Awake With Jevon: Discovering Guides That Point The Way

The Nature of Successful Relationships: Jevon Perra stated that good relationships require a sacrifice of individual needs and wants for something greater. Brian Genovese commented that they are single because they do not know anyone who would accept their commitments to activities like "Valley" or the "state of the city" without feeling infringed upon.**Introduction to Open-Mindedness in *A Course in Miracles***: Jevon Perra confirmed they were ready to begin the discussion from the "Manual for Teachers" section of *A Course in Miracles*, focusing on the final characteristic, "Open-mindedness". Brian Genovese read that open-mindedness is the last attribute the teacher of God acquires and is easily understood in its relation to forgiveness, as it invites God's teacher into the mind by lacking judgment.Open-Mindedness, Forgiveness, and Perception: Brian Genovese noted that open-mindedness permits the Son of God to be judged by the voice of God and allows for the extension of the Christ image. Jevon Perra explained that open-mindedness allows for a shift to seeing through Christ's eyes, which perceives sameness, instead of the ego's eyes, which perceives difference. They further discussed how forgiveness is the final goal of the curriculum and is synonymous with letting go of one's perceptions and judgments, making everything appear "newness and joy".The Theme of Letting Go of Judgment and Appreciating Life: Jevon Perra discussed how letting go of judgment allows for the realization that current life "sparkles" and is perfect, referencing a comparison to appreciating a small life like that in the Shire from *Lord of the Rings*. Brian Genovese commented that they missed having small children around.The Concept of Atonement and Identity: Brian Genovese read that the list of God's teachers' attributes does not include things like love, sinlessness, or perfection because those are the Son of God's inheritance. Jevon Perra explained that these are not attributes but are part of identity, and atonement is the experience of the "holy moment" of completion and realizing sameness with others.The Nature of Identity and the Ego's Need for Definition: Jevon Perra explained that thinking of oneself as a body or personality prevents understanding identity, which is the "big question" the course points toward. They discussed that the act of defining, labeling, and using words is an ego act that creates separation, such as calling someone a friend or an enemy.Meditation as a Letting Go Process: Jevon Perra described meditation as an amplifier for the practice of being at peace and a process of letting go of the mind's attempt to judge everything, including one's own performance in meditation. They noted that the realization that one's thoughts are not truly their own is a "wild thought," suggesting the personality is merely a script or mask having the experience of a separate life.Personal Struggles with Overthinking and Control: kristen shared that they are dealing with a life-changing struggle, noting that overthinking and the desire to control the outcome has been difficult. kristen provided an example of this struggle, explaining they have taken on the responsibility of caring for their husband's troubled child, leading to projections of negative outcomes.Attachment as the Source of Suffering: Jevon Perra affirmed that stress comes from the belief that one must control the outcome, defining this control as attachment, which is the source of all suffering. They added that the opposite, believing one "cannot have" a specific bad outcome, is also a form of attachment. Brian Genovese noted that placing blame on others for not following one's rules is a way to alleviate personal responsibility.Open-Mindedness in Conflict and Experience: Jevon Perra explained that constantly trying to control oneself or others (e.g., "I have to be more peaceful") is synonymous with attachment, and attachment leads to being "stuck" in an unpreferred experience. Jevon Perra provided an example of their son's intense emotional outbursts, noting that responding with an "open heart" and love, rather than an attack, causes the child to melt and is an example of open-mindedness.The Necessity of Letting Go of Personal Agenda: Jevon Perra proposed that true experience of one's identity—love, sinlessness, and eternal truth—requires letting go of the ego's layers of judgments and perceptions, which they call one's "agenda". Soo Kim found it tricky to let go of goals and aspirations, questioning why they should make an effort without a spiritual goal.Loving the Pursuit and the Suffering: Jevon Perra suggested that people love the pursuit of their goals and the experience of suffering as much as peace and joy, because both are defined, isolated ego experiences. The Holy Spirit, according to Jevon Perra, sees "beauty from ashes," meaning that circumstances do not need to change to be loved; one only needs to let go of judgment.Perception and the Pain of Attachment: Brian Genovese questioned whether participants treat their lives as a gift from God or if they are focused on achieving an agenda. Jevon Perra concluded that attachment, or the belief that external changes will bring happiness, is the impulse not to be happy now and leads to a life of pain.Flow State as Doing Without Attachment: Jevon Perra discussed that doing, or being in the flow state, without attachment to the result, is a high state of existence, citing how writers like Stephen King let their characters dictate the plot. Soo Kim questioned how a flow state can be defined without an outcome, to which Jevon Perra responded that flow is simply giving oneself to the action without thinking about it, such as a child fingerpainting.Letting Go as a Prerequisite for a Happy Outcome: Jevon Perra noted that attachment to a particular outcome derails the flow state, citing an example of working with AI technology. They concluded that having a happy outcome requires letting go of attachment and allowing the "bad thing" to happen. Brian Genovese commented that it is a blessing to be around people going through