The Holy Spirit has a great perspective and knows in every seeming circumstance what would be most helpful. David speaks about Helen Schucman’s experience with scribing “A Course in Miracles” and how she had a lot of resistance towards the Voice. The Holy Spirit cannot take your fear away because it would be interfering with the most basic laws of cause and effect, trying to step between your thoughts and their effects. It is an inside job and you can use the guidance to see the conditions that were set up in your mind, and really, you are not bound by these conditions. The Course is only a tool to bring you in contact with your internal teacher. The Holy Spirit is kind and gentle and will help undo concepts.
Practical Steps
Fantasy and Symbols
Imagination is the realm of the ego. It takes the mind off on fantasies. In “A Course in Miracles,” Jesus says that fantasy is the attempt to make false associations and obtain pleasure from them. Consciousness is the domain of the ego. God is Reality. The Holy Spirit will use the symbols the ego made, both to undo the ego and to inspire.
Using Words as Denial: The Misuse of A Course in Miracles
David Hoffmeister is asked about the ego and the defense of simply attempting to use words to deny the “reality” of the world. David talks about how unconscious beliefs must be undone and how it is important to go through the darkness to the light.
Interactive Sharing
We teach what we believe through our attitudes. My life is an open book. I wanted to have heart-to-heart talks with people, and do that for a living. How surprising to find that this was possible! All answers are tucked away inside our hearts. At the Monastery, we are very attentive to our emotions; we learn to remove these obstructions to peace. “There are no small upsets,” (W-5.4:3) it says in A Course in Miracles. We literally crucify ourselves when we hold onto them.
Fear, Sickness, and Concepts
In “A Course in Miracles,” Jesus teaches us that the use of what he calls “magic” (anything in form that feels helpful, such as medicine) can be helpful in reducing extreme fear. This is ultimately so that the mind can feel relaxed and open enough to choose the miracle instead. As you continue to practice and follow intuitive prompts, you find it becomes easier to choose the miracle right away and thus let go of the old concepts which were the cause of sickness to begin with.
Practical Application of ACIM Principles
In “A Course in Miracles,” Jesus provides 365 Workbook lessons for mind training. Each lesson contains a specific thought to be used as instructed throughout the day. The ACIM daily lessons are replacement ideas for your ordinary, everyday, repetitive thoughts. Your thinking is generally stuck in the past or future. Disturbances can be approached differently through practical application of ACIM principles. As you advance in your mind training, you begin to use “The Rules for Decision” that Jesus presents in the Course (T-30.I) as a way of re-interpreting everyday occurrences.
Can I Stop Judging?
Can I stop judging myself, other bodies, and situations? How can I stop judging when it feels so automatic? It can seem like trying to stop judging is like trying to stop a runaway freight train. Impossible! In the Manual for Teachers book in “A Course in Miracles,” Jesus addresses the question “How is judgment relinquished?” (M-10) What a great question! David Hoffmeister shares that in order to be free from the stress and pressure that comes with the thought, “I need to stop judging,” we need to become clear on our true identity.
Romance Transformed
Romance in relationships is a rung on the ladder on the way to holy relationship and the holy instant. Romantic love is transformed to a higher love.
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.
Oneness Is Practical
Spirituality is not about high ideals. You want an actual experience of peace and that is extremely practical. The Spirit meets you where you believe you are. Love waits on welcome, not on time. How welcoming are you to Spirit’s guidance? When you start to clear your mind of all your fears, doubts, and dualistic thinking, and you need an answer, it will come through you like a download from the Spirit. But you have to follow the guidance. You have to allow yourself to be unwound by the Spirit out of the matrix. Can you see how practical that is? You are being taught to start opening to the Spirit’s guidance to unwind your mind back to Oneness.