Because we are Students of the Course as strange as it may sound I know you. I know the parts of you that matter. I know that our struggles are one and the same and it's a beautiful thing to be able to go through life knowing I am not alone. Did I say that right? The love you feel for life is 10 fold. Thank you Sean, have a great day.
Thanks for this Sean. I’m coming to the understanding that any suffering I experience comes out of ego identification. And the best way out of it is to focus only on being truly helpful. Seems I can’t think of others and myself at the same time. And according to ACIM, it’s really the only thing I’m here for - to represent the one who sent me.
St. John Of The Cross called it "the dark night of the soul" and it is a predictable stage that seekers go through who continue the journey of enlightenment. Jesus says this on the cross, "My God, My God why have you forsaken me?" and then in an epiphany he says, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do" and his body physically dies but his spirit is resurrected.
This descent into hell you seem to describe in the terms and thoughts of the Course. I don't know if all seekers must go through this but it is common I suspect with some not knowing what it is. The mystics have called in the "gift of tears" which come of the sadness brought on by the lies of the ego as well as the joy of knowing as Bill Thetford said, "There must be a better way."
And then there is that mystic Kurt Vonnegut who said often at the end of his stories, "And so it goes...."
Sean first I want to apologise for not being able to attend the meeting yesterday. I know I missed it more than you missed me. The reason I couldn't join was because the lady who started the course here and helped me so much is suffering dementia and she needed help which was a blessing to me to be able to give back to her. I'm reading the book you alluded to in the past. Perfect Brilliant Stillness,it's showing me how brilliant the course is. Sean I love the way you teach sharing your own journey which gives me hope that I'm not alone. I haven't studied your post today yet so I'll make no comment,but I'm sure it will be very helpful. Thanks again
Hi Sean, Thank you so much for your texts. I have just started the study of A course in Miracles as I look for help on my path of spiritual awakening. My last 2 years have been quite brutal & I have walked quite alone. If you still run the sunday groups I would love to join. Love, Paula
Sean, thank you so much for this and for every word you offer for us who live in the dark periods of life. Reading your words always instantly helps me know that I am not only not alone; I am also it, the same as you and all other brothers and sisters. How fortunate. Thank you.
Thank you so much Sean, this is so uplifting. I often find myself in forgetfulness and keep arguing with God and Jesus about why they are putting me through this😄 It’s very comforting to read these words and be aware of a different, empowering perspective other than my ego’s gloomy, bitter and sour response to all these. Much gratitude 🙏🙏
Yes! Thank you Sean. For me this is relevant to my current patterns. At times the meaninglessness manifests as bliss. Other times, for days sometimes utter despair, nothing matters, dark night of the soul, unfamiliar depression, morbid reflections, fuck eating or anything like self-care. Where is the meaning in any activity?
How can I relate to my wife, now ex-wife, who may want to watch a movie or talk about current events? I can't eat popcorn and watch a movie. I cannot watch tv. Humor is meaningless. Pop culture is not a thing. At my very best during one of these episodes…maybe… if she is willing to sit around and talk about the course or watch and discuss a Deepak Chopra video, then I have something to offer. I am as fun as a bag of doorknobs. Paralyzed. I butt right up against what I fear may be a permanent insanity. Then it goes away and I can exhale away the whole mess.
“God has one child and we are it.” … I love this sentence.
This is so beautiful and, from my experience, true. By writing this you're doing exactly what you're suggesting to us to do--extending the truth of your experience, which encourages us to slog and weep through our own Dark Nights of the Soul, and then to extend our stories by sharing them. I think that's called "walking your talk." : ) I think that when we have those seemingly horrible experiences, we're not braving them just for ourselves, but for everybody else, too, and the journey isn't over until we share our news to those whose ears are practically quivering with the desire to hear them. Thank you!
Because we are Students of the Course as strange as it may sound I know you. I know the parts of you that matter. I know that our struggles are one and the same and it's a beautiful thing to be able to go through life knowing I am not alone. Did I say that right? The love you feel for life is 10 fold. Thank you Sean, have a great day.
