Month: October 2023

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Washington’s Vision of Union

October 12, 2023 Joseph Dewey

Washington’s Vision of Union

Note: The following was originally published by Wesley Bradshaw in the National Review, Vol. 4, No. 12, December 1880.

George Washington’s Vision of Union

“The last time I ever saw Anthony Sherman was on July 4, 1859, in Independence Square. He was then 99 years old, and becoming very feeble. But though so old, his dimming eyes rekindled as he gazed upon Independence Hall, which he came to visit once more.

“‘Let us go into the hall,’ he said. ‘I want to tell you an incident of Washington’s life – one which no one alive knows of except myself; and, if you live, you will before long, see it verified.’

“‘From the opening of the Revolution we experienced all phases of fortune, now good and now ill; one time victorious and another conquered. The darkest period we had, I think, was when Washington, after several reverses, retreated to Valley Forge, where he resolved to spend the winter of 1777. Ah! I have often seen our dear commander’s care-worn cheeks, as he would be conversing with a confidential officer about the condition of his poor soldiers. You have doubtless heard the story of Washington’s going to the thicket to pray. Well, it was not only true, but he used often to pray in secret for aid and comfort from God, the interposition of whose Divine Providence brought us safely through the darkest days of tribulation.’

“‘One day, I remember well, the chilly winds whistled through the leafless trees, though the sky was cloudless and the sun shone brightly, he remained in his quarters nearly all the afternoon alone. When he came out, I noticed that his face was a shade paler than usual, and there seemed to be something on his mind of more than ordinary importance. Returning just after dusk, he dispatched an orderly to the quarters of the officer I mention who was presently in attendance. After a preliminary conversation of about half an hour, Washington, gazing upon his companion with that strange look of dignity which he alone could command said to the latter:’

“‘I do not know whether it is owing to anxiety of my mind, or what, but this afternoon, as I was sitting at this table engaged in preparing a dispatch, something seemed to disturb me. Looking up, I beheld standing opposite me a singularly beautiful female. So astonished was I, for I had given strict orders not to be disturbed, that it was some moments before I found language to inquire the cause of her presence. A second, a third, and even a fourth time did I repeat my question, but received no answer from my mysterious visitor except a slight raising of her eyes.’

“‘Presently I heard a voice saying, ‘Son of the Republic, look and learn,’ while at the same time my visitor extended her arm eastwardly. I now beheld a heavy white vapor at some distance rising fold upon fold. This gradually dissipated, and I looked upon a strange scene. Before me lay spread out in one vast plain all the countries of the world — Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. I saw rolling and tossing, between Europe and America, the billows of the Atlantic, and between Asia and America lay the Pacific.’

“‘Son of the Republic,’ said the same mysterious voice as before, ‘look and learn.’ At that moment I beheld a dark, shadowy being, like an angel, standing, or rather floating, in the hollow air, between Europe and America. Dipping water out of the ocean in the hollow of each hand, he sprinkled some upon America with his right hand while with his left hand he cast some on Europe. Immediately a cloud raised from these countries and joined in mid-ocean. For a while it remained stationary, and then moved slowly westward, until it enveloped America in its murky folds. Sharp flashes of lightning gleamed through it at intervals, and I heard the smothered groans and cries of the American people.’

“‘A second time the angel dipped water from the ocean, and sprinkled it out as before. The dark cloud was then drawn back to the ocean, in whose heaving billows it sank from view. A third time I heard the mysterious voice saying, ‘Son of the Republic, look and learn.’ I cast my eyes upon America and beheld villages and towns and cities springing up one after another until the whole land, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, was dotted with them. Again I head the mysterious voice say, ‘Son of the Republic, the end of the century cometh, look and learn.’

“‘At this the dark shadowy angel turned his face southward, and from Africa I saw an ill-omened spectre approach our land. It flitted slowly over every town and city of the latter. The inhabitants presently set themselves in battle array against each other. As I continued looking, I saw a bright angel, on whose brow rested a crown of light, on which was traced the word ‘Union,’ bearing the American flag which he placed between the divided nation, and said, ‘Remember ye are brethren.’ Instantly, the inhabitants casting from them their weapons became friends once more, and united around the National Standard.’

“‘And again I heard the mysterious voice saying, ‘Son of the Republic, look and learn.’ At this, the dark, shadowy angel placed a trumpet to his mouth and blew three distinct blasts; and taking water from the ocean, he sprinkled it upon Europe, Asia, and Africa. Then my eyes beheld a fearful scene. From each of these countries arose thick, black clouds that were soon joined into one. And throughout this mass, there gleamed a dark red light by which I saw hordes of armed men, who, moving with the cloud, marched by land and sailed by sea to America, which country was enveloped in the volume of cloud. And I dimly saw these vast armies devastate the whole country, and burn the villages, towns and cities that I beheld springing up.’

