THE UNIVERSAL CURRICULUM
INTRODUCTION
This
article presents a non-dualistic thought system, sometimes called the Universal
Curriculum. A Course in
Miracles states that we will all
follow this curriculum some day. I'm
sharing it because it has been extremely helpful for me and for others. I guarantee it will cure you of
negativity, despair and cynicism if you assimilate it into your consciousness
and really live the principles.
For more depth, The Real Self, a small book I wrote, is an expanded and refined
version of this article. Also, I
found most helpful a three series of tapes offered by the Shanti Christo Foundation.
The principles in this article flow together as one
system. Picking and choosing among
them will not work, as they depend on each other. It is a holistic system in which the whole is greater than
the sum of its parts. This is most
important. If an idea below rubs
you the wrong way, sit with it a while.
Perhaps it needs more explaining, or it needs to be viewed in
context. At some time I will
expand the sections below to include more explanation.
Here are the ideas, followed by explanations.
* I
Choose to Love Myself
* I Am
Sovereign and All-Powerful
* I
Remain in the Present
*
Every Thought is Powerful
* I
Take Full Responsibility For My Life
* All
Events Are Neutral
* My
Past is Perfect
* No
Seriousness Allowed
* All
the World is a Stage
* I
Choose to Radiate, Not Absorb
* I
Give From Fullness
* I Do
Not Seek For Love
* I
Allow, Rather than Strive
* I
Choose for Peace
* I
Forgive Seventy Times Seven Times
* My
Stuff is Not My Stuff
* I
Choose To Let My Light Shine
* Love
Alone Heals
* I
Stop Seeking. I Have Found
* There is No Guilt
*
There Are No Victims
*
Failure is Impossible
I CHOOSE TO LOVE MYSELF
This
is a central principle. It is
based on the idea that I am always one with God, always loved, and never
alone. This is a real feeling, but
it begins with a decision. Only
after one makes the decision to love the self will the feeling begin to be
experienced and felt. The decision
must come first, and the feeling will follow.
Love
yourself as God loves you - totally and unconditionally. No ifs, ands or buts! Love all your creations, even what you
consider mistakes, incompetence, selfishness and all else because only love
heals. You can only know the
Father by loving his children - including you. Include yourself in the circle of your love, in the circle
of your giving.
Most
people love some parts of the self, but not others. As a result, you may accept people, ideas, and things into
your life that are not really worthy of you, and reject goodness, prosperity,
and love that is yours. So look
carefully for thoughts of unworthiness, undeservedness, and even self-loathing
- and let them go.
Loving
the self does not mean indulging the ego.
The ego is here defined as the confused mix of fears, anxieties and
other baggage learned from the world.
It is a substitute for the real self, which is all-knowing and one with
the Creator. Living the new
thought system involves discerning which voice is speaking to you, the ego or
the real self.
Exercise: Say,
many times, "I am loved, I am loving, I am lovable". If any of these statements are
difficult for you, work with them until they feel totally comfortable.
I AM ALWAYS SOVEREIGN AND ALL-POWERFUL
Restoring
a feeling of power is central to the new thought system. You are a sovereign master. That is your nature as a spiritual
being. Even if you are in prison,
this does not affect your basic identity.
As a result, no one does anything to you without your permission. Note however, you can use your power to
give your power away. This is what
most people do most of the time.
Then they mistakenly blame others for circumstances and
misfortunes.
Sometimes
one hesitates to take back power because one fears it will be abused, or that
one does not deserve it. You may
look at politicians or others and see what seems to be the abuse of power. Let us address this concern.
Within
this new thought system, there is no such thing as abuse of power. Everyone operates from his or her power
all the time as a co-creator of their lives. There may be an agreement with another that one will oppress
the other. But this is done from a
position of sovereignty of BOTH participants.
The senses deceive one into thinking some are powerful
while others are not. This is
never the truth in the new thought system. Full power is the reality of spirit. Therefore, let go of the fear of power.
If you must feel powerless, say "I use all my sovereign power to become
terrified of my power".
A logical extension of this idea is that you have no
power over others, as they are all-powerful, too. Therefore you cannot hurt another. Therefore, guilt is always unreal. This does not mean that guilt, or the judgment of
culpability, is not real in the system of thinking. If one robs a bank and is caught, one is guilty. However, in the new thought system, it
is impossible to hurt another without the consent of the other party so that
guilt is unreal.
