Fireside III
It is to the Village Square that the townspeople come to exchange views and thoughts on their beloved spiritual philosophy, learning from each other in kindness and wisdom. Then when their minds have been filled, they retire to the tavern on the western side of the square where they share in social discussion, learning of each other’s events and challenges, happinesses and sometimes sadnesses, too. With a mug or glass in hand, they collect in front of the great Fireplace that dominates the long wall. Benches and chairs are often filled on market day with those who have come from farther away, bringing news of events and views the local people delight in hearing.
If you are feeling disoriented by all the philosophical talk by the fountain in the Village Square, then come sit down on the bench here with us for a while just to soothe your mind and share a mug of tea or coffee. Let’s all make sure the conversation is quiet and simple, caring and thougtful, exactly the kind of talk you might have around a warm hearth, the only light filling the room coming from the fireplace.
This is the third installment in the Fireside discussion series. After we reach 900 comments, the page takes too long to load on your computer, and so we start another fresh page. To review previous discussions, we keep the old pages (Fireside I and Fireside II) which you can find under the ‘Village’ tab on the navigation bar at the top of screen under the image of the tree.
Beautiful Zafu.
thank you for you peaceful loving post
You ARE a service
So good to hear that it isn’t full blown leukemia hope it isn’t the other pre-leukemia either.
Happy Mothers Day to all.
pam — good to hear from you.
love,
a
Thank you for the update Lawrence, I’m so glad too, as Pam said it’s not the full blown and hoping it’s not the pre either. Hope it’s just the low platelet aspect that is the issue.
Happy Mothers Day to all.
Love,
Michele
The turbulence in the mind lately is huge. Not taking it seriously is nice – but I can’t work much. Maybe I am not supposed to 🙂
Instead I went to A Course-quote-notebook, and opened it randomly. And see what Anne Tex had written some time ago:
Then when the turbulence starts we (I) think something has gone wrong. But maybe we have to unlearn that part as well…maybe by going through it!
But going through it with a Guide –
Who remains calm and reminds us not to flinch or panic –
Cuz if it is really an illusion, then what would we react to ( in content)?
And when we remember that God is Love – what is there to fear?
Exactly. And the rate I am going through it shows me that I must really do a very good job 🙂
*
A 70-year old lady had a session this morning pr phone. She is a seer but not really accepting it – so when the input becomes overwhelming, she freaks out. 10 minutes with the Sedona-method was all it took to bring her to a state of mind with complete calm and peace. For now, I guess 🙂 – but these questions are so powerful: “Could you allow that to be as it is – just for now?” If No: “Could you allow that resistance to be here?” “And: “Could you allow the Love that you are, to take care of that?”
All we need is a reminder to allow
So soothing!
If anyone in the VIllage wants to try the Sedona, I am happy to serve it to you pr Skype for a test-ride!
big hug
Nina
Interesting!
Thanks for reminding me, Nina… I get so afraid sometimes
That God is Dead…. and Chaos has taken over.
It takes a moment to slow those thoughts down,
And remind myself of the truth!
And as Ken says… the best prayer is often just this:
“Help!”
I have heard from Winnie and she is doing fine. She sent bunches of scintillating pink pixie dust that I am sharing here – I set it over there on the main table in the large stoppered top, rose embossed jar with the smaller cork stoppered vials for your to put it in with that small silver spoon and funnel. You may have a small velvet satchel with the long cord to put the vial in and wear it around your neck if you wish also.
She is having a lovely time spending time in the classroom of her “kids”. The grandbaby is doing fine and the mother is exhausted as he seems to be a night owl.
LOL I can so relate as that is how Cory was at that age. Hmmm come to think of it he still is but now at 13 years he can fend for himself and I can go to bed and get some sleep. (:
The peaches are ripe on my tree so there is a large bowl of sliced peaches and a jug of heavy ,honey sweetened, cream with some Russian walnut shaped cookies filled with a creamy walnut frosting that I picked-up at the Russian import shop while in Lincoln this last weekend.
OOO Pam. This was worth waiting for
Nina
Dear all – some ponderings on our Village-community
Most of you seems to have drifted away. That has happened many times – and people has needed some pauses, sometime long ones – and then returned. When many of you stay away for long time, I start to wonder if you have left for good, without saying good bye – and that hurt.
I miss
Winnie, Pam, Annie, Donna,Leni, Bev, Melody, Laura,Zenbear, Richard, Michele- and i would love to hear from you. Could it be that all of you are enlightened and happy (:? And don’t care about sharing here anymore? maybe you think that you absence is not even felt or noticed – I can only speak for me: it is. I look for you each day I am here: is Annie in the Tavern? Is Pam cooking delicious meals for us? Is it Winnie up there in the big tree, dong somersaults in a new dress?
I want to know how you are doing – where are you in life, and with the Course, if you like to share.
Bernard,Lawrence,Anil,Zafu,Jaclyn, Hedda – and recently Michele, on a short visit- I treasure your presence here. So much.
I am posting here rather frequently – and today I thought, maybe I am doing that only for my self.
