Jewel of a find from Helen's handscript Notes

[Lee Flynn]

Hi guys, I thought I'd share a poem (of Helen's?) that I just came by in
her handscript Notes, between her scribing of Lesson 306 & 307, written
on about December 29, 1970. It's untitled as it appears in her Notes..
and actually was written on the page in much the way the lessons
themselves are formatted. The top of the page has a lesson number,
followed by a typical ten syllable lesson title (My eyes would look upon
the Son of God), but then the lesson # is crossed out, and it appears
that Helen recognized that this was to be an inspired poem rather than a
lesson.

=307.= My eyes would look upon the Son of God.
For this I came; to overlook the world,
and seeing it forgiven, understand
its holiness is but the truth in me.
Jesus walks forth in every step I take.
God shines within me, lighting up the world
in radiant joy. The Holy Spirit comes
with me lest I should turn and lose the way.
For God has given me a goal to reach,
and has made certain that I cannot fail.
And so He gave me eyes to see beyond
appearances and shadows. I will look upon
the Son of God exactly as he is,
and in that sight is all the world transformed
and blessed forever with the Love of God.
How holy are my footsteps, which but go
to do the Will of God, Whose Son I am.
And how forever perfect is my will,
which is in no way separate from His Own.


I haven't yet discovered whether this poem appears in Helen's book of
poems, or for that matter whether it's ever been published at all. If no
one's seen it, that would be pretty wonderful that it comes to light.
Either way, it's a truly lovely poem. Truly beautiful. I guess it's
titile would be "My eyes would look upon the Son of God."

"For this I came; to overlook the world,
and seeing it forgiven, understand
its holiness is but the truth in me."


~ Lee Flynn

[Lee Flynn]

Ok, turns out the poem was published as Helen's own, entitled "The
Singing Reed," and included in her book of poems, "The Gifts of God,"
originally released in 1975. The only change from the way it appears in
her book is that "Jesus" is replaced with "Christ." The poem's appearance
amongst the lessons, and her apparent mistaking it as a lesson when it
began to come, makes for an interesting insight into her assertion that
while her book of poems did not come from ACIM's Voice, her role in
writing them was as "inspired author." ~ Lee

Post by Lee Flynn
Hi guys, I thought I'd share a poem (of Helen's?) that I just came by
in her handscript Notes, between her scribing of Lesson 306 & 307,
written on about December 29, 1970. It's untitled as it appears in
her Notes.. and actually was written on the page in much the way the
lessons themselves are formatted. The top of the page has a lesson
number, followed by a typical ten syllable lesson title (My eyes
would look upon the Son of God), but then the lesson # is crossed
out, and it appears that Helen recognized that this was to be an
inspired poem rather than a lesson.
=307.= My eyes would look upon the Son of God.
For this I came; to overlook the world,
and seeing it forgiven, understand
its holiness is but the truth in me.
Jesus walks forth in every step I take.
God shines within me, lighting up the world
in radiant joy. The Holy Spirit comes
with me lest I should turn and lose the way.
For God has given me a goal to reach,
and has made certain that I cannot fail.
And so He gave me eyes to see beyond
appearances and shadows. I will look upon
the Son of God exactly as he is,
and in that sight is all the world transformed
and blessed forever with the Love of God.
How holy are my footsteps, which but go
to do the Will of God, Whose Son I am.
And how forever perfect is my will,
which is in no way separate from His Own.
I haven't yet discovered whether this poem appears in Helen's book of
poems, or for that matter whether it's ever been published at all. If
no one's seen it, that would be pretty wonderful that it comes to
light. Either way, it's a truly lovely poem. Truly beautiful. I guess
it's titile would be "My eyes would look upon the Son of God."
"For this I came; to overlook the world,
and seeing it forgiven, understand
its holiness is but the truth in me."
~ Lee Flynn

[Deborah]

Post by Lee Flynn
The only change from the way it appears in
her book is that "Jesus" is replaced with "Christ."

I wonder why she changed that? Is there any mention of Jesus in
Helen's poetry? I used to have the book but I don't anymore.

[Carrie]

Post by Deborah

Post by Lee Flynn
The only change from the way it appears in
her book is that "Jesus" is replaced with "Christ."

I wonder why she changed that? Is there any mention of Jesus in
Helen's poetry? I used to have the book but I don't anymore.

I would guess that "Jesus" is the name of the person who first Awakened
from the Dream (for us all, we now have to remember this, I think of it as a
ripple effect) and "Christ" is the overall Awakening, such as the Christ
Mind. That's just my take on it, and really all we can do with these
writings (even the course) is interpret them in our own way. Get the feeling
of it, experience it. What the words say or mean might only be of
importance to helping us believe and feel/experience it. Like for me, I like
to have something "make sense" in some way, so I do tend to try and figure
it out in a way. But there's no way of really knowing, just whatever feels
"right" to each of us (Inner Teacher)

[Lee Flynn]

Post by Deborah

Post by Lee Flynn
The only change from the way it appears in
her book is that "Jesus" is replaced with "Christ."

