Found this quote by Sri Aurobindo. This quote explains exactly the stance of "A Course In Miracles" with the function of the Holy Spirit. Here it is called "Supermind" or "Supramental Light" by Sri Autobindo.
#ACIM
#SriAurobindo
Mittagong, NSW – July 21, 2025
Today's Divine Entitlement: Embracing the Miracle Within
As the sun rises today, we turn our minds to a truly empowering concept from A Course in Miracles: Lesson 77 – "I am entitled to miracles."
This isn't about magical thinking or trying to manipulate reality. This lesson reminds us that miracles aren't extraordinary events that defy natural law; they are the natural law of our true being. Miracles are the effortless corrections that occur when we align with our true Identity and our inherent oneness with God. They flow naturally from who we are.
The profound beauty of this lesson lies in its simplicity. We don't need to consciously control or direct miracles. They don't require immense effort or complicated rituals. Instead, our primary role is to recognize the need for a miracle when a situation arises that seems to defy peace, love, or resolution.
When faced with confusion, conflict, or any form of distress, simply pause and recall: "I am entitled to miracles." This isn't a plea; it's a statement of truth about your divine inheritance. By acknowledging the need and remembering your entitlement, you effortlessly usher in the miracle. It's a shift in perception, an opening of the mind to the loving solution that is always present.
It's an effortless process because it’s not about doing something to make a miracle happen, but about allowing it to happen by remembering who you truly are. Your very oneness with God ensures that miracles are not just possible, but inevitable.
Let's carry this profound truth with us today. When you encounter anything that seems less than perfect, simply whisper to yourself: "I am entitled to miracles." And watch as the gentle, loving correction unfolds.
💞🌞㈰☼
#ACIM #Lesson77 #Miracles #DivineEntitlement #Oneness #InnerPeace #EffortlessGrace
ACIM Lesson 76, "I am under no laws but God's" offers a profound liberation. We often feel bound by countless rules – societal norms, scientific principles, even our own self-imposed limitations. But what if these are merely illusions, governing a reality that isn't truly real?
This lesson invites us to recognize that the ONLY laws that truly govern existence are God's. These divine laws are not about restriction, but about creation, love, and perfect order. They govern the true reality, a realm of unwavering peace, abundance, and interconnectedness.
When we mistakenly believe we are subject to the fluctuating, often harsh laws of the illusory world, we experience fear, scarcity, and conflict. However, by acknowledging that we are under no laws but God's, we begin to dismantle these false beliefs.
Embracing this truth isn't anarchy; it's ultimate freedom. It's the freedom to experience the inherent peace and joy that is our divine inheritance. It's the realization that true security comes not from controlling the external world, but from aligning with the perfect, loving laws of our Creator.
To truly integrate this lesson, we are encouraged to sit in silence and listen. In those quiet moments, we open ourselves to the Voice for God – that inner guidance that speaks only of truth, peace, and our eternal connection to love. This Voice will gently direct us, showing us how these divine laws operate in our lives, freeing us from the self-imposed prisons of fear and limitation.
Let's remember today: We are not victims of chaos or chance. We are governed by perfect love, guided by wisdom from within. And in that recognition lies our deepest peace.
💛💢
#ACIM #Lesson76 #DivineLaws #Freedom #Peace #SpiritualJourney #GodsLaws #InnerGuidance #VoiceForGod
Contemplative Comparison: ACIM Reviews & Advaita Vedanta's Path to Realization
For students of A Course in Miracles, the Review sections are vital. They're not just about rote memorisation; they're an invitation to deepen our understanding and experience. This process bears a striking resemblance to the ancient Advaita Vedanta tradition's three-fold path to self-realization: Sravana, Manana, and Nididhyasana (commonly used in Shankara-based traditions).
Sravana (Listening/Hearing): In Advaita, this is the initial exposure to the sacred texts and teachings from a qualified teacher. In ACIM's Review Section 1, we are asked to review the previously learned ideas, often doing so slowly and thoughtfully. This is our "hearing" of the truth, often for the first time in a way that truly resonates.
