What if the answer to every problem was so easy that it could not be missed? What if it was so available that it is always here now? “A Course in Miracles” teaches us that ‘… trust would settle every problem now.’ It is giving it to us real straight.
Hypotheticals
Falsely Identifying with Illusion
As long as the mind is deceived about its identity, it’s in a very confused state; you can’t even judge your advances from your retreats. The mind taking on “A Course in Miracles” has to first admit that it hasn’t a clue about anything. That would be the most honest thing that it could admit. You have to come to such a pristine state of mind that you actually question all beliefs that there’s causation in the world. Jesus says in ACIM that God did not make linear time. We’re dealing with a sticky, messy, linear situation of the ego’s making and the only way we let it go, the only way we heal, is to see the absolute impossibility of it.
2008 Kentucky Retreat
In this “A Course in Miracles” (ACIM) retreat at the end of summer of 2008, David discusses some of the deepest themes in the teachings and application of the principles of ACIM: judgment and guidance. What is judgment, and how does the Holy Spirit use discernment to lead the mind to its escape from specifics and back to Heaven?
Joy beyond Hypotheticals
David Hoffmeister speaks in New York City about how the whole distorted world is hypothetical or situational or potential. Joy in the present is actual, a gateway to Reality—the Kingdom of Heaven within—and it is experienced through a choice or decision when the past is seen as over and gone.
Hypothetical Thinking
The world of linear time is a hoax. Possible future outcomes are hypotheticals. But time is really simultaneous, which solves all problems, because problems do not exist now; they are always remembered or anticipated. Your mind selects the tiniest sliver of perception, what you want to see, based on the ego’s filter. You feel what you want to feel.
The Ego Pain Trick
When the mind is conflicted, it projects pain onto the body. Pain is a convincing trick of the ego. If you’re identifying with the body, it seems that protection seems to be a pretty good idea. The more you identify with Spirit, or the present moment, the more that state of invulnerability comes in. There’s a sense of safety and you can let go of protecting and defending the body.
Right or Happy?
Would you rather be right or happy? If you are not happy, what do you see as the problem? Money, family, job, health … or is the complex list of issues just a distraction device? As you become aware of where the problem is, you can move towards the solution instead of continuing with the distractions. ACIM daily lessons 79 and 80 direct the mind towards this awareness. Lesson 79 gives you the thought: “Let me recognize the problem so it can be solved.” (W-79) Lesson 80 moves into: “Let me recognize my problems have been solved.” (W-80)
“As If” the Separation Occurred
The world is based on hypothetical possibilities. The mind is described “as if” it has two parts. An event on the timeline has to be an “as if.” As if it will, or could possibly, occur; as if the separation occurred. The whole teaching of ACIM is that the Atonement is a complete escape from the past and a complete lack of interest in the future. This zooms us into an experience. The only thing that makes anything helpful is zoomed into by asking one question, “What is the purpose?” This is an age-old question. And the answer is: it is for Love, for Joy. It is a celebration of divine Innocence.
Under Christ Control
There is a Jesus Christ “central casting” where everything gets handled. You can let go of control and relax. The Holy Spirit will give you what you need. You are safe; you can’t mess it up. Jesus Christ central casting is in charge. You are together with Jesus until the end of time, just looking back at what has already gone by, just imagining that you are making the journey again. You believe that there are still choices open, but this world is all over and done!
Hypotheticals
All of linear time is hypothetical (imagined, presumed). People have controversies over whether something actually happened or not. But it’s all just images, all over and done. The problem is the ego’s belief in hypotheticals. Seeing their impossibility would solve everything. Worries about the future are hypothetical and have no meaning. They can be let go of. Being joyful in this moment is the most practical thing. This world is the belief that Christ could leave and be separate from the Mind of God. Worldly education projects the separation out and teaches that cause comes first and is separate from effect. But this is all based on false cause and effect.
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