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.
!!!!!!!!******August 18th is Annie’s Birthday*******!!!!!!!!
It’s probably up in the birthday gallery, just checked in here first and send heaps of love to Everyone …..Slacker poster Michele
{sings }Hoppy birthday to Annie
Hoppy birthday to Annie
Hoppy birthday to the beautiful darling Ann–ie
Hoppy birthday tooooo yooooooo !
love always from Wallaby Winnie xoxoxooxoxoxoxoo
Annie, I just visited Skype, who notices us of birthdays. I read: “Just turned 121″….?? in that case, you DO wear your age with grace ( and I AM daft in getting jokes, if it was one)
“Every Day She Takes A Morning Bath To Wet Her Hair,
Wraps A Towel ’round Her
As She’s Heading For The Bedroom Chair,
It’s Just Another Day.
Slipping Into Stockings,
Stepping Into Shoes,
Dipping In The Pocket Of Her Raincoat.
Ah, It’s Just Another Day. Du Du Du Du Du
It’s Just Another Day. Du Du Du Du Du
It’s Just Another Day.”
Thank you ladies!
Enjoying the distance sounds of traffic as the sun makes its way up the sky.
I woke up to my expresso maker already set for my morning coffee; I just needed to start the flame. My niece even placed a note on it wishing me a Happy Birthday.
The Paul McCartney song was playing in my mental recesses and seemed very apropo.
Giving you all a long, soft, yet firm hug!
Damn Straight I look good for 121 (:
Annie, I wanted you to have this birthday horoscope. I get a kick out of them, and I hope you do too!
If Today is Your Birthday: August 18
——————————————————————————–
The Year Ahead
Forecast for August 2011 to August 2012
If You Were Born Today, August 18:
Famous people born today: Robert Redford, Roman Polanksi, Patrick Swayze, Christian Slater.
Your Birthday Year Forecast:
A trine between the Sun and the Moon in your Solar Return chart this year is a fortunate aspect. It suggests that your domestic and career needs are not in competition with one another in the year ahead. Your inner needs tend to be mirrored by external events, and vice versa. This aspect is very powerful and rewarding. It suggests that you will be on top of your game this year, for the most part, and positive connections with others can be made fairly easily. A comfortable level of personal popularity helps to keep conflict to a minimum. With the ability to handle your emotions successfully, there is less stress on both your mind and body. Your self-confidence and positive attitude will reward you!
Saturn transits sextile to your Sun this year. This is a subtle and positive influence that helps to keep you on track. You are practical in your choices (for the most part), keeping your feet on the ground and paying attention to, and honoring, tradition as well as tried-and-true methods. You have the power of practicality, realism, and caution on your side in the year ahead. Work you have done in the past begins to pay off this year–not necessarily in dramatic ways, but in small, measurable ways. You may be recognized or rewarded in some way for the efforts you put forth. Because you project a more responsible and credible “you”, people in authority are more inclined to appreciate you and recognize your work. This is a year in which you might put your life in order in some manner. Improved concentration, a more realistic outlook, and a practical awareness of the limits of time all help you to make steady progress, particularly in your career. Your concern for your future this year is stronger than usual, and you may find that projects you start, or investments you make, this year will benefit you for years to come. The key to success this year is adopting a realistic, practical, disciplined, and orderly approach to your life.
There are likely to be doors opening for you this year with the Sun, Venus, and Mercury trine the North Node of the Moon. You might naturally assume a leadership role. You are likely to establish connections and/or relationships with people that help forward your own personal growth. Teamwork and camaraderie, as well as meaningful connections, are themes, and you are likely to feel your life has definite purpose this year. Through your contacts with others, you are encouraged to grow and learn. You are also likely to attract loving relationships and/or new warm social contacts into your life. Your popularity increases and efforts to smooth over challenges in partnerships are more likely to succeed. Negotiations, marriage, and business partnerships benefit.
Artistic talent is emphasized this year, and respected – you can truly shine. You are motivated by the desire to strike a balance in your relationships and in your personal environment. Smooth negotiations with others are sought. You are more diplomatic and gracious this year. This is a good period in your life for social affairs, pleasure, amusement, and romance.
If you can channel and focus your enterprising spirit this year, you can do especially well. Professional and personal opportunities are likely to present themselves. Your faith in your ability to produce and to win takes you places you perhaps never imagined. Competitive activities, including sports and business, can thrive.
