Have you ever heard the expression “it is what it really is”? What does that expression mean exactly?
Before I understood the deeper meaning of this expression, I envisioned an emaciated yogi guru in the lotus position floating above the ground imperiously imparting wisdom that would take scholars multiple lifetimes to interpret. Since how this is my last life on the planet and the lotus position would put me in traction, I knew that consulting the Course In Miracles would help me clarify its meaning.
What’s the IT that people are writing about here? According to the Course in Miracles, IT is truth, specifically God’s truth. Exactly why is it important to emphasize that it is God’s truth? Because God’s truth is not available to interpretations whereas a human’s truth is. Multiple versions of human truth have lead to an array of religions. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia defines religion as a “system of thought, feeling, and action that is shared by a group and that gives the members an object of devotion.”
Who devised the machine of thought? On whose feelings are these thoughts based? Are actions really necessary? Based on the Course In Miracles, God just is and our ultimate goal would be to return to an ideal state of being. There is no thought or action in the state of being, you merely are. What must not be forgotten is the underlying thread of most religions: God is creator, God is love and we all have been perfect and infinite children of God.
a course in miracles online Most think it is very unsettling to take into account the theory that choice is really an illusion, or the illusion of choice, as stated in A Course in Miracles (ACIM). You make choices everyday, so the notion of choice not being real seems highly illogical also to say the least, improbable, given its consistent daily use. Although choice is essential when you are here, it ultimately remains a part of the illusion and isn’t an integral part of God. Choice is unsettling as you believe it to be necessary, not since it is an illusion.”
It stands to reason that you are in what you think about as this world because you have made a decision, or choice, because of this world to be real. If you continue making that same choice, it keeps on becoming more and more real. ACIM clearly points out that ideas do not leave their source. Who then will be the source? What choices are you currently really making?
Choice, Perception and Judgment:
You think this world is real as you made the choice to trust the ego’s version of reality from the original separation. Those initial perceptions are followed by the next choice which is to judge the outcomes, thereby producing further consequences which reinforce the belief in this world. It’s a vicious, no-win cycle. As you perceive you’ll judge; so when you judge you will perceive. Error is manufactured real by this simple twisted deception. Withdraw your decision to believe in the outcomes and the error can be corrected.
Choice and Source:
Would you not then be the source since you will be the one making the choice to believe? You don’t remember that original separation; however, you are making choices now, and you also are doing so on a regular basis. Every moment you’re choosing between thoughts, feelings and ideas, etc. If it isn’t you, then who do you wish to claim is responsible? Be cautious, because claiming another is responsible is really blame and you have no power to change so long as you think another is in control. You are simply making yourself a victim. Both of these are ego tricks.
Accepting responsibility for everything, including choice and its consequences may be the fastest solution to change. This allows you to choose again as you can see the outcomes and realize that you’ll want chosen in error. It really is your thoughts and beliefs combined with the decision, or choice, to make them true that becomes the effect of everything you see in your world. The Law of Cause and Effect is very simple: According to the mind you pick from, as cause, you will see the corresponding effect.
As long as as you have a split mind, you’re constantly choosing between the wrong mind of the ego (error) and the proper Mind of the Holy Spirit (correction). You will notice the effect according to the choice of actually use as cause. You cannot have two masters. In the ego world, it will always be one or the other. Choosing the correction of the Holy Spirit undoes the error of the ego and returns your brain to the peace of God. This technique is also known as forgiveness.
Choice for Correction:
Forgiveness is only your mind being returned, or corrected, back again to the Truth because you choose for it to be that way. Handing over the ego’s judgments corrects the mind and correction is what? Forgiveness. A different cause results in a different effect.
Choice is, therefore, necessary in this illusion since there is something to select between. However, the greatest usage of choice is served by knowing both error and correction sides of the split mind, or what you are choosing between. Then, simply remember that your goal would be to return your brain to True Perception and choose again! It will also help to keep at heart the coinciding terms for True Perception: Correction, forgiveness, salvation, atonement, truth, Holy Spirit and God. There is absolutely no difference.