Exercise: Repeat
often, "I and I alone created this situation. Thus I have the power to correct it". Repeat often, "I and I alone am
sovereign in my life". The
opposite of sovereignty is victimhood or 'subject to'. Note whenever you feel like a victim
and you will know when you have given your power away. Keep loving yourself and take your
power back.
I REMAIN IN THE PRESENT MOMENT
Only
the present is real. All power is
in the present. Concerns over the
past or future must be handled in the present. All information is available in the present. Living in the present is the best
preparation for the future. In
fact, in the new thought system time is unreal, as it is a function of the
ego. Any issue that you must clear
up from the past must be handled in the present, so staying in the present is
not a way of avoiding problems. It
is merely a perspective.
Exercise: Repeat often,
"I am in the right place at the right time". If you find yourself in guilt or
remorse, you are in the past. If
you find yourself anxious or afraid, you are in the future. Most people live in the past or future
95% of the time. Pull yourself
back to the present, thousands of times if necessary, until the mind is potty
trained not to go there.
EVERY THOUGHT IS POWERFUL
Be
vigilant with your thoughts. Your
thoughts are like pebbles thrown into a pond. Each creates a ripple that spreads out to all of humanity,
influencing not only your life but that of everyone around you. The saying, "you can't afford a
negative thought" is far truer than one might imagine.
Many
people pray, affirm and strive hard for what they desire. Results are often slow in coming
because in between these prayers and affirmations one indulges the opposite
thoughts - fear, anxiety, and thoughts of undeserving. This weakens or neutralizes the
positive thoughts. The phrase from
the bible for this principle is "be vigilant for the Kingdom". A Course In Miracles expresses it as
"remember only your loving thoughts, and teach only love."
Exercise: Learning
to observe your thoughts takes some practice. It helps to practice by slowing down. Walk slower, eat slower, talk slower
and breathe slower and deeper.
This will slow down the thought process and make it easier to listen to
your thoughts. You can always
speed up later, once you understand your thinking process better.
I TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY LIFE
Taking
full responsibility for your life is taking back your power. If you are not responsible, it means
someone or something else is controlling you, and you are not powerful.
Our
modern welfare society teaches people they are not responsible for their lives. We are told that parents, governments,
corporations, or genetic 'accidents' like race and sex cause our problems. This is always a lie. It is the victim mentality and the
opposite of responsibility and personal power.
In
many people's minds, responsibility is linked to guilt. If one is responsible, it means one is
guilty of something. It is
important to separate these.
Responsibility means the ability to respond. Guilt is a judgment of blame. Let go of any negative associations with the idea of
responsibility.
Responsibility
for one's entire life may feel burdensome. Remind yourself that although responsibility is yours, of
yourself you do nothing. The
Father or God does it through you.
Many
people feel that being responsible is a heavy burden. This is usually because they have taken on more than their
share. They believe they are good
people for feeling responsible for the problems or situations of others. You are not responsible for others, as
they are sovereign, even if they seem dependent and helpless. A partial exception is minor
children. Parents are responsible
under the law. However, even minor
children have chosen their situation at a spiritual level.
Exercise: Notice whenever you feel like a victim - of your
birth, your genetics, your friends, your job, your spouse, your children, your
dog, illness, poverty, misfortune and so forth and so on. You will be amazed at how often
this old pattern surfaces.
ALL EVENTS ARE NEUTRAL
Events
just are. We judge them and give
them meaning. A rainstorm can be
judged as negative if you are planning a picnic, or very positive if you are a
farmer and depend on the rain for your crops.
If
events were not neutral, one would be a slave to them or a victim of them. You and only you give meaning to events
through your perception and judgment of them. A key to the new thought system is shifting the way you
perceive events.
The
ego mind will ask, "How can you say the holocaust was a neutral
event!" "What about the
destruction of the planet?"
Perhaps the holocaust was a huge cleansing of the planet, needed to wake
up many sleepy minds. Maybe the
destruction of life on the planet is necessary to allow a more advanced
civilization to develop here. And
of course, these events only affect physical life, not the spiritual side of
life, which cannot be harmed or destroyed. Challenge your friends and your ego to prove these
possibilities incorrect.
I AM HERE TO WAKE UP
The
holy spirit is orchestrating your life to help you wake up. It is only the ego that wants the
"comfortable life". The
spirit wants to wake up, and brings about whatever is best for your particular
ego structure to jolt the soul into awakening. If you don't get the message, don't worry - another
situation will be presented.
