Beginning January 1, 2012 I will read a lesson a day from the Course and invite you to join me in commenting. Your ideas and questions are important so please consider being a part of this everyday or whenever you feel like it. Our joint purpose is to encourage others to use the workbook as a tool for stability.
Juliek7 Trying again! We r excited!
HelpingMinisrtry Come in the water Julie don't you know that you are a teacher for God? give us a pictre.
peace4all Looking forward to it!!
MegGuynn x
MegGuynn Happy New Years everyone! I just enjoyed reading Lesson 1 with my husband this morning. Great start to a new year. I was initially confused with some of the concepts in Lesson 1 3. Donnie shared some biblical references that contributed greatly to a somewhat better understanding of NOTHING I SEE IN THIS ROOM MEANS ANYTHING. Jesus describes His True Family in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Showing no "specialness" between his familial mother and brothers and his disciples. Jesus points out that whoever does the will of his Father in Heaven is his brother and sister and mother.... Slowly scanning the room making no allowances for differences in order or type of "form" when blended with Jesus' concept of True Family, enhanced my practice experience this am. It also allowed a blessed "non-special" yet "very edifying" holy experience with my brother, my husband. The miracle for me was that our usual heated "very special" (lol) debates around 2 "forms" The Course in Miracles and The Bible didn't occur. Instead, through our discussion, concepts were clarified, understanding occurred and we experienced The Christ in one another. A miracle occurred...love that miraculously natural state:) Woot!! Namaste everyone, Meg
peace4all What a 'Holy Instant' experience
JamesDeMaio Happy New Year Glad they r blending. Acim brought me back into the Bible with a new insight.
JamesDeMaio This first lesson Tries to Free us from all attachments. Just let go of the meaning you give to them and you are free. Some things might be easy to let go of our own meaning attached to it, like a rock lying on the ground, others might be more difficult like the hand writing this post to you all. He doesn't ask for any sacrifice only relinquishment of what you think they mean. Let the Holy Spirit give meaning to everything and you're good.
peace and Happy New Year
GCP In Lesson 1 Part III. Atonement and Miracles-2. "Heaven and earth shall pass away..." 3. You are the work of God, and His work is wholly lovable and wholly loving. 4. This is how a man must think of himself in his heart, because this is what he is.
Read the passage and felt so strongly-that on New Year's Eve before bed-in praying deciding to start 2012, believing I am the work of God and in remembering how wholly lovable and wholly loving I am. Sharing...
Thank you Meg, read your message-thank you for calling your husband, your brother, because my husband has become my brother and our communication much better in realizing that he is! Pointing it out affirms this.
Jim, so in letting go of my attachments to all meaning- I am free. For a time- I kept on saying- I want to get to the place where I get to the meaning without the pain-guess want to get through my experiences yet not attach to anything along the way. Like a rock or rolling stone- happily rolling along its way neither sacrificing nor attaching to the moss and the grass on its path-only listening and following the guidance of Holy Spirit and not the static or interference from ego rock. Happy New Year and Peace!
HelpingMinisrtry Please keep posting we need your input. Can you post a picture of yourself?
peace4all Lesson 2 - With Lesson 1 we were taking the first step in learning to let go of attachments to everything we see, then Lesson 2 we are learning that the meaning to everything we see came from us.
MegGuynn Thanks for all of your insight...very cool:) I had an interesting experience with Lesson 2 this am. Initially, I felt sad in fact welled up and released some emotion during the first half of this exercise. Next, I JUDGED my attachments and the meaning that I placed on them. How unspiritual of me to be so humanly attached...I thought to myself...Next, I noticed my thinking turn to the miracle that I actually could FEEL FEELINGS and experience connection to such things as my dog, vision board, shoulder, The velveteen Rabbit on my shelf, etc. Suddenly, in the NOW, I became grateful and thanked God for all of these "forms" that I had attached meaning to and suddenly realized that the love of God had come through me as a result of the "meaning", perception, experience of all of these (forms) ....and..... from that swelling in my heart, gratitude flowed through me & suddenly I felt it extend out to everyone and everything...I felt that The Creator had bestowed upon Me His Holy meaning given to each "thing" in the room. Very cool:) Namaste:) Meg
HelpingMinisrtry In these first three lessons I could see clearly how he is showing how our fear works - conrol, 'giving the meaning to everything I see or hear or touch. Letting go of that control is still the lesson and the way to peace
peace4all Had a little trouble with Lesson 3 - I do not understand anything I see in this room - It states that the point of the exercise is to help clear our mind of all past associations then to see things exactly as they appear to us now and to realize how little we really understand about them. I'm a little confused on how to do this with tangible items, although I feel I can do this with a person.
