"Getting Into" Heaven
Heaven is not a place nor a condition. It is merely an awareness of perfect Oneness, and the knowledge that there is nothing else; nothing outside this Oneness, and nothing else within. (T-18.VI.1)
The other day I was speaking with a relative and she mentioned that she believed that as long as you lived a good life and were a good person you would get into Heaven. She didn’t ask me if I agreed and I didn’t say anything about my experiences of Oneness. In fact, I didn’t think about any of this until I recalled the conversation later. What would she have thought, I wondered, if I had told her that Heaven can be experienced here and now? What if I had said that it doesn’t matter who you are or how you live your life, that Heaven isn’t a reward from God but a choice that you make?
Heaven is here. There is nowhere else. Heaven is now. There is no other time. No teaching that does not lead to this is of concern to God's teachers. (M-24.6)
When I led a study group the idea that you don’t have to earn Heaven was found to be offensive by many new students. They had made choices in their lives based on this idea. They felt superior to others because they were “good” people. What they weren’t acknowledging was the guilt that they were feeling and the fear of God this was causing them. Otherwise, why put off Heaven to the future? Why not just be with God right here and now? They chose to project their perceived guilt onto others so that others were “bad” and they were “good” and separation was protected. And their guilt and their fear were perpetuated.
The belief that Heaven is a reward is so central to the world’s teaching that it takes a lot of reminding yourself that Heaven is your choice. But what a relief to not to have to worry what is “good enough” to satisfy a separate God with an alien will! And how wonderful to experience Heaven now!
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Receive this bi-weekly blog directly in your email by contacting Liz@acimmentor.com.
Now available at www.acimmentor.com: Understanding A Course in Miracles: A Quick Reference for Students.
The other day I was speaking with a relative and she mentioned that she believed that as long as you lived a good life and were a good person you would get into Heaven. She didn’t ask me if I agreed and I didn’t say anything about my experiences of Oneness. In fact, I didn’t think about any of this until I recalled the conversation later. What would she have thought, I wondered, if I had told her that Heaven can be experienced here and now? What if I had said that it doesn’t matter who you are or how you live your life, that Heaven isn’t a reward from God but a choice that you make?
Heaven is here. There is nowhere else. Heaven is now. There is no other time. No teaching that does not lead to this is of concern to God's teachers. (M-24.6)
When I led a study group the idea that you don’t have to earn Heaven was found to be offensive by many new students. They had made choices in their lives based on this idea. They felt superior to others because they were “good” people. What they weren’t acknowledging was the guilt that they were feeling and the fear of God this was causing them. Otherwise, why put off Heaven to the future? Why not just be with God right here and now? They chose to project their perceived guilt onto others so that others were “bad” and they were “good” and separation was protected. And their guilt and their fear were perpetuated.
The belief that Heaven is a reward is so central to the world’s teaching that it takes a lot of reminding yourself that Heaven is your choice. But what a relief to not to have to worry what is “good enough” to satisfy a separate God with an alien will! And how wonderful to experience Heaven now!
>>>>
Receive this bi-weekly blog directly in your email by contacting Liz@acimmentor.com.
Now available at www.acimmentor.com: Understanding A Course in Miracles: A Quick Reference for Students.
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