The Reading Loggia
To date, The Monastery of the Mists has over 700 posts, and continues to grow. The Reading Loggia is home to a collection of some of the most popular posts around the monastery, as well as the Whisper of the Day (WOTD) as chosen by me and Mother Superior. Posts will continue to be added over time, and the WOTD, well, daily. Please do not whisper in this room, as it will be a holding area for the WOTD only.
A Loggia is an architectural feature, originally of Italian design. It’s often a gallery or corridor at ground level, sometimes higher, on the facade of a building and open to the air on one side, where it is supported by columns or pierced openings in the wall. Definition: a space within the body of a building but open to the air on one side, serving as an open-air room or as an entrance porch.
Our Loggia opens onto a Zen garden…
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A Monk’s Life: Welcome to the Monastery
Ego Amigos: Flirtin’ with the Flim Flam
Ken Wapnick: Don’t Work at Forgiveness
Filled with Salad and Good Intentions
A Course in Miracles and Nihilism
Flattery Will Get You Everywhere
February 17th, 2010 at 6:00 pm
The cloister of the The Reading Loggia is reserved for The Whisper of the Day. As mentioned in the post above, please do not whisper in this room. i.e. Please do not respond to the whispers here, but rather at their original location which will be included below. Thank you.
And thank you everyone for your whispers.
ACIM Monk
February 17th, 2010 at 6:06 pm
Whisper of the Day: February, 16, 2010
by LaAnnie in The Class Room, whisper #35
Good question Hanora with an equally good answer Mr. Monk.
feeling helluva lot better …now I get why the ego is so cumbersome. I feel like I’m in my third trimester and looking forward for the contractions to start. I think todays Q&A spoke of when we finish reading the Course we are just at the beginning.
I’m envisioning the Course is like Jesus starting a Pitocin drip speeding up our “deliverance” And with the first contraction, I start looking around for the anesthesiologist aka Holy Spirit requesting an epidural.
I Know God is not judging my being pregnant. But to Know and to Believe are not the same. So onward with the laboring. The most treacherous journey is the one from the mind to the heart.The two must be in alignment to birth a new reality.
I suspect the difference btwn earthly deliveries and those of awaking at heavens door is that there is no pushing involved. Of course it would be just the opposite! God will take the final step we are told; how sweet is that.
I really enjoyed this pregnancy metaphor and I’ll try and stay focused like a women in labor to present time.
Pursed lips and breathing just like we practiced in class.
p.s. I like that you had the baby girl representing irritation and not rage. See, ego is alive and well Jaime :)
February 18th, 2010 at 5:49 am
Whisper of the Day, February 17, 2010
by DonnaD in A Year of FACIM Q&A: February, whisper #221
“Also, since we are the ones who made the world to replace our true home in Heaven — thereby saying that we could get along without God just fine — then when the world ‘doesn’t work right,’ we would feel as if we had failed.”
Oh, yes, that would be my reaction every time. It is slowly becoming less of a response, though. I am beginning to see this differently and feeling more of a flowing with what is presented to me each day…just a little.
February 19th, 2010 at 7:24 am
Whisper of the Day, February 18, 2010
by Cynthia in The Class Room, whisper #42
Hi Mother and Ninjanun ~
I so appreciate your posts (#4 & #12)
For me, often the most difficult choice is the simplest.
I want the complex.
Of course, the thrill of the challenge and the agony
of defeat.
How peaceful the “the quiet request for help.”
It’s very helpful to see my same ego process, re. Edwards, etc., out in front of me.
Been there, done that
The names have changed, but the process is the same.
And I’m willing to bet that the next time I’m in the same dance with my ego,
It’ll be easier – just a bit – for me to step back and see it for what it is.
“Thanks, but no thanks. Think I’ll sit this one out.”
There always is the “last straw;”
that last bit of bad news that tilts the scale when I loose it.
But it’s all the same, innit?
The ego reminds me of the bratty brother who loves to tease
and won’t let go until you’ve lost it.
Ah, ha – Gotcha!
But once one is no longer bothered by his antics, he stops.
The thrill is gone.
February 20th, 2010 at 7:43 am
Whisper of the Day, February 19, 2010
by Linda in A Year of FACIM Q&A: February, whisper #247
What a place this is. Love to all. Greta it’s great to read a “newbee-whisperer” as I am one too. As it happens this section on pain is very relevant to me at this time. Being reminded that the source of pain does not come from outside but inside and that it is not of the body but of the mind is a complete reversal as to what I would have thought or felt a year ago before my introduction to A Course in Miracles.
