Gary Renard
Encyclopedia
Gary Renard is the author of the books The Disappearance of the Universe
(2004) and Your Immortal Reality (2006), two works whose stated purpose is to reawaken interest in and clarify the core purpose of the 1976 classic spiritual text, A Course In Miracles
(ACIM).
In The Disappearance of the Universe, Renard recounts, in dialogue and commentary, a series of 17 claimed appearances by two ascended masters over the course of nine years, from 1992 until just after the World Trade Center disaster of 2001. The two alleged ascended masters call themselves Pursah and Arten (not their real names), and claim to have once been two disciples of Jesus
: Thomas and Thaddeus
. Renard says the encounters with Arten and Pursah were his first introduction to A Course in Miracles. The material in the two books is consistent with the teachings of A Course in Miracles as taught by ACIM authority Kenneth Wapnick. However, Renard's writings and activities have stirred some controversy within some more conservative parts of the ACIM community. Renard's two books are due to be followed by at least two more books in 2011 and possibly 2012.
In 2006, Renard published a sequel to DU called Your Immortal Reality: How to Break the Cycle of Birth and Death with Hay House Publishing. In 2007 Renard divorced his first wife, Karen Renard. In 2009 he remarried to musician and therapist, Cindy Lora, whom he believes to be the Arten/Thaddeus individual in his books. He moved from Maine, the site of the first visits, to southern California. Due to the significant changes in his personal life, the publication of his third book, "Love Has Forgotten No One" has been delayed since April 2008, but is tentatively scheduled for distribution by Hay House in early 2011.
In his Episode 39 podcast, Renard also notes that he is already embarking upon the editing of a fourth book, title to be disclosed. Renard currently travels and teaches in numerous locations, as described on his website.
Also in the writings, Arten and Pursah assert the validity of the Oxfordian theory of Shakespeare authorship
,
the pre-canonical authorship of the Gospel of Thomas
by the disciple Thomas (including a fully narrated alleged original text prior to later additions and corruptions), and that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene
, though with no offspring.
The Disappearance of the Universe
The Disappearance of the Universe is a book written by Gary Renard and originally published by Fearless Books , and later by Hay House ....
(2004) and Your Immortal Reality (2006), two works whose stated purpose is to reawaken interest in and clarify the core purpose of the 1976 classic spiritual text, A Course In Miracles
A Course in Miracles
A Course in Miracles is a self-study curriculum that aims to assist its readers in achieving spiritual transformation. The book describes a non-dualistic philosophy of forgiveness and includes what are meant to be practical lessons and applications for the practice of forgiveness in one's daily life...
(ACIM).
In The Disappearance of the Universe, Renard recounts, in dialogue and commentary, a series of 17 claimed appearances by two ascended masters over the course of nine years, from 1992 until just after the World Trade Center disaster of 2001. The two alleged ascended masters call themselves Pursah and Arten (not their real names), and claim to have once been two disciples of Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
: Thomas and Thaddeus
Saint Jude
Jude was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. He is generally identified with Thaddeus, and is also variously called Jude of James, Jude Thaddaeus, Judas Thaddaeus or Lebbaeus...
. Renard says the encounters with Arten and Pursah were his first introduction to A Course in Miracles. The material in the two books is consistent with the teachings of A Course in Miracles as taught by ACIM authority Kenneth Wapnick. However, Renard's writings and activities have stirred some controversy within some more conservative parts of the ACIM community. Renard's two books are due to be followed by at least two more books in 2011 and possibly 2012.
Life after 1992
After these reported encounters, Renard significantly redirected his focus from being a musician and an investor into being primarily a spokesperson and teacher for his understanding of the teachings of ACIM, as well as the promotion of his books.In 2006, Renard published a sequel to DU called Your Immortal Reality: How to Break the Cycle of Birth and Death with Hay House Publishing. In 2007 Renard divorced his first wife, Karen Renard. In 2009 he remarried to musician and therapist, Cindy Lora, whom he believes to be the Arten/Thaddeus individual in his books. He moved from Maine, the site of the first visits, to southern California. Due to the significant changes in his personal life, the publication of his third book, "Love Has Forgotten No One" has been delayed since April 2008, but is tentatively scheduled for distribution by Hay House in early 2011.
In his Episode 39 podcast, Renard also notes that he is already embarking upon the editing of a fourth book, title to be disclosed. Renard currently travels and teaches in numerous locations, as described on his website.
Additional claims
In the course of the books, in addition to their discourse about A Course in Miracles, Arten and Pursah make a few unusual claims, such as that humans once migrated from Mars to Earth, prior to which they had migrated from yet another planet to Mars.Also in the writings, Arten and Pursah assert the validity of the Oxfordian theory of Shakespeare authorship
Oxfordian theory of Shakespeare authorship
The Oxfordian theory of Shakespearean authorship proposes that Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford , wrote the plays and poems traditionally attributed to William Shakespeare of Stratford-upon-Avon. While a large majority of scholars reject all alternative candidates for authorship, popular...
,
the pre-canonical authorship of the Gospel of Thomas
Gospel of Thomas
The Gospel According to Thomas, commonly shortened to the Gospel of Thomas, is a well preserved early Christian, non-canonical sayings-gospel discovered near Nag Hammadi, Egypt, in December 1945, in one of a group of books known as the Nag Hammadi library...
by the disciple Thomas (including a fully narrated alleged original text prior to later additions and corruptions), and that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene was one of Jesus' most celebrated disciples, and the most important woman disciple in the movement of Jesus. Jesus cleansed her of "seven demons", conventionally interpreted as referring to complex illnesses...
, though with no offspring.
Books
- The Disappearance of the UniverseThe Disappearance of the UniverseThe Disappearance of the Universe is a book written by Gary Renard and originally published by Fearless Books , and later by Hay House ....
(published December 31, 2004) ISBN 978-1401905668 - Your Immortal Reality: How to Break the Cycle of Birth and Death (published July 31, 2006) ISBN 978-1401906986