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BDBinc's avatar

Great points. Coming back to the one choice we have between Love (and the phantom that is) fear.

There will always be fear when we do not know who we are, are totally identified with the physical body and egomind( loveless thoughts)

The death of ego through suffering ( on the cross =the body)is the resurrection of who we are ....love and light.

The I am is the way the truth and the light.

Love and peace to you on Easter.

Guy Ellard Frank's avatar

Suffering is sometimes denied or bypassed spiritually and cognitively, and can portray a lopsided view of reality. Suffering is hardly an illusion. Having worked with refugees for over 20 years, I have witnessed the stories of genital mutilation, rape, unspeakable horrors and other aspects of what some call the shadow (euphemism) side of human beings. I have studied and practiced and taught the Course in Miracles for many years, and I have walked out of an ACIM class when I described the traumas I witnessed working with refugees and I asked the teacher {self-appointed) if he thought these refugees' trauma was illusion - and he said yes, it was illusion. I walked out and did not return for a long time.

I know there is a place for metaphysical interpretation of sacred scriptures, but that is only one perspective.

I noticed that Marianne started to interpret things differently when she entered the political arena in the U.S., and I was confused and relieved by her apparently new understanding of human behavior and the world scene. What I witnessed was Marianne's anger, rage, and righteous indignation at what she experienced as a woman running for president. Makes sense to me. Bravo, Marianne.

I also experience Marianne as an intelligent, thoughtful, well-researched thinker and feeler, who, if I remember correctly, went to Vietnam many years ago, and saw first hand what was going on in that country. Hardly an illusion.

I still stand on the rock of I Corinthians chapter on love, and without love most actions ain't worth nothing. My translation of that message is - love is the one thing left standing when all else has fallen.

So as we come into Holy Week, let us remember that after riding into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey (what wonderful irony - not a stallion, but a donkey), the first thing the Christ, does that Monday upon entering the city is not to say he loves everybody, but walks into the temple and flips the tables. Christ is passionate about confronting. Lord, show us what you want us to confront within ourselves.

Mario A Leblanc's avatar

Genesis - "Land Of Confusion"

I must've dreamed a thousand dreams

Been haunted by a million screams

But I can hear the marching feet

They're moving into the street

Now, did you read the news today?

They say the danger's gone away

But I can see the fires still alight

They're burning into the night

There's too many men, too many people

Making too many problems

And not much love to go 'round

Can't you see this is a land of confusion?

This is the world we live in (Oh, oh, oh)

And these are the hands we're given (Oh, oh, oh)

Use them and let's start trying (Oh, oh, oh)

To make it a place worth living in

Ooh, Superman, where are you now

When everything's gone wrong somehow?

The men of steel, the men of power

Are losing control by the hour

This is the time, this is the place

So we look for the future

But there's not much love to go 'round

Tell me why this is a land of confusion

This is the world we live in (Oh, oh, oh)

And these are the hands we're given (Oh, oh, oh)

Use them and let's start trying (Oh, oh, oh)

To make it a place worth living in

I remember long ago

Ooh, when the sun was shining

Yes, and the stars were bright all through the night

And the sound of your laughter as I held you tight

So long ago

I won't be coming home tonight

My generation will put it right

We're not just making promises

That we know we'll never keep

Too many men, there's too many people

Making too many problems

And not much love to go 'round

Can't you see this is a land of confusion?

Now, this is the world we live in (Oh, oh, oh)

And these are the hands we're given (Oh, oh, oh)

Use them and let's start trying (Oh, oh, oh)

To make it a place worth fighting for

This is the world we live in (Oh, oh, oh)

And these are the names we're given (Oh, oh, oh)

Stand up and let's start showing (Oh, oh, oh)

Just where our lives are going to

Rebecca Suzanne's avatar

You know, I never really listened to the lyrics before. But, these are some powerful ones. Thanks for posting this up!

Mario A Leblanc's avatar

Now, this is the world we live in (Oh, oh, oh)

And these are the hands we're given (Oh, oh, oh)

Use them and let's start trying (Oh, oh, oh)

To make it a place worth fighting for

This is the world we live in (Oh, oh, oh)

And these are the names we're given (Oh, oh, oh)

Stand up and let's start showing (Oh, oh, oh)

Just where our lives are going to

Ruby's avatar

Thank you for a great conversation. Love that there’s lots of room for Hope and Positivity.

Good People make Good happy

Love and Gratitude from across the miles 🙏

Mario A Leblanc's avatar

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Rebecca Suzanne's avatar

I'm looking forward to this, Marianne. ACIM had taught me a new way to experience the radcalism of love's power and possibility. It has been intetesting to watch my own relunctance to embrace love's radical power to healing and direction. I am teally happy you are doing this talk.

Ellen In NC's avatar

I wish I could go back in time and live in a pre-industrial world 🌍

Marie Sweetman's avatar

Thank you Marianne; for your true insight.

Karen Lavie's avatar

Yes, beautiful, thank you!

Ted Coakley's avatar

In addition to Passover and Easter, are they're any related traditions, holidays, beliefs or other observations in Islam that you can include discussion of in your online talk?And in any other religions, for that matter?Thanks!

Elaine Haviland's avatar

But the talk is on Easter Sunday. Perhaps other holidays would be good opportunities to talk about the principles as they relate to Islam. Although, of course, she typically brings in a range traditions and faiths into her talks.

Ted Coakley's avatar

Thanks Elaine.

I see my question might not have been clear enough.

I'm not asking about similar principles in Islam unrelated to the Easter and Passover times.

I'm asking about traditions, holidays, beliefs or other observations in Islam (and/or other religions) that ARE related to Passover and Easter times.

Islam reveres and subscribes to many things Judaism and Christianity do, and I'd guess that might apply to the Passover and Easter times, and the notions surrounding those times.

Maybe I'm wrong about the Passover/Easter times/celebrations/traditions having overlap in Islam ... and that's why I'm asking :)

Kat's avatar

So looking forward to this. Thank you.