Love vs Fear

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

Anyone who has read "A Course in Miracles" knows that there is Love, and there is Fear, and nothing else. In my spiritual journey, I have come to feel that only Love is real; fear is a shadow, and, as such, has no real substance. When we live and practice from the place of Love, everything we truly desire with our hearts can happen.

That being said, why not envision our government operating from love and not fear?

We send doctors overseas to help stop epidemics and save lives.

We use our military troops to build infrastructure or fight fires so that homes and lives can be saved.

We use our tax dollars to give health care to every American.

We invest in sustainable energy sources, and encourage innovation and cooperation between scientists, engineers, and businesses.

We value thrift and saving as well as sharing with those less fortunate.

Our heroes are those who turn out to build Habitat for Humanity houses here at home, or who bravely go to check on the status of refugees around the world (like my heroes at Refugees International).

We realize that we are, indeed, all interconnected, all one family, and to do harm to one is really doing harm to everyone.

Visualize! As a friend once told me, "We're practicing mystics! Let's visualize and make it happen!"

[Maat]

1. Hey, I'm on board.

By the way, 'A Course in Miracles' is very popular in my church, Church of Religious Science, although I have not read it. If you recommend it, I'll pick it up.

My church, Church of Religious Science, believe it or not, is considered to be a mystical church.

I don't quite look at it that way, because of my Master's in Psychology. It just seems like the Church of Positive Thinking or the Church of Good Psychology.

I guess I think of it as being metaphysical, because we do quite a bit of what you are suggesting in your post - using the power of the mind.

I've been thinking quite a bit about what you just put up there. My pastor/spiritual-teacher encourages us to visualize/manifest the positive, instead of the negative.

Hating Booosh's policies does me no good (I've tried it); this is the only way - visualizing (describing, creating, showing), and thus manifesting, what we do want to see.

Thanks for the post!

[elshiva]

2. But is it too New Agey and Diffuse?

[Maat]

3. It's New Thought, not New Age.

We are using the power of our minds.

Let's visualize Peace for starters!

[elshiva]

4. Am I a Spiritual Independent, NO! Sorry

I guess this group isn't for me... :cry: I am such a failure!

[Maat]

5. It is for you! It is much better with you!

Well, if you're not a Spiritual Independent, then you are a person that is very knowledgeable about various religious belief systems.

You know about Judaism; you know about the Episcopal church. You are open about beliefs, but you know which ones hold water for you. That's right on!

Each person is on their right and perfect spiritual path.

Peace and Blessings,

Welcome and please continue participating,

[elshiva]

6. THANK YOU, Maat!

:)

[Maat]

7. Now, wouldn't it be nice if all spiritual DUers would pick one day ..

every month and visualize peace and environmental consciousness and health care for every American?

I think 'yes.'

[elshiva]

8. That would be nice. But how do you visualize peace?

Saw bumpersticker "Visualize Whirled Peas" Yum!

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

10. here's how I do it

(It helps that I live in the middle of the woods, and have a commute to work where I see more elk than cars.)

I look at the landscape, the animals, just there, just being. I settle back into that place within me where I just am. Always find myself smiling at this point. Then I think of all the people with whom I'm connected. I send out the Light and Peace that I feel right to them. Many times, as I visualize them, that same smile spreads across their faces. I let my consciousness expand and picture people of the world-this isn't a forced visualization, and sometimes I'm very surprised at who pops up in my visualization, but whoever it is, I send them Light and Peace as well. I picture this interconnected web of Light and Peace, and breathe into it.

That's my way of doing it, and it isn't something that came overnight. Do whatever feels right to you-and you'll know it in your heart. I think the key here is to first find Peace within your own being.

[Maat]

11. That's beautiful.

I visualize everyone working together, neighbors helping each other. No weapons (they have been disposed of).

[elshiva]

14. No more weapons would be excellent.

[elshiva]

13. Thank you!

That is great. :)

[Tux]

16. Odd

I do something similiar but I can feel ki flowing around. I don't get images but a heightened sense of the enivronment even what I can't see. I can feel ki flow from things and if I focus on something, I can feel part of it.

Is that something like what you are talking about?

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

18. yes

there are even times I can see the energy as well as feel it. Right now seems to be a time when energies are heightened, or my openness to receiving them is heightened.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

9. Thank you

for telling me more about your church. I think if you pick up "A Course in Miracles", you'll know immediately if it is what you need to read right now. I devoured it back in '88 and '89, gave the book to another, but still remember much of it. My doctor has a copy in her waiting room, which I think is really neat.

[Maat]

12. It's not what I need quite right now.

We have a course in the connection between mental and physical health in our church, and I believe that they make use of that book.

Perhaps later after I get some basic coursework in prayer in.

[doublethink]

15. Perfect Love Casteth Out All Fear.

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." 1 John:4-18 :)

[elshiva]

17. AMEN! I love that verse!