Passing Clouds

[This entry was originally written in 2003, but for some reason I was recently redirected to it and I realized how it was never posted up here. Enjoy a trip now down memory lane...]

Beloved Friend, I’m thinking of all the things that simply keep me from peace. Judgment, fear, all ideas of separation, concerns with time (“getting there”) and not recognizing the love that which I am and is open to me (through all) all ways and always. This pretty much is it, although each could be a novel within its own right. I kind of find it interesting, that although the drama seems rather complex, the illusion is rather simple in what it believes and perceives. It believes itself to be alone, afraid and in constant struggle with the world apart from itself. Could you assist me in expanding the healing of this moment?

Beloved One, you are on the right track, so to speak. Seeing the simplicity of the illusion will assist in your abilities to walk away from it. The human mind has lost itself in complexity. It has woven story upon story, each one extending more confusion, layer upon layer keeping it from its Self. Yet every story is a simple one. Every story speaks only of the same belief, “you are not as God Created.” And truly, if you were to release all ideas of illusion, it would only come down to that.

Believing that you are not as God Created requires significant convincing. This is why the world of illusion and all its witnesses was made so complex. Your Truth, though, is simple. Thus all that is needed is for you to exchange complexity for simplicity.

But the struggle, yes - so complex, also seems so overwhelming… so immense!

It immensity only lay within your own perspective. Remember how I have spoken in The Course about “littleness vs. magnitude.” Truly, the sights you see and perceptions you feel are only based on the point of view. What you really struggle against is the immensity of Self that You are in Truth. You grip onto littleness with such intensity that even as it seeks to slip from your fingers you try even harder to hold on. The dream-givers Self-denial requires great determination and it is in only feeling this that you perceive struggle.

But what about all the thoughts? It seems I am often lost in my thinking.

The thinking mind floods you with thoughts only to distract and deflect itself away from the simple stillness that is You. Truly, it is only in this distraction and deflection that you appear to be “lost.” In essence these thoughts are mere clouds temporarily sunken within a genuinely clear, inviting and magnificent landscape. In confusion, you run through the clouds, see only thick fog and perceive yourself to be lost. However, take a moment to slow your steps, notice the clouds for the simple mists that which they are and you can begin to feel the solid ground beneath your feet. You can begin to see how indeed there is great space between the clouds and how they too hold no real form. Furthermore, with quieting the mind you begin to catch a glimpse of a tree here or there and recognize the inviting softness of the terrain beneath each step. Take a moment to stop running for a mere moment and begin to settle beneath the clouds, into the open space and comforted upon the soft grass. Here, with this settling of the mind, all fog would disappear and you would rest in peace. Within peace you can never be lost. In peace, always do you know exactly where you are. Clouds cannot distract you, but instead you begin to notice how in observation one cloud may represent a fearful dragon while another cloud represents a confused child. From this perspective, apart from being consumed by the symbols, you can see them in the proper Light, remember your strength and watch each symbol gently pass by without any hint of attachment. That is why I say rest, for in this rest, indeed you will find your peace.

Wow.. your imagery is so inviting. Thank you. Okay, one more question. Sometimes it seems that I want to analyze the clouds. I want to see why they arise. What should I do then?

Surely, there is always a point in time where you can analyze the clouds. In your analysis you may be able to figure out the cloud’s color, consistency and why their representative shapes appear to be so deluding. Yet, does the act of analysis allow you to settle in peace? Does the study of the ego invite rest? I will be clear now. Only the ego seeks to study itself. Undoing the ego does not require studying the ego. Undoing the ego with me will not occur through your further intensive study of the ego. Leggo the ego. (Smile) Instead, gently observe with my guidance. I will never lead you with further analysis. However, I will show you the simple symbols and ask for you to merely release the meanings that you diligently apply. Release does not require analysis, but it does require willingness. There are moments when you may confuse the determination of willingness for the intensity of study. However, these states of being are rather different. The willingness of healing is a simple peace, centered in clear observation and vigilant choice for your heart’s desire. The entirety of your actions center on a single desire. This desire does not come to Light with significant study, nor with complex pathways. Overall this desire merely comes to Light by simply being the Light. Again, it is a simple pathway. Are you seeing a simple repetitive simple theme simply yet? (smile) If you seek to realize one aspect of the clouds, clearly recognize that no matter what the consistency of the clouds, no matter what their color or structure, simply they are not you.

They are not me?

Simply, they are not the Truth of You. Notice the capitals. I do not ask you to deny the distortions that seem to be before your eyes and sensory perceptions. Yes, for as long as you conceive yourself to be associated with a human state of being you will perceive clouds. Namely this human being self will see these clouds as itself. However, again, these clouds albeit part of the human self, they are not any part of the whole Self. Yes, recognizing that you perceive clouds is helpful to your healing, yet, open up to realization that a cloud is still a cloud and see how you seek to know yourself beyond and above any cloud. Here you will save yourself from the lure of analyses, and simply choose to settle peacefully within the lush grasses of peace.

Can we take a moment to look at the clouds?

If you wish. Let us look at the general ideas of your clouds. What is it that you judge?

