A.R.E. Meeting for 5/22/17

Hello.  We missed those of you unable to attend this week.  Next Monday the library is closed for Memorial Day weekend; so our next meeting is on June 5th.

Our experiment is independently chosen. Your option is from experiment 1 on page 88 which some have already done, experiment 2 on page 90, experiment 3 on page 91, or experiment 4 on page 93.

The first experiment is daily determining the ways the Christ spirit may be speaking to you; or seeing doorways that may open in the barrier you identified.  Secondly, it's important to see the purpose that barrier serves, once you've identified a barrier for the experiment.

Our second experiment to consider is: to select and write down something in your life that makes you feel cheated (e.g., not getting the attention, love or money you want or deserve). Replace the attitude of feeling cheated by writing and using an affirmation with which to replace the sense of being cheated. You can affirm "Wherever I am and whatever I'm doing God can be glorified." Everytime you experience feeling cheated because your job is boring while everyone else's jobs are interesting.

Or if you don't feel cheated, but rather tend to be sensitive you might choose experiment 3, "Give others the benefit of the doubt when it appears they may have intentionally said or done something to slight you.  Act on the assumption you were not the target and by moving beyond a tendency to be overly sensitive, experience an opening of a door to a more holistic understanding of life. As always, record your experiences.

Or (4) consider the qualities of The Christ Consciousness, write them down, and select one to focus on during the upcoming two weeks.  Then choose and record one area of your life where there is a special need to manifest that quality.  Keep a record of your successes in expressing that characteristic of the Christ consciousness in that area of you life.

We read in the Experiments book, chapter nine, The Open Door, page 87, through experiment 4 on page 93.

We read up to "The Great Need for Service" from the "How to open the door" in the experiments book, page eight.

Have a great weekend.  Well look forward to seeing you on the 5th of June.

Sincerely,

Sylvia

A.R.E. Meeting for 5/15/17

Hello. We had a good meeting.  

We read the first two sections of ASFG on "How to open the door" from lesson 8 on page 94. We discussed the results of the experiment we did during the week as well as questions from the lesson, and an ongoing question of why do we do good or the right thing or why not, and when we don't do the"right thing" or behave according to our ideal. 

What is a good example of "good" in someone deemed by all as "completely evil?" We came up with "a Pedophile," who is someone's beloved son and someone's adored  father, i.e., Catholic priests living a life of service, except for raping boys. They performed evil acts, behaviors, but they are not totally and completely evil. They are also loving, kind, caring, charitable, honest, hard working, and dedicated to service.  Bill Clinton or Bill Cosby could be an example of someone who is a good person, a lovable, likable person but is accused and charged with drugging and raping women.

For our experiment we chose the first experiment at the bottom of page 88:
"Choose and write down something in your life that seems to be a barrier to you.  (Problem with a relationship, a difficulty meditating) Then write down a constructive purpose which that barrier is serving. (Not taking relationship for granted; working on relationship is awakening a specific positive quality in me) and look for and respond to doorways that may open in that barrier during the week.  Do not expect the barrier to disappear but be attentive to the ways in which the Christ Spirit is speaking to you through this situation.  Keep a record of your experiences."

Now I have some  really sad news. Since my first first ARE retreat in Colorado at Camp Elephant Rock, or was it Berthoud Ski lodge in 1978, Darlene Bodnar has been a bright light and good humored, cheerful leader, and teacher, ARE Council leader, retreat planner, etc.  You may recall she was ill and unable to attend the program when Kevin Todeshi Spoke on Edgar Cayce on the Akashic Records, Relationships, and the Illusion of Time last month. She was very ill, did not recover, and I am sorry to say her memorial services were held this past week. How could someone with such a zest for life, so much enthusiasm, energy spreading love and joy everywhere even die? 

I hope to see all of you next week as the meeting room door opens for our next lesson at 7 pm.

Sylvia

A.R.E. Meeting for 5/8/17

We completed our chapter in the experiments book on patience. For our experiment, we are choosing either the one on the bottom of page 84 or the final one on page 86.

The first suggests keeping an awareness of "Today is the last day before the coming of Christ and the fulfillment of his promises" from the time we awaken.  The challenge is to "focus on acting in the highest spirit that you know," and record what happens when you attempt to live in the eternal now and awareness of Christ's imminent coming.

The second experiment is from the reading from 5089-2 recommending a shift of consciousness from impatience to patience with people or situations by speaking both to others and the impatient part of ourselves with the question, "What have we here?" And the 2nd part is try to overcome any self righteousness within yourself by including an affirmation of the uniqueness of every souls approach to God.  

Next Monday we begin the lesson on the Open Door.  See you then!

A.R.E. Meeting for 5/1/17

We had a good meeting with interesting discussion of a dimension -- Patience. 

We read in our experiments book down to the quote which begins "passive submission will not suffice; our patience must......" 

We chose the experiment on page  79 for this week.

Experiment:

          At the end of the day write down write down one experience from the day which, at the time it happened, was confusing, frustrating, or difficult for you to deal with.  Then have a moment of quiet to center yourself and get in touch with your real Self.  Listen for an answer as to the purpose for your having that particular situation arise.  Write down your understanding of that purpose.

Example: 

          Situation:  I ran out of money at the store.  I had to borrow from a friend and I was somewhat embarrassed.

          Purpose:   I needed to remember that I need the love and help of others and they need mine.

See you next week!