Garden
The Quiet Garden of Forgiveness
Love, too, would set a feast before you, on a table covered with a spotless cloth, set in a quiet garden where no sound but singing and a softly joyous whispering is ever heard. T-19.IV.A.16:1
“There is a garden at the foot of this lovely statue with masses and masses of soft white lilies and little paths between to slowly walk and talk with Jesus. There is a fountain nearby and the forever trickling sound of water reminds us to leave the desert of wrong-minded thinking.” (Winnie)
Forgiveness is truly at the heart of the practice of A Course In Miracles. All of us have had moments of shifting our perception of a difficult situation, and finding peace. On this page I offer you the space to tell us about the stories that have stayed in your mind, times when you felt a real change occur in the way you were looking at a problem or upset. Maybe you were encountering aggressiveness in somone, or were being judged and belittled. Perhaps it was a loved one who had left you, or even a pet that had died. Or maybe there was fear, a threat in your life to you or to a loved one. In all these situations, at one time or another you have found peace beyond the pain, release from shame and sadness, and comfort and freedom in their place. There was always a presence there with you, the company of one who loves you and guides you to see differently. If you have had moments of finding that clear presence, please share it with us here.
A little more technically speaking, these would be moments when you reversed the projection and saw that the problem was not outside you, but with you, your perceptions and thoughts. A sudden moment of clarity perhaps when you saw that the upset was having pushed Love away, and not really what was happening outside you. Or perhaps it was just a moment when despite the upset or problem, you felt safely accompanied and that helped you remain unaffected by the problem, to get a little distance from it.
Please try to write concisely if your story requires a lot of explaining (and teach me something about brevity!). Also, please try to share from the heart and not from the head. It is always nice to hear the simple sincerity behind these inspiring stories.
Pam so good to hear from you!
♡ Just know our infusion of Love is continuous♡
Nina, what a lovely exchange btwn friends it felt like a modern sleeping beauty meets jesus story playing out. All these years of being told that only in fairy tales do they live happily ever after…well, we are the they and our lives are the fairy tales and if we can allow that perception in for just a moment then YES -None of this is Serious!
Wish the giggles would come forth …
Re: if I’m in touch with Pam other than mentally -no. I could feel my heart strings being pulled all the way from Nebraska and the best response is always a prayer. Thank you everyone for joining in.
xoxo annie
Today’s Meditation from Renaissance Unity:
Detach, Disengage, Disentangle
“When you become detached mentally from yourself and concentrate on helping other people with their difficulties, you will be able to cope with your own more effectively. Somehow, the act of self-giving is a personal power-releasing factor.”
~Norman Vincent Peale
Today’s Affirmation
I let go into the flow of God!
Dear God,
As I begin to detach from all of my difficulties, I begin to feel a sense of sweet peace.
I let go into the flow of Your loving Spirit.
Your presence gives me a feeling of assurance, and confidence that the right outcome is at hand.
Tie up all of the loose ends of my worries.
Smooth over my fears and calm my soul.
I trust in You utterly.
And so it is.
Amen
Amen Annie, Beautiful prayer. It is yours is it not? I read the following just this morning.
“When you unite with me you are uniting without the ego, because I have renounced the ego in myself and therefore cannot unite with yours. Our union is therefore the way to renounce the ego in you” [“yourselves” in the original] (text, pp. 136f; T-8.V.4:1)
Dear God,
As I begin to detach from all of my difficulties, I begin to feel a sense of sweet peace.
I let go into the flow of Your loving Spirit.
Your presence gives me a feeling of assurance, and confidence that the right outcome is at hand.
Tie up all of the loose ends of my worries.
Smooth over my fears and calm my soul.
I trust in You utterly.
And so it is.
Amen
Simply Beautiful Annie, if I didn’t trust in our God, I would be a different man, And so it is.
God bless us every One
lawrence
Good Morning from the Garden.
I cut and pasted the entire prayer from a site I visit daily, Renaissance Unity.
Those were not my words – I wish I could take credit.
Who ever writes their daily meditations is truly gifted or more accurately is open to the Spirit.
I too loved it very much and wanted to post it at the gate of the Garden so Anil can see it when he takes his daily walk (:
How lovely Papa Lawrence that our two quotes created a circle; mine started with the words detach, yours with union. A perfect prayer.
That mystery of being alone (no one else really exists) but we are only able to enter heaven with our brother…that riddle of Oneness again!
So detach (the body identification)
and Unite (in the Mind of Christ)
Intellectually I get it. But this morning I woke up angry!!!
