predencia

Lesson 52 – Review 2

predencia — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:38:44 +0000

After a night fully populated by dreams, none of which I could remember on waking, I had little time to do my meditation on awakening. I did, however, manage to do my lesson for the day before rushing off to a meeting in Loughborough.

Although my review lessons are:
1. I am upset because I see what is not there.
2. I see only the past.
3. My mind is preoccupied with past thoughts.
4. I see nothing as it is now.
5. I have no private thoughts.
My mind remained focused on lesson 42 throughout the whole day, ‘nothing is lacking that is needed, and nothing is included that is contradictory or irrelevant’ in my life. It was another IT training day, and I am slowly beginning to get to grips with the techniques required to manage my websites, although it was Andrew who migrated my old blog into this site. This is my first entry in this site. I’m feeling quite excited.

Another cold, grey and wet day, and too much focus on technology and the left side of my brain, plus I’m still feeling a little jet lagged from not enough sleep, means I have no creative inspiration to write the novel tonight. Will put in double efforts on Friday, as tomorrow is also a very busy day.

Need a bright pic to cheer me up.

Lesson 51 – Review 1

predencia — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:12:00 +0000

Beginning with today we will have a series of review periods. Each will cover five of the ideas already presented, starting with the first and ending with the fiftieth. Devote two minutes or more to each practice period, thinking about the related comments. Do this as often as possible during the day. Try to do the exercises whereever you are, even if it’s not quiet. The purpose of your learning is to enable you to bring the quiet with you, and to heal distress and turmoil. This is not done by avoiding them and seeking a haven of isolation for yourself.

Today’s review covers the following ideas

1. Nothing I see means anything

2. I have given what I see all the meaning it has for me

3. I do not understand anything I see

4. These thoughts do not mean anything

5. I am never upset for the reason I think

Hard to believe that 50 days have gone by already, and that these ideas were so challenging at the beginning. I’ve not really been practicing these today, other than beginning and end of day. What’s been with me constantly is an idea from lesson 42

‘Nothing is lacking that is needed, and nothing is included that is contradictory or irrelevant.’ It is my contant reminder that life is exactly as it should be for what I need to learn.

I haven’t written much today, mainly because I didn’t go to bed till 4 am today, was writing till after 3 and then needed to wind down a bit. Wrote nearly 6000 words and took the wordcount to just under 60000. It’s looking very possible that the other 30000 could be written by the end of the month – but would need another few long nights.

Forgot to add my friend’s link to her book last night

http://www.amazon.co./dp/B007B2EBA0 ‘Daddy’s Girl’ by Lucie Riley

More pics for grey days. (Enterprise Beach – Barbados)

Lesson 50 – Sustained by God

predencia — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 01:48:00 +0000

‘I am sustained by the love of God.’

Here is the answer to every problem that will confont you, today and tomorrow and thoughout time. In this world you believe you are sustained by everything but God. Your faith is placed in the most trivial and insane symbols; pills, money, ‘protective’ clothing, influence, prestige, being liked, knowing the ‘right’ people, and an endless list of forms of nothingness that you endow with magical powers.

Only the love of God will protect you in all circumstances. It will lift you out of every trial, and raise you high above all the perceived dangers of this world into a climate of perfect peace and safety.

For ten minutes, twice today, morning and evening, let the idea for today seep deep into your consciousness. Repeat it, think about it, let related thoughts come to help you recognise it’s truth, and allow peace to flow over you like a blanket of protection and surety.

What an amazing lesson, what an amazing day. I handled every situation in the knowledge that I am sustained by the Love of God. The dentist actully commented on how calm I was as he poked, prodded and wedged guey stuff into my mouth to take impressions of my teeth. I jumped the queue at the bank as someone showed me how to use the new machine that allows you to deposit cash and cheques and get a reciept. Tenant issues that could have been difficult were sorted very quickly, carpet cleaning was rebooked quickly and easily, and joy of all joys I wrote over twenty pages tonight, nearly 6000 words. It was just flowing like a tap. Completing the 90,000 words by the end of the month is looking tantalisingly possible.

Mind you, as well as doing these exercises, I’m also doing an hour of mainly ascension based meditation each day.

My friend Camella published her novel today on Amazon. Congratulations. Thought a lot about Barbados today, hence the bright flowers, as it was a pretty grey day here.

Lesson 49 – Hearing voices

predencia — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 23:30:00 +0000

‘God’s voice speaks to me all through the day.’

