This discussion follows a viewing of the “Star Trek” episode, “The Thaw,” which illustrates how the ego operates and uses fear. The first question to ask on the spiritual journey is, “What aspect of the dream do you like?” The likes and dislikes are both part of a judgment system to keep the mind asleep. The dreams you think you like can hold you back just as much as the dreams in which the fear is apparent. The things you like are part of the prison without you knowing it. The mind is enmeshed and addicted to fear.
Denial and Repression
The Joy of Cluelessness
Sickness is the ego’s fragmented perception focusing on the body, on form. There is no cure at the form level because the ego is an impossible cause. Give up searching at the form level and become clueless. Forgiveness provides the healing. God is true causation. The miracle lifts you up to the healing found in the mind.
The Ego Is a Perceptual Problem
You made the ego by believing in it. The ego IS the big bang! An experience (beyond the ego) will come to end your doubting. This will not be another theological concept. It will be an experience.
ACIM Talk (Part 10)
David talks about the metaphysics of attack and gratification in Tilba, Australia, 2009.
Denial and Suppression
If you notice the mechanism of denial and suppression, you’ll notice the ego uses it to hold on to secrets and private thoughts. You can smile, put on a happy face, have a stiff upper lip. You can maintain a facade of dignity and peace, and even have a pride about the surface level things. But if you have an inner churning, the thoughts surrounding that upset need to be expressed and released. Jesus points the mind towards a purified state of being. Healing takes place as you clean and clear the mind.
Disappearance and Use of the Body
What’s the correct use of the body? What is it for? David Hoffmeister explains the practical application of “A Course in Miracles” by sharing a story about a friend who hypnotized herself to not see her body, and yet still had guilt to expose and release before experiencing the neutrality of the body and the disappearance of the universe. After this story and healing lesson, David shares the experience of the whole mind or forgiven dream in which there are no “parts” or judgments present.
Indulgence and Repression
Let’s move beyond the two extremes of indulgence and repression. Is there another way? David Hoffmeister, “A Course in Miracles” teacher, discusses the practical way of exposing and releasing the thoughts that surface in awareness as the mind undergoes the forgiveness process. Helena offers her practical experience and examples and David illustrates the metaphysics and the forgiveness process with practical metaphors.
Healing People-Pleasing
There’s a strain and internal conflict in the mind when you try to live up to people’s standards. Beyond pleasing the people around you, there is a people-pleasing the “people” that you believe you are. The conflict comes from trying to meet the standard of the ideal person you believe you should be. You cannot simply change the form of your behavior when psychologically and emotionally you have not reached that point of change. Instead, be spontaneous and authentic until you have purification of mind, where everything comes together into integrity. David shares about his own experiences releasing emotions, mourning, and facing the darkness. When joining with others, whether it is a community of two or a larger group, there is more temptation for ego sabotage and flare-ups; and along with that, an opportunity for much deeper healing.
The Outer World Is a Reflection
The seeming outer world is a reflection of the mind’s beliefs. Wow! Think about that for a minute! Everything in the perceived dream world is a reflection of thought. Since the unconscious ego is a death wish, it is not surprising that there seem to be so many atrocities in the world: rape, murder, war. Underneath the horror of these apparent atrocities is an even deeper horror: the idea that we could have permanently separated from our divine Creator.
Practical Application of A Course in Miracles
Practical application of “A Course in Miracles” begins with a step similar to that of a twelve-step program. First you must see that there is a problem. Acknowledge your perceptual problem, your hallucination, schizophrenia, and psychosis. The mind needs healing. Expose your dark thoughts, beliefs, and interpretations and the Holy Spirit will heal them. Work through the Instrument for Peace in the book “Awakening through A Course in Miracles.”