We gathered in joy and laughter, in quiet talk, with hugs and embraces, with stories to share. Hearts were open, and smiles were all around as we awaited the start of the “What’s It Like Being You?” webcast class with John Morton on October 24th at 2101 Wilshire in Santa Monica.
Our MC for the evening, Candace Semigran of Insight Seminars, called us forward into the Light with an invocation, giving a brief explanation of MSIA’s teachings: Out of God come all things, God loves all of Its creation, and not one Soul will be lost.
We heard a charming, sweet song by Clara Beatriz Jaramillo entitled “Breathing” (in English AND in Spanish!), and then we were treated to a video clip of John Morton, Spiritual Director of MSIA, the theme of which was, “I love you just the way you are.”
Then Candace introduced the man himself — John Morton. John began the evening by stating that we ARE all loved, but that we are much better than we sometimes act. He spoke about the True, Authentic Self vs. the False Self, and added a quote from John-Roger and Paul Kaye’s book, What’s It Like Being You?: “Problems come from pretending to be someone other than who we are.”
What is the True Self? Audience participants offered words like Loving, Accepting, Humor, Joyful, and the like. What is the False Self? People said things like Judging, Doubt, Anger, Control, and Unworthy. We learned about the Consciousness of the Divine at the core of our being, and John offered this key: Get to the Joy.
After a video featuring John-Roger, entitled, “This Is Love,” John prepared us for a partner exercise, in which each of had opportunity to explore our True Self. This was followed by a meditation, and then by a Question and Answer session. Those on the Internet (from as far away as Zimbabwe!) and those in the event room were invited to participate by asking questions.
Questions included such topics as: how to deal with poverty and other “negative” conditions in the world; how to focus and take action steps in a career or a relationship; how to create more trust and loving in a relationship; how to choose between outer activities and inner experiences; how to simplify things in life; and, from a young lady nine years old, how to do better in school.
John spoke with clarity and deep loving, keeping that wry smile for moments of wisdom, and he closed with Baruch Bashan (the Blessings Already Are), and a reminder to stay in the simplicity of being who we are.
When Candace closed the evening with a couple of announcements, I felt as though several weighty issues had been removed and dissolved from my life (and two hours had passed in what seemed just a few moments!)
To participate in an archive of the “What’s It Like Being You?” class online go to www.msia.org/class.
Study materials related to the class at 40% off, are available online at www.msia.org/store.
The next webcast class is scheduled for Tuesday, November 28th, at 6:30 p.m. pacific standard time with John Morton facilitating “Attuning to the Christ Within”. You can come in person to the class at 2101 Wilshire Blvd in Santa Monica, CA, or participate online at www.msia.org/live.
