2004 Vol 2, June

NEWSLETTER EWSLETTER NNER L IGHT M INISTRIES N IINNER LIGHT VOLUME 15 NUMBER 2

JUNE, 2004

B EYOND THE DARKNESS

by Jim Gordon, President of ILM

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or this article I thought I would share with you a question I was asked recently about meditation and The Path of Sound and Light. “When I am meditating all I see is darkness, and I do not feel like sitting in the darkness. What is this about, and is there something beyond the darkness? I am considering initiation with ILM, and I am not sure if this will change with initiation.”

Yes, there is something beyond the darkness! The Path of Sound and Light and the meditation that we teach at initiation is one of an awakening process. When we sit in meditation and hold our attention at the single eye, the spiritual eye, and chant the names of God in loving, we begin to be aware, to wake-up, and we begin to see Light. This Light is the Light of our own soul as it begins to be drawn back up into its home in Spirit. The Light is being drawn upward to the single eye as we hold our attention there, at the seat of the soul at this physical level.

However, often, especially in the beginning of this awakening process, we become aware of darkness in our meditation, and we become discouraged because there seems to be nothing present but the darkness. Here is why we may only see darkness at first.

The soul has come down into these levels of the physical creation so that it could have experience here. In order for the soul to have experience in these lower realms of the physical-material worlds, the soul has turned its focus downward into matter and away from Spirit.

The soul is of the Realms of Spirit and does not have the means by which to have experience in the

physical. So the soul has taken on the mind at these levels in order to have the means to experience here.

Then with the help of the mind, the soul has placed its awareness into the sensual-physical worlds in a downward and outward attention and focus. The mind is a wonderful tool as long as the soul is in charge of it. But in this downward focus the mind takes charge, and since the mind identifies itself with the sensual nature rather than the spiritual, the soul loses sight of its true nature and its true home and begins to identify itself with the lower realms. And thus the soul finds itself trapped in the mind and the physical realms of this creation.

One way that you might envision this is seeing the Light of the soul being placed in the lower creation and being focused and anchored in the mind, emotions, imagination and the physical.

The soul can know itself once again through the action of focusing inward and upward into the ‘true self’ of soul and upward into the Realms of Spirit, the realms of loving. And it is with the practice of meditation on The Path of Sound and Light that we begin to bring our attention and awareness inward and upward to the single eye, the seat of the soul. In holding our attention in this way we begin to draw all that is soul back unto itself at the eye center. The soul over time and practice in meditation frees itself from its connections and entrapment in the physical.

At first in meditation, when this withdrawing process is just beginning, we might see only darkness. But with time, holding our focus (as we are taught at initiation) on chanting the name of God, and doing this with loving devotion, we begin to see Light in the darkness. It might first appear as a spark of Light here and a spark there. With time and attention we will begin to see more and more Light inside as the soul is once again drawn inward and upward to its own self, at the seat of the soul at the spiritual eye.

(BEYOND continues on page 3)

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COMMUNITY OF SPIRIT

by Steven McAfee, ILM Minister

question and answer session, and a delightful dinner party. But beyond all that, we experienced a pervading sense of genuine spiritual community. The people who attended were so open to Spirit and felt so connected with one another, that it was like one big “soul family” celebration all week long. It was just like I used to imagine heaven would be when I was a little child: a place where everyone you had ever loved and all the things you most enjoyed would all be together delighting in each other and sharing their love in ways that just keep getting better and better.

That whole week, each time something wonderful would happen I would think, “It can’t get any better than this,” and then it would! It was one of the most joy-filled weeks of my life. And I thank Jim and Brian and all our ILM friends here for bringing such “life” into our lives. It reminded me of Jesus saying, “I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly.” This week was a taste of that abundance.

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n my spiritual journey, I have sometimes felt lonely. To be sure, the spiritual path is an inward one, and to walk it, we need time alone — in the quiet solitude of our meditations, prayers, and studies. But that is not what I mean. I mean by myself in the world: feeling isolated, lonely, out of place — as though my spiritual experiences and practice weren’t understood or accepted anywhere. I was too “Jewish” to be welcomed in Christian churches, too devoted to Jesus to be welcomed in synagogues, too Western to pretend to be an Easterner, and too mystical (“weird” was the word they used) for traditionalists to feel comfortable with me. Over the years, I have found a number of other mystically inclined souls, and that has helped. But still, I hungered for a sense of spiritual community. Finally, thanks to my work in ILM, I am experiencing it!