I miss you, and miss the feeling of an alive community. I love you all so much
Nina-Nina-Nina, there you go again getting me to missing everyone again! I know what your saying. You would think when friends are living thousands of miles away from you, they would check in from time to time. (:
You know, if I were to leave tomorrow and never come back,the friends/villages would live on in whats left of my memory forever, One Spirit. But since I have established I don’t have a memory, I second Nina’s wish for Nina, because of all the people I know, she deserves true happiness.
God bless us every one
lawrence
see, it’s like this …
if a sharing is being written out and shared …
and then there’s somebody who needs something or some kind of something else that needs to be attended to …
the sharing doesn’t get shared because the computer has to be closed and shut down and it isn’t there when I return
there’s a strong signal here that takes over the chosen signal when there is an idle computer
anyway
just so you know that there have been several less than half written attempts at sharing that have all gone into the ether of space
so, aloha
everything is better than great here on the north shore
mom is doing fabulously well … she’s back to walking, driving, playing bridge (and winning) and going to movies (the best exotic marigold hotel was excellent)
I’m love love loving being here and feeling totally at home
have been here a year now
yesterday 2 of my boys and a grandson arrived for a 5 day visit … so I’m in total heaven with a 14 month old grandson that I haven’t seen since he was 2 months old!!
it feels like a time shift thing because it seems like just last week we were all together … no time at all
so wonderful to be sharing the sunset and dinner at the beach with extended family
turtles have been up on the beach in the mornings
have completed the 28 day gratitude book (the magic by rhonda byrne) that has added so much joy and many blessings through the actual writing and recognition of all that we have to be grateful for
she paraphrases acim beautifully … appreciation is the only appropriate response to your brother … a magnificent outcomes to all things is sure
have a friend that just returned from incredible healings in brazil with john of god … being in the current … surrounded by love and healing and knowing that miracles are happening
many blessings and healings happening here as well
am so encouraged by my mother’s willingness to re-enter life and share joy and bring love to everyone
many people are honored with plaques after they die … so I decided to make her a plaque while she’s still here
every night we are at the picnic table out at the sunset
this is the engraved stainless steel plague I had made and installed for her:
IN HAPPY FUN LOVING GRATITUDE
TO THE LUMINOUS NUMINOUS
M. L. WHITE
MAHALO MAHALO FOR YOUR BRIGHT LIGHT
AND FOR MAKING LIFE A PARTY
NIGHT AFTER NIGHT
EVERYONE IS WELCOME, IT’S ALWAYS JUST RIGHT
AND EVERY NEW STORY IS PURE DELIGHT
ALOHA & MAHALO & HOLOHOLO ~ A HUI HOU
everyone here is blessed by her presence
love to everyone
peggy
Wow, Nina, your love and caring certainly come through in your writings! I wish I could summon that depth of love, I left it behind a long time ago. However, when I retire (as of tomorrow!), I will be spending more time focusing on inner work. Now I’ll get to see if I really am dedicated to doing the lessons every day, and attend to them every hour. I will be able to collect unemployment and social security. The Creativity Lab didn’t take off, so I had to pack everything up and vacate the space. Please let us know when your book is officially published and available for purchase. What a gift to the Sonship!
Just got an email from Kenneth Bok, he is going to be doing more outreach. So if anyone wants to be involved with his teachings, you can get on his mailing list.
Zafu, are you going to go see Wayne Dyer in January? The topic is Divine Love!!! I think it is going to be awesome. I don’t know if you live on the mainland or not. It will probably be expensive.
Villagers are probably busy gardening and vacationing, but I am sure they are here in Spirit.
Everyday I read the good sites, Jamie’s and here, and a few more — unless my newly retired DH needs me to find something. My time on a computer is really limited, but I always catch up at night. I love to hear what’s new and send light to each who are having a forgiveness lesson. Mine are intermittent with gifts of healing that I am crazily amazed at. Love to all, Katrina
Has it only been a week since Katrina wrote her message above ? No doubt that time is an illusion, a week doesn’t feel like what it used to be earlier in my life (or should I say in my earlier life ?)
I am so tired that I just want to chill out in the Tavern. No thought of the Course, no thought of all this mumbo-jumbo[just kidding (:], no business thoughts, no domestic thoughts, mind wholly empty… aah, wouldn’t that be lover-ly ?
A random drift-through my mind… (Annie, got your email – hope your hacker problems are over, sorry that was frustrating you last(?) week ! — I’m certainly not opening email from you (thanks for the alert), but am not sure if I should write back to the email, or post you a message here… well, here you are ! (:
Bernard – sorry haven’t been able to get to Somerville or Medford (I used to live in Somerville too – not quite as long as you, but it was my last stop in the Boston area before I hiked off to Tokyo in 1994) We’re currently in a hotel in Copley Square, and had a splendid view of the July 4th fireworks from a high floor overlooking the beautiful River Charles. (July 4th was also the day Bill Thetford called it quits on this planet – Carole Howe and several others believe that Bill achieved his(our?) goal of enlightenment, and that this was his “final” lifetime.
What a lovely dream – to be free of all judgements and burdens of anyone, anything, or one’s body, and to have only Love be one’s constant experience… truly lovely indeed. I miss you, Bill – even though I never met you, I feel your “presence” ? (am I drinking too much Kool-aid ??? (:
love you all, I will drift out of the Tavern now.
