January 17, 2012

The rules for decision are given to us for a very good reason. We do not make decisions from the right perception. We are still perceiving our lives and the world from a split mind, from a mind that is caught up in how the world appears to our limited perception. Perceiving beyond our limited perception is still not in our skill set. It has not become our default way of perceiving and therefore making decisions. No matter how well intentioned we may be, no matter how much we want to perceive correctly, it is still not second nature to us.

To make a new practice second nature, we must realize we have old habits, become willing to let go of them, and then actually let go of them. Next we must begin to develop a new habit by first stopping ourselves when we recognize that we are doing out of our old habit and consciously practicing the new practice we desire until it becomes habit or second nature. It does take time, practice, and effort. We’ve spent a lifetime learning the habits we have. It doesn’t have to take a lifetime to unlearn those habits but we must work consciously to change those engrained habits. The new habit, which applies top everything, is asking for guidance from Spirit in making any decision, choice, or judgment.

The asking only takes a moment. And the answer is instantaneous. The problem is by the time we ask, we’ve already made up our mind based on our habitual way of perceiving. Then we question Spirit’s guidance if we even listen for it at all. We must step by step change the way we make decisions, choices, and judgments. We are so busy being “right” in our narrow world of perception, we make decisions without all we need to make that decision present. Spirit has all the information we need. Spirit is within us, se we have all the information we need. We just don’t bother to look at what Spirit is showing and telling us.

Take that step. Be willing to ask Spirit’s guidance. Be willing to make all decisions in communication with Spirit. At least ask Spirit’s guidance whenever it occurs to you. This is the beginning of the change we really want to happen. This is the change in our way of perceiving that will lead us to the awareness of happiness, peace, joy, and love already within us. Ask and then listen for the answer. Then, make the decision with Spirit rather than on our own. Make it intentional so it becomes second nature. It’s habit forming!

January 10, 2012

Are you ready? Are you willing to make a commitment to changing your habits, the habitual way you think, and thus changing your life? This is what the Course has been leading up to. This is what it has been teaching us all along. It’s now time to make a new beginning and make the changes that will make the difference we really want in our lives. Be assured, this is what you really want. This is why you have stuck with this. This is why you keep coming back to this. Let go of your fears and plunge in. This is what you really want.

Every moment of every day we make decisions. We make countless decisions. Most, if not almost all, we are unaware of. They simply don’t need much attention. We don’t need to consciously make decisions to pick up one foot and move it forward, set it down and transfer our weight to that foot, pick up the other foot and so on to walk across a room. One who has lost the ability to walk may need to relearn how to walk, but it soon becomes second nature. We also make decisions about what we need to make conscious decisions about. Now we get into the realm of judgment. We judge what is worth our conscious attention. Here the Course is asking us to be aware of the judgments and decisions we make and how we make them.

Our problem is that we tend to try to make our decisions on our own. We try to make them based on our past experiences ad what we have been taught, even if all that is inadequate to make the decision. In this section the Course is asking us to be aware of the choices we are choosing and the decisions we are making. Perhaps we slow down just a bit and observe where our mind is going. We ca allow ourselves to begin to make some decisions from a place of awareness and awakening. We begin to teach ourselves new habits about haw we react to situations we find ourselves in. It takes practice to change habits, so we begin to be conscious of our habitual ways of making choices and decisions. Then we can make choices and decisions in a more mindfully awake way which will then become a new habit.

We needn’t stress about doing this ail at once with every little choice or decision. When we are willing, we will find ourselves awake when we have an opportunity to consciously change the way we make a choice or decision. If we fins ourselves resisting or unwilling, it’s no big deal. We are just not ready yet. As we begin practicing, we begin to nourish our change, growth, and awakening. Be patient. It takes time to change a lifetime of habits. But Spirit has the speed learning curriculum. We need only allow Spirit to guide us on this journey.