I think this means that fear is our own creation---just as the world is. We create the situation, and the fear to go with it. It's just one of the things we do.
So, if the fear is making you feel bad and you don't want to feel that way, then go inside and find the love that's in you. The love helps you get in touch with your memories of Heaven, though on a subconscious level. And that will lift you out of the fear for awhile.
And then, keep in mind that life is a continual experience. That's what it really is. It isn't a school or learning game, as such. It's an experience. We created it, because we wanted that experience. If you understand that, then you enjoy it much more.
Kemp
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
WHO WE ARE
A good friend of mine was upset recently, because things weren't working out in her life like she wanted. She couldn't get what she wanted. Instead, she kept getting what she didn't want. She said the world was all messed up and dragging her down.
Here's what I told her:
I truly believe that everything is unfolding as it should. It took me a long, long time to get to this point, though. And saying something like that to someone who doesn't understand it, is like punching them in the stomach.
It reminds me of a verse in the Tao Te Ching talking about how people react when hearing about the Tao. It says some are moved instantly, others study it with great reward, some respect it, and then it says this---"Some, upon hearing the Tao, laugh. If they did not laugh, it would not be the Tao."
Everything, even what we don't like or don't understand, is in perfect order. It has to be for anything to be.
I believe we are moved through the world by who we are. The things and experiences that come to us, do it because that's what's drawn to who we are. If they didn't happen, we wouldn't be who we are.
No accidents.
Here's what I told her:
I truly believe that everything is unfolding as it should. It took me a long, long time to get to this point, though. And saying something like that to someone who doesn't understand it, is like punching them in the stomach.
It reminds me of a verse in the Tao Te Ching talking about how people react when hearing about the Tao. It says some are moved instantly, others study it with great reward, some respect it, and then it says this---"Some, upon hearing the Tao, laugh. If they did not laugh, it would not be the Tao."
Everything, even what we don't like or don't understand, is in perfect order. It has to be for anything to be.
I believe we are moved through the world by who we are. The things and experiences that come to us, do it because that's what's drawn to who we are. If they didn't happen, we wouldn't be who we are.
No accidents.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Kellie Love and A Course in Miracles
I have spent the last 33 years of my life involved with a program of Spiritual Development known as “A Course in Miracles”. Over time, it has had a beneficial and transforming effect on everything I do. Not that I claim to have attained any high state of Spiritual Enlightenment, but all my humble activities have profited from my own re-orientation to a higher purpose.
“ACIM” as it is sometimes called is often mistaken for a “new-age religion”. It certainly is not. It is more properly considered a self-study program for Spiritual growth. “Religion” – literally means to “bind together”. It applies to teachings applied to a group of people to bring them into conformity with a specific dogma or belief. It is to “instruct the faithful in the truth”.
ACIM is a personal endeavor to ascertain the truth of one’s own being through conscientious examination of one’s own mind, beliefs, convictions, etc. There is little attempt to inculcate a particular rubric or doctrinal belief system among the students. There are clear distinctions made in ACIM. For instance, “there is NO sin”, “you are and have always been a perfect child of a loving God”, the entire world you see – particularly its stresses and pain – is illusory”, and “Jesus is no different from you – in truth you are both forms of God”.
Even though ACIM is a uniquely personal endeavor, it is often studied in loosely organized groups meeting in homes, churches, or other convenient locations. Some churches are less authoritarian than others and are thus, frequently the site of ACIM study groups.
The study of Miracles is probably more like a psychologically-based personal growth group than anything else. There are no “right” answers, no non-negotiable demands. No emphasis on being “saved”, not even an acknowledgement of the existence of “sin”. The whole thrust of the teaching is to recover a sense of the original wonder of being a wholly perfect creation of a loving Creator. For most humans, this is only a far-away dream, but this is the ACIM student’s Holy Grail. To fully appreciate the UN-fallen state of God’s perfect child, we learn that our seeming shortcomings are but mistakes in our clouded self-perception. Yes, I am aware of just how radical this view is.
