Beyond the Battlefield: Finding Peace in "Giving Up Attack Thoughts" (ACIM Lesson 23)

"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:

• Relaxing into the Present Moment: When we're not busy constructing arguments, anticipating slights, or rehearsing our comebacks, a vast space opens up. This space is the present moment, unburdened by the ego's constant need for conflict. We can simply be with what is, without judgment or resistance.

• Acceptance as Liberation: This isn't passive resignation, but active acceptance. It's acknowledging the present moment as it is, without needing to change it, control it, or defend against it. When we accept, we let go of the struggle. And in that letting go, we find peace.

• Dissolving Guilt and Blame: Attack thoughts are inextricably linked to guilt – either self-blame or the projection of blame onto others. When we release the need to attack, we also release the need to feel guilty or to make others guilty. This is a profound liberation from the weight of the past.

• Stepping Out of the Ego's Domain: The ego thrives on separation, conflict, and the constant justification of its own existence through attack and defense. "Giving up attack thoughts" is a direct challenge to the ego's reign. It's a gentle but firm assertion that there's another way to perceive – a way rooted in connection, peace, and understanding.

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.

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We're All in This Together: Why Your Thoughts Aren't Just Your Own (Lesson 19 from ACIM)

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?

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Types of people who are drawn to studying A Course In Miracles

 

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:

• Intellectual prowess is not a prerequisite. While the concepts can be complex, the Course emphasizes experiential understanding through the workbook lessons.
• Previous spiritual knowledge is not required. The Course is self-contained and explains its own terms and concepts.
• Resistance is common. The Course challenges the ego's thought system, so students often experience resistance, doubt, and difficulty in understanding. Perseverance and a gentle approach are helpful.

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."

A Course In Miracles - Lesson 5 - I am never upset for the reason I think.

 

"I am never upset for the reason I think." (ACIM, Workbook, Lesson 5).

This lesson leads on from the previous lessons in coming to the realisation that we don't actually understand anything, and know anything - in the sense of actually experiencing the reality of what we perceive vs perceiving through our conditioned responses.

Today's idea branches out into the emotional/feeling area, and follows the same lines, in that we seem to be upset (or experiencing negative, painful emotions) with some object/person/situation. There is intimated here, in the text, that there is a reason for this.. and the reason or cause that we ascribe to the situation isn't correct or the true reason for why we are upset.

The benefits in this approach, like in Lesson 3 (I do not understand anything I see in this place etc.) become apparent if we are able to relax and let go of the egoic tendency to think we are right, correct, knowledgable, and can grasp our experience within the realms of intellect and intellectual understanding-- all of which are false.

If we can let go of a situation and the need to grasp it, because we realise and see that we don't actually understand or properly know anything, then we become open to things just as they are.. a sort of space of not-knowing or "peace that passeth all understanding" (Phil 4:7, and ACIM Text Ch.13)