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October-December, 2020

Be In the World, But Not of It

by Rev. Dan Strodl, Ordained Ministerial Counselor

“There is a way of living in the world that is not here, although it seems to be. You do not change appearance, though you smile more frequently. Your forehead is serene; your eyes are quiet. And the ones who walk the world as you do recognize their own. Yet those who have not yet perceived the way will recognize you also, and believe that you are like them, as you were before.” (W-155.1)

The world we live in is an insane ego thought system that thrives on fear, judgments, grievances, conflict, worry and stress. It is all projected from the ego thought system which we inherited at the separation and developed through our lives.

Attack, defense, conflict and fear keep us locked in the ego’s prison. But we can open the prison door with forgiveness. Forgiveness is letting go of all the illusions that block us from the truth of who we are.

“This is an insane world, and do not underestimate the extent of its insanity. There is no area of your perception that it has not touched, and your dream is sacred to you. That is why God placed the Holy Spirit in you, where you placed the dream.” (T-14.I.2:6-8)

When we notice that insane thoughts are bubbling up in our mind, we can step back, quiet our mind, and ask Holy Spirit for a new way of seeing. Holy Spirit’s job is to heal our minds, and He is with us all through the day holding our hand.

With consistent letting go of insane thoughts, the ego support system will slowly lose its power and the light of our Right Mind will come shining through. We can still live in the world, but experience true Reality, seeing the world through the eyes of Love.

I had an experience this morning which was a good example of being in the world but not of it. I live in an apartment, and one of my neighbors had taken it on herself to make the street in front of our block beautiful.

She has worked on it for the last five years, and planted beautiful shrubs and flowers. A boring gray cement road has been transformed into one of the most stunning roads in London. She was out there almost every day, watering, pruning, and planting.

Then last week, she had a grievance with cyclists. They were riding their bikes on the pavement. So she moved three big plant pots and spaced them out across the pavement, so their bikes couldn’t get through.

Some residents complained about her blocking the pavement to the authorities, and she was told to remove the plant pots.

She took offense at this and sent an email through to all the residents, to let them know that she was withdrawing her efforts to look after the beautiful street garden.

Someone else would have to do it. When I read her email I was upset. I didn’t want her beautiful street garden to die. I feared that no one else would come forward.

“Pause and be still a little while, and see how far you rise above the world, when you release your mind from chains and let it seek the level where it finds itself at home.”  (W-pI:128.1)

So, I stepped back and asked Holy Spirit for a new way of seeing. I sensed that it was a call for love ... and so, I sent her blessings. I blessed her in her love, happiness, peace, and her acceptance. And as I did that, I noticed that my upset had vanished and peace had returned.

Every time I catch a grievance and let it go, I feel real freedom from the ego thought system. I’m still in the world but participating less in the insanity. Thank you neighbors for giving me the opportunity to heal my mind.

P.S. The next day she was outside watering her garden again.

© 2020, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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