2015 Vol 1, April

INNER LIGHT MINISTRIES Journal Volume 27 Number 1

D

New Changes

by Jim Gordon, President of ILM ear ILM Community,

We are overjoyed to share with you

several new changes in ILM. First, we have a new state-of-the-art website! Check out our brand new website at www.ilm.org. The ‘new and improved’ site will offer all the same information and services we have always had, plus we will be incorporating many new additions over time; the first, starting right now, is Live Video Broadcasts of our Sunday monthly classes in Austin! Just go to “Live Video Stream” on the website menu and click to watch the Sunday Class “live” on April 12th starting at 1:00 CST, and every month thereafter.

You can watch from your computer, iPad, tablet, or smart phone, and eventually, even from your TV. Recordings of the live video broadcasts will also be posted and made available to view on demand.

We’re so excited, not only to offer live broadcasts and video on demand from the new website, but, also, to offer new content. We’re adding a Spiritual Q & A section like we share in this newsletter. Also, there will be a section where you can go to view just Jim Gordon’s newsletter articles collected over many years, or those written by Brian Yeakey, Steven McAfee, Laura Kesten, Bill Stratton, and Kelsie Mc Sherry. You can also participate in other services such as Ani-Hu Chants, open-ended meditations, the LAF Workbook and Meditation Journal, the SelfStudy program with weekly K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Soul) excerpts. ILM’s new website will offer us many new possibilities going forward, giving us a wider reach, and a greater ability to share with all those that seek our support and assistance in walking their spiritual journey.

More changes: We (Jim and Brian) will be traveling again this year with a full schedule of events and retreats in Austin, Ft. Wayne, Hawaii, and England. In addition, we’ll be making stops in New York and Los Angeles!

So, we’re going to be more available in person. Also, through the internet, we will continue to be available for our regular schedule of audio/video conference calls of sharing and Q & A with the regional ILM communities.

April 2015

We have a full schedule of activities and events to support all who are seeking and pursuing the Spiritual Path of Sound and Light through ILM. We are trying to do all we can to provide plenty of opportunity to share and answer questions about this pathway, meditation, and Spirit. Through our website, newsletters, classes, retreats, seminars, workshops, and video conferences, we are making ourselves available to participate with each of you. This allows us to personally support you and the ILM community in a much greater way than we could possibly through one-to-one emails. The sharings and Q & As at the ILM events provide a support to everyone as it creates a greater learning, vulnerability and openness for all, allowing a fuller movement of Spirit in these gatherings. This, in turn, allows all of us the opportunity for greater freedom, loving, and awakening.

We (Jim and Brian) also want you to be aware that due to our schedule and the volume of emails we receive, we may not be able to personally respond to everyone’s emails. If we do respond to your email, please be aware that it may take us some time to do so. If you are writing about something that is urgent and needs immediate attention, please contact the appropriate party, or an ILM Staff member, or the ILM coordinator in your area. If you are writing for logistical information, to register for an event, about the website, or have a question about ILM in general, please contact the suitable staff member listed in this newsletter (page 19) or on the website. If you are writing seeking guidance or support, please be sure to utilize all the resources at ilm.org; through our website of our online recordings, CDs, books, and newsletter articles, most people find what they need to support themselves on their journey. (And everything on it is downloadable and free.)

We wish we had the time to personally respond to everyone’s emails, but since we may not be able to, we encourage you to go to our website and to attend and share with us at any of the ILM events and functions we offer.

This truly will support you and us in gracefully moving forward as ILM continues to expand. We look forward to being with you at the next ILM event.

God Bless You and Thank You, Jim and Brian and the ILM Staff

Be Here Now

H

by Brian Yeakey, Vice President of ILM

(from the talk, Be Here and Be Now, 9/14/14)

the Spirit; the Spirit of who we are is present on every level and in every moment. The here and now is the only thing that is, so how can we not be here and now?

Instead of trying to be here and now, start realizing that you already are here and now. Then, the question becomes: What are you doing in the here and the now?

Where is your focus? Remember, it’s God first and God only. Don’t worry about the rest. All the rest is what’s creating your worry.

ave you ever noticed in life that you try to get things done, but there are more things that pop up to get done? You think, “Ok, when I get this next thing done, I’ll be done and then I can take a break and be happy.” But before you even get done with that thing, the very next thing shows up, so you hurry to get that thing done before you have to start something, and you just hope for a little break in between. Or you go on vacation, but it’s not really a vacation because more things are showing up to get done. And then, when you return from vacation, you’re stressed out because not everything got done before you went on vacation, and now more things have piled up to do.

Isn’t it interesting that when you sit down in meditation, and you come to that place of stillness and begin to awaken to the I Am, to that divine movement of Loving, that that’s what brings the peace? It’s not making yourself be still, or emptying your thoughts, or calming your emotions. That’s work, that’s struggle, that’s stress. It’s futile to think we can get everything done, that we’re supposed to learn and complete all of our karmas. It’s all karma. Stop trying to work out your karma. If you have to work on something, work on putting God first, God only. That means to simply bring yourself present with God right now, right here, wherever the next here is and wherever the next moment is. When you do that, you’ll also notice that its this spiritual action that calms the emotions, that takes care of the fears, that brings the peace, and that brings the clarity to the mind, even if all the questions don’t get answered.

We often feel overwhelmed, and it’s that pressure of being overwhelmed that begins to make us feel buried, constantly trying to catch up, never quite realizing that all we really have to do is handle what is happening in the moment. The mind is always projecting ahead.

