I’m reading “The Course in Miracles” from the beginning. I started a month ago and am still in the preface. There is so much to contemplate as I read this work that I allow time to let it soak in. Concurrently, I’m doing an online course of the workbook. The workbook doesn’t go in order of the chapters.
I find it amazing how the work book and the book hit on issues that I am currently facing. I wanted a new book to read a few months ago and my spirit called for The Course so here I go. I’ve had the book about 10 years, but only skimmed it occasionally. It’s normal for me to write my thoughts when I’m reading or studying and naturally to share what I’m picking up from it all. The course is just that; a teaching/learning tool for anyone who wants to grow spiritually and or deepen their spiritual experience.
The focus of my reading today is on the world of perception. I normally focus on and talk about the outer and inner world and this was the next step in understanding and exploring this topic. The following is my take on what I’ve read thus far.
Perception is a bodily or physical function, it represents a limited awareness, the course says. Our perceptions come from our five senses, what we see, hear, touch, taste and feel. The body responds according to the intentions of our mind. Many times the intentions of our minds are hidden from us. We draw our perceptions from our base of experience; either what we have experienced or what we wish to experience. So what we perceived is colored by those two things.
The course makes note of the difference between knowledge and perception which I really like because we often think that our perceptions of others, situations and even of ourselves are true when they most often are not. What I perceive may be the truth according to Vivian and no one else, but it’s truth just the same to me alone, because I believe it.
Funny, I just read today’s workbook lesson and it says; “There is another way of looking at the world.” Once again, it is in alignment with my thoughts. So, this encourages me to listen to and trust my own thoughts more completely. I know that these thoughts are coming from my spiritual self or mind and not my natural self or mind. When I’m listening to the thoughts of my natural mind they usually make me feel unsettled, anxious, fearful, untrusting of others etc. and irrational. They try to get me to make rash decisions or act on quick ideas about a person, people or situation.
The world we see outwardly is a reflection of our own internal frame of reference. The course says the world of perception is made by the belief in opposites and separate wills, in perpetual conflict with each other and with God. Because it permits into awareness only what conforms to the wishes of the perceiver we believe the perceptions are accurate or truth.
I recently married and a couple of days ago a man showed interest toward me in my in a local market. I believe I saw him first and I thought to myself that he seemed like a nice man. Someone I’d like to get to know if I wasn't married or in a relationship was my next thought so I avoided looking at him or talking to him. Only he spotted me and came and stood near me as I was waiting for my fresh catfish to finish frying. He made small conversation with me and I was flattered that he found interest in me as well.
I told my husband about it, but I also told him I felt guilty because I enjoyed it. For the past two day’s I analyzed my thoughts and feelings about the event. I was wondering if in my heart I could possibly have cheated. I have strong feelings against cheating and never want to be put in that situation. I believe if you find yourself attracted to a person and you’re unavailable, you should avoid that at all cost, and I did, but, I did make small talk when he spoke to me first. I didn’t want to be rude as I am capable of being friends with attractive men but, because their intentions might be different t hen mine I’ve become very cautious not to let my good be evilly spoken of.
After reading the course today, I realized that last night when my husband and I went out, I was measuring him up to that man. Since I didn’t know the man I could only begin to speculate on what he’d be like, but that wasn’t necessary since I don’t need to know. I began to view all my husband’s shortcomings like, he’s too skinny, or he’s too goofy. His goofiness is what won my heart. Now, it was a shortcoming. I was trying to make things wrong with him so I could justify my attraction to another man. I wondered if I really truly was in love with him and if I could love him forever even through strong temptations that may come in the future. I starting thinking that he was lacking something, and if he was lacking certainly, I was lacking something as well.
Demanding that someone be different then what they are is when love fails. Reading or studying this today helped me to understand my process of thinking and feeling. It reminded me that the self that God created needs nothing, that it is complete, safe and loved. And, it is only at this level of thinking that true union is possible. The natural man/mind cannot please God. It will continually cause if pain, confusion and suffering. It seeks to enhance itself by external love, approval and external possessions. It never has enough. It likes to validate its self with more.
The Spiritual man or mind however seeks to share and extend love for the sake of companionship and the abundance that brings. There are many potential choices for partners in our lifetime. As we come across them from time to time we’ll wonder what it would be like to know that person in a more intimate way. But to avoid the drama that the special relationship brings, we avoid other possible mates. In my heart and thoughts, I enjoy getting to know others more fully, but the intentions of the heart must always be examined. Neither I nor you can afford to run off with another person every time we find ourselves attracted or we’d have no stability. I do think that my personal joy would be more fulfilled if I could gratify myself with every attraction. At least this is what the voice for freedom inside me rings. But life is not just about that for now. Maybe one day in an alternate reality it will be and maybe, even be okay.
This is the reason I continue to appreciate the spiritual path. It has its way teaching me life lessons that help me understand my thoughts, feelings and emotions; and helps me to examine my intentions in every situation and make the decisions that lead to my ultimate good in life.
So, my perceptions for myself today, are to know and try to remember always that my inner life causes the reflections of my outer world. And, I then filter what I see though the intentions of my heart, meaning, the world I want to see and experience. I choose to be faithful and to love my husband. I choose to be in relationship with only one man at a time in an intimate way. I choose an inner and outer world of peace and I know that I have the power and the choice to carry that out in my life and in all my relationships.
Peace and blessings on your journey within~ Vivian Gale, aka Freedom
Please stop by my official website www.viviangale.com and pick a copy of my book Fart in the Wind, Get Rid of Emotional Flatulence and, see what else I’m up to!
