Questions to Guide Our Group Discussion
· “Separation was a way of avoiding the pain of being too close, too vulnerable, and too innocent.” This effect included separation from your sense of self worth.
· If you could feel absolutely safe, if there were no possible threats to you, how strong would be your sense of self worth? (pg. 82)
· Most of us have been taught that we have to win. How does winning reinforce one’s inferiority? (pg. 89)
· “You are not your feelings. You may experience fear, but the fear is not you – nor is it a part of you.” (pg. 94) Do you agree? How does this concept change your view of yourself?
· Your objective in relationship to life, with others, and with yourself is to experience communion with God in life, in others, and in you.
· In some situations or groups you feel comfortable and relaxed. In those situations, what is your sense of wholeness and worth? In some situations you feel more guarded and uneasy; what is your sense of wholeness and worth there? How easily will you become defensive? In which of these situations would you assume others have judgments about you? (pg. 101)
. “When we arrive at the edge of our capacity to make sense of or to define our experience, we are at the threshold of the kingdom of God, the realm of infinite possibilities.” What does this mean to you?
“Separation was a way of avoiding the pain of being too close, too vulnerable, and too innocent.” This effect included separation from your sense of self worth.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't really looked at separation in this way. The underlying motivation may have been to keep safe, though at the expense of staying closed off or small.
· If you could feel absolutely safe, if there were no possible threats to you, how strong would be your sense of self worth?
Very strong. Solid. Grounded. One with Source.
· Most of us have been taught that we have to win. How does winning reinforce one’s inferiority?
Don't know that I agree with this...the way this question is worded, this relates to winning at the expense of others. It is possible to win in collaboration and support of others.
· “You are not your feelings. You may experience fear, but the fear is not you – nor is it a part of you.” (pg. 94) Do you agree? How does this concept change your view of yourself?
My feeling inform me. I am much more than my feelings.
In some situations or groups you feel comfortable and relaxed. In those situations, what is your sense of wholeness and worth? In some situations you feel more guarded and uneasy; what is your sense of wholeness and worth there? How easily will you become defensive? In which of these situations would you assume others have judgments about you?
These questions don't track with me. I disagree with the emphasis on my self-worth coming from without.
. “When we arrive at the edge of our capacity to make sense of or to define our experience, we are at the threshold of the kingdom of God, the realm of infinite possibilities.” What does this mean to you?
To me this means I am one with The One, in the flow of life and present with The Present/Presence. I have had many experiences for which there were no words to describe them.