A COURSE IN MIRACLES

By Jesus Christ

URTEXT
The Original Complete Unedited Manuscript
VOLUME 1 Te!t " #pecial Messages

A Course In Miracles
By Jesus Christ The Original Complete Unedited Manuscript URTEXT VOLUME 1 TEXT S ECIA! MESSA"ES
The Illuminate Brotherhood Edition# $%%& u'lic (omain ) rotect all things you *alue 'y the act o+ gi*ing them a,ay---. /Jesus Christ0
rinted in 1ungary

CO2TE2TS
3ORE4OR(---------------------------------------------------------------------------5 TEXT--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------&& S ECIA! MESSA"ES-----------------------------------------------------------678
3ORE4OR( This is the original dictation o+ A Course In Miracles as gi*en 'y Jesus Christ o+ 2a9arethThis 'oo: is a digital reproduction o+ the original type,ritten manuscript :no,n as ;The Urte<t-= The content remains completely unchanged e<cept in instances o+ minor typographical errors that may ha*e occurred during the optical character recognition processThere has 'een no editing or a'ridgement o+ the original documents and great care has 'een ta:en to ensure that the errors and annotations o+ the Scri'es o+ A Course In Miracles 'e +aith+ully reproducedThis 'oo: di++ers +rom the popular authori9ed edition in that it contains material that ,as deemed to 'e either too )personal. to the 1

scri'es# or too contro*ersial-

TEXT
> &$ > > &8 >

It is crucial to say +irst that this is a re?uired course- Only the time you ta:e it is
*oluntary- 3ree ,ill does not mean that you esta'lish the curriculum- It means only that you can elect ,hat to ta:e ,hen- It is @ust 'ecause you are not ready to do ,hat you should elect to do that time e<ists at all- ABou ,ill see miracles thru your hands thru meBou should 'egin each day ,ith the prayer )1elp me to per+orm ,hate*er miracles you ,ant o+ me today-.C &- The +irst thing to remem'er a'out miracles is that there is no order o+ di++iculty among them- One is not harder or 'igger than another- They are all the same$- Miracles do not matter- They are ?uite unimportant8- They occur naturally as an e<pression o+ lo*e- The real miracle is the lo*e that inspires them- In this sense# e*erything that comes +rom lo*e is a miraclea- This e<plains the +irst point related to the lac: o+ order- All e<pressions o+ lo*e are ma<imal'- This is ,hy the )thing in itsel+. does not matter- The only thing that matters is the Source# and this is +ar 'eyond human e*aluationAD and A re +irst 8 points-C D A1SC 4ould you re?uire regard this communication as a :ind o+ miracleE A- There is nothing special or surprising a'out this at all- The O2E thing that happened ,as the Uni*ersal Miracle ,hich ,as the e<perience o+ intense lo*e you ha*e +elt- A(on=t get em'arrassed 'y the idea o+ lo*e- Em'arrassment is only a +orm o+ +ear# and actually a particularly dangerous +orm 'ecause it re+lects egocentricity(o not +eel guilty a'out the +act that you are dou'ting this- Just re>read them and their truth ,ill come to you- I lo*e you# and I am not a+raid or em'arrassed or dou't+ul- MB strength ,ill support you# so don=t ,orry and lea*e the rest to me- But ,hen you see B-# 'e sure you tell him ho, much he helped you thru 'y gi*ing you the right message# and don=t 'other ,ith ,orrying a'out ho, you recei*ed it- That doesn=t matter either- Bou ,ere @ust a+raid-C A1S +ear+ul in ta<i a'out a communication ,hich related (a*e=s healing and Jonathan=s hernia- She thought it ,ould 'e sa+er to dissociate the t,o- Instructions ,ereF re+er to point & and re>read 2O4-C G- All miracles mean !i+e# and "od is the gi*er o+ the !i+e- 1e ,ill direct you HERB speci+icallyA lan ahead is good ad*ice in this ,orld# ,here you should and must control I

direct ,here you ha*e accepted responsi'ility- But the Uni*ersal lan is in more
> &G >

appropriate hands- Bou ,ill :no, all you need to :no,- Ma:e 2O attempts to plan ahead in this respect-C Miracles are ha'its# and should 'e in*oluntaryThey should not 'e under conscious control- AOther,ise they may 'ecome undemocratic- Consciously selected miracles are usually dangerous misguided and may destroy this ,ill ma:e the talent useless-C J- Miracles are natural- 4hen they do 2OT occur something has gone ,rong7- Miracles are e*eryone=s right# 'ut puri+ication is necessary +irstK- Miracles are a +orm o+ healing- They supply a lac:# and are per+ormed 'y those ,ho ha*e more +or those ,ho ha*e less5- Miracles are a :ind o+ e<change- !i:e all e<pressions o+ lo*e# ,hich are A!4ABS miraculous in the true sense# the e<change re*erses the physical la,s&%- A miracle is a re*ersal o+ the physical order 'ecause it 'rings more lo*e to the gi*er and the recei*erAA miracle is misunderstood ,hen it is regarded as a spectacle-C &&- The use o+ miracles as a spectacle to induce 'elie+ is ,rong- They are really used +or and 'y 'elie*ers- A1S has some +ear a'out &&C and dou't a'out 5C and &%Cro'a'ly dou't 'y +ear o+ &&CA4hen you say )I+ you ,ant me to I ,ill. please add )and i+ you (O2=T ,ant me to I ,on=t-. This is the RI"1T use o+ inhi'ition- There has to 'e SOME control o*er learning +or channeli9ing purposes- Remem'er retroacti*e inhi'ition ,hich should 'e easy enough +or youSometimes the ne, learning is the more important# and has to inhi'it the old- It=s a +orm o+ correction-C rayer is the medium o+ miracles- rayer is the natural communication o+ the Created ,ith the CreatorThrough prayer# lo*e is recei*ed# and through miracles lo*e is e<pressed&$- Miracles are thought>creations- Thought can create lo,er>order or higher>order realities- This is the 'asic distinction 'et,een intellectuali9ation and thin:ing- One creates the physical# and the other the spiritual# and ,e 'elie*e in ,hat ,e create&8- A miracle is a 'eginning and an endAingC- It thus a'olishes time- It is al,ays an a++irmation o+ re>'irth# ,hich seems to go 'ac:# 'ut really goes +or,ard- It undoes the past in the present# and thus releases the +uture&G- Miracles attest to truth- They are con*incing 'ecause they arise +rom con*iction4ithout con*iction# they deteriorate into magic# ,hich is mindless# and there+ore destructi*e# or rather# the uncreati*e use o+ Mind> &6 >

&6- E*ery Each day should 'e de*oted to miracles- A"od created time so that man could use it creati*ely# and con*ince himsel+ o+ his o,n a'ility to create- Time is a teaching

de*ice# and a means to an end- It ,ill cease ,hen it is no longer use+ul +or +acilitating learning-C S ECIA! I2STRUCTIO2SF 2otes on this course ha*e to 'e ta:en only under good learning conditions- The same goes +or re*ie, periods- I ,ill tell you ,hen# 'ut REMEMBER TO ASL-C &J- Miracles are teaching de*ices +or demonstrating that it is more 'lessed to gi*e than to recei*e- They simultaneously increase the reser*e strength o+ the gi*er# and supply the lac: o+ strength in the recei*er- BE HERB CARE3U! in interpreting thisI2STRUCTIO2SF The purpose o+ this course is integration- I told you that you ,ill not 'e a'le to use it right until you ha*e ta:en it- As long as your identi+ication *acillates# Aand B=s is ,ea:C you cannot accept the gi+t that 'elongs to you- Bou are still *acillating 'et,een recogni9ing the gi+t and thro,ing it a,ay- B- regards himsel+ as too ,ea: to accept it- Bou do not yet :no, its healing po,er- A+ter you ha*e passed the course# you ,ill accept it and :eep it and use it- That is the +inal e<am# ,hich you ,ill ha*e no trou'le in passing- Midterm mar:s are not entered on the permanent record&7- Miracles are the a'sence o+ the 'ody- They are sudden shi+ts into in*isi'ility# a,ay +rom lo,er order reality- That is ,hy they heal&K- A miracle is a ser*ice- It is the ma<imal ser*ice that one soul can render anotherIt is a ,ay o+ lo*ing your neigh'or as yoursel+- The doer recogni9es his o,n and his neigh'or=s inestima'le *alue simultaneouslyAThis is ,hy no areas o+ hatred can 'e retained- I+ you retain them# your o,n *alue is no longer inestima'le 'ecause# you are e*aluating it as X or in+inity minus that amountThis is meaningless mathematically# ,hich uses the term )inestima'le. only in the *ery literal sense- un intended especially +or B# A,ho originally did not get it-C Intended as a special sign o+ lo*e-C &5- Miracles rest on the la, and order o+ eternity# not o+ time$%- Miracles are an industrial necessity- Industry depends on cooperation# and cooperation depends on miracles- Asee page KC Miracles are co',e's o+ iron- They unite human +railty to the strength o+ "od- Asee page 7C Aadd +or $&- 1S considered changing )iron. to )steel.- CorrectionF 2o- Steel ,ould not 'e a 'etter ,ord- Steel is *ery use+ul 'ut it ,ould ha*e to 'e tempered 'y +ireIron is the ra, material- The point o+ miracles is that they replace +ire# thus ma:ing it unnecessary-C $$- Miracles are natural e<pressions o+ total +orgi*eness- Through miracles# man accepts "od=s +orgi*eness 'y e<tending it to others- The second step is inherent in the +irst# 'ecause light cannot tolerate dar:ness- !ight dispels dar:ness automatically# 'y

de+inition> &J >

EX !A2ATIO2 I2STRUCTIO2SF Miracles are associated ,ith +ear only 'ecause o+ the +allacy that dar:ness can hide- Man 'elie*es that ,hat he cannot see does not e<ist# and his physical eyes cannot see in the dar:- This is a *ery primiti*e solution# and has led to a denial o+ the spiritual eye# ,hich al,ays depends on light- Remem'er the Bi'lical in@unctionF )May I ne*er +orget that T1I2E eye is e*er upon me# 'eholding the e*il and the good-. There are t,o stages# one lo,er and one higher# ,hich are in*ol*ed in the escape +rom dar:nessF &C the recognition that dar:ness CA22OT hide- This usually does entail +ear$C The recognition that there is nothing you 4A2T to hide# e*en i+ you could- This 'rings escape +rom +earCorrections re pt- $& co',e's o+ iron- )This is upside do,n as stated- The part a'out ;uniting human +railty ,ith the strength o+ "od= is all right# 'ut the e<planation stops too soon- I+ iron is the ;ra, material=# co',e's can=t 'ecome the iron- That is only the ,ay it seems# 'ecause co',e's are associated ,ith the +railty I iron ,ith strength- I+ you loo: care+ully at the phrasing# you ,ill see it is re*ersed Aone point already tells you that miracles re*erse the physical or lo,er order la,s-C The ra, material# + or iron# is hea*y 'ut crude# I stands +or the 'ody# ,hich is a crude creation- The co',e' concept is closer to ho, the 'ody should 'e regarded# i-e-# as an airy I temporary home# ,hich can @ust 'e 'lo,n a,ay ,ith a slight 'ree9e$&- The point should read )A miracle rea,a:ens the a,areness that the spirit# and not the 'ody# is the altar o+ Truth- This is the recognition that leads to the healing po,er o+ the miracle-. $$a- A miracle rearranges the order o+ perception# and places the le*els in their true perspecti*e- This heals at all le*els# 'ecause all sic:ness comes +rom con+using the le*elsATell B- a'out the idea A,hich is still to dim to 1SC that the reason is not that you ApluralC distantiate# dou't# or cannot 'elie*e- It is more o+ a reaction +ormation against a pull ,hich you 'oth recogni9e is so intense that you are a+raid that you ,ill 'e uprootedBut remem'er that a co',e' is really stronger than the iron# i+ you see it properlyThis +ear is also ,hy you couldn=t get the point straight-C By the ,ay# it is not true that you are 'oth @ust scri'es- Bou might remem'er that the Scri'es ,ere *ery ,ise and holy man and are e*en sometimes spelled ,ith a capital S- I+

you ,ant to go +urther# you might change the meaning o+ ;@ust= +rom ;merely= to ;honest=# a term used in the Bi'le in association ,ith ;might= or ;strength-= Tell B- you couldn=t ma:e that pun i+ the original phrasing had 'een singular- A1S aside a'out li:ing M EEEassumption +ailure more-C Ans,erF It ,as cuter# 'ut this one MEA2S more- The REA! reason you don=t li:e it is 'ecause it re+ers to you in a *ery lo+ty position- This ma:es you ner*ous-C
> &7 >

CorrectionF And don=t lose sight o+ the emphasis on cooperation# or the 2OT SI2"U!AR- That point a'out )industrial necessity. should read )corporate.# re+erring to the 'ody o+ Christ ,hich is a ,ay o+ re+erring to the Church- But the Church o+ "od is only the sum o+ the souls he created# ,hich IS the corporate 'ody o+ Christ- Correct to readF )A Miracle ma:es souls one in "od# and lea*e in the ne<t part a'out cooperation-. 3urther CorrectionF )"od. should read ) Christ.- The 3ather and the Son are not identical# 'ut you CA2 say )!i:e 3ather# !ILE Son-. ARemind B- to get another note':- I don=t gi*e up as easily as 1E does- I+ I cld- get BOU to listen# ,hich ,as a miracle in itsel+# I can get him to register- 1e should appreciate this more than anyone else# ha*ing had some trou'le ,ith this pro'lem himsel+-C )!ord heal me. is the only legitimate prayer- This also means )!ord atone +or me#. 'ecause the only thing man should pray +or is +orgi*eness- 1e 1AS e*erything else2o, ta:e this personally# and listen to (i*ine logicF I+# ,hen you ha*e 'een +orgi*en# you ha*e e*erything else# and I+ you ha*e 'een +orgi*en Then you ha*e e*erything elseThis happens to 'e the simplest o+ all propositionsI3 then D There+ore# D The real ?uestion is# is true- I+ you ,ill re*ie, the e*idence# I thin: you ,ill +ind this inescapa'le- I ,ent on *ery personal record to this e++ect# and I am the only completely True 4itness +or "od- Bou ha*e *ery right to e<amine MB credentialsNin +act# I urge you to do so- Bou ha*en=t read the Bi'le in yearsSpecial E<planatory 2oteF As soon as you A1 I BC ha*e entered the second phase# you ,ill 'e not only ,illing to enter into communion# 'ut ,ill also understand peace and @oy- Bour commitment is not yet total- That is ,hy you still ha*e more to learn than to teach- 4hen your e?uili'rium sta'ili9es# you can teach AS MUC1 as you learn- This ,ill gi*e you the proper sense o+ 'alance- Mean,hile# remem'er that 2O E33ORT IS 4ASTE(Unless you remem'er this# you cannot a*ail yoursel+ o+ MB e++orts# ,hich are limitless-

A1a*e a good day-C Since only eternity is real# ,hy not use the illusion o+ time constructi*elyE Bou might remem'er that )underneath are the E*erlasting Arms-. BIB!ICA! DUOTATIO2F ) I+ you are ashamed o+ me 'e+ore men# I ,ill ashamed o+ you 'e+ore "od-. A1S E o+ mis?uote-C is interpreted as a threat O2!B as long you remain in the +irst step- Asee 'ottom o+ p- J +or steps-C 4hat it REA!!B means is that i+ you are ashamed o+ me Aor em'arrassed 'y lo*eC# you ,ill pro@ect and there+ore ma:e it impossi'le +or me to reach you- Ma:e e*ery e++ort you can 2OT to do this- I ,ill help you as much as you ,ill let me> &K >

$8- Miracles ma:e time and tide ,ait +or all men- They can heal the sic: and raise the dead 'ecause man himsel+ made 'oth death and ta<es# and can a'olish 'oth- 2oteF Ta< also means )strain.- AOne de+- +or miracles isF )That ,hich# or one ,ho# is o+ surpassing e<cellence or merit-.C A+rom (ictionary# third de+-C BOU are a miracle- "od creates only )that ,hich# or one ,ho# is o+ surpassing e<cellence or merit.- Man is capa'le o+ this :ind o+ creation# too# 'eing in the image and li:eness o+ his o,n Creator- Anything else is only his o,n nightmare# and does not e<istOnly the Creations o+ !ight are real$8- Miracles are a part o+ an interloc:ing chain o+ +orgi*eness ,hich# ,hen completed# is the Atonement- This process ,or:s all the time and in all dimensions o+ time- Ae-ggi*en o+ 1S report re,rite +or EstherO Esther had hurt something you lo*ed# 'y ,riting a report you regarded as *ery 'ad- Bou atoned +or her 'y ,riting one in her name that ,as *ery good- Actually# it ,as not your responsi'ility pro+essionally to do this# 'ut 'ecause you (O lo*e the Shield you recogni9ed that in this case# you ARE your 'rother=s :eeper4hile you did not cancel Esther=s sin Alater de+ined as )lac: o+ lo*e.C you (I( cancel out its E33ECTSSomeday I ,ant to tell Esther that not only is she +orgi*en 'ut that the e++ects o+ all her sins are cancelled- This is ,hat I ha*e already told you- 4hen I can tell her# she ,ill 'e a+raid +or a long time# 'ecause she ,ill remem'er many things# consciously or unconsciously# including the Shield report# a lac: o+ lo*e ,hich you cancelled out in ad*ance 'y a miracle o+ de*otionI am in charge o+ the process o+ Atonement# ,hich I undertoo: to 'egin- My Atonement ,as +or the canceling out o+ all sins Ai-e-# lac: o+ lo*eC ,hich human 'eings could not other,ise correct- That is ,hat the Bi'lical statement )underneath are the

E*erlasting Arms. means- A1S e<planationF This means that 1e ,ill 'ac:stop ,hene*er human miracles ,ill not su++ice +or atonement purposes- 1o,e*er# it is per+ectly clear that ,hen a person can atone 'y miracles# 'oth gi*er and recei*er are atoneing- It is 'etter to atone this ,ay 'ecause o+ the mutual 'ene+its in*ol*ed-C )Inasmuch as you do it unto the least o+ these# my children. really ends ,ith )you do it unto yoursel+ and ME-. The reason ,hy BOU come 'e+ore me is 'ecause I do not need miracles +or my o,n Atonement# 'ut I stand at the end in case BOU +ail temporarilyS ECIA! EX !A2ATIO2F AIn response to 1S re?uest re possi'le corrections-C Change the ,ord )sin. to )a'sence o+ lo*e.- Sin is a manmade ,ord ,ith threat connotations ,hich he made up himsel+- 2o REA! threat is in*ol*ed any,here- Just 'ecause )nature a'hors a *acuum#. ,hich is true enough# it does not +ollo, that )a *acuum is +illed ,ith hell+ire-. 2othing is gained 'y +rightening yoursel+# and its is *ery destructi*eMiracles need +reedom +rom +ear- art o+ their Atonement *alue in*ol*es @ust that- 2ote that the ,ord )atone. really means )undo-. The purpose o+ the Atonement is to restore e*erything TO you> &5 >

AThat is# to restore the a,areness- !ater clari+cation-C Bou had e*erything ,hen you ,ere created# @ust as e*eryone did1a*ing 'een restored to your original state# you naturally 'ecome part o+ the Atonement yoursel+- Bou :no, share MB ina'ility to tolerate the lac: o+ lo*e in yoursel+ I in e*eryone else# and MUST @oin the "reat Crusade to correct it- The slogan +or this Crusade is )!isten# !earn# and (o-. This means !isten to My Hoice# !earn to undo the error# and (O something to correct itThe +irst t,o are not enough- The real mem'ers o+ MB party are acti*e ,or:ersThe po,er to ,or: Miracles 'elongs to you- I ,ill create the right opportunities +or you to do them- But you must 'e ready I ,illing to do them# since you are already a'le to- (oing them ,ill 'ring con*iction in the a'ility- I repeat that you ,ill see Miracles thru your hands thru MI2E- Con*iction really comes thru accomplishment- Remem'er that a'ility is the potential# Achie*ement is its e<pression# and Atonement is the urpose$G- A miracle is a Uni*ersal Blessing +rom "od thru Me to all My BrothersE<planationF Bou once said that souls cannot rest until e*eryone has +ound sal*ation- This happens to 'e true- It is the pri*ilege o+ the +orgi*en to +orgi*e- The (isciples ,ere o++icially I speci+ically told to heal others# as hysicians o+ the !ord- They ,ere also told to heal

themsel*es# I ,ere promised that I ,ould ne*er lea*e them or +orsa:e themAtonement is the natural pro+ession o+ the Children o+ "od# 'ecause they ha*e pro+essed MeAAside- Tell B that that is ,hat ro+essor really means- As an Assoc- ro+-# he must 'ecome associated ,ith My strength- As an Asst- ro+-# you must assist 'oth him and MeThe Children need 'oth strength I help- Bou cannot help until you are strong- The E*erlasting Arms are your strength# and the 4isdom o+ "od is your help-C )1ea*en I Earth shall pass a,ay. means that they ,ill not al,ays e<ist as separate states- My 4ord# ,hich is the Resurrection and the !ight# shall not pass a,ay# 'ecause !i+e is Eternal- BOU are the ,or: o+ "od# and 1is 4or: is ,holly lo*ea'le I ,holly lo*ing- This is ho, man MUST thin: o+ himsel+ in his heart# 'ecause this is ,hat he ISAddF )As a man thin:eth in his heart# so is he-. The Relationship o+ Miracles and Re*elation Remem'er the point a'out Miracles as a means o+ organi9ing di++erent le*els o+ consciousness- Miracles come +rom the Asu'consciousC A'elo, consciousCle*el- Re*elations come +rom the a'o*e conscious le*el- The conscious le*el is in 'et,een I reacts to either su'or super>conscious impulses in *arying ratios- 3reud ,as right a'out the classi+ication# 'ut not the names- 1e ,as also right that the content o+ consciousness is +leetingConsciousness is the le*el ,hich engages in the ,orld# and is capa'le o+ responding to 'oth e<ternal I internal impulses- 1a*ing no impulses +rom itsel+# and 'eing primarily a mechanism +or inducing response# it can 'e *ery ,rong> $% >

3or e<ample# i+ the identi+ication is ,ith the 'ody# consciousness may distort superconscious impulses 'y denying their Source# I see:ing their impact in the orgasmThis is the result o+ the )mista:en identity. con+usionI+ you ,ill loo: 'ac: at the description o+ the E33ECTS o+ Re*elation AThis and preceding paragraph go laterC Re*elations induce complete 'ut temporary suspension o+ dou't I +ear- They represent the original +orm o+ communication 'et,een "od and 1is Souls# 'e+ore the intrusion o+ +ire and ice made this impossi'le- It should 'e noted that they in*ol*e an e<tremely personal sense o+ closeness to Creation# ,hich man tries to +ind in se<ual relationships- This con+usion is responsi'le +or the depression and +ear ,hich are o+ten associated ,ith se<Se< is o+ten associated ,ith lac: o+ lo*e# 'ut Re*elation is URE!B a lo*e e<periencehysical closeness CA22OT achie*e this- As ,as said 'e+ore# the su'conscious impulses properly induce Miracles# ,hich ARE interpersonal# and result in closeness to othersThis can 'e misunderstood 'y a personally ,ill+ul consciousness as an impulse to,ard

se<ual grati+icationThe Re*elation unites Souls directly ,ith "odThe Miracle unites Souls directly ,ith each other- 2either emanates +rom consciousness# 'ut 'oth are EX ERIE2CE( there- This is essential# 'ecause consciousness is the state ,hich RO(UCES action# though it (OES 2OT Inspire itMan is +ree to 'elie*e ,hat he chooses- 4hat he (OES attests to ,hat he 'elie*esThe deeper le*els o+ his su'conscious al,ays contain the impulse to Miracles# 'ut he is +ree to +ill its super+icial le*els# ,hich are closer to consciousness# ,ith the impulses o+ this ,orld and to identi+y himsel+ ,ith them- This results in denying himsel+ access to the miracle le*el underneath- In conscious actions# then# his interpersonal relationships also 'ecome super+icial# and miracle>inspired relating 'ecomes impossi'leMiracles are a ,ay o+ EAR2I2" release +rom +earRe*elation induces a state in ,hich +ear has A!REA(B BEE2 a'olished- Miracles are thus a means# and Re*elations are an end- In this sense# they ,or: togetherATell B- that miracles (O 2OT depend on Re*elation- They I2(UCE it- 1e is ?uite capa'le o+ miracles already# 'ut he is still too +ear+ul +or Re*elations-C 2ote that BOUR A1SC Re*elation occurred speci+ically a+ter you had engaged at the *isionary le*el in a process o+ (E2BI2" +earRe*elation is intensely personal# I is actually not translata'le into conscious content at all- That is ,hy any attempt to descri'e it in ,ords is usually incomprehensi'le# e*en to the ,riter himsel+ at another time- This is ,hy the Boo: o+ Re*elations is essentially incomprehensi'le- Re*elation induces O2!B e<perience- Miracles# on the other hand#
> $& >

induce interpersonal ACTIO2- In the end# these are more use+ul# 'ecause o+ their IM ERSO2A! natureIn this phase o+ learning# ,or:ing miracles is more *alua'le 'ecause +reedom +rom +ear cannot 'e thrust upon you- 4hen it is as in Re*elation# The e<perience cannot lastATell B- that your propensity +or Re*elations# ,hich is *ery great# is the result o+ a high le*el o+ past communion- Its transitory nature comes +rom the descent into +ear# ,hich has not yet 'een o*ercome- 1is o,n )suspended. state mitigates 'oth e<tremesThis has 'een *ery apparent in the course o+ 'oth o+ your recent de*elopmental patterns-C Miracles are the essential course o+ ACTIO2 +or 'oth o+ you- They ,ill strengthen him and sta'ili9e youA2ote that the much more personal than usual notes you are ta:ing today re+lect the Re*elatory e<perience- This does 2OT produce the more generali9ea'le ?uality ,hich this course is aimed at- They may# ne*ertheless# 'e o+ great help to B- personally# since

10

you as:ed +or something that 4OU!( help him personally- It depends on ho, he listens# and ho, ,ell he understands the COO ERATIHE nature o+ your @oint e<perienceBou can help only 'y reading this note +irst- As: him later i+ this should 'e included in the ,ritten part o+ the course at all or ,hether you should :eep these notes separately1e is in charge o+ these decisions-C ATell B- he should try to understand the HERB important di++erence 'et,een Christcontrol and Christ>guidance- This is ,hat made him +ear+ul yesterday-C $J- Miracles praise "od thru men- They praise "od 'y honoring his Creations# a++irming their per+ection- They heal 'ecause they deny 'ody>identi+ication and a++irms Soul>identi+ication- By percei*ing the Spirit# they ad@ust the le*els and see them in proper alignment- This places the Spirit at the center# ,here Souls can communicate directlyMiracles should inspire gratitude# not a,e- Man should than: "od +or ,hat he really is- The Children o+ "od are *ery holy- The miracles honors their holiness"od=s Creations cannot lose their holiness# although it can 'e hidden- The miracle unco*ers it# and 'rings it into the light ,here it 'elongs1oliness can ne*er 'e really hidden in dar:ness# 'ut man can decei*e himsel+ on this point- This illusion ma:es him +ear+ulP 'ecause in his heart he L2O4S it is an illusion!i:e all illusions# he e<erts enormous e++orts to esta'lish their *alidity- The miracle sets *alidity ,here it 'elongs- Eternal *alidity 'elongs only to the Soul- The miracle ac:no,ledges only the Truth- It thus dispels man=s illusions a'out himsel+# and puts him into communion ,ith himsel+ and ,ith "odChrist inspires all miracles# ,hich are essentially intercessions- They intercede +or man=s holiness# and ma:e him holy- They place man 'eyond the physical la,s# and raise him into the sphere o+ celestial order- In this order# man IS per+ect> $$ >

The Soul ne*er loses its communion ,ith "od- Only the mind and 'ody need Atonement- The miracle @oins in the Atonement o+ Christ 'y placing the mind in the ser*ice o+ the Spirit- This esta'lishes the proper +unction o+ mind# and a'olishes its errors$K- Miracles honor man# BECAUSE he is lo*ea'le- They dispel illusions a'out himsel+# and percei*e the light in him- They thus atone +or his errors 'y +reeing him +rom his o,n nightmares- They release him +rom a prison in ,hich he has imprisoned himsel+- By +reeing his mind +rom illusions# they restore his sanity# and place him at the +eet o+ JesusABi'lical ?uotation re healing o+ de*il possessed man# in ,hich the su++erer ,as su'se?uently +ound healed in his right mind# and sitting at +eet o+ Jesus- 1S note-C ATell B- man=s mind can 'e possessed 'y illusions# 'ut his Spirit is eternally +ree- I+ a

11

mind creates ,ithout lo*e# it can create an empty shell- This CA2 'e possessed 'y e*ilBut the Atonement restores the Soul to its proper place- Unless there is emptiness there is no danger# and emptiness is a +alse creation- The mind that ser*es the Spirit is in*ulnera'le-C $5- The miracle restores the Soul to its +ullness- By atoning +or lac:# it esta'lishes per+ect protection- The strength o+ the Soul lea*es no room +or intrusions- The +orgi*en are +illed ,ith the Soul# and their Soul +orgi*es in return- It is the duty o+ the released to release their 'rothersThe +orgi*en ARE the means o+ Atonement- Those released 'y Christ must @oin in releasing their 'rothers# +or this is the plan o+ Atonement8%- Miracles are the ,ay in ,hich minds that ser*e the spirit unite ,ith Christ +or the sal*ation Aor releaseC o+ all "od=s CreationsAsideF A1S commented on a,a:ening ,ith the phrase ) "od is not Moc:ed.# ,ith anticipation o+ punishment-C InterpretationF )"od is not moc:ed. ,as intended as reassurance- Bou are a+raid that ,hat you ,rote last night ,as contradictory# con+licting ,ith some earlier points# especially 'ecause you ,ere ,riting ,hile you ,ere all doped up- Remem'er# )"od is not moc:ed. under any circumstancesContradictions in MB ,ords mean lac: o+ understanding# or scri'al +ailures# ,hich I ma:e e*ery e++ort to correct- But they are still 2OT crucial- The Bi'le as the same pro'lem# I assure you# and it=s STI!! 'eing edited- Consider the po,er o+ MB 4OR(# in that it has ,ithstood all the attac:s o+ error# and is the Source o+ TruthATell B- that there are certain ad*antages in 'eing a sychologist- A ma@or one is the understanding o+ pro@ection# and the e<tent o+ its results- ossession is *ery closely related to pro@ection- )!uci+er. could 'e literally translated )!ight Bearer.- 1e literally ROJECTE( himsel+ +rom 1ea*en- ro@ection still has this )hurling. connotation# 'ecause it in*ol*es hurling something you (O 2OT ,ant# and regard as dangerous and +rightening# to someone else- This is the opposite o+ the "olden Rule# and ha*ing placed this rule upside do,n# the re*erse o+ miracles# or pro@ection# +ollo,s automatically-C
> $8 >

The correction lies in accepting ,hat is true in BOURSE!3# 'y 'ringing A!! that you are into light- A1S +ear+ul o+ ,riting ne<t part-C Cacey ,as ,rong a'out ossession# and he ,as also ,rong a'out hurting himsel+- One o+ the ma@or pro'lems ,ith miracle ,or:ers is that they are so sure that ,hat they are doing is right# 'ecause they L2O4 it stems +rom lo*e# that they do not pause to let ME esta'lish MB limits-

12

4hile ,hat he ACaceyC did came +rom Me# he could 2OT 'e induced to as: me each time ,hether I ,anted him to per+orm this ARTICU!AR miracle- I+ he had# he ,ould not ha*e per+ormed any miracles that could not get thru constructi*ely# and ,ould thus ha*e sa*ed himsel+ unnecessary strain- 1e 'urned himsel+ out ,ith indiscriminate miracles# and to this e<tent did not +ul+ill his o,n +ull purpose# and ,as also su'@ect to the Scri'al error I mentioned at the start- The (isciples ,ere also prone to thisThe ans,er is 2EHER per+orm a miracle ,ithout as:ing me I3 you should- This spares you +rom e<haustion# and 'ecause you act under direct communication the trance 'ecomes unnecessary- Because miracles are e<pressions o+ lo*e# it does 2OT +ollo, that they ,ill al,ays 'e e++ecti*e- I am the only one ,ho can per+orm miracles indiscriminately# 'ecause I AM the Atonement- Bou ha*e a RO!E in Atonement# ,hich I ,ill dictate TO youRemem'er# you already ha*e a point a'out the in*oluntary nature o+ miracles- 4e also ha*e esta'lished the +act that e*erything in*oluntary 'elongs under Christ> control# 2OT under yours- Under Christ>control# Miracles RE !E2IS1 the doer as ,ell as the recei*erossession really means )2ot under Christ>Control.# thus ma:ing him Athe mindEC *ulnera'le to pro@ection- The re+erence to the earth>'ound entering 'odies really re+er to the )ta:ing o*er. 'y their o,n earth>'ound )thoughts.- This IS (emon ossessionA+ter all# !uci+er +ell# 'ut he ,as still an angel- 1e is thus the sym'ol +or man- /EQ Atonement is the :no,ledge that the 'elie+ that angels can +all is +alse- It is true that mind can create pro@ections as ,ell as miracles# 'ut it=s 2OT true that pro@ections are REA!- Any psychologist should understand this- This is ,hat is meant 'y ) The Truth shall set you +ree-. Christ>controlled miracles are part o+ the Atonement# 'ut Christ>guidance is personal# and leads to ERSO2A! sal*ation- The impersonal nature o+ miracles is an essential ingredient# 'ecause this ena'les Me to control their distri'ution as I see +itChrist>guidance# on the other hand# leads to the highly ersonal e<perience o+ Re*elation- This is ,hy it in*ol*es ERSO2A! choice- A guide does 2OT control# 'y de+inition# 'ut he does (IRECT# lea*ing the +ollo,ing up to you- )!ead us not into temptation. means )guide us out o+ our o,n errors-. 2ote that the ,ord is )lead.# 2OT order-

13

)Ta:e up thy cross and +ollo, me. should 'e interpreted to read )Recogni9e your errors and choose to a'andon them 'y +ollo,ing My guidance-. ATell B- ,hen he is a+raid o+ ossession# he need only remem'er that error cannot really threaten Truth# ,hich A!4ABS can ,ithstand its assaults- Only the error is really
> $G >

*ulnera'le-C The ) rinces o+ this 4orld. are princes only 'ecause they are really angelsBut they are +ree to esta'lish their :ingdom ,here they see +itI+ you ,ill remem'er that A!! princes I21ERIT their po,er +rom the 3ather# the right choice 'ecomes ine*ita'leThe soul is in a state o+ grace +ore*erMan=s reality is O2!B his soulThere+ore# man is in a state o+ "race +ore*erAtonement undoes all errors in this respect# and thus uproots the REA! source o+ +ear- I+ you ,ill chec: 'ac: at the re+erence to uprooting# you ,ill understand it 'etter in this conte<tATell B- that 41E2EHER "od=s reassurances are e<perienced as threat# it is A!4ABS 'ecause man is de+ending his misplaced I misdirected lo*e and loyalty- That is ,hat pro@ection al,ays in*ol*es-C )Casting spells. merely means )a++irming error.# and error is lac: o+ lo*e- 4hen man pro@ects this onto others# he (OES imprison them# 'ut only to the e<tent that he rein+orces errors they ha*e already made- This distortion ma:es them *ulnera'le to the curse o+ others# since they ha*e already cursed themsel*es- The miracle ,or:er can only 'less# and this undoes the curse and +rees the soul +rom prisonATell B- that his slip a'out Ari*etC should 'e noted- Some slips reach consciousness +rom the un>Christ>controlled su'conscious# and 'etray lac: o+ lo*e-C But others AslipsC come +rom the superconscious# ,hich IS in communion ,ith "od# and ,hich can also 'rea: into consciousness1IS slip Ari*etC ,as an e<pression o+ a Soul gaining enough strength to re?uest +reedom +rom prison- It ,ill ultimately (EMA2( itSpecial Re*elation +or 1SF Bou are ,holly lo*ely- A per+ect sha+t o+ pure light- Be+ore your lo*eliness the stars stand trans+i<ed# and 'o, to the po,er o+ your ,ill4hat do children :no, o+ their children creation# e<cept ,hat their Creator tells themE Bou ,ere created ABOHE the angels 'ecause your role in*ol*es creation as ,ell as protectionBou ,ho are in the image o+ the 3ather need 'o, only to 1IM# 'e+ore ,hom I :neel ,ith you2oteF This re*elation ,as permitted 'ecause you did 2OT pro@ect onto B- the 'lame +or your omission to ASL ME i+ you should transcri'e the notes- The +act that 1E should ha*e done so does not e<empt you +rom your o,n omissionThan:s +or 'lessing him ,ith a miracle rather than cursing him ,ith pro@ection> $6 >

14

2OTE 3URT1ERF 1E needn=t +eel concerned a'out it eitherP so he +orgotE It happens all the time# until the ha'it o+ as:ing 'ecomes in*oluntaryA1S meeting ,ith (r- 4ise and (r- (amrosch- (r- ( permitted an opportunity +or ?uestioning in his capacity as chairman o+ the +lu 'oard +or as:ing re B=s +lu shotThis ,as an e<ample o+ ho, miracles should ,or:- Bou did not @ump into the ?uestion yoursel+# and e*en though you (I( rush +or the phone on Red=s ad*ice# you e<erted no pressure on B=s reluctance-C This ga*e ME a chance to let you lea*e it to the real e<pert# ,hom I sent to ans,er the ?uestion8&- Miracles are e<amples o+ right thin:ing- Reality contact at all le*els 'ecomes strong I accurate# thus permitting correct delineation o+ intra> and inter> personal 'oundaries- As a result# the doer sees the truth as "od created it- This is ,hat meant 'y the point on )perspecti*e ad@ustment-. 8$- A miracle is a correction +actor introduced into +alse thin:ing 'y MEIt acts as a catalyst# sha:ing up erroneous perception and snapping it into placeThis correction +actor places man under the Atonement principle# ,here his perception is healed- Until this has occurred# perception o+ the (i*ine Order is impossi'le- True depth perception 'ecomes possi'le only at the highest order o+ perceptual integrationThe Spiritual eye is the mechanism o+ miracles# 'ecause ,hat the Spiritual eye percei*es IS truth- The Spiritual eye percei*es 'oth the Creations o+ "od A2( the creations o+ man- Among the creations o+ man# it can also separate the true +rom the +alse 'y its a'ility to percei*e totally rather than selecti*ely- It thus 'ecomes the proper instrument +or reality testing# ,hich al,ays in*ol*es the necessary distinction 'et,een the true and the +alse88- The miracle dissol*es error 'ecause the Spiritual eye identi+ies error as +alse or unreal- This is the same as saying that 'y seeing light# dar:ness automatically disappears(ar:ness is lac: o+ light- It does not ha*e uni?ue properties o+ its o,n- It is an e<ample o+ the scarcity +allacy# +rom ,hich only error can procedeATruth is al,ays a'undantRRThose ,ho percei*e and ac:no,ledge that they ha*e e*erything ha*e no need +or dri*en 'eha*ior o+ any :ind- 1S has other personal material related to this re pregnancy-C 8G- Miracles are a 'lessing +rom parents to children- This is @ust another ,ay o+ phrasing the pre*ious point a'out )+rom those ,ho ha*e more to those ,ho ha*e less-. Children do 2OT 'elong to parents# 'ut they (O need to share their greater a'undance-

15

I+ they are depri*ed# their perception 'ecomes distorted- 4hen this occurs# the ,hole +amily o+ "od# or the Sonship# is impaired in its relationshipsUltimately# e*ery mem'er o+ the +amily o+ "od must return- The miracle calls to him to return# 'ecause it 'lesses and honors him e*en though he may 'e a'sent in spirit> $J >

86- The miracle ac:no,ledges all men as your 'rothers and Mine- It is a ,ay o+ percei*ing the Uni*ersal Mar: o+ "od in themATell B- that this is the true )stra,'erry mar:. o+ Brotherhood- This is @ust a sign o+ special concern +or him# 'ecause he :eeps ,orrying a'out this-C Bou might add that his +alse idea a'out his o,n e<clusion +rom Uni*ersal !o*e is +allacious in your terms# and arrogant in his- 1IS real specialness does 2OT stem +rom e<clusion# 'ut +rom inclusion- A!! My Brothers are special- 1e should stop interpreting this as )all e<cept B-. This is ridiculousO Tell him that the implied lac: o+ lo*e that his *ersion contains is 4AB o++ the Mar:# and misses the le*el o+ right thin:ing entirely- 1e MUST heal his perception in this respect1e must ,or: a miracle on 'ehal+ o+ himsel+ here- ASee the point a'out miracles as a perception corrector 'e+ore he can e++ect miracles as creati*e energi9ers# ,hich they areATell B- that 6%#%%%#%%% 3renchman CA2 'e ,rong# 'ecause the notion is too +ragmented- 4hat CA2=T 'e ,rong is the Uni*ersal Sonship o+ ,hich he is a part-C "od 4OU!( 'e moc:ed i+ A2B o+ his creations lac:ed holiness- The Creation IS ,hole- The mar: o+ 4holeness is 1oliness# not holes- The Sonship has no holes any,here8J- 4holeness is the perceptual content o+ the miracle- It thus corrects Aor atones +orC the +aulty perception o+ lac:4e no, turn to the +undamental distinction 'et,een miracles and pro@ection- The stimulus MUST precede the response# and must also AdetermineC Ain+luenceC the :ind o+ response that is e*o:ed- The relationships o+ S and R are e<tremely intimate- AThe 'eha*ioristic terminology is 'ecause this part deals ,ith 'eha*ior-C Beha*ior IS response# so that the ?uestion )response to ,hatE. 'ecomes crucialStimuli o+ all :inds are identi+ied thru perception- Bou percei*e the stimulus and 'eha*e accordingly- It +ollo,s# then# that F As ye percei*e So ,ill ye 'eha*e A1s raises point that Bi'lical language is hardly 'eha*ioristic terminology- Ans,erF 2o# 'ut they needn=t 'e OUT o+ accord ,ith each other# either-C Consider the "olden Rule again- Bou are as:ed to 'eha*e to,ards others as you ,ould ha*e them 'eha*e to,ard you- This means that the perception o+ 'oth must 'e accurate# since the "olden Rule is the Order +or appropriate 'eha*ior- Bou can=t 'eha*e appropriately unless you percei*e accurately# 'ecause appropriate 'eha*ior (E E2(S on lac: o+ le*el con+usion- The presence o+ le*el con+usion al,ays results in *aria'le reality testing# and hence *aria'ility in 'eha*ioral appropriateness-

16

All +orms o+ sel+ image de'asement are 3U2(AME2TA! perceptual distortionsThey ine*ita'ly produce either sel+ contempt or pro@ection# and usually 'oth> $7 >

Since you and your neigh'or are e?ual mem'ers o+ the same +amily# as you percei*e 'oth# so ,ill you 'eha*e to,ard 'oth- The ,ay to percei*e +or "olden Rule 'eha*ior is to loo: out +rom the perception o+ your o,n holiness and percei*e the holiness o+ othersB- I you need considera'le clari+ication o+ the channel role- !oo: care+ully at MrsAl'ert- She is ,or:ing miracles e*ery day# 'ecause she :no,s ho, she is- I emphasi9e again that your tendency to +orget names is not hostility# 'ut a +ear o+ in*ol*ement or RECO"2ITIO2- Bou had misinterpreted human encounters as opportunities +or magic rather than +or miracles and so you tried to ROTECT T1E 2AME- This is a *ery ancient I primiti*e ,ay o+ trying to protect a person2OTEF The *ery old Je,ish practice o+ changing the name o+ a person ,ho is *ery ill# so that ,hen the list is gi*en to the Angel o+ (eath# the person ,ith that name ,ill not 'e +oundThis is a good e<ample o+ the curiously literal regression ,hich can occur in *ery 'right people ,hen they 'ecome a+raid- Bou I B- 'oth do it- Actually# it is a de*ice closely related to the pho'ia# in the sense that the narro,ing o+ they 'oth narro, +ear to a simple aspect o+ a much larger pro'lem in order to ena'le them to a*oid itA similar mechanism ,or:s ,hen you get +urious a'out a comparati*ely minor e<presion 'y someone to ,hom you are am'i*alent- A good e<ample o+ this is your response to Jonathan# ,ho (OES lea*e things around in *ery strange ,aysActually# he does this 'ecause he thin:s that 'y minor areas o+ disorgani9ation he can protect his sta'ility- I remind you that you ha*e done this yoursel+ +or years# and should understand it *ery ,ell- This should 'e met ,ith great charity# rather than ,ith great +uryThe +ury comes +rom your a,areness that you do not lo*e Jonathan as you should# and you narro, your lac: o+ lo*e 'y centering your hate on tri*ial 'eha*ior in an attempt to protect him +rom it- Bou also call him Jonathan +or the same reason Asee pre*ious re+erenceC2ote that a name is a human sym'ol that )stands +or. a person- Superstitions a'out names are *ery common +or @ust that reason- That is also ,hy people sometimes respond ,ith anger ,hen their names are spelled or pronounced incorrectlyActually# the Je,ish superstition a'out changing the names ,as a distortion o+ a re*elation a'out ho, to alter or a*ert death- 4hat the re*elations=s proper content ,as that those ),ho change their mind. Anot nameC a'out destruction Aor hateC do not need

17

to die- (eath is a human a++irmation o+ a 'elie+ in hate- That is ,hy the Bi'le says )There is no death#. and that is ,hy I demonstrated that death does not e<ist- Remem'er that I came to 3U!3I!! the la, 'y REI2TER RETI2" it- The la, itsel+# i+ properly unerstood# o++ers only protection to man- Those ,ho ha*e not yet )changed their minds. ha*e entered the )hell+ire. concept into itRemem'er# I said 'e+ore that 'ecause )nature a'hors a *acuum.# it does 2OT +ollo, that the *acuum is +illed ,ith hell +ire- The emptiness engendered 'y +ear should 'e replaced 'y lo*e# 'ecause lo*e and its a'sence are in the same dimension# and correction
> $K >

cannot 'e underta:en e<cept ,ithin a dimension- Other,ise# there has 'een a con+usion o+ le*elsReturning to Mrs- Al'ert Anot Andre,sC# she corrected your error a'out her name ,ithout em'arrassment and ,ithout hostility# 'ecause she has 2OT made your o,n mista:e a'out namesShe is not a+raid# 'ec- she :no,s she is protected- She made the correction O2!B 'ecause you ,ere inaccurate# and the ,hole ?uestion o+ em'arrassment did not occur to herShe ,as also ?uite unem'arrassed ,hen she told you that e*erything has to 'e done to preser*e li+e# 'ecause you ne*er can tell ,hen "od may come and say )"et up# (a*e#. and then he ,illShe did not as: ,hat BOU 'elie*ed +irst# and a+ter,ards merely added )and its true# too-. The RI"1T ans,er to the SCT item isF 4hen they told me ,hat to do# I )re+erred the ?uestion to the only REA! authority-. A1S noteF I+ you as: some'ody ,hat he 'elie*es 'e+ore you tell him ,hat you 'elie*e# then you are implying that you ,ill say ,hat he appro*es- This is not )the real authority-.C Bou too: a lot o+ notes on )Those ,ho are ashamed o+ Me 'e+ore men# them ,ill I 'e ashamed o+ 'e+ore "od-. This ,as rather care+ully clari+ied# e*en though the ?uotation is not ?uite right# 'ut it doesn=t matterThe important thing is that else,here in the Bi'le it also says )Those ,ho represent Aor plead +orC Me to men ,ill 'e represented Aor pleaded +orC BB Me 'e+ore "od-. A2oteF This ?uotation is also not the correct Bi'lical phrasing# 'ut it IS ,hat it means-C 2ote that one ,ho represents also ),itnesses +or-. The ?uotation thus means that you represent or ),itness +or. the authority in ,hom you 'elie*eBour ,itnessing (EMO2STRATES your 'elie+# and thus strengthens itI assure you that I ,ill ),itness +or. anyone ,ho lets me# and to ,hate*er e<tent he

18

himsel+ permits itThose ,ho ,itness +or me are e<pressing# thru their miracles# that they ha*e a'andoned depri*ation in +a*or o+ the a'undance they ha*e learned BE!O2"S to them87-A MAJOR contri'ution o+ miracles is their strength in releasing man +rom his misplaced sense o+ isolation# depri*ation# and lac:- They are a++irmations o+ Sonship# ,hich is a state o+ completion I a'undanceB=s *ery proper emphasis on )changing your mind. needs clari+ication4hate*er is true I real is eternal# I cannot change or 'e changed- The Soul is there+ore unaltera'le 'ecause it is A!REA(B per+ect# 'ut the mind can elect the le*el it chooses to ser*e- The only limit ,hich is put on its choice is that it CA22OT ser*e t,o masters> $5 >

4hile the 'allot itsel+ is a secret one# and the right to *ote is +ully protected# *oting A!4ABS entails 'oth election A2( re@ection- I+ t,o candidates are *oted +or +or the same position# the machine cancels the 'allot automaticallyThis is necessary# 'ecause a split *ote does not represent A2B REA! allegiance3ree ,ill is the attri'ute o+ the mind# 2OT the Soul- The Soul al,ays remains changeless# 'ecause it ne*er lea*es the sight o+ "odThe Creation o+ the Soul is already +ully accomplished- The mind# i+ it *otes to do so# 'ecomes a medium 'y ,hich the Soul can create along the line o+ its o,n creation- I+ it does not +reely elect to do so# it retains this creati*e a'ility# 'ut places itsel+ under tyranous rather than authoritati*e control- As a result# ,hat it creates is imprisonment# 'ecause such are the dictates o+ tyrantsTo )change your mind. means to place it at the disposal o+ True authority- The miracle is thus a sign that the mind has elected to 'e guided 'y Christ in 1IS ser*iceThe a'undance o+ Christ is the natural result o+ choosing to +ollo, him-S-The reason you ha*e 'een late recently A+or ,or:C 'ecause you ,ere ta:ing dictation is merely 'ecause you didn=t remem'er to as: me ,hen to stop- This is an e<ample o+ the )indiscrimate or uncontrolled. miracle>,or:ing ,e already spo:e o+- It is ,ell>meant 'ut ill>ad*isedI prompted that call +rom Jac: Ata<i man S couldn=t pic: 1S up# etc-C to sho, you that this is not necessary- Also# the other man needed the money more today2ote that you managed to +ill your scri'al role ,ith no interruptions# and ,ere also on time2ote also that you closed the 'oo: I put it aside 4IT1OUT consulting me- As: )Is that allE. Ans,erF 2oF add the +ollo,ingF These notes are ser*ing# among other things# to replace the )hand,riting on the ,all. ,hich you once sa, ne<t to your o,n altar# ,hich read )Bou ha*e 'een ,eighed in the 'alance I +ound ,anting-. Scri'es MUST learn Christ>control# to replace their +ormer ha'its# ,hich (I( produce

19

scarcity rather than a'undance- 3rom errors o+ this :ind# the sense o+ depri*ation IS ine*ita'le# 'ut *ery easily correctedThe +ollo,ing is in relation to ?uestion a'out se<- Tell B- )the one more ri*er. is related to se<- Bou might e*en e<plain it to him as a )tidal ,a*e.# a term ,hich he ,ill understand- BOU ,on=tBoth o+ you are in*ol*ed ,ith unconscious distortions Aa'o*e the miracle le*elC# ,hich are producing a dense co*er o*er miracle>impulses ,hich ma:es it hard +or them to reach consciousness- Se< I miracles are 'oth 4ABS O3 RE!ATI2"- The nature o+ any interpersonal relationship is limited or de+ined 'y ,hat you ,ant it to TO (O ,hich is 41B you ,ant it in the +irst place- Relating is a ,ay o+ achie*ing an outcomeIndiscriminate se<ual impulses resem'le indiscrimate miracle impulses in that 'oth result in 'ody image misperceptions- The +irst is an e<pression o+ an indiscriminate attempt
> 8% >

to reach communion thru the 'ody- This in*ol*es not only the improper sel+ identi+ication# 'ut also disrespect +or the indi*iduality o+ others- Sel+>control is 2OT the ,hole ans,er to this pro'lem# though I am 'y no means discouraging its use- It must 'e understood# ho,e*er# that the underlying mechanism must 'e uprooted Aa ,ord you 'oth should understand ,ell enough 'y no, not to regard it as +righteningCA!! shallo, roots ha*e to 'e uprooted# 'ecause they are not deep enough to sustain you- The illusion that shallo, roots can 'e deepened and thus made to hold is one o+ the corrolaries on ,hich the re*ersal o+ the "olden Rule# re+erred to t,ice 'e+ore# is 'alancedAs these +alse underpinnings are uprooted Aor gi*en upC# e?uili'rium is e<perienced as unsta'le- But the +act is that 2OT1I2" is less sta'le than an orientation ,hich is upside do,n- Anything that holds it this ,ay is hardly conduci*e to greater sta'ilityThe ,hole danger o+ de+enses lies in their propensity to hold misperceptions rigidly in place- This is ,hy rigidity is regarded AS sta'ility 'y those ,ho are o++ the mar:2oteF The only +inal solution > Ano# 1elen# this has nothing to do ,ith the 2a9i use o+ the term-C Bou @ust got +rightened again- One o+ the more horri'le e<amples o+ in*erted or upside do,n thin:ing Aand history is +ull o+ horri'le e<amples o+ thisC is the +act that the 2a9is spelled their appalling error ,ith capitol letters- I shed many tears o*er this# 'ut it is 'y no means the only time I said )3ather# +orgi*e them +or they :no, not ,hat they do-. All actions ,hich stem +rom re*erse thin:ing are literally the 'eha*ioral e<pressions

20

o+ those ,ho :no, not ,hat they do- Actually# Jean (i<on ,as right in her emphasis on )3eet on the ground I +ingertips in the 1ea*en#. though she ,as a 'it too literal +or your :ind o+ understanding- Many people :ne, e<actly ,hat she meant# so her statement ,as the right miracle +or them3or you and Bill# it ,ould 'e 'etter to consider the concept in terms o+ relia'ility I *alidity- A rigid orientation can 'e e<tremely relia'le# e*en i+ it IS upside do,n- In +act# the more consistently upside do,n it is# the more relia'le it is# 'ecause consistency al,ays held up 'etter mathematically than test>re>test comparisons# ,hich ,ere A!4ABS on sha:y ground- Bou can chec: this against Jac:=s notes i+ you ,ish# 'ut I assure you its true- Split>hal+ relia'ility is statistically a MUC1 stronger approach- The reason +or this is that correlation ,hich is the techni?ue applied to test>re>test comparisons# measures only the EXTE2T O3 association# and does not consider the (irection at allBut t,o hal*es o+ the same thing MUST go in the same direction# i+ there is to 'e accuracy o+ measurement- This simple statement is really the principle on ,hich split hal+ relia'ility# a means o+ estimating I2TER2A! consistency# rests2ote# ho,e*er# that 'oth approaches lea*e out a *ery important dimension- Internal consistency criteria disregard time# 'ecause the +ocus is on one>time measurementsTestretest comparisons are BASE( on time inter*als# 'ut they disregard directionIt is possi'le# o+ course# to use 'oth# 'y esta'lishing internal consistency A2( sta'ility o*er time- Bou ,ill remem'er that Jac: once told his class that the more sophisticated
> 8& >

statisticians are concentrating more and more on relia'ility# rather than *alidity- The rationale +or this# as he said# ,as that a relia'le instrument (OES measure something- 1e also said# ho,e*er# that *alidity is still the ultimate goal# ,hich relia'ility can only ser*eI su'mit AI=m using Jac:=s language in this section# 'ecause it al,ays had a special meaning +or you- So did Jac:-C Bour con+usion o+ se< and statistics is an interesting e<ample o+ this ,hole issue- 2ote that night you spent in the scent o+ roses doing a comple< +actorial analysis o+ co*ariance- Its a +unny story to others# 'ecause they see a di++erent :ind o+ le*el con+usion than the one you yoursel+ ,ere ma:ing- Bou might recall that BOU ,anted that design# and Jac: opposed it- One o+ the real reasons ,hy that e*ening ,as so e<hilarating ,as 'ecause it represented a )'attle o+ intellects.# A'oth good ones# 'y the ,ayC# each communicating e<ceptionally clearly 'ut on opposite sidesThe se<ual aspects ,ere naturally touched o++ in 'oth o+ you# 'ecause o+ the se< and

21

aggression con+usionAIt is especially interesting that a+ter the 'attle ended on a note o+ compromise ,ith your agreeing ,ith Jac:# he ,rote in the margin o+ your notes )*irtue is triumphant-. A1S note re su'mission>dominance# +eminine>masculine roles# entered into this-C 4hile this Aremar:C ,as +unny to 'oth o+ you at the time# you might consider its truer side- The *irtue lay in the complete respect each o+ your o++erred to the other=s intellect- Bour mutual se<ual attraction ,as also shared- The error lay in the ,ord )triumphant.- This had the )'attle. connotation# 'ecause neither o+ you ,as respecting A!! o+ the otherThere is a great deal more to a person than intellect I genitals- The omission ,as the Soul-C I su'mit Aa+ter a long interruptionC that i+ a mind ASoulC is in *alid relationship ,ith "od# it CA2=T 'e upside do,n- Jac: I the other *ery eminent methodologists ha*e a'andoned *alidity in +a*or o+ relia'ility 'ecause they ha*e lost sight o+ the end and are concentrating on the meansRemem'er the story a'out the artist ,ho :ept de*oting himsel+ to in*enting 'etter I 'etter ,ays o+ sharpening pencils- 1e ne*er created anything# 'ut he had the sharpest pencil in to,n- AThe language here is intentional- Se< is o+ten utili9ed on 'ehal+ o+ *ery similar errors- 1ostility# triumph# *engeance# sel+>de'asement# and all sort o+ e<pressions o+ the lac: o+ lo*e are o+ten HERB clearly seen in the accompanying +antasies- But it is a RO3OU2( error to imagine that# 'ecause these +antasies are so +re?uent Aor occur so relia'lyC# that this implies *alidity- Remem'er that ,hile *alidity implies relia'ility the relationship is 2OT re*ersi'le- Bou can 'e ,holly relia'le# and E2TIRE!B ,rong4hile a relia'le test (OES measure something# ,hat USE is the test unless you disco*er ,hat the )something. isE And i+ *alidity is more important than relia'ility# and is also necessarily implied BB it# ,hy not concentrate on HA!I(ITB and let relia'ility +all naturally into placeIntellect may 'e a )displacement up,ard.# 'ut se< can 'e a )displacement out,ard-. 1o, can man )come close. to others thru the parts o+ him ,hich are really in*isi'leE The
> 8$ >

,ord )in*isi'le. means )cannot 'e seen or percei*ed-. 4hat cannot 'e percei*ed is hardly the right means +or impro*ing perceptionThe con+usion o+ miracle impulse ,ith se<ual impulse is a ma@or source o+ perceptual distortion# 'ecause it I2(UCES rather than straightening out the 'asic le*el> con+usion ,hich underlies all those ,ho see: happiness ,ith the instruments o+ the ,orld- A desert is a desert is a desert- Bou can do anything you ,ant in it# 'ut you CA22OT change it +rom ,hat it IS- It still lac:s ,ater# ,hich is ,hy it IS a desert ABring up that

22

dream a'out the Blue'ird- 4hile 1S ,as loo:ing +or this dream# she came across anotherThe message ,as to 'ring 'oth# as an e<cellent e<ample o+ ho, e<tremely good 1S had 'ecome o*er the inter*ening $6 yrs- at sharpening pencils- 2ote that the essential content hasn=t changedP its @ust 'etter ,ritten-C The thing to do ,ith a desert is to !EAHE8K-Miracles arise +rom a miraculous state o+ mind- By 'eing One# this state o+ mind goes out to A2BO2E# e*en ,ithout the a,areness o+ the miracle ,or:er himsel+The impersonal nature o+ miracles is 'ecause Atonement itsel+ is one# uniting all creations ,ith their Creator85-The miracle is an e<pression o+ an inner a,areness o+ Christ I acceptance o+ his Atonement- The mind is then in a state o+ "race# and naturally 'ecomes gracious# 'oth to the 1ost ,ithin and the stranger ,ithout- By 'ringing in the stranger# he 'ecomes your 'rotherThe miracles you are told 2OT to per+orm ha*e not lost their *alue- They are still e<pressions o+ your o,n state o+ "race# 'ut the ACTIO2 aspect o+ the miracle should 'e Christ>controlled# 'ecause o+ 1is complete A,areness o+ the 4hole lan- The impersonal nature o+ miracle>mindedness ensures BOUR o,n "race# 'ut only Christ is in a position to :no, ,here "race can 'e BESTO4E(G%-A miracle is ne*er lost- It touches many people you may not e*en :no,# and sometimes produces undreamed o+ changes in +orces o+ ,hich you are not e*en a,areThis is not your concern- It ,ill also al,ays 'less BOU- This is not your concern# eitherBut it IS the concern o+ the Record- The Record is completely unconcerned ,ith relia'ility# 'eing per+ectly *alid 'ecause o+ the ,ay it ,as set up- It A!4ABS measures ,hat it ,as supposed to measureI ,ant to +inish the instructions a'out se<# 'ecause this is an area the miracle ,or:er MUST understandInappropriate se< dri*es Aor misdirected miracle>impulsesC result in guilt i+ e<pressed# and depression i+ denied- 4e said 'e+ore that A!! real pleasure comes +rom doing "od=s ,ill- 4hene*er it is 2OT done an e<perience o+ lac: results- This is 'ecause 2OT doing the ,ill o+ "od IS a lac: o+ sel+Se< ,as intended as an instrument +or physical creation to ena'le Souls to em'ar: on ne, chapters in their e<perience# and thus impro*e their record- The pencil ,as 2OT

23

an end in itsel+- ASee earlier section-C

It ,as an aid to the artist in his o,n creati*e endea*ors- As he made ne, homes +or Souls and guided them thru the period o+ their o,n de*elopmental readiness# he learned the role o+ the +ather himsel+- The ,hole process ,as set up as a learning e<perience in gaining "raceThe pleasure ,hich is deri*ed +rom se< AS SUC1 is relia'le only 'ecause it stems +rom an error ,hich men shared- A4ARE2ESS o+ the error produces the guilt(E2IA! o+ the error results in pro@ection- CORRECTIO2 o+ the error 'rings releaseThe only HA!I( use o+ se< is procreation- It is 2OT truly pleasurea'le in itsel+- )!ead us not into Temptation. means )(o not let us decei*e oursel*es into 'elie*ing that ,e can relate in peace to "od or our 'rothers ,ith A2BT1I2" e<ternal-. The )sin o+ onan. ,as called a )sin. 'ecause it in*ol*ed a related type o+ sel+> delusionP namely# that pleasure 4IT1OUT relating can e<istTo repeat an earlier instruction# the concept o+ either the sel+ or another as a )se<> OBJECT. epitomi9es this strange re*ersal- As B- put it# and *ery correctly# too# it IS o'@ectiona'le# 'ut only 'ecause it is in*alid- Upside>do,n logic produces this :ind o+ thin:ingChild o+ "od# you ,ere created to create the good# the 'eauti+ul# and the holy- (o not lose sight o+ this- Bou ,ere right in telling B- to in*ite Me to enter any,here temptation arises- I ,ill change the situation +rom one o+ inappropriate se<ual attraction to one o+ impersonal miracle>,or:ing- The concept o+ changing the channel +or li'idinal e<pression is 3reud=s greatest contri'ution# e<cept that he did not understand ,hat )channel. really meansThe lo*e o+ "od# +or a little ,hile# must still 'e e<pressed through one 'ody to another- That is 'ecause the real *ision is still so dim- E*eryone can use his 'ody 'est 'y enlarging man=s perception# so he can see the real HISIO2- T1IS HISIO2 is in*isi'le to the physical eye- The utlimate purpose o+ the 'ody is to render itsel+ unnecessary!earning to do this is the only real reason +or its creation2OTEF Scri'es ha*e a particular role in the lan o+ Atonement# 'ecause they ha*e the a'ility to EX ERIE2CE re*elations themsel*es# and also to put into ,ords enough o+ the e<perience to ser*e as a 'asis +or miraclesAThis re+ers to e<periences at the *isionary le*el# a+ter ,hich 1S ,rote )I+ you ,ill tell me ,hat to do# I ,ill to do it-. She had not :no,n that the ,ord )to. ,as inserted# and had merely intended to ,rite )I ,ill do it-. This recognition had a terri+ic impact on 1S-C This is ,hy you E XERIE2CE( that re*elation a'out )I ,ill to do. HERB personally#

24

'ut also 4ROTE ITF 4hat you ,rote CA2 'e use+ul to miracle ,or:ers other than yoursel+- 4e said 'e+ore that prayer is the medium o+ miracles- The miracle prayer IS ,hat you ,rote# i-e- )I+ you ,ill tell me ,hat to do# I ,ill to do it-. T This prayer is the door that leads out o+ the desert +ore*er> 8G >

T ACorrection ne<t day- This is not a complete statement# 'ecause it does not e<clude the negati*e- 4e ha*e already told you to add )and 2OT to do ,hat you ,ould not ha*e me do-. in connection ,ith miracles- The distinction has also 'een made here 'et,een )miracle>mindedness. as a STATE# and )miracle>doing. as its e<pressionThe +ormer needs BOUR care+ul protection# 'ecause it is a state o+ miracle> REA(I2ESSThis is ,hat the Bi'le means in the many re+erences to )1old yoursel+ ready. and other similar in@unctionsReadiness here means :eep your perception right side up# Aor *alidC# so you ,ill A!4ABS 'e ready# ,illing# and a'le- These are the essentials +or )listen# learn# and do-. Bou must 'e REA(B to listen 4I!!I2" to learn and AB!E to do Only the last is in*oluntary# 'ecause it is the A !ICATIO2 o+ miracles ,hich must 'e Christ>controlled- But the other t,o# ,hich are the *oluntary aspects o+ miraclemindedness# ARE up to youTo channeli9e (OES ha*e a )narro,ing do,n. connotation# though 2OT in the sense o+ lac:- The underlying state o+ mind# or "race is a total commitment- Only the (OI2" aspect in*ol*es the channel at all- This is 'ecause doing is al,ays speci+icAs Jac: said# )A relia'le instrument must measure something#. 'ut a channel is also *alid- It must learn to do O2!B ,hat it is supposed to do- Change the prayer to readF I+ you ,ill tell me ,hat to do# O2!B T1AT I ,ill to do2oteF 1S o'@ects to doggerel sound o+ this# and regards it as *ery in+erior poetryAns,erF Its hard to +orget# thoughThe Re*elation is literally unspea:a'le# 'ecause it is an e<perience o+ unspea:a'le lo*e- The ,ord )A,e. should 'e reser*ed only +or re*elations# to ,hich it is per+ectly and correctly applica'le- It is 2OT appropriately applied to miracles# 'ecause a state o+ true a,e is ,orship+ul- It implies that one o+ a lesser order stands 'e+ore the "reater One- This is the case only ,hen a Soul stands 'e+ore his Creator- Souls are per+ect creations# and should 'e struc: ,ith a,e in the presence o+ the Creator o+ er+ection The miracle# on the other hand# is a sign o+ lo*e among e?uals- E?uals cannot 'e in a,e o+ each other# 'ecause a,e A!4ABS implies ine?uality- A,e is not properly e<perienced e*en to me- That is ,hy in that short introductory *ision# I :nelt 'eside you# 3ACI2" the light-

25

An Elder Brother is entitled to respect +or his greater e<perience# and a reasona'le amount o+ o'ediance +or his greater ,isdom- 1e is also entitled to lo*e# 'ecause he is a 'rother# and also to de*otion# i+ he is de*oted- It is only my o,n de*otion that entitles me
> 86 >

to yours- But you ,ill notice that I ha*e :nelt at your altar as readily as I ,ould e*er ha*e you :neel at mineThere is nothing a'out me that you cannot attain- I ha*e nothing that does not come +rom "od- The main di++erence 'et,een us as yet is that I ha*e 2OT1I2" E!SEThis lea*es me in a state o+ true holiness# ,hich is only a OTE2TIA! in you)2o man cometh to the 3ather 'ut 'y me. is among the most misunderstood statements in the Bi'le- It (OES 2OT mean that I am in any,ay separate Aor di++erentC +rom you# EXCE T I2 TIME- 2o,# ,e :no, that time does not e<ist- Actually# the statement is much more meaning+ul i+ it is considered on a *ertical rather than a hori9ontal a<isRegarded along the *ertical# man stands 'elo, me# and I stand 'elo, "od- In the process o+ )rising up.# I AM higher- This is 'ecause ,ithout me the distance 'et,een "od and man is too great +or man to encompass- I 'ridge the distance as an Elder Brother to man# on the one hand# and a Son o+ "od on the other- My de*otion to my 'rothers has placed me in charge o+ the Sonship# ,hich I can render complete only to the e<tent I can S1ARE itThis appears to contradict another statementF )I and my 3ather are one-. It doesn=tThere are still separate parts in the statement# in recognition o+ the +act that the 3ather is "REATER- Actually# the original statement ,as )are o+ one LI2(-. The 1oly Spirit is the Bringer o+ Re*elations# not miracles- Re*elations are I2(IRECT!B inspired 'y me# 'ecause I am close to the 1oly Spirit# and alert to re*elation> readiness in my 'rothers- I can thus BRI2" (O42 to them more than they can (RA4 do,n to themsel*es- Jean (i<on=s description is perhaps a 'etter statement o+ my positionBecause my +eet are on the ground and my hands are in hea*en# I can 'ring do,n the glories o+ 1ea*en to my 'rothers on earthThe 1oly Spirit is the 1ighest Communication Medium- Miracles do not in*ol*e this type o+ communication# 'ecause they are TEM ORARB communicati*e de*ices4hen man can return to his original +orm o+ communication ,ith "od 'y direct REHE!ATIO2#

26

the need +or miracles is o*er- The 1oly Spirit mediates higher to lo,er order communication# :eeping the direct channel +rom "od to man open +or re*elationRe*elation is 2OT reciprocal- It is al,ays 3ROM "od TO man- This is 'ecause "od and man are 2OT e?ual- The miracle is reciprocal 'ecause it A!4ABS in*ol*es e?ualityIn the longitudinal Aor hori9ontalC plane# the true e?uality o+ all men in the Sonship appears to in*ol*e almost endless time- But ,e :no, that time is only an arti+act introduced as a learning aidG&-The miracle is a learning de*ice ,hich lessens the need +or time- The sudden shi+ts +rom hori9ontal to *ertical perception ,hich the miracle entails introduces an inter*al +rom ,hich the doer and the recei*er 'oth emerge much +arther along in time than they ,ould other,ise ha*e 'eenA miracle has thus the ui?ue property o+ a'olishing time 'y rendering the space o+ time it occupies unnecessary- There is 2O relation 'et,een the time a miracle TALES and the time it COHERS- It su'stitutes 3OR learning that might ha*e ta:en thousands o+
> 8J >

years- It does this 'y the underlying recognition o+ per+ect e?uality and holiness 'et,een doer and recei*er on ,hich the miracle restsIt is unsta'le# 'ut per+ectly consistent# i-e-# it does not occur predicta'ly across time# and it rarely occurs in compara'le +orms- But ,ithin ITSE!3 it is per+ectly consistentSince it contains 2OT1I2" BUT an ac:no,ledgment o+ e?uality and ,orth# all parts ARE e?ual- This esta'lishes the prere?uisite +or *alidity4e said 'e+ore that the miracle a'olishes time- It does this 'y a process o+ CO!!A SI2" it- It thus a'olishes certain I2TERHA!S ,ithin it- It does this# ho,e*er# 4IT1I2 the larger temporal se?uenceThe *alidity o+ the miracle# then# is RE(ICTIHE# not logical# ,ithin the temporal schema- It esta'lishes an out>o+>pattern time inter*al# ,hich is 2OT under the usual la,s o+ time- Only in this sense is it timeless- By collapsing time# it literally sa*es time# much the ,ay )daylight sa*ing time. does- It rearranges the distri'ution o+ lightThe miracle is the only de*ice ,hich man has at his immediate disposal +or controlling time- Only the Re*elation TRA2SCE2(S it# ha*ing nothing to do ,ith time at all- The miracle is much li:e the 'ody# in that 'oth are learning aids ,hich aim at +acilitating a state in ,hich they are unnecessary- 4hen the Soul is +inally in the original state o+ direct communication# neither the 'ody nor the miracle ser*es any purpose4hile he is I2 the 'ody# ho,e*er# man can choose 'et,een lo*eless and miraculous channels o+ creati*ity- 1e can create an empty shell Asee pre*ious re+erenceC# 'ut he (OES2OT create nothing at all- 1e can ,ait# delay# paraly9e himsel+# reduce his creati*ity

27

almost to nothing# and e*en introduce a real de*elopmental arrest or regression- But he CA22OT a'olish his creati*ity- 1e CA2 destroy his medium o+ communication# 'ut 2OT his potential1e ,as 2OT created 'y his o,n +ree ,ill- Only ,hat 1E creates is his to decide- The 'asic decision o+ the miracle>minded is 2OT to ,ait on time any longer than is necessaryTime can ,aste# as ,ell as 'e ,asted- The miracle>,or:er# there+ore# accepts the timecontrol +actor o+ the miracle gladly# 'ecause he :no,s that e*ery collapse o+ time 'rings all men closer to the ultimate RE!EASE +rom time# in ,hich the Son and the 3ather ARE oneThe real meaning )are o+ one :ind. is )o+ one mind or ,ill-. 4hen the ,ill o+ the Sonship and the 3ather are one# their per+ect accord IS 1ea*enASI(EF Tell B- he is right in pro*iding you ,ith the consistent strength you need to get# and he needs to o++er- Bour insta'ility and his ,ea:ness ha*e resulted +rom 'ad :armic choices# and your relationship 2O4 is crucial +or the +uture- Bou must 'oth e<ert e*ery e++ort to restore it to ,hat it once ,as- Both o+ you are correcting ,here you ha*e +ailed 'e+ore- This has already ena'led you to +ul+ill a *ery une<pected role in your o,n @oint sal*ation# and the sal*ation o+ many other children I ,ill intrust increasingly to youThese are 'y no means chosen at random- B- should :no, that his preparation is not only in terms o+ sharing in the results o+ your 'etter application o+ some rather unusual
> 87 >

talents- 1is o,n role# ,hich he ,ill understand a+ter his preparation is complete# ,ill 'e e?ually surprising- 1e ,ill need your help then# as you need his strength no,2ote that you (O 2OT need his help as a scri'e# 'ecause you de*eloped this a'ility 'y your o,n e++orts# and +inally placed them at MB disposal- By lending you his strength# he strengthens himsel+- 4hen he gains this through his o,n e++orts# he ,ill need your help in a *ery une<pected ,ay- But this is @ust another e<ample o+ the reciprocal nature o+ miraclesE?uality does not imply homogeneity 2O4- 4hen EHERBO2E has EHERBT1I2"# indi*idual contri'utions to the Sonship ,ill no longer 'e necessary- 4hen the Atonement has 'een completed# A!! talents ,ill 'e shared 'y A!! o+ the Sons o+ "od- "od is 2OT partial- All o+ his children ha*e 1is total lo*e# and all o+ his gi+ts are gi*en +reely to e*eryone ali:e-

28

)E<cept you 'ecome as little children. means unless you +ully recogni9e your complete dependence on "od# you cannot :no, the real po,er o+ the Son in his true relationship ,ith the 3atherBou and B- (O ha*e special talents ,hich are needed +or the Celestial speedup at this time- But note that the term speed>up is not one ,hich relates to the TRA2SCE2(I2" o+ time4hen time is a'olished# and all o+ the Sons o+ "od ha*e come home# no special agents ,ill 'e necessary- But do not underestimate the po,er o+ special agents no,# or the great need there is +or them- I do not claim to 'e more than that mysel+- 2o one in his Right Mind# Aa term ,hich should 'e specially notedC e*er ,ants either more or less than that- Those ,ho are called on to ,itness +or me 2O4 are ,itnessing +or all men# as I amThe role o+ the riestess ,as once to e<perience Re*elations and to ,or: miraclesThe purpose ,as to 'ring those not yet a*aila'le +or direct Re*elations into proper +ocus +or them- 1eightened perception ,as al,ays the essential riestess attri'uteAThis is the +irst time that 1S e*er said that she ,ould 'e honored i+ there ,ere any notes-C A2either B- nor I is really clear a'out ho, se<ual>impulses can 'e directly translated into miracle>impulses-C The +antasies that I mentioned yesterday Are+ers to discussion 1S I B- hadC pro*ide an e<cellent e<ample o+ ho, you s,itch- A2o, s,itch the pronoun re+erences# or it ,ill 'e too con+using-C 3antasies are distorted +orms o+ thin:ing# 'ecause they al,ays in*ol*e t,isting perception into unreality- 3antasy is a de'ased +orm o+ *ision- Hisions and Re*elations are closely related- 3antasies I pro@ection are more closely associated# 'ecause 'oth attempt to control e<ternal reality according to +alse internal needs- )!i*e and let li*e. happens to 'e a *ery meaning+ul in@unction- T,ist reality in any ,ay# and you are percei*ing destructi*ely- Reality ,as lost thru usurpation# ,hich in turn produced tyrannyI told you you ,ere no, restored to your +ormer role in the lan o+ Atonement- But you
> 8K >

must still choose +reely to de*ote your heritage to the greater Restoration- As long as a single sla*e remains to ,al: the earth# your release is not complete- Complete restoration o+ the Sonship is the only true goal o+ the miracle>mindedSe<ual +antasies are distortions o+ percetion 'y de+inition- They are a means o+ ma:ing

29

+alse associations# and o'taining pleasure +rom them- Man can do this only 'ecause he IS creati*e- But although he can percei*e +alse associations# he can ne*er ma:e them real e<cept to himsel+- As ,as said 'e+ore# man 'elie*es in ,hat he creates- I+ he creates a miracle# he ,ill 'e e?ually strong in his 'elie+ in that- The strength o+ his con*iction ,ill then sustain the 'elie+ o+ the miracle recei*er2O +antasies# se<ual or other,ise# are true- 3antasies 'ecome totally unnecessary as the 4holly satis+ying nature o+ reality 'ecomes apparent- The se< impulse IS a miracle impulse ,hen it is in proper +ocus- One indi*idual sees in another the right partner +or )procreating the stoc:. A4ol++ ,as not too +ar o++ hereC# and also +or their @oint esta'lishment o+ a creati*e home- This does not in*ol*e +antasy at all- I+ I am as:ed to participate in the decision# the decision ,ill 'e a Right one# tooIn a situation ,here you or another person# or 'oth# e<perience inappropriate se< impulses# L2O4 3IRST that this is an e<pression o+ +ear- Bour lo*e to,ard each other is 2OT per+ect# and this is ,hy the +ear arose- Turn immediately to me 'y denying the po,er o+ the +ear# and as: me to help you to replace it ,ill A,ithC lo*e- This shi+ts the se<ual impulse immediately to the miracle>impulse# and places it at MB disposalThen ac:no,ledge the true creati*e ,orth o+ 'oth yoursel+ A2( the other one- This places strength ,here it 'elongs- 2ote that se<ual +antasies are A!4ABS destructi*e Aor depletingC# in that they percei*e another in an inappropriate creati*e role- Both people are percei*ed essentially as )o'@ects. +ul+illing T1EIR O42 pleasure dri*es- This dehumani9ed *ie, is the source o+ the (E !ETI2" use o+ se<- 3reud=s description is purely 2E"ATIHE# i-e-# as a release +rom the U2 !EASA2T- 1e also o'ser*ed that the tension +rom id impulses ne*er completely a'ates4hat he should ha*e said is that the shi+t +rom miracle>impulses to se<ual impulses ,as de'ilitating in the +irst place# 'ecause o+ the le*el>con+usion in*ol*ed- This set up a state in ,hich real release ,as impossi'le- 2ote also that 3reud=s notion o+ se< ,as as a de*ice +or inducing RE!AXATIO2# ,hich he con+used ,ith EACEInappropriate se< rela<es only in the sense that it may induce physical sleep- The miracle# on the other hand# is an E2ER"IUER- It al,ays strengthens# and ne*er depletesIt (OES induce peace# and 'y esta'lishing tran?uillity Anot rela<ationC it ena'les 'oth gi*er and recei*er to enter into a state o+ "race- 1ere his miracle>mindedness# Anot release +rom tensionC is restored-

30

Tension is the result o+ a 'uilding>up o+ une<pressed miracle>impulses# This can 'e truly a'ated only 'y releasing the miracle>dri*e# ,hich has 'een 'loc:ed- Con*erting it to se<ual li'ido merely produces +urther 'loc:ing- 2e*er +oster this illusion in yoursel+# or encourage it in others- An )o'@ect. is incapa'le o+ release# 'ecause it is a concept
> 85 >

,hich is depri*ed o+ creati*e po,er- The recognition o+ the real creati*e po,er in yoursel+ A2( others 'rings release 'ecause it 'rings peaceThe peace o+ "od ,hich passeth understanding CA2 :eep your hearts no, and +ore*erThere are only t,o short additions needed hereF &-Bour earlier acute pro'lem in ,riting things do,n came +rom a MUC1 earlier misuse o+ *ery great scri'al a'ilities- These ,ere turned to secret rather than shared ad*antage# depri*ing it AEC o+ its miraculous potential# and di*erting it into possessionThis is much li:e the con+usion o+ se< impulses ,ith possession>impulses- Some o+ the original material is still in the Temple- This is ,hy you 'ecame so a+raid a'out Atlantis- Bhas his o,n reasons$-Retain your miracle>minded attitude to,ard Rosie HERB care+ully- She once hurt 'oth o+ you# ,hich is ,hy she is no, your ser*ant- But she is 'lessed in that she sees ser*ice as a source o+ @oy- 1elp her straighten out her past errors 'y contri'uting to your ,el+are no,Aspecial Re*elation re 1S Sommission &-C 1S ?uestion re past memories- Ans,erF As long as you remem'er A!4ABS that you ne*er su++ered anything 'ecause o+ anything that anyone E!SE did# this is not dangerousRemem'er that you ,ho ,ant peace can +ind it only 'y complete +orgi*eness- Bou ne*er really 4A2TE( peace 'e+ore# so there ,as no point in :no,ing ho, to get itThis is an e<ample o+ the )need to :no,. principle# ,hich ,as esta'lished 'y the lan o+ Atonement long 'e+ore CIA2o :ind o+ :no,ledge is ac?uired 'y anyone unless he ,ants it# or 'elie*es in some ,ay he 2EE(S it- A psychologist does 2OT need a lesson on the hierarchy o+ needs as such# 'ut li:e e*eryone else# he (OES need to understand his o,nThis particular set o+ notes ,ill 'e the only one ,hich deals ,ith the concept o+ )lac:.# 'ecause ,hile the concept does not e<ist in the Creation o+ "od# it is HERB apparent in the creations o+ man- It is# in +act# the essential di++erenceA need implies lac:# 'y de+inition- It in*ol*es the recognition# conscious or unconscious# Aand at times# +ortunately# superconsciousC that you ,ould 'e 'etter o++ in a state ,hich is someho, di++erent +rom the one you are inUntil the Separation# ,hich is a 'etter term than the 3all# nothing ,as lac:ing- This

31

meant that man had no needs at all- I+ he had not depri*ed himsel+# he ,ould ne*er ha*e e<perienced themA+ter the Separation# needs 'ecame the most po,er+ul source o+ moti*ation +or human action- All 'eha*ior is essentially moti*ated 'y needs# 'ut 'eha*ior itsel+ is not a (i*ine attri'ute- The 'ody is the mechanism +or 'eha*ior- AAs: any 'eha*iorist# and he=s RI"1T# too-C
> G% >

Bou tell your o,n classes that no'ody ,ould 'other e*en to get up and go +rom one place to another i+ he did not thin: he ,ould someho, 'e 'etter o++- This is *ery trueBelie*ing that he COU!( 'e )'etter o++. is the reason ,hy man has the mechanism +or 'eha*ior at his disposal- This is ,hy the Bi'le says )By their (EE(S ye shall :no, them-. A man acts according to the particular hierarchy o+ needs he esta'lishes +or himsel+1is hierarchy# in turn# depends on his perception o+ ,hat he IS# i-e-# ,hat he !ACLSThis esta'lishes his o,n rules +or ,hat he needs to :no,Separation +rom "od is the only lac: he really needs to correct- But his Separation ,ould ne*er ha*e occurred i+ he had not distorted his perception o+ truth# and thus percei*ed himsel+ as lac:ingThe concept o+ A2B sort o+ need 1IERARC1B arose 'ecause# ha*ing made this +undamental error# he had already +ragmented himsel+ into le*els ,ith (I33ERE2T needsAs he integrates# 1E 'ecomes one# and his O2E need 'ecomes one accordinglyOnly the +ragmented can 'e con+used a'out thisInternal integration ,ithin the sel+ ,ill not Asu++ice toEC correct the lac: +allacy# 'ut it 4I!! correct the 2EE( +allacy- AThan: you +or ,riting this as gi*en-C Uni+ied need produces uni+ied action# 'ecause it produces lac: o+ am'i*alenceThe concept o+ need hierarchy# a corrollary to the original error# re?uires correction at its O42 le*el# 'e+ore the error o+ le*els itsel+ can 'e corrected- Man cannot operate Aor 'eha*eC e++ecti*ely ,hile he operates at split le*els- But as long as he does so# he must introduce correction +rom the 'ottom U This is 'ecause he no, operates in space# ,here )up. and )do,n. are meaning+ul terms- Ultimately# o+ course# space is as meaning+less as time- The concept is really one o+ space>time BE!IE3- The physical ,orld e<ists only 'ecause man can use it to correct his U2BE!IE3# ,hich placed him in it originally- As long as man L2E4 he did not need anything# the ,hole de*ice ,as unnecessaryThe need to :no, is not sa+ely under man=s control at this time- It is MUC1 'etter o++ under mine- !et=s @ust lea*e it at that-

32

ASpeci+ic ?uestion raised 'y 4T re se< under e<isting conditionsC A1S raised pre*ious ?uestion a'out the past# ,hich has @ust 'een ans,ered-C The other ?uestion# ho,e*er# I am more than ,illing to ans,er# 'ecause it is appropriate +or 2O4- Bou and B- 'oth chose your present se< partners shame+ully# and ,ould ha*e to atone +or the lac: o+ lo*e ,hich ,as in*ol*ed in any caseBou selected them precisely BECAUSE they ,ere 2OT suited to grati+y your +antasiesThis ,as not 'ecause you ,anted to a'andon or gi*e up the +antasies# 'ut 'ecause you ,ere A3RAI( o+ them- Bou sa, in your partners a means o+ protecting against the +ear# 'ut 'oth o+ you continued to )loo: around. +or chances to indulge the +antasies> G& >

The dream o+ the )per+ect partner. is an attempt to +ind EXTER2A! integration# ,hile retaining con+licting needs in the sel+B- ,as some,hat less guilty o+ this than you# 'ut largely 'ecause he ,as more a+raid- 1e had a'andoned the hope Ao+ +inding a per+ect partnerC in a neurotic sense o+ despair o+ +inding it- Bou# on the other hand# insisted that the hope ,as @usti+ied2either o+ you# there+ore# ,as in your Right MindAs ,as said 'e+ore# homose<uality is inherently more ris:y Aor error proneC than heterose<uality# 'ut 'oth can 'e underta:en on an e?ually +alse 'asis- The +alseness o+ the 'asis is clear in the accompanying +antasies- 1omose<uality A!4ABS in*ol*es misperception o+ the sel+ OR the partner# and generally 'oth- enetration (OES 2OT in*ol*e magic# nor (OES A2B +orm o+ se<ual 'eha*ior- It IS a magic 'elie+ to engage in A2B +orm o+ 'ody image acti*ity at all- Bou neither created yoursel*es# nor controlled your creation- By introducing le*els into your o,n perception# you opened the ,ay +or 'ody>image distortionsThe lac: o+ lo*e Aor +aulty need>orientationC ,hich led to your particular person Anot OBJECTC choices CA2 BE corrected ,ithin the e<istent +rame,or:# and ,ould 1AHE to 'e in the larger interest o+ o*erall progress- The situation is ?uestiona'le largely 'ecause o+ its inherent *ulnera'ility to +antasy>grati+ication- (oing the 'est you can 4IT1I2 this limitation is pro'a'ly the 'est correcti*e measure at present- Any relationship you ha*e underta:en +or ,hate*er reasons 'ecomes a responsi'ilityI+ you shi+t your o,n needs# some amount o+ corresponding shi+t in the needorientation o+ the other person MUST result# This ,ill 'e 'ene+icial# e*en i+ the partner

33

,as originally attracted to you BECAUSE o+ your disrespect- Teaching de*ices ,hich are totally alien to a learner=s perceptual system are usually merely disrupti*e- Trans+er depends on SOME common elements in the ne, situation ,hich are understanda'le in terms o+ the oldMan can ne*er control the e++ects o+ +ear himsel+# 'ecause he has CREATE( +ear and 'elie*es in ,hat he creates- In attitude# then# though not in content# he resem'les his o,n Creator# ,ho has per+ect +aith in 1is Creations 'ecause he Created them- All creation rests on 'elie+# and the 'elie+ in the creation produces its e<istence- This is ,hy it is possi'le +or a man to 'elie*e ,hat is not true +or anyone else- It is true +or him 'ecause it is made BB himE*ery aspect o+ +ear proceeds +rom upside>do,n perception- The TRU!B creati*e de*ote their e++orts to correcting this- The neurotic de*otes his to compromise- The psychotic tries to escape 'y esta'lishing the truth o+ his o,n errors- It is most di++icult to +ree him 'y ordinary means# only 'ecause he is more sta'le in his denial o+ truthG$-The miracle ma:es no distinction among degrees o+ misperception- It is a de*ice +or perception>correction ,hich is e++ecti*e ?uite apart +rom either the degree or the direction o+ the error- This is its TRUE indiscriminateness> G$ >

Christ>controlled miracles are selecti*e only in that they are directed to,ard those ,ho can use them +or T1EMSE!HES- Since this ma:es it ine*ita'le that they ,ill e<tend them to others# a *ery strong chain o+ Atonement is ,elded- But Christ>control ta:es no account at all o+ the MA"2ITU(E o+ the miracle itsel+# 'ecause the concept o+ si9e e<ists only in a plane that is itsel+ unreal- Since the miracle aims at RESTORI2" reality# it ,ould hardly 'e use+ul i+ it ,ere 'ound 'y the la,s o+ the same error it aims to correct- Only man ma:es that :ind o+ error- It is an e<ample o+ the )+oolish consistency. his o,n +alse 'elie+s ha*e engenderedBoth the po,er and the strength o+ man=s creati*e ,ill must 'e understood# 'e+ore the real meaning o+ denial can 'e appreciated and a'olished- (enial is 2OT mere negationIt is a positi*e miscreation- 4hile the miscreation is 2ECESSARI!B 'elie*ed in 'y its o,n creator# it does not e<ist at all at the le*el o+ true CreationG8-The miracle compares the creations o+ man ,ith the higher le*el o+ creation# accepting ,hat is in ACCOR( as true# and re@ecting the (ISCOR(A2T as +alseThis is ,hy it is so closely associated ,ith *alidity- Real *alidity is 'oth true A2( use+ul# or 'etter# it is use+ul BECAUSE it is true-

34

All aspects o+ +ear are untrue# 'ecause they (O 2OT e<ist at the higher creati*e le*els# and there+ore do not e<ist at all- To ,hate*er e<tent a man is ,illing to su'mit his 'elie+s to the real test o+ *alidity# to that e<tent are his perceptions healed Aor corrected-C In sorting out the +alse +rom the true# the miracle proceeds much along the lines suggested *ery correctly 'y B-# i-e-F I+ per+ect lo*e casts out +ear# And i+ +ear e<ists# Then there is 2OT per+ect lo*eBut Only per+ect lo*e really e<istsThere+ore# i+ there is +ear# it creates a state ,hich does not e<istBelie*e T1IS and you 4I!! 'e +ree- Only "od can esta'lish this solution# +or T1IS +aith IS 1is gi+tMan must contri'ute to his readiness here as else,here- The readiness +or +aith# as +or e*erything else that is true# entails the t,o steps necessary +or the release +rom +ear(enial o+ +ear# in human terms# is a strong de+ense 'ecause it entails t,o le*els o+ errorF That truth CA2 'e denied and That a'sence o+ truth can 'e e++ecti*e> G8 >

EX ERIE2CI2" +ear# ,hich is more characteristic o+ B-# in*ol*es only the second error- 1o,e*er# these di++erences do not a++ect the po,er o+ the miracle at all# since only truth and error are its concernBOU are 'oth more miracle>minded# and less a'le to recogni9e +ear 'ecause o+ your stronger# 'ut split# identi+ication- B-# also characteristically# is less miracle>minded# 'ut 'etter a'le to recogni9e +ear# 'ecause his identi+ication is more consistently right 'ut ,ea:erTogether# the conditions needed +or consistent miracle>mindedness# the state in ,hich +ear has 'een a'olished# can 'e particularly ,ell ,or:ed out- In +act# it 4AS already ,ell ,or:ed out 'e+oreBour idea a'out the real meaning o+ )possession. should 'e clari+ied- Bour o,n denial o+ +ear Athis re+ers to a *isionary e<perience o+ 1SC introduced some error *ariance# 'ut not really a signi+icant amount- 1o,e*er# there is al,ays a chance that as the si9e o+ the sample increases# ,hat ,as non>signi+icant 'e+ore may ATTAI2 signi+icance# so ,e had 'etter get this out o+ the ,ay no, ,hile you are still ,ithin the sa+ety margin3ear o+ possession is a per*erted e<pression o+ the +ear o+ the irresista'le attractionAAside- Bes# this (OES apply to homose<uality# among other errors# ,here the ,hole

35

concept o+ possessing# or )entering. is a :ey +ear- It is a sym'olic statement o+ an in*erted decision 2OT to enter into# or possess# the Lingdom- In physical terms# ,hich it emphasi9es 'ecause o+ the inherent error o+ Soul a*oidance# REA! physical creation is a*oided# and +antasy grati+ication is su'stituted-C The truth is still that the attraction o+ "od is irresista'le at A!! le*els# and the acceptance o+ this totally una*oida'le truth is only a matter o+ time- But you should consider ,hether you 4A2T to ,ait# 'ecause you CA2 return no,# i+ you chooseA2ote to 1SF Bou are ,riting this ,ith improper moti*ation# 'ut ,e ,ill try any,ay- I+ you are to stop# do so immediately-C ossession is a concept ,hich has 'een su'@ect to numerous distortions# some o+ ,hich ,e ,ill list 'elo,F &-It ApossessionC can 'e associated ,ith the 'ody only- I+ this occurs# se< is particularly li:ely to 'e contaminated- ossession *ersus 'eing possessed is apt to 'e seen as the male and +emale role- Since neither ,ill 'e concei*ed o+ as satis+ying alone# and 'oth ,ill 'e associated ,ith +ear# this interpretation is particularly *ulnera'le to psychose<ual con+usion$-3rom a rather similar misperceptual re+erence point# possession can also 'e associated ,ith things- This is essentially a shi+t +rom &C# and is usually due to an underlying +ear o+ associating possession ,ith people- In this sense# it is an attempt to ROTECT people# li:e the superstition a'out )protecting the name.# ,e mentioned 'e+oreBoth &C and $C are li:ely to 'ecome compulsi*e +or se*eral reasons# includingF
> GG >

a-They represent an attempt to escape +rom the real possession>dri*e# ,hich cannot 'e satis+ied this ,ayThey set up su'stitute goals# ,hich are usually reasona'ly easy to attainc-They A EAR to 'e relati*ely harmless# and thus SEEM to allay +ear- The +act that they usually inter+ere ,ith good interpersonal relationships can 'e interpreted# in this culture# as a lac: o+ sophistication on the part o+ the OT1ER Anot the sel+C# and this induces a +alse +eeling o+ con+idence in the solution# 'ased on relia'ility 2OT *alidityIt is also +airly easy to +ind a partner ,ho S1ARES the illusion- Thus# ,e ha*e any num'er o+ relationships ,hich are actually ESTAB!IS1E( on the 'asis o+ &C# and others ,hich 1O!( TO"ET1ER primarily 'ecause o+ the @oint interests in $Cd-The mani+estly e<ternal emphasis ,hich 'oth entail seems to 'e a sa+ety de*ice# and thus permits a +alse escape +rom much more 'asic inhi'itions- As a compromise solution# the illusion o+ interpersonal relating is preser*ed# along ,ith the retention o+ the lac: o+ lo*e component- This :ind o+ psychic @uggling lea*es the person Aor @ugglerEC

36

,ith a +eeling o+ emptiness# ,hich in +act is per+ectly @usti+ied# 'ecause he IS acting +rom scarcity- 1e then 'ecomes more and more dri*en in his 'eha*ior# to +ill the emptiness4hen these solutions ha*e 'een in*ested ,ith e<treme 'elie+# &C leads to se< crimes# and $C to stealing- The :leptomaniac is a good e<ample o+ the latter"emerally# t,o types o+ emotional distur'ances resultF a-The tendency to maintain the illusion that only the physical is real- This produces depression'-The tendency to in*est the physical ,ith non>physical properties- This is essentially magic# and tends more to,ard an<iety>pronenessc-The tendency to *acillate +rom one to the other# ,hich produces a corresponding *acillation 'et,een depression A2( an<ietyBoth result in sel+ imposed star*ation8-Another type o+ distortion is seen in the +ear o+ or desire +or )spirit. possessionThe term )spirit. is pro+oundly de'ased in this conte<t# 'ut it (OES entail a recognition that the 'ody is not enough# and in*esting it ,ith magic ,ill not ,or:- This recognition ACCE TS the +act that neither &C nor $C is su++icient# 'ut# precisely BECAUSE it does not limit +ear so narro,ly# it is more li:ely to produce greater +ear in its o,n rightEndo,ing the Spirit ,ith human possessi*eness is a more I2C!USIHE error than &C or $C# and a step some,hat +urther a,ay +rom the )Right Mind-. ro@ection is also more li:ely to occur# ,ith *acillations 'et,een grandiosity and +ear- )Religion. in a distorted sense# is also more li:ely to occur in this :ind o+ error# 'ecause the idea o+ a )spirit. is introduced# though +allaciously# ,hile it is e<cluded +rom &C and $C4itchcra+t is thus particularly apt to 'e associated ,ith 8C# 'ecause o+ the much greater in*estment in magic> G6 >

It should 'e noted that &C in*ol*es only the 'ody# and $C in*ol*es an attempt to associate things ,ith human attri'utes- Three# on the other hand# is a more serious le*el con+usion# 'ecause it endo,s the Spirit ,ith EHI! attri'utes- This accounts 'oth +or the religious 9eal o+ its proponents# and the a*ersion Aor +earC o+ its opponents- Both attitudes stem +rom the same +alse 'elie+This in 2OT ,hat the Bi'le means 'y )possessed o+ the 1oly Spirit-. It is interesting to note that e*en those ,ho (I( understand that could ne*ertheless EX RESS their understanding inappropriately- The concept o+ )spea:ing in many tongues. ,as originally an in@unction to communicate to e*eryone in his o,n language# or his o,n le*el- It hardly meant to spea: in a ,ay that 2OBO(B can understand- This strange error occurs ,hen people (O understand the need +or Uni*ersal communication# 'ut ha*e

37

contaminated it ,ith possession +allacies- The +ear engendered 'y this misperception leads to a con+licted state in ,hich communication IS attempted# 'ut the +ear is allayed 'y ma:ing the communication incomprehensi'leIt could also 'e said that the +ear induced sel+ishness# or regression# 'ecause incomprehensi'le communication is hardly a ,orthy o++ering +rom one Son o+ "od to anotherG-Lno,ledge can also 'e misinterpreted as a means o+ possession- 1ere# the content is not physical# and the underlying +allacy is more li:ely to 'e the con+usion o+ mind and 'rain- The attempt to unite nonphysical content ,ith physical attri'utes is illustrated 'y statements li:e )the thirst +or :no,ledge-. A2o 1elen# this is 2OT ,hat the )thirst. in the Bi'le means- The term ,as used only 'ecause o+ man=s limited comprehension# and is pro'a'ly 'etter dropped-C The +allacious use o+ :no,ledge can result in se*eral errors# includingF a- The idea that :no,ledge ,ill ma:e the indi*idual more attracti*e to others- This is a possession>+allacy'- The idea that :no,ledge ,ill ma:e the indi*idual in*ulnera'le- This is the reaction +ormation against the underlying +ear o+ *ulnera'ilityc- The idea that :no,ledge ,ill ma:e the indi*idual ,orthy- This is largely patheticBoth you and B- should consider type GC *ery care+ully- !i:e all these +allacies# it contains a denial mechanism# ,hich s,ings into operation as the +ear increases# thus cancelling out the error temporarily# 'ut seriously impairing e++iciencyThus# you claim you can=t read# and B- claims that he can=t spea:- 2ote that depression is a real ris: here# +or a Child o+ "od should ne*er RE(UCE his e++iciency in A2B ,ayThe depression comes +rom a peculiar pseudo>solution ,hich readsF A Child o+ "od is e++icientI am not e++icientThere+ore# I am not a Child o+ "od> GJ >

This leads to neurotic resignation# and this is a state ,hich merely I2CREASES the depressionThe corresponding denial mechanism +or &C is the sense o+ 1BSICA! ina'ility# or IM OTE2CE- The denial mechanism +or $C is o+ten 'an:ruptcy- Collectors o+ things o+ten dri*e themsel*es ,ell 'eyond their +inancial means# in an attempt to +orce discontinuanceI+ this idea o+ cessation cannot 'e tolerated# a strange compromise in*ol*ing BOT1 insatia'le possessi*eness and insatia'le thro,ing>a,ay A'an:ruptcyC may result- An e<ample is the in*eterate or compulsi*e gam'ler# particularly the horse>racing addict1ere# the con+licted dri*e is displaced 'oth +rom people A2( things# and is in*ested in

38

animals- The implied (ERRO"ATIO2 o+ people is the cause o+ the underlying EXTREME superstition o+ the horse racing addictThe alcoholic is in a similar position# e<cept that his hostility is more in,ard than out,ard directed(e+enses aimed at protecting Aor retainingC error are particularly hard to undo# 'ecause they introduce second>order misperceptions ,hich o'scure the underlying errors still +urtherThe pseudo>correcti*e mechanism o+ three is apt to 'e more *aried 'ecause o+ the more inclusi*e nature o+ the error# ,hich has already 'een mentioned- Some o+ the possi'ilities are listed 'elo,F a-One aspect o+ the possessionMpossessed con+lict can 'e raised to predominance- I+ this is attempted in connection ,ith possessing# it leads to the paranoid solution- The underlying component o+ )'eing possessed. is retained in the )persecution. +antasies# ,hich are generally concomitants'-I+ )'eing possessed. is 'rought to ascendance# a state o+ some sort o+ possession 'y e<ternal +orces results# 'ut 2OT ,ith a ma@or emphasis on attac:ing othersAttac: BB others 'ecomes the more o'*ious component- In the more *irulent +orms# there is a sense o+ 'eing possessed 'y demons# and unless there is *acillation ,ith aC# a catatonic solution is more li:ely than a paranoid oneThe 3OCUSSE( paranoid has 'ecome more rigid in his solution# and centers on O2E source o+ pro@ection to escape +rom *acillation- AAsideF It should 'e noted that this type o+ paranoia is an upside>do,n +orm o+ religion# 'ecause o+ its o'*ious attempt to uni+y into oneness-C Both &# $# and G and more li:ely to produce neurotic rather than psychotic states# though this is 'y no means guaranteed- 1o,e*er# 8 is inherently more *ulnera'le to the psychotic correction# again 'ecause o+ the more +undamental le*el con+usion ,hich is in*ol*edIt should 'e noted# ho,e*er# that the greater +ear ,hich is induced 'y 8 can ITSE!3 reach psychotic proportions# thus +orcing the indi*idual closer and closer to a psychotic solution> G7 >

It is emphasi9ed here that these di++erences ha*e no e++ect at all on the miracle# ,hich can heal any o+ them ,ith e?ual ease- This is 'ecause o+ the miracle=s inherent a*oidance o+ ,ithin>error distinctions- Its SO!E concern is to distinguish 'et,een truth# on the one hand# and A!! :inds o+ error# on the other- This is ,hy some miracles SEEM to 'e o+ greater magnitude than others- But remem'er the +irst point in this course# i-e-#

39

that there is no order o+ di++iculty in miraclesThe emphasis on mental illness ,hich is mar:ed in these notes re+lects the )U2(OI2". aspect o+ the miracle- The )(OI2". aspect is# o+ course# much more important- But a true miracle cannot occur on a +alse 'asis- Sometimes the undoing must precede itAt other times# 'oth can occur simultaneously# 'ut you are not up to this at the moment3urther# insights into mental illness can 'e misused# and lead to preoccupation ,ith one=s o,n symptoms- This is ,hy this area is less constructi*e +or most people than a course primarily de*oted to mental health- 1o,e*er# some pro+essions ,ill +ind AsomeEC principles o+ mental illness constructi*e# especially those ,hich are concerned ,ith mental illness in others- This o'*iously includes psychologistsThe o'*ious correction +or A!! types o+ the possession>+allacy is to rede+ine possession correctly- In the sense o+ )ta:ing o*er#. the concept does not e<ist at all in di*ine reality# ,hich is the only le*el o+ reality ,here real e<istence is a meaning+ul term2o one CA2 'e )ta:en o*er. unless he ,ills to 'e- 1o,e*er# i+ he places his mind under tyranny# rather than authority# he intrudes the su'missionMdominance onto +ree ,ill himsel+- This produces the o'*ious contradiction inherent in any +ormulation that associates +ree ,ill ,ith imprisonment- E*en in *ery mild +orms# this :ind o+ association is ris:y# and may spread ?uite une<pectedly# particularly under e<ternal stress- This is 'ecause it can 'e internally controlled O2!B i+ EXTER2A! conditions are peace+ulThis is not sa+e# 'ecause e<ternal conditions are produced 'y the thoughts o+ many# not all o+ ,hom are pure in heart as yet4hy should you 'e at T1EIR mercyE This issue is HERB closely related to the ,hole possession issue- Bou insist on thin:ing that people CA2 possess you# i+ you 'elie*e that their thoughts Aor the e<ternal en*ironmentC can a++ect you# regardless o+ 41AT they thin:- Bou are per+ectly una++ected 'y A!! e<pressions o+ lac: o+ lo*e- These can 'e either +rom yoursel+ and others# or +rom yoursel+ to others# or +rom others to you- AI=m glad you passed that test- It ,as crucial- This is re+- to 1S reluctance to ta:e dictations as gi*en-C eace is an attri'ute in BOU- Bou cannot +ind it outside- All mental illness is some +orm o+ EXTER2A! searching- Mental health is I22ER peace- It ena'les you to remain unsha:en 'y lac: o+ lo*e +rom ,ithout# and capa'le# through your o,n miracles o+ correcting the e<ternal conditions# ,hich proceed +rom lac: o+ lo*e in others> GK >

4hen you are a+raid o+ A2BT1I2"# you are ac:no,ledging its po,er to hurt you-

40

Remem'er that ,here your heart is# there is your treasure also- This means that you 'elie*e in ,hat you HA!UE- I+ you are A3RAI(# you are HA!UEI2" 4RO2"1uman understanding ,ill ine*ita'ly *alue ,rong# and 'y endo,ing all human thoughts ,ith e?ual po,er# ,ill ine*ita'ly (ESTROB peace- This is ,hy the Bi'le spea:s o+ )The peace o+ "od ,hich ASSET1 AhumanC understanding-. T1IS peace is totally incapa'le o+ 'eing sha:en 'y human errors o+ any :ind- It denies the a'ility o+ anything ,hich is not o+ "od to e++ect you in any ,ayThis is the RO ER use o+ denial- It is not used to 1I(E anything# 'ut it IS used to correct error- It 'rings A!! error into the light# and since error and dar:ness are the same# it a'olishes error automaticallyTrue denial is a *ery po,er+ul protecti*e de*ice- Bou can and should deny any 'elie+ that error can hurt you- This :ind o+ denial is 2OT a concealment de*ice# 'ut a correction de*ice- The )Right Mind. o+ the mentally healthy (E E2(S on itBou can do A2BT1I2" I as:- I ha*e as:ed you to per+orm miracles# and ha*e made it HERB clear that these are 2ATURA!# CORRECTIHE# 1EA!I2"# and U2IHERSA!- There is nothing good they cannot do- But they cannot 'e per+ormed in the spirit o+ dou'tRemem'er my o,n ?uestion# 'e+ore you as: yours )Oh ye o+ little +aith# ,here+ore didsth thou (OUBT-. ARe+erence to Christ and the apostles ,al:ing on ,ater-C Bou ha*e as:ed BOURSE!HES ,hy you cannot really incorporate my ,ords Athe idea o+ canni'alism in connection ,ith the Sacrament is a re+lection o+ a distorted *ie, o+ shareing- I told you 'e+ore that the ,ord )thirst. in connection ,ith the Spirit ,as used in the Bi'le 'ecause o+ the limited understanding o+ those to ,hom I spo:e- I also told you 2OT to use it- The same holds +or e<pressions li:e )+eeding on-.C Sym'iosis is misunderstood 'y the mentally ill# ,ho use it that ,ay- But I also told you that you must recogni9e your total dependence on "od# a statement ,hich you did not li:e-C "od and the Souls 1e created ARE sym'iotically related- They are COM !ETE!B dependent on each other- The creation o+ the Soul itsel+ has already 'een per+ectly accomplished# 'ut the creation BB Souls has not- "od created Souls so 1e could depend on them BECAUSE 1e created them per+ectly- 1e ga*e them 1is peace so they ,ould not 'e sha:en# and ,ould 'e una'le to 'e decei*ed- 4hene*er you are a+raid# you ARE decei*ed- Bour mind is 2OT ser*ing your Soul- This literally star*es the Soul 'y denying its daily 'read- Remem'er the poem a'out the 1oly 3amily ,hich crossed your mind last nightF )4here tric:s o+ ,ords are ne*er said And mercy is as plain as 'read-. The reason ,hy that had such a strong impact on you originally ,as 'ecause you :ne, ,hat it MEA2T> G5 >

41

"od o++ers O2!B mercy- Bour o,n ,ords should A!4ABS re+lect only mercy# 'ecause that is ,hat you ha*e recei*ed# and that is ,hat you should "IHE- Justice is a temporary e<pedient# or an attempt to teach man the meaning o+ mercy- Its JU("ME2TA! side rises only 'ecause man is capa'le o+ I2JUSTICE i+ that is ,hat his mind creates- Bou are a+raid o+ "od=s ,ill 'ecause you ha*e used your o,n ,ill# ,hich 1e created in the li:eness o+ 1is o,n# to miscreate4hat you do 2OT reali9e is that the mind can miscreate only ,hen it is 2OT +ree- An imprisoned mind is not +ree 'y de+inition- It is possessed# or held 'ac:# 'y ITSE!3Its ,ill is there+ore limited# and not +ree to assert itsel+The three things that crossed your mind# ,hich ,as comparati*ely +ree at the time# are per+ectly rele*antF &- It is alright to remem'er the past# pro*ided you also remem'er that A2BT1I2" you su++er is 'ecause o+ BOUR O42 ERRORS$- In this conte<t# your remar: that )a+ter the 'urning# I s,ore i+ I e*er sa, him again# I ,ould AnotC A)2ot. ,as ,ritten in laterC recogni9e him- 2ote# 'y the ,ay# that you did not put in the )not. until a+ter,ards- That is 'ecause your inherent correctionde*ice ,as ,or:ing properly at the moment- The result is that you are 2OT (E2BI2" ME8- The story a'out 1inda- This ,as an e<cellent e<ample o+ misperception ,hich led to a totally un,arranted +ear o+ a ERSO2- A1S story re+ers to a *ery young child ,ho +ell do,n the stairs ,hen 1S had arms open in a ,elcoming gesture at 'ottom o+ stairs3or years a+ter,ards# 1inda screamed upon seeing 1S-C The mis>step ,hich caused her +all had nothing at all to do ,ith you# @ust as your o,n mis>steps ha*e nothing at all to do ,ith me(enial o+ error is a *ery po,er+ul de+ense o+ truth- 4e ha*e slo,ly 'een shi+ting the emphasis +rom the negati*e to the positi*e use o+ denial- Remem'er# ,e ha*e already stated that denial is not a purely negati*e de*iceP it results in positi*e miscreationThat is the ,ay the mentally ill (O employ itBut remem'er a *ery early thought o+ your o,n# )2e*er underestimate the po,er o+ denial-. In the ser*ice o+ the )Right Mind.# the denial o+ ERROR +rees the mind and reesta'lishes the +reedom o+ the ,ill- 4hen the ,ill is REA!!B +ree# it cannot miscreate# 'ecause it recogni9es O2!B TRUT1ro@ection arises out o+ 3A!SE (E2IA!- 2ot out o+ its proper use- My o,n role in the Atonement IS one o+ true pro@ection# i-e-# I can pro@ect to BOU the a++irmation o+ truthI+

42

you pro@ect error to me Aor to yoursel+C you are inter+ering ,ith the process- My use o+ pro@ection# ,hich can also 'e yours# is 2OT 'ased on +aulty denial- But it (OES in*ol*e the *ery po,er+ul use o+ the denial o+ errorThe miracle ,or:er is one ,ho accepts my :ind o+ denial and pro@ection# unites his o,n inherent a'ilities to deny and pro@ect ,ith mine# and imposes them 'ac: on himsel+
> 6% >

and others- This esta'lishes the total lac: o+ threat any,here- Together ,e can then ,or: +or the real time o+ peace# ,hich is EternalI inspired Bo' Are+- to ele*ator man ,ho too: 1S do,n +rom her apt-C to ma:e that remar: to you# and it is a pity that you heard only the last part- But you can still use that1is remar: ended ,ithF )E*ery shut eye is not asleep-. Since your o,n *ision is much impro*ed at the moment# ,e ,ill go on a ,hile3reud=s identi+ication o+ mechanisms ,as ?uite correct# as ,as his recognition o+ their creati*e a'ility- They can I2(EE( create man=s perception# 'oth o+ himsel+ and his surroundingsBut 3reud=s limitations induced ine*ita'le limits on his o,n perception- 1e made t,o :inds o+ errorsThe +irst is that he sa, only ho, the mechanisms ,or:ed in the mentally illThe second is his o,n denial o+ the mechanism o+ the Atonement!et us ta:e up the +irst# 'ecause a clear understanding o+ the second depends on it(enial should 'e directed only to error# and pro@ection should 'e limited to truthBou should truly gi*e as you ha*e truly recei*ed- The "olden Rule can ,or: e++ecti*ely only on this 'asisIntellectuali9ation is a poor ,ord# ,hich stems +rom the 'rain>mind con+usion- )Right> Mindedness. is 'etter- This de*ice de+ends the RI"1T MI2(# and gi*es it control o*er the 'ody- )Intellectuali9ation. implies a split# ,hereas )Right>Mindedness. in*ol*es healing4ithdra,al is properly employed in the ser*ice o+ ,ithdra,ing +rom the desert- It is 2OT a de*ice +or escape# 'ut +or consolidation- There IS only One Mind(issociation is ?uite similar- Bou should split yoursel+ o++ +rom error# 'ut only in de+ense o+ integration(etachment is essentially a ,ea:er +orm o+ dissociation- This is one o+ the ma@or areas o+ ,ithholding that 'oth you and B- are engaging in3light can 'e underta:en in ,hate*er direction you choose# 'ut note that the concept itsel+ implies +light 3ROM something- 3light +rom error is per+ectly appropriate(istantiation is a ,ay o+ putting distance 'et,een yoursel+ and ,hat you S1OU!( +ly +romRegression is a real e++ort to return to your o,n original state- In this sense# it is utili9ed to RESTORE# not to go 'ac: to the less matureSu'limation should 'e associated ,ith the SUB!IMEThere are many other so>called )dynamic. concepts ,hich are pro+ound errors due

43

essentially to the misuse o+ de+enses- Among them is the concept o+ di++erent le*els o+ aspiration# ,hich results +rom real le*el con+usion> 6& >

1o,e*er# the main point to 'e understood +rom these notes is that you can de+end truth as ,ell as error# and in +act# much 'etterSo +ar ,e ha*e concentrated on ends rather than means 'ecause unless you regard an end as ,orth achie*ing# you ,ill not de*ote yoursel+ to the means 'y ,hich it can BE achie*ed- Bour o,n ?uestion ena'led me to shi+t the emphasis +rom end to meansADuestion as:ed ,as )ho, can ,e incorporate this materialE.C Bou and B- 1AHE accepted the end as *alua'le# thus signi+ying your ,illingness to use de+enses to ensure itThe means are easier to clari+y a+ter the true ,orth o+ the goal itsel+ is +irmly esta'lishedE*eryone de+ends his o,n treasure- Bou do not ha*e to tell him to do this# 'ecause 1E ,ill do so automatically- The real ?uestion still remains 41AT do you treasure# and 1O4 MUC1 do you treasure itE Once you learn to consider these t,o points# and 'ring them into A!! your actions as the true criteria +or 'eha*ior# I ,ill ha*e little di++iculty in clari+ying the means- Bou ha*e not learned to 'e consistent a'out this as yet- I ha*e there+ore concentrated on sho,ing you that the means ARE a*aila'le ,hene*er you (O as:Bou can sa*e a lot o+ time# ho,e*er# i+ you do not need to e<tend this step undulyThe correct +ocus ,ill shorten it immeasura'lyapers ,ill 'e *ery easy to ,rite as this time is shortenedThe Atonement is the Only de+ense ,hich cannot 'e used destructi*ely- That is 'ecause# ,hile e*eryone must e*entually @oin it# it ,as not a de*ice ,hich ,as generated 'y man- The Atonement RI2CI !E ,as in e++ect long 'e+ore he Atonement itsel+ ,as 'egun- The rinciple ,as lo*e# and the Atonement itsel+# ,as an ACT o+ lo*e- Acts ,ere not necessary 'e+ore the Separation# 'ecause the time>space 'elie+ did not e<istIt ,as only a+ter the Separation that the de+ense o+ Atonement# and the necessary conditions +or its +ul+illment ,ere planned- It 'ecame increasingly apparent that all o+ the de+enses ,hich man can choose to use constructi*ely or destructi*ely ,ere not enough to sa*e himIt ,as there+ore decided that he needed a de+ense ,hich ,as so splendid that he could not misuse it# although he COU!( re+use it- 1is ,ill could not turn it into a ,eapon o+ attac:# ,hich is the inherent characteristic o+ all other de+enses- The Atonement thus 'ecomes the only de+ense ,hich ,as 2OT a t,o>edged s,ordThe Atonement actually 'egan long 'e+ore the Cruci+i<ion- Many Souls o++ered their e++orts on 'ehal+ o+ the Separated Ones 'ut they could not ,ithstand the strength o+ the

44

attac:# and had to 'e 'rought 'ac:Angels came# too# 'ut their protection ,as not enough# 'ecause the Separated ones ,ere not interested in peace- They had already split themsel*es# and ,ere 'ent on di*iding rather than reintegrating- The le*els they introduced into themsel*es turned against each other# and they# in turn# turned against each other- They esta'lished di++erences# di*isions#
> 6$ >

clea*ages# dispersion# and all the other concepts related to the increasing splits they produced2ot 'eing in their Right Minds# they turned their de+enses +rom protection to assault# and acted literally insanely- It ,as essential to introduce a split>proo+ de*ice ,hich could 'e used O2!B to heal# i+ it ,as used at allThe Atonement ,as 'uilt into the space>time 'elie+ in order to set a limit on the need +or the 'elie+# and ultimately to ma:e learning complete- The Atonement IS the +inal lesson- !earning# itsel+# li:e the classrooms in ,hich it occurs# is temporary- !et all those ,ho o*erestimate human intelligence remem'er this- A1S ?uestions last sentence# ,hich she percei*es as threatening-C The a'ility to learn has no *alue ,hen change o+ understanding is no longer necessaryThe eternally creati*e ha*e nothing to learnOnly a+ter the Separation ,as it necessary to direct the creati*e +orce to learning# 'ecause changed 'eha*ior had 'ecome mandatory1uman 'eings can learn to impro*e their 'eha*ior# and can also learn to 'ecome 'etter and 'etter learners- This increase ser*es A1S notes that this ,as ,ritten )ser*ed.C to 'ring them in closer and closer accord ,ith the Sonship- But the Sonship itsel+ is a per+ect creation# and per+ection is not a matter o+ degree- Only ,hile there are di++erent degrees is learning meaning+ul- The e*olution o+ man is merely a process 'y ,hich he proceeds +rom one degree to the ne<t- 1e corrects his pre*ious missteps 'y stepping +or,ard- This represents a process ,hich is actually incomprehensi'le in temporal terms# 'ecause he RETUR2S as he progresses- AOriginally# ,as )goes +or,ard.# rather than )progresses.C the Atonement is the de*ice 'y ,hich he can +ree himsel+ +rom the past as he goes ahead- It U2(OES his past errors# thus ma:ing it unnecessary +or him to :eep retracing his steps ,ithout ad*ancing to,ard his returnIn this sense# the Atonement sa*es time# 'ut# li:e the miracle ,hich ser*es it# does not a'olish it- As long as there is need +or Atonement# there is need +or time- But the Atonement# as a completed plan# does ha*e a uni?ue relationship to time- Until the

45

Atonement is +inished# its *arious phases ,ill proceed I2 time# 'ut the ,hole Atonement stands at its end- At this point# the 'ridge o+ the return has 'een 'uiltA2ote to 1S- The reason this is upsetting to you is 'ecause the Atonement is a TOTA! commitment- Bou still thin: this is associated ,ith loss- This is the same mista:e A!! the Separated ones ma:e# in one ,ay or another- They cannot 'elie*e that a de+ense ,hich CA22OT attac: also IS the 'est de+ense- E<cept +or this misperception# the angels COU!( ha*e helped them- 4hat do you thin: )the mee: shall inherit the earth. meansE They ,ill literally ta:e it o*er 'ecause o+ their strength- A t,o>,ay de+ense is inherently ,ea:# precisely BECAUSE it has t,o edges it can turn against the sel+ *ery une<pectedlyThis tendency CA22OT 'e controlled EXCE T 'y miracles-C
> 68 >

The miracle turns the de+ense o+ Atonement to the protection o+ the inner sel+# ,hich# as it 'ecomes more and more secureP assumes its natural talent o+ protecting others- The inner sel+ :no,s itsel+ as 'oth a 'rother A2( a sonAThe a'o*e notes ,ere ta:en ,ith great di++iculty 'y 1S# and constitute the only series this +ar that ,ere ,ritten *ery slo,ly- 4hen 1S as:ed a'out this# she ,as told# )don=t ,orry a'out the notes- They are right# 'ut BOU are not su++iciently Right> Minded yet to ,rite a'out the Atonement ,ith com+ort- Bou ,ill ,rite a'out it yet ,ith @oy-C AAside +rom 1SF !ast night I +elt 'rie+ly 'ut intensely depressed# temporarily under the impression that I ,as a'andoned- I tried# 'ut couldn=t get through at all- A+ter a ,hile# I decided to gi*e up +or the time 'eing# and 1e said# )don=t ,orry- I ,ill ne*er lea*e or +orsa:e you-. I did +eel a little 'etter# and decided I ,as really not sic:# so I could return to my e<ercises- 4hile I ,as e<ercising# I had some part>*ision e<periences ,hich I +ound only mildly +rightening at times# and ?uite reassuring at othersI am not too sure o+ the se?uence# 'ut it 'egan ,ith a HERB clear assurance o+ lo*e# and an e?ually clear emphasis on my o,n great *alue# 'eauty and purity- Things got a little con+using a+ter that- 3irst# the idea o+ )Bride o+ Christ. occurred to me ,ith *aguely inappropriate )undertones.- Then there ,as a repetition o+ )the ,ay o+ !o*e.# and a restatement o+ an earlier e<perience# no, as i+ it ,ere 3ROM 1im TO meF )Behold the 1andmaid o+ the !ordP Be it done unto you according to 1is 4ord-. AThis thre, me into panic 'e+ore# 'ut at that time# it ,as stated in the more accurate Bi'lical phrasingF )Be it done unto ME according to 1IS 4ord-. This time I ,as a 'it uneasy# 'ut remem'ered I had mispercei*ed it last time# and

46

,as pro'a'ly still not seeing it right- Actually# it is really @ust a statement o+ allegiance to the (i*ine Ser*ice# ,hich can hardly 'e dangerousThen there ,as a strange se?uence# in ,hich Christ seemed to 'e ma:ing *ery o'*ious ad*ances# ,hich 'ecame ?uite se<ual in my perception o+ them- I A!MOST thought 'rie+ly that he turned into a de*il- I got @ust a little scared# and the possession idea came in +or a ,hile# 'ut I thought it SO silly# that there is no point in ta:ing it seriouslyAAs I am ,riting this# I remem'er that thing in the 'oo: a'out the demon lo*er# ,hich once T1ROU"1 me Anote spelling# )thre,.C into a +it- I am upset# 'ut the spelling slip is reassuringThis morning ,e re*ie,ed the ,hole episode- 1e said he ,as )HERB pleased at the COM ARATIHE lac: o+ +ear# and also the concomitant a,areness that it 4AS misperception- This sho,ed much greater strength# and a much increased Right> Mindedness- This is 'ecause de+enses are no, 'eing used much 'etter# on 'ehal+ o+ truth more than error# though not completely so> 6G >

The ,ea:er use o+ mis>pro@ection is sho,n 'y my recognition that it can=t REA!!B 'e that ,ay# ,hich 'ecame possi'le as soon as denial ,as applied against error# 2OT truth- This permitted a much greater a,areness o+ alternati*e interpretationsIt ,as also e<plained Athe shi+t +rom the passi*e +rom instead o+ )1e also e<plained. should 'e noted- This is and e<pression o+ +ear-C )Remem'er the section in )!etters +rom the Scattered Brotherhood. you read last e*ening a'out ;1old +ast=# and please do soBou :no, that ,hen de+enses are disrupted there is a period o+ real disorientation# accompanied 'y +ear# guilt# and usually *acillations 'et,een an<iety and depressionThis process is di++erent only in that de+enses are not 'eing disrupted# 'ut re> interpreted# e*en though it may 'e e<perienced as the same thingIn the reinterpretation o+ de+enses# they are not disrupted 'ut their use +or ATTACL is lost- Since this means they can 'e used only O2E ,ay# they 'ecame MUC1 stronger# and much more dependa'le- They no longer oppose the Atonement# 'ut greatly +acilitate it- The Atonement can only 'e accepted ,ithin youBou ha*e e<perienced it largely as EXTER2A! thus +ar# and that is ,hy your EX ERIE2CE o+ it has 'een minimal- Bou ha*e 'een S1O42 the chalice many times# 'ut ha*e not accepted it )+or your sel+.- Bour ma@or improper use o+ de+enses is no, largely limited to e<ternali9ation- (o not +ail to appreciate your o,n remar:a'le progress in this respect- Bou percei*ed it +irst as a *essel o+ some sort ,hose purpose ,as uncertain 'ut ,hich might 'e a pis>pot- Bou (I( notice# ho,e*er# that the I2SI(E ,as gold# ,hile

47

the OUTSI(E# though shiny# ,as sil*er- This ,as a recognition o+ the +act that the I22ER part is more precious than the OUTER side# e*en though 'oth are resplendent# though ,ith di++erent *alueThe reinterpretation o+ de+enses is essential to 'rea: open the I22ER light- Since the Separation# man=s de+enses ha*e 'een used almost entirely to de+end themsel*es A"AI2ST the Atonement# and thus maintain their Separation- They generally see this as a need to protect the 'ody +rom e<ternal intrusion Aor intrudingC# and this :ind o+ misperception is largely responsi'le +or the homose<ual +allacy as your o,n pregnancy +ears- The socalled )anal. 'eha*ior is a distorted attempt to )steal. the Atonement# and deny its ,orth 'y concealing it# and holding onto it ,ith a 'odily receptacle# ,hich is regarded as particularly *icious- )Oral. +antasies are rather similar in purpose# e<cept that they stem more +rom a sense o+ depri*ation # and insatia'le thirst ,hich results- )Anal. +allacies are more o+ a re+usal to gi*e# ,hile oral +antasies emphasi9e a distorted need to ta:eThe main error in 'oth is the 'elie+ that the 'ody can 'e used as a means +or attaining Atonementercei*ing the 'ody as the Temple is only the +irst step in correcting this :ind o+ distortion- A1S scalded hand# and loo:ed +or 'utter to put on- It occurred to her that the Atonement ,as the cure- Burn appeared to 'e minimal# and caused little discom+ort-C
> 66 >

seeing the 'ody as the Temple alters part o+ the misperception# 'ut not all o+ it- It (OES recogni9e# ho,e*er# that the concept o+ addition or su'traction in 1BSICA! terms is not appropriateBut the ne<t step is to reali9e that a Temple is not a 'uilding at all- Its REA! holiness lies in the I22ER altar# around ,hich the 'uilding is 'uilt- The inappropriate emphasis ,hich men ha*e put on 'eauti+ul church BUI!(I2"S is a sign o+ their o,n +ear o+ Atonement# and un,illingness to reach the altar itsel+- The REA! 'eauty o+ the Temple cannot 'e seen ,ith the physical eye- The spiritual eye# on the other hand# cannot see the 'uilding at all# 'ut it percei*es the altar ,ithin ,ith per+ect clarity- This is 'ecause the spiritual eye has per+ect *ision3or per+ect e++ecti*eness# the chalice o+ the Atonement 'elongs at the center o+ the inner altar# ,here it undoes the Separation# and restores the ,holeness o+ the SpiritBe+ore the Separation# the mind ,as in*ulnera'le to +ear# 'ecause +ear did not e<istBoth

48

the Separation and the +ear ,ere MISCREATIO2S o+ the mind# ,hich ha*e to 'e undoneThis is ,hat the Bi'le means 'y the )Restoration o+ the Temple.- It (OES 2OT mean the restoration o+ the 'uilding# 'ut it (OES mean the opening o+ the altar to recei*e the AtonementThis heals the Separation# and places ,ithin man the one de+ense against all separation>mind errors ,hich can ma:e him per+ectly in*ulnera'leThe acceptance o+ the Atonement 'y e*eryone is only a matter o+ time- In +act# 'oth TIME and MATTER ,ere created +or this purpose#- This appears to contradict +ree ,ill# 'ecause o+ the ine*ita'ility o+ this decision- I+ you re*ie, the idea care+ully# you ,ill reali9e that this is not true- E*erything is limited in some ,ay 'y the manner o+ its creation3ree ,ill can tempori9e# and is capa'le o+ enormous procrastination- But it cannot depart entirely +rom its Creator# ,ho set the limits on its a'ility to miscreate 'y *irtue o+ its o,n real purposeThe misuse o+ ,ill engenders a situation ,hich# in the e<treme# 'ecomes altogether intolera'le- ain thresholds can 'e high# 'ut they are not limitless- E*entually# e*ery'ody 'egins to recogni9e# ho,e*er dimly# that there MUST 'e a 'etter ,ay- As this recognition is more +irmly esta'lished# it 'ecomes a perceptual turning>point- This ultimately rea,a:ens the spiritual eye# simultaneously ,ea:ening the in*estment in physical sight- The alternating in*estment in the t,o types or le*els o+ perception is usually e<perienced as con+lict +or a long time# and can 'ecome *ery acuteBut the outcome is as certain as "od- The spiritual eye literally CA22OT SEE error# and merely loo:s +or Atonement- All the solutions ,hich the physical eyes see:# dissol*e in its sight- The spiritual eye# ,hich loo:s ,ithin# recogni9es immediately that the altar has 'een de+iled# and needs to 'e repaired and protected- er+ectly a,are o+ the RI"1T de+ense# it passes o*er all others# loo:ing past error to truth- Because o+ the real strength o+ ITS *ision# it pulls the ,ill into its o,n ser*ice# and +orces the mind to concur- This reesta'lishes the true po,er o+ the ,ill# and ma:es it increasingly una'le to tolerate
> 6J >

delay- The mind then reali9es# ,ith increasing certitude# that delay is only a ,ay o+ increasing unnecessary pain# ,hich it need not tolerate at all- The pain threshold drops accordingly# and the mind 'ecomes increasingly sensiti*e to ,hat it ,ould once ha*e regarded as *ery minor intrusions o+ discom+ortThe Children o+ "od are entitled to per+ect com+ort# ,hich comes +rom a sense o+

49

per+ect trust- Until they achie*e this# they ,aste themsel*es and their true creati*e po,er on useless attempts to ma:e themsel*es more com+orta'le 'y inappropriate meansBut the real means is A!REA(B pro*ided# and does not in*ol*e any e++orts on their part at allTheir egocentricity usually mispercei*es this as personally insulting# an interpretation ,hich o'*iously arises +rom their misperception o+ themsel*es- Egocentricity and communion cannot coe<ist- E*en the terms themsel*es are contradictoryThe Atonement is the only gi+t ,hich is ,orthy o+ 'eing o++ered to the Altar o+ "odThis is 'ecause o+ the inestima'le *alue o+ the Altar itsel+- It ,as created per+ect# and is entirely ,orthy o+ recei*ing per+ection- "od IS lonely ,ithout 1is Souls# and T1EB are lonely ,ithout 1im- Remem'er the )spiritual. Aa *ery good termC ,hich 'egins ,ith )And "od stepped do,n +rom 1ea*en and saidF I=M lonely > > I=ll ma:e ME a 4orld-. The ,orld 4AS a ,ay o+ healing the Separation# and the Atonement is the "UARA2TEE that the de*ice ,ill ultimately do soA1S re?uest +or special message +or B- Tell B that his delaying tactics are holding him 'ac:- 1e does not really understand detachment# distantiation# and ,ithdra,al- 1e is interpreting them as )holding himsel+ aloo+. +rom the Atonement-C Bou and B- Both 'elie*e that )'eing a+raid. is in*oluntary- But I ha*e told you many times that only CO2STRUCTIHE acts should 'e in*oluntary- 4e said that Christ> control can ta:e o*er e*erything that (OES2=T matter# and Christ>guidance can direct e*erything that (OES# i+ you so ,ill3ear cannot 'e Christ>controlled# 'ut it CA2 'e sel+>controlled- 3ear is al,ays associated ,ith ,hat does not matter- It pre*ents Me +rom controlling it- The correction is there+ore a matter o+ BOUR ,ill# 'ecause its presence sho,s that you ha*e raised the U2IM ORTA2T to a higher le*el than it ,arrants- Bou ha*e thus 'rought it under your ,ill# ,here it (OES 2OT 'elong- This means BOU +eel responsi'le +or it- The le*el con+usion here is per+ectly o'*iousThe reason that I cannot CO2TRO! +ear +or you is that you are attempting to raise to the mind le*el the proper content o+ the lo,er>order reality- I do 2OT +oster le*el con+usion# 'ut you can ,ill to correct itBou ,ould not tolerate insane 'eha*ior on your part# and ,ould hardly ad*ance the e<cuse that you could not help it- 4hy should you tolerate insane thin:ingE There is a +allacy here you ,ould do ,ell to loo: at clearlyBou 'oth 'elie*e that you ARE responsi'le +or ,hat you (O# 'ut 2OT +or 41AT

50

you T1I2L- The truth is that you ARE responsi'le +or ,hat you T1I2L# 'ecause it is only at this le*el that you CA2 e<ercise choice- 4hat you (O comes +rom ,hat you thin:> 67 >

Bou cannot separate the truth 'y gi*ing autonomy to your 'eha*ior- This is controlled 'y Me automatically# as soon as you place ,hat you thin: under my guidance4hene*er you are a+raid# it is a sure sign that you ha*e allo,ed your mind to miscreate# i-e-# ha*e 2OT allo,ed Me to guide it- It is pointless to 'elie*e that controlling the outcome o+ mis>Thought can result in real healing- 4hen you are +ear+ul# you ha*e ,illed ,ronglyThis is ,hy you +eel you are responsi'le +or itBou must change your MI2(# not your 'eha*ior# and this IS a matter o+ ,ill- Bou do not need guidance EXCE T at the mind>le*el- Correction 'elongs O2!B at the le*el ,here creation is possi'le- The term does not really mean anything at the symptomle*el# ,here it cannot ,or:The correction o+ +ear IS your responsi'ility- 4hen you as: +or release +rom +ear# you are implying that it isn=tBou should as:# instead# +or help in the conditions ,hich ha*e 'rought the +ear a'out- This condition al,ays entails a separated Mind>,illingness- At this le*el# you CA2 help itBou are much too tolerant o+ Mind>,andering# thus passi*ely condoning its miscreation- The particular result ne*er matters# 'ut this +undamental error (OESThe +undamental correction is al,ays the same- Be+ore you ,ill to do anything# as: Me i+ your ,ill is in accord ,ith Mine- I+ you are sure that it IS# there ,ill BE no +ear3ear is al,ays a sign o+ strain# ,hich arises ,hene*er the 4I!! to do con+licts ,ith 41AT you do- This situation arises in t,o ma@or ,aysF &C Bou can ,ill to do con+licting things# either simultaneously or successi*ely- This produces con+licting 'eha*ior# ,hich ,ould 'e tolera'le to the sel+ Athough not necessarily to othersC e<cept +or the +act that the part o+ the ,ill that ,ants something E!SE is outraged$CBou can BE1AHE as you thin: you should# 'ut ,ithout entirely 4I!!I2" to do soThis produces consistent 'eha*ior# 'ut entails great strain 4IT1I2 the sel+I+ you thin: a'out it# you ,ill reali9e that in 'oth cases the ,ill and the 'eha*ior are out>o+>accord# resulting in a situation in ,hich you are doing ,hat you do 2OT ,illThis arouses a sense o+ coercion# ,hich usually produces rage- The anger then in*ades the mind# and pro@ection in the ,rong sense 'ecomes li:ely- (epression or an<iety are *irtually certainRemem'er that ,hene*er there is +ear# it is 'ecause BOU ha*e 2OT MA(E U

51

BOUR MI2(- Bour ,ill is split# and your 'eha*ior ine*ita'ly 'ecomes erraticCorrecting at the 'eha*ior le*el can shi+t the error +rom the +irst type to the second# 'ut ,ill 2OT o'literate the +earIt is possi'le to reach a state in ,hich you 'ring your ,ill under my guidance ,ithout much conscious e++ort# 'ut this implies the :ind o+ ha'it pattern ,hich neither you nor Bhas de*eloped dependa'ly as yet> 6K >

Tell B- that although he :eeps telling you that "od ,ill ne*er as: you to do more than you can# he does not understand it himsel+- "od CA22OT as: more than you 4I!!The strength to (O comes +rom your o,n undi*ided ,ill to do- There is 2O strain in doing "od=s ,ill as soon as it is also your o,nThe lesson here is ?uite simple# 'ut particularly apt to 'e o*erloo:ed- I ,ill there+ore repeat it# UR"I2" you to listen- Only your mind can produce +ear- It does so ,hene*er it is con+licted in ,hat it ,ills# thus producing ine*ita'le strain# 'ecause ,illing and doing 'ecome discordant- This CA22OT 'e corrected 'y 'etter (OI2"- But it CA2 'e corrected 'y higher 4I!!I2"A+ter ta:ing the +irst correcti*e step# i-e-# )Lno,ing it IS +ear#. you might 'ene+it temporarily 'y adding another ne<t step BE3ORE going on ,ith the correcti*e processTry saying to yoursel+ that you MUST ha*e ,illed not to lo*e someho, or some,here# or that +ear ,hich arises +rom 'eha*ior>,ill could not ha*e happened- Then +ollo, pre*ious instructionsI+ you consider ,hat the process really means# it is nothing more than a series o+ pragmatic steps in the larger process o+ accepting the Atonement as T1E remedy3rom this *ie,point# the steps can 'e re,orded as +ollo,sF &-C Lno, +irst that this is +ear$-C 3ear arises +rom lac: o+ lo*e8-C The O2!B remedy +or lac: o+ lo*e is per+ect lo*eG-C er+ect lo*e IS the AtonementThe +inal procedural step A8C is inherent in the last statement AGC- 4e ha*e emphasi9ed that the miracle# or the EX RESSIO2 o+ the Atonement# is al,ays a sign o+ real respect +rom the ,orthy TO the ,orthyThis ,orth IS re>esta'lished 'y the AtonementIt is o'*ious# then# that ,hen you are a+raid you ha*e placed yoursel+ in a position ,here you 2EE( Atonement BECAUSE you ha*e (O2E something lo*eless 'ecause you 4I!!E( ,ithout lo*e- This is precisely the situation +or ,hich the Atonement ,as o++ered- The need +or the remedy inspired its CREATIO2-

52

As long as you recogni9e only the 2EE( +or the remedy# you ,ill remain +ear+ul1o,e*er# as soon as you REME(B it# you ha*e also a'olished the +ear- This is ho, TRUE healing occursE*eryone e<periences +ear# and no'ody en@oys it- Bet# it ,ould ta:e *ery little Rightthin:ing to :no, ,hy it occurs- 2either you nor B- ha*e thought a'out it *ery much# either- A I o'@ect at this point to the use o+ plural *er' ,ith a properly singular su'@ect >> 1S > > and remem'er that last time in a *ery similar sentence# 1e said it correctly and I remem'ered it ,ith real pleasure- This real grammatical error ma:es me suspicious o+ the genuineness o+ these notes- Ans,erF 4hat it really sho,s is that BOU are not *ery recepti*e- The reason it came out that ,ay# is 'ecause you are pro@ecting Ain the
> 65 >

inappropriate ,ayC your o,n anger# ,hich has nothing to do ,ith these notes- BOU made the error# 'ecause you are not +eeling lo*ing# so you ,ant me to sound silly# so you ,on=t ha*e to pay attention- Actually# I am trying to get through against considera'le opposition# 'ecause you are not *ery happy# and I ,ish you ,ere- I thought I=d ta:e a chance# e*en though you are so resistant# 'ecause I MI"1T 'e a'le to ma:e you +eel 'etter- Bou may 'e una'le not to attac: at all# 'ut do try to listen a little# too-C Hery +e, people appreciate the real po,er o+ the mind- 2o'ody remains +ully a,are o+ it all the time- This is ine*ita'le in this ,orld# 'ecause the human 'eing has many things he must do# and cannot engage in constant thought>,atching- 1o,e*er# i+ he hopes to spare himsel+ +rom +ear# there are some things he must reali9e# and reali9e them +ully# at least some o+ the timeThe mind is a *ery po,er+ul creator# and it ne*er loses its creati*e +orce- It ne*er sleeps- E*ery instant it is creating# and A!4ABS as you ,ill- Many o+ your ordinary e<pressions re+lect this- 3or e<ample# ,hen you say )don=t gi*e it a thought.# you are implying that i+ you do not thin: a'out something# it ,ill ha*e no e++ect on you- This is true enoughOn the other hand# many other e<pressions are clear e<pressions o+ the pre*ailing !ACL o+ a,areness o+ thought>po,er- 3or e<ample# you say# )@ust an idle thought.# and mean that the thought has no e++ect- Bou also spea: o+ some actions as )thoughtless.# implying that i+ the person 1A( thought# he ,ould not ha*e 'eha*ed as he did- Bou also use phrases li:e )thought pro*o:ing.# ,hich is 'land enough# 'ut the term )a pro*o:ing thought. means something ?uite di++erent4hile e<pressions li:e )thin: 'ig. gi*e some recognition to the po,er o+ thought# they still come no,here near the truthBou do not e<pect to gro, ,hen you say it# 'ecause you don=t really 'elie*e it- It is

53

hard to recogni9e that thought and 'elie+ com'ine into a po,er>surge that can literally mo*e mountainsIt appears at +irst glance that to 'elie*e such po,er a'out yoursel+ is merely arrogant# 'ut that is not the real reason ,hy you don=t 'elie*e iteople pre+er to 'elie*e that their thoughts cannot e<ert real control 'ecause they are literally A3RAI( o+ them- Therapists try to help people ,ho are a+raid o+ their o,n death ,ishes 'y depreciating the po,er o+ the ,ish- They e*en attempt to )+ree. the patient 'y persuading him that he can thin: ,hate*er he ,ants# ,ithout A2B real e++ect at allThere is a real dilemma here# ,hich only the truly right>minded can escape- (eath ,ishes do not :ill in the physical sense# 'ut they (O :ill spiritually- A!! destructi*e thin:ing is dangerous- "i*en a death ,ish# a man has no choice e<cept to ACT upon his thought# or 'eha*e CO2TRARB to it- 1e can thus choose O2!B 'et,een homicide and +ear- ASee pre*ious notes on ,ill con+licts-C
> J% >

A2oteF I a*oided this term in the last series o+ notes intentionally# 'ecause it seemed too Ran:ian- Apparently# there ,as a reason ,hy this ,ord should ha*e 'een used last time- It is used in this section +or a *ery good reason-C The other possi'ility is that he depreciates the po,er o+ his thought- This is the usual psychoanalytic approach- This (OES allay guilt# 'ut at the cost o+ rendering thin:ing impotent- I+ you 'elie*e that ,hat you thin: is ine++ectual# you may cease to 'e o*erly a+raid o+ it# 'ut you are hardly li:ely to respect it# either- The ,orld is +ull o+ endless e<amples o+ ho, man has depreciated himsel+ 'ecause he is a+raid o+ his o,n thoughtsIn some +orms o+ insanity# thoughts are glori+ied# 'ut this is only 'ecause the underlying depreciation ,as too e++ecti*e +or toleranceThe truth is that there ARE no )idle thoughts.- A!! thin:ing produces +orm at some le*el- The reason ,hy people are a+raid o+ ES # and so o+ten react against it# is 'ecause they L2O4 that thought can hurt them- Their o,n thoughts ha*e made them *ulnera'leBou and B-# ,ho complain all the time a'out +ear# still persist in creating it most o+ the time- I told you last time that you cannot as: ME to release you +rom it# 'ecause I L2O4 it does not e<ist- BOU don=t- I+ I merely inter*ene 'et,een your thoughts and their results# I ,ould 'e tampering ,ith a 'asic la, o+ cause and e++ect# in +act the most +undamental one there is in this ,orldI ,ould hardly help i+ I depreciated the po,er o+ your o,n thin:ing- This ,ould 'e in direct opposition to the purpose o+ this courseIt is certainly much more use+ul to remind you that you do not guard your thoughts

54

at all care+ully# e<cept +or a relati*ely small part o+ the day# and some,hat inconsistently e*en then- Bou may +eel at this point that it ,ould ta:e a miracle to ena'le you to do this# ,hich is per+ectly true- 1uman 'eings are not used to miraculous thin:ing# 'ut they CA2 'e TRAI2E( to thin: that ,ayAll miracle>,or:ers 1AHE to 'e trained that ,ay- I ha*e to 'e a'le to count on themThis means that I cannot allo, them to lea*e their mind unguarded# or they ,ill not 'e a'le to help me- Miracle>,or:ing entails a +ull reali9ation o+ the po,er o+ thought# and real a*oidance o+ miscreation- Other,ise# the miracle ,ill 'e necessary to set the mind ITSE!3 straight# a circular process ,hich ,ould hardly +oster the time>collapse +or ,hich the miracle ,as intended- 2or ,ould it induce the healthy respect that e*ery miracle,or:er must ha*e +or true cause and e++ectMiracles cannot +ree the miracle>,or:er +rom +ear- Both miracles A2( +ear come +rom his thoughts# and i+ he ,ere not +ree to choose one# he ,ould also not 'e +ree to choose the other- Remem'er# ,e said 'e+ore that hen electing one person# you re@ect anotherIt is much the same in electing the miracle- By so doing# you 1AHE re@ected +ear3ear cannot assail unless it has 'een created- Bou and B- ha*e 'een a+raid o+ "od# o+ me# o+ yoursel*es# and o+ practically e*eryone you :no, at one time or another> J& >

This can only 'e 'ecause you ha*e miscreated all o+ us# and 'elie*e in ,hat you ha*e created- A4e spent a lot o+ time on this 'e+ore# 'ut it did not help *ery much-C Bou ,ould ne*er ha*e done this i+ you ,ere not a+raid o+ your o,n thoughts- The *ulnera'le are essentially miscreators# 'ecause they mispercei*e CreationBou and B- are ,illing to accept primarily ,hat does 2OT change your minds too much# and lea*es you +ree to lea*e them ?uite unguarded most o+ the time- Bou persist in 'elie*ing that ,hen you do not consciously ,atch your mind# it is unmind+ulIt is time to consider the ,hole ,orld o+ the unconscious# or un,atched mind- This ,ill +righten you# 'ecause it is the source o+ +right- Bou may loo: at it as a ne, theory o+ 'asic con+lict# i+ you ,ish# ,hich ,ill not 'e entirely an intellectual approach# 'ecause I dou't i+ the truth ,ill escape you entirelyThe un,atched mind is responsi'le +or the ,hole content o+ the unconscious# ,hich lies a'o*e the miracle>le*el- All psychoanalytic theorists ha*e made some contri'ution to the truth in this connection# 'ut none o+ them has seen it in its true entirety- AThe correct

55

grammar here is a sign o+ you 'etter cooperation- Than: you-C Jung=s 'est contri'ution ,as an a,areness o+ indi*idual *s- Collecti*e unconscious le*els- 1e also recogni9ed the ma@or place o+ the religious spirit in his schema- 1is archetypes ,ere also meaning+ul concepts- But his ma@or error lay in regarding the deepest le*el o+ the unconscious as shared in terms o+ CO2TE2T- The deepest le*el o+ the unconscious is shared as an ABI!ITB- As MIRAC!E>MI2(E(2ESS# the content# Aor the particular miracles ,hich an indi*idual happens to per+ormC does not matter at allThe content o+ the miracle>le*el is not recorded in the indi*idual=s unconscious# 'ecause i+ it ,ere# it ,ould not 'e automatic and in*oluntary# ,hich ,e ha*e said repeatedly it should 'e- 1o,e*er# the content IS a matter +or the record# ,hich is 2OT ,ithin the indi*idual himsel+All psychoanalysts made one common error# in that they attempted to unco*er unconscious CO2TE2T- Bou cannot understand unconscious acti*ity in these terms# 'ecause )content. is applica'le O2!B to the more super+icial unconscious le*els to ,hich the indi*idual himsel+ contri'utesThis is the le*el at ,hich he can readily introduce +ear# and usually does3reud ,as right in calling this le*el pre>conscious# and emphasi9ing that there is a +airly easy interchange 'et,een preconscious and conscious material- 1e ,as also right in regarding the censor as an agent +or the protection o+ consciousness +rom +ear1IS ma@or error lay in his insistence that this le*el is necessary at all in the psychic structureI+ the psyche contains +ear+ul le*els +rom ,hich it cannot escape ,ithout splitting# its integration is permanently threatenedIt is essential not to control the +ear+ul# 'ut to E!IMI2ATE it1ere# Ran:=s concept o+ the ,ill ,as particularly good# e<cept that he pre+erred to ally it only ,ith man=s o,n truly creati*e a'ility# 'ut did not e<tend it to its proper union
> J$ >

,ith "od=s- 1is )'irth trauma.# another *alid idea# ,as also too limited# in that it did not re+er to the Separation# ,hich ,as really a 3A!SE idea o+ 'irth- hysical 'irth is not a trauma in itsel+- It can# ho,e*er# remind the indi*idual o+ the Separation# ,hich ,as a *ery real cause o+ +earThe idea o+ ),ill>T1ERA B. ,as potentially a *ery po,er+ul one# 'ut Ran: did not see its real potential 'ecause he himsel+ used his mind partly to create a theory O3 the mind# 'ut also partly to attac: 3reud- 1is reactions to 3reud stemmed +rom his o,n un+ortunate acceptance o+ the depri*ation>+allacy# ,hich itsel+ arose +rom the SeparationThis led him to 'elie*e that his o,n mind>creation could stand only i+ the creation o+ another=s +ell- In conse?uence# his theory emphasi9ed rather than minimi9ed the t,oedged nature o+ de+enses- This is an outstanding characteristic o+ his concepts# 'ecause it

56

,as outstandingly true o+ him1e also misinterpreted the 'irth>trauma in a ,ay that made it ine*ita'le +or him to attempt a therapy ,hose goal ,as to ABO!IS1 3EAR- This characteristic o+ all later theorists# ,ho do not attempt# as 3reud did# to split o++ the +ear in his o,n +orm o+ therapy2o one as yet has +ully recogni9ed either the therapeutic *alue o+ +ear# or the only ,ay in ,hich it can 'e truly ended- 4hen man miscreates# he IS in pain- The cause and e++ect principle here is temporarily a real e<peditor- Actually# Cause is a term properly 'elonging to "od# and E++ect# ,hich should also 'e capitali9ed# is 1IS Sonship- This entails a set o+ cause and e++ect relationships ,hich are totally di++erent +rom those ,hich man introduced into the MiscreationThe +undamental opponents in the real 'asic con+lict are Creation and miscreationAll +ear is implicit in the second# @ust as all lo*e is inherent in the +irst- Because o+ this di++erence# the 'asic con+lict IS one 'et,een lo*e and +earSo much# then# +or the true nature o+ the ma@or opponents in the 'asic con+lict- Since all such theories lead to a +orm o+ therapy in ,hich a re>distri'ution o+ psychic energy results# it is necessary to consider OUR concept o+ li'ido ne<t- In this respect# 3reud ,as more accurate than his +ollo,ers# ,ho ,ere essentially more ,ish+ul- Energy CA2 emanate +rom 'oth Creation and miscreation# and the particular ratio 'et,een them at a gi*en point in time (OES determine 'eha*ior at that time- I+ miscreation did 2OT engender energy in its o,n right# it ,ould 'e una'le to produce destructi*e 'eha*ior# ,hich it *ery patently (OESE*erything that man creates has energy 'ecause# li:e the Creation o+ "od# they AitC come 3ROM energy# and are endo,ed 'y their creator ,ith the po,er to createMiscreation is still a genuine creati*e act in terms o+ the underlying IM U!SE# 'ut 2OT in terms o+ the CO2TE2T o+ the creation- This# ho,e*er# does not depri*e he creation o+ its O42 creati*e po,er- It (OES# ho,e*er# "UARA2TEE that the po,er ,ill 'e misused# or USE( 3EAR3U!!BTo deny this is merely the pre*iously mentioned +allacy o+ depreciation- Although 3reud made a num'er o+ +allacies o+ his o,n# he (I( a*oid this one in connection ,ith
> J8 >

li'ido- The later theorists denied the split>energy concept# not 'y attempting to heal it# 'ut 'y reinterpreting it instead o+ redistri'uting itThis placed them in the illogical position o+ assuming that the split ,hich their therapies ,ere intended to heal had not occurred- The result o+ this approach is essentially a +orm o+ hypnosis- This is ?uite di++erent +rom 3reud=s approach# ,hich merely ended in a deadloc:A similar deadloc: occurs ,hen 'oth the po,er o+ Creation and o+ miscreation

57

coe<ist- This is e<perienced as con+lict only 'ecause the indi*idual +eels AS I3 'oth ,ere occurring AT T1E SAME !EHE!- 1e BE!IEHES in ,hat he has created in his o,n unconscious and he naturally 'elie*es it is real BECAUSE he created it- 1e# thus# places himsel+ in a position ,here the +ear+ul 'ecomes REA!2othing 'ut le*el>con+usion can result as long as this 'elie+ is held in A2B +ormInappropriate denial and e?ually inappropriate identi+ication o+ the REA! +actors in the 'asic con+lict ,ill 2OT sol*e the pro'lem itsel+- The con+lict CA22OT disappear until it is +ully recogni9ed that miscreation is 2OT real# and there+ore there IS no con+lictThis entails a +ull reali9ation o+ the 'asic +act# although man has miscreated in a *ery real sense# he need neither continue to do so# nor to su++er +rom his past errors in this respectA redistri'ution o+ psychic energy# then# is 2OT the solution- Both the idea that 'oth :inds MUST e<ist# and the 'elie+ that O2E :ind is amena'le +or use or misuse# are real distortions- The O2!B ,ay is to STO MISCREATI2" 2O4# and accept the Atonement +or miscreations o+ the pastOnly this can re>esta'lish true single>mindedness- The structure o+ the psyche# as you *ery correctly noted yoursel+# +ollo,s along the lines o+ the particular li'ido concept the theorist employs- AI still thin: it ,as the other ,ay around > > 1S- Ans,erF This con+usion arises out o+ the +act that you (I( change the order > > se*eral times in +actActually# it didn=t matter# 'ecause the t,o concepts (O +lo, +rom each other- It ,as a TERRI3IC ,aste o+ time# and one in ,hich I hardly care to 'ecome engaged mysel+!EASEOC 3reud=s psyche ,as essentially a good and e*il picture# ,ith *ery hea*y ,eight gi*en to the e*il- This is 'ecause e*erytime I mentioned the Atonement to him# ,hich ,as ?uite o+ten# he responded 'y de+ending his theory more and more against itThis resulted in his increasingly strong attempts to ma:e the illogical sound more and more logicalI ,as *ery sorry a'out this# 'ecause his ,as a singularly good mind# and it ,as a shame to ,aste it- 1o,e*er# the ma@or purpose o+ his incarnation ,as not neglected1e (I( succeed in +orcing recognition o+ the unconscious into man=s calculations a'out himsel+# a step in the right direction ,hich should not 'e minimi9ed- 3reud ,as one o+ the most religious men I ha*e :no,n recently- Un+ortunately# he ,as so a+raid o+ religion that the only ,ay he could deal ,ith it ,as to regard IT Anot himsel+C as sic:- This naturally pre*ented healing> JG >

58

3reud=s superego is a particularly interesting e<ample o+ the real po,er o+ miscreationIt is note,orthy throughout the ,hole de*elopment o+ his theories that the superego ne*er allied itsel+ ,ith +reedom- The most it could do in this direction ,as to ,or: out a pain+ul truce in ,hich 'oth opponents !OST- This perception could not +ail to +orce him to emphasi9e discontent in his *ie, o+ ci*ili9ationThe 3reudian id is really only the more super+icial le*el o+ the unconscious# and not the deepest le*el at all- This# too# ,as ine*ita'le# 'ecause 3reud could not di*orce miracles +rom magic- It ,as there+ore his constant endea*or# Ae*en preoccupationC to :eep on thrusting more and more material 'et,een consciousness and the real deeper le*el o+ the unconscious# so that the latter 'ecame increasingly o'scured- The result ,as a :ind o+ 'edlam# in ,hich there ,as no order# no control# and no sense- This ,as e<actly ho, he 3E!T a'out itThe later theoretical s,itch the primace o+ an<iety ,as an interesting de*ice intended to deny 'oth the instincti*e nature o+ destructi*eness# and the +orce o+ the po,er o+ miscreation- By placing the emphasis on the RESU!T# the generati*e nature o+ the po,er ,as minimi9ed(estructi*e 'eha*ior IS instinctual- The instinct +or creation is 2OT o'literated in miscreation- That is ,hy it is al,ays in*ested ,ith reality- One o+ the chie+ ,ays in ,hich man can correct his magic>miracle con+usion is to remem'er that he did not create himsel+1e is apt to +orget this ,hen he 'ecomes egocentric# and this places him in a position ,here 'elie+ in magic is *irtually ine*ita'le- 1is instincts +or creation ,ere gi*en him 'y his o,n Creator# ,ho ,as e<pressing the same instinct in 1is Creation- Since the creati*e a'ility rests solely in the mind# e*erything ,hich man creates is necessarily instincti*eAThis goes a+ter 'asic con+lict theory-C A(ictated ,ithout notes 'y 1SC 4e ha*e already said that the 'asic con+lict is one 'et,een lo*e and +ear# and that the proper organi9ation o+ the psyche rests on a lac: o+ le*el con+usion- The section on psychic energy should 'e re>read *ery care+ully# 'ecause it is particularly li:ely to 'e misinterpreted until this section is completeIt has already 'een said that man CA22OT control +ear# 'ecause he himsel+ created it- 1is 'elie+ in it renders it out o+ his control 'y de+inition- 3or this reason# any attempt to resol*e the 'asic con+lict thru the concept o+ mastery o+ +ear is meaningless- In +act# it

59

asserts the po,er o+ +ear 'y the simple assumption that it need 'e mastered at allThe essential resolution rests entirely on the mastery o+ lo*e- In the interim# con+lict is ine*ita'le- The reason +or this is the strangely illogical position in ,hich man had placed himsel+- Since ,e ha*e +re?uently emphasi9ed that correction must 'e applied ,ithin the le*el that error occurs# it should 'e clear that the miracle MUST 'e illogical 'ecause its purpose is to correct the illogical and restore orderT,o concepts ,hich CA22OT coe<ist are nothing and e*erything- To ,hate*er e<tent one is 'elie*ed in# the other 1AS BEE2 a'olished- In the con+lict# +ear is really nothing# and lo*e is really e*erything- AThis recognition is really the 'asis +or the castration
> J6 >

comple<-C This is 'ecause ,hene*er light penetrates dar:ness# it (OES a'olish itThe un,illingness to 'e seen# or su'mit error to light# is spuriously associated ,ith acti*e doing- In this incarnation# this can ta:e the +orm o+ oedipal in*ol*ement and concomitant castration an<iety1o,e*er# in more long range and meaning+ul terms# the oedipal comple< is a miniature o+ the true Separation +ear# and the castration comple< is a ,ay o+ denying that it e*er occurred!i:e all pseudo>solutions# this :ind o+ distorted thin:ing is *ery creati*e# 'ut +alseThe Separation 1AS occurred- To deny this is merely to misuse denial- 1o,e*er# to concentrate on error is merely a +urther misuse o+ legitimate psychic mechanismsThe true correcti*e procedure# ,hich has already 'een descri'ed as the proper use o+ the spiritual eye Aor true *isionC# is to accept the error temporarily# 'ut only as an indication that immediate correction is mandatory- This esta'lishes a state o+ mind in ,hich the Atonement can 'e accepted ,ithout delayIt is ,orth repeating that ultimately there is no compromise possi'le 'et,een e*erything and nothing- The purpose o+ time is essentially a de*ice 'y ,hich all compromise in this respect can 'e a'olished- It seems to 'e a'olished 'y degrees precisely 'ecause time itsel+ in*ol*es a concept o+ inter*als ,hich does not really e<ist- The +aulty use o+ creation has made this necessary as a correcti*e de*ice)And "od so lo*ed the ,orld that 1e ga*e his only 'egotten Son so that ,hosoe*er 'elie*eth on 1im shall not perish 'ut ha*e Eternal !i+e. needs only one slight correction to 'e entirely meaning+ul in this conte<t- It should read )And "od so lo*ed the ,orld that he ga*e it TO 1is only 'egotten Son-. It should 'e noted that "od 1AS 'egotten only O2E SonI+ you 'elie*e that all o+ the Souls that "od created ARE 1is Sons# and i+ you also

60

'elie*e that the Sonship is One# then e*ery Soul MUST 'e a Son o+ "od # or an integral part o+ the Sonship- Bou do not +ind the concept that the ,hole is greater than its parts di++icult to understand- Bou should there+ore not ha*e too great di++iculty ,ith thisThe Sonship in its Oneness (OES transcend the sum o+ its parts- 1o,e*er# it loses this special state as long as any o+ its parts are missing- This is ,hy the con+lict cannot ultimately 'e resol*ed U2TI! all o+ the indi*idual parts o+ the Sonship ha*e returned- Only then# in the true sense# can the meaning o+ ,holeness 'e understoodThe concept o+ minus num'ers has al,ays 'een regarded as a mathematical rather than an actual e<pedient- AThis is a ma@or limitation on mathematics as presently understood-C Any statement ,hich implies degrees o+ di++erence in negation is essentially meaningless- 4hat can replace this negati*e approach is a recognition o+ the +act that as long as one part A,hich is the same as a million or ten or eight thousand partsC o+ the Sonship is missing# it is 2OT completeIn the (i*ine psyche# the 3ather and the 1oly Spirit are not incomplete at all- The Sonship has the uni?ue +aculty o+ 'elie*ing in error# or incompleteness# i+ he so selects> JJ >

1o,e*er# it is ?uite apparent that so to elect IS to 'elie*e in the e<istence o+ nothingnessThe correction o+ this error is the Atonement4e ha*e already 'rie+ly spo:en a'out readiness- But there are some additional a,areness ,hich might 'e help+ul- Readiness is nothing more than the prere?uisite +or accomplishment- The t,o should not 'e con+used- As soon as a state o+ readiness occurs# there is al,ays some ,ill to accomplish# 'ut this is 'y no means undi*ided- The state does not imply more than the potential +or a shi+t o+ ,ill- Con+idence cannot de*elop +ully until mastery has 'een accomplished- 4e 'egan this section ,ith an attempt to correct the +undamental human error that +ear can 'e mastered- The Correction ,as that O2!B lo*e can 'e mastered- 4hen I told you that you ,ere )ready +or Re*elation.# I did not mean that you had in any ,ay mastered this +orm o+ communication- 1o,e*er# you yoursel+ attested to your readiness 'y insisting that I ,ould not ha*e said so i+ it had not 'een true- This IS an a++irmation o+ readiness- Mastery o+ lo*e necessarily in*ol*es a much more complete con+idence in the a'ility than either o+ you has attained- But the readiness at least is an indication that you 'elie*e this is possi'le- This is only the 'eginning o+ con+idence-

61

In case this 'e misunderstood as a statement that an enormous amount o+ time ,ill 'e necessary 'et,een readiness and mastery# I ,ould again remind you that time and space are under My controlA(ictated ,ithout notes 'y 1SC One o+ the chie+ ,ays in ,hich man can correct his magic>miracle con+usion is to remem'er that he did not create himsel+- 1e is apt to +orget this ,hen he 'ecomes egocentric# and this places him in a position ,here 'elie+ in magic is *irtually ine*ita'le1is instincts +or creation ,ere gi*en him 'y his o,n Creator# ,ho ,as e<pressing the same instinct in 1is Creation- Since the creati*e a'ility rests solely in the mind# e*erything ,hich man creates is necessarily instincti*eIt also +ollo,s that ,hate*er he creates is real in his o,n eyes# 'ut not necessarily in the sight o+ "od- This 'asic distinction leads us directly into the real meaning o+ the !ast Judgment- AI am a,are o+ the +act that you ,ould much rather continue ,ith the parallels in*ol*ed in other theories o+ 'asic con+lict- 1o,e*er# this ,ould merely 'e a delay ,hich ,e ,ill engage in only i+ you regard it as essential-C the 3inal Judgment is one o+ the greatest thereat concepts in man=s perception- This is only 'ecause he does not understand it- Judgment is not an essential attri'ute o+ "od- Man 'rought @udgment into 'eing only 'ecause o+ the Separation- "od 1imsel+ is still the "od o+ mercy- A+ter the Separation# ho,e*er# there 4AS a place +or @ustice in the schema# 'ecause it ,as one o+ the many learning de*ices ,hich had to 'e 'uilt into the o*erall plan- Just as the Separation occurred o*er many millions o+ years# the !ast Judgment ,ill e<tend o*er a similarly long period# and perhaps e*en longer- Its length depends# ho,e*er# on the e++ecti*eness o+ the present speed>up- 4e ha*e +re?uently noted that the miracle is a de*ice +or shortening 'ut not a'olishing time- I+ a su++icient num'er o+ people 'ecome truly miracle>minded ?uic:ly#
> J7 >

the shortening process can 'e almost immeasura'le- But it is essential that these indi*iduals +ree themsel*es +rom +ear sooner than ,ould ordinarily 'e the case# 'ecause they MUST emerge +rom 'asic con+lict it they are to 'ring peace to the minds o+ othersThe !ast Judgment is generally thought o+ as a procedure underta:en 'y "odActually# it ,ill 'e underta:en solely 'y man# ,ith My help- It is a 3inal 1ealing# rather than a meting out o+ punishment# ho,e*er much man may thin: punishment is deser*ed-

62

unishment as a concept is in total opposition to Right>Mindedness- The aim o+ the 3inal Judgment is to RESTORE Right>Mindedness TO manThe 3inal Judgment might 'e called a process o+ Right>e*aluation- It simply means that +inally all men must come to understand ,hat is ,orthy and ,hat is not- A+ter this# their a'ility to choose can 'e reasona'ly directed- Unless this distinction has 'een made# the *acillations 'et,een +ree and imprisoned ,ill cannot 'ut continue- The +irst step to,ard +reedom# then# MUST entail a sorting out o+ the +alse +rom the true- This is a process o+ di*ision only in the constructi*e sense# and re+lects the true meaning o+ the Apocalypse- Man ,ill ultimately loo: upon his o,n creations# and ,ill to preser*e only ,hat is good# @ust as "od 1imsel+ once loo:ed upon ,hat he had created# and :ne, that it 4AS good- At this point# the 4ill ,ill 'egin to loo: ,ith lo*e on its creations# 'ecause o+ their great ,orthinessThe mind ,ill ine*ita'ly diso,n its miscreations# and ha*ing ,ithdra,n 'elie+ +rom them# they ,ill no longer e<istThe term !ast Judgment is +rightening# not only 'ecause it has 'een +alsely pro@ected onto "od# 'ut also 'ecause o+ the association o+ )!ast. ,ith death- This is an outstanding e<ample o+ upside>do,n perception- Actually# i+ it is e<amined o'@ecti*ely# it is ?uite apparent that it is really the door,ay to li+e- 2o man ,ho li*es in +ear is really ali*e1is o,n +inal @udgment cannot 'e directed to,ard himsel+# 'ecause he is not his o,n creation- 1e can apply it meaning+ully# and at any time# to e*erything he has e*er created# and retain in his real memory only ,hat is good- This is ,hat hi, o,n Right> Mindedness cannot 'ut dictateThe purpose o+ time is solely to )gi*e him time. to achie*e this @udgment- It is his o,n per+ect @udgment o+ his o,n creation- 4hen e*erything that he retains is lo*a'le# there is no reason +or any +ear to remain in him- This IS his part in the AtonementAll learning in*ol*es attention and study at some le*el- This course is a MI2(TRAI2I2" course- "ood students assign study periods +or themsel*es- 1o,e*er# since this o'*ious step has not occurred to you# and since ,e are cooperating in this# I ,ill ma:e the o'*ious assignment no,B is 'etter at understanding the need to study the notes than you are# 'ut neither o+ you reali9es that many o+ the pro'lems you :eep 'eing +aced ,ith may A!REA(B ha*e 'een sol*ed there- BOU do not thin: o+ the notes in this ,ay at all- B (OES +rom time to time# 'ut he generally says# )Its pro'a'ly in the notes#. and (OES2=T loo: it up- 1e
> JK >

'elie*es that# although he reads them o*er# they cannot REA!!B help him until they are complete-

63

3irst o+ all# he cannot 'e sure o+ this unless he triesSecond# they ,ould BE completed i+ 'oth o+ you so ,illedBou *aguely :no, that the course is intended +or some sort o+ preparation- I can only say that you are not preparedI ,as amused ,hen you reminded B- that he# too# ,as 'eing prepared +or something ?uite une<pected# and he said# he ,as not at all curious a'out ,hat it ,as- This disinterest is *ery characteristic o+ him ,hen he is a+raid- Interest and +ear do 2OT go together# as your respecti*e 'eha*ior clearly sho,sMental retardation is a de+ense ,hich# li:e the others EXCE T the Atonement# can 'e used on 'ehal+ o+ error or truth# as elected- 4hen it occurs in REA!ITB# it is a temporary de*ice# agreed on 'e+orehand# to chec: the miscreati*e a'ilities o+ strong 'ut misdirected ,illsIt is necessary that this appropriate use o+ the de+ense BE considered real# 'ecause other,ise it cannot ser*e- The lesson in*ol*es not only the indi*idual himsel+# 'ut also his parents# si'lings# and all o+ those ,ho come in close relation ,ith him- The HA!UE o+ the e<perience depends on the need o+ each particular learner- The person himsel+ is a OOR learner# 'y de+inition# only as a step to,ard changing +rom a 'ad to a good oneMental retardation can also 'e used as a maladapti*e de+ense# i+ the ,rong Aor attac:C side is employed- This produces the )pseudo>retardation syndrome. ,hich is @ustly classi+ied as a psychiatric Aor distur'ed>le*elC symptom- Both o+ you do this all the timeB- acts as i+ he does not understand e*en his O42 special language# let alone mine# and you cannot read at allThis represents a @oint attac: on 'oth yoursel*es A2( me# 'ecause it renders BOUR mind ,ea:# and mine incompetent- Remem'er# this puts you in a truly +ear+ul positionI+ you cannot understand either your o,n mind OR mine# you do not L2O4 ,hat is really ,illed- It is thus IM OSSIB!E to a*oid con+lict# as de+ined 'e+ore# 'ecause e*en i+ you act ACCOR(I2" TO ,ill# you ,ouldn=t :no, itThe ne<t part o+ this course rests too hea*ily on the earlier part not to REDUIRE its study- 4ithout this# you ,ill 'ecome much too +ear+ul ,hen the une<pected (OES occur to ma:e constructi*e use o+ it- 1o,e*er# as you study the notes# you ,ill see some o+ the o'*ious implications# unless you still persist in misusing the de+ense o+ mental retardation-

64

lease remem'er that its constructi*e use# descri'ed a'o*e# is hardly a REA! part o+ your o,n REA! proper e?uipment- It is a particularly inappropriate de+ense as you use it# and I can only urge you to a*oid itThe reason ,hy a solid +oundation is necessary at this point is 'ecause o+ the highly li:ely con+usion o+ )+ear+ul. and )a,esome#. ,hich most people do ma:e- Bou ,ill remem'er that ,e said once 'e+ore that a,e is inappropriate in connection ,ith the
> J5 >

Sons o+ "od# 'ecause you should not e<perience a,e in the presence o+ your o,n e?uals- But it 4AS emphasi9ed that a,e IS a proper reaction o+ the Soul in the presence o+ its CreatorSo +ar# this course has had only indirect recourse to "od# and rarely e*en re+ers to 1im directly- I ha*e repeatedly emphasi9ed that a,e is not appropriate in connection ,ith me# BECAUSE o+ our inherent e?uality- I ha*e 'een care+ul to clari+y my o,n role in the Atonement# ,ithout either o*er or understating it- I ha*e tried to do e<actly the same things in connection ,ith yoursThe ne<t step# ho,e*er# (OES in*ol*e the direct approach to "od 1imsel+- It ,ould 'e most un,ise to start on this step at all ,ithout *ery care+ul preparation# or a,e ,ill surely 'e con+used ,ith +ear# and the e<perience ,ill 'e more traumatic than 'eati+ic1ealing is o+ "od in the end- The means are care+ully e<plained in the notesRe*elation has occasionally S1O42 you the end# 'ut to reach it the means are neededAThe +ollo,ing I2troduction dictated 'y 1S ,ithout notes-C The +ollo,ing is the only detailed description ,hich need 'e ,ritten do,n as to ho, error inter+eres ,ith preparation- The e*ents speci+ically re+erred to here could 'e any e*ents# nor does their particular in+luence matter- It is the process ,hich is to 'e noted here# and not its results- The :ind o+ 'elie+s# and the +allacious premises in*ol*ed in misthought are as ,ell e<empli+ied here as else,here- There is nothing o+ special interest a'out the e*ents descri'ed 'elo,# EXCE T their typical nature- I+ this is a true course in mind>training# then the ,hole *alue o+ this section rests O2!B in sho,ing you ,hat 2OT to do- The more constructi*e emphasis is# o+ course# on the positi*e approprachMind>,atching ,ould ha*e pre*ented any o+ this +rom occurring# and ,ill do so any time you permit it toA3ollo,ing is +rom notesC Tell B- that the reason ,hy he ,as so strained yesterday is 'ecause he allo,ed himsel+ a num'er o+ +ear>producing attitudes- They ,ere +leeting enough to 'e more ,ill>o+>the>,isps than serious ,ill>errors# 'ut unless he ,atches this :ind o+ thing# he 4I!! +ind the notes +ear+ul# and# :no,ing him ,ell# ,ill mis>distantiate- 1is unpro*o:ed

65

irritation ,as unpardona'le EXCE T 'y himsel+# and he did not choose to pardon itBOU did# 'ut I am a+raid you ,ere under some strain in doing so- This ,as un+ortunate# and ,ea:ened your o,n a'ility to 'eha*e healingly to,ard B- at the time# and later also to,ard !ouis# 'oth o+ ,hom (I( act stupidly- But one stupidity at a time is usually enough- Bou are getting too close to the misuse o+ mental retardation ,hen stupidity sets in all aroundB-# ha*ing already ,ea:ened himsel+# ,as *ery un>miracle>minded# +irst 'y not as:ing (ora i+ she ,anted a li+t in the ca'# ,hich ,as going her ,ay- E*en i+ she didn=t ,ant it# she ,ould ha*e 'een a'le to use the thought ,ell- There is pro'a'ly no human error that is more +ear>pro*o:ing Ain the ,illM'eha*ior con+lict senseC than countering any +orm o+ error ,ith error- The result can 'e highly in+lamma'le- By reacting to (ora=s stupidity
> 7% >

,ith his o,n# all o+ the elements ,hich are *irtually certain to engender +ear ha*e 'een pro*idedB should note that this is one o+ the +e, times that he had to ,ait +or a ca'- 1e thought he too: care o+ it 'y holding the door o+ a ca' ,hich did come +or that lady# 'ut he ,as misguided in this 'elie+- Belie+s are T1OU"1TS# and thus come under Christguidance# 2OT control- Actually# 'y gi*ing this ca' to her# he ,as *ery un:ind to you- It ,as ?uite apparent that you ,ere e<tremely cold# and also *ery late- The idea that gi*ing her the ca' ,ould atone +or his pre*ious errors ,as singularly out o+ place# and ,ell calculated to lead to +urther error- I+# instead o+ attempting to atone on his o,n# he had as:ed +or guidance# there ,ould ha*e 'een no di++iculty ,hate*er in the ca' situation- It ,as not necessary that anyone ,ait at allB=s original slight to (ora# 'ecause o+ his o,n need to get home as he percei*ed it# stopped him +rom 'ene+iting +rom the time>sa*ing de*ise o+ the miracle- 1e ,ould ha*e gotten home MUC1 ?uic:er i+ he had ta:en time to use time properlyBOU ,ere still su++ering +rom strain Asee a'o*eC# and got ?uite irritated at the girl ,ho stood ne<t to the door on the side ,hich 'loc:ed its opening- 1er presence there made it necessary each time the door ,as opened to hold it +or a much longer time than ,as necessary# and you ,ere angry 'ecause this made you cold- Actually# the girl ,as ta:ing care o+ the younger child ,ho ,as standing outside# and 'oth o+ them ,ere really

66

mentally retarded- I+ you ,ill remem'er# the older girl as:ed you *ery uncertainly a'out the 'us# and you ,ere ,ell a,are at the time o+ her e<treme uncertaintyIt ,ould ha*e 'een much ,iser had you 'uilt up her con+idence# instead o+ associating ,ith her stupidity- This reduced your o,n e++iciency# and the only thing that sa*ed you then ,as that you (I( remem'er# in the ca'# to as: me a'out the notes# instead o+ assuming that you ,ere necessarily to arrange to meet the ne<t day and go o*er them- Bhad already 'ecome so misguided that it did not occur to him that his o,n ,ill# A,hich he @usti+ied 'y the contents o+ the recent notes Na misuse o+ truth only seemingly on its o,n 'ehal+C might 'e ?uestiona'le- ABou too: poor notes yoursel+ here# 'ecause you got mad at him on remem'ering this- 4hile you did try to ,ill right in the ca'# you did not ?uite succeed- The error is sho,ing up no,-C B thus placed himsel+ in a condition to e<perience a +ear rather than a lo*e reactionA1S notes that she ,as going to ,rite )an e<cellent position#. 'ut did not do soAns,erF Bou ,ere right a'out the misuse o+ )e<cellent. here# and please do cross it out- Bou are STI!! angry- An e<cellent position +or miscreation is not a meaning+ul approach to the pro'lem-C It ,as indeed discourteous A)indeed. is not necessaryP it ,as your O42 error hereP I am 2OT saying this ,ith any harsh o*ertones at all- I am @ust trying to create 'etter learning conditions +or the study periods- 4e ,ant as little inter+erence as possi'le# +or HERB good reasons-C
> 7& >

2o,# go 'ac: to BP he 4AS discourteous ,hen he told you that 1E ,anted to :eep the original copy o+ the notes# ha*ing decided to ha*e them Xero<ed on his O42 ,ill# and then @usti+ying it 'y a *ery slight misinterpretation o+ ,hat I said a'out )use+ul +or others-. In +act# i+ he ,ill re>read the actual ?uote# he ,ill see that it REA!!B means )use+ul +or 1IM-. Bou had interpreted that ,ay# and +ran:ly this ,as pretty clear to me at the time- But this sort o+ thing happens all the time- It should# 'e noted# ho,e*er# that the result ,as not only considera'le and totally unnecessary planning on B=s part# 'ut also a +ailure to utili9e ,hat 4AS intended +or him as a help +or 1IMSE!3- And 'e+ore BOU get too sel+>satis+ied# I ,ould remind you that you do it all the time# tooB- acted inappropriately to,ard BOU# 'y saying that he ,anted to 'e SURE that the original ,as not lost or dirty- It is noticea'le that# ha*ing already decided ,hat 1E ,anted

67

to do# it ne*er occurred to him that it IS possi'le that 1E might lose or dirty them himsel+# especially as he had not entrusted them to me- This is a +orm o+ arrogance that he ,ould 'e much happier ,ithout- 1e should also note that this ,ould pro'a'ly not ha*e occurred had he not 'een A!REA(B literally )o++ the 'eam-. Be SURE to tell him that this pun is to reassure him that I am not angry- I+ he does not get it# or does not li:e it# I :no, it is not *ery good- The reason is that 1E put me in a position ,here I can really gi*e him *ery little at the momentBut I ,ant him to :no, that I am HERB ,ell a,are o+ the e<ceedingly +e, time he no, ma:es errors o+ this :ind- 1e has come a HERB long ,ay in this respect- It seems a shame that he should allo, himsel+ e*en this much discom+ort +rom itI suggest to BOU that ,e pray +or him# and I pray +or your +ull cooperation in thisThis ,ill correct BOUR errors# and help him react 'etter to the ,or: on the 'oo:case# ,hich may other,ise lend itsel+ +or misuse 'y mispro@ection- There ,ould ha*e 'een no pro'lem at all a'out the 'oo:case# and perhaps e*en no 'oo:case# i+ the solution o+ the storage pro'lem had 'een le+t to me- I ha*e promised to guide you OUT o+ pro'lems# and ,ill certainly not create them +or you- But this means that you do not underta:e to sol*e them yoursel*es- A storage pro'lem is hardly more di++icult +or me to sol*e that a space pro'lem# Asee comments under special principles +or miracle ,or:ers-C Bou started ,ell in your attempt to pray ,ith me +or B-# 'ut ended 'adly- This is 'ecause you had already made a num'er o+ earlier errors- Bou ,ere ,rong to 'e pleased ,ith Bill 3=s criticism o+ Rose# and should not ha*e en@oyed Bill 3=s description o+ Uan*il.s caricaturing o+ her- Bou could ha*e laughed 4IT1 Bill# 'ut 2OT AT Rose- Real courtesy 2EHER does this- Bou should :no, that all "od=s children are +ully ,orthy o+ COM !ETE courtesy- Bou should 2EHER @oin ,ith one at the EX E2SE o+ another4hen you called B a'out @oining you# "ene# I Anne at lunch# BOU should ha*e ,aited to as: ME- In +act# you should not e*en ha*e told Anne that you ,ould callThen you could ha*e as:ed B- 3IRST i+ 1E ,ould ,ant to come# and called A22E 'ac:- It is true that it ,as 'etter that he came# 'ut this has nothing to do ,ith the real issueThere

68

are ,ays o+ treating others in ,hich O2!B consistent courtesy# e*en in *ery little things# is o++ered- This is a HERB 1EA!I2" ha'it to ac?uire> 7$ >

B=s ans,er to your call ,as a clear statement o+ his o,n sadly con+licted state- 1e said# )I don=t ,ant to @oin you# 'ut that=s ungracious# so I=ll go-. 4hene*er A2B in*itation to @oin others in a gracious ,ay is o++ered# it should A!4ABS 'e met ,ith respect# although it need not al,ays 'e accepted- 1o,e*er# i+ it is MET ungraciously the resulting +eeling may ,ell 'e one o+ coercion- This is A!4ABS a split>,ill reactionB- did not sol*e this 'y ACTI2" graciously- The lunch need not ha*e entailed either mental or physical strain +or him# and no )need to escape. should ha*e arisen- This ,as a regression o+ the unpro+ita'le :ind- B- ,ill continue to e<perience this need +rom time to time# until he is ,illing to reali9e that there is nothing he needs or ,ants to escape +romIt is *ery hard to get out o+ the chain o+ miscreation ,hich can arise out o+ e*en the simplest mis>thought- To 'orro, one o+ your o,n phrases# )This :ind o+ human tragedy is +ar easier to a*ert than to undo-. Bou must 'oth learn not to let this :ind o+ chain reaction START- Bou ,ill 2OT 'e a'le to control it once it has started# 'ecause e*erything and e*eryone ,ill 'e pulled into the mispro@ection# and misinterpreted accordingly- 2OT1I2" is lo*ely to the unlo*ingThis is 'ecause they are CREATI2" uglinessBou# 1elen# ,ere de+initely not acting right>mindedly 'y ,riting these notes right in +ront o+ Jonathan- A2ote that you ,rote his name as )Jonathan. this time# although pre*iously in these same notes you re+erred to him as )!ouis#. intentionally using his real name- Actually# o+ course# it does not matter ,hat you call him# 'ut 2OTE that you 3E!T 3REE at that time to C1OOSE the name BOU pre+erred to use- This time# you ,ere 3ORCE( to call him )Jonathan. 'ecause you ,ere ATTACLI2" him ,hen you too: the notes in +ront o+ him# and are no, +alling 'ac: on the magical de*ice o+ )protecting his name-. AI had 'een considering calling B rather am'i*alently# and had gotten up to do so# 'ut remem'ered to as:- The ans,er ,as to call him at KF8%- It ,ould 'e 'etter i+ 1E called# 'ut he may not decide to do so- I+ he does not# you should try to get through# and i+ he had decided 2OT to 'e there# @ust lea*e a message that it is not important- This is still a :indly gesture# and the message should 'e put in a gentle ,ay-C AB- did call 1SC

69

4ithout going into +urther ela'oration# and ,e could de*ote many hours to this# lets consider all the time that ,e had to ,aste today- A2( all the notes that could ha*e 'een de*oted to a 'etter purpose than undoing the ,aste# and thus creating +urther ,asteThere IS a 'etter use +or time# too- I ,ould ha*e li:ed to ha*e spent some time on corrections o+ the past notes# as an important step 'e+ore re*ie,ing them- A ma@or point o+ clari+ication is necessary in connection ,ith the phrase )replacing hatred Aor +earC ,ith lo*e-. A2o# 1elen# do 2OT chec: this against the prayer that B- *ery :indly typed +or you on the card- That 4AS a gracious o++ering on his part# and BOU also accepted it ,ith
> 78 >

grace at the time- 4hy should you depri*e yoursel+ o+ the *alue o+ the o++ering 'y re+erring this correction +irst to 1IMEC AThese notes did not continue at this time# due to the o'*ious +act that 1S ,as still clearly not in her right mind- 1o,e*er# B later suggested that )correct. or )correct +or. should 'e used instead o+ )replace.- At the time# he ,as ?uite sure a'out this# and he ,as per+ectly right- The reason ,hy it ,as essential that 1E ma:e this correction ,as that the ,ord )replace. ,as his choice originally# and re+lected a temporary misunderstanding o+ his o,n- It ,as# ho,e*er# 'oth courteous and necessary that he change this himsel+# 'oth as a sign o+ his o,n 'etter understanding# and o+ an a*oidance o+ correction 'y someone else# ,hich ,ould ha*e 'een discourteous-C Sunday# 2o*- $% Special rinciples +or miracle ,or:ers&- The miracle a'olishes the need +or lo,er order concerns- Since it is an illogical# or out>o+>pattern time inter*al# 'y de+inition# the ordinary considerations o+ time and space do not apply3or e<ample# I do 2OT regard time as you and B- do# and Lol'=s space pro'lem is 2OT mine- 4hen BOU per+orm a miracle# I ,ill arrange 'oth time and space to ad@ust to it$- Clear distinction 'et,een ,hat 1AS BEE2 Created and ,hat IS BEI2" created is essential- A!! +orms o+ correction Aor healingC rest on this +undamental correction in le*el perception8- Another ,ay o+ stating $C is F 2EHER con+use right>,ith ,rong>mindedness- Responding to A2B +orm o+ miscreation ,ith anything EXCE T a (ESIRE TO 1EA! Aor a miracleC is an e<pression o+ this con+usionG- The miracle is A!4ABS a (E2IA! o+ this error# and an a++irmation o+ the truthOnly Right>Mindedness CA2 create in a ,ay that has any real e++ect- ragmatically# ,hat

70

has no real e++ect# has no real e<istence- Its REA! e++ect# then# is emptiness- Being ,ithout su'stantial content# it lends itsel+ to pro@ection6- The le*el>ad@ustment po,er o+ the miracle creates the right perception +or healingUntil this has occurred# healing cannot 'e understood- 3orgi*eness is an empty gesture# unless it entails correction- 4ithout this# it is essentially @udgmental# rather than healingJ- Miraculous +orgi*eness is O2!B correction- It has no element o+ @udgment at all)3ather +orgi*e them +or they :no, not ,hat they do. in 2O ,ay EHA!UATES ,hat they do- It is strictly limited to an appeal to "od to 1EA! their minds- There is no re+erence to the outcome o+ their misthought- T1IS does not matter> 7G >

7- The Bi'lical in@unction )Be o+ one mind. is the statement +or REHE!ATIO2 readiness- My O42 in@unction )(o this in remem'rance o+ me. is the re?uest +or cooperation in miracle>,or:ers- It should 'e noted that the t,o statements are not in the same order o+ reality# 'ecause the latter in*ol*es a time a,areness# since memory implies recalling the AST in the presentTime is under MB direction# 'ut Timelessness 'elongs to "od alone- In time# ,e e<ist +or and ,ith each other- In Timelessness# ,e coe<ist ,ith "od2o*- $$ Tuesday There is one more point ,hich must 'e per+ectly clear 'e+ore any residual +ear ,hich may still 'e associated ,ith miracles 'ecomes entirely groundless- The Cruci+i<ion did 2OT esta'lish the Atonement- The Resurrection did- This is a point ,hich many *ery sincere Christians ha*e misunderstood- 2o'ody ,ho ,as +ree o+ the scarcity>+allacy could OSSIB!B ha*e made this mista:eI+ the Cruci+i<ion is seen +rom an upside do,n point o+ *ie,# it certainly does appear AS I3 "od permitted# and e*en encouraged# one o+ his Sons to su++er BECAUSE he ,as good- Many *ery de*oted ministers preach this e*ery day- This particularly un+ortunate interpretation# ,hich actually arose out o+ the com'ined mispro@ection o+ a large num'er o+ my o,n ,ould>'e +ollo,ers# has led many people to 'e 'itterly a+raid o+ "odThis particularly anti>religious concept happens to enter into many religions# and this is neither 'y chance nor coincidenceThe real Christian ,ould ha*e to pause and as: )ho, could this 'eE. Is it li:ely that "od 1imsel+ ,ould 'e capa'le o+ the :ind o+ thin:ing ,hich 1is o,n 4ords ha*e clearly stated is un,orthy o+ manE AThere are times ,henC The 'est de+ense# as al,ays# is 2OT to attac: another=s position# 'ut rather to protect the truth- It is not necessary to consider anything accepta'le#

71

i+ you ha*e to turn a ,hole +rame o+ re+erence around in order to @usti+y it- This procedure is pain+ul in its minor applications# and genuinely tragic on a mass 'asis- ersecution is a +re?uent result# @usti+ing the terri'le misperception that "od 1imsel+ persecuted 1is o,n Son on 'ehal+ o+ sal*ation- The *ery ,ords are meaninglessIt has al,ays 'een particularly di++icult to o*ercome this 'ecause# although the error itsel+ is no harder to o*ercome than any other error# men ,ere un,illing to gi*e it up 'ecause o+ its prominent escape *alue- In milder +orms# a parent says )This hurts me more than it hurts you#. and +eels e<onerated in 'eating a child- Can you 'elie*e that the 3ather REA!!B thin:s this ,ayE It is so essential that all such thin:ing 'e dispelled that ,e must 'e HERB sure that 2OT1I2" o+ this :ind remains in your mind- I ,as 2OT punished 'ecause BOU ,ere 'ad- The ,holly 'enign lesson ,hich the Atonement teaches is ,holly lost i+ it is tainted ,ith this :ind o+ distortion in A2B +orm> 76 >

)Hengeance is Mine sayeth the !ord. is strictly a :armic *ie,point- It is a real misperception o+ truth# 'y ,hich man assigns his o,n e*il past to "od- The )e*il conscience. +rom the past has nothing to do ,ith "od- 1e did not create it# and 1e does not maintain it- "od does 2OT 'elie*e in :armic retri'ution at all- 1is (i*ine mind does not create that ,ay- 1E does not hold the e*il deeds o+ a man e*en against 1IMSE!3- It is li:ely# then# that 1e ,ould hold against any man the e*il that A2OT1ER didE Be *ery sure that you recogni9e ho, impossi'le this assumption really is# and ho, E2TIRE!B it arises +rom mispro@ection- This :ind o+ error is responsi'le +or a host o+ related +allacies# including the mis'elie+ that "od re@ected man and +orced him out o+ the "arden o+ Eden# or that I am misdirecting you- I ha*e made e*ery e++ort to use ,ords ,hich are A!MOST impossi'le to distort# 'ut man is *ery in*enti*e ,hen it comes to t,isting sym'ols around"od 1imsel+ is not sym'olicP 1e is 3ACT- The Atonement# too# is totally ,ithout sym'olism- It is per+ectly clear# 'ecause it e<ists in light- Only man=s attempts to shroud it in dar:ness ha*e made it inaccessi'le to the un,illing# and am'iguous to the partly ,illing- The Atonement itsel+ radiates nothing 'ut truth- It there+ore epitomi9es harmlessness# and sheds O2!B 'lessing- It could not do this i+ it arose +rom anything other than per+ect innocenceO Innocence is ,isdom# 'ecause it is una,are o+ e*il# ,hich does not e<ist- It is# ho,e*er# ER3ECT!B a,are o+ EHERBT1I2"# that is trueThe Resurrection demonstrated that 2OT1I2" can destroy truth- "ood can ,ithstand A2B +orm o+ e*il# 'ecause light a'olishes A!! +orms o+ dar:ness- The Atonement is thus

72

the per+ect lesson- It is the +inal demonstration that all o+ the other lessons ,hich I taught are trueMan is released +rom A!! errors i+ he 'elie*es in this- The deducti*e approach to teaching accepts the generali9ation ,hich is applica'le to A!! single instances# rather than 'uilding up the generali9ation a+ter analy9ing numerous single instances separatelyI+ you can accept the O2E "E2ERA!IUATIO2 no,# there ,ill 'e no need to learn +rom many smaller lessons2OT1I2" can pre*ail against a Son o+ "od ,ho commends his Spirit into the hands o+ 1is 3ather- By doing this# the mind a,a:ens +rom its sleep# and the Soul remem'ers its Creator- All sense o+ Separation disappears# and le*el con+usion *anishes- The Son o+ "od IS part o+ the holy Trinity# 'ut the Trinity Itsel+ is One- There is no con+usion ,ithin ITS le*els# 'ecause they are o+ One Mind and One 4ill- This Single urpose creates per+ect integration# and esta'lishes the Areign o+ the C eace o+ "odBut this *ision can 'e percei*ed only 'y the truly innocent- Because their hearts are pure# they de+end true perception# instead o+ de+ending themsel*es A"AI2ST itUnderstanding the lesson o+ the Atonement# they are ,ithout the ,ill to attac:# and there+ore they see truly- This is ,hat the Bi'le means ,hen it says )AandC ,hen 1e shall appear Aor 'e percei*edC ,e shall 'e li:e 1im# +or ,e shall see 1im AS 1E IS-.
> 7J >

Sacri+ice is a notion totally un:no,n to "od- It arises solely +rom +ear o+ the RecordsThis is particularly un+ortunate# 'ecause +rightened people are apt to 'e *iciousSacri+icing others in any ,ay is a clear>cut *iolation o+ "od=s o,n in@unction that man should 'e merci+ul e*en as 1is 3ather in hea*en is merci+ulIt has 'een harder +or many Christians to reali9e that this commandment Aor assignmentC also applies to T1EMSE!HES- "ood teachers ne*er terrori9e their studentsTo terrori9e is to attac:# and this results in re@ection o+ ,hat the teacher o++ers- This results in learning +ailuresI ha*e 'een correctly re+erred to in the Bi'le as )The !am' o+ "od ,ho ta:eth a,ay the sins o+ the ,orld-. Those ,ho represent the lamp as 'lood>stained Aan all too ,idespread conceptual errorC do 2OT understand the meaning o+ the sym'olCorrectly understood# the sym'ol is a *ery simple para'le# or teaching de*ice# ,hich merely depicts my innocence- The lion and the lam' lying do,n together re+ers to the +act that strength and innocence are 2OT in con+lict# 'ut naturally li*e in peace)Blessed are the pure in heart +or they shall see "od. is another ,ay o+ saying the same thingOnly the innocent CA2 see "odThere has 'een some contro*ersy Ain human termsC as to ,hether seeing is an

73

attri'ute o+ the eyes# or an e<pression o+ the integrati*e po,ers o+ the 'rainCorrectly understood# the issue re*ol*es around the ?uestion o+ ,hether the 'ody or the mind can see Aor understandC- This is not really open to ?uestion at allThe 'ody is not capa'le o+ understanding- Only the mind L2O4S anything- A pure mind :no,s the truth# and this IS its strength- It cannot attac: the 'ody# 'ecause it :no,s EXACT!B ,hat the 'ody IS- This is ,hat )a sane mind in a sane 'ody. really meansA sane mind is 2OT out +or 'lood- It does not con+use destruction ,ith innocence# 'ecause it associates innocence ,ith strength# 2OT ,ith ,ea:ness- Innocence is I2CA AB!E o+ sacri+icing anything# 'ecause the innocent mind 1AS e*erything and stri*es only to ROTECT its 4holeness- This is ,hy it CA22OT mispro@ect- It can only honor man# 'ecause honor is the 2ATURA! greeting o+ the truly lo*ed to others ,ho are !i:e themThe lam' ta:eth a,ay the sins o+ the ,orld only in the sense that the state o+ innocence or "race# is one in ,hich the meaning o+ the Atonement is per+ectly apparent- The innocence o+ "od is the true state o+ the mind o+ 1is Son- In this state# man=s mind (OES see "od# and 'ecause he sees 1im as he Is# he :no,s that the Atonement# 2OT sacri+ice# is the only appropriate gi+t to 1is O42 altar# ,here nothing e<cept per+ection truly 'elongs- The understanding o+ the innocent is TRUT1- That is ,hy their altars are truly radiantA(ictated directly ,ithout notesC Though Christians generally A'ut 'y no means uni*ersallyC recogni9e the contradiction in*ol*ed in *ictimi9ing others# they are less adept at ensuring their o,n ina'ility to *ictimi9e
> 77 >

themsel*es- Although this appears to 'e a much more 'enign error +rom the *ie,point o+ society# it is ne*ertheless inherently dangerous 'ecause once a t,o>edged de+ense is used# its direction cannot 'e sel+>controlledB- recently o'ser*ed ho, many ideas ,ere condensed into relati*ely +e, pages here- This is 'ecause ,e ha*e not 'een +orced to dispel miscreations throughoutAThere is one set o+ notes not yet transcri'ed ,hich is de*oted to this- These emphasi9e only the enormous ,aste o+ time that is in*ol*ed-C Cayce=s notes# too# could ha*e 'een much shortened- Their e<cessi*e length is due to t,o +actors- The +irst in*ol*es a +undamental

74

error ,hich Cayce himsel+ made# and ,hich re?uired constant undoing- The second is more related to the attitude o+ his +ollo,ers- They are un,illing to omit anything he saidThis is respect+ul enough# 'ut not o*erly>@udicious- I ,ould 'e a +ar 'etter editor# i+ they ,ould allo, me this position on their sta++It is o'*ious that Cayce himsel+ ,as not a'le to transcend the misperceptions o+ the need +or sacri+ice# or he could not possi'ly ha*e 'een ,illing to sacri+ice himsel+Anyone ,ho is una'le to lea*e the re?uests o+ others unans,ered has not entirely transcended egocentricity- I ne*er )ga*e o+ mysel+. in this inappropriate ,ay# nor ,ould I e*er ha*e encouraged Cayce to do soCayce could not see the Atonement as totally lac:ing in sacri+ice at A2B le*el- It 4AS o'*ious to him that the mind cannot 'e so limited- It ,as e?ually apparent to him that the Soul is merely una++ected 'y such an idea- This le+t him only the 'ody ,ith ,hich to in*est his misperception- This is also ,hy he used his o,n mind at the )EX E2SE o+ his 'ody-. Because Cayce ,as a some,hat erratic listener# he ,as compelled to correct his o,n errors at *ery great length# and not al,ays ade?uately- Consider the 'asis +rom ,hich he started# ,hen he 'egan ,ith )yes# ,e ha*e the 'ody-. It is note,orthy that in all these readings# a large section ,as actually de*oted to the 'ody# e*en though he usually concluded ,ith the caution that the 'ody cannot 'e healed 'y itsel+- It ,ould ha*e sa*ed an enormous num'er o+ ,ords i+ he had al,ays 'egun ,ith thisCayce and his de*otion to me are in no ,ay underestimated 'y the reali9ation that he ,or:ed under *ery great strain# ,hich is A!4ABS a sign that something is ,rongOne o+ the di++iculties inherent in trance states is that it is *ery di++icult to o*ercome the split ,hich the trance itsel+ induces through the medium o+ communications made ,hile in the trance state- Cayce=s ,hole approach put him in a real dou'le>'ind# +rom ,hich he did not reco*er- 4hen he spo:e o+ a dream in ,hich he sa, his o,n rather immanent reincarnation# he ,as per+ectly accurate- 1e ,as su++iciently attuned to real communication to ma:e it easy to correct his errors# and +ree him to communicate ,ithout strain- It is noticea'le throughout his notes that he +re?uently engaged in a +allacy that ,e ha*e already noted in some detailF namely# the tendency to endo, the physical ,ith nonphysical properties- Cayce su++ered greatly +rom this error- 1e did not ma:e either o+ the other

75

three- 1o,e*er# you ,ill remem'er that it is this one ,hich is particularly *ulnera'le to magical associations- Cayce=s accuracy ,as so great that# e*en ,hen he did this# he ,as
> 7K >

a'le to apply it constructi*ely- But it does not +ollo, that this ,as a genuinely constructi*e approachIt should also 'e noted that# ,hen Cayce attempted to )see. the 'ody in proper perspecti*e# he sa, physically discerni'le auras surrounding it- This is a curious compromise# in ,hich the nonphysical attri'utes o+ the sel+ are approached AS I3 they could 'e seen ,ith the physical eyeCayce=s illiteracy ne*er stood in his ,ay- This is 'ecause illiteracy does not necessarily imply any lac: o+ lo*e# and in Cayce=s case *ery de+initely did not- 1e there+ore had no di++iculty at all in o*ercoming this seeming limitation- 4hat (I( hamper him ,as a pro+ound sense o+ personal un,orthiness# ,hich# characteristically enough# ,as sometimes o*er>compensated +or in ,hat might 'e called a Christian +orm o+ grandiosityCayce ,as essentially uncharita'le to himsel+- This made him *ery erratic in his o,n miracles# and# 'ecause he ,as genuinely an<ious to help others# le+t himsel+ in a highly *ulnera'le position1is son comments 'oth on the rather erratic nature o+ the Cayce household# and also on the rather une*en nature o+ Cayce=s temper- Both o+ these o'ser*ations are true# and clearly point to the +act the Cayce did not apply the eace o+ "od to himsel+Once this had occurred# particularly in a man ,hose communication channels ,ere open# it ,as *irtually impossi'le +or him to escape e<ternal solutions- Cayce ,as a *ery religious man# ,ho should ha*e 'een a'le to escape +ear through religion- Being una'le to apply his religion ,holeheartedly to himsel+# he ,as +orced to accept certain magical 'elie+s ,hich ,ere alien to his o,n Christianity- This is ,hy he ,as so di++erent ,hen he ,as asleep# and e*en diso,ned ,hat he said in this stateThe lac: o+ integration ,hich this split state implies is clearly sho,n in certain o++the> mar: detours into areas such as the e++ects o+ stones on the mind# and some curious sym'olic attempt to integrate churches and glands- AThis is hardly more peculiar than some o+ your o,n con+usion-C Cayce=s mind ,as imprisoned to some e<tent 'y an error against ,hich you ha*e 'een cautioned se*eral times- 1e loo:ed to the past +or an e<planation o+ the present#

76

'ut he ne*er succeeded in separating the past 3ROM the present- 4hen he said )mind is the 'uilder#. he did not reali9e that it is only ,hat it is 'uilding 2O4 the really creates the +uture- The past# in itsel+# does not ha*e the a'ility to do this- 4hene*er ,e mo*e +rom one instant to the ne<t# the pre*ious one no longer e<ists- In considering the 'ody as the +ocus +or healing# Cayce ,as e<pressing his o,n +ailure to accept this AS ACCOM !IS1E(- 1e did not +ail to recogni9e the *alue o+ the Atonement +or others# 'ut he did +ail to accept its correcti*e merit +or himsel+As ,e ha*e +re?uently emphasi9ed# man CA22OT control his o,n errors- 1a*ing created them# he does 'elie*e in them- Because o+ his +ailure to accept his o,n per+ect +reedom 3ROM the past# Cayce could not really percei*e others as similarly +reeThis is ,hy I ha*e not ,holly endorsed the Cayce documents +or ,idespread use> 75 >

I am heartily supporti*e o+ the ARE=s endea*or to ma:e Cayce=s singular contri'utions immortal# 'ut it ,ould 'e most un,ise to ha*e them promulgated as a +aith until they ha*e 'een purged o+ their essential errors- This is ,hy there ha*e 'een a num'er o+ une<plained set 'ac:s in their e<plication- It is also one o+ the many reasons ,hy the Cayce material# a ma@or step in the speedup# must 'e properly understood 'e+ore it can 'e meaning+ully *alidatedCayce=s son has 'een ,ise in attempting to deal ,ith relia'ility# ,hich in Cayce=s case is *ery high- There is a ,ay o+ *alidating the material# and 1ugh !ynn is per+ectly a,are that this must 'e done e*entually- 1e is also a,are o+ the +act that he is una'le to do it- In the present state o+ the material# it ,ould 'e most un,ise e*en to attempt itThere is too much that IS in*alid- 4hen the time comes that this can 'e corrected to the point o+ real sa+ety# I assure you it ,ill 'e accomplished- In tri'ute to Cayce# I remind you that no e++ort is ,asted# and Cayce=s e++ort ,as *ery greatIt ,ould 'e most ungrate+ul o+ me i+ I allo,ed his ,or: to produce a generation o+ ,itch doctors- I am sorry that Cayce himsel+ could not rid himsel+ o+ a slight tendency in this direction- But +ortunately I ha*e a +uller appreciation o+ him than he hadI am repeating here a Bi'lical in@unction o+ my o,n# already mentioned else,here# that i+ my +ollo,ers eat any deadly thing it shall not hurt them- This is ,hat Cayce could 2OT 'elie*e# 'ecause he could not see that# as a Son o+ "od# he 4AS in*ulnera'leA(ICTATE( 4IT1OUT 2OTESC 2o*- $G# &5J6 4e ha*e repeatedly stated that the 'asic concepts re+erred to throughout the notes are 2OT matters o+ degree- Certain +undamental concepts CA22OT 'e meaning+ully understood in terms o+ co>e<isting polarities- It is impossi'le to concei*e o+ light and

77

dar:ness or e*erything and nothing as @oint possi'ilities- They are all true OR all +alse- It is a'solutely essential that you understand completely that 'eha*ior is erratic until a +irm commitment to one or the other is madeA +irm commitment to dar:ness or nothingness is impossi'le- 2o'ody has e*er li*ed ,ho has not e<perienced some light and some o+ e*erything- This has made e*ery'ody really una'le to deny truth totally# e*en i+ he decei*es himsel+ in this connection most o+ the time- That is ,hy those ,ho li*e largely in dar:ness and emptiness ne*er +ind any lasting solace- AThis really ans,ers B=s ?uestion a'out ,hether people return *oluntarily-C Innocence is also not a partial attri'ute- It is not a real de+ense until it is total- 4hen it is partial# it is characteri9ed 'y the same erratic nature that holds +or other t,o> edged de+enses- The partly innocent are apt to 'e ?uite stupid at times- It is not until their innocence is a genuine *ie,point ,hich is uni*ersal in its application that it 'ecomes ,isdomInnocent Aor trueC perception means that you 2EHER mispercei*e# and al,ays see truly- More simply# this means that you ne*er see ,hat does not e<ist in reality4hene*er
> K% >

you lac: con+idence in ,hat someone else ,ill do# you are attesting to your 'elie+ that he is not in his Right Mind- This is hardly a miracle>'ased +rame o+ re+erence- It also has the disastrous e++ect o+ denying Aincorrect useC the essentially creati*e po,er o+ the miracleThe miracle percei*es e*erything AS IT IS- I+ nothing 'ut the truth e<ists Aand this is really redundant in statement# 'ecause ,hat is not true CA22OT e<istC Right>Minded seeing cannot see A2BT1I2" BUT per+ection- 4e ha*e said many times that O2!B ,hat "od creates# or ,hat man creates ,ith the same ,ill# has any real e<istence- This# then# is all that the innocent can see- They do not su++er +rom the delusions o+ the Separated onesThe ,ay to correct all such delusions is to ,ithdra, your +aith +rom them# and in*est it O2!B in ,hat is true- To ,hate*er e<tent you side ,ith +alse perception in yoursel+ or others# you are *alidating a 'asic misperception- Bou CA22OT *alidate the in*alid- I ,ould suggest that you *oluntarily gi*e up all attempts to do so# 'ecause they can 'e only +rantic- I+ you are ,illing to *alidate ,hat is true in e*erything you percei*e# you ,ill ma:e it true +or you-

78

Remem'er that ,e said that truth o*ercomes A!! error- This means that i+ you percei*e truly# you are canceling out misperceptions in yoursel+ A2( others simultaneouslyBecause you see them as they ,ere really created and can really create# you o++er them your o,n *alidation o+ T1EIR truth- This is the real healing ,hich the miracle acti*ely createsAReply to 1S ?uestionF Is this allE The reason ,hy this is so short# despite its e<treme importance# is 'ecause it is not sym'olic- This means that it is not open to more than one interpretation- This means that it is une?ui*ocal- It also e<plains the ?uotation ,hich you ha*e ne*er gotten correctly in complete +orm 'e+oreF )But this ,e :no,# that ,hen 1e shall appear Aor 'e percei*edC ,e shall 'e li:e 1im +or ,e shall see 1im as 1e isAnd e*ery man that hath this hope in him puri+ieth himsel+ e*en as 1e is pure-. E*ery man (OES ha*e the hope that he can see correctly# 'ecause the a'ility to do so is I2 himMan=s O2!B hope IS to see things as they areC3riday# 2o*- $J AOn 4ed- e*ening# 2o*- $G# 1S had sudden +lash o+ illumination and *ery much ,anted to o++er prayer +or B-# ,hich she did as +ollo,sF )Jesus# help me see my 'rother AB-C as he really is# and thus release 'oth him and me-. 1S also thought laterF E*erytime there is anything unlo*ea'le that crosses one=s mind Are se<# possession# etc-C you should immediately recogni9e that you do not ,ant to hurt your 'rother-C On Thurs- morning# the prayer +or the miracle occurred as +ollo,s stated a'o*e-C Bou had a lot o+ trou'le a+ter,ards ,ith the ,ords A,hich are essentially irrele*antC partly 'ecause you ,ere dissatis+ied ,ith yoursel+ at the time# 'ut also 'ecause you ARE con+used a'out the di++erence 'et,een perception and cognition- Bou ,ill note that ,e ha*e said *ery little a'out cognition as yet- AAsideF One o+ the e<ceptions is in the correction
> K& >

+ormula +or +ear# ,hich 'egins ,ith L2O4 +irstC The reason is 'ecause you must get your perceptions straightened out 'e+ore you can L2O4 anythingTo :no, is to 'e certain- Uncertaintly merely means that you (O2=T :no,Lno,ledge is po,er BECAUSE it is certain# and certainty is strength- erception is temporary- It is an attri'ute o+ the space>time 'elie+# and is there+ore su'@ect to +ear or lo*e- Misperception produces +ear# and true perception produces lo*e- 2EIT1ER produces

79

certainty 'ecause all perception *aries- That is ,hy it is 2OT :no,ledge- True perception is the BASIS +or :no,ledge# 'ut L2O4I2" is the a++irmation o+ truthAll o+ your di++iculties ultimately stem +rom the +act that you do not recogni9e# or L2O4# yoursel*es# each other# or "od- )Recogni9e. means ):no, again-. This means that you :ne, 'e+ore- A2ote that it does not mean SA4 'e+ore-C Bou can see in many ,ays# 'ecause perception in*ol*es di++erent interpretations# and this means it is not ,holeThe miracle is a ,ay o+ ERCEIHI2"# not a ,ay o+ :no,ing- It is the right ans,er to a ?uestion# 'ut you do not as: ?uestions at all ,hen you :no,Duestioning delusions is the +irst step in undoing them- The miracle# or the right ans,er# corrects them- Since perceptions C1A2"E# their dependence on time is o'*iousThey are su'@ect to transitory states# and this implies *aria'ility 'y de+inition- 1o, you percei*e at any gi*en time determines ,hat you (O# and action MUST occur in timeLno,ledge is timeless 'ecause certainty is not ?uestiona'le- Bou L2O4 ,hen you ha*e ceased to as: ?uestionsThe )?uestioning mind. percei*es itsel+ in time# and there+ore loo:s +or 3UTURE ans,ers- The un?uestioning mind is closed merely 'ecause it 'elie*es the +uture and the present ,ill 'e the same- This esta'lishes an unchanged state# or stasis- This is usually an attempt to counteract an underlying +ear that the +uture ,ill 'e 4ORSE than the present# and this +ear inhi'its the tendency to ?uestion at allHisions are the natural perception o+ the spiritual eye# 'ut they are still correctionsB=s ?uestion a'out the )spiritual eye. ,as a *ery legitimate one- The )spiritual eye. is sym'olic# and there+ore 2OT a de*ice +or :no,ing- It IS# ho,e*er# a means o+ right perception# ,hich 'rings it into the proper domain +or the miracle# 'ut 2OT o+ re*elationRO ER!B spea:ing# a )*ision o+ "od. is a miracle rather than a re*elation- The +act that perception is in*ol*ed at all remo*es the e<perience +rom the realm o+ :no,ledgeThat is ,hy these *isions do not lastThe Bi'le instructs you to )L2O4 thysel+#. or BE CERTAI2- Certainty is al,ays o+ "od- 4hen you lo*e someone# you ha*e ERCEIHE( him as he is# and this ma:es it possi'le +or you to L2O4 him- But it is not until you RECO"2IUE him that you L2O4 him- Only then are you AB!E to stop as:ing ?uestions a'out him4hile you as: ?uestions a'out "od# you are clearly implying that you do 2OT :no, him- Certainty does not re?uire action- 4hen you say you are ACTI2" on the 'asis

80

o+ sure :no,ledge# you are really con+using perception and cognition- Lno,ledge 'rings ME2TA! strength +or creati*e T1I2LI2"# 'ut not +or right doing> K$ >

erception# miracles and doing are closely related- Lno,ledge is a result o+ re*elation# and induces only thought Athin:ingC- erception in*ol*es the 'ody e*en in its most spirituali9ed +orm- Lno,ledge comes +rom the altar ,ithin# and is timeless 'ecause it is certain- To percei*e the truth is not the same as L2O4I2" it- This is ,hy B- is ha*ing so much trou'le in ,hat he calls )integrating. the notes- 1is tentati*e perception is too uncertain +or :no,ledge# 'ecause :no,ledge is SURE- Bour perception is so *aria'le that you s,ing +rom sudden 'ut real :no,ledge to complete cogniti*e disorgani9ationThis is ,hy B- is more prone to irritation# ,hile you are more *ulnera'le to rage- 1e is consistently BE!O4 his potential# ,hile you achie*e it at times and then s,ing *ery ,ide o+ the mar:Actually# these di++erences do not matter- But I thought you might 'e glad to learn that you are much 'etter o++ ,ith (I33ERE2T perceptual pro'lems than you ,ould 'e i+ you su++ered +rom similar ones- This ena'les each o+ you to RECO"2IUE Aand this is the right ,ord hereC that the misperceptions o+ the other are unnecessary- It is 'ecause you do not L2O4 ,hat to do a'out it that B- reacts to yours ,ith irritation# and you respond to his ,ith +uryI repeat again that i+ you ATTACL error# you ,ill hurt yoursel+- Bou do not RECO"2IUE each other ,hen you attac:- Attac: is A!4ABS made on a strangerBou are ma:ing him a stranger 'y mispercei*ing him# so that you CA22OT :no, him- It is BECAUSE you ha*e made him into a stranger that you are a+raid o+ him- ERCEIHE him correctly# so that you Soul can L2O4 himRight perception is necessary 'e+ore "od can communicate (IRECT!B to his o,n altars# ,hich he has esta'lished in 1is Sons- There he can communicate 1is certainty# and 1is L2O4!E("E ,ill 'ring the peace 4IT1OUT ?uestion"od is not a stranger to 1is O,n Sons# and 1is Sons are not strangers to each otherLno,ledge preceded 'oth perception and time# and ,ill also ultimately replace Aor correct +orC them- This is the real meaning o+ the Bi'lical account o+ "od as )Alpha and Omega# the Beginning and the End-. It also e<plains the ?uotation )Be+ore A'raham 4AS# I AM-.