I like to be reminded that,
What is most important though is that, while we continue to experience pain — whether it’s the pain of cancer or the pain of a broken leg or the pain of emotional abuse or any other form of pain we experience — we do not judge ourselves for feeling it. That would serve no purpose but the ego’s. Because of our fear of losing ourselves, we heal the pain in our mind through forgiveness in small steps.”
in small steps we are not to be discouraged by the ego’s insistence to look at the pain and see ourselves as bodies but to once again ask the HS to look at the pain with us and see it differently.
When I do my readings I sometimes get lost in the text (in a good way) and then I get a thought, “do I have pain?” and for a split second I realize that I had not felt anything significant until the, “do I have pain?” thought pops into my head and then I feel it, the pain I mean.
Because I am so identified with the ego as we all are to varying degrees, it is important to have regular practice of forgiveness. My practice has become more regular, more focused, easier and joyful from reading the whispers here. I think I have gone from looking at the ladder to putting my foot on the first rung because of all of you. I am inspired by your insights. Thank you and hugs to everyone.
February 21st, 2010 at 6:34 am
Whisper of the Day, February 20, 2010
(It was a tie, so there are two today.)
by Linda in The Scream-o-torium, whisper #822
Dear Winnie – I could have written a similar post as yours (814). I so appreciate the time you took and your willingness to share your process.
There are times, like last night, when my being becomes completely taken over by the same kinds of negative thoughts. These are thoughts that basically say that I am not good enough and that everyone else is superior in every way. I retaliate of course so that I can maintain a balance. My retaliation is a mixed bag of “nice” and not nice behaviors of which I am always ashamed. I can’t believe I still have a family that loves me and friends too!
These thoughts sometimes feel like an aggressive barrage of whatever,attacking me at every instant. I’ve had these attack-periods before and I usually feel wasted by the end when the attacks eventually subside. How? I don’t know.
Anyway last night I went to the opera and thought, ‘Oh no not now!’ It was Otello. I found it hard to concentrate but towards the end I had a clear thought, everyone in this story is insane except for Desdemona. It’s like Jamie said, ‘you’ll start to see parallels between the ego and the right mind when you look for them’ and last night I was looking for anything to get me out of my attack/retaliation mode.
I love live operas because of the music, the singing, the staging, the drama, the whole package. I use to think that the drama was always a bit too much but last night the message in the opera ‘Otello’ was not overly dramatic but very clear when seen through my understanding of The Course and here it is.
Every character in Otello is insane as we all are here in this form world. The characters spent their whole time focusing on how best to better their position or how best to control others or how best to see themselves as victims except for one character, Desdemona. Her husband was tormented with the thought that she was cheating on him and he was encouraged to maintain those thoughts by his ‘friend’ Iago.
The way I saw it was that everyone was trapped in their egos except for Desdemona. At the end her husband is informed, after he kills her of course, that she had always been faithful and that it was his insanity that drove him to do it. She was always in her right mind. Her devotion to her husband was unchanging as God’s love for us is unchanging no matter what!
I started seeing myself and everyone around me at the same as those characters in the play, that we’re all preoccupied at one time or another with our egos but that there are opportunities or people who can help us, remind us that it does not have to be that way ALL the time. We can have moments of clarity, moments of calm, moments that will help us survive the attacks.
—
Whisper of the Day, February 20, 2010
by Marla in Dreamy’s Pillow, whisper #256
Some dreams tell a story with a stream of events that together convey a message. Last night, however, I had just a brief snippet of a dream but it was quite stunning in it’s obvious message. I am left with only a brief memory of what was happening that led up to the moment that was so revealing – and inspiring – a “hey, it really does work” moment.
Whatever the situation that I was in, I was repeatedly making a decision with the Holy Spirit, choosing a certain course of action that was informed by my choice to forgive. I recall that it was a forgiveness opportunity that had come up many times before, and I found myself having to decide and forgive yet again.
Suddenly, in the moment I made that decision, the scene in my dream shifted and I was watching a nondescript black presence on the left (I knew this to be my ego) which was watching a screen. It was literally a frame with a picture in it of the forgiveness opportunity. In that instant when I had forgiven it and shifted to this perspective of watching my ego as an observer, as we both looked at the image on the screen, it (the forgiveness opportunity) went “poof” and disappeared into nothingness – just gone. It was really almost a lucid dream because I knew in that moment, as if I were awake, exactly what that message was. It felt as if I were seeing the metaphysical result we read of in ACIM of the Holy Spirit in His role of undoing error and collapsing time. I knew that particular forgiveness lesson had been mastered and would never reappear.
