One Voice Publications

A Course in Miracles and The Way of Mastery in a Nutshell

Introduction

The message of ACIM is simple: we choose to live in a world of duality; a world where opposites seem to exist, like good and evil, God and Devil, right and wrong, heaven and hell. This world must be unreal. It must be an illusion, since we are but an extension of God (Oneness, All That Is). As this extension, we cannot leave our Source. We remain united always with this Source as is every apparent separate one and every apparent everything.

Love is the feeling that reminds us of this connection. So, through our willingness to see only love and be only love, we return to the full knowing of our true beingness. We now know that we are as God created (extended) us to be. We are but Love expressed in endless variations.

The Way of Mastery is one of our Sacred(United)Heart’s way of discovering this Fullness of Self. It lays out a method for the practice of this knowing of Self in the world of duality. This is done not by thinking, doing or learning but simply by allowing all to be as it shows up for us. Thereby, we are allowing the true nature of all, as simply one of the infinite varieties of Love, to shows its true self to us. Everything is now simply a unique variety of the Love extended (creation) by the One Creator.

A Course in Miracles and The Way of Mastery in a Nutshell

Introduction
The message of ACIM is simple: we choose to live in a world of duality; a world where opposites seem to exist, like good and evil, God and Devil, right and wrong, heaven and hell. This world of duality must be unreal. It must be an illusion, since we are but an extension of God (Oneness, All That Is). As this extension, we cannot leave our Source. Our Source is the Creator’s Love, so we must be this Love as well. All that could possibly be must be a creation of this Loving extension. Whatever appears as non-love must therefore be illusion.
When we feel Love we are reminded of this connection. So, through our willingness to see only love and be only love, we return to the full knowing of our true beingness. This becomes the experience of unconditional love....devoid of judgment. Then we can know ourselves as God created (extended) us to be. We, then, in this new now know everything as but Love expressed in endless variations.
The Way of Mastery is our Sacred(United)Heart’s way of discovering this Fullness of Self. It lays out a method for the practice of this knowing of Self in the world of duality. This is not done by thinking, doing or learning but simply by allowing all to be as it shows up for us in duality. Thereby, we allow the true nature of all, as simply one of the infinite varieties of Love, to show its true self to us. Everything is now simply a unique variety of the Love extended (creation) by the One Creator. We are moving from duality “now” to oneness "now." “Now” exists in oneness not as a part of a time line going from past to future but as a single created event to be enjoyed and embraced as an expression of the Love we are.
This One Creator created 'us' as One creation, an image of Itself. 'We' are One even as 'we' appear as the many. 'We' are literally the expression of the Creator endowed with the ability to desire and thus form new expressions of the Creator's Love. All of this One creation will ultimately express the reality of Oneness within time/space. When a critical mass of apparently separate beings awaken to this Oneness, space/time will cease to exist. We will have stopped playing in duality. Duality will become but a remembered dream. We will now know ourselves fully as One with God the Creator.
The simplicity of ACIM and The Way of Mastery is expressed as concise as possible in 365 (one for each day) brief “goodies”* of truisms. The reader is encouraged to read only one “goodie” a day and to live each day asking Holy Spirit to reveal the meaning of this “goodie” coming from our whole mind and full heart.
*In the deep South the meat inside a nutshell is called a “goodie.”

Here is a story or two to help you understand the simplicity of it all:

