Wednesday, August 23, 2006

Inspiration

A Course in Miracles says that the most effective way to teach a child is not by saying, 'Don't do that,' but 'Do this.' We don't reach the light through endless analysis of the dark. We reach the light by choosing the light. Light means understanding. Through understanding, we are healed...

...Spirit accepts people unconditionally. To the ego, this is an outrageous thought, because unconditional love is the death of the ego. How will people grow if we all go around just accepting each other as we are all the time? Accepting people as they are has the miraculous effect of helping them improve. Acceptance doesn't prohibit growth; rather, it fosters it.

People who are always telling us what's wrong with us don't help us so much as they paralyze us with shame and guilt. People who accept us help us to feel good about ourselves, to relax, to find our way. Accepting another person doesn't mean we never share constructive suggestions. But like everything else, our behavior is not so much the issue as the energy that it carries. If I'm criticizing someone in order to change them, that's my ego talking. If I've prayed and asked God [the Universe/Divine/Source] to heal me of my judgement, however, and then I'm still led to communicate something, the style of my sharing will be one of love instead of fear. It won't carry the energy of attack, but rather of support. Behavioural change is not enough. Covering an attack with sugary icing, with sweet tone of voice or therapeutic jargon, is not a miracle. A miracle is an authentic switch from fear to love. When we speak from the ego, we will call up the ego in others. When we speak from the Holy Spirit, we will call up their love.

- From A Return to Love by Marianne Williamson

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is really an inspiration. Especially in a very close relationships. When a person criticises the other out of his ego (subconsciously feeling good that he is better), he is not helping but hurting the other person. This diminishes love and respect between two people and in the end causes separation. I have personally experience and seen this a lot in married couple and people living together. So it is true with an older person (parents, teacher) and child relationship. The best way to help is through the eyes of love than anything else (pride, selfishness).

Thanks for sharing this.

Anonymous said...

It's like Thumper once said, "If you cant say something nice. Dont say nothing at all." Period. I mean, unless you're planning on helping people with their faults rather than just point them out and be done with them, then dont say anything, you know?