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Word Gems 

exploring self-realization, sacred personhood, and full humanity

A Course In Miracles

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Many stand guard over their ... thought systems [because] learning means change 

Change is always fearful to the separated

You believe that if you allow no change to enter your ego you will find peace

Tolerance for pain may be high, but it is not without limit. Eventually, everyone begins to recognize, however, dimly, that there must be a better way. As this recognition becomes more firmly established, it becomes a turning point. This ultimately reawakens spiritual vision

God uses a very natural process to lead people to change. No one needs to be punished, no one needs to be brought to trial, or even checked up on. The suffering we bring on ourselves by living according to the ego's dictates "eventually" causes us "to recognize there must be a better way."

The following discussion by Kairissi and Elenchus is part of the article, “500 Tape-Recorded Messages From The Other Side.”

Kairissi. I feel so overwhelmed by all this information.

Elenchus. What would you say is the main idea you’re left with in all this?

K. You mean, can I summarize the “Sufi elephant”? (sighing) Well, let’s see… I think what I'm feeling is that there's a great unity in everything that happens, in every world and dimension, among all peoples, high and low, in God's domain.

E. A great unity...

K. I mean, it’s all natural law. No one is forced to do anything. Everybody’s pursuing their own definition of happiness.

E. Even the tribal cult-leader – he said he was happy.

K. That’s right. Everybody’s just sort of flowing in the energy of life, or lack thereof. Most people are deluded – or, I guess, we’re all deluded in that none of us sees the totality of the “Sufi elephant.”

E. But some of us at least know we’re deluded.

K. And that’s the big difference. But, everyone, no matter which little twig we’re clinging to, on either side of that “tree of life,” sees only so much. I’m not making myself clear. Let me try again.

E. (small smile) I thought I understood until you started talking.

K. Uh-huh - I think you've lost your "muchiness." But what I’m trying to say is that, there's no police force to make people do the right thing.

E. Do we even know what the “right thing” is?

K. Well, that’s another problem. Everybody’s out there doing their own thing, most of it's wrong, but, even so, as the wisest Spirit Guides say, one day we’ll all make it to a mature level as a son or daughter of God.

E. But how can this happen if it’s like herding kittens?

K. The “herding” is very subtle. People are allowed to go their own way, on either “side of the tree,” and if they build their lives on “craving,” they will assuredly suffer. And that suffering will bring on disillusionment.

E. Disillusionment – when we don’t get what we want, or when we do.

K. And that’s what I mean when I say that everything is managed by natural law. There’s no need to be policed. There's a built-in fail-safe. No one gets away with anything, not even the smallest penny; not after a while.

E. Yes, of course. This disillusionment will eventually bring down the house for the False-Self group.

K. But, though to a lesser extent, it also serves as guidance-system to those of us who live on the True-Self side of the tree – because we sometimes slip into egocentric thinking, too.

E. And when we do, we suffer, and the suffering becomes our impetus for course correction.

K. We "go within" and get a "clearer reading" of what we're to do, and then we're fine again. It’s all a very natural and light-handed way of managing the universe. Nobody needs to chase anyone down for punishment or even to "attend class."

E. The suffering eventually makes people change. Those in the Dark Realms, if they fight themselves, their higher natures, will “sink and sink” into greater darkness and greater suffering.

K. They’ll keep on falling until they reach an unbearable level of pain, which will cause them to seek for a way out. It’s all a natural process. And though it may take a very long time, this is how God will bring everyone to a good level of maturity.

E. We're all "dragged into the kingdom of God kicking and screaming."

K. Pretty much. Funny thing – the suffering is optional. It’s not necessary. If people would begin to open their spirits, we could learn without suffering.

E. Does God bring together destined lovers in this way, too?

K. (softly) Yes… I think so. It's hard for those two raging rivers to meld. Sometimes, even when they know who their true mate is, they can be angry and resist being with "the one." But, once they know, and if they fight the truth of who they are to each other, they will “sink and sink” into darkness and pain… until they repent of their "sins against sacred romance."

E. Does this mean you'll eventually come to me?

K. (sighing)