Episode Details

You can't ask for the echo. The song is the gift. ACIM. Song of Prayer

•  The participants decided to resume reading *A Course in Miracles*, specifically *The Song of Prayer*, after having read the introduction in the last session. They located the text, which is at the back of the book, in the section reserved for the "most spiritually advanced".
• Reading and Interpretation of "True Prayer" (Part 1): Soo Kim read the first section of "True Prayer," noting that prayer is a way to reach God, not merely a question or entreaty, and "it asks for nothing". Jevon Perra interpreted the core issue with typical prayer as wanting "to get God to do something".
• Understanding God's Answers and Experience: The group discussed the concept that true prayer is receiving what is already given, as opposed to asking for something specific, because the reality is already complete. They noted that the Holy Spirit provides answers that suit the level of need one can recognize, and the "real sound" is a "song of thanksgiving and of love". Jevon Perra commented that people often desire negative experiences, and the only proof that they want the experience is the fact that they are having it.
• The Role of the Holy Spirit and Letting Go: Jevon Perra discussed how the Holy Spirit gently brings people back to awareness and gives them moments of peace, which reminds them that their suffering comes from gripping an attachment to a specific plan. The process involves letting go of the "have to" and questioning how one’s life is "already perfect" underneath the frantic effort to make it different.
• Enneagram and the Belief in Lack: Soo Kim asked what belief drives the need to cling to attachments, suggesting it stems from a belief that one lacks something. Jevon Perra provided a brief overview of the core dispositions for Enneagram types one through eight, relating each to a particular lack they focus on, like 'not right,' 'needs help,' 'not enough to know,' or 'dangerous'.
• Desire for Separation and Ultimate Goal: Jevon Perra argued that all this focus on 'wrongness' distracts people from the 'darkness' so they can maintain separation and feel special. They asserted that the ultimate goal is to "stay Javon," leading Brian Genovese to jokingly suggest a line of "Enlightened Clothing" with a T-shirt for each Enneagram number.
• The Constant Song of Thanksgiving and Love: Jevon Perra circled back to the "real sound" being a song of thanksgiving and love, which serves as a constant comforting hope. They reflected on telling themself that "it's okay, it's going to be okay" when fearing they might fail their family. Brian Genovese related this concept to an old radio show called "Eggbach" that used the slogan "Everything's going to be okay" during the 1970s.
• The Definition of True Prayer and Eternity: Soo Kim read that "The secret of true prayer is to forget the things you think you need," and that asking for specifics is overlooked when those needs are given up to God. God "answers only for eternity," meaning the answers address one's ultimate completeness, not their requests based on attachment.
• Religious Contexts and Personal Attachment: Jevon Perra noted that while religious circles often demand adherence to God's will, the text points to a personal surrender of one's attachment to a particular result, which is the true source of suffering. They argued that no matter what one achieves, they will end up in the same mental state they are in now.
• The Concept of God as Love vs. a Person: Soo Kim recounted a conversation with Mormons about whether it is possible to disobey the will of God. They challenged t