Greetings All –
Step 119 - Review ~ GIVE YOURSELF TO THIS REVIEW so that you may understand
how you learn. (MP3)
[Open in Drive or copy to
your Drive – Download folder or play from Drive – Step PDF also.]
IN THIS SPECIAL REVIEW, review the past two weeks of
practice, reviewing each instruction and recalling each day of practice. Try to
remember how seriously you thought about each day’s practice and how well you
utilized that practice. Do not think you can complain rightfully about this
preparation unless you are utilizing it to its fullest extent. Your role here
is only to follow the steps as they are given and not to alter them according
to your preferences. In this way, you place yourself in a position to receive,
which is the position you now need to acquire for yourself.
IN YOUR TWO LONG PRACTICE PERIODS TODAY, each one
given to one week of practice, review the past two weeks. Try to be very kind with
yourself, but recognize if you are falling short of the requirements and do not
deceive yourself in this regard. Rededicate yourself to deepening your practice
and your resolve, reminding yourself of the simplicity of your life and the
true value that is being given to you. In this way, you will learn a new way of
living. You will learn how to receive and how to give, and your life will be
free of the darkness of complexity. For simplicity must always be of the light;
it must always be of the good.
THEREFORE, GIVE YOURSELF TO THIS REVIEW so that you
may understand how you learn. These Reviews will demonstrate to you your own
learning faculties and your own learning predispositions. They will teach you
the necessary things that you will need to know in the future when you will be
able to help others learn as well.
PRACTICE 119: Two long practice periods
Yesterday: Step
118 - I will not avoid the world today.
From
the journal:
7:36
A.M. - Friday, November 12, 1999 – The world expects a lot – and I am tired.
Spirit expects a lot – and I am tired. My children need a lot – and I am tired.
I am here to serve – I seek/am willing to be guided by KNOWLEDGE.
8:42
A.M. Bathroom time - I am here to serve the world. I will not avoid the world.
Sarah
is back at home. Lloyd locked her out. The Sheriff’s deputy took her to
Starlite.
Pain,
pain, pain …
3:49
p.m. – I will not avoid the world today. Where will I get the energy?
2001
A Space Odyssey – the movie ended with Keir Dullea in a bedroom – almost a
nursing home – old age situation. It was culturally – earth based/Western
civilization projection – for a distant future – yet still a probable end. As I
lay in bed writing this – It is a probable future for me.
Really, could not avoid the world that day. Step
118 page has notes in green, 1999, blue 2000 and then there’s an entry form
2009. That says: “Knowledge is the true companion of the mind.” This is a
useful recognition. It only took ten years to achieve, and another four now in
2014, to remember it. This Practice has continuing, long term benefits – so
stick with it; that’s my recommendation.
Here’s a picture of the scene in 2001 that I
reference. That movie was released in 1968 – the year I graduated from the
University of Wisconsin – Madison. I studied film and was going to make a movie
that saved the world. Isn’t idealism a wonderful motivator? This film did stick
with me and remains an important vision/test of vision. Some of that future has
been realized, but not as much as we wanted way back in 1968.
The only difference between this and the movie
scene is that the monolith has Greater Community Spirituality written on it in
many languages.
NNC
Journal second time x2
Step 118. 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.
