The Course on the Coronavirus: part 4

THE ONE SOURCE OF ALL SUFFERING

Suffering is relative in the world. One person’s distress may look very different from another’s. But no matter how different they may look on the surface, all forms of suffering- both personal and collective- simply obscure the real distress that we relive and re-choose on a moment by moment basis.

It’s the same suffering we all share that comes from one source in content. We relive the immense, secret pain of the belief in separation from God every single moment that we appear to be apart from Him. This is so whether life looks cosy and rosy on the outside, or borderline apocalyptic.

REAL HAPPINESS, PEACE & SAFETY IS FOUND IN GOD

While never being able to fully capture the enormity of our original error, perhaps the silver lining of a crisis on any level is that it can hint at the magnitude of the underlying problem. Relatively stable and fortunate times are more likely to lure us into thinking that we can really make the world and our lives here as happy, safe and wonderful as we would like them to be.

This is a deceptive ego ploy that the Holy Spirit would have us be mindful of. As the Course uncompromisingly highlights, no matter how happy our lives can seem, there is no real life and no real happiness that can be found in illusions, which is to say in a state apart from God.

As A Course in Miracles says:

“No one who lives in fear is really alive.”

(T-2.VIII.5:4)

RECAP: HELPFUL ACIM PRINCIPLES

Although each moment affords us the possibility of mending the core problem by choosing forgiveness, seemingly big problems that can’t help but demand our attention, ultimately provide glaring reminders that everything is just another opportunity to forgive, and thus further our spiritual progress. 

The three core ACIM principles below are always helpful to keep in mind, but are especially applicable when you’re tempted to freak out about anything: 

1. There is no hierarchy of illusions.

There are no big or small illusions, they are all the same and equally untrue, which means that there is no degree of difficulty among miracles. Forgiveness can and should be applied equally to every problem.

2. It is always the content, not the form, that matters.

This is the reason that you are never upset for the reason you think, as Lesson 5 from the Workbook points out. De-emphasising form- what the problem looks like- and focussing on the underlying content is the way out. De-emphasising form is a perspective; it does not mean avoiding your life or not acting in the world to deal with the problems that come up.

Form is by definition deceptive if everything in form is an illusion, so just keep your attention on the underlying content of the mind and the fact that this is a choice you make. That there are two diametrically opposed and mutually exclusive contents (i.e. thought systems) to choose between, and only one of them is real. Keep diligently choosing the Holy Sprit’s right-minded thought system by practicing forgiveness.

3. Projection makes perception.

What you’re perceiving reflects what you first saw within yourself, and fearing that, then projected outside of yourself, thus making the illusory dualistic world. Negative thoughts and feelings reflect the belief in sin, guilt and fear within the unconscious split mind so take stock of your perceptions.

You can reverse your unconscious projection of guilt by seeing the source of fear where it really is- in the ego-ruled wrong mind. Then simply choose the Holy Spirit’s forgiving lens in its place, which accepts that nothing has really happened. Understand that you have simply been mistaken. There is no separation, no sin, no guilt, no fear. You are still one with God, innocent, safe, and loved. And it is only this unalterable fact that ensures that you are never the victim of the world you see, as lesson 31 maintains.

THE TEMPTATION OR OPPORTUNITY OF THE MOMENT

Remember that all you’re ever really encountering is the temptation to continue seeing things insanely with the ego as your guide, which will ensure you’re trapped in fear of your own making. However, the converse represents the other side of the same coin and may be a more motivating spin on it. All you’re ever really encountering is the opportunity to see things sanely and truly with the Holy Spirit as your Guide, which will ensure that you will eventually, inevitably, experience the peace of God.

The following closing lines from The Laws of Chaos in chapter 23 summarise the perfect takeaway message:

“How can you know whether you chose the stairs to Heaven or the way to hell? Quite easily. How do you feel? Is peace in your awareness? Are you certain which way you go? And are you sure the goal of Heaven can be reached? If not, you walk alone. Ask, then, your Friend to join with you, and give you certainty of where you go.”

(T-23.II.22:6-13)

RECLAIMING THE GIFTS OF GOD

Endeavour to keep monitoring how you feel and what you think with Jesus or the Holy Spirit as your Guide- both during this pandemic just as often as when life seems comfortably stable and routine. Whenever you detect a hint of ego-allegiance within your thoughts and feelings, take a moment to address the original mistaken choice that it conceals at the level of the mind.

Forgive the original error- the belief in sin- by releasing your attachment to the ego’s insane thought system of separation, and recommitting to the Holy Spirit’s right-minded sanity instead. By consistently engaging in this practice, you are doing the most effective and helpful thing you can do with your time. You are healing your mind, which is joined as one with all other minds, and allowing yourself to be used as an instrument of love in all that you do.

If we can follow this simple formula of closely monitoring our state as a means of returning to our identity as the mind with the power to choose, we will continue to be all the closer to reclaiming the gifts of God that we’ve completely forgotten- the unconditional love, peace, and joy of God that we already have and already are.

*This concludes the final part of the 4-part series titled, ‘The Course on the Coronavirus.’