THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE for most people is to accept the truth of Who they really are. They attend seminars, read books, listen to tapes, try all kinds of practices in order to find something or "attract" something they think they need in order to be happy, feeling prosperous, or to experience healing, and so on. In other words, they spend their whole life looking for everything they think it is missing in their lives somewhere else.

That keeps their attention out into the world, not realizing that everything they have been searching for, they already have. That's why it is said, "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and Its righteousness, and all of these things will be added on to you." And where is the Kingdom? It is within!

So if the kingdom is within, why is it that most people look for the treasures of the kingdom outside, out into the world? Because the still voice that is whispering gently and softly asking them to turn within is overshadowed by the loud voice of the world, one that is rooted in fear. Although as stated earlier, everything we think we ever need we already have, the only way to accept that truth is by being willing to let go of everything we think we know. Not necessarily easy to do, especially in a world that worships the intellect, logic and knowledge over intuition, trust and inner guidance.

Many teachers for example focus on goals, on trying to teach me how to get what I want. The challenge with that way of thinking is that it assumes that I know what it is I want, or that I know what it is in my best interest. I like to share an excerpt from my book What Happens When You Let God:

Pretty much, every course I took had some sort of hidden agenda, whether it was through meditation, mantras, hard work, determination, visualization, focus, weekly meetings, it was all about teaching me how to get or manifest what I want. None of it was about letting go and trusting. It was all about some sort of control. This seemed to be the central message I received from every teacher, healer, and guru. It was also the same message I received from every course, seminar and workshop I attended. When I felt my life was not working, I was taught that "I" needed to do something in order to change it or fix it. But what if the reason my life was not working was because "I" was trying to do something in order to change it or fix it? And what if the change I was trying to make happen could end up being more disastrous than beneficial?

Until I was ready to truly let go and let Spirit take over my life, I was not able to have the direct experience of watching how I was always supported and how all of my needs were met. From that space of trust and fully surrender, I received the kind of guidance that has led me, and continues to lead to true fulfillment.

The truth is, if you remember Who you really are, no matter what it is you are guided to do, you know you'll always be taken care of. That's how you experience freedom in a real sense. A Course in Miracles reminds me:

You can never be deprived of your perfect holiness because its Source goes with you wherever you go. You can never suffer because the Source of all joy goes with you wherever you go. You can never be alone because the Source of all life goes with you wherever you go. Nothing can destroy your peace of mind because God goes with you wherever you go.
- W.pI.41.4:1-4

What it is meant by the Source goes with you, is that you and the Source are one. So wherever you are, You are the Source. Joel S. Goldsmith, in his classic book The Infinite Way states:

We must understand that money is not supply, but is the result or effect of supply. There is no such thing as a supply of money, clothes, homes, automobiles, or food. All these constitute the effect of supply, and if this infinite supply were not present within you, there never would be 'the added things' in your experience.

But how can you possibly acknowledge that truth, unless you stop looking for it (your Source) everywhere else? This is not to say that there is anything wrong with going to a class, or reading a book, or studying with a teacher. What I am emphasizing is to practice listening to your Inner Teacher. And if there is a class, a teacher, or a resource that will assist you in deepening your connection, and help clear some of the static in your communication with Source, you'll be led to it. Not by external manipulation but by inner guidance.

I'll share an example from my book, What Happens When You Let God, so you can see the difference between visualization and visioning:

So what happens when we let go and let God? An interesting thing takes place. Visualization is replaced by visioning. The visioning process is completely opposite of visualization for it is not about creating images of what we want, but allowing the images to naturally appear on the screen of our conscious awareness. Simply put, you don't ask God (Spirit) for what you want; you simply make yourself available so that God (Spirit) can use you. And the process is not only easier it is actually natural. Even though most people think that by visualizing what they want, what they are doing is asking God (Spirit) for help, or as some may say, "co-creating" with God (Spirit), in reality, what they are saying is, "God (Spirit) please let me do this on my own." So we visualize what we want, put lots of energy into it and realize that we end up exhausted because it does not seem natural. And the truth is, it is not natural because of the following paradox which says, "At the same time that you are the producer, the director and the writer of your own movie, at that very same time you play an extra in a much bigger play."

So even when you think you are the one making choices, at a much deeper level these are choices you are being moved to make, as denoted in the saying, God's Will be done. In other words, you cannot force someone who is passionate about music to become a doctor and then expect that person to be happy, nor anyone else who is forced to do something contrary to what he or she likes. Temporarily we could learn to love and appreciate anything, but if we are not in alignment with our reason for being here, happiness and joy will elude us. Abraham Maslow said it best when he wrote:

"A musician MUST make music, a poet MUST write,
an Artist MUST paint, if he wants to be at peace with himself."

The choices, which lead to true happiness, infinite joy, peace and fulfillment are the ones which naturally arise from us through visioning, and not through forcing ourselves to visualize.

And from that space of true surrender and trust we have access to our innate power, the source within. In simple words, within you is the power to create anything you can possibly imagine. But in order to have access to that power, you have to let go of each and everyone of your personal agendas.

The reason being is, your personal agendas always have to do with seeking something you think will make you feel whole when in reality, your wholeness is what you extend out into the world, a world that is one with you. There is a line from A Course in Miracles' original version that states:

The idea of buying and selling implies precisely the kind of exchange that the Soul cannot understand at all because its supply is always abundant and all its demands are fully met.
- T-4.in.5:5

So how do we get to experience the fullness of our Real Source? By simply letting go and letting God, which is the complete opposite of what we've been taught by every teacher who suggest that we are the ones who decide what we want, that we are the ones in control. This brings up the line from the Scriptures, which states: "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." [Psalms 23:1] What the sentence is suggesting, is that instead of us telling Spirit our plans, let us be guided by It. The reason being is, imagine being in the middle of the jungle. From a distance it looks very beautiful and breathtaking, however, if we dare to go in, we will encounter lots of very dangerous and vicious animals that could kill us in seconds.

Well, the purpose of the shepherd is to lead us back to safety because the shepherd not only knows the imminent dangers that reside within the forest, but She/He also knows the easiest and safest path home. But in order for us to let the shepherd lead us, we need to fully trust without question. In other words, we must relinquish our individual wants (wanting to explore the forest) and let the shepherd lead us.

When the shepherd leads us - in other words, when we truly listen - our guidance comes from within and we find ourselves being inspired. But when we want to take charge, our guidance comes from the world and we find ourselves making decision that result in very disastrous consequences. That's why it is said, "be careful what you pray for because you may end up getting it." So when we are led from within, aside from experiencing a life filled with joy and fulfillment, and as our faith is strengthened, we also give ourselves the opportunity to see how the Source of everything is found within, and how the universe always takes care of each and everyone of our needs. For it is said,

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
- Matthew 6:26

So why it is unnecessary to seek for anything outside of ourselves? Because since you and God, Spirit, whatever name suits you best, are one, and Spirit is the Source of it all, then it can be concluded that you are the Source.

© Nick Arandes, 2009

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nick Arandes, before publishing his latest book entitled What Happens When You Let God, was part of the self-help movement for close to 20 years. He published 4 books, produced CDs and DVDs, wrote countless articles and touched the lives of many people worldwide before becoming homeless, broke and diagnosed with a thyroid tumor. Then, a miraculous turn of events led him to the teachings of A Course in Miracles. That's when he discovered that to live a happy, fulfilling, joyful and prosperous life requires no struggle at all. To find out more about Nick’s work with A Course In Miracles, watch him on video, and to order his book visit: www.TruthAndMiracles.com. And for Nick’s Course in Miracles’ daily blog simply visit: www.NickArandesBlog.com.