“‘As my ears listened to the thundering of the cannon, clashing of swords, and the shouts and cries of millions in mortal combat., I again heard the mysterious voice saying, ‘Son of the Republic, look and learn.’ When the voice had ceased, the dark shadowy angel placed his trumpet once more to his mouth, and blew a long and fearful blast.’

“‘Instantly a light as of a thousand suns shone down from above me, and pierced and broke into fragments the dark cloud which enveloped America. At the same moment the angel upon whose head still shone the word ‘Union,’ and who bore our national flag in one hand and a sword in the other, descended from the heavens attended by legions of white spirits. These immediately joined the inhabitants of America, who I perceived were well-nigh overcome, but who immediately taking courage again closed up their broken ranks and renewed the battle. Again, amid the fearful noise of the conflict, I heard the mysterious voice saying, ‘Son of the Republic, look and learn.’

“‘As the voice ceased, the shadowy angel for the last time dipped water from the ocean and sprinkled it upon America. Instantly the dark cloud rolled back, together with the armies it had brought, leaving the inhabitants of the land victorious.’

“‘Then once more I beheld the villages, towns and cities, springing up where I had seen them before, while the bright angel, plating the azure standard he had brought in the midst of them, cried with a loud voice: ‘While the stars remain, and the heavens send down dew upon the earth, so long shall the Union last.’ And taking from his brow the crown on which was blazoned the word ‘Union,’ he placed it upon the Standard, while the people, kneeling down, said ‘Amen.’

“‘The scene instantly began to fade and dissolve, and I at last saw nothing but the rising, curling vapor I at first beheld. This also disappearing, I found myself once more gazing upon the mysterious visitor, who in the same voice I had heard before, said, ‘Son of the Republic, what you have seen is thus interpreted. Three great perils will come upon the Republic. The most fearful is the third.’

“(The comment on his word ‘third’ is: The help against the THIRD peril comes in the shape of Divine assistance; passing which, the whole world united shall not prevail against her. Let every child of the Republic learn to live for his God, his land and Union.)’

“‘With these words the vision vanished, and I started from my seat and felt that I had seen a vision wherein had been shown me the birth, progress, and destiny of the UNITED STATES.’

“‘Such, my friends,’ concluded the venerable narrator, ‘were the words I heard from Washington’s own lips, and America will do well to profit by them.’“

After reading this a reader tells us that Snopes has declared this vision to be false

All the evidence they present is commentary on the article itself. The reader can examine the story for himself and reach his own conclusions just as well.

Whether the vision is true or false, the Union of the States was an important accomplishment in history. If the states were to have stayed divided they would have probably remained divided in philosophy during World War II with one side sympathizing with Hitler who liked slave labor himself. Chances are we would have then lost the war.

The Civil War created more repercussions than we can ever know.

Now some say it laid the seeds for bigger government. Such is a natural evolution of non molecular systems and there is no preventing this. The only question is the pace with which it proceeds. The South abused government as much or more than the North and if you take slavery into consideration the abuse was many times more. They were demanding bigger government to regulate slaves and hold the practice in place just before the war. The greatest fear of big government is slavery and that’s what the Confederacy sought to sustain. If the slaves were not freed it would have taken bigger and bigger government to control them.

It’s quite possible the story was made up, but then there is another possibility. That is Washington did have a supernatural encounter and related it to several people and Anthony Sherman was told of it by another soldier or Washington himself later on. Then when he told the story to the writer he rewrote it to make it as interesting as possible to his readers. If this is the case then we could have a mixture of truth and reality.

I do not see the vision as 100 percent accurate but I think it has seeds of truth.

It is a great advantage for a system of philosophy to be substantially true. – Santayana

Feb 6, 2008

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Discerning Sincerity

October 10, 2023 Joseph Dewey

Discerning Sincerity

After a reader questions my sincerity I say this:

Let me clear it up for you then. I am the world’s greatest expert on myself and declare to you that I am totally sincere with pure intent to serve humanity.

Those who are linked to the Oneness Principle have picked that up about me.

I might add that there are many sincere people in this group..

Sincerity is not an unusual quality for most people are sincere most of the time. Those who are not are the few who are willing to cheat or deceive to get what they want. Everyone knows within their heart if they are sincere or not. If one says he is sincere and is not then he is making a bold face lie. Thus accusing one who says he is sincere of not being sincere is calling him a liar.

Every disciple should have this quality of sincerity, but having it does not mean he is correct in what he is sincere about or on the right path. A tyrant can be sincere in his methods, but so will be a saint.

