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I can not tell you how many times I have felt this way. That I am "doing time." A Course in Miracles is one of the greatest gifts I know of, and yet sometimes I can not even read it, let alone apply its consistent lessons of forgiveness. The Course has the efficient ability to challenge us on many if not all levels and consistently offer us a way out of our perceived hell, but is not always the easiest guidance to accept. We want to learn how to live like Jesus and emulate those we believe help us, yet can easily be fooled by our ego's one desire to remain self-governing. I have this wonderful spiritual guidance at my finger tips almost all the time - A Course in Miracles in addition to the many other paths available - and yet I find there can still be much resistance. How can this be so?
HELP FOR RESISTANCE, RULES FOR DECISION
Many have experienced this (resistance) with A Course in Miracles. This obstacle, regardless of how long you've been practicing The Course, can still sometimes be very strong so it is important to study the beginning chapters of the Text and use the Workbook lessons. I have noticed that my interest in The Course sways as do my needs. Because of this I have found that some passages help sometimes and at other times they do not. I tend to "mix it up" a bit with my practice and will offer resources in each article which I have found conducive along the way.
If you are just beginning with The Course, reading the PREFACE will give you a thorough introduction and overview of how The Course came to be, what it is and what is says. Plus you can read ACIM related articles here on Spiritual Apostle starting with:
NAEBER'S INTRO
JULIE'S INTRO
and
ACIM TEXT:CHAPTER 1
One of the books I have been reading off and on is called Absence from Felicity: The Story of Helen Schucman and Her Scribing of A Course in Miracles which helps one to begin to realize the scope of this intelligible document. I am forever appreciative for Helen's dedicated participation in bringing ACIM to the world.
Also you will find two companion pamphlets which came in the same manner as the course, and are included in the new 3rd Edition of A Course in Miracles:
SONG OF PRAYER
and
PSYCHOTHERAPY: PURPOSE, PROCESS, PRACTICE
I am really glad that Julie chose ‘making affirmations’ for her recent Concept for Spirit post (here). We will most likely need to use affirmations on a daily basis as we learn to live the teachings of A Course in Miracles. There are prayers, affirmations, reminders and more at every turn in our journey through The Course. The WORKBOOK is one of the tools which give us a daily affirmation to work with and the TEXT and MANUAL are natural companions. (These are all found in ACIM 3rd Edition). These reviews are a way for us to focus on a couple of the concepts from the Text, but you will want to read and or listen to the Text and study it so that you will have a strong foundation before moving further into The Course.
Chapter 2 of ACIM is about SEPARATION and the ATONEMENT, two fundamental concepts of The Course. The Garden of Eden - or the PRE-SEPERATION condition - was a state of mind in which nothing was needed. When Adam listened to the "lies of the serpent," all he heard was untruth. Untruth can literally disappear in the twinkling of an eye because it is merely misperception. You do not have to continue to believe what is not true unless you choose to do so. What is seen in dreams seems to be very real. The Bible says that a deep sleep fell upon Adam, yet nowhere is there reference to his waking up.
The escape is brought about by your acceptance of the Atonement, which enables you to realize that your errors never really occurred. Only after the deep sleep fell upon Adam could he experience nightmares.
If a light is suddenly turned on while someone is dreaming a fearful dream, he may initially interpret the light itself as part of the dream and be afraid of it. However, when he awakens, the light is correctly perceived as the release from the dream, which is then no longer accorded reality.
This release does not depend on illusions. The knowledge that illuminates not only sets you free, but also shows you clearly that you are free."
Because we are given many helpful affirmations in this chapter which allow us to deepen our understanding of the Atonement we begin to see how simple The Course is and how loving it's Source.
Jesus shows us throughout The Course how to "deny the denial of truth." Since we have become very used to thinking in a linear fashion the concepts of Atonement and Forgiveness are illuminated steps on our path to awakening to Oneness.
(Error being misperception, which allows us to choose Correction.)
The Atonement can only be accepted within you by releasing the inner light. Since the separation, defenses have been used almost entirely to defend against the Atonement, and thus maintain the separation....For perfect effectiveness the Atonement belongs at the center of the inner altar, where it undoes the separation and restores the wholeness of mind. Before the separation the mind was invulnerable to fear, because fear did not exist. Both the separation and the fear are mis-creations that must be undone for the restoration of the temple, and for the opening of the altar to receive the Atonement. This heals the separation by placing within you the one effective defense against all separation thoughts and making you perfectly invulnerable.
It is not always easy to practice but with consistent practice and dedicated study there is no limit to what can be gained from this transformational course. I am grateful to have this opportunity and hope we can continue to share The Course through the years! Thank YOU!
**PS**I also would like to mention THE FOUNDATION FOR A COURSE IN MIRACLES, a teaching center with two locations currently located in California that I hope to visit this year. Also I will be attending the ACIM CONFERENCE 2009 in San Francisco and would love to get together at that time if you are planning on going so email me if you are. Sweet Dreams and Gentle Awakening Everyone *!*
About the Author:
Renee' G. is a mother of 3 who spends her time healing through friendships while residing in New Mexico. You can find out more about her and view her photos by visiting her page on MySpace.
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