BIO

STUDENT AND PRACTITIONER OF PURE NONDUALISM ACCORDING
TO THE TEACHINGS OF A COURSE IN MIRACLES, AND AUTHORS KENNETH WAPNICK AND GARY RENARD.

AFTER SEVERAL YEARS OF INTENSE STUDY AND CONSTANT PRACTICE OF THE COURSE’S TEACHINGS,
WHICH I DILIGENTLY CONTINUE TO THIS DAY, FOR THIS IS WHAT LEADS US TO THE END OF OUR JOURNEY, I FELT INSPIRED
TO DO WHAT I’M HAPPILY DOING TODAY; SHARING MY LEARNING AND EXPERIENCE WITH THE COURSE.

I was born in Medellin, Colombia on April 10th, 1980. Like most Colombians, I grew up in a Catholic family and went to a Catholic high school from which I graduated in 1997. I went on to study Mechanical Engineering and graduated in 2002. Towards the end of 2003, I decided to move to the United States and, after a few years of working in the Oil and Gas industry and starting to invest in real estate, I got an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin in 2010. During my high school years, I was focused solely

on two things: practicing Kung Fu and playing handball, a sport I played for my high school team since the age of 10 and eventually for the colombian national team until 2002. With the exception of the years in which I practiced and taught Kung Fu, which I undoubtedly feel led me to a higher state of awareness, my main focus and effort during all my life, prior to starting my awakening process, were placed on creating a solid and “special” identity by constantly working to become a

better “person”, a better athlete, a better professional, and a more attractive, competent, and successful individual from the world’s perspective; all with the idea that this would allow me to attain the things and life conditions that I thought would bring me the completion and happiness that I so much desired and which, during the last few years of my deep state of sleep right before I started awakening, I was absolutely and arrogantly convinced I had attained.

Read more

An unexpected event that took place in early 2015, in which my then father-in-law went into a coma for 27 days and subsequently passed away, led me to a search for answers that eventually resulted in a rapid and important expansion of awareness which took place within a period of 8 months, and which was mainly accomplished through the teachings from Drunvalo Melchizedek’s “Awakening the Illuminated Heart” workshop. It was towards the end of this period, effectively the beginning of my awakening process during this lifetime, that I not only realized I was completely mistaken about everything I believed about happiness, life, and who I was, but also ran into Gary Renard’s first book “The Disappearance of The Universe”, my introduction to A Course in Miracles. Right after finishing this book, while still unclear about a lot of things and without being able to give a “logical” explanation to everything I was feeling at that point, I simply knew very deeply and clearly that the Course would be my path for the rest of my life. And even though its teachings are something to be applied solely at the level of the mind and never require or even suggest any changes at the level of the world, I felt an extremely strong and undeniable calling to immerse myself in a deep and intense study cycle of such teachings, accompanied, of course, by their constant application which is what is truly important. Faithful to my calling, and despite the interference in the form of doubt and conflict that would frequently come up, I continued the process and went on to read the other two books Gary had published at the time: “Your Immortal Reality” and “Love Has Forgotten No One”. Immediately after that, it would be Kenneth Wapnick who, through his “Journey” series and various other books, audios, and videos, would help me navigate the Course’s Workbook, Manual, Text, and supplements for the next three and a half years that this initial deep study cycle would take. During this period, while going through the Course with Ken, I attended several workshops with Gary and his wife Cindy and also continued to thoroughly re-read all of Gary’s books, including his last “The Lifetimes When Jesus and Buddha Knew Each Other”.

As I approached the end of this phase and continued with my real estate investment business, I felt inspired to share my learning and experience with the Course, while continuing my disciplined study and application of its teachings, which is what eventually leads us to the goal of the Course: the attainment of a state of perfect peace and, consequently, the full awakening back to our true Self, to God.

