There is a correlation between intention and progress in learning. There are a lot of fun and inspiring elements in ACIM, but I find that just as in any other study I undertake that intention influences result. I always remember that it was offered to Helen and Bill as a curriculum for themselves and all those who would eventually receive the benefit of it.
When we decide to pick up the Course (or any other spiritual discipline) for actual practice there is usually a motivation. Maybe we need help, or we’re hoping to meet some nice people or we are just drawn into the beauty of the spiritual atmosphere, the poetic words, the incense, the stained-glass windows or the music.
Then, we have a “stumble upon” (and maybe this happens first) an unsought enlightening moment, a satori, a mystical experience, a dream, a vision, a healing, an intervention or perhaps just an ordinary miracle – we don’t get mad one day – when normally we would have been mad. It’s not unusual at that point that we become become egomaniacs thinking that we’re enlightened, or gamblers – we keep going -showing up at whatever practice we are doing, hoping to hit paydirt again with another mystic high.
But if we inquire a little deeper through conscious study it is findable that each spiritual practice (meditation, yoga, ACIM, prayer, sufi dancing, puja, kirtan, scripture study and a infinity of other options) offers promises. Beyond the spiritual high there is the promise of a better life and this comes through the stability born of discipline. The discipline of regular, committed structured, intentional practice.
As ACIM students there is definitely benefit if we chug along continuing to read and reread the text and practice the lessons in more and more refined ways. But after years, this can create a dull groove.
“Routines as such are dangerous because they easily become gods in their own right, threatening the very goals for which they were set up.” [CE.M-16.2:5]
So, for the committed student it’s good to take a few moments to reflect, explore and create our intentional path through ACIM in the coming year.
ACIM is a complex multifaceted practice. The practitioner is trained through text study, lessons and a variety of practices described in the text, to become a vehicle through which Holy Spirit can work a miracle. Through the miracle minds are changed, and consequently lives are changed as well.
I think it’s easy with ACIM to get drawn into what seems obvious – what jumps out at us as important or desirable. This is about forgiveness, or this is about manifestation or this is about oneness. It’s possible when focusing only on what seems obvious that we will miss the very thing ACIM is designed to do.
We are invited to take A Course in Miracles so that we might support the process of Atonement through our miracle work. It’s a subtle but important distinction. For example, we aren’t asked to forgive because that is the be all end all. We are not asked to forgive because we’re bad. Forgiveness is just one of a number of practices we are asked to work with to support the process of a kind of worldwide removal of the blocks to love’s awareness.
“My part is essential to God’s plan for salvation.” OrEd: W1:100:
“Miracles are part of an interlocking chain of forgiveness which, when completed, is the Atonement. This process works all the time and in all the dimensions of time.” OrEd:Tx:1.28 25
As with any curriculum, the results of learning come with the dedication, consistency and commitment that we apply to our studies. With this in mind I find it very useful to stop and ask myself at the beginning of the year – why practice? Why do I want to do this practice another year? What is my intention? How does it align with the core intentions put forth in A Course in Miracles?
I’ve found it pays to be really honest with ourselves. The practice of ACIM surfaces the blocks to our awareness of love’s presence – regardless of what our personal intention is, we will see our blocks and be given the opportunity to release them. It can, at times, be challenging
One year, I decided to keep practicing because I wanted to be friends with the folks in my study group. That didn’t work so well – the year brought upheaval and conflict into my ACIM relationships as differences in understanding emerged and were shown to be blocks.
Another year I kept practicing because I really, really, really wanted one of those holy relationships. I spent the year learning about the pitfalls of specialness.
One year I kept practicing because I wanted to keep other non-course relationships that were hitting the rocks. I ended up spending the year diving deeply into the teachings about the origins of what I was seeing in others.
One year I really needed a BIG miracle to address some material life issues that were beyond my capacity to deal with. I learned to go beyond the theory of why something happened into concrete guidance about using the practices in a meaningful way to reveal an unexpected solution.
___________________________________________________________________________
The real shift happened for me when I really needed to find a way out of a predicament and was guided to do the Rules for Decision. I talk about it a lot. I find it’s the most under-rated practice in the book.
The Rules For Decision (found in the section on the New Beginning at the end of the text)– practiced regularly steps us into a place where we can continually draw on Holy Spirit to operate in our lives. I followed it for 18 months, during which time I began to learn the practice of co-creation as defined by the Course.
During that 18 mos. I began to understand the usefulness of the details in the materials of the Course. As that happened I began to experience myself in the world in a new way. Not driven by the need for specialness, but instead as one whole being among a brotherhood of beings traveling on a path to freedom and enlightenment – together. I learned that my practice wasn’t really about me, but rather about learning my place in the scheme of things. By being in step in this way I found myself in a place of mutual regard and helpfulness. I needed to practice so that our journey as whole collective would move more smoothly.
I imagine that your experience with the Rules for Decision will be unique to your own special function.
There is a collaborative process threaded through our studies and the unfolding of our lives. For every material need there is a divine answer (the solution is within the problem) . By engaging in this collaborative process we discover ourselves in a co-creative process with the sacred.
In bringing intentions to the table with ACIM, I’ve found that it works well to go high. Rather than trying to fix ourselves or someone – instead to aspire to an understanding of our identity as ACIM defines it. Instead of “Prosperity” what about “showing up well for the responsibilities I’ve taken on”. Sometimes I’ve worked with specific words as a theme for the year- and holy spirit shows me a whole new way to look at something. Beauty, truth, justice.
In conjunction with this we seek guidance from the Holy Spirit what we need to practice – chances are you will be shown even if you don’t ask. By allowing the Holy Spirit to establish the intention we are pointed towards the solution rather than the problem. Holy Spirit is like your own personal infinite Artificial Intelligence (but without the flaws). Plug in your inquiry for what you think to learn over the course of the coming year and ask for guidance about that and you will be shown. You might be shown a better idea than the one you are thinking of. Holy spirit often guides us into completely new territory prescribing a path that will be effective and timely and ultimately deeply healing – beyond our expectations.
My intention for this coming year is to craft consistent blog posts for you. We’ll be starting with the Miracle principles and related subject matter on January 10th.
Mirificus on the Joyful Planet 