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’’).