Your affections are strongly stimulated this year, and you are more acutely aware of your powers of attraction. Romance, love, and sexuality might occupy your mind more than usual. You can enjoy an increase in personal magnetism (as well as libido!), but be wary of competitiveness or tension in existing love relationships, as your passions in general are ignited, whether they’re feelings of love or anger! You should do your best to watch out for tendencies towards self-deception when it comes to money and love. Things might look too good to be true, simply because you want to see the best. Relationship ups and downs are possible, as this could be a year when romantic mirages are more likely. The “highs” of a relationship may be thrilling, but the accompanying “lows” can be draining. Uncertainty may characterize your love relationships this year. Be careful not to set yourself up for disappointment. The same goes for finances.
You’ll find that doors open to you this year, and that new connections are made. Your more artistic, gracious, and diplomatic nature is spotlighted,. The key to success this year is to adopt a realistic, slow-and-steady approach to your life.
Annie as the Beatles have said: All You Need Is Love
Nothing you can know that isn’t known.
Nothing you can see that isn’t shown.
Nowhere you can be that isn’t where you’re meant to be.
It’s easy.
All you need is love.
All you need is love.
All you need is love, love.
Love is all you need.
Much love, Many Hugs and Best wishes
Papa lawrence
!!!!^^^^^^ Happy Birthday, Annie ^^^^^^!!!!
ps. Michele, thanks for reminding us (and for letting me borrow your headline theme for this post (:
g’night, all
[Bernard, i read your post twice already – your description of life unfolding for you this summer. Very soothing, wonderful balm. i will return again to read it yet again… write you some more thoughts, if they so arise (: — hugs, dear brother!]
birthday roses for you, Annie.—}–@ , —}–@
I hope you had a wonderful day Annie….
love the “A-Ok ” a* and i love the new term Tex has coined – > “coursies”- yeah baby ! way cuter than …. { puts plum in mouth} “course students”
Big hugs Michele and you better not call yourself a “slacker poster” – Dont make me come over there girl ! …{looks stern}
I am having the time of my life guys…. have been moving steadily westward…It wont be long before i will be in the Outback….. Now if the Outback was in AMerica, it would be called the Inback….tee hee… Ok i can see you dont get it, so allow me to explain….
In America shopkeepers say that such and such if not on the shelves might “be in the back, I’ll go and check”. Aussies say it might “be out the back, I’ll go and check”… { more giggles}
Anyhoo since that glorious sunrise experience which triggered the falling away of my resistance to getting back into the text,I have settled into a nice routine.
First thing in the morning, i read the Big Blue, journalling about it as i go. Sometimes it takes me days and days to read through a chapter and sometimes i like to read it again and again. I read my first edition and then check the errata. When i have finished a chapter, then i listen to Ken’s cd on it and follow along with the second edition and sometimes i like to listen to it over and over. Sometimes i play Free Cell or knit if my fingers get restless.
If i have finished listening to his cd on a chapter but i havent yet finished reading the next chapter, then i listen to Duality as Metaphor because i cannot go for long without listening to Ken.
I go for a long walk in the mornings and one in the afternoons. I write up any forgiveness opportunities that come up, and i still love meal times the best and that’s the time when i get to watch a bit of recorded television shows.
I stay at a place mostly for 3 days and then i have to set off early for the next stop. NOw that the places are getting further apart, i have to be on the ball. One cannot travel early or late out here because that’s when the kangaroos most often cross the roads. At the same time, i have to allow that the next place may not be suitable and so i may need to go to the one after that.
This morning i will be heading off after breakfast, and the free camp for which i am bound doesnt sound very good. There is no water, no amenities, no phone service….though apparently there will be shade and you can have pets… Well i only have a teddy bear and i dont want shade coz i need lots of sun to power me up.
I still am afraid of road trains but i will get better. The roads are long and straight. In fact, it’s kind of like a treat when there’s a curve in the road up ahead { giggles}. I am always on the lookout for road trains. If the road suddenly becomes a single lane, I like to pull right off and stop until they pass.
My biggest fear though, { and it’s only really a little fear} is coming across a “baddie” who might want to hurt me, but whenever i have that thought i practise remembering that he is just a split off part of my guilt, and he may do what he likes with my body, but he will never convince me that he is anything but an equal son of God. { sighs happily}.
The country is surprisingly beautiful at times. I am using my little video recorder and having fun with that, making little clips.
I dont need company but if people want mine, i’m always up for it.
