung on the foot when I was outside watering the lawn in my barefeet. My eyelid swelled up, and my eye has been watering, and it hurt (of course) but I put alternate hot/cold cloths on it, and now have been forgetting about it and it seems to be okay. Just kind of annoying with one eye partially closed up. I try and see the lessons in everything and wonder what the lesson might be in this? Keep a closer watch out for where bee's nests might be? ~ Carrie

An older lady gets pulled over for speeding... Older Woman: Is there a problem, Officer? Officer: Ma'am, you were speeding. Older Woman: Oh, I see. Officer: Can I see your license please? Older Woman: I'd give it to you but I don't have one. Officer: Don't have one? Older Woman: Lost it, 4 years ago for drunk driving. Officer: I see...Can I see your vehicle registration papers please. Older Woman: I can't do that. Officer: Why not? Older Woman: I stole this car. Officer: Stole it? Older Woman: Yes, and I killed and hacked up the owner. Officer: You what? Older Woman: His body parts are in plastic bags in the trunk if you want to see. The Officer looks at the woman and slowly backs away to his car and calls for back up. Within minutes 5 police cars circle the car. A senior officer slowly approaches the car, clasping his half! drawn gun. Officer 2: Ma'am, could you step out of your vehicle please! The woman steps out of her vehicle. Older woman: Is there a problem sir? Officer 2: One of my officers told me that you have stolen this car and murdered the owner. Older Woman: Murdered the owner? Officer 2: Yes, could you please open the trunk of your car, please. The woman opens the trunk, revealing nothing but an empty trunk. Officer 2: Is this your car, ma'am? Older Woman: Yes, here are the registration papers. The officer is quite stunned. Officer 2: One of my officers claims that you do not have a driving license. The woman digs into her handbag and pulls out a clutch purse and hands it to the officer. The officer examines the license. He looks quite puzzled. Officer 2: Thank you ma'am, one of my officers told me you didn't havea license, that you stole this car, and that you murdered and hacked up the owner. Older Woman: Bet the liar told you I was speeding, too. Do you Yahoo!? SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month!

The following is from a column in Jon Mundy's "Miracles Magazine" called "On The Light Side." This Magazine is available free for the asking. It must, however, be renewed each year. Send requests to jon@... (If that whole address didn't come out, the first part of it is jon@miracles and the second part of it is magazine.org) A man goes to see the Rabbi. "Rabbi, something terrible is happening and I have to talk to you about it." The Rabbi asked, "What's wrong?" The man replied, "My wife is poisoning me." The Rabbi, very surprised by this asks, "How can that be?" The man then pleads, "I'm telling you, I"m certain she's poisoning me. What should I do?" The Rabbi then offers, "Tell you what. Let me talk to her. I'll see what I can find out and I'll let you know." A week later the Rabbi calls the man and says, "Well, I spoke to your wife. I spoke to her on the phone for three hours. You want my advice?" The man said yes and the Rabbi replied, "Take the poison."

Gary, have you figured out which form Thessalonius has taken in this lifetime? Linda Do you Yahoo!? SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month!

Simon wrote: Today as i was mowing the lawn and thinking about your book,it came to mind how utterly astonishing it must have been to your friends,family and especially Karen when you finally got around to explaining the appearence of Arten and Pursah in your life.I wondered how one could approach such a subject and the reactions you got.... (clipped to save space) At the start of this year as I was making my list of "to do's" the course was not even a distant thought on my mind,now having been thrown for a loop since reading Disappearance I'm still feeling bemused about how quickly i've crossed a threshold of sorts and how it has all become very important to me. thanks, Simon Hey Simon. First, the second part of what you said. One of the happiest things for me (and D. Patrick Miller of Fearless Books, the publisher) about "Disappearance" has been hearing from people whose Course books were gathering dust and who are returning to a study of it as a result of reading the book. That's really exciting. Thanks. As far as telling people I know about it, it's been a gradual process. Arten and Pursah told me not to tell anyone about it until after the visits were over, which I stuck to. I think the reason for that was so I wouldn't be distracted, could pay attention to what they were teaching and concentrate on my forgiveness lessons and perhaps gradually get into a pattern of true forgiveness rather than judgment. I've never pretended that I've been perfect in that regard, but I do think the process is proceeding very well. I think I may have let it slip at one of my Course study group meetings (I've been going to the same study group in Leeds, Maine for the last ten years) that I was being visited in person by two ascended masters and a couple of people looked at me like I must be joking. Karen never read my manuscript until it was published by Fearless Books, even though the typed written pages were available to her. So there was over a year before the appearances stopped and Karen saw the book. She liked it, although she wasn't always happy about the way she was portrayed (I pointed out to her that the book wasn't always flattering to me either) and she had no problem with my story of what happened. We were talking with Vicki Poppe last month when we all went out to Peak's Island here in Maine. Vicki asked Karen about this and Karen said, "I'd trust Gary with my life." I think that pretty much sums up her attitude towards me and the whole thing. Most of my relatives are in Massachusetts. My parents are no longer in this incarnation, but they were cool musicians and I know they'd be right behind me. I think artists have the easiest time with spiritual themes, because such ideas appeal more to the artistic mind rather than the scientific one. My communication with relatives has been mostly by e-mail. Some of it has been positive, but there are a couple of cousins who won't speak to me anymore. I'm not sure of the exact reason, but I'm sure it isn't pretty. (LOL) I'm going to be going to a big family reunion in Salem, Massachusetts on August 16 and I'll get to see all my relatives for the first time in years. It should be interesting! My family of in-laws in Maine think it's cool that I wrote a book and got it published. No one on either side of my family has done that before, so it makes me unique in that respect. Most of them don't care what it's about. They're just happy I'm doing something sucessful. They're down to earth, hard working people and to put it kindly, they've always seen me as being more, shall we say, abstract? (LOL) My close friends have been completely supportive, as has my brother in Florida. They're all reading or have read the book and are having a good time with it. So far, most of my lessons have been gentle. Thank the Holy Spirit for small favors. I'll keep you posted. Love and peace, Gary.

