- This event has passed.
The Simple, the Perfect and the Obvious – Spain
September 14, 2024 @ 10:30 am – September 29, 2024 @ 5:00 pm CEST
A 16-day residential retreat experience with Simon Christopher near Valencia, Spain.
September is the time for retreat in the hills outside Valencia. There is great value in taking time out to immerse ourselves in the spiritual imperative to hear the Word of God, and re-discover the wholly miraculous nature of the mind that is one with its Creator and its Self. Enquiries and bookings now open.
We are elucidating the incomparable and divine provision of the treasure teachings of A Course in Miracles, bestowed on us through the resurrected mind of Jesus Christ, in a joyfully focused, healing sanctuary. All welcome!
What is the Simple? – Truth is simple, the simplest possible, absolute simplicity, too simple to be grasped or “understood” by the conceptual, pre-existing the separation and the split mind and appearances/perception. It is primary, one without a second, nothing can be added to it, nothing can be taken away, meaning that understanding about it does not add anything, conversely ignorance about it does not take anything away. It is known on its own terms only – this is the work of undoing the effort of “having” thoughts and becoming That which already is. “We say “God is,” and then we cease to speak, for in that knowledge words are meaningless. There are no lips to speak them, and no part of mind sufficiently distinct to feel that it is now aware of something not itself. It has united with its Source. And like its Source Itself, it merely is.” ACIM W169.5
What is the Perfect? – God is perfect, a universe of perfection, a perfect thought that lies beyond perception, conception and belief. What comes from That which is perfect is also perfect. Our purpose is to remove the blocks to knowing again that Perfection, the true state without condition, the Mind we share with the Father. This is impossible because That which is perfect cannot seek and find what it already is. That implies it is not already perfect. Perfection can be known because nothing but the perfect exists and all else is seen as nothing, unworthy, meaningless and undesirable. – “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Matt 5:48
What is the Obvious? – Perception cannot see the obvious, it can only interpret, analyse, compare, project. Perception can be directed or trained to look beyond the confusion where we can catch glimpses of what is simple and obvious and perfect. The conceptual mind cannot conceive of what is obvious, it forever establishes an objective distance and endows meaning to the “object”, the thing, the situation, the circumstance. What is obvious lies beyond the objective, it lies within yourself and not apart, beyond or outside. The Love of God must surely be the most obvious state possible that can be known, loved and understood in all the living universe of truth, yet it is obscure, it is feared, regarded as a threat and defended against.
The miracle is simple and obvious, extending from the perfect. We have the means now to see only what is obvious and not fall into confusion because there seems to be something we must struggle to understand instead. What is obvious is recognized instantly, without any need for time to process what is recognized. Clearly stated, you recognize the truth because you recognize your Self and nothing could be simpler or more obvious than that! – “Nothing is so alien to you as the simple truth, and nothing are you less inclined to listen to. The contrast between what is true and what is not is perfectly apparent, yet you do not see it. The simple and the obvious are not apparent to those who would make palaces and royal robes of nothing, believing they are kings with golden crowns because of them. All this the Holy Spirit sees, and teaches, simply, that all this is not true.” ACIM T.14.II.2
The simple, the perfect and the obvious are anything but that to the conceptual mind-state. Yet perfect Love is the absolute simplicity that becomes obvious to those whose minds have been healed of the propensity to project the machinations of their own split minds. The purpose of the Course is to reveal the simple truth from twisted and over-complicated, mental obscurations. How valuable it is to dedicate our time together to understanding directly, the basic foundation, the quintessential state of mind, the sinless Self, already perfect remaining ever free of illusions and fabrications.
The work of the redemption for the individual engaged in this programme of awakening requires a greater will and a greater power of determination to open to the celestial universe of perfection, simplicity and love. Ultimately we will return to the primal state of innocence and union, yet the great amnesia, the dull sleep of forgetfulness which hangs heavy on the inconscient mind must be overcome. Otherwise, the outplaying drama of continuing attacks upon its own projections, the inertia of the desire for illusions and the attraction of nothingness will remain a seemingly immovable obstacle. The work of the individual, to accept the Atonement, remains our one responsibility.
