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Arten and Pursah's Style
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Before the book came out, one of the things I thought might
cause the most discussion was the smart-ass type style that is sometimes evident. I mention in my Author's Note that Pursah told me their style was designed to get me to pay attention. Also, readers will note that *my* smart ass comments were usually a defense against my painful shyness, which I didn't really start to get over until this latest phase of my life with my ascended visitors and the Course. It's been surprising to me that I really haven't received many complaints about this particular subject. Even in exchanging e-mails with priests (both Catholic and Episcopalian) and ministers, I don't think I've heard one negative comment about the book's style. A priest told me it's nothing compared to what he hears in confession! In any case, A Course in Miracles says, "If you would be heard by those who suffer, you must speak their language. If you would be a savior, you must understand what needs to be escaped." (M64-65) So maybe my visitors knew what they were doing. However, I'd be happy to hear any comments, positive or negative, about what any of you thought when you first noticed that this book didn't have the same style as most of the other spiritual books, and whether or not you found it helpful in communicating the message it was intended to. Love and peace, Gary. |
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In answer to your questions about your style in the book, I just this
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morning read this in the text, chapter 2 - IV-5 "The value of the Atonement does not lie in the manner in which it is expressed. In fact, if it is used truly, it will inevitably be expressed in whatever way is most helpful to the receiver. This means that a miracle, to attain its full efficacy, must be expressed in a language that the recipient can understand without fear. This does not necessarily mean that this is the highest level of communication of which he is capable. It does mean, however, that it is the highest level of communication of which he is capable now. The whole aim of the miracle is to raise the level of communication, not to lower it by increasing fear." So as early as Chapter 2 of the Text, we are told that the miracle will reach us as we are able to receive it at this time in our journey. A friend of mine also read "Disappearance" and found the language a "bit offensive" but she realizes that is a forgiveness lesson she has to work on. My button was pushed when Arten and Pursah were discussing politics with you - I felt that if they were truly Teachers of God they would not have taken any side on what is happening in the world we see. That was answered to my satisifaction when you stated that this was a forgiveness lesson you had to work on - and I see that I also need to work on it since my button was pushed. (They were also discussing this issue in a manner that you would understand.) So your book has been a great help - yet another tool for me to learn forgiveness. Thanks, Judy ----- Original Message -----
From: "garyrrenard" <garyrrenard@...> To: <Disappearance_of_the_Universe@...> Sent: Saturday, June 07, 2003 1:02 AM Subject: [Disappearance_of_the_Universe] Arten and Pursah's Style Before the book came out, one of the things I thought might |
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Today I just read the part where they were explaining this part to you - how their style would change toward the end of their visits as your need for using a sarcastic style was lessened. Before that, I had heard that the Course was given in a Shakespearean style partly as a gift to Helen as she loved that style. I had heard, too, that the message from the Holy Spirit is given in a style that suits the receiver, so I didn't think anything about it. It just showed a lot of what you were like at the time -? a joking kind of guy. It is?helpful that you showed yourself just as you were. I could then think of ways in myself that are similar even though different in form. Same in content. From where I am now in the book, it looks like they are going to be showing that in your it was a cover-up for self-hatred.?You are a fine mirror!
?
Sarcastic styles?in general, anyway, are?not offensive to me. I do not speak that way myself, but it does not bother me when others do. In fact, I can smile about it. It was kind of fascinating to me to see the way they worked with you. Talk about empathy and joining! This is an example. I have thought for some time, too, that one cannot have any idea what "spiritual" looks like. To do so, could eliminate terrific opportunities. Obviously, the image we have of what "spiritual" looks like has not proven to be reliable at all. And many of us thought the image we had of Jesus was spiritual. Throwing over the table of moneychangers and getting angry, etc. When I try to come up with a formula of what spiritual looks like,?it is very confusing. The Course is helpful, because I don't have to weigh and choose what is and what is not. It is ALL spiritual.
?
The fact that Billy recommended the book so highly to me, too, helped me to expect that whatever it sounded like, it was going to be very helpful. (Thanks again, Billy.)
