Greetings All –
Step 108 - Happiness is
something I must learn again. (MP3)
[Open in Drive or copy to
your Drive – Download folder or play from Drive – Step PDF also.]
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| "Happiness is something I must learn again." Step 108 |
ALL THINGS MUST NOW BE RE-EVALUATED. All things
must now be seen anew, for there is looking with Knowledge and there is looking
without Knowledge. They yield different results. They encourage different
evaluations and different responses. We have said that happiness is not a form
of behavior, for it is much deeper than this. Therefore, do not attempt to use
this idea to win favor with others or to demonstrate to yourself that you are
happier than you actually are. We do not want to put a veneer of behavior upon
your current experience. We want to guide you to that experience which is genuine
to your nature, which expresses your nature and which contributes your nature
to life.
LEARN, THEN, AGAIN ABOUT HAPPINESS. In your two
practice periods, engage your mind in investigation. Consider your ideas about happiness
and the forms of behavior you think they must represent. Think of all the ways
you have attempted to be happier than you are. Think of all the expectations
and requirements you have placed upon yourself to be happy and to prove to
yourself and to others your worth. As you recognize these things, realize that
without this attempt happiness will arise upon its own, for you are naturally
happy. Without restraint, your happiness will arise upon its own, without your imposing
it upon your mind and upon your body. Without your imposition, happiness will
arise on its own. Think upon this today, but do not be content with simple
conclusions, for you are a beginning student of Knowledge and great conclusions
come later.
PRACTICE 108: Two 30-minute practice periods.
Another assignment to: “engage your mind in investigation.” Do the best you can on this assignment.
Yesterday: Step
107 - Today I will learn to be happy.
From
the journal:
6:55 A.M. November 1, 1999
6:07 p.m. Eleven hours later.
I’d decided on waking, not to go to D.C. for World Town Planning Day as I’d
planned. There was too much work. I resigned myself to that – but as I
approached getting dressed – I asked and the message was “Go.” …
Here at the Oakton Shopping
Center I stopped to do my second 30 minute meditation … “Today I will learn to
be happy.” The morning meditation was good – it actually extended itself - so –
I’ll do that – then can eat here or drive on-depending upon how I feel.
6:37 15 min meditation – Happy
– in S2K way – contented with my ability to have a simple role –
11:04 p.m. A good day … stopped
in at work …another shift in the RP meeting time. It is important, but crazy –
here I am unwinding – but drinking scotch … enjoy this stuff …
The Step page serves as a journal again.
The next day I conclude:
“this was a clear turning
point.”
NNC
Journal
second time x2 Step 107. 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.
