“A Course in Miracles”

The healing power of willingness and “A Course in Miracles”

The inception of the book, A Course in Miracles began with the remark, “There must be a better way.”  With the response, “I’ll help you find it,” A Course in Miracles began its birth into the world. And yet, its philosophy is anything BUT “of the world.”  

A Course in Miracles (ACIM) is perhaps unlike anything you have read before.  It is a fully developed curriculum for learning to recognize and have removed for us, all of the blocks that we have imposed between Love and our awareness of Love.  The Course helps us remember the Love, peace, and joy that is already within each of us just as the sun remains shining behind the clouds even on a rainy day. We’ve mistakenly chosen to turn away from the peace and joy that is our inheritance.  But love isn’t lost, and we can joyously remember it again.  

The key idea in this process of removing blocks and finding inner peace is WILLINGNESS.

Willingness is the openness to seeing things differently.  And seeing things differently through one’s inner guidance system is ACIM’s definition of a miracle: “a shift in perception.”  As our perception changes, our lives and our world can change as well.  

To witness this process in action, pause and think of an area in your life where you’re struggling or feeling stuck. Got it?

Now get in touch with your willingness.  Are you willing to see this situation differently?  If your answer is YES, you just found your willingness.  If you answer “Heck, no!”, that’s fine but I would ask you, “Are you willing to be willing to see this situation differently?” With a chuckle, you might say, “Sure!” But if the answer is still “No!”, are you willing to be willing to be willing to see it differently?  A-ha! Perhaps there is your willingness.  It may take a bit of digging but it is there. Simply said, if the way you see the situation is not bringing you happiness you may be ready to try something different.

The next step according to ACIM is to give that WILLINGNESS over to your Inner Guide -- the part of your mind that remains connected to your Higher Power, the Universe, or to Oneness (or use whatever term you are comfortable with). This Inner Guide’s job is to take what you give, even a tiny bit of willingness, and give you back a miracle – a shift in perception.  

When I work this process myself, often I’ll feel a sense of release and relief simply when handing over my willingness to my Inner Guide.  That relief might in itself be the miracle because with this shift in perception, I often find my concerns just disappear.  

One of the many powerful statements in ACIM is, “Do you want to be right or happy?”  

When we want to be right, we’re UNwilling.  We think we know how things should be and we’re stubbornly digging in our heels. When we want to be happy, we’re open to a different way of seeing things; our minds are flexible, limber and light. We can feel the difference and it feels good.

Whatever your challenge is, only a tiny amount of willingness is needed to see things differently. The Course tells us that we need but turn every so slightly to our Guide. Be willing to ask for another way of seeing from your Inner Guide and learn how to respond rather than react.  Maybe the picture will change -- maybe it won’t.  But either way, you can be at peace inside and a peaceful mind is no small gift.

Are you a student of “A Course in Miracles” or would you like to learn more?  If so, join me at http://MiracleShare.org – the Social Networking Site for Students and Teachers of “A Course in Miracles.” Membership is free.

Corinne Zupko teaches Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and offers Life Coaching services at Yoga Plus Herbs.  She has earned a B.A. in Psychology, an M.A. in Counseling, and an Ed.S. in Counseling with a specialization in Meditation. She has 10 years of experience working with clients, is a Certified Professional Coach, Adjunct Faculty member at The College of New Jersey, meditation teacher, and has taken extensive trainings in MBSR.

Yoga Plus Herbs, Marlboro Plaza, Intersection of Rte 9 and Rte 520 in Marlboro, NJ 07726, 732-617-2020, http://www.yogaplusherbs.com/, info at yogaplusherbs dot com