Susan: plz tell me more about these workshops you are putting together. realize2actualize: well realize2actualize: I want to bring people together who are willing to share themselves openly and honestly with one another realize2actualize: in order to recognize that we are all basically dealing with the same struggles realize2actualize: and in this I think we can help one another tremendously Susan: what do you see is the struggles that all have in common realize2actualize: the struggle for understanding, acceptance, belonging Susan: ok well I have a different perception - the bottom line of all those is fear realize2actualize: we all have the same basic needs, to be loved Susan: yes realize2actualize: every action is either motivated by fear or love Susan: true realize2actualize: but fear is such a widespread emotion that we are all searching for this ideal called love without really knowing how to love ourselves realize2actualize: while also projecting our powers onto others, onto ideals outside of ourselves realize2actualize: and I truly believe that we all have it in our own hands to bring about the change we all need and want so desperately Susan: One of the best workshops I ever took was actually an acting/self realization workshop by Michael Ryszak...very similar to what your talking about ...at least the end result realize2actualize: we all have the capacity to love realize2actualize: I see Susan: yes but first we need to be open to it, and some need to learn how to be open to it, the love is out there they just don't know how to receive it realize2actualize: true Susan: I have some of the same ideas about a workshop realize2actualize: but more importantly, love is  power within ourselves, waiting to be unleashed Susan: my idea is a bit different though realize2actualize: I bet they are Susan: lol realize2actualize: nothing wrong with that as we all can bring different elements to the table realize2actualize: and we all have significant things to teach and learn from one another Susan: well one of the things I know to be true is fear is a part of life , we will never get rid of it, so we must learn to take it and transform it and put it to an energy that is of use, and can be applied realize2actualize: understood realize2actualize: but what are the reasons for this fear realize2actualize: the roots Susan: I have been to many "awareness" workshops, and they all pretty much say the same thing...but none of them actually deals with the root cause  which is fear. One of the things we did in Michaels course was to get up in front of the group and do something we did poorly Susan: it was the most amazing experience for all of us realize2actualize: I think if we can overcome the attachment to how we want or need things to be we could substitute our fear with the more powerful emotion of love Susan: we have to learn to fail Susan: so we don't give it power realize2actualize: I think we have to learn to let go Susan: and thus if we dont give it power it frees up our creativity and we are more open and accepting of the unknown Susan: lol...but that is just it- define letting go realize2actualize: totally realize2actualize: or let go(d) Susan: yes ppl say "let go" like is an action...or a change of perception..but do you really know how to let go? Susan: to let go implies to get rid of realize2actualize: by letting things be realize2actualize: you know the song from the beatles? Susan: think about it has that really ever worked for you? realize2actualize: I love those lyric...every time I find myself in trouble, mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be,  let it be realize2actualize: so true I think Susan: it hasn't for me...so let go is an illusion cause all the energy seems to stay realize2actualize: that depends on what level you let go realize2actualize: and of what of course Susan: so to truly let go, what is needed is transformation...to change the perception and energy realize2actualize: letting go of the expectations of the outcome of your behavior is definitely a wonderful way of getting in touch with this realize2actualize: I think letting go allows you to transform realize2actualize: if you focus less on how you want or need things to be realize2actualize: but rather let go of your need to change things around you realize2actualize: and instead look at yourself and allow for things to be Susan: but do you really let go or do you transform it by changing your focus realize2actualize: I think you do both realize2actualize: by changing your focus you can learn to let go realize2actualize: I think we both talk about the same thing basically, just in a different way Susan: I will need to ponder that..lol Susan: I think we mean the same thing but have different semantics realize2actualize: and one more thing realize2actualize: if you let go of expectations realize2actualize: you will see realize2actualize: that everything that happens in life is ultimately meant to be Susan: soo true Susan: =D> realize2actualize: life is just perfect that way Susan: we are perfect but we don't have the awareness to realize it? realize2actualize: true realize2actualize: we are very perfect realize2actualize: created in the image of God realize2actualize: endowed with amazing powers Susan: but we need to raise our awareness of our perfection realize2actualize: if we would be able to use those powers we could create such a wonderful world realize2actualize: true realize2actualize: and not be afraid of that perfection realize2actualize: but how is that possible if we look at the heavens for salvation?? realize2actualize: if we just would learn to believe in ourselves realize2actualize: and one another realize2actualize: as opposed to having all these believes about the external god realize2actualize: especially Christianity has contributed in such a bad way towards this mindset which keeps us from embracing and living according to our own powers Susan: all religions have been born out of acts of violence realize2actualize: true Susan: I feel the same realize2actualize: and injustice realize2actualize: and outcry of the masses for justice Susan: yes Susan: so we need to rid ourselves of the need for religion and become spiritual beings that we were meant to be realize2actualize: I like your style realize2actualize: we have a lot to talk about Susan: yes, I agree realize2actualize: and I hope that we will have the time to explore things together in the future more deeply Susan: I am sure there will be time realize2actualize: thank you again for having contacted me realize2actualize: I feel blessed by your presence realize2actualize: :) Susan: God has a funny way of working that out- there are no coincidences, just happenings God chooses to remain anonymous in... realize2actualize: yes realize2actualize: god gave us powers to be used realize2actualize: and not to be projected onto him realize2actualize: he gave us free will and awareness for a reason realize2actualize: and we are fully responsible for the mess we have created Susan: and adding a touch of intuition..lol;) realize2actualize: for all the suffering and injustice and hunger and war an every other sign of having abused those powers Susan: it's all in good training, quite often little children make messes...God knows this realize2actualize: we are responsible, we have created this world as it is, and we can therefore recreate it in any way we choose to Susan: true realize2actualize: but little children have what is missing in most all of us realize2actualize: their innocence, their sense of wonder realize2actualize: sense* Susan: ah but here we disagree realize2actualize: ok Susan: I believe we all still have that but we hide it Susan: we fear realize2actualize: we don't disagree Susan: and it can be recovered realize2actualize: I just put it differently realize2actualize: I hear what you said realize2actualize: and agree whole heartedly realize2actualize: we still have it Susan: I have to admit I sometimes get caught up in semantics, because i believe words are energy. Thoughts and words create realize2actualize: but more importantly than words are the intent behind it realize2actualize: the meaning we subscribe to them realize2actualize: as long as we take the time to clarify realize2actualize: there is no problem realize2actualize: unless people jump to conclusions without taking the time to listen to what the other person really means Susan: well ty, it is so refreshing to talk with someone who is like-minded realize2actualize: likewise