This CD set has a double appeal. Firstly, it explains the material in A Course in Miracles (ACIM). For those who have heard of it or those who have not been brave enough to tackle this tome, this CD set reveals all.
     The second is for ACIM graduates, teachers and those who need a refresher.
     ACIM has been around since the mid-1970s and comprises the received wisdom imparted to Helen Schucman and scribed by William Thetford from 1965 to the early 1970s. According to ACIM the transmissions came from Jesus.
     Gary Renard was a professional musician and during the harmonic convergence of 1987 he heard a higher calling and devoted himself to the spiritual path.
     In the early 1990s he was visited by two ascended masters who gave him teachings from ACIM and corrected texts such as the Gospel of Thomas. From these sessions came his first book called The Disappearance of the Universe.
     These recordings feature Mr Renard distilling the essential principles of ACIM and showing how the listener (or anyone else) does not have to be tied to the unalterable wheel of death and rebirth. It will not come as a surprise to learn that love and forgiveness hold the keys to freeing one’s self.
     The material is straightforward, plain talking. There is no fancy music or special effects. The content proceeds from Mr Renard’s first experiences with his ascended masters, Arten and Pursah, through to connecting to the Holy Spirit.
     It is at once disturbing and thrilling to realise that there is a completely different perspective to viewing the nature of spirit and the spiritual texts that have become part of our lives.
     The listener is shown how to work at the level of cause rather than effect, which changes everything. The most common human feelings of separation and alienation are explained.
     Mr Renard reveals the three parts of the mind and how we originally created our own separate reality. These three comprise the conscious ‘you’, the ego and the Holy Spirit.
     Our negative feelings end up as projections onto our ‘outer’ reality – the screen of our own creation.
     The nature of true forgiveness is explained and the consequences that are experienced because of it.
     The ego does not like anything that threatens individual existence, and the denial of our original separation and guilt projections will endeavour to keep us here on the cycle of reincarnation. The ACIM implication is that we carry our past records of guilt, fear and loss into our new lives.
     Mr Renard gives examples and a powerful exercise in true forgiveness that will bring the power of love and atonement into our lives.
     The clever aspect of forgiveness ACIM-style is that it frees you from the guilt and loss that results from separation from the Unity of the Godhead. In turn, the forgiving individual can then make the decision to return to the realm of Unity. This can happen at any time – are you ready?
     My reaction to this was a typical ego reaction which sounds more like whining than I realised: “But I won’t be me any more!” This has given me much to ponder about myself and how willing I must strive to become.
     My only small criticism is that Mr Renard’s voice is rather high and fast. I had to listen to some sections several times to understand fully. This may be by design. Overall the sound is clear and crisp.
     I gained a lot from this production. I may or may not delve further into ACIM, but the essential message is there for every listener.
     Love and forgiveness hold the keys to the kingdom. Not the forgiveness of the patriarchs, but the true forgiveness that you bestow upon yourself and which will move out in a ripple effect onto all of your reality.
     Phew! Be prepared for the profound effects of listening to this set.