Here is what I read last night, taken from some notes I have in a notebook:
"Consider well. What if the very life you are living and each experience that is coming to you now, since the moment you decided "I've got to awaken here." - what if everything was being directly sent to you of your father because your father knows what is necessary to unravel within your consciousness to allow you to awaken. What if the very things you are resisting are the very stepping stones to your homecoming?"
The whole thing just seemed to ring true as I read it.
It just turns into this deep knowing.
And what a gift to look at those things that I'm resisting as the very stepping stones to my homecoming. It kind of takes the edge off of everything. It takes the resistence and the judgment away. It seems to make everything comfortable, even peaceful. How grateful am I.
I thought, who knows, there may be someone here who would like to read those words as well. I felt blessed by them, and if these blessings can be received by another, I am again grateful. Because after all, any blessings I share, are shared only with myself, since there's only one of us anyway.
Anyone like to share any of their recent stepping stones? Maybe I'll start.
What happens during my day-to-days is that I get distracted. By so many things! I think I want to sit down and study a book, or listen to a tape, that I know will enhance my life, but I purposely distract myself away from it. And then I start judging myself for being distracted by these physical toys, which are not usually of much value, if any. Or so I think/judge them to be of no value. Then, reading the quote I gave in the above posting, and starting to see these distractions as "stepping stones" to my homecoming, I started to have less resistence to being distracted. I started judging less, my choices for being distracted. After I stopped judging them, they sort of dissipated and became less attractive.
Here are some (not all) of my distractions:
Drama at work or with friendships/family. The economy TV smoking shopping work playing cards with friends or games on line collecting things eating cleaning
Granted all of these things, in balance, aren't that harmful. Smoking I only do occasionally and socially and can go weeks or months without smoking. But eating and work and cleaning I do daily. When I take something like watching TV or playing a game on line, there's where I get really judgmental about myself. If I only did it for an hour, I could probably just label it as brief entertainment to help me unwind from my work day, and it would be "in moderation". I love poker, so can play that for hours. Then I think, what the heck, that was time that was not spent constructively, and all the judgments pile in.
When I took on the practice of not judging the time I spent gaming, I started playing less. The thing is, it never satisfies. Yet when I sit down with a great book of wisdom, or listen to a tape of wisdom teachings, wow, what a difference I feel.
Not judging my distractions gives me room to allow me to check in with my true feelings, and I find that I can connect with the feeling of not being satisfied with the physical distraction, and can connect even more with the feeling of love I recognize, when I am exposing myself to Truth. Then I can make a different choice, if I want to.
After studying truth teachings for years, I still must be vigilant that my addiction to the physical universe doesn't overtake my desire for freedom. Because boy, that ego does not want me to be free. I have to be vigilant just to recognize it's many devices to keep me from recognizing my true nature. The Battle of Armageddon it's called by some. Yet if I think of it as a "battle", I create resistance within.
That's why I like thinking of all this as stepping stones. If we can use our addiction to the physical universe as a stepping stone to our "homecoming" then it's not a battle at all. It's just a recognition of what it is that truly brings me peace.
Love to you all on this slightly crisp yet sunny, Autumn day (at least in the Northern hemisphere it's autumn!) Chris
P.S. We are here in the physical universe, or so we think, and none of what I've written here is saying we should ignore that, or not appreciate its beauty. I have to manage seemingly living here as best I can and to my greatest advantage, and those distractions are part of it all. But really, isn't having peace a great part (if not all) of what makes seemingly living here more pleasant than not having peace? And if that's so, and I believe it is, then what is it that KEEPS me from choosing that peace always? It's my decision to side with the thought system of the ego, rather that with the thought system of love. No one NEEDS to read or listen to wisdom teachings to BE love. But we all need to CHOOSE to be love, and choosing it means we also have to be familiar with what the ego part of my mind is trying to do, which is to keep me separate and in pain. I guess the term "no pain, no gain" is true in this sense: we have to recognize by experiencing the pain, that that's not what we choose, and we have to recognize that there is another way. When I see the pain and discomfort as "stepping stones" to my homecoming, the judgment isn't there, and it frees me to choose again.
Hey Chris. Thanks for both postings. Yes, I believe in the notion of these stepping stones.
The most amazing thing about Ptaahs teachings are how free from (negative) judgement they are, and being in his/her presence is what I always imagined being in Christ or Buddha etc presence would be like -
Then I read the Weekly Quote and saw this
"So, once you have decided for transformation, then indeed it kind of unfolds. Whereas if you are still looking for this connectedness, what we say to you is, you are just simply not being aware of ‘what is’."
