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I just got back from lunch with a friend here in St. Louis. We talked much about the Circle of Atonement and the role it is playing in the larger ACIM community. In talking to him I realized that I didn't find much use for ACIM on my spiritual journey until I was reintroduced to ACIM through the Circle. I have been exposed to the Course for years having read A Return to Love when it first came out. My partner was for years active in a group and I always respected the Course but I didn't think it was for me. I found it too abstract and impractical. I found the ideas compelling, but the application of them wishy-washy. It wasn't until I came upon the Circle's take on the Course that I reconsidered. As I was telling my friend, I found the Circle’s take to be much more practical, applicable, and relevant. You and the Circle have presented the Course as a real path and not some vague feel-good theology. The Circle has taken the Course seriously as a way out of illusion and not just some inspiring, uplifting peice of spiritual writing. You have shown that the Course is more than lofty ideals, but a ladder to attain and live those lofty ideals. This is the strength of the Circle's position. It isn't vague or mushy but a clear path to proceed upon.
What I love about how you present the Course is that you show that the Course has the best of Christianity and the best of Eastern religion. The personal, saving nature of God in Christianity, the One who longs to be in relationship with you is there in the Course, along with the powerful understanding of Reality that Advaita [Hindu nondualism] presents. I have always been very drawn to Advaita, but it seems to eliminate a personal relationship with God if you take Advaita to its logical conclusion. Somehow the Course brings the powerful idea of a loving relationship with God and the clear understanding of ultimate oneness together in a practical philosophy. Wapnick's take on the Course doesn't do that for me. As you know, he tends to side with a transcendent God that doesn't connect with us very directly in our day-to-day lives. The Circle's interpretation of the Course brings the Course alive for me because it shows that God is personal and present in every facet of life, which is a powerful concept for me. I find the Circle's understanding to be so much richer and more helpful. I also find it to be more demanding, and a stronger call to wake up.
I told my friend that I thought your take on the Course would appeal to hard-core Christians more than to New Agers. This is because the Circle's understanding of the Course is a call to get to work and do our part in our awakening. Whereas in New Age circles, I often see the Course used as a feel good palliative for the pain of the world. Many New Agers don't want a demanding spiritual path that takes lots of time and commitment. Heck, many New Agers don't even want to work, period. They'd rather just practice The Secret and get rich. ; - ) Christians, on the other hand, are used to committing themselves to the work of salvation and offering their lives over to the Holy Spirit to be transformed. Christians do not have a problem with a demanding spiritual path. The Circle's view of the Course is not for the get-enlightenment-quick crowd. You taking the Course as a serious path has made it much more meaningful to me and I find myself standing up and taking notice.
I noticed on your website that the Circle was hit pretty hard by the economic down turn. I just want to encourage to to keep doing what you are doing (that is, of course, if the Holy Spirit inspires you to do so). I think if the Course is ever going to break out of fluffy New Age philosophy and become a real, powerful spiritual path, it will take folks like you that recognize the Course for what it is and not what they want it to be. You have put shoes on the Course, so that it can stand on the ground with us and guide us from were we are. A spiritual path is near-useless in my experience if it is just theorectical and not practically applicable. The Circle brings out the practicality of the Course, that I think got lost in the Course's amazing theology.
Thank you for all your hard work, Robert.
Your Brother in Christ,
Bryan Wagner
St. Louis
Hello Robert,
I am finding the readings and Text Reading Programs commentaries over the last few weeks so very moving and helpful. I frequently stop to wipe away tears! The readings are quite difficult to understand at times, on my own. It was enlightening to read of our judgments floating here and there instead of being our very foundation.
So thank you, I am really grateful for them.
Blessings,
Pam
Dear Dee,
I just wanted to let you know that the online copy of ACIM with links to all the articles and commentaries is truly fantastic. I can't even imagine how long such a project took, but I appreciate every minute you spent with it. This is the absolute BEST resource I've ever seen for the Course.
With much, much appreciation!!!
Susan Arenz-Kutzer