To: Monika re: Mar. 3 post

Hi Monika,
Sorry for being really really late-but just wanted to respond to your comment regarding my question on truth... As I've mentioned to Indira, I've had tech problems at that time, plus didn't have much time to really sit in front of a computer after work... sounds like excuses, but it seems to me it's caused by my not being ready to post and come out of my self-imposed isolation... I am really struggling with my spirituallity, and have been for so long... I have so many obstacles within myself that I need to conquer.
Anyway---I just thought it was nice of you to acknowledge my question--although I felt so stupid asking it but I just had to coz I didn't get it--lol---
I have been reading this blog on and off, and I find it encouraging to know that I am not alone in my quest for spirituality. I've found comfort in everyone's thoughts, and it made me feel like I'm part of a great group of people... For a while there I was so discouraged in thinking that this world is doomed because no one really cares for what's important, or too little really care...

I am sadly still stuck on Lesson 5 (can you believe that???)--sad.... but I think one of my biggest hurdles is letting go of baggage, and that (from what I remember? ) I think is what Lesson 5 is for.... oh well...

Thanks again and good luck on your lessons.

Thanks and good luck to everyone too!

Sincerely,
Ina

SURRENDER

When we accept what we cannot change, we are in harmony with life, even when life is not going according to our particular plan. Surrender is the key. Surrender comes from God—the way that flowers, lightning in the sky, and moments of silence come from God—in God’s time and design, not ours.

Sunday Morning In Jamestown

Just to let you know that I am posting on my regular blog while I am in here in Jamestown, New York (my hometown) and you are always invited to check it out if you are interested in my daily activities here...beyond what I do here in the School.

Most important is that we remain aware, awake, and alert in our ordinary world....and then the ordinary becomes the extraordinary! So please remember to apply the principals you are learning in your School to your every day life. Then every moment is a spiritual moment.

This moment, wherever you are, please receive the love of angels like a bountiful bouquet of flowers that fills your senses with beauty, scent, softeness, and an overpowering love...a love that overpowers all darkness, pain, or sorrow.

All my love to all of you.

an uncommon blog

Hi Kevin
In fact, I tryed 2 times to post a poem from Archangel Raphael, but 2 times just before I wanted to send it, it disapeared. Now you gave me the courage to try it again.

Hello Everyone

Archangel Raphael

Heal. Linger. Do not hurry.
I bring you healing and peace,
Just be yourself.
Your way is far. You are ready.
You have already come a long way.
Often you have been anxious and worried.
Be ready. Your way is yet far,
but I am here. I am entirely near.
In love I accompany you,
I extend my protection over you.
Healing I want to bring you.
I want to sing in joy with you.
Your tears will fall.
I will carry you in my wings.
Be as you are and take courage.
You are good as you are.
Trust yourself.
Construct castles in the air.
Be as you are and take courage.
Trust in your life and it will be good.

And here again in German

Erzengel Raphael

Heilen, verweilen, Dich nicht beeilen.
Heil bring ich Dir und Ruh
sei einfach Du.
Dein Weg ist weit, Du bist bereit.
Schon weit bist Du gegangen,
oft musstest Du in Sorge bangen.
Sei bereit, Dein Weg ist noch weit,
doch ich bin da, bin Dir ganz nah.
In Liebe werd ich Dich begleiten
zum Schutz meine Flügel über Dich breiten.
Heil will ich Dir bringen
in Liebe mit Dir singen.
Deine Tränen werden versiegen,
in meinen Flügel werd ich Dich wiegen.
Sei wie Du bist und fasse Mut
so wie Du bist, so bist Du gut.
Du darfst Dir vertrauen
Luftschlösser bauen.
Sei einfach Du und fasse Mut
vertraue dem Leben und es wird gut.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Dear Students,
In honor of our great Mother Earth, and the Mother in each of you, I have posted a special Mother's Day gift for all students of the school on my website, and you may find it here: Happy Mother's Day! This message can be accessed only by members of the School and is not meant for the public at this time. Thank you.

Thinking For Yourself

One of the most important opportunities you have in your School is to learn to think for yourself. Thinking for yourself is not actually condoned, supported, or encouraged in this world. A simple look at history shows us that people have been persecuted and even killed for daring to think “outside of the box.”

