How to Read A Course of Love

“This creating like unto the Creator may be used as a definition of the art of thought.  (The Treatises of A Course of Love:  Treatise on the Art of Thought, 2.22)”

Affirmation:  “I seek to create as my Creator creates.”

Reflections:

1 – How?

Here is the long-awaited definition of the art of thought.  But how do we create like our Creator?  We listen to the Christ/Self within, which is identified with God, the Creator.  We do not “make” as we did when the ego was in the ascendancy.  We may, of course, not even be aware that we are creating as does God.  But the good that goes before us will alert us that we are indeed using the art of thought to create in a new world.

2 – Abstract Writing

The Treatise on the Art of Thought is quite abstract in the writing.  We cannot “learn” it as we did A Course in Miracles.  It requires a different kind of thinking, and this kind of thinking is needed with all books in the trilogy of A Course of Love.  This is the art of thought, and it is in this treatise that Jesus seeks to acquaint us with the new mental abstraction necessary.

3 – Read like a Story

Don’t try to understand with the left brain.  It can’t be done.  Read the treatise as though it were a story and let the right brain take over.  There will be much less frustration this way.

4 – Reread

We will not “get it” on a first reading.  We will need to reread when the mind is relaxed.  Then and only then will the concepts begin to sink in, to become a part of ourselves.

Prayer:

Dear Father/Mother,

Help me to comprehend A Course of Love with the more abstract portions of my mind.  This includes paying attention to what my heart is trying to tell me as I read.  Thank You for the ease with which the reading progresses, as I relax.  I do not need to diligently study, and indeed stern study just acts as an impediment to understanding.

Be with me today as I walk another day through this world.  Thank You for my many blessings.  Thank you for the benefits of a healthy body, mind, and spirit.  May others who may be experiencing illness today turn to You for a lessening of their discomfort.

May I follow You all the days of my life.

Amen.

Listening with the Heart

“Often you will find a desire to read A Course of Love again–to read it aloud–to hear it spoken.  This is a natural desire to let the words of this Course enter you in yet another way–the way of voice.  Again it is not required nor even recommended that these readings be interrupted by a search for meaning.  Listen.  Respond.  Let meaning be revealed.  (Addendum to A Course of Love:  Learning in the Time of Christ)”

Affirmation:  “I will reread A Course of Love, listening with my heart.”  

Reflections:

1 – Don’t Study

We are encouraged here not to “study” A Course of Love.  This is hard for us, for A Course in Miracles required study, and intense study indeed.  But A Course of Love is to be read with an abstract mind, letting its truths permeate the mind with a balm that dismisses the need to analyze.  In fact, we miss the point if we try to analyze.

2 – Read Aloud

Let us read at least some portions of A Course of Love aloud.  The language is beautiful.  Hearing the words as we will speak them will encourage a different part of our minds to respond.  And our heart will get in on the act.  And the heart is what has been the new element introduced by Jesus in ACOL.  Let us not forget that it is by way of the heart that we come to know much that has eluded us earlier.

3 – How the Heart Learns

It can be frustrating to read A Course of Love and to feel that we are not “getting” it fully.  This is the way that the heart learns, though–by inference more than direction.  And when we are frustrated, we need to slow down and let the words just roll over us.  We will not then be disappointed in what we find therein.

4 – Don’t Struggle

Be attentive to what ACOL says.  But do not struggle to learn.  Let its wisdom enter your ear as you read aloud, and then know that what is missed will be observed in another pass through its words.  A Course of Love is meant to be read and reread before its words are written on our heart.

Prayer:

Dear Father/Mother,

I would seek to expand my learning via the heart into not only a reading of A Course of Love, but in other ways in my life.  I will listen with the “ears” of the heart, ever attune to what You are trying to tell me.  Let me relax in Your pleasure.  May I not strain to understand, but be patient as I let the truth be revealed to me.

The heart knows what the mind cannot comprehend.  I would learn with my heart in all ways today, just to see where it takes me.  And I am reassured that the heart will take me to very good places indeed.

Amen.