Step Three Teachings, Quotes #656-735
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Friday Jan. 5 ~ Daily Contemplation ~ Lesson 350
Miracles mirror God’s eternal Love.
To offer them is to remember Him,
And through His memory to save the world.
What we forgive becomes a part of us, as we perceive ourselves. The Son of God incorporates all things within himself as You created him. Your memory depends on his forgiveness. What he is, is unaffected by his thoughts. But what he looks upon is their direct result. Therefore, my Father, I would turn to You. Only Your memory will set me free. And only my forgiveness teaches me to let Your memory return to me, and give it to the world in thankfulness.
And as we gather miracles from Him, we will indeed be grateful. For as we remember Him, His Son will be restored to us in the reality of Love.
Tips from Regina ~ Lesson 350
What is the miracle?
Before leaving this special theme for the next one, let’s circle back and look at this excerpt again:
A miracle is a correction. It does not create, nor really change at all. … It undoes error, but does not attempt to go beyond perception, nor exceed the function of forgiveness. Thus it stays within time’s limits. Yet it paves the way for the return of timelessness and love’s awakening, for fear must slip away under the gentle remedy it brings.
The sense of self is more than self-centeredness. Although the sense of self is not our very existence, it is what feels like existence to us. That means that once the wrong-minded self-centered self ends, the next step in awakening is the end of the sense of existing or the sense of I am. The sense of existing and life are not the same thing. Life, which is what we are, does not end. The sense of existence is an energy that we have mistaken for life.
Remember Nisargadatta’s instructions to the man who said, “I see you smoking!” He said, “At the root is the sense ‘I am’. Go beyond it.”
Here is a brief video by Dr. David Hawkins about his experience with the end of the sense of existing. He calls it the Final Doorway. (The tip continues after the video.)
Note: Here is another brief video where Dr. David Hawkins describes the same experience with a different emphasis.
As our special theme says, the miracle works within time and perception. It moves us from self-centered existence to existence that reflects reality. This existence could be seen as a spotless mirror. Reality is reflected in the spotless mirror—in this sense of existence—but reflected reality is not reality itself.
The miracle cleans the mirror of the self-centered self. When the mirror is spotless, the miracle’s function has come to an end. It is another movement that takes us beyond time and the mirror, a movement that exceeds perception entirely. That movement is known as the final doorway, the eye of the needle, the last judgment, God’s final step, manonasa, etcetera.
Miracles mirror God’s eternal Love. To offer them is to remember Him, and through His memory to save the world.
Please read today’s workbook lesson in full. Notice a phrase, sentence or excerpt that you feel particularly attracted to and go into it more deeply through writing.
Meditation Options
Spiritual Teaching of Ramana Maharshi, #29 ~ Contemplating Consciousness
Step Three Teachings, Quotes #525-655
Thursday Jan. 4 ~ Daily Contemplation ~ Lesson 349
Today I let Christ’s vision look upon
All things for me and judge them not, but give
Each one a miracle of love instead.
So would I liberate all things I see, and give to them the freedom that I seek. For thus do I obey the law of love, and give what I would find and make my own. It will be given me, because I have chosen it as the gift I want to give. Father, Your gifts are mine. Each one that I accept gives me a miracle to give. And giving as I would receive, I learn Your healing miracles belong to me.
Our Father knows our needs. He gives us grace to meet them all. And so we trust in Him to send us miracles to bless the world, and heal our minds as we return to Him.
Tips from Regina ~ Lesson 349
What Is a Miracle?
Let’s review what we’ve already contemplated about the miracle in order to look at the miracle as a whole.
- A miracle is not a correction. In fact, it is not a change at all. It is a shift in perception, which is a shift in our way of seeing and experiencing.
- The miracle could be called a shift in meaning. It gently shifts away from the valueless (temporary appearance) and towards the valuable (reality). That means circumstances that we saw as meaningful before gradually have less meaning while awareness, which once had no meaning at all, becomes more present and centrally meaningful.
- The core shift that occurs with the miracle is a shift from a self-centered existence and way of perceiving to existence that is not centered in the self. Existence not centered in the self is called true perception, because perception is not colored by self’s personal biases. This core shift may be dramatic or it may be gradual, the culmination of many smaller shifts.
- Because the self-centered self will attempt to cling to its self-centered nature, it is important for the individual to have a desire to go beyond the self-centered self and faith that existence beyond the self-centered self is more valuable than existence as a self-centered self.
