HL guidelines...
I have never read the Heavenletter guidelines before. I just did. Given the nature of the content on this site, I believe that the guidelines are fair and in place to preserve the "sanctity" ,if you will, of this site...and at the same time to encourage a genuine openness of spirit. In the past, I have been a contributor to a number of sites that did not have this level of spirit...and I am observing not judging. And even on some of those sites, whose tone was loving and allowing, there were occasional disruptions in the "peace" by people who were upset or even inflamed by what was offered by the site or by other visitors. And this is okay...this certainly is the status quo in the world today!
And yet...there must be a place...a little oasis...a little piece of Heaven where decorum is the norm. And I believe this place is this HL site.
My late wife Sheilah was a third grade teacher and did have her share of discipline issues in the classroom. One of the things she would lovingly tell her young children was: Tend you own garden...do not trespass in others. (At that age I am sure she explained her metaphors.) Yet when she would come home after a tiring and trying day at work, she would say: I wish I could tell some of the obnoxious ones to "go play on the freeway"!
I would suggest that if anyone has an issue with deleted posts...email the admin and find out why...and also: I am sure there are some fine lines and very close editing calls that are made by admin. I am genuinely in favor of discussing anything and everything...within the setup guidelines which again I think are reaasonable... under the sun. And hopefully I do it lovingly.
Anyway...loving all of us.....that's what matters most. Jim.
Jim, you are beautiful!
Jim, you are beautiful!
"...there must be a place
"...there must be a place...a little oasis...a little piece of Heaven where decorum is the norm. And I believe this place is this HL site."
Jim, I agree with Gloria's response. These are words coming from a kind, understanding and accepting heart.
Yet, waking up in the middle of the (European) night, I find I have to say this: You will probably agree that "decorum" isn't always easily defined. It can be a widely accepted norm of propriety, good taste or fittingness. It can also be a set of not altogether clearly stated or not quite conscious requirements. Not all "bad language" is really offensive, and "polite" words can be extremely hurtful. It can be a question of intent more than of the words themselves.
Having guidelines is good and necessary for Heaven forums, but I feel that for this site to be an example for the new era of mankind, the hallmark of which will be integration, moderation will have to be done openly. Of course, we cannot have moderation discussions all over the place, but what about a separate space called "Moderation Area" or something where deleted or edited comments are posted and reasons for moderation are given and everyone has a chance to make their point? Instead of a deleted post an empty comment box will remain in the original place, giving the name of the poster and the link to its new place in the moderation area and simply stating, "This comment has been moderated". Somethink like that, I'm sure we could find a way.
Hi Jochen...
Thanks for your comments and your suggestion to create a separate space called maybe, "Moderation Area" My first thought...from my rational mind side place within me was yes. That is the reasonable thing to do. This was my first take on this...and also just my take...
Then...I really took this into my heart where normal reason and views and logic do not live...just to see what would come from this heart. And I got a picture and a story line to go with it: of a vineyard, a beautiful vineyard, on a sunlit day, maybe in Napa...maybe in Tuscany...but so beautiful...and the grapes...golden in the sun, bursting with flavor from a mature vine. And in the process of collecting the grapes, a few were mixed in from an adjoining vineyard...mixed in by mistake...and these grapes were just not as healthy...from a weaker strain...more prone to infection which was reflected in their taste. And there were not that many mixed in by mistake. And when it came time to testing and tasting the batch, the master vintner knew something was a bit off. And the others protested that that little bit did not make a difference....to the average consumer. But this vintner was a real professional...he could tell...and he had the final say...so the batch was thrown out...and the purity and reputation of the best vineyard in the region was preserved.
Now, I am not a connoisseur of wine, but I am of life...and I do have great taste and I want to surround myself with the purest and the best of the lot. And I see and feel and detect this in the content of each Heavenletter that is written. And I detect this to a somewhat lesser degree in the commentaries...in the forum on this site. That is understandable.
