Have you ever heard the expression “it really is what it really is”? What does that expression mean exactly?
Before I understood the deeper meaning of the expression, I envisioned an emaciated yogi guru in the lotus position floating above the bottom imperiously imparting wisdom that could take scholars multiple lifetimes to interpret. Seeing as how this is my last life on earth 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 people are writing about here? course in miracles Based on the Course in Miracles, IT is truth, specifically God’s truth. 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 would be to return to a perfect state of being. 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 all have been 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 minimal, improbable, given its consistent daily use. Although choice is essential when you are here, it ultimately remains a part of the illusion and isn’t an integral part of God. Choice is unsettling as you believe it to be necessary, not because it is an illusion.”
It stands to reason that you are in what you think of as this world as you have made the decision, or choice, because of this world to be real. If you continue 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 will be the source? What choices are you currently really making?
Choice, Perception and Judgment:
You think 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 that is to judge the results, thereby producing further consequences which reinforce the belief in this world. It’s a vicious, no-win cycle. As you perceive you will judge; and as you judge you will perceive. Error is made real by this simple twisted deception. Withdraw your decision to believe in the outcomes and the error could 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 understand that original separation; however, you’re making choices now, and you also are doing so constantly. Every moment you’re choosing between thoughts, feelings and ideas, etc. If it is not you, then who do you want to claim is responsible? Be careful, because claiming another is responsible is actually blame and you haven’t any power to change so long as you think another is in control. You’re simply making yourself a victim. Both these are ego tricks.
Accepting responsibility for everything, including choice and its own consequences is the fastest way to change. This allows one to choose again as you can see the results and realize that you’ll want chosen in error. It really is your thoughts and beliefs combined with decision, or choice, to make them true that becomes the effect of everything you see in your world. The Law of Cause and Effect is simple: Based on the mind you pick from, as cause, you will notice the corresponding effect.
So long as as you’ve got a split mind, you are constantly choosing between your wrong mind of the ego (error) and the proper Mind of the Holy Spirit (correction). You will notice the effect based on the choice of actually use as cause. You cannot have two masters. In the ego world, it is always one or the other. Choosing the correction of the Holy Spirit undoes the error of the ego and returns the mind to the peace of God. This process is also known as forgiveness.
Choice for Correction:
Forgiveness is nothing more than your mind being returned, or corrected, back again to the Truth as you decide for it to be that way. Handing on the ego’s judgments corrects the mind and correction is what? Forgiveness. A different cause results in another effect.
Choice is, therefore, necessary in this illusion because there is something to select between. However, the greatest use of choice is served by knowing both error and correction sides of the split mind, or everything you are choosing between. Then, simply remember that your goal is 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 no difference.