81

erception can and must 'e sta'ili9ed# 'ut :no,ledge IS sta'le- )3ear "od and :eep 1is Commandments. is a real scri'al error- It should read# )L2O4 "od and accept 1is certainty-. AThis error is ,hy the commandments are all negati*e# in contrast to Christ=s statement a'out )Thou shalt lo*e.# etc-C There are no strangers in 1is Creation- To create as 1e Created# you can create only ,hat you L2O4 and accept as yours"od :no,s 1is Children ,ith per+ect certainty- 1e Created them 'y :no,ing them1e recogni9es them per+ectly- 4hen they do not recogni9e each other# they do not recogni9e 1im- Brothers can mispercei*e one another# 'ut they rarely maintain that they do not L2O4 each other- This is possi'le only i+ they maintain that they are 2OT really 'rothers- The Bi'le is HERB speci+ic on this point> K8 >

Saturday &&M$7 Most o+ the a'ilities man no, possesses are only shado,s o+ his real strengths- The Soul :no,s# lo*es# and creates- These are its une?ui*ocal +unctions- All o+ the +unctions o+ man are e?ui*ocal# or open to ?uestion or dou't- This is 'ecause he can no longer 'e certain ho, he ,ill USE them- 1e is there+ore incapa'le o+ :no,ledge# 'ecause he is uncertain- 1e is also incapa'le o+ true lo*ing# 'ecause he can percei*e lo*elessly1e cannot create surely# 'ecause perception decei*es# and illusions are not pureerception did not e<ist until the Separation had introduced degrees# aspects and inter*als- The Soul has no le*els# and A!! con+lict arises +rom the concept o+ le*els4ars arise ,hen some regard others as i+ they ,ere on a di++erent le*el- All interpersonal con+licts arise +rom this +allacy- Only the le*els o+ the Trinity are capa'le o+ UnityThe le*els ,hich man created 'y the Separation are disastrous- They cannot BUT con+lictThis is 'ecause one is essentially meaningless to another- 3reud reali9ed this per+ectly# and that is ,hy he concei*ed as +ore*er irreconcila'le the di++erent le*els o+ his psycheThey ,ere con+lict>prone 'y de+inition# 'ecause they ,anted di++erent things and o'eyed di++erent principlesIn our picture o+ the psyche# there is an unconscious le*el# ,hich properly consists O2!B o+ the miracle a'ility and should 'e under MB directionP and a conscious le*el# ,hich percei*es or is a,are o+ impulses +rom 'oth the unconscious and the superconscious- These are the sources o+ the impulses it recei*es- Consciousness is thus the le*el o+ perception# 'ut 2OT o+ :no,ledge- Again# to ERCEIHE is 2OT to :no,AIn this connection# Cayce is more accurate than 3reud-C

82

Consciousness ,as the +irst slip split that man introduced into himsel+- 1e 'ecame a ERCEIHER rather than a creator in the true senseConsciousness is correctly identi+ied as the domain o+ the ego- Jung ,as right indeed in insisting that the ego is 2OT the sel+# and that the sel+ should 'e regarded as an achie*ement- 1e did not RECO"2IUE Aa term ,e no, understandC that the Achie*ement ,as "od=s- In a sense# the ego ,as a man>made attempt to percei*e himsel+ as he ,ished# rather than as he IS- This is an e<ample o+ the createdMcreator con+usion ,e spo:e o+ 'e+ore- 1e can only L2O4 himsel+ as he IS# 'ecause that is all he can 'e SURE o+E*erything else IS open to ?uestionThe ego is the ?uestioning compartment in the post>Separation psyche ,hich man created +or himsel+- It is capa'le o+ as:ing *alid ?uestions# 'ut not o+ percei*ing ,holly *alid ans,ers# 'ecause these are cogniti*e# and cannot BE percei*ed- The endless speculation a'out the meaning o+ mind has led to considera'le con+usion 'ecause the mind IS con+used- Only One>Mindedness is ,ithout con+usion- A separate# or di*ided# mind MUST 'e con+used- A di*ided mind is uncertain 'y de+inition- It 1AS to 'e in con+lict 'ecause it is out o+ accord ,ith itsel+Intrapersonal con+lict arises +rom the same 'asis as interpersonal- One part o+ the psyche percei*es another part as on a di++erent !EHE!# and does not understand itThis
> KG >

ma:es the parts strangers to each other# 4IT1OUT RECO"2ITIO2- This is the essence o+ the +ear>prone condition# in ,hich attac: is A!4ABS possi'leMan has e*ery reason to +eel an<ious# as he percei*es himsel+- This is ,hy he cannot escape +ear until he L2O4S the he (I( not and CA2 not create himsel+- 1e can 2EHER ma:e this misperception *alid# and ,hen he at last ERCEIHES clearly# he is "!A( 1E CA2=T- 1is Creation is 'eyond his o,n error *ariance# and this is ,hy he MUST e*entually choose to heal the SeparationRight>mindedness is not to 'e con+used ,ith the L2O4I2" mind# 'ecause it is applica'le only to right perception- Bou can 'e right>minded or ,rong>minded# and this is su'@ect to degrees# a +act ,hich clearly demonstrates a lac: o+ association ,ith :no,ledge- A2o# 1elen# this is ER3ECT!B clear and (OES +ollo, the pre*ious section2either you nor I is at all con+used# e*en in grammar-C The term )right>mindedness. is properly used as the correction +or ,rongmindedness# and applies to the state o+ mind ,hich induces accurate perception- It is

83

miraculous 'ecause it heals misperception# and healing is indeed a miracle# in *ie, o+ ho, man percei*es himsel+- Only the sic: 2EE( healing- The Soul does not need healing# 'ut the mind (OES3reud ga*e a *ery graphic 'ut upside>do,n account o+ ho, the di*isions o+ the mind arose +rom the 'ottom U - Actually# this is impossi'le# 'ecause the unconscious cannot create the conscious- Bou cannot create something you can=t L2O4- 3reud ,as greatly ,orried a'out this# 'eing HERB 'right# though misguided# and attempted to get around it 'y introducing a num'er o+ )'orderline. areas ,hich merely resulted in +u99inessThis ,as particularly un+ortunate# 'ecause he ,as capa'le o+ going much higher# i+ he had not 'een so a+raid- This is ,hy he :ept pulling the mind (O42The ego did 2OT arise out o+ the unconscious- A lo,er>order perception cannot create a higher>order one# A,hich is the ,ay you percei*e the structure o+ the psyche i+ you loo: at it +rom the 'ottom U C 'ecause it doesn=t understand it- But a higher> order perception CA2 create a lo,er>order one 'y understanding it in terms o+ MISperceptionerception A!4ABS in*ol*es some misuse o+ ,ill# 'ecause it in*ol*es the mind in areas o+ uncertainty- The mind is *ery acti*e 'ecause it has ,ill>po,er- 4hen it ,illed the Separation it ,illed to percei*e- Until it chose to do this# it ,illed only to :no,A+ter,ards# it had to ,ill am'iguously# and the only ,ay out o+ am'iguity IS clear perceptionThe ego is as +rail as 3reud percei*ed it- The later theorists ha*e tried to introduce a less pessimistic *ie,# 'ut ha*e loo:ed in the ,rong direction +or their hope- Any attempt to endo, the ego ,ith the attri'utes o+ the Soul# is merely con+used thin:ing- 3reud ,as more clear>sighted a'out this# 'ecause he :ne, a BA( thing ,hen he percei*ed it# 'ut he +ailed to reali9e recogni9e that a 'ad thing cannot e<ist- It is there+ore ,holly unnecessary to try to get out o+ it- As you *ery rightly o'ser*ed yoursel+# the thing to do ,ith a desert is to !EAHE> K6 >

The mind returns itsel+ to its proper +unction only ,hen it 4I!!S TO L2O4- This places it in the Soul=s ser*ice# ,here perception is meaningless- The superconscious is the le*el o+ the mind ,hich ,ills to do this- A3reud ,as particularly distorted on this point# 'ecause he ,as getting too +ar U +or com+ort according to his o,n perception-C

84

But he 4AS right in maintaining that the )parts. o+ the psyche cannot 'e correctly percei*ed either as T1I2"S or as entirely separate- A1e ,ould ha*e thought 'etter i+ he had said )entirely separated-.C The mind (I( di*ide itsel+ ,hen it ,illed to create its o,n le*els A2( the a'ility to percei*e them- But it could 2OT entirely separate itsel+ +rom the Soul# 'ecause it is 3ROM the Soul that it deri*es its ,hole po,er to create- E*en in miscreating# ,ill is a++irming its source# or it ,ould merely cease to 'e- This is impossi'le# 'ecause it IS part o+ the Soul# ,hich "od created# and ,hich is there+ore eternalThe a'ility to percei*e made the 'ody possi'le# 'ecause you must percei*e SOMET1I2"# and 4IT1 something- This is ,hy perception in*ol*es an e<change# or a translation# ,hich :no,ledge does 2OT need- The interpreti*e +unction o+ perception# Aactually# a distorted +orm o+ creationC# then permitted man to interpret the 'ody as 1IMSE!3# ,hich# although depressing# ,as a ,ay out o+ the con+lict he inducedAThis has already 'een co*ered in some detail-C The superconscious# ,hich L2O4S# could not 'e reconciled ,ith this loss o+ po,er# 'ecause it ,as incapa'le o+ dar:ness- This is ,hy it 'ecame almost inaccessi'le to the mind# and entirely inaccessi'le to the 'ody- It ,as ERCEIHE( as a threat# 'ecause light does a'olish dar:ness 'y esta'lishing the clear +act that it IS2=T T1ERE- The truth ,ill A!4ABS destroy error in this sense- This is not an ACTIHE process o+ destruction at all4e ha*e already emphasi9ed the +act that :no,ing does not (O anything- It can 'e ERCEIHE( as an attac:er# 'ut it CA22OT attac:4hat man percei*es as its attac: is his o,n recognition o+ the +act that it can al,ays 'e REMEMBERE(# 'ecause it has ne*er 'een destroyed- This is not a literal remem'ering as much as a re>mem'ering- AThat is largely +or B- I ,ish he ,ould decide to use that talent o+ his constructi*ely- 1e has no idea o+ ho, po,er+ul it could 'e- Actually# it does come +rom the unconscious# and is really a distorted +orm o+ miraculous perception ,hich he has reduced to ,ord t,isting- Although this can 'e ?uite +unny# it is still a real ,aste- May'e he=d care to let me control it# and still use it humorously himsel+- 1e doesn=t ha*e to decided it is one OR the other-C The unconscious should ne*er ha*e 'een reduced to a )container. +or the ,aste products o+ con+lict- E*en as 1E percei*es his psyche# e*ery le*el has a creati*e potential# 'ecause nothing man creates can ,holly lose this-

85

"od and the Souls 1e created remain in surety# and there+ore L2O4 that no miscreation e<ists- Truth cannot deal ,ith un,illing error# 'ecause it does not ,ill to 'e 'loc:ed out- But I ,as a man ,ho remem'ered the Soul and its :no,ledge- Tell Bthat ,hen he re+used to mispercei*e he ,as indeed 'eha*ing as I 'eha*ed- And as a man# I
> KJ >

did not attempt to counteract error ,ith :no,ledge# so much as to correct error +rom the 'ottom up- I demonstrated 'oth the po,erlessness o+ the 'ody A2( the po,er o+ the mind# 'y uniting MB ,ill ,ith that o+ my Creator# ,hich naturally remem'ered the Soul and its o,n real purposeI cannot unite your ,ill ,ith "od=s +or you- But I CA2 erase all misperceptions +rom your mind# i+ you ,ill 'ring it under my guidance- O2!B your misperceptions stand in your o,n ,ay- 4ithout them# your o,n choice is certain- Sane perception I2(UCES sane choosing- The Atonement ,as an act 'ased on true perception- I cannot choose +or you# 'ut I CA2 help you ma:e your o,n right choice)Many are called 'ut +e, are chosen. S1OU!( read# )A!! are called 'ut +e, choose to listen- There+ore# they do not choose RI"1T-. The )chosen ones. are merely those ,ho choose right SOO2ER- This is the real meaning o+ the celestial speed>upStrong ,ills can do this 2O4- And you 4I!! +ind rest +or your Souls- "od :no,s you only in peace# and this IS your realityA2ote that the term )insight.# though re+erring to lo+ty perception# is not an attri'ute o+ :no,ledge- This is ,hy terms li:e )lo+ty. are meaningless in this conte<t- Insight is not the ,ay TO :no,ledge# 'ut it IS a prere?uisite 3OR :no,ledge- Being o+ "od# :no,ledge has nothing to do ,ith your perceptions at all- That is ,hy it can only 'e a gi+t o+ "od TO you-C (ictated ,ithout notes- 2o*- 8% 4e said 'e+ore that the a'ility a'ilities ,hich man possesses are only shado,s o+ his true a'ilities- The soul=s true +unctions are :no,ing# lo*ing# and creating- The intrusion o+ the a'ility to percei*e# ,hich is inherently @udgmental# ,as introduced only a+ter the Separation- 2o one has 'een sure o+ anything since then- Bou ,ill also remem'er that I made it *ery clear that the Resurrection ,as the return to :no,ledge# ,hich ,as accomplished 'y the union o+ my ,ill ,ith the 3ather=sSince the Separation# the ,ords )create. and )ma:e. are ine*ita'ly con+used- 4hen you ma:e something# you ma:e it +irst out o+ a sense o+ lac: or need# and second# out o+ a something that already e<ists- Anything can 'e that is made is made +or a speci+ic purpose- It has no true generali9a'ility- 4hen you ma:e something to +ill a percei*ed lac:# ,hich is o'*iously ,hy you ,ould ma:e anything# you are tacitly implying that you

86

'elie*e in the Separation- Lno,ing does not lead to doing# as ,e ha*e +re?uently o'ser*ed already4hat appears to 'e contradictory a'out the di++erence 'et,een :no,ing and percei*ing# and Re*elation and miracles# is again the +allacy that is the root cause o+ all su'se?uent errors- The miracle ,as associated ,ith perception# and not ,ith :no,ing1o,e*er# ,e also noted that prayer is the medium o+ miracles# and also the natural communication o+ the Creator and the Created- rayer is al,ays an a++irmation o+
> K7 >

:no,ledge# not o+ accurate perception- That is ,hy unless perception has entered into it# it calls on Re*elationThe con+usion 'et,een your o,n creation and ,hat you create is so pro+ound that it has literally 'ecome impossi'le to :no, anything# 'ecause :no,ledge is al,ays sta'leIt is ?uite e*ident that human 'eings are not- 2e*ertheless# they are per+ectly sta'le as "od created them- In this sense# ,hen their 'eha*ior is unsta'le# they are o'*iously disagreeing ,ith "od=s idea o+ the Creation- This is a +undamental right o+ man# although not one he ,ould care to e<ercise i+ he ,ere in his Right MindThe pro'lem that is 'othering you most is the +undamental ?uestion ,hich man continually as:s o+ himsel+# 'ut ,hich cannot properly 'e directed to himsel+ at all- 1e :eeps on as:ing )himsel+. ,hat he is- This implies that the ans,er is not only one ,hich he :no,s# 'ut one ,hich is up to him- The +irst part o+ this statement is per+ectly true# 'ut the second part is not- 4e ha*e +re?uently commented on the a'solute necessity o+ correcting all +allacious thin:ing ,hich associates man in any ,ay ,ith his o,n CreationMan CA22OT percei*e himsel+ correctly- 1e has no image at all- The ,ord )image. is al,ays perception related# and is not a product o+ :no,ing- Images are sym'olic# and stand +or something else- The current emphasis on )changing your image. is a good description o+ the po,er o+ perception# 'ut it implies that there is nothing to L2O4rayer is the medium o+ miracles# not 'ecause "od created perceptions# 'ut 'ecause "od created BOU- At the 'eginning o+ this course# ,e said that BOU are a miracleThere+ore# the Creator o+ the miracle ,or:er is a miracle 2OT o+ his o,n creationUnless perception rests on some :no,ing 'asis# it is so unsta'le that it doesn=t mean anythingLno,ing is not open to interpretation# 'ecause its meaning is its o,n- It is possi'le to interpret meaning# 'ut this is al,ays open to error 'ecause it in*ol*es the perception o+ meaning- All o+ these ,holly needless comple<ities are the result o+ man=s attempt to

87

regard himsel+ as 'oth separated and unseparated at the same time- It is impossi'le to underta:e a con+usion as +undamental as this ,ithout engaging in +urther con+usionMethodologically# man=s mind has 'een *ery creati*e- But# as al,ays occurs ,hen method and content are separated# it has not 'een utili9ed +or anything 'ut an attempt to escape a +undamental and entirely inescapa'le impasse- This :ind o+ thin:ing cannot result in a creati*e outcome# though it has resulted in considera'le ingenuity- It is note,orthy# ho,e*er# that this ingenuity has almost totally di*orced him +rom :no,ledgeLno,ledge does not re?uire ingenuity at all- 4hen ,e say )the truth shall set you +ree#. ,e mean that all this :ind o+ thin:ing is a ,aste o+ time# 'ut that you are +ree o+ the need o+ engaging in it2ote again that the +unctions o+ the Soul ,ere not re+erred to as a'ilities- This point re?uires clari+ication# 'ecause a'ilities are 'elie+s ,hich are BASE( on the scarcity +allacy# since they do not mean anything apart +rom ,ithin>group comparisons- As you yoursel+ ne*er +ail to point out# )no'ody has none o+ an a'ility# and no'ody has all o+ it-. That is# o+ course# ,hy the cur*e ne*er rests on the line- The clearest implications o+ relati*ity#
> KK >

,hich properly inheres in this statement# (EMO2STRATES that a'ilities are not +unctions o+ the Soul- The Soul=s +unctions are 2OT relati*e- They are ABSO!UTE- They are O3 "od and VVVV "od# and there+ore "od>li:erayer is a ,ay o+ as:ing +or something- 4hen ,e said that prayer is the medium o+ miracles# ,e also said that the only meaning+ul prayer is +or +orgi*eness# 'ecause those ,ho ha*e 'een +orgi*en ha*e e*erything- Once +orgi*eness has 'een accepted# prayer in the usual sense 'ecomes utterly ,ithout meaning- Essentially# a prayer +or +orgi*eness is nothing more than a re?uest that ,e may 'e a'le to recogni9e something ,e already ha*eIn electing the a'ility to percei*e instead o+ the ,ill to :no,# he man placed himsel+ in a position ,here he could resem'le his 3ather O2!B 'y percei*ing miraculouslyBut he lost the :no,ledge that he himsel+ is a miracle- MIRACU!OUS CREATIO2 ,as his o,n Source# and also his o,n real +unction- )"od created man in his o,n image and li:eness. is correct in meaning# 'ut the ,ords are open to considera'le misinterpretationThis is a*oided# ho,e*er# i+ )image. is understood to mean )thought#. and )li:eness. is

88

ta:en as )o+ a li:e ?uality-. "od (I( create the Son in 1is o,n Thought# and o+ a ?uality li:e to 1is o,n- There IS nothing elseerception is impossi'le 4IT1OUT a 'elie+ in )more. and )less-. Unless perception# at e*ery le*el# in*ol*es selecti*ity# it is incapa'le o+ organi9ation- In all types o+ perception# there is a continual process o+ accepting and re@ecting# o+ organi9ing and reorgani9ing# and o+ shi+ting and changing +ocus- E*aluation is an essential aspect o+ perception# 'ecause @udgment MUST 'e made +or selection- )!ac: o+ lac:. is a concept ,hich is meaningless to a percei*er# 'ecause the a'ility to percei*e at all RESTS O2 lac:4hat happens to perceptions i+ there ARE no @udgments# and there is nothing BUT per+ect e?ualityE erception is automatically useless- Truth can only 'e L2O42- All o+ it is e?ually true# and :no,ing any part o+ it IS to :no, all o+ itOnly perception in*ol*es partial a,areness- Lno,ledge transcends A!! o+ the la,s ,hich go*ern perception- artial L2O4!E("E is impossi'le- It is all One# and has no separate parts- Ai-e- the parts ha*e 2OT separated-C This IS the real :no,ledge- Bou ,ho are really one ,ith it need 'ut :no, BOURSE!3 and your :no,ledge is completeTo :no, "od=s miracle is to :no, 1im3orgi*eness is the healing o+ the perception o+ separation- Correct perception o+ EAC1 OT1ER is necessary Only 'ecause minds ha*e ,illed to see themsel*es AS separate 'eings- Each Soul :no,s "od completely- This IS the miraculous po,er o+ the SoulThe +act that e*ery each Soul has this po,er completely is a +act that is entirely alien to human thin:ing# in ,hich i+ any O2E has e*erything# there is nothing !E3T"od=s miracles are as total as 1IS 1is Thought# 'ecause they ARE 1is thoughts"od shines in them all ,ith per+ect light- I+ they recogni9e this light any,here# they :no, it uni*ersally- Re*elation cannot 'e e<plained# 'ecause it IS :no,ledge- Re*elation 1A E2S- It is the only REA!!B natural happening# 'ecause it re+lects the nature o+ "od> K5 >

As long as perception lasts# prayer has a place- Since perception rests on lac:# those ,ho percei*e ha*e not totally accepted the Atonement and gi*en o*er themsel*es to truth- erception IS a separated state# and the percei*er (OES need healingCommunion# not prayer# is the natural state o+ those ,ho :no,- "od and 1IS miracles are insepara'leAll ,ords# at 'est# are preparatory- T1E ,ord is really a thought- 2o one 4OR( is

89

uni*ersally meaning+ul# 'ecause a ,ord is a sym'ol# 'ut thought is not di*isi'le 'y creationThe original name +or )thought. and ),ord. ,as the same- The ?uotation should read )In the 'eginning ,as the thought# and the thought ,as ,ith "od# and the thought 4AS "od-. 1o, 'eauti+ul indeed are the thoughts o+ "od# ,ho li*e in 1is light- Bour ,orth is 'eyond perception 'ecause it is 'eyond dou't(o not percei*e yoursel+ in di++erent lights- L2O4 yoursel+ in the One !ight# ,here the miracle ,hich is you is per+ectly clear&$M7MJ6 The prere?uisites +or therapy must include the +ollo,ing conditionsF The procedure must in*ol*e the recognition rather than the denial o+ the importance o+ thoughtThe e<act e?uality o+ e*eryone ,ho is in*ol*ed- This must include Me2o one is either therapist or patient- AB- should add )teacher or pupil-.C A'o*e all EHERBO2E in*ol*ed must ,ant to gi*e up e*erything that is 2OT trueThe reason +or the negati*e emphasis here is that therapy implies something 1AS gone ,rong- E*en though the purpose is to correct# those ,ho are ill ARE negati*eTherapy is EXACT!B the same as all other +orms o+ miracle>,or:ing- It has no separate la,s o+ its o,n- All o+ the points that ,ere gi*en +or miracles apply to therapy 'ecause# U2!ESS therapy proceeds +rom miracle>mindedness# it CA22OT healThe therapist Ahope+ullyC does ha*e the role o+ 'eing the 'etter percei*er- AThis is also# again hope+ully# true o+ the teacher-C It does not +ollo, that he is the 'etter :no,erTemporarily# the therapist or teacher can help in straightening out t,isted perceptions# ,hich is also the only role that I ,ould e*er contri'ute mysel+- All therapy should do is try to place EHERBO2E in*ol*ed in the right +rame o+ mind to help one another- It is essentially a process o+ true courtesy# including courtesy to MeAny +orm o+ mental illness can truth+ully 'e descri'ed as an e<pression o+ *iciousness4e said 'e+ore that those ,ho are a+raid are apt to 'e *icious- I+ ,e ,ere ,illing to +orgi*e other people=s misperceptions o+ us# they could not possi'ly a++ect us at allThere is little dou't that you can e<plain your present a'solutes attitudes in terms o+ ho, people used to loo: at you# 'ut there is no ,isdom in doing so- In +act# the ,hole historical approach can @usti+ia'ly 'e called dou't+ulAs you ha*e so o+ten said# no one has adopted A!! o+ his parents= attitudes as his o,n- In e*ery case# there has 'een a long process o+ choice# in ,hich the indi*idual has escaped +rom those he himsel+ *etoed# ,hile retaining those he *oted 3OR- B- has not
> 5% >

retained his parents political 'elie+s# in spite o+ the particular :ind o+ ne,spapers that

90

constituted their o,n reading matter in this area- The reason ,hy he could do this ,as 'ecause he 'elie*ed he ,as +ree in this areaThere must 'e some acute pro'lem O3 1IS O42 that ,ould ma:e him so eager to accept their misperception o+ his o,n ,orth- This tendency can al,ays 'e regarded as puniti*e- It cannot 'e @usti+ied 'y the ine?uality o+ the strengths o+ parents and childrenThis is ne*er more than temporary# and is largely a matter o+ maturational and thus physical di++erence- It does not last unless it is held onto4hen B=s +ather came to his ne, o++ice and )destroyed. it# it is ?uite apparent that BMUST ha*e 'een ,illing to let it 'e destroyed- The many times that he has commented on this e*ent alone ,ould suggest that the e<treme importance o+ this misrepresentation in his o,n distorted thin:ing- 4hy should anyone accord an o'*ious misperception so much po,erE There cannot 'e any real @usti+ication +or it# 'ecause e*en B- himsel+ recogni9ed the real pro'lem 'y saying )1o, could he do this to meE. The ans,er is 1E didn=tB- has a *ery serious ?uestion to as: himsel+ in this connection- 4e said 'e+ore that the purpose o+ the Resurrection ,as to )demonstrate that no amount o+ misperception has any in+luence at all on a Son o+ "od-. This demonstration EXO2ERATES those ,ho mispercei*e# 'y esta'lishing 'eyond dou't that they ha*e 2OT hurt anyone- B=s ?uestion# ,hich he must as: himsel+ *ery honestly# is ,hether he is ,illing to demonstrate that his parents ha*e 2OT hurt him- Unless he is ,illing to do this# he has not +orgi*en themThe essential goal o+ therapy is the same as that o+ :no,ledge- 2o one can sur*i*e independently as long as he is ,illing to see himsel+ through the eyes o+ others- This ,ill al,ays put him in a position ,here he MUST see himsel+ in di++erent lights- arents do not create the image o+ their children# though they may percei*e images ,hich they do create- 1o,e*er# as ,e ha*e already said# you are not an image- I+ you SI(E 4IT1 image>ma:ers# you are merely 'eing idolatrousB- has no @usti+ication ,hate*er +or perpetuating A2B image o+ himsel+ at all- 1e is 2OT an image- 4hate*er is true o+ him is ,holly 'enign- It is essential that he L2O4 this a'out himsel+# 'ut he cannot :no, it ,hile he chooses to interpret himsel+ as *ulnera'le enough to BE hurt- This is a peculiar :ind o+ arrogance# ,hose narcissistic component is per+ectly o'*ious- It endo,s the percei*er ,ith su++icient unreal strength

91

to ma:e him o*er# and then ac:no,ledges the percei*er=s miscreation- There are times ,hen this strange lac: o+ real courtesy appears to 'e a +orm o+ humility- Actually# it is ne*er more than simple spiteBill# your parents did mispercei*e you in many ,ays# 'ut their a'ility to percei*e ,as ?uite ,arped# and their misperceptions stood in the ,ay o+ their o,n :no,ledgeThere is no reason ,hy it should stand in the ,ay o+ yours- It is still true that you 'elie*e they (I( something to you- This 'elie+ is e<tremely dangerous to your perception# and ,holly destructi*e o+ your :no,ledge- This is not only true o+ your attitudes to,ard your
> 5& >

parents# 'ut also o+ your misuse o+ your +riends- Bou still thin: that you MUST respond to their errors AS I3 they ,ere true- By reacting sel+>destructi*ely# you are "IHI2" them appro*al +or their misperceptions2o one has the right to change himsel+ according to di++erent circumstances- Only his actions are capa'le o+ appropriate *ariation- 1is 'elie+ in himsel+ is a constant# unless it rests on perceptual acuity rather than :no,ledge o+ ,hat he isIt is your (UTB to esta'lish 'eyond dou't that you are totally un,illing to side ,ith Aidenti+y ,ithC anyone=s misperceptions o+ you# including your o,n- I+ you 'ecome concerned ,ith totally irrele*ant +actors# such as the physical condition o+ the classroom# the num'er o+ students# the hour o+ the course# and the many elements ,hich you may choose to select +or emphasis as a 'asis +or misperception# you ha*e lost the :no,ledge o+ ,hat A2B interpersonal relationship is +or- It is 2OT true that the di++erence 'et,een pupil and teacher is lasting- They meet I2 OR(ER to a'olish the di++erence- At the 'eginning# since ,e are still in time# they come together on the 'asis o+ ine?uality o+ a'ility and e<perience- The aim o+ the teacher is to gi*e them more o+ ,hat is temporarily his- This process has all o+ the miracle conditions ,e re+erred to at the 'eginningThe teacher Aor miracle ,or:erC gi*es more to those ,ho ha*e less# 'ringing them closer to e?uality ,ith him# at the same time gaining +or himsel+The con+usion here is only 'ecause they do not gain the same things# 'ecause they do not 2EE( the same things- I+ they did# their respecti*e# though temporary roles ,ould not 'e conduci*e to mutual pro+it- 3reedom +rom +ear can 'e achie*ed 'y BOT1 teacher and pupil O2!B i+ they do not compare either their needs or their positions in regard to each other in terms o+ higher and lo,er-

92

resuma'ly# children must learn +rom parents- 4hat parents learn +rom children is merely o+ a di++erent order- Ultimately# there is no di++erence in order# 'ut this in*ol*es only :no,ledge- 2either parents nor children can 'e said to 1AHE :no,ledge# or their relationships ,ould not e<ist AS I3 they ,ere on di++erent le*els- The same is true o+ the teacher and the pupil- Children ha*e an authority pro'lem O2!B i+ they 'elie*e that their image is in+luenced BB the authority- This is an act o+ ,ill on their part# 'ecause they are electing to mispercei*e the authority and "IHE him this po,erA TEAC1ER ,ith an authority pro'lem is merely a pupil ,ho re+uses to teach others1e ,ants to maintain 1IMSE!3 in a position ,here he can 'e misused and mispercei*edThis ma:es him resent+ul o+ teaching# 'ecause o+ ,hat he insists has done to himThe only ,as out o+ this particular aspect o+ the desert is still to lea*e- The ,ay this is le+t is to release EHERBO2E in*ol*ed# 'y ABSO!UTE!B RE3USI2" to engage in any +orm o+ honoring error- 2either teacher nor pupil is imprisoned 'y learning unless he uses it as an attac:- I+ he does this# he ,ill 'e imprisoned ,hether he actually teaches or learns# or re+uses to engaged in the process at allThe role o+ a teacher# properly concei*ed# is one o+ leading himsel+ and others out o+ the desert- The *alue o+ this role can hardly 'e underestimated# i+ only 'ecause it ,as
> 5$ >

one to ,hich I *ery gladly dedicated my o,n li+e- I ha*e repeatedly as:ed MB pupils to +ollo, me- This means that# to 'e e++ecti*e teachers# they MUST interpret teaching as I do- I ha*e made EHERB e++ort to teach you E2TIRE!B ,ithout +ear- I+ you do not listen# you ,ill 'e una'le to a*oid the HERB o'*ious error o+ percei*ing teaching as a threatIt is hardly necessary to say that teaching is a process ,hose purpose is to produce learning- The ultimate purpose o+ A!! learning is to a'olish +ear- This is necessary so that :no,ledge can happen- The role o+ the teacher is 2OT the role o+ "od- This con+usion is all too +re?uently made# 'y parents# teachers# therapists# and the clergy- It is a real misunderstanding o+ 'oth "od and 1is miracles- Any teacher ,ho 'elie*es that teaching is +ear+ul CA22OT learn 'ecause he is paraly9ed- 1e also cannot really teachB- ,as ?uite right in maintaining that this course is a prere?uisite +or his- 1o,e*er# he ,as really saying much more than that- The purpose o+ this course IS to prepare you +or :no,ledge- So is the only real purpose o+ any legitimate course- All that is re?uired o+

93

you as a teacher is to +ollo, Me4hene*er anyone decides that he can +unction only in SOME roles 'ut not in others# he cannot BUT 'e attempting to ma:e a compromise ,hich ,ill not ,or:- I+ B- is under the mis'elie+ that he is coping ,ith the +ear pro'lem 'y +unctioning as an administrator and as a teacher o+ interns# 'ut 2OT as a teacher o+ students# he is merely decei*ing himsel+- 1e o,es himsel+ greater respect- There is nothing as tragic as the attempt to decei*e one=s sel+# 'ecause it implies that you percei*e yoursel+ as so un,orthy that deception is more +itting +or you than truth- Either you can +unction in all o+ the roles you ha*e properly underta:en to +ill# or you cannot +unction e++ecti*ely in any o+ themThis IS an all or none decision- Bou CA22OT ma:e inappropriate le*el distinctions ,ithin this choice- Bou are either capa'le or not- This does not mean that you can (O e*erything# 'ut it does (OES mean that you are either totally miracle>minded or not- This decision is open to 2O compromise ,hate*er- 4hen B- says that he cannot teach# he is ma:ing the same mista:e that ,e spo:e o+ 'e+ore# ,hen he acted as i+ uni*ersal la,s applied to e*eryone e<cept him- This is not only arrogant# 'ut patently untrue- Uni*ersal la,s must apply to him# unless he does not e<ist- 4e ,ill not 'other to argue a'out this(escartes engaged in a *ery interesting teaching procedure# and one +rom ,hich he himsel+ learned a great deal- 1e 'egan ,ith dou'ting the e<istence o+ e*erything# e<cept himsel+- 1e insisted that his o,n e<istence ,as not open to dou't# and re'uilt his entire thought system on the one premise )I thin:# there+ore I am-. It is note,orthy that he arri*ed at accepting the entire system he originally dou'ted# solely on the 'asis o+ this O2E piece o+ :no,ledge- There ,as# ho,e*er# a distinct shi+t in his o,n perception1e no longer really ?uestioned the reality o+ ,hat he percei*ed# 'ecause he L2E4 he ,as there4e mentioned 'e+ore that B- is not too sure o+ this# and that is ,hy ,e suggested that he concentrate on )!ord# here I am-. A teacher is unli:ely to 'e e++ecti*e unless he 'egins ,ith BEI2" T1ERE- B# this is not really open to ?uestion- Bou ,ill lose all your +ear o+ teaching and relating in any +orm once you :no, ,ho you are- There is no point
> 58 >

,hate*er in remaining in the prison o+ 'elie*ing that this is up to you- Bou do 2OT e<ist in di++erent lights- It is this 'elie+ ,hich has con+used you a'out your o,n reality- 4hy ,ould you ,ant to remain so o'scure to yoursel+E

94

4e ha*e already discussed the !ast Judgment in some though insu++icient detailA+ter the !ast Judgment# there isn=t any more- This is sym'olic only in the sense that e*ery'ody is much 'etter o++ 4IT1OUT @udgment- 4hen the Bi'le says )Judge not that ye 'e not @udged. it merely means that i+ you @udge the reality o+ others at all# you ,ill 'e una'le to a*oid @udging your o,n- The choice to @udge rather than :no, has 'een the cause o+ the loss o+ peace- Judgment is the process on ,hich perception 'ut not cognition rests- 4e co*ered this 'e+ore in terms o+ selecti*ity- E*aluation ,as said at that time to 'e its o'*ious prere?uisiteJudgment A!4ABS in*ol*es re@ection- It is not an a'ility ,hich emphasi9es O2!B the positi*e aspects o+ ,hat is @udged# ,hether it 'e in or out o+ the sel+- 1o,e*er# ,hat has 'een percei*ed and re@ected# Aor @udged and +ound ,antingC remains in the unconscious 'ecause it 1AS 'een percei*ed- 4atson had a *ery rele*ant notion o+ the unconscious in this connection- In +act# it ,as so rele*ant that he dropped it as o++icially out o+ accord ,ith Beha*iorism- 1e ,as right on 'oth countsOne o+ the illusions +rom ,hich human perception su++ers is that ,hat it percei*es and @udges against has no e++ect- This cannot 'e true# unless man also 'elie*es that ,hat his @udgment *etoes does not e<ist- 1e e*idently does not 'elie*e this# or he ,ould not ha*e @udged against it- It does not really matter# in the end# ,hether you @udge right or ,rong- Either ,ay# you are placing your 'elie+ in the unreal- This cannot 'e a*oided in any type o+ @udgment# 'ecause it IM !IES the 'elie+ that reality is yours to choose 3ROM2either o+ you has any idea o+ the tremendous release and deep peace that comes +rom meeting yoursel*es and your 'rothers totally ,ithout @udgment- I+ you ,ill loo: 'ac: at the earlier notes a'out ,hat you and your 'rothers ARE# you ,ill reali9e that @udging them in any ,ay is really ,ithout meaning- In +act# their meaning is lost to you precisely 'ecause you ARE @udging them- All uncertainty comes +rom a totally +allacious 'elie+ that you are under the coercion o+ @udgment- Bou do not need it to organi9e your li+e# and you certainly do not need it to organi9e yoursel*es4hen you loo: upon :no,ledge# all @udgment is automatically suspended# and this is the process that ena'les recognition to RE !ACE perception- Man is *ery +ear+ul o+ e*erything he has percei*ed and re+used to accept- 1e 'elie*es that 'ecause he has

95

re+used to accept it# he has lost control o*er it- This is ,hy he sees it in nightmares# or in pleasant disguise in ,hat seems to 'e happier dreams- 2othing that you ha*e re+used to accept can 'e 'rought into a,areness- It does 2OT +ollo, that it is dangerous- Bit it (OES +ollo, that you ha*e made it dangerous4hen you +eel tired# it is merely 'ecause you ha*e @udged yoursel+ as capa'le o+ 'eing tired- 4hen you laugh at someone it is 'ecause you ha*e @udged him as de'ased4hen you laugh at yoursel+# you are singularly li:ely to laugh at others# i+ only 'ecause
> 5G >

you cannot tolerate 'eing more de'ased T1A2 others- All o+ this does ma:e you tired# 'ecause it is essentially disheartening- Bou are not really capa'le o+ 'eing tired# 'ut you are *ery capa'le o+ ,earying yoursel*esThe strain o+ constant @udgment is *irtually intolera'le- It is a curious thing that any a'ility ,hich is so de'ilitating should 'e so deeply cherished- But there is a *ery good reason +or this- AThis# ho,e*er# depends upon ,hat you mean 'y good-C I+ you ,ish to 'e the author o+ reality# ,hich is totally impossi'le any,ay# then you ,ill insist on holding on to @udgment- Bou ,ill also use the term ,ith considera'le +ear and 'elie*e that @udgment ,ill someday 'e used against you- To ,hate*er e<tent it IS used against you# it is due O2!B to your 'elie+ in its e++icacy as a ,eapon o+ de+ense +or your o,n authorityThe issue o+ authority is really a ?uestion o+ authorship- 4hen an indi*idual has a )authority pro'lem#. it is A!4ABS 'ecause he 'elie*es he is the author o+ himsel+# and resents his o,n pro@ection that you share his delusion in this respect- 1e then percei*es the situation as one in ,hich t,o people are literally +ighting +or his o,n authorshipThis is the +undamental error o+ all those ,ho 'elie*e they ha*e usurped the po,er o+ "odThe 'elie+ is *ery +rightening to them# 'ut hardly trou'les "od at all- 1e is# ho,e*er# eager to undo it# not to punish 1is children# 'ut O2!B 'ecause 1e :no,s that it ma:es them unhappy- Souls ,ere gi*en their o,n true authorship# and they men pre+erred to remain anonymous ,hen they chose to separate themsel*es 3ROM their AuthorThe ,ord )authority. has 'een one o+ their most +ear+ul sym'ols e*er since- Authority has 'een used +or great cruelty# 'ecause# 'eing uncertain o+ their true Authorship# men 'elie*e

96

that their creation ,as anonymous- This has le+t them in a position ,here it SOU2(S meaning+ul to consider the possi'ility that they must ha*e created themsel*esThe dispute o*er authorship has le+t such uncertainty in the minds o+ man that some people ha*e gone so +ar as to dou't ,hether they ,ere e*er created at all- (espite the apparent contradiction in this position# it is in one sense more tena'le than the *ie, that they created themsel*es- At least# it ac:no,ledged the +act some TRUE authorship is necessary +or e<istenceOnly those ,ho gi*e o*er all desire to re@ect can L2O4 that their o,n re@ection is impossi'le- Bou ha*e not usurped the po,er o+ "od# 'ut you 1AHE lost it3ortunately# ,hen you lose something# this does not mean that the something has gone- It merely means that BOU do not :no, ,here it is- E<istence does not depend on your a'ility to identi+y it# or e*en to place it- It is per+ectly possi'le to loo: on reality ,ithout @udgment# and merely L2O4 it is there- By :no,ing this# you are not dou'ting its reality at alleace is a natural heritage o+ the Soul- E*eryone is +ree to re+use to accept his inheritance# 'ut he is 2OT +ree to esta'lish ,hat his inheritance IS- The pro'lem ,hich e*eryone MUST decide is the +undamental ?uestion o+ his o,n authorship- All +ear comes ultimately# and sometimes 'y ,ay o+ *ery de*ious routes# +rom the denial o+ Authorship> 56 >

The o++ense is ne*er to "od# 'ut only to the denier himsel+- 1e has thro,n a,ay the reason +or his o,n peace# and sees himsel+ only in pieces- This strange perception IS an authority pro'lem- It is also the 'asis +or castration an<iety# since 'oth +orms o+ error are +undamentally the same2either you nor B- can +ind peace ,hile this authority pro'lem continues- But the truth is still that there IS no pro'lem a'out this- There is no man ,ho does not +eel that he is imprisoned in some ,ay- I+ this has 'een the result o+ his o,n +ree ,ill# he must regard his ,ill as i+ it ,ere 2OT +ree# or the o'*iously circular reasoning o+ his o,n position ,ould 'e ?uite apparent3ree ,ill MUST lead to +reedom- Judgment al,ays imprisons# 'ecause it separates segments o+ reality according to highly unsta'le scales o+ desire- 4ishes are not +acts# 'y de+inition- To ,ish is to imply that ,illing is not su++icient- 1o,e*er# no one really 'elie*es that ,hat is ,ished is as real as ,hat is ,illed- Instead o+ )see: you +irst the Lingdom o+ 1ea*en. say )4ill ye +irst the Lingdom o+ 1ea*en#. and you ha*e said )I :no, ,hat I am# and I ,ill to accept my o,n inheritance-. It is ESSE2TIA! that this ,hole authority pro'lem 'e *oluntarily dismissed at once

97

and +or all 'e+ore B=s course- 2either o+ you understands ho, important this is +or your sanity- Bou are 'oth ?uite insane on this point- AThis is not a @udgment- It is merely a +actA2o# 1elen# you S1OU!( use the ,ord )+act.- This is @ust as much a +act as "od isA +act is literally a )ma:ing. or a starting point- Bou (O start +rom this point# and your thin:ing is in*erted 'ecause o+ it-CC E*ery system o+ thought MUST ha*e a starting point- It 'egins ,ith either a ma:ing or a creating# a di++erence ,hich ,e ha*e already co*ered- Both are acts o+ ,ill# e<cept that ma:ing in*ol*es doing# and creating in*ol*es acti*e ,illing- Their resem'lance lies in their po,er as 3OU2(ATIO2S- Their di++erence lies in ,hat rests upon themBoth are cornerstones +or systems o+ 'elie+ 'y ,hich men li*eIt is a mista:e to 'elie*e that a thought>system ,hich is 'ased on lies is ,ea:2OT1I2" made 'y a child o+ "od is ,ithout po,er- It is a'solutely essential that you reali9e this# 'ecause other,ise you ,ill not understand ,hy you ha*e so much trou'le ,ith this course# and ,ill 'e una'le to escape +rom the prisons you ha*e AmadeC created +or yoursel*es- AThe use o+ creati*e here ,as an error- Bou should ha*e said made +or yoursel+-C Bou ha*e 'oth made the error o+ the psychotherapist ,e descri'ed in some detail 'e+ore# and it is particularly serious at this time- Bou cannot resol*e your authority pro'lem 'y depreciating the po,er o+ your minds- It This can hurt you i+ you misuse it# 'ecause you L2O4 its strength- Bou also :no, that you CA22OT ,ea:en it anymore than you can ,ea:en "odThe de*il is a +rightening concept only 'ecause he is thought o+ as e<tremely po,er+ul and e<tremely acti*e- 1e is percei*ed as a +orce in com'at ,ith "od# 'attling 1im +or possession o+ Souls- 1e decei*es 'y lies# and 'uilds :ingdoms o+ his o,n# in ,hich
> 5J >

e*erything is in direct opposition to "od- Bet# he ATTRACTS men rather than repels them# and they are percei*ed as ,illing to )sell. him their Souls in return +or gi+ts they L2O4 are o+ no real ,orth at allThis ma:es a'solutely no sense- The ,hole picture is one in ,hich man acts in a ,ay he 1IMSE!3 reali9es is sel+ destructi*e# 'ut ,hich he does 2OT 4I!! to correct# and there+ore percei*es the cause as 'eyond his control4e ha*e discussed the +all or Separation 'e+ore# 'ut its meaning must 'e clearly understood# ,ithout sym'ols- The Separation is 2OT sym'olic- It is an order o+ reality#

98

or a system o+ thought that is ER3ECT!B real in time# though not in Eternity- All 'elie+s are real to the 'elie*erThe +ruit o+ only O2E tree ,as )+or'idden. to man in his sym'olic garden- But "od could not ha*e +or'idden it# or it could not ha*e BEE2 eaten- I+ "od :no,s 1is children# and I assure you he does# ,ould he ha*e put them in a position ,here their o,n destruction ,as possi'leE The )tree. ,hich ,as +or'idden ,as correctly named )tree o+ :no,ledge-. Bet "od created :no,ledge# and ga*e it +reely to 1is Creations- The sym'olism here is open to many interpretations# 'ut you may 'e SURE that any interpretation ,hich percei*es either "od OR 1is creations as i+ they ,ere capa'le o+ destroying their o,n urpose is ,rongEating o+ the tree o+ :no,ledge is a sym'olic e<pression +or incorporating into the sel+ the a'ility +or sel+>creation- This is the O2!B sense in ,hich "od and 1is souls are 2OT co>creators- The 'elie+ that they ARE is implicit in the )sel+ concept#. a concept no, made accepta'le 'y its 4EAL2ESS# and e<plained 'y a tendency o+ the sel+ to create an IMA"E o+ itsel+- Its +ear aspect is usually ascri'ed to the )+ather +igure#. a particularly interesting idea# in *ie, o+ the +act that no'ody means the physical +ather 'y the term- It re+ers to an IMA"E o+ a +ather in relation to an IMA"E o+ the sel+Once again# images are percei*ed# 2OT :no,n- Lno,ledge cannot perdecei*e# 'ut perception CA2- Man can percei*e himsel+ as sel+>creating# 'ut he CA22OT do more than BE!IEHE it- 1e CA22OT ma:e it true- I told you 'e+ore that ,hen you +inally percei*e correctly# you can only 'e "!A( BOU CA2=T- But until then# the 'elie+ that you CA2 is the central +oundation>stone in your thought>system# and all your de+enses are used to attac: ideas ,hich ,ould 'ring it to lightBou and B- still 'elie*e you are images o+ your o,n creation- Bou are split ,ith you o,n Souls on this point# and there is 2O resolution# 'ecause you 'elie*e the one thing that is literally I2CO2CEIHAB!E- That is ,hy you CA22OT create# and are a+raid to ma:e or produceBou# 1elen# are CO2STA2T!B arguing a'out the authorship o+ this course- This is 2OT humilityP it is a REA! authority pro'lem- Bou# Bill# really 'elie*e that 'y teaching you are assuming a dominant or +ather role# and that the )+ather +igure. ,ill :ill youThis is not humility either- Castration +ears are a particularly distorted re+lection o+ the real 'asic an<iety# or Separation +ear> 57 >

The mind can ma:e the 'elie+ in Separation HERB real and HERB +ear+ul- And this 'elie+ IS the de*il- It is po,er+ul# acti*e# destructi*e# and clearly in opposition to "od# 'ecause it literally denies 1is 3atherhood- 2e*er underestimate po,er o+ this denial-

99

!oo: at your li*es and see ,hat the de*il has made- But L2O4 that this ma:ing ,ill surely dissol*e in the light o+ truth# 'ecause its +oundation IS a lieBour creation 'y "od is the only +oundation ,hich cannot 'e sha:en# 'ecause the light is I2 it- Bour starting point IS truth# and you MUST return to this BeginningMuch has 'een percei*ed since then# 'ut nothing else has happened- That is ,hy your Souls are still in peace# e*en though your minds are in con+lictBou ha*e not yet gone 'ac: +ar E2OU"1 and that is ,hy you 'ecome so +ear+ul- As you approach the 'eginning# you +eel the +ear o+ the destruction o+ your thought> systems upon you# as i+ it ,ere the +ear o+ death- There IS no death# 'ut there IS a 'elie+ in deathThe Bi'le says that the tree that 'ears no +ruit ,ill 'e cut o++ and ,ill ,ither a,ay- Be gladO The light 4I!! shine +rom the true 3oundation o+ !i+e# and your o,n thoughtsystems 4I!! stand corrected- They CA22OT stand other,iseBou ,ho +ear sal*ation are 4I!!I2" death- !i+e and death# light and dar:ness# :no,ledge and perception are irreconcila'le- To 'elie*e that T1EB can 'e reconciled is to 'elie*e that "od and man can 2OT- Only the Oneness o+ Lno,ledge is con+lictlessBour Lingdom is not o+ this ,orld 'ecause it ,as gi*en you +rom BEBO2( this ,orldOnly I2 this ,orld is the idea o+ an authority pro'lem meaning+ul- The ,orld is not le+t 'y death 'ut 'y truth# and truth CA2 'e :no,n 'y all those +or ,hom the Lingdom ,as created# and +or ,hom it ,aits- AAside to 1S- Bou ,ere 'oth ,ise and de*oted At,o ,ords ,hich are literally interchangea'le in the sense that they truly 'ring on the e<change o+ one another-C in claiming your scri'al +unctions and ,or:ing so late- Bou 1A( committed a serious error against your 'rother# and one ,ho had as:ed +or your help- A de*oted priestess does not do this- The Bi'le says you should go 4IT1 a 'rother t,ice as +ar as he as:s- It certainly (OES 2OT suggest that you set him BACL on his @ourney(e*otion to a 'rother CA22OT set you 'ac: either- It can O2!B lead to mutual progress- The result o+ genuine de*otion is inspiration# a ,ord ,hich# properly understood is the O OSITE o+ +atigue- To 'e +atigued is to 'e (IS>spirited# 'ut to 'e inspired is to 'e I2 the spirit- To 'e egocentric IS to 'e despirited- But to 'e sel+>centered in the RI"1T sense is to 'e inspired# or in the Soul- The truly inspired are enlightened# and cannot a'ide in dar:ness(o not attempt to 'rea: "od=s copyright# 'ecause 1is Authorship alone CA2 copy right- Bour o,n right authorship does not lie in rema:ing 1is copies# 'ut in creating

100

!ILE 1imEm'arassment is A!4ABS an e<pression o+ egocentricity# an association ,hich has 'een made 'e+ore- AMade# 2OT created- This :ind o+ association is A!4ABS man> madeCBoth o+ you ha*e completed the SCT stemF 4hen I ,as called on to spea:N,ithN)I
> 5K >

'ecame em'arrassed and COU!( 2OT S EAL-. This should 'e corrected to )Recogni9ed my Authorship-. Tell B- that he cannot 'e em'arrassed 'y his o,n ,ords unless he 'elie*es that 1E is responsi'le +or them- 4e ha*e already corrected ),ord. to )thought#. and he IS +ree to allocate the authorship +or his thoughts as he elects- 1e can spea: +rom his Soul or +rom his ego# precisely as he chooses- I+ he spea:s +rom his Soul# he has chosen to )'e still and :no, that I am "od-. These ,ords are inspired# 'ecause they come +rom L2O4!E("EI+ he spea:s +rom his ego# he is (ISC!AIMI2" :no,ledge instead o+ A33IRMI2" it# and is thus dis>spiriting himsel+The dis>spirited ha*e no choice BUT to 'e narcissistic# and to 'e narcissistic IS to place your +aith in the un,orthy- Bour real ,orth IS your di*ine authorship# and your Soul is its ac:no,ledgement- I cannot guide your egos EXCE T as you associate them ,ith your SoulsAttac:ing misidenti+ication errors is neither MB +unction nor BOURS- (estroying the de*il is a meaningless underta:ing- Cer*antes ,rote an e<cellent sym'olic account o+ this procedure# thought he did not understand his o,n sym'olism- The REA! point o+ his ,riting ,as that his )hero. ,as a man ,ho percei*ed himsel+ as un,orthy 'ecause he identi+ied ,ith his ego and percei*ed its ,ea:ness- 1e then set a'out to alter his perception# 2OT 'y correcting his misidenti+ication# 'ut 'y 'eha*ing egotisticallyChesterton ,rote an e<cellent description o+ Cer*antes and his perception o+ his )unheroic hero#. a *ie, o+ man ,hich the ego tolerates all too +re?uently# 'ut the Soul 2EHER countenancesF )And he sees across a ,eary land a t,isted straggling road in Spain Up ,hich a lean and +oolish :night +ore*er rides in *ain-. (o not em'ar: on +oolish @ourneys 'ecause they are indeed in *ain- The ego may ,ill them 'ecause the ego IS 'oth lean and +oolish- But the Soul CA22OT em'ar: on them 'ecause it is +ore*er Un,illing to depart +rom its 3oundation- The @ourney to the cross should 'y the !AST +oolish @ourney +or e*ery mind- (o not d,ell upon it# 'ut dismiss it as accomplished- I+ you can accept that as BOUR O42 last +oolish @ourney# you are +ree also to @oin My Resurrection- 1uman li*ing has indeed 'een needlessly ,asted in repetition compulsion- It re>enacts the Separation# the loss o+ po,er# the +oolish

101

@ourney o+ the ego in its attempt at reparation# and +inally the cruci+i<ion o+ the 'ody# or death- Repetition compulsions can 'e endless# unless they are gi*en up 'y an act o+ ,ill# or# more properly as acti*e creation- (o not ma:e the pathetic human error o+ )clinging to the old rugged cross-. The only message o+ the cruci+i<ion is in respect +or man=s a'ility to OHERCOME the cross- Unless he does so# he is +ree to cruci+y himsel+ as o+ten as he chooses- But this ,as 2OT the gospel I intended to o++er him4e ha*e another @ourney to underta:e# and I hope that# i+ 'oth o+ you ,ill read these notes care+ully# they ,ill help to prepare you to underta:e it> 55 >

4e ha*e spo:en o+ many di++erent human symptoms# and at this le*el there IS almost endless *ariation- But there is only one cause +or all o+ them- The authority pro'lem IS )the root o+ all e*il.- Money is 'ut one o+ its many re+lections# and is a reasona'ly representati*e e<ample o+ the :ind o+ thin:ing ,hich stems +rom it- The idea o+ 'uying and selling implies precisely the :ind o+ e<change that the Souls cannot understand at all# 'ecause their o,n Supply is al,ays a'undant# and all their demands are +ully metE*ery symptom ,hich the ego has made in*ol*es a contradiction in terms- This is 'ecause the mind is split 'et,een the ego and the Soul# so that 41ATEHER the ego ma:es is incomplete and contradictory- Consider ,hat a )speechless pro+essor. means as a concept- It literally means a )nonpro+essing pro+essor#. or a )nonspea:ing spea:er.Untena'le positions such as this are the result o+ the authority pro'lem# ,hich# 'ecause it accepts the one inconcei*a'le thought as its premise# can only produce ideas ,hich are inconcei*a'le- B- may claim Aand has certainly done so in the pastC that the RO3ESSORS1I ,as thrust upon him- This is not true- 1e ,anted it *ery much# and also ,or:ed hard to get it- 1e ,ould not ha*e had to ,or: so hard either# i+ he had not misunderstood itThe term )pro+ess. is used ?uite +re?uently in the Bi'le# 'ut in a some,hat di++erent conte<t- To pro+ess is to identi+y ,ith an idea and o++er the idea to others to 'e T1EIR o,n- The idea does 2OT lessenP it 'ecomes STRO2"ER- The teacher clari+ies his o,n ideas and strengthens them BB teaching themTeacher and pupil# therapist and patient# are all ali:e in the learning process- They

102

are in the SAME order o+ learning# and unless they S1ARE their lessons they ,ill lac: con*iction- I+ a salesman must 'elie*e in the product he sells# ho, much more must a teacher 'elie*e in the ideas ,hich he pro+esses- But he needs another conditionP he must also 'elie*e in the students to ,hom he o++ers his ideasB- could not 'e a+raid to teach unless he still 'elie*es that interaction means loss# and that learning means separation- 1e stands guard o*er his o,n ideas# 'ecause he ,ants to protect this thought>system as it is# and learning MEA2S change- Change is al,ays +ear+ul to the separated# 'ecause they cannot concei*e o+ it as a change to,ard 1EA!I2" the separation- They A!4ABS percei*e it as a change +or +urther separation# 'ecause separation 4AS their +irst e<perience o+ changeBill# your ,hole +ear o+ teaching is nothing 'ut an e<ample o+ your o,n intense separation an<iety# ,hich you ha*e handled ,ith the usual series o+ mi<ed de+enses in the com'ined pattern o+ attac: on truth and de+ense o+ error# ,hich characteri9es A!! ego>thin:ingBou insist that i+ you allo, no change to enter into your E"O# your SOU! ,ill +ind peace- This pro+ound con+usion is possi'le only i+ one maintains that the SAME thoughtsystem can stand on t,o +oundations2OT1I2" can reach the Soul +rom the ego# and nothing 3ROM the Soul can strengthen the ego# or reduce the con+lict ,ithin it- The ego IS a contradiction- Man=s sel+ and "od=s
> &%% >

Sel+ ARE in opposition- They are opposed in creation# in ,ill# and in outcome- They are +undamentally irreconcila'le 'ecause the Soul cannot percei*e# and the ego cannot :no,They are there+ore 2OT I2 COMMU2ICATIO2# and can ne*er BE in communication2e*ertheless the ego can learn# 'ecause its ma:er can 'e misguided# 'ut CA22OT ma:e the totally li+eless out o+ the li+e>gi*en- The Soul need not 'e taught# 'ut the ego MUST- The ultimate reason ,hy learning or teaching is percei*ed as +rightening is 'ecause true learning (OES lead to the relin?uishment A2OT destructionC o+ the ego to the light o+ the Soul- This is the change the ego MUST +ear# 'ecause it does not share my charityMy lesson ,as li:e yours# and 'ecause I learned it I can teach it- I ne*er attac: your

103

egos Ain spite o+ 1=s strange 'elie+s to the contraryC# 'ut I (O try to teach them ho, their thought>systems ha*e arisen- 4hen I remind you o+ your TRUE Creation# your egos cannot BUT respond ,ith +earBill# teaching and learning are your greatest strengths no,# 'ecause you MUST change your mind and help others change theirs- It is pointless to re+use to tolerate change or changing 'ecause you 'elie*e that you can demonstrate 'y doing so that the Separation ne*er occurred- The dreamer ,ho dou'ts the reality o+ his dream ,hile he is still dreaming it is not really healing the le*el>splitBou 1AHE dreamed o+ a separated ego# and you 1AHE 'elie*ed in a ,orld ,hich rested upon it- This is *ery real to you- Bou cannot undo this 'y doing nothing and not changingI+ you are ,illing to renounce the role o+ guardians o+ your thought>systems and open them to me# I ,ill correct them *ery gently# and lead you home- E*ery good teacher hopes to gi*e his students so much o+ his o,n thin:ing that they ,ill one day no longer need him- This is the one real goal o+ the parent# teacher# and therapist- This goal ,ill not 'e achie*ed 'y those ,ho 'elie*e that they ,ill !OOSE their child or pupil or patient i+ they succeedIt is IM OSSIB!E to con*ince the ego o+ this# 'ecause it goes against all o+ its o,n la,s- But remem'er that la,s are set up to protect the continuity o+ the system in ,hich the la,>ma:er 'elie*es- It is natural enough +or the ego to try to protect itsel+# once BOU ha*e made it- But it is 2OT natural +or BOU to ,ant to o'ey its la,s unless BOU 'elie*e in themThe ego cannot ma:e this choice 'ecause o+ the nature o+ its origin- But BOU can# 'ecause o+ the nature o+ BOURS- Egos can clash in any situation# 'ut Souls cannot clash at all- I+ you percei*e a teacher as merely a )larger ego#. you 4I!! 'e a+raid# 'ecause to E2!AR"E an ego IS to increase separation an<iety- (o not engage in this +oolishness# Bill- I ,ill teach ,ith you and li*e ,ith you# i+ you ,ill thin: ,ith meBut my goal ,ill al,ays 'e to a'sol*e you +inally +rom the need +or a teacher- This is the O OSITE o+ the ego>oriented teacher=s goal- 1e is concerned ,ith the e++ect o+ 1IS ego on OT1ER egos# and he there+ore interprets their interaction as a means o+ ego

104

preser*ation- This is no less true i+ he is a+raid to teach than i+ he is +ran:ly out to dominate
> &%& >

through teaching- The +orm o+ the symptom is only a re+lection o+ his particular ,ay o+ handling the separation an<ietyA!! separation an<iety is a symptom o+ a continuing ,ill to remain separated- This cannot 'e repeated too o+ten 'ecause you ha*e 2OT learned it- Bill# you are a+raid to teach O2!B 'ecause you are a+raid o+ the impression your image o+ yoursel+ ,ill ma:e O2 OT1ER IMA"ES- Bou 'elie*e that their A ROHA! o+ your image ,ill e<alt it# 'ut also that your separation an<iety ,ill 'e increased- Bou also 'elie*e that their (ISA ROHA! o+ it ,ill lessen the separation an<iety# 'ut at the cost o+ depressionI ,ould not 'e a'le to de*ote mysel+ to teaching i+ I 'elie*ed either o+ these ideas# and BOU ,ill not 'e a de*oted teacher yoursel+ as long as you maintain them- I am constantly 'eing percei*ed as a teacher either to 'e e<alted or re@ected# 'ut I do not accept either perception +or mysel+Bour o,n ,orth is 2OT esta'lished 'y your teaching- Bour ,orth ,as esta'lished 'y "od- As long as you dispute this# EHERBT1I2" you do ,ill 'e +ear+ul# and particularly any situation ,hich lends itsel+ easily to the superior>in+erior +allacy- Teachers must 'e patient# and repeat their lessons until they are learned- I am ,illing to do so# 'ecause I ha*e no right to set your learning limits +or youOnce again#N2OT1I2" you do# or thin:# or ,ill# or ma:e is necessary to esta'lish your ,orth- This point IS 2OT (EBATAB!E e<cept in delusions- Bour ego is 2EHER at sta:e 'ecause "od did not create it- Bour Soul is ne*er at sta:e 'ecause 1e (I(Any con+usion on this point IS a delusion# and no +orm o+ de*otion is possi'le as long as this delusion lastsBill# i+ you ,ill to 'e a de*oted teacher rather than an egocentric one# you ,ill not 'e a+raid- The teaching situation IS +ear+ul i+ it is misused as an ego in*ol*ement- I+ you 'ecome a+raid# it is BECAUSE you are using it this ,ay- But the de*oted teacher percei*es the situation AS IT IS# and 2OT as 1E ,ills it- 1e does not see it as dangerous 'ecause 1E is not e<ploiting itThe ego tries to e<ploit A!! situations into +orms o+ praise +or itsel+ in order to o*ercome its dou'ts- It ,ill 'e dou't+ul +ore*er# or 'etter# as long as you 'elie*e in itBou ,ho made it CA22OT trust it# 'ecause you L2O4 it is not real- The O2!B sane solution is not to try to change reality# ,hich is indeed a +ear+ul attempt# 'ut to see it as

105

it is- BOU are part o+ reality# ,hich stands unchanged 'eyond the reach o+ your ego# 'ut ,ithin easy reach o+ your SoulBill# again I tell you that ,hen you are a+raid# 'e still and L2O4 that "od is real and BOU are 1is 'elo*ed son in ,hom he is ,ell pleased- (o not let your ego dispute this# 'ecause the ego cannot :no, ,hat is as +ar 'eyond its reach as you are- "od is 2OT the author o+ +ear- BOU are- Bou ha*e ,illed# there+ore# to create unli:e 1im# and you ha*e made +ear +or yoursel*esBou are not at peace# 'ecause you are not +ul+illing your +unction- "od ga*e you a *ery lo+ty responsi'ility ,hich you are not meeting- Bou L2O4 this# and you are a+raid> &%$ >

But your egos ha*e chosen to 'e a+raid I2STEA( o+ meeting it- 4hen you a,a:en you ,ill not 'e a'le to understand this# 'ecause it is literally incredi'le(O 2OT BE!IEHE T1E I2CRE(IB!E 2O4- Any attempt to increase its 'elie*a'leness is merely to postpone the ine*ita'le- The ,ord )ine*ita'le. is +ear+ul to the ego# 'ut @oyous to the Soul- "od IS ine*ita'le and you CA22OT a*oid 1im anymore that 1e can a*oid BOUThe ego is a+raid o+ the Soul=s @oy# 'ecause once you ha*e e<perienced this# you ,ill ,ithdra, all protection +rom your ego and 'ecome totally ,ithout in*estment in +earBour in*estment is great no,# 'ecause +ear is a ,itness to the Separation# and your ego re@oices ,hen you ,itness to it!ea*e it 'ehind- (o not listen to it# and do not preser*e it- !isten only to "od# ,ho is as incapa'le o+ deception as are the Souls he created- As teachers and therapists# release yoursel*es and release others- (o not present a +alse and un,orthy picture o+ yoursel*es TO others# or accept such a picture O3 them yoursel*esThe ego has 'uilt a sha''y and unsheltering home +or you# 'ecause it cannot 'uild other,ise- (o not try to ma:e this impo*erished house stand- ITS ,ea:ness IS your strength- Only "od could ma:e a home that ,as ,orthy o+ 1is Creations# ,ho ha*e chosen to lea*e it empty 'y their o,n dispossession1is 1ome ,ill stand +ore*er# and is ready +or you ,hen you choose to enter- O+ this you can 'e ,holly certain- "od is as incapa'le o+ creating the perisha'le as your ego is ma:ing the eternalO+ your egos you can do nothing to sa*e yoursel*es or others- But o+ your Souls you can do e*erything +or the sal*ation o+ 'oth- 1umility is a lesson +or the ego# not +or the Soul- The Soul is 'eyond humility# 'ecause it recogni9es its radiance# and gladly sheds its light e*ery,hereThe mee: shall inherit the earth 'ecause their egos are hum'le# and this gi*es them

106

'etter perception- The Lingdom o+ 1ea*en is the right o+ the Soul# ,hose 'eauty and dignity are 'eyond dou't# 'eyond perception# and stand +ore*er as the mar: o+ the lo*e o+ "od +or 1is Creations# ,ho are ,holly ,orthy o+ 1im and O2!B o+ 1im- 2othing else is su++iciently ,orthy to 'e a gi+t +or a creation o+ "od 1imsel+I ,ill su'stitute +or your ego i+ you ,ill# 'ut 2EHER +or your Soul- A +ather can sa+ely lea*e a child ,ith an elder 'rother ,ho has sho,n himsel+ responsi'le# 'ut this in*ol*es no con+usion a'out the child=s origin- The 'rother can protect the child=s 'ody and his ego# ,hich are *ery closely associated# 'ut he does not con+use 1IMSE!3 ,ith the +ather 'ecause he does this# although the child mayThe reason ,hy I can 'e entrusted ,ith BOUR 'ody and BOUR egos is simply 'ecause this ena'les BOU not to 'e concerned ,ith them# and ME to teach you their unimportance- I could not understand their importance to BOU i+ I had not once 'een
> &%8 >

tempted to 'elie*e them mysel+- !et us underta:e to learn this lesson together# so ,e can also 'e +ree o+ them togetherI need de*oted teachers as much as I need de*oted priestesses- They 'oth heal the mind# and that is al,ays my o,n aim- The Soul is +ar 'eyond the need o+ your protection OR mineThe Bi'lical ?uotation should read )In this ,orld you need 2OT ha*e tri'ulation BECAUSE I ha*e o*ercome the ,orld-. T1AT is ,hy you should )'e o+ good cheer-. B=s course ,as *ery care+ully chosen# 'ecause )a'normal psychology. IS ego psychology- This is precisely the :ind o+ content ,hich should ne*er 'e taught 3ROM the ego ,hose a'normality should 'e lessened 'y teaching# not increased- Bou# Bill# are particularly ,ell suited to percei*e this di++erence# and can there+ore teach this course as it should 'e taught- Most teachers ha*e an un+ortunate tendency to teach the COURSE a'normally# and many o+ the students are apt to su++er considera'le perceptual distortion 'ecause o+ their o,n authority pro'lemBour teaching assignment Aand I assure you it IS an assignmentC ,ill 'e to present perceptual distortions ,ithout either engaging in them yoursel+# or encouraging your students to do so- This interpretation o+ your role and theirs is too charita'le to induce +ear- I+ you adhere to this role# you ,ill 'oth engender and e<perience hope# and you ,ill inspire rather than dispirit the +uture teachers and therapists I am entrusting to youI promise to attend mysel+# and you should at least credit ,ith me ,ith some dependa'ility in :eeping my o,n promises- I ne*er ma:e them lightly# 'ecause I :no, the need my 'rothers ha*e +or trust-

107

Bill has as:ed lately ho, the mind could e*er ha*e made the ego- This is a per+ectly reasona'le ?uestionP in +act# the 'est ?uestion either o+ you could as:- There is no point in gi*ing an historical ans,er# 'ecause the past does not matter in human terms# and history ,ould not e<ist i+ the same errors ,ere not 'eing repeated in the present- Bhas o+ten told you that your thin:ing is too a'stract at times# and he is right- A'straction (OES apply to :no,ledge# 'ecause :no,ledge is completely impersonal# and e<amples are irrele*ant to its understanding- erception# ho,e*er# is al,ays speci+ic# and there+ore ?uite concreteerceptual distortions are not a'stractions- They are merely con+usions- Each man ma:es one ego +or himsel+# although it is su'@ect to enormous *ariation 'ecause o+ its insta'ility# and one +or e*eryone he percei*es# ,hich is e?ually *aria'le- Their interaction IS a process ,hich literally alters 'oth# 'ecause they ,ere not made either BB or 4IT1 the unaltera'leIt is particularly important to reali9e that this alteration can and does occur as readily ,hen the interaction ta:es place I2 T1E MI2( as ,hen it in*ol*es physical presenceT1I2LI2" a'out another ego is as e++ecti*e in changing relati*e perception as is their physical interaction- There could 'e no 'etter e<ample o+ the +act that the ego is an idea# though not a reality>'ased thought- Bour o,n present state is the 'est concrete e<ample
> &%G >

B- could ha*e o+ ho, the mind could ha*e made the ego- Bou (O ha*e real :no,ledge at times# 'ut ,hen you thro, it a,ay it is as i+ you ne*er had it- This ,ill+ullness is so apparent that B- need only percei*e it to see that is (OES happen- I+ it can occur that ,ay in the present# ,hy should he 'e surprised that it occurred that ,ay in the pastE All psychology rests on the principle o+ continuity o+ 'eha*ior- Surprise is a reasona'le response to the un+amiliar# 'ut hardly to something that has occurred ,ith such persistenceAn e<treme e<ample is a good teaching aid# not 'ecause it is typical# 'ut 'ecause it is clear- The more comple< the material# the clearer the e<amples should 'e +or teaching purposes- ABill# remem'er that +or your o,n course# and do not a*oid the dramatic- It holds the student=s interest precisely 'ecause it is so apparent that it CA2 'e readily percei*ed-C But# as ,e ha*e said 'e+ore# all teaching de*ices in the hands o+ good teachers are aimed at rendering themsel*es unnecessary- I ,ould there+ore li:e to use your present state as an e<ample o+ ho, the mind can ,or:# pro*ided you 'oth +ully

108

recogni9e that it need not ,or: that ,ay- I 2EHER +orget this mysel+# and a good teacher shares his o,n ideas# ,hich he himsel+ 'elie*es- Other,ise# he cannot really )pro+ess. them# as ,e used the term 'e+ore4ith +ull recognition o+ its transitory nature# Aa recognition ,hich I hope you 'oth shareC# 1- o++ers a *ery good teaching e<ample o+ alternations 'et,een Soul and ego# ,ith concomitant *ariation 'et,een peace and +ren9y- In ans,er to B=s ?uestion# it is per+ectly apparent that ,hen she is ego>dominated# she (OES 2OT L2O4 her Soul1er a'stract a'ility# ,hich is per+ectly genuine and does stem +rom :no,ledge# cannot help her 'ecause she has turned to the concrete ,hich she cannot handle a'stractlyBeing incapa'le o+ appropriate concreteness perceptually# 'ecause her ego is not her natural home# she su++ers +rom its intrusions# 'ut 2OT +rom complete lac: o+ :no,ledgeThe result is a :ind o+ )dou'le *ision.# ,hich ,ould ha*e produced an actual dyplopia# i+ she had not settled +or nearsightedness- This ,as an attempt to see the concrete more clearly through the ego=s eyes# ,ithout the )inter+erence. o+ the longer range- 1er *irtual lac: o+ astigmatism is due to her real e++orts at o'@ecti*ity and +airnessShe has not attained them# or she ,ould not 'e nearsighted- But she 1AS tried to 'e +air ,ith ,hat she permitted hersel+ to see4hy are you surprised that something happened in the dim past# ,hen it is so clearly happening right no,E Bou +orget the lo*e that e*en animals ha*e +or their o,n o++spring# and the need they +eel to protect them- This is 'ecause they regard them as part o+ themsel*es- 2o one diso,ns something he regards as a *ery real part o+ himsel+Man reacts to his ego much as "od does to 1is Souls#N ,ith lo*e# protection# and great charity- The reaction o+ man to the sel+ he made is not at all surprising- In +act# it duplicates in many ,ays the ,ay he ,ill one day react to his real creations# ,hich are as timeless as he isThe ?uestion is not 1O4 man responds to,ard his ego# 'ut only ,hat he 'elie*es he IS- Again# 'elie+ is an ego>+unction# and as long as your origin is open to 'elie+ at all# you ARE regarding it +rom an ego *ie,point- That is ,hy the Bi'le ?uotes me as saying#
> &%6 >

)Be 'elie*e in "od# 'elie*e also in me-. Belie+ (OES apply to me# 'ecause I am the teacher o+ the ego- 4hen teaching is no longer necessary# you ,ill merely :no, "od-

109

Belie+ that there IS another ,ay is the lo+tiest idea o+ ,hich ego>thin:ing is capa'leThis is 'ecause it contains a hint o+ recognition that the ego is 2OT the sel+- 1elen al,ays had this idea# 'ut it merely con+used her- B-# you ,ere more capa'le o+ a long>range *ie,# and that is ,hy your eyesight is good- But you ,ere ,illing to see 'ecause you utili9ed @udgment against ,hat you sa,- This ga*e you clearer perception than 1elen=s# 'ut cut o++ the cogniti*e le*el more deeply- That is ,hy you 'elie*e that you ne*er had :no,ledgeRepression 1AS 'een a stronger mechanism in your o,n ego de+ense# and that is ,hy you +ind her shi+ts so hard to tolerate- 4ill+ulness is more characteristic o+ her# and that is ,hy she has less sense than you do- It is e<tremely +ortunate# temporarily# that the particular strengths you ,ill 'oth de*elop and use are precisely those ,hich the other must supply no,- Bou ,ho ,ill 'e the strength o+ "od are ?uite ,ea:# and you ,ho ,ill 'e "od=s help are clearly in need o+ help- 4hat 'etter plan could ha*e 'een de*ised to pre*ent the intrusion o+ the ego=s arrogance on the outcomeE Undermining the +oundation o+ an ego=s thought>system MUST 'e percei*ed as pain+ul# e*en though this is anything 'ut true- Ba'ies scream in rage i+ you ta:e a,ay a :ni+e or a scissors# e*en though they may ,ell harm themsel*es i+ you do not- The speedup has placed you 'oth in the same positionBou are 2OT 'y any means prepared# and in this sense you ARE 'a'ies- Bou ha*e no sense o+ real sel+>preser*ation and are *ery li:ely to decide that you need precisely ,hat ,ould hurt you most- 4hether you :no, it no, or not# ho,e*er# you 'oth 1AHE ,illed to cooperate in a concerted and *ery commenda'le e++ort to 'ecome 'oth harm!ESS and help3U!# t,o attri'utes ,hich MUST go together- Bour attitudes# e*en to,ard this# are necessarily con+licted# 'ecause A!! attitudes are ego>'asedThis ,ill not last- Be patient a,hile# and remem'er ,hat ,e ha*e said once 'e+oreP the outcome is as certain as "odO 1elen used to percei*e the ?uotation )To him that hath shall 'e gi*en. as a parado< that 'ordered on the ironic- She also had a similar reaction to another related oneF )3aith is the gi+t o+ "od-. 4e ha*e reinterpreted 'oth o+ these statements 'e+ore# 'ut perhaps ,e can ma:e them e*en clearer no,Only those ,ho ha*e a real and lasting sense o+ a'undance can 'e truly charita'leThis is ?uite o'*ious ,hen you consider the concepts in*ol*ed- To 'e a'le to gi*e anything implies that you can do ,ithout it- E*en i+ you associate gi*ing ,ith sacri+ice#

110

you still gi*e only 'ecause you 'elie*e you are someho, getting something 'etter so that you can do ,ithout the thing you gi*e)"i*ing to get. is an inescapa'le la, o+ the ego# ,hich A!4ABS e*aluates itsel+ in relation to others= egos# and is there+ore continually preoccupied ,ith the scarcity principle ,hich ga*e rise to it- This IS the meaning o+ 3reud=s )pleasure principle-. 3reud ,as the most accurate )ego psychologist. ,e e*er had# although he ,ould not ha*e pre+erred
> &%J >

this description himsel+- 1is ego ,as a *ery ,ea: and depri*ed concept# ,hich could +unction O2!B as a thing in needThe )reality principle. o+ the ego is not real at all- It is +orced to percei*e the )reality. o+ other egos# 'ecause it CA22OT esta'lish the reality o+ itsel+- In +act# its ,hole perception o+ other egos AS real is O2!B an attempt to con*ince itsel+ that IT is real)Sel+ esteem#. in ego terms# means nothing more than that the ego has deluded itsel+ into accepting its reality and is there+ore temporarily less predatory- This )sel+ esteem. is al,ays *ulnera'le to stress# a term ,hich really means that a condition has arisen in ,hich the delusion o+ reality o+ the ego is threatened- This produces either ego> de+lation or ego>in+lation# resulting in either ,ithdra,al or attac:- The ego literally li*es 'y comparisons- This means that e?uality is 'eyond its grasp# and charity 'ecomes impossi'leThe ego 2EHER gi*es out o+ a'undance# 'ecause it ,as made as a su'stitute +or itThis is ,hy the concept o+ "ETTI2" arose in the ego=s thought>system- All appetites are )getting. mechanisms representing ego needs to con+irm itsel+- This is as true o+ 'odily appetites as it is o+ the so>called )higher. ego needs- Bodily appetites are 2OT physical in origin# 'ecause the ego regards the 'ody as its home# and (OES try to satis+y itsel+ through the 'ody- But the I(EA that this is possi'le is a decision o+ the ego# ,hich is completely con+used a'out ,hat is really possi'le- This accounts +or its essential erraticnessConsider the ine*ita'le con+usion ,hich MUST arise +rom a perception o+ the sel+ ,hich respondsF 4hen I ,as completely on my o,n I )had no idea ,hat ,as possi'le-. The ego (OES 'elie*e it is completely on its o,n# ,hich is merely another ,ay o+ descri'ing ho, it originated- This is such a +ear+ul state that it can only turn to other egos# and unite ,ith them in a +ee'le attempt at identi+ication# or attac: them in an e?ually +ee'le sho, o+ strength- The ego is +ree to complete the stemF )4hen I ,as completely on my o,n. in any ,ay it chooses# 'ut it is 2OT +ree to consider the *alidity o+ the premise itsel+# 'ecause this premise is its 3OU2(ATIO2- The ego IS the 'elie+ o+ the mind that it is completely on its o,n-

111

The ego=s ceaseless attempts to gain the Soul=s ac:no,ledgement and thus esta'lish its o,n e<istence are utterly useless- The Soul in its :no,ledge is una,are o+ the ego- It does 2OT attac: the ego- It merely cannot concei*e o+ it at all- 4hile the ego is e?ually una,are o+ the Soul# it (OES percei*e itsel+ as re@ected 'y something ,hich is greater than itsel+- This is ,ay sel+>esteem in ego terms MUST 'e a delusionThe creations o+ "od do not create myths# 'ut the creati*e e++orts o+ man can turn to mythology# 'ut only under one condition- 4hat man then ma:es is no longer creati*eMyths are entirely perceptions and are so am'i*alent in +orm# and so characteristically good and e*il in nature that the most 'ene*olent o+ them is not ,ithout +ear+ul components# i+ only in innuendo- Myths and magic are closely associated# in that myths are usually related to the ego origins# and magic to the po,ers ,hich the ego ascri'es to itsel+E*ery
> &%7 >

mythological system includes an account o+ )the creation#. and associates this ,ith its particular perception o+ magicThe )'attle o+ +or sur*i*al. is nothing more than the ego=s struggle to preser*e itsel+ and its interpretation o+ its o,n 'eginning- This 'eginning is al,ays associated ,ith physical 'irth# 'ecause no'ody maintains that the ego e<isted 'e+ore that point in timeThe religiously ego>oriented tend to 'elie*e that the Soul e<isted 'e+ore# and ,ill continue to e<ist a+ter,ard# a+ter a temporary lapse into ego>li+e- Some actually 'elie*e that the Soul ,ill 'e punished +or this lapse# e*en though in reality it could not possi'ly :no, anything a'out itThe term )sal*ation. does 2OT apply to the Soul# ,hich is not in danger and does not need to 'e sal*aged- Sal*ation is nothing more that )right>mindedness. ,hich is 2OT the one>mindedness o+ the Soul# 'ut ,hich must 'e accomplished 'e+ore onemindedness can 'e restored- Right>mindedness dictates the ne<t step automatically# 'ecause right perception is uni+ormly ,ithout attac:# so that ,rong>mindedness is o'literated- The ego cannot sur*i*e ,ithout @udgment# and is laid aside accordinglyThe mind then has only O2E direction in ,hich it can mo*eThe directions ,hich the mind ,ill ta:e are al,ays automatic# 'ecause they cannot BUT 'e dictated 'y the thought>system to ,hich it adheres- E*ery thought>system has I2TER2A! consistency# and this does pro*ide a 'asis +or the continuity o+ 'eha*ior1o,e*er# this is still relia'ility and 2OT *alidity- Relia'le 'eha*ior is a meaning+ul

112

perception# as +ar as ego thin:ing goes- 1o,e*er# HA!I( 'eha*ior is an e<pression ,hich is inherently contradictory# 'ecause *alidity is an E2(# and 'eha*ior is a meansThese cannot 'e com'ined logically# 'ecause ,hen an end has 'een attained# the means +or its attainment are no longer meaning+ulTest constructors recogni9e that there are di++erent :inds o+ *alidity# and also that they are o+ di++erent orders- That This means that they do not mean truth and do not pretend to mean it- Test *alidity can 'e @udged 'y logic# 'y theory# and 'y practice# each 'eing regarded as a di++erent dimension- In each case# the amount o+ con+idence is e<pressed in some +orm o+ percentage# either ?uantiati*ely# or merely in terms o+ )high#. moderate# and lo,- But a hypothesis is tested as either true or +alse# to 'e accepted or re@ected accordingly- I+ it is sho,n to 'e true it 'ecomes a +act# a+ter ,hich no one attempts to e*aluate it unless its status AS +act is ?uestionedEHERB idea ,hich the ego has accorded the status o+ +act is ?uestiona'le# 'ecause +acts are in the realm o+ :no,ledge- Con+using realms o+ discourse is a thin:ing error ,hich philosophers ha*e recogni9ed +or centuries- sychologists are generally ?uite de+icient in this respect# as are many theologians- (ata +rom one realm o+ discourse do not mean anything in another# 'ecause they can 'e understood only 4IT1I2 the thoughtsystems o+ ,hich they are a part- This is ,hy psychologists are concentrating increasingly on the ego# in an attempt to uni+y their clearly unrelated data- It need hardly 'e said that an attempt to relate the unrelated cannot succeed> &%K >

The recent ecological emphasis is 'ut a more ingenious ,ay o+ trying to impose order on chaos- 4e ha*e already credited the ego ,ith considera'le ingenuity# though not ,ith creati*eness- But it should al,ays 'e remem'ered that in*enti*eness is really ,asted e++ort# e*en in its most ingenious +orms- 4e do not ha*e to EX !AI2 anythingThis is ,hy ,e need not trou'le oursel*es ,ith in*enti*eness- The highly speci+ic nature o+ in*ention is not ,orthy o+ the a'stract creati*ity o+ "od=s Creations(ec- $7# &5J6 4hen 1- reads this to you# Bill# try to listen *ery care+ully- Bou ha*e ne*er understood ,hat )The Lingdom o+ 1ea*en is ,ithin you. means- The reason you cannot understand it is 'ecause it is 2OT understanda'le to the ego# ,hich interprets it as i+ something outside is inside# ,hich does not mean anything- The ,ord ),ithin. does not 'elongThe Lingdom o+ 1ea*en IS you4hat else BUT you did the Creator create# and ,hat else 'ut you IS 1is LingdomE

113

This is the ,hole message o+ the Atonement# a message ,hich in its totality transcends the sum o+ its parts ,hich ,e ha*e co*ered 'e+ore- Christmas is not a timeP it is a state o+ mind- The Christ Mind ,ills +rom the Soul# not +rom the Ego# and the Christ Mind IS yoursBou# too# ha*e a Lingdom ,hich your Soul has created- It has not ceased to create 'ecause your ego has set you on the road o+ perception- Bour Soul=s creations are no more +atherless than you are- Bour ego and your Soul ,ill ne*er 'e co>creators# 'ut your Soul and BOUR Creator ,ill A!4ABS 'e- Be con+ident that your creations are as sa+e as you are- The Lingdom is per+ectly united and per+ectly protected# and the ego ,ill not pre*ail against it- AmenThat ,as ,ritten in that +orm 'ecause it is a good thing to use as a :ind o+ prayer in moments o+ temptation- It is a declaration o+ independence- Bou ,ill 'oth +ind it *ery help+ul i+ you understand it +ullyIn its characteristic upside>do,n ,ay# the ego has ta:en the impulses +rom the superconscious and percei*es them as i+ they arise in the unconscious- The ego @udges ,hat is to 'e accepted# and the impulses +rom the superconscious are unaccepta'le to it# 'ecause they clearly point to the une<istence o+ the ego itsel+- The ego there+ore e<periences threat# and not only censors 'ut also reinterprets the data- 1o,e*er# as 3reud *ery correctly pointed out ,hat you do not percei*e you still :no,# and it can retain a *ery acti*e li+e BEBO2( your a,arenessRepression thus operates to conceal not only the 'aser impulses# 'ut also the most lo+ty ones +rom the ego=s a,areness# 'ecause BOT1 are threatening to the ego and# 'eing concerned primarily ,ith its preser*ation in the +ace o+ threat# it percei*es them as the same- The threat *alue o+ the lo+ty is really much greater to the ego# 'ecause the pull o+ "od 1imsel+ can hardly 'e e?uated ,ith the pull o+ human appetites> &%5 >

By percei*ing them as the same# the ego attempts to sa*e itsel+ +rom 'eing s,ept a,ay# as it ,ould surely 'e in the presence o+ :no,ledge- The upper le*el o+ the unconscious thus contains the call o+ "od as ,ell as the call o+ the 'ody- That is ,hy the 'asic con+lict 'et,een lo*e and +ear is unconscious- The ego cannot tolerate either and represses 'oth 'y resorting to inhi'ition- Society depends on inhi'iting the +ormer# 'ut SA!HATIO2 depends on disinhi'iting the latterThe reason you need my help is 'ecause you ha*e repressed your o,n guide# and there+ore need guidance- My role is to separate the true +rom the +alse in your o,n unconscious# so it can 'rea: through the 'arriers the ego has set up and shine into your minds- Against our united strength# the ego CA22OT pre*ail-

114

It should 'e ?uite apparent to you 'y no, ,hy the ego regards the Soul as its )enemy-. The ego arose +rom the Separation# and its continued e<istence depends on your continuing 'elie+ in the Separation- Reducing the Soul impulses to the unconscious# the ego has to o++er you some sort o+ re,ard +or maintaining this 'elie+- All it CA2 o++er is a sense o+ temporary e<istence# ,hich 'egins ,ith its o,n 'eginning and ends ,ith its o,n ending- It tells you that this li+e is BOUR e<istence 'ecause it IS its o,nAgainst this sense o+ temporary e<istence# the Soul o++ers the :no,ledge o+ permanence and unsha:ea'le BEI2"- 2o one ,ho has e<perienced the re*elation o+ this can e*er +ully 'elie*e in the ego again- 1o, can its meager o++ering to you pre*ail against the glorious gi+t o+ "odE Bou ,ho identi+y ,ith your egos cannot 'elie*e that "od lo*es you- BOU do not lo*e ,hat you ha*e made# and ,hat you ha*e made does not lo*e you- Being made out o+ the denial o+ the 3ather# the ego has no allegiance to its o,n Ma:er- Bou cannot concei*e o+ the real relationship that e<ists 'et,een "od and 1is Souls# 'ecause o+ the hatred you ha*e +or the Sel+ you ha*e made- Bou pro@ect onto your o,n idea o+ yoursel+ the ,ill to separate# ,hich con+licts ,ith the lo*e you also +eel +or ,hat you ha*e made 'ecause you made it2o human lo*e is ,ithout this am'i*alence# and since no ego has e<perienced lo*e 4IT1OUT am'i*alence# the concept is 'eyond its understanding- !o*e ,ill enter immediately into any mind ,hich truly ,ants it# 'ut it MUST ,ant it truly- This means that it ,ants it 4IT1OUT am'i*alence# and this :ind o+ ,anting is ,holly ,ithout the ego=s )dri*e to get-. There is a :ind o+ e<perience that is so di++erent +rom anything the ego can o++er that you ,ill ne*er reco*er- The ,ord is used ?uite literally here# N you ,ill ne*er 'e a'le to hide again- It is necessary to repeat that your 'elie+ in dar:ness and in hiding IS ,hy the light cannot enterThe Bi'le has many re+erences to the immeasura'le gi+ts ,hich are +or you# 'ut +or ,hich BOU must as:- This is not the condition as the ego sets conditions- It is the glorious condition o+ ,hat you ARE- 2o +orce e<cept your o,n ,ill is strong enough or ,orthy enough to guide you- In this you are as +ree as "od# and must remain so +ore*er> &&% >

Bou can ne*er 'e 'ound e<cept in honor# and that is al,ays *oluntary- !et us as: the 3ather in my name to :eep you mind+ul o+ 1is lo*e +or you and yours +or 1im- 1e has ne*er +ailed to ans,er this re?uest# 'ecause it as:s only +or ,hat 1e has already ,illed-

115

Those ,ho call truly are A!4ABS ans,ered2oteF 1S 'ecame *ery +ear+ul here# and rather *aguely thought the ans,er ,asF )Thou shalt ha*e no other "ods 'e+ore me# 'ecause there ARE none- Bou still thin: there are-. It has ne*er really entered your minds to gi*e up e*ery idea you ha*e e*er had that O OSES :no,ledge- Bou retain thousands o+ little scraps o+ meanness ,hich pre*ent the 1oly One +rom entering- !ight cannot penetrate through the ,alls you ma:e to 'loc: it# and it is +ore*er U2,illing to destroy ,hat you ha*e made- 2o one can see T1ROU"1 a ,all# 'ut I can step around it4atch your minds +or the scraps o+ meanness# or you ,ill 'e una'le to as: me to do so- I can help you only as our 3ather Created us- I ,ill lo*e you and honor you and maintain complete respect +or ,hat you ha*e made- But I ,ill neither lo*e nor honor it unless it is true- I ,ill ne*er +orsa:e you# any more than "od ,ill- But I MUST ,ait as long as you ,ill to +orsa:e yoursel*esBecause I ,ait in lo*e and not in impatience# you ,ill surely as: me truly- I ,ill come gladly in response to a single une?ui*ocal call- 4atch care+ully# and see ,hat it is you are truly as:ing +or- Be *ery honest ,ith yoursel*es a'out this# +or you ,e must hide nothing +rom each otherI+ you ,ill REA!!B try to do this# you ha*e ta:en the +irst step to,ard preparing your minds +or the 1oly One to enter- 4e ,ill prepare +or this together# and once 1e has come# you ,ill 'e ready to help me ma:e other minds ready +or 1im- 1o, long ,ill you deny 1im 1is LingdomE Jan- 7# =JJIn your o,n unconscious# deeply repressed 'y the ego# is the declaration o+ your release- "O( 1AS "IHE2 BOU EHERBT1I2"- This is the one +act ,hich MEA2S that the ego does not e<ist# and ,hich there+ore ma:es it pro+oundly a+raid- In the ego=s language# to ha*e and to 'e are di++erent# 'ut they are identi+ical to the Soul- It :no,s that you 'oth 1AHE e*erything and ARE e*erything- Any distinction in this respect is meaning+ul only ,hen the idea o+ getting# ,hich implies a lac:# has already BEE2 accepted- That is ,hy ,e made no distinction 'e+ore 'et,een ha*ing the Lingdom o+ "od and BEI2" the Lingdom o+ "odThe calm 'eing o+ "od=s Lingdom# ,hich in your sane mind is per+ectly conscious# is ruthlessly 'anished +rom the part o+ the mind ,hich the ego rules- The ego is desperate

116

'ecause it opposes literally in*inci'le odds ,hether you are asleep or a,a:eConsider ho, much *igilance you ha*e 'een ,illing to e<pect e<ert to protect your ego# and ho,
> &&& >

little you ha*e 'een ,illing to e<ert to protect your higher mind- 4ho 'ut the insane ,ould underta:e to 'elie*e ,hat is not true# and then protect this 'elie+ at the cost o+ TruthE I+ you cannot hear the *oice o+ "od# it is 'ecause you do not choose to listen- The +act that you (O listen to the *oice o+ your ego is demonstrated 'y your attitudes# your +eelings# and your 'eha*ior- Bour attitudes are o'*iously con+lictedP your +eelings ha*e a narro, range on the negati*e side# 'ut are ne*er purely @oyousP and your 'eha*ior is either strained or unpredicta'le- Bet this IS ,hat you ,ant- This is ,hat you are +ighting to :eep# and ,hat you are *igilant to sa*e- Bour minds are +illed ,ith schemes to sa*e the +ace o+ your egos# and you do not see: the 3ace o+ "odThe glass in ,hich the ego see:s to see its +ace is dar: indeed- 1o, can it maintain the tric: o+ its e<istence e<cept ,ith mirrorsE But ,here you loo: to +ind yoursel+ is up to you- 4e ha*e said that you cannot change your mind 'y changing your 'eha*ior# 'ut ,e ha*e also said# and many times 'e+ore# that you can change your mind4hen your mood tells you that you ha*e ,illed ,rongly# and this is so ,hene*er you are not @oyous# then L2O4 this need not 'eIn e*ery case you ha*e thought ,rongly a'out some Soul that "od created# and are percei*ing images your ego ma:es in a dar:ened glass- Thin: honestly ,hat you ha*e thought that "od ,ould 2OT ha*e thought# and ,hat you ha*e not thought that "od ,ould ha*e you thin:- Search sincerely +or ,hat you ha*e done and le+t undone accordingly- And then change your minds to T1I2L 4IT1 "O(=SThis may seem hard to you# 'ut it is MUC1 easier than trying to thin: A"AI2ST itBour mind IS one ,ith "od=s- (enying this and thin:ing other,ise has held your ego together# 'ut has literally split your mind- As a lo*ing 'rother# I am deeply concerned ,ith your minds# and urge you to +ollo, my e<ample as you loo: at yoursel*es and at each other and see in 'oth the glorious Creations o+ a glorious 3ather4hen you are sad# L2O4 that this 2EE( 2OT BE- (epression A!4ABS arises ultimately +rom a sense o+ 'eing depri*ed o+ something you ,ant and do not ha*eLno, you are depri*ed o+ nothing# e<cept 'y your o,n decisions# and then decide other,ise4hen you are an<ious# L2O4 that all an<iety comes +rom the capriciousness o+ the ego# and 2EE( 2OT BE- Bou can 'e as *igilant A"AI2ST the ego=s dictates as 3OR them4hen you +eel guilty# L2O4 that your ego has indeed *iolated the la,s o+ "od# 'ut BOU ha*e not- !ea*e the sins o+ the ego to me- That is ,hat the Atonement is +orBut

117

until you change your mind a'out those your ego has hurt# the Atonement cannot release you- As long as you +eel guilty# your ego is in command# 'ecause only the ego CA2 e<perience guilt- T1IS 2EE( 2OT BEBou# 1elen# ha*e 'een more honest that B- in really trying to see ,hom your ego has hurt# and also in trying to change your mind a'out them- A1S dou't+ul ,hether this is accurate>,ritten at a time ,hen she ,as *ery angry-C I am not unmind+ul o+ your
> &&$ >

e++orts# 'ut you still ha*e much too much energy in*ested in your ego- T1IS 2EE( 2OT BE- 4atch your minds +or the temptations o+ the ego# and do not 'e decei*ed 'y itL2O4 it o++ers you nothingBou# B# ha*e not made consistent e++orts to change your mind e<cept through applying old ha'it patterns to ne, ideas- But you ha*e learned# and learned it 'etter than 1-# A1S dou't+ul a'out accuracy hereC that your mind gains control o*er ITSE!3 ,hen you direct it genuinely to,ard percei*ing someone E!SE truly- Bour lac: o+ *itality is due to your +ormer mar:ed e++ort at sol*ing your needless depression and an<iety through disinterestBecause your ego 4AS protected 'y this un+ortunate negati*e attri'ute# you are a+raid to a'andon it4hen you ha*e gi*en up this *oluntary dis>spiriting# you ha*e already seen ho, your mind can +ocus# and rise a'o*e +atigue# and heal- But you are not su++iciently *igilant against the demands o+ your ego that you disengage yoursel+- T1IS 2EE( 2OT BEThe ha'it o+ engaging 4IT1 "od and 1is Creations is easily made i+ you re+use acti*ely to let your minds slip a,ay- Bour pro'lem is not concentrationF it is a 'elie+ that no'ody# including yoursel+# is 4ORT1 consistent e++ortSide ,ith me CO2SISTE2T!B against this deception# as ,e ha*e sided against it 'rie+ly already- (o not permit this sha''y 'elie+ to pull you 'ac:- The disheartened are useless to themsel*es and to me# 'ut only the ego can 'e disheartened1a*e you REA!!B considered ho, many opportunities you ha*e to gladden yoursel*es# and ho, many o+ them you ha*e re+usedE There is no limit to the po,er o+ a Son o+ "od# 'ut he himsel+ can limit the e<pression o+ his po,er as much as he ,illsBour mind and mine can unite in shining your ego a,ay# and releasing the strength o+ "od into e*erything you thin: and ,ill and do- (o no settle +or A2BT1I2" less than this# and re+use to accept anything BUT this as your goal4atch your minds care+ully +or any 'elie+s that hinder its accomplishment# and step

118

a,ay +rom them- Judge ho, ,ell you ha*e done this 'y your o,n +eelings# +or this is the one RI"1T use o+ @udgment- Judgment # li:e any other de+ense# can 'e used to attac: or protect# to hurt or to heal- The ego S1OU!( 'e 'rought to your o,n @udgment and +ound ,anting there- 4ithout your o,n allegiance# protection# and lo*e it cannot e<istJudge your ego truly# and you MUST ,ithdra, allegiance# protection# and lo*e +rom it- Bou are mirrors o+ truth in ,hich "od 1imsel+ shines in per+ect light- To the ego=s dar: glass you need 'ut say# )I ,ill not loo: there 'ecause I L2O4 these images are not true-. Then let me the 1oly One shine upon you in peace# :no,ing that this and only this MUST 'e 1is Mind shone on you in your creation# and 'rought BOUR mind into 'eing1is Mind still shines on you and MUST shine T1ROU"1 you- Bour ego cannot pre*ent 1IM +rom shining on you# 'ut it CA2 pre*ent you +rom letting 1im shine T1ROU"1 you> &&8 >

The +irst coming o+ Christ is @ust another name +or the Creation# +or Christ is the Son o+ "od- The SECO2( coming o+ Christ means nothing more than the end o+ the 'elie+ in the ego# and the healing o+ the mind- ego=s rule o*er part o+ the minds o+ men# and the healing o+ the mind- I ,as created li:e you in the 3irst# and I am reminding you that I ha*e called you to @oin ,ith me in the SecondI+ you ,ill thin: o*er your li*es# you ,ill see ho, care+ully the preparations ,ere made- I am in charge o+ the Second Coming as I ha*e already told you# and my @udgment# ,hich is used only +or its protection# cannot 'e ,rong 'ecause it 2EHER attac:sBours is so distorted that you 'elie*e that I ,as mista:en in choosing you- I assure you this is a mista:e o+ your o,n egos- (o not mista:e it +or humilityBour egos are trying to con*ince you that T1EB are real# and I am not# 'ecause i+ I AM real# I am no more real than BOU are- That :no,ledge# and I assure you that it IS :no,ledge# means that Christ must come into your minds and heal them4hile I am not attac:ing your egos# I AM ,or:ing ,ith your higher mind ,hether you are asleep or a,a:e# A@ust as your ego does ,ith your lo,er mind-C I am your *igilance in this# 'ecause you are too con+used to recogni9e your o,n hopeI ,as not mista:en- Bour minds 4I!! elect to @oin ,ith mine# and together ,e are in*inci'le- Bou t,o ,ill yet come together in my name and your sanity ,ill 'e restoredI raised the dead 'y L2O4I2" that li+e is an eternal attri'ute o+ e*erything that the li*ing "od Created- 4hy do you 'elie*e that it is harder +or me to inspire the dis>spirited or to

119

sta'ili9e the unsta'leE I do not 'elie*e that there is an order o+ di++iculty in miraclesF BOU do- I ha*e called and you ,ill ans,er- I :no, that miracles are natural# 'ecause they are e<pressions o+ lo*e- My calling you is as natural as your ans,er and as ine*ita'le&M&$MJJ A!! things ,or: together +or good- There are 2O e<ceptions e<cept in the ego=s @udgment- Control is a central +actor in ,hat the ego permits into consciousness# and one to ,hich it de*otes its ma<imum *igilance- This is 2OT the ,ay a 'alanced mind holds together- ITS control is unconsciousThe ego is +urther o++ 'alance 'y :eeping its primary moti*ation U2conscious# and raising control rather than sensi'le @udgment to predominance- It has e*ery reason to do this# according to the thought>system ,hich 'oth ga*e rise to it and ,hich it ser*esSane @udgment ,ould ine*ita'ly @udge A"AI2ST it# and MUST 'e o'literated 'y the ego in the interest o+ its sel+>preser*ationA crucial source o+ the ego=s o++>'alance state is its lac: o+ discrimination 'et,een impulses +rom "od and +rom the 'ody- Any thought>system ,hich ma:es T1IS con+usion MUST 'e insane- Bet this demented state is ESSE2TIA! to the ego# ,hich @udges O2!B in terms o+ threat or nonthreat TO ITSE!3> &&G >

In one sense# the ego=s +ear o+ the idea o+ "od is at least logical# 'ecause this idea (OES dispel it- 3ear o+ dissolution +rom the higher source# then# ma:es SOME sense in ego terms- But +ear o+ the 'ody# ,ith ,hich the ego identi+ies so closely# is more 'latantly senseless- The 'ody is the ego=s home 'y its o,n election- It is the only identi+ication ,ith ,hich it +eels sa+e# 'ecause the 'ody=s *ulnera'ility is its o,n 'est argument that you CA22OT 'e o+ "odThis is the 'elie+ that it sponsors eagerly- Bet the ego hates the 'ody# 'ecause it does not accept the idea that the 'ody is good enough as its home- 1ere is ,here the mind 'ecomes actually da9ed- Being told 'y the ego that it is really part o+ the 'ody# and that the 'ody is its protector# it is also constantly in+ormed that the 'ody can 2OT protect itThis# o+ course# is not only true# 'ut per+ectly o'*iousThere+ore# the mind as:s# )4here can I go +or protectionE.# to ,hich the ego replies# )Turn to me-. The mind# and not ,ithout cause# reminds the ego that it has itsel+ insisted that it IS identi+ied ,ith the 'ody# so there is no point in turning to it +or protectionThe

120

ego has no real ans,er to this 'ecause there isn=t any- But it (OES ha*e a typical solutionIt o'literates the ?uestion +rom the mind=s a,areness- Once unconscious# it can and does produce uneasiness# 'ut it cannot 'e ans,ered 'ecause it cannot 'e as:edThis is the ?uestion ,hich MUST 'e as:edF )4here am I to go +or protectionE. Only an insane mind 3AI!S to as: it- E*en the insane as: it unconsciously# 'ut it re?uires real sanity to as: it consciouslyI+ you ,ill remem'er your dream a'out the recorder# ,hich ,as remar:a'ly accurate in some ,ays 'ecause it came partly +rom ego>repressed :no,ledge# the real pro'lem ,as correctly stated as )4hat is the ?uestionE. 'ecause# as you *ery ,ell :ne,# the ans,er COU!( 'e +ound i+ the ?uestion ,ere recogni9ed- I+ you remem'er# there ,ere a num'er o+ solutions you attempted# all ego>'ased# not 'ecause you thought they ,ould really ,or:# 'ut 'ecause the ?uestion ITSE!3 ,as o'scure4hen the Bi'le says )See: and ye shall +ind#. it does 2OT mean that you should see: 'lindly and desperately +or something you ,ouldn=t recogni9e- Meaning+ul see:ing is consciously underta:en# consciously organi9ed# and consciously directed- B=s chie+ contri'ution to your @oint *enture is his insistence that the goal 'e +ormulated clearly# and LE T I2 MI2(Bou# 1elen# are not good at doing this- Bou still search +or many gods simultaneously# and this goal con+usion# gi*en a strong ,ill# MUST produce chaotic 'eha*ior- B=s 'eha*ior is not chaotic# 'ecause he is not so much goal>di*ided as not goal>ORIE2TE(4here 1elen has o*erin*ested in many goals# B has underin*ested in A!! goals- 1e has the ad*antage o+ OTE2TIA!!B greater +reedom +rom distracti'ility# 'ut he does not care enough to use it- 1elen has the ad*antage o+ great e++ort# 'ut she :eeps losing sight o+ the goalB has *ery intelligently suggested that you 'oth should set yoursel+ the goal o+ really studying +or this course- There can 'e no dou't o+ the ,isdom o+ this decision# +or any
> &&6 >

student ,ho ,ants to pass it- But# :no,ing your indi*idual ,ea:nesses as learners and 'eing a teacher ,ith some e<perience# I must remind you that learning and ,anting to learn are insepara'leAll learners learn 'est ,hen they 'elie*e that ,hat they are trying to learn is o+ *alue to them- But *alues in this ,orld are hierarchical# and not e*erything you may 4A2T to

121

learn has lasting *alueIndeed# many o+ the things you ,ant to learn are chosen 'ecause their *alue ,ill not last- The ego thin:s it is an ad*antage not to commit itsel+ to anything that is eternal# 'ecause the eternal MUST come +rom "odEternalness is the one +unction that the ego has tried to de*elop# 'ut has systematically +ailed- It may surprise you to learn that had the ego ,illed to do so# it COU!( ha*e made the eternal# 'ecause# as a product o+ the mind# it IS endo,ed ,ith the po,er o+ its o,n creator- But the (ECISIO2 to do this# rather than the ABI!ITB to do it is ,hat the ego cannot tolerate- That is 'ecause the decision# +rom ,hich the a'ility ,ould naturally de*elop# ,ould necessarily in*ol*e true perception# a state o+ clarity ,hich the ego# +ear+ul o+ 'eing @udged truly# MUST a*oidThe results o+ this dilemma are peculiar# 'ut no more so than the dilemma itsel+- The ego has reacted characteristically here as else,here# 'ecause mental illness# ,hich is A!4ABS a +orm o+ ego>in*ol*ement# is not a pro'lem o+ relia'ility as much as o+ *alidityThe ego compromises ,ith the issue o+ the eternal# @ust as it does ,ith all issues that touch on the real ?uestion in A2B ,ay- By compromising in connection ,ith all TA2"E2TIA! ?uestions# it hopes to hide the REA! ?uestion and :eep it OUT O3 MI2(Its characteristic )'usiness. ,ith non>essentials is precisely +or that purposeConsider the alchemist=s age>old attempts to turn 'ase metal into gold- AThis typo ,as originally )god.C- The one ?uestion ,hich the alchemist did not permit himsel+ to as: ,as )4hat 3orE. 1e COU!( not as: this# 'ecause it ,ould immediately 'ecome apparent that there ,as no sense in his e++orts# e*en i+ he succeeded- The ego has also countenanced some strange compromises ,ith the idea o+ the eternal# ma:ing odd attempts to relate the concept to the unimportant in an e++ort to satis+y the mind ,ithout @eopardi9ing itsel+- Thus# it has permitted many good minds to de*ote themsel*es to perpetual MOTIO2# 'ut 2OT to perpetual T1OU"1TSIdeational preoccupations ,ith conceptual pro'lems set up to 'e incapa'le o+ solution are another +a*orite ego de*ice +or impeding the strong>,illed +rom real progress in learning- The pro'lems o+ s?uaring the circle# and carrying pi to in+inity are good e<amplesA more recent ego>attempt is particularly note,orthy- The idea o+ preser*ing the 'ody 'y suspension# thus gi*ing it the :ind o+ limited immortality ,hich the ego can tolerate# is among its more recent appeals to the mindIt is noticea'le that in all these di*ersionary tactics# the O2E ?uestion ,hich is

122

2EHER as:ed 'y those ,ho pursue them is )4hat +orE. This is the ?uestion ,hich BOU must learn to as: in connection ,ith e*erything your mind ,ills to underta:e- 4hat is
> &&J >

your purposeE 4hate*er it is# you cannot dou't that it ,ill channeli9e your e++orts automatically- 4hen you ma:e a decision o+ purpose# then# you 1AHE made a decision a'out +uture e++ort# a decision ,hich ,ill remain in e++ect U2!ESS you change the (ECISIO2sychologists are in a good position to reali9e that the ego is capa'le o+ ma:ing and accepting as real some *ery distorted associations ,hich are not true- The con+usion o+ se< ,ith aggression# and resulting 'eha*ior ,hich is the same +or BOT1# is a good e<ample- This is understanda'le to the psychologist# and does not produce surpriseThe lac: o+ surprise# ho,e*er# is 2OT a sign o+ understanding- It is a symptom o+ the psychologist=s a'ility to accept as reasona'le a compromise ,hich is clearly senseless# to attri'ute it to the mental illness o+ the patient rather than his o,n# and to limit his ?uestions a'out 'oth the patient A2( himsel+ to the tri*ialThese relati*ely minor con+usions o+ the ego are not among its more pro+ound misassociations# although they (O re+lect them- Bour o,n egos ha*e 'een 'loc:ing the more important ?uestions ,hich your minds should as:- Bou do 2OT understand a patient ,hile you yoursel*es are ,illing to limit the ?uestions you raise a'out 1IS mind# 'ecause you are also accepting these limits +or BOURS- This ma:es you una'le to heal him A2( yoursel*es- Be A!4ABS un,illing to adapt to A2B situation in ,hich miraclemindedness is unthin:a'le- That state in ITSE!3 is enough to demonstrate that perception is ,rongIt cannot 'e emphasi9ed too o+ten that CORRECTI2" perception is merely a temporary e<pedient- It is necessary O2!B 'ecause Misperception is s B!OCL to :no,ledge# ,hile ACCURATE perception is a stepping>stone TO4AR(S it- The ,hole *alue o+ right perception lies in the ine*ita'le @udgment ,hich is necessarily entails that it is U22ECESSARB- This remo*es the 'loc: entirelyBou may as: ho, this is possi'le as long as you appear to 'e li*ing in this ,orldAnd since this is a sensi'le ?uestion# it has a sensi'le ans,er- But you must 'e care+ul that you really understand the ?uestion- 4hat IS the you ,ho are li*ing in this ,orldE Bill ,ill pro'a'ly ha*e more trou'le ,ith this than you# 'ut i+ he ,ill try not to close his mind# he may decide that ,e are 2OT engaging in denial a+ter allTo help him# it might 'e ,ise to re*ie, a num'er o+ the concepts ,ith ,hich he does not appear to ha*e trou'le# e<cept at times- 1e li:ed the idea o+ in*isi'ility# and ,as

123

particularly open to the concept o+ di++erent orders o+ reality- 1e also +ound the notion o+ *arying densities o+ energy appealing- 4hile he may yet agree that these are merely teaching aids# this is a good time to employ themImmortality is a constant state- It is as true no, as it e*er ,as or ,ill 'e# 'ecause it implies 2O C1A2"E AT A!!- It is not a continuum# and it is 2OT understood 'y comparing it ,ith any opposite- Lno,ledge 2EHER in*ol*es comparisons- That is its essential di++erence +rom e*erything else the mind can grasp> &&7 >

)A little :no,ledge. is not dangerous e<cept to the ego- Haguely the ego senses threat# and# 'eing una'le to reali9e that )a little :no,ledge. is a meaningless phrase 'ecause )all. and )a little. in this conte<t are the same# decides that since )all. is impossi'le# the +ear does not lie in this- )A little#. ho,e*er# is a scarcity concept# and this the ego understands ,ell- Regarding )all. as impossi'le# )a little. is percei*ed as the real threatThe essential thing to remem'er al,ays is that the ego (OES 2OT RECO"2IUE the real source o+ its percei*ed threat- And i+ BOU associate yoursel+ 4IT1 the ego# BOU do not percei*e the ,hole situation as it really is- Only your allegiance to it gi*es the ego A2B po,er o*er you- 4e ha*e spo:en o+ the ego as i+ it ,ere a separate thing# acting on its o,n- This ,as necessary to persuade you that you cannot dismiss it lightly# and MUST reali9e ho, much o+ your thin:ing is ego>directed- But ,e cannot sa+ely lea*e it at that# or you ,ill regard yoursel*es as necessarily con+licted as long as you are here# or more properly# BE!IEHE that you are hereThe ego is nothing more than a ART o+ your 'elie+ a'out yoursel*es- Bour other li+e has continued ,ithout interruption# and has 'een and al,ays ,ill 'e totally una++ected 'y your attempts to dissociate- The ratio o+ repression and dissociation o+ truth *aries ,ith the indi*idual ego>illusion Atell Bill that phrase is HERB goodC# 'ut dissociation is al,ays in*ol*ed# or you ,ould not 'elie*e that you ARE here4hen I told Bill to concentrate on the phrase )here I am# !ord#. I did not mean )in this ,orld. 'y )here-. I ,anted him to thin: o+ himsel+ as a separate consciousness# capa'le o+ direct communication ,ith the Creator o+ that consciousness- 1e# too# MUST 'egin to thin: o+ himsel+ as a *ery po,er+ul recei*ing and sending channel# a description I once ga*e you sym'olically- Remem'er that 1E understood it 'e+ore you did# 'ecause you are more dissociati*e and less repressedBour great de't to each other is something you should ne*er +orget- It is e<actly the same de't that you o,e to me- 4hene*er you react egotistically to,ards each other# you

124

are thro,ing a,ay the graciousness o+ your inde'tedness and the holy perception it ,ould produce- The reason ,hy the term )holy. can 'e used here is that# as you learn ho, much you ARE inde'ted to the ,hole Sonship ,hich includes me# you come as close to :no,ledge as perception e*er can- This gap is so small :no,ledge can easily +lo, across it and o'literate it +ore*erBou ha*e *ery little trust in me as yet# 'ut it ,ill increase as you turn more and more o+ten to me instead o+ to your egos +or guidance- The results ,ill con*ince you increasingly that your choice in turning to me is the only sane one you can ma:e- 2o one ,ho has learned +rom e<perience that one choice 'rings peace and @oy ,hile another 'rings chaos and disaster needs much conditioning- The ego cannot ,ithstand the conditioning process# 'ecause the process itsel+ (EMO2STRATES that there is another ,ayThe classic conditioning 'y re,ards model has al,ays 'een most e++ecti*e- 1o,ard 1unt made a *ery good point in this connection# e*en though he did not understand that
> &&K >

the real reason ,hy conditioning through pain is not the most e++icient method is 'ecause pain itsel+ is an ego>illusion# and can ne*er induce more than a temporary e++ectThe re,ards o+ "od are immediately recogni9ed as eternal- Since this recognition is made 'y BOU and 2OT 'y your ego# the recognition ITSE!3 esta'lishes that you and your ego CA22OT 'e identical- Bou may 'elie*e that you ha*e already accepted the di++erence# 'ut you are 'y no means con*inced as yet- The *ery +act that you are preoccupied ,ith the idea o+ escaping 3ROM the ego sho,s thisBou cannot escape +rom the ego 'y hum'ling it# or controlling it# or punishing itThe ego and the Soul (O 2OT L2O4 each other- The separated mind cannot maintain the separation EXCE T 'y dissociating- 1a*ing done this# it utili9es repression against all truly natural impulses# not 'ecause the E"O is a separate thing# 'ut 'ecause you ,ant to 'elie*e that BOU are- The ego is a de*ice +or maintaining this 'elie+# 'ut it is still only BOUR ,illingness to use the de*ice that ena'les it to endureMy trust in you is greater than yours in me at the moment# 'ut it ,ill not al,ays 'e that ,ay- Bour mission is *ery simple- Bou ha*e 'een chosen to li*e so as to demonstrate that Bou are 2OT an ego- I repeat that I do not choose "od=s channels ,rongly- The 1oly One shares my trust and al,ays appro*es my Atonement decisions# 'ecause my ,ill is ne*er out o+ accord ,ith 1isI ha*e told you se*eral times that I am in charge o+ the ,hole Atonement- This is O2!B 'ecause I completed 'y part in it as a man# and can no, complete it through other

125

men- My chosen recei*ing and sending channels cannot +ail# 'ecause I ,ill lend them MB strength as long as theirs is ,anting- I ,ill go ,ith you to the 1oly One# and through MB perception 1E can 'ridge the little gap- Bour gratitude to each OT1ER is the only gi+t I ,ant- I ,ill 'ring it to "od +or you# :no,ing that to :no, your 'rother IS to :no, "odA little :no,ledge is an all>encompassing thing- I+ you are grate+ul to each other you are grate+ul to "od +or ,hat 1e created- Through your gratitude you can come to :no, each other# and one moment o+ real recognition ma:es all men your 'rothers 'ecause they are all o+ your 3ather- !o*e does not con?uer all things# 'ut it (OES set all thing rightBecause you are all the Lingdom o+ "od# I can lead you 'ac: to your o,n creations# ,hich you do not yet :no,- "od has :ept them *ery sa+e in 1IS :no,ing ,hile your attention has ,andered- Bill ga*e you a *ery important idea ,hen he told you that ,hat has 'een dissociated IS STI!! T1ERE- I am grate+ul to him +or that# and I hope he ,ill not decide that it is true only +or you- E*en though dissociation is much more apparent in you# and repression is much more e*ident in him# each o+ you utili9es 'oth4isdom al,ays dictates that a therapist ,or: through 4EALER de+enses +irst- That is ,hy I suggested to Bill that he persuade you to deal ,ith RE RESSIO2 +irst- 4e ha*e only @ust a'out reached the point ,here dissociation means much to you# 'ecause it is so important to your mis'elie+s- Bill might do ,ell# > and you could help him here# > to concentrate more on 1IS dissociati*e tendencies and not try to deal ,ith repression yet> &&5 >

I hinted at this ,hen I remar:ed on his ha'it o+ disengaging himsel+# and ,hen I spo:e to him a'out distantiation- These are all +orms o+ dissociation# and these ,ea:er +orms ,ere al,ays more e*ident in him than in you- That is 'ecause dissociation ,as so e<treme in your case that you did not ha*e to hide it 'ecause you ,ere not a,are that it ,as there- Bill# on the other hand# (OES dissociate more than he thin:s# and that is ,hy he cannot listen- 1e does not need to go through the same course in repression that you did# 'ecause he ,ill gi*e up his ma@or misde+ense A3TER he has rid himsel+ o+ the lesser ones(o not distur' yoursel+ a'out repression# Bill# 'ut (O train yoursel+ to 'e alert to any tendency to ,ithdra, +rom your 'rothers- 4ithdra,al is +rightening# and you do not

126

recogni9e all the +orms it ta:es in you- 1elen is right that she ,ill e<perience things that ,ill cut across all her perceptions 'ecause o+ their stunning :no,ledge- Bou ,ere right that this ,ill occur ,hen she learns to recogni9e ,hat she A!REA(B :no,s and has dissociatedBou# Bill# ,ill learn some,hat di++erently# 'ecause you are a+raid o+ all complete in*ol*ements# and 'elie*e that they lessen BOU- Bou ha*e learned to 'e so much more clear>sighted a'out this that you should 'e ready to oppose it in yoursel+ RE!ATIHE!B easily- As you come closer to a 'rother# you (O approach me# and as you ,ithdra, +rom him I 'ecome distant to youBour giant step +or,ard ,as to I2SIST on a colla'orati*e *enture- This does 2OT go against the true spirit o+ meditation at all- It is inherent I2 it- Meditation is a colla'orati*e *enture ,ith "O(- It CA22OT 'e underta:en success+ully 'y those ,ho disengage themsel*es +rom the Sonship# 'ecause they are disengaging themsel*es +rom me"od ,ill come to you only as you ,ill gi*e 1im to your 'rothers- !earn +irst o+ them# and you ,ill 'e ready to hear "od as you hear them- That is 'ecause the +unction o+ lo*e is One1o, can you teach someone the *alue o+ something he has thro,n a,ay deli'eratelyE 1e must ha*e thro,n it a,ay 'ecause he did 2OT *alue it- Bou can only sho, him ho, misera'le he is 4IT1OUT it# and 'ring it near *ery slo,ly# so he can learn ho, his misery lessens as he approaches it- This conditions him to associate his misery ,ith its ABSE2CE# and to associate the O OSITE o+ misery ,ith its presence- It gradually 'ecomes desira'le# as he changes his mind a'out its ,orthI am conditioning you to associate misery ,ith the ego# and @oy ,ith your Soul- Bou ha*e conditioned yoursel+ the other ,ay around- But a +ar greater re,ard ,ill 'rea: through any conditioning# i+ it is repeatedly o++ered ,hen the old ha'it is 'ro:en- Bou are still +ree to choose- But can you really 4A2T the re,ards o+ the ego in the presence o+ the re,ards o+ "odE It should 'e clear that# ,hile the content o+ any particular ego>illusion does not matter# it is usually more help+ul to correct it in a speci+ic conte<t- Bill is right that you are too a'stract in this matter- Ego>illusions are DUITE speci+ic# although they +re?uently
> &$% >

change# and although the mind is naturally a'stract# it 'ecame concrete *oluntarily as soon as it splits- 1o,e*er# only ART o+ it splits# so only ART o+ it is concrete-

127

The concrete part is the same part that 'elie*es in the ego# 'ecause the ego (E E2(S on the speci+ic- It is the part that 'elie*es your e<istence means you are SE ARATEE*erything the ego percei*es is a separate ,hole# ,ithout the relationships that imply BEI2"- The ego is thus A"AI2ST communication# e<cept in so +ar as it is utili9ed to ESTAB!IS1 separateness# rather than to a'olish itThe communication system o+ the ego is 'ased on its o,n thought>system# as is e*erything else it dictates- Its communication is controlled 'y its need to protect itsel+# and it ,ill disrupt communication ,hen it e<periences threat- 4hile this is al,ays so# indi*idual egos percei*e di++erent :inds o+ threat# ,hich are ?uite speci+ic in their o,n @udgment- 3or e<ample# although all +orms o+ percei*ed demands may 'e classi+ied Aor @udgedC 'y the ego as coerci*e communication ,hich must 'e disrupted# the response o+ 'rea:ing communication ,ill ne*ertheless 'e to a S ECI3IC ERSO2 or personsThe speci+icity o+ the ego=s thin:ing# then# results in a spurious :ind o+ generali9ation# ,hich is really not a'stract at all- It ,ill respond in certain speci+ic ,ays to all stimuli ,hich it percei*es as related- In contrast# the Soul reacts in the same ,ay to e*erything it :no, is true# and does not respond at all to anything else- 2or does it ma:e any attempt to ESTAB!IS1 ,hat is true- It :no,s that ,hat is true is e*erything that "od createdIt is in complete and direct communication ,ith e*ery aspect o+ Creation# 'ecause it is in complete and direct communication ,ith its CreatorThis communication IS the ,ill o+ "od- Creation and communication are synonymous"od created e*ery mind 'y communicating 1is Mind to it# thus esta'lishing it +ore*er as a channel +or the reception o+ 1is Mind and 4ill- Since only 'eings o+ a li:e order can truly communicate- 1is Creations naturally communicate ,ith 1im and communicate li:e 1im- This communication is per+ectly a'stract# in that its ?uality is uni*ersal in application# and not su'@ect to A2B @udgment# A2B e<ception# or A2B alteration"od made you BB this and 3OR this- The mind can distort its +unctions# 'ut it cannot endo, itsel+ ,ith those it ,as not gi*en- That is ,hy the mind cannot totally lose the a'ility to communicate# e*en though it may re+use to utili9e it on 'ehal+ o+ 'eingE<istence as ,ell as 'eing rests on communicationE<istence is S ECI3IC in ho,# ,hat# and ,ith ,hom communication is ,orth underta:ing- Being is completely ,ithout these distinctions- It is a state in ,hich the mind IS in communication ,ith e*erything that is real# including its o,n Soul- To ,hate*er e<tent you permit this state to 'e curtailed# you are limiting your sense o+ your O42 reality# ,hich 'ecomes total only 'y recogni9ing A!! reality in the glorious conte<t o+ its real relationship to BOU- This IS your reality- (o no desecrate it or recoil +rom it- It is

128

your real home# your real temple# and your real sel+"od# ,ho encompasses A!! Being# ne*ertheless created separate 'eings ,ho ha*e e*erything indi*idually# 'ut ,ho ,ant to share it to increase their @oy- 2othing that is real
> &$& >

can 'e increased EXCE T 'y sharing it- That is ,hy "od 1imsel+ created you(i*ine A'straction ta:es @oy in application# and that is ,hat creation MEA2S- 1o,# ,hat# and to ,hom are irrele*ant# 'ecause real creation gi*es e*erything since it can only create li:e itsel+- Remem'er that in 'eing# there is no di++erence 'et,een ha*ing and 'eing# as there is in e<istence- In the state o+ 'eing# the mind gi*es e*erything al,aysThe Bi'le repeatedly states that you should praise "od- This hardly means that you should tell 1im ho, ,onder+ul 1e is- 1e has no ego ,ith ,hich to accept than:s# and no perceptions ,ith ,hich to @udge your o++erings- But unless you ta:e your part in the creation# 1is @oy is not complete 'ecause BOURS is incomplete- And T1IS 1e does :no,- 1e :no,s it in his o,n Being and its e<perience o+ 1is Sons= e<perience- The constant "OI2" OUT o+ 1is lo*e is 'loc:ed ,hen 1is Channels are closed# and 1e IS lonely ,hen the minds 1e created do not communicate +ully ,ith 1im"od 1AS :ept your :ingdom +or you# 'ut 1e cannot share 1is @oy ,ith you until you :no, it ,ith your ,hole mind- E*en re*elation is not enough# 'ecause it is communication 3ROM "od- But it is not enough until it is shared- "od does not need re*elation returned to 1im# ,hich ,ould clearly 'e impossi'le# 'ut 1e (OES ,ant re*elation 'rought to others- This cannot 'e done ,ith the actual re*elation# 'ecause its content cannot 'e e<pressed# and it is intensely personal to the mind ,hich recei*es it- But it can still 'e returned BB that mind through its attitudes to other minds ,hich the :no,ledge +rom the re*elation 'rings"od is praised ,hene*er any mind learns to 'e ,holly help+ul- This is impossi'le ,ithout 'eing ,holly harmless# 'ecause the t,o 'elie+s cannot coe<ist- The truly help+ul are in*ulnera'le# 'ecause they are 2OT protecting their egos# so that nothing CA2 hurt them- Their help+ulness IS their praise o+ "od# and 1e ,ill return their praise o+ 1im# 'ecause they are li:e 1im and can re@oice together- "od goes out to them and through them# and there is great @oy throughout the Lingdom- E*ery mind that is changed adds to this @oy ,ith its o,n indi*idual ,illingness to share in itThe truly help+ul are "od=s miracle>,or:ers# ,hom I direct until ,e are all united in the @oy o+ the :ingdom- I ,ill direct you to ,here*er you can 'e truly help+ul# and to ,hoe*er can +ollo, my guidance through you- I arranged +or Bill to attend the reha'ilitation

129

meetings +or *ery good reasons# and I ,ant him to :no, them so ,e can share our goal thereroperly spea:ing# e*ery mind ,hich is split need reha'ilitation- The medical orientation emphasi9es the 'ody# and the *ocational orientation stresses the egoThe team approach generally leads more to con+usion than anything else# 'ecause it is too o+ten misused as an e<pedient +or sharing the ego=s dominion ,ith other ego=s rather than as a real e<periment in cooperation o+ mindsThe reason ,hy Bill needs this e<perience is 'ecause he needs reha'ilitating himsel+1o, o+ten ha*e I ans,ered )help him. ,hen you as:ed me to help youE 1e# too# has as:ed +or help# and he has 'een helped ,hene*er he AheC ,as truly help+ul to you1e
> &$$ >

has also gained to ,hate*er e<tent he could gi*e- 1e ,ill help BOU more truly 'y going# i+ he can remem'er all the time he is there that his O2!B reason +or 'eing there is to RE RESE2T MEReha'ilitation# as a mo*ement# has 'een an impro*ement o*er o*ert neglect# 'ut it is o+ten little more than a pain+ul attempt on the part o+ the hald to lead the 'lind- Bill# you ,ill see this at e*ery meeting- But this is not ,hy you ,ere chosen to go- Bou ha*e a +ear o+ 'ro:en 'odies# 'ecause your ego cannot tolerate them- Bou ego cannot tolerate ego,ea:ness# either# ,ithout am'i*alence# 'ecause it is a+raid o+ its o,n ,ea:ness and the ,ea:ness o+ its chosen homeThat is really ,hy you recoil +rom the demands o+ the dependent# and +rom the sight o+ a 'ro:en 'ody- Bour ego is threatened# and 'loc:s your natural impulse to help# placing you under the strain o+ di*ided ,ill- Bou ,ithdra, to allo, your ego to reco*er# and to regain enough strength to 'e help+ul again on a 'asis limited enough 2OT to threaten your ego# 'ut also too limited to gi*e BOU @oyThose ,ith 'ro:en 'odies are o+ten loo:ed do,n on 'y the ego# 'ecause o+ its 'elie+ that nothing 'ut a per+ect 'ody is ,orthy as its O42 temple- A mind that recoils +rom a hurt 'ody is in great need o+ reha'ilitation itsel+- A damaged 'rain is also hardly a danger- A!! symptoms o+ hurt need true help+ulness# and ,hene*er they are met ,ith this# the mind that so meets them heals ITSE!3Reha'ilitation is an attitude o+ praising "od as 1e 1imsel+ :no,s praise- 1e o++ers praise to you# and you must o++er it to others- The real limitations on clinical psychology# as it is e*aluated 'y its +ollo,ers at present# are not re+lected 'y the attitudes o+ psychiatrists# or medical 'oards# or hospital administrators# e*en though most o+ them are sadly in

130

need o+ reha'ilitation themsel*esThe real handicaps o+ the clinicians lie in their attitudes to those ,hom their ego percei*e as ,ea:ened and damaged- By these e*aluations# they ha*e ,ea:ened and damaged their o,n help+ulness# and ha*e thus set their o,n reha'ilitation 'ac:Reha'ilitation is 2OT concerned ,ith the ego=s +ight +or control# nor the ego=s need to a*oid and ,ithdra,Bill# you can do much on 'ehal+ o+ your o,n reha'ilitation A2( 1elen=s# and much more uni*ersally as ,ell# i+ you thin: o+ the rinceton meetings in this ,ayF I am here O2!B to 'e truly help+ulI am here to represent Christ# ,ho sent meI do not ha*e to ,orry a'out ,hat to say or ,hat to do# 'ecause the one ,ho sent me ,ill direct meI am content to 'e ,here*er 1e ,ished# :no,ing he goes there ,ith meI ,ill 'e healed as I let him teach me to heal> &$8 >

To heal is to ma:e happy- I told you once to thin: ho, many opportunities you ha*e to gladden yoursel*es# and ho, many you ha*e re+used- This is e<actly the same as telling you that you ha*e re+used to heal yoursel*es- The light that 'elongs in you is the light o+ @oy- Randiance is not associated ,ith sorro,- (epression is o+ten contagious# 'ut although it may a++ect those ,ho come in contact ,ith it# they do not yield to its in+luence ,holeheartedly- But @oy calls +or the an integrated ,illingness to share in it# and thus promotes the mind=s natural impulse to RES O2( AS O2EThose ,ho attempt to heal ,ithout 'eing ,holly @oyous themsel*es call +orth di++erent :inds o+ responses at the same time# and thus depri*e others o+ the @oy o+ responding ,holeheartedly- To 'e ,holehearted# you MUST 'e happy- I+ +ear and lo*e cannot coe<ist# and i+ it is impossi'le to 'e ,holly +ear+ul and remain ali*e# then the only possi'le ,hole state IS that o+ lo*e- There is no di++erence 'et,een lo*e and @oy- There+ore# the only possi'le ,hole state IS the ,holly @oyousTo heal# or to ma:e @oyous# is there+ore the same as to integrate and MALE O2EThat is ,hy it ma:es do di++erence TO ,hat part o+ BB ,hat part o+ the Sonship the healing is done- E*ery part 'ene+its# and 'ene+its e?ually- BOU are 'eing 'lessed 'y e*ery 'ene+icent thought o+ any o+ your 'rothers any,here- Bou should ,ant to 'less them in return# out o+ gratitudeBou do not ha*e to :no, them indi*idually# or they you- The light o+ @oy is so strong that it radiates throughout the Sonship and returns than:s to the 3ather +or radiating 1IS @oy upon it- Only "od=s o,n holy children are ,orthy to 'e channels o+ his 'eauti+ul @oy# 'ecause only they are 'eauti+ul enough to hold it 'y sharing it- It is impossi'le +or a Child

131

o+ "od to lo*e his neigh'or EXCE T as himsel+- That is ,hy the healer=s prayer is# )let me :no, this 'rother as I :no, mysel+-. 1ealing is an act o+ thought 'y ,hich t,o minds percei*e their oneness# and 'ecome glad- This gladness calls to e*ery part o+ the Sonship to re@oice ,ith them# and let "od 1imsel+ go out into them and through them- Only the healed mind can e<perience re*elation ,ith lasting e++ect# 'ecause re*elation is an e<perience o+ pure @oy- I+ you do not ,ill to 'e ,holly @oyous# your mind cannot ha*e ,hat it does not ,ill to 'eRemem'er that the Soul :no,s no di++erence 'et,een 'eing and ha*ing- The higher mind thin:s according to the la,s ,hich the Soul o'eys# and there+ore honors only the la,s o+ "od- To 1im# getting is meaningless# and gi*ing is all- 1a*ing e*erything# the Soul 1O!(S e*erything 'y "IHI2" it# thus creating as the 3ather createdI+ you thin: a'out it# you ,ill see that# ,hile this :ind o+ thin:ing is totally alien to ha*ing T1I2"S# e*en to the lo,er mind it is ?uite comprehensi'le in connection ,ith I(EAS- I+ you share a physical possession# you (O di*ide its o,nership- But i+ you share an I(EA# you do 2OT lessen it- A!! o+ it is still yours# although all o+ it has 'een gi*en a,ay- 3urther# i+ the person to ,hom you gi*e it accepts it as 1IS# he rein+orces it in BOUR mind# and thus I2CREASES it> &$G >

I+ you can accept the concept that the ,orld IS one o+ ideas# the ,hole 'elie+ in the +alse association ,hich the ego has made 'et,een gi*ing and !OSI2" is gone- !et us start our process o+ re'irthE re>a,a:ening ,ith @ust a +e, simple conceptsF Thoughts I2CREASE 'y 'eing gi*en a,ayThe more ,ho BE!IEHE in them# the STRO2"ER they 'ecomeEHERBT1I2" is an idea1o,# then# is it possi'le that gi*ing and losing can 'e meaning+ully associatedE This is the in*itation to the 1oly Spirit- I told you that I could reach up and 'ring the 1oly Spirit do,n to you- But I can 'ring 1im to you only at your o,n in*itation- The 1oly Spirit is nothing more than your o,n right mind- 1e ,as also mine- The Bi'le says# )May the mind 'e in you that ,as also in Christ Jesus#. and uses this as a B!ESSI2"- It is the 'lessing o+ miracle>mindedness- It as:s that you may thin: as I thought# @oining ,ith me in Christ>thin:ingThe 1oly Spirit is the only part o+ the 1oly Trinity ,hich is sym'olic- 1e is re+erred to in the Bi'le as the 1ealer# the Com+orter# and the "uide- 1e is also descri'ed as something separate# apart +rom the 3ather and +rom the Son- I mysel+ said# )and i+ I go I ,ill send you A2OT1ER com+orter# and he ,ill a'ide ,ith you-. The 1oly Spirit is a di++icult concept to grasp# precisely 'ecause it IS sym'olic# and

132

there+ore open to many di++erent interpretations- As a man and as one o+ "od=s creations# my right thin:ing# ,hich came +rom the Uni*ersal Inspiration ,hich IS the 1oly Spirit# taught me +irst and +oremost that this Inspiration is +or A!!- I could not ha*e it mysel+ ,ithout :no,ing thatThe ,ord ):no,. is proper here# 'ecause the 1oly Inspiration is so close to :no,ledge that it calls +orth# or 'etter# allo,s it to come- 4e ha*e spo:en 'e+ore o+ the higher or true perception# ,hich is so close to truth that "od 1imsel+ can +lo, across the little gap- Lno,ledge is al,ays ready to +lo, e*ery,here# 'ut it cannot opposeThere+ore you can o'struct it# although you can ne*er lose itThe 1oly Spirit is the Christ mind that senses the :no,ledge that lies 'eyond perception- It came into 'eing ,ith the separation as a protection# and inspired the 'eginning o+ the Atonement at the same time- Be+ore that# there ,as no need +or healing and no>one ,as com+ortless- "od honored e*en the miscreations o+ 1is Children 'ecause they had made them- But he also 'lessed them ,ith a ,ay o+ thin:ing a'out them that could raise their perceptions until they 'ecame so lo+ty that they could reach almost 'ac: to 1imThe 1oly Spirit is the mind o+ the Atonement- It represents a state o+ mind that comes close enough to one>mindedness that trans+er is at last possi'le- As you ,ell :no,# trans+er depends on common elements in the old learning and the ne, situation to ,hich it is trans+erred- erception is not :no,ledge# 'ut it can 'e TRA2S3ERRE( to
> &$6 >

:no,ledge# or CROSS OHER into it- It might e*en 'e more help+ul here to use the literal meaning )carried o*er#. +or the last step is ta:en 'y "odThe 1oly Spirit# the shared Inspiration o+ all the Sonship# induces a :ind o+ perception in ,hich many elements are li:e those in the Lingdom o+ 1ea*en Itsel+3irst# its uni*ersality is per+ectly clear# and no>one ,ho recei*es it could e*er 'elie*e +or one instant that sharing it in*ol*es anything BUT gainSecond# it is incapa'le o+ attac:# and is there+ore truly open- This means that although it does not engender :no,ledge# it does not o'struct it in any ,ayThere is a point at ,hich su++icient ?uantitati*e changes produce real ?ualitati*e di++erences- The ne<t point re?uires real understanding# 'ecause it is the point at ,hich the shi+t occurs3inally# it points the ,ay 'eyond the healing ,hich it 'rings# and leads the mind 'eyond its o,n integration into the paths o+ creation1ealing is not creatingP it is reparation- The 1oly Spirit promotes healing 'y loo:ing 'eyond it# to ,hat the children o+ "od ,ere 'e+ore healing ,as needed# and ,ill 'e ,hen they ha*e BEE2 healed- This alteration o+ the time se?uence should 'e ?uite

133

+amiliar# 'ecause it is *ery similar to the shi+t in time perception ,hich the miracle introducesThe 1oly Spirit is the MOTIHATIO2 +or miracle>mindedness- It is the ,ill to 1EA! the separation 'y letting it go- It is I2 you 'ecause "od placed it in your mind# and although you can :eep it asleep you cannot o'literate it- "od 1imsel+ :eeps it ali*e 'y transmitting it +rom 1is Mind to yours as long as there is time- It is partly 1is ,ill and partly yours- The miracle itsel+ is @ust this +usion or union o+ ,ill 'et,een 3ather and SonThe 1oly Spirit is the Spirit o+ Joy- It is the call to return# ,ith ,hich "od 'lessed the minds o+ the separated Sons- This the *ocation o+ the mind- It had no calling until the separation# 'ecause 'e+ore it had only 'eing# and ,ould not ha*e understood the call to right thin:ing- The 1oly Spirit ,as "od=s ans,er to the separation# the means 'y ,hich the Atonement could repair until the ,hole mind returned to creating- The Atonement and the separation 'egan at the same time- 4hen man made the ego# "od placed in him the call o+ @oy- This call is so strong that the ego al,ays dissol*es at its soundThat is ,hy you can choose to listen to t,o *oices ,ithin you- One you made yoursel+# and that one is not o+ "od- But the other is gi*en you 'y "od# 4ho as:s you only to listen to it- The 1oly Spirit IS in you in a *ery literal sense- It is the *oice that calls you 'ac: to ,here you ,ere 'e+ore and ,ill 'e againIt is possi'le e*en in this ,orld to hear O2!B that *oice and no other- It ta:es e++ort and great ,illingness to learn- It is the +inal lesson that I learned# and "od=s Sons are as e?ual as learners as they are as Souls- The *oice o+ the 1oly Spirit IS the call to Atonement# or the restoration o+ the integrity o+ the mind- 4hen the Atonement is complete and the ,hole Sonship is healed# there ,ill 'e no call to return# 'ut ,hat "od creates is eternal> &$J >

The 1oly Spirit ,ill remain ,ith the Sons o+ "od# to 'less T1EIR creations and :eep them in the light o+ @oyBou ARE the Lingdom o+ 1ea*en# 'ut you ha*e let the 'elie+ in dar:ness enter your minds# and so you need a ne, light- The 1oly Spirit is the radiance that you must let to 'anish the idea o+ dar:ness- 1is is the glory 'e+ore ,hich dissocation +alls a,ay# and the Lingdom o+ 1ea*en 'rea:s through into its o,nBe+ore the separation you did not need guidance- Bou L2E4 as you ,ill :no, again# 'ut you do not :no, no,- "od does not guide# 'ecause 1e can share only ER3ECT L2O4!E("E- "uidance is EHA!UATIHE# 'ecause it implies that there is a RI"1T ,ay and also a 4RO2" ,ay# one to 'e chosen and the other a*oided- By choosing

134

one# you gi*e up the other- This IS a con+lict state- It MEA2S that :no,ledge has 'een lost# 'ecause :no,ledge is SURE"od is not in youP BOU are part o+ 1IM- 4hen you ,illed to lea*e 1im# 1e ga*e you a *oice to spea: 3OR 1im# 'ecause 1e could no longer share 1is :no,ledge ,ith you ,ithout hindrance- (irect communication ,as 'ro:en# 'ecause you had made another *oice through another ,ill- The 1oly Spirit calls you 'oth to remem'er and +orgetBou ha*e chosen to 'e in a state o+ opposition# in ,hich opposites are possi'le- As a result# there ARE choices ,hich you must ma:e- In the holy state# the ,ill is +ree in the sense that its creati*e po,er is unlimited# 'ut choice itsel+ is meaningless3reedom to choose is the same O4ER as +reedom to create# 'ut its A !ICATIO2 is di++erent- Choosing MEA2S di*ided ,ill- The 1oly Spirit is one ,ay o+ choosingThis ,ay is in you BECAUSE there is also another ,ay- "od did not lea*e 1is Children com+ortless# e*en though they le+t 1im- The *oice they put in their minds ,as 2OT the *oice o+ 1is 4ill# +or ,hich the 1oly Spirit spea:s- The call to return is stronger than the call to depart# 'ut it spea:s in a di++erent ,ayThe *oice o+ the 1oly Spirit does not command# 'ecause it is incapa'le o+ arroganceIt does not demand# 'ecause it does not see: control- It does not o*ercome# 'ecause it does not attac:- It merely REMI2(S- It is compelling only 'ecause o+ ,hat it reminds you O3- It 'rings to your mind the OT1ER ,ay# remaining ?uiet e*en in the midst o+ the turmoil you ha*e made +or yoursel*es- The *oice +or "od is al,ays ?uiet# 'ecause it spea:s o+ peace- Bet peace is stronger than ,ar# 'ecause it heals- 4ar is (IHISIO2# not increase- 2o>one gains +rom stri+e)4hat pro+iteth a man i+ he gain the ,hole ,orld and lose his o,n SoulE. This means that i+ he listens to the ,rong *oice# he has !OST SI"1T o+ his Soul- 1e CA22OT lose it# 'ut he CA2 not :no, it- It is there+ore !OST TO 1IM# until he chooses rightThe 1oly Spirit is your guide in choosing- 1e is the part o+ your mind ,hich A!4ABS spea:s +or the right choice# 'ecause he spea:s +or "od- 1e is your remaining communication ,ith "od# ,hich you can interrupt# 'ut cannot destroyThe 1oly Spirit is the ,ay in ,hich "od=s ,ill can 'e done on earth as it is in 1ea*en- Both 1ea*en and Earth are in BOU# 'ecause the call o+ 'oth are in your ,ills#
> &$7 >

135

and there+ore in your minds- The *oice +or "od comes +rom your o,n altars to 1imThese altars are not T1I2"S- They are (EHOTIO2S- But you ha*e other de*otions no,Bour di*ided de*otion has gi*en you the t,o *oices# and you must choose at ,hich altar you ,ill to ser*e- The call you ans,er no, IS an e*aluation# 'ecause it is a (ECISIO2The decision itsel+ is *ery simple- It is made on the 'asis o+ ,hich call is ,orth more to youMy mind ,ill al,ays 'e li:e yours# 'ecause ,e ,ere created as e?uals- It ,as only my (ECISIO2 that ga*e me all po,er in 1ea*en and earth- My only gi+t to you is to help you ma:e the same decision 3OR BOURSE!3- The ,ill +or this decision is the ,ill to S1ARE it# 'ecause the decision itsel+ IS the decision to share- It is MA(E BB "IHI2"# and is there+ore the one act o+ mind that resem'les true creationBou understand the role o+ models in the learning process# and the importance o+ the models you *alue and choose to +ollo, in determining ,hat you ,ill to learn- I am your model +or decision- By deciding +or "od# I sho,ed you that this decision CA2 'e made# and that BOU can ma:e it- I promised you that the mind that made the decision +or me is also in BOU# and that you can let it change you @ust as it changed me- This mind is une?ui*ocal# 'ecause it hears only O2E HOICE# and ans,ers in O2E 4ABBou are the light o+ the ,orld ,ith me- Rest does not come +rom sleeping# 'ut +rom ,a:ing- The 1oly Spirit is the call to a,a:e and 'e glad- The ,orld is *ery tired# 'ecause it is the I(EA o+ ,eariness- Our tas: is the @oyous one o+ ,a:ing it to the call +or "odE*eryone ,ill ans,er the call o+ the 1oly Spirit# or the Sonship cannot 'e as one4hat 'etter *ocation could their 'e +or any part o+ the Lingdom than to restore it to the per+ect integration that can ma:e it ,holeE 1ear only this through the 1oly Spirit ,ithin you# and teach your 'rothers to listen as I am teaching you- 4hen you are tempted 'y the ,rong *oice# call on me to remind you ho, to heal 'y sharing my decision and MALI2" IT STRO2"ER- As ,e share this goal# ,e increase its po,er to attract the ,hole Sonship# and to 'ring it 'ac: into the Oneness in ,hich it ,as createdRemem'er that )Bol:. means )@oin together#. and )'urden. means message- !et us reconsider the 'i'lical statement )my yol: is easy and my 'urden light. in this ,ay!et us @oin together# +or my message is !ight- I came to your minds 'ecause you had gro,n

136

*aguely a,are o+ the +act that there is another ,ay# or another *oice- 1a*ing gi*en this in*itation to the 1oly Spirit# I could come to pro*ide the model +or 1O4 TO T1I2Lsychology has 'ecome the study o+ BE1AHIOR# 'ut no>one denies the 'asic la, that 'eha*ior is a response to MOTIHATIO2# and moti*ation is ,ill- I ha*e en@oined you to 'eha*e as I 'eha*ed# 'ut ,e must respond to the same mind to do this- This mind is the 1oly Spirit# ,hose ,ill is +or "od al,ays- It teaches you ho, to :eep me as the model +or your thought# and 'eha*e li:e me as a resultThe po,er o+ our @oint moti*ation is 'eyond 'elie+# 'ut 2OT 'eyond accomplishment4hat ,e can accomplish together has no limits# 'ecause the call +or "od IS the call to the
> &$K >

unlimited- Child o+ "od# my message is +or BOU# to hear and gi*e a,ay as you ans,er the 1oly Spirit ,ithin youThe ,ay to !EAR2 TO L2O4 your 'rother is 'y percei*ing the 1oly Spirit in him4e ha*e already said that the 1oly Spirit is the 'ridge or thought>trans+er o+ perception TO :no,ledge# so ,e CA2 use the terms as i+ they ,ere related# 'ecause in 1IS mind they are- This relationship MUST 'e in 1is mind# 'ecause unless it ,ere# the separation 'et,een the t,o ,ays o+ thin:ing ,ould not 'e open to healing- 1e is part o+ the 1oly Trinity# 'ecause 1is Mind is partly BOURS and also ART!B "O(=S- This needs clari+ication not in statement# since ,e ha*e said this 'e+ore# 'ut in EX ERIE2CEThe 1oly Spirit is the I(EA o+ healing- Being thought# the idea "AI2S AS IT IS S1ARE(- Being the call 3OR "od# it is also the idea O3 "od- I+ you are part o+ "od# it is also the idea o+ BOURSE!3# as ,ell as o+ all the parts o+ "od- The idea o+ the 1oly Spirit shares the property o+ other ideas# 'ecause it +ollo,s the la,s o+ the uni*erse o+ ,hich IT is a part- There+ore# it is strengthened 'y 'eing gi*en a,ay- It increases in BOU as you gi*e it to your 'rothersSince thoughts do not ha*e to 'e conscious to e<ist# your 'rother does not ha*e to 'e A4ARE o+ the 1oly Spirit# either in himsel+ or in you +or this miracle to occur- 1e may ha*e dissociated the call +or "od# @ust as BOU ha*e- But the dissociation is healed in BOT1 o+ you as you see it in him# and thus ac:no,ledge its BEI2"- Bill# ,ho has made a num'er o+ *ital contri'utions to our @oint *enture# made a ma@or one a ,hile ago# ,hich he himsel+ did not appreciate or e*en understand- I+ ,e recogni9e its *alue together# ,e

137

,ill 'e a'le to use it together# 'ecause it is an idea# and must there+ore 'e shared to 'e held4hen Bill said that he ,as determined )2OT to see you that ,ay#. he ,as spea:ing negati*ely- I+ he ,ill state the same idea OSITIHE!B# he ,ill see the O4ER o+ ,hat he said- 1e had reali9ed that there are t,o ,ays o+ seeing you# and also that they are diametrically opposed to one another- These t,o ,ays must 'e in 1IS mind# 'ecause he ,as re+erring to 1IMSE!3 as the percei*er- They must also 'e in BOURS# 'ecause he ,as percei*ing BOU4hat he ,as really saying ,as that he ,ould 2OT loo: at you through 1IS ego# or percei*e BOUR ego in you- State positi*ely# he ,ould see you through the 1oly Spirit in 1IS mind# and percei*e it in BOURS- 4hat you ac:no,ledge in your 'rother# you ARE ac:no,ledging in yoursel+- 4hat you share you STRE2"T1E2- The *oice o+ the 1oly Spirit IS ,ea: in you- That is ,hy you MUST share it# 'ecause it must 'e I2CREASE( in strength 'e+ore BOU can hear it- It is impossi'le to hear it in yoursel+ ,hile it is so ,ea: in your O42 mind- It is 2OT ,ea: in itsel+P 'ut it IS limited 'y your un,illingness to hear it4ill itsel+ is an idea# and is there+ore strengthened 'y 'eing shared- Bou ha*e made the mista:e o+ loo:ing +or the 1oly Spirit in BOURSE!HES# and that is ,hy your meditations ha*e +rightened you- By adopting the ego=s *ie,point# you undertoo: an ego>alien @ourney
> &$5 >

4IT1 T1E E"O AS "UI(E- This ,as BOU2( to produce +ear- Bill=s 'etter idea needs to 'e strengthened in BOT1 o+ you- Since it ,as 1IS# 1E can increase it 'y gi*ing it to you(elay is o+ the ego# 'ecause time is ITS concepts- (elay is o'*iously a TIME ideaBoth time A2( delay are meaningless in eternity- 4e ha*e said 'e+ore that the 1oly Spirit is "od=s ans,er to the ego- E*erything o+ ,hich the 1oly Spirit reminds you is in direct opposition to the ego=s notions# 'ecause true and +alse perceptions are T1EMSE!HES opposed- The 1oly Spirit has the tas: o+ U2(OI2" ,hat the ego has made- It must undo it in the same realm o+ discourse in ,hich the ego itsel+ operates# or the mind ,ould 'e una'le to understand the change- 4e ha*e repeatedly emphasi9ed the +act that one le*el o+ the mind is not understanda'le to another- So it is ,ith the ego and the soul# and ,ith

138

time and eternityEternity is an idea o+ "od# so the soul understands it per+ectly- Time is a 'elie+ o+ the ego# so the lo,er mind# ,hich IS the ego=s domain# accepts it ,ithout ?uestion- The only aspect o+ time ,hich is really eternal is 2O4- That is ,hat ,e REA!!B mean ,hen ,e say that no, is the only time- The literal nature o+ this statement does not mean anything to the ego- It interprets it# at 'est# to mean )don=t ,orry a'out the +uture-. This is 2OT ,hat it really means at allThe 1oly Spirit is the mediator 'et,een the interpretations o+ the ego and the :no,ledge o+ the Soul- Its a'ility to deal ,ith sym'ols ena'les it to ,or: A"AI2ST the ego=s 'elie+s in its o,n language- Its e?ual a'ility to loo: BEBO2( sym'ols into eternity also ena'les it to understand the la,s o+ "od# +or ,hich it spea:s- It can thus per+orm the +unction o+ RE>I2TER RETI2" ,hat the ego ma:es# not 'y destruction# 'ut 'y understanding- Understanding is light# and light leads to :no,ledge- The 1oly Spirit is I2 light# 'ecause it is I2 BOU ,ho ARE light- But you yoursel*es do not :no, this- It is there+ore the tas: o+ the 1oly Spirit to re>interpret you on 'ehal+ o+ "odBou cannot understand yoursel*es alone- This is 'ecause you ha*e no meaning apart +rom your right+ul place in the Sonship# and the right+ul place o+ the Sonship in "od- This is your li+e# your eternity# and BOURSE!3- It is o+ this that the 1oly Spirit reminds you- It is this that the 1oly Spirit SEES- This *ision in*aria'ly +rightens the ego# 'ecause it is so calm- eace is the ego=s greatest enemy# 'ecause according to ITS interpretation o+ reality# ,ar is the guarantee o+ its sur*i*al- The ego 'ecomes strong in stri+e 'ecause i+ you 'elie*e there is stri+e# you ,ill react *iciously 'ecause the idea o+ danger has entered your mind- This idea itsel+ IS an appeal to the egoThe 1oly Spirit is as *igilant as the ego to the call o+ danger# opposing it ,ith ITS strength @ust as the ego 4E!COMES it ,ith all its might- The 1oly Spirit counters this ,elcome 'y ,elcoming peace- eace and eternity are as closely related as are time and ,ar- erception as ,ell as :no,ledge deri*e meaning +rom RE!ATIO2S1I SThose ,hich you accept are the +oundations o+ your 'elie+sThe Separation is merely another term +or a split mind- It ,as not an act# 'ut a thought- There+ore# the idea o+ Separation can 'e gi*en a,ay# @ust as the idea o+ unity
> &8% >

can# and either ,ay# it ,ill 'e STRE2"T1E2E( I2 T1E MI2( O3 T1E "IHER- The ego

139

is the sym'ol o+ the Separation# @ust as the 1oly Spirit is the sym'ol o+ peace- 4hat you percei*e in others you are STRE2"T1E2I2" I2 BOUR SE!3- Bou let your mind mispercei*e# 'ut the 1oly Spirit lets your mind re>interpret its o,n misperceptionsThe 1oly Spirit is the per+ect teacher- It uses only ,hat your minds A!REA(B understand# to teach you that you do not understand itThe 1oly Spirit can deal ,ith an un,illing learner ,ithout going counter to his ,ill# 'ecause part o+ his ,ill IS still +or "od- (espite the ego=s attempts to conceal this part# it is still much stronger than the ego# e*en though the ego does not recogni9e it- The 1oly Spirit recogni9es it per+ectly# 'ecause it is its o,n d,elling place# or the place in the mind ,here it is at home- BOU are at home there# too# 'ecause it is a place o+ peace# and peace is o+ "odBou ,ho are part o+ "od are not at home EXCE T in 1is peace- I+ peace is eternal# you are at home only in eternity- The ego made the ,orld as IT percei*es it# 'ut the 1oly Spirit# the RE>I2TER RETOR o+ ,hat the ego made# sees it only as a teaching de*ice +or 'ringing you home- The 1oly Spirit must percei*e time and reinterpret into the timelessThe mind must 'e led into eternity T1ROU"1 time# 'ecause ha*ing made time it is capa'le o+ percei*ing its oppositeThe 1oly Spirit must ,or: through opposites# 'ecause it must ,or: ,ith and +or a mind that IS in opposition- Correct and learn# and 'e open to learning- Bou ha*e 2OT made truth# 'ut truth can still set you +ree- !oo: as the 1oly Spirit loo:s# and understand as 1e understands- 1is understanding loo:s 'ac: to "od# in remem'rance o+ Me1e is in 1oly Communion al,ays# and 1e is part o+ BOU- 1e is your guide to sal*ation# 'ecause he holds the remem'rance o+ things past and to come- 1e holds this gladness gently in your minds# as:ing only that you I2CREASE it in 1is name 'y sharing it to increase 1is @oy in BOUBou must ha*e noticed ho, o+ten I ha*e used your o,n ideas to help BOU- B- is right is saying that you ha*e learned to 'e a lo*ing# ,ise# and *ery understanding therapist# e<cept +or yoursel+- That e<ception has gi*en you more than perception +or others 'ecause o+ ,hat you sa, in them# 'ut less than :no,ledge o+ your real relationships TO them 'ecause you did 2OT ma:e them part O3 you- Understanding IS 'eyond perception#

140

'ecause it introduces meaning- But it is 'elo, :no,ledge# e*en though it can gro, TO4AR(S it- It is possi'le# ,ith great e++ort# to understand someone else and to 'e help+ul to him# 'ut the e++ort is misdirected- The misdirection is ?uite apparent- It is directed A4AB +rom youThis does 2OT mean that it is lost to you# 'ut it (OES mean that you are not a,are o+ it- I ha*e sa*ed all o+ your :indnesses and e*ery lo*ing thought you ha*e had# and I assure you you ha*e had many- I ha*e puri+ied them o+ errors ,hich hid their light# and ha*e :ept them +or you in their o,n per+ect radiance- They are 'eyond destruction and 'eyond guilt- They came +rom the 1oly Spirit ,ithin BOU# and ,e :no, that ,hat "od creates is eternal> &8& >

Bill once spo:e o+ the Lingdom in this ,ay# 'ecause he yearns +or ,hat he has repressed- Bou are much more a+raid o+ it# 'ecause dissociation is more +ear+ul- B=s 'etter contact has allo,ed him the strength to retain the +ear in a,areness# and to resort to displacement# ,hich he is learning to o*ercome ,ith BOUR help- That is 'ecause you do not percei*e 1IM as dissociated# and can help him ,ith his repression# ,hich does not +righten you- 1e# on the other hand# has no di++iculty in seeing BOU dissociate# and does not ha*e to deal ,ith repression in you# ,hich 4OU!( produce +ear in himJoining in Atonement# ,hich I ha*e repeatedly as:ed you to do# is A!4ABS a ,ay OUT o+ +ear- This does not mean that you can sa+ely +ail to ac:no,ledge anything that is true# 'ut the 1oly Spirit ,ill not +ail to help you reinterpret EHERBT1I2" that you percei*e as +ear+ul# and teach you O2!B ,hat is lo*ing is TRUE- It is 'eyond your a'ility to destroy# 'ut entirely ,ithin your grasp- It BE!O2"S to you 'ecause BOU created itIt is yours 'ecause it is part o+ you# @ust as you are part o+ "od# 'ecause 1e created youThe Atonement is the "UARA2TEE o+ the sa+ety o+ the Lingdom- 2othing good is lost# 'ecause it comes +rom the 1oly Spirit# the *oice +or Creation- 2othing that is not good ,as e*er created# and there+ore CA22OT 'e protected- 4hat the ego ma:es it LEE S TO ITSE!3# and so it is ,ithout strength- Its unshared e<istence does not die- It ,as merely ne*er 'orn- Real 'irth is not a 'eginningP it is a CO2TI2UI2"E*erything that CA2 continue has already BEE2 'orn- But it can I2CREASE as you are ,illing to return the part o+ your mind that needs healing to the higher part# and thus render your creating AcreationC undi*idedBou yoursel+ al,ays told your patients that the real di++erence 'et,een neurotic and ;healthy= guilt +eelings ,as that neurotic guilt +eelings (O 2OT 1E! A2BO2E- This

141

distinction ,as *ery ,ise# though incomplete- !et us ma:e the distinction a little sharper no,- 2eurotic guilt +eelings are a de*ice o+ the ego +or )atoning. ,ithout sharing# and +or as:ing +or pardon ,ithout change- The ego 2EHER calls +or real atonement# and cannot tolerate real +orgi*eness# ,hich IS changeBour concept o+ )healthy guilt +eelings. has great merit# 'ut ,ithout the concept o+ the Atonement it lac:ed the healing potential it held- BOU ma:e the distinction in terms o+ +eelings ,hich led to a decision not to repeat the error# ,hich is only ART o+ healingBour concept there+ore lac:ed the idea o+ U2(OI2" it- 4hat you ,ere really ad*ocating# then# ,as adopting a policy o+ sharing ,ithout a real 3OU2(ATIO2I ha*e come to gi*e you the +oundation# so your o,n thoughts can ma:e you really +ree- Bou ha*e carried the 'urden o+ the ideas you did 2OT share# and ,hich ,ere there+ore too ,ea: to increase# 'ut you did 2OT recogni9e ho, to U2(O their e<istence 'ecause you 1A( made them- Bou CA22OT cancel out your past errors aloneThey ,ill 2OT disappear +rom your mind ,ithout remedy- The remedy is 2OT o+ your ma:ing# anymore than BOU areThe Atonement cannot 'e understood e<cept as a URE ACT O3 S1ARI2"- That is ,hat is meant ,hen ,e said that it is possi'le e*en in this ,orld to listen to O2E *oice> &8$ >

I+ you are part o+ "od# and the Sonship is one# you CA22OT 'e limited to the sel+ the ego sees- E*ery lo*ing thought held in A2B part Ao+ the SonshipC 'elongs to e*ery part- It is shared BECAUSE it is lo*ing- Sharing is "od=s ,ay o+ creating# and also BOURSBour ego can :eep you in e<ile 3ROM the Lingdom 'ut in the Lingdom itsel+ it has no po,erBou ha*e 'ecome ,illing to recei*e my messages as I gi*e them# ,ithout inter+erence 'y the ego# so ,e can clari+y an earlier point ,hich ,as mentioned 'e+ore- 4e said that you ,ill one day teach as much as you learn# and that ,ill :eep you in 'alance- The time is no,# 'ecause you ha*e let it 'e no,- Bou cannot learn EXCE T 'y teaching- I heard one *oice 'ecause I had learned that learning is attained BB teaching- I understood that I COU!( 2OT ATO2E 3OR MBSE!3 A!O2E!istening to one *oice MEA2S the ,ill to share the *oice to hear it yoursel+- The mind that ,as in me is still irresista'ly dra,n to e*ery mind created 'y "od# 'ecause

142

"od=s ,holeness IS the ,holeness o+ his Son- Turning the other chee: does 2OT mean that you should su'mit to *iolence ,ithout protest- It means that you cannot 'e hurt# and do not ,ant to sho, your 'rother anything e<cept your ,holeness- Sho, him that he CA22OT hurt you# and hold nothing against him# or you hold it against yoursel+Teaching is done in many ,ays# 'y +ormal means# 'y guidance# and a'o*e all BB EXAM !E- I+ you ,ill to learn# you MUST ,ill to teach- Teaching is therapy 'ecause it means the sharing o+ ideas# and the a,areness that to share them is to strengthen themThe union o+ the Sonship IS its protection- The ego cannot pre*ail against the Lingdom BECAUSE it is united# and the ego +ades a,ay and is undone in the presence o+ the attraction o+ the parts o+ the Sonship ,hich hear the call o+ the 1oly Spirit to 'e as OneI cannot +orget my need to teach ,hat I ha*e learned ,hich arose in me BECAUSE I learned it- I call upon you to teach ,hat you ha*e learned# 'ecause 'y so doing BOU can depend on it- Ma:e it dependa'le in my name# 'ecause my name is the name o+ "od=s Son- 4hat I learned I gi*e you +reely# and the mind ,hich ,as in me re@oices as BOU ,ill to hear it- The 1oly Spirit atones in all o+ us 'y U2(OI2"# and thus li+ts the 'urden you ha*e placed in your mind- By +ollo,ing 1im# 1e leads you 'ac: to "od ,here you 'elong- And ho, can you +ind this ,ay e<cept 'y ta:ing your 'rother ,ith youE My part in the Atonement is not complete until BOU @oin it# and gi*e it a,ay- As you teach# so shall you learn- I ,ill ne*er lea*e you or +orsa:e you# 'ecause to +orsa:e you ,ould 'e to +orsa:e mysel+ and "od ,ho created me- Bou ,ill +orsa:e yoursel*es and your "od i+ you +orsa:e any o+ BOUR 'rothers- Bou are more than your 'rother=s :eeperIn +act# you do not 4A2T to :eep him- Bou must learn to see him as he is# and L2O4 that he 'elongs to "od# as you do- 1o, could you treat your 'rother 'etter than 'y rendering unto "od the things ,hich are "od=sE Ideas do not !EAHE the mind ,hich thought them in order to ha*e separate 'eing2or do separate thoughts con+lict ,ith one another in space# 'ecause they do not occupy space at all- 1UMA2 ideas can con+lict in content# 'ecause they occur at di++erent le*els# and include opposite thoughts at the SAME le*el- IT IS IM OSSIB!E TO S1ARE O OSI2"
> &88 >

T1OU"1TS- The 1oly Spirit does not !ET you +orsa:e your 'rothers- There+ore# you

143

can really share only the parts o+ your thoughts ,hich are o+ 1im# ,hich 1e also :eeps +or BOU- And o+ such is the Lingdom o+ 1ea*en- All the rest remains ,ith you until 1e has reinterpreted them in the light o+ the Lingdom# ma:ing them# too# ,orthy o+ 'eing shared- 4hen they ha*e 'een su++iciently puri+ied# 1e lets you gi*e them a,ay- The ,ill to share them IS their puri+icationThe Atonement gi*es you the po,er o+ a healed mind# 'ut the po,er to create is o+ "od- There+ore# those ,ho ha*e 'een +orgi*en must de*ote themsel*es +irst to healing# 'ecause ha*ing RECEIHE( the idea o+ healing they MUST gi*e it to hold it- The +ull po,er o+ creation AcreatingC cannot 'e e<pressed as long as any o+ "od=s ideas are ,ithholding it +rom the Lingdom- The @oint ,ill o+ A!! the Sonship is the only creator that can create li:e the 3ather- That is 'ecause only the complete can thin: completely# and the thin:ing o+ "od lac:s nothing- E*erything BOU thin: that is not through the 1oly Spirit IS lac:ing1o, can you ,ho are so 1oly su++erE All your past# e<cept its 'eauty# is gone# and nothing is le+t e<cept a 'lessing- Bou can indeed depart in peace# 'ecause I ha*e lo*ed you as I lo*ed mysel+- Bou go 4IT1 my 'lessing and 3OR my 'lessing- 1old it and share it# that it may al,ays 'e ours- I place the peace o+ "od in your heart# and in your hands# to hold and share- The heart is pure to hold it# and the hands are strong to gi*e it4e cannot lose- My @udgment is as strong as the ,isdom o+ "od# in ,hose 1eart and 1ands ,e ha*e our 'eing- 1is ?uiet children are 1is 'lessed sons- The Thoughts o+ "od are ,ith youerhaps this ,ill 'ecome clearer and more personally meaning+ul i+ the ego=s use o+ guilt is clari+ied- The ego has a purpose# @ust as the 1oly Spirit has- The ego=s purpose is 3EAR# 'ecause only the +ear+ul can 'e egotistic- The ego=s logic is as impecca'le as that o+ the 1oly Spirit# 'ecause your mind has all the means at its disposal to side ,ith 1ea*en or earth# as it elects- But let us again remem'er that 'oth are in youIn 1ea*en there is no guilt# 'ecause the Lingdom is attained through the Atonement# ,hich creates it in you- The ,ord )create. is appropriate here# 'ecause once ,hat BOU ha*e made is undone 'y the 1oly Spirit# the 'lessed residue IS restored# and there+ore continues in creation- 4hat is truly 'lessed is incapa'le o+ gi*ing rise to guilt# and must gi*e rise to @oy- This ma:es it in*ulnera'le to the ego# 'ecause its peace is unassaila'le-

144

It is in*ulnera'le to disruption BECAUSE it is ,hole"uilt is al,ays disrupti*e- Anything that engenders +ear is di*isi*e# 'ecause it o'eys the la, o+ di*ision- I+ the ego is the sym'ol o+ the separation# it is also the sym'ol o+ guilt"uilt is more than merely not o+ "od- It is the sym'ol o+ the ATTACL on "od- This is a totally meaningless concept EXCE T to the ego# 'ut do not underestimate the po,er o+ the ego=s 'elie+ in it- This is the 'elie+ +rom ,hich A!! guilt really stemsThe ego IS the part o+ the mind ,hich 'elie*es in di*ision- But ho, can part o+ "od detach itsel+ 4IT1OUT 'elie*ing it is attac:ing 1im-E 4e spo:e 'e+ore o+ the authority
> &8G >

pro'lem as in*ol*ing the concept o+ USUR I2" 1is po,er- The ego 'elie*es that this is ,hat BOU did# 'ecause it 'elie*es it IS you- It +ollo,s# then# that i+ you identi+y 4IT1 the ego# you MUST percei*e yoursel+ as guilty4hene*er you respond to your ego# you 4I!! e<perience guilt# and you 4I!! +ear punishment- The ego is ?uite literally a +ear+ul thought- And ho,e*er ridiculous the idea o+ attac:ing "od may 'e to the sane mind# ne*er +orget that the ego is 2OT SA2E- It RE RESE2TS a delusional system# and it spea:s 3OR it- !istening to the ego=s *oice MEA2S that you 'elie*e it is possi'le to attac: "od- Bou 'elie*e that a part o+ 1im has 'een torn a,ay 'y BOUThe classic picture o+ +ear o+ retaliation +rom ,ithout then +ollo,s# 'ecause the se*erity o+ the guilt is so acute that it MUST 'e pro@ected- Although 3reud ,as ,rong a'out the 'asic con+lict itsel+# he ,as *ery accurate in descri'ing its e++ects4hate*er you accept I2TO your mind has reality +or you- It is# ho,e*er# only the ACCE TA2CE ,hich ma:es it realAs an e<treme e<ample o+ dissociation yoursel+# you should ha*e little trou'le in understanding that it is per+ectly possi'le not to ACCE T ,hat IS in your minds- I+ you enthrone the ego in it# the +act that you ha*e accepted it# or allo,ed it to enter# MALES IT BOUR REA!ITB- This is 'ecause the mind as "od created it IS capa'le o+ creating reality4e said 'e+ore that you must learn to thin: 4IT1 "od- To thin: 4IT1 1im is to thin: !ILE 1im- This engenders @oy# not guilt# 'ecause it is natural- "uilt is a sure sign that your thin:ing is Unnatural- er*erted thin:ing ,ill A!4ABS 'e attended ,ith guilt# 'ecause it IS the 'elie+ in sinThe ego does not percei*e sin as a lac: o+ lo*e- It percei*es it as a OSITIHE ACT O3

145

ASSAU!T- This is an interpretation ,hich is necessary to its sur*i*al# 'ecause as soon as BOU regard it as a !ACL# you ,ill automatically attempt to remedy the situation- And you ,ill also succeed- The ego regards this as doom# 'ut BOU must learn to regard it as +reedomThe guiltless mind cannot su++er- Being sane# it heals the 'ody 'ecause IT has 'een healed- The sane mind cannot concei*e o+ illness# 'ecause it cannot concei*e o+ attac:ing anything or anyone- 4e said 'e+ore that illness is a +orm o+ magic- It might 'e 'etter to say it is a +orm o+ magical SO!UTIO2- The ego 'elie*es that 'y punishing ITSE!3# it ,ill mitigate the punishment o+ "od- Bet e*en in this it is arrogant- It attri'utes to "od a punishing attempt# and then ta:es o*er this intent as its O42 perorgati*e- It tries to usurp A!! the +unctions o+ "od as it percei*es them# 'ecause it recogni9es that only total allegiance can 'e trustedThe ego cannot O OSE the la,s o+ "od# anymore than BOU can- But it can I2TER RET them according to ,hat it ,ants# @ust as BOU can- That is ,hy the ?uestion ),hat (O you ,ant. must 'e ans,ered- Bou ARE ans,ering it e*ery minute and e*ery second# and each moment o+ decision is a @udgment ,hich is anything BUT ine++ectualIts e++ects ,ill +ollo, automatically U2TI! T1E (ECISIO2 IS C1A2"E(- This is a
> &86 >

redundant statement# 'ecause you ha*e 2OT learned it- But again# any decision can 'e Unmade as ,ell as madeBut remem'er that the A!TER2ATIHES are unaltera'le- The 1oly Spirit# li:e the ego# is a decision- Together they constitute all the alternati*es ,hich your mind CA2 accept and o'ey- The ego and the 1oly Spirit are the O2!B choices ,hich are open to you"od created one# and so you cannot eradicate it- BOU made the other# so you CA2- Only ,hat "od creates is irre*ersi'le and unchangea'le- 4hat BOU ha*e made can al,ays 'e changed# 'ecause ,hen you not thin: !ILE "od# you ha*e not really thought at all(elusional ideas are 2OT thought# 'ut you CA2 thin: that you 'elie*e in themBut you are ,rong- The +unction o+ thought comes 3ROM "od and is I2 "od- As part o+ 1IS thought# you cannot thin: A ART +rom 1im- Irrational thought is a thought (ISOR(ER- "od 1imsel+ orders your thought# 'ecause you thought ,as created BB 1im- "uilt +eelings are al,ays a sign that you do not :no, this- They also sho, that you 'elie*e you CA2 thin: apart +rom "od# and 4A2T toE*ery thought disorder is attended 'y guilt at its inception# and MAI2TAI2E( 'y

146

guilt in its continuance- "uilt is inescapa'le +or those ,ho 'elie*e that they order their O42 thought# and must there+ore o'ey its orders- This ma:es them +eel RES O2SIB!E +or their mind ERRORS# ,ithout recogni9ing that 'y ACCE TI2" this responsi'ility they are really reacting Irresponsi'ly- I+ the sole responsi'ility o+ the miracle>,or:er is to accept the ATO2EME2T# and I assure you that it is# then the responsi'ility +or ,hat is atoned 3OR CA22OT 'e yoursThis contradiction cannot BE resol*ed e<cept 'y accepting the solution o+ undoingBou 4OU!( 'e responsi'le +or the e++ects o+ all your ,rong thin:ing I3 IT COU!( 2OT BE U2(O2E- The purpose o+ the Atonement is to sa*e the past in URI3IE( +orm onlyI+ you accept the remedy 3OR a thought>disorder# and a remedy ,hose e++icacy is 'eyond dou't# ho, can its symptoms remainE Bou ha*e reason to ?uestion the *alidity o+ symptom cure- But 2O O2E 'elie*es that the symptoms can remain i+ the underlying CAUSE is remo*edThe CO2TI2UI2" ,ill to remain separated is the only possi'le reason +or continuing guilt +eelings- 4e ha*e said this 'e+ore# 'ut ,e did not emphasi9e the destructi*e results o+ this decision at that time- A2B decision o+ the mind ,ill a++ect 'oth 'eha*ior A2( e<perience- And ,hat you ,ill you EX ECT- This is 2OT delusional- Bour mind (OES create your +uture# and CA2 turn it 'ac: to +ull creation at any minute# I3 IT ACCE TS T1E ATO2EME2T 3IRST- It ,ill also turn 'ac: to +ull creation the instant it has done so1a*ing gi*en up its thought (ISOR(ER# the proper ordering o+ thought 'ecomes ?uite apparent"od in 1is :no,ledge is not ,aiting- But 1is Lingdom IS 'ere+t ,hile BOU ,ait- All the Sons o+ "od are ,aiting +or your return# @ust as BOU are ,aiting +or T1EIRS(elay does not matter in eternity# 'ut it IS tragic in time- Bou ha*e elected to 'e in time rather than in eternity# and ha*e there+ore changed your 'elie+ in your status- But election is
> &8J >

'oth +ree and altera'le- Bou do 2OT 'elong in time- Bour place is O2!B in eternity# ,here "od 1imsel+ placed you +ore*er"uilt +eelings are the RESERHERS o+ time- They induce +ears o+ 3UTURE retaliation or a'andonment# and thus ensure that the +uture ,ill remain li:e the past- This IS the ego=s continuity# and gi*es it a +alse sense o+ security through the 'elie+ that you cannot

147

escape +rom it- But you can and MUST- "od o++ers you the continuity o+ eternity in e<change- 4hen you ,ill to ma:e this e<change# you ,ill simultaneously e<change guilt +or peace# *iciousness +or lo*e# and pain +or @oyMy role is only to unchain your ,ill and ma:e it +ree- Bour egos cannot accept this +reedom# and ,ill oppose your +ree decision at e*ery possi'le moment# and in e*ery possi'le ,ay- And as its ma:er# you L2O4 ,hat it can do# 'ecause you "AHE IT the a'ility to do it- The mind does indeed :no, its po,er# 'ecause the mind does indeed :no, "od- Remem'er the Lingdom al,ays# and remem'er that you ,ho are part o+ it cannot BE lost- The mind that ,as in me IS in you# +or "od creates ,ith per+ect +airness!et the 1oly Spirit remind you al,ays o+ 1is +airness# and let me teach you ho, to share it ,ith your 'rothers- 1o, else can the chance to claim it +or yoursel+ 'e gi*en youE 4hat you do not understand is that the t,o *oices spea: +or di++erent interpretations o+ the same thing simultaneously# or almost simultaneously# +or the ego al,ays spea:s +irst- Alternate interpretations are unnecessary until the +irst one has 'een made# and spea:ing itsel+ ,as unnecessary 'e+ore the ego ,as made- The ego spea:s in @udgment# and the 1oly Spirit re*erses its decisions# much as the Supreme Court has the po,er to re*erse the lo,er courts decision a'out the la,s o+ this ,orldThe ego=s decisions are A!4ABS ,rong# 'ecause they are 'ased on a complete +allacy ,hich they are made to uphold- 2OT1I2" it percei*es is interpreted correctly2ot only does it cite scripture +or its purpose# 'ut it e*en interprets scripture as a ,itness +or itsel+- The Bi'le is a +ear+ul thing to the ego# 'ecause o+ its pre@udiced @udgmentercei*ing it as +ear+ul# it interprets it +ear+ully- 1a*ing made BOU a+raid# you do not appeal to the higher court# 'ecause you 'elie*e its @udgment ,ould 'e A"AI2ST you4e need site only a +e, e<amples to see ho, the ego=s interpretations ha*e mislead you- A +a*orite ego ?uotation is )As ye so,# so shall ye reap-. Another is )Hengeance is mine sayeth the !ord-. Still another is )I ,ill *isit the sins o+ the +athers unto the third and the +ourth generation-. And also# )The ,ic:ed shall perish-. There are many others# 'ut i+ you ,ill let the 1oly Spirit reinterpret these in its o,n light# they ,ill su++ice)As ye so,# so shall ye reap. merely means that ,hat you 'elie*e to 'e ,orth culti*ating you ,ill culti*ate in yoursel+- Bour @udgment o+ ,hat is ,orthy (OES ma:e it ,orthy +or you)Hengeance is mine sayeth the !ord. is easily e<plained i+ you remem'er that ideas

148

increase only 'y 'eing shared- This ?uotation there+ore emphasi9es the +act that *engeance CA22OT 'e shared- "i*e it there+ore to the holy spirit# ,ho ,ill undo it in you 'ecause it does not BE!O2" in your mind# ,hich is part o+ "od> &87 >

)I ,ill *isit the sins o+ the +athers unto the third and +ourth generation#. as interpreted 'y the ego# is particularly *icious- It is used# in +act# as an attempt to guarantee its sur*i*al 'eyond itsel+- Actually# all it really means is that the 1oly Spirit in later generations retains the po,er to interpret CORRECT!B ,hat +ormer generations ha*e thought# and thus release T1EIR thoughts +rom the a'ility to produce +ear A2B41ERE in the Sonship)The ,ic:ed shall perish. is merely a statement o+ +act# i+ the ,ord )perish. is properly understood- E*ery lo*eless thought MUST 'e undone# and e*en the ,ord )undone. is +ear+ul to the ego# ,hich interprets )I am undone. as )I am destroyed-. The ego ,ill 2OT 'e destroyed# 'ecause it is part o+ BOUR thought- But 'ecause it is uncreati*e# and there+ore unsharing# it 4I!! 'e reinterpreted entirely# to release you +rom +earThe part o+ your thought ,hich you ha*e gi*en TO the ego ,ill merely return to the Lingdom# ,here your ,hole mind BE!O2"S- The ego is a +orm o+ ARREST# 'ut arrest is merely delay- It does 2OT in*ol*e the concept o+ police at all# although the ego ,elcomes that interpretation- Bou CA2 delay the completion o+ the Lingdom # 'ut you CA22OT introduce the concept o+ ASSAU!T into it4hen I said )I am come as a light into the ,orld#. I surely came to share this light ,ith you- Remem'er the sym'olic re+erence ,e made 'e+ore to the ego=s dar: glass# and remem'er also that ,e said )(o not loo: there-. It is still true that )4here you loo: to +ind yoursel+ is up to you-. The 1igher Court ,ill not condemn you- It ,ill merely dismiss the case against you- There can BE no case against a child o+ "od# and e*ery ,itness to guilt in "od=s creations is 'earing +alse ,itness to "od 1imsel+Appeal e*erything you 'elie*e gladly to "od=s o,n 1igher Court# 'ecause it spea:s +or 1im# and there+ore spea:s truly- It 4I!! dismiss the case against you# ho,e*er care+ully BOU ha*e 'uilt it- The case may 'e +ool>proo+# 'ut it is 2OT "od>proo+- The *oice +or "od ,ill not hear it at all# 'ecause it can only ,itness truly- Its *erdict ,ill al,ays 'e )Thine is the Lingdom#. 'ecause it ,as gi*en you to remind you o+ ,hat you AREBour patience ,ith each other is your patience ,ith your sel*es- Is not a child o+ "od ,orth patienceE I ha*e sho,n you in+inite patience# 'ecause my ,ill IS that o+ our 3ather# +rom ,hom I learned o+ in+inite patience- 1is *oice ,as in me# as it is in you# spea:ing +or patience to,ards the Sonship# in the name o+ its Creator- 4hat you need to learn no, is that only in+inite patience CA2 produce immediate e++ects- This is the ,ay in

149

,hich time is e<changed +or eternity- In+inite patience calls upon in+inite !o*e# and 'y producing results 2O4 renders time unnecessaryTo say that time is temporary is merely redundant- 4e ha*e repeatedly said that time is a learning de*ice ,hich ,ill 'e a'olished ,hen it is no longer use+ul- The 1oly Spirit# ,ho spea:s +or "od in time# also :no,s that time is meaningless- 1e reminds you o+ this in e*ery passing moment o+ time# 'ecause it is 1is special +unction to return BOU to eternity and remain to 'less BOUR creations there- 1e is the only 'lessing you can truly gi*e# 'ecause 1e is so truly 'lessed- And 'ecause 1e has 'een gi*en you so +reely 'y "od# you must gi*e 1im as you recei*ed 1im> &8K >

The concept o+ )set. is among the 'etter psychological percepts- Actually# it is used ?uite +re?uently in the Bi'le# and also here# under many di++erent terms- )"od ,ill :eep him in per+ect peace ,hose mind is stayed Aor setC on Thee 'ecause he trusteth in Thee-. The pronouns here are con+using ,ithout e<planation# and the attempt to shi+t )Thee. to )1im. is a misinterpretation- The statement means that "od=s peace is set in the 1oly Spirit# 'ecause it is +i<ed on "od- It is also +i<ed in you- Bou# then# ARE +i<ed in the peace o+ "odThe concept o+ )+i<ation. is a *ery help+ul one# ,hich 3reud understood per+ectlyUn+ortunately# he lost his understanding 'ecause he ,as a+raid# and as you :no, all too ,ell# +ear is incompati'le ,ith good @udgment- 3ear (ISTORTS thin:ing# and there+ore (ISorders thought- 3reud=s system o+ thought ,as e<tremely ingenious# 'ecause 3reud ,as e<tremely ingenious- A mind MUST endo, its thoughts ,ith its o,n attri'utesThis is its inherent STRE2"T1# e*en though it may misuse its po,er3reud lost much o+ the potential *alue o+ his o,n thought system 'ecause# much li:e Cayce# he did 2OT include himsel+ in it- This IS a dissociated state# 'ecause the thin:er cuts himsel+ o++ +rom his thoughts- 3reud=s thought ,as so con+licted that he could not ha*e retained his sanity as 1E sa, it 4IT1OUT dissociating- This is ,hy the many contradictions ,hich are ?uite apparent in his thin:ing 'ecame increasingly less apparent to 1imA man ,ho :no,s ,hat +i<ation REA!!B means and does 2OT yield to it is terri'ly a+raid- 3i<ation is the pull o+ "od# on ,hom your mind IS +i<ed 'ecause o+ the 1oly Spirit=s irre*oca'le set- )Irre*oca'le. means )cannot 'e called 'ac: or redirected-. The

150

irre*oca'le nature o+ the 1oly Spirit=s set is the 'asis +or its une?ui*ocal *oice- The 1oly Spirit 2EHER changes its mind- Clarity o+ thought CA22OT occur under conditions o+ *acillation- Unless a mind is +i<ed in its purpose# it is 2OT clear- But clarity literally means the state o+ light# and enlightenment IS understanding- It stands U2(ER perception 'ecause you ha*e denied it as the REA! +oundation o+ thought- This is the 'asis +or A!! delusional systemsThe concept o+ +i<ation# as 3reud sa, it# has a num'er o+ real learning ad*antages3irst# it recogni9es that man CA2 'e +i<ated at a point in de*elopment ,hich does 2OT accord ,ith a point in time- This clearly could ha*e 'een a means to,ard real release +rom the time 'elie+# had 3reud pursued it ,ith an open mind- But 3reud su++ered all his li+e +rom re+usal to allo, eternity to da,n upon his mind# and enlighten it truly- As a result# he o*erloo:ed 2O4 entirely# and merely sa, the continuity o+ past and +utureSecond# although he misinterpreted ,hat the 1oly Spirit told him# or 'etter# reminded him o+# he ,as too honest to deny more than he had to# to :eep his +ear in tolera'le 'ounds# as he percei*ed the situation- There+ore# he EM 1ASIUE( that the point in de*elopment at ,hich the mind is +i<ated is more real to ITSE!3 than the e<ternal reality ,ith ,hich it (ISagrees- This again could ha*e 'een a po,er+ul RE!EASE mechanism# had 3reud not decided to in*ol*e it in a strong de+ense system 'ecause he percei*ed it as an attac:> &85 >

Third# although 3reud interpreted +i<ations irre*oca'le danger points to ,hich the mind can al,ays regress# the concept can also 'e interpreted as an irre*oca'le call to sanity ,hich the mind cannot !OSE- 3reud sa, return as a threat to maturity 'ecause he did not understand prodigality- 1e merely interpreted it as s?uandering- Actually# )prodigal. also means care+ul- This con+usion 'et,een care+ul and careless led him to con+use the escape +rom care ,ith something desira'le- In +act# he e*en ,ent so +ar as to e?uate it ?uite literally 4IT1 desireBut throughout his thought>system# the )threat. o+ +i<ation remained# and could ne*er 'e completely eliminated 'y any li*ing human 'eing any,here- Essentially# this ,as the 'asis o+ his pessimism- This ,as personally as ,ell as theoretically the case3reud tried e*ery means his *ery in*enti*e mind could de*ise to set up a +orm o+ therapy

151

,hich could ena'le the mind to escape +rom +i<ation +ore*er# e*en though he L2E4 this ,as impossi'le- The :no,ledge plagued his 'elie+ in his o,n thought>system at e*ery turn# 'ecause he ,as 'oth an honest man and a healer- 1e ,as there+ore only ARTIA!!B insane at the perceptual le*el# and ,as una'le to relin?uish the hope o+ release e*en though he could not cope ,ith The reason +or this amount o+ detail is 'ecause BOU are in the same position- Bou ,ere eternally +i<ated on "od in your creation# and the pull o+ this +i<ation is so strong that you ,ill ne*er o*ercome it- The reason is per+ectly clear- The +i<ation is on a le*el that is so high that it cannot BE surmounted- Bou are A!4ABS 'eing pulled 'ac: to your Creator 'ecause you 'elong in 1im(o you REA!!B 'elie*e you can ma:e a *oice that can dro,n out 1isE (o you really 'elie*e that you can de*ise a thought>system ,hich can separate you +rom 1isE (o you REA!!B 'elie*e that you can plan +or your sa+ety and @oy 'etter than 1e canE Bou need 'e neither care+ul nor careless- Bou need merely cast all your cares upon 1im 'ecause 1e careth +or BOU- Bou ARE 1is care 'ecause 1e lo*es you- 1is *oice reminds you al,ays that all hope is yours BECAUSE o+ 1is careBou CA22OT choose to escape 1is care# 'ecause that is not 1is ,ill- But you CA2 choose to accept 1is care# and use the in+inite po,er O3 1is care +or all those 1e created BB it- There ha*e 'een many healers ,ho did not heal themsel*es- They ha*e not mo*ed mountains 'y their +aith 'ecause their +aith 41O!E- Some o+ them ha*e healed the sic: at times# 'ut they ha*e not raised the dead- Unless the healer heals 1IMSE!3# he does 2OT 'elie*e that there is no order in miracles- 1e has not learned that EHERB mind that "od created is e?ually ,orthy o+ 'eing healed 'ecause "O( CREATE( IT 41O!EBou are as:ed merely to return to "od the mind as 1E created it- 1e as:s you only +or ,hat 1e ga*e# :no,ing that this gi*ing ,ill heal BOU- Sanity IS ,holeness- And the sanity o+ your 'rothers IS yours- 4hy should you listen to the endless insane calls ,hich you thin: are made upon you# ,hen you L2O4 the *oice o+ "od 1imsel+ is in youE "od commended 1is Spirit to you# and as:s that you commend yours to 1im- 1e ,ills to :eep it in per+ect peace 'ecause you are o+ one mind and Spirit ,ith 1im> &G% >

E<cluding yoursel+ +rom the Atonement is the ego=s last>ditch de+ense o+ its o,n

152

e<istence- It re+lects 'oth the ego=s need to separate# and your ,illingness to side ,ith its separateness- This ,illingness means that BOU (O 2OT 4A2T TO BE 1EA!E(4hen I told Bill that there is )@ust one more thing#. he heard me *ery ,ell- I hope he ,ill hear me as ,ell no,- 1is intelligent mis>hearing o+ )ri*er. as )ri*et. sho,ed that# e*en though he ,anted release# he ,as not a'le to cope ,ith it at the timeBut the time IS no,- Bou ha*e not 'een as:ed to ,or: out the lan o+ Sal*ation yoursel*es# 'ecause# as I told you 'e+ore# the Remedy is 2OT o+ your ma:ing- "od 1imsel+ ga*e you the per+ect correction +or e*erything you ha*e made ,hich is not in accord ,ith 1is 1oly 4ill- I ha*e made 1is lan per+ectly clear and per+ectly e<plicit to you# and ha*e also told you o+ your part in 1is lan and ho, urgent it is that you +ul+ill itThere is time +or delay# 'ut there need not 'e- "od ,eeps at the sacri+ice o+ 1is children ,ho 'elie*e they are lost to 1im- The )one more thing. that Bill must learn is merely that he is 2OT the one more- 1e is 'oth O2E and AT O2E- I+ he ,ill learn this 2O4# he ,ill 'e ,illing in accord ,ith the last @udgment# ,hich is really only the Bi'lical reminder o+ the ine*ita'lility o+ sel+>I2C!USIO2- This is ,hat ) hysician# heal thysel+. really means- Bill has +re?uently o'ser*ed +or 1IMSE!3 that this is hard to do- 1e has# ho,e*er# 'een per+ectly a,are o+ JUST ,hat BOU should do a'out itBou might as: him +or me ,hether he does not thin: he might 'e dissociating 1IMSE!3 +rom his o,n a,areness# since he is so clear a'out the remedy +or BOUBou might also remind him that to ,hate*er e<tent he separates himsel+ +rom you# he is separating himsel+ +rom ME- This IS a colla'orati*e *enture- !et me there+ore return his o,n ideas to him# so that you can share them and thus help each other to help meBut let me +irst remind you o+ something I told you mysel+- 4hene*er you are not ,holely @oyous# it is 'ecause you ha*e reacted ,ith a lac: o+ lo*e to some Soul ,hich "od created- ercei*ing this as sin# you 'ecome de+ensi*e 'ecause you EX ECT ATTACLThe decision to react in that ,ay# ho,e*er# ,as BOURS# and can there+ore 'e undone- It CA22OT 'e undone 'y repentance in the usual sense# 'ecause this implies guilt- I+ you allo, yoursel+ to +eel guilty# you ,ill rein+orce the error# rather than allo,ing to to 'e undone 3OR you(ecisions CA22OT 'e di++icult- This is o'*ious i+ you reali9e that you must A!REA(B ha*e made a decision 2OT to 'e ,holly @oyous i+ that is ,hat you +eel- There+ore# the

153

+irst step in the undoing is to recogni9e that BOU ACTIHE!B (ECI(E( 4RO2"!B# BUT CA2 AS ACTIHE!B (ECI(E OT1ER4ISEBe *ery +irm ,ith yoursel*es in this# and :eep yoursel*es +ully a,are o+ the +act that the U2(OI2" process# ,hich does 2OT come +rom you# is ne*ertheless 4IT1I2 you 'ecause "od placed it there- BOUR part is merely to return your thin:ing to the point at ,hich the error ,as made# and gi*e it o*er to the Atonement in peace- Say to yoursel*es
> &G& >

the +ollo,ing# as sincerely as you can# remem'ering that the 1oly Spirit ,ill respond +ully to your slightest in*itationF I must ha*e decided ,rongly 'ecause I am 2OT at peaceI made the decision mysel+# 'ut I can also decide other,iseI 4I!! to decide other,ise# 'ecause I 4A2T to 'e at peaceI do 2OT +eel guilty# 'ecause the 1oly Spirit ,ill undo A!! the conse?uences o+ my ,rong decision I3 I 4I!! !ET 1IMI 4I!! to let 1im 'y allo,ing 1im to decide +or "od +or meMarch $$# &5JJ The relationship o+ anger to attac: is o'*ious# 'ut the ine*ita'le association o+ anger and 3EAR is not al,ays so clear- Anger A!4ABS in*ol*es ROJECTIO2 O3 SE ARATIO2# ,hich must ultimately 'e accepted as entirely one=s o,n responsi'ility- Anger cannot occur unless you 'elie*e that you ha*e BEE2 attac:edP the attac: ,as JUSTI3IE(P and you are in no ,ay responsi'le +or it- "i*en these three ,holly irrational premises# the e?ually irrational conclusion that a 'rother is ,orthy o+ attac: rather than o+ lo*e +ollo,s4hat can 'e e<pected +rom insane premises EXCE T an insane conclusionE The ,ay to undo an insane conclusion is al,ays to consider the sanity o+ the premises on ,hich it rests- Bou cannot BE attac:ed# attac: 1AS no @usti+ication# and you ARE responsi'le +or ,hat you 'elie*e- Bou ha*e 'een as:ed to ta:e me as your model +or learning- And ,e ha*e o+ten said that an e<treme e<ample is a particularly help+ul learning de*ice- EHERBO2E teaches# and teaches all the time- This is a responsi'ility ,hich he assumes ine*ita'ly# the moment he has accepted any premises at all- And 2O>O2E can organi9e his li+e ,ithout A2B thought system- Once he has de*eloped a thought system o+ any :ind# he li*es 'y it and TEAC1ES itBou ha*e 'een chosen to teach the Atonement precisely BECAUSE you ha*e 'een EXTREME e<amples o+ allegiance to your thought systems# and there+ore ha*e de*eloped the capacity 3OR allegiance- It has indeed 'een misplaced- Bill had 'ecome an outstanding

154

e<ample o+ allegiance to apathy# and you ha*e 'ecome a startling e<ample o+ +idelity to *aria'ility- But this IS a +orm o+ +aith# ,hich you yoursel*es had gro,n ,illing to redirectBou cannot dou't the STRE2"T1 o+ your de*otion ,hen you consider ho, +aith+ully you o'ser*ed it- It ,as ?uite e*ident that you had A!REA(B de*eloped the a'ility to +ollo, a 'etter model# i+ you could ACCE T it4e ha*e not d,elt upon the cruci+i<ion# 'ecause o+ its +ear+ul connotations- The only emphasis ,e laid upon it ,as that it ,as 2OT a +orm o+ punishment- But ,e :no, that nothing can 'e really e<plained only in negati*e terms- There is a positi*e interpretation o+ the cruci+i<ion ,hich is ,holly de*oid o+ +ear# and there+ore ,holly 'enign in ,hat it teaches# i+ it is properly understood- It is nothing more than an e<treme e<ample- Its *alue# li:e the *alue o+ any teaching de*ice# lies solely in the :ind o+ learning it +acilitates> &G$ >

It can 'e# and has 'een# misunderstood- But this is only 'ecause the +ear+ul are apt to percei*e +ear+ullyI told you 'e+ore that you can al,ays call on me to share my decision and thus MALE IT STRO2"ER- I also told you that the cruci+i<ion ,as the last +oolish @ourney that the Sonship need ta:e# and that it should means RE!EASE +rom +ear to anyone ,ho understands it- 4hile ,e emphasi9ed the Resurrection only 'e+ore# the purpose o+ the cruci+i<ion and ho, it actually !E( to the Resurrection ,as not clari+ied at that time2e*ertheless# it has a de+inite contri'ution to ma:e to your o,n li*es# and i+ you ,ill consider it 4IT1OUT +ear# it ,ill help you understand your o,n role as teachersBou ha*e reacted +or years AS I3 you ,ere 'eing cruci+ied- This is a mar:ed tendency o+ the separated# ,ho A!4ABS re+use to consider ,hat they ha*e done to T1EMSE!HESro@ection means anger# anger +osters assault# and assault promotes +ear- The real meaning o+ the cruci+i<ion lies in the A ARE2T intensity o+ the assault o+ some o+ the Sons o+ "od upon a 'rother- This# o+ course# is impossi'le# and must 'e +ully understood AS an impossi'ility- In +act# unless it IS +ully understood as O2!B that# I cannot ser*e as a real model +or learningAssault can ultimately 'e made O2!B on the 'ody- There is little dou't that one BO(B can assault another# and can e*en destroy it- But i+ destruction ITSE!3 is impossi'le# then A2BT1I2" that is destructi'le cannot 'e real- There+ore# its destruction does 2OT @usti+y anger- To the e<tent to ,hich you 'elie*e it (OES# you MUST 'e accepting +alse

155

premises and TEAC1I2" T1EM TO OT1ERSThe message ,hich the cruci+i<ion ,as intended to teach ,as that it is not necessary to percei*e A2B +orm o+ assault in persecution 'ecause you cannot BE persecutedI+ you respond ,ith anger# you MUST 'e e?uating yoursel+ ,ith the destructi'le# and are there+ore regarding yoursel+ insanely- I ha*e made it per+ectly clear that I am li:e you# and you are li:e me- But our +undamental e?uality can 'e demonstrated only through @oint decisionBou are +ree to percei*e yoursel*es as persecuted i+ you chose But you might remem'er ,hen you (O chose to react that ,ay that I 4AS persecuted as the ,orld @udges# and did 2OT share this e*aluation +or mysel+- And 'ecause I did not share it# I did 2OT strengthen it- I there+ore o++ered a (I33ERE2T interpretation o+ attac:# and one ,hich I (O ,ant to share ,ith you- I+ you ,ill BE!IEHE it# you ,ill help me TEAC1 it4e ha*e said 'e+ore# )As you teach so shall you learn-. I+ you react as i+ you are persecuted# you ARE teaching persecution- This is not a lesson ,hich the Sons o+ "od should 4A2T to teach i+ they are to reali9e their o,n sal*ation- Rather teach your o,n per+ect immunity# ,hich IS the Truth in you# and L2O4 that it cannot 'e assailed(o not protect it yoursel*es# or you ha*e 'elie*ed that it IS assaila'le- Bou are not as:ed to BE cruci+ied# 'ecause that ,as part o+ my o,n teaching contri'ution- Bou are merely as:ed to +ollo, my e<ample in the +act +ace o+ much less e<treme temptations to mispercei*e# and 2OT to accept them +alsely as @usti+ications +or anger> &G8 >

There can BE no @usti+ication +or the un@usti+ia'le- (o not 'elie*e there is# and do not TEAC1 that there is- Remem'er al,ays that ,hat you 'elie*e you 4I!! teachBelie*e ,ith me# and ,e ,ill 'ecome e?ual as teachers- BOUR resurrection is your re> a,a:eningI am the model +or re'irth# 'ut re'irth itsel+ is merely the da,ning on your minds o+ ,hat is already in them- "od placed it there 1imsel+# and so it is true +ore*er- I 'elie*ed in it# and there+ore made it +ore*er true +or me- 1elp me to teach it to our 'rothers in the name o+ the Lingdom o+ "od# 'ut +irst 'elie*e that it is true +or you# or you ,ill teach amissMy 'rothers slept during the so>called )agony in the garden#. 'ut I could not 'e angry ,ith them# 'ecause I had learned I could not BE a'andoned- eter s,ore he ,ould ne*er deny me# 'ut he did so three times- It should 'e noted that he did o++er to de+end me ,ith the s,ord# ,hich I naturally re+used# not 'eing at all in need o+ 'odily protection- I AM sorry ,hen my 'rothers do not share my decision to hear Aand 'eC only

156

one *oice# 'ecause it ,ea:ens them as teachers A2( learners- But yet I :no, that they cannot really 'etray themsel*es or me# and that it is still on them that I MUST 'uild my churchThere is no choice in this# 'ecause only you can BE the +oundation o+ "od=s churchA church is ,here an altar is# and the presence o+ the altar is ,hat ma:es it a church- Any church ,hich does not inspire lo*e has a hidden altar ,hich is not ser*ing the purpose +or ,hich "od intended it- I must +ound 1is church on you 'ecause you# ,ho accept me as a model are literally my disciples- (isciples are +ollo,ers# 'ut i+ the model they +ollo, has chosen to SAHE T1EM AI2 I2 A!! RES ECTS# they are pro'a'ly un,ise 2OT to +ollo, himI elected# 'oth +or your sa:e A2( mine# to demonstrate that the most outrageous assault# as @udged 'y the ego# did not matter- As the ,orld @udges these things# 'ut 2OT as "od :no,s them# I ,as 'etrayed# a'andoned# 'eaten# torn# and +inally :illed- It ,as per+ectly clear that this ,as only 'ecause o+ the pro@ection o+ others onto me# 'ecause I had not harmed anyone and had healed many- 4e are still e?ual as learners# e*en though ,e need not ha*e e?ual e<periences- The 1oly Spirit is glad ,hen you can learn enough +rom MI2E to 'e re>a,a:ened 'y them- That ,as their only purpose# and that is the only ,ay in ,hich I can 'e percei*ed as the 4ay# the Truth# and the !ight4hen you hear only one *oice# you are ne*er called on to sacri+ice- On the contrary# 'y ena'ling BOURSE!HES to hear the 1oly Spirit in others# you can learn +rom their e<periences and gain +rom them 4IT1OUT e<periencing them- That is 'ecause the 1oly Spirit IS one# and anyone ,ho listens is ine*ita'ly led to demonstrate 1is ,ay +or A!!Bou are not persecuted# nor ,as I- Bou are not as:ed to repeat my e<perience# 'ecause the 1oly Spirit ,hich ,e S1ARE# ma:es this unnecessary- But to use my e<periences constructi*ely +or yoursel*es# you must still +ollo, my e<ample in ho, to percei*e themMy 'rothers and yours are constantly engaged in @usti+ying the un@usti+ia'le- My one lesson# ,hich I must teach as I learned# is that no perception ,hich is out o+ accord ,ith the @udgment o+ the 1oly Spirit CA2 'e @usti+ied- I undertoo: to sho, this ,as true in a
> &GG >