Letting Them Know How Important They Are

One day a teacher asked her students to list the names of the other students in the room on two sheets of paper, leaving a space between each name.
Then
she told them to think of the nicest thing they could say about each of
their classmates and write it down.
It
took the remainder of the class period to finish their assignment, and as
the students left the room, each one handed in the papers.
That
Saturday, the teacher wrote down the name of each student on a separate
sheet of paper, and listed what everyone else had said about that
individual..
On
Monday she gave each student his or her list.. Before long, the entire class
was smiling. 'Really?' she heard whispered. 'I never knew that I meant
anything to anyone!' and, 'I didn't know others liked me so much,' were most
of the comments.
No
one ever mentioned those papers in class again. She never knew if they
discussed them after class or with their parents, but it didn't matter. The
exercise had accomplished its purpose. The students were happy with
themselves and one another. That group of students moved on.
Several
years later, one of the students was killed in Viet
Nam and his teacher attended the funeral of that
special student. She had never seen a serviceman in a military coffin
before... He looked so handsome, so mature.
The
church was packed with his friends. One by one those who loved him took a
last walk by the coffin. The teacher was the last one to bless the
coffin..
As
she stood there, one of the soldiers who acted as pallbearer came up to her.
'Were you Mark's math teacher?' he asked. She nodded: 'yes.' Then he said:
'Mark talked about you a lot.'
After
the funeral, most of Mark's former classmates went together to a luncheon.
Mark's mother and father were there, obviously waiting to speak with his
teacher.
We
want to show you something,' his father said, taking a wallet out of his
pocket 'They found this on Mark when he was killed. We thought you might
recognize it.'
Opening
the billfold, he carefully removed two worn pieces of notebook paper that
had obviously been taped, folded and refolded many times. The teacher knew
without looking that the papers were the ones on which she had listed all
the good things each of Mark's classmates had said about him.
'Thank
you so much for doing that,' Mark's mother said. 'As you can see, Mark
treasured it.'
All
of Mark's former classmates started to gather around. Charlie smiled rather
sheepishly and said, 'I still have my list. It's in the top drawer of my
desk at home.'
Chuck's
wife said, 'Chuck asked me to put his in our wedding
album.'
'I
have mine too,' Marilyn said. 'It's in my
diary'
Then
Vicki, another classmate, reached into her pocketbook, took out her wallet
and showed her worn and frazzled list to the group. 'I carry this with me at
all times,' Vicki said and without batting an eyelash, she continued: 'I
think we all saved our lists'

That's
when the teacher finally sat down and cried.
Author Unknown

I had tears and a lump in my throat as I read this and it reminded me of two other experiences I had of a similar nature.....

Back in 1966 when I first started working as a school psychologist in Paramus, NJ Public Schools I was assigned to an elementary school principled by Mr. Ed Riggola. Each time I visited his school we would sit together and he would tell me of all the students, teachers, or classes who he would like me to look into, observe or talk to. It was a very happy group of teachers and students for the most part and they were always welcoming and open to any interventions I suggested. One day Ed gave me the secret of his leadership role with students, faculty and parents. He said “I always try to catch then doing something right and let them know that I noticed.” Great advice and I use it to this day in all my relationships.

Also, I was reminded of a technique Jeshua taught me. He said that if you wanted to give someone you are in close relationship with a gift they will be sure to treasure, secretly record all the loving things and caring things you observe them doing over a period of time. Write these on fancy paper and wrap with a bow and give it to them as a present. “It is a gift there they will always remember and treasure, “ he said. I did it with my wife and she never forgot that present.
michael

About the Author and Contributors
Michael Carluccio is the main conduit for these “goodies. He is a 78 year old grandfather of 12 and counting (two currently on the way).He has been and still is happily married to his wife, Constance for the past 24 years and counting. He is a retired school psychologist, elementary school teacher and adjunct professor at various colleges and universities. He now spends most of his time, apart from much time spent with family and traveling, writing books of a spiritual self-help nature. He has published with Denisa Nelson and Anne DiDomenico four books filled with the energies of Jeshua.
Anne is currently contributing to this book and assisting in the editing and proof reading. Others are invited to contribute or edit as well…… names to be continually added since this is a work of love in constant creation.

Goodies Cracked Open from Their Shells

I suggest you try reading only one ‘goodie” a day. Select the one that calls out to you each day. Recall this saying throughout the day. Always asking the Holy Spirit Within to have you know the meaning this ‘goodie” has for you. You might begin by writing it on piece of paper or in a small notepad to be used for these “goodies” alone.

