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July-September, 2016

The One About Rules

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

Who really wants to follow rules? People in prison? Illegal immigrants? Politicians? The clergy? Law (rule) enforcement? Taxpayers? Unhappy people everywhere? Does anyone want to, “follow the rules?”

In ACIM Chapter 30 alone, more than fifteen rules are listed. Jesus has much to say about rules. Throughout the course, He mentions spiritual rules (laws, principles) that, if adhered to, will guarantee salvation. Jesus is also clear that since we haven’t done anything wrong, we really don’t need salvation anyway. (Ya gotta love A Course in Miracles!)

Two types of rules are discussed in the Course — rules that we make up, (ego) and the rules of Reality, which are part of Creation. Since Creation just is, and cannot be changed, improved upon or contradicted, I’m thinking the rules so many of us have problems following are the ones we made up. Hey, it’s actually kind of funny; we make up the very rules we won’t follow — except when they would seem to serve us. It wouldn’t make sense to create a rule if the rule doesn’t somehow lead us in the direction of happiness, right? Yet the resistance to being held accountable to rules seems stronger than our desire to even be happy. And remember, we made the rules up to be happy!

My head is starting to hurt. Wouldn’t life for all of us be much happier if everyone just followed the rules? Of course if I think that is possible, perhaps I should give “rule following” a try myself. Ok, I tried — and failed.

“Those who remember always that they know nothing, and who have become willing to learn everything, will learn it.” (T-14:XI.12:1) Even that passage sounds like a rule. Conceptually I can accept that following the rules of ego will only lead to suffering and I don’t want to suffer. I never did want to suffer! So why don’t I (we) follow only the rules of Reality? Is there a more accurate explanation than, “insanity?”

A Course in Miracles may have been published to answer that very question. The attraction of the Truth held in its pages invites us to perceive everything differently, to perceive Reality instead of what we thought reality was. Yes, a new perception, one of peace instead of conflict, is miraculous! Will I accept the atonement (the correction of erroneous thoughts) for myself? You’d think so, but I don’t always.

There is a rule in ACIM for people who have difficulty in following rules; it is called being created the eternally free Son of God! Using The Rules for Decision in Chapter 30 is a helpful process in seeing that we are always choosing and giving meaning to our choices. This chapter then provides the subsequent steps to help us see the rules the ego made and that we have mindlessly accepted!

“Your day is not at random. It is set by what you choose to live it with, and how the friend whose counsel you have sought perceives your happiness. You always ask advice before you can decide on anything. Let this be understood, and you can see there cannot be coercion here, nor grounds for opposition that you may be free. There is no freedom from what must occur. And if you think there is, you must be wrong.” (T-30.I.15)

Once we begin to see clearly that indeed, we have simply been wrong, (and also be willing to let go of our judgment on what “being wrong” means!) suggests that now we can be shown, from our own experience, how to be happy!

© 2016, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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