Here is today's meditation:
My only function is the one God gave me.
That function, as we've covered over the last few lessons, is to forgive. To think that this can be our one and only purpose in the world is at first hard to grasp. But the more I thought about it today, the more it began to make sense. Everything we do, any task we aim to accomplish or goal we set to achieve, is built upon either love or fear. To forgive is to love. The form, ultimately, does not matter.
For example, right now I am seeking employment (like so many in the current economy). However, that goal is a reflection of something deeper. Is my job-hunting rooted in love or fear? Is it fulfilling my function of forgiveness and love? As I write this, I realize that it isn't. My approach to finding a job as of late has been primarily fear-based. The motivating thought has been, "If I don't find a job soon, I will run out of money." According to A Course in Miracles, that's the wrong approach.
If I come from a place of forgiveness and love, then what I should be thinking is this: "Finding a job will allow me to fulfill my function on this earth. As I search for the position that is right for me, I bless all potential employers I meet, and I forgive those who turn me down."
I know this intellectually, but it's a little more difficult to put into practice. That's what A Course in Miracles aims to do - train our minds to follow the higher path without allowing fear to seep in. I'm not there yet, but I'm on my way. That's why I'm doing the course, after all. Remembering today's lesson is key in getting there:
My only function is the one God gave me.
It's quite a relief to accept this as truth. No more wondering, "Why are we here?" No more reason to put so much weight on "finding the right job" or "getting the new iPhone" or "finding the right partner." No matter what we do, no matter what form it takes, our sole function - which is the same as our soul function - is to love and forgive. If whatever action we are taking fulfills that function, we're on the right path.
Until tomorrow,
Journeyman
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
Day 64: Let me not forget my function.
Let me not forget my function.
Oh, how often we do forget. Don't you just hate it when you do something you know you shouldn't be doing? I swear that human beings are the most forgetful animals on the planet. Other animals have a built-in memory system. It's called instinct. Human instinct has nearly been obliterated altogether. And we're the ones who've done it to ourselves.
When we do remember, how glorious it is! Perhaps that's the reason we forget - so that we can remember, again.
Somehow, on this physical plane we call earth, we have forgotten where we come from. Our one true Source, that which binds us all to one another, is God. And God certainly hasn't forgotten us. Sure, it may seem that way at times, but it's when we have forgotten God that the world looks its murkiest. As long as there's chance for redemption (and there always is), it shows that God has not forgotten us.
Our function, as mentioned in Lesson 62, is forgiveness. Today's meditation is a reminder not to forget that function. Forgiveness is the road to redemption, the pathway to Salvation.
Today's meditation continues, adding:
Let me not try to substitute mine (function) for God's.
Let me forgive and be happy.
This is the world it is my function to save.
It all seems pretty lofty, especially the last statement. But there is truth in it. Our function of forgiveness is the highest function we have. In our day to day lives, this isn't always clear. There are bills to pay, mouths to feed, careers to climb, and blogs to write :-) - but it all means nothing if we aren't infusing every moment of our lives with forgiveness and love. That is the key to happiness. And the salvation of our world depends on it. If it is not "my" function to save the world, then whose is it? The responsibility belongs to each and every one of us - for after all, we are all One.
Until tomorrow,
Journeyman
Oh, how often we do forget. Don't you just hate it when you do something you know you shouldn't be doing? I swear that human beings are the most forgetful animals on the planet. Other animals have a built-in memory system. It's called instinct. Human instinct has nearly been obliterated altogether. And we're the ones who've done it to ourselves.
When we do remember, how glorious it is! Perhaps that's the reason we forget - so that we can remember, again.
Somehow, on this physical plane we call earth, we have forgotten where we come from. Our one true Source, that which binds us all to one another, is God. And God certainly hasn't forgotten us. Sure, it may seem that way at times, but it's when we have forgotten God that the world looks its murkiest. As long as there's chance for redemption (and there always is), it shows that God has not forgotten us.
Our function, as mentioned in Lesson 62, is forgiveness. Today's meditation is a reminder not to forget that function. Forgiveness is the road to redemption, the pathway to Salvation.