I wonder why she changed that? Is there any mention of Jesus in
Helen's poetry? I used to have the book but I don't anymore.

Hi Deborah,

What a great question. Turns out that I have a concordance of all
94 poems that she originally released in '75, and their are no
mentions of Jesus by name in any of them, though many speak
of him by inference.

[Carrie]

Post by Lee Flynn
Ok, turns out the poem was published as Helen's own, entitled "The
Singing Reed," and included in her book of poems, "The Gifts of God,"
originally released in 1975. The only change from the way it appears in
her book is that "Jesus" is replaced with "Christ." The poem's appearance
amongst the lessons, and her apparent mistaking it as a lesson when it
began to come, makes for an interesting insight into her assertion that
while her book of poems did not come from ACIM's Voice, her role in
writing them was as "inspired author." ~ Lee

Post by Lee Flynn
Hi guys, I thought I'd share a poem (of Helen's?) that I just came by
in her handscript Notes, between her scribing of Lesson 306 & 307,
written on about December 29, 1970. It's untitled as it appears in
her Notes.. and actually was written on the page in much the way the
lessons themselves are formatted. The top of the page has a lesson
number, followed by a typical ten syllable lesson title (My eyes
would look upon the Son of God), but then the lesson # is crossed
out, and it appears that Helen recognized that this was to be an
inspired poem rather than a lesson.
=307.= My eyes would look upon the Son of God.
For this I came; to overlook the world,
and seeing it forgiven, understand
its holiness is but the truth in me.
Jesus walks forth in every step I take.
God shines within me, lighting up the world
in radiant joy. The Holy Spirit comes
with me lest I should turn and lose the way.
For God has given me a goal to reach,
and has made certain that I cannot fail.
And so He gave me eyes to see beyond
appearances and shadows. I will look upon
the Son of God exactly as he is,
and in that sight is all the world transformed
and blessed forever with the Love of God.
How holy are my footsteps, which but go
to do the Will of God, Whose Son I am.
And how forever perfect is my will,
which is in no way separate from His Own.
I haven't yet discovered whether this poem appears in Helen's book of
poems, or for that matter whether it's ever been published at all. If
no one's seen it, that would be pretty wonderful that it comes to
light. Either way, it's a truly lovely poem. Truly beautiful. I guess
it's titile would be "My eyes would look upon the Son of God."
"For this I came; to overlook the world,
and seeing it forgiven, understand
its holiness is but the truth in me."
~ Lee Flynn

It is beautiful and seems like it "could" be one of the lessons.
Doesn't Ken Wapnick know a lot about Helen and her writing and her (as a
person)? Maybe he could tell you about where, or if the poem has been
published, etc.

[Pieter]

Post by Lee Flynn
Ok, turns out the poem was published as Helen's own, entitled "The
Singing Reed," and included in her book of poems, "The Gifts of God,"
originally released in 1975. The only change from the way it appears in
her book is that "Jesus" is replaced with "Christ." The poem's appearance
amongst the lessons, and her apparent mistaking it as a lesson when it
began to come, makes for an interesting insight into her assertion that
while her book of poems did not come from ACIM's Voice, her role in
writing them was as "inspired author." ~ Lee

- I would say "Jesus" is replaced with "The Christ."
With this change the accent is on the second syllable,
instead of the first.

Post by Lee Flynn

Post by Lee Flynn
Hi guys, I thought I'd share a poem (of Helen's?) that I just came by
in her handscript Notes, between her scribing of Lesson 306 & 307,
written on about December 29, 1970. It's untitled as it appears in
her Notes.. and actually was written on the page in much the way the
lessons themselves are formatted. The top of the page has a lesson
number, followed by a typical ten syllable lesson title (My eyes
would look upon the Son of God), but then the lesson # is crossed
out, and it appears that Helen recognized that this was to be an
inspired poem rather than a lesson.
=307.= My eyes would look upon the Son of God.
For this I came; to overlook the world,
and seeing it forgiven, understand
its holiness is but the truth in me.
Jesus walks forth in every step I take.
God shines within me, lighting up the world
in radiant joy. The Holy Spirit comes
with me lest I should turn and lose the way.
For God has given me a goal to reach,
and has made certain that I cannot fail.
And so He gave me eyes to see beyond
appearances and shadows. I will look upon
the Son of God exactly as he is,
and in that sight is all the world transformed
and blessed forever with the Love of God.
How holy are my footsteps, which but go
to do the Will of God, Whose Son I am.
And how forever perfect is my will,
which is in no way separate from His Own.
I haven't yet discovered whether this poem appears in Helen's book of
poems, or for that matter whether it's ever been published at all. If
no one's seen it, that would be pretty wonderful that it comes to
light. Either way, it's a truly lovely poem. Truly beautiful. I guess
it's titile would be "My eyes would look upon the Son of God."
"For this I came; to overlook the world,
and seeing it forgiven, understand
its holiness is but the truth in me."
~ Lee Flynn

