As I was sitting in the Silence this morning, my mind wasn’t so silent. My ego was off making judgments about other people. But then, the Seventh Step Prayer from Alcoholics Anonymous came to mind and stopped my wrong mindedness in its tracks.
“My Creator, I am now willing that you should have all of me, good and bad. I pray that you now remove from me every single defect of character which stands in the way of my usefulness to you and my fellows. Grant me strength, as I go out from here, to do your bidding. Amen.” (Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 76)
One of the many wonderful blessings of being in Program many years and having attended I don’t know how many hundreds of meetings during that time, is that many pearls of wisdom are ingrained in my psyche (soul) and can resurface at just the right time to help me with a situation, to get me back on course.
Judgment is a character defect of mine that still rears its ugly head from time to time. It’s a symptom signaling I am into myself and making comparisons, instead of being right-sized and in my right mind. The Seventh Step is about shifting my attitude so that I move out of myself toward others and God.
Having the words of the prayer come to mind did just that, and I gratefully went back to being in the Silence with God.
Showing posts with label right mind. Show all posts
Showing posts with label right mind. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Enlightenment
This morning, during coffee vacation with Rog, my ego got off into expressing itself, venting frustration, fear, and who knows what else. I certainly wasn’t in my right mind as I thought about my current life and what was going on in it, or for that matter, what was not going on it. I was far from being in the mode of acceptance, surrender or joy. I was in a hissy fit.
And so I had to chuckle when I listened to an audio file Rog had sent my way last night. In it, the speaker told the following story.
Edgar Cayce was asked “What is it to be enlightened?” He said, “Prior to enlightenment you would chop wood, build fire, and carry water. Then after enlightenment you would chop wood, build fire, and carry water. The only difference after enlightenment is you would enjoy the process.”
Well I certainly wasn’t thinking in an enlightened manner this morning when my ego took over. I may not always be a happy camper enjoying the process that my life is in the middle of these days. However, if I would ‘just’ stay focused in the Now, on God, I might be enlightened for the moment (my ego would lighten up). And, there I would find peace.
And so I had to chuckle when I listened to an audio file Rog had sent my way last night. In it, the speaker told the following story.
Edgar Cayce was asked “What is it to be enlightened?” He said, “Prior to enlightenment you would chop wood, build fire, and carry water. Then after enlightenment you would chop wood, build fire, and carry water. The only difference after enlightenment is you would enjoy the process.”
Well I certainly wasn’t thinking in an enlightened manner this morning when my ego took over. I may not always be a happy camper enjoying the process that my life is in the middle of these days. However, if I would ‘just’ stay focused in the Now, on God, I might be enlightened for the moment (my ego would lighten up). And, there I would find peace.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Three Steps
“I pray. I listen. I act.”
These three steps suggesting how to go through any situation came from yesterday’s Daily Word. However, I didn’t come upon them until I had already applied them to our surreal housing situation.
Rog and I held hands, closed our eyes, took some deep breaths, and then I said an extemporaneous, heartfelt prayer aloud. It encompassed not just the morning’s particular challenge, but expressing our gratitude, and praying for dear friends, many of whom are also facing huge shifts in their lives.
This time greatly calmed me down and I could feel Spirit’s Presence deeply. Then Rog and I proceeded to listen, and Guidance came. One step at a time, we took action the rest of the day, in a calm manner.
How blessed I am to have come to believe in a Power greater than myself that can help in all situations. With peace – with Connection – I can operate in my right mind, at peace, in this crazy world. I am grateful.
These three steps suggesting how to go through any situation came from yesterday’s Daily Word. However, I didn’t come upon them until I had already applied them to our surreal housing situation.
Rog and I held hands, closed our eyes, took some deep breaths, and then I said an extemporaneous, heartfelt prayer aloud. It encompassed not just the morning’s particular challenge, but expressing our gratitude, and praying for dear friends, many of whom are also facing huge shifts in their lives.
This time greatly calmed me down and I could feel Spirit’s Presence deeply. Then Rog and I proceeded to listen, and Guidance came. One step at a time, we took action the rest of the day, in a calm manner.
How blessed I am to have come to believe in a Power greater than myself that can help in all situations. With peace – with Connection – I can operate in my right mind, at peace, in this crazy world. I am grateful.
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