The Holy Sprit and Jesus wait until I’m asleep so they can get my attention because, I confess, that’s not so easy to do during my waking hours. But I’ve had many phenomenal dreams over the years, some that terrified me and some that were incredibly encouraging. The messages they impart, however, always keep me pointed in the right direction and inspire me to continue on this wonderful path we’re on. It’s so nice to have a light now and again to confirm that we are getting closer and closer to waking up.
Thanks for all the sharing, everyone, and Monk, to you, for the wonderful gift of your Monastery and your wisdom.
February 22nd, 2010 at 7:09 am
Whisper of the Day, February 21
by Marla in Dreamy’s Pillow, whisper #264
Had I read question 152 earlier than late last night, I would have posted this dream, the one I referred to yesterday. How odd that it was so relevant to this question about dissolving into God. I just posted this as a whisper after yesterday’s reading so you might have already seen it.
Question 152 very bravely and honestly talks about the fear we all have of being “dissolved into God”, because we recognize it means the end of our separate identities. The answer to this question was calming; “….he reassures us in many, many places in the Course that we will awaken from this nightmare dream only when we are ready to. It is a process that is mindful of our fear and moves in accord with our readiness. As you have recognized, his is a gentle, comforting approach: “Fear not that you will be abruptly lifted up and hurled into reality”.
My dream was about this readiness- a very affirming, awe inspiring experience. I was reading ACIM and had stopped to contemplate and connect with God in silence. I fell into a very light sleep and had an experience of my spirit (mind) – not my body – being drawn into a brilliant orb of light. There was nothing but a void, this brilliant orb of intense light, and my awareness of myself. I was fully aware and had complete control over whether I went closer or pulled away. It’s difficult to describe the “being” of this light as it was wordless communication yet there was an incredibly powerful, all encompassing and overwhelming feeling of fullness and oneness with the light. The closest analogy I can think of to describe it would be to say it was spiritually orgasmic – centered in my heart and mind – not physical. I felt I couldn’t bear the increasing intensity as I drew closer, and willed myself to pull away, but immediately wanting to return, I thought to do so and was instantly able to go closer again. The Light Source gave me complete control over approaching or moving away (with a great feeling of knowing and acceptance) which I pondered upon awakening a few seconds later. It was brief and as simple as that – no words spoken but in the experience, I was given the message that the decision to return to full awareness, listening to the Holy Spirit and getting closer to oneness – or not – is completely mine, whenever I am ready. It was a moment of grace I was blessed to experience, but the work is still there, every day.
As the wise answer to this question indicated, the willingness to dissolve into oneness evolves over time. I understand the fear referred to in this question but I am also aware that over time, practicing forgiveness has made me much less fearful than I once was. It falls away of its own accord because our willingness to forgive loosens the hold fear has on us. As I mentioned in yesterday’s dream, this is another manifestation of the metaphysical “behind the scenes” work of the Holy Spirit undoing error and collapsing time. My dream is your dream too and I so appreciate when you share yours, as they each shine a light on the way home.
February 23rd, 2010 at 6:47 am
Whisper of the Day, February 22
by Judy in FACIM Q&A: February, whisper #277
Powerful Q&As for me today. I’ll address the one that I’ve been looking at a lot lately, my specialness.
How brave of questioner #159 to expose herself so openly, to just put out there her dirty little specialness secrets. I struggle with this too, well I know we all do in various ways. It’s like a drug for me, my addiction to being perceived as special. Whenever I’m meeting new people, patients, families, or in a new group and we are introducing ourselves and telling others what we do, when I say I’m a hospice nurse, I always get the ahh, oh you’re an angel, oh God bless you I could never do that…, YOU’RE SO SPECIAL! There I’ve gotten my fix!
There’s a big part of me that still doesn’t believe the real me is good enough without all the window dressing. I want to give up my strong ties to my specialness. The entire answer was so helpful. It really breaks the process down. Looking honestly at specialness, making the connection between the choice to reinforce specialness and choosing another way with a different result, and willingness to let go.
It’s not like I haven’t heard this before, but today it is clearer and I feel closer to putting it into practice more. It was just what I needed today.
February 24th, 2010 at 6:17 am
Whisper of the Day, February 23, 2010
by Al from Aotearoa☼ in The Writer’s Loft, whisper 156
Belated Happy Birthday Ken
Off to Bora Bora? Just say: ‘When’
We’ll join you on this virtual bus
Such love for you in all of us
we wouldn’t want to be without
your no nonsense charm, your spiritual clout.
Uncomprimisingly you lead us
and faithfully with patience feed us
answers to our existential
questions born from angst and mental
pain of being in this dream,
this anguished drawn out fearfilled scream,
and with the gentle hands of Love
you greet each one with a tickle, a shove
onward in the right direction
our symbol of Truth’s pure reflection.
