Do you remember the song by Carly Simon about not having time for the pain? “Not since I met you …” Decades ago I was singing along to that song and thinking about God. Since I’ve “met” God, in my Self, I haven’t had time for the pain – at least not in the same way. The pain has continuously lessened and now pain isn’t a big thing for me anymore. So grateful for that!
So, how did I get here? By deciding to agree that the teaching in A Course in Miracles is true and to act in accordance with that truth whether I believed it or not. Now, let me give you an example of how that works.
I can know that something is true without understanding it. I know that my car is a machine that has an engine that can burn gasoline and get me from place to place. I know it works by some kind of combustion, but I don’t actually understand it – I couldn’t possibly explain it – and yet, I experience it as true and I accept it as true.
I’ve done the same with ACIM teachings.
One of the most beautiful aspects of A Course in Miracles is that it always lets us know that Spirit loves us and we are dearly cared for. No matter what we do, or what we’ve done, we’ll never EVER be punished. “All things are lessons God would have me learn.”
I also love that ACIM tells us we can learn how to remember what we already know, what is eternal truth, the truth that sets us free, we don’t have to learn through experience. Learning through remembering is Joy-full.
Learning through experience is usually painful.
When people ask me where to start with ACIM I have a suggestion for them:
To me, one of the most helpful sections in all of ACIM is in the Manual for Teachers, Chapter 4 – the Characteristics of God’s Teachers. The first one is Trust. And the section A. Development of Trust is one I recommend people read every day for a week and then once a week after that.
Here’s how it begins:
“A. Development of Trust
First, they must go through what might be called “a period of undoing.” This need not be painful, but it usually is so experienced. It seems as if things are being taken away, and it is rarely understood initially that their lack of value is merely being recognized. How can lack of value be perceived unless the perceiver is in a position where he must see things in a different light? He is not yet at a point at which he can make the shift entirely internally. And so the plan will sometimes call for changes in what seem to be external circumstances. These changes are always helpful. When the teacher of God has learned that much, he goes on to the second stage.” M-4.I.A.3.
Do you notice the part where it says, “This need not be painful, but it usually is so experienced.” We can change that by being willing AND committed to remembering instead of learning. It doesn’t have to be painful.
When we’re clinging to the past, it makes the undoing painful. How can the Higher Holy Spirit Self take from us the causes of our pain if we cling to them? It’s not possible. We have to be willing to let them go.
That’s why I find it so helpful to say, “I don’t know what anything is for.” Why would I cling to something when I don’t know what it’s for? If I think that this thing will bring me happiness because of the meaning I’ve given it, but the fear of losing it makes me frightened, wouldn’t it be incredibly helpful to be willing to let go of the meaning I’ve given it?
And then people ask me, “how, Jennifer, how do I let go of the meaning I’ve given it?”
We don’t know the how of it, but we do know what to do. We give it to the Higher Holy Spirit Self for healing. When we’re willing to release the attachment it can be undone. When we’re not willing, it can be undone. Pretty simple.
Right now, people have a lot of fear about things in the world – not because of what’s happening in the world, but because of what they think about how they interpret what’s happening in the world. That interpretation is optional. If we’d like to move out of upset we can be willing to turn to Spirit.
When I’m not willing it can feel like I’m being punished. But God doesn’t punish. It’s only that all attachments cause suffering.
How does the Higher Holy Spirit Self do the undoing in our mind? How do the attachments get released once we’re willing? Whatever we’re no longer attached to, clinging to, holding on to, Spirit can lift out of our mind. I give the Holy Spirit the heavy lifting and it works when I really mean it. If I don’t really mean it, it doesn’t work. If I don’t really mean it, I don’t really wish to let go of the stinking thinking, I probably only wish to let go of the pain.
I pray to be willing. Every day, I pray to be more willing. Let’s pray on it! Cuz, we really haven’t got time for the pain anymore. We’ve got other things to do instead!
TODAY: Sundays With Spirit! Our weekly Sunday inspirational service is happening! Join us! Click here for more info and to register – it’s free!
LATEST ACIM PODCAST EPISODE: my topic is The Healing Power of Open-Mindedness. Are you feeling frustrated, fearful, anxious and worried for any reason? Only the open-minded can experience Peace. In this episode, I share her how I found my way to Peace and what the true practice of open-mindness is as laid out in A Course in Miracles Manual for Teachers Characteristics of God’s Teachers. Our Peace isn’t dependent upon circumstances changing. We can have Peace now!
