I think all three of you, within your fine observations about
duality, non-duality, etc. managed to come up with the Answer. That's
a very good sign. Petr very wisely put the focus back on the Workbook
and forgiveness, as did youngnel ("constant practice of the
teaching") and you Jim, in the way you look at things. As my
contribution, I'd like to put here a slightly edited e-mail I sent to
a fellow Course student who has been on a spiritual path for many,
many years and has studied the Course without it producing very much
happiness in his life so far. I think it speaks to a very important
issue and can be of value to all of us:
Dear ----, You mention how confusing it is to have highly intelligent
people like Wapnick and Perry disagreeing with each other. Perhaps we
should take more note of the things they don't disagree about. I
remind you of the following two statements from ACIM:
"This is not a course in philosophical speculation, nor is it
concerned with precise terminology. It is concerned only with
Atonement, or the correction of perception. The means of the
Atonement is forgiveness." (CL77)
"Forgiveness is the central theme that runs throughout salvation,
holding all its parts in meaningful relationships, the course it runs
directed and its outcome sure." (W324)
My teachers stressed that without forgiveness, metaphysics are
useless, yet time and time again I see people engage in philosophical
speculation when talking about the Course; at the same time, I see
very little discussion about forgiveness or specific examples of
people doing it. That's why I think there are a lot of unhappy people
doing the course. I don't know you specifically, so I'm only speaking
in general terms here. And I include myself when I say that my
teachers were very clear that if I wanted to be happy, I'd use the
Course for what it was meant for.
I see all around me, from my study group, to friends, to people
throughout the Course community, very few people using the Course
purposefully and habitually to practice forgiveness. I think I could
count on two hands the people I've seen really practicing the Course!
(But then I've only been looking for 10 years.)
So if you want to be truly unique, you have a marvelous
opportunity. If you ever read my book again, I would try to notice
most the parts that deal with forgiveness of our relationships and
the situations that confront us. I'd say no more than 4 out of the 17
chapters in my book were dominated by metaphysics, but the theme of
forgiveness can be found in all 17. I'm not suggesting that you
didn't see those things the first time; I'm suggesting they must be
utilized with great effort until they become almost automatic. For as
the Course says, "Miracles are habits, and should be involuntary."
(T3) In other words, unintentional. It takes a long time for that to
become such a deep part of you, but it is possible. I wish you God's
speed. Peace, Gary.
Gary