Hold No One Prisoner
Every negative thought I have about anyone binds them to me. I become a jailer and they, the prisoner.
My thoughts proclaim that you did something unfair, unkind, unhelpful, unwelcome, unloving to me.
Why do we choose such an awful experience? While we might not have much say over what other people do, we certainly have complete accountability over our thoughts and emotions. No one can make us feel or think something.
A Course in Miracles asks this challenging question: “Who could be free while he imprisons anyone?” And it then suggests this wise guidance: “Hold no one prisoner. Release instead of bind, for thus are you made free.”
By clinging to judgment, we lock the door and seemingly throw away the key.
Or, we can make a different choice for the mind of the Holy Spirit. From this state we see only love – either being extended by others or being asked for it, in whatever form that might take.
In each moment we choose the mind of love, negative thoughts are instantly transformed into peace.
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