A.R.E. Meeting for 5/26/25

Leader: Greg
 
Three participants memorialized this day with our study of ideals. We watched the ARE weekly video about creating stepping stones from stumbling blocks and another short video on ideals. We read the “Introduction” and “Ideals Grow with Development” sections in the SFG book and followed this with the first two experiments in the Experiments book. Pick one of these two experiments:
 
Experiment 1: This is an observation experiment and its purpose is to help you become more aware of what your ideals or directions have been in various parts of your life. At the end of the day take a few minutes to consider the experiences that stand out in your mind from the past 24 hours. Recall the things you thought or did in each experience. Then, for each experience, write down the conscious or unconscious force within yourself that might have led you to have that particular experience.
   Experience 1: I got mad at Mr. Simpson and spoke to him in a rude and angry way.
  Directive force within me: I had been holding resentments toward him for several things he has done to me in the past. I was unaware of how I was holding these resentments when the experience happened today.
  Experience 2: I was helpful and patient with a friend who stopped by and was having some personal problems.
  Directive force within me: I had had a good meditation earlier in the day in which I got in touch with wanting to be a blessing to others.
 
Experiment 2: Take time each day in prayer and meditation to ask yourself this question: “What qualities make up the highest awareness that I would like to have directing my life?’’ Each day record the answers that come to your mind. At the end of the week have a special quiet time in which you consider all of the qualities you have listed. Allow a state of awareness to emerge in your consciousness that would combine and integrate all these qualities. When you feel that you are in touch with this state of awareness, choose a word or short phrase to represent this state of consciousness, which is your spiritual ideal (e.g., “God,” “oneness with Christ,” “love’’).

A.R.E. Meeting for 5/19/25

Leader: Greg
 
Four met in fellowship to work on examining our ideals. After discussing the experiment for the week, we watched a video titled “Edgar Cayce on Ideals” by Tyler Benson, who is part of another study group. Our experiment for the week is:
 
Experiment: Choose one word which you would want your friends to use in describing your greatest character strength; for example, kindness, compassion, honesty, helpfulness, etc. Then throughout the week, look for that quality in others as you try to practice it yourself. Keep a journal of your thoughts and feelings each day.

A.R.E. Meeting for 5/12/25

Leader: Greg

Five Cayce scholars devoted time to unraveling the 262 readings on “What is My Ideal?” We discussed how Jesus would handle our world situations and watched a short video by Cindy Griffith-Bennett on Ideals. Our experiment for the week is:

Experiment: The Cayce readings affirm that the qualities we admire in others are also qualities that we ourselves possess. For one week, jot down in a small booklet or on a piece of paper the positive qualities you observe in other people. Each evening review the list and beside each entry write down a few ways that you might express this quality more fully in your own life.

A.R.E. Meeting for 5/5/25

Leader: Greg
 
Four Cayce knowledge seekers met on Cinco de Mayo to finish the experiment for “Know Thyself” and begin the chapter on “What is My Ideal?” We watched a David McMillan video on Ideals and read the 262-12 study group reading. Our experiment for the week is:
 
Experiment: Consider using Jesus as a spiritual ideal.  If you make that choice, use your daily prayer and meditation to reflect upon how you will manifest that spiritual ideal in your thoughts (mental ideals) and actions (physical ideals) as you go about your daily activities.  In other words, in the various situations in which you find yourself in the midst of life, ask yourself what would Jesus think? (mental ideal) What would Jesus Do? (physical ideal). In that way your thoughts and actions are harmonious and consistent with your spiritual ideal. Thus spiritual, mental, and physical – they are one as you become more Christ-like through daily application of your spiritual ideal.