“What do I need to do? Gotta get it done. Hope I’m doing a good job. Hope everyone loves me. Hope I love myself. Why am I judging myself so much?

I wish I could just love myself. There I go again, judging myself.” This thinking becomes our life; the inner judgment keeps us from fulfilling or living our lives. That’s the trap of the mind and of the world, ever trying to keep us busy and ever trying to distract us.

Your mind will drive you crazy. It will tell you all kinds of things about yourself and others. It will ask you question after question, even questions about this pathway, and it will cause you great stress. The mind just keeps going and going, but we allow it to ramble. We actually choose that. That’s part of the game of the mind, and we get caught in that game ever trying to figure God out, figure ourselves out, figure everybody else out. Leave all that behind because, in truth, it’s really about awakening to God, experiencing God, being that divine living loving essence of God. Simply Let God. It’s so much easier to Let God, than to figure out how to let go.

Most of us have heard this phrase, “Be here now,” and then go about implementing it by trying to be here now. In doing so, it brings us present to all the physical stuff, and we often do not realize the truth behind this statement. The truth is it’s a spiritual action to be here now. It’s not “be here” in your body. The world will tell us that we need to be in our body or that we’re not in our body enough, but that’s the opposite of what we’re trying to do on this path, folks. We’re trying to get out of the body. This spiritual action has absolutely nothing to do with the body. That’s the game, so stop making it about the body. It’s about 2

INNER LIGHT MINISTRIES

CALENDAR

Classes & Programs: Winter – Spring ‘15 Presented by Jim Gordon and Brian Yeakey in Austin, Texas:

M

For additional information, call 512-306-1056.

onthly

Classes:

Jim and Brian’s meeting is held once a month on the following Sundays,

at the Lake Travis Event Center, 411 Ranch Road 620 South in Lakeway, TX (see directions below).

Monthly meetings include spiritual teachings, Q&A, and meditation.

Jim and Brian assist participants to become more deeply aware of the Spirit within. No charge.

These meetings are now being live streamed through our website, ilm.org.

You will find the live stream connection on the front page of our website. You will also be able to connect to the videos of previous meetings as we go through the year.

Also, the meetings are now in the Great Hall at the new time of 1 pm and ending at 6 pm*.

The Magnolia Room/dining room will be used for the caring of children, as well as for enjoying refreshments during the break.

Sundays at LTEC: APR 12, MAY 17, JUN 14, JUL 5, AUG 30, SEPT 20, OCT 18 Class with Q&A (no potlucks): 1-6 pm*

Directions to Lake Travis Event Center (LTEC), 411 Ranch Road 620 South in Lakeway, TX. From N. Austin/Round Rock: FM 620/ RR 620. Road name changes to FM 620 West/RR 620 West.

Take ramp left and follow signs to TX 45 TOLL West. Take ramp for FM 620 W/RR 620 W. Continue on FM 620/RR 620. Arrive at 411 RR 620 South, Lakeway TX. From South Austin: Take TX-1 Loop South. Take ramp right to TX 71 West/US 290 toward Johnson City and Llano. Take ramp to TX 290 West/71 West. Keep straight on US 290 West/71 West. Keep right on TX 71 West. Turn right on FM 620 South. Continue on FM RR 620 South. Arrive at 411 RR 620 South, Lakeway TX.

For additional information, call Laura Doggett at 512-306-1056 or email lauradoggett@ilm.org.

* Ending times are approximate.

3

(ILM Calendar continues on pages 4-9)

Experiencing The Divine Meditative Retreat 2015 in Fort Wayne: Manchester’s Cost:

at Manchester University:

Registration fee: $50/person deposit required to register $250/person for double occupancy $325/person for single occupancy (limited availability)

Time of Events:

on Wednesday, May 20 at 4 pm thru Sunday, May 24 at 3 pm.*

Please make sure you have registered and paid the balance of your registration fee on or before May 1.

To register contact: Steven McAfee at 260-485-2167 or email Steven at stevenmcafee@ilm.org.

in Hawaii: at Saint Anthony’s Retreat Center 3351 Kalihi Street, Honolulu, Hawaii:

St. Anthony’s Cost:

on Wednesday, July 15 at 4 pm thru Sunday, July 19 at 3 pm.*

Double Occupancy (per person) - $475

For more information contact: Laura Doggett at 512-306-1056 or email Laura at ilmadmin@ilm.org.

If you would like to support ILM’s Scholarship Fund, please see the back page regarding donations.

in England: at Dunford House, Heyshott, Midhurst, West Sussex: on Wednesday, October 7 at 4 pm thru Sunday, October 11 at 3 pm.*

Dunford House Cost: TBA

For more information contact: Susanne Cook at 44 1444 871316.

To register contact: Laura Doggett at 512-306-1056 or email Laura at ilmadmin@ilm.org.

* Ending times are approximate.

4

(ILM Calendar continues on next page)

in Fort Wayne and Kalamazoo

ILM presents:

Fort Wayne:

Tuesday, May 19 Open Meeting

with

Jim Gordon and Brian Yeakey Time of Event: 7-9:30 pm*

Where: ILM Midwest Center, 220 Insurance Drive, Suite F, Ft. Wayne

Tuesday, May 26

Initiates Only Meeting with Jim and Brian** Time of Event: 7-9:30 pm*

Where: ILM Midwest Center, 220 Insurance Drive Suite F, Ft. Wayne Following the meeting please join us for a dessert reception with Jim and Brian.

