In an unusual circumstance within a few months after we were married in l976, a person Tom had not seen for years walked into his office and gave him the Urantia book, instructing him to only read the section about the life of Jesus. That was a wonderful mind opener about a different Jesus than religion has always proclaimed, and the descriptions of his teachings in the “Urantia” book also seemed to us to make much more sense as well. In hindsight, that information was most helpful to us in the relationship with Jesus that was yet to come. After an intensely busy life in Denver, when our five children were on their own, we felt inspired to move to a quieter life in Kauai in l985. That move away from our immersion in an urban environment was also a fork in the road towards awareness, although we didn’t see it as such then.
We began a small discussion group with a few friends who were also intrigued by these three blue books called, A Course in Miracles. Like many who begin to try to understand the Course, it was initially confusing to us as well. In l989, one day Tom quietly asked for help of the Holy Spirit, “assuming there was such a thing.” He recalls offering a deal; if the HS would help him understand this teaching, then he would pass it along. About a week later, he began to be aware of information appearing in his mind that was not of his own thinking; anything he wondered about was immediately answered. When he shared some of the information with me, I recognized a profound and beautiful awareness was being given to him and encouraged him to continue. While we did eventually ask about the identity of this source, in retrospect, Tom was aware all along that it was Jesus.
In those first few years of this communication, we had a great many questions, as did those who also found these sharings meaningful. I began to record and then transcribe the beautiful answers to be able to keep the information and to share it with a few others. I was going to buy a new typewriter when a friend insisted that I buy a computer instead. Within a year, I taught myself how to lay out a book of these transcripts that we named, “Dialogue on Awakening.” I was concerned then about the reaction of traditional Christians to this information and so I preferred to publish it ourselves rather than open it up to a larger exposure that a publisher would want. Now I realize that was an unnecessary fear, for I understand that only that which your mind can accept will come into your awareness. They never even noticed its existence! But I realize there was another reason as well. We almost instinctively knew that to promote this very beautiful relationship as in any way making us special could distort our own purpose and awakening process.
About l992, just after Dialogue was first published, Tom was asked by “Brother” (the name that had the most meaning to him for this beautiful, loving guidance) to let go of the idea that he had to “channel” this awareness. The purpose of the relationship, he was told, was for him—as it is for each of us—to realize that this awareness belongs to each of us and is eternally a part of our shared Mind. Tom stopped channeling Brother publicly and focuses now on accessing his own place of knowing. Yet the personal relationship between he and Brother now has become even closer and is always the perfect example to us of the nature of Oneness, of a love without the slightest degree of judgment.
It is only when I look back at our life together that I can see how each part has unfolded perfectly for us in our learning and appreciation of A Course in Miracles. In hindsight, I suspect that Tom and I must have made some kind of commitment to help Jesus bring this awareness into this consciousness we call the “human experience”. I am also aware that the best way we could ever do that is to accept its teaching for ourselves. We’re still working on that, and the journey has been so beautiful. The many dear people we’ve met along the way make Oneness seem to be even more desirable and the joy and love that has been given and received make our life rich beyond all measure.
To whatever degree our journey of awakening to our innate reality is helpful to you, we are most grateful to you for your dedication, your willingness, and your joining with us.
~ Linda
