In 1965, “A Course in Miracles” started with the sudden decision of two people to join in a common goal. Their names were Helen Schucman, who channeled the material from what she says was the Holy Spirit, and William Thetford, who wrote and edited it. After a year, the collaborators published the book in 1977. Their names did not appear on the cover because Helen said the Course can and should stand independently. Its purpose is to provide a way in which some may find their Internal Teacher.

After reading and studying the Course, I’ve concluded that the main driving force comes from two fundamental ways of thinking: perception and knowledge of a few simple concepts.

Perception is inherently illusionary because it’s based upon interpretation, not in fact. Perception is founded on our belief in our separation from God and one another. From these flows a belief in evil, sin, guilt, fear, and scarcity. It is a world of appearances, of birth and death, and constant change.

The world of knowledge, on the other hand, is the truth. The Course teaches that reality, which reflects the fact, can be seen only through spiritual vision and not through the body’s eyes. The world of knowledge is one of unity, love, and abundance. The Course views reality as composed only of God’s thoughts, which are loving, constant, and eternal. Evil, sin, and guilt are regarded as misperceptions. Sin is considered to be a lack of love or a mistake calling for correction and love rather than for guilt and punishment.

My world is not real. It may seem concrete, but it only takes place in my mind with spirit. The outer is but a reflection of the inner. I do not see things as they are but as I think they are. The secret here is that I can change how I view any situation on the outside and change it anytime I want. My reality is the way it’s seen by me and only me.

There is no past or future, only the now. My past was created when the Ego placed what it thought into memory. It’s not necessarily right, true and correct. You cannot touch anything from the past, it’s all in thought. It may seem real, but it’s not. You can change the past any time you like. Just modify the way you think about a thing or situation, and you remake the past. Forgiveness is the tool in changing memories. The future is the same as the past. It’s the Ego, again, projecting the outcome based on what it thinks it knows today. The future is not real. It’s only a thought. I can change the way I look at the future at any time. It’s not real. Accepting that I do not have any control over the future helps as well as staying in the present moment. Enjoy what is now, not what was or what might be.

There is a God, and it loves me just the way I am. It’s always been inside ready to help if I only ask and listen.

If I keep my mind on the now and follow these ideas, my life will be much more pleasant knowing God is in charge, not me and what I think about is my present reality.