Post by WalksInSpirit on Aug 8, 2005 21:35:29 GMT -5
Search For God - Book One Study: 08-08-05
"The Ideal"
(08:38:52) (Bill) okay 1 wks. ago we ended with this tid bit: Then, each is a soul endowed with the attributes of God, possessing the power of creation, of being one with the Father, a joint heir with the Son.
(08:40:32) (Bill) this evening we'll see what the ideal med is maybe or whats best for each of us.
(08:40:35) (Bill) There are as many types of meditation as there are individuals who meditate. For some it is an escape from the trials of the world; for others it is an access to knowledge; for still others it is an approach to God. Various forms of meditation exist, each with its adherents. But the real significance is in the ideal and purpose.
(08:41:14) (Bill) The sweetest incense or the most beautiful music will not lift a selfish heart into the presence of the Creator. It is much more important that our minds be free of malice, hate, greed, and selfishness, than that some complex form for meditation be observed.
(08:41:27) (Bill) . Let us not become involved and confused by material means to meditation, but rather consider first the fundamental reason for it and make that reason in harmony with the highest desire we can conceive.
(08:42:04) (Bill) There are definite changes that take place within us when we enter into true or deep meditation. There is physical activity, through the imaginative, or impulsive powers. The sources of impulse are aroused by shutting out thoughts pertaining to activities or attributes of carnal forces.
(08:42:41) (Bill) . Changes naturally take place when there is an arousing of those stimuli within us which have the seat of the soul as a home. If the ideal, the image, the mark of a high calling, is a standard which is in accord with the highest aspiration of service which we can recognize, then we bear the mark of the Lamb, the Christ. As we raise this, we are able to enter into the very presence of the Creative Force.
(08:43:16) (Bill) Some of us have so overshadowed ourselves by abuses of the mental attributes of the body that only an imperfect image may be raised within.
(08:43:44) (Bill) If our aims of meditation are only to still the physical, the direct method should be used. But this is not usually the case. A higher state of spiritual consciousness is the aim and purpose of deep meditation.
(08:44:11) (Bill) . It is important, therefore, that attention be fixed upon the ideal which is to be raised. The physical quiet of the human organism will follow as a natural result, and there will be a growth of unity, of inner feeling rather than separate, broken points of consciousness. Now in fixing attention upon the ideal there should be created a desire to reach the highest possible state of awareness of which the whole being is capable.
(08:44:53) (Bill) . This does not mean fixation upon the words of an affirmation, but a strong desire that the meeting with the inner self and God be unobstructed and unmarred by other distractions. The quieting of the body should result from an inner spiritual effort rather than from a fixation of consciousness on outer stimuli.
(08:46:10) (Bill) okay what do you feel this is telling us ?? and have any of you experienced being over shadowed by your mental atributes :o)
(08:46:30) (Bill) i'm usre i have at times in the past
(08:46:54) (Lory) All the time, Bill. It is difficult to quiet the mind.
(08:47:07) (Lory) Especially with a very busy schedule.
(08:47:11) (BlackWolf) As in praying for events to happen when it is uncertain that htat is our best path?
(08:47:46) (ron) it takes awhile...but i persist and end up with long perdiods of inner quiet
(08:47:46) (diane) so you're saying an affirmation is an outer stimuli, Bill?
(08:47:47) (merri) yes, I find I need a point of focus at first to quiet the mind
(08:48:25) (ron) iquiet my mind with my will...i just take over
(08:48:44) (merri) then everything fades away
(08:48:50) (ron) eith my mind or my will will win
(08:48:52) (ron) either
(08:49:06) (Bill) diane we should set our ideal and do our best to live it so we are not clouded by or over shadowed by doubts and fears and self interests
(08:49:11) (merri) I feel lighter and open to the flow
(08:49:19) (ron) eventually my will wins and my mind gives up
(08:49:27) (Bill) and yes BW that is one example of getting of track with our ideal
(08:49:33) (diane) i have to keep plucking out thoughts which keep floating down the old mental river
(08:50:06) (diane) that makes sense, Bill...to not be clouded over....
(08:50:07) (Bill) diane one thing Cayce mentioned is to acknowledge those thoughts then let them go
(08:51:04) (merri) it also makes me aware of how dense our material existence is
(08:51:13) (Bill) see what it say here do you think its talking about the chockras falling into place and opening naturally when we follow our ideals
(08:52:46) (Bill) yes ron i think when our hearts are in the right place everything happens as it should provided we are making effort
(08:55:21) (Bill) In meditation more than at any other time we become conscious of the forces. We refer to them as psychic, occult, intuitive, universal and so on. These are only names designating the various functions of God. “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord”. See Deut. 6.4
(08:55:54) (Bill) Let us consider, for an example, intuitive force that arises from experiences of our whole being. It can be developed by introspective activities of our conscious mind, until it is able to bring to bear such experiences upon our daily lives. We call this “entering into the silence”.
