I. Principles of Miracles
As this is A Course in Miracles, it is appropriate that the text starts off with explaining what miracles are and what they are not. The first chapter devotes the first section, The Principles of Miracles, to explaining 50 principles of miracles. On a positive note, one of the principles states: “The real miracle is the love that inspires them. In this sense everything that comes from love is a miracle.” 1.1 In our old thought system, we have been programmed to think of miracles as: “spectacles to induce belief.” 1.2 The Course goes on to explain that this is a “misunderstanding of their purpose.”1.3
Unfortunately, the stories in the Gospels have treated Christ’s miracles ‘as spectacles to induce belief’ thus the naturalness and universality of miracle mindedness has been overshadowed by our programming for thousands of years. As one reads and studies these 50 principles of miracles, one will be exposed to many of the key teachings of the Course and the subsequent chapters will expand on these key principles, thus, it is highly recommended to read through these principles and reprogram our thought system regarding this very important subject of understanding just what the Course is referring to as the ‘miracle.’
Additionally, as one makes the personal commitment to read, study, and practice the principles of the Course, i.e., express one’s willingness to wake up, one usually experiences many situations changing in one’s life, these are not coincidental but little miracles that bear witness to the fact that one is seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit and is on the right path.
II. Revelation, Time and Miracles
Gradually, the Course introduces us to understand the difference between knowledge and information. This is a major reprogramming of our thought system. Revelation is that which comes from our Source. “It reflects the original form of communication between God and His creations.” 1.4 Revelation comes from above, from God, through the Holy Spirit, to His creations. “The Holy Spirit mediates higher to lower communication, keeping the direct channel from God to you open for revelation.”1.5 On the other hand, information is that which comes via sense perception. In later chapters the Course will explain that sense perception is actually a projection of our mind and always subject to change. Another important point that is introduced in this section is that we are not different in essence from Christ; however, at this state of our development we are unaware of this sameness because we have allowed our minds to be programmed to think that we are separate from our Creator and each other. This will be explained in much greater detail in subsequent chapters. Additionally, this section of the Course introduces us to the concept that time, being relative, really does not exist. Hence, miracles are not subject to the laws of time and space. As our minds are reprogrammed, we will come to understand that many of the principles of the Course which initially seem very difficult to accept due to our old thought system should not be rejected but that we should accept them into our minds and observe carefully what is. Ultimately, we will do what works. This is not a matter of blind faith. The teachings of this Course are a matter of revelation not information cooked up by its scribe, Helen Schucman.
III. Atonement [At One Ment] and Miracles
This section introduces us to the idea of ‘Atonement’ which essentially is the goal of the Course. Many students of the Course prefer the following expression: ‘At One Ment.’ Atonement according to the Course is not referring to the traditional meaning of atoning for one’s sins. It is experiencing the non-dual state of Oneness with our Creator and with each other. Miraculous thoughts, words, and deeds toward our brothers and sisters, and practicing forgiveness as taught by the Course are the means by which we experience ‘At One Ment.’
Here in this section, we are introduced to a new concept of error. As in truth we are eternal beings created by God, the Course does not accept the thought that we are sinners and subject to punishment and even eternal damnation, but we are capable of making errors and that correction is essential if we choose to experience atonement. At this early stage of this Course, we are introduced to the idea that it is imperative that we reach out to our Creator to not only help us correct our errors; but, by our example, correct the errors of our brothers and sisters. “As you share my unwillingness to accept error in yourself and others, you must join the great crusade to correct it; listen to my voice, learn to undo error and act to correct it.” 1.6 Also, in this section the seeds of the appropriate practice of forgiveness are planted in our minds: By invoking the power of God through the Holy Spirit to overlook errors in others and calling upon the grace of God to help our brothers and ourselves, this is the guidance we are receiving with regard to the correction of errors.
