Letting Go and Letting God

From a subscriber (with her permission): “I really enjoyed these [last] two [posts] – (Being Politically Active and Spiritually Serene, Parts 1 & 2) and you have made me consider several people in a different light.  Your statement, Everything is either an act of Love or a call for Love, is one I just quoted to someone on Facebook who expressed hatred for Trump.  I can see him as "calling for love," and, although, I totally oppose nearly all that he is doing, I now feel almost pity for him, as he does not understand why people like myself do not "love" him.  It explains his tirades about protests and parodies. I have also had the opportunity to apply this to two personal situations with family members this past week. I feel much better about these situations even though I recognize that they may occur in the future.”

 The importance of trying to “train” our minds to think differently is such an important and critical first step. I cannot overestimate how significant this has been for me. However, I must always caution myself in this process. I have a tendency to believe I know better and, therefore, want to actually be the agent of change in someone’s life. Unfortunately, the “change”” they need to make is the “change” I want them to make. Here is where my caution and humility must lie.

It is the Voice for God or the Holy Spirit who opens the doors (cf. Lesson 56, 3, below) when we are truly willing to have our perception corrected. I cannot force my doors to be opened nor can I “open” someone else’s doors. I can, I believe, attempt to correct the actions/behaviors of another by recognizing their “call for Love” while telling myself “He/she is doing the best they can with the awareness/perception they have – just like me.” Whenever I find myself in a state of fear, vulnerability, rationalization, defensiveness, justification, projection, or disbelief – tools I use to protect "my" world – I am feeling like a victim, potential victim, or victor, all of which means that I'm in an attack mode! They have attack thoughts just as I do.

Let me allow some of ACIM’s Lessons to speak for themselves. Lessons 55-56 in the Workbook For Students in A Course in Miracles (ACIM) deal with this very concisely, in my opinion, (as do many of the other Lessons).  As I mentioned above, this is a critical learning step for me. You may find this a critical step for you, too.

From Lesson 55: 1. What I see now are but signs of disease, disaster and death. This cannot be what God created for His beloved Son [collective humankind]. The very fact that I see such things is proof that I do not understand God [and do not understand me]. What I see tells me that I do not know who I am. I am determined to see the witnesses to the truth in me, rather than those which show me an illusion of myself.

2. The world I see … is a picture of attack on everything by everything. It is anything but a reflection of the Love of God and the love of His Son. It is my own attack thoughts that give rise to this picture. My loving thoughts will save me from this perception of the world, and give me the peace God intended me to have.

3. I can escape from this world by giving up attack thoughts. Herein lies salvation, and nowhere else. Without attack thoughts I could not see a world of attack. As forgiveness allows love to return to my awareness, I will see a world of peace and safety and joy. And it is this I choose to see, in place of what I look on now.

4. How could I recognize my own best interests when I do not know who I am? What I think are my best interests would merely bind me closer to the world of illusions. I am willing to follow the Guide God has given me to find out what my own best interests are, recognizing that I cannot perceive them by myself.

5. To me, the purpose of everything is to prove that my illusions about myself are real. It is for this purpose that I attempt to use everyone and everything. It is for this that I believe the world is for. Therefore I do not recognize its real purpose. The purpose I have given the world has led to a frightening picture of it. Let me open my mind to the world's real purpose by withdrawing the one I have given it….

From Lesson 56: 1. How can I know who I am when I see myself as under constant attack? Pain, illness, loss, age and death seem to threaten me. All my hopes and wishes and plans appear to be at the mercy of a world I cannot control. Yet perfect security and complete fulfillment are my inheritance. I have tried to give my inheritance away in exchange for the world I see. But God has kept my inheritance safe for me. My own real thoughts will teach me what it is.

2. Recognizing that what I see reflects what I think I am, I realize that vision is my greatest need. The world I see attests to the fearful nature of the self-image I have made. If I would remember who I am, it is essential that I let this image of myself go. As it is replaced by truth, vision will surely be given me. And with this vision, I will look upon the world and on myself with charity and love.

3. The world I see holds my fearful self-image in place, and guarantees its continuance. While I see the world as I see it now, truth cannot enter my awareness. I would let the door behind this world be opened for me, that I may look past it to the world that reflects the Love of God.

4. Behind every image I have made, the truth remains unchanged. Behind every veil I have drawn across the face of love, its light remains undimmed. Beyond all my insane wishes is my will, united with the Will of my Father. God is still everywhere and in everything forever. And we who are part of Him will yet look past all appearances, and recognize the truth beyond them all.

