Joining in Purpose: Reflections on a Transformative Retreat

We just finished the Joining in Purpose retreat in New Zealand, and it was a profound journey of healing. It was a living practice of A Course In Miracles principles.

We spent our days together, not only listening and reflecting but actively sharing thoughts and experiences. This openness and purpose encourages everyone to be authentic; rather than keep thoughts and experiences private from one another. When the prayer of the heart is to heal, then of course the blocks to the awareness of love arise to be released. They are welcome. They are part of the prayer to heal and awaken. By the end of the retreat, the group came into the shared experience of hearing guidance together. It is such a beautiful and profound thing to recognize what it is to have no separate interests, and therefore to be able to pray together in the moment. When we come to this moment with wholly empty hands, desiring only to hear the One Voice - we experienced minds as joined. 

Gratitude was a constant undercurrent during the retreat. We expressed thanks not only for the teachings but for each other’s presence and willingness to be open. It goes completely against the grain of the ego - to thank a brother for exposing wrong-mindedness! When you realize that the gratitude is genuine, the value of the healing process is realized. What was fearful and dark becomes a holy instant, filled with present love.

Awakening is not a solo journey. It happens when we come together, support each other, and practice the Course’s principles in community. So if you are inspired to join with companions, know that it will bring up healing, but it will be worth it when it is used for healing! The power of shared practice and open hearts can lead to healing and expansion beyond what can be imagined.

In deep gratitude for the trust, faith and willingness it takes to open up to his Guidance, clarity, and loving care. With Love,

Kirsten ❤️❤️❤️

I Am in the Father and the Father is in Me

These past days he has been speaking to me in biblical vernacular. It feels intimate... every word and sentence touching my heart as if hearing them for the first time.. at the same time with a deep understanding of what is meant.

Even in the subtlest of ways, if my mind is not with him, I am heavy laden. Only through coming to him can I return to the Father and have the burden of false responsibility lifted and replaced by a heart full of gratitude and inspiration.

When he repeats - "For those with the ears to hear - let them hear!" He means it! If you are capable of hearing his voice then follow it!!! Let your ears hear! Do not turn away from his Presence and instructions - for only through being with him and following him truly, sincerely, with a humble, open heart and mind, can we be one with the Father, and be happy.

"Come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Drink of me, and ye shall never thirst. Eat my bread and ye shall not hunger. Do not worry about what ye shall eat or wear. Keep your attention on me, for the Father is in me and I am in the Father.

Do not be distracted by the things of this world - do not be waylaid by it's treasures - for where you look for your treasure ye will find it. Store your treasure in heaven, not on earth - where thieves may break in to steal it, and moths can eat it. your heavenly Father fills the storehouse of your mind with real treasure - treasure you can give away a thousand-fold. Treasure that will never run out.

How blessed are those with the eyes to see and the ears to hear. For those with the ears to hear - let them hear! Let them hear!!!"

Thank you, thank you, thank you. ❤️❤️❤️

Gifts through Painting

Hi everyone,

It has been a few years since I shared here, so incase you missed it, here are some sharings about the experience of painting that I feel so grateful for, including painting 'his eyes'.

I began painting about two years ago, and love it. Hours turn into days, which disappear in meditation... I feel like a child, not knowing how... just willing to trust and follow...

I love seeing how perception changes... it is a constant process of stepping back, letting go, not being able to judge.

And seeing how essential being guided is... when following, it works out miraculously! One beautiful surprise after another.

I love how it is impossible to judge - because at no single instant can you see the whole picture, even of a specific part of a painting, let alone the end result. There are layers, and it keeps changing. Whatever my eyes are focused upon is all that I can see... and when i come back to it later I see it differently. One brush stroke and everything changes... I love the metaphor for life. It is a constant letting go in the mind - and going purely by feeling. So joyful!!!!! To be kept in a childlike state of mind!!!!

After painting a very simple angel and a feather first, with hardly any details... I went on a trip to Brazil and was guided to give away the picture of Jesus I always carried with me. I wanted another picture when I returned, and heard to paint one!

I couldn't believe he would ask me to paint a portrait when i had no experience of such things!

Somehow it happened - with the help of a few YouTube videos and a few phone calls with Ana and Jackie (artists).

Fast forward a year and the next painting of Jesus has just been finished.

I can't tell you how much I love focussing on him for hours, days, weeks on end.

We never know what may come in to deepen our relationship with Spirit, and keep our mind in the present.

Painting his eyes was a journey in itself.

I prayed for days on what color they should be. Dark brown... as they would have been way back then... for some reason it didn't land in my heart - i looked at some pictures of actors who had played Jesus - and none of them were it...

And then I heard "paint what you see"...

I realized I was focussed on color... and i didn't know how to paint them...

Again I heard, "Paint what you see".... and then I realized... it is the light I see in his eyes.

And then the painting of his eyes happened....

Of course.

Always, no matter what, Focus on the light... and allow the form to be secondary.

Thank you to all of the angels who have been inspirational support for my heart to be open to receive the Gifts. I am so grateful.

Stay open to miracles!!!

With Love and Joy, Kirsten ❤️❤️❤️