1. Big Difference

between talking or writing
about something
and experiencing something

2. Simplicity

simplicity is so satisfying
every moment offers you
the opportunity to see
the love that is at the core of all
anything that appears unlike love
is but the smoke of illusion
that hides the truth
and forms itself into
forms of unreality

3.Truth is Simple
The truth is true
We are one
The truth is true
We are invulnerable
The truth is true
We are!!!
Nothing else is true

4.Just Breathe

breathe in unformed love
breathe out Love
in any form you desire

5. Simple Life
1. what a simple life to lead.
simply bless all
simply allow all
then you will have all
as your blessed beings
become your blessed gift
to yourself

6. There Is Only God

When you make
the simple choice
to release resistance,
you discover
that all along
there has only been
God.

7. Know Only Love

be not of this world…. but instead
be as the child
in a field of beauty
moving with the wind….
soaring with the birds….
be not of this world…. but instead
know thy innocence….
the simplicity of joy in every moment
delighting in the creativity
that extends from a mind
that knows only Love.

8. Ascension

with each wave that recedes
from the shoreline of your soul
love is dissolving more unlike itself
back into itself
thus, the next wave that comes rushing
to the awareness of your being
brings with it more and more
of that which it is…
the silence
in between
is creation

9. Heaven

experiencing heaven is not complicated
it is always present
thoughts of unworthiness cloud its view
accepting ourselves as being in the fullness of love
dissolves the clouds
declaring that we are fully loved and loving
in spite of feelings and thoughts to the contrary
allows the truth of our being to manifest
that is how powerful is our creative power

10. One Problem
“The thought of separation”
Brings:
Conflict
Disease
Death
One solution
“The Thought of unity”
Brings:
Peace
Well-being
Eternal life

Your choice!!!

11. Knowing
to experience knowledge
is to be willing not to know anything
but be willing to let knowing
pass thru you as only love
expressed or disguised

12. Doing
you need do nothing
to awaken
but you may do something
whenever you wish

13. Insanity

all thoughts of separation are insane
this is the world of duality
only thoughts of unity are sane
this is the world of love

14. Words, Sentences, Paragraphs, Chapters, Books

letters are
but separating symbols

spaces in between
is where
love connects

15. My Heart

i think my thoughts
are me
while my heart just
lets me be

16. Appearances

all appearances are neutral
cancer is but an appearance in duality
we must put meaning into it
most see it as negative and an illness
i choose to see it as an opportunity
to be and see love
therefore, that is the way it shows up for me

17. Lasting Relationships
not made up
of interesting people
but of people
interested in one another
18. Meaning
every thing,
every thought
is neutral.
we attach
meaning.
19. The Problem with Correcting Others
thinking there is someone (something) separate from me.
Not True
trying to change them or their thinking saves me in some way from pain.
Not True
only my own declaring “at-one-ment” as mine saves me from pain
True.

20. God

is responsible for all
the wind that blows
the sea that rises and falls
the birds that sing
the trees that grow
the stars that shine
and of course for me

21. All Is One

God is within all
God is Love
of course so are we all

22. Blessings

when we bless all
that is unlike love,
we remove the veil.

23. Choosing Love

when i choose love,
i choose freedom
and my heart has wings.

when i choose love…
what appears unlike love dissolves
and the veil is removed

24. The Mind

must serve the heart in all ways…
for the heart
when allowed to live its truth
seeks to extend itself to all

25. All You See…

without exclusion…
is you, dear one

all life….
all is You

26. Free Your Self

from the one choice
you have made
that imprisons you….

release your self
from the prison of judgment….