Peace,
a
ps. Happy 4th to everyone – we are blessed in this world to have a country like America..
True, Bev –
funny-looking indeed am I, but looks aren’t everything ! (:
(Love the fact that you’re here every day to 2-3 days, that’s pretty regular indeed – I guess there are many who silently drop in all the time, I’m still getting used to the idea of writing out my thoughts, and ostensibly finding no one here to read them (;) Your reference to the Ken-Helen video has me intrigued.. I haven’t seen that one, and now want to spend some time searching it out. (not today though – got to run to a busy day, but it’s not so busy that I can’t escape to my on-line haven here at the Village for a few minutes !
Hiya Pam – Nebraska is close enough from here, but we’re leaving for SFO on a semi-emergency basis (my wife has had enough of the US and longs for her nest in Asia), so we’re cutting short our KC trip by several days, and moving up our departure from SFO by a week or more(basically out to Asia by the next free flight that shows up availability – don’t even think we’ll have time to connect with Michele !:(
Nina ! (: (: — yes, guilty guilty me indeed (:
love you all,
a
ps. Finished Two out of Three sections of “Absence from Felicity” this am. Is it my imagination or is my resistance to this material getting thicker and thicker ??? (: (have been operating in semi-fog all morning till now (:
ps. On the flip side, Jesus seems a lot closer to me in my mind than ever before. For a variety of reasons….
Hey a and Nina ~
Ladies first….Nina I had the thought that over the long holiday week, as we had Thurs and Fri off too I would write an update about my life and forgiveness processes as I was lovingly moved by your request and felt the same way about hearing updates myself…so it is coming!!!
a…Honoring S’s nesting instinct and first flight out of SFO is happily supported and on my highest good intent list. I have a very long time dear friend and her husband in town this coming Friday night as my only commitment this weekend. We’re actually meeting at 7pm out in the Marin county town of Woodacre. Often I get out of work as early as 2, 2:30 or 3:00pm on Fridays and even earlier if I’m doing Marin county errands for Dr Jay. So if it’s comfortable and in the cards, go ahead and text me. I work in lower Pacific Heights in SF and have a very flexible schedule there so meeting on a workday midday for lunch or quick coffee is doable for me.
Ah – my dear peeps… what a fast-paced week I am having!
It is really a wild ride!
Just poppin in to say hi!
And I lub you all.
Michele, waiting patiently for your report (:
Tex – peeps and pumpkins, nice words – what is the red thingy on your gravatar? it looks like an adorable puppet
Hiya Michele –
I just got your SMS mintues ago about the time we can meet tomorrow – not sure if I can make it at 3:30 pm. I have a 1 pm meeting at 139 Townsend Ave, how far is Pacific Heights from Townsend ?
Will call you when my 1 pm meeting is over, and hopefully cab it over to your location.
Not writing back to your latest SMS – I have one of those non-smart phones…I guess I should just call it a dumb phone (but it works very well for a dumb guy like me ! (:… so too many SMS’es will break the phone’s back (in a manner of speaking (:….
Chat soon (and hopefully, all willing, see you soon !! (:
a
Hi Bernard –
Now that I have met my first fellow-Villager (Michele and I met Thursday in her beautiful town of Sausalito (I’m trying to get S to agree to move here, (but with little success ! (: —)), the next person I am likely to meet is you ! (:
Hopefully sometime in Sept/Oct, somewhere between Toulouse and Paris ! (:
hope your out-of-town work is going good….
Toots, my friend, (Atherton is beautiful too ! from where I write this message)
a
No puppet… I was wearing a kilt … and the was the fly!
Annie dear – Are you close to Irvine ? how far ? I *may* be coming there Aug 11th/12th ! (:
love, (and hope your email account is now un-hacked (:
a
aloha ~~
a: Irvine is my old stomping grounds!! if I was still there I would most certainly be looking forward to the hope that you would be there … as I recall, dear annie is way way on the other side of town … but you never know … stranger things have happened
so keep on traveling and maybe one day you’ll find yourself on the north shore of oahu in time for sunset!!
may all our hearts be joined as our love and prayers are needed in this time of heartbreak from the town of aurora colorado … and to the families and loved ones …
goings on like this show that all attack of any sort is senseless … may we all be kind to each other
blessings to all
am wishing lawrence and his family a respite from their challenges too … lawrence is an old soul it seems who has the wisdom and depth and insight that guides him very well along these uncharted paths
am holding places in my prayers of gratitude and appreciation for every helpful and kind person that has been part of our journeys here in this dimension and know that when we help each other and do good things for each other we all are blessed
here in hawaii it is so beautiful … have just heard keola beamer do john lennon’s imagine in hawaiian (called ina)… it is so beautiful … a prayer that could heal the planet and every heart in it
if you listen to the sample of this song … maybe you’ll also hear and feel the gentle warmth of healing … each time I hear this version of the song, I feel the miracle of imagine
wishing each of us a happy and gentle day full of joy and kindness shared
aloha
peggy
Sets out coffee and butter pecan rolls.
Just resting here a bit feeling the love.
