The Conscious Discipline Program's Link to A Course in Miracles and Mindfulness Meditation
Conscious Discipline, the creation of Dr. Becky A. Bailey, is a program used in hundreds of educational settings the world over--Head Start, private schools, day cares, Montessori schools, Christian schools, public schools and more. This discipline program loudly touts its shift from a reliance on "fear to love," and from "punishing to teaching." Shockingly, this seemingly wonderful program is filled with principles and teachings directly out of the New Age "Bible" -- A Course in Miracles! And here is how I found out:
While teaching in a public school preschool class I noticed a "S.T.A.R." poster hanging on the board with the words beside each letter: "S-Smile.; T-Take a deep breath.; A-and; R-Relax!" Exactly what this star was a part of I had no idea. But, a red flag flew when I read the word: "breath!" Shortly after, I was in another preschool room with another "S.T.A.R!" Right there I was introduced to "The Conscious Discipline" program--yes, right there in a school in which I often teach. And, immediately I knew I had to find out more. Well, find out I did, and what I was about to discover would make me understand just how deceptive and how huge is the influence of this widely acclaimed program--Conscious Discipline!
Conscious Discipline Creator: Dr. Becky A. Bailey
Not long into my research I found out the Conscious Discipline creator Dr. Bailey was a very vivacious, gregarious long time educator, the author of fifteen best-selling books and a host of other materials. Her books alone were said to have a circulation of 1.2 million, while her SEL (social-emotional learning) program is purported to have impacted 15.8M children.
Exploring the Conscious Discipline web site I found many videos and webinars made by Dr. Bailey, and her master teacher ambassadors in other parts of the country. One video episode (9-29-2017) "Episode 005: The Power and Potential of Faith" done by Bailey and master teacher Amy Speidel especially sparked my interest. I clicked on to listen.
In the podcast Speidel shared her personal story of resenting the fact that her parent's "God" made her feel like "a flawed person." But once Amy had encountered Conscious Discipline, she knew she was an "inherently worthy person," and that her very "core was worthy."
Bailey shared how after giving one keynote address some came up to thank her surmising she spoke of Christianity, while others thought she upheld Judaism, still others believed she taught Buddhism, and one, well he thought, she referred to the "Twelve Step Program." And said Bailey, "I said thank you." To end she reiterated since we've moved from "fear to love" we must all "hold hands," in order to find "inner peace."
https://consciousdiscipline.com/podcast-episode005/
Conscious Disciple Book: I Love You Rituals
The I Love You Rituals is one of Bailey's most popular books--the book where she took well-known Nursery rhymes and action rhymes changing their wording to remove anything "fearful" and instead insert "love!"
What was Bailey's intention in changing e.g. the Mother Goose rhyme as "The Old Woman in The Shoe" to "The Wonderful Woman"? It is all part of the over all agenda of the Conscious Discipline to eliminate punishment, and to do away with seeing anyone as sinful, flawed, or in need of a Savior. We must change ourselves says Bailey, and as we see our own goodness and love we'll see it in others as well.
Turning to the back cover I found a positive endorsement from the late Dr. Robert Schuller. In fact Bailey had once been Dr. Schuller's Hour of Power guest where Schuller had called her "... my new friend Becky Bailey." Seeing Schuller's name raised a big red flag for I realized that Schuller, as Warren Smith wrote, in his booklet Fearing God in A Fearless New Age (pp.5-6) celebrated Gerald Jampolsky's book Love is Letting Go of Fear when he featured New Ager Jampolsky at his Hour of Power.
But, it was inside the beginning pages that I found the person who has most influenced Becky, and who transformed her life--and that person was a lady of whom Bailey writes, "As I began my personal journey ... I was frightened of the present moment. This understanding was inspired by the work, friendship, and love of Carol Howe. The saying goes, 'When the student is ready the teacher appears.' This was the case with Carol who is my teacher, mentor, and friend." With Carol's help, Becky recalled, she'd learned to stay in the present moment relaxing and feeling loved while her fears melted away.
https://www.amazon.com/Love-You-Rituals-Becky-Bailey/dp/0688161170#reader_0688161170
Conscious Discipline Mentor and Friend: The Course Teacher: Carol M. Howe
Howe, Bailey's special friend, is a renowned expert of A Course in Miracles! Not only is she a veteran teacher of The Course, she personally knew the co-scribe of The Course's Bill Thetford who aided in taking down the channeled message given Helen Schucman as she listened to "Jesus'" inner voice. In fact, Carol Howe herself interviewed Thetford writing a book about him titled: Never Forget to Laugh: Personal Recollections of Bill Thetford, Co-scribe of A Course.* Significantly, the foreword of Carol's book is given by Gerald Jampolsky, M.D.**, and Diane Cirincione, Ph.D.; while a back cover endorsement is made by Becky A. Bailey, Ph.D., Creator of Conscious Discipline,
which reads: "After only three pages, I felt energetically transformed. By the end of the book I was uplifted, inspired, and at peace. I completely identified with Bill's journey on so many levels. ... Bill's story is amazing testimony to this universal process."
