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By admin, on March 25th, 2012
What would happen if we didn’t use the word “illusion” (or any other Advaidist idea) but instead said simply that some aspects of the All That Is are Eternal and some are change-able, plastic, and malleable (the root meaning of the Sanskrit maya), and that what changes does so in the presence of awareness (Quantum mechanics) and in alignment with the form of awareness we call Love energy (New Thought mechanics)? Isn’t that an accurate statement?
There is no value placed on one over the other in this statement. I can’t change Love, Beauty, or Truth, but I can change furnishings, my thoughts, all the vegetation and people and structures around me, and my body. How easily and how fully I change them is a function of my skill, which is, in part, a function of my mental focus, which is in large part a function of where I place Love energy.
If we can accept any part of that premise, then we are saying that whatever forms (things and people that are changing) are in my experience must be a product of my current mental focus. My mental focus is what changes them—either through action derived from that focus or through their natural alignment with the Love energy filtered through that focus.
Therefore the forms I am experiencing are in alignment with the Love energy filtering through my own mental focus and that of others who experience those forms—whether anyone has acted physically to bring them into their current form or not.
ACIM is suggesting, albeit using Judeo-Christian terms, that our mental focus has been split by our training and we have forms around us that don’t really serve us because of that split. Specifically, because of the split, we focus much of our Love energy on change-able forms. We say, for instance, that “I love that particular chair” thinking we can have the qualities of that chair in our life forever. We say, for instance, that “I can only love someone who…. (fill in the blank)” thinking we can have just that person with just those qualities in our life forever.
ACIM goes on to suggest that the split means that we have 2 different directions of mental focus: 1 in the direction of isolation, separation, and absence of love; and 1 in the direction of immersion in and extension of Love and the universal eternal qualities. So, for a while, we experience people and chairs and other forms with those qualities. But, because forms are change-able, they wear out and give out and we’re left without them—which causes us more distress and reinforces the focus on deterioration and separation, which does not serve us. All the while, the other aspect of the split, the focus on eternal universals, continues but has less and less of our attention, less and less of our Love energy flowing through that particular filter or focus, with the result that those changing forms, including bodies and our sense of self, deteriorate and decay, rather than go on eternally.
So, using terms that people who grew up in a Judeo-Christian culture can relate to (whether they feel comfortable with them or not) ACIM suggests that it’s possible to change our thinking so that there is less and less split… so that our mental focus, and the Love energy that goes with it, is not on what is change-able, but on what is eternal, not on separation but on the communion of Oneness. The lessons are designed to take us through a process to heal the split in our mental focus by showing us, over and over, where it is and how it doesn’t serve us, and by giving us opportunities to think and act in ways that encourage a single mental focus—on what is eternal.
Then, it suggests, the forms in our life (which it calls “the world”) begin to align in a new way. Our mental focus, now single and aligned with Oneness, starts to shape the malleable, change-able forms around us in ways so we can experience more of the eternal universals. Through our words and actions, and through the natural tendency of the change-able to align with Love energy, we start to feel more energy flowing through the forms, because flowing energy is eternal. We start to experience more of the eternal qualities in the forms—Beauty, Harmony, Balance, Joy, etc.—because our mental focus is on those qualities rather than on the limited forms themselves. Our bodies and relationships are more healthy, more balanced, more joy-filled; the people and objects around us are more harmonious, more intelligent, more comfortable, more beautiful; the information we receive is more supportive of a life of balance and beauty, etc. We are invigorated and our sense of self is expanding and developing rather than deteriorating
My own experience with this material is as a resource and reference over the years. Its language has always been a block for me and many others around me, but its fundamental assertions—that we have a mental focus that’s been split, that all our distress is a function of that split, that it’s possible, through a process called “forgiveness” to begin to heal that split and so relieve the distress, and that as we do so “the world” around us becomes more imbued with the eternal qualities—hold true for me and show up in every tradition I have studied and practiced over the past 40 years.