Kalamazoo:

Saturday, May 30

Open Meeting with Jim and Brian Time of Event: 1-6 pm*

Where: Transformations Center, 3427 Gull Road, Kalamazoo

Sunday, May 31

Initiates Only Meeting with Jim and Brian** Time of Event: 1-6 pm*

Where: Transformations Center, 3427 Gull Road, Kalamazoo Following the meeting, we will be going out for dinner at the Great Lakes Shipping Company restaurant. You are welcome to join us as guests of ILM. Please RSVP by May 15.

For further information contact Steven or Ani at 260-485-2167 or email stevenmcafee@ilm.org. * Ending times are approximate. ** For Initiates only.

5

(ILM Calendar continues on next page)

I nner L Light M inistries Calendar in Austin:

ILM Community ommunity Potluck otluck Nights ights:

These community nights are intended for the ILM spiritual community to gather together in loving friendship at Laura Kesten’s home on the 1st Saturday of every month for fun, laughter, and great food.

Everyone is welcome. Bring a dish if you want to add to the potluck. Starts 5-5:30 pm.

13210 Calf Roping Trail, Austin Park on the street or at the pool/park and walk a short block.

APR 4, MAY 2, JUN 6, JUL 4 will be celebrated at Bill Stratton’s home (see below), AUG 1 For additional information, call Laura Kesten at 512-658-4117, or email laurakesten@ilm.org.

July 4th Celebration Saturday, July 4th

Potluck beginning at 6 pm

at Bill Stratton’s home, 3124 Flinders Reef Lane, Austin.

It’s a cook out! Bring a side dish or dessert.

Later we’ll enjoy the Fireworks display from the front yard.

(Please bring a folding chair if you have one.)

If you want to bring and shoot fireworks, or sing, play the guitar, do magic tricks, or come in costume — all is welcome!

RSVP by July 1st. Contact Bill at 512-388-7350 or email billstratton@ilm.org.

Welcome to Inner Light Ministries Introductory Packet

In this packet you will find: ILM’s book, Love and Loving; the CD, An Introduction To ILM;

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 have been selected to give the newcomer a better 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 (see more information on page 10). 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 6

(ILM Midest Calendar continues on next page)

I nner L Light M inistries Calendar Presented by Steven McAfee, Midwest Area Coordinator: For additional information, call Steven at 260-485-2167 or email stevenmcafee@ilm.org.

ILM Midwest Center: 220 Insurance Drive, Ste F, Fort Wayne, IN 46825

uesday Class Series: Steven offers a series of weekly ILM classes intended to awaken and inspire T our loving devotion to God. Each class begins with a meditation and then moves into a period of spiritual

sharing. The classes are open to anyone. Please call Steven for more information.

TUESDAYS 7-8:30 pm

ILM Midwest Center Donation See page 5 for more information regarding special Tuesday classes with Jim and Brian.

C

ILM ommunity Nights

: More fun community events are on their way! Please RSVP the week before so we can plan appropriately.

Child At Heart: These programs are opportunities for children and the people who love them to come participate in fun activities together in ILM. APR 4

2-3:30 pm

EGG-stravaganza

ILM Midwest Center

Donation

V

S pecial ideo Conferences: Live from Austin! Special live video presentations with Jim and Brian via the magic of technology! See YOU at the ILM Center.

APR 7, SEP 1 7-9:30 pm

ILM Midwest Center

Donation

S S : T F T J – The 2015 WTP proT P : AY W gram will consist of learning to apply practical spiritual tools in our daily lives to assist us on our journey alking

he

ath

ear of

elf

tudy

ools

or

he ourney

homeward. In addition to the regular Sunday afternoon monthly meetings, there will be periodic day-long Saturday workshops. There is no requirement to attend all the meetings to participate in the program. While the program is designed as a year-long study, it is NOT necessary to attend every month to benefit from it.

APR 12, MAY 3, JUN 7, JUL 12, SEP 6, OCT 4 2-4:30 pm AUG 1, NOV 7 9:30-4:30 pm Day-long Meeting

ILM Midwest Center ILM Midwest Center

No charge No charge

S : Steven occasionally serves as a guest speaker for Brigade of Light and other

S spiritual groups in the Midwest. The following is presently scheduled: unday

ervices

APR 5, JUN 28, AUG 2 APR 19, JUL 19, AUG 16

11 am Brigade of Light 10:30 am Unity of Fort Wayne

State Street, Ft. Wayne Crescent Ave., Ft. Wayne

Donation Donation

(ILM Hawaii Calendar continues on next page)

A

s you transform within, the outer reflection transforms, as well.

- Brian Yeakey

AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE:

Gathering Love Words of Wisdom

by

A collection of quotes Jim Gordon and Brian Yeakey Created by Ani McAfee

Check out our recently updated http://www.ILM.org today!

7

I nner L Light M inistries Calendar Presented by Kelsie Mc Sherry, Hawaii Area Coordinator: For additional information, call Kelsie at 808-285-6624 or email kelsiemcsherry@ilm.org.

iving

The Loving: Via Skype. These classes focus on how to walk the Path of Sound and Light and L to live the Loving in our daily lives through the study and practice of the spiritual tools that Jim & Brian share.

1st SUNDAY 10 am-1:30 pm 4th SUNDAY 10 am-1:30 pm TBA Dates, Time & Location

V

Doug’s on theNorth Shore, Oahu Kate’s in Hawaii Kai, Oahu

Maui

Donation Donation Donation

L ive ideo Conferences: See, hear, and share with Jim & Brian live from Austin via Skype.