Manana (Reflection/Contemplation): After hearing, Advaita emphasizes deep reflection and intellectual assimilation to remove doubts. Similarly, ACIM's Review encourages us to "think about" each idea, allowing it to "sink in" and challenging any resistance or confusion that may arise. It's about letting the mind wrestle with the concept until clarity emerges and intellectual conviction takes root.
Nididhyasana (Meditation/Abiding): This is the experiential phase in Advaita, where one meditates deeply on the truths, transcending intellectual understanding to direct realization. ACIM mirrors this perfectly by instructing us to "close your eyes and practice" the ideas, allowing them to settle into our experience. It's not enough to simply understand; we are invited to be with the truth, to abide in it, allowing it to transform our perception and ultimately, our reality.
Both traditions, though culturally distinct, point to the same fundamental process: a systematic journey from initial exposure to profound, liberating realization. The ACIM Review, like Sravana, Manana, and Nididhyasana, is designed to move us beyond mere intellectual assent to an experience of the truth, guiding us home to the peace that is our natural inheritance.
📖👂⛅
Unveiling Peace: diving deep with ACIM lesson 47
Lesson 47 of A Course in Miracles ("God is the strength in which I trust.") offers a powerful meditation instruction: to go "down, or below the surface of the mind." This isn't just a casual suggestion; it's a profound pointer that echoes through several previous lessons.
Reflect on earlier practices where we were encouraged to go inward and downward. This consistent direction can be extremely useful when starting out and requiring a physical location for attention or abiding, but more importantly, it's about shifting our focus from the noisy, superficial thoughts of the ego to the deeper, quieter truth within. The "surface of the mind" is where our anxieties, judgments, and illusions churn. By consciously choosing to go "below" it, we are actively disengaging from these distractions and seeking the stillness that lies beneath.
Lesson 47 solidifies this approach, guiding us to trust in a strength far beyond our own egoic capabilities. This strength, which is God, is found not in outward striving, but in this inward descent. It's in that deeper space, beyond the mind's surface chatter, that we truly connect with the unwavering peace and power that is our inherent right. So, as you practice today, remember: the path to trust and to God is often found by simply going down.
ACIM FIP lesson reference page:
https://acim.org/acim/lesson-47/god-is-the-strength-in-which-i-trust/en/s/449
A Course in Miracles - Lesson 43 - "God is my Source. I cannot see apart from Him."
This is really an exercise in learning to see and perceive 'the world' through the eyes of concept-free awareness or "God", as directed by the "Holy Spirit" who is the voice of our perfect self.
The effects of this lesson for the day can be quite unexpected and liberating. If done correctly, one may see all that one perceives through the eyes of perfect awareness and therefore love. What was seen as fearful and hated through the eyes of the ego (the individual, conditioned self) can be re-interpreted and purified by recalling that all seeing actually takes place via the one true Source of knowing and registering only (creation). Everything is seen as lovable and perfect.
Some key points with this lesson:
- It's recommended to perform the longer meditation sessions as early as possible and as late as possible (5 mins+ is good), with one in between. This is so that there's a good amount of carry-over during the day in terms of being able to draw on positive and like thoughts in relation to the idea.
- You'll be surprised at how easy it is to 'receive' constructive thoughts related to the idea whenever you pause today to recall the main idea for the day. These thoughts then act as pointers to direct one's experience in ACTUALLY seeing all through the eyes of divinity and thus experiencing reality as it is.
- A red flag would be any person or situation that triggers stress throughout the day, thus implying that we've reverted to the ego's way of perceiving things (in fantasy). In order to return to real vision of how things actually are, we're asked to use the idea and re-cognise that God is our Source (or origin). We can't actually see (or know) anything apart from this pure, perfect conscious awareness. The ego is undercut, and pure perception can thus arise once more.
- This is another example of 'forgiveness' in action, as how the Course defines it. We're forgiving the illusions that we've inadvertently made, in favour of reality.
