Part of Megan’s graduation present was a virtual Hicks workshop, which she watched in its entirety on May 28, with Rob and I popping in now and then to catch glimpses of it. Last night and this evening, – May 30-31 – Rob and I watched the entire workshop, which is available for 48 hours after the actual live event. This was our second virtual workshop and it was enormously powerful. We wrote about the first one here.
During this workshop, the individuals who were chosen to come forward to the “hot seat,” where they talk one on one with Abraham, were primarily men. This statistic struck me as significant. Two years ago, when I attended my first and only actual live workshop, nearly everyone in the audience was female. These gentlemen ran the gamut in ages, occupations, life experiences, cultures, backgrounds, ethnicities.
The exchange that made the strongest impact on me was between Abraham and a man probably in his thirties who started off by saying that as a result of his work with the Abraham material, his life had improved immeasurably. He talked about practicing “rampaging appreciation,” and gave a wonderful example. While driving on the Garden State Parkway, he felt enormous appreciation for the road – its smoothness, the speed at which he could drive, the sky above it, the whole nine yards. He was, he said, “in the vortex.”
This vortex is like a spinning cauldron of energy that contains the best of who we are, every desire we have ever had, every thought we have thought, every dream we have or have ever had. When we line up with it vibrationally, our dreams begin to manifest themselves. When we are outside the vortex, we feel discomfort, pain, angst. A few days later, he had to drive the parkway again – and discovered it had been repaved, so now it was even better, there was more to appreciate. From this, he went into a story about watching sports from inside the vortex, how he was watching some game on TV when suddenly people in the stadium started chanting, USA, USA, USA – and discovered that Bin Laden had been assassinated. He instantly fell out of the vortex and spent the next two days in a funk.
Abraham asked him why he felt that way. “Because this event was huge,” the man said.
No, it wasn’t, Abraham said. It wasn’t huge enough or small enough to knock him out of his feelings of well-being. The people who cheered the death of Bin Laden, a man who hadn’t been a threat to anyone for years, Abraham said, felt empowered because they basically feel powerless in their own lives. This statement struck me.
The night I heard the news about Bin Laden, I sure wasn’t in any vortex. Megan had broken her foot the night before and we were holed up in a hotel room, hoping to get into to see an orthopedic doc the next day. Listening to Obama that night, hearing the cheers outside the White House, the chants of USA, depressed me. People were cheering an assassination.
A couple of weeks later, during Megan’s graduation weekend, I was discussing this with my sister’s New Guy. I suspected he was a Republican who upheld the agenda that makes me nuts, but couldn’t resist pushing against that to draw him out into a conversation. I regret doing so. I had even started writing a post about New Guy and our conversation that entailed the Republican agenda to dismantle Medicare, Social Security, and every other “socialist” program – you know, pubic education, fire departments, police departments. In the writing, I realized I was pushing against him and that belief system, and by doing so, was inviting more of the same into my life.
As Abraham pointed out, each of us is coming from a different place. What works for you may not work for me. My job is to line up vibrationally with my highest good. “You are in the time of awakening,” he said.
So from now on, if I meet people like New Guy (who is now an ex for my sister), I vow to keep my mouth zipped. I won’t invite confrontation. I’ll talk about fluff and stuff, the weather and how was your plane trip. I’ll try to find something to appreciate about the person. I’ll try to understand why I have attracted this person into my life and what I’m supposed to learn. By withdrawing my attention from what I don’t like – like New Guy, like people cheering the assassination of Bin Laden – such experiences will become non-existent. Or, at any rate, that’s how it’s supposed to work.
The toughest part for me, though, will be keeping my mouth shut. If I’m talking to someone who glorifies war, supports the invasion of sovereign countries, the dismantling of social programs that actually help people stay afloat, and no rise in taxes on the wealthiest two percent, my lesser self will be tempted to go for the jugular. C’mon, dude, argue with me, show me your true colors. That lesser self revels in such a discussion with a zealot of any persuasion. But my higher self is getting tired of discourse that doesn’t change minds at either end if the spectrum.
“We’re all in this together,” Abraham said.
Well, yes, we are. Maybe that’s the ticket. The next time I meet a New Guy, I’ll hug him hello, welcome him into the family fold, find something about him to appreciate, and that will be that.
One can dream, right?