hardship because they may need the tools and ways of thinking available to others.Coping Mechanisms for Youth: Brian Genovese suggests that new perspectives and different approaches are necessary when previous methods have resulted in poor outcomes for youth. They emphasize that for children, issues such as sleep patterns and diet are critical factors, often overlooked due to "chaos and commotion" in their daily lives. Jevon Perra concurs that while these factors would help, they are based on the presupposition of a good outcome versus a bad outcome.Detachment from Goals and Personal Peace: Jevon Perra clarifies that their peace and contentment are not related to their attached goals, even when those goals are positive. They explain that true peace is found in the degree of unattachment one maintains while pursuing their goals, noting that attachment to a goal, even a good one, can lead to suffering. Soo Kim emphasizes that this includes the goal of achieving peace and contentment itself, which Jevon Perra confirms as the "tricky part".Impact of External Factors on Contentment: Soo Kim notes that the introduction of another person into one's home, bringing problems, patterns, and physical clutter, would likely not be helpful to one's peace and contentment. Jevon Perra states that their own peace or contentment comes from forgiveness and letting go, regardless of whether others "act right or don't act right". They mention that more difficult situations can be more rewarding in the personality's world, as people seek a balance between the surprise of difference and the security of sameness.Acceptance and Spiritual Practice: Jevon Perra defines acceptance as the core of spiritual practice, whether one is accepting too much sameness or too much variability in life. They conclude that one should accept what they have, be thankful, and pursue what they want, believing that whatever occurs is perfect because it is part of their destiny, even if the personality does not know its own best interest.Current Circumstances and Best Interests: Jevon Perra asserts that everyone currently possesses what they need and require, and they actually have their own best interest in the present moment. They suggest that if a person dislikes their current situation, it is likely highlighting the one thing hindering them from the contentment they already possess. Brian Genovese expresses that being in the current environment is "perfect" because it keeps them open-minded.

Introduction of Generosity (Characteristic Seven): Jevon Perra confirmed the group was reading from the "Manual for Teachers," specifically focusing on the seventh characteristic, generosity. Soo Kim volunteered to read the text defining generosity, which is noted to have a special meaning for the "teacher of God" that is contrary to the world's usual meaning.Definition of Generosity in the Context of the Text: The text defines the world's generosity as "giving away in the sense of giving up," while for the teacher of God, it means "giving away in order to keep". The concept of generosity rests ultimately on trust. The true meaning is considered alien to worldly thinking due to its clear reversal of the world's perspective.Discussion on Keeping Through Giving: Jevon Perra elaborated that non-physical things, such as love, compassion, creativity, curiosity, and courage, are kept through the act of giving them away. Giving away non-physical items is presented as a non-zero-sum game, unlike the physical world where giving away a dollar results in a loss of that dollar.Generosity and True Self-Interest: The text states that the teacher of God is generous out of self-interest, but this does not refer to the world's definition of self, as anything they cannot give away is considered valueless. This self-interest relates to the true self, which seeks abundance, connection, and forgiveness, in contrast to the separate self which operates under a zero-sum game.Atonement and the Recognition of Perfection: Jevon Perra discussed atonement as the recognition of one's inherent perfection and connection, noting it is not about paying a price for sins. Suffering in the perceived world is considered inevitable, but resistance to suffering is what causes pain.Generosity, Trust, and Transcendence: Brian Genovese agreed that trust and giving lead to a feeling of lightness and transcendence, citing the example of the yogi Yogananda. Jevon Perra noted that the search for spiritual achievement can itself become another path of separation if it focuses on external forms.Critique of Religious Structures and Artificial Experiences: Jevon Perra discussed how structures are built around genuine spiritual experiences to keep them alive, referencing figures like Joseph Smith and Muhammad. They argued that trying to artificially transfer someone else's connection with God diminishes the authentic, personal experience.Introduction of Patience (Characteristic Eight): Following the discussion on generosity, the group moved on to the eighth characteristic, patience. Soo Kim read that patience is natural to the teacher of God because they are certain of the outcome, even if the timing is unknown, allowing them to wait without anxiety.Patience and the Illusion of Achievement: Jevon Perra discussed how the world, where the desired outcome has not yet happened, is a world of anxiety because one feels the need to achieve and search. They concluded that the game of life is not about achievement, but about noticing the dynamic that achievement never truly brings lasting contentment.The Illusion of Happiness and Wanting: kristen and Jevon Perra discussed how happiness is often a fleeting sensation of wanting that is temporarily satiated before the desire returns. The concept of contentment is defined as the lack of wants.Noticing and Releasing Anxiety: Jevon Perra explained that the key to moving past these struggles is to notice one's own patterns and to practice releasing inner tension, often through meditative breathing exercises. Jevon Perra stressed that all suffering is self-imposed and is caused by clinging to things one believes are necessary for protection or survival.