MAY 3, NOV 8 SEPT 6

10 am-1:30 pm* Kate’s in Hawaii Kai, Oahu

10 am-1:30 pm* Nadine & Joe’s in Manoa, Oahu * Ending times are approximate.

Donation Donation

Hawaii: Saturday, July 11

Open Meeting with Jim and Brian Time of Event: Meditation, Sharing and Q&A: 1-6 pm* Where: Kate Rose’s home. 409 Opihikao Place, HI Donation Donation

Sunday, July 12

Potluck otluck & Initiates nitiates Only nly Meeting eeting with with Jim im and Brian rian** ** Time of Event: Potluck: 11:30 am-1 pm & Meeting: 1-6 pm* Where: Kate Rose’s home. 409 Opihikao Place, HI Donation

Sunday, July 25 Potluck & Open Meeting with Jim and Brian

Time of Event: Potluck: 11:30 am-1 pm & Meeting: 1-6 pm* Where: Unity Church of Maui, 483 S. High St., Wailuku, HI, Maui Donation

* Ending times are approximate. ** For Initiates only.

8

(ILM Worldwide Calendar continues on next page)

I nner L Light M inistries Calendar Community ILM Meetings & Events Worldwide:

•

Kalamazoo:

Call Judy Richards at 269-349-3943 or email jg.richards@charter.net.

S G : Please call Judy at (269) 349-3943 or email jg.richards@charter.net for S more information. Meetings are combined with a potluck each month – yummy! unday

tudy

roups

APR 26, JUN 28, JUL 26 12:30-4 pm AUG 23 Steven will be here! 12:30-4 pm

•

Dallas:

4715 Thistle Mill Court 4715 Thistle Mill Court

No charge No charge

Call Gerri Barrick at 512-541-9584 or email gerlamere@gmail.com.

: Recordings by Jim and Brian are selected to keep our focus on meditation and the Path of

M Sound and Light. eeting

APR 19, MAY 3, JUN 28, JUL 12, AUG 9

•

Arlington/Ft. Worth:

M

eeting:

1500 Jackson St., Apt 9

No charge

Call Tonya Toth at 817-247-4887 or email tashlen72@yahoo.com.

Gatherings will consist of a short meditation then an audio by Jim and Brian.

APR 12, MAY 17, JUN 7, JUL 19, AUG 16

•

1-3 pm

Deerfield Beach:

1-3 pm

2421 Palo Alto Dr.

No charge

Call Victoria Eng at 954-682-3244 to RSVP and get dates and directions.

: The focus of each evening is on spiritual awakening and connecting to the Loving through

M listening to an ILM meditation and talk by Jim and Brian. eeting

Alternate Wednesdays

•

Hawaii:

M

editation:

Deerfield Beach, Florida

No charge

Call Nadine Ferraro at 808-988-7509, or 551-3123 (cell) for dates and directions.

Twice a month gathering for a two and a half hour meditation.

Call for schedule

•

6 pm

London, England:

Manoa Valley, Honolulu

No charge

Call Nanna Brincker at 0207-485-0699 for directions.

: Join us for a 2-hour meditation at 42A Montpelier Grove London NW5 2XE, or join us on

M skype at 4 pm for the meditation (log on 10 minutes before). Please let Nanna know your skype name. eeting

APR 26, MAY 17, JUN 7 & 28, JUL 19, AUG 9 & 30 9

4 pm

No charge

ILM.org — the Inner Light Ministries Website Check These Out On Our NEW Website:

Live Streaming Videos The Sunday meetings in Austin are now being streamed live through our NEW website.

You will find the live stream connection on the front page of our new website. You will also be able to connect to the videos of previous meetings as we go through the year. The audio versions will be available in the usual section, ILM Talks on Audio.

Open Ended Meditations & Chantings Sections The Open Ended Meditations section has meditations

by Jim and Brian that have been edited to allow you to end in your own timing.

The updated Chantings section has several Ani Hu chantings in half hour increments up to 2 1/2 hours, with the addition of a lead in meditation by Brian followed by an hour of Ani Hu chanting.

K.I.S.S. – Keep It Simple Soul KISS is a series of weekly studies in which you can follow along and continue to grow in your spiritual development. The selected excerpts, from Jim’s and Brian’s talks on Meditation and this Path, are designed to help keep our focus on our spiritual journey throughout the day. There are no posted dates for the weeks so whenever you start, begin with Week 1 and progress from there.

Go to our website, click on “Self Study”; then, click on K.I.S.S. from the sidebar, and EUREKA!

Example from KISS - Week 13:

Where does God dwell?

God dwells at the spiritual eye center at the seat of the soul. There’s no place for us to go to find God. We don’t have to look to heaven and hope that somehow we’re getting God’s attention. We don’t have to try to do and be the right thing, hoping that God will look at us and say, “Okay, job well done.” All we have to do is realize that we are God. We are divine. We are God’s creation and God’s children. God created us out of the divine living loving essence that is God. All we have to do is begin that journey back to the seat of the soul. All we have to do is begin to wake up in meditation and know who we truly are – not the mind, not the emotions, not the imagination, or the body ... but soul.

Initiate’s Handbook Initiates, remember to check out the Initiate’s Handbook in the “Initiates Only” section of the website, www.ilm.org. Whether you are newly initiated or a long-time initiate, this most current version of the Handbook contains information that will be of special significance to you.

