Ramon’s Comments (group member since Nov 19, 2015)

Ramon’s comments from the ACIM: Listen, Learn and Act group.

Julie wrote: "I'm currently reading this in Chapter three and am having difficulty putting it together. I've read it three times and it leaves me confused. Has anyone read it who may be able to help me see it mo..."

Hello Julie - I have put several videos related to your topic in our video library. I haven't viewed them yet, but feel free to view them to see if any can shed some light on the topic. In the mean time I will read that section myself and once I have sufficient information, I will add my view to this topic.

A Course in Miracles states: "The idea of order of needs arose because, having made this fundamental error, you had already fragmented yourself into levels with different needs." T-1.VI.2. (Emphasis added.

Ah yes, 'order of needs' - something I learned about in psychology. It was called - Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs - see http://www.simplypsychology.org/maslo.... Any of us who have studied basic psychology should have a understanding of what these needs are. And if we haven't, I would suggest that we at least go to the site - provided above - and obtain an understanding of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. The site will allow us to print or to download the subject in pdf format.

Why should we understand these needs? Well, in light of our journey through A Course in Miracles, a working understanding of what we believe our basic needs are, can be useful as our journey progresses. By now, we should know that:

(1) Helen Schucman and William Thetford, were Professors of Medical Psychology at Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City and would know Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs;

(2) "The Self That God created needs nothing. It is forever complete, safe, loved and loving. It seeks to share rather than to get; to extend rather than project. It has no needs and wants to join with others out of their mutual awareness of abundance."; and,

(3) "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. You act according to the particular order of needs you establish. This, in turn, depends on your perception of what you are." T-1.VI.1. (Emphasis added).

Your average Joe does not go through life consciously aware of where he is concerning Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. And even many of us who know of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, don't use that knowledge in any constructive way.

But students of A Course in Miracles may find Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs useful in understanding the structure of our belief in lack - at least from a psychological point of view.

Take a look at Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and share your thoughts on whether you think this information could be of any value.

Does this refer to create as in formation into a human body, or creating the person you are at the present?

A Course in Miracles states: "The ego is the questioning aspect of the post-separation self, which was made rather than created. It is capable of asking questions but not of perceiving meaningful answers, because these would involve knowledge and cannot be perceived. The mind is therefore confused, because only One-mindedness can be without confusion. A separated or divided mind must be confused. It is necessarily uncertain about what it is. It has to be in conflict because it is out of accord with itself. This makes its aspects strangers to each other, and this is the essence of the fear-prone condition, in which attack is always possible. You have every reason to feel afraid as you perceive yourself. This is why you cannot escape from fear until you realize that you did not and could not create yourself. You can never make your misperceptions true, and your creation is beyond your own error. That is why you must eventually choose to heal the separation." T-3.IV.3.

In the subsection - Principles of Miracles – we should have learned that - “Miracles honor you because you are lovable. They dispel illusions about yourself and perceive the light in you. They thus atone for your errors by freeing you from your nightmares. By releasing your mind from the imprisonment of your illusions, they restore your sanity.” A Course in Miracles T-1.I.33.

This world, including our bodies, is the world of perception. From the view of ACIM, this is a fact. Therefore, the body is not really real – it is created in our own mind. And because the body isn't really real, the body doesn't really feel anything. The idea – to feel – therefore, is also created in our own mind. We have created fear too. As long as we continue to believe that we are really the body and that we really feel whatever we believe that the body feels, then we have reason to fear. Fear is just another thought that we created in our own mind and we believe that fear is real only because we believe the body is real and that our body can feel.

So, “a human body, or creating the person you are at the present” as your question is stated, is confusing. The “human body” and “the person you are creating at the present” are both the same thing – thoughts created in our own mind. Time is not real either. So, “at the present” is a time stamp of “the person you are creating now.” Remember – God created us. Anything that doesn't conform to the realities of God the Creator, is a product of our illusions. Our illusions imprison us until we dispel those illusions.