Hey Gene. First, I think God should shake the hell out of us and wake us up now! So what if we crap a brick? LOL. But O.K. Maybe He knows what She's doing. Also, the ascended guys said, "In the end, everything except for God is metaphor." So I have to think that this Wapnick guy has the right idea when he says the only way to get the Course is to realize that the parts of it that express duality (twoness or division) must be taken as metaphor. Arten and Pursah expressed the same idea, saying that the parts of it that express non- duality (oneness) should be taken literally, but not the rest of it. That's how we know that Jesus isn't an idiot who constantly contradicts himself. The guy's an artist, and the Course is a complete presentation. As Martha pointed out, (and Arten and Pursah) all its parts have to be taken within the context of its larger teachings rather than dissecting the individual parts. Now, "Thessa-2k." I love that! Wouldn't it be funny if I met someone named that? (LOL) In any case, I like your observations and questions. This is hardly needed, but let me add another dimension to it. Pursah said on P.404, "We visit you now from *outside* of time." In other words, they were speaking to me from after they were already enlightened, out of those bodies and outside of the dream of time and space completely. Thus only their love (spirit) remains, and the bodily images I saw of them were projections of their final incarnation's bodily images that were coming through the part of mind that knows everything unconsciously, filtered by the love of the Holy Spirit. So it's not like they were really visiting me from the future or from their actual lifetimes as Arten and Pursah. They were manifestations of the love they had returned to, which is beyond time, space and form. BTW, they talked about the details of this briefly on P.389. Thanks again Gene. I hope we get to play our guitars and drink a brew together sometime. Later, Gary.

[Disappearance_of_the_Universe] Re: Age?/"contradictions" Hi Martha, Here's my thought on this, as to why I don't see this as a contradiction: If my wife is asleep, and is having a nightmare, I "do not know" of what her nightmare is (similar to "God does not know of separation") -- yet I do know she is dreaming, disturbed, and not in her right mind. So if I gently stroke her hair, I may be able to "heal" her from her nightmare - even thought I know not of the nightmare itself - and my healing may be able to bring her peace, and return her to being more in her "right mind". In the same way, God (while knowing not of separation) is aware that his son is dreaming, disturbed, and not in his right mind; so God can provide the Holy Spirit as an Answer to the "separation" that we are having a nightmare about -- while God is not aware of the nightmare (the separation) itself. What do you think? :) Gene ("Livin' La Sue?o Loco")

Hi Martha, you wrote: in his book, and he can correct me. But he said ... (and I am going by memory now) ... That everything that is eternal should should taken literally. Non duality is the only absolute truth, and everything else in the Course is meant to be taken as a metaphor. And that is what I believe. Yes, we must have been writing our last posts at the same time, so please see my previous post. Also, I believe the part of the book you're referring to is the second half of P.92. BTW Gene, I forgot to mention to read P.287-288 as an additional explanation of how the bodily images of masters are projected. Love and peace, Gary.

