What is the purpose of my relationships? Are they helping me towards my goal of present peace? Notice your own symbols of encouragement. See also where you are compromising. Compromise at any level is a killer of present moment awareness. With this world being created as a trap, compromise is then a trap within a trap. The very moment we compromise, we imprison ourselves in a concrete mold of limitation. No wonder it’s hard to function in the world.
Special Relationship
Open Relationships
No matter how many relationships you get into and how much pain you encounter, the key is to always look within. What is the issue in the mind? Unfortunately, the deceived mind is addicted to quite the opposite. It is addicted to projection and denial of this projection. This ACIM healing discussion explores relationships and anger: David uses the example of a friend’s experiment with open relationships to show how the mind can turn away from projection and denial, and towards true healing. David shares that in his story, he had to see that he did not want to project or deny any longer.
ACIM Talk (Part 8)
Tilba, Australia 2009
You’ve Exchanged Reality for Dreaming
When you exchange a self-concept as a substitute for the Christ, that substitute becomes the primary ego-identification. Reality is exchanged for a level-based illusion where amnesia is a normal way of functioning. This brings on a tremendous amount of guilt and a whole cosmos in the attempt to decrease that guilt into tolerable segments. Yet there are no levels in truth. Therefore death is any state in which one is not supremely happy. Even a little irritation is death. The Holy Spirit works with your confusion and translates it in a way that lifts this amnesia.
A Trick Done with Mirrors
ACIM, like life, literally “tricks” one into seeing the truth. Together with double negatives, spectacular poetry and humor, “A Course in Miracles” pokes and prods the sleeping mind, which sometimes has to have a few jolts before it is ready to wake up to reality. No matter how familiar and convenient the illusion becomes, we know deep inside that something isn’t right.
The Dynamics of Forgiveness
David Hoffmeister shares the dynamics of forgiveness: Withdrawing the projection and admitting you were wrong about the interpretation/judgment is the key.
Why Isn’t My Family Happy?
When you start to travel down a road of self-discovery, you might find yourself frustrated with family members who seem negative or fearful. Why isn’t my family happy? Why don’t they get it? Why won’t they listen? You feel like you could help them if only they would hear your insights. As Jesus said in the Bible, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers? … whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” (Matthew 12:48-50) How do family relationships change as you unwind from the world?
The Exclusive Special Relationship
Agape love is unconditional and completely inclusive. In this world, we have a configuration of special love called “family” which helps the ego build a concept of the self. Everyone outside that family relationship configuration seems less important and there is a great deal of indifference about “them.” But with the few precious ones, there is a heightened sense of caring. The Holy Spirit’s purpose, however, is about including everyone in our heart, not just a special few. We must loosen our mind from the form of things and accept that love cannot be special.
ACIM Talk (Part 10)
David talks about the metaphysics of attack and gratification in Tilba, Australia, 2009.
ACIM Talk (Part 7)
Talk on special relationships in Tilba, Australia, 2009.