Thanks for this Sean. I’m coming to the understanding that any suffering I experience comes out of ego identification. And the best way out of it is to focus only on being truly helpful. Seems I can’t think of others and myself at the same time. And according to ACIM, it’s really the only thing I’m here for - to represent the one who sent me.
Thanks so much Sean! I always enjoy your writings and musings and this in particular touched me on this sunny Edinburgh afternoon…
St. John Of The Cross called it "the dark night of the soul" and it is a predictable stage that seekers go through who continue the journey of enlightenment. Jesus says this on the cross, "My God, My God why have you forsaken me?" and then in an epiphany he says, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do" and his body physically dies but his spirit is resurrected.
This descent into hell you seem to describe in the terms and thoughts of the Course. I don't know if all seekers must go through this but it is common I suspect with some not knowing what it is. The mystics have called in the "gift of tears" which come of the sadness brought on by the lies of the ego as well as the joy of knowing as Bill Thetford said, "There must be a better way."
And then there is that mystic Kurt Vonnegut who said often at the end of his stories, "And so it goes...."
P.S. I host an ACIM discussion group on Sunday mornings at 11 a.m. EST. If you'd like to be added to the list, let me know.
Please add me. What do I have to do?
Hi Sean, I’m interested in joining the Sunday discussion group
Sean first I want to apologise for not being able to attend the meeting yesterday. I know I missed it more than you missed me. The reason I couldn't join was because the lady who started the course here and helped me so much is suffering dementia and she needed help which was a blessing to me to be able to give back to her. I'm reading the book you alluded to in the past. Perfect Brilliant Stillness,it's showing me how brilliant the course is. Sean I love the way you teach sharing your own journey which gives me hope that I'm not alone. I haven't studied your post today yet so I'll make no comment,but I'm sure it will be very helpful. Thanks again
Hi Sean, Thank you so much for your texts. I have just started the study of A course in Miracles as I look for help on my path of spiritual awakening. My last 2 years have been quite brutal & I have walked quite alone. If you still run the sunday groups I would love to join. Love, Paula
Please add me to the list. Thanks!
Could you please add me to your Sunday study list? Thank you.
Sean, thank you so much for this and for every word you offer for us who live in the dark periods of life. Reading your words always instantly helps me know that I am not only not alone; I am also it, the same as you and all other brothers and sisters. How fortunate. Thank you.
Thank you so much Sean, this is so uplifting. I often find myself in forgetfulness and keep arguing with God and Jesus about why they are putting me through this😄 It’s very comforting to read these words and be aware of a different, empowering perspective other than my ego’s gloomy, bitter and sour response to all these. Much gratitude 🙏🙏
Again, i just love you man! I spent some time resenting being human. I'm not alone in that am i? Love
Yes! Thank you Sean. For me this is relevant to my current patterns. At times the meaninglessness manifests as bliss. Other times, for days sometimes utter despair, nothing matters, dark night of the soul, unfamiliar depression, morbid reflections, fuck eating or anything like self-care. Where is the meaning in any activity?
How can I relate to my wife, now ex-wife, who may want to watch a movie or talk about current events? I can't eat popcorn and watch a movie. I cannot watch tv. Humor is meaningless. Pop culture is not a thing. At my very best during one of these episodes…maybe… if she is willing to sit around and talk about the course or watch and discuss a Deepak Chopra video, then I have something to offer. I am as fun as a bag of doorknobs. Paralyzed. I butt right up against what I fear may be a permanent insanity. Then it goes away and I can exhale away the whole mess.
“God has one child and we are it.” … I love this sentence.
Please add me to your Sunday list
Thank you
Pamela
This is so beautiful and, from my experience, true. By writing this you're doing exactly what you're suggesting to us to do--extending the truth of your experience, which encourages us to slog and weep through our own Dark Nights of the Soul, and then to extend our stories by sharing them. I think that's called "walking your talk." : ) I think that when we have those seemingly horrible experiences, we're not braving them just for ourselves, but for everybody else, too, and the journey isn't over until we share our news to those whose ears are practically quivering with the desire to hear them. Thank you!