Thank you for this Sean. For some reason it brought me to think a lot about language.
I had not heard of John Sherman and there’s not a whole lot to be found out about him online. I downloaded Look at Yourself and I’m finding the language he uses to describe this process of awakening to who we are in truth very meaningful. It reminds me how powerful words can be. His ideas of course are not new, but they are expressed in a way I really connect with - cogent, authentic, and best of all simple!
I’m reminded at the same time that language is so limiting when exploring the nature of reality, and Sherman touches on that as well: “One of the problems that come when we are trying to put words to it is that we try to project upon reality a personality, a personal identification…we anthropomorphize it, like we do everything.”
Powerful, inadequate. Language is what we have and ultimately it’s a beautiful thing. Though not Catholic, I visit a Catholic retreat center a couple of times a year in the Rio Grande Valley. They have an incredible library - thousands and thousands of books, written by thousands and thousands of philosophers, theologians, mystics etc. Billions and billions of different combinations of words all addressing the same thing - the nature of God (Reality). The first time I walked through that library I was in tears, overwhelmed by what all these books pointed to - our common, human yearning for God (Reality).
I enjoy and am grateful for your language, including especially your thoughts on the ACIM daily lessons - very helpful. I’m also grateful to be introduced to the new language (new to me!) of John Sherman. What an interesting life he’s had too. Peace!
Thanks, Mark. Yes, John is a gifted writer and speaker - the simplicity and clarity is breath-taking. He has been a very happy and helpful presence in my ACIM study and practice, especially when and as it connects with nonduality. I'm very grateful for him.
Language, man . . . the singular blessing of existence and the root of all evil, all at once. Nothing makes the separation as clear, and nothing can else can bring atonement quite so near.
The image of the library calls to mind Babel for me, which I don't think I would have freaked out about quite so much as the Authors of Genesis apparently did. But clearly they are trying to tell us something about dialogue. I think often of Jesus, who neither left written record of his own nor apparently instructed his followers to either. And Socrates, who also disdained the written word.
Anyone who points us beyond the limitations of language is a gift, and a blessing, and a teacher. Sherman absolutely is all of that for me.
Reading Sherman and Ramana Maharshi has been mind-blowing for me, and I think oddly enough it’s the language that makes it so. I was a seeking Christian for many years, and for the first time I think I understand what Jesus meant by “the kingdom doesn’t come through observation (paraphrased) but rather “the kingdom is within you.” The same with ACIM. I think I mentioned in a previous post that I was having a hard time grasping the ACIM idea that I am not a body; and that this worldly experience we’re having is a dream. It makes a lot more sense now.
It’s funny, I’m a lover of quotes, and there’s one from an obscure movie called Clouds of Sils Maria where someone says with great authority, “No regrets! We are the sum total of our life experiences!” I used to take great comfort in that statement, but Sherman has me thinking completely differently now. I’ve always believed my thoughts, my decisions and experiences make me who I am. I REALLY question that now. My thoughts are not always, and perhaps are even rarely true. I, like everyone else, make poor decisions. I, like everyone else, have uncomfortable, even painful experiences in this life. The problem is when we let those thoughts, decisions and experiences create for us a false identity, and of course that makes us unhappy. How can it not? When we let these things define us, we cannot help but be miserable and afraid, to believe that we must defend ourselves against our very lives. To even say or think it- “defend ourselves against our very lives” is so bizarre, and yet it’s been so true, at least for me. A mentor of mine used to say “life is not happening TO you; life is happening FOR you.” I never really got that before.
But who I am in truth I believe now transcends my thoughts, decisions and experiences. Well, it doesn’t even transcend them - it makes them meaningless. When I see who I am (what Paul Tillich called the ground of being) through the simple inquiry method, I realize there’s nothing to be afraid of because none of that stuff is real. Only my ISness is real. In I AM there is no fear.
Really wonderful stuff. I’m kind of on a mountaintop right now, so I may sound like a raving lunatic😊. I’m well aware I can’t stay here, and according to Sherman, that’s not only ok, it’s not the point. We can have all of these experiences-the good, the bad and the ugly, without it impacting who we are. Hard to say what I want to say here (limits of language), but I see so much truth in these concepts. Thanks for the dialogue Sean, and for turning me on to Sherman
Your call-to-action that our 'work is to look at resistance to see what is blocking the light' reminded me of this sweet invitation from the fabulous Hafiz ...
'Just sit there. Don't do a thing. Just rest. For this separation from God, from love, is the hardest work in the world.'
The confirmation of the work - and the sureness of its success - across so many cultures and epochs calms me. When we "just sit there," we are never alone, but join with countless others all given to undoing fear and rediscovering love. One big family recovering its function.
Thank you Kirstie for being a friend and fellow traveler in stillness 🙏
I love the synchronicity of your messages. I needed to read this one, today.
Thanks for sharing, Sean🙏
In twenty years with the course,and John Sherman also this post has taught me more then anything I’ve ever seen. I’m just hearing now. Thank Sean.
You're welcome, Sean, and thanks right back - we follow this path together 🙏🙏
~ Sean
I like it, well written, keep them coming, it calls the tune
🙏🙏
Thank you for this Sean. For some reason it brought me to think a lot about language.