For reference, which may also serve as inspiration to you or someone else, the following is a list of some of the main teaching materials that were part of this initial study cycle:

  • The Disappearance of The Universe (Book), Gary R. Renard
  • Your Immortal Reality (Book), Gary R. Renard
  • Love Has Forgotten No One (Book), Gary R. Renard
  • The Lifetimes When Jesus and Buddha Knew Each Other (Book), Gary R. Renard
  • A Course in Health and Well Being (Book), Cindy Lora Renard
  • Awaken from The Dream (Book), Gloria and Kenneth Wapnick, Ph.D.
  • “What It Says” From the Preface of A Course in Miracles (Book), Kenneth Wapnick, Ph.D.
  • Journey Through the Text of A Course in Miracles (Book Set), Kenneth Wapnick, Ph.D.
  • Journey Through the Workbook of A Course in Miracles (Book Set), Kenneth Wapnick, Ph.D.
  • Journey Through the Manual of A Course in Miracles (Book), Kenneth Wapnick, Ph.D.
  • The 50 Miracle Principles of A Course in Miracles (Book), Kenneth Wapnick, Ph.D.
  • A Vast Illusion; Time According to A Course in Miracles (Book), Kenneth Wapnick, Ph.D.
  • Living A Course in Miracles (Audiobook), Kenneth Wapnick, Ph.D.
  • An Interview on A Course in Miracles (Video), Kenneth Wapnick, Ph.D.
  • Helen Schucman: A Gift of God (Video Class), Kenneth Wapnick, Ph.D.
  • The Four Splits of Separation Revisited (Video Class), Kenneth Wapnick, Ph.D.
  • The Metaphysics of Time (Video Class), Kenneth Wapnick, Ph.D.
  • A Light of Laughing Flowers; An Advanced Teacher of God (Video Class), Kenneth Wapnick, Ph.D.
  • The Happy Dream (Video Class), Kenneth Wapnick, Ph.D.
  • On Death and Dying, Ending, Continuing, or Awakening (Video Class), Kenneth Wapnick, Ph.D.
  • Psychotherapy: Purpose, Process, and Practice – A Commentary (Video Class), Kenneth Wapnick, Ph.D.
  • The Song of Prayer – A Commentary (Audio Class), Kenneth Wapnick, Ph.D.
  • Foundation for A Course in Miracles YouTube Channel (200+ Videos), Kenneth Wapnick, Ph.D.
  • Online Classes with Cindy Lora Renard and Gary R. Renard

Kenneth Wapnick Ph.D. (1942-2013). American psychologist, author, and teacher, who was one of the original founding members of the Foundation for Inner Peace, the publisher of the Course. Ken worked very closely with Helen, the scribe of the Course, to get the Course ready for publishing and knew the Course inside out. He not only was the first teacher of the Course but is widely known as the greatest one. He left a legacy of teaching materials that are essential for a deep understanding of all Course teachings and thus for our progress with the Course. All his teachings can be found at http://facim.org.

Gary R. Renard. Student and world-renowned teacher of the Course and author of the books The Disappearance of the Universe, Your Immortal Reality, Love Has Forgotten No One, and The Lifetimes When Jesus and Buddha Knew Each Other. Gary’s books, which present the Course’s teachings in a clear, direct, and linear way, have proven to be essential for many Course students not only to expedite a deep comprehension of such teachings so they can be immediately applied, but also to maintain the motivation and commitment to the Course at the highest level. More info on Gary can be found at http://www.garyrenard.com.

A COURSE IN MIRACLES

A Course in Miracles is a purely nondualistic spiritual path. It is a self-study mind training program which, by teaching us to perceive our relationships and the world differently through its purely nondualistic thought system and its core teaching of true forgiveness and spiritual sight, leads us to the complete relinquishment of all false unconscious beliefs we hold about ourselves and to the acceptance of the truth of Who We Are instead. In turn, this results in our attainment of a state of perfect inner peace and, ultimately, our awakening back to our true Self, to God, to Heaven, to our abstract and eternal natural state of being of perfect Oneness.

