Have you ever heard the expression “it really is what it is”? What does that expression mean exactly?
Before I understood the deeper meaning of this expression, I envisioned an emaciated yogi guru in the lotus position floating above the ground imperiously imparting wisdom that could take scholars multiple lifetimes to interpret. Seeing as how this is my last life on the planet and the lotus position would put me in traction, I knew that consulting the Course In Miracles would help me clarify its meaning.
What is the IT that we are authoring here? In line with the Course in Miracles, IT is truth, specifically God’s truth. Exactly why is it important to emphasize that it’s God’s truth? Because God’s facts are not available to interpretations whereas a human’s truth is. Multiple versions of human truth have lead to an array of religions. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia defines religion as a “system of thought, feeling, and action that is shared by a group and that gives the members an object of devotion.”
Who devised the machine of thought? On whose feelings are these thoughts based? Are actions really necessary? Based on the Course In Miracles, God just is and our ultimate goal is to return to an ideal state of being. un curso de milagros There is absolutely no thought or action in the state of being, you merely are. What must not be forgotten may be the underlying thread of most religions: God is creator, God is love and we are all perfect and infinite children of God.
Most find it very unsettling to consider the idea that choice is actually an illusion, or the illusion of preference, as stated in A TRAINING COURSE in Miracles (ACIM). You make choices everyday, so the notion of choice not being real seems highly illogical also to say the least, improbable, given its consistent daily use. Although choice is necessary when you are here, it ultimately remains part of the illusion and isn’t an integral part of God. Choice is unsettling as you believe it to be necessary, not since it can be an illusion.”
It stands to reason that you will be in what you think of as this world because you have made the decision, or choice, because of this world to be real. In the event that you keep on making that same choice, it keeps on becoming more and more real. ACIM clearly points out that ideas usually do not leave their source. Who then would be the source? What choices are you currently really making?
Choice, Perception and Judgment:
You imagine this world is real as you made the choice to believe the ego’s version of reality from the initial separation. Those initial perceptions are accompanied by the next choice which is to judge the results, thereby producing further consequences which reinforce the belief nowadays. It is a vicious, no-win cycle. As you perceive you will judge; so when you judge you’ll perceive. Error is manufactured real by this simple twisted deception. Withdraw your decision to believe in the results and the error can be corrected.
Choice and Source:
Can you not then be the source since you will be the one making the decision to believe? You do not remember that original separation; however, you’re making choices now, and you are doing so all the time. Every moment you’re choosing between thoughts, feelings and ideas, etc. If it isn’t you, then who do you wish to claim is responsible? Be cautious, because claiming another is responsible is really blame and you have no power to change if you think another is in charge. You’re simply making yourself a victim. Both of these are ego tricks.
Accepting responsibility for everything, including choice and its own consequences may be the fastest way to change. This allows one to choose again because you can see the results and realize that you’ll want chosen in error. It really is your thoughts and beliefs combined with the decision, or choice, to create them true that becomes the result of everything you see in your world. The Law of Cause and Effect is simple: In line with the mind you pick from, as cause, you will see the corresponding effect.
So long as as you have a split mind, you’re constantly choosing between the wrong mind of the ego (error) and the proper Mind of the Holy Spirit (correction). You will see the effect based on the choice of actually use as cause. You cannot have two masters. In the ego world, it will always be one or the other. Choosing the correction of the Holy Spirit undoes the error of the ego and returns your brain to the peace of God. This process is also referred to as forgiveness.
Choice for Correction:
Forgiveness is only your brain being returned, or corrected, back to the Truth as you choose for it to be this way. Handing over the ego’s judgments corrects the mind and correction is what? Forgiveness. A different cause results in a different effect.
Choice is, therefore, necessary in this illusion since there is something to choose between. However, the best use of choice is served by knowing both error and correction sides of the split mind, or what you are choosing between. Then, simply remember that your goal would be to return your brain to True Perception and choose again! It will also help to keep in mind the coinciding terms for True Perception: Correction, forgiveness, salvation, atonement, truth, Holy Spirit and God. There is absolutely no difference.