Exercise: Repeat
often: "I can be at peace
with this."
MY PAST IS PERFECT
Re-viewing
your past offers many opportunities to change your perception of events. The fearful ego loves to dwell on the
dramas of childhood, past relationships, illnesses, abuse, etc. The fact is, it was all perfect because
it brought you to your present place of open-mindedness and wisdom.
If things had been different, you might never have
arrived where you are today.
Besides, if things had been different you might well be dead of a car
accident or something else. Notice
how insane it is to say "what if", or "if only". Let go of any such crazy thoughts as
they come up.
This
does not mean to deny pain you may feel about your past. You can still realize that the past was
perfect, even if you experienced it as painful. By so doing, painful memories will begin to subside.
ALL THE WORLD IS A STAGE
This
principle can help one understand the apparent insanity around us. It states that the world we see is but
the projection of peoplešs thoughts, somewhat like a motion picture, which is
just a projection. It may appear
insane because many minds are very mixed up. They think violent thoughts, thoughts of lack, thoughts of
famine, disease, etc. In Buddhism,
the world is called maya or illusion.
The
idea is that the world is a kind of stage play where ego minds act out their
dramas. In fact, we are the
actors, the directors, the audience, and the critics who write the reviews.
Some people choose for their parts to be the
oppressor, the oppressed, the cowboy, the villain, the comedian, the murderer,
etc. Some choose life as a
tragedy, a comedy, or a thriller.
At the end of the story, they all pack up and go home together, and all
is well. This principle can help
you not to take things too seriously.
Exercise: Imagine
playing different parts in a play.
Realize they are all equal in value. Try on different parts for yourself and don't be afraid of
your 'image'.
NO SERIOUSNESS ALLOWED
If
the world you see is but a projection of the thoughts of billions of people, it
is definitely unreal, just as a movie is not real life.
Taking the world too seriously invariably leads to
problems, just as if you took every fantasy movie you saw seriously. Playfulness is a quality of
enlightenment. A sense of humor is
a mark of wisdom.
The
ego mind may scream, "How can I laugh when I have no money, or I feel
terrible?" You
can! And often it will break an
impasse.
Originally, we only played with this reality. Things got crazy when we took things
seriously. Too much seriousness is
pathological - a sign you've been 'on the path' too long. This does not mean do not be
committed. Commitment is
necessary, but it needn't be somber.
Exercise: See
the humor in everything. Be
silly. Play. See what events or subjects cause you
to be serious - politics, religion, environmentalism or others, and don't let
it happen! See the world as a
stage play only.
I CHOOSE TO RADIATE RATHER THAN ABSORB
This
interesting principle states that one is here to extend love, not to absorb all
the apparent misery that is in the world.
This idea is especially important for those 'sensitive' people, who pick
up others' vibrations. Taking in
the vibes around you, instead of putting out your truth and your love, can
really trip you up.
The
idea of taking in the misery of others and sharing it is an integral part of the old thought system. One is accepted and feels one is
a good person because one commiserates with others, that is - joining others in
their misery. However, it is
possible to be empathetic without soaking it up.
It
is a poor choice to constantly absorb the energies of others, and worse, to
believe that it means you are good person or that you have no choice. You are here to radiate or extend the
love and the peace of God, and it is a choice.
Exercise: Imagine
you have a light bulb in the middle of your chest, and you are radiating or
extending your light outward in all directions. This is in fact the truth of what you are here to do. Shift your thinking. Say I am here to radiate and extend
love. I am not here to take
anything in. It doesn't matter
what others do or say.
I GIVE FROM FULLNESS
Giving
is wonderful. How you give makes a
difference. There are two ways to
give, from fullness or from emptiness.
Giving from emptiness is based on separation or lack of self-love. One gives out of obligation, guilt,
fear of consequences or to compensate for feelings of low self-worth. One often feels one has not given
enough, which just creates more guilt and even self-loathing.
Giving
from fullness is totally different, and based on full self-love. One allows oneself to receive and to be
filled, and when one feels filled, then one simply allows this fullness to
overflow onto others. There is no
obligation, no guilt and no compulsion to give. It is totally natural.
If the feeling of fullness goes away, one knows one has either given too
much for the moment or that one has temporarily cut oneself off from the divine
supply. To avoid burnout, it is
critical to give from fullness.
Exercise: Imagine
holding a cup under the faucet.
