A.R.E. Meeting for 9/13/21

 Leader: Cindi
 
After a late start (sorry to not have sent out the link beforehand), the same four devotees as last week met and listened to an audio clip on “The Cross and the Crown.” However, we cut it short because the quality was not too good. This was a night for discussion, beginning with experiments, and continuing with questions about whether only we contribute to our crosses, or can others create crosses for us.
 
We did not read from the SFG book, but we read one more experiment, and decided to keep the two from last week. So now there are three experiments you can work on.
 
Experiment 1:  Try the three-step approach described above (questions to ask that will lead us to freedom). Select and write down a situation in life in which you feel trapped. Determine and write down an illusory image of yourself or a misconception about life that may have created this situation. Finally, seek to understand and accept the reality or purposefulness that lies beneath this difficulty. Keep a record of your experiences which come from the acceptance of this cross.
Example:
   Situation: Having no friends
   Misconception: Having close friends mean that I will be burdened by responsibilities to them and it’s better to be without them.
   Purposefulness of situation: I am learning how much I really do want to have people that I care about and who care about me.
   Acceptance of this cross: I will not blame others for not having declared their friendship for me, but will work actively to be a friend to others.
 
Experiment 2: Select and write down one cross in your life. Then consider how the Master would take up that cross and move with it. How would He act out in materiality His acceptance of that situation? Write down your answers to this question. For at least a week try to live and act in a way He would towards this situation.
 
Experiment 3: Select a person with whom you feel you share a common ideal or a common spiritual perspective of life. Let this also be someone with whom you occasionally experience a difficulty in your relationship. Work on (1) accepting what you perceive as the shortcomings of that person, and (2) truly meeting that person as a soul. Keep a record of your experiences.