Aloha zafu…. natti natti sweet Nina…. big hugs dear Pam and and bear hugs for all the boys….{ blows kisses to any lurkers}
!!!!!!!!!!!!HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANNIE!!!!!!!!!!!!
May you have a great one today! And please don’t forget to join us in the Tavern for a glass of something fresh and delicious in your honor. Winnie has freshened up the flowers, A-man has prepared the tea, Nina has placed some delish sandwiches on the table, and Pam is preparing to read us some poetry. Looking forward to spending a lovely evening with you all.
Thanks for your kind words, A. And Pam, lovely, lovely poetry from you. Such a deepening of your spirit/expression lately, it’s quite beautiful.
Nina, liked your thoughts about Ram Dass (one of my favorites) and the Levines. Also I’m a big fan of Elizabeth Kubler Ross, as well as Pink Floyd (where’s the connection, right?)
Winnie, keep it coming! I love your on-line travelog. We just want to hear about a close encounter with a ‘roo. A big red one! Okay, an old man grey will do.
Annie,
Raising my glass for a toast on your special day. Happy, happy birthday Annie. You are special!
Leni
Annie…
Ooops…a day late…but not a wishing well short. Hope you had a great
day!
Hugs!
Today a sweet synchronicity from Holy Spirit:
I was making breakfast, sensing how stiff and achy I felt. Thought: all discomfort comes from me judging how i feel. new thought. well, I could just enjoy this moment, stiffness and all.
I drop a Yogi-teabag in the pot, and read the little text on the thing that is not teabag ( what is it called in english?? well i don’t know what it is called in Norwegian either.)
well again: it said,” the purpose of life is to enjoy every moment.”
lalala
Nina, if it is a little paper envelope the tea bag is in we call it a wrapper as in – I took the teabag out of the (or it’s) wrapper.
Sweet synchronicity Nina.
wrapper…not to be confused with rapper as in American hip hop.
Reminds me of the gentleman that sat next to Mark on our flight from LA to Paris.
Huge man tattooed from the neck down, couldn’t imagine what we would have in common as the most noticable tattoo was on the right side of his neck in beautiful cursive lettering “Suicidal Tendencies”. Turns out its the name of a band and the entire band and crew were seated thoughout the plane. I was sure the flight was doomed. As always, fear spoke first; turns out he was the biggest teddy bear with such a zest for life.
Off to pour me some tea and enjoy this moment.
p.s. Happy Belated Birthday Dear Leni!
And I just love reading other peoples horoscopes as much as my own (:
hey,I just clicked my link to Jamie’s site and I got “the remembered song.com” and it’s a music download site. Did Jamie quit?
Happy belated b-day Leni. roses for you —}–@ ,—}–@
completely not related, and still do no know what that thingy is called ( is this called obsessive compulsive y’think?) not the wrapper – the other end of the thread that holds the teabag has a something of paper. It HAS to have a name, right? right? right????
yes – this is how i feel this day – and i have to say i do mot enjoy it ( yet)
sigh
oh that thingy. Haven’t a clue but one would think it is called something?
Went searching on teabag design and it is called either a label or a tag.
As a just because– Cory’s favorite do you know what it’s called item is the little piece of plastic on the end of a shoelace. It is called an aglet.
I have no clue why but this just popped into my head…(sung to the tune of I’ve been workin’ on the railroad)…..I’ve been workin’ on the eeeeego all my live long day.. I’ve been workin on my eeego just to pass the time away.
My apoligizes if that gets stuck in anyones head like it’s stuck in mine now.
hmmm are we shifting from poetry to music lately? (-;
ha ha .. oh Pam… boy we sure are all connected… I have been singing that very song too !
They have pulled up a lot of disused railway tracks and cyclists and walkers are allowed access to them. I have been thoroughly enjoying the use of them, and have been singing that very same song as i walk. My version goes “I’ve been walking on the railroad all the live long day”
I like your version better … tee hee
hugs to all xoxoxoox
::smile::giggle::great minds think alike Winniekins re.315 Jamie’s site was just down but fixed now.
No worries on my front, Pam (:
I don’t even know the song – little chance of it getting stuck in my head (:
Nice to read the banter between you, Winnie, Nina, Annie —
Toots !
Here’s a great quote (an old familiar one, but recently re-tweeted by Carrie Triffet)
“What is love?” “The total absence of fear,” said the Master. “What is it we fear?” “Love,” said the Master.