Re: [Disappearance_of_the_Universe] Re: Age;Contradiction;Genellonius I keep sayin', "I'm READY already!" Another one I'm going to print out (in reverse) and nail to my forehead, so I can stop forgetting all the crap the ego throws at me! I've got to say that from my first exposure to the Course, I have never felt anything "out of place"... Nothing like my earlier readings from the Bible -- don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking the Bible -- but there were always so many things that just never rang true; just didn't make sense ("Really, would God actually DO this??") -- and the constant inconsistencies and contradictions.... And I have never felt this way about the Course! Jesus really IS an artist, as you say, Gary; and I'm constantly impressed and moved by the magnificence of this work! (Even though he tells us to "forget this course"... Ahh; what does HE know?? ;) Martha, when you mentioned the "being an authority on the Course" issue (about yourself), I want you to know I always hear so much humility coming from you, I could never think you were claiming authority!! You certainly do know what you're talking about (as Gary mentions above), and I always enjoy and benefit from your posts, both here and at CT. Sounds like maybe a new "rap" artist... (?) See..? Now, those pages are from near the end of the book, the part I've sort of been "saving" before reading... So now I went to look at those references... and ouch, I think I've "spoiled" something for myself..... (ooooh, thanks a LOT, Gary...) I'm kidding, of course(!) Looks like I'll be finishing off the book rather quickly, now, though. All the better to get started on reading #2! But it seems that the "questions" I posed in my previous posting might well be answered for me! (All without violating the Prime Directive...) You got it, Bro! I think I will begin a fact-finding program of discovering which local establishments feature both Coors Light and Guinness on draught -- in fact, I think I may begin my investigations later this evening. I'm also going to email you some pictures of our Rickies... Hastalavistababy, Gene

Gene wrote: discovering which local establishments feature both Coors Light and Guinness on draught -- in fact, I think I may begin my investigations later this evening. I'm also going to email you some pictures of our Rickies... Hastalavistababy, Gene Just for you casual, non-musician type observors, a Rickie is a Rickenbacker guitar, one of the lightest and easiest to play guitars ever made, and popularized when it was occasionally used by the Beatles and the Byrds back in the 60's. Have fun, Gene!

Hello melbywells@..., In reference to your comment: è Maybe the older we are the easier it is to *practice* è forgiveness. I just think that the older we are the more practice we had at trying to make this a better world, we try so hard to carve out our little "niche" and still feel empty and realize that it is not working and then we ask for help. I was introduced to the Course in 1988. I was in my mid 30's having gone through another failed relationship ... due to my attraction to men who were addicts. And it answered a lot of questions for me .. it made sense .. but I still had to go through stuff ... I still had to try to make this world a better place for me ... I wanted equality for Black people, try to find that good black man ... I had causes ... but no matter what I did nothing seemed to work. When my son got sick I knew I needed help and I found Joe Jessup and Course Talk. Even then I knew I had another classroom to go through and when my son passed away ... I just shut down ... however, it was my core belief in the Course .. that this world is not real, that escape through suicide or whatever was not the answer. There is no place to escape in a dream ... all I could do was wake up .. and I was and still am too fearful to do that. I am now 48 now and after reading Gary's Book and recently attending the workshops conducted by Ken ... it is almost like I am seeing the Course with new eyes. This world DOES NOT WORK. I understand that now. Now I am ready to intensify my study and attention in sticking with the Right Teacher and stop thinking that I have the answers. And I believe that for most folks, that comes with age and time. Peace

I don't know what is happening, but a response I sent in to this group, did not appear, or was not sent out to me from this group, but then a post that I sent in later, did appear. I am just wondering if this has something to do with my computer? For some odd reason, it does appear to be playing tricks on me, but there is probably a very logical explanation for all of this. Another example is, I cannot post or even read back posts on the ng. And also something I posted yesterday to this group, did not appear at all in my personal "inbox" at all, but I did notice that Karen responded to it, and then I noticed, it appeared on the Yahoo site. Could this possibly have something to do with Yahoo? I sort of like, a logical explanation. Don't suggest that I need a new computer (lol) as right now that doesn't seem like an option. Thanks Martha :-) p.s. And Mercury isn't even retrograde.

<mastreet@t...> wrote: in his book, and he can correct me. But he said ... (and I am going by memory now) ... That everything that is eternal should should taken literally. Non duality is the only absolute truth, and everything else in the Course is meant to be taken as a metaphor. And that is what I believe. "Nonduality" comes from the Sanskrit "advaita", and means that Atman and Brahman are identical. In Western language, this would say that the Soul and God, or the Godhead, are identical. The Course teaches that the desire to be self-existing and to father God is the authority problem which lead to and sustains the separation, so it most certainly is not teaching "nonduality". The word the Course uses is "Oneness"; I suggest sticking to it and not trying to rewrite it to say something else. As for "metaphor", Ken gets this wrong and even Ascended Masters don't seem to know what the word means. Here is what the American Heritage Dictionary says about it; if you want more, entire books have been written about it and about religious language as well. met·a·phor n. 1. A figure of speech in which a word or phrase that ordinarily designates one thing is used to designate another, thus making an implicit comparison, as in "a sea of troubles" or "All the world's a stage" (Shakespeare). 2. One thing conceived as representing another; a symbol: "Hollywood has always been an irresistible, prefabricated metaphor for the crass, the materialistic, the shallow, and the craven" (Neal Gabler).

Hi Suzanne. Thanks so much for sharing these things with me. You'll never know how much I appreciate it. It helps that you're keeping me posted. Please continue to! Love and peace, Gary.