I like to add something to what I just shared. After being a student under the guidance of many false idols, I was taught that the key to continue growing is to keep educating myself. In other words, once you are drawn to a particular teacher, if he/she offers more programs under his/her curriculum, always check with the Holy Spirit first, meaning bringing yourself to peace first, before making a new decision. Because teachers, although well-meaning, who believe their students are their source and supply, will do whatever it takes to manipulate you, or should I say, persuade you, into attending every course they are putting out. What you most remember is that the purpose of A Course In Miracles or any teaching that is leading people to spiritual awakening, is not to encourage their students to continue learning but to help them unlearn everything they think they know. In other words, to assist their students in removing every block they have placed between their True Self and their false sense of self (ego), remembering that the student nor the teacher have the power to do so, only the Holy Spirit does. All a student can do is surrender their will to God's otherwise they'll be an easy pray to the ego.

So just be aware as to whether you feel inspired to take another one of their courses or whether you feel persuaded, pressured through fear to take advantage of whatever it is they have to offer. That's the difference between teachers that are grounded in Truth, knowing that God is their real Source and Supply and teachers grounded in illusion (fear) needing to persuade others in order to receive their good. So if you happen to be a teacher, yes, let the world know about what you do, go ahead and advertise, network, and do whatever you feel guided to do. Before doing so however, a question you may want to ask yourself always is; where am I coming from? That's tells you whether you are grounded on illusion (fear, ego) or Truth (Spirit).

In regards to hiring a coach in order to help you get what you want, you may want to ask yourself, once again; "where am I coming from?" Speaking for myself, if I am coming from fear trying to change something in this world of illusion, thinking is going to bring me happiness or comfort, all I'm doing is replacing God for my illusions. But if I come from peace and I feel guided to hire a coach in a particular area, let's say business for example, not because I am attached to the business but because there is information about running the business I feel a coach could assists me with, then that's a different story. The same applies to any area of our lives where assistance may be needed. Because remember, illusion or not, we are experiencing ourselves as bodies. So this is not about denial of the human experience but to practice non-attachment to the idea that we are our bodies. That way the Holy Spirit can do the appointed work. Remember that at our present state of awareness the Holy Spirit bring it to us whatever we need in a form we can relate. In many cases, a coach can take that form, or a book, or a seminar, or just an old friend you haven't spoke with in years, or the seeming homeless crossing the street, who with a mere exchange in words provided you with what you needed. Never underestimate the form in which the Holy Spirit's guidance may appear.

Aside from the fact that no illusion can get me to truth, I always ask, why hire an illusion when the Holy Spirit is available? The way I choose with the Holy Spirit is by choosing peace above all else. A Course In Miracles reminds me: "This quite center, in which you do nothing, will remain with you, giving you rest in the midst of every busy doing on which you are sent. For from this center will you be directed how to use the body sinlessly." What the Course refers as to how to use the body sinlessly, means that the choice is not a self initiate plan which may be used to further prolong your awakening but a choice that will lead you closer to it. So by choosing the Holy Spirit as your guide, if you are in need of a coach, out of the million coaches, gurus and teachers out there, you'll be led to one that is perfect for you, therefore saving you time, money and lots of disappointments.

A word of caution: There are lots of teachers who considered themselves to be enlightened or advanced teachers. Some because they say they have studied with other so called advanced teachers, some because they claim to have spent years in a monastery, meditating in caves, or because they attribute their expertise based on having extensive years of study and so on. When you look at someone like Jesus for example or Buddha, they were not teachers but students of what they taught.

I like to share an excerpt from an article written by Liz Cronkhite mentor for students of A Course in Miracles at www.acimmentor.com titled The Teaching Teacher where she shares;

"In A Course in Miracles you are told that you are always teaching, and that you are always teaching only yourself. What you are teaching yourself is what you believe that you are. Come from ego and you teach yourself that you are ego. Come from Spirit and you teach yourself that you are Spirit - you are being what the Course calls a "teacher of God". This is occurring within you every moment. You never really learn from others; you learn from the teacher within you that you choose at any given moment. Read a book, or listen to someone speak, and you will read and hear what you have chosen to learn about yourself."

So if you are not doing the work yourself, you are more likely to be fooled by teachers who will reflect back at you your fears. In other words, a coach that is not grounded in Truth will simply teach you that you are your ego and will be happy to assists you in helping you get what you want, therefore reinforcing the illusion of a physical world. Not only so, many self-proclaimed spiritual teachers try to spiritualize the world of illusion therefore confusing their students even more. These are the ones involved in teaching how to attract what you want and get the things you want from this world by means of spiritual tools. Remember, this world is all about separation and there is nothing spiritual about it. How can you possible give spiritual attributes to something that is not real? Only God is real, everything else is an illusion. So if you want Truth, then choose with the Holy Spirit. You want separation? Then choose with the ego and be willing to accept the consequences of choosing anything less than your True Self; anything less than the Kingdom.

---

Nick Arandes was part of the self-help movement for close to 20 years. Published 4 books, produced CDs and DVDs, wrote countless articles and touched the lives of many wordwide BEFORE becoming homeless, broke and diagnosed with a thyroid tumor. Then something happened that forever changed his life! His miraculous way of achieving perfect health without any medical intervention and financial success with effortless ease led him to the creation of his Manifesting Miracles Course online at www.FulfillYourDreams.com, which to this day continues to transform lives worldwide! To find out more about his work, also make sure to visit his website: www.TruthAndMiracles.com