Temptation

"All temptation is nothing more than the attempt to substitute another will for God's. When all such magic is recognized as merely nothing, the teacher of God has reached the most advanced state." -- A Course in Miracles; Manual for Teachers 16:9:2&5

"The temptation is to demonstrate an effect, to demonstrate bread, to perform a miracle in the outer world, to centre the thought and attention on the people and things of this world, that is, on the outer need. If I try to perform a miracle, if I try to make a demonstration, I am setting up an 'I' apart from God, a self-hood apart from God. God does not need me to demonstrate anything. God is forever maintaining its own." -- from Consciousness Unfolding, by Joel Goldsmith

In the very first chapter of A Course in Miracles there are these words of wisdom: "Consciously selected miracles can be misguided." Jesus put it this way: "Take no thought for what you will say, or what you will do, or what you will wear... but seek first the Kingdom and all else will be added." The Kingdom is what Jesus called Heaven, the consciousness of our perfect Oneness with God.

We may think we will always fall short of this at-one-ment. We may feel that we have to struggle to align our thoughts, to read and think the 'right' way. We insist on doing it, on trying to take control and credit for what we do. Just another spiritual ego trip: "The human mind set up the prodigal, who went out into the world. He was not satisfied to live on the inheritance of his father, but wanted to go out and make his way in the world. And you know where he ended up." (from Consciousness Unfolding by Joel Goldsmith)

As St. Paul said in his letter to the Philippians: "For I have learned, in whatever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound; everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (The Bible; Philippians 4:11-13) The process of living in this world of polarities is that we eventually experience every combination of illusory experiences, in one form or another. These polarities have nothing to do with our reality; experienced with a material consciousness of either/or, they are the ultimate distraction and sidetrack. We lose our way when we try to experience only one side of things... these are the misguided efforts of consciously selected miracles.

The temptation to try to manipulate and control life and other people according to our spiritual agendas can be very subtle. There is only one way to calm these stormy waters... Peace, Be Still. Mary Baker Eddy puts it this way: "Mind [God] demonstrates omnipresence and omnipotence, but Mind revolves on a spiritual axis, and its power is displayed and its presence felt in eternal stillness and immovable Love... stationary power, stillness, and strength..." (Retrospection and Introspection; Page 88, Lines 28-1; Page 93, Lines 14-15)

"Stationary power, stillness, and strength..." This says it all. The temptation is always to be doing rather than Being. All power and harmony lies in the stillness at the heart of Being. In this stillness, we Remember Who We Are and radiate purely the Love of God.

"To say, "Of myself I can do nothing" is to gain all Power. And yet it is but a seeming paradox. As God created you, you have all Power. The image you made of yourself has none. The Holy Spirit knows the Truth about you. The image you made does not." -- A Course in Miracles; Manual for Teachers, 29:4:2-7