The goal of this Course is Peace, not Knowledge

So I was listening to Ken Wapnick’s lecture on Psychotherapy: purpose, process, and practice. In it he repeats a theme echoed often in the Course, “The goal of this Course is Peace, not Knowledge.” It made me reflect on a lesson that is a version of the Shahada.

There is no peace except the peace of God (ACIM, W-200). I have told Muslim friends before that ACIM as a text repeats the Shahada every chance it can, in every line of the text. It’s such a clear and consistent text testifying to a nondualistic reality. Even the word nondualism, which Arten and Pursah use to describe ACIM, has the Shahada etched in it. Negate all but God, Negate all ‘life’ but The One True Life.

So to translate this in a Muslim language the Shahada is the statement: There is No God But God. Well Muslims also believe that the 99 names of God describe His Attributes and can be substituted in the Shahada. So we can replace ‘God’ with any of His Names. In the case of lesson 200, it converts pretty seamlessly to: There is no peace except The Peace. Or in Arabic, “La Salaam illa AlSalaam”. The echo of eternity that is ACIM is felt in every sentence. It is thikr and prayer simply to read it. It helps our whole being unwind and remember what we have forgotten. There is No God but God, there is No Peace except the Peace of God. YA Salaam my job is simply to seek Peace. Not to seek ‘knowledge’ or fame. Simply to seek Peace. Let me repeat your holy name to remember it and forgive everyone and everything that seems to represent ‘turmoil in my mind’ and suffering by repeating your holy name. Let me be reminded that all else is an illusion and non of us have sinned. We are united in Peace with you, Peace Eternal.

La Illaha Illa Allah

La Salaam Illa AlSalaam

Ya Salaam

Assalaam Aghithna min anfusna (Peace, Save us from our egos)

Assalaam

I'll end with another course lesson on peace. I'm quoting it partly because I wanted to highlight how the Divine name Assalam lives within this text.

Lesson 230:

Now will I seek and find the peace of God.

Father, I seek the peace You gave as mine in my creation.²What was given then must be here now, for my creation was apart from time, and still remains beyond all change.³The peace in which Your Son was born into Your Mind is shining there unchanged.⁴I am as You created me.⁵I need but call on You to find the peace You gave.⁶It is Your Will that gave it to Your Son. (ACIM, W-230.2:1-6)

"I need but call on you". I need but call on Peace to be at Peace and remember my unity with Peace. I need but remember you, I need but do Thikr in my heart and hold Your Peace Eternal, since all else is naught but Assalam . . .