By Stephanie Bucklin
The journey of spiritual growth is one of profound transformation, filled with moments of clarity, challenge, and liberation. In A Course in Miracles (ACIM), ten characteristics of the spiritually advanced are outlined, each offering a blueprint for inner peace and enlightenment.
These attributes—trust, honesty, tolerance, gentleness, joy, defenselessness, generosity, patience, faithfulness, and open-mindedness—serve as a guide for living in alignment with higher consciousness.
I also draw from the teachings of Ashtanga Yoga and offer reflections on the similarities of the Eightfold path and ACIM. I invite you to contemplate on these concepts.
Trust
The first and most foundational characteristic is trust. ACIM teaches that trust is the bedrock of a peaceful mind:
“All things are gently planned by One whose only purpose is your good.”
–ACIM, T-26.VIII.1:3
Learning to trust the divine plan has allowed me to release shame and guilt stories that once clouded my heart. Through trust, I’ve discovered that peace is not external but an inner state cultivated through surrender and faith.
Honesty
True honesty, as ACIM describes, is the alignment of thought, word, and deed with the truth of our being. This honesty goes beyond telling the truth; it’s about living authentically. By embracing this characteristic, I’ve been able to release the masks of fear and step fully into my true essence.
“To one established in truthfulness, actions and their results become subservient”
Patanjali, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
Truthfulness, or Satya, is the second of the five yamas (restraints) in the Yoga Sutra. It’s a virtue in Indian religions that emphasizes being truthful in thoughts, words, and actions. The word sat means “that which exists, that which is”.
The Yoga Sutra teaches that truth is so powerful that if we establish truthfulness, we will attain the fruits of work without even doing the work.
Tolerance
Tolerance is born from the understanding that all beings are on their unique journeys. ACIM emphasizes the importance of seeing beyond differences:
“God’s teachers…see no one as outside themselves.”
–ACIM, M-7.3:3
Practicing tolerance has deepened my compassion for others, reminding me that judgment only separates us from love.
“OM: the symbol of the Three in One, the three worlds in the Soul; the three times, past, present, future, in Eternity; the three Divine Powers, Creation, Preservation, Transformation, in the one Being; the three essences, immortality, omniscience, joy, in the one Spirit. This is the Word, the Symbol, of the Master and Lord, the perfected Spiritual Man.”
–Patañjali, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
Gentleness
Gentleness is the reflection of a mind at peace. It’s the absence of attack in thought, word, and action. Studying Ashtanga Yoga alongside ACIM has shown me how gentleness manifests in both physical and spiritual practices, nurturing a harmonious way of being.
“Nothing in all creation is so like God as silence.”
–Patañjali, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
The practices of meditation and silence bring a gentleness of mind that is unsurpassed. There is so much value in silencing the mind that it brings a deep inner peace to the body and beacons the soul in a state of self-love.
Joy
Joy, according to ACIM, is the natural state of the healed mind:
“Joy is the inevitable result of gentleness.” –ACIM, M-4.I.5:5
Studying A Course in Miracles, as Ashtanga Yoga has also informed, I have found a path to inner peace. As I’ve released anger and rage, joy has become the natural byproduct of living in alignment with love and compassion. This joy is not fleeting happiness but a deep, abiding sense of fulfillment. Following my bliss is a form of self-love.
Defenselessness
Defenselessness means releasing the need to protect or justify oneself. It’s a profound act of trust in the divine. This characteristic has taught me to embrace vulnerability and openness, allowing love to flow more freely in my life.
“Undisturbed calmness of mind is attained by cultivating friendliness toward the happy, compassion for the unhappy, delight in the virtuous, and indifference toward the wicked.”
–Patanjali, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
As a child, I learned a great deal about how to navigate through life from the Girl Scouts. I embraced being conscientious, kind and thoughtful as guideposts for human interactions. When I discovered yoga in my early 20’s, it called me back to these same truths.
Generosity
Generosity in ACIM is not just about giving material things but sharing the abundance of love and light within:
“To give and to receive are one in truth.”
–ACIM, W-108.6:6
Practicing generosity has deepened my understanding of unity and the interconnectedness of all beings.
Patience
Early in life, I learned the mantra, “Patience is a Virtue.” Since childhood, I have practiced patience in all things. This is not to say I don’t get impatient sometimes – but it does mean that I have an internal compass when things don’t happen in the way I expect them to, I can bring my awareness back to patience and calm the inner angst.
Patience is the quiet acceptance of the divine timing of all things. Through both ACIM and the Yoga Sutras, I’ve learned that patience is not passive but a powerful act of trust and faith.
Faithfulness
Faithfulness is the unwavering commitment to truth. In ACIM, this means staying grounded in love and forgiveness, no matter the external circumstances. This characteristic has helped me navigate life with greater resilience and grace.
Open-Mindedness
Finally, open-mindedness is the willingness to release old beliefs and embrace new perspectives. ACIM teaches that true learning requires unlearning:
“Open-mindedness comes with a lack of judgment.”
–ACIM, M-4.X.2:1
For me, this has been a transformative process of shedding limiting beliefs and embracing the infinite possibilities of higher consciousness.
The Integration of ACIM and Ashtanga Yoga
As a dedicated student of Ashtanga Yoga, I’ve found profound parallels between the Yamas and Niyamas of the Yoga Sutras and the principles of ACIM. Both paths emphasize love, truth, and inner discipline as keys to spiritual growth. By weaving these teachings together, I’ve deepened my understanding of Christ Consciousness and its alignment with yogic principles.
A Year of Transformation
2024 has been a year of profound growth and gratitude. The teachings of ACIM have opened my heart and mind to a higher consciousness I never imagined possible. I’ve released limiting beliefs that kept me stagnant for years, and in their place, I’ve cultivated a life guided by wisdom rather than suffering.
As I continue this journey, I am deeply aware that spiritual growth is a lifelong process. Yet, I feel an unshakable sense of peace knowing that my path is illuminated by love, trust, and the wisdom of these timeless teachings.
In gratitude, I invite you to reflect on these characteristics and consider how they might inspire your own journey toward spiritual advancement. As ACIM reminds us:
“The light is in you. Darkness can cover it, but cannot put it out.”
–ACIM, T-11.III.6:6
May we all continue to grow in love and light.
Namaste,
~S
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