Next Level Soul Podcast with Alex Ferrari

Episode NLS 666: "A Course In Miracles: Finding Peace In Turbulent Times" with Gary Renard
Release Date: February 17, 2026

Episode Overview

In this deeply illuminating episode, host Alex Ferrari welcomes spiritual teacher and celebrated author Gary Renard to discuss "A Course in Miracles" (ACIM) and the journey to peace in turbulent times. The conversation unpacks the metaphysical teachings of ACIM—particularly the concepts of non-duality, forgiveness, and the illusory nature of reality—while interweaving Gary’s personal story, practical insights, and reflections on awakening. Renard shares his own spiritual awakening, experiences with non-physical teachers, and how his journey can guide listeners toward lasting inner peace and spiritual fulfillment.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Gary Renard’s Spiritual Background and Awakening

[05:21–11:52]

• Prior to his transformative experiences, Gary spent the first half of his life as a musician before feeling drawn to spirituality after the "harmonic convergence."
• His shift to a spiritual path was catalyzed by two non-physical beings (Arten and Pursah), who appeared during meditation and introduced him to deeper metaphysical teachings.
• These teachers revealed themselves as manifestations of the Holy Spirit, appearing in humanly relatable forms.
• Over nine years, Gary experienced 17 visits from these teachers, who systematically taught him the true message and practice of "A Course in Miracles" (ACIM).

“If you’re telling me I’m not supposed to do that, then what am I supposed to do? …I opened my eyes and there were two people sitting there on my living room couch. …It turned out that they were actually the Holy Spirit appearing as people.” – Gary Renard (06:35)

2. Core Teachings of A Course in Miracles

[14:03–23:43]

• ACIM teaches that the true miracle is a specific kind of forgiveness—a perceptual shift that recognizes the world as an illusion.
• The central premise: Nothing real can be threatened. Nothing unreal exists. Herein lies the peace of God.
• The course is uncompromisingly non-dualistic, asserting that only God is real, and the rest (including time, space, and separation) is illusory.
• Separation is described as the foundation of the ego and the root of suffering.
• The forgiveness practiced in ACIM is not about pardoning real offenses but releasing the illusion that anything real was ever actually done.

“This is a purely non-dualistic teaching. So what it’s saying is that only God is real, only God is true… The idea that the world is an illusion is certainly not new, but [the Course] goes all the way with it.” – Gary Renard (15:09)

• ACIM’s brand of forgiveness saves vast amounts of "time," offering the possibility of awakening in one lifetime rather than over thousands.

3. The Practice of Forgiveness & Mind Training

[25:54–36:03]

• It’s not enough to intellectually understand the world’s illusory nature—one must practice not making things real by refraining from judgment.
• Gary emphasizes “Don’t make it real” as a powerful mantra.
• Judgments about others are understood by the unconscious mind as judgments about oneself. The collective unconscious (Carl Jung’s term) is key: “There’s really just one mind.”
• Gary describes ACIM’s Workbook as a tool for retraining the mind to think with the Holy Spirit instead of the ego.

“Judgment makes it real. And so it makes separation real and keeps separation fixed in place in your mind. And what we want to do is we want to undo the idea of separation. And this kind of forgiveness doesn’t make it real.” – Gary Renard (28:28)

• Spiritual progress is gradual, like “a caterpillar becoming a butterfly.” The course leads to experiencing life as a “happy dream” rather than a miserable one.

4. Spirit vs. Body; The Nature of True Reality

[37:43–48:58]

• The Course’s radical teaching: "I am not a body. I am free. For I am still as God created me," means spirit is all, not part.
• The body is the ego’s prized creation, representing separation. Awakening involves identifying less with the body and more with spirit.
• Dualistic language in ACIM is used metaphorically; ultimate reality is indivisible, changeless, eternal spirit.

“When you get back to heaven, the course teaches there is no difference between God and you, that you are in this state of perfect oneness that is exactly the same.” – Gary Renard (73:10)

5. The Nature of This World and Role of the Ego

[60:51–67:13]

• Gary clarifies that, according to ACIM, God did not create this universe; it is a projection of the ego’s thought of separation.
• The universe has no real existence; all experiences are but dreams from which we may awaken.
• Suffering, transience, and even moments of happiness are ultimately part of the illusion.
• The highest spiritual work is to awaken to the knowledge that the separation never occurred and we remain at home in God.