[Lee Flynn]

Post by Pieter

Post by Lee Flynn
Ok, turns out the poem was published as Helen's own, entitled "The
Singing Reed," and included in her book of poems, "The Gifts of God,"
originally released in 1975. The only change from the way it appears
in her book is that "Jesus" is replaced with "Christ." The poem's
appearance amongst the lessons, and her apparent mistaking it as a
lesson when it began to come, makes for an interesting insight into
her assertion that while her book of poems did not come from ACIM's
Voice, her role in writing them was as "inspired author." ~ Lee

- I would say "Jesus" is replaced with "The Christ."
With this change the accent is on the second syllable,
instead of the first.

Hi Pieter,

Yes, it does work out that way eh. Still, as an obviously inspired poem,
which was written in iambic pentameter without editing or crossouts,
it's difficult to know how much to credit Helen with having written it
in any ordinary sense.. and so I have granted significance to what her
Notes reveal of exactly what she originally 'heard' or was prompted to
write initially.

Plus, as we know, i.p. allows for the first two syllables to occasionally
reverse stressed syllables. ;)

I do find it fascinating to learn that Jesus appears nowhere by name,
anywhere within 94 poems that speak so much and so often
specifically of him.

How have you been Pieter? Still attending a Course group?
How is your wife doing?

Good to see you, Deborah and Carrie still holding down the fort. ;)

~ Lee

Post by Pieter

Post by Lee Flynn

Post by Lee Flynn
Hi guys, I thought I'd share a poem (of Helen's?) that I just came
by in her handscript Notes, between her scribing of Lesson 306 &
307, written on about December 29, 1970. It's untitled as it
appears in her Notes.. and actually was written on the page in much
the way the lessons themselves are formatted. The top of the page
has a lesson number, followed by a typical ten syllable lesson
title (My eyes would look upon the Son of God), but then the lesson
# is crossed out, and it appears that Helen recognized that this
was to be an inspired poem rather than a lesson.
=307.= My eyes would look upon the Son of God.
For this I came; to overlook the world,
and seeing it forgiven, understand
its holiness is but the truth in me.
Jesus walks forth in every step I take.
God shines within me, lighting up the world
in radiant joy. The Holy Spirit comes
with me lest I should turn and lose the way.
For God has given me a goal to reach,
and has made certain that I cannot fail.
And so He gave me eyes to see beyond
appearances and shadows. I will look upon
the Son of God exactly as he is,
and in that sight is all the world transformed
and blessed forever with the Love of God.
How holy are my footsteps, which but go
to do the Will of God, Whose Son I am.
And how forever perfect is my will,
which is in no way separate from His Own.
I haven't yet discovered whether this poem appears in Helen's book
of poems, or for that matter whether it's ever been published at
all. If no one's seen it, that would be pretty wonderful that it
comes to light. Either way, it's a truly lovely poem. Truly
beautiful. I guess it's titile would be "My eyes would look upon
the Son of God." "For this I came; to overlook the world,
and seeing it forgiven, understand
its holiness is but the truth in me."
~ Lee Flynn

[Pieter]

Post by Lee Flynn

Post by Pieter

Post by Lee Flynn
Ok, turns out the poem was published as Helen's own, entitled "The
Singing Reed," and included in her book of poems, "The Gifts of God,"
originally released in 1975. The only change from the way it appears
in her book is that "Jesus" is replaced with "Christ." The poem's
appearance amongst the lessons, and her apparent mistaking it as a
lesson when it began to come, makes for an interesting insight into
her assertion that while her book of poems did not come from ACIM's
Voice, her role in writing them was as "inspired author." ~ Lee

- I would say "Jesus" is replaced with "The Christ."
With this change the accent is on the second syllable,
instead of the first.

Hi Pieter,
Yes, it does work out that way eh. Still, as an obviously inspired poem,
which was written in iambic pentameter without editing or crossouts,
it's difficult to know how much to credit Helen with having written it
in any ordinary sense.. and so I have granted significance to what her
Notes reveal of exactly what she originally 'heard' or was prompted to
write initially.
Plus, as we know, i.p. allows for the first two syllables to occasionally
reverse stressed syllables. ;)

Yes, I know; for example sentenses
in the lessons starting with "Father".
In this special case I think the change is
not only because of the i.p.; "The Christ"
is more essential, abstract, universal.

Post by Lee Flynn
I do find it fascinating to learn that Jesus appears nowhere by name,
anywhere within 94 poems that speak so much and so often
specifically of him.
How have you been Pieter? Still attending a Course group?

- I daily visit this ng and use your checked
Lessons for translation in Dutch. :-)
I'm attending a Dutch ng as well.

Post by Lee Flynn
How is your wife doing?