“Salvation is the recognition that the truth is true, and nothing else is true… Truth cannot have an opposite. This is the simplest of distinctions, yet the most obscure… As God created you, you must remain unchangeable, with transitory states by definition false. ” ACIM Wrkbk lesson 152
This is an invitation to a continuing programme of instruction and practise designed to foster the awakening experience. Healed perception is the result of honest learning and willingness to accept the foundational lesson of the Atonement principle. Our goal is to bring about the ending of the perceived false conditional reality of separation and suffering, having forgiven the cause within ourselves.
We are rising in Christ with the rebirth of our immortal spiritual identity in God. This awareness is the simple answer to the fearful conditionality of time, which when realized, propagates throughout the one mind of the singular Self now united in the simple, the perfect and the obvious.
God’s love is all around us and His grace is ours as we look to the divinely organized Atonement curriculum of A Course in Miracles, and undertake to learn the happy lessons of true forgiveness which lead us back to where we are at Home in the Heaven of His perfect love. Amen!
“Only acceptance can be asked of you, for what you are is certain. It is set forever in the holy Mind of God, and in your own. It is so far beyond all doubt and question that to ask what it must be is all the proof you need to show that you believe the contradiction that you know not what you cannot fail to know. ” ACIM Wrkbk lesson 139.8
with Simon Christopher
This is an invitation to join us in the illuminate, spiritual mind-training of A Course in Miracles, and the passionate certainty of your awakening to the reality of eternal life!
Come and discover the power and simplicity of the miracle of true forgiveness. And we will celebrate together, the healing of the mind to a whole new identity in the celestial order of perfection and love.
“Christ has come to search the world for what belongs to Him. His vision sees no strangers, but beholds His Own and joyously unites with them.” W.160
Related Events
We are meeting in a dedicated sanctuary for the discovery of the teachings of A Course in Miracles and your inevitable transformative spiritual awakening in Christ. In this place, at this time, you are afforded a refuge for the burgeoning awareness of your deep love for God and the certainty that you are beloved of Him as His One Creation. This is a centre for retreat and a sanctuary for the healing of the mind in God and your natural, evolutionary realization that you remain now, as you have always been, perfect, healed and whole, in holiness and peace without limit as God created you.
Please use this Contact form to let us know of your interest in participating, if you have any questions, or for any other enquiry.
Booking info and costs
Costs
Food & Lodging: – from 40 euros per day inclusive of all meals, accommodation and house contribution. (Association members receive a discounted rate for rooms in the Retreat house. Click here for information about membership.)
Please note accommodation is limited on the Centre property. Some participants may be provided with accommodation in a nearby Villa.
Tuition: – participation by donation. Suggested contribution 700 euros (or GBP equiv)
NB: – No-one excluded for financial concerns, please see below for more info. Details on how to make your donation will be forwarded after booking.
Booking:-
To register your interest in participating please provide your name and mobile no. by using the Contact Form. Or if you prefer, call Holly on (+44) 798 883 1332.
Please note – If you are intending to participate, please let us know as soon as possible.
N.B. – We operate a donations policy in order to make our events as accessible as possible regarding the costs involved. In this way, the costs of an event become directly related to your need, your circumstances and the spiritual principle that “giving is receiving”. If you have a clear desire to participate and the costs seem to be an obstacle, you are welcome to enquire about any assistance available through the Illuminate Mind Foundation charity. Please use the Contact form on the website Illuminatemind.net.
Travel, Arrival & Departure Info
Arrivals – Friday Sept 13th from 4:30pm, or Saturday 14th morning by 9:00am.
Departures – from 5pm Sunday Sept 29th .
Travel and Location:
Retreat Centre & Healing Sanctuary
The Retreat Centre is a little over one hour’s drive from both Alicante and Valencia airports. There are buses from Valencia and from the bus station in Alicante town to Ontinyent. There are also trains from Valencia to Xativa near to Ontinyent. We will meet you and collect you where and when we are able to, please let us know your travel details when you book.Address – Carretera de Onteniente a Fontanares: CV.655. Km10. CP. 46.870, Ontinyent, Valencia, Spain.
Located 8km from Ontinyent on CV-655 at the former old Casa Rural Morera.