(08:56:41) (Bill) Those who by constant introspection are able to bring to the surface their experiences as a whole are called “sages” or “lamas”. When this ability is made practical by an individual and yet remains spiritual in aspect, such an individual becomes a master.
(08:57:16) (Bill) There is much to be gained in the study of the forces through meditation, introspection, or entering into the silence. It is well to have a thorough knowledge of the subject, but never pretend to be mysterious about it. Jesus lived simply, doing good among His fellow men.
(08:58:30) (Bill) As we, in meditation, open ourselves to the unseen forces that surround the throne of grace, beauty, and might within ourselves, let us throw around us the protection found in the thought of the Christ. When our minds are on God, the Christ, who is our Ideal, we need not worry about destructive results.
(09:00:07) (merri) what destructive results?
(09:00:33) (Bill) we go into it with the knowledge we can't help but gain Nick but do not go into it with the expectation of personal gain just with the expectancy of our relationship with the Universe improving
(09:00:38) (Lory) anything that might be lurking, merri,
(09:01:06) (Lory) unseen forces
(09:01:14) (ron) because of our imperfections
(09:01:35) (WalksInSpirit) SFG Book One, Cayce says if one goes into meditation with an impure Ideal, they can become a "Frankenstien."
(09:01:43) (Bill) merri we are opening ourselves tyo the spirit realm which is not necessarily in our best interests if our mind set is not in accordance to the Spirit
(09:01:47) (Roz) Meditation is not to be understood as an attempt by man to create physical, mental or spiritual experiences that he is not meant to have. The creative energies within man seek to flow upward and lift his consciousness. The drive to raise one’s consciousness is just as natural, or indeed more natural, than the physical drives of the body such as hunger, thirst, and sex.
(09:02:29) (Bill) . Remember the promise, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me”. See Rev. 3.20. “It is I; be not afraid”. See Matt. 14.27.
(09:02:57) (Bill) It is when we hold the right ideal that our problems are solved and stumbling blocks become stepping stones.
(09:03:50) (Bill) this last statement is something i think we tend to lose sight of at times
(09:04:37) (Bill) we start trying to justify our existance instead of examining our true thoughts and being honest with self about past choices
(09:06:52) (Lory) It isn't difficult to justiy past thoughts and choices if we do it casually. But when one faces the consequences it comes homes to one quite forecefully.
(09:07:19) (Bill) failing to asume responsibility and not having faith that by following what we know best in our hearts at times eg. going through all the paces but without real expectancy
(09:08:06) (Bill) once we are truly doing our best to follow our ideals Lory Justification no longer comes to our mind :o)
(09:09:06) (Bill) this physical world certainly has it challenges for us :o)
(09:09:23) (Lory) I can see that, Bill. Especially once one has seen the result or the effect or that choice.
(09:10:19) (Lory) ah merri, that is the answer.
(09:10:20) (Bill) each step we take in the right direction certainly helps to strengthen our faith went the results are favourable to us
(09:10:23) (ron) introspection?
(09:10:57) (Bill) yes Merri provided you recognize and correct those lower choices that have been made
(09:11:30) (Bill) good question ron what does it mean?
(09:11:52) (Bill) thought after the fact?
(09:12:13) (ron) to look within regarding and decision made...as in regards the ideal that has been set
(09:12:55) (Bill) ah ha like sitting back and watching self go by?
(09:13:05) (ron) sorry the way i put that together :)
(09:13:06) (ron) no
(09:13:13) (Bill) as merri earlier stated here
(09:13:32) (ron) there isn't any escape
(09:14:51) (Bill) one must face up to their choices?
(09:15:02) (Bill) eccept the results
(09:15:14) (ron) introspection is not idle thought...its becomes idle if one doesn't doesn't take the initiative to avoid doing what one may feel has measured up to one's ideal
(09:15:30) (ron) has not measured up
(09:15:59) (Bill) ic ron that sounds like a good explanation
(09:16:34) (merri) that is a good one, ron
(09:16:49) (merri) and very hard to do
(09:17:19) (Bill) quick recap so we imbed this a bit i've read it 3 or 4 times and its still on the firnges of my mind :o)
(09:18:11) (Bill) But the real significance is in the ideal and purpose. The sweetest incense or the most beautiful music will not lift a selfish heart into the presence of the Creator. It is much more important that our minds be free of malice, hate, greed, and selfishness, than that some complex form for meditation be observed.
(09:18:19) (Bill) . Let us not become involved and confused by material means to meditation, but rather consider first the fundamental reason for it and make that reason in harmony with the highest desire we can conceive
(09:19:01) (Bill) well thats straight forward
(09:19:17) (Bill) any comments?
