I told you that I was rereading A Course in Miracles. Well when I got to Chapter 5, Healing and Wholeness, I was inspired as all get out! My new favorite prayer comes right after the third paragraph of the Introduction in Chapter 5. It says:
Let me know this brother as I know myself
If I can remember this whenever I'm in the presence of a brother or sister or even when I'm just thinking of them, then I'll be doing alright. The three paragraphs that precede my new favorite prayer are certainly worth quoting here. Enjoy!
To heal is to make happy. I have told you to think how many opportunities you have had to gladden yourself, and how many you have refused. This is the same as telling you that you have refused to heal yourself. The light that belongs to you is the light of joy. Radiance is not associated with sorrow. Joy calls forth an integrated willingness to share it, and promotes the mind's natural impulse to respond as one. Those who attempt to heal without being wholly joyous themselves call forth different kinds of responses at the same time, and thus deprive others of the joy of responding wholeheartedly.
To be wholehearted you must be happy. If fear and love cannot coexist, and if it is impossible to be wholly fearful and remain alive, the only possible whole state is that of love. There is no difference between love and joy. Therefore, the only possible whole state is the wholly joyous. To heal or to make joyous is therefore the same as to integrate and to make one. That is why it makes no difference to what part or by what part of the Sonship the healing is offered. Every part benefits, and benefits equally.
You are being blessed by every beneficent thought of any of your brothers anywhere. You should want to bless them in return, out of gratitude. You need not know them individually, or they you. The light is so strong that it radiates throughout the Sonship and returns thanks to the Father for radiating His joy upon it. Only God's holy children are worthy channels of His beautiful joy, because only they are beautiful enough to hold it by sharing it. It is impossible for a child of God to love his neighbor except as himself. That is why the healer's prayer is:
Let me know this brother as I know myself
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
I Love Carrie Triffet
It's true. I love Carrie Triffet. She's the author of a book called Long Time No See, Diaries of an Unlikely Messenger.
Reading her book was like hanging out with my best friend whom I haven't seen in awhile. Oddly (or maybe not so oddly), I started on the page where she talks about The Disappearance of the Universe by Gary Renard, and I read straight on through to the end. Then I went back to the very beginning and I did not skip anything, and I read straight on through and past where she talks about The Disappearance of the Universe until I had to stop because someone else came along who is now also enjoying Carrie Triffet as much as I do!
Right after all that happened, I found out Carrie Triffet was going to interview Gary Renard! Who'd a thunk it? Anyway, the interview will soon be made available for those who are interested at Carrie Triffet's website which can be found by googling her. I believe it'll be posted under the "Events" section. I can't wait!
I want to thank my very sweet and private friend who is really Christ(I wonder how long you're gonna be able to keep that private?)for telling me about Carrie Triffet in the first place!
Reading her book was like hanging out with my best friend whom I haven't seen in awhile. Oddly (or maybe not so oddly), I started on the page where she talks about The Disappearance of the Universe by Gary Renard, and I read straight on through to the end. Then I went back to the very beginning and I did not skip anything, and I read straight on through and past where she talks about The Disappearance of the Universe until I had to stop because someone else came along who is now also enjoying Carrie Triffet as much as I do!
Right after all that happened, I found out Carrie Triffet was going to interview Gary Renard! Who'd a thunk it? Anyway, the interview will soon be made available for those who are interested at Carrie Triffet's website which can be found by googling her. I believe it'll be posted under the "Events" section. I can't wait!
I want to thank my very sweet and private friend who is really Christ(I wonder how long you're gonna be able to keep that private?)for telling me about Carrie Triffet in the first place!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
An Alligator and a Python
It's ironic, but I watch a nature show on PBS on Sunday nights at 8:00pm. I remember 25 years ago, I had a stepfather who was 40 years my senior, and he insisted on taking me and my friend on a nature walk at Allegany State Park. You can bet there was a lot of eye rolling and praying to please make it stop going on all day! Now I'm thinking, let me face this, the fact is that there are only two kinds of people that actually watch PBS; babies and old people. Will I ever grow up?