Have fun with this powerful lesson in purifying perception today.
💫💕🙏
1. Today’s idea extends the idea for yesterday from the perceiver to the perceived. ²You are holy because your mind is part of God’s. ³And because you are holy, your sight must be holy as well. ⁴“Sinless” means without sin. ⁵You cannot be without sin a little. ⁶You are sinless or not. ⁷If your mind is part of God’s you must be sinless, or a part of His Mind would be sinful. ⁸Your sight is related to His Holiness, not to your ego, and therefore not to your body.
Some key points here:
- Mind is recognised as being a part of God or the Absolute. It is being used here in a similar way to consciousness or awareness in the Advaita approach. Mind, in itself, is sinless because it is the individual or ego that acrues sin and merit. Mind or consciousness has nowhere to store or acrue good/bad/merit/demerit/karma etc., and as such is like the impersonal witness.
- If "you" are mind, then it follows that "you" as your natural state and true nature, are actually sinless, regardless of how confused "you" are right now in terms of identifying with the false self / ego.
- Sight, (or awareness) is actually related to one's true nature as just consciousness, and isn't originating from the body at all. Yes, the body contains the instruments of sight, being the eyes, however, sight extends to more than just physical sight, and includes mental images and awareness itself.. as such, it is a characteristic of mind or consciousness.
- Following on from these points, the exercise for today is one of recognising again and again one's true Self, and the fact that the holiness or purity of this Self shines out and envelopes all apparent objects in one's experience.. as such they are enveloped in holiness and purity, being an expression of just this pure mind or conscious awareness.
#ACIM
#nonduality
#consciousness
#mind
Unveiling the True Self: ACIM Lesson 35 & the Path of Self-Enquiry
"My mind is part of God's. I am holy." This powerful affirmation from A Course in Miracles (Lesson 35) strikes a profound chord with the ancient wisdom of Advaita Vedanta, particularly the practice of self-enquiry. This lesson (35) is actually one of the closest exercises in self-enquiry that ACIM includes in the entire Workbook/Course.
Both paths (ACIM & Advaita), though seemingly different in their language and origin, converge on a fundamental truth: our suffering stems from misidentifying with a false self – the ego, the body, the ever-changing thoughts and perceptions. ACIM Lesson 35 guides us to remember our inherent 'holiness', our inseparable connection to God (or Ultimate Reality). It's a call to look beyond the ephemeral and recognize our true, eternal nature. It directs us to look both at the image we've made and use in our daily dualistic experience, and then contrast that to our timeless, eternal, unchanging natural state of Being.
Similarly, self-enquiry, as taught by sages like Ramana Maharshi, and also in some of the more direct schools on inquiry such as Zen Buddhism, encourages us to relentlessly ask "Who am I?" by turning our attention inward and disidentifying from all that we are not (the mind, the emotions, the roles we play); we gradually peel back the layers of illusion. What remains is the pure, unconditioned Self – the "I AM" that is ever-present and truly holy.
Both ACIM and Advaita offer a powerful antidote to the ego's incessant need to define itself through external validation and fleeting experiences. This is what the Course terms "image making". It also notes here that images can't see or have vision in and of themselves. Both paths invite us to sort through the clutter of the false self, to let go of the imagined image we project, and to rest in the unwavering truth of our divine essence. In this remembering, lies true peace and liberation from the ego-made self that we take ourselves to be.
📑🔖🕮
Workbook lesson official text:
(https://acim.org/acim/en/s/437 | W-35)
"I can escape from the world I see by giving up attack thoughts."
If you're new to A Course in Miracles, Lesson 23 might sound a little aggressive- "Giving up attack thoughts" can conjure images of wrestling with your mind, forcefully suppressing negativity. But let's reframe this powerful lesson because its true essence is far from a battle.
Instead, consider it a profound invitation to release our vice-like grip on the idea of attack – both attacking others and feeling attacked ourselves. It’s about recognising that our perception of a hostile world is, in fact, a reflection of our own internal state.
