the HOW of Healing - ACIM

Manual for Teachers in A Course in Miracles. "How is healing accomplished?"

• Meeting Topic Selection With only kristen and Jevon Perra present at the start of the discussion, they decided to read from the Manual for Teachers in A Course in Miracles. They chose the topic "How is healing accomplished?" after considering other options like "trust". Soo Kim joined the meeting later.
• The Perceived Purpose of Sickness Jevon Perra introduced the reading on healing, stating that healing requires understanding the illusion of sickness and its perceived purpose. The text suggests that sickness has value to the sufferer, acting as an election and a choice of weakness in the mistaken belief that it provides strength. Jevon Perra explained that sickness confirms the body's reality and the ego's separation ideas, which is considered valuable because the loss of this separate identity feels worse than death, like annihilation.
• Ego, Separation, and Fear Jevon Perra discussed how the ego values things that confirm the physical world and individual separation as real, using sickness as a confirmation. The focus on the physical world and material needs, such as rent and income, creates fear and anxiety. kristen agreed that fear and anxiety can induce sickness, mentioning their realization that they had been severely stressed out, and reflecting on the difficulty of living in the present rather than worrying about the future.
• Separation from God and Suffering The reading suggested that sickness symbolizes the "defeat of God's son" and the son's attempt to usurp the Creator's throne, driven by the belief that God is fierce and powerful. Jevon Perra interpreted this within a non-dual perspective, where being a separate entity requires "taking" life from the infinite wholeness of God, which is why separation and sickness are cherished by the ego for survival. This separateness inevitably leads to suffering because of the perception of lack.
• Personal Struggles with Expectations and Presence kristen related the discussion of separation to their own life, noting the stress of striving for a "perfect marriage" or being a "perfect mom". kristen shared that they often stress about financial future, such as paying rent in six months, instead of being thankful and present with their children. Jevon Perra responded by discussing the idea of watching oneself as a character with a script, suggesting that acceptance of the character's flaws and fears, like feeling worthless without accomplishment, is key to realizing one is not the character but the consciousness enlivening it.
• The Nature of Drama and Desire Jevon Perra argued that life needs drama, comparing the human experience to an entertaining but challenging show like Yellowstone, which kristen enjoys but does not wish to live. kristen questioned whether thinking about an outcome makes it real. Jevon Perra explained that perception determines reality, which can change in an instant, giving the example of two people having completely different experiences at the same party due to different perceptions.
• Healing and the Mind's Decision The discussion shifted to the conditions under which healing occurs, stating that it happens when the value placed on sickness is recognized and dismissed. The text emphasized that decisions are made by the mind, not the body, and sickness is a decision or a "faulty problem-solving approach". Jevon Perra elaborated that accepting sickness as a decision of the mind is the basis of healing, noting that the patient's mind, not the personality, is the true physician.
• Contentment and Non-Attachment to Outcome Jevon Perra posited that people pursue accomplishments (health, wealth, love) in search of happiness and contentment, but the activity of pursuing actually maintains separation from it, as it implies a lack. Contentment comes from releasing the idea of lack. kristen agreed, sharing their relaxed approach to changing careers, prioritizing peace over anxiety. Jevon Perra suggested striving to do things without attachment to the outcome, which makes life a fun game, referencing a non-competitive game they play with their wife.
• Instincts, Cells, and the One Mind Soo Kim raised a question about instincts and reflexes, which they thought were separate from the mind, as they relate to the body's intelligence. Jevon Perra clarified that, according to non-dual teaching, the source of the universe is the "one mind". They illustrated the concept of the whole organism over the individual part by explaining programmed cell death (apoptosis), comparing cancer to a cell that rejects its duty to die for the sake of the whole, choosing to preserve its own identity instead.
• Ego and Forgiveness Jevon Perra discussed how the ego can label things as necessary for survival, but none of it is ultimately true. They identified cues for letting go of something as any feeling that is the opposite of love, abundance, or contentment, such as defensiveness, protection, or a feeling of needing to fix a situation. Perra concluded that these negative feelings are a cue to forgive and let it go for personal growth.

Meeting Conclusion The meeting concluded with Kristen and Soo Kim thanking Jevon Perra. Kristen mentioned they were going to wake their kids up and make breakfast. Soo Kim and Kristen both wished Jevon Perra a good weekend