Note: Published in Miracles magazine for March – April 2020 (Jon Mundy, publisher)
by Celia Hales
“. . .[W]hen the goal is finally achieved by anyone, it always comes with just one happy realization: ‘I need do nothing.’” (ACIM, COA ed., T-22.VII.7:1)
“This is a call that requires you to do nothing but to remain faithful to it. You do not need to think about it, but only let it be.” (ACOL, C:11.17)
“And here we begin to touch upon the essence of my teaching: I need do nothing.” (WOM, Part 3 “The Way of Knowing,” Lesson 27)
When the light has dawned, when we reach Awakening, Jesus says that we sense, “I need do nothing.” This sentence may have caused much confusion, because it isn’t saying what we think it is.
The Way of Mastery elucidates the meaning very well, for here the same thought is discussed. First let’s take a look at what it isn’t saying:
I need do nothing so I’ll just show up. . . .I really don’t need to do anything, since none of it matters. (WOM, Lesson 27)
We might think that we can now rest on our laurels. That we have arrived! And need do nothing more. But this is not quite right.
Instead, the meaning is simply to open ourselves up to our Source, God Himself, and the Holy Spirit Who will tell us that our only purpose is the extension of love. In A Course of Love, we open ourselves up to the Christ-Self Who dwells within, for this is where we get guidance when we no longer need the intermediary of the Holy Spirit, being ourselves no longer afraid of God. The Way of Mastery continues:
. . .to find that spaciousness with you in which you are willing to allow that voice within you that is eternally connected to your Source to be the vehicle through which you receive your guidance. In the pure recognition that you have no purpose—save the extension of Love. (WOM, Lesson 27)
We are opening ourselves to the spaciousness of our very souls, something that A Course of Love discusses at length. We are not falling down on the job. Our work in the world still happens—and still matters–but we don’t dwell on the end result. Instead, the action, on a daily basis and in the present, is finally viewed as the most important part.
We listen for what to do, and then we act. An easy way to live.
MIRACLES EACH DAY 