Many of us struggle with obsessive compulsive thinking that feels impossible to let go of. When the thoughts are so sticky and intense that we just can’t seem to move past them it’s a challenge.
I’m so glad Spirit gave me this topic, because I’ve lived it. I’ve had those obsessive, compulsive thoughts that made me feel absolutely nutty. The kind where I’d be imagining having conversations with people – explaining what they didn’t seem to understand, explaining how I felt, what actually happened from my perspective, how they let me down. Or compulsively imagining how to get revenge.
It was so painful. Not a good use of our life force at all. And there’s no healing in any of it.
Here’s what I’ve come to understand: one of the primary reasons it feels impossible to let go is because our identity is wrapped up in it. Whatever we’re obsessively thinking about is tied to who we think we are.
Maybe we see ourselves as the protector, the rescuer, the one who brings justice. Maybe we see ourselves as the victim, or as the one who’s going to get the comeuppance. Our identity is wrapped up in the experience, and letting go feels like a threat to who we are.
When we’re ego-identified, it IS threatening. We feel like we’re on our own, separate, and we have to figure things out. That’s what makes it so painful – we can’t let things go because we can’t figure them out, but we keep trying.
A Course in Miracles Chapter 27 is very clear about this: “Correction is not your function. It belongs to one who knows of fairness, not of guilt. If you assume correction’s role, you lose the function of forgiveness.”
Forgiveness is our function. Not correcting other people. Not explaining things to them until they finally understand. Not punishing them so they’ll change.
True Forgiveness is letting go of the meaning we’ve made of things – releasing our attachment to our interpretation. That’s the only correction that’s needed, and it happens in our own mind.
When we’re identified with Spirit instead of the ego, there’s no threat. When we recognize we’re part of God and our identity is a spiritual identity – perfection, wholeness, beauty, wisdom, clarity, freedom, Joy – how could what anybody thinks or says or does disturb our Peace?
It’s not going to. Because our identity is clear.
The compulsive thinking is letting us know we’ve forgotten who we are. We’ve forgotten our function. We’re trying to change the world instead of changing our mind about the world.
Here’s the practice I use now: I step back. I approach the altar of the heart without agenda. I say to Spirit, “What am I to do here? What is the most loving choice for me?” I don’t try to figure it out. I don’t try to explain it or convince anyone. I just put it on the altar and trust that the answer will come.
The antidote for obsessive, compulsive thinking is Love.
It’s extending Love and compassion. It’s putting the Holy Spirit in charge and stepping back.
I had to truly forgive myself for absolutely destroying my life in so many ways, and especially through trying to punish and correct others. It just made me feel worse and worse about myself. When I finally put Spirit in charge of the healing, the healing actually happened.
I decided to forgive myself for thinking that any of the explaining, convincing, and correcting was important or valuable or helpful in any way. That’s why we’ve got to remember to laugh.
In my Masterful Living Program, we practice this beautiful surrender together all year long – learning to put Spirit in charge and trust the process.
Our willingness is all that’s required. Every trigger is showing us a false belief that’s ripe for healing.
We don’t have to figure out how to heal it. Our job is simply to allow.
We’re entitled to miracles!
TODAY: Sundays with Spirit – celebration and inspiration – join me live on zoom at 3pm eastern – all are welcome – it’s FREE. I hope to see you soon! Click here to register.
FRIDAY: FREE Forgiveness Workshop – register now.
