Today\u2019s lesson contrasts the ego\u2019s plan for salvation (self preservation) with God\u2019s plan for salvation (Self-realization). Ego, or the thinking mind, believes \u201cthat it must plan, although it cannot know the outcome which is best, the means by which it is achieved, nor how to recognize the problem that the plan is made to solve.\u201d<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s really look at that for a moment. Isn\u2019t this the human condition\u2014trying to solve a problem that can never be solved?<\/p>\n
Six months ago, I had an experience of the thinking mind as other than me. I woke up one morning and watched it scan my body, my environment, the immediate past and the day ahead. I could see that it was scanning for any danger\/problems, so it could plan what needed to be done. Witnessing this scanning process was pure Grace. It was clear to me that this process had occurred every morning of my entire life (perhaps not when I was an infant, but that is pure speculation). It then became clear to me that this is not just a process that occurs upon waking from sleep, but one that is continuous during waking hours.<\/p>\n
The ego or thinking mind is a problem solver. As today\u2019s lesson makes clear, however, it is working with bad data and has no idea what is valuable. It uses what has been \u201clearned\u201d in the past to predict the future and its goal is to keep this limited body\/mind\/personality \u201csafe,\u201d \u201chappy\u201d and \u201cloved.\u201d As a result, it ensures the present and future will be like the past.<\/p>\n
Today’s lesson is really about the Self-inquiry, “Who am I?” Today\u2019s lesson recommends that\u00a0we live from the answer to our Self-inquiry<\/u>, instead of falling back into ways of being that are intended to protect the body or psyche as who I am.\u00a0Although some basic planning and taking care of one\u2019s body will occur, living from the answer to our Self-inquiry is living with the attitude of openness, allowance and trust and with the purpose of Self-realization.<\/p>\n
Today\u2019s lesson tells us that \u201cself-initiated plans \u2026 are the means by which a frightened mind would undertake its own protection, at the cost of truth.\u201d \u2014 Practice Self-inquiry. Ask, \u201cWho am I?\u201d and look to discover the truest answer to that question.<\/p>\n
As today\u2019s lesson suggests, we then take Self-inquiry one-step further by living from the answer. \u201cLet no defenses but your PRESENT TRUST direct the future, and this life becomes a meaningful encounter with the truth\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
There is a difference between trying to control things and living from present trust. There is a difference in how they feel. This difference in feeling gives us the opportunity to be honest with ourselves, if we pay attention. A question we can ask ourselves is, \u201cDo I think I need some things to go a certain way in order for me to be safe\/happy\/loved?\u201d If so, you have become attached to the psyche\u2019s idea of itself, and that is a block to truth for you.<\/p>\n
The lesson prompts us to practice thusly, \u201cThroughout the day, as foolish little things appear to raise defensiveness in you and tempt you to engage in weaving plans, remind yourself this is a special day for learning\u201d.<\/p>\n
Will we accept whatever experiences come in this lifetime, whether they are what we would have preferred or not, and use them to further our awareness of truth?<\/p>\n
Instead of living from our beliefs about who we think we are, let\u2019s begin to live from Self-inquiry with self-honestly.\u00a0Pay attention to yourself. What beliefs about yourself are you living from?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
LESSON 135. If I defend myself I am attacked. Today\u2019s lesson contrasts the ego\u2019s plan for salvation (self preservation) with God\u2019s plan for salvation (Self-realization). Ego, or the thinking mind, believes \u201cthat it must plan, although it cannot know the outcome which is best, the means by which it is achieved, nor how to recognize […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":38243,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[122,88],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-41301","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-gentlehealingtips-jpe","8":"category-sidebar","9":"entry"},"yoast_head":"\n