Love you Ken.
Thanks for the lyrics Lisa! I reckon when we stand at heavens gate and take a last look back our whole emtire ( typo – empire of emptiness?!) time here will look extremely dorky – the exact same feeling as when you look back on the seventies at the hair, the clothes, the music and roll your eyes and giggle – how totally insanely silly.
February 25th, 2010 at 6:48 am
Whisper of the Day, February 24, 2010
by Lawrence in The Blue Circle, whisper 222
Today, February 24th is my wife’s Sharon’s birthday. We have been married 31 years. I have finally realized not how much I love her, for that has always been a given, but that she has always been what I needed in my life to learn and to grow. She has no interest in spirituality or church, yet she has a good relationship with god. She simply does what she feels is right and figures Jesus or someone got her back. I read countless books on spirituality, and change my beliefs every 10 years or so; or more accurately update more or less the current belief system.
I don’t think I ever believed this of myself, but looking back over the years, I believe I thought myself in some way superior because of my efforts to be closer to, or to try and understand my God better. But sitting hear and doing a review of our years together, I see how strong of a person Sharon has been. I have found the Course or more accurately it found me. And I know that my updating days are over, but, not my reading. What has brought these thoughts to me this night, is my mood as of late has been one of unrest. Something has been bothering me for awhile and it has affected my every action, or non action in many cases.
So, I have found what will be my path for the years left in this dream, and I should be happier than I am. I know I don’t need to read other books on spirituality to fill gaps in my understanding anymore, but rather I need to listen to and believe the still small voice inside. The following is the 4th Miracle principle. It is what set this whisper in motion..”All miracles mean life, and God is the Giver of life. His Voice will direct you very specifically. You will be told all you need to know”.
The question arises how will you know it isn’t the ego? I feel in my case that you can’t bullshit a bullshitter. I think in most cases we know the difference, but don’t admit that even to ourselves. Just some late night thoughts I had to look at before going to bed.
Love to all the monklings, thank you for being here.
February 26th, 2010 at 6:04 am
Whisper of the Day, February 25, 2010
by DonnaD in A Year of FACIM Q&A: February, whisper 301
TexCan, HUGE hugs to you.
Anil, I’m glad we show up frequently in your mind. May we always bring light. Hugs, DD.
Nina, I have whispered and deleted about three different messages to you regarding your question because I am not sure I am responding in a manner that would be satisfactory to your question. So I will say that from my point of view I believe we are constantly placing ourselves into roles that will allow us to be either the victim or the victimizer until we begin to realize that it is a merry-go-round that never ends until we choose to see it differently. If we continue to make an environment where we are the victim, then yes, I guess we are getting something from that role or we would stop doing it. It happens whether it be a father figure, employer, family member or an abusive neighbor to name many options. I have also found that I had to let go of trying to understand the metaphysics of the Coursed because–for me—it was another distraction presented to keep me from hearing Truth. Whether I’ve helped or not—-I send you my love and my warmest hugs. DD.
February 27th, 2010 at 8:20 am
Whisper of the Day, February 26, 2010
by Winnie in A Year of FACIM Q&A: February, whisper 310
I learnt something important from today’s Q and A but i cant seem to put it into words. I just feel as if a burden i didn’t even know i carried has been lifted :)
I am a loner too Lawrence. I often think how ironic it is for me to be part of the monastery which is anything but secluded and cloistered. I dont need anybody or anything much and it would be so easy for me to slip away into solitude.
Babe i let it all hang out in here ! and though sometimes it is painful, it is also deeply enriching.
Besides i don’t know that i really could bear to be parted from all my wonderful friends here :)
{{Kailin♥ }} i love your whisper 307. When you first asked about the Rules, i didnt know what to say in response. I looked them up again in the text, but still didnt have anything at all to say…….but this is perfecto -> “I think I have been too hung up on “doing it right””…
Us TryVeryHarders are always gettin` in our own cotton-pickin` way !
It is so helpful to have an opportunity to express our stuff here – the very act brings us more clarity….. Thank you dear Monk for giving us this gift
DonnaDear your post of 308 spoke to me too especially -> ““Recognizing the ego’s goal for what it is allows us to change it;” These words are just what i needed to hear. The important thing i learnt today has to do with becoming aware of an insidious underlying goal heretofore unrecognized.
All this time because I think I am constantly vigilant I have been on the lookout for nasty surprises, for my ego to be vicious, sometimes imagining the worse possible scenarios to see how I would feel and making sure i`m ok with them. Every time I imagine them, I forgive them remembering if they happened or not, they are still just all in my mind.