Here's how I see things: Someday (hopefully not too soon) I will cross over from this plane of reality and will no longer have Online games or TV or desires of the same kind... and I believe that I will simply wish I had enjoyed them while they were there, while I was in this plane of reality, while at the same time being quite aware that they are not the end all, be all. You know? Who cares?! Does Ptaah judge me or the Grand Universal I AM? Heck no. So the lesson is only about how I judge me.
It's kind of like the quandry of seeing someone who is in some kind of Pain - say a physical thing. And you are a healer or doctor or just intuitive - and this person is your dear friend or sister or something. Does it equal love to harangue them about How to Get Better and what to do about it all? Not in my world it doesn't. But so many people think that they must counsel others to "make them well" or "help them get better" and I KNOW they do it out of a Loving Heart. but it has the exact opposite effect - the person usually feels attacked or judged or botherd in some way by this attention.
Anyway, I love your postings and appreciate hearing what's going on. Thanks for sharing the story of the stepping stones. Much love always, Patricia
Dear Pat and Chris, Lovely to hear from you both again. An interesting discussion thanks. I take your point Pat about non judgement - Ptaah just seems to want us to have a good time - something we can perhaps find in this world quite hard to do! Certainly I do at times. I think those of us who have been influenced by trad. religion and spiritual teachings in this and other lives tend instinctively to divide the world and people etc. into spiritual and non or anti spiritual and to feel a tad guilty when not involved in directly 'spiritual' activities. Intersting too when I observe people and places where overt pleasure seeking is going on and folk desperately trying to have fun, people often look miserable! There is the fear of the devil the cat among the sensual pidgeaons too that if you let yourself go you will start doing 'bad' things become addicts and so forth. I remember a man who took monastic vows once describing women as honey on a razor blade I thought wow! Yet I remember Ptaah telling me in my session that life is 99 % spiritual anyway, whether we try to be 'spiritual' or not! We are spiritual beings having a (very brief and challenging and baffling, heavenly- hellish human experience!). There is a line though and it's a fine line I think I guess I don't find common pleasures that pleasurable! - certainly not comp games and things like that I think most sensual ticklings are just that ticklings of our senses to say hey you're still alive here but actually nothing that much, not much of a big deal! I more and more find being in my inner bliss when I can be more satisfying than any pleasure from doing stuff out there so to speak and I just try and stay with that much as I can. The greatest pleasures are for me things and activities that kind of magnify that inner state like art poetry and music and being in pure nature and with good friends sharing openly where there is real love or where at least we approach that. I find when I crave and seek pleasure too much outside I start using people to get what I want and lose easily that precious inner treasure of the bliss that is not dependant really on circumstances that much at all, though some are more conducive than others. I blab on but hopefully catch my point. Many Blessings to you, Alan
Hi Alan - Good to hear you blabbing again ! Ha, just kidding you.
Yes, the nonjudgement is rare and hard to drum up in one's life since we have been taught to only feel good when we are feeling guilty about something, eh?
I must say that sometimes computer games can save your life...if you are in a no-state, can't focus on feeling "goodness" in your life - you know, or are just really really tired and can't read for enjoyment, etc. There are times that my mind loves to escape through some video game/computer thing - even working a puzzle in a magazine. Mindless activity, I guess.
I also enjoy drawing and painting w/watercolor. But maybe I am more interested in the new technology than say, someone like you, Alan.?
So, it doesn't matter what one enjoys doing. Just that one keeps trying to "lighten up" - and not take themsevles or life too seriously.
BTW, one of my great pleasures now is tuning up itunes and compiling CD's of my all time fav's songs (that I don't own on CD, of course). Wow, I'm having a blast - I love music!!! and I am thrilled to be able to buy one song instead of whole albumn. Plus, there is a feature on itunes called iradio and I can tune up 100's of radio stations from all o'er the world, and all styles, free!!!!!
I am having a grand time in this new day and age. Much love to you Alan, and thanks for your salutation of Sister, Chris....none of mine share this same interest in the different vibrational realities.
Also, has anyone watched the Conversations w/God movie? I just saw it and thought it was terrific. Let me know what you guys think if you've seen it. I love good movies.
