Discernment

[MajestyJo]

Discernment

Once you develop discrimination in a true and positive way, you have begun the journey toward greater peace and unity. You have then also laid the mental foundation for developing discernment which takes us into deeper union with others and life.

Discernment is a sense in the higher mind and therefore part of soul. Because of that it is often referred to as spiritual discernment. Like discrimination, it also involves understanding, but a more profound sensitivity than discrimination. This part of mind is capable of thinking in abstract terms, and is therefore not restricted to the form world or to ideals as forms alone. It can grasp ideals as qualities. The higher mind relates to universals, abstractions and inner reality. With it we are able to relate to the essence of things, based on the identification we are able to make with our own essence, or soul.

Discernment is the mental correspondence of smell. It is the mental ability to know what something is – i.e., knowing its soul.

Spiritual discernment enables us to relate to the universal or unitive energy behind external reality. With it we can perceive fundamental (universal) truth, ideals, archetypes and the formless source or cause of things. In its further development, it enables us to accurately discern the sources or causes of all impressions on the astral/emotional body and all ideas that enter the mind.

Discernment enables us to value all things, no matter how diverse. The soul perspective gives the insight to see the unity behind the diversity, and to recognize the contributions that diversity gives. We appreciate the diversity of ideas, of actions, of ways of being, of all things. We see diversity as contributing to the beauty of life and the enrichment of culture and relationships. This understanding gives rise to tolerance and acceptance. It motivates us to empower others.

Through study, learning and reflection, one can develop the ability to differentiate between illusion and reality, as well as between different grades and kinds of reality. The fundamental difference between discrimination and discernment is one of depth and inclusiveness. This is also the basic difference between personality mind and soul mind.

Discernment can be developed by such things as:

• Looking beyond the form to sense the soul of the person, thing, situation or reality.
• Perceiving the unique beauty of people and things, regardless of whether or not you like them.
• Valuing the contribution that each person and thing gives to the life around them whether or not their presence or action appears to be positive or negative.
• Learning about the multi-dimensional nature of reality and then opening to experience it.
• Understanding the purpose for each thing, action, person or situation.
• Empowering and supporting others to fulfill their purpose.
• Meditating and reflecting on the soul within, and opening to its presence.
• Discovering the soul meaning or greater meaning of experiences.
• Using your mind to create thoughts that reflect universal ideas, archetypes and values to enhance and serve the life around you.
• Express beauty, truth and goodness in whatever ways you can.

This important sense, discernment, is not a gift of the spirit, nor does it develop without attention. It comes gradually into functioning more and more effectively as you use your mind appropriately and activate the soul energies as they express through the mind – both rational – with discrimination – and abstract. Keep in mind that the right use and development of discrimination precedes the unfolding of spiritual discernment.

Exercises:

1. Take the above ideas on developing discernment and write down practical things that you will do to develop this vital sense within you. This is like your mental exercise regimen that you will do daily, weekly and often for as long as you choose to do so.

2. Notice how using the mind alone – even the higher mind – does not bring greater unity unless the heart is also equally involved. At a soul level understanding and unity always imply unconditional love.

- Soul's Journey

[saved1]

Posted by sinaiticus on September 2, 2010

An old friend of mine recently asked me about discernment, about how we can tell what God wants us to do when we find ourselves at a crossroads, when we must make an important decision about our lives. Is there a “process” for seizing God’s will so we can make the right choice? Her question got me started thinking about this important part of the Christian life. I’ll share a little of our conversation with you, praying that you will find some tidbit that will help you determine what God’s will is for your life.

Whether it’s changing jobs, making a significant purchase (that is, more significant than choosing diet or regular pop), planning for retirement, or deciding on various health care options, we all come up against difficult choices in life. As Christians, we believe that God is involved in our lives—that he has a perfect plan for us, and that if we follow that plan, then we will experience the joy of living in fellowship with the living God.

While there is no neat and tidy five-step process for discerning God’s will, there are some checkpoints to keep us on the right path. The first checkpoint is Scripture. The Bible tells us pretty much everything we need to know about life: how to please God, how to treat others, how to conduct ourselves, and how to gain wisdom. If we could only soak up the message of the Bible, we would be 90% (give or take a few percentage points) along the way to knowing God’s will for our lives. Spending time familiarizing ourselves with God’s Word will help us focus on our Lord’s voice so we can recognize the same Spirit who authored Scripture when he speaks to us in our hearts. For instance, if we are tempted to pray to a different god, to cheat on our spouse, to kill someone, or to steal something that is not ours, we know that the answer is automatically, emphatically “no,” because God has already explicitly forbidden these behaviors in Scripture. End of discussion. This is how, for many choices, the Bible gives us a clear indication of God’s will.

The second checkpoint is prayer. There is no substitute for actually closing our eyes, focusing our thoughts toward God and asking him—begging him—for divine wisdom, guidance, and help. And it even helps to ask someone to pray with you and for you. The Bible tells us that God relents to persistent prayer. So we should wear out heaven’s door with our frequent knocking. (See Luke 18:1-8 and Matthew 7:7-8) But prayer is a two-way conversation in which we need to still our hearts and minds and “listen” for what God might “say” to us in the stillness of the moment. It may happen as audible words, or simply a feeling or an impression. But prayer—talking and listening to God—is a perfect way to invite God to interfere with our decisions and to humbly submit to whatever he tells us.

The third checkpoint is holy conversation. In some ways, we have lost touch with the idea of seeking wise counsel in order to discover God’s will for us. Some Anabaptist traditions have a robust custom of discernment panels and groups of elders who help people make important decisions. I once heard a story about Rich Mullins, the famous Christian musician who was also a Quaker (a member of the Society of Friends) and who died in 1997 at the age of 41. The legend said that at one point in his life and career, Rich wasn’t sure what to pursue next. So he sought out the counsel of a group of Friends (fellow Quakers) who would guide him through a process of discernment. And if memory serves, this wise counsel convinced Rich that God was leading him to return to college, which he did. This is how holy conversation should work. A mature Christian, or a group of mature Christians, who will listen to you and help draw out your spiritual process—without offering advice, without trying to solve your problems, without judging your struggles—is something to treasure. Sometimes just talking something through with a friendly ear helps us see things more clearly!

We might cycle through these checkpoints multiple times—praying, consulting Scripture, talking with friends—before we feel like we’re ready to move. But still, there comes a time when we become the final arbiters of what we think God wants us to do. And I say that with a deep gulp and a shudder in my inner being. Because I would guess that most people are like me: we are sinful creatures who tend to choose the easiest way, the least painful way, the most self-gratifying way—the choice that pleases Almighty Me more than anyone else. But still, when we are faced with a difficult decision, we have to say, in the words of my friend, “God, we think this is what we are hearing from you, but if we’re wrong, please save us from ourselves.”

In his letter to the Roman Christians, the apostle Paul urged them to allow God to be a part of their life-living and their daily decision-making: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2 TNIV) This is really our life goal as Christians: to discern what God’s will is (and his will is perfect and life-giving, since it is from God!) so that we can do it. But we can’t discern God’s will if our minds remain enmeshed in this broken, fallen world system that is opposed to its Creator. But if we are transformed—if our minds are renewed and rebirthed by the Holy Spirit—then we have a better shot at discerning and doing God’s will.