Some thoughts recently occurred to me about the notion of manifesting. The moment we talk about wanting to “attract” something “out there” TO us, we have 1) labeled it as something other than us and outside of us, and 2) ascribed a power to it, declaring a duel with it, entering into a competition with it as we compete to acquire it. OK, sounds a bit dramatic, but isn’t that what we’re doing?
Let’s say I decide I want a certain job because I believe that job will make me happy.
First, while I believe that the job exists somehow somewhere in a thing called a mind in some kind of abstract, loose way, evidenced by the fact that I believe I can possibly “attract” it, I nevertheless see it as separate from me, because it still must be attracted TO me.
Second, I have already given that job power to “make me happy”. And if I don’t win it – this thing that is outside of me – does that mean I won’t be happy? Well, I realized that the moment we can recognize the folly in this thinking is the moment that we can have everything!!! When we cease focusing on some slice of life, some fragment of our world that WE have “decided” we want, we free our minds to listen to God’s Guidance as we learn to hear the One Voice leading us down the path perfectly optimized for all.
As J reminds us in ACIM (W. P1.78.1.1), literally every decision is a choice between grievance and miracle – not “do I want a BMW or a Jag”.. : ) It’s all in how we choose to SEE each moment – through the eyes of miracle or grievance, not the “what’s” each moment brings, because those are out of our hands, folks.
And besides, do we really want the responsibility of deciding what to “attract”, even if we could? ACIM says, “Your function here is only to decide against deciding what you want, in recognition that you do not know.” (T.14.IV.5.2) When we free the object/situation/person from that position of being in competition with us and release it from the duel, it is then we can truly love it.
Once we can genuinely forgive ONE thing we have attempted to pursue – truly forgive that need to be in competition WITH it for acquisition of its so-called “power” to supply for our happiness, then our entire world is released from competition and vengeance, and we are free to love and be loved as God has created us.
Love, Amy
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Friday, March 7, 2008
CAN WE SETTLE DOWN INSIDE?
We've all got things inside us that conflict, that move us forward on the one hand and, then, back on the other.
We've all got beliefs that conflict with what we actually do---what do you think that does to the world we create for ourselves? And we've all got fears, some of them shoved so deep inside us that they color our world without us even knowing they're there. And some of the colors are pretty dark. When Thoreau talked about living lives of quiet desperation, he probably got closer to what's going on inside us than we'd like to admit. It's no wonder that life comes out looking as crazy and scary as it does sometimes.
If we could settle down inside, I bet the outside would settle down, too. That's what the experts throughout recorded history have said, and I believe it.
We've all got beliefs that conflict with what we actually do---what do you think that does to the world we create for ourselves? And we've all got fears, some of them shoved so deep inside us that they color our world without us even knowing they're there. And some of the colors are pretty dark. When Thoreau talked about living lives of quiet desperation, he probably got closer to what's going on inside us than we'd like to admit. It's no wonder that life comes out looking as crazy and scary as it does sometimes.
If we could settle down inside, I bet the outside would settle down, too. That's what the experts throughout recorded history have said, and I believe it.
WHAT AM I?
Thanks for the help, but I need more help and the others are scratching their heads too.
Sooooo, I get what I am.
What am I?
I think I am loving, fun, sensitive, sensual, smart, spiritual devoted friend, relative, and woman.
I am seeking the same kind of man.
Am I to judge who I am or do I ask others or do I rely on what I get?
And if I don't like what I get, can I change the person I am?
Sooooo, I get what I am.
What am I?
I think I am loving, fun, sensitive, sensual, smart, spiritual devoted friend, relative, and woman.
I am seeking the same kind of man.
Am I to judge who I am or do I ask others or do I rely on what I get?
And if I don't like what I get, can I change the person I am?
YOU GET WHAT YOU ARE
That's what I preach in my lectures---YOU GET WHAT YOU ARE!
Folks don't like hearing it, though, because they like blaming the perceived failures in their life on the world or somebody else.
