In this video, authors “Dr. Bob” a.k.a. Robert Rosenthal, M.D. and Bruce Rawles talk improvisationally about A Course In Miracles (ACIM) with no set topic … yet covering plenty of interesting territory. Dr. Bob is the author of three excellent unique books about ACIM: From Loving One to One Love: Transforming Relationships Through A Course In Miracles, From Never-Mind to Ever-Mind, and From Plagues to Miracles.
Here are a few quotes we shared and commented on from the Course, starting with a prayer that works wonderfully whenever one begins any shared endeavor; we just need to ask Holy Spirit for help!
“You can do much on behalf of your own healing and that of others if, in a situation calling for help, you think of it this way:I am here only to be truly helpful.
I am here to represent Him Who sent me.
I do not have to worry about what to say or what to do, because He Who sent me will direct me.
I am content to be wherever He wishes, knowing He goes there with me.
I will be healed as I let Him teach me to heal.” – T-2.V-A.18:1-6
“The correction of fear is your responsibility. When you ask for release from fear, you are implying that it is not. You should ask, instead, for help in the conditions that have brought the fear about. These conditions always entail a willingness to be separate. At that level you can help it. You are much too tolerant of mind wandering, and are passively condoning your mind’s miscreations. The particular result does not matter, but the fundamental error does. The correction is always the same. Before you choose to do anything, ask me if your choice is in accord with mine. If you are sure that it is, there will be no fear.” – T-2.VI.4:1-10 (boldface emphasis added)
While discussing how “perception is a really poor tool for judging anything,” we touched on some of the ideas in section 10 of the Manual For Teachers, with this quote typifying the absurdity of trying to justify relying on our isolated, myopic perspectives without the help from Holy Spirit:
“Remember how many times you thought you knew all the “facts” you needed for judgment, and how wrong you were! Is there anyone who has not had this experience? Would you know how many times you merely thought you were right, without ever realizing you were wrong? Why would you choose such an arbitrary basis for decision-making? Wisdom is not judgment; it is the relinquishment of judgment. Make then but one more judgment. It is this: There is Someone with you Whose judgment is perfect. He does know all the facts; past, present and to come. He does know all the effects of His judgment on everyone and everything involved in any way. And He is wholly fair to everyone, for there is no distortion in His perception.” – M-10.4
Here’s another quote on patience, another invaluable practice that aids our progress in undoing our belief in separation quickly:
“I have shown you infinite patience because my will is that of our Father, from Whom I learned of infinite patience. His Voice was in me as It is in you, speaking for patience towards the Sonship in the Name of its Creator.
Now you must learn that only infinite patience produces immediate effects. This is the way in which time is exchanged for eternity. Infinite patience calls upon infinite love, and by producing results now it renders time unnecessary.” – T-5.VI.11:6–12:3
… and a quote that reminds us that what awaits us when we complete our forgiveness curriculum, is freedom from self-inflicted suffering:
“If this were the real world, God would be cruel.” – T-13.in.3:1
… and this classic rhetorical question:
“Do you prefer that you be right or happy?” – T-29.VII.1:9
We talked about how our self-concepts fail us, but we all have Guidance that restores our awareness of our shared Self; reference: Self-Concept versus Self. Bob suggests listing all the roles we play, e.g. professional, child, parent, partner, citizen, group affiliations, etc. that reinforce limiting self-concepts. We are so much more than these arbitrary, ephemeral divisive distinctions – our True Identity is infinitely shared and not bound by space or time, but we must exercise patience in our gentle release of preoccupation with these private polarizations and restricting roles. Looking at the profound depth and breadth of our special relationships to everyone and everything (not just primary and/or romantic relationships) is typically a lifelong process, suggesting ever-extending compassion and tolerance for ourselves and “others” as we embrace all “others” as ourselves in our mind. As Gary Renard reminds us, a successful relationship is one whose purpose is forgiveness.
On the topic of willingness to forgive ourselves for our resistance to accepting the Truth of our real Identity (and include everyone in that Identity) and our tendency to condemn ourselves for our misperceptions, this quote came to mind:
“Salvation does not ask that you behold the spirit and perceive the body not. ²It merely asks that this should be your choice.“ – T-31.VI.3:1-2
We talked about the ego’s currency of special love and special hate (the inner sabotage setup and the upset of grievances in their myriad forms – the shiny “metal more attractive” coins of ego’s realm that keep our mind bankrupt of innocence.
Another favorite metaphor is our silly seemingly separate selves (water molecules believing themselves unique, separate, and special) yet ultimately inseparable and indistinguishable from the rest of the ocean … except in our elaborate, forgivable dreams.
Turning our relationships over to Holy Spirit through the process of true forgiveness, as we recognize the light in our siblings, we recognize it in ourselves.
“You can’t throw the dark switch and throw the room into darkness.” – Dr. Bob Rosenthal
Along with Tamara Morgan – daughter of Judy Whitson, the founder of the Foundation for Inner Peace (FIP) which publishes A Course In Miracles, Dr. Bob is co-president of FIP, as well as the author of excellent books about ACIM. The book page on his (new) Robert Rosenthal, M.D. website provides an overview of his books, novels, and screenplays. Listen to numerous interviews with Dr. Bob here as well on Charlotte Spicer’s BlogTalkRadio channel series.
Webinars from Foundation for Inner Peace
Visit the FIP Events page to register for webinars with Dr. Robert Rosenthal and other staff members from the Foundation for Inner Peace. On that page you can register for other upcoming webinars and view past ones as well; highly recommended!
This video was recorded on December 3, 2020.
Dr. Bob is the author of several excellent (highly recommended) books about A Course In Miracles; here’s one of them (the most recent):
