Peace: A look at what conflicts

We are not avoiding responsibility by going within, yet we are abdicating our True Identity by operating solely without. Responsibility for sight is the key shift in focus in order to accept The Comforter is The Answer.

Perhaps we imagine there “should” never be a conflict. Shamefully we may hide our outrage, or perception of injustice. But for a long while, this will at least occasionally seem to recur.

The difference is the sensation now becomes intolerable to us rather than “the story.” So the justification for acting from this lack of peace (disquiet) wains. It is now recognized as irrational and insane and simply watched as another layer of the same old tale. We have become convinced that this knee-jerk reaction to seemingly “what is”—is not The Answer—but a restatement of the problem!

“It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”
—William Shakespeare, Macbeth

These are not “our” thoughts yet we must be mindful, as we remain identified with them. We may still itch to counter with an action: even if only the most “noble” kind, we may desire to “bestow” a teaching on someone less aware, or to “graciously” aqueous by claiming we are holding space as in”forgiveness to destroy.” Yet by merely watching this tendency, we see it as just another layer of defense against the truth.

If we neither condemn nor condone this temptation and humbly allow all the mixed emotions, beliefs and desires to arise, then we can be truly comforted by a Correction of perception.

There is no push away, gloss over, or pushing through what is “felt” to come to peace. Peace remains as radiant as a star exactly as it is. With no pretense, the ego can be easily exposed. There is no judgement of the upset or protectionism, only allowance so the tumult of emotions can subside and pass through.

These fluctuations are also part of “what is” now seen from the point of power, the one watching with the Spirit.

The metaphor of the mirror of the mind is very practical. It allows us to focus on what we do have control over, and like the Serenity Prayer* offers us the wisdom to know the difference. It may not be an overt loss of peace. It may look like excitement, mild disdain or even inquisitiveness. We simply become more interested in watching these subtler fluctuations than the soap operas of the world. From here we can begin to look with the Internal Teacher at the conditions that are underpinning our lack of peace.

This mind training serves us well when “imminent annihilation” is threatened.

For when we rail against the injustice of war in the world, or the horror of nature catastrophes, or the insanity of man’s inhumanity to man we are also getting in touch with something very valuable, our own sense of vulnerability and fragility within the construct of being identified with a personae (mask) of believing we are a person in a world. Latent fear in the mind rises sharply to the surface to be seen, comforted and cared for with compassion.

Only Clarity can be seen to clear confusion and when we react to “what is” showing up with anything else no matter how well intentioned, we add to the confounding nature of what we perceive.

A meaningless world engenders fear. 
—ACIM (W-13)

The hidden desire in the mind to “keep the fight going” needs to be revealed!

It is not truly “ours” but we are maintaining this momentum, by our attachment to it. Our unquestioned personal participation—whatever role we play—is perpetuating the drama even through our outrage about it.

It doesn’t matter if we stay at home heartbroken or stand defiantly on the front lines. When we desire to be counted as neither the victim nor the victimizer, but instead attempt to play a third side to this duality—“the protector” the righter of wrongs, the diplomat making peace between people, or the “conscientious objector” sitting on the sidelines mourning the atrocities and protesting strongly in the streets—it is all the same.

Whether facilitating a conversion from warlord to peacemaker, or victim to empowered citizen—duality reigns—when we believe we can personally “balance the scales.”

It is not in the reflection, but the mirrored mind where the concept of self and “other” thrives unquestioned.

We ought not be deceived by “the courage” of our personal convictions. This self-deception is what we must stand in awareness of, and with the clarity of having been convinced by The Comforter vote for real and eternal Peace! This is why the Course cautions us to look and “see no error” lest we dissipate our power through false cause and effect.

Change in form is no change at all.
We must see the actual upset where it is and address it there.

The only devils in the world are those running around in our hearts.
— Mahatma Gandhi, Spiritual Literacy
by Frederic & Mary Ann Brussat

It is with the content of the mind that we must work. Allowing the mesmerism to clear and the mask of time and space to drop. The grand illusion must be detected before we can meet as Rumi invited “out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing.” Otherwise pretty statements like this are just a gloss over. (The below video may be supportive.)

Peace must be restored to awareness first.
Not managed or maintained—which is no peace at all.

Peace is Reinstated in awareness by a singular desire that recognizes it as ALL that is valuable and true.

For that Correction is needed.
Purification is necessary.

Miracles are everyone’s right,
but purification is necessary first.
—A Course in Miracles (T-1.I.7:1)

We were created eternal and conflict free—an idea in the mind of God.  We are worthy of comfort, we are worthy of the experience of being “clueless, carefree and cared for.” This is a very high level of Trust.

So as this Trust develops, whatever side of a fight we find ourselves on, understand that each seeming separate path to peace is highly individualized. Along the way the accepted Presence of the Comforter is the only attitude shift that can provide real Leadership.

Trust in His Vision to light the Way.

I will step back and let Him lead the way!
This is Forgiveness.
Here is present peace.

Awakening is an inside job. It’s purpose is to end the illusion of pain and suffering once and for all. Acceptance that this has already been done for us, is our function!

And in that Acceptance PEACE IS found.

 

Now you must learn that only infinite patience produces immediate effects.
This is the way in which time is exchanged for eternity.
Infinite patience calls upon infinite love,
and by producing results now it renders time unnecessary.
—A Course in Miracles (T-5.VI.12:1-4)

 

Enjoy the below extract: Clear metaphysics illuminate the mirror of the mind!

*God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference.
—Reinhold Neibuhr

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