As a result of it all, I experience less and less the “many paths” of the spiritual journey, but rather “many metaphors” for the same process: shifting our mental focus from maintaining a split between “the world” and “spirit” to experiencing Oneness, and the power and peace and beauty of that Oneness, is what they’re all about.
For what it’s worth, I avoided teaching ACIM for decades, and did so recently only because there was a great hunger among members of the Unity community I was ministering. Working with them on this material as I have for the last several years has been a wonderful addition to my (far more generic) spiritual practice. Every time I encounter new variations on the split mental framework, I get to find new metaphors for comprehending it and new language for healing it. What fun!
By admin, on March 22nd, 2012
So much is happening on so many levels that no one person can track them all!
Mentally, we have people all over the world waking up to the realization that their mental framework has been based on fear and other people as authorities, while what really works for them is a mental framework based on love and an inner knowing. And we have leaders sticking so intensely to a line of thinking that is clearly based on false premises or has no internal consistency that the people who used to take them seriously are now turning away, ignoring, or speaking out against them–everywhere on the planet.
Geophysically, the promised solar flares, storms, earthquakes and slides, and melting icefields are right on target. The fact that we have so much human activity in Antarctica may be part of the cause of the recent melts, and the continued drilling for oil and clear-cutting may be part of the slides and quakes, but that’s part of the waking up process.
Astronomically, the planets are all in one line as I write this, and soon the moon will join them, which may lead to another huge quake–and people are seeing more than one “sun” in many places around the world, all of which were forecast for this time.
Medically, many more people have been experiencing vertigo; many more are recovering from “terminal” diagnoses or “death” experiences and talking about it; many more are turning away from drugs and discovering that freedom from pain is an internal process.
Ecologically, the species are changing their relationships to us and to each other. Have you seen the number of Youtubes and photos with “enemy” species playing and resting together?
Militarily, in spite of all kinds of “peacekeeping” efforts in the Middle East, the violence continues–it just moves around from one region to another. Some of that is people waking up and saying “no more.” Some of that (sad to say) is intentionally maintained to keep the weapons and economies moving. All of it is in keeping with the forecasts and prophecies.
So, recognizing that the “12-21-12″ date is not the “end of the world” but rather the climax of a transformation process that’s been happening for some time, we’re right on course.
It’s not something we can “speed up” but it is something we can “tone down.” What’s happening on the planet is in large part a function of, and a response to, our individual and collective mind states. The more we can “be the peace we wish to see in the world” (to use that oft-quoted comment of Gandhi’s) in our own thoughts and lives, the more smoothly, and the less violently, we can experience the process.
We’re moving from a relatively short period (5125 years) of empire-building and hierarchical social structures to the next stage in human development. It is happening. It will not stop. How many of us get to play is the only question… the more of us who are the peace sooner, the more of us get to play!
By admin, on March 20th, 2012
Byron Katie’s The Work is a very powerful and effective method for helping people “get out of their story” and begin to really “see” what’s happening in their lives so they can do something different and change their habitual thought pattern.
Her famous “is that true?” is great as far as it goes, but I prefer, “is that accurate? is that what you really experience?” Because for me, there’s a difference between facts–the perceived experience–and Truth or Reality, which are eternal and what is happening at the spiritual level.
So, in a given interaction, if I’m caught in my story I may just say “she’s doing what she always does” rather than describe the facts, “she didn’t arrive when we expected her and I was frustrated,” and the Truth is always “she’s loving me and I’m loving her, and there’s something here for me to discover.”
By admin, on January 31st, 2012
In our culture “integrity” can become as much of a ball-and-chain as an addiction. It’s often more about shame and fear of losing face than about being true to ourselves or our commitment. And, for me, it’s kept me in a few places far longer than is healthy (joyful and satisfying) for all concerned.
It’s useful to remember that the only reason for confusion, ever, is getting distracted from Principle.
So when there’s confusion, we turn to Principle!