At last! (Hugs Pam silly)
Dear Villagers ~
Peggy aka ☯♡☼ Zafu…thank you for this in your mention of the event in Colorado ” am holding places in my prayers of gratitude and appreciation for every helpful and kind person that has been part of our journeys here in this dimension and know that when we help each other and do good things for each other we all are blessed”
It’s odd the dualism questioning that can arise in my thinking with regard to the clarity and aha’s/ little steps up the ladder I feel blessed with in my own forgiveness process. There is no question that my daughter and granddaughter are my biggest forgiveness opportunities. I’ve experienced a shift inside myself that I’m grateful for as it allows me to shift to believing the loving truth about them and myself and knowing that “we go together you and I” as I let go of my blocks to love and I how I set it up. The shifts come about from my willingness to question and HS/J’s help.
The day after my beyond words wonderful visit with.. a, complete details to follow somewhere in this post, I had right here in the SF bay area town of Alameda, my very first taste of Temecula!!!
This came about through someone who will always be very special to me…. Maria Young, my first Course teacher at the small and intimate study group I’ve been going in Mill Valley for going on at least 5 years now. Maria “facilitated” there for my first year with the study group and then, as she lives in Alameda, an opening for a study group in Alameda at the House of Truth came about. I put facilitated in quotes because for the first ten years she conducted groups at a couple of different places during the week, she called herself a facilitator, not wanting to call herself a teacher.
She is, like many of us here in the village… a dedicated Wapnickian and has been for decades. She is the one who discovered and turned our study group onto Jamie’s acimmonk site years ago. I am very grateful to Maria. When she announced she was leaving our group to facilitate at the House of Truth, I was happy for the ease she would have not having the long commute she made each week to be with us AND… I cried and wiped away many tears at her last class with us that night. Much like I cried when I was on the road traveling a few years ago and read Jamie’s announcement. In fact, a and I discussed that transition we all went though during our visit. I was one who had no issue or anger with Jamie’s decision to make the change he needed. I just cried for the loss I felt.
I can see I’m going to have to make two submit postings to complete my update.
First taste of Temecula continued:
The opportunity and creation of Maria’s recent non profit was very synchronistic and came with Ken’s blessing and she was amazed to find out that the name for it and website domain, was available and its: ☀ Center for A Course in Miracles☀
♥Loral and ♥Rosemary were her first guest speakers. They gave a workshop on Content vs Form. It was very enlightening and the best part was how they so clearly demonstrated their internalized path of accepting the atonement for themselves, not seeing differences moment by moment in every situation. They gave practical examples…ranging from one of their students in a weekly group they have and her buying a used car experience to sharing their thought process on conducting the workshop they were giving.
Their talk, all of the various ways I’m enriched by Course practices of my own, and shared insights from others from Ken to Jamie to Villagers to my current and long time Course study group teacher a 30+ Course student (who I used to judge so harshly as I was unpeeling my own onion) all of it has helped me practically be able to shift and move to a place of love and forgiveness with them. It’s clearly ongoing work and ongoing process.
Yesterday was a perfect Stinson Beach weather day. Maybe cause I’m a native I’ve got a great sense of weather and it was warm on my deck early am in Sausalito and I drove out there early. Got settled at my spot far away from the State Park section( it’s a super long beach) and took a walk with my cell and had perfect timing reaching my daughter Lasya as she was talking her solo walk by the lake in CT and we caught up and talked for over an hr 1/2 about her recent move and updates on Kailea’s vacation out here on the west. It was soooo wonderful and felt so good. I’m looking forward to having time with Kai too if it’s in the cards. I’m going to yoga class now so this is just part 1.
Love,
Michele
Part II
So funny …I realized I never made the point I meant to about ” the odd dualism question that arises in my mind” The questioning comes from the place of arriving at a deeper sense of what forgiveness is with regard forgiving people for what they haven’t done along with the opposite of aka holding grievances and getting a better sense of my NOT having any idea of the huge cost I pay for holding them. But while I am having my own process, something like the history of victimization we have here in the dream…the Holocaust, the shooting in Colorado comes up and I stumble on forgiving Hitler for what he didn’t do. Yes I read somewhere in Ken’s site where, if I have it right, a Jewish man who survived the camps and became a course student found his way to forgiving Hitler through seeing shared interests in the way Hitler loved his dog.
I think also that the stumbling block comes in when I think of answering a non course student who questions “forgiving someone for what they didn’t do” in the context of horrific historical and current day victimizations and obviously even my own questioning where I fall back on…I don’t know what anything is for, I don’t know the atonement paths as they are played out for my sisters and brothers here and in the past. I’ve thought to look up the sections on such questions in the Q&A section of Ken’s site.
So my ★★★★★ visit with a……
When I asked if he wanted to meet me at my office, he responded in such a great way saying he wanted to get as much a picture of my life and world as he could in the time we had. I was soooo excited that he was on his way and that Jay aka Dr Jay was still in the office. a has cut his hair since the pic I we have of he and S in our gallery, he looked great and it was so wonderful to have a good hug and look into each others eyes.
a came solo as L hadn’t had his normal sleep the night before when they arrived in the wee hrs in Atherton and S was tending to him and his napping through out the day.
