When you have attained true perception through forgiveness you will experience what the Course refers to as the “real world” or this world forgiven. And you will experience that there is only one problem shared by all, and one solution for that one. Attainment of the “real world” is the goal of the Course because it is the attainment and the keeping of a state of peace which is as far as learning can go.—- This course will lead to knowledge, but knowledge itself is still beyond the scope of our curriculum. ²Nor is there any need for us to try to speak of what must forever lie beyond words. ³We need remember only that whoever attains the real world, beyond which learning cannot go, will go beyond it, but in a different way. (ACIM, T-18.IX.11:1-3)

Let’s begin by looking at the role Myths have on how we perceive the world and ourselves. Myths are entirely perceptual, and so ambiguous in form and characteristically good-and-evil in nature that the most benevolent of them is not without fearful connotations. (ACIM, T-4.II.8:12)——- Because myths are usually related to the ego, most mythologies begin with the fundamental dualistic belief we are a body living in a material world. We perceive ourselves to be the effect of this world, experiencing many problems within it.

Myths and magic are closely associated, since myths are usually related to ego origins, and magic to the powers the ego ascribes to itself. ²Mythological systems generally include some account of “the creation,” and associate this with its particular form of magic. ³The so-called “battle for survival” is only the ego’s struggle to preserve itself, and its interpretation of its own beginning. ⁴This beginning is usually associated with physical birth, because it is hard to maintain that the ego existed before that point in time.  (ACIM, T-4.II.9:1-7)

Jesus, having overcome his ego completely, knew, experientially, that there was “another way” and his Course teaches us how to attain it. He was very clear that consciousness was the domain of the ego. —-Consciousness, the level of perception, was the first split introduced into the mind after the separation, making the mind a perceiver rather than a creator. ²Consciousness is correctly identified as the domain of the ego. ³The ego is a wrong-minded attempt to perceive yourself as you wish to be, rather than as you are. (ACIM, T-3.IV.2:1-3)

Because he completely overcame his ego, Jesus became a manifestation of the Holy Spirit. His Course is a non-dualistic metaphysical system with a profound psychology that teaches the world is our dream. This fundamental shift in perspective reduced seemingly endless problems to one! —So why are we not jumping for joy? —- The ego-body-world experience depends on our belief in problems. They assure us there is an objective world.—- but this comes at a very high cost.—   Tolerance for pain may be high, but it is not without limit. ⁶Eventually everyone begins to recognize, however dimly, that there must be a better way. ⁷As this recognition becomes more firmly established, it becomes a turning point. (ACIM, T-2.III.3:4-7)

Jesus, the preeminent psychiatrist, needs our willingness, signifying our readiness to work with his Course. Realizing there is no hope of finding peace in the world as we perceive it, we are willing to look for “another way.”—--All must reach this point, and go beyond it. ⁸It is true indeed there is no choice at all within the world. ⁹But this is not the lesson in itself. ¹⁰The lesson has a purpose, and in this you come to understand what it is for. (ACIM, T-31.IV.3:6-10) —-As you work with the Course you will realize, as have I, that this was your greatest moment!—— ⁸For from this lowest point will learning lead to heights of happiness, in which you see the purpose of the lesson shining clear, and perfectly within your learning grasp. (ACIM, T-31.IV.4:8)

Different experiences lead to different beliefs, and with them different perceptions. All that is required is a little willingness to experience the world differently.—-I (Jesus) am leading you to a new kind of experience that you will become less and less willing to deny (ACIM, T-11.VI.3:4-6).——The Course not only describes what the world is, more significantly it is the only spiritual path I am aware of that describes the motive behind the ego thought system. When the world is understood as a projection of the ontological guilt in our mind, we  can use our experiences in the world to heal our mind.  We quite literally see our own split mind everywhere we look. Until forgiven, nothing can be understood. —-An unforgiving thought is one which makes a judgment that it will not raise to doubt, although it is not true. ²The mind is closed, and will not be released (ACIM, W-pII.1.2:1-2).

All material frameworks, be they religious or scientific, have left unsolved the same fundamental problems that have plagued us throughout recorded history. And they will remain unsolved because “the world was made so problems could not be escaped.”—- You have never given any problem to the Holy Spirit He has not solved for you, nor will you ever do so. ²You have never tried to solve anything yourself and been successful. ³Is it not time you brought these facts together and made sense of them? (ACIM, T-16.II.9:1-3)

All of our seeming problems are not in the world, they are in the mind (not brain) of the dreamer. When there are competing explanations describing our experience, one should prefer the explanation that requires the fewest assumptions and provides solutions to problems the other perspectives have failed to meaningfully address. This is often referred to as “Occam’s Razor” or the principle of parsimony. The Course does provide a solution for every “problem” we experience!

The Course is “the other way.” Spirit looks upon all of our “problems” but sees them as motivation to experience a shift in perspective, a “miracle.” —-Your part is merely to apply what He has taught you to yourself, and He will do the rest (ACIM, T-27.V.10:2)

From the Course’s perspective you will experience there is only  one problem: the world is a dream. —Therefore, the obvious solution is: wake up! —-  You cannot wake yourself. ³Yet you can let yourself be wakened. (ACIM, T-29.III.3:1-3)—-You cannot get more parsimonious than that!

In Gratitude and Love, Caryl

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