The greatest advantage of true sincerity is it will lead the seeker to acknowledge truth when it is seen and will lead to the eventual dispelling of illusion.

As far as I am concerned if a person says he is sincere then I will accept him at his word unless I have good reason not to.

A reader accurately pointed out that one can detect sincerity by using common sense, and mental discrimination.

In most cases one can accurately assess sincerity using normal methods, but without some degree of soul contact one can always be deceived by a skilled person.

Now some here think they have no soul contact whatsoever but all true seekers have it to some degree. One of the first areas where it is used is in personal relationships, first with your mate and next with good friends and associates. After you get to know someone well if you are sincere yourself you will begin to tune into them and sense their feelings, their desires and their sincerity. This can be done to a small degree or a large degree depending on the sensitivity achieved through soul contact and the amount of attention placed on discovery.

Some receive an inner confirmation about the heart of another after some time has passed in the relationship and others can receive communion through the soul about another after a short time. Sometimes it will happen on the first meeting if the soul deems it to be advantageous.

When two individuals having a high degree of soul contact meet and commune there will be a high degree of instant knowing. They will be able to peer into each other’s hearts and know of the sincerity and purity thereof. This will be a joyous experience of discovery.

Some here have tuned into my heart and mind to a degree through soul contact and others tune in intellectually. Some are more sensitive than they realize and go beyond the limits of the brain without realizing it.

Doomsday

Question: The scriptures seem to indicate great destruction followed by 1000 years of peace. How do you see events unfolding?

JJ: Unraveling, entropy and destruction is the line of least resistance. It takes much more effort to build than to destroy. This laziness shows up in humanity’s thinking of the future. It is much easier to see glorious change happening through everything being destroyed than to save humanity and create something beautiful.

There is always that danger that we could destroy ourselves in an apocalypse but the seeds of that danger are largely in the belief systems of people about the coming terrors. Energy follows thought and because there is so much thinking about the end of the world the possibility looms out there more than it should. It is amazing that we are in as good of shape as we are when you think of all the end of the world belief systems around there.

Unfortunately, the new agers are as bad as the Christians and Moslems in this for they are always setting dates for destruction whether it be Planet X, 2012 or the invasion of evil aliens.

It is the desire of the Brotherhood that we align ourselves with positive building energies and enter the new age without facing great destruction first. Remember the Son of man came not to destroy, but to save.

If the destruction that many wish for were to come it would not be followed by a glorious millennium but by a long trek back to a civilized world.

Blessed are they who have nothing to say, and who cannot be persuaded to say it. – J.R. Lowell

Feb 3, 2008

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The Word and Healing

October 8, 2023 Joseph Dewey

The Word and Healing

Reader Question: “In the Aquarian Gospel, it says that when Jesus did his healings, he spoke ‘the Word’ and the person was healed. Is this literal, meaning, he said ‘Word’ and the person was healed, or is there an actual word he said, that was not revealed in the Aquarian gospel? If there was such a word, is there any ideas on what it was? Or did I miss it in the Aquarian gospel?”

JJ: The true word is “the Word which is God” and is one of the Keys. It is not necessarily a specific word, but something spoken when the words of healing and wholeness (holiness) penetrate through the three worlds until it pierces into the spiritual or formless worlds through the soul.

The only word mentioned in the Aquarian Gospel is mentioned in the verse below, but it does not say specifically that it was the literal word that Jesus used.

Chapter 138, Verse 21: “He spoke the Word and then he said, Go to Siloam and wash, and as you wash say, Jahhevahe. This do for seven times and you shall see.”

Here are some more great comments on the Word from the Aquarian Gospel.

Chapter 23: 1 “NOW, Jesus with his friend Lamaas went through all the regions of Orissa, and the valley of the Ganges, seeking wisdom from the sudras and the visyas and the masters.

2 “Benares of the Ganges was a city rich in culture and in learning; here the two rabbonis tarried many days.

3 “And Jesus sought to learn the Hindu art of healing, and became the pupil of Udraka, greatest of the Hindu healers.

4 “Udraka taught the uses of the waters, plants and earths; of heat and cold; sunshine and shade; of light and dark.

5 “He said, The laws of nature are the laws of health, and he who lives according to these laws is never sick.

6 “Transgression of these laws is sin, and he who sins is sick.

7 “He who obeys the laws, maintains an equilibrium in all his parts, and thus insures true harmony; and harmony is health, while discord is disease.

8 “That which produces harmony in all the parts of man is medicine, insuring health.

9 “The body is a harpsichord, and when its strings are too relaxed, or are too tense, the instrument is out of tune, the man is sick.

10 “Now, everything in nature has been made to meet the wants of man; so everything is found in medical arcanes.

