The Two Thought Systems
The first three major steps to awakening (covered in chapter six and discussed in previous posts) basically involve a switch of focus from the thought system of the ego to that of God, and as taught by A Course in Miracles
In the first step we become aware that there are indeed two thought systems and begin to understand them. During the second step we reject the thought system of the ego and embrace the one that is true. Then in the third step we accept the help of the Holy Spirit and become vigilant in following Him and the thought system He represents.
Since each of these steps involve the two thought systems it would seem to be of significant importance to understand them, for we are told that “There are only two thought systems, and you demonstrate that you believe one or the other is true all the time.” M-in.2
This makes clear that we do not need to examine many thought systems, but only two: one from God and the other from the ego.
The dominate thought system in this world is the one used by the ego. Even though it is classified as one thought system in the above quote we are told that there are “many other aspects of the ego’s thought system.” T-17.IV.6 “The ego is legion, but the Holy Spirit is One…” T-6.I.10
The ego then represents one thought system but within it are many aspects or differing beliefs. But even though it has many aspects it is classified as one thought system because the whole thing is based upon the one idea that “Error is real and truth is error.” T-11.V.14
Communication is distorted under the ego’s system which prevents us from finding the real truth:
“The communication system of the ego is based on its own thought system, as is everything else it dictates. Its communication is controlled by its need to protect itself, and it will disrupt communication when it experiences threat.” T-4.VII.2
Indeed, it is a hallmark of the ego’s thought system to “disrupt communication” when one comes close to the truth. For “the closer you come to the foundation of the ego’s thought system, the darker and more obscure becomes the way.” T-11.in.3
The other thought system represents true reality and the miracle part of A Course in Miracles “is a real foundation stone of the thought system I (Jesus) teach and want you to teach.” T-6.V.A.4
We are told that the lessons in the Course represent “the cohesiveness of the thought system to which they are leading you.” W-pI.rI.in.6 For “you are studying a unified thought system in which nothing is lacking that is needed, and nothing is included that is contradictory or irrelevant.” W-pI.42.7 Just one of its lessons represent “a milestone in learning the thought system which this course sets forth.” W-pI.94.4
It is pretty clear then that the Course represents a thought system. The obvious question then is which thought system of the two does the Course represent?
Obviously, it is not the ego’s where “error is real and truth is error.”
Since there are only two thought systems, then, from whence comes the other one? The Course gives a clear answer:
“The cornerstone of God’s creation is you, for His thought system is light. Remember the Rays that are there unseen. The more you approach the center of His thought system, the clearer the light becomes.” T-11.in.3
Indeed, God is the source of the other thought system and as we “approach the center of His thought system, the clearer the light becomes.”
The terrific thing for us is that God shares His thought system with us when we heal the separation:
“For in this (healing) lies the beginning of the return to knowledge; the foundation on which God will help build again the thought system you share with Him.” T-11.I.1
At this point one would assume that A Course in Miracles is a huge step that was taken to share God’s thought system with us.
At this point a seeker may ask something like this: It seems like the Course is contradicting itself for on one hand it tells us that there is only one thought system that leads us back to our Source, but on the other, we are told that there are many differing teachings that do this. How does one harmonize the following quote with the idea of one thought system?
“This is a manual for a special curriculum, intended for teachers of a special form of the universal course. There are many thousands of other forms, all with the same outcome. They merely save time.” M-1.4
I find it is always important to carefully examine the wording of Course teachings, especially if there seems to be a contradiction.
Notice that it speaks of “the universal course” as singular. It does not say there are many universal courses. There is only one path back to God and the universal course is it.
BUT… there are many thousands of forms of that course.
What then are these many forms? Of course, they would be the many different religions composed of many different teachings
Does this mean that one form, such as the Jehovah Witnesses, is just as true as A Course in Miracles?
No. Of course not. Each form has some truth and some error, unlike the Universal Course itself, as well as God’s thought system, which are completely true. We assume that ACIM comes very close to truthfully representing the Universal Course.
How then can a form containing numerous untruths take us to the same outcome as ACIM?
The answer is that almost every spiritual tradition teaches some of the basic elements found in ACIM, such as forgiveness, loving your neighbor, the idea that God is our creator and is love, that we live on after the body dies as well as other teachings. They may not present the teachings as pure as ACIM, but they do present some spiritual goals from the Universal Course and God’s thought system. They all advance sincere seekers through the universal Course, some saving more time than others.
Consider this analogy. Visualize one singular path that leads us back to God, but along this path are many forks that take you off the path, but may seem to be the right path at the time. As you progress you take several of these other paths and reach a dead end, and then return to the true path. You make several detours but keep coming back to the path and following it until you reach the goal.
Taking these detours was actually part of our journey home as you learned to discern the true path from the false. You also learned that the many paths were an illusion whereas the true path, or thought system, was not.
Since “the ego’s basic doctrine, “Seek but do not find.” W-pI.71.4 it does everything it can to bring confusion to our minds by telling us that we cannot find real truth, and be unified in the truth, because one form of the teaching is just as true as ACIM or another other spiritual teaching. It tells us that real truth is a mystery that we cannot comprehend because of the limitation of words and the imperfection of this world and the people in it.
To counter this was one of the reasons the Holy Spirit was given to us and the third step of becoming one with It is so important for “He sorts out the true from the false in your mind, and teaches you to judge every thought you allow to enter it in the light of what God put there.” T-6.V.C.1
“The Holy Spirit’s goal gives one interpretation, meaningful to you and to your brother.” T-30.VII.6
The ego’s thought system teaches we cannot become one and there always has to be an “us against them;” whereas the system from God, as embraced by the Holy Spirit, leads to oneness and that oneness is the completion of the third step as taught in chapter six.
“The ego is legion, but the Holy Spirit is One… For reality is one with the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” T-6.I.10
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