Miracles News

Tweet

January-March, 2022

Evolution

by Rev. Joyce Peebles, Ordained Ministerial Counselor

Recently I heard someone say that those who don’t know, feel the need to speak! This contrasts with those who do know, and merely observe. A Course in Miracles teaches us to choose between two voices. The Holy Spirit’s voice is soft, gentle, even still. The ego’s voice is loud, urgent, wanting attention. Speaking from the ego’s influence, we feel we want to be heard, for we are “right” and surely, we can “help” others. The Holy Spirit’s Voice plainly lets me know it is not my place to correct or fix anyone else.

Under the guise of helping another, I have tried to control outcomes. This is not my function. It has been made clear that my function is recognizing my own faulty thinking and giving that back to the Holy Spirit. What I thought needed to change “out there” was but a reflection of what needed to be corrected in my Mind. True learning is realizing there is no “out there” to change.

Pathway’s has a course on cause and effect. The ego’s voice tells us the world we see is the cause of our emotions we experience. Holy Spirit tells us the world we see is what we want to see. We have beliefs in our Mind that are proven right by the body’s eyes. So, I am seeing what I have made real in my Mind.

Holy Spirit tells me I only have one problem, which is the belief in separation. There is a part of my mind that cherishes this belief in separation. I know this because I continue to find value in judging others and using comparisons. Television and other media make it easy to support these false ideas of separation.

The ego’s voice tells me to focus on the chaos the world’s bodies are showing me. The Holy Spirit tells me to literally look beyond the body and truly see the Light that is there. No matter how much fog or clouds obscure my vision, the fact remains that beyond the “body” is the brilliant Light that is the Love of God.

What I actually see is up to me and what I really value. Taking responsibility, I alone decide what I will see and how I will feel. The choice is separation or Oneness. There is no other choice. Since we cause our own unhappiness, we can also eliminate it. This is accomplished by the process of forgiveness and looking at our perceptions differently.

Perception is a mirror, not a fact. And what I look on is my state of mind, reflected outward. (W-pII.304.1:3-4)

Forgiveness is the undoing of our false beliefs in sin, guilt and fear, all of which stem from the idea of separation. Since what I see is the result of beliefs I hold in my mind, the forgiveness is always of myself. There is nobody in a world that does not exist. The thoughts in your mind is where healing takes place. This is why the Course tells us, “You never hate your brother for his sins, but only for your own. Whatever form his sins appear to take, it but obscures the fact that you believe them to be yours and there meriting a just attack.” (T-31.III.1:5-6)

The acceptance that everything was happening at the mind level was a major turning point for me. No longer can I blame someone or something else for my lack of peace. If there is nothing but my thoughts that can hurt me or make me feel joy, this changes my “specialness needs.” They become nothing! They do not need to be indulged.

There comes a point where we accept that our illusions, idols, and dreams are not going to make us happy. At this time, we are finally willing to give up all thoughts that are obstacles to our real Identity.

I have learned to appreciate and welcome the “I do not know mind.” This puts me in the position of being a student, listening, rather than attempting to speak and tell others how much “I know.” I do not wish to lead but to follow my inner Guidance. It is always there. I feel gratitude. Real poverty is not having anything to be grateful for; vision shows me that I am rich, lacking nothing.

© 2021, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
You may freely share copies of this with your friends, provided this copyright notice and website address are included.

Tell a Friend

Printable Page

Back to main page of Miracles News.

Has this page been helpful to you?
Your contribution to support this site is greatly appreciated. To make a tax deductible contribution with a credit/debit card, click here.
Click here to donate from your PayPal account.
Or send a check to Pathways of Light, 12530 Lions Chase Court, Huntley, IL 60142.