I

nitiation is the greatest treasure of all the universes.

- Brian Yeakey

Check out our recently updated http://www.ILM.org today!

10

ILM Pic Picks of 2014

Austin:

ILM Sunday Meetings

July 4th Celebration

Community Night

Halloweeeeeeeen!

Shopping for Coins For Kids Coins For Kids Receipts

Christmas Party

Hawaii: Dallas:

LAF Retreat

Hawaii:

11 11

ILM Pic Picks of 2014 continued

Midwest:

Valentines

Community Events

Pumpkin Transcendence

Coins For Kids

Christmas Party

England:

12 12

New CDs:

Be Here and Be Now

I

sn’t it interesting that when you sit down in meditation, and you come to that place of stillness and begin to awaken to the I Am, to that divine movement of Loving, that that’s what brings the peace? It’s not making yourself be still, or emptying your thoughts, or calming your emotions. That’s work. If you have to work on something, work on putting God first, God only. That means to simply bring yourself present with God right now, right here, wherever the next here is and wherever the next moment is. When you do that, you’ll also notice that it’s this spiritual action that calms the emotions, that takes care of the fears, that brings the peace, and that brings the clarity to the mind, even if all the questions don’t get answered.

It’s really about getting to God, awakening to God, experiencing God, being that Divine living loving essence of the Lord.

- Brian Yeakey

Meditation & Ani Hu Chant

M

editation is all about inner focus. By closing the eyes it is simply a way of letting go of our outer focus. As it has always been taught ... to really wake up and know God we must go within. The place where we focus inwardly is a place we call the “seat of the soul” or the “spiritual eye center.” The physical reference point is between the eyes, above the eyebrows, and in the center at the top of the head. This is the place in which the soul, the spiritual essence of God that we are, enters into and leaves this physical consciousness.

We want to focus at the spiritual eye center, let go of the physical focus, and go into that spiritual essence of who we are. The “into” that we talk about is going into the Spirit. So, begin to have an intention of moving your loving, your awareness, your consciousness, all into God, and into Spirit.

- Brian Yeakey For a complete listing of ILM Products and ordering information go to the ILM website, ilm.org for more information.

T

his pathway is about meditation. It’s not about anything else. What Brian and I are here to do is to assist you, give you guidance and clarity about meditation. We’re not here to help you pick out the color of a new car, or tell you who you should or shouldn’t marry. We are here for one thing and that is to ever point the way to God, and to assist you in waking up to God inside your self.

- Jim Gordon

Send Us Your E-mail Address, Choose Green Journals, and Update Mail S ince we are doing our best to communicate with our ILM members through the internet, please send

(or update) your email address to your local representative, or to Laura Doggett at ilmadmin@ilm.org.

Also, if you would like to forego the paper route and published please let us know. Each time a new send an email notification with a link to download address and put “Choose Green Journal”

receive an email notification when the ILM Journal is Journal becomes available (3 times per year) we will the latest Journal in PDF format. Send us your email in the subject to ilmadmin@ilm.org.

Finally, if we don’t have your mailing address, or you’ve had any recent address changes,

please notify your local representative or email that information to ilmadmin@ilm.org.

13

Q& A

Q:

with Jim and Brian it, instead of being afraid, or wondering what ‘that’ is, which can stop you from moving forward.

Can you please elaborate on the pulsating blue and purple light; the different qualities of each, the realms of each, and the focus one would give to the blue and purple light? Lingering with it, as I understand it, is different from rising above.

If the blue, purple, gold, or white light show up in meditation, just hold your attention there and allow it to move. You can’t control it anyway. The mind will try, but as soon as it tries, the light appears to go away.

It appears that way because the mind gets in the way.

In truth, the light doesn’t really go anywhere. Spirit is always with us, otherwise, we wouldn’t be alive. It’s just the mind, the emotions, and the body that get in the way of our awareness, and distract us from what is already divinely present.

A: (Brian) We share a lot of information so that when you are having your own experience, you can understand it and move with it, because often when we don’t understand, something will pop up in reaction, or fear, or say, “What was that?” and that may stop us from moving forward. At the same time, we don’t want you to take the information and try to now create something out of it, and that’s the thing we all have to be watchful for.

In meditation, we are waking up to what is present. That blue light is letting you know that you’re awakening more in the soul consciousness.

The purple light is letting you know you are waking into that action of the Holy Spirit that is bringing you back into the golden white light; the golden white light is the divine origin of the soul in the realms of Spirit.

All you have to do is hold your attention on whatever light is there and allow it to awaken you. You bring yourself present, and then you surrender and let go, which allows God now to bring you into that greater place of wakefulness. You do your part and God does God’s part.

The blue light and the purple light will lift you as you allow it; it will fill you and awaken you; it will free you of all those attachments, or karma, in the world, and as it does, it will bring you into greater levels of awareness in the other realms of Spirit beyond the physical consciousness.

It’s like getting into a river, which is why we talk a lot about the River of Loving – that blue and purple light is the River of Loving; it’s a frequency of Spirit. We refer to it as a river because there’s a movement. All you have to do is get into that movement. In meditation, you are moving yourself into that river, and then that river will carry you. But, there’s a process in getting to that river, and then getting into the river, so that it can then carry you. This action takes a one-pointed focus that takes letting go of everything else, and just loving.

The meditation practice we describe is simply focusing your loving on God; that’s really all you have to do.