I’m OCD’ing – replaying a scene from work and @ 3am I realized I may as well get
up and distract myself from this madness. I thought reading something kind would calm
me down.
Nope!
I can feel I want to stay angry.
Daily I unload my anger/ *s__t* in the Garden of Forgiveness and each morning
I wake up to a whole new pile of manure.
I’m starting to think I’m doing more than my share? I’m thinking some of this *s__t* belongs to Anil and he never wants to come and work the Garden. He’s always at that Fireside lounge ordering fancy wines from the cellar.
[I know you can take this Anil as I can’t attack the person I’m angry with right now, me ]
Can’t say I feel better but I am tired now that its almost 6am. I’m gonna nod off and I’m sure I will come back and ask for forgiveness.
:: The Truth about you is so lofty that nothing unworthy of God is worthy of you ::
With coffee in hand I walk back to the Garden: I am grinning from ear to ear and joining with your belly laughing from yesterday Anil ☀ Thank you for being a sport ☀
And then the Truth…
♬♫♩♩♬♫
…the forgotten Song-how H.S. pipes the music into the Garden is a mystery.
Peace ☮
I wanted to first come to the Garden this morning. I reread the Course quote and Bernards’ beautiful invitation at the top of the page. It’s been a while since I’ve done that and it was a good reminder of what this page is all about. Seeing Pam’s first post, I blew a kiss and a prayer her way and then I really enjoyed reading Nina’s story-the first contribution to the site. I don’t recall if I caught the irony back in 2010 that the story included “gnomes” and how perfect that is being that we are in a Garden (:
The days are getting shorter and I can sense that this winter season is going to be a dark one for me. Which I suppose it means I’m ready to look at the darkness.
I’m gonna walk thru the Garden in silence for a bit and then I’ll meet you at the Fireside real soon.
The Garden is a kind place indeed. Nothing but the sounds of the brook running by and the sun playing through the leaves.
I come here to rest. And restful it is indeed to know, to feel that there is nothing to worry about,
ever.
Thanks, Annie for leading me here, and see you in a few hours for lunch.
:: The Truth about you is lofty that nothing unworthy of God is worthy of you ::
♥️HAPPY BIRTHDAY NINA♥️
I’m jumping in to wish Nina a Happy Birthday too!!! It’s on the 22nd right Nina?
But I think Michele is correct in posting today as its already tomorrow in Bergen.
Tell us what you are doing on your Special Day? Does your daughter live nearby?
All the gnomes in the Garden are dancing!!
Enjoy your Day!
Did I hear a party going on??! I was taking a nap here in the garden over where the willow limbs make a secret fort. After Annie and Anil took off for lunch, i began to meditate and nodded off and into our Father’s garden. Where else would we have Nina’s party? Like our old grotto, a church you can play in. Dear Nina, i hope you have a beautiful long warm birthday with a yummy fun birthday dinner, or maybe a fun birthday and a warm dinner, or any combination thereof. Tonight, think of us lighting our candles to you, all your pumpkins in a row, calling you and Blue out to wave good night and happy birthday to you.
We love you, Katrina
hello and thank you all dear pumpkins, my birthday is tuesday 22 (sorry, lawrence:)
Today I am on my own. My daughter and beau invite me, but i feel too tired to travel, so they are coming over Thursday instead and will celebrating with me at my place.
I have had some tough nights lately – but beatiful help pops yp always when i need it – like this, from Myron Jones today:
The Holy Spirit has helped me to see that I am not afraid of things in my life, but that the circumstances of my life are the effects of my core fear. I think I am afraid of heights, but I am afraid that God hates me. I think I am afraid my children will suffer, but I am afraid that God wants our suffering. I think I am afraid of not having enough money to retire on, but I am afraid that I deserve to suffer because I betrayed God.
It is a relief to understand that I don’t have hundreds of little fears to get through and find healing for, but really I have one fear, which takes many forms. I need only be healed of the one fear, the fear of my Father. This morning I read this on Facebook. It was posted by Brian Longhurst, who receives lovely messages. It said, in part:
You have followed from afar off in faithful commitment. Now shall I draw you unto Me, into the secret place, the Holy of Holies. There shall you receive the mantle of purification (because of your heart’s desire and your faithfulness).
This post comes together with another one of life’s loving gifts lately. Some 14 days ago, I found myself thinking about Quan Yin – the Buddhist goddess of compassion. Stephen Levine has a video where he speaks about her life, and I wanted to find that video and watch it again: Quan Yin enters hell and truly truly changes her perception to fully accepting and loving all that she encounters.
