Note: Tony is a founder and minister at California Miracles Center in San Francisco.
Charles Anderson aka "Master Teacher" was sometimes controversial. He helped to create one of the fine teaching missions and living centers of A Course in Miracles: Endeavor Academy.
Beloved One,
I received the following message of gratitude & celebration from my
friend Tony Ponticello in tribute to a fellow ACIM teacher who
recently passed. I offer my gratitude to Charles and to fellow
teacher Tara Singh, who passed last year. All glory to God.
Love & Blessings,
David
Dear *ACIM* Students,
It has been verified that Charles Anderson, affectionately known for
years as "Master Teacher" the guiding force of Endeavor Academy, in
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin has made his transition.
The following was from the email I received today from someone
named "Dennis"
This is the story: the old man went into the hospital in Reedsburg
last Thursday he was having trouble breathing...yesterday he had
recovered and was going to be released today and maybe make it to
session tomorrow. At the last minute he had a final seizure.. and
left. Mitch and John were with him.
Soooooooooo grateful - watched Avalon - (Al Jolson) and the Old Man
was just the Old Man. I am exploding with joy and gratitude........
Another story - M.T. was giving out 'milky way bars' at the Cheese**
after church on Sunday and introduced himself to a woman having
breakfast. When he was at the hospital - the same woman breezed into
his room and said 'Hi again Charlie - I'm your nurse!'
At the academy there is an air of ecstatic gratitude for what the Old
Man has achieved. No one believes in death anymore - we finally heard
the Old Man.
**the Cheese is the nickname for the restaurant owned and operated by
Endeavor Academy and Miracles Healing Center (CMC addition)
I (Rev. Tony Ponticello) just called Endeavor Academy to confirm that
this was indeed true. It is. I asked if there was an official
announcement and/or statement of his passing on any of their web
sites that I could quote, but I was told that there was none at this
time. The woman I spoke to thanked me for my sensitivity and I asked
if there was anything she would like to say that I could quote. She
said that I should communicate the the atmosphere at Endeavor was one
of celebration. Of course she meant celebration of a life that has
meant so much to so many who are dedicated students of *A Course In
Miracles* and who have learned from "Master Teacher's" lessons. I got
the sense that Charles Anderson had now given his final lesson to his
spiritual community and he was directly challenging them all to
perceive the unreality of death.
The following is from the Wikipedia entry on Endeavor Academy:
Endeavor Academy, founded in 1993 as the New Christian Church of Full
Endeavor of Wisconsin, is a school and residential community for
spiritual transformation. The Academy heavily utilizes a variant of
the book, A Course in Miracles, which they publish and promote.[1]
The Academy's teachings also derive from the New Testament. The
organization is headquartered in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, USA.
Leadership and founding
The founder and spiritual guide of the Endeavor Academy is Chuck
Anderson, also known as the "Master Teacher". Anderson was inspired
to establish Endeavor Academy after a pair of incidents changed his
life. In a letter to the Atomic Veteran's History Project, Anderson
describes how, with the Marines 6th Regiment, he was one of the first
to land at Nagasaki after the atomic bombing of that city in 1945,
where he was faced with a vast and overwhelming feeling of the
devastation he was witnessing:
On "one particular day", at "one particular moment in time", I found
myself standing directly in the center of this unspeakable, indeed
unthinkable, devastation that had to have been caused by someone or
something. At "that one time" I was filled with complete rage, a
wrenching, seething, frustrating, insatiable need for revenge. But
against what or whom? It had no point of location, no focus of
causation - in effect, no one to blame, no one to hold responsible.
It became a passion of intense revulsion for myself, for this world
and for any and all members of the human species - a contained
certainty from deep within me that all of us, everyone on this earth,
all were totally guilty together. And then at "that one moment in
time", the light of an inner peace enveloped me. It became "a space
in time" where a new resolution appeared, and with it, the
message, "Look at this as a new beginning."
Anderson writes that he had a second "space of peace and happiness"
in 1971 while lying on what he presumed would be his deathbed, and
reminded himself of his "mission to teach to all, a "continuing
rebirth".
In an interview with CBS News, Anderson denies having followers. He
claims to be "returning to heaven" "shortly", and says
that "everybody" is going with him. "There's nothing dangerous about
me," Anderson explains, "I am the danger of eternal love."