Think about it: when we're consumed by attack thoughts – be they judgments, resentments, fears, or anxieties about what others might do to us – we are constantly engaged in a mental war. We're bracing for impact, strategizing defenses, and reliving past grievances. This isn't just exhausting; it literally creates the world we see. We perceive threats because we are thinking threateningly.
Lesson 23 offers a radical alternative: What if the escape from this perceived battlefield isn't about fleeing, but about disarming ourselves? What if the "world I see" isn't an external reality to be fought, but an internal projection that can be transformed?
By "giving up attack thoughts," we aren't denying reality; we're simply choosing to stop fueling the fire. It’s about:
So, for today, let's approach Lesson 23 not as a struggle, but as a sigh of relief. Imagine releasing all the tension you hold around defending yourself, proving yourself, or judging others. Imagine simply letting go of the mental weapons you've been carrying.
When we truly give up attack thoughts, the world we see begins to shift. It's not that external circumstances magically disappear (although sometimes they do!) but our experience of them transforms. The perceived threats diminish, the need for defense dissolves, and we find ourselves resting in a state of acceptance and peace.
This isn't just escaping from the world; it's escaping into a truer, more peaceful experience of it. It's recognizing that the battlefield was always in our minds, and the disarmament begins with us.
☮䷊🕊
Note that the beginning lessons of ACIM aim at undoing our conditioned, automatic functioning related to how we have learned to see ourselves as individuals living in a world of separation.
This lesson aims at undoing one aspect of that web of apparent separation, in which we find ourselves.
Lesson 19 in A Course in Miracles delivers a profound truth: "I am not alone in experiencing the effects of my thoughts." At first glance, this may seem unsettling. Are our thoughts not private? Do they not belong solely to us? ACIM gently, yet firmly, invites us to reconsider.
This lesson isn't suggesting we're constantly broadcasting our inner monologue for everyone to hear (though wouldn't that be interesting at times!). Instead, it points to a deeper, more fundamental interconnectedness of minds. The Course teaches that ultimately, all minds are joined. We are, in essence, one mind, experiencing a fragmented illusion of separation.
Think about it on a more ordinary, everyday level. Haven't you walked into a room and immediately picked up on the "vibe"? You might not know the specifics, but you can feel the tension, the joy, the sadness. Someone walks in radiating anger, and you instinctively brace yourself. Another person enters with a calm, peaceful demeanor, and you feel a sense of ease. This isn't magic; it's our inherent ability to perceive the effects of others' thoughts and emotional states, often communicated through body language, facial expressions, and even subtle energetic shifts.
When we're caught in a negative thought pattern – worry, anger, judgment – we literally create an energy around us. We might not say a word, but those around us can pick up on it. Our thoughts, though seemingly internal, have an outward ripple effect. They influence our interactions, our reactions, and ultimately, the environment we inhabit.
Conversely, when our thoughts are focused on love, peace, and forgiveness, the same principle applies. We become a calming presence, a source of light for others. Imagine a room full of people consumed by fear, and one person enters radiating unwavering peace. That peace, originating in their own thoughts, can have a tangible impact on the collective atmosphere.
Lesson 19 is a powerful reminder of our responsibility, not just to ourselves, but to the whole. If our thoughts truly affect others, then cultivating a mind filled with love, forgiveness, and peace becomes less of a personal endeavor and more of a universal contribution. It's an invitation to recognize that we are not isolated islands, but intricate threads in a vast, interconnected tapestry of consciousness.
So, the next time you find yourself dwelling on negative thoughts, pause. Remember Lesson 19. You are not alone in experiencing the effects of your thoughts, and neither are those around you. What kind of ripple effect are you creating today and at this moment?
🕸💭⛅🌞
I thought this was a good summary regarding those who are drawn to studying and working through "A Course In Miracles", as a spiritual path or curriculum.