Only last week when i found myself distressed with my sick patient, did i discover that the ego has been sneaking in, in his stocking feet through little tunnels he has made, rubbing his slimy little hands together with glee having cast snide glances at me standing tall and erect and ever watchful in my handsome uniform at the Gates of Brain.
And today i have discovered another little tunnel…will i be putting Goblin baits out ? no sirree ! Jesus, his Lamp and i are just gonna watch
hugs to all !
February 28th, 2010 at 11:24 am
Whisper of the Day, February 27, 2010
by Lisa in The Blue Circle, whisper 235
There is a person in my life currently who really pushes my buttons. I’d say that we have “issues”. And I’ve been looking at this situation a lot recently.
I’ve also been doing a bit of woo-woo healing and this week when I went a past life with this person came up. In that lifetime, we were very close and loved each other deeply. And this person accidentally killed me (although I played my part in it as well). It was tremendously painful for both of us, filled with guilt, shame, regret.
As I looked at this, suddenly all the anger and hatred I currently have for this person melted away and I realized that I felt an overwhelming Love. A Love so strong and huge it was almost painful to feel.
I was startled by this! To be able to feel a hatred strongly and have it give way to tremendous Love was startling. I cried. A lot. Half the day. And still on and off.
I’m still integrating this experience. It’s changed everything. I’m grateful, so very grateful. Thank You, Jesus.
March 1st, 2010 at 5:19 pm
Whisper of the Day, February 28, 2010
by Laura The Toddler Student in The Class Room, whisper 64
Nina (#61), I relate to what you say about changing your mind about bodily pain. I look with Jesus upon any pains that pop up the same as judgmental thoughts or other wrong thoughts. It really is a revelation to me that looking with Jesus at these pains and considering them more ego-related wrong thoughts and considering them lightly or just another ego “oh, well, that’s what ego does” approach…does diminish or eliminate the pain. This proves to me what Jesus has told us about how very powerful the mind actually is. I’m actually laughing at the little irritating pains now when they pop up. How cool is this? This approach to life in the dream is valuable in itself. I am so grateful.
Hugs!
LTS
March 2nd, 2010 at 7:30 am
Whisper of the Day, March 1, 2010
(It was a tie, so there are two today.)
by Kailin in The Blue Circle, whisper #248
I have a glorious little shift in perspective to share! Last night my boyfriend and I were having an argument–the kind where we’re trying to find a compromise but hurt feelings are in the way and it seems we’ve exhausted our prospective solutions. I told him I needed a break from it, so took a bath and forgave him, then repeated the prayer about holy relationships…the one that starts, “I would trade this instant for the holy instant I would rather have..” I don’t know it by heart, but I know the gist–that one of us can’t share it without the other so I give this instant up to the HS in exchange for a holy one.
When I got out of the bathtub we started talking again all of a sudden a compromise neither of us had ever even considered occurred to both of us at precisely the same time! It was literally an option that was not even in my realm of consciousness earlier in the evening and it really was an absolutely brilliant and satisfying solution to the issue at hand. Amazing. We hugged it out, gave each other big smiles, and proceeded to enjoy the remainder of our evening together stress-free. I love it when that happens.
——
by LaAnnie in The Blue Circle, whisper #255
So I went out to run an errand and as I’m waiting for the light to turn green a bus drives by with this huge advertisement along the side panel for the TV series Nurse Jackie and the catch line is “Holy Shift”; and I say to myself WHAT! I just wrote “shift” 10 minutes ago as a play on words and now this line just floating past me larger than life.
My first thought was how cool is that and then on its heels was…. OHH Nooooo…. they are going to think I’m a copycat!
All this in a split second.
The speed of thoughts. If I could replay that moment it was like a ole western gun battle …Spirit on one end…Ego on the other both just sittin at a red light waitin fur it ta turn grreeen. Then comes the bus reeaal sloow liike, first I catch this circular image of every color of pill on the pharmaceutical wheel displayed around the ever complicated yet confident face of Nurse Jackie. I think, I know that face, ohh ya, its that new series, I like that show, so quirky and wrong on so many levels, I should watch it again, ……then my eyes catch the letters and I read it silently “Holy Shift” and my mouth repeats it out loud “Holy Shift” and I snap out of my trance and catch the decision maker. There it was in slow motion The Holy Spirit unloaded first with” How Cool is that” followed right behind by Ms. E clamoring OHHh NOOO they’re gonna think I copied that line.
Just like that the whole thing played out in a split second. Now even though Spirit fired off the shot first (it always uses blanks) Ms. Ego (who doesn’t play by the rules) looks like she won that draw. She just kept on shooting off thoughts like. I need to get back home and tell my monkling brothers and sisters how that was just total synchronicity and..blah blah blah.