Remember when it was declared that Iraq had weapons of "mass destruction?" Some of you, who were tuned into my work then, may recall that I wrote a special message stating that this was not true.

It was hard not to believe the elected officials of the U.S. government and the media who kept repeating this lie. I remember asking myself, what is true? I wanted to know the truth for myself, not just listen to what others had to say. Finally, I happened to see a clip on TV of Saddam Hussein speaking. His speech was being translated into English. He said his country did not have "weapons of mass destruction" and I knew absolutely that he was telling the truth. I knew this because I was open, receptive, and thought for myself about what I was seeing and hearing. I remember that moment precisely, because of the relief I felt in getting an answer. My relief was countered with sadness in knowing that I was being lied to; that war and destruction would follow; and that I was powerless over all of that. I participated in candlelight vigils anyway; not because I thought they would stop an inevitable war; just because I like holding the light for peace.

Connection with Truth, Reality, is always possible. Each of you has had such moments. These are the moments when you are thinking for yourself; moments when you wake up; moments when you step out of the mass hypnosis.

Answers come when answers come. There is no need to rush an answer. The very act of "rushing" something actually creates a "traffic jam" and increases the confusion. Just as clouds naturally give way to sunlight, so does confusion clear to understanding When you feel "confused," consider instead that you just do not have all the information you need yet; that it is not yet time to make a decision. Making a decision or taking a step in the midst of confusion only leads to more confusion. Give yourself permission to wait for the clouds to clear so that you can take your next step in the bright light of day. Give yourself permission to be led by Truth, not fear.

welcome to the new followers

It is always nice to see a new photo here of a friendly face focused on the goal of Truth. Welcome Hirth, Kevin, and Mitrananda. Mitrananda has a very nice website of his own. FYI: there are new comments in the first comment section. I appreciate Mitrananda's words to a song he loves. Lesson 5 also uses words to a song! Also welcome to those of you who come here to read but remain "silent." I appreciate all of you for being uniquely perfectly who you are. Isn't it nice to have a school where you do not have to "be" anyone - smile. Simply un-Be!

Hello all together

I am sorry that I didn`t answer any posts. We was in NYC, Detroit and Miami with our daughter. She lifes in Monroe ( Michigan ) as an exchange student. We had a verry good time but now I am glad to be back in smal switzerland : )

Sandra: When I read you are from Zug, I also realized we now each other.

I wrote 47 poems, now I would like to realize a small book. Is here anybody who can help me?

Lots of love
Ruth

confession time

Hello to everyone,

My confession is that I am only on lesson five. But i a having such a wonderful time reading it. When I got to the words of the song 50 ways to loose your lover I starting singing and then laughed and then felt love and a desire to connect to all of you. I have been having such self doubt about the work I do. Feeling scared that I am not really able to help people. So I will apply lesson 5 to this and see how it goes. love Annie

what the angels say:

What is this thing called spirituality, anyway? Spirituality is not about ideas and beliefs. Spirituality is about being absolutely present in your life. Then intuition speaks to you crystal clear. When you are absolutely present in your life, your life is spiritual and you are a spiritual being. Spirituality is not different from this earth you walk upon. It is not something else out there. It is not different from you. It is not separate from God.

Allow gratitude to settle over and around your life like a beautiful melody. Then you will quite naturally find yourself living in the present moment. You will be present in your life. When you are present in your life, intuition speaks to you crystal clear. When intuition speaks to you crystal clear, you know that your life is spiritual, that you are a spiritual being, and that spirituality is not different from the earth you walk upon. It is not something “out there”. It is not different from you. It is not separate from God.