157

*ery e<treme case# merely 'ecause this ,ould ser*e as a good teaching aid to those ,hose temptations to gi*e in to anger and assault ,ould 2OT 'e as e<tremeI ,ill# ,ith "od 1imsel+# that none o+ 1is Sons should su++er- Remem'er that the 1oly Spirit is the communication lin: 'et,een "od the 3ather and 1is separated Sons- I+ you ,ill listen to 1is *oice# you ,ill :no, that you cannot either hurt or BE hurt# 'ut that many need your 'lessing to help them hear this +or themsel*es- 4hen you percei*e only this need in them# and do not respond to any others# you ,ill ha*e learned o+ me# and 'e as eager to share your learning as I am- The cruci+i<ion CA22OT 'e shared# 'ecause it is the sym'ol o+ pro@ection- But the Resurrection IS the sym'ol o+ sharing# 'ecause the rea,a:ening o+ e*ery Son o+ "od is necessary to ena'le the Sonship to :no, its ,holenessOnly this IS :no,ledgeThe message o+ the cruci+i<ion is *ery simple and per+ectly clearP )teach O2!B lo*e# +or that is ,hat you ARE-. I+ you interpret it in any other ,ay# you are using it as a ,eapon +or assault rather than as the call to peace +or ,hich it ,as intended- The Apostles o+ten misunderstood it# and al,ays +or the same reason that ma:es anyone misunderstand anything- Their o,n imper+ect lo*e made them *ulnera'le to pro@ection# and out o+ their o,n +ear they spo:e o+ the ,rath o+ "od as 1is retaliatory ,eapon- They also could not spea: o+ the cruci+i<ion entirely ,ithout anger# 'ecause their o,n sense o+ guilt had made them angryThere are t,o glaring e<amples o+ upside do,n thin:ing in the 2e, Testament# ,hose ,hole "ospel is only the message o+ lo*e- These are not at all li:e the se*eral slips into impatience ,hich I made# 'ecause I had learned the Atonement prayer# ,hich I also came to teach# too ,ell to engage in upside do,n thin:ing mysel+- I+ the Apostles had not +elt guilty# they ne*er could ha*e ?uoted ME as saying# )I come not to 'ring peace 'ut a s,ord-. This is clearly the e<act opposite o+ e*erything I taught2or could they ha*e descri'ed my reactions to Judas Iscariot as they did# i+ they had really understood ME- They could not ha*e 'elie*ed that I could not# ha*e said# )Betrayest thou the Son o+ Man ,ith a :issE. unless I BE!IEHE( I2 BETRABA!- The ,hole message o+ the cruci+i<ion ,as simply that I did 2OT- The )punishment. ,hich I am said to ha*e called +orth upon Judas ,as a similar re*ersal- Judas ,as my 'rother and a Son o+ "od#

158

as much a part o+ the Sonship as mysel+- 4as it li:ely that I ,ould condemn him ,hen I ,as ready to demonstrate that condemnation is impossi'leE I am *ery grate+ul to the Apostles +or their teaching# and +ully a,are o+ the e<tent o+ their de*otion to me- But as you read their teachings# remem'er that I told them mysel+ that there ,as much they ,ould understand later# 'ecause they ,ere not ,holly ready to +ollo, me at the time- I emphasi9e this only 'ecause I do not ,ant you to allo, A2B +ear to enter into the thought system to,ard ,hich I am guiding you- I do 2OT call +or martyrs 'ut +or TEAC1ERSBill is an outstanding e<ample o+ this con+usion# and has literally 'elie*ed +or years that teaching IS martyrdom- This is 'ecause he thought# and still thin:s at times# that
> &G6 >

teaching leads to cruci+i<ion rather than to re>a,a:ening- The upside do,n nature o+ this association is so o'*ious that he could only ha*e made it BECAUSE he +elt guilty2o>one is )punished. +or sins# and the Sons o+ "od are not sinners- A2B concept o+ )punishment. in*ol*es the pro@ection o+ 'lame# and RE>I23ORCES the idea that 'lame is @usti+iedThe 'eha*ior that results is a !ESSO2 I2 B!AME# @ust as all 'eha*ior teaches the 'elie+s that moti*ate itThe cruci+i<ion ,as a comple< o+ 'eha*iors arising out o+ clearly opposed thought systems- As such# it is the per+ect sym'ol o+ con+lict 'et,een the ego and the Son o+ "odIt ,as as much intrapersonal as interpersonal then# @ust as it is no,# and it is still @ust as real- But BECAUSE it is @ust as real no,# its lesson# too# has e?ual reality 41E2 IT IS !EAR2E(- I do not need gratitude any more than I needed protection- But BOU need to de*elop your ,ea:ened a'ility to BE grate+ul# or you cannot appreciate "od- 1E does not need your appreciation# 'ut you (OBou cannot lo*e ,hat you do not appreciate# and 3EAR MALES A RECIATIO2 IM OSSIB!E- 4hene*er you are a+raid o+ ,hat you are# you do not appreciate it# and ,ill there+ore re@ect it- As a result# you ,ill TEAC1 REJECTIO2- The po,er o+ the Sons o+ "od is operating all the time# 'ecause they ,ere created as creators- Their in+luence on EAC1 OT1ER is ,ithout limit# and MUST 'e used +or their @oint sal*ation- Each one MUST learn to teach that all +orms o+ re@ection are utterly meaninglessThe separation IS the notion o+ re@ection- As long as you teach this# BOU still 'elie*e

159

it- This is 2OT as "od thin:s# and you must thin: as 1e thin:s i+ you are to :no, 1im again- Any split in ,ill MUST in*ol*e a re@ection o+ part o+ it# and this IS the 'elie+ in separation- The ,holeness o+ "od# ,hich IS 1is peace# cannot 'e appreciated EXCE T 'y a ,hole mind# ,hich recogni9es the ,holeness o+ "od=s creation and BB this recognition :no,s its CreatorE<clusion and separation are synonymous- So are separation and dissociation- 4e ha*e said 'e+ore that the separation ,as and IS dissociation# and also that once it had occurred# pro@ection 'ecame its main de+ence# or the de*ice ,hich LEE S IT "OI2"The reason# ho,e*er# may not 'e as clear to you as you thin:- 4hat you pro@ect you diso,n# and there+ore do not 'elie*e is yours- Bou are there+ore EXC!U(I2" yoursel+ +rom it# 'y the *ery statement you are ma:ing that you are (I33ERE2T +rom someone else- Since you ha*e also @udged A"AI2ST ,hat you pro@ect# you attac: it 'ecause you ha*e already attac:ed it BB re@ecting it- By doing this U2CO2SCIOUS!B# you try to :eep the +act that you must ha*e attac:ed yoursel+ 3IRST out o+ a,areness# and thus imagine that you ha*e made yoursel+ sa+ero@ection ,ill A!4ABS hurt you- It rein+orces your 'elie+ in your o,n split mind# and its O2!B purpose is to LEE T1E SE ARATIO2 "OI2"- It is solely a de*ice o+ the ego to ma:e you +eel (I33ERE2T +rom your 'rothers and separated 3ROM themThe ego @usti+ies this on the ,holly spurious grounds that it ma:es you seem 'etter than they are# thus o'scuring e?uality ,ith them still +urther> &GJ >

ro@ection and attac: are ine*ita'ly related# 'ecause pro@ection is A!4ABS a means o+ JUSTI3BI2" attac:- Anger ,ithout pro@ection is impossi'le- The ego uses pro@ection O2!B to distort your perception o+ 'oth yoursel+ A2( your 'rothers- It 'egins 'y e<cluding something you thin: e<ists in you ,hich you do not ,ant# and leads directly to your e<cluding yoursel+ +rom your 'rothersBut ,e :no, that there is another use o+ pro@ection- E*ery a'ility o+ the ego has a 'etter counterpart# 'ecause its a'ilities are directed 'y the mind# ,hich has a 'etter *oice- The 1oly Spirit# as ,ell as the ego# utili9es pro@ection 'ut since their goals are opposed# so is the result- The 1oly Spirit 'egins 'y percei*ing BOU as per+ectL2O4I2" this per+ection is shared# it RECO"2IUES it in others# thus strengthening it in 'othInstead o+ anger# this arouses lo*e 3OR 'oth 'ecause IT ESTAB!IS1ES I2C!USIO2ercei*ing

160

e?uality# it percei*es e?ual needs- This in*ites Atonement automatically# 'ecause Atonement IS the one need ,hich is uni*ersalTo percei*e BOURSE!3 in this ,ay is the O2!B ,ay in ,hich you can +ind happiness in this ,orld- This is 'ecause it is the ac:no,ledgement that you are 2OT in this ,orld# and the ,orld IS unhappy- 1o, else can you +ind @oy in a @oyless place EXCE T 'y reali9ing that BOU ARE 2OT T1EREE Bou cannot 'e A2B41ERE that "od did not put you# and "od created you as part o+ 1IM- That is 'oth 41ERE you are and 41AT you are- This is COM !ETE!B unaltera'le- It is total inclusion- Bou cannot change this no, or e*er- It is +ore*er true- It is 2OT a 'elie+# 'ut a +actAnything that "od creates is as true as 1e is- Its truth lies only in its per+ect inclusion in 1im 4ho alone IS per+ect- To deny this in any ,ay is to deny yoursel+ A2( 1im# 'ecause it is impossi'le to accept one ,ithout the other- The per+ect e?uality o+ the 1oly Spirit=s perception is the counterpart o+ the per+ect e?uality o+ "od=s :no,ing- The ego=s perception has no counterpart in "od# 'ut the 1oly Spirit remains the 'ridge 'et,een perception and :no,ledge- By ena'ling you to use perception in a ,ay that ARA!!E!S :no,ledge# it you ,ill ultimately meet it and L2O4 itThe ego pre+ers to 'elie*e that parallel lines do not meet# and concei*es o+ their meeting as impossi'le- Bou might remem'er that the human eye percei*es them as i+ they (O meet in the distance# ,hich is the same as I2 T1E 3UTURE# i+ time and space are one dimension- The later mathematics support the interpretation o+ ultimate con*ergence o+ the parallel theoretically- EHERBT1I2" meets in "od# 'ecause e*erything ,as created BB 1im and I2 1im- "od created 1is Sons 'y e<tending 1is Thought and retaining the e<tensions o+ 1is Thought in 1is Mind- A!! 1is Thoughts are thus per+ectly united ,ithin themsel*es and ,ith each other 'ecause they# ,ere created neither partially nor in partThe 1oly Spirit ena'les you to ERCEIHE T1IS 41O!E2ESS 2O4- Bou can no more pray +or yoursel*es alone than you can +ine @oy +or yoursel+ alone- rayer is a restatement o+ I2C!USIO2# directed 'y the 1oly Spirit under the la,s o+ "od- "od created you to create- Bou cannot EXTE2( 1is Lingdom until you L2O4 o+ its ,holenessBut thoughts 'egin in the mind O3 T1E T1I2LER# +rom ,hich they e<tend out,ard- This is
> &G7 >

as true o+ "od=s thin:ing as it is o+ yours- Because your minds are split# you can also

161

percei*e as ,ell as thin:# 'ut perception cannot escape +rom the 'asic la,s o+ mindBou percei*e 3ROM your mind# and e<tend your perceptions out,ardAlthough perception o+ any :ind is unnecessary# BOU made it and the 1oly Spirit can there+ore use it ,ell- 1e can I2S IRE perception and lead it to,ard "od 'y ma:ing it ARA!!E! to "od=s ,ay o+ thin:ing# and thus guaranteeing their ultimate meetingThis con*ergence SEEMS to 'e +ar in the +uture O2!B 'ecause your mind is 2OT in per+ect alignment ,ith the idea# and there+ore (OES 2OT 4A2T IT 2O4- The 1oly Spirit USES time# 'ut does 2OT 'elie*e in it- Coming +rom "od# 1e uses EHERBT1I2" +or good# 'ut does not BE!IEHE in ,hat is not trueSince the 1oly Spirit IS in your minds# then your minds must 'e a'le to 'elie*e O2!B ,hat is true- The 1oly Spirit can spea: only +or this# 'ecause he spea:s +or "od1e tells you to return your ,hole mind to "od# BECAUSE IT 1AS 2EHER !E3T 1IM- I+ it has ne*er le+t 1im# you need only percei*e it AS IT IS to BE returned- The +ull a,areness o+ the Atonement# then# is the recognition that the separation 2EHER OCCURRE(The ego CA22OT pre*ail against this# 'ecause it is an e<plicit statement that the E"O ne*er occurredThe ego can accept the idea that RETUR2 is necessary# 'ecause it can so easily ma:e the idea seem so di++icult- But the 1oly Spirit tells you that e*en RETUR2 is unnecessary# 'ecause ,hat ne*er happened CA22OT in*ol*e A2B pro'lem- But it does 2OT +ollo, that BOU cannot ma:e the idea o+ return 'oth necessary A2( di++icult- "od created made nothing either necessary OR di++icult- But BOU ha*e percei*ed 'oth AS I3 they ,ere part o+ 1is per+ect creations- Bet it is surely clear that the per+ect 2EE( nothing# and CA22OT e<perience per+ection as a di++icult accomplishment 'ecause that is ,hat they AREThis is the ,ay in ,hich you MUST percei*e "od=s Creations# 'ringing all o+ your perceptions into the one parallel line ,hich the 1oly Spirit sees- This line is the direct line o+ communication ,ith "od# and lets BOUR mind con*erge ,ith 1IS- There is 2O CO23!ICT A2B41ERE in this perception# 'ecause it means that A!! perception is guided 'y the 1oly Spirit# ,hose mind is +i<ed on "od- O2!B the 1oly Spirit can resol*e con+lict# 'ecause O2!B the 1oly Spirit is con+lict>+ree- 1e percei*es O2!B ,hat is true in BOUR mind# and e<tends out,ard to O2!B ,hat is true in other minds-

162

The di++erence 'et,een the ego=s use o+ pro@ection and pro@ection as the 1oly Spirit uses it is *ery simple- The ego pro@ects to EXC!U(E and there+ore to decei*e- The 1oly Spirit pro@ects 'y RECO"2IUI2" 1IMSE!3 in EHERB mind# and thus percei*es them as O2E- 2othing con+licts in this perception# 'ecause ,hat the 1oly Spirit percei*es IS the same- 4here*er 1e loo:s 1e sees 1imsel+# and 'ecause 1e is U2ITE(# 1e o++ers the ,hole Lingdom al,ays- This is the one message ,hich "od ga*e TO 1im# and +or ,hich 1e must spea: 'ecause that is ,hat 1e IS- The peace o+ "od lies in that message# and so the peace o+ "od lies in BOU> &GK >

The great peace o+ the Lingdom shines in your mind +ore*er# 'ut it must shine OUT4AR( to ma:e BOU a,are o+ it- The 1oly Spirit ,as gi*en you ,ith per+ect impartiality# and only 'y percei*ing 1im /insertedQ impartially can you percei*e 1im at all- The ego is legion# 'ut the 1oly Spirit is one- 2o dar:ness a'ides A2B41ERE in the Lingdom# 'ut and so your part is only to allo, no dar:ness to a'ide in your O42 mindThis alignment ,ith !ight is unlimited# 'ecause it is in alignment ,ith the !ight o+ the ,orld- Each o+ us IS the !ight o+ the ,orld# and 'y @oining our minds I2 this !ight# ,e proclaim the Lingdom o+ "od together and AS O2EMarch $5# &5JJ 4e ha*e used many ,ords as synonymous ,hich are not ordinarily regarded as the same- 4e 'egan ,ith ha*ing and 'eing# and recently ha*e used others- 1earing and 'eing is an e<ample# to ,hich ,e can also add teaching and 'eing# learning and 'eing# and# a'o*e all# ROJECTI2" and 'eing- This is 'ecause# as ,e ha*e said 'e+ore# e*ery idea 'egins in the mind o+ the thin:er and e<tends out,ard- There+ore# ,hat e<tends 3ROM the mind IS STI!! I2 IT# and 3ROM ,hat it e<tends IT L2O4S ITSE!3- This is its natural talentThe ,ord ):no,s. is correct here# e*en though the ego does 2OT :no,# and is not concerned ,ith BEI2" at all- The 1oly Spirit still holds :no,ledge sa+e through its impartial perception- By attac:ing nothing# it presents no 'arrier at all to the communication o+ "od- There+ore# 'eing is ne*er threatened- Bour "odli:e mind can ne*er 'e de+iledThe ego ne*er ,as and ne*er ,ill 'e part o+ itBut through the ego you CA2 hear and learn and teach and pro@ect 41AT IS 2OT TRUE- 3rom this# ,hich BOU ha*e made# you ha*e taught yoursel*es to 'elie*e you ARE 2OT 41AT BOU ARE- Bou CA22OT teach ,hat you ha*e not learned- And ,hat you

163

teach you strengthen in yoursel*es BECAUSE you are sharing it- E*ery lesson ,hich you teach BOU are learningThat is ,hy you must teach only O2E lesson- I+ you are to 'e con+lict +ree yoursel*es# you must learn O2!B +rom the 1oly Spirit# and teach O2!B 'y 1im- Bou ARE only lo*e# 'ut ,hen you deny denied this you made ,hat you ARE something you must !EAR24e said 'e+ore that the message o+ the Cruci+i<ion ,as teach O2!B lo*e# +or that is ,hat you ARE- This is the O2E lesson ,hich is per+ectly uni+ied# 'ecause it is the only lesson ,hich IS one- And only BB teaching it can BOU learn it)As you teach so ,ill you learn-. I+ that is true# and it is true indeed# you must ne*er +orget that ,hat you teach is teaching BOU- 4hat you pro@ect you BE!IEHE- The only REA! sa+ety lies in pro@ecting O2!B the 1oly Spirit# 'ecause as you see 1is gentleness in others your o,n mind percei*es ITSE!3 as totally harmless- Once it can accept this +ully# it does 2OT see the need to ROTECT ITSE!3- The protection o+ "od then da,ns upon it# assuring it that it is per+ectly sa+e +ore*er> &G5 >

The per+ectly sa+e ARE ,holly 'enign- They 'less 'ecause they :no, they ARE 'lessed- 4ithout an<iety# the mind is ,holly :ind# and 'ecause it ROJECTS 'ene+icence# it IS 'ene+icent- Sa+ety is the COM !ETE RE!I2DUIS1ME2T O3 ATTACL- 2o compromise is possi'le in this- Teach attac: in any +orm# and BOU 1AHE !EAR2E( IT A2( IT 4I!! 1URT BOU- But your learning is not immortal# and you can unlearn it BB 2OT TEAC1I2" IT- Since you cannot 2OT teach# your sal*ation lies in teaching e<actly the opposite o+ EHERBT1I2" T1E E"O BE!IEHES- This is ho, BOU ,ill learn the truth that ,ill ma:e you +ree# and :eep you +ree so as others learn it o+ BOUThe only ,ay to 1AHE peace is to TEAC1 peace- By learning it through pro@ection# it 'ecomes a part o+ you that you L2O4# 'ecause you cannot teach ,hat you ha*e dissociated- Only thus can you 'ring ,in 'ac: the :no,ledge you thre, a,ay- An idea ,hich you S1ARE you MUST 1AHE- It a,a:ens in you through the CO2HICTIO2 o+ teaching- Remem'er that i+ teaching is 'eing and learning is 'eing# then teaching is learning- EHERBT1I2" you teach BOU are learning- Teach only lo*e# and learn that lo*e is yours and BOU are lo*eMarch 8%# &5JJ

164

Remem'er that the 1oly Spirit is the A2S4ER# not the ?uestion- The ego al,ays spea:s +irst# 'ecause it is capricious and does 2OT mean its ma:er ,ell- This is 'ecause it 'elie*es# and correctly# that its ma:er may ,ithdra, his support +rom it at any momentI+ it meant you ,ell# it ,ould 'e glad# as the 1oly Spirit ,ill 'e glad ,hen 1e has 'rought you home and you no longer need 1is guidance- The ego does 2OT regard itsel+ as part o+ you- 1erein lies its primary perceptual error# the +oundation o+ its ,hole thought system4hen "od created you# 1e made you part o+ 1im- That is ,hy attac: 4IT1I2 the Lingdom is impossi'le- But BOU made the ego ,ithout lo*e# and so it does not lo*e BOU- Bou could not remain 4IT1I2 the Lingdom ,ithout lo*e# and since the Lingdom IS lo*e# you 'elie*e you are 4IT1OUT it- This ena'les the ego to regard itsel+ as SE ARATE A2( OUTSI(E ITS MALER# thus spea:ing +or the part o+ your mind that 'elie*es BOU are separate and outside the Mind o+ "odThe ego# then# raised the +irst ?uestion that ,as e*er as:ed# 'ut it can ne*er ans,er it- That ?uestion# ,hich ,as )4hat are youE. ,as the 'eginning o+ dou't- The ego has ne*er ans,ered A2B ?uestions since# though it has raised a great many- The most in*enti*e acti*ities o+ the ego ha*e ne*er done more than OBSCURE T1E DUESTIO2# 'ecause you 1AHE the ans,er# and T1E E"O IS A3RAI( O3 BOU- Bou cannot really understand con+lict until BOU +ully understand one 'asic +act that the ego does not :no,- The 1oly Spirit does not spea: +irst# 'ut 1e A!4ABS ans,ers- EHERBO2E has called upon 1im +or help at one time or another# and in one ,ay or another# A2( 1AS BEE2 A2S4ERE(Since the 1oly Spirit ans,ers truly# 1e ans,ers 3OR A!! TIME# and that means that EHERBO2E 1AS T1E A2S4ER 2O4> &6% >

The ego cannot hear the 1oly Spirit# 'ut it (OES :no, +eel that part o+ the same mind that made it is against it- It interprets this ,holly as a @usti+ication +or ATTACLI2" its ma:er- The ego 'elie*es that the 'est de+ense is attac:# and 4A2TS BOU TO BE!IEHE T1IS- Unless you (O 'elie*e it# you ,ill not side ,ith it- And the ego +eels 'adly in need o+ allies# though not o+ 'rothersercei*ing something alien to itsel+ in your MI2(# the ego turns to the 'ody# 2OT the mind as its ally BECAUSE the 'ody is not part o+ you- This ma:es the 'ody the ego=s

165

+riend- But it is an alliance +ran:ly 'ased on separation- I+ you side ,ith this alliance# you 4I!! 'e a+raid# 'ecause you are siding ,ith an alliance O3 +ear- The ego and the 'ody inspire conspire A"AI2ST your minds# and 'ecause they reali9e that their )enemy. CA2 end them 'oth merely 'y :no,ing they are not part o+ him# they @oin in the attac: together- This is perhaps the strangest perception o+ all# i+ you consider ,hat it really in*ol*es- The ego# ,hich is not real# attempts to persuade the mind# ,hich IS real# that it IS its o,n learning de*ice# and that the learning de*ice is more real than IT is- 2o> one in his right mind could OSSIB!B 'elie*e this# and no>one in his right mind (OES 'elie*e it1ear# then# the one ans,er o+ the 1oly Spirit to A!! the ?uestions ,hich the ego raises- Bou are a Child o+ "od# a priceless part o+ 1is Lingdom# ,hich 1e created as part o+ 1im- 2othing else e<ists# and O2!B this is real- Bou ha*e chosen a sleep in ,hich you ha*e had 'ad dreams# 'ut the sleep is not real# and "od calls you to a,a:e- There ,ill 'e nothing le+t o+ your dream ,hen you hear 1im# 'ecause you 4I!! 'e a,a:e- Bour dreams ha*e contained many o+ the ego=s sym'ols# and they ha*e con+used youBut that ,as only 'ecause you ,ere asleep and (I( 2OT L2O44hen you a,a:e# you ,ill see the Truth around you and in you# and you ,ill no longer 'elie*e in dreams# 'ecause they ,ill ha*e no reality +or you- But the Lingdom and all that you ha*e created there ,ill ha*e great reality +or you# 'ecause they are 'eauti+ul and true- In the Lingdom# ,here you are and ,hat you are is per+ectly certain- There is no dou't there# 'ecause the +irst ?uestion ,as ne*er as:ed- 1a*ing +inally 'een ,holly ans,ered# IT 1AS 2EHER BEE2- BEI2" alone li*es in the Lingdom# ,here e*erything li*es in "od ,ithout ?uestion- The time that ,as spent on ?uestioning in the dream has gi*en ,ay to the Creation and to its EternityBOU are as certain as "od# 'ecause you are as true as 1e is- But ,hat ,as once ?uite certain in your minds has 'ecome only the ABI!ITB +or certainty- The introduction o+ a'ilities into 'eing ,as the 'eginning o+ U2certainty# 'ecause a'ilities are OTE2TIA!S# not accomplishments- Bour a'ilities are totally useless in the presence o+ "od=s accomplishments and also o+ yours- Accomplishments are RESU!TS ,hich 1AHE BEE2

166

achie*ed- 4hen they are per+ect# a'ilities are meaninglessIt is curious that the per+ect must no, 'e per+ected- In +act# it is impossi'le- But you must remem'er that ,hen you put yoursel*es in an impossi'le situation# you 'elie*ed that the impossi'le 4AS possi'le> &6& >

A'ilities must 'e (EHE!O E(# or you cannot use them- This is not true o+ anything that "od created# 'ut it is the :indest solution possi'le to ,hat BOU ha*e made- In an impossi'le situation# you can de*elop your a'ilities to the point ,here they CA2 "ET BOU OUT O3 IT- Bou ha*e a guide to ho, to de*elop them# 'ut you ha*e no commander EXCE T BOURSE!3- This lea*es BOU in charge o+ the Lingdom# ,ith 'oth a guide to 3I2( it and a MEA2S to :eep it- Bou ha*e a model to +ollo, ,ho ,ill strengthen BOUR command# and ne*er detract +rom it in any ,ay- Bou there+ore retain the central place in your percei*ed ensla*ement# a +act ,hich ITSE!3 demonstrates that you are 2OT ensla*edBou are in an impossi'le situation only 'ecause you thought it ,as possi'le to 'e in one- Bou 4OU!( 'e in an impossi'le situation i+ "od sho,ed you your per+ection# and ROHE( to you that you ,ere ,rong- This ,ould demonstrate that the per+ect ,ere inade?uate to 'ring T1EMSE!HES to the a,areness o+ their per+ection# and thus side ,ith the 'elie+ that those ,ho ha*e e*erything need help# and are there+ore helplessThis is the :ind o+ reasoning that the ego engages in# 'ut "od# ,ho L2O4S that 1is creations are per+ect does 2OT insult them- This ,ould 'e as impossi'le as the ego=s notion that it has insulted 1im- That is ,hy the 1oly Spirit 2EHER commands- To command is to assume I2e?uality# ,hich the 1oly Spirit demonstrates does not e<ist- 3idelity to premises is a la, o+ the mind# and e*erything "od created is +aith+ul to 1is la,s- But +idelity to other la,s is also possi'le# not 'ecause the la,s are true# 'ut 'ecause BOU MA(E T1EM4hat ,ould 'e gained i+ "od pro*ed to you that you ha*e thought insanelyE Can "od lose 1is o,n certaintyE 4e ha*e +re?uently stated that ,hat you teach ARE4ould you ha*e "od teach you that you ha*e sinnedE I+ 1e con+ronted the sel+ you ha*e made ,ith the Truth 1e created 3OR you# ,hat could you 'e 'ut a+raidE Bou ,ould dou't your sanity# ,hich is the one thing in ,hich you can 3I2( the sanity 1e ga*e you"od does not teach- To teach is to imply a lac: ,hich "od L2O4S is not there- "od is not con+licted- Teaching aims at change# 'ut "od created O2!B the changelessThe separation ,as not a loss o+ per+ection# 'ut a +ailure in COMMU2ICATIO2- A

167

harsh and strident +orm o+ communication arose as the ego=s *oice- It could not shatter the peace o+ "od# 'ut it COU!( shatter BOURS- "od did not 'lot it out# 'ecause to eradicate it ,ould 'e to attac: it- Being ?uestioned# 1e did not ?uestion- 1e merely ga*e the Ans,er"od=s ans,er IS your teacher- !i:e any good teacher# 1e (OES :no, more than you :no, 2O4# 'ut 1e teaches you only to ma:e you e?uals- This is 'ecause you had A!REA(B taught ,rong# ha*ing 'elie*ed ,hat ,as not true- BOU (I( 2OT BE!IEHE I2 BOUR O42 ER3ECTIO2- Could "od teach you that you had made a split mind ,hen 1e :no,s your mind only as ,holeE 4hat "od (OES :no, is that 1is communication channels are not open to 1im# so that 1e cannot impart 1is @oy and :no, that 1is Children are ,holly @oyous- This is an ongoing process# not in time# 'ut in eternity- "od=s e<tending out,ard# though not 1is
> &6$ >

completeness# ,as 'loc:ed ,hen the Sonship does not communicate ,ith 1im as oneSo 1e thought# )My Children sleep# and must 'e a,a:ened-. 1o, can you ,a:e children 'etter and more :indly than ,ith a gentle Hoice that ,ill not +righten them# 'ut ,ill merely remind them that the night is o*er and the !ight has comeE Bou do not in+orm them that the nightmares ,hich +rightened them so 'adly ,ere not real# 'ecause children BE!IEHE in magic- Bou merely reassure them that they are sa+e 2O4- Then you train them to RECO"2IUE T1E (I33ERE2CE 'et,een sleeping and ,a:ing# so that T1EB ,ill understand they need not 'e a+raid o+ dreams- Then ,hen 'ad dreams come# they ,ill call on the !ight T1EMSE!HES to dispel themA ,ise teacher teaches through approach# 2OT a*oidance- 1e does not emphasi9e ,hat you must a*oid to escape +rom harm as much as ,hat you need to learn to ha*e @oyThis is true e*en o+ the ,orld=s teachers- Consider the con+usion that a child ,ould e<perience i+ he ,ere told# )(o not do T1IS 'ecause it might hurt you and ma:e you unsa+e# 'ut i+ you do T1AT you ,ill escape +rom harm and 'e sa+e# and then you ,ill not 'e a+raid-. All o+ this could 'e included in only three ,ordsF )(o only that-. That simple statement is per+ectly clear# easily understood# and *ery easily remem'eredThe 1oly Spirit 2EHER itemi9es errors# 'ecause 1e does not +righten children# and those ,ho lac: ,isdom ARE children- But 1e A!4ABS ans,ers their call# and 1is dependa'ility ma:es T1EM more certain- Children (O con+use +antasy and reality# and they ARE +rightened 'ecause they do not :no, the di++erence-

168

The 1oly Spirit ma:es 2O distinction among dreams- 1e merely shines them a,ay1is light is A!4ABS the call to a,a:e# 41ATEHER you may ha*e 'een dreaming2othing lasting lies in dreams# and the 1oly Spirit# shining ,ith the light +rom "od 1imsel+# spea:s only +or ,hat lasts +ore*er4hen your 'ody and your ego and your dreams are gone# you ,ill :no, that BOU ,ill last +ore*er- Many thin: that this is accomplished through death# 'ut 2OT1I2" is accomplished through death 'ecause death is nothing- EHERBT1I2" is accomplished through li+e# and li+e is o+ the mind and in the Mind- The 'ody neither li*es nor dies# 'ecause it cannot contain you ,ho ARE li+e- I+ ,e share the same mind# BOU CA2 OHERCOME (EAT1 BECAUSE I (I(- (eath is an attempt to resol*e con+lict 'y not ,illing at all- !i:e any other impossi'le solution ,hich the ego attempts# IT 4I!! 2OT 4ORL"od did not ma:e the 'ody# 'ecause it is destructi'le# and there+ore not o+ the Lingdom- The 'ody is the sym'ol o+ the 41AT BOU T1I2L BOU ARE- It is clearly a separation de*ice# and there+ore does not e<ist- The 1oly Spirit# as al,ays# ta:es ,hat you ha*e made and translates it into a learning de*ice 3OR you- Again# as al,ays# it reinterprets ,hat the ego uses as an argument 3OR separation into an argument A"AI2ST itI+ the mind can heal the 'ody# 'ut the 'ody cannot heal the mind# then the mind MUST BE STRO2"ER- E*ery miracle demonstrates this- 4e ha*e said that the 1oly Spirit
> &68 >

is the MOTIHATIO2 +or miracles- This is 'ecause 1e A!4ABS tells you that O2!B the mind is real# 'ecause only the mind CA2 BE S1ARE(- The 'ody IS separate# and there+ore CA22OT 'e part o+ you- To 'e o+ one mind is meaning+ul# 'ut to 'e o+ one 'ody is meaningless- By the la,s o+ mind# then# the 'ody IS meaninglessTo the 1oly Spirit T1ERE IS 2O OR(ER O3 (I33ICU!TB I2 MIRAC!ES- This is 3AMI!IAR enough to you 'y no,# 'ut it has not yet 'ecome 'elie*a'le- There+ore# you do not understand it and cannot USE it- 4e ha*e too much to accomplish on 'ehal+ o+ the Lingdom to let this crucial concept slip a,ay- It is a real +oundation stone o+ the thought system I teach and ,ant BOU to teach- Bou cannot per+orm miracles ,ithout 'elie*ing it# 'ecause it is a 'elie+ in per+ect e?ualityOnly one e?ual gi+t CA2 'e o++ered to the e?ual Sons o+ "od# and that is 3U!! A RECIATIO2- 2othing more and nothing less- 4ithout a range# order o+ di++iculty IS meaningless# and there must BE no range in ,hat you o++er to each other- The 1oly Spirit# ,hich leads to "od# translates communication into 'eing# @ust as 1e ultimately translates perception into :no,ledgeBou (O 2OT !OSE 41AT BOU COMMU2ICATE- The ego uses the 'ody +or attac:#

169

+or pleasure# and +or pride- The insanity o+ this perception ma:es it a +ear+ul one- The 1oly Spirit sees it only as a means o+ COMMU2ICATIO2- And 'ecause communicating IS sharing# it 'ecomes communion- Bou might argue that +ear as ,ell as lo*e can 'e communicated# and there+ore can 'e shared- But this is not so real as it soundsThose ,ho communicate +ear are promoting attac:# and attac: al,ays BREALS communication# and there+ore ma:es communion impossi'leEgos (O @oin together in temporary allegiance# 'ut al,ays +or 41AT EAC1 O2E CA2 "ET SE ARATE!B- The 1oly Spirit communicates only 41AT EAC1 O2E CA2 "IHE TO A!!- 1e ne*er ta:es A2BT1I2" 'ac:# 'ecause 1e ,ants BOU to :eep itThere+ore# 1is teaching 'egins ,ith the lessonF To 1AHE# "IHE all TO allThis is a *ery preliminary step# and T1E O2!B O2E BOU MUST TALE BOURSE!3It is not e*en necessary that you COM !ETE the step yoursel+# 'ut it IS necessary that you turn in that direction- 1a*ing ,illed to go that ,ay# you place BOURSE!3 in charge o+ the @ourney# ,here you and O2!B you must remainThis step A EARS to e<acer'ate con+lict rather than resol*e it# 'ecause it is the BE"I22I2" step in re*ersing your perception and turning it right side up- This con+licts ,ith the upside do,n perception ,hich you ha*e not yet a'andoned# or the change in direction ,ould not ha*e 'een necessary- Some people remain at this step +or a *ery long time# e<periencing HERB acute con+lict- Many try to accept the CO23!ICT# rather than to ta:e the ne<t step to,ard its resolution- But ha*ing ta:en the +irst step# they 4I!! 'e helped- 1a*ing ,illed ,hat they CA22OT complete alone# T1EB ARE 2O !O2"ER A!O2EBou# 1elen# had ta:en this step# and 'ecause you 'elie*ed in it# you taught it to Bill# ,ho still 'elie*ed in the solution o+ sleep- Bou ,ere not consistent in teaching it# 'ut you
> &6G >

did so o+ten enough to ena'le him to learn it- Once 1E learned it# he could teach BOU ho, to 'ecome more consistently a,a:e# and thus 'egin to ,a:en 1IMSE!3- This placed him# too# in command o+ the @ourney- 1is recognition o+ the direction it must ta:e ,as per+ectly stated ,hen he I2SISTE( O2 CO!!ABORATIO2Bou# 1-# had ta:en a giant step I2TO con+lict# 'ut B- turned you 'oth +or,ards TO4AR( T1E 4AB OUT- The more he teaches this# the more he ,ill learn itAll the separated ones ha*e a 'asic +ear o+ retaliation and a'andonment- This is 'ecause they BE!IEHE in attac: and re@ection# so this is ,hat they percei*e and teach and !EAR2- These insane concepts are clearly the result o+ their o,n dissociation and

170

pro@ection- 4hat you teach you are# 'ut it is ?uite apparent that you can teach ,rongly# and there+ore TEAC1 BOURSE!HES 4RO2"- Many thought that I ,as attac:ing them# e*en though it ,as is ?uite apparent that I ,as 2OT- An insane learner learns strange lessons4hat you must understand is that# ,hen you do not S1ARE a thought system# you ARE ,ea:ening it- Those ,ho BE!IEHE in it there+ore percei*e it this as an ATTACL O2 T1EM- This is 'ecause e*eryone identi+ies himsel+ 4IT1 his thought system# and EHERB thought system centers on 41AT BOU BE!IEHE BOU ARE- I+ the center o+ the thought system is TRUE# only truth e<tends out,ard +rom it- But i+ a lie is at its center# only (ECE TIO2 proceeds +rom it- All good teachers reali9e that only +undamental change ,ill last- But they do 2OT 'egin at that le*el- Strengthening MOTIHATIO2 +or change is their +irst and +oremost goal- It is also their last and +inal one- Increasing moti*ation +or change I2 T1E !EAR2ER is all that a teacher 2EE( do to "UARA2TEE changeThis is 'ecause a change in moti*ation IS a change o+ mind# and this ,ill I2EHITAB!B produce +undamental change BECAUSE the mind is +undamentalThe +irst step in the re*ersal or undoing process# then# is the U2(OI2" o+ the getting concept- Accordingly# the 1oly Spirit=s +irst lesson ,asF To 1AHE# "IHE all TO all4e said that this is apt to I2CREASE con+lict temporarily# and ,e can clari+y this still +urther no,- At this point# the e?uality o+ ha*ing and 'eing is not yet percei*ed- Until it IS# ha*ing still appears to 'e the O OSITE o+ 'eing- There+ore# the +irst lesson SEEMS to contain a contradiction 'ecause it is BEI2" !EAR2E( BB A CO23!ICTE( MI2(This MEA2S con+licting moti*ation# and so the lesson CA22OT 'e learned consistently as yet3urther# the mind o+ the learner pro@ects its o,n split# and there+ore does 2OT percei*e consistent minds in others# ma:ing him suspicious o+ T1EIR moti*ationsThis is the real reason ,hy in many respects the +irst lesson is the hardest to learn- Still strongly a,are o+ the ego in himsel+# and responding primarily TO the ego in others# he is learning 'eing taught to react to BOT1 as i+ ,hat he (OES 'elie*e IS 2OT TRUEUpside do,n as al,ays# the ego percei*es the +irst lesson as insane- In +act# this is its

171

only alternati*e here# 'ecause the other one# ,hich ,ould 'e much !ESS accepta'le# ,ould o'*iously 'e that IT is insane- The ego=s @udgment# then# is predetermined 'y
> &66 >

,hat it IS# though not more so than is any other product o+ thought- The +undamental change ,ill still occur ,ith the change o+ mind I2 T1E T1I2LERMean,hile# the increasing clarity o+ the 1oly Spirit=s *oice ma:es it impossi'le +or the learner 2OT TO !ISTE2- 3or a time# then# he IS recei*ing con+licting messages A2( ACCE TI2" BOT1- This is the classic )dou'le 'ind. in communication# ,hich you ,rote a'out yoursel*es ?uite recently# and ,ith good e<amples too- It is interesting that 1elen claimed at the time that she had ne*er heard o+ it and did not understand it- Bou might remem'er our 'rother=s insistence on its inclusion- 1elen thought he had 'ecome A?uiteC irrational on this point# 'ut it ,as ?uite strongly rein+orced in 1IS mind# and so he ,anted to teach it in his te<t- This# o+ course# ,as a *ery good ,ay +or BOU to learn itThe ,ay out o+ con+lict 'et,een t,o opposing thought systems is clearly TO C1OOSE O2E A2( RE!I2DUIS1 T1E OT1ER- I+ you identi+y 4IT1 your thought system# and you cannot escape this# and i+ you accept t,o thought systems ,hich are in COM !ETE (ISagreement# peace o+ mind IS impossi'le- I+ you TEAC1 'oth# ,hich you ,ill surely do as long as you ACCE T 'oth# you are teaching con+lict and !EAR2I2" it- But you (O ,ant peace# or you ,ould not ha*e called upon the *oice +or EACE to help you- 1is !ESSO2 is not insane# 'ut the CO23!ICT ISThere can BE no con+lict 'et,een sanity and insanity# 'ecause only one is true# and there+ore only O2E is REA!- The ego tries to persuade you that it is up to BOU to decide ,hich *oice is true- But the 1oly Spirit teaches you that truth ,as created 'y "od# and BOUR decision CA22OT change it- As you 'egin to reali9e the ?uiet po,er o+ 1is Hoice A2( ITS ER3ECT CO2SISTE2CB# it MUST da,n on your minds that you are trying to undo a decision ,hich ,as made irre*oca'ly 3OR you- That is ,hy ,e suggested 'e+ore that there ,as help in reminding yoursel*es to allo, the 1oly Spirit to decide +or "od +or BOUBou are 2OT as:ed to ma:e insane decisions# although you are +ree to T1I2L you are- But it MUST 'e insane to 'elie*e IT IS U TO BOU to decide ,hat "od=s Creations

172

ARE- The 1oly Spirit percei*es the con+lict EXACT!B AS IT IS- There+ore# 1is second lesson isF To 1AHE peace# TEAC1 peace to !EAR2 itThis is still a preliminary step# 'ecause ha*ing and 'eing are still not e?uated 'ut it is more ad*anced than the +irst step# ,hich is really only a thought REHERSA!- The second step is a positi*e a++irmation o+ 41AT BOU 4A2T- This# then IS a step in the direction OUT o+ con+lict# 'ecause it means that alternati*es ha*e 'een considered# and O2E has 'een chosen as MORE (ESIRAB!EBut the e*aluation )more desira'le. still implies that the desira'le has degreesThere+ore# although this step is essential +or the ultimate decision# it is clearly 2OT the +inal oneIt should 'e clear that the recognition o+ the lac: o+ order in miracles has not yet 'een accepted# 'ecause 2OT1I2" is di++icult that is 41O!!B (ESIRE(- To desire ,holly is to CREATE# and creating CA22OT 'e di++icult i+ "od 1imsel+ created you AS a creator> &6J >

The second step# then# is still perceptual 'ut it is ne*ertheless a giant step to,ard the uni+ied perception that parallels "od=s :no,ingAs you ta:e this step and 1O!( T1IS (IRECTIO2# you ,ill 'e pushing to,ard the center o+ your thought system# ,here the 3U2(AME2TA! change ,ill occur- Bou are only 'eginning this step no,# 'ut you ha*e started on this ,ay 'y reali9ing that O2!B O2E 4AB IS OSSIB!E- Bou do not yet reali9e this consistently# and so your progress is intermittent# 'ut the second step is easier than the +irst# 'ecause it 3O!!O4S- The *ery +act that you ha*e accepted T1AT is a demonstration o+ your gro,ing a,areness that the 1oly Spirit 4I!! lead you on3or your o,n sal*ation you MUST 'e critical# 'ecause BOUR sal*ation IS critical to the ,hole Sonship- 4e said 'e+ore that the 1oly Spirit IS e*aluati*e# and MUST 'eBet 1is e*aluation does not e<tend BEBO2( you# or you 4OU!( share it- In BOUR mind# and your mind O2!B# 1e sorts out the true +rom the +alse# and teaches you to @udge e*ery thought that you allo, to E2TER in the light o+ ,hat "od UT there- 4hate*er is I2 ACCOR( ,ith this light 1e retains# to strengthen the Lingdom in BOU- 4hen it is ART!B in accord ,ith truth 1e accepts it and puri+ies it- But ,hat is OUT O3 ACCOR( E2TIRE!B 1e re@ects 'y @udging against- This is ho, 1e :eeps the Lingdom per+ectly consistent and per+ectly uni+ied-

173

But ,hat you must remem'er is that ,hat the 1oly Spirit REJECTS the ego ACCE TSThis is 'ecause there is they are in +undamental disagreement a'out e*erything# 'ecause they are in +undamental disagreement a'out 41AT BOU ARE- The ego=s 'elie+s on this crucial issue *ary# and that is ,hy it promotes di++erent moods- The 1oly Spirit 2EHER *aries on this point# and so the O2E mood that 1e engenders is @oy- 1e protects this 'y re@ecting e*erything that does 2OT +oster @oy# and so 1e alone can :eep you ,holly @oyousThe 1oly Spirit does not teach your mind to 'e critical o+ other minds# 'ecause 1e does not ,ant you to teach your errors and !EAR2 T1EM BOURSE!HES- 1e ,ould hardly 'e consistent i+ 1e allo,ed you to STRE2"T1E2 ,hat you must learn to a*oid- In the mind o+ the T1I2LER# then# 1e IS @udgmental# 'ut only in order to uni+y it so it can percei*e 4IT1OUT @udgment- This ena'les the mind to TEAC1 ,ithout @udgment and there+ore learn to BE ,ithout @udgment- The U2doing is necessary only in BOUR mind# so that you cannot ROJECT it- "od 1imsel+ has esta'lished ,hat you can pro@ect ,ith per+ect sa+ety- There+ore# the 1oly Spirit=s third lesson isF Be *igilant O2!B +or "od and 1IS LingdomThis is a ma@or step to,ard 3U2(AME2TA! change- Bet it is still a lesson in thought REHERSA!# 'ecause it implies that there is something you must 'e *igilant A"AI2ST- It has ad*anced +ar +rom the +irst lesson ,hich ,as RIMARI!B a re*ersal# and also +rom the second# ,hich ,as essentially the identi+ication o+ ,hat is MORE desira'le- This step# ,hich +ollo,s +rom the second as the second does +rom the +irst# emphasi9es the (IC1OTOMB 'et,een the desira'le and the U2desira'le- It there+ore ma:es the U!TIMATE choice ine*ita'le- But ,hile the +irst step seems to I2CREASE con+lict# and
> &67 >

the second still E2TAI!S it to some e<tent# this one calls +or CO2SISTE2T E33ORT A"AI2ST IT4e said already that you can 'e as *igilant A"AI2ST the ego as 3OR it- This lesson teaches not that you CA2 'e# 'ut that you MUST 'e- It does not concern itsel+ ,ith the order o+ di++iculty# 'ut ,ith C!EAR>CUT RIORITB 3OR HI"I!A2CE- This step is une?ui*ocal in that it teaches T1ERE MUST BE 2O EXCE TIO2S# 'ut it does 2OT deny that the temptations to MALE e<ceptions ,ill occur- 1ere# then# your consistency is

174

called on (ES ITE chaos- But chaos and consistency CA22OT coe<ist +or long# 'ecause they are MUTUA!!B EXC!USIHE- As long as you must 'e *igilant against A2BT1I2"# ho,e*er# you are not recogni9ing this# and are holding the 'elie+ that you can C1OOSE EIT1ER O2EBy teaching you 41AT to choose# the 1oly Spirit ,ill ultimately 'e a'le to teach you that BOU 2EE( 2OT C1OOSE AT A!!- This ,ill +inally li'erate your ,ill 3ROM choice# and direct it to,ards creation 4IT1I2 the Lingdom- Choosing through the 1oly Spirit ,ill only lead you TO it- Bou create 'y ,hat you ARE# 'ut this IS ,hat you must learn- The ,ay to learn it is I21ERE2T in the third step# ,hich 'rings together the lessons inherent in the others# and goes 'eyond them to,ards real integrationI+ you allo, yoursel*es to 1AHE in your minds only ,hat "od put there# you are ac:no,ledging your mind as "od created it- There+ore# you are accepting it AS IT ISAnd since it IS ,hole# you are teaching peace BECAUSE you ha*e 'elie*ed in itThe +inal step ,ill still 'e ta:en 3OR you 'y "od- But 'y the third step# the 1oly Spirit has RE ARE( you 3OR "od- 1e is "ETTI2" BOU REA(B to translate ha*ing into 'eing 'y the *ery nature o+ the steps you must ta:e 4IT1 1im- Bou learn +irst that ha*ing rests on "IHI2" and 2OT getting- 2e<t you learn that you learn ,hat you TEAC1# and that you 4A2T TO !EAR2 EACE- This is the CO2(ITIO2 +or identi+ying 4IT1 the Lingdom# 'ecause it is the condition O3 the LingdomBut you ha*e 'elie*ed that you are 4IT1OUT the Lingdom# and ha*e there+ore e<cluded yoursel+ 3ROM it in your 'elie+- It is there+ore essential to teach you that BOU must 'e I2C!U(E(# and the BE!IE3 T1AT BOU ARE 2OT is the O2!B thing that you must e<cludeThe third step is thus one o+ ROTECTIO2 +or your minds 'y allo,ing you to identi+y O2!B ,ith the center# ,here "od placed the altar to 1IMSE!3- 4e ha*e already said that altars are BE!IE3S# 'ut "od and 1is creations are BEBO2( 'elie+ 'ecause they are 'eyond ?uestion- The Hoice 3OR "od spea:s only +or BE!IE3 'eyond ?uestion# 'ut this IS the preparation +or BEI2" ,ithout ?uestionAs long as 'elie+ in "od and 1is Lingdom is assailed 'y A2B dou'ts in your minds# 1is per+ect Accomplishment is 2OT apparent to you- This is ,hy you MUST 'e *igilant

175

O2 "O(=S BE1A!3- The ego spea:s A"AI2ST 1is Creation# and there+ore (OES engender dou't- Bou cannot go BEBO2( 'elie+ U2TI! you 'elie*e ,holly- 2o one can EXTE2( a lession he has 2OT !EAR2E( 3U!!B- Trans+er# ,hich IS e<tension# is the measure o+
> &6K >

learning 'ecause it is the MEASURAB!E RESU!T- This# ho,e*er# does 2OT mean that ,hat it trans+ers TO is measura'le- On the contrary# unless it trans+ers to the ,hole Sonship# ,hich is immeasura'le 'ecause it ,as created BB the Immeasura'le# the learning itsel+ MUST 'e incompleteTo teach the 41O!E Sonship 4IT1OUT EXCE TIO2 demonstrates that you ERCEIHE ITS 41O!E2ESS and ha*e learned that it IS One- 2o, you must 'e *igilant to 1O!( its Oneness in your minds 'ecause i+ you allo, dou't to enter# BOU ,ill lose a,areness o+ its ,holeness# and 4I!! BE U2AB!E TO TEAC1 IT- The ,holeness o+ the Lingdom does 2OT depend on your perception# 'ut your A4ARE2ESS o+ its ,holeness (OES- It is only your a,areness that 2EE(S protection# 'ecuase your BEI2" cannot 'e assailed- Bet a real sense o+ 'eing CA22OT 'e yours ,hile you are dou't+ul o+ ,hat you ARE- T1IS IS 41B HI"I!A2CE IS ESSE2TIA!- (ou'ts ABOUT 'eing MUST not enter your mind# or you CA22OT :no, ,hat you are ,ith certaintyCertainty is O3 "od +or BOU- Higilance is not necessary +or truth# 'ut it IS necessary A"AI2ST I!!USIO2- Truth is 4IT1OUT illusions# and there+ore 4IT1I2 the LingdomE*erything OUTSI(E the Lingdom IS I!!USIO2- But you must learn to ACCE T truth 'ecause BOU T1RE4 IT A4AB- Bou there+ore sa, yoursel+ AS I3 you ,ere 4IT1OUT it- By ma:ing another Lingdom 41IC1 BOU HA!UE(# you did 2OT :eep the Lingdom o+ "od alone in your minds# and thus placed part o+ your mind OUTSI(E o+ it- 4hat you ha*e made has thus (IHI(E( BOUR 4I!! and gi*en you a sic: mind that MUST 'e healed- Bour *igilance A"AI2ST this sic:ness IS the ,ay to healing heal itOnce BOUR mind is healed# it radiates health and there'y TEAC1ES healing- This esta'lishes you as a teacher ,ho teaches !ILE me- Higilance ,as re?uired o+ me as much as o+ you- But remem'er that those ,ho ,ill to teach the same thing MUST 'e in agreement a'out ,hat they 'elie*eThe third step# then# is a statement o+ ,hat you 4A2T to 'elie*e# and entails a

176

,illingness to RE!I2DUIS1 EHERBT1I2" E!SE- I told you that you ,ere @ust 'eginning the second step# 'ut I also told you that the third one 3O!!O4S it- The 1oly Spirit 4I!! ena'le you to go on I3 BOU 3O!!O4 1IM- Bour *igilance is the sign that you 4A2T 1im to guide you- Higilance (OES re?uire e++ort# 'ut only to teach you that e++ort ITSE!3 is unnecessary- Bou ha*e e<erted "REAT e++ort to preser*e ,hat you made BECAUSE it is 2OT true- There+ore# you must no, turn your e++ort A"AI2ST it- Only this can cancel out the 2EE( +or e++ort# and call upon the BEI2" ,hich you 'oth 1AHE and ARET1IS recognition is ,holly 4IT1OUT e++ort# 'ecause it is A!REA(B true and needs no protection- It is in the per+ect sa+ety o+ "od- There+ore# inclusion is total and Creation is 4IT1OUT !IMITThe creati*e po,er o+ 'oth "od A2( 1is Creations is limitless# 'ut it is 2OT in reciprocal relationship- Bou (O communicate +ully 4IT1 "od# as 1e does ,ith BOUThis is an ongoing process in ,hich you S1ARE# and BECAUSE you share it# you are inspired to create !ILE "od- But in Creation you are 2OT in a reciprocal relation TO "od# 'ecause 1e created BOU# 'ut you did 2OT create 1im- 4e ha*e already stated that
> &65 >

only in this respect your creati*e po,er di++ers +rom 1is- E*en in this ,orld there is a parallel- arents gi*e 'irth to children# 'ut children do 2OT gi*e 'irth to parentsThey (O# ho,e*er# gi*e 'irth to their children# and thus gi*e 'irth AS their parents doI+ you created "O( and 1e created you# the LI2"(OM could not increase through its O42 creati*e thought- Creation ,ould there+ore 'e limited# and you ,ould 2OT 'e co>creators 4T1 "od- As "od=s creati*e Thought proceeds 3ROM 1im TO you# so must BOUR creati*e thought proceed 3ROM you to BOUR creations- In this ,ay only can A!! creati*e po,er EXTE2( OUT4AR(- "od=s accomplishments are 2OT yours- But yours are !ILE 1is- 1E created the Sonship# and BOU increase it- Bou 1AHE the po,er to A(( to the Lingdom# 'ut 2OT to add to the Creator O3 the LingdomBou claim this po,er ,hen you ha*e 'ecome ,holly *igilant +or "od A2( the Lingdom- BB ACCE TI2" this po,er as BOURS# you ha*e learned to 'e ,hat you AREBOUR creations 'elong in BOU# as BOU 'elong in "od- Bou are part o+ "od# as your sons are part o+ 1is Sons- To create is to lo*e- !o*e e<tends out,ard simply 'ecause it

177

cannot 'e contained- Being limitless# it (OES 2OT STO - It creates +ore*er# 'ut 2OT in time- "od=s creations ha*e A!4ABS BEE2# 'ecause 1E has al,ays 'een- BOUR creations ha*e al,ays 'een# 'ecause you can create only as 1E createsEternity is yours 'ecause 1e created you eternal- The ego demands RECI ROCA! rights# 'ecause it is competiti*e rather than lo*ing- It is al,ays ,illing to ma:e a deal# 'ut it cannot understand that to 'e !ILE another means that 2O (EA!S ARE OSSIB!E- To gain you must "IHE# not 'argain- To 'argain is to !IMIT gi*ing# and this is 2OT "od=s 4ill- To ,ill 4IT1 "od is to create li:e 1IM- "od does not limit 1IS gi+ts in A2B ,ayBOU are 1is gi+ts# and so your gi+ts must 'e li:e 1ISBour gi+ts TO the Lingdom are li:e 1is TO you to BOU- I ga*e O2!B lo*e to the Lingdom# 'ecause I 'elie*ed that ,as ,hat I 4AS- 4hat you 'elie*e you are (ETERMI2ES your gi+ts# and i+ "od created you 'y e<tending 1IMSE!3 AS you# you can only e<tend BOURSE!3 as 1e did- Only @oy increases +ore*er- Joy and Eternity are I2SE ARAB!E"od e<tends out,ard 'eyond limits and 'eyond time# and you# ,ho are co>creators ,ith 1im# e<tend 1is Lingdom +ore*er and 'eyond limit- Eternity is the indeli'le stamp o+ Creation- The eternal are in peace and @oy +ore*erTo thin: li:e "od is to share 1is certainty o+ 41AT BOU ARE- And to CREATE li:e 1im is to share the per+ect lo*e 1e shares ,ith BOU- To this the 1oly Spirit leads you# that your @oy may 'e complete 'ecause the Lingdom o+ "od is ,hole- 4e ha*e said that the last step in the re>a,a:ening o+ :no,ledge is ta:en 'y "od- This is true# 'ut it is hard to e<plain in ,ords# 'ecause ,ords are sym'ols# and nothing that is true 2EE(S to 'e e<plained- 1o,e*er# the 1oly Spirit al,ays has the tas: o+ translating the use!ESS into the use3U!# the meaning!ESS into the meaning3U!# and the temporary into the time!ESS1e CA2# there+ore# tell you something a'out this last step# 'ut this one you must :no, yoursel+# 'ecause BB it you :no, ,hat you are- This IS your 'eing> &J% >

"od does not ta:e steps 'ecause 1is Accomplishments are 2OT gradual- 1e does not teach# 'ecause 1is Creations are changeless- 1e does nothing !AST 'ecause 1e Created 3IRST and 3OR A!4ABS- It must 'e understood that the ,ord )+irst. as applied to 1im is 2OT a time concept- 1e is +irst here only in the sense that 1e is +irst in the 1oly

178

Trinity Itsel+- 1e is the rime Creator 'ecause 1E created 1is co>creators- Because 1e (I(# time applies neither to 1im 2OR to ,hat 1e createdApril &&# &5JJ The )last step. that "od ,as said to ta:e ,as there+ore true in the 'eginning# is true no,# and ,ill 'e true +ore*er- 4hat is timeless IS A!4ABS T1ERE 'ecause its BEI2" is eternally changeless- It does 2OT change 'y increase# 'ecause it ,as +ore*er created TO increase- I+ you percei*e it as 2OT increasing# you do not :no, ,hat it IS- Bou also do not :no, ,hat created it# or ,ho 1E is- "od does not REHEA! this to you# 'ecause it ,as ne*er hidden- 1is light ,as ne*er o'scured# 'ecause it is 1is 4ill to S1ARE it- 1o, can ,hat is +ully shared 'e ,ithheld and then re*ealedE To heal is the O2!B :ind o+ thin:ing in this ,orld that resem'les the Thought o+ "od# and 'ecause o+ the elements ,hich they S1ARE# can trans+er TO it- 4hen a 'rother percei*es himsel+ as sic:# he IS percei*ing himsel+ as 2OT 41O!E# and there+ore I2 2EE(- I+ you# too# see him this ,ay# you are seeing him as i+ he ,ere ABSE2T +rom the Lingdom or separated 3ROM it# thus ma:ing the Lingdom ITSE!3 o'scure to BOT1 O3 BOU- Sic:ness and separation are not o+ "od# 'ut the Lingdom IS- I+ you o'scure the Lingdom# you are percei*ing 41AT IS 2OT O3 "O(To heal# then# is to correct perception in your 'rother A2( yoursel+ 'y S1ARI2" T1E 1O!B S IRIT 4IT1 1IM- This places you 'oth 4IT1I2 the Lingdom and restores ITS ,holeness in your minds- This ARA!!E!S creation 'ecause it U2I3IES BB I2CREASI2"# and I2TE"RATES BB EXTE2(I2"41AT BOU ROJECT BOU BE!IEHE- This is an immuta'le la, o+ mind in this ,orld as ,ell as in the Lingdom- 1o,e*er# its CO2TE2T is some,hat di++erent in this ,orld +rom ,hat it REA!!B is# 'ecause the thoughts it go*erns are HERB di++erent +rom the thoughts in the Lingdom- !a,s must 'e adapted to circumstances# i+ they are to maintain orderThe outstanding characteristic o+ the la,s o+ mind# as they operate in this ,orld# is that 'y o'eying them# and I assure you that you MUST o'ey them# you can arri*e at diametrically opposed results- This is 'ecause the la,s ha*e adapted to the circumstances o+ this ,orld# in ,hich diametrically opposed outcomes are BE!IEHE( in- The la,s o+ mind go*ern thoughts# and you (O respond to t,o con+licting *oices- Bou ha*e heard

179

many arguments on 'ehal+ o+ )the +reedoms#. ,hich ,ould indeed ha*e BEE2 +reedom i+ man had not chosen to 3I"1T +or them- That is ,hy they percei*e )the +reedoms. as many instead o+ O2E> &J& >

But the argument that underlies the (E3E2SE o+ +reedom is per+ectly *alid- Because it is true# it should not 'e 3OU"1T +or# 'ut it S1OU!( 'e sided 4IT1- Those ,ho are A"AI2ST +reedom 'elie*e that its outcome ,ill hurt them# ,hich CA22OT 'e trueBut those ,ho are 3OR +reedom# e*en i+ they are misguided in 1O4 they de+end it# are siding ,ith the one thing in this ,orld ,hich IS true- 4hene*er anyone can listen +airly to 'oth sides o+ A2B issue# he 4I!! ma:e the right decision- This is 'ecause he 1AS the ans,er- Con+lict can indeed 'e pro@ected# 'ut it MUST 'e intrapersonal +irstThe term )intra ERSO2A!. is an ego term# 'ecause )personal. implies o+ O2E person# and 2OT o+ others- )Interpersonal. has a similar error# 'ecause it implies something that e<ists 'et,een (I33ERE2T indi*iduals- 4hen ,e spo:e 'e+ore o+ the e<tremely ERSO2A! nature o+ re*elation# ,e +ollo,ed this statement immediately ,ith a description o+ the ine*ita'le outcomes o+ the re*elation in terms o+ S1ARI2"- A ERSO2 concei*es o+ himsel+ as separate# largely 'ecause he percei*es O3 himsel+ as 'ounded 'y a 'odyO2!B i+ he percei*es as a MI2( can he o*ercome this- T1E2 he is +ree to use terms li:e )intraME2TA!. and )interME2TA!. 4IT1OUT seeing them as di++erent and con+licting# 'ecause minds CA2 'e in per+ect accordOUTSI(E the Lingdom# the la, ,hich pre*ails I2SI(E it is A(A TE( to ),hat you pro@ect you 'elie*e-. This is its TEAC1I2" +orm# 'ecause outside the Lingdom teaching is mandatory 'ecause learning is essential- This +orm o+ the la, clearly implies that you ,ill learn ,hat BOU are +rom ,hat you ha*e pro@ected onto others and there+ore 'elie*e T1EB are- I2 the Lingdom# there is no teaching OR learning# 'ecause there is no BE!IE3There is only CERTAI2TB- "od and 1is Sons# in the surety o+ Being# L2O4 that ,hat you pro@ect you AREThat +orm o+ the la, is 2OT adapted at all# 'eing the !a, o+ Creation- "od 1imsel+ created the la, 'y creating BB it- And 1is Sons# ,ho create !ILE 1im# +ollo, it gladly#

180

:no,ing that the I2CREASE o+ the Lingdom depends on it# @ust as T1EIR creation did!a,s must 'e communicated# i+ they are to 'e help+ul- In e++ect# they must 'e TRA2S!ATE( +or those ,ho spea: a di++erent language- But a good translator# though he MUST alter the 3ORM o+ ,hat he translates# 2EHER changes the meaning- In +act# his ,hole UR OSE is to change the +orm SO T1AT the original meaning IS retainedThe 1oly Spirit IS the translator o+ the !a,s o+ "od to those ,ho do 2OT understand them- BOU could not do this yoursel*es 'ecause con+licted minds CA22OT 'e +aith+ul to one meaning# and ,ill there+ore C1A2"E T1E MEA2I2" TO RESERHE T1E 3ORMThe 1oly Spirit=s purpose in translating is naturally EXACT!B the opposite- 1e translates O2!B to preser*e the original meaning in A!! respects and in A!! languagesThere+ore# 1e O OSES di++erences in +orm as meaning+ul# and emphasi9es al,ays that T1ESE (I33ERE2CES (O 2OT MATTER- The meaning o+ 1is message is A!4ABS the same# and O2!B the meaning matters"od=s !a, o+ Creation# in per+ect +orm# does 2OT in*ol*e the USE o+ truth to con*ince 1is sons O3 truth- The EXTE2SIO2 o+ truth# ,hich IS the !a, o+ the Lingdom# rests only on the :no,ledge o+ 41AT TRUT1 IS- This is your I21ERITA2CE# and re?uires no learning at all- But ,hen you (ISinherited BOURSE!HES# you BECAME learners2o>one
> &J$ >

?uestions the intimate connection o+ learning and memory- !earning is impossi'le 4IT1OUT memory# 'ecause it CA22OT 'e consistent U2!ESS it is remem'eredThat is ,hy the 1oly Spirit IS a lesson in remem'ering- 4e said 'e+ore that 1e teaches remem'ering and 3OR"ETTI2"# 'ut the +orgetting aspect is only TO MALE T1E REMEMBERI2" CO2SISTE2T- Bou +orget in order to REMEMBER BETTERBou ,ill 2OT understand 1is translations ,hile you listen to t,o ,ays o+ percei*ing themThere+ore# you must +orget or relin?uish one to U2(ERSTA2( the other- This is the only ,ay you can !EAR2 consistency# so that you can +inally BE consistent- 4hat can the per+ect consistency o+ the Lingdom MEA2 to the con+usedE It is MUST 'e apparent that con+usion I2TER3ERES ,ith meaning# and there+ore REHE2TS T1E !EAR2ER 3ROM A RECIATI2" ITThere is 2O con+usion in the Lingdom# 'ecause there IS only one meaning- This

181

Meaning comes +rom "od and IS "od- Because it is also BOU# you share it and EXTE2( it AS BOUR CREATOR (I(- This needs no translation# 'ecause it is per+ectly understood# 'ut it (OES need e<tension 'ecause it MEA2S e<tension- Communication here is per+ectly direct and per+ectly united- It is totally ,ithout strain# 'ecause nothing discordant EHER enters- That is ,hy it IS the Lingdom o+ "od- It 'elongs to 1im and is there+ore !ILE 1im- That IS its reality# and nothing CA2 assail itApril &7# &5JJ To heal is to li'erate totally- 4e once said there is no order in miracles 'ecause they are all MAXIMA! EX RESSIO2S O3 !OHE- This has no range at all- The non> ma<imal only A EARS to ha*e a range- This is 'ecause it SEEMS to 'e meaning+ul to measure it 3ROM the ma<imum and identi+y its position 'y 1O4 MUC1 IT IS 2OT T1EREActually# this does not mean A2BT1I2"- It is li:e negati*e num'ers in that the concept can 'e used theoretically# 'ut it has 2O application practically- It is true that i+ you put three apples on the ta'le and then too: them A4AB# the three apples are 2OT T1EREBut it is 2OT true that the ta'le is no, MI2US three apples- I+ there is 2OT1I2" on the ta'le# it does 2OT matter ,hat 4AS there in terms o+ amount- The )nothing. is neither greater nor less 'ecause o+ ,hat is ABSE2TThat is ,hy )all. and )nothing. are dichotomous# 4IT1OUT A RA2"E- This is per+ectly clear in ma<imal test per+ormance and +or EXACT!B the reason you emphasi9eBou cannot interpret AT A!!# unless you assume either MAXIMA! moti*ation or its COM !ETE ABSE2CE- Only in these t,o conditions can you *alidly COM ARE responses# and you MUST assume the +ormer# 'ecause i+ the !ATTER is true# the su'@ect 4I!! 2OT (O A2BT1I2"- "i*en HARIAB!E moti*ation he 4I!! do something# 'ut you CA22OT U2(ERSTA2( 41AT IT ISThe RESU!TS o+ tests are e*aluated relati*ely# ASSUMI2" ma<imal moti*ation- But this is 'ecause ,e are dealing ,ith ABI!ITIES# ,here degree o+ de*elopment IS meaning+ulThis does 2OT mean that ,hat a'ility is used 3OR is necessarily either limited OR di*ided> &J8 >

But one thing is certain- A'ilities are OTE2TIA!S +or learning# and you ,ill apply them to 41AT BOU 4A2T TO !EAR2- !earning is E33ORT# and e++ort MEA2S ,illBou ,ill notice that ,e ha*e used the term )a'ilities. as a plural# ,hich is correct-

182

This is 'ecause a'ilities 'egan ,ith the ego# ,hich percei*ed them as a OTE2TIA! 3OR EXCE!!I2"- This is ho, the ego STI!! percei*es them and uses them- It does 2OT ,ant to teach e*eryone all it has learned# 'ecause that ,ould (E3EAT its purpose in learningThere+ore# it does not REA!!B learn at all- The 1oly Spirit teaches BOU to use ,hat the ego has made to TEAC1 the opposite o+ ,hat the ego has !EAR2E(- The LI2( o+ learning is as irrele*ant as is the particular a'ility ,hich ,as applied TO the learningBou could not ha*e a 'etter e<ample o+ the 1oly Spirit=s AthisC uni+ied purpose than this course- The 1oly Spirit has ta:en *ery di*ersi+ied areas o+ BOUR past learning# and has applied them to a U2I3IE( curriculum- The +act that this ,as 2OT the ego=s reason +or learning is totally irrele*ant- BOU made the e++ort to learn# and the 1oly Spirit has a uni+ied goal +or A!! e++ort- 1e A(A TS the ego=s potentials +or e<celling to potentials +or EDUA!IUI2"- This ma:es them USE!ESS +or the ego=s purpose# 'ut HERB use+ul +or 1isI+ di++erent a'ilities are applied long enough to one "OA!# the a'ilities T1EMSE!HES 'ecome uni+ied- This is 'ecause they are channeli9ed in one direction# or in one 4ABUltimately# then# they all contri'ute to O2E RESU!T# and 'y so doing# their SIMI!ARITB rather than their di++erences is emphasi9ed- Bou can EXCE! in many (I33ERE2T ,ays# 'ut you can EDUA!IUE in O2E 4AB O2!B- E?uality is 2OT a *aria'le state# 'y de+initionThat is ,hy ,e once said that papers ,ill 'e easy to ,rite ,hen you ha*e learned T1IS course- To the ego there appears to 'e no connection# 'ecause the E"O is discontinuous- But the 1oly Spirit teaches one lesson and applies it to A!! indi*iduals in A!! situations- Being con+lict +ree# 1e ma<imi9es A!! e++orts and A!! results- By teaching the po,er o+ the Lingdom o+ "od 1imsel+# 1e teaches you that A!! O4ER IS BOURSIts application does not matter- It is A!4ABS ma<imal- Bour *igilance does 2OT esta'lish it as yours# 'ut it (OES ena'le you to use it A!4ABS and in A!! 4ABS4hen I said# )Behold I am ,ith you al,ays#. I meant it literally- I am not a'sent to A2BO2E nor in A2B situation- BECAUSE I am al,ays ,ith you# BOU are the 4ay# and the Truth# and the !ight- BOU did not ma:e this po,er any more than I did- It ,as created to BE shared# and there+ore cannot 'e meaning+ully percei*ed as BE!O2"I2" to

183

anyone AT T1E EX E2SE o+ another- This perception ma:es it meaning!ESS 'y eliminating or o*erloo:ing its real and O2!B meaning"od=s MEA2I2" ,aits in the Lingdom 'ecause that is ,here 1e placed it- It does 2OT ,ait in time- It merely RESTS there Ain the LingdomC 'ecause it BE!O2"S there# as BOU do- 1o, can you# ,ho ARE "od=s meaning# percei*e yoursel*es as a'sent 3ROM itE Bou can see yoursel*es as separated 3ROM your meaning only 'y EX ERIE2CI2" BOURSE!3 AS U2REA!- This is 41B the ego is insaneP it teaches that you are 2OT ,hat you ARE- This is so contradictory that it is clearly impossi'le- It is there+ore a lesson ,hich you CA22OT REA!!B !EAR2# and there+ore CA22OT REA!!B TEAC1- But you
> &JG >

ARE al,ays teaching- Bou MUST# then# 'e teaching SOMET1I2" E!SE AS 4E!!# e*en though the ego (OES 2OT L2O4 41AT IT ISThe ego# then# IS al,ays 'eing undone# and (OES suspect your moti*es- Bour mind CA22OT 'e uni+ied in allegiance to the ego# 'ecause the mind does 2OT 'elong to itBut ,hat is )treacherous. to the ego IS +aith+ul to peace- The ego=s )enemy. is there+ore BOUR +riend- 4e said 'e+ore that the ego=s +riend is not part o+ you 'ut that is 'ecause the ego percei*es itsel+ as at ,ar and there+ore in need o+ allies- BOU# ,ho are 2OT at ,ar# must loo: +or 'rothers and RECO"2IUE all you see AS 'rothers# 'ecause O2!B EDUA!S ARE AT EACEBecause "od=s e?ual Sons ha*e e*erything# they CA22OT compete- But i+ they percei*e A2B o+ their 'rothers as anything OT1ER than their per+ect e?uals# the I(EA o+ competition 1AS entered their minds- (o not underestimate your need to 'e *igilant A"AI2ST this idea# 'ecause A!! your con+licts come 3ROM it- It IS the 'elie+ that con+licting interests are possi'le# and there+ore means that you ha*e accepted the IMpossi'le as true- 1o, is that di++erent +rom saying that you are percei*ing BOURSE!3 as unrealE To 'e I2 the Lingdom is merely to +ocus your +ull attention O2 it- As long as you 'elie*e that you can ATTE2( to ,hat is 2OT true# you are accepting con+lict as your C1OICE- IS IT REA!!B A C1OICEE It SEEMS to 'e# 'ut seeming and reality are hardly the same- Bou ,ho ARE the Lingdom are not concerned ,ith seeming- Reality is yours 'ecause you ARE reality- This is ho, ha*ing and 'eing are ultimately reconciled# not in the Lingdom# 'ut I2 BOUR MI2(S- The altar there is the O2!B reality- It is ER3ECT!B

184

clear in its thought# 'ecause it is a re+lection o+ ER3ECT Thought- It SEES only 'rothers 'ecause it sees O2!B in its o,n !ight"od has lit your minds 1imsel+# and :eeps your mind lit BB 1is light 'ecause 1is light is 41AT BOUR MI2(S ARE- This is TOTA!!B 'eyond ?uestion- And ,hen you ?uestioned it# you 4ERE ans,ered- The ans,er merely U2(OES the ?uestion 'y esta'lishing the +act that to DUESTIO2 reality is to ?uestion MEA2I2"!ESS!BThat is ,hy the 1oly Spirit 2EHER ?uestions- Its sole +unction is to U2do the ?uestiona'le# and thus !EA( TO CERTAI2TB- The certain are per+ectly calm# 'ecause they are not in dou'tThey do 2OT raise ?uestions 'ecause 2OT1I2" DUESTIO2AB!E E2TERS T1EIR MI2(SThis holds them in per+ect serenity 'ecause this is ,hat they S1ARE# L2O4I2" ,hat they are1ealing is 'oth an art and a science# as has so o+ten 'een said- It is an art 'ecause it depends on inspiration in the sense that ,e ha*e already used the term- Inspiration is the opposite o+ dis>spiriting# and there+ore means to ma:e @oy+ul- The dis>spirited are depressed 'ecause they 'elie*e that they are literally ),ithout the Spirit#. ,hich is an illusionBou do not UT the Spirit in them 'y inspiring them# 'ecause that ,ould 'e )magic#. and there+ore ,ould not 'e real healing- But you (O recogni9e the Spirit that is A!REA(B T1ERE# and there'y REA4ALE2 IT- This is ,hy the healer is part o+ the Resurrection and the !i+e- The S IRIT is not asleep in the minds o+ the sic:# 'ut the part o+ the mind that can percei*e it and 'e glad IS> &J6 >

1ealing is also a science 'ecause it o'eys the la,s o+ "od# ,hose la,s are trueBECAUSE they are true# they are per+ectly dependa'le# and there+ore uni*ersal in application- The real aim o+ science is neither prediction nor control# 'ut O2!B U2(ERSTA2(I2"- This is 'ecause it does 2OT esta'lish the la,s it see:sP cannot disco*er them through prediction# and has 2O control o*er them at all- Science is nothing more than an approach to 41AT A!REA(B IS- !i:e inspiration# it can 'e misunderstood as magic# and 4I!! 'e ,hene*er it is underta:en as SE ARATE +rom ,hat already is# and percei*ed as a means +or ESTAB!IS1I2" it- To 'elie*e this is possi'le is to 'elie*e BOU CA2 (O IT- This can O2!B 'e the *oice o+ the ego-

185

Truth can only 'e RECO"2IUE(# and 2EE( only 'e recogni9ed- Inspiration is o+ the Spirit# and certainty is o+ "od according to 1is la,s- Both there+ore come +rom the same Source# 'ecause inspiration comes +rom the *oice 3OR "od and certainty comes +rom the la,s O3 "od- 1ealing does not come (IRECT!B +rom "od# ,ho :no,s 1is Creations as per+ectly ,hole- But healing is ne*ertheless O3 "od# 'ecause it proceeds +rom 1is Hoice and +rom 1is la,s- It is their RESU!T in a state o+ mind ,hich does not :no, 1im- The STATE is un:no,n to 1im# and there+ore does not e<ist- But those ,ho sleep are stupi+ied# or 'etter# U2A4ARE- And BECAUSE they are una,are T1EB (O 2OT L2O4The 1oly Spirit must ,or: T1ROU"1 you to teach you 1e is I2 you- This is an intermediary step to,ard the :no,ledge that BOU are in "od BECAUSE BOU ARE ART O3 1IM- The miracles ,hich the 1oly Spirit inspires CA2 ha*e no order# 'ecause e*ery part o+ Creation IS o+ one order- This is "od=s ,ill A2( yours- The la,s o+ "od ESTAB!IS1 this# and the 1oly Spirit reminds you O3 it- 4hen you heal# you are REMEMBERI2" T1E !A4S O3 "O( and 3OR"ETTI2" the la,s o+ the ego- 4e said 'e+ore that +orgetting is merely a ,ay o+ REMEMBERI2" BETTER- It is there+ore 2OT the opposite o+ remem'ering# ,hen it is properly concei*ed- ercei*ed Improperly# it induces a perception o+ CO23!ICT 4IT1 SOMET1I2" E!SE# as all incorrect perception does- RO ER!B percei*ed# it can 'e used as a ,ay OUT o+ con+lict# as all proper perception canA!! a'ilities# then should 'e gi*en o*er to the 1oly Spirit# 41O L2O4S 1O4 TO USE T1EM RO ER!B- 1e can use them O2!B# +or healing 'ecause 1e :no,s you O2!B as ,hole- BB healing you learn o+ ,holeness# and 'y learning o+ ,holeness you learn to remem'er "od- Bou 1AHE +orgotten 1im# 'ut the 1oly Spirit still :no,s that BOUR +orgetting MUST 'e translated into a ,ay o+ remem'ering# and 2OT percei*ed as a SE ARATE a'ility ,hich O OSES A2 O OSITE- This is the ,ay in ,hich the ego tries to use A!! a'ilities# 'ecause its goal is A!4ABS to ma:e BOU 'elie*e that BOU are in oppositionThe ego=s goal is as uni+ied as the 1oly Spirit=s# and it is BECAUSE o+ this that their

186

goals can 2EHER 'e reconciled in A2B ,ay or to A2B e<tent- The ego A!4ABS see:s to di*ide and separate- The 1oly Spirit A!4ABS see:s to uni+y and 1EA!- As you heal# you ARE healed 'ecause the 1oly Spirit sees 2O OR(ER O3 1EA!I2"- 1ealing IS the ,ay to undo the 'elie+ in di++erences# 'ecause it is the O2!B ,ay o+ percei*ing the Sonship
> &JJ >

4IT1OUT this 'elie+- This perception is there+ore I2 accord ,ith the la,s o+ "od e*en in a state o+ mind ,hich is OUT o+ accord ,ith 1is- But the strength o+ right perception is so great that it 'rings the mind I2TO accord ,ith 1is# 'ecause it yields to 1is pull ,hich IS in all o+ youTo oppose the pull or the ,ill o+ "od is not an a'ility 'ut a real delusion- The ego 'elie*es that it 1AS this a'ility# and can o++er this a'ility to BOU as a gi+t- BOU (O 2OT 4A2T IT- It is 2OT a gi+t- It is 2OT1I2" AT A!!- "od 1AS gi*en you a gi+t# ,hich you 'oth 1AHE and ARE- 4hen you do not USE it# you do not :no, you 1AHE it- By not :no,ing this# you do 2OT :no, ,hat you ARE- 1ealing# then# is a ,ay o+ A ROAC1I2" :no,ledge 'y T1I2LI2" in accordance ,ith the la,s o+ "od and RECO"2IUI2" T1EIR U2IHERSA!ITB- 4IT1OUT this recognition# you ha*e made the la,s themsel*es meaningless TO you- But the !A4S are not meaningless# 'ecause all meaning is contained BB them# and I2 themSee: ye 3IRST the Lingdom o+ 1ea*en# 'ecause that is ,here the la,s o+ "od operate truly# and they can operate O2!B truly# 'ecause they are the la,s o+ TruthBut SEEL T1IS O2!B# 'ecause you can 3I2( nothing else- There IS nothing else- "od is all in all in a *ery literal sense- All 'eing is in 1im 'ecause 1e IS all Being- BOU are there+ore in 1im 'ecause BOUR 'eing IS 1is- 1ealing is a ,ay o+ 3OR"ETTI2" the sense o+ danger that the ego has induced in BOU 'y not recogni9ing its e<istence in your 'rothersThis strengthens the 1oly Spirit in BOT1 o+ you# 'ecause it is a RE3USA! TO ACL2O4!E("E 3EAR- !o*e needs only this in*itation- It comes +reely to A!! the Sonship# 'ecause it is ,hat the Sonship IS- By your a,a:ening TO it# you are merely +orgetting ,hat you are 2OT- This ena'les you to remem'er ,hat you AREThe 'ody is nothing more than a +rame,or: +or de*eloping a'ilities- It is there+ore a means +or de*eloping potentials# ,hich is ?uite apart +rom ,hat the potential is used 3OR- This IS a decision- The e++ects o+ the ego=s decision in this matter are so apparent

187

that they need no ela'oration here- But the 1oly Spirit=s decision to use the 'ody O2!B +or communication has such direct connection ,ith healing that it (OES need clari+icationThe unhealed healer OBHIOUS!B does not understand his o,n *ocationO2!B minds communicate- Since the ego CA22OT o'literate the impulse to communicate 'ecause it is also the impulse to CREATE it can only try to teach you that the BO(B can 'oth communicate A2( create# and there+ore (OES 2OT 2EE( T1E MI2(- The ego# then# tries to teach you that the 'ody can ACT li:e the mind# and there+ore IS sel+>su++icient- But ,e ha*e learned that 'eha*ior is 2OT the le*el +or either teaching OR learning- This must 'e so# 'ecause you CA2 act in accordance ,ith ,hat you do 2OT 'elie*e- But this ,ill ,ea:en you as teachers A2( learners 'ecause# as has 'een repeatedly emphasi9ed# you teach ,hat you (O 'elie*e- An inconsistent lesson 4I!! 'e poorly taught A2( OOR!B !EAR2E(- I+ you teach 'oth sic:ness A2( healing# you are 'oth a poor teacher and a poor learner1ealing is the one a'ility that e*eryone CA2 de*elop# and MUST de*elop# i+ he is to BE healed- 1ealing IS the 1oly Spirit=s +orm o+ communication# and T1E O2!B O2E 1E
> &J7 >

L2O4S- 1e recogni9es no other# 'ecause he does 2OT accept the ego=s con+usion o+ mind and 'ody- Minds CA2 communicate# 'ut they CA22OT hurt- The 'ody in the ser*ice o+ the ego can hurt other BO(IES# 'ut this CA22OT occur U2!ESS the 'ody has A!REA(B 'een con+used 4IT1 the mind- This +act# too# can 'e used either +or healing or +or magic# 'ut you must reali9e that magic is A!4ABS the 'elie+ that healing is 1ARM3U!This is its totally insane premise# and so it proceeds accordingly1ealing O2!B STRE2"T1E2S- Magic al,ays tries to ,ea:en- 1ealing percei*es 2OT1I2" in the healer that e*eryone else does not share 4IT1 him- Magic A!4ABS sees something special in the healer# ,hich he 'elie*es he can o++er as a gi+t to someone ,ho does 2OT ha*e it- 1e may 'elie*e that this gi+t comes +rom "od TO him# 'ut it is ?uite e*ident that he does 2OT understand "od i+ he thin:s 1E has something that others (O 2OT- Bou might ,ell as: ,hy SOME healing CA2 result +rom this :ind o+ thin:ing# and there is a real reason +or this1o,e*er misguided the )magical healer. may 'e# and ho,e*er much he may 'e trying to strengthen his ego# 1E IS A!SO TRBI2" TO 1E! - 1e IS con+licted and unsta'le#

188

'ut AT TIMES he is o++ering SOMET1I2" to the Sonship# and the O2!B thing the Sonship can ACCE T IS healing- 4hen the so>called healing ),or:s#. then# the impulse 'oth to help and BE helped ha*e coincided- This is co>incidental# 'ecause the healer may 2OT 'e e<periencing 1IMSE!3 as truly help+ul at the time# and the 'elie+ that he IS# in the mind o+ A2OT1ER# 1E! S 1IMThe 1oly Spirit does 2OT ,or: 'y chance# and the healing that is o+ 1im A!4ABS ,or:s- And unless the healer A!4ABS heals BB 1im# the results 4I!! *ary- But healing itsel+ IS consistance# 'ecause O2!B consistance is con+lict>+ree# and only the con+lict>+ree ARE ,hole- By accepting e<ceptions# and ac:no,ledging that he can SOMETIMES heal and SOMETIMES not# the healer is OBHIOUS!B accepting I2consistency- 1e is there+ore I2 con+lict and TEAC1I2" con+lictCan A2BT1I2" o+ "od 2OT 'e +or all and al,aysE !o*e is incapa'le o+ A2B e<ceptions- Only i+ there is +ear does the ,hole I(EA o+ e<ceptions o+ any :ind seem to 'e meaning+ul- E<ceptions ARE +ear+ul 'ecause they ,ere made BB +ear- The )+ear+ul healer. is a contradiction in terms# and is there+ore a concept that O2!B a con+licted mind could OSSIB!B percei*e as meaning+ul- 3ear does 2OT gladden- 1ealing (OES3ear A!4ABS ma:es e<ceptions- 1ealing 2EHER does- 3ear produces dissociation 'ecause it induces SE ARATIO2- 1ealing al,ays induces harmony 'ecause it proceeds +rom integration1ealing is predicta'le BECAUSE it can 'e counted on- EHERBT1I2" that is o+ "od can 'e counted on# 'ecause e*erything o+ "od is 41O!!B REA!- 1EA!I2" can 'e counted on BECAUSE it is inspired 'y 1is *oice# and is in accord ,ith 1is la,s- But i+ healing IS consistence# it CA22OT 'e inconsistently understood- Understanding MEA2S consistence# 'ecause "O( means consistence- And 'ecause that IS 1is Meaning# it is also BOURS- BOUR meaning CA22OT 'e out o+ accord ,ith 1is# 'ecause your ,hole meaning# and your O2!B meaning# comes 3ROM 1is and is !ILE 1is- "od CA22OT 'e
> &JK >

out o+ accord ,ith 1IMSE!3# and BOU cannot 'e out o+ accord ,ith 1im- Bou cannot separate your sel+ +rom BOUR Creator# ,ho created BOU 'y sharing 1IS Being 4IT1 youThe unhealed healer ,ants gratitude 3ROM his 'rothers# 'ut he is 2OT grate+ul to

189

them- This is 'ecause he thin:s he is gi*ing something TO them# and is 2OT recei*ing something e?ually desira'le in return- 1is TEAC1I2" is limited 'ecause he is !EAR2I2" so little- 1is 1EA!I2" lesson is limited 'y his o,n ingratitude# ,hich is a lesson in SICL2ESS- !earning is constant and so *ital in its po,er +or change that a Son o+ "od can recogni9e his po,er in an instant# and change the ,orld in the ne<t- That is 'ecause 'y changing 1IS mind he has changed the most po,er+ul de*ice that ,as e*er created 3OR changeThis in no ,ay contradicts the changelessness o+ mind as "O( created it- But BOU thin: that you 1AHE changed it# as long as you learn through the ego- This (OES place you in a position o+ needing to learn a lesson ,hich SEEMS contradictoryPN you must learn to change your mind ABOUT your mind- Only 'y this can you learn that it IS changeless4hen you heal# that is e<actly ,hat you ARE learning AdoingC- Bou are recogni9ing the changeless mind in your 'rother 'y percei*ing A:no,ingC that he could 2OT ha*e changed his mind- That is ho, you percei*e the 1oly Spirit in him- It is O2!B the 1oly Spirit in him that ne*er changes 1is mind- 1e himsel+ must thin: he CA2# or he ,ould not percei*e himsel+ as sic:- 1e there+ore does not :no, ,hat his sel+ IS- I+ BOU see only the changeless in him# you ha*e not really changed him at all- But 'y changing your mind a'out 1IS 3OR him# you help him undo the change his ego thin:s it has made in him- As you can hear t,o *oices# so you can see in t,o ,ays- One ,ay sho,s you an image# or 'etter# an idol ,hich you may ,orship out o+ +ear# 'ut ,hich you ,ill ne*er lo*e- The other sho,s you only truth# ,hich you ,ill lo*e 'ecause you ,ill U2(ERSTA2( it- Understanding is A RECIATIO2# 'ecause ,hat you understand you can identi+y 4IT1# and 'y ma:ing it part o+ BOU you ha*e accepted it ,ith lo*e- That is ho, "od 1imsel+ created BOU# in understanding# in appreciation# and in lo*eThe ego is totally una'le to understand this# 'ecause it does 2OT understand ,hat it ma:es- It does 2OT appreciate it# and it does 2OT lo*e it- It incorporates to TALE A4AB- It literally 'elie*es that e*ery time it depri*es someone o+ something IT has increased- 4e ha*e spo:en o+ten o+ the I2CREASE o+ the Lingdom 'y BOUR creations# ,hich can only BE created as BOU ,ereThe ,hole glory and per+ect @oy that IS the Lingdom lies in you to gi*e- (o you not 4A2T to gi*e itE Bou CA22OT +orget the 3ather 'ecause I am ,ith you and I CA22OT +orget 1im- To +orget ME is to +orget yoursel+ and 1im ,ho created you- Our 'rothers

190

ARE +orget+ul- That is ,hy they need your remem'rance o+ Me and 1im ,ho created MeThrough this remem'rance you can change T1EIR minds a'out themsel*es# as I can change BOURS- Bour minds are so po,er+ul a light that you can loo: into theirs and enlighten them# as I can enlighten yours> &J5 >

I do not ,ant to share my BO(B in communion 'ecause this is to share nothing4ould I try to share an illusion ,ith the most holy children o+ a most 1oly 3atherE But I do ,ant to share my MI2( ,ith you 'ecause ,e ARE o+ one Mind# and that Mind IS oursSee O2!B this Mind e*ery,here# 'ecause only this IS e*ery,here and in e*erything- It IS e*erything# 'ecause it encompasses all things ,ithin ITSE!3- Blessed are you ,ho percei*e only this# 'ecause you percei*e only ,hat is true- Come there+ore unto me and learn o+ the truth in BOUThe mind 4E share IS shared 'y all our 'rothers# and as ,e see them truly# they 4I!! 'e healed- !et BOUR minds shine ,ith mine upon their minds# and 'y our gratitude to them ma:e T1EM a,are o+ the light in them- This light ,ill shine 'ac: upon BOU and on the ,hole Sonship 'ecause this IS your proper gi+t to "od- 1e ,ill accept it and gi*e it to the Sonship# 'ecause it is accepta'le to 1im# and there+ore to 1is Sons- This is the true communion o+ the Spirit 4ho sees the altar o+ "od in e*eryone# and 'y 'ringing it to BOUR appreciation calls upon you to lo*e "od and 1is CreationBou can appreciate the Sonship O2!B as one- This is part o+ the la, o+ Creation# and there+ore go*erns A!! thought- Bou can ERCEIHE the Sonship as +ragmented# 'ut it is IM OSSIB!E +or you to see something in part o+ it that you ,ill not attri'ute to all o+ itThat is ,hy attac: is 2EHER discrete- And ,hy attac: MUST 'e relin?uished entirely- I+ it is 2OT relin?uished entirely# it is not relin?uished at all- 3ear and lo*e are e?ually reciprocal- They ma:e or create depending on ,hether the ego or the 1oly Spirit 'egets or inspires them# 'ut they 4I!! return to the mind o+ the thin:er# and they 4I!! a++ect his total perception- That includes his perception o+ "od# o+ 1is Creations# and o+ his o,n1e ,ill not appreciate A2B o+ these i+ he regards them +ear+ully- 1e ,ill appreciate A!! o+ them i+ he regards them ,ith lo*eThe mind that accepts attac: CA22OT lo*e- This is 'ecause it 'elie*es that it can

191

(ESTROB lo*e# and there+ore does not understand ,hat lo*e IS- I+ it does not understand ,hat lo*e IS# it CA22OT percei*e itsel+ as lo*ing- This loses the a,areness o+ 'eingP induces +eelings o+ unrealityP and results in utter con+usion- Bour o,n thin:ing has done this# 'ecause o+ its po,er- But your o,n thin:ing can also sa*e you 3ROM this# 'ecause its po,er is not o+ your ma:ing- Bour a'ility to (IRECT your thin:ing as you ,ill IS part o+ its po,er- I+ you do not 'elie*e you can do this# you ha*e (E2IE( the po,er o+ your thought# and thus rendered it po,er!ESS in your 'elie+The ingeniousness o+ the ego to preser*e itsel+ is enormous# 'ut it stems +rom the po,er o+ the mind 41IC1 T1E E"O (E2IES- This means that the ego attac:s 41AT IS RESERHI2" IT# and this MUST 'e a source o+ e<treme an<iety- This is ,hy it 2EHER :no,s ,hat it is doing- This is per+ectly logical# though clearly insane- The ego dra,s upon the one source ,hich is totally inimica'le to its e<istence 3OR its e<istence3ear+ul o+ percei*ing the O4ER o+ this source# it is +orced to (E RECIATE it- This threatens its O42 e<istence# a state ,hich it +inds intolera'leRemaining logical 'ut still insane# the ego resol*es this completely insane dilemma in a completely insane ,ay- It does not percei*e ITS e<istence as threatened# 'y pro@ecting
> &7% >

the threat onto BOU# and percei*ing your BEI2" as 2O2e<istent- This ensures ITS continuance# i+ you side 4IT1 it# 'y guaranteeing that you ,ill 2OT :no, your O42 sa+ety- The ego CA22OT A33OR( TO L2O4 A2BT1I2"- Lno,ledge is total# and the ego (OES 2OT BE!IEHE I2 TOTA!ITB- This un'elie+ is its o,n origin# and ,hile the ego does not lo*e BOU# it IS +aith+ul to its o,n antecedent# 'egetting as it ,as 'egottenMind A!4ABS REproduces as it ,as produced- roduced 'y +ear# the ego REproduces +ear- This IS its allegiance# and this allegiance ma:es it treacherous to lo*e BECAUSE you are lo*e- !o*e IS your po,er# ,hich the ego MUST deny- It must also deny e*erything ,hich this po,er gi*es TO you# BECAUSE it gi*es you e*erything- 2o>one ,ho has e*erything 4A2TS the ego- Its o,n ma:er# then# (OES 2OT 4A2T IT- Re@ection is there+ore the only decision ,hich the ego could OSSIB!B encounter i+ the mind ,hich made it :ne, ITSE!3- And i+ it recogni9ed A2B part o+ the Sonship# it 4OU!( :no, itsel+The ego there+ore opposes A!! appreciation# A!! recognition# A!! sane perception#

192

and A!! :no,ledge- It percei*es their threat as total 'ecause it senses the +act that all commitments ,hich the mind ma:es ARE total- 3orced there+ore to detach itsel+ +rom you ,ho ARE mind# it is ,illing to attach itsel+ to anything E!SE- But there IS nothing else- It does 2OT +ollo,# ho,e*er# that the mind cannot ma:e illusions- But it (OES +ollo, that i+ it ma:es illusions it ,ill BE!IEHE in them# 'ecause T1AT IS 1O4 IT MA(E T1EMThe 1oly Spirit undoes illusions ,ithout attac:ing them merely 'ecause 1e cannot percei*e them at all- They there+ore do not e<ist +or 1im- 1e resol*es the A ARE2T con+lict ,hich they engender 'y percei*ing CO23!ICT as meaningless- 4e said 'e+ore that the 1oly Spirit percei*es the con+lict EXACT!B AS IT IS# and it IS meaninglessThe 1oly Spirit does not ,ant you to U2(ERSTA2( con+lict- 1e ,ants you to reali9e that BECAUSE con+lict is meaning!ESS it cannot BE understood- 4E ha*e already said that understanding 'rings appreciation# and appreciation 'rings lo*e- 2othing else CA2 'e understood 'ecause nothing else is real and there+ore nothing else 1AS meaningI+ you ,ill :eep in mind ,hat the 1oly Spirit o++ers you# you cannot 'e *igilant +or anything BUT "od and 1is Lingdom- The O2!B reason ,hy you +ind this di++icult is 'ecause you thin: there IS something else- Belie+ does not re?uire *igilance U2!ESS it is con+licted- I+ it IS# there ARE con+licting components ,ithin it ,hich ha*e engendered a state o+ ,ar# and *igilance has there+ore BECOME essential- Higilance has no place at all in peace- It is necessary O2!B A"AI2ST 'elie+s ,hich are 2OT true# and ,ould ne*er ha*e 'een called upon 'y the 1oly Spirit i+ you had not 'elie*ed the untrue yoursel*esBut you CA22OT deny that ,hen you BE!IEHE something you 1AHE made it true 3OR BOU- 4hen BOU 'elie*e ,hat "od (OES 2OT L2O4# your thought seems to CO2TRA(ICT 1is# and this ma:es it appear AS I3 BOU ARE ATTACLI2" 1IM- 4e ha*e repeatedly emphasi9ed that the ego (OES 'elie*e it can attac: "od# and tries to persuade you that BOU ha*e done this- I+ the mind CA22OT attac:# the ego proceeds per+ectly logically to the position that BOU cannot 'e mind- By not seeing you as BOU are# it can
> &7& >

see ITSE!3 as it 4A2TS to 'e- A,are o+ its ,ea:ness# the ego ,ants your allegiance# 'ut 2OT as you really are- The ego there+ore ,ants to engage your mind in its O42 delusional system# 'ecause other,ise the light o+ BOUR understanding 4I!! dispel it-

193

The ego ,ants no part o+ truth# 'ecause the truth is that IT is not true- I+ truth is total# the U2true CA22OT e<ist- Commitment to either MUST 'e total# 'ecause they cannot co>e<ist in your minds 4IT1OUT splitting them- I+ they cannot coe<ist in peace# and i+ you 4A2T peace# you MUST gi*e up the I(EA o+ con+lict E2TIRE!B# and +or A!! TIMEThis re?uires *igilance O2!B as long as BOU (O 2OT RECO"2IUE 41AT IS TRUE4hile you 'elie*e that t,o totally contradictory thought systems S1ARE truth# your need +or *igilance is apparent- Bour minds ARE di*iding their allegiance 'et,een t,o :ingdoms# and BOU are totally committed to neitherBour identi+ication ,ith the Lingdom is totally 'eyond ?uestion e<cept 'y you 41E2 BOU ARE T1I2LI2" I2SA2E!B- 4hat you are is 2OT esta'lished 'y your perception# and is 2OT in+luenced BB it at all- A!! percei*ed pro'lems in identi+ication at A2B le*el ARE 2OT ROB!EMS O3 3ACT- But they ARE pro'lems in U2(ERSTA2(I2"# 'ecause they MEA2 that you percei*e 41AT you can understand as U TO BOU TO (ECI(EThe ego 'elie*es T1IS totally# 'eing +ully committed TO it- But it is 2OT TRUE- The ego is there+ore totally committed to U2truth# percei*ing in total contradiction to the 1oly Spirit and to the :no,ledge o+ "odBou can 'e percei*ed ,ith meaning O2!B 'y the 1oly Spirit# 'ecause your 'eing IS the :no,ledge o+ "od- A2B 'elie+ that you accept ,hich is A ART +rom this 4I!! o'scure "od=s *oice in you# and ,ill there+ore o'scure "od TO you- Unless you percei*e 1is Creation truly# you CA22OT :no, the Creator# 'ecause "od and 1is Creation ARE 2OT SE ARATE- The Oneness o+ the Creator and the Creation IS your ,holeness# your sanity# and your limitless po,er- This limitless po,er is "od=s gi+t to you# 'ecause it is 41AT BOU ARE- I+ you dissociate your mind 3ROM it# you are percei*ing the most po,er+ul +orce in the uni*erse o+ thought AS I3 it ,ere ,ea:# 'ecause you do 2OT 'elie*e BOU are part o+ itercei*ed 4IT1OUT your part I2 it# "od=s Creation IS percei*ed as ,ea:# and those ,ho SEE themsel*es as ,ea:ened (O attac:- The attac: MUST 'e 'lind# 'ecause there is nothing TO attac:- There+ore# they ma:e up images# percei*e them as un,orthy# and attac: them +or their un,orthiness- That is all the ,orld o+ the ego is- 2OT1I2"It

194

has no meaning- It does not e<ist- (o not TRB to understand it# 'ecause i+ you do you are 'elie*ing that it CA2 'e understood# and there+ore is capa'le o+ 'eing appreciated and lo*ed- This 4OU!( @usti+y it# 'ut it CA22OT BE @usti+ied- BOU cannot ma:e the meaning!ESS meaning3U!- This can O2!B 'e an insane attemptAllo,ing I2sanity to enter your minds means that you ha*e not @udged sanity AS 41O!!B (ESIRAB!E- I+ you 4A2T something else# you 4I!! MALE something elseBut 'ecause it IS something else it 4I!! attac: your thought system and di*ide your allegiance- Bou CA22OT create in this di*ided state# and you MUST 'e *igilant A"AI2ST this di*ided state 'ecause O2!B peace CA2 BE e<tended- Bour di*ided minds ARE
> &7$ >

'loc:ing the e<tension o+ the Lingdom# and its e<tension IS your @oy- I+ you do not e<tend the Lingdom# you are 2OT thin:ing ,ith your Creator and creating as 1e createdIn this depressing state# the 1oly Spirit reminds you gently that you are sad 'ecause you are not +ul+illing your +unction as co>creators 4IT1 "od# and are there+ore depri*ing BOURSE!HES o+ @oy- This is not "od=s ,ill# 'ut BOURS- I+ your ,ill is out o+ accord ,ith "od=s# BOU ARE 4I!!I2" 4IT1OUT MEA2I2"- But 'ecause O2!B "od=s ,ill is unchangea'le# no REA! con+lict o+ ,ill is possi'le- This is the 1oly Spirit=s per+ectly consistent teaching- Creation# not separation# IS your ,ill BECAUSE it is "od=s- And nothing that opposes this means anything at all- Being a per+ect Accomplishment# the Sonship can only accomplish per+ectly# EXTE2(I2" the @oy in ,hich it ,as created# and identi+ying itsel+ ,ith 'oth its Creator and its creations# L2O4I2" they are One4hene*er you deny a 'lessing to a 'rother# BOU ,ill +eel depri*ed- This is 'ecause denial is as total as lo*e- It is as impossi'le to deny part o+ the Sonship as it is to lo*e it in part- 2or is it possi'le to lo*e it totally AT TIMES- Bou CA22OT 'e totally committed SOMETIMES- Remem'er a *ery early lesson# N )ne*er underestimate the po,er o+ denial-. It has no po,er in ITSE!3# 'ut BOU can gi*e it the po,er o+ BOUR mind# ,hose po,er is ,ithout limit o+ A2B :ind- I+ you use it to deny reality# reality is gone 3OR BOUREA!ITB CA22OT BE ART!B A RECIATE(- That is ,hy denying any part o+ it means you ha*e lost a,areness o+ A!! o+ itThat is the negati*e side o+ the la, as it operates in this ,orld- But denial is a de+ense# and so it is as capa'le o+ 'eing used positi*ely as it is o+ 'eing used destructi*elyUsed negati*ely# it 4I!! 'e destructi*e# 'ecause it ,ill 'e used +or attac:- But in the ser*ice o+ the 1oly Spirit# the la, 'ecomes as 'ene+icent as all o+ the la,s o+ "odStated

195

positi*ely# the la, re?uires you only to recogni9e ART o+ reality to appreciate A!! o+ itMind is too po,er+ul to 'e su'@ect to e<clusion- Bou ,ill 2EHER 'e a'le to e<clude yoursel+ +rom ,hat you pro@ect4hen a 'rother acts insanely# he is o++ering you an opportunity to 'less him- 1is need is BOURS- BOU need the 'lessing you can o++er him- There is no ,ay +or you to ha*e it EXCE T 'y gi*ing it- This IS the la, o+ "od# and it 1AS 2O EXCE TIO2S4hat you deny you !ACL# not 'ecause it IS lac:ing# 'ut 'ecause you ha*e denied it in another# and there+ore are not a,are o+ it in BOU- E*ery response you ma:e is determined 'y ,hat you thin: you ARE- And ,hat you 4A2T to 'e IS ,hat you thin: you areThere+ore# ,hat you 4A2T to 'e determines e*ery response you ma:eBou do 2OT need "od=s 'lessing# 'ecause that you ha*e +ore*er- But you (O need BOURS- The picture you see o+ yoursel*es is depri*ed# unlo*ing# and *ery *ulnera'leBou CA22OT lo*e this- But you can *ery easily escape 3ROM it# or 'etter# lea*e it 'ehindBou are 2OT there# and that is not BOU- (o not see this picture in anyone# or you 1AHE accepted it as you- A!! illusions a'out the Sonship are (IS E!!E( together# as they ,ere MA(E together- Teach no>one that 1E is ,hat BOU do not ,ant to 'e- Bour 'rother is the mirror in ,hich you ,ill see the image o+ yoursel+ as long as perception lastsAnd perception 4I!! last until the Sonship :no,s itsel+ as ,hole> &78 >

Bou MA(E perception# and it MUST last as long as you 4A2T it- Illusions are in*estments- They ,ill last as long as you *alue them- Halues are relati*e# 'ut they are po,er+ul 'ecause they are ME2TA! @udgments- The only ,ay to dispel illusions is to ,ithdra, A!! in*estment +rom them# and they ,ill 1AHE no li+e +or you 'ecause you ha*e put them OUT O3 BOUR MI2(- 4hile you include them I2 it# you are "IHI2" them li+e- E<cept there is nothing there to recei*e your gi+tThe gi+t o+ li+e IS yours to gi*e# 'ecause it ,as gi*en BOU- Bou are una,are o+ BOUR gi+t BECAUSE you do not gi*e it- Bou CA22OT ma:e nothing li*e# 'ecause it cannot BE enli*ened- There+ore# you ha*e 2OT e<tended the gi+t you 'oth ha*e and are# and so you do 2OT :no, your 'eing- All con+usion comes +rom not e<tending li+e# 'ecause this is 2OT the ,ill o+ your Creator- Bou CA2 do nothing apart +rom 1im# and you (O do nothing apart +rom him- Leep 1is 4ay to remem'er yoursel*es# and teach 1is 4ays lest you +orget yoursel+- "i*e only honor to the sons o+ the li*ing "od# and count yoursel+ among them gladlyO2!B honor is a +itting gi+t +or those ,hom "od 1imsel+ created ,orthy o+ honor

196

and ,hom 1e honors- "i*e them the appreciation ,hich "od accords them al,ays# 'ecause they are 1is Belo*ed Sons in ,hom 1e is ,ell pleased- Bou CA22OT 'e apart +rom them# 'ecause you are not apart +rom 1im- Rest in 1is lo*e# and protect your rest 'y lo*ing- But lo*e EHERBT1I2" 1e created# o+ ,hich BOU are part# or you cannot learn o+ 1is peace and accept 1is gi+t +or yoursel+ and as yoursel+- Bou CA22OT :no, your o,n per+ection until you ha*e honored all those ,ho ,ere created !ILE youOne Child o+ "od is the only teacher su++iciently ,orthy to teach another- One Teacher is in all your minds# and 1e teaches the same lesson to all- 1e al,ays teaches you the inestima'le ,orth o+ EHERB Son o+ "od# teaching it ,ith in+inite patience 'orn o+ the !o*e o+ 1im +or ,hom 1e spea:s- E*ery attac: is a call +or 1is patience# 'ecause O2!B 1is patience can translate attac: into 'lessing- Those ,ho attac: (O 2OT L2O4 T1EB ARE B!ESSE(- They attac: BECAUSE T1EB BE!IEHE T1EB ARE (E RIHE(- "i*e there+ore o+ BOUR a'undance# and teach them T1EIRS- (o not share their delusions o+ scarcity# or you ,ill percei*e BOURSE!3 as lac:ingAttac: could ne*er ROMOTE attac: unless you percei*ed it as a means o+ depri*ing you o+ SOMET1I2" BOU 4A2T- But you cannot lose A2BT1I2" unless BOU do not *alue it and there+ore (O 2OT 4A2T IT- This ma:es you +eel (E RIHE( o+ it# and 'y pro@ecting BOUR re@ection# you 'elie*e that others are TALI2" IT 3ROM BOU- One MUST 'e +ear+ul i+ he 'elie*es that his 'rother is attac:ing him to tear the Lingdom o+ 1ea*en +rom himThis is the ultimate 'asis +or A!! o+ the ego=s pro@ection- Being the part o+ your mind ,hich does 2OT 'elie*e it is responsi'le +or ITSE!3# and 'eing ,ithout allegiance to "od# it is incapa'le o+ trust- ro@ecting its insane 'elie+ that BOU ha*e 'een treacherous to BOUR Creator# it 'elie*es that your 'rothers# ,ho are as incapa'le o+ this as you are# are out to TALE "O( 3ROM BOU- 4hene*er a 'rother attac:s another# T1IS IS 41AT
> &7G >

1E BE!IEHES- ro@ection A!4ABS sees BOUR ,ill in others- I+ you ,ill to separate BOURSE!3 +rom "od# that is ,hat you ,ill thin: others are doing TO youBou ARE the ,ill o+ "od- (o not accept anything else AS BOUR ,ill# or you ARE denying ,hat you are- (eny T1IS and you 4I!! attac:# 'ecause you 'elie*e you ha*e

197

BEE2 attac:ed- But see the lo*e o+ "od in you# and you ,ill see it e*ery,here 'ecause it IS e*ery,here- See 1is a'undance in e*eryone# and you ,ill :no, that you are in 1im 4IT1 them- They are part o+ you as you are part o+ "od- BOU are as lonely ,ithout understanding this as "od 1imsel+ is lonely ,hen 1is Sons do not :no, 1im- The peace o+ "od IS understanding thisThere is only one ,ay out o+ the ,orld=s thin:ing# @ust as there ,as only one ,ay I2TO it- Understand totally 'y understanding TOTA!ITB- ercei*e A2B part o+ the ego=s thought system as ,holly insane# ,holly delusional# and ,holly undesira'le# and you ha*e CORRECT!B EHA!UATE( A!! O3 IT- This correction ena'les you to percei*e A2B part o+ Creation as ,holly real# ,holly per+ect# and 41O!!B (ESIRAB!E- 4anting this O2!B# you ,ill 1AHE this only# and gi*ing this only# you ,ill BE only this- The gi+ts you o++er to the ego are A!4ABS e<perienced as sacri+ices- But the gi+ts you o++er to the Lingdom are gi+ts to BOU- They ,ill al,ays 'e treasured 'y "od# 'ecause they 'elong to 1is Belo*ed Sons ,ho 'elong to 1im- All po,er and glory are yours 'ecause the Lingdom is 1is4e once said that ,ithout pro@ection there can 'e no anger# 'ut it is also true that ,ithout pro@ection there can 'e no lo*e- ro@ection is a +undamental la, o+ the mind# and there+ore one ,hich A!4ABS operates- It is the la, 'y ,hich you create and ,ere created- It is the la, ,hich uni+ies the Lingdom and :eeps it in the mind o+ "od- To the ego# the la, is percei*ed as a ,ay o+ getting RI( o+ something it does 2OT ,ant- To the 1oly Spirit# it is the +undamental la, o+ sharing# 'y ,hich you gi*e ,hat you *alue in order to :eep it in your O42 mindsro@ection to the 1oly Spirit is the la, o+ e<tension- To the ego# it is the la, o+ depri*ation- It there+ore produces a'undance or scarcity# depending on ho, you choose to apply it- This choice IS up to you# 'ut it is 2OT up to you to decide ,hether or not you ,ill UTI!IUE pro@ection- E*ery mind MUST pro@ect# 'ecause that is ho, it li*es# and e*ery mind IS li+e- The ego=s use o+ pro@ection must 'e +ully understood 'e+ore the I2EHITAB!E association 'et,een pro@ection and anger can 'e +inally U2madeThe ego A!4ABS tries to preser*e con+lict- It is *ery ingenious in de*ising ,ays ,hich SEEM to diminish con+lict only 'ecause it does 2OT ,ant you to +ind it so intolera'le

198

that you ,ill I2SIST on gi*ing it up- There+ore# it tries to persuade you that IT can +ree you O3 con+lict# lest you gi*e IT up and +ree BOURSE!3- The ego# using its o,n ,arped *ersion o+ the la,s o+ "od# uses the po,er o+ the mind O2!B to de+eat the mind=s real purpose- It pro@ects con+lict 3ROM your mind to OT1ER minds# in an attempt to persuade you that you ha*e gotten RI( o+ it- This has a num'er o+ +allacies ,hich may not 'e so apparent> &76 >

Strictly spea:ing# con+lict cannot BE pro@ected# precisely BECAUSE it cannot 'e +ully shared- Any attempt to :eep ART o+ it and get rid o+ A2OT1ER part does not really mean A2BT1I2"- Remem'er that a con+licted teacher is a poor teacher A2( A OOR !EAR2ER- 1is lessons are con+used# and their trans+er *alue se*erely limited BB his con+usionA second +allacy is the idea the you can "ET RI( o+ something you do not ,ant BB gi*ing it a,ay- "IHI2" it is ho, you LEE it- The 'elie+ that 'y gi*ing it OUT you ha*e e<cluded +rom 4IT1I2 is a complete distortion o+ the po,er o+ EXTE2SIO2That is ,hy those ,ho pro@ect +rom the ego are *igilant +or their O42 sa+ety- T1EB ARE A3RAI( T1AT T1EIR ROJECTIO2S 4I!! RETUR2 A2( 1URT T1EMThey (O 'elie*e they ha*e 'lotted them out o+ their O42 minds# 'ut they also 'elie*e they are trying to creep 'ac: I2TO them- This is 'ecause their pro@ections ha*e 2OT le+t their minds# and this# in turn# +orces them to engage in compulsi*e acti*ity in order 2OT to recogni9e thisBou cannot perpetuate an illusion a'out another 4IT1OUT perpetuating it a'out yoursel+- There is no ,ay out o+ this# 'ecause it is IM OSSIB!E to +ragment the mind- To +ragment is to 'rea: into pieces# and mind CA22OT attac:- The 'elie+ that it CA2# a +allacy ,hich the ego A!4ABS ma:es# underlies its ,hole use o+ pro@ection- This is 'ecause it does not understand ,hat the mind IS# and there+ore does not understand ,hat BOU are- Bet ITS e<istence IS dependent on your mind# 'ecause it is a BE!IE3- The ego IS there+ore a con+usion in identi+ication# ,hich ne*er had a consistent model# and ne*er de*eloped consistently- It is the distorted product o+ the misapplication o+ the la,s o+ "od 'y distorted minds ,hich are misusing their o,n po,er(O 2OT BE A3RAI( O3 T1E E"O- It (OES depend on your mind# and as you made it 'y 'elie*ing in it# so you can dispel it 'y ,ithdra,ing 'elie+ 3ROM it- (o 2OT pro@ect the responsi'ility +or your 'elie+ in it onto A2BO2E else# or you ,ill RESERHE the 'elie+- 4hen you are ,illing to accept sole responsi'ility +or the ego=s e<istence

199

BOURSE!3# you ,ill ha*e laid aside all anger and all attac:# 'ecause they COME +rom an attempt to ROJECT RES O2SIBI!ITB 3OR BOUR O42 ERRORS- But ha*ing ACCE TE( the error as yours# (O 2OT LEE T1EM- "i*e them o*er ?uic:ly to the 1oly Spirit to 'e undone completely# so that A!! their e++ects ,ill *anish +rom your minds and +rom the Sonship AS A 41O!E- 1e ,ill teach you to percei*e BEBO2( 'elie+# 'ecause truth IS 'eyond 'elie+ and 1is perception IS trueThe ego can 'e completely +orgotten at A2B time# 'ecause it ,as al,ays a 'elie+ that is totally incredi'le- 2o>one can LEE a 'elie+ he has @udged to 'e un'elie*a'le- The more you learn ABOUT the ego# the more you reali9e that it cannot BE 'elie*ed- The incredi'le cannot BE understood 'ecause it IS un'elie*a'le- The utter meaninglessness o+ A!! perception ,hich comes +rom the un'elie*a'le MUST 'e apparent# 'ut it is 2OT 'eyond 'elie+ 'ecause it ,as made BB 'elie+> &7J >

The ,hole purpose o+ this course is to teach you that the ego is un'elie*a'le and ,ill +ore*er BE un'elie*a'le- Bou ,ho made the ego 'y BE!IEHI2" the un'elie*a'le CA22OT ma:e this @udgment alone- By accepting the Atonement +or BOURSE!3# you are deciding A"AI2ST the 'elie+ that you can BE alone# thus dispelling the idea o+ separation and a++irming your true identi+ication ,ith the ,hole Lingdom as literally ART O3 BOU- This identi+ication is as 'eyond dou't as it is 'eyond 'elie+- Bour ,holeness 1AS no limits# 'ecause its 'eing is in In+inity- Only you can limit your creati*e po,er# 'ut "od ,ills to release it- 1e no more ,ills you to depri*e yoursel*es o+ BOUR creations than 1e ,ills to depri*e 1imsel+ o+ 1is(o not ,ithhold your gi+ts to the Sonship# or you ,ithhold yoursel+ +rom "odSel+ishness is o+ the ego 'ut sel+>+ulness is o+ the Soul 'ecause that is ho, 1e created itThe 1oly Spirit is the part o+ the mind that lies 'et,een the ego and the Soul# mediating 'et,een them A!4ABS I2 3AHOR O3 T1E SOU!- To the ego this is partiality# and it there+ore responds as i+ it ,ere the part that is 'eing sided A"AI2ST- To the Soul this is truth# 'ecause it :no,s its o,n +ulness and cannot concei*e o+ A2B part +rom ,hich it is e<cluded- The soul L2O4S that the consciousness o+ all its 'rothers is included in its o,n# as IT is included in "od- The po,er o+ the ,hole Sonship A2( O3 ITS CREATOR

200

is there+ore its O42 +ulness# rendering its Creation and its creating e?ually ,hole and e?ual in per+ectionThe ego cannot pre*ail against a totality ,hich includes "od# and any totality MUST include "od- E*erything 1e created is gi*en A!! 1is po,er 'ecause it is part o+ 1im and shares 1is Being 4IT1 1im- Creating is the O OSITE o+ loss# as 'lessing is the opposite o+ sacri+ice- Being MUST 'e e<tended- That is ho, it retains the :no,ledge o+ itSE!3- The soul yearns to share ITS Being as ITS Creator did- Created BB sharing# its ,ill is to createIt does 2OT ,ish to CO2TAI2 "od# 'ut to EXTE2( 1IS BEI2"The e<tension o+ "od=s Being is the Soul=s only +unction- ITS +ulness cannot 'e contained any more than can the +ulness o+ its Creator- 3ullness IS e<tension- The ego=s ,hole thought system B!OCLS e<tension# and there+ore 'loc:s BOUR O2!B 3U2CTIO2It there+ore 'loc:s your @oy and T1IS is ,hy you percei*e yoursel*es as un+ul+illedUnless you create# you ARE un+ul+illed- But "od does 2OT :no, un+illment# and there+ore you MUST create- BOU may not :no, your o,n creations# 'ut this can no more inter+ere ,ith their reality than your una,areness o+ your Soul can inter+ere ,ith its 'eingThe Lingdom is +ore*er e<tending# 'ecause it is in the Mind o+ "od- Bou do not :no, your @oy 'ecause you do not :no, your o,n sel+>+ulness- E<clude A2B part o+ the Lingdom 3ROM yoursel+# and you are 2OT ,hole- A split mind CA22OT percei*e its +ulness# and needs the miracle O3 its ,holeness to da,n upon it and heal it- This rea,a:ens its ,holeness I2 it and restores it to the Lingdom 'ecause o+ its ACCE TA2CE o+ ,holeness- The +ull appreciation o+ its sel+>+ulness ma:es sel+ishness impossi'le# and e<tension ine*ita'le- That is ,hy there is per+ect peace in the Lingdom- E*ery Soul IS +ul+illing its +unction# and O2!B complete +ul+illment IS peace> &77 >

Insanity A EARS to add to reality# 'ut no>one ,ould claim that ,hat it adds is trueInsanity is there+ore the 2O2e<tension o+ truth# ,hich 'loc:s @oy 'ecause it 'loc:s Creation and there+ore 'loc:s sel+>3U!3I!!ME2T- The un+ul+illed MUST 'e depressed# 'ecause their sel+>+ulness is U2L2O42 to them- Bour creations are protected 3OR you 'ecause the 1oly Spirit# 4ho is in your minds# :no,s o+ them# and can 'ring them I2TO your a,areness ,hene*er you ,ill let 1im- They ARE there as part o+ your o,n 'eing# 'ecause

201

BOUR +ul+illment I2C!U(ES them- The creations o+ e*ery Son o+ "od are yours# 'ecause e*ery creation 'elongs to e*eryone# 'eing created +or the Sonship as a ,holeBou ha*e not +ailed to add to the inheritance o+ the Sons o+ "od# and thus ha*e not +ailed to secure it +or yoursel*es- I+ it ,as the ,ill o+ "od to gi*e it to you# 1e ga*e it +ore*er- I+ it ,as 1is ,ill that you ha*e it +ore*er# 1e ga*e you the means +or :eeping it# and BOU 1AHE (O2E SO- (iso'eying "od=s ,ill is meaning+ul only to the insaneIn truth# it is impossi'leBour sel+>+ulness is as 'oundless as "od=s- !i:e 1is# it e<tends +ore*er and in per+ect peace- Its radiance is so intense that it creates in per+ect @oy# and only the ,hole can 'e 'orn o+ its ,holeness- Be con+ident that you ha*e ne*er lost your identity and the e<tension ,hich maintains it in ,holeness and peace- Miracles are A2 EX RESSIO2 O3 T1IS CO23I(E2CE- They are re+lections 'oth o+ your o,n proper identi+ication 4IT1 your 'rothers# and o+ your o,n a,areness that BOUR identi+ication IS maintained 'y e<tensionThe miracle is A !ESSO2 I2 TOTA! ERCE TIO2- By including A2B part o+ totality in the lesson# you 1AHE included the ,holeBou ha*e said that# ,hen you ,rite o+ the Lingdom and your o,n creations ,hich 'elong to it# you are descri'ing 41AT BOU (O 2OT L2O4- This is true in a sense# 'ut no more true than your +ailure to ac:no,ledge the ,hole result o+ the ego=s premisesThe Lingdom is the result o+ premises# as much as this ,orld is- Bou 1AHE carried the ego=s reasoning to its logical conclusion# ,hich is TOTA! CO23USIO2 ABOUT EHERBT1I2"- But you do not really BE!IEHE this# or you could not possi'ly maintain itI+ you REA!!B sa, this result# you COU!( not ,ant it- The O2!B reason ,hy you could possi'ly ,ant A2B part o+ it is 'ecause BOU (O 2OT SEE T1E 41O!E O3 ITBou there+ore ARE ,illing to loo: at the ego=s premises 'ut 2OT at their logical outcome- Is it not possi'le that you ha*e done the same thing ,ith the premises o+ "odE Bour creations ARE the logical outcome o+ 1is premises- 1IS thin:ing has esta'lished them 3OR you- They are there+ore T1ERE# EXACT!B ,here they 'elong- They 'elong to your mind# as part o+ your identi+ication ,ith 1IS- But your state o+ mind and your recognition o+ 41AT IS I2 BOUR MI2( depends# at any gi*en moment# on ,hat you 'elie*e ABOUT your mind- 4hate*er these 'elie+s may 'e# they are the premises ,hich

202

,ill determine 41AT BOU ACCE T I2TO BOUR MI2(SIt is surely clear that you can 'oth accept into your minds ,hat is 2OT really there# and (E2B 41AT IS- 2either o+ these possi'ilities re?uires +urther ela'oration# although 'oth are clearly inde+ensi'le e*en i+ BOU elect to de+end them- But the +unction ,hich "od 1imsel+ "AHE your minds through 1is you may (E2B 'ut you CA22OT pre*ent> &7K >

They are the logical outcome o+ ,hat you ARE- The a'ility to SEE a logical outcome depends on the 4I!!I2"2ESS TO SEE IT# 'ut its TRUT1 has nothing to do ,ith your ,illingness at all- Truth is "O(=S ,ill- S1ARE 1is 4ill# and you ,ill share ,hat 1e L2O4S- (eny 1is 4ill AS BOURS# and you are denying 1is Lingdom A2( yoursThe 1oly Spirit ,ill direct you O2!B so as to a*oid all pain- The U2(OI2" o+ pain must OBHIOUS!B a*oid this- 2o>one ,ould surely OBJECT to this goal I3 1E RECO"2IUE( IT- The pro'lem is 2OT ,hether ,hat 1e says is true# 'ut ,hether or not you ,ant to !ISTE2 to ,hat 1e says- Bou no more recogni9e ,hat is pain+ul than you :no, ,hat is @oy+ul# and are# in +act# *ery apt to con+use them- The 1oly Spirit=s main +unction is to teach you to TE!! T1EM A ART1o,e*er strange it may seem that this is necessary# it o'*iously IS- The reason is e?ually o'*ious- 4hat is @oy+ul to you IS pain+ul to the ego# and as long as you are in dou't a'out ,hat BOU are you 4I!! 'e con+used a'out @oy and pain- This con+usion is the cause o+ the ,hole idea o+ sacri+ice- O'ey the 1oly Spirit# and you 4I!! 'e gi*ing up the ego# 'ut you ,ill 'e SACRI3ICI2" nothing- On the contrary# you ,ill 'e gaining EHERBT1I2"- But i+ you BE!IEHE( this there ,ould BE no con+lict- That is ,hy you need to (EMO2STRATE T1E OBHIOUS TO BOURSE!3- It is 2OT o'*ious to youBou REA!!B 'elie*e that doing the opposite o+ "od=s ,ill CA2 'e 'etter +or youBou also 'elie*e that it is OSSIB!E to do the opposite o+ "od=s ,ill- There+ore# you 'elie*e that an impossi'le choice IS open to you# ,hich is 'oth *ery +ear+ul and *ery desira'le- But "od 4I!!S- 1e does 2OT ,ish- BOUR ,ill is as po,er+ul as 1is 'ecause it IS 1is- The ego=s ,ishes do not mean anything# 'ecause the ego ,ishes +or the impossi'le- Bou CA2 ,ish +or the impossi'le# 'ut you can only 4I!! ,ith "od- This is the ego=s ,ea:ness and BOUR strengthThe 1oly Spirit A!4ABS sides ,ith BOU and ,ith your STRE2"T1- As long as you a*oid 1is guidance in any ,ay# you 4A2T TO BE 4EAL- But ,ea:ness IS +rightening4hat else# then# can this decision mean e<cept that you 4A2T to 'e +ear+ulE The 1oly Spirit 2EHER as:s +or sacri+ice# 'ut the ego A!4ABS does- 4hen you are con+used a'out this HERB clear distinction in moti*ation# it CA2 only 'e due to pro@ection- ro@ection o+

203

this :ind IS a con+usion in moti*ation# and gi*en T1IS con+usion# TRUST 'ecomes impossi'le2o>one o'eys gladly a guide he does not trust- But this does not mean that the "UI(E is untrust,orthy- In this case# it A!4ABS means that the 3O!!O4ER IS1o,e*er# this# too# is merely a matter o+ his o,n 'elie+- Belie*ing that 1E can 'etray# he 'elie*es that e*erything can 'etray 1IM- But this is O2!B 'ecause he has E!ECTE( TO 3O!!O4 3A!SE "UI(A2CE- Una'le to +ollo, T1IS guidance 4IT1OUT +ear# he associates +ear 4IT1 guidance# and re+uses to +ollo, A2B guidance at all- I+ the result o+ this decision is con+usion# this is hardly surprisingThe 1oly Spirit is per+ectly trust,orthy# as BOU are- "od 1imsel+ trusts you and there+ore your trust,orthiness IS 'eyond ?uestion- It ,ill al,ays remain 'eyond ?uestion#
> &75 >

ho,e*er much you may ?uestion it- I trust MB choices O2!B 'ecause they ARE "od=s 4ill- 4e said 'e+ore that BOU are the ,ill o+ "od- 1is ,ill is not an idle ,ish# and your identi+ication 4IT1 1is 4ill is not optional 'ecause it IS ,hat you are- Sharing 1is ,ill 4IT1 me is not really open to choice at all# though it may SEEM to 'e- The ,hole separation lies in this +allacy- And the O2!B ,ay out o+ the +allacy is to decide that BOU (O 2OT 1AHE TO (ECI(E A2BT1I2"E*erything has 'een gi*en you 'y "O(=S decision- This IS 1is 4ill# and you can 2OT undo it- E*en the relin?uishment o+ your +alse decision>ma:ing prerogati*e# ,hich the ego guards so @ealously# is not accomplished 'y your ,ish- It ,as accomplished 3OR you 'y the 4ill o+ "od# ,ho has not le+t you com+ortless- 1is Hoice 4I!! teach you ho, to distinguish 'et,een pain and @oy# and lead you out o+ the con+usion BOU ha*e madeThere IS no con+usion in the mind o+ a Son o+ "od# ,hose ,ill MUST 'e the ,ill o+ the 3ather# 'ecause the 3ather=s 4ill IS 1is SonMiracles are I2 ACCOR( ,ith the 4ill o+ "od# ,hose ,ill you do 2OT :no, 'ecause you are con+used a'out ,hat BOU ,ill- This MEA2S that you are con+used a'out ,hat you are- I+ you ARE "od=s ,ill and do 2OT ACCE T 1is ,ill# you can O2!B 'e not accepting ,hat you are- But i+ your @oy IS ,hat you are# you ARE denying @oy- The miracle there+ore is a lesson in 41AT JOB IS- Being a lesson in S1ARI2"# it is a lesson in lo*e# ,hich IS @oy- E*ery miracle is thus a lesson in Truth# and 'y O33ERI2" truth

204

BOU are learning the di++erence 'et,een pain and @oyThe 1oly Spirit ,ill A!4ABS guide you truly# 'ecause BOUR @oy IS 1is- This is 1is ,ill +or e*eryone# 'ecause 1e spea:s +or the Lingdom o+ "od ,hich IS @oy- 3ollo,ing 1im is there+ore the easiest thing in the ,orld# and the only thing ,hich IS easy# 'ecause it is 2OT o+ the ,orld and is there+ore 2ATURA!- The ,orld goes A"AI2ST your nature# 'ecause it is out o+ accord ,ith "od=s la,s- The ,orld percei*es orders o+ di++iculty in EHERBT1I2"- This is 'ecause the ego percei*es nothing as ,holly desira'le- By (EMO2STRATI2" to yoursel*es that T1ERE IS 2O OR(ER O3 (I33ICU!TB I2 MIRAC!ES# you ,ill con*ince yoursel*es that in your 2ATURA! state there IS no di++iculty# 'ecause it is a state o+ "race"race is the natural state o+ e*ery Son o+ "od- 4hen he is 2OT in a state o+ grace he IS out o+ his natural en*ironment# and does 2OT +unction ,ell- E*erything he does 'ecomes a strain# 'ecause he ,as not created +or the en*ironment ,hich he has made1e there+ore CA22OT adapt to it# nor can he adapt IT to 1IM- There is no point in tryingA Son o+ "od is happy O2!B ,hen he :no,s he is 4IT1 "od- That is the only en*ironment in ,hich he ,ill not e<perience strain# 'ecause that is ,here he 'elongs- It is also the only en*ironment that is ,orthy o+ him# 'ecause his o,n ,orth is 'eyond A2BT1I2" that he can ma:eConsider the Lingdom ,hich BOU ha*e made# and @udge its ,orth +airly- Is it ,orthy to 'e a home +or a Child o+ "odE (oes it protect his peace# and shine lo*e upon himE (oes it :eep his heart untouched 'y +ear# and allo, him to gi*e al,ays ,ithout any
> &K% >

sense o+ lossE (oes it teach him that this gi*ing IS his @oy# and that "od 1imsel+ than:s him +or his gi*ingE That is the only en*ironment in ,hich you can 'e happy- Bou cannot ma:e it# anymore than you can ma:e yoursel*es- But it has 'een created +or you# as you ,ere created +or it- "od ,atches o*er 1is children and denies them nothing- But ,hen they deny 1im they do 2OT :no, this# 'ecause T1EB deny themsel*es e*erything- Bou ,ho could gi*e the lo*e o+ "od to e*erything you see and touch and remem'er are literally denying 1ea*en to yoursel*es- I call upon you again to remem'er that I ha*e chosen you to teach the Lingdom TO the Lingdom- There are no e<ceptions to this lesson 'ecause the lac: o+ e<ceptions IS the lessonE*ery Son ,ho returns to the Lingdom ,ith this lesson in his heart has healed the Sonship and gi*en than:s to "od- E*eryone ,ho learns this lesson has 'ecome the

205

per+ect teacher# 'ecause he has learned it o+ the 1oly Spirit# ,ho ,ants to teach him e*erything 1e :no,s- 4hen a mind has only light# it L2O4S only light- Its o,n radiance shines all around it# and e<tends out into the dar:ness o+ other minds# trans+orming them into ma@esty- The ma@esty o+ "od is there# +or BOU to recogni9e and appreciate and L2O4ercei*ing the ma@esty o+ "od AS your 'rother is to accept your O42 inheritance"od gi*es only e?ually- I+ you recogni9e 1is gi+t to anyone E!SE# you ha*e ac:no,ledged ,hat 1e has gi*en BOU- 2othing is as easy to percei*e as truth- This is the perception ,hich is immediate# clear# and natural- Bou ha*e trained yoursel*es 2OT to see it# and this 1AS 'een *ery di++icult +or you- OUT o+ your natural en*ironment you may ,ell as:# ),hat is truthE. 'ecause truth IS the en*ironment 'y ,hich and +or ,hich you ,ere created- Bou do not :no, yoursel*es 'ecause you do not :no, BOUR Creator- Bou do not :no, BOUR creations# 'ecause you do not :no, your 'rothers ,ho created them 4IT1 you4e said 'e+ore that only the ,hole Sonship is a ,orthy co>creator ,ith "od# 'ecause only the ,hole Sonship can create !ILE 1im- 4hene*er you heal a 'rother 'y recogni9ing his ,orth# you are ac:no,ledging 1IS po,er to create and BOURS- 1E cannot ha*e lost ,hat BOU recogni9e# and you MUST ha*e the glory you see in 1IM- 1e is a co> creator ,ith "od ,ith BOU- (eny his creati*e po,er and you are denying yours A2( T1AT O3 "O( 41O CREATE( BOU- Bou cannot deny part o+ the truth- Bou do not :no, your creations 'ecause you do not :no, their creator- Bou do not :no, yoursel*es 'ecause you do not :no, BOURSBour creations cannot esta'lish your reality# any more than BOU can esta'lish "od=sBut you can L2O4 'oth- Being is :no,n 'y sharing- Because "od shared 1is Being ,ith you# you can :no, 1im- But you must also :no, all 1e created to :no, ,hat T1EB ha*e shared- 4ithout your 3ather you ,ill not :no, your +atherhood- The Lingdom o+ "od includes all 1is Sons and their children# ,ho are li:e the Sons as they are li:e the 3ather- Lno, then the Sons o+ "od# and you ,ill :no, A!! Creation> &K& >

May &K Bou are hampered in your progress 'y your demands to :no, ,hat you do not

206

:no,- This is actually a ,ay o+ hanging on to depri*ation- Bou cannot reasona'ly o'@ect to +ollo,ing instructions in a course 3OR :no,ing# on the grounds that you do not :no,- The need +or the course is implicit in your o'@ection- Lno,ledge is not the moti*ation +or learning this course- EACE is- As the REREDUISITE +or :no,ledge# peace MUST 'e learned- This is O2!B 'ecause those ,ho are in con+lict are not peace+ul# and peace is the CO2(ITIO2 o+ :no,ledge 'ecause it is the condition o+ the LingdomLno,ledge ,ill 'e restored ,hen BOU meet its conditions- This is not a 'argain made 'y "od# ,ho made no 'argains at all- It is merely the result o+ your misuse o+ 1is !a,s on 'ehal+ o+ a ,ill that ,as not 1is- Lno,ledge IS 1is 4ill- I+ you are O OSI2" 1is 4ill# ho, CA2 you ha*e :no,ledgeE I ha*e told you ,hat :no,ledge O33ERS you# 'ut it is clear that you do 2OT regard this as ,holly desira'le- I+ you did# you ,ould hardly 'e ,illing to thro, it a,ay so readily# ,hen the ego as:s +or your allegianceThe distraction o+ the ego SEEMS to inter+ere ,ith your learning# 'ut it 1AS no po,er to distract unless you "IHE it the po,er- The ego=s *oice is an hallucinationBou cannot e<pect the E"O to say )I am not real-. 1allucinations ARE inaccurate perceptions o+ reality- But you are 2OT as:ed to dispel them alone- Bou are merely as:ed to e*aluate them in terms o+ their results TO BOU- I+ you (O 2OT 4A2T T1EM on the 'asis o+ !OSS O3 EACE# they ,ill 'e remo*ed +rom your mind 3OR you- E*ery response to the ego is a call to ,ar# and ,ar (OES depri*e you o+ peaceBet in this ,ar T1ERE IS 2O O O2E2T- T1IS is the reinterpretation o+ reality ,hich you must ma:e to secure peace# and the O2!B one you need e*er ma:eThose ,hom you ERCEIHE as opponents are ART o+ your peace# ,hich BOU are gi*ing up 'y attac:ing them- 1o, can you ha*e ,hat BOU gi*e upE Bou S1ARE to ha*e# 'ut you do 2OT gi*e it up yoursel*es- 4hen you gi*e up peace# you are EXC!U(I2" yoursel+ 3ROM it- This is a condition ,hich is so A!IE2 to the Lingdom that you CA22OT understand the state ,hich pre*ails 4IT1I2 itBour past learning MUST ha*e taught you the ,rong things# simply 'ecause it has not made you happy- On this 'asis alone# its *alue should 'e ?uestioned- I+ learning aims at C1A2"E# and that is A!4ABS its purpose# are you satis+ied ,ith the changes BOURS has 'rought youE (issatis+action ,ith the learning outcome MUST 'e a sign o+ learning +ailure# 'ecause it means that you did 2OT get ,hat you 4A2T-

207

The curriculum o+ the Atonement IS the opposite o+ the curriculum you ha*e esta'lished +or yoursel*es# 'ut SO IS ITS OUTCOME- I+ the outcome o+ yours has made you unhappy# and i+ you 4A2T a di++erent outcome# a change in the curriculum is o'*iously necessary> &K$ >

May $8# &5JJ The +irst change that MUST 'e introduced is a change in (IRECTIO2- A meaning+ul curriculum CA22OT 'e inconsistent- I+ it is planned 'y t,o teachers# each 'elie*ing in diametrically opposed ideas# it CA22OT 'e integrated- I+ it is carried out 'y these t,o teachers simultaneously# EAC1 O2E MERE!B I2TER3ERES 4IT1 T1E OT1ERThis leads to +luctuation# 'ut 2OT to change- The *olatile 1AHE no direction- They cannot choose one# 'ecause they CA22OT relin?uish the others EHE2 I3 T1E OT1ERS (O 2OT EXIST- Their con+licted curriculum teaches them that A!! directions e<ist# and gi*es them no RATIO2A!E +or choiceThe total senselessness o+ such a curriculum must 'e +ully recogni9ed 'e+ore a real change in direction 'ecomes possi'le- Bou CA22OT learn simultaneously +rom t,o teachers ,ho are in TOTA! (ISA"REEME2T ABOUT EHERBT1I2"- Their @oint curriculum presents an IM OSSIB!E learning tas:- They are teaching you E2TIRE!B di++erent things in E2TIRE!B di++erent ,ays# ,hich ,ould 'e possi'le e<cept +or the crucial +act that 'oth are teaching you a'out BOURSE!3- Bour REA!ITB is una++ected 'y 'oth- But i+ you !ISTE2 to 'oth# your mind ,ill split on 41AT BOUR REA!ITB ISThere IS a rationale +or choice- Only O2E teacher L2O4S ,hat your reality is- I+ learning that is the UR OSE o+ the curriculum# you MUST learn it o+ 1im- The ego does 2OT L2O4 41AT IT IS TRBI2" TO TEAC1- It is trying to teach you ,hat you are 4IT1OUT L2O4I2" IT- The ego is e<pert O2!B in con+usion- It does not understand A2BT1I2" E!SE- As a teacher# then# it is totally con+used and TOTA!!B CO23USI2"E*en i+ you could disregard the 1oly Spirit entirely# ,hich is ?uite impossi'le# you could learn nothing +rom the ego# 'ecause the ego L2O4S nothing- Is there A2B possi'le reason +or choosing a teacher such as thisE (oes the TOTA! disregard o+ A2BT1I2" it teaches ma:e anything BUT senseE Is T1IS the teacher to ,hom a Son o+ "od should turn to +ind 1IMSE!3E The ego has ne*er gi*en you a sensi'le ans,er to anythingSimply on the grounds o+ your o,n e<perience ,ith the ego=s teaching# should not this alone dis?uali+y it as your +uture teacherE

208

But the ego has done more harm to your learning than this alone- !earning is @oy+ul i+ it leads you along your natural path# and +acilitates the de*elopment o+ 41AT BOU 1AHE- But ,hen you are taught A"AI2ST your nature# you ,ill lose 'y your learning# 'ecause your learning ,ill IM RISO2 you- Bour ,ill is I2 your nature# and there+ore CA22OT go A"AI2ST it- The ego cannot teach you anything as long as your ,ill is +ree# 'ecause you 4I!! 2OT !ISTE2 TO IT- It is 2OT your ,ill to 'e imprisoned# BECAUSE your ,ill is +reeThat is ,hy the ego IS the denial o+ +ree ,ill- It is 2EHER "od 4ho coerces you# 'ecause 1e S1ARES 1is 4ill 4IT1 you- 1is *oice teaches O2!B 1is 4ill# 'ut that is not the 1oly Spirit=s lesson# 'ecause that is ,hat you ARE- The !ESSO2 is that your ,ill and "od=s CA22OT 'e out o+ accord 'ecause they ARE one- This is the U2doing o+
> &K8 >

EHERBT1I2" the ego tries to teach- It is not# then# only the (IRECTIO2 Ao+ the curriculumEC ,hich must 'e uncon+licted# 'ut also the CO2TE2TThe ego ,ants to teach you that you ,ant to O OSE "od=s 4ill- This unnatural lesson CA22OT 'e learned# 'ut the ATTEM T to learn it is a *iolation o+ your o,n +reedom# and ma:es you A3RAI( o+ your ,ill BECAUSE it is +ree- The 1oly Spirit opposes A2B imprisoning o+ the ,ill o+ a Son o+ "od# L2O4I2" that the ,ill o+ the Son IS the 3ather=s- 1e leads you steadily along the path o+ +reedom# teaching you ho, to disregard# or loo: 'eyond EHERBT1I2" that ,ould hold you 'ac:4e said 'e+ore that the 1oly Spirit teaches you the di++erence 'et,een pain and @oyThat is the same as saying that 1e teaches you the di++erence 'et,een imprisonment and +reedom- BOU CA22OT MALE T1IS (ISTI2CTIO2 4IT1OUT 1IM- That is 'ecause you ha*e taught BOURSE!3 that imprisonment IS +reedom- Belie*ing them to 'e the same# ho, can you tell them apartE Can you as: the part o+ your mind that taught you to 'elie*e they ARE the same to teach you the (I33ERE2CEE The 1oly Spirit=s teaching ta:es only one direction# and has only one goal- 1is direction is +reedom# and 1is goal is "od- But 1e cannot concei*e o+ "od ,ithout BOU# 'ecause it ,as not "od=s 4ill to BE ,ithout you- 4hen you ha*e learned that your ,ill IS "od=s# you could no more ,ill to 'e ,ithout 1im than 1e could ,ill to 'e ,ithout BOU- This IS +reedom and this IS @oy- (eny BOURSE!3 this# and you ARE denying "od 1is Lingdom# 'ecause 1e created you 3OR this4hen ,e said# )All po,er and glory are yours 'ecause the Lingdom is 1is#. this is ,hat ,e meantF The 4ill o+ "od is ,ithout limit# and all po,er and glory lie ,ithin it- It is 'oundless in strength and in lo*e and in peace- It has no 'oundaries 'ecause its

209

e<tension is unlimited# and it encompasses all things 'ecause it CREATE( all things- By CREATI2" all things# it made them ART O3 ITSE!3- BOU are the 4ill o+ "od# 'ecause this is ho, you ,ere created- Because your Creator creates only li:e 1imsel+# you ARE li:e 1imBou are part o+ 1im ,ho IS all po,er and glory# and are there+ore as unlimited as 1e is- To ,hat else EXCE T all po,er and glory can the 1oly Spirit appeal to restore "od=s LingdomE 1is appeal# then# is merely to ,hat the Lingdom is# and +or its o,n ac:no,ledgment o+ ,hat it is- 4hen you ac:no,ledge T1IS# you 'ring the ac:no,ledgment automatically to e*eryone# 'ecause BOU 1AHE ACL2O4!E("E( EHERBO2E- By your recognition you a,a:en theirs# and through theirs BOURS is e<tended- A,a:ening runs easily and gladly through the Lingdom in ans,er to the call o+ "od- This is the natural response o+ e*ery Son o+ "od to the Hoice o+ 1is Creator# 'ecause it is the *oice +or 1IS creations and +or his o,n e<tension"lory 'e to "od in the highest# and to BOU 'ecause 1e has so ,illed it- As: and it shall 'e gi*en you# 'ecause it has already BEE2 gi*en- As: +or light and learn that you ARE light- I+ you 4A2T understanding and enlightenment you 4I!! learn it# 'ecause
> &KG >

your ,ill to learn it is your decision to listen to the Teacher ,ho L2O4S o+ light and can there+ore TEAC1 IT TO BOUThere is no limit on your learning# 'ecause there is no limit on your MI2(S- There is no limit on 1is ,ill to teach# 'ecause 1e ,as created 'y unlimited 4ill in OR(ER to teach- L2O4I2" 1is +unction per+ectly# 1e ,ills to +ul+ill it per+ectly# 'ecause that is 1is @oy and BOURS- To +ul+ill the 4ill o+ "od per+ectly is the only @oy and peace that can 'e +ully L2O42# 'ecause it is the only +unction that can 'e 3U!!B EX ERIE2CE(4hen this is accomplished# then# there IS no other e<perience- But the 4IS1 +or other e<perience ,ill 'loc: this# 'ecause "od=s 4ill CA22OT 'e +orced upon you# 'eing an e<perience o+ total 4I!!I2"2ESSThe 1oly Spirit :no,s ho, to teach this# 'ut BOU do not- That is ,hy you need 1im# and ,hy "od ga*e 1im TO you- Only 1IS teaching ,ill release your ,ill to "od=s# uniting it ,ith 1is po,er and glory# and esta'lishing them as yours- Bou ,ill share them as 1e shares them# 'ecause this is the natural outcome o+ their 'eing- The 4ill o+ the

210

3ather and o+ the Son are one together BB T1EIR EXTE2SIO2- Their e<tension is the RESU!T o+ their Oneness# holding T1EIR unity 'y e<tending their JOI2T ,illThis is per+ect creation 'y the per+ectly created in union ,ith the er+ect CreatorThe 3ather MUST gi*e +atherhood to 1is Sons# 'ecause 1is O,n 3atherhood must 'e e<tended out,ard- Bou ,ho 'elong in "od ha*e the holy +unction o+ e<tending 1is 3atherhood 'y placing no limits upon it- !et the 1oly Spirit teach you 1O4 to do this# +or you ,ill :no, ,hat it MEA2S o+ "od 1imsel+4hen you meet anyone# remem'er it is a holy encounter- As you see him# you ,ill see yoursel+- As you treat him# you ,ill treat yoursel+- As you thin: o+ him# you ,ill thin: o+ yoursel+- 2e*er +orget this# +or in him you ,ill +ind yoursel+ or lose sight o+ yoursel+4hene*er t,o Sons o+ "od meet they are gi*en another chance at Sal*ation- (o not lea*e anyone ,ithout gi*ing sal*ation TO him and recei*ing it yoursel+- 3or I am al,ays there 4IT1 you# in remem'rance o+ BOUThe goal o+ the curriculum# regardless o+ the teacher you choose# is L2O4 T1BSE!3There is nothing else to learn- E*eryone is loo:ing +or himsel+ and the po,er and glory he thin:s he has lost- 4hene*er you are ,ith anyone E!SE# you ha*e another opportunity to +ind them- Bour po,er and glory are in 1IM BECAUSE they are yours- The ego tries to +ind them in BOURSE!3# 'ecause he does not :no, ,here to loo:- But the 1oly Spirit teaches you that i+ you loo: only at yoursel+ you CA22OT +ind yoursel+ 'ecause that is 2OT ,hat you are4hene*er you are ,ith a 'rother you are learning ,hat you are# 'ecause you are TEAC1I2" ,hat you are- 1e ,ill respond either ,ith pain or ,ith @oy# depending on ,hich teacher BOU are +ollo,ing- 1E ,ill 'e imprisoned or released according to your decision# A2( SO 4I!! BOU- 2e*er +orget your responsi'ility to him# 'ecause it is your responsi'ility to BOURSE!3- "i*e him 1IS place in the Lingdom# and you ,ill ha*e
> &K6 >

BOURS- The Lingdom CA22OT 'e +ound alone# and you ,ho ARE the Lingdom cannot +ind BOURSE!HES aloneTo achie*e the goal o+ the curriculum# then# you CA22OT listen to the ego- Its purpose is to (E3EAT ITS O42 "OA!- It does not :no, this# 'ecause it does not :no, anything- But BOU can :no, this# and you 4I!! :no, it i+ you are ,illing to loo: at ,hat the ego has made o+ BOU- This IS your responsi'ility# 'ecause once you ha*e really done this you 4I!! accept the Atonement +or yoursel+- 4hat other choice could you

211

ma:eE 1a*ing made this choice# you ,ill 'egin to learn and understand ,hy you ha*e 'elie*ed that ,hen you met someone else# you ha*e thought he ,as someone elseAnd e*ery holy encounter in ,hich BOU enter +ully ,ill teach you T1AT T1IS IS 2OT SOBou can encounter O2!B part o+ yoursel+# 'ecause you are part o+ "od 41O IS EHERBT1I2"- 1is po,er and glory are e*ery,here# and you CA22OT 'e e<cluded +rom them- The ego teaches that your strength is in you A!O2E- The 1oly Spirit teaches that A!! strength is in "od and T1ERE3ORE in you"od ,ills 2O>O2E su++er- 1e does not ,ill A2BO2E to su++er +or a ,rong decision you ha*e made# including BOURSE!3- That is ,hy 1e has gi*en you the means +or U2(OI2" it- Through 1is po,er and glory all your ,rong decisions are undone COM !ETE!B# releasing you A2( your 'rothers +rom EHERB IM RISO2I2" T1OU"1T A2B part o+ the Sonship has accepted- 4rong decisions 1AHE no po,er BECAUSE they are not true- The imprisonment ,hich they SEEM to produce is no more true than T1EB areo,er and glory 'elong to "od alone- So do BOU- "od gi*es 41ATEHER 'elongs to 1im# 'ecause 1e gi*es O3 1IMSE!3# and EHERBT1I2" 'elongs to 1im- "i*ing o+ BOUR sel+ is the +unction 1e ga*e you- 3ul+illing it per+ectly ,ill teach you ,hat BOU ha*e o+ 1IM- And this ,ill teach you ,hat you are I2 1im- Bou CA22OT 'e po,er!ESS to do this# 'ecause this IS your po,er- "lory is "od=s gi+t to you 'ecause that is ,hat 1E is- See this glory e*ery,here# to learn ,hat BOU areMay 8&# &5JJ I+ "od=s 4ill +or you is complete peace and @oy# unless you e<perience O2!B this you MUST 'e re+using to ac:no,ledge 1is 4ill- 1is 4ill does not *acillate# 'eing changeless +ore*er- 4hen you are not at peace# it can only 'e 'ecause you do not 'elie*e you are I2 1IM- Bet 1e is all in all- 1is peace IS complete# and you MUST 'e included in it- 1is la,s go*ern you 'ecause they go*ern EHERBT1I2"- Bou cannot e<empt yoursel+ +rom 1is la,s# although you CA2 diso'ey them- But i+ you do# and O2!B i+ you do# you 4I!! +eel lonely and helpless# 'ecause you Are denying yoursel+ e*erythingI am come as a light into the ,orld ,hich (OES deny itsel+ e*erything- It does this simply 'y dissociating itsel+ 3ROM e*erything- It is there+ore an illusion o+ isolation# MAI2TAI2E( 'y +ear o+ the same loneliness ,hich IS its illusion- I ha*e told you that I
> &KJ >

am ,ith you al,ays e*en to the end o+ the ,orld- That is 41B I am the light o+ the ,orld- I+ I am ,ith you in the loneliness o+ the ,orld# T1E !O2E!I2ESS IS "O2EBou

212

CA22OT maintain the illusion o+ loneliness i+ you are 2OT aloneMy purpose# then# IS to o*ercome the ,orld- I do not attac: it# 'ut my light must dispel it 'ecause o+ 41AT IT IS- !ight does not ATTACL dar:ness# 'ut it (OES shine it a,ay- I+ my light goes ,ith you e*ery,here# BOU shine it a,ay 4IT1 ME- The light 'ecomes OURS# and you CA22OT a'ide in dar:ness# any more than dar:ness can a'ide any,here you go- The remem'rance o+ me IS the remem'rance o+ yoursel+ and o+ 1im 4ho sent me to youBou 4ERE in dar:ness until "od=s 4ill ,as done completely 'y A2B part o+ the Sonship- 4hen it ,as# it ,as per+ectly accomplished 'y A!!- 1o, else could it BE per+ectly accomplishedE My mission ,as simply to U2ITE the 4ill o+ the Sonship 4IT1 the 4ill o+ the 3ather 'y 'eing a,are o+ the 3ather=s 4ill mysel+- This is the a,areness I came to gi*e BOU# and BOUR pro'lem in accepting it IS the pro'lem o+ this ,orld- (ispelling it is sal*ation# and in this sense I AM the sal*ation o+ the ,orldThe ,orld MUST despise and re@ect me# 'ecause the ,orld IS the 'elie+ that lo*e is impossi'le- BOUR reactions to me ARE the reactions o+ the ,orld to "od- I+ you ,ill accept the +act that I am ,ith you# you are (E2BI2" the ,orld and ACCE TI2" "O(My ,ill IS 1is# and BOUR ,ill to hear me IS the decision to hear 1is Hoice and a'ide in 1is 4ill- As 1e sent me to you# so ,ill I send you to others- But I ,ill go to them 4IT1 you# so ,e can teach them union and peace(o you not thin: the ,orld needs peace as much as you doE (o you not ,ant to gi*e it to the ,orld as much as you ,ant to recei*e itE 3or unless you do# you ,ill 2OT recei*e it- I+ you ,ill to ha*e it o+ me# you MUST gi*e it- Reha'ilitation does not come +rom anyone E!SE- Bou can ha*e "UI(A2CE +rom ,ithout# 'ut you must ACCE T it +rom ,ithin- The guidance must 'ecome ,hat BOU ,ant# or else it ,ill 'e meaningless to you- That is ,hy reha'ilitation is a colla'orati*e *enture- I can tell you ,hat to (O# 'ut this ,ill not really help you unless you colla'orate 'y 'elie*ing that I L2O4 ,hat to doOnly then ,ill your MI2( ,ill to +ollo, me4ithout BOUR ,ill# you cannot 'e reha'ilitated- MOTIHATIO2 TO BE 1EA!E( is the crucial +actor in reha'ilitation- 4ithout this# you are deciding A"AI2ST healing# and your *eto o+ my ,ill 3OR you MALES 1EA!I2" IM OSSIB!E- I+ healing IS our @oint ,ill#

213

unless our ,ills ARE @oined you CA22OT 'e healed- This is o'*ious ,hen you consider ,hat healing is 3OR1ealing is the ,ay in ,hich the separation is o*ercome- Separation is o*ercome 'y U2IO2- It CA22OT 'e o*ercome 'y separating- The 4I!! to unite must 'e une?ui*ocal# or the ,ill ITSE!3 is separated or 2OT 41O!E- Bour ,ill is the means 'y ,hich you determine your o,n condition# 'ecause ,ill is the MEC1A2ISM O3 (ECISIO2- It is the po,er 'y ,hich you separate or @oin# and e<perience pain or @oy accordingly- My ,ill
> &K7 >

cannot OHERCOME yours# 'ecause BOURS IS AS O4ER3U! AS MI2E- I+ it ,ere not so# the Sons o+ "od ,ould 'e une?ualAll things BECOME possi'le through our JOI2T ,ill- But my ,ill alone ,ill not help you- Bour ,ill is as +ree as mine# and "od 1imsel+ ,ould not go against it- I cannot ,ill ,hat "od does 2OT ,ill- I CA2 o++er you my ,ill to ma:e BOURS in*inci'le 'y this sharing# 'ut I CA22OT oppose yours ,ithout competing ,ith it and there'y *iolating "od=s 4ill +or you- 2othing "od created can oppose your ,ill# as nothing "od created can oppose 1is- "od "AHE your ,ill its po,er# ,hich I can only ac:no,ledge in honor o+ 1ISI+ you ,ant to 'e !ILE me# I ,ill help you# :no,ing that ,e ARE ali:e- I+ you ,ant to 'e (I33ERE2T# I ,ill ,ait until you change your mind- I can TEAC1 you# 'ut only you can choose to !ISTE2 to my teaching- 1o, else can it 'e# i+ "od=s Lingdom IS +reedomE 3reedom cannot 'e learned 'y tyranny o+ A2B :ind# and the per+ect e?uality o+ A!! "od=s Sons cannot 'e recogni9ed through the dominion o+ one ,ill o*er another"od=s Sons are e?ual in ,ill# all 'eing the 4ill o+ their 3ather- This is the O2!B lesson I can teach# :no,ing that it is true4hen your ,ill is 2OT mine# it is not Our 3ather=s- This means that you ha*e imprisoned BOURS# and ha*e not !ET it 'e +ree- O+ yoursel*es you can do nothing# 'ecause o+ yoursel*es you ARE nothing- I am nothing ,ithout the 3ather# and BOU are nothing ,ithout me 'ecause 'y (E2BI2" the 3ather you deny BOURSE!3- I ,ill A!4ABS remem'er you# and in MB remem'rance O3 you lies your remem'rance o+ BOURSE!3In our remem'rance o+ EAC1 OT1ER lies our remem'rance o+ "od- And in this remem'rance lies your +reedom# 'ecause your +reedom is in 1imJoin then ,ith me in praise o+ 1im A2( you ,hom 1e created- This is our gi+t o+ gratitude to 1im# ,hich 1e ,ill share ,ith A!! 1is Creations# to ,hom 1e gi*es e?ually

214

,hate*er is accepta'le to 1im- BECAUSE it is accepta'le to 1im# it is the gi+t o+ +reedom# ,hich IS 1is 4ill +or all 1is Sons- By O33ERI2" +reedom you ,ill 'e +ree# 'ecause +reedom is the only gi+t ,hich you can o++er to "od=s Sons# 'eing an ac:no,ledgment o+ ,hat they are and ,hat 1E is3reedom is creation 'ecause it is lo*e- 4hat you see: to imprison you do 2OT lo*e- There+ore# ,hen you see: to imprison A2BO2E# including BOURSE!3# you do not lo*e him and you cannot identi+y ,ith him- 4hen you imprison yoursel+# you are losing sight o+ your true identi+ication ,ith me and ,ith the 3ather- Bour identi+ication IS ,ith the 3ather and ,ith the Son- It CA22OT 'e ,ith one and not the other- I+ you are part o+ one# you MUST 'e part o+ the other 'ecause they ARE OneThe 1oly Trinity is holy BECAUSE It is One- I+ you e<clude yoursel+ +rom this union# you are percei*ing the 1oly Trinity as separated- Bou MUST 'e included in It# 'ecause It IS e*erything- Unless you ta:e your place in It and +ul+ill your +unction AS part o+ It# It is as 'ere+t as BOU are- 2o part o+ It can 'e imprisoned i+ Its Truth is to 'e :no,n> &KK >

Can you 'e separated +rom your identi+ication and 'e at peaceE (issociation is 2OT a solutionP it is a (E!USIO2- The delusional 'elie*e that truth ,ill ASSAI! them# and so they (O 2OT SEE IT 'ecause they pre+er the delusion- Judging truth as something they do 2OT ,ant# they percei*e deception and 'loc: :no,ledge- 1elp them 'y o++ering them BOUR uni+ied ,ill on their 'ehal+# as I am o++ering you mine on BOURS- Alone ,e can do nothing# 'ut TO"ET1ER our ,ills +use into something ,hose po,er is +ar 'eyond the po,er o+ its separate partsBy 2OT BEI2" SE ARATE# the 4ill o+ "od is esta'lished I2 ours and AS oursThis ,ill is in*inci'le BECAUSE it is undi*ided- The U2(IHI(E( ,ill o+ the Sonship is the per+ect creator# 'eing ,holly in the li:eness o+ "od# 4hose 4ill it IS- BOU cannot 'e e<empt +rom it# i+ you are to understand ,hat it is and ,hat BOU are- By separating your ,ill +rom mine# you ARE e<empting yoursel+ +rom the 4ill o+ "od ,hich IS yoursel+But to heal is still to ma:e ,hole- There+ore to heal is to U2ITE ,ith those ,ho are !ILE you# 'ecause percei*ing this li:eness IS to recogni9e the 3ather- I+ BOUR per+ection is in 1im and O2!B in 1im# ho, can you L2O4 it 4IT1OUT recogni9ing 1imE The recognition o+ "od is the recognition o+ yoursel+- There IS no separation o+ "od and 1is Creation- Bou ,ill learn this as you learn that there is no separation o+ BOUR ,ill and mine-

215

!et the lo*e o+ "od shine upon you 'y your acceptance o+ me- MB reality is yours and 1is- By @oining BOUR ,ill ,ith mine# you are signi+ying your a,areness that the 4ill o+ "od is One- 1is Oneness and ours are not separate# 'ecause 1is Oneness E2COM ASSES ours- To @oin 4IT1 me is to restore 1is po,er TO you BECAUSE ,e are sharing it- I o++er you only the recognition o+ 1is po,er in you# 'ut in that lies A!! truthAs 4E unite# ,e unite ,ith 1im- "lory 'e to the union o+ "od and 1is 1oly Sons# 'ecause all glory lies I2 them 'ecause they ARE unitedThe miracles 4E do 'ear ,itness to the 4ill o+ the 3ather +or 1is Son# and to our @oy in uniting ,ith 1is 4ill 3OR us- 4hen you unite ,ith me# you are uniting 4IT1OUT the ego# 'ecause I ha*e renounced the ego in mysel+# and there+ore CA22OT unite ,ith yours- OUR union is there+ore the ,ay to renounce the ego in yoursel*es- The truth in 'oth o+ us is BEBO2( the ego- By ,illing that# you 1AHE gone 'eyond it to,ard truthOur success in transcending the ego is guaranteed 'y "od# and I can share my per+ect con+idence I2 1is romise 'ecause I :no, 1e ga*e me this con+idence +or 'oth o+ us and A!! o+ us- I 'ring 1is eace 'ac: to all 1is Children# 'ecause I recei*ed it o+ 1im +or us all- 2othing can pre*ail against our united ,ills# 'ecause nothing can pre*ail against "od=s- 4ould ye :no, the 4ill o+ "od +or BOUE As: it o+ me# ,ho :no, it +or you# and you ,ill +ind it- I ,ill deny BOU nothing# as "od denies ME nothingOurs is simply the @ourney 'ac: to "od 4ho is our home- 4hene*er +ear intrudes any,here along the road to peace# it is A!4ABS 'ecause the ego has attempted to JOI2 the @ourney ,ith us A2( CA22OT (O SO- Sensing de+eat and angered 'y it# it regards itsel+ as re@ected and 'ecomes retaliati*e- Bou are in*ulnera'le to its retaliation BECAUSE
> &K5 >

I AM 4IT1 BOU- On this @ourney# you ha*e chosen me as your companion I2STEA( o+ your ego- (o not try to hold on to 'oth# or you ,ill try to go in di++erent directions and ,ill lose the ,ayThe ego=s ,ay is not mine# 'ut it is also 2OT BOURS- The 1oly Spirit has one direction +or A!! minds# and the one 1e taught me IS yours- !et us not lose sight o+ 1is direction through illusions# +or O2!B illusions o+ another direction can o'scure the one +or ,hich "od=s Hoice spea:s in all o+ us- 2e*er accord the ego the po,er to inter+ere ,ith the @ourney# 'ecause it 1AS none# and the @ourney is the ,ay to ,hat is TRUE!ea*e A!! deception 'ehind# and reach 'eyond all attempts o+ the ego to hold you 'ac:-

216

I (O go 'e+ore you# 'ecause I AM 'eyond the ego- Reach there+ore +or my hand 'ecause you 4A2T to transcend the ego- My ,ill ,ill 2EHER 'e ,anting# and i+ you ,ant to share it BOU 4I!!- I gi*e it ,illingly and gladly# 'ecause I need BOU as much as you need ME- 4E are the @oint ,ill o+ the Sonship# ,hose ,holeness is +or all- 4e 'egin the @ourney 'ac: 'y setting out TO"ET1ER# and gather in our 'rothers as ,e CO2TI2UE togetherE*ery gain in our strength is o++ered +or all# so they# too# can lay aside their ,ea:ness and add their strength to us- "od=s ,elcome ,aits +or us all# and 1e ,ill ,elcome us as I am ,elcoming BOU- 3orget not the Lingdom o+ "od +or anything the ,orld has to o++er- The ,orld can add nothing to the po,er and the glory o+ "od and 1is 1oly Sons# 'ut it CA2 'lind the Sons to the 3ather i+ they 'ehold it- Bou cannot 'ehold the ,orld and :no, "od- Only one is trueI am come to tell you that the choice o+ ,hich is true is not yours- I+ it ,ere# you ,ould ha*e destroyed yoursel*es- But "od did not ,ill the destruction o+ 1is Creations# ha*ing created them +or eternity- 1is 4ill has sa*ed you# not +rom yoursel*es# 'ut +rom your illusions o+ yoursel*es- 1e has sa*ed you 3OR yoursel*es- !et us glori+y 1im 4hom the ,orld denies# +or o*er 1is Lingdom it has no po,erJune J# &5JJ 2o>one created 'y "od can +ind @oy in anything e<cept the eternal- That is not 'ecause he is (E RIHE( o+ anything else# 'ut 'ecause nothing else is 4ORT1B o+ him4hat "od A2( 1is Sons create IS eternal# and in this and this only is their @oy!isten to the story o+ the prodigal son# and learn ,hat "od=s treasure is and BOURSF This son o+ a lo*ing +ather le+t his home and thought he s?uandered e*erything +or nothing o+ any *alue# though he did not :no, its ,orthlessness at the time- 1e ,as ashamed to return to his +ather# 'ecause he thought he had hurt him- But ,hen he came home the +ather ,elcomed him ,ith @oy# 'ecause only the son himsel+ 4AS his +ather=s treasure- 1E 4A2TE( 2OT1I2" E!SE"od ,ants only 1is Son# 'ecause 1is Son is 1is only treasure- Bou ,ant your creations# as 1e ,ants 1is- Bour creations are your gi+t to the 1oly Trinity# created in
> &5% >

gratitude +or BOUR creation- They do not lea*e you# any more than you ha*e le+t BOUR Creator- But they EXTE2( your creation# as "od e<tended 1imsel+ to BOU- Can the Creations o+ "od 1imsel+ ta:e @oy in ,hat is not realE And ,hat IS real e<cept the Creations o+ "od and those ,hich are created li:e 1isE BOUR creations lo*e you as your Soul lo*es

217

your 3ather 3OR T1E "I3T O3 CREATIO2- There is no other gi+t that is eternal# and there+ore T1ERE IS 2O OT1ER "I3T T1AT IS TRUE1o,# then# can you accept anything else# or "IHE anything else# and e<pect @oy in returnE And ,hat else BUT @oy ,ould you ,antE Bou made neither yoursel+ nor your +unction- BOU ha*e made only the (ECISIO2 to 'e un,orthy o+ 'oth- But you COU!( not ma:e BOURSE!3 un,orthy 'ecause BOU ARE T1E TREASURE O3 "O(4hat 1E *alues IS *alua'le- There CA2 'e no ?uestion o+ its ,orth# 'ecause its *alue lies in "od=s sharing 1imsel+ ,ith it and ESTAB!IS1I2" ITS HA!UE 3OREHER- BOUR +unction is to A(( to "od=s treasure 'y creating BOURS- 1is ,ill TO you is 1is 4ill 3OR you- 1e ,ould not ,ithhold creation +rom you# 'ecause 1IS @oy is in itBou CA22OT +ind @oy EXCE T as 1e does- 1IS @oy lay in creating BOU# and 1e e<tends 1is 3atherhood to you so that you can e<tend yoursel+ AS 1E (I(- Bou do not understand this 'ecause you do not understand 1im- 2o one ,ho does not :no, his +unction can understand it- And no one CA2 :no, his +unction unless he :no,s ,ho he IS- Creation is the 4ill o+ "od- 1is 4ill created you TO CREATE- Bour ,ill ,as not created separate +rom 1is# and so it ,ills as 1E ,illsAn un,illing ,ill does not mean anything# 'ecause it is a contradiction in terms ,hich actually lea*es nothing- Bou can ma:e yoursel+ po,erless only in a ,ay that has 2O MEA2I2" AT A!!- 4hen you T1I2L you are un,illing to ,ill ,ith "od# BOU ARE 2OT T1I2LI2"- "od=s ,ill IS thought- It cannot 'e contradicted BB thought- "od does not contradict 1IMSE!3- And 1is Sons# ,ho are li:e 1im# cannot contradict themsel*es OR 1im- But their thought is so po,er+ul that they can e*en imprison the mind o+ "od=s Son I3 T1EB SO C1OOSE- This choice (OES ma:e the Son=s +unction un:no,n TO 1IM# 'ut ne*er to his Creator- And BECAUSE it is not un:no,n to his Creator# it is +ore*er :no,a'le to himThere is no ?uestion 'ut one you should e*er as: o+ yoursel+F )(o I ,ant to :no, my 3ather=s 4ill +or meE. 1E ,ill not hide it- 1e has re*ealed it to me 'ecause I as:ed it o+ 1im# and learned o+ ,hat 1e had already gi*en- Our +unction is to +unction together# 'ecause apart +rom each other ,e cannot +unction at all- The ,hole po,er o+ "od=s Son lies in all o+ us# 'ut not in any o+ us alone- "od ,ould not ha*e us 'e alone 'ecause 1E does not ,ill to 'e alone- That is ,hy 1e created 1is Son and ga*e him the po,er to

218

create ,ith 1im- Our creations are as holy as ,e are# and ,e are the Sons o+ "od 1imsel+# and there+ore as holy as 1e is- Through our creations ,e e<tend our !o*e# and thus increase the @oy o+ the 1oly Trinity- Bou do not understand this +or a *ery simple reasonBou ,ho are "od=s o,n treasure do not regard yoursel*es as *alua'le- "i*en this 'elie+ BOU CA22OT U2(ERSTA2( A2BT1I2"> &5& >

I share ,ith "od the :no,ledge o+ the *alue 1e puts upon you- My de*otion to you is o+ 1im# 'eing 'orn o+ my :no,ledge o+ mysel+ A2( 1im- 4e cannot BE separated4hom "od has @oined CA22OT 'e separated# and "od has @oined all 1is Sons 4IT1 1IMSE!3- Can you 'e separated +rom your li+e and your 'eingE The @ourney to "od is merely the rea,a:ening o+ the :no,ledge o+ ,here you are al,ays# and ,hat you are +ore*er- It is a @ourney ,ithout distance# to a goal that has ne*er changedTruth can only 'e EX ERIE2CE(- It cannot 'e descri'ed and it cannot 'e e<plainedI can ma:e you a,are o+ the CO2(ITIO2S o+ truth# 'ut the e<perience is o+ "odTogether ,e can meet its conditions# 'ut truth ,ill da,n upon you o+ itsel+- 4hat "od has ,illed +or you IS yours- 1e has gi*en 1is 4ill to 1is treasure# ,hose treasure It is- Bour heart lies ,here your treasure is# as 1is does- Bou ,ho are 'elo*ed o+ "od are ,holly 'lessed!earn this o+ me# and +ree the 1oly 4ill o+ all those ,ho are as 'lessed as you areAttac: is A!4ABS physical- 4hen attac: in A2B +orm enters your mind# you are EDUATI2" BOURSE!3 4IT1 A BO(B- This is the ego=s I2TER RETATIO2 o+ the 'odyBou do not ha*e to ATTACL physically to accept this interpretationP you ARE accepting it simply 'y the 'elie+ that attac: can "ET BOU SOMET1I2" BOU 4A2T- I+ you did 2OT 'elie*e this# the I(EA o+ attac: ,ould ha*e no appeal to you4hen you e?uate yoursel+ ,ith a 'ody# you ,ill A!4ABS e<perience depression4hen a Child o+ "od thin:s o+ himsel+ in this ,ay# he is 'elittling himsel+ and seeing his 'rothers as similarly 'elittled- Since he can +ind himsel+ O2!B in them# he has cut himsel+ o++ +rom sal*ation- Remem'er that the 1oly Spirit interprets the 'ody O2!B as a means o+ communication- Being the communication lin: 'et,een "od and 1is separated Sons# 1e interprets e*erything BOU ha*e in the light o+ ,hat 1E isThe ego SE ARATES through the 'ody- The 1oly Spirit reaches through it to others-

219

Bou do not percei*e your 'rothers as the 1oly Spirit does 'ecause you do not interpret their 'odies A2( BOURS solely as a means o+ JOI2I2" T1EIR MI2(S and uniting them ,ith yours and mine- This interpretation o+ the 'ody ,ill change your mind entirely a'out its *alue- O+ itsel+ it has 2O2E- I+ you use it +or attac: it is harm+ul to you- But i+ you use it O2!B to reach the minds o+ those ,ho 'elie*e they ARE 'odies and teach them T1ROU"1 the 'ody that T1IS IS 2OT SO# you ,ill 'egin to understand the po,er o+ the mind that is in 'oth o+ you- I+ you use the 'ody +or this# and O2!B +or this# you CA22OT use it +or attac:- In the ser*ice o+ uniting# it 'ecomes a 'eauti+ul lesson in communion# ,hich has *alue until communion ISThis is "od=s ,ay o+ ma:ing unlimited ,hat BOU ha*e limited- 1is Hoice does not see the 'ody as BOU do# 'ecause 1e :no,s the O2!B reality that A2BT1I2" can ha*e is the ser*ice it can render "od on 'ehal+ o+ the +unction 1e has gi*en itCommunication E2(S separation- Attac: ROMOTES it- The 'ody is ugly or 'eauti+ul# sa*age or holy# help+ul or harm+ul# according to the use to ,hich it is put- And in the 'ody o+ another you ,ill see the use to ,hich you put BOURS> &5$ >

I+ the 'ody 'ecomes +or you a means ,hich you gi*e to the 1oly Spirit to use on 'ehal+ o+ the union o+ the Sonship# you ,ill not see A2BT1I2" physical e<cept as 41AT IT IS- Use it +or truth# and you ,ill see it truly- MISuse it and you 4I!! misunderstand it# 'ecause you ha*e already done so BB misusing it- Interpret A2BT1I2" apart +rom the 1oly Spirit# and you ,ill mistrust it- This ,ill lead you to hatred and attac: and !OSS O3 EACEBut all loss comes only +rom your o,n misunderstanding- !oss o+ A2B :ind is impossi'le- 4hen you loo: upon a 'rother as a physical entity# 1IS po,er and glory are lost you to and SO ARE BOURS- Bou 1AHE attac:ed him# and you MUST ha*e attac:ed yoursel+ +irst- (o not see him this ,ay +or your O42 sal*ation# ,hich MUST 'ring him his- (o not A!!O4 him to 'elittle himsel+ in BOUR mind# 'ut gi*e him +reedom +rom his 'elie+ in littleness# and escape +rom BOURS- As part o+ BOU# 1E is holy- As part o+ ME# BOU are- To communicate ,ith a part o+ "od 1imsel+ is to reach 'eyond the Lingdom to its Creator# through 1is Hoice ,hich 1e has esta'lished as part o+ BOU-

220

Re@oice# then# that o+ yoursel*es you can do nothing- Bou are not O3 yoursel*esAnd 1e o+ 4hom you ARE has ,illed your po,er and glory 3OR you# ,ith ,hich you can per+ectly accomplish 1is holy 4ill +or you ,hen you so ,ill it yoursel+- 1e has not ,ithdra,n 1is gi+ts +rom BOU# 'ut BOU ha*e ,ithdra,n them +rom 1im- !et no Son o+ "od remain hidden +or 1is 2ame=s sa:e# 'ecause 1is 2ame is BOURSRemem'er that the Bi'le says# )The ,ord Aor thoughtC ,as made +lesh-. Strictly spea:ing# this is impossi'le# since it seems to in*ol*e the translation o+ one order o+ reality into another- (i++erent orders o+ reality merely SEEM to e<ist# @ust as di++erent orders o+ miracles do- Thought cannot 'e MA(E into +lesh e<cept 'y 'elie+# 'ecause thought is 2OT physical- But thought IS communication# +or ,hich the 'ody can 'e used- This is the only 2ATURA! use to ,hich it can 'e put- To use the 'ody U2naturally is to lose sight o+ the 1oly Spirit=s purpose# and thus to con+use the goal o+ 1is curriculumThere is nothing so +rustrating to a learner as to place him in a curriculum ,hich he cannot learn- 1is sense o+ ade?uacy su++ers# and he MUST 'ecome depressedBeing +aced ,ith an impossi'le learning situation# regardless o+ ,hy it is impossi'le# is the most depressing thing in the ,orld- In +act# it is ultimately 41B the ,orld is depressingThe 1oly Spirit=s curriculum is 2EHER depressing 'ecause it is a curriculum in @oy4hene*er the reaction to learning is depression# it is only 'ecause the goal o+ the curriculum has 'een lost sight o+In the ,orld# not e*en the 'ody is percei*ed as ,hole- Its purpose is seen as +ragmented into many +unctions ,hich 'ear little or no relationship to each other# so that it appears to 'e ruled 'y chaos- "uided 'y the ego# it IS- "uided 'y the 1oly Spirit# it is 2OT- It 'ecomes O2!B a means 'y ,hich the part o+ the mind ,hich you ha*e separated +rom your Soul can reach 'eyond its distortions and RETUR2 to the Soul- The ego=s temple thus 'ecomes the temple o+ the 1oly Spirit# ,here de*otion to 1im replaces de*otion to the ego- In this sense the 'ody (OES 'ecome a temple to "od# 'ecause 1is Hoice a'ides in it 'y directing the use TO 41IC1 BOU UT IT> &58 >

1ealing is the result o+ using the 'ody SO!E!B +or communication- Since this IS natural# it heals 'y ma:ing ,hole# ,hich is also natural- A!! mind is ,hole# and the 'elie+ that part o+ it is physical or 2OT MI2( is a +ragmented Aor sic:C interpretationMind CA22OT 'e made physical# 'ut it CA2 'e made mani+est through the physical i+ it uses the 'ody to "O BEBO2( itsel+- By reaching OUT# the mind EXTE2(S itsel+- It does not STO at the 'ody# +or i+ it does it is 'loc:ed in its purpose- A mind ,hich has 'een 'loc:ed has allo,ed itsel+ to 'e *ulnera'le to attac:# 'ecause it has TUR2E( A"AI2ST ITSE!3-

221

The remo*al o+ 'loc:s# then# is the O2!B ,ay to guarantee help and healing- 1elp and healing are the normal e<pressions o+ a mind ,hich is ,or:ing through the 'ody 'ut not I2 it- I+ the mind 'elie*es the 'ody is its "OA!# it 4I!! distort its perception O3 the 'ody# and 'y 'loc:ing its o,n e<tension BEBO2( it ,ill I2(UCE illness 'y 3OSTERI2" SE ARATIO2- ercei*ing the 'ody AS A SE ARATE E2TITB cannot BUT +oster illness# 'ecause it is not true- A medium o+ communication 4I!! lose its use+ulness i+ it is used +or anything elseTo use a medium o+ communication as a medium o+ ATTACL is an o'*ious con+usion in purpose- To communicate is to @oin and to attac: is to separate- 1o, can you do 'oth simultaneously 4IT1 T1E SAME T1I2"# and 2OT su++erE erceprion o+ the 'ody can 'e uni+ied only 'y O2E UR OSE- This releases the mind +rom the temptation to see it in many lights# and gi*es it o*er E2TIRE!B to the One !ight in ,hich it can 'e really understood at allTo con+use a learning de*ice ,ith a curriculum "OA! is a +undamental con+usion!earning can hardly 'e meaning+ully arrested at its o,n aids# and hope to understand them OR its real purpose- !earning must lead BEBO2( the 'ody to the re> esta'lishment o+ the po,er o+ the mind I2 it- This can 'e accomplished O2!B i+ the mind EXTE2(S to other minds# and does not ARREST ITSE!3 in its e<tension- The arrest o+ the mind=s e<tension is the cause o+ all illness# 'ecause O2!B EXTE2SIO2 IS T1E MI2(=S 3U2CTIO2- Bloc: this# and you ha*e 'loc:ed health 'ecause you ha*e B!OCLE( T1E MI2(=S JOBThe opposite o+ @oy is depression- 4hen your learning promotes depression I2STEA( o+ @oy# you CA22OT 'e listening to "od=s @oyous teacher# and you MUST 'e learning amiss- To see a 'ody as anything EXCE T a means o+ pure e<tension is to limit your mind and 1URT BOURSE!3- 1ealth is there+ore nothing more than united purposeI+ the 'ody is 'rought under the purpose o+ the mind# it 'ecomes ,hole 'ecause the mind=s purpose IS oneAttac: can only 'e an assumed goal o+ the 'ody# 'ut the 'ody A ART +rom the mind 1AS 2O UR OSE AT A!!- Bou are 2OT limited 'y the 'ody# and thought CA22OT 'e made +lesh- But mind can 'e mani+ested through the 'ody i+ it goes 'eyond it and (OES

222

2OT I2TER RET IT AS !IMITATIO2- 4hene*er you see another as limited TO or BB the 'ody# you are imposing this limit O2 BOURSE!3- Are you ,illing to ACCE T this# ,hen your ,hole purpose +or learning should 'e to escape 3ROM limitationsE
> &5G >

To concei*e o+ the 'ody as a means o+ attac: o+ any :ind# and to entertain e*en the possi'ility that @oy could OSSIB!B result# is a clear>cut indication o+ a poor learner1e has accepted a learning goal in o'*ious contradiction to the uni+ied purpose o+ the curriculum# and is inter+ering ,ith his a'ility to accept it AS 1IS O42Joy is uni+ied purpose# and uni+ied purpose is O2!B "od=s- 4hen yours is uni+ied# it IS 1is- Inter+ere ,ith 1is purpose# and BOU 2EE( SA!HATIO2- Bou ha*e condemned yoursel+# 'ut condemnation is not o+ "od- There+ore# it is not true- 2o more are any o+ the RESU!TS o+ your condemnation- 4hen you see a 'rother as a 'ody# you are condemning him BECAUSE you ha*e condemned yoursel+- But i+ A!! condemnation is unreal# and it MUST 'e unreal 'ecause it is a +orm o+ attac:# then it can 1AHE no results(o not allo, yoursel*es to su++er +rom the results o+ ,hat is not true- 3ree your minds +rom the 'elie+ that this is possi'le- In its complete impossi'ility# and your +ull a,areness O3 its complete impossi'ility# lies your only hope +or release- But ,hat other hope ,ould you ,antE 3reedom +rom illusions lies only in not BE!IEHI2" themT1ERE IS 2OT ATTACL# 'ut there IS unlimited communication and there+ore unlimited po,er and ,holeness- The po,er o+ ,holeness is EXTE2SIO2- (o not arrest your thought in this ,orld# and you ,ill open your mind to Creation in "odJune K# &5JJ Attitudes to,ard the 'ody are attitudes to,ard ATTACL- The ego=s de+initions o+ A2BT1I2" are childish# and are A!4ABS 'ased on ,hat it 'elie*es a thing is 3ORThis is 'ecause it is incapa'le o+ true generali9ations# and e?uates ,hat it sees ,ith the +unction IT ascri'es to it- It does 2OT e?uate it ,ith ,hat it IS- To the ego# the 'ody IS TO ATTACL 4IT1- E?uating BOU ,ith the 'ody# it teaches that BOU are to attac: ,ith# 'ecause T1IS IS 41AT IT BE!IEHES- The 'ody# then# is not the source o+ its o,n healthIts condition lies solely in your interpretation o+ its +unctionThe reasons ,hy de+initions 'y +unction are in+erior is merely 'ecause they may ,ell 'e inaccurate- 3unctions are part o+ 'eing# since they arise 3ROM it- But the relationship is 2OT reciprocal- The ,hole does de+ine the part# 'ut the part does 2OT de+ine the ,hole- This is as true o+ :no,ledge as it is o+ perception- The reason ,hy to

223

L2O4 in part is to :no, enitrely is merely 'ecause o+ the +undamental di++erence 'et,een :no,ledge and perception- In perception# the ,hole is 'uilt up o+ parts# ,hich can separate and reassem'le in di++erent constellations- Lno,ledge ne*er changes# so that its constellation is permanent- The only areas in ,hich part>,hole relationships ha*e any meaning are those in ,hich change is possi'le- There is no di++erence 'et,een the ,hole and the part ,here change is impossi'leThe 'ody e<ists in a ,orld ,hich seems to contain t,o *oices ,hich are +ighting +or its possession- In this percei*ed constellation# the 'ody is regarded as capa'le o+ shi+ting its control +rom one to the other# ma:ing the concept o+ 'oth health and sic:ness possi'leThe ego ma:es a +undamental con+usion 'et,een means and ends# as it al,ays does> &56 >

Regarding the 'ody as an end# it has no real use +or it at all# 'ecause it is 2OT an endBou must ha*e noticed an outstanding characteristic o+ e*ery end that the ego has accepted as its o,n- 4hen you ha*e achie*ed it# IT 1AS 2OT SATIS3IE( BOU- This is ,hy the ego is +orced to shi+t +rom one end to another ,ithout ceasing# so that BOU ,ill continue to hope it can o++er you somethingIt has 'een particularly di++icult to o*ercome the ego=s 'elie+ in the 'ody as an end 'ecause this is synonymous ,ith ATTACL AS A2 E2(- The ego has a REA! I2HESTME2T I2 SICL2ESS- I+ you are sic:# ho, can you o'@ect to the ego=s +irm 'elie+ that you are 2OT in*ulnera'leE This is a particularly appealing argument +rom the ego=s point o+ *ie,# 'ecause it o'scures the o'*ious attac: ,hich underlies the sic:ness- I+ you accepted T1IS# and also decided A"AI2ST attac:# you could not gi*e this +alse ,itness to the ego=s stand- It is hard to this as a +alse ,itness# 'ecause you do not reali9e that it IS entirely out o+ :eeping ,ith ,hat BOU ,ant- This ,itness# then# appears to 'e innocent and trust,orthy only 'ecause BOU ha*e not seriously cross>e<amined himI+ you did# you ,ould not consider sic:ness such a strong ,itness on 'ehal+ o+ the ego=s *ie,s- A more honest statement ,ould 'e as +ollo,sF Those ,ho 4A2T the ego are predisposed to de+end it- There+ore# their choice o+ ,itnesses should 'e suspect +rom the 'eginning- The ego does not call upon ,itnesses ,ho might disagree ,ith its case# 2OR (OES T1E 1O!B S IRIT- 4e ha*e said 'e+ore that @udgment IS the +unction o+ the

224

1oly Spirit# and one ,hich 1e is per+ectly e?uipped to +ul+ill- The ego# as a @udge# gi*es anything BUT an impartial trial A@udgment-C 4hen the ego calls on a ,itness# it has A!REA(B MA(E IT A2 A!!B- It is still true that the 'ody has no +unction o+ itsel+This is 'ecause it is 2OT an end- The ego# ho,e*er# esta'lishes it AS an end 'ecause# as such# IT 4I!! !OSE ITS TRUE 3U2CTIO2This is the purpose o+ e*erything the ego does- Its sole aim is to lose sight o+ the +unctions o+ EHERBT1I2"- A sic: 'ody does not ma:e any sense- It COU!( not ma:e any sense# since sic:ness is not ,hat it is 3OR- Sic:ness is meaning+ul only i+ the t,o 'asic premises on ,hich the ego=s interpretation o+ the 'ody rests are true- These are speci+ically +irst that the 'ody is +or attac:# and also that you ARE a 'ody- 4ithout this# sic:ness is completely inconcei*a'le- Sic:ness is a ,ay o+ demonstrating that BOU CA2 BE 1URT- It is a ,itness to your +railty# your *ulnera'ility# and your e<treme need to depend on e<ternal guidance- The ego uses this as its 'est argument +or your need +or ITS guidance- It dictates endless prescriptions +or AHOI(I2" this catastrophic outcomeThe 1oly Spirit# per+ectly a,are o+ the same data# does not 'other to analy9e it at allI+ the data are meaningless# there is no point in treating themThe +unction o+ truth is to collect data ,hich are TRUE- There is no point in trying to ma:e sense out o+ meaningless data- A2B ,ay they are handled results in nothingThe more complicated the results 'ecome# the harder it may 'e to recogni9e their nothingness# 'ut it is not necessary to e<amine A!! possi'le outcomes to ,hich premises gi*e rise to @udge the REMISES truly> &5J >

A learning (EHICE is 2OT a teacher- IT cannot tell you ho, you +eel- BOU do not L2O4 ho, you +eel# 'ecause BOU 1AHE ACCE TE( T1E E"O=S con+usion# and BOU thin: A !EAR2I2" (EHICE CA2 TE!! BOU 1O4 BOU 3EE!- Sic:ness is merely another e<ample o+ your insistence on as:ing +or guidance o+ a teacher ,ho (OES 2OT L2O4 T1E A2S4ER- The ego is I2CA AB!E o+ :no,ing ho, you +eel- 4hen ,e said that the ego (OES 2OT L2O4 A2BT1I2"# ,e said the one thing a'out the ego that is ,holly true- But there is a corollary- I+ :no,ledge is 'eing# and the ego has no :no,ledge# then

225

the ego 1AS 2O BEI2"Bou might as: ho, the *oice o+ something ,hich does not e<ist can 'e so insistent1a*e you e*er seriously considered the distorting po,er o+ something you 4A2T# e*en i+ it is not trueE Bou ha*e had many instances o+ ho, ,hat you ,ant can distort ,hat you see and hear- 2o one can dou't the ego=s s:ill in 'uilding up +alse cases- And no one can dou't your ,illingness to listen# until BOU ,ill not to tolerate anything EXCE T truth4hen BOU lay the ego aside it ,ill 'e gone- The 1oly Spirit=s *oice is as loud as your ,illingness to listen- It cannot 'e louder ,ithout *iolating your ,ill# ,hich 1e see:s to +ree 'ut ne*er to command- 1e ,ill teach you to use your 'ody O2!B to reach your 'rothers so 1e can teach 1is message through you- This ,ill heal them and T1ERE3ORE heal you- E*erything used in accordance ,ith its +unction as 1E sees it CA22OT 'e sic:- E*erything used other,ise IS(o not allo, the 'ody to 'e a mirror o+ a split mind- (o not let it 'e an image o+ your o,n perception o+ littleness- (o not let it re+lect your ,ill to attac:- 1ealth is the natural state o+ anything ,hose interpretation is le+t to the 1oly Spirit# ,ho percei*es no attac: on anything- 1ealth is the result o+ relin?uishing A!! attempts to use the 'ody lo*elessly- It is the 'eginning o+ the proper perspecti*e on li+e# under the guidance o+ the one teacher ,ho :no,s ,hat li+e IS# 'eing the *oice +or !i+e Itsel+4e once said that the 1oly Spirit is the Ans,er- 1e is the ans,er to EHERBT1I2"# 'ecause 1e :no,s ,hat the ans,er to e*erything IS- The ego does not :no, ,hat a REA! ?uestion is# although it as:s an endless num'er- But BOU can learn this# as you learn to ?uestion the *alue o+ the ego and thus esta'lish your a'ility to EHA!UATE its ?uestions- 4hen the ego tempts you to sic:ness# do not as: the 1oly Spirit to heal the 'ody- 3or this ,ould merely 'e to accept the ego=s 'elie+ that the 'ody is the proper aim +or healing- As: rather that the 1oly Spirit teach you the right ERCE TIO2 o+ the 'ody# +or perception alone can 'e distortedO2!B ERCE TIO2 CA2 BE SICL# 'ecause perception can 'e 4RO2"- 4rong perception is (ISTORTE( 4I!!I2"# ,hich 4A2TS things to 'e as they are notThe reality o+ EHERBT1I2" is totally harmless# 'ecause total harmlessness is the CO2(ITIO2 o+ its reality- It is also the condition o+ your A4ARE2ESS o+ its reality- Bou do not ha*e to SEEL reality- It ,ill see: you and 3I2( you# 41E2 BOU MEET ITS CO2(ITIO2SIts

226

conditions are part o+ 41AT IT IS- And this part only is up to you- The rest is o+ Itsel+Bou need do so little# 'ecause It is so po,er+ul that your little part 4I!! 'ring the ,hole
> &57 >

to you- Accept# then# your little part# and !ET the ,hole 'e yours- 4holeness heals BECAUSE it is o+ the mindAll +orms o+ sic:ness# e*en unto death# are physical e<pressions o+ the 3EAR O3 A4ALE2I2"- They are attempts to rein+orce Unconsciousness out o+ +ear o+ Consciousness- This is a pathetic ,ay o+ TRBI2" 2OT TO L2O4 'y rendering the +aculties +or :no,ing ine++ectual- )Rest in peace. is a 'lessing +or the li*ing# not the dead# 'ecause rest comes +rom ,a:ing# not +rom sleeping- Sleep is ,ithdra,ingP ,a:ing is JOI2I2"- (reams are I!!USIO2S o+ @oining# ta:ing on the ego=s distortions a'out ,hat @oining means# i+ you are sleeping under its guidance- But the 1oly Spirit# too# has use +or sleep# and can use dreams on BE1A!3 o+ ,a:ing# i+ you ,ill let 1im1o, you ,a:e is the sign o+ ho, you ha*e used sleep- To ,hom did you gi*e itE Under ,hich teacher did you place itE 4hene*er you ,a:e dis>spiritedly# it ,as 2OT o+ the Spirit- O2!B ,hen you a,a:en @oyously ha*e you utili9ed sleep ACCOR(I2" TO T1E 1O!B S IRIT=S UR OSE- Bou can indeed 'e )drugged 'y sleep#. 'ut this is A!4ABS 'ecause you ha*e MISUSE( IT O2 BE1A!3 O3 SICL2ESS- Sleep is no more a +orm o+ death than death is a +orm o+ unconsciousness- U2CO2SCIOUS2ESS IS IM OSSIB!EBou can rest in peace only BECAUSE BOU ARE A4ALE1ealing is release +rom the +ear o+ ,a:ing# and the su'stitution o+ the ,ill to ,a:eThe ,ill to ,a:e is the ,ill to lo*e# since A!! healing in*ol*es replacing +ear ,ith lo*eThe 1oly Spirit cannot distinguish among degrees o+ error# +or i+ 1e taught that one +orm o+ sic:ness is more serious than another# 1e ,ould 'e teaching that one error can 'e more REA! than another- But 1IS +unction is to distinguish O2!B 'et,een the +alse and the true# RE !ACI2" the +alse 4IT1 the trueThe ego# ,hich al,ays 4EALE2S the ,ill# ,ants to SE ARATE the 'ody +rom the mind- This IS an attempt to (ESTROB it- But the ego actually 'elie*es that it is ROTECTI2" it- This is 'ecause it 'elie*es that MI2( IS (A2"EROUS# and that to MALE MI2(!ESS is to heal- But to ma:e mindless is impossi'le# since it ,ould mean to ma:e nothing out o+ ,hat "od Created- The ego (ES ISES ,ea:ness# e*en though it ma:es e*ery e++ort to I2(UCE it- IT 4A2TS O2!B 41AT IT 1ATES- To the ego this is

227

per+ectly sensi'le- Belie*ing in the po,er o+ attac:# it 4A2TS itBou ha*e 'egun to reali9e that this is a *ery practical course# 'ecause it means EXACT!B ,hat it says- So does the Bi'le# i+ it is properly understood- There has 'een a mar:ed tendency on the part o+ many o+ the Bi'le=s +ollo,ers# and also its translators# to 'e entirely literal a'out +ear and ITS e++ects# 'ut 2OT a'out lo*e and ITS resultsThus# )hell+ire. means 'urning# 'ut raising the dead 'ecomes allegorical- Actually# it is ARTICU!AR!B the re+erences to the outcomes o+ lo*e that should 'e ta:en literally 'ecause the Bi'le is ABOUT lo*e# 'eing a'out "O(The Bi'le en@oins you to 'e per+ect# to heal A!! errors# to ta:e no thought o+ the 'ody AS SE ARATE# and to accomplish all things I2 MB 2AME- This is not my name alone# +or ours is a shared identi+ication- The name o+ "od=s Son is One# and you are
> &5K >

en@oined to do the ,or:s o+ lo*e BECAUSE ,e share this oneness- Our minds are ,hole BECAUSE they are one- I+ you are sic:# you are ,ithdra,ing +rom me- But you CA22OT 4IT1(RA4 3ROM ME A!O2E- Bou can only ,ithdra, +rom yoursel+ A2( meI ,ould not as: you to do things ,hich you CA22OT do# and it is impossi'le that I could do things BOU cannot do- "i*en this# and gi*en this DUITE !ITERA!!B# there CA2 'e nothing ,hich pre*ents you +rom doing EXACT!B ,hat I as:# and EHERBT1I2" ,hich argues 3OR it- I gi*e you 2O limits# 'ecause "od lays none upon you- 4hen you limit BOURSE!3# ,e are 2OT o+ one mind# and that IS sic:ness- But sic:ness is not o+ the 'ody# 'ut O3 T1E MI2(- A!! +orms o+ (IS+unction are merely signs that the mind has split# and does not accept a U2I3IE( UR OSEThe uni+ication o+ purpose# then# is the 1oly Spirit=s O2!B ,ay o+ healing- This is 'ecause it is the only le*el at ,hich healing MEA2S anything- The re>esta'lishing o+ meaning in a chaotic thought system IS the only ,ay to heal it- 4e said 'e+ore that your tas: is only to meet the conditions 3OR meaning# since meaning itsel+ is o+ "od- But your RETUR2 to meaning is essential TO 1IS# 'ecause BOUR meaning is ART o+ 1isBour healing# then# is part o+ 1IS health# 'ecause it is part o+ 1is 4holeness- 1e cannot lose this# 'ut BOU can not :no, it- Bet it is still 1is ,ill +or you# and 1is ,ill MUST stand +ore*er and in all things3ear o+ the 4ill o+ "od is one o+ the strangest 'elie+s that the human mind has e*er made- This could not possi'ly ha*e occurred unless the mind ,as already pro+oundly split# ma:ing it possi'le +or IT to 'e a+raid o+ ,hat it really is- It is apparent that reality

228

CA22OT )threaten. anything e<cept illusions# 'ecause reality can only U 1O!( truthThe *ery +act that the ,ill o+ "od# ,hich IS ,hat you are# is percei*ed as +ear+ul TO you demonstrates that you ARE a+raid o+ ,hat you are- It is not# then# the ,ill o+ "od o+ ,hich you are a+raid# 'ut BOURS- Bour ,ill is 2OT the ego=s# and that is ,hy the ego is against you- 4hat seems to 'e the +ear o+ "od is really only the +ear o+ BOUR O42 REA!ITBIt is impossi'le to learn anything consistently in a state o+ panic- I+ the purpose o+ this course is to learn ,hat you are# and i+ you ha*e A!REA(B (ECI(E( that ,hat you are is 3EAR3U!# then it MUST +ollo, that you ,ill 2OT !EAR2 T1IS COURSE- But you might remem'er that the reason 3OR the course is that you do 2OT :no, ,ho you areI+ you do not :no, your reality# ho, ,ould you :no, ,hether it is +ear+ul or notE The association o+ truth and +ear# ,hich ,ould 'e highly arti+icial at 'est# is particularly inappropriate in the minds o+ those ,ho do not :no, ,hat truth IS- All that this :ind o+ association means is that you are ar'itrarily endo,ing something ?uite 'eyond your a,areness ,ith something BOU (O 2OT 4A2TIt is e*ident# then# that you are @udging something o+ ,hich you are totally una,areBou ha*e set this strange situation up so that it is COM !ETE!B IM OSSIB!E to escape +rom it 4IT1OUT a guide ,ho (OES :no, ,hat your reality is- The purpose o+ this "uide is merely to remind you o+ ,hat BOU ,ant- 1e is not attempting to +orce an alien ,ill U O2 you- 1e is merely ma:ing e*ery possi'le e++ort# ,ithin the limits BOU impose upon 1im# to RE>ESTAB!IS1 your O42 ,ill in your consciousness- Bou ha*e
> &55 >

IM RISO2E( it in your U2conscious# ,here it remains a*aila'le# 'ut cannot help you4hen ,e said that the 1oly Spirit=s +unction is to sort out the true +rom the +alse in your unconscious# ,e meant that 1e has the po,er to loo: into ,hat BOU ha*e hidden# and percei*e the 4ill o+ "od there1is perception o+ this ,ill can ma:e it real to BOU# 'ecause 1E is in your mind# and there+ore 1e IS your reality- I+# then# 1is perception O3 your mind 'rings its reality TO you# 1e IS teaching you ,hat you are- The only source o+ +ear in this ,hole process can O2!B 'e 41AT BOU T1I2L BOU !OSE- But it is only ,hat the 1oly Spirit sees that you can possi'ly 1AHE- 4e ha*e emphasi9ed many times that the 1oly Spirit ,ill ne*er call

229

upon you to sacri+ice anything- But i+ you as: the sacri+ice o+ reality O3 BOURSE!HES# the 1oly Spirit MUST remind you that this is not "od=s ,ill BECAUSE it is not yoursThere is 2O (I33ERE2CE 'et,een your ,ill and "od=s- I+ you did not ha*e di*ided ,ills# you ,ould recogni9e that ,illing is sal*ation 'ecause it IS communication- It is impossi'le to communicate in alien tongues- Bou and your Creator can communicate through creation# 'ecause that# and only that# IS your @oint ,ill- (i*ided ,ills do not communicate 'ecause they spea: +or di++erent things TO T1E SAME MI2(- This loses the a'ility to communicate# simply 'ecause con+used communication (OES 2OT MEA2 A2BT1I2"- A message cannot 'e said to 'e communicated U2!ESS it ma:es sense1o, sensi'le can your messages 'e# ,hen you as: +or 41AT BOU (O2=T 4A2TE Bet as long as you are a+raid o+ your ,ill# this is precisely ,hat you 4I!! as: +or- Bou may insist that the 1oly Spirit does not ans,er you# 'ut it might 'e ,iser to consider the :ind o+ as:er you are- BOU (O 2OT ASL O2!B 3OR 41AT BOU 4A2T- This is SO!E!B 'ecause you are a+raid you might recei*e it# A2( BOU 4OU!(- T1IS is really ,hy you persist in as:ing the teacher ,ho could not possi'ly teach you your ,ill- O+ him# you can ne*er learn it# and this gi*es you the illusion o+ sa+ety- But you cannot 'e sa+e 3ROM truth# 'ut only I2 it- Reality is the O2!B sa+etyBour ,ill is your sal*ation BECAUSE IT IS T1E SAME AS "O(=S- The separation is nothing more than the 'elie+ that it is (I33ERE2T- 2O mind can 'elie*e that its ,ill is STRO2"ER than "od=s- I+# then# a mind 'elie*es that ITS ,ill is di++erent 3ROM 1is# it can only decide either that there IS no "od# or that "O(=S 4I!! IS 3EAR3U!- The +ormer accounts +or the atheist# and the latter +or the martyr- Martyrdom ta:es many +orms# the category including A!! doctrines ,hich hold that "od demands sacri+ices o+ A2B :indEither 'asic type o+ insane decision ,ill induce panic# 'ecause the atheist 'elie*es he is alone and the martyr 'elie*es that "od is cruci+ying him- Both really +ear 'oth a'andonment A2( retaliation# 'ut the +ormer is more reacti*e against a'andonment and the latter against retaliation- The atheist maintains that "od has le+t him# 'ut he does not care- 1e ,ill# ho,e*er# 'ecome *ery +ear+ul# and hence *ery A2"RB# i+ anyone suggests that "od has 2OT le+t him- The martyr# on the other hand# is more a,are o+ guilt# and 'elie*ing that punishment is ine*ita'le# attempts to teach himsel+ to !ILE it> $%% >

The truth is# *ery simply# that 2O>O2E 4A2TS EIT1ER ABA2(O2ME2T OR

230

RETA!IATIO2- Many people SEEL 'oth# 'ut it is still true that they do 2OT ,ant itCan you as: the 1oly Spirit +or )gi+ts. such as these# and actually e<pect to RECEIHE themE The 1oly Spirit is totally incapa'le o+ gi*ing BOU anything that does 2OT come +rom "od- 1is tas: is 2OT to ma:e anything 3OR you- 1e CA22OT ma:e you ,ant something you (O2=T ,ant- 4hen you as: the Uni*ersal "i*er +or ,hat you do not ,ant# BOU are as:ing +or ,hat CA22OT 'e gi*en# BECAUSE IT 4AS 2EHER CREATE(- It ,as ne*er created 'ecause it ,as ne*er your ,ill +or BOUUltimately e*eryone must learn the ,ill o+ "od# 'ecause ultimately e*eryone must recogni9e 1IMSE!3- This recognition IS the recognition that 1IS 4I!! A2( "O(=S ARE O2E- In the presence o+ Truth# there are no un'elie*ers and no sacri+ices- In the security o+ Reality +ear is totally meaningless- To deny ,hat IS can only SEEM to 'e +ear+ul3ear cannot 'e real ,ithout a cause# and "O( is the only Cause- "od is !o*e# and you (O ,ant 1im- This IS your ,ill- As: +or T1IS and you 4I!! 'e ans,ered# 'ecause you ,ill 'e as:ing only +or ,hat BE!O2"S to you4hen you as: the 1oly Spirit +or ,hat ,ould hurt you# 1e CA22OT ans,er# 'ecause 2OT1I2" can hurt you and SO BOU ARE ASLI2" 3OR 2OT1I2"- A2B desire ,hich stems +rom the ego IS a desire +or nothing# and to as: +or it IS 2OT A REDUEST- It is merely a denial in the 3ORM o+ a re?uest- The 1oly Spirit is not concerned ,ith +orm at all# 'eing a,are only o+ MEA2I2"- The ego cannot as: the 1oly Spirit +or A2BT1I2"# 'ecause there is COM !ETE COMMU2ICATIO2 3AI!URE 'et,een them- But BOU can as: +or EHERBT1I2" o+ the 1oly Spirit# 'ecause BOUR re?uests are real# 'eing o+ your ,ill- 4ould the 1oly Spirit deny the 4ill o+ "odE And could 1e +ail to recogni9e it in "od=s SonsE The energy ,hich you ,ithdra, +rom Creation you e<pend on +ear- This is not 'ecause your E2ER"B is limited# 'ut 'ecause BOU 1AHE !IMITE( IT- Bou do not recogni9e the E2ORMOUS ,aste o+ energy ,hich you e<pend in denying truth4hat ,ould BOU say o+ someone ,ho ERSISTE( in attempting the impossi'le# and 'elie*ed that to AC1IEHE it is SUCCESSE The 'elie+ that you MUST 1AHE T1E IM OSSIB!E in

231

order to 'e happy is totally at *ariance ,ith the principle o+ Creation- "od COU!( not ,ill that happiness (E E2(E( on ,hat you could ne*er ha*eThe +act that "od is lo*e does not re?uire 'elie+# 'ut it (OES re?uire ACCE TA2CEIt is indeed possi'le +or you to (E2B +acts# although it is IM OSSIB!E +or you to C1A2"E them- I+ you hold your hands o*er your eyes you ,ill 2OT see# 'ecause you are inter+ering ,ith the la,s o+ seeing- I+ you deny lo*e you ,ill 2OT L2O4 IT 'ecause your cooperation is the !A4 O3 ITS BEI2"- Bou cannot change la,s you did not ma:e# and the la,s o+ happiness ,ere created 3OR you# 2OT BB youAttempts o+ any :ind to deny ,hat IS are +ear+ul# and i+ they are strong they 4I!! induce panic- 4I!!I2" A"AI2ST reality# though impossi'le# can 'e MA(E into a *ery persistent goal# EHE2 T1OU"1 BOU (O 2OT 4A2T IT- But consider the result o+ this strange decision- Bou are (EHOTI2" your mind to ,hat you (O 2OT 4A2T- 1o, real
> $%& >

can this de*otion 'eE I+ you do not ,ant it# it ,as ne*er created- I+ it ,as ne*er created# it is nothing- Can you REA!!B de*ote yoursel+ to nothingE "od# in 1is de*otion to BOU# created you de*oted to EHERBT1I2"# and "AHE you ,hat you are de*oted TO- Other,ise# you ,ould not ha*e 'een created per+ectReality IS e*erything# and you there+ore ha*e e*erything BECAUSE you are real- Bou cannot ma:e the U2real 'ecause the ABSE2CE o+ reality is +ear+ul# and +ear cannot BE createdAs long as you 'elie*e that +ear is possi'le# BOU 4I!! 2OT CREATE- Opposing orders o+ reality MALE REA!ITB MEA2I2"!ESS# and reality is MEA2I2"Remem'er# then# that "od=s 4ill is A!REA(B possi'le# and nothing else ,ill EHER 'e- This is the simple acceptance o+ Reality 'ecause only this is real- Bou cannot (ISTORT reality and L2O4 41AT IT IS- And i+ you (O distort reality you ,ill e<perience an<iety# depression# and ultimately panic# 'ecause you are trying to MALE BOURSE!3 U2REA!4hen you +eel these things do not try to loo: BEBO2( yoursel+ +or truth# +or truth can only 'e 4IT1I2 you- Say# there+ore# F )Christ is in me# and ,here 1e is "od MUST 'e# +or Christ is ART o+ 1im-._tc The Answer to Prayer \l 1_ E*eryone ,ho has e*er tried to use prayer to re?uest something# has e<perienced