~ de Mello
ps. Father Anthony deMello was instrumental on my path to ACIM. Excellent teacher !
deMello! yes! my brother showed him to me some years ago. he is wonderful, and still I love the Levines even moore(:
Dhort report: in 15 minutes it is a National memorial day on all TV channels. I L O V E how the Norwegian authorities has handled the survivors and their relatives – all the help they get. Two days ago, the nearest relatives went back – lots of helpers – and each place where somebody had been shot, was marked , so they could put flowers and candles there. What a job! The killer had shown the police everything they needed to know one day before that.
And today the youths who survived were back – each with a relative or friend – and there was a psychiatrist there who gave excellent advice – NLP!!! on how to remove insistent negative imprints. The youths were staring to smile and feel much better after having been back, and they said they had taken the island back. They told strong stories about being filled with strength and love, and the decision to use this to be more loving and inclusive.
people in the city are being kinder to each other too.Read new nice stories of helpfulness each day. SOO comforting.
And Prime Minister Jens has almost got a Gandhian aura 🙂 – well, he has been outstandingly wonderful and open.
It feel like a whole nation is healing very old scars.
Goptta go and make a salad. I am very grateful, Pam, that I now know that thingy is a label or a tag. And say hello to Cory: now I am going to find out what the norwegian name is for that sholace thingy too.
see you
xoxoxoxo
Nina
oh i loved Anthony deMello’s The Way to Love !!! That was my very favourite book for a long while. i love that you loved it too a*…{ gives a* a big big hug}
I felt it was as close to the truth as i had yet read, but still it was missing something. All my life i felt i had been gathering the pieces of the puzzle. But never was i satisfied. There was always still something wrong with the picture.
How entirely frustrating is a jigsaw puzzle if just one piece is missing.
When i found the last piece – that God didnt created this world and that therefore absolutely none of it exists, then the picture i had been patiently putting together suddenly was complete and in that moment also, i realized that that meant my picture meant nothing also.
That remains one of the happiest days of my life. After that, clutching my “How to Escape the Madhouse” manual tightly to my bosom, i said goodbye to hopelessness forever.
When Ken met Helen and Bill, he felt he had met his spiritual family. Well that’s how i feel about us. There’s a wonderful sense of equality and travelling together, an ease, an absence of the need to dominate or take control, a connectedness that has always been.
Oh boy yummy salad Nina….{ has second helping}
You know i have to say when i read your post somewhere or other at the Village that when asked by the Norwegian Minister for something or other what he should say when the children asked why had this man had killed all these people, I was more than blown away by the response..
Tell them, he said, that the killer had “error-thoughts”, that the children would know what he meant.
If i had to make a list of the most wonderful things that i have ever heard of, this would be near the top, and i absolutely take my hat off to your wonderful Norwegian government and people.
love to all xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
(Winnie} (:
Glad to have found another deMello fan (:
(for me the first book of his which I read was “Awareness” – I heard about him/his book from a girl named Jessie in May 2000, – now Jessie who was real cute, with a terrific personality, at a dear friends wedding, where she was one of the bridesmaids and i was one of the groomsmen, and perhaps i entertained romantic notions about her, so I played close attention to her(and what she said) through the whole wedding (: to top it all, she was a PhD student in Divinity (which I had/(was ?) considered as a career path for me post my business endevaours…
And then I found the book, on a used book table on the streets of NYC, either that same year, or the year after, in 2001…. pleasant memories – thanks for allowing me to indulge them (;
(and 2000, Oct 26th (my sister’s birthday), was when I bought my first copy of ACIM in London — but that’s too many layers of rambling already (:
Win Win – God I love you Too and all your stories and observations. My favorite line in 326 was how you shifted gears and stopped time to praise Nina’s salad!
That is what I love about your writing! You have me so enthralled with your thought process and then you bring me to another reality proving to me that its all seamless and simutaneous. Ha- I love it when you shake me up like that!
Never heard of deMello till now – cool how you all felt so connected to hearing Truth 🙂
Hugs for a sweet day
oh boy thank you Annie !…{gives Annie a great big hug}
Sometimes i think i’m such a silly ole billy writing whatever comes up in such a silly-billyish way that i wonder why anyone bothers with me at all…
It’s not yet daylight. I havent made my pot of tea. I’m not getting out of bed. I have remained snuggled under the covers, warm and cosy, just looking at the stars.
