The basic principle of spiritual life is that our problems become the very place to discover wisdom and love.

Jack Kornfield, A Path With Heart

Recently, while discussing the topic of making mistakes at a A Course in Miracles, a woman shared that her most dreaded statement is, “Oh no, I did it again.” Mistakes that are not recurring are no big deal, at least, not in the overall scheme of things. So what if you didn’t balance your checkbook to the penny or you made a blunder on a project at work? Those kinds of errors can easily be corrected and are not worth getting upset over. But the self-sabotaging mistakes we make again and again are the kind that cause us to groan, “Oh God, not again.”

And yet, those very mistakes are what motivate us to turn inward, surrender and ask for guidance. Some of your biggest mistakes have been your greatest advancements. Why? Because they create fertile soil for spiritual growth to occur. Whenever you have gotten to the point of getting on your knees – not figuratively, but literally – you are on the most solid and sacred ground there is. A Course in Miracles reminds us, “Some of your greatest advances you have judged as failures and some of your deepest retreats you have evaluated as success.” In essence, the times in your life when you have felt in-charge, confident and surefooted may be the very times that you most need to surrender. Likewise, pain and remorse from our mistakes have the capacity to soften us and remind us that there is a power within us that can correct all errors.

Many of us desire a spiritual experience when we’re in a lot of pain, but as soon as things appear to improve we say, “OK, God, I can take it from here.” However, inevitably, we’ll make more mistakes and problems will arise, summoning us to the deeper experience we all yearn for. We can attempt to create a better life through repeated patterns of pain or to maintain a spiritual practice that builds a partnership with God. The former approach will only cause more anguish, while the latter moves us toward a life of greatness. A friend once shared with me this powerful acronym:

S pirituality

L osing

I ts

P riority

It’s commonly used in 12-Step Programs where the word “sobriety” is used instead of “spirituality,” but the meaning possesses the same effect. We “slip” whenever we seek something outside ourselves for fulfillment. There is no food, drink, drug, sex, shopping, work or relationship that can ever nourish the void we fill inside – that can only happen as we turn inward toward God.

Mistakes are always a cry for love. Whenever you’ve made a mistake, it’s been because you have forgotten that you are love. When we find it difficult to love and appreciate ourselves and our efforts, we tend to run away from our mistakes, rather than learn from them. Not too long ago, I did something that I felt was a mistake, something I felt could have been upsetting to my husband, Tom. My intention was not to hurt him, nonetheless, my actions could easily have done just that. Yet instead of him getting upset or blaming me, he took a look at himself and at the possible role he may have had in the situation. He sought to understand me rather than accuse me. His compassionate approach created a context in which I could look at my mistake and understand why I did what I had done. It accelerated our awareness of the situation. Thus, instead of spending hours, days or weeks of feeling badly about what happened, we bonded more deeply and strengthened our commitment to our spiritual practice. This particular circumstance shined the light on an old pattern that was in need of healing. And that’s exactly what happened.

What mistakes have you made that you haven’t forgiven? Perhaps it’s how you handled something regarding a loved one, a work situation or a financial matter. Whatever the situation, correction will occur if you only ask. One of the teachings I love the most about A Course in Miracles is that miracles – shifts in perception – work retroactively. That’s right. So no matter how long ago you made a mistake, if you are willing to call upon higher guidance and see the situation through the eyes of spirit, not only will you be able to see what you did (or didn’t do) in an entirely different light, but you will learn to be more compassionate toward yourself and others. What greater miracle could one experience?

Laura V. Hyde is a speaker and teacher. Founder of Infinite Wisdom, an organization dedicated to the highest human capacity, Hyde provides spiritual counseling, soul purpose coaching and numerous workshops for awakening the heart and spirit. She is the author of Gifts of the Soul and The Intimate Soul, a syndicated columnist and a student of A Course in Miracles. Hyde is available for speaking engagements throughout the U.S. and Canada. She can be reached at www.laurahyde.com or via e-mail at laura@laurahyde.com.