1. Understanding A Course In Miracles (ACIM) is can be helped by understanding what a course in miracles actually is by understanding what a miracle is both in and beyond ACIM’s discourse.

ACIM speaks of all illusions as being all the same illusion, the illusion of choice…a rather odd statement contrasted to the frequently heard “choose again” throughout ACIM.

T.26.3 That there IS choice is an illusion. Yet, within this ONE lies the undoing of every illusion, NOT excepting this. Is not this like your special function, where the separation is undone by change of PURPOSE in what once was specialness, and now IS union? ALL illusions are but one. And, in the recognition this is so, lies the ability to give up ALL attempts to choose BETWEEN them, and make them different.

The entire world of perceptual appearances is one illusion. Perceptually (according to perceptual judgment), these appearances seem to be of two types (two teachers), one type leading into illusion, and one type leading out of illusion. The latter type is called miracles. Just as all illusions are the same, so also all miracles are the same…as well as being the same as their apparent opposites.

2. The book, A Course In Miracles is a course teaching about one basic type of illusions, according to their function of atonement or bringing the mind to a point of noticing truth…to its salvation from illusion’s two-sided rounds. Its teaching method is contrast (obviating opposites)…and the merging of objects of contrast (letting go of judgments which make the appearances of opposites). Note: The literal course in miracles is the entire world of illusory appearances, both positive and negative.

One way it does this is to speak in lofty terms of “miraculous” illusions (which lead out of illusion), and in demeaning terms of “insane” illusions (which further lead into illusion). Later, it speaks of the simple fact that even the happy dream to which miracles has led, is still illusion, and to prevent being caught in that illusion, it still must be let go.

Another way it does this is to tell you the miraculous-truth one moment, and then tell you the insane-truth the next moment. Later, it speaks in more clear terms, clarifying, but at the time, it leaves you to notice that miraculous-truth and insane-truth are different (opposites pairs, whereas whole reality is without opposite). Then you are left on your own in a choice-driven belief system, emphasizing that a choice must be made, as though choice were part of the truth in reality. It gives you the key, that choice itself is illusion and that it only seems to exist in the dream world of appearances…AND…gives you the opportunity to notice that it (choice) is somehow out of keeping with wholeness.

Eventually, it becomes clear that not only must one divorce a teacher-character identified as ego, but that one must also relinquish the judgmental choice-idea of dividedness between an ego and real self, or ego and the holy spirit. Further, ACIM pushes the opportunity toward one over and over, to notice that the only teacher is not anything or anyone identified as “other” (such as the holy spirit…or such as ACIM).

3. Arising from the opportunity to not identify anyone “else” as teacher, the mind begins to notice its own reality by what (perceptually) seems to be a process of atonement leading to salvation…a rediscovery.

Since one discovers that they are one with the reality of the whole, they no longer find it necessary to seek or to ask for answers. Instead, the rediscovery makes it more and more easy to relax and await the rediscovery’s revelations as they override illusions and appear.

T.3.5 You KNOW when you have ceased to ask questions.

T.22.6 When peace comes at last to those who wrestle with temptation, and fight against giving in to sin; when the light comes at last into the mind given to contemplation, or when the goal is finally achieved by anyone, it ALWAYS comes with just ONE happy realization, - "I need do nothing."

Here is a quick and open door through which you slip past centuries of effort, and ESCAPE from time. To do nothing is to rest, and make a place within you where the activity of the body ceases to demand attention. Into this place the Holy Spirit comes, and there abides.

Note: The perception arising on the miracles side of illusion is chosen as the teacher within perception, called the holy spirit. However, the truth is that you are noticing your own already-awakened reality, and yet still thinking of it in terms of an “other” showing your truth to you.

T.22.6 You are attempting to follow a very long road to the [preconceived idea of the] goal you have accepted. It is extremely difficult to reach Atonement by fighting against sin [which isn’t real]. Enormous effort is expended in the attempt to make holy what is hated and despised [because you are yet contrasting one part of the field of illusions to the other]. Nor is a lifetime of contemplation, and long periods of meditation aimed at DETACHMENT from the body necessary [or in reality, even possible]. All such attempts will , ultimately succeed, because of their purpose. But the means are tedious and very time consuming, for all of them LOOK TO THE FUTURE for release from a state of present unworthiness and inadequacy [thus, such an endeavor works against the stated purpose of ACIM…which is to shorten the process of atonement].

Now you need but remember YOU NEED DO NOTHING. It would be FAR more profitable now merely to concentrate on this, than to consider what you SHOULD do.

Note: Too many ACIM study groups focus on reading ACIM, often over and over as a ritual, and discuss various techniques for practicing better behavior. Behavior considered to be improving along the judgmental beliefs held is often regarded as evidence of progress and spiritual growth. It is helpful to remember that one truly truly IS “already perfect.” The discovery of self comes from self, not from ACIM. ACIM is only a tool, and when used ritualistically, it becomes a tool which hinders self-discovery. ACIM is NOT the manual for your life…you are…study the real manual (…and not its erroneously perceived behavior). Since you are perfect, studying you is studying the perfect source of revelation. You are not seeking to become better or to become your real self…you are already in that heaven. You are simply exercising your opportunity to relax choosing which path to journey on, and to allow your natural seeing to be noticed.

Growing gradually over the years, my comments relating to ACIM subjects should not be taken as interpretations of ACIM, what Helen or Jesus may have meant, etc. In the light of simplistic meditation, certain things are clear as they relate to reality. Where that clarity is relative to ACIM, it is given, whether in agreement with ACIM or not, and regardless of what anyone "meant." What people mean cannot change reality. God cannot change reality. Nevertheless, it is unimportant whether one agrees with what is given here or not. The important thing is when people pause and notice their own infinite reality, for what it reveals will impact their belief system, and lead them into understanding...whether this writing seems agreeable to them or not.

altarlight