232

,hat appears to 'e +ailure- This is not only true in connection ,ith speci+ic things ,hich might 'e harm+ul# 'ut also in connection ,ith re?uests ,hich are strictly in line ,ith this course- The latter# in particular# might 'e incorrectly interpreted as )proo+. that the course does not mean ,hat it says- But you must remem'er that the course does state# and RE EATE(!B# that its purpose is the ESCA E 3ROM 3EAR!et us suppose# then# that ,hat you re?uest o+ the 1oly Spirit IS ,hat you really ,ant# 'ut that BOU ARE STI!! A3RAI( O3 IT- Should this 'e the case# your ATTAI2ME2T o+ it ,ould no longer BE ,hat you ,ant# e*en i+ IT is- This accounts +or ,hy CERTAI2 S ECI3IC 3ORMS o+ healing are not achie*ed# e*en though the STATE o+ healing IS- It +re?uently happens that an indi*idual as:s +or physical healing# 'ecause he is +ear+ul O3 BO(I!B 1ARM- 1o,e*er# at the same time# i+ he 4ERE healed physically# the threat to his thought>system ,ould 'e considera'ly MORE +ear+ul to him than its physical EX RESSIO2- In this case# he is not really as:ing +or RE!EASE +rom +ear# 'ut +or the remo*al o+ a symptom 41IC1 1E 1AS SE!ECTE(- This re?uest is# there+ore# 2OT +or healing at allThe Bi'le emphasi9es that A!! prayers are ans,ered# and this must 'e true# i+ no e++ort is ,asted- The *ery +act that one has as:ed the 1oly Spirit +or A2BT1I2"# ,ill ensure a response- But it is e?ually certain that no response# gi*en 'y the 1oly Spirit# ,ill EHER 'e one ,hich ,ould I2CREASE +ear- It is e*en possi'le that 1is ans,er ,ill not 'e heard at all- It is IMpossi'le# ho,e*er# that it ,ill 'e lost- There are many ans,ers ,hich you ha*e already recei*ed# 'ut ha*e 2OT BET 1EAR(- I assure you that they are ,aiting +or you- It is indeed true that no e++ort is ,asted> $%$ >

I+ you ,ould :no, your prayers are ans,ered# ne*er dou't a Son o+ "od- (o not ?uestion him# and do not con+ound him# +or your +aith in him is your +aith in BOURSE!3I+ you ,ould :no, "od and 1is Ans,er# 'elie*e in me# ,hose +aith in BOU cannot 'e sha:en- Can you as: o+ the 1oly Spirit truly# and dou't your 'rotherE Belie*e his ,ords are true# 'ecause o+ the truth ,hich is in him- Bou ,ill unite ,ith the truth in him# and his ,ords ,ill BE true- As you hear him# you ,ill hear me!ISTE2I2" to truth is the only ,ay you can hear it no,# and +inally L2O4 it- The

233

message your 'rother gi*es you is U TO BOU- 4hat does he say to youE 4hat ,ould BOU ha*e him sayE Bour decision ABOUT him determines the message BOU recei*eRemem'er that the 1oly Spirit is in him# and 1is Hoice spea:s to BOU through him4hat can so holy a 'rother tell you EXCE T truthE But are you !ISTE2I2" to itE Bour 'rother may not :no, ,ho he is# 'ut there is a !ight in his mind ,hich (OES :no,- This !ight can shine into yours# ma:ing 1IS ,ords true# and you AB!E TO 1EAR T1EM- 1is ,ords ARE the 1oly Spirit=s ans,er to BOU- Is your +aith in him strong enough to !ET you listen and hearE Sal*ation is o+ your 'rother- The 1oly Spirit e<tends +rom your mind to his# and ans,ers BOU- Bou cannot hear the Hoice +or "od in yoursel+ alone# 'ecause you are 2OT alone- And 1is ans,er is only +or ,hat you AREBou ,ill not :no, the trust I ha*e in you# unless you EXTE2( it- Bou ,ill not trust the guidance o+ the 1oly Spirit# or 'elie*e that it is +or BOU# unless you hear it in othersIt MUST 'e +or your 'rother# BECAUSE it is +or you- 4ould "od ha*e created a Hoice +or you aloneE Could you hear 1is ans,er EXCE T as 1e ans,ers A!! o+ "od=s SonsE 1ear o+ your 'rother ,hat you ,ould ha*e me hear o+ BOU# +or you ,ould not ,ant ME to 'e decei*edI lo*e you +or the truth in you# as "O( does- Bour deceptions may decei*e BOU# 'ut they CA22OT decei*e ME- Lno,ing ,hat you ARE# I CA22OT dou't you- I hear only the 1oly Spirit in you# 4ho spea:s to me through BOU- I+ you ,ould hear ME# hear my 'rothers# in ,hom "od=s Hoice spea:s- The ans,er to A!! your prayers lies in themBou ,ill 'e ans,ered as you 1EAR T1E A2S4ER I2 EHERBO2E- (o not listen to anything else# or you ,ill not hear truthBelie*e in your 'rothers BECAUSE I 'elie*e in you# and you ,ill learn that my 'elie+ in you is @usti+ied- Belie*e in me BB 'elie*ing in them# +or the sa:e o+ ,hat "od ga*e them- T1EB 4I!! A2S4ER BOU# i+ you learn to as: truth o+ them- (o not as: +or 'lessings ,ithout 'lessing T1EM# +or only in this ,ay can BOU learn ho, 'lessed BOU are- By +ollo,ing this ,ay# you ARE loo:ing +or the truth in BOU- This is not going BEBO2( yoursel+# 'ut TO4AR( yoursel+- 1ear only "od=s ans,er in 1is Sons# and BOU are ans,eredTo dis'elie*e is to side A"AI2ST# or to ATTACL- To 'elie*e is to accept# and SI(E 4IT1- To 'elie*e is not to 'e credulous# 'ut to accept and A RECIATE- 4hat you do 2OT 'elie*e you do 2OT A RECIATE# and you CA22OT 'e grate+ul +or ,hat you do
> $%8 >

234

not HA!UE- There is a price you ,ill pay +or @udgment# 'ecause @udgment IS the setting o+ price- And as you set it# you 4I!! pay itI+ paying is e?uated ,ith "ETTI2"# you ,ill set the RICE lo,# 'ut demand a high RETUR2- But you ,ill ha*e +orgotten that to price is to HA!UE# so that BOUR return is I2 RO ORTIO2 TO BOUR JU("ME2T O3 4ORT1- I+ paying is associated ,ith gi*ing# IT CA22OT BE ERCEIHE( AS !OSS# and the RECI ROCA! relationship o+ gi*ing and RECEIHI2" ,ill 'e recogni9ed- The price ,ill then 'e set high# 'ecause o+ the *alue o+ the RETUR2The price +or "ETTI2" is to !OSE SI"1T O3 HA!UE# ma:ing it ine*ita'le that you ,ill 2OT *alue ,hat you recei*e- Haluing it little# you ,ill not appreciate it# and you ,ill not 4A2T it- 2e*er +orget# then# that BOU ha*e set the *alue on ,hat you recei*e# and ha*e priced it BB ,hat you gi*e- To 'elie*e that it is possi'le to get much 3OR little# is to 'elie*e that you can 'argain ,ith "od"od=s la,s are A!4ABS +air# and ER3ECT!B consistent- BB gi*ing# you recei*eBut to recei*e is to ACCE T# 2OT to get- It is impossi'le not to 1AHE# 'ut it IS possi'le 2OT TO L2O4 BOU 1AHE- The recognition o+ 1AHI2" is the ,illingness +or "IHI2"# and O2!B 'y this ,illingness# can you RECO"2IUE ,hat you ha*e- 4hat you gi*e is there+ore the *alue you put on ,hat you ha*e# 'eing the e<act measure o+ the *alue you UT upon it- And this# in turn# is the measure o+ 1O4 MUC1 BOU 4A2T ITBou can ASL o+ the 1oly Spirit# then# O2!B 'y gi*ing TO 1im- And you can "IHE to 1im only 41ERE BOU SEE 1IM- I+ you SEE 1im in e*eryone# consider ho, much you ,ill 'e ASLI2" O3 1im# and 1O4 MUC1 BOU 4I!! RECEIHE- 1e ,ill deny you nothing# 'ecause you ha*e denied 1im nothing# and so you can S1ARE EHERBT1I2"- This is the ,ay# and the O2!B ,ay# to ha*e 1is ans,er# 'ecause 1is ans,er is all you can as: +or and 4A2T- Say# then# to e*eryone# )Because I ,ill to :no, mysel+# I see you as "od=s Son and my 'rother-. The alertness o+ the ego to the errors ,hich other egos ma:e# is 2OT the :ind o+ *igilance ,hich the 1oly Spirit ,ould ha*e you maintain- Egos are critical in terms o+ the :ind o+ sense they STA2( 3OR- T1EB understand this :ind o+ sense# 'ecause it IS sensi'le

235

to them- To the 1oly Spirit# it ma:es no sense at all- To the ego# it is :ind and right and good to point out errors# and )correct. them- This ma:es ER3ECT sense to the ego# ,hich is totally una,are o+ ,hat errors ARE# and ,hat correction ISErrors ARE o+ the ego# and CORRECTIO2 o+ errors o+ A2B :ind lies solely in the RE!I2DUIS1ME2T o+ the ego- 4hen you CORRECT a 'rother# you are telling him that he is 4RO2"- 1e may 'e ma:ing no sense at the time# and it is certain that i+ he is spea:ing +rom the ego# he 4I!! 'e ma:ing no sense# 'ut your tas: is still to tell him 1E IS RI"1T- Bou do not tell him this *er'ally i+ he is S EALI2" +oolishly# 'ecause he needs correction AT A2OT1ER !EHE!# since his error IS at another le*el- 1E is still right# 'ecause he is a Son o+ "od- 1is ego is A!4ABS ,rong# no matter 41AT it says or does> $%G >

I+ you point out the errors o+ 1IS ego# you MUST 'e seeing him through yours# 'ecause the 1oly Spirit (OES 2OT ERCEIHE 1IS ERRORS- This MUST 'e true# i+ there is no communication AT A!! 'et,een the ego and the 1oly Spirit- The ego ma:es 2O sense# and the 1oly Spirit does not attempt to understand A2BT1I2" that arises +rom itSince 1e does not understand it# 1e (OES 2OT JU("E IT# L2O4I2" that nothing it engenders MEA2S A2BT1I2"4hen you react AT A!! to errors# you are 2OT !ISTE2I2" TO T1E 1O!B S IRIT1e has merely disregarded them# and i+ you ATTE2( to them# you are 2OT 1EARI2" 1IM- I+ you do not hear 1IM# you are listening to BOUR ego# and ma:ing as little sense as the 'rother ,hose errors you percei*e- This CA22OT 'e correction- But it is more than merely lac: o+ correction +or him- It is the "IHI2" U o+ correction in BOURSE!34hen a 'rother 'eha*es insanely# you can heal him O2!B 'y percei*ing the SA2ITB in him- I+ you percei*e his errors and ACCE T them# you are accepting BOURS- I+ you ,ant to gi*e BOURS o*er to the 1oly Spirit# you must do this ,ith 1IS- Unless this 'ecomes the O2E ,ay in ,hich you handle A!! errors# you cannot understand 1O4 A!! ERRORS ARE U2(O2E- 1o, is this di++erent +rom telling you that ,hat you teach you !EAR2E Bour 'rother is as right as you are- And i+ you thin: he is 4RO2"# you are condemning BOURSE!3BOU cannot correct BOURSE!3- Is it possi'le# then# +or you to correct anotherE But

236

you CA2 see him truly# 'ecause it IS possi'le +or you to see BOURSE!3 truly- It is not up to you to C1A2"E him# 'ut merely to accept him AS 1E IS- 1is errors do not come +rom the truth that is in him# and O2!B this truth is yours- 1is errors cannot change this# and can ha*e no e++ect at all on the truth in BOUTo percei*e errors in anyone# and to REACT to them AS I3 T1EB 4ERE REA!# is to MALE them real to you- Bou ,ill not escape paying the price +or this# 2OT 'ecause you are 'eing U2IS1E( +or it# 'ut 'ecause you are +ollo,ing the ,rong guide# and ,ill lose your ,ay- Bour 'rother=s errors are not o+ him# anymore than yours are O3 BOUAccept his errors as real# and you ha*e attac:ed BOURSE!3- I+ you ,ould +ind BOUR ,ay A2( LEE IT# see only truth 'eside you# +or you ,al: togetherThe 1oly Spirit in you +orgi*es all things in you# A2( your 'rother- 1IS errors are +orgi*en 4IT1 yours- Atonement is no more separate than lo*e- It CA22OT 'e separate# 'ecause it COMES +rom !o*e- A2B attempt you ma:e to correct a 'rother# means that you 'elie*e correction 'y BOU is possi'le# and this can O2!B 'e the arrogance o+ the ego- Correction is o+ "od# 4ho does not :no, o+ arrogance- The 1oly Spirit +orgi*es e*erything# BECAUSE "O( CREATE( EHERBT1I2"- (o not underta:e 1IS +unction# or you ,ill +orget BOURSAccept O2!B the +unction o+ healing in time# 'ecause that is ,hat time is 3OR"O( ga*e you the +unction to create in eternity- Bou do not need to learn this- But you (O need to learn to 4A2T this# and +or T1IS all learning ,as made- This is the 1oly Spirit=s good use o+ an a'ility ,hich you do not need# 'ut ,hich you 1AHE made"i*e
> $%6 >

it to 1imP you do 2OT :no, ho, to use it- 1e ,ill teach you ho, to see BOURSE!3 ,ithout condemnation# 'y learning ho, to loo: on EHERBT1I2" ,ithout itCondemnation ,ill then not 'e real to you# and all BOUR errors 4I!! 'e +orgi*enAtonement is +or all# 'ecause it is the ,ay to U2(O the 'elie+ that A2BT1I2" is +or you A!O2E- To +orgi*e is to OHER!OOL- !oo:# then# BEBO2( error# and do not let your perception rest U O2 it# +or you ,ill 'elie*e ,hat your perception 1O!(SAccept as true only ,hat your 'rother IS# i+ you ,ould :no, yoursel+- ercei*e ,hat he is 2OT# and you CA22OT :no, ,hat you are# BECAUSE you see 1IM +alsely- Remem'er al,ays that your identity is shared# and that its sharing IS its reality-

237

Bou ha*e a ART to play in the Atonement- But the plan o+ the Atonement IS 'eyond you- Bou do not :no, ho, to OHER!OOL errors# or you ,ould not ma:e them- It ,ould merely 'e +urther error to thin: either that you do 2OT ma:e them# or that you can CORRECT them ,ithout a "UI(E TO CORRECTIO2- And i+ you do not 3O!!O4 this "uide# your errors ,ill 2OT 'e corrected- The plan is not yours BECAUSE o+ your limited ideas a'out 41AT BOU ARE- But this limitation IS ,here A!! ERRORS ARISEThe ,ay to U2(O them is# there+ore# not O3 you# 'ut 3OR youThe Atonement is a lesson in sharing# ,hich is gi*en you 'ecause BOU 1AHE 3OR"OTTE2 1O4 TO (O IT- The 1oly Spirit merely reminds you o+ ,hat is your 2ATURA! a'ility- By REI2TER RETI2" the a'ility to ATTACL# ,hich you (I( ma:e# into the a'ility to S1ARE# 1e TRA2S!ATES ,hat you ha*e made# into ,hat "od createdBut i+ you ,ould accomplish this T1ROU"1 1im# you cannot loo: on your a'ilities through the eyes o+ the ego# or you ,ill @udge them as IT does- All their harm+ulness lies in ITS @udgment- All their help+ulness lies in the @udgment o+ the 1oly SpiritThe ego has a plan o+ +orgi*eness# 'ecause you are ASLI2" +or one# 'ut not o+ the right teacher- The E"O=S plan# o+ course# MALES 2O SE2SE and 4I!! 2OT 4ORL- By +ollo,ing it# you ,ill merely place yoursel+ in an impossi'le situation# to ,hich the ego A!4ABS leads you- Its plan is to ha*e you SEE ERROR C!EAR!B 3IRST# and T1E2 o*erloo: it- But ho, CA2 you o*erloo: ,hat you ha*e made realE By seeing it clearly# you 1AHE made it real# and CA22OT o*erloo: itThis is ,here the ego is +orced into appealing to mysteries# and 'egins to insist that you accept the meaningless# to sa*e yoursel+- Many ha*e tried to do this in my name# +orgetting that my ,ords ma:e ER3ECT sense# 'ecause they come +rom "O(They are as sensi'le no, as they e*er ,ere# 'ecause they spea: o+ ideas ,hich are eternal3orgi*eness that is learned o+ ME does not use +ear to U2(O +ear- 2or does it ma:e real the U2real# and then destroy it3orgi*eness through the 1oly Spirit lies simply in loo:ing 'eyond error +rom the 'eginning# and thus LEE I2" it unreal +or you- (o not let any 'elie+ in its realness enter your minds AT A!!# or you ,ill also 'elie*e that you must U2(O ,hat you ha*e made# in order to BE +orgi*en- 4hat has no e++ect does not e<ist# and to the 1oly Spirit# the e++ects o+ error are TOTA!!B non>e<istent- By steadily and consistently cancelling out
> $%J >

238

A!! its e++ects# EHERB41ERE A2( I2 A!! RES ECTS# 1e teaches that the ego does not e<ist# and ROHES it- 3ollo, 1is teaching in +orgi*eness# then# 'ecause +orgi*eness IS 1is +unction# and 1E :no,s ho, to +ul+ill it per+ectly- That is ,hat ,e meant ,hen ,e once said that miracles are 2ATURA!# and ,hen they do 2OT occur# something has gone ,rong- Miracles are merely the sign o+ your ,illingness to +ollo, the 1IS plan o+ Sal*ation# in recognition o+ the 3ACT that you do 2OT :no, ,hat it is- 1is ,or: is 2OT your +unction# and unless you accept this# you CA22OT learn ,hat BOUR +unction ISThe con+usion o+ +unctions is so typical o+ the ego# that you should 'e ?uite +amiliar ,ith it 'y no,- The ego 'elie*es that A!! +unctions 'elong to IT# e*en though it has no idea ,hat they ARE- This is more than mere con+usion- It is a particularly dangerous com'ination o+ grandiosity A2( con+usion# that ma:es it li:ely that the ego ,ill attac: anyone and anything# +or no reason at all- This is e<actly ,hat it (OES- It is TOTA!!B unpredicta'le in its responses# 'ecause it has no idea 41AT it heardI+ one has no idea ,hat is happening# ho, appropriately can you EX ECT him to reactE But you might still as: yoursel+# regardless o+ ho, you can ACCOU2T +or the reactions# ,hether they place the ego in a *ery sound position as a guide +or BOURS- It seems a'surd to ha*e to emphasi9e repeatedly that the ego=s ?uali+ications as a guide are singularly un+ortunate# and that it is a remar:a'ly poor choice as a teacher o+ sal*ationBet this ?uestion# ridiculous as it seems# is REA!!B the crucial issue in the ,hole separation +antasyAnyone ,ho elects a totally insane guide# MUST 'e totally insane himsel+- It is not true that you do not :no, the guide is insane- BOU :no, it 'ecause I :no, it# and you 1AHE @udged it 'y the same Standard as I ha*e- The ego literally li*es on 'orro,ed time# and ITS days ARE num'ered- (o not +ear the last @udgment# 'ut ,elcome it and do not ,ait# +or the ego=s time is 'orro,ed +rom BOUR eternity- This IS the Second Coming# ,hich ,as made 3OR you# as the 3irst ,as createdThe Second Coming is merely the return o+ SE2SE- Can this OSSIB!B 'e +ear+ulE 4hat can 'e +ear+ul 'ut +antasy# and no one turns to +antasy unless he despairs o+ satis+action in reality- But it is CERTAI2 that he ,ill 2EHER +ind satis+action in +antasy# so that his O2!B hope is to change his mind a'out REA!ITB- Only i+ the decision that reality is +ear+ul is 4RO2"# can "O( 'e right- And I ASSURE you that "od IS rightBe glad# then# that you 1AHE 'een ,rong# 'ut this ,as only 'ecause you did not

239

:no, ,ho you 4ERE- 1ad you REMEMBERE(# you could no more ha*e 'een ,rong than "od can- The impossi'le can happen O2!B in +antasy- 4hen you search +or reality in +antasies# you ,ill not +ind it- The sym'ols o+ +antasy are o+ the ego# and o+ T1ESE you ,ill +ind many- But do not loo: +or meaning in them- They ha*e no more meaning than the +antasies into ,hich they are ,o*en3airy tales can 'e pleasant or +ear+ul# pretty or ugly# 'ut 2O O2E calls them TRUEChildren may 'elie*e them# and so# +or a ,hile# they ARE true +or them- But ,hen Reality da,ns# they are gone- REA!ITB has 2OT gone in the mean,hile- The Second Coming is
> $%7 >

the a,areness o+ Reality# not its RETUR2- Behold# my children# Reality is here- It 'elongs to you and me and "od# and is per+ectly satis+ying to all o+ us- Only T1IS a,areness heals# 'ecause it is the a,areness o+ truthThe ego=s plan +or +orgi*eness is +ar more ,idely used than "od=s- This is 'ecause it is underta:en 'y unhealed healers# and IS there+ore o+ the ego- !et us consider the unhealed healer more care+ully no,- By de+inition# he is trying to "IHE ,hat he has 2OT recei*ed- I+ he is a theologian# he may 'egin ,ith the premise# )I am a misera'le sinner# and so are you-. I+ he is a psychotherapist# he is more li:ely to start ,ith the e?ually incredi'le idea that 1E really 'elie*es in attac:# and so does the patient# 'ut it does not matter in EIT1ER case4e ha*e repeatedly stated that 'elie+s o+ the ego CA22OT 'e shared# and T1IS IS 41B T1EB ARE 2OT REA!- 1o,# then# can U2COHERI2" them MALE them realE E*ery healer ,ho searches +antasies +or truth MUST 'e unhealed# 'ecause he (OES 2OT L2O4 41ERE TO !OOL 3OR TRUT1# and there+ore does not ha*e the ans,er to the pro'lem o+ healing- There IS an ad*antage to 'ringing nightmares into a,areness# 'ut O2!B to teach that they are 2OT real# and that A2BT1I2" they contain is meaninglessThe unhealed healer cannot (O this# 'ecause he does not BE!IEHE itAll unhealed healers +ollo, the ego=s plan +or +orgi*eness# in one +orm or another- I+ they are theologians# they are li:ely to condemn T1EMSE!HES# TEAC1 condemnation# and ad*ocate a *ery +ear+ul solution- ro@ecting condemnation onto "od# they ma:e 1im retaliati*e# and 3EAR 1IS RETRIBUTIO2- 4hat they ha*e done is merely to I(E2TI3B

240

,ith the ego# and 'y percei*ing clearly ,hat IT does# condemn T1EMSE!HES 'ecause o+ this pro+ound con+usionIt is understanda'le that there has 'een a re*olt against this concept# 'ut to re*olt A"AI2ST it# is still to BE!IEHE in it- The 3ORM o+ the re*olt# then# is di++erent# 'ut 2OT the content- The ne, +orm o+ the ego=s plan is an unhelp+ul as the older one# 'ecause +orm does not matter to the 1oly Spirit# and there+ore (OES 2OT MATTER AT A!!According to the ne,er +orms o+ the plan# the therapist interprets the ego=s sym'ols I2 the nightmare# and uses them to ROHE T1E 2I"1TMARE IS REA!- 1a*ing MA(E it real# he then attempts to dispel its E33ECTS 'y depreciating the importance o+ the dreamer- This 4OU!( 'e a healing approach# I3 T1E (REAMER ,ere properly identi+ied AS U2REA!- But i+ the dreamer is e?uated ,ith the mind# the mind=s correcti*e po,er# through the 1oly Spirit# is (E2IE(- It is note,orthy that this is a contradiction e*en in the ego=s o,n terms# and one ,hich it usually (OES note# e*en in its con+usion- I+ the ,ay to counteract +ear is to reduce the importance o+ the 3EARER# ho, can this 'uild ego STRE2"T1E These per+ectly sel+>e*ident inconsistencies account +or ,hy# e<cept +or certain styli9ed *er'al accounts# 2OBO(B can EX !AI2 ,hat happens in psychotherapy2othing real (OES2othing real has happened to the unhealed healer# and 1E !EAR2S 3ROM 1IS O42 TEAC1I2"- BECAUSE his ego is in*ol*ed# it A!4ABS attempts to gain some support
> $%K >

+rom the situation- See:ing to "ET something +or 1IMSE!3# the healer does 2OT :no, ho, to gi*e# and conse?uently CA22OT S1ARE- 1e CA22OT correct# 'ecause he is not ,or:ing CORRECTIHE!B- 1e 'elie*es that it is up to him to teach the patient ,hat is REA!# 'ut he does not :no, it 1IMSE!34hat# then# S1OU!( happenE 4hen "od saidF )!et there 'e !ight#. there 4AS light- Can you +ind light 'y A2A!BUI2" dar:ness as the psychotherapist does# or li:e the theologian# 'y ACL2O4!E("I2" it in yoursel+# and loo:ing +or a distant light to remo*e it# ,hile emphasi9ing the distanceE 1ealing is 2OT mysterious- 2othing occurs U2!ESS you understand it# since light IS understanding- A )misera'le sinner. cannot 'e healed ,ithout magic# nor can an )unimportant mind. esteem itsel+ ,ithout magic- Both +orms o+ the ego=s approach# then# MUST arri*e at an impasse# the characteristic )impossi'le situation. to ,hich the ego

241

A!4ABS leadsIt CA2 'e help+ul to point out to a patient 41ERE 1E IS 1EA(I2"# 'ut the point is !OST unless he can change his direction- The therapist cannot do this +or him# 'ut he also CA22OT (O T1IS 3OR 1IMSE!3- 1is only MEA2I2"3U! contri'ution is to present an e<ample o+ one ,hose direction has 'een changed 3OR him# and ,ho 2O !O2"ER BE!IEHES I2 2I"1TMARES O3 A2B LI2(- The light in 1IS mind ,ill there+ore A2S4ER the ?uestioner# ,ho MUST decide ,ith "od that there IS light BECAUSE 1E SEES IT- And 'y 1IS ac:no,ledgment# T1E T1ERA IST L2O4S IT IS T1EREThat is ho, perception ultimately is translated into :no,ledge- The miracle>,or:er 'egins 'y ERCEIHI2" light# and translates 1IS perception into sureness 'y continually e<tending it# and ACCE TI2" ITS ACL2O4!E("ME2T- Its E33ECTS assure him IT IS T1ERE- The therapist does not healP he !ETS 1EA!I2" BE- 1E can point to dar:ness# 'ut he CA22OT 'ring light O3 1IMSE!3# +or light is 2OT o+ him- But 'eing 3OR him# it MUST 'e +or his patientThe 1oly Spirit is the O2!B therapist- 1e ma:es healing ER3ECT!B clear in A2B situation in ,hich 1e is the "uide- The human therapist can only !ET 1IM 3U!3I!! 1IS 3U2CTIO2- 1e needs no help +or this- 1e 4I!! tell you EXACT!B ,hat to do# to help A2BO2E 1e sends to you 3OR help# and ,ill spea: to him through you# I3 BOU (O 2OT I2TER3ERE- Remem'er that you ARE choosing a guide +or helping# and the ,rong choice ,ill 2OT help- But remem'er also that T1E RI"1T O2E 4I!!- Trust 1im# +or help is 1is +unction# and 1e is o+ "odAs you a,a:en other minds TO 1im through 1im# and not yoursel+# you ,ill understand that you are not o'eying the la,s o+ this ,orld# 'ut that the la,s you ARE o'eying 4ORL- )The good is ,hat ,or:s. is a sound though insu++icient statementO2!B the good CA2 ,or:- 2othing else ,or:s at all- This course is a guide to 'eha*iorBeing a *ery direct and *ery simple learning situation# it pro*ides the guide ,ho tells you ,hat to do- I+ you do it# you ,ill SEE that it ,or:s- Its RESU!TS are more con*incing than its ,ords- T1EB ,ill con*ince you that the ,ords are true> $%5 >

By +ollo,ing the right "uide# you ,ill learn the simplest o+ all lessonsF )By their +ruits ye shall :no, them# and T1EB shall :no, T1EMSE!HES.1o, can you 'ecome increasingly a,are o+ the 1oly Spirit in you# EXCE T 'y 1is

242

E33ECTSE Bou cannot see 1im ,ith your eyes# nor hear 1im ,ith your ears- 1o,# then# can you percei*e 1im at allE I+ you I2S IRE @oy# and others react to you 4IT1 @oy# e*en though you are not e<periencing @oy yoursel+# there must 'e SOMET1I2" I2 BOU that IS CA AB!E O3 RO(UCI2" IT- I+ it is in BOU# and CA2 produce @oy# and i+ you see that it (OES produce @oy in others# you MUST 'e dissociating it in yoursel+It seems to you that the 1oly Spirit does not produce @oy consistently in you# O2!B 'ecause BOU (O 2OT CO2SISTE2T!B AROUSE JOB I2 OT1ERS- Their reactions to you ARE your e*aluations o+ 1is consistency- 4hen you are inconsistent# you ,ill not al,ays "IHE RISE to @oy# and so you ,ill not al,ays recogni9e 1IS consistency4hat you o++er to your 'rother# you o++er to 1im# 'ecause 1e cannot "O BEBO2( your o++ering in 1IS gi*ing- This is 2OT 'ecause 1E limits 1is gi*ing# 'ut simply 'ecause BOU ha*e limited your RECEIHI2"The ,ill to recei*e is the ,ill to accept- I+ your 'rothers ARE part o+ you# ,ill you ACCE T themE Only they can teach you ,hat you are# and your learning is the result o+ ,hat you taught T1EM- 4hat you call upon in them# you call upon in BOURSE!3And as you call upon it I2 T1EM# it 'ecomes real to BOU- "od has 'ut one Son# :no,ing them all as One- Only "od 1imsel+ is more than they# 'ut they are not less than 1e is4ould you :no, ,hat this meansE I+ ,hat you do to my 'rother you do to me# and i+ you do e*erything +or yoursel+ 'ecause ,e are ART o+ you# e*erything 4E do 'elongs to you as ,ell- E*ery Soul "od created is part o+ you# and shares 1is glory 4IT1 you- 1is glory 'elongs to 1im# 'ut it is e?ually BOURS- Bou cannot# then# BE less glorious than 1e is1e is more than you O2!B 'ecause 1e CREATE( you# 'ut not e*en this ,ould 1e :eep +rom you- There+ore# you CA2 create as 1e did# and BOUR dissociation 4I!! 2OT A!TER T1IS- 2either "od=s !ight nor BOURS is dimmed 'ecause you do not seeBecause the Sonship MUST create as one# you remem'er creation ,hene*er you recogni9e part o+ creation- Each part you remem'er adds to BOUR ,holeness# 'ecause each part IS ,hole- 4holeness is indi*isi'le# 'ut you cannot learn BOUR ,holeness# U2TI! BOU SEE IT EHERB41ERE- Bou can :no, yoursel+ only as "od :no,s 1is Son# +or L2O4!E("E is shared 4IT1 "od- 4hen you a,a:e in 1im# you ,ill :no, your magnitude 'y accepting 1IS limitlessness as BOURS- But mean,hile# you ,ill @udge it as

243

you @udge your 'rothers=# and ,ill accept it as you accept theirsBou are not yet a,a:e# 'ut you can learn 1O4 to a,a:en- Hery simply the 1oly Spirit teaches you to a,a:en others- As you see them ,a:en# you ,ill learn 41AT 4ALI2" MEA2S- And 'ecause you ha*e ,illed to ,a:e them# their gratitude# and their appreciation o+ ,hat you ha*e gi*en them# ,ill TEAC1 BOU ITS HA!UE- T1EB ,ill 'ecome the ,itnesses to your reality# as BOU ,ere created ,itnesses to "od=s- But ,hen
> $&% >

the Sonship COMES TO"ET1ER and accepts its oneness# it ,ill 'e :no,n 'y ITS creations# ,ho ,itness to its reality# as the Son does to the 3atherMiracles ha*e no place in eternity 'ecause they are reparati*e- But ,hile you still need healing# your miracles are the only ,itnesses to your reality T1AT BOU CA2 RECO"2IUE- Bou cannot per+orm a miracle 3OR BOURSE!3# 'ecause miracles are a ,ay o+ "IHI2" ACCE TA2CE A2( recei*ing it- In TIME the gi*ing comes 3IRST# though they are simultaneous in eternity# ,here they cannot BE separated- 4hen you ha*e learned that they ARE the same# the need +or time is o*er- Eternity is O2E time# its O2!B dimension 'eing )al,ays-. But this cannot mean anything to you# until you remem'er "od=s open arms# and +inally :no, 1is open Mind- !i:e 1im# BOU are A!4ABS# in 1is Mind# and ,ith a mind li:e 1is- In your open mind are BOUR creations# in per+ect communication# 'orn o+ per+ect understanding- Could you 'ut accept one o+ them# you ,ould not ,ant A2BT1I2" the ,orld has to o++er- E*erything else ,ould 'e totally meaningless- "od=s meaning is incomplete ,ithout you# and you are incomplete ,ithout your creationsAccept your 'rother in this ,orld# and accept 2OT1I2" E!SE# +or in him you ,ill +ind your creations# 'ecause he created them 4IT1 you- Bou ,ill ne*er :no, that you are co>creator ,ith "od# until you learn that your 'rother is a co>creator ,ith BOU"od=s 4ill is your sal*ation- 4ould 1e not ha*e gi*en you the means to +ind itE I+ 1e ,ills you to 1AHE it# 1e MUST ha*e made it possi'le# and *ery easy to o'tain itBour 'rothers are e*ery,here- Bou do not ha*e to see: +ar +or sal*ation- E*ery minute and e*ery second gi*es you a chance to sa*e BOURSE!3- (o not lose these chances# 2OT 'ecause they ,ill not return# 'ut 'ecause delay o+ @oy is needless"od ,ills you per+ect happiness 2O4- Is it possi'le that this is not also BOUR ,illE And is it possi'le that this is not A!SO the ,ill o+ your 'rothersE Consider# then# that in this @oint ,ill# you ARE all united# and I2 T1IS O2!B- There 4I!! 'e disagreement on anything E!SE# 'ut 2OT in this- This# then# is ,here peace ABI(ES- And BOU a'ide in peace#

244

,hen you so decideBut you cannot a'ide in peace unless you accept the Atonement# 'ecause the Atonement IS the ,ay to peace- The reason is *ery simple# and so o'*ious that it is o+ten o*erloo:ed- That is 'ecause the ego is A3RAI( o+ the o'*ious# since o'*iousness is the essential characteristic o+ reality- Bou CA22OT o*erloo: it# unless you are 2OT !OOLI2"It is ER3ECT!B o'*ious that i+ the 1oly Spirit loo:s ,ith lo*e on all 1e percei*es# 1e loo:s ,ith lo*e on BOU- 1is EHA!UATIO2 o+ you is 'ased on his :no,ledge o+ ,hat you ARE# and so 1e e*aluates you truly- And this e*aluation MUST 'e in your mind# 'ecause 1E isThe ego is also in your mind# 'ecause you ha*e ACCE TE( it there- ITS e*aluation o+ you# ho,e*er# is the e<act opposite o+ the 1oly Spirit=s# 'ecause the ego does 2OT lo*e you- It is una,are o+ ,hat you are# and ,holly mistrust+ul o+ EHERBT1I2" it percei*es# 'ecause its o,n perceptions are so shi+ting- The ego is there+ore capa'le o+
> $&& >

suspiciousness at 'est# and *iciousness at ,orst- That is its range- It cannot e<ceed it# 'ecause o+ its uncertainty- And it can ne*er go BEBO2( it# 'ecause it can ne*er BE certainBou# then# ha*e t,o con+licting e*aluations o+ yoursel+ in your minds# and they CA22OT BOT1 BE TRUE- Bou do not yet reali9e ho, COM !ETE!B di++erent these e*aluations are# 'ecause you do not understand ho, lo+ty the 1oly Spirit=s perception o+ you really is- 1e is not decei*ed 'y A2BT1I2" you do# 'ecause 1e 2EHER +orgets ,hat you are- The ego is decei*ed 'y EHERBT1I2" you do# e*en ,hen you respond to the 1oly Spirit# 'ecause at such times ITS CO23USIO2 I2CREASES- The ego is# there+ore# particularly li:ely to attac: you ,hen you react lo*ingly# 'ecause it has e*aluated you AS U2!OHI2"# and you are going A"AI2ST ITS JU("ME2TThe ego ,ill 'egin to ATTACL your moti*es as soon as they 'ecome clearly out o+ accord ,ith its perception o+ you- This is ,hen it ,ill shi+t a'ruptly +rom suspiciousness to *iciousness# 'ecause its uncertainty is I2CREASE(- But it is surely pointless to attac: in return- 4hat can this mean# e<cept that you are A"REEI2" ,ith the ego=s e*aluation o+ ,hat you areE I+ you are ,illing to see yoursel+ as unlo*ing# BOU 4I!! 2OT BE 1A B- Bou are condemning yoursel+# and MUST there+ore regard yoursel+ as inade?uate4ould you loo: to the ego to help you escape +rom a sense o+ inade?uacy it has

245

RO(UCE(# and must MAI2TAI2 +or its o,n e<istenceE Can you ESCA E +rom its e*aluation o+ you# 'y using its methods +or :eeping this picture I2TACTE Bou cannot e*aluate an insane 'elie+ system +rom 4IT1I2 it- Its o,n range precludes this- Bou can only "O BEBO2( it# loo: 'ac: +rom a point ,here SA2ITB e<ists# and SEE T1E CO2TRAST- Only BB this contrast# can insanity 'e @udged as insane4ith the grandeur o+ "od in you# you ha*e chosen to 'e little# and lament your littleness- 4ithin the system ,hich (ICTATE( this choice# the lament IS ine*ita'leBour littleness is TALE2 3OR "RA2TE( there# and you do 2OT as: ,ho granted it- The ?uestion is meaningless 4IT1I2 the ego=s thought>system# 'ecause it O E2S T1E 41O!E T1OU"1T>SBSTEM TO DUESTIO2- 4e said 'e+ore that the ego does not :no, ,hat a real ?uestion is- !ac: o+ :no,ledge o+ A2B :ind is A!4ABS associated ,ith U24I!!I2"2ESS to :no,# and produces a TOTA! lac: o+ :no,ledge# simply 'ecause L2O4!E("E is total- 2OT to ?uestion your littleness is# there+ore# to deny A!! :no,ledge# and :eep the ego=s 41O!E thought>system intactBou cannot retain ART o+ a thought>system# 'ecause it can BE ?uestioned only at its +oundation- And this MUST 'e ?uestioned +rom 'eyond it# 'ecause 4IT1I2 it# its +oundation (OES stand- The 1oly Spirit @udges against the reality o+ the ego=s thoughtsystem# merely 'ecause 1e :no,s its 3OU2(ATIO2 is not true- There+ore# nothing that arises +rom it MEA2S anything- The 1oly Spirit @udges e*ery 'elie+ you hold in terms o+ ,here it comes +rom- I+ it comes +rom "od# 1e :no,s it to 'e true- I+ it does not# 1e :no,s it is meaningless> $&$ >

4hene*er you ?uestion your *alue# say# )"od 1imsel+ is incomplete ,ithout me-. Remem'er this ,hen the ego spea:s# and you ,ill not hear it- The truth a'out BOU is so lo+ty that nothing that is un,orthy o+ "od is ,orthy o+ you- Choose# then# ,hat you ,ant in these terms# and accept nothing that you ,ould not o++er to "od as ,holly +itting +or 1IM# +or BOU do not ,ant anything else- Return your part o+ 1im# and 1e ,ill gi*e you all o+ 1imsel+# in e<change +or your return o+ ,hat 'elongs to 1im# and renders 1im complete"randeur is o+ "od# and O2!B o+ 1im- There+ore# it is in you- 4hene*er you 'ecome a,are o+ it# ho,e*er dimly# you a'andon the ego automatically# 'ecause in the presence o+ the grandeur o+ "od# the meaninglessness o+ the ego 'ecomes per+ectly apparentThough it does not understand this# the ego 'elie*es that its )enemy. has struc:# and

246

attempts to o++er gi+ts to induce you to return to its protection- SE!3>in+lation is the only o++ering it can ma:e- The grandiosity o+ the ego is its alternati*e to the grandeur o+ "od4hich ,ill you chooseE "randiosity is A!4ABS a co*er +or despair- It is ,ithout hope# 'ecause it is not realIt is an attempt to COU2TERACT your littleness# 'ased on the 'elie+ T1AT T1E !ITT!E2ESS IS REA!- 4IT1OUT this 'elie+# the grandiosity is meaningless# and you could not possi'ly 4A2T it- The essence o+ grandiosity is competiti*eness# 'ecause it A!4ABS in*ol*es ATTACL- It is a delusional attempt to OUT(O# 'ut 2OT to U2do- 4e said 'e+ore that the ego *acillates 'et,een suspiciousness and *iciousness- It remains suspicious as long as you (ES AIR o+ yoursel+- It shi+ts to *iciousness ,hene*er you ,ill not tolerate sel+de'asement# and see: relie+- Then it o++ers you the delusion o+ ATTACL as a solutionThe ego does not :no, the di++erence 'et,een grandeur and grandiosity# 'ecause it does not :no, the di++erence 'et,een miracle>impulses and ego>alien 'elie+s o+ its o,n- 4e once said that the ego IS a,are o+ threat# 'ut does 2OT ma:e distinctions 'et,een t,o E2TIRE!B di++erent :inds o+ threat to its e<istence- Its o,n RO3OU2( sense o+ *ulnera'ility renders it incapa'le o+ @udgment# EXCE T in terms o+ attac:4hen it e<periences threat# its O2!B decision is ,hether to attac: 2O4# or ,ithdra, to attac: later- I+ you ACCE T its o++er o+ grandiosity# it ,ill attac: immediately- I+ you do not# it ,ill ,aitThe ego is immo'ili9ed in the presence o+ "od=s grandeur# 'ecause 1IS grandeur esta'lishes BOUR +reedom- E*en the +aintest hint o+ your reality literally dri*es the ego +rom your mind# 'ecause o+ the complete lac: o+ in*estment in it- "randeur is totally 4IT1OUT illusion# and 'ecause it is real# it is compellingly con*incing- But the con*iction o+ reality ,ill not REMAI2 ,ith you# U2!ESS BOU (O 2OT A!!O4 T1E E"O TO ATTACL ITThe ego ,ill ma:e e*ery e++ort to reco*er# and mo'ili9e its energies A"AI2ST your release- It ,ill tell you that you are insane# and argue that grandeur CA22OT 'e a real part o+ you# 'ecause o+ the littleness in ,hich IT 'elie*es- But your grandeur is 2OT delusional# BECAUSE BOU (I( 2OT MALE IT- BOU ha*e made grandiosity# and are a+raid o+ it# 'ecause it is a +orm o+ ATTACL- But your grandeur is o+ "od# ,ho created it
> $&8 >

out o+ 1is lo*e- 3rom your grandeur you can only 'less# 'ecause your grandeur is your

247

ABU2(A2CE- By 'lessing you hold it in your minds# protecting it +rom illusions# and :eeping yoursel+ in the Mind o+ "odRemem'er al,ays that you cannot 'e any,here EXCE T in the Mind o+ "od- 4hen you 3OR"ET this# you 4I!! despair# and you 4I!! attac:- The ego depends SO!E!B on your ,illingness to tolerate it- But i+ you are ,illing to loo: upon your grandeur# you CA22OT despair# and there+ore you CA22OT ,ant the ego- Bour grandeur is "od=s A2S4ER to the ego# 'ecause it is true- !ittleness and grandeur cannot co>e<ist# nor is it possi'le +or them to alternate in your a,areness- !ittleness and grandiosity can and MUST# since 'oth are untrue# and there+ore on the same le*el- Being the le*el o+ shi+t# it is e<perienced as shi+ting# and e<tremes are its essential characteristicBut truth and littleness are (E2IA!S o+ each other# and grandeur IS truth- Truth does not *acillateP it is A!4ABS true- 4hen grandeur slips a,ay +rom you# BOU 1AHE RE !ACE( IT 4IT1 SOMET1I2" BOU 1AHE MA(E- erhaps it is the 'elie+ in littlenessP perhaps it is the 'elie+ in grandiosity- But it MUST 'e insane# 'ecause it is 2OT TRUEBour grandeur ,ill 2EHER decei*e you# 'ut your illusions A!4ABS ,ill- Illusions ARE deceptionsBou CA22OT triumph# 'ut you ARE e<alted- And in your e<alted state# you see: others li:e you# and re@oice ,ith them- It is easy to distinguish grandeur +rom grandiosity# simply 'ecause lo*e is returned# 'ut pride is not- ride ,ill not produce miracles# and there+ore ,ill depri*e you o+ the true ,itnesses to your reality- Truth is not o'scure nor hidden# 'ut its o'*iousness to BOU lies in the @oy you 'ring to its ,itnesses# 41O S1O4 IT TO BOU- They attest to your grandeur# 'ut they cannot attest to pride 'ecause pride is not shared"od 4A2TS you to 'ehold ,hat 1e created# 'ecause it is 1IS @oy- Can your grandeur 'e arrogant# ,hen "od 1IMSE!3 ,itnesses to itE And ,hat can 'e real that has 2O ,itnessesE 4hat good can come o+ itE And i+ no good can come o+ it# the 1oly Spirit cannot use it- 4hat 1e cannot TRA2S3ORM to the 4ill o+ "od does not e<ist at all"randiosity is delusional 'ecause it is used to RE !ACE your grandeur- Bet ,hat "od has created cannot BE replaced"od is incomplete ,ithout you# simply 'ecause 1is grandeur is total# and you cannot BE missing +rom it- Bou are altogether irreplacea'le in the Mind o+ "od- 2o one else can +ill your part o+ it# and ,hile you lea*e your part o+ it empty# your eternal place merely ,aits +or your return- "od# through 1is Hoice# reminds you o+ it# and "od 1imsel+ :eeps your e<tensions sa+e ,ithin it- But BOU do not :no, them# until you return TO them-

248

Bou CA22OT replace the Lingdom# and you cannot replace yoursel+- "od# 4ho L2O4S your *alue# ,ould not ha*e it so# and so it is 2OT so- Bour *alue is in "O(=S Mind# and there+ore 2OT in yours alone- To accept yoursel+ as 1e created you CA22OT 'e arrogant# 'ecause it is the (E2IA! o+ arrogance- To accept your littleness IS arrogant#
> $&G >

'ecause it means that you 'elie*e that BOUR e*aluation o+ yoursel+ is TRUER T1A2 "O(=S- But i+ truth is indi*isi'le# then BOUR e*aluation o+ yoursel+ MUST BE "O(=SBou did not ESTAB!IS1 your *alue# and it needs no de+ense- 2OT1I2" can attac: it# or pre*ail o*er it- It does not *ary- It merely IS- As: the 1oly Spirit 41AT it is# and 1e ,ill tell you- But do not 'e a+raid o+ 1is Ans,er# +or it comes +rom "od- It IS an e<alted ans,er# 'ecause o+ its Source- But the Source is true# and so is its ans,er- !isten and do not ?uestion ,hat you hear# +or "od does not decei*e- 1e ,ould ha*e you replace the ego=s 'elie+ in littleness ,ith 1is o,n e<alted ans,er to the ?uestion o+ your 'eing# so that you can cease to ?uestion it# and L2O4 it +or ,hat it IS2OT1I2" 'eyond yoursel+ can ma:e you +ear+ul or lo*ing# 'ecause nothing IS 'eyond you- Time and eternity are 'oth in your minds# and 4I!! con+lict# until you percei*e time SO!E!B as a means to RE"AI2 eternity- Bou cannot do this# as long as you 'elie*e that A2BT1I2" that happens to you is caused 'y +actors OUTSI(E yoursel+Bou must learn that time is solely at BOUR disposal# and that nothing in the ,orld can ta:e this responsi'ility 3ROM you- Bou can HIO!ATE "od=s la,s in your imagination# 'ut you cannot escape +rom them- They ,ere esta'lished +or your protection# and are as in*iolate as your sa+ety"od created nothing 'eside you# and nothing 'eside you e<ists# +or you are part o+ 1im- 4hat e<cept 1im CA2 e<istE 2othing BEBO2( 1im can happen# 'ecause nothing EXCE T 1im is real- BOUR creations add to 1im# as BOU do- But nothing is added that is di++erent# 'ecause e*erything has al,ays BEE2- 4hat can upset you e<cept the ephemeral# and ho, can the ephemeral 'e real# i+ you are "od=s O2!B creation# and 1e created you eternalE Bour holy ,ill esta'lishes EHERBT1I2" that happens to you- E*ery response you ma:e# to e*erything you percei*e# is up to you# 'ecause your ,ill (ETERMI2ES your perception o+ it- "od does not change 1is Mind a'out BOU# +or 1e is not uncertain o+ 1IMSE!3- And ,hat 1e :no,s CA2 'e :no,n# 'ecause 1e does not :no, only +or

249

1imsel+- 1e CREATE( you +or 1imsel+# 'ut 1e ga*e you the po,er to create +or BOUR sel+# so you ,ould 'e !ILE 1im- That is ,hy your ,ill is holyCan anything EXCEE( the lo*e o+ "odE Can anything# then# e<ceed BOUR ,illE 2othing can reach you +rom BEBO2( it# 'ecause 'eing in "od# BOU encompass e*erything- Belie*e this# and you ,ill reali9e ho, much IS up to you- 4hen A2BT1I2" threatens your peace o+ mind# as: yoursel+ )1as "od changed 1is Mind a'out meE. Then ACCE T 1is decision# +or it is indeed changeless# and re+use to change your mind a'out BOURSE!3- "od ,ill ne*er decide A"AI2ST you# or 1e ,ould 'e deciding against 1imsel+The reason you do not :no, BOUR creations is simply that you ,ould decide against them# as long as your minds are split# and to attac: ,hat you ha*e created is impossi'le- But remem'er that IT IS AS IM OSSIB!E 3OR "O(- The la, o+ Creation is that you lo*e your creations as yoursel+# BECAUSE T1EB ARE ART O3 BOUE*erything that ,as created is there+ore ER3ECT!B sa+e# 'ecause the la,s o+ "od protect it 'y 1is
> $&6 >

lo*e- Any part o+ your mind that does not :no, this# has 'anished itsel+ +rom :no,ledge# 'ecause it has 2OT MET ITS CO2(ITIO2S4ho could ha*e done this 'ut youE Recogni9e this gladly# +or in this recognition lies the reali9ation that your 'anishment is not o+ "od# and there+ore does not e<ist- Bou are at home in "od# dreaming o+ e<ile# 'ut per+ectly capa'le o+ a,a:ening to Reality- Is it your ,ill to do soE Bou :no,# +rom your o,n e<perience# that ,hat you see in dreams you thin: is real# as long as you are asleep- But the instant you ,a:en# you L2O4 that e*erything that SEEME( to happen (I( 2OT 1A E2 AT A!!- Bou do not thin: this mysterious# e*en though A!! the la,s o+ ,hat you a,a:e to 4ERE *iolated ,hile you sleptIs it not possi'le that you merely shi+ted +rom one dream to another ,ithout really ,a:eningE 4ould you 'other to reconcile ,hat happened in con+licting (REAMS# or ,ould you dismiss BOT1 TO"ET1ER# i+ you disco*ered that REA!ITB is in accord ,ith neitherE Bou do not remem'er 'eing a,a:e- 4hen you hear the 1oly Spirit# you merely +eel BETTER# 'ecause lo*ing seems OSSIB!E to you- But you do 2OT remem'er yet that it once ,as so# and it is in this remem'ering that you ,ill :no, it can 'e so again4hat is possi'le has not yet 'een accomplished- But ,hat has once 'een is so no,#

250

i+ it is eternal- 4hen you remem'er# you ,ill :no, ,hat you remem'er IS eternal# and there+ore is 2O4- Bou ,ill remem'er e*erything the instant you (ESIRE IT 41O!!B# +or i+ to desire ,holly is to create# you ,ill ha*e ,illed a,ay the separation# returning your mind simultaneously to your Creator and your creations- Lno,ing them# you ,ill ha*e no ,ish to sleep# 'ut only the ,ill to ,a:en and 'e glad- (reams ,ill 'e impossi'le# 'ecause you ,ill 4A2T only truth# and 'eing at last your ,ill# it ,ill 'e yoursUnless you L2O4 something# you CA22OT dissociate it- Lno,ledge there+ore RECE(ES dissociation# and dissociation is nothing more than a (ECISIO2 TO 3OR"ET4hat has 'een 3OR"OTTE2 then appears to 'e +ear+ul# 'ut O2!B 'ecause the dissociation ,as an ATTACL O2 TRUT1- Bou are +ear+ul 'ecause you ha*e +orgotten- And you ha*e RE !ACE( your :no,ledge 'y an a,areness o+ dreams# BECAUSE BOU ARE A3RAI( O3 BOUR (ISSOCIATIO2# 2OT o+ ,hat you ha*e dissociated- E*en in this ,orld=s therapy# ,hen dissociated material is ACCE TE(# it ceases to 'e +ear+ul# +or the la,s o+ mind al,ays holdBut to gi*e up the dissociation o+ REA!ITB 'rings more than merely lac: o+ +ear- In T1IS decision lie @oy# and peace# and the glory o+ creation- O++er the 1oly Spirit only your ,ill to remem'er# +or 1e retains the :no,ledge o+ "od and o+ you 3OR you# ,aiting +or your acceptance- "i*e up gladly EHERBT1I2" that ,ould stand in the ,ay o+ your remem'ering# +or "od is in your memory# and 1is Hoice ,ill tell you that you are part o+ 1im ,hen you are ,illing to remem'er 1im and :no, your o,n reality again- !et nothing in this ,orld delay your remem'ering o+ 1im# +or in this remem'ering is the :no,ledge o+ BOURSE!3> $&J >

To remem'er is merely to restore to your mind 41AT IS A!REA(B T1ERE- Bou do not ma:e ,hat you remem'erP you merely accept again ,hat has 'een made A2( REJECTE(- The a'ility to ACCE T truth in this ,orld is the perceptual counterpart o+ creating in the Lingdom- "od 4I!! do 1is part i+ you ,ill do yours# and 1IS return in e<change +or yours is the e<change o+ :no,ledge +or perception- 2OT1I2" is 'eyond 1is ,ill +or you- But signi+y your ,ill to remem'er 1im# and 'eholdO 1e ,ill gi*e you e*erything 'ut +or your as:ing4hene*er you attac:# you are denying BOURSE!3- Bou are speci+ically teaching yoursel+ that you are 2OT ,hat you are- BOUR denial o+ reality precludes ACCE TA2CE

251

o+ "od=s gi+t# BECAUSE BOU 1AHE ACCE TE( SOMET1I2" E!SE I2 ITS !ACE- I+ you understand that the misuse o+ de+enses al,ays constitutes an attac: on truth# and truth is "od# you ,ill reali9e ,hy this is A!4ABS +ear+ul- I+ you +urther recogni9e that you are ART o+ "od# you ,ill also understand ,hy it is that BOU A!4ABS ATTACL BOURSE!3 3IRSTA!! attac: is sel+ attac:- It cannot BE anything else- Arising +rom your O42 decision 2OT to 'e ,hat you ARE# IT IS A2 ATTACL O2 BOUR I(E2TI3ICAITO2- Attac: is thus the ,ay in ,hich your identi+ication is lost# 'ecause# ,hen you attac:# you MUST ha*e +orgotten ,hat you are- And i+ your reality is "od=s# ,hen BOU attac:# you are not remem'ering 1IM- This is not 'ecause 1e is gone# 'ut 'ecause you are ACTIHE!B 4I!!I2" 2OT TO REMEMBER 1IMI+ you reali9ed the complete ha*oc this ma:es o+ your peace o+ mind# you COU!( not ma:e such an insane decision- Bou ma:e it only 'ecause you still 'elie*e that it can "ET BOU SOMET1I2" BOU 4A2T- It +ollo,s# then# that you ,ant something OT1ER than peace o+ mind# and you ha*e not considered ,hat it must 'e- Bet the logical outcome o+ your decision is per+ectly clear# i+ you ,ill !OOL at it- By deciding A"AI2ST your reality# you ha*e made yoursel+ *igilant A"AI2ST "od and 1is Lingdom- And it is T1IS *igilance that ma:es you a+raid to remem'er 1imBou ha*e 2OT attac:ed "od# and you (O lo*e 1im- Can you change your realityE 2o>one can ,ill to destroy himsel+- 4hen you thin: you are attac:ing your SE!3# it is a sure sign that you hate ,hat you thin: you are- And this# and O2!B this# can BE attac:ed 'y you- 4hat you T1I2L you are CA2 'e hate+ul# and ,hat this strange image ma:es you do can 'e *ery destructi*e- The destruction is no more real than the image# 'ut those ,ho ma:e idols (O ,orship them- The idols are nothing# 'ut their ,orshippers are the Sons o+ "od in sic:ness"od ,ould ha*e them released +rom their sic:ness# and returned to 1is Mind- 1e ,ill not limit your po,er to help them# 'ecause 1e has gi*en it TO you- (o not 'e a+raid o+ it# 'ecause it is your sal*ation- 4hat Com+orter can there 'e +or the sic: children o+ "od e<cept 1is po,er through BOUE Remem'er that it does not matter ,here in the Sonship 1e is accepted- 1e is A!4ABS accepted +or all# and ,hen your mind recei*es

252

1im# the remem'rance o+ 1im a,a:ens throughout the Sonship> $&7 >

1eal your 'rothers simply 'y accepting "od 3OR them- Bour minds are not separate# and "od has only one channel +or healing# 'ecause 1e has 'ut one Son- 1is remaining communication lin: ,ith all 1is Children @oins them together# and them to 1im- To 'e a,are o+ this is to heal them# 'ecause it is the a,areness that no one is separate# and so no one is sic:- To 'elie*e that a Son o+ "od can 'e sic: is to 'elie*e that ART O3 "O( CA2 SU33ER!o*e CA22OT su++er# 'ecause it cannot attac:- The remem'rance o+ lo*e there+ore 'rings in*ulnera'ility ,ith it- (o not side ,ith sic:ness in the presence o+ a Son o+ "od# e*en i+ 1E 'elie*es in it# +or BOUR acceptance o+ "od in him ACL2O4!E("ES the lo*e o+ "od ,hich he has +orgotten- Bour recognition o+ him as ART O3 "O( teaches him the truth a'out himsel+# 41IC1 1E IS (E2BI2"- 4ould you STRE2"T1E2 his denial o+ "od# and thus lose sight o+ BOURSE!3E Or ,ould you remind him o+ his ,holeness# and remem'er your Creator 4IT1 himE To 'elie*e a Son o+ "od is sic: is to ,orship the same idol he does- "od created lo*e# 2OT idolatry- A!! +orms o+ idolatry are caricatures o+ creation# taught 'y sic: minds# ,ho are too di*ided to :no, that Creation S1ARES po,er# and 2EHER usurps itSic:ness is idolatry# 'ecause it is the 'elie+ that O4ER CA2 BE TALE2 3ROM BOU- But this is impossi'le# 'ecause you are part o+ "od# 4ho IS all po,er- A sic: god MUST 'e an idol# made in the image o+ ,hat its ma:er thin:s 1E is- And that is e<actly ,hat the ego (OES percei*e in a Son o+ "odP Na sic: god# sel+>created# sel+>su++icient# *ery *icious# and *ery *ulnera'leIs this the idol you ,ould ,orshipE Is this the image you ,ould 'e *igilant to SAHEE Are you REA!!B a+raid o+ losing T1ISE !oo: calmly at the logical conclusion o+ the ego=s thought>system# and @udge ,hether its o++ering is really ,hat you ,ant# +or this IS ,hat it o++ers you- To o'tain T1IS# you are ,illing to attac: the (i*inity o+ your 'rothers# and thus lose sight o+ BOURS- And you are ,illing to :eep it hidden# to protect this idol# ,hich you thin: ,ill sa*e you +rom dangers 41IC1 T1E I(O! ITSE!3 STA2(S 3OR# 'ut ,hich do not e<istThere are no idolaters in the Lingdom# 'ut there is great appreciation +or e*ery Soul

253

,hich "od created# 'ecause o+ the calm :no,ledge that each one is part o+ 1im"od=s Son :no,s no idols# 'ut he (OES :no, 1is 3ather- 1ealth in this ,orld is the counterpart o+ *alue in 1ea*en- It is not my merit that I contri'ute to you# 'ut my lo*e# +or you do not *alue yoursel*es- 4hen you do not *alue yoursel+ you 'ecome sic:# 'ut MB *alue o+ you can heal you# 'ecause the *alue o+ "od=s Son is one4hen I said# )my peace I gi*e unto you#. I meant it- eace came +rom "od through me to BOU- It ,as 3OR you# 'ut you did not as:- 4hen a 'rother is sic:# it is 'ecause 1E IS 2OT ASLI2" 3OR EACE# and there+ore he does not :no, he 1AS it- The ACCE TA2CE o+ peace is the denial o+ illusion# and sic:ness IS an illusion- Bet e*ery Son o+ "od has the po,er to deny illusions A2B41ERE in the Lingdom# merely 'y denying them completely in himsel+> $&K >

I CA2 heal you# 'ecause I L2O4 you- I :no, your *alue 3OR you# and it is this *alue that ma:es you ,hole- A ,hole mind is not idolatrous# and does not :no, o+ con+licting la,s- I ,ill heal you merely 'ecause I ha*e only O2E message# and it is trueBour +aith in it ,ill ma:e you ,hole# ,hen you ha*e +aith in me- I do not 'ring "od=s message ,ith deception# and you ,ill learn this as you learn that you A!4ABS recei*e as much as you ACCE T- Bou could accept peace 2O4# +or e*eryone you meet# and o++er them per+ect +reedom +rom A!! illusions# BECAUSE BOU 1EAR(- But ha*e no other gods 'e+ore 1im# or you ,ill 2OT hear"od is not @ealous o+ the gods you ma:e# 'ut BOU are- Bou ,ould sa*e them and ser*e them# 'ecause you 'elie*e that T1EB MA(E BOU- Bou thin: they are your +ather# 'ecause you are pro@ecting onto them the +ear+ul +act that BOU MA(E T1EM TO RE !ACE "O(- But ,hen they seem to spea: to you# remem'er that 2OT1I2" can replace "od# and ,hate*er replacements you ha*e attempted ARE nothing- Hery simply# then# you may BE!IEHE you are a+raid o+ nothing2ESS# 'ut you are REA!!B a+raid o+ 2OT1I2"F And in T1AT a,areness you ARE healedBou 4I!! hear the god you listen to- Bou MA(E the god o+ sic:ness# and BB ma:ing him# you made yoursel+ AB!E to hear him- But you did 2OT create him# 'ecause he is 2OT the 4ill o+ the 3ather- 1e is there+ore not eternal# and ,ill 'e U2made +or you# the

254

instant you signi+y your ,illingness to accept O2!B the eternal- I+ "od has 'ut one Son# there is 'ut one "od- Bou share reality ,ith 1im# BECAUSE reality is not di*ided- To accept other gods 'e+ore 1im# is to place other images 'e+ore BOURSE!3- Bou do not reali9e ho, much you listen to your gods# and ho, *igilant you are on their 'ehal+But they e<ist only 'ecause you honor themlace honor ,here it is due# and peace 4I!! 'e yours- It is your inheritance +rom your REA! 3ather- Bou cannot ma:e your +ather# and the +ather you made did 2OT ma:e you- 1onor is not due to illusions# +or to honor them is to honor nothing- But +ear is not due them either# +or nothing cannot 'e +ear+ul- Bou ha*e chosen to +ear lo*e BECAUSE o+ its per+ect harmlessness- And 'ecause o+ this +ear# you ha*e 'een ,illing to gi*e up your o,n per+ect help+ulness# and your o,n per+ect 1elp- Only at the altar o+ "od ,ill you +ind peace# and this altar is in you# 'ecause "od put it there- 1is Hoice still calls you to return# and 1e ,ill 'e heard# ,hen you place no other gods 'e+ore 1imBou can gi*e up the god o+ sic:ness +or your 'rothersP in +act# you ,ould 1AHE to do so# i+ you gi*e him up +or yoursel+- 3or i+ you see him any,here# BOU ha*e accepted him- And i+ you accept him# you 4I!! 'o, do,n and ,orship him# 'ecause 1E 4AS MA(E AS "O(=S RE !ACEME2T- 1e is the 'elie+ that BOU CA2 C1OOSE 41IC1 "O( IS REA!- Although it is per+ectly clear that this has nothing to do ,ith REA!ITB# it is e?ually clear that it has EHERBT1I2" to do ,ith REA!ITB AS BOU ERCEIHE ITAll magic is a +orm o+ reconciling the irreconcila'le- All religion is the recognition that the irreconcila'le cannot BE reconciledSic:ness and per+ection ARE irreconcila'le- I+ "od created you per+ect# you ARE per+ect- I+ you 'elie*e you can 'e sic:# you 1AHE placed other gods 'e+ore 1im"O( is not at ,ar ,ith the god o+ sic:ness ,hich you made# 'ut BOU are- 1e is the sym'ol o+
> $&5 >

,illing A"AI2ST "od# and you are a+raid o+ him BECAUSE he cannot 'e reconciled ,ith "od=s ,ill- I+ you ATTACL him# you ,ill ma:e him real to you- But i+ you re+use to ,orship him# in ,hate*er +orm he may appear to you# and ,here*er you thin: you see him# he ,ill disappear into the nothingness out o+ ,hich he ,as madeReality can da,n only in an unclouded mind- It is al,ays T1ERE# to BE accepted# 'ut its acceptance depends on your 4I!!I2"2ESS TO 1AHE IT- To :no, reality MUST in*ol*e the ,illingness to @udge Unreality 3OR 41AT IT IS- This is the RI"1T use o+

255

selecti*e perception- To o*erloo: nothingness is merely to @udge it correctly# and 'ecause o+ your a'ility to e*aluate it truly# to !ET IT "O- Lno,ledge cannot da,n on a mind +ull o+ illusions# 'ecause truth and illusions are irreconcila'le- Truth is ,hole# and CA22OT 'e :no,n 'y ART o+ a mindThe Sonship cannot 'e percei*ed as ART!B sic:# 'ecause to percei*e it that ,ay# is not to percei*e it at all- I+ the Sonship is O2E# it is one in A!! respects- O2E2ESS CA22OT BE (IHI(E(- I+ you percei*e other gods# BOUR mind is split# and you ,ill not 'e a'le to !IMIT the split# 'ecause the split IS the sign that you ha*e remo*ed part o+ your mind +rom "od=s 4ill# and this MEA2S that it is out o+ control- To 'e out o+ control is to 'e out o+ REASO2# and the mind (OES 'ecome unreasona'le ,ithout reason- This is merely a matter o+ (E3I2ITIO2- By (E3I2I2" the mind ,rongly# you percei*e it as 3U2CTIO2I2" ,rongly"od=s la,s ,ill :eep your minds at peace# 'ecause peace IS 1is 4ill# and 1is la,s are esta'lished to uphold it- 1is are the la,s o+ +reedom# 'ut yours are the la,s o+ 'ondage- Since +reedom and 'ondage are irreconcila'le# their la,s CA22OT BE U2(ERSTOO( TO"ET1ER- The la,s o+ "od ,or: only +or your good# and there ARE no other la,s 'eside 1is- E*erything else is merely la,!ESS# and there+ore chaoticBut "od 1imsel+ has protected EHERBT1I2" 1e created BB 1is la,s- There+ore# e*erything that is not under them does not e<ist)!a,s o+ chaos. are meaningless# 'y de+inition- Creation is per+ectly la,+ul# and the chaotic is ,ithout meaning# BECAUSE IT IS 4IT1OUT "O(- Bou ha*e gi*en your peace to the gods you made# 'ut they are not there to ta:e it 3ROM you# and you are 2OT a'le to gi*e it TO them- Bou are 2OT +ree to gi*e up +reedom# 'ut only to (E2B it- BOU CA22OT (O 41AT "O( (I( 2OT I2TE2(# 'ecause ,hat 1e did not intend (OES 2OT 1A E2- Bour gods do not BRI2" chaosP you are E2(O4I2" them ,ith chaos# and accepting it O3 themAll this has ne*er 'een- 2othing 'ut the la,s o+ "od has e*er operated# and nothing e<cept 1is 4ill ,ill e*er 'e- Bou ,ere created through 1is la,s and 'y 1is 4ill# and the manner o+ your creation esta'lished you AS CREATORS- 4hat you ha*e made is so un,orthy o+ you# that you could hardly ,ant it# I3 BOU 4ERE 4I!!I2" TO SEE IT AS IT

256

IS- Bou ,ill see nothing at all- And your *ision ,ill AUTOMATICA!!B loo: 'eyond it# to ,hat is I2 you# and all AROU2( you- Reality cannot BREAL T1ROU"1 the o'structions you interpose# 'ut it 4I!! en*elop you completely# 41E2 BOU !ET T1EM "O> $$% >

4hen you ha*e e<perienced the protection o+ "od# the ma:ing o+ idols 'ecomes inconcei*a'le- There are no strange images in the Mind o+ "od# and ,hat is not in 1is Mind CA22OT 'e in yours# 'ecause you are o+ One Mind# and that Mind 'elongs to 1IMIt is yours BECAUSE it 'elongs to 1im# +or o,nership is sharing to 1im- And i+ it is so +or 1im# it is so +or you- 1is de+initions ARE 1is la,s# +or 'y them 1e esta'lished the uni*erse as ,hat it is- 2o +alse gods you attempt to interpose 'et,een yoursel+ and your reality# a++ect truth at all- eace is yours 'ecause "od created you- And 1e created nothing elseThe miracle is the act o+ a Son o+ "od ,ho has laid aside all +alse gods# and ,ho calls on his 'rothers to do li:e,ise- It is an act o+ +aith# 'ecause it is the recognition that his 'rother CA2 do it- It is a call to the 1oly Spirit in his mind# a call to 1im ,hich is strengthened 'y this @oining- Because the miracle>,or:er has heard 1im# he strengthens 1is Hoice in a sic: 'rother 'y ,ea:ening his 'elie+ in sic:ness# ,hich he does 2OT share- The po,er o+ one mind CA2 shine into another# 'ecause all the lamps o+ "od ,ere lit 'y the same spar:- It is e*ery,here# and it is eternalIn many# only the spar: remains# +or the great rays are o'scured- But "od has :ept the spar: ali*e# so the rays can ne*er 'e completely +orgotten- I+ you 'ut see the little spar:# you ,ill learn o+ the greater light# +or the rays are there unseen- ercei*ing the spar: ,ill heal# 'ut :no,ing the !ight ,ill create- Bet in the returning# the little light must 'e ac:no,ledged +irst# +or the separation ,as a descent +rom magnitude to littlenessBut the spar: is still as pure as the "reat !ight# 'ecause it is the remaining call o+ Creation- ut all your +aith in it# and "od 1imsel+ ,ill ans,er youThe rituals o+ the god o+ sic:ness are strange and *ery demanding- Joy is ne*er permitted# +or depression is the sign o+ allegiance to him- (epression MEA2S that you ha*e +ores,orn "od- Men are a+raid o+ 'lasphemy# 'ut they do not :no, ,hat it meansThey do not reali9e that# to deny "od# is to deny their o,n identity# and in this sense# the ,ages o+ sin IS death- The sense is *ery literalP Ndenial o+ !i+e percei*es its opposite# as

257

A!! +orms o+ denial replace ,hat IS# ,ith ,hat is 2OT- 2o>one can really (O this# 'ut that you can T1I2L you can# and BE!IEHE BOU 1AHE# is 'eyond dispute(o not +orget# ho,e*er# that to deny "od ,ill ine*ita'ly result in pro@ection# and you ,ill 'elie*e that others# A2( 2OT BOURSE!3# ha*e done this TO you- Bou 4I!! recei*e the message you gi*e# 'ecause it is the message you 4A2T- Bou may 'elie*e that you @udge your 'rothers 'y the messages they gi*e BOU# 'ut you 1AHE @udged them 'y the message you gi*e T1EM- (o not attri'ute your denial o+ @oy to them# or you cannot see the spar: in them# that could 'ring @oy to BOU- It is the (E2IA! o+ the spar: that 'rings depression# and ,hene*er you see your 'rothers 4IT1OUT it# you ARE denying "odAllegiance to the denial o+ "od is the ego=s religion- The god o+ sic:ness o'*iously demands the denial o+ health# 'ecause health is in direct opposition to its o,n sur*i*alBut consider ,hat this means to BOU- U2!ESS you are sic: you cannot :eep the gods you made# +or only in sic:ness could you possi'ly 4A2T them- Blasphemy# then# is SE!3>destructi*e# not "od destructi*e- It means that you are ,illing 2OT to :no, yoursel+#
> $$& >

I2 OR(ER to 'e sic:- This IS the o++ering ,hich your god demands# 'ecause ha*ing made him out o+ BOUR insanity# he IS an insane idea- 1e has many +orms# 'ut though he may seem li:e many di++erent things# he is 'ut one ideaPN the denial o+ "odSic:ness and death entered the mind o+ "od=s Son against 1is 4ill- The )attac: on "od. made 1is Son thin: he ,as +atherless# and out o+ his depression he made the god o+ depression- This ,as his alternati*e to @oy# 'ecause he ,ould not accept the +act that# although he ,as a creator# he had 'een created- Bet the Son IS helpless ,ithout the 3ather# 4ho alone IS his 1elp- 4e said 'e+ore that o+ yoursel*es you can do nothing# 'ut you are not O3 yoursel*es- I+ you ,ere# ,hat you ha*e made ,ould 'e true# and you could ne*er escapeIt is BECAUSE you did not ma:e yoursel*es# that you need 'e trou'led 'y nothingBour gods are nothing# 'ecause your 3ather did not create them- Bou cannot ma:e creators ,ho are unli:e your Creator# any more than 1e could ha*e created a Son ,ho ,as unli:e 1im- I+ creation is sharing# it cannot create ,hat is unli:e itsel+- It can share only ,hat it IS- (epression is isolation# and so it could not ha*e BEE2 createdSon o+ "od# you ha*e not sinned# 'ut you ha*e 'een much mista:en- But this can 'e corrected# and "od ,ill help you# :no,ing that you could not sin against 1im- Bou denied 1im BECAUSE you lo*ed 1im# :no,ing that i+ you RECO"2IUE( your lo*e +or

258

1im# you COU!( not deny 1im- Bour denial there+ore MEA2S that you lo*e 1im# and T1AT BOU L2O4 1E !OHES BOU- Remem'er that ,hat you deny you MUST ha*e :no,n- And i+ you can accept denial# BOU CA2 ACCE T ITS U2(OI2"Bour 3ather has not denied you- 1e does not retaliate# 'ut 1e (OES call to you to return- 4hen you thin: 1e has not ans,ered your call# BOU 1AHE 2OT A2S4ERE( 1IS- 1e calls to you +rom e*ery part o+ the Sonship# 'ecause o+ 1is lo*e +or 1is SonI+ you hear 1is message# 1e 1AS ans,ered you# and you ,ill learn ,hat you are o+ 1im# i+ you hear aright- The lo*e o+ "od is in e*erything 1e created# +or 1is Son is e*ery,here!oo: ,ith peace upon your 'rothers# and "od ,ill come rushing into your heart# in gratitude +or your gi+t to 1im(o not loo: to the god o+ sic:ness +or healing# 'ut only to the "od o+ lo*e# +or healing is the ac:no,ledgment o+ 1im- 4hen you ac:no,ledge 1im# you ,ill L2O4 that 1e has ne*er ceased to ac:no,ledge you# and that in 1is ac:no,ledgment O3 you lies your Being- Bou are not sic:# and you cannot die- But you CA2 con+use your sel+ ,ith things that do- Remem'er# though# that to do this IS 'lasphemy# +or it means that you are loo:ing ,ithout lo*e on "od and 1is Creation# +rom ,hich 1e cannot 'e separatedOnly the eternal can 'e lo*ed# +or lo*e does not die- 4hat is o+ "od is 1is +ore*er# and you ARE o+ "od- 4ould 1e allo, 1imsel+ to su++erE And ,ould 1e o++er 1is Son anything that is not accepta'le to 1imE I+ you ,ill accept yoursel+ as "od created you# you ,ill 'e incapa'le o+ su++eringBut to do this# you must ac:no,ledge 1im as your Creator- This is not 'ecause you ,ill 'e punished other,ise- It is merely 'ecause your ac:no,ledgment o+ your 3ather IS the
> $$$ >

ac:no,ledgment o+ yoursel+ as you ARE- Bour 3ather created you 4holly ,ithout sin# ,holly ,ithout pain# and ,holly ,ithout su++ering o+ any :ind- I+ you deny 1im# you 'ring sin# pain# and su++ering into your O42 mind# 'ecause o+ the po,er 1e ga*e itBour mind is capa'le o+ creating ,orlds# 'ut it can also (E2B ,hat it creates# 'ecause it is +reeBou do not reali9e ho, much you ha*e denied yoursel+# and ho, much "od# in 1is lo*e# ,ould not ha*e it so- Bet 1e ,ould not inter+ere ,ith you# 'ecause 1e ,ould not :no, 1is Son i+ he ,ere not +ree- To inter+ere ,ith you ,ould 'e to attac: 1IMSE!3# and "od is not insane- 4hen you denied 1IM# you 4ERE insane- 4ould you ha*e 1im

259

S1ARE your insanityE "od ,ill ne*er cease to lo*e 1is Son# and 1is Son ,ill ne*er cease to lo*e 1im- That ,as the condition o+ 1is Son=s Creation# +i<ed +ore*er in the Mind o+ "od- To :no, that is sanity- To deny it is insanity- "od ga*e 1IMSE!3 to you in your Creation# and 1is gi+ts ARE eternal- 4ould you deny yoursel+ to 1imE Out o+ your gi+ts to 1im# the Lingdom ,ill 'e restored to 1is Son- 1is Son remo*ed himsel+ +rom 1is gi+t 'y re+using to accept ,hat had 'een created 3OR him# and ,hat he himsel+ had created in the name o+ 1is 3ather- 1ea*en ,aits +or his return# +or it ,as created as the d,elling place o+ "od=s Son- Bou are not at home any,here else# or in any other condition- (o not deny yoursel+ the @oy ,hich ,as created 3OR you# +or the misery you ha*e made +or yoursel*es- "od has gi*en you the means +or undoing ,hat you ha*e made- !isten# and you 4I!! learn ,hat you areI+ "od :no,s 1is children as ,holly sinless# it is 'lasphemous to percei*e them as guilty- I+ "od :no,s 1is children as ,holly ,ithout pain# it is 'lasphemous to percei*e su++ering any,here- I+ "od :no,s his children to 'e ,holly @oyous# it is 'lasphemous to +eel depressed- All these illusions# and the many other +orms ,hich 'lasphemy may ta:e# are RE3USA!S TO ACCE T CREATIO2 AS IT IS- I+ "od created 1is Son per+ect# that is ho, you must learn to see him# to learn o+ his reality- And as part o+ the Sonship# T1AT IS 1O4 BOU MUST SEE BOURSE!3 TO !EAR2 BOURS(o not percei*e A2BT1I2" "od did not create# or you ARE denying 1im- 1is is the O2!B 3atherhood# and it is yours only 'ecause 1E has gi*en it to you- Bour gi+ts to BOURSE!3 are meaningless# 'ut your gi+ts to BOUR creations are li:e 1is# 'ecause they are gi*en in 1is 2ame- That is ,hy your creations are as real as 1is- But the real 3atherhood must 'e ac:no,ledged# i+ the real Son is to 'e :no,n- Bou 'elie*e that the sic: things ,hich you ha*e made are your real creations# 'ecause you 'elie*e that the sic: images you percei*e are the Sons o+ "odOnly i+ you ACCE T the 3atherhood o+ "od ,ill you ha*e anything# 'ecause 1is 3atherhood "AHE you e*erything- That is ,hy to deny 1im IS to deny yoursel+Arrogance is the denial o+ lo*e# 'ecause lo*e shares and arrogance ,itholds- As long as 'oth appear to you to 'e desira'le# the concept o+ choice# ,hich is not o+ "od# ,ill remain ,ith you4hile this is not true in Eternity# it IS true in time# so that# ,hile time lasts in BOUR minds# there 4I!! 'e choices- Time itsel+ 4AS your choice- I+ you ,ould remem'er

260

Eternity# you must learn to loo: on only the Eternal- I+ you allo, yoursel*es to 'ecome preoccupied ,ith the temporal# you are !IHI2" I2 TIME- As al,ays# your choice is
> $$8 >

determined 'y ,hat you *alue- Time and Eternity cannot 'oth 'e real# 'ecause they contradict each other- I+ you ,ill accept only ,hat is timeless as real# you ,ill 'egin to understand Eternity# and ma:e it yoursEither "od or the ego is insane- I+ you ,ill e<amine the e*idence O2 BOT1 SI(ES +airly# you ,ill reali9e that this MUST 'e true- 2either "od nor the ego proposes a partial thought system- Each is internally consistent# 'ut they are diametrically opposed in all respects# so that partial allegiance is impossi'le- But remem'er that their results are as di++erent as their +oundations# and their +undamentally irreconcila'le natures CA22OT 'e resol*ed 'y BOUR *acillations- 2othing ali*e is +atherless# +or li+e is creationThere+ore# your decision is al,ays an ans,er to the ?uestion# )4ho is my +atherE. And you 4I!! 'e +aith+ul to the +ather you chooseBet ,hat ,ould you say to someone ,ho REA!!B 'elie*ed this ?uestion in*ol*es con+lictE I+ BOU made the ego# ho, can the ego ha*e made BOUE The authority pro'lem remains the O2!B source o+ percei*ed con+lict# 'ecause the ego ,as MA(E out o+ the ,ish o+ "od=s Son to +ather 1IM- The ego# then# is nothing more than a delusional system in ,hich BOU MA(E BOUR O42 3AT1ER- Ma:e no mista:e a'out this- It sounds insane ,hen it is stated ,ith per+ect honesty# 'ut the ego ne*er loo:s upon ,hat it does ,ith per+ect honesty- Bet that IS its insane premise# ,hich is care+ully hidden in the dar: cornerstone o+ its thought system- And either the ego# ,hich you made# IS your +ather# or its ,hole thought system ,ill not standBou ha*e made 'y pro@ection# 'ut "od has created 'y e<tension- The cornerstone o+ "od=s creation is BOU# +or 1IS thought system is light- Remem'er the rays that are there unseen- The more you approach the center o+ 1IS thought system# the clearer the light 'ecomes- The closer you come to the +oundation o+ the ego=s thought system# the dar:er and more o'scure 'ecomes the ,ay- But e*en the little spar: in your mind is enough to lighten it- Bring this light +earlessly ,ith you# and hold it up to the +oundation o+ the ego=s thought system 'ra*ely- Be ,illing to @udge it ,ith per+ect honesty- Open the

261

dar: stone o+ terror on ,hich it rests# and 'ring it out into the light- There you ,ill see that it rests on meaninglessness# and that e*erything o+ ,hich you ha*e 'een a+raid ,as 'ased on nothingMy 'rother# you are part o+ "od and part o+ me- 4hen you ha*e at last loo:ed at the ego=s +oundation ,ithout shrin:ing# you ,ill also ha*e loo:ed upon ours- I come to you +rom our 3ather# to o++er you e*erything again- (o not re+use it to :eep a dar: cornerstone hidden# +or ITS protection ,ill not sa*e you- I "IHE you the lamp# and I ,ill go ,ith youBou ,ill not ta:e this @ourney alone- I ,ill lead you to your true 3ather# 4ho hath need o+ you# as I ha*e- 4ill you not ans,er the call o+ lo*e ,ith @oyE Bou 1AHE learned your need o+ healing- 4ould you 'ring anything E!SE to the Sonship# :no,ing your need o+ it +or yoursel+E 3or in this lies the 'eginning o+ :no,ledgeP the +oundation on ,hich "od ,ill help you 'uild again the thought system ,hich you share 4IT1 1im- 2ot one stone you place upon it 'ut ,ill 'e 'lessed 'y 1im- 3or you ,ill 'e restoring the holy d,elling place o+ 1is Son# ,here 1e ,ills 1is Son to 'e# and
> $$G >

,here he IS- In ,hate*er part o+ the mind o+ "od=s Son you restore this reality# you restore it to BOURSE!3- 3or you d,ell in the Mind o+ "od 4IT1 your 'rother# +or "od 1imsel+ did not ,ill to 'e aloneTo 'e alone is to 'e separated +rom I23I2ITB# 'ut ho, can this 'e# i+ I23I2ITB has no endE 2o>one can BE 'eyond the limitless# 'ecause ,hat has 2O limits# must 'e e*ery,here- There are no 'eginnings and no endings in "od# 4hose Uni*erse is 1imsel+Can you e<clude yoursel+ +rom the Uni*erse# or +rom "od# 4ho IS the Uni*erseE I and my 3ather are one ,ith BOU# +or you are part o+ us- (o you REA!!B 'elie*e that part o+ "od can 'e missing or lost to 1imE I+ you ,ere not part o+ "od# 1is 4ill ,ould not 'e uni+ied- Is this concei*a'leE Can part o+ 1is Mind contain nothingE I+ your place in 1is Mind cannot 'e +illed 'y anyone EXCE T you# and your +illing it 4AS your creation# 4IT1OUT you# there ,ould 'e an empty place in "od=s Mind- E<tension cannot 'e 'loc:ed# and it has no *oids- It continues +ore*er# ho,e*er much it is denied- Bour (E2IA! o+ its reality arrests it in time# 'ut not in Eternity- That is ,hy your creations ha*e not ceased to 'e e<tended# and ,hy so much is ,aiting +or your return4aiting is possi'le O2!B in time# 'ut time has no meaning- Bou ,ho made delay

262

can lea*e time 'ehind# simply 'y recogni9ing that neither 'eginnings nor endings ,ere created 'y the Eternal# 4ho placed no limits on 1is creation nor upon those ,ho create li:e 1im- Bou do not :no, this# simply 'ecause you ha*e tried to limit ,hat 1E created# and so you 'elie*e that A!! creation is limited- 1o,# then# could you :no, BOUR creations# ha*ing (E2IE( In+inityE The la,s o+ the uni*erse do not permit contradiction4hat holds +or "od holds +or you- I+ you 'elie*e BOU are a'sent +rom "od# you 4I!! 'elie*e 1e is a'sent +rom youIn+inity is meaningless 4IT1OUT you# and BOU are meaningless ,ithout "odThere IS no end to "od and 1is Son# +or ,e ARE the uni*erse- "od is not incomplete# and 1e is not childless- Because 1e did not ,ill to 'e alone# 1e created a Son li:e 1imsel+- (o not deny 1im 1is Son# +or your un,illingness to accept 1is 3atherhood has denied you yours- See 1is creations as 1IS Son# +or yours ,ere created in honor o+ 1imThe uni*erse o+ lo*e does not stop 'ecause you do not see it# and your closed eyes ha*e not lost the a'ility to see- !oo: upon the glory o+ 1is creation# and you ,ill learn ,hat "od has yept +or BOU- "od has gi*en you a place in 1is Mind ,hich is yours +ore*er- But you could :eep it only 'y "i*ing it# as it ,as gi*en to you- Could BOU 'e alone there# i+ it ,as gi*en you 'ecause "O( did not ,ill to 'e aloneE "od=s Mind cannot 'e lessened- It can O2!B 'e increased# and EHERBT1I2" 1e creates has the +unction o+ creating- It can O2!B 'e increased# and EHERBT1I2" 1e creates has the +unction o+ creating !OHE (OES 2OT !IMIT# and ,hat it creates is not limitedTo gi*e ,ithout limit is "od=s 4ill +or you# 'ecause only this can 'ring you the @oy ,hich is 1is# and ,hich 1e ,ills to share ,ith BOU- Bour lo*e is as 'oundless as 1is 'ecause it IS 1is- Could any part o+ 1im 'e 4IT1OUT 1is !o*e# and could any part o+
> $$6 >

1is !o*e 'e containedE "od is your heritage# 'ecause 1is one gi+t is 1imsel+- 1o, can you gi*e e<cept !ILE 1im# i+ you ,ould :no, 1is gi+t to BOUE "i*e# then# ,ithout limit and ,ithout end# to learn ho, much 1E has gi*en BOU- Bour a'ility to ACCE T 1im depends on your ,illingness to gi*e as 1e gi*es- Bour +atherhood and your 3ather are OneAugust &%# &5JJ "od ,illed to create# and your ,ill is 1is- It +ollo,s# then# that BOUR ,ill to create# since your ,ill +ollo,s +rom 1is- And 'eing the e<tension o+ 1is ,ill# yours MUST 'e the

263

same- Bet ,hat you ,ill# you do not :no,- This is not strange# ,hen you reali9e that to deny IS to not :no,- "od=s 4ill ,as that you are 1is Son- By (E2BI2" this# you denied your O42 ,ill# and there+ore (O 2OT L2O4 41AT IT IS- The reason you must as: ,hat "od=s 4ill is in e*erything# is merely 'ecause It IS yours- BOU do not :no, ,hat it is# 'ut the 1oly Spirit REMEMBERS IT 3OR BOUAs: him# there+ore# ,hat "od=s 4ill is +or you# and 1e ,ill tell you BOURS- It cannot 'e too o+ten repeated that you do 2OT L2O4 it- 4hene*er ,hat the 1oly Spirit tells you appears to 'e coerci*e# it is O2!B 'ecause BOU (O 2OT RECO"2IUE BOUR O42 4I!!- The pro@ection o+ the ego ma:es it appear as i+ "od=s 4ill is OUTSI(E yoursel+# and there+ore 2OT BOURS- In T1IS interpretation# it IS possi'le +or "od=s 4ill and yours to con+lict- "od# then# may seem to demand o+ you ,hat you do 2OT ,ant to gi*e# and thus (E RIHE you o+ ,hat you ,ant- 4ould "od# 4ho ,ants O2!B your ,ill# 'e capa'le o+ thisE Bour ,ill is 1is !i+e# ,hich 1e has "IHE2 to you- E*en in time you cannot li*e apart +rom 1im# +or sleep is not death- 4hat 1e created can sleep# 'ut it CA22OT dieImmortality is 1is 4ill +or 1is Son# and 1is Son=s ,ill +or 1IMSE!3- Bet "od=s Son cannot ,ill death +or himsel+# 'ecause 1is 3ather is !i+e# and 1IS SO2 IS !ILE 1IM Creation is your ,ill 'ecause it is 1is- Bou cannot 'e happy unless you do ,hat you ,ill truly# and you C1A2"E this# 'ecause it is immuta'le- But it is immuta'le 'y "od=s 4ill A2( BOURS# +or other,ise 1is 4ill ,ould not ha*e 'een e<tended- Bou are a+raid to :no, "od=s 4ill# 'ecause you 'elie*e it is 2OT yours- This 'elie+ is your ,hole sic:ness# and your ,hole +ear- E*ery symptom o+ sic:ness and +ear arise here# 'ecause this is the 'elie+ that ma:es you ,ant not to :no,- Belie*ing this# you hide in dar:ness# denying that the !ight is in BOUBou are as:ed to trust the 1oly Spirit only 'ecause 1e spea:s +or BOU- 1e is the Hoice +or "od# 'ut ne*er +orget that "od did not ,ill to 'e alone- 1e S1ARES 1is 4ill ,ith youP 1e does not thrust it U O2 you- Al,ays remem'er that ,hat 1e gi*es 1e holds# so that nothing 1e gi*es CA2 contradict 1im- Bou ,ho share 1is !i+e must share it to L2O4 it# +or sharing IS :no,ing- Blessed are you ,ho learn that to hear the 4ill o+ your 3ather# is to :no, your o,n- 3or it is BOUR ,ill to 'e !ILE 1im# 4hose 4ill it is

264

that it 'e so> $$J >

"od=s 4ill is that 1is Son 'e One# and united ,ith 1im in 1is Oneness- That is ,hy healing is the 'eginning o+ the recognition that BOUR 4I!! IS 1IS- I+ sic:ness is separation# the ,ill to heal and BE 1EA!E( is the +irst step to,ard RECO"2IUI2" 41AT BOU TRU!B 4A2T- E*ery ATTACL is a step A4AB +rom this# and e*ery healing throught 'rings it closer- The Son o+ "od 1AS 'oth 3ather and Son 'ecause he IS 'oth 3ather and SonTo unite ha*ing and 'eing is only to unite your ,ill ,ith 1is# +or 1e ,ills you 1IMSE!3- And you ,ill yoursel+ to 1IM# 'ecause in your per+ect understanding o+ 1im# you L2O4 there IS 'ut One 4ill- But ,hen you attac: A2B part o+ "od and 1is Lingdom# your understanding is 2OT per+ect# and ,hat BOU ,ill is there+ore lost to you1ealing thus 'ecomes A !ESSO2 I2 U2(ERSTA2(I2"# and the more you practice it# the 'etter teacher A2( !EAR2ER you 'ecome- I+ you ha*e (E2IE( truth# ,hat 'etter ,itnesses to its reality could you ha*e# than those ,ho ha*e 'een healed BB itE But 'e sure to count yoursel+ among them# +or in your ,illingness to JOI2 them is BOUR healing accomplishedE*ery miracle ,hich you accomplish spea:s to you o+ the 3atherhood o+ "od- E*ery healing thought ,hich you ACCE T# either 3ROM your 'rother or in your O42 mind# teaches you that you are "od=s Son- But in e*ery hurt+ul thought you hold# ,here*er you percei*e it# lies the denial o+ "od=s 3atherhood and your Sonship- And denial IS as total as lo*e- Bou cannot deny ART o+ yoursel+# simply 'ecause the remainder ,ill seem to 'e unintegrated# and there+ore ,ithout meaning- And 'eing ,ithout meaning TO BOU# you ,ill not understand it- To deny meaning MUST 'e to +ail to understandBou can only heal yoursel+# +or only "od=s Son 2EE(S healing- 1e needs it 'ecause he does not understand himsel+# and there+ore :no,s not ,hat he does- 1a*ing +orgotten his ,ill# he does not :no, ,hat he 4A2TS- 1ealing is a sign that 1E 4A2TS TO MALE 41O!E- And this ,illingness opens his O42 ears to the Hoice o+ the 1oly Spirit# 4hose message IS ,holeness- 1e ,ill ena'le you to go +ar 'eyond the healing BOU ,ould underta:e# +or 'eside your small ,illingness to ma:e ,hole 1e ,ill lay 1is O,n COM !ETE 4ill and ma:e BOURS ,hole- 4hat can the Son o+ "od 2OT accomplish ,ith the 3atherhood o+ "od in himE And yet the in*itation must come +rom you# +or you ha*e surely learned that ,hom

265

you in*ite as your guest 4I!! a'ide ,ith you- The 1oly Spirit cannot spea: to an un,elcoming host# BECAUSE 1E 4I!! 2OT BE 1EAR(- The Eternal "uest remains# 'ut 1is Hoice gro,sW+aint in alien company- 1e needs your protection# 'ut only 'ecause your care is a sign that you 4A2T 1im- Thin: li:e 1im e*er so slightly# and the little spar: 'ecomes a 'la9ing light that +ills your mind so that 1e 'ecomes your only "uest4hene*er you as: the ego to enter# you lessen 1is ,elcome- 1E ,ill remain# 'ut BOU ha*e allied yoursel+ A"AI2ST 1im- 4hate*er @ourney you choose to ta:e# 1e ,ill go ,ith you# ,aiting- Bou can sa+ely trust 1is patience# +or 1e CA22OT lea*e a part o+ "od- But you ,ill +ar more than patience- Bou ,ill ne*er rest until you :no, your
> $$7 >

+unction A2( 3U!3I!! IT# +or only in this can your ,ill and your 3ather=s 'e ,holly @oined- To 1AHE 1im is to 'e !ILE 1im# and 1e has "IHE2 1imsel+ to youBou ,ho ha**e "od MUST 'e as "od# +or 1IS +unction 'ecame BOURS ,ith 1is gi+t- In*ite this :no,ledge 'ac: into your minds# and let nothing that ,ill o'scure it enter- The "uest ,hom "od sent you ,ill teach you ho, to do this# i+ you 'ut recogni9e the little spar:# and are 4I!!I2" TO !ET IT "RO4- BOUR ,illingness need not 'e per+ect# 'ecause 1is IS- I+ you ,ill merely o++er 1im a little place# 1e ,ill lighten it so much# that you ,ill gladly e<tend it- And 'y T1IS e<tending# you ,ill 'egin to remem'er Creation4ould you 'e hostage to the ego or host to "odE Bou ,ill accept only ,hom BOU in*ite- Bou are +ree to determine ,ho shall 'e your guest# and ho, long he shall remain ,ith you- But this is not REA! +reedom# +or it depends on ho, you see it- 3or the 1oly Spirit is T1ERE# although 1e cannot help you ,ithout your in*itation# and the ego is nothing# ,hether you in*ite it in or not- Real +reedom depends on ,elcoming REA!ITB# and o+ your guests only 1e IS real- Lno,# then# 4ho a'ides ,ith you# merely 'y recogni9ing 41AT IS A!REA(B T1ERE# and do not 'e satis+ied ,ith imaginary com+orters# +or the Com+orter o+ "od is in youAug- &6# ;JJ 4hen you are ,eary# remem'er you ha*e hurt yoursel+- Bour Com+orter ,ill rest you# 'ut BOU cannot- BOU (O 2OT L2O4 1O4# +or i+ you did# you could ne*er ha*e gro,n ,eary- Unless you ha*e hurt yoursel*es# you could ne*er su++er in A2B ,ay# +or that is not "od=s 4ill +or 1is Son- ain is not o+ 1im# +or 1e :no,s no attac:# and 1is peace surrounds you silently- "od is *ery ?uiet# +or there is no con+lict in 1imCon+lict is the root o+ all e*il# +or 'eing 'lind# it does not see ,hom it attac:s- But it A!4ABS attac:s the Son o+ "od# and the Son o+ "od is BOU-

266

"od=s Son is indeed in need o+ com+ort# +or he :no,s not ,hat he does# 'elie*ing his ,ill is not his o,n- The Lingdom is his# and yet he ,anders homelessly- At home in "od he is lonely# and amid all his 'rothers he is +riendless- 4ould "od let this 'e real# i+ 1e did not ,ill to 'e alone 1imsel+E And i+ your ,ill is 1is# it CA22OT 'e true o+ you# BECAUSE it is not true o+ 1im- Oh my children# i+ you :ne, ,hat "od ,ills +or you# your @oy ,ould 'e completeO And ,hat 1e ,ills 1AS happened# +or it ,as A!4ABS true4hen the light comes# and you ha*e said# )"od=s 4ill is mine#. you ,ill see such 'eauty that you ,ill L2O4 it is not o+ you- Out o+ your @oy# you ,ill create 'eauty in 1is 2ame# +or BOUR @oy could no more 'e contained than 1is- The 'lea: little ,orld ,ill *anish into nothingness# and your heart ,ill 'e so +illed ,ith @oy that it ,ill leap into 1ea*en and into the presence o+ "od- I cannot tell you ,hat this ,ill 'e li:e# +or your hearts are not ready- But I CA2 tell you# and remind you o+ten# that ,hat "od ,ills +or 1imsel+ 1e ,ills +or BOU# and ,hat 1e ,ills +or you IS yours> $$K >

The ,ay is not hard# 'ut it IS *ery di++erent- Bours is the ,ay o+ pain# o+ ,hich "od :no,s nothing- T1AT ,ay is hard indeed# and *ery lonely- 3ear and grie+ are your guests# and they go ,ith you# and a'ide ,ith you on the ,ay- But the dar: @ourney is not the ,ay o+ "od=s Son- 4al: in light# and do not see the dar: companions# +or they are not +it companions +or the Son o+ "od# ,ho ,as created O3 !ight and I2 !ight- The "reat !ight A!4ABS surrounds you# and shines out 3ROM you- 1o, can you see the dar: companions in a !ight such as thisE I+ you see T1EM# it is only 'ecause you are denying the !ight- But (E2B T1EM I2STEA(# +or the !ight is here# and the ,ay is clear"od hides nothing +rom 1is Son# e*en though he ,ould hide himsel+- Bet the Son o+ "od cannot hide his glory# +or "od ,ills him to 'e glorious# and ga*e him the !ight that shines in him- Bou ,ill ne*er lose your ,ay# +or "od leads you- 4hen you ,ander# you 'ut underta:e a @ourney ,hich is not real- The dar: companions# the dar: ,ay# are all illusions- Turn to,ard the !ight# +or the little spar: in you is part o+ a !ight so great that it can s,eep you out o+ all dar:ness +ore*er- 3or your 3ather IS your Creator# and you ARE li:e 1im- The Children o+ !ight cannot a'ide in dar:ness# +or dar:ness is 2OT in them(o not 'e decei*ed 'y the dar: com+orters# and ne*er let them enter the mind o+ "od=s Son# +or they ha*e no place in 1is temple- 4hen you are tempted to deny 1im# remem'er that there ARE no other "ods that you CA2 place 'e+ore 1im# and accept 1is

267

4ill +or you in peace- 3or you CA22OT accept it other,ise- Only "od=s Com+orter CA2 com+ort you- In the ?uiet o+ 1is temple# 1e ,aits to gi*e you the peace that is yours"IHE 1is peace that you may enter the temple# and +ind it ,aiting +or you- But 'e holy in the resence o+ "od# or you ,ill not :no, that you are there- 3or ,hat is unli:e "od cannot enter 1is Mind# 'ecause it ,as not in 1is Thought# and there+ore does not 'elong to 1im- And BOUR minds must 'e as pure as 1is# i+ you ,ould :no, ,hat 'elongs to BOU"uard care+ully 1is temple# +or 1e 1imsel+ d,ells there# and a'ides in peace- Bou cannot enter "od=s resence ,ith the dar: companions 'eside you# 'ut you also cannot enter alone- All your 'rothers must enter 4IT1 you# +or until you ha*e accepted them# BOU cannot enter- 3or you cannot understand 4holeness unless BOU are ,hole# and no part o+ the Son can 'e e<cluded# i+ he ,ould :no, the ,holeness o+ his 3atherIn your mind you can ACCE T the ,hole Sonship# and 'less it ,ith the light your 3ather ga*e it- Then you ,ill 'e ,orthy to d,ell in the temple 4IT1 1im# 'ecause it is BOUR ,ill not to 'e alone- "od 'lessed 1is Son +ore*er- I+ you ,ill 'less him in TIME# you ,ill BE in eternity- Time cannot separate you +rom "od# i+ you use it on BE1A!3 o+ the eternalKM$8MJJE 2e*er +orget that the Sonship is your sal*ation# +or the Sonship is your Soul- As "od=s Creation it is yours# and 'elonging to you# it is 1is- Bour Soul does not need sal*ation# 'ut your mind needs to learn ,hat sal*ation IS- Bou are not sa*ed 3ROM
> $$5 >

anything# 'ut you ARE sa*ed 3OR glory- "lory is your inheritance# gi*en your Soul 'y its Creator# that you might EXTE2( it- But i+ you hate part o+ your o,n Soul# A!! your understanding is lost# 'ecause you are loo:ing on ,hat "od creates AS BOURSE!3 ,ithout lo*e- And since ,hat 1e created IS part o+ 1im# you are denying 1im 1is place in 1is o,n altarCould you try to ma:e "od homeless# and :no, BOU are at homeE Can the Son deny the 3ather# 4IT1OUT 'elie*ing that the 3ather has denied 1IME "od=s la,s hold O2!B +or your protection# and they ne*er hold in *ain- 4hat you e<perience# ,hen you deny your +athe# is still +or your protection# +or the po,er o+ your ,ill cannot 'e lessened ,ithout the inter*ention o+ "od A"AI2ST it# and any limitation on BOUR po,er is 2OT the 4ill o+ "od- There+ore# loo: O2!B to the po,er that "od ga*e you to sa*e you#

268

remem'ering that it is yours BECAUSE it is 1is# and @oin ,ith your 'rothers in 1is peaceThe peace o+ BOUR Soul lies in its limitlessness- !imit the peace you share# and your o,n Soul MUST 'e un:no,n to you- E*ery altar to "od is part o+ your Soul# 'ecause the !ight 1e created is One ,ith 1im- 4ould you cut a 'rother o++ +rom the !ight that is yoursE Bou could not do so# i+ you reali9ed that BOU CA2 O2!B (ARLE2 BOUR O42 MI2(- As you 'ring 1IM 'ac:# so ,ill BOUR mind return- That is the la, o+ "od# +or the protection o+ the ,holeness o+ 1is SonO2!B BOU CA2 (E RIHE BOURSE!3 O3 A2BT1I2"- (o not oppose this reali9ation# +or it is truly the 'eginning o+ the da,n o+ light- Remem'er also that the denial o+ this simple +act ta:es many +orms# and these you must learn to recogni9e# and to oppose stead+astly and 4IT1OUT EXCE TIO2- This is a crucial step in the rea,a:eningThe 'eginning phases o+ this re*ersal are o+ten ?uite pain+ul# +or as 'lame is ,ithdra,n +rom ,ithout# there is a strong tendency to har'or it ,ithinIt is di++icult# at +irst# to reali9e that this is EXACT!B the same thing# +or there IS no distinction 'et,een ,ithin and ,ithout- I+ your 'rothers are part o+ BOU# and you 'lame T1EM +or your depri*ation# you ARE 'laming yoursel+- And you cannot 'lame yoursel+ 4IT1OUT 'laming themThat is ,hy 'lame must 'e U2(O2E# 2OT re>allocated- !ay it to yoursel+# and you cannot L2O4 yoursel+# +or O2!B T1E E"O B!AMES AT A!!- Sel+>'lame is there+ore ego identi+ication# and as strong an ego de+ense as 'laming others- BOU CA22OT E2TER "O(=S RESE2CE I3 BOU ATTACL 1IS SO2- 4hen 1is Son li+ts his *oice in praise o+ his Creator# he 4I!! hear the Hoice o+ his 3ather- But the Creator cannot 'e praised ,ithout 1is Son# +or their glory is shared# and they are glori+ied together- Christ is at "od=s altar# ,aiting to ,elcome 1is Son- But come ,holly ,ithout condemnation# +or other,ise you ,ill 'elie*e that the door is 'arred# and you cannot enterThe door is 2OT 'arred# and it is impossi'le +or you to 'e una'le to enter the place ,here "od ,ould ha*e you 'e- But lo*e yoursel+ ,ith the lo*e o+ Christ# +or so does your 3ather lo*e you- Bou CA2 re+use to eneter# 'ut you CA22OT 'ar the door ,hich Christ holds open- Come unto me ,ho hold it open 3OR you# +or ,hile I li*e# it cannot
> $8% >

'e shut# and I li*e +ore*er- "od is my !i+e and BOURS# and 2OT1I2" is denied 'y "od to 1is Son- At "od=s altar# Christ ,aits +or the restoration o+ 1imsel+ in BOU"od :no,s 1is Son as ,holly 'lameless as 1imsel+# and 1e is approached through

269

the appreciation o+ 1is Son- Christ ,aits +or your acceptance o+ 1im as BOURSE!3# and 1is 4holeness as BOURS- 3or Christ is the Son o+ "od# ,ho li*es in his Creator# and shines ,ith 1is glory- Christ is the e<tension o+ the lo*e and the lo*eliness o+ "od# as per+ect as his Creator# and at peace ,ith 1im- Blessed is the Son o+ "od# ,hose radiance is o+ 1is 3ather# and ,hose glory 1e ,ills to share as 1is 3ather shares it ,ith 1imThere is no condemnation in the Son# +or there is no condemnation in the 3atherSharing the per+ect !o*e o+ the 3ather# the Son must share ,hat 'elongs to 1im# +or other,ise 1e ,ill not :no, the 3ather or the Son- eace 'e unto you ,ho rest in "od# and in ,hom the ,hole Sonship rests2o>one can escape +rom illusions unless he loo:s at them# +or not loo:ing is the ,ay they are ROTECTE(- There is no need to shrin: +rom illusions# +or they cannot 'e dangerous- 4e are ready to loo: more closely at the ego=s thought system# 'ecause together ,e ha*e the lamp that ,ill dispel it# and since you reali9e you do not 4A2T it# you MUST 'e ready- !et us 'e *ery calm in doing this# +or ,e are merely loo:ing honestly +or truth- The )dynamics. o+ the ego ,ill 'e our lesson +or a ,hile# +or ,e must loo: +irst at this to loo: 'eyond it# since you 1AHE made it real- 4e ,ill U2(O this error ?uietly together# and then loo: 'eyond it to truth4hat is healing# 'ut the remo*al o+ all that STA2(S I2 T1E 4AB o+ :no,ledgeE And ho, else can one dispel illusions EXCE T 'y loo:ing at them directly# 4IT1OUT protecting themE Be not a+raid# there+ore# +or ,hat you ,ill 'e loo:ing at IS the source o+ +ear# 'ut you ha*e learned surely 'y no,# that 3EAR IS 2OT REA!- 4e ha*e accepted the +act already that its E33ECTS can 'e dispelled# merely 'y denying T1EIR realityThe ne<t step is o'*iously to recogni9e that 41AT 1AS 2O E33ECTS (OES 2OT EXIST!a,s do not operate in a *acuum# and ,hat leads to nothing 1AS 2OT 1A E2E(I+ reality is recogni9ed BB ITS EXTE2SIO2# ,hat e<tends to nothing CA22OT 'e real(o not 'e a+raid# then# to loo: upon +ear# +or it cannot BE seen- Clarity undoes con+usion 'y de+inition# and to loo: upon dar:ness through light MUST dispel it- !et us 'egin this lesson in )ego dynamics.# 'y understanding that the term itsel+ does not mean anythingIn +act# it contains e<actly the contradiction in terms that MALES it meaningless)(ynamics. implies the po,er to (O something# and the ,hole separation +allacy lies in the 'elie+ that the ego 1AS the po,er to do A2BT1I2"-

270

The ego is +ear+ul BECAUSE you 'elie*e this- But the truth is *ery simpleP A!! O4ER IS O3 "O(- 4hat is 2OT o+ 1im has no po,er to do A2BT1I2"- 4hen ,e loo: at the ego# then# ,e are 2OT considering dynamics# 'ut delusions- 4e can surely regard a delusional system ,ithout +ear# +or it cannot ha*e any e++ects i+ its source is not true3ear 'ecomes more o'*iously inappropriate i+ one recogni9es the ego=s "OA!# ,hich is so clearly senseless that any e++ort e<erted on its 'ehal+ is 2ECESSARI!B e<pended on nothing> $8& >

The ego=s goal is ?uite e<plicitly E"O AUTO2OMB- 3rom the 'eginning# then# its UR OSE is to 'e separate# su++icient unto itsel+# and independent o+ any po,er EXCE T ITS O42- This is 41B it is the sym'ol o+ separation- E*ery idea has a purpose# and its purpose is al,ays the natural e<tension o+ ,hat it IS- E*erything that stems +rom the ego is the natural outcome o+ its central 'elie+# and the ,ay to undo its RESU!TS# is merely to recogni9e that their SOURCE is 2OT natural# 'eing out o+ accord ,ith your true nature4e once said that to ,ill contrary to "od is ,ish+ul thin:ing# and not real ,illing1is 4ill is One# 'ecause the e<tension o+ 1is 4ill CA22OT 'e unli:e ITSE!3- The real con+lict you e<perience# then# is 'et,een the ego=s idle ,ishes and the 4ill o+ "od# 41IC1 BOU S1ARE- Can this BE a real con+lictE Bours is the independence o+ Creation# 2OT o+ autonomy- Bour ,hole creati*e +unction lies in your complete dependence on "od# 4hose +unction 1e shares 4IT1 you- By 1IS ,illingness to share it# 1e 'ecomes as dependent on you# as you are on 1im- (o not ascri'e the ego=s arrogance to 1im# 4ho ,ills 2OT to 'e independent o+ BOU- 1e has included BOU in 1IS AutonomyCan BOU 'elie*e that autonomy is meaning+ul A ART +rom 1imE The 'elie+ in E"O autonomy is costing you the :no,ledge o+ your dependence on "od# I2 41IC1 BOUR 3REE(OM !IES- The ego sees A!! dependency as threatening# and has t,isted e*en your longing +or "od into a means o+ esta'lishing ITSE!3- But do not 'e decei*ed 'y ITS interpretation o+ your con+lict- The ego A!4ABS attac:s on 'ehal+ o+ separation- Belie*ing it 1AS the po,er to do this it does nothing else# 'ecause its goal o+ autonomy IS nothing else- The ego is totally con+used a'out reality# BUT IT (OES 2OT !OSE SI"1T O3 ITS "OA!- It is much more *igilant than BOU are# BECAUSE it is

271

per+ectly certain o+ its purpose- BOU are con+used# 'ecause you do 2OT :no, BOURS4hat you must learn to recogni9e is that the !AST thing the ego ,ishes you to reali9e# is T1AT BOU ARE A3RAI( O3 IT- 3or i+ theXego gi*es rise to +ear# it is (IMI2IS1I2" your independence# and 4EALE2I2" your po,er- Bet its one claim to your allegiance is that it can "IHE po,er to you- 4ithout T1IS 'elie+# you ,ould not listen to it at all- 1o,# then# can its e<istence continue# i+ you reali9e that 'y accepting it# you ARE 'elittling yoursel+# and (E RIHI2" yoursel+ o+ po,erE The ego can and does allo, you to regard yoursel+ as supercilious# un'elie*ing# )light>hearted#. distant# emotionally shallo,# callous# unin*ol*ed# and e*en desperate# BUT 2OT REA!!B A3RAI(- MI2IMIUI2" +ear# 'ut 2OT its undoing# is the ego=s constant e++ort# and is indeed the s:ill at ,hich it is HERB ingenious- 1o, can it preach separation 4IT1OUT upholding it through +ear# and ,ould you listen to it# i+ you recogni9ed this IS ,hat it is doingE BOUR recognition that ,hate*er seems to separate you +rom "od is O2!B +ear# regardless o+ the +orm it ta:es# and ?uite apart +rom 1O4 T1E E"O 4A2TS TO BOU TO EX ERIE2CE IT# is there+ore the 'asic ego threat- Its dream o+ autonomy is sha:en to its +oundation 'y this a,areness- 3or though you may countenance a +alse idea o+ independence# you ,ill 2OT accept the cost o+ +ear# I3 BOU RECO"2IUE IT- Bet this IS the cost# and the ego CA22OT minimi9e it- 3or i+ you o*erloo: lo*e# you are o*erloo:ing
> $8$ >

BOURSE!3# and you MUST +ear U2reality BECAUSE BOU 1AHE (E2IE( BOURSE!3- By 'elie*ing that you ha*e success+ully attac:ed truth# BOU ARE BE!IEHI2" T1AT ATTACL 1AS O4ER- Hery simply# then# BOU 1AHE BECOME A3RAI( O3 BOURSE!3And no one ,ills to learn ,hat he 'elie*es ,ould (ESTROB himI+ the ego=s goal o+ autonomy COU!( 'e accomplished "O(=S purpose could 'e de+eated# and this IS impossi'le- Only 'y learning ,hat +ear IS# can you +inally learn to distinguish the possi'le +rom the impossi'le# and the +alse +rom the true- According to the ego=s teaching# ITS goal CA2 'e accomplished# and "O(=S urpose can 2OTAccording to the 1oly Spirit=s teaching# O2!B "od=s urpose IS accomplishment# and it is A!REA(B accomplished"od is as dependent on you as you are on 1im# 'ecause 1IS autonomy

272

E2COM ASSES yours# and is there+ore incomplete 4IT1OUT it- Bou can only ESTAB!IS1 your autonomy 'y identi+ying 4IT1 1im# and 3U!3I!!I2" BOUR 3U2CTIO2 AS IT EXISTS I2 TRUT1- The ego 'elie*es that to accomplish ITS goal IS happiness- But it is gi*en BOU to :no, that "O(=S +unction IS yours# and happiness CA22OT 'e +ound apart +rom your @oint ,ill- Recogni9e only that the ego=s goal# ,hich you ha*e pursued ?uite diligently# has merely 'rought you 3EAR# and it 'ecomes di++icult to maintain that 3EAR is happinessU 1E!( 'y +ear# this IS ,hat the ego ,ould ha*e you 'elie*e- Bet "od=s Son is not insane# and CA22OT 'elie*e it- !et him 'ut RECO"2IUE it# and he ,ill 2OT accept it3or only the insane ,ould choose +ear I2 !ACE o+ lo*e# and only the insane could 'elie*e that lo*e can 'e gained 'y ATTACL- But the sane L2O4 that only attac: COU!( produce +ear# +rom ,hich the lo*e o+ "od COM !ETE!B protects themThe ego analy9esP the 1oly Spirit ACCE TS- The appreciation o+ ,holeness comes O2!B through acceptance# +or to analy9e MEA2S to separate out- The attempt to understand totality 'y BREALI2" IT U is clearly the characteristically contradictory approach o+ the ego to e*erything- 2e*er +orget that the ego 'elie*es that po,er# understanding A2( TRUT1 lie in separation- And to ESTAB!IS1 this 'elie+ it MUST attac:- Una,are that the 'elie+ cannot BE esta'lished# and o'sessed ,ith the con*iction that separation IS sal*ation# the ego attac:s e*erything it percei*es# 'y 'rea:ing it up into small and disconnected parts# ,ithout meaning+ul relationships# and thus ,ithout meaningThe ego ,ill A!4ABS su'stitute chaos +or meaning# +or i+ separation is sal*ation# harmony is threatThe ego=s interpretation o+ the la,s o+ perception are# and ,ould 1AHE to 'e# the e<act opposite o+ the 1oly Spirit=s- The ego 3OCUSES O2 ERROR# and OHER!OOLS TRUT1- It ma:es real e*ery mista:e it percei*es# and ,ith characteristically circular reasoning# concludes that# BECAUSE o+ the mista:e# consistent truth must 'e meaninglessThe ne<t step# then# is o'*ious- I+ consistent truth is meaningless# I2CO2SISTE2CB must 'e true i+ truth has meaning- 1olding error clearly in mind# and protecting ,hat it has made real# the ego proceeds to the ne<t step in its thought systemP that error is real# and TRUT1 IS ERROR> $88 >

The ego ma:es no attempt to U2(ERSTA2( this# and it is clearly not understanda'leBut the ego does ma:e EHERB attempt to (EMO2STRATE it# and T1IS it does constantly-

273

Analy9ing to ATTACL meaning# the ego (OES succeed in o*erloo:ing it# and is le+t ,ith a series o+ +ragmented ERCE TIO2S I2 41IC1 IT U2I3IES O2 BE1A!3 O3 ITSE!3This# then# 'ecomes the uni*erse it percei*es and it is this uni*erse ,hich# in turn# 'ecomes its demonstration o+ its o,n reality(o not underestimate the appeal o+ the ego=s demonstrations to those ,ho ,ould listen- Selecti*e perception chooses its ,itnesses care+ully# and its ,itnesses ARE consistentThe case +or insanity IS strong to the insane- 3or reasoning ends at its 'eginning# and no thought system transcends its source- Bet reasoning ,ithout meaning CA22OT demonstrate anything# and those ,ho are con*inced 'y it# MUST 'e deluded- Can the ego teach truly# ,hen it o*erloo:s truthE Can it percei*e ,hat it has (E2IE(E Its ,itnesses (O attest to its (E2IA!# 'ut hardly to 41AT it has denied- The ego loo:s straight at the 3ather and does not see 1im# +or it has denied 1is Son4ould BOU remem'er the 3atherE Accept 1is Son and you 4I!! remem'er 1im2othing can demonstrate that 1is Son is un,orthy# +or nothing can pro*e that a lie is true- 4hat you see o+ 1is Son through the eyes o+ the ego is a demonstration that 1is Son does not e<ist# yet ,here the Son is# the 3ather MUST 'e- Accept ,hat "od does 2OT deny# and 1E ,ill demonstrate its truth- The ,itnesses +or "od stand in 1is !ight and 'ehold ,hat 1E created- Their silence is the sign that they ha*e 'eheld "od=s Son# and in the resence o+ Christ# T1EB need demonstrate nothing# +or Christ spea:s to them o+ 1imsel+ and o+ 1is 3ather- They are silent 'ecause Christ spea:s to them# and it is 1is ,ords that T1EB spea:E*ery 'rother you meet 'ecomes a ,itness +or Christ or +or the ego# depending on ,hat you percei*e in him- E*eryone con*inces you o+ 41AT BOU 4A2T TO ERCEIHE# and o+ the reality o+ the Lingdom you ha*e chosen +or your *igilance- E*erything you percei*e is a ,itness to the thought>system BOU 4A2T TO BE TRUE- E*ery 'rother has the po,er to release you# I3 BOU 4I!! TO BE 3REE- Bou cannot accept +alse ,itness o+ him# unless you ha*e e*o:ed +alse ,itnesses A"AI2ST him- I+ 1E spea:s not o+ Christ to BOU# BOU spo:e not o+ Christ to him- Bou hear 'ut your o,n *oice# and i+ Christ spea:s through you# BOU ,ill hear 1imIt is impossi'le not to 'elie*e ,hat you see# 'ut it is e?ually impossi'le to see ,hat

274

you do 2OT 'elie*e- erceptions are 'uilt up on the 'asis o+ e<perience# and e<perience leads to 'elie+s- It is not until BE!IE3S are +i<ed# that perceptions sta'ili9e- In e++ect# then# ,hat you 'elie*e you (O see- That is ,hat I meant ,hen I said# )Blessed are ye ,ho ha*e not seen and still 'elie*e#. +or those ,ho 'elie*e in the Resurrection# 4I!! see itThe Resurrection is the complete triumph o+ Christ o*er the ego# not 'y attac:# 'ut 'y transcendence- 3or Christ (OES rise a'o*e the ego and all its ,or:s# and ascends to the 3ather and 1IS Lingdom4ould you @oin in the Resurrection or the Cruci+i<ionE 4ould you condemn your 'rothers# or +ree themE 4ould you transcend BOUR prison and ascend to the 3atherE 3or these ?uestions are all the same# and are ans,ered together- There has 'een much
> $8G >

con+usion a'out ,hat perception means# 'ecause the same ,ord is used 'oth +or a,areness# and +or the I2TER RETATIO2 o+ a,areness- But you cannot BE a,are ,ithout interpretation# and ,hat you percei*e IS your interpretation- This course is per+ectly clear- Bou do not see it clearly# 'ecause you are interpreting A"AI2ST it# and there+ore do (O 2OT BE!IEHE IT- And i+ 'elie+ determines perception# you do not percei*e ,hat it means# and there+ore do not ACCE T itBet di++erent e<periences lead to di++erent 'elie+s# and ,ith them di++erent perceptions3or perceptions are learned 4IT1 'elie+s# and e<perience teaches- I am leading you to a ne, :ind o+ e<perience# ,hich you ,ill 'ecome less and less ,illing to deny!earning o+ Christ is easy# +or to percei*e ,ith 1im in*ol*es no strain at all- 1IS perceptions are your 2ATURA! a,areness# and it is only distortions that BOU introduce that tire you!et the Christ in you interpret 3OR you# and do not try to limit ,hat you see 'y narro, little 'elie+s# ,hich are un,orthy o+ "od=s Son- 3or until Christ comes into 1is O,n# the Son o+ "od ,ill see himsel+ as 3atherlessI am BOUR Resurrection and BOUR li+e- Bou li*e in me# 'ecause you li*e in "odAnd e*eryone li*es in BOU# as BOU li*e in e*eryone- Can you then percei*e un,orthiness in a 'rother# and 2OT percei*e it in yoursel+E And can you percei*e it in yoursel+# and 2OT percei*e it in "odE Belie*e in the Resurrection 'ecause it has BEE2 accomplished#

275

and IT 1AS BEE2 ACCOM !IS1E( I2 BOU- This is as true no, as it ,ill e*er 'e# +or the resurrection is the 4ill o+ "od# 4hich :no,s no time and no e<ceptions- But ma:e no e<ceptions yoursel+# or you ,ill not percei*e ,hat has 'een accomplished 3OR you3or ,e ascend unto the 3ather together# as it ,as in the 'eginning# is no,# and e*er shall 'e# +or such is the nature o+ "od=s Son as 1is 3ather created him(o not underestimate the po,er o+ the de*otion o+ "od=s Son# nor the po,er o+ the god he ,orships o*er him- 3or he places 1IMSE!3 at the altar o+ his god# ,hether it 'e the god 1e made# or the "od ,ho created 1IM- That is ,hy his sla*ery is as complete as his +reedom# +or he ,ill o'ey O2!B the god he accepts- The god o+ the cruci+i<ion demands that he cruci+y# and his ,orshippers o'ey- In his name# they cruci+y T1EMSE!HES# 'elie*ing that the po,er o+ the Son o+ "od is 'orn o+ sacri+ice and pain- The "od o+ the Resurrection demands nothing# +or 1e does not ,ill to TALE A4AB- 1e does not re?uire o'edience# +or o'edience implies su'mission- 1e ,ould only ha*e you learn your O42 ,ill and +ollo, it# not in the spirit o+ sacri+ice and su'mission# 'ut in the gladness o+ +reedomResurrection must compel your allegiance gladly 'ecause it is the sym'ol o+ @oy- Its ,hole compelling po,er lies in the +act that it represents ,hat BOU ,ant to 'e- The +reedom to lea*e 'ehind e*erything that hurts you and hum'les you# and +rightens you# cannot 'e thrust upon you- But it CA2 'e o++ered you through the "race o+ "od- And you can ACCE T it BB 1is "race# +or "od IS gracious to 1is Son# accepting him ,ithout ?uestion as 1is o,n- 4ho# then# is BOUR o,nE The 3ather has gi*en you all that is 1is# and 1e 1imsel+ is yours 4IT1 them- "uard them in their Resurrection# +or other,ise you ,ill not a,a:e in "od# sa+ely surrounded 'y ,hat is yours +ore*er> $86 >

Bou ,ill not +ind peace until you ha*e remo*ed the nail +rom the hands o+ "od=s Son# and ta:en the last thorn +rom his +orehead- The !o*e o+ "od surrounds 1is Son# ,hom the god o+ the cruci+i<ion condemns- Teach not that I died in *ain- Teach rather T1AT I (I( 2OT (IE 'y demonstrating that I !IHE I2 BOU- 3or the U2(OI2" o+ the cruci+i<ion o+ "od=s Son is the ,or: o+ the Redemption# in ,hich e*eryone has a part o+ e?ual *alue- "od does not @udge 1is 'lameless Son- 1a*ing gi*en 1IMSE!3 to him# ho, could it 'e other,iseE

276

Bou ha*e nailed BOURSE!3 to a cross# and placed a cro,n o+ thorns upon your o,n head- Bet you CA22OT cruci+y "od=s Son# +or the ,ill o+ "od cannot die- 1is Son 1AS BEE2 redeemed +rom his o,n cruci+i<ion# and you cannot assign to death ,hom "od has gi*en Eternal !i+e- The dream o+ cruci+i<ion still lies hea*y on your eyes# 'ut ,hat you see in dreams is not reality- 4hile you percei*e the Son o+ "od as cruci+ied# you are asleep- And as long as you 'elie*e that BOU can cruci+y him# you are only ha*ing nightmares- Bou ,ho are 'eginning to ,a:e are still a,are o+ dreams# and ha*e not yet +orgotten themThe +orgetting o+ dreams and the a,areness o+ Christ comes ,ith the a,a:ening o+ others to S1ARE your redemption- Bou ,ill a,a:en to your o,n call# +or the call to a,a:e is 4IT1I2 you- I+ I li*e in you# you ARE a,a:e- But BOU must see the ,or:s I do through you# or you ,ill not percei*e that I ha*e done them unto BOU- (o not set limits on ,hat you 'elie*e I can do T1ROU"1 you# or you ,ill not accept ,hat I can do 3OR you- 3or it is done A!REA(B# and unless you gi*e A!! that you ha*e recei*ed# you ,ill not :no, that your Redeemer li*eth# and that BOU ha*e a,a:ened 4IT1 1imRedemption is recogni9ed O2!B 'y sharing it"od=s Son IS sa*ed- Bring only T1IS a,areness to the Sonship# and you ,ill ha*e a part in the Redemption as *alua'le as mine- 3or your part must 'e !ILE mine# i+ you learn it o+ me- I+ you 'elie*e that BOURS is limited# BOU ARE !IMITI2" MI2E- There is no order o+ di++iculty in miracles# 'ecause all o+ "od=s Sons are o+ e?ual *alue# and their e?uality is their Oneness- The ,hole po,er o+ "od is in e*ery part o+ 1im# and nothing contradictory to 1is ,ill is either great or small- 4hat does not e<ist 1AS no si9e and no measure- To "od A!! things are possi'le- And to Christ it is gi*en to 'e li:e the 3atherThe ,orld as BOU percei*e it cannot ha*e 'een created 'y the 3ather# +or the ,orld is 2OT as you see it- "od created O2!B the eternal# and e*erything BOU see is perisha'leThere+ore# there must 'e another ,orld ,hich you do 2OT see- The Bi'le spea:s o+ a 2E4 1ea*en and a 2E4 earth# yet this cannot 'e literally true# +or the eternal are not REcreatedTo ERCEIHE ane, is merely to percei*e again# implying that 'e+ore BOU 4ERE 2OT ERCEIHI2" AT A!!- 4hat# then# is the ,orld that a,aits your perception 41E2

277

BOU SEE ITE E*ery lo*ing thought that the Son o+ "od e*er had is eternal- Those ,hich his mind percei*ed in this ,orld are the ,orld=s only reality- They are still perceptions# 'ecause he still 'elie*es that he is separate# yet they are eternal# 'ecause they are lo*ingAnd BEI2" lo*ing# they are li:e the 3ather# and there+ore cannot die> $8J >

The real ,orld can ACTUA!!B BE ERCEIHE(- All that is necessary is a ,illingness to percei*e nothing E!SE- 3or i+ you percei*e 'oth good A2( e*il# you are accepting 'oth the +alse A2( the true# A2( MALI2" 2O (ISTI2CTIO2 BET4EE2 T1EMThe ego sees SOME good# 'ut ne*er O2!B good- That is 41B its perceptions are so *aria'leIt does not re@ect goodness entirely# +or this you could not accept# 'ut it al,ays A((S something that is 2OT real TO the real# thus CO23USI2" I!!USIO2 A2( REA!ITB- 3or perceptions cannot 'e partly true- I+ you 'elie*e in truth A2( illusion you CA22OT TE!! 41IC1 IS TRUETo esta'lish your ERSO2A! autonomy you tried to create U2!ILE your 3ather# BE!IEHI2" ,hat you made to 'e capa'le o+ BEI2" unli:e 1im- Bet e*erything in ,hat you ha*e made that IS true# IS li:e 1im- Only this is the real ,orld# and percei*ing O2!B this ,ill lead you to the real 1ea*en 'ecause IT 4I!! MALE BOU CA AB!E O3 U2(ERSTA2(I2" IT- The perception o+ goodness is not :no,ledge# 'ut the denial o+ the O OSITE o+ goodness ena'les you to percei*e a condition in ,hich opposites do not e<ist- And this IS the condition o+ :no,ledge- 4IT1OUT this a,areness# you ha*e 2OT met its conditions# and until you do you ,ill not :no, that it is yours alreadyBou ha*e made many ideas ,hich you ha*e placed 'et,een yoursel*es and your Creator# and these 'elie+s are the ,orld as BOU percei*e it- Truth is not a'sent here# 'ut it IS o'scure- Bou do not :no, the di++erence 'et,een ,hat you ha*e made# and ,hat "od created# and so you do not :no, the di++erence 'et,een ,hat you ha*e made# and ,hat BOU ha*e created- To 'elie*e that you can percei*e the real ,orld is to 'elie*e that you can :no, yoursel+- Bou CA2 :no, "od# 'ecause it is 1is 4ill to BE :no,n- The real ,orld is all that the 1oly Spirit has sa*ed +or you# out o+ ,hat you ha*e made# and to percei*e only this is sal*ation# 'ecause it is the recognition that reality is O2!B 41AT IS TRUE-

278

This is a *ery simple course- erhaps you do not +eel that a course ,hich# in the end# teaches nothing more than that only reality is true is necessary- BUT (O BOU BE!IEHE ITE 4hen you ha*e percei*ed the real ,orld# you ,ill recogni9e that you did 2OT 'elie*e it- But the s,i+tness ,ith ,hich your ne, and O2!B real perception ,ill 'e translated into :no,ledge# ,ill lea*e you only an instant to reali9e that this @udgment is trueAnd then e*erything you made ,ill 'e +orgotten# the good and 'ad# the +alse and the true3or as 1ea*en and earth 'ecome one# e*en the real ,orld ,ill *anish +rom your sightThe end o+ the ,orld is not its destruction# 'ut its TRA2S!ATIO2 into 1ea*en- The REI2TER RETATIO2 o+ the ,orld is the trans+er o+ A!! perception to :no,ledgeThe Bi'le tells you to 'ecome as little children- !ittle children recogni9e that they do not understand ,hat they percei*e# and so they ASL 41AT IT MEA2S- (o not ma:e the mista:e o+ 'elie*ing that BOU understand ,hat BOU percei*e# +or its meaning IS lost to you- But the 1oly Spirit has sa*ed its meaning 3OR you# and i+ you ,ill !ET 1im interpret it 3OR you# 1e ,ill restore ,hat you ha*e thro,n a,ay- As long as you T1I2L BOU L2O4 its meaning# you ,ill see no need to as: it O3 1im- Bou do not :no, the meaning o+ A2BT1I2" you percei*e- 2OT O2E T1OU"1T BOU 1O!( IS 41O!!B TRUE> $87 >

The recognition o+ this is your +irm 'eginning- Bou are not misguidedP you ha*e accepted no guide at all- Instruction in perception is your great need# 3OR BOU U2(ERSTA2( 2OT1I2"- RECO"2IUE this# 'ut do not accept it# +or understanding is your inheritance- erceptions are learned# and you are not ,ithout a Teacher- But your ,illingness to learn o+ 1im depends on your ,illingness to ?uestion EHERBT1I2" you ha*e learned O3 BOURSE!3# +or you ,ho ha*e learned amiss should not 'e your o,n teachers- 2o>one can ,ithhold truth# e<cept +rom himsel+- Bet "od ,ill not re+use the ans,er 1e "AHE you- As:# then# +or ,hat is yours# 'ut ,hich you did 2OT ma:e# and do not de+end yoursel+ A"AI2ST truthBOU made the pro'lem ,hich "od 1AS ans,ered- As: yoursel*es# there+ore# 'ut one simple ?uestionP )(o I ,ant the pro'lem or do I ,ant the ans,erE. (ecide +or the ans,er# and you 4I!! ha*e it# +or you ,ill see it as it is# and it is yours already- Bou complain that this course is not su++iciently speci+ic +or you to understand it A2( USE ITBet it has 'een HERB speci+ic# and BOU 1AHE 2OT (O2E 41AT IT S ECI3ICA!!B A(HOCATES- This is not a course in the play o+ ideas# 'ut in their RACTICA!

279

A !ICATIO2- 2othing could 'e more speci+ic than to 'e told *ery clearly# that i+ you as: you 4I!! recei*eThe 1oly Spirit ,ill ans,er EHERB speci+ic pro'lem# as long as you 'elie*e that pro'lems ARE speci+ic- 1is ans,er is 'oth many and one# as long as you 'elie*e that the One IS many- Reali9e that BOU ARE A3RAI( O3 1IS S ECI3ICITB# +or +ear o+ ,hat you thin: it ,ill (EMA2( o+ you- Bet only 'y as:ing ,ill you learn that nothing that is o+ "od demands A2BT1I2" o+ you- "od "IHESP 1e does 2OT ta:e- Bou are re+using to as:# 'ecause you 'elie*e that as:ing is TALI2"# and you do not percei*e it as sharingThe 1oly Spirit ,ill gi*e you only ,hat is yours# and ,ill ta:e nothing in return- 3or ,hat is yours IS e*erything# and you share it 4IT1 "od- This IS its reality- 4ould the 1oly Spirit# 4ho ,ills only to RESTORE# 'e capa'le o+ MISinterpreting the ?uestion you must as: to learn 1is ans,erE Bou 1AHE heard the ans,er# 'ut you ha*e misunderstood the DUESTIO2- Bou ha*e 'elie*ed that to as: +or guidance o+ the 1oly Spirit# IS TO ASL 3OR (E RIHATIO2!ittle children o+ "od# you do not understand your 3ather- Bou 'elie*e in a ,orld that ta:es 'ecause you 'elie*e that you can get 'y ta:ing- But BB that perception# you ha*e lost sight o+ the real ,orld- Bou are a+raid o+ the AS BOU SEE IT# 'ut the real ,orld is still yours +or the as:ing- (o not deny it TO yoursel+# +or it can O2!B +ree you- 2othing o+ "od ,ill ensla*e 1is Son# ,hom 1e created +ree and ,hose +reedom is protected 'y 1IS BeingBlessed are you ,ho ,ill as: the truth o+ "od ,ithout +ear# +or only thus can you learn that 1is ans,er IS the release +rom +ear- Beauti+ul Child o+ "od# you are as:ing only +or ,hat I promised you- (o you 'elie*e I ,ould (ECEIHE youE The Lingdom o+ 1ea*en IS ,ithin you- Belie*e that the truth is in me# +or I L2O4 that it is in BOU- "od=s Sons ha*e nothing ,hich they do not share- As: +or truth o+ any Son o+ "od# and you ha*e as:ed it o+ me- 2o one o+ us 'ut has the ans,er in him# to gi*e to anyone ,ho as:s it O3
> $8K >

him- As: anything o+ "od=s Son# and 1is 3ather ,ill ans,er you# +or Christ is not decei*ed in 1is 3ather and 1is 3ather is not decei*ed in 1im(o not# then# 'e decei*ed in your 'rother# and see only his lo*ing thoughts as his reality# +or 'y denying that his mind is split# BOU 4I!! 1EA! BOURS- Accept him as his 3ather accepts him# and heal him unto Christ# +or Christ is his healing A2( BOURS-

280

Christ is the Son o+ "od 4ho is in no ,ay separate +rom 1is 3ather# 4hose EHERB thought is as lo*ing as the Thought o+ 1is 3ather# 'y ,hich 1e ,as created- Be not decei*ed in "od=s Son# +or there'y you MUST 'e decei*ed in yoursel+- And 'eing decei*ed in yoursel+ you ARE decei*ed in your 3ather# in 4hom no deceit is possi'leIn the real ,orld# there is no sic:ness# +or there is no separation and no di*isionOnly lo*ing thoughts are recogni9ed# and 'ecause no>one is ,ithout BOUR help# the 1elp o+ "od goes ,ith BOU e*ery,here- As you 'ecome ,illing to ACCE T this 1elp BB ASLI2" 3OR IT# you ,ill gi*e it BECAUSE BOU 4A2T IT- 2othing ,ill 'e 'eyond your healing po,er# 'ecause nothing ,ill 'e denied your simple re?uest- 4hat pro'lems ,ill not disappear in the presence o+ "od=s ans,erE As:# then# to learn o+ the reality o+ your 'rother BECAUSE T1IS IS 41AT BOU 4I!! ERCEIHE I2 1IM# and you ,ill see your 'eauty re+lected in 1IM(o not accept your 'rother=s *aria'le perception o+ himsel+# +or his split mind is yours# and you ,ill not accept BOUR healing ,ithout his- 3or you share the real ,orld as you share 1ea*en# and his healing IS yours- To lo*e yoursel+ is to 1EA! yoursel+# and you cannot percei*e part o+ you as sic: and achie*e your O42 goal- Brother# ,e heal together as ,e li*e together# and lo*e together- Be not decei*ed in "od=s Son# +or he is one ,ith himsel+# and One ,ith his 3ather- !o*e him ,ho is 'elo*ed o+ 1is 3ather# and you ,ill learn o+ the 3ather=s !o*e +or BOUI+ you percei*e o++ense in a 'rother# pluc: the o++ense +rom your mind# +or you are o++ended 'y Christ# and are decei*ed in 1im- 1EA! in Christ and 'e not o++ended 'y 1im# +or there is no o++ense I2 1im- I+ ,hat you percei*e o++ends you# you are o++ended in BOURSE!3# and are condemning "od=s Son# ,hom "od condemneth not- !et the 1oly Spirit remo*e A!! o++ense o+ "od=s Son against himsel+ and percei*e no>one 'ut through 1IS guidance# +or 1e ,ould sa*e you +rom A!! condemnation- Accept 1is healing po,er# and use it +or all 1e sends you# +or 1e ,ills to heal the Son o+ "od in ,hom 1e is not decei*edChildren percei*e terri+ying ghosts and monsters and dragons# and they are terri+iedBut i+ they as: someone they trust +or the REA! meaning o+ ,hat they percei*e# and are ,illing to !ET T1EIR I2TER RETATIO2S "O I2 3AHOR O3 REA!ITB# their +ear goes ,ith them- 4hen a child is helped to translate his )ghost. into a curtain# his )monster.

281

into a shado, and his )dragon. into a dream# he is no longer a+raid# and laughs happily at his o,n +ear- Bou# my children# are a+raid o+ your 'rothers# and o+ your 3ather and o+ BOURSE!HES- But you are merely (ECEIHE( in them> $85 >

As: ,hat they ARE o+ the Teacher o+ Reality# and hearing 1is ans,er# you too ,ill laugh at your +ears and replace them ,ith peace- 3or +ear lies not in reality# 'ut in the minds o+ children ,ho do not U2(ERSTA2( it- It is only their !ACL O3 U2(ERSTA2(I2" that +rightens them# and ,hen they learn to percei*e truly# they are not a+raid- And 'ecause o+ this# they ,ill as: +or truth again# ,hen they are +rightened- It is not the REA!ITB o+ your 'rothers# or your 3ather# or yoursel+ ,hich +rightens you- Bou do not :no, ,hat they ARE# and so BOU percei*e them as ghosts and monsters and dragonsASL o+ their reality +rom the O2e 4ho :no,s it# and 1e ,ill tell you ,hat they are3or you do 2OT understand them# and 'ecause you are decei*ed 'y ,hat you see# you 2EE( reality to dispel your +ears- 4ould you not e<change your +ears +or truth i+ the e<change is yours +or the as:ingE 3or i+ "od is not decei*ed in you# you can 'e decei*ed only in BOURSE!3- But you can learn the truth o+ yoursel+ o+ the 1oly Spirit# 4ho ,ill teach you that# as part o+ "od# deceit in BOU is impossi'le- 4hen you percei*e yoursel+ ,ithout deceit# you ,ill accept the real ,orld in place o+ the +alse one you ha*e madeAnd then your 3ather ,ill lean do,n to you# and ta:e the last step +or you 'y raising you unto 1imsel+Septem'er K# &5JJ Bou ha*e 'een told not to ma:e error real# and the ,ay to do this is *ery simple- I+ you 4A2T to 'elie*e in error# you ,ould 1AHE to ma:e it real# 'ecause it is not trueBut TRUT1 is real in its O42 right# and to 'elie*e in truth# BOU (O 2OT 1AHE TO (O A2BT1I2"- Understand that you do not respond to stimuli# 'ut to STIMU!I AS BOU I2TER RET T1EM- Bour interpretation thus 'ecomes the JUSTI3ICATIO2 +or the responseThat is ,hy analy9ing the moti*es o+ others is ha9ardous to BOU- I+ you decide that someone is REA!!B trying to attac: you# or desert you or ensla*e you# you ,ill respond as i+ he had actually (O2E so# BECAUSE you ha*e made his error REA! to you- To interpret error is to "IHE IT O4ER# and# ha*ing done this# you 4I!! o*erloo: truthThe analysis o+ ego moti*ation is *ery complicated# *ery o'scuring# and 2EHER ,ithout the ris: o+ your o,n ego in*ol*ement- The ,hole process represents a clear> cut attempt to demonstrate BOUR O42 a'ility to understand ,hat you percei*e- This is

282

demonstrated 'y the +act that you REACT to your interpretations as i+ they 4ERE correct# and control your reactions 'eha*iorally# BUT 2OT EMOTIO2A!!B- This is ?uite e*idently a mental split# in ,hich you ha*e attac:ed the integrity o+ your mind# and pitted one le*el ,ithin it against anotherThere is 'ut one interpretation o+ A!! moti*ation that ma:es any sense# and# 'ecause it is the 1oly Spirit=s @udgment# it re?uires no e++ort at all on your part- E*ery lo*ing thought is true- EHERBT1I2" E!SE is an appeal +or healing and help- That is ,hat it IS# regardless o+ the +orm it ta:es- Can anyone 'e @usti+ied in responding ,ith anger to a plea +or helpE 2o response can BE appropriate EXCE T the ,illingness to gi*e it TO him# +or this and O2!B this is ,hat he is ASLI2" +or- O++er him anything E!SE# and BOU are assuming the right to attac: his reality# 'y interpreting it AS BOU SEE 3IT> $G% >

erhaps the danger o+ this to your O42 mind is not yet +ully apparent- But this 'y no means signi+ies that it is not per+ectly clear- I+ you maintain that an appeal +or help is something E!SE# you ,ill REACT to something else# and your response ,ill 'e inappropriate to reality as IT is# 'ut 2OT to your perception O3 it- This is poor reality testing 'y de+inition- There is nothing to pre*ent you +rom recogni9ing A!! calls +or help as e<actly ,hat they are# EXCE T BOUR O42 ERCEIHE( 2EE( TO ATTACL- It is only T1IS that ma:es you ,illing to engage in endless )'attles. ,ith reality# in ,hich you (E2B the reality o+ the need +or healing 'y ma:ing IT unrealBou ,ould not do this e<cept +or your U24I!!I2"2ESS to percei*e reality# 41IC1 BOU 4IT11O!( 3ROM BOURSE!3- It is surely good ad*ice to tell you not to @udge ,hat you do not understand- 2o>one ,ith a personal in*estment is a relia'le ,itness# +or truth to him has 'ecome ,hat he 4A2TS it to 'e- I+ you are un,illing to percei*e an appeal +or help AS 41AT IT IS# it is 'ecause BOU are un,illing to gi*e help# A2( TO RECEIHE IT- The analysis o+ the ego=s )real. moti*ation is the modern e?ui*alent o+ the in?uisition- 3or in 'oth# a 'rother=s errors are )unco*ered#. and he is then attac:ed 3OR 1IS O42 "OO(- 4hat can this 'e# BUT pro@ectionE 3or 1IS errors lay in the minds o+ his I2TER RETORS# +or ,hich they punished 1IM4hene*er you +ail to recogni9e a call +or help# you are RE3USI2" help- 4ould you maintain that you do not 2EE( itE Bet this IS ,hat you are maintaining ,hen you re+use to recogni9e a 'rother=s appeal- 3or only 'y A2S4ERI2" his appeal# can BOU 'e helped-

283

(eny him BOUR help# and you ,ill 2OT percei*e "od=s ans,er to BOU- The 1oly Spirit does 2OT need your help in interpreting moti*ation# 'ut you (O need 1IS- O2!B appreciation is an appropriate response to your 'rother- "ratitude is due him +or 'oth his lo*ing thoughts# and his appeals +or help# +or 'oth are capa'le o+ 'ringing lo*e into BOUR a,areness# I3 BOU ERCEIHE T1EM TRUE!B- And A!! your sense o+ strain comes +rom your attempts 2OT to do @ust this1o, simple# then# is "od=s plan +or sal*ation- There is 'ut one response to reality# +or reality e*o:es no con+lict at all- There is 'ut one Teacher o+ Reality# 4ho understands ,hat it is- 1e does 2OT change 1is mind a'out reality# 'ecause REA!ITB does not change- Although BOUR interpretations o+ reality are meaningless in your di*ided state# 1is remain consistently true- 1e "IHES them to you 'ecause they are 3OR you(o not attempt to )help. a 'rother in BOUR ,ay# +or you cannot help yoursel*esBut hear his call +or the help o+ "od# and you ,ill recogni9e your O42 need +or the 3ather- Bour interpretations o+ your 'rother=s need is your interpretation o+ BOURSBy gi*ing help# you are ASLI2" 3OR IT- And i+ you percei*e 'ut one need in yoursel+# you 4I!! 'e healed- 3or you ,ill recogni9e "od=s ans,er as you ,ant it to 'e# and i+ you ,ant it in truth# it ,ill 'e truly yours- E*ery appeal you ans,er in the 2ame o+ Christ# 'rings the remem'rance o+ your 3ather closer to BOUR a,areness- 3or the sa:e o+ BOUR need# then# hear e*ery call +or help as ,hat it is# so "od can ans,er BOUBy applying the 1oly Spirit=s interpretation o+ the reactions o+ others more and more consistently# you ,ill gain an increasing a,areness that 1IS criteria are e?ually applica'le
> $G& >

to BOU- 3or to RECO"2IUE +ear is not enough to escape 3ROM it# although the recognition IS necessary to demonstrate the 2EE( +or escape- The 1oly Spirit must still TRA2S!ATE it into truth- I+ you ,ere !E3T ,ith the +ear# ha*ing RECO"2IUE( it# you ,ould ha*e ta:en a step A4AB +rom reality# not TO4AR(S it- Bet ,e ha*e repeatedly emphasi9ed the need to recogni9e +ear# and +ace it 4IT1OUT (IS"UISE# as a crucial step in the undoing o+ the ego- Consider ho, ,ell the 1oly Spirit=s interpretation o+ the moti*es o+ others ,ill ser*e you then1a*ing taught you to accept only lo*ing thoughts in others# and to regard e*erything else as an appeal +or help# 1e has taught you that 3EAR is an appeal +or help- This is ,hat RECO"2IUI2" it really means- I+ you do 2OT ROTECT it# 1E ,ill reinterpret itThat is the ultimate *alue TO BOU in learning to percei*e attac: as a call +or lo*e- 4e ha*e

284

learned surely that +ear and attac: are ine*ita'ly associated- I+ O2!B attac: produces +ear# and i+ you see attac: as the call +or help that it IS# the REA!ITB o+ +ear MUST da,n upon you- 3or +ear IS a call +or lo*e# in unconscious recognition o+ ,hat has 'een denied3ear is a symptom o+ your deep sense o+ loss- I+# ,hen you percei*e it in others# you learn to SU !B the loss# the 'asic CAUSE o+ +ear is remo*ed- There'y you teach yoursel+ that +ear does not e<ist I2 BOU# +or you ha*e in BOURSE!3# the means +or remo*ing it# and ha*e (EMO2STRATE( this 'y "IHI2" it- 3ear and lo*e are the only emotions o+ ,hich you are capa'le- One is +alse# +or it ,as made out o+ denial# and denial (E E2(S on the real 'elie+ in ,hat is denied +or its O42 e<istenceBy interpreting +ear correctly# as a OSITIHE A33IRMATIO2 O3 T1E U2(ER!BI2" BE!IE3 IT MASLS# you are undermining its percei*ed use+ulness 'y rendering it useless(e+enses ,hich do not ,or: AT A!! are AUTOMATICA!!B discarded- I+ you raise ,hat +ear conceals to C!EAR>CUT# U2EDUIHOCA! RE>(OMI2A2CE# +ear 'ecomes meaningless- Bou ha*e denied its po,er to conceal lo*e# ,hich ,as its only purposeThe mas: ,hich BOU ha*e dra,n across the +ace o+ !o*e has disappearedI+ you ,ould loo: upon !o*e# ,hich IS the ,orld=s reality# ho, could you do 'etter than to recogni9e# in e*ery de+ense A"AI2ST it# the underlying appeal 3OR itE And ho, could you 'etter learn o+ its reality# than 'y ans,ering the appeal +or it 'y "IHI2" itE The 1oly Spirit=s interpretation o+ +ear (OES dispel it# +or the A4ARE2ESS o+ truth cannot BE denied- Thus does the 1oly Spirit replace +ear ,ith lo*e# and translate error into truthAnd thus ,ill BOU learn o+ 1im ho, to replace your dream o+ separation ,ith the +act o+ unity- 3or the separation is only the (E2IA! o+ union# and# correctly interpreted# attests to your eternal :no,ledge that union is trueMiracles are merely the translation o+ denial into truth- I+ to lo*e onesel+ is to 1EA! onesel+# those ,ho are sic: do 2OT lo*e themsel*es- There+ore# they are as:ing +or the lo*e that ,ould heal them# 'ut ,hich they are (E2BI2" TO T1EMSE!HES- I+ they :ne, the truth a'out themsel*es# they could not 'e sic:- The tas: o+ the miracle>,or:er thus

285

'ecomes to (E2B T1E (E2IA! O3 TRUT1- The sic: must heal T1EMSE!HES# +or the truth is I2 them- But# ha*ing OBSCURE( it# the light in A2OT1ER mind must shine into theirs# 'ecause that light IS theirs> $G$ >

The light in them shines as 'rightly# RE"AR(!ESS o+ the density o+ the +og that o'scures it- I+ you gi*e no po,er to the +og to o'scure the light# it 1AS none# +or it has po,er O2!B 'ecause the Son o+ "od ga*e po,er TO it- 1e must 1IMSE!3 ,ithdra, that po,er# remem'ering that all po,er is o+ "od- BOU CA2 REMEMBER T1IS 3OR A!! T1E SO2S1I - (o not allo, your 'rother not to remem'er# +or his +orget+ulness is BOURS- But BOUR remem'ering is 1IS# +or "od cannot 'e remem'ered aloneT1IS IS 41AT BOU 1AHE 3OR"OTTE2- To percei*e the healing o+ your 'rother as the healing o+ yoursel+# is thus the ,ay to remem'er "od- 3or you +orgot your 'rothers 4IT1 1im# and "od=s ans,er to your +orgetting is 'ut the ,ay to remem'erercei*e in sic:ness 'ut another call +or lo*e# and o++er your 'rother ,hat he 'elie*es he cannot o++er 1IMSE!3- 4hate*er the sic:ness# there is 'ut one remedy- Bou ,ill 'e made ,hole as you MALE ,hole# +or to percei*e in sic:ness the appeal +or health# is to recogni9e in hatred the call +or lo*e- And to gi*e a 'rother ,hat he REA!!B ,ants# is to o++er it unto yoursel+- 3or your 3ather ,ills you to :no, your 'rother AS yoursel+Ans,er 1IS call +or lo*e# and BOURS is ans,ered- 1ealing is the lo*e o+ Christ +or 1is 3ather# and +or 1IMSE!3Remem'er ,hat ,e said a'out the +rightening perceptions o+ little children# ,hich terri+y them 'ecause they do not understand them- I+ they ASL +or enlightenment# A2( ACCE T IT# their +ears *anish- But i+ they 1I(E their nightmares# they ,ill LEE them- It is easy to help an uncertain child# +or he recogni9es that he does not :no, ,hat his perceptions mean- But you 'elie*e that you (O :no,- !ittle children# you are hiding your heads under the co*ers o+ the hea*y 'lan:ets you ha*e laid upon yoursel*esBou are hiding your nightmares in the dar:ness o+ your o,n certainty# and re+using to open your eyes and !OOL AT T1EM!et us not sa*e nightmares# +or they are not +itting o++erings +or Christ# and so they are not +it gi+ts +or BOU- Ta:e o++ the co*ers# and loo: at ,hat you are a+raid o+- Only the

286

A2TICI ATIO2 ,ill +righten you# +or the reality o+ nothingness cannot 'e +rightening!et us not delay this# +or your dream o+ hatred ,ill not lea*e you ,ithout help# and help is here- !earn to 'e ?uiet in the midst o+ turmoil# +or ?uietness is the E2( o+ stri+e# and this is the @ourney to peace- !oo: straight at e*ery image that rises to delay you# +or the goal is ine*ita'le# 'ecause it is eternalThe goal o+ lo*e is 'ut your right# and it 'elongs to you (ES ITE your pre+erenceBOU STI!! 4I!! 41AT "O( 4I!!S# and no nightmare can de+eat a Child o+ "od in his purpose- 3or your purpose ,as gi*en you 'y "od# and you must accomplish it# BECAUSE it is 1is 4ill- A,a:e and remem'er your purpose# +or it is BOUR ,ill to do so- 4hat has 'een accomplished 3OR you MUST 'e yours- (o not let your hatred stand in the ,ay o+ lo*e# +or 2OT1I2" can ,ithstand the lo*e o+ Christ +or 1is 3ather# or 1is 3ather=s lo*e +or 1imA little ,hile# and you 4I!! see me- 3or I am not hidden 'ecause you are hiding- I ,ill a,a:en you as surely as I a,a:ened mysel+# +or I a,o:e 3OR you- In MB Resurrection is BOUR release- Our mission is to ESCA E CRUCI3IXIO2P not Redemption- Trust in my
> $G8 >

help# +or I did not ,al: alone# and I ,ill ,al: ,ith you# as our 3ather ,al:ed ,ith me(id you not :no, that I ,al:ed ,ith 1im in peaceE And does not that mean that peace goes ,ith US on the @ourneyE There is no +ear in per+ect lo*e- 4e ,ill 'ut 'e ma:ing per+ect TO# you ,hat is A!REA(B per+ect I2 you- Bou do not +ear the U2L2O42# 'ut the L2O42- Bou ,ill not +ail in your mission# 'ecause I +ailed not in mine- "i*e me 'ut a little trust# in the name o+ the COM !ETE trust I ha*e in you# and ,e ,ill easily accomplish the goal o+ per+ection together- 3or per+ection IS# and cannot 'e denied- To deny the denial o+ per+ection is not so di++icult as the denial o+ truth- And ,hat ,e can accomplish together MUST 'e 'elie*ed# ,hen you SEE it as accomplished- Bou ,ho ha*e tried to 'anish lo*e ha*e not succeeded- But you ,ho choose to 'anish +ear 4I!! succeedThe !ord is ,ith you# 'ut you :no, it not- Bet your Redeemer li*eth# and a'ideth in you in the peace out o+ ,hich 1e ,as created- 4ould you not e<change T1IS a,areness +or the a,areness o+ your +earE 4hen ,e ha*e OHERCOME +ear# not 'y hiding it# not 'y minimi9ing it# not 'y denying its +ull import in A2B ,ay# T1IS IS 41AT BOU 4I!! REA!!B SEE- Bou cannot lay aside the o'stacle to real *ision ,ithout loo:ing upon it# +or

287

to lay aside means to @udge A"AI2ST- I+ BOU ,ill loo:# the 1oly Spirit ,ill @udge# A2( 4I!! JU("E TRU!B- 1e cannot shine a,ay ,hat BOU :eep hidden# +or you ha*e not o++ered it TO 1im# and 1e CA22OT ta:e it 3ROM you4e are there+ore em'ar:ing on an organi9ed# ,ell>structured# and care+ully planned program#aimed at learning ho, to o++er to the 1oly Spirit e*erything you do 2OT ,ant1E :no,s ,hat to (O ,ith it- Bou do 2OT :no, ho, to use ,hat 1e :no,s4hate*er is re*ealed to 1im that is not o+ "od# is gone- But you must re*eal it to BOURSE!3 in per+ect ,illingness# +or other,ise 1is :no,ledge remains useless TO you- Surely 1e ,ill not +ail to help you# since help is 1is O2!B purpose- (o you not ha*e greater reason +or +earing the ,orld# as you percei*e it# than +or loo:ing at the cause o+ +ear# and letting it go +ore*erE Sept &J I once as:ed i+ you ,ere ,illing to sell all you ha*e# and gi*e to the poor and +ollo, me- This is ,hat I meantF I+ you had no in*estment in anything in this ,orld# you could teach the poor ,here T1EIR treasure IS- The poor are merely those ,ho ha*e in*ested ,rongly# and they are poor indeedO And 'ecause they are in need# it is gi*en to you to help them# since you are among them- Consider ho, per+ectly your lesson ,ould 'e learned# I3 BOU 4ERE U24I!!I2" TO S1ARE T1EIR OHERTB- 3or po*erty is lac:# and there is 'ut one lac:# since there is 'ut one needSuppose a 'rother insists on ha*ing you do something you thin: you do not ,ant to do- The *ery +act o+ his insistence should tell you that 1E BE!IEHES SA!HATIO2 !IES I2 IT- I+ you insist on re+using# and e<perience a ?uic: response o+ opposition# BOU are 'elie*ing that BOUR sal*ation lies in 2OT doing it- Bou# then# are ma:ing the same
> $GG >

mista:e that 1E is# and are ma:ing his error real to 'oth o+ you- Insistence means I2HESTME2T# and ,hat you in*est in is A!4ABS related to your notion o+ sal*ation- The ?uestion is al,ays t,o>+oldP +irst# 41AT is to 'e sa*ed# and second# ho, can it 'e sa*edE 4hene*er you 'ecome angry ,ith a 'rother# +or 41ATEHER reason# you are 'elie*ing that the E"O is to 'e sa*ed# A2( TO BE SAHE( BB ATTACL- I+ 1E attac:s# you are agreeing ,ith this 'elie+# and i+ BOU attac:# you are rein+orcing it- REMEMBER T1AT T1OSE 41O ATTACL ARE OOR- Their po*erty as:s +or gi+ts# 2OT +or +urther

288

impo*erishment- Bou ,ho could help them are surely acting destructi*ely# i+ you accept their po*erty AS BOURS- I+ you had not in*ested AS T1EB 1A(# it ,ould ne*er occur to you to o*erloo: their needRECO"2IUE 41AT (OES 2OT MATTER# and i+ your 'rothers as: you +or something )outrageous#. do it BECAUSE it does not matter- Re+use# and your O OSITIO2 esta'lishes that it (OES matter to you- It is only you# there+ore# ,ho ha*e MA(E the re?uest outrageous# +or nothing can BE as:ed O3 you# and EHERB re?uest o+ a 'rother is 3OR you- 4hy ,ould you insist in (E2BI2" himE 3or to do so is to deny yoursel+# and impo*erish 'oth- 1E is as:ing +or sal*ation# as BOU are- o*erty is o+ the ego# and ne*er o+ "od- 2o )outrageous. re?uest CA2 'e made o+ one ,ho recogni9es ,hat is *alua'le# and ,ants to accept nothing elseSal*ation is +or the mind# and it is attained through peace- This is the only thing that CA2 'e sa*ed# and the O2!B ,ay to sa*e it- Any response OT1ER than lo*e# arises +rom a con+usion a'out the ),hat. and the )ho,. o+ sal*ation- And this is the O2!B ans,er2e*er lose sight o+ this# and ne*er allo, yoursel+ to 'elie*e# e*en +or an instant# that there is another ans,er- 3or you ,ill surely place yoursel+ among the poor# ,ho do not understand that they d,ell in a'undance and that sal*ation is comeSept $%# &5JJ To identi+y ,ith the ego is to attac: yoursel+# and MALE BOURSE!3 OOR- That is ,hy e*eryone ,ho identi+ies ,ith the ego 3EE!S (E RIHE(- 4hat he EX ERIE2CES is then depression or anger# 'ut ,hat he (I( is to e<change his sel+>lo*e +or sel+>hate# MALI2" 1IM A3RAI( O3 1IMSE!3- 1e does 2OT reali9e this- E*en i+ he is +ully a,are o+ A2XIETB# he does 2OT percei*e its source AS 1IS O42 E"O I(E2TI3ICATIO2# and he A!4ABS tries to handle it 'y ma:ing some sort o+ insane )arrangement. ,ith the ,orld- 1e A!4ABS percei*es this ,orld as OUTSI(E 1IMSE!3# +or this is crucial to his ad@ustment- 1e does 2OT reali9e that 1E MALES T1IS 4OR!(# +or there IS no ,orld outside himI+ only the lo*ing thoughts o+ "od=s Son ARE the ,orld=s reality# the real ,orld MUST 'e I2 1IS MI2(- 1is insane thoughts# too# must 'e in his mind# 'ut an I2TER2A! con+lict o+ this magnitude he cannot tolerate- 3or a split mind IS endangered# and the recognition that it encompasses COM !ETE!B opposed thoughts ,ithin itsel+ IS

289

intolera'le- There+ore# the mind pro@ects the split# 2OT the reality- EHERBT1I2" you
> $G6 >

percei*e as the outside ,orld# is merely your attempt to maintain your ego identi+ication# +or e*eryone 'elie*es that identi+ication is sal*ationBut consider ,hat has happened# +or thoughts ha*e conse?uences to the thin:erBou are AT O((S ,ith the ,orld as you percei*e it 'ecause you thin: IT is antagonistic to you- This is a necessary conse?uence o+ ,hat you ha*e done- Bou ha*e pro@ected out,ard ,hat IS antagonistic to ,hat is in,ard# and there+ore you ,ould 1AHE to percei*e it this ,ay- That is ,hy you MUST reali9e that your hatred IS in your mind# and 2OT OUTSI(E IT# 'e+ore you can get rid o+ it- And ,hy you must get rid o+ it# BE3ORE you can percei*e the ,orld as it really is!ong ago ,e said that "od so lo*ed the ,orld that 1e ga*e it TO 1is only>'egotten Son- Athat ,hosoe*er 'elie*eth on him should ne*er see deathC- "od (OES lo*e the real ,orld# and those ,ho percei*e its reality CA22OT see the ,orld o+ death- 3or death is not O3 the real ,orld# in ,hich e*erything is eternal- "od ga*e you the real ,orld in e<change +or the one you made# out o+ your split mind# and ,hich IS the sym'ol o+ death- 3or i+ you could REA!!B separate yoursel*es +rom the Mind o+ "od# you 4OU!( die- And the ,orld you percei*e IS a ,orld o+ separationBou ,ere ,illing to accept e*en death to deny your 3ather- Bet 1e ,ould not ha*e it so# and so it is 2OT so- Bou still could not ,ill against 1im# and that is ,hy you ha*e no control o*er the ,orld you made- It is 2OT a ,orld o+ ,ill# 'ecause it is go*erned 'y the desire to 'e unli:e 1im- And this desire IS 2OT 4I!!- The ,orld you made is there+ore totally chaotic# go*erned 'y ar'itrary and senseless )la,s#. and ,ithout meaning o+ A2B :ind- 3or it ,as made out o+ ,hat you do 2OT ,ant# pro@ected 3ROM your mind# 'ecause you ,ere A3RAI( o+ itBet this ,orld is O2!B in the mind o+ its ma:er# along ,ith his REA! sal*ation- (o not 'elie*e it is outside o+ yoursel+# +or only 'y recogni9ing 41ERE it is# ,ill you gain control o*er it- 3or you (O ha*e control o*er your mind# +or the mind is the mechanism o+ decision- I+ you ,ill recogni9e that A!! attac: ,hich you percei*e# is in your o,n mind# and 2O41ERE E!SE# you ,ill at last ha*e placed its source# and ,here it 'egan it must end- 3or in this place also lies sal*ation- The altar o+ "od# ,here Christ a'idet# is thereBou ha*e de+iled the altar# 'ut 2OT the ,orld- But Christ has placed the Atonement

290

on the altar 3OR you- Bring your perceptions o+ the ,orld to this altar# +or it is the altar to truth- There you ,ill see your *ision changed# and there you ,ill learn to see truly3rom this place# ,here "od and 1is Son d,ell in peace# and ,here you are ,elcome# you ,ill loo: out in peace# and 'ehold the ,orld truly- But to +ind the place# you must relin?uish your in*estment in the ,orld as BOU ha*e pro@ected it# allo,ing the 1oly Spirit to pro@ect the real ,orld TO you# +rom the altar o+ "odThe ego is certain that lo*e is dangerous# and this is al,ays its central teaching- It ne*er UTS it this ,ayP on the contrary# e*eryone ,ho 'elie*es that the ego is sal*ation is intensely engaged in the SEARC1 +or lo*e- Bet the ego# though encouraging the search
> $GJ >

*ery acti*ely# ma:es one pro*isoP > do not 3I2( it- Its dictates# then# can 'e summed up simply as# )See: and do 2OT +ind-. This is the O2E promise the ego holds out to you# and the one promise IT 4I!! LEE - 3or the ego pursues its goal ,ith +anatic insistence# and its reality>testing# though se*erely impaired# is completely consistentThe search ,hich the ego underta:es is there+ore 'ound to 'e de+eated- And since it also teaches that IT is your identi+ication# its guidance leads you to a @ourney ,hich MUST end in percei*ed SE!3 de+eat- 3or the ego CA22OT lo*e# and in its +rantic search 3OR lo*e# it is see:ing 41AT IT IS A3RAI( TO 3I2(- The SEARC1 is ine*ita'le# 'ecause the ego is part o+ your mind# and 'ecause o+ its source# the ego is not ,holly split o++# or it could not 'e 'elie*ed at all- 3or it is your mind that BE!IEHES in it# and gi*es e<istence TO it- Bet it is A!SO your mind that has the po,er to (E2B its e<istence# and you ,ill surely do so ,hen you reali9e e<actly ,hat the @ourney it sets you ISIt is surely o'*ious that no>one 4A2TS to +ind 41AT 4OU!( UTTER!B (E3EAT 1IM- Being U2AB!E to lo*e# the ego ,ould 'e totally inade?uate in !o*e=s presence# +or it could not respond at all- BOU ,ould 1AHE to a'andon the ego=s guidance# +or it ,ould 'e ?uite apparent that it had 2OT taught you the response pattern you 2EE(The ego ,ill there+ore (ISTORT lo*e# and teach you that !OHE calls +orth the responses the ego CA2 teach- 3ollo, its teaching# then# and you ,ill SEARC1 +or lo*e# BUT 4I!! 2OT RECO"2IUE ITBut (O you reali9e that the ego MUST set you on a @ourney ,hich cannot BUT lead

291

to a sense o+ +utility and depressionE To see: and 2OT to +ind is hardly @oyous- Is this the promise BOU ,ould :eepE The 1oly Spirit o++ers you another promise# and one that ,ill lead to @oy- 3or 1IS promise is al,ays# )See: and you 4I!! +ind#. and under 1IS guidance you cannot BE de+eated- 1is is the @ourney to ACCOM !IS1ME2T# and the goal 1E sets 'e+ore you 1e 4I!! "IHE BOU- 3or 1e ,ill ne*er decei*e "od=s Son# ,hom 1e lo*es ,ith the lo*e o+ the 3atherBou 4I!! underta:e a @ourney# 'ecause you are 2OT at home in this ,orld- And you 4I!! search +or your home# ,hether you :no, ,here it is or not- I+ you 'elie*e it is OUTSI(E yoursel+# the search ,ill 'e +utile# +or you ,ill 'e see:ing it ,here it is notBou do not :no, ho, to loo: ,ithin yoursel+# +or you (O 2OT BE!IEHE BOUR 1OME IS T1ERE- Bet the 1oly Spirit :no,s it 3OR you# and 1e ,ill guide to TO your home# 'ecause that is 1is Mission- As 1e +ul+ills 1IS mission# 1e ,ill teach you BOURS3or your mission is the same as 1is- By guiding your BROT1ERS home# you are 'ut +ollo,ing 1IMBehold the "uide your 3ather ga*e yo# that you might learn you ha*e eternal li+e3or death is not your 3ather=s 4ill nor yours# and ,hate*er is true IS the 4ill o+ the 3ather- Bou pay no price +or li+e# +or that ,as gi*en you# 'ut you (O pay a price +or death# and a *ery hea*y one- I+ death is your treasure# you ,ill sell e*erything else to purchase it- And you ,ill 'elie*e that you 1AHE purchased it BECAUSE you ha*e sold e*erything else- BUT BOU CA22OT SE!! T1E LI2"(OM O3 1EAHE2- Bour inheritance
> $G7 >

can neither 'e 'ought 2OR sold- There can BE no disinherited parts o+ the Sonship# +or "od is ,hole# and all his e<tensions are li:e 1imThe Atonement ,as not the price o+ your ,holeness# 'ut it 4AS the price o+ your A4ARE2ESS o+ your ,holeness- 3or ,hat you chose to )sell. had to 'e :ept 3OR you# since you COU!( not )'uy. it 'ac:- Bet BOU must in*est in it# not ,ith money# 'ut 4IT1 BOUR S IRIT- 3or Spirit is 4ill# and ,ill IS the )price. o+ the Lingdom- Bour inheritance a,aits only the recognition that you ha*e BEE2 redeemed- The 1oly Spirit guides you into !i+e Eternal# 'ut BOU must relin?uish your in*estment in death# or you ,ill not see it# though it is all around youSept $&# ;JJ Only lo*e is strong 'ecause it is U2(IHI(E(- The strong do not attac:# 'ecause they see no need to do so- BE3ORE the idea o+ attac: can enter your mind# BOU MUST

292

1AHE ERCEIHE( BOURSE!3 AS 4EAL- Because you had attac:ed yoursel+# and BE!IEHE( T1AT T1E ATTACL 4AS E33ECTIHE# you 'ehold yoursel+ as ,ea:ened- 2o longer percei*ing yoursel+ and all your 'rothers as e?ual# A2( RE"AR(I2" BOURSE!3 AS 4EALER# you attempt to )e?uali9e. the situation BOU 1AHE MA(E- Bou use attac: to do so# 'ecause you 'elie*e that ATTACL 4AS SUCCESS3U! I2 4EALE2I2" BOUThat is ,hy the recognition o+ your O42 in*ulnera'ility is so important in the restoration o+ your sanity- 3or i+ you accept your in*ulnera'ility# you are recogni9ing that ATTACL 1AS 2O E33ECT- Although you ha*e attac:ed yoursel+# and *ery 'rutally# you ,ill demonstrate that 2OT1I2" 1A E2E(- There+ore# 'y attac:ing# you ha*e 2OT (O2E A2BT1I2"- Once you reali9e this# there is no longer any SE2SE in attac:# +or it mani+estly (OES 2OT 4ORL# it cannot ROTECT you- But the recognition o+ your in*ulnera'ility has more than negati*e *alueI+ your attac:s on yoursel+ ha*e 3AI!E( to ,ea:en you# BOU ARE STI!! STRO2"Bou there+ore 1AHE no need to )e?uali9e. the situation to ESTAB!IS1 your strength- But you ,ill ne*er reali9e the utter uselessness o+ attac:# EXCE T 'y recogni9ing that your attac: on BOURSE!3 had no e++ects- 3or others (O react to attac:# i+ they percei*e it# and i+ you ARE trying to attac: them# you ,ill 'e una'le to a*oid interpreting this as rein+orcement- The O2!B place ,here you can cancel out A!! rein+orcement# is I2 BOURSE!3- 3or BOU are al,ays the +irst point o+ your attac:# and i+ this has ne*er 'een it 1AS no conse?uencesSept $$# &5JJ The 1oly Spirit=s !o*e is your strength# +or yours is di*ided# and there+ore not realBou could not trust your o,n lo*e# ,hen you ha*e ATTACLE( it- Bou cannot learn o+ ER3ECT lo*e ,ith a split mind# 'ecause a split mind 1AS MA(E ITSE!3 A OOR
> $GK >

!EAR2ER- Bou tried to ma:e the separation eternal 'ecause you ,anted to RETAI2 the characteristics o+ creation# 4IT1 BOUR O42 CO2TE2TCreation is 2OT o+ you# and poor learners need special teaching- Bou ha*e learning handicaps in a *ery literal sense- There are areas in your learning s:ills that are so impaired# that you can progress only under constant clear>cut direction# pro*ided 'y a teacher ,ho can TRA2SCE2( your limited resources- 1e BECOMES your resource# 'ecause O3

293

BOURSE!3# you CA22OT learn- The learning situation in ,hich you place yoursel+ IS impossi'le# and I2 this situation# you clearly re?uire a special teache# and a special curriculumoor learners are not good choices +or teachers# either +or themsel*es or +or anyone else- Bou ,ould hardly turn to T1EM to esta'lish the curriculum 'y ,hich they can ESCA E their limitations- I+ they understood ,hat is BEBO2( them# they ,ould not BE handicapped- Bou do 2OT :no, the meaning o+ lo*e# and this IS your handicap- (o not attempt to teach BOURSE!HES ,hat you do not understand# and do not try to set up curriculum goals# ,here yours ha*e clearly +ailed- 3or BOUR learning goal has 'een 2OT TO !EAR2# and this CA22OT lead to success+ul learningBou cannot trans+er ,hat you ha*e not learned# and the impairment o+ the a'ility to generali9e is a crucial learning +ailure- 4ould you as: those ,ho ha*e 3AI!E( to lear# ,hat learning aids are 3ORE T1EB (O 2OT L2O4- 3or i+ they could I2TER RET the aids correctly# they ,ould ha*e !EAR2E( +rom them- 4e ha*e said that the ego=s rule is# )See: and do 2OT +ind-. Translated into curricular terms# this is the same as saying# )TRB to learn 'ut (O 2OT SUCCEE(-. The result o+ this curriculum goal is o'*ious- E*ery legitimate teaching aid# e*ery real instruction# and e*ery sensi'le guide to learning# 4I!! BE MISI2TER RETE(3or they are all +or learning 3ACI!ITATIO2# ,hich this strange curriculum goal is A"AI2STI+ you are trying to learn ho, 2OT to learn# and are using the AIM o+ teaching TO (E3EAT ITSE!3# ,hat can you e<pect BUT con+usionE The CURRICU!UM does not ma:e any senseThis :ind o+ learning has so ,ea:ened your mind that you CA22OT lo*e- 3or the curriculum you ha*e chosen is A"AI2ST lo*e# and amounts to a course in 1O4 TO ATTACL BOURSE!3- A necessary minor# supplementing this ma@or curriculum goal# is learning ho, 2OT to o*ercome the split ,hich made this goal 'elie*a'le- And BOU can 2OT o*ercome it# +or all BOUR learning is on its BE1A!3Bet your ,ill spea:s against your learning# as your learning spea:s against your ,illAnd so you +ight A"AI2ST learning# and SUCCEE(# +or that is your ,ill- But you do 2OT reali9e# e*en yet# that there IS something you (O ,ill to learn# and that you CA2 learn it# 'ecause it IS your ,ill to do so- Bou ,ho ha*e tried to learn ,hat you do 2OT ,il# should ta:e heart- 3or though the curriculum you set yoursel+ is depressing indeed# it is

294

merely ridiculous# I3 BOU !OOL AT IT- Is it OSSIB!E that the ,ay to achie*e a goal is 2OT TO ATTAI2 ITE
> $G5 >

Resign 2O4 as your o,n teachers- T1IS resignation ,ill 2OT lead to depression- It is merely the result o+ an honest appraisal o+ ,hat you ha*e taught yoursel*es# and o+ the learning outcomes ,hich ha*e resulted- Under the proper learning conditions# ,hich you can neither pro*ide nor understand# you ,ill 'ecome e<cellent learners A2( teachersBut it is not so yet# and ,ill not BE so until the ,hole learning situation# as BOU ha*e set it up# is re*ersedBour learning OTE2TIA!# properly understood# is limitless# BECAUSE IT 4I!! !EA( BOU TO "O(- Bou can TEAC1 the ,ay to 1im A2( learn it# i+ you +ollo, the Teacher 4ho :no,s it# and the curriculum +or learning it- The curriculum is totally unam'iguous#s 'ecause the goal is 2OT di*ided# and the means and the end are in COM !ETE accordBOU need o++er only U2(IHI(E( ATTE2TIO2- E*erything else ,ill 'e "IHE2 you3or it is BOUR ,ill to learn aright# and 2OT1I2" can oppose the ,ill o+ "od=s Son- 1is learning is as unlimited as 1E isSept- $J# &5JJ The ego is trying to teach you ho, to gain the ,hole ,orl# and lose your o,n SoulThe 1oly Spirit teaches that you CA22OT lose your Soul and there IS no gain in the ,orld# +or O3 ITSE!3# it pro+its nothing- To in*est in something 4IT1OUT pro+it is surely to impo*erish yoursel+# and the o*erhead is high- 2ot only is there no pro+it in the in*estment# 'ut the cost TO BOU is enormous- 3or this in*estment costs you the ,orld=s reality# 'y (E2BI2" BOURS# and gi*es you nothing in return- Bou CA22OT sell your Soul# 'ut you CA2 sell your A4ARE2ESS o+ itBou cannot percei*e the soul# 'ut you ,ill not L2O4 it ,hile you percei*e anything E!SE as more *alua'le- The 1oly Spirit is your strength 'ecause 1e percei*es nothing BUT your soul AS BOU- 1e is per+ectly a,are that you do 2OT :no, yoursel*es# and per+ectly a,are o+ ho, to teach you ,hat you are- BECAUSE 1e lo*es you# 1e ,ill gladly teach you ,hat 1e lo*es# +or 1e ,ills to share it- Remem'ering you al,ays# 1e cannot let you +orget your ,orth- 3or the 3ather ne*er ceases to remind 1im o+ 1is Son# and 1e ne*er ceases to remind 1is Son o+ the 3ather- "od is in your memory BECAUSE o+ 1im-

295

Bou C1OSE to +orget your 3ather# 'ut you did 2OT ,ill to do so- And T1ERE3ORE# you CA2 decide other,ise- As it ,as MB decision# so is it BOURS- BOU (O 2OT 4A2T T1E 4OR!(- The only thing o+ *alue in it is ,hate*er part o+ it BOU loo: upon ,ith lo*e- This "IHES it the only reality it ,ill e*er ha*e- ITS *alue is 2OT in itsel+# 'ut yours IS in you- As sel+ *alue comes +rom sel+ EXTE2SIO2# so does the ERCE TIO2 o+ sel+ *alue come +rom the pro@ection o+ lo*ing thoughts out,ardMa:e the ,orld real unto BOURSE!3# +or the real ,orld is the gi+t o+ the 1oly Spirit# and so it BE!O2"S to you- Correction is +or all ,ho cannot see- To open the eyes o+ the 'lind is the 1oly Spirit=s mission# +or 1e :no,s that they ha*e not !OST their *ision# 'ut merely sleep- 1e ,ould a,a:en them +rom the sleep o+ +orgetting# to the remem'ering
> $6% >

o+ "od- Christ=s eyes are open# and 1e ,ill loo: upon ,hate*er you see ,ith lo*e i+ you accept 1is *ision as yoursThe 1oly Spirit :eeps the *ision o+ Christ +or e*ery Son o+ "od ,ho sleeps- In 1is sight# the Son o+ "od is per+ect# and 1e longs to share 1is *ision 4IT1 you- 1e ,ill S1O4 you the real ,orld# 'ecause "od "AHE you 1ea*en- Through 1im# your 3ather calls 1is Son to remem'er- The a,a:ening o+ 1is Son 'egins ,ith his in*estment in the REA! ,orld# and BB this# he ,ill learn to REin*est in 1IMSE!3- 3or reality is one ,ith the 3ather A2( the Son# and the 1oly Spirit 'lesses the real ,orld in Their 2ame4hen you ha*e seen this real ,orld# as you ,ill surely do# you 4I!! remem'er usBut you must learn the cost o+ sleeping# A2( RE3USE TO AB IT- Only then ,ill you decide to a,a:e- And then the real ,orld ,ill spring to your sight# +or Christ has ne*er slept- 1e is ,aiting to 'e seen# +or 1e has ne*er lost sight o+ BOU- 1e loo:s ?uietly on the real ,orld# ,hich 1e ,ould S1ARE ,ith you# 'ecause 1e :no,s o+ the 3ather=s lo*e +or 1im- And :no,ing this# 1e ,ould gi*e you ,hat is yoursIn per+ect peac#e 1e ,aits +or you at 1is 3ather=s altar# holding out the 3ather=s lo*e to you# in the ?uiet light o+ the 1oly Spirit=s 'lessing- 3or the 1oly Spirit ,ill lead e*eryone home to his 3ather# ,here Christ ,aits as his Sel+- E*ery Child o+ "od is one in Christ# +or his Being is in Christ# as Christ=s is in "od- Christ=s lo*e +or you is 1is lo*e +or 1is 3ather# ,hich 1e :no,s 'ecause 1e :no,s 1is 3ather=s lo*e +or 1im- 4hen the 1oly Spirit has at last led you to Christ# at the altar to 1is 3ather# perception +uses into :no,ledge#

296

'ecause perception has 'ecome so holy that its trans+er to 1oliness is merely its natural e<tension!o*e trans+ers to lo*e ,ithout A2B inter+erence# +or the situations are identical- Only the ABI!ITB to ma:e this trans+er is the product o+ learning- As you percei*e more and more common elements in A!! situations# the trans+er o+ your training# under the 1oly Spirit=s guidance increases and 'ecomes generali9ed- "radually# you learn to apply it to e*eryone and e*erything# +or its applica'ility IS uni*ersal- 4hen this has 'een accomplished# perception and :no,ledge ha*e 'ecome so similar that they share the uni+ication o+ the !a,s o+ "od- 4hat is One cannot 'e percei*ed as separate# and the denial o+ the separation IS the reinstatement o+ :no,ledgeAt the altar o+ "od# the holy perception o+ "od=s Son 'ecomes so enlightened that light streams into it# and the Spirit o+ "od=s Son shines in the Mind o+ the 3ather# and 'ecomes one ,ith it- Hery gently does "od shine upon 1imsel+# lo*ing the e<tension o+ 1imsel+ ,hich is 1is Son- The ,orld has no purpos# as it 'lends into the urpose o+ "od3or the real ,orld has slipped ?uietly into 1ea*en# ,here e*erything eternal in it has al,ays 'een- There# the Redeemer and the redeemed @oin in per+ect lo*e o+ "od# and o+ each other- 1ea*en is your home# and 'eing in "od# it must A!SO 'e in youMiracles demonstrate that learning has occurred under the right guidance# +or learning is in*isi'le# and ,hat has 'een learned can 'e recogni9ed O2!B 'y its RESU!TSIts "E2ERA!IUATIO2 is demonstrated as you use it in more and more situations- Bou ,ill
> $6& >

recogni9e that you ha*e learned there is no order o+ di++iculty in miracles# ,hen you ha*e applied them to A!! situations- 3or there IS no situation to ,hich miracles do not apply# and 'y applying them TO all situations# you ,ill gain the REA! ,orld- 3or in this holy perceptio# you ,ill 'e made ,hole# and the Atonement ,ill radiate +rom BOUR acceptance o+ it 3OR BOURSE!3# to e*eryone the 1oly Spirit sends you +or your 'lessingIn e*ery Child o+ "od 1is 'lessing lies# and in your 'lessing o+ the Children o+ "od is 1is 'lessing to BOU- E*eryone in the ,orld must play his part in the redemption o+ the ,orld# to recogni9e that the ,orld 1AS BEE2 redeemed- Bou cannot see the in*isi'leBut i+ you see its e++ects# BOU L2O4 IT MUST BE T1ERE- By percei*ing ,hat it (OES#

297

you recogni9e its 'eing- And 'y 41AT it does# you learn ,hat it IS- Bou cannot SEE your a'ilities# 'ut you gain con+idence in their e<istence as they ena'le you to ACT- And the results# o+ your actions you CA2 seeThe 1oly Spirit is in*isi'le# 'ut you CA2 see the results o+ 1is resence# and through them# you ,ill learn that 1e is there- 4hat 1e ena'les you to do is clearly 2OT o+ this ,orld# +or miracles *iolate e*ery la, o+ reality# as this ,orld @udges it- E*ery la, o+ time and space# o+ magnitude and mass# o+ prediction and control# is transcended# +or ,hat the 1oly Spirit ena'les you to do is clearly 'eyond A!! o+ them- ercei*ing 1is RESU!TS# you ,ill understand ,here 1e MUST 'e# and +inally L2O4 ,hat 1e isSept- $J# &5JJ Bou cannot see the 1oly Spirit# 'ut you CA2 see 1is MA2I3ESTATIO2S- And U2!ESS BOU (O# you ,ill not reali9e 1e is there- Miracles are 1is ,itnesses# and spea: +or his resence- 4hat you cannot see 'ecomes real to you only through the ,itnesses ,ho spea: 3OR it- 3or you can 'e A4ARE o+ ,hat you cannot see# and it can 'ecome compellingly real to you# as its presence 'ecomes mani+est T1ROU"1 you- (o 1is ,or:# +or you S1ARE in 1is +unction- As your +unction in 1ea*en is creation# so your +unction on earth is healing- "od shares 1is +unction ,ith you in 1ea*en# and the 1oly Spirit shares 1IS ,ith you on earthAs long as you 'elie*e you ha*e t,o +unctions# so long ,ill you need correction- 3or this 'elie+ is the (ESTRUCTIO2 o+ peace# a goal in direct opposition to the 1oly Spirit=s purpose- Bou see ,hat you e<pect# and you e<pect ,hat you in*ite- Bour perception is the result o+ your in*itation# coming to you as you sent +or it- 4hose mani+estations ,ould you seeE O+ ,hose presence ,ould you 'e con*incedE 3or you ,ill 'elie*e in ,hat you MA2I3EST# and as you loo: out so ,ill you see in- T,o ,ays o+ loo:ing at the ,orld are in your mind# and your perception ,ill re+lect the guidance you choseI am the mani+estation o+ the 1oly Spirit# and ,hen you see me# it ,ill 'e 'ecause you ha*e in*ited 1im- 3or 1e ,ill send you 1is ,itnesses i+ you ,ill 'ut loo: upon them- Remem'er al,ays that you see ,hat you see:# +or ,hat you see: you 4I!! +indThe ego +inds ,hat it see:s# and O2!B that- It does not +ind lo*e# +or that is 2OT ,hat it is see:ing- But see:ing and +inding are the same# and i+ you see: +or t,o goals# you ,ill
> $6$ >

298

3I2( them# 'ut you ,ill RECO"2IUE 2EIT1ER- 3or you ,ill thin: they are the same# BECAUSE BOU 4A2T T1EM BOT1- The mind al,ays stri*es +or integration# and i+ it is split# and 4A2TS TO LEE T1E S !IT# it ,ill 'elie*e it has O2E goal 'y MALI2" IT O2E4e said 'e+ore that 41AT you pro@ect is up to you# 'ut it is 2OT up to you 41ET1ER to pro@ect# +or pro@ection is a la, o+ mind- erception IS pro@ection# and you loo: in BE3ORE you loo: out- As you loo: I2# you choose the guide +or seeing# and T1E2 loo: out# and 'ehold his ,itnesses- This is ,hy you +ind ,hat you see:- 4hat you ,ant I2 BOURSE!3 you ,ill ma:e mani+est 'y ROJECTIO2# and you ,ill accept it 3ROM the ,orld# 'ecause you put it there BB ,anting it4hen you thin: you are pro@ecting ,hat you do 2OT ,ant# it is still 'ecause you (O ,ant it- This leads (IRECT!B to dissociation# +or it represents the acceptance o+ t,o goals# each percei*ed I2 A (I33ERE2T !ACE# separated +rom each other BECAUSE BOU MA(E T1EM (I33ERE2T- The mind then sees a di*ided ,orld OUTSI(E ITSE!3# 'ut 2OT ,ithin- This gi*es it an illusion o+ integrity# and ena'les it to 'elie*e that IT is pursuing one goal- As long as you percei*e the ,orld as split# BOU are not healed3or to 'e healed is to pursue one goa#l 'ecause you ha*e ACCE TE( only one# and 4A2T 'ut one4hen you ,ant O2!B lo*e you ,ill see nothing else- The contradictory nature o+ the ,itnesses you percei*e is merely the re+lection o+ your con+licting in*itations- Bou ha*e loo:ed upon your minds# and accepted opposition there# ha*ing SOU"1T it thereBut do not then 'elie*e that the ,itnesses 3OR opposition are true +or they attest only to your (ECISIO2 a'out reality# returning to you the message you "AHE them- !o*e is recogni9ed 'y its messengers- I+ you ma:e it mani+est# its messengers ,ill come to you# 'ecause you I2HITE( themThe po,er o+ decision is your one remaining +reedom as a prisoner o+ this ,orldBOU CA2 (ECI(E TO SEE IT RI"1T- 4hat you MA(E o+ it is 2OT its reality# +or its reality is only ,hat you "AHE it- Bou cannot REA!!B gi*e anything BUT lo*e to anyone or anything# nor can you really recei*e anything else 3ROM them- I+ you thin: you ha*e recei*ed anything E!SE# it is 'ecause you ha*e loo:ed ,ithin# and thought you sa, the po,er to "IHE something else 4IT1I2 BOURSE!3- It ,as only T1IS decision that

299

determined ,hat you +ound# +or it ,as the decision O3 41AT BOU SOU"1TBou are a+raid o+ me 'ecause you loo:ed ,ithin# and are a+raid o+ ,hat you sa,- Bet you COU!( not ha*e seen reality# +or the reality o+ your mind is the lo*eliest o+ "od=s Creations- Coming only +rom "od# its po,er and grandeur could only 'ring you peace# I3 BOU REA!!B !OOLE( U O2 IT- I+ you are a+raid# it is 'ecause you sa, something T1AT IS 2OT T1ERE- Bet in this same place you could ha*e loo:ed upon me and all your 'rothers# in the per+ect sa+ety o+ the Mind that created us- 3or ,e are there in the peace o+ the 3ather# 4ho ,ills to ROJECT 1is peace through BOU> $68 >

4hen you ha*e accepted your mission to ROJECT peace# you ,ill 3I2( it- 3or 'y MALI2" IT MA2I3EST you ,ill SEE it- Its holy ,itnesses ,ill surround you# 'ecause you CA!!E( U O2 T1EM# and they ,ill come to you- I 1AHE heard your call# and I ha*e ans,ered it# 'ut you ,ill not loo: upon me nor hear the ans,er ,hich you soughtThat is 'ecause you do not yet ,ant O2!B that- Bet as I 'ecome more real to you# you ,ill learn that you (O ,ant only that- And you ,ill see me as you loo: ,ithin# and ,e ,ill loo: upon the ,orld as "od created it together- Through the eyes o+ Christ# O2!B the real ,orld e<ists# and can BE seenAs you decide so ,ill you see- And all that you see 'ut ,itnesses to your decision4hen you loo: ,ithin and see me# it ,ill 'e 'ecause you ha*e decided to mani+est truthAnd as you mani+est it# you ,ill see it 'oth ,ithout A2( ,ithin# +or you ,ill see it ,ithout BECAUSE you sa, it +irst ,ithin- E*erything you 'ehold ,ithout is a JU("ME2T o+ ,hat you 'eheld ,ithin- I+ it is BOUR @udgment# it ,ill 'e ,rong# +or @udgment is not your +unction- I+ it is the @udgment o+ the 1oly Spirit# it ,ill 'e right# +or @udgment IS 1is +unction- Bou share 1is +unction only 'y @udging AS 1E (OES# reser*ing no @udgment at all unto yoursel*es- 3or you ,ill @udge A"AI2ST yoursel*es# 'ut 1e ,ill @udge 3OR youRemem'er# then# that ,hene*er you loo: ,ithout and react un+a*ora'ly to ,hat you see# you ha*e @udged yoursel+ un,orthy# and ha*e condemned yoursel+ to deathThe death penalty is the ego=s ultimate goal# +or it +ully 'elie*es that you are a criminal# as deser*ing o+ death as "od :no,s you are deser*ing o+ li+e- The death penalty ne*er lea*es the ego=s mind# +or that is ,hat it al,ays reser*es +or you in the end- 4anting to :ill you# as the +inal e<pression o+ its +eeling +or you# it lets you li*e 'ut to a,ait deathIt

300

,ill torment you ,hile you li*e# 'ut its hatred is not satis+ied until you die- 3or your destruction is the one end to,ard ,hich it ,or:s# and the only one ,ith ,hich it ,ill 'e satis+iedThe ego is not a traitor to "od to 4hom treachery is impossi'le- But it IS a traitor TO BOU ,ho 'elie*e you ha*e 'een treacherous to your 3ather- That is ,hy the undoing o+ "UI!T is an essential part o+ the 1oly Spirit=s teaching- 3or as long as you +eel guilty# you are listening to the *oice o+ the ego# ,hich tells you that you 1AHE 'een treacherous to "od# A2( T1ERE3ORE (ESERHE (EAT1- Bou ,ill thin: that death comes +rom 1im# A2( 2OT 3ROM T1E E"O# 'ecause# 'y con+using yoursel+ 4IT1 the ego# you 'elie*e that BOU ,ant death- And +rom ,hat you ,ant "od does 2OT sa*e you4hen you are tempted to yield to the desire +or death# remem'er that I (I( 2OT (IE- Bou ,ill reali9e that this is true ,hen you loo: ,ithin and SEE me- 4ould I ha*e o*ercome death +or mysel+ aloneE And ,ould eternal li+e ha*e 'een gi*en me o+ the 3ather U2!ESS he had also gi*en it to BOUE 4hen you learn to ma:e ME mani+est# BOU ,ill ne*er see death- 3or you ,ill ha*e loo:ed upon the deathless I2 BOURSE!3# and you ,ill see only the eternal# as you loo: out upon a ,orld that cannot die> $6G >

Sept- 8%# ;JJ (o you REA!!B 'elie*e that you can :ill the Son o+ "odE 3or the 3ather has hidden 1is Son sa+ely ,ithin 1imsel+# and :ept him +ar a,ay +rom your destructi*e thoughts# 'ut BOU :no, neither the 3ather nor the Son 'ecause o+ them- Bou ATTACL the real ,orld e*ery day and e*ery hour and e*ery minute# and yet you are surprised that you cannot SEE it- I+ you see: lo*e in order to attac: it# BOU 4I!! 2EHER 3I2( IT- 3or i+ lo*e is S1ARI2"# ho, can you +ind it e<cept through ITSE!3E O++er it and it ,ill come to you# 'ecause it is dra,n to itsel+- But o++er attac: and it ,ill remain hidden# +or it can li*e only in peace"od=s Son is as sa+e as his 3ather# +or the Son :no,s his 3ather=s protection and CA22OT +ear- 1is 3ather=s lo*e holds him in per+ect peace# and needing nothing# he as:s +or nothing- But he is +ar +rom you ,hose Sel+ he is# +or you chose to attac: him# and he disappeared +rom your sight into his 3ather- 1E did not change# 'ut BOU did- 3or a split mind and all its ,or:s ,ere not created 'y the 3ather# and could not li*e in the :no,ledge O3 1im4hen you made ,hat is 2OT true *isi'le# ,hat is true 'ecame I2HISIB!E- Bet it

301

cannot 'e in*isi'le in ITSE!3# +or the 1oly Spirit sees it ,ith per+ect clarity- It IS in*isi'le to you# 'ecause you are loo:ing at SOMET1I2" E!SE- Bet it is no more up to you to decide ,hat is *isi'le and ,hat is in*isi'le# than it is up to you to decide ,hat reality is4hat can 'e seen is 41AT T1E 1O!B S IRIT SEES- The de+inition o+ reality is "od=s# not yours- 1E created it# and 1e :no,s ,hat it is- Bou ,ho :ne, ha*e +orgotten- And unless 1e had gi*en you a ,ay to remem'er# you ,ould ha*e condemned yoursel*es to o'li*ionBecause o+ your 3ather=s lo*e# you can 2EHER +orget 1im- 3or no one can +orget ,hat "od 1imsel+ placed in his memory- Bou can (E2B it# 'ut you CA22OT !OSE ITA Hoice ,ill ans,er e*ery ?uestion you as:# and a *ision ,ill correct the perception o+ e*erything you see- 3or ,hat you ha*e made in*isi'le is the only truth# and ,hat you ha*e not heard is the only ans,er- 3or "od ,ould reunite you ,ith yoursel+# and did not a'andon you in your seeming distress- Bou are ,aiting only +or 1im# and do not :no, it- But 1is memory shines in your minds# and cannot BE o'literated- It is no more past than +uture# 'eing +ore*er al,aysBou ha*e 'ut to as: +or this memory# and you 4I!! remem'er- But the memory o+ "od cannot shine in a mind ,hich has MA(E it in*isi'le# and 4A2TS TO LEE IT SO3or the memory o+ "od can da,n only in a mind that ,ills to remem'er# and that has relin?uished the insane desire to control reality- Bou ,ho cannot e*en control yoursel*es# should hardly aspire to control the uni*erse- But loo: upon ,hat you ha*e made o+ it# and# 'e not content re@oice that it is not soSon o+ "od# 'e not content ,ith nothing- 4hat is not real cannot BE seen# and has 2O *alue- "od could not o++er 1is Son ,hat has no *alue# nor could 1is Son recei*e itBou ,ere redeemed the instant you thought you had deserted 1im- E*erything you
> $66 >

made has ne*er 'een# and is in*isi'le 'ecause the 1oly Spirit does not see it- Bet ,hat 1e (OES see is yours to 'ehold# and through 1IS *ision BOUR perception is healedBou ha*e made the I2*isi'le the only truth that this ,orld holds- Haluing nothing# you ha*e sought it and +ound it- By ma:ing nothing real to you# you ha*e SEE2 itBUT IT IS 2OT T1ERE- And Christ is in*isi'le to you BECAUSE O3 41AT BOU 1AHE MA(E HISIB!E TO BOURSE!HES- Bet it does not matter ho, much distance you ha*e tried to interpose 'et,een your a,areness and Truth- "od=s Son CA2 'e seen#

302

'ecause 1is Hision is shared- The 1oly Spirit loo:s upon 1im# and sees nothing else in you- 4hat is in*isi'le to you is per+ect in 1is sight# and encompasses A!! o+ it- 1e has remem'ered BOU 'ecause 1e +orgot not the 3atherBou loo:ed upon the unreal and +ound despair- But 'y SEELI2" the unreal# ,hat else COU!( you +indE The U2real ,orld IS a thing o+ despair# +or it can ne*er 'eAnd you ,ho share "od=s Being ,ith 1im# could ne*er 'e content 4IT1OUT reality4hat "od did not gi*e you has no po,er o*er you# and the attraction o+ lo*e +or lo*e remains irresisti'le- 3or it is the +unction o+ lo*e to unite all things unto itsel+# and to hold all things together 'y e<tending its ,holenessThe real ,orld ,as gi*en you 'y "od# in lo*ing e<change +or the ,orld BOU made# and ,hich you SEE- But ta:e it +rom the hand o+ Christ# and loo: upon it- Its reality ,ill ma:e e*erything E!SE in*isi'le# +or 'eholding it is TOTA! perception- And as you loo: upon it# you ,ill remem'er that it ,as al,ays so- 2othingness ,ill 'ecome in*isi'le# +or you ,ill at last ha*e seen truly- Redeemed perception is easily translated into :no,ledge# +or O2!B perception is capa'le o+ error- And perception has ne*er 'een- Being corrected# it gi*es place to :no,ledge# ,hich is +ore*er the O2!B reality- The Atonement is 'ut the ,ay 'ac: to ,hat ,as ne*er lost- Bour 3ather could not cease to lo*e 1is SonI+ you did not +eel guilty# you could not attac:- 3or condemnation is the root o+ attac:- It is the @udgment o+ one mind 'y another as U24ORT1B o+ lo*e# and (ESERHI2" o+ punishment- But herein lies the split- 3or the mind that @udges# percei*es itsel+ as SE ARATE +rom the mind 'eing @udged# 'elie*ing that 'y punishing A2OT1ER# IT ,ill escape punishment- All this is 'ut the delusional attempt o+ the mind to deny itsel+# and ESCA E T1E E2A!TB O3 (E2IA!- It is 2OT an attempt to RE!I2DUIS1 denial# 'ut to 1O!( O2 TO IT- 3or it is guilt that has o'scured the 3ather to you# and it is guilt that has dri*en you insane- The acceptance o+ guilt into the mind o+ "od=s Son ,as the 'eginning o+ the separation# as the acceptance o+ the Atonement is its endThe ,orld you see is the delusional system o+ those made mad 'y guilt- !oo: care+ully at this ,orld# and you ,ill reali9e that this is so- 3or this ,orld is the sym'ol o+ punishment#

303

and all the la,s ,hich seem to go*ern it are the la,s o+ death- Children are 'orn into it through pain and in pain- Their gro,th is attended 'y su++ering# and they learn o+ sorro, and separation and death- Their minds are trapped in their 'rain# and its po,ers declines i+ their 'odies are hurt- They seem to lo*e# yet they desert# and are deserted- They appear to lose ,hat they lo*e# perhaps the most insane 'elie+ o+ all- And their 'odies ,ither and
> $6J >

gasp and are laid in the ground# and seem to 'e no more- 2ot one o+ them 'ut has thought that "od is cruelI+ this ,ere the real ,orld# "od 4OU!( 'e cruel- 3or no +ather could su'@ect his children to this as the price o+ sal*ation# and 'e lo*ing- !OHE (OES 2OT LI!! TO SAHE3or i+ it did# attac: 4OU!( 'e sal*ation# and this is the ego=s interpretation# 2OT "od=sOnly the ,orld o+ guilt could demand this# +or only the guilty could CO2CEIHE o+ itAdam=s )sin. could ha*e touched none o+ you# had you not 'elie*ed that it ,as the 3AT1ER 4ho dro*e him out o+ aradise- 3or it is in T1AT 'elie+ the :no,ledge o+ the 3ather ,as lost# +or it is only those ,ho do not understand 1im that COU!( 'elie*e itThis ,orld IS a picture o+ the cruci+i<ion o+ "od=s Son- And until you reali9e that "od=s Son CA22OT 'e cruci+ied# this is the ,orld you ,ill see- But you ,ill 2OT reali9e this# until you accept the eternal +act that "O(=S SO2 IS 2OT "UI!TB- 1e (ESERHES only lo*e# 'ecause he has "IHE2 only lo*e- 1e cannot 'e condemned# 'ecause he has ne*er condemned- The Atonement is the +inal lesson he need learn# +or it teaches him that# ne*er ha*ing sinned# 1E 1AS 2O 2EE( O3 SA!HATIO2!ong ago ,e said that the 1oly Spirit shares the goal o+ all good teachers# ,hose ultimate aim is to ma:e themsel*es unnecessary# 'y teaching their pupils all they :no,The 1oly Spirit ,ills O2!B this# +or sharing the 3ather=s lo*e +or 1is Son# 1e ,ills to remo*e all guilt +rom his mind# that he may remem'er his 3ather in peace- 3or peace and guilt are antithetical# and the 3ather can BE remem'ered O2!B in peace- !o*e and guilt cannot coe<ist# and to accept one is to (E2B the other"uilt hides Christ +rom your sight# +or it is the denial o+ the 'lamelessness o+ "od=s Son- In this strange ,orld ,hich you ha*e made# the Son o+ "od 1AS sinned- 1o, could you SEE him# thenE By ma:ing 1IM in*isi'le# the ,orld o+ retri'ution rose in the 'lac:

304

cloud o+ guilt ,hich you accepted# and you hold it dear- 3or the 'lamelessness o+ Christ is the proo+ that the ego ne*er ,as# and can ne*er 'e- 4ithout guilt the ego 1AS no li+e# and "od=s Son IS ,ithout guiltAs you loo: upon yoursel*es and @udge ,hat you do honestly# as you ha*e 'een as:ed to do# you may 'e tempted to ,onder ho, you can 'e guiltless- Bou are 2OT guiltless in time# 'ut I2 ETER2ITB- Bou 1AHE )sinned. I2 T1E AST# 'ut there IS no past- Al,ays has no direction- Time seems to go in one direction# 'ut ,hen you reach its end# it ,ill roll up li:e a long carpet that has spread along the past 'ehind you# and ,ill disappear- As long as you 'elie*e the Son o+ "od is guilty# you ,ill ,al: along this carpet# 'elie*ing that it leads to death- And the @ourney ,ill seem long and cruel and senseless# +or so it isThe @ourney ,hich the Son o+ "od has set 1IMSE!3 is +oolish indeed- But the @ourney on ,hich his 3ather sets him is one o+ release and @oy- The 3ather is not cruel# and 1is Son CA22OT hurt himsel+- The retaliation ,hich he +ears# A2( 41IC1 1E SEES# ,ill ne*er touch him# +or although he BE!IEHES in it# the 1oly Spirit L2O4S it is not true- 1e stands at the end o+ time# ,here BOU must 'e# 'ecause 1e is 4IT1 you- 1e has A!4ABS
> $67 >

undone e*erything un,orthy o+ the Son o+ "od# +or such ,as 1is mission# gi*en BB "od- And ,hat "od gi*es 1AS al,ays 'eenBou ,ill see me as you learn the Son o+ "od is guiltless- 1e has al,ays sought his guiltlessness# and he has 3OU2( it- 3or e*eryone is see:ing to escape +rom the prison he has made# and the ,ay to +ind release is not denied him- Being I2 him# he has +ound it41E2 he +inds it is only a matter o+ time# and time is 'ut an illusion- 3or the Son o+ "od is guiltless 2O4# and the 'rightness o+ his purity shines untouched +ore*er in "od=s Mind- "od=s Son ,ill A!4ABS 'e as he ,as created- (eny BOUR ,orld# and @udge him not- 3or his eternal guiltlessness is in the mind o+ his 3ather# and protects him +ore*er4hen you ha*e accepted the Atonement +or yoursel*es# you ,ill reali9e that T1ERE IS 2O "UI!T I2 "O(=S SO2- And O2!B as you loo: upon him as guiltless# can you understand his Oneness- 3or the I(EA o+ guilt 'rings a 'elie+ o+ condemnation o+ one 'y another# pro@ecting separation in place o+ unity- Bou can condemn only yoursel+# and 'y doing so# you cannot :no, that you are "od=s Son- 3or you ha*e denied the condition o+

305

his Being# ,hich is his per+ect 'lamelessness- Out o+ !o*e he ,as created# and in !o*e he a'ides- "oodness and mercy ha*e al,ays +ollo,ed him# +or he has al,ays e<tended the !o*e o+ his 3atherAs you percei*e the holy companions ,ho tra*el ,ith you# you ,ill reali9e that there IS no @ourney# 'ut only an a,a:ening- The Son o+ "od# ,ho sleepeth not# has :ept +aith ,ith his 3ather 3OR you- There is no road to tra*el O2# and no time to tra*el T1ROU"1- 3or "od ,aits not +or 1is Son in time# 'eing +ore*er un,illing to 'e ,ithout him- And so it has al,ays 'een- !et the holiness o+ "od=s Son shine a,ay the cloud o+ guilt that dar:ens your mind# and 'y accepting his purity AS yours# learn o+ him that it IS yoursBou are in*ulnera'le BECAUSE you are guiltless- Bou can hold on to the past O2!B through guilt- 3or guilt esta'lishes that you 4I!! BE punished +or ,hat you ha*e done# and thus depends on one>dimensional time# proceeding +rom past to +uture- 2o>one ,ho 'elie*es this# can understand ,hat A!4ABS means- And there+ore guilt MUST depri*e you o+ the appreciation o+ eternity- Bou are immortal BECAUSE you are eternal# and al,ays MUST 'e no,- "uilt# then# is a ,ay o+ holding past and +uture in your minds# to ensure the ego=s continuity- 3or i+ ,hat 1AS BEE2 4I!! BE punished# it=s continuity 4OU!( 'e guaranteedBut the guarantee o+ your continuity is "od=s# not the ego=s- And immortality is the opposite o+ time# +or time passes a,ay# ,hile immortality is constant Accepting the Atonement teaches you 41AT IMMORTA!ITB IS# +or 'y accepting your guiltlessness# you learn that the past has ne*er 'een# and so the +uture is needless- The +uture I2 TIME is A!4ABS associated ,ith e<piation# and O2!B guilt could induce a sense o+ 2EE( +or e<piation- Accepting the guiltlessness o+ the Son o+ "od AS BOURS is there+ore "od=s ,ay o+ reminding you o+ 1is Son# and ,hat he is in truth- 3or "od has ne*er condemned 1is Son# and 'eing guiltless# he IS eternal> $6K >

Bou cannot dispel guilt 'y ma:ing it real# and T1E2 atoning +or it- 3or this is the ego=s plan# ,hich it o++ers I2STEA( o+ dispelling it- The ego 'elie*es in ATO2EME2T T1ROU"1 ATTACL# 'eing +ully committed to the insane notion that attac: IS sal*ationAnd BOU ,ho cherish guilt must A!SO 'elie*e it# +or ho, else 'ut 'y identi+ying 4IT1 the ego# could you hold dear ,hat you do not ,antE