I hadn’t read a’s last post here in the village to me, and earlier in the day before he called me in the afternoon I’d thought I might be meeting all three and that we might not have more than an hr together. I learned we had plenty of time, and that a would cab it back to Atherton from where ever we ended our visit. While we were still in SF I drove him through the built in 1790 Presidio that is beautiful. I drive through it every day after I get off the bridge to get to my office location. It was an old military complex with vast amount of acreage much of which is waterfront with stunning views of the bay and bridge. I parked and we got out for a walk and talk rambling all over the place. I decided to drive a to Sausalito the scenic route way. We stopped at an Italian spot I buy coffee beans at that has a great little deli and mini bakery with superb yummies. We each had a snack & Italian beer in a view booth with privacy. We touch on many near to our heart stories and thoughts and I got such insight into a’s life. He shared a wonderful story that brought tears of joy really to his eyes and to my heart about they way he feels the nudges and sweet simple guidance at times.
I drove a into the southern edge of the next town of Mill Valley where there is a beautiful waterway and great view of Mt Tamalpais, we took another short walk.
I told a I wanted to take him to my wee little place and that if I’d known he was coming there I’d have it all sparkling and tidied up. a sat in the chair I sit in to do my am lessons that faces the deck garden and where I sit when we village skype. I was so happy to have him for those hours and the cab driver was a sweet guy who took our picture, with the Vallejo ferry boat in the background of the driveway.
a is so thoughtful, kind, funny, bright, humble, sharing easily from his heart, so in the moment kind of person, just a true delight to be with. I was so kind of hyped up as we were driving from the city to Sausalito that I was a little ditzy took a sooner exit than I wanted that was a view SF exit and while backing up for someone who needed to exit his parking spot I actually lightly backed into a person, who was on his cell and just walked away from it barely nodding his hey..you ran into me as he continued talking on his phone.
a was trying to soothe my shock of it, by being hysterically funny doing this great monolog on how nothing it was to the Pakistani a guessed he was.
There will be a part three cause I want to share about the amazing trip into the high high Sierra Jay treated us to a few weeks ago as well as renting out the entire 106 year old West Point Inn on Mt Tam for us the day after the 4th of July. It’s small with just 5 cabins and then room in the inn itself. It;s only lit by gaslight lamps the innkeeper lights, no electricity except in the innkeeper’s outside cabin quarters, no open flames allowed anywhere. The kitchen and the lodge room are huge with every kind of cooking implement. The cabins have no lanterns, rooms in the inn either. It was soooo beautiful. I’ve ridden my mountain bike there before a few times.
This coming week, for the last part of it into the weekend, we’re going to our last summer retreat at Rancho Cicada 50 miles east of Sacramento in the gold country foothills of the Sierra. I went last summer the month before I started working at Quest. It’s so peaceful and beautiful. I feel so blessed to have emerged from the very challenging times I went through that lasted over four years having no idea that this work and community of co workers would be in my destiny.
Love to ♥♥♥everyone♥♥♥,
Michele
Jacalyn ~
☼☀★☆✦✧✩✫✬!!!CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR RETIREMENT!!!★☆✦✧✩✪✫✬☼☀
Much Love,
Michele
Michele, it is wonderful to read your report. So rich and colorful and fun. If things turn out as a* think they are, they are going to move to Bergen in a few years – and guess who will fly to Bergen 🙂
I would love to see the photo of a and you – maybe a could tell us if it would be OK for Michele to send it to us privately in email?
of course, darling Nina – it’s perfectly OK for you (and anyone else that cares to see my portly frame (; — to get that pic from Michele.
ps. I haven’t yet written yet about the hours I spent with Michele – it’s like she says, I don’t have the words for it yet. It lives in my heart,in a deep and vivid (and smiling (:) light ! (:
pps. more later, dear ones…
I love this poem: it is only kindness that makes sense –
love to all –
and Michele, send the photo to all us, will you? 🙂
Kindness
Before you know what kindness really is
you must lose things,
feel the future dissolve in a moment
like salt in a weakened broth.
What you held in your hand,
what you counted and carefully saved,
all this must go so you know
how desolate the landscape can be
between the regions of kindness.
How you ride and ride
thinking the bus will never stop,
the passengers eating maize and chicken
will stare out the window forever.
Before you learn the tender gravity of kindness,
you must travel where the Indian in a white poncho
lies dead by the side of the road.
You must see how this could be you,
how he too was someone
who journeyed through the night with plans
and the simple breath that kept him alive.
Before you know kindness as the deepest thing inside,
you must know sorrow as the other deepest thing.
You must wake up with sorrow.
You must speak to it till your voice
catches the thread of all sorrows
and you see the size of the cloth.
Then it is only kindness that makes sense anymore,
only kindness that ties your shoes
and sends you out into the day to mail letters and purchase bread,
only kindness that raises its head
from the crowd of the world to say
it is I you have been looking for,
and then goes with you every where
like a shadow or a friend.
~ Naomi Shihab Nye ~
(Words From Under the Words: Selected Poems)
Peggy – Aloha !
Thanks for writing in on Irvine. I love your descriptions of Hawaii – who knows sometime we may all end up there ? (my wife is quite keen to go to Hawaii – we were thinking of making it there last year, (Gary had a seminar simultaneously, so that was my “hidden” agenda (: — eventually, it didn’t come to pass.