Truth is….. i feel a bit down. It’s nothing i can’t handle and something i have to.
I knew i didnt really want to go out west. I dont like stark country and harshness of any sort, but i dont want to just go round Australia. I dont want to not look at the whole picture. I dont want to skirt any issues. I dont want to just stay near the pretty edges where everything is green and lush.
I want to go into the desert and truly see my own inner emptiness… } and yet of course i dont. I havent been able to read the Big Blue for about 5 days but i cant help listen to Ken all day, although lately i’ve started to deliberately tune him out and then the day before yesterday, i suddenly said to him “oh shuddup !” It came out so unexpectedly and deliciously evilly, that i giggled about it for the rest of the day…. heck it gives me a giggle everytime i think of it.
I have said “i dont” 6 times in the above. It’s a desperate plea to myself to not go there, to not see the truth of my own inner nothingness.
On a lighter note, i think i might be nearing enlightenment – my proof is that i havent needed to change my walking socks in 3 weeks and they are still fresh as a daisy, well fresh- alright maybe not fresh, but they dont stink… tee hee….
I’m at Nindigully, which consists of a big old pub, 3 houses and an obligatory hall. It’s popular with travellers coz they offer free showers and of course free camping.
I hadnt had a shower for 5 days and my hair badly needed a wash. I didnt arrive til fairly late in the day since my first two stopover points were not satisfactory.
The showers had no gender distinction and no locks on the door, but i decided i would take the chance. Of course the water was a mere trickle but oh boy i felt like a queen when my head was all sudsed up.
But you cant stay clean for long out here.
On the way back to my van, the wind was blowing the red dirt every which way. There is no grass, just dust… and where there is grass, and you have to touch it while you climb through a fence like i did today, you get prickles in your hand..
By the way a* i love your ramblings – There’s no such thing as “too many layers”.
Oh boy the birds have started twittering, and i reckon i might get up and put on the billy now.
Loving hugs to all xoxoxoxoxooxxoox
Winnie, I “bother” with you because you so remind me how to do the journey with a light attitude. (-:
WinWin, dear one –
it’s great to travel with you. To “see” at least some part of Australia through your eyes (we’re trying to come to Australia as a family later this year/early next year – my wife wants to visit some of her old friends there).
Your speaking of the stark landscape without, touched a chord in me (which reminds me, where’s Lawrence these days ?? (:
I haven’t yet opened the Lesson for the day – 235 if memory serves me right – I feel a pull to the lessons each day, a pull that doesn’t seem to be of the ego (but like you and I have often discussed – who knows which voice the mind is following, right ? (:..
Wish I could just sit in front of this screen, at the FireSide, and have nothing more to do for the rest of the day….it’s really quite wonderfully meditative and healing in its own right – the magic of the Village (:
I know I “owe” you an email (: — somehow writing you a message at the Village seems a little easier (and has been so for some time). As I write, it occurs to me that writing an email for me is an even deeper exercise in going into the mind than writing at the Village (or perhaps it’s the resistance playing itself out (: — regardless, I will get to that email at some point, I know (:
I hear the happy sounds of my son cooing in bed, it’s late morning now in Asia, and it promises to be a lighter day – close to resolution on some business issues that had been weighing on my mind these last few days.
Off to L235 now —
hugs,
a
Happy Birthday, Annie & Leni!! I’ve been off on summer drive about, up & down thru Oregon & California. Finally getting online and catching up. I had to call in hubby, who thinks our drive was long and laborous — to read him what Winnie says about driving too early, or too late — that’s when the kangaroos are crossing the road. Definitely got his first laugh of the day. Love to all!
Wiinie, I read something by Anthony deMello back when the kids were little. I can’t remember what, but just remember it was a very pleasent experience. So, when I read yours and a*s post, I thought I would revisit him and ended up watching a long video clip on line about the difference between Love and love. It was again a very pleasent experience!
You mentioned that “when Ken met Helen and Bill, he felt he had met his spiritual family. Well that’s how i feel about us. There’s a wonderful sense of equality and travelling together, an ease, an absence of the need to dominate or take control, a connectedness that has always been.”
As Annie alluded to, a smooth transition to salad, Winnie. I feel that connectedness more and more these days myself, with just about everyone but myself. I am working on it though, I am a Gemini, and it is hard to get the twins to agree on anything.