306

The ego teaches you to attac: yoursel+ BECAUSE you are guilty# and this MUST I2CREASE the guilt# +or guilt is the RESU!T o+ attac:- In the ego=s teaching# then# there IS no escape +rom guilt- 3or attac: MALES "UI!T REA!# and i+ it is real there IS no ,ay to o*ercome it- The 1oly Spirit dispels it simply through the calm recognition that it has ne*er 'een- As 1e loo:s upon the guiltless Son o+ "od# he L2O4S this is true- And 'eing true +or you# you CA22OT attac: yoursel+# +or 4IT1OUT guilt# attac: is impossi'leBou# then# ARE sa*ed BECAUSE "od=s Son is guiltless- And 'eing ,holly pure# you ARE in*ulnera'leOct- G# &5JJ The ultimate purpose o+ pro@ection# as the ego uses it# is A!4ABS to get rid o+ guiltBut# characteristically# it attempts to get rid o+ it 3ROM ITS HIE4 OI2T O2!B- 3or much as the ego ,ants to RETAI2 guilt# BOU +ind it intolera'le- 3or guilt stands in the ,ay o+ your remem'ering "od# 4hose pull is so strong that BOU cannot resist it- On this issue# then# the deepest split o+ all occurs# +or i+ you are to RETAI2 guilt# as the ego insists# BOU CA22OT BE BOU- Only 'y persuading you that IT is you# could the ego possi'ly induce you to ROJECT guilt# and there'y :eep it in your mindBut consider ho, strange a solution the ego=s arrangement is- Bou ROJECT guilt to get rid o+ it# 'ut you actually merely conceal it- Bou (O e<perience guilt 3EE!I2"S# 'ut you ha*e 2O I(EA O3 41B- On the contrary# you associate them ,ith a ,ierd assortment o+ E"O ideals# ,hich the ego claims you ha*e +ailed- But you ha*e no idea that you are +ailing the Son o+ "od# 'y seeing 1IM as guilty- Belie*ing you are no longer BOU# you do not reali9e that you are +ailing BOURSE!3The dar:est o+ your hidden cornerstones holds your 'elie+ in guilt +rom your o,n a,areness- 3or in that dar: and secret place is the reali9ation that you ha*e 'etrayed "od=s Son# 'y condemning him to death- Bou do not e*en SUS ECT that this murderous 'ut insane idea lies hidden there- 3or the ego=s destructi*e urge is so intense# that nothing short o+ the cruci+i<ion o+ "od=s Son can ultimately satis+y it- It does not :no, ,ho the Son o+ "od IS# 'ecause it is 'lind- But let it percei*e guiltlessness A2B41ERE# and it ,ill try to destroy it# 'ecause it is a+raid-

307

Much o+ the ego=s strange 'eha*ior is directly attri'uta'le to its de+inition o+ guilt- To the ego# T1E "UI!T!ESS ARE "UI!TB- Those ,ho do 2OT attac: are its )enemies#. 'ecause# 'y 2OT HA!UI2" its interpretation o+ sal*ation# they are in an e<cellent position to !ET IT "O- They ha*e approached the dar:est and deepest cornerstone in the ego=s +oundation# and ,hile the ego can ,ithstand your raising all else to ?uestion# it guards
> $65 >

this one secret ,ith its li+e# +or its e<istence (OES depend on :eeping this secretAnd it is this secret that ,e must loo: upon calmly# +or the ego cannot protect you A"AI2ST truth# and in its presence the ego is dispelledIn the calm light o+ truth# let us recogni9e that BOU BE!IEHE BOU 1AHE CRUCI3IE( "O(=S SO2- Bou ha*e not admitted this )terri'le. secret# 'ecause you still ,ish to cruci+y him# I3 BOU COU!( 3I2( 1IM- Bet the ,ish has hidden him +rom you# 'ecause it is *ery +ear+ul# A2( BOU ARE A3RAI( TO 3I2( 1IM- Bou ha*e handled this ,ish TO LI!! BOURSE!3 'y 2OT L2O4I2" 41O BOU ARE# and identi+ying ,ith something E!SEBou ha*e pro@ected guilt 'lindly and indiscriminately# 'ut you ha*e 2OT unco*ered its source- 3or the ego (OES ,ant to :ill you# and i+ you identi+y 4IT1 it# you MUST 'elie*e ITS "OA! IS BOURS4e once said that the cruci+i<ion is the sym'ol o+ the ego- 4hen it ,as con+ronted ,ith the REA! guiltlessness o+ "od=s Son# it (I( attempt to :ill him- And the reason it ga*e ,as that guiltlessness is 'lasphemous to "od- To the ego# T1E E"O IS "O(# and guiltlessness MUST 'e interpreted AS T1E 3I2A! "UI!T 41IC1 3U!!B JUSTI3IES MUR(ER- Bou do not yet understand that A!! your +ear o+ this course stems ultimately +rom this interpretation# 'ut i+ you ,ill consider your reactions TO it# you ,ill 'ecome increasingly con*inced that this is soThis course has e<plicitly stated that its goal 3OR BOU is happiness and peace- Bet you are A3RAI( o+ it- Bou ha*e 'een told again and again that it ,ill ma:e you +ree# yet you react as i+ it is trying to IM RISO2 you- Most o+ the time you (ISMISS it# BUT BOU (O 2OT (ISMISS T1E E"O=S T1OU"1T SBSTEM- Bou 1AHE seen its results and you STI!! lac: +aith in it- Bou MUST# then# 'elie*e that# 'y 2OT learning the course# BOU

308

ARE ROTECTI2" BOURSE!3- And you do 2OT reali9e that it is only your guiltlessness that CA2 protect youThe Atonement has al,ays 'een interpreted as the release +rom guilt# and this is correct# i+ it is understood- Bet e*en ,hen I ha*e interpreted it 3OR you# you ha*e re@ected it# and ha*e 2OT accepted it 3OR BOURSE!3- Bou ha*e recogni9ed the +utility o+ the ego and its o++erings# 'ut though you do not ,ant it# you ,ill not loo: upon the alternati*e ,ith gladness- BOU ARE A3RAI( O3 RE(EM TIO2# and BOU BE!IEHE IT 4I!! LI!! BOU- Ma:e no mista:e a'out the depth o+ your +ear- 3or you 'elie*e that# in the presence o+ truth# you ,ill turn on yoursel+ and (ESTROB yoursel+!ittle children# this is not so- Bour )guilty secret. is nothing# and i+ you ,ill 'ut 'ring it to light# the !ight 4I!! dispel it- And then no dar: cloud ,ill remain 'et,een you and the remem'rance o+ your 3ather- 3or you ,ill remem'er 1is guiltless Son# ,ho did not die 'ecause he is immortal- And you ,ill see that you ,ere redeemed 4IT1 him# and ha*e ne*er 'een separated 3ROM him- In T1IS understanding lies your remem'ering# +or it is the recognition o+ lo*e 4IT1OUT +ear- There ,ill 'e great @oy in 1ea*en on your home>coming# and the @oy ,ill 'e BOURS- 3or the redeemed son o+ man IS the guiltless Son o+ "od# and to recogni9e 1IM# IS your redemption> $J% >

Oct- 6# ;JJ Bou may ,onder ,hy it is so crucial that you loo: upon your hatred# and reali9e its +ull e<tent- And you may thin: that it ,ould 'e easy enough +or the 1oly Spirit to sho, it to you# and dispel it 4IT1OUT the need +or you to raise it to a,areness yoursel+But there is one more complication ,hich you ha*e interposed 'et,een yoursel+ and the Atonement# ,hich you do not yet reali9e- 4e ha*e said that no one ,ill countenance +ear# I3 1E RECO"2IUES IT- But in your disordered state# BOU ARE 2OT A3RAI( O3 3EAR- Bou do not !ILE it# 'ut it is 2OT your desire to attac: ,hich really +rightens youBou are not seriously distur'ed 'y your hostility- Bou :eep it hidden# 'ecause you are MORE a+raid o+ ,hat it co*ersBou could loo: e*en upon the ego=s dar:est cornerstone 4IT1OUT +ear# i+ you did not 'elie*e that# 4IT1OUT T1E E"O# you ,ould +ind# ,ithin yoursel+# something you +ear e*en more- BOU ARE 2OT A3RAI( O3 CRUCI3IXIO2- Bour real terror is o+ RE(EM TIO2- Under the ego=s dar: +oundation is the memory o+ "od# and it is o+ T1IS

309

that you are really a+raid- 3or this memory ,ould I2STA2T!B restore you to your proper place# and it is T1IS place that you ha*e sought to !EAHEBour +ear o+ attac: is nothing# compared to your +ear o+ lo*e- Bou ,ould 'e ,illing to loo: e*en upon your sa*age ,ish to :ill "od=s Son# I3 BOU (I( 2OT BE!IEHE T1AT IT SAHES BOU 3ROM !OHE- 3or this ,ish CAUSE( the separation- Bou ha*e protected it# 'ecause you do not 4A2T the separation healed# and you reali9e that# 'y REMOHI2" the dar: cloud that o'scures it# your lo*e +or your 3ather ,ould IM E! you to ans,er 1is call# and leap into 1ea*en- Bou 'elie*e that attac: is sal*ation# to REHE2T you +rom this- 3or still deeper than the ego=s +oundation# and MUC1 stronger than IT ,ill e*er 'e# is your intense and 'urning lo*e o+ "od# A2( 1IS 3OR BOUT1IS IS 41AT BOU REA!!B 4A2T TO 1I(E- In honesty# is it not harder +or you to say )I lo*e. than )I hateE. 3or you associate lo*e ,ith ,ea:ness and hatred ,ith strength# and your REA! po,er seems to you as your real ,ea:ness- 3or you could 2OT control your @oyous response to the call o+ lo*e i+ you heard it# and the ,hole ,orld you T1I2L you control 4OU!( *anish- The 1oly Spirit# then# seems to 'e ATTACLI2" BOUR 3ORTRESS# +or you ,ould S1UT OUT "O(# and 1e does not ,ill to BE e<cludedBou ha*e 'uilt your ,hole insane 'elie+ system# 'ecause you thin: you ,ould 'e 1E! !ESS in "od=s resence- And you ,ould SAHE yoursel+ +rom 1is lo*e# 'ecause you thin: it ,ould crush you into nothingness- Bou are a+raid it ,ould s,eep you A4AB +rom yoursel+# A2( MALE BOU !ITT!E- 3or you 'elie*e that magnitude lies in de+iance# and that attac: is grandeur- BOU T1I2L BOU 1AHE MA(E A 4OR!( T1AT "O( 4OU!( (ESTROB- And 'y lo*ing 1im# 41IC1 BOU (O# you ,ould thro, this ,orld a,ay# 41IC1 BOU 4OU!(There+ore# you ha*e used the ,orld to COHER BOUR !OHE# and the deeper you go into the 'lac:ness o+ the ego=s +oundation# the C!OSER you come to the !o*e that is hidden 'eneath it- A2( IT IS T1IS T1AT 3RI"1TE2S BOU- Bou can accept insanity# BECAUSE BOU MA(E IT- But you cannot accept lo*e# BECAUSE BOU (I( 2OTBou
> $J& >

,ould rather 'e sla*es o+ the cruci+i<ion# than Sons o+ "od in redemption- 3or your I2(IHI(UA! death is more *alued than your li*ing Oneness# and ,hat is "IHE2 you# is not so dear as ,hat you MA(E- Bou are more a+raid o+ "od than o+ the ego# and lo*e

310

cannot enter ,here it is not ,elcome- But hatred CA2# +or it enters o+ ITS ,ill# and cares not +or BOURSThe reason you must loo: upon your delusions# and not :eep them hidden# is that T1EB (O 2OT REST O2 T1EIR O42 3OU2(ATIO2- In concealment# they A EAR to do so# and thus they seem to 'e SE!3>SUSTAI2E(- T1IS is the +undamental illusion on ,hich they rest- 3or BE2EAT1 them# and concealed as long as T1EB are hidden# is the lo*ing mind that T1OU"1T it made them in anger- And the pain in this mind is so apparent# ,hen it is unco*ered# that its need o+ healing cannot BE denied- 2ot all the tric:s and games that you ha*e o++ered it can heal it# +or 1ERE is the REA! cruci+i<ion o+ "od=s SonAnd yet he is 2OT cruci+ied- 3or here is 'oth his pain A2( his healing# +or the 1oly Spirit=s *ision is merci+ul# and 1is remedy is ?uic:- (o not 1I(E su++ering +rom 1is sight# 'ut 'ring it gladly TO 1im- !ay 'e+ore 1is eternal sanity A!! your hurt# and !ET 1im heal you- (o not lea*e any spot o+ pain hidden +rom 1is !ight# and search your minds care+ully +or any thoughts ,hich you may +ear to unco*er- 3or 1e ,ill heal e*ery little thought ,hich you ha*e :ept to hurt you# and cleanse it o+ its littleness# restoring it to the magnitude o+ "odBeneath all your grandiosity# ,hich you hold so dear# is your real call +or help- 3or you call +or lo*e to your 3ather# as your 3ather calls you to 1imsel+- In that place# ,hich you ha*e hidden# you ,ill only to unite ,ith the 3ather# in lo*ing remem'rance o+ 1imBou ,ill +ind this place o+ truth as you see it in your 'rothers# +or though they may decei*e themsel*es# li:e you they long +or the grandeur that is in them- And percei*ing it you ,ill 4E!COME it# and it ,ill 'e yours- 3or grandeur is the RI"1T o+ "od=s Son# and no illusions can satis+y him# or sa*e him +rom ,hat he ISOnly his lo*e is real# and he ,ill 'e content O2!B ,ith his reality- Sa*e him +rom his illusions# that you may accept the magnitude o+ your 3ather in peace and @oy- But e<empt no one +rom your lo*e# or you ,ill 'e hiding a dar: place in your minds# ,here the 1oly Spirit is not ,elcome- And you ,ill e<empt BOURSE!3 +rom 1is healing po,er# +or 'y not o++ering total lo*e# BOU ,ill not 'e healed completely- 1ealing must 'e as complete as +ear# +or lo*e cannot enter ,here there is one spot o+ +ear to mar its ,elcomeBou ,ho pre+er specialness to sanity could not o'tain it in your right minds- Bou

311

,ere at peace until you as:ed +or special +a*or# and "od did not gi*e it- 3or the re?uest ,as alien to 1im# and you could not as: this o+ a 3ather 4ho truly lo*ed 1is SonThere+ore# you made o+ 1im an U2lo*ing +ather# demanding o+ 1im ,hat only such a +ather COU!( gi*e- And the peace o+ "od=s Son ,as shattered# +or he no longer understood his 3ather- 1e +eared ,hat he had made# 'ut still more did he +ear his REA! 3ather# ha*ing attac:ed his glorious e?uality 4IT1 1im> $J$ >

In peace he needed nothing# and as:ed +or nothing- In ,ar he (EMA2(E( e*erything# and 3OU2( nothing- 3or ho, could the gentleness o+ lo*e respond to his demands# EXCE T 'y departing in peace# and returning to the 3atherE I+ the Son did not ,ish to REMAI2 in peace# he could not remain at all- 3or a dar:ened mind cannot li*e in the light# and it must see: a place o+ dar:ness# ,here it can 'elie*e it is ,here it is 2OT"od did not A!!O4 this to happen- But you (EMA2(E( that it happen# and there+ore 'elie*ed that it ,as soTo SI2"!E OUT is to MALE A!O2E# and thus MALE !O2E!B- "od did not do this to you- Could 1e SET BOU A ART# L2O4I2" that your peace lies in 1is OnenessE 1e denied you only your re?uest +or pain# +or su++ering is not o+ 1is creation- 1a*ing "IHE2 you creation# 1e could not ta:e it 3ROM you- 1e could 'ut ans,er your insane re?uest ,ith a sane ans,er# ,hich ,ould a'ide ,ith you in your insanity- A2( T1IS 1E (I(2o>one ,ho hears 1is ans,er 'ut ,ill gi*e up insanity- 3or 1is ans,er is the re+erence point BEBO2( delusions# +rom ,hich you can loo: 'ac: on them# and see them as insane- But see: this place and you 4I!! +ind it# +or !o*e is in you# and ,ill lead you thereOct- J# ;JJ And no, the reason ,hy you are a+raid o+ this course should 'e apparent- 3or this is a course on lo*e# 'ecause it is a'out BOU- Bou ha*e 'een told that your +unction in this ,orld is healing# and your +unction in 1ea*en is creating- The ego teaches that your +unction on earth is destruction# and that you ha*e no +unction AT A!! in 1ea*en- It ,ould thus destroy you here# and 'ury you here# lea*ing you no inheritance e<cept the dust out o+ ,hich it thin:s you ,ere made- 4hile it is reasona'ly satis+ied ,ith you# as its reasoning goes# it o++ers you o'li*ion- 4hen it 'ecomes o*ertly sa*age# it o++ers you hellBet neither o'li*ion nor hell is as unaccepta'le to you as 1ea*en- 3or your de+inition

312

o+ 1ea*en IS hell and o'li*ion# and the REA! 1ea*en is the greatest threat you thin: you COU!( e<perience- 3or hell and o'li*ion are ideas ,hich BOU made up# and you are 'ent on (EMO2STRATI2" their reality# TO ESTAB!IS1 BOURS- I+ T1EIR reality is ?uestioned# you 'elie*e that BOURS is- 3or you 'elie*e that ATTACL esta'lished your reality# and that your (ESTRUCTIO2 is the +inal proo+ T1AT BOU 4ERE RI"1TUnder the circumstances# ,ould it not 'e MORE (ESIRAB!E to ha*e 'een ,rong# e*en apart +rom the +act that you 4ERE ,rongE 3or ,hile it could perhaps 'e argued that death suggests there 4AS li+e# no one ,ould claim that it pro*es there IS li+e- And e*en the AST li+e# ,hich death might indicate# could only ha*e 'een +utile i+ it must come to this# and 2EE(S this to pro*e that it 4AS- Bou ?uestion 1ea*en# 'ut you do 2OT ?uestion this- Bou could heal and 'e healed# i+ you (I( ?uestion it- And e*en though you :no, not 1ea*en# might it not 'e more desira'le than deathE Bou ha*e 'een as selecti*e in your ?uestioning as in your perception- An open mind is more honest than this> $J8 >

Oct- 7# &5JJ The ego has a *ery strange notion o+ time# and it is ,ith this notion that your ?uestioning might ,ell 'egin- The ego in*ests hea*ily in the past# and in the end# 'elie*es that the past is the O2!B aspect o+ time that is meaning+ul- Bou ,ill remem'er that ,e said its emphasis on guilt ena'les it to ensure its continuity# 'y MALI2" T1E 3UTURE !ILE T1E AST# and thus AHOI(I2" the present- By the notion o+ ABI2" 3OR the past in the +uture# the past 'ecomes the (ETERMI2ER o+ the +uture# ma:ing T1EM continuous# 4IT1OUT an inter*ening present- 3or the ego uses the present O2!B as a 'rie+ transition TO the +uture# in ,hich it 'rings the past to the +uture# BB I2TER RETI2" T1E RESE2T I2 AST TERMS2O4 has no meaning to the ego- The present merely reminds it o+ AST hurts# and it reacts to the present AS I3 it ,ere past- 3or the ego cannot tolerate RE!EASE +rom the past# and though it is no more# the ego tries to preser*e its IMA"E 'y responding as i+ it ,ere present- Thus# it dictates reactions to those you meet 2O4 +rom a AST re+erence point# o'scuring their RESE2T reality- In e++ect# i+ you 3O!!O4 it=s dictates# you ,ill

313

react to your 'rothers as though they ,ere SOMEO2E E!SE# and this ,ill surely pre*ent you +rom percei*ing them AS T1EB ARE- And you ,ill recei*e messages +rom them out o+ your O42 past 'ecause# 'y ma:ing it real in the present# you are +or'idding yoursel+ to !ET IT "O- Bou thus (E2B yoursel+ the message o+ release that e*ery 'rother o++ers you 2O4The shado,y +igures +rom the past are precisely ,hat you must ESCA E- 3or they are not real# and ha*e no hold o*er you# unless BOU 'ring them 4IT1 you- They carry the spots o+ pain in your minds# directing you to attac: in the present# in retaliation +or a past that is no more- A2( T1IS (ECISIO2 IS O2E O3 3UTURE AI2- 3or unless you learn that AST pain is delusional# you are choosing a +uture o+ delusions# and losing the endless opportunities ,hich you COU!( +ind +or release in the present- The ego ,ould RESERHE your nightmares# and REHE2T you +rom a,a:ing# and understanding that T1EB are past4ould you RECO"2IUE a holy encounter# i+ you are merely percei*ing it as a meeting ,ith your O42 pastE 3or you are meeting no one# and the S1ARI2" o+ sal*ation# 41IC1 MALES T1E E2COU2TER 1O!B# is e<cluded +rom your sight- The 1oly Spirit teaches that you al,ays meet BOURSE!3# and the encounter is holy 'ecause BOU are- The ego teaches that you al,ays encounter your AST# and 'ecause your dreams 4ERE not holy# the +uture CA22OT 'e# and the present is ,ithout meaning- It is e*ident that the 1oly Spirit=s perception o+ time is the e<act opposite o+ the ego=s- And the reason is e?ually clear# +or they percei*e the "OA! o+ time as diametrically opposedThe 1oly Spirit interprets time=s UR OSE as rendering the need +or it U22ECESSARBThus does 1e regard the +unction o+ time as temporary# ser*ing only 1is teaching +unction# ,hich is temporary 'y de+inition- 1IS emphasis is there+ore on the O2!B aspect o+ time ,hich CA2 e<tend to the in+inite- 3or 2O4 is the closest appro<imation o+ eternity that this ,orld o++ers- And it is in the REA!ITB o+ no,# ,ithout past OR +uture# that the
> $JG >

314

'eginning o+ the appreciation o+ eternity lies- 3or only no, is 1ERE# and IT presents the opportunities +or the holy encounters# in ,hich sal*ation can 'e +oundThe ego# on the other hand# regards the +unction o+ time as one o+ e<tending itsel+ I2 !ACE o+ eternity- 3or# li:e the 1oly Spirit# the ego interprets the goal o+ time as its o,n- The continuity o+ past and +uture# U2(ER ITS (IRECTIO2# is the only purpose the ego percei*es in time# and it closes o*er the present# so that no gap in the E"O=S continuity can occur- ITS continuity# then# ,ould LEE you in time# ,hile the 1oly Spirit ,ould release you 3ROM it- And it is 1IS interpretation o+ the means o+ sal*ation that you must learn to accept# i+ you ,ould share 1is goal o+ sal*ation 3OR youBou# too# ,ill interpret the +unction o+ time as you interpret yours- I+ you accept your +unction in the ,orld o+ time AS 1EA!I2"# you ,ill emphasi9e O2!B the aspect o+ time in ,hich healing can occur- 3or healing CA22OT 'e accomplished in the past# and MUST 'e accomplished in the present to RE!EASE the +uture- T1IS interpretation ties the +uture to the present# and EXTE2(S T1E RESE2T# rather than the past- But i+ you interpret your +unction as (ESTRUCTIO2# you ,ill lose sight o+ the present# and hold on to the past TO E2SURE A (ESTRUCTIHE 3UTURE- And time 4I!! 'e as you interpret it# +or O3 ITSE!3 it IS nothingOct- &%# &5JJ 4e ha*e said that you ha*e 'ut t,o emotions# lo*e and +ear- One is changeless 'ut continually e<changed# 'eing o++ered BB the eternal TO the eternal- In this e<change it is e<tended# +or it I2CREASES as it is gi*en- The other has many +orms# +or the content o+ I2(IHI(UA! illusions di++ers greatly- But they ha*e one thing in commonP they are all insane- They are made o+ sights ,hich are 2OT seen# and sounds ,hich are 2OT heardThey ma:e up a RIHATE ,orld ,hich CA22OT 'e shared- 3or they are meaning+ul O2!B to their ma:er# and so they ha*e no meaning at all- In this ,orld their ma:er mo*es alone# +or only 1E percei*es themEach one peoples his ,orld ,ith +igures +rom his I2(IHI(UA! past# and it is 'ecause o+ this that pri*ate ,orlds (O di++er- But the +igures that he sees ,ere 2EHER real# +or they are made up O2!B o+ his REACTIO2S to his 'rothers# and do 2OT include their reactions to 1IM- There+ore he does not see that he made them# and that they ARE 2OT 41O!E- 3or these +igures 1AHE 2O 4IT2ESSES# 'eing percei*ed in one SE ARATE

315

mind onlyIt is T1ROU"1 these strange and shado,y +igures that the insane relate to their insane ,orld- 3or they SEE only those ,ho remind them o+ these images# and it is to T1EM that they relate- Thus do they communicate ,ith those ,ho ARE 2OT T1ERE# and it is T1EB ,ho ans,er them- And no>one hears their ans,er sa*e him ,ho called upon them# and he A!O2E 'elie*es they ans,ered him- ro@ection MALES perception# and you CA22OT see 'eyond it- Again and again ha*e men attac:ed each other# 'ecause they sa, I2 T1EM a shado, +igure in their pri*ate ,orld> $J6 >

And thus it is that you MUST attac: yoursel+ +irst- 3or ,hat you attac: is 2OT in others- Its O2!B reality is in your O42 mind# and 'y attac:ing others# you are literally attac:ing 41AT IS 2OT T1ERE- The delusional can 'e *ery destructi*e# +or they do not recogni9e that they ha*e condemned T1EMSE!HES- They do not ,ish to die# BET T1EB 4I!! 2OT !ET CO2(EM2ATIO2 "O- And so they SE ARATE into their pri*ate ,orld# ,here e*erything is disordered# and ,here ,hat is ,ithin# appears to 'e ,ithout- Bet ,hat IS ,ithin they do 2OT see# +or the REA!ITB o+ their 'rothers they CA22OT seeBou ha*e 'ut t,o emotions# yet in your pri*ate ,orld# you react to each o+ them AS T1OU"1 IT 4ERE T1E OT1ER- 3or lo*e cannot a'ide in a ,orld apart# ,here# ,hen it comes# it is not recogni9ed- I+ you see your o,n hatred AS your 'rother# you are not seeing 1IM- E*eryone dra,s nigh unto ,hat he lo*es# and recoils +rom ,hat he +earsAnd you react ,ith +ear to lo*e# and dra, A4AB +rom it- But +ear ATTRACTS you# and 'elie*ing it is lo*e# you call it to yoursel+- Bour pri*ate ,orld is +illed ,ith the +igures o+ +ear you ha*e in*ited into it- And all the lo*e your 'rothers o++er you# BOU (O 2OT SEEAs you loo: ,ith open eyes upon your ,orld# it MUST occur to you that you ha*e ,ithdra,n into insanity- 3or you see ,hat is not there# and hear ,hat is soundlessBour 'eha*ioral MA2I3ESTATIO2S o+ emotions are the O OSITE o+ ,hat the emotions AREBou communicate ,ith no>one# and you are as isolated +rom reality# as i+ you ,ere A!O2E in all the uni*erse- In your madness# you OHER!OOL REA!ITB COM !ETE!B# and you see O2!B BOUR O42 S !IT MI2( e*ery,here you loo:- "od calls you and you do not hear# +or you are preoccupied ,ith your o,n *oice- And the *ision o+ Christ is not in your sight# +or you loo: upon yoursel+ A!O2E-

316

!ittle children# ,ould you o++er T1IS to your 3atherE 3or i+ you o++er it to yoursel+# you ARE o++ering it to 1im- And 1e ,ill 2OT return it# +or it is un,orthy o+ you BECAUSE it is un,orthy o+ 1im- But 1e 4OU!( release you +rom it# and set you +ree- 1is sane ans,er tells you that ,hat you ha*e o++ered BOURSE!3 is 2OT true# 'ut 1IS o++ering TO you has ne*er changed- Bou ,ho :no, not ,hat you do# CA2 learn ,hat insanity IS# and loo: 'eyond it- It is "IHE2 you to learn ho, to (E2B insanity# and come +orth +rom your pri*ate ,orld in peaceAnd you ,ill see all that you denied in your 'rothers# BECAUSE you denied it in yoursel+- 3or you ,ill lo*e them# and 'y dra,ing nigh unto them# you ,ill dra, them to BOURSE!3# percei*ing them as ,itnesses to your reality# ,hich you share ,ith "O(3or I am 4IT1 them# as I am ,ith BOU- And ,e ,ill dra, them +rom their pri*ate ,orld# +or as ,e are united# so ,ould ,e unite ,ith them- The 3ather ,elcomes all o+ us in gladness# and gladness is ,hat 4E ,ould o++er 1im- 3or e*ery Son o+ "od is gi*en you# to ,hom "od ga*e 1IMSE!3- And it is "od 4hom you must o++er them# to recogni9e 1is gi+t to BOUHision depends on light# and you CA22OT see in dar:ness- Bet in the dar:ness# in the pri*ate ,orld o+ sleep# you SEE in dreams# although your eyes are closed- And it is here that 41AT you see BOU MA(E- But let the (ARL2ESS go# and A!! you made BOU 4I!! 2O !O2"ER SEE# +or sight o+ IT depends upon (E2BI2" *ision- But +rom denying *ision# IT (OES 2OT 3O!!O4 T1AT BOU CA22OT SEE- Bet this is ,hat denial (OES#
> $JJ >

+or BB it you ACCE T insanity# 'elie*ing you can ma:e a pri*ate ,orld# A2( RU!E BOUR O42 ERCE TIO2- But +or this# light MUST 'e e<cluded- (reams disappear ,hen light has come# A2( BOU CA2 SEE(o not see: *ision through BOUR eyes- 3or you MA(E your ,ay o+ seeing# that you might see in dar:ness# and in this you ARE decei*ed- BEBO2( this dar:ness# and yet still 4IT1I2 you# is the *ision o+ Christ# 4ho loo:s on all in light- BOUR *ision comes +rom +ear# as 1is +rom !o*e- And 1e sees 3OR you# as your ,itness to the real ,orld- 1e is the 1oly Spirit=s MA2I3ESTATIO2# loo:ing al,ays on the real ,orld# and calling +orth its ,itnesses# and dra,ing them unto BOU- 3or 1e lo*es ,hat 1e sees ,ithin you# and 1e ,ould EXTE2( it- And 1e ,ill not return unto the 3ather# until 1e has e<tended your

317

perception e*en unto 1im- And there perception is no more# +or 1e has RETUR2E( you to the 3ather 4IT1 1imBou ha*e 'ut t,o emotions# and one you made and one ,as "IHE2 you- Each is a 4AB O3 SEEI2"# and di++erent ,orlds arise +rom their di++erent *isions- See through the *ision that is "IHE2 you# +or through Christ=s *ision 1e 'eholds 1imsel+- And seeing ,hat 1e is# 1e :no,s 1is 3ather- Beyond your dar:est dreams# 1e sees "od=s guiltless Son ,ithin you# shining in per+ect radiance# ,hich is undimmed 'y your dreams- And this BOU ,ill see# as you loo: ,ith 1im- 3or 1is *ision is 1is gi+t o+ lo*e to you# gi*en 1im o+ the 3ather 3OR youThe 1oly Spirit is the light in ,hich Christ stands re*ealed- And all ,ho ,ould 'ehold 1im can see 1im# +or they ha*e ASLE( +or light- 2or ,ill they see 1im A!O2E# +or 1e is no more alone than T1EB are- Because they SA4 the Son# they ha*e risen I2 1im to the 3ather- And all this ,ill they understand# 'ecause they loo:ed ,ithin# and sa,# 'eyond the dar:ness# the Christ in them# and RECO"2IUE( 1im- In the sanity o+ 1is *ision# they loo:ed upon themsel*es ,ith lo*e# seeing themsel*es as the 1oly Spirit sees them- And 4IT1 this *ision o+ the truth in T1EM# came all the 'eauty o+ the ,orld to shine upon themOcto'er &J# &5JJ To percei*e truly is to 'e a,are o+ A!! reality# through the a,areness o+ your o,nBut +or this# 2O illusions can rise to meet your sight# +or A!! reality lea*es no room +or A2B error- This means that you percei*e a 'rother only AS BOU SEE 1IM 2O41is past has 2O reality in the present# and you CA22OT see it- Bour past reactions TO him are also 2OT T1ERE# and i+ it is to these that you react 2O4# you see 'ut an image o+ him that you made and cherish I2STEA( o+ him- In your ?uestioning o+ illusions# as: yoursel+ i+ it is REA!!B sane to percei*e 41AT 4AS 2O4- I+ you remem'er the AST as you loo: upon him# you ,ill 'e una'le to percei*e the reality that is 2O4Bou consider it )natural. to use your AST e<perience as the re+erence point +rom ,hich to JU("E the present- Bet this is U2natural# 'ecause it is delusional- 4hen you ha*e learned to loo: upon e*eryone ,ith 2O RE3ERE2CE AT A!! to the past# either his
> $J7 >

OR yours as you percei*ed it# you ,ill 'e a'le to learn 3ROM 41AT BOU SEE 2O4- 3or

318

the past can cast no shado, to dar:en the present# U2!ESS BOU ARE A3RAI( O3 !I"1TAnd O2!B i+ you are# ,ould you choose to 'ring this dar:ness 4IT1 you# and 'y holding it in your minds# see it as a dar: cloud that shrouds your 'rothers# and conceals their reality +rom your sightT1IS (ARL2ESS IS I2 BOU- The Christ re*ealed to you 2O4 has no past# +or 1e is changeless- A2( I2 1IS C1A2"E!ESS2ESS !IES BOUR RE!EASE- 3or i+ 1e is as 1e ,as created# there IS no guilt in 1im- 2o cloud o+ guilt has risen to o'scure 1im# and 1e stands re*ealed in e*eryone you meet# 'ecause you see 1im through 1IMSE!3- To 'e 'orn again is to let the AST go# and !OOL 4IT1OUT CO2(EM2ATIO2 U O2 T1E RESE2T- 3or the cloud ,hich o'scures "od=s Son to you IS the past# and i+ you ,ould ha*e it past A2( "O2E# you must 2OT SEE IT 2O4- And i+ you see it no, in your delusions# it has 2OT gone +rom you# although it is not thereTime can release as ,ell as imprison# depending on ,hose interpretation o+ it you use- ast# present# and +uture are not continuous# U2!ESS BOU 3ORCE CO2TI2UITB O2 T1EM- Bou can ERCEIHE them as continuous# and ma:e them so 3OR BOUBut do not 'e decei*ed# and then 'elie*e that this is ho, it IS# +or to 'elie*e that reality is ,hat you ,ould 1AHE it 'e# according to BOUR use +or it# IS delusional- Bou ,ould (ESTROB time=s continuity 'y 'rea:ing it into past# present# and +uture# 3OR BOUR O42 UR OSESBou ,ould anticipate the +uture on the 'asis o+ your AST e<perience and plan +or it accordingly- And 'y so doing# you are A!I"2I2" past and +uture# and not allo,ing the miracles# ,hich could inter*ene BET4EE2 them# to +ree you to 'e 'orn againThe miracle ena'les you to see your 'rother 4IT1OUT his past# and so percei*e him as 'orn again- 1is errors ARE all past# and 'y percei*ing him 4IT1OUT the# you are RE!EASI2" him- And since his past is yours# you S1ARE in this release- !et no dar: cloud out o+ BOUR past o'scure him +rom you# +or truth lies O2!B in the present# and you 4I!! +ind it i+ you see: it there- Bou ha*e loo:ed +or it ,here it is 2OT# and there+ore ha*e not +ound it- !earn# then# to see: it ,here it IS# and it 4I!! da,n on eyes that seeBour past ,as made in anger# and i+ you use it to ATTACL the present you ,ill 2OT SEE

319

the +reedom that the present holds- Judgment and condemnation are BE1I2( you# and unless you 'ring them 4IT1 you# you 4I!! see that you are +ree o+ them!oo: lo*ingly upon the present# +or it holds the O2!B things that are +ore*er trueAll healing lies ,ithin it# 'ecause ITS continuity is real- It e<tends to A!! aspects o+ consciousness AT T1E SAME TIME# and thus ena'les them to REAC1 EAC1 OT1ERThe present is 'e+ore time 4AS# and 4I!! BE ,hen time is no more- In it is e*erything that is eternal# and they ARE one- T1EIR continuity is timeless# and their communication is un'ro:en# +or they are 2OT SE ARATE( 'y the past- Only the past CA2 separate# and IT is no,hereThe present o++ers you your 'rothers in the light that ,ould unite you 4IT1 them# and +ree BOU +rom the past- 4ould you# then# hold the past A"AI2ST themE 3or i+ you do# you are choosing to remain in the dar:ness T1AT IS 2OT T1ERE# and re+using to
> $JK >

accept the light that is o++ered you- 3or the light o+ per+ect *ision is +reely gi*en # as it is +reely recei*ed# and can 'e accepted only 4IT1OUT !IMIT- In this one# still dimension o+ time# ,hich does not change# and ,here there is no sight o+ ,hat you ,ere# you loo: at Christ# and call 1is ,itnesses to shine on you# BECAUSE BOU CA!!E( T1EM 3ORT1And T1EB ,ill not deny the truth in you# 'ecause you loo:ed +or it in them# and 3OU2( it there2o, is the time o+ sal*ation# +or 2O4 is the release +rom time- Reach out to all your 'rothers# and touch them ,ith the touch o+ Christ- In timeless union 4IT1 them is BOUR continuity# un'ro:en 'ecause it is ,holly shared- "od=s guiltless Son is O2!B light- There is no dar:ness in him A2B41ERE# +or he is ,hole- Call all your 'rothers to ,itness to his ,holeness# as I am calling you to @oin ,ith me- E*ery *oice has a part in the song o+ redemption# the hymn o+ gladness and than:sgi*ing +or the light# to the Creator o+ !ight- The holy light that shines +orth +rom "od=s Son is the ,itness that his light is o+ his 3atherShine on your 'rothers in remem'rance o+ your Creator# and you 4I!! remem'er 1im# as you call +orth the ,itnesses to 1is creation- Those ,hom you heal 'ear ,itness to BOUR healing# +or in T1EIR ,holeness you ,ill see your o,n- And as your hymns o+

320

praise and gladness rise to your Creator# 1e ,ill return your than:s# in 1is clear ans,er to your call- 3or it can ne*er 'e that 1is Son called upon 1im# and remained unans,ered1is call to you is 'ut your call to 1im- And in 1im you are ans,ered 'y 1is peaceChildren o+ !ight# you :no, not that the !ight is in you- And you ,ill +ind it through its ,itnesses- 3or ha*ing gi*en light to them# T1EB 4I!! RETUR2 IT- E*eryone you see I2 light 'rings BOUR light closer to your O42 a,areness- !o*e al,ays leads to lo*eThe sic:# ,ho ASL +or lo*e# are grate+ul +or it# and in their @oy# they shine ,ith holy than:s- And this they o++er you# ,ho "AHE them @oy- They are your guides to @oy# +or ha*ing recei*ed it O3 you# they ,ould :eep it- Bou ha*e esta'lished them as guides to peace# +or you ha*e made it mani+est in them- And SEEI2" it# its 'eauty calls you homeThere is a light ,hich this ,orld cannot gi*e- Bet BOU can gi*e it# as it ,as gi*en BOU- And AS you gi*e it# it shines +orth to call you 3ROM the ,orld# and +ollo, it3or this light ,ill attract you as nothing in this ,orld can do- And you ,ill lay aside the ,orld and +ind another- This other ,orld is 'right ,ith lo*e 41IC1 BOU 1AHE "IHE2 ITAnd here ,ill e*erything remind you o+ your 3ather and his holy Son- !ight is unlimited# and spreads across this ,orld in ?uiet @oy- All those you 'rought 4IT1 you ,ill shine on you# and you ,ill shine on them in gratitude# 'ecause they 'rought you here- Bour light ,ill @oin ,ith theirs# in po,er so compelling# that it ,ill dra, the others out o+ dar:ness as you loo: on themA,a:ing unto Christ is +ollo,ing the la,s o+ lo*e O3 BOUR 3REE 4I!!# and out o+ ?uiet recognition o+ the truth in them- The attraction o+ light must dra, you ,illingly# and ,illingness is signi+ied 'y "IHI2"- Those ,ho accept lo*e O3 you# 'ecome your ,illing ,itnesses to the lo*e you ga*e them# and it is T1EB ,ho hold it out to BOUIn sleep you are alone# and your a,areness is narro,ed to yoursel+- And that is ,hy the
> $J5 >

nightmares come- Bou dream o+ isolation# BECAUSE your eyes are closed- Bou do not SEE your 'rothers# and# in the dar:ness# you cannot loo: upon the light you "AHE to themAnd yet the la,s o+ lo*e are not suspended 'ecause you sleep- And you ha*e +ollo,ed them through all your nightmares# and ha*e 'een +aith+ul in your gi*ing# +or you ,ere 2OT alone- E*en in sleep has Christ protected you# ensuring the real ,orld 3OR you ,hen you ,a:e- In BOUR name 1e has gi*en 3OR you# and gi*en BOU the gi+ts 1e

321

ga*e- "od=s Son is still as lo*ing as his 3ather- Continuous 4IT1 his 3ather# he has no past A ART +rom 1im- So he has ne*er ceased to 'e his 3ather=s ,itness# A2( 1IS O42Although he slept# C1RIST=S HISIO2 (I( 2OT !EAHE 1IM- And so it is that he can call unto himsel+ the ,itnesses that teach him that he ne*er sleptOcto'er &5# &5JJ Sit ?uietly and loo: upon the ,orld you see# and tell yoursel+# )The real ,orld is not li:e this- It has no 'uildings# and there are no streets ,here people ,al: alone and separately- There are no stores ,here people 'uy an endless list o+ things they do not need- It is not lit ,ith arti+icial light# and night comes not upon it- There is no day that 'rightens and gro,s dim- There is no loss- 2othing is there 'ut shines# and shines +ore*er-. This ,orld you see MUST BE (E2IE(# +or sight o+ it is costing you a di++erent :ind o+ *ision- BOU CA22OT SEE BOT1 4OR!(S# +or each o+ them in*ol*es a di++erent :ind o+ seeing# and depends on ,hat you cherish- The sight o+ one is possi'le 'ecause you ha*e denied the otherBoth are not true# yet either one ,ill seem as real to you as the amount to ,hich you hold it dear- And yet their po,er is 2OT the same# 'ecause their real attraction to you is une?ual- Bou do not really ,ant the ,orld you see# +or it has disappointed you since time 'egan- The homes you 'uilt ha*e ne*er sheltered you- The roads you made ha*e led you no,here# and no city that you 'uilt has ,ithstood the crum'ling assault o+ time2othing you made 'ut has the mar: o+ death upon it- 1old it not dear# +or it is old and tired# and ready to return to dust# e*en as you made itThis aching ,orld has not the po,er to touch the li*ing ,orld at all- Bou could not gi*e it that# and so# although you turn in sadness +rom it# you cannot +ind in it the road that leads A4AB +rom it into another ,orld- Bet the REA! ,orld 1AS the po,er to touch you e*en here BECAUSE BOU !OHE IT- And ,hat you call ,ith lo*e 4I!! come to you!OHE A!4ABS A2S4ERS# 'eing una'le to deny a call +or help# or not to hear the cries o+ pain that rise to it# +rom e*ery part o+ this strange ,orld you made# 'ut do not ,antThe only e++ort you need ma:e# to gi*e this ,orld a,ay in glad e<change +or ,hat you did 2OT ma:e is ,illingness to learn T1E O2E BOU MA(E IS 3A!SEBou 1AHE 'een ,rong a'out the ,orld# 'ecause you ha*e mis@udged BOURSE!33rom such a t,isted re+erence point# ,hat COU!( you seeE All *ision starts 4IT1 T1E

322

ERCEIHER# ,ho @udges ,hat is true and ,hat is +alse- And ,hat he @udges +alse# 1E
> $7% >

(OES 2OT SEE- Bou ,ho ,ould @udge reality CA22OT see it# +or ,hene*er @udgment enters# reality has slipped a,ay- The out o+ mind is out o+ sight# 'ecause ,hat is denied is T1ERE# 'ut is not recogni9ed- Christ is still there# although you :no, 1im not- 1is Being does 2OT depend upon your recognition- 1e li*es ,ithin you in the ?uiet present# and ,aits +or you to lea*e the past 'ehind# and enter into the ,orld 1e holds out to you in lo*e2o>one in this distracted ,orld 'ut has not seen some glimpses o+ the other ,orld a'out him- Bet ,hile he still lays *alue on his o,n# he ,ill (E2B the *ision o+ the other ,orld# maintaining that he lo*es 41AT 1E !OHES 2OT# and +ollo,ing not the road that lo*e points out- !o*e leads so gladlyO And as you +ollo, 1im# BOU ,ill re@oice that you ha*e +ound 1is company# and learned o+ 1im the @oy+ul @ourney home- Bou ,ait 'ut +or BOURSE!3- To gi*e this sad ,orld o*er# and e<change your errors +or the peace o+ "od# is 'ut BOUR ,ill- And Christ ,ill A!4ABS o++er you the 4ill o+ "od# in recognition that you share it 4IT1 1imIt is "od=s 4ill that nothing touch 1is Son e<cept 1imsel+# and nothing else comes nigh unto him- 1e is as sa+e +rom pain as "od 1imsel+# 4ho ,atches o*er him in e*erything- The ,orld a'out him shines ,ith lo*e# 'ecause "od placed him in 1imsel+ ,here pain is not# and lo*e surrounds him ,ithout end or +la,- (istur'ance o+ his peace can ne*er 'e- In per+ect sanity he loo:s on lo*e# +or it is all a'out him# and ,ithin him1e MUST deny the ,orld o+ pain# the instant he percei*es the arms o+ lo*e around himAnd +rom this point o+ sa+ety# he loo:s ?uietly a'out him# and recogni9es that the ,orld is one ,ith himThe peace o+ "od passeth your understanding O2!B in the past- Bet here it IS# and you CA2 understand it 2O4- "od lo*es 1is Son +ore*er# and 1is Son RETUR2S his 3ather=s lo*e +ore*er- The real ,orld is the ,ay that leads you to remem'rance o+ this one thing that is ,holly true# and ,holly BOURS- 3or all else you ha*e !E2T yoursel+ in time# and it 4I!! +ade- But this one thing is A!4ABS yours# 'eing the gi+t o+ "od unto

323

1is Son- Bour O2E reality ,as "IHE2 you# and BB it "od created you as one ,ith 1imBou ,ill +irst (REAM o+ peace# and T1E2 a,a:en to it- Bour +irst e<change o+ ,hat you made +or ,hat# you ,ant is the e<change o+ nightmares +or the happy dreams o+ lo*e- In these lie your true perceptions# +or the 1oly Spirit corrects the ,orld o+ dreams# ,here A!! perception is- Lno,ledge needs 2O correction- Bet the dreams o+ lo*e lead U2TO :no,ledge- In them you see nothing +ear+ul# and BECAUSE o+ this they are the ,elcome that you O33ER :no,ledge- !o*e ,aits on ,elcome# 2OT on time# and the real ,orld is 'ut your ,elcome o+ ,hat al,ays ,as- There+ore the call o+ @oy is in it# and your glad response is your a,a:ening to ,hat you ha*e 2OT lost- raise# then# the 3ather +or the per+ect sanity o+ 1is most holy SonBour 3ather :no,eth that you ha*e need o+ nothing- In 1ea*en this is so# +or ,hat could you need in eternityE In BOUR ,orld you (O need things# 'ecause it is a ,orld o+ scarcity in ,hich you +ind yoursel+ BECAUSE you are lac:ing- But CA2 you +ind yoursel+ in such a ,orldE 4ithout the 1oly Spirit# the ans,er ,ould 'e no- But BECAUSE o+ 1im#
> $7& >

the ans,er is a @oyous BES- As mediator 'et,een the t,o ,orlds# 1e :no,s ,hat you ha*e need o+# and 41IC1 4I!! 2OT 1URT BOU- O,nership is a dangerous concept# i+ it is le+t to you- The ego ,ants to 1AHE things +or sal*ation# +or possession is its la,ossession +or its O42 sa:e is the ego=s +undamental creed# a 'asic cornerstone in the churches that it 'uilds unto itsel+- And at ITS altar# it demands you lay A!! o+ the things it 'ids you get# lea*ing you no @oy in themEHERBT1I2" that the ego tells you that you need ,ill hurt you- 3or# although it urges you again and again to "ET# it !EAHES you nothing# +or ,hat you get it ,ill (EMA2( o+ you- And e*en +rom the *ery hands that grasped it# it ,ill 'e ,renched and hurled into the dust- 3or ,here the ego sees sal*ation IT SEES SE ARATIO2# and so you lose ,hate*er you ha*e gotten in its name- There+ore# as: not o+ yoursel*es ,hat you need# 3OR BOU L2O4 2OT# and your ad*ice unto yoursel+ 4I!! hurt you- 3or ,hat BOU thin: you need ,ill merely ser*e to tighten up your ,orld A"AI2ST the light# and render you un,illing to ?uestion the *alue that this ,orld can REA!!B hold +or youOnly the 1oly Spirit L2O4S ,hat you need- 3or 1E ,ill gi*e you all things that do

324

2OT 'loc: the ,ay to light- And ,hat else COU!( you needE In time# 1e gi*es you all the things that you need ha*e# and ,ill rene, them as long as you ha*e need o+ them- 1e ,ill ta:e nothing 3ROM you# as long as you ha*e A2B need o+ it- And yet 1e :no,s that EHERBT1I2" you need is temporary# and need 'ut last until you step aside +rom A!! your needs# and learn that all o+ them 1AHE BEE2 +ul+illed- There+ore# 1e has no in*estment in the things that 1e supplies# e<cept to ma:e certain that you ,ill 2OT use them on 'ehal+ o+ lingering in time- 1e :no,s that you are not at home there# and 1e ,ills no delay to ,ait upon your @oyous homecoming!ea*e# then# your needs to 1im- 1e ,ill supply them# ,ith no emphasis at all upon them- 4hat comes to you o+ 1im comes sa+ely# +or 1e ,ill ensure it ne*er can 'ecome a dar: spot# hidden in your mind# and :ept to hurt you- Under 1is guidance# you ,ill tra*el light and @ourney lightly# +or 1is sight is e*er on the @ourney=s end# ,hich is 1is goal- "od=s Son is not a tra*eller through OUTER ,orlds- 1o,e*er holy his perception may 'ecome# no ,orld OUTSI(E himsel+ holds his inheritance- 4ithin 1IMSE!3 he 1AS no needs# +or light needs nothing 'ut to shine in peace- And +rom ITSE!3# to let the rays e<tend in ?uiet to in+inity4hene*er you are tempted to underta:e a +oolish @ourney that ,ould lead A4AB +rom light# remem'er ,hat you REA!!B ,ant# and say# )The 1oly Spirit leads me unto Christ# and ,here else ,ould I goE 4hat need ha*e I 'ut to a,a:e in 1imE. Then +ollo, 1im in @oy# ,ith +aith that 1e ,ill lead you sa+ely through all dangers to your peace o+ mind that this ,orld sets 'e+ore you- Lneel not 'e+ore the altars to sacri+ice# and see: not ,hat you ,ill surely lose- Content yoursel*es ,ith ,hat you ,ill as surely LEE # and 'e not restless# +or you underta:e a ?uiet @ourney to the peace o+ "od# ,here 1e ,ould ha*e you 'e in ?uietnessIn me# you ha*e A!REA(B o*ercome EHERB temptation that ,ould hold you 'ac:4e ,al: together on the ,ay to ?uietness that is the gi+t o+ "od- 1old me dear# +or ,hat
> $7$ >

EXCE T your 'rothers CA2 you needE 4e ,ill restore to you the peace o+ mind that ,e MUST +ind together- The 1oly Spirit ,ill teach you to a,a:en unto us# and to yoursel+T1IS is the only REA! need to 'e +ul+illed in time- Sal*ation 3ROM the ,orld lies O2!B here- My peace I "IHE you- TALE it o+ me# in glad e<change +or all the ,orld has o++ered

325

'ut to TALE A4AB- And ,e ,ill spread it# li:e a *eil o+ light# across the ,orld=s sad +ace# in ,hich ,e hide our 'rothers 3ROM the ,orld# and it +rom them4e cannot sing redemption=s hymn alone- My tas: is not completed ;til I ha*e li+ted e*ery *oice ,ith mine- And yet it is 2OT mine# +or as it is my gi+t to you# so ,as it the 3ather=s gi+t to me# gi*en me through 1is Spirit- The sound o+ it ,ill 'anish sorro, +rom the mind o+ "od=s most holy Son# ,here it cannot a'ide- 1ealing in time IS needed# +or @oy cannot esta'lish its eternal reign ,here sorro, d,ells- Bou d,ell not here# 'ut in eternity- Bou tra*el 'ut in dreams# ,hile sa+e at home- "i*e than:s to e*ery part o+ you that you ha*e taught ho, to REMEMBER you- Thus does the Son o+ "od gi*e than:s unto his 3ather +or his purityOcto'er $&# &5JJ All therapy is release +rom the past- And that is ,hy the 1oly Spirit IS the only therapist- 1E TEAC1ES T1AT T1E AST (OES 2OT EXIST# a +act ,hich 'elongs to the sphere o+ :no,ledge# and ,hich there+ore 2O>O2E I2 T1E 4OR!( L2O4S- It ,ould indeed 'e impossi'le to BE in the ,orld ,ith this :no,ledge- 3or the mind that :no,s this une?ui*ocally# :no,s also that it d,ells in eternity# and utili9es no perception at allIt there+ore does not consider 41ERE it is# 'ecause the concept ),here. does not mean anything to it- It :no,s that it is EHERB41ERE# @ust as it has EHERBT1I2" and 3OREHERThe *ery real di++erence 'et,een perception and :no,ledge 'ecomes ?uite apparent# i+ you consider thisF there is 2OT1I2" partial a'out :no,ledge- E*ery aspect is ,hole# and there+ore 2O AS ECT IS SE ARATE- BOU are an aspect o+ :no,ledge# 'eing in the Mind o+ "od# 4ho L2O4S you- All :no,ledge MUST 'e yours# +or in you IS all :no,ledge- erception# at its lo+tiest# is 2EHER complete- E*en the perception o+ the 1oly Spirit# as per+ect as perception CA2 'e# is ,ithout meaning in 1ea*enerception can reach EHERB41ERE under 1is guidance# +or the *ision o+ Christ 'eholds EHERBT1I2" in light- But no perception# ho,e*er holy# ,ill last 3OREHERer+ect perception# then# has many elements I2 COMMO2 ,ith :no,ledge# ma:ing trans+er TO it possi'le- Bet the last step must 'e ta:en 'y "od# 'ecause the last step in your redemption# ,hich SEEMS to 'e in the +uture# 4AS accomplished 'y "od in your creation- The separation has 2OT interrupted it- Creation cannot BE interrupted- The

326

separation is merely a +aulty +ormulation o+ reality# 4IT1 2O E33ECT AT A!!- The miracle# ,ithout a +unction in 1ea*en# IS need+ul here- AS ECTS o+ reality can still 'e seen# and they ,ill replace aspects o+ U2REA!ITB- Aspects o+ reality can 'e seen I2 EHERBT1I2" A2( EHERB41ERE- Bet only "od can gather them together 'y cro,ning them as one ,ith the +inal gi+t o+ eternity> $78 >

Apart +rom the 3ather and the Son# the 1oly Spirit has no +unction- 1e is not separate +rom either# 'eing in the mind o+ 'oth# and :no,ing that Mind is one- 1e is a thought o+ "od# and "od has "IHE2 1im to you# 'ecause 1e has 2O thoughts 1e does not share1is message spea:s o+ timelessness in time# and that is ,hy Christ=s *ision loo:s on e*erything ,ith lo*e- Bet e*en Christ=s *ision is not 1is reality- The golden AS ECTS o+ reality# ,hich spring to light under 1is lo*ing ga9e# are partial glimpses o+ the 1ea*en that lies 'eyond themThis is the miracle o+ creationP T1AT IT IS O2E 3OREHER- E*ery miracle you o++er to the Son o+ "od# is 'ut the true perception o+ one AS ECT o+ the ,hole- Though e*ery aspect IS the ,hole# you cannot L2O4 this# until you SEE that e*ery aspect IS T1E SAME# percei*ed in the SAME lightP and T1ERE3ORE one- E*eryone seen 4IT1OUT the past thus 'rings you nearer to the end o+ time# 'y 'ringing healed and healing sight into the dar:ness# and E2AB!I2" T1E 4OR!( TO SEE- 3or light must come into the dar:ened ,orld# to ma:e Christ=s *ision possi'le e*en here- 1elp 1im to gi*e 1is gi+t o+ light to all ,ho thin: they ,ander in the dar:ness# and let 1im gather them into 1is ?uiet sight that ma:es them oneThey are all the sameP all 'eauti+ul# and e?ual in their holiness- And 1e ,ill o++er them unto 1is 3ather# as they ,ere o++ered unto 1im- There is O2E miracle# as there is O2E reality- And e*ery miracle you do contains them all# as e*ery aspect o+ reality you see 'lends ?uietly into the one reality o+ "od- The only miracle that e*er ,as# is "od=s most holy Son# created in the One Reality that is his 3ather- Christ=s *ision is 1is gi+t to you- 1is Being is 1is 3ather=s gi+t to 1imBe you content ,ith healing# +or Christ=s gi+t you CA2 'esto,# and your 3ather=s gi+t

327

you CA22OT lose- O++er Christ=s gi+t to e*eryone and e*ery,here- 3or miracles# o++ered the Son o+ "od through the 1oly Spirit# attune BOU to reality- The 1oly Spirit :no,s your part in the redemption# and ,ho are see:ing you# and ,here to +ind themLno,ledge is +ar 'eyond your indi*idual concern- Bou ,ho are part o+ it# and all o+ it# need only reali9e that it is o+ the 3ather# 2OT o+ you- Bour role in the redemption !EA(S you to it# 'y re>esta'lishing its oneness in your minds4hen you ha*e seen your 'rothers as yoursel+# you ,ill 'e RE!EASE( to :no,ledge# ha*ing learned to 3REE yoursel+# o+ 1im ,ho :no,s o+ +reedom- Unite ,ith me# under the holy 'anner o+ 1is teaching# and# as ,e gro, in strength# the po,er o+ "od=s Son ,ill mo*e in us# and ,e ,ill lea*e no>one untouched and no>one le+t alone- And suddenly#time ,ill 'e o*er# and ,e ,ill all unite in the Eternity o+ "od the 3ather-The holy light you sa, OUTSI(E yoursel+# in e*ery miracle you o++ered to your 'rothers# ,ill 'e RETUR2E( to you- And# L2O4I2" that the light is I2 you# BOUR creations ,ill 'e there 4IT1 you# as you are in your 3atherAs miracles in this ,orld @oin you to your 'rothers# so do your creations esta'lish your +atherhood in 1ea*en- BOU are the ,itnesses to the 3atherhood o+ "od# and 1e has gi*en you the po,er to create the ,itnesses to BOURS# ,hich is as 1IS- (eny a 'rother here# and you deny the ,itnesses to your +atherhood in 1ea*en-The miracle
> $7G >

,hich "od created is per+ect# as are the miracles ,hich BOU created in 1is 2ameThey need no healing# nor do you# ,hen you :no, T1EMBut in this ,orld# your per+ection is un,itnessed- "od :no,s it# 'ut BOU do not# and so you do not S1ARE 1is ,itness TO it- 2or do you ,itness unto 1im# +or reality is ,itnessed to as one- "od ,aits your ,itness to 1is Son# and to 1imsel+- The miracles you do on earth are li+ted up to 1ea*en# and to 1im- They ,itness to ,hat you do not :no,# and#as they reach the gates o+ 1ea*en# "od ,ill open them- 3or ne*er ,ould 1e lea*e 1is o,n 'elo*ed Son outside them# and 'eyond 1imsel+"uilt remains the only thing that hides the 3ather# 3OR "UI!T IS T1E ATTACL U O2 1IS SO2- The guilty A!4ABS condemn# and 1AHI2" done so# they 4I!! condemn# lin:ing the +uture to the past# as is the ego=s la,- 3idelity unto this la, lets no light in# +or it (EMA2(S +idelity to dar:ness# and 3ORBI(S a,a:ening- The ego=s la,s are strict# and 'reaches are se*erely punished- There+ore# gi*e no o'edience to its la,s# +or they ARE

328

la,s o+ punishment- And those ,ho +ollo, them 'elie*e that T1EB are guilty# and so they MUST condemn- Bet,een the +uture and the past# the la,s o+ "od must inter*ene# i+ you ,ould +ree yoursel*es- Atonement stands 'et,een them# li:e a lamp that shines so 'rightly# that the chain o+ dar:ness# in ,hich you 'ound yoursel*es ,ill disappearRelease +rom guilt is the ego=s ,hole undoing- MALE 2O>O2E 3EAR3U!# +or his guilt is yours# and# 'y o'eying the ego=s harsh commandments# you 'ring its condemnation o+ yoursel+# and you ,ill not escape the punishment it o++ers those ,ho o'ey it- The ego re,ards +idelity to it ,ith pain# +or +aith in it IS pain- And +aith can 'e re,arded only in terms o+ the 'elie+ in ,hich the +aith ,as placed- 3aith MALES the po,er o+ 'elie+# and ,here it is in*ested# determines its re,ard- 3or +aith is A!4ABS gi*en ,hat is treasured# and ,hat is treasured IS returned to youThe ,orld can gi*e you O2!B ,hat you ga*e it# +or 'eing nothing 'ut your o,n pro@ection# it 1AS no meaning apart +rom ,hat you +ound in it# and placed your +aith inBe +aith+ul unto dar:ness# and you ,ill 2OT see# 'ecause your +aith 4I!! 'e re,arded as you "AHE it- Bou 4I!! accept your treasure# and i+ you place your +aith in the past# the +uture 4I!! 'e li:e it- 4hate=er you hold as dear BOU T1I2L IS BOURS- The po,er o+ your HA!UI2" ,ill ma:e it soAtonement 'rings a re>e*aluation o+ EHERBT1I2" you cherish# +or it is the means 'y ,hich the 1oly Spirit can SE ARATE the +alse and the true# ,hich you ha*e accepted into your minds 4IT1OUT (ISTI2CTIO2- There+ore# you cannot *alue one ,ithout the other# and guilt has 'ecome AS TRUE 3OR BOU AS I22OCE2CE- Bou do 2OT 'elie*e the Son o+ "od is guiltless# 'ecause you see the past# and see 1IM not- 4hen you condemn a 'rother# you are saying# )I ,ho 4AS guilty choose to REMAI2 so-. Bou ha*e denied 1IS +reedom# and 'y so doing# you ha*e denied the ,itness unto BOURS- Bou could as easily ha*e 3REE( him +rom the past# and li+ted +rom his mind the cloud o+ guilt that 'inds him TO it- And in 1IS +reedom ,ould ha*e 'een your O42> $76 >

!ay not his guilt upon him# +or 1IS guilt lies in his secret that 1E thin:s that 1E has done this unto BOU- 4ould you then teach him that he is RI"1T in his delusionE The idea that the guiltless Son o+ "od can attac: himsel+# and MALE him guilty# is insane- In

329

A2B +orm# in A2BO2E# BE!IEHE T1IS 2OT- 3or sin and condemnation are the same# and the 'elie+ in one is +aith in the other# calling +or punishment I2STEA( o+ lo*e2OT1I2" can @usti+y insanity# and to call +or punishment U O2 BOURSE!3# MUST 'e insaneSee no>one# then# as guilty# and you ,ill a++irm the truth o+ guiltlessness U2TO BOURSE!3- In e*ery condemnation that you o++er the Son o+ "od# lies the con*iction o+ your O42 guilt- I+ you ,ould ha*e the 1oly Spirit ma:e BOU +ree o+ it# accept 1is o++er o+ Atonement +or A!! your 'rothers- 3or so you learn that IT IS TRUE 3OR BOURemem'er al,ays that it is impossi'le to condemn the Son o+ "od I2 ART- Those ,hom you see as guilty# 'ecome the ,itnesses to guilt I2 BOU# and you 4I!! see it there# +or it IS there# until it is undone- "uilt is A!4ABS in your O42 mind# 41IC1 1AS CO2(EM2E( ITSE!3- ro@ect it not# +or ,hile you do# it cannot BE undone- 4ith e*eryone ,hom you release +rom guilt# great is the @oy in 1ea*en# ,here the ,itnesses to your +atherhood re@oice"UI!T MALES BOU B!I2(- 3or ,hile you see one spot o+ guilt ,ithin you# BOU 4I!! 2OT SEE T1E !I"1T- And 'y pro@ecting it# the 4OR!( seems dar:# and shrouded in your guilt- Bou thro, a dar: *eil o*er it# and cannot see it# BECAUSE BOU CA22OT !OOL 4IT1I2- Bou are a+raid o+ ,hat you ,ould see there# 'ut it is 2OT there- T1E T1I2" BOU 3EAR IS "O2E- I+ you ,ould loo: ,ithin# you ,ould see only the Atonement# shining in ?uiet and in peace# upon the altar to your 3ather- (o not 'e a+raid to loo: ,ithin- The ego tells you all is 'lac: ,ith guilt ,ithin you# and 'ids you 2OT TO !OOLInstead# it 'ids you loo: upon your 'rother#s A2( SEE T1E "UI!T I2 T1EMBet this you cannot do# 4IT1OUT REMAI2I2" B!I2(- 3or those ,ho see their 'rothers dar:# and guilty in the dar: in ,hich they shroud them# are too a+raid to loo: upon the light ,ithin- 4ithin you is 2OT ,hat you 'elie*e is there# and ,hat BOU put your +aith in- 4ithin you is the holy sign o+ per+ect +aith BOUR 3AT1ER has in you1E does not *alue you as you do- 1e :no,s 1imsel+# and :no,s the truth I2 BOU- 1e :no,s T1ERE IS 2O (I33ERE2CE# +or 1e :no,s not o+ di++erences- Can BOU see guilt ,here "od L2O4S there is per+ect innocenceE Bou can (E2B 1is :no,ledge# 'ut you CA22OT change it- !oo:# then# upon the light 1e placed ,ithin you# and learn that ,hat you +eared ,as there 1AS BEE2 replaced ,ith lo*eBou are accustomed to the notion that the mind can see the source o+ pain ,here it

330

is not- The dou't+ul ser*ice o+ displacement is to hide the REA! source o+ your guilt# and LEE +rom your a,areness the +ull perception T1AT IT IS I2SA2E- (isplacement A!4ABS is maintained 'y the illusion that the source# +rom ,hich attention is di*erted# MUST BE TRUE- And MUST BE 3EAR3U!# or you ,ould not ha*e displaced the guilt onto ,hat you 'elie*ed to 'e !ESS +ear+ul- Bou are there+ore ,illing# ,ith little opposition# to loo: upon all sorts o+ )sources. underneath a,areness# pro*ided that they are not the deeper
> $7J >

source# to ,hich they 'ear no real relationship at all- Insane ideas 1AHE no real relationships# +or that is ,hy they ARE insane2o real relationship can rest on guilt# or e*en hold one spot o+ it# to mar its purity3or all relationships ,hich guilt has touched# are used 'ut to a*oid the person A2( the guilt- 4hat strange relationships you ha*e made +or this strange purposeO And you +orgot that real relationships are holy# and cannot 'e used 'y BOU at all- They are used O2!B 'y the 1oly Spirit# and it is that that MALES them pure- I+ you displace BOUR guilt upon them# the 1oly Spirit cannot use them- 3or# 'y pre>empting 3OR BOUR O42 ends ,hat you should ha*e gi*en 1IM# he cannot use them unto BOUR release- 2o>one ,ho ,ould unite in A2B ,ay# ,ith A2BO2E# +or his O42 sal*ation ,ill +ind it in that strange relationship- It is not shared# and so it is not realIn any union ,ith a 'rother# in ,hich you see: to lay BOUR guilt upon him# or share it 4IT1 him# or percei*e his o,n# BOU 4I!! 3EE! "UI!TB- 2or ,ill you +ind satis+action and peace ,ith him# 'ecause your union ,ith him IS 2OT REA!- Bou ,ill see guilt in that relationship# BECAUSE BOU UT IT T1ERE- It is ine*ita'le that those ,ho su++er guilt 4I!! attempt to displace it# 'ecause they (O 'elie*e in it- Bet# though they su++er# they ,ill not loo: ,ithin# A2( !ET IT "O- They cannot :no, they lo*e# and cannot understand 41AT !OHI2" IS- Their main concern is to percei*e the source o+ guilt OUTSI(E themsel*es# BEBO2( their o,n control4hen you maintain that BOU are guilty# 'ut the source !IES I2 T1E AST# you are 2OT loo:ing in,ard- The past is 2OT in you- Bour ,ierd associations to it 1AHE no meaning in the present- Bet you let them stand BET4EE2 you and your 'rothers# ,ith ,hom you +ind no REA! relationships at all- Can you EX ECT to use your 'rothers as a

331

means to sol*e the past# and still to see them as they really AREE Sal*ation is not +ound 'y those ,ho use their 'rothers to resol*e pro'lems 41IC1 ARE 2OT T1ERE- Bou ,anted not sal*ation in the past- 4ould you impose your idle ,ishes on the present# and hope to +ind sal*ation 2O4E (etermine# then# to 'e 2OT as you ,ere- Use no relationship to hold you to the past# 'ut ,ith each one# each day 'e 'orn again- A minute# e*en less# ,ill 'e enough to +ree you +rom the past# and gi*e your mind in peace o*er to the Atonement- 4hen e*eryone is ,elcome to you as you ,ould ha*e BOURSE!3 'e ,elcome to your 3ather# you ,ill see no guilt in you- 3or you ,ill ha*e ACCE TE( the Atonement# ,hich shone ,ithin you all the ,hile you dreamed o+ guilt# and ,ould not loo: ,ithin and SEE itAs long as you 'elie*e that guilt is @usti+ied in A2B ,ay# in A2BO2E# 41ATEHER he may do# you ,ill not loo: ,ithin# ,here you ,ould A!4ABS +ind Atonement- The end o+ guilt ,ill ne*er come as long as you 'elie*e T1ERE IS A REASO2 3OR IT- 3or you must learn that guilt is A!4ABS totally insane# and 1AS no reason- The 1oly Spirit see:s not to dispel REA!ITB- I+ "UI!T ,ere real# ATO2EME2T ,ould not 'e- The purpose o+ Atonement is to dispel illusions# 2OT to esta'lish them as real# and T1E2 +orgi*e themThe 1oly Spirit does not LEE illusions in your mind to +righten you# and sho, them to you +ear+ully# to demonstrate ,hat 1e has sa*ed you +rom> $77 >

41AT 1E 1AS SAHE( BOU 3ROM IS "O2E- "i*e 2O reality to guilt# and see 2O reason +or it- The 1oly Spirit does ,hat "od ,ould ha*e 1im do# and has A!4ABS done so- 1e has SEE2 separation# 'ut L2O4S o+ union- 1e TEAC1ES healing# 'ut 1e also L2O4S o+ creation- 1e ,ould ha*e you see and teach as 1e does# and through 1im- But ,hat 1e :no,s# you do 2OT :no,# though it is yours- 2O4 it is gi*en you to heal and teach# to ma:e ,hat 4I!! BE# no,- As yet it is 2OT no,- The Son o+ "od 'elie*es that he is lost in guilt# alone in a dar: ,orld# ,here pain is pressing e*ery,here upon him# 3ROM 4IT1OUT- 4hen he has loo:ed ,ithin# and seen the radiance there# he ,ill remem'er ho, much his 3ather lo*es him- And it ,ill seem incredi'le that he has e*er thought his 3ather lo*ed him not# and loo:ed upon him as condemnedThe moment that you reali9e "UI!T IS I2SA2E# 41O!!B un@usti+ied# and 41O!!B

332

,ithout reason# you ,ill 2OT +ear to loo: upon the Atonement# and ACCE T IT 41O!!BBou ,ho ha*e 'een unmerci+ul unto yoursel*es# do not remem'er your 3ather=s lo*eAnd# loo:ing ,ithout mercy upon your 'rothers# you do not remem'er ho, much BOU lo*e 1IM- Bet it is +ore*er true- In shining peace ,ithin you# is the per+ect purity in ,hich you ,ere created- 3ear not to loo: upon the lo*ely truth in you- !oo: T1ROU"1 the cloud o+ guilt that dims your *ision# and loo: AST dar:ness# to the holy place ,here you ,ill see the lightThe altar to your 3ather is as pure as 1e 4ho raised it to 1imsel+- 2othing can :eep 3ROM you ,hat Christ ,ould ha*e you see- 1is ,ill is li:e 1is 3ather=s# and 1e o++ers mercy to e*ery Child o+ "od# as 1e ,ould ha*e BOU do- RE!EASE +rom guilt# as you ,ould BE released- There is no other ,ay to loo: ,ithin# and see the light o+ lo*e shining as steadily# and as surely# as "od 1imsel+ has al,ays lo*ed 1is Son- A2( AS 1IS SO2 !OHES 1IM- There is no +ear in lo*e# +or lo*e is guiltless- Bou ,ho ha*e A!4ABS lo*ed your 3ather can ha*e no +ear# +or A2B reason# to loo: ,ithin# and see your holinessBou CA22OT 'e as you 'elie*ed you 4ERE- Bour guilt is ,ithout reason# 'ecause it is not in the Mind o+ "od# ,here BOU are- And this IS reason# ,hich the 1oly Spirit ,ould RESTORE to you- 1e ,ould remo*e O2!B illusions- All else 1e ,ould ha*e you see- And in Christ=s *ision 1e ,ould sho, you the per+ect purity that is +ore*er ,ithin "od=s Son- Bou cannot enter into REA! relationship ,ith A2B o+ "od=s Sons# unless you lo*e them all# and EDUA!!B- !o*e is not special- I+ you single out ART o+ the Sonship +or your lo*e# you are imposing guilt on A!! your relationships# and MALI2" them unrealBou can lo*e O2!B as "od lo*es- See: not to lo*e U2!ILE 1im# +or there IS no lo*e apart +rom 1is- Until you recogni9e that this is true# you ,ill ha*e no idea 41AT !OHE IS !ILE- 2o>one ,ho condemns a 'rother# can see 1IMSE!3 as guiltless in the peace o+ "od- I+ he IS guiltless and in peace# A2( SEES IT 2OT# he IS delusional# and has 2OT loo:ed upon himsel+- To him I say# )Behold the Son o+ "od# and loo: upon his purity# and 'e still- In ?uiet# loo: upon his holiness# and o++er than:s unto his 3ather# that no guilt has e*er touched him-.
> $7K >

2o illusion that you ha*e e*er held against him# has touched his innocence in any ,ay- 1is shining purity# ,holly untouched 'y guilt# and ,holly lo*ing# is 'right ,ithin you- !et us loo: upon him together# and lo*e him- 3or in our lo*e o+ him IS your

333

guiltlessness- But loo: upon yoursel+# and gladness and appreciation +or ,hat you see# ,ill 'anish guilt +ore*er- I than: Bou# 3ather# +or the purity o+ Bour most holy Son# ,hom Thou hast created guiltless +ore*er!i:e you# my +aith and my 'elie+ are centered on ,hat I treasure- The di++erence is that I lo*e O2!B ,hat "od lo*es 4IT1 me# and# 'ecause o+ this# I treasure you 'eyond the *alue that you set on yoursel*es# e*en unto the ,orth that "od has placed upon youI lo*e all that 1e created- And all my +aith and my 'elie+ I o++er unto it- My +aith is you is strong as all the lo*e I gi*e my 3ather- My trust in you is ,ithout limit# and ,ithout the +ear that you ,ill hear me not- I than: the 3ather +or your lo*eliness# and +or the many gi+ts that you ,ill let me o++er to the Lingdom# in honor o+ its ,holeness that is o+ "odraise 'e unto you# ,ho ma:e the 3ather One ,ith 1is O,n Son- Alone ,e are all lo,ly# 'ut together# ,e shine ,ith 'rightness so intense# that none o+ us alone can e*en thin: on it- Be+ore the glorious radiance o+ the Lingdom# guilt melts a,ay# and# trans+ormed into :indness# ,ill ne*er more 'e ,hat it ,as- E*ery reaction that you e<perience ,ill 'e so puri+ied# that it is +itting as a hymn o+ praise unto your 3ather- See only praise o+ 1im in ,hat 1e has created# +or 1e ,ill ne*er cease 1is praise o+ BOU- United in this praise# ,e stand 'e+ore the gates o+ 1ea*en# ,here ,e ,ill surely enter# in our 'lamelessness"od lo*es you- Could I# then# lac: +aith in you# and lo*e 1im per+ectlyE 3orget+ulness and sleep# and e*en death# 'ecome the ego=s 'est ad*ice +or ho, to deal ,ith the percei*ed and harsh intrusion o+ guilt on peace- Bet no>one sees himsel+ in con+lict# and ra*aged 'y a cruel ,ar# unless he 'elie*es that 'oth )opponents. in the ,ar are real- Belie*ing this# he must escape# +or such a ,ar ,ould surely end his peace o+ mind# and so destroy him- But i+ he could 'ut reali9e the ,ar is 'et,een +orces that are real and U2REA! po,ers# he could loo: upon himsel+# and SEE his +reedom- 2o> one +inds himsel+ ra*aged and torn in endless 'attle# ,hich he 1IMSE!3 percei*es as ,holly ,ithout meaning"od ,ould not ha*e 1is Son em'attled# and so 1is Son=s imagined )enemy#. ,hich he made# is TOTA!!B unreal- Bou are 'ut trying to escape a 'itter ,ar +rom ,hich you

334

1AHE escaped- The ,ar is gone- 3or you ha*e heard the hymn o+ +reedom# rising unto 1ea*en- "ladness and @oy 'elong to "od +or your release# 'ecause BOU made it notBut# as you made not +reedom# so you made not a ,ar that could E2(A2"ER +reedom2othing destructi*e e*er ,as# or ,ill 'e- The ,ar# the guilt# the past #are gone as one# into the unreality +rom ,hich they cameOcto'er $K# &5JJ 4hen ,e are all united in 1ea*en# you ,ill *alue 2OT1I2" that you *alue here3or nothing that you *alue here you *alue ,holly# and so you do not *alue it at allHalue
> $75 >

is ,here "od placed it# and the *alue o+ ,hat "od esteems CA22OT BE JU("E(# +or it 1AS BEE2 ESTAB!IS1E(- It is 41O!!B o+ *alue- It can merely 'e appreciated OR 2OTTo *alue it partially is 2OT TO L2O4 ITS HA!UE- In 1ea*en is e*erything "od *alues# and nothing else- 1ea*en is per+ectly unam'iguous- E*erything is clear and 'right# and calls +orth O2E response- There is no dar:ness# and there is no contrast- There is no *ariation- There is no interruption- There is a sense o+ peace so deep# that no dream in this ,orld has e*er 'rought e*en a dim imagining o+ ,hat it is2othing in this ,orld can gi*e this peace# +or nothing in this ,orld is ,holly shareder+ect perception can merely sho, you ,hat is CA AB!E o+ 'eing ,holly shared- It can also sho, you the RESU!TS o+ sharing# ,hile you still remem'er the results o+ 2OT sharing- The 1oly Spirit points ?uietly to the contrast# :no,ing that you ,ill +inally let 1im @udge the di++erence 3OR you# allo,ing 1im to demonstrate ,hich MUST 'e true1e has per+ect +aith in your +inal @udgment 'ecause 1e :no,s that 1E 4I!! MALE IT 3OR BOU- To dou't this ,ould 'e to dou't that 1is mission ,ill 'e +ul+illed- 1o, is this possi'le# ,hen 1is mission is o+ "odE Bou ,hose minds are dar:ened 'y dou't and guilt# remem'er thisP "od ga*e the 1oly Spirit TO you# and ga*e 1IM the mission to REMOHE all dou't# and e*ery trace o+ guilt# that 1is dear Son has laid upon himsel+- IT IS IM OSSIB!E T1AT T1IS MISSIO2 3AI!- 2othing can pre*ent ,hat "od ,ould ha*e accomplished +rom accomplishment4hate*er your reactions to the 1oly Spirit=s *oice may 'e# ,hate*er *oice you choose to listen to# ,hate*er strange thoughts may occur to you# "od=s 4ill IS done- Bou 4I!!

335

+ind the peace in ,hich 1e has esta'lished you# 'ecause 1E does 2OT change 1is Mind1e is in*aria'le as the peace in ,hich you d,ell# and o+ ,hich the 1oly Spirit reminds youBou ,ill not remem'er change and shi+t in 1ea*en- Bou ha*e need o+ contrast only here- Contrast and di++erences are necessary teaching aids# +or 'y them you learn ,hat to a*oid# and ,hat to see:- 4hen you ha*e !EAR2E( this# you ,ill +ind the ans,er that ma:es the need +or A2B di++erences disappear- Truth comes o+ its O42 ,ill unto its o,n- 4hen you ha*e learned that you BE!O2" to truth# it ,ill +lo, lightly o*er you# ,ithout a di++erence o+ A2B :ind- 3or you ,ill 2EE( no contrast to help you reali9e that T1IS IS 41AT BOU 4A2T# and O2!B this3ear not the 1oly Spirit ,ill +ail in ,hat your 3ather has gi*en 1im to do- T1E 4I!! O3 "O( CA2 3AI! I2 2OT1I2"- 1a*e +aith in only this one thing# and it ,ill 'e su++icientP "od ,ills you 'e in 1ea*en# and nothing can :eep you 3ROM it# or IT +rom you- Bour ,ildest misperceptions# your ,ierd imaginings# your 'lac:est nightmares all mean nothingThey ,ill not pre*ail against the peace "od ,ills +or you- The 1oly Spirit 4I!! restore your sanity# 'ecause insanity is 2OT the 4ill o+ "od- I+ that su++ices 1im# it is enough +or you- Bou ,ill 2OT :eep ,hat "od ,ould ha*e remo*ed# 'ecause it 'rea:s communication ,ith you# ,ith ,hom 1e ,ould communicate- 1is *oice 4I!! 'e heardThe communication lin: ,hich "od 1imsel+ placed ,ithin you# @oining your minds ,ith 1is# CA22OT 'e 'ro:en- Bou may 'elie*e you 4A2T it 'ro:en# and this 'elie+
> $K% >

(OES inter+ere ,ith the deep peace# in ,hich the s,eet and constant communication ,hich "od ,ould S1ARE# ,ith you is :no,n- Bet 1is channels o+ reaching out CA22OT 'e ,holly closed# and separated 3ROM 1im- eace ,ill 'e yours# 'ecause 1is peace still +lo,s to you# +rom 1im 4hose 4ill IS peace- BOU 1AHE IT 2O4- The 1oly Spirit ,ill teach you ho, to USE it# and 'y ROJECTI2" it# to learn that it IS in you"od ,illed you 1ea*en# and ,ill A!4ABS ,ill you nothing else- The 1oly Spirit :no,s O2!B o+ 1is 4ill- There is 2O chance that 1ea*en ,ill not 'e yours# +or "od is sure# and ,hat 1e ,ills is sure as 1e is- Bou ,ill learn sal*ation# 'ecause you ,ill learn 1O4 TO SAHE- It ,ill not 'e possi'le to EXEM T BOURSE!3 +rom ,hat the 1oly Spirit ,ills to teach you- Sal*ation is as sure as "od- 1is certainty su++ices- !earn that e*en the

336

dar:est nightmare that distur'ed the mind o+ "od=s sleeping Son# holds no po,er o*er him- 1e 4I!! learn the lesson o+ a,a:ing- "od ,atches o*er him# and light surrounds himCan "od=s Son lose himsel+ in dreams# ,hen "od has placed 4IT1I2 him the glad call to ,a:en and 'e gladE 1e cannot separate himsel+ +rom ,hat is I2 him- 1is sleep ,ill not ,ithstand the call to ,a:e- The mission o+ redemption ,ill 'e +ul+illed# as surely as the Creation ,ill remain unchanged throughout Eternity- Bou do 2OT ha*e to :no, that 1ea*en is yours# to MALE it so- It IS so- But the ,ill o+ "od must 'e accepted AS your ,ill# to L2O4 it- The 1oly Spirit CA22OT +ail to undo 3OR you e*erything you ha*e learned# that teaches you ,hat is 2OT true must 'e RECO2CI!E( ,ith truth- This is the reconciliation ,hich the ego ,ould su'stitute +or your reconciliation unto sanity and unto peaceThe 1oly Spirit has a *ery di++erent :ind o+ reconciliation in 1is mind +or you# and one ,hich 1E 4I!! E33ECT# as surely as the ego ,ill 2OT e++ect ,hat it attempts3ailure is o+ the ego# 2OT o+ "od- 3rom 1im you CA22OT ,ander# and there is no possi'ility that the plan the 1oly Spirit o++ers to e*eryone# +or the sal*ation O3 e*eryone# ,ill not 'e per+ectly accomplished- Bou 4I!! 'e released# and you ,ill 2OT remem'er anything you made that ,as not created 3OR you# and BB you in return- 3or ho, can you remem'er ,hat ,as ne*er true# or 2OT remem'er ,hat has al,ays 'eenE It is this reconciliation ,ith truth# and O2!B truth# in ,hich the peace o+ 1ea*en lies2o*em'er $# &5JJ Bes# you are 'lessed indeed- But in this ,orld# you do not :no, it- Bet you ha*e the means +or !EAR2I2" it# and SEEI2" it ?uite clearly- The 1oly Spirit uses logic as easily# and as ,ell# as does the ego# e<cept that 1IS conclusions are 2OT insane- They ta:e a direction EXACT!B opposite# pointing as clearly to 1ea*en as the ego points to dar:ness and to death- 4e ha*e +ollo,ed much o+ the ego=s logic# and ha*e seen its logical conclusions- And 1AHI2" seen them# ,e ha*e reali9ed that they can 2OT 'e seen 'ut in delusions- 3or there alone their SEEMI2" clearness SEEMS TO BE C!EAR!B SEE2- !et us
> $K& >

no, turn A4AB +rom them# and +ollo, the simple logic# 'y ,hich the 1oly Spirit teaches you the simple conclusions that spea: +or truth# and O2!B truthI+ you are 'lessed and do not :no, it# you need to learn it MUST 'e so- The

337

L2O4!E("E is not taught# 'ut its conditions MUST 'e ac?uired# +or it is T1EB that ha*e 'een thro,n a,ay- Bou CA2 !EAR2 to 'less# and CA22OT gi*e 41AT BOU 1AHE 2OT- I+# then# you O33ER 'lessing# it MUST ha*e come 3IRST TO BOURSE!3And you must also ha*e ACCE TE( IT AS BOURS# +or ho, else could you "IHE IT A4AB E This is 41B your miracles o++er BOU the testimony that BOU are 'lessed- I+ ,hat you o++er IS complete +orgi*eness# you MUST ha*e !ET "UI!T "O# accepting the Atonement +or yoursel+# and learning you ARE guiltless- 1o, could you learn ,hat has 'een done +or you# BUT 41IC1 BOU (O 2OT L2O4# unless you do ,hat you ,ould 1AHE to do# i+ it 1A( BEE2 done unto youE I2(IRECT proo+ o+ truth is needed in a ,orld made o+ denial# and ,ithout directionBou ,ill percei*e the need +or this# i+ you ,ill reali9e that to (E2B is the decision 2OT to :no,- The logic o+ the ,orld MUST there+ore lead to nothing# +or its "OA! is nothingI+ you decide to ha*e and gi*e and BE nothing e<cept a dream# you MUST direct your thoughts unto o'li*ion- And i+ you ha*e and gi*e and are EHERBT1I2"# and A!! T1IS 1AS BEE2 (E2IE(# your thought system is closed o++# and ,holly separated +rom the truth- This IS an insane ,orld# and do not underestimate the actual e<tent o+ its insanityThere is no area o+ your perception that it has not touched# and your dream IS sacred to youThat is ,hy "od placed the 1oly Spirit I2 you# ,here BOU placed the dreamSeeing is A!4ABS out,ard- 4ere your thoughts ,holly o+ BOU# the thought>system ,hich BOU ha*e made# 4OU!( 'e +ore*er dar:- The thoughts ,hich the mind o+ "od=s Son pro@ects# 1AHE all the po,er that he gi*es to them- The thoughts he shares ,ith "od are BEBO2( his 'elie+# 'ut those 1E made ARE his 'elie+s- And it is T1ESE# and 2OT the truth# that he has chosen to de+end and lo*e- They ,ill not 'e ta:en +rom himBut they CA2 'e gi*en up BB him# +or the Source o+ their undoing is I2 him- There is 2OT1I2" in the ,orld to teach him that the logic o+ the ,orld is totally insane# and leads to nothingBut in him ,ho MA(E this insane logic# there is One 4ho L2O4S it leads to nothing#

338

+or 1e :no,s o+ EHERBT1I2"Any direction ,hich ,ill lead you ,here the 1oly Spirit leads you 2OT# goes no,hereAnything you den# ,hich 1e :no,s to 'e true# you ha*e denied BOURSE!3# and 1e must there+ore teach you 2OT to deny it- Undoing IS indirect# as (OI2" is- Bou ,ere created O2!B to create# neither to see 2OR do- These are 'ut I2(IRECT e<pressions o+ the ,ill to li*e# ,hich has 'een 'loc:ed 'y the capricious and unholy ,him o+ death and murder# that your 3ather shared not 4IT1 you- Bou ha*e set yoursel*es the tas: o+ sharing ,hat can 2OT 'e shared- And ,hile you thin: it possi'le to !EAR2 to do this# you ,ill 2OT 'elie*e all that IS possi'le to learn to doThe 1oly Spirit# there+ore# must 'egin 1is teaching#'y sho,ing you ,hat you can 2EHER learn- 1is MESSA"E is not indirect# 'ut 1e must introduce the simple truth into a
> $K$ >

thought>system ,hich has 'ecome so t,isted and so comple<# that you CA22OT SEE that it means nothing- 1E merely loo:s at its +oundation# and (ISMISSES it- But BOU# ,ho CA22OT undo ,hat you ha*e made# nor escape the hea*y 'urden o+ it=s dullness that lies upon your minds# cannot see T1ROU"1 it- It (ECEIHES you# 'ecause you chose to decei*e BOURSE!HES- Those ,ho choose to BE decei*ed# ,ill merely ATTACL direct approaches# ,hich ,ould seem 'ut to E2CROAC1 upon deception# and stri:e at itThe 1oly Spirit needs a happy learner# in ,hom 1is mission can 'e happily accomplished- Bou ,ho are stead+astly de*oted to misery# MUST +irst recogni9e that you ARE misera'le and 2OT happy- The 1oly Spirit cannot teach 4IT1OUT this contrast# +or you 'elie*e that misery IS happiness- This has so con+used you# that you ha*e underta:en to learn to do ,hat you can 2EHER do# 'elie*ing tha#t U2!ESS you learn it# you ,ill 2OT 'e happy- Bou do 2OT reali9e that the +oundation on ,hich this most peculiar learning goal depends# means ABSO!UTE!B 2OT1I2"- This (OES ma:e sense to you1a*e +aith in nothing# and you ,ill 3I2( the treasure that you sought- But you ,ill add another 'urden to your mind# A!REA(B 'urdened# or you ,ould 2OT ha*e sought another- Bou ,ill 'elie*e that 2OT1I2" IS O3 HA!UE# and ,ill HA!UE it- A little piece o+ glass# a spec: o+ dust# a 'ody# or a ,ar# are one to you- 3or i+ you *alue O2E thing

339

made o+ nothing# you 1AHE 'elie*ed that nothing CA2 'e precious# and that you CA2 learn ho, to ma:e the U2true true- The 1oly Spirit# SEEI2" ,here you are# 'ut L2O4I2" you are else,here# 'egins 1is lesson in simplicity ,ith the +undamental teaching that TRUT1 IS TRUE- This is the hardest lesson you ,ill e*er learn# and in the end# the O2!B oneSimplicity is *ery di++icult +or t,isted minds- Consider all the distortions you ha*e made o+ nothingP all the strange +orms and +eelings# and actions and reactions# that you ha*e ,o*en out o+ it- 2othing is so alien to you as the simple truth and nothing are you !ESS inclined to listen to- The contrast 'et,een ,hat is true# and ,hat is not# is ER3ECT!B apparent# yet you do 2OT see it- The simple and the o'*ious are 2OT apparent to those ,ho ,ould ma:e palaces and royal ro'es o+ nothing# 'elie*ing they are :ings ,ith golden cro,ns BECAUSE o+ them- All this the 1oly Spirit sees# and teaches# simply# that A!! T1IS IS 2OT TRUETo these unhappy learners# ,ho ,ould teach themsel*es nothing# and delude themsel*es into 'elie*ing that it is 2OT nothing# the 1oly Spirit says# ,ith stead+ast ?uietness# )The truth is true- 2othing else matters# nothing else is real# and EHERBT1I2" 'eside it is not there- !et Me ma:e the one distinction 3OR you# ,hich you CA22OT ma:e# 'ut 2EE( to learn- Bour +aith in nothing IS decei*ing you- O++er your +aith to Me# and I ,ill place it gently in the holy place ,here it 'elongs- Bou ,ill +ind 2O deception there# 'ut only the simple Truth- And you ,ill lo*e it# 'ecause you ,ill U2(ERSTA2( it-. !i:e you# the 1oly Spirit did 2OT ma:e truth- !i:e "od# 1e L2O4S it to 'e true- 1e 'rings the !I"1T o+ truth into the dar:ness# and !ETS it shine on you- And as it shines#
> $K8 >

BOUR BROT1ERS see it# and# reali9ing that this light is 2OT ,hat you ha*e made# they see in you MORE than BOU see- They ,ill 'e happy learners o+ the lesson ,hich this light 'rings to them# 'ecause it teaches them release +rom nothing# and +rom all the ,or:s o+ nothing- The hea*y chains ,hich SEEM to 'ind them unto despair# they do 2OT see as nothing# until BOU 'ring the light TO them- And T1E2 they see the chains ha*e disappeared# and so they MUST ha*e 'een nothingAnd BOU ,ill see it 4IT1 them- BECAUSE you taught them gladness and release# they ,ill 'ecome BOUR teachers in release and gladness- 4hen you teach A2BO2E that

340

truth is true# BOU !EAR2 IT 4IT1 1IM- And so you learn that ,hat seemed hardest ,as the easiest- !earn to 'e happy learners- Bou ,ill 2EHER learn ho, to ma:e nothing e*erything- But see that this 1AS BEE2 your goal# and RECO"2IUE ho, +oolish it has 'een- Be glad it is undone# +or# ,hen you loo: at it in simple honesty# it IS undone4e said 'e+ore# )Be not content ,ith nothing#. +or you 1AHE 'elie*ed that nothing COU!( content you- IT IS 2OT SOI+ you ,ould 'e a happy learner# you must gi*e EHERBT1I2" that BOU ha*e learned o*er to the 1oly Spirit# to 'e U2learned 3OR you- And T1E2 'egin to learn the @oyous lessons that come ?uic:ly# on the +irm +oundation that truth is true- 3or ,hat is 'uilded there IS true# and BUI!T on truth- The uni*erse o+ learning ,ill open up 'e+ore you# in all its gracious simplicity- 4ith truth 'e+ore you# you ,ill not loo: 'ac:- The happy learner meets the conditions o+ learning here# as he also meets the conditions o+ :no,ledge in the LingdomAll this lies in the 1oly Spirit=s plan to +ree you +rom the past# and open up the ,ay to +reedom 3OR you- 3or truth IS true- 4hat else could e*er 'e# or e*er ,asE This simple lesson holds the :ey to the dar: door# ,hich you 'elie*e is loc:ed +ore*er- Bou MA(E this door O3 nothing# and 'ehind it IS nothing- The :ey is only the light ,hich shines a,ay the shapes and +orms and +ears o+ nothing- Accept this :ey to +reedom# +rom the hands o+ Christ# 4ho gi*es it to you# that you may @oin 1im in the holy tas: o+ 'ringing light to dar:ness- 3or# li:e your 'rothers# BOU do not reali9e the light has come# and +reed you +rom the sleep o+ dar:nessBehold your 'rothers in their +reedom# and learn o+ them ho, to 'e 3REE o+ dar:nessThe light in you ,ill ,a:en them# and they ,ill not lea*e BOU asleep- The Hision o+ Christ is "IHE2 # the *ery instant that it is percei*ed- 4here e*erything is clear# it is A!! holy- The ?uietness o+ its simplicity is so compelling# that you ,ill reali9e IT IS IM OSSIB!E TO (E2B T1E SIM !E TRUT1- 3or there IS nothing else- "od is e*ery,here# and 1is Son is I2 1im 4IT1 e*erything- Can he sing the dirge o+ sorro,# ,hen T1IS is trueE 2o*em'er J# &5JJ !earning ,ill 'e commensurate ,ith moti*ation# and the inter+erence in your moti*ation +or learning# is EXACT!B the same as that ,hich inter+eres ,ith A!! your

341

thin:ing- The happy learner CA22OT 3EE! "UI!TB ABOUT !EAR2I2"- This is so
> $KG >

ESSE2TIA! to learning# that it should ne*er 'e +orgotten- The guiltless learner learns so easily# BECAUSE 1IS T1OU"1TS ARE 3REE- But this entails the recognition that "UI!T IS I2TER3ERE2CE# 2OT SA!HATIO2# and ser*es 2O use+ul +unction at allBou are accustomed to using guiltlessness merely to o++set the pain o+ guilt# and do not loo: upon it as ha*ing *alue I2 ITSE!3- Bou 'elie*e that guilt A2( guiltlessness are BOT1 o+ *alue# each representing an ESCA E +rom ,hat the other does 2OT o++er youBou do 2OT ,ant either alone# +or ,ithout 'oth you do not see BOURSE!HES as ,hole and there+ore happy- Bou are ,hole O2!B in your guiltlessness# and only in your guiltlessness CA2 you 'e happy- There IS no con+lict hereTo ,ish +or guilt in A2B ,ay# in A2B +orm# ,ill lost appreciation o+ the *alue o+ your guiltlessness# and push it +rom your sight- There is 2O compromise that you can ma:e ,ith guilt# and escape the pain ,hich O2!B guiltlessness allays- !earning is li*ing here# as creating is Being in 1ea*en- 4hene*er the pain o+ guilt seems to ATTRACT you# remem'er that# i+ you yield to it# you are deciding A"AI2ST your happiness# and ,ill 2OT learn ho, to 'e happy- Say# there+ore# to yoursel+# gently# 'ut ,ith the con*iction 'orn o+ the lo*e o+ "od and o+ 1is SonF 4hat I e<perience I ,ill ma:e mani+estI+ I am guiltless# I ha*e nothing to +earI choose to testi+y to my ACCE TA2CE o+ the Atonement# 2OT 3OR ITS REJECTIO2I ,ould accept my guiltlessness 'y ma:ing it mani+est# and S1ARI2" it!et me 'ring peace to "od=s Son +rom his 3atherEach day# each hour and minute# > e*en each second# > you are deciding 'et,een the cruci+i<ion and the ResurrectionP 'et,een the ego and the 1oly Spirit- The ego is the choice +or guilt# the 1oly Spirit the decision +or 'lamelessness- The po,er o+ decision is all that is yours- 4hat you can decide BET4EE2 is +i<ed# 'ecause there are no alternati*es# EXCE T truth and illusion- And there is no o*erlap 'et,een them# 'ecause they are opposites ,hich CA22OT 'e reconciled# and CA22OT 'oth 'e true- Bou are guilty OR guiltless# 'ound OR +ree# happy OR unhappyThe miracle teaches you that you ha*e chosen guiltlessness# +reedom# and @oy- It is not a cause# 'ut an E33ECT- It is the natural result o+ C1OOSI2" RI"1T# attesting to

342

your happiness that comes +rom choosing to 'e 3REE o+ guilt- E*eryone you o++er healing TO# returns it- E*eryone you attac:# LEE S it and cherishes it# 'y holding it A"AI2ST you- 4hether he (OES this# or does it no#t ,ill ma:e no di++erence- BOU 4I!! T1I2L 1E (OES- It is impossi'le to o++er 41AT BOU (O 2OT 4A2T# ,ithout this penaltyThe cost o+ gi*ing IS recei*ing- Either it is a penalty +rom ,hich you su++er# or the happy purchase o+ a treasure to hold dear> $K6 >

2o penalty is e*er as:ed o+ "od=s Son# e<cept BB himsel+ and O3 himsel+- E*ery chance gi*en him to heal# is another opportunity to replace dar:ness ,ith light# and +ear ,ith lo*e- I+ he re+uses it# he 'inds himsel+ TO dar:ness 'ecause he did not choose to +ree his 'rother# and enter light 4IT1 him- By "IHI2" po,er to nothing# he thre, a,ay the @oyous opportunity to learn that nothing 1AS no po,er- And# 'y 2OT (IS E!!I2"# dar:ness# 1E 'ecame a+raid o+ dar:ness A2( o+ light- The @oy o+ learning dar:ness has no po,er o*er the Son o+ "od# is the happy lesson the 1oly Spirit teaches# and ,ould ha*e BOU teach 4IT1 1im- It is 1IS @oy to teach it# as it ,ill 'e BOURSThe ,ay to teach this simple lesson is merely thisP guiltlessness IS in*ulnera'ilityThere+ore# ma:e your I2HU!2ERABI!ITB mani+est to e*eryone# and teach him that# 41ATEHER he may try to do to you# your per+ect +reedom +rom the 'elie+ that you can BE harmed# sho,s him 1E is guiltless- 1e can do 2OT1I2" that can hurt you# and 'y re+using to allo, him to T1I2L 1E CA2# you teach him that the Atonement# ,hich you ha*e accepted +or yoursel+# IS A!SO 1IS- T1ERE IS 2OT1I2" TO 3OR"IHE- 2o> one can hurt the Son o+ "od- 1is guilt is 41O!!B ,ithout cause# and# 'eing ,ithout cause# CA22OT e<ist"od is the O2!B Cause# and guilt is 2OT o+ 1im- Teach no>one he has hurt you# +or# i+ you do# you teach BOURSE!3 that ,hat is 2OT o+ "od# 1AS O4ER OHER BOU- T1E CAUSE!ESS CA22OT BE- (o not attest to it# and do not +oster 'elie+ in it in any mindRemem'er al,ays MI2( IS O2E# and CAUSE IS O2E- Bou ,ill learn communication ,ith this Oneness O2!B ,hen you learn to (E2B the causeless# and accept the Cause o+ "od as BOURS- The po,er that "od has gi*en to 1is Son IS his# and nothing else can 1is

343

Son see# or choose to loo: upon# ,ithout imposing on 1IMSE!3 the penalty o+ guilt# I2 !ACE o+ all the happy teaching the 1oly Spirit ,ould gladly o++er him4hene*er you decide to ma:e decisions 3OR BOURSE!3# you are thin:ing sel+destructi*ely# and the decision 4I!! BE 4RO2"- It ,ill hurt you# 'ecause o+ the CO2CE T o+ decision ,hich led to it- It is not true that you can ma:e decisions BB yoursel+# or 3OR yoursel+ alone- 2o thought o+ "od=s Son CA2 'e separate# or isolated in its e++ectsE*ery decision is made +or the 41O!E SO2S1I # directed in and out# and in+luencing a constellation larger than anything you e*er dreamed o+- Those ,ho accept Atonement ARE in*ulnera'le- But those ,ho 'elie*e they are guilty# 4I!! respond to guilt# 'ecause T1EB T1I2L IT IS SA!HATIO2# and ,ill 2OT re+use to see it# and side 4IT1 itThey BE!IEHE that I2CREASI2" guilt is sel+> ROTECTIO2- And they ,ill +ail to understand the simple +act that# ,hat they do 2OT ,ant# MUST hurt themAll this arises 'ecause they do 2OT 'elie*e that 41AT T1EB 4A2T IS "OO(- Bet ,ill ,as gi*en them BECAUSE it is holy# and ,ill 'ring TO them A!! that they need# coming as naturally as peace that :no,s no limits- There is 2OT1I2" their ,ills ,ill not pro*ide# that o++ers them A2BT1I2" o+ *alue- But# 'ecause they do 2OT understand their ,ill# the 1oly Spirit ?uietly understands i+ 3OR them# and gi*es them ,hat T1EB ,ill# ,ithout e++ort# strain# or the impossi'le 'urden o+ deciding 41AT T1EB 4A2T A2( 2EE( A!O2E- It ,ill ne*er happen that you ,ill ha*e to ma:e decisions 3OR
> $KJ >

BOURSE!3- Bou are 2OT 'ere+t o+ help# and 1E! T1AT L2O4S T1E A2S4ER4ould you 'e content ,ith little# ,hich is all that BOU A!O2E can o++er yoursel+# ,hen 1e 4ho "IHES BOU EHERBT1I2" ,ill simply O33ER it TO youE 2o*- &$# &5JJ 1e ,ill ne*er as: ,hat you ha*e done to ma:e you ,orthy o+ the gi+t o+ "od- As: it not there+ore o+ yoursel*es- Instead# accept 1is ans,er# +or 1e L2O4S you are ,orthy o+ e*erything "od ,ills 3OR you- (o not try to escape the gi+t o+ "od# ,hich 1e so +reely# and so gladly o++ers you- 1e o++ers you 'ut ,hat "od ga*e 1im 3OR you- Bou need 2OT decide ,hether or not you are (ESERHI2" o+ it- "O( L2O4S BOU ARE4ould you deny the truth o+ "O(=S decision# and place your piti+ul appraisal o+ yoursel+# in place o+ 1is calm and uns,er*ing *alue o+ 1is SonE 2OT1I2" can sha:e "od=s con*iction o+ the per+ect purity o+ e*erything that 1e created# +or it IS ,holly pure- (o not decide A"AI2ST it# +or 'eing o+ 1im it MUST 'e true-

344

eace a'ides in e*ery mind that ?uietly accepts the plan that "O( has set +or his Atonement# RE!I2DUIS1I2" 1IS O42- Bou :no, 2OT o+ Sal*ation# +or you do 2OT understand it- Ma:e no decisions a'out ,hat it is# or ,here it lies# 'ut as: o+ the 1oly Spirit EHERBT1I2"# and lea*e A!! decisions to 1is gentle counsel- The One 4ho :no,s the plan# o+ "od ,hich "od ,ould ha*e you +ollo,# can teach you ,hat it IS- Only 1is ,isdom is capa'le o+ guiding you to +ollo, it- E*ery decision you underta:e alone 'ut signi+ies that you ,ould de+ine ,hat Sal*ation is# and ,hat you ,ould 'e sa*ed +romThe 1oly Spirit L2O4S that A!! Sal*ation is escape +rom guilt- Bou ha*e no other )enemy#. and against this strange distortion o+ the purity o+ the Son o+ "od# the 1oly Spirit is your O2!B +riend1e is the strong protector o+ your innocence# ,hich sets you +ree- And it is 1IS decision to undo EHERBT1I2" that ,ould o'scure your innocence +rom your unclouded mind- !et 1im# there+ore# 'e the only guide that you ,ould +ollo, to Sal*ation- 1e :no,s the ,ay# and leads you gladly on it- 4IT1 1im# you ,ill not +ail to learn ,hat "od ,ills 3OR you IS your ,ill- 4IT1OUT 1is guidance# you ,ill thin: you :no, alone# and ,ill decide A"AI2ST your peace# as surely as you made the ,rong decision in e*er thin:ing that Sal*ation lay in you alone- Sal*ation is o+ 1im to 4hom "od "AHE it 3OR you- 1e has not +orgotten it- 3orget 1IM not# and 1e ,ill ma:e EHERB decision +or you# +or BOUR Sal*ation and the peace o+ "od in youSee: not to appraise the ,orth o+ "od=s Son ,hom 1e created holy# +or to do so is TO EHA!UATE 1IS 3AT1ER# and @udge A"AI2ST 1im- And you 4I!! +eel guilty +or this imagined )crime#. ,hich noone in this ,orld# or 1ea*en# CA2 OSSIB!B commit"od=s Spirit teaches only that the )sin. o+ SE!3 replacement on the throne o+ "od is 2OT a source o+ guilt- 4hat CA22OT happen# can ha*e no e++ects to +ear- Be ?uiet in your +aith in 1im# 4ho lo*es you# and ,ould lead you out o+ insanity- Madness may 'e your C1OICE# 'ut 2OT your reality- 2e*er +orget the !o*e o+ "od# 4ho 1AS remem'ered
> $K7 >

you- 3or it is ?uite impossi'le that 1e could e*er let 1is Son drop +rom 1is lo*ing Mind# ,herein he ,as created# and ,here his a'ode ,as +i<ed in per+ect peace +ore*erSay to the 1oly Spirit only# )(ecide +or me#. and it is done- 3or 1is decisions are re+lections o+ 41AT "O( L2O4S ABOUT BOU# and in this light error o+ A2B :ind 'ecomes impossi'le- 4hy ,ould you struggle so +rantically to anticipate all that you CA22OT :no,# ,hen A!! :no,ledge lies 'ehind EHERB decision ,hich the 1oly Spirit

345

ma:es 3OR BOUE !earn o+ 1is ,isdom and 1is lo*e# and teach 1is ans,er to e*eryone ,ho struggles in the dar:- 3or you decide +or T1EM A2( +or yoursel+- 1o, gracious is it to decide all things through 1im# 4hose e?ual lo*e is gi*en e?ually to all ali:e- 1e lea*es you no one OUTSI(E yoursel+# alone 4IT1OUT you- And so 1e gi*es you ,hat is yours# 'ecause your 3ather ,ould ha*e you share it 4IT1 himIn e*erything 'e led 'y 1im# and do not reconsider- Trust 1im to ans,er ?uic:ly# surely# and ,ith lo*e +or e*eryone ,ho ,ill 'e touched# in any ,ay 'y the decisionAnd EHERBO2E ,ill 'e- 4ould you ta:e unto yoursel+ the sole responsi'ility +or deciding ,hat can 'ring O2!B good to e*eryoneE 4ould you L2O4 thisE Bou taught BOURSE!HES the most unnatural ha'it o+ 2OT communicating ,ith your Creator- Bet you remain in close communication ,ith 1im# and ,ith e*erything that is ,ithin 1im# as it is ,ithin BOURSE!3- U2learn isolation through 1is lo*ing guidance# and learn o+ all the happy communication that you ha*e thro,n a,ay# 'ut could 2OT lose4hene*er you are in dou't ,hat you should do# thin: o+ 1is resence in you# and tell yoursel+ this# and O2!B thisF )1e leadeth me# and :no,s the ,ay# ,hich I :no, notBet 1e ,ill ne*er LEE +rom me ,hat 1e ,ould ha*e me !EAR2- And so I trust 1im to communicate to me all that 1e :no,s 3OR me-. Then let 1im teach you ?uietly ho, to percei*e your guiltlessness# ,hich is A!REA(B there4hen you accept a 'rother=s guiltlessness# you ,ill SEE Atonement in him- 3or# 'y proclaiming it in 1IM# you ma:e it BOURS# and you 4I!! see ,hat you sought- Bou ,ill not see the sym'ol o+ your 'rother=s guiltlessness shining ,ithin him# ,hile you still 'elie*e IT IS 2OT T1ERE- 1IS guiltlessness is BOUR Atonement- "rant it to him# and you ,ill see the truth o+ ,hat you ha*e ac:no,ledged- Bet truth is o++ered 3IRST# to 'e recei*ed# e*en as "od ga*e it +irst to 1is Son- The +irst in time means nothing# 'ut the 3irst in Eternity is "od the 3ather# 4ho is 'oth 3irst and One- Beyond the 3irst# there is no other# +or there is no order# no second or third# and nothing BUT the 3irstBou ,ho 'elong to the 3irst Cause# created 'y 1im li:e unto 1imsel+# and part o+ 1im# are more than merely guiltless- The state o+ guiltlessness is only the condition in ,hich ,hat is 2OT there has 'een REMOHE(# +rom the disordered mind that T1OU"1T it 4AS- This state# and only this# must BOU attain ,ith "od 'eside you- 3or until you do#

346

you ,ill still thin: that you are separate 3ROM 1im- Bou can +eel 1is resence 2EXT TO you# 'ut CA22OT :no, that you are one ,ith 1im- This need not 'e taught!earning applies O2!B to the condition I2 41IC1 IT 1A E2S o+ itsel+> $KK >

4hen you ha*e let all that o'scured the truth in your most holy mind 'e undone +or you# and stand in grace 'e+ore your 3ather# 1e ,ill gi*e 1imsel+ to you# as 1e has A!4ABS done- "i*ing 1imsel+ is all 1e :no,s# and so it is A!! :no,ledge- 3or ,hat 1e :no,s 2OT cannot 'e# and there+ore CA22OT BE "IHE2- As: not to BE +orgi*en# +or this has already 'een accomplished- As: rather to !EAR2 ho, to +orgi*e# and restore 41AT A!4ABS 4AS to your un+orgi*ing mind- Atonement 'ecomes real and *isi'le# to them that USE it- On earth# it is your O2!B +unction# and you must learn that it is A!! BOU 4A2T TO !EAR2Bou 4I!! +eel guilty till you learn this- 3or# in the end# ,hate*er +orm it ta:es# your guilt arises +rom your +ailure to +ul+ill your +unction in "od=s Mind ,ith A!! O3 BOURSCan you ESCA E this guilt# 'y +ailing to +ul+ill your +unction 1EREE Bou need not understand creatio#n to do ,hat must 'e done# BE3ORE that :no,ledge ,ould 'e meaning+ul to you- "od 'rea:s no 'arriersP neither did 1e MALE them- 4hen BOU release them# they are gone- "od ,ill not +ail# nor e*er has# in anything(ecide that "od is right# and BOU are ,rong# a'out yoursel+- 1e created you out o+ 1imsel+# 'ut still 4IT1I2 1im- 1e :no,s ,hat you are- Remem'er that there is no second to 1im- There cannot# there+ore# 'e anyone 4IT1OUT 1is 1oliness# nor anyone un,orthy o+ 1is per+ect lo*e- 3ail not in your +unction o+ lo*ing in a lo*eless plac#e made out o+ dar:ness and deceit# +or thus are dar:ness and deception U2done- 3AI! 2OT BOURSE!3# 'ut instead# o++er to "od A2( BOU 1is 'lameless Son- 3or this small gi+t o+ appreciation 3OR 1is lo*e# "od ,ill 1imsel+ e<change your gi+t +or 1ISBe+ore you ma:e A2B decisions +or yoursel+# remem'er that BOU 1AHE (ECI(E( A"AI2ST BOUR 3U2CTIO2 I2 1EAHE2# and consider care+ully ,hether you 4A2T to ma:e decisions here- Bour +unction here is only to decide A"AI2ST deciding ,hat you ,ant# in recognition that BOU (O 2OT L2O4- 1o,# then# CA2 you decide ,hat you should doE !ea*e A!! decisions to the One 4ho spea:s +or "od# and +or your +unction as 1e L2O4S it- So ,ill 1e teach you to remo*e the a,+ul 'urden you ha*e laid upon yoursel+# 'y lo*ing not the Son o+ "od# and trying to teach him guilt I2STEA( o+ lo*e"i*e up this +rantic and insane attempt# ,hich cheats you o+ the @oy o+ li*ing ,ith your

347

"od and 3ather# and a,a:ing gladly to 1is !o*e and 1oliness# ,hich @oin together as the truth in BOU# ma:ing you One ,ith 1im4hen you ha*e learned ho, to decide 4IT1 "od# A!! decisions 'ecome as easy and as right as 'reathing- There is no e++ort# and you ,ill 'e led as gently# as i+ you ,ere 'eing carried along a ?uiet path in summer- Only your o,n *olition seems to ma:e deciding hard- The 1oly Spirit ,ill not delay at all in ans,ering your EHERB ?uestion ,hat to do- 1e L2O4S- And 1e ,ill TE!! you# and then do it 3OR you- Bou ,ho are tired might consider ,hether this is not more rest+ul than sleep- 3or you can 'ring your guilt into sleeping# 'ut 2OT into this> $K5 >

Unless you are guiltless you cannot :no, "od# 4hose 4ill is that you :no, 1imThere+ore# you MUST 'e guiltless- But# i+ you do not accept the necessary conditions +or :no,ing 1im# BOU 1AHE (E2IE( 1IM# and do not recogni9e 1im# though 1e is all around you- 1e cannot 'e :no,n ,ithout 1is Son# ,hose guiltlessness IS the condition +or :no,ing 1im- Accepting 1is Son as guilty is denial o+ the 3ather so complete# that :no,ledge is s,ept a,ay +rom recognition# in the *ery mind ,here "od 1imsel+ has placed it- I+ you ,ould 'ut listen# and learn ho, impossi'le this isO (o not endo, 1im ,ith attri'utes BOU understand- Bou made 1im not# and anything BOU understand# is not o+ 1imBour tas: is not to ma:e reality- It is here# 4IT1OUT your ma:ing# 'ut 2OT ,ithout BOU- Bou ,ho ha*e thro,n your sel*es a,ay# and *alued "od so little# hear me spea: +or 1im# and +or yoursel*es- Bou cannot understand ho, much your 3ather lo*es you# +or there is no parallel in your e<perience o+ the ,orld to help you understand itThere is nothing on earth ,ith ,hich it can compare# and nothing you ha*e e*er +elt# A ART +rom 1im# that resem'les it e*er so +aintly- Bou cannot e*en gi*e a 'lessing in per+ect gentleness- 4ould you :no, o+ One 4ho gi*es +ore*er# and 4ho :no,s o+ nothing EXCE T gi*ingE The Children o+ 1ea*en li*e in the light o+ the 'lessing o+ their 3ather# 'ecause T1EB L2O4 T1AT T1EB ARE SI2!ESS- The Atonement ,as esta'lished as the means o+ restoring guiltlessness to the mind ,hich has denied it# and thus denied 1ea*en to Itsel+- Atonement teaches you the true condition o+ the Son o+ "od- It does 2OT teach you ,hat you are# or ,hat your 3ather is- The 1oly Spirit# 4ho remem'ers this 3OR you#

348

merely teaches you ho, to REMOHE the 'loc:s that stand 'et,een you and ,hat BOU :no,- 1is memory is BOURS- I+ you remem'er ,hat BOU ha*e made# you are remem'ering nothing- Remem'rance o+ reality is in 1IM# and T1ERE3ORE in youThe guiltless and the guilty are totally incapa'le o+ understanding one another- Each percei*es the other AS !ILE 1IMSE!3# ma:ing them una'le to communicate# 'ecause each sees the other U2!ILE the ,ay he sees 1IMSE!3- "od can communicate O2!B to the 1oly Spirit in your mind# 'ecause only 1e shares the :no,ledge o+ ,hat you are 4IT1 "od- And only the 1oly Spirit can A2S4ER "od +or BOU# +or only 1e :no,s ,hat "od IS- E*erything E!SE# that BOU ha*e placed ,ithin your mind# CA22OT e<ist# +or ,hat is not in communication ,ith the Mind o+ "od# has ne*er 'eenCommunication ,ith "od is !i+e- 2othing ,ithout it IS at allThe only part o+ your mind that has reality# is the part that lin:s you still ,ith "od4ould you ha*e A!! o+ it trans+ormed into a radiant message o+ "od=s !o*e# to share ,ith all the lonely ones# ,ho denied 1im ,ith youE "O( MALES T1IS OSSIB!E4ould you deny 1is yearning to 'e :no,nE Bou yearn +or 1im# as 1e +or you- This is +ore*er changeless- Accept# then# the immuta'le- !ea*e the ,orld o+ death 'ehind# and return ?uietly to 1ea*en- There is 2OT1I2" o+ *alue here# and EHERBT1I2" o+ *alue there!isten to the 1oly Spirit# and to "od through 1im- 1e spea:s o+ you to BOU- There IS no guilt in you# +or "od is 'lessed in 1is Son# as the Son is 'lessed in 1im> $5% >

Each one o+ you has a special part to play in the Atonement# 'ut the message gi*en to each to share is al,ays the sameP "O(=S SO2 IS "UI!T!ESS- Each one teaches the message di++erently# and learns it di++erently- But U2TI!! he teaches it and learns it# he ,ill su++er the pain o+ dim a,areness# that his true +unction remains un+ul+illed in himThe 'urden o+ guilt is hea*y# 'ut "od ,ould not ha*e you 'ound 'y it- 1IS plan +or your a,a:ing is as per+ect as yours is +alli'le- Bou :no, not ,hat you do# 'ut 1e 4ho :no,s is ,ith you- 1is gentleness is yours# and all the lo*e you share ,ith "od# 1e holds in trust +or you- 1e ,ould teach you nothing e<cept ho, to 'e happyBlessed Son o+ a ,holly 'lessing 3ather# @oy ,as created 3OR you- 4ho can condemn ,hom "od has 'lessedE There is nothing in the Mind o+ "od that does not share his shining innocence- Creation is the natural e<tension o+ per+ect purity- Bour only calling

349

here is to de*ote yoursel+# ,ith acti*e ,illingness# to the denial o+ guilt in A!! its +ormsTo accuse is 2OT TO U2(ERSTA2(- The happy learners o+ the Atonement 'ecome the teachers o+ the innocence that is the RI"1T o+ all that "od created- (eny them not ,hat is their due# +or you ,ill not ,ithhold it +rom them aloneThe inheritance o+ the Lingdom is the right o+ "od=s Son# gi*en him in his creation(o not try to steal it +rom him# or you ,ill ASL +or guilt and 4I!! e<perience itROTECT his purity +rom e*ery thought that ,ould steal it a,ay# and :eep it +rom his sightBRI2" I22OCE2CE TO !I"1T# in ans,er to the call o+ the Atonement- 2e*er allo, purity to remain hidden# 'ut shine a,ay the hea*y *eils o+ guilt# ,ithin ,hich the Son o+ "od has hidden himsel+ +rom his o,n sight- 4e are all @oined in the Atonement here# and nothing else can unite us in this ,orld- So ,ill the ,orld o+ separation slip a,ay# and +ull communication 'e restored 'et,een the 3ather and the SonThe miracle ac:no,ledges the guiltlessness ,hich MUST ha*e 'een denied# to produce 2EE( o+ healing- (o not ,ithhold this glad ac:no,ledgment# +or hope o+ happiness# and release +rom su++ering o+ e*ery :ind# lies in it- 4ho is there 'ut ,ishes to 'e +ree o+ painE 1e may not yet ha*e learned 1O4 to e<change his guilt +or innocence# nor reali9e that O2!B in this e<change can +reedom +rom pain 'e his- But those ,ho ha*e +ailed to learn need TEAC1I2"# 2OT attac:- To attac: those ,ho ha*e need o+ teaching is to +ail to learn 3ROM themTeachers o+ innocence# each in his o,n ,ay# ha*e @oined together# ta:ing their part in the uni+ied curriculum o+ the Atonement- There is no unity o+ learning goals apart +rom this- There is no con+lict in this curriculum# ,hich has O2E aim# ho,e*er it is taughtEach e++ort made on its 'ehal+ is o++ered to the single purpose o+ RE!EASE +rom guilt# to the eternal glory o+ "od and 1is creation- And e*ery teaching that points to this points straight to 1ea*en# and to the peace o+ "od- There is no pain# no trial# no +ear# that teaching this can +ail to o*ercome- The po,er o+ "od 1imsel+ supports this teaching# and "UARA2TEES its limitless resultsJoin your o,n e++orts to the o,er that cannot +ail# and MUST result in peace- 2oone can 'e untouched 'y teaching such as this- Bou ,ill not see yoursel+ BEBO2( the po,er o+ "od i+ you teach only this- Bou ,ill 2OT 'e e<empt +rom the e++ect o+ this most
> $5& >

holy lesson# ,hich see:s 'ut to restore ,hat is the right o+ "od=s creation- 3rom e*eryone

350

,hom you accord release +rom guilt# you ,ill I2EHITAB!B learn BOUR innocenceThe circle o+ Atonement 1AS no end- And you ,ill +ind e*er>increasing con+idence in your sa+e inclusion in ,hat is +or all# in e*eryone you 'ring ,ithin its sa+ety and its per+ect peaceeace# then# 'e unto e*eryone ,ho 'ecomes a teacher o+ peace- 3or peace is the ac:no,ledgment o+ per+ect purity# +rom ,hich no>one is e<cluded- 4ithin its holy circle# is e*eryone ,hom "od created as 1is Son- Joy is its uni+ying attri'ute# ,ith no>one le+t outside# to su++er guilt alone- The po,er o+ "od dra,s e*eryone to its sa+e em'race o+ lo*e and union- Stand ?uietly ,ithin this circle# and attract all tortured minds to @oin ,ith you# in the sa+ety o+ its peace and holiness- A'ide ,ith me ,ithin it# as teachers o+ Atonement# 2OT o+ guiltBlessed are ye ,ho teach ,ith me- Our po,er comes not o+ us# 'ut o+ our 3ather- In guiltlessness ,e :no, 1im# as 1e :no,s us guiltless- I stand ,ithin the circle# calling BOU to peace- Teach peace ,ith me# and stand ,ith me on holy ground- Remem'er +or e*eryone your 3ather=s po,er# that 1e has gi*en them- Belie*e not that you cannot teach 1is per+ect peace- Stand not outside# 'ut @oin ,ith me ,ithin- 3ail not the only purpose to ,hich MB teaching calls you- Restore to "od 1is Son# as 1e created him# 'y teaching him his innocenceThe cruci+i<ion has no part in the Atonement- Only the Resurrection 'ecame my part in it- T1AT is the sym'ol o+ the RE!EASE +rom guilt# 'y guiltlessness- 4home*er you percei*e as guilty# you ,ould cruci+y- But you RESTORE guiltlessness to ,home*er you SEE as guiltless- Cruci+i<ion is A!4ABS the ego=s aim- It SEES AS "UI!TB# and BB its condemnation# IT 4OU!( LI!!- The 1oly Spirit sees only guiltlessness# and# in 1is gentleness# 1e ,ould RE!EASE +rom +ear# and re>esta'lish the reign o+ lo*e- The po,er o+ lo*e is in 1is gentleness# ,hich is o+ "od and there+ore cannot cruci+y# nor su++er cruci+i<ion- The temple you restore 'ecomes BOUR altar# +or it ,as re>'uilt through BOU- And e*erything you gi*e to "od IS yours- Thus 1e creates# and thus must BOU restoreEach one you see you place# ,ithin the holy circle o+ Atonement# or lea*e outside# @udging him +it +or cruci+i<ion or redemption- I+ you 'ring him I2TO the circle o+ purity# you ,ill rest there 4IT1 him- I+ you lea*e him ,ithout# you JOI2 him there- Judge not# e<cept in ?uietness ,hich is 2OT o+ you- Re+use to accept anyone as 4IT1OUT the

351

'lessing o+ Atonement# and 'ring him I2TO it 'y 'lessing him- 1oliness MUST 'e shared# +or therein lies e*erything that ma:es it holy- Come gladly to the holy circle# and loo: out in peace on all ,ho thin: they are outside- Cast no>one out# +or this is ,hat 1E see:s along ,ith you- Come# let us @oin him in the holy place o+ peace# ,hich is +or all o+ us# united as one# ,ithin the cause o+ peaceThe @ourney that ,e underta:e together is the change o+ dar: +or light# o+ ignorance +or understanding- 2OT1I2" BOU U2(ERSTA2( IS 3EAR3U!- It is only in dar:ness and in ignorance that you percei*e the +rightening# and you shrin: a,ay +rom it to +urther
> $5$ >

dar:ness- And yet# it is only the hidden that CA2 terri+y# 2OT +or ,hat it IS# 'ut 3OR its hiddenness- The o'scure is +rightening# BECAUSE you do not understand its meaning- I+ you did# IT ,ould 'e clear# and you ,ould 'e no longer in the dar:- 2othing has 1I((E2 *alue# +or ,hat is hidden CA22OT 'e shared# and so its *alue is un:no,n- The hidden is LE T A ART# 'ut *alue A!4ABS lies in @oint appreciation- 4hat is concealed CA22OT 'e lo*ed# and so it MUST 'e +earedThe ?uiet light in ,hich the 1oly Spirit d,ells ,ithin you# is merely per+ect openness# in ,hich nothing is hidden# and there+ore nothing is +eared- Attac: ,ill A!4ABS yield to lo*e# i+ it is 'rought TO lo*e# not hidden 3ROM it- There is no dar:ness that the light o+ lo*e ,ill not dispel# unless it is concealed +rom lo*e=s 'ene+icence- 4hat is LE T A ART +rom lo*e CA22OT share its healing po,er# 'ecause it has 'een separated o++# and LE T I2 (ARL2ESS- The sentinels o+ dar:ness ,atch o*er it care+ully# and you ,ho made these guardians o+ illusion out o+ nothing# are no, A3RAI( o+ them4ould you continue to gi*e imagined po,er to these strange ideas o+ sa+etyE They are neither sa+e nor unsa+e- They do not protect# 2EIT1ER (O T1EB ATTACLThey (O nothing at all# BEI2" nothing at all- As guardians o+ dar:ness and o+ ignorance# loo: to them O2!B +or +ear# +or ,hat they :eep o'scure IS +ear+ul- But let them go# and ,hat 4AS +ear+ul# ,ill 'e so no longer- 4ithout protection o+ o'scurity# O2!B the light o+ lo*e remains# +or only this 1AS meaning# and CA2 li*e in light- E*erything else MUST disappear(eath yields to li+e# simply 'ecause destruction IS 2OT TRUE- The light o+ guiltlessness

352

shines guilt a,ay 'ecause# ,hen they are BROU"1T TO"ET1ER# the truth o+ one MUST ma:e the +alsity o+ its O OSITE per+ectly clear- Leep not guilt and guiltlessness A ART# +or your 'elie+ that you can 1AHE T1EM BOT1# is meaningless- All you ha*e done 'y :eeping them apart is !OSE T1EIR MEA2I2"# 'y con+using them ,ith each otherAnd so you do not reali9e that only one means A2BT1I2"# and the other is ,holly ,ithout sense o+ A2B :indBou ha*e interpreted the separation as a means ,hich you ha*e made +or BREALI2" your communication ,ith your 3ather- The 1oly Spirit re>interprets it as a means o+ reesta'lishing ,hat has 2OT 'een 'ro:en# 'ut 1AS 'een made o'scure- All things you made ha*e use to 1im# +or 1is most holy purpose- 1e L2O4S you are not separate +rom "od# 'ut 1e percei*es much in your mind that lets you T1I2L you are- All this# and nothing else# ,ould 1e separate 3ROM you- The po,er o+ decision# ,hich you made I2 !ACE o+ po,er o+ creation# 1e ,ould teach you ho, to use O2 BOUR BE1A!3Bou ,ho made it to cruci+y yoursel*es# must learn o+ 1im ho, to apply it to the holy cause o+ restorationBou ,ho spea: in dar: and de*ious sym'ols# do not understand the language you ha*e made- It 1AS no meaning# +or its purpose is 2OT communication# 'ut rather# the (ISRU TIO2 o+ communication- I+ the purpose o+ language IS communication# ho, can this tongue mean A2BT1I2"E Bet e*en this strange and t,isted e++ort to communicate through 2OT communicating# holds enough o+ lo*e to MALE IT MEA2I2"3U!# I3 ITS I2TER RETER IS 2OT ITS MALER- Bou ,ho made it are 'ut e<pressing CO23!ICT#
> $58 >

+rom ,hich the 1oly Spirit ,ould RE!EASE you- !ea*e ,hat you ,ould communicate to 1im- 1e ,ill interpret it to you ,ith per+ect clarity# +or 1e :no,s ,ith 4hom you ARE in per+ect communicationBou :no, not ,hat you say# and so you :no, not ,hat is said to you- But your Interpreter percei*es the meaning in your alien language- 1e ,ill not attempt to communicate the meaningless- But 1e 4I!! separate out all that 1AS meaning# dropping o++ all the rest# and o++ering your true communication to those ,ho ,ould communicate

353

as truly 4IT1 you- BOU S EAL T4O !A2"UA"ES AT O2CE# and this MUST lead to unintelligi'ility- But i+ one means nothing# and the other EHERBT1I2"# only that one is possi'le +or purposes o+ communication- The other 'ut I2TER3ERES ,ith itThe 1oly Spirit=s +unction is E2TIRE!B communication- 1e there+ore MUST remo*e ,hate*er I2TER3ERES ,ith it# in order to RESTORE it- There+ore# :eep no source o+ inter+erence +rom 1is sight# +or 1e ,ill 2OT attac: your sentinels- But 'ring them TO 1im# and let 1is gentleness teach you that# in the light# they are not +ear+ul# and CA22OT ser*e to guard the dar: doors 'ehind ,hich nothing at all is care+ully concealed- 4e must open all doors# and let the light come streaming through- There are no hidden cham'ers in "od=s Temple- Its gates are open ,ide# to greet 1is Son- 2o>one can +ail to come ,here "od has called him# i+ he close not the door himsel+ upon 1is 3ather=s ,elcome41AT (O BOU 4A2TE !ight or dar:ness# :no,ledge or ignorance are yours# 'ut not 'oth- Opposites must 'e 'rought together# and not :ept apart- 3or their separation is only in your mind# and they are reconciled 'y union# as BOU are- In union# e*erything that is not real MUST disappear# +or truth IS union- As dar:ness disappears in light# so ignorance +ades a,ay ,hen :no,ledge da,ns- erception is the medium 'y ,hich ignorance is BROU"1T to :no,ledge- But the perception must 'e ,ithout deceit# +or other,ise# it 'ecomes the messenger o+ ignorance# rather than a helper in the search +or truthThe search +or truth is 'ut the honest searching out o+ e*erything that I2TER3ERES ,ith truth- TRUT1 IS- And can 'e neither lost# nor sought# nor +ound- It is there# ,here*er BOU are# 'eing 4IT1I2 you- Bet it CA2 'e recogni9ed or unrecogni9ed# real or +alse# to BOU- I+ you hide it# it 'ecomes unreal to you# BECAUSE you hid it# and SURROU2(E( IT 4IT1 3EAR- Under each cornerstone o+ +ear# on ,hich you ha*e erected your insane system o+ 'elie+# T1E TRUT1 !IES 1I((E2- Bet you cannot :no, this# +or# 'y 1I(I2" truth in +ear# you see no reason to 'elie*e the more you !OOL at +ear# the !ESS you see it# and the clearer 41AT IT CO2CEA!S 'ecomesIt is not possi'le to con*ince the un:no,ing that they :no,- 3rom their point o+ *ie,# IT IS 2OT TRUE- Bet it IS true# 'ecause "O( :no,s it- These are clearly opposite *ie,points o+ ,hat the )un:no,ing. ARE- To "od# un:no,ing is impossi'le- It is there+ore

354

not a point o+ *ie, at all# 'ut merely a 'elie+ in something that does not e<ist- It is only this BE!IE3 that the un:no,ing ha*e# and BB it# they are ,rong a'out themsel*esThey ha*e (E3I2E( themsel*es as they ,ere 2OT created- Their creation ,as 2OT a point o+
> $5G >

*ie,# 'ut rather# a CERTAI2TB- Uncertainty BROU"1T to certainty does not retain A2B con*iction o+ realityBou must ha*e noticed that the emphasis has 'een on 'ringing ,hat is undesira'le TO the desira'le# ,hat you do 2OT ,ant to ,hat you (O- Bou ,ill reali9e that sal*ation must come to you this ,ay# i+ you consider ,hat dissociation IS- (issociation is a distorted process o+ thin:ing# ,here'y t,o systems o+ 'elie+# ,hich CA22OT coe<ist# are BOT1 MAI2TAI2E(- It 1AS BEE2 recogni9ed that# i+ they ,ere BROU"1T TO"ET1ER# their @oint acceptance 4OU!( 'ecome impossi'le- But# i+ one is :ept in dar:ness 3ROM T1E OT1ER# their SE ARATIO2 seems to :eep them 'oth ali*e# and e?ual in their realityTheir JOI2I2" thus 'ecomes the source o+ +ear# +or# i+ they meet# acceptance MUST 'e ,ithdra,n +rom one o+ themBou CA22OT ha*e them 'oth# +or each (E2IES the other- Apart# this +act is lost +rom sight# +or each# in a SE ARATE place# CA2 'e endo,ed ,ith +irm 'elie+BRI2" T1EM TO"ET1ER# and the +act o+ their complete incompati'ility is instantly apparentOne 4I!! go# BECAUSE the other is seen in the SAME place- !ight cannot enter dar:ness# ,hen a mind BE!IEHES in dar:ness# and ,ill not let it go- Truth does not struggle A"AI2ST ignorance# and lo*e does not ATTACL +ear- 4hat needs no protection# does not de+end itsel+- (e+ense ,as o+ BOUR ma:ing- "od :no,s it notThe 1oly Spirit uses de+enses O2 BE1A!3 o+ truth# only 'ecause you made them A"AI2ST it- 1is perception o+ them# according to 1IS purpose# merely changes them into a CA!! 3OR ,hat you ha*e ATTACLE( 4IT1 them- (e+enses# li:e e*erything you made# must 'e gently turned to your o,n good# translated 'y the 1im +rom means o+ sel+>destruction# to means o+ preser*ation and release- 1is tas: is mighty# 'ut the po,er o+ "od is ,ith 1im- There+ore# to 1im# it is so easy# that it ,as accomplished the instant it ,as gi*en 1im +or you-

355

(o not delay yoursel*es in your return to peace# 'y ,ondering ho, 1e can +ul+ill ,hat "od has gi*en 1im to do- !ea*e that to 1im 4ho :no,sO Bou are not as:ed to do mighty tas:s yoursel+- Bou are merely as:ed to do the little 1e SU""ESTS you do# trusting 1im only to the small e<tent o+ 'elie*ing that# i+ 1e as:s it# you can do it- Bou ,ill SEE ho, easily A!! that 1e as:s can 'e accomplished- 1e as:s o+ you 'ut thisP > 'ring to 1im e*ery secret you ha*e loc:ed a,ay +rom 1im- Open e*ery door to 1im# and 'id 1im enter the dar:ness# and lighten it a,ayAt BOUR re?uest# 1e enters gladly- 1e 'rings the light to dar:ness# i+ you ma:e the dar:ness O E2 to 1im- But ,hat you hide# 1e cannot loo: upon- 3or 1e sees 3OR BOU# and unless you loo: 4IT1 1im# 1e CA22OT see- The *ision o+ Christ is not +or 1im alone# 'ut +or 1im 4IT1 BOU- Bring# there+ore# all your dar: and secret thoughts to 1im# and loo: upon them 4IT1 1im- 1e holds the light# and you the dar:ness- They CA22OT coe<ist# ,hen 'oth o+ you TO"ET1ER loo: on them- 1is @udgment MUST pre*ail# and 1e ,ill "IHE it to you# as you @oin your perception to 1is- Joining ,ith 1im in seeing# is the ,ay in ,hich you learn to share ,ith 1im the interpretation o+ perception that leads to :no,ledge> $56 >

Bou cannot see alone- Sharing perception ,ith 1im 4hom "od has gi*en you# teaches you ho, to RECO"2IUE ,hat you see- It is the recognition that 2OT1I2" you see means A2BT1I2" alone- Seeing 4IT1 1im ,ill S1O4 you that all meaning# I2C!U(I2" BOURS# comes not +rom dou'le *ision# 'ut +rom the gentle +using o+ e*erything into one meaning# one emotion and one purpose- "od has one urpose# ,hich 1e shares ,ith you- The single *ision# ,hich the 1oly Spirit o++ers you# ,ill 'ring this Oneness to your mind ,ith clarity and 'rightness so intense# you could not ,ish# +or all the ,orld# not to accept ,hat "od ,ould ha*e you ha*e- Behold your ,ill# accepting it as 1is# ,ith all 1is lo*e as yours- All honor to you through 1im# and through 1im unto "odIn the dar:ness you ha*e o'scured the glory "od ga*e you# and the po,er that 1e 'esto,ed upon 1is guiltless Son- All that# lies hidden in e*ery dar:ened place shrouded in guilt# and in the dar: denial o+ innocence- Behind the dar: doors ,hich you ha*e closed lies nothing# BECAUSE nothing CA2 o'scure the gi+t o+ "od- It is the C!OSI2" o+ the doors# that inter+eres ,ith recognition o+ the po,er o+ "od that shines in youBanish not po,er +rom your mind# 'ut let all that ,ould hide your glory# 'e 'rought to the

356

@udgment o+ the 1oly Spirit# and there undone- 4hom 1e ,ould sa*e +or glory IS sa*ed +or it- 1e has promised the 3ather that# through 1im# you ,ould 'e released +rom littleness to gloryTo ,hat 1e promised "od# 1e is ,holly +aith+ul# +or 1e shared 4IT1 "od the promise that ,as gi*en to 1im to share ,ith BOU- 1e shares it still# 3OR BOUE*erything that promises other,ise# great or small# ho,e*er much or little *alued# 1e ,ill replace ,ith the one promise "IHE2 unto 1im to lay upon the altar to your 3ather and 1is Son2o altar stands to "od 4IT1OUT 1is Son- And 2OT1I2" 'rought there that is not e?ually ,orthy o+ BOT1# 'ut ,ill 'e RE !ACE( 'y gi+ts ,holly accepta'le to 3ather A2( to Son- Can you o++er guilt to "odE Bou cannot# then# o++er it to 1is Son- 3or they are 2OT apart# and gi+ts to one ARE o++ered to the otherBou :no, not "od# 'ecause you :no, not this- And yet you (O :no, "od# and A!SO this- All this is sa+e 4IT1I2 you# ,here the 1oly Spirit shines- 1e shines not in di*ision# 'ut in the meeting>place ,here "od# U2ITE( ,ith 1is Son# spea:s to 1is Son T1ROU"1 1im- Communication 'et,een ,hat cannot BE di*ided CA22OT ceaseThe holy meeting>place o+ the unseparated 3ather and 1is Son lies in the 1oly Spirit# and in BOU- All inter+erence in the communication that "od 1imsel+ ,ills ,ith 1is Son is ?uite impossi'le here- Un'ro:en and uninterrupted lo*e +lo,s constantly 'et,een the 3ather and the Son# as BOT1 ,ould ha*e it 'e- And so it IS!et your minds ,ander not through dar:ened corridors# A4AB +rom !ight=s centerBou may choose to lead BOURSE!HES astray# 'ut you can only 'e BROU"1T TO"ET1ER 'y the "uide appointed 3OR you- 1e ,ill surely lead you to ,here "od and 1is Son a,ait your recognition- They are @oined in gi*ing you the gi+t o+ Oneness# 'e+ore ,hich A!! separation *anishes- Unite ,ith ,hat you ARE- Bou CA22OT @oin ,ith anything
> $5J >

EXCE T reality- "od=s glory and 1is Son=s BE!O2" to you in truth- They 1AHE no opposite# and nothing else CA2 you 'esto, upon yoursel*esThere is no su'stitute +or truth- And truth ,ill ma:e this plain to you# as you are 'rought into the place ,here you must MEET ,ith truth- And there you must 'e led# through gentle understanding# ,hich can lead you no,here else- 4here "od is# there are BOU- Such IS the truth- 2othing can change the :no,ledge "IHE2 you 'y "od into U2:no,ing- E*erything "od created L2O4S its Creator- 3or this is ho, creation is accomplished# 'y the Creator# and 'y 1is creations- In the holy meeting>place are @oined

357

the 3ather and 1is creations# and the creations o+ 1is Son# ,ith them togetherThere is one lin: ,hich @oins them all together# holding them in the Oneness out o+ ,hich creation happens- The lin: ,ith ,hich the 3ather @oins 1imsel+ to those 1e gi*es the po,er to create !ILE 1im# can 2EHER 'e dissol*ed- 1ea*en itsel+ is union ,ith A!! o+ creation# and ,ith its One Creator- And 1ea*en remains the 4ill o+ "od +or BOU!ay no gi+ts other than this upon your altars# +or nothing can coe<ist BESI(E it- 1ere# your meager o++erings are BROU"1 TO"ET1ER ,ith the gi+t o+ "od# and only ,hat is ,orthy o+ the 3ather ,ill 'e accepted 'y the Son# +or ,hom it ,as intended- To ,hom "od gi*es 1imsel+# 1e IS gi*en- Bour little gi+ts ,ill *anish# on the altar ,here 1e has placed 1is O,nThe Atonement does not MALE holy- Bou ,ere CREATE( holy- It merely 'rings U2holiness TO holiness# or ,hat you MA(E# to ,hat you ARE- The 'ringing together o+ truth and illusion# O3 T1E E"O A2( "O(# is the 1oly Spirit=s only +unction- Leep not your ma:ing +rom your 3ather# +or hiding it has cost you :no,ledge o+ 1im# and o+ yoursel*es- The :no,ledge is sa+e# 'ut ,herein is BOUR sa+ety# A ART +rom itE The ma:ing o+ time# to TALE T1E !ACE o+ timelessness# lay in the decision to BE 2OT as you 4ERE- Thus# truth ,as made past# and the present ,as dedicated to illusionAnd the past# too# ,as changed# and I2TER OSE( 'et,een ,hat A!4ABS ,as# and 2O4The past that BOU remem'er 2EHER ,as# and represents only the denial o+ ,hat A!4ABS ,asBringing the ego to "od# is 'ut to 'ring error to truth# ,here it stands corrected# 'ecause it is the O OSITE o+ ,hat it meets# and is undone 'ecause the CO2TRA(ICTIO2 can no longer stand- 1o, long can contradiction stand# ,hen its impossi'le nature is clearly re*ealedE 4hat disappears in light is 2OT attac:ed- It merely *anishes# 'ecause it is not true- (i++erent realities ARE meaningless# +or reality MUST 'e one- It CA22OT change ,ith time# or mood# or chance- Its changelessness is 41AT MALES IT REA!- This CA22OT 'e undone- Undoing is +or U2reality- And this# reality 4I!! do +or youMerely 'y BEI2" 41AT IT IS# does truth release you +rom e*erything that it is 2OTThe Atonement is so gentle# you need 'ut ,hisper to it# and all its po,er ,ill rush to your assistance and support- Bou are not +rail# ,ith "od 'eside you- But 4IT1OUT 1im#

358

you are nothing- The Atonement O33ERS BOU "O(- The gi+t ,hich you re+used# is held 'y 1im in you- 1is Spirit holds it there 3OR you- "od has not le+t 1is altar# though 1is
> $57 >

,orshippers placed other gods upon it- The temple still is holy# +or the resence that d,ells ,ithin it IS 1olinessIn the temple# holiness ,aits ?uietly +or the return o+ them that lo*e it- 3or the resence :no,s they ,ill return to purity and to grace- The graciousness o+ "od ,ill ta:e them gently in# and co*er all their sense o+ pain and loss# ,ith the immortal assurance o+ their 3ather=s !o*e- There# +ear o+ death ,ill 'e replaced ,ith @oy o+ li*ing- 3or "od is !i+e# and they a'ide I2 !i+e- !i+e is as holy as the 1oliness 'y ,hich it ,as createdThe resence o+ 1oliness li*es in e*erything that li*es# +or 1oliness CREATE( li+e# and lea*es not ,hat it created holy as Itsel+In this ,orld you# can 'ecome a spotless mirror# in ,hich the holiness o+ your Creator shines +orth +rom you# to all around you- Bou can RE3!ECT 1EAHE2 hereBut no re+lections o+ the images o+ other gods must dim the mirror that ,ould hold "od=s re+lection in it- Earth can re+lect 1ea*en or hellP "od or the ego- Bou need 'ut lea*e the mirror clean# and clear o+ all the images o+ hidden dar:ness you ha*e dra,n upon it"od ,ill shine upon it o+ 1imsel+- Only the clear re+lection O3 1imsel+ can BE percei*ed upon it- Re+lections are seen in light- In dar:ness# they are o'scure# and their meaning seems to lie only in shi+ting interpretations# rather than in themsel*esThe re+lection o+ "od 2EE(S no interpretation- II IS C!EAR- Clear 'ut the mirror# and the message ,hich shines +orth +rom ,hat the mirror holds out +or e*eryone to see# 2O>O2E ,ill +ail to understand- It is the message that the 1oly Spirit is holding to the mirror that is in 1IM- 1e recogni9es it# 'ecause he has 'een taught his 2EE( +or it# 'ut :no,s not ,here to loo: to 3I2( it- !et him# then# see it in BOU# and share it 4IT1 youCould you 'ut reali9e# +or a single instant# the po,er o+ healing that the re+lection o+ "od# shining in BOU# can 'ring to all the ,orld# you COU!( not ,ait to ma:e the mirror o+ your mind clean# to recei*e the image o+ the 1oliness that heals the ,orldThe image o+ holiness that shines in BOUR mind is 2OT o'scure# and ,ill 2OT change- Its meaning# to those ,ho loo: upon it is not o'scure# +or e*eryone percei*es it AS T1E SAME- All 'ring their (I33ERE2T pro'lems to its healing light# 'ut A!! their pro'lems are met O2!B ,ith healing there- The response o+ holiness# to A2B +orm o+

359

error# is A!4ABS the same- There is no contradiction in ,hat holiness CA!!S 3ORT1- Its O2E response is healing# ,ithout A2B regard +or ,hat is 'rought TO itThose ,ho ha*e learned to o++er O2!B healing# 'ecause o+ the re+lection o+ holiness in them# are ready at last +or 1ea*en- There# holiness is not a re+lection# 'ut rather the ACTUA! CO2(ITIO2 o+ ,hat ,as 'ut re+lected TO them here- "od is no image# and 1is creations# as part o+ 1im# hold 1im in them in truth- They do not merely RE3!ECT the truth# +or T1EB ARE truth- 4hen no perception stands 'et,een "od and 1is Creation# or 'et,een 1is Children and their o,n# the :no,ledge o+ creation MUST continue +ore*erThe re+lections that you accept into the mirror o+ your minds in time# 'ut 'ring eternity nearer or +arther> $5K >

But eternity ITSE!3 is 'eyond A!! time- Reach out o+ time and touch it# ,ith the help o+ its re+lection I2 you# and you ,ill turn +rom time to holiness# as surely as the re+lection o+ holiness calls e*eryone to lay all guilt aside- Re+lect the peace o+ 1ea*en 1ERE# and 'ring this ,orld to 1ea*en- 3or the RE3!ECTIO2 o+ truth dra,s e*eryone TO truthAnd as they enter I2TO it# they lea*e A!! re+lections 'ehind- In 1ea*en# reality is S1ARE(# and not re+lected- By sharing its re+lection 1ERE# its truth 'ecomes the only perception ,hich the Son o+ "od accepts- And thus# remem'rance o+ 1is 3ather da,ns on him# and he can no longer 'e satis+ied ,ith anything 'ut his o,n realityBou on earth ha*e no conception o+ limitlessness# +or the ,orld you seem to li*e in IS a ,orld o+ limits- In this ,orld# it is 2OT true that anything ,ithout order o+ di++iculty can occur- The miracle# there+ore# has a uni?ue +unction# and is moti*ated 'y a uni?ue Teacher# 4ho 'rings the la,s o+ another ,orld to this one- The miracle is the one thing you can do that TRA2SCE2(S order# 'eing 'ased# 2OT on di++erences# 'ut on e?ualityMiracles are 2OT in competition# and the num'er that you can do is !IMIT!ESSThey can 'e simultaneous and legion- This is not di++icult to understand# once you concei*e o+ them as possi'le at all4hat is more di++icult to grasp is the lac: o+ order o+ magnitude# ,hich stamps the miracle as something that MUST come +rom else,here# 2OT +rom here- 3rom the ,orld=s *ie,point# this is ?uite impossi'le- Bou ha*e e<perienced the lac: o+ competition among

360

your thoughts# ,hich# e*en though they may con+lict# can occur to you together# and in great num'ers- Bou are so used to this# that it can cause you little surpriseBet you are also used to classi+ying some o+ your thoughts as more important# larger# or 'etter# ,iser# or more producti*e and *alua'le# than others- And this is true a'out the thoughts that cross the mind o+ those ,ho thin: they li*e apart- 3or some are re+lections o+ 1ea*en# ,hile others are moti*ated 'y the ego# ,hich 'ut SEEMS to thin:- The result is a ,ea*ing# changing pattern that ne*er rests# and is ne*er still- It shi+ts unceasingly across the mirror o+ your mind# and the re+lections o+ 1ea*en last 'ut a moment# and gro, dim# as dar:ness 'lots them out- 4here there ,as light# dar:ness remo*es it in an instant# and alternating patterns o+ light and dar:ness# dar:ness and light# s,eep constantly across your minds- The little sanity that still remains is held together 'y a sense o+ order ,hich BOU esta'lish- Bet the *ery +act that you can (O this# and 'ring A2B order into chaos# sho,s you that you are 2OT an ego# and that MORE than an ego MUST 'e in you3or the ego IS chaos# and i+ it ,ere all o+ you# no order at all ,ould 'e possi'leBut# though the order ,hich you impose upon your minds limits the ego# IT A!SO !IMITS BOU- To order is to @udge# and to arrange BB @udgment- There+ore# it is not your +unction# 'ut the 1oly Spirit=s- It ,ill seem *ery di++icult +or you to learn that BOU 1AHE 2O BASIS AT A!! +or ordering your thoughts- This lesson the 1oly Spirit teaches# 'y gi*ing you shining e<amples# to sho, you that your ,ay o+ ordering is ,rong# 'ut that a 'etter ,ay is O33ERE( you- The miracle o++ers EXACT!B the same response to EHERB call +or help- IT (OES 2OT JU("E T1E CA!!- It merely recogni9es ,hat it IS# and
> $55 >

ans,ers accordingly- It does 2OT consider ,hich call is louder# or greater# or more importantBou may ,onder ho, you# ,ho are still 'ound to @udgment# can 'e as:ed to do that ,hich re?uires no @udgment o+ your o,n- The ans,er is *ery simple- The po,er o+ "od# and 2OT o+ you# engenders miracles- The miracle ITSE!3 is 'ut the ,itness that you 1AHE the po,er o+ "od in you- That is the reason ,hy the miracle gi*es EDUA! 'lessing to A!! ,ho share in it# and that is also ,hy EHERBO2E shares in it- The po,er o+ "od IS limitless- And# 'eing al,ays ma<imal# it o++ers EHERBT1I2" to EHERB call +rom A2BO2E-

361

There is no order here- A call +or help is "IHE2 help- The only @udgment in*ol*ed at all is in the 1oly Spirit=s one di*ision into t,o categoriesP one o+ lo*e# and the other# the call +or lo*eBou cannot sa+ely ma:e this di*ision# +or you are much too con+used# either to recogni9e lo*e# or to 'elie*e that EHERBT1I2" else is nothing 'ut a 2EE( +or lo*eBou are too 'ound to +orm# and 2OT to content- 4hat you CO2SI(ER content# is not content at all- It is merely +orm# and nothing else- 3or you do 2OT respond to ,hat a 'rother REA!!B o++ers you# 'ut only to the particular perception o+ his o++ering 'y ,hich your E"O @udges it- The ego is incapa'le o+ understanding content# and is totally unconcerned ,ith it- To the ego# i+ the +orm is accepta'le# the content MUST 'e- Other,ise# it ,ill attac: the +ormBou ,ho 'elie*e you understand something o+ the dynamics o+ the mind# let me assure you that you :no, 2OT1I2" o+ it at all- 3or o+ yoursel*es# you COU!( not :no, o+ it- The study o+ the ego is 2OT the study o+ the mind- In +act# the ego en@oys the study o+ itsel+# and thoroughly appro*es the underta:ings o+ the students ,ho ,ould analy9e it# appro*ing its importance- Bet they 'ut study +orm# ,ith meaningless content- 3or their teacher is senseless# though care+ul to conceal this +act 'ehind a lot o+ ,ords that sound impressi*e# 'ut ,hich lac: A2B consistent sense ,hen they are put togetherThis is the characteristic o+ the ego=s @udgments- SE ARATE!B# they seem to hold# 'ut UT T1EM TO"ET1ER# and the system o+ thought ,hich arises +rom JOI2I2" them# is incoherent and utterly chaotic- 3or +orm is not enough +or meaning# and the underlying !ACL o+ content# ma:es a cohesi*e system impossi'le- SE ARATIO2 there+ore remains the ego=s chosen condition- 3or no>one A!O2E can @udge the ego truly- But ,hen t,o or more JOI2 TO"ET1ER in searching +or truth# the ego can no longer de+end its lac: o+ content- The +act o+ union tells them it is not trueIt is impossi'le to remem'er "od in secret and alone- 3or remem'ering 1im means you are 2OT alone# and ,illing to remem'er it- Ta:e no thought 3OR BOURSE!3# +or no thought you hold IS +or yoursel+- I+ you ,ould remem'er your 3ather# let the 1oly Spirit order your thoughts# and gi*e only the ans,er ,ith ,hich 1e ans,ers you- E*eryone see:s +or lo*e# as you do# and :no,s it not# unless he @oins 4IT1 you in see:ing it- I+ you

362

underta:e the search TO"ET1ER# you 'ring ,ith you a light so po,er+ul# that ,hat you see is "IHE2 meaning- The lonely @ourney +ails# 'ecause it has EXC!U(E( ,hat it ,ould 3I2(> 8%% >

As "od communicates to the 1oly Spirit in you# so does the 1oly Spirit TRA2S!ATE 1is communications T1ROU"1 you# so BOU can understand them- "od has no secret communications# +or e*erything o+ 1im is per+ectly open# and +reely accessi'le to all# 'eing 3OR all- 2othing li*es in secret# and ,hat you ,ould hide +rom the 1oly Spirit IS nothing- E*ery interpretation you ,ould lay upon a 'rother is senseless- !et the 1oly Spirit S1O4 1IM TO BOU# and teach you 'oth his lo*e and 2EE( +or lo*e- 2either his mind# 2OR BOURS# holds 'ut these t,o orders o+ thought- The miracle is the recognition that this is true4here there is lo*e# your 'rother MUST gi*e it to you# 'ecause o+ ,hat it IS- But ,here there is 2EE( +or lo*e# BOU must gi*e it# 'ecause o+ ,hat BOU are- !ong ago ,e said this course ,ill teach you ,hat you are# restoring to you your identity- 4e ha*e already learned that this identity is shared- T1BE MIRAC!E BECOMES T1E MEA2S O3 S1ARI2" IT- By SU !BI2" your identity# 41EREHER it is 2OT recogni9ed# BOU ,ill recogni9e it- And "od 1imsel+# 4ho ,ills to 'e ,ith 1is Son +ore*er# ,ill 'less each recognition o+ 1is Son# ,ith all the lo*e 1e holds +or him- 2or ,ill the po,er o+ all 1is lo*e 'e a'sent +rom any miracle you o++er TO 1is Son- 1o,# then# can there 'e A2B order o+ di++iculty among themE But the essential thing is learning that BOU (O 2OT L2O4- Lno,ledge is po,er# and all po,er is o+ "od- Bou ,ho ha*e tried to :eep po,er +or yoursel*es# ha*e lost itBou still 1AHE the po,er# 'ut you ha*e interposed so much 'et,een it and your A4ARE2ESS o+ it# that you cannot use it- EHERBT1I2" you ha*e taught yoursel*es has made your po,er more and more o'scure to you- Bou :no, not 41AT it is# nor 41EREBou ha*e made a SEMB!A2CE o+ po,er# and a S1O4 o+ strength# so piti+ul that it MUST +ail you- 3or po,er is not seeming strength# and truth is 'eyond a sem'lance o+ any :indBet all that stands 'et,een you# and the po,er o+ "od in you# is 'ut your learning o+ the +alse# and your attempts to U2(O T1E TRUE- Be ,illing# then# +or A!! o+ it to 'e undone# and 'e glad that you are not 'ound to it +ore*er- 3or you ha*e taught yoursel*es 1O4 TO IM RISO2 T1E SO2 O3 "O(# a lesson so unthin:a'le that only the insane# in

363

deepest sleep# could e*en (REAM o+ it- Can "od learn ho, 2OT to 'e "odE And can 1is Son# "IHE2 all po,er BB 1im# learn to 'e po,er!ESSE 4hat ha*e you taught yoursel*es that you can possi'ly pre+er to :eep# in place o+ ,hat you 1AHE# and ,hat you AREE Atonement teaches you ho, to escape +ore*er +rom e*erything that you ha*e taught yoursel*es in the past# 'y sho,ing you O2!B ,hat you ARE 2O4- !earning 1AS BEE2 accomplished# BE3ORE its e++ects are mani+est- !earning is there+ore I2 T1E AST# 'ut its in+luence (ETERMI2ES the present# 'y gi*ing it ,hate*er meaning it holds +or youBour learning gi*es the present 2O MEA2I2" AT A!!- 2othing you ha*e e*er learned can help you understand the present# or teach you ho, to undo the past- Bour past IS ,hat you ha*e taught yoursel*es!ET IT A!! "O- (o 2OT attempt to understand A2B e*ent# or A2BT1I2"# or A2BO2E in its light# +or the light o+ dar:ness# 'y ,hich you TRB to see# can O2!B o'scure- ut no con+idence at all in dar:ness to illuminate your understanding# +or i+ you
> 8%& >

do# you CO2TR(ICT the light# and there'y T1I2L you see the dar:ness- Bet dar:ness cannot BE seen# +or it is nothing more than a condition in ,hich seeing 'ecomes impossi'le- Bou ,ho ha*e not yet 'rought A!! o+ the dar:ness you ha*e taught yoursel*es unto the light in you# can hardly @udge the truth and *alue o+ this course- Bet "od did not a'andon you- And so you ha*e another lesson# sent +rom 1im# A!REA(B learned +or e*ery Child o+ !ight# 'y 1im to 4hom "od ga*e itThis lesson shines ,ith "od=s glory# +or in it lies 1is po,er# ,hich 1e shares so gladly ,ith 1is Son- !earn o+ 1is happiness# ,hich is yours- But to accomplish this# all your dar: lessons MUST 'e 'rought ,illingly to truth# and @oyously laid do,n# 'y hands open to recei*e# not closed to ta:e- E*ery dar: lesson that you 'ring to 1im 4ho teaches light# 1e ,ill accept 3ROM you# BECAUSE BOU (O 2OT 4A2T IT- And 1e ,ill gladly EXC1A2"E each one +or the 'right lesson 1e has learned 3OR you- 2e*er 'elie*e that A2B lesson you ha*e learned# A ART +rom 1im# means A2BT1I2"Bou ha*e one test# as sure as "od# 'y ,hich to recogni9e i+ ,hat you learned is trueI+ you are 41O!!B +ree o+ +ear o+ any :ind# and i+ all those ,ho meet# or e*en T1I2L o+ you# S1ARE in your per+ect peace# then you can 'e sure that you ha*e learned "O(=S

364

lesson# and 2OT yours- Unless all this is true# there ARE dar: lessons in your minds# ,hich hurt and hinder you# A2( EHERBO2E AROU2( BOU- The ABSE2CE o+ ER3ECT peace means 'ut O2E thingP you T1I2L you do not ,ill +or "od=s Son ,hat 1is 3ather ,ills +or him- E*ery dar: lesson teaches this# on one +orm or another- And each 'right lesson# ,ith ,hich the 1oly Spirit ,ill RE !ACE the dar: ones you do 2OT accept and hide# teaches you that you ,ill 4IT1 the 3ather unto 1is Son(o not 'e concerned ho, you can learn a lesson so COM !ETE!B di++erent +rom e*erything you ha*e taught yoursel*es- 1o, ,ould you :no,E Bour part is *ery simpleBou need only recogni9e that e*erything BOU learned you (O 2OT 4A2T- As: to BE taught# and do 2OT use your e<periences to con+irm ,hat BOU ha*e learned- 4hen your peace is threatened# or distur'ed in A2B ,ay# say to yoursel+# )I do not :no, ,hat anything# I2C!U(I2" T1IS# means- And so I do 2OT :no, 1O4 TO RES O2( TO ITAnd I ,ill not use my o,n past learning as the light to guide me no,-. By this re+usal to attempt to teach yoursel+ ,hat you do not :no,# the "uide 4hom "od has gi*en you# ,ill spea: to you- 1E ,ill ta:e 1is right+ul place in your a,areness# the instant BOU a'andon it# and o++er it to 1imBOU cannot 'e your guide to miracles# +or it is you ,ho made them necessary- And# 'ecause you did# the means on ,hich you can (E E2( +or miracles# has 'een pro*ided 3OR you- "od=s Son can ma:e no needs 1is 3ather ,ill not meet# i+ he 'ut turn to 1im e*er so little- Bet 1e cannot COM E! 1is Son to turn to 1im# and remain 1imsel+- It is impossi'le that "od lose 1is identity# +or i+ 1e did# BOU 4OU!( !OSE BOURSAnd BEI2" yours# 1e cannot change 1imsel+# +or your identity IS changeless- The miracle ACL2O4!E("ES 1is changelessness# 'y seeing 1is Son as he al,ays ,as# and 2OT as he ,ould ma:e himsel+- The miracle 'rings the e++ect ,hich O2!B guiltlessness CA2 'ring# and thus esta'lishes the +act that guiltlessness MUST BE> 8%$ >

1o, can you# so +irmly 'ound to guilt and committed so to remain# esta'lish 3OR BOURSE!3 your guiltlessnessE This is impossi'le- But 'e sure that you are ,illing to ac:no,ledge that it IS impossi'le- It is only 'ecause you thin: that you can run some little part# or deal ,ith certain aspects o+ your li*es alone# that the guidance o+ the 1oly Spirit is limited- Thus ,ould you ma:e 1IM undependa'le# and USE this +ancied

365

undependa'ility as an e<cuse +or :eeping certain dar: lessons 3ROM 1im- And# 'y so limiting the guidance that you ,ould ACCE T# BOU are una'le to (E E2( on miracles# to ans,er A!! your pro'lems 3OR you(o you thin: that ,hat the 1oly Spirit ,ould ha*e you "IHE# 1e ,ould ,ithhold +rom BOUE Bou ha*e 2O pro'lems ,hich 1e cannot sol*e# 'y o++ering BOU a miracleMiracles are +or BOU- And EHERB +ear or pain or trial you ha*e 1AS BEE2 undone1E has 'rought A!! o+ them to light# ha*ing ACCE TE( them I2STEA( o+ you# and recogni9ed that they ne*er ,ere- There ARE no dar: lessons 1e has not A!REA(B lightened 3OR you- The lessons you ,ould teach yoursel*es# 1e has corrected already- They do not e<ist in 1is Mind at all- 3or the past 'inds 1IM not# and there+ore 'inds not you1e does not see time as you do- And each miracle 1e o++ers you# CORRECTS your use o+ time# and ma:es it 1is- 1e 4ho has +reed you +rom the past# ,ould teach you you ARE +ree o+ it- 1e ,ould 'ut ha*e you accept 1is accomplishments AS BOURS# 'ecause 1e did them 3OR you- And 'ecause 1e did# they ARE yours- 1e has MA(E you +ree o+ ,hat you made- Bou can deny 1im# 'ut you CA22OT call upon 1im in *ain- 1e A!4ABS gi*es ,hat 1E has made# I2 !ACE o+ you- 1e ,ould esta'lish 1is 'right teaching so +irmly in your mind# that no dar: lessons o+ guilt can a'ide in ,hat 1e has esta'lished as holy 'y 1is resenceThan: "od that 1e is there# and ,or:s through you- And all 1is ,or:s are yours- 1e o++ers BOU a miracle# ,ith e*ery one you !ET 1im do through you- "od=s Son ,ill A!4ABS 'e indi*isi'le- As ,e are held as one in "od# so do ,e learn as one in 1im"od=s Teacher is as li:e to 1is Creator as is 1is Son# and through 1is Teacher does "od proclaim 1is Oneness A2( 1is Son=s- !isten in silence# and do 2OT raise your *oice against 1im- 3or 1e teaches the miracle o+ Oneness# and 'e+ore 1IS lesson# di*ision disappears- Teach !ILE 1im here# and you 4I!! remem'er that you ha*e A!4ABS created li:e your 3ather- The miracle o+ creation has ne*er ceased# ha*ing the holy stamp o+ immortality upon it- This is the 4ill o+ "od +or all creation# and all creation @oins in ,illing thisThose ,ho remem'er al,ays that T1EB :no, nothing# 'ut ,ho ha*e 'ecome ,illing to learn EHERBT1I2"# ,ill learn it- But ,hene*er they trust T1EMSE!HES# they ,ill 2OT learn- They ha*e destroyed their moti*ation +or learning# BB T1I2LI2" T1EB A!REA(B L2O4- Thin: not you understand A2BT1I2"# until you pass the test o+

366

per+ect peace# +or peace and understanding "O TO"ET1ER# and ne*er can 'e +ound alone- Each 'rings the other 4IT1 it# +or it is the la, o+ "od that they 'e not separateThey are cause and e++ect# each to the other# so# ,here one is a'sent# the other CA22OT 'e> 8%8 >

Only those ,ho see they CA22OT :no,# U2!ESS the e++ects o+ understanding are ,ith them# can really learn at all- And +or this# IT MUJST BE EACE T1EB 4A2T# and nothing else- 4hene*er you thin: BOU :no,# peace ,ill depart +rom you# 'ecause you ha*e a'andoned the Teacher o+ eace- 4hene*er you +ully reali9e that BOU L2O4 2OT# peace ,ill return# +or you ,ill ha*e in*ited 1im to do so# 'y a'andoning the ego on 'ehal+ o+ 1im- Call not upon the ego +or A2BT1I2"- It is only that# that you need doThe 1oly Spirit ,ill# O3 1IMSE!3# +ill e*ery mind that so ma:es room +or 1im- I+ you ,ant peace# you MUST a'andon the teacher o+ attac:The Teacher o+ eace can 2EHER a'andon BOU- BOU can desert 1IM# 'ut 1e ,ill ne*er reciprocate# +or 1is +aith in you IS 1is understanding- It is as +irm as is 1is +aith in 1is Creator# and 1e :no,s that +aith in 1is Creator MUST encompass +aith in creation- In this consistency# lies 1is holiness# ,hich 1e CA22OT a'andon# +or it is not 1is 4ill to do so- 4ith your per+ection e*er in 1is sight# 1e gi*es the gi+t o+ peace to e*eryone ,ho percei*es the 2EE( +or peace# and ,ho ,ould ha*e it- Ma:e ,ay +or peace# and it ,ill come- 3or understanding IS in you# and +rom it# peace MUST comeThe po,er o+ "od# +rom ,hich they 'oth arise# is yours as surely as it is 1is- Bou thin: you :no, 1im not# only 'ecause# alone# it is impossi'le to :no, 1im- But see the mighty ,or:s that 1e ,ill do through you# and you MUST 'e con*inced you did them through 1im- It is impossi'le to deny the Source o+ e++ects so po,er+ul# they COU!( not 'e o+ you- !ea*e room +or 1im# and you ,ill +ind yoursel+ so +illed ,ith po,er# that 2OT1I2" ,ill pre*ail against your peace- And this ,ill 'e the test 'y ,hich you recogni9e that you 1AHE understoodCan you imagine ,hat it means to ha*e no cares# no ,orries# no an<ieties# 'ut merely to 'e per+ectly calm and ?uiet all the timeE Bet that is ,hat time is +orP to learn @ust that and nothing more- "od=s Teacher cannot 'e satis+ied ,ith 1is teaching# until it constitutes A!! your learning- 1e has not +ul+illed 1is teaching +unction until you ha*e 'ecome such consistent learners T1AT BOU !EAR2 O2!B O3 1IM- 4hen this has happened# you ,ill no longer need a teacher# or time in ,hich to learn-

367

One o+ the sources o+ percei*ed discouragement +rom ,hich you su++er# is your 'elie+ that T1IS TALES TIME# and that the results o+ the 1oly Spirit=s teaching are +ar in the +uture- This is not so- 3or the 1oly Spirit USES time in 1is O42 ,ay# and is 2OT 'ound 'y it- Time is 1is +riend in teaching- It does not ,aste 1im# as it does you- But all the ,aste that time seems to 'ring ,ith it# is due 'ut to your identi+ication ,ith the ego# ,ho uses time to support ITS 'elie+ in destruction- The ego# li:e the 1oly Spirit# uses time to con*ince you o+ the ine*ita'ility o+ the goal and end o+ learning- To the ego# the goal is death# ,hich IS its end- But to the 1oly Spirit# the goal is li+e# ,hich 1AS no endThe ego IS an ally o+ time# 'ut 2OT a +riend- 3or it is as mistrust+ul o+ death as it is o+ li+e# and ,hat it ,ants +or you# IT cannot tolerate- The ego ,ants BOU dead# 'ut 2OT itsel+- The outcome o+ its strange religion MUST there+ore 'e the con*iction that it can pursue you BEBO2( the gra*e- And out o+ its un,illingness +or you to +ind peace e*en
> 8%G >

in the death it ,ants +or you# it o++ers you immortality in hell- It spea:s to you o+ 1ea*en# 'ut assures you that 1ea*en is not +or you- 1o, can the guilty hope +or 1ea*enE The 'elie+ in hell is inescapa'le to those ,ho identi+y ,ith the ego- Their nightmares and their +ears are all associated ,ith it- The ego teaches that hell is I2 T1E 3UTURE# +or this is ,hat A!! its teaching is directed to- 1E!! IS ITS "OA!- 3or# although the ego aims at death and dissolution as an end# IT does not 'elie*e it- The goal o+ death# ,hich it cra*es +or you# lea*es IT unsatis+ied- 2o>one ,ho +ollo,s the ego=s teaching is ,ithout the 3EAR o+ death- I+ death ,ere thought o+ merely as an end o+ pain# ,ould it 'e 3EARE(E 4e ha*e seen this strange parado< in the ego=s thought>system 'e+ore# 'ut ne*er so clearly as here- 3or the ego must SEEM to LEE 3EAR 3ROM BOU# to :eep your allegianceBet it must E2"E2(ER +ear# in order to maintain ITSE!3- Again# the ego tries# and all too +re?uently succeeds# in doing 'oth# 'y using dissociation +or holding its contradictory aims together# so that they SEEM to 'e reconciled- The ego teaches thusF (eath is the end# as +ar as hope o+ 1ea*en goes- But# 'ecause you and ITSE!3 cannot 'e separated# and 'ecause it cannot concei*e o+ its O42 death# it ,ill pursue you still# BECAUSE BOUR "UI!T IS ETER2A!Such is the ego=s *ersion o+ immortality- And it is T1IS the ego=s *ersion o+ time supports- The ego teaches that 1ea*en is here and no,# 'ecause the 3UTURE is hell-

368

E*en ,hen it attac:s so sa*agely that it tries to ta:e the li+e o+ someone ,ho hears it temporarily as the O2!B *oice# it spea:s o+ hell e*en to him- 3or it tells him hell is 1ERE# and 'ids him leap +rom hell into o'li*ion- The only time the ego allo,s anyone to loo: upon# ,ith some amount o+ e?uanimity is the AST- And e*en then# its only *alue is that it is no more1o, 'lea: and despairing is the ego=s use o+ timeO And ho, TERRI3BI2"O 3or underneath its +anatical insistence that the past and +uture 'e the same# is hidden a +ar more insidious threat to peace- The ego does not ad*ertise its +inal threat# +or it ,ould ha*e its ,orshippers still 'elie*e that IT can o++er the ESCA E +rom it- But the 'elie+ in guilt MUST lead to the BE!IE3 I2 1E!!# and A!4ABS (OES- The only ,ay in ,hich the ego allo,s the +ear o+ hell to 'e e<perienced is to BRI2" 1E!! 1ERE# 'ut A!4ABS as a +oretaste o+ the +uture- 3or no>one ,ho considers himsel+ as (ESERHI2" hell# can 'elie*e that punishment ,ill end in peaceThe 1oly Spirit teaches thusF There IS no hell- 1ell is only ,hat the ego has made O3 T1E RESE2T- The BE!IE3 in hell is ,hat REHE2TS you +rom U2(ERSTA2(I2" the present# 'ecause BOU ARE A3RAI( O3 IT- The 1oly Spirit leads as steadily to 1ea*en# as the ego dri*es to hell- 3or the 1oly Spirit# 4ho :no,s O2!B the present# uses it to U2(O the +ear 'y ,hich the ego ,ould ma:e the present useless- There is 2O ESCA E +rom +ear# in the ego=s use o+ time- 3or time# according to its teaching# is nothing 'ut a teaching de*ice +or COM OU2(I2" guilt# until it 'ecomes all>encompassing# and demands *engeance +ore*er> 8%6 >

The 1oly Spirit ,ould undo A!! o+ this 2O4- 3ear is 2OT o+ the present# 'ut O2!B o+ the past and +uture# ,hich do not e<ist- There is no +ear in the present# ,hen each instant stands clear and separated +rom the past# ,ithout its shado, reaching out into the +uture- Each instant is a clean# untarnished 'irth# in ,hich the Son o+ "od emerges 3ROM the past# into the present- And the present EXTE2(S 3OREHER- It is so 'eauti+ul and so clean and +ree o+ guilt# that nothing 'ut happiness is there- 2o dar:ness is remem'ered# and his immortality and @oy are 2O4This lesson ta:es 2O time- 3or ,hat IS time# 4IT1OUT a past and +utureE It 1AS ta:en time to misguide you so completely# 'ut it ta:es no time at all to BE ,hat you ARE-

369

Begin to practice the 1oly Spirit=s USE o+ time# as a teaching aid to happiness and peaceTa:e this *ery instant# 2O4# and thin: o+ it as A!! T1ERE IS o+ time- 2othing can reach you here# out o+ the past# and it is here that you are COM !ETE!B a'sol*ed# COM !ETE!B +ree# and 41O!!B ,ithout condemnation- 3rom this holy instant# ,herein holiness is 'orn# you ,ill go +orth in time ,ithout +ear# and ,ith no sense o+ change 4IT1 timeTime is inconcei*a'le ,ithout change# and holiness does 2OT change- !earn +rom this instant more than merely hell does not e<ist- I2 T1IS RE(EEMI2" I2STA2T !IES 1EAHE2- And 1ea*en ,ill 2OT change# +or the 'irth into the holy present is SA!HATIO2 +rom change- Change is an illusion# taught 'y those ,ho could not see themsel*es as guiltless- There is no change in 1ea*en# 'ecause T1ERE IS 2O C1A2"E I2 "O(In the holy instant# in ,hich you see yoursel+ as 'right ,ith +reedom# you 4I!! remem'er "od- 3or remem'ering 1im IS to remem'er +reedom- 4hene*er you are tempted to 'e dispirited 'y the thought o+ 1O4 !O2" it ,ould ta:e to change your mind so completely# as: yoursel+# )1o, long is an instantE. Could you not gi*e so S1ORT a time to the 1oly Spirit# +or your Sal*ationE 1e as:s no more# +or 1e has no need o+ more- It ta:es +ar longer to teach you ho, to 'e ,illing to "i*e 1im this# than +or 1im to use this tiny instant to o++er you the ,hole o+ 1ea*en- In e<change +or this instant# 1e stands ready to gi*e you the remem'rance o+ EternityBou ,ill ne*er gi*e this holy instant to the 1oly Spirit on 'ehal+ o+ BOUR release# ,hile you are un,illing to gi*e it to your 'rothers on 'ehal+ o+ T1EIRS- 3or the instant o+ holiness is S1ARE(# and CA22OT 'e yours alone- Remem'er# then# ,hen you are tempted to attac: a 'rother# that 1IS instant o+ release is BOURS- Miracles ARE the instant o+ release you o++er# and ,ill RECEIHE- They attest to BOUR ,illingness to BE released# and to o++er time to the 1oly Spirit# +or 1IS use o+ it- 1o, long is an instantE It is as short +or your 'rothers# as it is +or you- ractice "IHI2" this 'lessed instant o+ +reedom to all ,ho are E2S!AHE( 'y time# and thus ma:e time their +riend 3OR themThe 1oly Spirit gi*es their 'lessed instant TO you# through your gi*ing it- As you "IHE it# 1e o++ers it to BOU- Be not un,illing to gi*e ,hat you ,ould recei*e o+ 1im# +or you @oin 4IT1 1im in gi*ing- In the crystal cleanness o+ the release you "IHE# is BOUR I2STA2TA2EOUS escape +rom guilt- Bou MUST 'e holy# i+ you O33ER holiness1o, long is an instantE As long as it ta:es to re>esta'lish per+ect sanity# per+ect peace# and

370

per+ect lo*e +or e*eryone# +or "od# and +or BOURSE!3- As long as it ta:es to remem'er
> 8%J >

immortality# and your immortal creations# ,ho share it ,ith you- As long as it ta:es to e<change hell +or 1ea*en- !ong enough to transcend A!! o+ the ego=s ma:ing# and ascend unto your 3atherTime is your +riend# i+ you lea*e it to the 1oly Spirit to use- 1e needs 'ut *ery little# to restore "od=s 4hole po,er to you- 1e 4ho transcends time 3OR you# understands ,hat it is 3OR- 1oliness lies not in time# 'ut in Eternity- There ne*er 4AS an instant in ,hich "od=s Son could lose his purity- 1is changeless state is BEBO2( time# +or his purity remains +ore*er 'eyond attac:# and ,ithout *aria'ility- Time stands still in his holiness# and changes not- And so it is no longer time at all- 3or# caught in the single instant o+ the eternal sanctity o+ "od=s creation# it is TRA2S3ORME( into +ore*er"IHE the eternal instant# that eternity may 'e remem'ered 3OR you# in that shining instant o+ per+ect release- O++er the miracle o+ the holy instant T1ROU"1 the 1oly Spirit# and lea*e 1is gi*ing it to you to 1im- The Atonement is in time# 'ut not 3OR timeBeing +or BOU# it is +or the eternal- 4hat holds remem'rance o+ "od# CA22OT 'e 'ound 'y time- 2o more are you- 3or# unless "O( is 'ound# you CA22OT 'e- An instant# o++ered to the 1oly Spirit# is o++ered to "od on your 'ehal+# and in that instant# you ,ill a,a:en gently in 1imIn the 'lessed instant# you ,ill let go A!! your past learning# and the 1oly Spirit ,ill ?uic:ly o++er you the 41O!E lesson o+ peace- 4hat can ta:e time# ,hen A!! the o'stacles to learning it ha*e 'een remo*edE Truth is so +ar 'eyond time# that A!! o+ it happens at once- 3or as it ,as created one# so its oneness depends not on time at allBe not concerned ,ith time# and +ear not the instant o+ holiness ,hich ,ill remo*e A!! +ear- 3or the instant o+ peace is eternal# BECAUSE it is ,holly 4IT1OUT +ear- It 4I!! come# 'eing the lesson "od gi*es you# through the Teacher 1E has appointed# to translate time to eternityBlessed is "od=s Teacher# 4hose @oy it is to teach "od=s holy Son his holiness- 1is @oy is not contained in time- 1is teaching is +or you# BECAUSE 1is @oy is yoursThrough 1im# BOU stand 'e+ore "od=s altar# ,here 1e gently translated hell into 1ea*en- 3or it is only in 1ea*en that "od ,ould ha*e you 'e- 1o, long can it ta:e# to 'e ,here "od ,ould ha*e youE 3or you ARE ,here you ha*e +ore*er 'een# and ,ill +ore*er 'e- All that

371

you ha*e# you ha*e +ore*er- The 'lessed instant reaches out to E2COM ASS time# as "od e<tends 1imsel+ to encompass youBou ,ho ha*e spent days# hours# and e*en years# in chaining your 'rothers TO your egos# in an attempt to support it# and uphold its 4EAL2ESS# do not percei*e the Source o+ STRE2"T1- In the holy instant# you ,ill unchain A!! o+ your 'rothers# and re+use to support either T1EIR ,ea:ness# OR BOUR O42- Bou do not reali9e ho, much you ha*e MISUSE( your 'rothers# 'y seeing them as sources o+ E"O support- As a result# they ,itness TO the ego in your perception# and SEEM to pro*ide reasons +or 2OT letting it go- Bet they are +ar stronger# and MUC1 more compelling ,itnesses +or the 1oly Spirit- And they support 1is STRE2"T1> 8%7 >

It is# there+ore# your choice# ,hether they support the ego or the 1oly Spirit I2 BOUAnd you ,ill :no, ,hich you ha*e chosen# 'y T1EIR reactions- A Son o+ "od ,ho has 'een released through the 1oly Spirit in a 'rother# I3 T1E RE!EASE IS COM !ETE# is A!4ABS recogni9ed- 1e cannot BE denied- As long as BOU remain uncertain# it can 'e O2!B 'ecause you ha*e not gi*en COM !ETE release- And# 'ecause o+ this# you ha*e not yet gi*en one single instant COM !ETE!B to the 1oly Spirit- 3or# ,hen you 1AHE# you ,ill 'e SURE you ha*e- Bou ,ill 'e sure# 'ecause the ,itness TO 1im ,ill spea: so clearly O3 1im# that you ,ill hear# and U2(ERSTA2(Bou 4I!! dou't# until you hear O2E ,itness ,hom you ha*e 41O!!B released through the 1oly Spirit- And then you ,ill dou't no more- The holy instant has not yet happened to you- But it ,ill# and you ,ill recogni9e it# ,ith per+ect certainty- 2o gi+t o+ "od is recogni9ed in any other ,ay- Bou can practice the mechanics o+ the holy instant# and ,ill learn much +rom doing so- But its shining and glittering 'rilliance# ,hich ,ill literally 'lind you to this ,orld 'y its O42 *ision# you can 2OT supply- And here it is# A!! in this instant# complete# accomplished# and "IHE2 41O!!BStart 2O4# to practice your little part in SE ARATI2" OUT the holy instant- Bou ,ill recei*e *ery speci+ic instructions# as you go along- To learn to separate out this single second# and 'egin to e<perience it as timeless# is to 'egin to e<perience yoursel+ as 2OT separate- 3ear not that you ,ill not 'e gi*en help in this- "od=s Teacher# and 1is lesson ,ill support your strength- It is only your ,ea:ness that ,ill depart +rom you in this practice# +or it is the practice o+ the po,er o+ "od in you- Use it 'ut +or one instant# and you ,ill ne*er deny it again- 4ho can deny the resence o+ ,hat the uni*erse 'o,s

372

to# in appreciation and gladnessE Be+ore the recognition o+ the uni*erse# ,hich ,itnesses to it# BOUR dou'ts MUST disappearBe not content ,ith littleness# 'ut 'e sure you understand ,hat littleness is# and ,hy you could ne*er BE content ,ith it- !ittleness is the o++ering you ga*e BOURSE!3Bou o++ered this in place o+ magnitude# A2( ACCE TE( IT- E*erything in this ,orld is little# 'ecause it is a ,orld made out o+ littleness# in the strange 'elie+ that littleness CA2 content you- 4hen you stri*e +or anything in the ,orld# 4IT1 T1E BE!IE3 T1AT IT 4I!! BRI2" BOU EACE# you are 'elittling yoursel+# and 'linding yoursel+ to glory!ittleness and glory are the choices open to your stri*ing and your *igilance- Bou ,ill A!4ABS choose one AT T1E EX E2SE o+ the otherBut ,hat you do not reali9e# each time you choose# is that your choice is your e*aluation O3 BOURSE!3- Choose littleness# and you ,ill 2OT ha*e peace# +or you ,ill ha*e @udged yoursel+ U24ORT1B o+ it- And ,hate*er you o++er as a su'stitute# is much too poor a gi+t to satis+y you- It is essential that you accept the +act# and accept it gladly# that there is 2O +orm o+ littleness that can EHER content you- Bou are +ree to try as many as you ,ish# 'ut all you ,ill 'e doing is to delay your home>coming- 3or you ,ill 'e content O2!B in magnitude# ,hich IS your homeThere is a deep responsi'ility you o,e yoursel+# and one ,hich you must learn to remem'er A!! the time- The lesson ,ill seem hard at +irst# 'ut you ,ill learn to lo*e it#
> 8%K >

,hen you reali9e that it is true# and constitutes a tri'ute to your po,er- Bou ,ho ha*e sought A2( 3OU2( littleness# remem'er thisF E*ery decision that you ma:e stems +rom 41AT BOU T1I2L BOU ARE# and represents the *alue that you UT upon yoursel+Belie*e the little can content you# and# 'y !IMITI2" yoursel+# you ,ill 2OT 'e satis+ied3or your +unction is 2OT little# and it is only 'y +inding your +unction# and +ul+illing it that you can ESCA E +rom littlenessThere is no dou't a'out ,hat your +unction IS# +or the 1oly Spirit L2O4S ,hat it isThere is no dou't a'out its magnitude# +or it reaches you through 1im# 3ROM MagnitudeBou do not ha*e to stri*e +or it# 'ecause you 1AHE it- All your stri*ing must 'e directed A"AI2ST !ITT!E2ESS# +or it (OES re?uire *igilance to protect your magnitude in this ,orld- To hold your magnitude in per+ect a,areness# in a ,orld o+ littleness# is a tas: the

373

little cannot underta:e- Bet it is as:ed o+ you# in tri'ute to your magnitude# and 2OT your littleness- 2or is it as:ed o+ you aloneThe po,er o+ "od ,ill support e*ery e++ort you ma:e on 'ehal+ o+ the magnitude o+ 1is dear Son- Search +or the little# and you (E2B yoursel+ 1is po,er- "od is not ,illing that 1is Son 'e content ,ith less than e*erything- 3or 1e is not content ,ithout 1is Son# and 1is Son cannot 'e content ,ith less than 1is 3ather has gi*en him- 4e as:ed you once 'e+ore# )4ould you 'e hostage to the ego or host to "odE. !et this ?uestion 'e as:ed you 'y the 1oly Spirit in you# EHERB time you ma:e a decision- 3or e*ery decision you ma:e (OES ans,er this# and in*ites sorro, or @oy# accordingly4hen "od "AHE 1imsel+ to you in your creation# 1e ESTAB!IS1E( you as host to 1im +ore*er- 1e has 2OT le+t you# and BOU ha*e not le+t 1IM- All your attempts to deny 1is magnitude# and ma:e 1is Son hostage to the ego# CA22OT ma:e little ,hom "od has @oined ,ith 1im- E*ery decision you ma:e is made +or 1ea*en or +or hell# and ,ill 'ring you A4ARE2ESS o+ ,hat you decided 3OR- The 1oly Spirit can hold your magnitude# clean o+ A!! littleness# clearly and in per+ect sa+ety in your minds# untouched 'y e*ery little gi+t the ,orld o+ littleness ,ould o++er you- But +or this# you cannot side A"AI2ST 1im in ,hat 1e ,ills +or you(ecide +or "od through 1im- 3or littleness# and the 'elie+ that you can 'e CO2TE2T ,ith littleness# are the decisions BOU ha*e made a'out yoursel+- The po,er and the glory that lie in you# +rom "od# are +or all ,ho# li:e you# percei*e themsel*es as little# and ha*e decei*ed themsel*es into 'elie*ing that littleness can 'e 'lo,n up# BB T1EM# into a sense o+ magnitude that can content them- 2either "IHE littleness# nor ACCE T itAll honor is due the host o+ "od- Bour littleness decei*es you# 'ut your magnitude is o+ 1im 4ho d,ells in you# and in 4hom you d,ell- Touch no>one# then# ,ith littleness# in the 2ame o+ Christ# eternal 1ost unto 1is 3atherIn this season# ,hich cele'rates the 'irth o+ holiness into this ,orld# @oin ,ith me ,ho decided +or holiness +or BOU- It is our tas: TO"ET1ER to restore the a,areness o+ magnitude# to the host ,hom "od appointed +or 1imsel+- It is 'eyond A!! your littleness to gi*e the gi+t o+ "od# 'ut 2OT 'eyond BOU- 3or "od ,ould gi*e 1imsel+ T1ROU"1 you- 1e reaches +rom you to e*eryone# and 'eyond e*eryone# to 1is Son=s creations# 'ut
> 8%5 >

374

4IT1OUT lea*ing you- 3ar 'eyond your little ,orld# 'ut still in you# 1e e<tends +ore*erBet 1e 'rings all his e<tensions to you# as host to 1imIs it a sacri+ice to lea*e littleness 'ehind# and ,ander not in *ainE It is not sacri+ice to ,a:e to glory- But it IS a sacri+ice to accept anything !ESS than glory- !earn that you MUST 'e ,orthy o+ the rince o+ eace# 'orn in you# in honor o+ 1im 4hose host you are- Bou :no, not ,hat lo*e means 'ecause you ha*e sought to purchase it ,ith little gi+ts# thus HA!UI2" it too little to 'e a'le to understand its magnitude- !OHE IS 2OT !ITT!E# and lo*e d,ells in you# +or you are host to 1im- Be+ore the greatness that li*es in you# your poor appreciation o+ yoursel+# and all the little o++erings you ha*e gi*en# slip into nothingness1oly Child o+ "od# ,hen ,ill you learn that O2!B holiness can content you# and gi*e you peaceE Remem'er that you learn not +or yoursel+ alone# no more than I didIt is BECAUSE I learned +or BOU# that you can learn o+ ME- I ,ould 'ut teach you ,hat is yours# so that# together# ,e can replace the sha''y littleness# that 'inds the host o+ "od to guilt and ,ea:ness# ,ith the glad a,areness o+ the glory that is in him- My 'irth in you is your a,a:ening to grandeur- 4elcome me not into a manger# 'ut into the altar to holiness# ,here holiness a'ides in per+ect peace- My Lingdom is not o+ this ,orld# 'ecause it is in BOU- And BOU are o+ your 3ather- !et us @oin in honoring you# ,ho MUST remain +ore*er BEBO2( littleness- (ecide ,ith me# ,ho ha*e decided to a'ide ,ith you- I ,ill as my 3ather ,ills# :no,ing 1is 4ill is constant# and at peace +ore*er ,ith Itsel+- Bou ,ill 'e content ,ith nothing BUT 1is 4ill- Accept no less# remem'ering that e*erything I learned is yours- 4hat my 3ather lo*es# I lo*e as 1e does# and I can no more accept it as ,hat it is 2OT# than 1e can- And no more can BOU4hen you ha*e learned to accept ,hat you are# you ,ill ma:e no more gi+ts to o++er to yoursel*es# +or you ,ill :no, you are COM !ETE# in need o+ nothing# and una'le to accept A2BT1I2" +or yoursel+- But you ,ill gladly gi*e# 1AHI2" recei*ed- The host o+ "od need not see: to +ind A2BT1I2"- I+ you are ,holly ,illing to lea*e Sal*ation to the plan o+ "od# and U2,illing to attempt to grasp +or peace BOURSE!3# Sal*ation ,ill 'e "IHE2 you- But thin: not you can su'stitute BOUR plan +or 1is- Rather# @oin ,ith me in

375

1is# that ,e may release all those ,ho ,ould 'e 'ound# proclaiming together that the Son o+ "od is host to 1imThus ,ill ,e let no>one +orget ,hat BOU ,ould remem'er- And thus 4I!! you remem'er it- Call +orth in e*eryone O2!B the remem'rance o+ "od# and o+ the 1ea*en that is in him- 3or ,here you ,ould help your 'rother 'e# there ,ill you thin: BOU are1ear not his call +or hell and littleness# 'ut only his call +or 1ea*en and greatness3orget not that his call is yours# and ans,er him ,ith me- "od=s po,er is +ore*er on the side o+ 1is host# +or it protects O2!B the peace in ,hich 1e d,ells- !ay not littleness 'e+ore 1is holy altar# ,hich rises a'o*e the stars# and reaches e*en to 1ea*en# 'ecause o+ ,hat is "IHE2 itThis course is not 'eyond IMME(IATE learning# unless you pre+er to 'elie*e that 41AT "O( 4I!!S TALES TIME- And this means O2!B that you ,ould rather (E!AB
> 8&% >

the recognition that 1is 4ill IS so- The holy instant is T1IS one# and EHERB oneThe one you 4A2T it to 'e# it IS- The one you ,ould 2OT ha*e it 'e# is lost to you- BOU must decide on 41E2 it is- (elay it not- 3or 'eyond the past and +uture# in ,hich you ,ill 2OT +ind it# it stands in shimmering readiness +or your acceptanceBet you cannot 'ring it into glad a,areness ,hile you do not ,ant it# +or it holds the ,hole RE!EASE +rom littleness- Bour practice MUST there+ore rest upon your ,illingness to let all littleness go- The instant in ,hich magnitude ,ill da,n upon you# is 'ut as +ar a,ay as your (ESIRE +or it- As long as you desire it not# and cherish littleness instead# 'y so much is it +ar +rom you- By so much as you ,ant it# ,ill you 'ring it nearer- Thin: not that you can +ind Sal*ation in your o,n ,ay# and 1AHE it"i*e o*er EHERB plan that you ha*e made +or your Sal*ation# in e<change +or "od=s1IS ,ill content you# +or there IS nothing else that can 'ring you peace- 3or peace is o+ "od# and o+ no>one 'eside 1im- Be hum'le 'e+ore 1im# and yet great I2 1im- And *alue 2O plan o+ the ego# BE3ORE the plan o+ "od- 3or you lea*e your place in 1is plan# ,hich you MUST +ul+ill i+ you ,ould @oin ,ith me# empty 'y your decision to @oin in any plan BUT 1is- I call you to +ul+ill your holy part in the plan that 1e has gi*en to the ,orld# +or its release +rom littleness- "od ,ould ha*e 1is host a'ide in per+ect +reedom-

376

E*ery allegiance to a plan o+ Sal*ation that is A ART +rom 1im# diminishes the *alue o+ 1is 4ill +or you in your o,n minds- And yet# it is your mind that IS the host to 1im4ould you learn ho, per+ect and immaculate is the holy altar on ,hich your 3ather has placed 1IMSE!3E This you 4I!! recogni9e# in the holy instant in ,hich you ,illingly and gladly gi*e o*er EHERB plan 'ut 1is- 3or there lies peace# ER3ECT!B clear# 'ecause you ha*e 'een ,illing to meet its conditionsBou can claim the holy instant A2B time and A2B41ERE you ,ant it- In your practice# try to gi*e o*er EHERB plan you ha*e accepted# +or +inding magnitude in littlenessIT IS 2OT T1ERE- USE the holy instant O2!B to recogni9e that you alone CA22OT :no, ,here it is# and can only (ECEIHE yoursel+- I stand ,ithin the holy instant# as clear as you ,ould ha*e me- And the e<tent to ,hich you learn to 'e ,illing to ACCE T me# IS the measure o+ the time in ,hich the holy instant ,ill 'e yours- I call to you to ma:e the holy instant yours AT O2CE# +or the release +rom littleness in the mind o+ the host o+ "od# depends on ,illingness# and 2OT on timeThe reason ,hy this course is simple# is that TRUT1 is simple- Comple<ity is o+ the ego# and is nothing more than the ego=s attempt to o'scure the o'*ious- Bou could li*e +ore*er in the holy instant# BE"I22I2" 2O4 and reaching to eternity# 'ut +or a *ery simple reason- (o not o'scure the simplicity o+ this reason# +or# i+ you do# it ,ill 'e O2!B 'ecause you pre+er 2OT to recogni9e it# and 2OT to let it go- The simple reason# stated simply as ,hat it isF The holy instant is a time in ,hich you recei*e A2( "IHE per+ect communication- This means# ho,e*er# that it is a time in ,hich your mind is O E2# 'oth to recei*e A2( gi*e- It is the recognition that all minds ARE in communication- It there+ore see:s to C1A2"E nothing# 'ut merely to ACCE T e*erything> 8&& >

1o, can you do this ,hen you ,ould pre+er to ha*e RIHATE thoughts# A2( LEE T1EME The O2!B ,ay you COU!( do this# is to (E2B the per+ect communication that ma:es the holy instant 41AT IT IS- Bou BE!IEHE that it is possi'le to har'or thoughts you ,ould 2OT share# and that Sal*ation lies in :eeping your thoughts TO BOURSE!3 A!O2E- 3or# in pri*ate thoughts# L2O42 O2!B TO BOURSE!3# you thin: you +ind a ,ay to :eep ,hat you ,ould 1AHE alone# and share ,hat BOU ,ould share- And then

377

you ,onder ,hy it is that you are not in +ull communication ,ith those around you# and ,ith "od# 4ho surrounds A!! o+ you togetherE*ery thought you ,ould :eep hidden shuts communication o++# BECAUSE BOU 4OU!( 1AHE IT SO- It is impossi'le to RECO"2IUE per+ect communication# ,hile BREALI2" communication holds *alue to you- As: yoursel*es honestly# )4ould I 4A2T to ha*e per+ect communication# and am I 41O!!B ,illing to let EHERBT1I2" that I2TER3ERES 4IT1 IT# go +ore*erE. I+ the ans,er is )no#. then the 1oly Spirit=s readiness to "IHE it to you# is not enough to ma:e it yours# +or you are 2OT ready to share it 4IT1 1im- And it cannot come into a mind that has decided to O OSE it- 3or the holy instant is gi*en and recei*ed ,ith EDUA! ,illingness# 'eing the acceptance o+ the SI2"!E 4ill that go*erns A!! thoughtThe necessary condition +or the holy instant# does 2OT re?uire that you ha*e no thoughts that are not pure- But it (OES re?uire that you ha*e none that you ,ould LEE Innocence is not o+ your ma:ing- It is "IHE2 you# the instant you ,ould 1AHE it- But it ,ould not BE Atonement# i+ there ,ere no 2EE( +or Atonement- Bou ,ill not 'e a'le to ACCE T per+ect communication# as long as you ,ould 1I(E it +rom yoursel+- 3or ,hat you ,ould hide IS hidden- In your practice# then# try only to 'e *igilant A"AI2ST (ECE TIO2# and see: not to ROTECT the thoughts you ,ould :eep unto yoursel+!et the 1oly Spirit=s purity shine them a,ay# and 'ring A!! your a,areness to the REA(I2ESS +or purity 1e o++ers you- Thus ,ill 1e ma:e you ready to ac:no,ledge that you ARE host to "od# and hostage to no>one and to nothingThe holy instant is the 1oly Spirit=s most use+ul learning de*ice +or teaching you lo*e=s meaning- 3or its purpose is to SUS E2( JU("EME2T E2TIRE!BJudgment A!4ABS rests on the past# +or AST e<perience is the 'asis on ,hich you @udgeJudgment 'ecomes impossi'le ,ithout the past# +or 4IT1OUT it you do 2OT understand anythingBou ,ould ma:e no ATTEM T to @udge# 'ecause it ,ould 'e ?uite apparent to you that you do not :no, 41AT A2BT1I2" MEA2S- Bou are a+raid o+ this# 'ecause you 'elie*e that# 4IT1OUT T1E E"O# all ,ould 'e chaos- Bet I assure you that# ,ithout the ego# A!! 4OU!( BE !OHE-

378

The past is the E"O=S chie+ learning de*ice# +or it is in the past that you learned to de+ine your O42 needs# and ac?uired methods +or meeting them O2 BOUR O42 TERMS4e said 'e+ore that# to limit lo*e to ART o+ the Sonship# is to 'ring guilt into your relationships# and thus MALE T1EM U2REA!- I+ you see: to separate out certain AS ECTS o+ the totality# and loo: TO T1EM to meet your imagined needs# you are attempting to
> 8&$ >

USE SE ARATIO2 TO SAHE BOU- 1o,# then# could guilt 2OT enterE 3or separation IS the source o+ guilt# and to A EA! to it +or sal*ation IS TO BE!IEHE BOU ARE A!O2ETo 'e alone IS to 'e guilty- 3or to e<perience yoursel+ AS alone# is to deny the Oneness o+ the 3ather and 1is Son# and thus to ATTACL REA!ITB- Bou cannot lo*e ARTS o+ reality# and understand ,hat lo*e MEA2S- I+ you ,ould lo*e U2li:e to "od# 4ho L2O4S no special lo*e# ho, CA2 you understand itE To 'elie*e that S ECIA! relationships# ,ith S ECIA! lo*e# can o++er you sal*ation# IS the 'elie+ that separation is sal*ation- 3or it is the COM !ETE EDUA!ITB o+ the Atonement# in ,hich sal*ation lies1o, can BOU decide that special aspects o+ the Sonship CA2 "IHE BOU MORE T1A2 OT1ERESE The past 1AS taught you this- But the holy instant teaches you IT IS 2OT SOBecause o+ guilt# A!! special relationships ha*e some elements o+ +ear in them- And this is ,hy they shi+t and change so +re?uently- They are 2OT 'ased on changeless lo*e alone- And lo*e# ,here +ear has entered# CA22OT 'e depended on# 'ecause it is 2OT per+ect- In 1is +unction as Interpretor o+ ,hat you ha*e made# the 1oly Spirit USES special relationships# ,hich BOU ha*e chosen to support the ego# as a learning e<perience ,hich points to truth- Under 1is teaching# EHERB relationship 'ecomes a lesson in lo*eThe 1oly Spirit :no,s 2O>O2E IS S ECIA!- But 1e also percei*es that you ha*e MA(E special relationships# ,hich 1e ,ould puri+y# and 2OT let BOU destroy1o,e*er U2holy the reason ,hy you made them may 'e# 1e can TRA2S!ATE them into holiness# 'y remo*ing AS MUC1 3EAR AS BOU 4I!! !ET 1IM- Bou can place A2B relationship under 1is care# and 'e sure that it ,ill 2OT result in pain# i+ you o++er 1im your ,illingness TO 1AHE IT SERHE 2O 2EE( BUT 1IS- All the guilt in it arises +rom BOUR use o+ it- All

379

the lo*e# +rom 1is- (o not# then# 'e A3RAI( to let your IMA"I2E( need# ,hich ,ould (ESTROB the relationship# go- Bour O2!B need IS 1isAny relationship ,hich you ,ould SUBSTITUTE 3OR A2OT1ER# has not 'een o++ered to the 1oly Spirit# +or 1is use- There IS no su'stitute +or lo*e- I+ you ,ould attempt to su'stitute O2E aspect o+ lo*e +or A2OT1ER# you ha*e placed !ESS *alue on one# and MORE on another- Bou ha*e not only SE ARATE( them# 'ut ha*e also JU("E( A"AI2ST BOT1- Bet you had @udged against yoursel+ 3IRST# or you ,ould ne*er ha*e imagined that you needed them AS T1EB 4ERE 2OT- Unless you had seen yoursel+ as 4IT1OUT lo*e# you COU!( not ha*e @udged them to 'e !ILE you in lac:The ego=s use o+ relationships is so +ragmented# that it +re?uently goes e*en +urtherP one ART o+ one aspect suits its purposes# ,hile it pre+ers (I33ERE2T parts o+ another aspect- Thus does it ASSEMB!E reality to its o,n capricious li:ing# o++ering +or BOUR see:ing# a picture ,hose li:eness (OES 2OT EXCIST- 3or there is nothing in 1ea*en OR earth that it resem'les# and so# ho,e*er much you see: +or its reality# you CA22OT +ind it# 'ecause it is 2OT realE*eryone on earth has +ormed special relationships# and# although this is not so in 1ea*en# the 1oly Spirit :no,s ho, to 'ring a touch o+ 1ea*en to them here- In the holy instant# no>one is special# +or your ERSO2A! needs I2TRU(E on no>one# to MALE
> 8&8 >

them di++erent- 4ithout the *alues +rom the past you 4OU!( see them all the same# and !ILE BOURSE!3- 2or ,ould you see A2B separation 'et,een yoursel+ and themIn the holy instant# you see# in each relationship# ,hat it 4I!! 'e# ,hen you percei*e O2!B the present"od :no,s you 2O4- 1e remem'ers 2OT1I2"# ha*ing A!4ABS :no,n you e<actly as 1e :no,s you no,- The holy instant ARA!!E!S 1is :no,ing# 'y 'ringing A!! perception OUT o+ the past# thus remo*ing the +rame o+ re+erence you ha*e 'uilt# 'y ,hich to JU("E your 'rothers- Once this is gone# the 1oly Spirit su'stitutes 1is +rame o+ re+erence 3OR it- 1is +rame o+ re+erence is simply "od- The 1oly Spirit=s timelessness lies simply here- 3or in the holy instant# 3REE o+ the past# you see that !OHE IS I2 BOU# and

380

you 1AHE no need to loo: 4IT1OUT# and snatch it guiltily +rom ,here you T1OU"1T it ,asA!! your relationships are 'lessed in the holy instant# BECAUSE T1E B!ESSI2" IS 2OT !IMITE(- In the holy instant# the Sonship gains AS O2E- And# U2ITE( in your 'lessing# it BECOMES one TO BOU- The meaning o+ lo*e is the meaning "od "AHE to it"i*e to it A2B meaning A ART +rom 1is# and it is IM OSSIB!E to understand itE*ery 'rother "od lo*es as 1e lo*es youP neither less nor more- 1E 2EE(S T1EM A!! EDUA!!B# and so do BOU- In time# you ha*e 'een told to o++er miracles as Christ directs# and let the 1oly Spirit 'ring to you those ,ho are see:ing you- But in the holy instant# you unite (IRECT!B ,ith "od# and A!! your 'rothers @oin in ChristThose ,ho are @oined in Christ are in no ,ay separate- 3or Christ is the Sel+ the Sonship shares# as "od shares 1is Sel+ ,ith Christ- Thin: you that you can @udge the Sel+ o+ "odE "od has created It BEBO2( @udgment# out o+ 1IS need to e<tend 1is lo*e4ith !o*e in you# you 1AHE no need EXCE T TO EXTE2( IT- In the holy instant# there is no con+lict o+ needs# +or there is O2!B O2E- 3or the holy instant reaches to eternity# and to the Mind o+ "od- And it is only there that lo*e 1AS meaning# and O2!B there CA2 it 'e understoodIt is impossi'le to use one relationship AT T1E EX E2SE o+ another# and 2OT su++er guilt- And it is e?ually impossi'le to condemn ART o+ a relationship and +ind peace 4IT1I2 it- Under the 1oly Spirit=s teaching# A!! relationships are seen as TOTA! commitments# yet they do not con+lict ,ith one another in A2B ,ay- er+ect +aith in each one# +or its a'ility to satis+y you COM !ETE!B# arises only +rom per+ect +aith in BOURSE!3And this you cannot ha*e# ,hile guilt remains- And there 4I!! 'e guilt# as long as you accept the possi'ility# A2( C1ERIS1 IT# that you can ma:e a 'rother 41AT 1E IS 2OT# 'ecause BOU ,ould ha*e him soBou ha*e so little +aith in yoursel+# 'ecause you are un,illing to accept the +act that per+ect lo*e is I2 you- And so you see: 4IT1OUT +or ,hat you CA22OT +ind ,ithoutI o++er you MB per+ect +aith in you# I2 !ACE o+ all BOUR dou'ts- But +orget not that my +aith MUST 'e as per+ect in A!! your 'rothers as it is in you# or it ,ould 'e a limited gi+t

381

to BOU- In the holy instant# ,e S1ARE our +aith in "od=s Son# 'ecause ,e recogni9e#
> 8&G >

together# that he is ,holly ,orthy O3 it# and# in our appreciation o+ his ,orth# ,e CA22OT dou't his holiness- And so ,e lo*e himAll separation *anishes# as holiness is shared- 3or holiness is po,er# and 'y S1ARI2" it# it "AI2S in strength- I+ you see: +or satis+action in grati+ying your needs as BOU percei*e them# you MUST 'elie*e that strength comes +rom A2OT1ER# and that 41AT BOU "AI2 1E !OSES- Someone must A!4ABS lose# i+ you percei*e yoursel+ as ,ea:Bet there is another interpretation o+ relationships# ,hich TRA2SCE2(S the concept o+ the !OSS o+ po,er completelyBou do 2OT +ind it di++icult to 'elie*e that# ,hen A2OT1ER calls on "od +or lo*e# BOUR call remains as strong- 2or do you thin: that# 'y "od=s ans,er to 1IM# BOUR hope o+ ans,er is diminished- On the contrary# you are +ar more inclined to regard 1IS success# as ,itness to the possi'ility o+ BOURS- That is 'ecause you recogni9e# ho,e*er dimly# that "od is an I(EA# and so BOUR +aith in 1im is STRE2"T1E2E( 'y sharing4hat you +ind di++icult to accept is the +act that# !ILE your 3ather# BOU are an ideaAnd li:e 1im# BOU can gi*e yoursel+ COM !ETE!B# ,holly ,ithout loss# and O2!B 4IT1 "AI21erein lies peace# +or here there IS no con+lict- In the ,orld o+ scarcity# lo*e 1AS no meaning# and peace is impossi'le- 3or gain and loss are BOT1 accepted# and so no>one is a,are that per+ect !o*e is I2 him- In the holy instant# you recogni9e the I(EA o+ lo*e in you# and U2ITE this idea ,ith the Mind that thought It# A2( COU!( 2OT RE!I2DUIS1 IT- By 1O!(I2" it ,ithin Itsel+# T1ERE 4AS no loss- The holy instant thus 'ecomes a lesson in ho, to hold A!! o+ your 'rothers in BOUR mind# e<periencing not loss# 'ut COM !ETIO23rom this# it +ollo,s you can O2!B gi*e- And this IS lo*e# +or this alone is natural# under the la,s o+ "od- In the holy instant# the la,s o+ "od pre*ail# and only T1EB ha*e meaning- The la,s o+ this ,orld cease to hold any meaning at all- 4hen the Son o+ "od ACCE TS the la,s o+ "od as ,hat he gladly ,ills# it is impossi'le that he 'e 'ound# or limited in A2B ,ay- In this instant# he IS as +ree as "od ,ould ha*e him 'e- 3or# the instant that he re+uses to BE 'ound# he is 2OT 'ound-