She still has mental problems,
and is hospitalized for it.
I visit her almost daily.

Post by Lee Flynn
Good to see you, Deborah and Carrie still holding down the fort. ;)

I'm very grateful that you publish
the Lessons in i.p., checked with the handscipt.
B.t.w. Sometimes Helen herself corrects a word
she originally wrote down. Could it be that in
those cases she simply erred in what she heard;
that she first wrote what she thought/expected
to hear, but was not meant?

Post by Lee Flynn
~ Lee

[Deborah]

Post by Pieter

Post by Lee Flynn
How is your wife doing?

She still has mental problems,
and is hospitalized for it.
I visit her almost daily.

Good for you Pieter. Me too, with my Mom. Almost daily. It is quite
different from your situation, in that my mother's mental decline is
due to brain atrophy, and there isn't going to be a day when she gets
well. As a course student it challenges me to think very deeply about
the "S"elf, because there's nothing of my mother's"s"elf that is going
to survive this decline. Nothing. Everything I thought she was... was
a function of her body/brain, and it is fading into oblivion. So what
does the Course mean when it speaks of the "S"elf? When it speaks of
something changeless and eternal? There's nothing like that in who I
saw as my mother. Can anybody give me something other than some more
abstract words like "Christ" "Son of God" "God's Creations" or even
"every living thing", if that does not refer to the things I
experience as "living" in this world?

What does it mean?

"Yet value not its form. For this will change and grow unrecognizable
in time, however much you try to keep it safe. No form endures. It
is the thought behind the form of things that lives unchangeable."
W.187.4.3

So there is some thought behind the form of things that lives
unchangeable? That's nice. What am I supposed to *do* with that?
What is my mother, and what am I, in relation to that idea?

[Carrie]

Post by Deborah

Post by Pieter

Post by Lee Flynn
How is your wife doing?

She still has mental problems,
and is hospitalized for it.
I visit her almost daily.

Good for you Pieter. Me too, with my Mom. Almost daily. It is quite
different from your situation, in that my mother's mental decline is
due to brain atrophy, and there isn't going to be a day when she gets
well. As a course student it challenges me to think very deeply about
the "S"elf, because there's nothing of my mother's"s"elf that is going
to survive this decline. Nothing. Everything I thought she was... was
a function of her body/brain, and it is fading into oblivion. So what
does the Course mean when it speaks of the "S"elf? When it speaks of
something changeless and eternal? There's nothing like that in who I
saw as my mother. Can anybody give me something other than some more
abstract words like "Christ" "Son of God" "God's Creations" or even
"every living thing", if that does not refer to the things I
experience as "living" in this world?
What does it mean?
"Yet value not its form. For this will change and grow unrecognizable
in time, however much you try to keep it safe. No form endures. It
is the thought behind the form of things that lives unchangeable."
W.187.4.3
So there is some thought behind the form of things that lives
unchangeable? That's nice. What am I supposed to *do* with that?
What is my mother, and what am I, in relation to that idea?

"All things are lessons God would have me learn" (ACIM)

[Pieter]

Post by Deborah

Post by Pieter

Post by Lee Flynn
How is your wife doing?

She still has mental problems,
and is hospitalized for it.
I visit her almost daily.

Good for you Pieter. Me too, with my Mom. Almost daily. It is quite
different from your situation, in that my mother's mental decline is
due to brain atrophy, and there isn't going to be a day when she gets
well. As a course student it challenges me to think very deeply about
the "S"elf, because there's nothing of my mother's"s"elf that is going
to survive this decline. Nothing. Everything I thought she was... was
a function of her body/brain, and it is fading into oblivion. So what
does the Course mean when it speaks of the "S"elf? When it speaks of
something changeless and eternal? There's nothing like that in who I
saw as my mother. Can anybody give me something other than some more
abstract words like "Christ" "Son of God" "God's Creations" or even
"every living thing", if that does not refer to the things I
experience as "living" in this world?
What does it mean?

The body (with its brain) is EFFECT, NOT cause.
Just as the outer world I seem to be born into,
my body and its way of functioning reflects
what is going on in my mind.

Post by Deborah
"Yet value not its form. For this will change and grow unrecognizable
in time, however much you try to keep it safe. No form endures. It
is the thought behind the form of things that lives unchangeable."
W.187.4.3
So there is some thought behind the form of things that lives
unchangeable? That's nice. What am I supposed to *do* with that?
What is my mother, and what am I, in relation to that idea?

We all are an unchangeable part of Gods Creation, so of God.
The self we made will not be taken from us, not even by death,
since death is nothing. When I think I am a body, then my
experience will be as if I were a body. Only when I choose to
let the body be a means to heal the mind, the self I made can
be undone, with the help of the Holy Spirit, Which God placed
within my mind. As long as I keep thinking I am a body, I will
experience myself as a body.

To me "What is the body?" (W-pII.5; page 425 in my book)
is very clear.