11 “And when the harpsichord of man is out of tune the vast expanse of nature may be searched for remedy; there is a cure for every ailment of the flesh.

12 “Of course the will of man is remedy supreme; and by the vigorous exercise of will, man way make tense a chord that is relaxed, or may relax one that is too tense, and thus may heal himself.

13 “When man has reached the place where he has faith in God, in nature and himself, he knows the Word of power; his word is balm for every wound, is cure for all the ills of life.

14 “The healer is the man who can inspire faith. The tongue may speak to human ears, but souls are reached by souls that speak to souls.

15 “He is the forceful man whose soul is large, and who can enter into souls, inspiring hope in those who have no hope, and faith in those who have no faith in God, in nature, nor in man.

16 “There is no universal balm for those who tread the common walks of life.

17 “A thousand things produce in harmony and make men sick; a thousand things may tune the harpsichord, and make men well.

18 “That which is medicine for one is poison for another one; so one is healed by what would kill another one.

19 “An herb may heal the one; a drink of water may restore another one; a mountain breeze may bring to life one seeming past all help;

20 “A coal of fire, or bit of earth, may cure another one; and one may wash in certain streams, or pools, and be made whole.

21 “The virtue from the hand or breath may heal a thousand more; but love is queen. Thought, reinforced by love, is God’s great sovereign balm.

22 “But many of the broken chords in life, and discords that so vex the soul, are caused by evil spirits of the air that men see not; that lead men on through ignorance to break the laws of nature and of God.

23 “These powers act like demons, and they speak; they rend the man; they drive him to despair.

24 “But he who is a healer, true, is master of the soul, and can, by force of will, control these evil ones.

25 “Some spirits of the air are master spirits and are strong, too strong for human power alone; but man has helpers in the higher realms that may be importuned, and they will help to drive the demons out.

26 “Of what this great physician said, this is the sum. And Jesus bowed his head in recognition of the wisdom of this master soul, and went his way.”

Chapter 95, Verse 37:

“The heavens and earth that are will change and pass away; the word of God is sure; it cannot pass until it shall accomplish that where unto it hath been sent.”

Chapter 122, Verse 6:

“And then he breathed upon the twelve and said, Receive the Holy Breath. 7 And then he gave them each the Word of power, and said, By this Omnific Word you shall cast spirits out, shall heal the sick and bring the dead to life again.”

Chapter 130:

16 “Lord, why could we not heal this child? We spoke the Word; but even that was powerless.

17 “And Jesus said, Your great success in all your former work has made you careless, and you forgot to recognise the power of God.

18 “Without the spirit of the Word, the Word is like an idle tale; and you forgot to pray.

19 “There is no faith without the prayer of faith. Faith is the wings of prayer; but wings alone fly not.

20 “By prayer and faith you can bring down the mountain peaks, and cast them in the sea; the little hills will skip about like lambs at your command.

21 “This failure may be well for you. The great lessons that are learned in life come through the failures that are made.”

Chapter 148:

32 “My Father-God, thou who hast ever heard my prayers, I thank thee now, and that these multitudes may know that thou hast sent me forth, that I am thine and thou art mine, make strong the Word of power.

33 “And then he spoke the Word, and in a voice that souls can comprehend, he said, O Lazarus, awake!

34 “And Lazarus arose and came out of the tomb. The grave clothes were about him fast, and Jesus said,

35 “Loose him and let him go.”

I regret often that I have spoken; never that I have been silent. – Syrus

Jan 30, 2008

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Seeking Unity

October 6, 2023 Joseph Dewey

Seeking Unity

A reader quotes me as follows:

“In a higher state of evolution, we can inspire people to unify under a common ideal or a common idea. Nothing is as powerful as a great idea whose time has come. Not even force. Not even the threat of a common enemy. How do we lift people to a higher state of evolution? By teaching and inspiring by example.”

He then voices frustration over our political divisions – that it seems as if we can never come together.

The truth of the matter is in our current state of evolution both extremes are dangerous and suffocate progress. The points you brought up indeed highlight the need for greater unity. At this point in time the free world, especially the United States, is at a point of friction not seen since the Civil War. We can’t expect full unity but it is true that a powerful leader could unite the majority. We must keep in mind that such a leader could be one that takes us to the light or dark, backwards or forwards in progress.

Perhaps the greatest unity seen among free peoples was during World War II. An unprecedented percentage of people saw the true enemy of freedom, which was Hitler, Nazism and totalitarianism. This united vision was a great accomplishment for humanity. As terrible as Nazism was its evils could not have been apparent in past ages. It was a huge stepping stone toward the new age that free humanity caught a glimpse of true evil and called it what it truly was. Just a few hundred years earlier Hitler could have been hailed as a world savior and Nazism seen as a glorious movement.