I gave up searching for the video – and today, in my mailbox, was Stephen’s latest book, “Becoming Kuan Yin: The Evolution of Compassion Paperback”. He sent it with such a sweet greeting. He also sent it at the time when i started to look for Quan Yin – but the book/package had a stamp: “Missent to Thailand”…
This helped me correct the strong belief I have had lately, during the dark nights, that I am a failure since this darkness still seem to be here, and now seemingly stronger than before –
but there is a difference: I was not afraid of it last night. While it lasted, i thought maybe this would be the end of this body, but that was kinda OK too.
And now I am well into the book and will probably cry my way all through it –
I loved your image of all my beloved pumpkins in a row, waving goodnight –
here’s waving right back at you 🙂
L O V E
Nina
love
Oh my LOL – “Becoming Kuan Yin: The Evolution of Compassion Paperback”.
really. Copied a little too many words.Compassion paperback. Hilarious
aloha nina
happiest birthday to you
kuan and I go way back … we are bestest friends
she loves soooo much … she works with what is, where it is, as it is, and loves it all the way back to beautiful and radiant
she heals the broken hearted, she comforts the weary
she stays and stays as long as the comfort and companionship is wanted (which is sometimes longer than actually needed) … and this is fine with her!!
she just loves and comforts in the gentlest and most amazing quiet ways
am thrilled you are with her now and she is with you
she is always a holy relationship that feels really special!!!
may you birthday be a blessing and a joy
am sending you love and comfort … and please say hi to my dear friend kuan!!
aloha
(Waving – “good niiight”
Goodnight Nina and Sweet Dreams.
I love the Katie Byron quote and am unfamiliar with Kuan Yin. But like you said it arrived just when you needed it most. So short it seems the time from your request to its apperarance…well I’m assuming shorter than you have known to wait in times past. And that is a lovely reminder that darkness will be gone altogether one day.
Peggy-the line “loves it all the way back to beautiful and radiant”
Wowsers that is powerful!
Being best friends with Kuan, I now understand better where you draw your consistent energy and mindset. And I am instantly drawn to this Buddhist Goddess.
Thank you Peggy and Nina for introducing me to her.
I believe our Katrina must already be familiar with her as she was lying in the secret tent behind the willow branches…Upon reading about the Beloved Goddess I came across this
line…
“It is relevant here to observe that Kuan Yin is often depicted in art holding a leafy twig, derived from the ‘weeping willow’ tree, known so due to its trailing leafy branches that droop to the ground and along which raindrops trickle down like tears.”
Let your tears flow Nina and water the Garden with your loving release.
Peace my Friends.
Kwan Yin blesses from my bedroom window.
I don’t think there is much difference between her and the concept of Mother Mary, except maybe the stories woven around them by different cultures.
It makes a lot of sense to me now the Strong yet Gentle Mother Archetype that so leads your personality Katrina. I definitly sense that feminine energy when you share the stories of your immediate family especially now with Amery as your Gravatar. I can see your desire to spend as much time as possible with her as the Sacred knowledge needs to be activated by a Trusted loved one here on Earth.
And you are right, every culture has its strong feminine leaders and by strong I mean gentle. Our Helen Schucman is the modern day Goddess. The form changes as times change but the qualities remain the same. Still Kuan seems the better choice for hanging in the bedroom (:
Lawrence – when you have time ( well, IF ) I would love to see my horoscope for 22 October
The garden has been quiet for several days, I arrive with an excitement in my being, yet a peaceful mind – a state of mind that I have not experienced for a long time. I like this state of mind, but i need to feel the earth of the Garden, take off my shoes, feel the grass on my wet, mildly wet from the dew still damp with the winter sun barely making it through the trees.
I think about my letter to Jesus y’day, which I wrote in my private blog. I think I’ll bring it out and sit here and read it again.
….
I still can’t say Jesus with a straight face. Resistance with my Hindu eastern upbringing. Or something like that. J dog seems to make it easier to make it flip, cool, easy to connect while emphasizing some semblance of equality.
but actually I have this deep awe of him, even. Though he tells me that awe is only appropriate in the presence of my Creator.
I should make him real in my life. And he assures me that it will be no idle fantasy.
well actually he says, :: If it helps, you can imagine me holding your hand, and I can assure you it will be no idle fantasy. ::
so I’ m reasonably sure I can paraphrase that to apply to making him real in my life.
I do hope it is no idle fantasy. This world is getting too much in my face to handle on my own.
Peace.
>>>
I will remind Lawrence of Nina’s letter in the garden from October 22nd.
