Many, if not most scientists, whether they be physicalists or idealists believe the world we perceive through our senses is not reality. Indeed some would suggest that if we could see the reality behind the world, the world we perceive would disappear.  I believe it was Aldous Huxley who referred to our brain as a “biological reducing valve,” making our perceptions possible.

All of our perceptions are the mind’s interpretation based on our unexamined beliefs, not reality; not the way things really are.  Over time scientists discovered laws that govern the behavior of this perceptual world, known as the physical laws of nature.  I believe it would be more helpful to call them the laws governing the world of perception. We must remember that: “Laws are set up to protect the continuity of the system in which the lawmaker believes.” T-4.I.5:4) The ego does not know of our reality, which can never be changed. The ego does, however, fear that the dissociated aspect of mind that made the ego can also choose to let it go. Therefore the purpose of the ego thought system is to prevent our mind from even knowing there is another choice. “Once you have developed a thought system of any kind, you live by it and teach it.”  T-6.in.2:2-4).

The Course introduces a different understanding of the structure of our dissociated mind. It advises that we must “change our mind about our mind.” Two ways of looking at the world are in your mind, and your perception will reflect the guidance you have chosen.

(T-12.VII.5:6) —Please refer to the Model of Mind linked here—-

The key ideas are that our dissociated aspect of mind, below the level of conscious awareness, (the dreamer), chooses to identify with one of two fundamentally distinct thought systems: “wrong-minded” or “right-minded.” The wrong-mind’s purpose is to deny our reality, the right-mind’s purpose is corrected perception, undoing the errors of the wrong-mind. The world we perceive was the result of a decision we made with what the Course refers to as our wrong-minded ego, and that choice remains in effect as long as we are unaware that there IS another choice.

I have worked with the Course for over 35 years and it is my experience that I have two mutually exclusive, fundamentally different ways of perceiving the world! The wrong-mind was made from fear and is so experienced; the right-mind was made from love and generates peace. While I cannot prove this to anyone, anyone who has a desire and willingness to have their own experience cannot fail to do so. This shift in perception of the world reveals what the Course calls the “real world,” this world forgiven:  This is the shift that true perception brings: What was projected out is seen within, and there forgiveness lets it disappear. (C-4.6:1). Peace can never be experienced in the world as we currently perceive it. “Seek not escape from problems here. The world was made that problems could not _be_ escaped.”  T-31.IV.2:5-6

“You may be surprised to hear how very different is reality from what you see. You do not realize the magnitude of that one error. It was so vast and so completely incredible that from it a world of total unreality had to emerge. ——-That was the first projection of error outward. The world arose to hide it, and became the screen on which it was projected and drawn between you and the truth. Do you really think it strange that a world in which everything is backwards and upside down arose from this projection of error?  It was inevitable.”  T-18.I.6:1-5.

Just a few words about how a shift in perspective powerfully impacts our experience. From a flat-world perspective if you started a journey to the end of the earth and found yourself back where you began, having never changed direction, you would declare your experience a miracle! Of course from a round-world perspective, your experience would be perfectly natural.  Similarly, if you substitute the flat-world with the wrong-minded perspective and the round-world with the right-minded perspective, what to our wrong-mind appears to be miraculous, would be perfectly natural from our right-mind. Miracles are examples of right thinking, aligning your perceptions with truth as God created it. (| T-1.I.36:1)

The important message is that from a right-minded perspective, we all share a common purpose: awareness of love’s presence. “The course does not aim at teaching the meaning of love, for that is beyond what can be taught. It does aim, however, at removing the blocks to the awareness of love’s presence, which is your natural inheritance.” T-in.1:6-7

Once you decide that ACIM resonates with you and you want to commit to working within its framework, your wrong-mind, which you currently identify with, will feel threatened. The Course is perfectly aware of this and as long as you supply your willingness to follow its guidance, the ego’s attempt to disrupt your learning will not succeed. The Holy Spirit is literally within your right-mind and is your connection to your reality. The Holy Spirit abides in the part of your mind that is part of the Christ Mind. He represents your Self and your Creator, Who are One. He speaks for God and also for you, being joined with Both. ( C-6.4:1-3) By joining with your right-mind you cannot fail to accomplish what it is your will to accomplish.

When you have learned how to decide with God, all decisions become as easy and as right as breathing. There is no effort, and you will be led as gently as if you were being carried down a quiet path in summer. Only your own volition seems to make deciding hard. The Holy Spirit will not delay in answering your every question what to do. He knows. And He will tell you, and then do it for you. You who are tired will find this is more restful than sleep. For you can bring your guilt into sleeping, but not into this. | T-14.IV.6:1-8)

Love is the way I walk in gratitude!,

Caryl

As always, I am happy to respond to any questions you may have.