Michele dear – thanks for writing in such a detailed post. (and for pointing out Jacalyn’s retirement – congrats, Jacalyn !!
It’s been quite a “wierd” day – (: ….. the dream is really living up to its moniker (:
I must rest my dizzy head
love,
a
aloha
this year with my mother has saved both our lives
literally and in many dimensions
this morning after my morning walk I snorkeled for almost an hour
so many turtles and an infinite variety of colorful fish
am so thankful and amazed at this new and different life that is my day by day experience
I only came over here because my mom needed immediate help and I thought I’d be here a week or two
now here we both are … alive and well … a year later
very amazing
at sunset the other night, this elderly man was sharing his memories of his mother … he said she lived until she was 98 and was an angry woman who was angry her entire life
she was angry because she always had to take care of others and never got to live her own life
she was kind of the family slave or something like that
the first time she’d ever told her son she loved him was when she was over 90 and he was over 70 … and it was a rare moment that he treasures
anyway … the reason I share this … it touched me and it reminded me of the importance to live a happy life … no one else is responsible for our happiness
we each have to work and pray and do all we can so that we each get to take really good care of ourselves and find lots of ways to be happy and live in happiness
taking care of others is not an obstacle to happiness as long as we remember to also take good care of ourselves along the way
something like that
it would be so possible to feel like I gave up my life to care for my mother … in a way I did … that life is over and gone
this is a new life, a new way to spend the day … nothing is as it was
I am not as I was …
it’s really so very different one would barely recognize it
yet I thoroughly do this willingly, happily
and am so appreciative and thankful for this opportunity of a totally different experience called life
it all happened without even a one day notice … just one day living in california and the next day here in hawaii
now am feeling like this is my life, my home
my husband drove me to the airport in los angeles that morning that I thought I’d be returning to soon … and I haven’t seen him since … over a year!
how bizarre
how amazing
how utterly fantastic
the divine plan is way cool
acim is always part of our daily work and practice over here
love working with these reviews, I am not a body I am free
so, am just saying hi and aloha and thank you and mahalo for this village that is with me no matter where I live
aloha
I responded today to an email that Nina sent me a while back (sorry for the delay Nina)
I still owe Zafu a reply from soo long ago, please forgive me Peggy.
Nina said I should post that email for all to read; so here is most of it.
(photos not included).
********************************************************************************************
Went to that make believe Village called Disneyland on Wednesday.
My cousins 3 year old son loved, loved, loved, the cruise ride thru ‘ It’s a Small World ‘.
It’s the Worlds attempt to capture the “Remembered Song” …
It’s alluring at first, but then it will drive you Insane. 🙂
Everything was eye candy…as it should be for over $100 admission.
I wanted to get lost for the day and see the world thru a three year olds eyes.
There has been a lot of inner workings for me, nothing I wish to write about. Just feels like chunks of a glacier breaking off and I’m allowing gravity to do its thing.
Not sure myself why I stopped writing at the Village but back in February I had posted
something to the effect of, “to post or not to post”…and the Not is still with me.
I am avoiding to analyze it and trusting it willwork itself out.
Is that denial, another episode of self sabotage or just the kindest thing I can do?
Believe me that question is never far.
Feel free to write Nina if you wish her to forward the original email and see some photos.
Back to Observation mode for me.
But not before I tell you that I love you all.
Peace my Brothers and Sisters
Annie
Annie, a storm is getting ready to kick up its heels outside my window. And, what to my wondering eyes should appear, but our own Annie, with deepness and a beautiful truth to reveal. That to do something, or not to do something, is all the same, for love is present and also to blame.
Love trumps all Annie, you are here in our thoughts, always in the Village. I wander from time to time and when I do I take all of you with me.
God bless you and yours
lawrence
Lawrence’s ode to Annie says it all – anything I add would only be superflous ! (:
(Annie, we looooove you !!! )
So…. here I am at the FireSide again, kicking back, listening to another Gary Renard interview. This one from April 6th. It’s amazing to me, that I can *never*, never tire of this guy. I can keep listening to him again, and again, and again…. (:
I’ve been feeling quite depressed for a week or so now. Things are going really well in my life, and that’s when I feel my depression more. No real challenges ahead of me, no significant projects that involve all my time. Everything moving along swimmingly.
And then the fear (and the depression) creep in. (actually “creep” in applies to the fear, the depression just appears like a tsunami !! (:
The first time I felt this (pattern?) was back in 1994-95. Long before the Course. I was doing very well professionally. Had reached quite a pinnacle for a 25 year-old technology entrepreneur in Japan. Director representing a US Boston company in Tokyo. Blah, blah, blah (:
Anyway, I;m standing at a train station in Tokyo. I think it was on the Yamanote line (Bernard, if you remember ? the intricate, well-planned, meticulous (and thoroughly enjoyable) train systems in Tokyo), and the train came rushing in, and suddenly I’m thinking –
“what if I just jumped onto the tracks ?” Finito.
Anyway, back to the “present”… the depression has been around for a week now. So depressed that I have nothing but emptiness facing my mind when I hear that Debbie has moved on. Nothing. No emotion. Wierd.