Happy Easter, Happy Passover, Happy You

Dearest Students, For those of you who make the effort to visit the Open Classroom (even if you do not participate) I have a special message for you. You can find it by clicking here: a special message (if you have trouble opening the link, let me know). This message can only be accessed through this link and cannot be publicly viewed, even though it is on my website.

from Monika

Dear classmates, I am leaving for some days. So I am sending now Easter greetings to all of you. Easter time is a time of extreme changes. Life, death, and life again, letting go of old things, habits......I wish all of us a smooth time of renewing.  Love Monika

Hello

Pleased to making the journey here with all of you. Thanks for sharing your insights and the path. Hirth

Poem

Dear Class

My Name is Ruth. This is the first time in my life that I post something. Judy asked me to post a poem from me. Because I am Swiss, I am afraid, my english sound and look also swiss. I am sorry : )

At first I send you a German poem. I am afraid, if I translate it, it loose. I hope I get an English later. My poem tells about a miracle. It says:

A miracle is like a candlelight,
it touches me in my darkest night.
If it happens I can't believe it.
With my intellect I try to steal the magic from it.
I can't explain nor confirm a miracle.
Suddenly it appears.
Often when I'm near despair.
Like the sun breaking through the clouds
a miracle brings light in my life.
Angel of miracle, let me see also the small miracles
now going through the life without attention.
So my life will become brighter.
The darkness will go away faster.
Angel of the miracle I thank you
you appeared in my darkest moment.

I think in German it sounds much better

Wunder

Ein Wunder ist wie Kerzenlicht.
In dunkler Nacht wird endlich Licht.
Passiert es, kann ich es nicht glauben
Mit dem Verstand will ich ihm die Magie rauben.
Ein Wunder lässt sich weder erklären noch begründen.
Plötzlich ist es einfach da.
Oft wenn ich der Verzweiflung nah.
Wie die Sonne, wenn sie durch die Wolken bricht
bringt ein Wunder in mein Leben Licht.
Engel der Wunder, lass mich auch die kleinen Wunder sehen
nicht achtlos durch das Leben gehen.
Dadurch wird mein Leben heller
die Dunkelheit verzieht sich schneller.
Engel der Wunder, ich danke Dir
dass Du in meinem dunkelsten Moment Dich zeigtest mir.

Lovely greatings

Ruth

Waking Up

Dearest Students, I will be posting more often here now, as a way to support and augment your lessons. This Classroom, as you know, is for all students, no matter if you have just begun or have been with the School since the beginning.

Some tips for making the most of your time in the School: Take yourself lightly! Heavy and serious is for the ego. Please do not use the School as yet another way to make yourself wrong or bad (because you did not complete your homework, for example). You have had enough of other people (and your own mind) making you wrong and bad in your life. You will do exactly what you need to do in the School. Even if you only read one sentence of your lesson in a day, that is the sentence you need to read.

Myself, I read the lessons every day and I listen to them on my (talking) MacIntosh. Plus, of course, I write them. Even though I am the "writer" I also consider myself a student just like you. For me, there is nothing more important than waking up in this life and staying awake. The lessons are an alarm clock, reminding you to wake up now! Wake up! Come out of the dream!

Hello teacher,
this is cool, you are also a classmate now ! Is that right ? Welcome ! This is a new experience. Let us have fun.
Love
Monika

Breaking the silence of isolation

Dearest Students, there are times (as some of you have noticed) that I write privately to you. Some of you have expressed surprise and gratitude that I would take the time to do this. I cannot do it all the time, given the number of students in the School (outside of the Open Classroom).

The Open Classroom is where I answer most questions and keep in contact with you. It is also where you keep in contact with me (as well as each other). It is unlikely you will receive a private communication from me unless you post and comment here. Even if you have not received any private communication from me, I read everything you write here and this helps me to connect with you at deeply intuitive levels. Which means that when I feel called to do so, I can reach out to you both privately and here. I would prefer to have all of our communication be open to everyone, as there is truly nothing to hide, no story that is unique. However I understand and respect privacy.

One of the insidious forms the ego takes is ISOLATION. The ego thrives in isolation. In future lessons, I will reveal more of the many cunning tricks the ego uses to stay in control. One purpose of The Open Classroom is to help you come out of isolation - to recognize that your story is not so terrible that it must be hidden - that you must be hidden.

Here you have the possibility to speak your truth, even if your truth is false (the ego is always false). You have the possibility to come out of isolation. When you tell your simple human stories here, you give others the chance to relate to them, to understand that there is really only one story, told over and over again, in different ways.

In isolation, the ego thrives because it can hold onto its (false) story that it is special.

Remember that the primary function of the School is to bring into awareness that which was previously hidden from view. You are traveling a road from the darkness (of ego, ignorance, unawareness) to the light of Consciousness and Truth. This requires shining the bright light of awareness into every crack and crevice where the ego hides.