Julie wrote: "I watched the video on Ramon's suggestion, and was quite surprised by what was said. I took what I read to mean that taking medication was not the way to manage your illness and take care of the bo..."

I am in complete agreement with your findings, Julie. You have done well and have thought this through with positive conviction. And to think, we are still only in chapter 1. Can you imagine the wonderful life you can experience as we proceed? I share your happiness. Thank you, Julie, for sharing your findings.

A Course in Miracles states: "You can do much on behalf of your own healing and that of others if, in a situation calling for help, you think of it this way:

I am here only to be truly helpful.
I am here to represent Him Who sent me.
I do not have to worry about what to say or what to do, because He Who sent me will direct me.
I am content to be wherever He wishes, knowing He goes there with me.
I will be healed as I let Him teach me to heal."

T-2.V.A.18. (8)

Angelanadine wrote: "I am struggling with paragraph 4. Every family member must return home, which home? God is not mocked, when or why was God ever mocked?

Same with paragraph 5, struggling here. One cannot serve 2 ..."

ACIM states: "The ego regards the body as its home, and tries to satisfy itself through the body. But the idea that this is possible is a decision of the mind, which has become completely confused about what is really possible. T-4.II.7. (Emphasis added).

Okay - first we identify home.

There is our real home - where the Mind is - where we were created.

And then, according to ACIM, "The ego regards the body as its home." T-4.II.7. And, "...you believe you are in a body...." T-1.V.1.

But, we should have already learned that because our body has a beginning and an end, that the body cannot possibly be real.

Plus the return isn't an actual return, like moving from point A to point B, because we have actually never really left. And, there isn't really any point A or point B, because our real self takes up zero space.

Now we identify our (real) self. We should have already learned that the mind is the real self that God created perfect. And, our ego is our perceived self that we created as a product of our free choice.

ACIM states: "God would be mocked if any of His creations lacked holiness" T-1.V.4. (emphasis on the term 'would' in the original; emphasis on the the term 'if' added).

The terms 'would' and 'if' make the statement theoretical. God knows the truth and the statement wasn't meant for God's eyes. We believe that God is all-knowing, but we also believe that we are this body. The statement is merely saying that we are not lacking and to believe that we are lacking anything would be like calling God a fool and a liar. We can't have it both ways. We are holy as God made us and to believe otherwise proves that it is our own self that is confused - not God.

ACIM states: "The only limit put on its choice is that it cannot serve two masters. T-1.V.5. (Emphasis added)

The term its refers to mind. And the mind is limited. The mind can choose to serve God. Or, the mind can choose to serve its own will. But, it cannot serve both.

ACIM states: "If it elects to do so, the mind can become the medium by which spirit creates along the line of its own creation. If it does not freely elect to do so, it retains its creative potential but places itself under tyrannous rather than Authoritative control". T-1.V.5.

This is just about our freedom of choice. If we choose on our own to serve God and that choice was made freely, then our choice was truly free. But, if we choose to serve God because God offered no other choice then God could be said to be a tyrant.

Makes since to me. Man has already proven that he can not create his own perfection. And we are still trying.

A lot of this stuff was already covered prior to these paragraphs. I will suggest that we slow down a bit. These concepts build layer upon layer, but many are also repeated or rephrased.

Please remember too that we have this ego that is also putting obstacles in our path. Our ego is the father of confusion. I believe that you listen well to reason. So don't hesitate to allow us to go through these things with you in greater detail. I really do enjoy sharing with our group here.

You are most welcome, Adine. I was more than happy to share that with you. Your blessing has blessed me as well.

Your wishes are reasonable, Julie. And, according to ACIM, all illnesses are mental health illnesses.

We are co-creators. We have created our own environment. And, at least for me, my environment could stand a few improvements. I have a good imagination, so, I should be able to come up with fresh ideas with little problem. For right now, I am content, so there is no rush.