I believe that many of us are looking for such an experience of spiritual community. I also believe that we can embrace outside of us only that which we willingly embrace within us. So, spiritual community doesn’t start from the outside. It begins within each one of us, in solitude, doing our inner work of meditation, prayer, and study — of learning to integrate Spirit into our daily awareness. Then, as we reach out to one another, we carry that vibration with us. We touch that same Spirit in each other, and its expression in the world is magnified. Once we have “connected” inside, then we can truly connect with one another. We can spend time together sharing in the loving that is the essence of Spirit. We can talk about our lives, our hopes, and our dreams. We can have potlucks, movie and discussion nights, music and poetry nights. We can attend classes, workshops, and retreats, making them a regular part of our lives. We make each other a part of our lives — not just passing acquaintances at an occasional meeting. We can learn to care for one another, allowing the love between us to deepen.

When I first met Jim Gordon (actually before ILM existed), everyone was talking about how impressed they were with his psychic abilities. I was impressed by his loving. Everyone wanted Jim to tell them how to live, what to do, and who they used to be in their past lives. I wanted to be his friend. I wanted the clarity of knowing and the peace that I felt in him. Over the years, I have witnessed, over and over again, demonstrations of Jim’s remarkable level of clairvoyance, but far more meaningful to me, I have found him to be one of the most gentle and loving souls I have ever met. He is a man I can trust. He honors my devotion to God, without trying to manipulate it to his own ends. He continually teaches me to trust my own inner knowing. His encouragement and support are enabling me to fulfill my longing for a community in which to share spiritual teachings, music, and friendship.

This past March, Jim Gordon and Brian Yeakey came to Fort Wayne and spent several days with our ILM group here. It was an amazing week! There were lots of activities — personal counseling appointments, initiations into The Path of Sound and Light, an insightful workshop on relationships, a dynamic

It is not complicated to build a community — it is simply a living process of sharing our time and our hearts.

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I NNER L IGHT M INISTRIES

CALENDAR

CLASSES & PROGRAMS: JUNE – SEPT, 2004 P RESENTED

BY J IM G ORDON : For additional information, call 512-306-1056.

W

EEKLY

CLASSES:

Jim’s weekly Austin class is held Tuesdays 7-9 pm,

ILM Center, Franklin Sq. Bldg, 3724 Jefferson, Ste. 100, Austin, Texas No charge.

Each class includes spiritual teaching, practical exercises, group discussion, and meditation.

Jim helps participants to become more deeply in touch with the Spirit within.

Please note: During the summer months, while Jim and Brian are away, Bill Stratton will be conducting the Tuesday night classes with recorded ILM tapes and other presentations.

PRESENTED BY BRIAN YEAKEY: : Brian is available for spiritual counselings.

SPIRITUAL COUNSELINGS Call 512-306-1056 to schedule an appointment.

These counseling sessions are offered as a service for assisting people in awakening to the Spirit of who they truly are, in living the day-to-day reality of Spirit in their lives, in bringing their lives into greater alignment with walking the spiritual Path of Sound and Light, and in experiencing all the Loving that Spirit has to offer.

Please allow 60 minutes for your session and come prepared with specific questions. Sessions can be done in person or over the phone. They are tape-recorded and the cassette is given to you at the end of the session. There is no charge for this service; however, donations are welcome.

(ILM Calendar continues on pages 4 - 9)

by Jim Gordon

Beyond (continued from page 1)

The second phase begins when the soul has gathered itself out of the sensual-physical nature and unites itself at the spiritual eye center and then begins to follow the inward and upward focus of the meditation.

We begin to look upward to the spiritual door that is found at the spiritual eye center. “Knock and the door shall be opened,” we are told. To knock at this door we chant the name of God in loving, and open ourselves in the giving and receiving of loving with God. It is through this spiritual door that the soul, our true self, can leave the physical body consciously and travel through the outer kingdom — first the lower realms, and then into the soul and spiritual realms above.

We might also feel this as great loving devotion coming present inside, and the warmth of true loving beginning to hold our attention inward and upward.

Greater peace and loving then come present in our lives.