History and activities
Anderson first discovered ACIM ca.1989. Two years later in 1991 he
first registered the organization in Reedsburg, Wisconsin, USA under
its original name, which was "God's Country Place" (GCP). This
organization was based on many of the teachings of *ACIM*, as well as
some Biblical and AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) materials. By July of
that year it had grown from 4 to 12 residents, and by October there
were 70 residents. In 1999, Endeavor Academy had grown to accommodate
500 residents.
In 1992 the organization was registered to operate under the names;
Endeavor Academy, and New Christian Church of Full Endeavor. Around
this time, the use of the GCP name was discontinued.
Endeavor Academy's headquarters facility is a converted summer resort
facility located in an idyllic wooded setting in the Wisconsin
countryside. The original facility of 1991 was a large main house,
but in 1992 a summer resort motel complex was acquired and converted
to meet its present needs.
I, Rev. Tony, would like us all to send our love and support --
and "Yes" our energy of "celebration" to all the dedicated *ACIM*
students who live in the greater sphere of the Endeavor, Wisconsin
Dells, Wisconsin organization.
At this moment of Charles Anderson's passing I want to acknowledge
that without the hard work and enormous amount of time and financial
resources provided by his organization the copyright of *ACIM* and
the service marks "*ACIM*" and "*A Course In Miracles*" would still
be tightly held by the Foundation For Inner Peace (FIP) and the
Foundation For *ACIM* (FACIM Ken Wapnick's organization). We would
have no *ACIM - Original Edition*, no web chat rooms and web sites
that could label themselves as *A Course In Miracles Groups*, and no
teachers -- other than Ken Wapnick -- who could say that they were
teaching *A Course In Miracles" in any public way. The importance of
this contribution can not be thoroughly fathomed. It has vast and far
reaching implications for now and for the future healing of the world.
"It is impossible to overestimate your brother's value."
(Tx.Or.Ed.20.39)
I also want to say, at this moment, I have a smile on my face in
remembrance of an OUTRAGEOUS teacher who greatly disturbed many yet,
seemingly enlightened many many more. I will always give a nod of
gratitude to the outrageous and confrontive few. Souls like these
challenge us all to look at our perceptions, our beliefs and our
attachments to them.
I give a nod of acknowledgement to Charles Anderson. He was never my
teacher, but I have a great awareness that he was THE teacher for
many dedicated, valuable *ACIM* students.
Love, (Rev.) Tony
from David mysticspiritone@yahoo.com
Charles Anderson aka "Master Teacher" was sometimes controversial. He helped to create one of the fine teaching missions and living centers of A Course in Miracles: Endeavor Academy.
Beloved One,
I received the following message of gratitude & celebration from my
friend Tony Ponticello in tribute to a fellow ACIM teacher who
recently passed. I offer my gratitude to Charles and to fellow
teacher Tara Singh, who passed last year. All glory to God.
Love & Blessings,
David
Dear *ACIM* Students,
It has been verified that Charles Anderson, affectionately known for
years as "Master Teacher" the guiding force of Endeavor Academy, in
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin has made his transition.
The following was from the email I received today from someone
named "Dennis"
This is the story: the old man went into the hospital in Reedsburg
last Thursday he was having trouble breathing...
recovered and was going to be released today and maybe make it to
session tomorrow. At the last minute he had a final seizure.. and
left. Mitch and John were with him.
Soooooooooo grateful - watched Avalon - (Al Jolson) and the Old Man
was just the Old Man. I am exploding with joy and gratitude...
Another story - M.T. was giving out 'milky way bars' at the Cheese**
after church on Sunday and introduced himself to a woman having
breakfast. When he was at the hospital - the same woman breezed into
his room and said 'Hi again Charlie - I'm your nurse!'
At the academy there is an air of ecstatic gratitude for what the Old
Man has achieved. No one believes in death anymore - we finally heard
the Old Man.
**the Cheese is the nickname for the restaurant owned and operated by
Endeavor Academy and Miracles Healing Center (CMC addition)
I (Rev. Tony Ponticello) just called Endeavor Academy to confirm that
this was indeed true. It is. I asked if there was an official
announcement and/or statement of his passing on any of their web
sites that I could quote, but I was told that there was none at this
time. The woman I spoke to thanked me for my sensitivity and I asked
if there was anything she would like to say that I could quote. She
said that I should communicate the the atmosphere at Endeavor was one
of celebration. Of course she meant celebration of a life that has
meant so much to so many who are dedicated students of *A Course In
Miracles* and who have learned from "Master Teacher's" lessons. I got
the sense that Charles Anderson had now given his final lesson to his
spiritual community and he was directly challenging them all to
perceive the unreality of death.
