The Unforgiving Mind

Lesson 121 of A Course in Miracles says, “The unforgiving mind is full of fear, and offers love no room to be itself; no place where it can spread its wings in peace and soar above the turmoil of the world. … The unforgiving mind is sad, without the hope of respite and release from pain. … The unforgiving mind is in despair, without the prospect of a future which can offer anything but more despair.”

This Lesson spoke to me since I often found myself despondent or anxious about the future. Fear can be a powerful catalyst and like many of us, I was searching for a spiritual path. I took classes at a spiritual center in Dallas, read books, and learned how to listen to the still, small voice that would guide me out of the darkness. One of the things I learned is that my mind is split between the ego and my higher Self, and I had to choose which voice to listen to. The ego likes to have a running dialogue about right and wrong or good and bad. It loves to judge, become a victim, and blame other people. But, I wanted to know the peace of God, and that meant that I had to change my thinking. The old way of living would only bring me more of the same, and that is not how I wanted to live my life.

Forgiveness became the path that could take me from the ego’s mind chatter to the place where I can be silent and remember who I am. When I forgive someone, I can let go of the story and choose to release the person that I am judging or attacking. This helps me get back to my center where I can feel the Love of God and am open to hearing guidance.

Don’t take my word for it. Choose someone in your life that upsets you or takes away your peace of mind. Make a mental note of how you feel right now—tense, upset, anxious, worried, etc. In prayer or meditation, ask the God of your understanding to help you forgive them. Once you give it to God, let it go. If your mind wants to replay the story, gently tell yourself that you have let it go. Now bring your attention back to your breathing and the present moment of silence. Notice the difference in how you feel after you have let it go. The choice is up to you.

A Course in Miracles study group meets in the Education Bldg. on Monday nights from 6:30-8:00 pm. New and continuing students welcome.