Greetings All –
I am following the ancient rite of preparation
today. Step 170 (MP3) [Open in Drive or copy to your Drive –
Download folder or play from Drive – Step PDF also.]
 |
| I am following the ancient rite of preparation today. Step 170 |
YOU
ARE UNDERTAKING AN ANCIENT RITE in the reclamation of Knowledge. Born of the
Great Will of the Universe, this preparation has been constructed for the
advancement of students of Knowledge. You are working in tandem now with many
other individuals, both within this world and within other worlds as well. For
Knowledge is being taught in all worlds where intelligent life exists. Thus,
your efforts are supported and embellished by the efforts of those who are
preparing with you. In this, you represent a community of learners. Think not,
then, that your efforts are singular. Think not, then, that you are alone in
the world undertaking the reclamation of Knowledge. Think not, then, that you
are not part of a community of learners. This will be more evident to you in
time as you begin to recognize those who are preparing with you. This will be
more evident in time as your experience of the presence of your Teachers
deepens. This will be more evident in time as the results of your Knowledge
become evident even to you. This will be more evident in time as you consider
your life as part of a Greater Community of Worlds.
REMIND
YOURSELF OF YOUR PRACTICE UPON THE HOUR. In your deeper practices in stillness,
receive the benefit of all who practice with you. Remind yourself that you are
not alone and that their rewards are given to you as your rewards are given to
them. Thus, you share in your accomplishments together. The power of your
undertaking is so tremendously supported by the endeavor and the giving of
others that it far exceeds your own abilities. When this is realized, it will
give you all manner of encouragement and will banish forever the idea that you
are inadequate to the tasks that are given to you. For your giving is
supplemented by the giving of others, and this represents the Will of God in
the universe.
PRACTICE
170: Two 30-minute practice periods. Hourly practice.
Picture: Candles
at Tomb of Boethius in San Pietro in Ciel d'Oro,.a Roman Catholic basilica of
the Augustinians in Pavia, Italy. The lighting of candles is an ancient rite of
remembrance.
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.