382

In the holy instant# nothing happens that has not al,ays 'een- Only the *eil# that has 'een dra,n ACROSS reality# is li+ted- 2othing has changed- But the A4ARE2ESS o+ changelessness comes s,i+tly# as the *eil o+ time is pushed aside- 2o>one ,ho has not yet e<perienced the li+ting o+ the *eil# and +elt himsel+ dra,n irresisti'ly into the !ight 'ehind it# can ha*e +aith in lo*e 4IT1OUT +ear- Bet the 1oly Spirit "IHES you this +aith# 'ecause 1e o++ered it to me and I ACCE TE( IT3ear not the holy instant ,ill 'e denied you# +or I denied IT not- And# through me# the 1oly Spirit "AHE it unto you# as BOU ,ill gi*e it- !et no need that BOU percei*e# o'scure your need o+ T1IS- 3or# in the holy instant# you ,ill recogni9e the O2!B need the aspects o+ the Son o+ "od share e?ually# and# BB this recognition# you ,ill @oin ,ith
> 8&6 >

me in O33ERI2" ,hat is needed- It is through US that peace ,ill come- Join me in the I(EA o+ peace# +or# in ideas# minds CA2 communicateI+ you ,ould "IHE BOURSE!3 as your 3ather gi*es 1is Sel+# you ,ill learn to understand Sel+hood- And therein is lo*e=s meaning understood- But remem'er that understanding is O3 T1E MI2(# and# O2!B o+ the mind- L2O4!E("E is there+ore o+ the mind# and its CO2(ITIO2S are in the mind# 4IT1 it- I+ you ,ere not O2!B an idea# and 2OT1I2" E!SE# you ,ould not 'e in +ull communication ,ith all that e*er ,asBut# as long as you pre+er to 'e something else# or ,ould attempt to 'e 2OT1I2" E!SE and SOMET1I2" E!SE together# the language o+ communication# 41IC1 BOU L2O4 ER3ECT!B# you ,ill not remem'erIn the holy instant# "od is remem'ered# and the language o+ communication ,ith A!! your 'rothers# is remem'ered 4IT1 1im- 3or communication is remem'ered TO"ET1ER# as is truth- There is 2O e<clusion in the holy instant# 'ecause the past is gone# and# ,ith it# goes the ,hole 'asis 3OR e<clusion- 4ithout ITS source# e<clusion *anishes- And this permits BOUR Source# and that o+ all your 'rothers# to RE !ACE it in your a,areness- "od# and the po,er o+ "od# ,ill ta:e their right+ul place in you# and you ,ill e<perience the +ull communication o+ ideas ,ith ideas- Through your a'ility to do this# you ,ill learn ,hat you MUST 'e# 'ecause you ,ill 'egin to understand ,hat your Creator is# and ,hat 1is creation is# along 4IT1 1imBeyond the poor attraction o+ the special lo*e relationship# and A!4ABS o'scured 'y it# is the po,er+ul attraction o+ the 3ather +or 1is Son- There is no OT1ER lo*e that can satis+y you# 'ecause there IS no other lo*e- This is the O2!B lo*e that is +ully gi*en# A2(

383

3U!!B RETUR2E(- Being complete# it as:s nothing- Being ,holly pure# e*eryone @oined in it 1AS e*erything- This is 2OT the 'asis +or A2B lo*e relationship in ,hich the ego enters- 3or EHERB relationship on ,hich the ego em'ar:s IS special- The ego esta'lishes relationships O2!B to "ET something- And it ,ould :eep the gi*er BOU2( TO ITSE!3# through guiltIt is impossi'le +or the ego to enter into any relationship ,ithout anger# +or the ego 'elie*es that A2"ER MALES 3RIE2(S- This is 2OT its statement# 'ut it IS its purpose3or the ego REA!!B BE!IEHES that it can get# and LEE # 'y MALI2" "UI!TBThis is its O2E attraction- An attraction so ,ea:# that it ,ould ha*e no hold at all# e<cept that 2OO2E RECO"2IUES IT- 3or the ego al,ays SEEMS to attract through lo*e# and has no attraction at all to anyone ,ho percei*es that IT ATTRACLS T1ROU"1 "UI!TThe sic: attraction o+ guilt MUST 'e recogni9ed 3OR 41AT IT IS- 3or# ha*ing 'een made REA! to you# it is essential to loo: at it clearly# and# 'y ,ithdra,ing your I2HESTME2T in it# to !EAR2 TO !ET IT "O- 2o>one ,ould choose to let go ,hat he 'elie*es has *alue- Bet the attraction o+ guilt has *alue to you O2!B 'ecause you ha*e 2OT loo:ed at ,hat it IS# and ha*e @udged it as *alua'le COM !ETE!B in the dar:As ,e 'ring it to light# your O2!B ?uestion ,ill 'e ,hy it ,as you EHER 4A2TE( itBou ha*e 2OT1I2" to lose 'y loo:ing open>eyed at this# +or ugliness such as this 'elongs not in your holy mind- The host o+ "od CA2 ha*e no REA! in*estment here> 8&J >

4e said 'e+ore that the ego attempts to maintain and I2CREASE guilt# 'ut in such a ,ay# that you do 2OT recogni9e ,hat it ,ould do to BOU- 3or it is the ego=s +undamental doctrine that# ,hat you do to others# BOU 1AHE ESCA E(- The ego ,ishes 2O> O2E ,ell- But its sur*i*al (E E2(S on your 'elie+ that BOU are e<empt +rom its e*il intentionsIt counsels# there+ore# that i+ you are 1OST to it# IT ,ill ena'le you to direct the anger that it holds out,ard# thus protecting BOU- And thus# it em'ar:s on an endless# unre,arding chain o+ special relationships# +orged out o+ anger# and dedicated to 'ut one insane 'elie+P that the more anger you in*est OUTSI(E yoursel+# the sa+er BOU 'ecomeIt is this chain that 'inds the Son o+ "od to guilt# and it is this chain the 1oly Spirit ,ould REMOHE +rom his holy mind- 3or the chain o+ sa*agery 'elongs not around the chosen host o+ "od# ,ho CA22OT ma:e himsel+ host to the ego- In the name o+ his

384

release# and in the 2ame o+ 1im 4ho ,ould release him# let us loo: more closely at the relationships that the ego contri*es# and let the 1oly Spirit @udge them truly- 3or it is certain that# i+ you !OOL at them# you ,ill o++er them gladly TO 1im- 4hat 1E can ma:e o+ them you do 2OT :no,# 'ut you 4I!! 'ecome ,illing to +ind out# i+ you are ,illing# +irst# to percei*e ,hat BOU ha*e made o+ themIn one ,ay or another# e*ery relationship ,hich the ego ma:es is 'ased on the idea that# 'y SACRI3ICI2" itsel+# IT BECOMES BI""ER- The )sacri+ice#. ,hich it regards as puri+ication# is actually the root o+ its 'itter resentment- 3or it ,ould much pre+er to attac: directly# and a*oid delaying ,hat it REA!!B ,ants- Bet the ego ac:no,ledges )reality. as it sees it# and recogni9es that 2O>O2E could interpret (IRECT attac: as lo*eBet to ma:e guilty IS direct attac:# 'ut does not SEEM to 'e- 3or the guilty EX ECT attac:# and# ha*ing ASLE( +or it# they are ATTRACTE( to itIn these insane relationships# the attraction o+ ,hat you do 2OT ,ant seems to 'e much stronger than the attraction o+ ,hat you (O- 3or each one thin:s that he has SACRI3ICE( something to the other# A2( 1ATES 1IM3OR IT- Bet this is ,hat he thin:s he 4A2TS- 1e is 2OT in lo*e ,ith the other at allP he merely 'elie*es he is I2 !OHE 4IT1 SACRI3ICE- And 3OR this sacri+ice# ,hich he demanded O3 1IMSE!3# 1E demands the other ACCE T the guilt# and SACRI3ICE 1IMSE!3 as ,ell- 3orgi*eness 'ecomes impossi'le# +or the ego 'elie*es# that to +orgi*e another# IS TO !OSE 1IM- 3or it is only 'y attac: 4IT1OUT +orgi*eness# that the ego can ensure the guilt ,hich holds A!! its relationships togetherBet they only SEEM to 'e together- 3or relationships# to the ego# mean O2!B that BO(IES are together- It is al,ays 1BSICA! closeness that the ego demands# and it does not o'@ect ,here the MI2( goes# or ,hat it thin:s# +or this seems unimportant- 3or# as long as the BO(B is there# to recei*e its sacri+ice# it is content- To the ego# T1E MI2( IS RIHATE# and only the 'ody CA2 'e shared- Ideas are 'asically o+ no concern# e<cept as they dra, the BO(B o+ another closer or +arther- And it is in these terms that it e*aluates ideas as )good. or )'ad-. 4hat ma:es another guilty# A2( 1O!(S 1IM T1ROU"1 "UI!T# is )good-. 4hat releases him 3ROM guilt is )'ad#. 'ecause he ,ould no longer 'elie*e that BO(IES communicate# and so he ,ould 'e )gone-.
> 8&7 >

Su++ering and sacri+ice are the gi+ts ,ith ,hich the ego ,ould )'less. all unions- And those ,ho are united at its altar ACCE T su++ering and sacri+ice as the RICE o+ union- In

385

their angry alliances# 'orn o+ the +ear o+ loneliness# and yet dedicated to the CO2TI2UA2CE o+ loneliness# they see: RE!IE3 +rom guilt# 'y I2CREASI2" it in the other- 3or they 'elie*e that this (ECREASES it in them- The other seems al,ays to 'e attac:ing and ,ounding them# perhaps in little ,ays# perhaps )unconsciously#. yet ne*er ,ithout demand o+ sacri+ice- The +ury o+ those @oined at the ego=s altar# +ar e<ceeds your a,areness o+ it- 3or ,hat the ego really# ,ants you do 2OT reali9e4hene*er you are angry# you can 'e sure that you ha*e +ormed a special relationship ,hich the ego has )'lessed#. +or anger IS its )'lessing-. Anger ta:es many +orms# 'ut it cannot long decei*e those ,ho ,ill learn that !OHE BRI2"S 2O "UI!T AT A!!# and ,hat 'rings guilt CA22OT 'e lo*e# and MUST 'e anger- A!! anger is nothing more than an attempt to MALE SOMEO2E 3EE! "UI!TB# and this attempt is the O2!B 'asis ,hich the ego accepts +or special relationships- "uilt is the only need the ego has# and# as long as you identi+y 4IT1 it# guilt ,ill remain ATTRACTIHE to youBut remem'er thisP to 'e 4IT1 A BO(B is 2OT communication- And# i+ you thin: it IS# you ,ill +eel guilty a'out COMMU2ICATIO2# and ,ill 'e A3RAI( to hear the 1oly Spirit# recogni9ing in 1is *oice# your O42 need to communicate- The 1oly Spirit CA22OT teach through +ear- And ho, can 1e communicate ,ith you# ,hile you 'elie*e that# to communicate# is to MALE BOURSE!3 A!O2EE It is C!EAR!B insane to 'elie*e that# 'y communicating# you ,ill 'e a'andoned- And yet# you (O 'elie*e it- 3or you thin: that your minds must 'e :ept RIHATE# or you ,ill !OSE them- And# i+ your BO(IES are together# your minds remain your o,nThe union o+ 'odies thus 'ecomes the ,ay in ,hich you ,ould LEE MI2(S A ART3or 'odies cannot +orgi*e- They can do only as the mind directs- The illusion o+ the autonomy o+ the 'ody# and ITS a'ility to o*ercome loneliness# is 'ut the ,or:ing o+ the ego=s plan to esta'lish its O42 autonomy- As long as you 'elie*e that# to 'e ,ith a 'ody# is companionship# you ,ill 'e COM E!!E( to attempt to :eep your 'rother I2 his 'ody# 1E!( T1ERE BB "UI!T- And you ,ill see SA3ETB I2 "UI!T# and (A2"ER I2 COMMU2ICATIO2- 3or the ego ,ill A!4ABS teach that loneliness is sol*ed 'y guilt#

386

and that communication is the CAUSE o+ loneliness- And# despite the e*ident insanity o+ this lesson# BOU 1AHE !EAR2E( IT3orgi*eness lies in communication# as surely as damnation lies in guilt- It is the 1oly Spirit=s teaching +unction to instruct those ,ho 'elie*e that communication is damnation# that communication is sal*ation- And 1e ,ill do so# +or the po,er o+ "od in 1im A2( BOU is @oined in REA! relationship# so holy and so strong# that it can o*ercome e*en this# 4IT1OUT +ear- It is through the holy instant that ,hat SEEMS impossi'le is ACCOM !IS1E(# ma:ing it e*ident that it is 2OT impossi'le- In the holy instant# guilt holds 2O attraction# since communication 1AS BEE2 restored- And guilt# ,hose O2!B purpose is to (ISRU T communication# 1AS no +unction here> 8&K >

1ere# there is no concealment# and no pri*ate thoughts- The 4I!!I2"2ESS to communicate attracts communication TO it# and o*ercomes loneliness completelyThere is complete +orgi*eness here# +or there is no desire to e<clude A2BO2E +rom your completion# in sudden recognition o+ the *alue o+ his part in it- In the protection o+ BOUR ,holeness# all are in*ited and made ,elcome- And you understand that BOUR completion is "od=s# 4hose only need is to ha*e you Be complete- 3or your completion MALES you 1is# in BOUR a,areness- And here it is that you e<perience yoursel+ as you ,ere created# A2( AS BOU AREThe holy instant does not RE !ACE the need +or learning# +or the 1oly Spirit must not lea*e you as your Teacher# until the holy instant has e<tended +ar 'eyond time3or a teaching assignment such as 1is# 1e must use EHERRBT1I2" in this ,orld +or your release- 1e must side ,ith EHERB sign or to:en o+ your ,illingness to learn o+ 1im ,hat truth MUST 'e- 1e is s,i+t to utili9e 41ATEHER you o++er 1im# on 'ehal+ o+ this- 1is concern and care +or you are limitless- In the +ace o+ your +ear o+ +orgi*eness# ,hich 1e percei*es as clearly as 1e :no,s +orgi*eness IS release# 1e ,ill teach you to remem'er al,ays that +orgi*eness is 2OT loss# BUT BOUR SA!HATIO2- And that# in COM !ETE +orgi*eness# in ,hich you recogni9e that there is nothing to +orgi*e# BOU are a'sol*ed completely1ear him gladly# and learn o+ 1im that you ha*e need o+ no special relationships at all- Bou 'ut see: in them ,hat you ha*e T1RO42 A4AB- And# through T1EM# you ,ill ne*er learn the *alue o+ ,hat you ha*e cast aside# 'ut ,hat you still desire ,ith all your

387

hearts- !et us @oin together in ma:ing the holy instant all that there is# 'y desiring that it BE all that there is- "od=s Son has such great need o+ your ,illingness to stri*e +or this# that you cannot concei*e o+ need so great- Behold the only need that "od and 1is Son share# and ,ill to meet together- Bou are 2OT alone in this- The ,ill o+ your creations call to you# to share your ,ill ,ith them- Turn# then# in peace# +rom guilt to "od and themRelate only ,ith ,hat ,ill ne*er !EAHE you# and ,hat BOU cannot lea*e- The loneliness o+ "od=s Son is the loneliness o+ his 3ather- Re+use not the a,areness o+ your completion# and see: not to restore it to yoursel*es- 3ear not to gi*e redemption o*er to your Redeemer=s lo*e- 1e ,ill 2OT +ail you# +or 1e comes +rom One 4ho CA22OT +ailAccept BOUR sense o+ +ailure as nothing more than a mista:e in 41O BOU 4ERE3or the holy host o+ "od is BEBO2( +ailure# and 2OT1I2" that he ,ills can BE deniedBou are +ore*er in a relationship so holy# that it calls to e*eryone to ESCA E +rom loneliness# and @oin you in your !o*e- And ,here BOU are must e*eryone see:# and 3I2( you thereThin: 'ut an instant on thisP "od ga*e the Sonship to you# to ensure your per+ect creation- This ,as 1is "i+t# +or# as 1e ,ithheld 1imsel+ not +rom you# 1e ,ithheld not 1is creation- 2othing that e*er ,as created# 'ut is not yours- Bour relationships are ,ith the uni*erse- And this uni*erse# 'eing o+ "od# is +ar 'eyond the petty sum o+ all the separate 'odies BOU percei*e- 3or all its parts are @oined in "od through Christ# ,here
> 8&5 >

they 'ecome li:e to their 3ather- 3or Christ :no,s o+ no separation 3ROM 1is 3ather# 4ho is 1is One relationship# in ,hich 1e gi*es as 1is 3ather gi*es to 1imThe 1oly Spirit is "od=s attempt to +ree you o+ ,hat 1e does not understand- And# 'ecause o+ the Source o+ the attempt# IT 4I!! SUCCEE(- The 1oly Spirit as:s you to respond as "od does# +or 1e ,ould teach you ,hat BOU do not understand- "od ,ould respond to EHERB need# 41ATEHER +orm it ta:es- And so 1e has :ept this Channel open to recei*e 1is communication to you# A2( BOURS TO 1IM- "od does 2OT understand your pro'lem in communication# +or 1e does 2OT share it ,ith you- It is only BOU# ,ho 'elie*e that it IS understanda'leThe 1oly Spirit L2O4S that it is not understanda'le# and yet 1e U2(ERSTA2(S it# 'ecause you ha*e MA(E it- In 1im alone# lies the a,areness o+ ,hat "od CA22OT :no,# and ,hat BOU do 2OT understand- It is 1is holy +unction to ACCE T T1EM

388

BOT1# and# 'y remo*ing EHERB element o+ (ISagreement# to @oin them into one1e ,ill do this# BECAUSE it is 1is +unction- !ea*e# then# ,hat seems to you to 'e impossi'le# to 1im 4ho :no,s it MUST 'e possi'le# 'ecause it is the 4ill o+ "od- And let 1im# 4hose teaching is O2!B o+ "od# teach you the O2!B meaning o+ relationships- 3or "od 1imsel+ created the only relationship that 1AS meaning# and that is 1is relationship ,ith BOUAs the ego ,ould limit your perception o+ your 'rothers to the 'ody# so ,ould the 1oly Spirit RE!EASE your *ision# and let you see the "reat Rays shining +rom them# so unlimited that they reach to "od- It is this shi+t in *ision ,hich is accomplished in the holy instant- Bet it is need+ul +or you to learn @ust ,hat this shi+t entails# so you ,ill 'ecome ,illing to ma:e it permanent- "i*en this ,illingness# it ,ill 2OT lea*e you# +or it IS permanent- 3or# once you ha*e accepted it as the O2!B ERCE TIO2 T1AT BOU 4A2T# it is translated into :no,ledge# 'y the part that "od 1imsel+ plays in the Atonement# +or it is the O2!B step in it 1e understands- There+ore# in this there ,ill 'e 2O delay# ,hen BOU are ready +or it- "od is ready 2O4# 'ut BOU are notOur tas: is 'ut to continue# as +ast as possi'le# the necessary process o+ loo:ing straight at A!! the inter+erence# and seeing it EXACT!B as it is- 3or it is impossi'le to recogni9e as 41O!!B ,ithout grati+ication# 41AT BOU T1I2L BOU 4A2T- The 'ody is the sym'ol o+ the ego# as the ego is the sym'ol o+ separation- And 'oth are nothing more than attempts to !IMIT communication# and there'y TO MALE IT IM OSSIB!E- 3or communication MUST 'e U2limited in order to 1AHE meaning# and (E RIHE( o+ meaning# it ,ill 2OT satis+y BOU completely- Bet it remains the O2!B means 'y ,hich you CA2 esta'lish real relationshipsReal relationships 1AHE no limits# ha*ing 'een esta'lished 'y "od- In the holy instant# ,here the "reat Rays RE !ACE the 'ody in a,areness# the recognition o+ relationships 4IT1OUT limits is gi*en you- But to SEE this# it is necessary to gi*e up EHERB use the ego has +or the 'ody# and to accept the +act that the ego has 2O purpose you ,ould S1ARE ,ith it- 3or the ego ,ould limit e*eryone TO a 'ody +or ITS purposes#
> 8$% >

and# ,hile you thin: it 1AS a purpose# you ,ill choose to utili9e the means 'y ,hich IT tries to turn its purpose into accomplishment- This ,ill ne*er BE accomplishedBet you ha*e surely recogni9ed that the ego# ,hose goals are altogether U2attaina'le#

389

,ill stri*e +or them ,ith all its might- And ,ill do so ,ith the strength that BOU ha*e gi*en it- Bet it is impossi'le to (IHI(E your strength 'et,een 1ea*en and hell# "od and the ego# and RE!EASE your po,er unto creation# ,hich is the O2!B purpose +or ,hich it ,as "IHE2 you- 3or lo*e ,ould al,ays gi*e I2CREASE- !imits are (EMA2(E(# representing the ego=s demands to ma:e little and ine++ectual- !imit your *ision o+ a 'rother to his 'ody# ,hich you 4I!! do# as long as you ,ould not release him 3ROM it# and you ha*e denied 1IS gi+t to BOU- 1IS BO(B CA22OT "IHE IT- And see: it not through BOURSBut your minds are A!REA(B continuous# and T1EIR union need only 'e accepted# and the loneliness in 1ea*en is gone- I+ you ,ould 'ut let the 1oly Spirit tell you o+ the !o*e o+ "od +or you# and the need that your creations ha*e to 'e ,ith you +ore*er# you ,ould e<perience the attraction o+ the Eternal- 3or no>one can hear 1im spea: o+ this# and long remain ,illing to linger here- 3or it IS your ,ill to 'e in 1ea*en# ,here you are complete and ?uiet# in such sure and lo*ing relationships# that A2B limits are impossi'le4ould you not e<change your little relationships +or thisE 3or the 'ody IS little and limited# and only those ,hom you ,ould see 4IT1OUT the limits that the ego ,ould impose on them# can o++er BOU the gi+t o+ +reedomBou ha*e no conception o+ the limits you ha*e placed on your perception# and no idea o+ all the lo*eliness that you COU!( see- But this you must remem'erP the attraction o+ guilt O OSES the attraction o+ "od- 1is attraction +or you remains unlimited# 'ut# 'ecause your po,er# BEI2" 1is# is AS "REAT as 1is# you can TUR2 A4AB +rom lo*e4hat you in*est in guilt# you ,ithdra, +rom "od- And your sight gro,s ,ea: and dim and limited# +or you ha*e attempted to SE ARATE the 3ather +rom the Son# and !IMIT their communication- See: not Atonement in 3URT1ER separation- And limit not your *ision o+ "od=s Son to ,hat I2TER3ERES ,ith his release# and ,hat the 1oly Spirit must U2(O to set him +ree- 3or his 'elie+ in limits 1AS imprisoned him4hen the 'ody ceases to attract you# and ,hen you place no *alue on it as a means o+ "ETTI2" A2BT1I2"# then there ,ill 'e 2O inter+erence in communication- And your thoughts ,ill 'e as +ree as "od=s- As you let the 1oly Spirit teach you ho, to use the 'ody O2!B +or purposes o+ communication# and RE2OU2CE its use +or separation and attac:# ,hich the E"O sees in it# you ,ill learn you ha*e no need o+ a 'ody at all- In the holy instant# there ARE no 'odies- And you e<perience O2!B the attraction o+ "od-

390

Accepting it as undi*ided# you @oin 1im ,holly# in an instant- 3or you ,ould place 2O limits on your union 4IT1 1im- The reality o+ T1IS relationship 'ecomes the only truth that you could e*er 4A2T- A!! Truth IS hereIt IS in your po,er# I2 TIME# to delay the per+ect union o+ the 3ather and the Son3or in this ,orld# the attraction o+ guilt (OES stand 'et,een them- 2either time nor season means anything in eternity- But here# it is the 1oly Spirit=s +unction to use them
> 8$& >

'oth# 2OT as the ego uses them- This is the season ,hen you ,ould cele'rate my 'irth into this ,orld- Bet you :no, not ho, to do it- !et the 1oly Spirit teach you# and let ME cele'rate BOUR 'irth through 1im- The only gi+t I can accept o+ you# is the gi+t I "AHE you- Release ME# as I ,illed BOUR release- The time o+ Christ ,e cele'rate TO"ET1ER3or it 1AS no meaning# i+ ,e are apartThe holy instant is truly the time o+ Christ- 3or# in this li'erating instant# no guilt is laid upon the Son o+ "od# and his unlimited po,er is thus restored to him- 4hat OT1ER gi+t can you o++er me# ,hen O2!B T1IS I ,ill to o++er BOUE And to see me# is to see me in e*eryone# and o++er e*eryone the gi+t you o++er me- I am incapa'le o+ recei*ing sacri+ice as "od is- And e*ery sacri+ice you as: o+ BOURSE!3# you as: o+ me- !earn 2O4 that sacri+ice# o+ A2B :ind# is nothing 'ut a !IMITATIO2 IM OSE( O2 "IHI2"- And# BB this limitation# you ha*e limited BOUR acceptance o+ the gi+t I o++er BOU4e ,ho are one# cannot gi*e separately- 4hen you are ,illing to accept OUR relationship AS REA!# guilt ,ill hold 2O attraction +or you- 3or# in OUR union# you ,ill accept A!! o+ our 'rothers- The gi+t o+ union is the only gi+t that I ,as 'orn to gi*e"i*e it to ME# that BOU may ha*e it- The time o+ Christ is the time appointed +or the gi+t o+ +reedom# o++ered to e*eryone- And# 'y BOUR acceptance o+ it# you ha*e o++ered it TO e*eryone- It IS in your po,er to ma:e this season holy- 3or it is in your po,er to ma:e the time o+ Christ 'e 2O4It is possi'le to do this all at once# 'ecause there is 'ut O2E shi+t in perception that is necessary- 3or you made 'ut O2E mista:e- It SEEMS li:e many# 'ut it is all the same3or# though the ego ta:es many +orms# it is A!4ABS the same idea- 4hat is 2OT lo*e is al,ays +ear# and nothing else- It is not necessary to +ollo, +ear through all o+ the circuitous

391

routes 'y ,hich it 'urro,s underground# and hides in dar:ness# to emerge in 3ORMS ?uite di++erent +rom ,hat it IS- It IS necessary to e<amine each one# as long as you ,ould retain the RI2CI !E ,hich go*erns all o+ them- But ,hen you are ,illing to regard them# 2OT as separate# 'ut as (I33ERE2T MA2I3ESTATIO2S O3 T1E SAME I(EA# and O2E BOU (O 2OT 4A2T# they go togetherThe idea is simply thisP you 'elie*e that it is possi'le to 'e host to the ego# or hostage to "od- This is the choice you thin: you ha*e# and the decision that you 'elie*e that you must ma:e- Bou see no other alternati*es- 3or you can 2OT accept the +act that SACRI3ICE "ETS 2OT1I2"- Sacri+ice is so essential to your thought>system# that sal*ation# A ART +rom sacri+ice# means 2OT1I2" to you- Bour con+usion o+ sacri+ice and lo*e is so pro+ound that you cannot concei*e o+ lo*e 4IT1OUT sacri+ice- And it is T1IS that you must loo: atP SACRI3ICE IS ATTACL# 2OT !OHE- I+ you ,ould accept 'ut this O2E idea# your +ear o+ lo*e ,ould *anish"uilt CA22OT last# ,hen the idea o+ sacri+ice has 'een remo*ed- 3or# i+ there MUST 'e sacri+ice# as you are con*inced# someone must pay# and someone must get- And the O2!B ?uestion that remains to BE decided is 1O4 MUC1 is the price# +or getting 41ATAs host to the ego# you 'elie*e that you can gi*e A!! your guilt a,ay# 41ATEHER you thin:# and purchase peace- 3or the payment (OES 2OT SEEM TO BE BOURS4hile it is
> 8$$ >

o'*ious that the ego (OES demand payment# it 2EHER seems to 'e demanding it O3 BOU- 3or you are un,illing to recogni9e that the ego# ,hich you I2HITE(# is treacherous only to those ,ho thin: they are its hostThe ego ,ill 2EHER let you percei*e this# +or this recognition 4I!! ma:e it homeless3or# ,hen this recognition da,ns clearly# you ,ill 2OT 'e decei*ed 'y A2B +orm the ego ta:es# to protect itsel+ 3ROM your sight- Each +orm ,ill 'e recogni9ed as 'ut a co*er# +or the one idea that hides 'ehind them all- That lo*e demands sacri+ice# and is there+ore I2SE ARAB!E +rom attac: and +ear- And that "UI!T IS T1E RICE O3 !OHE# ,hich MUST 'e paid BB +ear- 1o, +ear+ul# then# has "od 'ecome to you# and ho, great a sacri+ice do you 'elie*e 1is !o*e demandsO 3or total lo*e ,ould demand total sacri+ice-

392

And so the ego seems to demand !ESS o+ you than "od# and o+ the t,o is @udged as the !ESSER o+ t,o e*ils# one to 'e +eared a little# 'ut the Other TO BE (ESTROBE(3or you see lo*e AS (ESTRUCTIHE# and your only ?uestion is 41O is to 'e destroyed# you or anotherE Bou see: to ans,er this ?uestion in your special relationships# in ,hich you are 'oth destroyer and destroyed I2 ART# 'ut ,ith the idea o+ 'eing a'le to 'e neither completely- And this you thin: SAHES BOU 3ROM "O(# ,hose TOTA! !o*e ,ould COM !ETE!B destroy you- Bou thin: that e*eryone OUTSI(E yoursel+ demands your sacri+ice# 'ut you do 2OT see that O2!B you demand sacri+ice# and O2!B o+ yoursel+Bet the demand o+ sacri+ice is so sa*age and so +ear+ul# that you CA22OT accept it 41ERE IT IS- But the REA! price o+ 2OT accepting this has 'een so great# that you ha*e "IHE2 "O( A4AB# rather than loo: at it3or# i+ "O( ,ould demand total sacri+ice o+ you# you thought it sa+er to pro@ect 1im out,ard and A4AB +rom you# and 2OT 'e host to 1im- 3or to 1im you ascri'ed the E"O=S treachery# in*iting it to ta:e 1is place# and ROTECT you 3ROM 1im- And you do not recogni9e that it is 41AT BOU I2HITE( I2 that ,ould destroy you# and (OES demand total sacri+ice o+ you- 2o partial sacri+ice ,ill appease this sa*age guest# +or it is an in*ader ,ho 'ut SEEMS to o++er :indness# 'ut A!4ABS to MALE T1E SACRI3ICE COM !ETE- Bou ,ill 2OT succeed in 'eing ARTIA! hostage to the ego# +or it :eeps 2O 'argains# and ,ould lea*e you 2OT1I2"- 2or can you 'e partial 1OST to itBou ,ill ha*e to choose 'et,een TOTA! +reedom and TOTA! 'ondage# +or there are no alternati*es 'ut these- Bou ha*e tried many compromises# in the attempt to a*oid recogni9ing the one decision that MUST 'e made- And yet# it is the RECO"2ITIO2 o+ the decision# JUST AS IT IS# that ma:es the decision so easyO Sal*ation is simple# 'eing o+ "od# and there+ore HERB easy to understand- But do not try to pro@ect it 3ROM you# and see it OUTSI(E yoursel+- In BOU are 'oth the ?uestion and the Ans,erP the demand +or sacri+ice and the peace o+ "od3ear not to recogni9e as SO!E!B O3 BOUR MALI2" the ,hole idea o+ sacri+iceAnd see: not sa+ety 'y attempting to ROTECT yoursel+ +rom ,here it is 2OT- Bour 'rothers and your 3ather ha*e 'ecome HERB +ear+ul to you# and you ,ould 'argain ,ith them +or a +e, special relationships# in ,hich you thin: you see some scraps o+ sa+ety-

393

(o not try longer to LEE A ART your thoughts and the Thought that has 'een "IHE2
> 8$8 >

you- 4hen they are 'rought together# and percei*ed 41ERE T1EB ARE# the choice BET4EE2 them is nothing more than a gentle a,a:ening# and as simple as opening your eyes to daylight# ,hen you ha*e no more need o+ sleepThe sign o+ Christmas is a star# a light in dar:ness- See it not OUTSI(E o+ yoursel+# 'ut shining in the 1ea*en ,ithin# and accept it as the sign the time o+ Christ has come1e comes demanding 2OT1I2"- 2o sacri+ice o+ A2B :ind# o+ A2BO2E# is as:ed 'y 1im- In 1is resence# T1E 41O!E I(EA o+ sacri+ice loses A!! meaning- 3or 1e is 1ost to "od- And you need 'ut in*ite 1im in 4ho is there A!REA(B# 'y recogni9ing that 1is 1ost is One- And no thought A!IE2 to 1is Oneness can a'ide ,ith 1im there- !o*e MUST 'e total to gi*e 1im ,elcome# +or the resence o+ holiness CREATES the holiness ,hich surrounds It- 2o +ear can touch the 1ost 4ho cradles "od in the time o+ Christ# +or the 1ost is as holy as the er+ect Innocence that 1e protects# and 4hose o,er protects 1IMThis Christmas# gi*e the 1oly Spirit EHERBT1I2" that ,ould hurt you- !ET yoursel+ 'e healed completely# that you may JOI2 ,ith 1im in healing- And let us cele'rate our release together# 'y releasing e*eryone 4IT1 us- !ea*e nothing 'ehind# +or release is TOTA! And ,hen you ha*e accepted it 4IT1 me# you ,ill "IHE it ,ith me- All pain and sacri+ice and littleness ,ill disappear in OUR relationship# ,hich is as innocent as our relationship ,ith our 3ather# and as po,er+ul- ain ,ill 'e 'rought to us# and disappear in our presence- And# 4IT1OUT pain# there can BE no sacri+ice- And 4IT1OUT SACRI3ICE# there lo*e MUST 'eBou ,ho 'elie*e that sacri+ice IS lo*e# must learn that sacri+ice is SE ARATIO2 3ROM lo*e- 3or sacri+ice 'rings guilt# as surely as lo*e 'rings peace- "uilt is the CO2(ITIO2 o+ sacri+ice# as peace is the condition +or the a,areness o+ your relationship ,ith "od- 3or through guilt# you EXC!U(E your 3ather and your 'rothers 3ROM yoursel+And through peace# you ,ill in*ite them 'ac:# and reali9e that they are ,here your in*itation 'ids them 'e- 4hat you e<cluded +rom yoursel+ seems +ear+ul# +or you E2(O4E( it ,ith +ear# and tried to CAST IT OUT# though it ,as part o+ you- 4ho can percei*e part o+ himsel+ as loathsome# and li*e ,ithin himsel+ in peaceE And ,ho can try to resol*e the percei*ed con+lict o+ 1ea*en and hell I2 1IM 'y casting 1ea*en out# and

394

"IHI2" IT the attri'utes o+ hell# 4IT1OUT e<periencing himsel+ as incomplete and lonelyE As long as you percei*e the 'ody as your reality# so long ,ill you percei*e yoursel+ as lonely and depri*ed- And so long ,ill you also percei*e yoursel+ as a HITIM O3 SACRI3ICE# JUSTI3IE( in sacri+icing others- 3or ,ho could thrust 1ea*en and its Creator aside# 4IT1OUT a sense o+ sacri+ice and lossE And ,ho can su++er sacri+ice and loss# ,ithout attempting to RESTORE himsel+E Bet ho, could you accomplish this yoursel*es# ,hen the 'asis o+ your attempts is the 'elie+ in the REA!ITB O3 T1E (E RIHATIO2E 3or depri*ation 'reeds attac:# BEI2" the 'elie+ that attac: IS @usti+ied- And# as long as you ,ould RETAI2 the depri*ation# attac: 'ecomes sal*ation# and sacri+ice 'ecomes lo*e> 8$G >

So is it that# in all your see:ing +or lo*e# BOU SEEL 3OR SACRI3ICE# and 3I2( itBet you +ind 2OT lo*e- 3or it is impossi'le to (E2B ,hat lo*e IS# and still RECO"2IUE itThe meaning o+ lo*e lies in ,hat you ha*e cast OUTSI(E yoursel+# and it 1AS no meaning at all# A ART +rom you- It is ,hat you pre+erred to LEE # that has no meaning4hile all that you ,ould LEE A4AB hold all the meaning o+ the uni*erse# and holds the uni*erse together in its meaning- 3or# unless the uni*erse ,ere @oined in BOU# it ,ould 'e A ART 3ROM "od# and to 'e ,ithout 1im IS to 'e ,ithout meaningIn the holy instant# the condition o+ lo*e is met# +or minds are @oined ,ithout the 'ody=s I2TER3ERE2CE# and ,here there is communication# there is peace- The rince o+ eace ,as 'orn to re>esta'lish the CO2(ITIO2 o+ lo*e# 'y teaching that communication remains un'ro:en# e*en i+ the 'ody is destroyed# ROHI(E( T1AT you see 2OT the 'ody as the necessary means o+ communication- And i+ you U2(ERSTA2( this lesson# you ,ill reali9e that# to sacri+ice the BO(B# is to SACRI3ICE 2OT1I2"- And communication# ,hich MUST 'e o+ the mind# CA22OT 'e sacri+iced- 4here# then# is sacri+iceE The lesson I ,as 'orn to teach# and still ,ould teach to all my 'rothers# is that sacri+ice is no,here and lo*e is e*ery,here- 3or communication EMBRACES EHERBT1I2"# and in the peace it re>esta'lishes# lo*e comes o+ itsel+- !et no despair dar:en the @oy o+ Christmas# +or the time o+ Christ is meaningless A ART +rom @oy!et us

395

@oin in cele'rating peace 'y demanding no sacri+ice o+ anyone# +or so ,ill you o++er me the lo*e I o++er you- 4hat can 'e more @oyous than to percei*e 4E ARE (E RIHE( O3 2OT1I2"E Such is the message o+ the time o+ Christ# ,hich I gi*e you# that BOU may gi*e it# and return it to the 3ather# 4ho ga*e it to me3or in the time o+ Christ# communication is restored# and 1e @oins us in the cele'ration o+ 1is Son=s Creation- "od o++ers than:s to the holy host ,ho ,ould recei*e 1im# and let 1im enter# and a'ide ,here 1e ,ould 'e- And BB your ,elcome# does 1E ,elcome you into 1imsel+- 3or ,hat is contained in you ,ho ,elcome 1im is RETUR2E( to 1imAnd ,e 'ut cele'rate 1IS 4holeness# as ,e ,elcome 1im into oursel*es- Those ,ho recei*e the 3ather are one ,ith 1im# 'eing host to 1im 4ho created them- And 'y allo,ing 1im to enter# the remem'rance o+ the 3ather enters ,ith 1im# and ,ith 1im they remem'er the only relationship they e*er had# and e*er ,ant to ha*eThis is the ,ee:>end in ,hich a ne, year ,ill 'e 'orn +rom the time o+ Christ- I ha*e per+ect +aith in you# to do all that you ,ould accomplish- 2othing ,ill 'e lac:ing# and you ,ill MALE COM !ETE# and 2OT destroy- Say and U2(ERSTA2( thisF I gi*e you to the 1oly Spirit# as part o+ mysel+I :no, that you ,ill 'e released# U2!ESS I 4A2T TO USE BOU TO IM RISO2 MBSE!3In the name o+ MB +reedom# I 4I!! your release# Because I recogni9e that ,e ,ill 'e released TO"ET1ER> 8$6 >

So ,ill the year 'egin in @oy and +reedom- There is much to do# and ,e ha*e 'een long delayed- Accept the holy instant as this year is 'orn# and ta:e your place# so long le+t un+ul+illed# in the "reat A,a:ening- Ma:e this year di++erent# 'y ma:ing it A!! T1E SAME- And let A!! your relationships 'e made holy 3OR you- This is OUR ,illAmenBou still thin: holiness is di++icult# 'ecause you cannot see ho, it can 'e e<tended to include EHERBO2E# and you 1AHE learned that it MUST include e*eryone# to BE holy- Concern yoursel*es not ,ith the EXTE2SIO2 o+ holiness# +or the nature o+ miracles you do 2OT understand- 2or do you (O them- It is their e<tension# +ar 'eyond the limits you percei*e# that demonstrates you did 2OT do them- 4hy should you ,orry ho, the miracle e<tends to all the Sonship# ,hen you do not understand the miracle itsel+E One ATTRIBUTE is no more di++icult to understand than is the ,hole- I+ miracles ARE at all#

396

their attri'utes ,ould ha*e to 'e miraculous# 'eing ART o+ themThere is a tendency to +ragment# and then to 'e concerned a'out the truth o+ @ust a little ART o+ the ,hole- And this is 'ut a ,ay o+ a*oiding# or loo:ing A4AB 3ROM the ,hole# to ,hat you thin: you might 'e 'etter a'le to understand- And this is 'ut another ,ay in ,hich you ,ould still try to :eep understanding TO BOURSE!3- A 'etter and 3AR more help+ul ,ay to thin: o+ miracles is thisF Bou do 2OT understand them# either in part OR ,hole- Bet you ha*e (O2E them- There+ore# your understanding CA22OT 'e necessary- Bet it is still impossi'le to accomplish ,hat you do not understand- And so there must 'e Something I2 you that (OES understandTo you the miracle CA22OT seem natural# 'ecause ,hat you ha*e done to hurt your minds# has made T1EM so U2natural that they do not remem'er ,hat is natural to them- And ,hen you are TO!( a'out it# you cannot U2(ERSTA2( it- The recognition o+ the part as ,hole# and o+ the ,hole in e*ery part# is ER3ECT!B natural- 3or it is the ,ay "O( thin:s# and ,hat is natural to 1im# IS natural to you- 41O!!B natural perception ,ould sho, you instantly that order o+ di++iculty in miracles is ?uite impossi'le# +or it in*ol*es a contradiction o+ ,hat miracles MEA2- And# i+ you could understand their MEA2I2"# their ATTRIBUTES could hardly cause you perple<ityBou 1AHE done miracles# 'ut it is DUITE apparent that you ha*e 2OT done them alone- Bou ha*e succeeded ,hene*er you ha*e reached another mind# and JOI2E( ,ith it- 4hen t,o minds @oin as one# and share one idea e?ually# the +irst lin: in the a,areness o+ the Sonship as one has 'een made- 4hen you ha*e made this @oining# as the 1oly Spirit 'ids you# and ha*e O33ERE( it to 1im to use as 1E :no,s ho,# 1is natural perception o+ your gi+t ena'les 1IM to understand it# and BOU to USE 1is understanding on BOUR 'ehal+- It is impossi'le to con*ince you o+ the reality o+ ,hat has clearly BEE2 accomplished# through your ,illingness# as long as you 'elie*e that BOU must understand it# or else IT is not realBou thin: your !ACL o+ understanding is a !OSS to you# and so you are un,illing to 'elie*e that ,hat 1AS happened is true- Bet can you REA!!B 'elie*e that all that has happened# EHE2 T1OU"1 you do 2OT understand it# 1AS 2OT 1A E2E(E Bet this
> 8$J >

IS your position- Bou ,ould ha*e ER3ECT +aith in the 1oly Spirit# and in the E33ECTS o+ 1is teaching# i+ you ,ere not A3RAI( to ac:no,ledge ,hat 1e taught you- 3or this ac:no,ledgement MEA2S that ,hat has happened you do 2OT understand# 'ut that

397

you are ,illing to ACCE T it# BECAUSE it has happened- 1o, can +aith in reality 'e yours# ,hile you are 'ent on ma:ing it U2realE And are you REA!!B sa+er in maintaining the U2reality o+ ,hat has happened# than you ,ould 'e in @oyously accepting it 3OR 41AT IT IS# and gi*ing than:s +or itE 1onor the truth that has 'een gi*en you# and 'e glad you do 2OT understand itMiracles are natural to "od# and to the One 4ho spea:s +or 1im- 3or 1is tas: is to TRA2S!ATE the miracle into the :no,ledge ,hich it RE RESE2TS# and ,hich IS lost to you- !et 1IS understanding o+ the miracle 'e enough +or you# and do not turn a,ay +rom all the ,itnesses that 1e has gi*en you to 1is reality- 2O e*idence ,ill con*ince you o+ the truth o+ ,hat you do 2OT ,ant- Bet your relationship ,ith 1im IS real# and 1AS 'een demonstrated- Regard this not ,ith +ear# 'ut ,ith re@oicing- The One you called upon IS ,ith you- Bid 1im ,elcome# and honor 1is ,itnesses# ,ho 'ring you the glad tidings that 1e 1AS comeIt IS true# JUST AS BOU 3EAR# that to ac:no,ledge 1im# IS to deny A!! that you thin: you :no,- But it ,as 2EHER true- 4hat gain is there to you in clinging to it# and denying the e*idence +or truthE 3or you ha*e come too near to truth to renounce it no,# and you 4I!! yield to its compelling attraction- Bou can delay this no,# 'ut only a littleThe host o+ "od has called to you# and you 1AHE heard- 2e*er again ,ill you 'e ,holly ,illing 2OT to listen- This is a year o+ @oy# in ,hich your listening ,ill increase# and peace ,ill gro, ,ith its increaseThe po,er o+ holiness A2( T1E 4EAL2ESS O3 ATTACL# ha*e BOT1 'een 'rought into a,areness- And this has 'een accomplished in minds +irmly con*inced that holiness is ,ea:ness# and attac: is po,er- Should not that 'e a su++icient miracle to teach you that your Teacher is 2OT o+ youE But remem'er also that# ,hene*er you ha*e listened to 1IS interpretation# the results ha*e 'rought BOU @oy- 4ould you RE3ER the results o+ BOUR interpretation# considering honestly ,hat they ha*e 'eenE "od ,ills you 'etterCould you not loo: ,ith greater charity# on ,hom "od lo*es ,ith per+ect lo*eE (o not interpret A"AI2ST 1is lo*e +or you- 3or you ha*e many ,itnesses that spea: o+ it so clearly# that only the 'lind and dea+ could +ail to see and hear themThis year# determine 2OT to deny ,hat has 'een gi*en you BB "od# to use +or 1im-

398

1e has 1imsel+ reminded you o+ 1im- A,a:e and S1ARE it# +or that is the only reason 1e has called to you- 1is Hoice has spo:en clearly# and yet you ha*e so little +aith in ,hat you heard# 'ecause you ha*e pre+erred to place still greater +aith in the disaster BOU ha*e made- Today# let us resol*e TO"ET1ER to accept the @oy+ul tidings that disaster is 2OT real# and that reality is 2OT disaster- Reality is sa+e and sure and ,holly :ind to e*eryone and e*erything- There is no greater lo*e than to accept this# and 'e glad3or lo*e as:s only that BOU BE 1A B# and ,ill "IHE you e*erything that ma:es +or happiness> 8$7 >

Bou ha*e ne*er gi*en A2B pro'lem to the 1oly Spirit 1e has not sol*ed- 2OR ,ill you e*er do so- Bou ha*e ne*er tried to sol*e A2BT1I2" yoursel+ and 'een success+ulIs it not time you 'rought these +acts TO"ET1ER# and made SE2SE o+ themE This is the year +or the A !ICATIO2 o+ the ideas that ha*e 'een gi*en you- 3or the ideas are mighty +orces# to 'e USE(# and not held idly 'y- They ha*e A!REA(B pro*ed their po,er su++iciently +or you to place your +aith in T1EM# and 2OT in their denial- This year# in*est in truth# and let it ,or: in peace- 1a*e +aith in ,hat has +aith in BOUThin: ,hat you ha*e REA!!B seen and heard# and RECO"2IUE it- Can you BE alone# ,ith ,itnesses li:e theseE Bou ha*e taught ,ell# and yet you ha*e not learned ho, to ACCE T the com+ort o+ your teaching- I+ you ,ill consider 41AT you ha*e taught# and ho, alien it is to ,hat you T1OU"1T you :ne,# you ,ill 'e COM E!!E( to recogni9e that your Teacher came +rom BEBO2( your thought>system# and so could loo: upon it +airly# and percei*e it ,as untrue- And 1e MUST ha*e done so +rom the 'asis o+ a *ery di++erent thoughtsystem# and one ,ith 2OT1I2" I2 COMMO2 4IT1 BOURS- 3or certainly# ,hat 1e has taught# and ,hat you taught T1ROU"1 1im# 1AS nothing in common ,ith ,hat you taught BE3ORE 1e came- And the results ha*e 'een to 'ring peace ,here there ,as pain# and su++ering has disappeared# to 'e replaced 'y @oyBou 1AHE taught +reedom# 'ut you ha*e 2OT learned ho, to 'e +ree- 4e once said# )By their +ruits ye shall :no, them# and they shall :no, themsel*es-. 3or it is certain that you @udge BOURSE!3 according to your teaching- The ego=s teaching produces IMME(IATE results# 'ecause ITS decisions are immediately ACCE TE( AS BOUR C1OICEAnd this acceptance MEA2S that you are ,illing to @udge yoursel+ accordinglyCause and e++ect are *ery clear in the ego=s thought>system# 'ecause all your learning has 'een directed to,ards ESTAB!IS1I2" the relationship 'et,een them- And ,ould you 2OT

399

ha*e +aith in ,hat you ha*e so diligently taught yoursel+ to 'elie*eE But remem'er ho, much care you ha*e e<erted in choosing its ,itnesses# and in AHOI(I2" those ,ho spo:e +or the Cause o+ truth# and ITS e++ects(oes not the +act that you ha*e 2OT learned ,hat you 1AHE taught# sho, you that you do 2OT percei*e the Sonship as oneE And does it not also sho, you that you do not regard BOURSE!3 as oneE 3or it is impossi'le to teach success+ully# 41O!!B ,ithout con*iction# and it is e?ually impossi'le that con*iction 'e OUTSI(E you- Bou could ne*er ha*e taught +reedom# unless you (I( 'elie*e in it- And it MUST 'e that ,hat you taught CAME 3ROM BOURSE!3- And yet# this sel+ you clearly (O 2OT L2O4# and do not recogni9e EHE2 T1OU"1 IT 3U2CTIO2S- 4hat +unctions# must 'e T1EREAnd it is O2!B i+ you deny 41AT IT 1AS (O2E# that you could possi'ly deny its presenceThis is a course in ho, to L2O4 yoursel+- Bou ha*e TAU"1T ,hat you are# 'ut ha*e 2OT let ,hat you are# teach BOU- Bou ha*e 'een HERB care+ul to a*oid the o'*ious# and 2OT to see the REA! cause and e++ect relationship that is ER3ECT!B apparent- Bet# ,ithin you# is EHERBT1I2" you taught- 4hat can it 'e# that has 2OT learned itE It must 'e this that is REA!!B outside yoursel+# 2OT 'y your o,n pro@ection# BUT I2 TRUT1> 8$K >

And it is this# that you ha*e TALE2 I2# that is 2OT you- 4hat BOU accept into your minds# does not REA!!B change them- Illusions are 'ut 'elie+s in 41AT IS 2OT T1EREAnd the seeming con+lict 'et,een truth and illusion can O2!B 'e resol*ed 'y SE ARATI2" BOURSE!3 3ROM T1E I!!USIO2# and 2OT +rom truthBour teaching has already (O2E this# +or the 1oly Spirit is ART O3 BOU- Created 'y "od# 1e le+t neither "od nor 1is creation- 1e is 'oth "od and you# as you are "od and 1im together- 3or "od=s ans,er to the separation added more to you than you tried to TALE A4AB- 1e protected 'oth your creations A2( you together# :eeping one ,ith you ,hat you ,ould EXC!U(E- And they ,ill TALE T1E !ACE o+ ,hat BOU too: in# to replace T1EM- They are DUITE real# and part o+ the sel+ you do not :no,- And they communicate to you through the 1oly Spirit# and their po,er and gratitude to you +or T1EIR creation# they o++er gladly to your teaching o+ your sel+# ,ho is their homeBou ,ho are host to "od# are also host to T1EM- 3or nothing real has e*er le+t the mind o+ its Creator- And ,hat is 2OT real ,as 2EHER there- Bou are 2OT t,o sel*es in con+lict- 4hat is BEBO2( "O(E I+ you ,ho hold 1im# and ,hom 1e holds# ARE the

400

uni*erse# all else must 'e OUTSI(E# ,here 2OT1I2" is- BOU ha*e taught this# and +rom +ar o++ in the uni*erse# yet 2OT 'eyond yoursel+# the ,itnesses to your teaching ha*e gathered to help you learn- Their gratitude has @oined ,ith yours and "od=s# to strengthen your +aith in ,hat you taught- 3OR 41AT BOU TAU"1T IS TRUEAlone# you stand OUTSI(E your teaching and A ART +rom it- But 4IT1 them# you MUST learn that you 'ut taught BOURSE!3# and !EAR2E( +rom the con*iction you S1ARE( ,ith themThis year you ,ill 'egin to learn# and ma:e learning COMME2SURATE ,ith teachingBou ha*e C1OSE2 this# 'y your o,n ,illingness to teach- Though you seemed to su++er +or it# the @oy o+ teaching ,ill yet 'e yours- 3or the @oy o+ teaching is I2 T1E !EAR2ER# ,ho o++ers it to the teacher in gratitude# and shares it 4IT1 him- As you learn# your gratitude to your SE!3# 4ho teaches you ,hat 1e IS# ,ill gro, and help you honor 1imAnd you ,ill learn 1is po,er and strength and purity# and lo*e 1im as 1is 3ather does1is Lingdom has no limits and no end# and there is nothing in 1im that is not per+ect and eternal- All this is BOU# and nothing OUTSI(E o+ this IS you- To your most 1oly Sel+ all praise is due# +or ,hat you are# and +or ,hat 1e is 4ho created you AS you areSooner or later must e*eryone 'ridge the gap ,hich he imagines e<ists 'et,een his sel*es- Each one 'uilds this 'ridge# ,hich CARRIES 1IM ACROSS the gap# as soon as he is ,illing to e<pend some little e++ort on 'ehal+ o+ 'ridging it- 1is little e++orts are po,er+ully supplemented 'y the strength o+ 1ea*en# and 'y the united ,ill o+ all ,ho ma:e 1ea*en ,hat it is# 'eing @oined ,ithin it- And so the one ,ho ,ould cross o*er# is literally transported there- Bour 'ridge is 'uilded stronger than you thin:# and your +oot is planted +irmly on it- 1a*e no +ear that the attraction o+ those ,ho stand on the other side and ,ait +or you# ,ill not dra, you sa+ely across- 3or you 4I!! come ,here you ,ould 'e# and ,here your Sel+ a,aits you> 8$5 >

Be not a+raid to loo: upon the special hate relationship# +or +reedom lies here- It ,ould 'e impossi'le 2OT to :no, the meaning o+ lo*e# EXCE T 3OR T1IS- 3or the special lo*e relationship# I2 41IC1 T1E MEA2I2" O3 !OHE IS !OST# is underta:en SO!E!B to O33SET this# 'ut 2OT to !ET IT "O- Bour sal*ation ,ill rise clearly 'e+ore your open eyes# as you loo: on this- BOU CA22OT !IMIT 1ATE- The special lo*e

401

relationship ,ill 2OT o++set it# 'ut ,ill merely (RIHE IT U2(ER"ROU2(# and out o+ sight- It is essential to 'ring it I2TO sight# and to ma:e 2O attempt to hide it- 3or it is the attempt to BA!A2CE hate ,ith lo*e that ma:es lo*e meaningless to youThe e<tent o+ the split that lies in this you do 2OT reali9e- And until you do# the split ,ill remain unrecogni9ed# A2( T1ERE3ORE U21EA!E(- The sym'ols o+ hate against the sym'ols o+ lo*e play out a con+lict that does not e<ist- 3or sym'ols stand +or something E!SE# and the SBMBO! o+ lo*e IS ,ithout meaning# i+ lo*e is e*erything- Bou ,ill go through this last undoing ?uite unharmed# and ,ill at last emerge AS BOURSE!3This is the last step in the readiness +or "od- Be not un,illing no,# you are too near# and you 4I!! cross the 'ridge in per+ect sa+ety# translated ?uietly +rom ,ar to peace- 3or the I!!USIO2 o+ lo*e ,ill 2EHER satis+y you- But its REA!ITB# ,hich a,aits you on the other side# 4I!! gi*e you e*erythingThe special lo*e relationship is an attempt to limit the destructi*e E33ECTS o+ hate# 'y +inding a ha*en in the storm o+ guilt- It ma:es 2O attempt to RISE ABOHE the storm# into the sunlight- On the contrary# it EM 1ASIUES guilt OUTSI(E the ha*en# 'y attempting to 'uild 'arricades A"AI2ST it# and :eep 4IT1I2 them- The special lo*e relationship is 2OT percei*ed as a *alue I2 ITSE!3# 'ut as a place o+ sa+ety# +rom ,hich hatred is split o++# and LE T A ART- The special lo*e partner is accepta'le O2!B as long as he ser*es this purpose- 1atred can enter# and# indeed# is 4E!COME in some AS ECTS o+ the relationship# 'ut it is still held together 'y the illusion o+ lo*e- I+ the illusion goes# the relationship is 'ro:en or 'ecomes unsatis+ying# on the grounds o+ (ISillusionment!OHE IS 2OT A2 I!!USIO2- It is a 3ACT- 4here (ISillusionment is possi'le# there ,as 2OT lo*e# 'ut 1ATE- 3or hate IS an illusion# and ,hat can change ,as 2EHER lo*eIt is certain that those ,ho select certain ones as partners in A2B aspect o+ li*ing# and use them +or A2B purpose ,hich they ,ould 2OT share ,ith others# are trying to !IHE 4IT1 guilt rather than (IE O3 it- This is the choice they see- And lo*e to them is only A2 ESCA E 3ROM (EAT1- They see: it desperately# 2OT in the peace in ,hich it ,ould gladly come ?uietly TO them- And ,hen they +ind the +ear o+ death is still upon them# the )lo*e. relationship loses the illusion that it IS ,hat it is 2OT- 3or# ,hen the 'arricades against it are 'ro:en# +ear rushes in and hatred triumphsThere are no triumphs o+ lo*e- Only hate is concerned ,ith the triumph o+ lo*e at

402

all- The I!!USIO2 o+ lo*e CA2 triumph o*er the illusion o+ hate# 'ut A!4ABS at the price o+ ma:ing BOT1 illusions- As long as the illusion o+ hatred lasts# so long 4I!! lo*e 'e an illusion to you- And then the O2!B choice that remains possi'le# is ,hich illusion you pre+er- There IS no con+lict in the choice 'et,een truth and illusion- Seen in T1ESE terms# 2O>O2E ,ould hesitate- But con+lict enters the instant the choice seems to 'e one
> 88% >

BET4EE2 I!!USIO2S# +or this choice does 2OT matter- 4here one choice IS as dangerous as the other# the decision MUST 'e one o+ despairBour tas: is 2OT to see: +or lo*e# 'ut merely to see: and 3I2( all o+ the 'arriers 4IT1I2 BOURSE!3 that you ha*e 'uilt A"AI2ST it- It is 2OT necessary to see: +or ,hat is true# 'ut it IS necessary to see: +or ,hat is 3A!SE- E*ery illusion is one o+ +ear# 41ATEHER +orm it ta:es- And the attempt to escape +rom one illusion I2TO A2OT1ER# MUST +ail- I+ you see: lo*e OUTSI(E yoursel+# you can 'e certain that you percei*e hatred ,ithin# A2( ARE A3RIA( O3 IT- Bet peace ,ill ne*er come +rom the I!!USIO2 o+ lo*e# 'ut O2!B +rom its realityRecogni9e this# +or it is true# and truth MUST 'e recogni9ed# i+ it is to 'e distinguished +rom illusionF The special lo*e relationship is an attempt TO BRI2" !OHE I2TO SE ARATIO2And# as such# it is nothing more than an attempt to 'ring lo*e into +ear# and MALE IT REA! I2 3EAR- In +undamental *iolation o+ lo*e=s one condition# the special lo*e relationship ,ould thus ACCOM !IS1 T1E IM OSSIB!E- 1o, 'ut in illusion COU!( this 'e doneE It is essential that ,e loo: HERB closely at e<actly ,hat it is you T1I2L you can do# to sol*e a dilemma ,hich seems *ery real to you# 'ut ,hich does not e<istBou ha*e come *ery close to truth- And only this stands 'et,een you and the 'ridge that leads you into it- 1ea*en ,aits silently# and your creations are holding out their hands to help you cross# and ,elcome them3OR IT IS T1EB BOU SEEL- Bou see: 'ut +or your o,n COM !ETIO2# and it is they ,ho render you complete- The special lo*e relationship is 'ut a sha''y su'stitute +or ,hat ma:es you ,hole I2 TRUT1# 2OT in illusion- Bour relationship ,ith them IS ,ithout guilt# and T1IS ena'les you to loo: on all your 'rothers ,ith gratitude# 'ecause your creations ,ere created in union 4IT1 them- Acceptance o+ your creations IS the acceptance o+ the oneness o+ creation# ,ithout ,hich you ,ould ne*er BE complete2o

403

specialness can o++er you ,hat "od has gi*en# and ,hat BOU are @oined 4IT1 1im in gi*ing- Across the 'ridge IS your completion# +or you ,ill 'e 41O!!B in "od# ,illing +or 2OT1I2" special# 'ut only to 'e ,holly li:e unto 1im# completing 1im 'y your completion3ear not to cross to the a'ode o+ peace and per+ect holiness- Only there is the completion o+ "od and o+ 1is Son esta'lished +ore*er- See: not +or this in the 'lea: ,orld o+ illusion# ,here nothing is certain# and ,here e*erything +ails to satis+y- And# in the 2ame o+ "od# 'e ,holly ,illing to a'andon A!! illusion- In any relationship in ,hich you are ,holly ,illing to accept completion# and O2!B this# there is "od completed# and 1is Son 4IT1 1im- The 'ridge that leads to union I2 BOURSE!3# MUST lead to :no,ledge# +or it ,as 'uilt ,ith "od 'eside you- And ,ill lead you straight to 1im# ,here BOUR completion rests# 41O!!B compati'le ,ith 1isE*ery illusion ,hich you accept into your mind# BB JU("I2" IT ATTAI2AB!E# remo*es your o,n sense o+ completion# and thus denies the 4holeness o+ your 3ather> 88& >

E*ery +antasy# 'e it o+ lo*e OR hate# (E RIHES you o+ :no,ledge# +or +antasies ARE the *eil 'ehind ,hich truth is hidden- To li+t the *eil# ,hich seems so dar: and hea*y# it is only need+ul to HA!UE truth 'eyond A!! +antasy# and to 'e entirely U2,illing to settle +or illusion I2 !ACE o+ truth- 4ould you not go T1ROU"1 +ear to !o*eE 3or such the @ourney SEEMS to 'e- !o*e calls# though hate ,ould 'id you stay1ear not the call o+ hate# and see no +antasies- 3or your completion lies in truth# and 2O41ERE E!SE- See in the call o+ hate# and in e*ery +antasy that rises to delay you# 'ut the call +or help# that rises ceaselessly +rom you to your Creator- 4ould 1e not ans,er youP ,hose completion is 1isE 1e lo*es you# ,holly 4IT1OUT illusion# as you must lo*e- 3or lo*e IS ,holly ,ithout illusion# and there+ore ,holly 4IT1OUT 3EAR4hom "od remem'ers# MUST 'e ,hole- And "od has 2EHER +orgotten ,hat ma:es 1IM ,holeIn BOUR completion lies the memory o+ 1IS ,holeness# and 1is gratitude to you +or 1is completionIn 1is lin: ,ith you lie 'oth 1is I2ABI!ITB to +orget# and BOUR a'ility to remem'erIn 1im are @oined your 4I!!I2"2ESS to lo*e# and all the lo*e o+ "od# 4ho +orgot you not- Bour 3ather can no more +orget the truth in you# than you can +ail to remem'er itThe 1oly Spirit is the 'ridge to 1im# made +rom your ,illingness to U2ITE ,ith 1im# and

404

created 'y 1is @oy# in union 4IT1 you- The @ourney that SEEME( to 'e endless is A!MOST complete# +or ,hat IS endless is *ery near- BOU 1HE A!MOST RECO"2IUE( ITTurn ,ith me +irmly a,ay +rom A!! illusion 2O4# and let nothing stand in the ,ay o+ truth4e ,ill ta:e the last +oolish @ourney A4AB 3ROM truth together- And then TO"ET1ER ,e go straight to "od# in @oyous ans,er to 1is call +or 1is completionI+ special relationships o+ A2B :ind ,ould 1I2(ER "od=s completion# CA2 they ha*e any *alue TO BOUE 4hat ,ould inter+ere ,ith "od# MUST inter+ere ,ith youOnly in time does inter+erence in "od=s completion SEEM to 'e possi'le- The 'ridge that 1e ,ould carry you across# li+ts you 3ROM time into eternity- 4a:en +rom time# and ans,er +earlessly the call o+ 1im 4ho ga*e eternity to you in your creation- On this side o+ the 'ridge to timelessness# you understand nothing- But# as you step lightly across it# upheld BB Timelessness# you are directed straight to the heart o+ :no,ledge- At Its center# and O2!B there# you are sa+e +ore*er# BECAUSE BOU ARE COM !ETE 3OREHERThere is no *eil the lo*e o+ "od in us together CA22OT li+t- The ,ay to Truth is open- 3ollo, it ,ith meIn loo:ing at the special relationship# it is necessary +irst to reali9e that it in*ol*es a great amount o+ pain- An<iety# despair# guilt# and attac: all enter into it# BROLE2 I2TO 'y periods in ,hich they SEEM to 'e gone- All these must 'e understood +or ,hat they ARE- 4hate*er +orm they ta:e# they are al,ays an attac: on the sel+# TO MALE T1E OT1ER "UI!TB- 4e ha*e spo:en o+ this 'e+ore# 'ut there are some aspects o+ ,hat is REA!!B 'eing attempted# that ,e ha*e not touched upon- Hery simply# the attempt to ma:e guilty is A!4ABS directed against "od- 3or the ego ,ould ha*e you see 1im# A2( 1IM A!O2E# as guilty# lea*ing the Sonship O E2 to attac:# and unprotected +rom it> 88$ >

The special lo*e relationship is the ego=s chie+ ,eapon +or :eeping you +rom 1ea*enIt does not A EAR to 'e a ,eapon# 'ut i+ you consider 1O4 you HA!UE it# and ,hy# you ,ill reali9e ,hat it MUST 'e- The special lo*e relationship is the ego=s most 'oasted gi+t# and the one that has the most appeal to those un,illing to relin?uish guilt- The )dynamics. o+ the ego are clearest here# +or# counting on the attraction o+ this o++ering#

405

the +antasies ,hich center around this# are o+ten ?uite open- 1ere# they are usually @udged to 'e accepta'le# and e*en 2ATURA!- 2o>one considers it 'i9arre to lo*e and hate together# and e*en those ,ho 'elie*e that hate is )sin.# merely +eel guilty# 'ut do 2OT correct itThis IS the )natural. condition o+ the separation- And those ,ho learn that it is 2OT natural at all# seem to 'e the U2natural ones- 3or this ,orld IS the opposite o+ 1ea*en# ha*ing 'een made to BE its opposite- And EHERBT1I2" here ta:es a direction EXACT!B opposite to ,hat is true- In 1ea*en# ,here the meaning o+ lo*e is :no,n# lo*e is the same as U2IO2- 1ere# ,here the I!!USIO2 o+ lo*e is accepted I2 ITS !ACE# lo*e is percei*ed as separation and EXC!USIO2It is in the special relationship# 'orn o+ the hidden ,ish +or special lo*e +rom "od# that the ego=s hatred triumphs- 3or the special relationship is T1E RE2U2CIATIO2 O3 T1E !OHE O3 "O(# and the attempt to secure +or the sel+ the specialness that 1e deniedAnd it is essential to the preser*ation o+ the ego# that you 'elie*e this specialness is 2OT hell# 'ut 1EAHE2- 3or the ego ,ould ne*er ha*e you see that the separation can O2!B BE !OSS# 'eing the one condition in ,hich 1ea*en CA22OT 'eTo e*eryone# 1ea*en is completion- There CA2 'e no disagreement on this# 'ecause 'oth the ego A2( the 1oly Spirit accept it- They are# ho,e*er# in complete (ISagreement on ,hat completion IS# and 1O4 it is accomplished- The 1oly Spirit :no,s that sel+ completion lies +irst in union# and then in the EXTE2SIO2 o+ union- To the ego# completion lies in triumph# and in the e<tension o+ the )*ictory#. e*en to the +inal triumph o*er "odIn T1IS it sees the ultimate 3REE(OM o+ the sel+# +or nothing ,ould remain to inter+ere ,ith IT- This IS its idea o+ 1ea*en- 3rom this it +ollo,s that union# ,hich is a condition in ,hich the E"O cannot inter+ere# MUST BE 1E!!The special relationship is a strange and unnatural ego de*ice +or @oining hell and 1ea*en# and ma:ing them indistinguisha'le- And the attempt to +ind the imagined )'est. o+ BOT1 ,orlds# has merely led to 3A2TASIES o+ 'oth# and to the ina'ility to percei*e either one AS IT IS- The special relationship is the triumph o+ this con+usion- It is a :ind o+ union +rom ,hich U2IO2 IS EXC!U(E(# and the BASIS +or the ATTEM T at union

406

RESTS on e<clusion- 4hat 'etter e<ample could there 'e o+ the ego=s ma<im# )See:# and do 2OT +indE. Most curious o+ all is the concept o+ the sel+# ,hich the ego +osters in the special relationship- This )sel+. SEELS the relationship# to MALE ITSE!3 COM !ETE- Bet# ,hen it +inds the special relationship in ,hich it thin:s it can ACCOM !IS1 this# IT "IHES ITSE!3 A4AB# and tries to TRA(E itsel+ +or the sel+ o+ another- This is 2OT union# +or there is 2O increase and 2O e<tension- Each partner tries to sacri+ice the sel+ he does 2OT ,ant# +or one he thin:s he ,ould RE3ER- 1e +eels guilty +or the )sin. o+ TALI2"#
> 888 >

and o+ gi*ing nothing o+ *alue in return- 3or ho, much *alue CA2 he place upon a sel+ that he ,ould "IHE A4AB to get a BETTER oneE The )'etter. sel+ the ego see:s is A!4ABS one that is MORE special- And ,hoe*er SEEMS to possess a special sel+ is )lo*ed#. 3OR 41AT CA2 BE TALE2 3ROM 1IM4here 'oth partners see this special sel+ I2 EAC1 OT1ER# the E"O sees )a union made in 1ea*en-. 3or 2EIT1ER ,ill recogni9e that 1E 1AS ASLE( 3OR 1E!!# and so he ,ill 2OT inter+ere ,ith the ego=s I!!USIO2 o+ 1ea*en# ,hich it o++ered him TO I2TER3ERE 4IT1 1EAHE2- Bet i+ A!! illusions are o+ +ear# and they CA2 'e o+ nothing else# the illusion o+ 1ea*en is nothing more than an ATTRACTIHE +orm o+ +ear# in ,hich the guilt is 'uried deep# and rises in the +orm o+ )lo*e-. The appeal o+ hell lies O2!B in the terri'le attraction o+ guilt# ,hich the ego holds out to those ,ho place their +aith in littleness- The con*iction o+ littleness lies in EHERB special relationship# +or only the depri*ed COU!( *alue specialness- The )demand. +or specialness# and the perception o+ the "IHI2" o+ specialness AS A2 ACT O3 !OHE# ,ould MALE !OHE 1ATE3U!- And the REA! purpose o+ the special relationship# in strict accordance ,ith the ego=s goals# is to (ESTROB reality and SUBSTITUTE I!!USIO2- 3or the ego is ITSE!3 an illusion# and O2!B illusions can BE the ,itnesses to its realityI+ you percei*ed the special relationship as a triumph o*er "od# 4OU!( BOU 4A2T ITE !et us not thin: o+ its +ear+ul nature# nor o+ the guilt it MUST entail# nor o+ the sadness and the loneliness- 3or these are only ATTRIBUTES o+ the ,hole religion o+ the separation# and the total conte<t in ,hich it is thought to occur- The central theme in its litany to

407

sacri+ice is that "O( MUST (IE SO BOU CA2 !IHE- And it is this theme that is acted out in the special relationship- Through the death o+ BOUR sel+# you thin: you can ATTACL another sel+# and snatch it 3ROM the other# to RE !ACE the sel+ that you despisedAnd you despise it BECAUSE BOU (O 2OT T1I2L IT O33ERS BOU T1E S ECIA!2ESS T1AT BOU (EMA2(- And# 1ATI2" it# BOU ha*e made it little and un,orthy# BECAUSE BOU ARE A3RAI( O3 IT1o, can you grant unlimited po,er to ,hat you thin: you ha*e ATTACLE(E 3or so +ear+ul has the truth 'ecome that# U2!ESS it is ,ea:# and little# and un,orthy o+ *alue# you ,ould not dare to loo: upon it- Bou thin: it sa+er to endo, the little sel+ ,hich BOU ha*e made# ,ith po,er you 4RESTE( 3ROM truth# triumphing o*er it# and lea*ing IT helpless- See ho, EXACT!B is this ritual enacted in the special relationship- An altar is erected I2 BET4EE2 t,o separate people# on ,hich each see:s to :ill his sel+# and on his 'ody# raise another sel+ that TALES 1IS O4ER 3ROM ITS (EAT1O*er and o*er and o*er# this ritual is enacted- And it is 2EHER completed# nor e*er ,ill BE completed- 3or the RITUA! o+ completion CA22OT complete# and li+e arises not +rom death# nor 1ea*en +rom hell- 4hene*er A2B +orm o+ special relationship tempts you to see: +or lo*e in ritual# remem'er lo*e is CO2TE2T# and 2OT +orm o+ A2B :indThe special relationship is a RITUA! O3 3ORM# aimed at the raising o+ the +orm to ta:e the place o+ "od# at the EX E2SE o+ content- There IS no meaning in the +orm# A2( T1ERE 4I!! 2EHER BE- The special relationship MUST 'e recogni9ed +or ,hat it isP a
> 88G >

senseless ritual# in ,hich strength is e<tracted +rom the death o+ "od# and in*ested in 1is :iller# as the sign that +orm has triumphed o*er content# and lo*e has !OST its meaning4ould you 4A2T this to 'e possi'le# e*en A ART +rom its e*ident impossi'ilityE 3or# i+ it 4ERE possi'le# you ,ould ha*e made BOURSE!3 helpless- "od is not angry1e merely could not let this happen- Bou can 2OT change 1is Mind- 2o rituals that you ha*e set up# in ,hich the dance o+ death delights you# can 'ring death to the Eternal2or can your chosen su'stitute +or the 4holeness o+ "od# ha*e A2B in+luence at all upon It-

408

See in the special relationship nothing more than a meaningless attempt to raise other gods 'e+ore 1im# and# 'y ,orshipping them# to o'scure T1EIR tininess# A2( 1IS "REAT2ESSIn the name o+ BOUR completion# you do not 4A2T this- And e*ery idol that you raise to place BE3ORE 1im# stands 'e+ore BOU# in place o+ ,hat BOU areSal*ation lies in the simple +act that illusions are 2OT +ear+ul# BECAUSE T1EB ARE 2OT TRUEThey 'ut SEEM to 'e +ear+ul to the e<tent to ,hich you +ail to recogni9e them 3OR 41AT T1EB ARE- And you 4I!! +ail to do this# to the e<tent to ,hich you 4A2T them to 'e true- And# to the same e<tent# you are (E2BI2" truth# and so are ma:ing BOURSE!3 una'le to ma:e the simple choice 'et,een truth and illusion# +antasy and "odRemem'er this# and you ,ill ha*e no di++iculty in percei*ing the decision as @ust ,hat it IS# and nothing more- The core o+ the separation delusion lies simply in the +antasy (ESTRUCTIO2 o+ lo*e=s meaning- And# unless it=s meaning is RESTORE( to you# you CA22OT :no, yoursel+# ,ho S1ARE its meaning- Separation is only the decision 2OT to :no, yoursel+- Its ,hole thought>system is a care+ully>contri*ed learning e<perience# designed to lead A4AB +rom truth# and into +antasy- Bet# +or e*ery learning that ,ould hurt you# "od o++ers you correction# and COM !ETE escape +rom A!! its conse?uencesThe decision ,hether or not to listen to this course and +ollo, it is 'ut the choice 'et,een truth and illusion- 3or here IS truth# SE ARATE( +rom illusion# and 2OT con+used ,ith it at all- 1o, simple does this choice 'ecome ,hen it is percei*ed as only ,hat it is3or O2!B +antasies made con+usion in choosing possi'le# and they are totally U2realThis year is thus the time to ma:e the EASIEST decision that e*er con+ronted you# and also the O2!B one- Bou ,ill cross the 'ridge into reality# simply 'ecause you ,ill recogni9e that "od is on the other side A2( 2OT1I2" AT A!! IS 1ERE- It is impossi'le 2OT to ma:e the natural decision# as this is reali9edThe search +or the special relationship is the sign that you e?uate your sel+ ,ith the ego# and 2OT ,ith "od- 3or the special relationship has *alue O2!B to the ego- To IT# U2!ESS a relationship 1AS special *alue# IT 1AS 2O MEA2I2"- And it percei*es A!! lo*e as special- Bet# this CA22OT 'e natural# +or it is U2li:e the relationship o+ "od and

409

1is Son# and A!! relationships that are unli:e this One# MUST 'e unnatural- 3or "od created lo*e as 1e ,ould ha*e it 'e# and "AHE it as it IS- !o*e 1AS no meaning e<cept as its Creator de+ined it# 'y 1is 4ill- It is impossi'le to de+ine it other,ise# and U2(ERSTA2( it> 886 >

!OHE IS 3REE(OM- To loo: +or it 'y placing yoursel+ in BO2(A"E# is to SE ARATE yoursel+ +rom it- 3or the lo*e o+ "od# no longer see: +or union in separation# nor +or +reedom in 'ondageO As you release# so ,ill you BE released- 3OR"ET T1IS 2OT# or lo*e ,ill 'e una'le to +ind you# and com+ort you- There is a ,ay in ,hich the 1oly Spirit as:s BOUR help# i+ you ,ould ha*e 1is- The holy instant is 1is most help+ul tool in protecting you +rom the attraction o+ guilt# the REA! lure in the special relationshipBou do 2OT recogni9e that this IS its REA! appeal# +or the ego has taught you that 3REE(OM lies in itBet# the closer you loo: at the special relationship# the more apparent it 'ecomes that it MUST +oster guilt# and there+ore must IM RISO2- The special relationship is totally ,ithout meaning 4IT1OUT A BO(B- And# i+ you HA!UE it# you must also HA!UE T1E BO(B- And ,hat you *alue# you 4I!! :eep- The special relationship is a de*ice +or limiting BOUR sel+ to a 'ody# and +or limiting your perception o+ others to T1EIRSThe "reat Rays ,ould esta'lish the total !ACL o+ *alue o+ the special relationship# I3 T1EB 4ERE SEE2- 3or# in seeing T1EM# the 'ody 4OU!( disappear# BECAUSE ITS HA!UE 4OU!( BE !OST- And so your ,hole I2HESTME2T in seeing it ,ould 'e 4ITR1(RA42 +rom itBOU SEE T1E 4OR!( BOU HA!UE- On this side o+ the 'ridge# you see the ,orld o+ separate 'odies# see:ing to @oin each other in SE ARATE U2IO2S# and to 'ecome one BB !OSI2"- 4hen t,o I2(IHI(UA!S see: to 'ecome O2E# they are trying to (ECREASE their magnitude- Each ,ould (E2B his po,er# +or the SE ARATE union EXC!U(ES T1E U2IHERSE- 3ar more is !E3T OUTSI(E than ,ould 'e ta:en in- 3or "od is le+t 4IT1OUT# and 2OT1I2" ta:en in- I+ one such union ,ere made I2 ER3ECT 3AIT1# the uni*erse 4OU!( enter into it- Bet the special relationship ,hich the E"O see:s# does 2OT include

410

e*en O2E ,hole indi*idual- 3or the ego 4A2TS 'ut part o+ him# and sees O2!B this part# and nothing elseAcross the 'ridge# it is so di++erentO 3or a time the 'ody is still seen# 'ut 2OT e<clusi*ely# as it is seen here- 3or the little spar: that holds the "reat Rays ,ithin it# is A!SO *isi'le# and this spar: cannot 'e limited long to littleness- Once you ha*e crossed the 'ridge# the HA!UE o+ the 'ody is so diminished in BOUR sight# that you ,ill see no need at all to MA"2I3B it- 3or you ,ill reali9e that the O2!B *alue that the 'ody has# is to ena'le you to 'ring your 'rothers TO the 'ridge 4IT1 you- And to 'e RE!EASE( TO"ET1ER thereThe 'ridge itsel+ is nothing more than a transition in your ERS ECTIHE o+ realityOn this side# e*erything you see is grossly distorted# and COM !ETE!B out o+ perspecti*e4hat IS little and insigni+icant is magni+ied# and ,hat is strong and po,er+ul# cut do,n to littleness- In the transition# there is a period o+ con+usion# in ,hich a sense o+ actual disorientation seems to occur- But +ear it not# +or it means nothing more than that you ha*e 'een ,illing to !ET "O your hold on the distorted +rame o+ re+erence# that SEEME( to hold your ,orld together- This +rame o+ re+erence is BUI!T around the special relationship- 4ithout T1IS illusion# there can BE no meaning you ,ould still see: here> 88J >

3ear not that you ,ill 'e a'ruptly li+ted up# and hurled into reality- Time is :ind# and# i+ you use it 3OR reality# it ,ill :eep gentle pace ,ith you# in your transition- The urgency is only in dislodging your minds +rom their 3IXE( position here- This ,ill not lea*e you homeless# and 4IT1OUT a +rame o+ re+erence- The period o+ disorientation# ,hich precedes the actual transition# is +ar shorter than the time it too: to +i< your minds so +irmly on illusions- (elay ,ill hurt you no, MORE T1A2 BE3ORE# O2!B 'ecause you reali9e it IS delay# and that escape +rom pain IS REA!!B OSSIB!E- 3ind hope and com+ort# rather than despair# in thisF Bou could no longer +ind e*en the I!!USIO2 o+ lo*e in A2B special relationship here- 3or you are no longer 41O!!B insane# and you 4OU!( recogni9e the guilt o+ SE!3>'etrayal 3OR 41AT IT IS- 2othing you see: to strengthen# in the special relationship# is REA!!B part o+ you- And you cannot :eep ART o+ the thought>system that taught you it 4AS real# and understand the Thought that REA!!B :no,s ,hat you are- Bou 1AHE

411

allo,ed the Thought o+ your reality to enter your minds# and# 'ecause BOU in*ited it# it 4I!! a'ide ,ith you- Bour lo*e +or it ,ill not allo, you to 'etray yoursel+# and you COU!( not enter into a relationship 41ERE IT COU!( 2OT "O 4IT1 BOU# +or you ,ould 2OT 'e A ART +rom itBe glad you ha*e escaped the moc:ery o+ sal*ation that the ego o++ered you# and loo: not 'ac: ,ith longing on the tra*esty it made o+ your relationships- 2o,# no>one need su++er# +or you ha*e come too +ar to yield to the illusion o+ the 'eauty and holiness o+ guilt- Only the ,holly insane could loo: on death and su++ering# sic:ness and despair# and see it thus- 4hat guilt has ,rought is ugly# +ear+ul# and *ery dangerous- See no illusion o+ truth and 'eauty there- And 'e you than:+ul that there IS a place ,here truth and 'eauty ,ait +or you"o on to meet them gladly# and learn ho, much a,aits you# +or the simple ,illingness to gi*e up nothing# BECAUSE it is nothing- The ne, perspecti*e you ,ill gain# +rom crossing o*er# ,ill 'e the understanding o+ 41ERE 1EAHE2 IS- 3rom 1ERE# it seems to 'e outside# and ACROSS the 'ridge- But# as you cross to JOI2 it# IT ,ill JOI2 4IT1 BOU# and BECOME O2E ,ith you- And you ,ill thin:# in glad astonishment# that +or all this# BOU "AHE U 2OT1I2"O The @oy o+ 1ea*en# ,hich 1AS no limit# is I2CREASE( ,ith each light that returns# to ta:e its right+ul place ,ithin it- 4ait no longer# +or the !o*e o+ "od and BOU- And may the holy instant speed you on the ,ay# as it ,ill surely do# i+ you 'ut !ET it come to youThe 1oly Spirit as:s only this little help o+ you- 4hene*er your thoughts ,ander to a special relationship ,hich still ATTRACTS you# enter ,ith 1im into a holy instant# and there# !ET 1IM RE!EASE BOU- 1e needs only your ,illingness to S1ARE 1is perspecti*e# to gi*e it to you completely- And your ,illingness need not 'e complete# BECAUSE 1IS IS ER3ECT- It is 1is tas: to atone +or your U2,illingness 'y 1is per+ect +aith- And it is 1IS +aith you share ,ith 1im there- Out o+ BOUR recognition o+ your U2,illingness +or your release# 1is ER3ECT ,illingness is "IHE2 you- Call upon 1im# +or 1ea*en is at 1is call- And !ET 1im call on 1ea*en 3OR you> 887 >

It is impossi'le to let the past go 4IT1OUT relin?uishing the special relationship-

412

3or the special relationship is an attempt to RE>E2ACT the past# A2( C1A2"E ITImagined slights# remem'ered pain# past disappointments# percei*ed in@ustices and depri*ations# all enter into the special relationship# ,hich 'ecomes a ,ay in ,hich you see: to restore your ,ounded SE!3>esteem- 4hat 'asis ,ould you ha*e +or choosing a special partner# 4IT1OUT the pastE EHERB such choice is made 'ecause o+ something )e*il. in the past# TO 41IC1 BOU C!I2"# and +or ,hich must SOMEO2E E!SE )atone-. The special relationship TALES HE2"EA2CE O2 T1E AST- By see:ing to remo*e su++ering I2 T1E AST# it OHER!OOLS the present# in its preoccupation ,ith the past# and its TOTA! COMMITME2T to it- 2O S ECIA! RE!ATIO2S1I IS EX ERIE2CE( I2 T1E RESE2T- Shades o+ the past en*elop it# and ma:e it ,hat it is- It 1AS no meaning in the present# and# i+ it means nothing 2O4# it cannot ha*e any REA! meaning at all1o, can you change the past# EXCE T in +antasyE And ,ho can gi*e you ,hat you thin: T1E AST depri*ed you o+E The past is nothing- (o not see: to lay the 'lame +or depri*ation on it# +or the past IS "O2E- Bou cannot REA!!B not let go ,hat has A!REA(B gone- It MUST 'e# there+ore# that BOU are maintaining the illusion that it has 2OT gone# 'ecause you thin: it ser*es some purpose that you 4A2T 3U!3I!!E(- And it must also 'e that this purpose COU!( 2OT BE 3U!3I!EE( I2 T1E RESE2T# 'ut O2!B in the past- (o not underestimate the intensity o+ the ego=s dri*e +or *engeance on the past- It is COM !ETE!B sa*age# and COM !ETE!B insane- 3or the ego remem'ers e*erything that BOU ha*e done that o++ended it# and see:s retri'ution O3 BOU- The +antasies it 'rings to the special relationships it chooses# in ,hich to act out its hate# are +antasies o+ BOUR destruction3or the ego holds the past A"AI2ST BOU# and# in your ESCA E +rom it# it sees ITSE!3 depri*ed o+ the *engeance it 'elie*es that you so @ustly merit- Bet# ,ithout your A!!IA2CE in your o,n destruction# the ego could not hold you to the past- In the special relationship# BOU ARE A!!O4I2" BOUR (ESTRUCTIO2 TO BE- That this is insane# is

413

o'*ious- But ,hat is !ESS o'*ious to you# is that the RESE2T is useless to you# ,hile you pursue the ego=s goal# as its ally- The past is goneP see: not to preser*e it in the special relationship# ,hich 'inds you to it# and ,ould teach you that SA!HATIO2 is past# and that you must RETUR2 to the past# to 3I2( sal*ation- There is 2O +antasy that does not contain the dream o+ retri'ution +or the past- 4ould you ACT OUT the dream# or let it goE In the special relationship# it does not SEEM to 'e an acting out o+ *engeance that you see:- And# e*en ,hen the hatred and the sa*agery 'rea: 'rie+ly through into a,areness# the illusion o+ lo*e is not pro+oundly sha:en- But the one thing ,hich the ego 2EHER allo,s to reach a,areness# is that the special relationship is the acting out o+ HE2"EA2CE O3 BOURSE!3- Bet ,hat else COU!( it 'eE In see:ing the special relationship# you loo: not +or glory I2 BOURSE!3- Bou ha*e (E2IE( that it is thereAnd the relationship 'ecomes your SUBSTITUTE +or it- And *engeance 'ecomes BOUR su'stitute +or Atonement# and ESCA E +rom *engeance 'ecomes your !OSS> 88K >

Against the ego=s insane notion o+ sal*ation# the 1oly Spirit gently lays the holy instant- 4e said 'e+ore that the 1oly Spirit must teach through comparisons# and uses opposites to point to truth- The holy instant is the O OSITE o+ the ego=s +i<ed 'elie+ in sal*ation through *engeance +or the past- In the holy instant# it is ACCE TE( that the past is gone# and 4IT1 its passing the dri*e +or *engeance 1AS BEE2 uprooted# and has disappeared- The stillness and the peace o+ 2O4# en+old you in per+ect gentlenessE*erything is gone# EXCE T T1E TRUT13or a time# you may attempt to 'ring illusions I2TO the holy instant# to hinder your +ull a,areness o+ the COM !ETE (I33ERE2CE# in A!! respects# 'et,een your EX ERIE2CE o+ truth and illusion- But you ,ill not attempt this long- In the holy instant# the po,er o+ the 1oly Spirit 4I!! pre*ail BECAUSE BOU JOI2E( 1IM- The illusions you 'ring ,ith you# ,ill ,ea:en the EX ERIE2CE o+ 1im +or a ,hile# and ,ill pre*ent you +rom LEE I2" the e<perience in your mind- Bet the holy instant IS eternal# and your illusions o+ time ,ill 2OT pre*ent the timeless +rom 'eing ,hat it is# nor you +rom EX ERIE2CI2" it as it is4hat "od has gi*en you is truly gi*en- A2( 4I!! TRU!B RECEIHE(- 3or "od=s gi+ts 1AHE no reality# A ART +rom your recei*ing them- BOUR recei*ing completes 1IS gi*ing- Bou ,ill recei*e# BECAUSE it is 1is 4ill to gi*e- 1e ga*e the holy instant# to 'e

414

gi*en you- And it is impossi'le that you recei*e it not# BECAUSE 1e ga*e it- 4hen 1e ,illed that 1is Son 'e +ree# 1is Son 4AS +ree- In the holy instant is 1is reminder that 1is Son ,ill A!4ABS 'e EXACT!B as he ,as created- And EHERBT1I2" the 1oly Spirit teaches you# is to remind you that you 1AHE recei*ed ,hat "od has gi*en youThere is nothing you CA2 hold against reality- All that must 'e +orgi*en are the I!!USIO2S you ha*e held against your 'rothers- Their reality 1AS no past# and O2!B illusions can BE +orgi*en- "od holds nothing against A2BO2E# +or 1e is I2CA AB!E o+ illusions o+ A2B :ind- Release your 'rothers +rom the sla*ery o+ T1EIR illusions# 'y +orgi*ing them +or the illusions ,hich BOU percei*e in them- Thus ,ill you learn that BOU ha*e 'een +orgi*en# +or it is BOU ,ho o++ered T1EM illusions- In the holy instant# this is done +or you I2 TIME# to 'ring to you the true condition o+ 1ea*enRemem'er that you A!4ABS choose 'et,een truth and illusion# 'et,een the REA! Atonement ,hich ,ould heal# and the ego=s )atonement#. that ,ould destroy- The po,er o+ "od# and all 1is !o*e# ,ithout limit# ,ill support you# as you see: only your place in the plan o+ Atonement arising +rom 1is !o*e- Be an ally o+ "od# and 2OT the ego# in see:ing ho, Atonement can come to you- 1is help su++ices# +or 1is Messenger understands ho, to restore the Lingdom TO you# and to place A!! your in*estment in sal*ation in your relationship ,ith 1imSee: and 3I2( 1is message in the holy instant# ,here A!! illusions are +orgi*en3rom here the miracle e<tends to 'less e*eryone# and to resol*e A!! pro'lemsP to 'e they percei*ed as great or small# possi'le or impossi'le- There is 2OT1I2" that ,ill not gi*e place to 1im# and to 1is Ma@esty- To @oin in close relationship ,ith 1im# is to accept relationships AS REA!- And# through T1EIR reality# gi*e o*er A!! illusions# +or the reality
> 885 >

o+ your relationship ,ith "od- raise 'e to your relationship ,ith 1im# and to no otherThe truth lies here# A2( 2O41ERE E!SE- Bou choose this# or 2OT1I2"3orgi*e us our illusions# 3ather# and help us to accept our true relationship ,ith Bou# in ,hich there are 2O illusions# and ,here none can e*er enter- Our holiness is BOURS- 4hat can there 'e in us that 2EE(S +orgi*eness# ,hen BOURS is per+ectE The sleep o+ +orget+ulness is only the un,illingness to remem'er BOUR +orgi*eness and Bour !o*e- !et us not ,ander into temptation# +or the temptation o+ the Son o+ "od is 2OT Bour 4ill- And let us recei*e O2!B ,hat BOU ha*e gi*en# and accept 'ut this into the minds ,hich Bou created# and ,hich Bou lo*e- Amen-

415

The 'etrayal o+ the Son o+ "od lies only in illusions# and all his ;sins= are 'ut his o,n imagining- 1is reality is +ore*er sinless- 1e need not 'e +orgi*en 'ut A4ALE2E(- In his dreams he 1AS 'etrayed himsel+# his 'rothers and his "od- Bet ,hat is done in dreams has not 'een REA!!B done- It is impossi'le to con*ince the dreamer that this is so# +or dreams are ,hat they are BECAUSE o+ their illusion o+ reality- Only in ,a:ing is the +ull release +rom them# +or only then does it 'ecome per+ectly apparent that they had no e++ect on reality at all# and did not change it3A2TASIES C1A2"E REA!ITB- That is their purpose- They CA22OT do so I2 reality# 'ut they CA2 do so in the mind that ,ould 1AHE REA!ITB (I33ERE2T- It is# then# only your 4IS1 to change reality that is +ear+ul# 'ecause# 'y your ,ish you thin: you ha*e ACCOM !IS1E( ,hat you ,ish- This strange position# in a sense# ACL2O4!E"ES your po,er# yet 'y (ISTORTI2" it# and de*oting it to ;e*il#= it also MALES IT U2REA!Bou cannot 'e +aith+ul to t,o masters# ,ho as: o+ you con+licting things- 4hat you use in +antasy# you (E2B to truth- But ,hat you "IHE to truth# to use 3OR you# is SA3E +rom +antasy4hen you maintain that there MUST 'e order o+ di++iculty in miracles# all you mean is that there are some things you ,ould 4IT11O!( +rom truth- Bou 'elie*e that truth cannot deal ,ith them# O2!B 'ecause BOU ,ould :eep them 3ROM truth- Hery simply# your lac: o+ +aith in the o,er that heals A!! pain# arises +rom BOUR ,ish to retain some AS ECTS o+ reality 3OR 3A2TASB- I+ you 'ut reali9ed ,hat this MUST do to your appreciation o+ the ,holeO 4hat you RESERHE U2TO BOURSE!3# you TALE A4AB +rom 1im 4ho ,ould release you- Unless you "IHE IT BACL# it is ine*ita'le that BOUR perspecti*e on reality 'e ,arped and uncorrectedAs long as you ,ould ha*e this 'e# so long ,ill the I!!USIO2 o+ order o+ di++iculty in miracles REMAI2 ,ith you- 3or BOU ha*e esta'lished this order in REA!ITB# 'y gi*ing some o+ it to one teacher# and some to another- And so you learn to deal ,ith ART o+ truth in one ,ay# and in A2OT1ER ,ay the OT1ER part- To 3RA"ME2T truth is to (ESTROB it 'y rendering it meaningless- OR(ERS o+ reality is a perspecti*e ,ithout understanding# a +rame o+ re+erence 3OR reality to ,hich it cannot REA!!B 'e compared at all- Thin: you that you can 'ring truth to +antasy# and learn ,hat truth MEA2S +rom the

416

perspecti*e o+ illusionsE
> 8G% >

Truth 1AS no meaning in illusion- The +rame o+ re+erence 3OR its meaning MUST BE ITSE!3- 4hen you try to 'ring TRUT1 to illusions# you are trying to MALE T1EM REA!# and LEE them 'y JUSTI3BI2" your 'elie+ in them- But to gi*e illusions to Truth is to ena'le truth to teach that the I!!USIO2S are unreal# and thus ena'le you to ESCA E +rom them- Reser*e not one idea aside +rom truth# or you ESTAB!IS1 orders o+ reality ,hich MUST imprison you- There IS no order in reality 'ecause EHERBT1I2" there is trueBe ,illing# then# to gi*e A!! you ha*e held OUTSI(E the truth to 1im 4ho L2O4S the truth# and in 4hom all is 'rought to truth- Sal*ation +rom separation ,ill 'e COM !ETE# or ,ill not 'e at all- Be not concerned ,ith anything e<cept BOUR 4I!!I2"2ESS TO 1AHE T1IS BE ACCOM !IS1E(- 1E ,ill accomplish itP not you- But +orget not thisP ,hen you 'ecome distur'ed and lose BOUR peace o+ mind 'ecause A2OT1ER is attempting to sol*e his pro'lems through +antasy# you are re+using to 3OR"IHE BOURSE!3 +or @ust this same attempt- And you are holding BOT1 o+ you A4AB +rom truth# and +rom sal*ation- As you 3OR"IHE him# you RESTORE to truth ,hat ,as denied 'y BOT1 O3 BOU- And you 4I!! see +orgi*eness ,here BOU ha*e gi*en itJanuary &8# &5J7 Can you imagine ho, 'eauti+ul those you +orgi*e ,ill loo: to youE In no +antasy ha*e you e*er seen anything so lo*ely- 2othing you see here# sleeping or ,a:ing# comes near to such lo*eliness# and nothing ,ill you *alue li:e unto this# nor hold so dear2othing that you remem'er# that made your heart seem to sing ,ith @oy## has e*er 'rought you e*en a little part o+ the happiness this sight ,ill 'ring you- 3OR BOU 4I!! SEE T1E SO2 O3 "O(- Bou ,ill 'ehold the 'eauty that the 1oly Spirit lo*es to loo: upon# and ,hich 1e than:s the 3ather +or- 1e ,as created to see this 3OR BOU# until you learn to see it +or yoursel+- And all 1is teaching leads to seeing it and gi*ing than:s ,ith 1imThis lo*eliness is 2OT a +antasy- It is the real ,orld# 'right# and clean and ne,# ,ith e*erything spar:ling under the open sun- 2othing is hidden here# +or e*erything has BEE2 +orgi*en# and there ARE no +antasies to hide the truth- The 'ridge 'et,een that ,orld and this is SO little and SO easy to cross that you could not 'elie*e it is the meeting>place o+ ,orlds so di++erent- Bet this little 'ridge is the strongest thing that

417

touches on this ,orld at all- This little step# so small it has escaped your notice# is a stride through time into eternity# and 'eyond all ugliness# into 'eauty that ,ill enchant you# and ,ill ne*er cease to cause you ,onderment at its per+ectionThis step# the smallest e*er ta:en 'y anything# is still the greatest accomplishment o+ all# in "od=s plan o+ Atonement- All else is learned# 'ut T1IS is "IHE2# complete and ,holly per+ect- 2o>one 'ut 1im 4ho !A22E( sal*ation could complete it thus- The real ,orld# in its lo*eliness# BOU learn to reach- 3antasies are all undone# and no> one and nothing remains still 'ound 'y them# and# 'y BOUR O42 +orgi*eness# you are 3REE to SEE- And 41AT you see is only ,hat BOU 1AHE MA(E# ,ith the 'lessing o+ your
> 8G& >

+orgi*eness on it- And# ,ith this +inal 'lessing o+ "od=s Son U O2 1IMSE!3# the REA! perception# 'orn o+ the ne, perspecti*e he has learned# has ser*ed its purposeThe stars ,ill disappear in light# and the sun# ,hich opened up the ,orld to 'eauty# ,ill *anish- erception ,ill 'e meaningless# ,hen it has 'een per+ected- 3or e*erything that has 'een used +or learning# ,ill ha*e no +unction- 2othing ,ill e*er changeP no shi+ts nor shadings# no di++erences# no *ariations ,hich made perception possi'le# ,ill occurThe perception o+ the real ,orld ,ill 'e so short# that you ,ill 'arely ha*e time to than: "od +or it- 3or "od ,ill ta:e the last step s,i+tly# ,hen you ha*e reached the real ,orld# and ha*e 'een made ready +or 1imThe real ,orld is attained simply 'y the COM !ETE +orgi*eness o+ the oldPthe ,orld you see 4IT1OUT +orgi*eness- The "reat Trans+ormer o+ perception ,ill underta:e 4IT1 you the care+ul searching o+ the mind that MA(E this ,orld# and unco*er TO BOU the SEEMI2" reasons +or your ma:ing it- In the light o+ the REA! reason ,hich 1e 'rings# as you +ollo, 1im# 1e ,ill S1O4 you that there is 2O reason here at allEach spot 1IS reason touches# gro,s ali*e ,ith 'eauty- And ,hat SEEME( ugly# in the dar:ness o+ your !ACL o+ reason# is suddenly released to lo*eliness- 2ot e*en ,hat the Son o+ "od made in insanity# could 'e ,ithout a hidden spar: o+ 'eauty# that gentleness could releaseAll this 'eauty ,ill rise to 'less your sight# as you loo: upon the ,orld ,ith +orgi*ing eyes- 3or +orgi*eness literally TRA2S3ORMS *ision# and lets you see the real ,orld# reaching ?uietly and gently across chaos# and remo*ing all illusions ,hich had t,isted your perception# and +i<ed it on the past- The smallest lea+ 'ecomes a thing o+ ,onder#

418

and a 'lade o+ grass a sign o+ "od=s per+ection- 3rom the +orgi*en ,orld# the Son o+ "od is li+ted easily into his home- And there# he :no,s that he has A!4ABS rested there in peaceE*en sal*ation ,ill 'ecome a dream# and *anish +rom his mind- 3or sal*ation IS the end o+ dreams# and# ,ith the closing o+ the dream# ,ill ha*e no meaning- 4ho# a,a:e in 1ea*en# could dream that there COU!( e*er 'e 2EE( o+ sal*ationE 1o, much do you 4A2T sal*ationE It ,ill "IHE you the real ,orld# trem'ling ,ith readiness to BE gi*en you- The eagerness o+ the 1oly Spirit to gi*e you this# is so intense 1e ,ould not ,ait# although 1e ,aits in patience- MEET 1is patience ,ith your IMpatience at delay in meeting 1im- "o out in gladness to meet ,ith your Redeemer# and ,al: ,ith 1im# in trust# out o+ this ,orld# and into the real ,orld o+ 'eauty and +orgi*enessJanuary &6# &5J7 To +orgi*e is merely to remem'er O2!B the !OHI2" thoughts you ga*e in the past# and those that ,ere gi*en you- A!! the rest# must 'e +orgotten- 3orgi*eness is a selecti*e remem'ering# 'ased 2OT on BOUR selection- 3or the shado, +igures BOU ,ould ma:e immortal# ARE ;enemies= o+ reality- Be ,illing to +orgi*e the Son o+ "od +or ,hat he did 2OT do- The shado, +igures are the ,itnesses you 'ring 4IT1 you# to demonstrate he
> 8G$ >

(I( ,hat he (I( 2OT- BECAUSE you 'rought them# BOU 4I!! 1EAR T1EM- And you ,ho LE T them BB BOUR O42 SE!ECTIO2# do 2OT understand ho, they came into your minds# and ,hat their purpose isT1EB RE RESE2T T1E EHI! T1AT BOU T1I2L 4AS (O2E TO BOU- Bou 'ring them ,ith you O2!B that you may )return. e*il 3OR e*il# hoping that T1EIR ,itness ,ill ena'le you to thin: guiltily o+ another# and 2OT harm yoursel+- They spea: so clearly +or the separation# that no>one 2OT o'sessed ,ith LEE I2" separation# COU!( hear them other,ise- They o++er you the ;reasons= ,hy you should enter into unholy alliances# ,hich support the ego=s goals# and ma:e your relationships the ,itness to ITS po,er- It is these shado, +igures ,hich ,ould MALE T1E E"O holy in your sight# and teach you ,hat you do to :eep IT sa+e# is really !OHEThe shado, +igures A!4ABS spea: +or *engeance# and A!! relationships into ,hich

419

they enter# are totally insane- 4IT1OUT EXCE TIO2# these relationships ha*e# AS T1EIR UR OSE# the EXC!USIO2 o+ the truth a'out the other# A2( O3 BOURSE!3- This is ,hy you see# I2 BOT1 ,hat is not there# and MALE o+ 'oth the sla*es o+ *engeanceAnd ,hy ,hate*er reminds you o+ your AST grie*ances# no matter ho, distorted the associations 'y ,hich you ARRIHE at the remem'erance may 'e# ATTRACTS you# and seems to you to go 'y the name o+ lo*e- And# +inally# ,hy all such relationships 'ecome the attempt at union T1ROU"1 T1E BO(B# +or O2!B 'odies CA2 'e seen as means +or *engeanceThat 'odies are central to all unholy relationships is e*ident- Bour O42 e<perience has taught you this- But ,hat you do 2OT reali9e# are A!! the reasons ,hich go to MALE the relationship unholy- 3or U2holiness see:s to RE>I23ORCE itsel+# 'y gathering TO itsel+# ,hat it percei*es as !ILE itsel+# as holiness doesIn the unholy relationship# it is 2OT the 'ody o+ the OT1ER ,ith ,hich union is attempted# 'ut the 'odies o+ those 41O ARE 2OT T1ERE- E*en the BO(B o+ the other# A!REA(B a se*erely limited perception o+ him# is 2OT the central +ocus as it is# or in entirety- 4hat can 'e used +or +antasies o+ *engeance# and ,hat can 'e most readily associated ,ith those on ,hom *engeance is REA!!B sought# are centered on# and SE ARATE( O33# as 'eing the only parts O3 HA!UE- E*ery step ta:en in the ma:ing# the maintaining# and the 'rea:ing o++ o+ the unholy relationship# is a mo*e to,ard +urther +ragmentation and unreality- The shado, +igures enter more and more# and the one in ,hom they SEEM to 'e# (ECREASES in importance- Time is indeed un:ind to the unholy relationship- 3or time IS cruel in the ego=s hands# as it is :ind ,hen used +or gentlenessThe attraction o+ the unholy relationship 'egins to +ade and to 'e ?uestioned# almost at once- Once it is +ormed# dou't MUST enter in# 'ecause its purpose IS impossi'leThe only such relationships ,hich RETAI2 the +antasies ,hich center on them# are those ,hich ha*e 'een (REAME( o+# 'ut ha*e 2OT 'een made at all4here 2O reality has entered# there is 2OT1I2" to intrude upon the (REAM o+ happiness- But consider ,hat this meansP the more REA!ITB that enters into the unholy relationship# the !ESS SATIS3BI2" it 'ecomes- And the more the 3A2TASIES can
> 8G8 >

encompass# the greater the satis+action seems to 'e- The ;ideal= o+ the unholy relationship

420

thus 'ecomes one in ,hich the REA!ITB o+ the other does not E2TER AT A!!# to ;spoil= the dream- And the !ESS the other REA!!B 'rings to it# the ;'etter= it 'ecomesThus# the attempt at union 'ecomes a ,ay o+ EXC!U(I2" e*en the one ,ith ,hom the union ,as sought- 3or it ,as 3ORME( to "ET 1IM OUT O3 IT# and @oin ,ith +antasies in uninterrupted ;'liss-= 1o, can the 1oly Spirit 'ring 1IS interpretation o+ the 'ody# as a means o+ communicating into relationships ,hose O2!B purpose is SE ARATIO2 +rom realityE 4hat +orgi*eness IS# ena'les 1im to do so- I+ all 'ut lo*ing thoughts ha*e 'een +orgotten# ,hat remains IS eternal# and the TRA2S3ORME( past is made !ILE T1E RESE2T- 2o longer does the past CO23!ICT ,ith no,- T1IS continuity EXTE2(S the present# 'y increasing its reality# A2( ITS HA!UE# in your perception o+ it- In these lo*ing thoughts is the spar: o+ 'eauty# hidden in the ugliness o+ the unholy relationship in ,hich the 1ATRE( is remem'ered# yet there to COME A!IHE as the relationship is gi*en to 1im 4ho "IHES it li+e and 'eautyThat is ,hy Atonement centers O2 T1E AST# ,hich is the SOURCE o+ separation# and ,here it must 'e undone- 3or separation must 'e corrected 41ERE IT 4AS MA(EThe E"O see:s to ;resol*e= ITS pro'lems# 2OT at their source# 'ut ,here they ,ere 2OT made- And thus it see:s to guarantee there 4I!! 'e no solution- The 1oly Spirit ,ills only to ma:e 1IS resolutions complete and per+ect- And so 1e see:s and 3I2(S the source o+ pro'lems 41ERE IT IS# and there U2(OES it- And# ,ith each step in 1IS undoing# is the SE ARATIO2 more and more undone# and U2IO2 'rought closer1E is not at all con+used 'y A2B ;reasons= +or separation- A!! 1e percei*es in it is that it MUST BE U2(O2E!et 1im unco*er the hidden spar: o+ 'eauty in your relationships# and S1O4 it to you- Its lo*eliness ,ill so attract you# that you ,ill 'e un,illing e*er to lose the sight o+ it again- And you ,ill !ET it trans+orm the relationship# so you can see it more and more3or you ,ill ,ant it more and more# and 'ecome increasingly un,illing to !ET it 'e hidden +rom you- And you ,ill learn to see: +or# and ESTAB!IS1# conditions in ,hich this# 'eauty CA2 'e seen- All this you ,ill do gladly# i+ you 'ut let 1im hold the spar: 'e+ore you# to light your ,ay# and ma:e it C!EAR to you"od=s Son is one# 4hom "od has JOI2E( as one# the ego CA22OT 'rea: apartThe spar: o+ holiness MUST 'e sa+e# ho,e*er hidden it may 'e# in EHERB relationship-

421

3or the Creator o+ the one relationship# has !E3T no part o+ it ,ithout 1IMSE!3T1IS is the only part o+ the relationship the 1oly Spirit sees# 'ecause 1e :no,s that O2!B this is true- BOU ha*e made the relationship unreal# and T1ERE3ORE unholy# 'y seeing it 41ERE it is not# and as it IS not- "i*e the past to 1im 4ho can change BOUR mind a'out it# 3OR you- But +irst# 'e SURE you +ully reali9e ,hat BOU ha*e made the past to RE RESE2T# and ,hy> 8GG >

In 'rie+# the past is 2O4 your @usti+ication +or entering into a continuing# unholy alliance ,ith the ego A"AI2ST T1E RESE2T- 3or the present IS +orgi*enessThere+ore# the relationships ,hich the unholy alliance dictates are not percei*ed 2OR 3E!T as no,Bet the +rame o+ re+erence to ,hich the present is RE3ERRE( +or meaning# is an I!!USIO2 o+ the past# in ,hich those elements ,hich 3IT the purpose o+ the unholy alliance are retained and A!! T1E REST "O- And ,hat is thus let go# is all the truth the past could e*er O33ER to the present# as ,itnesses +or ITS reality# ,hile ,hat is LE T# 'ut ,itnesses to the reality o+ dreamsIt is still up to you to choose to 'e ,illing to @oin ,ith truth or illusion- But remem'er that to choose O2E# is to !ET T1E OT1ER "O- 4hich one you choose# BOU ,ill endo, ,ith 'eauty and reality# 'ecause the choice (E E2(S on ,hich you *alue moreThe spar: o+ 'eauty# or the *eil o+ uglinessP the real ,orld# or the ,orld o+ guilt and +earP truth or illusionP +reedom or sla*ery# > it is all the same- 3or you can 2EHER choose EXCE T 'et,een "od and the ego- Thought>systems are 'ut true or +alse# and all their ATTRIBUTES come simply +rom ,hat they ARE- Only the Thoughts o+ "od ARE true- And all that +ollo,s 3ROM them# COMES 3ROM ,hat they are# and is as true as is the holy Source +rom ,hich they cameMy holy 'rothers# I ,ould enter into all your relationships# and step 'et,een you and your +antasies- !et MB relationship to you 'e REA! to you# and let me 'ring REA!ITB to your perception o+ your 'rothers- They ,ere not created to ena'le you to 1URT yoursel*es through them- They ,ere created to CREATE ,ith you- This is the truth that I ,ould interpose# 'et,een you and your goal o+ madness- Be not separate +rom me# and let not the holy purpose o+ Atonement 'e lost to you# in dreams o+ *engeanceRelationships

422

in ,hich such dreams are cherished ha*e EXC!U(E( me- !et me enter# in the 2ame o+ "od# and 'ring BOU peace# that BOU may o++er peace to meJanuary &7# &5J7 "od esta'lished 1is relationship ,ith you TO MALE BOU 1A B# and nothing BOU do ,hich does 2OT share 1is purpose CA2 'e real- The purpose "O( ascri'ed to anything IS its only +unction- Because o+ 1IS reason +or creating 1IS relationship ,ith you# the +unction o+ relationships 'ecame +ore*er ;to ma:e happy-= A2( 2OT1I2" E!SETo +ul+ill this +unction# you relate to your creations as "O( to 1IS- 3or nothing "od created is A ART +rom happiness# and nothing "od created 'ut ,ould EXTE2( happiness# as its Creator did- 4hate*er +ul+ills this +unction 2OT# CA22OT BE REA!In this ,orld# it is impossi'le to create- Bet it IS possi'le to ma:e happy- 4e ha*e said repeatedly that the 1oly Spirit ,ould not (E RIHE you o+ your special relationships# 'ut ,ould TRA2S3ORM them- And 'y that# all that is meant is that 1e ,ill RESTORE to them the +unction "IHE2 them# 'y "od- The +unction BOU ha*e gi*en them is clearly 2OT to ma:e happy- But the holy relationship S1ARES "od=s purpose# rather than aiming to ma:e a SUBSTITUTE +or it- E*ery special relationship that BOU ha*e made IS a su'stitute
> 8G6 >

+or "od=s 4ill# and glori+ies yours instead o+ 1is# BECAUSE O3 T1E (E!USIO2 T1EB ARE (I33ERE2TBou ha*e HERB REA! relationships# e*en in this ,orld# ,hich you do not recogni9e# simply 'ecause you ha*e raised their SUBSTITUTES to such predominance that# ,hen truth calls to you# as it does constantly# BOU A2S4ER 4IT1 A SUBSTITUTEE*ery special relationship ,hich you ha*e e*er underta:en has# as its +undamental purpose# the aim o+ occupying your minds so completely that BOU 4I!! 2OT 1EAR the call o+ truth- In a sense# the special relationship ,as the E"O=S ans,er to the creation o+ the 1oly Spirit# 4ho ,as "od=s ans,er to the separation- 3or# although the ego did not understand 41AT had 'een created# it 4AS a,are o+ threatThe ,hole de+ense system that the ego e*ol*ed# to ROTECT the separation +rom the 1oly Spirit# ,as in response to the "i+t ,ith ,hich "od 'lessed it# and BB 1is 'lessing ena'led it to 'e 1EA!E(- This Blessing holds# 4IT1I2 ITSE!3# the truth a'out e*erything- And the truth is that the 1oly Spirit IS in close relationship ,ith you# 'ecause#

423

in 1im# is your relationship ,ith "od restored to you- The relationship ,ith 1im has ne*er 'een 'ro:en# 'ecause the 1oly Spirit has not 'een separate +rom anyone SI2CE the separation- And through 1im# ha*e all your holy relationships 'een care+ully preser*ed# to ser*e "od=s purpose 3OR youThe ego IS hyperalert to threat# and the part o+ your mind into ,hich the ego ,as accepted is HERB an<ious to preser*e its reason# AS IT SEES IT- It does 2OT reali9e that it is totally insane- And BOU must reali9e JUST 41AT T1IS MEA2S# i+ BOU ,ould 'e restored to sanity- The insane ROTECT their thought systems# BUT T1EB (O IT I2SA2E!B- And A!! their de+enses are AS I2SA2E AS 41AT T1EB ARE SU OSE( TO ROTECT- The separation has 2OT1I2" in it# no ART# 2O ;reason#= and 2O attri'ute# that is 2OT insane- And its ;protection= IS part o+ it# as insane as the ,hole- The special relationship# ,hich is its chie+ de+ense# MUST there+ore 'e insane- Bou ha*e 'ut little di++iculty no, in reali9ing that the thought>system it protects# is 'ut a system o+ delusionsBou recogni9e# at least in general terms# that the ego is insane- Bet the special relationship still seems to you someho, TO BE (I33ERE2T- Bet ,e ha*e loo:ed at it +ar closer than at many other AS ECTS o+ the ego=s thought>system ,hich you ha*e 'een more ,illing to let go- 4hile this O2E remains# you ,ill not !ET the others go- 3OR T1IS O2E IS 2OT (I33ERE2T- RETAI2 this one# and you 1AHE retained the ,holeIt is essential to reali9e that A!! de+enses (O ,hat they ,ould (E3E2(- The underlying 'asis +or their e++ecti*eness is that they O33ER ,hat they de+end- 4hat they de+end is placed I2 them +or sa+e>:eeping# and as T1EB operate# T1EB BRI2" IT TO BOU- E*ery de+ense operates BB "IHI2" "I3TS# and the gi+t is A!4ABS a miniature o+ the thought>system the de+ense protects# set in a golden +rame- The +rame is *ery ela'orate# all set ,ith @e,els# and deeply car*ed and polished- Its purpose is to 'e o+ *alue I2 ITSE!3# and to di*ert BOUR attention +rom ,hat it encloses- But the +rame 4IT1OUT the picture# you CA22OT ha*e- (e+enses operate TO MALE BOU T1I2L BOU CA2> 8GJ >

The special relationship has the most imposing and decepti*e +rame o+ all the de+enses the ego uses- Its thought>system is o++ered here# surrounded 'y a +rame so hea*y and so

424

ela'orate# that the picture is almost o'literated 'y its imposing structure- Into the +rame are ,o*en all sorts o+ +anci+ul and +ragmented illusions o+ lo*e# set ,ith dreams o+ sacri+ice and sel+>aggrandi9ement# and interlaced ,ith gilded threads o+ sel+>destruction- The glitter o+ 'lood shines li:e ru'ies# and the tears are +aceted li:e diamonds# and gleam in the dim light in ,hich the o++ering is made!OOL AT T1E ICTURE- (o 2OT let the +rame distract you- This gi+t is gi*en you +or your damnation# and i+ you TALE it# you 4I!! 'elie*e that you are damned- BOU CA22OT 1AHE T1E 3RAME 4IT1OUT T1E ICTURE- 4hat you HA!UE is the 3RAME# +or T1ERE you see no con+lict- But the +rame is only the ,rapping +or the "I3T o+ con+lict- T1E 3RAME IS 2OT T1E "I3T- Be not decei*ed 'y the most super+icial AS ECTS o+ this thought>system# +or these aspects enclose the ,hole# complete ,ith EHERB aspect(eath lies in this glittering gi+t- !et not your ga9e d,ell on the hypnotic gleaming o+ the +rame- !OOL AT T1E ICTURE# and reali9e that (EAT1 is o++ered youThat is ,hy the holy instant is so important in the de+ense o+ truth- The truth itsel+ 2EE(S no de+ense# 'ut BOU (O need de+ense against your o,n ACCE TA2CE o+ the gi+t o+ death- 4hen you ,ho ARE truth# accept an idea so (A2"EROUS to truth# BOU T1REATE2 TRUT1 4IT1 (ESTRUCTIO2- And BOUR de+ense must no, 'e underta:en# TO LEE TRUT1 41O!E- The po,er o+ 1ea*en# the !o*e o+ "od# the tears o+ Christ and the @oy o+ 1is Eternal Spirit are marshalled to de+end you +rom your o,n attac:3or you attac: T1EM# 'eing ART o+ them# and they must SAHE you# +or they lo*e themsel*esThe 1oly instant is a miniature o+ 1ea*en# sent you 3ROM 1ea*en- It is a picture# too# set in a +rame- But i+ you accept T1IS gi+t# you ,ill 2OT see the +rame at all# 'ecause the gi+t can only BE accepted through your ,illingness to +ocus A!! your attention O2 T1E ICTURE- The holy instant is a miniature o+ eternity- It is a picture o+ timelessness# set in a +rame o+ time- I+ you +ocus on the picture# you ,ill reali9e that it ,as only the +rame that made you T1I2L it ,as a picture- 4IT1OUT the +rame# the picture IS SEE2 AS 41AT IT RE RESE2TS- 3or# as the ,hole thought>system o+ the ego lies in ITS gi+ts# so the ,hole o+ 1ea*en lies in this instant# 'orro,ed +rom eternity# and set in time +or BOU-

425

T,o gi+ts are o++ered you- Each is complete# and cannot 'e partially accepted- Each is a picture o+ all that you can ha*e# SEE2 HERB (I33ERE2T!B- Bou CA22OT compare their *alue 'y comparing a picture to a +rame- It MUST 'e the ICTURES O2!B that you compare# or the comparison is ,holly ,ithout meaning- Remem'er that it is the picture that is the gi+t- And O2!B on this 'asis are you REA!!B +ree to choose- !OOL AT T1E ICTURES- BOT1 o+ them- One is a tiny picture# hard to see at all 'eneath the hea*y shado,s o+ its enormous and disproportionate enclosure- The other is lightly +ramed# and hung in light# lo*ely to loo: upon +or ,hat it ISBou ,ho ha*e tried so hard# and are STI!! trying# to +it the 'etter picture into the ,rong +rame# and so com'ine ,hat cannot BE com'ined# accept this and 'e gladP These
> 8G7 >

pictures are each +ramed per+ectly# +or ,hat they represent- One is 3RAME( to 'e out o+ +ocus# and 2OT seen- The other is +ramed +or per+ect clarity- The picture o+ dar:ness and o+ death gro,s less con*incing as you search it out amid its ,rappings- As each senseless stone that SEEMS to shine in dar:ness +rom the +rame is EX OSE( TO !I"1T# it 'ecomes dull and li+eless# and ceases to distract you +rom the picture- And +inally# you loo: upon the ICTURE ITSE!3# seeing at last that# unprotected 'y its 3RAME# it 1AS no meaningThe other picture is lightly +ramed# +or time cannot contain eternity- There is 2O distraction here- The picture o+ 1ea*en and eternity gro,s MORE con*incing# as you loo: at it- And no,# 'y REA! comparison# a TRA2S3ORMATIO2 o+ 'oth pictures can at last occur- And each is gi*en its RI"1T3U! place# ,hen 'oth are seen I2 RE!ATIO2 TO EAC1 OT1ER- The dar: picture# BROU"1T TO !I"1T# is 2OT percei*ed as +ear+ul- But the +act that IT IS JUST A ICTURE is 'rought home at last- And ,hat you SEE# there BOU ,ill recogni9e as ,hat it isP a picture o+ ,hat BOU T1OU"1T 4AS REA!# and nothing more- 3or# BE1I2( this picture# BOU 4I!! SEE 2OT1I2"The picture o+ light# in clear>cut and unmista:a'le contrast# is trans+ormed into ,hat lies BEBO2( the picture- As you loo: on T1IS# you reali9e that IT IS 2OT A ICTURE# 'ut a reality- This is no +igured RE RESE2TATIO2 o+ a thought>system# 'ut the Thought Itsel+- 4hat IT represents is T1ERE- The +rame +ades gently# and "od rises to your remem'rance# o++ering you the ,hole o+ creation# in e<change +or your little picture#

426

,holly ,ithout *alue# and entirely depri*ed o+ meaning- As "od ascends into 1IS right+ul place and you to yours# you ,ill e<perience again the MEA2I2" o+ relationship# and :no, it to 'e true!et us ascend# in peace together# to the 3ather# 'y gi*ing 1IM ascendance in our minds- 4e ,ill gain EHERBT1I2" 'y gi*ing 1IM the po,er and the glory# and :eeping 2O illusions o+ ,here they are- They ARE in us# through 1IS ascendance- 4hat 1e has gi*en is 1IS- It shines in e*ery part o+ 1im# as in the 4hole- The ,hole reality o+ your relationship ,ith 1im lies in OUR relationship to one another- The holy instant shines ali:e on A!! relationships# +or in it# they ARE one- 3or here is only healing# A!REA(B complete and per+ect- 3or here is "od# and ,here 1E is# only the per+ect and complete CA2 'eJanuary &K# &5JK The holy relationship is the EX RESSIO2 o+ the holy instant# in li*ing in this ,orld!i:e EHERBT1I2" a'out sal*ation# the holy instant is a RACTICA! de*ice# 4IT2ESSE( 'y its results- The holy instant 2EHER +ails- The EX ERIE2CE o+ it is A!4ABS +eltBut# ,ithout EX RESSIO2# IT IS 2OT REMEMBERE(- The holy relationship is a constant reminder o+ the e<perience in ,hich the relationship 'ecame ,hat it is- And# as the U2holy relationship is a continuing hymn o+ hate in praise o+ ITS ma:er# so is the holy relationship a happy song o+ praise to the RE(EEMER o+ relationships- The holy
> 8GK >

relationship# a MAJOR step to,ard the perception o+ the real ,orld# is !EAR2E(- It is the old# unholy relationship# trans+ormed and seen ane,The holy relationship is a phenomenal teaching accomplishment- In all its aspects# as it 'egins# de*elops# and 'ecomes accomplished# it represents the REHERSA! o+ the unholy relationship- Be com+orted in thisP The O2!B di++icult phase is the 'eginning3or here# the "OA! o+ the relationship is a'ruptly shi+ted to the EXACT O OSITE o+ ,hat it ,as- This is the 3IRST result o+ O33ERI2" the relationship to the 1oly Spirit# to use +or 1IS purposes- This in*itation is ACCE TE( IMME(IATE!B# and the 1oly Spirit ,astes no time in introducing the practical results o+ as:ing 1im to enter- AT O2CE# 1IS goal RE !ACES yoursThis is accomplished *ery rapidly- But it ma:es the relationship seem distur'ed# dis@uncti*e and e*en ?uite distressing- The reason is ?uite clear- 3or the relationship# AS

427

IT IS# is out o+ line ,ith its o,n goal# and clearly unsuited to the purpose ,hich has 'een ACCE TE( +or it- In its U2holy condition# BOUR goal ,as all that SEEME( to gi*e it meaning- 2o,# it seems to ma:e 2O sense- Many relationships ha*e 'een 'ro:en o++ at this point# and the pursuit o+ the old goal re>esta'lished in A2OT1ER relationship3or# once the unholy relationship has ACCE TE( the goal o+ holiness# it can ne*er again 'e ,hat it ,asThe temptation o+ the ego 'ecomes e<tremely intense# ,ith this shi+t in goals- 3or the relationship has 2OT# as yet# 'een changed su++iciently to ma:e its +ormer goal completely 4IT1OUT attraction# and its structure is ;threatened= 'y the recognition o+ its inappropriateness +or meeting its ne, purpose- The con+lict 'et,een the goal and the structure o+ the relationship is SO apparent that they CA22OT co>e<ist- Bet no,# T1E "OA! 4I!! 2OT BE C1A2"E(- Set +irmly in the unholy relationship# there IS no course e<cept to C1A2"E T1E RE!ATIO2S1I to +it the goal- Until this 1A B solution is seen and accepted as the O2!B 4AB OUT o+ this con+lict# the RE!ATIO2S1I seems to 'e se*erely strainedIt ,ould 2OT 'e :inder to shi+t the goal more slo,ly- 3or the CO2TRAST ,ould 'e o'scured# and the ego gi*en time to re>interpret each slo, step# according to its li:ingOnly a radical shi+t in purpose COU!( induce a COM !ETE change o+ mind a'out ,hat the ,hole relationship IS 3OR- As this change de*elops# and is +inally accomplished# it gro,s increasingly 'ene+icent and @oyous- But# at the 'eginning# the situation is e<perienced as *ery precarious- A relationship# underta:en 'y t,o indi*iduals +or their unholy purposes# suddenly has 1O!I2ESS +or its goalAs these t,o CO2TEM !ATE their relationship +rom the point o+ *ie, o+ this ne, purpose# they are ine*ita'ly appalled- Their perception o+ the relationship may e*en 'ecome ?uite disorgani9ed- And yet# the 3ORMER organi9ation o+ their perception# no longer ser*es the purpose T1EB ha*e agreed to setT1IS IS T1E TIME 3OR 3AIT1- Bou !ET this goal 'e set +or you- That 4AS an act o+ +aith- (o not ABA2(O2 +aith# no, that the RE4AR(S o+ +aith are 'eing introducedI+
> 8G5 >

you 'elie*ed the 1oly Spirit ,as T1ERE to ACCE T the relationship# ,hy ,ould you no, not STI!! 'elie*e that 1e is there# to URI3B ,hat 1e has ta:en under 1is guidanceE

428

1a*e +aith in EAC1 OT1ER in ,hat 'ut SEEMS to 'e a trying time- T1E "OA! IS SET- And your relationship has SA2ITBas its purpose- 2o, you +ind yoursel*es in an I2SA2E relationship# RECO"2IUE( as such I2 T1E !I"1T O3 ITS "OA!- 2o, the ego counsels thusP su'stitute +or this A2OT1ER relationship# to ,hich your 3ORMER goal ,as DUITE appropriate- Bou can ESCA E +rom your distress# O2!B BB "ETTI2" RI( O3 EAC1 OT1ER- Bou need not part entirely# i+ you choose not to do so- But you MUST e<clude MAJOR AREAS o+ +antasy 3ROM each other# TO SAHE BOUR SA2ITB1ear not this no,O 1a*e +aith in 1im 4ho A2S4ERE( you- 1e heardP has 1e not 'een *ery e<plicit in 1is ans,erE Bou are 2OT no, ,holly insane- Can you (E2B that 1e 1AS gi*en a MOST e<plicit statementE 2o, 1e as:s +or +aith a little longer# e*en in 'e,ilderment- 3or this ,ill go# and you ,ill see the JUSTI3ICATIO2 +or your +aith emerge# to 'ring you shining con*iction- A'andon 1im not no,# 2OR EAC1 OT1ER- This relationship 1AS BEE2 re'orn as holy- Accept ,ith gladness ,hat you do not understand# and !ET it 'e e<plained to you# as you percei*e its purpose ,or: in it# to MALE it holyBou ,ill +ind many opportunities to 'lame EAC1 OT1ER +or the ;+ailure= o+ your relationship- 3or it ,ill seem# at times# to ha*e 2O purpose- A sense o+ aimlessness ,ill come to haunt you# and to remind you o+ all the ,ays you once SOU"1T +or satis+action# and T1OU"1T you +ound it- 3orget not no, the misery you REA!!B +ound# and do not no, 'reathe li*e into your +ailing egos- 3or your relationship has 2OT 'een disruptedIT 1AS BEE2 SAHE(- Bou are *ery ne, in the ,ays o+ sal*ation# and thin: you ha*e !OST your ,ay- BOUR ,ay IS lost# 'ut thin: not this is !OSSIn your ne,ness# remem'er that you ha*e started again# TO"ET1ER- And ta:e each other=s hand# to ,al: together along a road +ar more +amiliar than you no, 'elie*eIs it not certain# that you ,ill remem'er a goal unchanged throughout eternityE 3or you ha*e chosen 'ut the goal o+ "od# +rom ,hich your true intent ,as 2EHER a'sentThroughout the Sonship is the song o+ +reedom heard# in @oyous echo o+ your choiceBou ha*e @oined ,ith many# in the holy instant# and T1EB ha*e @oined ,ith youThin: not your choice ,ill lea*e BOU com+ortless- 3or "od 1imsel+ has 'lessed your special

429

relationship- JOI2 in 1is 'lessing# and ,ithhold not yours upon it- 3or all it needs no, IS your 'lessing# that you may see that in it rests sal*ationCondemn sal*ation not# +or it 1AS come to you- And ,elcome it TO"ET1ER# +or it has come to JOI2 you together# in a relationship in ,hich A!! the Sonship is together 'lessed- Bou undertoo:# together to in*ite the 1oly Spirit into your relationship- 1e could not ha*e entered other,ise- And# though you ha*e made many mista:es since then# you ha*e also made enormous e++orts to help 1im do 1is ,or:- And 1e has 2OT 'een lac:ing in appreciation +or all you ha*e done +or 1im# nor does 1e see the mista:es at all> 86% >

1a*e you 'een similarly grate+ul to each otherE 1a*e you consistently appreciated the "OO( e++orts# and OHER!OOLE( mista:esE Or has your appreciation +lic:ered and gro,n dim# in ,hat SEEME( to 'e the !I"1T o+ the mista:esE Bou are no, entering upon a campaign to 'lame EAC1 OT1ER +or the discom+ort o+ the situation in ,hich you +ind yoursel*es- And 'y this !ACL o+ than:s and gratitude# you ma:e BOURSE!HES una'le to EX RESS the holy instant# and thus you lose sight o+ itThe e<perience o+ an instant# 1O4EHER compelling it may 'e# is easily +orgotten# i+ you allo, time to close o*er it- It must 'e :ept shining and gracious# in your a,areness o+ time# 'ut not CO2CEA!E( ,ithin it- The instant remains- But ,here are BOUE To gi*e than:s to each other is to A RECIATE the holy instant# and thus ena'le its RESU!TS to 'e accepted A2( S1ARE(- To ATTACL each other is not to !OSE the instant# 'ut TO MALE IT O4ER!ESS I2 ITS E33ECTS- Bou 1AHE recei*ed the holy instant# 'ut you ha*e esta'lished a condition I2 41IC1 BOU CA22OT USE IT- As a result# you do not reali9e that it is 4IT1 BOU STI!!- And# 'y CUTTI2" BOURSE!3 O33 +rom its EX RESSIO2# you ha*e denied yoursel+ its 'ene+it- Bou REI23ORCE this# e*ery time BOU ATTACL EAC1 OT1ER# +or the attac: MUST 'lind you to BOURSE!3- And it IS impossi'le to (E2B yoursel+# and recogni9e ,hat has 'een gi*en# and RECEIHE( 'y youBou stand together in the holy resence o+ Truth Itsel+- 1ere is the goal# together 4IT1 you- Thin: you not the goal ITSE!3 ,ill gladly arrange the MEA2S +or its accomplishmentE It is @ust this same (ISCRE A2CB 'et,een the purpose that has BEE2 accepted and the means as they stand no,# that SEEMS to ma:e you su++er# 'ut ,hich ma:es 1ea*en glad- I+ 1ea*en ,ere OUTSI(E you# you could 2OT share in its gladness-

430

But# 'ecause it is 4IT1I2# the gladness# too# IS yours- Bou ARE @oined in purpose# 'ut remain still separate and di*ided on the means- Bet the "OA! is +i<ed# +irm and unaltera'leAnd the means ,ill surely +all in place# BECAUSE the goal is sureAnd BOU ,ill share the gladness o+ the Sonship that it is so- As you 'egin to recogni9e# and ACCE T the gi+ts you ha*e so +reely gi*en to EAC1 OT1ER# you ,ill also accept the E33ECTS o+ the holy instant# and use them to correct A!! your mista:es# and +ree you +rom T1EIR results- And# learning this# you ,ill ha*e A!SO learned ho, to release A!! the Sonship# and o++er it in gladness and than:sgi*ing to 1im 4ho ga*e you BOUR release# and 4ho ,ould EXTE2( it through youJan- $%# &5J7 The practical application o+ the 1oly Spirit=s purpose is e<tremely simple# 'ut it IS une?ui*ocal- In +act# in OR(ER to 'e simple# it MUST 'e une?ui*ocal- The simple is merely ,hat is EASI!B U2(ERSTOO(# and +or this# it is apparent that IT MUST BE C!EAR- The setting o+ the 1oly Spirit=s goal is "E2ERA!- 2o, 1e ,ill ,or: 4IT1 you# TO MALE IT S ECI3IC# +or application IS speci+ic- There are certain HERB speci+ic guidelines 1e pro*ides +or A2B situation# 'ut remem'er that you do not yet reali9e their
> 86& >

uni*ersal application- There+ore# it is essential# at this point# to use them in each situation separately# until you can more sa+ely loo: BEBO2( each situation# in an understanding +ar 'roader than you no, possessIn any situation in ,hich BOU are uncertain# the 3IRST thing to consider# *ery simply# is# ;4hat do I ,ant to come o+ thisE 4hat is it 3ORE= The clari+ication o+ the goal 'elongs at the BE"I22I2"# +or it is this that ,ill determine the outcome- In the ego=s procedure# this is re*ersed- The SITUATIO2 'ecomes the determiner o+ the outcome# 41IC1 CA2 BE A2BT1I2"- The reason +or this disorgani9ed approach is e*ident- The ego does not :no, ,hat it 4A2TS to come o+ it- It IS a,are o+ ,hat it does 2OT ,ant# 'ut only thatIt has no OSITIHE goal at all4ithout a clear>cut# positi*e goal# set at the outset# the situation @ust seems to happen# and ma:es no sense until it has A!REA(B 1A E2E(- Then you loo: BACL at it# and try to piece together ,hat it MUST ha*e meant- A2( BOU 4I!! BE 4RO2"- 2ot only is

431

your @udgment I2 T1E AST# 'ut you ha*e no idea ,hat S1OU!( ha*e happened2o goal ,as set# ,ith ,hich to 'ring the means I2 !I2E- And no,# the only @udgment !E3T to ma:e is ,hether or not the ego !ILES itP is it accepta'le# or does it call +or *engeanceThe a'sence o+ a criterion +or outcome# SET I2 A(HA2CE# ma:es understanding dou't+ul and e*aluation impossi'leThe *alue o+ deciding# in ad*ance# ,hat you 4A2T to happen# is simply that you ,ill percei*e the situation as a means to MALE it happen- Bou ,ill there+ore ma:e e*ery e++ort to OHER!OOL ,hat inter+eres ,ith the accomplishment o+ your o'@ecti*e# and concentrate on e*erything that helps you meet it- It is ?uite noticea'le that T1IS approach has 'rought you closer to the 1oly Spirit=s SORTI2" OUT o+ truth and +alsity- The )true. 'ecomes ,hat can 'e used to MEET the goal- The )+alse. 'ecomes the useless 3ROM T1IS OI2T O3 HIE4- The situation no, 1AS meaning# 'ut only 'ecause the goal has MA(E it meaning+ulThe goal o+ truth has +urther practical ad*antages- I+ the situation is used +or truth and sanity# its outcome MUST 'e peace- And this is ?uite A ART +rom ,hat the outcome IS- 3or i+ peace is the CO2(ITIO2 o+ truth and sanity# and CA22OT 'e 4IT1OUT them# ,here peace is# they MUST 'e- Truth comes o+ itsel+- I+ you e<perience EACE# it is 'ecause the truth 1AS come to you- And you 4I!! see the outcome truly# +or deception cannot pre*ail against you- And you ,ill RECO"2IUE the outcome# BECAUSE you are at peace- 1ere# again# you see the O OSITE o+ the ego=s ,ay o+ loo:ing- 3or the E"O 'elie*es the situation BRI2"S the e<perience- The 1oly Spirit :no,s the situation IS as the goal determines it# and is e<perienced ACCOR(I2" to the goalThe goal o+ truth REDUIRES 3AIT1- 3aith is implicit in the acceptance o+ the 1oly Spirit=s purpose- A2( T1IS 3AIT1 IS A!!>I2C!USIHE- 4here the goal o+ truth is set# there +aith MUST 'e- The 1oly Spirit sees the situation AS A 41O!E- The goal esta'lishes the +act that EHERBO2E in*ol*ed in it 4I!! play his part in its accomplishmentT1IS IS I2EHITAB!E- 2o>one ,ill +ail in anything- This SEEMS to as: +or +aith BEBO2( you# and 'eyond ,hat you can "IHE- But this is so O2!B +rom the *ie,point o+ the ego# +or the
> 86$ >

432

ego 'elie*es in ;sol*ing= con+licts through 3RA"ME2TATIO2# and does 2OT percei*e the situation as a ,hole- There+ore# it see:s to split o++ SE"ME2TS o+ the situation and deal ,ith them SE ARATE!B- 3or it has +aith in separation# and 2OT in ,holenessCon+ronted ,ith any AS ECT o+ the situation ,hich SEEMS to 'e di++icult# the ego ,ill attempt to TALE T1IS AS ECT E!SE41ERE# and resol*e it there- And it ,ill SEEM to 'e success+ul- E<cept that this attempt CO23!ICTS 4IT1 U2ITB# and MUST o'scure the goal o+ truth- And peace ,ill not 'e e<perienced# EXCE T in +antasy- Truth has 2OT come# 'ecause +aith has 'een (E2IE(# 'eing 4IT11E!( +rom ,here it right+ully 'elonged- Thus do you !OSE the understanding o+ the situation the goal o+ truth ,ould 'ring- 3or +antasy solutions 'ring 'ut the I!!USIO2 o+ e<perience# and the illusion o+ peace is 2OT the condition in ,hich the truth can enterThe su'stitutes +or AS ECTS o+ the situation are the ,itnesses to your !ACL o+ +aithThey demonstrate that you did 2OT 'elie*e that the situation A2( T1E ROB!EM ,ere in the same place- The pro'lem 4AS this lac: o+ +aith- And it is T1IS you demonstrate# ,hen you REMOHE it +rom its source# and place it else,here- As a result# BOU (O 2OT SEE T1E ROB!EM- 1ad you not lac:ed the +aith it COU!( 'e sol*ed# the ROB!EM ,ould 'e gone- And the situation ,ould ha*e 'een MEA2I2"3U! to you# 'ecause the I2TER3ERE2CE in the ,ay o+ understanding# ,ould ha*e 'een remo*ed- To remo*e the pro'lem E!SE41ERE is to LEE it- 3or you remo*e yoursel+ 3ROM it# and MALE it unsol*a'leThere is 2O pro'lem in A2B situation that +aith ,ill not sol*e- There is no S1I3T in any AS ECT o+ the pro'lem# 'ut ,ill ma:e SO!UTIO2 IM OSSIB!E- 3or i+ you shi+t ART o+ the pro'lem else,here# the meaning o+ the pro'lem MUST 'e lost# and the SO!UTIO2 to the pro'lem is I21ERE2T in its meaning- Is it not possi'le that A!! your pro'lems 1AHE BEE2 sol*ed# 'ut you ha*e remo*ed BOURSE!3 +rom the solutionE Bet +aith MUST 'e ,here something has BEE2 done# and ,here you SEE it done- A situation is a relationship# 'eing the @oining o+ thoughts- I+ pro'lems are percei*ed# it is 'ecause the thoughts are @udged to 'e I2 CO23!ICT- But i+ the goal is TRUT1# this is impossi'leSome idea o+ 'odies MUST ha*e entered# +or minds can 2OT attac:The thought o+ 'odies IS the sign o+ +aithlessness# +or 'odies CA22OT sol*e anything-

433

And it is their I2TRUSIO2 on the relationship# an error in BOUR thoughts ABOUT the situation# ,hich then 'ecame the JUSTI3ICATIO2 +or your lac: o+ +aith- Bou 4I!! ma:e this error# 'ut 'e not at all concerned ,ith that- The error does not matter- But do not USE the error to ,hat SEEMS to 'e to your ad*antage# +or this does (OES matter3aithlessness 'rought to +aith# ,ill ne*er inter+ere ,ith truth- But +aithlessness used A"AI2ST truth ,ill A!4ABS destroy +aith- I+ you lac: +aith# as: that it 'e restored 41ERE IT 4AS !OST# and see: not to ha*e it MA(E U TO BOU else,here# as i+ you had 'een un@ustly (E RIHE( o+ itOnly ,hat BOU ha*e not gi*en CA2 'e lac:ing in A2B situation- But remem'er thisP the goal o+ holiness ,as set +or BOUR relationship# A2( 2OT BB BOU- BOU did not set it# 'ecause holiness can 2OT BE SEE2 e<cept through +aith# and your relationship
> 868 >

,as not holy BECAUSE your +aith in one another ,as so limited and little- Bour +aith must gro,# to meet the goal that has 'een set- The goal=s REA!ITB ,ill call this +orth- 3or you ,ill see that peace and +aith ,ill not come separately- 4hat situation can you 'e in 4IT1OUT 3AIT1# and remain +aith+ul to each otherE EHERB situation in ,hich you +ind yoursel+# is 'ut a means to meet the purpose set +or BOUR relationship- See it as something E!SE# and you ARE +aithlessUSE 2OT BOUR 3AIT1!ESS2ESS- !et it enter# and loo: upon it calmly# 'ut (O 2OT USE IT- 3aithlessness is the ser*ant o+ illusion# and ,holly +aith+ul to its master- USE it# and it ,ill carry you straight to illusions- Be tempted not 'y ,hat it o++ers you- It inter+eres# not ,ith the goal# 'ut ,ith the HA!UE o+ the goal TO BOU- Accept not the illusion o+ peace it o++ers# 'ut loo: upon its o++ering# and recogni9e it IS illusion- The "OA! o+ illusion is as closely tied to +aithlessness# as +aith to truth- I+ you lac: +aith in A2BO2E to +ul+ill# A2( ER3ECT!B# his part in A2B situation dedicated I2 A(HA2CE to truth# BOUR dedication is di*ided- And so you ha*e 'een +aithless TO EAC1 OT1ER# and USE( your +aithlessness A"AI2ST each other2o relationship is holy# unless its holiness goes ,ith it EHERB41ERE- As holiness and +aith go hand in hand# so must its +aith go e*ery,here 4IT1 it- The goal=s reality ,ill call +orth# A2( ACCOM !IS1# e*ery miracle needed +or its +ul+illment- 2othing too small

434

or too enormous# nothing too insigni+icant or too imposing# too ,ea: or too compelling# 'ut ,ill 'e gently turned to its use and purpose- The uni*erse ,ill ser*e it gladly# as it ser*es the uni*erse- BUT (O 2OT I2TER3ERE- The po,er set in you# in ,hom the 1oly Spirit=s goal has 'een esta'lished# is so +ar 'eyond your little conception o+ the in+inite# that you ha*e no idea ho, great the strength that goes ,ith youAnd you can use T1IS in per+ect sa+ety- Bet# +or all its might# so great it reaches past the stars and to the uni*erse that lies 'eyond them# your little +aithlessness can ma:e IT useless# i+ you ,ould use the +aithlessness instead- Bet thin: on this# and learn the CAUSE o+ +aithlessnessP you thin: you hold against the other ,hat he has done to you- But ,hat you REA!!B 'lame him +or is 41AT BOU (I( TO 1IM- It is not 1IS past 'ut BOURS# you hold against him- And you lac: +aith in 1IM# 'ecause o+ ,hat BOU ,ere- Bet BOU are as innocent o+ ,hat you ,ere# as 1E is- 4hat ne*er ,as is causeless# and IS 2OT T1ERE to inter+ere ,ith truth- There IS no cause +or +aithlessness# 'ut there IS a Cause +or +aith- That Cause has entered A2B situation that shares its purpose- The light o+ truth shines +rom the center o+ the situation# and touches e*eryone to ,hom the situation=s purpose calls- IT CA!!S TO EHERBO2E- There is 2O situation that does 2OT in*ol*e your 41O!E RE!ATIO2S1I # in e*ery aspect and complete in e*ery part- Bou can lea*e 2OT1I2" o+ yoursel+ outside it# and :eep the situation holy- 3or it shares the purpose o+ your ,hole relationship# and deri*es its meaning 3ROM it- Enter each situation ,ith the +aith that you ,ould gi*e each other# or you ARE +aithless to your o,n relationshipBOUR +aith ,ill call the others to S1ARE your purpose# as this same purpose called +orth the +aith in you> 86G >

And you ,ill see the means you once employed to lead you to illusions# trans+ormed to means +or truth- Truth calls +or +aith# and +aith ma:es room 3OR TRUT1- 4hen the 1oly Spirit C1A2"E( the purpose o+ your relationship 'y e<changing yours +or 1is# the goal 1e placed there 4AS e<tended to e*ery situation in ,hich you entered# or ,ill EHER enter- And EHERB situation ,as thus MA(E 3REE o+ the past# ,hich 4OU!( ha*e made it purpose!ESSBou CA!! 3AIT1 +aith# 'ecause o+ 1im 4ho ,al:s ,ith you in e*ery situation- Bou

435

are no longer ,holly insane# 2OR 2O !O2"ER A!O2E- 3or loneliness in "od MUST 'e a dream- Bou ,hose relationship S1ARES the 1oly Spirit=s goal# are SET A ART +rom loneliness# 'ecause the truth has come- Its call +or +aith is strong- Use not your +aithlessness against it# +or it calls you to sal*ation and to peaceThe holy instant is nothing more than a special case# or an e<treme e<ample# o+ ,hat EHERB situation is MEA2T to 'e- The meaning that the 1oly Spirit=s purpose has "IHE2 it# is also gi*en to EHERB situation- It calls +orth @ust the same SUS E2SIO2 o+ +aithlessness# ,ithheld and le+t U2USE(# that +aith might ans,er to the call o+ truth- The holy instant is the shining e<ample# the clear and une?ui*ocal demonstration o+ the meaning o+ EHERB relationship# and EHERB situation SEE2 AS A 41O!E- 3aith has ACCE TE( e*ery AS ECT o+ the situation# and +aithlessness has not +orced A2B e<clusion on it- It is a situation o+ per+ect peace# simply 'ecauseBOU ha*e !ET IT BE 41AT IT ISThis simple courtesy is all the 1oly Spirit as:s o+ you- !et Truth 'e ,hat it is- (o not I2TRU(E upon it# do not ATTACL it# do 2OT interrupt its coming- !et it encompass EHERB situation# and 'ring you peace- 2ot e*en +aith is as:ed o+ you# +or Truth as:s nothing- !et it enter# and IT ,ill call +orth# and SECURE +or you# the +aith you need +or peace- But rise you not A"AI2ST it# +or against BOUR opposition it CA22OT come4ould you not 4A2T to ma:e a holy instant o+ EHERB situationE 3or such is the gi+t o+ +aith# +reely gi*en ,here*er +aithlessness is laid aside# U2USE(And T1E2 the po,er o+ the 1oly Spirit=s purpose is +ree +or use instead- This po,er I2STA2T!B trans+orms A!! situations into one sure and continuous means +or ESTAB!IS1I2" 1is purpose# and (EMO2STRATI2" its reality- 4hat has 'een (EMO2STRATE( has called +or +aith# and has 'een "IHE2 it- 2o, it 'ecomes a +act# +rom ,hich +aith can no longer BE ,ithheld- The strain o+ RE3USI2" +aith to truth is enormous# and +ar greater than you reali9e- But to A2S4ER truth ,ith +aith entails no strain at allTo you ,ho ha*e ACL2O4!E("E( the call o+ your Redeemer# the strain o+ 2OT responding to 1is call SEEMS to 'e "REATER than 'e+ore- This is not so- Be+ore# the strain ,as there# 'ut you attri'uted it TO SOMET1I2" E!SE# 'elie*ing that the ;something else= RO(UCE( it- This ,as 2EHER true- But ,hat the ;something else= produced ,as sorro, and depression# sic:ness and pain# dar:ness and dim imaginings o+ terror# cold

436

+antasies o+ +ear# and +iery dreams o+ hell- And it ,as nothing 'ut the intolera'le strain o+ your re+usal to gi*e +aith to truth# and see its e*ident reality> 866 >

Such ,as the cruci+i<ion o+ the Son o+ "od- 1is +aithlessness did this to him- Thin: care+ully 'e+ore you let yoursel+ use +aithlessness against him- 3or he IS risen# and BOU ha*e accepted the cause o+ his a,a:ening AS BOURS- Bou ha*e assumed your part in his redemption# and you are no, +ully responsi'le to him- 3ail him not no,# +or it has 'een gi*en you to reali9e ,hat your lac: o+ +aith in him MUST mean to BOU- 1is sal*ation is your O2!B purpose- See only this in EHERB situation# and it 4I!! 'e a means +or 'ringing O2!B this4hen you accepted truth as the goal +or your relationship# you 'ecame gi*ers o+ peace# as surely as your 3ather ga*e peace to BOU- 3or the goal o+ peace cannot BE accepted# A ART +rom its conditions- And you had +aith in it# +or no>one accepts ,hat he does 2OT 'elie*e is REA!- BOUR UR OSE 1AS 2OT C1A2"E(# and 4I!! not change# +or you ACCE TE( ,hat can 2EHER change- And nothing that it needs to BE +ore*er changeless# can you no, 4IT11O!( +rom it- Bour release is certain- "i*e as you ha*e recei*ed- And demonstrate that you ha*e risen 3AR 'eyond A2B situation that could hold you 'ac:# and :eep you SE ARATE +rom 1im 4hose call you ans,eredJanuary $6# &5J7 To su'stitute is to ACCE T I2STEA(- I+ you ,ould 'ut consider e<actly ,hat this entails# you ,ould percei*e at once ho, much at *ariance this is ,ith the goal the 1oly Spirit has gi*en you and ,ould accomplish 3OR you- To su'stitute is to C1OOSE BET4EE2# renouncing one I2 3AHOR o+ the other- 3or this S ECIA! purpose# one is @udged more *alua'le# and the other is RE !ACE( 'y him- The relationship in ,hich the su'stitution occurred is thus +ragmented# and ITS UR OSE S !IT accordingly- To +ragment IS TO EXC!U(E# and su'stitution is the strongest de+ense the ego has +or separationThe 1oly Spirit 2EHER su'stitutes- 4here the ego percei*es one person as a RE !ACEME2T 3OR another# the 1oly Spirit sees them @oined and indi*isi'le- 1e does not @udge BET4EE2 them# L2O4I2" they are one- Being united# they are one BECAUSE T1EB ARE T1E SAME- Su'stitution is clearly a process in ,hich they are ERCEIHE( AS

437

(I33ERE2T- One ,ould U2ITEP the other SE ARATE- 2OT1I2" can come BET4EE2 ,hat "od has @oined# and ,hat the 1oly Spirit sees as one- But e*erything SEEMS to come 'et,een the +ragmented relationships the ego sponsors# to destroyThe one emotion in ,hich su'stitution is impossi'le# is lo*e- But +ear in*ol*es su'stitution 'y de+inition# +or it is lo*e=s RE !ACEME2T- 3ear is 'oth a +ragmented A2( 3RA"ME2TI2" emotion- It SEEMS# to ta:e many +orms# and each seems to re?uire a (I33ERE2T +orm o+ acting out# +or satis+action- 4hile this appears to introduce ?uite *aria'le BE1AHIOR# a +ar more serious e++ect lies in the +ragmented ERCE TIO2 +rom ,hich the 'eha*ior stems- 2O>O2E IS SEE2 COM !ETE- The 'ody is emphasi9ed# ,ith special emphasis on certain parts# and USE( AS T1E STA2(AR( 3OR COM ARISO2 +or either acceptance or re@ection o+ suita'ility +or acting out a special 3ORM o+ +ear> 86J >

January $7# &5J7 Bou ,ho 'elie*e that "od is +ear made 'ut O2E su'stitution- It has ta:en many +orms# 'ecause it ,as the su'stitution o+ +ragmentation +or ,holeness- It has 'ecome splintered and su'di*ided and di*ided again# o*er and o*er# that it is no, almost impossi'le to percei*e it once ,as one# and still IS ,hat it ,as- That O2E error# ,hich 'rought truth to illusion# in+inity to time# and li+e to death# ,as all you e*er madeBour ,hole ,orld rests upon it- E*erything you see re+lects it- And e*ery special relationship ,hich you ha*e e*er made is ART o+ itBou ha*e e<pressed surprise at hearing ho, HERB di++erent is reality +rom ,hat BOU see- Bou do not reali9e the magnitude o+ that O2E error- It ,as so *ast and so COM !ETE!B incredi'le# that +rom it# a ,orld o+ total unreality 1A( to emerge4hat else COU!( come o+ itE Its +ragmented AS ECTS are +ear+ul enough# as you 'egin to !OOL at them- But nothing you ha*e seen BE"I2S to sho, you the enormity o+ the ORI"I2A! error# ,hich seemed to cast you out o+ 1ea*en# to shatter :no,ledge into meaningless 'its o+ disunited perceptions# and TO 3ORCE BOU TO 3URT1ER SUBSTITUTIO2SThat ,as the +irst pro@ection o+ error out,ard- The ,orld arose to hide it# and 'ecame the screen on ,hich it ,as pro@ected# and dra,n 'et,een you and truth- 3or truth e<tends I24AR(# ,here the idea o+ loss is meaningless# and only I2CREASE is concei*a'le- (o you REA!!B thin: it strange that a ,orld in ,hich EHERBT1I2" is 'ac:,ard and upsidedo,n# arose +rom thisE IT 4AS I2EHITAB!E- 3or truth 'rought to T1IS could only remain

438

,ithin in ?uiet# and ta:e no part in all the mad pro@ection 'y ,hich this ,orld ,as madeCall it not sin# 'ut madness# +or such it ,as# and so it still remains- In*est it not ,ith guilt# +or guilt implies it ,as accomplished I2 REA!ITB- And# a'o*e all# BE 2OT A3RAI( O3 IT- 4hen you seem to see some t,isted +orm o+ the original error rise to +righten you# say only# ;"od is 2OT +ear# 'ut lo*e#= and it ,ill disappearT1E TRUT1 4I!! SAHE BOU- It has 2OT le+t you# to go out into the mad ,orld and so (E ART 3ROM BOU- In,ard is sanityP I2sanity is OUTSI(E you- Bou 'ut BE!IEHE it is the other ,ayP that truth is OUTSI(E# and error and guilt ,ithinBour little# senseless su'stitutions# touched ,ith insanity# and s,irling lightly o++ on a mad course li:e a +eather dancing insanely in the ,ind# 1AHE no su'stance- They +use and merge and separate in shi+ting and totally meaningless patterns# ,hich need not 'e @udged at all- To @udge them I2(IHI(UA!!B is pointless- Their tiny di++erences in +orm are not REA! di++erences at all- 2O2E O3 T1EM MATTERS- T1AT they ha*e in common# and nothing else# 'ut ,hat else is 2ECESSARB to ma:e them all the sameE !et them go# dancing in the ,ind# dipping and turning till they disappear +rom sight# +ar# +ar OUTSI(E you- And turn you to the stately calm ,ithin# ,here# in holy stillness# d,ells the li*ing "od you ne*er le+t# and 4ho ne*er le+t youThe 1oly Spirit ta:es you gently 'y the hand# and retraces 4IT1 you your mad @ourney OUTSI(E yoursel+# leading you gently 'ac: to the truth and sa+ety ,ithin- 1e
> 867 >

'rings all your insane pro@ections and your ,ild su'stitutions ,hich BOU ha*e placed OUTSI(E you# to the truth- Thus# 1e REHERSES the course o+ insanity# and restores you to reason- In your relationship ,here 1e has ta:en charge o+ e*erything at your re?uest# 1e has set the course in,ard# to the truth you S1ARE- In the mad ,orld OUTSI(E you# nothing CA2 'e shared# 'ut only SUBSTITUTE(# and sharing and su'stituting ha*e 2OT1I2" in common in reality4ithin yoursel*es# you lo*e each other ,ith per+ect lo*e- 1ere is holy ground# in ,hich no su'stitutes can enter# and ,here only the TRUT1 a'out each other can a'ide1ere you are @oined in "od# as much together as you are ,ith 1im- The original error has not entered here# nor ne*er ,ill- 1ere is the radiant truth# to ,hich the 1oly Spirit su'mitted your relationship- !et 1im 'ring it here# ,here BOU ,ould ha*e it 'e- "i*e 1im 'ut a little +aith in each other# to help him sho, you that no su'stitute you made +or 1ea*en

439

can :eep you +rom itIn you there is no separation# and no su'stitute can :eep you +rom each other- Bour reality ,as "O(=S creation# and 1AS no su'stitute- Bou are so +irmly @oined in truth# that only "od is there- And 1e could 2EHER accept something else I2STEA( o+ you- 1e lo*es you 'oth# e?ually and as one- And as 1e lo*es you# so you ARE- Bou are 2OT @oined together 'y illusions# 'ut in the Thought so holy and so per+ect that illusions cannot remain to dar:en the holy place in ,hich you stand together- "od is ,ith you# my 'rothers- !et us @oin in 1im in peace and gratitude# and accept 1is gi+t o+ our most holy and per+ect reality# that ,e share in 1im1ea*en is restored to all the Sonship through your relationship- 3or in it lies the Sonship# ,hole and 'eauti+ul# sa+e in your lo*e- 1ea*en has ans,ered ?uietly# +or all illusions ha*e 'een gently 'rought unto the truth in you# and !o*e has shined upon you# 'lessing your relationship ,ith truth- "od and 1is ,hole Creation has entered it together1o, lo*ely and ho, holy is your relationship# ,ith the truth shining upon itO 1ea*en 'eholds it# and re@oices that you ha*e let it come to you- And "od 1imsel+ is glad that your relationship is as it ,as created- The uni*erse ,ithin you stands ,ith you togetherAnd 1ea*en loo:s ,ith lo*e on ,hat is @oined in it# along ,ith its Creator4hom "od hath called should hear no su'stitutes- Their call is 'ut an echo o+ the original error ,hich shattered 1ea*en- 3or ,hat 'ecame o+ peace# in those ,ho heardE Return ,ith me to 1ea*en# ,al:ing together out o+ this ,orld# and through another to the lo*eliness and @oy the other holds ,ithin it- 4ould you still +urther ,ea:en and 'rea: apart ,hat is already 'ro:en and hopelessE Is it 1ERE that you ,ould loo: +or happinessE Or ,ould you not pre+er to 1EA! ,hat has 'een 'ro:en# and @oin in ma:ing ,hole ,hat has 'een ra*aged 'y separation and diseaseE Bou ha*e 'een called# together# to the most holy +unction that this ,orld contains- It is the O2!B one that has no limits# and that reaches out to e*ery 'ro:en +ragment o+ the Sonship# ,ith healing and uniting com+ort- This is o++ered BOU# in your holy relationshipAccept it 1ERE# and you 4I!! gi*e as you ha*e accepted and recei*ed- The peace o+
> 86K >

"od is gi*en you# ,ith the glo,ing purpose in ,hich you @oin- The holy light that 'rought you together MUST e<tend# as BOU accepted itJanuary 8%# &5J7 (oes not a ,orld that seems ?uite real arise in dreamsE But thin: ,hat this ,orld isIt is clearly 2OT the ,orld you sa, BE3ORE you slept- Rather# it is a (ISTORTIO2 o+ the

440

,orld# planned solely around ,hat you ha*e RE3ERRE(- 1ere# you are ;+ree= to ma:e o*er ,hate*er SEEME( to attac: you# and C1A2"E it into a TRIBUTE to your ego# ,hich ,as outraged 'y the attac:- This ,ould not 'e BOUR ,ish unless you sa, yoursel+ AS O2E ,ith the ego# ,hich A!4ABS loo:s upon itsel+# and there+ore on you# as U2(ER attac:# and highly HU!2ERAB!E to it(reams are chaotic BECAUSE they are go*erned 'y your con+licting ,ishes- And there+ore they ha*e 2O concern ,ith ,hat is true- They are the 'est e<ample you could ha*e o+ ho, perception can 'e utili9ed to su'stitute illusions +or truth- Bou do not ta:e them seriously on a,a:ing# 'ecause the +act that# in them# reality is so OUTRA"EOUS!B *iolated# 'ecomes apparent- Bet they ARE a ,ay o+ !OOLI2" at the ,orld# and C1A2"I2" it TO SUIT T1E E"O BETTER- They pro*ide STRILI2" e<amples# 'oth o+ the ego=s I2ABI!ITB to tolerate reality# and your ,illingness to C1A2"E reality on its 'ehal+Bou do not +ind the di++erences 'et,een ,hat you see in sleep and on a,a:ing distur'ing- Bou recogni9e that ,hat you see on ,a:ing is 'lotted out in dreams- Bet# on a,a:ening# you do 2OT e<pect it to 'e gone- In dreams# BOU arrange e*erythingeople BECOME ,hat you ,ould ha*e them 'e# and ,hat they do BOU order- 2o limits on su'stitution are laid upon youP +or a time# it seems as i+ the ,orld ,ere "IHE2 you# to ma:e it ,hat you ,ill- Bou do 2OT reali9e that BOU are ATTACLI2" it# trying to triumph o*er it and MALE it ser*e you(reams are perceptual temper tantrums# in ,hich you literally scream# ;I ,ant it T1USO= And thus it seems to 'e- And yet# the dream can 2OT escape its originAnger and +ear per*ade it# and in an instant the illusion o+ satis+action is in*aded 'y the illusion o+ terror- 3or the dream o+ your a'ility to CO2TRO! reality 'y su'stituting a ,orld that you pre+er IS terri+ying- Bour attempts to B!OT OUT reality are HERB +ear+ul# 'ut T1IS you are 2OT ,illing to accept- And so you SUBSTITUTE the +antasy that REA!ITB is +ear+ul# 2OT ,hat you ,ould (O to it- And thus is guilt MA(E REA!(reams sho, you that you 1AHE the po,er to ma:e a ,orld as you ,ould ha*e it# and that# BECAUSE you 4A2T it# you SEE it- And 41I!E you see it# you do 2OT dou't that it is real- Bet here is a ,orld# clearly 4IT1I2 your mind# that SEEMS to 'e outside-

441

Bou do 2OT respond to it as though you made it# nor do you reali9e that the emotions ,hich the dream produces MUST come +rom you- It is the 3I"URES in the dream# and ,hat T1EB do that seem to MALE T1E (REAM- Bou do not reali9e that you are ma:ing
> 865 >

them act out 3OR you# +or i+ you did# the guilt ,ould not 'e theirs# and the illusion o+ satis+action ,ould 'e goneIn dreams these +eatures are not o'scure- Bou seem to ,a:en# and the dream is gone- But ,hat you +ail to recogni9e is that ,hat CAUSE( the dream# has 2OT gone ,ith it- Bour 4IS1 to ma:e another ,orld that is 2OT real# REMAI2S ,ith you- And ,hat you seem to 4ALE to# is 'ut another 3ORM o+ this same ,orld you see in dreams- All your time is spent in dreaming- Bour sleeping and your ,a:ing dreams ha*e di++erent +orms# and that is all- T1EIR CO2TE2T IS T1E SAME- They are your protest A"AI2ST reality# and your +i<ed and insane ,ish to C1A2"E itIn your 4ALI2" dreams# the special relationship has a special place- It is the means 'y ,hich you try to ma:e your S!EE I2" dreams COME TRUE- 3rom this# you do not ,a:en- The special relationship is your (ETERMI2ATIO2 to :eep your hold on unreality# and to REHE2T yoursel+ +rom ,a:ing- And ,hile you see more HA!UE in sleeping than in ,a:ing# you ,ill 2OT let go o+ it- The 1oly Spirit# e*er practical in 1is ,isdom# ACCE TS your dreams# and uses them as means +or 4ALI2"- BOU ,ould ha*e used them to remain AS!EE 4e once said that the +irst change# 'e+ore dreams disappear# is that your dreams o+ +ear are changed to 1A B dreams- That is ,hat the 1oly Spirit does in your special relationship- 1e does 2OT destroy it# nor snatch it a,ay +rom you- But 1e does use it di++erently# as a help to ma:e 1IS purpose REA! to you- Bour special relationships ,ill remain# 2OT as a source o+ pain and guilt# 'ut as a source o+ @oy and +reedom- It ,ill 2OT 'e +or you alone# +or therein lay its misery- As its U2holiness :ept it as a thing apart# its 1O!I2ESS ,ill 'ecome an o++ering to e*eryoneBour special relationship ,ill 'e a means +or U2(OI2" guilt in e*eryone 'lessed through your holy relationship- It ,ill 'e a happy dream# and one ,hich you ,ill S1ARE ,ith all ,ho come ,ithin your sight- Through it# the 'lessing that the 1oly Spirit has laid

442

upon it# ,ill 'e EXTE2(E(- Thin: not that 1e has +orgotten anyone# in the purpose 1e has gi*en you- And thin: not that 1e has +orgotten BOU# to ,hom 1e "AHE this gi+t1e uses e*eryone ,ho calls on 1im# as means +or the sal*ation o+ e*eryone- And 1e ,ill ,a:en e*eryone through you# ,ho o++ered your relationship to 1imI+ you 'ut recogni9ed 1is gratitudeO Or mine through 1isO 3or ,e are @oined as one in purpose# 'eing o+ one mind ,ith 1im- !et not the dream ta:e hold to close your eyesIt is not strange that dreams can ma:e a ,orld that is unreal- The 4IS1 to ma:e it IS incredi'le- Bour relationship has 'ecome one in ,hich the ,ish has 'een REMOHE(# 'ecause its purpose has 'een changed +rom one o+ dreams to one o+ truth- Bou are not sure o+ this# 'ecause you thin: it may 'e T1IS that is the dream- Bou are so used to choosing 'et,een dreams# you do not see that you ha*e made# at last# the choice 'et,een the truth and A!! I!!USIO2SBet 1ea*en IS sure- T1IS IS 2O (REAM- Its coming means that you ha*e chosen truth# and it has come# 'ecause you ha*e 'een ,illing to let your special relationship
> 8J% >

meet its conditions- In your relationship# the 1oly Spirit has gently laid the real ,orldP the ,orld o+ happy dreams# +rom ,hich a,a:ing is so easy and so natural- 3or# as your sleeping and your ,a:ing dreams represent the same ,ishes in BOUR mind# so do the real ,orld and the truth o+ 1ea*en @oin in the 4ill o+ "od- The dream o+ ,a:ing is easily trans+erred to its reality- 3or this dream comes +rom your ,ill# JOI2E( ,ith the 4ill o+ "od- And ,hat T1IS ,ill ,ould 1AHE accomplished# has ne*er 2OT 'een done3e' $# &5J7 Bou ,ho ha*e spent your li*es in 'ringing truth to illusion# reality to +antasy# 1AHE ,al:ed the ,ay o+ dreams- 3or you ha*e gone +rom ,a:ing to sleeping# and on and on to a yet deeper sleep- Each dream has led to other dreams# and e*ery +antasy that SEEME( to 'ring a light into the dar:ness 'ut made the dar:ness deeper- Bour "OA! ,as dar:ness# in ,hich no ray o+ light could enter- And you sought a 'lac:ness so complete that you could hide +rom truth +ore*er# in complete insanity- 4hat you +orgot ,as simply that "od CA22OT destroy 1imsel+- The light is I2 you- (ar:ness can COHER it# 'ut CA22OT put it outAs the light comes nearer# you 4I!! rush to dar:ness# shrin:ing +rom the truth# sometimes retreating to the lesser +orms o+ +ear# and sometimes to star: terror- But you

443

4I!! ad*ance# 'ecause your goal IS the ad*ance +rom +ear to truth- BOU L2O4 T1ISThe goal ,hich you accepted IS the goal o+ :no,ledge# +or ,hich you signi+ied your ,illingness- 3ear seems to li*e in dar:ness- 41E2 BOU ARE A3RAI(# you ha*e stepped 'ac:- !et us then @oin ?uic:ly in an instant o+ light# and it ,ill 'e enough to remind you that your goal IS light- Truth has rushed to meet you# since BOU called upon itI+ you :ne, 4ho ,al:s 'eside you on T1IS ,ay# ,hich BOU ha*e chosen# +ear ,ould 'e impossi'le- Bou do 2OT :no,# 'ecause the @ourney into dar:ness has 'een long and cruel# and you ha*e gone deep into it- A little +lic:er o+ your eyelids# closed so long# has not yet 'een su++icient to gi*e you con+idence in yoursel*es# so long despisedBou go TO4AR( lo*e# still hating it# and TERRIB!B a+raid o+ its @udgment upon youAnd you do 2OT reali9e that you are 2OT a+raid o+ lo*e# 'ut only O3 41AT BOU MA(E O3 ITBou are ad*ancing to lo*e=s MEA2I2"# and a,ay +rom A!! illusions in ,hich you ha*e surrounded it- 4hen you retreat to the illusions# BOUR 3EAR I2CREASES# +or there is little dou't that ,hat BOU thin: it means IS +ear+ul- But ,hat is that to us ,ho tra*el surely and *ery s,i+tly A4AB +rom +earE Bou ,ho hold each other=s hand also hold mine# +or ,hen you @oined each other you ,ere not alone- (o you 'elie*e that I ,ould lea*e you in the dar:ness you agreed to lea*e ,ith MEE In your relationship is this ,orld=s light- And +ear MUST disappear 'e+ore you no,- Be tempted not to snatch a,ay the gi+t o+ +aith you o++ered to each otherBou ,ill succeed only in +rightening yoursel*es- The gi+t is gi*en +ore*er# +or "od 1imsel+ recei*ed it- Bou CA22OT ta:e it 'ac:- Bou ha*e accepted "od- The holiness o+ your
> 8J& >

relationship is esta'lished in 1ea*en- Bou do not understand ,hat you accepted# 'ut remem'er that your understanding is not necessary- All that ,as necessary ,as merely the 4IS1 to understand- That ,ish ,as the desire to 'e holy- The ,ill o+ "od is granted you- 3or you desire the only thing you e*er had# or e*er ,ereEach instant that ,e spend together ,ill teach you that this goal is possi'le# and ,ill strengthen your desire to reach it- And in your desire lies its accomplishment- Bour desire is no, in complete accord ,ith all the po,er o+ the 1oly Spirit=s 4ill- 2o little# +altering +ootsteps that you may ta:e can separate your desire +rom 1is 4ill and +rom 1is strength- I hold your hand as surely as you agreed to ta:e each other=s- Bou ,ill not separate +or I stand ,ith you# and ,al: ,ith you in your ad*ance to truth- And ,here ,e

444

go ,e carry "od ,ith usIn your relationship# you ha*e @oined ,ith me in 'ringing 1ea*en to the Son o+ "od# ,ho hid in dar:ness- Bou ha*e 'een ,illing to 'ring the dar:ness to light# and this ,illingness has gi*en strength to e*eryone ,ho ,ould remain in dar:ness- Those ,ho ,ould see 4I!! see- And they ,ill @oin ,ith me in carrying their light into the dar:ness# ,hen the dar:ness in them is o++ered to the light# and is remo*ed +ore*er- My need +or you# @oined ,ith me in the holy light o+ your relationship# is BOUR need +or sal*ation4ould I not gi*e you ,hat you ga*e to meE 3or ,hen you @oined each other# you ans,ered meBou ,ho are no, the 'ringers o+ sal*ation ha*e the +unction o+ 'ringing light to dar:ness- The dar:ness in you 1AS 'een 'rought to light- Carry it 'ac: to dar:ness# +rom the holy instant to ,hich you 'rought it- 4e are made ,hole in our desire to ma:e ,hole- !et not time ,orry you# +or all the +ear that you e<perience is really past- Time has 'een re>ad@usted to help us do# together# ,hat your separate pasts ,ould hinderBou ha*e gone past +ear# +or no t,o minds can @oin in the desire +or lo*e ,ithout lo*e=s @oining T1EM2ot one light in 1ea*en 'ut goes ,ith you- 2ot one ray that shines +ore*er in the Mind o+ "od 'ut shines on you- 1ea*en is @oined ,ith you in your ad*ance to 1ea*en4hen such great light has @oined ,ith you to gi*e the little spar: o+ your desire the po,er o+ "od 1imsel+# CA2 you remain in dar:nessE Bou are coming home together# a+ter a long and meaningless @ourney ,hich you undertoo: apart# and ,hich led no,hereBou ha*e +ound each other# and ,ill light each other=s ,ay- And +rom this light ,ill the great rays e<tend 'ac: into dar:ness and +or,ard unto "od# to shine a,ay the past and so ma:e room +or 1is eternal resence# in 4hich e*erything is radiant in the light3e'ruary 6# &5J7 The holy instant is the result o+ your determination to 'e holy- It is the A2S4ER- The desire and the ,illingness to let it come precedes its coming- Bou prepare your minds +or it only to the e<tent o+ recogni9ing that you ,ant it a'o*e all else- It is not necessary that you do moreP indeed# it is necessary that you reali9e that you CA22OT do more(o
> 8J$ >

not attempt to gi*e the 1oly Spirit ,hat 1e does not as:# or you ,ill add the ego unto 1im# and con+use the t,o- 1e as:s 'ut little- It is 1E 4ho adds the greatness and the

445

might- 1e @oins ,ith you to ma:e the holy instant +ar greater than you can understand- It is your reali9ation that you need do so little that ena'les 1im to gi*e so muchTrust not your good intentions- They are not enough- But trust implicitly your ,illingness# ,hate*er else may enter- Concentrate only on this# and 'e not distur'ed that shado,s surround it- That is ,hy you came- I+ you could come ,ithout them# you ,ould not 2EE( the holy instant- Come to it not in arrogance# assuming that you must achie*e the state its coming 'rings ,ith it- The miracle o+ the holy instant lies in your ,illingness to let it 'e ,hat it is- And in your ,illingness +or this lies also your acceptance o+ yoursel+ as BOU ,ere meant to 'e1umility ,ill ne*er as: that you remain content ,ith littleness- But it (OES re?uire that you 'e 2OT content ,ith less than greatness ,hich comes not o+ you- Bour di++iculty ,ith the holy instant arises +rom your +i<ed con*iction that you are not ,orthy o+ itAnd ,hat is this 'ut the determination to 'e as you ,ould MALE yoursel+E "od did not create 1is d,elling>place un,orthy o+ 1im- And i+ you 'elie*e 1e cannot enter ,here 1e ,ills to 'e# you must 'e I2TER3ERI2" ,ith 1is 4ill- Bou do not need the strength o+ ,illingness to come +rom BOU# 'ut only +rom 1IS 4illThe holy instant does not come +rom your little ,illingness alone- It is al,ays the result o+ your small ,illingness com'ined ,ith the unlimited po,er o+ "od=s 4ill- Bou ha*e 'een ,rong in thin:ing that it is need+ul to RE ARE yoursel+ +or 1im- It is impossi'le to ma:e arrogant preparations +or holiness# and 2OT 'elie*e that it is up to you to esta'lish the conditions +or peace- "O( has esta'lished them- They do not ,ait upon your ,illingness +or ,hat they are- Bour ,illingness is needed only to ma:e it possi'le to TEAC1 you ,hat they are- I+ you maintain you are un,orthy o+ learning this# you are inter+ering ,ith the lesson 'y 'elie*ing that you ma:e the !EAR2ER di++erent- Bou did not ma:e the learner# nor CA2 you ma:e him di++erent- 4ould you +irst ma:e a miracle yoursel+# and then e<pect one to 'e made 3OR youE BOU merely as: the ?uestion- The ans,er is "IHE2- See: not to ans,er it# 'ut merely RECEIHE the ans,er as it is gi*en- In preparing +or the holy instant# do not attempt to ma:e yoursel+ holy to 'e ready to recei*e it- That is 'ut to con+use your role ,ith

446

"od=s- Atonement cannot come to those ,ho thin: that T1EB must +irst atone# 'ut only to those ,ho o++er it nothing more than simple ,illingness to ma:e ,ay +or ituri+ication is o+ "od alone# and there+ore +or you- Rather than see: to prepare yoursel+ +or 1im# try to thin: thusF ;I ,ho am host to "od AM ,orthy o+ 1im1e 4ho ESTAB!IS1E( 1is d,elling>place in me created it as 1e ,ould ha*e it 'eIt is not need+ul that I ma:e it ready +or 1im# 'ut only that I (O 2OT I2TER3ERE ,ith 1is plan to RSTORE to me my o,n a,areness o+ my readiness# ,hich is eternalI need A(( nothing to 1is plan- But to RECEIHE it# I must 'e ,illing 2OT to su'stitute my o,n I2 !ACE o+ it-=
> 8J8 >

And that is all- Add more# and you ,ill merely TALE A4AB the little that is as:edRemem'er you made guilt# and that your plan +or the escape +rom guilt has 'een to 'ring Atonement TO it# and ma:e sal*ation +ear+ul- And it is only +ear that you ,ill add# i+ you prepare BOURSE!3 +or lo*e- The preparation +or the holy instant 'elongs to 1im 4ho gi*es it- Release yoursel*es to 1im 4hose +unction is release- (o not assume 1is +unction +or 1im- "i*e 1im 'ut ,hat 1e as:s# that you may learn ho, little is your part# and ho, great is 1isIt is this that ma:es the holy instant so easy and so natural- Bou ma:e it di++icult# 'ecause you insist there must 'e more that you need do- And it is *ery hard +or you to reali9e that it is not personally insulting that your contri'ution and the 1oly Spirit=s are so e<tremely disproportionate- Bou are still con*inced BOUR understanding is a po,er+ul contri'ution to the truth# and ma:es it ,hat it is- Bet ,e ha*e emphasi9ed that you need understand nothing- Sal*ation is easy @ust BECAUSE it as:s nothing that you cannot gi*e RI"1T 2O43orget not that it has 'een your decision to ma:e e*erything that IS natural and easy +or you impossi'le- 4hat you 'elie*e to 'e impossi'le ,ill BE# i+ "od so ,ills it# 'ut you ,ill remain ?uite una,are o+ it- I+ you 'elie*e the holy instant is di++icult +or you# it is 'ecause you ha*e 'ecome the ar'iter o+ ,hat is possi'le# and remain un,illing to gi*e place to One 4ho L2O4S- The ,hole 'elie+ in orders o+ di++iculty in miracles is centered on this- E*erything "od ,ills is not only possi'le# 'ut has already 1A E2E(- And that

447

is ,hy the past has gone- It 2EHER happened in reality- Only in your minds# ,hich thought it did# is its undoing need+ulrepare you 2O4 +or the undoing o+ ,hat ne*er ,as- I+ you already understood the di++erence 'et,een truth and illusion# the Atonement ,ould ha*e no meaning- The holy instant# your holy relationship# the 1oly Spirit=s teaching# and all the means 'y ,hich sal*ation is accomplished# ,ould ha*e no purpose- 3or they are all 'ut aspects o+ the plan to change your dreams o+ +ear to happy dreams# +rom ,hich you ,a:en easily to :no,ledge- ut yoursel+ not in charge o+ this# +or you cannot distinguish 'et,een ad*ance and retreat- Some o+ your greatest ad*ances you ha*e @udged as +ailures# and some o+ your deepest retreats you ha*e e*aluated as success2e*er approach the holy instant a+ter BOU ha*e tried to remo*e all +ear and hatred +rom your mind- That is ITS +unction- 2e*er attempt to o*erloo: your guilt BE3ORE you as: the 1oly Spirit=s help- That is 1IS +unction- Bour part is only to o++er 1im a little ,illingness to !ET 1im remo*e all +ear and hatred# and to BE +orgi*en- On your little +aith# @oined ,ith 1is understanding# 1E ,ill 'uild your part in the Atonement# and ma:e sure that you +ul+ill it easily- And ,ith 1im# BOU ,ill 'uild a ladder planted in the solid roc: o+ +aith# and rising e*en to 1ea*en- 2or ,ill you use it to ascend to 1ea*en aloneThrough your holy relationship# re'orn and 'lessed in e*ery holy instant ,hich you do not arrange# thousands ,ill rise to 1ea*en ,ith you- Can BOU plan +or thisE Or could you prepare BOURSE!HES +or such a +unctionE Bet it is possi'le# 'ecause "od ,ills it2or ,ill 1e change 1is Mind a'out it- The means and purpose BOT1 'elong to 1im> 8JG >

Bou ha*e accepted oneP the other ,ill 'e pro*ided- A purpose such as this# ,ithout the means# is inconcei*a'le- 1e ,ill pro*ide the means to A2BO2E ,ho shares 1is purpose1appy dreams come true# 2OT 'ecause they are dreams# 'ut only 'ecause they are 1A B- And so they must 'e lo*ing- Their message is# ;Thy 4ill 'e done#= and not# ;I ,ant it other,ise-= The alignment o+ means and purpose is an underta:ing impossi'le +or you to understand- Bou do not e*en reali9e you 1AHE accepted the 1oly Spirit=s purpose as your o,n# and you ,ould merely 'ring unholy means to its accomplishmentThe little +aith it needed to change the purpose is all that is re?uired to recei*e the means and USE themIt is no dream to lo*e your 'rother as yoursel+- 2or is your holy relationship a dream- All that remains o+ dreams ,ithin it is that it is still a S ECIA! relationshipBet it

448

is *ery use+ul to the 1oly Spirit# 4ho 1AS a special +unction here- It ,ill 'ecome the happy dream through ,hich 1e can spread @oy to thousands on thousands ,ho 'elie*e that lo*e is +ear# not happiness- !et 1im +ul+ill the +unction that 1e ga*e to your relationship 'y accepting it 3OR you# and nothing ,ill 'e ,anting that ,ould ma:e o+ it ,hat 1e ,ould ha*e it 'e4hen you +eel the holiness o+ your relationship is threatened 'y anything# stop instantly and o++er the 1oly Spirit your ,illingness# I2 S ITE o+ +ear# to let 1im e<change this instant +or the holy one ,hich you ,ould rather ha*e- 1e ,ill ne*er +ail in thisBut +orget not that your relationship is one# and so it must 'e that ,hate*er threatens the peace o+ one is an e?ual threat to the other- The po,er o+ @oining and its 'lessing lie in the +act that it is no, impossi'le +or either o+ you to e<perience +ear alone# or to attempt to deal ,ith it alone- 2e*er 'elie*e that this is necessary# or e*en possi'le- Bet @ust as this is impossi'le# so is it e?ually impossi'le that the holy instant come to either o+ you 4IT1OUT the other- And it ,ill come to BOT1 at the re?uest o+ either4hich e*er is saner at the time ,hen the threat is percei*ed should remem'er ho, deep is his inde'tedness to the other# and ho, much gratitude is due him# and 'e glad that he can pay his de't 'y 'ringing happiness to 'oth- !et him remem'er this# and sayF ;I desire this holy instant +or mysel+ That I may share it ,ith my 'rother# ,hom I lo*eIt is not possi'le that I can ha*e it ,ithout him# or he ,ithout meBet it is ,holly possi'le +or us to share it 2O4And so I choose this instant as the one to o++er to the 1oly Spirit# That 1is 'lessing may descend on us# and :eep us BOT1 in peace-= 3e' &$# &5J7 T1ERE IS 2OT1I2" OUTSI(E BOU- That is ,hat you must ultimately learn# +or it is in that reali9ation that the Lingdom o+ 1ea*en is restored to you- 3or "od created only this# and 1e did not depart +rom it# nor lea*e it separate +rom 1imsel+- The Lingdom o+ 1ea*en is the d,elling place o+ the Son o+ "od# ,ho le+t not his 3ather# and d,ells not
> 8J6 >

apart +rom 1im- 1ea*en is not a place nor a condition- It is merely an a,areness o+ per+ect Oneness# and the :no,ledge that there is nothing else- 2othing OUTSI(E T1IS Oneness# and 2OT1I2" E!SE ,ithin4hat could "od gi*e# 'ut :no,ledge o+ 1imsel+E 4hat else IS there to gi*eE The 'elie+ that you could gi*e A2( "ET something# else# something OUTSI(E yoursel+# has

449

cost you the a,areness o+ 1ea*en# and the loss o+ :no,ledge o+ your identity- And you ha*e done a stranger thing than you yet reali9e- Bou ha*e displaced your guilt to your 'odies# 3ROM BOUR MI2(S- Bet a 'ody CA22OT 'e guilty# +or it can do nothing o+ itsel+- Bou ,ho thin: you hate your 'odies# decei*e yoursel*es- BOU 1ATE BOUR MI2(S# +or guilt has entered into them# and they ,ould remain separate# ,hich they CA22OT (OMinds ARE @oinedP 'odies are not- Only 'y assigning to the mind the properties O3 T1E BO(B# does separation SEEM to 'e possi'le- And it is MI2( that seems to 'e +ragmented and pri*ate and A!O2E- Its guilt# ,hich LEE S it separate# is pro@ected to the 'ody# ,hich su++ers and dies# BECAUSE IT IS ATTACLE( to hold the separation in the mind# and let it 2OT L2O4 its unity- Mind cannot attac:# 'ut it CA2 ma:e +antasies# and direct the 'ody to act them out- But it is ne*er ,hat the BO(B does that seems to satis+yUnless the mind BE!IEHES the 'ody is ACTUA!!B acting out ITS +antasies# it ,ill attac: the 'ody 'y I2CREASI2" T1E ROJECTIO2 O3 ITS "UI!T U O2 ITIn this# the mind is C!EAR!B delusional- It cannot attac:# 'ut maintains it CA2# and USES ,hat it does to hurt the 'ody# to ROHE it can- The mind can not attac:# 'ut it CA2 decei*e itsel+- And this is A!! it does# ,hen it 'elie*es it has attac:ed the 'ody# It CA2 pro@ect its guilt# 'ut it ,ill 2OT lose it through pro@ection- And though it clearly can MIS ERCEIHE the +unction o+ the 'ody# it CA22OT change its +unction +rom ,hat the 1oly Spirit ESTAB!IS1ES it to 'e- The 'ody ,as 2OT made 'y lo*e- But lo*e does not condemn it# and can use it lo*ingly# respecting ,hat the Son o+ "od has made# and using it to SAHE him +rom illusions- 4ould you not ha*e the instruments o+ separation REI2TER RETE( as means +or sal*ation# and USE( +or purposes o+ lo*eE 4ould you not ,elcome A2( SU ORT the shi+t +rom +antasies o+ *engeance to release +rom themE Bour ERCE TIO2 o+ the 'ody can clearly 'e sic:# 'ut pro@ect this not upon the 'ody3or your ,ish to ma:e destructi*e ,hat CA22OT destroy# can ha*e no REA! e++ect at allAnd ,hat "od created is only ,hat 1e ,ould ha*e it 'e# 'eing 1is 4illBou cannot ma:e 1is 4ill destructi*e- Bou can ma:e 3A2TASIES# in ,hich your ,ill CO23!ICTS ,ith 1is# 'ut that is all- It is insane to use the 'ody as the scapegoat +or

450

guiltP (IRECTI2" its attac:# and B!AMI2" it +or ,hat you ,ished it to do- IT IS IM OSSIB!E TO ACT OUT 3A2TASIES- 3or it is still the 3A2TASIES you ,ant# and they ha*e nothing to do ,ith ,hat the 'ody does- IT does not dream o+ them# and they 'ut ma:e IT a lia'ility# ,here it COU!( 'e an asset- 3or +antasies ha*e made your 'ody your )enemy#. ,ea:# *ulnera'le# and treacherous# ),orthy. o+ the hate ,hich you in*est in it1o, has this ser*ed youE Bou ha*e I(E2TI3IE( ,ith this thing you hate# the instrument o+ *engeance# and the percei*AedC source o+ your guilt- BOU ha*e done this
> 8JJ >

to a thing that has no meaning# proclaiming it to 'e the d,elling place o+ the Son o+ "od# and turning it A"AI2ST him- This is the host o+ "od that BOU ha*e made- And neither "od nor 1is most holy Son can enter an a'ode ,hich har'ors hate# and ,here you ha*e so,n the seeds o+ *engeance# *iolence# and deathThis thing you made to ser*e your guilt# stands 'et,een you and other minds- The minds ARE @oined# 'ut you do not I(E2TI3B ,ith them- Bou SEE yoursel+ as loc:ed in a separate prison# remote and unreacha'le# incapa'le o+ reaching out as 'eing reached# Bou 1ATE the prison that you made# and ,ould destroy it- Bet you ,ould 2OT escape +rom it# lea*ing it unharmed# 4IT1OUT your guilt upon it- But only thus CA2 you escapeThe home o+ *engeance is not yoursP The place you set aside to house your hatred is 2OT a prison# 'ut an I!!USIO2 O3 BOURSE!3The 'ody is a limit imposed on the uni*ersal communication ,hich is an eternal property o+ mind- But the communication is I2TER2A!- Mind reaches to ITSE!3- /It is 2OT made up o+ di++erent ARTS# ,hich reach each other-Q It does not go OUT4ithin ITSE!3# it 1AS no limits# and there is nothing OUTSI(E it- It encompasses EHERBT1I2"It encompasses you E2TIRE!BP you ,ithin it# and it ,ithin you- There IS nothing else# any,here or e*er- The 'ody is OUTSI(E you# and SEEMS to surround you# shutting you o++ +rom others# and :eeping you A ART +rom them# and them +rom youIT IS 2OT T1ERE- There IS no 'arrier 'et,een "od and 1is Son# nor can 1is Son 'e separated +rom himsel+# e<cept in illusion- This is 2OT his reality# though he 'elie*es it IS- Bet this could only BE# I3 "od ,ere ,rong- "od ,ould ha*e had to create

451

(I33ERE2T!B# and to ha*e separated 1IMSE!3 +rom 1is Son# to ma:e this possi'le- 1e ,ould ha*e had to create (I33ERE2T things# and to esta'lish di++erent OR(ERS o+ reality# only SOME o+ ,hich ,ere lo*e- Bet lo*e must 'e +ore*er li:e itsel+# changeless +ore*er# and +ore*er 4IT1OUT alternati*e- And so it isBOU cannot put a 'arrier around yoursel+# 'ecause "od placed none 'et,een 1IMSE!3 and you- Bour hand can stretch out# and reach to 1ea*en- Bou ,hose hands are @oined ha*e 'egun to reach BEBO2( the 'ody# 'ut 2OT outside yoursel*es- To reach your shared identity TO"ET1ER- Could this 'e OUTSI(E youE 4here "od is notE Is 1e a 'ody# and did 1e create you as 1e is not# and ,here 1e CA22OT 'eE Bou are surrounded O2!B 'y 1im- 4hat limits CA2 there 'e on you# ,hom 1E encompassesE E*eryone has e<perienced ,hat he ,ould call a sense o+ 'eing transported BEBO2( himsel+- This +eeling o+ li'eration 3AR e<ceeds the (REAM o+ +reedom sometimes e<perienced in special relationships- It is a sense o+ ACTUA! escape +rom limitationsI+ you ,ill consider ,hat this )transportation. REA!!B entails# you ,ill reali9e that it is a sudden U2a,areness o+ the 'ody# and a @oining o+ your sel+ and SOMET1I2" E!SE# in ,hich your mind E2!AR"ES to encompass it- It 'ecomes ART o+ you# as you U2ITE ,ith it- And BOT1 'ecome ,hole# as 2EIT1ER is percei*ed as separate4hat REA!!B happens is that you ha*e "IHE2 U the illusion o+ a !IMITE( a,areness# and lost your +ear o+ union- The lo*e that I2STA2T!B replaces it EXTE2(S to
> 8J7 >

,hat has +reed you# and U2ITES you ,ith it- And# ,hile this lasts# you are 2OT uncertain o+ your identity# and ,ould not limit it- Bou ha*e escaped +rom +ear to peace# as:ing no ?uestions o+ reality# 'ut merely ACCE TI2" it- Bou ha*e accepted this I2STEA( o+ the 'ody# and ha*e !ET yoursel+ 'e O2E ,ith something 'eyond it# simply 'y 2OT letting your mind 'e limited BB itThis can occur RE"AR(!ESS o+ the physical distance that SEEMS to 'e 'et,een you and ,hat you @oinP o+ your respecti*e positions in spaceP and o+ your di++erences in si9e and seeming ?uality- Time is not rele*antP it can occur ,ith something past# present# or anticipated- The )something. can 'e anything and A2B41EREP a sound# a sight# a thought#

452

a memory# e*en a more "E2ERA! idea# 4IT1OUT speci+ic re+erence- But# in e*ery case# you @oin it ,ithout RESERHATIO2# 'ecause you lo*e it# and ,ould BE ,ith it- And so you rush to meet it# letting your limits melt a,ay# suspending A!! the )la,s. your 'ody o'eys# and gently SETTI2" T1EM ASI(EThere is no *iolence at all in this escape- The 'ody is 2OT attac:ed# 'ut merely RO ER!B ERCEIHE(- It does not limit you# merely 'ecause BOU ,ould not ha*e it so- Bou are not really )li+ted out. o+ itP it cannot CO2TAI2 you- Bou go ,here you ,ould 'eP "AI2I2"# 2OT losing# a sense o+ sel+- In these instants o+ release +rom physical restrictions# you e<perience much o+ ,hat happens in the holy instantP the li+ting o+ the 'arriers o+ time and space# the sudden e<perience o+ peace and @oy# and# a'o*e all# the !ACL o+ a,areness o+ the 'ody# and o+ the ?uestioning 41ET1ER OR 2OT A!! T1IS IS OSSIB!E- It IS possi'le# BECAUSE BOU 4A2T ITThe sudden EX A2SIO2 o+ the sel+ that ta:es place ,ith your (ESIRE +or it# is the irresisti'le appeal the holy instant holds- It calls to you to 'e yoursel+# ,ithin its sa+e em'race- There are the la,s o+ limit li+ted 3OR you# to ,elcome you to openness o+ mind# and +reedom- Come to this place o+ re+uge# ,here you can 'e yoursel+ in peace2OT through destruction# 2OT through a )'rea:ing out#. 'ut merely 'y a ?uiet )melting in-. 3or peace ,ill @oin you there# simply 'ecause BOU ha*e 'een ,illing to let go the limits BOU ha*e placed on lo*e# and JOI2E( it ,here it is# and ,here it led you# in ans,er to its gentle call to 'e at peace3e'ruary &J# &5J7 It is only the a,areness o+ the 'ody that ma:es lo*e seem limited- 3or the 'ody IS a limit on lo*e- The 'elie+ in limited lo*e ,as its origin# and it ,as MA(E to limit the U2limited- Thin: not that this is merely allegoricalP +or it ,as made to limit BOU- Can you ,ho see yoursel*es 4IT1I2 a 'ody# :no, yoursel+ AS A2 I(EAE E*erything you recogni9e you identi+y 'y EXTER2A!S# something OUTSI(E itsel+- Bou cannot e*en thin: o+ "od ,ithout a 'ody# or some +orm you thin: you recogni9e- The 'ody cannot L2O4- And ,hile you limit your a,areness to its tiny senses# you ,ill not see the grandeur that surrounds you> 8JK >

"od cannot come into a 'ody# nor can you @oin 1im there- !imits on lo*e ,ill A!4ABS seem to shut 1im out# and to :eep you A ART +rom 1im- The 'ody is a tiny +ence around a little part o+ a glorious and completely limitless idea- It dra,s a circle# in+initely small# around a *ery little segment o+ 1ea*en# splintered +rom the ,hole# proclaiming that# ,ithin it# is BOUR Lingdom# ,here "od can enter not- 4ithin this :ingdom the ego rules# and cruelly- And# to de+end this little spec: o+ dust# it 'ids you +ight against the uni*erseThis +ragment o+ your mind is such a tiny part o+ it that# could you 'ut appreciate the

453

,hole# you ,ould see instantly that it is li:e the smallest sun'eam is to the sun- Or li:e the +aintest ripple on the sur+ace o+ the ocean- In its ama9ing arrogance# this tiny sun'eam has decided it IS the sunP this almost impercepti'le ripple hails itsel+ as the oceanThin: ho, alone and +rightened is this little thought# this in+initesimal illusion# holding itsel+ apart# against the uni*erse- The sun 'ecomes the sun'eam=s )enemy#. ,hich ,ould de*our it- And the ocean terri+ies the little ripple# and ),ants. to s,allo, itBet neither sun nor ocean is e*en a,are o+ all this strange and meaningless acti*ityThey merely continue# una,are that they are +eared and hated 'y a tiny segment o+ themsel*esE*en that segment is not !OST to them# +or it could not sur*i*e A ART +rom them And ,hat IT thin:s it is in no ,ay changes its total dependence on them 3OR ITS BEI2"Its ,hole e<istence still remains I2 T1EM- 4ithout the sun# the sun'eam 4OU!( 'e goneP the ripple 4IT1OUT the ocean IS inconcei*a'leSuch is the strange position in ,hich those in a ,orld inha'ited 'y 'odies seem to 'e- Each 'ody seems to house a SE ARATE mind# a (ISCO22ECTE( thought# li*ing alone and in no ,ay @oined to the Thought 'y ,hich it ,as created- Each tiny +ragment seems to 'e sel+>contained# needing each other +or SOME things# 'ut 'y no means TOTA!!B depended on their One Creator +or EHERBT1I2"- And needing the ,hole to gi*e them A2B meaning# +or 'y themsel*es# they (O mean nothing- 2or 1AHE they any li+e apart# and 'y themsel*esBet# li:e the sun and ocean# your Sel+ continues# unmind+ul that this tiny part regards ITSE!3 as you- It is not missingP it could not EXIST i+ it ,ere separate# nor ,ould the ,hole BE ,hole ,ithout it- It is not a separate :ingdom# ruled 'y an I(EA o+ separation +rom the rest- 2or does a +ence surround it# pre*enting it +rom JOI2I2" ,ith the rest# and :eeping it apart +rom its Creator- This little aspect is 2O (I33ERE2T +rom the ,hole# 'eing continuous ,ith it# and at one ,ith it- It leads no separate li+e# 'ecause its li+e IS in the Oneness in ,hich its 'eing ,as created(o not accept this little# +enced>o++ aspect as your Sel+- The sun and ocean are as nothing# 'eside ,hat BOU are- The sun'eam spar:les only in the sunlight# and the ripple dances as it rests upon the ocean- Bet in neither sun nor ocean is the po,er that rests in you- 4ould you remain 4IT1I2 your tiny :ingdom# a sorry :ing# a 'itter ruler o+ all he sur*eys# ,ho loo:s on nothing# 'ut ,ho ,ould still die to (E3E2( itE This little
> 8J5 >

sel+ is 2OT your :ingdom Arched high a'o*e it# and surrounding it# ,ith lo*e# is the glorious ,hole# ,hich o++ers all its happiness and deep content to EHERB part-

454

The little aspect that you thin: you set apart is no e<ception- !o*e :no,s no 'odies# and reaches to e*erything created li:e itsel+- Its total lac: o+ limit IS its meaning- It is COM !ETE!B impartial in its gi*ing# encompassing O2!B to preser*e and LEE COM !ETE ,hat it ,ould gi*e- In your tiny :ingdom you ha*e so littleO Should it not# then# 'e there that you ,ould call on lo*e to enterE !oo: at the desert# dry and unproducti*e# scorched and @oyless# that ma:es up your little :ingdom- And reali9e the li+e and @oy that lo*e ,ould 'ring to it# +rom ,here IT comes# and ,here it ,ould return 4IT1 youThe Thought o+ "od surrounds your little :ingdom# ,aiting at the 'arrier you 'uilt# to come in and shin, upon the 'arren ground- See ho, li+e springs up e*ery,hereO The desert 'ecomes a garden# green and deep and ?uiet# o++ering rest to those ,ho lost their ,ay# and ,ander in the dust- "i*e them a place o+ re+uge# prepared 'y lo*e +rom them# ,here once a desert ,as- And e*ery one you ,elcome ,ill 'ring lo*e ,ith him# +rom 1ea*en +or you- They enter one 'y one into this holy place# 'ut they ,ill not depart as they had come# aloneThe lo*e they BROU"1T ,ith them ,ill STAB ,ith them# as it ,ill stay ,ith BOUAnd# under its 'ene+icence# your little garden ,ill e<pand# and reach out to e*eryone ,ho thirsts +or li*ing ,ater# 'ut has gro,n too ,eary to go on alone- "o out and 3I2( them# +or they 'ring your Sel+ ,ith them- And lead them gently to your ?uiet garden# and recei*e their 'lessing there- So ,ill it gro,# and stretch across the desert# lea*ing no lonely little :ingdoms loc:ed a,ay +rom lo*e# and lea*ing BOU outside- And you ,ill RECO"2IUE yoursel+# and see your little garden gently trans+ormed into the Lingdom o+ 1ea*en# ,ith all the lo*e o+ its Creator shining upon itThe holy instant is your in*itation to lo*e# to enter into your 'lea: and @oyless :ingdom# and trans+orm it into a garden o+ peace and ,elcome- !o*e=s ans,er is ine*ita'le- It ,ill come# 'ecause you came 4IT1OUT the 'ody# and interposed no 'arriers ,hich ,ould I2TER3ERE ,ith its glad coming- In the holy instant# you as: o+ lo*e only ,hat it o++ers e*eryone# neither less nor more- As:ing +or EHERBT1I2"# you ,ill recei*e it- And your shining Sel+ ,ill li+t the tiny aspect that you tried to hide +rom 1ea*en# straight into 1ea*en- 2o part o+ lo*e calls on the ,hole in *ain- 2o son o+ "od remains OUTSI(E 1is 3atherhoodBe sure o+ thisP lo*e has entered your special relationship# and entered +ully# at your

455

,ea: re?uest- Bou do 2OT recogni9e that lo*e has come# 'ecause you ha*e not yet let go o+ A!! the 'arriers you hold against EAC1 OT1ER- And you ,ill 2OT BE AB!E TO "IHE lo*e ,elcome separately- Bou could no more :no, "od alone# than 1e :no,s you ,ithout your 'rother- But# TO"ET1ER# you could no more 'e U2A4ARE o+ lo*e# than lo*e could :no, you not# or +ail to recogni9e ITSE!3 in you> 87% >

Bou ha*e reached the end o+ an ancient @ourney not reali9ing yet that it is o*er- Bou are still ,orn and tired# and the desert=s dust still seems to cloud your eyes# and :eep you sightless- Bet 1e 4hom you ,elcomed has come to you# and ,ould ,elcome BOU1e has ,aited long to gi*e you this- Recei*e it no, o+ 1im# +or 1e ,ould ha*e you L2O4 1im- Only a little ,all o+ dust still stands 'et,een you- Blo, on it lightly and ,ith happy laughter# and it ,ill +all a,ay- And ,al: into the garden lo*e has prepared +or BOT1 o+ youBou ha*e 'een told to 'ring the dar:ness to the light# and guilt to holiness- And you ha*e also 'een told that error must 'e corrected at its source- There+ore# it is the tiny part o+ your sel+# the little thought that seems split o++ and separate# that the 1oly Spirit needsThe rest is +ully in "od=s :eeping# and needs no guide- But this ,ild and delusional thought needs help# 'ecause# in its delusions# it thin:s it is the Son o+ "od# ,hole and omnipotent# sole ruler o+ the :ingdom it set apart# to tyranni9e 'y madness into o'edience and sla*eryThis is the !ITT!E part o+ you you thin: you stole +rom 1ea*en- "i*e it 'ac: to 1ea*en- 1ea*en has not lost it# 'ut BOU ha*e lost sight o+ 1ea*en- !et the 1oly Spirit remo*e it +rom the ,ithered :ingdom in ,hich you set it up# surrounded 'y dar:ness# guarded 'y attac:# and rein+orced 'y hate- 4ithin its 'arricades is still a tiny segment o+ the Son o+ "od# complete and holy# serene and una,are o+ ,hat you thin: surrounds itBe you not separate# +or the One 4ho (OES surround it has 'rought union to you# returning your little o++ering o+ dar:ness to the Eternal !ight3e' $%# &5J7 1o, is this doneE It is e<tremely simple# 'eing 'ased on ,hat this little :ingdom really IS- The 'arren sands# the dar:ness# and the li+elessness are seen only through the 'ody=s eyes- ITS *ision IS distorted# and the messages IT transmits to you# ,ho MA(E it

456

to limit your a,areness# ARE little and limited# so +ragmented that they are meaningless3rom the ,orld o+ 'odies# MA(E 'y insanity# insane messages seem to 'e returned to the mind ,hich made it- And these messages 'ear ,itness to this ,orld# pronouncing it as true- 3or BOU sent +orth these messengers# to 'ring this BACL to youE*erything these messages relay to you is ?uite e<ternal- There are 2O messages that spea: o+ ,hat lies underneath# +or it is 2OT the 'ody that could spea: o+ this- Its eyes percei*e it not# its senses remain ?uite U2A4ARE o+ it# its tongue can not relay ITS messages- Bet "od can 'ring you there# i+ you are ,illing to +ollo, the 1oly Spirit through seeming terror# trusting 1im not to a'andon you# and !EAHE you there- 3or it is not 1IS purpose to +righten you# 'ut only BOURS- BOU are se*erely tempted to a'andon 1IM at the outside ring o+ +ear- But 1E ,ould lead you sa+ely through# and 3AR 'eyondThe circle o+ +ear lies @ust 'elo, the le*el the 'ody sees# and SEEMS to 'e the ,hole +oundation on ,hich the ,orld is 'ased- 1ere are all the illusions# all the t,isted thoughts# all the insane attac:s# the +ury# *engeance# and 'etrayal that ,ere made to :eep the guilt
> 87& >

in place# so that the ,orld could RISE +rom it# and :eep IT hidden- Its S1A(O4 rises to the sur+ace# enough to hold its most e<ternal mani+estation in dar:ness# and to 'ring despair and loneliness to it# and :eep it @oyless- But its I2TE2SITB is *eiled 'y its hea*y co*erings# and :ept A ART +rom ,hat ,as made to :eep it hiddenThe 'ody cannot see this# +or the 'ody AROSE +rom this +or its protection# ,hich must A!4ABS depend on :eeping it 2OT seen- The 'ody=s eyes ,ill 2EHER loo: on itBet they ,ill SEE ,hat it dictates- The 'ody ,ill remain guilt=s messenger# and ,ill act as it directs# as long as BOU 'elie*e that guilt is real- 3or the REA!ITB o+ guilt is the illusion ,hich seems to ma:e it hea*y and opa?ue# impenetra'le# and a REA! +oundation +or the ego=s thought system- Its thinness and transparency are not apparent# until you see the light BE1I2( it- And then you see it as a +ragile *eil# 'e+ore the lightThis hea*y>seeming 'arrier# this arti+icial +loor that loo:s li:e roc:# is li:e a 'an: o+ lo,# dar: clouds that seem to 'e a solid ,all 'e+ore the sun- Its impenetra'le appearance is 41O!!B an illusion- It gi*es ,ay so+tly to the mountain tops that rise a'o*e it# and has no po,er at all to hold 'ac: anyone ,illing to clim' a'o*e it# to see the sun- It is not

457

strong enough to stop a 'utton=s +all# nor hold a +eather- 2othing can rest upon it# +or it is 'ut an I!!USIO2 o+ a +oundation- Try 'ut to touch it# and it disappearsP attempt to grasp it# and your hands hold nothingBet in this cloud 'an: it is easy to see a ,hole ,orld rising- A solid mountain range# a la:e# a city# all arise in your imagination# and 3ROM the clouds# the messengers o+ your perception return to you# assuring you that it is all T1ERE- 3igures stand out and mo*e a'out# actions seem real# and +orms appear and shi+t +rom lo*eliness to the grotes?ueAnd 'ac: and +orth they go# as long as you ,ould play the game o+ children=s )ma:e 'elie*e-. Bet# ho,e*er long you play it# and regardless o+ ho, much imagination you 'ring to it# you do 2OT con+use it ,ith the ,orld 'elo,# nor see: to ma:e it realSo should it 'e ,ith the dar: clouds o+ guilt# no more impenetra'le and no more su'stantial- Bou ,ill 2OT 'ruise yoursel+ against them# in tra*eling through- !et your "uide TEAC1 you their U2su'stantial nature# as 1e leads you AST them- 3or BE2EAT1 them is a ,orld o+ light# ,hereon they cast no shado,s- Their shado,s lie upon the ,orld BEBO2( them# still 3URT1ER +rom the light- But +rom them TO the light# their shado,s CA22OT +all- This ,orld o+ light# this circle o+ 'rightness# is the real ,orld# ,here guilt meets ,ith +orgi*eness- 1ere# the ,orld OUTSI(E is seen ane,# 4IT1OUT the shado, o+ guilt upon it1ere are BOU +orgi*en# +or here you ha*e +orgi*en e*eryone- 1ere is the ne, perception# ,here e*erything is 'right and shining ,ith innocence# ,ashed in the ,aters o+ +orgi*eness# and cleansed o+ e*ery e*il thought you laid upon it- 1ere there is no attac: upon the Son o+ "od# and BOU are ,elcome- 1ere is your innocence# ,aiting to clothe you and protect you# and ma:e you ready +or the +inal step in the @ourney in,ard1ere are the dar: and hea*y garments o+ guilt laid 'y# and gently replaced 'y purity and @oy> 87$ >

Bet e*en +orgi*eness is not the end- 3orgi*eness (OES ma:e lo*ely# 'ut it does 2OT create- It IS the source o+ healing# 'ut it is the MESSE2"ER o+ lo*e# and not its Source- 1ere you are led# that "od 1imsel+ can ta:e the +inal step unhindered- 3or here does nothing I2TER3ERE ,ith lo*e# letting it 'e Itsel+- A step BEBO2( this holy place o+ +orgi*eness- A step still +urther in,ard# 'ut one you CA22OT ta:e# transports you to something COM !ETE!B di++erent- 1ere is the Source o+ lightP nothing percei*ed# +orgi*en# nor trans+ormed- But merely L2O42This course ,ill !EA( to :no,ledge# 'ut :no,ledge itsel+ is still 'eyond the scope o+ our curriculum- 2or is there any need +or us to try to spea: o+ ,hat must +ore*er lie