The united effort of the Allies did not come painlessly. Before Pearl Harbor over 80 percent of Americans did not want to enter the war, but after being awakened to this attack the percentage was reversed, even though there was a strong antiwar movement. We achieved a great unity because we had a clear enemy, a clear threat and we knew what we had to do to achieve victory.

One of the problems of achieving unity today is that everyone sees a different enemy. After the 911 attack we as a nation saw a common enemy for a few weeks. Then, shortly thereafter, conspiracy theories started to surface, as well as partisan bickering, so that now terrorism is seen as a minor police problem by a high percentage and President, the government, bankers, the military, Zionism, Republicans, Democrats and shadowy figures are seen as a greater threat than the terrorists. The line between good and evil is blurred and there is no clear enemy or hero for the majority.

If we get a president that is a real leader and can inspire us to good then some healing can occur but I believe that we are approaching a time that a real unity must come from within. The people themselves must take the initiative, set goals and work toward change that the greater majority can support.

For instance national polls point out that there are quite a number of issues that more than 60 percent of the people would support, but our leaders drag their feet because of the Washington mindset who try to impose their own views rather than truly representing the people. I’m going to present some ideas for change that will appeal to the majority in future writings in the hope of starting the ball rolling.

Lincoln – a Tyrant?

A reader asked when Ron Paul expressed an opinion that Abraham Lincoln was a tyrant.

On “Meet the Press” Dec 23, 2007, he said this concerning Lincoln:

“No, he shouldn’t have gone, gone to war. He did this just to enhance and get rid of the original intent of the republic. I mean, it was the — that iron, iron fist….”

He didn’t quite finish this statement but the “iron fist” remark indicates he was headed toward calling Lincoln a tyrant and then withdrew.

Paul has publicly endorsed books by Thomas E. Woods and Thomas DiLorenzo that call Lincoln a tyrant and has been associated with secessionist organizations such as the Ludwig von Mises Institute which sees Lincoln as a tyrant.

A number of followers have stated they have heard Paul directly call Lincoln a tyrant.

I personally consider Lincoln to be one of our least tyrannical presidents, probably less than Washington or Jefferson, considering the difficult time in which he presided.

Many only look at the restrictive measures imposed by the North during the war but if you examine the South you’ll find that Jefferson Davis and southern leaders imposed more restriction and penalties on their citizens than did the North. The fact is that when a seeming war of survival is at stake one can expect measures enacted by both sides that would seem tyrannical in times of peace.

“By their fruits you shall know them.” — Lincoln’s fruit was the freedom of the slaves, definitely not the legacy of a tyrant.

It is an equal failing to trust everybody and trust nobody. – Thomas Fuller

Jan 27, 2008

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The Present in This World and the Eternal

October 5, 2023October 5, 2023 Joseph Dewey

The Present in This World and the Eternal

I asked this question a few days ago which was:

If a person has memory loss with dementia or Alzheimer’s, is he in the same type of consciousness of the eternal present as an inhabitant of heaven?

My wife and I took care of my mother-in-law, who had dementia, for about ten years, and in her last couple years her memory loss was nearly complete as she did not even recognize her own daughter.

Though she was living as much in the present as much as possible while in the body it was certainly not a state that anyone I know would desire to replicate.

I will say this, however – that her situation was not all negative. When she earlier had her full mental capacities, she was a big worrier and a lot of small things bothered her, but when she lost her memory, she worried over nothing and nothing bothered her. She couldn’t remember anything to be concerned about. She did live out the last couple years in a certain state of peace.

Even so, this was certainly not a situation that anyone I know would aspire to.

On the other hand, if one superficially reads A Course in Miracles, it would appear that this state of just being in the present is where we will be after we awaken and enter heaven.

When one witnesses the life of one with severe memory loss, then, is it any wonder there are fears about leaving this world and letting go of time as we know it?

To allay those fears, it is of great importance that ACIM students understand what true present time in the eternal world really is, and how it is different from memory loss as we know it.

The primary difference is in awareness. The person with disabled memory in this world has very little awareness of this world, let alone the eternal one, and thus the life has a low or diminished quality. Our memory in this world is linked to perception and the Course says that “perception involves partial awareness.” Then it goes on to say that “Knowledge transcends the laws governing perception, because partial knowledge is impossible.” T-3.V.8

The one with memory loss is this world is unaware of not only this world, but the eternal one. Those in heaven are aware of all things that have a real existence. For instance: In the Eternal World we will be one with “the Christ Mind which is aware of the knowledge that lies beyond perception.” T-5.I.5

This knowledge includes a full understanding of the love of God, eternal peace, our true self, our oneness with God and our brothers, the will of God, and, above all, the power we share with God to create.