As Children of God, the Course exposes us to the idea of empowerment – we are no longer poor wretched sinners and victims of circumstances beyond our control. Now we receive the truth of our identity, “You are the work of God, and His work is wholly lovable and wholly loving. This is how a man must think of himself in his heart, because this is what he is.” 1.7 This idea is strengthened more and more as one reads and studies the subsequent chapters. As we are now on the path to experiencing our Oneness with our Creator and our brothers and sisters, this empowerment leads to a responsibility. Oneness leads us to the awareness that what we do to ourselves we do to our brothers and sisters, and vise versa. “Those who are released must join in releasing their brothers, for this is the plan of the Atonement. Miracles are the way in which minds that serve the Holy Spirit unite with me for the salvation or release of all of God’s creations.”1.8 However, we are cautioned that it is not our personal ability that performs this function, else our egos will take the lead, it is our openness to be instruments of our Creator:
“You have a role in the Atonement which I will dictate to you. Ask me which miracles you should perform. This spares you needless effort because you will be acting under direct communication. The impersonal nature of the miracle is an essential ingredient, because it enables me to direct its application, and under my guidance miracles lead to the highly personal experience of revelation.” 1.9
IV. The Escape from Darkness
When we start experiencing our Oneness with our Creator and our brothers and sisters, we will no longer find reason to hide anything from each other and we will appreciate fully that ‘honesty is the best policy.’ “The escape from darkness involves two stages: First, the recognition that darkness cannot hide…Second, the recognition that there is nothing you want to hide even if you could.” 1.10
An additional teaching that is being presented in this Chapter is that of abundance. As the Son of God, as Children of God, we have been endowed with all we need – there is no lack. “Truth is always abundant. Those who perceive and acknowledge that they have everything have no needs of any kind. The purpose of the Atonement is to restore everything to you; or rather, to restore it to your awareness. You were given everything when you were created, just as everyone was.” 1.11
Are you starting to realize that everything the Course is teaching us runs totally contrary to what we have been programmed by our parents, our education system, our organized religions, our governments and our corporate sector? For us to be able to choose the voice of the Spirit over the voice of the ego, this kind of reprogramming is essential – only in a pure mind not distracted by the idols of the world can the Voice of the Holy Spirit be heard.
V. Wholeness and Spirit
Two concepts are being introduced in this section. The first is that as creations of God, we have the power within our minds to choose, i.e. we do have free will. We can choose to listen to the voice of the Spirit or the voice of the ego. The other concept is that these two choices are mutually exclusive. If we choose to hear the voice of the Spirit, we cannot simultaneously hear the voice of the ego and vice versa.
“Except ye become as little children means that unless you fully recognize your complete dependence on God, you cannot know the real power of the Son in his true relationship with the Father.” 1.12 Our programming has been just the opposite of this guidance. We have been programmed to believe that we must depend on our ‘ego strength’ to survive in this world, ‘survival of the fittest.’
“Whatever is true is eternal and cannot change or be changed. Spirit is therefore unalterable because it is already perfect, but the mind can elect what it chooses to serve (ego/separation or spirit/Oneness). The only limit put on its choice is that it cannot serve two masters. If the mind does not freely elect to choose to serve the spirit, it retains its creative potential but places itself under tyrannous rather than Authoritative control. As a result, it imprisons, because such are the dictates of tyrants. To change your mind means to place it at the disposal of true Authority.” 1.13
Which paradigm do you choose?
VI. The Illusion of Needs
One of the understandings that pervades the Course is that due to our voluntary separation from our Creator we experience a profound feeling of lack. The world that we have created presents many, many solutions to fill the void. The Course reminds us that any thing, person, place, situation, etc. that comes into being, exists for some time, and then disappears is actually an illusion. As long as we spend our time and energy focusing on acquiring these idols, we sacrifice knowing our True Divine Nature.
“While lack does not exist in the creation of God, it is very apparent in what you have made. It is in fact, the essential difference between them. Lack implies that you would be better off in a state somehow different from the one you are in. Until the “separation,” which is the meaning of the “fall”, nothing was lacking. There were no needs at all. Needs arise only when you deprive yourself (of your true identity). You act according to the particular order of needs you establish. This, in turn, depends on your perception of what you are.”1.14 We have been so strongly programmed to believe in lack and the external search for things, situations, people etc. to fill that lack, that the idea of choosing otherwise is almost impossible. Impossible until the mind gradually wakes up and realizes that all these external solutions are a mere illusions.
VII. Distortions of Miracle Impulses
