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 - 1999:
7:36
A.M. - Friday, NOV 12 – 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. In this picture it is possible to discern the meaning of the monolith.
NNC
