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January-March, 2021

ACIM Practitioner Course 905

by Rev. Joyce Peebles, Ordained Ministerial Counselor

Reading A Course in Miracles is worthless unless I actually apply it to my life. It repeatedly tells of the need to practice looking beyond the body to see the Christ in everyone.

I just completed Pathways ACIM Practitioner course 905. We were asked to do a process with our mind healing partner on seeing the Christ in someone. Reference was made to Lesson 161 8:1-2 “Who sees a brother as a body sees him as fear’s symbol. And he will attack because what he beholds is his own fear external to himself, poised to attack, and howling to unite with him again.” I have a much clearer understanding of these words now.

The process with a partner was to read paragraphs 11 and 12 on Workbook pages 305 and 306. Then share our experience. My experience was that I had failed. My partner helped me to see I failed because I was attempting to use my ego thinking brain to figure the process out. She also reminded me that vision is a gift, and I must ask for it if I really want it.

The workbook instructed as follows, “Select one brother, symbol of the rest, and ask salvation of him. See him first as clearly as you can, in that same form to which you are accustomed. See his face, his hands and feet, his clothing. Watch him smile and see familiar gestures which he makes so frequently. Then think of this: What you are seeing now conceals from you the sight of one who can forgive you all your sins; whose sacred hands can take away the nails which pierce your own, and lift the crown of thorns which you have placed upon your bleeding head. Ask this of him, that he may set you free: Give me your blessing, holy Son of God. I would behold you with the eyes of Christ and see my perfect sinlessness in you.” (W-pI.161.11.1-8)

I reluctantly selected my sister. I did not want to think about her. I had given up years ago trying to have a relationship with her. The primary emotion she brings is fear. She suffers being lonely and friendless with a caustic personality. I did not want to think of her for at the time I did not genuinely desire to see her differently. Therefore, I announced to my partner that I had failed to see the Christ in this person.

My partner reminded me that the vision to see the Christ in her was a gift and one that I must ask for sincerely to receive. She also pointed out I would have to try again at another time as this process was not optional. We only wake up when we recognize the whole Sonship without exception. I could learn the lesson now or it would be presented to me again and again until I got it.

That night I was unable to sleep. I asked the Holy Spirit to help me see my sister differently. I asked for this gift of vision. The thought came to focus on what I know to be absolutely true. I thought that I am a Mind not a body and therefore healing must occur in the Mind. I also knew my reaction to my sister was one of fear. I was aware that I was using my fear of pain as a defense. I heard those words that in my defenselessness my safety lies. This must be true as Jesus is not a liar.

Since I am a Mind and fear was present, I understood that I projected my fear onto her to not look at it within myself.

When I entertained the tiny mad idea for specialness, I lost my awareness of having everything; all the love, safety and joy that is part of the Sonship. Then my vision changed; my Mind was crystal clear. “Who sees a brother (my sister) as a body sees him as fear’s symbol. And he will attack (my defensiveness and judgments against her), because what he beholds is his own fear external to himself, poised to attack, and howling to unite with him again.” (W-pI.161.8.1-2)

The only one needing forgiveness was me for believing false ideas of separation, vulnerability, the possibility that I was not safe. It was these false beliefs that needed changing, nothing external to me.

I was able to see my sister beyond the body and know her as Christ. My erroneous thinking was the source of the nails piercing my hands and the crown of thorns was of my own making. All that had happened was me projecting my fear, self-hatred, and guilt onto my sister.

As I clearly saw what was going on, I understood how she was my savior, a way to choose again how I saw her and liberate my mind.

© 2020, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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