The Course consists of three main books: a Text, a Workbook for Students, and a Manual for Teachers. The Combined Volume, Third Edition of A Course in Miracles published by the Foundation for Inner Peace, includes the three books and two supplements which are extensions of the Course principles and came after the original typing of the Course had been completed.

The Course came as a result of the decision made by two people, who had a difficult and strained relationship, to join in a common goal; to find a better way to relate to each other and their co-workers. Their names were Helen Schucman and William (Bill) Thetford, Professors of Medical Psychology at Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. Three months after having made such decision, Helen started hearing a Voice which she experienced as an inner dictation with no sound. She immediately started taking the information down in shorthand and would later read it to Bill who would type it out. This collaborative effort of the channeling and typing of the Course took seven years, starting in 1965. It would then take them, with the help of Ken Wapnick, Judy Skutch, and Bob Skutch, a few more years to get it ready for publishing and, eventually, it was made available to the public in 1976.

As it says in its introduction:

“The course does not aim at teaching the meaning of love, for that is beyond what can be taught. It does aim, however, at removing the blocks to the awareness of love’s presence, which is your natural inheritance. The opposite of love is fear, but what is all-encompassing can have no opposite.” (T-in.1:6-8)

“This course can therefore be summed up very simply in this way:

Nothing real can be threatened.
Nothing unreal exists.

Herein lies the peace of God.” (T-in.2.)

EVENTS

The specific topics of each session will always depend on interests of attendees and received guidance.
If you are interested in scheduling an event in your area, or an online individual session, send an email to pablo@pabloarango.org.

TALKS

2 to 6 hour dynamic and interactive group session, in conversation style, covering the different themes, principles, and teachings of the Course.

WORKSHOPS

1 to 2 day group session, in presentation style, on specific Course themes and teachings aided by audiovisual resources such as slideshows and videos.

RETREATS

2 to 3 day deep dive into the Course’s teachings involving talks, workshops, meditation, and group activities, while disconnected from the daily routine.

INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS

1 or 2 hour session to
discuss any area of interest related to the Course’s teachings or the individual’s awakening process through the Course.

2019 | SCHEDULE

Feb. 28 | TALK | Bogotá, Colombia: From 6 pm to 9 pm at Lotus, Calle 108 #14 B – 49, Bogotá. To register, please email Lotus at citaslotus@gmail.com or call/text +57.317.510.1990 or +57.1.516.3062. Click here to see all event details

Feb. 27 | TALK | Bogotá, Colombia: From 6 pm to 9 pm at Sanarte, Cra. 51 # 103 B – 38, Bogotá. To register, please email Mónica at ucdmbogota@gmail.com or call/text +57.314.297.9592. Click here to see all event details

Feb. 23 | TALK | El Retiro, Antioquia, Colombia: From 3 pm to 6 pm near Puro Cuero, El Retiro, Antioquia. To register, please email Catalina at encuentrosucdm@gmail.com or call/text +57.321.644.1181. Click here to see all event details

See more

Feb. 20 | TALK | Medellín, Colombia: From 6 pm to 9 pm at São Paulo Plaza, Auditorio Piso 7, Cra. 43A # 18 Sur -135, Poblado. To register, please email Catalina at encuentrosucdm@gmail.com or call/text +57.321.644.1181. Click here to see all event details

Feb. 14 | TALK | Medellín, Colombia: From 6 pm to 9 pm at São Paulo Plaza, Auditorio Piso 7, Cra. 43A # 18 Sur -135, Poblado. To register, please email Catalina at encuentrosucdm@gmail.com or call/text +57.321.644.1181. Click here to see all event details

Feb. 7 | TALK | Medellín, Colombia: From 6 pm to 8 pm at São Paulo Plaza, Auditorio Piso 7, Cra. 43A # 18 Sur -135, Poblado. To register, please email Catalina at encuentrosucdm@gmail.com or call/text +57.321.644.1181. Click here to see all event details

CONTACT

e / pablo@pabloarango.org