Today's meditation continues, adding:
Let me not try to substitute mine (function) for God's.
Let me forgive and be happy.
This is the world it is my function to save.
It all seems pretty lofty, especially the last statement. But there is truth in it. Our function of forgiveness is the highest function we have. In our day to day lives, this isn't always clear. There are bills to pay, mouths to feed, careers to climb, and blogs to write :-) - but it all means nothing if we aren't infusing every moment of our lives with forgiveness and love. That is the key to happiness. And the salvation of our world depends on it. If it is not "my" function to save the world, then whose is it? The responsibility belongs to each and every one of us - for after all, we are all One.
Until tomorrow,
Journeyman
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Day 63: The light of the world brings peace to every mind through my forgiveness.
The light of the world brings peace to every mind through my forgiveness.
Today's meditation lesson continues, adding the following:
I am the means God has appointed for the salvation of the world.
Marianne Williamson, famed teacher of A Course in Miracles, addresses this subject frequently in her lectures. "Few are called," so we've been told, but Marianne tells us that from A Course in Miracles' perspective, "All are called. Few choose to listen."
I believe today's meditation is in sync with that statement: "I am the means God has appointed..." God has called each and every one of us to be a light unto this world. And the method by which we do that, as touched upon yesterday, is through forgiveness. And indeed peace of mind is the result of such action.
How often do we let anger and hurt and guilt and shame and worry occupy our minds? Isn't peace a far better alternative? Through forgiveness, we can achieve that for ourselves, but today's lesson suggests it goes beyond our own peace of mind. By forgiving ourselves and others through the light God shines through us, we inevitably bring peace to the minds of every other person on the planet, because as the course tells us, all minds are joined. Let me say that again:
All minds are joined.
So the more we come into awareness that we are the light of the world... the more we forgive and the more we achieve our own peace of mind... then the more we enlighten every other person on the planet. When one is lifted, as are we all.
Let us remember that.
Until tomorrow,
Journeyman
Today's meditation lesson continues, adding the following:
I am the means God has appointed for the salvation of the world.
Marianne Williamson, famed teacher of A Course in Miracles, addresses this subject frequently in her lectures. "Few are called," so we've been told, but Marianne tells us that from A Course in Miracles' perspective, "All are called. Few choose to listen."
I believe today's meditation is in sync with that statement: "I am the means God has appointed..." God has called each and every one of us to be a light unto this world. And the method by which we do that, as touched upon yesterday, is through forgiveness. And indeed peace of mind is the result of such action.
How often do we let anger and hurt and guilt and shame and worry occupy our minds? Isn't peace a far better alternative? Through forgiveness, we can achieve that for ourselves, but today's lesson suggests it goes beyond our own peace of mind. By forgiving ourselves and others through the light God shines through us, we inevitably bring peace to the minds of every other person on the planet, because as the course tells us, all minds are joined. Let me say that again:
All minds are joined.
So the more we come into awareness that we are the light of the world... the more we forgive and the more we achieve our own peace of mind... then the more we enlighten every other person on the planet. When one is lifted, as are we all.
Let us remember that.
Until tomorrow,
Journeyman
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Day 62: Forgiveness is my function as the light of the world.
Forgiveness is my function as the light of the world.
As A Course in Miracles emphasizes over and over again, forgiveness paves the road to Salvation. And today's meditation reiterates that point.
Forgiveness isn't always easy. Actually, it seems it rarely ever is. But imagine what kind of world this would be if we all forgave one another for every little thing that pissed us off or made us run to a dark corner and cry. I think there'd be a whole lot less nuclear weapons hiding out around the globe. That I can pretty damn well guarantee.
For me, forgiving others hasn't been nearly as difficult as forgiving myself. And I'm a good person. I'm a really good person. But I expect a lot from myself. And I think that in light of me turning 30 next year, I'm analyzing my life thus far and putting to question all I've ever done. Have I done enough? Perhaps, but have I done the degree of what I once envisioned for myself as a boy? No. And I'm not sure I've forgiven myself for that yet.