Anyway, this week I watched an alligator eat a python and then I watched a python eat an alligator and then I watched some guy cut open a python and find a whole graveyard full of alligator claws, and bird beaks, and what not inside. This was definitely a different experience from watching the wolves the week before. They were beautiful and graceful. I was mesmerized by their social rituals and their strong family ties. The reptiles not so much. Infact, it was so disgusting, it was hard to watch.
Then I remembered that it really was just one thought that had made all images appear. It was my decision to take the "tiny mad idea" of separation seriously that had caused me to lose my mind. And practicing true forgiveness will help me find it. Thank God!
Anyway, this week I watched an alligator eat a python and then I watched a python eat an alligator and then I watched some guy cut open a python and find a whole graveyard full of alligator claws, and bird beaks, and what not inside. This was definitely a different experience from watching the wolves the week before. They were beautiful and graceful. I was mesmerized by their social rituals and their strong family ties. The reptiles not so much. Infact, it was so disgusting, it was hard to watch.
Then I remembered that it really was just one thought that had made all images appear. It was my decision to take the "tiny mad idea" of separation seriously that had caused me to lose my mind. And practicing true forgiveness will help me find it. Thank God!
Friday, February 12, 2010
Someone to Turn To...
That's one of my favorite things about A Course in Miracles, it has given me someone to turn to for everything! I tend to take that quite literally, and I've gotten into the habit of turning to J or the Holy Spirit as some prefer to refer to Him for everything from a cold right on through to the death of a loved one. Pursah points out in The Disappearance of the Universe that it's just as important to forgive a cold as it is to forgive the death of a loved one. So, that's where I got that from!
Anyway, we find right in the preface, in the section called, "How It Came," Dr. Schucman writes, "The names of the collaborators in the recording of the Course do not appear on the cover because the Course can and should stand on its own. It is not intended to become the basis for another cult. Its only purpose is to provide a way in which some people will be able to find their own Internal Teacher."
I am one of those people. I have found my own Internal Teacher which doesn't mean I always listen or even hear, but that's what that little willingness is for, I think. I can't find the line I wanted to use from the Course where J encourages us to take His hand and He says, "I assure you this will be no idle fantasy."
I don't hesitate to find any promises J might make in the blue book, and I put Him right on the spot. He always makes good, though. That's the thing, He really is in there somewhere doing His job perfectly. I've found that having Him as my go to Guy has been the biggest relief of my life even though He's not really a Guy. When He says, on page 56, "In this world you need not have tribulation because I have overcome the world. That is why you should be of good cheer," I do relax then, and be of good cheer, usually. Thank God!
Anyway, we find right in the preface, in the section called, "How It Came," Dr. Schucman writes, "The names of the collaborators in the recording of the Course do not appear on the cover because the Course can and should stand on its own. It is not intended to become the basis for another cult. Its only purpose is to provide a way in which some people will be able to find their own Internal Teacher."
I am one of those people. I have found my own Internal Teacher which doesn't mean I always listen or even hear, but that's what that little willingness is for, I think. I can't find the line I wanted to use from the Course where J encourages us to take His hand and He says, "I assure you this will be no idle fantasy."
I don't hesitate to find any promises J might make in the blue book, and I put Him right on the spot. He always makes good, though. That's the thing, He really is in there somewhere doing His job perfectly. I've found that having Him as my go to Guy has been the biggest relief of my life even though He's not really a Guy. When He says, on page 56, "In this world you need not have tribulation because I have overcome the world. That is why you should be of good cheer," I do relax then, and be of good cheer, usually. Thank God!
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Themes?
Alright, I wanted to talk about themes a little bit. I don't really know anything about them or what they mean...nothing in the big picture I'm bettin', but since it's Saturday night, and I still think I'm in the picture, I figured I'd do some wondering.
Hey, that's probably what I said just before the you know what(separation)...that didn't really happen(THANK GOD)...but sure seems to have(ugh!)...