Being able to help others has somehow helped me as well. Feel free to bounce your thoughts on me whenever you like, Julie. I usually have a very positive out-look on most things. I'm rarely stumped and thanks to the internet, information is always at my fingertips.

Peace be with you.

Julie wrote: ""ionPhysical medications are "spells", but if you are afraid to use the mind to heal, you should not attempt to do so." Perhaps I'm taking this too literally, or out of context. I personally am dia..."

ACIM states: "Physical medications are forms of “spells,” but if you are afraid to use the mind to heal, you should not attempt to do so." T-2.V.2. (Emphasis added).

As emphasize, the term if is present, which means that the statement isn't saying that you are afraid, but only if you are afraid.

So I have only your word that you are not afraid and that may be true, but the story, as told by you, does have a sense of fear running through it.

I have my medication and I have no fear. But, if I stop taking the medication, then I will suffer. So, while I say that I'm not afraid - at the same time I say I can't stop taking my medication. The fear is that I will suffer. Believe me, I don't like taking any medication. So, it is clear that the only real reason I take that medication is because I fear what happens when I don't take that stupid medication. Same story as yours.

What do you think?

Angelanadine wrote: "Just to clarify, what is the law of Moses? What is the re-interpreted version of Jesus?

I ask to clarify, but also for future reference. And yes, it was subsection 4 of Ch 1, sorry for the confusi..."

Moses spoke 613 laws, the scholars took the time to count each and every law spoken by Moses.
Moses himself declared that God gave him 10 commandments written stones tablets to which Moses built an Ark of Covenant to keep it in

Jesus spoke many of the laws given by Moses within the gospels of Matthew and Luke, however Jesus did not support the laws as given by Moses and changed each and every law given by Moses in the following fashion;

JESUS SAID;
Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
(the above passage is a law as given by Moses (Exodus 21:23-27)

(in the passage below Jesus changes this law as given by Moses and Jesus gives 6 commandments as given to him by his Father in heaven, (John 12:49-50) that we are to follow)
Matthew 5:39-41
But I say unto you,
1) That ye resist not evil:
2) but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
3) And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
4) And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
5) Give to him that asketh thee,
6) and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

Jesus does the same thing in the following verses, he first speaks (fulfills) the OT law and then speaks (declares) the NT laws

(the verse below was given by Moses (Lev 19:16-18)
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

In the following verses Jesus changes the laws as given by Moses in Lev 19:16-18 and speaks 4 laws that replace this law as given by Moses
Matthew 5:38-48
44 But I say unto you,
7) Love your enemies,
8) bless them that curse you,
9) do good to them that hate you,
10) and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

(the following verses are not commandments spoken by Jesus they are Sayings of Jesus
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven:
for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good,
and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Matt 5:38-48 (KJV)

JESUS SAID,
the heavens and the earth shall pass away, but My Words (John 12:49-50) shall not pass away

Angelanadine wrote: "I really liked that quote, it really resonated with me.

Your follow-up has me a little stumped though: if the concept of 'I' is an illusion, then my being responsible for my beliefs is equally an..."

ACIM states: "Consciousness, the level of perception, was the first split introduced into the mind after the separation, making the mind a perceiver rather than a creator. Consciousness is correctly identified as the domain of the ego. The ego is a wrong-minded attempt to perceive yourself as you wish to be, rather than as you are. Yet you can know yourself only as you are, because that is all you can be sure of. Everything else is open to question." T-3.IV.2. (Emphasis added)

ACIM uses the term 'ego' for the concept of 'I' and what it is has been expressed above. The who, then, is ultimately you - the real you that God created - or the 'ego' you that you created, which is not really real.

First, Julie, I loaded up a lot more videos - until I found one that may be a good start for you to view. Okay, from most locations in our group, click on the videos there on the right-hand side. Then click more videos in order for you to see the whole list. There are several pages now. About 150 videos. Look for the one called - Q & A: Illness. View that video as many times as you need to. Take notes and write down any questions that may arise during viewing.