Dear Patricia, Nice to hear from you. I am so glad you are having a blast. Happy downloading though I be not quite sure what you are referring to! I am a bit oldie and after work I don't really want to see a computer. Yes, it's funny isn't it those no-states as you call them where one can't focus or feel much at all - I like your term no-state, very evocative. I of course have my moments of shall we say can't get into spirit or anything very meaningful and need some down time, even a puzzle requires too much brain power for me at such times. At least I don;t usually collapse into a kind of depression so much as I did in my younger years - something to be thankful for. Perhaps with the help of the Universe, P'Taah and others my vibration is risning quickening I can feel it often it is very subtle but palpable - maybe this is kind of being on the threshold of fourth dimension. This feeling, a kind of inner bliss but very quiet not rapturous and love and peacefulness seems so natural to me now it is a real jolt when the inevitable crashes and off days come - we are yet in the realm of polarity so I guess all manner of states just continue to rise to go their merry way for karmic and whatever reasons. When in a down state among the things I can share on air ! - been known to spend the evening in a bar in manys a foreign land, three pints usually my limit! watch a very bad movie, try once again to get into "Lost" , engross in a football game while wondering how on earth these guys can take it so serious, or just sit in my bed doing absolutely nothing vaguely focusing on the fact I am not the body that is someitimes like lugging a sack of potatoes around! and not this cranky mindwith its passing moods and foibles, there's a delicious freedom in that that I am not limited to being a schmuck! Best Wishes to you Oh please tell me where i can see the movie you mention I have been reading Neale Donald for years God bless him And Blessings to you too, Al
Ah my friends. I do love to read and re-read your words, and feel that we are having a wonderful conversation and that we all understand what is being talked about. It's such a wonderful experience to share with minds and have all in accord. One can sense the oneness strongly then.
And so in that way, you are my sister indeed Patricia. I too have a sister that doesn't understand these things of which we speak here on the board, yet of course, she is my sister too. As is the lady who checks me out at the grocery store, grumpy that she has to ring up all the items and put them in a bag. Sometimes it's hard to see her as my sister, and yet, when I reach into her, and see the face of Christ, as I see it easily in you as I read your words here, my mind remains at peace.
And Alan, dear brother, your words about the magnification of the inner state, and spending time with art and music and poetry and nature - how much did I love reading that from you. And it is this that has been my lesson of late. What prompted me to start this thread about stepping stones, was the realization that these addictions of mine just don't satisfy. But that spending of time with the inner state..... ah beloved friend, what bliss is this.
It took me (recently) a delving and diving deeply into playing an on-line game, to realize that there was simply nothing of worth for me there. For me, there is no longer the attachment to it, simply because I allowed it to be an addiction until I realized it had no real pleasure value. As long as I thought it had pleasure value, I stuck with it, but all along there was the realization that it wasn't really pleasurable, and that I would be putting this toy away, as I had put away many others, knowing that it had no inherent value or joy for me. There is not judgment to it, just a putting aside of a toy, like a child puts away the toys of childhood, knowing that they no longer serve a purpose.
Peace. Only this do I desire. And I ask myself in all my "doings" - is this bringing me peace? If not, I can change my mind about it, and remain in peace.
Much love this Sunday evening to you my siblings, my friends, my Self - Chris
Lovely Chris - How wonderful - I can tell you feel such freedom and contentment. As the Moody Blues say "Isn't love strange, a word we arrange" - What we love to do changes.
I am currently enthralled with nature - birds especially. I have always noticed them, but never felt this kinship, this yearning for them to "know" how much they mean to me. And yet it seems that I have always felt so. (but I haven't!)
I am happy to report that our Real Estate company is prospering and we have had our best two months in almost 3 years! The best part is I enjoy the people I work with and the environment in our office is fun and cooperative.
My oldest son has been doing famously and I cannot honestly describe the joy in my heart knowing he is healthy, recovering and productive. If I could convey the profound feeling this gives me your computer would explode before the message could be fully received!
I know that Life is not always Hard, and not always Easy either - but the waves that are washed up on my shore are not fierce or dull - just soothing right now. I am most grateful to be living in this exciting time whilst I just "chop wood and carry water". Thanks Chris, for all your hard won insights. Thanks to you too Alan for interesting insights and droll humour (did I ever share that I am a HUGE Anglophile and most of my fav shows/movies are produced via BBC)? PS My dream (or one of them at least) is to have a big party where all of you BB subscribers are there and I can go around all night talking "Ptaah talk" - Wow, is that Heaven or what? XXOO and a Happy Halloween, Patricia
Just a quick note to let you know how happy I am about your real estate company, your son, your love of birds (me too!) and the BBC (TOTALLY me too - I have a video of the BBC production of Pride and Prejudice that is absolutely THE BEST ever) was a joy to my eyes to read! You sound very content and happy, and I'm so glad to know that! We do have different moments as you say... not always hard, not always easy, but at different times, life can be both. Guess that's why they call it "duality".
And another note too - with what I said, I didn't mean I would never play another game either on line or with friends. I think probably I will. I just meant that the obsessiveness about it had passed. The addiction isn't there now. But hey, I don't think I will never play poker again, because I just have fun with it! I think what I had to learn was to have more moderation with it, because that's when it's fun.
And that's the point, having fun while we're in this human experience learning about who we really are.
Much fun and enjoyment, love, wealth and deliciousment to you Patricia and all our brothers and sisters here, Chris