The following is from the Wikipedia entry on Endeavor Academy:
Endeavor Academy, founded in 1993 as the New Christian Church of Full
Endeavor of Wisconsin, is a school and residential community for
spiritual transformation. The Academy heavily utilizes a variant of
the book, A Course in Miracles, which they publish and promote.[1]
The Academy's teachings also derive from the New Testament. The
organization is headquartered in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, USA.
Leadership and founding
The founder and spiritual guide of the Endeavor Academy is Chuck
Anderson, also known as the "Master Teacher". Anderson was inspired
to establish Endeavor Academy after a pair of incidents changed his
life. In a letter to the Atomic Veteran's History Project, Anderson
describes how, with the Marines 6th Regiment, he was one of the first
to land at Nagasaki after the atomic bombing of that city in 1945,
where he was faced with a vast and overwhelming feeling of the
devastation he was witnessing:
On "one particular day", at "one particular moment in time", I found
myself standing directly in the center of this unspeakable, indeed
unthinkable, devastation that had to have been caused by someone or
something. At "that one time" I was filled with complete rage, a
wrenching, seething, frustrating, insatiable need for revenge. But
against what or whom? It had no point of location, no focus of
causation - in effect, no one to blame, no one to hold responsible.
It became a passion of intense revulsion for myself, for this world
and for any and all members of the human species - a contained
certainty from deep within me that all of us, everyone on this earth,
all were totally guilty together. And then at "that one moment in
time", the light of an inner peace enveloped me. It became "a space
in time" where a new resolution appeared, and with it, the
message, "Look at this as a new beginning."
Anderson writes that he had a second "space of peace and happiness"
in 1971 while lying on what he presumed would be his deathbed, and
reminded himself of his "mission to teach to all, a "continuing
rebirth".
In an interview with CBS News, Anderson denies having followers. He
claims to be "returning to heaven" "shortly", and says
that "everybody" is going with him. "There's nothing dangerous about
me," Anderson explains, "I am the danger of eternal love."
History and activities
Anderson first discovered ACIM ca.1989. Two years later in 1991 he
first registered the organization in Reedsburg, Wisconsin, USA under
its original name, which was "God's Country Place" (GCP). This
organization was based on many of the teachings of *ACIM*, as well as
some Biblical and AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) materials. By July of
that year it had grown from 4 to 12 residents, and by October there
were 70 residents. In 1999, Endeavor Academy had grown to accommodate
500 residents.
In 1992 the organization was registered to operate under the names;
Endeavor Academy, and New Christian Church of Full Endeavor. Around
this time, the use of the GCP name was discontinued.
Endeavor Academy's headquarters facility is a converted summer resort
facility located in an idyllic wooded setting in the Wisconsin
countryside. The original facility of 1991 was a large main house,
but in 1992 a summer resort motel complex was acquired and converted
to meet its present needs.
I, Rev. Tony, would like us all to send our love and support --
and "Yes" our energy of "celebration" to all the dedicated *ACIM*
students who live in the greater sphere of the Endeavor, Wisconsin
Dells, Wisconsin organization.
At this moment of Charles Anderson's passing I want to acknowledge
that without the hard work and enormous amount of time and financial
resources provided by his organization the copyright of *ACIM* and
the service marks "*ACIM*" and "*A Course In Miracles*" would still
be tightly held by the Foundation For Inner Peace (FIP) and the
Foundation For *ACIM* (FACIM Ken Wapnick's organization)
have no *ACIM - Original Edition*, no web chat rooms and web sites
that could label themselves as *A Course In Miracles Groups*, and no
teachers -- other than Ken Wapnick -- who could say that they were
teaching *A Course In Miracles" in any public way. The importance of
this contribution can not be thoroughly fathomed. It has vast and far
reaching implications for now and for the future healing of the world.
"It is impossible to overestimate your brother's value."
(Tx.Or.Ed.20.
I also want to say, at this moment, I have a smile on my face in
remembrance of an OUTRAGEOUS teacher who greatly disturbed many yet,
seemingly enlightened many many more. I will always give a nod of
gratitude to the outrageous and confrontive few. Souls like these
challenge us all to look at our perceptions, our beliefs and our
attachments to them.
I give a nod of acknowledgement to Charles Anderson. He was never my
teacher, but I have a great awareness that he was THE teacher for
many dedicated, valuable *ACIM* students.
Love, (Rev.) Tony
from David mysticspiritone@yahoo.com
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