Last week I wrote: “The fact that I was so exasperated tells me
I was hell-bent on being right or correct. That was my mistake. It was an
error. It was not a “sin” that I wanted to be right or correct. It was a
mistaken choice I made. I can always choose again…. And that is exactly what
the Course teaches. The world we create with our perceptions is only as real as
a dream. What we call “sin” in our created world is really just an error of
perception. If we are willing, the Holy Spirit will help us change our
perception. When that happens, our “world” will change. What we’ll begin to
perceive is the “real” world that Christ-Eyes behold. We’ll see the Christ in
all others, albeit through the fear, guilt, anger, resentment, and
defensiveness that covers up the light of the Christ in each of us.
“That’s the promise of the Course in Miracles. That’s what’s happened
to me in AA. Although I could not imagine life without alcohol, I experienced
that sober life. I experienced a life of acceptance. I experienced a life of
living “just for today.” After 183 “just for today” days I had 6 months of
sobriety. After 365 “just for today” days I had a year. After 9,490 “just for
today” days I had 26 years. Looking back on my path to sobriety, can I pinpoint
the day my perception changed? Nope. Does that denigrate my change in
perception? Nope. Does my use of non-biblical words do dishonor to my
experience of the Holy Spirit in my life? Nope.”
A subscriber took issue with
some of my words from last week. Specifically, the issue was: “We’ll see the Christ in all others, albeit
through the fear, guilt, anger, resentment, and defensiveness that covers up
the light of the Christ in each of us.” The comment said I was implying the
Holy Spirit does not totally change us. The writer also commented on my sentence: “Does my use of non-biblical words do
dishonor to my experience of the Holy Spirit in my life? Nope.” The comment
here was that I cannot use the words ‘Holy Spirit’ without having referenced
the Holy Bible, from whence came these specific words. Therefore, one has to be
a Christian, believing in the Scripture, before one can ask the Holy Spirit for
anything.
I understand what’s being said and
where that doctrine came from. I used to teach it myself. The Holy Spirit is
one facet of the triune Godhead that we know from the experiences, creeds and
tribunals of the early Church Fathers as they wrestled with the Holy Bible –
what to put in it, what to leave out, and how to interpret it.
However, as I read the New
Testament through my eyes of 26 years of sobriety, acceptance, and
transformation, I envision people who underwent similar transformations in the
presence of Jesus the Christ or where His Spirit was palpable. They were
changed and were never the same. Their transformation had nothing whatsoever to
do with what they believed “happened” to them. It had nothing to do with how
they verbally “explained” their experience. Their transformation, as was mine,
is beyond words; but, because it’s so significant to us, that doesn’t stop us
from trying to verbalize our experiences.
I have experienced in AA
meetings the reality that each of us can tell our stories and, although the
specifics are very, very different, the stories are always the same. Why
wouldn’t that reality also be true for those early Christians 2,000 years ago?
If I learned that folks in AA
were poo-pooing the reality of other’s spiritual transformations as they worked
the 12 Steps and they poo-pooed them by quoting from my story, I would be
horrified. Whether or not someone verbalizes their spirituality in the way I
do, has absolutely nothing to do with the reality of their spirituality.
If I use the words “Holy Spirit”
and someone else uses different words – Higher Power, Spiritual Consciousness,
Enlightened Self, etc. – what difference does it make? It doesn’t. They are
simply words. If I can understand and accept that, so can the triune Godhead.
As far as my reference to “…seeing the Christ in all others, albeit…”
that is simply an acknowledgment that I am imperfect. I love the fact that AA
describes all our movement toward having a spiritual experience in this way:
“We are not saints. The point is, that we are willing to grow along spiritual
lines. The principles we have set down are guides to progress. We claim
spiritual progress rather than spiritual perfection.” [Alcoholics Anonymous,
Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., 4th Edition, p. 60]
Fearfulness demands that I be
assured I am right. It assuages my anxiety. I am aware of that. Therefore, I
try my best not to correct or criticize how someone else describes their
reality. Instead I try to listen to their truth behind their words. Sometimes I
get it. Sadly, often I still get caught up in my stuff.
Although these messages are
mostly for me, thanks for listening. As always – feel free to forward this
message to your friends, family, and those accompanying you on your spiritual
journey.
Don
#3 February, 2014
Copyright, 2014
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