Typically the meetings commence with a period of quiet meditation, followed by an opportunity to gossip, chat and share experiences. Frequently passages from the 3 volume work A Course in Miracles will be read aloud with comments invited from those present. Students frequently report examples from their recent daily life and draw comparisons or evaluations. The leader merely facilitates, sometimes clarifying, mostly just listening as those present grope for their own understanding of the book and their own life. There are no sermons, creeds, homilies or didactic recitations. After a time, usually one and a half to two hours, the group will again grow quiet, meditate for 5 to 10 minutes and then disband. Sometimes refreshments will be provided by a member.
The intensely personal nature of these discussions tends to build close friendships and alliances among the students. There is typically a sense of “family” and belonging that develops. Especially in the earlier days of “The Course”, there was a certain air of conspiratorial collegiality that was often noticed, due to its radical departures from conventional dogmas. Many present day students experience a great relief from the contradictions and pressures of conventional religions.
It has been a great 33 years. I have experienced many epiphanies and adventures along the way. I have finally abandoned the hope of ever “getting there” and have learned to settle for the increasingly joyous trip along the path! It is wonderful to realize that above all else, with all my seeming “flaws”, my Creator loves me and I do indeed totally return that love.
Kellie R. Love
September 4, 2008
“ACIM” as it is sometimes called is often mistaken for a “new-age religion”. It certainly is not. It is more properly considered a self-study program for Spiritual growth. “Religion” – literally means to “bind together”. It applies to teachings applied to a group of people to bring them into conformity with a specific dogma or belief. It is to “instruct the faithful in the truth”.
ACIM is a personal endeavor to ascertain the truth of one’s own being through conscientious examination of one’s own mind, beliefs, convictions, etc. There is little attempt to inculcate a particular rubric or doctrinal belief system among the students. There are clear distinctions made in ACIM. For instance, “there is NO sin”, “you are and have always been a perfect child of a loving God”, the entire world you see – particularly its stresses and pain – is illusory”, and “Jesus is no different from you – in truth you are both forms of God”.
Even though ACIM is a uniquely personal endeavor, it is often studied in loosely organized groups meeting in homes, churches, or other convenient locations. Some churches are less authoritarian than others and are thus, frequently the site of ACIM study groups.
The study of Miracles is probably more like a psychologically-based personal growth group than anything else. There are no “right” answers, no non-negotiable demands. No emphasis on being “saved”, not even an acknowledgement of the existence of “sin”. The whole thrust of the teaching is to recover a sense of the original wonder of being a wholly perfect creation of a loving Creator. For most humans, this is only a far-away dream, but this is the ACIM student’s Holy Grail. To fully appreciate the UN-fallen state of God’s perfect child, we learn that our seeming shortcomings are but mistakes in our clouded self-perception. Yes, I am aware of just how radical this view is.
Typically the meetings commence with a period of quiet meditation, followed by an opportunity to gossip, chat and share experiences. Frequently passages from the 3 volume work A Course in Miracles will be read aloud with comments invited from those present. Students frequently report examples from their recent daily life and draw comparisons or evaluations. The leader merely facilitates, sometimes clarifying, mostly just listening as those present grope for their own understanding of the book and their own life. There are no sermons, creeds, homilies or didactic recitations. After a time, usually one and a half to two hours, the group will again grow quiet, meditate for 5 to 10 minutes and then disband. Sometimes refreshments will be provided by a member.
The intensely personal nature of these discussions tends to build close friendships and alliances among the students. There is typically a sense of “family” and belonging that develops. Especially in the earlier days of “The Course”, there was a certain air of conspiratorial collegiality that was often noticed, due to its radical departures from conventional dogmas. Many present day students experience a great relief from the contradictions and pressures of conventional religions.
It has been a great 33 years. I have experienced many epiphanies and adventures along the way. I have finally abandoned the hope of ever “getting there” and have learned to settle for the increasingly joyous trip along the path! It is wonderful to realize that above all else, with all my seeming “flaws”, my Creator loves me and I do indeed totally return that love.
Kellie R. Love
September 4, 2008
Monday, August 4, 2008
QUESTION: I got this lesson this morning. Give me your scholarly opinion if you will. Thank you. I thought it a bit perplexing.
Think on This ...
