“War is Hell.”
-William T. Sherman
Clearly this is true in the external world… but I strongly suspect this is only a reflection of what is going on within…
Most people seem to be at war with themselves…
So what brings about our inner war?
One would assume, that if you were clever enough, quick enough of wit, and made sure not to leave yourself open… that you could win all your battles (social or otherwise) and eventually strike such fear into the hearts of your adversaries that none would dare attack you again…
You could achieve… Invulnerability!
Fortunately, it doesn’t work that way.
It is actually quite straightforward… but it can still be rather challenging.
Safety is subjective.
Vulnerability is subjective.
Thus, invulnerability is also subjective.
There are several great reasons to develop Power in your subjective world…
- You feel great!
- You really begin to understand the nature of the world
- You start to get results in your life rather quickly
- People will start to behave differently around you (even though they may not say anything to you)
- Eventually, you will see large scale and far-reaching effects from the Power you develop
This is sometimes called ‘Inner Game’.
This is the real game of Power. This is the realm of True invulnerability!
The external fight is just a distraction…
Looking at your own mental process of attack and defense is the only place where lasting Power can be found…
But can we really become Invulnerable?
The key to invulnerability… is facing your fear.
A Course in Miracles: Day 26
The game for Day 26 is:
My attack thoughts are attacking my invlunerability.
This is about letting go of the fear of attack…
And you will find, not surprisingly, that it is much easier to let go of attack thoughts when you let go of fear of attack.
Invulnerability is not necessarily the same thing as ‘fearlessness’…
When you are aware and accepting of fear when it arises… you will begin to taste Invulnerability.
ACIM also tells us:
Practice with today’s idea will help you to understand that vulnerability or invulnerability is the result of your own thoughts. Nothing except your thoughts can attack you. Nothing except your thougts can make you think you are vulnerable. And nothing except your thoughts can prove to you this is not so.
Any attack thought attacks you first.
It doesn’t matter who it is about. It arises in your consciousness… has an effect on your consciousness… and then the effect is released on the world.
It may be big or small… but the effect is always there.
For today’s exercise, you will want to set aside 6 practice periods of about 2 minutes each.
- Start the practice period by slowly repeating “My attack thoughts are attacking my invulnerability” to yourself several times.
- Then close your eyes and review any questions or outcomes that bring about concern. Fear, anger, sadness, worry, depression, etc.
- Take your time with each thought and/or emotion… let go of any hurry.
- Name the situation: (“I am concerned about my relationship with my wife”, “I am concerned about my ability as a father”, “I am concerned with my current income”… these are some of my own examples, but look at the issues that arise for you)
- Then look at the possible outcomes that concern you and say them: (“I am afraid I won’t be able to manage my anger with my loved ones”, “I am afraid I won’t earn enough money to provide a comfortable life for my family”, etc.). You will likely come up with several distressing scenarios for each situation (it is more useful to cover a few situations deeply than many situations lightly).
- After each fearful outcome you list, say: “That thought is an attack upon myself”
- Continue to play the game until the 2 minute session is up
- Finish by saying “My attack thoughts are attacking my invlunerability.” one more time.
You can also remember the idea for today as thoughts and situations arise that lead to ‘negative’ thoughts or emotions.
Another Note from ACIM:
Because your attack thoughts will be projected, you will fear attack. And if you fear attack, you must believe that you are not invulnerable. Attack thoughts therefore make you vulnerable in your own mind, which is where the attack thoughts are. Attack thoughts and invulnerability cannot be accepted together. They contradict each other.
A Few More Thoughts…
True Subjective Invulnerability…
Will probably not stop bullets (although it may remove the attacker’s desire to shoot you)
But it still does have impressive effects in the physical world.
Virtually everyone I meet enjoys my company (and I don’t think I’m Truly invulnerable just yet… 
)
The more I let go of the need to villainize others (or aspects of myself)… the more ‘enemies’ disappear… and the more of a wide and interesting array of friends I seem to make… 
When you let go of resistance… when you begin to truly accept all ‘negative’ emotions… anger, fear, sadness, etc…
People tend to really enjoy the peacefulness that you emanate.
People will stand up for you. People will go out of their way to be kind to you. People will help you out in any way they can.
Ultimately, Invulnerability in the relative world might just be the disappearance of enemies!
Are you ready for a break from the battle… Are you prepared for True Peace and Invulnerability?
keep smiling,
Ben
