You can't ask for the echo. The song is the gift. ACIM. Song of Prayer

You can't ask for the echo. The song is the gift. ACIM. Song of Prayer

•  The participants decided to resume reading *A Course in Miracles*, specifically *The Song of Prayer*, after having read the introduction in the last session. They located the text, which is at the back of the book, in the section reserved for the "most spiritually advanced".
• Reading and Interpretation of "True Prayer" (Part 1): Soo Kim read the first section of "True Prayer," noting that prayer is a way to reach God, not merely a question or entreaty, and "it asks for nothing". Jevon Perra interpreted the core issue with typical prayer as wanting "to get God to do something".
• Understanding God's Answers and Experience: The group discussed the concept that true prayer is receiving what is already given, as opposed to asking for something specific, because the reality is already complete. They noted that the Holy Spirit provides answers that suit the level of need one can recognize, and the "real sound" is a "song of thanksgiving and of love". Jevon Perra commented that people often desire negative experiences, and the only proof that they want the experience is the fact that they are having it.
• The Role of the Holy Spirit and Letting Go: Jevon Perra discussed how the Holy Spirit gently brings people back to awareness and gives them moments of peace, which reminds them that their suffering comes from gripping an attachment to a specific plan. The process involves letting go of the "have to" and questioning how one’s life is "already perfect" underneath the frantic effort to make it different.
• Enneagram and the Belief in Lack: Soo Kim asked what belief drives the need to cling to attachments, suggesting it stems from a belief that one lacks something. Jevon Perra provided a brief overview of the core dispositions for Enneagram types one through eight, relating each to a particular lack they focus on, like 'not right,' 'needs help,' 'not enough to know,' or 'dangerous'.
• Desire for Separation and Ultimate Goal: Jevon Perra argued that all this focus on 'wrongness' distracts people from the 'darkness' so they can maintain separation and feel special. They asserted that the ultimate goal is to "stay Javon," leading Brian Genovese to jokingly suggest a line of "Enlightened Clothing" with a T-shirt for each Enneagram number.
• The Constant Song of Thanksgiving and Love: Jevon Perra circled back to the "real sound" being a song of thanksgiving and love, which serves as a constant comforting hope. They reflected on telling themself that "it's okay, it's going to be okay" when fearing they might fail their family. Brian Genovese related this concept to an old radio show called "Eggbach" that used the slogan "Everything's going to be okay" during the 1970s.
• The Definition of True Prayer and Eternity: Soo Kim read that "The secret of true prayer is to forget the things you think you need," and that asking for specifics is overlooked when those needs are given up to God. God "answers only for eternity," meaning the answers address one's ultimate completeness, not their requests based on attachment.
• Religious Contexts and Personal Attachment: Jevon Perra noted that while religious circles often demand adherence to God's will, the text points to a personal surrender of one's attachment to a particular result, which is the true source of suffering. They argued that no matter what one achieves, they will end up in the same mental state they are in now.
• The Concept of God as Love vs. a Person: Soo Kim recounted a conversation with Mormons about whether it is possible to disobey the will of God. They challenged the idea of God being a person, arguing that to be a person requires a limited perspective, which contradicts the concept of an all-knowing God.
• Highest State of Contentment: Jevon Perra proposed that the highest state for a human while in a body is contentment, which they define as wanting nothing else. They asserted that suffering arises from the lack of contentment and attachment, regardless of whether the attachment is to wealth or virtuous goals like wisdom or service.
• Prayer as Stepping Aside and Listening: Soo Kim read Verse five, which defines prayer as "a stepping aside, a letting go, a quiet time of listening and loving," rather than a supplication. This is a way of remembering one’s inherent holiness and is an offering of self "to be at one with love," leaving nothing left to want.
• Suffering and Control: Brian Genovese discussed how people are programmed to seek control and that the act of "Jesus, help me" is an expression of letting go. Jevon Perra agreed that people believe they would be better masters than the masters they currently work for.
• The Non-Judgmental View of Experience: Jevon Perra stressed that the activities people engage in, even those considered immoral, are not inherently bad because they are all part of an experience that is sought for the purpose of finding contentment. The issue is realizing that these behaviors are often not working to bring the desired happiness.
• Anecdote of Parental Frustration and Enforcement of Will: Jevon Perra shared a personal anecdote about their frustration with their eight-year-old child not going to bed, leading them to contemplate punishment. They realized that their suffering came from resisting the situation and attempting to enforce their will, thereby confirming that they were attached to a different outcome.
• Resistance to What Is Happening: Jevon Perra clarified that the course is focused on the resistance and attachment to a desired outcome, which actually gets them stuck and hinders their ability to change and achieve their goals. The resulting anger is an experience inflicted upon themself, which they suffer from because they are aware of the peaceful states available through forgiveness and letting go.
• Anger and the Earning of Goals: The group discussed whether anger is necessary to fight for goals, with Brian Genovese suggesting that if one does not suffer, they did not "earn it". Soo Kim suggested that the anger shows one cares about the goal.
• Anger as a Tool and the Enneagram Eight: Jevon Perra connected the use of anger to the Enneagram Eight temperament, where anger is a tool and a sign of authenticity and passion. They acknowledged that Eights have the power to be a "stronghold for a whole community," but reiterated that if one desires contentment, anger is not the state to pursue.
• Conclusion on Contentment and Attachment: Jevon Perra summarized that contentment, peace, and happiness are available now, and the story one tells themself about why they cannot have it is the thing to let go. They concluded that one should continue pursuing their goals but without being attached to the outcome or the specific method of achieving it, as attachment is what causes suffering.
• Discussion of Suffering and the Need to Be Special: Jevon Perra discussed how some individuals, whom they compare to the stereotypical number four personality type, are often creative and artistic but experience significant internal darkness because their unique, special, and separate identity is paramount. Soo Kim added that narcissists share this trait, finding the prospect of being ordinary to be the "worst thing". Brian Genovese described this focus on self-created struggles as "gourmet suffering".
• Connecting Disappointment to Personal Goals: Jevon Perra admitted that their personal goals were ultimately disappointing, contrary to the expectation that these goals would lead to happiness. Brian Genovese advised that happiness comes from being consistent and setting intentions without expectations, which helps in achieving goals while avoiding tension and stress.
• Strategy of Going with the Flow: Brian Genovese shared their approach to day-to-day life, which involves letting go of stress, setting a schedule based on incoming requests, and "going with the flow". This relaxed approach led Brian Genovese to realize that they could secure a consulting opportunity with developers for an entitlement project, demonstrating the benefit of putting themself out there. Jevon Perra acknowledged that they struggle with consistency in this strategy, admitting to being "good and bad" at going with the flow.
• Challenges to Maintaining Consistency: Brian Genovese admitted that certain situations, such as driving or dealing with people who attempt to undermine them, cause a negative reaction. Brian Genovese expressed that they have to constantly "block that back door" against others who attempt to override their decision-making abilities or try to show they are superior. Jevon Perra agreed that Brian Genovese should not let those individuals "get away with that".

Concluding Thoughts on Contentment: As the meeting concluded, Jevon Perra reminded themself and the group of the importance of being "content". All participants shared thanks and expressed wishes for a good weekend.