It is quite possible to listen to God’s Voice all through the day without interrupting your regular activities in any way. The part of your mind in which truth abides is in constant communication with God, whether you are aware of it or not. It is the other part of your mind that functions in the world and obeys the world’s laws. It is this part that is constantly distracted, disorganised and highly uncertain. The part that is listening to the Voice of God is calm, always at rest, and wholly certain.

We will need at least four 5-minute practice sessions today, and more if possible. We will try actually to hear God’s voice reminding you of Him and of your Self. Listen in deep silence, be very still and open your mind. Go past the raucous shrieks and and sick imaginings that cover your real thoughts and obscure your external links with God. Sink deep into the peace that waits for you beyond the frantic, riotous thoughts and sights and sounds of this insane world. You do not live there .

Repeat today’s idea frequently, with eyes closed when you can, realising that you are inviting God’s Voice to speak to you.

I was exhausted after all day at the theatre yesterday, but, as my body was crying out for exercise I went to the gym before going to the city centre to meet a client for a coaching session. Today’s lesson wasn’t particularly challenging for me, as I feel I already engage in practices that have been opening up the channel to hearing God’s voice more clearly, i.e. meditation, deep breathing, prayer, and recently I’ve given up alcohol. I am working on being as clear a channel as possible. Today’s lesson was a great opportunity to remain focused on listening. Coaching is such a wonderful occupation, because it forces you to listen to your clients, and, as they are also expressions of God, creates the opportunity to hear the voice of God directly.

While I waited for our meeting I did some people watching in the Bull Ring, particularly the children on the trampoline. Had planned to go to the storytelling cafe at the Ikon Gallery but was too tired. Listening to the body.

Novel a little slow today, but moving.

Lesson 48 – Nothing to fear

predencia — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 23:34:00 +0000

‘There is nothing to fear.’

The idea for today simply states a fact. It is not a fact to those who believe in illusions, but illusions are not facts. In truth there is nothing to fear. It is very easy to recognise this. But it is very difficult to recognise it for those that want illusions to be true.

Today’s practice periods will be very short, very simple and very frequent. Merely repeat the idea as often as possible. You can use it with your eyes open at any time and in any situation. It is strongly recommended, however, that you take a minute or so whenever possible to close your eyes and repeat the idea slowly to yourself several times. It is particularly important that you use the idea immediately, should anything disturb your peace of mind.

The presence of fear shows that you are trusting in your own strength. The awareness that there is nothing to fear show that somewhere in your mind, though not necessarily in a place you recognise as yet, you have remembered God, and let His strength take the place of your weakness. The instant you are willing to do this there is indeed nothing to fear.

It was great to have such an easy lesson I thought this morning as I read it, especially as today was the performances of Romance is Dying. The run throughs and tech runs were nail bitingly close to the matinee performance, which played to an audience of approx forty. The evening show played to a packed house (the theatre actually oversold tickets and some people had to be turned away) All the actors really raised their game and put on a good show.

My peace was disturbed by a tenant not giving the correct notice, but not for long as I repeated today’s lesson. My peace was disturbed when I found a parking ticket on my car when I went back a few minutes late to put more money on it. I repeated today’s lesson. One person who’d booked to come to the show pulled out, I repeated today’s lesson. I am realising that fewer and fewer things are disturbing my peace. I was also repeating yesterday’s lesson, ‘God is the strength in which I trust,’ and the lesson from the day before, ‘God is the Love in which I forgive.’ Together they are a powerful set of affirmations, totally grounding and liberating.

Lesson 47 – God is strength

predencia — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 00:56:00 +0000

‘God is the strength in which I trust.’

If you are trusting in your own strength, you have every reason to be apprehensive, anxious and fearful. What can you predict or control? What is there in you that can be counted on? What would give you the ability to be aware of all the facets of any problem, and to resolve them in such a way that only good can come of it? What is there in you that gives you the recognition of the right solution, and the guarantee that it will be accomplished?

Of yourself you can do none of these things. To believe that you can is to put your trust where trust is unwarranted, and to justify fear, anxiety, depression, anger and sorrow. Who can put his faith in weakness and feel safe? Yet who can put his trust in strength and feel weak?

Today we will try to reach past your own weakness to the Source of real strength. Four 5-minute practice periods are necessary today. As usual, repeat the idea, then spend a minute or two searching for situations in your life which you have invested with fear, dismissing each one by telling yourself:

‘God is the strength in which I trust.’

Now try and slip past all concerns related to your own sense of inadequacy. In the latter phase of the practice period, try to reach down into your mind to a place of real safety. You will recognise that you have reached it if you feel a sense of deep peace, however briefly. There is a place in you where there is perfect peace. There is a place in you where nothing is impossible. There is a place in you where the strength of God abides.

