Have you ever heard the expression “it is what it really is”? What does that expression mean exactly?
un curso de milagros Before I understood the deeper meaning of this expression, I envisioned an emaciated yogi guru in the lotus position floating above the ground imperiously imparting wisdom that would take scholars multiple lifetimes to interpret. Since how this is my last life on earth and the lotus position would put me in traction, I knew that consulting the Course In Miracles would help me clarify its meaning.
What is the IT that we are authoring here? According to the Course in Miracles, It really is truth, specifically God’s truth. Exactly why is it important to emphasize that it’s God’s truth? Because God’s facts are not available to interpretations whereas a human’s facts are. Multiple versions of human truth have result in an array of religions. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia defines religion as a “system of thought, feeling, and action that’s shared by a group and that gives the members an object of devotion.”
Who devised the system of thought? On whose feelings are these thoughts based? Are actions really necessary? According to the Course In Miracles, God just is and our ultimate goal is to return to a perfect state of being. There is no thought or action in hawaii of being, you just are. What must not be forgotten may be the underlying thread of all religions: God is creator, God is love and we are all perfect and infinite children of God.
Most think it is very unsettling to consider the idea that choice is in fact an illusion, or the illusion of preference, as stated in A TRAINING COURSE in Miracles (ACIM). You make choices everyday, therefore the notion of choice not being real seems highly illogical also to say minimal, improbable, given its consistent daily use. Although choice is essential while you are here, it ultimately remains part of the illusion and is not an integral part of God. Choice is unsettling as you believe it to be necessary, not because it is an illusion.”
It stands to reason you are in what you think of as this world because you have made a decision, or choice, because of this world to be real. If you keep on making that same choice, it keeps on becoming a lot more real. ACIM clearly points out that ideas usually do not leave their source. Who then will be the source? What choices are you really making?
Choice, Perception and Judgment:
You think this world is real because you made the choice to trust the ego’s version of reality from the original separation. Those initial perceptions are followed by the next choice that is to judge the outcomes, thereby producing further consequences which reinforce the belief in this world. It is a vicious, no-win cycle. As you perceive you will judge; and as you judge you will perceive. Error is made real by this simple twisted deception. Withdraw your choice to believe in the results and the error can be corrected.
Choice and Source:
Can you not then function as source since you are the one making the decision to believe? You don’t remember that original separation; however, you’re making choices now, and you also are doing so constantly. Every moment you are choosing between thoughts, feelings and ideas, etc. If it isn’t you, then who do you want to claim is responsible? Be careful, because claiming another is responsible is really blame and you have no power to change if you think another is in charge. You are simply making yourself a victim. Both these are ego tricks.
Accepting responsibility for everything, including choice and its consequences may be the fastest way to change. This allows you to choose again as you can see the results and realize that you must have chosen in error. It really is your ideas and beliefs combined with the decision, or choice, to make them true that becomes the effect of everything you see in your world. REGULATIONS of Cause and Effect is simple: According to the mind you choose from, as cause, you will see the corresponding effect.
As long as as you have a split mind, you’re constantly choosing between the wrong mind of the ego (error) and the proper Mind of the Holy Spirit (correction). You will notice the effect depending on the choice of mind you use as cause. You cannot have two masters. In the ego world, it is always one or another. Choosing the correction of the Holy Spirit undoes the error of the ego and returns your brain to the peace of God. This technique is also referred to as forgiveness.
Choice for Correction:
Forgiveness is only your mind being returned, or corrected, back to the Truth as you decide for it to be that way. Handing on the ego’s judgments corrects the mind and correction is what? Forgiveness. Another cause results in a different effect.
Choice is, therefore, necessary in this illusion since there is something to select between. However, the best use of choice is served by knowing both error and correction sides of the split mind, or what you are choosing between. Then, simply remember that your goal is to return your brain to True Perception and choose again! It will also help to keep in mind the coinciding terms for True Perception: Correction, forgiveness, salvation, atonement, truth, Holy Spirit and God. There is no difference.