HelpingMinisrtry With tangible items you need to allow yourself a discovery instead of a recognition. Do you know what i mean? You certainly have the purpose of this lesson clear in your mind.
peace4all Yes, I know what you mean, but it seems hard to let go, so will work on that
MegGuynn THank you for both of your insight..I resonate:) Perception...sight, smell, hearing, tasting, touching....then understanding...not so much:)
MegGuynn Lesson 3 was interesting...it did put me in touch with my senses and then the awareness that the experience of perception is a farse...I have no clue and always think I do.
rosemariesouders Meg, I feel the same way about having no clue and thinking we do. Lately, I've actually caught myself saying something about thinking I knew why something was happening and then almost immediately I realized I knew absolutely nothing. I'm laughing more and more at myself. Did that make any sense at all? lol Does it really matter?
rosemariesouders Hi all, I started the lessons of the work book 4 or more years ago and I believe I went through them 3 times. I actually feel disconnected to things and people here and not sure if that's a good thing or not. I do feel free. When ever I start feeling bad about myself from the thoughts I think, they last less and less. I realize that I just have to decide not to accept the negative thoughts in my head. It's actually pretty cool.
HelpingMinisrtry We feel most comfortable with the
Ego's point of view.. The experience of peace is our goal. Support for this from others is crucial to staying with the process.
rosemariesouders I believe support from others is absolutely crucial but I also believe that I have experienced peace and continue to do so. I just had a thought that I defending myself but not so sure that it's really what I doing. Okay everyone I'm asking now for support in this process...
HelpingMinisrtry Come and post a picture, beautiful creation of God.
karolsmith So grateful to be a part of this community! I love todays lesson, "I am never upset for the reson I think", Lesson 5. This sure covers it all . . I would love to have one of those rubber wrist bands with this lesson printed on it as a constant reminder! I like the way he is teaching us that "anything", big or small that takes away our peace, our true natural state, is an "upset" . . . just part of the dream we call life . . .
peace4all I totally agree with you Karol!!
HelpingMinisrtry Hey karol how about a picture
peace4all Lesson 6 - I am upset because I see something that is not there - truly gets me realizing that the upset comes from my perception, which is of the ego. My true self sees that there is nothing to be upset about, as we don't really know what is going on!
HelpingMinisrtry I agree and remember the only meaning we bring to it is from past experiences not the present moment where the Holy spirit will give us the truth: I am upset because I think I am a body. Without that illusion there is no upset
JoanGaines Ha, should have re-read this yesterday. I didnt get it the first time. Today I get it. Could have saved me from loads of stress yesterday going in to this morning. thanks
HelpingMinisrtry nice pic joan
HelpingMinisrtry Good morning everyone. Lesson 7 surely brings the first six into focus. As we realize through the cup analogy he is right and why did we question him during 1-6? Remember that listening to the Holy Spirit tell us what it is comes completely natural the more you practice it. Doing these lessons everyday will get you to that point of 'naturalness'. Listening, obeying, enjoying, is the way home this year.
peace4all Lesson 8 - My mind is preoccupied with past thoughts - Is so true, everything I think about does come from the past. Then when it is a fear or worry, I can see that the fear or worry is due to my past experiences!
JamesDeMaio Its truth becomes even clearer aa you do the practice which is what maks the workbook so valuable
peace4all Lesson 9 - I see nothing as it is now - I want to say I so get it, yet the lesson says you may be able to accept this intellectually, yet it is unlikely that it will mean anything to you as yet! So I am a little confused as to whether or not I do! So I guess I will focus on the practice & not the understanding as the lesson furhter states!
peace4all Lesson 10 - My thoughts do not mean anything - Love the use of "correction process" & "This idea will help to release me from all that I now believe"! This lesson idea followed by that statement, felt very freeing & peaceful to me when I said them & helped clear my mind. I think they could be used as a regular morning meditation!
peace4all Lesson 11 - My meaningless thoughts are showing me a meaningless world - This one is a little more difficult for me as I'm not sure I want to see a meaningless world, yet if my meaningless thoughts determine what I see then it makes sense that the world I see is meaningless. I think I need to let go of my attachment to what I think I am seeing!! Tough one as I am attached for the most part!