Here’s one way to do that. We start by stating what we know to be true, whether we can feel it in the moment or not, as for example:
- The One Power is Good and it’s everywhere so there’s nothing we have to do to make Good happen.
- The One Source is joy and satisfaction flowing into joy and satisfaction so there’s nothing I need to do to experience more joy and satisfaction except feel joy and satisfaction, now
- If I’m not feeling joy and satisfaction now, what do I need to release? A belief? An object? A fear?
- As I go “into the wilderness” to release that, what replacement for it feels most joy-filled and satisfying, now; how can I fill my heart and soul with.joy and satisfaction?
When we’ve done that, when we’ve let go (“cast the burden”) of the thing that’s blocking our experience of this moment as heavenly, then we’re clear about what is truly ours to be and do in the moment.
Perhaps we need to replace the word “integrity” with “enlightened self-interest” or, as Emerson calls it, Self-reliance. For when we operate from that deep, inner knowing, there’s no confusion and no fear and, truly, everyone benefits.
By admin, on January 25th, 2012
The simple answer is: anything that is in material or energetic form is not the ultimate Reality. In the sciences of physics and of spirit it’s clear that the permanent, unchanging, underlying Reality behind all forms of matter and energy is a single, unified field of intelligence with qualities that we might call Beauty, Harmony, Balance, Flow, Wisdom… and many more.
This means that anything we perceive with our senses or measure with our machines is not, in fact, Real. It may be a fact, but it is not Real. It’s either a personal projection onto the underlying field (known as the Undifferentiated One, or Ground of Being in eastern traditions) or it’s a collective construct of the combined mind of humanity as a whole. In either case, it’s transitory, impermanent, moldable by thought, and therefore always changing (which is the literal definition of the term maya, usually translated as “illusion”).
By admin, on January 15th, 2012
For several decades, people have used guided visualization to experience various states of consciousness, to discover intuitive insights, and to expand awareness. For thousands of years, certain members of every kind of society have practiced a form of visualization that has recently been called “shamanic journeys,” which requires considerable preparation and allows the practitioner to enter a state of consciousness in which their awareness connects with other species, other forms of life, and other dimensions of being.
In the New Thought tradition, guided visualization has been called “meditation” and is a form of contemplation on a concept or state of being. In Unity, it’s used to precede a time of silence, during which one simply waits, expectantly, for a word, an idea, or an insight. In the Science of Mind practice (taught in what were formerly known as churches of Religious Science, but are now called Centers for Spiritual Living), this practice has evolved to what they call Visioning.
In Visioning, a minister, practitioner, facilitator, or student simply enters a meditative state and asks the following questions:
1. What is the highest vision or perfect idea for (person, project, organization)?
2. What must we become to empower the vision?
3. What must be released?
4. What must be embraced?
5. Is there any other information that we need in this moment?
Any image or word that comes to mind is written down and used as the basis for action. When done in a group, different people may have different pieces of the answer, so all share whatever they’ve experienced, for the good of the whole.
By admin, on October 25th, 2011
Have you noticed that when you look at your “To Do” list you sometimes feel suddenly de-energized, maybe even resentful? Even if some of the things on the list are things you normally really enjoy doing, do they suddenly seem like an imposition?
Well, as a friend of mine used to say, that’s because you’ve been “shoulding” on yourself!
It’s fascinating: the moment we make something that we want to do something we “should” do, our small self (often called our “ego”) begins to complain about “having to” do it. It doesn’t matter how much we wanted to do it before; all that matters now is that it’s on that list and so has become a “should.” The body now responds to it as a stressor rather than a pleasure: our belly tightens, there’s tension in our arms and shoulders, and for some, a small rush of adrenaline “fight or flight” whenever we think about doing it.
This physical response, without an actual opportunity for “fight or flight,” builds up toxins in the system that cause other symptoms in the body, ranging from arthritis to diabetes, and can, for some of us, lead to adrenaline depletion.
