The Ego prefers Suffering over Nothing January 22, 2013

One thing I’ve noticed about those who are “awakened” is that they realize that they haven’t a clue as to who/what they are and are completely comfortable and fully at peace with this. In fact, they often report feeling a great “burden” lifted off their shoulders, as the weight of carrying around a false and heavy identity falls away. They realize that they can function fine, in fact even better, be more present, etc., when “they” are no where to be found!

However, for the vast majority, the fear of the unknown is so terrifying, and the GUILT and SELF-LOATHING so great, that they would (mostly unconsciously) rather hang on to their victim story (I’m depressed, I’m sad, I’m anxious, I’m lonely, Nobody loves me, etc.) than let it go and be free. Yes, clinging to this self-made identity feels absolutely horrible and painful, but at least I know who I am…. after all, it’s a story I am very familiar with.

Being nothing? Forget it says the ego.

-Michael Jeffreys

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The Ego is part of the Dream January 20, 2013

The reason identifying with the ego is so painful is because it is part of the dream! And so, naturally, it literally thinks it/you are the dream character (the body) in the dream. It itself is dream, so it only perceives dream.

But because dream is dream and spirit is spirit, you (spirit) are able to (if you want to) step back and view your current scene from your higher-self/soul/holy-spirit and just silently observe the play.

The difference between the two experiences is day and night… and the more you “practice” resting as what you actually are (and have always been), the easier and more natural it becomes. “Today I observe my body, rather than identifying with it.”

-Michael Jeffreys

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A House Divided Cannot Stand January 11, 2013

At any moment, you have two minds from which to draw on… your original or God/Spirit/Source/Higher-Self mind, and the diseased ego’s mind. They are nothing alike. One values love, humility and being of service and the other prizes fear, attachment, and greed. One is real and the other is not. Pick ONE… You CANNOT serve two masters (a house divided cannot stand), and yet that is what most of us are trying to do (mostly unconsciously) and thus why we suffer.

-Michael Jeffreys

A Guiltless Mind Cannot Suffer -ACIM January 5, 2013

“As it says in A Course in Miracles, a guiltless mind cannot suffer. One gets to know a guiltless mind through authentic self-forgiveness. You were never judged.” -Michael Jeffreys

Stephen C. Galleher (on facebook): “An intriguing idea, Michael, but is this, in fact, so? Unless you define guilt so broadly as to cover all forms of self-criticism, envy, and balking at something I don’t like. For instance, when I go into depression (certainly a form of suffering) over learning of a serious illness, am I suffering from some form of guilt. I appreciate the way you challenge and stretch my thinking!”

Michael Jeffreys: “And I like that you take the time to think about these things! Ding! Ding! Ding! This: “Unless you define guilt so broadly as to cover all forms of self-criticism.” If you didn’t feel guilty (unconscious mostly, which is why it’s so darn hard to really become aware of it–like an iceberg, the bulk of it is below the surface), why would you ever criticize yourself?”

Stephen C. Galleher: “If I insult you when we are among friends, I may come to see the rudeness and/or injustice of it and call you the next day to apologize.”

Michael Jeffreys: But that’s the point brother Stephen… It is NOT POSSIBLE for you to insult me if my mind is truly guiltless. Honest. It won’t touch me in the slightest. Not because I’m so high and mighty, but simply because there is nothing here for the “rudeness” to stick to.

I have to tell you that I had no idea how much guilt was “in me” until I actually was willing to look at it without judgment. It has a palpable physical weight to it that most of us aren’t even aware of! However, once you do become aware of it… omg, you can just see it/feel it oozing out of almost every human being, regardless of their “status” in life. Your exceptions are those that have done the work and are deeply aware of how the mind works, like Eckhart Tolle, Byron Katie, Anthony De Mello, Adyashanti, Mooji, etc.

By owning the guilt (which has nothing to do with beating yourself up about anything in the past) and then truly FORGIVING it, you set it free and somehow, in the process, magically, and without you lifting a finger, it sets you free. How this happens is truly a miracle, hence the book’s name, “A Course in Miracles.”

-Michael Jeffreys