“layers of rambling already” please, a*. You gotta peel the the layers off the onion before you can cry those tears of joy. I like that you an Winnie shared your thougts and sent me in this direction tonight. Thank you! I am fallig asleep, Nina, Pam as always beautiful stuff, Katrina welcome back from your trip. And Mr. Mayor keep on keeping on!
God bless us everyone
lawrence
winnie, “I have said “i dont” 6 times in the above. It’s a desperate plea to myself to not go there, to not see the truth of my own inner nothingness.”
In truth, there is no inner nothingness, is there? we think it is – we believe it is – but in Truth, there is no desert.Ego invented it. when I by grace am able to look at it with Love, the illusion of desert fades – as when rain visits it and instantly bring forth the flowers just under the surface, waiting for nourishment.
from a psychological view, the desert is a good place to visit and really soften about. It hides aliveness. At the psych level, it is a repeated visit, and when we reject it, it grows and numbs us.
The fear of visiting the desert may be what needs forgiveness the most: the fear tells you stuff that is not true at all.
I love you Winnie
Nina
Loving the laughter going on at the Village joining Bev, Katrina and DH, even Lawrences twins are laughing that they can’t agree on anything (: “The unexpectedly and deliciously evilly” laugh I can hear all the way in L.A. Ms. Winnie-I’m sure Ken would get a big kick from you telling that recording to shuddaup too! There you are at the edge of Bush country with Ken’s Voice filling the emptyness-someone had to tell him to shut it. It was most definitely the ego who blurted that but it was you siding/giggling with HS the rest of the day that made it real clear who you wanted to spend the rest of the day with.
I say your travels have already been a success. Traveling to the edge of Nothingness is good enough. The message has been delivered…tell the ego to “Shuddup”!
I loved reading about Nindigully and checking out the website and how they listed each owner from its inception back in 1864. I even wanted to have me a beer and its not even 8am. (had a lousy cup of coffee this am-ran out of the good stuff and needed to use a reserve stash-fresh beans are a must for good coffee) My first errand will be to get some beans and an extra cup of coffee this am.
As Nina said – its the fear of (fill in the blank…for me its running out of coffee) that needs forgiveness today. As the lesson states: “God wills that I be saved from this”.
It must be true because I was given a $5 gift card the other day for Starbucks (:
Love it Annie. I’m sure that God wills you be saved from a bad cup of coffee. Winnie I loved hearing where you are. I spent 4 days about 4 hours west of Brisbane in 1980 when I was touring Australia. I stayed on a ranch with a couple in their 60s. The wife was very frank. I remember her saying that it was very hard for her especially when the kids were young because they were so far away from medical help and she was always worried about something serious happening. I really wanted to see the outback on that trip but I was afraid to go alone so at the beginning of my 5 months there I went on a Bus camping trip with about 40 people, most of us in our 20’s including the bus driver. Reaching a destination with a shower was a huge treat but what I really remember was the flies that flocked onto our backs whenever we stopped and had lunch outside. Happy memories.
fireside gatherings … little groups of conversations … along with katrina may I add a late but happy happy birthday greetings to annie and leni … and love that katrina’s been on one of my favorite road trips … drive about california and oregon … many thanks to all the participants making the place feel cozy and inhabited again … after winnie scared all the ghosts away with her ‘BOO” … all the people began to wander back in again!! … am grateful for the sharings … each one of us in their own world … blessing one another with their stories and insights here
“Have faith in only this one thing, and it will be sufficient: God wills you be in Heaven, and nothing can keep you from it, or it from you. ”
love that quote nina posted
this time in hawaii has been heaven
mom and I are both still doing the dance and having fun and each day is a new joy …
my son flew out for one sunset … he lives in phoenix … flew out to visit mom … he arrived late saturday night … was here sunday and enjoyed the day and sunset … then flew out monday
while he was here he was a ray of light … he inspired mom to a new level of activity … they even swam in the ocean
(not that it matters, but this is my oldest son … Jaz … who is 38 … the youngest son … Jonas (35) …. is the one that tried cliff flying … and he is back to working full time and continues to do fabulously well)
so of course it would be very confusing if I were attempting to try and understand any of this
this could be a grand finale of euphoria before passing on or this could be a fresh new energy to regroup and reconfigure and stay in the dance
there is no way to contain any of this emotionally
so it’s most helpful to practice the sacred arts of equanimity … calm … deep allowing
if it happens so be it … if it doesn’t happen so be it as well (manual p.64)
give up your need to know
I do not know what anything including this means … and so I do not know how to respond to it … (text p. 298)
there are sooo many acim and zen quotes and insights and many other sources of deep wisdom and guidance helping me navigate this unknown adventure
even though I half silent cry most of all day every day, this is still a happiest and most meaningful and deeply rewarding experience
here’s a favorite from rumi: out beyond ideas of right doing and wrong doing there is a field; I’ll meet you there. When the soul lies down in that grass the world is too wonderful to talk about
love to all of you
am thankful that this little tribe of kind people (all youse guys!!) are as close as my heart and my computer
thanks to each and all
happy day to you
simply do this: be still … let us be still an instant
or … also … it’s very ok to drive around the outback and find a pub and have a good talk story … there is plenty of room and place to laugh and dance … all at the same time
it’s all happening at the same time
mostly I’m a contemplative … so I get very happy and comfortable in deep places of quiet …
then that party girl happy child appears and wants to go outside and play!!
