Center for Miraculous Living, LLC

Walking the path of A Course in Miracles to end suffering and awaken one another to holiness, equality, and worth.

---

Welcome to the Center!

We are excited for the chance to walk with you along the path of A Course in Miracles (ACIM). Those new to this path might believe their need for support and companionship will be greater in the beginning of their spiritual journey, only to become unnecessary the further they go. However, that is not the case with the Course’s path.

You see, the Course is not a solitary path but one we walk with “mighty companions” [CE M-4.I.6:11] beside us. We certainly cannot walk this path alone–although many have tried. We need one another as we journey down a path that leads to the undoing of the illusion of separation and of the false (egoic) self, and to the realization of our oneness with one another and of our true identity–an identity beyond anything ever imagined–an identity that is shared by all.

Our Current Condition

In our current condition, it is as if we are experiencing a severe case of mistaken identity. We believe in the material world experienced through our five senses and that we are separate from all we perceive. It is also clear to us that we are separate from God–if God even exists. He is certainly absent from our lives and has left us to fend for ourselves in a world filled with hostile and indifferent people.

Even the few good people in this world have a tendency to let us down. It seems like the vast majority only care for themselves and their own happiness. Therefore, we have no choice but to look out for #1. If we don’t take care of ourselves, who will? In this dog-eat-dog world, it’s every man, woman, child, and corporation for themself.

We think we are nothing more than these physical bodies that pursue pleasure and avoid pain, only to succumb to sickness, old age, and death. Happiness always seems to be just out of reach. Even if we get the promotion, win the race, make the grade, or buy the house of our dreams, we are never fully satisfied. Since nothing in this world is permanent, all that is good will come to an end.

In spite of our efforts to carve out an identity for ourselves and stand out from the crowd, we are often thwarted by a past we cannot escape, the judgements, beliefs, and opinions of others, and life circumstances beyond our control. We often conclude that the past, other people, and the world outside of us have all power, causing us to feel a sense of hopelessness and to doubt our ability to really change things. Yet, with all of this, we are simply mistaken.

Practicing Forgiveness

The Course provides a way out of our current condition–not by transcending, subduing, or even changing the world, but by changing the way we perceive it. Through our study and application of the ideas of A Course in Miracles, we learn to see this world and the people occupying it with a new kind of perception. This involves looking beyond what is false and unreal (and, therefore, doesn’t exist) in order to perceive what is true and real (and eternally exists).

The primary way we do this is through a unique and powerful approach to forgiveness–a miraculous forgiveness that involves relinquishing our normal way of perceiving others and discovering a new way of seeing them called “true perception.” True perception allows us to look beyond their false and mistaken identity so that we can perceive them as they truly are.

Perhaps the most miraculous thing about this approach to forgiveness is how our perception of ourselves changes as a result. Seeing beyond their mistaken identity allows our own masks to fall away. It turns out that we learn how to look beyond the false and unreal in ourselves by first looking beyond the false and unreal in someone else.

The practice of forgiveness is the central method of the Course. It is the primary means we are given for the undoing of illusions (Atonement)–including the undoing of our mistaken identities. With this undoing comes the realization of our true nature–a realization that leads to enduring peace and joyful liberation. And, for this to happen, we need one another. It’s why the need for companionship along the Course’s path never ends. It’s why this is not a solitary path.

But, why forgiveness?

To help you understand how miraculous forgiveness does all of those things (and why it’s so important on the Course’s path), consider the following illustrations.

We begin with the false perception of the ego–its judgments, distorted thinking, view of the past, and belief in separation. We see a man entrenched in anger, resentment, judgment, and thoughts of attack. He used to believe such thoughts and emotions were caused by the other person. As a student of A Course in Miracles, he has learned they come from the part of his mind called the ego. As a matter of fact, the ego is the reason for his stress, the instigator of all conflict, and the cause of all pain and suffering. Simply put, the false perception of the ego is the only real problem problem he has.

If the false perception of the ego is the problem, then the solution is a kind of forgiveness that leads to true perception. So, he starts to practice forgiving the other person by closely following the steps found in Lesson 78 of the Workbook for Students (“Let miracles replace all grievances”). Through this practice he becomes aware of all the ways he has misperceived the other. This has led to endless cycles of attack and defense; defense and attack.

He asks the Holy Spirit to heal his mind and allow him to see the other person truly. It takes a few practice periods to get there, but, miraculously and in spite of everything that has happened between them, he sees his friend through true perception. He sees the holy and eternal truth, like a golden light, in the one previously shrouded in darkness. The release he experiences is undeniable.

“Forgiveness is the only gift I give, because it is the only gift I want, and everything I give I give myself. This is salvation’s simple formula.” (CE W-297.1:1-2)

The release of forgiveness is like nothing he has experienced before. The more he lives and functions from this experience, the more he becomes aware of a shift in his perception of himself. He no longer perceives darkness, sin, and all that’s wrong when he looks within. He has also stopped feeling superior, different, and separate from his friend, or anyone else for that matter. As shown in the above illustration, it’s as if that same golden light he perceived in the other person is now glowing and growing within his own heart.

“Everyone you see in light brings your light closer to your own awareness.” (CE T-13.VI.10:3)

This change in self-perception continues to mirror the change in his perception of his friend, until… it is as if the two now stand together–joined with one another in the same golden light of miraculous forgiveness. He now knows from experience the truth that giving forgiveness is receiving forgiveness. Perceiving the truth in his friend extends to perceiving that same truth in himself. It has also become easier to perceive the truth in anyone else he chooses as the subject of his forgiveness practice.

He finally understands why forgiveness of others is central to the Course. It is the perfect solution for separation and the desire for specialness that is so prized by the ego. We can liken it to “seeking for and finding the light,” where “light” represents truth, holiness, the Christ, etc. Miraculous forgiveness entails first seeking for and then finding the light in another person as a prerequisite for finding that same light within ourselves. This makes miraculous forgiveness a great equalizer. Its natural outcome is an experience in which “forgiven” and “forgiver” join one another in the same light of holiness and worth.

It is unlikely this would happen with a solo meditation practice aimed at finding the light within ourselves. If we were to succeed in this inward quest without first seeking for and finding the same light in others, we risk the ego using our success for the purposes of separation. The ego will do its best to appropriate such an achievement as proof of our specialness. We could easily begin to identify ourselves with the light and claim, “I am enlightened!” As one who has found the light while others remain in darkness, we might decide to become a guide or “wayshower” for those still seeking. Of course, doing this would only increase separation and our belief in just how special we are.

All of this is avoided when our central practice is the miraculous forgiveness of another. Therefore…

We Look for and find the light of holiness in another,

SO WE CAN

Recognize the same light of holiness in ourselves.