Dear Friends,

Turn to God…….

I am sure you all know the story of the Cherokee grandfather who, in teaching his grandson about life, related the story of the two wolves that reside within us. The one supports the negative issues of greed, self-pity, guilt and so on; while the other is joyful, peaceful, kind and compassionate. The grandfather explained that this is true of everyone and there is the same conflict between the two wolves going on constantly. When the grandson wants to know which wolf wins, the grandfather’s reply is: “the one you feed the most.” Now this is the common ending to the story but according to Cherokee wisdom the story has this ending: “if you feed them right, they both win.”

By “feeding them both,” in other words, acknowledging they both exist means there is no longer the internal battle for attention. And when there is no inner conflict, we are able to listen and hear the voice of a deeper knowing that will guide us in choosing what is right in the moment.

In the world around us we have evidence of the two wolves; and it seems that we are on a constant battlefield of win/lose, win/lose. And this is because we try to have one wolf, one party, one country, or team, win and the other lose. Winning in the world is only temporary, because after the so-called win, the next challenge appears. When we move beyond the two wolves, then we understand that there is something prevailing in this moment and for all eternity – Truth.

Who or what do we turn to in challenging times? God – but then so often we also direct God as to how a situation or issue needs to be resolved. Turning to God means: giving over to, surrendering, listening….. “speak Lord, they servant heareth.”

Turning to God in surrender is “falling into God” letting go of the human thoughts, issues, and specific desires as to outcome; not paying heed to the two wolves at all, but trusting the originating Power and Source of all creation. Ram Dass is quoted as saying: “The quieter you become the more you can hear.” The mind becomes alert when we are still and we are able to embrace that hidden wholeness that resides within us all. It is the wolves who do the fighting and fuel the conflict in the world.

It is time to take a new approach; that of faith, and cultivating a deep trust in Truth. For some perhaps it is easier to stay in the prisons of their current mindsets, yet all the time Truth – as the still small voice deep within – is calling and reminding us that it is our birthright to be free. And we find this freedom in consciousness when we wake up to what already is, and who we are in truth. Many have known this freedom; many have proved it for themselves, yet this is what the “world” measuring stick fails to do: it cannot measure what we prove for ourselves at the deep inner level of knowing. Through connecting in stillness with the Christ Consciousness let us move into a deeper realization of the hidden wholeness that embraces us all. It is not recognized by the ego or the human mind, rather it is sensed at a deeper level, as the Presence that is with us always.

SUNDAY SERVICES: All are welcome to join us each week as we take time to Be Still, in Silent Meditation, and then share a Lesson in Truth Principles. Childcare is available except during school holidays.
Meditation – 09:30 to 09:45
Service – 09:45 to 10:30

SPEAKERS – AUGUST
03– Rev. Mallory Kretzmann
10– Sylvia van Zyl
17 – Rev. Mallory Kretzmann
24 – Rev. Elizabeth Dugmore
31 – Rev. Helen Penfold
Please note this roster is subject to change without notice.

DIVINE SCIENCE BASIC PRINCIPLES CLASS: This 10 week course will begin on Thursday 14 August 2014. This is a daytime class and will go from 13:30 to 15:30 each week. The investment is R450-00 with an additional charge for the text book. Join Mallory in exploring a new way of living life, using Universal Spiritual Principles. This class is the foundation on which we build our understanding of a new view of Life, God and ourselves, as we learn to work with, and apply, these principles in all aspects of life. There is a list for names on the notice board and you can also call us at the office.

ABUNDANCE CLUB: We congratulate Marita Fourie, winner of the June Draw. And we would remind those who have not yet signed up that you can do so for the months of August to November inclusive, and pay R200-00. So, anyone who has not participated in the draw before may at this point still sign up and stand in line to win R1000-00 in the monthly draws.

