Further Reflections on Setting the Goal
I was thinking about this week’s reading again this morning as I reflected on our other groups that met this week. We have a Madison study group that meets here on Monday nights where we discussed the same reading. The podcast is from our Sunday gathering which also was the same reading as you probably experienced if you have listen to it.
On Wednesday mornings and Thursday nights we host Tele-conference study classes. Those classes are working with the theme of “Body Image vs. Self-Image.”
Wednesday’s class, the reading that we focused on was from Ch. 4, Section V. The Ego-Body Illusion. At the end of this section, we find:
In all these diversionary tactics, however, the one question that is never asked by those who pursue them is, “What for?” This is the question that [you] must learn to ask in connection with everything. What is the purpose? Whatever it is, it will direct your efforts automatically. When you make a decision of purpose, then, you have made a decision about your future effort; a decision that will remain in effect unless you change your mind.
So it was presented once again with this idea of “What is my purpose in what I am about to do?” “What is my motivation?”
Outstanding for sure!
Then in our Thursday night group we started to read “The Body as a Means of Communication”. We found ourselves talking about the idea of service. What does it mean to be “of service”? Service to God? Service to our brothers? Being the conduit for the Holy Spirit?
As some of you may know, the idea of “service” has been a longstanding one for us here at MiraclesOne. It is really the basis of what we do. Most of my own professional career has been spent working in non-profit organizations and in ministry situations. It is something that comes natural to me. Our philosophy here is one that is called “servant-leadership” that was coined by Robert Greenleaf in the 70s and has been a part of my life prior to finding the Course in 1994. (There’s more on that topic on our website, look under the “About MiraclesOne” menu for “Our Philosophy”)
Coming from this standpoint of servant-leadership it is one of seeing the equality with our brothers here. In seeing my brothers here as my equals, then my motivations can be made pure. I am not here to “win friends and influence people” or to be put on a pedestal. I am here simply to step back, to forgive, to awaken, to remember God, to join with the Sonship. It is a unselfish giving. And as we see in the Course, “to give and to receive are one in truth.” This is why Rev. Paul and I share so honestly about our personal experiences. We are no different and we do not try to be. We make mistakes yet, we give those mistakes to the Holy Spirit to be transformed.
I’m finding that these two themes come together perfectly if we want to consider practical application in the world. Of course we know that our purpose and our function is forgiveness and the Atonement. That is the big picture yet how it is done is also by our everyday relationships. Let’s look at this a little more here.
In thinking about this, what I first receive from Holy Spirit, is to join with Holy Spirit in everything that I do. I had taken a break here from writing this piece to have an advisory session with one of our ministerial students and to run a few errands. In that time away from the computer, I thought a little more. Yes, it really is joining with Holy Spirit in everything that I do.
In one of my conversations today, we talked about allowing others to be exactly where they are. That is freedom. That is what God does with us. If I set a purpose that I want to try and change someone or if I even have the wish that someone would be different, there enters control by the ego into my mind. I want to be right rather than happy.
Paul has been sharing with several people once again on the Rules for Decision, found at the beginning of Chapter 30. “Today I will make NO decisions by myself.” So in looking at this idea of making no decisions by myself coupled with setting goals, I can see pretty clearly here that I need to stop and be in tune with the Holy Spirit. Even if it is a simple acknowledgement in the moment at the beginning of a phone call or an encounter with someone. The simple act of invitation is an acceptance that Holy Spirit is present in my mind and that I would like to proceed in partnership with Him and not alone.
This also goes to “I am here only to be truly helpful,” found on page 28 (2nd/3rd Foundation of Inner Peace ACIM versions). My purpose then is to be only truly helpful. I want peace so then I take the ego “I” out of the equation. I allow myself to be a conduit or vessel for Holy Spirit. Use my feet, my hands and my words today, Holy Spirit, in service to my Father then can be my prayer.
In this I am setting peace as my one goal. For in doing God’s Will, I will always be happy and at peace. I allow Him to direct and I merely follow His Holy Script. I find that this is an easier way of life. It is removing judgment from my life, Ok, yes, judgment can still occur as I still “think” I am here in the world. YET, it is not as it was earlier in my life. I live a much more peaceful and happier life going with the flow instead of limiting the flow with the “I gotta have’s!” or having life’s remote control in my hand.
Look at a remote control for a TV. How many families do you know of fight over who gets to hold the remote? The one who has the remote supposedly has the power. If I have the remote, I can make the decisions. But are the decisions good for the whole?
I do have the control within my own mind for my thoughts before I choose to push the button on the remote. Will I make the decision with the Holy Spirit? If I do, I may not have to go through many channels of pain before getting to the channel of happiness. He will lead me right to it.
What is my purpose? Peace? Then, peace shall be mine when I let go and let God.
This is something I will remember today and everyday in every situation.
Namaste,
Rev. Deb
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Co-Sponsors & Presenters for the 2011 ACIM Conference
http://www.miraclesone.org/world-wide-events/acim-2011-conference.html
MiraclesOne Foundation
MiraclesOne Light University
“Living the Spirit-Led Life
Through Practical Application of A Course in Miracles”
Revs. Paul & Deborah Phelps
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