- The way to enable the miracle is to abide, to the best of one’s ability, as the unaffected self. Being unaffected is synonymous with not being self-centered or not believing self-centered thoughts, perceptions and feelings. The Loving All Method is a simple, gentle and clear method for abiding as the unaffected self. When we abide as the unaffected self, we do not cling to the self-centered self. This enables the miracle, because we are no longer fighting against the miracle.
- The miracle is both personal and impersonal. It is personal, because the medium of the miracle is the only one who experiences the shift directly. It is impersonal because the shift in perception causes material effects through the creative principle. The one who experienced the miracle may or may not witness the material effects.
- People often confuse a material effect with the miracle by thinking the material effect is the miracle. The miracle is the shift in perception. It is permanent and irreversible. The effect of the shift is not the miracle; it is a temporary appearance.
- The spiritual aspirant helps in the process of shifting from self-centered existence to existence that is not self-centered by being aware of his own process, participating in it fully, and prayerfully asking for clarity, guidance, and shifts.
- To continually seek advancement on a journey from the known to the unknown takes faith. If one will have faith and take the journey, miracles and their effects will reinforce faith. This results in confidence, which enables one to go further into the unknown.
Today I let Christ’s vision look upon all things for me and judge them not, but give each one a miracle of love instead.
Today we give the freedom that we seek by practicing the Loving All Method instead of judgment.
Please read today’s workbook lesson in full. Notice a phrase, sentence or excerpt that you feel particularly attracted to and go into it more deeply through writing. I have demonstrated this practice repeatedly by selecting an excerpt from the special theme and writing based on that excerpt. Increased clarity can come through this type of focused contemplation. The clarity that is perfect for you will come through the selection you are attracted to. You can open up to this clarity by asking to see what is most helpful for you to see, and then begin writing with faith that this prayer will be answered.
Meditation Options
SoulCollage® as an Awakening Tool – Register Now
Listen to Rev. Doreen describe the program
Register for Phase I
Wednesday Evenings, 8-10pm ET
Begins January 17, 2018
Description:This class encourages participants to access their inner wisdom using a tactile, creative process as they move through a spiritual purification journey. SoulCollage® is a creative process of making collaged cards that facilitate a dialogue with your inner guidance. We will allow insights to arise as we read and contemplate The Untethered Soul, by Michael Singer. Intuitively, participants will select “soul stirring” images from magazines that reflect insights gained through their spiritual readings, visible and invisible allies, guidance, challengers, and ego tendencies. Collage, an art process easy for anyone—both men and women, allows one to gracefully tap into the depths of the soul in a nourishing and profound way. Artistic ability is not required as the focus of this class is to access inner wisdom using images as prompts. During the class, participants will begin creating a multi-suit deck of cards. After the class, more cards can be added to contemplate, meditate and journal with, and consult from for a lifetime.
fPlatform: ZOOM Online Meeting Platform
Private Facebook group page dedicated to this class.
Classes will be recorded but only made available to those who participate.
Instructor: Doreen Bonnet, Awakening Together Minister and Certified SoulCollage® Facilitator.
Book: The Untethered Soul, by Michael Singer
(References will be used from other sources)
Class Format: 2 hour class – one chapter per week (Intro and 19 chapters)
- Quick Check in – word or phrase typed into the room
- Prayer
- Explanation of SoulCollage® elements (see below)
- Sharing of Individual SoulCollage® cards
- Reading/sharing from The Untethered Soul
- 10 minutes of Devotion/Integration
SoulCollage elements covered:
- Creating SoulCollage® cards using an intuitive versus an intentional process.
- Mechanics of making card with Presence.
- Owning your SoulCollage® cards through intuitive writing.
- Source, SoulEssence, and Witness Cards.
- Shadow Cards—ego/lower self—parts of ourselves we hesitate embracing. Use of other spiritual tools will be integrated.
- Committee Suit–How we identify ourselves.
- Community Suit–Our relation to our brothers/sisters with focus on Oneness.
- Council Suit—Our guiding achetypes.
- Companion Suit—Our relation to and lessons from other living beings, including animals.
- Consulting Your Inner Wisdom through your cards.
- Incorporating your SoulCollage® cards into your spiritual practice.
- SoulCollage ® cards depicting spiritual principles.
- …and more.
