Greetings All –
DO NOT LET CONFUSION DISSUADE YOU, for all error is
born of confusion. Remember that when individuals are without Knowledge, they
can only commit error and express their confusion. They can only practice
confusion, and they can only serve confusion. This, then, will teach you to
value what is valuable and to recognize what is meaningless. This will teach
you that you are always in service to that which you value; you are always
fortifying that which you value; you are always practicing that which you
value.
NOW YOU ARE LEARNING TO VALUE KNOWLEDGE. You are
learning to practice Knowledge. You are learning to recognize Knowledge. And you
are learning to serve Knowledge. This is the demonstration that you require. Do
not let the confusion of the world dissuade you, for it reminds you of your
great need. How can the errors of the world dissuade you when they should
encourage you? Correctly seen, they will only prompt you to give yourself more
fully to your preparation now. This preparation in which you are engaged holds
the promise of activating Knowledge in you. You need only follow its steps.
YOU WILL NOT FIND REFUGE IN THE WORLD. You have
already attempted this, and it has failed you again and again, as it will fail
you again and again if you pursue it any further. It is you who must give to the
world because it is you who have Knowledge.
THEREFORE, RECEIVE KNOWLEDGE THIS DAY in your
hourly practices and in your deeper practice periods. Do not let the errors of the
world dissuade you. Let the errors of the world prompt you and inspire you
towards Knowledge, for this is part of the gift of the world to you. The other
part of the gift of the world is to be the arena where you allow Knowledge to
contribute itself through you. Here the world is blessed and you are blessed. Then,
you will be grateful for the errors of the world and for the accomplishments of
the world, for one stimulates Knowledge and the other fulfills Knowledge. Therefore,
this day learn to think correctly so that your mind may be a useful servant to
Knowledge and so that all aspects of yourself may be honored.
PRACTICE 255: Two 30-minute practice periods. Hourly
practice.
This is a comforting and difficult Step. Throughout
Steps we are told of and then need to feel the presence of our Teachers. Is this
real? Ellen Mitchell has visualized this for us:
From the Journal:
6:30
a.m. Monday, March 27, 2000 – As I started to play the tape from the radio last
night, I had this perspective of being old now – and facing limitation. I'd not
invested enough, saved enough, exercised enough. I have been living in a
fantasy. My primary investment has been these journals. Whether they hold any
gold – or not depends upon my ability to write. My shift at LFPDC feels like
age discrimination. Have I not done a good job with my life – or was I living
in a Fantasy?
In
that moment – I felt much of what I've done, or was used to doing, wasn’t valuable
– so it needed to be stopped/let go. Time to be more focused – the Step – 254 –
says responded to direction with a desire for direction.
8:05
a.m. My meditation went well. I accept guidance – which is not Knowledge
itself, but has an intention to connect. As Cindy left for work I felt a great
love again for her – affirming this relationship. I must get on to work. I
choose to use my time well can simplify my life…
6:40
p.m. Bizarre work continues. They now have Lily F--- doing a management plan
and are trying to understand what is there. It seems I should fight, but I
don't know what I'm fighting against.
The
region is now a useful fiction, I thought on my way to LFCC. My sense is to let
it play out, though I should document more for the record.
It
is clear to me that I've been under attack and have produced for the region in
spite of it.
I
could call C---. I will consult my guides/Teachers directly in Practice #2. S2K
says there are real errors. My error was to not give a written response to
Greg's attack.
I
guess I'm too nice to do that. I could disappear from the radar – drop out of
sight.
As I
look back over the past few years there has never been the next job to go to.
SU
is the perfect move if I can find the subversive funding. The useful fiction
of the region… but the drama here of attack due to success is unique
perhaps, and might make a story – TV show – I am really in need of direction
and help. I'm certainly confused.
Is S2K
a cult? I want to finish the Steps – before I make any moves.
10:10
p.m. The only work I want to do is promotion of the definition and use of
regions.
Unburdening in my case feels like failure and is
difficult. This will go on for some time, so I’ll limit what goes here.
Disappointment is a catalyst to growth – or so it is claimed.
At the end I express the question: “Is S2K a cult?” Over the
years I will check it many times. There are lists of cults on the web. Wikipedia
offers this has this about cult.
Under List
of New Religious Movements, The New Message from God appears. The text
begins A new religious movement (NRM) is a
comprehensive term used to identify religious,
ethical, and spiritual groups, communities and practices of relatively modern
origins. Information for the mind. Let us continue.
NNC
P.S. At Step 255, we are into Part Two of Steps, so
if you’ve found this and find some appeal in this or other Steps, you should
really go to the beginning blog post. From here you learn about Steps to Knowledge and
can begin it on the day that makes sense and then progress as needed. You can
use the posts on this blog as a companion if it helps. They will remain in
order in the archives - one per Step.
Often it takes 18 months to get through the Steps
once. For this blog, the pace is one-a-day, but it really makes no difference
how fast you do it, only that you begin, persist and repeat. Posts here provide
a trail that may let you have a virtual companion when and if you want one. One
may have to study alone, as I did in the beginning. There are other Steps
students blogging their experience and you might find a person more like you as
a companion, or use a number of such Steps journeys. There are options as well
through the Free School of the New Message.