Love to all my friends, scattered far and wide, on this peaceful Saturday for me in Singapore’s gardens. And it truly is a garden city in so many ways…
Love Is.
I grew up in Parochial School and I can’t say Jesus with a straight face, either. Love me some J Dog, though!
I remember a story Ken told about Helen. J would help her remove an eyelash that had gotten into her eye. Or go shopping for shoes with her. I was… what is the word? Oh yeah… *jealous* is the word!
I would imagine me shopping and meeting people in Macy’s. They would ask who my *friend* is, and I’d say “Oh, yeah, y’all… this is J Dogg…..my BFF!”
Maybe I should have gone to Lord and Taylors!
Sweetness, Joy and soft Giggles from the Garden… it’s Anil, Tex and JDogg calling out cloud formations passing above as Mother Earth supports them in their reclined state.
I’m enjoying their playfulness from a distance.
So glad you are back home Anil with you little boy and thanks for sharing your personal letter to JDogg.
And Tex, as always you crack me up, “Lord and Taylors” …you are just so fast (:
We all long for JDogg being our BFF don’t we? Or do we?
And so the question for me today- A Hierarchy of Illusions must include a Hierarchy of Friends, no?
It sounds familiar, like the quote from Nina’s post #963…
It is a relief to understand that I don’t have hundreds of little fears to get through and find healing for, but really I have one fear, which takes many forms.
So friendships and fears each need to be narrowed down to One so that I can see what is real and what is not.
I can already see that If I let go (mentally) or if I symbolically hold only the hand of Jesus its a hop, skip and a jump to that small gap he’s spoken of -The final step which God will then take, to bring me “Home”.
I know I want that …eventually, but just Not today.
Had to google ‘BFF’! Shucks, ‘best friends forever’, so lovely. TexAnne, Lord and Taylors, so good. Good luck with all the changes! Always am moved by your posts, Anil; they help me enter that calm other-world. Annie, still using your Starbucks mugs every morning – for strong coffee, of course (you’d be proud of us). Hugs, everyone.
Nina, I am getting pretty good at writing these.(:
The Year Ahead
Forecast for October 2013 to October 2014
If You Were Born Today, October 22:
Although you are personally magnetic, you have a manner that is slightly intimidating to others, making you a little hard to get close to. You give off the subtle impression that perhaps you don’t really need new people in your life. You do, although you tend to be somewhat selective when it comes to your social life, simply because your work is extremely important to you and you value your time. There is a no-nonsense directness about you that inspires trust in others. You give the impression of solidity, strength of character, dependability and honesty. Although you are an idealist and visionary, you still manage to keep your feet on the ground. You don’t seem capable of doing things halfway, and that includes your relationships. You are quite focused on achieving in life. Famous people born today: Jeff Goldblum, Catherine Deneuve, Deepak Chopra, Christopher Lloyd, Franz Liszt, Annette Funicello, Carlos Mencia, Bob Odenkirk.
Your Birthday Year Forecast:
Your ability to express yourself and to solve problems is enhanced this year. You may have opportunities to travel, and matters related to publishing, teaching, and writing should go especially well. You may find that you have the right information at the right time this year. You could also have big ideas and plans, as your mind is filled with ideas. Work, especially in communications, goes well. Relationships with young people may be particularly rewarding and positive. An optimistic attitude serves you very well this year. The desire to expand your mind is strong, and this is a good year to take up studies or to further your education. It’s also excellent for teaching and speaking. With greater receptivity to new ideas and perspectives, you are more likely to attract positive energies into your life.
However, with Mars opposition Neptune in your Solar Return chart, you could experience passive-aggressiveness in others, which impacts your life in frustrating ways, or you could find relationships with others confusing and hard to define. Although you may enjoy an increase in your intuitive capabilities, you may also be too open to influence so that fears or delusions impact your ability to see your life clearly. This could also be a year when you are more creative.
Pleasing circumstances surrounding your love life, finances, and creative pursuits are in store this year. You are more generous, and others return the favor. You might receive financial backing or special gifts in the period ahead. You seek a little more from your love life and you are likely to receive it. Some of you could fall in love this year, or existing relationships are enhanced. Adventure-seeking is a theme.
You may be actively involved with teamwork and collaboration with others this year. Generally speaking, there is ease in satisfying your desires through positive connections with others. For some, the beginning of a significant new relationship, or the intensification of an existing romance, is in store.
While variable energy levels can be a problem this year, for the most part, you are able to focus and concentrate on important projects and endeavors. Relationships are in strong focus this year, and you can find yourself in high demand. You can learn a lot through contact with others. You are braver and more spontaneous when it comes to social situations this year.