Sorry for the typos, all. Eyes not good yet.
“Appropriate to shut it down”. I couldn’t agree you you more about that, Nat. Sorry to be tardy in responding. Have been in hospital having surgery and just home today. Still not seeing or functioning well. But want to share with you what happened when my limit was reached with the nastiness of my BIL. Hubby and I went to Helen, GA, with him and his wife in back seat. I was driving. Big GMC Suburban, going around all those hairpin moun tain curves across the mountain, right? Well, they live there. I live at sea level. And, and a careful driver, so I was taking those very narrow mountain curves slow and easy. It’s a llooonnnnggggg drop over the side! BIL keeps nagging and nagging and being bis ugly nasty self, on and on.
I finally had enough. When we got across the mtn and back onto flatland, I pulled the SUV to the side of the road, cur the engine. Everyone is loking at me like, “what’s wrong?” I turned completely around in the driver’s seat, looked the a..h… straight in the eye, called him by name, and said, D…., SHUT THE F…up!!! (That’s not a word I use much, and they are evangelical birn-agains) You could have heard a pin drop in that truck. I turned back around, crqankrd the vehicle, and drove on into Helen. Since then, I can see him bite his tongue when he gets around me, but he no longer is as vitriolic and hostile as he was. So yes, draw the line in the sand when enough is enough. That’s it for tonie, gang. Gotta sleep. Sweet dreams to all!
It is a sense of taking forever, but happening rapidly, Rob. I can feel it.
I was at the same table when Trish was arguing with New Guy, and have a somewhat different perspective. At first, I joined in the debate or argument, but quickly bailed out and talked to Trish’s sister about non-controversial stuff.
However, I couldn’t help overhearing some of the heated discussion. My interest in general is the reasoning behind the views that are considered far-right and now close to the mainstream of the U.S. Republican party. Why do they want smaller government and less taxes?
I can foresee a future where that’s not a bad idea, where we no longer need these structures, where governments and religions fall by the wayside as we advance and evolve as humans and spiritual beings.
Unfortunately, I think the calls for slashing government programs and cutting taxes are more about greed and fear and divisiveness – them vs. us mentality –than the pursuit of higher spiritual goals. What I heard from New Guy was fear, fear that someone was going to take away what was his, fear that in order to be safe we needed to pursue foreign wars–the only real purpose of government–fear that causes us to build walls to keep out what we don’t like or understand.
Maybe someday we’ll move beyond such a way of perceiving reality. When that happens, my guess is that it’ll be a subtle revolution, one centered in the unconscious mind rather than on the streets. Yet, the change might happen overnight. It took forever, yet, came very rapidly.
Re:
“The lesson was about boundaries and self respect” and “…who dehumanizes and invalidates other people. Her behaviour has always left me gobsmacked, but I guess ‘live and let live’ is appropriate until somebody is at risk of harm, then it is also appropriate to shut it down…”
That’s why I always loved that TV show “Kung-Fu”,where the Chinese monk wonders all over the place kicking the ignorant butts of people who just won’t let bygones by bygones.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCyJRXvPNRo
“Fear is the only darkness” says the odd blind monk to the student who has eyes,but will not see. (watch clip above)
Some people just beg to get a whoopin’…maybe that’s their spiritual lesson?
Ouch!!!
I always enjoyed that kung fu show. The blind monk had it right!
Yes, I agree Connie for sure. Only when it causes too much distress do I shut it down. It has been 6 years of trying all other avenues. My higher self told me that we had a contract together, and that I was put in place as a trigger for her and other members of the family. (Obviously I agreed to this deal before I came here.)
I have , and always always do, look at the lesson in it for me first, before moving onto other avenues. What I am saying in regard to this particular person is that once all other avenues had been tried, the lesson for me was to say ENOUGH! That was the lesson.
The lesson was about boundaries and self respect. What she does with it now, is not any of my business, I just have to keep reaching for what feels vibrationally good for me and continue to send her love.
This person is family and a born again Christian zealot, who dehumanises and invalidates other people. Her behaviour has always left me gobsmacked, but I guess ‘live and let live’ is appropriate until somebody is at risk of harm, then it is also appropriate to shut it down don’t you think?
Absolutely.
