Spring was the word as we met at Livingstone house for the April Weekend Workshop from 2nd to the 4th of April.

There were those coming for the first time, those coming for renewal and some coming just to hear the unique way in which William Haines teaches the Principle. I love the way he brings things to life by including stories form the Talmud and Koran as well as the Bible.

We were such a wide age group from about 20 – 75 years of age. with 2 or 3 hearing principle for the first time and a few for the second time about 17 of us in all. It was great to see old faces and new and be refreshed not just through the word but through sharing the time together with each other and with God.

It is inspiring to see people who are hearing things for the first time and to experience it afresh yourself through sharing the experience with them.

Next month’s Weekend Workshop will be from Friday the 7th until Sunday the 9th May. I really hope I can bring somebody along with me for that one.

Maybe see you there!

The WeekEnd Workshop

If you’ve been to one before this will probably be the best Divine Principle Introduction Weekend Workshop you will have attended to date.

Taught by Mr William Haines, in his own inimitable style, it’s not to be missed.

If you have never heard the whole of the Divine Principle this workshop will not only give you a good overview, but also lot’s of background stories from the Bible, Torah and Koran. If you have not heard William teach before come and take this opportunity. You will be Glad that you did.

We will start on Friday Evening with and meal and orientation.

Saturday will have an early morning start with a morning services at 6am (earlier for those who wish) and Breakfast at 7am.

We will finish early (3pm) on Sunday to allow you to get home.

What’s in-between will be infinity in a day and eternity in your hand.

If you play a musical instrument bring it if not just bring yourself.

For more information contact Jeff Bateman.

My Wife and youngest son recently attended the open evening of our local Grammar school. Pupils were given the opportunity to speak on stage to introduce the school.

One of the boys spoke about how we use our time. “Every second counts” he said.

How do we use our time? Our time alone, with our family, with friends, at work or at play. Each of these is an opportunity to learn to love and grow. I like to remind myself of this and I play a game of catching myself out. When I catch myself out I relax (especially that tension in the jaw!) and take a moment to say a small prayer. The prayer is very simple just asking for God’s guidance in that moment. In this way I can seek to “align” myself with God’s will for me and feel God’s love. It’s a time to let go of anxiety. It’s an opportunity to find some resonance with God. 

My son Jonathan recently said to me “We have 1200 days to the year 2013″. Lot’s of people are talking about 2012 / 2013 and the meaning of it. You only have to Google it to find out some of the many views. In his Saville speech (not the prepared speech)  recently Father Moon said we should pray about the significance of Jan 13th 2013.

Last week I started a new condition in preparation for next year but today I was just calculating and realised that I “(un)intentionally” started it 1200 days before before Jan 13th 2013. 

Well today we are 1192 and counting!

Did you feel God’s Love for you today? Did you return Joy to him?

I attended a seminar a few weeks ago on how the brain works, neuroscience.
The presenter Dr. Joe Dispenza spoke of his research into the brain and in particular his study of Spontaneous Remissions. This refers to cancer and other sicknesses, which were cured, when doctors thought there was no hope for them.

He identified 3 key factors in common with all the people he studied. On reading over these it struck me how close they are to our own teaching. Here are my notes. Can you see the similarity?

1) Spiritual Element – They believed in a Subjective Loving Intelligence, whom they would be able to make contact with and surrender their condition to. My will Your will – matching consciousness.

2) Attitude – My Emotions did this (this may also include preventing the body from repair) Thinking Feeling, Feeling Thinking Cycle. We become addicted to emotional states.

3) And most important! I HAVE TO RE-INVENT MYSELF through Thinking and Questioning. (May also be through study and counseling! – my addition)

The method he proposes for the above is a form of meditation, which athletes use “mental rehearsal” I also call creative visualisation or guided visualisation which I use with some clients. If we see the outcome we want, the body and circumstances can then move us towards that outcome.

It actually works in a very practical way. Joe explains about how our thoughts and feelings have an effect on our body chemistry, which changes us in a very physical way.

One of my favorite tools for personal growth is what I will call “the pointing finger technique”. You know the saying “when you point your finger you have 3 fingers pointing back at you”.
This is a technique that I apply to myself as often as I can as it can help me “see” myself.
When I have this seeing I am then in a better position to love others rather than judge them. This of course assumes I can love myself when I “see” what is inside me.

This is akin to the bible verse saying that we are all sinners and Jesus asking he who is without sin caste the first stone.

This does not mean that we need not correct wrong when we see it, but rather about how we feel about the wrong and if we can respond in an appropriate way to it. What is happening inside me? Sometimes we hear someone say something like “I was beside myself with rage”, a good indication that that someone may need to do a little looking inside. A little “seeing”.