1999-7-1 09:16:00
I'm sorry to see Zina go. I felt a fondness for her, especially after all the bantering we have been through. I will say one thing though. She is the first person to give me battle and then stay with us for any length of time. Most leave in a huff after about three exchanges when they discover I do not cower down and let myself get run over by their opposing views.
A few days ago Zina wrote:
"For the first time JJ, I feel I know you. I understand the highest that you are reaching for, so am I. I see that you are willing to do as you are so impelled by your soul. I salute you, and honor you, and I am so grateful that you honor us. The verbal bumps, of emotional reactions from others, simply pall in the light of profound magnificent LOVE."
What has happened to her in the past few days to switch from feeling this "magnificent LOVE" (love is an attractive force) to being repelled (opposite of attraction) and leaving the group?
My feelings have been consistent toward her all through these verbal bumps, and she is welcome in the group whether she sings the Song or not. But her present feelings I believe to be changed in a negative way from a few days ago, even though I do not think she will admit this.
I believe that Zina was in great need of "protection from destructive thoughts and feelings" and in her hour of greatest need she started leaving out these important words from the Song. Within days of leaving it out, she went from the ecstatic feeling in the above quote to feeling the opposite of Love which is repulsion. She then allowed this repulsive force to push me and the group away from her.
I also believe she will feel a vacuum for a while. Hopefully that vacuum will pull her back toward us as I am sure all on the list are willing to accept her with open arms and big hugs.
One of the reasons that Jesus taught in parables is that stories created from life experiences ring true and teach truth, and if one is attempting to deceive through them the flaw will usually be obvious.
Rarely will one on the dark path use a parable. Can you even imagine Hitler using them? In fact I cannot think of one parable ever taught that is not an agent of the truth.
In an attempt to clarify my understanding of the Song and the need for unity, I presented two parables. A part of me is amazed that two harmless parables could cause such offence for Zina that she would leave.
I also find it interesting that Jesus who taught with as much harmlessness as possible, caused so much disturbance that he said: "Blessed is he who is not offended in me." Apparently, he offended so many that he who did not have hurt feelings was an anomaly and singled out for a blessing.
Susi writes:
"Maybe Zina has done her load and maybe the Holy One has given her this sight. Yes it is a difference of opinion, but it is not harming anyone and I wonder, why oh why, must we as a group try to badger those that believe differently into changing their beliefs to fit ours especially when it is wrapped around the specific meaning or feeling that a word/s portray?"
By the way Susi I enjoyed your comments on animals and horses. I'll bet you liked The Horse Whisperer. I know I did. I think you have this backwards though. Zina first approached the group about the wrongfulness of the negative words of the Song and I attempted through the use of parables to illustrate my point of view.
Let us say that a member publishes an article in the ACLU newsletter presenting ideas why the First Amendment of free speech should be repealed. After this several other members in good spirits present reasons why the right of free speech should be maintained. I wouldn't call that badgering, would you?
Zina holds her own and she gives it out at least as strongly as she receives it.
Some felt that we are setting up some authoritative "one way" to do things through the parable on the choir. But let us go back to the story. It uses true life to illustrate truth. Is there any other way besides the path of union that will enable a choir to sing in harmony?
For certain things we need to accomplish, a union on the path is essential and even those who are not disciples understand the importance of union for certain effects, such as a successful choir.
It is indeed a stretch to say that the teaching of the principles involved in the creation of a successful choir (a knowledge most of us already know) takes away anyone's freedom or forces my will on anyone. If any force is involved it would be purely the force of truth. When a person realizes that 2+2=4 and he cannot make these figures add to anything else then he is forced to admit it is true. This is entirely different than forcing one's will on another.
Jay asks:
"I also have a question for JJ about the choir, I don't sing the song at all anymore, it stopped resonating with me. So does that mean I can't still commune in harmony with the choir? Did God give us the gift of free will?"
The answer is obvious. If you do not sing in the choir, you do not sing in the choir. How can you be singing if you are not singing?
This is like asking - Can I post my thoughts but not write anything? Can I drive a car and not be driving? Can I swim without being in the water? If a person does not jump in the pool with his friends who are inviting him he is not being excluded and no free will is taken away. It is entirely his own free will that determines whether or not he dives in.
On the other hand, the Song is only one ingredient of this list and the singing of it is in no way a requisite for full participation. One may not sing the Song and yet tune in to the thought and energy of the group. I maintain, however, that the union of those who sing the Song increases sensitivity in this area. You will notice that those who do not exclude the words "protection from all destructive thoughts and feelings" are unruffled by attacks and disagreements and still maintain an acceptance of all in the group. Glenys is a great example. She has been jumping into the fire of this latest confrontation, yet notice the sweet departing words she has sent to Zina. Many would have been silent or negative after such disagreements.
I witness that the Song works for me. Since singing the Song I have maintained a great inner peace that has never been disturbed and I have not had a negative feeling toward anyone since I have been using it.
If I feel any type of negative cloud forming, I find that the Song almost instantly disperses it and uplifts my spirits. Then I find when I say it with my wife, its power is increased fourfold. Then oftentimes I pick up lovely vibrations in the air and I know it comes from one or more of you singing the Song and I love you for it and the sweet essence you send.
Rick says that sometimes he just gets bits and pieces out. There is no harm in this. Sometimes I fall asleep singing the Song and do not get through it, but I feel a peaceful effect nevertheless. I would admonish all who want the full effect to memorize the words and make them a part of you so you can be driving down the road and say it verbatim. I was glad to see Diane repost my previous instructions.
I will add one thing. You can end with either the A-U-M as illustrated in that posting or the OM. I will give more information on these two sounds later, but you might want to experiment with their effects. If you feel at all negative end the Song with the OM rather than the A-U-M.
I see Rick posted The Great Invocation, a great mantram indeed given out by the Brotherhood. I was going to post it myself and comment on it soon. I would also suggest that all memorize this and use it regularly. Notice that this also has a negative phrase: "And may it seal the door where evil dwells."
Is the Brotherhood worried that the mere mentioning of the word "evil" will give evil power? Apparently not. The true power over polarities comes not from the elimination of negative or positive words, which is impossible, but in the directing of thought and feeling to a constructive end through the power of ATTENTION.
Xavier, I loved your quote from Mark Twain:
"Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear. Not absence of fear."
I will write more about fear in the future and it will not be what you have heard before. A Course in Miracles does not tell the whole story.
Well, in the past few weeks we have not only stopped growing, but also lost members. Some are turned off by a little conflict, but we have the advantage of a stronger, but smaller group to lay the foundation for the next expansion.
I plan on getting back to the teaching mode in my next post. I'm sure many will be relieved to hear this. For those of you who are determined to stay with us and make this list the best of all lists, I give a gracious thank you.
Copyright 1999 by J.J. Dewey, All Rights Reserved