Natalie, reading back over your comment, it occurs to me to mention that sometimes, it is those folks whom we don’t “invite into our space” who offer us the most essential and important lessons and who bring us the greatest joy, once they step inside and we recognize their presence. Contrarily, often it is those very folks who need what WE may be able to give to THEM, and if we shut them out, it’s a loss on both sides. Just my personal take on boundaries. I’ve learned to step outside my box, frequently against my will, and allow others to step into my box, also frequently against my will, and the consequences have ultimately been phenomenal. Not always, but on occasion, and I find the risk is worth the reward. Understand this is nothing more than a sharing of my own thoughts on the matter, though, and are not in any manner intended to be offensive or argumentative. Each person has his or her individual way of interacting with the world around us. Whatever works…..
Trish nd Rob, I’ll snailmail you a “BORN AGAIN WICCAN ” bumper sticker. A couple of the “End Of The World” Pentecostals in their pretty church suits and ties were walking toward my front door yesterday, saw the little bumper sticker on my vehicle tailgate, turned and went back down the driveway. I saw them because Sunshine barked to alert me that there were strangers approaching. I watched the two young fellows suddenly stop stockstill, stare at the sticker as if terrfied, (so ridiculous, as we are a spiritual path of LOVE), and then they retreated as if caught on fire. Ignorance is such a waste of mind and soul space. Natalie, my guess on the woman who hates you with such ferocity is that she may very well be a previously-known soul from another lifetime. A member of my husband’s family hated me on sight the moment he met me decades ago, and nothing I’ve ever been able to do has changed his ugly and open viciousness toward me. During a past-life regression, he popped up in a close relationship that had been wrought with angst. That may be the problem in your situation and even she herself doesn’t know why she hates you. Just protect yourself from her energies. Keep the shield up. I have to remember to do that with my nemesis, and it’s difficult because he’s family.
I think its important to be honest. For far too long, I abided by my parents view of keeping my political opinions to myself around certain church members, even when they say something completely ignorant and stupid. I’ve been the most outspoken member of my family since adolescence. When some church members friend-requested me on Facebook, a few of them were so shocked by my political and spiritual views that they ended up de-Friending me shortly afterwards! I can understand their shock, because I never spoke about my political or spiritual views around them, out of respect for my parents wishes (they are friends of my parents).
For me, it only shows who your true friends are. So many “Christians” love to talk about the love of Christ, but when faced with an opposing view (liberal / progressive) that contradicts their version of Christianity (the conservative, hypocritical, capitalist version of Jesus that has no basis in reality), they can’t stand a different view or perspective. Its their loss.
Interestingly, though, my honesty about my beliefs regarding the Mormon church has not caused my Mormon friends to de-friend me or run away. They realize that our friendship TRANSCENDS our spiritual differences, and for me, that’s what true friends are all about. So, it is irony that several members of the same church I belong to have de-friended me because they don’t like my liberal / progressive view of politics and spirituality, while my Mormon friends have continued to maintain their valuable friendships with me.
In other news, I listened to various clips of Jerry and Esther Hicks on YouTube while at work. I really need to make a daily habit of this. Living life in the Vortex is the ideal. One thing I heard that I like is that when confronted with people who believe so different from you, let them believe what they want. They are on their own path and have to learn lessons on their own. Don’t let their negativity keep you from being in the vortex. We can only control what we believe and think and feel.
I agree, we can control only what we believe and think and feel.
Re:
“As Abraham pointed out, each of us is coming from a different place. What works for you may not work for me.”
That sort of ties in with my last post on my blog “Knock,Knock (who’s there?) – Hell (Hell who?) – Hello from Heaven .- ) ”
Where my synchronicity is delivered by 2 Mormons.Which got me thinking at the time,what a similar,but totally different path we are all on.Their path is not for me,as I’m sure my path is not for them.But we all have lessons to learn from each other,if we will only listen…we don’t have to agree with each other,but we should learn to listen for the kernels of wisdom in each others approach to life.
Like the bumper sticker says “Coexist”.
If we come from Love it’s not too hard,but if we come from Fear,it’s almost impossible…something the politicians and game players of this world know all too well.
Good points, Daz! I’ll check out the knock, knock post.
We had that coexist sticker until it simply wore off the bumper.