On Being Powerless

Dearest Students, You might like to consider (for those of you who like extra homework) the following: What in my life (that is causing me pain) am I powerless over?

Begin a list (in your special School notebook which I do hope you have by now!) of the things you are powerless over. Each time something that you are powerless over brings you pain or unhappiness add it to your list.

When you do this, you are telling yourself the Truth about what you are powerless over. This helps to over-ride the unconscious lies we constantly tell ourselves (that we have power where we have none). And it helps you direct your energy toward what you do have the power to change (more about this in future lessons).

For all Classes: Your next Lessons are coming soon, so please make sure you have completed your previous homework and read your lessons.

returning to peace

I was recently asked to contribute some of my writing to a website called, think peace, by Leza Labrador, and you can find it here: http://thinkpeace.wordpress.com/ I included a passage Returning to Peace from my forthcoming book, The Clear and Simple Way.

Everyday Life

Dear Students, Many of you write to me (privately) of your problems in every day life. Some of these seem so overwhelming that you do not know how to solve them. THIS IS THE POINT! YOU do NOT know how to solve them. And yet you continue to try, using the same techniques which have failed you in the past, or maybe seemed to work for awhile, but will not work with your new situation.

As I write in Lesson Five (which some of you have not yet received) Einstein said that no problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.

This means that we must rise above our old level of thinking. When we rise as high as we can in our thinking and the problem persists...the next logical and healthy step is to admit our own powerlessness over the situation. Admitting that you are powerless does not mean that you must feel helpless. You are not helpless (without help) just powerless to affect the change you want. Being powerless does not mean you should stop, stagnate, give up, take no action. It just means that perhaps you should be willing to stop reacting from unhealthy patterns of thinking.

Perhaps Gandhi could have decided he was helpless and given up when he failed to affect immediate change in his world. Perhaps Mother Teresa could have looked at the starving faces in India and decided she was helpless and given up too! I am sure that these people also went through tremendous soul-searching, even their own doubt and fear...and they continued along the path of their dharma (duty) to fulfill their highest destiny.

When you "show up" and take the small steps in front of you; when you let go of trying to control the outcome; when you acknowledge the limitations of your thinking, then you are ready to turn to a higher source. If you do not have much practice turning to this Source - you may at first feel only a trickle of love, compassion, and wisdom emanating from this Source - you may feel only the doubt and fear of your own limited thinking - and decide that the doubt and fear is proof that nothing higher exists.

This is why the School offers small steps. Small homework. Let yourself be in kindergarten. Remember how much fun it was to just play, how excited you were to learn new things? Tell yourself that you do not have to be a big stuffy grown-up today. You can play and be light in your School. You will probably have a hard time believing this, but say it to yourself anyway. Even if people around you are being uptight and stuffy, you do not have to follow suit!

I know that when many of you look around life, it does not look so pleasant. I know that you see the mirror of your own fearful thinking. I know that some of you are experiencing some pleasant times right now. And I know that for many of you, if those pleasant times should leave you, you would fall into despair - unless you are firmly rooted in a higher consciousness. If our inner contentment is based upon anything that is impermanent, it is a false idea of happiness - because true happiness is free and independent of anything at all.

Exactly as you walk down a path, one step at a time, so must we walk through life. This may seem like a simplistic statement; I assure you it is not.

Most of you have been walking your spiritual path for a long time - you have been in therapy, workshops, read books, been educated in many ways. Many of you are teachers, business owners, parents, healers, and therapists in your own right. There are no "slouches" in the School. You could not be here if you were.

And now, even with all your accomplishments, I ask you to make yourself a beginner. I ask you to examine your belief systems. I ask you to be WILLING to throw away everything that is not YOU. And I tell you that simply reading your lessons, even a little, month by month, and applying yourself to your homework, even a little, will make a difference in your life.

The same consciousness that created the problem cannot solve it. When you gently and CONSISTENTLY apply yourself to the School over a period of time, your consciousness is gently and consistently transformed. The School is called a School because it is on-going; it is here to guide and assist you on your path. You, yourself, must show up and do the work.

Can you feel the love in these words? Can you feel compassion reaching out to you? You are not alone, even when it seems like it.