Thank you so much Sean. Again, beautifully explained and succinctly summarised. I am grateful to Holy Spirit that showed me these words. This is what I was praying for. I find myself often entangled in do’s and don’s on how to apply the Course in my daily life moment to moment. This explains very clearly, I can have no more excuses. Also, about the competition, yesterday we were talking about meaninglessness. I noticed that I am so afraid of meaninglessness because ego’s meaning for the meaninglessness is darkness, fearfulness, loss and absolute hopelessness. Also I noticed that ego offers me the concept of competition as the meaning of life. So, when I am at the point of saying ‘no thank you’ to the seemingly delicious offering of competition, I experience sense of resistance not only because of the greed for a new taste but also more deeply because I am so afraid of losing the meaning of life. Maybe the next helpful step is to realise the need to give myself permission to accept that life is gloriously meaningless that’s until we are taught its true meaning by the Holy Spirit ❤️❤️
Thank you for sharing, Aysin. This is very clear and resonant. The ego DOES want us to indulge the nihilistic aspects of meaninglessness but you are right - the Course invites us to listen to a Teacher who will redefine the emptiness not in terms of what is absent or missing but what is inherent - which is the awareness of love's presence (T-in.1:7). We are not bereft, and one way we remember this is to join and remind each other over and over: you are loved, you are loving, and you are Love Itself.
Good stuff. The more you can notice there is no separation between "non-Christ thoughts" and Christ-thoughts, the freer! That sounds like judgment! Love, Cam
Oh, my, this is *exactly* what I woke up pondering this morning. Possibly inspired by how happy I am that the Miami Heat beat the Denver Nuggets last night. : ) (Competition is hard for some of us to relinquish!) I want to dissolve the non-Christ thoughts I have about anyone. "Father, forgive them--and me-- for we know not what we do." This essay beautifully confirms the necessity and even suggests the "dissolving solution"--contained in your last two paragraphs. I had not thought of your point that " the more you can notice non-Christ-like thoughts and behaviors, the more you will discover that the alternative - that which remains when what is not-Christ is let go - is beautifully, wholly and dynamically Christ."
!! So very helpful, possible,and comforting. Thank you!
Thank you for sharing, Nancy. That noticing piece comes from reading a lot of David Bohm (who dialogued with Krishnamurti to whom Tara Singh was so devoted). Bohm's ideas about dialogue feel very on point to me always when it comes to being practical about spirituality, inner peace and healing and so forth.
Thanks again for reading and being here, Nancy. I'm very grateful 🙏🙏
Thank you so much Sean. Again, beautifully explained and succinctly summarised. I am grateful to Holy Spirit that showed me these words. This is what I was praying for. I find myself often entangled in do’s and don’s on how to apply the Course in my daily life moment to moment. This explains very clearly, I can have no more excuses. Also, about the competition, yesterday we were talking about meaninglessness. I noticed that I am so afraid of meaninglessness because ego’s meaning for the meaninglessness is darkness, fearfulness, loss and absolute hopelessness. Also I noticed that ego offers me the concept of competition as the meaning of life. So, when I am at the point of saying ‘no thank you’ to the seemingly delicious offering of competition, I experience sense of resistance not only because of the greed for a new taste but also more deeply because I am so afraid of losing the meaning of life. Maybe the next helpful step is to realise the need to give myself permission to accept that life is gloriously meaningless that’s until we are taught its true meaning by the Holy Spirit ❤️❤️
Thank you for sharing, Aysin. This is very clear and resonant. The ego DOES want us to indulge the nihilistic aspects of meaninglessness but you are right - the Course invites us to listen to a Teacher who will redefine the emptiness not in terms of what is absent or missing but what is inherent - which is the awareness of love's presence (T-in.1:7). We are not bereft, and one way we remember this is to join and remind each other over and over: you are loved, you are loving, and you are Love Itself.
🙏🙏
~ Sean
Thank you.
🙏🙏
Good stuff. The more you can notice there is no separation between "non-Christ thoughts" and Christ-thoughts, the freer! That sounds like judgment! Love, Cam
Thank you for reading & sharing, Cam 🙏🙏
~ Sean
Thank you Sean...your writing brought me back to Trust, the first "Characteristic" of the teachers of God.
I'll reread that (p.9 in Manual For Teachers) and then your writing again, and then comment....
That is a lovely section of the Manual Valerie - thank you for pointing to it here 🙏🙏
~ Sean
Oh, my, this is *exactly* what I woke up pondering this morning. Possibly inspired by how happy I am that the Miami Heat beat the Denver Nuggets last night. : ) (Competition is hard for some of us to relinquish!) I want to dissolve the non-Christ thoughts I have about anyone. "Father, forgive them--and me-- for we know not what we do." This essay beautifully confirms the necessity and even suggests the "dissolving solution"--contained in your last two paragraphs. I had not thought of your point that " the more you can notice non-Christ-like thoughts and behaviors, the more you will discover that the alternative - that which remains when what is not-Christ is let go - is beautifully, wholly and dynamically Christ."
!! So very helpful, possible,and comforting. Thank you!
Oh dear. I'm a Celtics fan :)
Thank you for sharing, Nancy. That noticing piece comes from reading a lot of David Bohm (who dialogued with Krishnamurti to whom Tara Singh was so devoted). Bohm's ideas about dialogue feel very on point to me always when it comes to being practical about spirituality, inner peace and healing and so forth.
Thanks again for reading and being here, Nancy. I'm very grateful 🙏🙏
~ Sean
Oh,I'm a Celtics fan, too. I felt torn, but I have a soft spot for Jimmy Butler. Must be the ACIM influence. : )
Thank you, Sean for this beautiful reminder of what we all are.
You're welcome, Ginny - thank you for reading & sharing and reminding me :)
🙏🙏
~ Sean
Sean I've been in competition with myself all my life,I don't need to have a favourite team thank you Sean
Thank you Sean. This feels very clear and helpful. The fight is with our own self. Yes.
Love,
Sean