To give you understanding of the blue and purple light, Jim and I often describe those colors and frequencies that are of Spirit, and how they assist the soul. The blue light assists the soul in the awakening; the purple light is the action of the Holy Spirit bringing that awakened soul back Home towards God, which is the golden white light.

Think of the spectrum of the rainbow. All the colors come out of white light, and each one is like a stepping stone leading upward. The red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet – those are all steps up in frequency. The blue, indigo, and violet colors leading up into the white light are the higher frequencies in this creation, and are that action of Spirit now awakening us fully back into the white light. The white and golden light is really more of the spiritual realms.

So, here’s how to keep it simple. The meditation practice we describe is simply focusing your loving on God; that’s really all you have to do. The repetition of the Sacred Name of God is that action of sharing your loving with God and receiving God’s loving for you. And, in that action, these other things that some people witness, not all, will start to awaken. When that happens, you can say, “Oh, there’s that,” and you can relax and go with 14

Calming The Seas

O

by Laura Kesten, ILM Minister also expand to this new action of service that is taking place. It was not easy for any of us at first. Recently, Brian wrote a letter to us because he was in disturbance with our resistance. For years, he has been patiently waiting for us to take that first step, but none of us really knew how to and our fears inside (which are of the world) kept us in silence. He came into our storm, into our disturbance, to calm the sea; and he did so by writing us this letter reflecting our creation in order for us to understand how we were getting caught up in the world; and to look to him, as our teacher, to calm the waters. In the next few days, one by one, wrote back our reflective response to him ... and during that time, he remained silent.

ne of my all-time favorite talks of Jim’s is The Solution is Loving. Below is an excerpt of the talk:

As Jesus approached the disciple’s boat caught in a great storm, the disciples witnessed something very profound. They had created a great storm amongst themselves, and they did not have a solution. The storm was only getting bigger, the waves were growing in size, and the disturbance was all upon them; they did not have a way out of the storm and were afraid of sinking into the sea.

They were afraid of getting caught back up in the world … and they were. So, Jesus came into the storm of their conversation, into their disturbance they had created, and Jesus calmed the sea. He brought to them centeredness, calmness, quietude once again, and helped them to see the truth in a spiritual way, through a spiritual focus, and to let go of trying to do it in the way of the world.

When my mother went silent, we knew we were in deep waters, like the silence before a great storm, and we’d wait in fear until the storm broke open. The waiting was the hardest part. But, I’m not afraid like that anymore, and I’m not afraid of Brian or Jim. I’ve seen them both inside many times and I know who they are, and because of that and because I love them so dearly as the radiant form that they are, I keep my gaze upon them. In Brian’s frustration, in the words in his letter, in his silence following, I knew that he was giving us a chance to calm our own inner disturbance inside, a chance to break our own silence and begin a greater loving communication with each other. Our staff meetings are so different now. We are learning to be more vulnerable with ourselves and with each other. We are sharing what is true inside of us even when it involves someone else on staff. This can be scary to do, but we are stepping forth in this action because it is what truly will give us our freedom.

Whenever we try to do the way of the world, we get caught up in the ‘world-wind’, in the great waves, in the disturbance that this world is ever moving in, and then we get lost, we forget; we forget the truth of who we are, the truth that dwells within us … we forget the truth that leads us back into the calm seas, into the peaceful place. And what do all spiritual teachers do? They bring Loving. It is the Loving that calms the seas; it is the Loving that brings us to that place of peace inside. And so it was with Jesus – he walked towards his disciples in Loving, and it was the Loving that calmed the seas.

I am in absolute awe of Brian’s and Jim’s loving for us. They hold that space for each of their initiates, not just the staff. They walk towards us in Loving to calm the inner disturbances inside, but we have to pay attention. We have to want to listen, to meditate, to take the steps forward into a new way of being, to let go of the disturbances and move into the Loving that is there for all of us.

For years, Brian has been wanting, asking, ever holding the door open for us, as staff, to begin working and communicating with each other in a new way. Most of us have been on staff for many years and had our own way of doing things. We kept mostly to ourselves and seldom had to work with each other. But ILM is expanding in a new way now, and we, as staff, had to 15

S.O.U.L.

F

by Kelsie Mc Sherry, ILM Minister hurt, and inside myself I saw all my “soldiers of war.”

There was the soldier of fear, and the soldier of shame.

There were also the guilt and blame soldiers amongst many others. Bringing my best mind-acceptance soldier and mind-forgiveness solider to the forefront, they couldn’t talk these other “soldiers” out of war. Fear, anger, shame, and guilt were ready to protect, defend, control, attack, and blame.

or most of my life, I’ve wondered, “How do I love myself?” Many people have asked me this same question saying, “Yes, I know I have to love myself, but how do I actually love myself?”

After thirty years of searching for the answer of how to love myself, one morning in meditation God gave me the answer. I heard inside, “S O U L, Source Of Unconditional Loving.” Bam! I jolted out of meditation with excitement and joy. “Ohhhhh! So, soul is the source of unconditional loving in me, at the seat of the soul! I get it!” I knew in that moment that God had just given me the key to self-love; loving the source of unconditional loving that I am as soul.

I tried so desperately to Love, Accept and Forgive it all, but it was not enough this time. So, I just simply surrendered. Inside, I said, “I surrender to my process, to my hurt feelings, and to my pain.” I, then, looked up to S.O.U.L., the source of unconditional loving that I am, and began focusing my loving there, loving me as a true and real source of loving. In an instant, all my soldiers vanished. In loving the part of me that is a source of Loving, I opened into the awareness that my friend and I had never left the Loving. There was no one to blame; all there ever was, and is, is Loving. That awareness in that moment was truly liberating.

