Hello, This is my first post. I recently had an interchange with a woman through a Linkedin group who said her life had been ruined by A Course in Miracles (CIM). Because of it, she said, she'd lost her boyfriend, her job, her very sanity. Having facilitated CIM for more than a decade and seen so many lives joyfully transformed by it, I've long had a dream of finding a means to dialog with CIM students to try to assist and support them in having the best possible experience with their studies. The blog appears a perfect forum for that.
Though CIM is often touted as a "self-study" tool, trying to study it in isolation actually defeats the purpose of the Course. Also known as A Foundation for Inner Peace, the goal of the Course is to attain inner peace through the remembrance of our Oneness. The only way to remember our Oneness is through relationships. So trying to approach these studies in isolation is sort of like trying to play a minor chord without the black notes.
The method of the Course is first to break down and silence the ego and its non-stop chatter of error/fear thoughts. This is done through mind re-training practices. There are 365 lesson, one for each day of the year. The first thirty lessons are devoted to breaking down the ego, a scary process but necessary to "clearing one's slate" so that a new paradigm, based on universal truth, can be introduced. It's during these first thirty lessons that it's particularly advisable to work with others who've already run that gauntlet and "survived."
My plan is to start with Lesson One on Jan. 1, 2012, to provide weekly commentaries on the lessons, and to entertain questions and comments from anyone following the blog. In the meantime, I'll make periodic posts to give background on the Course--how it came about, what it says, basic terminology, etc. Questions and comments are also welcomed during this phase. I hope you'll join me in this Life-transforming "journey without distance."
Jo, the first step of any journey is the hardest, but it is the step that starts the adventure.
ReplyDeleteI, Frank Ansel, have been involved conscientiously with ACIM (or CIM as you say) for around 20 years. Even though I have not authored any articles or books, I have read a lot and I have lived life, both with my eyes open and closed.
There is much to experience related to A Course in Miracles; recognizing that many of our thoughts did not originate from us, i.e. they were planted in our minds from others. This is one reason a support group like this is so important, in this mind changing journey.
I do not have any answers for anyone other than myself. However, I will share my thoughts knowing that someone needs to hear it and hopefully will benefit from it.
Thank you for opening the channel.
How wonderful! I am looking forward to participating. CIM is the way that I remember Truth and am able to experience a more peaceful and joy filled life. I feel so blessed to have groups that support the teachings.
ReplyDeleteThe Course is one of the most amazing and transformative spiritual paths I have practiced. It is a path anyone can take, but not everyone is ready for it or there may be another path more appropriate for different individuals at different stages in their spiritual evolution/ progression. The Course itself says that a universal religion is impossible, BUT a universal experience is not only possible, but necessary, I truly believe that. I am sorry to hear that woman had a bad experience with the Course, but that doesn't make the path the Course presents a "bad" path or any less useful as a spiritual practice. We all know any religion, path, etc, can be twisted and used in harmful ways. I also study Buddhism and there is a sutra that specifically addresses that issue called, "The Better Way to Catch a Snake." If the someone doesn't understand a teaching, it can actually do harm, like someone who just picks up a poisonous snake by the tail and then gets bitten. But a smart person who wants to learn how to catch snakes learns from a trained snake handler how to use a pitched fork/stick to pin down the head of the snake first, then they may be able to safely catch the snake without being bitten. Then the poison can be obtained and transformed to make an anti-venom to heal others. In my opinion, the Course is best traveled with others who have been on the path ahead of us. Those who have been on the path can help guide "newcomers" and help during the frustrating or scary times. When you have a group it can hopefully help prevent people from having an extremely negative experience. The Course is tough, especially when studied alone, and you WILL come across negative and scary emotions/experiences, but in the end it will transform you in an most amazing way. There may be those rare individuals due to past experiences and training that can forge the Course alone, but like a new person trying to scale Mt. Everest, it is best traveled with a team of knowledgeable friends along the Path.
ReplyDeleteDear Jo,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for starting this blog.
ACIM is a wonderful path toward inner peace and self knowledge.
It is my experience that change often comes with a level a pain that a lot of people prefer to avoid.
The path suggested by ACIM is a strong one, one that produces much change. It changes the way we feel about ourselves and the way we see ourselves. It follows quite naturally that the way others see us will also change.
These changes may be what the wowan you wrote about referred to as "ruining her life".
Pain is often felt as suffering when we judge it as being wrong. When we accept it as part of life, as part of growth, it can be felt for what it is.
Feeling our pain, walking through our fear, this brings peace.
Thank you again, Jo, for offering this medium for our growth.
Thanks, Janine. For those of you who don't know Janine, she does a wonderful CIM newsletter for inmates called Freedom Inside. I think you can look this up at freedom_inside.com. Is that correct, Janine? If not, would you please post your URL for us?
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Jo for starting this blog. I am looking forward to January and participating in the program. -Many blessings
ReplyDeleteHello, Everyone,
ReplyDeleteOnly 15 days till the New Year and the start of posting the CIM daily lessons with and for comments and discussion. If you happen to be in the Tampa area, we're having an orientation class for new CIM students next Tues. night at 7 p.m. at Unity North Tampa, 13540 N. Florida Ave. The phone number at the church is 813-962-4351.
PS on last post. The date of the orientation class is Dec. 20.
ReplyDelete