Hi ME: I appreciated your response Mar 21. The thread appears to have simmered out. I left to see my grandkids, came back with a cold, and am now up and running again.
Here are some more thoughts and questions. From Wattles own perspectives, and my own, the first cause for movement is to have questions. My questions around social activism/political movements had this basis: Might the first cause of "competition/fear" be the thought, conscious or not, of separation? This thought then leads to desires for things,situations,that would relieve the stress from alienation from source cause The emphasis then is upon "me,myself, and I" and GETTING and the orientations of competition and domination.
(consider the book "the final elimination of the source of fear" by Telstar).

In what I feel/hope is Wattles/SOGR contrasting option, is the desire/movement/recognition of ONENESS with inherent creation and desire for cocreativity with it. Wattles promotes "gratitude" as a primary adjustment toward being cocreative with this creative source.
My experience with this principle has noted that gratitude leads to more and more portals of relationship and creativity with this creative substance. As one comes to love more, one wants to be with that love more and portals of meditation or artistic activity open up. Also, as gratitude expands, one comes to recognize the interdependence of all things.

It is here why I asked my "awakening" and political questions.
If one is grateful for the bounty and beauty of the environment, then one does not consciously or tacitly aid and abett the various forces which are destructive to it. To me this represents being able to note "what is", being able to feel the compassion underlying grief, allowing feeling and release of that grief, that a focus on an underlying "silver lining" whereby the delight of my vision might be maintained and manifested.
This interdependence of all things also means that my vision, my wants, are also affected by the mental environment of my surroundings-mass consciousness, and that my "vision" might best be served by being fluid and "social" (group formed).
I feel that if this interdepence, and the beauty of it, are not noted, then many will still travel down the road of "me, myself, and I" and unwittingly again rely on getting and competition and their underlying principle of separation and methods of competition, deception, and domination. I believe "RICH" is not meant to be merely in terms of things/possesions/finances but in terms of the ongoing satisfactions of creativity/being with/relationship and contribution to the world.

Thus everyone follows there own particular path in their own way. Yet I feel if we are attentive, everyone's vision will include nature's underlying directions already laid out by creative source.
(yes, it might be that everything can be created by intelligent substance; but that does not mean that "we" individually have such descretion and can just magically bring back destroyed forests etc.. Creative Substance is FOR us but is ABOUT much more than us. To my mind, it is not merely our "genie" for any wish, but we are meant to be "cocreators" on a greater journey.

I would particularly like to see responses from women who have children, would like to have, or have taught children. It would be interesting for men (including myself) to listen to responses on these matters from women.

I have not completely checked out the creation of a web on this site. These activities are new to me. I have though, created my first blog, and invite you to read and comment on it.
inspiredawakenings.blogspot.com

Blessings, Jim Foreman

Jim,
I checked your blog - you're off to a roaring start! Congratulations!

I also love your art, especially the images where you juxtapose children and birds! Very special that, Jim! And the opening image, of the earth in the woods - also a special image. Congratulations!

Now about your post:

You present some deep thought, and it deserves a thoughtful response. I've picked out a few points to highlight. That doesn't mean other points are less worthy of consideration, rather that these are the points I choose to highlight at this time. These are points that resonate with me, and make me say "YEAH!"

Please note, Jim is discussing Wattles/SOGR as contrasted with competitive, self-centredness,

quote:

Originally posted by jimtheartist:
...In what I feel/hope is Wattles/SOGR contrasting option, is the desire/movement/recognition of ONENESS with inherent creation and desire for cocreativity with it. ...Wattles promotes "gratitude" as a primary adjustment toward being cocreative with this creative source....
My experience with this.... as gratitude expands, one comes to recognize the interdependence of all things.... ....
This interdependence of all things also means that my vision, my wants, are also affected by the mental environment of my surroundings-mass consciousness, and that my "vision" might best be served by being fluid and "social" (group formed). ...I believe "RICH" is not meant to be merely in terms of things/possesions/finances but in terms of the ongoing satisfactions of creativity/being with/relationship and contribution to the world.

....Thus everyone follows there own particular path in their own way. Yet I feel if we are attentive, everyone's vision will include nature's underlying directions already laid out by creative source.....
... Creative Substance is FOR us but is ABOUT much more than us. To my mind, it is not merely our "genie" for any wish, but we are meant to be "cocreators" on a greater journey.
....

inspiredawakenings.blogspot.com

Blessings, Jim Foreman

I realize you have a concern for the environment and are interested in applying SOGR principles to environmental activism.

I'm going to once again recommend that you really learn the principles of SOGR and do the Course for Practical Geniuses before going down that road.

Also, you may well be interested in looking at ISMA's thread under 'About the Book'. She is interested in using SOGR to discuss stereotyping, with a view to building better inter-cultural communication.

Kate also brings up a similar concern in her thread 'Writing a Dificult (sic) Letter', which you will also find in 'About the Book'.

I will tell you the same thing I told Isma, even if I am repeating myself, and that is that by focusing on the 'problem' you are missing one of the most fundamental aspects of Wattles teachings" that being, what we give our attention to grows.

How do we social/environmental activist types reconcile ourselves to this? I am still learning that. However, the Grameen Bankis doing a great job in bringing many people to financial abundance, and adding a great deal of dignity and meaning to their lives in the process.

Perhaps we can learn something from them.

Also, Rebecca includes a passionate essay she wrote about charity in the Course for Practical Geniuses. (There's that course again! And I only get a kick back if you buy it after linking from my webpage, so please don't think I push it for a commission. The fact of the matter is, it's a great course. I'm almost finished my second go round, and will probably go for a third!)

You know, my Dad (rest his soul) was a human rights activist, and an environmentalist. We moved a lot when I was growing up, and every where we lived, Dad planted trees. We'd go out in the woods and find young seedlings and bring them home and plant them in the garden. I once saw a picture of one row of trees he planted years after he planted them, and wow, what a difference they made!

No Jim, we cannot - overnight, or even in our lifetime - think back all the acres of rain forest that we've destroyed, but we can plant trees. (At least I don't think we can, but who knows what we can do with these powerful minds of ours when we start working collectively?)

On your blog, you ask:

quote:

What are the difficulties the world faces today? How can any difficulties be faced with inspiration/courage/ and faith? What does that look like to you?

I prefer to see you ask what we perceive to be the solutions the world is using today. Also, ask us what makes the world an easier place to live in.

You bring up some great stuff Jim, your vision is very positive! Go for it!

If you want to debate, I invite you to look at The Long Now Foundation. You may find some interesting dialogue there.

But please also write here as you go along in the certain way and learn these principles inside out!