Our Theme is looking at our identification and attempting to unhook. To cultivate within a place that just sees and does not react, judge or become identified with people, situations and circumstances.
As stated before: “We shift to a new center of gravity, one that is no longer captivated, taken by the forces interacting within oneself. Over time, our Presence, located within becomes active and participates in our life. Whatever we are engaged in externally the inner presence is present – a subtle presence of our true Being. Learning to water this Presence is the Work.”
We began at our last meeting with a new way of working; Friendly Attending and contacting our Inner Felt Sense. These are powerful ways of working with non-identifying, unhooking.
Every day try and come to the ‘friendly attending’ state and then contact your inner felt sense. This takes practice over time. Ask yourself the question, “What wants my attention just now”?
I am going to re-introduce and delve into these new techniques and show the new morning exercise again at our next meeting.
I read the Beatitudes at our last meeting in honor of the 40th anniversary of JG Bennett’s passing. I include them below. There is a great deal of wisdom in this. If you are inclined, read them everyday, attempt to Understand and work if you can with memorizing them.
I also include a poem by Rumi read at our meeting.
There is not a problem with money or abundance, it is our attachment to them that is problematical. As the Dalai Lama has stated, “material goods themselves are not the problem, the real issue is our delusion that satisfaction can arise from gratifying the senses alone”. Attachment in Tibetan means, ‘sticky desire’. Collect experiences, not things.
Roni and I are blessed with our sixth grandchild, as our daughter Esther gave birth to Gabriel on Saturday, a beautiful boy. All are well.
Stay relaxed and centered during this season. Open your heart and your presence. Be unhooked.
Happy holidays, and a sacred New Year to you.
All Love,
Jerry
The Beatitudes
And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 1Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Poem by Rumi:
Giving thanks for abundance
is sweeter than the abundance itself:
For thankfulness brings you
to the chamber of the Beloved.
In the embrace of that Generosity
why be distracted by the gifts?
Gratitude is the kernel.
Abundance is the shell.
Gratitude is the soul.
Abundance is the body.
With too much abundance
we become heedless.
When we’re grateful,
alertness returns
Go hunting for abundance
with the net of gratitude.