Learning to Listen
I would like to talk about hearing the Voice for God. I am going to tell my experience, and I hope that you will share yours. This is very important to me, and I would appreciate anything you have to share with me which might help me do this better.
When I first became associated with Pathways of Light, I noticed that many ministers there seemed to take for granted that the Holy Spirit speaks to and through them. I had never experienced this and couldn’t believe it could happen for me. I thought only special people could hear His Voice. Now that I think about it that is crazy. The ego makes special, not God.
As I continued to take courses through Pathways I began to get used to the idea that hearing the Voice for God was not only possible, but normal. That makes sense because the Course tells us that there are only two voices and we are always listening to one or the other. Obviously I didn’t ALWAYS listen to the ego, so I was hearing the Holy Spirit sometimes. I just was not acknowledging the Source of what I heard.
Once I got the idea that I could hear the Voice for God, I wanted to be able to hear it more clearly. I experienced a lot of frustration as I practiced this and wondered why it was so hard if it was supposed to be a natural thing. Looking back on it, I realize that it wasn’t hard, but that I was conflicted and that was making it hard. I am sure that it was guilt and the sense of unworthiness that guilt brings which made it seem hard. Also, I still have trouble hearing His Voice when He is saying something I don’t want to hear. I notice it only works if I am asking Him to tell me, not telling Him what to tell me. If I don’t like what He has to say and want a second opinion the only other Voice is ego. I know that, but sometimes I am very attached to my own answer.
What I do now is simply express a desire to hear His Voice and that is what I hear. I know that some people literally hear a voice, but I do not. His ideas are in my mind. I think that was part of the original problem. I had a preconceived idea of what it would be like, and I discounted everything that didn’t meet those ideas. I have to focus on the ideas I receive from Him because my poorly trained mind will jump around from one thought to another, and will, out of habit, go to the louder, ego voice. That is one of the reasons I am doing the lessons again. I want to work harder to discipline my mind. This is important to me and I want to do it well.
One way I keep my focus is to write. I ask a question and I start writing what comes to me. If nothing comes, I just start writing and soon it flows and I know that it didn’t come from the ego. The Holy Spirit always works with me where I am. If I can’t hear Him, for whatever reason, He will help me. He will send it through someone else, in a book, a movie, a conversation. At some point I will begin to recognize I am getting my answer. Often this opens up my channel for more direct communication. I no longer judge it, though, and am grateful for His Voice however I get it.
Practice seems to be key for me. I just keep asking, and keep writing. The more I do it, the clearer it becomes, and the less hesitant my efforts. I don’t always write the answer. If someone asks me a direct question and I take a second to put Holy Spirit in charge, then the answer I give often astounds me. I can always tell when it is the ego speaking, and when I notice it is ego coming out of my mouth, I shut up. I have sometimes stopped in the middle of a sentence and explained that I am just talking and that I am not getting guidance at this time. I suggest that they should go to the Holy Spirit themselves, and if needed and appropriate, I offer to help. I used to just keep talking because I was embarrassed to stop in the middle of what I was saying and explain that I didn’t know what I was talking about. Now I don’t hesitate to do it.
So, basically, I recognize that hearing the Voice of God is natural, and really inevitable. The Holy Spirit is in me. His purpose is to speak to me. He is not going to sit there mute. So all I have to do is acknowledge this is true, practice listening, and learn to trust that He is speaking to me. Of course I need to be able to discern His Voice from the ego voice, but that is not hard. If what is said is loving, peaceful, joyous and helpful to everyone involved, it is Holy Spirit. If not, it is ego.
I wonder how it works for you. I am very open to other methods, and to anything which will enhance the experience. Sometimes I go back and read His messages to me and I feel so loved and cared for that I just sit and cry. I need these reminders I am not alone and that I am loved. I also need the practice choosing God over ego.
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A REMINDER OF WHO I AM
I asked for a reminder of who I am. This is what I received. I read it when I forget.
I am the perfect creation of a perfect God.
I am still as God created me, completely unchanged. Everything that seems to indicate differently is an insane thought.
I am not this solitary and separate body. I am part of the whole and each of the seemingly separated bodies is part of that same whole. I am an inseparable part of God.
In my wholeness I am powerful. If I feel weak or lacking, it can only be that I have thought I am separate and isolated, and not part of the Wholeness which is God.
Within myself is the Voice for God. I can never be lost or confused unless that is my choice. If I feel lost or confused, I can choose once again, and the Voice for God will answer my call.
I am God’s beloved Son. He created me because He wanted me. He has not changed His mind. He did not create me to be in pain, to be lonely, to be in doubt or fear. He did not create me to be guilty. So none of these things can be true. I will not be deceived by what is a lie. I ask the Holy Spirit to return my awareness to God.
Thank you, Holy Spirit.
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