HelpingMinisrtry De-taching is certainly what these lessons are about.. The world the Holy Spirit shows us has complete meaning rather than the little we judge as meaning.. She will show us the meaning in everything.
HelpingMinisrtry Lesson 13 rings it all together in one word fear. "Be not afraid. I come before you. Come follow me and I will lead the way." That is a quote from a church hymn I especially enjoy. When we think that the Holy Spirit leads without condemnation and only with love, remembering everyone will eventually join Her; what's there to be afraid of?
HelpingMinisrtry did you notice the resistance we have to leaving hell and trusting what Jesus is saying? I know he is right but the attachment to what is so familiar is amazing.. i reach out to you all to help me let go and enjoy heaven with you.
peace4all Definitely resistance!!!
peace4all Lesson 12-14 have been somewhat difficult, I think I get caught up in the word "meaningless", although Lesson 14 - God did not create a meaningless world - definitely helps to understand what is meant by meaningless.
peace4all Today's Lesson 15 - My thoughts are images I have made - is so helpful in getting us to realize that there is 2 ways of "seeing". With the ego we "see" with our body's eyes and will see the "meaningless" illusion around us & out there. With the Holy Spirit we will "see" what God created which has meaning and is found within us & our brothers/sisters! Now I have a little better understanding towards getting the word "meaningless"!
JamesDeMaio i agree Linda. well said. 1-14 helped make the discernment clearer
rosemariesouders Sometimes times my thoughts are so strong especially when I'm doing what my "heart" tells me truly, the thoughts in my head are always saying just the opposite. It's a continuing process, isn't it.
JamesDeMaio Got the link fixed, can u let the e-mail list know Linda?
peace4all Will do, sorry just got this today!
angelroo1 It's working! Yay!
peace4all Wow, what lessons there have been in the last 6 days. We really get to see how our thoughts are affecting us! Love todays Lesson 21 - I am determined to see things differently - what an amazing way to start to "see"!!
HelpingMinisrtry I love the mental health that comes to me from this spiritual psychology and affirm it that way to new comers.
JessicaRhea Yes I too love lesson 21! It is one of my favorites. It has and continues to help me understand that the ego continuously tries to create the illusion that some forms of attack thoughts are more justified than others.Through the eyes of truth and the Holy Spirit no attack thought is more justified than another no matter how much we think someone has angered or wronged us or how much we have hurt our selves. I really like how much this lesson helps me own and have insight into my own thoughts about myself and others. It brings me immediate relief and release!
HelpingMinisrtry its my first aide kit
peace4all Lesson 22 - What I see is a form of vengeance - produced some confusion. Lesson 23 - I can escape from the world I see by giving up attack thoughts - truly helped me in dealing with a couple of situations that I procrastinated on for the last week, as I had a good outcome when I gave up the attack thoughts!!
HelpingMinisrtry much help for me also in dealing with Diana's anger successfully.
peace4all Lesson 24 - I do not perceive my own best interests - definitely has me very confused as I get it then again I don't, so having a hard time with applying the idea. Anyone have any insight on this that could be helpful?
HelpingMinisrtry its referring to our ego mind or when we are thinking separately (much of the time). So often we discover thru the workbook how dominant the collective ego is, I too go in and out of the clarity almost as if I am in under tow in the of the sea.
rosemariesouders So would you say that it really is a constant going within oneself . I find and am very grateful for times when I don't attack even though I (ego)does want to. When I go and ask my true Self or the Holy Spirit to guide me, I am put back to my peace. I still don't like the outcome but I realize there's nothing I can do. This pertained to something I wanted from one of my daughters but couldn't get it. I'm so grateful this blog is here.
angelroo1 Wow todays Lesson very interesting progression....after the third practice period I looked at my foot and thought ....I don't know what I am for....hmmmm
HelpingMinisrtry my attack thoughts do make me vulnerable l26. If I let go of who I am really I might become afraid when I let go of the illusion of who I am - the body
JoanGaines How do we know between trueself speaking to us vs ego? Letting it go letting it be. ... is that actually not not protecting ourselves? Attack thoughts....for ourselves or others?
rosemariesouders I'm not sure Joan, but my thoughts right now are about us knowing, (or should I say thinking we know) the difference between the attack thought and the action behind it. We we are being attacked by an animal, we have to respond quickly to not get hurt by it. When we are being attacked by someone's words, or even our own thoughts or words, we can remember to "stop" and take a minute to breathe and go withing. Jim, can you help here. I need confirmation please.