458

'eyond ,ords- 4e need remem'er only that ,hoe*er attains the real ,orld# 'eyond ,hich learning cannot go# 4I!! go 'eyond it# 'ut in a di++erent ,ay- 4here learning ends# there "od 'egins# +or learning ends 'e+ore 1im 4ho is complete ,here 1e 'egins# and ,here there IS no endIt is not +or us to d,ell on ,hat cannot BE attained- There is too much to learn- The readiness +or :no,ledge still must 'e attained- !o*e is not learned- Its meaning lies in Itsel+- And learning ends ,hen you ha*e recogni9ed all it is 2OT- That is the I2TER3ERE2CEP that is ,hat needs to 'e undone- !o*e is not learned# 'ecause there ne*er 4AS a time in ,hich you :ne, it not- !earning is useless in the resence o+ your Creator# 4hose ACL2O4!E("ME2T o+ you# A2( BOURS O3 1IM# so 3AR transcends A!! learning# that EHERBT1I2" you learned is meaningless# replaced +ore*er 'y the :no,ledge o+ lo*e and its One meaningBour relationship has 'een uprooted +rom the ,orld o+ shado,s# and its unholy purpose has 'een sa+ely 'rought through the 'arriers o+ guilt# ,ashed ,ith +orgi*eness# and set shining and +irmly rooted in the ,orld o+ light- 3rom there it calls to you to +ollo, the course it too:# li+ted high a'o*e the dar:ness# and gently placed 'e+ore the gates o+ 1ea*en- The holy instant in ,hich you ,ere united# is 'ut a messenger o+ lo*e# sent +rom BEBO2( +orgi*eness to REMI2( you o+ all that lies 'eyond it- Bet it is T1ROU"1 +orgi*eness that it ,ill BE remem'eredAnd ,hen the memory o+ "od has come to you# in the holy place o+ +orgi*eness# you ,ill remem'er nothing else- And memory ,ill 'e as useless as learning# +or your O2!B purpose ,ill 'e creating- Bet this you cannot :no,# until e*ery perception has 'een cleansed and puri+ied# and +inally remo*ed +ore*er- 3orgi*eness remo*es O2!B the U2true# li+ting the shado,s +rom the ,orld# and carrying it# sa+e and sure ,ithin its gentleness# to the 'right ,orld o+ ne, and clean perception- There is BOUR purpose no,- And it is there that peace a,aits you3e'- $8# &5J7 4e said 'e+ore that# ,hen a situation has 'een dedicated 41O!!B to truth# peace is ine*ita'le- Its attainment is the criterion 'y ,hich the ,holeness o+ the dedication can 'e sa+ely assumed- Bet ,e also said that peace ,ithout +aith ,ill 2EHER 'e attained# +or
> 878 >

,hat is 41O!!B dedicated to truth as its only goal is 'rought to truth BB +aith- This +aith

459

encompasses e*eryone in*ol*ed# +or only thus the situation is percei*ed as meaning+ul and as a 41O!E- And e*eryone must 'e in*ol*ed in it# or else your +aith is limited# and your dedication incompleteE*ery situation# properly percei*ed# 'ecomes an opportunity to heal the Son o+ "od- And he is healed BECAUSE you o++ered +aith to him# gi*ing him to the 1oly Spirit and RE!EASI2" him +rom e*ery demand your ego ,ould ma:e o+ him- Thus do you SEE 1IM 3REE# and in this *ision does the 1oly Spirit S1ARE- And since 1e S1ARES it 1e 1AS gi*en it# and so 1e heals T1ROU"1 BOU- It is this JOI2I2" 1im in a U2ITE( purpose that MALES this purpose real 'ecause BOU ma:e it 41O!E- And this IS healingThe BO(B is healed BECAUSE BOU CAME 4IT1OUT IT and @oined the Mind in ,hich all healing restsThe 'ody cannot heal# 'ecause it cannot MALE ITSE!3 SICL- It 2EE(S no healingIts health or sic:ness depends E2TIRE!B on ho, the mind percei*es it# and the purpose ,hich the mind ,ould use it 3OR- And it IS o'*ious that a segment o+ the mind CA2 see itsel+ as SE ARATE( +rom the Uni*ersal urpose- 4hen this occurs# the 'ody 'ecomes its ,eapon# used A"AI2ST this urpose to (EMO2STRATE the )+act. that separation has occurred- The 'ody thus 'ecomes the instrument o+ illusion# acting accordinglyP seeing ,hat is not there# 1EARI2" ,hat truth has ne*er said# and BE1AHI2" I2SA2E!B# 'eing imprisoned BB insanity(o not o*erloo: our earlier statement that +aithlessness leads straight to illusions3or +aithlessness IS the perception o+ a 'rother AS a 'ody# and the 'ody CA22OT 'e used +or purposes o+ union- I+# then# you SEE him as a 'ody# BOU ha*e esta'lished a condition in ,hich U2ITI2" ,ith him 'ecomes impossi'le- Bour +aithlessness has thus opposed the 1oly Spirit=s purpose# and 'rought illusions# CE2TERE( O2 T1E BO(B# to stand BET4EE2 you- And the 'ody 4I!! seem to 'e sic:# +or you ha*e made o+ it an )enemy. o+ healing# and the O OSITE o+ truthIt CA22OT 'e di++icult to reali9e that +aith MUST 'e the opposite o+ +aith!ESSnessBut the di++erence in ho, they operate is less apparent# though it +ollo,s directly +rom the +undamental di++erence in ,hat they ARE- 3aithlessness ,ould al,ays !IMIT A2(

460

ATTACLP +aith ,ould remo*e A!! limitations# and MALE 41O!E- 3aithlessness ,ould destroy and SE ARATEP +aith ,ould unite and 1EA!- 3aithlessness ,ould interpose illusions 'et,een the Son o+ "od and his CreatorP +aith ,ould remo*e A!! o'stacles that SEEM to rise 'et,een them- 3aithlessness is ,holly dedicated to illusionsP +aith ,holly to truthARTIA! (E(ICATIO2 IS IM OSSIB!E- Truth is the ABSE2CE o+ illusionP illusion the ABSE2CE o+ truth- Both cannot BE together# nor percei*ed in the SAME !ACETo dedicate yoursel+ to BOT1# is to set up a goal +ore*er impossi'le to attain- 3or ART o+ it is sought through the 'ody# T1OU"1T O3 as a means +or see:ing out reality through ATTACL- 4hile the OT1ER part ,ould 1EA!# and there+ore calls upon the mind# and 2OT the 'ody- The I2EHITAB!E compromise is the 'elie+ that the BO(B must 'e healed#
> 87G >

and 2OT the mind- 3or this di*ided goal has gi*en 'oth an EDUA! reality# and can SEEM to 'e possi'le only i+ the mind is limited TO the 'ody# and di*ided into little parts ,ith SEEMI2" ,holeness# 'ut 4IT1OUT CO22ECTIO2This ,ill 2OT harm the 'ody- But it 4I!! :eep the delusional thought>system I2 T1E MI2(- 1ere# then# is healing needed- And it is here that healing IS- 3or "od ga*e healing not A ART +rom sic:ness# nor esta'lished remedy ,here sic:ness CA22OT 'eThey ARE together# and ,hen they are SEE2 together# A!! attempts to LEE 'oth truth A2( illusion in the mind# ,here 'oth MUST 'e# are recogni9ed as (E(ICATIO2 TO I!!USIO2- And "IHE2 U ,hen BROU"1T to truth# and seen as totally U2RECO2CI!AB!E ,ith truth# in A2B aspect# or in any 4ABTruth and illusion 1AHE no connection- This ,ill remain 3OREHER true# ho,e*er much BOU see: to connect them- But I!!USIO2S are A!4ABS connected# AS IS TRUT1Each is united# a COM !ETE thought>system# 'ut totally (ISconnected to EAC1 OT1ER4here there is 2O o*erlap# there separation MUST 'e complete- And to percei*e T1IS is to recogni9e ,here separation IS# and 41ERE IT MUST BE 1EA!E(- The RESU!T o+ an idea is 2EHER separate +rom its source- The I(EA o+ separation RO(UCE( the 'ody# and remains connected TO it# MALI2" it sic: 'ecause o+ its identi+ication 4IT1 itBou T1I2L you are ROTECTI2" the 'ody 'y 1I(I2" this connection- 3or this concealment SEEMS to :eep your identi+ication sa+e +rom the )attac:. o+ truth- I+ you 'ut

461

understood ho, much this strange concealment has hurt your mind# and ho, con+used your o,n identi+ication has 'ecome to you# BECAUSE o+ itO Bou do 2OT see ho, great the de*astation ,rought 'y your +aithlessness- 3or +aithlessness IS an attac:# ,hich SEEMS to 'e @usti+ied BB ITS RESU!TS- 3or# 'y 4IT11O!(I2" +aith# you SEE ,hat IS un,orthy o+ it# and CA22OT loo: 'eyond the 'arrier to ,hat is @oined ,ith BOUTo ha*e +aith is to heal- It is the sign that you 1AHE accepted the Atonement +or yoursel+# and ,ould there+ore share it- By +aith# you O33ER the gi+t o+ +reedom +rom the past# ,hich you ha*e RECEIHE(- Bou do 2OT use A2BT1I2" your 'rother has done 'e+ore to condemn him 2O4- Bou +reely choose to OHER!OOL his errors# loo:ing AST all 'arriers 'et,een your sel+ and his# and seeing them AS O2E- And in that One you see your +aith is 3U!!B @usti+ied- There IS no @usti+ication +or +aithlessness- But +aith is A!4ABS @usti+ied3aith is the O OSITE o+ +ear# as much a part o+ lo*e# as +ear is o+ attac:- 3aith is the ac:no,ledgment o+ U2IO2- It is the gracious ac:no,ledgment o+ e*eryone as a Son o+ your most lo*ing 3ather# lo*ed 'y 1im li:e as you# and there+ore lo*ed 'y you as yoursel+It is 1IS !o*e that @oins you# and 3OR 1is !o*e you ,ould :eep no>one separate +rom BOURS- Each one A EARS @ust as he is percei*ed in the holy instant# united in BOUR purpose to 'e RE!EASE( +rom guilt- Bou sa, the Christ in him# and he ,as healed# 'ecause you loo:ed on ,hat ma:es +aith 3OREHER @usti+ied in EHERBO2E> 876 >

3aith is the gi+t o+ "od# through 1im 4hom "od has "IHE2 you- 3aithlessness loo:s upon the Son o+ "od# and @udges him U24ORT1B o+ +orgi*eness- But# through the eyes o+ +aith# the Son o+ "od is seen A!REA(B +orgi*en# +ree o+ all the guilt he laid upon himsel+- 3aith sees him only 2O4# 'ecause it loo:s not to the past to @udge him# 'ut ,ould see in him O2!B ,hat it ,ould see in BOU- It sees 2OT through the 'ody=s eyes# nor loo:s to 'odies +or its @usti+ication- It is the messenger o+ the 2E4 perception# sent +orth to gather ,itnesses unto its coming# and to return their messages to BOU3aith is as easily e<changed +or :no,ledge as is the real ,orld- 3or +aith ARISES +rom the 1oly Spirit=s perception# and is the sign you share it 4IT1 1im- 3aith is a gi+t you o++er to the

462

Son o+ "od T1ROU"1 1im# and 41O!!B accepta'le to his 3ather as to him- And there+ore o++ered BOU- Bour holy relationship# ,ith its 2E4 purpose# o++ers you +aith to gi*e unto EAC1 OT1ER- Bour +aithlessness had dri*en you A ART# and so you did not RECO"2IUE sal*ation in each other- BUT +aith U2ITES you in the holiness you see# 2OT through the 'ody=s eyes# 'ut in the sight o+ 1im 4ho @oined you# and in 4hom BOU are united"race is not gi*en to a BO(B# 'ut to a MI2(- And the mind that RECEIHES it# loo:s I2STA2T!B 'eyond the 'ody# and sees the holy place ,here IT ,as healedT1ERE is the altar ,here the grace ,as gi*en# in ,hich IT stands- (o you# then# o++er grace and B!ESSI2" to each other# +or you stand at the SAME altar# ,here grace ,as laid +or BOT1 o+ you- And 'e you healed 'y grace TO"ET1ER# that BOU may heal through +aithIn the holy instant# you stand 'e+ore the altar "od has raised unto 1imsel+ and BOT1 o+ you- !ay +aithlessness aside# and come to it TO"ET1ER- There ,ill you see the miracle o+ your relationship# as it ,as made again through +aith- And there it is that you ,ill reali9e that there is 2OT1I2" +aith can 2OT +orgi*e- 2O error I2TER3ERES ,ith its calm sight# ,hich 'rings the miracle o+ healing ,ith e?ual ease to A!! o+ them- 3or ,hat the messengers o+ lo*e are sent to do T1EB (O- Returning the glad tidings that it ,as done# to you ,ho stand together 'e+ore the altar +rom ,hich they ,ere sent +orth# TO"ET1ERAs +aithlessness ,ill :eep your little :ingdoms 'arren and separate# so ,ill +aith help the 1oly Spirit prepare the ground +or the most holy garden that 1e ,ould ma:e o+ it3or +aith 'rings peace# and so it calls on truth to enter and ma:e lo*ely# ,hat has already BEE2 prepared +or lo*eliness- Truth 3O!!O4S +aith and peace# completing the process o+ ma:ing lo*ely that they 'egin- 3or +aith is still a learning goal# no longer needed ,hen the lesson has 'een learned- But Truth ,ill stay +ore*er!et# then# your dedication 'e to the eternal- And learn ho, 2OT to inter+ere ,ith it# and ma:e it sla*e to time- 3or ,hat you thin: you do to the eternal# you do to BOU4hom "od created as 1is Son is sla*e to nothing# 'eing lord o+ all# along ,ith his Creator- Bou CA2 ensla*e a 'ody# 'ut an I(EA is +ree# I2CA AB!E o+ 'eing :ept in prison# or limited in A2B ,ay# EXCE T BB T1E MI2( T1AT T1OU"1T IT- 3or it remains JOI2E( to its source# ,hich is its @ailor or its li'erator# according to ,hich it chooses as

463

ITS purpose 3OR ITSE!3> 87J >

3e'- $G# &5J7 It is ESSE2TIA! that error 'e not con+used ,ith )sin-. And it is this distinction ,hich ma:es sal*ation possi'le- 3or error can 'e corrected# and the ,rong made right- But sin# ,ere it possi'le# 4OU!( 'e irre*ersi'le- The 'elie+ in sin is necessarily 'ased on the +irm con*iction that minds# 2OT 'odies# can attac:- And thus the mind IS guilty# and ,ill +ore*er so remain# unless a mind 2OT part o+ it can gi*e it a'solution- Sin calls +or punishment# as error +or correction- And the 'elie+ that punishment IS correction is clearly insaneSin is not error- 3or sin entails an arrogance ,hich the idea o+ error lac:s- To sin ,ould 'e to *iolate reality# A2( TO SUCCEE(- Sin is the proclamation that attac: is real# and guilt is JUSTI3IE(- It assumes the Son o+ "od IS guilty# and has thus SUCCEE(E( in losing his innocence# and ma:ing himsel+ ,hat "od created 2OT- Thus is creation seen as 2OT eternal# and the 4ill o+ "od open to opposition A2( (E3EAT- Sin is the )grand illusion. underlying all the ego=s grandiosity- 3or 'y it# "od 1IMSE!3 is changed and rendered incompleteThe Son o+ "od CA2 'e mista:enP he CA2 decei*e himsel+P he can e*en turn the po,er o+ his mind A"AI2ST himsel+- But he can 2OT sin- There is 2OT1I2" he can do that ,ould REA!!B change his reality in A2B ,ay# nor ma:e him REA!!B guiltyThat is ,hat sin 4OU!( do# +or such is its UR OSE- Bet +or all the ,ild insanity inherent in the ,hole I(EA o+ sin# IT IS IM OSSIB!E- 3or the ,ages o+ sin IS death# and ho, can the immortal dieE A MAJOR tenet in the ego=s insane religion is that sin is 2OT error# 'ut TRUT1- And it is I22OCE2CE that ,ould decei*e- urity is seen as arrogance# and the acceptance o+ the sel+ as SI23U! is percei*ed as holiness- And it is this doctrine that RE !ACES the reality o+ the Son o+ "od as his 3ather created him# and ,illed that he 'e +ore*er- Is this humilityE Or is it# rather# an attempt to ,rest creation A4AB +rom truth# and :eep it separateE A2B attempt to reinterpret sin as error is al,ays inde+ensi'le to the ego- The I(EA o+ sin is 41O!!B sacrosanct in its thought>system# and ?uite unapproacha'le e<cept through re*erence and a,e- It is the most )holy. concept in the ego=s systemP lo*ely and

464

po,er+ul# ,holly true# and 2ECESSARI!B protected ,ith e*ery de+ense at its disposal3or here lies its )'est. de+ense# ,hich all the others ser*e- 1ere is its armor# its protection# and the +undamental purpose o+ the special relationship in its interpretationIt can indeed 'e said the ego MA(E its ,orld on sin- Only in such a ,orld COU!( e*erything 'e upside do,n- This IS the strange illusion ,hich ma:es the clouds o+ guilt seem hea*y and impenetra'le- The solidness this ,orld=s +oundation SEEMS to ha*e is 3OU2( in this- 3or sin has changed creation +rom an Idea o+ "od to an I(EA! the ego ,antsP a ,orld IT rules# made up o+ 'odies# mindless# and capa'le o+ COM !ETE corruption and decay- I+ this is a MISTALE# it can 'e undone easily 'y truth- A2B mista:e can 'e corrected# i+ TRUT1 'e le+t to @udge it- But# i+ the mista:e is gi*en the STATUS o+
> 877 >

truth# to ,hat CA2 it 'e 'roughtE The )holiness. o+ sin is :ept in place 'y @ust this strange de*ice- As TRUT1# it IS in*iolate# and e*erything is 'rought to IT +or @udgment- As a MISTALE# IT must 'e 'rought to truth- It is impossi'le to ha*e +aith in sin# +or sin IS +aithlessness- But it IS possi'le to ha*e +aith that a MISTALE can 'e correctedThere is no stone in all the ego=s em'attled citadel more hea*ily de+ended than the idea that sin is realP the 2ATURA! e<pression o+ ,hat the Son o+ "od has MA(E himsel+ to 'e# A2( 41AT 1E IS- To the ego# T1IS IS 2O MISTALE- 3or this IS its realityP this is the )truth. +rom ,hich escape 4I!! A!4ABS 'e impossi'le- This is his past# his present# and his +uture- 3or he has someho, managed to corrupt his 3ather# and change 1is Mind COM !ETE!B- Mourn then the death o+ "od# 4hom sin has :illedO And this 4OU!( 'e the ego=s ,ish# ,hich# in its madness# it thin:s it has ACCOM !IS1E(- 4ould you not RAT1ER that all this 'e nothing more than a MISTALE# E2TIRE!B correcta'le# and so easily escaped +rom that its ,hole correction is li:e ,al:ing through a mist into the sunE 3or that is all it IS- erhaps you ,ould 'e tempted to A"REE ,ith the ego# that it is +ar 'etter to 'e sin+ul than mista:en- But thin: you care+ully 'e+ore you allo, yoursel+ to ma:e this choice- Approach it not lightly# +or it IS the choice o+ hell or 1ea*enThe attraction o+ guilt is +ound in sin# 2OT error- Sin ,ill 'e repeated# BECAUSE o+ this attraction- 3ear can 'ecome so acute that the sin is denied the acting out# 'ut# ,hile

465

the guilt REMAI2S attracti*e# the mind ,ill su++er# and not let go the I(EA o+ the sin3or guilt still calls to it# and the mind hears it and yearns +or it# ma:ing it a ,illing capti*e to its sic: appeal- Sin is an idea o+ e*il that can not BE corrected# and ,ill 'e +ore*er (ESIRAB!E- As an ESSE2TIA! part o+ ,hat the ego thin:s you ARE# you ,ill A!4ABS ,ant it- And only an AHE2"ER# ,ith a mind U2!ILE your o,n# could stamp it out through 3EARThe ego does not thin: it possi'le that lo*e# 2OT +ear# is really called upon 'y sin# A2( A!4ABS A2S4ERS- 3or the ego 'rings sin to 3EAR# demanding punishmentBut punishment is 'ut another +orm o+ guilt=s protection- 3or ,hat is deser*ing punishment must ha*e 'een REA!!B (O2E- unishment is al,ays the great preser*er o+ sinP treating it ,ith respect# and honoring its enormity- 3or ,hat you thin: is real BOU 4A2T# and ,ill 2OT let it goAn ERROR# on the other hand# is 2OT attracti*e - 4hat you See clearly AS A MISTALE# you 4A2T corrected- Sometimes a sin can 'e repeated o*er and o*er# ,ith OBHIOUS!B distressing results# 'ut 4IT1OUT the loss o+ its appeal- And suddenly you change its status +rom a sin to a MISTALE- 2o, you ,ill not repeat itP you ,ill merely stop# and let it go- U2!ESS T1E "UI!T REMAI2S- 3or then# you ,ill 'ut change the 3ORM o+ sin# granting that it ,as an error# 'ut LEE I2" IT U2CORRECTAB!E- This is not really a change in your perception# +or it is SI2 that calls +or punishment# 2OT errorThe 1oly Spirit CA22OT punish sin- Mista:es 1e recogni9es# and ,ould correct them all# as "od entrusted 1im to do- But SI2 1e :no,s not# nor can 1e RECO"2IUE
> 87K >

mista:es that cannot 'e corrected- 3or a mista:e that cannot 'e corrected is meaningless to 1im- Mista:es are 3OR correction- They call +or 2OT1I2" E!SE- 4hat calls +or punishment# must call +or 2OT1I2"- E*ery mista:e MUST 'e a call +or lo*e- 4hat# then# is sinE 4hat COU!( it 'e 'ut a mista:e you ,ould :eep hiddenP a call +or help that you ,ould :eep U21EAR(# and thus U2A2S4ERE(E In time# the 1oly Spirit C!EAR!B sees the Son o+ "od can ma:e mista:es- On this# you S1ARE 1is *ision- Bet you do not share 1is recognition o+ the di++erence 'et,een time and eternity- And ,hen correction is completed# time IS eternity- Time is li:e a do,n,ard spiral that seems to tra*el do,n +rom a long# un'ro:en line# along another

466

plane# 'ut ,hich in no ,ay BREALS the line# or inter+eres ,ith its smooth continuousnessAlong the spiral# it SEEMS as i+ the line MUST ha*e 'een 'ro:en# 'ut# at the !I2E# its ,holeness is apparentE*erything seen +rom the spiral is mispercei*ed- But# as you approach the line# you reali9e that IT ,as not a++ected 'y the drop into another plane at all- But# 3ROM this plane# the !I2E seems discontinuous- And this is 'ut an error in perception# ,hich can 'e easily corrected I2 T1E MI2(# although the 'ody=s eyes ,ill see no change- The eyes see many things the mind corrects# and BOU respond# 2OT to the eyes= illusions# BUT TO T1E MI2(=S CORRECTIO2S- Bou SEE the line as 'ro:en# and as you shi+t to di++erent aspects o+ the spiral# the line loo:s di++erent- Bet in your mind is One 4ho L2O4S it is un'ro:en# and +ore*er changelessThis One can teach you ho, to loo: on time di++erently and to see BEBO2( it- But 2OT ,hile you 'elie*e in sin- In error# yes# +or this CA2 'e corrected 'y the mindBut sin is the 'elie+ that BOUR perception is U2C1A2"EAB!E# and that the MI2( must ACCE T AS TRUE ,hat it is told T1ROU"1 it- I+ it does not o'ey# the MI2( is @udged insane- The O2!B po,er that could C1A2"E perception is thus :ept impotent# held to the 'ody 'y the 3EAR o+ changed perception# ,hich its Teacher# 4ho is One ,ith it# ,ould 'ring4hen you are tempted to 'elie*e that sin is real# remem'er thisF I+ sin is real# 'oth "od A2( BOU are not- I+ creation is EXTE2SIO2# the Creator MUST ha*e e<tended 1IMSE!3# and it is impossi'le that ,hat is ART o+ 1im is totally unli:e the rest- I+ sin is real# "od must 'e at ,ar 4IT1I2 1IMSE!3- 1E must 'e split# and torn 'et,een good and e*ilP partly sane and partially insane- 3or 1e must ha*e created ,hat ,ills to destroy 1im# A2( 1AS T1E O4ER TO (O SO- Is it not EASIER to 'elie*e that BOU ha*e 'een mista:en than to 'elie*e in thisE 4hile you 'elie*e that BOUR reality# or your 'rother=s# is 'ounded 'y a 'ody# you ,ill 'elie*e in sin- 4hile you 'elie*e that BO(IES can unite# you ,ill +ind guilt attracti*e# and 'elie*e that sin is precious- 3or the 'elie+ that 'odies !IMIT the mind leads to a perception o+ the ,orld in ,hich the ROO3 o+ separation seems to 'e e*ery,hereAnd "od and 1is creation seem to 'e split apart# and o*erthro,n- 3or sin ,ould ROHE ,hat

467

"od created holy could not pre*ail against it# nor remain ITSE!3 'e+ore the po,er o+ sin> 875 >

Sin is percei*ed as mightier than "od# 'e+ore ,hich "od 1IMSE!3 must 'o,# and o++er 1is creation to its con?ueror- Is this humility# or madnessE I+ sin ,ere real it ,ould +ore*er 'e 'eyond the hope o+ healing- 3or there ,ould 'e a po,er BEBO2( "od=s# capa'le o+ ma:ing another ,ill# ,hich could attac: 1is 4ill# and OHERCOME itP and gi*e 1is Son a ,ill apart +rom 1is# and STRO2"ER- And each part o+ 1is +ragmented creation ,ould ha*e a (I33ERE2T ,ill O OSE( to 1is# and in eternal opposition to 1im A2( TO EAC1 OT1ERBour holy relationship has# as its purpose no,# the goal o+ pro*ing T1IS is impossi'le1ea*en has smiled upon it# and the 'elie+ in sin has 'een uprooted in its smile o+ lo*eBou see it still# 'ecause you do not reali9e that its 3OU2(ATIO2 has gone- Its SOURCE has 'een remo*ed# and so it can 'e cherished 'ut a little ,hile# 'e+ore it *anishesOnly the ha'it o+ !OOLI2" +or it still remainsAnd yet you loo: ,ith 1ea*en=s smile upon BOUR lips# and 1ea*en=s 'lessing on your sightBou ,ill 2OT see it long- 3or# in the 2E4 perception# the mind CORRECTS it ,hen it SEEMS to 'e seen# and it 'ecomes in*isi'le- But ERRORS are ?uic:ly recogni9ed# and ?uic:ly gi*en to correction# to 'e healed# 2OT hidden- BOU ,ill 'e healed o+ sin and all its ra*ages# the I2STA2T that you gi*e it no po,er o*er EAC1 OT1ER- And you ,ill 1E! each other o*ercome MISTALES# 'y @oyously RE!EASI2" one another +rom the 'elie+ in sin- In the holy instant# you ,ill see the smile o+ 1ea*en shining on BOT1 o+ you- And you ,ill shine upon each other# in glad ac:no,ledgment o+ the grace that has 'een "IHE2 you3or sin ,ill 2OT pre*ail against a union 1ea*en has smiled upon- Bour perception ,as 1EA!E( in the holy instant 1ea*en ga*e you- 3orget ,hat you 1AHEseen# and raise your eyes# in +aith# to ,hat you no, CA2 see- The 'arriers to 1ea*en ,ill disappear 'e+ore your holy sight- 3or you ,ho ,ere sightless ha*e 'een "IHE2 *ision# and you CA2 see- !oo: not +or ,hat has 'een REMOHE(# 'ut +or the glory that has 'een RESTORE(# +or you to see!oo: upon your Redeemer# and 'ehold ,hat 1e ,ould sho, you in each otherAnd let not sin arise again# to 'lind your eyes- 3or sin ,ould :eep you separate# 'ut your Redeemer ,ould ha*e you loo: upon each other as yoursel+3e'ruary $K# &5J7Bour relationship is no, a temple o+ healing# a place ,here all the ,eary ones can

468

come and +ind rest- 1ere is the rest that ,aits +or all# a+ter the @ourney- And it is 'rought 2EARER to all# 'y your relationship- As this peace e<pands# +rom deep inside yoursel*es# to em'race A!! the Sonship and gi*e it rest# it ,ill encounter many o'stacles- Some o+ them# BOU ,ill try to impose- Others ,ill seem to arise +rom else,hereP +rom your 'rothers# and +rom *arious aspects o+ the ,orld OUTSI(E- But peace ,ill gently co*er them# e<tending past# COM !ETE!B unhindered> 8K% >

The e<tension o+ the 1oly Spirit=s purpose# +rom BOUR relationship to others# to 'ring them gently I2# has already 'egun- This is the ,ay in ,hich 1e ,ill 'ring means and goal in line- The peace 1e laid# deep ,ithin BOT1 o+ you# ,ill ?uietly e<tend to EHERB aspect o+ your li*es# surrounding 'oth o+ you ,ith glo,ing happiness# and the calm a,areness o+ COM !ETE protection- And you ,ill carry its message o+ lo*e and sa+ety and +reedom to e*eryone ,ho dra,s nigh unto your temple# ,here healing ,aits +or himBou ,ill 2OT ,ait to gi*e him this# +or you ,ill CA!! to him and he ,ill ans,er you# RECO"2IUI2" in your call the call o+ "od- And you ,ill dra, him in and gi*e him rest# as it ,as gi*en BOU- All this ,ill you do- But the peace ,hich already lies deeply ,ithin# must +irst e<pand# and 3!O4 ACROSS the o'stacles BOU place 'e+ore it- T1IS 4I!! IT (O- 3or nothing underta:en 4IT1 the 1oly Spirit# remains un+inished- Bou can indeed 'e sure o+ 2OT1I2" you see OUTSI(E you# 'ut o+ this you CA2 'e sureThe 1oly Spirit as:s that you o++er 1im a resting>place# ,here BOU ,ill rest in 1im1e ans,ered you# and entered your relationship- 4ould you not no, RETUR2 1is graciousness# and enter into a relationship ,ith 1imE 3or it is 1E 4ho o++ered BOUR relationship the gi+t o+ holiness# ,ithout ,hich it ,ould ha*e 'een +ore*er impossi'le to appreciate each other- The gratitude you o,e to 1im# 1e as:s 'ut that BOU recei*e 3OR 1im- And# ,hen you loo: ,ith gentle graciousness upon each other# you ARE 'eholding 1im- 3or you are loo:ing ,here 1e IS# and 2OT apart +rom youBou CA22OT see the 1oly Spirit# 'ut you CA2 see your 'rothers truly- And the light in them ,ill sho, you all that you 2EE( to see- 4hen the peace in you has 'een e<tended to encompass EHERBO2E# the 1oly Spirit=s +unction here ,ill 'e accomplished4hat 2EE( is there +or SEEI2"# thenE 4hen "od has ta:en the last step 1imsel+# the 1oly

469

Spirit ,ill gather A!! your than:s and gratitude ,hich you ha*e o++ered 1im# and lay them gently 'e+ore 1is Creator# in the name o+ 1is most holy Son- And the 3ather ,ill ACCE T them in 1IS 2ame- 4hat need is there o+ seeing# in the presence o+ 1IS gratitudeE March &# &5J7 The +irst o'stacle that peace must +lo, across is your desire to get RI( o+ it- 3or it cannot e<tend# U2!ESS you :eep it- BOU are the center +rom ,hich it radiates out,ard# to call the others I2- Bou are its homeP its tran?uil d,elling>place# +rom ,hich it gently reaches out# 'ut 2EHER lea*ing BOU- I+ BOU ,ould ma:e it homeless# ho, can it a'ide ,ithin the Son o+ "odE I+ it ,ould spread across the ,hole creation# it MUST 'egin ,ith you- And# 3ROM you# reach to e*eryone ,ho calls# and 'ring him rest 'y JOI2I2" you4hy ,ould you ,ant peace homelessE 4hat do you thin: that it must (IS OSSESS# to d,ell in youE 4hat SEEMS to 'e the cost you are so un,illing to payE The little 'arriers o+ sand still stand 'et,een you- 4ould you rein+orce them 2O4E Bou are 2OT as:ed to let them go +or yoursel*es alone- Christ as:s it o+ you# +or 1IMSE!3- 1e ,ould 'ring peace to e*eryone- And ho, can 1e do this# EXCE T through youE 4ould you let a little
> 8K& >

'an: o+ sand# a ,all o+ dust# a tiny seeming 'arrier# stand 'et,een your 'rothers and sal*ationE And yet it IS this little remnant o+ attac: you cherish still against each other# that is the +irst o'stacle the peace in you encounters# in its going +orth- This little ,all o+ hatred ,ould STI!! oppose the 4ill o+ "od# and :eep It limited- The 1oly Spirit=s purpose rests in peace ,ithin you- Bet you are STI!! un,illing to let it JOI2 you ,holly- Bou still oppose the 4ill o+ "od# @ust 'y a little- But that little IS a limit you ,ould place upon the ,hole- "od=s 4ill is One# 2OT many- It 1AS no opposition# +or there is none BESI(E It4hat you ,ould still contain 'ehind your little 'arrier# and :eep SE ARATE +rom each other# is mightier than the uni*erse- 3or it ,ould 1O!( BACL the uni*erse A2( ITS CREATOR- This little ,all ,ould hide the purpose o+ 1ea*en# and :eep it 3ROM 1ea*en4ould you thrust sal*ation A4AB +rom the "IHER o+ sal*ationE 3or such ha*e BOU 'ecome- eace could no more (E ART +rom you than +rom "od- 3ear not this little o'stacle- It can 2OT contain the 4ill o+ "od- eace 4I!! +lo, across it# and @oin you 4IT1OUT hindranceSal*ation cannot BE ,ithheld +rom you- It IS your UR OSE- Bou CA22OT ,ill

470

A ART +rom this- Bou 1AHE no purpose apart +rom each other# nor apart +rom the one you as:ed the 1oly Spirit to S1ARE ,ith you- The little ,all ,ill +all a,ay so ?uietly# 'eneath the ,ings o+ peaceO 3or it ,ill send its messengers +rom you to all the ,orldAnd 'arriers ,ill +all a,ay 'e+ore their coming# as easily as those ,hich BOU ,ould interpose ,ill 'e surmounted- To o*ercome the ,orld is no more di++icult than to surmount your little ,all- 3or in the miracle o+ BOUR relationship# 4IT1OUT this 'arrier# is EHERB miracle containedThere is no order o+ di++iculty in miracles# +or they ARE all the same- Each is a gentle 4I22I2" OHER# +rom the appeal o+ guilt to the appeal o+ lo*e- 1o, can this 3AI! to 'e accomplished# 41EREHER it is underta:enE "uilt can raise no REA! 'arriers against itAnd all that seems to stand 'et,een you MUST +all a,ay# 'ecause o+ the appeal BOU ans,ered- And +rom you ,ho ans,ered# 1e 4ho ans,ered you ,ould call- 1is home is in your holy relationship- (o not attempt to stand BET4EE2 1im and 1is holy purpose# +or it IS yours- But let 1im ?uietly EXTE2( the miracle o+ your relationship to e*eryone CO2TAI2E( in it# as it ,as gi*enThere is a hush in 1ea*en# a happy e<pectancy# a little pause o+ gladness# in ac:no,ledgment o+ the @ourney=s end- 3or 1ea*en :no,s you ,ell# as you :no, 1ea*en2o illusions stand 'et,een you- !oo: not upon the little ,all o+ shado,s- The sun has risen OHER it- 1o, can a shado, LEE you +rom the sunE 2o more can BOU 'e :ept 'y shado,s +rom the light in ,hich illusions end- EHERB miracle is 'ut the end o+ an illusionSuch ,as the @ourneyP such its ending- And in the goal o+ truth# ,hich you accepted must A!! illusions endThe little# insane ,ish to get rid o+ 1im 4hom you in*ited I2# and push 1im OUT# MUST produce con+lict- As you loo: upon the ,orld# this little ,ish# uprooted and +loating
> 8K$ >

aimlessly# can land and settle 'rie+ly upon A2BT1I2"- 3or it 1AS no purpose no,BE3ORE the 1oly Spirit entered to a'ide ,ith you# it SEEME( to ha*e a MI"1TB purposeP the +i<ed and unchangea'le dedication to sin and its results- 2o, it is aimless# ,andering pointlessly# causing no more than tiny interruptions in lo*e=s appealThis +eather o+ a ,ish# this tiny illusion# this microscopic remnant o+ the 'elie+ in sin# is all that remains o+ ,hat once SEEME( to 'e the ,orld- It is no longer an unrelenting

471

'arrier to peace- Its pointless ,andering ma:es its results A EAR to 'e more erratic and unpredicta'le than 'e+ore- Bet ,hat COU!( 'e more unsta'le than a tightly> organi9ed delusional systemE Its SEEMI2" sta'ility is its per*asi*e 4EAL2ESS# ,hich e<tends to EHERBT1I2"- The HARIABI!ITB ,hich the little remnant induces# merely indicates its !IMITE( results1o, mighty can a little +eather 'e# 'e+ore the great ,ings o+ truthE Can it oppose an eagle=s +light# or hinder the ad*ance o+ summerE Can it inter+ere ,ith the E33ECTS o+ summer=s sun upon a garden co*ered 'y the sno,E See 'ut ho, easily this little ,hisp is li+ted up and carried a,ay# ne*er to return- And part ,ith it in gladness# not regret3or it is nothing in itsel+# and STOO( 3OR nothing ,hen you had greater +aith in its protection4ould you not rather greet the summer sun# than +i< your ga9e upon a disappearing sno,+la:e# and shi*er in remem'rance o+ the ,inter=s coldE March 8# &5J7 The attraction o+ guilt produces +ear o+ lo*e- 3or lo*e ,ould 2EHER loo: on guilt at all- It is the 2ATURE o+ lo*e to loo: upon O2!B the truth# +or there it sees itsel+# ,ith ,hich it ,ould unite in holy union and completion- As lo*e must loo: past +ear# so must +ear see lo*e not- 3or lo*e contains the E2( o+ guilt# as surely as +ear (E E2(S on it!o*e is attracted O2!B to lo*e- O*erloo:ing guilt completely# IT SEES 2O 3EARBeing ,holly ,ithout attac:# it COU!( not 'e a+raid3ear is attracted to ,hat lo*e sees 2OT- And each 'elie*es that ,hat the other loo:s upon does not e<ist- 3ear loo:s on guilt ,ith @ust the same de*otion that lo*e loo:s on itsel+- And each has messengers ,hich they send +orth# and ,hich return to them ,ith messages ,ritten in the language in ,hich their going +orth ,as as:ed- !o*e=s messengers are gently sent# and return ,ith messages o+ lo*e and gentleness- The messengers o+ +ear are harshly ordered to see: out guilt# and cherish e*ery scrap o+ e*il and sin that they can +ind# losing none o+ them on pain o+ death# and laying them respect+ully 'e+ore their lord and mastererception cannot o'ey t,o masters# each as:ing +or messages o+ di++erent things# in di++erent languages- 4hat +ear ,ould +eed upon# lo*e o*erloo:s- 4hat +ear (EMA2(S# lo*e cannot e*en SEE-

472

The +ierce attraction that guilt holds +or +ear# is ,holly a'sent +rom lo*e=s gentle perception- 4hat lo*e ,ould loo: upon is meaningless to +ear# and ?uite in*isi'leRelationships in this ,orld are the result o+ ho, the ,orld is seen- And this depends on
> 8K8 >

,hich emotion ,as called on to send its messengers to loo: upon it# and return ,ith ,ord o+ ,hat they sa,3ear=s messengers are trained through terror# and they trem'le ,hen their master calls upon them to ser*e him- 3or +ear is merciless e*en to its +riends- Its messengers steal guiltily a,ay in hungry search o+ guilt# +or they are :ept cold and star*ing# and made *ery *icious 'y their master# ,ho allo,s them to +east only upon ,hat they return to him2o little shred o+ guilt escapes their hungry eyes- And in their sa*age search +or sin# they pounce on any li*ing thing they see# and carry it screaming to their master# to 'e de*ouredSend not these sa*age messengers into the ,orld# to +east upon it# and to prey upon reality- 3or they ,ill 'ring you ,ord o+ 'ones and s:in and +lesh- They ha*e 'een taught to see: +or the corrupti'le# and to return ,ith gorges +illed ,ith things decayed and rotted- To them# such things are 'eauti+ul# 'ecause they seem to allay their sa*age pangs o+ hunger- 3or they are +rantic ,ith the pain o+ +ear# and ,ould a*ert the punishment o+ him ,ho sends them +orth# 'y o++ering him ,hat T1EB hold dearThe 1oly Spirit has gi*en you lo*e=s messengers# to send I2STEA( o+ those BOU trained through +ear- T1EB are as eager to return to you ,hat they hold dear# as are the others- I+ you send T1EM +orth# they ,ill see only the 'lameless and the 'eauti+ul# the gentle and the :ind- They ,ill 'e as care+ul to let no little act o+ charity# no tiny e<pression o+ +orgi*eness# no little 'reathe o+ lo*e# escape their notice- And they ,ill return# ,ith all the happy things they +ound# to share them lo*ingly ,ith you- Be not A3RAI( o+ themThey o++er you sal*ation- Theirs are the messages o+ SA3ETB- 3or T1EB see the ,orld as :indI+ you send +orth O2!B the messengers the 1oly Spirit ga*e you# 4A2TI2" no messages 'ut theirs# you ,ill see +ear no more- The ,orld ,ill 'e trans+ormed 'e+ore your sight# cleansed o+ all guilt# and so+tly 'rushed ,ith 'eauty- The ,orld contains no +ear that you laid not upon it- And none you cannot as: lo*e=s messengers to REMOHE +rom it# and see it still- The 1oly Spirit has gi*en 1IS messengers# to send each other# and

473

return to each ,ith ,hat lo*e sees- They ha*e 'een gi*en to RE !ACE the hungry dogs o+ +ear you sent instead- And they go +orth to signi+y the E2( o+ +ear!o*e# too# ,ould set a +east 'e+ore you# on a ta'le co*ered ,ith a spotless cloth# set in a ?uiet garden# ,here no sound 'ut singing and a so+tly @oyous ,hispering is e*er heard- This is a +east ,hich honors your holy relationship# and at ,hich e*eryone is ,elcomed as an honored guest- And in a holy instant grace is said 'y e*eryone together# as they @oin in gentleness 'e+ore the ta'le o+ communion- And I ,ill @oin you there# as long ago I promised# and promise still- 3or in your ne, relationship am I made ,elcome# and ,here I am made ,elcome# there I AMMarch J# &5J7 I am made ,elcome in the state o+ grace# ,hich means BOU 1AHE AT !AST 3OR"IHE2 ME- 3or I 'ecame the sym'ol o+ your sin# and so I had to die I2STEA( o+
> 8KG >

you- To the ego# sin MEA2S death# and so Atonement IS AC1IEHE( T1ROU"1 MUR(ERSal*ation is loo:ed upon as a ,ay 'y ,hich the Son o+ "od ,as :illed# instead o+ BOUBet ,ould I o++er you my BO(B# you ,hom I lo*e# L2O4I2" its littlenessE Or ,ould I teach that 'odies cannot :eep us apartE Mine ,as o+ no greater *alue than yoursP no 'etter means +or the COMMU2ICATIO2 o+ sal*ation# 'ut 2OT its Source2o one can die +or anyone# and death does not atone +or sin- But you can !IHE to sho, it is not REA!- The 'ody (OES appear to 'e the sym'ol o+ sin# ,hile you 'elie*e that it can get you ,hat you ,ant- 4hile you 'elie*e that it can gi*e you pleasure# you ,ill A!SO 'elie*e that it can 'ring you pain- To thin: you could 'e satis+ied and happy ,ith so little# IS to hurt yoursel+- And to !IMIT the happiness that you ,ould ha*e# CA!!S upon pain to +ill your meager store# and ma:e your li*es complete- This IS completion# as the ego sees it- 3or guilt creeps in ,here happiness has 'een remo*ed# and SUBSTITUTES +or itCommunion is another :ind o+ completion# ,hich goes 'eyond guilt BECAUSE it goes 'eyond the 'ody- Communion comes ,ith peace# and peace MUST transcend the 'ody- 4e said that peace must +irst surmount the o'stacle o+ your desire to get rid o+ it4here the attraction o+ guilt holds s,ay# peace is 2OT 4A2TE(- The second o'stacle that peace must +lo, across# and closely related to the +irst# is the 'elie+ that the 'ody is

474

*alua'le 3OR 41AT IT O33ERS- 3or here is the attraction o+ guilt MA(E MA2I3EST in the 'ody# and SEE2 in itT1IS is the *alue that you thin: peace ,ould ROB you o+- This is ,hat you 'elie*e that it ,ould dispossess# and lea*e BOU homeless- And it is this +or ,hich BOU ,ould deny a home to peace- This )sacri+ice. you +eel to 'e too great to ma:e# too much to as: o+ you- Is it a SACRI3ICE# or a RE!EASEE 4hat has the 'ody REA!!B gi*en you# that @usti+ies your strange 'elie+ that in it lies sal*ationE (o you not see that this is the 'elie+ in (EAT1E 1ere is the +ocus o+ the perception o+ Atonement as murder- 1ere is the SOURCE o+ the idea that lo*e is +earThe 1oly Spirit=s messengers are sent +ar 'eyond the 'ody# calling the mind to @oin in holy communion# and 'e at peace- Such is the message that I ga*e them# +or BOU- It is only the messengers o+ 3EAR that see the 'ody# +or they loo: +or ,hat can su++er- Is it a sacri+ice to 'e REMOHE( +rom ,hat can su++erE The 1oly Spirit does not (EMA2( you )sacri+ice. the hope o+ the 'ody=s pleasures- It 1AS no hope o+ pleasure- But neither can it 'ring you +ear o+ pain- ain is the O2!B )sacri+ice. the 1oly Spirit as:s- And this 1e 4OU!( remo*eeace is e<tended +rom you only to the eternal- And it reaches out 3ROM the eternal in BOU- It +lo,s across all else- The second o'stacle is nor to !IMIT it- 4hat are these o'stacles that you ,ould interpose 'et,een peace and its going +orth# 'ut 'arriers you place 'et,een your ,ill and its accomplishmentE Bou 4A2T communion# 2OT the +east o+ +ear- Bou 4A2T sal*ation# 2OT the pain o+ guilt- A2( BOU 4A2T BOUR 3AT1ER# 2OT a little mound o+ clay# to 'e your home> 8K6 >

In your holy relationship is your 3ather=s Son- 1e has 2OT lost communion ,ith 1im- 2OR 4IT1 1IMSE!3- 4hen you agreed to @oin each other# you ac:no,ledged this is so- This has 2O cost- But it 1AS release +rom cost- Bou ha*e paid *ery dearly +or your illusions- And 2OT1I2" you ha*e paid +or 'rought you peace- Are you not "!A( that 1ea*en can not BE sacri+icedE And sacri+ice can not BE as:ed o+ youE There IS no o'stacle that you can place 'e+ore our union# +or in your holy relationship I am there A!REA(B4e ,ill surmount all o'stacles TO"ET1ER# +or ,e stand 4IT1I2 the gates# and not

475

outside1o, easily the gates are opened +rom ,ithin# to let peace through to 'less the tired ,orldO Can it 'e di++icult +or us to ,al: past 'arriers together# ,hen you ha*e JOI2E( the limitlessE The end o+ guilt is in your hands# to gi*e- 4ould you stop no,# to !OOL +or guilt in each otherE !et me 'e to you the sym'ol o+ the E2( o+ guilt# and loo: upon each other# as you ,ould loo: on me- 3orgi*e me +or all the sins you thin: the Son o+ "od committed- And in the light o+ your +orgi*eness# he ,ill remem'er ,ho he is# and +orget ,hat ne*er ,asI as: +or your +orgi*eness# +or i+ BOU are guilty# so must I 'e- And i+ I surmounted guilt and o*ercame the ,orld# you ,ere 4IT1 me- 4ould you see in me the sym'ol o+ guilt# or o+ the E2( o+ guiltE Remem'ering that ,hat I signi+y to you# you see ,ithin BOURSE!3E 3rom your holy relationship# Truth proclaims the truth# and !o*e loo:s on itsel+- Sal*ation +lo,s +rom deep ,ithin the home you o++ered to my 3ather and to meAnd ,e are there together# in the ?uiet communion in ,hich the 3ather and the Son are @oinedOh come ye +aith+ul# to the holy union o+ the 3ather and Son in BOUO And :eep BOU not apart +rom ,hat is o++ered you# in gratitude +or gi*ing peace its home in 1ea*enSend +orth to all the ,orld the @oyous message o+ the end o+ guilt# and all the ,orld ,ill ans,er- Thin: o+ your happiness# as e*eryone o++ers you ,itness o+ the end o+ sin# and sho,s you that its po,er is gone +ore*er- 4here can guilt 'e# ,hen the 'elie+ in sin is goneE And ,here is death# ,hen its great ad*ocate is heard no moreE 3orgi*e me your illusions# and release me +rom punishment +or ,hat I ha*e 2OT done- So ,ill BOU learn the +reedom that I taught #'y teaching +reedom to each other# and so releasing me- I am ,ithin your holy relationship# yet you ,ould imprison me 'ehind the o'stacles you RAISE to +reedom# and 'ar my ,ay to BOU- Bet it is not possi'le to :eep A4AB One 4ho is there A!REA(B- And I2 1im# it IS possi'le that our communion# ,here ,e are A!REA(B @oined# ,ill 'e the +ocus o+ the ne, perception that ,ill 'ring light to all the ,orld# contained in BOUBour little part is 'ut to gi*e the 1oly Spirit the ,hole I(EA o+ sacri+ice- And to ACCE T the peace 1e ga*e# instead- 4IT1OUT the limits ,hich ,ould hold its e<tension 'ac:# and so ,ould limit BOUR a,areness o+ it- 3or ,hat 1e gi*es MUST 'e e<tended# i+ BOU ,ould ha*e its limitless po,er# and use it +or the Son o+ "od=s release- It is not this you ,ould 'e rid o+# and ha*ing it# you CA22OT limit it- I+ peace is homeless# so are you-

476

And so am I- And 1e 4ho IS our home# is homeless 4IT1 us> 8KJ >

Is this your ,illE 4ould you +ore*er 'e a ,anderer in search o+ peaceE 4ould you in*est your hope o+ peace and happiness in ,hat MUST +ailE 3aith in the eternal is A!4ABS @usti+ied# +or the eternal is +ore*er :ind# in+inite in its patience# and ,holly lo*ing- It ,ill accept you ,holly# and gi*e you peace- But it can unite only ,ith ,hat A!REA(B is at peace in you# immortal as itsel+- The 'ody can 'ring you neither peace nor turmoilP not pain nor @oy- It is a means# and 2OT an end- It has 2O purpose o+ itsel+# 'ut only ,hat is "IHE2 it to do- The 'ody ,ill seem to BE ,hate*er is the means +or reaching the goal that you ASSI"2 to itOnly the mind can set a purpose# and only mind can see the means +or its accomplishment# and @usti+y its use- eace and guilt are 'oth conditions o+ the mind# to 'e ATTAI2E(- And these conditions are the home o+ the emotion that called them +orth# and there+ore is COM ATIB!E ,ith it- But thin: you ,hich it is that is compati'le ,ith BOU- 1ere is your choice# and it IS +ree- But all that !IES in it 4I!! come ,ith it- A nd ,hat you thin: you are can 2EHER 'e A ART +rom itThe 'ody is the great SEEMI2" 'etrayer o+ +aith- In it lies disillusionment and the seeds o+ +aithlessness- But O2!B i+ you as:ed o+ it ,hat it CA22OT gi*e- Can T1IS mista:e 'e reasona'le grounds +or depression and disillusionment# and +or retaliati*e attac: on ,hat you thin: has +ailed youE Use not your ERROR as the @usti+ication +or your +aithlessness- Bou ha*e 2OT sinned# 'ut you 1AHE 'een mista:en in ,hat is +aith+ulAnd the correction o+ BOUR mista:e ,ill "IHE you grounds +or +aithMarch 5# &5J7 It is impossi'le to see: +or pleasure through the 'ody and 2OT +ind pain- It is essential that this relationship 'e understood# +or it is one the ego sees as proo+ o+ sin- It is not REA!!B puniti*e at all- It is 'ut the ine*ita'le result o+ e?uating yoursel+ 4IT1 the 'ody# ,hich is the I2HITATIO2 to pain- 3or it in*ites 3EAR to enter# and 'ecome your UR OSE- The attraction o+ guilt MUST enter ,ith it# and 41ATEHER +ear directs the 'ody to do IS there+ore pain+ul- It ,ill share the pain o+ A!! illusions# and the illusion o+ pleasure ,ill BE the same as painIs not this ine*ita'leE Under +ear=s orders# the 'ody 4I!! pursue guilt# ser*ing its master# ,hose attraction to guilt maintains the ,hole illusion o+ his e<istence- This# then#

477

IS the attraction to AI2- Ruled 'y this perception# the 'ody 'ecomes the ser*ant o+ pain# see:ing it duti+ully# and o'eying the idea that pain is pleasure- It is this I(EA that underlies all o+ the ego=s hea*y in*estment in the 'ody- And it is this insane relationship ,hich it :eeps hidden# and yet +eeds upon- To BOU# it teaches that the 'ody=s pleasure is happiness# 'ut to ITSE!3 it ,hispers# )It is death-. 4hy should the 'ody 'e A2BT1I2" to youE Certainly ,hat it is MA(E o+ is not precious- And# @ust as certainly# IT has no +eeling- It transmits TO BOU the +eelings that you 4A2T- !i:e any communication medium# the 'ody recei*es and sends the messages that it is gi*en- It has 2O +eeling +or them- All o+ the +eeling ,ith ,hich they are in*ested
> 8K7 >

is gi*en 'y the sender and the recei*er- The ego and the 1oly Spirit 'oth recogni9e thisAnd 'oth also recogni9e that here# T1E SE2(ER A2( RECEIHER ARE T1E SAME- The 1oly Spirit TE!!S you this ,ith @oy- The ego 1I(ES it# +or it ,ould :eep you una,are o+ it4ho ,ould send messages o+ hatred and attac: #i+ he 'ut understood he sends them to 1IMSE!3E 4ho ,ould accuse# ma:e guilty and condemn 1IMSE!3E The ego=s messages are A!4ABS sent A4AB +rom you# in the 'elie+ that# +or your message o+ attac: and guilt# ,ill someone OT1ER than yoursel+ su++er- And# e*en i+ BOU su++er# yet someone E!SE ,ill su++er more- The great decei*er recogni9es that this is not so# 'ut as the )enemy. o+ peace# it urges you to SE2( OUT all your messages o+ hate# and +ree BOURSE!3And# to con*ince you this is possi'le# it 'ids the 'ody search +or pain in attac: upon another# calling it pleasure# and O33ERI2" it to you as +reedom 3ROM attac:1ear not its madness# and 'elie*e not the impossi'le is true- 3orget not that the ego has (E(ICATE( the 'ody to the goal o+ sin# and places in it A!! its +aith that this can 'e accomplished- Its sad disciples chant the 'ody=s praise continually# in solemn cele'ration o+ the ego=s rule- 2ot one 'ut MUST 'elie*e that BIE!(I2" to the attraction o+ guilt is the ESCA E +rom pain- 2ot one 'ut MUST regard the 'ody as himsel+# 4IT1OUT ,hich he ,ould die# and yet 4IT1I2 ,hich is his death e?ually ine*ita'leIt is not gi*en to the ego=s disciples to reali9e that they ha*e dedicated themsel*es to

478

death- This has 'een O33ERE( them# 'ut they ha*e not accepted it- And ,hat is o++ered must also 'e recei*ed# to 'e truly gi*en- 3or the 1oly Spirit# too# is a communication medium# recei*ing +rom the 3ather# and o++ering 1is messages unto the Son- !i:e to the ego# the 1oly Spirit is 'oth the sender and recei*er- 3or ,hat is sent through 1im RETUR2S to 1im# see:ing itsel+ along the ,ay# and 3I2(I2" ,hat it see:s- So does the ego 3I2( the death it see:s# returning it to BOUMarch &%# &5J7 To you# into ,hose special relationship the 1oly Spirit entered# it IS gi*en to release and 'e released +rom the dedication to death- 3or it ,as o++ered you# and you ACCE TE(But you must learn still more a'out this strange de*otion# +or it contains the third o+ the o'stacles ,hich peace that +lo, across- 2o>one can die unless he chooses death4hat seems to 'e the 3EAR o+ death# is really its ATTRACTIO2- "uilt# too# is +eared and +ear+ulBet it could ha*e no hold at all# e<cept on those ,ho are attracted to it# and see: it outAnd so it is ,ith death- Made 'y the ego# its dar: shado, +alls across all li*ing things# 'ecause the ego is the )enemy. o+ li+eAnd yet# a shado, cannot :ill- 4hat is a shado, to the li*ingE They 'ut ,al: past# and it is gone- But ,hat o+ those ,hose dedication it is 2OT to li*eE The 'lac:> draped )sinners#. the ego=s mourn+ul chorus# plodding so hea*ily A4AB +rom li+e# dragging their chains and marching in the slo, procession that honors their grim master# lord o+ deathE Touch any one o+ them ,ith the gentle hand o+ +orgi*eness# and ,atch the chains
> 8KK >

+all a,ay# along ,ith BOURS- See him thro, aside the 'lac: ro'e he ,as ,earing to his +uneral# and hear him laugh at death- The sentence sin ,ould lay upon him# he can escape ,ith your +orgi*enessThis is 2OT arrogance- It is the 4ill o+ "od- 4hat is impossi'le to you ,ho choose 1is 4ill as yoursE 4hat is death to youE Bour dedication is 2OT to death# nor to its master- 4hen you accepted the 1oly Spirit=s purpose in place o+ the ego=s# you RE2OU2CE( death# e<changing it +or li+e- 4e :no, that the RESU!T o+ an idea lea*es not its source- And death is the result o+ the thought ,e call the ego# as surely as li+e is the result o+ the Thought o+ "od- 3rom the ego came sin and guilt and death# in O OSITIO2 to li+e and innoncence# and to the 4I!! o+ "od 1imsel+- 4here can such opposition lie#

479

'ut in the sic: minds o+ the insane# dedicated to madness# and set A"AI2ST the peace o+ 1ea*enE One thing is sureP "od# 4ho created neither sin nor death# ,ills not that you 'e 'ound 'y them- 1e :no,s o+ neither sin 2OR its result- The shrouded +igures in the +uneral procession march not in honor o+ their Creator# 4hose 4ill it is they !IHEThey are not +ollo,ing itP they are O OSI2" it- And ,hat is the 'lac:>draped 'ody they ,ould 'uryE A 'ody T1EB dedicated to death# a sym'ol o+ corruption# a sacri+ice to sin# O33ERE( to sin to +eed upon# and :eep ITSE!3 ali*e- A thing condemned# damned 'y its ma:er# and lamented 'y e*ery mourner ,ho loo:s upon it as himsel+Bou ,ho 'elie*e you can condemn the Son o+ "od to this ARE arrogant- But you ,ho ,ould release him are 'ut honoring the 4ill o+ his Creator- The arrogance o+ sin# the pride o+ guilt# the sepulchre o+ separation# all are part o+ your unrecogni9ed dedication to death- The glitter o+ guilt you laid upon the 'ody ,ould LI!! it- 3or ,hat the ego lo*es #it :ills +or its o'edience- But ,hat o'eys it not# it CA22OT :ill- Bou ha*e A2OT1ER dedication ,hich ,ould :eep the 'ody incorrupti'le and per+ect as long as it is use+ul +or your holy purpose- The 'ody no more dies than it can +eel- IT (OES 2OT1I2"O+ itsel+# it is neither corrupti'le nor incorrupti'le- IT IS 2OT1I2"- It is the result o+ a tiny# mad I(EA o+ corruption# 41IC1 CA2 BE CORRECTE(- 3or "od has A2S4ERE( this insane idea ,ith 1is O,n# an Ans,er ,hich le+t 1im not# and there+ore 'rings the Creator to the a,areness o+ e*ery mind ,hich heard 1is Ans,er# and ACCE TE( it- Bou ,ho are dedicated to the incorrupti'le# ha*e 'een gi*en# through BOUR acceptance# the po,er to RE!EASE +rom corruption- 4hat 'etter ,ay to teach the +irst and +undamental principle in a course on miracles than 'y sho,ing you the one that SEEMS to 'e the hardest can 'e accomplished 3IRSTE The 'ody can 'ut ser*e your purpose- As you loo: upon it# so ,ill it seem to 'e(eath# ,ere it true# ,ould 'e the +inal and complete disruption o+ communication# ,hich IS the ego=s goalThose ,ho +ear death see not ho, o+ten and ho, loudly they CA!! to it# and 'id it come to SAHE them +rom communication- 3or death is seen as SA3ETB# the great dar: sa*iour +rom the light o+ truth# the ans,er to the Ans,er# the silencer o+ the Hoice that
> 8K5 >

480

spea:s +or "od- Bet the retreat to death is 2OT the end o+ con+lict- Only "od=s A2S4ER is its endThe o'stacle o+ your seeming lo*e +or death# ,hich peace must +lo, across# SEEMS to 'e *ery great- 3or in it lies hidden all the ego=s secrets# all its strange de*ices +or deception# all its sic: ideas and ,ierd imaginings- 1ere is the +inal end o+ union# the triumph o+ the ego=s ma:ing o*er creation# the *ictory o+ li+elessness on li+e Itsel+Under the dusty edge o+ its distorted ,orld- the ego ,ould lay the Son o+ "od# slain 'y its orders# proo+ in his decay that "od 1imsel+ is po,erless 'e+ore the ego=s might# una'le to protect the li+e that 1e created# against the ego=s sa*age ,ish to :illMy 'rothers# children o+ our 3ather# this is a (REAM o+ death- There is no +uneral# no dar: altars# no grim commandments# nor t,isted rituals o+ condemnation# to ,hich the BO(B leads you- As: not release o+ IT- But 3REE it +rom the merciless and unrelenting orders you laid upon it# and +orgi*e it ,hat you ordered it to do- In its e<altation# you COMMA2(E( it to die# +or only death COU!( con?uer li+e- And ,hat 'ut insanity could loo: upon the de+eat o+ "od# and thin: it REA!E The +ear o+ death ,ill go as its appeal is yielded to lo*e=s REA! attraction- The end o+ sin# ,hich nestles ?uietly in the sa+ety o+ your relationship# protected 'y your union# ready to gro, into a mighty +orce +or "od# is *ery near- The in+ancy o+ sal*ation is care+ully guarded 'y lo*e# preser*ed +rom e*ery thought that ,ould attac: it# and ?uietly made ready to +ul+ill the mighty tas: +or ,hich it ,as "IHE2 you- Bour ne,>'orn purpose is nursed 'y angels# cherished 'y the 1oly Spirit# and protected 'y "od 1imsel+- It 2EE(S not your protectionP it is BOURS- 3or it is deathless# and ,ithin it lies the E2( o+ death- 4hat danger can assail the ,holly innocentE 4hat can attac: the guiltlessE 4hat +ear can enter and distur' the peace o+ sinlessnessE 4hat has 'een gi*en you# e*en in its in+ancy# is in +ull communication ,ith "od A2( you- In its tiny hands# it holds# in per+ect sa+ety# e*ery miracle you ,ill per+orm# held out to BOU- The miracle o+ li+e is ageless# 'orn in time# 'ut nourished in eternity- Behold this in+ant# to ,hom you ga*e a restingplace 'y your +orgi*eness o+ EAC1 OT1ER# and see in it the 4ill o+ "od- 1ere is the 'a'e o+ Bethlehem re'orn- And e*eryone ,ho gi*es him shelter ,ill +ollo, him# 2OT to the cross# 'ut to the Resurrection and the !i+e4hen anything seems to you to 'e a source o+ +ear# ,hen any situation stri:es you ,ith terror and ma:es your 'ody trem'le and the cold s,eat o+ +ear comes o*er it#

481

remem'er it is A!4ABS +or O2E reasonP the ego has percei*ed it as a sym'ol o+ +ear# a sign o+ sin and death- Remem'er# then# that neither sign nor sym'ol should 'e CO23USE( ,ith source# +or they must STA2( 3OR something OT1ER than themsel*es- Their meaning CA22OT lie in them# 'ut must 'e sought in ,hat they RE RESE2T- And they may thus mean e*erything or nothing# according to the truth or +alsity o+ the I(EA ,hich they re+lectCon+ronted ,ith such seeming uncertainty o+ meaning# @udge it not- Remem'er the holy resence o+ the One "IHE2 you to 'e the Source o+ @udgment- "i*e it to 1im to @udge 3OR you# and sayF
> 85% >

)Ta:e this +rom me and loo: upon it# @udging it +or me!et me not see it as a sign o+ sin and death# nor use it +or destructionTeach me ho, 2OT to ma:e o+ it an OBSTAC!E to peace# But let Bou use it 3OR me# to 3ACI!ITATE its coming-. March &8# &5J7 4hat ,ould you see# 4IT1OUT the +ear o+ deathE 4hat ,ould you +eel and thin: #i+ death held 2O attraction +or youE Hery simply# BOU 4OU!( REMEMBER BOUR 3AT1ERThe Creator o+ li+e# the Source o+ e*erything that li*es# the 3ather o+ the Uni*erse# and o+ the Uni*erse o+ uni*erses# and o+ e*erything that lies e*en BEBO2( them ,ould you remem'er- And# as this Memory rises in your mind# peace must still surmount a +inal o'stacle# A3TER ,hich is sal*ation completed# and the Son o+ "od E2TIRE!B restored to sanity- 3or here your ,orld (OES endThe +ourth o'stacle to 'e surmounted# hangs li:e a hea*y *eil 'e+ore the +ace o+ Christ- Bet as 1is +ace rises 'eyond it# shining ,ith @oy 'ecause 1e is in 1is 3ather=s !o*e# peace ,ill lightly 'rush the *eil aside and run to meet 1im# and to JOI2 ,ith 1im at last3or this dar: *eil# ,hich seems to ma:e the +ace o+ Christ 1imsel+ li:e to a leper=s# and the 'right rays o+ 1is 3ather=s !o*e ,hich light 1is +ace ,ith glory appear as streams o+ 'lood# +ades in the 'la9ing light BEBO2( it ,hen the +ear o+ death is goneThis is the dar:est *eil# N upheld 'y the 'elie+ in death# and protected 'y its attractionThe dedication to death and to its so*ereignty is 'ut the solemn *o,# the promise made in secret to the ego# ne*er to li+t this *eil# not to approach it# nor e*en to SUS ECT that it is there- This is the secret 'argain# made ,ith the ego# to :eep ,hat lies BEBO2( the *eil +ore*er 'lotted out and unremem'ered- 1ere is your promise ne*er to allo, union to

482

call you OUT o+ separationP the great amnesia in ,hich the memory o+ "od seems ?uite +orgottenP the clea*age o+ your Sel+ +rom youP T1E 3EAR O3 "O(# the +inal step in your dissociationSee ho, the 'elie+ in death ,ould seem to ;sa*e= you- 3or# i+ this is gone# ,hat can you +ear 'ut li+eE It is the attraction o+ death that ma:es li+e seem to 'e ugly# cruel# and tyrannical- Bou are no more a+raid o+ death than o+ the ego- These are your chosen 3RIE2(S- 3or# in your secret alliance ,ith them# you ha*e agreed ne*er to let the +ear o+ "od 'e li+ted# so you could loo: upon the +ace o+ Christ# and @oin 1im in 1is 3atherE*ery o'stacle that peace must +lo, across is surmounted in @ust the same ,ayP the +ear that RAISE( it yields to the lo*e 'eneath# and so the +ear is gone- And so it is ,ith thisThe desire to get rid o+ peace and dri*e the 1oly Spirit 3ROM you +ades in the presence o+ the ?uiet recognition that you lo*e 1im- The e<altation o+ the 'ody is gi*en up in +a*or o+ the Spirit# ,hich you lo*e as you could 2EHER lo*e the 'ody- And the appeal o+ death is lost +ore*er# as lo*e=s attraction stirs and calls to you- 3rom BEBO2( each o+ the OBSTAC!ES to lo*e# !o*e Itsel+ has called# and each has 'een surmounted 'y the po,er o+ the attraction o+ ,hat lies BEBO2(- Bour 4A2TI2" +ear SEEME( to 'e
> 85& >

holding them in place- Bet ,hen you heard the *oice o+ lo*e BEBO2( them# you ans,ered# and they disappearedAnd no, you stand in terror 'e+ore ,hat you s,ore ne*er to loo: upon- Bour eyes loo: do,n# remem'ering your promise to your ;+riends-= The ;lo*eliness= o+ sinP the delicate appeal o+ guilt# the ;holy= ,a<en image o+ death# and the +ear o+ *engeance o+ the ego you s,ore in 'lood not to desert# all rise and 'id you 2OT to raise your eyes3or you reali9e that i+ you loo: on T1IS and !ET the *eil 'e li+ted# T1EB 4I!! BE "O2E 3OREHER- All o+ your ;+riends#= your ;protectors#= and your ;home#= ,ill *anish2othing that you remem'er 2O4# ,ill you remem'erIt seems to you the ,orld ,ill utterly a'andon you #i+ you 'ut raise your eyes- Bet all that 4I!! occur is BOU ,ill lea*e the ,orld +ore*er- This is the re>esta'lishment o+ BOUR ,ill- !oo: upon it# open>eyed# and you ,ill ne*ermore 'elie*e that you are at the mercy o+ things BEBO2( you# +orces you CA22OT control# and thoughts that come to you A"AI2ST your ,ill- It IS BOUR 4I!! TO !OOL O2 T1IS- 2o mad desire# no tri*ial impulse to +orget again# no sta' o+ +ear# nor the cold s,eat o+ seeming death# CA2 stand

483

against your ,ill- And ,hat attracts you +rom BEBO2( the *eil# is also deep 4IT1I2 you# unseparated +rom it# and COM !ETE!B One3orget not that you came this +ar TO"ET1ER- And it ,as surely 2OT the ego that led you here- 2o o'stacle to peace can BE surmounted through ITS help- It does not open up its secrets# and 'id you loo: on them# and go BEBO2( them- It ,ould not ha*e you see its ,ea:ness and learn it has 2O po,er to LEE you +rom the truth- The "uide 4ho 'rought you here REMAI2S ,ith you# and ,hen you raise your eyes# you 4I!! 'e ready to loo: on terror ,ith no +ear at all- But +irst# li+t up your eyes and loo: upon each other in innocence# 'orn o+ complete +orgi*eness o+ each other=s illusions# and through the eyes o+ +aith# ,hich see them not2o>one can loo: upon the +ear o+ "od unterri+ied# unless he has ACE TE( the Atonement# and learned illusions are not real- 2o>one can stand 'e+ore this o'stacle alone# +or he could not ha*e REAC1E( thus +ar unless his 'rother ,al:ed 'eside himAnd no>one ,ould dare to !OOL on it# ,ithout COM !ETE +orgi*eness o+ his 'rother in his heart- Stand you here a ,hile# and trem'le not- Bou ,ill 'e ready- !et us @oin together in a holy instant# here in this place ,here the purpose# "IHE2 in a holy instant# has led you- And let us @oin in +aith that 1e 4ho 'rought us here together ,ill O33ER you the innocence you need# and that you ,ill ACCE T it +or my lo*e and 1isMarch &7# &5J8 2or is it OSSIB!E to loo: on this too soon- This is the place to ,hich e*eryone must come# ,hen he is ready- Once he has +ound his 'rother# he IS ready- But merely to REAC1 a place is not enough- A @ourney ,ithout purpose is still meaningless# and e*en ,hen it is o*er# it seems to ma:e no sense- 1o, can you L2O4 that it is o*er# unless you reali9e its purpose IS accomplishedE 1ere# ,ith the @ourney=s end 'e+ore you# you
> 85$ >

SEE its purpose- And it is here you choose ,hether to loo: upon it# or ,ander on# only to return and ma:e the choice againTo loo: upon the +ear o+ "od (OES need some preparation- Only the sane can loo: on star: insanity and ra*ing madness ,ith pity and compassion# 'ut 2OT ,ith +ear3or only i+ they S1ARE in it does it seem +ear+ul# and you (O share in it until you loo: upon

484

each other ,ith per+ect +aith and lo*e and tenderness- Be+ore complete +orgi*eness# you still stand un+orgi*ing- Bou are a+raid o+ "od BECAUSE you +ear each other- Those you do not +orgi*e# BOU 3EAR- And no>one reaches lo*e# ,ith 3EAR 'eside himThis 'rother# ,ho stands 'eside you# still seems to 'e a stranger- Bou do 2OT :no, him# and your I2TER RETATIO2 o+ him is HERB +ear+ul- And you attac: him still# to :eep ,hat seems to 'e BOURSE!3 unharmed- Bet in his hands IS your sal*ationBou see his madness# ,hich you hate 'ecause you S1ARE in it- And all the pity and +orgi*eness that ,ould 1EA! it gi*es ,ay to +ear- Brothers# you 2EE( +orgi*eness o+ each other +or you ,ill share in madness or in 1ea*en TO"ET1ER- And you ,ill raise your eyes in 3AIT1 together# or not at allBeside each o+ you is one ,ho o++ers you the chalice o+ Atonement# +or the 1oly Spirit is in him- 4ould you hold his sins A"AI2ST him# or accept his gi+t to BOUE Is this gi*er o+ Sal*ation your +riend or enemyE Choose ,hich he is# remem'ering that you ,ill RECEIHE o+ him according to your choice- 1e has I2 1IM the po,er to +orgi*e BOUR sins# as you +or 1IM- 2either can gi*e it to himsel+ alone- And yet your Sa*iour stands 'eside each one- !et him 'e ,hat he IS# and see: not to ma:e o+ lo*e an enemyBehold your 3riend# the Christ 4ho stands 'eside you- 1o, holy and ho, 'eauti+ul 1e isO Bou T1OU"1T 1e sinned #'ecause you cast the *eil o+ sin upon 1im to 1I(E 1is lo*eliness- Bet still 1e holds +orgi*eness out to you# to S1ARE 1is holiness- This ;enemy#= this ;stranger= still o++ers you sal*ation as 1is 3riend- The ;enemies= o+ Christ# the ,orshippers o+ sin# :no, not 4hom they attac:- This is your 'rother# cruci+ied 'y sin# and ,aiting +or release +rom pain- 4ould you not O33ER him +orgi*eness# ,hen only he can o++er it to youE 3or 1IS redemption he ,ill gi*e you yours# as surely as "od created e*ery li*ing thing# and lo*es it- And he ,ill gi*e it truly# +or it ,ill 'e 'oth o++ered and RECEIHE(There is no grace o+ 1ea*en that you cannot O33ER to each other# and recei*e +rom your most holy 3riend- !et him ,ithhold it not# +or 'y recei*ing it #you o++er it to 1IM- 3or he 4I!! recei*e o+ you ,hat BOU recei*ed o+ him- Redemption has 'een gi*en you to gi*e EAC1 OT1ER# and thus recei*e it- 4hom you +orgi*e IS +ree- And ,hat you gi*e# BOU S1ARE- 3orgi*e the sins your 'rother T1I2LS he has committed# and all the guilt BOU see in him-

485

1ere is the holy place o+ RESURRECTIO2# to ,hich ,e come againP to ,hich ,e ,ill RETUR2 until redemption is accomplished A2( RECEIHE(- Thin: ,ho your 'rother IS# 'e+ore you ,ould condemn him- And o++er than:s to "od that he is holy# and has 'een gi*en the gi+t o+ holiness +or BOU- Join him in gladness# and remo*e all trace o+
> 858 >

guilt +rom his distur'ed and tortured mind- 1elp him to li+t the hea*y 'urden o+ sin you laid upon him# and he ACCE TE( as his o,n# and toss it lightly and ,ith happy laughter A4AB +rom him- ress it not li:e thorns against his 'ro,# nor nail him# to it unredeemed and hopeless"i*e each other +aith# +or +aith and hope and mercy ARE yours to gi*e- Into the hands that gi*e# the gi+t is gi*en- !oo: on your 'rother# and see in him the gi+t o+ "od you ,ould RECEIHE- It is almost Easter# the time o+ Resurrection- !et us gi*e redemption to each other# and S1ARE in it# that ,e may rise as one in resurrection# and not SE ARATE in death- Behold the gi+t o+ +reedom that I ga*e the 1oly Spirit# +or BOT1 o+ you- And 'e you +ree together# as you o++er TO the 1oly Spirit this SAME gi+t# and gi*ing it #recei*e it O3 1im# in RETUR2 +or ,hat you ga*e1e leadeth you and me together# that ,e might meet here in this holy place# and ma:e the SAME decision- 3ree your 'rother here# as I +reed you- "i*e him the sel+> same gi+t# nor loo: upon him ,ith condemnation o+ A2B :ind- See him as guiltless as I loo: on you# and OHER!OOL the sins he T1I2LS he sees ,ithin himsel+- O++er each other +reedom and complete release +rom sin# here in the garden o+ seeming agony and death- So ,ill ,e prepare TO"ET1ER the ,ay unto the Resurrection o+ "od=s Son- And let him rise again to glad remem'rance o+ his 3ather# 4ho :no,s no sin# no death# 'ut O2!B li+e eternalTogether ,e ,ill disappear into the resence BEBO2( the *eil# not to 'e lost# 'ut 3OU2(P not to 'e seen# 'ut to 'e L2O42- And# :no,ing# nothing in the plan "od has esta'lished +or sal*ation ,ill 'e le+t undone- This is the @ourney=s purpose# 4IT1OUT ,hich IS the @ourney meaningless- 1ere is the eace o+ "od# gi*en to you eternally 'y 1im- 1ere is the rest and ?uiet that you see:# the REASO2 +or the @ourney +rom its 'eginning- 1ea*en is the gi+t you O4E each other# the de't o+ gratitude you o++er to the Son o+ "od# in than:s +or ,hat he is# and ,hat his 3ather created him to 'e-

486

Thin: care+ully ho, you ,ould loo: upon the gi*er o+ this gi+t# +or as you loo: on 1IM# so ,ill the gi+t ITSE!3 appear to 'e- As 1E is seen as either the gi*er o+ guilt or o+ sal*ation# so ,ill his O33ERI2" 'e seen# and so RECIEHE(- The cruci+ied gi*e pain# 'ecause they ARE in pain- But the redeemed gi*e @oy# 'ecause they ha*e 'een 1EA!E( o+ pain- E*eryone gi*es as he recei*es# 'ut 1E must choose ,hat it ,ill BE that he recei*es- And he ,ill RECO"2IUE his choice 'y ,hat he gi*es# and ,hat is gi*en 1IM2or is it gi*en anything in hell or 1ea*en to I2TER3ERE ,ith his decisionBou came this +ar 'ecause the @ourney 4AS your choice- And no>one underta:es to do ,hat he 'elie*es is meaningless- 4hat you had +aith in still is +aith+ul# and ,atches o*er you in +aith so gentle# yet so strong# that it ,ould li+t you +ar 'eyond the *eil# and place the Son o+ "od sa+ely ,ithin the sure protection o+ his 3ather- 1ere is the O2!B purpose that gi*es this ,orld# and the long @ourney T1ROU"1 this ,orld# ,hate*er meaning lies in them- Beyond this# they ARE meaningless- Bou stand together# still ,ithout con*iction they 1AHE a purpose- Bet it is "IHE2 you to SEE this purpose in your holy 3riend# and RECO"2IUE it as your o,n> 85G >

March &5# &5J7 This is alm Sunday# the cele'ration o+ *ictory# and the ACCE TA2CE o+ the truth!et us not spend this holy ,ee: 'rooding on the cruci+i<ion o+ "od=s Son# 'ut happily in the cele'ration o+ his RE!EASE- 3or Easter is the sign o+ peace# not pain- A slain Christ has no meaning- But a RISE2 Christ 'ecomes the sym'ol o+ the Son o+ "od=s +orgi*eness upon 1IMSE!3P the sign he loo:s upon himsel+ as healed and ,hole- This ,ee: 'egins ,ith palms and ends ,ith lilies# the ,hite and holy sign the Son o+ "od is innocent!et no dar: signs o+ cruci+i<ion inter*ene 'et,een the @ourney and its purposeP 'et,een the ACCE TA2CE o+ the truth and its EX RESSIO2This ,ee: ,e cele'rate eternal li+e# 2OT death- And ,e honor the per+ect URITB o+ the Son o+ "od# and 2OT his sins- O++er each other the gi+t o+ lilies# 2OT the cro,n o+ thornsP the gi+t o+ lo*e# and 2OT the )gi+t. o+ +ear- Bou stand 'eside each other# thorns in one hand and lilies in the other# uncertain ,hich to gi*e- Join no, ,ith me# and thro, a,ay the thorns# o++ering the lilies to RE !ACE them- This Easter I ,ould ha*e the gi+t o+ your +orgi*eness# o++ered 'y you to me# and RETUR2E( 'y me to you- 4e CA22OT 'e

487

united in cruci+i<ion and in death- 2or can the Resurrection 'e complete ;til BOUR +orgi*eness rests on Christ# along ,ith mineA ,ee: is short# and yet this holy ,ee: is the sym'ol o+ the ,hole @ourney that the Son o+ "od has underta:en- 1e started ,ith the sign o+ *ictory# the promise o+ the Resurrection# A!REA(B gi*en him- !et him not ,ander into the temptation o+ cruci+i<ion# and (E!AB him there- 1elp him go in peace BEBO2( it# ,ith the light o+ his o,n innocence lighting his ,ay to his redemption and release- 1old him not 'ac: ,ith thorns and nails# ,hen his redemption is so near- But let the ,hiteness o+ your shining gi+t o+ lilies speed him on his ,ay to ResurrectionEaster is not the cele'ration o+ the COST o+ sin# 'ut o+ it=s E2(- I+ you see glimpses o+ the +ace o+ Christ 'ehind the *eil# loo:ing 'et,een the sno, ,hite petals o+ the lilies you ha*e recei*ed and "IHE2 as your gi+t# you ,ill 'ehold each other=s +ace and RECO"2IUE it- I ,as a stranger# and you too: me in# not :no,ing ,ho I ,as- But# +or your gi+t o+ lilies# you 4I!! :no,- In your 3OR"IHE2ESS o+ this stranger# alien to you and yet your ancient 3riend# lie 1IS release# and BOUR redemption 4IT1 him- The time o+ Easter is a time o+ JOB# and not o+ mourning- !oo: on your risen 3riend# and cele'rate his holiness# along ,ith me- 3or Easter is the time o+ BOUR sal*ation# along ,ith mineMarch $J# &5J7 !oo: upon all the trin:ets made to hang upon the 'ody or to co*er it# or +or its useSee all the useless things made +or its eyes to see- Thin: on the many o++erings made +or its pleasure# and remem'er all these ,ere made to ma:e seem lo*ely ,hat you hate4ould you employ this hated thing to dra, your 'rother to you# and to attract 1IS 'ody=s eyesE !earn you 'ut o++er him a cro,n o+ thorns# not recogni9ing it +or ,hat it is# and trying to @usti+y your O42 interpretation o+ its *alue 'y 1IS acceptance- Bet still the
> 856 >

gi+t proclaims his ,orthlessness to BOU# as his acceptance and delight ac:no,ledges the lac: o+ *alue 1E places on himsel+"i+ts are not made through 'odies# i+ they 'e truly gi*en and recei*ed- 3or 'odies can neither o++er nor acceptP hold out or ta:e- Only the mind can *alue# and only the mind decides on ,hat it ,ould recei*e and gi*e- And e*ery gi+t it o++ers depends on ,hat it 4A2TS- It ,ill adorn its chosen home most care+ully# ma:ing it ready to RECEIHE the gi+ts it ,ants# 'y o++ering them to those ,ho come unto its home# or those it ,ould ATTRACT to it- And there they ,ill e<change their gi+ts# o++ering and recei*ing ,hat their

488

minds @udge to 'e ,orthy o+ themEach gi+t is an EHA!UATIO2 o+ the recei*er A2( T1E "IHER- 2o>one 'ut sees his chosen home an altar to 1IMSE!3- 2o>one 'ut see:s to (RA4 to it the ,orshippers o+ ,hat he placed U O2 it# ma:ing it 4ORT1B o+ their de*otion- And each has set a light upon his altar# that they may see ,hat he has placed upon it# and ta:e it +or their o,n1ere is the *alue that you lay upon your 'rother# and on BOURSE!3- 1ere is your gi+t to BOT1P your @udgment upon the Son o+ "od +or ,hat he is- 3orget not that it is BOUR Sa*iour to ,hom the gi+t is o++ered- O++er him thorns# and BOU are cruci+ied- O++er him lilies# and it is BOURSE!3 you +reeI ha*e great need +or lilies# +or the Son o+ "od has not +orgi*en me- And can I o++er 1IM +orgi*eness# ,hen he o++ers thorns to meE 3or he ,ho o++ers thorns to anyone is against me still# and ,ho is ,hole 4IT1OUT himE Be you his 3riend +or me# that I may 'e +orgi*en# and you may loo: upon the Son o+ "od as ,hole- But loo: you +irst upon the altar in your chosen home# and see ,hat you ha*e laid upon it# to o++er me- I+ it 'e thorns# ,hose points gleam sharply in a 'lood>red light# the 'ody is your chosen home# and it is separation that you o++er meAnd yet the thorns are gone- !oo: you still closer at them no,# and you ,ill see your altar is no longer ,hat it ,as- Bou loo: still ,ith the 'ody=s eyes- And they CA2 see 'ut thorns- But you ha*e as:ed +or A2( RECEIHE( another sight- Those ,ho accept the 1oly Spirit=s purpose as their o,n# share also 1is *ision- And ,hat ena'les 1im to SEE 1is purpose shine +orth +rom e*ery altar# no, is yours as ,ell as 1is- 1e sees 2O strangers only dearly lo*ed and lo*ing 3riends- 1e sees no thorns# 'ut only lilies# gleaming in the gentle glo, o+ peace that shines on e*erything 1e loo:s upon and lo*esThis Easter# loo: ,ith (I33ERE2T eyes upon each other- Bou 1AHE +orgi*en meAnd yet# I cannot USE your gi+t o+ lilies# ,hile you see them not- 2or can BOU use ,hat I ha*e gi*en# unless you S1ARE it- The 1oly Spirit=s *ision is no idle gi+t# no plaything to 'e tossed a'out a ,hile and laid aside- !isten and hear this care+ully# nor thin: it 'ut a dreamP N a careless thought to play ,ith# or a toy you ,ould pic: up +rom time to time and then put 'y- 3or i+ you do# so ,ill it 'e to you- Bou ha*e the *ision to loo: past A!! illusions- It has 'een gi*en you to see no thorns# no strangers# and 2O o'stacles to

489

peace> 85J >

The +ear o+ "od is 2OT1I2" to you no,- 4ho is a+raid to loo: upon illusions# L2O4I2" his Sa*iour stands 'eside himE 4IT1 him# your *ision has 'ecome the greatest po,er +or the U2(OI2" o+ illusion that "od 1imsel+ could gi*e- 3or ,hat "od ga*e the 1oly Spirit# BOU ha*e recei*ed- The Son o+ "od loo:s unto BOU +or his release- 3or you ha*e as:ed +or A2( BEE2 "IHE2 the strength to loo: upon this +inal o'stacle# and see no thorns nor nails to cruci+y the Son o+ "od# and cro,n him :ing o+ death- Bour chosen home is on the other side# BEBO2( the *eil- It has 'een care+ully prepared +or you# and it is ready to recei*e you no,Bou ,ill not see it ,ith the 'ody=s eyes- But all you need# you ha*e-Bour home has called to you since time 'egan# nor ha*e you e*er +ailed entirely to hear- Bou heard# 'ut :ne, not 1O4 to loo:# nor 41ERE- And no, you L2O4- In you the :no,ledge lies# ready to 'e un*eiled and +reed +rom all the terror that :ept it hidden- There IS no +ear in lo*e- The song o+ Easter is the glad re+rain the Son o+ "od ,as 2EHER cruci+ied- !et us li+t up our eyes together# not in +ear# 'ut 3AIT1- And there 4I!! 'e no +ear in us# +or in our *ision ,ill 'e 2O illusions- Only a path,ay to the open door o+ 1ea*en# the home ,e share in ?uietness# and ,here ,e li*e in gentleness and peace# as One together4ould you not ha*e your holy 'rother lead you thereE 1is innocence ,ill light your ,ay# o++ering you its guiding light and sure protection# and shining +rom the holy altar ,ithin him# ,here you laid the lilies o+ +orgi*eness- !et him 'e to you the Sa*iour +rom illusions# and loo: on him ,ith the ne, *ision that loo:s upon the lilies# and 'rings BOU @oy- 4e go 'eyond the *eil o+ +ear# lighting each other=s ,ay- The holiness that leads us is 4IT1I2 us# as is our home- So ,ill ,e +ind ,hat ,e ,ere MEA2T to +ind# 'y 1im 4ho leads usThis is the ,ay to 1ea*en and to the peace o+ Easter# in ,hich ,e @oin in glad a,areness that the Son o+ "od is risen +rom the past# and has a,a:ened to the present2o, is he +ree# unlimited in his communion ,ith all that is ,ithin him- 2o, are the lilies o+ his innocence untouched 'y guilt# and per+ectly protected +rom the cold chill o+ +ear and ,ithering 'light o+ sin ali:e- Bour gi+t has sa*ed him +rom the thorns and nails# and his strong arm is +ree to guide you sa+ely through them# and BEBO2(- 4al: ,ith him

490

no, re@oicing# +or the Sa*iour +rom illusions has come to greet you# and lead you home ,ith 1IM1ere is your Sa*iour and your 3riend# RE!EASE( +rom cruci+i<ion through BOUR *ision# and +ree to lead you no, ,here 1E ,ould 'e- 1e ,ill not lea*e you# nor +orsa:e the Sa*iour +rom 1IS pain- And gladly ,ill you ,al: the ,ay o+ innocence together# singing as you 'ehold the open door o+ 1ea*en# and RECO"2IUE the home that called to you- "i*e @oyously to one another the +reedom and the strength to lead you thereAnd come 'e+ore each other=s holy altar# ,here the strength and +reedom ,ait# to o++er and recei*e the 'right a,areness that leads you home- The lamp is lit in 'oth o+ you# +or one another- And 'y the hands that "AHE it to each other# shall 'oth o+ you 'e led past +ear to !o*e> 857 >

March 8%# &5J7 The 'elie+ in sin is an A(JUSTME2T- And an ad@ustment is a C1A2"E# a shi+t in perception# or a 'elie+ that ,hat ,as so 'e+ore has 'een made (I33ERE2T- E*ery ad@ustment is there+ore a (ISTORTIO2# and calls upon de+enses to uphold it A"AI2ST reality- Lno,ledge re?uires 2O ad@ustment# and# in +act# is lost i+ any shi+t or change is underta:en- 3or this reduces it at once to mere perceptionP a ,ay o+ !OOLI2" in ,hich CERTAI2TB is lost# and (OUBT has entered- To this IM AIRE( condition are ad@ustments necessary- BECAUSE T1EB ARE 2OT TRUE- 4ho need ad@ust to truth# ,hich calls upon only ,hat he IS# to understandE Ad@ustments o+ A2B :ind are o+ the ego- 3or it is the ego=s +i<ed 'elie+ that all relationships (E E2( upon ad@ustments# to ma:e o+ them ,hat it ,ould ha*e them 'e(IRECT relationships# in ,hich there are 2O inter+erences# are A!4ABS seen as dangerousThe ego is the sel+>appointed mediator o+ A!! relationships# ma:ing ,hate*er ad@ustments it deems necessary# and I2TER OSI2" them BET4EE2 those ,ho ,ould meet# to :eep them separate and REHE2T their union- It is this studied inter+erence ,hich ma:es it di++icult to recogni9e your holy relationship +or ,hat it isThe holy do not inter+ere ,ith truth- They are 2OT a+raid o+ it# +or it is 4IT1I2 it that they RECO"2IUE( their holiness# and re@oiced at ,hat they sa,- They loo:ed on it

491

directly# 4IT1OUT attempting to A(JUST themsel*es to it# or it to them- And so they sa, that it ,as I2 them# 2OT deciding +irst ,here they ,ould ha*e it 'e- Their loo:ing merely as:ed a ?uestion# and it ,as 41AT T1EB SA4 that ans,ered - BOU ma:e the ,orld and T1E2 ad@ust to it- A2( IT TO BOU- 2or is there any di++erence 'et,een yoursel+ and it in your perception# 41IC1 MA(E T1EM BOT1A simple ?uestion yet remains# and 2EE(S an ans,er- (o you !ILE ,hat you ha*e madeE A ,orld o+ murder and attac:# through ,hich you thread your timid ,ay through constant dangers# alone and +rightened# hoping at most that death ,ill ,ait a little longer'e+ore it o*erta:es you# and you disappear- BOU MA(E T1IS U - It is a picture o+ ,hat you thin: BOU areP o+ ho, you SEE yoursel+- A murderer IS +rightened# and those ,ho :ill 3EAR death- All these are 'ut the +ear+ul thoughts o+ those ,ho ,ould ad@ust themsel*es to a ,orld MA(E +ear+ul 'y their ad@ustments- And they loo: out in sorro, +rom ,hat is sad 4IT1I2# and see the sadness T1ERE1a*e you ,ondered ,hat the ,orld is REA!!B li:eE 1o, it ,ould loo: through 1A B eyesE The ,orld you see is 'ut a @udgment on BOURSE!3- It is not there at allBut @udgment lays a sentence on it# JUSTI3IES it# and MALES IT REA!- Such is the ,orld you seeP a @udgment on yoursel+# and made 'y BOU- This sic:ly picture o+ yoursel+ is care+ully preser*ed 'y the ego# ,hose image it IS and ,hich it lo*es# and placed OUTSI(E you# in the ,orld- And TO this ,orld must BOU ad@ust# as long as you 'elie*e this picture IS outside# and has you at its mercy> 85K >

This ,orld IS merciless# and# ,ere it outside you# you S1OU!( indeed 'e +ear+ulBut it is BOU ,ho made it merciless- And no,# i+ mercilessness SEEMS to loo: 'ac: at you# IT CA2 BE CORRECTE(4ho# in a holy relationship# can long remain unholyE The ,orld the holy see is one ,ith them# @ust as the ,orld the ego loo:s upon is li:e itsel+- The ,orld the holy see is 'eauti+ul 'ecause they see their innocence in it- They did not TE!! it ,hat it ,asThey did not ma:e ad@ustments to +it their orders- They gently ?uestioned it and ,hispered# ),hat are youE. And 1e 4ho ,atches o*er all perception ans,eredTa:e not the @udgment o+ the ,orld as ans,er to the ?uestion# ),hat am IE. The ,orld BE!IEHES in sin# 'ut the 'elie+ that made it as you see it# is 2OT outside youSee: not to ma:e the Son o+ "od A(JUST to his insanity- There IS a stranger in him# ,ho ,andered carelessly into the home o+ Truth# and ,ho ,ill ,ander o++- 1e came 4IT1OUT

492

a purpose- But he ,ill not remain 'e+ore the shining light the 1oly Spirit o++ered# and you accepted- 3or there the STRA2"ER is made homeless# and BOU are ,elcomeAs: not this transient stranger# ),ho am IE. 1e is the only thing in all the uni*erse that does not :no,Bet it is he you as:ed# and it is to 1IS ans,er you ,ould ad@ust- This one ,ild thought# +ierce in its arrogance and yet so tiny and so meaningless it slips unnoticed through the uni*erse o+ truth# 'ecomes your guide- To it you turn# to as: the MEA2I2" o+ the uni*erse- And o+ the one 'lind thing in all the seeing uni*erse o+ truth you as:# )ho, shall I loo: upon the Son o+ "odE. (oes one as: @udgment o+ ,hat is totally BERE3T o+ @udgmentE And i+ you 1AHE# ,ould you BE!IEHE the ans,erE And A(JUST to it as i+ it ,ere the truthE The ,orld you loo: on IS the ans,er that it ga*e you- And BOU ha*e gi*en it po,er to A(JUST the ,orld to MALE its ans,er trueBou as:ed this pu++ o+ madness +or the meaning o+ your unholy relationship# and ad@usted it according to its insane ans,er- 1o, happy did it ma:e youE (id you meet ,ith @oy# to 'less the Son o+ "od# and gi*e him than:s +or all the happiness he held out to youE (id you RECO"2IUE each other as the eternal gi+t o+ "od to youE (id you see the holiness that shone in 'oth o+ you# to 'less the otherE That is the purpose o+ your 1O!B relationship- As: not the means o+ its attainment o+ the one thing that still ,ould ha*e it 'e unholy- "i*e it 2O po,er to A(JUST the means and endrisoners 'ound ,ith hea*y chains +or years# star*ed and emaciated# ,ea: and e<hausted# and ,ith eyes so long cast do,n in dar:ness they remem'er not the light# do not leap up in @oy the instant they are made +ree- It ta:es a ,hile +or them to understand ,hat +reedom IS- Bou groped 'ut +ee'ly in the dust and +ound each other=s hand# uncertain ,hether to let it go# or to ta:e hold on li+e so long +orgotten- Strengthen your hold# and raise your eyes unto your strong companion# in ,hom the meaning o+ your +reedom lies1e seemed to 'e cruci+ied 'eside you- And yet his holiness remained untouched and per+ect# and ,ith him 'eside you shall you this day enter ,ith him to aradise# and :no, the peace o+ "od> 855 >

Such is my ,ill +or BOT1 o+ you# and +or each o+ you +or one another# and +or 1IMSE!3- 1ere there is only holiness# and @oining ,ithout limit- 3or ,hat is 1ea*en 'ut union# direct and per+ect# and 4IT1OUT the *eil o+ +ear upon itE 1ere are ,e one#

493

loo:ing ,ith per+ect gentleness upon each other# and on oursel*es- 1ere# all thoughts o+ A2B separation 'et,een us 'ecomes impossi'le- Bou ,ho ,ere prisoners in separation are no, made +ree in aradise- And here ,ould I unite ,ith you# my +riends# my 'rothers# and my Sel+- Bour gi+t unto each other has gi*en me the certainty our union ,ill 'e soonShare then this +aith ,ith me# ,ho L2O4 that it is @usti+iedThere is no +ear in per+ect lo*e# BECAUSE it :no,s no sin- And it MUST loo: on others as on itsel+- !oo:ing ,ith charity ,ithin# ,hat can it +ear 4IT1OUTE The innocent see sa+ety# and the pure see "od ,ithin 1is Son# and loo: unto the Son to lead them to the 3ather- And ,here else ,ould they go# 'ut ,here they ,ill to 'eE Each o+ you no, ,ill lead the other to the 3ather# as surely as "od created 1is Son holy# and :ept him soIn your 'rother is the light o+ "od=s eternal promise o+ BOUR immortality- See 1IM as sinless# and there can BE no +ear in youApril 6# &5J7 2othing can hurt you# unless you gi*e it the po,er to do so- 3or BOU gi*e po,er as the la,s o+ this ,orld I2TER RET gi*ingP as you gi*e# you !OSE- It is not up to you to gi*e po,er at all- o,er is o+ "od# gi*en 'y 1im# and RE>A4ALE2E( 'y the 1oly Spirit# 4ho :no,s that# as you gi*e you "AI2- 1e gi*es 2O po,er to sin# and there+ore it 1AS none- 2or to its results# as this ,orld sees themP sic:ness and death and misery and painThese things ha*e not occurred# 'ecause the 1oly Spirit sees them not# and gi*es no po,er to their seeming source- Thus ,ould 1e :eep you +ree o+ themBeing ,ithout illusion o+ ,hat you are# the 1oly Spirit merely gi*es e*erything to "od# 4ho has already gi*en A2( RECEIHE( all that is true- The U2true 1e has neither recei*ed 2OR gi*enSin has no place in 1ea*en# ,here its results are alien# and can no more enter than can their source- And therein lies your need to see your 'rother sinless- In him is 1ea*enSee sin in him I2STEA(# and 1ea*en is lost to BOU- But see him as he IS# and ,hat is yours shines +rom him to youBour Sa*iour gi*es you O2!B lo*e- But ,hat you ,ould RECEIHE o+ him# is up to you- It lies in him to o*erloo: A!! your mista:es# and therein lies his O42 sal*ationAnd so it is ,ith BOURS- Sal*ation is a lesson in gi*ing# as the 1oly Spirit interprets it- It

494

is the re>a,a:ening o+ the la,s o+ "od in minds that ha*e esta'lished OT1ER la,s# and gi*en them po,er to en+orce ,hat "od created not- Bour insane la,s ,ere made to "UARA2TEE that you ,ould ma:e mista:es# and gi*e them po,er o*er you 'y ACCE TI2" their results as your @ust due4hat COU!( this 'e 'ut madnessE And is it T1IS that you ,ould see ,ithin your Sa*iour 3ROM insanityE 1e is as +ree +rom this as you are# and in the +reedom that you see
> G%% >

in 1IM# you see your o,n- 3or this you S1ARE- 4hat "od has gi*en +ollo,s 1IS la,s# and 1is alone- 2or is it possi'le +or those ,ho +ollo, them to su++er the results o+ any other source- Those ,ho choose +reedom ,ill e<perience only ITS results- Their po,er is o+ "od- And they ,ill gi*e it only to ,hat "O( has gi*en# to S1ARE ,ith them2othing 'ut this can touch them# +or they see O2!B this# sharing their po,er according to the 4ill o+ "od- And thus their +reedom is esta'lished A2( MAI2TAI2E(- It is upheld through A!! temptations to imprison and to BE imprisoned- It is T1EM# ,ho learned o+ +reedom# that you should as: ,hat +reedom IS- As: not the sparro, ho, the eagle soars# +or those ,ith little ,ings ha*e not accepted +or T1EMSE!HES the po,er to share ,ith you- The sinless gi*e as they recei*ed- See# then# the po,er o+ sinlessness ,ithin your 'rother# and share ,ith him the po,er o+ the RE!EASE +rom sin you o++ered 1IMTo each ,ho ,al:s this earth in seeming solitude is a Sa*iour gi*en# ,hose special +unction here is to release him# and so to +ree himsel+- In the ,orld o+ separation# each is appointed separately# though they are all the same- But those ,ho L2O4 that they are all the same# need not sal*ation- And each one 3I2(S his Sa*iour# ,hen he is ready to loo: upon the +ace o+ Christ# and see 1im sinless- The plan is not o+ you# nor need you 'e concerned ,ith anything e<cept the part that has 'een gi*en BOU to learn- 3or 1e 4ho :no,s the rest ,ill see to it 4IT1OUT your help- But thin: not that 1e does not need your part# to help 1im ,ith the rest- 3or in your part lies A!! o+ it# ,ithout ,hich is no part complete# nor is the ,hole completed 4IT1OUT your part- The ar: o+ peace is entered t,o 'y t,o# yet the 'eginning o+ another ,orld goes ,ith them- Each holy relationship must enter here# to learn its special +unction in the 1oly Spirit=s plan# no, that it S1ARES 1is purpose- And as this purpose is +ul+illed# a ne, ,orld rises# in ,hich

495

sin can enter not# and ,here the Son o+ "od can enter 4IT1OUT +ear- And ,here he rests a ,hile# to +orget imprisonment# and to remem'er +reedom1o, can he enter# to rest and to remem'er# ,ithout BOUE E<cept you 'e there# he is 2OT complete# and it is his COM !ETIO2 that he remem'ers there- This is the purpose "IHE2 you- Thin: not that your +orgi*eness o+ each other ser*es 'ut you t,o alone3or the ,hole ne, ,orld rests in the hands o+ e*ery t,o ,ho enter here# to rest- And as they rest# the +ace o+ Christ shines on them# and they remem'er the la,s o+ "od# +orgetting all the rest# and yearning only to ha*e 1is la,s per+ectly +ul+illed in them and all their 'rothersThin: you# ,hen this has 'een achie*ed# that you ,ill rest 4IT1OUT themE Bou could no more lea*e one o+ them outside than I could lea*e you and +orget part o+ mysel+- Bou may ,onder ho, you can BE at peace ,hen# ,hile you are in time# there is so much that must 'e done BE3ORE the ,ay to peace is open- erhaps this seems impossi'le to BOU- But as: yoursel+ i+ it is possi'le that "O( ,ould ha*e a plan +or your sal*ation that does 2OT ,or:- Once you accept 1IS plan as the O2E +unction that you ,ould +ul+ill# there 4I!! 'e nothing else the 1oly Spirit ,ill not ARRA2"E +or you# 4IT1OUT your e++ort> G%& >

1e ,ill go 'e+ore you# ma:ing straight your path# and lea*ing in your ,ay no stones to trip on# and no o'stacles to 'ar your ,ay- 2OT1I2" you need ,ill 'e denied you2ot one seeming di++iculty 'ut ,ill melt a,ay BE3ORE you reach it- Bou need ta:e thought +or nothing# careless o+ e*erything e<cept the only purpose that you ,ould +ul+ill- As T1AT ,as gi*en you# so ,ill its +ul+illment 'e- "od=s guarantee ,ill hold against A!! o'stacles# +or it rests on certainty and 2OT contingency- IT RESTS O2 BOUAnd ,hat can 'e more certain than the Son o+ "odE In this ,orld# "od=s Son comes closest to himsel+ in a holy relationship- There he 'egins to +ind the certainty his 3ather has in him- And there he +inds his +unction o+ restoring his 3ather=s la,s to ,hat ,as held OUTSI(E them# and +inding ,hat ,as lostOnly in time can anything BE lost# 'ut ne*er lost +ore*er- So do the parts o+ "od=s Son gradually @oin in time# and ,ith each @oining is the end o+ time 'rought nearer- Each miracle o+ @oining is a mighty herald o+ eternity- 2o>one ,ho has a single purpose# uni+ied and sure# can BE a+raid- 2o>one ,ho S1ARES his purpose ,ith him can 2OT 'e one ,ith himEach herald o+ eternity sings o+ the end o+ sin and +ear- Each spea:s in time o+ ,hat

496

is +ar BEBO2( it- T,o *oices# raised together# call to the hearts o+ e*eryone# and let them 'eat as one- And in that single heart 'eat is the unity o+ lo*e proclaimed and gi*en ,elcome- eace to your holy relationship# ,hich has the po,er to hold the unity o+ the Son o+ "od together- Bou gi*e to one another +or EHERBO2E- And in your gi+t is e*eryone made glad- 3orget not 4ho has gi*en BOU the gi+ts you gi*e- And through your 2OT +orgetting this# ,ill you remem'er 4ho ga*e the gi+ts to 1im to gi*e to youIt is impossi'le to o*er>estimate your 'rother=s *alue- Only the ego does this# 'ut all it means is that it 4A2TS the other +or ITSE!3# and there+ore *alues him too little4hat is inestima'le clearly cannot BE e*aluated- (o you recogni9e the +ear that rises +rom the meaningless attempt to @udge ,hat lies so +ar BEBO2( your @udgment you cannot e*en SEE itE Judge not ,hat is in*isi'le to you# or you ,ill 2EHER see it- But ,ait in patience +or its comingApril J# &5J7 It ,ill 'e "IHE2 you to see your 'rother=s ,orth# ,hen all you 4A2T +or him is peace- And ,hat you ,ant +or 1IM# you ,ill recei*e1o, can you estimate the ,orth o+ him ,ho o++ers peace to youE 4hat ,ould you ,ant EXCE T his o++eringE 1is ,orth has 'een esta'lished 'y his 3ather# and you ,ill RECO"2IUE it as you recei*e his 3ather=s gi+t through him- 4hat is in him ,ill shine so 'rightly in your grate+ul *ision# that you ,ill merely lo*e him# and 'e glad- Bou ,ill not thin: to @udge him- 4ho ,ould SEE the +ace o+ Christ# and yet insist that @udgment still has meaningE 3or this insistence is o+ those ,ho do 2OT see- Hision OR @udgment is your choice# 'ut ne*er BOT1 o+ these> G%$ >

Bour 'rother=s 'ody is as little use to you as it is to him- 4hen it is used O2!B as the 1oly Spirit teaches# it has no +unction- 3or minds 2EE( not the 'ody to communicateThe sight that SEES the 'ody# has no use ,hich ser*es the purpose o+ a holy relationshipAnd ,hile you loo: upon each other thus# the means and end ha*e 2OT 'een 'rought in line- 4hy should it ta:e so many holy instants to let this 'e accomplished# ,hen one ,ould doE There IS 'ut one- The little 'reath o+ eternity that runs through time li:e golden light is all the same- 2othing 'e+ore itP nothing a+ter,ardsBou loo: upon each holy instant as a (I33ERE2T point in time- IT 2EHER C1A2"ESAll that it e*er held or ,ill e*er hold is here right no,- The past ta:es nothing 3ROM it#

497

and the +uture ,ill A(( no more- 1ere# then# is EHERBT1I2"- 1ere is the lo*eliness o+ your relationship# ,ith means and ends in per+ect harmony A!REA(B- 1ere is the per+ect +aith that you ,ill one day o++er to each other# A!REA(B o++ered you- And here the limitless +orgi*eness you ,ill gi*e each other is A!REA(B gi*enP the +ace o+ Christ you yet ,ill loo: upon A!REA(B seenCan you EHA!UATE the gi*er o+ a gi+t li:e thisE 4ould you EXC1A2"E this gi+t +or A2B otherE This gi+t returns the la,s o+ "od to your remem'rance- And merely BB remem'ering them# the la,s that held you prisoner to pain and death MUST 'e +orgottenThis is no gi+t your 'rother=s BO(B o++ers you- The *eil that hides the gi+t hides him as ,ell- 1e IS the gi+t# and yet he :no,s it not- 2o more do you- And yet ha*e +aith that 1e 4ho sees the gi+t in BOT1 o+ you# ,ill o++er and recei*e it +or you BOT1- And through 1is *ision ,ill BOU see it# and through 1is understanding RECO"2IUE it# and lo*e it as your o,nBe com+orted# and +eel the 1oly Spirit ,atching o*er you# in lo*e and per+ect con+idence in ,hat 1e sees- 1e :no,s the Son o+ "od- And shares his 3ather=s certainty the uni*erse rests in his gentle hands in sa+ety and in peace- !et us consider no, ,hat he must learn# to S1ARE his 3ather=s con+idence in him- 4hat IS he# that the Creator o+ the uni*erse should o++er it to him# and L2O4 it rests in sa+etyE 1e loo:s upon himsel+ not as his 3ather :no,s him- And yet it is impossi'le the con+idence o+ "od should 'e misplacedThe meaning o+ the Son o+ "od lies solely in his relationship ,ith his Creator- I+ it ,ere else,here# it 4OU!( rest upon contingency# 'ut there IS nothing else- And this is ,holly lo*ing and +ore*er- Bet has the Son o+ "od in*ented an unholy relationship 'et,een him and his 3ather- 1is REA! relationship is one o+ per+ect union# and un'ro:en continuity- The one he made is partial# sel+>centered# 'ro:en into +ragments and +ull o+ +ear- The one created 'y his 3ather is ,holly sel+>encompassing and sel+> EXTE2(I2"The one he made is ,holly sel+>(ESTRUCTIHE and sel+>limitingApril 7# &5J7 2othing can sho, the contrast 'etter than the e<perience o+ 'oth a holy and an unholy relationship- The +irst is 'ased on lo*e# and rests on it serene and undistur'ed> G%8 >

498

T1E BO(B (OES 2OT I2TRU(E U O2 IT- Any relationship in ,hich the 'ody enters is 'ased# 2OT on lo*e# 'ut on idolatry- !o*e ,ishes to 'e :no,n# COM !ETE!B understood# and shared- IT 1AS 2O SECRETSP nothing that it ,ould :eep apart and hide- It ,al:s in sunlight# open>eyed and calm# in smiling ,elcome#and in sincerity so simple and so o'*ious it cannot BE misunderstoodBut idols do not share- Idols ACCE T# 'ut ne*er ma:e return- They can BE lo*ed# 'ut cannot lo*e- They do not understand ,hat they are o++ered# and any relationship in ,hich they enter# has !OST its meaning- The lo*e o+ T1EM has MA(E lo*e meaninglessThey li*e in secrecy# hating the sunlight# and happy in the 'ody=s dar:ness# ,here they can hide# and :eep their secrets hidden# along ,ith them- And they ha*e 2O relationships# +or no>one else is ,elcome there- They smile on no>one# and those ,ho smile on them they do not see!o*e has no dar:ened temples# ,here mysteries are :ept o'scure and hidden +rom the sun- IT (OES 2OT SEEL 3OR O4ER# 'ut +or RE!ATIO2S1I S- The 'ody is the ego=s chosen ,eapon +or see:ing po,er T1ROU"1 relationships- And its relationships MUST 'e unholy# +or ,hat they ARE# it does not e*en SEE- It ,ants them solely +or the o++erings on ,hich its idols thri*e- The rest it merely thro,s a,ay# +or all that IT could o++er# is seen as *alueless- 1omeless# the ego see:s as many 'odies as it can collect# to place its idols in# and so esta'lish them as temples to itsel+The 1oly Spirit=s temple is 2OT a 'ody# 'ut a RE!ATIO2S1I - The 'ody is an isolated spec: o+ dar:nessP a hidden secret room# a tiny spot o+ senseless mystery# a meaningless enclosure care+ully protected# yet hiding nothing- 1ere# the unholy relationship escapes reality# and see:s +or crum's to :eep itsel+ ali*e- 1ere it ,ould drag its 'rothers# holding them here in its idolatry- 1ere it is )sa+e#. +or here lo*e CA22OT enter- The 1oly Spirit does not 'uild 1is temples ,here lo*e can ne*er 'e- 4ould 1e 4ho SEES the +ace o+ Christ choose as 1is home the only place in all the uni*erse ,here it can 2OT 'e seenE Bou CA22OT ma:e the 'ody the 1oly Spirit=s temple# and it ,ill 2EHER 'e the seat o+ lo*e- It is the home o+ the idolator# and o+ lo*e=s CO2(EM2ATIO2- 3or here is lo*e made +ear+ul# and hope a'andoned- E*en the idols that are ,orshipped here are shrouded deep in mystery# and :ept A ART +rom those ,ho ,orship them- This is the temple

499

dedicated to no relationships# and no return- 1ere is the )mystery. o+ separation percei*ed in a,e and held in re*erence- 4hat "od ,ould ha*e 2OT 'e# is here :ept )sa+e. +rom 1im- But ,hat you do 2OT reali9e is ,hat you +ear ,ithin your 'rother# and ,ould not SEE in 1IM# is ,hat ma:es "od seem +ear+ul and :ept un:no,nIdolators ,ill A!4ABS 'e a+raid o+ lo*e- 3or nothing so se*erely threatens them as lo*e=s approach- !et lo*e dra, near them and OHER!OOL the 'ody# as it ,ill surely do# and they retreat in +ear# +eeling the seeming +irm +oundation o+ their temple 'egin to sha:e and loosen- Brothers# you trem'le ,ith them- But ,hat you +ear is 'ut the herald o+ escape- This place o+ dar:ness is 2OT your home- Bour temple is 2OT threatenedBou are idolators no longer- The 1oly Spirit=s purpose lies sa+e in your RE!ATIO2S1I #
> G%G >

and 2OT your 'odies- Bou ha*e ESCA E( the 'ody- 4here you are no,# the BO(B cannot enter# +or the 1oly Spirit has set 1IS temple thereThere is no order in relationships- They either ARE# or not- An unholy relationship is 2O relationship- It is a state o+ isolation# ,hich SEEMS to 'e ,hat it is 2OT- 2o more than that- The instant that the mad idea o+ ma:ing your relationship ,ith "od unholy seemed to 'e possi'le# A!! relationships ,ere made meaningless- In that unholy instant time ,as 'orn# and 'odies made to house the mad idea# and gi*e it the I!!USIO2 o+ reality- And so it SEEME( to ha*e a home# that held together +or a little ,hile in time# and *anished- 3or ,hat could house this mad idea A"AI2ST reality# 'ut +or an instantE Idols MUST disappear# and lea*e no trace 'ehind their going- The unholy instant o+ their seeming po,er is +rail as is a sno,+la:e# 'ut ,ithout its lo*eliness- Is this the su'stitute you 4A2T# +or the eternal 'lessing o+ the holy instant# and its unlimited 'ene+icenceE Is the male*olence o+ the unholy relationship# so seeming po,er+ul and so 'itterly misunderstood# and so in*ested in 3A!SE attraction# your pre+erence to the holy instant# ,hich o++ers peace and understandingE Then lay aside the 'ody and ?uietly TRA2SCE2( it# rising to ,elcome ,hat you REA!!B ,ant- And +rom 1is holy temple loo: you not 'ac: on ,hat you ha*e a,a:ened 3ROM- 3or no illusions CA2 attract the minds that ha*e TRA2SCE2(E( them# and le+t them +ar 'ehindThe holy relationship re+lects the TRUE relationship the Son o+ "od has ,ith his 3ather in reality- The 1oly Spirit rests ,ithin it# in the certainty it ,ill endure +ore*erIts +irm +oundation is eternally upheld 'y truth# and lo*e shines on it ,ith the gentle smile

500

and tender 'lessing it o++ers to its o,n- 1ere the unholy instant is e<changed in gladness +or the holy one o+ sa+e return- 1ere is the ,ay to true relationships held gently open# through ,hich you ,al: together# lea*ing the 'ody than:+ully 'ehind# and resting in the E*erlasting Arms- !o*e=s arms are open to recei*e you# and gi*e you peace +ore*erThe 'ody is the ego=s idolP the 'elie+ in sin made +lesh# and then pro@ected out,ardThis produces ,hat SEEMS to 'e a ,all o+ +lesh AROU2( the mind# :eeping it prisoner in a tiny spot o+ space and time# 'eholden unto death# and gi*en 'ut an instant in ,hich to sigh and grie*e and die in honor o+ its master- And this unholy instant SEEMS to 'e li+eAn instant o+ despair# a tiny island o+ dry sand# 'ere+t o+ ,ater# and set uncertainly upon o'li*ion- 1ere does the Son o+ "od stop 'rie+ly 'y# to o++er his de*otion to death=s idols# and then pass onAnd here he is more dead than li*ing- But it is also here he ma:es his choice again# 'et,een idolatry and lo*e- 1ere it is gi*en him to choose to spend this instant paying tri'ute to the 'ody# or !ET himsel+ 'e gi*en +reedom +rom it- 1ere he can ACCE T the holy instant# o++ered him to RE !ACE the unholy one he chose 'e+ore- And here can he learn relationships are his SA!HATIO2# 2OT his doom- Bou ,ho ARE learning this may still 'e +ear+ul# 'ut you are 2OT immo'ili9ed- The holy instant IS o+ greater *alue no, to you than its unholy seeming counterpart# and you 1AHE learned you REA!!B ,ant 'ut one> G%6 >

This is no time +or sadness- erhaps con+usion# 'ut hardly discouragement- BOU 1AHE A REA! RE!ATIO2S1I - And it 1AS meaning- It is as li:e your real relationship ,ith "od# as e?ual things are li:e themsel*es- Idolatry is past and meaninglesserhaps you +ear each other a little yetP perhaps a shado, o+ the +ear o+ "od remains ,ith youBut ,hat is that to those ,ho ha*e 'een gi*en one TRUE relationship# BEBO2( the 'odyE Can they 'e long held 'ac: +rom loo:ing on the +ace o+ ChristE And can they long ,ithhold the memory o+ their relationship ,ith their 3ather 3ROM themsel*es# and :eep remem'rance o+ 1is !o*e A ART +rom their a,arenessE April &%# &5J7 4e ha*e said much a'out discrepancies o+ means and end# and ho, these must 'e 'rought in line 'e+ore your holy relationship can 'ring you O2!B @oy- But ,e ha*e also

501

said the means to meet the 1oly Spirit=s goal ,ill come +rom the same Source as does 1is purpose- Being so simple and direct# this course has 2OT1I2" in it that is not consistentThe SEEMI2" inconsistencies# or parts you +ind more di++icult than others# are merely indications o+ areas ,here means and end are still discrepant- And this produces great discom+ort- This 2EE( not 'e- This course re?uires almost 2OT1I2" o+ you- It is impossi'le to imagine one that as:s so little# or could o++er moreThe period o+ discom+ort that +ollo,s the sudden change in a relationship +rom sin to holiness# should no, 'e almost o*er- To the e<tent you still e<perience it# you are RE3USI2" to lea*e the means to 1im 4ho changed the purpose- Bou recogni9e you 4A2T the goal- Are you not also ,illing to ACCE T the meansE I+ you are not# let us admit that BOU are inconsistent- A purpose is ATTAI2E( 'y means- And i+ you 4A2T a goal# you MUST 'e ,illing to ,ant the means as ,ell- 1o, can one 'e sincere and say# )I ,ant this a'o*e all else# and yet I do not ,ant to learn the means to get it. E To o'tain the "OA!# the 1oly Spirit indeed as:ed little- 1e as:s no more to gi*e the means as ,ell- The means are second to the goal- And# ,hen you hesitate# it is 'ecause the UR OSE +rightens you# and 2OT the means- Remem'er this# +or other,ise you ,ill ma:e the error o+ 'elie*ing the MEA2S are di++icult- Bet ho, CA2 they 'e di++icult i+ they are merely "IHE2 youE They "UARA2TEE the goal- And they are ER3ECT!B in line ,ith it- Be+ore ,e loo: at them a little closer# remem'er that i+ you thin: T1EB are impossi'le# your ,anting o+ the UR OSE has 'een sha:en- 3or i+ a "OA! is possi'le to reach# the means to do so MUST 'e possi'le as ,ellIt IS impossi'le to see your 'rother sinless# and yet to loo: upon him as a 'ody- Is this not per+ectly consistent ,ith the goal o+ holinessE 3or holiness is merely the result o+ letting the e++ects o+ sin 'e li+ted# so ,hat ,as A!4ABS true is RECO"2IUE(- To see a SI2!ESS 'ody is impossi'le- 3or holiness is OSITIHE# and the 'ody is merely neutral- It is 2OT sin+ul# 'ut neither is it sinless- As nothing# ,hich it IS# the 'ody cannot meaning+ully 'e in*ested ,ith attri'utes o+ Christ OR o+ the ego- EIT1ER must 'e an error# +or 'oth
> G%J >

,ould place the attri'utes ,here they cannot BE- And BOT1 must 'e undone# +or purposes o+ truthThe 'ody IS the means 'y ,hich the ego tries to ma:e the unholy relationship seem

502

real- The unholy instant IS the time o+ 'odies- But the UR OSE here is sin- It cannot BE attained 'ut in illusion- And so the illusion o+ a 'rother as a 'ody is ?uite in :eeping ,ith the purpose o+ unholiness- BECAUSE o+ this consistency# the means remain un?uestioned ,hile the end is cherished- Hision adapts to ,ish# +or sight is A!4ABS secondary to desire- And i+ you see the 'ody# you ha*e chosen @udgment# and 2OT *ision- 3or *ision# li:e relationships# 1AS no order- Bou either SEE# or not4ho sees a 'rother=s 'ody has laid a JU("ME2T on him# and sees him not- 1e does not REA!!B see him as sin+ulP he does not see him at all- In the dar:ness o+ sin# he is I2HISIB!E- 1e can 'ut 'e IMA"I2E( in the dar:ness# and it is here that the illusions you hold a'out him are 2OT held up to his reality- 1ere are illusions and reality :ept SE ARATE(- 1ere are illusions 2EHER 'rought to truth# and A!4ABS hidden +rom itAnd here# in dar:ness# is your 'rother=s reality IMA"I2E( as a 'ody# in unholy relationships ,ith other 'odies# ser*ing the cause o+ sin an instant# 'e+ore he diesThere is indeed a di++erence 'et,een this *ain imagining and *ision- The di++erence lies not in T1EM# 'ut in their purpose- Both are 'ut MEA2S# each one appropriate to the end +or ,hich it is employed- 2either can ser*e the purpose o+ the other# +or each one is a C1OICE o+ purpose# employed on its 'ehal+- Either is meaningless 4IT1OUT the end +or ,hich it ,as intended# nor is it *alued as a SE ARATE thing# A ART +rom the intentionThe means seem real 'ecause the "OA! is *alued- And @udgment 1AS no *alue unless the "OA! is sin- The 'ody can 2OT 'e loo:ed upon EXCE T through @udgment- To see the 'ody is the sign that you !ACL *ision# and ha*e (E2IE( the means the 1oly Spirit o++ers you# to ser*e 1IS purpose1o, can a holy relationship achie*e its purpose through the means o+ sinE Judgment you taught BOURSE!3P *ision is learned +rom 1im 4ho ,ould U2(O your teaching1IS *ision cannot see the 'ody# BECAUSE IT CA22OT !OOL O2 SI2- And thus it leads you to reality- Bour holy 'rother# sight o+ ,hom is BOUR release# is no illusionAttempt to see him not in dar:ness# +or your imaginings a'out him 4I!! seem real there- Bou C!OSE( your eyes to shut him out- Such ,as your UR OSE# and ,hile this purpose

503

seems to ha*e A2B meaning# the means +or its attainment ,ill 'e e*aluated as 4ORT1 the seeing# and so you ,ill 2OT seeBour ?uestion should not 'e# )1o, can I see my 'rother ,ithout the 'odyE. As: only# )(o I REA!!B ,ish to see him sinlessE. And# as you as:# +orget not that 1IS sinlessness is BOUR escape +rom +ear- Sal*ation is the 1oly Spirit=s goal- The means is *ision3or ,hat the seeing loo: upon IS sinless- 2o>one ,ho lo*es can @udge# and ,hat he sees is 3REE o+ condemnation- And ,hat he sees he did 2OT ma:e# +or it ,as "IHE2 him to see# as ,as the *ision ,hich made his seeing possi'le- Hision ,ill come to you at +irst in glimpses# 'ut they ,ill 'e enough to sho, you ,hat is gi*en BOU ,ho see your 'rother sinless> G%7 >

Truth is restored to you through your desire# as it ,as lost to you through your desire +or something E!SE- Open the holy place ,hich you closed o++ 'y HA!UI2" the something else# and ,hat ,as ne*er lost ,ill ?uietly return- It has 'een sa*ed +or youHision ,ould not 'e necessary# had @udgment not 'een made- (esire no, its ,hole undoing# and it is done 3OR you- (o you not 4A2T to :no, your o,n identityE 4ould you not happily e<change your dou'ts +or certaintyE 4ould you not ,illingly 'e 3REE o+ misery# and learn again o+ @oyE Bour holy relationship o++ers all this to you- As IT ,as gi*en you# so ,ill 'e its E33ECTSAnd as its holy purpose ,as not made 'y you# the means 'y ,hich its happy end is yours is also not o+ you- Re@oice in ,hat is yours 'ut +or the as:ing- And thin: not that you need ma:e either means OR end- All this is "IHE2 you# ,ho ,ould 'ut SEE your 'rother sinless- All this is "IHE2# ,aiting on your desire 'ut to RECEIHE it- Hision is +reely gi*en to those ,ho as: to see- Bour 'rother=s sinlessness is gi*en you in shining light# to loo: on ,ith the 1oly Spirit=s *ision# and to re@oice in#along ,ith 1im- 3or peace ,ill come to all ,ho as: +or it ,ith real desire and sincerity o+ purpose# S1ARE( ,ith the 1oly Spirit# and at one ,ith 1im on ,hat sal*ation ISBe ,illing# then# to see your 'rother sinless# that Christ may rise 'e+ore your *ision and gi*e you @oy- And place 2O *alue on your 'rother=s 'ody# ,hich holds him to illusions o+ ,hat he is- It is 1IS desire to see his sinlessness# as it is BOURS- And 'less the Son o+ "od in your relationship# nor see in him ,hat you ha*e MA(E o+ him- The 1oly

504

Spirit "UARA2TEES that ,hat "od ,illed and gi*en shall 'e yours- This is BOUR purpose no,# and the *ision that ma:es it yours is ready to 'e gi*en- Bou ha*e the *ision that ena'les you to see the 'ody notApril &&# &5J7 And as you loo: upon each other# you ,ill see an altar to your 3ather# holy as 1ea*en# glo,ing ,ith radiant purity# and spar:ling ,ith the shining lillies you laid upon it4hat can you *alue more than thisE 4hy do you thin: the 'ody is a 'etter home# a sa+er shelter +or "od=s SonE 4hy ,ould you rather loo: on IT than on the truthE 1o, can the engine o+ destruction 'e RE3ERRE(# and chosen to RE !ACE the holy home the 1oly Spirit o++ers# ,here 1e ,ill d,ell 4IT1 youE The 'ody is the sign o+ ,ea:ness# *ulnera'ility and !OSS o+ po,er- Can such a Sa*iour 1E! youE 4ould you turn# in your distress and need +or help# unto the helplessE Is the piti+ully !ITT!E the per+ect choice to call upon +or strengthE Judgment 4I!! seem to ma:e your Sa*iour ,ea:- But it is BOU ,ho need his strengthThere is no pro'lem# no e*ent or situation# no perple<ity# that *ision ,ill not sol*eAll is redeemed# ,hen loo:ed upon ,ith *ision- 3or this is not BOUR sight# and 'rings ,ith it the la,s 'elo*ed o+ 1im 4hose sight it IS- E*erything loo:ed upon ,ith *ision +alls gently into place# according to the la,s 'rought TO it 'y 1is calm and certain sight> G%K >

The end# +or e*erything 1E loo:s upon# is A!4ABS sure- 3or it ,ill meet 1is purpose# seen in U2A(JUSTE( +orm# and suited per+ectly to meet it- (estructi*eness 'ecomes 'enign# and sin is turned to 'lessing under 1is gentle ga9e4hat can the 'ody=s eyes percei*e# ,ith po,er to CORRECTE Its eyes A(JUST to sin# una'le to o*erloo: it in A2B +orm# and seeing it EHERB41ERE# in EHERBT1I2"!oo: through ITS eyes# and EHERBT1I2" ,ill stand condemned 'e+ore you- All that could SAHE you# you ,ill ne*er see- Bour holy relationship# the SOURCE o+ your sal*ation# ,ill 'e (E RIHE( o+ meaning# and its most holy purpose 'ere+t o+ means +or its accomplishment- Judgment is 'ut a toy# a ,him# the senseless means to play the idle game o+ death in your imagination- But *ision sets all things right# 'ringing them gently ,ithin the :indly s,ay o+ 1ea*en=s la,sApril &G# ; J7 4hat i+ you recogni9ed this ,orld is a hallucinationE 4hat i+ you REA!!B understood

505

you made it upE 4hat i+ you reali9ed that those ,ho SEEM to ,al: a'out in it# to sin and die# attac: and murder and destroy themsel*es# are 41O!!B unrealE Could you ha*e 3AIT1 in ,hat you see# i+ you ACCE TE( thisE A2( 4OU!( BOU SEE ITE 1allucinations disappear ,hen they are RECO"2IUE( +or ,hat they are- This IS the healing and the remedy- Belie*e them not# and they ARE gone- And all BOU need to do is recogni9e BOU (I( T1IS- Once you ACCE T this simple +act# and ta:e unto BOURSE!3 the po,er you ga*e them# BOU are released +rom themOne thing is sureP hallucinations ser*e a purpose# and ,hen that UR OSE is no longer held# T1EB disappear- There+ore# the ?uestion ne*er is ,hether you ,ant T1EM# 'ut A!4ABS do you ,ant the purpose that they ser*eE This ,orld SEEMS to hold out many purposes# each di++erent# and ,ith di++erent *alues- Bet they are all the sameAgain# there is no order# 'ut a SEEMI2" hierarchy o+ *alues- Only t,o purposes are possi'le- And one is sinP the other holiness- 2othing is in 'et,een# and ,hich you choose determines ,hat you see- 3or ,hat you see is merely 1O4 you elect to meet your goal1allucinations ser*e to meet the goal o+ madness- They are the means 'y ,hich the OUTSI(E ,orld# pro@ected +rom ,ithin# A(JUSTS to sin# and SEEMS to ,itness to its reality- It still is true that nothing IS ,ithout- Bet# upon nothing# are A!! pro@ections made- 3or it is the pro@ection ,hich gi*es the )nothing. A!! the meaning that it holds4hat has 2O meaning# cannot BE percei*ed- And meaning A!4ABS loo:s ,ithin# to +ind itsel+- And T1E2 loo:s out- A!! meaning that you gi*e the ,orld outside# must thus re+lect the sight you sa, 4IT1I2- Or 'etter# I3 you sa, at all# or merely @udged A"AI2STHision is the means 'y ,hich the 1oly Spirit translates your nightmares into happy dreamsP your ,ild hallucinations# that sho, you all +ear+ul outcomes o+ imagined sin# into the calm and reassuring sights ,ith ,hich 1e ,ould replace them- These gentle sights and sounds are loo:ed on happily# and heard ,ith @oy- They are 1IS su'stitutes +or all the terri+ying sights and screaming sounds the ego=s purpose 'rought to your horri+ied
> G%5 >

a,areness- They step A4AB +rom sin# reminding you that it is 2OT reality that +rightens you# and that the errors ,hich you made can 'e corrected4hen you ha*e loo:ed on ,hat seemed terri+ying# and SEE2 it change to sights o+ lo*eliness and peaceP ,hen you ha*e loo:ed on scenes o+ *iolence and death# and

506

4ATC1E( them change to ?uiet *ie,s o+ gardens under open s:ies# ,ith clear li+egi*ing ,ater running happily 'eside them in dancing 'roo:s that ne*er ,aste a,ayP ,ho need ERSUA(E you to accept the gi+t o+ *isionE And A3TER *ision# ,ho is there ,ho COU!( re+use ,hat MUST come a+terE Thin: 'ut an instant @ust on this- BOU can 'ehold the holiness "od ga*e 1is Son- And 2EHER need you thin: that there IS something else +or you to seeApril &J# &5J7 ro@ection ma:es perceptionP the ,orld you see is ,hat you "AHE it# nothing more than that- But# though it is no MORE than that# it is 2OT less- There+ore# to BOU# it IS important- It is the ,itness to your state o+ mind# the OUTSI(E picture o+ an I24AR( condition- As a man thin:eth# so does he percei*e- There+ore# see: not to change the 4OR!(# 'ut ,ill to change your mind ABOUT the ,orld- erception is a RESU!T# and 2OT a cause- And that is 41B order o+ miracles is meaningless- EHERBT1I2" loo:ed upon ,ith *ision is healed and holy- 2OT1I2" percei*ed ,ithout it means anythingAnd ,here there is no meaning# there is chaos(amnation is your @udgment on BOURSE!3- And this you 4I!! pro@ect upon the ,orld- See IT as damned# and all you see is ,hat BOU did to hurt the Son o+ "od- I+ you 'ehold disaster and catastrophe# you tried to cruci+y him- I+ you see holiness and hope# you @oined the 4ill o+ "od to set him +ree- There is no choice that lies 'et,een these t,o decisions- And you ,ill see the 4IT2ESS to the choice you made# and learn +rom this to RECO"2IUE the one you made- The ,orld you see 'ut sho,s you ho, much @oy BOU ha*e allo,ed yoursel+ to see in you# and to accept as BOURS- And# i+ this IS its meaning# then the po,er to "IHE it @oy MUST lie 4IT1I2 you2e*er +orget the ,orld the sightless )see. MUST 'e imagined- And ,hat it REA!!B loo:s li:e IS un:no,n to them- They must in+er ,hat COU!( 'e seen# +rom e*idence +ore*er indirect# and RECO2STRUCT their in+erences as they stum'le and +all 'ecause o+ ,hat they did 2OT recogni9e# or ,al: unharmed through open door,ays that they T1OU"1T ,ere closed- And so it is ,ith you- Bou do 2OT see- Bour cues +or in+erence are ,rong# and so you stum'le and +all do,n upon the stones you did not recogni9eBut

507

+ail to 'e a,are you CA2 go through the doors you T1OU"1T ,ere closed# 'ut ,hich stand open 'e+ore unseeing eyes# ,aiting to 4E!COME you1o, +oolish it is to attempt to @udge ,hat could 'e seen instead- It is not necessary to IMA"I2E ,hat the ,orld must loo: li:e- It must 'e SEE2# 'e+ore you recogni9e it +or ,hat it is- Bou can 'e S1O42 ,hich doors are open# and you can SEE ,here sa+ety liesAnd ,hich ,ay leads to dar:nessP ,hich to light- Judgment ,ill A!4ABS gi*e you +alse
> G&% >

directions But *ision S1O4S you ,here to go- 4hy should you guessE There is no 2EE( to learn through pain- And gentle lessons are ac?uired @oyously# and are remem'ered gladly- 4hat gi*es you happiness you 4A2T to learn and 2OT +orgetIt is not this you ,ould deny- BOUR ?uestion is ,hether the means 'y ,hich this course is learned 4I!! 'ring the @oy it promises- I+ you BE!IEHE( it ,ould# the !EAR2I2" o+ it ,ould 'e 2O pro'lem- Bou are not happy learners yet# 'ecause you still remain uncertain that *ision gi*es you MORE than @udgment does# and you 1AHE learned that 'oth you CA22OT ha*e- The 'lind 'ecome ACCUSTOME( to their ,orld 'y their ad@ustments to it- They thin: they :no, their ,ay a'out in it- They learned it not through @oyous lessons# 'ut through the stern necessity o+ limits they 'elie*ed they could not o*ercome- And# STI!! 'elie*ing this# they hold those lessons dear# and cling to them BECAUSE they cannot seeThey do not understand the lessons LEE them 'lind- This they do 2OT 'elie*eAnd so they :eep the ,orld they learned to )see. in their imagination# 'elie*ing that their choice is that# or nothing- They hate the ,orld they learned through pain- And e*erything they thin: is in it ser*es to remind them that T1EB are incomplete and 'itterly depri*edThus they (E3I2E their li+e and ,here they li*e it# A(JUSTI2" to it as they thin: they must# a+raid to lose the little that they ha*e- And so it is ,ith all ,ho see the 'ody as all they ha*e# and all their 'rothers ha*e- They try to reach each other# and they +ailAnd +ail again- And they A(JUST to loneliness# 'elie*ing that to LEE the 'ody is to SAHE the little that they ha*e!isten# and try to thin: i+ you remem'er ,hat ,e ,ill spea: o+ no,- !isten# N perhaps you catch a hint o+ an ancient state not ?uite +orgottenP dim# perhaps# and yet not altogether un+amiliar- !i:e a song ,hose name is long +orgotten# and the circumstances

508

in ,hich you heard completely unremem'ered- 2ot the ,hole song has stayed ,ith you# 'ut @ust a little ,hisp o+ melody# attached not to a person or a place# or anything particularBut you remem'er# +rom @ust this little part# ho, lo*ely ,as the song# ho, ,onder+ul the setting ,here you heard it# and ho, you lo*ed those ,ho ,ere there# and listened ,ith youThe notes are nothingP yet you ha*e :ept them ,ith you# not +or themsel*es# 'ut as a so+t reminder o+ ,hat ,ould ma:e you ,eep# i+ you remem'ered ho, dear it ,as to you- Bou COU!( remem'er# yet you are a+raid# 'elie*ing you ,ould lose the ,orld you learned since then- And yet you :no, that nothing in the ,orld you learned is hal+ so dear as this- !isten# and see i+ you remem'er an ancient song you :ne, so long ago# and held more dear than any melody you taught yoursel+ to cherish since- Beyond the 'ody# 'eyond the sun and stars# past EHERBT1I2" you see and yet someho, +amiliar# is an arc o+ golden light that stretches# as you loo:# into a great and shining circle- And all the circle +ills ,ith light 'e+ore your eyesThe edges o+ the circle disappear# and ,hat is in it no longer is contained at all- The light e<pands and co*ers e*erything# e<tending to in+inity# +ore*er shining# and ,ith no 'rea: or limit any,here- 4ithin it# EHERBT1I2" is @oined in per+ect continuity- 2or is it
> G&& >

possi'le to imagine that anything COU!( 'e outside- 3or there IS no,here that this light is not- This is the *ision o+ the Son o+ "od# ,hom you :no, ,ell- 1ere is the sight o+ him ,ho :no,s his 3ather- 1ere is the memory o+ ,hat you AREP a ART o+ this# ,ith A!! o+ it ,ithin you# and JOI2E( to all o+ it as surely as all is @oined to youACCE T the *ision that can sho, you this# and 2OT the 'ody- Bou L2O4 the ancient song# and :no, it ,ell- 2othing ,ill e*er 'e as dear to you as is this ancient hymn the Son o+ "od sings to his 3ather still- And no, the 'lind can see# +or that same song they sing in honor o+ their Creator# gi*es praise to them as ,ell- The 'lindness that they made ,ill not ,ithstand the memory o+ this song- And they ,ill loo: upon the *ision o+ the Son o+ "od# remem'ering ,ho he is they sing o+- 4hat is a miracle# 'ut this remem'eringE And ,ho is there in ,hom this memory lies notE The light in one# a,a:ens it in all- And# ,hen you see it in each other# you ARE remem'ering +or e*eryoneApril &K# &5J7

509

4e ha*e repeated ho, little is as:ed o+ you to learn this course- It is the same small ,illingness you need to ha*e your ,hole relationship trans+ormed to @oy- The !ITT!E gi+t you o++er to the 1oly Spirit +or ,hich 1e gi*es you EHERBT1I2"- The *ery little# on ,hich sal*ation rests- The tiny change o+ mind 'y ,hich the cruci+i<ion is changed to Resurrection- And# 'eing true# it is so simple that it cannot +ail to 'e COM !ETE!B understood- Re@ected yes# 'ut 2OT am'iguous- And i+ you choose A"AI2ST it no,# it ,ill 2OT 'e 'ecause it is o'scure# 'ut rather that this !ITT!E cost seemed# in BOUR @udgment# to 'e TOO MUC1 to pay +or peaceThis is the O2!B thing that you need do +or *ision# happiness# release +rom pain# and the COM !ETE escape +rom sin# A!! to 'e gi*en you- Say O2!B this# 'ut MEA2 it ,ith 2O reser*ations# +or here the po,er o+ sal*ation liesF )I AM responsi'le +or ,hat I see- I C1OSE the +eelings I e<perience# and I (ECI(E( O2 the goal I ,ould achie*e- And e*erything that SEEMS to happen TO me# I ASLE( 3OR and recei*ed as I had as:ed-. (ecei*e yoursel+ no longer that you are helpless in the +ace o+ ,hat is done TO youAc:no,ledge 'ut that BOU ha*e 'een mista:en# and A!! e++ects o+ your mista:es ,ill disappearIt is impossi'le the Son o+ "od 'e merely dri*en 'y e*ents OUTSI(E him- It is impossi'le that the happenings that come to him ,ere 2OT his choice- 1is po,er o+ decision is the (ETERMI2ER o+ e*ery situation in ,hich he seems to 3I2( himsel+ 'y chance or accident- 2o accident or chance is OSSIB!E ,ithin the uni*erse as "od created it# OUTSI(E o+ ,hich is nothing- Su++er# and BOU decided sin ,as your goal- Be happy# and you "AHE the po,er o+ decision to 1im 4ho MUST decide +or "od +or you- This is the little gi+t you o++er to the 1oly Spirit# and e*en this 1e ga*e to you to gi*e yoursel+3or# BB this gi+t #is gi*en you the po,er to release your Sa*iour# that 1E may gi*e sal*ation unto BOU> G&$ >

Begrudge not# then# this little o++ering- 4IT11O!( it# and you :eep the ,orld as no, you see it- "IHE IT A4AB# and e*erything BOU see goes ,ith it- 2e*er ,as so much gi*en +or so little- In the holy instant is this e<change e++ected and MAI2TAI2E(1ere is the ,orld you do 2OT ,ant# 'rought to the one you (O- And here the one you do is "IHE2 you# BECAUSE you ,ant it- But# +or this# the O4ER o+ your ,anting must +irst 'e RECO"2IUE(- Bou must accept its STRE2"T1# and 2OT its ,ea:nessBou

510

must percei*e that ,hat is strong enough to MALE a ,orld# can let it go- And CA2 accept correction# i+ it is ,illing to see that it ,as ,rongThe ,orld you see is 'ut the idle ,itness that you ,ere RI"1T- This ,itness is insane- Bou trained it in its testimony# and# as it ga*e it BACL to you# you listened and con*inced yoursel+ that ,hat it sa, ,as true- BOU (I( T1IS TO BOURSE!3- See only this# and you ,ill also see ho, circular the reasoning on ,hich your )seeing. restsThis ,as 2OT gi*en you- This ,as your "I3T to you A2( TO BOUR BROT1ER- Be ,illing# then# to ha*e it ta:en 3ROM him and 'e replaced ,ith truth- And# as you loo: upon the change in 1IM# it ,ill 'e gi*en you to see it in BOU#RSE!3April $%# &5J7 erhaps you do not see the need +or you to gi*e this little o++ering- !oo: closer# then# at ,hat it IS- And# *ery simply# see in it the ,hole e<change o+ separation +or sal*ationAll that the ego is# is an idea that it is possi'le that things should 1A E2 to the Son o+ "od# 4IT1OUT his ,ill- And thus# ,ithout the 4ill o+ his Creator# 4hose 4ill cannot BE separated +rom his o,n- This is the Son o+ "od=s RE !ACEME2T +or his ,ill# a mad re*olt against ,hat must +ore*er 'e- This is the statement that he 1AS the po,er to ma:e "od po,er!ESS- And so to ta:e it +rom 1IMSE!3# and lea*e himsel+ 4IT1OUT ,hat "od has ,illed 3OR himThis is the mad idea you ha*e enshrined upon your altars# A2( 41IC1 BOU 4ORS1I - And anything that threatens this# seems to ATTACL your +aith- 3or here it is in*ested- Thin: not that you are +aithless# +or your 'elie+ and trust in T1IS is strong indeed- The 1oly Spirit can "IHE you +aith in holiness# and *ision to see it# easily enoughBut you ha*e not le+t open and unoccupied the altar ,here the gi+t 'elongs- 4here T1EB should 'e# BOU ha*e set up your idols to something E!SE- This OT1ER ,ill# ,hich seems to TE!! you ,hat must happen# you "AHE reality- And ,hat ,ould S1O4 you other,ise must there+ore seem unrealAll that is as:ed o+ you is to MALE ROOM +or truth- Bou are 2OT as:ed to ma:e or do ,hat lies BEBO2( your understanding- All you are as:ed to do is !ET IT I2- Only to stop your I2TER3ERE2CE ,ith ,hat ,ill happen O3 ITSE!3- Simply to recogni9e again the presence o+ ,hat you T1OU"1T you ga*e a,ay- Be ,illing# +or an instant# to lea*e

511

your altars +ree o+ ,hat BOU placed upon them and ,hat is REA!!B there you CA22OT +ail to see- The holy instant is 2OT an instant o+ creation# 'ut o+ RECO"2ITIO2- 3or recognition comes o+ *ision and SUS E2(E( @udgment- Then only it is possi'le to loo:
> G&8 >

,ithin and see ,hat MUST 'e there# plainly in sight# and ,holly I2(E E2(E2T o+ in+erence and @udgmentApril $&# &5J7 Undoing is not BOUR tas:# 'ut it IS up to you to ,elcome it or not- 3aith and desire go hand in hand- 3or e*eryone 'elie*es in ,hat he ,ants- 4e ha*e already said that ,ish+ul thin:ing is ho, the ego deals ,ith ,hat it ,ants# to ma:e it so- There is no 'etter demonstration o+ the po,er o+ ,anting# and there+ore o+ 3AIT1# to ma:e its goals seem real and possi'le- 3aith in the U2real leads to A(JUSTME2TS o+ reality# to ma:e it +it the goal o+ madness- The goal o+ sin induces the perception o+ a +ear+ul ,orld# to JUSTI3B its purpose- 4hat you desire you 4I!! see- And i+ its reality is +alse# you ,ill U 1O!( it 'y 2OT reali9ing all the ad@ustments BOU ha*e introduced# to MALE it so4hen *ision is (E2IE(# con+usion o+ cause and e++ect 'ecomes ine*ita'le- The UR OSE no, 'ecomes to LEE OBSCURE the cause o+ the e++ect# and ma:e e++ect appear to BE a cause- This seeming independence o+ e++ect ena'les it to 'e regarded as STA2(I2" BB ITSE!3# and capa'le o+ ser*ing as a CAUSE o+ the e*ents and +eelings its ma:er thin:s IT causes- !ong ago# ,e spo:e o+ your desire to create your o,n Creator# and 'e +ather and not Son to 1im- This is the same desire- The Son is the e++ect# ,hose Cause he ,ould deny- And so he seems to BE the cause# producing real E33ECTS2othing can ha*e e++ects 4IT1OUT a cause# and to con+use the t,o is merely to +ail to understand them 'oth- It is as need+ul that you recogni9e you MA(E the ,orld you see# as that you recogni9e that you did 2OT create yoursel+- T1EB ARE T1E SAME MISTALE- 2othing created 2OT 'y your Creator# has A2B in+luence o*er you- And i+ you thin: ,hat BOU ha*e made can TE!! you ,hat you see and +eel# and place your +aith in its a'ility to do so# you ARE denying your Creator# and BE!IEHI2" that you made yoursel+- 3or# i+ you thin: the ,orld you made has po,er to ma:e you ,hat IT ,ills# you ARE con+using Son and 3atherP e++ect and SourceThe Son=s creations ARE li:e his 3ather=s- But# in creating T1EM# the Son does not delude himsel+ that he is I2(E E2(E2T o+ his Source- 1is union ,ith It is the SOURCE o+ his creating- A ART +rom this# he 1AS no po,er to create# and ,hat he ma:es is

512

meaningless- It changes 2OT1I2" in creation# depends E2TIRE!B upon the madness o+ its ma:er# and can 2OT ser*e to @usti+y the madness- Bour 'rother thin:s he made the ,orld ,ith you- Thus he denies creation- 4ith you# he thin:s the ,orld he made# made 1IM- Thus he denies he MA(E itBet the truth is you ,ere 'oth created 'y a lo*ing 3ather# 4ho created you together and as one- SEE ,hat )pro*es. other,ise# and you (E2B your ,hole reality- But grant that EHERBT1I2" that seems to stand BET4EE2 you# :eeping you +rom each other and separate +rom your 3ather# BOU MA(E I2 SECRET# and the instant o+ release has come to you- A!! its e++ects are gone# 'ecause its source has /'ecomeQ 'een unco*ered- It is its seeming I2(E E2(E2CE o+ its source that :ept you prisoner- This IS the same delusion
> G&G >

that BOU are independent o+ the Source 'y ,hich BOU ,ere created# and ha*e ne*er le+tApril $8# &5J7 All special relationships ha*e sin as their goal- 3or they are BAR"AI2S ,ith reality# to,ard ,hich the seeming union is ad@usted- 3orget not thisP to 'argain is to set a limit# and any 'rother ,ith ,hom you ha*e a limited relationship BOU 1ATE- Bou may attempt to LEE the 'argain in the name o+ +airness# sometimes demanding payment o+ your sel+# perhaps more o+ten o+ the other- And in this )+airness#. you attempt to ease the guilt that comes +rom the accepted UR OSE o+ the relationship- And that is ,hy the 1oly Spirit must change its purpose# to ma:e it use+ul unto 1IM# and harmless unto BOUI+ you ACCE T this change# you ha*e accepted the I(EA o+ ma:ing room +or truthThe SOURCE o+ sin is gone- Bou may IMA"I2E that you still e<perience its e++ects# 'ut it is 2OT your purpose- And you no longer 4A2T it- 2o>one allo,s a purpose to 'e RE !ACE( ,hile he (ESIRES it- 3or nothing is so cherished and protected# as is a goal the mind accepts- This it ,ill +ollo,# grimly or happily# 'ut A!4ABS ,ith +aith# and ,ith the persistence that +aith I2EHITAB!B 'rings- The po,er o+ +aith is 2EHER recogni9ed# i+ it is placed in sin- But it is A!4ABS recogni9ed# i+ it is placed in lo*e4hy is it strange to you that +aith can mo*e mountainsE This is indeed a little +eat +or such a po,er- 3or +aith can :eep the Son o+ "od in chains# as long as he 'elie*es he IS in

513

chains- And# ,hen he is RE!EASE( +rom them# it ,ill 'e simply 'ecause he no longer BE!IEHES in them# 4IT1(RA4I2" +aith that they can hold him# and placing it in his +reedom I2STEA(- It is impossi'le to place e?ual +aith in opposite directions- 4hat +aith you gi*e to sin# you TALE A4AB +rom holiness- And ,hat you o++er holiness# has 'een REMOHE( +rom sin3aith and 'elie+ and *ision are the means 'y ,hich the goal o+ holiness is reachedThrough them# the 1oly Spirit leads you to the real ,orld# and A4AB +rom all illusions ,here your +aith ,as laid- This is 1IS direction# the only one 1e e*er sees- And# ,hen you ,ander# 1e REMI2(S you there IS 'ut one- 1IS +aith and 1IS 'elie+ and *ision# are all +or you- And# ,hen you ha*e accepted them completely# I2STEA( o+ yours# you ,ill ha*e need o+ them no longer- 3or +aith and *ision and 'elie+ are meaning+ul only BE3ORE the state o+ certainty is reached- In 1ea*en they are un:no,n- Bet 1ea*en is REAC1E( through themIt is impossi'le that the Son o+ "od !ACL +aith- But he CA2 choose ,here he ,ould ha*e it BE- 3aithlessness in not a lac: o+ 3AIT1# 'ut +aith in 2OT1I2"- 3aith gi*en to illusions does 2OT lac: po,er# +or# BB it# does the Son o+ "od 'elie*e that he is po,erlessThus is he +aithless to 1IMSE!3# 'ut STRO2" in +aith in his illusions ABOUT himsel+- 3or +aith# perception# and 'elie+ BOU made# as means +or !OSI2" certainty# and +inding sinThis mad direction ,as your C1OICE# and 'y your 3AIT1 in ,hat you chose# you made ,hat you desired> G&6 >

The 1oly Spirit has a use +or all the means +or sin 'y ,hich you sought to 3I2( itBut as 1e uses them# they lead A4AB +rom sin# 'ecause 1is UR OSE lies in the O OSITE direction- 1e sees the MEA2S you use# 'ut 2OT the purpose +or ,hich you made them1e ,ould not ta:e them 3ROM you# +or 1e sees their *alue as a means +or ,hat 1E ,ills +or you- Bou made perception# that you might choose among your 'rothers# and see: +or sin ,ith them- The 1oly Spirit sees perception as a means to teach you that the *ision o+ a 1O!B relationship is all you 4A2T to seeThen ,ill you gi*e your +aith to holiness# desiring and BE!IEHI2" in it BECAUSE o+

514

your desire- 3aith and 'elie+ 'ecome ATTAC1E( to *ision# as all the means that once ser*ed sin are RE(IRECTE( no, to,ard holiness- 3or ,hat you thin: is sin is !IMITATIO2P and ,hom you try to limit to the 'ody BOU 1ATE BECAUSE BOU 3EAR- In your re+usal to +orgi*e him# you ,ould CO2(EM2 him to the 'ody# 'ecause the means +or sin is dear to you- And so the BO(B has your +aith and your 'elie+- But 1O!I2ESS ,ould set your 'rother +ree# remo*ing hatred 'y remo*ing +ear# 2OT as a symptom# 'ut at its sourceThose ,ho ,ould +ree their 'rothers +rom the 'ody# can 1AHE no +ear- They ha*e renounced the means +or sin# 'y choosing to let all limitations 'e REMOHE((esiring to loo: upon their 'rothers in holiness# the po,er o+ 'elie+ and +aith goes +ar BEBO2( the 'ody# SU ORTI2" *ision# 2OT o'structing it- But +irst they chose to RECO"2IUE ho, much their +aith had limited their understanding o+ the ,orld# (ESIRI2" to place its po,er else,here# should another point o+ *ie, 'e "IHE2 them- The miracles that +ollo, this decision# are also 'orn o+ +aith- 3or all ,ho choose to loo: A4AB +rom sin ARE gi*en *ision# and ARE led to holinessThose ,ho 'elie*e in sin MUST thin: the 1oly Spirit as:s +or sacri+ice- 3or this is ho, they thin: T1EIR purpose is accomplished- Brothers# the 1oly Spirit L2O4S that sacri+ice 'rings 2OT1I2"- 1e ma:es no 'argains- And i+ you see: to limit 1im# you ,ill hate 1im BECAUSE BOU ARE A3RAI(- The gi+t that 1e has gi*en you is more than A2BT1I2" that stands this side o+ 1ea*en- The instant +or its recognition is at handJoin your a,areness to ,hat has 'een A!REA(B @oined- The +aith you gi*e each other CA2 accomplish this- 3or 1e 4ho !OHES the ,orld is seeing it 3OR you# ,ithout one spot o+ sin upon it# and in the innocence ,hich ma:es the sight o+ it as 'eauti+ul as 1ea*enBour +aith in sacri+ice has gi*en it great po,er in your sight- E<cept you do not reali9e you CA22OT see# BECAUSE o+ it- 3or sacri+ice must 'e e<acted O3 a 'ody# and 'y A2OT1ER 'ody- The mind could neither as: it nor RECEIHE it o+ itsel+- And no more could the 'ody- The I2TE2TIO2 is in the mind# ,hich tries to USE the 'ody to carry out the means +or sin# in ,hich the MI2( 'elie*es- Thus is the JOI2I2" o+ mind and 'ody an I2ESCA AB!E 'elie+ o+ those ,ho *alue sin- And so is sacri+ice I2HARIAB!B a means +or

515

limitation- And thus +or hateThin: you the 1oly Spirit is concerned ,ith T1ISE 1e "IHES not ,hat it is 1is purpose to lead you 3ROM- Bou T1I2L 1e ,ould depri*e you 3OR BOUR "OO(But )good. and )depri*ation. are opposites# and CA22OT meaning+ully @oin in A2B ,ayIt is li:e saying that the moon and sun are one BECAUSE they come ,ith night and day> G&J >

And so they MUST 'e @oined- Bet sight o+ one is 'ut the sign the other has disappeared +rom sight- 2or is it possi'le that ,hat "IHES light# 'e one ,ith ,hat (E E2(S on dar:ness to 'e seen- 2either demands the SACRI3ICE o+ the other- Bet on the ABSE2CE o+ the other does each dependThe 'ody ,as made to BE a sacri+ice to sin- And# in the dar:ness so it still is seenBet in the light o+ *ision it is loo:ed upon ?uite di++erently- Bou CA2 ha*e +aith in it to ser*e the 1oly Spirit=s goal- And gi*e it po,er to ser*e as means to help the 'lind to seeBut# in their seeing# they loo: AST it# as do you- The +aith and the 'elie+ you ga*e it BE!O2" 'eyond- Bou ga*e perception and 'elie+ and +aith +rom mind TO 'ody- !et them no, 'e gi*en BACL to ,hat RO(UCE( them# and can use them still to SAHE itsel+ +rom ,hat it madeApril $G# &5J7 The 1oly Spirit ,ill 2EHER teach you that you are sin+ul- ERRORS 1e ,ill correct# 'ut this ma:es no>one +ear+ul- Bou are indeed a+raid to loo: ,ithin# and see the sin you T1I2L is there- This you ,ould 2OT 'e +ear+ul to admit- 3ear in association ,ith sin the ego deems ?uite appropriate# and smiles appro*ingly- IT has no +ear to let you +eel ashamed- It dou'ts not your 'elie+ and +aith in sin- Its temples do not sha:e 'ecause o+ T1IS- Bour +aith that sin is there 'ut ,itnesses your desire that it BE there to seeThis merely SEEMS to 'e the source o+ +ear- Remem'er that the ego is 2OT alone- Its rule IS tempered- And its un:no,n )Enemy#. 4hom it cannot e*en see# it 3EARS!oudly the ego tells you 2OT to loo: in,ard# +or i+ you do# your eyes ,ill light on sin# and "od ,ill stri:e you 'lind- This you 'elie*e# and so you do 2OT loo:- Bet this is 2OT the ego=s hidden +ear# nor BOURS ,ho ser*e it- !oudly indeed the ego claims it ISTOO loudly and TOO o+ten- 3or underneath this constant shout and +rantic proclamation# the ego is 2OT certain it is so- Beneath your +ear to loo: ,ithin 'ecause o+ sin is yet A2OT1ER +ear# and one ,hich ma:es the ego trem'le- 4hat i+ you loo:ed ,ithin# and

516

sa, 2O sinE This )+ear+ul. ?uestion is one the ego 2EHER as:s- And you ,ho as: it no, ARE )threatening. the ego=s ,hole de+ensi*e system too seriously +or it to 'other to RETE2( it is your +riendThose ,ho ha*e @oined their 'rothers 1AHE detached themsel*es +rom their 'elie+ that their identity lies in the ego- A holy relationship is one in ,hich you @oin ,ith ,hat IS part o+ you in TRUT1- And your 'elie+ in sin has 'een A!REA(B sha:en# nor are you no, E2TIRE!B un,illing to loo: ,ithin and see it 2OT- Bour li'eration still is only partialP still limited and incomplete# yet 'orn 4IT1I2 you- 2ot ,holly mad# you 1AHE 'een ,illing to loo: on much o+ your insanity# and RECO"2IUE its madness- Bour +aith is mo*ing in,ard# AST insanity and on to reason- And ,hat your reason tells you no,# the ego ,ould not hearThe 1oly Spirit=s purpose ,as accepted 'y the part o+ your mind the ego :no,s not o+- 2o more did BOU- And yet this part# ,ith ,hich you no, identi+y# is 2OT a+raid to
> G&7 >

loo: upon ITSE!3- It L2O4S that it is sinless- 1o,# other,ise# COU!( it ha*e 'een ,illing to see the 1oly Spirit=s purpose as its o,nE This part has seen your 'rother# and RECO"2IUE( him per+ectly# since time 'egan- And it desired nothing 'ut to JOI2 ,ith him and to 'e +ree again# as once it ,as- It has 'een ,aiting +or the 'irth o+ +reedomP the ACCE TA2CE o+ release to come to you- And no, you recogni9e that it ,as 2OT the ego that @oined the 1oly Spirit=s purpose# and so there MUST 'e something elseThin: not that T1IS is madness- 3or this your REASO2 tells you- And it +ollo,s ER3ECT!B +rom ,hat you ha*e A!REA(B learned- There is 2O inconsistency in ,hat the 1oly Spirit teaches- This is the reasoning o+ the SA2E- Bou ha*e percei*ed the E"O=S madness# and 2OT 'een made a+raid# 'ecause you did not choose to S1ARE in itAt times it still decei*es you- Bet# in your saner moments# its ranting stri:es no terror in your hearts- 3or you ha*e reali9ed that all the gi+ts it ,ould ,ithdra, +rom you in rage at your )presumptuous. ,ish to loo: ,ithin# you do not 4A2T- The +e, remaining trin:ets still seem to shine and catch your eye- Bet you ,ould not )sell. 1ea*en to ha*e themAnd no, the ego IS a+raid- But ,hat it hears in terror# the OT1ER part hears as the s,eetest musicP the song it longed to hear since +irst the ego came into your mindsThe ego=s ,ea:ness is ITS strength- The song o+ +reedom# ,hich sings the praises o+ A2OT1ER ,orld# 'rings to it hope o+ peace- 3or it REMEMBERS 1ea*en- And no, it sees that 1ea*en 1AS come to earth at last# +rom ,hich the ego=s rule has :ept it out so long-

517

1ea*en has come 'ecause it +ound a home in your relationship on earth- And earth can hold no longer ,hat has 'een "IHE2 1ea*en as its o,n!oo: gently on each other# and remem'er the ego=s 4EAL2ESS is re*ealed in BOT1 your sight- 4hat it ,ould :eep apart has met and @oined# and loo:s upon the ego una+raid!ittle children# innocent o+ sin# +ollo, in gladness the ,ay to certainty- Be not held 'ac: 'y +ear=s insane insistence that sureness lies in dou't- This 1AS no meaning- 4hat matters it to you ho, loudly it is proclaimedE The senseless is not made meaning+ul 'y repetition and 'y clamor- The ?uiet ,ay is open- 3ollo, it happily# and ?uestion not ,hat MUST 'e soApril $6# &5J7 erception selects# and MALES the ,orld you see- It literally ICLS IT OUT# as mind directs- The la,s o+ si9e and shape and 'rightness ,ould hold# perhaps# i+ other things ,ere e?ual- They are 2OT e?ual- 3or ,hat you loo: 3OR you are +ar more li:ely to disco*er# RE"AR(!ESS o+ its color# shape# or si9e# than ,hat you ,ould pre+er to OHER!OOL- The still small Hoice +or "od #is 2OT dro,ned out 'y all the ego=s raucous screams and senseless ra*ings# to those ,ho 4A2T to hear- erception is a choice# and 2OT a +actBut on this choice depends +ar more than you may reali9e as yet- 3or# on the *oice you choose to hear# and on the sights you choose to see# depends E2TIRE!B your ,hole 'elie+ in ,hat you ARE- erception is a ,itness 'ut to this# and ne*er to reality- Bet it can
> G&K >

sho, you the conditions in ,hich A4ARE2ESS o+ reality is possi'le# or those ,here it could 2EHER 'e- Reality needs no cooperation +rom you# to 'e itsel+- But your a,areness o+ it 2EE(S your help# 'ecause it IS your choice!isten to ,hat the ego says# and see ,hat it (IRECTS you see# and it is sure that you ,ill see BOURSE!3 as tiny# *ulnera'le# and a+raid- Bou 4I!! e<perience depression# a sense o+ ,orthlessness# and +eelings o+ impermanence and unreality- Bou 4I!! 'elie*e that you are helpless prey to +orces +ar 'eyond your o,n control# and +ar more po,er+ul than you- And you 4I!! thin: the ,orld you made directs your destiny- 3or this ,ill 'e

518

your 3AIT1- But ne*er 'elie*e# 'ecause it is your +aith# it ma:es REA!ITB- There is A2OT1ER *ision and A2OT1ER *oice# in ,hich your +reedom lies# a,aiting 'ut your choice- And# i+ you place your +aith in them# you ,ill percei*e A2OT1ER Sel+ in BOUApril $J# &5J7 This other sel+ sees miracles as natural- They are as simple and natural to it as 'reathing to the 'ody- They are the OBHIOUS response to calls +or help# the O2!B one it ma:esMiracles seem unnatural to the ego# 'ecause it does not understand ho, SE ARATE minds can in+luence each other- 2or COU!( they do so- But minds cannot BE separateThis other sel+ is ER3ECT!B a,are o+ this- And thus it recogni9es that miracles do 2OT a++ect A2OT1ER=S mind# only its O42- They al,ays change BOUR mind- There IS no otherBou do not reali9e the ,hole e<tent to ,hich the idea o+ separation has I2TER3ERE( ,ith reason- Reason lies in the other sel+ you ha*e CUT O33 +rom your a,arenessAnd nothing you ha*e allo,ed to STAB in it is CA AB!E o+ reason- 1o, can the segment o+ the mind (EHOI( o+ reason understand ,hat reason ISE Or grasp the in+ormation it ,ould gi*eE All sorts o+ DUESTIO2S may arise in it# 'ut# i+ the 'asic ?uestion stems +rom REASO2# it ,ill not as: it- !i:e A!! that stems +rom reason# the 'asic ?uestion is o'*ious# simple# and remains unas:ed- But thin: not reason could not A2S4ER it"od=s plan +or your sal*ation could not ha*e 'een esta'lished 4IT1OUT your ,ill and your consent- It MUST ha*e 'een accepted 'y the Son o+ "od# +or ,hat "od ,ills +or him# he MUST recei*e- 3or "od ,ills not# apart +rom him- 2or does the 4ill o+ "od ,ait upon time to 'e accomplished- There+ore# ,hat JOI2E( the 4ill o+ "od MUST 'e in you 2O4# 'eing eternal- Bou MUST ha*e set aside a place in ,hich the 1oly Spirit can a'ide# and ,here 1e IS- 1e must 1AHE BEE2 there since the need +or 1im arose# and ,as +ul+illed in the same instantSuch ,ould your REASO2 tell you# i+ you listened- Bet such is clearly 2OT the ego=s )reasoning-. Its alien nature# TO T1E E"O# is proo+ you ,ill 2OT +ind the ans,er thereBet i+ it MUST 'e so# it must e<ist- And# i+ it e<ists 3OR you# and has your +reedom as the

519

purpose "IHE2 it# you MUST 'e +ree to 3I2( it- "od=s plan is simpleP 2EHER circular# and 2EHER Sel+>de+eating- 1e has no Thoughts e<cept the Sel+>EXTE2(I2"# and in this#
> G&5 >

BOUR ,ill MUST 'e included- Thus there MUST 'e a part o+ you that L2O4S 1is 4ill and S1ARES ItIt is 2OT meaning+ul to as: i+ ,hat MUST 'e is so- But it IS meaning+ul to as: ,hy you are U2A4ARE o+ ,hat is so- 3or this MUST ha*e an ans,er# i+ the plan o+ "od +or your sal*ation is complete- And it must BE complete# 'ecause its Source :no,s not o+ incompletion- 4here ,ould the ans,er BE# 'ut in the SourceE And ,here are BOU 'ut there# ,here this same Ans,er isE Bour identity# as much a true E33ECT o+ this same Source as is this Ans,er# must there+ore 'e TO"ET1ER and the SAMEOh yes# you :no, this- And more than this alone- But any part o+ :no,ledge threatens dissociation as much as A!! o+ it- And all o+ it ,ill COME ,ith any part- 1ere is the part you CA2 accept- 4hat reason points to# you CA2 see# 'ecause the ,itnesses on its 'ehal+ ARE clear- Only the TOTA!!B insane can disregard them- And you 1AHE gone past this- Reason is a means ,hich ser*es the 1oly Spirit=s purpose in its O42 rightIt is not REI2TER RETE( and RE(IRECTE( +rom the goal o+ sin# as are the others3or reason is BEBO2( the ego=s range o+ means3aith and perception and 'elie+ can 'e misplaced# and ser*e the great decei*er=s needs# as ,ell as truth- But reason has no place at all in madness# nor can it 'e A(JUSTE( to +it its ends- 3aith and 'elie+ are STRO2" in madness# guiding perception to,ard ,hat the mind has *alued- But reason enters 2OT AT A!! in this- 3or the perception ,ould +all a,ay at once# i+ reason ,ere applied- There IS no reason in insanity# +or it depends E2TIRE!B on reason=s a'sence- The ego 2EHER uses it# 'ecause it does not reali9e that it EXISTS- The partially insane ha*e access to it- And only they ha*e 2EE( o+ itL2O4!E("E does not depend on it# and madness :eeps it OUT- The part o+ mind ,here reason lies ,as dedicated# 'y your ,ill in union ,ith your 3ather=s# to the U2(OI2" o+ insanity- 1ere ,as the 1oly Spirit=s purpose accepted and accomplished# 'oth at onceReason is A!IE2 to insanity# and those ,ho use it ha*e gained a means ,hich cannot BE

520

applied to sin- Lno,ledge is +ar 'eyond attainment o+ A2B :ind- But reason CA2 ser*e to open doors you closed A"AI2ST itBou ha*e come *ery close to this- 3aith and 'elie+ ha*e shi+ted# and you 1AHE as:ed the ?uestion that the ego ,ill 2EHER as:- (oes not your reason tell you no, the ?uestion MUST ha*e come +rom something that you do 2OT :no,# 'ut must BE!O2" to youE 3aith and 'elie+# upheld 'y reason# CA22OT +ail to lead to changed perceptionAnd in T1IS change# is room made ,ay +or *ision- Hision e<tends BEBO2( itsel+# as does the purpose ,hich it ser*es# and A!! the means +or its accomplishmentMay &# &5J7 Reason cannot see sin# 'ut CA2 see errors# and !EA(S to their correction- It does not *alue T1EM# 'ut their CORRECTIO2- But reason ,ill also tell you ,hen you T1I2L you sin you call +or help# 'ut i+ you ,ill not ACCE T the help you call +or# you ,ill not 'elie*e that it is yours to gi*e- And so you 4I!! not gi*e it# thus MAI2TAI2I2" the
> G$% >

'elie+- 3or uncorrected error o+ A2B :ind decei*es you a'out the po,er that is I2 you# to MALE correction- I+ it CA2 correct# and BOU allo, it not to do so# you deny it to yoursel+ A2( TO BOUR BROT1ER- And# i+ he S1ARES this same 'elie+# you BOT1 ,ill thin: that you are damnedThis you COU!( spare him A2( BOURSE!3- 3or reason ,ould not ma:e ,ay +or correction in you alone- Correction cannot BE accepted OR RE3USE( 'y you# ,ithout your 'rother- SI2 ,ould maintain you can- But reason tells you that you CA22OT see your 'rother OR yoursel+ as sin+ul# and still percei*e the other innocent- 4ho loo:s upon himsel+ as guilty# and sees a sinless ,orldE And ,ho can see a sin+ul ,orld# and loo: upon himsel+ A ART +rom itE Sin ,ould maintain you MUST 'e separate- But REASO2 tells you that this must 'e 4RO2"I+ you are @oined# ho, COU!( it 'e that you ha*e pri*ate thoughtsE And ho, COU!( thoughts that enter into ,hat 'ut SEEMS li:e yours alone# ha*e no e++ect at all on ,hat IS yoursE I+ minds are @oined# this IS impossi'le- 2o>one can thin: 'ut +or himsel+# as "od thin:s not ,ithout 1is Son- Only ,ere 'oth I2 BO(IES could this 'e- 2or could one mind thin: only +or itsel+# unless the 'ody 4ERE the mind- 3or O2!B 'odies can 'e separate# and there+ore U2REA!- The home o+ madness CA22OT 'e the home o+ reasonBet it is easy to !EAHE the home o+ madness# i+ you see reasonBou do not lea*e insanity 'y "OI2" some,here else- Bou lea*e it simply 'y accepting

521

reason# ,here madness 4AS- Madness and reason see the same things# 'ut it is certain that they loo: upon them di++erently- Madness is an ATTACL on reason# that dri*es it out o+ mind# and TALES ITS !ACE- Reason does 2OT attac:# 'ut ta:es the place o+ madness ?uietly# RE !ACI2" madness i+ it 'e the ,ill o+ the insane to !ISTE2 to it- But the insane :no, not their ,ill- 3or they BE!IEHE they see the 'ody# and !ET their madness tell them it is real- REASO2 ,ould 'e I2CA AB!E o+ this- And# i+ you ,ould de+end the 'ody A"AI2ST your reason# you ,ill not understand the 'ody OR yoursel+The 'ody does 2OT separate you +rom your 'rother- And# i+ you thin: it does# you ARE insane- But madness has a purpose# and 'elie*es it also has the means to ma:e its purpose real- To see the 'ody as a 'arrier 'et,een ,hat REASO2 tells you MUST 'e @oined# MUST 'e insane- 2or COU!( you see it# i+ you heard the *oice o+ reason4hat CA2 there 'e that stands BET4EE2 ,hat is continuousE And i+ there IS nothing in 'et,een# ho, can ,hat enters part 'e :ept A4AB +rom other partsE Reason ,ould tell you thisBut thin: ,hat you must RECO"2IUE# i+ it 'e so- I+ you choose sin I2STEA( o+ healing# you ,ould condemn the Son o+ "od to ,hat can 2EHER 'e correctedBou tell him# BB your choice# that he is damnedP separate +rom you and +rom his 3ather# +ore*er and ,ithout a hope o+ sa+e return- Bou TEAC1 him this# and you ,ill !EAR2 o+ him EXACT!B ,hat you taught- 3or you can teach him only that he IS as you ,ould 1AHE him- And ,hat you chose he 'e# is 'ut your choice +or BOU- Bet thin: not this is +ear+ul- That you are JOI2E( to him is 'ut a +act# 2OT an interpretation- 1o, can a +act 'e +ear+ul# unless it (ISA"REES ,ith ,hat you hold more dear than truthE Reason ,ill tell you that this +act is your RE!EASE- 2either your 'rother nor yoursel+ can 'e
> G$& >

attac:ed alone- But neither can accept a miracle instead# 4IT1OUT the other 'eing 'lessed 'y it# and 1EA!E( o+ painReason# li:e lo*e# ,ould REASSURE you# and 2OT see: to +righten you- The po,er to 1EA! the Son o+ "od is gi*en you# BECAUSE he MUST 'e one ,ith you- Bou ARE responsi'le +or ho, he sees himsel+- And reason tells you it is "IHE2 you to change his ,hole mind# ,hich is one ,ith BOU# in @ust an instant- And A2B instant ser*es to 'ring COM !ETE correction o+ his errors# and ma:e him ,hole- The instant that you choose to

522

let BOURSE!3 'e healed# in that same instant is his ,hole sal*ation seen as complete 4IT1 yours- Reason is gi*en you to U2(ERSTA2( that this is so- 3or reason# :ind as is the purpose +or ,hich it is the means# leads steadily A4AB +rom madness# to,ard the goal o+ truthAnd here you ,ill lay do,n the 'urden o+ (E2BI2" truth- T1IS is the 'urden that is terri'le# and 2OT the truth- That you are JOI2E( is your sal*ationP the gi+t o+ 1ea*en# 2OT the gi+t o+ +ear- (oes 1ea*en seem to 'e a BUR(E2 to youE In madness# yesP and yet ,hat madness sees# MUST 'e dispelled 'y reason- Reason assures you 1ea*en is ,hat you 4A2T# and A!! you ,ant- !isten to 1im 4ho S EALS ,ith reason# and 'rings BOUR reason in line ,ith 1IS- Be ,illing to let reason 'e the means 'y ,hich 1e ,ould direct you ho, to lea*e I2SA2ITB 'ehind- 1ide not BE1I2( insanity# in order to ESCA E +rom reason4hat madness ,ould CO2CEA!# the 1oly Spirit still holds out# +or e*eryone to loo: upon ,ith gladness- Bou ARE your 'rother=s Sa*iour- 1e is BOURS- Reason spea:s happily indeed o+ this- This gracious plan ,as gi*en lo*e 'y !o*e- And ,hat !o*e plans is li:e Itsel+ in thisF Being united# It ,ould ha*e you learn ,hat BOU must 'e- And 'eing O2E ,ith It# it MUST 'e gi*en you to gi*e ,hat IT has gi*en# and gi*es still- Spend 'ut an instant in the glad ACCE TA2CE o+ ,hat is gi*en you to gi*e your 'rother# and learn# ,ith him# ,hat has 'een gi*en BOT1 o+ youTo gi*e is no MORE 'lessed than to recei*e- But neither is it !ESS- The Son o+ "od is A!4ABS 'lessed as one- And# as his gratitude goes out to you ,ho 'lessed him# reason ,ill tell you that it CA22OT 'e you stand A ART +rom 'lessing- The gratitude he o++ers you reminds you o+ the than:s your 3ather gi*es you +or completing 1IM- And here alone does reason tell you that you can understand ,hat you MUST 'e- Bour 3ather is as close to you as is your 'rother- Bet ,hat is there that could 'e nearer you# than is your Sel+E The po,er that BOU ha*e o*er the Son o+ "od is not a threat to his reality- It 'ut ATTESTS to it- 4here COU!( his +reedom lie 'ut in himsel+# i+ he 'e +ree A!REA(BE And

523

,ho could 'ind him 'ut 1IMSE!3# i+ he (E2B his +reedomE "od is not moc:edP no more 1is Son can BE imprisoned# sa*e 'y his o,n desire- And it is BB his o,n desire that he is +reed- Such is his STRE2"T1# and 2OT his ,ea:ness- 1e IS at his o,n mercyAnd ,here he C1OOSES to 'e merci+ul# there is he +ree- But ,here he chooses to condemn instead# there is he held a prisoner# ,aiting in chains his pardon on 1IMSE!3 to set him +ree> G$$ >

May 6# &5J7 (o you not see that all your misery comes +rom the strange 'elie+ that you are po,erlessE BEI2" 1E! !ESS IS T1E COST O3 SI2- 1elplessness is sin=s CO2(ITIO2P the O2E re?uirement that it demands# to 'e 'elie*ed- Only the helpless COU!( 'elie*e in it- Enormity has no appeal# sa*e to the little- And only those ,ho 3IRST 'elie*e that they are little# could SEE attraction there- Treachery to the Son o+ "od is the de+ense o+ those ,ho do 2OT identi+y ,ith him- And you are +or him or A"AI2ST himP either you lo*e him or attac: himP protect his unity# or see him shattered and slain 'y your attac:2o>one 'elie*es the Son o+ "od is po,erless- And those ,ho see themsel*es as helpless MUST 'elie*e that they are 2OT the Son o+ "od- 4hat can they BE# e<cept his enemyE And ,hat can they do 'ut E2HB him his po,er# and BB their en*y# ma:e themsel*es A3RAI( o+ itE These are the dar: ones# silent and a+raid# alone and not communicating# +ear+ul the po,er o+ the Son o+ "od ,ill stri:e them dead# and raising up their helplessness A"AI2ST him- They @oin the army o+ the po,erless# to ,age their ,ar o+ *engeance# 'itterness# and spite on him# to ma:e him one ,ith T1EMBecause they do not :no, that they are one ,ith 1IM# they :no, not 41OM they hate- They are indeed a sorry army# each one as li:ely to attac: his 'rother or turn upon himsel+# as to remem'er they T1OU"1T they had a common cause- 3rantic and loud and strong the dar: ones SEEM to 'e- Bet they :no, not their enemy# EXCE T T1EB 1ATE 1IM- In hatred they 1AHE come together# 'ut ha*e 2OT @oined EAC1 OT1ER3or# had they done so# hatred ,ould 'e impossi'le- The army o+ the po,erless MUST 'e dis'anded in the presence o+ STRE2"T1-

524

Those ,ho are strong are 2EHER treacherous# 'ecause they ha*e no need to (REAM o+ po,er# and to act out their dream- 1o, ,ould an army ACT in dreamsE Any ,ay at allIt could 'e seen attac:ing A2BO2E# ,ith A2BT1I2"- (reams ha*e no REASO2 in them- A +lo,er turns into a poisoned spear# a child 'ecomes a giant# and a mouse roars li:e a lion- And !OHE IS TUR2E( TO 1ATE as easily- This is no army# 'ut a madhouse4hat SEEMS to 'e a planned attac: is 'edlam- The army o+ the po,erless is ,ea: indeedIt has no ,eapons and it has no enemyBes# it can o*errun the ,orld# and SEEL an enemy- But it can ne*er 3I2( ,hat is not there- Bes# it can (REAM it +ound an enemy# 'ut this ,ill shi+t e*en as it attac:s# so that it runs at once to +ind another# and ne*er comes to rest in *ictory- And# as it runs# it turns against itsel+# thin:ing it caught a glimpse o+ the great enemy ,hich al,ays eludes its murderous attac: 'y turning into something else- 1o, treacherous does this enemy appear# ,ho changes so# it is impossi'le e*en to RECO"2IUE himO Bet hate MUST ha*e a target- There can BE no +aith in sin ,ithout an enemy4ho that 'elie*es in sin ,ould (ARE 'elie*e he has 2O enemyE COU!( he admit that no>one MA(E him po,erlessE Reason ,ould surely 'id him see: no longer ,hat is 2OT T1ERE to +ind- Bet +irst he must 'e 4I!!I2" to percei*e a ,orld ,here it is 2OTIt is 2OT necessary that he understand 1O4 he can see it- 2or should he try- 3or# i+ he
> G$8 >

+ocuses on ,hat he CA22OT understand# he ,ill 'ut EM 1ASIUE his helplessness# and let sin tell him his enemy must 'e 1IMSE!3- But let him only as: himsel+ these ?uestions# ,hich he MUST decide to ha*e it done 3OR himF )(o I (ESIRE a ,orld I rule # instead o+ one ,here I AM ruled E (o I (ESIRE a ,orld ,here I am po,er+ul # instead o+ helpless E (o I (ESIRE a ,orld in ,hich I ha*e 2O enemies # and CA22OT sinE And do I 4A2T to see ,hat I deny/iedQ # BECAUSE it is the truth E. Bou ha*e A!REA(B ans,ered the +irst three ?uestions# 'ut not yet the last- 3or this one still seems +ear+ul# and U2!ILE the others- Bet reason ,ould assure you they are all the SAME- 4e said this year ,ould emphasi9e the sameness o+ things that ARE the sameThis +inal ?uestion ,hich is indeed the last you need decide# still seems to hold a threat the rest ha*e lost +or you- And this imagined di++erence attests to your 'elie+ that TRUT1

525

may 'e the enemy you yet may +ind- 1ere# then# ,ould seem to 'e the last remaining hope o+ +inding sin# and 2OT accepting po,er3orget not that the choice o+ truth or sin# po,er or helplessness# IS the choice o+ ,hether to attac: or 1EA!- 3or healing comes o+ O4ER# and ATTACL o+ helplessness4hom you attac:# you CA22OT ,ant to heal- And ,hom you ,ould ha*e healed# MUST 'e the one you chose to 'e ROTECTE( +rom attac:- And ,hat IS this decision# 'ut the choice ,hether to see him through the 'ody=s eyes# or let him 'e REHEA!E( to you through *isionE 1O4 this decision leads to its e++ects is 2OT your pro'lem- But ,hat you 4A2T to see# MUST 'e your choice- This is a course in CAUSE# and 2OT e++ectConsider care+ully your ans,er to the last ?uestion you ha*e le+t unans,ered stillAnd let your reason tell you that it MUST 'e ans,ered# and IS ans,ered in the other three- And then it 4I!! 'e clear to you that# as you loo: on the E33ECTS o+ sin# in A2B +orm# all you need do is simply as: yoursel+# )Is this ,hat I 4OU!( seeE. (o I 4A2T thisE. This is your one decisionP this the CO2(ITIO2 +or ,hat occurs- It IS irrele*ant to 1O4 it happens# 'ut 2OT to 41B- Bou 1AHE control o+ this- And i+ you C1OOSE to see a ,orld 4IT1OUT an enemy# in ,hich you are 2OT helpless# the MEA2S to see it 4I!! 'e gi*en youMay J &5J7 4hy is the +inal ?uestion so importantE Reason ,ill tell you ,hy- It IS the same as are the other three# EXCE T I2 TIME- The others are decisions ,hich can 'e made# and then U2made# and made again- But truth is CO2STA2T# and implies a state ,here *acillations are impossi'le- Bou can desire a ,orld you rule# ,hich rules you not# and C1A2"E your mind- Bou can desire to e<change your helplessness +or po,er# and !OSE this same desire as a little glint o+ sin attracts you- And you can ,ant to see a sinless ,orld# and let an )enemy. tempt you to use the 'ody=s eyes# and C1A2"E ,hat you desire> G$G >

In CO2TE2T all the ?uestions ARE the same- 3or each one as:s i+ you are ,illing to e<change the ,orld o+ sin +or ,hat the 1oly Spirit sees- 3or it IS this the ,orld o+ sin denies- And there+ore those ,ho loo: on sin ARE seeing the (E2IA! o+ the real ,orldBet the last ?uestion adds the 4IS1 3OR CO2STA2CB in your desire to see the real ,orld# so the desire 'ecomes the O2!B one you ha*e- By ans,ering the +inal ?uestion

526

)yes#. you add SI2CERITB to the decisions you ha*e A!REA(B made to all the rest3or only then ha*e you RE2OU2CE( the option to change your mind A"AI2- 4hen it is T1IS you do 2OT ,ant# the rest are really ans,ered4hy do you thin: you are unsure the others 1AHE 'een ans,eredE COU!( it 'e necessary they 'e ASLE( so o+ten# i+ they 1A(E Until the last decision has 'een made# the ans,er IS 'oth yes and no- 3or you 1AHE ans,ered )yes#. ,ithout percei*ing that yes MUST mean 2OT 2O- 2o>one decides A"AI2ST his happiness- But he MAB do so# i+ he does not :no, he (OES it- And# i+ he sees his happiness as e*er>changing# no, this# no, that# and no, an elusi*e shado, attached to nothing# he (OES decide against itElusi*e happiness# or happiness in changing +orms that shi+t ,ith time and place# is an illusion that has no meaning- 1appiness MUST 'e constant# 'ecause it is ATTAI2E( 'y "IHI2" U the ,ish +or the I2constant- Joy cannot BE percei*ed# EXCE T through constant *ision- And constant *ision can 'e gi*en only those ,ho 4IS1 +or constancyThe po,er o+ the Son o+ "od=s desire remains the proo+ that he is ,rong ,ho sees himsel+ as helpless- (esire ,hat you ,ill# and you shall loo: on it# and thin: it real2o thought 'ut has the po,er to release or :ill- And none can lea*e the thin:er=s mind# or lea*e him una++ectedAre thoughts# then# dangerousE To 'odies# BES- The thoughts that seem to :ill are those ,hich teach the thin:er that he CA2 'e :illed- And so he dies# BECAUSE o+ ,hat he learned- 1e goes +rom li+e to death# the +inal proo+ he *alued the inconstant more than constancy- Surely he T1OU"1T he ,anted happiness- Bet he did 2OT desire it BECAUSE it ,as the truth# and there+ore MUST 'e constant- The constancy o+ @oy is a condition ?uite alien to your understanding- Bet# i+ you could e*en imagine ,hat it MUST 'e# you ,ould (ESIRE it# although you U2(ERSTA2( it notThe constancy o+ happiness has 2O e<ceptions# no change o+ A2B :ind- It is unsha:a'le as is the !o*e o+ "od +or 1is Creation- Sure in its *ision as its Creator is in ,hat 1e L2O4S# it loo:s on e*erything and SEES it is the same- It sees 2OT the ephemeral# +or it (ESIRES that e*erything 'e li:e itsel+# and SEES it so- 2OT1I2" has po,er to con+ound its constancy# 'ecause its O42 desire can not BE sha:en- It comes as surely

527

unto those ,ho see the +inal ?uestion is 2ECESSARB to the rest# as peace MUST come to those ,ho choose to heal# and 2OT to @udgeReason ,ill tell you that you CA22OT as: +or happiness inconstantly- 3or# i+ ,hat you desire you RECEIHE# and happiness IS constant# then you need as: +or it 'ut O2CE# to ha*e it A!4ABS- And# i+ you do 2OT ha*e it al,ays# 'eing ,hat it IS# you did 2OT as: +or it- 3or no>one +ails to ASL +or his desire o+ SOMET1I2" he 'elie*es holds out some
> G$6 >

promise o+ the po,er o+ "IHI2" it- 1e may 'e ,rong in 41AT he as:s# 41ERE# and O3 41AT- Bet he 4I!! as:# 'ecause desire IS a re?uest# an ASLI2" 3OR# and made 'y one ,hom "od 1imsel+ ,ill ne*er +ail to ans,er"od has A!REA(B gi*en him all that he REA!!B ,ants- But ,hat he is uncertain o+# "od CA22OT gi*e- 3or 1e does 2OT desire it ,hile he REMAI2S uncertain# and "od=s gi*ing MUST 'e incomplete unless it is RECEIHE(- Bou ,ho complete 1is 4ill and ARE 1is happiness# ,hose ,ill is po,er+ul as 1is# N a po,er that is 2OT lost in your illusions# N thin: care+ully ,hy it should 'e you ha*e not yet decided ho, you ,ould ans,er the +inal ?uestion- Bour ans,er to the others has made it possi'le to help you 'e 'ut partially insane- And yet it is the +inal one that REA!!B as:s i+ you are ,illing to 'e 41O!!B sane4hat is the holy instant 'ut "od=s appeal to you to RECO"2IUE ,hat 1e has gi*en youE 1ere is the great appeal to reasonP the a,areness o+ ,hat is A!4ABS there to seeP the happiness that COU!( 'e A!4ABS yours- 1ere is the CO2STA2T peace you could e<perience +ore*er- 1ere is ,hat denial has denied# REHEA!E( to you- 3or here the +inal ?uestion is A!REA(B ans,ered# and ,hat you as: +or# "IHE2- 1ere is the +uture 2O4# +or time is po,erless BECAUSE o+ your desire +or ,hat ,ill 2EHER change- 3or you 1AHE as:ed that nothing STA2( BET4EE2 the holiness o+ your relationship#and your A4ARE2ESS o+ its holinessMay 7# &5J7Ta:e pity on yoursel*es# so long ensla*ed- Re@oice ,hom "od hath @oined ha*e come together# and need no longer loo: on sin A ART- 2o t,o can loo: on sin TO"ET1ER# +or they COU!( ne*er see it in the same place and time- Sin is a strictly I2(IHI(UA! perception# SEE2 in the other# yet BE!IEHE( 'y each to 'e ,ithin 1IMSE!3-

528

And each one seems to ma:e a (I33ERE2T error# and one the other cannot understandBrothers# it IS the same# MA(E 'y the same# and +orgi*en +or its ma:er in the SAME ,ayThe holiness o+ your relationship +orgi*es you BOT1# undoing the e++ects o+ ,hat you 'oth 'elie*ed A2( sa,- And# ,ith their going# is the 2EE( +or sin gone 4IT1 them4ho has need +or sinE Only the lonely and alone# ,ho see their 'rothers (I33ERE2T +rom themsel*es- It is this (I33ERE2CE# seen 'ut not real# that ma:es the need +or sin# not real 'ut seen# seem @usti+ied- And all this 4OU!( 'e real# i+ sin ,ere so- 3or an unholy relationship is BASE( on di++erences# ,here each one thin:s the OT1ER has ,hat 1E has 2OTThey come together# each to complete 1IMSE!3 and ROB the other- They stay until they thin: there=s nothing le+t to steal# and then mo*e on- And so they ,ander through a ,orld o+ strangers# U2!ILE themsel*es# li*ing ,ith their 'odies perhaps 'eneath a common roo+ that shelters neitherP in the same room and yet a ,orld apart-A holy relationship starts +rom a di++erent premise- Each one has loo:ed ,ithin# and seen 2O lac:- ACCE TI2" his completion# he ,ould EXTE2( it 'y JOI2I2" ,ith another# ,hole as himsel+> G$J >

1e sees no (I33ERE2CES 'et,een these sel*es# +or di++erences are O2!B o+ the 'ody- There+ore# he loo:s on nothing he ,ould TALE- 1e denies 2OT his o,n reality BECAUSE it is the truth- Just under 1ea*en does he stand# 'ut close enough 2OT to return to earth- 3or this relationship 1AS 1ea*en=s holiness- 1o, +ar +rom home can a relationship so li:e to 1ea*en BEE Thin: ,hat a holy relationship can teachO 1ere is BE!IE3 in di++erences undone- 1ere is the 3AIT1 in di++erences shi+ted to samenessAnd here is sight o+ di++erences trans+ormed to HISIO2And reason no, can lead you to the logical conclusion o+ your union- IT must e<tend# as BOU e<tended ,hen you @oined- It must reach out BEBO2( itsel+# as BOU reached out 'eyond the 'ody to !ET yoursel*es 'e @oined- And no, the sameness ,hich you sa, e<tends# and +inally remo*es A!! sense o+ di++erences# so that the sameness that lies 'eneath them all 'ecomes apparent- 1ere is the golden circle# ,here you RECO"2IUE the Son o+ "od- 3or ,hat is 'orn into a holy relationship can 2EHER endMay &8# &5J7 !et reason ta:e another step- I+ you attac: ,hom "od ,ould heal and hate the one 1e lo*es# then you and your Creator ha*e a (I33ERE2T ,ill- Bet# i+ you ARE 1is 4ill#

529

,hat you MUST then 'elie*e is that you are 2OT yoursel+- Bou can# indeed# 'elie*e this# and you (O- And you 1AHE +aith in this# and see much e*idence on its 'ehal+- And ,here# you ,onder# does your strange uneasiness# your sense o+ 'eing disconnected# and your haunting +ear o+ lac: o+ meaning in yoursel+ ariseE It is as though you ,andered in# ,ithout a plan o+ any :ind e<cept to ,ander o++# +or only that seems certainBet ,e ha*e heard a *ery similar description earlier- But it ,as 2OT o+ you- And yet# this strange idea ,hich it (OES accurately descri'e# you thin: IS you- Reason ,ould tell you that the ,orld you see through eyes that are not yours# MUST ma:e no sense to youTo ,hom ,ould *ision such as this send BACL its messagesE Surely not you# ,hose sight is ,holly I2(E E2(E2T o+ the eyes ,hich loo: upon the ,orld- I+ this is 2OT your *ision# ,hat can it sho, to BOUE The 'rain can 2OT interpret ,hat BOUR *ision seesThis BOU ,ould understand- The 'rain interprets to the 'ody# o+ ,hich it is a partBut ,hat IT says# BOU cannot understandBet you ha*e !ISTE2E( to it- And long and hard you TRIE( to understand its messages- Bou did not reali9e it is IM OSSIB!E to understand ,hat +ails E2TIRE!B to REAC1 you- Bou ha*e recei*ed 2O messages at all you understood- 3or you ha*e listened to ,hat can ne*er communicate at all- Thin:# then# ,hat happened- (enying ,hat you are# and +irm in +aith that you are something E!SE# this something else# ,hich you ha*e MA(E to 'e yoursel+# BECAME your sight- Bet it MUST 'e the something else ,hich sees# and# as 2OT BOU# e<plains its sight TO youBOUR *ision ,ould# o+ course# render this ?uite unnecessary- But# i+ your eyes are closed# and you ha*e called upon this thing to lead you# as:ing it to EX !AI2 to you the ,orld IT sees# you ha*e no reason 2OT to listen# nor to suspect that ,hat it tells you is
> G$7 >

2OT true- Reason ,ould tell you that it CA2=T 'e true# BECAUSE you do not understand it- "O( 1AS 2O SECRETS- 1e does 2OT lead you through a ,orld o+ misery# ,aiting to tell you# at the @ourney=s end# ,hy 1e (I( this to you- 4hat could 'e secret +rom 1is 4illE Bet you 'elie*e that BOU ha*e secrets- 4hat could your secrets BE e<cept A2OT1ER ,ill# that is your o,n# apart +rom 1isE Reason ,ould tell you that this is no SECRET# that need 'e hidden as a sin- But a

530

MISTALE indeedO !et not your +ear o+ sin protect it +rom correction# +or the attraction o+ guilt is O2!B +ear- 1ere is the O2E emotion that you made# 41ATEHER it may seem to 'e- And it IS the emotion o+ secrecy# o+ pri*ate thoughts# A2( O3 T1E BO(B- This is the O2E emotion that opposes lo*e# and A!4ABS leads to sight o+ di++erences# and !OSS o+ sense o+ sameness- 1ere is the O2E emotion that :eeps you 'lind# dependent on the sel+ you thin: you made# to lead you through the ,orld it made +or youBOUR sight ,as "IHE2 you# along ,ith e*erything that you CA2 understand- Bou ,ill percei*e 2O di++iculty in understanding ,hat this *ision tells you- 3or e*eryone sees O2!B ,hat he thin:s he IS- And ,hat BOUR sight ,ill sho, you# you ,ill understand BECAUSE it is the truth- Only BOUR *ision can con*ey to BOU ,hat BOU can seeIt reaches you directly# 4IT1OUT a need to 'e I2TER RETE( to you- 4hat 2EE(S interpretation MUST 'e alien- 2or ,ill it EHER 'e made understanda'le# 'y an interpreter you cannot understand- O+ all the messages you ha*e recei*ed and +ailed to understand# this course alone is O E2 to your understanding# and CA2 'e understoodThis IS your language- Bou do not understand it yet# only 'ecause your ,hole communication is li:e a 'a'y=s- The sounds a 'a'y ma:es# and ,hat he hears# are highly unrelia'le# meaning (I33ERE2T things to him at di++erent times- 2either the sounds he hears# nor sights he sees#are sta'le yet- Bet ,hat he hears and does not understand 4I!! BE his nati*e tongue# through ,hich he ,ill communicate ,ith those around him# and they ,ith him- And the strange# shi+ting ones he sees a'out him ,ill 'ecome to him his com+orters# and he ,ill recogni9e his home# and see them there 4IT1 himSo# in each holy relationship# is the a'ility to communicate I2STEA( o+ separate re'orn- Bet a holy relationship# so recently re'orn itsel+ +rom an unholy relationship# and yet more ancient than the old illusion that it has replaced# IS li:e a 'a'y no,# in its re'irth- Bet# in this in+ant is BOUR *ision returned to you# and he ,ill spea: the language BOT1 o+ you can understand- 1e is not nurtured 'y the )something else. you T1OU"1T ,as you- 1e ,as not "IHE2 there# nor ,as recei*ed 'y anything EXCE T yoursel+3or no t,o people CA2 unite e<cept through Christ# 4hose *ision sees them oneThin: ,hat is "IHE2 you# my holy 'rothers- This child ,ill teach you ,hat you do not understand# and ma:e it plain- 3or his ,ill 'e no alien tongue- 1e ,ill need 2O

531

interpreter to you- 3or it ,as BOU ,ho taught him ,hat he :no,s# BECAUSE you :ne, it- 1e could not come to anyone BUT you# 2EHER to something else- 4here Christ has entered# no>one is alone# +or ne*er could 1e +ind a home in separate ones- Bet must 1e 'e re'orn into 1is ancient home# so seeming ne, and yet as old as 1e# a tiny ne,comer# dependent on the holiness o+ your relationship# to let 1im li*e> G$K >

Be certain "od does not entrust 1is Son to the un,orthy- 2othing 'ut ,hat is ART o+ 1im is ,orthy o+ BEI2" @oined- 2or is it possi'le that anything 2OT part o+ 1im CA2 @oin- Communication MUST ha*e 'een restored to those that @oin# +or this they COU!( not do through 'odies- 4hat# then# 1AS @oined themE Reason ,ill tell you that they MUST ha*e seen each other through a *ision 2OT o+ the 'ody# and communicated in a language the 'ody does not spea:- 2or could it 'e a +ear+ul sight or sound that dre, them gently into one- Rather# in each# the other sa, a per+ect shelter ,here his Sel+ could 'e re'orn in sa+ety and in peace- Such did his reason tell himP such he 'elie*ed BECAUSE it is the truth1ere is the +irst (IRECT perception that you ha*e made- Bou made it through a,areness older than perception# and yet re'orn in @ust an instant- 3or ,hat is time to ,hat ,as A!4ABS soE Thin: ,hat that instant 'roughtP the RECO"2ITIO2 that the )something else. you thought ,as you IS A2 I!!USIO2- And truth came instantly to sho, you ,here your sel+ MUST 'e- It is denial o+ I!!USIO2S that calls on truth- 3or to deny illusions is to recogni9e that 3EAR is meaningless- Into the holy home ,here +ear is po,erless# lo*e enters than:+ully# grate+ul that it is one ,ith you ,ho @oined to !ET it enterChrist comes to ,hat is !ILE 1imsel+P the same# 2OT di++erent- 3or 1e is A!4ABS dra,n unto 1imsel+- 4hat is as li:e 1im as a holy relationshipE And ,hat dra,s BOU together# dra,s 1IM to you- 1ere is 1is s,eetness# and 1is gentle innocence ROTECTE( +rom attac:- And here can 1e RETUR2 in con+idence# +or +aith in one another is A!4ABS +aith in 1im- Bou are indeed correct in loo:ing on each other as 1is chosen home3or here you ,illed 4IT1 1im and ,ith 1is 3ather- This IS your 3ather=s 4ill +or you# and yours 4IT1 1im- And ,ho is dra,n to Christ is dra,n to "od# as surely as 'oth are dra,n to e*ery holy relationship# the home prepared +or them as earth is turned to 1ea*en-

532

May &6# &5J7 The O OSITE o+ illusions is not disillusionment# 'ut truth- Only to the ego# to ,hich TRUT1 is meaningless# do they A EAR to 'e the only alternati*es# and (I33ERE2T +rom each other- In truth# they are the SAME- Both 'ring the same amount o+ misery# though each one SEEMS to 'e the ,ay to lose the misery the other 'rings- EHERB illusion carries pain and su++ering in the dar: +olds o+ the hea*y garments ,ith ,hich it hides its nothingness- Bet# in these dar: and hea*y garments# are those ,ho SEEL illusions co*ered# and hidden +rom the @oy o+ truth- Truth is the opposite o+ illusions# BECAUSE it o++ers @oy4hat else BUT @oy could 'e the opposite o+ miseryE To lea*e one :ind o+ misery and see: another# is hardly an ESCA E- To change I!!USIO2S is to ma:e 2O changeThe search +or @oy I2 MISERB is senseless- 3or ho, COU!( @oy 'e +ound in miseryE All that is possi'le in the dar: ,orld o+ misery is to select some AS ECTS out o+ it# see them as (I33ERE2T# and (E3I2E the di++erence as @oy- Bet to ERCEIHE a di++erence ,here
> G$5 >

none e<ists ,ill surely +ail to MALE a di++erence-Illusions carry O2!B guilt and su++ering# sic:ness and death# to their 'elie*ers- The 3ORM in ,hich they are accepted is irrele*ant2O +orm o+ misery# in reason=s eyes# CA2 'e con+used ,ith @oyJoy is eternal- Bou can 'e sure indeed that any seeming happiness ,hich does not last is really +ear- Joy does 2OT turn to sorro,# +or the eternal cannot change- But sorro, CA2 'e turned to @oy# +or time gi*es ,ay to the eternal- Only the timeless must remain unchanged- But e*erything in gi*e time can C1A2"E ,ith time- Bet# i+ the change 'e real and not IMA"I2E(# illusions MUST ,ay to truth# and not to other dreams ,hich are 'ut e?ually unreal- T1IS is no di++erence-Reason ,ill tell you that the O2!B ,ay to escape +rom misery is to RECO"2IUE it# A2( "O T1E OT1ER 4ABTruth is the same and misery the same# 'ut they ARE di++erent +rom each other- In EHERB ,ay# in e*ery I2STA2CE# and 4IT1OUT EXCE TIO2- To 'elie*e that one e<ception can e<ist# is to con+use ,hat IS the same ,ith ,hat is di++erent- O2E illusion cherished and de+ended A"AI2ST the truth# ma:es A!! truth meaningless and A!! illusions real- Such is the po,er o+ 'elie+- It CA22OT compromise- And +aith in innocence IS +aith in sin# i+ the 'elie+ e<cludes O2E li*ing thing# and holds it out# A ART +rom its

533

+orgi*eness-Both reason A2( the ego ,ill tell you this- But ,hat they MALE o+ it is 2OT the sameThe ego ,ill assure you no, that it is IM OSSIB!E +or you to see 2O guilt in anyoneAnd i+ T1IS *ision is the O2!B means 'y ,hich ESCA E +rom guilt can 'e attained# then the 'elie+ in sin must 'e eternal- Bet reason loo:s on this another ,ay- 3or reason sees the SOURCE o+ an idea as ,hat ,ill ma:e it true or +alse- This MUST 'e so# i+ the idea is !ILE its source- There+ore# says reason# i+ escape +rom guilt ,as gi*en to the 1oly Spirit as 1is purpose# and 'y One to 4hom 2OT1I2" 1e ,ills CA2 'e impossi'le# the means +or its attainment are MORE than possi'le- They must 'e T1ERE# and BOU must 1AHE themThis is a crucial period in this course- 3or here# the separation o+ you and the ego MUST 'e made complete- 3or# i+ you 1AHE the means to let the 1oly Spirit=s purpose 'e accomplished# they CA2 'e used- And# T1ROU"1 their use# ,ill you gain +aith in themBet# to the ego# they MUST 'e impossi'le# and no>one underta:es to do ,hat holds 2O hope o+ EHER 'eing done- Bou L2O4 ,hat your Creator ,ills is possi'le- But ,hat you MA(E 'elie*es it is not so- 2o, MUST you choose 'et,een yoursel+ and the I!!USIO2 o+ yoursel+- 2OT 'oth# 'ut O2EThere is no point in trying to a*oid this O2E decision- It MUST 'e made- 3aith and 'elie+ can +all to either side# 'ut reason tells you that misery lies O2!B on one side# and @oy upon the other-3ORSALE 2OT 2O4 EAC1 OT1ER- 3or you ,ho ARE the same ,ill 2OT decide alone- OR (I33ERE2T!B- Either you gi*e each other li+e or deathP either you are each other=s Sa*iour or his @udge# o++ering him sanctuary or condemnationThis course ,ill 'e 'elie*ed E2TIRE!B# or not at all- 3or it is ,holly true or ,holly +alse# and CA22OT 'e 'ut partially 'elie*ed- And you ,ill either ESCA E +rom misery entirely# or not at all> G8% >

Reason ,ill tell you that there IS no middle ground ,here you can pause uncertainly# ,aiting to choose 'et,een the @oy o+ 1ea*en and the misery o+ hell- U2TI! you choose 1ea*en# you ARE in hell and misery-There is no ART o+ 1ea*en you can ta:e# and

534

,ea*e into illusions- 2or is there O2E illusion you can enter 1ea*en 4IT1- A Sa*iour cannot BE a @udge# nor mercy condemnation- And *ision CA22OT damn# 'ut O2!B 'less- 4hose +unction is to sa*e# 4I!! sa*e- 1O4 1e ,ill do it IS 'eyond your understanding# 'ut 41E2 must 'e your choice- 3or time BOU made# and time you CA2 command- Bou are no more a sla*e to time than to the ,orld you made!et us loo: closer at the ,hole illusion that ,hat you made has po,er to ensla*e its ma:er- This is the SAME 'elie+ that CAUSE( the separation- It is the meaningless idea that thoughts can lea*e the thin:er=s mind# 'e (I33ERE2T +rom it# A2( I2 O OSITIO2 to it- I+ this ,ere true# thoughts ,ould not 'e the mind=s e<tensions# 'ut its E2EMIESAnd here ,e see again another +orm o+ the same +undamental illusion ,e ha*e seen many times 'e+ore- O2!B i+ it ,ere possi'le the Son o+ "od could !EAHE his 3ather=s Mind# ma:e himsel+ (I33ERE2T# and O OSE 1is 4ill# ,ould it 'e possi'le that the sel+ he made# and all IT made# should 'e his masterBehold the great pro@ection# 'ut loo: on it ,ith the decision that it MUST BE 1EA!E(# and 2OT ,ith +ear- 2OT1I2" you made has A2B po,er o*er you# unless you still ,ould 'e A ART +rom your Creator# and ,ith a ,ill O OSE( to 1is- 3or O2!B i+ you ,ould 'elie*e 1is Son COU!( 'e 1is enemy# does it SEEM OSSIB!E that ,hat BOU made is BOURS- BOU ,ould condemn 1is @oy to misery# and ma:e 1IM di++erentAnd all the misery you made has 'een your o,n- Are you not "!A( to learn it is not trueE Is it not ,elcome ne,s to hear 2OT O2E o+ the illusions that you made RE !ACE( the truthE Only BOUR thoughts ha*e 'een impossi'le- Sal*ation CA22OT 'e- It IS impossi'le to loo: upon your Sa*iour as your enemy# and RECO"2IUE him- Bet it IS possi'le to recogni9e him +or ,hat he IS# i+ "od ,ould ha*e it so- 4hat "od has gi*en to your holy relationship IS T1ERE- 3or ,hat 1e ga*e the 1oly Spirit to gi*e to you# 1e "AHE4ould you not loo: upon the Sa*iour 4ho has 'een gi*en youE And ,ould you not e<change# in gratitude and gladness# the +unction o+ an e<ecutioner BOU ga*e him +or the one he has in truthE Recei*e o+ him ,hat "od has gi*en him +or you# 2OT ,hat BOU tried to gi*eBeyond the 'odies that you interposed 'et,een you# and shining in the golden light ,hich reaches it +rom the 'right endless circle that e<tends +ore*er# is your holy

535

relationship# 'elo*ed o+ "od# and holy as 1imsel+- 1o, still it rests# in time and yet 'eyond# immortal yet on earth- 1o, great the po,er that lies in it- Time ,aits upon its ,ill# and earth ,ill BE as it ,ould 1AHE it 'e- 1ere is no SE ARATE ,ill# nor the desire that A2BT1I2" 'e separate- Its ,ill 1AS no e<ceptions# and ,hat it ,ills is trueE*ery illusion 'rought to its +orgi*eness is gently OHER!OOLE(# and disappears- 3or# at its center# Christ has 'een re'orn# to light 1is home ,ith *ision that o*erloo:s the ,orld> G8& >