Everybody just really gets what they are, though, tough (or wonderful) as that sounds. You've given yourself the beliefs, fears, personality and everything else that makes up who you are. And since the world springs from inside each of us, it can't help but be a reflection of who we are. What else could it be?
Kemp
Folks don't like hearing it, though, because they like blaming the perceived failures in their life on the world or somebody else.
Everybody just really gets what they are, though, tough (or wonderful) as that sounds. You've given yourself the beliefs, fears, personality and everything else that makes up who you are. And since the world springs from inside each of us, it can't help but be a reflection of who we are. What else could it be?
Kemp
LAW OF THE WORLD
I read a bit of philosophy today and I would like your viewpoint.
"What you attract is not what you want but whom you are."
"What you attract is not what you want but whom you are."
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
PLAYMATES, NOT OPPONENTS
My approach is to argue and argue, as long as it's fun and entertaining, but never get angry. The other person isn't my opponent. They're my playmate. We're here to enjoy the world, so let's enjoy it.
The only true forgiveness is to realize that there's nothing to forgive. Everything that's going on outside us is simply a reflection of what's going on inside us. We create the outside world, so how can we get angry at it----unless getting angry is fun and it's part of the game, then it's ok, I guess.
The key thing is to realize that the one who gets angry loses. To create a world that you're constantly angry at is a losing thing. There's no reason to get angry anyway. We only do it because we can't think of something else to do, or we're trying to use it for manipulation reasons. It's not like its automatic. It's a decision.
My best buddies here are a bunch of right-wing rednecks. Every time we get together, I tell them they're like a bunch of nazi cave men. You wouldn't believe the way they think and feel about things. It's scary. BUT, then they turn right around and tell me that I'm a bleeding heart liberal who doesn't know what it's like to live in the real world. When things get heated, I start chanting HILLARY, HILLARY, HILLARY and they holler and cuss like a demon hit by Holy Water.
Then, we laugh and play cards. Loads of fun every Friday night.
Kemp
The only true forgiveness is to realize that there's nothing to forgive. Everything that's going on outside us is simply a reflection of what's going on inside us. We create the outside world, so how can we get angry at it----unless getting angry is fun and it's part of the game, then it's ok, I guess.
The key thing is to realize that the one who gets angry loses. To create a world that you're constantly angry at is a losing thing. There's no reason to get angry anyway. We only do it because we can't think of something else to do, or we're trying to use it for manipulation reasons. It's not like its automatic. It's a decision.
My best buddies here are a bunch of right-wing rednecks. Every time we get together, I tell them they're like a bunch of nazi cave men. You wouldn't believe the way they think and feel about things. It's scary. BUT, then they turn right around and tell me that I'm a bleeding heart liberal who doesn't know what it's like to live in the real world. When things get heated, I start chanting HILLARY, HILLARY, HILLARY and they holler and cuss like a demon hit by Holy Water.
Then, we laugh and play cards. Loads of fun every Friday night.
Kemp
QUESTION ABOUT ANGER AND FORGIVENESS
Let me ask you a very serious question. This is not rhetorical, I really am asking.
If someone attacks you verbally (in some playful but disrespectful way) or annoys you a lot
do you, Kemp, attack them back and forgive them later, or do you just not defend yourself
and forgive them as the thing is happening?
Let me know. I am curious. Not testing you, I am just wondering how to deal with such things
myself. (I used to argue with people but trying to be more harmonious and peaceful
within now, after studying the Abraham teachings.) (There is a little guy who is friendly to me
but likes to start political arguments, says he's a Bush fan, etc. I get really irritated at him and I try to avoid him but he approaches me and is friendly, but wants to talk politics.
There was also another incident when I got angry at a guy I know and yelled at him,
I wondered about that later, how better I might have dealt with that.)
thanks buddy
If someone attacks you verbally (in some playful but disrespectful way) or annoys you a lot
do you, Kemp, attack them back and forgive them later, or do you just not defend yourself
and forgive them as the thing is happening?