Study to know thyself in relationship to that ye choose as thy ideal. And let that ideal be set in Him, who is the way, the truth and the light. This does not mean becoming good-goody, no--far from it! Be able to look everyman in the face and tell him to go to hell--but live as He did, the lowly Nazarene!
Edgar Cayce Reading 2869-1
ANSWER FROM KEMP WARD: My feeling is that this passage is telling us to simply be who we are. And, it's saying to listen to our inner guidance and follow it. Unless we follow our inner guidance, we really can't be who we truly are.
And, it's telling us to give up judgement---of others AND ourselves. Do and say whatever we feel like, BUT do it without judgement. That way, you can have whatever interaction with others that you want to have, without anger or any other negative emotion. You aren't judging. When we judge or feel attack, we usually end up being a mirror of other people instead of who we really are.
Others may expect anger, but it won't be there if we refuse to judge or feel attacked.
I tell my clients over and over to negotiate hard and push for what they want, but to NEVER EVER get mad or show any signs of irritation. I've made them memorize my favorite charge to them: "The first one to get mad loses."
Think on This ...
Study to know thyself in relationship to that ye choose as thy ideal. And let that ideal be set in Him, who is the way, the truth and the light. This does not mean becoming good-goody, no--far from it! Be able to look everyman in the face and tell him to go to hell--but live as He did, the lowly Nazarene!
Edgar Cayce Reading 2869-1
ANSWER FROM KEMP WARD: My feeling is that this passage is telling us to simply be who we are. And, it's saying to listen to our inner guidance and follow it. Unless we follow our inner guidance, we really can't be who we truly are.
And, it's telling us to give up judgement---of others AND ourselves. Do and say whatever we feel like, BUT do it without judgement. That way, you can have whatever interaction with others that you want to have, without anger or any other negative emotion. You aren't judging. When we judge or feel attack, we usually end up being a mirror of other people instead of who we really are.
Others may expect anger, but it won't be there if we refuse to judge or feel attacked.
I tell my clients over and over to negotiate hard and push for what they want, but to NEVER EVER get mad or show any signs of irritation. I've made them memorize my favorite charge to them: "The first one to get mad loses."
Friday, July 11, 2008
Sweet Dependence Day
Americans have never gotten over their successful rebellion against Great Britain. We pride ourselves on our self-reliant independence. Even our folk-heroes, Davey Crockett, Daniel Boone, etc. are the go-it-alone tough guys who can make it on their own without the help or support of others. Cooperative, mutual participation is somehow not quite American. It seems more characteristic of Asia somehow than our rugged individualist traditions.
Even in our personal relationships, we seem to value inter-dependence among equals much more than the frankly dependent parent-child or mentor-student model. We deeply believe that dependence is bad, weak, vulnerable and much to be avoided. Such attitudes may be appropriate in some settings, but we are stuck in independence. We fiercely resist surrendering our independence even in relating to our Creator – yes, to God.
We really don’t want to think about humbly kneeling before our Creator, accepting unquestioningly the guidance of a Superior Intelligence. We would much rather have a peer or “buddy” God. Someone who would be more understandable, comprehendable, of our own dimensions. Someone we could more comfortably “argue with” if He diverged too much from our own point of view.
So we resist accepting the loving guidance and support of our One True Source and Author. Somehow we would rather “do it ourself” than accept the direction of One who knows far better than we, what our real needs and possibilities are.
What balky, obstreperous children we are! We attempt to content ourselves with all sorts of limitations, problems, deficiencies, because we just don’t want to “lose control”! (As if we had it to lose!)
One of the sweetest messages I ever heard is found in Brent Haskell’s book, Journey Beyond Words. In this book, Jeshua says that the real essence of love is freedom. That God does indeed love us, and He thereby grants us total freedom to do and be as we wish. Whatever we choose is ours. The one and only limitation is that we have already been created, and we cannot change our nature. What we are, how we are made, our inner nature is fixed in our creation and try as we might, cannot be changed. And do we ever try! We pretend to be thieves, assassins, perfidious, cruel, and rotten to the core. We carry this to such extremes that we can convince most of our brothers that we really are the evil things we pretend to be! Sometimes only God can say that “this is my beloved child in whom I am well pleased”.
