Fireside IV

Salviac village bisIt is to the Village Square that the townspeople come to exchange views and thoughts on their beloved spiritual philosophy, learning from each other in kindness and wisdom. Then when their minds have been filled, they retire to the tavern on the western side of the square where they share in social discussion, learning of each other’s events and challenges, happinesses and sometimes sadnesses, too. With a mug or glass in hand, they collect in front of the great Fireplace that dominates the long wall. Benches and chairs are often filled on market day with those who have come from farther away, bringing news of events and views the local people delight in hearing.

If you are feeling disoriented by all the philosophical talk by the fountain in the Village Square, then come sit down on the bench here with us for a while just to soothe your mind and share a mug of tea or coffee. Let’s all make sure the conversation is quiet and simple, caring and thougtful, exactly the kind of talk you might have around a warm hearth, the only light filling the room coming from the fireplace.

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This is the fourth installment in the Fireside discussion series. After we reach 900 comments, the page takes too long to load on your computer, and so we start another fresh page. To review previous discussions, we keep the old pages (Fireside I and Fireside II) which you can find under the ‘Village’ tab on the navigation bar at the top of screen under the image of the tree.

1,063 Responses to “Fireside IV”

  1. Bernard says:

    We should try to put further comments on the Fireside V page, as I will be putting this page, Fireside IV, in the archives shortly.

  2. Nina says:

    Hi all

    hi Anne —

    Bernard, It was my poem 🙂 Yes, I think it deserves exposure in itd happy silliness

    saw this today on DU; think it was from Francis Pallier:

    Anyway, I totally agree with your points on the inconsistencies. They’re obvious. But they are coming from me while appearing to be coming at me via images of separate people and things mistakenly perceived as being outside of the false “me”, the “hero” of the dream. I need to forgive myself for having decided that guilt is real. That was the cause of so desperately wanting to see it outside of “me” and in “others”. The dream figures perceived outside of “me” are forgiven as well for they only do my bidding. Now I release them from that insane purpose by simply deciding I was wrong about guilt. What were the components of my thinking which motivated me to feel justified in becoming indignant, upset, angry, vindictive, sarcastic, self righteous, depressed, and so on?

    the second quote came from a remarkable woman, Elizabeth Hill, who travels the far east and are demonstrating how trusting God in everything works out. This is what she told the fear inside, when it came up through a trial ( her visa had expired)

    , I said to the incredible fear, “Not a chance! This is impossible. There is no ‘other’ who is “out there” judging me, punishing me for where I AM and for choosing love instead of fear.I am Spirit, whole and innocent, all is forgiven and released. I forgive my brothers and sisters for who they are not, what they are not, and what they have not done. I forgive myself for the projection.” The extraordinary healing, transformation, and expansion that has come from allowing what came, breathing into it, blessing it, owning it, and then forgiving and releasing it, cannot be described or quantified in words.

    And then the judge let her go 🙂

    And Annie asked me to bring you her love

  3. Michele says:

    ♥☀♡☼☆☮晴♥Happy Birthday Katrina♥☀♡☼☆☮晴♥

  4. Michele says:

    Jamie Romkey asked me to send everyone his Love

  5. Patricia Harte-Byers says:

    I opened this website for the first time today. I decided to write something here because I was deeply touched by the gentleness of the entries. I also decided to address my specialness ego costume of not being a joiner. And now I hesitate…… but I think I’ll hit submit.

  6. Bernard says:

    Hi Patricia, it was nice of you to post a message. Not to worry about any specialness issues with us! This site was once quite active and despite the fact that most of the participants have moved on to other horizons, there’s still a lot to be gained from the messages and informations on the site. I hope you enjoy it. Best wishes, Bernard

  7. Trish says:

    Hello Bernard: Thank you for your reply. Part of my learning focus recently has been on the idea of oneness and the idea of being 100% wrong and Jesus being 100% right. We practice, practice, practice forgiveness as recommended by Jesus/Ken and then one day (after many years) we realize where forgiveness is leading us…… to a recognition/experience that “I” will not get to enjoy the fruits of my labor because my special/ individual self is no longer around. I am currently reading Ken’s “Journey through the Workbook of ACIM.” The conflict between my right and wrong mind seems more acute right now. Nevertheless, I am sometimes able to smile when I have the thought, “how could I have so misconstrued what the Course teaches.” Best wishes, Trish

  8. Bernard Groom says:

    Hi Trish, I enjoyed reading your experience of your path and fully agree with all you say. It’s encouraging to see another student plow into this work with so much courage and enthousiasm, bravo! There’s a lot we could be afraid of, but if we are able to work through it all carrying with us that kind and gentle smile, as you say, then we’ll be able to get there quite smoothly. Although it seems that “I” will not get to enjoy the fruits of this labor, as you say, there is nevertheless something in our minds that will be tremendously joyful and peaceful. This is not the “I”-feeling, as such, but something else which we will become more and more familiar to us. A kind of non-possessive, non-centered happiness and peacefulness that is just present, though not really present “in us” as we have always thought of it.

