A Course in Miracles describes the ‘real world’ as a symbolic state of mind where we see only love, joy and peace. It tells us that a mind completely occupied with only truth cannot comprehend anything else. This is known as innocence. This is also how the Course describes God as seeing all things, ‘through the eyes of innocence.’
When we choose to see as God sees, innocently, we are considered to be in the ‘real world.’ From this state, the Course tells us that when we are ready, God will take the “final step” to awaken us fully from the dream of separation and in that instant, we will be complete once again. What a beautiful idea!
As I read this section of the workbook, my heart was filled with an overwhelming sense of Light... I asked myself, can I really see everything only through the eyes of eyes of utter peace and non-judgment? What would it take for me to truly be able to look upon a world constantly through the eyes of innocence, or love and nothing else?
For some reason, a series of thoughts suddenly popped into my mind – memories from my childhood… I had always been a very loving, trusting child. In fact, perhaps too much… I was the type that really worried my parents because I only saw the good in everyone and everything. Maybe you know the type? I brought home homeless people, gave my money to anyone that asked, rescued stray animals, etc.
Nor was I street wise in the least. I believed anything that people told me and was always accused of being far too nice and gullible and even family and friends would criticise me for being hopelessly naïve. This went on for most of my childhood and even well into my youth and young adulthood.
The other shoe dropped however, as they say, when a colleague of mine told me that I was a real “Pollyanna” after an incident where I made an excuse for someone who I should have been angry with (I’ve forgotten the reason now). At the time however, I didn’t realize it, but “Pollyanna” was the name of an old Disney film about a young girl who sees only the good in everyone and in every situation and ultimately brings happiness to everyone in the town through her childlike innocence and optimism.
Well, when I found out what “Pollyanna” meant, I was furious! I didn’t want to be considered as a pushover, a doormat, a “Pollyanna.” I didn’t want to be seen a ‘nice’ or ‘sweet.’ This was the 80s… I wanted to be sexy, smart and sophisticated.
After that, my life slowly changed. I began to attend assertiveness training and to complain about politics like everyone else. I smoked cigarettes, took drugs and engaged in sarcastic remarks. I criticised others and spent years trying to be taken seriously like other people. Still, somehow, I always knew it wasn’t really me.
Now, all these years later, in midlife, I read that to awaken to God – to the ‘real world’ I must become childlike once again – innocent; trusting; happy; a “Pollyanna.”
Isn’t it interesting how life can come full circle? Now that the ‘real world’ is my goal, as it could have always been, I’m grateful to remember my childlike qualities. I realize that as a child, or at least in that state of mind, I’m actually closer to my true Self. No wonder Jesus said, that to inherit the Kingdom of God you must become as a little child; pure-hearted, open-minded and wholly innocent.
1 comment:
Boy, do I understand that - there's a lot of parallels there with my own experience. I've become a bit more streetwise and assertive over the years, enough to get by, but I know people worried about my gullibility when I was growing up. It is so encouraging to know that my innocence serves me well in my path of awakening to my Self. Thank you :-) xx
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