[Pieter]

Post by Pieter

Post by Pieter

Post by Lee Flynn
How is your wife doing?

She still has mental problems,
and is hospitalized for it.
I visit her almost daily.

Good for you Pieter.  Me too, with my Mom.  Almost daily. It is quite
different from your situation, in that my mother's mental decline is
due to brain atrophy, and there isn't going to be a day when she gets
well. As a course student it challenges me to think very deeply about
the "S"elf, because there's nothing of my mother's"s"elf that is going
to survive this decline. Nothing.  Everything I thought she was... was
a function of her body/brain, and it is fading into oblivion.  So what
does the Course mean when it speaks of the "S"elf?  When it speaks of
something changeless and eternal?  There's nothing like that in who I
saw as my mother.  Can anybody give me something other than some more
abstract words like "Christ" "Son of God" "God's Creations" or even
"every living thing", if that does not refer to the things I
experience as "living" in this world?
What does it mean?

The body (with its brain) is EFFECT, NOT cause.
Just as the outer world I seem to be born into,
my body and its way of functioning reflects
what is going on in my mind.

"Yet value not its form.  For this will change and grow unrecognizable
in time, however much you try to keep it safe.  No form endures.  It
is the thought behind the form of things that lives unchangeable."
W.187.4.3
So there is some thought behind the form of things that lives
unchangeable?  That's nice.  What am I supposed to *do* with that?
What is my mother, and what am I, in relation to that idea?

We all are an unchangeable part of Gods Creation, so of God.
The self we made will not be taken from us, not even by death,
since death is nothing. When I think I am a body, then my
experience will be as if I were a body. Only when I choose to
let the body be a means to heal the mind, the self I made can
be undone, with the help of the Holy Spirit, Which God placed
within my mind. As long as I keep thinking I am a body, I will
experience myself as a body.

- When I think I am my body, then the body is
my prison house, and even more painful when
it is getting old and showing it.
Apparently our belief in just being our body is
very persistent; if no longer consciously, then
still unconsciously.

Post by Pieter
To me "What is the body?" (W-pII.5; page 425 in my book)
is very clear.- Tekst uit oorspronkelijk bericht niet weergeven -
- Tekst uit oorspronkelijk bericht weergeven -

[Deborah]

Post by Pieter

Post by Pieter

Post by Pieter

Post by Lee Flynn
How is your wife doing?

She still has mental problems,
and is hospitalized for it.
I visit her almost daily.

Good for you Pieter.  Me too, with my Mom.  Almost daily. It is quite
different from your situation, in that my mother's mental decline is
due to brain atrophy, and there isn't going to be a day when she gets
well. As a course student it challenges me to think very deeply about
the "S"elf, because there's nothing of my mother's"s"elf that is going
to survive this decline. Nothing.  Everything I thought she was... was
a function of her body/brain, and it is fading into oblivion.  So what
does the Course mean when it speaks of the "S"elf?  When it speaks of
something changeless and eternal?  There's nothing like that in who I
saw as my mother.  Can anybody give me something other than some more
abstract words like "Christ" "Son of God" "God's Creations" or even
"every living thing", if that does not refer to the things I
experience as "living" in this world?
What does it mean?

The body (with its brain) is EFFECT, NOT cause.
Just as the outer world I seem to be born into,
my body and its way of functioning reflects
what is going on in my mind.

"Yet value not its form.  For this will change and grow unrecognizable
in time, however much you try to keep it safe.  No form endures.  It
is the thought behind the form of things that lives unchangeable."
W.187.4.3
So there is some thought behind the form of things that lives
unchangeable?  That's nice.  What am I supposed to *do* with that?
What is my mother, and what am I, in relation to that idea?

We all are an unchangeable part of Gods Creation, so of God.
The self we made will not be taken from us, not even by death,
since death is nothing. When I think I am a body, then my
experience will be as if I were a body. Only when I choose to
let the body be a means to heal the mind, the self I made can
be undone, with the help of the Holy Spirit, Which God placed
within my mind. As long as I keep thinking I am a body, I will
experience myself as a body.

- When I think I am my body, then the body is
my prison house, and even more painful when
it is getting old and showing it.
Apparently our belief in just being our body is
very persistent; if no longer consciously, then
still unconsciously.

For me one of the problems is that there really isn't any evidence
that we are anything BUT the body/brain. I've had some compelling
experiences that a purely material being should not be able to have,
but there is plenty of room for me to doubt my interpretation of those
experiences.

Post by Pieter

Post by Pieter
To me "What is the body?" (W-pII.5; page 425 in my book)
is very clear.- Tekst uit oorspronkelijk bericht niet weergeven -
- Tekst uit oorspronkelijk bericht weergeven -

[Pieter]

Post by Deborah

Post by Pieter

Post by Pieter

Post by Pieter

Post by Lee Flynn
How is your wife doing?

She still has mental problems,
and is hospitalized for it.
I visit her almost daily.

