23.01.09
Proof at last??
Posted in Musings at 2:41 pm by James 
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Every now and then the announcement of a new theory from science or a new presentation, say in film, promotes discussion by some Course students that at last Science or some other field is finally proving what ACIM has been saying.
Really?
These musings were inspired from discussion I recently read regarding a recent article in New Scientist which proposes that the universe is really a hologram. In that discussion one participant was pleased that it looked like science is coming around to prove what ACIM is telling us. No. The idea that science will prove ACIM is really not a thought worth pursuing. The idea of a holographic universe is nice, but remember there is no universe. Beware the temptation to see this idea as “proof” that there is indeed a real universe.
There are many areas in physics, psychology and studies in consciousness that seem supportive of the ideas presented in the Course. A more accessible example of this was the film “What the Bleep…?” How many on seeing this film thought, “Wow, just what the Course is saying!” Again, no, it wasn’t.
This is not to say the ideas presented in the New Scientist article or the film (to name just a few) are not helpful. If willing they can’t help but help you in your acceptance of what ACIM is saying. But please do not think these ideas prove anything. Absolutely everything in the universe as we think we know it is a fabrication made to support the “truth” of separation. That some of these expressions seem to not support it is just a sleight of hand. Again, this is not to say these ideas are not useful, for while we still believe in the symbols we made we can turn them over to One who knows and use them to release a bit more our belief in them. But here’s the rub. Even though these ideas can be helpful, they too will be released.
All ideas of the universe, be they rooted in “science” or “spirituality” are in the end reflections of one Thought or another. They are not the thought themselves, merely their ripple.
We are being led to “see” the cause of the ripple, not become enamoured with the ripple itself.
Richard Thompson Said:
March 12, 2009 at 10:07 pm
I have spent my professional life in the scientific and engineering fields and up till 12 years ago always defended the scientific explanations against any alternatives. New Scientist caricatured that stance to my great satisfaction. I now see that position as rather absurd since there are so many aspects of our lives that simply cannot be understood from that perspective. Of recent years New Scientist has softened its hard line approach. They publish material by Paul Davies for example who in my view is cleverly undermining the hard liners. I am not sure how far he would go in supporting ACIM which in the words of Gary Renard is far more radical than most people realise.
Having provided the above short introduction I now arrive at my final position: Attempts to explain the principles of ACIM in scientific terms is to lose sight of the relevance of each to this incarnation of ours. Science and engineering have provided us now with the means for inviting our brothers to look at the way their minds are dominated by ego and to suggest that perhaps there are benefits in lessening the ego’s grip. ACIM and the internet are both anarchic and so are able to work together to help us to return to God via forgiveness.
A stumbling block that keeps bothering me is the demonstrable fact that ACIM appeals to intellectuals. How do we draw in the majority of our brothers? I suppose the answer is that we need simply to demonstrate that there are other ways to behave and to relate to our fellows. Hopefully that will be sufficient when I develop my love and forgiveness better than it is now, to help my brothers along the path back to God.
These are thoughts that I have not put into the written word previously so it will be interesting to watch my progress. My ego still feels the need to find encouragement from the outside world. It will be good to let go of that need. There are many other things that I also need to let go.
I feel that I am trailing off into………
miracles Said:
March 13, 2009 at 8:10 am
ACIM is but one path. As for our brothers, our only responsibility is to forgive them.
Thank you for your comment.