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January-March, 2007

The Importance of Remembering “I Know Nothing”

by Revs. Robert & Mary Stoelting

It is thinking we already know ‘what’s what’ that blocks the Holy Spirit from entering our minds. When we think we are separate and alone and can think clearly on our own, we are mistaken. The separation we see through our body’s eyes is really showing us the opposite of the truth of our oneness in God’s Love.

Then how do we function in this world? The answer is to develop the habit of stepping back and being willing to follow Holy Spirit’s lead.

In Text, Chapter 14 we are taught to say to ourselves when anything threatens our peace, “I do not know what anything, including this means. And so I do not know how to respond to it. And I will not use my own past learning as the light to guide me now.” T-14.XI.6:7-9

This stepping back takes vigilance because the ego’s purpose for this world is to be independent — to decide things on our own — and to project the guilt we feel onto others.

Reversing this habit of making decisions on our own takes some work. It takes consistent practice. When it says, “I need do nothing” in the Course, it is reminding us that it is not our job to usurp what is Holy Spirit’s job. Our job is to step back and let Him lead the way. Our job is to be quiet and listen. Our job is to step back from what we think we know and be taught true perception, which is the opposite of the perception of separation. “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.” T-18.VII.7:7-8

In Chapter 27, Section IV of the Text it says, “In quietness are all things answered, and is every problem quietly resolved.” T-27.IV.1:1 When we develop the habit of giving time to quiet listening with an open mind, one of the first things we receive is Holy Spirit’s gift of peace. We can tell if we are truly opening up to the Holy Spirit by the level of peace we experience. If we remain locked in our squirrel cage of going round and round in our deluded thought system, we effectively block receiving Holy Spirit’s gift of peace.

If we soften and allow peace to enter our minds, we will notice a difference in how we feel. Holy Spirit’s gift of peace is not a small gift. It lightens our mind and brings us to an awareness that we are being carried to the truth, if we allow it.

As we allow peace to fill our hearts and minds, our sense of irritation disappears. All tension fades. The magnitude of peace is known. The gentleness of peace is felt. We love God’s gift of peace and we would carry it in our awareness. We would not push it away. We would be in peace. We would extend the peace we receive. We know there is no other way to experience true and lasting happiness.

And all this comes from remembering this one thing — “By myself, I know nothing.” Stepping back and letting Holy Spirit bring us to a peaceful state of mind starts the whole ball rolling in the right direction — toward awakening to the truth.

There is a quote in the Course which applies here that is our favorite — “I must have decided wrongly, because I am not at peace. I made the decision myself, but I can also decide otherwise. I want to decide otherwise, because I want to be at peace. I do not feel guilty, because the Holy Spirit will undo all the consequences of my wrong decision if I will let Him. I choose to let Him, by allowing Him to decide for God for me.” T-5.VII.6:7-11

© 2007, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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