it’s all good
Zafu..Booed by Winnie had me smiling and then this from you:
even though I half silent cry most of all day every day, this is still a happiest and most meaningful and deeply rewarding experience.
I sit here in my heart watching and feeling you being the contemplative and playful daughter all of us Moms would love to experience loving and caring for us in our transistion…heck the whole fam damily of our tribe would love an awake to the light, gentleness and joy that you’re sharing with your mum
a* love agreeing with Winnie who said no such thing as too many layers and Lawrence’s: “layers of rambling already” please, a*. You gotta peel the the layers off the onion before you can cry those tears of joy. Little a* cooing in the background
Happy Belated Birthday dear Leni!!!
Yep Annie…the tatooed man with Sucicidal Tendencies on the plane….so funny and so you. Now you’ll love Midnight in Paris even more. Holy Kamoly it was exciting to read that’s how you both celebrated your was it 25th anniversary!!
Nina…All the amazingness of you Norweigians with healing. loved your writing about the desert/ego and the raindrops. Good name for a rock band.
Katrina …wish I could have seen you on your road trip thru CA and OR!
Winnie…just loved your announcement that you must be almost enlightened due to your socks not smelling…it makes perfect sense to me and of course your road trip stories you nectar hour witnesser you and your Nina salad segue.
Pam…Your railroad song is a catchy reminder to add in amoungst the text faves.
Have to check out or rather since I’m American….check in…. DeMello
Bev, Bernard and absolutely everyone here, there and everywhere…Love to All
Ahhhhh bigs hugs to all our coursies tribe
Pam
Zafu: “out beyond ideas of right doing and wrong doing there is a field; I’ll meet you there.”
ahh! that is the text on my professional card:-)
Isn’t that the essence of the Course too? I think! see, the poets says it simpler than Jesus. I think it was Freud who said that the poets express much more succinct what is in the subconscious than the psychologists/psychiatrists.
Michele, so good to hear from you! so long nothing, and when you come you really come, including us all, in your beautiful way of writing-style.
I love that you remind us that we area tribe. The consciousness of the tribe is collective: there is a “we” there that makes it possible for the members to be in close contact mentally.
Want to share another wonder in Norway: the election-period has started, and there is quite anew TONE between the parties – no mudslinging or accusations yet, no pointing out the others short-comings – yet – and it is so exhilarating to witness.
Having a late brunch now
LOVE TO ALL
Nina
“Half Silent Cry” …that so explains this existence…this earthly experience when turning this massive ship of thoughts around.
When Pam mentioned in an earlier post how we are collectively in a ‘dark night of the soul’ I know she hit the nail on the head for me. I’ve pretty much surrendered my “fix it” modus operandi thanks to the Big Blue. I’m still a bit skiddish and jumpy and I can’t really blame that on the coffee; with all my talk I really don’t drink that much.
I sense a strength in this defenslessness, its a rather curious feeling so I’m going with it for now. I should say I’m choosing it despite this overwhelming feeling like I’m at the mercy of some greater power.
To quote Professor Dumbledore to Harry Potter in Harry Potter and the Chamber of
Secrets
“It is not our abilities that show what we truly are. It is our choices.”
~J. K. Rowling
Michele,re338. I noticed that you signed your ponder with my name. Does this mean that the boundaries of separate identity are dissolving. (-;
Zafu’s son taking grandma for a swim in the ocean….Lovely road trip showers….quotes of truth in the world within the world of illusion…no such thing as layers….no political mudslinging.
