My inspiration for this post comes from the idea of Cooperation, as in the A Search for God materials from Edgar Cayce’s organization, the A.R.E. (Association for Research and Enlightenment). Cayce was a mystic whose Source said that Cooperation was the first lesson, and a great one for small group work. While you don’t need the books to understand the post, I’d certainly recommend adding them to your library if you don’t already have them.
From A Search for God, Book I:
Cooperation in the physical is defined as acting or operating jointly with others, concurring with others in acti
In the spiritual it is more. It is losing sight of self and becoming a channel through which blessings may flow to others. The blessing is cooperation in action. Whether in the spiritual or physical, action is necessary to put cooperation into operation—thus those who would come together for a common cause must have united action in the pursuit and realization of a common end.
The best in life is ours, not at the expense of others, but in harmonious cooperation. In every successful organization the law is in effect. The heavens declare the Hand which formed them was the Hand of unity, order, and harmony. All nature follows the same law. Each part of the human body performs its duty without a though of the other, yet fully depending each upon the other….
In whatever state we find society, let us meet it upon its own level; as we look up, we lift it. That is cooperation.
…Let us replace our negative thoughts with positive ones, thinking not unkindly of anyone. Let us practice thinking kind thoughts of those who have hurt us, letting no opportunity pass to do a little act of kindness that will lighten the burden of another. ”
For me, this concept resonates on many levels, but mainly for my work environment. As I encounter feelings of disharmony with my coworkers, I am realizing more powerfully that “I am creating my own reality” through my own thoughts and beliefs. I am struck by the way that my own inner consciousness is being expressed in a way that I find displeasing. I’m going to try the experiment below this week, specifically focused on my dealings with my coworkers.
In Mark Thurston’s book, Experiments in a Search for God for Book I, he gives some clues and some things to try out this week.
Work on relating to others with kindness. Especially focus on speaking kindly. Record instances where you were able to replace an impulse to speak harshly or thoughtlessly with kind words. Record as well, without a sense of self-condemnation, those instances where greater kindness than you expressed would have been helpful.
In my book, I see a note I made many years ago when I was in an in-person study group discussing this topic. It’s a good reminder for me still today: “Rather than responding in kind, BE KIND.” It reminds me of something I heard the Dalai Lama say: “My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.”
Change Your Life for Good - CYL4G 