    I find that I’m still discovering things I’ve misconstrued, or not fully appreciated, despite thirty years of study of the Course. I’ve recently been working with Ken’s teachings on mindfulness/mindlessness, and when he says “What’s this got to do with you?” got a much better picture of the real “Us” outside of time and space, looking down on our puppet “us”, the puppet that I still think thinks and has its very own thoughts and feelings. I seemed to better understand that this tiny “me” is just the by-product of the separation thought held in the “Us” mind, and should not be the center of my attention. As Ken says over and over, it’s not the thoughts of that tiny mind that we should be concerned about, but the fact that we think it can think at all! Love it! Best wishes to you, Bernard

  9. Patricia Harte-Byers says:

    Hello Bernard: I have been contemplating your words about the tiny “me” being a by-product of the “Us” mind. That way of expressing the situation connects with my current study of Ken’s explanation of Lesson 167: “There is one life, and that I share with God.” I have also been reading posts and articles on the ACIM Village and see that we truly are all in this together and I am grateful for the honesty expressed on this website. The words that come to mind and so frequently used by Ken are: “sameness,” “shared interests,” “oneness.” I could write a lot more but I’m finally realizing there is no hurry; I’ll have another opportunity. I see that the necessary looking with Jesus at my hateful, murderous, insane thoughts must be done unhurriedly. Kind regards and thank you for the ACIM Village. Trish

  10. Bernard Groom says:

    Hi Trish, I’m looking to reading your thoughts in the future. And, as you say, there’s no hurry. We just keep looking with that kind, gentle and ever so patient presence of Love beside us, and all the “horror” will fade back into nothingness. Thanks for your contribution to our conversations, Bernard.

  11. Trish says:

    Hello Bernard: In my continued study of Ken’s Journey Through the Workbook of ACIM I have reached that beautiful lesson: “The peace of God is shining in me now.” As I let those lovely symbolic words come to me throughout the hours of my days, I am also aware of the anxiety and I look at that (when I remember). Another teaching of Ken’s has also recently been near the top of my thoughts: “… when we are in a state of anxiety and pain, it is because we are worshipping anxiety and pain.” I recall years ago smiling when I read Ken’s “joke” about us worshipping fear. Back then I could not imagine that he was serious. Now, I understand (intellectually) that he was providing essential information about our wrong minds. So, I practice forgiving myself (when I remember) for continually choosing my specialness. The idea of being consistently light-hearted about the silliness of choosing the ego is becoming more appealing. Kind regards, Trish

  12. Bernard Groom says:

    Hi Trish, I’m sorry to get back to you so late. I saw your message some time ago and thought I had responded. Hmm.
    It’s a really great step to be able to become aware of our anxiety. But that can make us more and more uncomfortable unless we also remember that a tender Love is just behind all the noise and bluster of our egos. It’s a constant on-going process of having the courage (and vigilance) to remember to look to see if peace is really in our minds (most often not!). But then it’s so important, as you suggest, to not forget to take the next step which is to remember to look on all of this with kindness and laughter. Can you believe that, yes, we’re actually “worshipping” our anxiety and pain?! Ken gave us some really crucial information there which helps us understand why our pain just doesn’t go away that easily. How could it if unconsciously I actually want it to be there?? But he’s saying that the more we understand that, the more we’ll see how there’s an option, and eventually we’ll just say, “heck, it’s so silly to sit here and be so upset!” For me, I find that I practice best with the little upsets in life, such as having to wait in a long line at the supermarket. I can’t disguise my impatience, and can’t argue with the silliness of being upset about something I can do nothing about, and isn’t really even affecting me anyway!!
    I hope you had a nice holiday season and are looking forward to this new year. May we all take one little step closer to loving Kindness and eternal Innocence… Bernard

  13. Trish says:

    Happy New Year Bernard: Yes indeed, may we all take one little step closer to loving Kindness and eternal Innocence. At this point in the process I am reassured when Ken says following the path of ACIM is difficult (it is) and also reassures us that the journey has an end. I’m remembering more frequently to practice gentleness, kindness and patience during those times of extreme resistance. My resistance oftentimes takes the form of catastrophizing……… I look with Jesus………… and it takes some time for me to consider that the catastrophic thought is foolish. Thank you for your kind and reassuring words. Trish

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