"I", "Me","Mine" and "Yours"

[Godlovestrength]

Is it this easy to write and have an answer that fits the situation here appropriatly?

It has been writen that, at birth we are pure mind. As time goes by the purity of the mind becomes obscured. This image of our mind is like a mirror that has not been cleaned and is all covered over with dirt. Dirt being “ego”, thoughts of “I”, “Me”,“Mine” and “Yours”.
God gives us the cleaning agent true “god centred contemplation”. Centering in on God, His will not ours, this is an act of purifying the mind,cleaning the mirror. First by stilling it with one thought. Then disolving this one thought. The I-ism’ becomes less centerd and God becomes the centre. Ego disappears?
I wonder though if this is true?

Godbless

 

[Danuska]

Some psychologists will say that the child (and later adult) is in the process of discovering who they are, as a seperate being- that is why two-year-olds will try to see how far they can go before they are stopped, it’s a process of discovering their own will and who tehy are. The process continues, according to some up till the age of 22, according to others up to 35 even. And some claim that this is a life process - but it takes us time before we begin to understand who we are, what we want in life - and for me, that is a growth process.
That ‘dissolving’ ego for me is rather a New Age concept. In Christianity God is personal and therefore we need our personal ego to be able relate to God. Even Jesus prays “Let your, not MINE will be done” - so even Jesus admits that He has His own will.

 

[DBT]

Is it this easy to write and have an answer that fits the situation here appropriatly?

It has been writen that, at birth we are pure mind. As time goes by the purity of the mind becomes obscured. This image of our mind is like a mirror that has not been cleaned and is all covered over with dirt. Dirt being “ego”, thoughts of “I”, “Me”,“Mine” and “Yours”.
God gives us the cleaning agent true “god centred contemplation”. Centering in on God, His will not ours, this is an act of purifying the mind,cleaning the mirror. First by stilling it with one thought. Then disolving this one thought. The I-ism’ becomes less centerd and God becomes the centre. Ego disappears?
I wonder though if this is true?

Godbless

St. John of the Cross speaks at great lengths about this in “The Ascent of Mt. Carmel” Book 3, chapters 1-15. In these chapters he’s addressing the active night of spirit, specifically the purification of our memory leading to the perfection of the virtue of hope.

Our memory is the most unruly of our spiritual faculties, the most difficult to tame and the one most likely to lead us to falls. As I believe what you’re saying here, the things we recall in our memory are often distorted by our sense of “I” leading to all sorts of conflicts within ourselves and with others. According to St. John, we are to rid ourselves, as much as possible, of all thoughts that lead us away from God . . . specifically the notions of “self” that form the basis of all our prideful inclinations. The more habitually we do this, the more “pure of mind” we become . . . which I believe is what you’re saying in your quote.

The following provides a good summary of his teaching:
St. John of the Cross:

As often as distinct ideas, forms and images occur to them, they should immediately, without resting in them (or taking delight), turn to God in loving affection, in emptiness of everything rememberable. They should not look or think on these things for longer than is sufficient.

In short, when we become “aware” that we’ve left the presence of God, we make the concious act to return to him. This is the essence behind the teaching of Brother Lawrence . . . and all the Saints, for that matter. This “returning” is an act of the will that will be repeated dozens, if not hundreds of times, each day. This is how we learn to be “silent to self” . . . the active night of the spirit.

In the truly perfect . . . what St. John refers to as the Spiritual Marriage . . . God and soul become completely as one so that there is no longer any sense of egoism as you describe in your post. In one of his more lofty teachings, the soul becomes “God by participation.”

Dave

 

[TOP]

I had a weird experience with this before. When I brought it up to my confesser he laughed and said “ya sure, like the Beatles song I, Me Mine”. I don’t think he wanted to go in to it that deep. Tim

 

[Godlovestrength]

I had a weird experience with this before. When I brought it up to my confesser he laughed and said “ya sure, like the Beatles song I, Me Mine”. I don’t think he wanted to go in to it that deep. Tim

Could be right there Tim!
I went to university and passed my BSoc Psy and then my PG Dip in HR Management, one paper away from passing my Dip in Social workers.
But Irealised that all this is in vain running to the worldly possition and possesion which would only lead me (my mind) away from Jesus where as St Therese related and I agree that the “little way” is reliance (total) upon God. Itook all of my encyclipedias books and got rid of them. I nolonger counsell but said to Jesus that I wanted a job where I could glorify Him. The next day a man came to me offered me a job maintaining the grounds of our hospital.
I guess that the “I” factor had to go and this was for me the way. I find now that i speak to those who come to me and you know they all seem to be lappesed catholics.

Iguess the way Jesus put it is that it is not the clothing or position or posession but the readiness to do things the way Jesus wants.

I have much peace here, although people snear at me.
The I factor the me factor had to go.

Godbless

 

[water]

Could be right there Tim!
I went to university and passed my BSoc Psy and then my PG Dip in HR Management, one paper away from passing my Dip in Social workers.
But Irealised that all this is in vain running to the worldly possition and possesion which would only lead me (my mind) away from Jesus where as St Therese related and I agree that the “little way” is reliance (total) upon God. Itook all of my encyclipedias books and got rid of them. I nolonger counsell but said to Jesus that I wanted a job where I could glorify Him. The next day a man came to me offered me a job maintaining the grounds of our hospital.
I guess that the “I” factor had to go and this was for me the way. I find now that i speak to those who come to me and you know they all seem to be lappesed catholics.

Iguess the way Jesus put it is that it is not the clothing or position or posession but the readiness to do things the way Jesus wants.

I have much peace here, although people snear at me.
The I factor the me factor had to go.

Godbless

I am glad you have got the job you like, but don’t forget that you can still glorify Him in other kinds of job such as the one related to your study. You can always show God’s love through work-related tasks that you do.

 

[Godlovestrength]

I am glad you have got the job you like, but don’t forget that you can still glorify Him in other kinds of job such as the one related to your study. You can always show God’s love through work-related tasks that you do.

Yes you are so right and although the contradiction to the two degree I hold, is that in the morning first thing I collect the rubbish bags.
There are those who snub me, however this is what I think that it is when they do this that I must be doing something (the lord using me) and the spirit moving through obediance, I also try to smile to others and tell them to have a happy day. Also this to me is like a rasp rubbing the dross off.

I do fall apart at times though and this is when I go asking forgiveness for my sins and remembering what St Therese said that she goes up three steps and goes dowh two. But it is through asking Jesus to help this little child, or bird, who is not able to get up of their own power. This gives strength.
Godbless

Godbless.