Could God really grant us this much freedom? Yes! He can. He does. I don’t know how he continues to love us sometimes, but He insists He does. He gathers up the broken and shattered bits of his children, the spoiled remains of an angry and vicious world and loves them back into eternity. Only God could manage it.
So he gives us total freedom. We are given the freedom to reject Him. To create a world for ourselves that is the complete opposite in almost every way to His gentle and loving nature. We have the freedom to persist in our madness, without intervention, until we weary of it and find our way back on our own.
And when we manage to return from our folly, do we have a hell of a bill to pay? What do you think? That is what the parable of the Prodigal Son is all about. We are welcomed home with great love and celebration. Our debts are cancelled, our foolishness forgiven and nothing remains but the joy of homecoming.
This return to our loving Father is the event I want to celebrate. This final recognition that yes, indeed I am dependent on my Creator. With His help it is my nature to own the Universe…even more to become the co-creator of all that is. Wow. What a better outcome than to merely celebrate being alone and independent. How about accepting my place as co-equal with the loving boss of Creation! I think I won’t insist on Independence any longer. Enough is enough.
Kellie Love July 2008
Even in our personal relationships, we seem to value inter-dependence among equals much more than the frankly dependent parent-child or mentor-student model. We deeply believe that dependence is bad, weak, vulnerable and much to be avoided. Such attitudes may be appropriate in some settings, but we are stuck in independence. We fiercely resist surrendering our independence even in relating to our Creator – yes, to God.
We really don’t want to think about humbly kneeling before our Creator, accepting unquestioningly the guidance of a Superior Intelligence. We would much rather have a peer or “buddy” God. Someone who would be more understandable, comprehendable, of our own dimensions. Someone we could more comfortably “argue with” if He diverged too much from our own point of view.
So we resist accepting the loving guidance and support of our One True Source and Author. Somehow we would rather “do it ourself” than accept the direction of One who knows far better than we, what our real needs and possibilities are.
What balky, obstreperous children we are! We attempt to content ourselves with all sorts of limitations, problems, deficiencies, because we just don’t want to “lose control”! (As if we had it to lose!)
One of the sweetest messages I ever heard is found in Brent Haskell’s book, Journey Beyond Words. In this book, Jeshua says that the real essence of love is freedom. That God does indeed love us, and He thereby grants us total freedom to do and be as we wish. Whatever we choose is ours. The one and only limitation is that we have already been created, and we cannot change our nature. What we are, how we are made, our inner nature is fixed in our creation and try as we might, cannot be changed. And do we ever try! We pretend to be thieves, assassins, perfidious, cruel, and rotten to the core. We carry this to such extremes that we can convince most of our brothers that we really are the evil things we pretend to be! Sometimes only God can say that “this is my beloved child in whom I am well pleased”.
Could God really grant us this much freedom? Yes! He can. He does. I don’t know how he continues to love us sometimes, but He insists He does. He gathers up the broken and shattered bits of his children, the spoiled remains of an angry and vicious world and loves them back into eternity. Only God could manage it.
So he gives us total freedom. We are given the freedom to reject Him. To create a world for ourselves that is the complete opposite in almost every way to His gentle and loving nature. We have the freedom to persist in our madness, without intervention, until we weary of it and find our way back on our own.
And when we manage to return from our folly, do we have a hell of a bill to pay? What do you think? That is what the parable of the Prodigal Son is all about. We are welcomed home with great love and celebration. Our debts are cancelled, our foolishness forgiven and nothing remains but the joy of homecoming.
This return to our loving Father is the event I want to celebrate. This final recognition that yes, indeed I am dependent on my Creator. With His help it is my nature to own the Universe…even more to become the co-creator of all that is. Wow. What a better outcome than to merely celebrate being alone and independent. How about accepting my place as co-equal with the loving boss of Creation! I think I won’t insist on Independence any longer. Enough is enough.
Kellie Love July 2008
Saturday, March 8, 2008
WHAT WILL IT BE--MIRACLE OR GRIEVANCE
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
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
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