Now, the word should is by no means the only such word that works that way—it’s just the one currently in style. Other equally devastating words are: ought (as in, “I ought to be…”), must (as in, “you must do this or…”), have-to (as in, “but I have to!”), and got-to (as in, “I gotta get this done before….”). Each and every one of these is as toxic to the human body as Continue reading What are the 5 Toxic Words?
By admin, on October 14th, 2011
Some people think in terms of their experiences and the things they can see, hear, touch, taste, and smell; they ask questions about objects, events, and procedures. Others think in terms of possibilities and principles; they ask questions that apply ideas in lots of different ways. Some people think in terms of specific how-to steps; they read the instruction book or do things they way they were told because each task is different. Others think in terms of relationships and patterns; they see how something they’ve done before is similar to what is being done now and use the same methods as far as they can—before reading the instructions.
People in the first group are called “concrete thinkers.” They tend to experience the world as a series of separate, discrete objects and events, and learn by experience working with objects, or by seeing or hearing concrete examples. Once they learn how something is done, that’s the only “right” way to do it.
People in the second group are called “abstract thinkers.” They’re constantly generalizing from events and experiences and relating or connecting them to others, and experience the world as an unfolding set of more and more complex interactions hoping to find a few basic principles that apply to everything. Continue reading What’s the difference between abstract and concrete thinking? Why does it matter?
By admin, on September 22nd, 2011
The goal of spiritual practice is not to become some sort of spiritualized being, leaving behind the body and all that being human involves, but to become more powerfully the human being we were born to be.
What does that mean, “the human being we were born to be”?
Have you ever been in a relationship that made you crazy, because you knew you loved each other but would get into terrible fights?
Have you ever been frustrated because you wished you could help someone in your family be happy and well?
Have you dreamed of accomplishing something wonderful in the world but felt it was out of your reach?
Believe it or not, daily spiritual practice is designed to help you no longer be limited in those ways—or any other! You are an unlimited being and never meant to live in lack and limitation!
If we look at the teachings of all the great spiritual masters, we can see that this is so. The Buddha was quite clear that the goal of his teachings and practices was to relieve his followers of all forms of suffering and dissatisfaction. Krishna, in the Bhagavad Gita, tells us that anyone who focuses their mind and heart on the divine Spirit within would be fulfilled in all aspects of life. Solomon, the great king of ancient Israel, entered into communion with the power he knew as JHWH (not to be spoken, so written as “Lord”) seeking only wisdom, and was granted all riches and earthly power. Christ Jesus, the most complete embodiment of divine love and power known to humanity, told his disciples that they, too, could do everything he did, and showed them how by modeling it: every day he went up on the mountain for several hours to commune with (which means experience one-ness with) the infinite, loving power and presence he called “Daddy.” And the Apostle Paul said we are “joint heirs with Christ,” when we “let that mind be in us that was in Christ Jesus.”
When we devote some time each day to connecting with that Power, that loving Presence, we do just that: Continue reading What good is a spiritual practice for “regular folks”?
By admin, on September 13th, 2011
Many religious groups, including Unity, teach that evil doesn’t really exist. These traditions teach that if God is Good and God as Good is Omnipotent and Omnipotent means all-powerful, then Good is all the power that is and no other power can exist. They teach, therefore, that anything we would call bad or evil has no power—it can’t cause anything. It’s a very logical understanding.
Our experience, however, doesn’t always match that logic. So, inevitably—especially around dates like 9-11—this question comes up.
To answer this question it helps to remember that human experience is based on the idea of duality: two sides to a coin, two points of view, two poles on a magnet, two partners in a relationship—and two powers. Duality, the great religious philosophers have told us, is a human concept, born in our belief that we are separate beings from God: the belief that God is in one place and we’re in another. And out of that belief emerges the belief that our Good must be somewhere else, as well. As one great teacher and healer, Emma Curtis Hopkins, said, “the belief that our Good is absent had to be called something, so it was called evil.” Continue reading How can we accept the idea that evil isn’t real in the face of tyrants and genocide and other terrible things some people have done?
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