Reflection on Non-Judgment: The conversation shifted to a check-in on the previous week's practice of not judging, which was generally positive, prompting Soo Kim to ask for clarification on the difference between judgment and discernment. Jevon Perra initially requested a pause for the conversation to organize, noting Denise Darlene's quick start, but the discussion soon moved forward, focusing on these key spiritual concepts.Distinction Between Judgment and Discernment: Denise Darlene proposed that discernment and wisdom are the same, suggesting that judgment stems from fear and lacks peace, often involving labels and coming from the ego. Wisdom and discernment, conversely, come from love and result in peace. Jevon Perra cautioned that a form of discernment could still be rooted in fear, using the concept to create separation or a feeling of superiority.Peace as an Indicator for Wisdom: Denise Darlene maintained that if guidance is coming from a place of peace, it is wisdom guided by the Holy Spirit, which is a core concept in the Course in Miracles. Jevon Perra agreed that the presence of peace, love, and joy serves as an indicator of alignment, while experiences outside of peace, such as anger or frustration, signal alignment with the ego. Jevon Perra shared a personal anecdote of growing up in a religious family that misused "discernment" to enforce fear, highlighting that the resulting lack of peace was a clear sign they needed to leave the environment, demonstrating true discernment.Discussion on the Show Quantum Leap: Jevon Perra used the plot of the television show Quantum Leap as a metaphor for consciousness and purpose, where the character Sam Beckett leaps into different bodies to accomplish missions they do not remember. Brian Genovese, who loves the show, clarified that the mission is to set right what once went wrong, and once accomplished, the character leaps to the next adventure. Jevon Perra connected the show’s themes to the idea that we are consciousness having an experience, which Brian Genovese agreed is a much deeper concept than people realize.Peace as a Guide and Awareness of Attachment: Denise Darlene restated the initial card's message that truth will correct all errors and that peace is the guide indicating alignment with the Holy Spirit. Jevon Perra noted that they can quickly tell when they are not in peace, which is always due to some attachment or idea of separation they are unwilling to let go of. They affirmed that the work involves bringing in and finding the truth to create the experience of peace.Clarification of "Truth": Soo Kim challenged the phrase "self-truth," suggesting that the focus should be on capital "T" Truth, representing non-duality, oneness, and unity, which is the voice of the Holy Spirit. Denise Darlene agreed that this pursuit of Truth often feels like death or betrayal, but confirms that this feeling is an indication they are on the right track.Reading from Manual for Teachers on Gentleness: The group decided to continue reading the "Manual for Teachers" from the Course in Miracles, focusing on the section "Gentleness". Soo Kim read that harm is impossible for God's teachers because it is the outcome of judgment and the denial of learning, making the Holy Spirit's lessons impossible to learn. Jevon Perra related the concept to a play, suggesting that consciousness is neither the hero nor the villain, and that believing in harming or saving is an attachment.The Strength of Gentleness: Soo Kim continued the reading, emphasizing that God's teachers are wholly gentle because gentleness is the strength needed for salvation to become easy. Jevon Perra described gentleness through the analogy of kindly waking a child from a nightmare, where the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit calls them out of the illusion. Jevon Perra offered a personal example of practicing gentleness in a relationship through non-resistance, which involved maintaining a state of "No, honey, it's okay" to diffuse conflict.Gentleness, Non-Resistance, and the Pain Body: Brian Genovese affirmed that Jevon Perra's non-resistance was successful because it denied the other person's ego the energy it sought to feed its "pain body," a concept also discussed by Eckhart Tolle. Denise Darlene added that kindness, not judgment or punishment, is what leads to repentance, echoing Christian scripture and the power of non-resistance in situations of conflict. Denise Darlene recounted an experience with their critical mother, noting that quiet non-engagement eventually exhausts the criticism, making them a less favorable person to complain to.The Choice Between Separation and