What the Course means when it says that there are no order of difficulty in miracles is because God, or the Holy Spirit I should say, does not see any difference between illusions. The Holy Spirit sees them for what they are, illusions. So solving the illusion of let's say a terminal illness is no more difficult than solving the illusion of a cold because when you wake up from a dream, all illusions automatically disappear, the cold as well as the terminal illness. Same with war or any seeming difficulty we may be experiencing individually or collectively.

Let's go a bit deeper now. What is it that we see when we experience any seeming difficulty? What we are seeing is nothing less than a symbolic representation of our split mind, the fact that our mind is experiencing separation. Mind you however that separation is not only experienced when things are going bad, it is also experienced when things are going good. Because whether you are having an argument with someone or having a good time, the fact that you see him or her as separate from you, that's still a projection, an illusion that makes you feel separate.

Let's take any illusion that would make someone feel bad such as a terminal illness or human conflict, a loss of a job, a financial challenge, anything would do. Whatever it is we may be experiencing at the time is simply a symbol we are projecting that is showing us where our mind is split. That's all it is doing. So to try to solve the seeming individual problem will simply continue to promote the idea that the separation is real. In other words, all we are doing is reacting to the effect, not realizing that the reason why that effect is there is because the cause, which is our mind, is not healed. So the healing really takes place in the mind for that is the cause to all that we see.

That's why the Course reminds me, "Projection makes perception. The world you see is what you gave it, nothing more than that. But though it is no more than that, it is not less. Therefore, to you it is important. It is the witness to your state of mind, the outside picture of an inward condition. As a man thinketh, so does he perceive, (not to be confused with the new age saying that says as a man thinketh so he is, but so does he perceive. Because perception is attributed to the way you see the world as opposed to the way things really are. And since you see the world based on your idea of separation, what you are seeing with your eyes is just an error. It's an illusion.) Therefore, seek not to change the world, but choose to change your mind about the world. Perception is a result and not a cause. And that is why order of difficulty in miracles is meaningless. Everything looked upon with vision is healed and holy."

Forgiveness is the tool the Course suggests in order to heal the mind. As a result of practicing forgiveness, all we are doing is helping bring the mind back to oneness. From that space either three things could happen. One, we may have an experience of a symbol that seem to be more pleasant like the healing of the body or the end of that war or argument or financial prosperity. Either way, although they are still symbols, we see them for what they are without being attached to them. We can still enjoy them but they no longer have any significant influence over us. Two, although the symbols may not change, in other words, the circumstances of the world may remain the same, our perception changes because we are now experiencing what is referred to as the peace that passes understanding. From a split mind perspective this may seem like a no win situation or a least favorable one, however when we are at peace regardless of what is taking place in the world, that's when we experience real freedom. And that's really the ultimate goal because from that space we are now experiencing the condition of the Kingdom of God, leading us just one step closer to awakening. Or three, which is really the ultimate experience, we wake up from the dream where we no longer experience separation.

From my experience however, I noticed that when I find myself experiencing peace, the circumstances that were bothering me in the past seem to change to more pleasant ones. I find myself being more creative and having amazing opportunities, the difference being, before I would hang on to them, now I see them for what they are. I am not attached to them, offering them to God, while at the same time I still enjoy them. So yes, you can have an amazing experience here on earth before waking up, just as long as you see this world for what it is, nothing less than a mere illusion.

Nick Arandes was part of the self-help movement for close to 20 years. Published 4 books, produced CDs and DVDs, wrote countless articles and touched the lives of many people worldwide before becoming homeless, broke and diagnosed with a thyroid tumor. Then something happened that forever changed his life! A miraculous turn of events led him to the teachings of A Course in Miracles. As a result of putting the principles of The Course into practice, and experiencing a powerful inner transformation, he published What Happens When You Let God. To find out more about Nick's work, or to order your copy of the book, simply log on to: www.TruthAndMiracles.com