Good Company paper - Autumn 2009

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Good Company paper - Autumn 2009

Postby Administrator » Thu Sep 17, 2009 11:21 pm

Good Company paper by James Witchalls is attached.
20090914 Good Company, Autumn term 2009.doc
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fiona
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Re: Good Company paper - Autumn 2009

Postby fiona » Fri Sep 18, 2009 11:34 am

Cheltenham Group. Thursday, 17th September.
Discussion began following the question, "What do we make a god of, each of us?" An example was given by a member that although he is a musician, he does not regard music as his 'god'. But could that not be considered 'good company', someone asked? If one is drawn to something and gives it one's full attention, this could be useful.
The idea of each of us having a 'chief feature' was discussed in regard to the fact that it stops one from realising Oneself. A member suggested that this feature could be seen like a 'colour' that one is born with. If we can only allow pure light to shine through it, then we can see it more clearly and perhaps help it to diminish. Someone suggested that a chief feature might be to want to be happy - another added that often we look for such happiness in the wrong places. An elderly member offered the belief that our chief feature can change during one's lifetime.
We went on to talk about the good impulse. A practical example was given by a member that he feels he is likely to move house and is open to a sign to help him. A suggestion was given that, in regard to a 'sign', the Atman is within you and that is where the help lies. A final comment leading on from this was that pursuit of stillness is where the truth lies.

DickL
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Re: Good Company paper - Autumn 2009

Postby DickL » Sat Sep 19, 2009 10:06 am

We are fortunate to have a Sanskrit scholar in Clive Hicks' group. Robi Sen reminded us that Sat means Truth; and Sang means a meeting - so Satsang means people coming together to seek the truth. And we observed that the purpose of temples, synagogues, churches, mosques - and of course Colet House - was for Satsang!

kim
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Re: Good Company paper - Autumn 2009

Postby kim » Thu Oct 15, 2009 4:37 pm

We meet on a Thursday evening in Dr. Roles' room at Colet and although our responses to the paper were varied and we thought it important to honour those differing perspectives, our discussion highlighted the importance of being thoroughly engaged in all activity, doing things whole-heartedly as well as accepting and being true to ourselves.

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Rumpelteazer
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Group: Cheltenham
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Re: Good Company paper - Autumn 2009

Postby Rumpelteazer » Thu Oct 15, 2009 11:23 pm

Thank you so much, Kim, for your group's comment. I read it out at the Cheltenham Group meeting. I do agree about doing things whole-heartedly and to the best of one's ability.

I seem to remember something from a long time ago about doing things as if for an honoured guest. It gives a completely new perspective on ordinary activities.

For people like me who don't go to Colet it is so refreshing to hear different responses to the same material.

kim
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Re: Good Company paper - Autumn 2009

Postby kim » Thu Nov 05, 2009 5:16 pm

In our group that meets at Colet in Dr. Roles' room on a Thursday evening, we have continued to discuss the Good Company Paper - Autumn 2009. The week before last, our discussion focussed on ways of limiting our desires. We talked a lot about the difficult times in our lives and people shared their experiences of being forced to give up and realise that ultimately everything was full of joy. Last week we discussed compassion. The group facilitator read the parable of the Good Samaritan which generated an exploration of what we mean by compassion. People gave examples of experiencing compassion in their lives and a beautiful description of love from the work of Mother Julian of Norwich was read. The idea of love being consciousness in action was also discussed.


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