It's funny how "A Course In Miracles" has achieved some sort of popularity, but it's worth mentioning it has also been subject to critique. I think we all need to use our own judgement in such matters, rather than depend on reputation alone. That's not to say I am for or against it, myself.
I'm not in a position to express what is and is not, in my opinion, a judgment. But that is what a judgement is also all about, an opinion. A judgement equals an opinion. However, an opinion from a person who is considered a legally appointed judge, and also carries a sentence with it, cannot be the same as an opinion, in this case. An appointed judge by the legal system is taken to be someone who is an expert in the matters on which the judge's opinion will be made, which will then become sentences. We are not all judges, although we are all subject to sentences. We all have opinions, and when we act on those opinions, it is then that we become subject to sentences. Our actions based on our opinions carry a sentence, at one point or another. But I'm of opinion that all our actions, summed, will be subject to a sentence, and it will not be a simple sentence, such as one of either guilty or innocent. I don't believe in one and only final judgement for anyone. I say this because of my strong opinion on reincarnation. But I do believe in a judgement of the soul for each lifetime in a physical body. And I also believe that reincarnation is like a game of sort, although being very real. The sure object of reincarnation is obscure, although we have plenty of sources who will assure us that they know all the ins and outs of reincarnation, such as being discussed in this thread; general and specific bodily signs related to previous reincarnations. The only thing that I'm ready to accept from anyone, at this time, is that reincarnation is a universal truth for this physical universe. But perhaps I'm wondering all over, and have digressed from what I really wanted to reply on this particular post, which is following.
I must state my opinion here, although I run the risk of being judged by those that consider an opinion the same as being a judgement.
I'm against A Course In Miracles because in it,
gives no credence to reincarnation. Not only is reincarnation possible, but it is the very purpose of the soul's life in this physical world, although the ultimate objective is not known to the soul incarnate.
Course in Miracles
Manual for Teachers
Section 24
Is Reincarnation So?
In the ultimate sense, reincarnation is impossible. There is no past or future,
and the idea of birth into a body has no meaning either once or many times.
Reincarnation cannot, then, be true in any real sense. Our only question
should be, "Is the concept helpful?" And that depends, of course, on what it
is used for. If it is used to strengthen the recognition of the eternal nature of
life, it is helpful indeed. Is any other question about it really useful in
lighting up the way? Like many other beliefs, it can be bitterly misused. At
least, such misuse offers preoccupation and perhaps pride in the past. At
worst, it induces inertia in the present. In between, many kinds of folly are
possible.
Reincarnation would not, under any circumstances, be the problem to be
dealt with <now>. If it were responsible for some of the difficulties the
individual faces now, his task would still be only to escape from them now.
If he is laying the groundwork for a future life, he can still work out his
salvation only now. To some, there may be comfort in the concept, and if it
heartens them its value is self-evident. It is certain, however, that the way to
salvation can be found by those who believe in reincarnation and by those
who do not. The idea cannot, therefore, be regarded as essential to the
curriculum. There is always some risk in seeing the present in terms of the
past. There is always some good in any thought which strengthens the idea
that life and the body are not the same.
For our purposes, it would not be helpful to take any definite stand on
reincarnation. A teacher of God should be as helpful to those who believe in
it as to those who do not. If a definite stand were required of him, it would
merely limit his usefulness, as well as his own decision making. Our course
is not concerned with any concept that is not acceptable to anyone,
regardless of his formal beliefs. His ego will be enough for him to cope
with, and it is not the part of wisdom to add sectarian controversies to his
burdens. Nor would there be an advantage in his premature acceptance of
the course merely because it advocates a long-held belief of his own.
It cannot be too strongly emphasized that this course aims at a complete
reversal of thought. When this is finally accomplished, issues such as the
validity of reincarnation become meaningless. Until then, they are likely to
be merely controversial. The teacher of God is, therefore, wise to step away
from all such questions, for he has much to teach and learn apart from them.