These lessons are so very timely. There was much in my life today that could have thrown me off balance and make me feel inadequate. In addition to the four practice periods, I was constantly reminding myself that God is the strength in which I trust. Its amazing what an anchor it was.

I had a deep massage today, with some reflexology. I think from now on I’m going to include at least 15 minutes of reflexology in my treatment regime. It was very balancing, and much needed as I haven’t had an acupuncture treatment in a while.

Ideas for the novel came flooding in, particularly where to end this first one and where to begin the sequel. Although I only wrote 2,500 words today, I spent some time working out the new structure. The words are flowing, and, had I not gone to the dress and technical rehearsal for Romance is Dying, I would have written more. Tomorrow I’m all day at the theatre, offering support and advice.

I watched the video recording of the Valentine day reading from Dare to Love, and for the first time could see the benefit of an audio book. In the meantime I’ll record extracts for publicity purposes, especially as I spoke to Camella today and she said the articles in The Nation in Barbados are very tastefully done. She’s been keeping the papers for me. So much to do. So much guidance needed. Now more than ever I need to put my trust in God.

Lesson 46 – God is Love

predencia — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 21:46:00 +0000

‘God is the Love in which I forgive’
God does not forgive because He has never condemned. And there must be condemnation before forgiveness is necessary. Forgiveness is the great need of this world, but that is because it is a world of illusions. Those who forgive are therefore releasing themselves from illusions, while those who withhold forgiveness, are binding themselves to them. As you condemn only yourself, so do you forgive only yourself.
Yet although God does not forgive, His love is nevertheless the basis of forgiveness. Fear condemns and love forgives.
Today’s exercise is similar to yesterday’s, three 5-minute practice periods. Repeat the idea with eyes closed, spend a minute or two searching your mind for those whom you have not forgiven. It does not matter ‘how much’ you have not forgiven them. You have forgiven entirely or not at all. It is safe to say that anyone you do not like is a suitable subject. Mention each one by name and say:
‘God is the Love in which I forgive you (Name)
After you’ve applied the idea to all those that come to mind, tell yourself
‘God is the Love in which I forgive myself’
Use the idea in any situation you feel you need to during the day.
I am overwhelmed by the power of this lesson. I was working with forgiveness with a client today, a major issue in her life, an exercise which we begun last week and is beginning to bear fruit in terms of finding some inner peace. I was feeling pretty chuffed with myself when I searched my mind and could find no-one that I really disliked. However, by the end of the evening I was personally challenged with one person, not from a point of dislike, but from a point of irritation. I’m putting it down to the fact that I was tired, which raises the question, can we only be loving when we are fresh and free from fatigue?
Physically and emotionally drained today, looking forward to my massage tomorrow. No brain space to write the novel tonight.

Lesson 45 – God is the Mind

predencia — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:22:00 +0000

‘God is the mind with which I think.’

Today’s idea holds the key to what your real thoughts are. They are nothing that you think you think, just as nothing that you think you see is related to vision in any way. There is no relationship between what is real and what you think is real. Nothing that you think are your real thoughts resemble your real thoughts in any respect. Nothing that you think you see bears any resemblance tho what vision will show you.

You think with the Mind of God. Therefore you share your thoughts with Him, as he shares His with you. They are the same thoughts , because they are thought by the same Mind. Where, then, are your real thoughts? Today we will attempt to reach them.

The three 5 minute practice periods will take the same general form as yesterday’s idea. We will attempt to leave the unreal and seek for the real. We will deny the world in favour of truth. And we will also try to remember that we cannot fail in doing what He would have us do. Begin the exercise by repeating the idea to yourself with closed eyes. Then spend a fairly short period thinking a few relevant thoughts of your own, keeping the idea in mind. After you’ve added 4 or 5 thoughts of your own idea repeat it again and tell yourself gently

‘My real thoughts are in my mind. I would like to find them.’

Take a minute or two to repeat the idea throughout the day.

When I read today’s lesson (and this is only a small fraction of it) I really felt I needed a degree in gobbledygook, but I kept reminding myself that I didn’t have to understand it, I just had to do the exercises. Interestingly, as the day went on, and I had to remind myself on a number of occasions that God is the Mind with which I think, I found myself questioning whether God would be bothered with some of the thoughts I was thinking. Would he let petty irritations go or would he give them valuable time? Would he let thoughts about insecurities occupy valuable space in His mind. Gradually I became more and more aware of when I was thinking ungodly thoughts, and let them slide on out of my mind. Two things happened as a result. 1) I let things go that I couldn’t do anything about, and 2) I took action on things I’d been putting off for a while. There is still so much rubbish getting in the way of me being a pure channel. I hope today’s exercise helped to clear some of it away.