2013 is a Number Two year for you. Ruled by the Moon. This is a year of potential companionship. It is a quiet, gentle, and mostly harmonious year that is less active than other years. Instead, you are more responsive to the needs of others. If you are patient and open yourself up in a gentle manner, you will attract both things and people. This is an excellent year in which to build and develop for the future. Advice – be patient, be receptive, enjoy the peace, collect.
2014 will be a Number Three year for you. Ruled by Jupiter. This is a year of sociability. It is a friendly time, when it is easy to enjoy life and other people. Focus is on personal freedom, reaching out to others, making new friends, and exploration. You are more enthusiastic and ready for adventure. It is likely to be a rather lighthearted year, when opportunities for “play” time are greater than usual. It’s also a good year for expressing your creativity. Advice – reach out, but avoid scattering your energies.
God bless us every One
Papa lawrence
Thanks, Lawrence! I am looking at my slightly intimidating manner 🙂
Nina your welcome, I have been meaning to tell you about that!
:: Bringing the ego to God is bit to bring error to truth, where it stands corrected because it is the opposite of what it meets. It is undone because the contradiction can longer stand. How long can contradiction stand when it’s impossible nature is clearly revealed ?
What disappears in light is not attacked. It merely vanishes because it is not true. Different realities are meaningless beacause reality must be one. It cannot change with time and mood and chance. It’s changelessness is what makes it real. This cannot be undone.
Undoing is for unreality. This reality will do for you. ::
(Text page 291)
Amen.
Anil, got your blogpost in the snailmail today. At last – feels so good to see your writing, your thoughts 3 years ago. Lots has happened is seems!
THANK YOU for wanting to be my friend forever
yes please:)
hugs!
Hi Nina,
Good to read your message. Mail travels fast from Germany to Norway, so am glad that I seized the opportunity of a slow day in Berlin to send that out to you. It also made me feel good to fulfil my promise to you from so long ago ! (:
Yes, lots has changed in the 3.5 years since that entry. I didn’t know which entry to send you, there are 94 currently, so I’m averaging about 2 entries a month. (My goal is to get to one entry each week). Anyway, when I logged on, it seemed like the right thing to do was to send you an entry from the first month of the blogs existence, June 2010.
So that’s what I sent. (=
See you later, (alligator (=
Ps. You know that one, right ? I learnt it when I came to America at the grand old age of 19 (=
been awhile, crocodile dear (=
sent a request to follow your blog…
To the garden. A day of great relief, if my mind were an iceberg, then big chunks of it have fallen away underwater, and i no longer have to feel the weight of it anymore.
Am grateful for Life. For this moment. For the last part of my night, before I fall asleep, to reflect on who I am and where I have come in this Lifetime.
Also to thank Bernard, for this Village, to thank Jamie for working with Bernard to find a soft landing for us when the Monastery shut down. And additionally, dear Mayor for remembering about Gary’s book in Japanese…that is indeed a perfect idea !
Really much to be thankful for. And when gratitude goes that deep in my experience, then the words fall away.
Thank you, Annie, thank you Nina, thank you Peggy, thank you, Tex, thank you, Lawrence, Leni, Katrina, Pam, and everyone and anyone who ever graced these pages, and in so doing became a part of this lovely family.
Good night and God bless.
<3
Anil, treasure each day with your family, it one of the benefits of believing this all is real. Lucas is three, Holy Cow, no disrespect intended to anyones belief 🙂 You are dear to me my friend as are you all, the the Village family.
I have been crazy busy and the operation took a little more energy out of me than I thought it would. I find it returning with the knowledge that the Village exists, and good friends are just a key strokes or two away.
I haven’t been myself, but want whoever reads this to know I always keep you with me, so in a way we are still in touch.
God Bless us every One
lawrence
beauty abounds in this garden
anil, so how are you doing after some time in this garden
lovely lawrence is here too
and tex sharing her love
on the blessings of family … I haven’t seen my kids or grandkids in over a year
yet I still feel one in heart with each and all
while I care for mom each day is full and often overwhelming
time has no way of being measured
am not missing them, but would love love love to see them
maybe that is what is called missing
just a sharing and a reminder to all of you who have time and place to see your kids and family … it is a blessing
maybe this year they can visit hawaii
maybe I can arrange some care for mom and travel to them
maybe it’s just fine the way it is
the love and presence in this garden is a good place to ponder such things
mom just had a great great grandson born dec 10th … so now there are 5 generations on island!!
blessings and beauty abound
love to you
aloha and mele kalikimaka too
Peggy missing the fullness of love is what we all feel and it manifests in so many different ways. I am going to rehab for a recent surgery, (I am fine)and then Sharon and I are going to get a Christmas tree. It is the first time in the 35 years we have been married that one of our children and one of our dogs didn’t accompany us.