A dynamic process will be allowed in presenting this class. Participants will be encouraged to make cards according to their own inner prompting and guidance within the present time. For example, if we speak about the SoulEssence Card in week three, it doesn’t mean the homework for week 3 is to you’re your SoulEssence Card. The images for the card may present themselves in week 5. On the other hand, a participant may be drawn to images and create a card without knowing its true meaning. Weeks later, the meaning may reveal itself through a spiritual teaching/inquiry or in some other way. Participants will be encouraged to lay efforting aside in making their SoulCollage® cards.
Homework: Make at least one card per week. Spend quality time with the card(s). Occasional supplemental homework might be offered.
Date/Time: Wednesdays, 8-10pm ET beginning on January 17, 2018 using ZOOM Online Meeting Platform. Use of ZOOM is free for meeting participants.
Phase 1 – Introduction through Chapter 6 (7 classes)
Phase 2 – Chapter 7 through 13 (7 classes)
Phase 3 – Chapter 14 through 19 (6 classes)
*Week off in between phases.
Register Now
*New participants can join in at beginning of each phase. Reading and viewing prerequisites for new participants that begin at Phase 2 and Phase 3.
Sliding Scale Pricing Per Phase. Pay the price level you feel most guided to pay. 50% of your fee will be donated to Awakening Together.
Level 1 Pricing – $60
Level 2 Pricing – $80
Level 3 Pricing – $100
Level 4 Pricing – $120
Other Costs:
Book: The Untethered Soul, by Michael Singer.
Supplies: blank cards, glue, scissors, frame guides, magazines, and journal. Once registered, participants will receive a detailed description of each supply item. The cost will depend on what is preferred by the participant. Various options from economical to more expensive and ideas on where supplies can be purchased or obtained will be provided
For more information on SoulCollage®: www.soulcollage.com
Examples of SoulCollage® Cards:
Inner Wisdom Child: I am one who reminds you of the inner wisdom that has always been with you … even as a child and beyond time. I remind you of your innocence and your unique role in this tapestry of existence. The bumps and valleys of your life are by design to support you in your growth. You must bow, surrender, and pray to allow nourishment in a season of the seeming desolate and dry valley. What nourishes you clings to you; what does not nourish you is repelled. This is grace. Striking change is always on the horizon in this life. Remember, you are built for this. It is your spiritual curriculum.
Thinking Man: “I am one whose incessant thinking leads to a distorted view of myself —swollen with guilt, shame, arrogance. I am enticed and distracted by the beautiful mental maze I create that contains, and attempts to hide, the beliefs, judgements, regrets, doubts, confusion, avoidance, etc. The distortion is visible, however, and I become concerned about how I’m seen to others and I find myself, once again, in the maze. When I am in this state, I am reminded to refocus my mind from my head to my Heart. My Heart will teach me the way out of the maze. I am so conditioned to focus on my superficial heart or superficial heart matters that when I consider my Real Heart, it too, seems amiss to my own current understanding. It seems unreachable.”
Purification: I am one who is being cleansed. A façade that has never been true is now being washed away. I may, at times, feel scared, vulnerable or abandoned, yet, I am divinely protected. I am nourished with all that I need to thrive. I can rest peacefully. Inside me lies the grace of the lioness—regal and strong, quiet and playful, 
fierce and calm.
Grace: I am one who is nourished in the grace of God as I embark on the dance of life.
Satyagraha: I am one transforms through my insistence on Truth and Love.
“In one village a notoriously fierce communal agitator came up to Gandhi in front of hundreds of paralyzed onlookers, put his hands around Gandhi’s slender throat, and began choking the life out of him. Such is the height to which Gandhi had grown that there was not even a flicker of hostility in his eyes, not a word of protest. He yielded himself completely to the flood of love within him, and the man broke down like a little child and fell sobbing at his feet. For those who watched, it seemed a miracle. For Gandhi, who had got used to the “miracles” of love, it only proved for the hundredth time in his own life the depth of the words … “Hatred does not cease by hatred at any time; hatred ceases by love. This is an unalterable law.” ’ – Eknath Easwaran, Gandhi the Man: The Story of His Transformation.
1-3-18 ~ Regina & ‘I Am That’ – The Complexity of Cause and Effect
Regina Dawn Akers read and shared from her contemplation of Conversation #4, Real World is Beyond the Mind, from I Am That: Talks with Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj.
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