[ACIM Practice] Viewing from a Place Beyond the Battlefield as the 'Dreamer' — The Essence of Forgiveness and the Shift in Identity

As we continue to learn and practice the Course (A Course in Miracles / ACIM), we find ourselves caught in the 'seriousness of the mind' time and time again.

However, have you noticed that there is a 'self' that is quietly smiling even at that seriousness?

This time, let us take a deep look once again at where we are trying to return to through the practice of forgiveness, and how our identity shifts.

1. The 'Holy Spirit's Perspective' Beyond Seriousness

Deep within us, there is a place that knows that everything in this world is a 'falsehood (illusion)'.

That is the 'Holy Spirit's perspective' that we continue to learn through the Course, and metaphysically speaking, it is the place called the 'decision-maker'.

From that vantage point, one can look upon everything inclusively and with a smile.

By the way, 'smiling' here does not mean sneering at or mocking the world, but rather a clear perspective accompanied by an overwhelming sense of relief, realizing, 'Oh, there was no problem to begin with'.

As stated in Chapter 27 of the Text, what is required of us is to return, through the practice of forgiveness, to the awareness that 'this is what I am doing to myself' (T-27.VIII.10:1).

When we realize that the tragedies and conflicts we have believed in until now were actually due to our own intention to 'want to dream such a dream, to have such an experience,' we are lifted from the middle of the battlefield to a higher level that looks far down upon the battlefield.

The Course calls this a 'miracle'.

And the means for that is what we call 'forgiveness'.

2. The 'Practice' of Returning to the Decision-Maker

The 'place beyond the battlefield' (T-23.IV) that the Course teaches is precisely this place.

What we do daily in our practice of forgiveness is training to return to this clear place called the 'decision-maker'.

For most of the day, we wander away from this place.

And we identify with the body, immerse ourselves in the drama of the dream world, and are swallowed up by the ego's thought system.

However, it means that each time, we must repeat the practice of returning to a clear perspective through the practice of forgiveness.

For those of you who are intermediate or advanced students, learning the ego's thought system should not be merely the acquisition of knowledge.

Having a metaphysical understanding of "what the ego is doing" serves as a powerful navigator that allows you to realize, "Ah, I am identifying with the ego again," when you have wandered off, and helps you return to your original place.

3. Identity Shift to the "Dreamer"

As we accumulate experiences of forgiveness, we begin to become aware of one major transformation.

It goes beyond the temporary experience of relief that "I have returned to peace," and we begin to realize that "I, who am in this peaceful place (the decision-making subject), am the true self."

In this way, a shift in identity takes place.

• The former me: I am the self as a body, and I occasionally seek "peace of mind."

• The future me: I am the self as the "dreamer," and I occasionally wander into the "dream of the body."

This complete shift is the goal of the training that the Course aims for.

There is no need to blame yourself for being a "self as a body."

All we need to do is return to ourselves as the "decision-making subject of the mind" whenever we notice, and from there, observe the ego's drama.

In Conclusion: Miracles are "Reminders"

A miracle is something that reminds you that what you are seeing is a dream and that its content is not true.

By accumulating the experience of returning to the decision-making subject each time, the words of the Course can be understood not just as metaphors, but as living realities.

Furthermore, we will practice not wandering away from there.

Or rather, it becomes training to constantly remain aware of the self that is there.

Because that is, after all, our true and original identity.

Tip for today's practice:
If something disturbs your peace today, take a breath and ask yourself:

'Am I on the battlefield right now? Or am I viewing this as the dreamer from a place beyond the battlefield?'