DOODLE DAYS: Fourth session ……. in a Creative Adventure with Sara McKenna (from the U.K.).
Join us as we create a centre piece for a dinner party or any celebration, making tea-light holders and wire flowers. Great fun and very effective. Please bring with you a bottle of nail varnish (any colour of your choice) other required items will be provided. Workshop date: Saturday 23 August from 2pm – 5pm
Investment: R50.00 – tea, coffee included. Venue: Association of Creative Thought 15, 7th Ave, Walmer.
Space limited so please call 041-5813309 to book.
This time spent creatively occupied, offers far more than achieving a finished item one may make or paint – it is about forgetting for a while the daily stresses and shifting into another dynamic or “zone”. By using the creative side of our brains, we bring balance and it can be likened to a child losing itself in imagined play. Before we know it – time is up, and it is almost as though we have been in meditation. Join us as we …..make candle holders, and wire flowers, and allow yourself the benefit of fun and relaxation.

PUBLIC SPEAKING – sharpen your skills! Speaking in public is a terrifying thought for most of us so let Neville Dugmore, a toastmaster for more than 3 decades, lighten the load by offering some skills, solid tips and information to help us along this road. ALL ARE WELCOME! Bookings are limited to 12 participants, so call us on 041-5813309 in good time to book your place. The June workshop was very well received by those who attended, and we are most grateful to Neville for sharing his time, expertise, and enthusiasm.
VENUE: Association of Creative Thought DATE: SATURDAY 30 August. TIME: 2:00 to 4:30pm
COST: R50-00 per person, includes refreshments.

 

THANK YOU …… to those who support the Centre and the Teaching, by volunteering your services in tea making on a Sunday, Greeting, and Childcare duties, tending the garden; and to those who give support not only in material ways and the running of the Centre, but who live their truth, and give support in consciousness. Each and every one is valued – you do make a difference!

 

In Closing…..

“When man has consciously partaken of the Inner Breath, his outer breathing begins to change. At first it takes on a rhythmic movement of strength and steadiness, and then gradually it ceases to be expressed in any outer movement. As his consciousness enters more and more deeply into oneness with the Divine, he seems to withdraw, as it were, from the human. He forgets himself entirely and touches that Inner Reality of the Divine Breath in which there is no physical manner of motion, for he is breathing the breath of that vital Force and Energy which is too fine to be recorded physically.

Then, on the silent wings of that Breath of pure understanding, there is born in him a knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. In other words, he is given to breathe the Heavenly Wisdom. He who breathes that Breath becomes God. There, in the quiet, in the silence, in the holy chamber of his being, man is aware that he and God are one. He knows and experiences the truth of the words of Jesus: “I and My Father are one.” We are not two. We are not separate beings. We are one.”

H.B. Jeffery – The Spirit of Prayer
Bountiful blessings,
MALLORY

Dear Friends,

In the workshop, “Working with the Inner Christ,” which is moving into the last session this week, we have been discussing evolving consciousness.

Essentially the focus has been on moving beyond our limited way of being to a realization of who we are in truth; to the point where we can accept and associate with that truth and not its seeming contradiction as so often can happen when we get caught up in what the world deems important.

So much changes when we live from our core truth, without our even trying. When we give to life (our offerings in service perhaps, or just going about our daily tasks) our giving flows from our authenticity in consciousness. And even without realizing it, we make an impact. When we drift from the core of who we are in truth, we lose in a sense, our authenticity; because we have moved away from it.

In exercise classes, and those of you who attend the gym will know what I am talking about; there is much emphasis on exercising the core. Now this is the physical core that is being given attention. We need to be exercising awareness of our spiritual core; our spiritual core which is the truth of who we are. It is the uncontaminated blueprint of each individual, come forth from the source of all creation – God. And no matter how far away we move from this truth in our minds, we can never change it.

When we realize for ourselves, the creative source of our being our lives become more purposeful. As individuals we need to remain on purpose, by being aware of who we are and living it. As a Centre we need to remain on purpose by remembering not to drift from the core of what we teach. And what we offer needs to match up with what we teach. Our foundation as individuals, and as a Centre, needs to be firmly placed in Spiritual Principle – Spiritual Principle that is universally applicable.