This quote from the Course gives us a good idea of the awareness of master souls who are awake and are in the real Eternal Now.

“No one can call on them in vain. Nor is there anyone of whom they are unaware. All needs are known to them, and all mistakes are recognized and overlooked by them.” M-26.2

Sounds like a fully awake soul indeed has an awareness which is different than a forced focus of the present through memory loss.

Let us contemplate the differences between the experiencing of present time in this world and the eternal one.

In addition to memory loss, some grasp of present time can be had by students with normal memories. This happens in what the Course says is the “holy instant,” which is “a miniature of Heaven, sent you from Heaven.” T-17.IV.11

But because we are in this world governed by time it seems almost impossible to stay in the present, as noted here:

“The experience of an instant, however compelling it may be, is easily forgotten if you allow time to close over it. It must be kept shining and gracious in your awareness of time, but not concealed within it.” T-17.V.12

It sounds like the best we can do while still in the body with an “awareness of time” is to keep our focus on the present of the holy instant as much as possible while still functioning in time. After all, most of us need to use our memories of the past to function and survive in this world.

In the eternal world we do not have to deal with the distraction of time with three aspects, but in an eternal reality, where there is no past or future as we know it, but only present time, there are no distractions and our focus is only on the Eternal Now.

In addition to being aware of the Eternal Now we are aware of all things in real creation as well as share and communicate with all the Sons of God.

Sounds like the present apart from time will be much more complete than it is in this world as noted here:

“His emphasis is therefore on the only aspect of time that can extend to the infinite, for now is the closest approximation of eternity that this world offers.” T-13.IV.7

In this world, even after enjoying the Holy Instant, we only grasp an “approximation of eternity” but in the true reality we will not have the distraction of the past. We will not need the past for all knowledge will always be available at all times.

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Time in Heaven

October 3, 2023 Joseph Dewey

Time in Heaven

“Is there time in heaven?” is a question asked by many students of A Course in Miracles as well as other teachings. Most ACIM students believe there is no time in heaven, but some think there is, so the first question to solve is, why is there not agreement on this?

The answer lies in the context where time is discussed. When the Course speaks of time as it exists in our world it talks about it as if it were not real and just an illusion, created by our belief. It also specifies two things that are not real about our time which are the past and the future.

So if someone were to say that there is no time as we know it in heaven then they would be correct.

But time as we know it has not just the two aspects, but three. They are the past, present and future.

The Course tells us the past and future are based on illusion, but nowhere does it say this about the present.

Many forget that the present time is also time, even one of the three aspects in our world. This single aspect of time indeed exists in heaven and is even called time by the Course:

“The present is the only time there is.” W-pI.164.1

“Your mind cannot grasp the present, which is the only time there is.” W-pI.8.1

“The only aspect of time that is eternal is now.” T-5.III.6

“The present now remains the only time. Here in the present is the world set free.” W-pI.132.3

Thus, there is time in heaven, but time with only one aspect rather than three and is an “aspect of time that is eternal.”

That covers that problem but other aspects of time are more complex such as: “How does time in heaven work?”

For instance, we are told there is creation going on all the time. Before the separation there was no Holy Spirit and then to salvage His sleeping sons we are told that God created this being. We are also told that we will create additional sons and extend the kingdom. There seems to be a before and after in all creation.

How could this be when the only time there in existence is the eternal present? Think of it – if one is only in present time then all that exists would be as if it had always existed because there is no past.

PRESENT TIME

To continue this discussion on time beyond the mundane let us remember that A Course in Miracles affirms that there is time in heaven.

“The only aspect of time that is eternal is now.” T-5.III.6

Yes, I know that there are instances that the Course tells us that time is an illusion and does not exist, but in such cases, it is talking about time as we know it here which includes the past, present and future. That basis of time does not exist in heaven, but out of those three aspects the present time is real and exists always.

Now the question is this: How does time work in heaven?

It is interesting that some think we should not even be contemplating such a mystery, but the importance of understanding how present time works will be seen as extremely valuable when we understand that moving to present time is a key to waking up.

“In the holy instant, you see in each relationship what it will be when you perceive only the present.” T-15.V.8

“Fear is not of the present, but only of the past and future, which do not exist. There is no fear in the present when each instant stands clear and separated from the past, without its shadow reaching out into the future. Each instant is a clean, untarnished birth, in which the Son of God emerges from the past into the present. And the present extends forever.” T-15.I.8

So, present time “extends forever.” Interestingly the Course actually gives us some clues as to how this works.

