A grievance is a form of mental suffering that arises from perceived wrongs, conflicts, or injustices. In A Course in Miracles, it is taught that these grievances obscure the light of the world, which represents the innate goodness and divine nature of all beings. They are seen as a barrier to peace and understanding, keeping us locked in cycles of negativity and suffering.
The course teaches that grievances arise from the ego’s misperceptions. The ego, in ACIM, is our sense of a separate self, the part of our minds that believes that we exist as seperate from the whole of reality. The ego sees the world through the lens of judgment, comparing, categorizing, and often seeing itself as either superior or inferior to others. It’s the part of our minds that focuses on differences rather than oneness, and it’s from this perspective that grievances arise.
When we hold a grievance, we believe that someone or something outside of ourselves has harmed us. We see ourselves as victims and others as perpetrators. But ACIM teaches that this is a misunderstanding of our true nature and the nature of our brothers and sisters. In reality, we are all expressions of the same divine essence, and any harm we perceive is a projection of our own inner conflict.
One of the key teachings of ACIM is that we have the power to choose how we see the world. We can choose to see through the ego’s eyes, focusing on grievances, or we can choose to see through the eyes of love, focusing on forgiveness. Forgiveness, in the Course’s teachings, is not about pardoning a sin or condoning harmful behavior. Instead, it’s about recognizing that the sin never occurred in truth because our true nature, as divine beings, is invulnerable and wholly good.
When we let go of grievances, we open the way for miracles. A miracle, in ACIM, is a shift in perception from fear to love. It’s a moment of insight when we see beyond the illusion of separateness and recognize our shared divinity. Miracles allow us to let go of our old, painful stories and embrace a new narrative based on love, forgiveness, and unity.
Releasing grievances is a process that requires practice and patience. It involves acknowledging our feelings, questioning our perceptions, and choosing to see things differently. We are encouraged to ask for help from the Holy Spirit, which represents the voice for God in our minds. The Holy Spirit helps us to see past illusions to the truth of our oneness.
The Course reminds us that holding onto grievances is a choice that keeps us stuck in pain. It’s like holding onto a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; we are the ones who get burned. By choosing to let go of grievances, we free ourselves from suffering and step into a space of peace and understanding.
The teachings of A Course in Miracles encourage us to recognize and let go of our grievances, seeing them as barriers to love and understanding. By shifting our perspective from fear to love, we open the way for miracles and the recognition of our shared divinity.
Many ACIM lessons indirectly relate to the topic of grievances, as they are about forgiveness, perception, and the release of fear and judgment. However, a few lessons directly mention and discuss the theme of grievances:
- Lesson 68: “Love holds no grievances.” This lesson teaches that holding grievances is an attack on one’s own self and is therefore incompatible with love. It suggests practicing forgiveness and letting go of grievances to experience love more fully.
- Lesson 78: “Let miracles replace all grievances.” Here, the text encourages students to let go of grievances and allow miracles—a shift in perception from fear to love—to take their place. This lesson emphasizes that holding onto grievances is a choice that can be replaced with the decision to see things differently.
- Lesson 79: “Let me recognize the problem so it can be solved.” Although not explicitly about grievances, this lesson suggests that every problem or grievance comes from the belief that we are separate from our divine Source. The solution is recognizing this misperception and choosing to see things differently.
- Lesson 80: “Let me recognize my problems have been solved.” This lesson extends the previous one, suggesting that when we correctly identify the root of all grievances as a misperception of our divine nature, we can also accept that the solution has already been given: recognizing our unity with all beings.
- Lesson 134: “Let me perceive forgiveness as it is.” This lesson discusses how true forgiveness, in the ACIM perspective, leads to the release of grievances. Instead of seeing others as guilty, the student is encouraged to perceive forgiveness as a release from all sense of harm or attack, freeing oneself and others from grievances.
Remember that these summaries are merely brief interpretations of the lessons. The ACIM Workbook Lessons involve more in-depth teachings and meditation practices that are designed to facilitate deep internal shifts in perception.