The truth is Mother I didn’t realize what a cute line I wrote till after I hit the submit button. It was only upon reading it with my logo in place did I give it a double take. Just goes to show you how my ego wants to take credit for things it didn’t even come up with!
There I feel better now.
March 3rd, 2010 at 8:21 am
Whisper of the Day, March 2, 2010
by Winnie in A Year of FACIM Q&A: March, whisper #10
“So the wisest thing is simply not to judge what is happening, acknowledging that your ego may have its agenda with the experience, but its counsel need not be sought.”
I love this line. I see my ego having a hand in everything i do and while i am learning not to judge that, i do have difficulty in learning not to seek its counsel that i am arrogant for so doing.
“And another thing that is true is that our ego will seize upon whatever it can to sabotage the experience of love and peace to sow seeds of conflict”.
Ah yes, so the ego knows that the thought of being arrogant is anathema to me. All my life i have sought to be humble and open to learning. So i discover the Truth and, the ego, the very father of arrogance itself, desperately trying to preserve itself, turns it around and while i am fumbling for my decision-maker`s cape slips and slaps its own villainous robes around me, insisting that i am its baby.
Now who`s my daddy?
March 4th, 2010 at 6:48 pm
Whisper of the Day, March 3, 2010
by ninjanun in The Blue Circle, whisper #261
This happened last night……. I awake with pains in my body and ask Jesus for help in seeing this differently. I start to see myself comforted and at the speed of light something or someone, it was dark, darts in and plunges a knife in the ground between us. I am aghast but also have the feeling that I have seen/caught something important and stay in that observer’s place.
Then I see (I am awake), a line of huge earth moving trucks filled with dirt, I believe ready to quickly cover it all up. I think more on Jesus and see a very straight but dimly lit path with an entrance at the end. It does not look inviting so I mentally put Jesus at the entrance thinking it would help me walk toward him but in a flash the image of him is not one I normally see, it is one with his eyes rolled upward and his limp fingers in the air and he seems weak and pathetic and I can not go to him.
I got out of bed and write this down and as disturbing as some of this was I also had a peaceful feeling along side it. I had seen my fears that I never seen before. I believe I have chased Jesus around the universe and wanted him more than anything. But there we were together and I put a weapon between us, perhaps even tried to kill him or me.
Back into bed with my husband and I am somehow much more peaceful and the space feels gentle and now in my mind I am able to take the knife and give it to Jesus. At that moment my completely asleep husband’s hand moves and lays over my hand, so very sweet, physical confirmation.
There was such gentleness and peace and as I lay there and then a thought came…what if I got depressed?… and I caught that thought. And it seemed to have great power and I knew it was a choice and right there I could choose depression or not and I asked for help and chose against it.
I waited and later heard the word, ‘innocent’ and I tear up as I write that and then saw Jesus looking like himself on a stage and he bowed as if he had played his part and it was the end of a play.
The morning came as usual and there is pain and peace and gratitude for all the help in all the guises.
March 5th, 2010 at 10:39 am
Whisper of the Day, March 4, 2010
by DonnaD in A Year of FACIM Q&A: March, whisper #30
“Everything is happening in the mind and when your mind lets go of the ego, you will simply awaken to the fact that you have only been dreaming a dream of separation, And so there is no separation, no separate self and no external world. The dream may appear to continue, but you will not take it seriously, knowing it is simply a fantasy or illusion that has no real meaning or effects. You will know you are limitless mind and not a limited bodily self.”
Every once in awhile I get a tiny glimpse of this knowing as I go through my day, trying to apply the Course’s teachings to whatever comes up—which is a lot, particularly at my job. But I find myself applying these teachings with conditions such as ‘it will be so much easier to do this if I had this or if lived there or but what about..’. The good news is that I am catching myself doing this more often than not. And I also realize how very angry I am; how much I project. How much I still try to control my environment so that I am more comfortable, happier, healthier, richer…. and so around and around I go. Today’s workbook lesson is “Forgiveness offers everything I want.” And there is the answer to all these buts. Hugs all, DD.
March 6th, 2010 at 9:51 am
Whisper of the Day, March 5, 2010
by Bernard in Dreamy’s Pillow, whisper #303
Hello, all my human brothers and sisters. This is Pumpkin here.