After it fills up completely, it begins to spill out onto your hand, and
everywhere else. That is how you
want to give. You are so full of
love that it literally overflows and spills out onto others and onto all your
activities.
Notice
the feeling when you give. Learn
to discern the difference between giving from fullness and giving from
emptiness, compulsion, guilt, fear, even anger. If the latter is occurring, stop and reflect. Realize you will burn out if you
continue to give for the wrong reasons and from emptyiness.
I DO NOT SEEK FOR LOVE
You
are the expression of the creatoršs love in physical form. That is another central principle of
the new thought system. Love in
this thought system is not an emotion or feeling. It is an energy, like the force in Star Wars or the tao in Taoism.
It has nothing to do with romance, family or friends.
This is a most important principle. You are not someonešs son or daughter,
husband or mother. You are the way
the creator expresses on this physical planet. You need a body here because that is how others can see and
interact with you. However, in
fact you are the extension of the creatoršs love into this world of form.
If you seek this kind of love outside yourself, in
people, places, things, or pets, you will become frustrated because you have
denied who you are! You have lied
to yourself. It is like the person
who travels the world seeking treasure when the treasure is buried in their own
back yard. Let go of the idea of
seeking for love. You can
seek for companionship or support, but these are not love. Keep the distinction clear. Love, again, is the primal energy of
the creator.
In
fact, in the new thought system, any use of the body to get anything is a
mistake. Your body is a
communication device, a way to connect with others to spread the love that you
are. The only relevant question
regarding it is, What do I wish to communicate?
Rather
than seeking for love, be the presence of love, using the criteria for giving
from fullness outlined above. Love
will return to you, because everything is an aspect of yourself. Also, as you give, you will
receive. By the same reasoning,
teach only love, because as you teach, you learn.
Exercise: Repeat
"I am loved, I am loving, I am lovable". Especially note if you have difficulty
with any of these phrases.
I ALLOW, RATHER THAN STRIVE
This
is a subtle principle. The ego
strives to get what it wants.
Striving involves effort, such as working hard, reading, affirming or
studying hard. Striving assumes
one is powerless and separate from God, and must somehow make onešs life
happen. One is often fixed on some
future goal, oblivious to opportunities and events in the present.
Allowing
is very different. It assumes one
is all-powerful and totally loved, and the things one desires are already
there. One just needs to receive
them. Allowing is not a
struggle. It is about becoming
open, relaxed, aware, receptive, available, staying in the present, knowing
that the things one wants just need to be received. One can be grateful for them, even if they have not
manifested yet.
The
difference between striving and allowing is similar to the difference between
judging and discerning. The
fearful ego strives and judges.
The spirit discerns and allows.
These feel very different.
Exercise: Be aware
of the differences between striving and allowing in your daily life. If you want something, can you allow it
to come to you, rather than strive to make it happenš?
I CHOOSE FOR PEACE
Much
of the new thought system is about choices - often about choices you don't
believe you have. Abraham Lincoln
once said that people are about as happy as they choose to be. Yet how often do we believe that our
happiness depends on something or someone outside ourselves?
Peace
and love are choices, as are their opposites, conflict and fear. The choice for peace, and the choice to
love, can be made at any time, no matter what the circumstances. This is a function of your sovereignty
and your power.
Choosing
for peace does not mean to be a doormat, walk on eggshells, bend over backwards
or give in to anyone or anything.
It is about being at peace within, no matter what the outside
circumstances are. One may have to
grab a gun and shoot, but it can be done from a place of peace within, not out
of rage or fear.
Choosing for love is also about a place within. It does not matter if others are loving
toward you. You can choose to
respond with love no matter what.
One can decide for love and peace, and then say or do whatever the holy
spirit guides you to do. If you do
this, your behavior may shock others.
You may yell, scream, or hit someone. However, it will not be from anger or fear. It will simply be the most appropriate
response in the moment.
Exercise: Repeat
often, "I choose to teach only love". "I can be at peace with this".
I FORGIVE SEVENTY TIMES SEVEN TIMES
Forgiveness
is a key to transforming the mind.
It is an expression of onešs love and power. It also goes against the world's system of judgment and
blame. Therefore it helps one let
go of the old thought system.
Forgive, forgive and forgive some more.
Forgiving
others does not mean to condone another's words or behavior, nor does it mean
one needs to hang around others or even be friendly with them. One might even send another to jail,
because actions have consequences.