Christ's Vision: Jevon Perra summarized the two ways of seeing the world: the world of separation, sin, and guilt (ego's perception), and Christ's vision (heaven on earth), which sees abundance, connection, and love. Jevon Perra stated that one cannot hold both visions simultaneously and that giving up the "games" of separation is necessary to see the wholeness that is already present. Denise Darlene emphasized that the difficult work of letting go of these egoic games is the difference between awakening and staying asleep, which involves the critical step of disciplining the mind to replace lies with truth.The Journey of Awakening and the "Happier Dream": Jevon Perra questioned the duration required for awareness, referencing a quote from I Am That that enlightenment could be instant upon belief. Denise Darlene shared their current status as having achieved a "happier dream" but not yet fully embodying the truth, acknowledging that they are closer than ever. Denise Darlene cautioned against the "holy instant system" without prior ego dismantling, noting that their son’s experience of God’s presence resulted in a painful psychosis upon returning to the body, necessitating a subsequent learning path.Experiences as Lessons and the Use of Medicine Journeys: The group discussed the idea that experiences labeled as "bad" are often lessons chosen by a greater part of the self. Jevon Perra expanded this to include anything that is resisted, including medicine journeys if used as escapism. Denise Darlene noted that their experience with medicine journeys has been for self-discovery—revealing subconscious beliefs and traumas—not for escape, and that post-journey work is still required for change. Soo Kim acknowledged that while medicine is intended for this deep work, some people use it to reinforce delusions or escape pain.Reincarnation and the Goal of the Course in Miracles: Denise Darlene inquired if the Course in Miracles discusses reincarnation, to which Jevon Perra replied that its premise is to "save time," implying the avoidance of doing the cycle of life again and again. The discussion touched upon the concept of the individual spirit returning to God like a wave merging back into the ocean, challenging the notion of maintaining individuality after death. Soo Kim noted that the concept of reincarnation is sometimes twisted in cultures like India to justify judgment or social hierarchy, calling others "stupid" due to perceived past lives.The Afterlife and Frequency of Vibration: The conversation turned to the nature of individuality after death and the "great reset button" that death provides. Jevon Perra recommended the near-death experience book Backwards by Nancy Danison, explaining that the afterlife location is determined by one's current vibrational frequency and that the choice to hold onto a low frequency can result in hellish experiences. Jevon Perra explained that one's body is a filter that lowers frequency, and after death, the frequency raises, allowing for experiences of what is called heaven, though perception can still be filtered by egoic beliefs.Conclusion on Gentleness and Non-Judgment: Denise Darlene reiterated a key takeaway from the reading: "harm is the outcome of judgment," meaning that taking offense stems from a judgment of the situation, not the neutral facts of what happened. The solution involves replacing judgment with compassion, seeing others' challenging behavior as the limited maturity of a wounded child. Jevon Perra shared a practical application of this, noting that viewing their mother as an "insane" or "crazy lady" they could help, rather than as an entitled person taking advantage of them, made the interaction bearable.Reflecting on Kindness and Empathy: Jevon Perra shared a story from their childhood about an accidental encounter at Disneyland where an adult's anger instantly turned to empathy and service upon seeing them in a wheelchair, illustrating how perception immediately shifts based on the recognized state of the other. The group affirmed the power of recognizing that others are often in a "mental wheelchair".Final Thoughts and Self-Inquiry: Denise Darlene concluded with the initial affirmation that when not experiencing peace, they are experiencing the effects of a lie, encouraging self-inquiry to discover the underlying lie or judgment. Soo Kim asked if their previous challenge to Brian Genovese about "self-truth" was a violation of gentleness, but Brian Genovese clarified that it was helpful for clarification and not perceived as judgmental. Jevon Perra ended the session by stating that they are always revealing their judgments or their love and acceptance.