https://www.amazon.com/Never-Forget-Laugh-Recollections-Co-Scribe/dp/1945390107#reader_1945390107
* Note the reference to Carol's book with Becky's endorsement under "Further Reading" in Wikipedia's article "A Course in Miracles." Find it at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Course_in_Miracles
** Of Jampolsky Warren Smith writes, "A Course in Miracles gained enormous popularity when psychiatrist author Dr. Gerald Jampolsky's best-selling 1979 book Love is Letting Go of Fear promoted The Course and its New Age teachings." (Fearing God In a Fearless New Age, p.5)
Carol is a captivating teacher having produced online lessons, and videos about The Course. In fact, in a number of Carol's eCourses as e.g. "eCourse 10-Minute Sample The Instant Healing Power" one can view Dr. Becky Bailey herself participating in the group as she took copious notes. In other sample videos, Bailey can be seen smiling, nodding, and even being part of one of Carol's demo skits. There can be no doubt at all that Bailey had fallen for these teachings. Later on, when one listens to her various webinars, and videos Bailey shares over and over ideas coming right out of The Course! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dvnd1pLECSA
Becky's "testimonial" picture and comments can be found at "Carol Howe: "Find Your Peace" at https://www.carolhowe.com/p/testimonials. Notice that Dr. Gerald Jampolsky's testimony is first.
In Howe's introduction to her online course: "See How Life Works" one can view Becky Bailey numerous times, as well as hear exactly what Carol is teaching. Once again the themes of "fear" and "love" loom large. Carol teaches as one "steps into his own life" without fear, confusion, and misinformation you can ... feel safe, loved, and valuable.
Carol asserts that "fear" has distorted the process to transform your life from one of "fear and lack" to deeper peace. She contends this ACIM course that "we'll take you by the hand to walk you through 'the fog of fear,' and guide you into your own expanded awareness ...." Carol counsels, as you master ACIM principles you'll find the tools to lose your fears and let go of your past. Then Carol adds, "Then you will thrive by making decisions based on love and peace instead of fear."
View the video here: https://www.carolhowe.com/p/acourseinmiraclesonline.
Further Conscious Discipline Connections to ACIM
Another Becky Bailey book Easy to Love, Difficult to Discipline yielded even more connections to A Course in Miracles, and to Becky's mentor Howe with Carol's very own endorsement on its back cover.
On page ten: "The Journey from Fear to Love" Bailey wrote, "This book will take you on a journey from fear to love. Nothing holds more power than love ...." She also stated, "Love travels from the worthy to the worthy. When we feel good about ourselves, we tend to focus on the beauty in our own lives, and the goodness of others. ... Fear judges, love enjoys."
Find the book on Amazon.com. books. Be sure to click on the "Look Inside" pages to view its contents. Especially notice the last line of the "Acknowledgements" where she names specific people who have influenced her. However, pay careful attention to the words she writes in the last two lines which read, "To the creative force of the universe that links all as one and models love and acceptance. I am honored to relay the message of love and peace." (P. VIII) Think ACIM!
Click on the "Listen" below the book picture to hear about the books emphasis on "The Seven Powers of Self Control." Notice each power as a slogan, motto, or what I am naming a "mantra" for in later webinars on each power Bailey reiterates these mottos over and over! Notice chapter one where on page three she states, "You must rely on love, not fear, to motivate your children." Click on the box where you can type in a word to find out how many places that word is referenced. Note that fear is used 56 times, while love is used 127 times. Hear the reader use these words from chapter two: "The Seven Powers of Self-Control" where Bailey emphasizes "The seven powers will allow you to look at life through the lens of love rather than then the lens of fear." (p.29)
The chapter two index explicitly highlights the books from which Bailey takes her Conscious Discipline principles. In this index Becky lists: A Course in Miracles (Foundation for Inner Peace, 1985); Wayne Dyer's Our Sacred Self: Making Decisions to be Free (Harper Collins, 1996); C. Myss' Anatomy of the Spirit-The Seven Stages of Power and Healing (Harmony Books, 1996); Robert Schuller's Power Thought: Achieve Your True Potential through Power Thinking (Harper Books, 1993); Mary Anne Williamson's Return to Love-Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles (Harper Collins, 1996). In summary, such books are surely the backbone of Bailey's Conscious Discipline program.
