x2 Step171 – My giving is an affirmation of my wealth. – Journal – Step 170

Today: Step 171 - My giving is an affirmation of my wealth. (MP3)

“My giving is an affirmation of my wealth.” Step 171

YOUR GIVING IS AN AFFIRMATION OF YOUR WEALTH because you give from your own wealth. It is not the giving of objects that we speak of here, for you may give away all your possessions and then have none left over. But when you give Knowledge, Knowledge increases. And when you imbue your gift of an object with Knowledge, Knowledge increases. That is why when you receive Knowledge, you will want to give it because this is the natural expression of your own receptivity.

HOW CAN YOU EXHAUST KNOWLEDGE when Knowledge is the power and the Will of the universe? How small your vehicle, how great the substance that expresses itself through you. How great your relationship with life, and how great, then, are you who are with life. There is no conceit here. There is no self-inflation here, for you realize that you are small and great all at once, and you acknowledge the source of your smallness and the source of your greatness. You acknowledge the value of your smallness and the value of your greatness. You acknowledge all life, then, and nothing is left out of your great evaluation of yourself, which is born of love and true understanding. This, then, is the understanding that you must cultivate over time, realizing again that your efforts to do so are embellished by the efforts of others, who are also students of Knowledge in your world. Even students in other worlds embellish your efforts, for in Knowledge there is no time and distance. Thus, you have great support available to you now, and in this you realize your true relationship with life.

PRACTICE UPON THE HOUR and in your deeper meditations allow the word RAHN to take you into Knowledge. Silently and in stillness, as you sink into the depths of Knowledge, receive the peace and the confirmation that are your birthright.

PRACTICE 171: Two 30-minute practice periods. Hourly practice.

While the Step says it isn’t about the giving of objects and money could be an object, I am struck by those who do give money willingly to many causes in the world. As Steps students we could imbue our monetary and object giving with Knowledge. Seeing others in the act of giving, is watching a teaching act, if that motivates us or others to do the same.Thus, today's picture.

From the journal Step 170 - I am following the Ancient Rite of preparation today.

7:07 a.m. Monday, February 5, 2001

The Journal of Dr. Frankenstein. On waking – reflecting – Community is the face of God…my fear of the message…it would be accepted by some as a metaphor – but not as the truth. Your community is the face of your God.

My back is better. I'm ready to go to work advancing the regional community – which comes together for specific issues.

8:07 a.m. Where am I? In the middle, but moving toward Knowledge, toward God – I have meaning as a soul, I have direction, and purpose, though I feel alone in these studies (though in the presence of teachers) and I feel I'm not acting on what I Know. It could be possible that I'm a greater help to others. The image flashed of in an airplane where the instructions on loss of air say – feed your own air first, then help children. I'm trying to get my own oxygen first is the message I guess.

9:12 p.m. I feel so tired. My back is getting better. Work is busy – a good DSB meeting – Kevin A… presented info about the housing study. Mom is recovering – told the other side she didn't want to go in a dream where in her bed, she was being called; Sarah is pregnant and confused – I support her adopting out the baby – Amen & Amen

– Revision "Communities are the face of God." Plural communities singular result – the face of God.

Each community face reflects its reality/vision.

Practice #2 – 170 "I am following the Ancient Rite of preparation today."

10:44 p.m. David called. He was on his way to Louisiana for a business trip. On the road – he called and we talked for a half hour. That was good. He wanted to know how I traveled so much. I told him I was proud of – and that he and Jamie were smart to be a good team if they work together. A Great call – son to father.

Life can be challenging. My mother’s near death experience was a situation she’d not been familiar with. She said she told them she couldn’t go; she had to take care of my father who had Parkinson’s disease. She has survived him by 12 years. When she complains about being old and tired, but with no illness, I tell her she had her chance. Now God has more work for her. When that is done, she’ll get to leave. Relationships – communication. We’ve come to Steps to understand more. This will be work. Let us continue.

NNC

 

Note: If you’ve some interest due to this or other Steps, you should go to the beginning blog post. From here you will learn about Steps to Knowledge and can begin it on the day that makes sense; then progress as needed. You can use the posts on this blog as a companion if it helps. They will remain in order in the archives - one post per Step.

Often it takes 18 months to get through the Steps once. For this blog, the pace is one-a-day, but it really makes no difference how fast you do it, only that you begin, persist and repeat. Posts here provide a trail that may let you have a virtual companion when and if you want one. One may have to study alone, as I did in the beginning. There are other Steps students blogging their experience and you might find a person more like you as a companion, or use a number of such Steps journeys. There are options as well through the Free School of the New Message.