One clue is given in this quote:

“the miracle entails a sudden shift from horizontal to vertical perception. This introduces an interval from which the giver and receiver both emerge farther along in time than they would otherwise have been. The miracle thus has the unique property of abolishing time to the extent that it renders the interval of time it spans unnecessary.” T-1.II.6

Then we are told that guilt “depends on one-dimensional time, proceeding from past to future. No one who believes this can understand what ‘always’ means.” T-13.I.8

Time as we know it is on a horizontal axis. In other words, it moves from left to right or from the past to the future. On the other hand, eternal or present time is on a vertical axis and moves the opposite by extension in increments called “instances.”

Instead of moving in one direction as in this world, time moves in all directions. And “extends the present rather than the past.” T-13.IV.9, and “the present extends forever.” T-15.I.8

This principle of extension, which is similar to expansion or increase, is used often in the Course in relation to heaven, God and creation for “God creates by extension.” T-11.in.3

A problem in understanding heavenly time and creation comes from the passages that indicate there is no change in heaven. The conundrum occurs when we are told that there is creation but no change. For instance, there was no Holy Spirit before the separation, but when the problem occurred God created this being. How can heaven be changeless when there are changes like that?

This passage gives the amazing explanation.

“What is timeless is always there, because its being is eternally changeless. It does not change by increase, because it was forever created to increase.” T-7.I.7

This is a very interesting statement. It tells us that God’s creations are “timeless” and “eternally changeless” yet “forever created to increase.”

In other words, change is happening in the eternal present, but the actual change caused by extension or increase is always there and is incorporated into the Course’s definition of changelessness. The change or expansion created by extension is always unchangingly going on, so, from the eternal perspective, it is not change.

One could say that in heaven the only thing that doesn’t change is change itself and that change is eternal creation by “extension” and “increase.”

We’ve covered some good food for thought here, but there are more teachings from the Course about how time works in heaven. I find it quite interesting and I think you will also as more is presented.

AN INSTANT OF PRESENT TIME

In my posts concerning time we have established that there is time in heaven, just not time as we know it with a past and future. Instead: “The present now remains the only time.” W-pI.132.3

But how can there be time in heaven if there is no change there?

To the contrary there is change because there is ongoing eternal creation as God extends or expands the universe. Let us examine this quote again:

“What is timeless is always there, because its being is eternally changeless. It does not change by increase, because it was forever created to increase.” T-7.I.7

We are told here that what does not change is the change, of “increase.” The ongoing changes wrought by continual creation changes not.

Creation is like a balloon that is always being blown up and made larger. The process is never changing, but there is change from the view that the balloon is always expanding.

The next thing to consider is how present time is extended. We are told that the extension happens in increments called an “instant.” ACIM even says that “This instant is the only time there is.” Lesson308

This statement harmonizes with the teaching that “The present is the only time there is.” W-pI.164.1 for all holy instances occur in present time as explained here:

“Each instant is a clean, untarnished birth, in which the Son of God emerges from the past into the present. And the present extends forever.” T-15.I.8

So, when we enter the heavenly time of an instant we emerge “from the past into the present.”

The question now is how long is an instant?

Normally an instant is considered a very short period where something quickly happens or is realized and the Course uses this normal usage when talking about things of this world. It uses it differently though when referring to heavenly time. In this case, an instant can be virtually no time or something that lasts millions of years.

For instance, we are told that the entire process of the separation and the millions of years involved only lasted an instant.

“The tiny tick of time in which the first mistake was made, and all of them within that one mistake, held also the Correction for that one, and all of them that came within the first. And in that tiny instant time was gone, for that was all it ever was.” T-26.V.3

“The tiny instant you would keep and make eternal, passed away in Heaven too soon for anything to notice it had come.” T-26.V.4

Our world itself is created from an instant “borrowed from eternity.”

“so the whole of Heaven lies in this instant, borrowed from eternity and set in time for you.” T-17.IV.11

I think it is safe to say that an instant in heaven is the realization of an event and that event is not related to the past or future as we know it, but is fully experienced in the present. The whole separation was an event, but the main event that occurs in reality is the extension of heaven by the creation of additional sons.

When an event called extension happens, we move from one instant to another for we are told that “Whenever we move from one instant to the next, the previous one no longer exists.” UR T 3 C 34

Consider how this is different from this world. In this world when you have a child you will often be influenced and still live in your past when you had no child.

In heaven when an additional son is created there is no past so the son is seen as having no beginning as if the previous instant never was. Thus all creation is seen as being always there for there is no past.

Therefore, all things in heaven exist only in the present which will never end and when a new creation comes along it is as if it always was for the previous instant was replaced with a new one.

This is not only an interesting subject to contemplate, but an important one for we must experience present time in the Holy Instant to wake up. If we can therefore get a grasp of how present time and the instances involved work, we gain a greater ability to embrace and experience true reality.

