A Letter from Mary August 12-20, 2006 Hi, It was great to see you all again after having a break for a couple of weeks from our normal format of our Course In Miracles group. I wanted to share a few things with the whole group, so they would know what I have been through and how I am feeling now. I began studying A Course In Miracles when the group first began to meet again in January 2005. During the last year and 8 months my life has changed in many positive ways however the constant turmoil continued with my now ex-husband. This has been very difficult for me and a few weeks ago I reached a turning point. I felt like it was either time to fully embrace the course teachings in a new way or ... I wasn't sure what to do. My usual behavior at a point like this is to 'cut and run' and Alaska was looking really good. I had been receiving emails from Sandy Levey Lunden for a couple of years...I got another one that day. Instead of spinning out on my lunch hour about how to handle the latest e-mail (perceived attack) I called Sandy. I felt rather hopeless really. I have done years of therapy, 12 step programs, more self help books than you could possibly imagine and STILL there was this constant struggle with my ex-husband. I couldn't read the course without hearing that some how I was creating this reality...that I was choosing this. BUT HOW??? I didn't think I wanted to be constant conflict with my ex-husband but at some level I must have wanted it or it wouldn't be in my life. The knowledge that I created this reality and therefore must have picked this caused even more anxiety for me because I couldn't figure out how to unpick it. Sandy assured me that she had heard of worse situations and helped people who felt even more hopeless than I did. She encouraged me to come to her one-day Power of Clearing workshop. I went feeling pretty pessimistic...I didn't really believe it could help me because it felt like nothing could help me. Somehow I got myself there (I think the Holy Spirit did it). I felt very welcomed. So, we began the process. I was so grateful to finally find someone who had taken the concepts of the course and put them into action...this is how we forgive, NOT pardon. I could FINALLY see a tangible example of how to do it. I walked through the process and felt my perceptions changing. I watched the other people in room as they shifted from pain and suffering to joy and openness. I also attended the 3-day Choosing Freedom workshop, where we learned 22 principles for living without pain and suffering. I had such an amazing shift that I took a week off work and signed up for the Holy Relationship workshop. Just signing up for the workshop was a huge process. I had to get over the guilt of taking vacation time without my kids, asking for vacation time at the last minute (I asked on Tuesday if I could have the next week off), spending all that money ON ME, stepping away from my familiar, normal, comfortable (even if it was painful) reality etc. etc. During the workshop I experienced not only the teaching of what a Holy Relationship is but living with several other people for 9 days in Holy Relationship. That meant 100% honesty and the commitment that the Holy Spirit lives between the two people. I experienced miracles in myself and in the other people! I also had the opportunity to see how I make relationships SPECIAL. Through the eyes of the other I got to see the TRUTH of who I am. A perfect, whole, innocent and complete being of light. I feel so grateful to have had this experience!! I hope you have a wonderful day...you are the light of the world...that is your ONLY function!!! Love and light to you, Mary