However, it can be done with a forgiving attitude, not anger or
fear. Forgiving means one holds no
grudges, and that one chooses to see the Christ in everyone, with no
exceptions.
All
forgiveness is really forgiveness of oneself for onešs misperceptions. Because no one can hurt you, no one has
ever wronged you. You have just
misperceived events. Forgiveness
is not really necessary if one is living the new thought system. After all, why would you need to
forgive anyone if they never really did anything to you without your
consent? However, forgiveness is
necessary until one is fully committed to the new thought system.
Exercise: It is
wonderful to forgive everyone, over and over. Try it with other drivers on the road, your friends, family,
police, politicians, and the IRS.
MY ISSUES ARE NEVER JUST MINE
This
idea states that onešs problems or concerns are not necessarily personal,
although they may appear that way.
In fact, one does not know if the issue originated with oneself, or if one
tuned into it from others. For
example, money is an issue for many people. Is it really just just an individual issue, or is it
possible one could tune into this issue, out of compassion to help heal it, since it affects millions around
the world?
It
may sound strange that one would take on other's issues. But think for a minute. You probably have many more resources,
support, access to books, etc. than for instance a person living in total
poverty in Bangladesh. Why is it
so strange that you might volunteer to help the less fortunate this way? It is part of God's 'case load'. One assumes a part of the burden out
of compassion and love for
humanity. One will never be given
more than one can handle.
In
fact, there are only collective issues, because there is only one Mind in the
new thought system. It is often
written with a capital M to distinguish it from the little ego mind. Each one is part of that Mind, so each
is affected by collective issues.
NO issue is just yours. We
come to earth to take on certain issues and heal them - not just for ourselves,
but for all of humanity.
The
key is not to take anything personally!!! Instead, celebrate your greatness, your compassion and
your power to take on certain issues.
Do not waste a moment trying to figure out whose issue this is, or why
you have to deal with it. Instead,
just heal it! I know that goes
against most psychological teaching, which encourages one to dig into onešs
past to find the cause of the problem.
The new thought system is only concerned with healing.
A
common trap people fall into is self-judgment and guilt about the nature or
magnitude of one's problems or situation.
This trap can produce paralysis that stops the healing process. Time to let that one go! Realize that no problem is too large,
and it is never just your problem.
I CHOOSE TO LET MY LIGHT SHINE
Many
people are afraid of being different, afraid of not being accepted by friends
or family, afraid of standing out in the crowd, afraid of being persecuted for
their views, and definitely afraid of their greatness.
There
is a paradox here. One will
connect most with others when one is most thoroughly onešs individualized
self. This is because at those
moments, one is operating from essence and will connect best with the essence
of others.
One will not connect well with others when seeking to
please others or win their approval.
That is just repression or manipulation, which blocks the love and light
that one is, blocking the true connection with others. The masters Jesus, Buddha and countless
others only accomplished what they did by breaking free of conventions, being a
little outrageous and then letting their light shine.
This
principle is not a license to become crazy or rebellious for its own sake, or
to run away from problems. It is
about being authentic, honest and genuine. As the teenagers say, get real and stay real. Always come from a loving place. However, if others refuse to take
responsibility for their lives and insist that you share their misery, the most
loving solution may be to let them go their way and you go yours.
Exercise: Be a
little outrageous every day. Check
to see if you are dressing, eating, talking or thinking in ways you believe
will be acceptable to others, rather than being honest. Why conform to an insane world? Drop the phoniness and stay real, even
if it costs you a few friends or family members. You will gain new friends and new family, as there really is
no such thing as loss in the new thought system.
And
do not hide your light under a bushel.
Let it shine forth.
LOVE ALONE HEALS
Bring
your love to EVERYTHING that comes your way. This means to love your hurts, your fears, your anger and
all other stuff! All of it. Hold nothing back from your love. When you
hold back your love from some part of yourself or another, you are really
saying this aspect, this problem, this relationship is too awful for God (who
is Love) to handle. Examine that
thought, see how insane it is and let it go.
Love
yourself for judging yourself.
Love yourself for being able to use your infinite power to be so fearful
or petty. Do not deny love to any
part of yourself. You must embrace
a thing in order to transcend it.
To embrace it means to wrap it in your love.
Exercise: Repeat
many times: "Love allows all
things. Love embraces all
things. Love trusts all
things. And by so doing, Love
transcends and overcomes all things."
I SEEK NO MORE. I HAVE FOUND!