It starts with meditation. I begin by loving the source of unconditional loving that I am as soul. I move into chanting the Name, and at some point, I wake up and experience my soul’s loving for God … and then, I love my soul even more. Then, as I go about my day, I know that no matter what comes up, I am directing my focus into the source of unconditional loving that I am as soul.

So, when we’re in reaction in any way, we can simply surrender to our hurt, to our fears, to our judgments, to whatever way our reaction demonstrates itself. Then, we can look up to our soul, at the seat of the soul, and begin loving our soul, loving the source of unconditional loving that we are. And see what happens.

When I’m in reaction: feeling hurt, wanting to blame others, beating myself up for doing or saying something I regret, defending myself by saying, “Yes, but you…” or when I’m feeling guilty, shame, or fear, I surrender.

I look up and say to my soul, “I love the source of unconditional loving that I am. I love the soul that I am.” I stay focused there, loving my S.O.U.L., and then my emotions, judgments, blame, shame, guilt, fears, and whatever else is present all disappear, just like that!

You may discover that loving yourself as soul is letting go of your down and outward focus into all the reactionary parts of you of the lower levels; and that it is simply loving the truth of who you are as soul, as that child of God, as that source of unconditional loving within. There really is no one to blame. There’s only Loving, because everyone is soul, everyone is the source of unconditional loving, everyone is a child of God.

But what happens when we’re in reaction, when we’re lost to our thoughts and emotions, to our judgments and fears, and in that turmoil, we blame others – and ourselves? My own experience and awareness that awakened me into the truth of knowing that there is no one to blame, including myself, and that awakened me to simply loving my S.O.U.L., came forth when I went into reaction recently with a friend of mine. I felt

Don’t you just love that who you truly are is the Source Of Unconditional Loving within as SOUL? I do, and it makes it a whole lot easier to love myself as S.O.U.L., rather than trying to love myself as all the stuff below.

That I can do. I can love the Loving that I am.

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Awakening!

A

by Steven McAfee, ILM Minister

awake, and then drifting back off into sleep again.

Other times, it was like walking into sunlight from a darkened room, at first seeing little, and then seeing more as my eyes become accustomed to the brighter light. Through the practice of meditation, through turning my attention inside and being willing to look into my inner darkness, and perhaps most of all, through divine grace, I have experienced a hidden light within that darkness and a fountain of sweet Loving within my emptiness. The more I have a taste of Loving, the more I’ve wanted it, until it has now become the center of my life, around which all else revolves.

“

wakening: To awaken; to stop sleeping; to become aware; to enliven.”

According to Webster’s dictionary, this is what awakening means. But what does it mean to me?

When my physical body is asleep, I’m no longer aware of, or responsive to, my physical surroundings.

I do not perceive my wife lying right next to me, her arms embracing me. No matter how much my wife loves me, no matter how much she wants me to share with her, I am unable to while I’m asleep.

I’m unaware of her and am unable to respond. My waking up changes everything.

“Awakening” does not mean that I am always focused into the Loving. Awakening is ever unfolding; it’s not an event, but a movement. This ever-expanding movement into greater fullness of Spirit is how we become aware of the omnipresent reality of divine Loving and of the transient, illusory nature of everything else.

Much like when I’m physically asleep, when I’m spiritually asleep, I no longer am aware of, or responsive to, my spiritual surroundings. I cannot perceive the presence of God’s Loving moving within me and enfolding me, even though it is. Not perceiving God’s Loving, I’m unable to readily feel it or respond to it. I feel instead a dark emptiness inside. So, I turn my attention outward into the world around me, hoping to find fulfillment, meaning, and love. I hope that being with others will make me feel loved, that the world will bring me peace, and that I will find joy in my life. I seek outside myself that to which I am asleep within myself. In doing so, I experience fear: fear that I will not find what I seek, and fear that, even if I do, it will be taken from me, or I will lose it somehow. And so, I begin to attempt to control my world by protecting myself from the hurt of disappointment and loss. All the while, the loving essence of God is living within me, with all its inherent joy and peace, but I am asleep to it.

As I continue to awaken, I am increasingly aware of Loving and can more freely respond to it, not only within my meditations, but also within my life and with all the souls and challenges I meet here. As I practice putting Loving first in my heart and in my choices (and it is not always easy to do), I experience the unbroken and unbreakable connection I have with that Loving essence. It is real and alive in me. I am what it is.

While this is not completely and fully known to me, I am beginning to touch into the greater truth of it all.

I am learning that, even when my attachments turn me away from Loving to the illusions of my ego and fear, even when my karmas blind me to the truth of what is real, there remains a kind of residual “knowing” that Loving is always there, even when I cannot see it or feel it. God’s Loving is like my loving wife lying right next to me in the night as I sleep. But now that I know it, I only need to call myself out of sleep and wake up to it again and again.

Over the years, I’ve been awakening. Sometimes, it was like awakening abruptly from a dream, when I became suddenly aware of the reality of my environment and of the illusory nature of the dream that had seemed so real. Sometimes, it was like gradually coming

To awaken, we only need to stop sleeping. In awakening, we become aware of what is the real truth.

And once we are aware of the true reality of Love, everything changes.

