A Chattering Mind

FRI., OCT. 21, 1983, 6:09 AM
FARM, STUDY

The phrase is an apt one, o son, but your friend, Dan, used it as a contrast to messages from the body, while I (as you expected) shall contrast it with the spirit. Still, the spirit is also interested in the body’s contributions, so it is really not competitive, from the spirit’s perspective.

The capability of developing the mind is most highly possible in the human being, of all creatures. Of all cultures now functioning yours is among the leaders in insistence on developing the mind, and you are part of that small group and that “industry” that is most committed to this task. You are not here by accident. You had some choice in this “placement”, and I have guided you to where you are now. This is where I want you to be, and you are beginning to know and accept the tasks I have for you to accomplish in these last years of your career.

When the mind is well developed it tends to chatter. There are memories of past events and experiences. There is knowledge gained and retained that seeks to be applied. There is reasoning power which seeks to tell you how to interpret the “now”. In this teaching mode that I use with you the mind is a tool, providing vocabulary, syntax, punctuation, and writing style. I provide the content but, as you know, your mind is eternally seeking to modify and supplant My “messages”. If I were not insistent and if you were not committed this would be a very difficult process.

The original use of this phrase was in contrast to the wisdom of the body. This has some merit, for the body certainly has capacities to tell you about itself. The mind can come to know a lot about the body… about bodies in general. Yet it can never know what and how your body knows. And your mind has even less grasp of the reality of another’s body… a female, a young child, an oldster, one with chronic pain… It is important for the mind to relax and cease its chattering at times and listen to the body’s “messages”.

During the incident with your back and leg, your body communicated pain, and your mind discovered the probably source of that pain and what to do about it. You learned and practiced exercises, and your mind still says that these should be continued. But your body tells you these really aren’t necessary. Your mind bids you be careful with certain movements. Your body responds that the caution is not necessary. This is a good continuing dialogue.

Note that I, the Spirit, am telling you this. I am most fully aware of all that is happening, and your spirit, attuned to Mine (to Me), also has this capacity.

Last evening was a good example of a class, traditionally presumed to involve the mind primarily, that also involved body and spirit. Your story for the evening was one to listen to and hear with spirit more than with mind. The meal was a filling of bodily need, but was also an experience abounding in spirit. Mind was there and active, but the power of the other relevant dimensions kept it from dominating. And this was as it should have been.

Spirit is different from mind… though it does appreciate and have an empathy for the capacities and functions of the mind. Spirit is different from emotions, though it, too, has capacities for feeling. Spirit knows. Spirit feels. Spirit relates. Spirit unifies, with its own capacities providing a balance and a gentle rhythm to life’s experiences.