5. In my own mind, behind all my insane thoughts of separation and attack, is the knowledge that all is one forever. I have not lost the knowledge of Who I am because I have forgotten it. It has been kept for me in the Mind of God, Who has not left His Thoughts. And I, who am among them, am one with them and one with Him.

As I’ve stated before, “I have to understand, on a visceral level, who the “Me” or “I” really is when I am speaking or thinking. The “I” that says to myself, “I really need a newer, more reliable car” is a different “I” than the one that says to Spirit, “I can’t do this anymore; help me perceive things the way You see them.”

Although these messages are mostly for me, thanks for listening to me and getting to know me – warts and all. As always, feel free to forward this message to your friends, family, and those accompanying you on your spiritual journey.

Don

#4 Feb 2017

Copyright 2017

The Resonance and Danger of Ultra Right-Wing Political Movements

While away with my daughter’s family for Thanksgiving, I was able to relax (and eat! and eat!) and catch my spiritual breath. As I began to ponder the events of Trump’s apparent election, I really began recalling all the similar movements and events across Europe. After doing a little research I have had some ideas begin to solidify in my mind. I want to share those thoughts with you today.

I have written earlier in November about keeping informed and aware, as well as maintaining a check on fear and anger by practicing acceptance, which is awareness without fear. Fear is a terribly powerful emotion that is absolutely from our short-term-focused egoic minds. Fear, more than anything else, will cover up the natural awareness of our Oneness, which is the natural state of our spiritual Selves.

This message is to provide you with some food for thought in order to assist you in dealing with your fear of what might happen under Ultra Right-Wing political movements across the globe, including under Trump.

Let’s start with a definition of right-wing politics from Wikipedia and a few other sources: Far-right politics often involve a focus on tradition, real or imagined, as opposed to policies and customs that are regarded as reflective of the current situation. Many far-right ideologies have a disregard or disdain for egalitarianism [believing in the principle that all people are equal and deserve equal rights], if not overt support for social hierarchy, elements of social conservatism and opposition to most forms of “liberal/progressive” political action.

The term “Right-Wing Politics” is commonly used to describe ultra conservative populist ideologies known for extreme nationalism and opposition to immigration, as well as … fascism, … and other ideologies or organizations that feature extreme nationalist, chauvinist, xenophobic, racist, or reactionary views, which can lead to oppression and violence against groups of people based on their supposed inferiority, or their perceived threat to the nation, state or ultraconservative traditional social institutions.

Marine Le Pen leads the National Front, a socially conservative, nationalist political party in France.  Frauke Petry is the leader of the rightwing populist Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) in Germany. Britain First is led by Paul Golding. The intimidation tactics used by the organization include “mosque invasions”, where uniformed members hand anti-Islam leaflets to worshippers, and “Christian Patrols” outside mosques which stir up hatred and often end in violence. Most of the more-right leaders are not that rigid, such as Michael Howard, Iain Duncan Smith, and Nigel Farage. And now, of course we have Donald Trump here is the USA, who is excitedly supported by all sorts of ultra right-wing groups who find his message very reassuring.

What all these groups seem to have in common, within a whole spectrum of varying degrees, are distinct strands of very extreme social conservatism, extreme nationalism, chauvinism, and xenophobic, racist, or reactionary views of social values and of government at all levels.

Underneath all this, I believe, is a combination of frustration-anger-fear-disillusionment as a result of not “fitting in” with the new, emerging world many people perceive – and perceive with fear and apprehension. This is a global phenomenon.  This is not unique to the U.S. What is happening in Europe is happening here. People feel left out and overlooked because they have been left out and overlooked. [I am not referring to people who have been victimized by war or cheated by illegal activities, or destroyed by criminal acts.]

Another common thread the disaffected populace fails to understand is that their feeling of being “left out” is a function of their own refusal to adjust. So, rather than looking inward and dealing with the problem of their desire to maintain their cultural-social-political-religious traditions, they want someone to explain why it seems the world has gone off and left them high and dry. In short, the world is moving forward while they are steadfastly standing still. The result? They are left high and dry.

Any politician who speaks the language of their fear and anxiety will generate an emotional connection with these folks and will be rewarded with their trust – and their votes. These politicians also find themselves in a position to focus this emotional connection on whatever target(s) they choose.

That is, in my opinion, where the danger comes in. This is where we must be aware.

