A.R.E. Meeting for 6/26/17

We read in the experiments book through the experiment at the top of page 103 and most of us chose to do that one rather than the first on on page 101 about beginning a new project for good.

Experiment:  Each day make an effort to listen and feel God's presence (within and without) in the ordinary and the commonplace of life.  Keep a record of your experiences of recognizing it in these situations.

An interesting story shared was of "turning a quite challenging situation over to God," when he realized it was impossible to figure out how to both sell everything: house, two cars, stove and frig.; and to live in their house,  use appliances and cars being sold in order to to leave for his overseas job.  

The day before departure, closing of the house was expedited by seller asking, "Would it help if I made your first payment for you?" That completed the sale of the house. Then with his car and appliances sold, they stayed in a motel that night, and drove her car to the airport the next day where her car buyer paid her for her car.

We read in ASFG from "Experiencing the Abiding Presence" to, but not including, "Let us Remember That Our Guard Is Ever in His Presence."

Plan to join us next Monday.

Signing off in His presence
(Without and within)

Sylvia Raye

A.R.E. Meeting for 6/12/17

Hello all,
Tonight we finished reading "The Open Door " in both books. Eric also read excerpts about Archangel Michael coming thru as they were about to build the hospital, and how incredible it was, as if a wind came through the house, windows rattling, and his booming voice loud.

Our first choice of experiments is on page 97; "Look at life as essentially good.  Make choices each day for a week that reflect your belief that God is good and has as his deepest desire that good things would come to you.  Record the decisions that you make from this point of view. "

Or on page 98 of the experiments book:  "Each day for at least a week, adopt a prayerful response to the experience of doubt.  These doubts may be in yourself, in others, or in God.  Record those situations in which you felt doubt and then took a moment for prayer."

See you next week.
Sylvia

A.R.E. Meeting for 6/5/17

Your choices of experiments, which also cover the reading done from page 93 during the meeting, are on page 94 and 95 of the Experiments book.

1) Take at least 2 minutes in your meditation period to experience an opening of the door by focusing on the fact that Christ has been and always will be with you.  Notice the times in your daily life you have deliberately returned to "Christ has been and always will be with me " when you have feelings of emptiness, doubt, lack, or self condemnation.  And then record those times.

2) Daily for a week or longer, determine to be aware and act on ways you can serve as an open door to others.

 A considerable amount of our discussion was on "we not only open the door, but as channels, are doors. Let us not forget, as we work, that those we meet along the way are seekers also and are the Israel of the Lord." From 262 #28 a conclusion or inference is ".....we act as open doors for others" specifically in giving whatever he or she needs for growth, with sensitivity, willingness to listen and discern things said and unsaid. (More inclusively, then a perspective of the open door moves from healing an individual to healing our society.)

So acting as an open door for others to know more joy, peace, from needed influences you provide them, write down the name and the specific thing you thought they needed for growth in the moment.

We missed you and prayed for those unable to join us last night.

Your door woman,
Sylvia

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!