9/26/14

Step 269 - The power of Knowledge will extend itself from me. Entry for Step 268 - I will not be deceived by complexity today.


Greetings All –


THE POWER OF KNOWLEDGE WILL EXTEND ITSELF from you who are receiving Knowledge. At first this will be very subtle, but as you continue to develop and apply yourself, the power of Knowledge will become stronger and stronger. It will be a force of attraction for some. It will be a force of rejection for others who are unable to respond to it. It will influence all. That is why you must learn to be very discerning in relationships, for as you progress as a student of Knowledge, your influence over others will be greater. You must not use this influence for selfish purposes, or your activities will be destructive to you and to others.

KNOWLEDGE PROVIDES THIS RESTRAINT that we have spoken of, and you must exercise it on your own behalf. If you are ambitious with Knowledge, you will pose very great risks to yourself and to other people, for Wisdom, compassion, restraint and self-control must accompany the development of Knowledge. If you attempt to use Knowledge for your own selfish gain or for what you think the world needs, you will lead yourself astray and Knowledge will not accompany you.


ACCEPT THE RESTRAINT AND DEVELOPMENT that are called for now, for they will protect you and enable you to render your gifts with a minimum of discord and personal risk. They will guarantee the wholeness and worthiness of your contribution, for it will be untainted by selfish motives. Practice upon the hour and enter deeply into meditation twice today. Repeat your idea for the day and enter into stillness once again. Allow this to be a day where Knowledge is strengthened.


PRACTICE 269: Two 30-minute practice periods. Hourly practice.




This is a big Step, in that it is telling us about Complexity in the world, compared to Step 267 where we were just dealing with our own problems. The tool is the same – Knowledge, and the apparent complexity of greater world problems is something that may take several stages. We do not use Knowledge, but follow it. The text concludes: “A mind at peace is not deceived by the world.” Having a mind at peace is a worthwhile goal that the Steps are intended to help us reach.

From the Journal:

Monday, April 10, 2000

6:13 p.m. 2nd practice – came out @ 24 minutes. What problems am I trying to solve other than my own little life problems? I need to solve my investing problem; my writing of an article and presentation problem; my exercise problem.

Steps… The house is quiet – I've been sore today – getting along at work – moving things forward.

9:20 p.m. This book is nearly done. Where am I? Many Steps to go. I've probably made mis-steps. I'm confused.
---

Purpose – promote cooperation; meaning – this reflects the greater community –

Direction – find what works – look at it differently –

The journal is limited this day. I am trying, it looks, to define my meaning, purpose and direction, yet I note: “I’m confused.” The Teachers, in other messages, essentially give us permission to be confused, as that is part of the path to learning. If we were always sure of everything, we’d be unable to recognize error and the need for change.

NNC



P.S. At Step 269, 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