Many
people pride themselves on being a seeker. This is like priding yourself because you are trying. What matters is not trying, but
doing. Similarly, what matters is
finding, not seeking. Many waste
years and years seeking for truth.
However, the very act of seeking sends a message to the brain that one
has not found.
Another
strategy that is more effective is to begin with the realization that one has
found. This may seem odd. But it is not. It sets up a different dynamic in the
mind that allows it to move forward, rather than keep assuming that it has not
found. The same principle is used
in many visualizations. Basketball
players, for example, are taught to visualize getting the ball in the hoop, not
seeking the hoop.
This
is a good start, until you realize you as spirit already know the answers. Realize the ego loves to seek, but not
to find. For if it found, the game
would be over - and with it, the ego's purpose. So searching
becomes the important thing, and the goal is forgotten.
By
deciding one has found, a new mental pattern arises. First, the ego is relieved of its duty to seek, and the mind
can rest. Second, saying one has
found affirms that this is the truth.
Saying one is a seeker, one perpetuates seeking, not finding. The ego loves seeking, but not
finding. Finding would mean it has
no more reason to exist, which is the truth in the new thought system.
A
Course In Miracles is very clear there are two phases to spirituality. The first is called The Journey to the
Kingdom. This is the 'spiritual
path'. This has an end, and one is
to get there as fast as possible.
One spends the rest of onešs life, hopefully a lot of it, in the second
phase. This is called The Journey Within the Kingdom. One looks the same, and life might look
outwardly similar, but one is transformed.
An
old Zen parable expresses it well: Before I was enlightened, I chopped wood and
carried water. After I was
enlightened, I chopped wood and carried water. However, people will notice a different energy about you.
Some
will say this idea is a cop-out.
It is a way out of having to process your issues. Saying one has found, rather than are
seeking, may sound arrogant, and seems to deny the 'process' of your
journey. This is not so. One is always to stay in the present,
and therefore experience and embrace everything that comes up. And the only arrogance is to deny the
reality of spirit, the one who knows.
The spiritual search begins from the point of view of
the ego mind. As old tactics fail
to bring happiness, the ego looks for new ones and comes across the spiritual
seeking mentality. It is just
another subtle ego trip. Saying
one has found derails this ego ploy and sets one on a fast course toward
mastery.
THERE IS NO GUILT
Guilt
can waste more energy than one can imagine. It can even dominate one's life - all a waste of time.
Examine it logically. How
can one be guilty of anything if the others involved chose the event from their
power and sovereignty? The mind
reels and says, But, But, But - it was just a child that I abused. It was an innocent bystander that I hit
with my car. What about those poor
people who were tortured and murdered for no reason.
Guilt
is deeply imbedded in the mass consciousness. However, it has no place in the new thought system. Your mission is not to wallow in guilt,
but to acknowledge it, rethink it, and realize why guilt is always unreal in
the new thought system. This takes
some practice, as do living all these principles. However, it gets easier each time one corrects oneself and
live by the new thought system.
Exercise: I acknowledge the sovereignty of others and I give
everyone permission to experience all.
Love allows ALL things, no matter how horrible they may seem to the ego
mind! Spirit, our true self, is
untouchable and perfect forever.
THERE ARE NO VICTIMS
All
beings are co-creators of everything in their lives in the new thought
system. So how can there be
victims? There cannot. This is an important idea because the
mass thinking is so focused these days on victimhood. The news announces daily who are the latest victims. The legal system spends billions
deciding who is the victim of whom.
The politicians continuously create more victims so
they can feel good saving them with more welfare programs - that just create
more dependency. This is a deep
shift for a nation founded on the idea of the sovereignty of the people, not
the victimhood of the people.
The
ego much prefers victimhood, because it is relieved of responsibility for its
condition. That is the key. Anytime one feels like a victim of
anything, it is because one would prefer not to take responsibility for the
situation. Victimhood denies onešs
power and the truth of onešs being.
Often
those who do not buy into victimhood are accused of being cold, uncaring,
prejudiced, racist or sexist. The
ego screams: How dare you not feel sorry for ......? (you fill in the
blank). How can you be so cold as
to say that innocent children create their abuse? This block keeps many people believing in victims.
Let
us answer by clarifying a few points.
Not believing in victims does not mean one has no compassion. It is not a reason to sit around and do
nothing about suffering. In fact,
the person who accords each person his or here sovereignty and responsibility
for their lives is often more effective at correcting injustices in the
world. This is because they are
not blinded by victim emotionality.
