“There is one thought in particular that should be remembered throughout the day. It is a thought of pure joy; a thought of peace, a thought of limitless release, limitless because all things are freed within it. (M-16.6)”
Affirmation: “pure joy. . .limitless release”
Reflections:
1 – All Things Freed
This passage is one of my favorites, for it tells us exactly what attitude to bring to this world–even in the midst of this world’s sorrows. The very words are uplifting–pure joy, limitless release. And we learn that all things are freed within this attitude. All things.
2 – Personal Experience
Is this a viable option for us in our daily lives? I sometimes wonder, but mostly I remember taking this passage to heart years ago, and returning to these glorious words–pure joy, limitless release–over and over.
3 – Imprisoned Will
We have lived with an imprisoned will (ACIM tenets), because we have given the ego the right to lord over us. As soon as we get our priorities in order, and we turn our lives, mind and heart, over to the Holy Spirit, His guidance takes the place of the very dubious places that the ego has led us. And the ego has led us to unhappiness, for that is what an egoistic attitude does. We have flights of “joy,” but we are then plunged into despair. We think, in an egotistical way, that we have done better than our brothers and sisters, and then along comes something that lets us realize that we are pretty lowly, miserable, and a failure. This is the way of the world. And sometimes, until we are brought very low, we do not question the validity of any of this.
4 – Helen and Bill
When we are brought very low, whether physically or emotionally, we are in most cases led to the same place that Helen Schucman and Bill Thetford (co-scribes of A Course in Miracles) were in the early sixties. Bill said that there must be another way, rather than to be embroiled in political fights in an academic world. And Helen spontaneously offered to help Bill find another way. Shortly thereafter, she began having mystical experiences that frightened her very badly. Then she heard, “This is a course in miracles. Please take notes.” And she did.
5 – Vahle
The story has been told and retold, but it bears repeating, for to my mind it is a place to which we are all drawn before we begin to live differently. We do not have to take A Course in Miracles as our Way, for there are countless ways. But to those of us who are drawn to ACIM, it is “our” way, and we would do well to listen to its tenets. Students/teachers of ACIM have had their lives transformed, but not everybody does have this experience. Bill did, Helen did not. (See Vahle’s book review in this blog; look under “Articles and Book Reviews” at the top of the blog.)
5 – Affirm
So, just for today, experiment with saying the affirmation for the day over and over. If we are lucky, and if we are faithful to the intent of the words, we will have a very good day indeed.
Prayer:
Dear Father/Mother,
I do believe that today’s title for my posting is my favorite quotation from A Course in Miracles. Certainly I have returned to these words countless times: “pure joy. . .limitless release.” They promise a freer life than sometimes I lead. Give me that freer life today, please, I ask of You.
Be with all of my brothers and sisters as I go about my little world today. May I spread some sunshine in my rounds. And may I know that it is You Who is guiding me.
Thank You for the guidance of Your Universal Inspiration, the Holy Spirit.
Amen
MIRACLES EACH DAY 