Step One Hundred and Nineteen
Step
119. Review
In this special review, review the past two weeks of practice, reviewing
each instruction and recalling each day of practice. Try to remember how
seriously you thought about each day’s practice and how well you utilized that
practice. Do not think you can complain rightfully about this preparation
unless you are utilizing it to its fullest extent. Your role here is only to
follow the steps as they are given and not to alter them according to your
preferences. In this way, you place yourself in a position to receive, which is
the position you now need to acquire for yourself.
In your two long practice periods today, each one given to one week of practice, review the past two weeks. Try to be very kind with yourself, but recognize if you are falling short of the requirements and do not deceive yourself in this regard. Rededicate yourself to deepening your practice and your resolve, reminding yourself of the simplicity of your life and the true value that is being given to you. In this way, you will learn a new way of living. You will learn how to receive and how to give, and your life will be free of the darkness of complexity. For simplicity must always be of the light; it must always be of the good.
Therefore, give yourself to this review so that you may understand how you learn. These Reviews will demonstrate to you your own learning faculties and your own learning predispositions. They will teach you the necessary things that you will need to know in the future when you will be able to help others learn as well.
Practice 119: Two long practice periods.
In your two long practice periods today, each one given to one week of practice, review the past two weeks. Try to be very kind with yourself, but recognize if you are falling short of the requirements and do not deceive yourself in this regard. Rededicate yourself to deepening your practice and your resolve, reminding yourself of the simplicity of your life and the true value that is being given to you. In this way, you will learn a new way of living. You will learn how to receive and how to give, and your life will be free of the darkness of complexity. For simplicity must always be of the light; it must always be of the good.
Therefore, give yourself to this review so that you may understand how you learn. These Reviews will demonstrate to you your own learning faculties and your own learning predispositions. They will teach you the necessary things that you will need to know in the future when you will be able to help others learn as well.
Practice 119: Two long practice periods.
Here
you will find the entire book free for download http://stepstoknowledge.com/
Here you will find pointers for getting started if this is your first encounter
with this practice: Taking the Steps to
Knowledge.
April 17, 2013 Round One: These
last two weeks of Steps have addressed several key concepts for me—tools for
living that serve me well. They are: progress not perfection; keeping it
simple; living in the moment and enjoying life here and now; awareness of a
Higher Power; deep-reaching honesty; patience; trust and turning over; holding
on to my own truth without giving in to persuasion; listening and
attentiveness; stillness that permits the Truth to be known. And most of all,
the understanding that I am a beginning student and still learning.
November 19, 2014 Round Two: This
Review says “try to be very kind to yourself, but recognize if you are falling
short of the requirements…” So I am going to be kind to myself and say that
this review has demonstrated that I am a capable student with an inherent
capacity for self-discipline and dedication. Practicing my Step for the day is
my top priority, I put it above all else, especially above my work. I may not
dedicate myself to my professional work as I might, but I always practice my
Step for the day. Without my Step practice, my day falls short, I am not as
integrated, balanced, or happy. After I have done my practice, the rest of the
day falls into place. My learning faculties are good, as are my learning
dispositions. I am an eager and willing student.
Having said that, I also
recognize that I do not follow each Step to the letter. My weakest point is
observing the hourlies. I do not faithfully think of the lesson for the day
every hour on the hour, but I regularly bring the idea to mind throughout the
day, reflect on it, and do the two deeper meditation practices.
I can
definitely say that this second time around, I am much more dedicated to these
practices and do them for the thirty minutes recommended. I am utilizing my
self-discipline. I am highly resolved to practice these Steps and follow the
instructions, I have a great desire to understand what is presented here, so
even though some of the ideas have me confused and reaching for answers, I am
beginning to see that too much analysis, too much thinking, too much trying to
figure it out is futile.
I dedicate myself to entering stillness every day and
deepening that experience. A calm, unruffled, uncluttered mind will open up
what I seek, eventually. I am happy to wait, happy to be patient, happy to let
things unfold naturally, happy to let more light and goodness into my life, my
heart, and my mind.
October 28, 2018 Round Three: This time things are easier because I recognize the common denominator that underlies the Steps. There are several basic themes and I captured them well during Round One. There are basic rules for living - progress not perfection, experiencing quiet joy, keeping it simple, self-honesty, handing over to a Higher Power (Knowledge), flexibility, being in the here and now, acceptance of the world as it is, non-judgment, going with the flow, trusting what I know.
I have not been good about doing two 30-min meditation practices when the Step calls for it. But I live the Step for each day and am integrating it into my being. I have the luxury of doing this now because I am no longer a beginning student even though I am still teachable and have more to learn. I am slowly making my way up the mountain and being vigilant and open-minded as I go. I am facing my defects and living with my mistakes.
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