How important are beliefs? (Walking Through Illusions, Thompson)

     "The awful people around him [Paul, from the Bible] were the miracles waiting to happen."  We all have many hurdles to overcome throughout life including people who do things that are not good (steal, lie, cheat...)  Thompson, in Walking Through Illusion, clearly shows that these people are the catalyst to a miracle happening.  Instead of seeing someone as a robber or a cheater look at how they can be transformed, through a miracle, into a good person.
     Paul had a nemesis, Nero.  Paul was convinced in his attempt to condemn Nero.  He reasoned that God was involved in his beliefs because he followed God and that God is judging the good and the bad.  Therefore, he was justified in also judging Nero, explains Thompson.
     I know I have judged many times  because I think my beliefs are right and therefore I am justified in my judgment.  Every time I have found that I have no right to judge because my beliefs are my beliefs.  My actions are based upon my beliefs.  Beliefs are different from person to person.  I also don't know exactly what their going through and why they are behaving the way they are.  I have no right to judge.  Judgment is between God and you, not God, me and you.  Judging only hurts your relationships as it creates an uncommon ground between two people.  Betsy asks Jesus, in the dialogue of the book, why Paul wanted to share his beliefs so badly.  Jesus replies with a question, "More to the point, if he was happy in his beliefs, why did it matter who else had them?"  Good point!

Nourishment: Getting the support you need (Walking Through Illusion, Thompson)

    Everyday we do things for others and vice versa.  We get fulfillment from a job well done and support from our manager and peers.  It's this nourishment that Thompson, in Walking Through Illusion, speaks about that Paul, from the Bible, was seeking throughout his life.  Paul was a hard worker and was successful.  He learned a great lesson with his wealth; when he gave away the least of what he had, the least returned; when he gave away his best, the best returned to him states Thompson. 
     What was the last thing you gave and what did you receive in return?  



"Money as a gift is a lovely form of nourishment.  If it's around, use it well.  If it isn't, make good use of what is around."  Betsy Thompson

Morality (Walking Through Illusion, Thompson)

"You are the light you let in, the love you give, the beauty you define, and the reason you live."  Betsy Thompson

     In Thompson's book, Walking Through Illusion, she has a unique dialogue among Jesus and herself.  In the question of morality, Jesus says that he believes morality is uniquely defined in every moment of history; that each society has it's own morality to consider.  What may have been acceptable in the past may not be in today's society and vice versa.  For example women used to be seen as second class citizens and this was morally accepted, at least in public.   In today's world there are laws and punishments if a woman is not treated as an equal to her counterpart.
     Peter, the fisherman in the Bible, only knew his reality to be what he was feeling.  He was unfulfilled when he gave his fish away without enjoyment, says Thompson.  Furthermore, morally, he felt it was wrong to kill fish, a living thing on this Earth.  His illusion was that giving something would fulfill him but the reality is that his fulfillment came when he gave with enjoyment.  The only way for him to give with enjoyment is knowing that it was ok to morally kill the fish because that was the process of life, a way to continue human civilization.
     Thompson's main theme thus far is that life is a mirror to your life.  What you give out is what you get back.  What you are experiencing is what you are.  If Nate (my boyfriend) is being unloving to me it is because I am being unloving to him.  What in your life are you projecting onto others?  Morally, we all have our own beliefs and ideas on what it is.  How can we begin to see our mirrors and learn from them?

Obstacles of Life (Walking Through Illusion, Thompson)

     Thompson, in Walking Through Illusion, dives into the obstacles that Peter, the fisherman faced in the Bible.  Most of us have probably seen an episode of The Deadliest Catch and how difficult the life of a fisherman can be.   Peter realized when he fished with love he had a better day.  It didn't matter how good of a fisherman Peter was.  Thompson says, "When he fished for love, those on the shore couldn't wait for the catch.  When he fished for reward, those on shore avoided it."  As Thompson states it best, Peter was, "...not waiting for the fish to bite but waiting for the heart to right."  When the fish were not available to Peter he needed to self-reflect where in his heart he was not available to others.  Life is a mirror for us.  What you are not getting you are not giving.
      Another illusionary obstacle that Peter faced was sickness.  Thompson explains that physical sickness represents a deeper internal issue.  "e.g. an achy spine could mean a lack of support; a stiff neck could mean a stubborn stalemate; an achy shoulder could mean a painful burden."  Peter just needed to identify the problem, act on his own behalf to heal his issue.  Then, his illusion could move into reality. 
     It's ironic because I have a cold right now.  I have been so busy with social events, work, family and friends.   On top of that I have been double-booking my time by accident and needing to cancel one of the appointments.  I think I have caught a cold because my body is telling me to slow down similar to Peter's obstacle of getting sick.  I'm usually booked two weeks out with no time for just sitting and being alone.  Ahhh, it's nice to be sick right now.
   