https://www.amazon.com/Easy-Love-Difficult-Discipline-Cooperation/dp/0060007753
How very undiscerning, and sad it is that Orlando's First Academy Christian preschool has never truly looked into where Bailey's materials really emanate from, and instead says that folks are attracted to their preschool because it uses the Conscious Discipline program. Readers, we must be wary of every program we use, and do your research before you buy into them. One must look up every person that the creator or writer says influenced them such as I have done with Carol Howe finding her name in the I Love You Rituals "Acknowledgements." This unlocked for me, and for all who use her materials exactly where Becky has gotten them. A travesty indeed, for Conscious Discipline is not a Christian curriculum in any sense of the word as shown in this paper. How deceptive is our enemy who goes about as an "angel of light!" (II Cor. 11:14)
https://thefirstacademy.org/academics/ Go to "Preschool."
https://consciousdiscipline.com/professional-development/event/2018-growing-little-hearts-and-minds-conference/
A Course in Miracles Explained in Fearing God in a Fearless New Age
The question is why is The Course so dangerously deceptive? For answers, Warren B. Smith's recent January 2018 booklet: Fearing God in a Fearless New Age explains why one would not want to use or subscribe to anything coming from this course.
Listen to Smith's words (a former New Age follower of The Course) from the section "The New Age Takes on Fear." Smith writes, "In this rapidly changing world, it is important to understand how the biblical concept of 'fear' is being redefined both by the world and the church. In particular, a variety of voices ... would now have us believe that the opposite of love is not hate but fear." Smith continues, "... this deceptive concept ... was popularly introduced ... by a channeled New Age Christ through a set of metaphysical/occult teachings titled A Course in Miracles. In the Introduction on the very first page ... The Course's 'Jesus' proposes this foundational New Age teaching that 'the opposite of love is fear' but very cleverly adds--'but what is all encompassing (love) can have no opposite.'"
Smith emphasizes that ACIM teaches that his all-encompassing love means God is love, and therefore we are 'god' too. Warren then sums up ACIM teachings this way: "What becomes apparent is that these false teachings lay the groundwork for a New Age/New Gospel/New Spirituality to completely supplant biblical Christianity. No fear and no fear of God because all are love and we are all God --all in the name of 'God's" dream."
Read the booklet here: https://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog?p=27640
Conscious Discipline's Link to Mindfulness Meditation
I Can Calm Breathing Techniques:
Just like other kids' programs Conscious Discipline has a link to mindfulness components both for the children, and for the adults who use the program. Recall how I noticed the word "breath" on the "S.T.A.R. poster" in the classrooms. Well, Conscious Discipline has developed various ingenious ways to teach young children breathing techniques. One can view Becky Bailey reading her book I Can Calm (Ages 0-4) to young children, and then proceeding to teach them to: "S.T.A.R.", "Balloon," "Drain," "Pretzel," "Bunny breath" and use "breathing arms." If you look carefully at 1:39 you'll notice that the illustration of the child doing "breathing arms" is also seated in a lotus or meditative position. At the very end the children put their hands on their hearts, and say a Buddhist-like affirmation: "I wish you well!"
View here: https://consciousdiscipline.com/videos/i-can-calm-book-teach-composure-and-increase-literacy.
View the same breathing techniques here done by a little boy in "Mindful Breathing Exercises for Kids (as taught by my son) {Video}" His mom says, "My son started kindergarten this year, and I was THRILLED (to say the least) to learn that his teacher is introducing the kids to a different mindful breathing practice each week. (The breathing strategies are from the Conscious Discipline model developed by Dr. Becky Bailey)."
See one minute video here: http://leftbrainbuddha.com/mindful-breathing-exercises-for-kids-as-taught-by-my-son-video/
Breathing Tools:
Perhaps, you think "Oh, come on this is just so cute. What harm can come of something like this?" Well, this is very start of teaching little ones how to begin meditation, and when these youngsters grow older how easy it will be for them to go deeper. Conscious Discipline even offers a unique "S.T.A.R. Breathing Tool" suggesting that this multi-sensory tool will help children learn to take a deep breath by smelling the flower part as they breathe in, and blowing the pinwheel part as they breathe out. This tool they enthuse, perfect for ages 1-5, is indispensable for teaching little folks "deep belly breathing." Besides, Conscious Disciple sells "Large Conscious Discipline Rugs"
ready to "Bring everyone's best friends (repeating pattern of breathing core icons S.T.A.R., drain, balloon, pretzel) to circle time to use its twenty images as seat markers or an aid to help kids learn deep belly breathing.
