You Find What You Seek - Faithfulness - ACIM - Manual for Teachers

• Introduction to the Topic of Faithfulness: The discussion shifted to continuing the study of the characteristics of God for God's teachers. Jevon Perra identified that they were starting with "faithfulness," which is the ninth characteristic in the manual for teachers.
• Reading and Interpretation of Faithfulness: Brian Genovese read the passage defining faithfulness as the measure of a teacher's advancement and their complete trust in the word of God to "set all things right". Jevon Perra summarized that true faithfulness involves reversing the world's thinking entirely by surrendering all problems, not just some, to one answer.
• Application of Faithfulness to Daily Life: Jevon Perra admitted that while it is easy to discuss spiritual lessons, it is hard to apply them to daily life, noting they struggle with compartmentalizing spiritual principles away from "real world" issues like money or family stress. They recognized that attachment to any outcome brings suffering, and true faithfulness means trusting that all things are perfect. Soo Kim then joined the meeting.
• Challenges of Implementing Faithfulness: Brian Genovese commented that using these enlightened concepts in daily activities is the tough part, especially the concept of faithfulness. Jevon Perra pointed out that whether faithfulness is easy or tricky is determined by the individual, and they noted that Brian Genovese appeared easygoing on the outside but admitted to struggling internally.
• Personal Growth and Letting Go of Judgments: Jevon Perra shared that as they get older, their problems are not as deep, and they are increasingly able to catch themself in moments of stress and let go of judgments. They concluded that fulfillment and peace come from faithfulness, which involves letting go of resistance to how things are, even though struggle is inherent to physical existence.
• The Necessity of Drama and Struggle: Jevon Perra emphasized that nobody wants a life or a movie without challenge or suffering, which is necessary for a good story. Jevon Perra shared that a mistake in a novel they wrote was not including an antagonist, because drama is essential for a better story.
• Relating Personal Drama to Conflict: The conversation turned to the issue of personal drama, which Jevon Perra noted they try to avoid and often judges in others, leading to their own suffering. Jevon Perra provided the example of marital conflicts, which can escalate from a small issue, like a misplaced toothbrush, into a battle of disrespect and attacks.
• Addressing Family Conflict and Judgment: Jevon Perra shared a personal conflict with their mother, who they feel persistently takes advantage of them, leading to feelings of anger and frustration. They questioned why they hold on to the suffering-inducing judgment that their mother should have the capacity to do things for herself.
• Discussing Manipulation and Lack of Forgiveness: Brian Genovese related to Jevon Perra's experience, describing growing up with a depressive mother who knew how to manipulate their emotions. Brian Genovese shared that the childhood experience of walking on eggshells and being afraid to speak led them to cut their mother out of their life for the last 15 years, preventing her from ever knowing their daughter. Jevon Perra connected the lack of forgiveness to the belief in separation and noted that these irritations are "gifts" that reveal inner errors.
• Weakness and Strength Translation to Career: Jevon Perra observed that Brian Genovese's greatest strength—being gentle, kind, and considerate—can also be a weakness, making it difficult for them to aggressively pursue their goals. Brian Genovese acknowledged that this translated into their professional career, where they initially sought security over freedom but eventually forgave their mother and transitioned to real estate, which offered the freedom to volunteer and help others, an action they always felt they needed to do.
• The Futility of Seeking External Change: Jevon Perra concluded that suffering is not resolved by changing one's environment, job, or people, noting their recent experience of resigning from a job for freedom, only to find themself working harder. They realized that attachment to a better past or future state is part of the cycle of self-judgment.
• Deepening the Definition of Faithfulness: Brian Genovese read the concluding passage on faithfulness, which describes it as consistent, wholly honest, unswerving, full of trust, gentle, joyous, and tolerant. The passage concludes that faithfulness, which implies the acceptance of God's word, rests in quiet certainty on that alone to which all faithfulness is due.
• Separation vs. Connection and Identity: Jevon Perra discussed the difference between heaven (connectedness with God) and hell (separation), noting that the world one sees depends on whether they are using Christ's vision or their own. Jevon Perra illustrated how identity is often based on superficial comparison, using examples of moving from California to Missouri and then to Orange County, where their sense of self-worth fluctuated based on where they were relative to others. They concluded that their ability to feel good has nothing to do with external circumstances because their identity is not that of a human in a body, but an eternal being who chose this experience.
• Resistance and Atonement: Jevon Perra stated that when they perceive an "unpushable boulder" that they must move, they experience stress and resistance. The only work to be done is letting go of resistance and judgment, a process called atonement, which is the recognition that the work is already done and there is no need to hold on to any grievances.
• Enlightenment and the Non-Person: Soo Kim introduced a concept from a meditation teacher that a "person" can never achieve enlightenment, because believing one is a person is already a form of separation. Soo Kim noted that the goal is to let go of the person and "pop into that state of enlightenment". Soo Kim observed that the ego tries to hijack and take credit for spiritual progress, which reinforces the personhood.
• Recognition vs. Service: Brian Genovese added that people often join volunteer groups for recognition, wanting credit for the work they do. Brian Genovese asserted that service should be for the greater good and to accomplish good works, not for personal recognition. Jevon Perra connected the desire for recognition to the belief that one is a separate "person".
• Ego Struggle with Status Change: Jevon Perra shared their personal ego struggle with a recent change in status, moving from president of their company to a sales representative with an office in a storage closet. Jevon Perra noted the irony that this demotion was what they wanted but that their ego struggled with the worse-looking business card and inability to feel superior in conversations.
• Self-Validation and Spiritual Bypassing: Soo Kim related to the desire for self-sufficiency and the feeling of unfairness when others receive more praise. Soo Kim emphasized the importance of self-validation and pointed out the danger of spiritual bypassing, questioning whether they are in a body or if the body is in them.
• The Body as a Fragmented Consciousness: Jevon Perra proposed a different perspective: the body is *in* the self, not the self *in* the body. Jevon Perra presented the analogy of consciousness as a powerful, shattered mirror, with the individual being one isolated fragment that lowered its awareness to experience separateness, demonstrating an "incredible amount of control".
• Acceptance and the Inevitable Script: Jevon Perra concluded that this perspective makes the individual completely separate from the character's script, enabling the character to be faithful, patient, and defenseless, even if the character's personality is always "sketchy". They stated that enlightenment might not change the things that they judge, and the suffering person will never be changed.
• Life as a Dream or Simulation: Brian Genovese furthered the discussion by questioning if their current reality is another dream, similar to the dream world entered during sleep. Jevon Perra agreed, citing Elon Musk's high probability assessment that this is a simulation or "base reality".
• The Appeal of Drama in the Simulation: Jevon Perra noted that the most popular video games are not focused on "hugging," but on conflict, stealing, and conquering, demonstrating a human preference for drama. They reflected on the hypocrisy of accepting drama in movies and games but rejecting it in their own life and with their family, which leads to suffering.

Closing and Future Topic: Brian Genovese expressed that the discussion had "open[ed] another chamber" in their mind. The meeting concluded with the agreement to discuss "open-mindedness" next time.