Maybe our culture or society doesnt’ teach us anything that we didn’t want to learn?
In fact, I believe we set up society, families and the school system to teach us what we wanted to learn.
Frequently, authors and speakers teach that the conditions we grew up in are a major influence on who we become, “Our culture conditions us …”
But do the values of society and our culture mold us into something we didn’t want to become?
Who gave them the power to do that?
I love the radicalness of A Course in Miracles on this point:
“Perhaps you think you did not make the world, but came unwillingly to what was made already, hardly waiting for your thoughts to give it meaning. Yet in truth you found exactly what you looked for when you came.”
Workbook 132. 4:4-5
“When you came” is a reference to being born into this world as seemingly helpless children.
The quote from the Course reminds us we are powerful minds even when we are infants growing up in the world. We made this world to teach us separation from the moment we are born to the moment we die.
It seems to be a huge step to think that we are that powerful. We can start with recognising the part we play in seeing ourselves as victims of events in our lives. We can begin to own the power of our minds by accepting responsibility for how we feel rather than blaming others.
We don’t have to agree on the truth about the foundation of the world to recognise the freedom that comes from experiencing that no one and nothing can take away our peace of mind. Can we agree that the situation itself never determines who we are, unless we’ve already given it the power to do so?
Just take a moment to think about how many times you’ve used circumstances to justify giving away your power. How about stepping into your everyday relationships and remembering who you really are and how powerful the other person really is? You choose what you want the purpose of the situation to be.
“There is no world apart from what you wish, and herein lies your ultimate release. Change but your mind on what you want to see, and all the world must change accordingly.”
A Course in Miracles Workbook Lessson 132. 5
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