(09:19:45) (diane) suppression of the ego, Bill?
(09:19:53) (merri) I'm still using a candle to focus!
(09:19:59) (Roz) some times we mistake ritual for intent
(09:20:02) (Lory) Good lesson Bill. Wonderful comments from everyone.
(09:20:44) (Bill) thats fine merri all is good its just say that the methods we use are not the goal
(09:20:57) (merri) right
(09:21:08) (ron) yes roz
(09:21:22) (Lory) Candles have a sort of mesmerizing effect.
(09:21:41) (Bill) yes Roz easy for some to get sidetracked from the real intended purpose for meditation
(09:22:27) (Bill) There are definite changes that take place within us when we enter into true or deep meditation. There is physical activity, through the imaginative, or impulsive powers. The sources of impulse are aroused by shutting out thoughts pertaining to activities or attributes of carnal forces.
(09:23:01) (Bill) shutting out thes thoughts is my greatest challenge
(09:23:45) (merri) I think that is the part most struggle with
(09:23:52) (Roz) give them notice and then dismiss them Bill
(09:24:05) (Bill) skipping from physical to spiritual when your thoughts are tied up with your daily life
(09:24:06) (diane) Fighting them off doesn't work...it's like you said...EC says acknowledge them and go on
(09:24:34) (Roz) all the energy goes to fightin g them off
(09:24:59) (diane) yeah, then more and more crop up!
(09:25:12) (Bill) thats why for some its best to pick a time of day when your mind is quietest
(09:25:23) (Lory) When that happens for me, I simply repeat my affirmation and start all over. Many times, however, it does not help much.
(09:25:34) (ron) less, and less, of the will
(09:25:36) (Cris) Early morning and late evening are good for me
(09:25:50) (Cris) fewer distractions
(09:25:57) (Bill) Lory thats what we all must practice unless we have it mastered :o)
(09:25:57) (ron) yes lory
(09:25:58) (Roz) best time is when you first wake
(09:26:02) (diane) right Cris
(09:26:16) (Roz) or at 2:00 am
(09:26:28) (Bill) works for me Roz
(09:26:37) (ron) yes roz,m i think so also...you are not tired
(09:26:49) (diane) what are you doin' awake at 2AM?
(09:26:51) (ron) that is in the morning
(09:27:00) (Lory) One would have to set the alarm to wake up to meditate at 2 a.m. Then what happens with a startled wake up call?
(09:27:25) (Roz) set your head to awaken
(09:27:37) (ron) 2am...i don't think i could handle that i'd rather be chasing around in some dream
(09:27:40) (Bill) diane in oreder to do the 2 AM thing it may take a mon. to have your body form the habit of waking to meditate then its a breeze
(09:28:01) (Lory) Boy, what a challenge, Roz and Bill.
(09:28:14) (Bill) its not something thats for every one though
(09:28:21) (diane) no kidding, though, when i first wake up in the morning , i swear, the devil himself is after my mind
(09:28:26) (merri) that's for sure!
(09:28:32) (ron) and most likely want to hurry thru it
(09:28:33) (merri) doesn't work for me
(09:28:37) (Cris) If I can help it I won't be up at 2 a.m. I usually get up at 4
(09:28:47) (Roz) the right way is the way you practice
(09:29:01) (Bill) we must each find our nitch what works best for us but unless we make the effort we'll never know :o)
(09:29:13) (ron) i suppose you would have to choose what is suitalbe for you
(09:29:43) (Bill) Changes naturally take place when there is an arousing of those stimuli within us which have the seat of the soul as a home. If the ideal, the image, the mark of a high calling, is a standard which is in accord with the highest aspiration of service which we can recognize, then we bear the mark of the Lamb, the Christ. As we raise this, we are able to enter into the very presence of the Creative Force.
(09:31:16) (Bill) If our aims of meditation are only to still the physical, the direct method should be used. But this is not usually the case. A higher state of spiritual consciousness is the aim and purpose of deep meditation. It is important, therefore, that attention be fixed upon the ideal which is to be raised.
(09:32:27) (Bill) . The physical quiet of the human organism will follow as a natural result, and there will be a growth of unity, of inner feeling rather than separate, broken points of consciousness. Now in fixing attention upon the ideal there should be created a desire to reach the highest possible state of awareness of which the whole being is capable.
(09:33:48) (Bill) This does not mean fixation upon the words of an affirmation, but a strong desire that the meeting with the inner self and God be unobstructed and unmarred by other distractions. The quieting of the body should result from an inner spiritual effort rather than from a fixation of consciousness on outer stimuli.
(09:35:17) (Bill) another words use the stimuli to settle your self but not to dwell ojn it get on with the affirmation you've choosen to focus on
