The Sanest One in the Room
I used to intellectually understand that the ego was insane.
Now I experience it as such. I get what I call the “falling down the rabbit
hole” sensation of disorientation when I try to understand an ego (personal
thought system). This includes the one in my mind. What I experience is the
chaos of a multitude of possible interpretations and responses without any
criteria to establish which is the best to choose. The mere fact that there is
choice indicates that there is no absolute correct interpretation or response
except to acknowledge it is insane and not engage with it. Not engaging with
the ego is easy now that I experience it as insane. While I still thought it
made some sense I couldn’t let it go.
“Whoever is saner at
the time the threat is perceived should remember how deep is his indebtedness
to the other and how much gratitude is due him, and be glad that he can pay his
debt by bringing happiness to both. Let him remember this, and say:
I desire this holy
instant for myself, that I may share it with my brother, whom I love.
It is not possible
that I can have it without him, or he without me.
Yet it is wholly
possible for us to share it now.
And so I choose
this instant as the one to offer to the Holy Spirit, that His blessing may
descend on us, and keep us both in peace.” (T-18.V.7)
The above quote was the suggestion made to Helen and Bill in
A Course in Miracles for those times
when they were in conflict. Of course they were in a unique teaching-learning
relationship where what one experienced the other did as well. But what about
the rest of us who do not have a partner in this practice? The “saner” one at
any given moment is the one who is able to put aside the ego (personal thought
system) and access the Truth in their minds. Since the vast majority of people
you come across are not aware of the Truth in their minds this most often means
you. If you want harmony in your relationships with others you are going to
have to be the one to find that harmony for yourself in your awareness of
Truth. The Holy Spirit (your awareness of Truth) in your mind will help you
find another way of looking at the other or the relationship or help you to
find ways of approaching the other so that you do not increase fear in either
of you.
When dealing with others it helps to remember that just as
you view things through the filters of your mind they view things from the
filters in their mind, too. This can help you to not take their responses personally
and escalate a conflict. What they feel and how they respond is never about
you. If you can take a deep breath and focus on what they need in the moment
rather than on your personal response of fear you will drop your defenses. And
when you drop your defenses you will often find that they drop theirs, too. Then
you can get on with a rational discussion to deal with the conflict between
you.
As you grow closer to Truth and sanity and away from the
insanity of the ego there will be fewer people to whom you can relate. You will
feel increasingly different from others and apart from the world. The ego will
tell you that you should feel lonely. But you will feel whole in your awareness
of Truth so you will not feel lack or “loneliness”. True Oneness is not the
joining of egos but an inward experience of Wholeness. And because the mind
always sees itself you will see the same Wholeness in others even when they are
manifestly not aware of It themselves. Wholeness will feel more present to you and
the superficial, passing ego drama will be insignificant to you.
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Learn about the books The ACIM Mentor Articles, The Plain Language A Course in Miracles, 4 Habits for Inner Peace, and Releasing Guilt for Inner Peace at www.acimmentor.com.
Comments
thank you liz. nicci
Yes, I have found that I have felt that I have needed to drop some friendships simply because our viewpoints were so radically different. But the ego in me wanted to use this situation to judge these persons rather than simply to accept that their viewpoints were just in the mind and not a reflection of who they truly are.
Plus, the ego in my mind wanted to convince them of the truth instead of simply accepting it fully myself. This is the ego's strategy of looking outside to find my purpose, trying to fix the world as separate from me.
Your posting could not have come at a better time for me, Liz. Thank you. -Jeremy
i have been having Alice in wonderland and falling down the rabbit hole synchronicity, and now i can put the feelings you speak of (which im only just starting to experience) together with the intellectual understanding (i had 'figured out' what i thought the synch was saying. i have spent the last three days listening to 'the new interpretation' on repeat loop, cos thats what my head said do, and the message of one purpose having the only true meaning in this illusion was sinking in, and having a domino effect as to what this practically means in day to day life, to how i approach everything.
man this ride is amazing, this coming together of the puzzle pieces, of what true being actually, um.. entails? i have also spent the last few days wrestling with the desire to try and drag someone, anyone along into this understanding, while the quiet part of me knew that this was.. off key in more ways than one. you have expressed that 'offness' so clearly here
'The ego will tell you that you should feel lonely. But you will feel whole in your awareness of Truth so you will not feel lack or “loneliness”. True Oneness is not the joining of egos but an inward experience of Wholeness. And because the mind always sees itself you will see the same Wholeness in others even when they are manifestly not aware of It themselves. ' and i thank you. thank God! and it may be my ego, but im still glad that while i need confirmation of my inner journey, you were there in perfect timing. giving and receiving are one in Truth. much love.
Cliff
The old line came to me that states, "You've seen one, you've seen them all." Immediately it was interpreted as, "When you've truly seen the Christ-consciousness in someone (person, place, thing), you've seen It in all." And just like in your post, Liz, this doesn't mean the person/place/thing will "act" accordingly (like an enlightened Christ or Truth consciousness) but you Know it/feel it Is despite all the evidence to the contrary!!