give and take

Today's lesson from A Course in Miracles (lesson 106):

Let me be still and listen for the truth.
What does it mean to give and to receive?

In yesterday's post "the eye," I spoke about how The Queen of Swords is receiving with her left hand, and giving with her right. It is important to be doing both. When one or the other becomes stopped up, our natural harmonious nature tends to become a little off-key.

Also, according to ACIM, giving and receiving are not what we generally believe them to be. We think that to give something away is to lose that item. Under current mainstream thought, if I give you a sandwich, I no longer have that sandwich. But in reality, to give something away is to strengthen it and make it multiply. Most of us perceive this world with a mentality based upon lack, and so that is what we create. (See, we are strengthening that which we are giving.) But actually, the Universe is a place of total abundance. When we make that switch in our minds, when we move from a place of trying to believe in abundance, to a place of KNOWING abundance and SEEING it all around us, then we start to see miracles come to life right before our eyes. This is how Jesus fed the multitude with one fish and one loaf of bread. He knew that to give away a "sandwich" makes it multiply. He had no doubt that this was true. And so it was for him, and so it still is for all of us - we need only to know it.

There is a flow happening all around us all the time. We are always a part of it, but sometimes we forget. We are infinitely more happy when we can see that we are part of this ongoing dynamic process. Giving and receiving are ways we can acknowledge our part in this flow. Most of us like to think we are trying to become more balanced, but balance implies stasis, and nothing in this universe is still. To truly be a part of this dance we are all in, I think harmony is a more appropriate word. So let's focus on having a more harmonious relationship with that which we give, and that which we receive. Let's be grateful for what we can give, as well as what we can receive. Because, truly, what we give is increased exponentially beyond our wildest dreams. Giving and receiving are actually the same.

A Course in Miracles also touches on the idea behind the now popular word "Namaste," which means something like "The light in me recognizes the light in you," or "The God in me recognizes the God in you." This also ties into giving and receiving in a more etheric way. It says "See [another] through the Holy Spirit in his mind, and you will recognize Him in yours. What you acknowledge in your brother you are acknowledging in yourself, and what you share you strengthen. The Voice of the Holy Spirit is weak in you. That is why you must share It. It must be increased in strength before you can hear It." So, in essence, that which is shared (or given) is made stronger (or received). Yet another reason why it is so important to focus on the good in each other, and the good in the world.

So you see, I have a selfish motivation behind writing this blog. I am giving these thoughts to you not because I am some kind of expert or know-it-all, but because I am learning too, and I want to hear them better for myself. I hope you enjoy what I have to give. 💗💗💗

Much love to you all.

xoxo,
erin

P.S. Today I would like to thank my friend and mentor Max Ryan for bringing A Course in Miracles into my life, and also for teaching me the difference between balance and harmony. If you feel moved, go check out his website - great stuff there.