So, if all you see in meditation is darkness, then in the darkness sit in loving devotion to God and hold your attention inward and upward at the spiritual eye.

Gradually you will wake up to the knowing of yourself as soul. You will become aware of the inner Light, the Light of your own soul as it gathers itself back to itself at the seat of the soul. This is actually the first phase of meditation on The Path of Sound and Light — the gathering of the soul inward and upward out of the worlds of matter and the sensualphysical nature and the waking up into the divine knowing of self as soul. This is sometimes referred to as the journey through the inner kingdom.

So yes, there is something beyond the darkness!

And if we will be patient and sit each day in meditation and chant God’s name in loving we will begin to see the Light and hear the Sound of God calling us home.

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Forgiveness Workshop ILM EVENTS in HAWAII

with ILM Ministers, Jim Gordon & Brian Yeakey DATE: Sunday, August 1, 2004 TIME: 9:30 am-7 pm WHERE: Ohana East Hotel, Waikiki, Hawaii

Meeting Room off of Lobby located on the 2nd floor For Ohana Hotel reservations: Call Barbara Campbell at 808-921-6679 barbara.campbell@outrigger.com.

Park in the Ohana East garage located at 2375 Kuhio Avenue (all day parking with validation is $3.00).

DONATION

In this workshop we will look at how we can use forgiveness in our lives

to assist us in letting go of attachments, judgments, resentments, hurts, pains, and upsets. In understanding forgiveness we will see how forgiving can bring us back into the loving essence of who we truly are.

And on Sunday, August 8th there will be a: with JJIM IM and and B BRIAN RIAN ILM Q&A with TIME: 2:30-6 pm WHERE: Ohana East Hotel, Waikiki, Hawaii DONATION For further information please contact: Nadine Ferraro at 808-988-7509.

NITIATION and and INITIATION Jim and Brian will be available for initiation ˜ for those who have been approved.

PIRITUAL COUNSELINGS OUNSELINGS SPIRITUAL will be available for ˜ Brian WHEN: August 2-7, 2004 spiritual counseling sessions: To schedule counseling appointment with Brian Yeakey or to talk with Jim Gordon concerning initiation into The Path of Sound and Light please call 512-306-1056 and speak with Laura Doggett.

ILM REGISTRATION FORM: Please check the event(s) you will attend, and if you wish to make a donation send a check (payable to ILM) along with this registration form to: Nadine Ferraro, 2703 Terrace Drive, Honolulu, HI.

H AWAII :

Forgiveness Workshop

ILM Q&A

(Please print.)

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I NNER L IGHT M INISTRIES CALENDAR PRESENTED BY LAURA KESTEN: For additional information, call Laura Kesten at 512-894-0992.

TORIES UNTOLD: Have you heard your “calling” to write? Have you answered it yet? In this S program, we attend to our own personal callings to write — to write from the heart about our life

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

STORIES UNTOLD—Michigan: JUNE 13-19 (Intensive, $225 for the week), Martha’s Cottage Saugatuck; AUG 6-8, Location TBA; OCT 1-3, Pretty Lake, Mattawan; DEC 3-5, Location TBA $125 per weekend

STORIES UNTOLD—Texas: JULY 9-11, SEPT 10-12, NOV 12-14, The Hill Country Lighthouse, Dripping Springs, Texas $100 per weekend

365 D AYS OF IVING C ONSCIOUSLY : What if you had one year to live? How would you want to live it? Might you want your year-long journey to be about living each day mindfully, living it authentically, with integrity, and might you have it include forgiveness, acceptance, and loving?

What if you could live each day this year consciously and deliberately? Throughout 2004, our “Living Consciously” group will meet once a month. You can still join us NOW!

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JUNE, JULY, AUG, SEPT (dates TBA)

2-4 pm

ILM Center, Austin, Texas

Donation

We’ll meet at a cafe in Austin, order coffee, tea, soda, or AFE H OP W RITING D AY : C water, maybe a scone or bagel, and write. Then, we’ll hop to another cafe and do it all over again.

And, if time permits, we’ll hop to a third. Writing prompts are given to get the pen in motion. Have fun filling empty pages with story. Sharing is optional.