Second, Your statement: i know that my illnesses cannot be managed without medication because i did try it, is not a true statement. And its not a true statement for at least two reasons. (1) i know should really be I only believe; and, (2) i did try it is not the same thing as saying I tried everything. And the fact that your still looking for something tells me that you actually haven't tried everything.

So lets start by admitting what truth we actually know about. (1) You haven't been able to manage your illnesses without medication. (2) Because you believe you don't know everything, there is no way you could have tried everything.

How do I know that? Cause I'm in the same boat with you. Another thing - who ever told you that your illnesses were incurable should have his licence to practice healing taken away from him.That is, if it was a doctor that told you that. Doctors today usually don't tell their patient that their illness is incurable. What they are taught to say now, is that there is no known cure available.

Why? Because it is a known fact that in many cases where they give the patient no hope, the patient stops trying. And how hard is it for someone to ever get well when that person has given up all hope?

Julie, I believe that we, both, have all the hope there is. So, now, lets just continue on our journey to with this fear thing.

ACIM states: "You are free to believe what you choose, and what you do attests to what you believe." T-1.II.1. (Emphasis added)

Once you realize what this statement is actually saying, it should follow then, that you should also be aware of who is really responsible for what you do.

Julie wrote: "So if if I understand you correctly, it can be any fear. You overcame your belief in fear."

Yes - any fear.

I do understand my belief in fear - but, from time to time, I find myself in fear (to some degree) of something. But once I realize the perceived fear, I become aware of where it came from. It then becomes of matter of recognizing the truth. The axiom - you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free - comes to mind. So, it is apparent to me that I must still have beliefs that I cling to, but I seem to unconsciously use fear to keep those beliefs in the dark. Its only when I am consciously aware of the fear do I seek the basis of that fear. Once I determine what that is, then its just a matter of properly dealing with the cause.

So, what I think your asking can be summed up this way. I do believe that I created fear, even though I don't remember actually doing it or even why or how I created it in the first place. I believe fear is not real because it was I who created it. What I haven't figured out yet is how to UN-create fear. Which seems odd, because the mere fact that I truly believe that fear is not actually real hasn't necessarily wiped-out all fear. I can honestly say, however, that I'm not afraid of fear itself and when I do experience it, fear has become an easy matter to deal with.

Julie wrote: "Thank you Ramon, but I'd like to take the question a little bit further. Is this fear a generalized fear, a fear of something specific, or all of our little fears regardless of what they are?"

Julie - I would also like to add my own experience with fear. Back when I was questioning, and even at times, trying to justify my fears, I learned that what I was really doing was trying to protect my belief in fear. I was attacking my own ego and protecting it at the same time. Getting to the root of fear, much like what you seem to be doing, became another eye-opener for me when I realized what I was really doing. Today, I often make fun at myself whenever fear enters into my awareness. But, back in those days, fear, at least for me anyway, was no laughing matter - my Mother would laugh at me however.

Julie wrote: "Thank you Ramon, but I'd like to take the question a little bit further. Is this fear a generalized fear, a fear of something specific, or all of our little fears regardless of what they are?"

ACIM: "God is not the author of fear. You are. You have chosen to create unlike Him, and have therefore made fear for yourself." T-4.I.9.

Any generalized fears - any specific fears - any little fears - any and all degrees of fear, whether we are conscious of it or not, we created. And because fear is not a creation of God, fear is not real . We create the fear and the fear, in any degree, is only as real as we make it.

You are most welcome, Nadine. We are here to help each other.

Because 'life' was created by God - life falls within the definition of 'knowledge.'

Because 'death' is an ending - death falls within the definition of 'perception.'

Because 'birth' is a beginning - birth falls within the definition of 'perception.'