Tapping into the Power of Perfect Love
“When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.”
– Let it Be, Paul McCartney
One of the reasons I love A Course in Miracles is because it does not just say “this world is an illusion,” and leave it at that. Such a belief can be an easy path to nihilism. Instead, it says that this world is an illusion and there is something real—infinite love; perfect oneness; something we might call God.
It does not just deconstruct our current reality, it posits that beneath all of our projections, beliefs, fears, and stories, there is unfathomable joy.
You may not believe in God. And it is likely that you do not even know what A Course in Miracles is. But the spirit behind the idea of an all-loving consciousness may help you in times of trouble, even if you are not convinced of its validity.
You may be able to consider the idea there is a powerful force acting in the universe that is greater than you, your individual needs and desires. And when you find yourself in a moment of deep despair or overwhelm, you may be able to also feel the safety and power of this idea.
What if it were true? How would this moment be different? And if you didn’t call it God, could you believe that love is always available to you as an option, and that trusting in and opening to this possibility of love would give you a sense of support no matter happened in the outer world?
You could name it anything, understand it through a scientific or religious or humanistic lens, and you could have very unique beliefs about its powers and origins and relationship to you as a sentient being. You might even scale the grandeur of the idea back all the way to Mother Mary speaking words of wisdom to Paul McCartney, “let it be.”
Give it a shot and see what you discover.
“Do you want happiness, a quiet mind, a certainty of purpose, and a sense of worth and beauty that transcends the world? Do you want care and safety, and the warmth of sure protection always? Do you want a quietness that cannot be disturbed, a gentleness that never can be hurt, a deep, abiding comfort, and a rest so perfect it can never be upset? All this forgiveness offers you, and more. It sparkles on your eyes as you awake, and gives you joy with which to meet the day. It soothes your forehead while you sleep, and rests upon your eyelids so you see no dreams of fear and evil, malice and attack. And when you wake again, it offers you another day of happiness and peace. All this forgiveness offers you, and more.”
– A Course in Miracles
Image: Some rights reserved by Mish Sukahrev