JUNE 5

Saturday, 9 am–3 pm

Ruta Maya Cafe, Austin, Texas

No Charge

EACEMAKER: The Iroquois legend of the PeaceMaker, dating back to AD 1200, is historically P documented as an influence on the forming of our American nation. We offer this workshop as an

opportunity to journey through the rich Iroquois story of the PeaceMaker, reliving its teachings and participating in transformational processes, thus bringing us closer to the heart of our own PeaceMaker within. Come and experience this very powerful workshop. Participants also receive a copy of Jean Houston’s book: A Manual for the PeaceMaker, two nights lodging, and food. Auditing PeaceMaker is an awesome experience! Call Carolyn Daily at 269-327-6851.

JULY 30 – AUG 1

Friday, 7 pm – Sunday, 3 pm GilChrist, Three Rivers, Mich.

$125

MOVIE AND POTLUCK:

Join us for a potluck and movie in Dripping Springs. We’ll gather up at 2:30 pm and eat at 3 pm. The movie begins around 4 pm so we’ll finish up by 6 pm in order for y’all to travel back to your homes and prepare for the week.

SEPT 12

Sunday, 2:30–6 pm

Tom and Laura’s, Dripping Springs, Texas

No Charge

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

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(ILM Calendar continues on next page)

In Fort Wayne: EVENT #1

A DAY AY WITH WITH JIM IM & BRIAN RIAN Saturday, June 5 “Brigade of Light” room, YWCA, Fort Wayne Donation

This program has two portions: a morning meditation session, and a question and answer session after lunch.

You may attend either or both.

1.

Meditation with Jim & Brian 10 am-12 noon

2.

Question & Answer Session 2-5:30 pm

EVENT #2

Q& &A A WITH WITH J JIM IM & &B BRIAN RIAN Q Sunday, June 6 from 2:30-6 pm “Brigade of Light” room, YWCA, Fort Wayne — Donation

For further information about these events in Fort Wayne contact Steven McAfee at 260-485-2167 or mcafeesa@aol.com.

In Kalamazoo: EVENT #1

A Spiritual Sharing Saturday, June 12 from 1-4:30 pm Country Inn & Suites, 1912 E. Kilgore Road, Kalamazoo Donation

EVENT #2

Q & A Session Sunday, June 13 from 1-4:30 pm Country Inn & Suites, 1912 E. Kilgore Road, Kalamazoo — Donation

For further information about these events in Kalamazoo contact Carolyn Dailey at 269-327-6851.

Private Appointments in Fort Wayne and in Kalamazoo Brian will be available for private hour-long counseling sessions in Fort Wayne on June 3, 4, 7, and 8 and in Kalamazoo on June 10 and 11. Jim and Brian together will be scheduling initiation appointments for those already accepted into The Path of Sound and Light.

To arrange for appointments in Fort Wayne, please contact Steven McAfee at 260-485-2167. To arrange appointments in Kalamazoo, please contact Carolyn Dailey at 269-327-6851.

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I NNER L IGHT M INISTRIES CALENDAR PRESENTED BY STEVEN R. MCAFEE, MIDWEST COORDINATOR: For additional information, call Steven at 260-485-2167.

UESDAY CLASS SERIES: Steven offers a series of weekly ILM classes in Ft. Wayne on Tuesday T nights from 7-8:30 pm at Unity Christ Church. Each series focuses on a specific spiritual topic and runs

from 4-6 weeks in length. Some of our recent topics have included: meditation (using Jim Gordon’s book, The Knowing of God), mystical teachings from the kabbalah, a study of first century Christianity, and the stories of Jesus. Please call Steven for up-to-date information on the current series.

ILM

OMMUNITY NIGHT: Due to popular demand, we are presenting more community music C nights! Bring your voice, guitar, drum, or other musical instrument. Or just come to listen and enjoy!

We’ll provide soft drinks and light munchies. Please RSVP a week ahead so we can plan appropriately.

JUNE 9, JULY 14, SEPT 8

7-10 pm

Steven & Anita’s home, Ft. Wayne

No charge

“

NOCK” PROGRAM: The following events are open only to those already enrolled in the year-long K KNOCK study program. Retreat location and cost will be announced in advance to KNOCK members.

