FREEDOM FROM BONDAGE TO SELF

The mistake we make when someone slights us, even slightly, is to react in kind. That reaction sets up the ugly chain reaction...because then s/he will react in kind to us which invariably escalates our re-reaction, etc.

The first thing we must learn to do when we feel slighted, even slightly, is to use our reasoning mind (here's a good use for it), and consciously remind ourselves that that is only our interpretation of what just took place.

Short of someone walking up and spitting in our eye, we cannot be certain that the slight we perceived was intentional. And, if we're following the directions of the Sermon and other spiritually based reads, if someone does walk up and spit in our eye, we get to detach our self-based reaction...and get on down the road or at least according to me. Why try to make sanity out of insanity? And, clearly, that's not a sane action.

That, of course, is not likely to happen. It is, however, a good example of extreme thinking just to throw up barriers to doing that which we know is the right thing to do...we just don't want to do it; i.e., in the course of a day when slighted, even slightly, give over. Let the perceived offender off the hook. Detach from our resistance. Divorce ourselves from our own opinion.

We begin our spiritual work by simply reading, say, the Sermon...not agreeing with a lot of it, but some. Whatever little bit we agree with becomes our base...our opening for expanding our minds. Expanding our reasoning mind until we can accept that our reasoning mind is not going to get us there...there being, in short, into wanting God's will done in our life more than we want our will done in our life.

It is the perceived offenders in our life who are our angels in disguise. Agree with them quickly. Then let our inner Self show us the gift in that. There's our road to freedom from bondage to self.

Thank You.