Well, here I am, at 4 am on a Friday morning – had a lovely and brief night’s sleep, ready for the day, and I stumble onto Gary’s interview, and his voice and the content lifts me up, up, up (except that it’s not really “up”, it’s like a filling-in of an emptiness, a meaning, my mind full, my heart calm, stable, solid, happy…. Depression a distant memory now !
I am grateful !
ps. My Irvine plans are now definitely *off* 🙁
I’m now setting my sights for Denver/Canon City for Oct 12-14. (although I’m tempted to also consider Minneapolis for Sept 8th)
pps. Thank you, dear Debbie – for encouraging me to write into your old Monastere beloved. Your efforts in creating a community there, and make everyone feel at ease, has been a great gift and blessing to me(us). I’m sure you’re receiving this message now. And I hope you’re enjoying an even deeper peace and joy, whereever you are ! love, a
{{{{a}}}} love ya (:
Big hugs to every one!
Dearest a,
what a timing our stuffed-away-old-stuff has – no more struggling to keep it away now when life flows sweetly –
it makes me happy to see that you are just being with it – looking at it – what a great opportunity for letting go –
I saw a video yesterday with Ken Bok interviewing Nouk Sanchez. She talks about death in a way that did something very deep with me. here’s a link:
( the death-thing starts at about 56 minutes inside)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnaPeJ5haPo&feature=plcp
Love to all – and please visit my blog today – I had such a great turnaround!
Nina
I won’t be able to catch up and make comments on all your wonderful posts here over the past two to three weeks. There have been so many rich, lovely sharings, and I’m very grateful to you all for continuing to create the caring, thoughtful, and fun space that this Village has come to be. It is really YOUR home, which I have the honor of hosting, and so many thanks to all of you for making this the place you choose to come together to share, to connect, and to help each other a little bit along the path toward our real Home.
Life on my side continues to be a little too hectic, though I have some hopes that it will calm down a little in September. Things are moving on progressively with the ACIM teaching in French, with the real possibility of a ‘center’ over here, based in our house initially. We had our first day-long seminar end July which went very nicely. I hope to be able to put up the photos for you to see what French ACIM students look like!
Sending my love and gratitude to you all, and a special thank you for those who put a vase of fresh wildflowers in the Tavern and those lovely pecan rolls with the pot of tea. I feel much better now.
Nina’s *833 & *989* Annie’s *984*…my second read of it, but this time in the setting of the village, after this morning’s reading of Nina’s posts and a’s *986*
very powerful, very intimate, deep honest sharing all weaving together a truth carpet ride, yet another treasure trove of this village, the gems and nuggets offered by the posts of the moment.
*Thank you*!!
Bernard….great to read your update, so wonderful to imagine the moments shared and the effects on everyone of your first day long seminar.
Love, as always, to all who pass this way,
michele
Nouk Sanchez says on that youtube video with Ken Bok that Jesus has told her that there is “nowhere else to awaken but in the dream body”. I had thought for decades that if I could just get out of this _______ world and body and go HOME, that would be my salvation. Well, well, well, that was such a slick ego trick!!
thanks, {pam}, anne, nina, michele, everyone…
another week, another $ (: —
i just got back from a short cruise with family(first time for me/first time for my wife/son too)
swam in the beautiful clear ocean, off the coast of a resort island in malaysia. remembered zafu/peggy in hawaii. the sand was white, soft and very powdery, the waters clear and perfectly temperatured. my son loved the water, didn’t want to leave.
it was a very nice 2-day voyage. seems like another world now. am waiting for my next cruise, hopefully soon.
off to vietnam, on work, tomorrow. the pressures to generate those seemingly all-important $$ never seems to end !! aargh (:
g’night, all.
a
a, your post brings a big smile to my face. It is a good thing to share the sweetness of life with your friends. As I write this a shaft of light plays upon the window two feet from me as if to confirm the truth of it.
Enjoy, the sweetness and truth of your young family. It pays dividends much higher than any bank could ever pay.
Love Ya my Brother
lawrence
Jacalyn, you are home with God, all that we perceive is in the past. A loving God does not test nor punish us, we do a good enough job of that ourselves. We are safely at home with a Loving God and we have only dreamed of exile. In the dream, work towards your goal, fear not death for it has no truth in it. Put all your faith in Our Mother/Father God and be about your business.
Don’t Worry Be Happy
lawrence
Of course I will be singing that song all day now
“Don’t Worry Be Happy” Bobby McFerrin Lyrics
Lawrence – any news about the moving-business?
Nina, Sharon and I still don’t have the money to move. The landlord has been removing some big tress from around our place, I guess to scare us. I think Sharon is more mad than scared now. I like a woman with fire in her eyes.
We spent last week doing paper work for a Rural Housing program from the government. We have no earthly assets that amount to much but they cover closing costs and most every thing else. We will know in about a month. The timing is kinda bad as I am getting my toe amputated on the 5th of next month. It is the MRSA infection is is in the bone a condition called Osteomyelitis. I think I spelled that right. Tex would know all about it.
You dearest Nina are my longest and dearest friend online. I don’t want especially you to feel sorry for me in any way. It is just a toe! But is is my right, what they call “Great Toe” 🙂 Thanks for asking luv. I hope you know we all Love you more than you know.
