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These are some of the most amazing stories about what a great job our Universal Life Church ministers are doing. These are stories of why they became ordained, the courses they've taken, and the great things they are doing with their ministries.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

A Course in Miracles

This course is based on A Course In Miracles.
The Dr. of Metaphysics Program was an awe inspiring class. I experienced a tremendous spiritual growth spurt through the education of ego and illusion.

First, lesson 2 “Thinking from the Ego”, discussed the difference between an over-inflated vs. an under-inflated ego. Guilt, loneliness, and fear are all results from thinking from the ego. Those who think from an under-inflated ego blame their past, their culture, and the environment for their circumstances. They expect to be compensated for the perceived wrong. By shifting ones thought process away from the ego we begin to see the commonalities with those around us rather than the differentness.

Lesson 12 “Letting Go of All Illusions” was phenomenal. This lesson made the connectedness between ego and illusion. We have an illusion of judgment, limiting beliefs, guilt, unworthiness, being right, doubt, being insulted, etc… The biggest illusion though is fear. Our ego plays off of fear.

There is a plethora of Bible verses dealing with fear. If we trust in God’s word, fear should not enter our conscious or subconscious mind.

“You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Matthew 8:26
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear.” 2 Timothy 1:7
“When I am afraid, I will pout my trust in You.” Psalm 56:3

Guilt is another illusion that ego plays off of. This is how we hold on to the illusion of the past. We feel guilty for a past transgression or failure. Yet, the Bible is clear that forgiveness is ours.

“Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you.” Psalm 55:22
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

By incorporating the lessons on illusions and ego into my life I was able to release an enormous amount of stress from life. The knowledge that fear is an illusion made countless worries vanish! Worrying whether someone likes you, if your friend is mad at you or even whether your boss values your ideas are all fears based on illusions. At even given moment in your life at least 25% of the people who know you do not like you. The majority of these people will not change their mind about you, and there is nothing you can do. It is THEIR problem. Wanting everyone to like you and no one to be mad at you are egotistical musings.

While there are things to be fearful of, most of our everyday fears are based on an illusion. We see failures and disasters where none exist, except in our minds.

I read a statistic that said that 80% of Christians today are oppressed by a spirit of fear. People have a fear of rejection that keeps them from entering into relationships. Not because the person has rejected them…because they fear that they will be rejected. Isaiah 41:10 says ‘Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you. Surely I will uphold you with My righteous hand.”

Surely, a valuable lesson. Fear is an illusion that cripples us. Our ego feeds off of this. Identifying this truth should allow us to overcome it.

Thank you Loretta for an AWESOME class.


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