“This world was made by…the one collective mind that thinks it is here. The universe of time and space is nothing but a projection, like in a movie theater.” – Gary Renard (63:47)

6. The Ultimate Goal of Spiritual Practice

[72:27–78:28]

• If the world were real, some things could not be forgiven—but because it is not, total forgiveness is possible.
• Real vision is to behold every person as “the perfect creation of God that they really are.”
• The true spiritual path is to extend love and recognize oneness everywhere.

“We forgive our brother not because he’s really done something, but because he hasn’t really done anything, because we’re the ones who made him up in the first place.” – Gary Renard (72:39)

7. On the Lives of Jesus and Buddha

[78:28–83:53]

• Gary’s book "The Lifetimes When Jesus and Buddha Knew Each Other" asserts both awakened rapidly because they didn’t buy into the illusion of separation.
• Before their final lives, they were close in previous incarnations but were able to awaken more quickly due to not fully identifying with the illusion of the world.

“What gave them a head start and why they woke up before most of us is because they didn’t buy into the dream. … They never had that feeling that it was real.” – Gary Renard (80:10)

8. Finding Peace Amidst Turbulence & Advice for Seekers

[85:19–91:45]

• If one has lost faith in God or the world, Gary suggests it’s understandable: “If this were the real world, God would be cruel.”
• The purpose is not external happiness but inner peace, achieved by undoing the ego and judgment, embracing perfect love, and practicing consistent forgiveness.
• Gary echoes another teacher—“Be kind, because everyone you meet is fighting a tough battle.”
• True world peace can only spring from inner peace; collective awakening will ultimately lead to peace on earth.

“The people of the world will never live in peace until the people of the world have inner peace.” – Gary Renard (90:53)

9. Final Reflections & Practical Wisdom

[94:54–95:50]

• Knowledge alone is insufficient. The key is to apply spiritual wisdom in daily life.
• Consistency of practice—extending love and forgiveness to all people and situations—accelerates the return to spiritual home.

“To know but not do is not yet known. Even when you learn all of this spiritual information…it won’t do you a bit of good if you don’t apply it.” – Gary Renard (94:54)

Notable Quotes

• “Don’t make it real.” — Gary Renard (25:54)
• “As you see him, you will see yourself…Never forget this.” — Gary Renard quoting ACIM (28:00)
• “Teach only love, for that is what you are.” — Gary Renard quoting ACIM (73:23)
• “You are at home in God, dreaming of exile, but perfectly capable of awakening to reality.” — Gary Renard quoting ACIM (65:02)
• “Everything is joined in perfect continuity…There is nowhere that this light is not. This is the vision of the Son of God, whom you know well.” — Gary Renard reading ACIM (73:19)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Topic | |-----------|-------| | 05:21–11:52 | Gary’s awakening and visitation from non-physical teachers | | 14:03–23:43 | The radical non-duality and core principles of A Course in Miracles | | 25:54–36:03 | True forgiveness and psychological unity; practical mind training | | 37:43–48:58 | The body vs. spirit, and the real meaning of self | | 60:51–67:13 | The origin of the universe and the nature of illusion | | 72:27–78:28 | Forgiveness in a world that’s not real; spiritual vision | | 78:28–83:53 | Jesus and Buddha’s lifetimes and the key to rapid awakening | | 85:19–91:45 | Faith, kindness, and the shared path toward peace | | 94:54–95:50 | Final truth: Applying wisdom is essential for true transformation |

Summary & Takeaway

This episode offers a thorough introduction to "A Course in Miracles" and a path toward inner peace, regardless of outer turbulence. Gary Renard’s teachings reinforce that spiritual progress hinges not on mystical experiences or understanding alone, but on diligent, practical application: choosing forgiveness over judgment, refusing to make the illusion real, and embracing the perfect oneness that underlies all reality.

Key takeaways:

• The world is an illusion, a dream of separation perpetuated by the ego.
• The fastest way to “awaken” is through ACIM’s true forgiveness—recognizing nothing real has been threatened.
• Love, kindness, and inner peace are the ultimate markers of spiritual progress.
• Each person is called to apply, not just know, these spiritual truths in their everyday life.

For more about Gary Renard and his teachings:
Visit garyrenard.com

For deeper spiritual journeys and more Next Level Soul content:
Explore Next Level Soul TV

“To know but not do is not yet known…. If you really apply it, you’ll be hitting home runs, you’ll be getting home so much faster… It is well worth doing, but you’ve got to remember to do it and get into the habit of always doing it.”
—Gary Renard (94:54)