I'd add the the Course is very structured, and also suits those who enjoy structure and progressive learning, while allowing for unstructured 'quiet time' and reflection throughout.
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"People who are drawn to studying A Course in Miracles often share certain characteristics and motivations. While the Course emphasizes that it is just one path among many and is not for everyone, those who find it resonates with them tend to be:
Seeking Deeper Spiritual Meaning: They often feel a dissatisfaction with conventional religious or materialistic explanations of life and are looking for a more profound understanding of reality, purpose, and their connection to something greater.
Open-Minded and Willing to Question Beliefs: The Course challenges many commonly held beliefs about the world, the self, and God. Individuals who are willing to examine their assumptions and consider alternative perspectives are more likely to engage with its teachings.
Experiencing Inner Turmoil or Dissatisfaction: People grappling with feelings of guilt, fear, anxiety, or a lack of inner peace may find solace and a path toward healing in the Course's emphasis on forgiveness and the illusory nature of the ego.
Drawn to a Non-Dualistic Perspective: The Course teaches a non-dualistic metaphysics, suggesting that separation is an illusion and that all of creation is ultimately one. Those who intuitively resonate with this idea may find the Course appealing.
Intellectually Curious: While not strictly necessary, the Course presents complex metaphysical and psychological concepts. Individuals who enjoy intellectual exploration and are comfortable with abstract ideas may find it engaging.
Ready for Self-Reflection and Inner Work: Studying the Course requires a commitment to introspection and applying its principles to one's own thoughts, feelings, and relationships. Those willing to engage in this inner work are more likely to benefit.
Not Necessarily Tied to Traditional Religious Frameworks: While the Course uses Christian terminology, it reinterprets these terms in a non-traditional way. People from various religious backgrounds, or no religious background at all, can find value in its teachings if they are open to its unique language.
Facing Significant Life Challenges: Individuals going through crises, transitions, or periods of intense personal growth may be more receptive to the Course's message of hope and transformation.
It's important to note that:
Ultimately, the "right" person for studying A Course in Miracles is someone who feels a deep inner calling to explore its teachings and is willing to commit to the process of self-inquiry and forgiveness it offers. As the Course itself states, the training is "highly individualized," and each student's journey will be unique."
Nisargadatta Maharaj, a renowned teacher of Advaita Vedanta, emphasized the importance of turning within and focusing on the "I am" as a fundamental practice for self-realization. He advised:
"Turn within. 'I am' you know. Be with it all the time you can spare, until you revert to it spontaneously. There is no simpler and easier way." 179
This practice involves:
Concentrating on the sense of "I am," which is the basic fact of one's existence.
Giving undivided attention to oneself, as the center of one's personal universe 5.
Rejecting all that does not necessarily go with the basic fact: "I am" 3.
Nisargadatta explained that the "I am" is a thought, while awareness is not a thought2. He suggested that by repeatedly focusing on "I am," one can establish the mind firmly in this thought-feeling 3. This practice helps to:
Turn the mind away from external distractions
Realize that everything starts with the ego, and when the ego is dropped, everything drops 4
Move beyond the limitations of individual identity
The ultimate goal is to reach a state where even the "I am" dissolves, leaving only pure awareness 27. Nisargadatta stated, "Ultimately even the 'I am' will have to go, for you need not keep asserting what is obvious." 6
Existence is the state of having being or reality, in contrast to nonexistence and non-being. It is a fundamental concept in philosophy, particularly in ontology, which studies the nature and types of existence.
: Existence refers to the state of being real or participating in reality1. It distinguishes real entities from imaginary ones and can apply to both individual entities and the totality of reality.
:
Singular existence: Refers to the existence of individual entities, such as a specific person.
General existence: Pertains to general concepts, properties, or universals.
Concrete existence: Entities present in space and time.
Abstract existence: Entities like numbers and sets that are not spatiotemporally located.
:
Some philosophers argue that existence is a second-order property (a property of properties), while others view it as a first-order property (a property of individuals).
Debates exist about whether there are degrees of existence or if entities simply exist or do not exist.
