A Course in Miracles employs a unique use of language which makes its terminology initially confusing. This glossary offers help for both beginning and experienced students as they progress along their path to God.
The Course uses the words "God," “Separation,” and “Ego” in a variety of ways that evoke non-duality, Eastern spirituality, and Christian terminology.
God
God is the omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent creator of all things. He rules the universe and is our ultimate source of good. He is also our benefactor, redeemer and judge.
Western concepts of God have developed through three sources, experience, revelation and reason. They are remarkably varied and produce equally varied concepts of God.
In Christianity, God is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He is a loving, merciful and just Creator and Redeemer.
He has infinite attributes, which include love, light, power and wisdom. Each of these attributes is true of God and his character and he is fully integrated and infinitely perfect in them all.
Unlike us, God is not limited by time or space, is not bound by anything we can imagine and has no desire to harm or kill. His desires are unlimited and unbounded and his motivations are always for the good of those who love him.
In His omniscience, God knows all of creation and all that is possible in the future. His knowledge is beyond human understanding and it is like a stadium full of bright lights. acim
The Separation
A separation is a legal process that can change your legal status. It is different from divorce. In some states, you can legally separate from your spouse until you get a judgment of divorce.
The separation is a major concept in the Course, and it has affected many people's lives. This glossary will help you understand the words that are used to describe this process.
It is important to understand that the ego's belief in separation from God is a false one. The ego's perception of this separation is what keeps the world from becoming real, and it continues to maintain a false belief in the reality of sin and guilt.
This belief is the root of all suffering, because it perpetuates the illusion of separation and keeps us from understanding that we are never separated from God. The ego's perception of this situation also reinforces the idea that the world is a place to hide, and this is what causes all of our suffering.
The ego's perception of the separation from God is also the reason why we are so confused about our own true identity. The ego's belief in separation from God leads to a number of other misconceptions about ourselves and our world. These misconceptions prevent us from experiencing the joy and freedom that is our birthright.
The Ego
The ego is the thought system that believes it originated on its own. It is a fearful state that can only turn to other egos for identification, or attack them in a feeble attempt to prove its power. It is not free to question its premise, because this premise is its foundation.
Every thought system, whether abstract or concrete, is ego-based. It uses the separative tool of language to make arbitrary classifications and categories. It is this process of differentiation and distinction that results in spurious generalization.
Its specificity results in a disruption of communication whenever it feels threatened. It does this to any perceived relationship that it perceives as related, and to anything that it identifies with itself.
Its reactions to the self it made are not at all surprising, since they duplicate the reactions of God to His Souls; with love, protection and great charity. In fact they resemble how you will react to your real creations, which are as timeless as you are.
Sin
Sin is any action that violates God's law, or causes a person to fail to honor or glorify Him fully. It is also defined as "lawlessness," unrighteousness, an absence of reverence, a lack of knowledge, and an "coming short of the glory of God."
In its biblical meaning, the term can refer to a sin committed by a person or a group of people. The sins of Adam are the basis for all other sins in human history.
Many people in society today use the term "sin" to describe any activity or behavior that is considered unacceptable by others. It can be applied to pleasurable activities such as card playing or dancing, but it can also include any action that is harmful or alienating.
A Course in Miracles does not define sin, but it does explain that the mind is driven mad by it, and it seeks to let illusions take the place of truth. It is then unable to see reality and experience it as it really is.
When a person is willing to look, and wait, and judge not, he can learn to welcome truth exactly as it is. This is the only way that we can truly forgive ourselves and others.
Forgiveness
Forgiveness, the ability to let go of anger and resentment toward others, is a powerful emotional coping strategy. Studies show that harboring anger and resentment releases stress hormones like cortisol, adrenaline and blood pressure. These feelings can lead to depression, anxiety, and poor physical health.
Forgiving someone who has hurt you is a decision that only you can make. It doesn’t mean that you have to keep playing with them or be their friend. It can be painful to talk about the situation and to accept that you are the one who was wronged, but it is essential if you want to move forward in your relationship with that person.
Forgiveness is a powerful way to move through life with peace and harmony. It helps you grow as a person, and it can even improve your relationships with other people. It is also an antidote to the natural human tendency toward revenge and avoidance.
The Miracle
A miracle is an extraordinary and astonishing occurrence that is attributed to the presence and activity of a divine power. The word “miracle” comes from the Latin miraculum, meaning “object of wonder,” and is often used to describe a religious phenomenon that expresses or indicates a divine reality beyond the event itself.
The Christian gospels record many examples of Jesus performing miracles, including restoring the hearing of a deaf mute man in Decapolis and raising the dead. The Synoptics also report many other miracles, such as the healing of lepers and curing of various diseases.
Critics of miracles argue that they violate scientific laws, such as the law of cause and effect. However, they also argue that such events are not necessarily impossible, as Spinoza argued.
The most common argument against reported miracles is that they are a contradiction, since an event beyond the productive power of nature could not be caused by divine agency. Nevertheless, this claim has not been widely accepted, and most philosophers and theologians have assumed that such cases would count as proof of the existence of God.
Atonement
The concept of atonement is central to the Christian faith. It explains why Jesus died on the cross. It's also why Christians believe that he was the only person who could atone for their sins and save them from eternal punishment in Hell.
The word atonement comes from the Old Testament, where it refers to the process of making righteous people "at one" with God. This idea was developed by Christian theologians and apostles throughout history.
In A Course in Miracles, the term atonement is used in a very specific way. It's not about the blood of animals, it's about the correction that comes from the Holy Spirit in the mind.
This is a crucial part of the healing process, for it helps us accept that we are not separate from God or from others. It is the foundation for the Course's message and for the belief that we can achieve spiritual growth.
The Course uses a special language that is initially confusing but can eventually transform you. It fills familiar terms with new meaning, which makes it difficult to understand at first. However, it is this unique use of language that enables A Course in Miracles to heal the soul and change the world.
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