Good for you Pieter. Me too, with my Mom. Almost daily. It is quite
different from your situation, in that my mother's mental decline is
due to brain atrophy, and there isn't going to be a day when she gets
well. As a course student it challenges me to think very deeply about
the "S"elf, because there's nothing of my mother's"s"elf that is going
to survive this decline. Nothing. Everything I thought she was... was
a function of her body/brain, and it is fading into oblivion. So what
does the Course mean when it speaks of the "S"elf? When it speaks of
something changeless and eternal? There's nothing like that in who I
saw as my mother. Can anybody give me something other than some more
abstract words like "Christ" "Son of God" "God's Creations" or even
"every living thing", if that does not refer to the things I
experience as "living" in this world?
What does it mean?

The body (with its brain) is EFFECT, NOT cause.
Just as the outer world I seem to be born into,
my body and its way of functioning reflects
what is going on in my mind.

"Yet value not its form. For this will change and grow unrecognizable
in time, however much you try to keep it safe. No form endures. It
is the thought behind the form of things that lives unchangeable."
W.187.4.3
So there is some thought behind the form of things that lives
unchangeable? That's nice. What am I supposed to *do* with that?
What is my mother, and what am I, in relation to that idea?

We all are an unchangeable part of Gods Creation, so of God.
The self we made will not be taken from us, not even by death,
since death is nothing. When I think I am a body, then my
experience will be as if I were a body. Only when I choose to
let the body be a means to heal the mind, the self I made can
be undone, with the help of the Holy Spirit, Which God placed
within my mind. As long as I keep thinking I am a body, I will
experience myself as a body.

- When I think I am my body, then the body is
my prison house, and even more painful when
it is getting old and showing it.
Apparently our belief in just being our body is
very persistent; if no longer consciously, then
still unconsciously.

For me one of the problems is that there really isn't any evidence
that we are anything BUT the body/brain. I've had some compelling
experiences that a purely material being should not be able to have,
but there is plenty of room for me to doubt my interpretation of those
experiences.

Spirit (including the ability to think) and matter
are two completely different things. Complex
matter (such as a computer) can simulate thinking,
yet it only does what it is programmed to do. And
this programming can be very intelligent. Yet it is
not thinking at all. No more than the doll of a little
girl is alive, though for her it is.
The learning process of the world just is programming
the brain with names, rules, patterns, strategies and so on.
Reviewing these things is not real thinking; it is going on
automatic pilot. Goal of ACIM is to think originally again,
by means of undoing the (ego-)programming.

Post by Deborah

Post by Pieter

Post by Pieter
To me "What is the body?" (W-pII.5; page 425 in my book)
is very clear.- Tekst uit oorspronkelijk bericht niet weergeven -
- Tekst uit oorspronkelijk bericht weergeven -

[Carrie]

Post by Pieter

Post by Deborah

Post by Pieter

Post by Pieter

Post by Pieter

Post by Lee Flynn
How is your wife doing?

She still has mental problems,
and is hospitalized for it.
I visit her almost daily.

Good for you Pieter. Me too, with my Mom. Almost daily. It is quite
different from your situation, in that my mother's mental decline is
due to brain atrophy, and there isn't going to be a day when she gets
well. As a course student it challenges me to think very deeply about
the "S"elf, because there's nothing of my mother's"s"elf that is going
to survive this decline. Nothing. Everything I thought she was... was
a function of her body/brain, and it is fading into oblivion. So what
does the Course mean when it speaks of the "S"elf? When it speaks of
something changeless and eternal? There's nothing like that in who I
saw as my mother. Can anybody give me something other than some more
abstract words like "Christ" "Son of God" "God's Creations" or even
"every living thing", if that does not refer to the things I
experience as "living" in this world?
What does it mean?

The body (with its brain) is EFFECT, NOT cause.
Just as the outer world I seem to be born into,
my body and its way of functioning reflects
what is going on in my mind.

"Yet value not its form. For this will change and grow unrecognizable
in time, however much you try to keep it safe. No form endures. It
is the thought behind the form of things that lives unchangeable."
W.187.4.3
So there is some thought behind the form of things that lives
unchangeable? That's nice. What am I supposed to *do* with that?
What is my mother, and what am I, in relation to that idea?

We all are an unchangeable part of Gods Creation, so of God.
The self we made will not be taken from us, not even by death,
since death is nothing. When I think I am a body, then my
experience will be as if I were a body. Only when I choose to
let the body be a means to heal the mind, the self I made can
be undone, with the help of the Holy Spirit, Which God placed
within my mind. As long as I keep thinking I am a body, I will
experience myself as a body.

- When I think I am my body, then the body is
my prison house, and even more painful when
it is getting old and showing it.
Apparently our belief in just being our body is
very persistent; if no longer consciously, then
still unconsciously.

For me one of the problems is that there really isn't any evidence
that we are anything BUT the body/brain. I've had some compelling
experiences that a purely material being should not be able to have,
but there is plenty of room for me to doubt my interpretation of those
experiences.