Day 3: Gifts (Walking Through Illusion, Betsy Otter Thomspon)

     Most of us love to receive gifts and it turns out that giving gifts is also an enjoyable experience.  Giving gifts is a way of letting someone know how much you care and appreciate them.  Betsy, in Walking Through Illusion, says that when gifts are given they are recycled in universal substance.  Gifts are returned with added power to those who received into the universe.  A gift that Jesus gave was love to everyone he came across.  He believed that if he acted on the love he hoped to receive, then acts of love would return.  Bartholomew, from the Bible, learns that as he gave others (for their needs) his needs were also fulfilled.  His life was better the more he gave.
     Not all gifts need to be bought with money.  There are many other gifts that you have that are free such as your time, an ear to listen to a friend or stranger in need, your joy or encouragement even a trade of a service.  One of my favorite gifts to give and receive is active listening.  I have worked through many of my issues with friends who have actively listened and given me feedback.  What gifts do you have to share with others? 

Day 2: Reform (Walking Through Illusion, Betsy Thompson)

"If you think you have to change others to be happy, no one is going to change for the better from knowing you."  Betsy Otter Thompson

     Reform is the process in which people and structures change, hopefully, for the better.  Bartholomew, from the Bible, was born into wealth and stature.  He tried to create reform on the outside through his family's business, contributions to charities, and in politics.  Although, he still had a hole in his heart regardless of all he had done and this caused him to be a harsh man to others.  He picked on everyone else for not being like him; orderly, neat, conscientious.  None of the reform on the outside could change him on the inside.  This was his illusion until he discovered to reform with love.  He often neglected to work out of love therefore he was unhappy and blamed others for his unhappiness.  His perspective was skewed and caused the emptiness he had.
     Reform, change for the better, is a process to be done with love.  In this way it is meaningful.  We all have different perspectives on what is right and wrong.  Through another person's eyes we can begin to reform our thoughts and beliefs for the better.  Add love to your reform and happiness will fill any hole that you may have.

Day 1: Walking Through Illusion by Betsy Otter Thompson

     Walking Through Illusion by Betsy Otter Thompson is the next book I will be blogging about.  In this thoughtful and eye opening book she connects with the energy of Jesus.  She dives into various lives from the Bible realizing that they are similar to her life; same experiences, feelings, triumphs and hardships. She connects the audience with each character and exposes the life lessons of each story.  In life it is our own perspective that we see the world through.  Looking through another person's eyes can reveal more than what is just right or wrong in your eyes.  This awareness is the catalyst to more compassion, love and understanding in your life.  She has a unique and intimate question and answer format with Jesus about the characters in the Bible.  Each character has to deal with their illusions including Jesus.  Some of these illusions include approval, fairness, acceptance and time. 
     I am very intrigued by this concept of learning through the lives of the characters in the Bible. This will be a book full of new ideas, a fresh perspective and lessons of life to build our character and love for ourselves and each other.  This is not a book about Christianity but a book of breaking through the illusions of life.  Come join me on this unique journey and unusual perspective.

Overview of Walking Through Illusion book from Betsy Otter Thompson's webpage, http://www.betsythompson.com:
– Jesus speaks of the People who shared his Journey – features a series of stories about biblical people who either knew Jesus or knew of him, and were influenced by him in one way or another. It is not a book about Christianity; it is about people who lived long before Christianity began. The book makes no attempt to preach religion; the author believes that we don’t take our beliefs with us when we leave here; we take the love we found from having them.
The stories are less about the picture these people might have lived and more about the emotions they might have experienced. Each chapter focuses on the growth of a particular person and each chapter is complete within itself with a specific theme.

The persons and themes featured include:

• Bartholomew: He learned that meaningful goals were those that offered love.
• Paul: He came to realize that God didn’t take sides; God reflected the side Paul took.
• John: He learned that fairness only came when fairness had been given.
• Mary Magdalene: She hated her situation until she realized that love changed her situation.
• Aaron: He discovered that handicapped people were those who ignored their strengths.
• Judas: He forgot that to betray another was to betray himself.
• Pilate: He killed to stay alive but a part of him died anyway.

"If we love, the heart goes deeper to reveal our true identity. If we don't love, more opportunities arrive through which to do so."  Betsy Otter Thompson in Walking through Illusion.