WORKSHOPS (on the fourth Sundays of the month): JUNE 27, AUG 22, SEPT 26 2-5 PM RETREATS: JULY 23-25 Fri. 7:30 pm-Sun. 3 pm

Brigade of Light room, YWCA

Ft. Wayne

Location and cost TBA

T K R : This retreat will introduce the vast field of E Jewish mystical literature known collectively as the kabbalah. The Jewish mystics in these texts had much XPLORING

HE

ABBALAH

ETREAT

in common with the early Jesus movement. Their commitment to spiritual life, to an ever-deepening intimacy with God even in the face of adversity, and to following the direction of their “rebbe” (spiritual teacher) can be a helpful inspiration and encouragement for us today to seek out and commit ourselves to a current, living mystical path. English translations of ancient texts will be available for study. There will be periods of instruction, chanting, meditation, group sharing, and journal writing.

SEPT 17-19

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

GilChrist, Three Rivers, Mich.

$150

THE “ INDRED SPIRITS” STUDY GROUP: (a new year-long study program) This program is open to anyone interested in deepening their spiritual life through individual prayer and meditation along with community study and sharing. Participation in any of the previous yearlong study groups is NOT a pre-requisite.

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An introductory luncheon meeting will be held on Saturday, October 2 at the Guesthouse Hotel in Fort Wayne. The content, requirements, and enrollment procedure will be presented from 11 am-noon, followed by a question and answer session during lunch from noon-1 pm. To attend the luncheon meeting, you must REGISTER IN ADVANCE by calling Steven at 260-485-2167. Registrations must be received by September 24. There is no cost to attend the luncheon, but donations will be accepted. Attendance will NOT obligate you to enroll in the program. If you are interested in the program, but will be unable to attend the luncheon, please contact Steven to make other arrangements.

INTRODUCTORY LUNCHEON MEETING: OCT 2 11 am-1 pm

Guesthouse Hotel, Fort Wayne

Donation

Monthly meetings will take place in the Fort Wayne area on the third Sunday of every month from 2-5 pm, from October 2004 through September 2005. Weekend-long retreats will take place in November 2004 and March 2005. Complete details will be announced at the luncheon.

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(Steven’s Calendar continues on next page)

I NNER L IGHT M INISTRIES CALENDAR PRESENTED BY STEVEN MCAFEE: (cont’d)

For additional information, call Steven at 260-485-2167.

S : Steven frequently serves as a guest speaker for various churches and S spiritual groups in the Fort Wayne area. If you would like him to speak to your group, please call to make UNDAY

ERVICES

arrangements. The following are presently scheduled: JUNE 27, JULY 11, AUG 22, SEPT 26 JULY 4 SEPT 9

11 am 10:30 am 7 pm

Brigade of Light Unity Christ Church Unity Christ Church

INNER LIGHT MINISTRIES PRODUCTS NEW MEDITATION TAPE AND CD AVAILABLE JULY, 2004: SIDE A CD 1

}

The Spiritual Path Meditation

SIDE B CD 2

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The Heart of God Meditation

by Jim Gordon

by Brian Yeakey

ILM BOOKS by JIM GORDON: LOVE AND LOVING (now in it’s second printing.)

THE STAFF OF THE SHEPHERD

THE KNOWING OF GOD Each book is $6.00.

CDS OF JIM GORDON SEMINARS ARE NOW AVAILABLE: 1. A SIMPLE WAY – THE PATH OF ILM 2. THE PATH OF SOUND AND LIGHT 3. UNDERSTANDING THE ‘INNER’ PATHWAY

4. ABUNDANCE I and ABUNDANCE II CD SET 5. OUR RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD 6. LORD, MAKE ME WORTHY and THE MASTER IN YOUR HEART

Each CD is $9.00 except for the Abundance I & II CD packet, which is $15.00.

TAPES OF JIM GORDON SEMINARS ARE NOW BEING REMASTERED: (Due to the recent demand on tapes the following tapes will be available September, 2004.)

KEYS TO INNER COMMUNICATION THE PATH OF NEUTRALITY YOU AS A COMMUNICATOR, YOU AS A CREATOR and A MEDITATION Each tape is $9.00.

To Order: (Please include $3 per order for shipping and handling.) Checks may be made payable to Inner Light Ministries and sent to: Inner Light Ministries, P.O. Box 164332, Austin, TX 78716-4332. Please include your name, address and phone number.

Allow 2-4 weeks for delivery.

