"What is an idol? Do you think you know? For idols are unrecognized as such, and never seen for what they really are." -- A Course in Miracles; Chapter 29, Section VIII, 1:1-3
I love the above quote from ACIM. "Do you think you know?" Ha! And then there's this quote: "The ego is nothing more than a part of your belief about yourself. Your (Real) life has continued without interruption, and has been and always will be totally unaffected by your attempts to dissociate it." (A Course in Miracles; Chapter 4, Section VI, 1:6-7) Isn't dissociation grand? After all, how can we be responsible for something we don't even know is there? Ha! It becomes obvious that disillusionment and the unmasking of the ego are our only hope in this world!
As we follow the meandering dream we call our life, we may have the illusion of progressive growth and wisdom. I say illusion, because all external results are a part of the great dissociation. As ACIM puts it, "Everything you perceive as the outside world is merely your attempt to maintain your ego identification." (A Course in Miracles; Chapter 12, Section III, 7:5) It's all and always an attempt to separate and dissociate from the Allness of God, the only Truth there Is. Have you noticed how 'old friends' always seem to call just when we're wanting to solidify a new or old identity? Ouch. But true, isn't it?
Have you ever noticed how your ego dreams that someone around you is noticing how much you've changed for the better? And how you think this is an indication that you're on the right track? Do you think you know? Ha! And have you noticed how much we love it when people think we're wise or that we're happier or more peaceful or different somehow? What is this but another idol, another descent into the dream, and more dissociation? "All idols of this world were made to keep the Truth within from being known to you, and to maintain allegiance to the dream that you must find what is outside yourself (attention and approval) to be complete and happy. It is vain to worship idols in the hope of peace. God dwells within, and your completion lies in Him." (A Course in Miracles; Chapter 29, Section VII, 6:1-3)
When we think we know, we are clinging to idols. When we smugly think we are being strong in faith, remember that the priests that started the Inquisition thought the same thing. ACIM cautions us to never underestimate the sneakiness of the desire to protect and defend our imagined selves. It is the motivation for literally all our thoughts and decisions and so-called moral stands in this world. The desire for comfort and security simply morph into their spiritual disguise of spiritual pride and superiority... or sometimes inferiority... of seeing others as 'out there' or as not really there at all, as better than us, worse than us, but always other than us.
While there is a separate self and an 'other', illusory questions of helping or not helping arise. They're about ego identities, too (should I do this or should I do that?), not about alleviating suffering or helping. If it was really about alleviating suffering or you really thought it would help and you really cared, you would be doing it no matter what questions arose. Not because it's real or because it's this or that, but because your Beloved Self is calling out to be re-membered in some way.
If you find yourself growing uncomfortable reading this blog, you can be sure my ego felt exposed writing it! Ha! Being uncomfortable is only experienced by the ego. The Self remains ItSelf, Awake and Aware in the midst of all. Dan Millman said, "One sure sign of growing awareness is that you "feel" as if you're getting worse. Awareness is literally a disillusioning process." Feeling uncomfortable and exposed is a VERY good sign. It's when you think you know that you're in trouble. It's when you think you've finally gotten it. Do you think you're getting it? Do you think you know? Ha!
"When the ancient Masters said, "If you want to be given everything, give everything up," they weren't using empty phrases. Only in being lived by the Tao can you be truly your Self." -- Tao te Ching, translation by Stephen Mitchell
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