Open Minded to Be Free - ACIM - Manual for Teachers cover art

Open Minded to Be Free - ACIM - Manual for Teachers

Open Minded to Be Free - ACIM - Manual for Teachers

Listen for free

View show details

About this listen

 The Nature of Successful Relationships: Jevon Perra stated that good relationships require a sacrifice of individual needs and wants for something greater. Brian Genovese commented that they are single because they do not know anyone who would accept their commitments to activities like "Valley" or the "state of the city" without feeling infringed upon.**Introduction to Open-Mindedness in *A Course in Miracles***: Jevon Perra confirmed they were ready to begin the discussion from the "Manual for Teachers" section of *A Course in Miracles*, focusing on the final characteristic, "Open-mindedness". Brian Genovese read that open-mindedness is the last attribute the teacher of God acquires and is easily understood in its relation to forgiveness, as it invites God's teacher into the mind by lacking judgment.Open-Mindedness, Forgiveness, and Perception: Brian Genovese noted that open-mindedness permits the Son of God to be judged by the voice of God and allows for the extension of the Christ image. Jevon Perra explained that open-mindedness allows for a shift to seeing through Christ's eyes, which perceives sameness, instead of the ego's eyes, which perceives difference. They further discussed how forgiveness is the final goal of the curriculum and is synonymous with letting go of one's perceptions and judgments, making everything appear "newness and joy".The Theme of Letting Go of Judgment and Appreciating Life: Jevon Perra discussed how letting go of judgment allows for the realization that current life "sparkles" and is perfect, referencing a comparison to appreciating a small life like that in the Shire from *Lord of the Rings*. Brian Genovese commented that they missed having small children around.The Concept of Atonement and Identity: Brian Genovese read that the list of God's teachers' attributes does not include things like love, sinlessness, or perfection because those are the Son of God's inheritance. Jevon Perra explained that these are not attributes but are part of identity, and atonement is the experience of the "holy moment" of completion and realizing sameness with others.The Nature of Identity and the Ego's Need for Definition: Jevon Perra explained that thinking of oneself as a body or personality prevents understanding identity, which is the "big question" the course points toward. They discussed that the act of defining, labeling, and using words is an ego act that creates separation, such as calling someone a friend or an enemy.Meditation as a Letting Go Process: Jevon Perra described meditation as an amplifier for the practice of being at peace and a process of letting go of the mind's attempt to judge everything, including one's own performance in meditation. They noted that the realization that one's thoughts are not truly their own is a "wild thought," suggesting the personality is merely a script or mask having the experience of a separate life.Personal Struggles with Overthinking and Control: kristen shared that they are dealing with a life-changing struggle, noting that overthinking and the desire to control the outcome has been difficult. kristen provided an example of this struggle, explaining they have taken on the responsibility of caring for their husband's troubled child, leading to projections of negative outcomes.Attachment as the Source of Suffering: Jevon Perra affirmed that stress comes from the belief that one must control the outcome, defining this control as attachment, which is the source of all suffering. They added that the opposite, believing one "cannot have" a specific bad outcome, is also a form of attachment. Brian Genovese noted that placing blame on others for not following one's rules is a way to alleviate personal responsibility.Open-Mindedness in Conflict and Experience: Jevon Perra explained that constantly trying to control oneself or others (e.g., "I have to be more peaceful") is synonymous with attachment, and attachment leads to being "stuck" in an unpreferred experience. Jevon Perra provided an example of their son's intense emotional outbursts, noting that responding with an "open heart" and love, rather than an attack, causes the child to melt and is an example of open-mindedness.The Necessity of Letting Go of Personal Agenda: Jevon Perra proposed that true experience of one's identity—love, sinlessness, and eternal truth—requires letting go of the ego's layers of judgments and perceptions, which they call one's "agenda". Soo Kim found it tricky to let go of goals and aspirations, questioning why they should make an effort without a spiritual goal.Loving the Pursuit and the Suffering: Jevon Perra suggested that people love the pursuit of their goals and the experience of suffering as much as peace and joy, because both are defined, isolated ego experiences. The Holy Spirit, according to Jevon Perra, sees "beauty from ashes," meaning that circumstances do not need to change to be loved; one only needs to let go of judgment.Perception and the ...
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.