I will continue to share with you my reflections from the Course in Miracles over this next year. I want to you see and understand how persona and/or spiritual growth happens, and perhaps choose it for yourself.
November 8, 2014
I find it amazing how the work book and the book hit on issues that I am currently facing. I wanted a new book to read a few months ago and my spirit called for The Course so here I go. I’ve had the book about 10 years, but only skimmed it occasionally. It’s normal for me to write my thoughts when I’m reading or studying and naturally to share what I’m picking up from it all. The course is just that; a teaching/learning tool for anyone who wants to grow spiritually and or deepen their spiritual experience.
The focus of my reading today is on the world of perception. I normally focus on and talk about the outer and inner world and this was the next step in understanding and exploring this topic. The following is my take on what I’ve read thus far.
Perception is a bodily or physical function, it represents a limited awareness, the course says. Our perceptions come from our five senses, what we see, hear, touch, taste and feel. The body responds according to the intentions of our mind. Many times the intentions of our minds are hidden from us. We draw our perceptions from our base of experience; either what we have experienced or what we wish to experience. So what we perceived is colored by those two things.
The course makes note of the difference between knowledge and perception which I really like because we often think that our perceptions of others, situations and even of ourselves are true when they most often are not. What I perceive may be the truth according to Vivian and no one else, but it’s truth just the same to me alone, because I believe it.
Funny, I just read today’s workbook lesson and it says; “There is another way of looking at the world.” Once again, it is in alignment with my thoughts. So, this encourages me to listen to and trust my own thoughts more completely. I know that these thoughts are coming from my spiritual self or mind and not my natural self or mind. When I’m listening to the thoughts of my natural mind they usually make me feel unsettled, anxious, fearful, untrusting of others etc. and irrational. They try to get me to make rash decisions or act on quick ideas about a person, people or situation.
The world we see outwardly is a reflection of our own internal frame of reference. The course says the world of perception is made by the belief in opposites and separate wills, in perpetual conflict with each other and with God. Because it permits into awareness only what conforms to the wishes of the perceiver we believe the perceptions are accurate or truth.
I recently married and a couple of days ago a man showed interest toward me in my in a local market. I believe I saw him first and I thought to myself that he seemed like a nice man. Someone I’d like to get to know if I wasn't married or in a relationship was my next thought so I avoided looking at him or talking to him. Only he spotted me and came and stood near me as I was waiting for my fresh catfish to finish frying. He made small conversation with me and I was flattered that he found interest in me as well.
I told my husband about it, but I also told him I felt guilty because I enjoyed it. For the past two day’s I analyzed my thoughts and feelings about the event. I was wondering if in my heart I could possibly have cheated. I have strong feelings against cheating and never want to be put in that situation. I believe if you find yourself attracted to a person and you’re unavailable, you should avoid that at all cost, and I did, but, I did make small talk when he spoke to me first. I didn’t want to be rude as I am capable of being friends with attractive men but, because their intentions might be different t hen mine I’ve become very cautious not to let my good be evilly spoken of.
After reading the course today, I realized that last night when my husband and I went out, I was measuring him up to that man. Since I didn’t know the man I could only begin to speculate on what he’d be like, but that wasn’t necessary since I don’t need to know. I began to view all my husband’s shortcomings like, he’s too skinny, or he’s too goofy. His goofiness is what won my heart. Now, it was a shortcoming. I was trying to make things wrong with him so I could justify my attraction to another man. I wondered if I really truly was in love with him and if I could love him forever even through strong temptations that may come in the future. I starting thinking that he was lacking something, and if he was lacking certainly, I was lacking something as well.
Demanding that someone be different then what they are is when love fails. Reading or studying this today helped me to understand my process of thinking and feeling. It reminded me that the self that God created needs nothing, that it is complete, safe and loved. And, it is only at this level of thinking that true union is possible. The natural man/mind cannot please God. It will continually cause if pain, confusion and suffering. It seeks to enhance itself by external love, approval and external possessions. It never has enough. It likes to validate its self with more.
The Spiritual man or mind however seeks to share and extend love for the sake of companionship and the abundance that brings. There are many potential choices for partners in our lifetime. As we come across them from time to time we’ll wonder what it would be like to know that person in a more intimate way. But to avoid the drama that the special relationship brings, we avoid other possible mates. In my heart and thoughts, I enjoy getting to know others more fully, but the intentions of the heart must always be examined. Neither I nor you can afford to run off with another person every time we find ourselves attracted or we’d have no stability. I do think that my personal joy would be more fulfilled if I could gratify myself with every attraction. At least this is what the voice for freedom inside me rings. But life is not just about that for now. Maybe one day in an alternate reality it will be and maybe, even be okay.
This is the reason I continue to appreciate the spiritual path. It has its way teaching me life lessons that help me understand my thoughts, feelings and emotions; and helps me to examine my intentions in every situation and make the decisions that lead to my ultimate good in life.
So, my perceptions for myself today, are to know and try to remember always that my inner life causes the reflections of my outer world. And, I then filter what I see though the intentions of my heart, meaning, the world I want to see and experience. I choose to be faithful and to love my husband. I choose to be in relationship with only one man at a time in an intimate way. I choose an inner and outer world of peace and I know that I have the power and the choice to carry that out in my life and in all my relationships.
Peace and blessings on your journey within~ Vivian Gale, aka Freedom
Please stop by my official website www.viviangale.com and pick a copy of my book Fart in the Wind, Get Rid of Emotional Flatulence and, see what else I’m up to!
I will continue to share with you my reflections from the Course in Miracles over this next year. I want to you see and understand how persona and/or spiritual growth happens, and perhaps choose it for yourself.
November 8, 2014
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