Step 118 - I will not
avoid the world today. (MP3)
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I will not avoid the world today. Step 118
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THERE IS NO NEED TO AVOID THE WORLD because the
world cannot dominate you when you are with Knowledge. When you are with
Knowledge, you are here to serve the world. The world, then, is not a prison
anymore. It is not a continual source of discomfort and disappointment. It
provides for you an opportunity to give and an opportunity to re-establish your
true understanding. Do not seek refuge in spiritual things, for your purpose is
to give to the world. Allow the world to be as it is, and your condemnation of
it will not come back to haunt you. For without condemnation, there is only the
opportunity to give. This will draw upon your Knowledge, which will give of its
own, and you will be the vehicle for its giving.
THINK OF THIS NOW. Allow yourself in your two
practice periods to experience the presence of Knowledge in your life. Demand nothing
of it. Seek not to question it. Only allow yourself to experience it, for with
this all that you seek returns to you naturally without your effort. Utilize
your self-discipline only to direct your mind in the proper direction. Once it
is so engaged, it will return to Knowledge of its own accord. For that is its
destination, that is its love, that is its true companion and that is its true
marriage in life.
PRACTICE 118: Two 30-minute practice periods.
Note, the Steps says: “Do not seek refuge in spiritual things, for your purpose is to give to
the world.”
Picture: Fire and Rescue vehicle responding, Paisley,
Scotland.
Yesterday: journal
Step
117 - It is better to be simple than to be poor.
From
the journal:
6:20 a.m. Thursday, November 11, 1999 – a day of remembrance – a day of peace.
7:42
a.m. Where am I? November 11 is a day I usually go into the woods. It won’t be
an option this day.
7:53
a.m. Where is my simple life? What is it? I love my wife, my children, my
family, my work. I am but one in the world. I serve by promoting connectivity
within the many wholes – regions of influence.
Here
– energy does not go directly to the need. In manifestation, investment must be
channeled.
As
my soul orients to KNOWLEDGE, the ways of the world made less sense. I’m in the
ACIM “I need do nothing” mode. Floating… pain free..
8:37
a.m. I am simple. I allow myself to be simple. Planning is about finding a
better way – simple, well designed, elegant.
Every
relationship simple. Cascading relationships – neural networks – in total –
simplified.
1:32
p.m. I’ll do the second meditation.
This
is Veterans Day. I spent the morning doing a presentation at the Warren County
Chamber of Commerce Leadership Training. My job is to promote the regional
framework. That I can do …
Watching
the stock market again – its pattern nature is something I could track and
benefit from … but I haven’t taken the time. Is there something wrong with me?
S2K
says “It is better to be simple than to be poor.” I feel poor for all the
opportunities I’ve missed. Why am I paralyzed by these things? It seems
indolence and lack of worldly knowledge. What am I really seeking? Where am I
really going?
On
one hand, earth & the U.S. is chugging along just fine. On the other hand,
it is potentially a coconut shell illusion that can crack and end up hollow.
I
could do more … but I am tired and pre-occupied.
2:42
p.m. I allow myself to be simple. My problems are simple, I only need apply
myself.
This
I know.
11:48
p.m. 11/11 11:11 has passed A.M. & p.m. On to 12:12
This is an interesting Step, one that generated a
good bit of ink in this day’s journal. It may have done the same for you. On
the Step 117 page, in reference to truth (setting you free) is noted.
Let us continue.
NNC
Journal second time x2
Step 117. This
is for those who have completed Steps once. Doing Steps with only the texts,
messages and your life experience, including what you may have studied and
practiced is your journey. I’m showing Step comments after the Step, so as not
to influence you in advance. It is a wilderness trek to be left to your own
wits, but then you can also listen more closely for guides, angels and
teachers, always first saying: “I surround and protect myself with the Love and
the Grace of God.” Thankfully, I was taught this practice in 1989.
P.S. If you’ve some interest due to this or other
Steps, you should go to the beginning blog post. From here you will learn about Steps to Knowledge
and can begin it on the day that makes sense; 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 post 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.