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More On Handwriting

October 1, 2023 Joseph Dewey

More On Handwriting

A reader asks: Do you do the analysis yourself and how does it work? How do you explain that my handwriting changes periodically?

Yes, I do the analysis myself as I have over 40 years’ experience.

The slant of your handwriting will change with your mood and the size by your focus but little else.

My ex-wife worked for a large corporation and for a while was asked to select new employees. I told her to bring me the applications and I would pick the best ones. She came home with about a hundred of them and I picked a half dozen good ones. After doing this for a while management was quite impressed with the quality of people she caused to be hired.

On a humorous note, one time I thought I would try and do this professionally and went to the main guy at Albertsons Grocery stores in charge of hiring. After I explained what I could do he gave me a sample to analyze. I said some negative things about whoever wrote it including that he was overbearing and any employees under him would have a difficult time.

He then mumbled that he would think over my proposal and get back to me.

On the way out I noticed several secretaries were quietly laughing. I stopped and asked one of them what was so funny. She whispered to me: “We heard your analysis and the handwriting belongs to him and everything you said was exactly right! We are so glad someone told him what he is really like.”

I immediately realized that I wasn’t going to get a call back from this guy.

It works because handwriting is merely frozen action and just as you can analyze a person from watching his actions you can even do it faster by looking at his frozen actions in his writing.

Back in my college days I used to analyze people during lunch. I found that when I analyzed one person that almost every day thereafter someone was bringing me something new to analyze. One of my roommates was very skeptical and kept trying to convince everyone that I was not accurate. He kept saying that I was too general and what I said could apply to anyone. It seemed that no matter how impressed others were that he was unfazed and demanded I be more specific. I think part of the problem was he was very religious and had read in some LDS publication that handwriting analysis was not endorsed by the church.

He started getting on my nerves so I looked for an opportunity to turn the tables on him. One day I had my chance. Since we lived in the same house I passed his desk on a regular basis and looked at his handwriting from time to time. One day I noticed that his handwriting on his desk revealed his nervous system was adversely affected as often happens just before a cold or flu shows up. I went a little out on a limb and said to him:

“I just glanced at your handwriting and it tells me that you will be coming down with a cold in about two days.”

He gave me a look that said, “Yeah, right.”

Then exactly two days later I passed his bunk and noticed he was dead to the world. I asked him if he was OK and he told me he had his worst cold in years.

I then reminded him of what I had seen in his handwriting and asked him if I was specific enough this time.

He reluctantly admitted that I was pretty specific this time.

I could write about many more interesting experiences but this will suffice for now.

Meaning in Words

I received some resistance to the teaching that the hidden meaning in words is not a coincidence. For instance, related words often rhyme, like womb and tomb

To this another reader stated that words like “June and “Moon” rhyme, but have no connection.

Then I pointed out that there is a connection, often beyond the obvious. Where sounds in particular are similar there are always esoteric similarities of some kind.

For instance, June is the month associated with marriage and romance and so is the moon. June is named after the Roman goddess Juno, goddess of marriage and the well-being of women. The moon is also associated with the feminine principle.

Some similarities may be accidental but most are not. The reason lies in the science of sound itself and the fact that our inner selves sense certain meanings in sound.

Just one example. When something terrible happens we will often shout out “No…!” Other times we will shout “Oh No!” It is no coincidence that both words have the hard “O” for they are both making a similar soul statement.

Question: How about other languages? Are they missing out on the word relationships?

No, they are not missing out at all. Other languages will have esoteric meaning embedded in sounds of various words, but they will be different words and a study of corresponding sounds in any language will bring light on meaning of importance to that culture.

The words “womb” and “tomb” in other languages may not sound so similar, but if the correspondence has meaning to that culture then it will be found somewhere in the language.

There is a great mystery behind the sounds of words themselves and is the basis for a future Key.

In addition to meanings being hidden in sounds that go beyond surface meaning all languages also have subtle meanings hidden in various words and phrases. One DK mentions several times is the word “disease.” He separates it as “dis-ease” which gives the subtle meaning of not being at ease as being one of the causes of disease.

Another one is atonement which separates into “at-one-ment” giving the inner meaning of an event happening at one moment or instant in time.

Here are some others to ponder:

Enjoy = in joy.

Forgiving = for giving we forgive and are forgiven.

Entrance = in trance.

Evil = Live in reverse.

Righteousness = right use

See if you can come up with additional ones.

“Maybe in order to understand mankind, we have to look at the word itself: ‘Mankind.’ Basically, it’s made up of two separate words — ‘mank and ‘ind.’ What do these words mean ? It’s a mystery, and that’s why so is mankind.” — Jack Handy

Jan 29, 2008

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