I feel a slight hurt a wound of sorts but three out of four will be coming home for Christmas,and then there was one, still missed. I think the fullness of our Gods Love is the light and power that even here pulls 24-7 at our heart strings daily and manifests in so many ways.
I spent time living up in the hills of Kauai for a little over a month or so. I know you are as close to heaven as you can be on earth. We love your sharings they bring a little sunshine to our hearts. Take care of yourself and your mom and keep the sunshine coming.
God Bless us every One
lawrence
Hi Peggy, Hi Lawrence,
Sorry I’ve been missing for a few days. But thinking of both your loving posts and of course, fully intending to write back to both of your love,y letters.
The Garden is cool and lush, the perfect temperature, neither too hot, not too cold, neither too much sun, or too little, its a nourishing place indeed. I have been lost in thoughts of family, life and love, since I came in on Dec 19th, or as we mark it in Village time number 982. (=, and its been an interesting time as always on planet earth.
The celestial speed-up, which Helen first referred to, later debunked by Ken, (and rightly so, since nothing in this world is real), seems to be happening to me. All parts of my life now seem to be under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, not consistently so, alas, but certainly perceptibly so, daily, and from that perspective, everything seems to be speeding up.
But, it is to uncomfortable, and there is ample time to reflect, to make another choice, when I have sometimes chosen to get lost in the wrong voice, and most times things right themselves in a matter of an hour or so, often much sooner.
It’s all quite interesting, am not able to completely relax into it, but just now. As I wrote those words, I took a deep breath, and the Gardens nourishing effect continues.
I’m going to walk to the Fireside, if Annie’s coffe-beans are still in the cupboard there. Come join me if you will ?…..
I am walking into the Garden this lovely morning. A soft and gentle breeze of embrace meets me, and I am saying out loud Allan Dolit’s sentences, so that any visitor who might have a need for those can just pick them gently up.
Ego street …Jesus tells me to avoid it.I tell him I try to avoid it, but I don’t always know when I’m on it. I ask if there is any way to know for certain. He reminds me that God’s Will is only for me to be happy or peaceful at all times, and that if I am not happy in each moment I am listening to the wrong voice and I need to ask for help. He tells me I am listening to the wrong voice when I am out of peace about anything or anyone; when I find fault with anyone; when I have the need to correct or fix or criticize or judge or attack anyone; or defend my position or to be right; that the only reason I am here is to awaken from my nightmare of having separated from God. And that when my mind is completely healed I will stop projecting my fears or misperceptions on to the world or on to people and I will awaken and have no memory left of the physical universe as it will have completely disappeared as it only exists in my mind. He also said that as long as I experience a world I should not deny what my experience is but rather to ask Holy Spirit to see through His Vision. He said the more I can stay removed from ego street, the easier my task will be. And that no matter what appears to be happening in my world I am to extend love in all circumstances. And that if I have any decision to make to ask Holy Spirit for guidance.
Lovely, Nina.
Alan’s teachings are very nice. I couldn’t find a web site for him. Perhaps you and/or Katrina know if he has one ?
Love,
anil
I haven’t looked.
I get all of this on the D.U-site
Remembertolaugh atyahoo com. – he sends out to a mail list
And when i googled him i found that he appears to have posts on a blog
Spiritual Stories and Parables Written by Alan Dolit
spiritual-short-stories .com/ spiritual-short-stories- author-4-Alan+Dolit. html#sthash. rBt8G6EG.dpuf
(Spaces inserted by me to cloak it)
Thanks, Katrina, Nina.
Ps. I’ve ordered his book !
Great, Anil. I didn’t know he had one. His wife, Margaret, is this dynamic British woman whose philosophy on doing the course is pure applying and working it all the time. She doesn’t cottton to study anymore. Her decree is, “Why wait?! “. Heaven is NOW.
Anyway, last time I saw them they had worked out this delightful plan for cooperating. Each week they switched off who got to be “in charge” of deciding activities. Of course, if the other had a burning desire and couldn’t wait till the next week, they could accomodate. But it was hilarious to see how they negotiated restaurant and recreation activities. It is amazing to know this is the other’s week as the decider, and you get to practice being led. (I think TV issues were handled with her getting the front room, and him going off to his computer. You know, normal.)