The concept of existence has been discussed throughout the history of philosophy, including in ancient Greek, Indian, and Chinese traditions.
: Existence is often contrasted with essence, nonexistence, nothingness, and nonbeing.
:
Possible existence: Entities that could exist but do not.
Contingent existence: Entities that exist but could fail to exist.
Necessary existence: Entities that must exist or could not fail to exist.
:
The nature of existence and its relation to being, reality, and actuality is a subject of ongoing philosophical debate.
Some philosophers argue that existence is an elementary concept that cannot be defined without circularity1.
The question of why there is something rather than nothing remains a fundamental philosophical inquiry1.
Existence continues to be a central topic in metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of mind, and existentialism, challenging our understanding of reality and our place within it.
In the realm of mindfulness and self-inquiry, noting and labeling are powerful techniques used to cultivate awareness and clarity. Typically, these methods are applied to sensory experiences—thoughts, emotions, or physical sensations—but they can also be directed toward deeper layers of consciousness. One particularly potent subtle object for practice is the phrase "I am."
By breaking this phrase down into its two components—“I” and “am”—we open up different avenues of investigation, each leading to unique insights about the nature of self and existence. This approach can be an efficient method for engaging with Nisargadatta Maharaj’s "I Am" practice, where the ultimate goal is to rest in the sense of presence prior to identification with form and concept.
When using noting and labelling with the phrase “I am,” we can explore it in two distinct ways:
Noting "I"
When the emphasis is placed on "I," awareness naturally inclines toward the sense of personal identity.
Noting "I" repeatedly reveals the habitual self-referencing structure of the mind—associations, personal narratives, and the feeling of an individual entity navigating experience.
This can lead to deeper insights into attachment, ego formation, and how the mind constructs a sense of separate self.
Noting "Am"
When the emphasis shifts to "am," the focus moves toward pure beingness—existence itself without attachment to form.
Noting "am" can dissolve conceptual layers, leading to an experience of presence beyond identity.
This shift often brings about a direct taste of stillness, simplicity, and the formless awareness that Nisargadatta refers to as the doorway to the Absolute.
Nisargadatta Maharaj’s primary instruction was to abide in the sense of “I Am” without adding any conceptual layers to it. While simple in description, many practitioners find it challenging to avoid intellectualizing or drifting into subtle mental elaborations.
By employing noting and labeling, we create a structured way to refine attention:
If distractions arise, simply note “thinking” or “distracted” and return to the felt sense of “I Am.”
If identification strengthens, noting “I” can illuminate where grasping occurs.
If presence deepens, noting “Am” allows attention to stabilize in pure beingness.
This method minimizes unconscious wandering and keeps practice on track, making the inquiry both rigorous and accessible.
While noting is an efficient way to sharpen awareness, the ultimate goal of the "I Am" practice is to abide in pure presence without interference. Once clarity stabilizes, the need for labeling naturally falls away. At this stage, resting in the silent knowing of “I Am” without effort becomes possible.
By using noting as a stepping stone, practitioners can move beyond words into direct experience—where the simple recognition of existence unfolds into the profound realization that Nisargadatta so often pointed to.
This refined approach offers a bridge between mindfulness techniques and deep self-inquiry, making it a practical yet profound method for those on the path of awakening. Whether one is exploring the nature of self or dissolving into pure being, noting and labeling provide a valuable toolset for navigating the subtleties of "I Am."
I really liked this response to the following question, thanks to AI reasoning:
A: Yes, noting and labeling could be applied to the "I am" in a way that aligns with Mahasi-style insight meditation and Nisargadatta’s teachings.
Noting the "I am" as an Object of Awareness
Seeing the "I am" as Impermanent and Not-Self
Going Deeper into Nisargadatta’s Approach
Yes, noting and labeling could help deconstruct the habitual identification with "I am" and reveal its transient nature. However, at some point, Nisargadatta’s approach invites you to go beyond noting and simply be the "I am" in its purest form.