We all know the insanities perpetrated by well-meaning do-gooders. It is said, the road to hell is paved
with good intentions.
Nor
does denying the reality of victims imply that another deserves his suffering
or punishment. That is
insane. All people deserve the
best. No victims means that one
does not know the intent of every soul, and one does not know what is best for
another. The soul may choose pain
for many possible reasons - to get attention, to teach others, to learn about
fear and powerlessness, to wake up another, and on and on. All that is asked is to stop judging by
appearances when in reality one does not know the whole truth.
Instead, when you come upon a situation of apparent
victimhood, go within and ask the Holy Spirit, or your guidance: What shall I
do in this situation? Then listen.
If
you come across a homeless person, on one occasion the guidance may be to give
him some money. On another
occasion it might be that this person can work and is not taking responsibility
for his life. Help would just
spoil him further. Or the guidance
might be to use all your money to
build a soup kitchen and shelter for these people. Let the answers come, rather than jumping to the victim
conclusion. Victimhood, and the
belief in victims, is deadly for the spirit. I wish more of our leaders understood this and were not afraid to say it.
THERE IS NO FAILURE
Life
is not a win-lose game, though one is free to perceive it that way. It is an expression of the Creator's
love. Events may not turn out the
way one expected, but that is because the desired outcome may not have served
the greater purpose - to wake up.
If things do not work out, celebrate just as much as
if they worked as one hoped.
Realize one really does not know what things are, or what they are
for. Life is ever a mystery, and
failure in the game of life is not possible. Failure, along with the word loss, are judgment words best
left out of onešs vocabulary.
THERE IS NOTHING TO DO BUT CELEBRATE
Once
one understands the principles above, one realizes one is already the presence
of love in physical form. There is
nothing to achieve, nothing to become, nothing to be gained from this
world.
One
begins to celebrate all the time the oneness with the creator. Although it may appear that one goes
shopping for food or clothing, in reality all one does is use the occasion to
celebrate the oneness or atonement (at-one-ment) and radiate the creatoršs love
into this world. The same is true
of going to a movie, or seeing the doctor. These are just excuses to celebrate and be the presence of
love for others.
Life
becomes a never-ending joy as one allows the holy spirit to direct one to
people and places that need onešs love.
Life also becomes so much simpler as one does not have to figure
everything out, and indeed realizes that all is working for good, in ways that
the limited mind cannot understand.
The mind rests and life takes on a new meaning. One can truly live the happy dream of
being the presence of love in a world that needs it.
SHIFTING PERSPECTIVE
Shifting
one's perspective from the old to the new thought system is the task at
hand. In A Course In Miracles,
this is considered the wisest use of onešs time, and the true purpose of
time. Anyone who has undertaken
the task knows how subtle the old system can be, as one delves more deeply into
the old ideas that one holds.
I
feel it is very important to employ any methods, gimmicks, reminders, etc. to
help shift onešs perspective into the new thought system outlined above.
PROBLEMS ONE MAY ENCOUNTER
A
common problem is the new system is so positive that many people have
difficulty allowing it. It just
sounds too lovey-dovey. I had this
problem. I just couldnšt swallow
all the positive implications of these ideas. It took several years of reading and listening to a fabulous
series of tapes offered by the Shanti
Christo Foundation before the ideas and the new feelings began to sink in.
Some
people want to hold onto their perceptions because it keeps them from making real
changes in their lives. These
changes appear scary and uncertain.
Others are so steeped in another thought system, such as Judaism,
born-again Christianity, even New Age or others, that they are unable to
entertain other views.
Others can accept the ideas, but are so caught up with daily rituals and
activities they cannot allow the essence of these ideas to take precedence in
their lives.
To
change, make room in your life for change. Start questioning everything you believe. Allow the new to take root. Refrain from judgment. Avoid discussing the new thought system
with skeptical friends and instead seek out sympathetic friends. There are more and more groups forming
to discuss A Course in Miracles or the Jeshua material offered by the Shanti Christo
Foundation.
Surround yourself with that which you wish to learn
and practice, and let go of all else.
Holding on to the false only slows or stops progress. Slowly, the ideas and the feelings
behind them will take hold and one will be changed forever. Healing will occur as the mind is freed
from bondage. The world becomes onešs playground. It is the second coming of Christ spoken of, only it comes
through you. To quote one of my
favorite tapes, through you a new consciousness steals gently across the mind
of mankind.