Difference between revisions of "Discernment"
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[[File:Practice medallion.jpg|right|Spiritual Practice]] | [[File:Practice medallion.jpg|right|Spiritual Practice]] | ||
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;"Discernment is knowing what something is, | ;"Discernment is knowing what something is, | ||
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:discerning your own motivations as you proceed."<ref name="gcs"/> | :discerning your own motivations as you proceed."<ref name="gcs"/> | ||
| − | + | ==Essential== | |
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"Though your senses will perceive the form of things, your heart will experience the essence of things, and this is how things will become known. Once they are known, you will realize how you are to participate with them. Thus, all your faculties of mind will be utilized for one great purpose, for Knowledge will utilize all your faculties and the faculties of the world for the redemption of the world, which is the redemption of Knowledge within the world." | "Though your senses will perceive the form of things, your heart will experience the essence of things, and this is how things will become known. Once they are known, you will realize how you are to participate with them. Thus, all your faculties of mind will be utilized for one great purpose, for Knowledge will utilize all your faculties and the faculties of the world for the redemption of the world, which is the redemption of Knowledge within the world." | ||
<ref>[[Steps to Knowledge]], Step 273</ref> | <ref>[[Steps to Knowledge]], Step 273</ref> | ||
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| + | ==Simple, Direct and Natural== | ||
"The essence of discernment is stillness. If you can be still with another, without trying to make | "The essence of discernment is stillness. If you can be still with another, without trying to make | ||
them good or bad, or divine or evil, then you can begin to experience him or her very directly." <ref name="w2ch6"/> | them good or bad, or divine or evil, then you can begin to experience him or her very directly." <ref name="w2ch6"/> | ||
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"Discernment, then, becomes not a matter of judgment and criticism but a means for recognition. Instead of good or bad, it becomes yes or no. You know what to follow and what not to follow. You know who to be with and who not to be with—all without judgment and condemnation. | "Discernment, then, becomes not a matter of judgment and criticism but a means for recognition. Instead of good or bad, it becomes yes or no. You know what to follow and what not to follow. You know who to be with and who not to be with—all without judgment and condemnation. | ||
How simple this is and how direct and natural. How life confirming this is for you who can receive it." | How simple this is and how direct and natural. How life confirming this is for you who can receive it." | ||
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Discernment, then, is the product of a great development." <ref name="w2ch6">[[Wisdom from The Greater Community]] Volume Two, Chapter 6</ref> | Discernment, then, is the product of a great development." <ref name="w2ch6">[[Wisdom from The Greater Community]] Volume Two, Chapter 6</ref> | ||
| + | ==In Relationships== | ||
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| + | [[File:Allies 3 Quote.jpg|right]] | ||
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| + | ;"To be able to discern friend from foe in the universe, | ||
| + | :you must know the difference between your strength and your weakness, for | ||
| + | ::::your foe will speak to your weakness, and | ||
| + | ::::your friend will speak to your strength."<ref>[[The Allies of Humanity]], Book 3, Fourth Briefing</ref></big> | ||
"Discernment in relationships is very important, particularly for young people, because it is here | "Discernment in relationships is very important, particularly for young people, because it is here | ||
that people give their lives away for pleasure, for charm, for wealth, for advantage. It is here that | that people give their lives away for pleasure, for charm, for wealth, for advantage. It is here that | ||
people commit themselves to relationships, to circumstances and to careers that will never hold | people commit themselves to relationships, to circumstances and to careers that will never hold | ||
the possibility of revealing to them what they are really here to do and what they really can do." <ref> The New Message for Young People (August 18, 2008)</ref> | the possibility of revealing to them what they are really here to do and what they really can do." <ref> The New Message for Young People (August 18, 2008)</ref> | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 04:42, 26 December 2014
- "Discernment is knowing what something is,
- as it truly exists at this moment." [1]
- "Your discipline here needs to be in learning to discern the way—
- discerning the lessons that have to be learned,
- discerning the relationships that you come in contact with, and
- discerning your own motivations as you proceed."[1]
Essential
"Though your senses will perceive the form of things, your heart will experience the essence of things, and this is how things will become known. Once they are known, you will realize how you are to participate with them. Thus, all your faculties of mind will be utilized for one great purpose, for Knowledge will utilize all your faculties and the faculties of the world for the redemption of the world, which is the redemption of Knowledge within the world." [2]
Simple, Direct and Natural
"The essence of discernment is stillness. If you can be still with another, without trying to make them good or bad, or divine or evil, then you can begin to experience him or her very directly." [3]
"Discernment, then, becomes not a matter of judgment and criticism but a means for recognition. Instead of good or bad, it becomes yes or no. You know what to follow and what not to follow. You know who to be with and who not to be with—all without judgment and condemnation. How simple this is and how direct and natural. How life confirming this is for you who can receive it." [1]
"Discernment is not asking the right questions or having the right checklist. It is the ability to know. It is the ability to experience another, not critically but directly. It is the ability to restrain yourself until the moment of action is called for, however long that may be. If you are without illusions about yourself, then you will be without illusions about others. Discernment, then, is the product of a great development." [3]
In Relationships
- "To be able to discern friend from foe in the universe,
- you must know the difference between your strength and your weakness, for
- your foe will speak to your weakness, and
- your friend will speak to your strength."[4]
"Discernment in relationships is very important, particularly for young people, because it is here that people give their lives away for pleasure, for charm, for wealth, for advantage. It is here that people commit themselves to relationships, to circumstances and to careers that will never hold the possibility of revealing to them what they are really here to do and what they really can do." [5]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Greater Community Spirituality
- ↑ Steps to Knowledge, Step 273
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Wisdom from The Greater Community Volume Two, Chapter 6
- ↑ The Allies of Humanity, Book 3, Fourth Briefing
- ↑ The New Message for Young People (August 18, 2008)
Further Study
Greater Community Spirituality, chapter 7: How Is Wisdom Achieved in Life?