ACIM Is An Effect, Not A Cause

          Ego fell away here, but I did nothing to cause it to fall away. It happened because it was to happen. Before it fell away, ego went through many stages; it went on a “spiritual journey”. This was merely the effect of truth rising to conscious awareness here. The journey did not result in ego falling away. Truth rising to conscious awareness resulted in what looked like ego going on a “spiritual journey”. While an effect of truth, the journey had nothing to do with what truth actually is. In general terms, the journey was symbolic, an indication of truth rising to conscious awareness. But the specifics of the journey were wholly in the context of ego. This is why enlightenment was such a shock.

A Course in Miracles is also an effect, not a cause. It was the result of Bill Thetford’s awakening, not the cause of it. Truth was to rise to his conscious awareness and the Course was his “spiritual journey” or “individualized curriculum”—how truth rising showed up. Helen Schucman channeled it for him because their “holy relationship”, or the awareness of the one mind behind seemingly different minds, was part of truth rising to conscious awareness for both. The Course even tells Dr. Thetford how it will unfold for him, right down to how he would only see the real world just before he died. For this reason:

“This course remains within the ego framework, where it is needed. It is not concerned with what is beyond all error because it is planned only to set the direction towards it.” (C-in.3)

The Course does not go beyond ego because Dr. Thetford was not to go beyond it until just before he died. So, the Course is not a teaching of truth for all for all time but a fine example of one way that truth rising to conscious awareness can look, and this is why your way will not be identical, it will deviate from how it unfolded for Dr. Thetford. When it does, it is how it should be, not a failure on your part to follow the Course or be a “good Course student”.

Consider how very different Dr. Shucman’s story was. Ego in her mind never embarked on a “journey”. It never allowed truth to affect it, to transform it, to soften it. But it willingly stepped aside to let truth come through her in the shape of the Course for Dr. Thetford and the rest of us. Truth rising to conscious awareness shows up in many ways. As many ways as there are minds in which it rises!

The Course is not in your life to bring truth to your conscious awareness, though you may feel that is so. In fact, the Course, or any other teaching, being part of your seeming journey is an effect of truth rising to conscious awareness in your mind. You experience this when you feel the desire and/or movement to study, practice, or meditate, however that looks for you. How far truth will rise in your consciousness remains to be seen, but it is moving toward it. 

>>>> 

If you have a question the answer to which you feel may be helpful to others, send it to Liz@acimmentor.com and indicate that you want it answered in this newsletter/blog.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Why we read the Course
“Beyond the body, beyond the sun and stars, past everything you see and yet somehow familiar, is an arc of golden light that stretches as you look into a great and shining circle. And all the circle fills with light before your eyes. The edges of the circle disappear, and what is in it is no longer contained at all. The light expands and covers everything, extending to infinity forever shining and with no break or limit anywhere. Within it everything is joined in perfect continuity. Nor is it possible to imagine that anything could be outside, for there is nowhere that this light is not.
This is the vision of the Son of God, whom you know well. Here is the sight of him who knows his Father. Here is the memory of what you are; a part of this, with all of it within, and joined to all as surely as all is joined in you. Accept the vision that can show you this, and not the body. You know the ancient song and know it well. Nothing will ever be as dear to you as is this ancient hymn of love the Son of God sings to his Father still.”
Chapter 21, I. 8-9
9:12 AM
Anonymous said…
ACIM is an opportunity to hear Jesus talk to you personally.
If you're into that kind of thing.
9:17 AM
Anonymous said…
To hear Jesus talk to you means, to feel His presence in the room.
5:24 PM
Anonymous said…
Not sure if this blog is a cause or effect, but I read it yesterday. Today I felt very strongly I needed a "break" from ACIM after diligently doing the lessons for many months. I was feeling very strained to "get" the lesson, and also it was all in my head and none of it in my heart. It may only last a day, but we'll see.....
2:43 PM
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