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)

Jesus and the Vine - abidance in the Self.

A reference from the Bible / NT. Make of it what you will, however, read in the light of self-inquiry, self-abidance, stabilising in the "I am" etc., -- it makes perfect sense and perfect instruction.

Jesus the True Vine (John 15)

1 I am the true vine, and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard.

2 He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful.

3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.

4 Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me.

5 I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.

6 If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned.

The kingdom of God is within me.

Luke 17:20-21King James Version (KJV):

20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:

21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

Spirit or flesh? Consciousness or materiality?

A random Bible quote floated into my space today:

"I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish." (Galatians 5:16-17) NKJV.


Now, before ye think that I'm getting all puritanical here.. quotes such as these, especially in Christianity, are taken either 2 ways:

1. Certain groups take the above to mean that one should strive actively, using will-power, prayer etc., against thoughts, desires, 'wishes', and especially inclinations of the sex impulse, in order to overcome such desires in favour of "holiness" or what they perceive to be "Spirit"- usually a belief or ideal concept. Usually also the ticket required to attain better states such as entry into 'heaven'. Most orthodox religions, conservatives, and traditionalist groups fit here.

2. Certain other groups take the exact opposite road, and rebel against the above, actively seeking to prove that desire is healthy, should be acted on, and that especially the sex impulse should be satisfied in whatever means available. Most Left-hand-paths, fringe psychotherapists, new-agers, libertarians etc. fit here.

However, what if the above quote merely states a simple fact, written in a language understandable for those of 2000 years ago?

That simple fact is clearly visible to anyone on the path of Direct Knowledge. Simply stated, it is that there are two realities which do not in any way meet, and that whichever reality one is identified with, ultimately determines one's experience in the world, including one's behaviour.

Those two realities are here called "Spirit" and "flesh", but could also be called "Consciousness" and "materiality", or "Subject" and "object", or "Truth" and "illusion", or "SAT" and "maya".. come up with your own.

By attempting to act out both views (1) and (2) above, one is clearly still walking in the way of "flesh", rather than "Spirit". Why? Because there is an individual present, identified with materiality and struggling to make changes in an external world of dualities. There is a "you" and there is a problem (in this case desire/lust) which must be overcome or indulged. Even 'acceptance of the problem', as touted by so many 'spiritual teachers' today who offer advice, STILL requires an individual identified with materiality to 'accept' a material problem (often in the hopes that it will resolve).

When identification with Spirit is complete, the whole illusion of materiality and the 'external world' is seen through exactly as it is- a mind creation born of automatic conditioning, which needs no more fixing than a dream occurring during sleep.

There are only two choices or ways in which 'to walk'- Truth and illusion, Consciousness and sleep. And "..by their fruits, ye shall know them".