Gosh.. gee… sometimes everyone and everything.

I think you are being too harsh. You do not judge everyone and everything, but you do allow yourself to notice a lot of judgments. Sometimes this is a good thing. Like I said, noticing in simple observation can be helpful. However, use the simple observation for the fruition of vigilance in your true desire rather than for more study of the ego.

Okay, well my judgments are maybe not that pervasive, but I can definitely tune into a rambling “mind” of presumptions chatting away. I often find myself repeating these judgments and focusing on them. Yes, in my release process with you, I’ve definitely become better. I have come to recognize that I don’t have to tune in to the chattering all the time. Well, I’ve learned that I don’t have to tune in to the chattering at all. But I can’t honestly say that I don’t do it. Sometimes I am able to see that the chattering is only as loud as I make it. This is good, right? But honestly, I’m unsure if I’ve ever gotten to the point where I see / hear no chattering at all.

Do you see how you are chattering now? (Smile) Yet, it is all good beloved. Truly, it is all good. Again, always simple noticing will bring you back towards Home. Tell me, what is the chattering about?

Well, when I listen, I notice that it believes it knows everything! It knows every idea that is within everyone’s mind. It seemingly knows everyone’s rationales and behaviors for the past, present AND future. It is quite clever in all it believes, giving me the whys for this and that. It also infuses me with its tension, seemingly passing on its signals into experiential perceptions.

Does it see everyone as separate?

Oh yeah… definitely.

How do you see you as separate? Remember that all is a outer reflection of an inner condition.

Good point. All of its chattering consists of its beliefs about “other” people. Absolutely. I do see myself as separate, so I guess it always has to come back to me. Yet, I don’t get much chattering about myself per se, maybe because I’ve gotten to the point where I recognize there is no purpose in that chatter.

Perhaps you see there is no point in directly making the chatter about you. However you temporarily use the form of others to dissociate the chatter from being about you. You make their chatter your symbol of yourself. Notice, it is these people who are chattering about you and you know what they are chattering about you... so in the end it still comes down to what you think about you.

Yes. Again, you are right. But part of me also feels that I have succeeded in not focusing on as many depressing or self-depreciating thoughts about myself. Maybe they are still not cured, but they are a lot less pervasive and persistant... well... at least a lot less obvious than they used to be.

So you have freed yourself from something. Be willing to recognize and accept this success, do not feel that you must defend or quantify it. Take two more steps closer to Heaven’s awareness within you with a greater acceptance for the Self you are claiming through this triumph. You can use all perceptions of healing for a greater awareness of the Truth of all you really are without any need for healing. So, yes, in form, it is okay to give yourself a pat on the back every now and again. Celebration of the Beloved You Are is a good choice. Now, back to our discussion. What if I was to say that there is no purpose to any chatter?

Hmmm.. I would agree with that statement, recognizing it from what you have taught me. Chattering is always a form of distraction, yes?

Yes. Chattering always a form of distraction. None of the chattering reveals Truth. Even if some of the opinions that you perceive about yourself and/or others are accurate, this does not make it True. There is a difference between accuracy in form and Truth in content.

Hmmm.. good point.

I know. (smile) However, no matter what, it is best to recognize the main purpose of all your actions. Do not be as concerned as to what you do, but be more oriented as to why you do it. Thus, do not delve more deeply into the fact that you do chatter and do get swept up from time to time in the chatter, but seek to be more mindful as to why you allow the chatter, want the chatter and continue to feed the chatter. Overall, again, it is all about seeking to find you in complexities rather than rest in the simple beingness of Love. Yet, do not take this as a call for more ego study. Even if you never get to the exact reason as to why you chatter (I’ll tell you simply it is only because you seek to deny the Truth of Who You Are – there is no more simple explanation than that) you may take as many moments as you can to notice how there is always another choice apart from chattering. This again is a choice for rest.

Okay, so the only reason why I chatter is to feed distraction?

Yes.

And the only reason why I seem to want to delve into the ego is also to feed distraction?

Yes.

And neither of these choices will give me peace?

Correct. Neither study of the ego or rationalizing the chatter will give you peace. Peace is found in resting the mind, stilling all that you conceive to be you and allowing this self to come to a more broad state of awareness. This state of awareness does not require reasoning or self-definition. Simply (there is that word again) it is reasoning without reason and self without limitation. This Self is awareness being aware.

Hmm.. I’ve heard that statement a lot lately.

That is because it now raises more to the surface of acceptance within the one mind. This indeed is a good thing. Remember Beloved, all that you perceive yourself to be in form is nothing but a passing cloud. The Truth of You shines like the brilliant Light of the sun beaming through the clouds and revealing their misty translucence. Indeed, within the Light of Son, these clouds have no true form and can never block the Holiness you are. Shadows are not the Self God Created. See this as you gently allow the clouds to pass by. Close your eyes and see this within your mind’s eye now. Watch as every cloud simply passes by over the horizon. Notice as the Light shines over, in and through its overall consistency. The Light is… the cloud passes and all remains brilliant as God Created. I love you. My Light is your own.