Learn How to Develop a Greater Sense of Peace and Love

It all begins with how we think

Chapter six of the book A Course in Miracles takes up a discussion on how we can begin to change our thinking so that we can more fully realize and experience peace and love. As with much of the text in the Course, the onus for this falls upon how we think rather than how we act. 

This begins by changing our minds and the views we hold about ourselves, others, and the world. The Course calls on us to let go of a fear-based way of thinking. It calls on us to take up a love-centered approach in how we think. From the Course perspective, by doing so we begin to more fully align ourselves with the thoughts of heaven. 

Frequently, we believe that it is an external force, person, event, or situation that is disrupting our peace of mind. We focus on the other, finding fault and passing judgment. We blame others or the situations we find ourselves in for our upsets. We believe that if only the situation changed, or if only the other person changed, we could be happy or at peace. 

If we really take a look at this way of thinking, it suggests that the power of one’s own peace of mind lies in the actions or decisions of another. As illuminated by the Course, nothing could be further from the truth. The experience of love and peace is not contingent upon someone else. The experience of love and peace lies within our own thoughts. 

Chapter six of the Course’s text provides guidance in the section “The Lessons of the Holy Spirit” and the subsequent sections as well. For those unfamiliar with the Course, it employs Christian language and terminology (e.g., Holy Spirit, atonement, sin). However, these terms are often defined in new ways.

The Course’s use of the term “Holy Spirit” refers to the aspect of God that sees through the illusions of this world and calls us to remember our ultimate truth (our unity with God) and our oneness with each other. We can turn to the Holy Spirit for guidance and direction; we can turn to the Holy Spirit to give up our unloving thoughts.

The first of the Holy Spirit’s lessons discussed in this chapter is, “To Have, Give All to All”. From a worldly point of view, how could this make sense? If I give all of my things to others, what would I have left for myself? 

Yet, the Course’s logic and the meaning of this lesson is clear when we recognize that the Course is asking for us to make a change in how we think, and is addressing the level of cause (i.e., our thinking), rather then the level of effect (i.e., what we do). This lesson calls on us to recognize that in order to have peace of mind and the experience of love, we need to extend peace and love in our thoughts. 

By engaging in this way of thinking, we can experience a greater sense of peace, a greater sense of joy, and a greater sense of happiness.  Just as God gives all to all, so are we called to give all to all. The Course places no limits upon whom or what love and peace should be extended to. All of God’s creations are worthy of love because they are God’s creations. 

Further in the Course, in chapter 17, it states:

Only what you have not given can be lacking in any situation .

When we place parameters upon whom or what to extend thoughts of peace and love to, we will find ourselves in a state of feeling or experiencing a lack of peace and love.

We can apply this principle to any situation. Let’s consider, for example, a workplace scenario. Perhaps someone is working in an office and is tasked with responsibilities and obligations that are mundane, boring, or seemingly insignificant. Perhaps they want a promotion and are overlooked for someone less qualified. Perhaps they have difficult co-workers.

This person is angry and frustrated over what they must do for a living, and so they wake up in the morning and begin each day angry, upset, and anxious. Each day becomes a challenge, and going to work is an exercise in feeling frustrated, drained, and upset. 

The anger, frustration, and anxiety being experienced is not located within the tasks or colleagues this person is working with, but rather in the very thoughts this person thinks. While they may be unable to change some of the external factors associated with the upsets, they can change how they think about these external factors.

To have an experience of love and peace, a shift in thinking to thoughts of love and peace is necessary.  This does not mean that the person is called (or forced) to like anyone or enjoy the work itself. Liking others is not a Course mandate or dictum. But loving, and loving as God loves, is. 

As discussed in a previous post, this does not suggest anyone is forced to remain in a situation that is unhealthy, unloving, exploitative or harmful. What it calls attention to is that how we choose to think about these situations, and how we choose to think about others and the contexts of our lives, has an impact on our own experiences and sense of self. 

Just as God does not limit His own love, we are called to do the same. Is this easy? No, from the perspective of the world, it is not. But it is what we are called to do and it is in alignment with the truth of who we really are. 

We do not give all to all in terms of peaceful and loving thoughts for the benefit of others or to change an external situation. We extend our loving and peaceful thoughts so that we ourselves can have a sense of love, peace, and blessedness.    

 Have you had any experiences where you’ve realized the power of changing how you view a situation? What are your thoughts and reflections? Please share your thoughts by commenting below. Make sure to subscribe so you’ll receive the weekly newsletter right to your email inbox! 

Peace and love.