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July-September, 2015

The One About Perception

by Rev. Stephan Mead, O.M.C.

Last week, Nancy and I travelled across the country, Seattle to New York, to attend my nephew’s wedding. Nancy had never been to New York, and was excited about the trip. So was I. Several months ago we received the invitation, and from then on my “projector” was working at warp speed.

“Projection makes perception. The world you see is what you gave it, nothing more than that. But though it is no more than that, it is not less.” (T21.I.1-3)  About a year previous, I won a raffle, the prize being two Alaska Airline tickets to wherever they flew so all we needed was money for the hotel. (Thank you, Nancy!) We had many talks in the weeks before our trip, how fabulous it would be wandering the different sections of Manhattan, spending time at central park, riding the subways, and many more typical tourist activities. I was “projecting” good times only!

Since I was “projecting” the world (NYC) as I wanted to see it, my perception was that this trip would be joyful. Our trip was joyful! All my expectations of, “how this event should be” were fulfilled. It was a most special time.

For the readers’ familiar with the way ACIM uses the word “special,” you may be hearing spiritual alarms going off about now. What actually happened on this trip? Did I finally get the hang of projecting, so my perceptions were in alignment with the truth? Is this how “almost waking up” looks like? Maybe I had been making too heavy going of life. Just think (project) positive thoughts and life will turn out the way I want it to!

My perception was, “YES!”  I finally figured out how to correctly bring the principles of ACIM into my experience. In gratitude, I quieted my mind (some) and gave thanks to Holy Spirit for my spiritual breakthrough. This is where the trouble started. The insight I received from Holy Spirit was that suffering is not the only basis to motivate one to experience Reality. We are told many times in ACIM that Holy Spirit can use any circumstance to promote healing, so I’m thinking now, that even means circumstances that I judge “good.”

I had forgotten that, “perception is a result and not a cause” (T-21. I.8)  I decided with help from my ego, what a “good time” should look like, projecting every detail — even down to the weather. As long as everything went my way, all was well. But what if our plane was delayed? What if it rained? What if I caught the flu? What if, what if, what if! Now do I still think I’ve mastered the problems of life? Not so much!

I had projected that outside occurrences would dictate my inner serenity, so following the law of projection, my perception of what would bring me peace and joy and happiness was fatally flawed. I was not meeting the conditions of peace. Obviously, I have room for more healing! I gotta tell you though, finding an opportunity to heal without a lot of suffering isn’t such a bad deal! Please sign me up for more of these opportunities Holy Spirit! And, thank you!

© 2015, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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