Now, having said that another vision comes of just being invited to a friends house. And the friend has invited me to dinner. And maybe there are some art pieces on the wall that are not quite my taste, and maybe some of the food served is not to my liking. So, in being a good guest I say nothing about what does not agree with my but thank my host for a wonderful evening. Period.
So...this point is that thiis is not my web site. If I would like it to be run differently, and my suggestion is positive...then I would express it. Yet...the basic policy and guidelines are not my call. Cause...I am the guest.
If I did have a similar site, I might very well run it differently. That would be my call.
Just to add that when I said I have great taste and surround myself with the best in life.....that sounds a little pretentious and elitist buit I do not mean it that way. But since we have choice, why not go for the best and the purist? And...when I think about others in my life...who are in personal turmoil...when I think about others that mistreat themselves and others...are cruel and inconsiderate...I view them in a loving light and regard them as precious children of God...just making different choices than me...maybe to habitually feed their disregard, even hate for themselves. Now before I vew them lovvingly, my mind usually does its own liitle commentary...and yet I am getting better at catching it! I used to habitually run down others and the world...and I finally understood that this was just a refection of how I saw myself. So...when my view of myself changed for the better...I was naturally seeing others in a better light...a loving light.
That's all for now. Love and blessings, Jim.
Jim, thank you for this
Jim, thank you for this beautifully clear and comprehensive comment. As always, your words are appreciated and deeply respected. I know quite well that you are not pretentious, and when my views are different from yours, that does not mean I'm saying you're wrong.
The first difference lies in the fact that what I wrote did not come "from my rational mind side place within me" but from a more immediate (and harder to pinpoint) feeling place that longs for as much openness and unboundedness as possible in everything including all kinds of human relationships.
As much as I enjoyed following you into this Tuscany scene, even hoping to be able to agree with you there, I had to acknowledge that for me this is not about grapes and wine (where I would not hesitate to applaud the master vintner). When it comes to human beings, I hear God say that purity IS, only perhaps a little dusty. We are always already pure, we only need to agree to decide that we will detect that purity in everyone including ourselves. What else could be the meaning of this from today's Heavenletter?
I know you don't believe it, but when so many people in the world think different thoughts, they will feel differently, and the world will transform itself before your very eyes. I know you don't believe Me, for if you believed Me, the world would already have changed right before your eyes.
This is not your or my web site, and it behooves us to behave accordingly. Of course! But aren't we, you and I, already doing this by simply following our natural sense of propriety? I'm not speaking about pieces on the wall or a meal that is not quite to my liking. I'm speaking about what may come up in conversation when those friends are really close friends. You will have the best of intentions, and so your feelings, opinions and suggestions will be most welcome. If for some reason or other they are not, you will not repeat them -- unless you are asked to do so at a later time. I have no ambition at all to run or co-run any of my friends' affairs or this web site. I only say what my heart tells me to say, just as you do.
I like this little exchange very much, dear Jim. If "only" some more clarity comes out of it, wouldn't that be just wonderful?
Blessing you and everyone,
Jochen
Hi Jochen...
Thank you for your beautiful response. I could respond to different thoughts that you presented...to either clarify what I said...or to respond to your response. But, I don't think I will because it feels like it would not serve to create more clarity. That's just my gut feeling. I could be wrong of course...or I could change my mind and pursue this a little later.
When I go more into my heart now...I just want to accept the whole of it: the dialogue and the participants, you, me and everyone on the Heavenletters site. From this vantage point, nothing needs to be fixed or understood, clarified or changed.
Life is indeed a paradox...the small separated part that seeks to be heard...seeks to be understood, seeks to maintain its positions, seeks to be acknowledged and seeks to be loved... and the Whole that relaxes into the Love that it is...and from this Love, cannot help but love.
Loving blessings, Jim.
I agree. Thanks, Jim.
I agree. Thanks, Jim.