But ACIM Says...

             Ah, the but. There is the indicator of conflict. And conflict always means ego.

When I hear that but, I know the speaker or writer feels something naturally or has a desire but they feel their feelings or desires conflict with” being a good Course student.” And quite often, what they feel or desire does not conflict with A Course in Miracles, they’ve just misread it.

 

“I’m not feeling good, but the Course says I shouldn’t take medicine, it’s magic.” The Course says that unless you have attained a state of consciousness in which you can manipulate form—like heal the body—take medicine. Magical thinking is thinking that a healed body is an end in itself and true peace.

 

“I met someone I’m interested in, but I know I’m not supposed to want a special relationship.” The Course says you do not have to give up your special relationships. Rather, give them over to the Holy Spirit to be transformed to holy relationships (classrooms in which you learn of peace).

 

“I’m sad that my mom died, but the Course says I shouldn’t be sad.” Nowhere does the Course say do not feel sad or grieve if an occasion of loss arises. What it says is, do not think that this is all there is. Find comfort in the holy instant and the Holy Spirit.

 

“I’m angry that I lost my job because of cutbacks, but the Course says I’ve done this to myself.” The Course says you determine how you see a situation. It tells you to ask for another way to look at a painful situation and for help resolving painful situations.

 

“My boyfriend hit me, and I want to leave, but the Course says if I forgive him he will change.” What the Course says is forgiveness will change how you see others, situations—and yourself. The Course is not about changing others or the world, but about changing your mind. How must you see yourself if you think you must stay in an abusive situation?

 

It cannot be said enough: If your guilt or fear remain the same or increase, you are listening to ego. “But the Course says” indicates you have made the Course an idol. You are doing to the Course what fundamentalists do with the Bible and the Koran and any other teaching that they see as hard instructions to follow. And none of these books was ever meant to be used that way—except in ego’s view. Do you want to read the Course as ego intends or your inner teacher intends? Which do you think would be more loving?

The Course’s primary purpose and value is it leads you to your inner teacher. At the end of a year of lessons, the last five leave you not with the Course itself but with your inner teacher as the guide to your “individualized curriculum”:

 

“This holy instant would I give to You, be You in charge, for I would follow You, certain that your direction gives me peace.”

 

If you read the Course as a conversation between Helen Schucman and Bill Thetford and the inner teacher (Christ, Holy Spirit) who was providing them with a “better way” to be with others, you won’t view the Course as an instruction manual but rather as a bunch of suggestions: “Try looking at things this way…” “Try this practice and see if it helps…” “Here’s a lovely idea, does it help you?” It says itself its theology is not set in stone and it means to lead to an experience rather than to present immutable theory. In fact, it says a universal theology is impossible but a universal experience is not only possible but necessary to understand what it is about.

Here’s another way to use that but: “The Course says X but my experience is Y.” “The Course says X but that other teaching says Q” These are conflicts to take to your inner teacher to find the loving way to peace.

Often, clients or readers will say to me, “I’m not coming from guilt, I just want to get it right to be at peace.” So, there’s the test. Is the way you are reading the Course bringing you peace or adding to your guilt? If you read it correctly—which means with your inner teacher—you will feel better, you will be liberated from guilt and fear.

 

>>>> 

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.