My dad says it’s okay for me to use his address at the Monastery, which is just as well, because I would’ve snuck in anyway. I can’t thank you enough for all your loving support and well wishes. It was at some dark hour of the night that I felt something calling me powerfully, and I don’t know how, but I made it back home. Now that I have seen all your beautiful thoughts and wishes that you were sending me, I know it was that which I was feeling. Dad was just taking a last look outside sometime in the early hours of the morning, and he found me behind the laurel bush. I wish I could tell you more about where I was, but I just can’t remember. But I must have felt scared wherever I was, because today I’m not leaving the house. As you can see, my brother, Athos, has lent me his special blanket, and that’s where I’m staying all day. So I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU! to everyone – I’m sure I wouldn’t have made it back without you. Now I’ll let my dad explain a little more… So, big, big furry hugs from your cat-brother in France, Lots of Love, Pumpkin
PS Dreamy, I got all your telecatic transmissions loud and clear – thanks, brother! I was sending back as hard and fast as I could, but I think the ethers were blocked in the other direction.
Hi, everyone, Bernard here. I was deeply touched by all your loving wishes and remarks to my message last night. Loss is always such a peculiar thing to go through. There is always that fear and deep pain, and always that remarkable presence watching quietly and kindly at the same time. In the case of Pumpkin last night, the feelings of loss were not ‘justified’, since he returned only some hours after I posted the message. It was not like him, and after the recent experience with the neighbour, we were fearing the worst. And so I got to see how easily I slip into feelings of loss, which is always very, well, instructive, isn’t it? I mean, he wasn’t gone for good, but I reacted in every way AS IF, and felt the pain of some loss EVEN AS he returned. Even when he was back, which was such a happy moment (especially when I placed him on the bed next to Pat who was already sleeping – her eyes lit up with such joy!) there was this strange feeling of nostalgia, like even with the kitty cat back in our arms, this was not a protection against feeling that same loss at a future time. Almost AS IF the loss were there, just waiting to be wakened by some outside event. I guess it’s easy to bring to mind Ken’s words about our original ontological Loss, and that idea feels very real to me today. I can understand it much better. So, there’s work to do in here!
Again, many, many thanks for your loving thoughts – I do believe they worked. I mean, I don’t know where the kitty was, but is it not possible that he ‘heard’ this call of yours to return, even as he might have been in the midst of some separating scenario, and changed his kitty-mind and came back? Isn’t it possible that even if he had been trapped somewhere, that having heard your thoughts, he chose again, and the script altered, no matter how disastrous things seemed, and so it was no longer necessary to continue with the video in which he gets hurt? I remember Ken writing about a time when Helen felt a friend who was a long way away contemplating suicide, and he and Helen prayed keeping him in mind, and he subsequently chose not to follow through. I guess we can only suggest to others in our thoughts that they remember the presence of Love for themselves, that there is another way. They will feel that thought, no matter where or when. This is the best we can do (aside from some obvious actions, perhaps), but it must be a great gift, indeed.
Thinking of you all, much love, Bernard
March 7th, 2010 at 8:04 am
Whisper of the Day, March 6, 2010
by Kendall in The Blue Circle, whisper #267
I would like to do a little sharing here with my monkling friends. With hope in my heart I share some of my process.
For I think the past few weeks I have had several physical problems in my body, one after another. It ended up I just had to laugh it became so absurd. I have a job where I can work at home, in bed, so I was pretty low key about it and took a “what’s new, same old ego” approach except for the times when I was just in it, being miserable, trying to look with Jesus.
I listened to Jamie’s class, Awake in Stillness, from my subscriber’s choice and something seemed to shift in me. Listening to Jamie’s process of sitting on the sofa with Jesus/Ken and healing the “spot of darkness” was very moving to me. Allowing Jesus to love us. I felt more willing to learn and look at my darkness.
Then last night I had very intense sleeping dreams of me killing others. It was not clear to me who the “others” were, just that I wanted to and did kill them.
When awake in between the sleeping dreams I connected to feeling like I had killed my mother and looked at the deep guilt and pain I feel with Jesus. All of the right minded correction thoughts were just at my fingertips, totally available and acceptable to me (which of course is not usually the case).
Then my mind was darting around like it was looking for something but nothing was found. Then it felt like something very fearful was coming at me, toward me for very short moments. I realized I was too afraid to be aware of the “fearful something” coming at me so I just stayed calm and watched myself distract myself with thoughts that clouded / caused me to forget what was happening.
Today, while listening to Ken Wapnick cd’s like I usually do while cleaning, driving, randomly I felt so willing to hear and feel the truth.
PS-my body feels great today and I am grateful.
Now I am going to treat myself to some time reading whispers. Hope to read and share more with all of you. Thanks to Jamie for his generous and brave ways.
