Dear Spiritual Family – The True Champions You Are,
Recently, while in a bit of a stuck place, I (Rev. Steve) had the thought, “I’ve woken up on the wrong side of my mind.” In other words, I’d gotten into “wrong-mindedness” to use a concept from A Course in Miracles.
Dr. Kenneth Wapnick defined these terms:
“Wrong-mindedness – the part of our separated and split minds that contains the ego – the voice of sin, guilt, fear, and attack.”
“Right-mindedness – the part of our separated minds that contains the Holy Spirit – the Voice of forgiveness and reason: (In the Course), we are repeatedly asked to choose it instead of wrong-mindedness, to follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance rather than the ego’s, and thus return to the One-mindedness of Christ.”
Over the years, we have found that consciously focusing on people and things that we are grateful for is something of a “spiritual shortcut” to move us into right-mindedness – away from ego and into alignment with Divine Mind. Thus this week’s focus – “Waking Up on the Right Side of Your Mind.”
Shame and guilt, fear and anger all play a part in keeping us stuck. John Denver in his foreword to Dr. Gerald Jampolsky’s Good-bye to Guilt wrote: “As we begin to understand the power of love and forgiveness, it becomes easier and easier to choose the environment in which we wish to exist. By making the conscious choice, we find that the space in which we live is different; we begin to experience the peace of mind and fullness of heart that is the gift of a loving God.”
In Lesson 161 in ACIM, Jesus gives us a precious tool to help us “wake up” on the right side of our minds – you begin by bringing to mind the person who challenges you and say to him or her, “Give me your blessing holy Child of God. I would behold you with the eyes of Christ and see my perfect innocence in you.” We know this is not easy, but the rewards of a peaceful mind and a full heart are well worth the effort.
Have a beautiful life. We love you,
Rev. Steve and Mary
Going Deeper
If you would like to take this message deeper, here are two questions you can work with. Use these in your own self-reflection or in discussion with others.
- In the video, Rev. Steve quoted Robert Burns: “Oh the gift that God could give us to see ourselves as others see us.” Then he added: “But what a greater gift that God has given us, to see ourselves as God created us.” How does God see us?
- Joy was discussed in the video. How do you maintain your joy or if you “lose” it, how do you “recapture” it?
We would love to read your thoughts in the comments below.
Join with others in Going Deeper on Zoom!
Wednesday, June 15 – 6 to 7:15 pm CT
Facilitated by Glenn and Mary McIntosh
Email Mary for more details and Zoom Link
1). God has a picture of me on her refrigerator!
2). This sermon reminded me of being an Orioles fan in Baltimore in 1966. We got to see them play in Memorial Stadium. Frank Robinson would get a standing ovation when he came up to bat BEFORE he did anything in order to drown out any segregationists’ boos. Orioles swept the World Series that year 4-0. Joy comes from envisioning victory and unity despite outer appearances.