HelpingMinisrtry Practice. The true self is at peace and brings about a healthy outcome. It is intuitive not something to be explained but experienced through practice. It is inclusive of everyone meaning what it guides benefits everyone. As long as you are not willing to judge someone out of the picture, i.e. "I don't care about him", you will generally be listening to your true self, the inclusive self. I suggest studying excerpts from the text and manual for teachers about what ACIM means about inclusiveness.
rosemariesouders Thank you Jim and Happy Birthday. I find myself "not caring about others" but maybe realizing that's my ego. So when I read your reply, I went within and ask to have that removed.
billsandy62 Hey Jim, sandy and I just signed on today, Happy birthday, and yes when I let go of the illusion, Iam choosing again, and not making judgments and projecting the outcome., bill
HelpingMinisrtry Welcome Bill and Sandy. Thanks for he BD wishes. Glad you are giving up what you think in favor of thinking with
God.
billsandy62 Jim, need to ask you again for directions to the study group on thurs in punta gorda., peace, bill
billsandy62 Iam on Lesson 17; I see no neutral things., bill
HelpingMinisrtry Seeing God in all things comes by simply practicing as he instructs. Fear not it will come to each of you as it comes to all of us.
angelroo1 I am not THE victim of the world I see. So funny that my recollection was that the lesson read, "I am not A victim of the world I see". THE and A are very different for me. THE implies complete accountability. A is partly accountable. I know in the totality I am just one of us...However, in my little world, total accountability works best for healing my mind. It's sort of like well...so and so does it toooooo when I use A. But when I say THE, it's like, "Girlfriend...this movie is all yours...change your mind:)". This is one of my all time favorite lessons, because my mind's default setting is...Poor me, poor me, pour me another whatever...drink, drug, guy,etc. drunk on any level...distracted. Why God why me? This lesson really treats the part of my mind that chooses pity over peace in moments. I love how the treatment addresses the physical sight and inner sight. Then I can say Why God, why me...so so blessed instead of Why God, why so poor me.
peace4all I can so relate to the wanting to say 'I' instead of 'the'! Thanks for sharing!
JoanGaines Jim Will u b getting to Forgiveness anytime soon? I know it has to b MORE than just saying the words.
JamesDeMaio Forgiveness comes when we give up what we think and allow The Holy Spirit to correct your view. Is there something else about forgiveness that you might want to discuss?
peace4all I find that these last few lessons, where you have to look out & within (especially within & eyes closed) can be so much like a meditation. I find myself continually repeating the lesson as I have my eyes closed then feel such peace. I also end up remembering the lesson throughout the day! Todays Lesson #33 - There is another way of looking at the world - Has got to be the best way to start a meditation so far!!
billsandy62 I also like in this lesson@33, There is another way at looking at this, to percieve this thought on a spiritual level by asking for guidance from the True Self thry meditation thoughtout the day, peace, bill
susancheney1 I can see peace instead of this. Just wanted to see if I could reply
rosemariesouders I had to write it down Sue and the other way of saying it to keep my peace in. I could see peace instead of this situation instead of what I now see in it. Or I can replace my feelings of depression, anxiety or worry (or my thoughts about this situation, personality or event) with peace. Got that from ACIM.org online. It does help tremendously. I can see peace instead of this.
JamesDeMaio glad to see u here
JamesDeMaio welcome Sue
HelpingMinisrtry still learning how to use his program
HelpingMinisrtry this business about our holiness in today's lesson is not bragging but challenging to accept. it leads to our first awareness of who we are.
SandraLomba Hi everone!
SandraLomba What lesson r we on?
SandraLomba Do we do a lesson every day and comment???
peace4all Sandra, We are on Lesson 41 as of today, Feb 10. The idea is to do a lesson a day for you, then if you want to post a comment or question about it.
billsandy62 This Lesson, GOD GOES WITH ME WEREVER I GO, keeps me focus and gives me peace of mind during times of being attached to the body, and seeing the illusion of separation. It gets to think Iam not a body Iam free, Iam as God created me. I'll hold J's hand today and know this I cand take a time out to spiritual beings trying to be human
HelpingMinisrtry the idea is to support each other in doing the lessons
HelpingMinisrtry Are yo all enjoying the review as much as I am? When I read the group of lessons together they bring the challenge and the clarity to the experience. Hope you ar enjoying them too.