Holding Yourself Aloof From the Path (A Course in Miracles Sunday Gathering Sermon)

About this Video

• Video Title: Holding Yourself Aloof From the Path (A Course in Miracles Sunday Gathering Sermon)
• Channel: CircleofAtonement
• Speakers: Emily (mentioned), Jesus (referenced throughout)
• Duration: 00:33:16

Introduction

This sermon discusses the "Accepting the Atonement" prayer from A Course in Miracles, using the story of Bill Thatford to illustrate how holding oneself aloof from the path manifests and how to overcome it. The speaker analyzes Bill's struggles with passive resistance, disinterest, and a lack of will in his spiritual journey, offering guidance from Jesus's messages to Helen Schucman. The sermon emphasizes the importance of actively engaging one's will in spiritual growth, contrasting it with the tendency to passively surrender.

Key Takeaways

• The "Accepting the Atonement" Prayer: This prayer, originally given to Bill Thatford, directly addresses the issue of holding oneself aloof from the path. Each line offers a solution to a specific aspect of this problem.
• Passive Resistance: The sermon highlights the danger of passive resistance, where individuals secretly resist spiritual awakening while believing it's unattainable, leading to resignation and depression.
• The Role of Will: Contrary to the common notion of surrendering the will in spiritual practice, the sermon emphasizes the necessity of a strong, engaged will to actively participate in the spiritual journey. Disinterest, presented as a coping mechanism, is identified as detrimental to vitality.
• Overcoming Aloofness: The speaker encourages listeners to actively engage with the path, resist the ego's urge to disengage, and cultivate consistent effort and vigilance against passive resistance. The prayer serves as a tool to achieve this.
• Bill Thatford's Journey: Bill's story exemplifies the struggle against holding oneself aloof from the path and provides a relatable model of overcoming this challenge through active engagement and a renewed commitment to the spiritual journey.