Spirit (including the ability to think) and matter
are two completely different things. Complex
matter (such as a computer) can simulate thinking,
yet it only does what it is programmed to do. And
this programming can be very intelligent. Yet it is
not thinking at all. No more than the doll of a little
girl is alive, though for her it is.
The learning process of the world just is programming
the brain with names, rules, patterns, strategies and so on.
Reviewing these things is not real thinking; it is going on
automatic pilot. Goal of ACIM is to think originally again,
by means of undoing the (ego-)programming.

Why does this have to be proven or verified? I don't think it's possible
to do it, unless maybe having an out of body (near death) experience or
something. We really don't know (we who believe we are in bodies) and just
have to go by what we feel is right and best (for each one, personally)
Okay, we don't have to, words are so limited in this. That just seems like
the best way, to me. Assume there is somethning more than bodies, on a ball
of dirt that supposedly is flying around in space, that has no limits-
beginning or ends. That's the part I could never comprehend, the idea of
space as infinite, never ending, and if it did end- was was beyond it? The
course (the idea it's all illusion/mind) is the only explaination that
makes sense to me.

Post by Pieter

Post by Deborah

Post by Pieter

Post by Pieter
To me "What is the body?" (W-pII.5; page 425 in my book)
is very clear.- Tekst uit oorspronkelijk bericht niet weergeven -
- Tekst uit oorspronkelijk bericht weergeven -

[Pieter]

Post by Carrie

Post by Pieter

Post by Deborah

Post by Pieter

Post by Pieter

Post by Pieter

Post by Lee Flynn
How is your wife doing?

She still has mental problems,
and is hospitalized for it.
I visit her almost daily.

Good for you Pieter. Me too, with my Mom. Almost daily. It is quite
different from your situation, in that my mother's mental decline is
due to brain atrophy, and there isn't going to be a day when she gets
well. As a course student it challenges me to think very deeply about
the "S"elf, because there's nothing of my mother's"s"elf that is going
to survive this decline. Nothing. Everything I thought she was... was
a function of her body/brain, and it is fading into oblivion. So what
does the Course mean when it speaks of the "S"elf? When it speaks of
something changeless and eternal? There's nothing like that in who I
saw as my mother. Can anybody give me something other than some more
abstract words like "Christ" "Son of God" "God's Creations" or even
"every living thing", if that does not refer to the things I
experience as "living" in this world?
What does it mean?

The body (with its brain) is EFFECT, NOT cause.
Just as the outer world I seem to be born into,
my body and its way of functioning reflects
what is going on in my mind.

"Yet value not its form. For this will change and grow
unrecognizable
in time, however much you try to keep it safe. No form endures. It
is the thought behind the form of things that lives unchangeable."
W.187.4.3
So there is some thought behind the form of things that lives
unchangeable? That's nice. What am I supposed to *do* with that?
What is my mother, and what am I, in relation to that idea?

We all are an unchangeable part of Gods Creation, so of God.
The self we made will not be taken from us, not even by death,
since death is nothing. When I think I am a body, then my
experience will be as if I were a body. Only when I choose to
let the body be a means to heal the mind, the self I made can
be undone, with the help of the Holy Spirit, Which God placed
within my mind. As long as I keep thinking I am a body, I will
experience myself as a body.

- When I think I am my body, then the body is
my prison house, and even more painful when
it is getting old and showing it.
Apparently our belief in just being our body is
very persistent; if no longer consciously, then
still unconsciously.

For me one of the problems is that there really isn't any evidence
that we are anything BUT the body/brain. I've had some compelling
experiences that a purely material being should not be able to have,
but there is plenty of room for me to doubt my interpretation of those
experiences.

Spirit (including the ability to think) and matter
are two completely different things. Complex
matter (such as a computer) can simulate thinking,
yet it only does what it is programmed to do. And
this programming can be very intelligent. Yet it is
not thinking at all. No more than the doll of a little
girl is alive, though for her it is.
The learning process of the world just is programming
the brain with names, rules, patterns, strategies and so on.
Reviewing these things is not real thinking; it is going on
automatic pilot. Goal of ACIM is to think originally again,
by means of undoing the (ego-)programming.

Why does this have to be proven or verified? I don't think it's possible
to do it, unless maybe having an out of body (near death) experience or
something. We really don't know (we who believe we are in bodies) and just
have to go by what we feel is right and best (for each one, personally)
Okay, we don't have to, words are so limited in this. That just seems like
the best way, to me. Assume there is somethning more than bodies, on a
ball of dirt that supposedly is flying around in space, that has no
limits- beginning or ends. That's the part I could never comprehend, the
idea of space as infinite, never ending, and if it did end- was was beyond
it? The course (the idea it's all illusion/mind) is the only explaination
that makes sense to me.