Anyway, it seems like there are themes in the sense that certain areas in life go incredibly smoothly for some of us and incredibly crappy for others of us. For example, I seem to have pretty good luck when it comes to anything legal. I can get pulled over for speeding, running a red light, no inspection, no registration, and can't find my license all at the same time and get a warning. My mother, on the other hand, could be sitting in her own home, and someone could come in and physically assault her, and she would have to pay a fine.
Sometimes you get both sides of the same illusory theme. For example, haircuts. It seems we're all darned destined for a bad one of those at least once. I've already had mine, thank you.
It's mind boggling to think of all the zillions of ways this illusory business seems to be scripted out. Arten and Pursah talk about how it's possible to live the same lifetime over again with a different result. They even use my favorite quote from Shakespeare about how, "There are more things in Heaven and earth, Horatio, then are dreamt of in your philosophy." They assure us that we all have the same number of so called good lives as bad lives. We've all been famous, and we've all been the dregs of the earth.
Ultimately, all three of them, J and A & P, heck all four of them, J and A & P and Gary, seem to say that nothing can compare to remembering who we and our brothers and sisters really are, and this true forgiveness can't help but lead to that. Thank God!
Hey, that's probably what I said just before the you know what(separation)...that didn't really happen(THANK GOD)...but sure seems to have(ugh!)...
Anyway, it seems like there are themes in the sense that certain areas in life go incredibly smoothly for some of us and incredibly crappy for others of us. For example, I seem to have pretty good luck when it comes to anything legal. I can get pulled over for speeding, running a red light, no inspection, no registration, and can't find my license all at the same time and get a warning. My mother, on the other hand, could be sitting in her own home, and someone could come in and physically assault her, and she would have to pay a fine.
Sometimes you get both sides of the same illusory theme. For example, haircuts. It seems we're all darned destined for a bad one of those at least once. I've already had mine, thank you.
It's mind boggling to think of all the zillions of ways this illusory business seems to be scripted out. Arten and Pursah talk about how it's possible to live the same lifetime over again with a different result. They even use my favorite quote from Shakespeare about how, "There are more things in Heaven and earth, Horatio, then are dreamt of in your philosophy." They assure us that we all have the same number of so called good lives as bad lives. We've all been famous, and we've all been the dregs of the earth.
Ultimately, all three of them, J and A & P, heck all four of them, J and A & P and Gary, seem to say that nothing can compare to remembering who we and our brothers and sisters really are, and this true forgiveness can't help but lead to that. Thank God!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Drag Me To Hell
Okay, I've been dying to use this blog title! The thought of this title on an ACIM blog just sort of tickled my funny bone. It's actually the name of a movie the kids talked me into watching with them the other night. We watched the PG-13 version, and I tell you we laughed our heads off.
It was the first time a horror movie didn't horrify me. Usually, I have to look away at the scary parts...this time I watched every second, we all did, and we really laughed so hard.
In fact, all of it reminded me of page 586 in the text. J says, "He would have seen at once that these ideas are one illusion, too ridiculous for anything but to be laughed away!" And later on page 587, "He bids you bring each terrible effect to Him that you may look together on its foolish cause and laugh with him a while. You judge effects, but He has judged their cause. And by His judgment are effects removed. Perhaps you come in tears. But hear Him say, 'My brother, holy Son of God, behold your idle dream, in which this could occur.' And you will leave the holy instant with your laughter and your brother's joined with His."
Okay, one more line, He goes on to say, "The secret of Salvation is but this: that you are doing this unto yourself."
So, I dragged myself to hell, metaphorically speaking of course! And now, I'm leaving!
It was the first time a horror movie didn't horrify me. Usually, I have to look away at the scary parts...this time I watched every second, we all did, and we really laughed so hard.
In fact, all of it reminded me of page 586 in the text. J says, "He would have seen at once that these ideas are one illusion, too ridiculous for anything but to be laughed away!" And later on page 587, "He bids you bring each terrible effect to Him that you may look together on its foolish cause and laugh with him a while. You judge effects, but He has judged their cause. And by His judgment are effects removed. Perhaps you come in tears. But hear Him say, 'My brother, holy Son of God, behold your idle dream, in which this could occur.' And you will leave the holy instant with your laughter and your brother's joined with His."
