May Cause Miracles Workshop Led by Kim Trotto Week 3: Body Image Written by Gabrielle Bernstein Workshop Led by Kim Trotto Week 3: Body Image

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Our bodies are a vehicle for spiritual growth and healing.

Spirits Having a Human Experience “Our bodies are learning devices to connect to our true essence, love.” MCM We are here in body to transcend fear and communicate love.

Ego and The Body Convinced us that we are fat, tall, short, black, white, sick etc. Compares to other bodies Wants us to use the body to get more from the world, could be sex, money, success

Experiencing through Ego’s Eyes Most of us have had negative thoughts about our bodies at some point Often kicks up feelings of inadequacy and separateness When we give in, we have low-level thoughts, which negatively affects our own energy

This Leads To The energy from the negative thoughts seeping into our body The worst form of this manifests as illness Reinforcing fear This fear is like a mind virus Eventually it can take over our bodies

Understanding Our Energy When we see how energy affects us, we can see how spiritual healing supports physical healing

The Course’s Perspective When we judge our body or attack it by comparing it to other bodies, we separate from our true state, love Body comparison is silly, a pelican doesn’t compare itself to a seagull and think he should be slimmer

The Real Reason We feel bad when comparing is that we are separating from love (from the unconditional love that is our birthright, these comparisons create a huge divide from unconditional love)

The Divide Brings Unconscious guilt Feels very deep We feel it, even though unconscious, and want to numb it The ego hooks us into fearful patterns from overeating and body dysmorphia to substance abuse and other unhealthy behaviors

Spiraling Down Keeps us locked into fear When we feel uncomfortable, we turn to fearful thoughts and behavior to avoid dealing with it Denial trick-if we deny our feelings, we go deeper into the fear and therefore heighten the ego

Fear is a Hungry Bottomless Pit The ego needs fear to survive Abuse of our body becomes unconscious and addictive My own example of food patterns where I found fear of not having enough

“Dis-ease” The fearful body image creates, dis-ease in our minds and therefore affects us physically The worst part is being stuck in trying to constantly find an outward solution for an inward condition

Examples Overeating Overdrinking Obsessing about weight Just some of the ways ego behavior manifests Many other addictions

Through Spiritual Practice Our bodies can begin to heal naturally Take gentle care of our bodies with healthy food and movement is part of it Feeding ourselves loving thoughts, reinforces our miracle mind-set Our spirits shine through

Which Master? ACIM suggests our bodies can serve either our ego or our inner guide Our inner guide sees the ego as a false illusion and uses our body for a learning tool for deep growth

Bring it! Bring all physical illness to our –ing for healing This leads to the true lessons in what the body is trying to teach us The body transforms from the ego’s weapon into the –ings vehicle for healing and extending love

Paying Attention to How Our Thoughts Affect Our Body Makes you more conscious of what you think Whatever issues you have, overeating, heavy drinking, drug abusing, or something else, you will come to know a fresh freedom!

When You Change Your Mind About Your Body, Your Body Changes The body’s purpose shifts too Seeing your body as love, helps you learn how to use it as a communication device for sharing that love

Healing the Body The miracle mind-set does not deny physical illness It expresses a new way of perceiving the condition Key principal is welcoming your –ing in for healing

Many Miracles Applying the thought system that your mind can help in healing the body can bring many miracles Not that physical condition disappears (sometimes it does) You are guided to exactly what you need for healing

Spirit Works Through Others For Your Benefit The real miracle is that you allow the Universe to guide you to creative opportunities for healing Recently, I heard about praying into vaccines You may be guided to a book that helps you to heal your mind and body

Spirit Working Through Others I believe spirit works through doctors and healers of all kinds to guide your healing process The ego can block guidance toward the right healing Thinking with love, invites spirit to work through others to heal on your behalf

Root Cause This week we will be guided to address the root cause of all illness and destructive body behavior Bringing these roots to the surface for healing, brings relief in knowing there is a way out of fear-based patterns

Pay Attention To guidance and trust that spirit is working on your behalf and guiding you to all you need to heal.

ACIM Says a miracle is a shift from body identification to spirit identification

Surrender Surrender your thoughts to the care of your inner guide Spirit removes the limitations of the body and awakens your awareness of miracles Helping you remember who you truly are

The Week Ahead Day 15 Witness how your fear has created your body image Day 16 Surrender to the willingness to see your body in a new light Day 17 Choose a more loving perspective of your body Day 18 Gratitude-Focus on what you love about your body

The Week Ahead Continued Day 19 Forgiving yourself for the way you have treated your body- Super healing! Day 20 Awaken your miracle mind-set of love, a huge shift in body perception Day 21 Reflect & Prepare

The Week Ahead Continued Day 19 Forgiving yourself for the way you have treated your body- Super healing! Day 20 Awaken your miracle mind-set of love, a huge shift in body perception

Lessons in the Week Ahead “The body appears to be larely self-motivated and independent, yet it actually responds only to the intentions of the mind….If the mind accepts the Holy Spirit’s [ing’s] purpose for it instead…its kindly light shows all things from another point of view…”ACIM

Lessons in the Week Ahead Your body’s true purpose: to be a messenger for love. The presence of fear is merely the absence of love. A prayer to use: “Inner Guide, please speak through me and use my body as a vehicle for love.”

Lessons in the Week Ahead “People have a hard time letting go of their suffering. Out of fear of the unknown, they prefer suffering that is familiar.” Thich Nhat Hanh

Questions and Answers

Nature Spirit Card

Closing Meditation