The Problem/The Solution

The Problem:  We  have taken on a personalized identity  separate  from Source and chosen to  believe that we are this self we made up.  This is the cause of all suffering.

The Solution:  The undoing of  our belief in this  nonexistent  personalized self. Once we undo the ego, what is left is our true Self. We remember what we are, Spirit, and where we are, Heaven. Problem solved.

The miracle does nothing. All it does is to undo.(T28.I.1)

In other words, the miracle, or right-minded thought, undoes our idea of what and where we are. The Course is filled with miracles, or right-minded thoughts, that if we accept them, will support us in undoing the ego.  But the study and acceptance  of the Course’s philosophy must be coupled  with  a Holy Spirit  directed application  in  the world  to undo the ego.  This is what the Jesus lifetime  modeled. No matter what seemed to be happening, he was able to remember that his personalized self, or anything “happening” to it, did not exist. 

The Course says that this is a required course, that everyone will take it and our only choice is how long it will take us to complete it. That means that everyone will eventually learn that this individualized self, that we think we are, IS NOT REAL.  Why? Because that is what God wants and contrary to the ego’s belief, He is Boss and what He says goes. If we remembered what we were, we would realize that   is what we want too.  Also, there is the little matter of it being the  Truth.

So how do we undo the ego?  How do we  undo  the personalized  self? This can be a tricky proposition   because as long as we are “here”, some part of us must want to be the special, separated self and will view any attempt at undoing as a mortal  threat.  This is why a close  coaching relationship with the Holy Spirit  is essential.  He  might direct us  to do, say or think things  that are uncomfortable.  But the purpose,  or “the what for”,  of His instruction will always  be  the undoing of the ego.  Remember that  the purpose, or “the what for”, of the ego’s instruction is always to make the personalized selves we made seem real.

If our goal is to  make our  personal identity insignificant,  we can look at our lives  and see how close we are to our goal.  It is no easy task in  this  world screaming   for  individuality  and  specialness  to  achieve ego undoing.  How are you making your made up self  real?  Do you want  to  undo your made up  self  and get home to God?  If we   will invite Him, the Holy Spirit will coach us   through the challenging  task of undoing our  ego.   Eventually we will all remember that  this tiny mad idea, this self we made, was never real  and  we will laugh. How soon we laugh is up to us.

Forgiveness is acquired. It is not inherent in the mind, which cannot sin. As sin is an idea you taught yourself, forgiveness must be learned by you as well, but from a Teacher other than yourself, Who represents the other Self in you. Through Him you learn how to forgive the self you think you made, and let it disappear. Thus you return your mind as one to Him Who is your Self, and Who can never sin.(W121.6)