May #Newsletter 09 #Dance the Spiral#

The Difference between Apples and Pears

This month is a celebratory one for me. Thirteen years ago I received my Doctorate degree in Metaphysics. Metaphysics is a thought system that explores reality beyond the physical. The study of “meta” has taken me on a journey far beyond that which I thought was possible. I began my study shortly after I had completed, for the first time, ACIM-A Course in Miracles. Since I began, they became my philosophy for living and experiencing this world. I am experiencing myself as very different.

Several weeks past I had a short but very interesting email exchange with a dear friend. The topic was about “spirituality”. I realized that my friend and I had very different ideas about what spirituality was/is! But at that same instance I also realized that there are numerous definitions of the term and I also knew that I did not personally identify with most of these definitions. To me, spirituality is the search, exploration and experience of what it means to be spirit. If there has been any purpose in my life, even at times that I didn’t recognize my search, it has been this one thing. I came into this life with a strong remembrance and experience of being spirit. Throughout my life, I have experienced thousands of events that have given my experiences further affirmations of what I am…spirit.

During the course of the email dialogue with my friend she asked me several questions. 1). Did I not need the same things that everyone else needed? 2). Was I so different or “special”? My only reponse at that time was to tell my friend that I loved her! My response was not meant to minimize or disregard her questions but I needed some time…time to really sit with the questions. The questions brought up several responses within me and I wanted to answer without offense or to paint a picture of my “specialness”. I do not believe that I am special but I do know that my intentions and purpose are not popular nor accepted beliefs. If I was not totally aware of this, my sitting with these questions brought about a clarity that left little doubt about my non-traditional thought system.

The answer to the first question is both a yes and a no. Yes, I do have a physical form and exist, primarily, in this world and so many of my needs are the same as anyone else. More importantly for me, in having come into an awareness of my spiritness, my needs are fulfilled completely. I am complete. The answer to the second question is an answer of differences…The difference between an Apple and a Pear. An Apple seeks to know, experience and understand what it means to be spirit. A Pear seeks to re-affirm their idenity as a physical being (human) in a physical environment (earth), and within a cultural framework that defines their right to participate in goods and services.

An Apple, may be aware that it is spirit, but this awareness is not enough to fully embrace what it believes that it is and so it seeks for knowledge that will affirm that existence. This knowledge may not be readily available for the awakening apple but if its’ desire and intentions are firm and their seeking is sincere, the knowledge will open up to them and their thoughts and beliefs will change. They will connect and allow themselves to be guided and directed by their inner voice and in time they will begin to phase out the voice of the ego. They will begin a practice of being present, moment by moment, and will begin to a experience peace within them that removes fear, sadness and pain. As they continue their practice they will begin to focus less on their physical body, less on the appearances of all physical things and their practice will become one of gratitude and praise and their life will become very different because of this. The apple will gradually become aware that the world that they thought they were living was just a dream (illusion). A dream that they are beginning to awaken from. A dream that far surpasses their memories of all that they thought they were and opens up the door of infinite reality of their creation. They begin to experience a freedom that expands far beyond their previous limited perceptions. They know that they are supported, loved and guided through the assistance of all of the Awakened Ones, they are never alone.

A Pear only knows what it is as a body(human), defines that body as a personality(ego) and experiences that body in the realm of its’ environment.
The Pear may know that some part of it is spirit but has a very difficult time defining or locating that spiritness of itself. The Pears’ primary goals and needs are based on what is required for the well being of the body and fulfilling their personality(ego) needs. They base their existence on doing, accomplishing and success with the fear of potential failure. They believe that they are alone in their efforts and have little or no experience of a presence beyond what they recognize as reality. To the Pear this is reality. To think or believe anything different is foolish. They rely heavily on their memories of the past and view the future as something holding potential fear which they work to avoid. To the Pear peace, love and happiness all lie outside of their ability to control and at best, these concepts, are temporary.

These thought systems are completely opposite and the only commonality that they share is an experience of being in a body. For both of these thought systems the experience and perception is total. The Apple sees and experiences only other Apples; the Pear sees and experiences only Pears. The Apple holds no thoughts of “specialness”. Apples’ know the totality of creation. They know that “Pears” are merely Apples pretending to be something other than what they are. Apples’ can express only love toward Pears (recognizing the divinity of all creation); or compassion knowing that they can change their experiences whenever they choose. The thought systems are different and so are the experiences. The one offers only limitation, struggle and pain; the other offers freedom, joy, peace and a knowing of love.

The path of the Apple is very simple but it requires a total surrender of the past. It requires the willingness to be present moment by moment and to receive and follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit-the voice of God. The surrendering of the past is merely the willingness to surrender nothing in order to receive everything.

Blessings,
Danielle

Tags: A Course in Miracles, awakened ones, dream, ego, metaphysics, non-traditional, philosophy, spirit, spirituality