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Spiritual Abundance with ILM Ministers Jim Gordon, Brian Yeakey, Laura Kesten and Steven McAfee WHEN: OCT. 22-24 TIME: Friday, 7 pm — Sunday, 12 noon

Potawatomi Inn Pokagon State Park, Angola, Indiana COST: $150 WHERE:

(room and meals included)

C ome join us in exploring

how to experience more abundance in our lives: both spiritually in our spiritual practice, and outwardly in a community of Spirit.

Join the fun, and experience the joy, peace, and loving Spirit has to offer.

ILM REGISTRATION FORM: Please fill out this form, and send a check (payable to ILM) along with this registration form to: Steven McAfee, P.O. Box 5139, Fort Wayne, IN 46895.

Spiritual A bundance (Please print.)

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S

ERVICE

THROUGH LOVING

by Brian Yeakey,

myself, I discovered a valuable lesson. That as I was of service to myself first, then I could truly be of service to others. I realized that as I filled my own cup first, so to speak, that as my cup filled and overflowed, I could then give of my overflow. Whereas before, I was trying to assist or give to people before I was assisting or giving to myself. I learned that I had to have something to give before I could give it! And it just so happened that the job that I got was a service-oriented job that truly helped people improve their lives. So, as I was being of service to myself, I also ended up being of service to others. This experience and awareness was a turning point in my life!

ILM Minister

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n my last newsletter article I wrote about “inner service.” In this newsletter article I would like to expand upon the subject of service. In my previous article I described inner service as the movement of loving from within oneself, and the sharing of that loving with others spiritually. And now I would like to share about that inner movement, as I experience it, as it becomes an outer expression of loving.

Now I know that I need to give to ‘me’ in order to be able to give to others. The main way I give to myself is through meditation. In my practice of meditation, I continually give loving to myself and God, and I receive God’s loving for me. And the more loving I receive the more I have to give. These days, the main way I outwardly give to others is through the services I do through ILM — spiritual counselings, workshops, sharings, etc. As I share the loving through these ‘outer’ actions of service, I have also learned that the act of doing these services actually helps to fill my own ‘cup’!

The action of service to others, by its very nature, is a service to oneself!

As I’ve come to know the movement of loving within myself, there are times when I experience that loving wanting to share itself as an outward action. When that happens I participate with the movement of it in whatever way I feel directed or inspired. Sometimes it comes as a gentle nudge to share words of loving with someone, or to do something helpful for someone that is going to assist them with whatever is going on in their lives.

As I act upon these inner nudges and inspirations, my own life becomes one of greater fulfillment and joy as whatever it is that I do for another person helps them come into a better place for themselves — internally and/or externally. When I participate with these ‘movements’, my life also continues to expand and becomes easier to handle. The more I participate the more it becomes so. And on the contrary, it is when I hold back from participating that my life becomes more of a struggle and things just don’t seem to go the way I’d like them to. So, I have learned that for me, it is taking these ‘inner’ movements to my ‘outer’ life of action that is the key.

Another key regarding being of service to others is: where are we ‘coming from’ inside ourselves when performing service. Is it an act of loving from within ourselves? Or are we doing it for some other reason other than loving? It is up to us to know that for ourselves. I simply have come to discover what truly works for me through my own experiences. That’s all each one us has to do for ourselves — learn through our own experiences. Experience is the true teacher!

So, as I continue to step forward in my life, I look to where I can be of service — first to myself and then to others, realizing that this can be one and the same. And through each experience of service, I simply pay attention and learn from all that takes place, both inwardly and outwardly. And as I do, my experiences continue to expand and become deeper and more profound ... and I am able to serve in ever-greater ways.

For many years I remember having counseling sessions with Jim Gordon when he would always ask me, “What actions are you taking?” In all of my sessions with him this is what it always came to. Eventually the message sunk in, and one day I decided to take action.

In this case it was an action of service to myself first — I got a job so I could help take care of myself financially. And, in this process of being of service to 10

CLEARING SPACE

by Laura Kesten-Beaver, ILM Minister digging into my boxes. As the date of the sale drew nearer, I knew I had to get over my shyness and say yes to their offers. My friends loyally showed up the day before the sale and worked with a fury. Just after midnight we finished. Collapsing on chairs and on the floor we talked and laughed for the next hour before parting for the night.

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very February I embark on a rummaging expedition through my house — into closets, drawers, cupboards, and in my other catchalls. I go hunting in search of items that I’m ready to let go of: items I haven’t used for awhile, or things that don’t feel like “me” anymore.

