I would like to start this essay with a brief discussion of the role of time in our experience of the world. Quite frankly without our experience of time nothing happens. And the direction we perceive time, going from past to future, establishes our experience of cause and effect. The ego invests heavily in the past, and in the end believes that the past is the only aspect of time that is meaningful.  Remember that its emphasis on guilt enables it to ensure its continuity by making the future like the past, and thus avoiding the present. By the notion of paying for the past in the future, the past becomes the determiner of the future, making them continuous without an intervening present. (T-13.IV.4:2-4).

History keeps repeating and will continue to do so as long as we let the history of the past be the determiner of the future. The intervening present is that moment when the idea “there must be a better way” is seriously entertained. In that moment you are letting go of past reference for interpreting the world, realizing the futility of not doing so. And you are willing to accept a new fundamental framework for interpreting all of your experiences, including who you are and what the world is. It is only then you demonstrate your readiness for the Course, your readiness to “conceive of what (you) cannot see and do not understand. “The miracle is taken first on faith, because to ask for it implies the mind has been made ready to conceive of what it cannot see and does not understand. Yet faith will bring its witnesses to show that what it rested on is really there. And thus the miracle will justify your faith in it, and show it rested on a world more real than what you saw before; a world redeemed from what you thought was there.” (W-pII.13.4:1-3)

“The world we see merely reflects our own internal frame of reference—the dominant ideas, wishes and emotions in our minds. (Preface.6:1-4). The concept of our self we now hold is a product of our interpretation based on unexamined wrong-minded thinking or beliefs about our self and the world. My experience that there must be another fundamental framework for interpreting the world prepared me for A Course in Miracles. As I worked with the Course it became undeniable that this was true.  Although my knowledge of quantum mechanics, neuroscience, and philosophy assured me a new way of thinking about the world was absolutely necessary; the Course showed me experientially and very explicitly how to access another thought system in my mind and how to use the world to correct all of my misperceptions. To “see a world redeemed from what (I) thought was there.” I realized Peace was not only possible, but inevitable as I experienced what the Course refers to as the “real world:” this world perceived correctly.

The Course makes no claim to finality, nor are the Workbook lessons intended to bring the student’s learning to completion. At the end, the reader is left in the hands of his or her own Internal Teacher, Who will direct all subsequent learning as He sees fit.(Preface.8:1-9:2).  While the Course is comprehensive in scope, truth cannot be limited to any finite form, as is clearly recognized in the statement at the end of the Workbook: This Course is a beginning, not an end...No more specific lessons are assigned, for there is no more need of them. Henceforth, hear but the Voice for God...He will direct your efforts, telling you exactly what to do, how to direct your mind, and when to come to Him in silence, asking for His sure direction and His certain Word.

One caveat: The Course emphasizes it is but one version of the universal curriculum, differing only in form. However, it would not be helpful to interpret one form of the universal curriculum in terms of another. In fact it would likely diminish the efficacy of both.  If you are working with ACIM you should not judge another’s curriculum, but neither should you follow it.  As stated in the workbook, it’s purpose is to train our mind in a systematic way to a different perception of everyone and everything in the world. Once this is accomplished, as stated above, we are left in the hands of our own Internal Teacher, the Voice for God. I am grateful for “His sure direction and His certain Word.”

I welcome any comments or questions you may have.