March 8th, 2010 at 6:31 am
Whisper of the Day, March 7, 2010
by DonnaD in The Snuggery, whisper #647
♥☼Darling Monklings☼♥ Good morning everyone. I just wanted to send warm hugs to all and to say how you fill my heart with your sharing and the loving responses given. It is such a gift to know you are here, extending love and open arms to all who come to weep, laugh, sing, share dreams and lives, and add your bits of loving wisdom. I love you all so very much. May your day be soft and warm. Loving hugs, DD.
March 9th, 2010 at 7:01 am
Whisper of the Day, March 8, 2010
For the first time there is a three-way-tie.
by Nina in The Blue Circle, whisper #280
Oh about guilt -i found today that I am actually hunting for it. And i did not feel
guiltynot so much guilty about it – it is just silly – I asked myself why I would do that, and knew that it was because of fear…it felt matter of fact, as a matter of fact. hunting for guilt – high and low – so nice to SEE the purpose at last, not only hearing about it intellectually.——
by LaAnnie in A Year of FACIM Q&A: March, whisper #47
Q 199 was all I could read so far. The 2 statements you quoted Marty were exactly what stood out for me. If I can truly allow myself to grasp intellectually and believe in my heart without a doubt these two concepts I will have come a long way.
Again I see how I just want to sit at the table of Wisdom and pile on my plate as much it can hold only to find out after two bites I can’t take another. I had heard Caroline Myss speak of Spiritual Gluttony and today I recognized yet again I need to slow down and take my own time to chew this stuff.
I can now see the Wisdom of fine cuisine…When you look at some of these fancy restaurants servings they look so lacking in abundance for the price they are asking. But the chef must know something we can not see. He has given just enough for you to savor and enjoy. It’s all about the experience and it has a perfect measure. Today I will let Jesus choose what I’m gonna have for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Bon Appetite everyone
——
by Winnie in A Year of FACIM Q&A: March, whisper #49
“Meanwhile, every time we are willing to recognize any situation,…. as the direct result of a choice made in our mind, without projecting blame …..we are strengthening our belief in our true identity as mind, and weakening our belief in the ego’s tale of separation and identity with the body.” {italics mine}
This was a nice reminder today. Practising forgivness constantly often seems so humdrum and ordinary -> …..
So i woke up in the middle of the night again too excited to sleep {`cause of you know what} and i recognized that my over-excitement is exactly the same as boredom, same coin, other side. I rarely experience either…… and i`m like ” struth what should i do about this disturbing state i`m in???? oh yeah that`s right, I dont have to do anything other than remember i`m not a body with a beating heart. I`m a mind that`s frightened of Love…. oh well since i`m awake i might as well go and have a cup of tea”…
March 10th, 2010 at 7:25 am
Whisper of the Day, March 9, 2010
by Kailin in Love After Love, whisper #9
Sometimes this site delivers just what I need at just the right time. I just read the poem Love after Love…at exactly the right time. I had just been frustratingly writing in my journal about how, when I am gripped by the ego, I don’t feel like “me.” And it feels uncomfortable. And I am realizing how infrequently I do feel like me. “Real” me feels like it could explode with L-O-V-E. Real me feels free and large and encompassing. But it’s all held back through constant fear and anxiety and the infrequent times I feel like me are brought to me through miracles. Those shifts in perception I wait for.
I had a dream a few years ago–one me fought another me (identical Kailins!)–martial arts! Impressive! One me was really kicking the other me’s arse! I feel that way daily…there is a peace in me that longs for expression; I can sometimes feel it behind everything else–like it’s silently hiding, but I’m afraid it’s wrong. And I can’t make it come out of hiding, it seems. It doesn’t feel safe to feel that way for too long and I so I just end up missing myself. Ah, incoherent ramblings–but the poem was so lovely. So needed. And gave me hope.
I just wish I knew when this day would be when I would meet myself again so fully. Always the fear of being hurt, being vulnerable–saying to the world, “I love you all!” and being rejected or judged. Almost the minute it’s out a little voice says, “Is that okay?” But it seems lately I am coming to the decision that to restrain all of the real me is just getting too hard–like a role I can’t keep up. I want to feast on my own life. I can’t tell you all how blessed I actually am–and yet I walk around in fear…often of losing my many blessings. I want to just bathe in gratefulness without the fear. I want to meet me and say, “Hey! What took you so long! Welcome back, sit and stay awhile. You’re home.”
Anyway–I don’t know where the poem came from or who contributed it but thank you. It definitely spoke to me on this day.
Hey–I was just thinking…maybe it’s a good thing I actually see the distinction. I think once upon a time I identified completely with the ego; maybe it’s a good sign I’m starting to see it as apart from what I consider to be truly who I am.