It is not about saying something new – it is about the consciousness from which it is said and taught, and the consciousness in which it is received. The teaching: based on the Omnipresence of God – or whatever name we give to the One Source of All. It is clearly stated in the Sunday programmes in our Statement of Being. And this is not an outdated teaching – it is all about consciousness and evolving the understanding of the individual which will ultimately make a difference to the collective, or mass consciousness.
We are all part of the evolvement in consciousness, moving towards our inner truth, towards understanding with the Christ Consciousness that: “I and the Father are one.”

SUNDAY SERVICES: All are welcome to join us each week as we take time to Be Still, in Silent Meditation, and then share a Lesson in Truth Principles. Childcare is available except during school holidays.
Meditation – 09:30 to 09:45
Service – 09:45 to 10:30

SPEAKERS – JULY
06– Rosemary Batchelor
13– Rev. Mallory Kretzmann
20 – Rev. Elizabeth Dugmore
27 – Sylvia van Zyl
Please note this roster is subject to change without notice.

ABUNDANCE CLUB: We extend our congratulations to the winner of the May Draw – Heinrich Schuck! And we would remind those who have not yet signed up for the months of July to November inclusive, that it is time to take your “lucky number” forward and pay R250-00. Anyone who has not participated in the draw before may also at this point sign up and stand in line to win R1000-00 in the monthly draws.

DOODLE DAYS: Third session ……. in a Creative Adventure with Sara McKenna (from the U.K.).
Make a Book and Bind it! This Doodle Day will introduce a few different methods of creating and binding notebooks – photo albums – and scrap books which make fabulous gifts or for your personal use. Please bring with you a pair of scissors, about ¼ metre of stiff fabric (denim, corduroy, felt, or leather) and a few beads and ribbon. Paper and string supplied.
Saturday 12th July from 2pm – 5pm Cost is R50.00 – tea, coffee included. Space is limited so please call the office to book – 041-5813309, or e-mail actpeadmin@telkomsa.net

WORKDAY AT ACT: – held on 7th June, was a great success. There was such a lovely atmosphere as all got to work energetically and enthusiastically, and most importantly enjoyed it all. A really appetizing vegetarian lunch was produced by Jannette Robertson and Pam Peddie and by popular demand the recipe will be included in this letter.

PUBLIC SPEAKING – (28 June) this workshop has generated much enthusiasm and was fully booked in no time. We have names on the list for next time which will be 30 August – so watch this space!

THE TRANSFORMATION GAME: is being kindly offered by Jean Martin who will be in P.E. from overseas in July and will be available on Tues. 15th, Thurs. 17th, Tues. 22nd, Thurs. 24th respectively in July, to facilitate the game at ACT. It is by donation to ACT, and to book, please contact Jean directly on e-mail: auretjean@googlemail.com and after 10 July on 072-7445838. More details on the notice board.

BEQUEST: In deep gratitude we acknowledge receipt of a recent bequest from the estate of the late Tony Lange who many of you will remember as a most enthusiastic and long-standing member of ACT. In fact Tony was one of June Jones’ earliest students – always very active, and he participated in many ways to support the Centre and the Teaching. His thoughtful generosity is truly appreciated.

The recipe as promised:
Hearty Cowboy Hotpot
1 onion sliced 1 can sweetcorn
1 red pepper sliced 1 tablespoon tomato paste
500g potatoes thinly sliced seasoning as desired – salt/pepper
2 carrots sliced 250g cheese
2 tablespoons sunflower oil 120g green beans
400g can baked beans

Fry the onion, pepper and carrots in the oil until soft but not brown. Add green beans, baked beans, sweetcorn, tomato paste and seasoning. Bring to boil, then simmer for 5 minutes. Transfer vegetables to a shallow ovenproof dish and scatter top with cubed cheese. Cover vegetables and cheese with sliced potatoes – brush with butter and bake at 190 degrees C for 30 to 40 minutes until golden brown on top and the potato is cooked. Enjoy with fresh green salad.

In closing…………
“What is your highest Truth? What it is today, it may not be tomorrow, for we are evolving into a higher consciousness….moving ever closer to Christhood. Yet, we move from one level to another by living and practicing the highest Truth we consciously know on each level. When we realize one Truth we are ready for the next step and the process continues.”

John Randolph Price – With Wings As Eagles

Bountiful blessings,

MALLORY