Miracle Principle 35
January 21, 2021
“Miracles are the way in which minds that serve the spirit unite with Christ for the salvation or release of all God’s creations.”
This principle introduces the concept of projection. Projection is a major concept in how the mind operates, and it originates at the beginning of time, the dream of separation from God. Jesus, comparing each of us to Lucifer, says we are light projected out of Heaven. Only what we “hurl” is not light, we cast out our darkness onto others and the world, this is what projection is. It is the opposite of loving thy neighbor.
Next were given more expression of what it means to be in relationship with Jesus. He wants miracle workers under his guidance who allow him to set his limits on their behavior. We should become “induced to ask [him] each time whether [he] wants [us] to perform [a] particular miracle” (4:1-2).
“The answer is to never perform a miracle without asking me if you should. This spares you from exhaustion” (5:1-2).
By turning to Jesus, we can become efficient, and over time, deeply honest about which miracles we feel called to make, how we interact with others. This is tremendously practical advice and leads to greater abundance for both giver and receiver.
Jesus makes a radical statement: “I am the Atonement.” Back in Principle 24 he said “I am in charge of the process of Atonement,” which is another strongly-worded statement about his being placed in charge of creation’s reconciliation with God. Later in Principle 46, he says, “humanity stands below me and I stand below God” (17:5). All of these claims make Jesus stand in grandeur. But he will be very clear: we are not to experience awe in his presence, or question our equality to him. He just has a different job to do, and he is quite devoted. We can place our trust and faith in him, and we are repeatedly urged to do so.
This discussion of being under Jesus’s guidance develops into a discussion of “Christ-control.” ‘Christ-control’ is discussed later in Principle 49 and Chapter 2. The basic idea is that our behavior should be under control, our thoughts under “Christ-guidance.” This control is not coercive. Christ is identified as our true self or Self, so essentially, we are talking about self-control (or Self-control). Being controlled means to have involuntary action. We become a vessel for Christ to act, to allow holiness to cross over into this world. This is the ideal way for expressing love, giving miracles to others. Christ-guidance is not lesser than Christ-control, though it is described as more personal. It is a revelation that cannot be adequately shared with others. Think in terms of miracles as “shifts in perception.” This is the secondary definition of a miracle in the Course. These shifts are not shared, though they lead to expression. Christ-controlled behavior leads to miracle “distribution” by Jesus (8:4). “Christ-guidance, on the other hand, leads to the highly personal experience of revelation.”
The reasons our thoughts are guided, not controlled is merely because there is no coercion. We are the decision maker at all times.
A guide does not control, by definition. But he does direct, leaving the following up to you. ‘Lead us not into temptation’ means ‘Guide us out of our own errors.’ Note that the word is ‘lead’ not ‘order’(8:7-9).
Jesus explains why possession and projection are similar concepts. Possession does not get developed into a major Course concept the way projection does (at least not by name). When we project, we cast out our darkness, rather than reflecting back light and forgiveness unto others. When we possess others, or attempt to possess or be possessed, we are “not under Christ-control” (7:1). Of course, the demon that has possessed us is nothing but our own thoughts. “This is demon possession” (7:4). Kind of makes you wonder about the mission of the twelve in Luke. Jesus called them to go out into the villages to cure disease, proclaim the Kingdom of God, and “gave them authority over all demons” (Lk 9:1). Once the concept of ego is introduced, we’ll see that what he is referring to could be likened to being ego driven.
If you thought demon possession was an archaic concept, the discussion closes with a comment about “casting spells.” Have you considered the logistics of spell casting, what is actually going on there? A spiritual teacher I have admired and learned from, especially in my formative years, was Ted Andrews. He is no longer with us. He was a prolific writer on psychic gifts and the world of spirit (and also a spell-binding speaker, he is best known for writing ‘Animal Speak’ and ‘Nature Speak’). Andrews recalled in his autobiography how he had helped a woman escape an abusive, controlling spiritual community and leader, but in the process came under immense and concerted psychic attack. Andrews attributed some major and prolonged physical illness to these attacks. The idea here is that someone had ‘cast a spell.’ Jesus is telling us that the concept has validity, but no matter the size of the spell – whether it is a slight grievance or jealousy, or a more dominant and concerted hex to cause suffering – it is still only reflective of some distortion inside of ourselves. It otherwise holds no power over us to imprison, so long as we release ourselves from our errors.
‘Casting spells’ merely means ‘affirming error,’ and error is lacking of love. When a person projects this lovelessness onto others, he does imprison them, but only to the extent that he reinforces errors they have already made. These distortions make them vulnerable to the curse of others, since they have already cursed themselves.’
I am also reminded of a scene in Tolkien’s The Hobbit. Regarding a character, Beorn, Tolkien writes:
“He is a skin changer. He changes skin; sometimes he is a huge black bear, sometimes he is a great strong man…At any rate he is under no enchantment but his own.” We have this same trait in common, being under our own enchantment, not by what is cast unto us by others’ minds.
Jesus is telling us something important here about the power that Christ-guidance has over us. It can protect us from all harm. Even from the ‘princes of the world.’ No domination system, enterprise or leader – whether spiritual, cultural, political or religious – holds any sway over the truth. When we align with truth, we accept grace and the full power and protection of Spirit. “Only the error is really vulnerable” (9:2).
Practice Suggestion:
Spirit is in the state of grace forever.
My reality is only my spirit.
Therefore, I am in the state of grace forever.