Sir Lawrence
(An old nickname from the Air Force))
Somehow I am not scared for you – its like I see that ol’ devil making a big scare, but the two loving lovers are standing steady, eyes a fire – and this moment, this psalm comes to me:
The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want;
He makes me down to lie
In pastures green; He leadeth me
The quiet waters by.
My soul He doth restore again,
And me to walk doth make
Within the paths of righteousness,
E’en for His own name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk in death’s dark vale,
Yet will I fear no ill;
For Thou art with me, and Thy rod
And staff my comfort still.
My table Thou hast furnished me
In presence of my foes;
My head Thou dost with oil anoint,
And my cup overflows.
Goodness and mercy all my life
Shall surely follow me;
And in God’s house forevermore,
My dwelling place shall be.
I’ll send you a link to a story i got today – its about people in your situation. very good timing this – look in your mailbox-
big love
Nina
TODAY IS ANNIE’S BIRTHDAY!!
Happy Birthday Annie! I thought you might like this Birthday Horoscope, hope you do. Remember this is for entertainment value only, any semblance to the truth is a mere coincidence. Here Goes! Thank you Michele very much for the heads up, enjoyed your recent posts!
If Today is Your Birthday: August 18
The Year Ahead
Forecast for August 2012 to August 2013
If You Were Born Today, August 18:
Famous people born today: Robert Redford, Roman Polanksi, Patrick Swayze, Christian Slater.
Your Birthday Year Forecast:
Your birthday this year occurs shortly after a New Moon, suggesting a time of new beginnings and fresh energy. You are instinctively starting a new phase in your life. It’s time to give your life a makeover and to branch out into the untried.
You are more determined and hard-working than usual this year. Circumstances are such that you need to take care of business, and as a result, you can have a very serious disposition at times. This is an excellent period for getting organized and for sticking with projects through to the end. When you face obstacles to your goals, which is a likely scenario this year, you are likely to just keep on pushing. Progress may be slow, but it’s steady and solid. What you accomplish now will benefit you for years to come.
You are able to find new insight into old problems, and your thinking processes during this period are likely to be especially original. Relationships with younger people in your life are rewarding. A subject or even a person can be especially inspiring, prompting you to explore new perspectives.
You can get some serious mental work done this year. You may become involved in spreading your knowledge through various forms of teaching or networking. There may be some (or increased) travel for business.
You are especially interested in setting goals and challenges for yourself this year, and taking the necessary action to meet them. You may meet or interact with others who encourage or inspire you in some way to have more confidence in yourself. Your energy levels are generally strong this year, and your sense of timing better than usual. You tend to instinctively know the right course of action to take in most situations. Your desire nature is strong, and increased physical activity, including sexual, is likely. Independent work is favored and competitive activities may also thrive this year. Joie de vivre and increased energy can truly enhance your life in many ways, not only because you are more able to enjoy life this way, but also because others sense your dynamism and you are likely to attract good things to you as a result. Stress is eased as you feel more confident about your abilities and your judgment. Also, you are more able to assert yourself without rubbing people the wrong way.
There is likely to be some real intensity in your personal relationships and romantic attachments. Passions, feelings of jealousy, and possessiveness run high, and these emotions are in direct proportion to fear of losing someone. You are likely to have to deal with these emotions in yourself, but you may also need to handle the jealousies and possessiveness of a partner. Fear of betrayal may be strong this year. You might also experience compulsive attractions and attachments, or attraction to complicated love relationships. The need for deeper intimacy is present, but fear of this closeness may be just as strong. Something tiny can trigger all sorts of buried emotions, and this can be very revealing! If you find yourself dredging up old hurts, examine the emotional “slush” you’ve been carrying around with you. Avoid taking it out on your partner or on yourself. In your love life, it’s important to make changes where necessary instead of clinging to attitudes or routines that have become familiar but that no longer serve you well – change or be changed! This energy can also play out on the level of finances, and you may have some tension over your personal finances, and/or need to make a large payment that necessitates changes in your spending habits. Finances may be complicated. Sometimes this influences suggests power struggles with money.
You’ll be challenged to start fresh in some key areas of your life this year. There can be some intense emotions and experiences to deal with in your love life that prompt changes to your routine. You possess good work ethic and you are more thorough and able to see things through to completion. Circumstances are such that you need to take care of business and apply yourself to practical matters.
2012 is a Number Four year for you. Ruled by Uranus. This is a year of work and development. It’s “nose to the grindstone” time. It’s a time to deal with practical matters, and it’s not a time to be lazy or especially gregarious. Sometimes, it can be a year that feels hard, monotonous and routine, and/or lonely. Advice – get yourself organized, work to build your resources, keep busy.
2013 will be a Number Five year for you. Ruled by Mercury. This is a year of exploration and freedom. It’s a time when exploration and reaching out to others brings opportunities. It’s a good time to advertise and sell. Surprises are in store, and the routine is broken. This is a year when exciting relationships can be formed, or, if you are already in a partnership, new life is breathed into the relationship. Advice – explore, look for adventure, keep your eyes open for opportunities, mingle.
Much Love and Peace on your day.
lawrence