A positive political leader will attempt to focus this emotional connection on our commonality or Oneness and provide distinct, doable avenues of action to bring these disaffected folks into this new global community we now live in. The guiding principle is usually some sort of message of: “a rising tide will raise all boats” – not just a select few.

However, most politicians operate in a shortsighted, just-get-elected mode. They will use the emotional connection they have formed to focus their audience on whatever the politician senses motivates them: anti-immigrant nationalism, continued male dominance (it’s okay for men to have affairs, but not women; it’s okay for women to undergo difficulties in obtaining contraceptives to control their reproductive health, while ALL men easily can obtain Viagra to enhance their sexual performance – with whom?), and other reactionary targets – e.g., gays, women’s health decisions, law and order (with or without justice); building on the myth of the universal principles of Christianity (defined, of course by the biblical literalists) – as opposed to Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, humanitarianism or altruism, etc..

We can understand the frustration and fear of these many global citizens.  We can accept them as they are by being aware without fear. We also must be actively alert, aware, and informed as to where politicians are directing their audience to focus their stoked up and enflamed anger and fear. That’s what we can do.

To hate haters simply increases hate. To fear the fearers increases fear. To do nothing increases apathy, which creates a vacuum that will be filled by any organized fear-based activity. By not succumbing to our fear, we allow our spiritual light to shine. By fostering acceptance – being aware without fear – we are building the tolerance necessary for the emerging Oneness our globalization is fostering.

I hope this helps.

As I’ve stated before, “I have to understand, on a visceral level, who the “Me” or “I” really is when I am speaking or thinking. The “I” that says to myself, “I really need a newer, more reliable car” is a different “I” than the one that says to Spirit, “I can’t do this anymore; help me perceive things the way You see them.”

Although these messages are mostly for me, thanks for listening to me and getting to know me – warts and all. As always, feel free to forward this message to your friends, family, and those accompanying you on your spiritual journey.

Don

#1 Dec 2016

Copyright 2016

Now That The Election Is Over …

The unceasing message of Donald Trump was based on nativism, authoritarianism, misogyny, and racism. It was designed to strike fear into the hearts of the vulnerable, the weak, and, above all, the many varieties of Other whom he has so deeply insulted: The African-American Other; The Hispanic Other; The female Other; The Jewish and Muslim Other. This repeated mantra of fear, anger, hatred, separateness, and nativism, as well as the concerted effort to focus those dark energies on Obama then Clinton and all Democrats has worked.

There were – surprising to all of us (Republicans as well as Democrats) – half the voting population that were receptive to that message. Donald Trump was not surprising, when I look back on it. He was simply the media-savvy face of this repeated intolerant, angry mantra of the Conservative Right and the Alt-Right media. Christian ministers preached not from the words of Jesus, nor from the New Testament, but from the severe, pedantic legalities of the Old Testament priesthood. [I discuss this in my book, How the Bible became the Bible, Infinity Publishing, ISBN: 978-0-7414-2993-3 ] In doing so these ministers complemented the tone of the Alt-Right.

During the campaign, while Hillary and her many messengers spoke TO that fear and spoke ABOUT that fear, Trump and his minions spoke the language OF that fear, anger and hatred. That resonated in a visceral way with the “left-behind” that none of us comprehended. It solidified the promise of votes for him, regardless of his vitriolic campaign and message.

I am reminded of the words of European theologians in the 1930s that the way to allow dark, hateful energy to get a stranglehold on a nation is for men and women of good will to say and do nothing. That has seemed to be the position of moderate and responsible conservative politicians and leaders. It was also stated that the national longing and rise in authoritarian leadership was not because fascism was so strong, but because concepts of and participation in equality, dignity, civility and democracy were so weak.

I must remember, without glossing over the seriousness of the Republican rhetoric – epitomized by Trump – that I must strive for control over my response to my experience of the events that have happened – not for control over the events, themselves.

Yes, the election is over – and those of us who were appalled by Mr. Trump’s rhetoric, are saddened, frustrated, disheartened and feeling hopeless,

But now our job is to allow our light to shine. We must accept what has happened, understanding the real meaning of acceptance: Awareness without fear. We will not condone what Donald Trump has nurtured and unleashed for votes. We will not condone the silence of what Republican leadership has (or has not) done for the sake of winning. We are aware, but not from a position of fear and anger. For example, you can go to the Southern Poverty Law Center and sign the petition they are circulating, asking Mr. Trump to disavow all hate groups and promising not to assign any of his Alt-Right campaign advisors to positions in his administration: [Tell Donald Trump to honor his pledge to America by signing our petition today.