But what does it matter if I haven't accomplished what I thought I would at my age? In the end, it doesn't. But I know I have the potential to be so much more than I have been. I think that potential resides in all of us. Maybe forgiveness is where it starts. Maybe that's the meaning behind today's meditation: Through forgiveness, our light shines brighter than we ever imagined it could. And the more brightly we shine, the more joy we cultivate around ourselves.
So let us forgive, let us shine brightly, and let us be joyful.
Amen.
Until tomorrow,
Journeyman
As A Course in Miracles emphasizes over and over again, forgiveness paves the road to Salvation. And today's meditation reiterates that point.
Forgiveness isn't always easy. Actually, it seems it rarely ever is. But imagine what kind of world this would be if we all forgave one another for every little thing that pissed us off or made us run to a dark corner and cry. I think there'd be a whole lot less nuclear weapons hiding out around the globe. That I can pretty damn well guarantee.
For me, forgiving others hasn't been nearly as difficult as forgiving myself. And I'm a good person. I'm a really good person. But I expect a lot from myself. And I think that in light of me turning 30 next year, I'm analyzing my life thus far and putting to question all I've ever done. Have I done enough? Perhaps, but have I done the degree of what I once envisioned for myself as a boy? No. And I'm not sure I've forgiven myself for that yet.
But what does it matter if I haven't accomplished what I thought I would at my age? In the end, it doesn't. But I know I have the potential to be so much more than I have been. I think that potential resides in all of us. Maybe forgiveness is where it starts. Maybe that's the meaning behind today's meditation: Through forgiveness, our light shines brighter than we ever imagined it could. And the more brightly we shine, the more joy we cultivate around ourselves.
So let us forgive, let us shine brightly, and let us be joyful.
Amen.
Until tomorrow,
Journeyman
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Day 61: I am the light of the world.
Here is today's lesson in the workbook:
I am the light of the world.
Well, yes I am! As are we all. Being "a light" is our birthright, after all. God's Light resides in each and every one of us by the very nature that we are children of God.
The issue is whether or not we are aware of this light within ourselves.
As we become more conscious of our own inner light, that light begins to shine through us and out into the world we create around ourselves. By doing so, others may recognize their own light. This is the meaning behind today's meditation (at least as I interpret it).
This is nothing we don't subconsciously already know. I'm sure you've heard someone say at one point or another, "Wow, she really has a glow about her." That's when you know someone's inner light is shining brightly. That's when you can actually see the presence of God in the world. The light literally radiates out from those who are connected and rooted in God's Love, however it may be manifesting within them.
Pregnant women often carry that "glow" around them, for what could illustrate more perfectly the Miracle of God than a new life growing into being? Children glow when they receive praise from a parent or teacher. Artists glow when they are in their zone of creativity, whether it's playing violin, writing a novel, or performing in a play (and we all have our creative outlet - even if we don't necessarily consider ourselves as artistic). Regardless of the behavior attributing to that glow, there is a common thread among all those whom we've ever noticed who exude it: They are joyful.
It makes perfect sense. God is Joy.
So in recognizing that we are the light of the world, we must also recognize that we radiate this light when we are in a place of joy - for that is the space where God dwells.
Until tomorrow,
Journeyman
I am the light of the world.
Well, yes I am! As are we all. Being "a light" is our birthright, after all. God's Light resides in each and every one of us by the very nature that we are children of God.
The issue is whether or not we are aware of this light within ourselves.
As we become more conscious of our own inner light, that light begins to shine through us and out into the world we create around ourselves. By doing so, others may recognize their own light. This is the meaning behind today's meditation (at least as I interpret it).
This is nothing we don't subconsciously already know. I'm sure you've heard someone say at one point or another, "Wow, she really has a glow about her." That's when you know someone's inner light is shining brightly. That's when you can actually see the presence of God in the world. The light literally radiates out from those who are connected and rooted in God's Love, however it may be manifesting within them.