garyrrenard wrote: Before the book came out, one of the things I thought might Do you Yahoo!? Free with sync to Outlook(TM). |
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red_cedar_lodge
Hi
When you mention comparing your book to other spiritual books, some other books I have read seemed to promote intense anxiety, (fear that religion dogma was right) that left me hanging, ha ha (another opportunity to forgive)But these books merely brought to the surface issues which I needed to look at with the HS, rather than suppress. I appreciate the hu-more ('Hu' meaning the word God in some older language) and simplicity of the message presented in Disappearance, and is a welcome tool that helps put me at ease and focused on forgiveness. I read it everyweekday at lunch as an overview and keep the intention of the Course in front of me, that I apply the effort in practice and study, and to help keep me out of that unbending overserious mindset that has been a pattern in my little world. As with some others mention, it kicked me butt (lightbulb went from a 15 watt to a 100 watt) and I'm doing the lessons (one lesson a day) in the workbook. Although I remember Arten and Pursah saying, spiritual principles are simple, but not always easy to apply. The three of you interacting is reassuring to me that I can follow along with the Course without not doing it 'perfectly' and throwing my hands up for my seeming ineptitude. Practice, practice, practice. Forgive, forgive, forgive. Laugh, laugh, laugh. steve Religion taught me that I must crawl to God and beg and hope for his mercy in my old attempts to get good enough, the Truth be known we are welcomed Home with wide open arms, and as the Course says, we never left Home at all. --- In Disappearance_of_the_Universe@..., "garyrrenard" <garyrrenard@y...> wrote: Before the book came out, one of the things I thought mightme their style was designed to get me to pay attention. Also, readersagainst my painful shyness, which I didn't really start to get over untilCourse. It's been surprising to me that I really haven't received manymails with priests (both Catholic and Episcopalian) and ministers, Idon't think I've heard one negative comment about the book's style. Aconfession! In any case, A Course in Miracles says, "If you would be heard bybe happy to hear any comments, positive or negative, about what any ofto. Love and peace, Gary. |
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Anita & Rob Ferry
开云体育Hi,
Gary.?
?
In
reference to the style presented:
?
Having
no children of my own some how I was given God Daughters and a love of children,
so I harrass everyone else's kids.? I was never one for clubs but did use
the safety of the Fort Atkinson, Wi - Episcopal Church?youth group as to be
with children of all ages.? When I went fishing, take a kid or two.?
They would drag me to the movies.? It is the only way I would go and
willingly with the kids.? It always amazed me for it was the girls that
would go more than the boys.???
?
At
12?Paris asked me if I would take her hunting.? Neither of her parents
hunt or fish.? She became a great hunting buddy, bow and arrow for dear and
a fishing buddy through the years.? To watch her eye grow so big from two
bucks coming up a rise at us, her heart almost popping out of her
chest....Afterwards she asked me if I get excited any more.? I said yes,
but not like I use to where I become impaired to accomplish what I set out to
do.
?
It was
Paris who stopped and said isn't that beautiful!? She was looking across
Wisconsin farm fields and on the far side large long hills in full fall
colours.? "Paris?"? 'What?'? though I had been over this land
many times before, it was through Paris's eyes that I was revisiting that fresh
new view and excitement.? I told her that and said
thanks.
?
Style
is each?our own, sounds to me you are conjoring a new book.? In
verbage you are much like me.? I too, can play the smart ass though do not
use the mode much any more.? Any?reader, as you expressed is left
to?consider Arten and Pursah as having visited you.? My heart and mind
has no doubt about them.? That lesson is quite clear and via an earlier
email I thanked you for your effort of putting the book together.? It is
not only the message of ACIM but as well as just do the path, do the work.?
I am a slacker that way.
?
A good
friend and her husband are well on their path.? Rick is the author of
'Tamming Your Gremmlin'.? Different form only the out come is God.?
Leti, his wife and my first cousin said to me once, 'Rob, it just amazes me that
with this Knowledge at hand why people are just not jumping on it.'? Jay
said one should not hide the light under a?basket but let it shine.?
Some just do not want to hear.? Arten and Pursah point that out in your
book. Rick's style is good as well.? I love story's, Tolkien, Jean Aurl -
Clan of the Cave Bear, Harry Potter - those kids back in Wisconsin fed me the
first four books.? Good storys for me.? I love reading a good story
and I am?a slow reader, unlike Paris and her sister, they devour
books!
?
So
many critique books to death and the movies made from them.? I thought the
movies produced of Tolkiens great and woderful.? Vertual reality, such
illusion, it was fun.? One friend was so upset for they did not hold the
exact story line....good grief!? Harry Potter, can you imagine if Tolkien
wrote them.? Each book would be four times thicker!?I love Jean Aurl's
Earth Children series.? I will be dead and gone before she finishes the
next!
?
We all
have our own style, you owe no apology for your's.? You dealt with all the
issues very clear and in a clean manor.? Sex was very much apart of my
grandfather as well and a very victorian person he was, sex was not spoken in
public or easily in family.? How stupid.? It causes more problems with
and about sex than the effort to hold onto the lust.? A common ill today is
sex and it still bothers me to see?the children being abused
sexually....you dealt with the issue, great.
?
