Greetings All –
I wish to know my own strength. Step 44 (MP3)
[Open in Drive or copy to your Drive – Download folder or play from Drive –
Step PDF also.]
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| I wish to know my own strength. Step 44 |
THIS
AFFIRMATION YOU MAY FIND VERY ACCEPTABLE because of your immediate need for it
in your current circumstances, but the affirmation is far deeper than you may
at first realize. You have far more strength than you have claimed, but it
cannot be fully realized until its application is directed in a manner that
truly regenerates you and brings forth your true abilities.
HOW
CAN YOU APPROACH YOUR STRENGTH when you feel weak and helpless, when you feel
unworthy, if you are burdened by guilt or confusion or in anger blame others
for your own apparent failures? To claim your strength means to release all
that holds you back. You do not release your obstacles by claiming they do not
exist. You release them because you value something greater. Their obstruction
is merely the sign that you must pass through them. Your own strength is then
cultivated. You seek your strength, and you use it to find your strength. We
wish for you to know your strength and to utilize it on your own behalf.
IN
YOUR TWO MEDITATION PRACTICES TODAY, in silence and in stillness, attempt to
feel your own strength. Do not let thoughts alone dissuade you, for fears and
doubts are only thoughts—vaporous things that cross your mind like clouds.
Beyond the clouds of your mind is the great universe of Knowledge. Therefore,
do not let the clouds obstruct your view of the stars beyond.
PRACTICE
44: Two 30-minute practice periods.
Picture: Crew
racing on the Potomac River viewed from the Key Bridge between D.C. and
Rosslyn. It is said that crew is a sport that requires strength, endurance and
cooperation. I’ve never had the opportunity to try it, but do not doubt this to
be true.
Plan B - If the MP3 doesn’t work, here’s the link to
the folder: New Message - Student Spoken Steps Recordings -
Steps to Knowledge - Working file
If this is your first time seeing one of the “Steps to Knowledge”,
then welcome. There are 365 Steps, daily spiritual practices if one seeks to
complete them in a year, but that is not necessary. They can be used by people
of any religious tradition or no religious tradition. They will help one to
become mindful in the world.
The Step today is from the book: Steps to Knowledge: The Book of Inner Knowing. The practices were
brought to the world through Marshall Vian Summers, The Messenger for The New
Message From God. Important background for the Steps is in: “Greater Community Spirituality” and the “Wisdom Books - I and II”.
Hard copies are available from the New Knowledge Library Store. The
Society for the New Message from God also has a Free Book Project. If you need
the books now, PDF files can be found here: http://goo.gl/RJuuGP
Keeping a journal is recommended. If you have a Steps book,
write your reactions and comments, highlight or underline points that strike
you, and date the note. In this way, your Steps book can be a partial journal.
Using the PDF, you can print out pages as you need them, or use
the software to maintain a digital copy where you can enter notes and highlight
text that stands out.
Other modern methods of keeping a journal include having a
document on your PC or phone to keep notes. You could send yourself an email or
use the voice recorder function. It is important to capture insights and
reactions because it is by this means that you can understand change. Sometimes
it may just be a word or short phrase, an image or a scene.
To end this post I again offer the blessing: "May the
presence of the Teachers be with you." In the invocative language of
Knowledge this blessing is: "Nasi Novare Coram" (pronounced NAH-see
no-VAHR-ay co-RAHM)
The short form of Nasi Novare Coram used by students is NNC.
The short form of Nasi Novare Coram used by students is NNC.
NNC
P.S. 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 linked below 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.
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 anyone 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.
