Who and what can be forgiven?

You are not asked to make insane decisions, although you can think you are. It must, however, be insane to believe that it is up to you to decide what God’s creations are. The Holy Spirit perceives the conflict exactly as it is. Therefore, His second lesson is: To have peace, teach peace to learn it. T-6.V.B.7:1-5

A Course in Miracles (p. 237). Foundation for Inner Peace. Kindle Edition. 

It is easier said than done when the ACIM teaches, “To have peace, teach peace to learn it.” A reader might ask, “How the heck am I supposed to do that?” The answer is “forgiveness.” Jesus said to turn the other cheek, and if someone wants your coat give him your shirt as well and if a person asks you to do them a favor, do them two.

In Unitarian Universalism there is not a principle that directly applies to this idea of forgiveness. This deficit is a crack in the foundation of UU. The closest UU comes to the idea of forgiveness is in the second principle of justice, equity, and compassion in human relations. Compassion is not the same thing as forgiveness but forgiveness may be a preliminary step in compassion.

Today it is suggested that who and what can be forgiven is worthy of consideration.

The vision and mission of the UUA

In the rush down the hole of racism and social justice topics the UUA has forgotten the vision and mission of the association.

The vision of the UUA is the creation of a better world of justice, equity, and compassion.

The mission of the UUA is to nurture and enhance the ability of its member congregations to raise the spiritual intelligence of their members and the world.

The UUA has forgotten who it is and what it is about.

Discerning Truth, Goodness and Beauty

There can be no conflict between sanity and insanity. Only one is true, and therefore only one is real. The ego tries to persuade you that it is up to you to decide which voice is true, but the Holy Spirit teaches you that truth was created by God, and your decision cannot change it. As you begin to realize the quiet power of the Holy Spirit’s Voice, and Its perfect consistency, it must dawn on your mind that you are trying to undo a decision that was irrevocably made for you. That is why I suggested before that you remind yourself to allow the Holy Spirit to decide for God for you. T-6.V.B.6:1-5

A Course in Miracles (p. 237). Foundation for Inner Peace. Kindle Edition. 

In spite of what the postmodern philosophy teaches that truth is a social construction, there is Truth, Goodness, and Beauty and it is from God and fundamental to life.

In Unitarian Universalism some of us covenant together to affirm and promote the free and responsible search for truth and meaning and this search takes us to the Holy Spirit and the Truth of God.

Today it is suggested that we consider what is True, Good, and Beautiful and ask the Holy Spirit to guide us in our discernment.

Who do you think you are?

The first step in the reversal or undoing process is the undoing of the getting concept. Accordingly, the Holy Spirit’s first lesson was “To have, give all to all.” I said that this is apt to increase conflict temporarily, and we can clarify this still further now. At this point, the equality of having and being is not yet perceived. Until it is, having appears to be the opposite of giving. Therefore, the first lesson seems to contain a contradiction, since it is being learned by a conflicted mind. T-6.V.B.3:1-6

A Course in Miracles (p. 236). Foundation for Inner Peace. Kindle Edition. 

The passage above articulates a fundamental concept in the metaphysics of A Course In Miracles, the distinction between being and having. The idea so difficult for the ego mind to grasp is that being is having. In Buddhism the phrase, “It is what it is.” has become a meme in our contemporary culture. God says “I am who I am.” God is a verb not a noun. As long as we believe that having things will make us happy and give us peace we are conflicted. What we are yearning for is an experience of peace and joy not any particular object. Another way of stating the first lesson to be learned is not only “To have, give all to all,” but “To have, be all to all.”

In Unitarian Universalism some of us join together to affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person. This inherent worth and dignity does not come from what we have but from what we are.

Today it is suggested that we answer the question, “Who do you think you are?”

Would you seek and know unconditional love?

All good teachers realize that only fundamental change will last, but they do not begin at that level. Strengthening motivation for change is their first and foremost goal. It is also their last and final one. Increasing motivation for change in the learner is all that a teacher need do to guarantee change. Change in motivation is a change of mind, and this will inevitably produce fundamental change because the mind is fundamental. T-6.V.B.2:1-5

A Course in Miracles (pp. 235-236). Foundation for Inner Peace. Kindle Edition. 

Motivation for change is the key. The change itself, union with the Transcendent Source, is intrinsic, even if not recognized and acknowledged. The Transcendent Source is from whence we have come and to which we return consciously now rather than unconsciously as before. The raising of consciousness of our Transcendent Source is the change we seek, and yet  captured by the conditioning and socialization of the ego, we are not motivated to shift our perception from the world of the ego to the Kingdom of God. Good teachers motivate their students to recognize, acknowledge and enter on the journey of learning which raises their consciousnesses ultimately to the non dual, unitive, level where they become one with the All.

In Unitarian Universalism some of us covenant together to affirm and promote the free and responsible search for truth and meaning, and we accept one another and encourage spiritual growth.

Today it is suggested that we consider what really matters to us. Would we seek and know unconditional love?

What is the nature of your thought system?

What you must recognize is that when you do not share a thought system, you are weakening it. Those who believe in it therefore perceive this as an attack on them. This is because everyone identifies himself with his thought system, and every thought system centers on what you believe you are. If the center of the thought system is true, only truth extends from it. But if a lie is at its center, only deception proceeds from it. T-6.V.B.1:7-11

A Course in Miracles (p. 235). Foundation for Inner Peace. Kindle Edition. 

The bumper sticker says “Don’t believe everything you think.” What if what you believe isn’t true or only partially true and you are living a lie?

In Unitarian Universalism some of us join together to affirm and promote the free and responsible search for truth and meaning. What comes from the thought system we adopt? Is it truth, goodness, and beauty or falsehood, evil, and ugliness?

Today it is suggested that we reflect on our thought system and question whether it brings us peace and joy or guilt and discomfort.

Intending to love unconditionally

All who believe in separation have a basic fear of retaliation and abandonment. They believe in attack and rejection, so that is what they perceive and teach and learn. These insane ideas are clearly the result of dissociation and projection. What you teach you are, but it is quite apparent that you can teach wrongly, and can therefore teach yourself wrong. Many thought I was attacking them, even though it was apparent I was not. An insane learner learns strange lessons. T-6.V.B.1:1-6

A Course in Miracles (p. 235). Foundation for Inner Peace. Kindle Edition. 

In A Course In Miracles there is the concept of “special relationships.” Special relationships are an illusion and the work of the ego. One type of special relationship is the hate relationship. These are relationships in which a person is invested in hating another they perceive as an enemy who is a threat to something the person holds dear. The Course teaches that this fear is insane because ultimately there is no threat to the unconditional love of God. This is the lesson Jesus was teaching when he was attacked and killed by people who felt threatened by his teaching.

In Unitarian Universalism some of us join together to affirm and promote the acceptance of one another and the encouragement to spiritual growth. The application of this principle involves rising about the “give to get” dynamic of the ego and emanates from the unconditional love which passes through us from our Transcendent Source.

Today it is suggested that we bypass the conditional special relating and intend to love unconditionally.