Okay, one more line, He goes on to say, "The secret of Salvation is but this: that you are doing this unto yourself."
So, I dragged myself to hell, metaphorically speaking of course! And now, I'm leaving!
Saturday, January 30, 2010
I Looked at Death and it Disappeared!
It happened while I was in bed sleeping early the other morning. I was having one of those highly vivid, seemingly symbolic dreams that felt completely real just like the waking dream usually does. You know the kind, where when you wake up, you remember every detail because you just lived it! Or so it seemed...
Anyway, I wanted to take the kids to Seaworld in Canada. I was driving in the car with the kids, and I saw a street sign. It said Niagara Falls Blvd. I pulled over, and the kids and I jumped out of the car and ran into this bridal salon to ask for directions. I asked the people who worked there, but they ignored me. I also asked the customers, and they ignored me too.
I found myself going into malls and bowling alleys asking everyone if they knew how to get to Seaworld in Canada. They either ignored me or said a bunch of stuff I couldn't follow. I saw a guy with blue hair and a yellow shirt who was saying he was from Vancouver, and I asked him and he said, "No."
Finally, I decided to get in the car by myself and see if I could find it. I could bring the kids back later when I knew how to get there. I found myself on a stretch of highway that briefly looked familiar, like the stretch right by my house. I quickly realized it wasn't by my house, but I remembered being on this highway many times before and always getting lost. I thought, I hate this stupid place, and I veered to the right to round a curve, but I cut the wheel too soon, and drove right off a cliff that was hundreds or thousands of feet high. I wholeheartedly believed it was not survivable.
My first thought was I can't believe I just did that! Then, I joined with J in my mind. Then, I thought of my kids and their dad and in my mind I said I'm so sorry and I love you to them. Then I thought about how shocked and dismayed my mother would be. Then I wondered if it would hurt when I landed. Then I wondered why I hadn't landed yet. Then, I opened my eyes to take a peak and saw that I was in my bed! And then, I was thrilled! Thrilled, I tell you!
Paraphrasing from the Course and The Disappearance of the Universe, There is no death. The Son of God is free!
If plummeting thousands of feet off a cliff in a 95 Buick Century ain't no cause for alarm, then maybe there just ain't no cause for alarm, after all?
Anyway, I wanted to take the kids to Seaworld in Canada. I was driving in the car with the kids, and I saw a street sign. It said Niagara Falls Blvd. I pulled over, and the kids and I jumped out of the car and ran into this bridal salon to ask for directions. I asked the people who worked there, but they ignored me. I also asked the customers, and they ignored me too.
I found myself going into malls and bowling alleys asking everyone if they knew how to get to Seaworld in Canada. They either ignored me or said a bunch of stuff I couldn't follow. I saw a guy with blue hair and a yellow shirt who was saying he was from Vancouver, and I asked him and he said, "No."
Finally, I decided to get in the car by myself and see if I could find it. I could bring the kids back later when I knew how to get there. I found myself on a stretch of highway that briefly looked familiar, like the stretch right by my house. I quickly realized it wasn't by my house, but I remembered being on this highway many times before and always getting lost. I thought, I hate this stupid place, and I veered to the right to round a curve, but I cut the wheel too soon, and drove right off a cliff that was hundreds or thousands of feet high. I wholeheartedly believed it was not survivable.
My first thought was I can't believe I just did that! Then, I joined with J in my mind. Then, I thought of my kids and their dad and in my mind I said I'm so sorry and I love you to them. Then I thought about how shocked and dismayed my mother would be. Then I wondered if it would hurt when I landed. Then I wondered why I hadn't landed yet. Then, I opened my eyes to take a peak and saw that I was in my bed! And then, I was thrilled! Thrilled, I tell you!
Paraphrasing from the Course and The Disappearance of the Universe, There is no death. The Son of God is free!
If plummeting thousands of feet off a cliff in a 95 Buick Century ain't no cause for alarm, then maybe there just ain't no cause for alarm, after all?
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