In part II, Section #1, of the Workbook Lessons of A Course in Miracles, "What is Forgiveness?," Jesus clearly states, "An unforgiving thought is one which makes a judgment that it will not raise to doubt, although it is not true.  The mind is closed and will not be released. ... [The unforgiving thought] protects projection, tightening its chains, so that distortions are more veiled and more obscure; less easily accessible to doubt and further kept from reason."  More clearly stated, "What can come between a fixed projection and the aim that it has chosen as its wanted goal?"

In the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, it is said this way: "Nothing keeps a man in everlasting ignorance greater than contempt prior to investigation."  The human mind does not easily surrender its cherished beliefs.  It will hold onto them even unto its death.  This is why repetition is paramount in recovery and in the mind training lessons of A Course in Miracles.  The fixed projections and contempt prior to investigation must be penetrated in order for salvation, or a return to sanity, to occur.  Experience has taught me that if I am in pain, it is always because I am refusing to relinquish one of my cherished beliefs.  That’s when I work a step related to the belief and do the daily lesson to help return my mind to sanity.  I ask myself, "Do I want to be right or do I want to happy?"  Then I choose accordingly.  Sometimes my desire to be right wins, and the pain gets more intense until I "let go absolutely."  I find more and more that being happy is the wiser choice. Ha ha!

In conclusion, I want to share another of my favorite passages from the "Big Book" which, to me, sums up what this article was intended to say.  The importance of repetition is eloquently portrayed in this statement: "Repetition is the only form of permanence that (human) nature understands."

You don't hear it until you hear it, so repeat it until you've heard it.  Then the lesson has been learned, healing has occurred, and you've become the embodiment of the Christ Mind: a witness that the program works and the lessons can be learned.  So, work it because you're worth it!!