However, the danger we must all guard against is the truism that nothing will cover up and engulf our spiritual light more quickly and easily than flooding our Spirit with our own egoic anger and fear.

As I’ve stated before, “I have to understand, on a visceral level, who the “Me” or “I” really is when I am speaking or thinking. The “I” that says to myself, “I really need a newer, more reliable car” is a different “I” than the one that says to Spirit, “I can’t do this anymore; help me perceive things the way You see them.”

Although these messages are mostly for me, thanks for listening to me and getting to know me – warts and all. As always, feel free to forward this message to your friends, family, and those accompanying you on your spiritual journey.

Don

#2 Nov 2016

Copyright 2016

Acceptance Is Awareness Without Fear

From AA’s Big Book there’s this most referred-to story from a doctor. If I had a dollar for every time a sponsor told a sponsee to go read this story, I’d have enough money to buy a new car. This doctor’s story is titled: “Acceptance Is The Key.” … It helped me a great deal to become convinced that alcoholism was a disease, not a moral issue; that I had been drinking as a result of a compulsion, even though I had not been aware of the compulsion at the time; and that sobriety was not a matter of willpower. The people of A.A. had something that looked much better than what I had, but I was afraid to let go of what I had in order to try something new; there was a certain sense of security in the familiar.

At last, acceptance proved to be the key to my drinking problem. After I had been around A.A. for seven months, tapering off alcohol and pills, not finding the program working very well, I was finally able to say, “Okay, God. It is true that I—of all people, strange as it may seem, and even though I didn’t give my permission—really, really am an alcoholic of sorts. And it’s all right with me. Now, what am I going to do about it?” When I stopped living in the problem and began living in the answer, the problem went away. From that moment on, I have not had a single compulsion to drink.

And acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place, thing, or situation—some fact of my life —unacceptable to me, and I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing, or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment. Nothing, absolutely nothing, happens in God’s world by mistake. Until I could accept my alcoholism, I could not stay sober; unless I accept life completely on life’s terms, I cannot be happy. I need to concentrate not so much on what needs to be changed in the world as on what needs to be changed in me and in my attitudes.

Acceptance is the singular requirement for enjoying peace, joy, and serenity. Being accepted in Alcoholics Anonymous – truly accepted just as I was – transformed me. I had never experienced that before. I haven’t had a drink since nor have I been the same since. But what is acceptance?

You may recall I have written before stating that, for me, acceptance is a better word than love, because “love” is such an overused word. But what is acceptance? What does it mean? I’ve met a lot of resistance (from myself and from others) about accepting someone or something that is met with aversion or abhorrence. Many feel that to accept something or someone is the same as approving. It is not. Many feel that it is impossible for them to really accept because whoever or whatever it is is so distasteful or disliked. Acceptance is not “liking” someone or something. Many are afraid of accepting someone because it means they might be getting away with something they shouldn’t. Acceptance does not mean simply saying, “That’s okay.”

So, what is it? What does it mean to accept someone or something.

I recently read a definition of Acceptance that really resonated with me. The author (Doug Bennett, What Color Socks Does God Wear? 2015, p. 74-5) was discussing the importance of being aware and accepting of what is. We’ve all heard this admonishment many times. Let it go. It is what it is. Just relax and accept. But Bennett notes how hard that is. From my own experience I concur.

He continues: “I can define acceptance as awareness without fear. Fear distorts our perception of reality, or at least encourages unhealthy perceptions of reality. Allowing ‘everything’ into awareness requires that we get around our fears that are keeping so much of our reality out of our awareness. In spite of that difficulty, I believe that learning to be aware and accepting is an easier task than trying to change our learned perceptions that are based in serious fear.”

Perception is awareness without fear. A great thought for you to ponder – discovering the fears that lie behind people, situations or issues that have been difficult, up to now, for you to accept.

As I’ve stated before, “I have to understand, on a visceral level, who the “Me” or “I” really is when I am speaking or thinking. The “I” that says to myself, “I really need a newer, more reliable car” is a different “I” than the one that says to my Holy Spirit, “I can’t do this anymore; help me perceive things the way You see them.”

Although these messages are mostly for me, thanks for listening to me and getting to know me – warts and all. As always, feel free to forward this message to your friends, family, and those accompanying you on your spiritual journey.

Don

#2 Sep 2016

Copyright 2016

PS: This will be my last message this September. I will be out of the country.