Being or Existing

Scientists and philosophers often ponder the question: “Why is there something rather than nothing?” What appears to be an honest question is really propaganda for itself, a typical ego ploy. It is a statement in the form of a question. The statement is: “some thing or form exists, now explain why.” A more meaningful question would be: what is the nature of the images I perceive?

A Course in Miracles does not merely address the nature of our perceptions, it exposes what motivated them and their purpose.  It creates the opportunity for us to experience there is another way of perceiving the world. A world formerly perceived  as pain, suffering, loss and death is perceived from the perspective of forgiveness, and that changes everything.

We are like little children having fun playing with the idols that we made. Until, that is, some of the idols, —- now so seeming real,—- seem to have turned against us. Belief in the world’s reality is reinforced by idols who study and measure the abstract structures, patterns and relationships they perceive.  Particularly impressive is their ability to predict the behavior of these made up images. Of course what these idols can never reveal is their own nature. To know that, the perceiver has to be willing to know the truth.  Our fear of the truth is costing us the awareness of the cause of all fear and its complete undoing.

The question mentioned above suggests there must be either something or nothing, and to the perceptual mind, no experience is possible without the existence of the body.——  Experience is of the mind and has nothing to do with the body. ——Existence, or form of any kind, is a reflection of a decision to identify with the body. Decisions are of the mind, change the decision and your perception must change. Our identity with the ego has so fractured our mind that what once was known as one is now perceived as many and we have lost touch with reality. The world we made is not fearful, it is nothing and will disappear when the ego thoughts that made it are no longer wanted.

The Course is leading us to the Truth that will set us free!!! The ego knows this all too well and has actually convinced us to believe what only an insane split mind could believe: that attainment of truth is either impossible or dangerous. And so we wander in a world of make-believe, a dream-world where everyone must suffer and die,—- forgetting or denying that we made it. Our dissociated, split mind, be it two or eight billion and counting, is in a very fearful state. And  the “world” we perceive is a mirror image of our state of mind. Therefore, It must be corrected, or forgiven if we are to experience sustained peace and return to our natural unified state of Love.

Perception is based on experience which then leads to beliefs. Yet different experiences lead to different beliefs, and with them different perceptions.—— ⁵For perceptions are learned with beliefs, and experience does teach. ⁶I (Jesus) am leading you to a new kind of experience that you will become less and less willing to deny.(ACIM, T-11.VI.3:3-6)

We can deny truth, but thank God we cannot change truth!!! When we accept only peace as our reality we will experience only peace. Everything is accomplished through life, and life is of the mind and in the mind. ⁴ (ACIM, T-6.V-A.1:2-4)

As always, please reach out to me directly with any questions or comments related to this essay or any of my essays at: carylbrowne@gmail.com