Pregnant women often carry that "glow" around them, for what could illustrate more perfectly the Miracle of God than a new life growing into being? Children glow when they receive praise from a parent or teacher. Artists glow when they are in their zone of creativity, whether it's playing violin, writing a novel, or performing in a play (and we all have our creative outlet - even if we don't necessarily consider ourselves as artistic). Regardless of the behavior attributing to that glow, there is a common thread among all those whom we've ever noticed who exude it: They are joyful.
It makes perfect sense. God is Joy.
So in recognizing that we are the light of the world, we must also recognize that we radiate this light when we are in a place of joy - for that is the space where God dwells.
Until tomorrow,
Journeyman
Monday, August 2, 2010
Day 60: Welcome to the countdown!
60 days ago, on June 4th, 2010, I turned 29 years old. I decided that before I turned the big 3-0, I wanted to complete a spiritual journey.
Earlier this year I began attending Marianne Williamson's Tuesday night lecture series in Los Angeles. If you don't recognize her name, here's an excerpt from her book A Return to Love, which you've probably read or heard before:
Starting on June 4th, 2010, the day of my 29th birthday, I began the meditations - one for each day of the year until the day I turn 30. I also started reading the text shortly afterward - 2 pages a day. So I'm all on track to complete the full text and workbook in A Course in Miracles before I turn 30 years old on June 4th, 2011.
Just last week I saw the film Julie & Julia, and it inspired me to begin this blog. Rather than working my way through a cook book and recipes, however, I'm making my way through a spiritual handbook and meditations. It's almost the same thing, right?
So for all the spiritual seekers out there, join me on my journey as I embark on one of the greatest spiritual studies available today, while I also count down to the milestone of turning 30. I'll share my thoughts and feelings about the course each day, and how the study is affecting my life and my way of thinking.
As I write this first blog, it is the end of my 60th day. This also happens to be the last day of the first review session in the workbook (10 days of review, which covers the first 50 lessons). To bring you up to speed, here's a list of the first 50 meditations:
1. Nothing I see means anything.
2. I have given everything I see all the meaning that it has for me.
3. I do not understand anything I see.
4. These thoughts do not mean anything.
5. I am never upset for the reason I think.
6. I am upset because I see something that is not there.
7. I see only the past.
8. My mind is preoccupied with past thoughts.
9. I see nothing as it is now.
10. My thoughts do not mean anything.
11. My meaningless thoughts are showing me a meaningless world.
12. I am upset because I see a meaningless world.
13. A meaningless world engenders fear.
14. God did not create a meaningless world.
15. My thoughts are images that I have made.
16. I have no neutral thoughts.
17. I see no neutral things.
18. I am not alone in experiencing the effects of my seeing.
19. I am not alone in experiencing the effects of my thoughts.
20. I am determined to see.
21. I am determined to see things differently.
22. What I see is a form of vengeance.
23. I can escape from the world I see by giving up attack thoughts.
24. I do not perceive my own best interests.
25. I do not know what anything is for.
26. My attack thoughts are attacking my invulnerability.
27. Above all else I want to see.
28. Above all else I want to see things differently.
29. God is in everything I see.
30. God is in everything I see because God is in my mind.
31. I am not the victim of the world I see.
32. I have invented the world I see.
33. There is another way of looking at the world.
34. I could see peace instead of this.
35. My mind is a part of God's. I am very holy.
36. My holiness envelops everything I see.
37. My holiness blesses the world.
38. There is nothing my holiness cannot do.
39. My holiness is my salvation.
40. I am blessed as a Son of God.
41. God goes with me wherever I go.
42. God is my strength. Vision is His gift.
43. God is my Source. I cannot see apart from Him.
44. God is the light in which I see.
45. God is the Mind with which I think.
46. God is the Love in which I forgive.
47. God is the strength in which I trust.
48. There is nothing to fear.
49. God's Voice speaks to me all through the day.
50. I am sustained by the Love of God.
Whew! As you might be able to tell from these first 50 lessons, A Course in Miracles aims to deconstruct our current, faulty way of thinking, and replace it with a way of thinking aligned with our true purpose as miracle-workers on earth. It is designed to provide a foundation for inner peace, to dissolve the illusions we build around ourselves and bring to light the abundance of Love we all share - for we are all One.