Post by Pieter

Post by Deborah

Post by Pieter

Post by Pieter
To me "What is the body?" (W-pII.5; page 425 in my book)
is very clear.- Tekst uit oorspronkelijk bericht niet weergeven -
- Tekst uit oorspronkelijk bericht weergeven -

[Pieter]

Post by Carrie
Why does this have to be proven or verified? I don't think it's possible
to do it, unless maybe having an out of body (near death) experience or
something. We really don't know (we who believe we are in bodies) and just
have to go by what we feel is right and best (for each one, personally)
Okay, we don't have to, words are so limited in this. That just seems like
the best way, to me. Assume there is something more than bodies, on a ball
of dirt that supposedly is flying around in space, that has no limits-
beginning or ends. That's the part I could never comprehend, the idea of
space as infinite, never ending, and if it did end- was was beyond it? The
course (the idea it's all illusion/mind) is the only explanation that
makes sense to me.

With issues such as this it is important
to realize what is said in T.22.II.7:4-8:

"This course will be believed entirely or not at all. For it is
wholly true or wholly false, and cannot be but partially
believed. And you will either escape from misery entirely
or not at all. Reason will tell you that there is no middle
ground where you can pause uncertainly, waiting to
choose between the joy of Heaven and the misery of hell.
Until you choose Heaven, you ARE in hell and misery."

A relevant quote for the issue is:

"You . . . believe the body's brain can think. If you but
understood the nature of thought, you could but laugh
at this insane idea. It is as if you thought you held the
match that lights the sun and give it all its warmth; or
that you held the world within your hands, securely
bound until you let it go. Yet this is no more foolish
than to believe the body's eyes can see; the brain
can think." W.pI.92.2.

[Carrie]

Post by Pieter

Post by Lee Flynn
Good to see you, Deborah and Carrie still holding down the fort. ;)

I would like to see more sharing here, aside from the lessons. The
course says all minds are joined, and exempt no one from your love, and to
ask Holy Spirit for ways to join (and have peace), etc. Though, of course,
nothing stops me from doing this, and let everyone else be "exactly as they
are" (or how I see them) As in "seek not to change the world". And, it's
not up to me to try and change my brother(s) but to accept them as they are
(seem to be, to me). It seems like over the years a group will get active,
then slow down, or stop as people move on to other groups. With this ng I
still feel it's great for lessons, for "higher education" (in the course)
maybe. I think one of my life lessons is being silent, which I still have a
hard time with (I tend to forget and get into the spirit of sharing, in
words) Like I could come and read on this newsgroup and feel sharing and
joining with others, even if there are no new and/or person posts. Or, if I
write something (or respond) and it's totally ignored. Doesn't really matter
in the overall scope of things.

Post by Pieter
I'm very grateful that you publish
the Lessons in i.p., checked with the handscipt.
B.t.w. Sometimes Helen herself corrects a word
she originally wrote down. Could it be that in
those cases she simply erred in what she heard;
that she first wrote what she thought/expected
to hear, but was not meant?

Post by Lee Flynn
~ Lee

[ala]

Post by Lee Flynn
Hi guys, I thought I'd share a poem (of Helen's?) that I just came by in
her handscript Notes, between her scribing of Lesson 306 & 307, written
on about December 29, 1970. It's untitled as it appears in her Notes..
and actually was written on the page in much the way the lessons
themselves are formatted. The top of the page has a lesson number,
followed by a typical ten syllable lesson title (My eyes would look upon
the Son of God), but then the lesson # is crossed out, and it appears
that Helen recognized that this was to be an inspired poem rather than a
lesson.
=307.= My eyes would look upon the Son of God.
For this I came; to overlook the world,
and seeing it forgiven, understand
its holiness is but the truth in me.
Jesus walks forth in every step I take.
God shines within me, lighting up the world
in radiant joy. The Holy Spirit comes
with me lest I should turn and lose the way.
For God has given me a goal to reach,
and has made certain that I cannot fail.
And so He gave me eyes to see beyond
appearances and shadows. I will look upon
the Son of God exactly as he is,
and in that sight is all the world transformed
and blessed forever with the Love of God.
How holy are my footsteps, which but go
to do the Will of God, Whose Son I am.
And how forever perfect is my will,
which is in no way separate from His Own.
I haven't yet discovered whether this poem appears in Helen's book of
poems, or for that matter whether it's ever been published at all. If no
one's seen it, that would be pretty wonderful that it comes to light.
Either way, it's a truly lovely poem. Truly beautiful. I guess it's
titile would be "My eyes would look upon the Son of God."
"For this I came; to overlook the world,
and seeing it forgiven, understand
its holiness is but the truth in me."
~ Lee Flynn

(Gradual)
Submersion

On the rock
(as opposed to
in the kitchen
in the tower)
A clear agenda,
a question for every day
(Elaborations,
Examples)
Someone else's purpose
Bliss
of course with your approval
She's ready to sign the authorization now
And she hasn't even written anything ==Susan Gannon