Neale Donald Walsch, “Home with God” and

James Arthur Ray, “Science of Success”, or “Million Dollar Mindset”

Mid Oct 2009 – 3 People Die in Sweat-Lodge at an Arizona Retreat

If you are reading this web site, you are probably aware of James Ray, one of the many people interviewed as part of the very popular video and book “The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne

I’m not going to repeat the news story here, you can easily find details on-line, however, in summary, over 60 people took part in a retreat, including a sweat-lodge session, 19 became very ill and 2 died, and another died later.

There is controversy over the design of the lodge, the process, the teachings and reactions of James Ray and some of the things that James Ray and his team have said about how and why the people died. One statement that has been presented is not entirely a new or unique idea, but can be rather offensive to people that are not in-line with that view of life:

The idea that people “choose” how and when to die.

This is talked about in “Home with God”, by Neale Donald Walsch (another interviewee from “The Secret”, but probably with a significantly different perspective than James)

“You can not die against your will” (HwG, Remembrance 3)

Back in 2007/08, I wrote about “Home with God” and these ideas. They are long-standing ideas associated with Spiritual teachings, but as Neale says in his talks, you would not present a grieving family member with this perspective unless

you knew them very well and that they were already of this mindset.

The idea that your “Higher Self”, your Christ- or Super-consciousness, your God-part or Soul or Spirit or whatever you consider your eternal presence, would bring you here to earth, guide you through your life and decide when it is time to return home, is not a modern concept. Consider though, that our conscious minds do not need to be aware of any part of this process, and so, the process would appear not to exist.

If we try to tell someone that this process does exist and it works for everyone, all of the time, then we are going to offend and anger many people. The implication is that you need to be “Aware” or “Enlightened” to understand the “truth”. If you don’t understand or at least believe, you must be still in the dark, or may be stupid, or ignorant. Maybe “we” should feel sorry for you? May be “we” should avoid talking to you or at least hide our knowledge from you? This is how it was in the past – “Secret Knowledge”, where you could be burned at the stake for expressing it. Is it “really” knowledge or just another example of self-delusions.

I can’t think of a way to “prove” it to you. I can’t even think of a way to prove it to myself. I’m open to either option, but I prefer the “illusion” where I am conscious of my higher-conscious and its ability to manifest impossible things in my life. When I was a child, I knew I would live forever. I still like that idea, even though my mind and body have changed since then and I don’t live in the same place as then, I am still the same child.

I’ve been reproducing my notes on “Home with God” here on this Forum. Take a look at the first 3 parts of the discussion where the idea is introduced:

http://dynamiccentre.net/kforum.html?func=showcat&catid=20

Don’t forget, the person that doesn’t believe a word you say, is just another part of you. What does that reveal to you?

We Are All One

John