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    %CLOSE TO GOD EXCLUSIVE CLUB MEMBER ACHIEVE SIN+960723
    %ACHIEVEMENT SPECIAL SALVATION STATUS LOVE EVIL+960723
   %PREOCCUPATION FIXATION ISSUES CONTROL ADDICTION 960723

     The  closer we find ourselves to God the  greater  is
the  risk  that  we will take that status to mean that  we
have somehow achieved a special status in the eyes of God.
The greater  also  is the risk that we will try to  figure
out just  how  we managed to achieve such a special status
in the eyes of God, and to say why others have not.

     There  is  a  real risk that we will take  our  being
close to God  as a sign of our superiority over those whom
we fear because  we  do  not know   them;   because we are
alienated from them.    We may take our alienation to be a
sign  of  our  superiority---and  so  not  recognize   our
alienation  for what it truly is;  the consequence of  the
choices we have made in the presence of God.

     Being in  the  presence of God does  not  protect  us
against  the tragic consequences of being arrogant in  the
presence of God.

     Being in  the  presence of God does  not  protect  us
against  the  tragic  consequences of being  "X"   in  the
presence of God, where "X" points to any of the following:

    Arrogant           Dishonest         Manipulative

    Presumptuous       Exclusive         Prejudiced

    Perfectionists     Judgmental       Manipulative

    Coercive           Violent           Fearful

    Defensive          Legalistic        Addictive

    Codependent        Collusive         Unjust

    Angry              Resentful         Technocratic

     If we,  or others who are in our presence,   are  not
truly  free  to  openly  and honestly  describe  our  most
meaningful  and fulfilling experiences of  Love---then  we
are  not as special as we are trying to make ourselves  to
appear to be.

     The quality of our lives depends greatly upon how  we
regard and describe the extent to which we  find ourselves
in  the presence of God.   How do we explain to  ourselves
and each other why we have found ourselves in the presence
of God?    Whom do we regard (and why) as NOT being in the
presence of God?   How do we describe them, and why?   How
do  they regard us?   How do they describe us?   Why?   To
what extend are we (and/or they)  preoccupied with  issues
of  control?    How  do  we  (and/or  they)   regard  such
preoccupations with issues of control?

                                                                                                                               
                         (c) 2005 by Paul A. Smith in      
                    (On Being Yourself, Whole and Healthy)  
                                                                                                                               
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