From Intending to Willing

Trust not your good intentions. They are not enough. But trust implicitly your willingness, whatever else may enter. (T-18.IV.2)

In one of my many read-throughs of A Course in Miracles in my first years as a student the line above came to my notice and boy was I upset. Certainly it meant to say “trust your good intentions” – that “not” must be a mistake. But of course the next two lines clearly indicate that the “not” was meant to be there.

I wanted peace soooo badly and I had oodles of good intentions. But I didn't have peace and it was clear that wanting and intending weren't enough. What is “willingness”, how is it different from “intending”? When you are willing you are open to receiving what you want now. It is demonstrated by taking some action. Intending implies that at some future time you will accept what you want. Intending is passive.

The difference between intending and willing is true for both worldly desires and the desire for inner peace. Think of all the things you’ve wanted in this world throughout your life. How many did you really go and get? If you wanted a certain job did you just intend to get it one day or did you learn what you needed to qualify for it and then apply for it? If you wanted to go out with someone did you plan to ask them out one day or did you ask them out? When you had a problem did you just sit and stew in it or go and get help? When we really want something we are willing to do what it takes to get it.

If you want peace, willingness is demonstrated by letting go of obstacles to peace and opening to Truth. Bringing your fears up for conscious examination; communing with God; turning everything over to the Holy Spirit; choosing to see Christ in others and Oneness instead of separation. These are all mental actions that imply willingness to be at peace. These are all things you can do now.

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