A prominent author and spiritual teacher said recently that we may need to leave behind our spiritual teachings and come to the realisation that God, Whom we have been searching for, resides within us. I think he was implying that we should not be too attached to our spiritual teachings or scripture, because, as Jesus once said, “The Kingdom of God is within.”

Therefore, whilst we do need to have a spiritual teaching to guide us on our way, at some point, we may be able to leave it behind. We shouldn’t be attached to it. It is like when you cross a river, you need a boat. But when you reach the other side, you leave the boat behind. However, for the majority of us who haven’t yet reached the other side, a spiritual teaching will still be needed.

A Course in Miracles (ACIM) is so beautifully written, after 13 years of studying it, I still dip into it quite frequently for inspiration and guidance. Yet, I no longer feel the need to go to spiritual workshops, conferences and gatherings. What matters is putting into practice the essence of what I have learnt, which means practising forgiveness at every step of the way. And that is quite a mammoth task.

In A Course in Miracles Jesus says in Lesson 189 of the Workbook: “…Hold onto nothing. Do not bring with you one thought the past has taught, nor one belief you ever learned before from anything. Forget this world, forget this course, and come with wholly empty hands unto your God.”

I realise that, at some point, I will have to leave behind even the teachings of ACIM.