A New Way of Thinking
By Honey Judith Rubin

When the student is ready, a teacher does appear. But few of us expect a teacher to suddenly materialize…to be not present in one instant and then just appear out of nowhere. Yet, that is exactly what happened for Gary Renard.

Gary’s story is familiar to many. He had diligently studied A Course in Miracles (ACIM) and intellectually knew the principles…he could “quote Course” with the best. But the discipline of applying those ideas to "real" life, and therefore having a new attitude — especially that part about true forgiveness -- well that was a different story. Gary began the next part of his journey, as do most people, because of the contrast of how his life was compared with how he sensed it could be. He called out into the Universe for help. What made the difference in Gary’s life is that when help arrived, he let it in.

Non-physical intelligence is constantly communicating with us. This Energy (God) wants only good for us. Sure, we can tune into dark energies if we insist. But if we have the intention of tuning in to good, that’s what we will do. Truly, we all find life easier as we learn to pay attention and listen to the Voice for God, the Voice that speaks to us from eternity. That’s what Gary did when Pursah and Arten, two ascended masters, materialized in his living room.

Pursah and Arten didn’t wear white robes, but they were nicely dressed in stylish and contemporary clothing. Both teachers were young and attractive, but they did not have wings. Pursah and Arten had no halos, no bright or colorful auras, and no signs of glowing illumination. Hum!?

How was Gary able to trust that they were angelic beings when these two showed up with none of the accepted “signs” that we have believed would be present? He could trust who they were because of the pervasive depth of love and gentleness he felt while with them. In Gary’s own words, “I stared across the room at a man and a woman sitting on my couch, looking directly at me with gentle smiles and lucid, penetrating eyes. There was nothing threatening about them; in fact, they looked extraordinarily peaceful, which I found reassuring.”

During an amazing 9-year relationship, Gary had 17 conversations with Pursah and Arten which he later recorded in his book The Disappearance of the Universe: Straight Talk About Illusions, Past Lives, Religion, Sex, Politics, and the Miracles of Forgiveness.

In order to complete and publish this book, Gary had to work through embarrassment of how shallow his early questions were. You may wonder while reading some of these sections why every world-class spiritual author has only praise for The Disappearance of the Universe. Keep reading! As Gary applied what he was learning, his quest and therefore his questions softened and matured from a callow and sarcastic impertinence to a depth of yearning and commitment that can bring tears to one’s eyes. He worked through his extreme discomfort of knowing that he was utterly transparent to these Teachers. Gary came to peace with knowing that he had been fully seen — even when he was being immature or judgmental — and yet fully loved.

While learning to live the ACIM principles — realizing and knowing the powerful and far-reaching effects of true forgiveness (instead of just thinking about it) — the memory of our oneness returned to his mind. In Gary’s words, “…it became impossible to ever to look at life or think of the universe the same way again.” His teachers told him to expect that “the real Answer to the ego’s world would not present itself in the form of an intellectual answer, but as an experience of God that would in effect render the experience of separation meaningless.” For Gary, it was a delicious range of soft peace to a full-blown sense that “God and I are one.” Experiencing God, the Universe as we know it, does disappear and the shiny promise of what could be is revealed.

It’s easy to wonder if Gary really had these conversations or if it was all in his head. His response to such doubters? “…I know from experience that students of A Course in Miracles will be able to gain a new understanding of the Course after reading the conversations… the book throws a new light on the teaching. If somebody thinks I could be responsible for all that on my own, they’re giving me way too much credit.” Gary expects that the principles of ACIM and his book will “spread throughout the world to usher in a new way of thinking.”

It’s no accident that this quote by Raymond Baughan “happened” to appear recently: “…What is asked of us in our time is that we break open our blocked caves and find each other. Nothing less will heal the anguished spirit nor release the heart to act in love.” Read Renard’s book, come to his workshop, and gain some important insights for breaking open your own blocked cave.

Honey Judith Rubin is a freelance writer who teaches classes about forgiveness, prayer and the Abraham work at Unity North Atlanta in Marietta. mailto:honeyrubin@tobeablessing.com