The ACIM Forgiveness Process

 Forgiveness, as it is presented in acim , is a process. That means it takes commitment and perseverance to practice it.

The first step is to recognise that the origin of your problem is always within you. It is not the external world, but your current attitudes and beliefs that are causing it.

The origin of the problem

One of the biggest challenges to our psyches is our inability to forgive. The practice of forgiving your mate may seem like a no brainer, but it isn't. In the end, forgiveness is a matter of allowing yourself to become a better human being and not a bad place to start. To do so requires a lot of effort on your part, but the results are well worth it. The good news is that there are many ways to do it. For the best results, try a multi-pronged approach involving a supportive spouse and friends. If you can't be there, try a virtual version that you can access anywhere at anytime.

The decision to forgive

The decision to forgive is a critical step in the acim forgiveness process.

It is an essential step for the course to be successful, and it requires a lot of willingness and earnest diligence. As with many spiritual practices, the decision to forgive is an ongoing one, and it takes constant repetition.

Unlike other forms of forgiveness, the acim forgiveness process relies on the recognition that a problem has its origin within yourself. It also recognizes that a solution is available to you, regardless of your current belief system and attitude.

The acim forgiveness process, however, does not require that you understand the problem fully; it simply requires that you accept the reality of what is happening on a spiritual level in your mind. You can then use the acim forgiveness process to help you heal the underlying problem.

In the past, when you experienced a painful event, it was likely that you believed that it was caused by another person or force outside of yourself. This belief, although a common one, is not necessarily true.

As we learn from the acim course, all of the people and events that you have experienced are only symbols of your present beliefs and attitudes. The problems you have experienced are a manifestation of your thoughts, and they can be easily healed.

This is because cause and effect are never separate in your mind, even when it may seem as if they are. The ego has a job to make it appear so, so that you can continue to rely on its guidance instead of your Holy Self.

Therefore, it is crucial that you recognize and release the ego’s lies in order to be able to see the truth of the situation. Once you do this, the ego will no longer be in control of your mind, and you can begin to trust your Holy Self to guide you through the process.

In addition to feeling better, participants reported that forgiveness enabled them to become more positive in their relationships and experiences of life. For example, one participant (Lyndon, Theosophist) reported that through the practice of forgiveness he had gained a deeper understanding about himself and others. He also noted that through the practice of forgiveness he had overcome a mood disorder and feelings of bitterness. Likewise, one ACIM participant stated that through the practice of forgiveness he had been able to break free from suicidal thoughts and experience greater happiness.

The action of forgiveness

The action of forgiveness is a complex and multi-stage process that involves both changing our emotions towards a wrongdoer and changing our assessments about that person. On Mary Hampton's account of forgiveness, both changes are necessary for the acim process to be complete (Hampton 1988: 37).

Some minimal emotionalists see forgiveness as requiring only that we overcome a subset of negative emotions--such as anger or resentment--which are best described as vengeful or hostile. They claim that we can overcome those negative emotions with a little practice, although this requires a certain level of self-awareness and awareness of how our own reactions to a wrongdoer are affecting our lives.

In contrast, other views of forgiveness are less minimal and more virtue-based. These views, which are often found within Christian traditions, suggest that the overcoming or forswearing of angry reactive attitudes characteristic of forgiveness must be grounded in or expressive of relatively stable and durable dispositions or character traits.

For example, the views of Plato and Aristotle, which have long been influential in classical philosophy, hold that a virtue like magnanimity or sympathy is required to overcome or forswear angry reactive attitudes. In addition, a traditional understanding of moral responsibility and blameworthiness suggests that the overcoming or forswearing that one needs to experience in order to forgive is evidence that something has gone wrong as regards our attitudes or behaviors toward a wrongdoer.

Moreover, these types of views of forgiveness have been criticized by contemporary skeptics about moral responsibility and blameworthiness who believe that such attitudes and behaviors are inherently inappropriate for both epistemic and moral reasons. These views might also be influenced by modern-day "perfectionist" views of morality, which can be committed to the view that whatever attitudes and behaviors we overcome or forswear in the acim process were not morally good in the first place, because they admit of a failure of some sort.

Some psychologists and philosophers, however, argue that the overcoming or forswearing we need to experience in order to forgive is a kind of act of healing. These perspectives, which often draw on research in evolutionary psychology and evolutionary ethics, argue that forgiveness helps people move past the negative consequences of their wrongdoing or its debilitating effects on them, and that these positive outcomes are part of the general enabling role of forgiveness.

The effect of forgiveness

Forgiveness is a coping mechanism that has been found to be effective in reducing stress, depression and anxiety. It can also be used to heal relationships. However, it is important to understand that the process of forgiveness requires a lot of work.

While there are many definitions of forgiveness, most agree that it involves a willingness to abandon resentment and negative judgment toward the person who has offended you. This can be a difficult task, especially for those who have had traumatic experiences.

Researchers have found that people who practice forgiveness have a greater ability to forgive others. In addition, they tend to have healthier relationships with the people who have offended them and are more likely to be happier overall.

There are also some benefits to forgiving others that are not related to the person who offended you. In fact, research shows that those who practice forgiveness have a better immune system and less inflammation in their body.

One of the benefits of forgiveness is that it allows you to release anger and resentment that can lead to a number of mental health issues. These feelings may be particularly harmful for those who are suffering from conditions like depression or anxiety.

It can also help you to feel more in control of your life. In some studies, participants who were asked to imagine not forgiving someone exhibited higher levels of negative emotions, such as sadness and anger. They also felt more aroused and were less able to stay in control of their emotions.

Forgiving someone can also lower your blood pressure and heart rate. In addition, it can reduce your risk of gaining weight and developing other illnesses.

While it may not be practical or easy to forgive someone, the results can be very beneficial. Some studies have shown that those who practice forgiveness have a greater ability to cope with stressful situations and are more happy overall.

Forgiveness is a valuable tool in helping you to achieve enlightenment, spiritual awakening and love. It is a way to move through the illusions of the mind and live in the reality of the ONEness that is the underlying truth of the universe.