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of

Core Tenets

Inner Light Ministries (ILM) God Created You (Soul)

You Are The Living Loving Essence Of The Lord One Day You Will Wake Up

And Realize You Never Left The Heart Of God

The Actions Of Soul Liberation Through ILM Meditation - Loving God and Allowing God To Love You By Focusing On The Inner Light and Sound Of God. You Do This Through Chanting The Sacred Name While Holding Your Attention At The Seat Of The Soul.

Loving, Accepting, Forgiving (LAF) - Loving, Accepting, and Forgiving Yourself, Others, and God.

Take Responsibility For Your Thoughts And Feelings, Actions And Reactions

- Acknowledge and Accept Responsibility For Your Thoughts and Feelings, Actions and Reactions (Be Honest and Take Ownership).

18

Happy Spring!

Dear ILM Community,

from the ILM Staff

Below is a list of the ILM Staff and a summary of their job descriptions. If you have a question about something in the Journal, on the website, with registration, with donations, with Midwest, Hawaii, and England activities, or anything else, please refer to this page and direct your question to the staff member connected to that area.

Much Loving,

ILM Ministers

Jim Gordon - President & Founder: Jim has served as ILM’s spiritual teacher for many years, and as an anchor point for sharing the Path of Sound and Light through ILM, his teachings have created the foundation of ILM’s focus in the world.

Jim Gordon He now supports Brian Yeakey as the spiritual teacher for ILM.

Brian Yeakey - Vice President & Spiritual Director: As successor to Jim Gordon, Brian serves as ILM’s Spiritual Teacher, sharing the Path of Sound and Light and initiating people into the meditation practice with the Sacred Name of God. As the Brian Yeakey Spiritual Director, Brian is responsible for ILM’s overall Mission and Purpose, as well as overseeing ILM’s Ministerial Program.

Laura Doggett - Administrative Assistant & Event Coordinator (lauradoggett@ilm. org): As Jim and Brian’s assistant, Laura is the contact person for information regarding ILM, ordering books and CD’s, and scheduling initiations. Laura handles registration and logistics for ILM’s Meditation retreats in Austin, Hawaii, and England, Austin events and classes, and assists ILM’s Area Representatives.

Laura Doggett

Laura Kesten - Managing Editor (laurakesten@ilm.org): Laura edits the text for the ILM Journals, fliers, books, workbooks, booklets, and website, as well as the audio for the CDs. She also transcribes and edits many of Jim’s and Brian’s talks and Q & A sessions for the ILM Journal and website.

Laura Kesten

Bill Stratton - Creative Visual and Audio Director (billstratton@ilm.org): Bill creates,

designs, and produces the ILM Journals, as well as creates fliers and ecards for local events.

In addition, Bill records Jim and Brian’s Austin classes, produces audio/visual files for the production of CDs and the website, and prepares all audio files for the ILM website.

Bill Stratton

Henry De La O - Comptroller (henry@ilm.org): Henry is ILM’s Financial Administrator responsible for all accounting, record keeping, and financial reporting.

Steven McAfee - Midwest Area Coordinator (stevenmcafee@ilm.org): Steven creates

Henry De La O

and facilitates the Midwest ILM retreats, monthly workshops, and weekly classes. He, also, provides information about questions regarding ILM’s initiation process and its teachings.

Ani McAfee - Midwest Administrative Assistant (stevenmcafee@ilm.org): Ani assists

Steven McAfee

Kelsie Mc Sherry

Steven by managing logistics for all Midwest events, classes, workshops, retreats, and community gatherings, including class schedules, retreat details, calendars, fliers, and ecards. As chaplain, Ani also provides support as a spiritual caregiver for those who have experienced recent bereavement.

Kelsie Mc Sherry - Hawaii Area Coordinator (kelsiemcsherry@ilm.org): Kelsie creates, coordinates, and facilitates Hawaii area ILM classes, workshops, and retreats using ILM’s teachings and practices. Through spiritual counseling, Kelsie assists people in working with ILM’s teachings, LAF, and utilizing ILM’s LAF Workbook and Meditation Journal.

19

Ani McAfee

Inner Light Ministries

PRESORTED FIRST CLASS MAIL U.S. POSTAGE PAID AUSTIN, TEXAS

A Path of Sound and Light ®

Editorial and Publishing Office P.O. Box 164332 Austin, Texas 78716-4332 Phone: 512-306-1056

PERMIT NO. 1149

INNER LIGHT MINISTRIES Journal About ILM ®

I nner 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 meditation, spiritual study, and service.

Inner Light Ministries:

Mailing List To keep our present mailing system up-to-date, please check the spelling of your name, street and city. If there is an error, please notify us by phone (512-306-1056), email (ilmadmin@ilm.org) or by mail (PO Box 164332, Austin, TX 78716-4332). Thank you.

Donations Donations to Inner Light Ministries are gratefully accepted, and help us support: 1. ILM events, production of CDs, the ILM Journal, and books.

2. Scholarships toward supporting members taking ILM retreats and workshops.

3. ILM’s Christmastime project: Coins For Kids.

Checks may be made payable to Inner Light Ministries and sent to: 2303 Ranch Road 620 South, Ste 135-303, Austin, Texas 78734. Or to make a donation by credit card, go to ILM’s website at www.ilm.org. Donations are tax deductible.

Main Office: Jim Gordon, Brian Yeakey, P.O. Box 164332, Austin, TX 78716-4332; Midwest Office: Steven McAfee, P.O. Box 5139, Fort Wayne, IN 46895