Let me know. I am curious. Not testing you, I am just wondering how to deal with such things
myself. (I used to argue with people but trying to be more harmonious and peaceful
within now, after studying the Abraham teachings.) (There is a little guy who is friendly to me
but likes to start political arguments, says he's a Bush fan, etc. I get really irritated at him and I try to avoid him but he approaches me and is friendly, but wants to talk politics.
There was also another incident when I got angry at a guy I know and yelled at him,
I wondered about that later, how better I might have dealt with that.)
thanks buddy
Saturday, March 1, 2008
WISE FISHERMAN
"J said, A wise fisherman cast his net into the sea. When he drew it up it was full of little fish. Among them he discovered a large, fine fish. He threw all the little fish back into the sea, and he chose the large fish. Anyone here with two good ears should listen."
The odds are good that this saying is not about telapia. Jesus is a wise fisherman and teaches with the intent that the disciples become more like him ... rich in wisdom. So in this saying he is reaching out to each of us. He is explaining a crucial portion of the path of wisdom. Jesus was familiar with Jewish teachings and in the deeper temple lessons, a fish corresponds to the imaginative intelligence.
In speaking about fishing Jesus awakens the imaginative faculty of the listener (they can each imagine themselves fishing, it was a common activity on the Sea of Galilee) and enlightens them about an aspect of how their mind works.
Jesus is explaining what happens when we observe ourselves. We can take time to be self-aware, observant of the ebb and flow of our thoughts. Every thought is either born of love or born of something else e.g. fear guilt.
When we observe the flow of our thoughts for awhile we may see an abundance of thoughts of the "something else" variety .... these are like the little fish. Amidst these will be one of our true thoughts, one whose genesis is love, like a gift from the Mind of God ... this is the big fish.
To toss the little fish back means Jesus is saying that all we need are the God thoughts, and we can ignore all the other thoughts, just toss them away. These something else thoughts are deceptive and may lead us astray for awhile .... away from peace.
The last sentence of the saying is colloquial, a phrase that means "this is important", or "pay attention", etc.
The wise fisherman is ever alert to the way he is thinking, and seeks always to think with God, so that more often, his thoughts are born of love.
Through our growing understanding of these sayings Jesus helps us become wise fishermen too. This saying does not mention why there are so few big fish and so many small fish, that is likely covered in another saying.
David
The odds are good that this saying is not about telapia. Jesus is a wise fisherman and teaches with the intent that the disciples become more like him ... rich in wisdom. So in this saying he is reaching out to each of us. He is explaining a crucial portion of the path of wisdom. Jesus was familiar with Jewish teachings and in the deeper temple lessons, a fish corresponds to the imaginative intelligence.
In speaking about fishing Jesus awakens the imaginative faculty of the listener (they can each imagine themselves fishing, it was a common activity on the Sea of Galilee) and enlightens them about an aspect of how their mind works.
Jesus is explaining what happens when we observe ourselves. We can take time to be self-aware, observant of the ebb and flow of our thoughts. Every thought is either born of love or born of something else e.g. fear guilt.
When we observe the flow of our thoughts for awhile we may see an abundance of thoughts of the "something else" variety .... these are like the little fish. Amidst these will be one of our true thoughts, one whose genesis is love, like a gift from the Mind of God ... this is the big fish.
To toss the little fish back means Jesus is saying that all we need are the God thoughts, and we can ignore all the other thoughts, just toss them away. These something else thoughts are deceptive and may lead us astray for awhile .... away from peace.
The last sentence of the saying is colloquial, a phrase that means "this is important", or "pay attention", etc.
The wise fisherman is ever alert to the way he is thinking, and seeks always to think with God, so that more often, his thoughts are born of love.
Through our growing understanding of these sayings Jesus helps us become wise fishermen too. This saying does not mention why there are so few big fish and so many small fish, that is likely covered in another saying.
David
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