Ahh,reflections of love are nice reminders that the real deal waits for us to turn around and embrace it instead of looking at it from over our shoulder in the dark glass.
I just got to the very bottom of an old belief/memory of having to perform/understand or else I would be killed.
I got to sense the tremendous energy in trying to comply to survive.
It softened the moment where I realized i could let that trauma BE there – AND at the same time could allow Love to embrace it, too
it felt like two impossible opposites were brought together – except that the Love was not opposite at all, it just was, I mean IS –
Pam – I think Michele was going to post something more to you, and was interrupted ( or just a bit mind-wandering)
LOVE
Nina
Nina,maybe, could be, possibly,probably. I was just teasing her, that’s why I put a smiley wink on the end. (-;
P.S. your insight is cool also.
These lessons are so gentle and certain. Even Ken’s commentary is easy, short, and simple. I remember my lesson from time to time, but it doesn’t really matter. They all seem about the same, just continuously saying in a slightly different way, that we are completely home with our Father. Forget to say it? Remember to say it? What’s the difference, it’s always true.
After I got home from 3 weeks out and about, I was surveying the garden and plants and various things that had, indeed, waited patiently for me to come back to them (or withered and now are ready to be replaced). I was thinking that I was never going to leave home again, as I was perfectly happy here and didn’t ever need to go or do anything to be happy. As I began to list what needed to be attended to, it hit me that that is all we do as humans/egos. It’s our whole human mission. We use our sharp little ego minds to list all the things that are ‘wrong’. Then we commend ourselves for being so darn sharp. The more we notice, the prouder we can be of our attentiveness. Sheesh! What a load! Clever ego, clever little bugger.
Then I remembered Nina’s funny reminder from Jamie, of J eating a sandwich and chewing with his mouth open. Looking with me at my brisk list of all that is wrong (growing every moment), and reminding me with his googly eyes that I’m making it all up as any excuse available not to have a bite of his heavenly tuna san. It is so wonderful to have you friends to share this with, because you know exactly what I mean.
Hugs, katrina
Hmmmm, yes katrina, friendship is the bestest gift of all.
“Forget to Say it? Remember to Say it? What’s the difference its always True.” That line made me smile. (: Somedays it’s just that easy. Right now I’m trying to see if I can string along a few days in a row of easy. Days! – I mean hours or minutes (: I’m very aware of how much reassurance I need that all is fine just the way it is.
I woke up this morning and told myself I’m not going to write in the Village today cuz I need to be still.
Silence and stillness wait patiently for me.
I commenced with my daily readings. The first thing I read was a daily affirmation I received in my email (the topic was on friendship) “Friendship is the gift we give each other. I am grateful for my friends.” Secondly, a different email with another helpful hint “Choosing to spend less time with those who are less than loving, is good for your soul. Take care of yourselves and nurture your vibration.” Then katrina writes such a great post and I can’t help but think it’s a message I need to pay attention to.
The first person I thought of was TexAnne.
How ya doing friend?
Just cuz I don’t call or write doesn’t mean I don’t love you and wish you only the best.
I hope you know that. (:
Wish I was better at keeping personal relationships but like a garden things can get overwhelming pretty quickly. The Village forum does give me the sense that I am connecting with J no matter what the topic may be. It’s probably a buffer for now as I’m still not sure if I can sit with J alone….especially when he chews with his mouth open.
God forgive me.
Pam…love your humor bout my sign off…but this was so poetic of you
” Ahh,reflections of love are nice reminders that the real deal waits for us to turn around and embrace it instead of looking at it from over our shoulder in the dark glass.
Katrina….great description of the games we play “As I began to list what needed to be attended to, it hit me that that is all we do as humans/egos. It’s our whole human mission. We use our sharp little ego minds to list all the things that are ‘wrong’. Then we commend ourselves for being so darn sharp. The more we notice, the prouder we can be of our attentiveness. Sheesh! What a load! Clever ego, clever little bugger.
Man on Man Annie that is one awesome JK Rowling quote…
Nina ….pretty nifty to see the shift in the tone of the elections now. We sure don’t know what anything is for.
Hugs to all
Ken ( – ;
Nina …thanks for your
oops…meant to say for your sweet comments bout me showing up. xox
Yes – thanks, Annie –
For thinking of me on the topic of Friendship.
I still wake up every day – convinced and thankful
that I am dreaming. I have never doubted it for a minute
and I have never looked back for a second glance.