Gifts of the Soul April 2003	Gifts of the Soul
	by Laura Grace

Rising Above the Battleground

While we watch the storm clouds gather and prepare for the storm, let us never forget that the sun still shines behind those dark clouds, and may somehow break through before the storm descends. I see sunshine in the real desire for peace in the hearts of humanity, even though the human family gropes toward peace blindly, not knowing the way. --Peace Pilgrim

Recent world events have prompted so many of us to question the situation at hand. During this time of confusion and global chaos, let us remember that peace begins with us. As tempting as it may be to succumb to fear and cynicism, it's especially important for us to be the bearers of peace and healing throughout this challenging time.

And what more healing energy can we infuse into the current situation than one of love and forgiveness? During a time of conflict such as we're currently experiencing, forgiveness can be challenging, especially since such strong emotions are being aroused. Yet genuine forgiveness enables us to see a situation from a higher perspective: above the battleground.

A Course in Miracles teaches, "Forgive, and you will see this differently." It explains, " How can you tell when you are seeing wrong, or someone else is failing to perceive the lesson he should learn? Does pain seem real in the perception? If it does, be sure the lesson is not learned. And there remains an unforgiveness hiding in the mind that sees the pain through the eyes the mind directs."

Thus, it does not matter if you have irritation, annoyance, or out-and-out anger toward our world's leaders or anyone else that provokes upset. The point is to be willing to forgive those you see as "enemies" and instead, ask for a miracle. A miracle is a shift in perception. Miracles are your birthright. You are entitled to miracles each and every day. If you are experiencing conflict with someone you are close to, or someone involved in the war, ask for a miracle and be willing to release your perception of who did what and when. Only through miracles of forgiveness will you ever be able to achieve genuine peace of mind.

Keep in mind that inner peace is always an internal matter. It must begin with your own thoughts then extend outward. During this time of global unrest, we naturally want to stop the violence and hostility. Most of us want to see it stop "out there," and so we focus on what the government, and so forth, must do differently. Yet the truth remains that the world outside of us stems from our inner condition. Peace "out there" will only occur to the extent that we heal our own violent, angry, judgmental and victim-oriented thoughts.

Your thoughts are powerful beyond measure. They affect everyone around you, including those you will never meet. The genuine miracle worker is one who sees drama, pain and upset, yet is willing to use the power of her mind to hold to the light behind the darkness; the growth within the event. People who do this are truly healers for they choose to see the truth. They don't allow the outer circumstances to deter them from what is really happening behind mere physical appearances.

In November, 2002, I wrote an article titled "Peace Begins at Home" and in the article I shared a 5-step visualization adapted from A Course in Miracles for achieving inner peace. Many readers responded to the 5 steps stating how beneficial it was, and so it bears repeating. If you truly want to be a messenger of peace and contribute to healing, practice the following exercise and watch as peace gently soothes your mind and soul:

1) Search your mind for anger-provoking situations, upsetting personalities or events, or anything else in which you are harboring unloving thoughts or feelings.

2) Note them as informally as possible and let them arise one-by-one, repeating to yourself, "I could see peace in this situation [or with this person] instead of what I now see."

3) Keep repeating the choice for peace until you feel some sense of relief, then go to the next level of healing by repeating, "I am willing to see peace in this situation instead of what I now see."

4) Next, deepen your sense of inner peace by repeating, "I choose to see peace in this situation instead of what I now see."

5) Finally, allow yourself to fully surrender by repeating, "Through the eyes of Love, I see only peace in this situation."

Remember that as Ghandi once declared, "We must be the change we wish to see in the world."

© Copyright 2003 Laura Grace. All Rights Reserved.

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Laura Grace is Co-founder of Infinite Wisdom, an organization dedicated to the highest human capacity, and a national author and speaker. As a regular contributor for publications across the U.S. and Canada, Laura writes about human awareness and spiritual growth. Laura is the author of the widely acclaimed books The Intimate Soul and Gifts of the Soul, and the creator and teacher of various programs including the Self-Mastery Program, The Art of Compassionate Forgiveness, Wonderful Women: Reclaiming Our Power, Passion and Purpose, and Cultivating the Intimate Life. Please visit Laura's web site at: www.LauraGrace.net.

As a spiritual counselor, Laura provides assistance in person and by phone. You may contact her for a free brochure at: laura@laurahyde.com.

Visit:
www.LauraGrace.net

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