Other things that happened today. I reached the 200 page mark in the new novel, 50,000 words. I’m really enjoying it now.

Discovered Dare to Love in being featured in The Nation newspaper in Barbados over the next three weeks. Hope my friends have saved me a copy of the papers.

I went to see a friend tonight who was watching a programme on childbirth while dressing her Maltipoo dog Luka in his Christmas hoodie and booties. I think she’s ready for a baby

Lesson 44 – God is my light

predencia — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:28:00 +0000

‘God is the light in which I see.’

Today we are continuing the idea from yesterday, adding another dimension to it. You cannot see in darkness, and you cannot make light. You can make darkness and then think you see in it, but light reflects life, and is therefore an aspect of creation. In order to see, you must recognise that light is within, not without. You do not see outside yourself, nor is the equipment for seeing outside you. An essential part of this equipment is the light that makes seeing possible. It is with you always, making vision possible in every circumstance.

Today we are going to attempt to reach that light with three 3-5 minute practice periods, similar to that used yesterday. Begin by repeating the idea with your eyes open, then close them and repeat the idea several times. Then try to sink into your mind letting go of every interference and intrusion by quietly sinking past them. Try to observe your passing thoughts without involvement, and slip quietly by them. If you are doing the exercise correctly you should experience some sense of relaxation, and even a feeling that you are approaching, if not actually entering into light.

The lessons are getting longer and more abstract, they are the beginnings of meditation and our connection to the light source. I’ve been doing ascension meditations alongside ACIM and feeling the benefits. I was more calm today (in fact someone at rehearsal tonight told Roger he thought I had a very calming influence on the group), even though there was plenty I could have been upset about. However, I focused on the things I can be grateful for. A great session with Lord Leon today, he showed me his estate documents and his change of name by deed poll, now that he’s been accepted into Lorddom. His dad rang to ask me what it felt like being the son of a Lord. I laughed for a full minute. We did the new Usain Bolt Fass Class which nearly wiped me out!

Read from Dare to Love at the WWB Valentine evening at The Coffee Lounge. Sold the five books I took with me – could have sold more if I had brought more. It’s the first public reading I’ve done from it. (See pic) It was very well received. The whole evening was absolutely splendid (ate a few more chocs than I should have done, but it is Valentine after all. No card this year. Not even e ones. I reflected on how, once upon a dark time ago, this would have upset me. In the light, none of this matters. Nice if it happens, OK if it doesn’t.

Rehearsal went really well – everyone has stepped up their game. I’m feeling more confident now, as is Roger.

Lesson 43 – God is my Source

predencia — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 22:32:00 +0000

‘God is my Source. I cannot see apart from Him.’

Perception is not an attribute of God. His is the realm of knowledge. Yet He has created the Holy Spirit as the Mediator between perception and knowledge. Without this link with God, perception would have replaced knowledge forever in your mind. With this link with God, perception will become so changed and purified that it will lead to knowledge. That is its function as the Holy Spirit sees it. Therefore, that is its function in truth.

Three 5 minute practice periods are required today, morning, night and somewhere in between that feels right. Repeat the idea, first with things ‘God is my Source. I cannot see this desk apart from him’ etc. Then with closed eyes allow thoughts of the idea to occur.

I read the first part of this lesson three times and it still didn’t make any sense. Reading further in didn’t help my understanding either. It was one of those lessons mentioned at the beginning of the text where you are encouraged to carry out the actions, even if the words don’t make sense. Gradually, as I repeated the main idea throughout the day, I began to get a sense that, if I am part of God, I cannot see apart from Him. It began to make sense. I can’t be separated from my Source, I cannot see apart from Him. It became less and less of a brain teaser.

I had an interesting discussion with my personal trainer this morning – in between the punishing arms and upper body work I was doing – about eating the right food for the part of the world you were born in. Apparently we are genetically predisposed to survive on the food grown locally. For instance, wheat is not a native food of Jamaica but corn is, as is yam, bananas etc. He’s into eating seasonally, steering clear of processed foods, and eating for fuel and well being. All this because I sent him a food diary in which I was honest about the amount of coffee cake I was eating (it was just that one week – honest)

I could have had a much better photo shoot without the coffee cake. But all told, it wasn’t too bad. (See pic above)

Writing slow so far, only a few hundred word today, but by the time I finished at 3 am last night I was up to just over 44,000 words. Aiming to get past 46,000 before hitting the pillow tonight.