Watch "Breathing Tool" Video Here:
https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=yfp-t&p=A+Breathing+Tool+Video+Becky+Bailey#id=1&vid=09cdddb9c3eb675deeba7cf7a2e4cbf1&action=click
Conscious Discipline Affirmations:
At one Conscious Discipline Head Start Conference PDF parents and teachers are shown a picture of someone sitting lotus style and following "The Five Rule" as they take a deep breath. Bailey's "Active Calming" uses "affirmations" or mantras a child will repeat over "I am safe. I can handle this. Keep breathing." "Wish Well" affirmations include: "You're safe. You can handle this. Breathe with me."
Dr. Becky's "Safe and Calm Meditation":
The popular children's "Safe and Calm for Children" is a very hypnotic guided meditation song from the CD "Brain Boogie Boosters" by Dr. Becky Bailey and The Learning Station. Upon clicking onto the video, the voice one hears is Dr. Becky Bailey. A note accompanying this video reads: "Give your child the best gift of their life! A simple yet very effective technique called meditation. This is one of the most valuable skills we can teach our children. Regular meditation has many valuable effects on our children's emotions, mental, and intellectual development. Meditation helps children relax, reduces stress, decreases anger, strengthen their attention span, and the ability to focus and be engaged."
Below the video, scroll all the way down to find a copy of its words which claim that the CEO of the brain (the frontal lobes) quiets the rest of the brain. The "song" contains mantra like refrains about being safe and calm, safe and loved, breathing in and breathing out, relaxing body parts, and thanking body parts. To end it tells children that they are "a gift to the world. Offer that gift to others." This idea is straight out of The Course.
Of the meditation one commentator said, "I really appreciate this meditation. ... I return to it again and again to hear it. I even use its mantras in my head in day to day ... situations." Hear the entire meditation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVM9JKbIIqU.
A Conscious Discipline Webinar
Bailey does a series of online webinar videos specifically for teachers of Conscious Discipline on each of the seven powers which can be found at her web site. One of these though stands out in its relationship to mindfulness. Which one is this? It is Webinar #3-- "The Power of Attention." Published in July 24, 2017 you will hear Becky zeroing in this power. In it she wears a "miner's hat" with a little light which says represents one's focus. In this video she tells the "Green Tea Story" how she went to get tea, but was distracted along the way.
However, her demonstration of the mindfulness skill of noticing our thoughts or her "Kleenex Tissue Demonstration" was unforgettable. In it Bailey insists we must start to notice our thoughts. And a thought will be like a tissue--she waves one in the air. This is a Kleenex cloud "thought." One, says Bailey, should just let it go by. Don't notice it. For we become our thoughts. We must pivot. She picks up a second facial tissue. She waves this, and sticks it on her head. She sticks on another tissue. She says, "How unattractive is this!" She emphasizes if thoughts get stuck one must allow them to float on by! At 14:43 she notes these ideas are "rooted in consciousness or mindfulness research." https://consciousdiscipline.com/power-of-attention/
Does Conscious Discipline emphasize "mindfulness for adults?" Yes, it does. It specifically has a page entitled "Mindfulness in Adults: Supporting the Positive Impact of Mindfulness in Adults." On it lists various papers such as C. M. Capel's "Mindlessness/Mindfulness, Classroom Practices, and Quality of Early Childhood Education." https://consciousdiscipline.com/mindfulness-in-adults-papers-supporting-conscious-disciplines-framework/ It might be noted that two of Conscious Discipline's master teachers in Arizona are shown with Bailey on a Facebook home page: "Mindful Discipline Representing Conscious Discipline in Arizona." http://www.mindfuldiscipline.com/about-us.html
While much more might be written, but as documented above Conscious Discipline has been
greatly influenced by ACIM as well as mindfulness. To end I ask Christian teachers and parents to consider the final question below.
Which Will it Be?: Conscious Discipline Says?, The Course Says?, or The Bible Says?
Which are you following? Conscious Discipline whose creator is Dr. Becky Bailey, A Course in Miracles whose scribes were Helen Schucman and Bill Thetford, or the Bible the very word of God? Which is it, the words of mere men and women or the word of God?
Will you say? Conscious Discipline says, The Course says, or the Bible says? As a Christian we must choose the Bible. For the others are filled with deception! For the Bible says, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right." (Ephesians 6:1) The Bible says, "Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right." (Proverbs 20:11) The Bible says, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) The Bible says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) And the Bible says if we have this life, Jesus has promised to give us peace for he says, "Peace I leave you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27) It is your choice, what will it be?
Learn to Discern Granny Verse: Colossians 2:8
"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."
For More Information About A Course in Miracles read:
Warren B. Smith's books: The Light That Was Dark: From the New Age to Amazing Grace (Warren's own wonderful testimony) and False Christ Coming: Does Anybody Care? Find these books, and Warren's other books and booklets at: www.lighthousetrails.com.