I hope you will join me on this journey.
Until tomorrow,
Journeyman
Earlier this year I began attending Marianne Williamson's Tuesday night lecture series in Los Angeles. If you don't recognize her name, here's an excerpt from her book A Return to Love, which you've probably read or heard before:
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.Marianne teaches from a spiritual study called A Course in Miracles. The book's pages are Bible-thin, and appropriately so. There are 669 pages of theoretical text, followed by a workbook containing 365 meditation lessons, followed by a manual for teachers.
Starting on June 4th, 2010, the day of my 29th birthday, I began the meditations - one for each day of the year until the day I turn 30. I also started reading the text shortly afterward - 2 pages a day. So I'm all on track to complete the full text and workbook in A Course in Miracles before I turn 30 years old on June 4th, 2011.
Just last week I saw the film Julie & Julia, and it inspired me to begin this blog. Rather than working my way through a cook book and recipes, however, I'm making my way through a spiritual handbook and meditations. It's almost the same thing, right?
So for all the spiritual seekers out there, join me on my journey as I embark on one of the greatest spiritual studies available today, while I also count down to the milestone of turning 30. I'll share my thoughts and feelings about the course each day, and how the study is affecting my life and my way of thinking.
As I write this first blog, it is the end of my 60th day. This also happens to be the last day of the first review session in the workbook (10 days of review, which covers the first 50 lessons). To bring you up to speed, here's a list of the first 50 meditations:
1. Nothing I see means anything.
2. I have given everything I see all the meaning that it has for me.
3. I do not understand anything I see.
4. These thoughts do not mean anything.
5. I am never upset for the reason I think.
6. I am upset because I see something that is not there.
7. I see only the past.
8. My mind is preoccupied with past thoughts.
9. I see nothing as it is now.
10. My thoughts do not mean anything.
11. My meaningless thoughts are showing me a meaningless world.
12. I am upset because I see a meaningless world.
13. A meaningless world engenders fear.
14. God did not create a meaningless world.
15. My thoughts are images that I have made.
16. I have no neutral thoughts.
17. I see no neutral things.
18. I am not alone in experiencing the effects of my seeing.
19. I am not alone in experiencing the effects of my thoughts.
20. I am determined to see.
21. I am determined to see things differently.
22. What I see is a form of vengeance.
23. I can escape from the world I see by giving up attack thoughts.
24. I do not perceive my own best interests.
25. I do not know what anything is for.
26. My attack thoughts are attacking my invulnerability.
27. Above all else I want to see.
28. Above all else I want to see things differently.
29. God is in everything I see.
30. God is in everything I see because God is in my mind.
31. I am not the victim of the world I see.
32. I have invented the world I see.
33. There is another way of looking at the world.
34. I could see peace instead of this.
35. My mind is a part of God's. I am very holy.
36. My holiness envelops everything I see.
37. My holiness blesses the world.
38. There is nothing my holiness cannot do.
39. My holiness is my salvation.
40. I am blessed as a Son of God.
41. God goes with me wherever I go.
42. God is my strength. Vision is His gift.
43. God is my Source. I cannot see apart from Him.
44. God is the light in which I see.
45. God is the Mind with which I think.
46. God is the Love in which I forgive.
47. God is the strength in which I trust.
48. There is nothing to fear.
49. God's Voice speaks to me all through the day.
50. I am sustained by the Love of God.
Whew! As you might be able to tell from these first 50 lessons, A Course in Miracles aims to deconstruct our current, faulty way of thinking, and replace it with a way of thinking aligned with our true purpose as miracle-workers on earth. It is designed to provide a foundation for inner peace, to dissolve the illusions we build around ourselves and bring to light the abundance of Love we all share - for we are all One.
I hope you will join me on this journey.
Until tomorrow,
Journeyman
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