I had not heard of John Sherman and there’s not a whole lot to be found out about him online. I downloaded Look at Yourself and I’m finding the language he uses to describe this process of awakening to who we are in truth very meaningful. It reminds me how powerful words can be. His ideas of course are not new, but they are expressed in a way I really connect with - cogent, authentic, and best of all simple!
I’m reminded at the same time that language is so limiting when exploring the nature of reality, and Sherman touches on that as well: “One of the problems that come when we are trying to put words to it is that we try to project upon reality a personality, a personal identification…we anthropomorphize it, like we do everything.”
Powerful, inadequate. Language is what we have and ultimately it’s a beautiful thing. Though not Catholic, I visit a Catholic retreat center a couple of times a year in the Rio Grande Valley. They have an incredible library - thousands and thousands of books, written by thousands and thousands of philosophers, theologians, mystics etc. Billions and billions of different combinations of words all addressing the same thing - the nature of God (Reality). The first time I walked through that library I was in tears, overwhelmed by what all these books pointed to - our common, human yearning for God (Reality).
I enjoy and am grateful for your language, including especially your thoughts on the ACIM daily lessons - very helpful. I’m also grateful to be introduced to the new language (new to me!) of John Sherman. What an interesting life he’s had too. Peace!
Thanks, Mark. Yes, John is a gifted writer and speaker - the simplicity and clarity is breath-taking. He has been a very happy and helpful presence in my ACIM study and practice, especially when and as it connects with nonduality. I'm very grateful for him.
Language, man . . . the singular blessing of existence and the root of all evil, all at once. Nothing makes the separation as clear, and nothing can else can bring atonement quite so near.
The image of the library calls to mind Babel for me, which I don't think I would have freaked out about quite so much as the Authors of Genesis apparently did. But clearly they are trying to tell us something about dialogue. I think often of Jesus, who neither left written record of his own nor apparently instructed his followers to either. And Socrates, who also disdained the written word.
Anyone who points us beyond the limitations of language is a gift, and a blessing, and a teacher. Sherman absolutely is all of that for me.
Hope all is well!
~ Sean
Reading Sherman and Ramana Maharshi has been mind-blowing for me, and I think oddly enough it’s the language that makes it so. I was a seeking Christian for many years, and for the first time I think I understand what Jesus meant by “the kingdom doesn’t come through observation (paraphrased) but rather “the kingdom is within you.” The same with ACIM. I think I mentioned in a previous post that I was having a hard time grasping the ACIM idea that I am not a body; and that this worldly experience we’re having is a dream. It makes a lot more sense now.
It’s funny, I’m a lover of quotes, and there’s one from an obscure movie called Clouds of Sils Maria where someone says with great authority, “No regrets! We are the sum total of our life experiences!” I used to take great comfort in that statement, but Sherman has me thinking completely differently now. I’ve always believed my thoughts, my decisions and experiences make me who I am. I REALLY question that now. My thoughts are not always, and perhaps are even rarely true. I, like everyone else, make poor decisions. I, like everyone else, have uncomfortable, even painful experiences in this life. The problem is when we let those thoughts, decisions and experiences create for us a false identity, and of course that makes us unhappy. How can it not? When we let these things define us, we cannot help but be miserable and afraid, to believe that we must defend ourselves against our very lives. To even say or think it- “defend ourselves against our very lives” is so bizarre, and yet it’s been so true, at least for me. A mentor of mine used to say “life is not happening TO you; life is happening FOR you.” I never really got that before.
But who I am in truth I believe now transcends my thoughts, decisions and experiences. Well, it doesn’t even transcend them - it makes them meaningless. When I see who I am (what Paul Tillich called the ground of being) through the simple inquiry method, I realize there’s nothing to be afraid of because none of that stuff is real. Only my ISness is real. In I AM there is no fear.
Really wonderful stuff. I’m kind of on a mountaintop right now, so I may sound like a raving lunatic😊. I’m well aware I can’t stay here, and according to Sherman, that’s not only ok, it’s not the point. We can have all of these experiences-the good, the bad and the ugly, without it impacting who we are. Hard to say what I want to say here (limits of language), but I see so much truth in these concepts. Thanks for the dialogue Sean, and for turning me on to Sherman
Thank you, Mark. This is very clear and beautiful. Thank you.
~ Sean
Tat tvam asi 🕉
🙏
Thank you, Sean.
Your call-to-action that our 'work is to look at resistance to see what is blocking the light' reminded me of this sweet invitation from the fabulous Hafiz ...
'Just sit there. Don't do a thing. Just rest. For this separation from God, from love, is the hardest work in the world.'
Maitrī
Thanks for reading & sharing, Jennifer 🙏🙏
~ Sean
Yes! That is it!
The confirmation of the work - and the sureness of its success - across so many cultures and epochs calms me. When we "just sit there," we are never alone, but join with countless others all given to undoing fear and rediscovering love. One big family recovering its function.
Thank you Kirstie for being a friend and fellow traveler in stillness 🙏
Love,
Sean