To the Garden I come, I need to pray in its quiet sanctuary.
(Katrina, Alan’s book is available to view on Amazon, it was written in 1973, or so it appears, and doesn’t have much to do with acim, as far as I can tell from my review. But I bought it anyway, because it is a topic of interest to me, now please excuse me, must find a quiet tree under which I can explore my thoughts and pray..ciao for now….)
Slow down my breathing, taking a deep breath as I bring to mind the key phrase for me, from my lesson for today….”Father, I stand before the gate of heaven, key in hand, wondering if I should enter in and be at home”
I think of all the problems I face today, so many unresolved business and money matters, three of four family members unwell at home, can I really abandon everything and take a decision to open the door to Heaven.
I feel the guilt present, and rising and falling like waves on the ocean, as I spend time with my thoughts of God and guilt, forgiveness and release, and I wonder if I am neglecting my duties even for those 20,30 minutes I spend with reading and reflecting on my Lesson for the Day.
What would you have me do, my Father ? Should I stay I this sanctuary for a little while longer and rest, or should I move onto the rest of my day in this external Hell of a world I have made ?
Let me stay with that question a little longer, breathe deep, SLO down the racing mind, …. My wife bursts in through the door, the plumbers are here, and they will need cash in an hour, cheques won’t do, I guess I have my answer on where I should be spending my time…reluctantly, I start to rise and make plans to pull out of the Garden, my son has come in to join his mother in the Garden/bedroom, worlds a blurring, and now both are gone, like the whirlwind, leaving me in the quiet of my thoughts….
Perhaps I can sink to my knees again and drop my head in prayer, in rest, what would you have me do, my Father ?…..
I see how my ego whispers to me that to not attend to my family and their daily needs right away is abandoning them, and proves that I am the miserable, untrustworthy person of my deepest fears. How could I even *think* of such a possibility ? To spend time here in the Garden, speculating on such a possibility, while my burdens await in the world, even that time should not be wasted in getting straight to work.
What would you have me do, my Father ?
I sense the glimmer of hope, that key in hand, if I were to unlock the Gate of Heaven, that the blaze of light would engulf me, in happiness and peace, my wife, my son, my parents and everyone I love with me, miraculously, immediately, and we would all be together, in love, all burdens forgotten….
Yes, it says, Attend to your chores, you can always open the Door later.
I will leave the Garden now, but I think I have made up my mind on how to tackle this particular form of the problem…..in every situation, at all times, I must remember that I have the key to Home, and I can always open the doors anytime of my choosing. And perhaps just remembering that will have to do for now.
When I ask for guidance, and want and wait to hear HS’s voice tell me what to do . . .
Invariably, the answer comes in the form of one of my supportees interrupting me with what they need me to take care of. It sounds and seems like an interruption to my devoted listening, but reading your vignette above, it is more obviously getting your answer. Like the Key to heaven is, at that moment, your ATM to get cash for the plumbers. They probably left your house and went on to perform magnificent acts of mercy with your cash. (Like buying groceries for their families.)
“One of my supportees”, if that isn’t the loveliest way to describe those who have taken the vow to bring us back to Heaven?!
Oh Ms.Katrina you make me smile!!
I marvel at how in 4 sentences you so totally got what was happening in that Garden/Bedroom in Singapore.
These are my most favorite kind of postings to read…
Firstly, I love Anil that you painted that picture for us of that moment in time.
Full detail; your surroundings, your mind set, your intention, your aching and open heart waiting and prepped to hear only that which is True.
And then like all prayers – the answer is instantly given!
And now its obvious to me that Katrina responded as twice you brought up SLO (which translates to San Luis Obsipo. And your sister in Christ saw the situation clearly. And in the kindest way like a true student of Ken’s- she picked up the feather and gave us all a tickle.
“Magnificent acts of mercy” ♡ Love that line too ♡
And to end with Lesson # 10: “My thoughts do not mean anything”
…J reminds us to repeat the idea slowly before applying it specifically, and also to add:
“This idea will help to release me from all that I now believe”.
…patting my pocket and reminding myself that the key to heaven is rests in my beliefs
Glad you enjoyed that snapshot, Annie. It is the kind of picture I hope to be able to share from time to time. (The other kind, what the world conventionally calls a photograph is much harder for me to fulfil ! (=
Glad also that you caught the reference to SLO, at first it was a typo, my iPad mini which has its own mind and own language, and as I looked back to correct it, I instantaneously thought of Katrina, nay, the thought of Katrina came to mind is the more accurate statement, and so it stayed.
