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 the expression, I envisioned an emaciated yogi guru in the lotus position floating above the bottom imperiously imparting wisdom that could take scholars multiple lifetimes to interpret. Seeing as how that is my last life on earth and the lotus position would put me in traction, I knew that consulting the Course In Miracles would help me clarify its meaning.
What is the IT that people are writing about here? Based on 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 facts are not available to interpretations whereas a human’s truth is. Multiple versions of human truth have result in a myriad of religions. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia defines religion as a “system of thought, feeling, and action that’s shared by a group and that provides the members an object of devotion.”
Who devised the machine of thought? On whose feelings are these thoughts based? Are actions really necessary? According to the Course In Miracles, God just is and our ultimate goal is to return to a perfect state of being. There is absolutely no thought or action in the state of being, you merely are. What should not be forgotten may be the underlying thread of all religions: God is creator, God is love and we are all perfect and infinite children of God.
Most find it very unsettling to consider the idea that choice is in fact an illusion, or the illusion of choice, as stated in A TRAINING COURSE in Miracles (ACIM). You make choices everyday, therefore the idea of choice not being real seems highly illogical and to say minimal, improbable, given its consistent daily use. Although choice is necessary while you are here, it ultimately remains a part of the illusion and isn’t a part of God. Choice is unsettling as you believe it to be necessary, not since it can be an illusion.”
It stands to reason you are in what you think about as this world because you have made the decision, or choice, because of this world to be real. In the event that you keep on making that same choice, it keeps on becoming more and more real. ACIM clearly highlights that ideas do not leave their source. Who then would 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 that is to judge the results, thereby producing further consequences which reinforce the belief nowadays. It’s a vicious, no-win cycle. As you perceive you’ll judge; and as you judge you will perceive. Error is manufactured real by this simple twisted deception. Withdraw your choice to believe in the outcomes and the error can be corrected.
Choice and Source:
Would you not then function as source since you are the one making the decision to believe? You don’t understand that original separation; however, you are making choices now, and you also are doing so at all times. Every moment you’re choosing between thoughts, feelings and ideas, etc. If it isn’t you, then who do you want to claim is responsible? Be cautious, because claiming another is responsible is in fact blame and you have no power to change so long as you think another is in charge. You’re simply making yourself a victim. a course in miracles Both these are ego tricks.
Accepting responsibility for everything, including choice and its consequences may be the fastest way to change. This allows you to choose again because you can see the results and realize that you must have chosen in error. It is your thoughts and beliefs combined with decision, or choice, to make them true that becomes the result of everything you see in your world. The Law of Cause and Effect is simple: Based on the mind you pick from, as cause, you will see the corresponding effect.
As long as as you have a split mind, you are constantly choosing between the wrong mind of the ego (error) and the Right Mind of the Holy Spirit (correction). You will notice the effect depending on choice of actually use as cause. You cannot have two masters. In the ego world, it is always one or another. Choosing the correction of the Holy Spirit undoes the error of the ego and returns the mind to the peace of God. This process is also known as forgiveness.
Choice for Correction:
Forgiveness is only your mind being returned, or corrected, back again to the Truth as you decide for it to be this way. Handing over the ego’s judgments corrects the mind and correction is what? Forgiveness. Another cause results in another effect.
Choice is, therefore, necessary in this illusion since there is something to choose between. However, the best use of choice is served by knowing both the error and correction sides of the split mind, or everything you opting for between. Then, simply remember that your goal would be to return the mind to True Perception and choose again! It will also help to keep in mind the coinciding terms for True Perception: Correction, forgiveness, salvation, atonement, truth, Holy Spirit and God. There is absolutely no difference.