Exactly, Daz. 🙂
Sooooo, I hear you loud and clear, Trish and agree totally about being ‘drawn out’ of your Vortex. However, I have recently discovered that for me, boundaries must make up the perimeter of my Vortex. I found it impossible to stay in my happy Vortex when someone really offensive to me kept sticking herself into my happy zone. Not giving her attention did not seem to work, loving her did not seem to work either, in fact it made her worse. While I never went looking for trouble from this person and have kept my mouth firmly shut, my very breathing seemed to infuriate her to the point of her constantly engaging in dehumanising behaviour toward me. As soon as I said ‘ENOUGH!’, I was back in my Vortex of love and peace, even though her actions toward me have not changed. In fact they are worse still.
I think that if we keep our attention on our well being and not get pulled out of our Vortex because of others pressing our buttons, that is one side of the coin, but for me, I like my Vortex to have a little fence on it to keep predators out as well.
A fence around my vortex to keep out predators: wow, how perfectly stated.
Love for oneself is also important. Every single one of us deserves love, peace and grace. No one knows what our particular job is here on the planet, it is between us and our Creator. I liken it to swimming laps with an antenna on my back. I don’t encroach into your lane unless I am invited, and I expect the same courtesy in return. My antenna is in constant communication with my Creator, receiving guidance and giving feedback. I put one arm in front of the other, eyes always following the black line which is my intuition. Laps covered are my blueprint or life plan /s.
Nice swimming analogy, nat. Sure fits.
Unfortunately, Nancy, I’m on the same page as you with the in-laws and extended family, whom I love and don’t want to offend. For this reason, I’ve kept my mouth sealed for more than four decades. Even my husband is not really anywhere near being on my spiritual page in terms of politics, war, capital punishment, etc, so I live a relatively silent life. Sometimes I feel like a cloistered NUN who has taken a vow of silence! BUT…just recenty I decided to “quietly” step out of the spiritual closet by putting my little Wiccan bumper sticker back on my SUV, and no longer removing my pentacle jewelry, etc, when the in-laws are around. I ultimately decided if they can have diarrhea of the mouths about their beliefs, and display their awful stickers on their vehicles, I can very quietly let my convictions be known without needing to say a word. I won’t argue or get into a conversation with any of them, ever. It does no good and just brings hard feelings. I mentioned previously that we’re going to an enormous family wedding in late September in the N.GA mountain Bible Belt, with several hundred guests who are all Repug born-again Baptists. Ya’ll may never hear from me again afterwards, as they may burn me at the stake! Good post, good comments, guys. My bumper sticker btw, says, “BORN-AGAIN WICCAN” with a small pentagram. If they don’t like my Nature religion, they can ignore it. 🙂
Born again Wiccan! Love it.
I think we need one of those for our car.
I know a few people who, while not applauding bin Laden’s death, were glad he’s gone. I myself was dismayed by the whole idea that we have the right to take the life of another, because that’s what they did to other people. It’s such circular logic. I’ve never been a proponent of the death penalty. It feels so primitive.
I hear you, Trish. It’s just way too easy to get caught up in arguments while making no headway against another’s belief system. I’m not willing to change mine, and I suspect the New Guys in my life are in the same boat as me.
I’m with you on the death penalty. I used to work in a prison and realized that the threat of death doesn’t deter anyone. And it IS primitive.
I only have one mouth, by the way. 🙂
You and I are on the same wavelength. I felt the same way about B.L. Unfortunately there was no one to talk with about it but my husband and two other people. I am completely surrounded by New Guy’s, including my beloved extended family. I feel like a stranger in a foreign land these days. I’ve learned to keep my mouths shut, however. It has caused so many hard feelings, ruined friendships, and has done absolutely nothing to change any of their minds. I agree with Abraham. We need the dark to eventually get to the light and I think this is the way it has to be. I can still blog about it, however…
Teach me how to keep my mouth shut, nancy!
I must admit I was sickened by the general response to the Bin Laden assasination, it didn’t feel like anything to glory in. The so called ‘war’ hasn’t been won and won’t be by such actions. Regarding New Guy – I was told to clasp your hands and to place your feet together when you feel such things might effect you.
Aso for appreciation: it’s often easier said than done, especially under duress.
Interesting post (again).
I was appalled by the reaction of bin laden’s death – cheering, applauding….it was like some throwback to Medieval times, public executions etc. Our neighbor actually had a party.