Just being in the Garden SLOs down my breathing, and brings a semblance of peace whenever I wander here, in my current state of ego unease, the thought immediately follows, when will that symbol of peace, (the word, the sound, the thought of this Garden all rolled into one as one symbol of Peace for me), the thought comes when that symbol too will be taken away from me,…… ?
The notion of sacrifice so deep in my mind, the thought that somehow this Coruse will deprive me of the little that I have.
Well, for now, the Garden helps, I can’t help but notice that every time, as I write this, every single time I think the word Garden, a deep breath, cleansing and healing follows. Strange !
THanks, Katrina for your thoughts on how the HS speaks to you.
Looking back on that morning and that day, and re-reading my thoughts, I still don’t know who spoke to me, and what caused what, I can however report that Jan 10th (the day of that post) was the best day of the New Year for me so far. (At this point, the question may arise what is the @best@ day mean ? That is a subject of a lot of thought and I have yet to unravel all the gifts within that concept for me….I have promised my Father, my earthly Father a blog article for his website that he has created, on the topic of spirituality, etc,etc…I hope to write something out later this year to explore that thought more fully)
Well, this post is looong (= and I haven’t yet got to Katrina’ s key (= I wonder if Lawrence is reading, he would certainly be groaning at its length by now (= I can hear him think “good God, man….” (=
Oh, and Bernard too, (=
I have violated every edict he has about keeping it brief (=
Hmmm, I wonder why I find it easier to tease men rather than women…..hmmmm (=
Anil, get a hold of yourself, this is the garden of rest, not a garden party, and certainly not the Fireside….mm, perhaps I should wander over there…. (=
Ciao, bellas !
We stand together, Christ and I,
In peace and certainty of purpose.
And in Him is His Creator,
As He is in me.
Wow. The Course is really written in Greek. I can’t feel anything close to what this statement tries to convey, all I experience is my sleep-heavy mind, a pit of tension in the stomach that prior experience seems to suggest is some acute form of resistance, and the distant hum of the city as it wakes to its daily movement.
At least, sitting in the Garden, the breathing slows. Thank God for small mercies,
And I am reminded that there is nothing big and small, all things are either love or a call to love,
And somewhere in my mind, that seems to ring true.
For today, for this moment, I will accept that gift of that thought into my mind, and allow it, ask it, (do I have the energy to beseech it), to grow and fill my mind with its kind presence.
Dear God, I give my mind to you. It is tired, weary and hateful, and I do not want it anymore. Thank you for all that you have given me, and may my mind become blank again, free of the past, so I can see, anew, what you have always kept in store for me.
Amen.
I have just received word that our dearly beloved friend and villager Pam passed away early Friday morning, January 31st. All our thoughts are with her in her new home. She is still among us, and I’m sure she is in communion with us all, so let’s not hesitate to share our kindest thoughts with her, as well as with Cory, of course. I received word from a friend of hers who asked me to inform her Village family of her passing, and to say that she suffered from her cancer, and now her pain is over.
I think a number of us had been thinking of her lately. She was often in our thoughts and written wishes here at the Village. She was very fond of you all, of her Village family, and we can all keep her close in our hearts.
God bless her with the peacefulness she deserves, and has surely found.
We live and move in You alone. We are not separate from Your eternal life. There is no death, for death is not Your Will. And we abide where You have placed us, in the life we share with You and with all living things, to be like You and part of You forever. We accept Your Thoughts as ours, and our will is one with Yours eternally. Amen.
(W-pI.163.9:4-8)
Bernard, dear friend,
This is absolutely terrible news for me. While I am grateful to you, to Pam, and to her friend for letting us know, I cannot help but feel that I now understand even more clearly why it is difficult to not be scared of God, and why for the world at large God can be such a terrible thing.
Yes, of course, a God that gives life and takes it away at his whim, would be a cruel god, and no one stops to ask how it could be that God would create such a world. (Paraphrasing the Course text). Of course, we know that there is some hope, some truth, some glimmer of feeling that God could not have created such a world, and that what God gives life, has eternal life.
But those metaphysics are such a far cry from the daily turning of the world, that.I am not surprised that many, if not most people, think automatically of God as a cruel God. A thought that even I, with all my years of study of this Course am not immune from.
This is terrible news indeed, for me, and I pray the Course’s version of the truth is the Truth. May there be peace, for Cory, for her mother, her father (?), for any and all of us that feel disturbed by the news of her passing on to a world I can only imagine.
Peace, dear Pam, I pray for you and me and for all of us that indeed this world was over a long time ago, even while we are reviewing it daily as if it still exists.
Love,
Anil