27. There Is Nothing to Do but This:

bless all
love all
extend all to all

all else is illusion

28. Look

at what is unfolding before you,
and know that all is occurring
for the highest good of all
and you experience Love
when Y_O_U
make the decision for it

29. Two Kinds of Thinking

figurative with ego in charge
and filled with mechanizations
and secret calculations

the other meditatively thinking
comes not from head
but from our heart's sweet bed

you sit in silence
and allow the flow
feeling breezes of wind that blow

just sit and love
and all will come
to take you to places
where only love will grow

30. Two Worlds

duality
oneness
bless both
only oneness remains

.
31. All I Seek

is contained within me

when all belief ends
knowing begins
in duality we blame God,
in Oneness we are God.
therefore all i seek
is contained within me

32. When
you know your true self
you know that all you allow
all you forgive
is but yourself

33. Perfection

Trust in perfection
perfect form
perfect place
perfect event

God does not make junk
or put you in the trunk

34. The Seeker

who is the seeker
but the peeker
into a world that can't exist
you are always what you are
completely whole
completely loved

35. Forgiveness

forgiveness is never for the other
but for the One who thinks of evil
which is you in denial of Self

36. Love
is always there with you
as it is you
you experience Love
when Y_O_U
make the decision for it

37. Will

your will is God’s will

there is only one will…

for you are the extension
of the Creative Principle

38. Your heart

know your heart…
this is where your truth lies

39. Judgment

when you understand that judgment
creates pain and suffering
you will release it

40. Love’s Presence

be willing to see love’s presence
where before you saw only lack

41. Default Settings

is all past regrets, judgments and condemnations

delete

by changing settings

each day

to seeing only love and being only love
then nothing but joy and peace.

42. At-One-ment

I enter each relationship
in the name of God which is but Love
seeing it in every apparent other
who presents me to me
this is the atonement
i gladly embrace

43. Grace Unasked

you do not need to seek peace
you do not need to seek love
you only need is to seek your Fullest Self
in that space love and peace
come with grace unasked

#44 Still Water

we are like powdered milk
- condensed juice
all that is needed
is the purity of still water
to bring us to
the fullness of Self

#45 Darkness

walking in darkness
knowing something is there
yet sight does not see
what ears may hear
and touch may tell
a guide is needed
to find my way
to the source of light
that will swish away
the darkened day
I call upon the light within
and listen and touch
with love
all in my dark world
where I have been
blessing all I come upon
until the holy instant
when the light within
burst forth to brighten
all my world
with the truth of love
the light extends
into every nook and cranny
of the darkened world
my sightlessness pretends
as real
Michael,
That is beautiful.
Peace,
Monica

#46 The Song and Dance of Love

I swing along each day
Noticing what ‘others ‘do and say
Seeing but love in all
Thus I see my way to find the light
That heaven brings to all who join our
Song and dance of love

Dear Michael, I am new to this group so haven't posted or responded much yet. However, I want you to know this: my life is seemingly very busy at times and I don't seem to have time to read all of the NTI posts. The long ones especially seem daunting at times. But I find it very easy to take your beautiful succinct words to heart and then get back to what needs to be done...until such a time as the mind can remain in stillness while responsibilities are still accomplished. So thank you very much for all these beautiful short pearls of wisdom! With love and peace, elle
i love these short ones the best......no thinking involved!! Anne
#47 Earth and Heaven

are but the same
the earth is but a veiled
and darkened version
of heaven we all may claim
as the Son of the Father
of all creation

#48 My Two Hearts

i know the Voice of Love
to be within my sacred heart
the heart i share with all
the other heart sustains me
in the form i choose to show
and through this separate form
my sacred heart reveals
to all the world the face of Love
welcoming all to come home
to this shared heart of God
expressed as my shining face

#49 Words Are Empty Without Love

understanding my words means nothing
practicing forgiveness means everything
when you know
that it is but yourself you forgiveWords Are Empty Without Love

understanding my words means nothing
practicing forgiveness means everything
when you know
that it is but yourself you forgive

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