Comment by Olivia on 5th mo. 31, 2014 at 3:53pm

I always find it helpful when you, Keith, (who desire to keep self out of your spiritual awareness in favor of general non-Keith Christ light) share particulars with us.

For me that means that even while you share Pennington's elevated words and your own elevated words, we get to see handwriting on a sheet of paper.... To me this is a nice touch and makes this stuff I call "elevated" more approachable, more human in the ways that I think we are called to be human.

(i guess i do need to allow though that this "genuine handwriting" may be entirely simulated by an android tablet. ha. but even if that's true and it's not Keith's handwriting, it still helps. It still gives the lofty stuff a humanity -- and a humble-ness -- that I believe serves God.)

I do confess that I love Rick's initial observation because to me it captured with humor and simplicity this human condition we are suffering from: whatever grand and glorious things we sense in spirit (Pennington, Keith, or any of the rest of us -- and believe me I'm grappling with this reality in my own life too).... We all wish that we could be on here just spewing rainbows and grace into the cosmos all the time, but the fact is that we are here as human beings and we can't even share grace online on our best days without spelling in ways that convey the essence to one another. (patricia pointing out a significant way that can backfire: "sinned" versus "shined" really conveys the opposite meaning).

Keith, I hope this side topic doesn't offend you. I don't believe that anyone meant it that way and all of us acting in good faith. I just wanted to share that, again, I love the humanity that you convey in the notebook paper, the misspellings (his or your own), and the urge to both illuminate and ground this message in your own life and our lives. I love too that Rick points out that this is true for all of us... is something we all struggle with....that there's Presence and there's spelling....ha

What can you do about it but laugh, maybe even love that difficulty, allowing that too!

Comment by Olivia on 5th mo. 31, 2014 at 3:54pm

....and by the way I seem to have consistently misspelled Penington.

Comment by Laura Scattergood on 5th mo. 31, 2014 at 5:01pm

Well, it seems to me that according to lore George Fox himself was quite a creative speller. Perhaps just about everyone was back then, so we are in good company. 

Comment by Olivia on 5th mo. 31, 2014 at 7:35pm

True....

Comment by Rick Massengale on 6th mo. 1, 2014 at 3:50pm

I must confess that I do not enjoy Penington's writings as well as I do other early writers ( Margaret Fell , James Naylor. etc....) The fault being more my reading than his writing.

I do enjoy his letters. One comes to mind and might fit well in this discussion.  

 Letter XLII

 I would love your thoughts on this one.

Comment by Keith Saylor on 6th mo. 1, 2014 at 4:29pm

While thoughts on the relative misspelling of words while in the Spirit and the various letters are Penington are interesting and compelling, I respectfully request such discussions happen on a different thread. Thank you for your consideration.

Comment by Rick Massengale on 6th mo. 1, 2014 at 4:49pm

I did not know you owned the thread.

Comment by Rick Massengale on 6th mo. 1, 2014 at 5:10pm

It does say " add comment" at the bottom.  But, yes... You will not hear from me again.

Comment by Keith Saylor on 6th mo. 2, 2014 at 2:47am

Comment by Patricia Dallmann on 6th mo. 4, 2014 at 10:08am

Dear Keith,

Thank you for the work that you've done inwardly, and for extending to me helpful descriptions of your experience - again, some of your experience I, too, have known, while some I've yet to find. I've known the playfulness of consciousness distinct from self-generated ideas, the receiving of wisdom that is far more perfect than any ideas that I can generate from my fleshly self in my stressed intensity to honor truth. The stress that comes with this responsibility disappears when Truth Itself appears, and is replaced by a restful, confident state: what I couldn't accomplish on my own is given and joyfully received. This restful, playful state, though, comes to me only when I've centered down in meeting or in solitary prayer for half an hour or so.

What you go on to describe in your writing is identity that has shifted from self to Christ, consciousness anchored in Presence, even while one's senses are active, and one's thoughts and emotions are occurring. This relocation of identity while the soul's powers are still active  I've known only in times of personal loss or when there've  been demands to witness, such as in public speaking. Your several examples of holding onto Presence while experiencing daily activity is unknown to me but encourage my diligence and exploration. 

Thank you for recommending Hesychios and Philotheos in the Philokalia. I've read the first piece, and it's provided some understanding and guidelines. Guarding the intellect is the work begun and the work ahead, as well as is self-restraint and rebuttal of provocations. It does seem formidable, of course, but it is the Father's good pleasure to give us the Kingdom, and I trust there's always help within if and when one's heart is pure.

I'm very glad to have met you, and look forward to reading your future posts and comments. It is a great comfort to know that the consciousness one would cultivate in oneself is in fact known in another. We humans are indeed made in God's image.

 

 

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