Today I was doing some research on "happiness" in connection with a book review I have been asked to write. I came across this entry at Wikipedia after a journey of dozens of clicks. Quoting a few lines from that article (emphasis is mine):
A person who studies metaphysics is called a metaphysicist or a metaphysician. The metaphysician attempts to clarify the fundamental notions by which people understand the world, e.g., existence, objects and their properties, space and time, cause and effect, and possibility. A central branch of metaphysics is ontology, the investigation into the basic categories of being and how they relate to each other. Another central branch of metaphysics is cosmology, the study of the totality of all phenomena within the universe.
I had to laugh out loud for a moment when I read the definition of cosmology: study of the totality of all phenomena within the universe. Now that's a tall order that ought to keep egos busy until the end of life as we know it. It reminds me again that we are so totally tied up in our ego-based world of form that we believe we can find answers to fundamental questions by studying the universe. Presumably, according to this definition, cosmology would not stop studying the universe until it had teased apart every detail of life at the sub-microscopic level (viruses, bacteria, etc.) -- and at the quantum physics level -- yet still would not stop searching until the inner workings of black holes, formation of galaxies and even alternative universes proposed by string theory were all understood. Not satisfied with all of that, metaphysicians apparently also study possibilities. I think that alone would be enough to occupy all mankind for eternity!
The Good News
Lately though, it seems we've been focusing more and more attention on what is real, and that's good news for the planet.
I'm talking about the incredible reach ACIM has developed since its first printing in three volumes of 5,000 copies. Today people across the globe are spending their time learning about God, the Holy Spirit, Forgiveness and Love -- learning what is True and Real, while also beginning to realize that this world of form is nothing more than a playground for the ego-in-hiding from God. While I would not demean anyone for seeking answers about the physical universe and everything in it, nor attempt to correct it, I am very happy to see that ACIM is taking hold and spawning a whole new generation of people across the globe who seek better answers than our egos have been able to deliver.
Last night I listened to Kenneth Bok's interview with Efrat Sar-Shalom Hanegbi, the woman who made major contributions to the translation of ACIM into Hebrew. A few weeks ago Kenneth interviewed Chiao lin Cabanne who led the Course's translation into Chinese. ACIM is now available in 19 languages. It's available on-line and fully searchable, and even as an Android phone app. As an eBook, A Course in Miracles is Kindle- and Nook-ready, and will soon be available in the Google Books format.
MiracleShare.org is a Facebook-like gathering place for all students of the Course. Google+ also has attracted ACIM students from around the world. You can find many of them by searching for "A Course in Miracles" when you're logged into your Google+ account. Facebook, too, will reveal many ACIM resources.
So...with so many of us beginning to look within to find Love, Joy and God, I'd like to share the resources I've discovered that support and help me in my journey and learning "how to change my mind" instead of "trying to change the world." This list can never be complete but, for now, this is what I have. If anyone reading this has other good resources, I'd be truly grateful if you'd add them in the "comments" field that's part of this blog. Finally, I extend my apologies if I've missed posting your blog, your site or your favorite resources.
A person who studies metaphysics is called a metaphysicist or a metaphysician. The metaphysician attempts to clarify the fundamental notions by which people understand the world, e.g., existence, objects and their properties, space and time, cause and effect, and possibility. A central branch of metaphysics is ontology, the investigation into the basic categories of being and how they relate to each other. Another central branch of metaphysics is cosmology, the study of the totality of all phenomena within the universe.
I had to laugh out loud for a moment when I read the definition of cosmology: study of the totality of all phenomena within the universe. Now that's a tall order that ought to keep egos busy until the end of life as we know it. It reminds me again that we are so totally tied up in our ego-based world of form that we believe we can find answers to fundamental questions by studying the universe. Presumably, according to this definition, cosmology would not stop studying the universe until it had teased apart every detail of life at the sub-microscopic level (viruses, bacteria, etc.) -- and at the quantum physics level -- yet still would not stop searching until the inner workings of black holes, formation of galaxies and even alternative universes proposed by string theory were all understood. Not satisfied with all of that, metaphysicians apparently also study possibilities. I think that alone would be enough to occupy all mankind for eternity!
The Good News
Lately though, it seems we've been focusing more and more attention on what is real, and that's good news for the planet.
I'm talking about the incredible reach ACIM has developed since its first printing in three volumes of 5,000 copies. Today people across the globe are spending their time learning about God, the Holy Spirit, Forgiveness and Love -- learning what is True and Real, while also beginning to realize that this world of form is nothing more than a playground for the ego-in-hiding from God. While I would not demean anyone for seeking answers about the physical universe and everything in it, nor attempt to correct it, I am very happy to see that ACIM is taking hold and spawning a whole new generation of people across the globe who seek better answers than our egos have been able to deliver.
Last night I listened to Kenneth Bok's interview with Efrat Sar-Shalom Hanegbi, the woman who made major contributions to the translation of ACIM into Hebrew. A few weeks ago Kenneth interviewed Chiao lin Cabanne who led the Course's translation into Chinese. ACIM is now available in 19 languages. It's available on-line and fully searchable, and even as an Android phone app. As an eBook, A Course in Miracles is Kindle- and Nook-ready, and will soon be available in the Google Books format.
MiracleShare.org is a Facebook-like gathering place for all students of the Course. Google+ also has attracted ACIM students from around the world. You can find many of them by searching for "A Course in Miracles" when you're logged into your Google+ account. Facebook, too, will reveal many ACIM resources.
So...with so many of us beginning to look within to find Love, Joy and God, I'd like to share the resources I've discovered that support and help me in my journey and learning "how to change my mind" instead of "trying to change the world." This list can never be complete but, for now, this is what I have. If anyone reading this has other good resources, I'd be truly grateful if you'd add them in the "comments" field that's part of this blog. Finally, I extend my apologies if I've missed posting your blog, your site or your favorite resources.
- Foundation for Inner Peace The official ACIM portal
- Foundation for A Course in Miracles Founded by Gloria and Kenneth Wapnick, perhaps the greatest Teachers of God on Earth. Subscribe to Ken's videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/FndtnACIM
- Miracle Share "Miracle Share is a loving space where students of the Course can connect, grow, discuss the Course, and learn from one another.
- "The Plain Language A Course in Miracles Mentor Liz Cronkhite has translated the Course into modern, plain English; provides an excellent newsletter each week, individual counseling and telephone study groups.
- ACIM Mentor/4 Habits for Inner Peace Here you can listen to Liz's podcast about her book, or buy her book "Four Habits for Inner Peace."
- ACIM Gather A gathering place for ACIM students that provides a Lesson Calendar and many audio recordings from ACIM teachers. Be sure to check out their "Links" page for many more links to ACIM resources.
- Miracle Distribution Center "...a worldwide educational, networking and contact center for A Course in Miracles. We publish The Holy Encounter magazine and offer many other free services to help students of A Course in Miracles connect with others and integrate the Course's principles into their daily lives.
- "Forays in Forgiveness Susan Dugan's blog and the site for interviews, classes, book reviews and many resources for ACIM students.
- A Course in Miracles Explained Kenneth Bok's excellent site provides a list of "top 10" books for ACIM students, recordings of interviews, a YouTube channel and much more.
- A Course in Miracles with Amy Torres Amy offers help in many aspects of ACIM, especially in her "Working the Workbook" -- a class that helps one stay on track with each daily Workbook assignment.