Vieira Tomas - Take me to truth : undoing the ego

Initially inspired by the study and practice of the teachings in A Course in Miracles (ACIM, or the Course), the seventeen-year spiritual-awakening journey of the authors, Nouk Sanchez and Tomas Vieira, led to the almost total deconstruction of their lives and belief systems before emerging from the process together. Their uniquely dynamic family experience of learning and practicing the Course, as a couple, with their daughter Rikki Vieira, and their close spiritual family, is unprecedented. No amount of theory or other substitute can hold a candle to the experience of Truth. Amidst much lightness and laughter, these authors share a profound dedication to learning and living the Course, without one iota of compromise to its principles.

Nouk and Tomas joined in a divine commitment in 1984. The call they heard beckoned them to discover the indestructible nature of love. And the precious insights gained from their life-transforming experience are shared in both the book Take Me to Truth and their Undoing the Ego workshops. The result is this profound, yet practical guide that clearly defines the blocks and the stages that lead to spiritual awakening.

Respected for their practical expansion of the Courses section on the Development of Trust in the Manual for Teachers , Nouk and Tomas have been invited to deliver dynamic workshops around the world. They are keynote speakers at the prestigious Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, New York; the International A Course in Miracles Conference, San Francisco, California; and The Miracles Network in London.

Visit their website for articles, interviews and workshops:

www.takemetotruth.com

This book is a collaborative project brought about by the commitment of a group of people who, within their intertwined Unified Relationships, embarked upon a study and practice of the development of Trust as found in A Course in Miracles, Manual for Teachers , Development of Trust section. The original family who commenced their journey in 1990over sixteen years ago at the time of the original writing of the bookconsisted of Nouk Sanchez, Tomas Vieira, and Rikki Vieira. They were later joined by Janine McFarlane, Lana Scott, Nick Sanchez, Jennifer Sanchez, Sparo Arika Vigil, and Nouk Sanchezs mother, Evelyne Tayler, whose spirit-presence was essential in completing the book. Nouk Sanchez and Tomas Vieira gratefully acknowledge the assistance of these individuals who have been and continue to be their greatest teachers; without them, this book could not have been written. Thank you.

We wish to also thank the following present-day Wisdom teachers for their generous out-pouring of Love and Truth: Adyashanti, Dr. Brad Blanton, Stephan Bodian, Andrew Cohen, Michael Dawson, Dr. Wayne Dyer, Frank Fools Crow (Lakota Holy Man deceased), Lynn Grabhorn, Russ Hudson, Byron Katie, Jed McKenna, Robert Rabbin, Gary R. Renard, Don Riso, Jacqueline Small, Eckhart Tolle, Neale Donald Walsch, and Kenneth Wapnick.

Thank you also to the following people:

• Sparo Arika Vigil, who oftentimes stayed up late at night typing the manuscript and for many of the earlier illustrations..
• Debbie and Jack Funfer and Terry Favour, for proof-reading the earliest draft, consulting on the Enneagram, and helping us figure out our Enneagram types.
• Ben Malley, for being open to Spirit and generously offering valuable insights.
• Hal Kahn, for assistance with early grammatical editing. Benita Romero, for introducing us to Byron Katie and her The Work.
• Jan Cook, for help with promotion.
• Gloria Webb, editor, for assistance with first publication edit.
• Damian Codotto, for illustrations and website.
• Russ Edwards, for front and back cover art work.
• Rikki Vieira, for front and back cover photographs.
• Lenore Dittmar, for her kind gift of this latest polished edit of our book. We are honored.
• Rogier F. van Vlissingen, author of Closing the Circle: Pursahs Gospel of Thomas and A Course in Miracles , for his ongoing advice, support, and friendship.

1www.word-fix.com.au/

2www.mindwire.com.au

3www.worxbyruss.net.au

2009 Byron Katie, Inc. All rights reserved.

For more information about The Work, visit www.thework.com.

JUDGE YOUR NEIGHBOR WRITE IT DOWN
ASK FOUR QUESTIONS TURN IT AROUND

Fill in the blanks below, writing about someone (dead or alive) you havent yet forgiven one hundred percent. Use short, simple sentences. Dont censor yourselftry to fully experience the anger or pain as if the situation were occurring right now. Take this opportunity to express your judgments on paper.

1. Who angers, frustrates, or confuses you, and why?

I am ___________________ at ___________________ because
_____________________________________________________

Example: I am angry at Paul because he doesnt listen to me , he doesnt appreciate me , he argues with everything I say.

2. How do you want them to change? What do you want them to do?

I want ____________________ to _____________________
______________________________________________________

Example: I want Paul to see that he is wrong . I want him to apologize .

3. What is it that they should or shouldnt do, be, think, or feel? What advice could you offer?

___________________ should/shouldnt _________________
______________________________________________________

Example: Paul should take better care of himself . He shouldnt argue with me .

4. What do they need to do in order for you to be happy?

I need ____________________ to ______________________
______________________________________________________

Example: I need Paul to hear me and respect me .

5. What do you think of them? Make a list.

______________________ is ______________________
______________________________________________________

Example: Paul is unfair , arrogant , loud , dishonest , way out of line , and unconscious .

6. What is it that you dont want to experience with that person again?

I dont ever want to ___________________________________

Example: I dont ever want to feel unappreciated by Paul again . I dont ever want to see him smoking and ruining his health again .

Investigate each of your statements from the Judge-Your-Neighbor Worksheet using the four questions and the turnaround below. The Work is meditation. Its about awareness, not about trying to change your thoughts. Ask the questions, then take your time, go inside, and wait for the deeper answers to surface.

In its most basic form, The Work consists of four questions and a turnaround . For example, the first thought that you might questions on the above Worksheet is Paul doesnt listen to me. Find someone in your life about whom you have had that thought, and lets do The Work. [Name] doesnt listen to me:

1. Is it true?
2. Can you absolutely know that its true?
3. How do you react, what happens, when you believe that thought?
4. Who would you be without the thought?

Then turn it around (the concept you are questioning), and dont forget to find three genuine examples of each turnaround.

After youve investigated your statement with the four questions, youre ready to turn it around (the concept you are questioning) .

Each turnaround is an opportunity to experience the opposite of your original statement and see what you and the other person have in common.