You
answered so many questions for me and it is clear for me that God does not work
in physical.? He had nothing to do with the creation of this universe....I
accept that now and see it clearly.? Too, I personally like your style of
writing.? I am not use to the dialog as such but it reads very
smoothly.? You have sucessfuly transfered much the guru's and sages of old
took a life time to learn.? One of the things I would make sure always to
do with the kids is let them know I cared and loved them.? When they did a
good job I would simply say, 'Good job, Maynard, ya done good!'? Gary, good
job Maynard!? Ya done good!? Blessings - Rob
Ferry?????
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Hello garyrrenard@...,
In reference to your comment: è It's been surprising to me that I really haven't received è many? complaints about this particular subject. Even in è exchanging e-mails? with priests (both Catholic and è Episcopalian) and ministers, I don't? think I've heard è one negative comment about the book's style. A? priest è told me it's nothing compared to what he hears in è confession!? In any case, A Course in Miracles says, è "If you would be heard by? those who suffer, you must è speak their language. If you would be a? savior, you è must understand what needs to be escaped." (M64-65) LOL, isn't fascinating that what you think people are going to respond to, they don't and vice versa? Today I finished the your book.? First nonsexual book I have finished in years.? I haven't even read the Course from cover to cover yet.? :-) I just wished I could figure out why I can? do most of my readings only when I go to the bathroom, sometimes even when I don't have to do anything I just go and sit there because I can read it in peace.?? (mind you now I live alone LOL) As soon as I sit down at a desk or get comfortable in bed (I have an adjustable bed) I get sleepy or easily distracted. But I have learned, don't try to figure it out .. the answer may come one day or it may not.? Even when I took the book to the job, the only place I could read it was in the ladies room.? I know my co-workers looked at me funny at times.? I would get up to go to the bathroom and then say "shit" (and that is not a pun) I forgot the book and go back and get it.? Mind you now I could only get in a paragraph or two, but it always seemed to be the paragraph(s) I needed to read for that moment. Ah well, fickled ... the fickled ego minds showing you one of it strange permutations of the split mind.? :-) The end of the book was definitely a show stopper and made so much sense .. I loved the circular feel of it. I have a lot of things to say... but I can't remember them right now (I get epiphanic moments in the bathroom and in my car, and I usually do not have a pen and paper available to write down these breakthroughs) but this was a wonderful book and thank you gary for sharing yourself with me. Peace |
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Hello garyrrenard@...,
In reference to your comment: è So maybe my visitors knew what they were doing. è However, I'd be? happy to hear any comments, positive è or negative, about what any of? you thought when you è first noticed that this book didn't have the? same style è as most of the other spiritual books, and whether or not è? you found it helpful in communicating the message it è was intended to. Oh hell yeah, you knew what you were doing.? :-) This book reflected who you are ... The Course reflected who Helen was, and so on. Whoever the scribe is, a part of them is reflected in the style or context. Remember we live in a time, where nothing really shocks us .. so you might us well put all your cards on table and just be yourself? ... it frees me up to be myself .... then I can take the next step and forgive. Peace |
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I agree with what others are saying about each having their own style. Sense of humor is part of that style. My father had a fantastic irreverent sense of humor. Mine tends to be irreverent at times, too, especially when it comes to myself as I do get a kick out of my foibles sometimes. What I'm trying to say is that your sense of humor is the kind that many people have - spiritual people, too, obviously! LOL So your sense of humor can remind people of people they love who have this style - whether or not they?have the same kind?themselves.
?
It is wonderful to see you being so transparent and open. Most people, I think, who would be reading this book appreciate that. Saying early in the book that this humor helped you cope with shyness gives us insight. Not just with others but with ourselves. It helps us to forgive by being able to see things in a different light. That was great, for instance, how you described the forgiveness of your wife's complaining by seeing what it really was. This is the same thing.?
?
And isn't it true that many comedians are shy and/or?loners?
?
Linda Do you Yahoo!? Free with sync to Outlook(TM). |
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Anita & Rob Ferry
开云体育:-)
can relate:-)
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Jeanette
开云体育"I
usually do not have a pen and paper available to write down these
breakthroughs"
?
I
carry a little notebook with me now whereever I go, and whenever I note a stream
of thought occurring in my mind, which obviously is from a
super-conscious?cross-over through to the conscious, I write such thoughts
down, typing them later as to day, date, and time, and experience, in which they
occurred.
?
At
work, I often write on paper towels, when I experience such sudden stream of
high consciousness come to visit, and type them later at a convenient
time.
?
I find
such thoughts are dynamic, to be attended to, and not
ignored.
?
We all
channel, I reckon, it is recognizing exactly what thoughts are of value which is
imperative at times.
?
?
Jeanette
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