And then in the spring of each year my daughter and I have a two-day garage sale.

I have always known the power of getting rid of “stuff.” It meant clearing space for new things. This year, however, I consciously cleared the space just to have space. My thinking was to simplify. This became a central focus for me as I let go of unwanted and unused items.

Whew! Every year, following the sale, as I sit lumped in a chair, exhausted, I emphatically announce, “This is the last year I’m going to do this.” Yet — with as much work as it is to go through each room of my house, find the things I’m ready to let go of, organize, bag and box, price, advertise, and then hold a sale for a weekend — at the start of each new year, I begin to feel a rumble inside, an excitement, a desire to begin the process all over again. And so I do.

Where did all my “stuff” come from? In the past, spending my time being a great consumer was a way for me to try filling a void inwardly. At some unconscious level, I believed that if I could just have enough stuff I would feel like I not only had enough, but that I was enough. I never felt quite full; there was always more I wanted. So this year as I filled garage sale boxes, my mantra question was, “If I give this item up, what do I want to take its place?” The answer usually involved one of three things: meditate more, paint more, write more. As I filled the boxes, more and more I wanted these three things. A marvelous cycle began: the more I let go, the more I meditated; the more I meditated, the more I let go. I began feeling full for maybe the first time in my life.

This year wasn’t any different, with one exception — I began the rummaging right after last year’s sale. All year long, I pulled things from closets and drawers, attics and storage sheds, nooks and crannies, asking myself, “Do I need this item any more? Does this still serve me? Am I ready to let it go?” If I felt done with it, I’d give a blessing of gratitude for its service before placing the item in a box. When the box was full I’d start another, then another and another and another.

Allowing my friends to participate with me, to help out, to see all my stuff, I had to, in a way, make space inwardly as well. I had to first let go of the fear they would have judgments against me. As an added bonus, their unconditional presence helped my own heart to melt away a shield of self-protection and thus open to the loving at hand.

Because I had so much stuff, I was reluctant to tell my friends about the sale. I’d say, “No, I don’t want you to come. I’m so embarrassed about how much I’ve collected.” But my friends all saw the process differently, and were overwhelmingly supportive of my ‘letting go’. And they were all excited about coming and seeing what treasures I might have that they could use. Their encouragement helped me to move forward into an enthusiastic expression of releasing and letting go.

Clearing space leads to all sorts of wonderful surprises.

By letting go of unused things, belief systems which no longer serve, shields that we hide behind, attitudes which keep us from our loving, and so on — energy is moved, space is cleared, healing of the heart is made possible, and steps can be taken toward living a more conscious, loving life in Spirit.

Several of my friends asked if I needed any help. I knew I could use the help but once again, those feelings of embarrassment fluttered up. I felt shy about them 11

I NNER L IGHT M INISTRIES NEWSLETTER ABOUT ILM INNER LIGHT MINISTRIES (ILM)

is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the development and balancing of the fourfold nature of the individual. Towards this goal, it provides education and services concerned with the integration of the spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical aspects of the self, and also provides publications and materials that aid in this process.

Among ILM’s fundamental tenets is that we truly are “temples of the Holy Spirit.” As we seek and express this presence within, we find the peace, love, joy, and wisdom we all so earnestly desire. The many services of ILM are geared towards this path of individual unfoldment—such as meditation, study, and service to humanity on an individual and group basis.

ILM also offers initiation into the meditation practice of “The Path of Sound and Light,” an inner path of spiritual awakening.

Please write or phone for more information about ILM.

ILM:

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An Excerpt from

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Love and Loving (2nd edition) What often prevents us from Loving God is that we often feel unworthy — not just to offer our Loving to Him, but even to stand in His presence.

We may believe that He is too busy to be bothered with us, as if we were too “bad,” or evil, or just unimportant. This falls within a long list of faulty and limiting beliefs, which often reflect the religious philosophies we have grown up with or the judgments we’ve received from others (or placed upon ourselves). But the fact is that it is God’s true joy to be involved in our personal lives. There is no activity too small or insignificant for God to share in. He wants to do it, but in His Loving He never imposes, and He allows us to freely choose whether to include Him or not.

—Jim Gordon (See page 8 for information on ordering ILM products)

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

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