4ould you not ha*e this holy home 'e yours as ,ellE 2o misery is here 'ut O2!B @oy- All you need do to d,ell in ?uiet here ,ith Christ is S1ARE 1is *ision- Duic:ly and gladly is 1is *ision gi*en to anyone ,ho is 'ut 4I!!I2" to see his 'rother sinlessAnd no>one can remain 'eyond this ,illingness# i+ BOU ,ould 'e released entirely +rom A!! e++ects o+ sin- 4ould you ha*e ARTIA! +orgi*eness +or yoursel+E Can BOU reach 1ea*en ,hile a single sin still tempts you to remain in miseryE 1ea*en is the home o+ per+ect purity- And "od created it +or BOU- !oo: on your holy 'rother# sinless as yoursel+# and let him !EA( you thereMay $$# &5J7 The introduction o+ reason into the ego=s thought system is the 'eginning o+ its undoing- 3or reason and the ego are CO2TRA(ICTORB- 2or is it possi'le +or them to co>e<ist in your A4ARE2ESS- And reason=s goal IS to ma:e plain# and there+ore o'*iousBou can SEE reason- This is not a play on ,ords# +or here IS the 'eginning o+ a *ision that has meaning- Hision is sense# ?uite literally- I+ it is not the 'ody=s sight# it MUST 'e understood- 3OR IT IS !AI2# and ,hat is o'*ious is 2OT am'iguous- It CA2 'e understood- And here do reason and the ego separate# to go their (I33ERE2T ,aysThe ego=s ,hole continuance depends on its 'elie+ you cannot learn this courseS1ARE this 'elie+# and reason ,ill 'e una'le to SEE your errors and ma:e ,ay +or their correction- 3or reason SEES T1ROU"1 errors# telling you ,hat you T1OU"1T ,as real is not- Reason CA2 see the di++erence 'et,een sin and mista:es# 'ecause it 4A2TS correction- There+ore it tells you ,hat you thought ,as uncorrecta'le# CA2 'e correctedAnd there+ore MUST ha*e 'een an error- The ego=s O OSITIO2 to correction leads to its +i<ed 'elie+ in sin# and (ISRE"AR( o+ errors- It loo:s on 2OT1I2" that can 'e corrected-

536

Thus does the ego damn# and reason sa*e- Reason is not sal*ation in itsel+# 'ut it MALES 4AB +or peace# and 'rings you to a state o+ mind in ,hich sal*ation can 'e gi*en you- Sin is a 'loc:# set li:e a hea*y gate# loc:ed and ,ithout a :ey# across the road to peace- 2o>one ,ho loo:s on it 4IT1OUT the help o+ reason# ,ould TRB to pass itThe 'ody=s eyes 'ehold it as solid granite# so thic: it ,ould 'e madness to ATTEM T to pass it- Bet reason sees through it easily# BECAUSE it is an error- The 3ORM it ta:es cannot conceal its emptiness +rom REASO2=S eyesO2!B the +orm o+ error attracts the ego- Meaning it does not RECO"2IUE# and does not :no, i+ it is there or not- E*erything that the 'ody=s eyes can see is a mista:e# an error in perception# a distorted +ragment o+ the ,hole# ,ithout the meaning that the ,hole ,ould gi*e- And yet mista:es# RE"AR(!ESS o+ their +orm# can 'e corrected- Sin is 'ut error in a special +orm the ego *enerates- It ,ould preser*e A!! errors# and ma:e them sins- 3or here is its O42 sta'ility# its hea*y anchor in the shi+ting ,orld it madeP the roc: on ,hich its church is 'uilt# and ,here its ,orshippers are 'ound to 'odies# and 'elie*e the BO(B=S +reedom is their o,n> G8$ >

Reason ,ill tell you that the 3ORM o+ error is not ,hat ma:es it a mista:e- I+ ,hat the +orm CO2CEA!S is a mista:e# the 3ORM cannot pre*ent correction- The 'ody=s eyes see O2!B +orm- They cannot see BEBO2( ,hat they ,ere MA(E to see- And they ,ere made to loo: on error# and 2OT see past it- Theirs is indeed a strange perception# +or they can see O2!B illusions# una'le to loo: 'eyond the granite 'loc: o+ sin# and stopping at the outside 3ORM o+ nothing- To this distorted +orm o+ *ision# the OUTSI(E o+ e*erything# the ,all that stands 'et,een you and the truth# is ,holly trueBet ho, can sight ,hich stops at nothingness# as i+ it 4ERE a solid ,all# see trulyE It is 1E!( BACL 'y +orm# ha*ing 'een made to guarantee that nothing else BUT +orm ,ill 'e percei*ed- These eyes# made 2OT to see# ,ill 2EHER see- 3or the idea they represent le+t not its ma:er# and it is their ma:er that sees through them- 4hat ,as its ma:er=s "OA!# 'ut not to seeE 3or T1IS the 'ody=s eyes are per+ect means- But 2OT +or seeingSee ho, the 'ody=s eyes rest on e<ternals# and CA22OT go 'eyond- 4atch ho, they STO at nothingness# una'le to go BEBO2( the +orm to meaning2othing so 'linding as perception o+ +orm- 3or sight o+ +orm MEA2S understanding

537

1AS BEE2 o'scuredOnly MISTALES ha*e di++erent +orms# and so they CA2 decei*e- Bou CA2 change +orm# BECAUSE it is not true- It COU!( not 'e reality# BECAUSE it can 'e changedReason ,ill tell you that# i+ +orm is 2OT reality# it MUST 'e an illusion# and is 2OT T1ERE to see- And# I3 you see it# you MUST 'e mista:en# +or you are seeing ,hat can 2OT 'e real#as i+ it ,ere- 4hat cannot see BEBO2( ,hat is not there# MUST 'e distorted perception- And must percei*e illusions AS T1E TRUT1- Could it# then# RECO"2IUE the truthE !et not the 3ORM o+ his mista:es :eep you +rom him ,hose holiness is BOURS- !et not the *ision o+ his holiness# the sight o+ ,hich ,ould sho, you BOUR +orgi*eness# 'e :ept +rom you 'y ,hat the 'ody=s eyes CA2 see- !et your a,areness o+ your 'rother 2OT 'e 'loc:ed 'y your perception o+ his sins# and o+ his 'ody- 4hat is there in him that you ,ould attac:# EXCE T ,hat you associate ,ith his 'ody# ,hich BOU 'elie*e can sinE Beyond his errors is his holiness# and BOUR sal*ation- Bou ga*e him not his holiness# 'ut tried to see your sins in him# to sa*e yoursel+- And yet his holiness IS your +orgi*enessCan BOU 'e sa*ed 'y ma:ing sin+ul the one ,hose holiness IS your sal*ationE A holy relationship# ho,e*er ne,ly 'orn# must *alue holiness a'o*e all else- Unholy *alues ,ill produce con+usion# and I2 A4ARE2ESS- In an unholy relationship# each one is *alued BECAUSE he seems to @usti+y the other=s sin- 1e sees ,ithin the OT1ER ,hat impels him to SI2 A"AI2ST 1IS 4I!!- And thus he lays his sins upon the other# and is ATTRACTE( to him to ER ETUATE his sins- And so it MUST 'ecome impossi'le +or each to see 1IMSE!3 as causing sin# 'y his (ESIRE to ha*e sin real- Bet reason sees a holy relationship as ,hat it ISP a common state o+ mind# ,here 'oth gi*e errors gladly to correction# that 'oth may happily 'e healed as one> G88 >

May $G# &5J7 And so you stand# here in this holy place# 'e+ore the *eil o+ sin that hangs 'et,een you and the +ace o+ Christ- !ET it 'e li+tedO Raise it together# +or it is 'ut a *eil that stands 'et,een you- Either alone ,ill see it as a solid 'loc:# nor reali9e ho, thin the drapery that separates you no,- Bet it IS almost o*er# I2 BOUR A4ARE2ESS# and peace has reached you e*en here# BE3ORE the *eil- Thin: ,hat ,ill happen a+terO The lo*e o+ Christ ,ill light BOUR +aces# and shine +rom them into a dar:ened ,orld that 2EE(S the

538

light- And# +rom this holy place 1e ,ill return ,ith you# not lea*ing it or youBOU ,ill 'ecome 1is messengers# returning 1im unto 1imsel+- Thin: o+ the lo*eliness that BOU ,ill see# ,ho ,al: ,ith 1imO And thin: ho, 'eauti+ul ,ill each o+ you loo: to the otherO 1o, happy you ,ill 'e to 'e TO"ET1ER# a+ter such a long and lonely @ourney ,here you ,al:ed alone- The gates o+ 1ea*en# open no, +or you# ,ill you no, open to the sorro,+ul- And none ,ho loo:s upon the Christ in you 'ut ,ill re@oice- 1o, 'eauti+ul the sight you sa, 'eyond the *eil# ,hich you ,ill 'ring to light the tired eyes o+ those as ,eary no, as once you ,ere- 1o, than:+ul ,ill they 'e to see you come among them# o++ering Christ=s +orgi*eness to dispel their +aith in sinE*ery mista:e you ma:e the other ,ill gently ha*e corrected 3OR you- 3or# in his sight#your lo*eliness is 1IS sal*ation# ,hich he ,ould ROTECT +rom harm- And each ,ill 'e the other=s strong protector +rom EHERBT1I2" that seems to rise 'et,een youSo shall you ,al: the ,orld ,ith me# ,hose message has not yet 'een gi*en e*eryone3or you are here to let it 'e RECEIHE(- "od=s o++er still is openP yet it ,aits acceptance3rom you ,ho ha*e accepted it# is it recei*ed- Into your @oined hands is it sa+ely gi*en3or you ,ho S1ARE it ha*e 'ecome its ,illing guardians and protectorsTo all ,ho share the lo*e o+ "od the grace is gi*en to 'e the gi*ers o+ ,hat they ha*e recei*ed- And so they learn that it is theirs +ore*er- All 'arriers disappear 'e+ore their coming# as e*ery o'stacle ,as +inally surmounted that seemed to rise and 'loc: T1EIR ,ay 'e+ore- This *eil you li+t together opens the ,ay to truth to more than youThose ,ho ,ould let illusions 'e li+ted +rom their minds are this ,orld=s Sa*iours# 4al:ing the ,orld ,ith their Redeemer# and carrying 1is message o+ hope and +reedom and RE!EASE +rom su++ering to e*eryone ,ho 2EE(S a miracle to sa*e him1o, EASB is it to o++er this miracle to e*eryoneO 2o>one ,ho has recei*ed it +or himsel+ COU!( +ind it di++icult- 3or# BB recei*ing it# he learned it ,as not gi*en him alone- Such is the +unction o+ a holy relationshipP to RECEIHE together# and gi*e as you recei*ed- Standing BE3ORE the *eil# it still seems di++icult- But hold out your JOI2E( hands and touch this hea*y>seeming 'loc:# and you ,ill learn ho, easily your +ingers slip through its nothingness- It is no solid ,all- And only an illusion stands 'et,een you and the holy Sel+ you share> G8G >

May $6# &5J7

539

1o, does one o*ercome illusionsE Surely not 'y +orce or anger- 2or 'y O OSI2" them in A2B ,ay- Merely 'y letting reason tell you that they CO2TRA(ICT realityThey "O A"AI2ST ,hat must 'e true- The opposition comes +rom T1EM# and 2OT realityReality opposes nothing- 4hat merely is# 2EE(S no de+ense# and o++ers none- Only illusions need de+ense# BECAUSE O3 4EAL2ESS- And ho, CA2 it 'e di++icult to ,al: the ,ay o+ truth# ,hen only 4EAL2ESS inter+eresE BOU are the strong ones in this seeming con+lict- And you need 2O de+ense- E*erything that needs de+ense BOU (O 2OT 4A2T- 3or anything that needs de+ense ,ill 4EALE2 youConsider ,hat the ego ,ants de+enses 3OR- A!4ABS to @usti+y ,hat "OES A"AI2ST the truth# +lies in the +ace o+ reason# A2( MALES 2O SE2SE- Can this BE @usti+iedE 4hat can this 'e# e<cept an in*itation to insanity# to sa*e you 3ROM the truthE And ,hat ,ould you 'e SAHE( +rom# 'ut ,hat you 3EARE Belie+ in sin needs "REAT de+ense# and at E2ORMOUS cost- All that the 1oly Spirit o++ers must 'e (E3E2(E( A"AI2ST# and SACRI3ICE(- 3or sin is car*ed into a 'loc: out o+ BOUR peace# and laid BET4EE2 you and its return- Bet ho, can peace BE so +ragmentedE It is STI!! ,hole# and 2OT1I2" has 'een TALE2 3ROM itSee ho, the means and the material o+ e*il dreams are nothingO In truth# you stand together# ,ith 2OT1I2" in 'et,een- "od holds your hands# and ,hat can separate ,hom 1e has @oined as one ,ith 1imE It is your 3ather 4hom you ,ould de+end againstBet it remains impossi'le to :eep !o*e out- "od rests ,ith you in ?uiet# unde+ended and ,holly unde+ending- 3or in this ?uiet state alone is strength and po,er- 1ere can 2O ,ea:ness enter# +or here is no attac:# and there+ore no illusions- !o*e rests in CERTAI2TBOnly U2certainty can BE de+ensi*e- And A!! uncertainty is dou't a'out BOURSE!31o, ,ea: is +earP ho, little and ho, meaninglessO 1o, insigni+icant 'e+ore the ?uiet strength o+ those ,hom !o*e has @oinedO This is your )enemyP. a +rightened mouse ,hich ,ould attac: the uni*erse- 1o, li:ely is it that it ,ill succeedE Can it 'e di++icult to disregard its +ee'le s?uea:s that tell o+ its omnipotence# and ,ould dro,n out the hymn o+ praise to its Creator that e*ery heart throughout the uni*erse +ore*er sings as oneE 4hich IS the strongerE Is it this tiny mouse# or e*erything that "od createdE Bou are 2OT

540

@oined together 'y this mouse# 'ut 'y the 4ill o+ "od- And can a mouse BETRAB ,hom "od has @oinedE I+ you 'ut RECO"2IUE( ho, little stands 'et,een you and your A4ARE2ESS o+ your unionO Be not decei*ed 'y the illusions it presents o+ si9e and thic:ness# ,eight# solidity# and +irmness o+ +oundation- Bes# to the 'ody=s eyes it loo:s li:e an enormous# solid 'ody# immo*a'le as is a mountain- Bet# ,ithin BOU# there is a +orce ,hich 2O illusions can resist- This 'ody only SEEMS to 'e immo*a'le- This +orce IS irresisti'le in truth- 4hat# then# MUST happen ,hen they come togetherE Can the illusion o+ immo*a'ility 'e long de+ended +or ,hat is ?uietly AST T1ROU"1 and "O2E BEBO2(E
> G86 >

3orget not# ,hen you +eel the need arise to 'e de+ensi*e a'out A2BT1I2"# you ha*e identi+ied BOUR SE!3 ,ith an illusion- And there+ore +eel that you are ,ea:# BECAUSE BOU ARE A!O2E- This is the cost o+ A!! illusions- 2ot one 'ut rests on the 'elie+ that you are separate- 2ot one that does not SEEM to stand# hea*y and solid and unmo*a'le# 'et,een you and your 'rother- And not one that truth can 2OT pass o*er lightly# and so easily that you MUST 'e con*inced# in spite o+ ,hat you T1OU"1T it ,as# that it ,as nothing- I+ you +orgi*e each other# this MUST happen- 3or it IS your un,illingness to o*erloo: ,hat seems to stand 'et,een you that ma:es it loo: impenetra'le# and (E3E2(S the illusion o+ its immo*a'ilityJune 8# &5J7 (o you ,ant +reedom o+ the 'ody# or o+ the mindE 3or 'oth you cannot ha*e- 4hich do you *alueE 4hich is your goalE 3or one you see as meansP the other# end- And one must ser*e the other# and !EA( to its predominance# increasing ITS importance 'y (IMI2IS1I2" its o,n- Means ser*e the end# and as the end is reached# the *alue o+ the means decreases# and is eclipsed entirely ,hen they are recogni9ed as +unctionless2oone 'ut yearns +or +reedom# and tries to +ind it- But he ,ill see: +or it ,here he 'elie*es it IS# and CA2 'e +ound- 1e ,ill 'elie*e it possi'le o+ mind OR 'ody# and he ,ill ma:e the other SERHE his choice# as means to +ind it4here +reedom o+ the BO(B has 'een chosen# the mind is used as MEA2S# ,hose *alue lies in its a'ility to contri*e ,ays to achie*e the 'ody=s +reedom- Bet +reedom o+ the 'ody 1AS no meaning- And so the mind is (E(ICATE( to ser*e illusions- This is a situation SO contradictory and SO impossi'le that anyone ,ho chooses this has 2O idea

541

o+ ,hat is *alua'le- Bet e*en in this con+usion# so pro+ound it cannot BE descri'ed# the 1oly Spirit ,aits in gentle patience# as certain o+ the outcome as 1e is sure o+ 1is Creator=s lo*e- 1e :no,s this mad decision ,as made 'y one as dear to 1is Creator as !o*e is to Itsel+Be not distur'ed at all to thin: ho, 1e can change the role o+ means and end so easily in ,hat "od lo*es# and ,ould ha*e +ree +ore*er- But 'e you# rather# grate+ul that BOU can 'e the means to ser*e 1is end- This is the O2!B ser*ice ,hich leads to +reedomTo ser*e T1IS end# the 'ody MUST 'e percei*ed as sinless# BECAUSE the goal is sinlessness- The !ACL o+ contradiction ma:es the so+t transition +rom means to end as easy as is the shi+t +rom hate to gratitude 'e+ore +orgi*ing eyes- Bou 4I!! 'e sancti+ied 'y one another# using your 'odies O2!B to ser*e the sinless- And it ,ill 'e IM OSSIB!E +or you to hate ,hat ser*es ,hat you ,ould 1EA!This holy relationship# lo*ely in its innocence# mighty in strength# and 'la9ing ,ith a light +ar 'righter than the sun ,hich lights the s:y BOU see# is chosen o+ your 3ather as a means +or 1is O,n plan- Be than:+ul that it ser*es yours not at all- 2othing entrusted to it can BE misused- And nothing gi*en it 'ut 4I!! 'e used- This holy relationship has the po,er to heal A!! pain# RE"AR(!ESS o+ its +orm- 2either o+ you alone can ser*e at all> G8J >

Only in your JOI2T ,ill does healing lie- 3or here BOUR healing is# and here ,ill BOU accept Atonement- And in your healing IS the Sonship healed# BECAUSE your ,ills are @oinedBe+ore a holy relationship there IS no sin- The 3ORM o+ error is no longer seen- And reason# @oined ,ith lo*e# loo:s ?uietly on A!! con+usion# o'ser*ing merely# )this ,as a mista:e-. And then the same Atonement BOU accepted in BOUR relationship# CORRECTS the error# and lays a part o+ 1ea*en in its place- 1o, 'lessed are you# ,ho let this gi+t 'e gi*enO Each part o+ 1ea*en that you 'ring# is gi*en BOU- And e*ery empty place in 1ea*en that you +ill again ,ith the Eternal !ight BOU 'ring# shines no, on BOU- The means o+ sinlessness can :no, no +ear# 'ecause they carry O2!B lo*e ,ith themChildren o+ peace# the light 1AS come to you- The light you 'ring you do 2OT recogni9e# and yet you ,ill remem'er- 4ho can deny 1IMSE!3 the *ision that he 'rings

542

to othersE And ,ho ,ould +ail to recogni9e a gi+t he let 'e laid in 1ea*en through 1IMSE!3E The gentle ser*ice that you gi*e the 1oly Spirit IS ser*ice to yoursel+- Bou ,ho are no, 1IS means must lo*e all that 1e lo*es- And ,hat you 'ring is BOUR remem'erance o+ e*erything that is eternal- 2o trace o+ anything in time can long remain in minds that ser*e the timeless- And 2O illusion can distur' the peace o+ a relationship ,hich has 'ecome the MEA2S o+ peace4hen you ha*e loo:ed upon each other ,ith COM !ETE +orgi*eness# +rom ,hich 2O error is e<cluded and 2OT1I2" :ept hidden# ,hat mista:e can there 'e A2B41ERE you can 2OT o*erloo:E 4hat +orm o+ su++ering could B!OCL your sight# pre*enting you +rom seeing AST itE And ,hat illusion COU!( there 'e you ,ill 2OT recogni9e as a mista:eP a shado, through ,hich you ,al: COM !ETE!B undismayedE "od ,ould let 2OT1I2" inter+ere ,ith those ,hose ,ills are 1is- And they ,ill RECO"2IUE their ,ills are 1is# BECAUSE they ser*e 1is 4ill- A2( SERHE IT 4I!!I2"!B- 1o, can it 2OT 'e theirsE And COU!( remem'erance o+ ,hat they are 'e long delayedE June 6# &5J7 Bou ,ill see your *alue through each other=s eyes# and each one is released as he 'eholds his Sa*iour I2 !ACE o+ the attac:er ,ho he T1OU"1T ,as thereThrough this releasing is the ,orld released- This is BOUR part in 'ringing peace- 3or you ha*e as:ed ,hat is your +unction here# and ha*e 'een ans,ered- See: not to change it# nor to su'stitute A2OT1ER goal- This one ,as "IHE2 you# and O2!B this- Accept this one# and ser*e it ,illingly# +or ,hat the 1oly Spirit does ,ith the gi+ts you gi*e each other# to ,hom 1e o++ers them# and ,here and ,hen# is up to 1im1e ,ill 'esto, them ,here they are recei*ed and ,elcomed- 1e ,ill use e*ery one o+ them +or peace- 2or ,ill one little smile# or ,illingness to o*erloo: the tiniest mista:e# 'e lost to anyone- 4hat can it 'e 'ut uni*ersal 'lessing to loo: on ,hat your 3ather lo*es ,ith charityE EXTE2SIO2 o+ +orgi*eness is the 1oly Spirit=s +unction- !ea*e this to
> G87 >

1im- !et BOUR concern 'e only that you gi*e TO 1im that ,hich can BE e<tendedSa*e no dar: secrets that 1e cannot use- But o++er 1im the tiny gi+ts 1e can e<tend +ore*er1e ,ill ta:e each one# and ma:e o+ it a potent +orce +or peace- 1e ,ill ,ithhold no 'lessing +rom it# or limit it in any ,ay- 1e ,ill @oin to it A!! the po,er that "od has gi*en

543

1im# to ma:e each little gi+t o+ lo*e a source o+ healing +or e*eryone- Each little gi+t you o++er to the other lights up the ,orld- Be not concerned ,ith dar:nessP loo: A4AB +rom it# and TO4AR( each other- And let the dar:ness 'e dispelled 'y 1im 4ho :no,s the light# and lays it gently in each ?uiet smile o+ +aith and con+idence ,ith ,hich you 'less each otherJune K# &5J7 On your learning depends the ,el+are o+ the ,orld- And it is only arrogance that ,ould (E2B the po,er o+ your ,ill- Thin: you the 4ill o+ "od is po,er!ESSE Is this 1UMI!ITBE Bou do not see ,hat this 'elie+ has done- Bou see yoursel+ as *ulnera'le# +rail# and easily destroyed- And at the mercy o+ countless attac:ers more po,er+ul than you- !et us loo: straight at ho, this error came a'out# +or here lies 'uried the hea*y anchor that seems to :eep the +ear o+ "od in place# unmo*a'le and solid as a roc:4hile this remains# so ,ill it seem to 'e4ho can attac: the Son o+ "od and 2OT attac: his 3atherE 1o, can "od=s Son 'e ,ea: and +rail and easily destroyed# U2!ESS 1IS 3AT1ER ISE Bou do 2OT see that EHERB sin and EHERB condemnation ,hich you percei*e and @usti+y IS an attac: upon your 3ather- And that is 41B it has not happened# nor COU!( 'e real- Bou do not see that this is your attempt# BECAUSE you thin: the 3ather and the Son are separateAnd you MUST thin: that they are separate# BECAUSE O3 3EAR- 3or it SEEMS sa+er to attac: another or yoursel+# than to attac: the great Creator o+ the uni*erse# 4hose po,er you L2O4I+ you ,ere one ,ith 1im# A2( RECO"2IUE( T1IS O2E2ESS# you ,ould :no, 1is po,er is BOURS- But you ,ill 2OT remem'er this# ,hile you 'elie*e attac: o+ A2B :ind means A2BT1I2"- It is un@usti+ied in A2B +orm# BECAUSE it has no meaningThe only ,ay it COU!( 'e @usti+ied is i+ each one o+ you ,ere SE ARATE +rom the other# and all ,ere separate +rom your Creator- 3or O2!B then ,ould it 'e possi'le to attac: a part o+ the creation 4IT1OUT the ,holeP the Son 4IT1OUT the 3ather- And to attac: another# 4IT1OUT yoursel+P or hurt yoursel+# ,ithout the other +eeling painAnd this 'elie+# you 4A2T- Bet ,herein lies its *alue# EXCE T in the desire to attac:

544

in sa+etyE Attac: is neither sa+e nor dangerous- IT IS IM OSSIB!E- And this is so# BECAUSE the uni*erse is one- Bou ,ould not choose attac: on its reality# i+ it ,ere not ESSE2TIA! to attac: to see it SE ARATE 3ROM ITS CREATOR- And thus it seems as i+ lo*e could attac:# A2( BECOME 3EAR3U!- Only the (I33ERE2T can attac:- So you conclude# BECAUSE you can attac:# you must 'e (I33ERE2T- Bet does the 1oly Spirit e<plain this di++erently- BECAUSE you are 2OT di++erent# you CA2 2OT ATTACL> G8K >

Either position is a logical conclusion# i+ only the di++erent can attac:- Either could 'e maintained# BUT 2EHER BOT1- The O2!B ?uestion to 'e ans,ered to decide ,hich MUST 'e true# is 41ET1ER BOU ARE (I33ERE2T- 3rom the position o+ ,hat BOU understand# you seem to BE- And T1ERE3ORE can attac:- O+ the alternati*es# this SEEMS more natural# and more in line ,ith your e<perience- And there+ore it is necessary that you ha*e OT1ER e<periences# more in line ,ith truth# to teach you ,hat IS natural and true- This is the +unction o+ your holy relationship- 3or ,hat O2E thin:s# the OT1ER ,ill e<perience 4IT1 him- 4hat can this mean# EXCE T your minds are oneE !oo: not ,ith +ear upon this happy +act# and thin: not that it lays a hea*y 'urden on you- 3or# ,hen you ha*e ACCE TE( it ,ith gladness# you ,ill reali9e that your relationship is a re+lection o+ the union o+ the Creator and 1is Son- 3rom lo*ing minds# there IS no separation- And e*ery thought in one 'rings gladness to the other# BECAUSE they are the same- Joy is unlimited# BECAUSE each shining thought o+ !o*e EXTE2(S its Being# and creates more o+ Itsel+- There is no di++erence A2B41ERE ,ithin it- 3or e*ery thought is li:e Itsel+The light that @oins you shines throughout the uni*erse- And# BECAUSE it @oins you# so it ma:es you one ,ith your Creator- And# in 1IM# is all creation @oined- 4ould you RE"RET you cannot +ear alone# ,hen your relationship can also teach the po,er o+ lo*e is there# ,hich ma:es A!! +ear impossi'leE (o not attempt to :eep a little o+ the ego ,ith this gi+t- 3or it ,as gi*en to 'e USE(# and 2OT o'scured- 4hat teaches you you CA22OT separate# (E2IES the ego- !et TRUT1 decide i+ you 'e di++erent or the same# and TEAC1 you ,hich is true-

545

June &$# &5J7 (o you not see the O OSITE o+ +railty and ,ea:ness is sinlessnessE I22OCE2CE IS STRE2"T1# and nothing else is strong- The sinless cannot +ear- And +ear o+ any :ind is ,ea:ness- The sho, o+ strength attac: ,ould use to COHER +railty# conceals it not3or ho, can the unreal BE hiddenE 2o>one is strong ,ho has an enemy- And no>one can attac:# unless he thin:s he 1AS- Belie+ in enemies is there+ore the 'elie+ in 4EAL2ESSAnd ,hat is ,ea: is 2OT the 4ill o+ "od- Being O OSE( to It# it is Its )enemy-. And "od is +eared# as an O OSI2" ,ill1o, strange indeed 'ecomes this ,ar against Boursel+O Bou ,ill 'elie*e that EHERBT1I2" you use +or sin can hurt you# A2( BECOME BOUR E2EMB- And you ,ill +ight A"AI2ST it# and try to ,ea:en it# BECAUSE o+ this- And you ,ill thin: that you succeeded# and attac: again- It is as certain you ,ill +ear ,hat you attac:# as it is sure that you ,ill lo*e ,hat you percei*e as sinless- 1e ,al:s in peace ,ho tra*els sinlessly along the ,ay !o*e sho,s him- 3or !o*e ,al:s 4IT1 him there# ROTECTI2" him +rom +earAnd he ,ill see O2!B the sinless# ,ho can 2OT attac:4al: you in glory# ,ith your head held high# and +ear no e*il# The innocent are sa+e# 'ecause they S1ARE their innocence- 2othing they see is harm+ul# +or their A4ARE2ESS
> G85 >

o+ the truth releases e*erything +rom the illusion o+ harm+ulness- And ,hat SEEME( harm+ul no, stands shining in their innocence# released +rom sin and +ear# and happily returned to lo*e- They share the strength o+ lo*e BECAUSE they loo:ed on innocenceAnd e*ery error disappeared# 'ecause they sa, it not- 4ho loo:s +or glory +inds it ,here it IS- 4here COU!( it 'e# 'ut in the innocentE !et not the little inter+erers pull you to littleness- There CA2 'e no attraction o+ guilt in innocence- Thin: ,hat a happy ,orld you ,al:# ,ith truth 'eside youO (o not gi*e up this ,orld o+ +reedom# +or a little sigh o+ seeming sin# nor +or a tiny stirring o+ guilt=s attraction- 4ould you# +or all these meaningless distractions# lay 1ea*en asideE Bour destiny and purpose are +ar 'eyond them# in the clean place ,here littleness does not e<ist- Bour purpose is at *ariance ,ith littleness o+ any :ind- And so it is at *ariance ,ith sin!et us not let littleness lead "od=s Son into temptation- 1is glory is BEBO2( it# measureless and timeless as Eternity- (o not let time intrude upon your sight o+ him!ea*e him not +rightened and alone in his temptation- But help him rise a'o*e it# and

546

percei*e the light o+ ,hich he is a part- BOUR innocence ,ill light the ,ay to his# and so is BOURS protected# and LE T in your a,areness- 3or ,ho can :no, his glory# and percei*e the little and the ,ea: a'out himE 4ho can ,al: trem'ling in a +ear+ul ,orld# and reali9e that 1ea*en=s glory shines in himE 2othing around you 'ut is ART o+ you- !oo: on it lo*ingly# and see the light o+ 1ea*en in it- So ,ill you come to understand all that is gi*en you- In :ind +orgi*eness ,ill the ,orld spar:le and shine# and e*erything you once thought sin+ul no, ,ill 'e reinterpreted as part o+ 1ea*en- 1o, 'eauti+ul it is to ,al:# clean and redeemed and happy# through a ,orld in 'itter need o+ the redemption that your innocence 'esto,s upon itO 4hat can you *alue MORE than thisE 3or here is BOUR sal*ation and BOUR +reedom- And it MUST 'e complete# i+ BOU ,ould recogni9e itJune $%# &5J7 The memory o+ "od comes to the ?uiet mind- It CA22OT come ,here there is con+lict# +or a mind at ,ar against itsel+ remem'ers not Eternal "entleness- The means o+ ,ar are 2OT the means o+ peace- And ,hat the ,arli:e ,ould remem'er is 2OT lo*e4ar is impossi'le unless 'elie+ in HICTORB is cherished- Con+lict 4IT1I2 you MUST imply that you 'elie*e the ego has the po,er TO BE HICTORIOUS- 4hy else ,ould you identi+y ,ith itE Surely you reali9e the ego IS at ,ar ,ith "od- Certain it is it 1AS no enemy- But @ust as certain is its +i<ed 'elie+ it has an enemy that it MUST o*ercome# and 4I!! SUCCEE((o you not reali9e a ,ar against yoursel+ ,ould BE a ,ar on "odE Is *ictory CO2CEIHAB!EE And i+ it ,ere# is this a *ictory that you ,ould 4A2TE The death o+ "od# i+ it ,ere possi'le# ,ould 'e BOUR death- Is this a HICTORBE The ego A!4ABS marches to de+eat# BECAUSE it thin:s that triumph o*er you is possi'le- And "od thin:s other,ise> GG% >

This is no ,ar- Only the mad 'elie+ the 4ill o+ "od can 'e attac:ed and o*erthro,nBou may I(E2TI3B ,ith this 'elie+# 'ut ne*er ,ill it 'e more than madness- And +ear ,ill reign in madness# and ,ill SEEM to ha*e replaced lo*e there- This is the con+lict=s UR OSEAnd to those ,ho thin: that it is possi'le# the means seem realBe certain that it is impossi'le "od and the ego# or yoursel+ and it# ,ill EHER meetBou SEEM to meet# and ma:e your strange alliances# on grounds that ha*e no meaning3or your 'elie+s con*erge upon the 'ody# the ego=s chosen home# ,hich you 'elie*e is

547

BOURS- Bou meet at a mista:ePN an error in your sel+>appraisal- The ego @oins ,ith an I!!USIO2 o+ yoursel+ you S1ARE ,ith it- And yet illusions cannot @oin- They ARE the same# and they are nothing- Their @oining lies in nothingnessP t,o are as meaningless as one# or as a thousand- The ego @oins ,ith nothing# BEI2" nothing- The *ictory it see:s is meaningless as is itsel+Brothers# the ,ar against yoursel+ is almost o*er- The @ourney=s end is at the place o+ peace- 4ould you not no, ACCE T the peace o++ered you hereE This enemy you +ought as an I2TRU(ER on your peace is here trans+ormed 'e+ore your sight into the "IHER o+ your peace- Bour )enemy. ,as "od 1imsel+# to 4hom all con+lict# triumph# and attac: o+ A2B :ind are all un:no,n- 1e lo*es you per+ectly# completely# and eternally- The Son o+ "od at ,ar ,ith his Creator is a condition as ridiculous as nature roaring at the ,ind in anger# and proclaiming that it is part o+ itsel+ no longerCould nature possi'ly ESTAB!IS1 this# and ma:e it trueE 2or IS it up to you to say ,hat shall 'e part o+ you# and ,hat is :ept apart- The ,ar against yoursel+ ,as underta:en to teach the Son o+ "od that he is 2OT himsel+# and 2OT his 3ather=s Son- 3or this# the memory o+ his 3ather MUST 'e +orgotten- It IS +orgotten in the 'ody=s li+e# and# i+ you thin: you ARE a 'ody# you ,ill 'elie*e you 1AHE +orgotten it- But truth can ne*er 'e +orgotten 'y ITSE!3- And you ha*e 2OT +orgotten ,hat you are- Only a strange illusion o+ yoursel+# a ,ish to triumph OHER ,hat you are# remem'ers notThe ,ar against yoursel+ is 'ut the 'attle o+ t,o illusions# struggling to ma:e them (I33ERE2T +rom each other# in the 'elie+ the one ,hich con?uers ,ill 'e trueThere IS no con+lict 'et,een them and the TRUT1- 2or ARE they di++erent +rom each otherBoth are 2OT true- And so it matters not ,hat +orm they ta:e- 4hat made them is insane# and they remain part o+ ,hat made them- Madness holds out no menace to reality# and has no in+luence upon it- Illusions CA22OT triumph o*er truth# nor can they threaten it in any ,ay- And the reality ,hich they deny is 2OT a part o+ them4hat BOU remem'er IS a part o+ you- 3or you MUST 'e as "od created you- Truth does not +ight against illusions# nor do illusions +ight against the truth- Illusions 'attle O2!B ,ith themsel*es- Being +ragmented# they +ragment- But truth is indi*isi'le# and 3AR 'eyond their little reach- Bou ,ill remem'er ,hat you :no, ,hen you ha*e learned you CA22OT 'e in con+lict- One I!!USIO2 a'out yoursel+ can 'attle ,ith another# yet

548

the ,ar o+ t,o illusions is a state ,here 2OT1I2" 1A and

E2S- There is no *ictor#

there is no *ictory- And truth stands radiant# A ART +rom con+lict# untouched and ?uiet# in the peace o+ "odCon+lict must 'e 'et,een t,o 3ORCES- It can 2OT e<ist 'et,een one po,er and nothingness- There is nothing you COU!( attac: that is not part o+ you- And# BB attac:ing it# you ma:e t,o illusions o+ yoursel+# I2 CO23!ICT ,ith each other- And this occurs ,hene*er you loo: on A2BT1I2" that "od created ,ith anything 'ut lo*e- Con+lict is +ear+ul# +or it is the 'irth o+ +ear- Bet ,hat is 'orn o+ nothing cannot 4I2 reality through 'attle- 4hy ,ould you +ill your ,orld ,ith con+licts ,ith yoursel+E !et all this madness 'e undone +or you# and turn in peace to the remem'erance o+ "od# still shining in your ?uiet mindSee ho, the con+lict o+ illusions disappears# ,hen it is 'rought to truthO 3or it seems real O2!B as long as it is seen as ,ar 'et,een CO23!ICTI2" truths# the con?ueror to 'e the truer# the MORE real# the HA2DUIS1ER o+ the illusion that ,as less real# MA(E an illusion 'y de+eat- 3or con+lict is the choice BET4EE2 illusions# one to 'e cro,ned as real# the other *an?uished and despised- 1ere ,ill the 3ather 2EHER 'e remem'eredBet 2O illusion can in*ade 1is home# and dri*e 1im out o+ ,hat 1e lo*es +ore*erAnd ,hat 1e lo*es MUST 'e +ore*er ?uiet and at peace BECAUSE it is 1is home- And you ,ho are 'elo*ed o+ 1im are no illusions# 'eing as true and holy as 1imsel+The stillness o+ your certainty o+ 1im and o+ yoursel+ is home to 'oth o+ you# ,ho d,ell as one# and 2OT apart- Open the doors o+ 1is most holy home# and let +orgi*eness s,eep a,ay all trace o+ the 'elie+ in sin that :eeps "od homeless# and 1is Son ,ith 1imBou are not strangers in the house o+ "od- 4elcome your 'rother to the home ,here "od has set him in serenity and peace# and d,ells ,ith him- Illusions ha*e no place ,here !o*e a'ides# protecting you +rom EHERBT1I2" that is not true- Bou d,ell in peace as limitless as its Creator- And EHERBT1I2" is gi*en those ,ho ,ould remem'er 1imO*er 1is home the 1oly Spirit ,atches# sure that its peace can ne*er BE distur'ed1o, can the resting place o+ "od turn on itsel+# and see: to o*ercome the One 4ho d,ells thereE And thin: ,hat happens ,hen the house o+ "od percei*es itsel+ di*idedThe altar disappears# the light gro,s dim# the temple o+ the 1oly One 'ecomes a house

549

o+ sin- And nothing is remem'ered# EXCE T illusions- Illusions CA2 con+lict# 'ecause their +orms ARE di++erent- And they do 'attle O2!B to esta'lish ,hich 3ORM is trueIllusion meets illusionP truth# itsel+- The meeting o+ illusions leads to ,ar- eace loo:ing on itsel+ EXTE2(S itsel+- 4ar is the condition in ,hich +ear is 'orn# and gro,s and see:s to dominate- eace is the state ,here lo*e a'ides# and see:s to share itsel+Con+lict and peace are oppositesP ,here one a'ides# the other CA22OT 'eP ,here either goes# the other disappears- So is the memory o+ "od o'scured in minds that ha*e 'ecome illusions=s 'attleground- Bet +ar 'eyond this senseless ,ar it shines# ready to BE remem'ered ,hen you side ,ith peace> GG$ >

June $K# &5J7 The )la,s o+ chaos. CA2 'e 'rought to light# though 2EHER understood- Chaotic la,s are hardly meaning+ul# and there+ore out o+ reason=s sphere- Bet they A EAR to constitute an o'stacle to reason and to truth- !et us# then# loo: upon them calmly# that ,e may loo: BEBO2( them# understanding ,hat they ARE# 2OT ,hat they ,ould maintain- It IS essential it 'e understood ,hat they are 3OR# 'ecause it is their UR OSE to ma:e meaningless# and to ATTACL the truth- 1ere are the la,s that rule the ,orld you made- And yet they go*ern nothing# and need 2OT 'e 'ro:enP merely loo:ed upon and gone 'eyondThe +irst chaotic la, is that the truth is di++erent +or e*eryone- !i:e all these principles# this one maintains that each is separate# and has a di++erent set o+ thoughts ,hich SETS 1IM O33 +rom others- This principle e*ol*es +rom the 'elie+ there is a hierarchy o+ illusionsP some are MORE *alua'le# and T1ERE3ORE true- And each esta'lishes this 3OR 1IMSE!3# and MALES it true 'y his attac: on ,hat another *alues- This is @usti+ied BECAUSE the *alues di++er# and those ,ho hold them SEEM to 'e unli:e# and T1ERE3ORE enemiesThin: ho, this SEEMS to inter+ere ,ith the +irst principle o+ miracles- 3or this esta'lishes degrees o+ TRUT1 among illusions# ma:ing it appear that some o+ them are 1AR(ER to o*ercome than others- I+ it ,ere reali9ed that they are all the same and EDUA!!B untrue# it ,ould 'e easy# then# to understand that miracles apply to A!! o+ them- Errors o+ A2B :ind can 'e corrected# BECAUSE they are untrue- 4hen 'rought to

550

truth# instead o+ TO EAC1 OT1ER# they merely disappear- 2o ART o+ nothing CA2 'e more resistant to the truth than can anotherThe second la, o+ chaos# dear indeed to e*ery ,orshipper o+ sin# is that each one MUST sin# and there+ore (ESERHES attac: and death- This principle# closely related to the +irst# is the demand that errors call +or punishment# and 2OT correction- 3or the (ESTRUCTIO2 o+ the one ,ho ma:es the error places him BEBO2( correction# and 'eyond +orgi*eness- 4hat he has done is thus interpreted as an irre*oca'le sentence on himsel+# ,hich "od 1imsel+ is po,erless to o*erloo:- Sin cannot BE remitted# 'eing the 'elie+ the Son o+ "od can ma:e mista:es +or ,hich his o,n destruction 'ecomes ine*ita'leThin: ,hat this SEEMS to do to the relationship 'et,een the 3ather and the Son2o, it appears that they can 2EHER 'e One again- 3or One must A!4ABS 'e condemned# A2( BB T1E OT1ER- 2o, are they di++erent# and E2EMIES- And T1EIR relationship is one o+ opposition# @ust as the separate aspects o+ the Son meet O2!B to con+lict# 'ut 2OT to @oin- One 'ecomes ,ea:# the other strong BB 1IS (E3EAT- And +ear o+ "od# and o+ each# other no, appears as sensi'le# made real 'y ,hat the Son o+ "od has done# 'oth to himsel+ A2( his CreatorThe arrogance on ,hich the la,s o+ chaos stand could not 'e more apparent than emerges here-1ere is a principle ,hich ,ould de+ine ,hat the CREATOR o+ reality must 'eP ,hat 1e MUST thin:# and ,hat 1e must 'elie*eP and ho, 1e must RES O2(# 'elie*ing it- It is not seen as e*en necessary that 1e 'e as:ed a'out the truth o+ ,hat has 'een
> GG8 >

esta'lished +or 1is 'elie+- 1is Son can TE!! 1im this# and 1e has 'ut the choice ,hether to ta:e his ,ord +or it# or 'e mista:enThis leads directly to the third preposterous 'elie+ that seems to ma:e chaos eternal3or i+ "od cannot BE mista:en# then 1e must accept 1is Son=s 'elie+ in ,hat he is# and 1ATE him +or it-See ho, the +ear o+ "od is REI23ORCE( 'y this third principle2o, it 'ecomes IM OSSIB!E to turn to 1im +or help in misery- 3or no, 1e has 'ecome the )enemy. 4ho )caused. it# and to 4hom appeal is useless- 2or can sal*ation lie ,ithin the Son# ,hose e*ery aspect seems to 'e at ,ar ,ith 1im# and JUSTI3IE( in its attac:-

551

And no, is con+lict made ine*ita'le# and 'eyond the help o+ "od- And no, sal*ation MUST remain impossi'le# 'ecause the Sa*iour 1AS 'ecome the enemy-There can 'e 2O release and 2O escape- Atonement thus 'ecomes a myth# and *engeance# 2OT +orgi*eness# is the 4ill o+ "od- 3rom ,here all this 'egins# there IS no sight o+ help that can succeed- O2!B destruction can BE the outcome- And "od 1imsel+ SEEMS to 'e siding ,ith it# to o*ercome 1is Son- Thin: not the ego ,ill ena'le you to +ind escape +rom ,hat it ,ants- T1AT is the +unction o+ this course# ,hich does 2OT *alue ,hat the ego cherishesJune $5# &5J7 The ego *alues only ,hat it TALES- This leads to the +ourth la, o+ chaos ,hich# i+ the others are accepted# MUST 'e true- This seeming la, is the 'elie+ you 1AHE ,hat you ha*e ta:en- By this# another=s loss 'ecomes your gain# and thus it +ails to recogni9e that you can ne*er ) ta:e a,ay. sa*e +rom BOURSE!3- Bet all the other la,s must lead to this- 3or enemies do 2OT gi*e ,illingly to one another# nor ,ould they see: to S1ARE the things they *alue- And ,hat your E2EMIES ,ould :eep +rom you must BE ,orth ha*ing# @ust BECAUSE they :eep it hidden +rom your sightAll o+ the mechanisms o+ madness are seen emerging here- The )enemy#. made strong 'y :eeping hidden the *alua'le inheritance ,hich should 'e yoursP your JUSTI3IE( possession# and attac: +or ,hat has 'een ,ithheldP and the ine*ita'le loss the enemy MUST su++er# to sa*e BOURSE!3- Thus do the guilty ones protest their innocence4ere they not +orced into this +oul attac: 'y the unscrupulous 'eha*ior o+ the enemy# they ,ould respond ,ith only :indness- But# in a sa*age ,orld# the :ind cannot sur*i*eSo they MUST ta:e# or else 'e ta:en 3ROMAnd no, there is a *ague# unans,ered ?uestion# not yet )e<plained-. 4hat IS this precious thing# this priceless pearl# this hidden secret treasure# to 'e ,rested in righteous ,rath +rom this most treacherous and cunning enemyE It must 'e ,hat you ,ant# and ne*er +ound- And no, you )understand. the reason 41B you +ound it not- 3or it ,as TALE2 +rom you 'y the enemy# and hidden ,here you ,ould not thin: to loo:- 1e hid it in his BO(B# ma:ing it the co*er +or his guiltP the hiding place +or ,hat 'elongs to BOU> GGG >

2o, must his 'ody 'e destroyed and sacri+iced# that you may ha*e that ,hich BE!O2"S to you- 1is treachery (EMA2(S his death# that BOU may li*e- And you attac:

552

only in sel+>de+ense-But ,hat is it you ,ant# that 2EE(S his deathE Can you 'e sure your murderous attac: IS @usti+ied# unless you :no, ,hat it is 3ORE And here a +inal principle o+ chaos comes to the )rescue-. It holds there is a SUBSTITUTE +or lo*e- This is the )magic. that ,ill cure all o+ your painP the missing +actor in your madness T1AT MALES IT )SA2E-. T1IS is the reason ,hy you must attac:- 1ERE is ,hat ma:es your *engeance @usti+iedBehold# un*eiled# the ego=s secret gi+t# torn +rom your 'rother=s 'ody# hidden there in malice and in hatred +or the one to ,hom the gi+t 'elongs- 1E ,ould depri*e you o+ the secret ingredient ,hich ,ould gi*e meaning to your li+e- The su'stitute +or lo*e# 'orn o+ your enmity to one another# MUST 'e sal*ation- IT has no su'stitute# and there IS only one- And A!! relationships ha*e 'ut the purpose o+ sei9ing it# and ma:ing it your o,n- 2e*er is your possession made complete- And ne*er ,ill your 'rother cease his o,n attac: on BOU# +or ,hat you stole- 2or ,ill "od end 1is *engeance upon 'oth# +or# in 1is madness# 1e must ha*e this su'stitute +or lo*e# and :ill you 'othBou ,ho 'elie*e you ,al: in sanity# ,ith +eet on solid ground# and through a ,orld ,here meaning CA2 'e +ound# consider thisF These ARE the la,s on ,hich your )sanity. appears to rest- These ARE the principles ,hich ma:es the ground 'eneath your +eet seem solid- And it IS here you loo: +or meaning- These are the la,s BOU made +or your sal*ation- They hold in place the su'stitute +or 1ea*en that you pre+er- This is their UR OSEP they ,ere MA(E +or this- There is no point in as:ing ,hat they meanThis is apparent- The MEA2S o+ madness MUST 'e insane- Are you as certain that you reali9e the "OA! is madnessE 2O>O2E 4A2TS madness# nor does anyone cling to his madness i+ he sees that this is ,hat it IS- 4hat ROTECTS madness is the 'elie+ T1AT IT IS TRUE- It is the 3U2CTIO2 o+ insanity to TALE T1E !ACE o+ truth- It must 'e seen AS truth# to 'e 'elie*edAnd i+ it IS the truth# then must its opposite# ,hich ,as the truth 'e+ore# 'e madness no,Such a re*ersal# COM !ETE!B turned around# ,ith madness sanity# illusions true# attac: a :indness# hatred lo*e# and murder 'enediction# IS the goal the la,s o+ chaos ser*e-

553

These are the means 'y ,hich the la,s o+ "od A EAR to 'e re*ersed- 1ere do the la,s o+ sin A EAR to hold lo*e capti*e# and let sin go +reeThese do not SEEM to 'e the goals o+ chaos- 3or# 'y the great re*ersal# they appear to 'e the la,s o+ OR(ER- 1o, could it 2OT 'e soE Chaos is la,lessness# and 1AS no la,s- To 'e 'elie*ed# its SEEMI2" la,s must 'e percei*ed as REA!- Their goal o+ madness MUST 'e seen as sanity- And +ear# ,ith ashen lips and sightless eyes# 'linded and terri'le to loo: upon# is li+ted to the throne o+ lo*e# its dying con?ueror# its su'stitute# the sa*iour +rom sal*ation- 1o, lo*ely do the la,s o+ +ear ma:e death appearO "i*e than:s unto the hero on lo*e=s throne# ,ho sa*ed the Son o+ "od +or +ear and deathO And yet# ho, can it 'e that la,s li:e these can BE 'elie*edE There is a strange de*ice that ma:es this possi'le- 2or is it un+amiliarP ,e ha*e seen ho, it A EARS to +unction
> GG6 >

many times 'e+ore- In truth# it does 2OT +unction# yet in dreams# ,here O2!B shado,s play the ma@or roles# it seems most po,er+ul- 2o la, o+ chaos COU!( compel 'elie+# 'ut +or the emphasis on +orm and (ISRE"AR( O3 CO2TE2T- 2o>one ,ho thin:s that one o+ them is true SEES 41AT IT SABS- Some 3ORMS it ta:es seem to ha*e meaning# and that is all1o, can some 3ORMS o+ murder 2OT mean deathE Can an attac: in A2B +orm 'e lo*eE 4hat 3ORM o+ condemnation is a 'lessingE 4ho ma:es his Sa*iour po,erless# and 3I2(S sal*ationE !et not the 3ORM o+ the attac: on him decei*e you- Bou CA22OT see: to harm him# and 'e sa*ed- 4ho can +ind SA3ETB +rom attac: 'y turning on himsel+E 1o, can it matter ,hat the 3ORM this madness ta:esE It is a @udgment that de+eats ITSE!3# condemning ,hat it says it ,ants to sa*e- Be not decei*ed ,hen madness ta:es a +orm you thin: is lo*ely- 4hat is intent on your destruction# is 2OT your +riendBou ,ould maintain# and thin: it true# that you do 2OT 'elie*e such senseless la,s# nor act upon them- And# ,hen you loo: at ,hat they SAB# they CA22OT 'e 'elie*edBrothers# you (O 'elie*e them- 3or ho, else could you ERCEIHE the +orm they ta:e# ,ith content such as thisE Can A2B +orm o+ this 'e tena'leE Bet you 'elie*e them 3OR the +orms they ta:e# and (O 2OT RECO"2IUE the content- IT ne*er changes- Can you

554

paint rosy lips upon a s:eleton# dress it in lo*eliness# pet it and pamper it# A2( MALE IT !IHEE And can you 'e content ,ith an illusion that BOU are li*ingE There IS no li+e outside o+ 1ea*en- 4here "od created li+e# there li+e must 'e- In A2B state apart +rom 1ea*en# li+e is illusion- At 'est# it SEEMS li:e li+eP at ,orst# li:e death- Bet 'oth are @udgments on ,hat is 2OT li+e# e?ual in their inaccuracy and lac: o+ meaning- !i+e not in 1ea*en is impossi'le# and ,hat is 2OT in 1ea*en is not A2B41EREOutside o+ 1ea*en# only the con+lict o+ illusions standsP senseless# impossi'le and 'eyond A!! reason# and yet percei*ed as an eternal BARRIER to 1ea*en- Illusions ARE 'ut +ormsTheir content is 2EHER trueThe la,s o+ chaos go*ern A!! illusions- Their +orms con+lict# ma:ing it SEEM ?uite possi'le to *alue some a'o*e the others- Bet each one rests as surely on the 'elie+ the la,s o+ chaos ARE the la,s o+ order# as do the others- Each one upholds these la,s completely# o++ering a certain ,itness that these la,s are true- The seeming gentler 3ORM o+ the attac: is no less certain in its ,itnessing# OR ITS RESU!TS- Certain it is illusions ,ill 'ring +ear# 'ecause o+ the 'elie+s that they imply# 2OT +or their +orm- And lac: o+ +aith in lo*e# in A2B +orm# attests to chaos AS REA!ITB3rom the 'elie+ in sin# the +aith in chaos MUST +ollo,- It is BECAUSE it +ollo,s that it seems to 'e a logical conclusionP a *alid step in ordered thought- The steps to chaos (O +ollo, neatly +rom their starting>point- Each is a di++erent +orm in the progression o+ truth=s re*ersal# leading still deeper into terror# and A4AB +rom truth- Thin: not one step is smaller than another# nor that return +rom one is easier- The ,hole descent +rom 1ea*en lies in each one- And ,here your thin:ing starts# there must it end> GGJ >

Brothers# ta:e not one step in the descent to hell- 3or 1AHI2" ta:en one# you ,ill 2OT RECO"2IUE the rest +or ,hat they are- And they 4I!! +ollo,- Attac: in A2B +orm has placed your +oot upon the t,isted stair,ay that leads 3ROM 1ea*en- Bet# any instant# it is possi'le to ha*e all this undone- 1o, can you :no, ,hether you chose the stairs to 1ea*en or the ,ay to hellE Duite easily- 4hat do you +eelE Is peace in your a,arenessE Are you CERTAI2 ,hich ,ay you goE And are you sure the goal o+ 1ea*en CA2 'e reachedE I+ not# you ,al: alone- As:# then# your 3riend to JOI2 ,ith you# and "IHE you certainty o+ ,here you goJuly&%# &5J7

555

Is it not true you do 2OT recogni9e some o+ the +orms attac: can ta:eE I+ it is true attac: in A2B +orm ,ill hurt you# and ,ill do so @ust as much as in another +orm ,hich you (O recogni9e# then it MUST +ollo, that you do not al,ays RECO"2IUE the source o+ pain- ATTACL I2 A2B 3ORM IS EDUA!!B (ESTRUCTIHE- Its UR OSE does not change- Its sole intent is murder# and ,hat 3ORM o+ murder ser*es to co*er the massi*e guilt and +rantic +ear o+ punishment the murderer MUST +eelE 1e may deny he IS a murderer# and @usti+y his sa*agery ,ith smiles as he attac:sBet he ,ill su++er# and ,ill loo: on his intent in nightmares# ,here the smiles are gone# and ,here the purpose rises to meet his horri+ied a,areness# and pursue him still3or no>one T1I2LS o+ murder and escapes the guilt the thought entails- I+ the I2TE2T is death# ,hat matter the +orm it ta:esE Is death in A2B +orm# ho,e*er lo*ely and charita'le it may SEEM to 'e# a 'lessing and a sign the Hoice +or "od spea:s through you to your 'rotherE The ,rapping does not ma:e the gi+t you gi*e- An empty 'o<# ho,e*er 'eauti+ul and gently gi*en# still contains nothing# and neither the recei*er 2OR T1E "IHER is long decei*ed- 4IT11O!( +orgi*eness +rom your 'rother# and you ATTACL him- Bou "IHE him nothing# and recei*e o+ him 'ut ,hat you ga*eSal*ation is no compromise o+ any :ind- To compromise is to accept 'ut part o+ ,hat you ,antP to ta:e a littleP and "IHE U the rest- Sal*ation gi*es up nothing- It is complete +or e*eryone- !et the I(EA o+ compromise 'ut enter# and the a,areness o+ sal*ation=s UR OSE is lost# 'ecause it is not recogni9ed- It is (E2IE( ,here compromise has 'een accepted- 3or compromise is the 'elie+ SA!HATIO2 is impossi'le- It ,ould maintain you can attac: a little# lo*e a little# A2( L2O4 T1E (I33ERE2CE- Thus it ,ould teach a little o+ the same can still 'e di++erent# and yet the same remain intact# as one- (oes this ma:e senseE Can it BE understoodE This course is easy @ust BECAUSE it ma:es no compromise- Bet it SEEMS di++icult to those ,ho still 'elie*e that compromise is possi'le- They do 2OT see that# i+ it is# SA!HATIO2 IS ATTACL- Bet it is certain the 'elie+ that sal*ation is impossi'le can 2OT uphold a ?uiet# calm assurance it has come- 3orgi*eness cannot BE ,ithheld a little2or is it possi'le to attac: +or this and lo*e +or that# and U2(ERSTA2( +orgi*eness4ould you not 4A2T to recogni9e assault upon your peace in A2B +orm# i+ only thus does it
> GG7 >

556

'ecome impossi'le that BOU lose sight o+ itE It CA2 'e :ept shining 'e+ore your *ision# +ore*er clear and 2EHER out o+ sight# i+ BOU de+end it notThose ,ho 'elie*e that peace can BE de+ended# and that attac: is JUSTI3IE( on its 'ehal+# can 2OT percei*e it lies ,ithin them- 1o, COU!( they :no,E Could they ACCE T +orgi*eness side 'y side ,ith the 'elie+ that murder ta:es some +orms 'y ,hich their peace is SAHE(E 4ould they 'e 4I!!I2" to accept the +act their sa*age purpose is directed against themsel*esE 2o>one unites ,ith enemies# nor is at one ,ith them in purpose- And no>one COM ROMISES ,ith an enemy 'ut hates him still# +or ,hat he LE T +rom him-Mista:e not truce +or peace# nor compromise +or the ESCA E +rom con+lictTo 'e RE!EASE( +rom con+lict means that IT IS OHER- The door is openP you ha*e !E3T the 'attleground- Bou ha*e 2OT lingered there in co,ering hope# 'ecause the guns are stilled an instant and the +ear that haunts the place o+ death is not apparent# that it ,ill not return- There IS no sa+ety in a 'attleground- Bou can loo: do,n on it in sa+ety +rom a'o*e# and 2OT 'e touched- But# +rom ,ithin it# you can +ind 2O sa+ety- 2ot one tree le+t standing still ,ill shelter you- 2ot one illusion o+ protection stands against the +aith in murder- 1ere stands the 'ody# torn 'et,een the natural desire to communicate and the unnatural intent to murder and to dieThin: you the 3ORM that murder ta:es can o++er sa+etyE Can guilt 'e ABSE2T +rom a 'attle+ieldE The +ear o+ "od is +ear o+ li+e# and 2OT o+ death- Bet 1e remains the only place o+ sa+ety- In 1im is no attac:# and no illusion in any +orm stal:s 1ea*en1ea*en is 41O!!B true- 2o di++erence enters- And ,hat is A!! the same cannot con+lict- Bou are 2OT as:ed to +ight A"AI2ST your ,ish to murder- But you ARE as:ed to reali9e the 3ORM it ta:es conceals the SAME intent- And it is T1IS you +ear# and 2OT the +orm4hat is 2OT lo*e IS murder- 4hat is not lo*ing MUST 'e an attac:- EHERB illusion is an assault on truth- And e*ery one does *iolence to the I(EA o+ lo*e# 'ecause it SEEMS to 'e o+ e?ual truth-4hat can 'e EDUA! to the truth# yet di++erentE Murder and lo*e are incompati'le- Bet# i+ they BOT1 are true# then must they 'e the SAME# and indistinguisha'le +rom one another- So 4I!! they 'e# to those ,ho see "od=s Son a 'ody- 3or it is 2OT the 'ody that is li:e the Son=s Creator- And ,hat is li+eless cannot BE the Son o+ !i+e1o, can a 'ody 'e e<tended to hold the uni*erseE Can IT create# and BE ,hat it createsE And can it o++er its creations A!! that it is# and 2EHER su++er lossE "od does not share 1is +unction ,ith a 'ody- 1e "AHE the +unction to create unto 1is Son# BECAUSE

557

it is 1is O,n- It is 2OT sin+ul to 'elie*e the +unction o+ the Son is murder- But it IS insanity- 4hat is the same can 1AHE no di++erent +unction- Creation is the means +or "od=s e<tension- And ,hat is 1is MUST 'e 1is Son=s as ,ell- Either the 3ather A2( the Son are murderers# or neither is- !i+e ma:es not death# creating li:e itsel+The lo*ely light o+ your relationship IS li:e the lo*e o+ "od- It cannot yet assume the holy +unction "od ga*e 1is Son# +or your +orgi*eness o+ one another is not complete as yet- And so it cannot 'e e<tended to A!! creation- Each +orm o+ murder and attac: that
> GGK >

still attracts you# and that you do not recogni9e +or ,hat it is# limits the healing and the miracles you 1AHE the po,er to e<tend to all- Bet does the 1oly Spirit understand ho, to increase your little gi+ts# and ma:e them mighty- Also 1e understands ho, your relationship is raised ABOHE the 'attleground# I2 it no moreThis is your partP to reali9e that murder# in A2B +orm# is 2OT your ,ill- The OHER!OOLI2" o+ the 'attleground is no, your purpose-Be li+ted up# and +rom a higher place loo: do,n upon it- 3rom there# ,ill your perspecti*e 'e ?uite di++erent- 1ere# in the midst o+ it# it (OES seem real- 1ere you ha*e C1OSE2 to 'e part o+ it- 1ere murder IS your choice- Bet# +rom a'o*e# the choice is miracles# I2STEA( o+ murder- And the perspecti*e COMI2" 3ROM this choice sho,s you the 'attle is 2OT real# and easily escaped- Bodies may 'attle# 'ut the clash o+ +orms is meaningless- And it IS o*er# ,hen you reali9e it ne*er ,as 'egun- 1o, can a 'attle 'e percei*ed as nothingness# ,hen you E2"A"E in itE 1o, can the truth o+ miracles 'e RECO"2IUE(# i+ murder is your choiceE 4hen the temptation to attac: rises to ma:e your mind dar:ened and murderous# remem'er you CA2 see the 'attle +rom a'o*e- E*en in +orms you do 2OT recogni9e# the signs you :no,- There is a sta' o+ pain# a t,inge o+ guilt# and# a'o*e all# a !OSS O3 EACE- This you :no, ,ell- 4hen it occurs# lea*e not your place on high# 'ut ?uic:ly choose a miracle I2STEA( o+ murder- And "od 1imsel+ and all the lights o+ 1ea*en# ,ill gently lean to you# and hold you up- 3or you ha*e chosen to remain ,here 1e ,ould ha*e you- And 2O illusion can attac: the peace o+ "od TO"ET1ER ,ith 1is SonSee no>one +rom the 'attleground# +or there you loo: on him +rom no,here- Bou ha*e 2O re+erence point +rom ,here to loo:# ,here meaning can 'e gi*en ,hat you see3or only 'odies COU!( attac: and murder# and i+ this is your purpose# then you MUST 'e one ,ith them- Only a UR OSE uni+ies# and those ,ho share a purpose ha*e a mind

558

as one- The 'ody 1AS no purpose o+ itsel+# and MUST 'e solitary- 3rom 'elo,# it cannot BE surmounted- 3rom a'o*e# the limits it e<erts on those in 'attle still# are gone and 2OT percei*ed- The 'ody stands 'et,een the 3ather and the 1ea*en 1e created +or 1is SonBECAUSE it has no purposeThin: ,hat is gi*en those ,ho share their 3ather=s purpose# and ,ho L2O4 that it is theirsO They ,ant +or nothing- Sorro, o+ any :ind is inconcei*a'le- Only the !ight they lo*e is in a,areness# and only !o*e shines upon them +ore*er- It is their past# their present# and their +uture- Al,ays the same# eternally complete# and ,holly sharedThey L2O4 it is impossi'le their happiness could EHER su++er change o+ any :inderhaps you thin: the 'attleground CA2 o++er something that you can ,in- CA2 it 'e anything that o++ers you a per+ect calmness# and a sense o+ lo*e so deep and ?uiet that no touch o+ dou't can EHER mar your certaintyE And that ,ill last +ore*erE Those ,ith the strength o+ "od in their a,areness could ne*er T1I2L o+ 'attle4hat COU!( they gain 'ut !OSS o+ their per+ectionE 3or e*erything +ought +or on the 'attleground is o+ the 'odyP something it seems to o++er or to o,n- 2o>one ,ho :no,s that he has e*erything could see: +or limitation# nor COU!( he *alue the 'ody=s o++eringsThe senselessness o+ con?uest is ?uite apparent +rom the ?uiet sphere a'o*e the
> GG5 >

'attleground- 4hat can con+lict ,ith e*erythingE And ,hat is there that o++ers !ESS yet could 'e ,anted MOREE 4ho# ,ith the lo*e o+ "od upholding him#could +ind the choice o+ miracles or murder hard to ma:eE July &7# &5J7 3orget not that the moti*ation +or this course is the attainment and the LEE I2" o+ the state o+ peace- "i*en this state# the mind is ?uiet# and the condition in ,hich "od is remem'ered is attained- It is not necessary to tell 1im ,hat to do- 1e ,ill not +ail4here 1e can enter# there 1e is already- And can it 'e 1e can2OT enter ,here 1e ,ills to 'eE eace ,ill 'e yours BECAUSE it is 1is 4ill- Can you 'elie*e a shado, can hold 'ac: the 4ill that holds the uni*erse secureE "od does not ,ait upon illusions to let 1im 'e 1imsel+- 2o more 1is Son- They ARE- And ,hat illusions that idly seem to dri+t 'et,een them has the po,er to de+eat ,hat IS Their 4illE To learn this course re?uires ,illingness to ?uestion EHERB *alue that you hold-

559

2ot one can 'e :ept hidden and o'scure# 'ut it ,ill @eopardi9e your learning- 2O 'elie+ is neutralP e*ery one has the po,er to dictate each decision you ma:e- 3or a decision is a CO2C!USIO2# 'ased on EHERBT1I2" that you 'elie*e- It is the OUTCOME o+ 'elie+# and +ollo,s it as surely as does su++ering +ollo, guilt# and +reedom sinlessnessThere IS no su'stitute +or peace- 4hat "od creates has 2O alternati*e- The truth arises +rom ,hat 1e :no,s- And your decisions come +rom your 'elie+s as certainly as all creation rose in 1is Mind BECAUSE o+ ,hat 1e :no,s!o*e IS e<tension- To ,ithhold the smallest gi+t is not to :no, lo*e=s purpose- !o*e o++ers e*erything +ore*er- 1old 'ac: 'ut O2E 'elie+# O2E o++ering# and lo*e is gone# 'ecause you as:ed a su'stitute to ta:e its place- And no, must ,ar# the SUBSTITUTE +or peace# come ,ith the one alternati*e that you CA2 choose +or lo*e- Bour C1OOSI2" it has gi*en it A!! the reality it seems to ha*e- Belie+s ,ill ne*er O E2!B attac: each other# 'ecause con+licting outcomes ARE impossi'le- But an U2RECO"2IUE( 'elie+ is a decision to ,ar in secret# ,here the results o+ con+lict are :ept un:no,n and 2EHER 'rought to reason# to 'e considered sensi'le or notAnd many senseless outcomes 1AHE 'een reached# and meaningless decisions ha*e 'een made and :ept hidden# to 'ecome 'elie+s no, "IHE2 po,er to direct all su'se?uent decisions- Mista:e you not the po,er o+ these hidden ,arriors to disrupt your peace3or it IS at their mercy ,hile you decide to lea*e it there- The secret enemies o+ peace# your least decisions to choose attac: instead o+ lo*e# unrecogni9ed and s,i+t to challenge BOU to com'at and to *iolence +ar more inclusi*e than you thin:# are there 'y your election- (o not deny their presence nor their terri'le results- All that can BE denied is their REA!ITB# 'ut 2OT their outcomeAll that is e*er cherished as a hidden 'elie+# to 'e de+ended though unrecogni9ed# is 3AIT1 I2 S ECIA!2ESS- This ta:es many +orms# 'ut A!4ABS clashes ,ith the reality o+ "od=s creation# and ,ith the grandeur ,hich 1e ga*e 1is Son- 4hat else COU!( @usti+y
> G6% >

attac:E 3or ,ho could hate someone ,hose Sel+ is his# and ,hich 1e L2O4SE Only the special COU!( ha*e enemies# +or they are di++erent# and 2OT the same- And di++erence

560

o+ A2B :ind imposes orders o+ reality# and a need to @udge that cannot BE escaped4hat "od created cannot 'e attac:ed# +or there is nothing in the uni*erse unli:e itsel+But ,hat is di++erent CA!!S +or @udgment# and this MUST come +rom someone )'etter#. someone incapa'le o+ 'eing li:e ,hat he condemns# )a'o*e. it# sinless BB COM ARISO2 ,ith it- And thus does specialness 'ecome a means and end at once- 3or specialness not only sets apart# 'ut ser*es as grounds +rom ,hich attac: on those ,ho seem )'eneath. the special one is )natural. and )@ust-. The special ones +eel ,ea: and +rail BECAUSE o+ di++erences- 3or ,hat ,ould ma:e them special IS their enemy- Bet they ROTECT its enmity# and call it )+riend-. On its 'ehal+ they +ight against the uni*erse# +or nothing in the ,orld they *alue moreSpecialness is the great dictator o+ the ,rong decisions- 1ere is the grand illusion o+ ,hat you are and ,hat your 'rother is- And here is ,hat MUST ma:e the 'ody dear# and 4ORT1 preser*ing- S ECIA!2ESS MUST BE (E3E2(E(- Illusions CA2 attac: it# and they (O- 3or ,hat your 'rother MUST 'ecome# to LEE your specialness# IS an illusion1e ,ho is ),orse. than you MUST 'e attac:ed# so that your specialness can li*e on his de+eat- 3or specialness is triumph# and its *ictory IS his de+eat and shame- 1o, can he li*e# ,ith all your sins upon himE And ,ho MUST 'e his con?ueror 'ut youE 4ould it 'e OSSIB!E +or you to hate your 'rother i+ you ,ere li:e himE COU!( you attac: him i+ you reali9ed you @ourney 4IT1 him# to a goal that is the SAMEE 4ould you not help him reach it# in e*ery ,ay you could# i+ his attainment o+ it ,ere yoursE Bou ARE his enemy in specialnessP his 3riend in a S1ARE( purpose- Specialness can 2EHER share# +or it depends on goals that you A!O2E can reach- And he must 2EHER reach them# or BOUR goal is @eopardi9ed- Can lo*e 1AHE meaning ,here the goal is triumphE And ,hat decision CA2 'e made +or this# that ,ill 2OT hurt youE Bour 'rother is your 3riend BECAUSE his 3ather created him li:e you- There IS no di++erence- Bou ha*e 'een "IHE2 to each other that lo*e might 'e e<tended# 2OT cut o++ +rom one another- 4hat you LEE is lost to you- "od ga*e you 'oth 1imsel+- And to remem'er this is no, the O2!B purpose that you share- And so it is the only one you

561

1AHE- Could you attac: each other i+ you chose to see 2O specialness o+ any :ind 'et,een youE !oo: +airly at ,hate*er ma:es you gi*e each other partial ,elcome# or ,ould let you thin: that you are 'etter o++ apart- Is it not A!4ABS your 'elie+ your specialness is !IMITE( 'y your relationshipE And is not T1IS the )enemy. that ma:es you 'oth illusions to each otherE The +ear o+ "od# and o+ each other# comes +rom each unrecogni9ed 'elie+ in specialness- 3or each demands the other 'o, to it A"AI2ST 1IS 4I!!- And "od 1imsel+ must honor it# or su++er *engeance- E*ery t,inge o+ malice# or sta' o+ hate# or ,ish to separate arises here- 3or here the purpose that you share 'ecomes o'scured +rom BOT1 o+ you- Bou ,ould oppose this course 'ecause it teaches you BOU ARE A!ILE- Bou ha*e 2O purpose that is not the same- And none your 3ather does not share ,ith you> G6& >

3or your relationship has 'een made clean o+ special goals- And ,ould you no, (E3EAT the goal o+ holiness that 1ea*en ga*e itE 4hat perspecti*e can the special ha*e that does 2OT change ,ith e*ery seeming 'lo,# each slight# or +ancied @udgment on itsel+E Those ,ho are special MUST de+end illusions against the truth- 3or ,hat is specialness 'ut an attac: upon the 4ill o+ "odE Bou lo*e your 'rother not ,hile it is this you ,ould de+end A"AI2ST him- This is ,hat 1E attac:s and BOU protect- 1ere is the ground o+ 'attle ,hich you ,age against him1ere MUST he 'e your enemy# and 2OT your 3riend- 2e*er can there 'e peace among the di++erent- 1e is your +riend BECAUSE you are the sameAugust 7# &5J7 Comparison MUST 'e an ego de*ice# +or lo*e ma:es none- Specialness A!4ABS ma:es comparisons- It is ESTAB!IS1E( 'y a lac: seen in another# and maintained 'y searching +or and :eeping clear in sight all lac:s it can percei*e- This does it see:# and this it loo:s upon- And A!4ABS ,hom it thus diminishes ,ould 'e your Sa*iour# had you not chosen to ma:e o+ him a tiny measure o+ your specialness instead- Against the littleness you see in him you stand as tall and stately# clean and honest# pure and unsullied 'y comparison ,ith ,hat you see2or do you understand it is BOURSE!3 that you diminish thus- ursuit o+ specialness is al,ays at the cost o+ peace- 4ho can attac: his Sa*iour# and cut him do,n# yet recogni9e his strong supportE 4ho can detract +rom his omnipotence# and S1ARE his po,erE And

562

,ho can use him as the guage +or littleness# and 'e RE!EASE( +rom limitsE Bou ha*e a +unction in sal*ation- ITS pursuit ,ill 'ring you @oy- But the pursuit o+ specialness MUST 'ring you pain- 1ere is the goal that ,ould de+eat sal*ation# and thus run COU2TER to the 4ill o+ "od- To *alue specialness is to esteem an alien ,ill to ,hich illusions o+ yoursel+ ARE dearer than the truthSpecialness is the idea o+ sin MA(E REA!- Sin is impossi'le e*en to imagine# ,ithout this 'ase- 3or sin arose +rom it# out o+ nothingness# an e*il +lo,er ,ith no roots at all1ere is the sel+>made sa*iour the creator ,ho creates U2!ILE the 3ather# and ,hich made 1is Son li:e to itsel+# and 2OT li:e unto 1im- 1is S ECIA! sons are many# 2EHER one# each one in e<ile +rom himsel+ and 1im o+ 4hom they are a part- 2or do they lo*e the Oneness ,hich created them as One ,ith 1im- They chose their specialness I2STEA( o+ 1ea*en and I2STEA( o+ peace# and ,rapped it care+ully in sin# to :eep it )sa+e. +rom truthBou are 2OT special- I+ you thin: you are# and ,ould de+end your specialness against the truth o+ ,hat you REA!!B are# ho, can you :no, the truthE 4hat ans,er that the 1oly Spirit gi*es can reach you# ,hen it is your specialness to ,hich you listen# and ,hich as:s and ans,ersE Its tiny ans,er# soundless in the melody ,hich pours +rom "od to you eternally in lo*ing praise o+ ,hat you are# is all you listen to- And that *ast song o+ honor and o+ lo*e +or ,hat you are seems silent and unheard 'e+ore ITS mightinessBou
> G6$ >

strain your ears to hear ITS soundless *oice# and yet the Call o+ "od 1imsel+ is soundless to youBou CA2 de+end your specialness# 'ut ne*er ,ill you hear the Hoice +or "od 'eside it- They spea: a di++erent language# and they +all on di++erent ears- To e*ery special one a (I33ERE2T message# and one ,ith (I33ERE2T meaning# is the truth- Bet ho, CA2 truth 'e di++erent to each oneE The special messages the special hear con*ince them T1EB are di++erent and apartP each in his special sins and sa+e +rom lo*e# ,hich does not see his specialness at all- Christ=s Hision IS their enemy# +or it sees not ,hat T1EB ,ould loo: upon- And it 4OU!( sho, them that the specialness they thin: they see IS an illusion-

563

4hat ,ould they see insteadE The shining radiance o+ the Son o+ "od# so li:e his 3ather that the memory o+ 1im springs instantly to mind- And ,ith this memory# the Son remem'ers his o,n creations# as li:e to him as he is to his 3ather- And all the ,orld he made# and all his specialness# and all the sins he held in its de+ense A"AI2ST himsel+# ,ill *anish as his mind accepts the truth a'out himsel+# as it returns to ta:e their placeThis is the only )cost. o+ truth- Bou ,ill no longer see ,hat ne*er ,as# nor hear ,hat ma:es no sound- Is it a sacri+ice to gi*e up nothing# and to recei*e the !o*e o+ "od +ore*erE Bou ,ho ha*e chained your Sa*iour to your specialness# and gi*en it 1IS place# remem'er thisF 1e has 2OT lost the po,er to +orgi*e you all the sins you thin: you placed 'et,een him and the +unction o+ sal*ation "IHE2 him +or you- 2or ,ill you C1A2"E his +unction# any more than you can change the truth in him and in yoursel+But 'e you certain that the truth is @ust the same in 'oth- It gi*es no di++erent messages# and has O2E meaning- And it is one you BOT1 can understand# and one ,hich 'rings release to BOT1 o+ you- 1ere stands your 'rother ,ith the :ey to 1ea*en in his hand# held out to you- !et not the dream o+ specialness remain 'et,een you- 4hat is one IS @oined in truthThin: o+ the lo*eliness that you ,ill see ,ithin yoursel+# ,hen you ha*e loo:ed on him as on a 3riend- 1e IS the enemy o+ specialness# 'ut O2!B +riend to ,hat is real in you- 2ot one attac: you thought you made on him has ta:en +rom him the gi+t that "od ,ould ha*e him gi*e to you- 1is need to gi*e it is as great as yours to ha*e it- !et him +orgi*e you all your specialness# and ma:e you ,hole in his mind and one ,ith him1e ,aits +or your +orgi*eness only that he may return it unto you- It is not "od 4ho has condemned 1is Son- But O2!B you# to sa*e his specialness# and :ill his Sel+Bou ha*e come +ar along the ,ay o+ truthP too +ar to +alter no,- Just one step more# and e*ery *estige o+ the +ear o+ "od ,ill melt a,ay in lo*e- Bour 'rother=s specialness and yours ARE enemies# and 'ound in hate to :ill each other and (E2B they are the same- Bet it is not illusions that ha*e reached this +inal o'stacle that seems to ma:e "od and 1is 1ea*en so remote that they cannot 'e reached- 1ere# in this holy place# does truth stand ,aiting to recei*e you 'oth in silent 'lessing# and in peace so real and so encompassing that 2OT1I2" stands outside> G68 >

!ea*e all illusions o+ yoursel+ OUTSI(E this place# to ,hich you come in hope and

564

honesty- 1ere is your Sa*iour 3ROM your specialness- 1e is in need o+ your acceptance o+ himsel+ as part o+ you# as you +or his- Bou are ali:e to "od as "od is to 1imsel+1e is not special# +or 1e ,ould not :eep one part o+ ,hat 1e is unto 1imsel+# 2OT gi*en to 1is Son# 'ut :ept +or 1im alone- And it is this you +earP +or# i+ 1e is not special# then 1e ,illed 1is Son 'e li:e 1im# and your 'rother IS li:e you- 2ot special# 'ut possessed o+ e*erything# I2C!U(I2" you"i*e him 'ut ,hat he has# remem'ering "od ga*e 1imsel+ to BOT1 o+ you in e?ual lo*e# that 'oth might share the uni*erse ,ith 1im 4ho chose that lo*e could ne*er 'e di*ided and :ept separate +rom ,hat it IS and must +ore*er 'e- Bou ARE your 'rother=sP part o+ lo*e ,as not (E2IE( to him- But can it 'e that BOU ha*e lost 'ecause 1E is completeE 4hat has 'een gi*en him ma:es BOU complete# as it does him- "od=s !o*e ga*e you to him and him to you# 'ecause 1e ga*e 1imsel+- 4hat is the same as "od IS One ,ith 1im- And O2!B specialness could ma:e the truth o+ "od and you AS One seem anything BUT 1ea*en- And the hope o+ peace at last in sightSpecialness is the seal o+ treachery upon the gi+t o+ lo*e- 4hate*er ser*es its purpose MUST 'e gi*en to :ill- 2o gi+t that 'ears its seal 'ut o++ers treachery to gi*er and recei*er2ot one glance +rom eyes it *eils 'ut loo:s on sight o+ death- 2ot one 'elie*er in its potency 'ut see:s +or 'argains and +or compromise that ,ould esta'lish sin lo*e=s su'stitute# and ser*e it +aith+ully- And no relationship that holds its purpose dear 'ut clings to murder as sa+ety=s ,eapon# and the great de+ender o+ all illusions +rom the )threat. o+ lo*eThe hope o+ specialness ma:es it seem possi'le "od made the 'ody as the prisonhouse ,hich :eeps 1is Son +rom 1im- 3or it (EMA2(S a special place "od cannot enter# and a hiding>place ,here none is ,elcome 'ut your tiny sel+- 2othing is sacred here 'ut unto you# and you alone# apart and separate +rom all your 'rothersP sa+e +rom A!! intrusions o+ sanity upon illusionsP sa+e +rom "od# and sa+e +or con+lict e*erlasting1ere are the gates o+ hell you closed upon yoursel+# to rule in madness and in loneliness your special :ingdom# A ART +rom "od# A4AB +rom truth and +rom sal*ationThe :ey you thre, a,ay "od ga*e your 'rother# ,hose holy hands ,ould o++er it to you# ,hen you ,ere ready to accept 1is plan +or your sal*ation in place o+ yours1o, could this readiness 'e reached sa*e through the sight o+ all your misery# and the a,areness that your plan has +ailed# and ,ill +ore*er +ail to 'ring you peace and @oy o+ any :indE

565

Through this despair you tra*el no,# yet it is 'ut I!!USIO2 o+ despair- The death o+ specialness is 2OT your death# 'ut your a,a:ing into !i+e Eternal- Bou 'ut emerge +rom an illusion o+ ,hat you are# to the acceptance o+ yoursel+ as "od created youAugust &6# &5J7 3orgi*eness is the end o+ specialness- Only illusions can BE +orgi*en# and then they disappear- 3orgi*eness is release +rom A!! illusions# and that is ,hy it is impossi'le 'ut
> G6G >

ART!B to +orgi*e- 2o>one ,ho clings to O2E illusion can see himsel+ as sinless# +or he holds one error to himsel+ as lo*ely still- And so he calls it )un+orgi*ea'le#. and ma:es it sin- 1o, can he then gi*e 1IS +orgi*eness ,holly# ,hen he ,ould not recei*e it +or himsel+E 3or it is sure he 4OU!( recei*e it ,holly# the instant that he ga*e it soAnd thus 1IS secret guilt ,ould disappear# +orgi*en 'y himsel+4hate*er +orm o+ specialness you cherish# you ha*e made sin- In*iolate it stands# strongly de+ended ,ith all your puny might against the 4ill o+ "od- And thus it stands against BOURSE!3# BOUR enemy# not "od=s- So does it seem to split you o++ +rom "od# and ma:e you separate +rom 1im as its de+ender- BOU ,ould protect ,hat "od created not- And yet# this idol that seems to "IHE you po,er has ta:en it a,ay- 3or you ha*e gi*en your 'rother=s 'irthright to it# lea*ing 1IM alone and un+orgi*en# and yoursel+ in sin 'eside him# 'oth in misery# 'e+ore the idol that can sa*e you notIt is not BOU that is so *ulnera'le and open to attac: that @ust a ,ord# a little ,hisper that you do not li:e# a circumstance that suits you not# or an e*ent that you did not anticipate upsets your ,orld# and hurls it into chaos- Truth is not +rail- Illusions lea*e it per+ectly unmo*ed and undistur'ed- But specialness is 2OT the truth in you- IT can 'e thro,n o++ 'alance 'y A2BT1I2"- 4hat rests on nothing 2EHER can 'e sta'le1o,e*er large and o*er>'lo,n it SEEMS to 'e# it still must roc: and turn and ,hirl a'out ,ith e*ery 'ree9e4ithout +oundation nothing is secure- 4ould "od ha*e le+t 1is Son in such a state# ,here sa+ety 1AS no meaningE 2o# N 1is Son is sa+e# resting on 1im- It is your specialness that is attac:ed 'y e*erything that ,al:s and 'reathes# or creeps or cra,ls# or e*en li*es at all- 2othing is sa+e +rom its attac:# and it is sa+e +rom nothing- It ,ill +ore*er more BE un+orgi*ing# +or that is ,hat it IS- A secret *o, that ,hat "od ,ants +or you ,ill ne*er 'e# and that you ,ill oppose 1is 4ill +ore*er- 2or is it possi'le the t,o can e*er 'e the same# ,hile specialness stands li:e a +laming s,ord o+ death 'et,een them# and ma:es them

566

enemies"od as:s +or your +orgi*eness- 1e ,ould ha*e no separation# li:e an alien ,ill# rise 'et,een ,hat 1e ,ills +or you# and ,hat BOU ,ill- T1EB are the same# +or neither one ,ills specialness- 1o, could they ,ill the death o+ lo*e itsel+E Bet they are po,erless to ma:e attac: upon illusions- They are 2OT BO(IESP as One Mind they ,ait +or all illusions to 'e BROU"1T to them# and le+t 'ehind- Sal*ation challenges not e*en death- And "od 1imsel+# 4ho :no,s that death is 2OT your ,ill# must say# )Thy ,ill 'e done#. 'ecause BOU thin: it is3orgi*e the great Creator o+ the uni*erse# the Source o+ li+e# o+ lo*e and holiness# the per+ect 3ather o+ a per+ect Son# +or your illusions o+ your specialness- 1ere is the hell you chose to 'e your home- 1e chose not this +or you- As: not 1e enter this- The ,ay is 'arred to lo*e and to sal*ation- Bet i+ you ,ould release your 'rother +rom the depths o+ hell# you ha*e +orgi*en 1im 4hose 4ill it is you rest +ore*er in the arms o+ peace# in per+ect sa+ety# and ,ithout the heat and malice o+ one thought o+ specialness to mar your rest- 3orgi*e the 1oly One the specialness 1e could not gi*e and yet you made instead> G66 >

The special ones are all asleep# surrounded 'y a ,orld o+ lo*eliness they do not see3reedom and peace and @oy stand there# 'eside the 'ier on ,hich they sleep# and call them to come +orth and ,a:en +rom their dream o+ death- Bet they hear nothingThey are lost in dreams o+ specialness- They hate the call that ,ould a,a:en them- And they curse "od 'ecause 1e did not ma:e their dream reality- Curse "od and die# 'ut not 'y 1im 4ho made not death# 'ut only in the dreams- Open your eyes a littleP see the Sa*iour "od ga*e to you that you might loo: on him# and gi*e him 'ac: his 'irthrightIt is BOURSThe sla*es o+ specialness ,ill yet 'e +ree- Such is the 4ill o+ "od# and o+ 1is Son4ould "od condemn 1IMSE!3 to hell and to damnationE And do BOU ,ill that this 'e done unto your Sa*iourE "od calls to you +rom him to @oin 1is 4ill to sa*e you BOT1 +rom hell- !oo: on the print o+ nails upon his hands that he holds out +or your +orgi*eness"od as:s your mercy on 1is Son# and on 1imsel+- (eny them not- They as: o+ you 'ut that your ,ill 'e done- They see: your lo*e that you may lo*e yoursel+- !o*e not your specialness instead o+ them- The print o+ nails are on your hands as ,ell- 3orgi*e your

567

3ather it ,as 2OT 1is 4ill that you 'e cruci+iedAugust &7# &5J8 Specialness is a lac: o+ trust in anyone e<cept yoursel+- 3aith is in*ested in yoursel+ alone- E*erything else 'ecomes your enemy# +eared and attac:ed# deadly and dangerous# hated and ,orthy only o+ destruction- 4hate*er gentleness it o++ers is 'ut deception# 'ut its hate is real- In danger o+ destruction# it MUST :ill# and BOU are dra,n to it# to :ill it +irst- And such is guilt=s attraction- 1ere is death enthroned as sa*iourP cruci+i<ion is no, redemption# and sal*ation can O2!B mean destruction o+ the ,orld# EXE T BOURSE!34hat could the purpose o+ the 'ody BE 'ut specialnessE And it is this that ma:es it +rail and helpless in its o,n de+ense- It ,as CO2EIHE( to ma:e BOU +rail and helplessThe goal o+ separation is its curse- But 'odies 1AHE no goal- urpose is o+ the mindAnd minds can change# as they desire- 4hat they ARE# and all their attri'utes# CA22OT changeBut ,hat they hold as purpose CA2 'e changed# and 'ody states must shi+t accordinglyO+ itsel+ the 'ody can do nothing- See it as means to hurt# and it is hurt- See it as means to heal# and it is healedBOU CA2 BUT 1URT BOURSE!3- This has 'een o+t repeated# 'ut is di++icult to grasp as yet- To minds intent on specialness# it is impossi'le- Bet to those ,ho ,ish to heal and 2OT attac:# it is ?uite o'*ious- The purpose o+ attac: is in the MI2(# and its e++ects are +elt 'ut ,here it IS- 2or is mind limitedP so must it 'e that harm+ul purpose hurts the mind AS O2E- 2othing could ma:e !ESS sense to specialness- 2othing could ma:e MORE sense to miracles- 3or miracles are merely change o+ purpose +rom hurt to healingThis shi+t in purpose (OES )endanger. specialness# 'ut only in the sense that all illusions are )threatened. 'y the truth- They ,ill 2OT stand 'e+ore it- Bet ,hat com+ort
> G6J >

has e*er 'een in them# that you ,ould :eep the gi+t your 3ather as:s +rom 1im# and gi*e it there insteadE "i*en to 1IM# the uni*erse is yours- O++ered to T1EM# no gi+ts can 'e returned- 4hat you ha*e gi*en specialness has le+t you 'an:rupt# and your treasurehouse 'arren and empty# ,ith an open door in*iting e*erything that ,ould distur' your peace to enter and destroy!ong ago ,e said consider not the means 'y ,hich sal*ation is attained# nor ho, to

568

reach it- But (O consider# and consider ,ell# ,hether it 'e your 4IS1 that you might see your 'rother sinless- To specialnes#s the ans,er MUST 'e )no-. A sinless 'rother IS its enemy# ,hile sin# i+ it ,ere possi'le# 4OU!( 'e its +riend- Bour 'rother=s )sins. ,ould @usti+y itsel+# and "IHE it meaning that the truth denies- All that is real proclaims his sinlessness- All that is +alse proclaims his sins as real- I+ 1E is sin+ul# then is BOUR reality not real# 'ut @ust a dream o+ specialness ,hich lasts an instant# crum'ling into dust(o not de+end this senseless dream# in ,hich "od is 'ere+t o+ ,hat 1e lo*es# and you remain 'eyond sal*ation- Only this is certain# in this shi+ting ,orld ,hich has 2O meaning in realityF 4hen peace is not ,ith you E2TIRE!B# and ,hen you su++er pain o+ A2B :ind# you ha*e 'eheld some sin ,ithin your 'rother# A2( 1AHE REJOICE( at ,hat you thought ,as there- Bour specialness seemed sa+e BECAUSE o+ it- And thus you sa*ed ,hat BOU appointed to 'e your sa*iour# and cruci+ied the one ,hom "od has gi*en you instead- So are you 'ound ,ith him# +or you ARE one ,ith him- And so is specialness 1IS enemy# and BOURS as ,ellAugust $K# &5J7 The Christ in you is *ery still- 1e loo:s on ,hat 1e lo*es# and :no,s it as 1imsel+And thus does 1e re@oice at ,hat 1e sees# 'ecause 1e :no,s that it is one ,ith 1im# and ,ith 1is 3ather- Specialness# too# ta:es @oy in ,hat it sees# although it is not true- Bet ,hat you see: +or IS a source o+ @oy# as you concei*e it- 4hat you ,ish# IS true +or you2or is it possi'le that you can ,ish +or something# and !ACL +aith that it is so- 4IS1 MALES REA!# as surely as does 4ill create- The po,er o+ a ,ish upholds illusions as strongly as does !o*e e<tend Itsel+- E<cept that one deludesP the other healsThere is no dream o+ specialness# ho,e*er hidden or disguised its +orm# ho,e*er lo*ely it may seem to 'e# ho,e*er much it delicately o++ers the hope o+ peace and the escape +rom pain# in ,hich you su++er not your condemnation- In dreams e++ect and cause are interchanged# +or here the ma:er o+ the dream 'elie*es that ,hat he made is happening TO him- 1e does 2OT reali9e he pic:ed a thread +rom here# a scrap +rom there# and ,o*e a picture out o+ nothing- 3or the parts do 2OT 'elong together# and the ,hole contri'utes nothing to the parts to "IHE them meaning4here could your peace arise BUT +rom +orgi*enessE The Christ in you loo:s O2!B on the truth# and sees no condemnation that could 2EE( +orgi*eness- 1Ee is at peace BECAUSE 1e sees no sin- Identi+y ,ith 1im# and ,hat has 1e that you ha*e notE 1e is in your eyes# your ears# your hands# your +eet- 1o, gentle are the sights 1e sees# the
> G67 >

569

sounds 1e hears- 1o, 'eauti+ul 1is hand that holds 1is 'rother=s# and ho, lo*ingly 1e ,al:s 'eside him# sho,ing him ,hat CA2 'e seen and heard# and ,here he ,ill see nothing# and there IS no sound to hearBet let your specialness direct his ,ay# and BOU ,ill +ollo,- And 'oth ,ill ,al: in danger# each intent# in the dar: +orest o+ the sightless# unlit 'ut 'y the shi+ting# tiny gleams that spar: an instant +rom the +ire+lies o+ sin and then go out# to lead the other to a nameless precipice and hurl him o*er it- 3or ,hat can specialness delight in 'ut to :illE 4hat does it see: +or 'ut the sight o+ deathE 4here does it lead 'ut to destructionE Bet thin: not that it loo:ed upon your 'rother 3IRST# nor hated him BE3ORE it hated youThe sin its eyes 'ehold in him# and lo*e to loo: upon it sa, in you# and loo:s on still ,ith @oyBet IS it @oy to loo: upon decay and madness# and 'elie*e this crum'ling thing# ,ith +lesh already loosened +rom the 'one and sightless holes +or eyes# is li:e yoursel+E Re@oice you 1AHE no eyes ,ith ,hich to seeP no ears to listen# and no hands to hold nor +eet to guide- Be glad that only Christ can lend you 1is# ,hile you ha*e need o+ them- They are illusions# too# as much as yours- And yet# 'ecause they ser*e a di++erent purpose# the strength their UR OSE holds is gi*en T1EM- And ,hat T1EB see and hear and hold and lead is gi*en light# that BOU may lead as you ,ere ledThe Christ in you is *ery still- 1e :no,s ,here you are going# and 1e leads you there in gentleness and 'lessing all the ,ay- 1is lo*e +or "od replaces A!! the +ear you thought you sa, ,ithin yoursel+- 1is holiness sho,s you 1imsel+ in him ,hose hand you hold# and ,hom you lead to 1im- And ,hat you see IS li:e yoursel+- 3or ,hat 'ut Christ IS there to see and hear and lo*e and +ollo, homeE 1e loo:ed upon you 3IRST# 'ut recogni9ed that you ,ere not complete- And so 1e sought +or your completion in each li*ing thing that 1e 'eholds and lo*es- And see:s it still# that each might o++er BOU the !o*e o+ "odBet is 1e ?uiet# +or 1e :no,s that !o*e is in you no,# and sa+ely held in you 'y that same hand that holds your 'rother=s in your o,n- Christ=s hand holds all 1is 'rothers in 1imsel+- 1e gi*es them *ision +or their sightless eyes# and sings to them o+ 1ea*en# that their ears may hear no more the sound o+ 'attle and o+ death- 1e reaches through them# holding out 1is hand# that e*eryone may 'less all li*ing things# and see their holiness-

570

And 1e re@oices that these sights are BOURS# to loo: upon ,ith 1im and share 1is @oy1is per+ect !ACL o+ specialness 1e o++ers you# that you may sa*e all li*ing things +rom death# recei*ing +rom each one the gi+t o+ !i+e that your +orgi*eness o++ers to your Sel+The sight o+ Christ is all there is to see- The song o+ Christ is all there is to hear- The hand o+ Christ is all there is to hold- There is no @ourney 'ut to ,al: ,ith 1im- Bou ,ho ,ould 'e content ,ith specialness# and see: sal*ation in a ,ar ,ith !o*e# consider thisF The holy !ord o+ 1ea*en has 1imsel+ come do,n to you to o++er you your o,n completion4hat is 1is is yours# 'ecause in your completion is 1is O,n- 1e 4ho ,illed not to 'e ,ithout 1is Son could ne*er ,ill that you 'e Brotherless- And ,ould 1e gi*e a Brother
> G6K >

unto you e<cept he 'e as per+ect as yoursel+# and @ust as li:e to 1im in holiness as BOU must 'eE There must 'e dou't BE3ORE there can 'e con+lict- And EHERB dou't must 'e a'out yoursel+- Christ 1AS no dou't# and +rom 1is certainty 1is ?uiet comes- 1e ,ill e<change 1is certainty +or A!! your dou'ts# i+ you agree that 1e is one ,ith you# and that this Oneness is endless# timeless# and ,ithin your grasp BECAUSE your hands are his1e is ,ithin you# yet 1e ,al:s 'eside you and 'e+ore# leading the ,ay that 1e must go to +ind 1imsel+ complete- 1is ?uietness 'ecomes BOUR certainty- And ,here is dou't# ,hen certainty has comeE Sept- $6# &5J7 Be+ore your 'rother=s holiness the ,orld is still# and peace descends on it in gentleness and 'lessing so complete# that not one trace o+ con+lict still remains to haunt you in the dar:ness o+ the night- 1e is your Sa*iour +rom the dreams o+ +ear- 1e is the healing o+ your sense o+ sacri+ice# and +ear that ,hat you ha*e ,ill scatter ,ith the ,ind# and turn to dust- In him is your assurance "od is here# and ,ith you no,- 4hile he is ,hat he is# you can 'e sure that "od is :no,a'le# and 4I!! 'e :no,n to you- 3or 1e could ne*er lea*e 1is o,n creation- And the sign that this is so lies in your 'rother# o++ered you that all your dou'ts a'out yoursel+ may disappear 'e+ore his holinessSee in him "od=s creation- 3or in him his 3ather ,aits +or your ac:no,ledgment that

571

1e created BOU as part o+ 1im- 4ithout you# there ,ould 'e a lac: in "od# a 1ea*en incomplete# a Son ,ithout a 3ather- There could 'e no uni*erse# and no reality- 3or ,hat "od ,ills is ,hole# and part o+ 1im BECAUSE 1is 4ill is One- 2othing ali*e that is not part o+ 1im# and nothing IS 'ut IS ali*e in 1im- Bour 'rother=s holiness sho,s you that "od is One ,ith him A2( youP that ,hat he has is yours BECAUSE you are not separate +rom him OR +rom his 3ather2othing is lost to you in all the uni*erse- 2othing that "od created has 1e +ailed to lay 'e+ore you lo*ingly# as yours +ore*er- And no thought ,ithin 1is Mind is a'sent +rom your o,n- It is 1is 4ill you S1ARE 1is lo*e +or you# and loo: upon yoursel+ as lo*ingly as 1e concei*ed o+ you 'e+ore the ,orld 'egan# and as 1e :no,s you still- "od changes not 1is Mind a'out 1is Son ,ith passing circumstance ,hich has no meaning in eternity ,here 1e a'ides# and you ,ith 1im- Bour 'rother IS as 1e created him- And it is this that sa*es BOU +rom a ,orld that 1e created not3orget not that the healing o+ "od=s Son is all the ,orld is +or- That is the O2!B purpose the 1oly Spirit sees in it# and thus the only one it 1AS- Until you see the healing o+ the Son as all you ,ish to 'e accomplished 'y the ,orld# 'y time and A!! appearances# you ,ill 2OT :no, the 3ather OR yoursel+- 3or you ,ill use the ,orld +or ,hat is 2OT its purpose# and ,ill 2OT escape its la,s o+ *iolence and death- Bet it is "IHE2 you to 'e BEBO2( its la,s in A!! respects# in EHERB ,ay and EHERB circumstanceP in A!!
> G65 >

temptation to percei*e ,hat is 2OT there# and A!! 'elie+ "od=s Son can su++er pain 'ecause he sees himsel+ as he is not!oo: on your 'rother# and 'ehold in him the ,hole re*ersal o+ the la,s that SEEM to rule this ,orld- See in his +reedom BOURS# +or such it IS- !et not his specialness o'scure the truth in him# +or not one la, o+ death you 'ind him to ,ill BOU escapeAnd not one sin you see in him 'ut :eeps you BOT1 in hell- Bet ,ill his per+ect sinlessness RE!EASE you 'oth# +or holiness is ?uite impartial# ,ith one @udgment made +or all it loo:s upon- And that is made# not o+ itsel+# 'ut through the Hoice that spea:s +or "od in e*erything that li*es# and shares 1is BeingIt is 1IS sinlessness that eyes that see can loo: upon- It is 1IS lo*eliness they see in e*erything- And it is 1E they loo: +or e*ery,here# and +ind no sight nor place nor time

572

,here 1e is 2OT- 4ithin your 'rother=s holiness# the per+ect +rame +or BOUR sal*ation and the ,orld=s# is set the shining memory o+ 1im in 4hom your 'rother li*es# and you along ,ith him- !et not your eyes 'e 'linded 'y the *eil o+ specialness that hides the +ace o+ Christ +rom him# and you as ,ell- And let the +ear o+ "od no longer hold the *ision you ,ere MEA2T to see +rom you- Bour 'rother=s BO(B sho,s not Christ to you- 1e IS set +orth ,ithin his holinessChoose# then# his 'ody OR his holiness as ,hat you 4A2T to see# and ,hich you choose is yours to loo: upon- Bet ,ill you choose in countless situations# and through time ,hich seems to ha*e no end# until the truth 'e your decision- 3or eternity is 2OT regained 'y still one more denial o+ the Christ in him- And ,here is BOUR sal*ation# i+ he is 'ut a 'odyE 4here is BOUR peace# 'ut in his holinessE And ,here is "od 1imsel+ 'ut in that part o+ 1im 1e set +ore*er in your 'rother=s holiness# that BOU might see the truth a'out yoursel+# set +orth at last in terms you recogni9ed and understoodE Bour 'rother=s holiness is sacrament and 'enediction unto BOU- 1is errors can 2OT ,ithhold "od=s 'lessing +rom himsel+# nor you ,ho see him truly- 1is mista:es can cause delay# ,hich it is gi*en BOU to ta:e +rom him# that 'oth may end a @ourney that has ne*er 'een 'egun# and 2EE(S no end- 4hat ne*er ,as is 2OT a part o+ you- Bet you ,ill thin: it is# until you reali9e that it is not a part o+ him ,ho stands 'eside you- 1e is the mirror o+ yoursel+# ,herein you see the @udgment you ha*e laid on BOT1 o+ youThe Christ in you 'eholds his holiness- Bour specialness loo:s on his 'ody# and 'eholds him notSee him as ,hat he IS# that BOUR deli*erance may not 'e long- A senseless ,andering# ,ithout a purpose and ,ithout accomplishment o+ any :ind# is all the other choice can o++er you- 3utility o+ +unction not +ul+illed ,ill haunt you ,hile your 'rother lies asleep# =til ,hat has 'een assigned to you is done# and he is risen +rom the past- 1e ,ho condemned himsel+# and you as ,ell# is gi*en you to sa*e +rom condemnation# along ,ith you- And 'oth shall see "od=s glory in 1is Son# ,hom you mistoo: as +lesh# and 'ound to la,s that ha*e 2O po,er o*er him at all> GJ% >

4ould you not gladly reali9e these la,s are not +or BOUE Then see 1IM not as prisoner to them- It CA22OT 'e ,hat go*erns part o+ "od holds not +or all the restBou

573

place BOURSE!3 under the la,s you see as ruling 1IM- Thin:# then# ho, great the !o*e o+ "od +or BOU must 'e# that 1e has gi*en you a part o+ 1im# to sa*e +rom pain and gi*e BOU happiness- And ne*er dou't 'ut that your specialness ,ill disappear 'e+ore the 4ill o+ "od 4ho lo*es each part o+ 1im ,ith e?ual lo*e and care- The Christ in you CA2 see your 'rother truly- And ,ould you decide A"AI2ST the holiness 1e seesE Specialness is the +unction ,hich you ga*e yoursel+- It stands +or you alone# as sel+created# sel+>maintained# in need o+ nothing# and un@oined ,ith anything 'eyond the 'ody- In its eyes# you are a separate uni*erse# ,ith all the po,er to hold itsel+ complete ,ithin itsel+# ,ith e*ery entry shut against intrusion# and e*ery ,indo, 'arred against the light- Al,ays attac:ed and al,ays +urious# ,ith anger al,ays +ully @usti+ied# you ha*e pursued this goal ,ith *igilance you ne*er thought to yield# and e++ort that you ne*er thought to cease- And all this grim determination ,as +or thisF BOU 4A2TE( S ECIA!2ESS TO BE T1E TRUT12o, you are merely as:ed that you pursue another goal ,ith +ar less *igilanceP ,ith little e++ort and ,ith little time# and ,ith the po,er o+ "od maintaining it# and promising success- Bet# o+ the t,o# it is T1IS one you +ind more di++icult- The SACRI3ICE o+ sel+ you understand# nor do you deem T1IS cost too hea*y- But a tiny ,illingness# a nod to "od# a greeting to the Christ in you# you +ind a 'urden ,earisome and tedious# too hea*y to 'e 'orne- Bet to the dedication to the truth as "od esta'lished it# 2O sacri+ice is as:ed# 2O strain called +orth# and all the po,er o+ 1ea*en and the might o+ truth itsel+ is gi*en to pro*ide the means# and "UARA2TEE the goal=s accomplishmentBou ,ho 'elie*e it easier to see your 'rother=s 'ody than his holiness# 'e sure you understand ,hat made this @udgment- 1ere is the *oice o+ specialness heard clearly# @udging A"AI2ST the Christ# and setting +orth +or BOU# the purpose that you CA2 attain# and ,hat you can 2OT do- 3orget not that this @udgment must apply to ,hat you do ,ith IT as your ally- 3or ,hat you do through Christ it does not :no,- To 1im# this @udgment ma:es no sense at all# +or O2!B ,hat 1is 3ather ,ills is possi'le# and there IS no alternati*e +or 1im to see- Out o+ 1is !ACL o+ con+lict comes your peace- And +rom 1is purpose comes the means +or e++ortless accomplishment and restSept- $7# &5J7 1o, 'itterly does e*eryone tied to this ,orld de+end the specialness he 4A2TS to

574

'e the truthO 1is ,ish is la, to him# and he o'eys- 2othing his specialness demands does he ,ithhold- 2othing it needs does he deny to ,hat he lo*es- And# ,hile it calls to him# he hears no other Hoice- 2o e++ort is too great# no cost too much# no price too dear# to sa*e his specialness +rom the least slight# the tiniest attac:# the ,hispered dou't# the hint o+ threat# or anything 'ut deepest re*erence- This is your son# 'elo*ed o+ you as you are
> GJ& >

to your 3ather- Bet it stands in place o+ your creations# ,ho ARE son to you# that you might S1ARE the 3atherhood o+ "od# not snatch it 3ROM 1im4hat IS this son that you ha*e made to 'e your strengthE 4hat is this child o+ earth# on ,hom such lo*e is la*ishedE 4hat is this parody o+ "od=s creation# that ta:es the place o+ BOURSE And ,here are T1EB# no, that the host o+ "od has +ound another son ,hich he pre+ers to themE The memory o+ "od shines not alone- 4hat is ,ithin your 'rother still contains A!! o+ creation# e*erything created and creating# 'orn and un'orn as yet# still in the +uture or apparently gone 'y- 4hat is in him is changeless# and BOUR changelessness is recogni9ed in its ac:no,ledgment- The holiness in you 'elongs to him- And# BB your seeing it in him# returns to BOUAll o+ the tri'ute you ha*e gi*en specialness 'elongs to him# and thus returns to you- All o+ the lo*e and care# the strong protection# the thought 'y day and night# the deep concern# the po,er+ul con*iction this is you# 'elong to him- 2othing you ga*e to specialness 'ut is 1IS due- And nothing due him is 2OT due to you- 1o, ,ill you L2O4 your ,orth# ,hile specialness claims you insteadE 1o, can you 3AI! to :no, it# in his holinessE See: not to ma:e your specialness the truth# 3OR# i+ it ,ere# you ,ould 'e lost indeed- Be than:+ul# rather# it is gi*en you to see his holiness BECAUSE it is the truth- And ,hat is true in him MUST 'e as true in youAs: yoursel+ thisF CA2 BOU ROTECT T1E MI2(E The 'ody# yes# a littleP not +rom time# 'ut temporarily- And much you thin: to sa*e# you hurt- 4hat ,ould you sa*e it 3ORE 3or in that choice lie 'oth its health A2( harm- Sa*e it +or sho,# as 'ait to catch another +ish# to house your specialness in 'etter style# or ,ea*e a +rame o+ lo*eliness around your hate# and you condemn it to decay and pain- And i+ you see this purpose in your 'rother=s# such is your condemnation o+ your o,n- 4ea*e rather# then# a +rame o+ holiness around him# that the truth may shine in him# and gi*e BOU sa+ety +rom decayThe 3ather :eeps ,hat 1E created sa+e- BOU cannot touch it ,ith the +alse ideas

575

you made# BECAUSE it ,as created not 'y you- !et not your +oolish +ancies +righten you4hat is immortal cannot BE attac:edP ,hat is 'ut temporal 1AS no e++ect- Only the UR OSE that you see in it has meaning# and i+ T1AT is true# its sa+ety rests secure- I+ not# it 1AS no purpose# and is means +or nothing- 4hate*er is percei*ed as means +or truth S1ARES in its holiness# and rests in light as sa+ely as Itsel+- 2or ,ill that light go out ,hen it is gone- Its holy purpose "AHE it immortality# setting another light in 1ea*en# ,here your creations recogni9e a gi+t +rom BOU# a sign that you ha*e 2OT +orgotten themThe test o+ EHERBT1I2" on earth is simply thisF )4hat is it 3ORE. The ans,er ma:es it ,hat it IS +or you- It has 2O meaning o+ itsel+# yet you can "IHE reality to it# according to the purpose ,hich BOU ser*e- 1ere# BOU are 'ut means# along ,ith it"od is a Means as ,ell as End- In 1ea*en# means and end are one# and One ,ith 1imThis is the state o+ true creation# +ound not ,ithin time# 'ut in eternity- To no>one here is this descri'a'le- 2or is there any ,ay to learn ,hat this condition means- 2ot =til you go AST learning to the "i*enP not =til you ma:e again a holy home +or your creations is it understood> GJ$ >

A co>creator ,ith the 3ather must ha*e a Son- Bet must this Son ha*e 'een created li:e 1imsel+- A per+ect Being# all>encompassing and all>encompassed# nothing to add and nothing ta:en 3ROMP not 'orn o+ si9e nor ,eight nor time# nor held to limits or uncertainties o+ A2B :ind- 1ere do the means and end unite as One# nor does this One ha*e any end at all- All this is true# and yet it has no meaning to anyone ,ho still retains one unlearned lesson in his memoryP one thought ,ith purpose still uncertain# or one ,ish ,ith a di*ided aimThis course ma:es no attempt to teach ,hat cannot easily 'e learned- Its scope does not e<ceed your o,n- E<cept to say that ,hat is yours ,ill come to you ,hen you are ready- 1ere# are the means and purpose separate 'ecause they ,ere so made and so percei*ed- And there+ore do ,e deal ,ith them as i+ they ,ere- It is essential it 'e :ept in mind that A!! perception still is upside do,n# until its UR OSE has 'een understooderception does not SEEM to 'e a means- And it is this that ma:es it hard to grasp the ,hole e<tent to ,hich it MUST depend on ,hat you see it 3ORerception seems to TEAC1 you ,hat you see- Bet it 'ut ,itnesses to ,hat BOU taught- It is the out,ard picture o+ a ,ish# an image that you 4A2TE( to 'e true!oo:

576

at yoursel+# and you ,ill see a 'ody- !oo: at this 'ody in a di++erent light# and it loo:s di++erent- And ,ithout a light# it seems that it is gone- Bet you are reassured that it is there# 'ecause you still can +eel it ,ith your hands# and hear it mo*e1ere is an image that you 4A2T to 'e yoursel+- It is the means to ma:e your ,ish come true- It "IHES the eyes ,ith ,hich you loo: on it# the hands that +eel it# and the ears ,ith ,hich you listened to the sounds it ma:es- IT ROHES ITS O42 REA!ITB TO BOUThus is the 'ody made a T1EORB o+ yoursel+# ,ith 2O pro*isions made +or e*idence BEBO2( itsel+# and 2O escape ,ithin its sight- Its course is sure# ,hen seen through its o,n eyes- It gro,s and ,ithers# +lourishes and dies- And you cannot concei*e o+ you A ART +rom it- Bou 'rand it sin+ul# and you hate its acts# @udging it e*il- Bet your specialness ,hispers# )1ere is my o,n 'elo*ed son# ,ith ,hom I am ,ell pleased-. Thus does the son 'ecome the MEA2S to ser*e his +ather=s purpose- 2OT identical# not e*en li:e# 'ut still a means to o++er to the +ather 41AT 1E 4A2TS- Such is the tra*esty on "od=s creation- 3or# as 1is Son=s creation ga*e 1IM @oy and ,itness to 1IS !o*e and shared 1IS urpose# so does the 'ody testi+y to the idea that made it# and spea: +or ITS reality and truth- And thus are t,o sons made# and BOT1 appear to ,al: this earth ,ithout a meeting place# and 2O encounter- One do you see OUTSI(E yoursel+# your O42 'elo*ed son- The other rests ,ithin# 1is 3ather=s Son# ,ithin your 'rother as he is in youTheir di++erence does not lie in ho, they loo:# nor ,here they go# nor e*en ,hat they do- T1EB S1ARE A (I33ERE2T UR OSE- It is this that @oins them to their li:e# and separates each +rom all aspects ,ith a (I33ERE2T purpose- The Son o+ "od retains his 3ather=s 4ill- The son o+ man percei*es an alien ,ill# A2( 4IS1ES IT 4ERE SOAnd thus does his perception ser*e his ,ish# 'y gi*ing it A EARA2CES o+ truth- Bet can perception ser*e A2OT1ER goal- It is not 'ound to specialness# 'ut 'y your choice# And
> GJ8 >

it IS gi*en you to ma:e a di++erent choice# and use perception 3OR A (I33ERE2T UR OSEAnd ,hat you see ,ill ser*e that purpose ,ell# and pro*e ITS o,n reality to youThe Christ in you inha'its 2OT a 'ody- Bet 1e IS in you- And thus MUST it 'e that BOU are not ,ithin a 'ody- 4hat is ,ithin you CA22OT 'e outside- And it is certain that BOU cannot 'e A ART +rom ,hat is at the *ery CE2TER o+ your li+e- 4hat gi*es you li+e

577

cannot 'e housed in death- 2O MORE CA2 BOU- Christ is ,ithin a +rame o+ holiness# ,hose O2!B purpose is that 1e may 'e made mani+est to those ,ho :no, 1im notP that 1e may call to them to come to 1im# and see 1im ,here they T1OU"1T their 'odies ,ere- Then ,ill their 'odies melt a,ay# that they may +rame 1is holiness in them2o>one ,ho carries Christ in him can +ail to recogni9e 1im e*ery,here- EXCE T I2 BO(IES- And# as long as they 'elie*e T1EB are in 'odies# ,here they thin: they are 1e CA22OT 'e- And so they carry 1im un:no,ingly# and do not ma:e 1im mani+estAnd thus they do not recogni9e 1im ,here 1e IS- The son o+ man is 2OT the risen Christ- Bet does the Son o+ "od a'ide EXACT!B ,here he is# and ,al:s ,ith him #,ithin his holiness# as plain to see as is his specialness set +orth ,ithin his 'odyThe 'ody needs 2O healing- But the mind that thin:s it IS a 'ody is sic: indeedO And it is here that Christ sets +orth the remedy- 1is UR OSE +olds the 'ody in 1is light# and +ills it ,ith the holiness that shines +rom 1IM- And nothing that the 'ody says or does 'ut ma:es 1IM mani+est- To those ,ho :no, 1im not it carries 1im# in gentleness and lo*e# to heal their minds- Such is the mission that your 'rother has +or BOU- And such it MUST 'e that BOUR mission is +or 1IMIt CA22OT 'e that it is hard to do the tas: that Christ appointed you to do# since it is 1E that does it- And# in the (OI2" o+ it ,ill you learn the 'ody merely SEEMS to 'e the means to do it- 3or the Mind is 1IS- And so it MUST 'e yours- 1IS holiness directs the 'ody T1ROU"1 the mind at one ,ith 1im- And BOU are mani+est unto your holy 'rother# as he to you- 1ere is the meeting o+ the holy Christ unto 1imsel+- 2or A2B di++erences percei*ed to stand 'et,een the aspects o+ 1is holiness# ,hich meet and @oin# and raise 1im to 1is 3ather# ,hole and pure# and ,orthy o+ 1is E*erlasting !o*e1o, can you mani+est the Christ in you# EXCE T you loo: on holiness# and see 1im thereE erception tells you BOU are mani+est in ,hat you see- Behold the 'ody# and you 4I!! 'elie*e that you are there- And e*ery 'ody that you loo: upon reminds you o+ yoursel+P BOUR sin+ulness# BOUR e*il# and# a'o*e all BOUR death- And ,ould you not despise the one ,ho tells you this# and see: 1IS death insteadE The message and the messenger ARE one- And you MUST see your 'rother as yoursel+- 3ramed in his 'ody

578

you ,ill see BOUR sin+ulness# ,herein BOU stand condemned- Set in his holiness# the Christ in him proclaims 1IMSE!3 as youerception is a choice o+ ,hat you ,ant BOURSE!3 to 'eP the ,orld you 4A2T to li*e in# and the state in ,hich you thin: your mind ,ill 'e content and satis+ied- It
> GJG >

chooses ,here you thin: your sa+ety lies# AT BOUR (ECISIO2- It re*eals yoursel+ to you# as BOU ,ould ha*e you 'e- And A!4ABS is it +aith+ul to your purpose# +rom ,hich it ne*er separates# nor gi*es the slightest ,itness unto anything the purpose I2 BOUR MI2( upholdeth not- erception is a ART o+ ,hat it is your purpose to 'ehold# +or means and end are 2EHER separate- And thus you learn ,hat SEEMS to ha*e a li+e A ART has noneBOU are the means +or "od- 2OT separate# nor ,ith a li+e apart +rom 1is- 1IS !i+e is mani+est in you ,ho are 1is Son- Each aspect o+ 1imsel+ is +ramed in holiness and per+ect purity# in lo*e celestial and so complete It ,ishes O2!B that It may release A!! that It loo:s upon unto Itsel+- Its radiance shines through each 'ody that It loo:s upon# and 'rushes A!! its dar:ness into light merely 'y loo:ing AST it TO the !ight- The *eil is li+ted through Its gentleness# and 2OT1I2" hides the +ace o+ Christ +rom its 'eholdersAnd BOT1 o+ you stand there# 'e+ore 1im no,# to let 1IM dra, aside the *eil that SEEMS to :eep you separate and apartOcto'er $# &5J7 Since you 'elie*e that BOU are separate# 1ea*en presents itsel+ to you as separate# too- 2OT that it is the truth# 'ut that the lin: that has 'een gi*en you to JOI2 the truth may reach to you through ,hat you understand- 3ather and Son and 1oly Spirit are as One# as all your 'rothers @oin as one in truth- Christ and 1is 3ather 2EHER ha*e 'een separate# and Christ a'ides ,ithin your understanding# in the part o+ you that S1ARES 1is 3ather=s 4ill- The 1oly Spirit lin:s the other part# the tiny# mad desire to 'e separate# di++erent# and special# TO the Christ# to ma:e the Oneness clear to ,hat is REA!!B OneIn this ,orld# this is not understood# 'ut CA2 'e taughtThe 1oly Spirit ser*es Christ=s purpose in your mind# so that the aim o+ specialness CA2 'e corrected ,here the error lies- Because 1is purpose still is One ,ith 'oth the 3ather A2( the Son# 1e L2O4S the 4ill o+ "od# and ,hat you REA!!B ,ill- But this is understood 'y mind ERCEIHE( as one# A4ARE that it is one# A2( SO EX ERIE2CE(It is the 1oly Spirit=s +unction to teach you 1O4 this Oneness is e<periencedP 41AT you

579

must do that it can BE e<periencedP and 41ERE you should go to do it- All this ta:es note o+ time and place AS I3 they ,ere discrete# +or ,hile BOU thin: that part o+ BOU is separate# the concept o+ a Oneness JOI2E( as one is meaninglessIt is apparent that a mind so split could 2EHER 'e the teacher o+ a Oneness 4hich unites A!! things ,ithin Itsel+- And so ,hat IS ,ithin this mind# and (OES unite all things together MUST 'e its teacher- Bet must It use the language ,hich this mind can understand in the condition ,hich it T1I2LS it is- And It must use all learning to trans+er illusions TO the truth# ta:ing all 3A!SE ideas o+ ,hat you are# and leading you BEBO2( them to the truth that IS 'eyond them- All this can *ery simply 'e reduced to thisF 4hat is the same can 2OT 'e di++erent# and ,hat is One can 2OT ha*e separate parts> GJ6 >

Octo'er 6# &5J7 Is it not e*ident that ,hat the 'ody=s eyes percei*e 3I!!S BOU 4IT1 3EARE erhaps you thin: you +ind a hope o+ satis+action there- erhaps you +ancy to attain some peace and satis+action in the ,orld as BOU percei*e it- Bet it MUST 'e e*ident the outcome (OES 2OT C1A2"E- (espite your hopes and +ancies# A!4ABS does despair resultAnd there is 2O e<ception# nor ,ill there e*er 'e- The O2!B *alue that the past can hold is that you learn it ga*e you 2O re,ards that you ,ould 4A2T to :eep# nor only thus ,ill you 'e 4I!!I2" to relin?uish it# and ha*e it gone +ore*erIs it not strange that you should cherish still some hope o+ satis+action +rom the ,orld you seeE In 2O respect# at A2B time or place# has A2BT1I2" 'ut +ear and guilt 'een your re,ard- 1o, long is needed +or you to reali9e the chance o+ C1A2"E in this regard is hardly ,orth delaying change that might result in 'etter outcomeE 3or one thing is sureP the ,ay BOU see# and long 1AHE seen# gi*es 2O support to 'ase your +uture hopes# and 2O suggestions o+ success at all- To place your hopes ,here no hope lies MUST ma:e you hopeless- Bet is this hopelessness your choice# ,hile you ,ould see: +or hope ,here none is EHER +oundIs it not A!SO true that you ha*e +ound some hope A ART +rom thisP some glimmering# inconstant# ,a*ering# yet dimly seen# that hope+ulness IS ,arranted# on grounds that are 2OT in this ,orldE And yet your hope that they may STI!! 'e here pre*ents you still +rom

580

gi*ing up the hopeless and unre,arding tas: you set BOURSE!3- Can it ma:e sense to hold the +i<ed 'elie+ that there IS reason to uphold pursuit o+ ,hat has A!4ABS +ailed on grounds that it ,ill suddenly succeed# and 'ring ,hat it has 2EHER 'rought 'e+oreE Oct- K# &5J7 Its past 1AS +ailed- Be glad that it is gone ,ithin your mind to dar:en ,hat IS thereTa:e not the +orm +or content# +or the +orm is 'ut a MEA2S +or content- And the +rame is 'ut a means to hold the picture up# so that it can 'e seen- A +rame that 1I(ES the picture has no purpose- It cannot BE a +rame i+ IT is ,hat you see- 4IT1OUT the picture is the +rame ,ithout its meaning- Its UR OSE is to set the ICTURE o++# and not itsel+4ho hangs an empty +rame upon a ,all# and stands 'e+ore it# deep in re*erence# as i+ a masterpiece ,ere there to seeE Bet# i+ you see your 'rother as a 'ody# it IS 'ut this you do- The masterpiece that "od has set ,ithin this +rame is all there IS to see- The 'ody holds it# +or a ,hile# ,ithout o'scuring it in any ,ay- But ,hat "od has created 2EE(S no +rame# +or ,hat 1e has created 1E supports# and +rames ,ithin 1imsel+- 1is masterpiece 1e o++ers BOU to seeAnd ,ould you rather see the +rame I2STEA( o+ thisE And see the picture not at allE The 1oly Spirit is the +rame "od set around the part o+ 1im that BOU ,ould see as separateBet its +rame is JOI2E( to its Creator# One ,ith 1im A2( ,ith 1is masterpieceThis IS its purpose# and you do 2OT ma:e the +rame I2TO the picture ,hen you choose to see it in its place- The +rame that "od has gi*en it 'ut ser*es 1IS purpose# not
> GJJ >

yours A ART +rom 1is- It is your SE ARATE purpose that OBSCURES the picture# and cherishes the +rame I2STEA( o+ it- But "od has set 1is masterpiece ,ithin a +rame that ,ill endure +ore*er# ,hen yours has crum'led into dust- But thin: you not the picture is destroyed in A2B ,ay- 4hat "od creates is sa+e +rom A!! corruption# unchanged and per+ect in eternityAccept 1IS +rame instead o+ yours# and you 4I!! see the masterpiece- !oo: at its lo*eliness# and understand the Mind that thought it# 2OT in +lesh and 'ones# 'ut in a +rame as lo*ely as Itsel+- Its holiness lights up the sinlessness the +rame o+ dar:ness hides# and casts a *eil o+ light across the picture=s +ace# ,hich 'ut re+lects the light ,hich shines +rom it to its Creator- Thin: not this +ace ,as e*er dar:ened 'ecause BOU sa, it in a

581

+rame o+ death- "od :ept it sa+e that BOU might loo: on it# and SEE the holiness that 1e has gi*en it- 4ithin the dar:ness see the Sa*iour 3ROM the dar:# and understand your 'rother as his 3ather=s Mind sho,s him to you1e ,ill step +orth +rom dar:ness as you loo: on him# and BOU ,ill see the dar: no more- The dar:ness touched him not# nor you ,ho BROU"1T him +orth +or BOU to loo: upon- 1is sinlessness 'ut pictures BOURS- 1is gentleness 'ecomes BOUR strength# and BOT1 ,ill gladly loo: ,ithin and see the holiness that MUST 'e there BECAUSE o+ ,hat you loo:ed upon in him- 1E is the +rame in ,hich BOUR holiness is set# and ,hat "od ga*e him MUST 'e gi*en you- 1o,e*er much he o*erloo:s the masterpiece in him# and sees only a +rame o+ dar:ness# it is still BOUR only +unction to 'ehold in him ,hat he sees not- And# in this seeing# is the *ision S1ARE( that loo:s on Christ I2STEA( o+ seeing death1o, could the !ord o+ 1ea*en 2OT 'e glad i+ you appreciate 1is masterpieceE 4hat COU!( 1e do 'ut o++er than:s to you ,ho lo*e 1is Son as 1e doesE 4ould 1e not ma:e L2O42 to you 1is !o*e# i+ you 'ut S1ARE 1is praise o+ ,hat 1e lo*esE "od cherishes creation as the per+ect 3ather that 1e is- And so 1is @oy is made complete ,hen any part o+ 1im JOI2S in 1is praise# to S1ARE 1is @oy- This 'rother is 1is per+ect gi+t to you- And 1e is glad and than:+ul that you than: 1is per+ect Son +or 'eing ,hat he ISAnd A!! 1is than:s and gladness shine on you ,ho ,ould COM !ETE 1is @oy# along ,ith 1imAnd thus is BOURS completed- 2ot one ray o+ dar:ness can 'e seen 'y those ,ho ,ill to ma:e their 3ather=s happiness complete# and theirs along ,ith 1is- The gratitude o+ "od 1imsel+ is +reely o++ered to e*eryone ,ho shares 1is urpose- It is not 1is 4ill to 'e alone- And neither is it BOURS- 3orgi*e your 'rother# and you CA22OT separate yoursel+ +rom him# nor +rom his 3ather- BOU need 2O +orgi*eness# +or the ,holly pure ha*e ne*er sinned- "i*e# then# ,hat 1e has gi*en you# that BOU may see 1is Son as one# and than: his 3ather# as 1e than:s BOU- 2or 'elie*e that all 1is praise is gi*en not to you- 3or ,hat you gi*e is 1IS# and gi*ing it# you learn to understand 1is gi+t to youAnd gi*e the 1oly Spirit ,hat 1e o++ers unto the 3ather A2( the Son ali:e2othing has po,er o*er you EXCE T 1is 4ill A2( yours# ,ho 'ut EXTE2( 1is 4ill- It ,as +or this BOU ,ere created# and your 'rother 4IT1 you# and at O2E ,ith
> GJ7 >

582

you- BOU are the same# as "od 1imsel+ is One# and 2OT di*ided in 1is 4ill- And BOU must ha*e one purpose# since 1e ga*e the same to BOT1 o+ you- 1is 4ill is 'rought together as you @oin in ,ill that you 'e made complete 'y o++ering completion to your 'rother- See not in him the sin+ulness 1E sees# 'ut gi*e him honor that you may esteem yoursel+ A2( him- To each o+ you is gi*en the po,er o+ sal*ation# that escape +rom dar:ness into light 'e yours to share# that you may see as one ,hat ne*er 1AS 'een separate# nor apart +rom A!! 1is !o*e as gi*en e?uallyOcto'er &$# &5J7 To the e<tent to ,hich you *alue guilt# to that e<tent ,ill you percei*e a ,orld in ,hich attac: is @usti+ied- To the e<tent to ,hich you recogni9e that guilt is meaningless# to that e<tent ,ill you percei*e attac: cannot BE @usti+ied- This is in strict accord ,ith *ision=s 3U2(AME2TA! la,F Bou see ,hat you 'elie*e is there# and you 'elie*e it there 'ecause you 4A2T it there- erception 1AS no other la, than this- The rest 'ut stems +rom this# to hold it up and o++er it support- This is perception=s +orm# adapted to this ,orld# o+ "od=s more 'asic la,P that !o*e creates Itsel+# and nothing BUT Itsel+"od=s la,s do not o'tain directly to a ,orld perception rules# +or such a ,orld could not ha*e 'een created 'y the Mind to ,hich perception has no meaning- Bet are 1is la,s re+lected e*ery,here- 2OT that the ,orld ,here this re+lection is# is real at all- O2!B 'ecause 1is Son BE!IEHES it is# and +rom 1is Son=s 'elie+ 1e COU!( not let 1imsel+ 'e separate entirely- 1e could not enter 1is Son=s insanity ,ith him# 'ut 1e could 'e sure 1is sanity ,ent there 4IT1 him# so he could not 'e lost +ore*er in the madness o+ his ,isherception rests on choosingP :no,ledge does not- Lno,ledge has 'ut one la, BECAUSE it has 'ut One Creator- But this ,orld has t,o ,ho made it# and they do 2OT see it as the same- To each it has a (I33ERE2T purpose# and to each it is a per+ect means to ser*e the goal +or ,hich it is percei*ed- 3or specialness it is the per+ect +rame to set it o++P the per+ect 'attleground to ,age its ,ars# the per+ect shelter +or the illusions ,hich it ,ould ma:e real- 2ot one 'ut it upholds in its perceptionP not one 'ut can 'e +ully @usti+iedThere is another Ma:er o+ the ,orld# the simultaneous Corrector o+ the mad 'elie+ that A2BT1I2" could 'e esta'lished and maintained ,ithout some lin: that :ept it still ,ithin the !a,s o+ "od- 2OT as the !a, Itsel+ upholds the uni*erse as "od created it-

583

But in some +orm adapted to the need the Son o+ "od 'elie*es he has- Corrected error IS the error=s end- And thus has "od protected still 1is Son# e*en in error- There IS another purpose in the ,orld that error made 'ecause it has another Ma:er# 4ho CA2 reconcile its goal ,ith 1is Creator=s urposeIn 1is perception o+ the ,orld# nothing is seen 'ut @usti+ies +orgi*eness and the sight o+ per+ect sinlessness- 2othing arises 'ut is met ,ith instant and complete +orgi*eness2othing remains an instant# to o'scure the sinlessness that shines unchanged# 'eyond
> GJK >

the piti+ul attempts o+ specialness to put it out o+ mind# ,here it MUST 'e# and light the BO(B up I2STEA( o+ it- The lamps o+ 1ea*en are 2OT +or it to choose to see them ,here it ,ill- I+ it elects to see them else,here +rom their home# as i+ they lit a place ,here they could ne*er 'e# A2( BOU A"REE# then must the Ma:er o+ the ,orld correct your error# lest you still remain in dar:ness# ,here the lamps are 2OTE*eryone here has entered dar:ness# yet no>one has entered it alone- 2or need he stay more than an instant- 3or he has come ,ith 1ea*en=s help ,ithin him# ready to lead him OUT o+ dar:ness into light at any time- The time he chooses can 'e A2B time# +or help is there# a,aiting 'ut his choice- And ,hen he chooses to AHAI! himsel+ o+ ,hat is gi*en him# then ,ill he see each situation that he thought 'e+ore ,as means to @usti+y his anger# turned to an e*ent ,hich @usti+ies his lo*e1e ,ill hear plainly that the calls to ,ar he heard 'e+ore are really calls to peace- 1e ,ill percei*e that ,here he ga*e attac: is 'ut another altar ,here he can ,ith e?ual ease and 3AR more happiness# 'esto, +orgi*eness- And he ,ill reinterpret A!! temptation as @ust another chance to 'ring him @oy- 1o, CA2 a misperception 'e a sinE !et A!! your 'rother=s errors 'e to you nothing e<cept a chance +or BOU to see the ,or:ings o+ the 1elper gi*en BOU to see the ,orld 1E made# instead o+ yours4hat# then# IS @usti+iedE 41AT (O BOU 4A2TE 3or these t,o ?uestions ARE the same# and# ,hen you see them AS the same# your choice is made- 3or it is SEEI2" them as one that 'rings release +rom the 'elie+ there are t,o ,ays to see- This ,orld has much to o++er to your peace# and many chances to e<tend your o,n +orgi*eness- Such its UR OSE is# to those ,ho 4A2T to see peace and +orgi*eness descend on T1EM# and

584

o++er T1EM the light- The Ma:er o+ the ,orld o+ gentleness has per+ect po,er to o++set the ,orld o+ *iolence and hate that SEEMS to stand BET4EE2 you and 1is gentleness- It is not there in 1is +orgi*ing eyes- And T1ERE3ORE it need not 'e there in yoursSin is the +i<ed 'elie+ perception CA22OT change- 4hat has 'een damned IS damned and damned +ore*er# BEI2" 3OREHER U23OR"IHAB!E- I+# then# it IS +orgi*en# sin=s perception MUST ha*e 'een ,rong- And thus is change made possi'le- The 1oly Spirit# too# sees ,hat 1e sees as +ar 'eyond the chance o+ change- But on 1is Hision sin can 2OT encroach# +or sin 1AS BEE2 corrected 'y 1is sight- And thus IT MUST 1AHE BEE2 A2 ERROR# 2OT a sin- 3or ,hat it claimed could ne*er 'e# 1AS BEE2- Sin is ATTACLE( 'y punishment# and so RESERHE(- But to +orgi*e it is to change its state +rom error into truthThe Son o+ "od could 2EHER sin# 'ut he CA2 ,ish +or ,hat ,ould hurt him- And he 1AS the po,er to thin: he CA2 BE hurt- 4hat could this 'e EXCE T a misperception o+ himsel+E Is this a sin or a mista:eP +orgi*a'le or notE (oes he need help or condemnationE Is it BOUR purpose that he 'e sa*ed or damnedE 3orgetting not that ,hat he is to BOU ,ill ma:e this choice BOUR +uture- 3or you MALE IT 2O4# the instant ,hen A!! time 'ecomes a means to reach a goal- Ma:e# then# your choice# 'ut recogni9e that in this choice# the purpose o+ the ,orld you see is chosen# and 4I!! 'e @usti+ied> GJ5 >

Octo'er &7# &5J7 Minds that are @oined# A2( RECO"2IUE T1EB ARE# can +eel no guilt- 3or they CA22OT attac:# and they REJOICE that this is so# seeing their sa+ety in this happy +actTheir @oy is in the I22OCE2CE they see- And thus they see: +or it# 'ecause it is their UR OSE to 'ehold it and re@oice- E*eryone see:s +or ,hat ,ill 'ring him @oy as he de+ines it- It is 2OT the aim# as such# that *aries- Bet it IS the ,ay in ,hich the aim is seen that ma:es the choice o+ means ine*ita'le# and 'eyond the hope o+ change U2!ESS T1E AIM IS C1A2"E(- And T1E2 the means are chosen once again# as ,hat ,ill 'ring re@oicing is de+ined A2OT1ER ,ay# and sought +or di++erentlyerception=s 'asic la, could thus 'e saidF )Bou ,ill re@oice at ,hat you see BECAUSE you see it TO re@oice-. And# ,hile you thin: that su++ering and sin ,ill 'ring you @oy# so

585

long ,ill they 'e there +or you to see- 2othing is harm+ul or 'ene+icent A ART +rom ,hat you ,ish- It is your ,ish that MALES it ,hat it is in its e++ect on you- BECAUSE you chose it as a means to "AI2 these same e++ects# 'elie*ing them to 'e the 'ringers o+ re@oicing and o+ @oy- E*en in 1ea*en does this la, o'tain- The Son o+ "od creates to 'ring him @oy# sharing his 3ather=s purpose in his o,n creation# that his @oy might 'e increased# and "od=s along ,ith hisOct- $8# &5J7 Bou ma:ers o+ a ,orld that is not so# ta:e rest and com+ort in another ,orld ,here peace a'ides- This ,orld you 'ring ,ith you to all the ,eary eyes and tired hearts that loo: on sin and 'eat its sad re+rain- 3rom you can come their rest- 3rom you can rise a ,orld they ,ill re@oice to loo: upon# and ,here their hearts are glad- In you there is a Hision ,hich e<tends to all o+ them# and co*ers them in gentleness and light- And in this ,idening ,orld o+ light the dar:ness they thought ,as there is pushed a,ay# until it is 'ut distant shado,s# +ar a,ay# not long to 'e remem'ered# as the sun shines them to nothingnessAnd all their e*il thoughts and sin+ul hopes# their dreams o+ guilt and merciless re*enge# and e*ery ,ish to hurt and :ill and die# ,ill disappear 'e+ore the sun you 'ring4ould you not do this# +or the !o*e o+ "odE And +or BOURSE!3E And thin: ,hat it ,ould do +or BOU- BOUR )e*il. thoughts that haunt BOU no, ,ill seem increasingly remote and +ar a,ay +rom BOU- And they go +arther and +arther o++# 'ecause the sun in you has risen that they may 'e pushed a,ay 'e+ore its light- They linger +or a ,hile# a !ITT!E ,hile# in t,isted +orms too +ar a,ay +or recognition# and are gone +ore*erAnd in the sunlight BOU ,ill stand in ?uiet# in innocence and ,holly una+raid- And +rom you ,ill the rest BOU +ound e<tend# so that BOUR peace can ne*er +all a,ay# and lea*e BOU homeless- Those ,ho o++er peace to e*eryone ha*e +ound a home in 1ea*en the ,orld can 2OT destroy- 3or it is large enough to hold the ,orld ,ithin its peaceIn BOU is all o+ 1ea*enP e*ery lea+ that +alls is gi*en li+e in you- Each 'ird that e*er sang ,ill
> G7% >

sing again in you- And e*ery +lo,er that e*er 'loomed has sa*ed its per+ume and its lo*eliness +or you4hat aim can supersede the 4ill o+ "od and o+ 1is Son# that 1ea*en 'e restored to him +or ,hom it ,as created as his O2!B homeE 2othing 'e+ore and nothing a+ter it2o

586

other place# no other state nor time- 2othing 'eyond nor nearer- 2othing else- In A2B +orm- This can BOU 'ring to A!! the ,orld# and A!! the thoughts that entered it# and ,ere mista:en +or a little ,hile- 1o, 'etter could your O42 mista:es 'e 'rought to truth than 'y your ,illingness to 'ring the light o+ 1ea*en ,ith you# as you ,al: BEBO2( the ,orld o+ dar:ness into lightE Octo'er $5# &5J7 The state o+ sinlessness is merely thisF The 41O!E desire to attac: is gone# and so there is no reason to percei*e the Son o+ "od as other than he is- The 2EE( +or guilt is gone# 'ecause it has no purpose# and is meaningless ,ithout the goal o+ sin- Attac: and sin are 'ound as O2E illusion# each the cause and aim and JUSTI3IER o+ the otherEach is meaningless alone# 'ut SEEMS to dra, a meaning +rom the other- Each depends upon the other +or ,hate*er sense it seems to ha*e- And no>one COU!( 'elie*e in one unless the other ,ere the truth# +or each attests the other MUST 'e trueAttac: ma:es Christ your enemy# and "od along ,ith 1im- MUST you not 'e a+raid# ,ith enemies li:e theseE And must you not 'e +ear+ul o+ BOURSE!3E 3or you 1AHE hurt yoursel+# and made your Sel+ your enemy- And no, you MUST 'elie*e you are not you# 'ut something alien to yoursel+ and )something else#. a )something. to 'e +eared instead o+ lo*ed- 4ho ,ould attac: ,hate*er he percei*es as ,holly innocentE And ,ho# BECAUSE he ,ishes to attac:# can 3AI! to thin: it MUST 'e guilty to (ESERHE the ,ish and lea*e 1IM innocentE And ,ho ,ould see the Son o+ "od as innocent# and ,ish him deadE Christ stands 'e+ore you 'oth# each time you loo: on one another- 1e has 2OT gone 'ecause your eyes are closed- But ,hat is there to see 'y searching +or your Sa*iour# seeing 1im through sightless eyesE It is 2OT Christ you see 'y loo:ing thus- It is the enemy# CO23USE( ,ith Christ# you loo: upon- And 1ATE BECAUSE there is no sin in him +or you to see- 2or do you hear his plainti*e call# unchanged in content in 41ATEHER +orm the call is made# that you U2ITE ,ith him# and JOI2 ,ith him in innocence and peace- And yet# 'eneath the ego=s senseless shrie:s# such IS the Call that "od has gi*en him# that BOU might hear in him 1is Call to BOU# and ans,er 'y returning unto "od ,hat is 1is o,nThe Son o+ "od as:s only this o+ youP that you return to him ,hat is his due# that you may S1ARE in it ,ith him- Alone does 2EIT1ER ha*e it- So must it remain useless to

587

'oth- Together# it ,ill gi*e to each an EDUA! strength to sa*e the other# and sa*e himsel+ along 4IT1 him- 3OR"IHE2 'y you# your Sa*iour o++ers BOU sal*ationCO2(EM2E( 'y you# he o++ers death to you- In e*eryone you see 'ut the re+lection o+ ,hat you chose to ha*e 1IM 'e to you- I+ you decide against his proper +unction# the O2!B one he has
> G7& >

in truth# you are depri*ing him o+ all the @oy he 4OU!( ha*e +ound i+ he +ul+illed the role "od ga*e to him- But thin: not 1ea*en is lost to him alone- 2or can it 'e regained unless the ,ay is sho,n to him through BOU# that BOU may +ind it# ,al:ing 'y his sideIt is no sacri+ice that he 'e sa*ed# +or BB his +reedom ,ill you gain your o,n- To let 1IS +unction 'e +ul+illed is 'ut the means to let BOURS 'e- And so you ,al: to,ards 1ea*en or to,ards hell# 'ut 2OT alone- 1o, 'eauti+ul his sinlessness ,ill 'e# ,hen you percei*e itO And ho, great ,ill 'e BOUR @oy ,hen he is +ree to o++er you the gi+t o+ sight "od ga*e to him +or you- 1e 1AS no need 'ut thisP that you allo, him +reedom to complete the tas: "od ga*e to him- Remem'ering 'ut thisP that ,hat 1E does BOU do# along ,ith him- And AS you see him# so do BOU de+ine the +unction he ,ill ha*e +or you# until you see him di++erently# and !ET him 'e ,hat "od A OI2TE( that he 'e to youAgainst the hatred that the Son o+ "od may cherish to,ard himsel+ is "od 'elie*ed to 'e ,ithout the po,er to sa*e ,hat 1e created +rom the pain o+ hell- But in the lo*e he sho,s himsel+ is "od made +ree to !ET 1is 4ill 'e done- In each o+ you# you see the picture o+ your O42 'elie+ in ,hat the 4ill o+ "od MUST 'e +or you- In BOUR +orgi*eness ,ill you understand 1is !o*e +or you- Through your attac:# 'elie*e 1e hates you# thin:ing 1ea*en must 'e hell- !oo: once again upon your 'rother# 2OT ,ithout the understanding that he is the ,ay to 1ea*en or to hell# as BOU percei*e him- But +orget not thisP the role you gi*e to him is gi*en BOU# and BOU ,ill ,al: the ,ay you pointed out to him# BECAUSE it is your @udgment made upon yoursel+2o*- 8# &5J7 The grace o+ "od rests gently on +orgi*ing eyes# and e*erything they loo: on spea:s o+ 1im to the 'eholder- 1e can see no e*ilP nothing in the ,orld to +ear# and no>one ,ho is di++erent +rom himsel+- And# as he lo*es them# so he loo:s upon 1IMSE!3 ,ith lo*e and gentleness- 1e ,ould no more condemn himsel+ +or 1IS mista:es than damn another-

588

1e is not an ar'iter o+ *engeance# nor a punisher o+ sin- The :indness o+ his sight rests on himsel+ ,ith all the tenderness it o++ers others- 3or he ,ould O2!B heal and O2!B 'lessAnd# 'eing I2 ACCOR( ,ith ,hat "od ,ills# he 1AS the po,er to heal and 'less all those he loo:s on ,ith the grace o+ "od upon his sightEyes 'ecome used to dar:ness# and the light o+ 'rilliant day seems pain+ul to the eyes gro,n long accustomed to the dim e++ects percei*ed at t,ilight- And they turn a,ay +rom sunlight# and the clarity it 'rings to ,hat they loo: upon- (imness seems 'etterP easier to see# and 'etter recogni9ed- Someho,# the *ague and more o'scure seems EASIER to loo: uponP !ESS pain+ul to the eyes than ,hat is ,holly clear and unam'iguousBet this is 2OT ,hat eyes are 3OR- And ,ho can say that he RE3ERS the dar:ness# and maintain he 4A2TS to seeE The 4IS1 to see calls do,n the grace o+ "od upon your eyes# and 'rings the gi+t o+ light that ma:es sight possi'le- 4ill you 'ehold your 'rotherE "od is glad to ha*e you loo: on him- 1e does not ,ill your Sa*iour 'e unrecogni9ed 'y you- 2or does 1e ,ill
> G7$ >

that he remain ,ithout the +unction that 1e ga*e to him- !et him no more 'e lonely# +or the lonely ones are those ,ho see no +unction in the ,orld +or them to +illP no place ,here they are needed# and no aim ,hich O2!B they can per+ectly +ul+illSuch is the 1oly Spirit=s :ind perception o+ specialnessP 1is use o+ ,hat you made# to heal I2STEA( o+ harm- To each 1e gi*es a special +unction in sal*ation he alone can +illP a part +or O2!B him- 2or is the plan complete until he +inds his special +unction# and +ul+ills the part assigned to him# to ma:e himsel+ complete ,ithin a ,orld ,here incompletion rules- 1ere# ,here the la,s o+ "od do 2OT pre*ail in per+ect +orm# can he yet do O2E per+ect thing# and ma:e O2E per+ect choice- And# BB this act o+ special +aith+ulness# to one percei*ed as OT1ER than himsel+# he learns the gi+t ,as gi*en TO himsel+# and so they MUST 'e one3orgi*eness is the O2!B +unction meaning+ul in time- It is the means the 1oly Spirit uses to TRA2S!ATE specialness +rom sin into sal*ation- 3orgi*eness is +or all- But# ,hen it RESTS on all# it is complete# and e*ery +unction o+ this ,orld completed ,ith itThen is time no more- But 41I!E in time# there is still much to do- And each must do ,hat is allotted him# +or# on 1IS part# does A!! the plan depend- 1e 1AS a special part in time# +or so he chose# and choosing it# he made it +or himsel+- 1is ,ish ,as not denied# 'ut changed in +orm# to let it ser*e his 'rother A2( himsel+# and thus 'ecome a means to sa*e I2STEA( o+ lose-

589

Sal*ation is no more than a reminder this ,orld is 2OT your homeP its la,s are 2OT imposed on you# its *alues are 2OT yours- And nothing that you T1I2L you see in it is REA!!B there at all- And this is seen A2( U2(ERSTOO( as each one ta:es his part in its U2(OI2"# as he did in MALI2" it- 1e 1AS the means +or either# as he al,ays didThe specialness he chose to 1URT himsel+ did "od appoint to 'e the means +or his sal*ation# +rom the *ery instant that the choice ,as made- 1is special sin ,as made his special grace- 1is special hate 'ecame his special lo*eThe 1oly Spirit needs BOUR special +unction# that 1IS may 'e +ul+illed- Thin: not you lac: a special *alue here- Bou ,anted it# and it IS gi*en you- A!! that you made can ser*e sal*ation easily and ,ell- The Son o+ "od can ma:e 2O choice the 1oly Spirit cannot employ on his BE1A!3# and 2OT against himsel+- Only in dar:ness does your specialness A EAR to 'e attac:- In light# you see it as your S ECIA! 3U2CTIO2 in the plan to sa*e the Son o+ "od +rom A!! attac:# and let him understand that he is sa+e# as he has A!4ABS 'een# and ,ill remain in time and in eternity ali:e- This is the +unction gi*en each o+ you +or one another- Ta:e it gently# then# +rom one another=s hand# and let sal*ation 'e per+ectly +ul+illed in BOT1 o+ you- (o this O2E thing# that EHERBT1I2" 'e gi*en you2o*em'er 5# &5J7 And# i+ the 1oly Spirit can commute each sentence that you laid upon yoursel+ into a 'lessing# then it CA22OT 'e a sin- Sin is O2E thing in all the ,orld that CA22OT
> G78 >

change- It is immuta'le- And O2 its changelessness the ,orld depends- The magic o+ the ,orld can SEEM to hide the pain o+ sin +rom sinners# and decei*e ,ith glitter and ,ith guile- Bet each one :no,s the cost o+ sin is death- And so it IS- 3or sin is a REDUEST +or death# a ,ish to ma:e this ,orld=s +oundation sure as lo*e# dependa'le as 1ea*en# and as strong as "od 1imsel+- The ,orld IS sa+e +rom lo*e to e*eryone ,ho thin:s sin possi'le2or 4I!! it changeBet IS it possi'le ,hat "od created 2OT should S1ARE the attri'utes o+ 1is creation# ,hen it O OSES it in e*ery ,ayE It CA22OT 'e the )sinner=s. ,ish +or death is @ust as strong as is "od=s 4ill +or !i+e- 2or CA2 the 'asis o+ a ,orld 1e did 2OT ma:e 'e +irm and sure as 1ea*en- 1o, COU!( it 'e that hell and 1ea*en are the sameE And is it

590

possi'le that ,hat 1e did 2OT ,ill can 2OT 'e changedE 4hat is immuta'le BESI(ES 1is 4illE And ,hat can share Its attri'utes EXCE T Itsel+E 4hat ,ish can rise A"AI2ST 1is 4ill# and BE immuta'leE I+ you could reali9e 2OT1I2" is changeless BUT the 4ill o+ "od# this course ,ould not 'e di++icult +or you- 3or it is this that you do not 'elie*e- Bet there is nothing E!SE you COU!( 'elie*e# i+ you 'ut loo:ed at ,hat it really IS- !et us go 'ac: to ,hat ,e said 'e+ore# and thin: o+ it more care+ully- It MUST 'e so that either "od is mad# or is this ,orld a place o+ madness- 2ot O2E Thought o+ 1is ma:es A2B sense at all ,ithin this ,orld- And 2OT1I2" that the ,orld 'elie*es as true has A2B meaning in 1is Mind at all4hat ma:es no sense and has no meaning IS insanity- And ,hat is madness CA22OT 'e the truth- I+ O2E 'elie+ so deeply *alued here ,ere true# then e*ery Thought "od e*er had is an illusion- And i+ 'ut O2E Thought o+ 1is is true# then A!! 'elie+s the ,orld gi*es A2B meaning to are +alse# and ma:e no sense at all- This IS the choice you ma:e(o not attempt to see it di++erently# nor t,ist it into something it is not- 3or only T1IS decision CA2 you ma:e- The rest is up to "od# and 2OT to youTo @usti+y O2E *alue that the ,orld upholds is to (E2B your 3ather=s sanity A2( BOURS- 3or "od and 1is 'elo*ed Son do 2OT thin: di++erently- And it is the A"REEME2T o+ their Thought that ma:es the Son a co>creator ,ith the Mind 4hose Thought created him- And i+ he chooses to 'elie*e O2E thought O OSE( to truth# he has decided he is 2OT his 3ather=s Son# 'ecause the Son is mad# and sanity must lie apart +rom 'oth the 3ather A2( the Son- T1IS BOU BE!IEHE- Thin: ,ay# is @usti+ied in A2BT1I2" it thin:s# or is maintained 'y A2B +orm o+ reason# not that this 'elie+ depends upon the +orm it ta:es- 4ho thin:s the ,orld is sane in any ,ayP is @usti+ied in A2BT1I2" it thin:s# or is maintained 'y any A2B +orm o+ reason# 'elie*es this to 'e trueSin is not real BECAUSE the 3ather and the Son are not insane- This ,orld is meaningless BECAUSE it rests on sin- 4ho could create the changeless# i+ it does 2OT rest on truthE The 1oly Spirit 1AS the po,er to change the ,hole +oundation o+ the ,orld you see to something elseP a 'asis 2OT insane# on ,hich a sane perception can 'e 'ased# another ,orld percei*ed- And one in ,hich is nothing contradicted that ,ould

591

lead the Son o+ "od to sanity and @oy- 2othing attests to death and crueltyP to separation
> G7G >

and to di++erences- 3or here is e*erything percei*ed as one# and no>one loses# that each one may gainTest EHERBT1I2" that you 'elie*e against this O2E re?uirement- And understand that e*erything that meets this O2E demand is ,orthy o+ your +aith- But nothing else4hat is not lo*e is sin# and either one percei*es the other as insane and meaningless!o*e is the 'asis +or a ,orld percei*ed as ,holly mad to sinners# ,ho 'elie*e theirs is the ,ay to sanity- But sin is e?ually insane ,ithin the sight o+ lo*e# ,hose gentle eyes ,ould loo: BEBO2( the madness# and rest peace+ully on truth- Each sees a ,orld immuta'le# as each de+ines the changeless and eternal truth o+ ,hat BOU are- And each re+lects a *ie, o+ ,hat the 3ather and the Son MUST 'e# to ma:e that *ie,point meaning+ul and saneBour special +unction is the special +orm in ,hich the +act that "od is 2OT insane appears most sensi'le and meaning+ul to you- The CO2TE2T is the same- The 3ORM is suited to your special needs# and to the special time and place in ,hich you thin: you +ind yoursel+# and ,here you can 'e +ree o+ place and time# and A!! that you 'elie*e must limit you- The Son o+ "od can 2OT 'e 'ound 'y time or place# or anything "od did 2OT ,ill- Bet# i+ 1is 4ill is seen as madness# then the 3ORM o+ sanity ,hich ma:es it most accepta'le to those ,ho ARE insane re?uires special choice- 2or CA2 this choice 'e made BB the insane# ,hose pro'lem IS their choices are 2OT +ree# and made ,ith reason in the light o+ senseIt 4OU!( 'e madness to entrust sal*ation to the insane- BECAUSE 1e is not mad# has "od appointed One as sane as 1e to raise a saner ,orld to meet the sight o+ e*eryone ,ho chose insanity as his sal*ation- To this One is gi*en the choice o+ +orm most suita'le to himP one ,hich ,ill 2OT attac: the ,orld he sees# 'ut enter into it in ?uietness# and S1O4 him it is mad- This One 'ut points to an A!TER2ATIHE# A2OT1ER ,ay o+ loo:ing at ,hat he has seen 'e+ore# and recogni9es as the ,orld in ,hich he li*es# and thought he understood 'e+ore- 2o, MUST he ?uestion this# 'ecause the +orm o+ the alternati*e is

592

one ,hich he can 2OT deny# nor o*erloo:# nor +ail completely to percei*e at allTo each his special +unction is designed to 'e percei*ed as possi'le# and more and more desired# as it ROHES to him that it is an alternati*e he 4A2TS- 3rom this position does his sin+ulness# and A!! the sin he sees ,ithin the ,orld# o++er him less and lessUntil he comes to understand it COST him sanity# and stands BET4EE2 him and ,hate*er hope he has o+ BEI2" sane- 2or is he le+t ,ithout ESCA E +rom madness# +or he has a special part in EHERBO2E=S escape- 1e can no more 'e le+t outside# 4IT1OUT a special +unction in the hope o+ peace# than could the 3ather o*erloo: 1is Son# and pass him 'y in careless thoughtlessness4hat is dependa'le EXCE T "od=s !o*eE And ,here does sanity a'ide EXCE T in 1imE The One 4ho spea:s +or 1im can sho, you this# in the alternati*e 1e chose especially +or you- It is "od=s 4ill that you remem'er this# and so emerge +rom deepest mourning into per+ect @oy- Accept the +unction that has 'een assigned to you in "od=s O,n plan to sho, 1is Sons that hell and 1ea*en are di++erentP 2OT the same- But that#
> G76 >

in 1ea*en T1EB are all the same# 4IT1OUT the di++erences that 4OU!( ha*e made a hell o+ 1ea*en# and a hea*en o+ hell# had such insanity 'een possi'leThe ,hole 'elie+ that someone loses 'ut re+lects the underlying tenet "od must 'e insane- 3or in this ,orld it seems that one must gain BECAUSE another loses- I+ T1IS ,ere true# then "od is mad indeed- But ,hat IS this 'elie+# e<cept a +orm o+ the more 'asic tenet# )Sin is real# and rules the ,orldE. 3or e*ery little gain# must someone lose# and pay e<act amount in 'lood and su++ering- 3or other,ise ,ould e*il triumph# and destruction 'e the total cost o+ any gain at all- Bou ,ho 'elie*e that "od is mad# loo: care+ully at this# and understand that it MUST 'e that EIT1ER "od OR this must 'e insane# 'ut hardly 'othSal*ation is re'irth o+ the idea no>one CA2 lose +or A2BO2E to gain- And e*eryone MUST gain# i+ anyone 4OU!( BE a gainer- 1ere is sanity restored- And on this single roc: o+ truth can +aith in "od=s eternal saneness rest# in per+ect con+idence and per+ect peace- Reason is satis+ied# +or A!! insane 'elie+s can 'e corrected here- And sin MUST 'e impossi'le# i+ T1IS is true- This is the roc: on ,hich sal*ation restsP the *antage point +rom ,hich the 1oly Spirit gi*es meaning and direction to the plan in ,hich your special +unction has a part- 3or here your special +unction is made ,hole# 'ecause it shares the

593

3U2CTIO2 o+ the ,holeRemem'er all temptation is 'ut thisP a mad 'elie+ that "od=s insanity ,ould ma:e BOU sane# and "IHE you ,hat you ,ant- That either "od OR you must !OSE to madness# 'ecause your aims can 2OT 'e reconciled- (eath demands li+e# 'ut li+e is 2OT maintained at A2B cost- 2o>one CA2 su++er +or the 4ill o+ "od to 'e +ul+illed- SA!HATIO2 is 1is 4ill BECAUSE you share it- 2OT +or you alone# 'ut +or the Sel+ ,hich IS the Son o+ "od1e CA22OT lose# +or i+ he could# the loss ,ould 'e his 3ather=s# and in 1im 2O loss is possi'le- And this is sane BECAUSE it is the truth2o*em'er &8# &5J7 The 1oly Spirit can use A!! that you gi*e to 1im +or your sal*ation- But 1e CA22OT use ,hat you ,ithhold# +or 1e can 2OT ta:e it +rom you# 4IT1OUT your ,illingness3or# i+ 1e did# you ,ould 'elie*e 1e ,rested it +rom you A"AI2ST your ,ill- And so you ,ould not learn it IS your ,ill to 'e ,ithout it- Bou need not gi*e it to 1im 41O!!B ,illingly# +or i+ you could# you had no need +or 1im- But this 1e needsP that you RE3ER 1e ta:e I#t than that you :eep it +or yoursel+ alone# and recogni9e that ,hat 'rings loss to no>one BOU 4OU!( 2OT L2O4- This much is necessary to add to the idea no> one CA2 lose +or you to gain- And nothing more1ere is the O2!B principle sal*ation needs- 2or is it necessary that your +aith in it 'e strong# uns,er*ing# and ,ithout attac: +rom all 'elie+s opposed to it- Bou 1AHE no +i<ed allegiance- But remem'er sal*ation is not needed 'y the sa*ed- Bou are 2OT called upon to do ,hat one di*ided still against himsel+ 4OU!( +ind impossi'le- 1a*e little +aith that ,isdom COU!( 'e +ound in such a state o+ mind- But 'e you than:+ul that only
> G7J >

little +aith is ASLE( o+ you- 4hat BUT a little +aith remains to those ,ho still 'elie*e in sinE 4hat COU!( they :no, o+ 1ea*en and the @ustice o+ the sa*edE There is a :ind o+ @ustice in sal*ation o+ ,hich the ,orld :no,s nothing- To the ,orld# @ustice and HE2"EA2CE are the same# +or sinners see @ustice O2!B as their punishment# perhaps sustained 'y someone E!SE# 'ut 2OT escaped- The la,s o+ sin (EMA2( a *ictim- 41O it may 'e ma:es little di++erence- But death MUST 'e the cost and MUST 'e paid- This is 2OT @ustice# 'ut insanity- Bet ho, could @ustice BE de+ined 4IT1OUT insanity# ,here lo*e means hate# and death is seen as *ictory and triumph o*er eternity and timelessness and li+eE Bou ,ho :no, not o+ @ustice still can as:# and learn the ans,er- Justice loo:s on all in the same ,ay- It is 2OT @ust that one should lac: +or ,hat another has- 3or that is

594

*engeance# in 41ATEHER +orm it ta:es- Justice demands 2O sacri+ice# +or A2B sacri+ice is made that sin MAB BE RESERHE( and LE T- It is a payment o++ered +or the cost o+ sin# BUT 2OT T1E TOTA! COST- The rest is ta:en +rom another# to 'e laid 'eside your !ITT!E payment# to )atone. +or all that you ,ould :eep and 2OT gi*e up- So is the *ictim seen as ART!B you# ,ith someone E!SE 'y +ar the greater part- And in the TOTA! cost# the greater his# the less is yours- And @ustice# 'eing 'lind# is satis+ied 'y 'eing paid# it matters not 'y ,homCan this BE @usticeE "od :no,s not o+ this- But @ustice (OES 1e :no,# and :no,s it ,ell- 3or 1e is ,holly +air to e*eryone- Hengeance is alien to 1is Mind BECAUSE 1e :no,s o+ @ustice- To 'e @ust is to 'e +air# A2( 2OT 'e *enge+ul- 3airness A2( *engeance are impossi'le# +or each one contradicts the other# and denies that it is real- It is impossi'le +or you to S1ARE the 1oly Spirit=s @ustice# ,ith a mind that can concei*e o+ specialness at all- Bet ho, could 1E 'e @ust i+ 1e condemns a sinner +or the crimes he did not do# 'ut T1I2LS he didE And ,here ,ould @ustice 'e i+ 1e demanded o+ the ones o'sessed ,ith the idea o+ punishment that they lay it aside# unaided# and percei*e it is not trueE It is e<tremely hard +or those ,ho still 'elie*e sin meaning+ul to understand the 1oly Spirit=s @ustice- They 'elie*e 1e shares their O42 con+usion# and can 2OT a*oid the *engeance that their o,n 'elie+ in @ustice MUST entail- And so they +ear the 1oly Spirit# and percei*e the ),rath. o+ "od in 1im- They are un@ust indeed to 1im- 2or can they trust 1im 2OT to stri:e them dead ,ith lightening 'olts torn +rom the +ires o+ 1ea*en 'y "od=s O,n angry hand- They (O 'elie*e that 1ea*en is hell# and ARE a+raid o+ lo*e- And deep suspicion and the chill o+ +ear come o*er them ,hen they are told that they ha*e 2EHER sinned- Their ,orld (E E2(S on sin=s sta'ility- And they percei*e the )threat. o+ ,hat "od L2O4S as @ustice to 'e more destructi*e to themsel*es and to their ,orld than *engeance# ,hich they understand and lo*eSo do they thin: the !OSS o+ sin a curse- And +lee the 'lessing o+ the 1oly Spirit as i+ 1e ,ere a messenger +rom hell# sent +rom a'o*e in treachery and guile# to ,or: "od=s *engeance on them in the guise o+ a deli*erer and +riend- 4hat COU!( 1e 'e to them

595

e<cept a de*il dressed to decei*e# ,ithin an angel=s cloa:E And ,hat escape has 1e +or them# e<cept a door to hell that SEEMS to loo: li:e 1ea*en=s gateE Bet @ustice cannot
> G77 >

punish those ,ho as: +or punishment# 'ut ha*e a Judge 4ho :no,s that they are ,holly innocent in truth- In @ustice 1e is BOU2( to set them +ree# and "IHE them all the honor they deser*e# and ha*e denied themsel*es 'ecause they are 2OT +air# and CA22OT understand that they ARE innocent!o*e is 2OT understanda'le to sinners- BECAUSE they thin: that @ustice is S !IT O33 +rom lo*e# and stands +or something else- And thus is lo*e percei*ed as ,ea: and *engeance strong- 3or lo*e has !OST ,hen @udgment le+t its side# and is too ,ea: to SAHE +rom punishment- But *engeance 4IT1OUT lo*e has "AI2E( in strength 'y 'eing separate and apart +rom lo*e- And ,hat BUT *engeance no, can help and sa*e# ,hile lo*e stands +ee'ly 'y# ,ith helpless hands# 'ere+t o+ @ustice and *itality# and po,erless to sa*eE 4hat can !o*e as: o+ you ,ho thin: that all o+ this is trueE Could 1e# in @ustice A2( in lo*e 'elie*e in your con+usion you 1AHE much to gi*eE Bou are 2OT as:ed to trust 1im +ar- 2o +urther than ,hat you SEE 1e o++ers you# and ,hat you recogni9e you COU!( not gi*e yoursel+- In "od=s O,n @ustice does 1e recogni9e all you deser*e# 'ut understands as ,ell that you can 2OT accept it +or yoursel+It is 1is Special 3unction to hold out to you the gi+ts the innocent (ESERHE- And e*ery one that you accept 'rings @oy to 1im AS 4E!! as you- 1e :no,s that 1ea*en is richer made 'y each one you accept- And "od re@oices as 1is Son recei*es ,hat lo*ing @ustice L2O4S to 'e his due- 3or lo*e and @ustice are 2OT di++erent- BECAUSE they are the same does mercy stand at "od=s right 1and# and "IHE the Son o+ "od the po,er to +orgi*e 1IMSE!3 o+ sinTo him ,ho merits EHERBT1I2"# ho, can it 'e that A2BT1I2" is :ept 3ROM himE 3or that ,ould 'e in@ustice# and un+air indeed to all the holiness that IS in him# ho,e*er much he recogni9e it not- "od :no,s o+ 2O in@ustice- 1e ,ould not allo, 1is Son 'e @udged 'y those ,ho see: his death# and COU!( not see his ,orth at all4hat honest ,itnesses could T1EB call +orth# to spea: on his 'ehal+E And ,ho ,ould come to plead 3OR him# and not A"AI2ST his li+eE 2o @ustice ,ould 'e gi*en him 'y youBet

596

"od ensured that @ustice 4OU!( 'e done unto the Son 1e lo*es# and ,ould protect +rom A!! un+airness you might see: to o++er# 'elie*ing *engeance IS his proper due2o*em'er &G# &5J7 As specialness cares not ,ho pays the cost o+ sin# so it BE paid# the 1oly Spirit heeds not ,ho loo:s on innocence at last# pro*ided it IS seen and recogni9ed- 3or @ust O2E ,itness is enough# i+ he sees truly- Simple @ustice as:s no more- O+ each one does the 1oly Spirit as: i+ he ,ill 'e that one# so @ustice may return to lo*e# and there 'e satis+iedEach special +unction 1e allots is 'ut +or thisP that each one learn that lo*e and @ustice are 2OT separate- And 'oth are strengthened 'y their union ,ith each other- 4ithout lo*e is @ustice pre@udiced and ,ea:- And lo*e 4IT1OUT @ustice is impossi'le- 3or lo*e is +air# and cannot chasten ,ithout cause- 4hat cause can BE to ,arrant an attac: upon the
> G7K >

innocentE In @ustice# then# does lo*e correct mista:es# 'ut 2OT in *engeance- 3or that ,ould 'e un@ust to innocenceBou can 'e per+ect ,itness to the po,er o+ lo*e A2( @ustice# i+ you understand it is impossi'le the Son o+ "od COU!( merit *engeance- Bou need 2OT percei*e# in e*ery circumstance# that this is true- 2or need you loo: to your e<perience 4IT1I2 the ,orld# ,hich is 'ut shado,s o+ all that is REA!!B happening ,ithin yoursel+- The understanding ,hich you need comes 2OT o+ you# 'ut +rom a larger Sel+# so great and holy that 1e COU!( not dou't 1is innocence- Bour special +unction is a call to 1im# that 1e may smile on you ,hose sinlessness 1e shares- 1IS understanding ,ill 'e BOURS- And so the 1oly Spirit=s Special 3unction has 'een +ul+illed- "od=s Son has +ound a ,itness unto his sinlessness# and 2OT his sin- 1o, !ITT!E need you gi*e the 1oly Spirit# that simple @ustice may 'e gi*en BOU4ithout impartiality there IS no @ustice- 1o, CA2 specialness 'e @ustE Judge not 'ecause you cannot# 2OT 'ecause you are a misera'le sinner too- 1o, can the special REA!!B understand that @ustice is the same +or e*eryoneE To ta:e +rom one to gi*e another MUST 'e an in@ustice to them 'oth# since they are e?ual in the 1oly Spirit=s sightTheir 3ather ga*e the SAME inheritance to 'oth- 4ho ,ould ha*e more OR less is not a,are that he has e*erything- 1e is no @udge o+ ,hat MUST 'e another=s due# 'ecause he thin:s

597

1E is depri*ed- And so MUST he 'e en*ious# and try to ta:e a,ay +rom ,hom he @udges1e is 2OT impartial# and CA22OT +airly see another=s rights BECAUSE his o,n ha*e 'een o'scured to himBou ha*e the right to all the uni*erseP to per+ect peace# complete deli*erance +rom A!! e++ects o+ sin# and to the li+e eternal# @oyous# and complete in EHERB ,ay# as "od appointed +or 1is holy Son- This is the O2!B @ustice 1ea*en :no,s# and all the 1oly Spirit 'rings to earth- Bour special +unction sho,s you nothing else BUT per+ect @ustice CA2 pre*ail +or you- And you ARE sa+e +rom *engeance in A!! +orms- The ,orld decei*es# 'ut it can 2OT replace "od=s @ustice ,ith a *ersion o+ its o,n- 3or only lo*e IS @ust# and CA2 percei*e ,hat @ustice must accord the Son o+ "od- !et lo*e decide# and ne*er +ear that you# in your un+airness# ,ill depri*e yoursel+ o+ ,hat "O(=S @ustice has allotted you2o*em'er $&# &5J7 4hat can it 'e 'ut arrogance to thin: your little errors CA22OT 'e undone 'y 1ea*en=s @usticeE And ,hat COU!( this mean# e<cept that they are sins# and 2OT mista:es# +ore*er uncorrecta'le# and to 'e met ,ith *engeance# 2OT ,ith @usticeE ARE you ,illing to 'e released +rom A!! e++ects o+ sinE Bou CA22OT ans,er this until you see all that the ans,er MUST entail- 3or i+ you ans,er )yes#. it means you ,ill +orego A!! *alues o+ this ,orld# in +a*or o+ the peace o+ 1ea*en- 2ot one sin ,ould you retain- A2( 2OT O2E (OUBT T1AT T1IS IS OSSIB!E ,ill you hold dear# that sin 'e :ept in place- Bou mean that truth has greater *alue no, than A!! illusions- And you recogni9e that truth must 'e REHEA!E( to you# 'ecause BOU :no, not ,hat it is> G75 >

To gi*e reluctantly is not to gain the gi+t- BECAUSE BOU ARE RE!UCTA2T TO ACCE T IT- It IS sa*ed +or you# until reluctance to recei*e it disappears# and you are 4I!!I2" it 'e gi*en you- "od=s @ustice ,arrants gratitude# 2OT +ear- 2othing you gi*e is lost to you or anyone# 'ut cherished and preser*ed in 1ea*en# ,here all o+ the treasures gi*en to "od=s Son are :ept +or him# and o++ered anyone ,ho 'ut holds out his hand in ,illingness they 'e recei*ed- 2or is the treasure !ESS as it is gi*en out- Each gi+t 'ut A((S to the supply- 3or "od IS +air- 1e does not +ight A"AI2ST 1is Son=s reluctance to percei*e sal*ation as a gi+t +rom 1im- Bet ,ould 1is @ustice not 'e satis+ied until it is

598

recei*ed 'y e*eryoneBe certain any ans,er to a pro'lem the 1oly Spirit sol*es ,ill A!4ABS 'e one in ,hich 2O>O2E loses- And this MUST 'e true BECAUSE 1e as:s no sacri+ice o+ anyoneAn ans,er ,hich demands the slightest loss to A2BO2E has not RESO!HE( the pro'lem# 'ut has added TO it# and made it greater# 1AR(ER to resol*e# A2( MORE U23AIR- It is impossi'le the 1oly Spirit could SEE un+airness as a resolution- To 1im# ,hat is un+air must 'e corrected BECAUSE it is un+air- And EHERB error is a perception in ,hich one# at least# is seen un+airly- Thus is @ustice 2OT accorded to the Son o+ "od- 4hen A2BO2E is seen as losing# 1E 1AS BEE2 CO2(EM2E(- And punishment 'ecomes his due# I2STEA( o+ @usticeThe sight o+ innocence ma:es punishment impossi'le# and @ustice sure- The 1oly Spirit=s perception lea*es no "ROU2(S +or an attac:- Only a !OSS could @usti+y attac:# and loss o+ A2B :ind 1e cannot see- The ,orld sol*es pro'lems in another ,ay- IT sees a resolution as a state in ,hich it is (ECI(E( ,ho shall ,in and ,ho shall loseP 1O4 MUC1 the one shall ta:e# and 1O4 MUC1 can the loser still de+end- Bet does the pro'lem still remain unsol*ed# +or O2!B @ustice can set up a state in ,hich there IS no loserP no>one le+t un+airly treated and depri*ed# and thus ,ith grounds +or *engeancero'lem SO!HI2" can 2OT 'e *engeance# ,hich at 'est can 'ring another pro'lem A((E( to the +irst# in ,hich the murder is not o'*iousThe 1oly Spirit=s pro'lem sol*ing is the ,ay in ,hich the pro'lem E2(S- It has 'een sol*ed BECAUSE it has 'een met ,ith @ustice- And U2TI! it has# it ,ill recur 'ecause it has 2OT yet 'een sol*ed- The principle that @ustice MEA2S no>one can lose is crucial to this course- 3or miracles (E E2( on @ustice- 2OT as it is seen through this ,orld=s eyes# 'ut as "od :no,s it# and as :no,ledge is re+lected in sight the 1oly Spirit gi*es2O>O2E deser*es to lose- And ,hat ,ould 'e U2JUST to him can 2OT occur1ealing must 'e +or e*eryone BECAUSE he does not merit an attac: o+ any :ind- 4hat order CA2 there 'e in miracles# unless someone deser*es to su++er MORE# and others !ESSE And is this @ustice to the ,holly innocentE

599

A miracle IS @ustice- It is 2OT a special gi+t to some# to 'e 4IT11E!( +rom others as !ESS ,orthy# MORE condemned# and thus A ART +rom healing- 4ho is there ,ho can 'e separate +rom sal*ation# i+ its UR OSE is the end o+ specialnessE 4here is sal*ation=s @ustice i+ SOME errors are un+orgi*a'le# and 4ARRA2T *engeance I2 !ACE o+ healing and return o+ peaceE Sal*ation cannot SEEL to help "od=s Son 'e MORE un+air than 1E
> GK% >

has sought to 'e- I+ miracles# the 1oly Spirit=s gi+t# ,ere gi*en specially to an elect and special group# and :ept A ART +rom others as !ESS deser*ing# then is 1e A!!B to specialness- 4hat 1e cannot percei*e 1e 'ears no ,itness to- And e*eryone is EDUA!!B entitled to 1is gi+t o+ healing and deli*erance and peaceTo gi*e a pro'lem to the 1oly Spirit to sol*e 3OR you means that you 4A2T it sol*ed- To :eep it +or yoursel+ to sol*e 4IT1OUT 1is help is to decide it should remain U2settled# U2resol*ed# and lasting in its po,er o+ in@ustice and attac:- 2o>one can BE un@ust to you# unless you ha*e decided +irst to BE un@ust- And then MUST pro'lems rise to 'loc: your ,ay# and peace 'e scattered 'y the ,inds o+ hate- Unless you thin: that A!! your 'rothers ha*e an e?ual right to miracles ,ith you# you ,ill not claim BOUR right to them# 'ecause you ,ere un@ust to one ,ith EDUA! rights- See: to deny# and you 4I!! +eel denied- See: to depri*e# and you 1AHE BEE2 depri*edA miracle can 2EHER 'e recei*ed 'ecause another could recei*e it 2OT- Only +orgi*eness O33ERS miracles- And pardon MUST 'e @ust to e*eryone- The little pro'lems that you :eep and hide 'ecome your secret sins BECAUSE you did not choose to let them 'e remo*ed 3OR you- And so they gather dust and gro,# until they co*er EHERBT1I2" that you percei*e# and lea*e you +air to no>one- 2ot O2E right do BOU 'elie*e you ha*eAnd 'itterness# ,ith *engeance @usti+ied and mercy lost# condemns you as U24ORT1B o+ +orgi*eness- The un+orgi*en 1AHE no mercy to 'esto, upon another- That is ,hy your sole responsi'ility MUST 'e to ta:e +orgi*eness +or yoursel+The miracle that you recei*e you "IHE- Each one 'ecomes an illustration o+ the la, on ,hich sal*ation restsP that @ustice MUST 'e done to all# i+ A2BO2E is to 'e healed- 2oone can lose# and e*eryone MUST 'ene+it- Each miracle is an e<ample o+ ,hat @ustice can

600

accomplish# ,hen it is o++ered to e*eryone ali:e- It is recei*ed and "IHE2 e?ually- It IS a,areness that gi*ing and recei*ing ARE the same- BECAUSE it does not ma:e the same unli:e# it sees no di++erences ,here none e<ist- And thus it is the SAME +or e*eryone# 'ecause it sees no di++erences in T1EM- Its o++ering is uni*ersal# and it teaches 'ut one message- 4hat is "od=s BE!O2"S to e*eryone# and IS his due . 2o*em'er $7#&5J7 In the )dynamics. o+ attac: is sacri+ice a :ey idea- It is the pi*ot upon ,hich A!! compromise# A!! desperate attempts to stri:e a 'argain# and A!! con+licts achie*e a seeming 'alance- It is the sym'ol o+ the central theme that SOMEBO(B MUST !OSE- Its +ocus on the BO(B is apparent# +or it is A!4ABS an attempt to !IMIT !OSS- The 'ody is ITSE!3 a sacri+iceP a gi*ing up o+ po,er# in the name o+ sa*ing @ust a little +or yoursel+- To see a 'rother in A2OT1ER 'ody# SE ARATE +rom yours# is the e<pression o+ a ,ish to see a little ART o+ him# and sacri+ice the rest- !oo: at the ,orld# and you ,ill see nothing attached to A2BT1I2" 'eyond itsel+- All seeming entities can come a little nearer# or go a little +arther o++# 'ut CA22OT @oin> GK& >

The ,orld you see is 'ased on SACRI3ICE o+ oneness- It is a picture o+ a COM !ETE disunity and total !ACL o+ @oining- Around each entity is 'uilt a ,all so seeming solid that it loo:s as i+ ,hat is inside can ne*er reach ,ithout# and ,hat is out can ne*er reach and @oin ,ith ,hat is loc:ed a,ay ,ithin the ,all- Each part must SACRI3ICE the other part to :eep itsel+ complete- 3or i+ they @oined# each one ,ould !OSE its o,n identity# and BB their separation are their sel*es maintained- The little that the 'ody +ences o++ BECOMES the sel+# preser*ed through sacri+ice o+ all the rest- And all the rest must !OSE this little part# remaining incomplete to :eep its o,n identity intactIn T1IS perception o+ your sel+ the BO(B=S loss ,ould 'e a sacri+ice indeed- And sight o+ 'odies 'ecomes the sign that sacri+ice IS limited# and something still remains +or you alone- And 3OR this little to 'elong to you# are limits placed on EHERBT1I2" outside# @ust as they are on e*erything you thin: is BOURS- 3or gi*ing and recei*ing ARE the same- And to ACCE T the limits o+ a 'ody is to IM OSE these limits on each 'rother

601

,hom you see- 3or you MUST see him as you see yoursel+- The 'ody IS a loss# and CA2 'e made to sacri+ice- And ,hile you see your 'rother as a 'ody# A ART +rom you and separate in his cell# you are demanding sacri+ice o+ him A2( you4hat greater sacri+ice could 'e demanded than that "od=s Son percei*e himsel+ ,ithout his 3atherE And his 3ather 'e ,ithout 1is SonE Bet EHERB sacri+ice demands that they 'e separate and ,ithout the other- The memory o+ "od MUST 'e denied# i+ A2B sacri+ice is as:ed o+ A2BO2E- 4hat ,itness to the ,holeness o+ "od=s Son is seen ,ithin a ,orld o+ separate 'odies# ho,e*er much he ,itnesses to truthE 1e is I2HISIB!E in such a ,orld- 2or can his song o+ union and o+ lo*e 'e heard at all- Bet is it gi*en him to ma:e the ,orld recede 'e+ore his song and sight o+ him RE !ACE the 'ody=s eyesThose ,ho ,ould see the ,itnesses to truth I2STEA( o+ to illusion merely as: that they might see a UR OSE in the ,orld that gi*es it sense and ma:es it meaning+ul4IT1OUT your special +unction 1AS this ,orld no meaning +or you- Bet it can 'ecome a treasure house as rich and limitless as 1ea*en Itsel+- 2o instant passes here in ,hich your 'rother=s holiness can 2OT 'e seen# to add a limitless supply to e*ery meagre scrap and tiny crum' o+ happiness that you allot yoursel+- Bou CA2 lose sight o+ oneness# 'ut can 2OT ma:e sacri+ice o+ its reality- 2or can you !OSE ,hat you ,ould sacri+ice# nor :eep the 1oly Spirit +rom 1is tas: o+ sho,ing you that it has 2OT 'een lost1ear# then# the song your 'rother sings to you- And !ET the ,orld recede# and TALE the rest his ,itness o++ers on 'ehal+ o+ peace- But @udge him not# +or you ,ill hear no song o+ li'eration +or yoursel+# nor see ,hat it is gi*en him to ,itness to# that BOU may see it and re@oice 4IT1 him- Ma:e not his holiness a sacri+ice to your 'elie+ in sinBou sacri+ice BOUR innocence ,ith his# and die each time you see in him a sin deser*ing death- Bet e*ery instant can you 'e re'orn# and gi*en li+e again- 1is holiness gi*es li+e to you# ,ho CA22OT die 'ecause his sinlessness is :no,n to "od# and can no more 'e sacri+iced 'y you than can the light in you 'e 'lotted out 'ecause he sees it notBou ,ho ,ould ma:e a sacri+ice o+ li+e# and ma:e your eyes and ears 'ear ,itness to the death o+ "od and o+ 1is holy Son# thin: not that you ha*e po,er to ma:e o+ them
> GK$ >

,hat "od ,illed not they 'e- In 1ea*en "od=s Son is 2OT imprisoned in a 'ody# nor is

602

sacri+iced in solitude to sin- And as he is in 1ea*en# so MUST he 'e eternally and e*ery,here- 1e is the same +ore*er- Born again each instant# untouched 'y time# and 3AR 'eyond the reach o+ A2B sacri+ice o+ li+e OR death- 3or neither did he ma:e# and only O2E ,as gi*en him# 'y One 4ho L2O4S 1is gi+ts can 2EHER su++er sacri+ice and loss"od=s @ustice rests in gentleness upon 1is Son# and :eeps him sa+e +rom A!! in@ustice the ,orld ,ould lay upon him- COU!( it 'e that BOU could ma:e his sins reality# and sacri+ice his 3ather=s 4ill +or himE Condemn him not 'y seeing him ,ithin the rotting prison ,here he sees himsel+- It is your special +unction to ensure the door 'e opened# that he may come +orth to shine on you# and gi*e you 'ac: the gi+t o+ +reedom 'y recei*ing it o+ you- 4hat is the 1oly Spirit=s Special 3unction 'ut to release the holy Son o+ "od +rom the imprisonment he made to LEE himsel+ +rom @usticeE Could BOUR +unction 'e a tas: apart and SE ARATE +rom 1is O,nE 2o*em'er $K# &5J7 It is 2OT di++icult to understand the reasons ,hy you do not as: the 1oly Spirit to sol*e A!! pro'lems +or you- 1E has not greater di++iculty in resol*ing some than othersE*ery pro'lem is the CAME to 1im# 'ecause each one is sol*ed in @ust the SAME respect# and through the SAME approach- The aspects that 2EE( sol*ing do not change# ,hate*er 3ORM the pro'lem seems to ta:e- A pro'lem can appear in MA2B +orms# and it ,ill do so ,hile the pro'lem lasts- It ser*es no purpose to attempt to sol*e it in a S ECIA! +ormIt 4I!! recur# and then recur again and yet again# until it has 'een ans,ered +or A!! time# and ,ill not rise again in A2B +orm- And O2!B then are you RE!EASE( +rom itThe 1oly Spirit o++ers you release +rom EHERB pro'lem that you thin: you ha*eThey are the SAME to 1im# 'ecause each one# regardless o+ the +orm it seems to ta:e# is a demand that someone su++er loss# and ma:e a sacri+ice that you might gain- And# ,hen the situation is ,or:ed out so 2O>O2E loses# is the pro'lem gone# 'ecause it ,as an error in perception# ,hich no, has 'een corrected- One mista:e is 2OT more di++icult +or 1im to 'ring to truth than is another- 3or there IS 'ut one mista:eP the ,hole idea that loss is possi'le# and COU!( result in gain +or anyone- I+ T1IS ,ere true# then "od

603

4OU!( 'e un+airP sin 4OU!( 'e possi'le# attac: 'e @usti+ied# and *engeance +airThis O2E mista:e# in A2B +orm# has O2E correction- There IS no lossP to thin: there IS# is a mista:eBou 1AHE no pro'lems# though you T1I2L you ha*e- And yet you COU!( not thin: so# i+ you sa, them *anish one 'y one# 4IT1OUT regard to si9e# comple<ity# or place and time# or A2B attri'ute ,hich you percei*e that ma:es each one seem di++erent +rom the rest- Thin: not the limits BOU impose on ,hat you see can limit "od in A2B ,ay- The miracle o+ @ustice can correct A!! errors- E*ery pro'lem IS an error- It does in@ustice to the Son o+ "od# and there+ore is not true- The 1oly Spirit does not e*aluate
> GK8 >

in@ustices as great or small# or more or less- They ha*e 2O properties to 1im- They are mista:es +rom ,hich the Son o+ "od IS su++ering# 'ut needlessly- And so 1e ta:es the thorns and nails a,ay- 1e does not pause to @udge ,hether the hurt 'e large or little1e ma:es 'ut one @udgmentP that to hurt "od=s Son MUST 'e un+air# and there+ore is not soBou ,ho 'elie*e it sa+e to gi*e 'ut SOME mista:es to 'e corrected ,hile you :eep the others to yoursel+# remem'er thisF Justice is total- There IS no such thing as partial @ustice- I+ the Son o+ "od is guilty then is he condemned# and he (ESERHES no mercy +rom the "od o+ @ustice- But as: not "od to punish him 'ecause BOU +ind him guilty# and ,ould ha*e him die- "od O33ERS you the means to see his innocence- 4ould it 'e +air to punish him 'ecause you ,ill not !OOL at ,hat is there to seeE Each time you :eep a pro'lem +or BOURSE!3 to sol*e# or @udge that it is one ,hich 1AS no resolution# you ha*e made it great# and past the hope o+ healing- Bou deny the miracle o+ @ustice CA2 'e +airI+ "od is @ust# then CA2 there 'e 2O pro'lems that @ustice cannot sol*e- But BOU 'elie*e that some in@ustices ARE +air and good# and necessary to preser*e yoursel+It is T1ESE pro'lems that you thin: are great# and cannot BE resol*ed- 3or there are those you 4A2T to su++er loss# and 2O>O2E ,hom you ,ish to 'e preser*ed +rom sacri+ice entirely- Consider once again your special +unction- O2E is gi*en you to see in him his per+ect sinlessness- And you ,ill ASL no sacri+ice o+ him# 'ecause you could not ,ill he

604

su++er loss- The miracle o+ @ustice you call +orth ,ill rest on you as surely as on him2or ,ill the 1oly Spirit 'e content until it is recei*ed 'y e*eryone- 3or ,hat you gi*e to 1im IS e*eryone=s# and BB your gi*ing it can 1e ensure that e*eryone recei*es it e?uallyThin:# then# ho, great your O42 release ,ill 'e# ,hen you are ,illing to recei*e correction +or A!! your pro'lems- Bou ,ill not :eep O2E# +or pain in A2B +orm you ,ill not 4A2T- And you ,ill see each little hurt resol*ed 'e+ore the 1oly Spirit=s gentle sight3or all o+ them ARE little in 1is sight and ,orth no more than @ust a tiny sigh 'e+ore they disappear# to 'e +ore*er undone and unremem'ered- 4hat seemed once to 'e a S ECIA! pro'lem# a mista:e 4IT1OUT a remedy# or an a++liction 4IT1OUT a cure# has 'een trans+ormed into a uni*ersal 'lessing- Sacri+ice is gone- And in its place# the !o*e o+ "od can 'e remem'ered# and ,ill shine a,ay all memory o+ sacri+ice and loss1e cannot BE remem'ered until @ustice is lo*ed I2STEA( o+ +eared- 1e cannot 'e un@ust to anyone or anything# 'ecause 1e :no,s that EHERBT1I2" that is 'elongs to 1im# and ,ill +ore*er 'e as 1e created it- 2othing 1e lo*es 'ut MUST 'e sinless and 'eyond attac:- Bour special +unction opens ,ide the door 'eyond ,hich is the memory o+ 1is !o*e :ept per+ectly intact and unde+iled- And all you need to do is 'ut to ,ish that 1ea*en 'e gi*en you instead o+ hell# and e*ery 'olt and 'arrier that seems to hold the door securely 'arred and loc:ed# ,ill merely +all a,ay# and disappear- 3or it is 2OT your 3ather=s 4ill that you should o++er or recei*e !ESS than 1e ga*e# ,hen 1e created you in per+ect !o*e> GKG >

(ecem'er &# &5J7 Comple<ity is not o+ "od- 1o, COU!( it 'e# ,hen all 1e :no,s is OneE 1e :no,s o+ O2E creation# O2E reality# O2E truth# and 'ut O2E Son- 2othing CO23!ICTS ,ith Oneness- 1o,# then# COU!( there 'e comple<ity in 1imE 4hat IS there to decideE 3or it is CO23!ICT that ma:es choice possi'le- The truth is simpleP it is one# 4IT1OUT an opposite- And ho, could stri+e enter in its simple resence# and 'ring comple<ity ,here Oneness isE The truth ma:es 2O decisions# +or there is nothing to decide BET4EE2- And O2!B i+ there ,ere could choosing 'e a necessary step in the ad*ance to,ard Oneness4hat is e*erything lea*es room +or 2OT1I2" E!SE-

605

Bet is this magnitude 'eyond the scope o+ this curriculum- 2or is it necessary ,e d,ell on anything that cannot 'e immediately grasped- There is a 'orderland o+ thought that stands 'et,een this ,orld and 1ea*en- It is not a place# and 41E2 you reach it is A ART +rom time- 1ere is the meeting place ,here thoughts are 'rought TO"ET1ERP ,here con+licting *alues MEET# and A!! illusions are laid do,n 'eside the truth# ,here they are @udged to 'e untrue- This 'orderland is @ust 'eyond the gate o+ 1ea*en1ere is e*ery thought made pure and ,holly simple- 1ere is sin denied# and e*erything that IS recei*ed insteadThis is the @ourney=s end- 4e ha*e re+erred to it as the )real ,orld-. And yet there is a contradiction here# in that the ,ords imply a !IMITE( reality# a ARTIA! truth# a SE"ME2T o+ the uni*erse made true- This is 'ecause :no,ledge ma:es 2O attac: upon perception- They are 'rought together# and only O2E continues past the gate ,here Oneness is- Sal*ation IS a 'orderland# ,here place and time and choice ha*e meaning still# and yet it can 'e seen that they are temporary# OUT o+ place# and EHERB choice has 'een A!REA(B made2othing the Son o+ "od 'elie*es can 'e destroyed- But ,hat is truth to him must 'e 'rought to the last comparison that he ,ill e*er ma:eP the last e*aluation that ,ill 'e possi'le# the +inal @udgment upon this ,orld- It is the @udgment o+ the truth upon illusion# o+ :no,ledge on perceptionP IT 1AS 2O MEA2I2" A2( (OES 2OT EXIST- This is 2OT your decision- It is 'ut a simple statement o+ a simple +act- But in this ,orld there ARE no simple +acts# 'ecause ,hat is the same and ,hat is di++erent remain unclear- The one ESSE2TIA! thing to ma:e a choice at all is this distinction- And herein lies the di++erence 'et,een the ,orlds- In this one# choice IS made impossi'le- In the real ,orld# is choosing simpli+iedSal*ation stops @ust short o+ 1ea*en# +or only perception 2EE(S sal*ation- 1ea*en ,as ne*er lost# and so cannot 'e sa*ed- Bet ,ho can ma:e a choice BET4EE2 the ,ish +or 1ea*en and the ,ish +or hell# unless he recogni9es they are 2OT the sameE This di++erence is the learning goal this course has set- It ,ill not go 'eyond this aim- Its O2!B purpose is to teach ,hat is the same and ,hat is di++erent# lea*ing room to ma:e the only

606

choice ,hich CA2 'e made- There is no 'asis 3OR choice in this comple< and o*ercomplicated ,orld- 3or no>one understands ,hat is the same# and seems to choose
> GK6 >

,here no choice really is- The real ,orld is the area o+ choice made real# 2OT in the outcome# 'ut in the perception o+ alternati*es 3OR choiceThat there IS choice is an illusion- Bet# ,ithin this O2E lies the undoing o+ e*ery illusion# 2OT e<cepting this- Is not this li:e your special +unction# ,here the separation is undone 'y change o+ UR OSE in ,hat once ,as specialness# and no, IS unionE A!! illusions are 'ut one- And# in the recognition this is so# lies the a'ility to gi*e up A!! attempts to choose BET4EE2 them# and to ma:e them di++erent- 1o, simple is the choice 'et,een t,o things so clearly Unali:e- There IS no con+lict here- 2o sacri+ice is possi'le in the relin?uishment o+ an illusion RECO"2IUE( as such- 4here A!! reality has 'een ,ithdra,n +rom ,hat ,as 2EHER true# can it BE hard to gi*e it up# and choose ,hat MUST 'e trueE (ecem'er G# &5J7 3orgi*eness is this ,orld=s e?ui*alent o+ 1ea*en=s @ustice- It translates the ,orld o+ sin into a simple ,orld# ,here @ustice can 'e re+lected +rom BEBO2( the gate 'ehind ,hich total lac: o+ limits lies- 2othing in 'oundless lo*e could 2EE( +orgi*enessAnd ,hat is charity 4IT1I2 the ,orld gi*es ,ay to simple @ustice past the gate that opens into 1ea*en- 2o>one +orgi*es unless he has 'elie*ed in sin# and STI!! 'elie*es that he has much to 'e +orgi*en- 3orgi*eness thus 'ecomes the means 'y ,hich he learns 1E has done nothing to +orgi*e- 3orgi*eness al,ays rests upon the one ,ho o++ers it# until he sees 1IMSE!3 as needing it no more- And thus is he returned to his REA! +unction o+ creating# ,hich his +orgi*eness o++ers him again3orgi*eness turns the ,orld o+ sin into a ,orld o+ glory# ,onder+ul to see- Each +lo,er shines in light# and e*ery 'ird sings o+ the @oy o+ 1ea*en- There is no sadness and there is no parting here# +or e*erything is TOTA!!B +orgi*en- And ,hat has 'een +orgi*en MUST @oin# +or nothing stands BET4EE2# to :eep them separate and apart- The sinless MUST percei*e that they are one# +or nothing stands 'et,een# to push the other o++# and in the space ,hich sin le+t *acant do they JOI2 as one# in gladness recogni9ing ,hat is part o+ them has 2OT 'een :ept apart and separate- The holy place on ,hich you stand

607

is 'ut the space that sin has le+t- And here you see the 3ace o+ Christ arising in its place4ho could 'ehold the 3ace o+ Christ# and 2OT recall 1is 3ather as 1e really isE 4ho could +ear lo*e# and stand upon the ground ,here sin has le+t a place +or 1ea*en=s altar to rise and to,er +ar a'o*e the ,orld# and reach 'eyond the uni*erse to touch the heart o+ A!! creationE 4hat IS 1ea*en# 'ut a song o+ gratitude and lo*e and praise# 'y e*erything created# to the Source o+ its creationE The holiest o+ altars is set ,here once sin ,as 'elie*ed to 'e- 3or here does e*ery light o+ hea*en come# to 'e re:indled and increased in @oy- 3or here is ,hat ,as lost to them restored# +or here is ,hat ,as lost to them restored# and all their radiance made ,hole again3orgi*eness 'rings no little miracles to lay 'e+ore the gate o+ 1ea*en- 1ere the Son o+ "od 1imsel+ comes to recei*e each gi+t that 'rings him nearer to his home- 2ot one is
> GKJ >

lost# and none is cherished more than any other- Each reminds him o+ 1is 3ather=s !o*e as surely as the rest- And each one teaches him that ,hat he +eared he lo*es the most4hat BUT a miracle could change his mind# so that he understands that lo*e cannot BE +earedE 4hat other miracle is there 'ut thisE And ,hat else 2EE( there 'e to ma:e the space 'et,een you disappearE 4here sin once ,as percei*ed ,ill rise a ,orld ,hich ,ill 'ecome an altar to the truth- And BOU ,ill @oin the lights o+ 1ea*en there# and sing their song o+ gratitude and praise3or as they come to BOU to 'e complete# so ,ill you go ,ith them- 3or no>one hears the song o+ 1ea*en# and remains ,ithout a *oice that adds its po,er to the song# and ma:es it s,eeter still- And each one @oins the singing at the altar ,hich ,as raised ,ithin the tiny spot that sin proclaimed to 'e its o,n- And ,hat 4AS tiny then has soared into a magnitude o+ song# in ,hich the uni*erse has @oined ,ith 'ut a single *oice- This tiny spot o+ sin that stands 'et,een you still is holding 'ac: the happy opening o+ 1ea*en=s gate- 1o, !ITT!E is the hindrance ,hich ,ithholds the ,ealth o+ 1ea*en +rom you- And ho, "REAT ,ill 'e the @oy in 1ea*en ,hen you @oin the mighty chorus to the !o*e o+ "od(ecem'er &%# &5J7 A little hindrance can seem large indeed to those ,ho do not understand that miracles

608

are all the same- Bet teaching that is ,hat this course is 3OR- This is its only purpose# +or only that is all there is to learn- And you can learn it many di++erent ,ays- All learning is a help or hindrance to the gate o+ 1ea*en- 2othing in 'et,een is possi'le- There are T4O teachers only# ,ho point in di++erent ,ays- And you ,ill go along the ,ay your chosen teacher leads- There are 'ut T4O directions you can ta:e# ,hile time remains and choice is meaning+ul- 3or ne*er ,ill another road 'e made# e<cept the ,ay to 1ea*enBou 'ut choose ,hether to go TO4AR(S 1ea*en# or a,ay to no,here- There is nothing else to choose2othing is e*er lost 'ut time# ,hich in the end IS nothing- 3or it is 'ut a little hindrance to eternity# ?uite meaningless to the real Teacher o+ the ,orld- Bet since you (O 'elie*e in its reality# ,hy should you ,aste it going no,here# ,hen it CA2 'e used to reach a goal as high as learning can achie*eE Thin: not the ,ay to 1ea*en=s gate is di++icult at all2othing you underta:e ,ith certain purpose and high resol*e and happy con+idence# holding each other=s hand and :eeping step to 1ea*en=s song# is di++icult to do- But it is hard indeed to ,ander o++# alone and misera'le# do,n a road ,hich leads to nothing# and ,hich 1AS no purpose"od ga*e 1is Teacher to RE !ACE the one you made# 2OT to CO23!ICT ,ith itAnd ,hat 1e ,ould replace 1AS BEE2 replaced- Time lasted 'ut an instant in your mind# ,ith 2O e++ect upon eternity- And so is A!! time passed# and e*erything EXACT!B as it ,as 'e+ore the ,ay to nothingness ,as made- The tiny tic: o+ time# in ,hich the +irst mista:e ,as made# and A!! o+ them ,ithin that O2E mista:e# held also the CORRECTIO2
> GK7 >

+or that one# and A!! o+ them that came ,ithin the +irst- And in that tiny instant time ,as gone# +or that ,as all it e*er ,as- 4hat "od ga*e Ans,er to IS ans,ered and IS goneTo you ,ho still 'elie*e you li*e in time# and :no, not it is gone# the 1oly Spirit still guides you through the in+initely small and senseless ma9e you still percei*e in time# though it has long since gone- Bou thin: you li*e in ,hat is past- Each thing you loo: upon you sa, 'ut +or an instant# long ago# 'e+ore its unreality ga*e ,ay to truth- 2ot one illusion still remains unans,ered in your mind- Uncertainty ,as 'rought to Certainty so long ago that it is hard indeed to hold it to your heart# as i+ it ,ere 'e+ore you stillThe tiny instant you ,ould :eep# and ma:e eternal# passed a,ay in 1ea*en too soon +or

609

anything to notice it had come4hat disappeared too ?uic:ly to a++ect the simple :no,ledge o+ the Son o+ "od# can hardly still 'e there +or you to choose to 'e your teacher- Only in the past# S an ancient past# too short to ma:e a ,orld in ans,er to creation# S did this ,orld A EAR to rise- So HERB long ago# +or such a tiny inter*al o+ time that not one note in 1ea*en=s song ,as missed- Bet# in each un+orgi*ing act or thought# in e*ery @udgment# and in all 'elie+ in sin is that one instant still called 'ac:# as i+ it could 'e made again in time- Bou :eep an ancient memory 'e+ore your eyes- And he ,ho li*es in memories alone is una,are o+ ,here he IS3orgi*eness is the great release +rom time- It is the :ey to learning that the past is o*er- Madness spea:s no more- There IS no OT1ER teacher and no OT1ER ,ay3or ,hat has 'een undone no longer is- And ,ho can stand upon a distant shore# and dream himsel+ across an ocean# to a place and time that ha*e long since gone 'yE 1o, REA! a hindrance can this dream 'e to ,here he really ISE 3or this is +act# and does 2OT change ,hate*er dreams he has- Bet can he still IMA"I2E he is else,here# and in another timeIn the e<treme he can delude himsel+ that this is true# and pass +rom mere imagining into 'elie+ and into madness# ?uite con*inced that ,here he ,ould pre+er to 'e# he ISIs this a 1I2(RA2CE to the place ,hereon he standsE Is any echo +rom the past that he may hear a +act in ,hat is there to hear ,here he is no,E And ho, much can his o,n delusions a'out time and place a++ect a change in ,here he REA!!B isE The un+orgi*en is a *oice that calls +rom out a past +ore*er more gone 'y- And e*erything ,hich points to it as real is 'ut a ,ish that ,hat is gone could 'e made real again# and seen as here and no,# in place o+ ,hat is REA!!B no, and here- Is this a 1I2(RA2CE to the truth the past is gone# and CA22OT 'e returned to youE And do you 4A2T that +ear+ul instant :ept# ,hen 1ea*en seemed to disappear# and "od ,as +eared and made a sym'ol o+ your hateE 3orget the time o+ terror that has 'een so long ago corrected and undone- Can sin ,ithstand the 4ill o+ "odE Can it 'e up to you to see the past# and put it in the presentE

610

Bou can 2OT go 'ac:- And e*erything that points the ,ay in the direction o+ the past 'ut sets you on a mission ,hose accomplishment can O2!B 'e unreal- Such is the @ustice your e*er lo*ing 3ather has ensured MUST come to you- And +rom your o,n un+airness to yoursel+ has 1e protected you- Bou CA22OT lose your ,ay# 'ecause there is no 4AB
> GKK >

'ut 1is# and no,here CA2 you go# e<cept to 1im- 4ould "od allo, 1is Son to lose his ,ay along a road long since a distant memory o+ time gone 'yE This course ,ill teach you O2!B ,hat is no,- A dread+ul instant in a distant past# no, per+ectly corrected# is o+ no concern nor *alue- !et the dead and gone 'e peace+ully +orgotten- Resurrection has come to ta:e its place- And no, you are a part o+ Resurrection# 2OT o+ death- 2o past illusions ha*e the po,er to :eep you in a place o+ death# a *ault "od=s Son entered an instant# to 'e instantly restored unto 1is 3ather=s er+ect !o*e- And ho, can he 'e :ept in chains long since remo*ed# and gone +ore*er +rom his mindE The Son that "od created is as +ree as "od created him- 1e ,as re'orn the instant that he chose to die# instead o+ li*e- And ,ill you not +orgi*e him no,# 'ecause he made an error in the past that "od remem'ers not# and is not thereE 2o, are you shi+ting 'ac: and +orth# 'et,een the past and present- Sometimes the past seems real# as i+ it 4ERE the present- Hoices 3ROM the past are heard# and then are dou'ted- Bou are li:e to one ,ho still hallucinates# 'ut lac:s con*iction in ,hat he percei*es- This is the 'orderland 'et,een the ,orlds# the 'ridge 'et,een the past and present- 1ere the shado, o+ the past remains# 'ut still a present !ight is dimly recogni9edOnce it is seen# this !ight can ne*er 'e +orgotten- It must dra, you +rom the past into the present# ,here you really ARE- The shado, *oices do not C1A2"E the la,s o+ time or o+ eternity- They come +rom ,hat is past and gone# 'ut hinder not the true e<istence o+ the here and no,The real ,orld is the second part o+ the hallucination time and death are real# and ha*e e<istence ,hich can 'e percei*ed- This terri'le illusion ,as denied in 'ut the time it too: +or "od to gi*e 1is Ans,er to illusion +or A!! time and EHERB circumstanceAnd

611

then it ,as no more# to 'e e<perienced as there- Each day# and e*ery minute in each day# and e*ery instant that each minute holds# you 'ut reli*e the single instant ,hen the time o+ terror ,as replaced 'y !o*e- And so you die each day to li*e again# until you cross the gap 'et,een the past and present# ,hich is 2OT a gap at allSuch is each li+eP a seeming inter*al +rom 'irth to death# and on to li+e again# a repetition o+ an instant gone 'y long ago# ,hich cannot BE reli*ed- And A!! o+ time is 'ut the mad 'elie+ that ,hat is o*er is still here and no,- 3orgi*e the past and let it go# +or it IS gone- Bou stand no longer on the ground that lies 'et,een the ,orlds- Bou 1AHE gone on# and reached the ,orld that lies at 1ea*en=s gate- There is no hindrance to the 4ill o+ "od# nor any need that you repeat again a @ourney that ,as o*er long ago!oo: gently on each other# and 'ehold the ,orld in ,hich perception o+ your hate has 'een trans+ormed into a ,orld o+ !o*e(ecem'er &G# &5J7 Anything in this ,orld that you 'elie*e is good and *alua'le and ,orth stri*ing +or can hurt you# and ,ill do so- 2OT 'ecause it has the po,er to hurt# 'ut @ust 'ecause BOU ha*e denied it is 'ut an illusion# and MA(E IT REA!- And it IS real to you- It is 2OT
> GK5 >

nothing- And through its percei*ed reality has entered all the ,orld o+ sic: illusionsAll 'elie+ in sin# in po,er o+ attac:# in hurt and harm# in sacri+ice and death# has come to you- 3or no>one can ma:e one illusion real# and still escape the rest- 3or ,ho can choose to :eep the ones ,hich he pre+ers# and +ind the sa+ety that the truth alone can gi*eE 4ho can 'elie*e illusions are the same# and still maintain that e*en one is 'estE !ead not your little li*es in solitude# ,ith one illusion as your only +riend- This is no +riendship ,orthy o+ "od=s Son# nor one ,ith ,hich he could remain content- Bet "od has gi*en him a 'etter 3riend# in ,hom all po,er in earth and 1ea*en rests- The one illusion that you T1I2L is +riend o'scures 1IS grace and ma@esty +rom you# and :eeps his +riendship and +orgi*eness +rom your ,elcoming em'race- 4ithout him you are +riendless- See: not another +riend to ta:e his place- There IS no other +riend- 4hat "od appointed 1AS no su'stitute# +or ,hat illusion CA2 replace the truthE 4ho d,ells ,ith shado,s is alone indeed# and loneliness is 2OT the 4ill o+ "od4ould you allo, one shado, to usurp the throne that "od appointed +or your 3riend# i+

612

you 'ut reali9ed ITS emptiness has le+t BOURS empty and unoccupiedE Ma:e 2O illusion +riend# +or i+ you do# it CA2 'ut ta:e the place o+ him ,hom "od has called your 3riendAnd it is he ,ho is your O2!B 3riend in truth- 1e 'rings you gi+ts that are not o+ this ,orld# and only he to ,hom they ha*e 'een gi*en# CA2 ma:e sure that you recei*e them- 1e ,ill place them on BOUR throne# ,hen you ma:e room +or him on his(ecem'er $&# &5J7 This is a course in miracles- And# as such# the la,s o+ healing must 'e understood 'e+ore the purpose o+ the course can 'e accomplished- !et us re*ie, the principles that ,e ha*e co*ered# and arrange them in a ,ay that summari9es all that must occur +or healing to 'e possi'le- 3or ,hen it once is possi'lem it MUST occur- A!! sic:ness comes +rom separation- 4hen the separation is denied# it goes- 3or it IS gone as soon as the idea ,hich 'rought it has 'een healed# and 'een replaced 'y sanity- Sic:ness and sin are seen as conse?uence and cause# in a relationship :ept hidden +rom a,areness# that it may 'e care+ully preser*ed +rom reason=s light"uilt ASLS 3OR punishment# and its re?uest is granted- 2OT in truth# 'ut in the ,orld o+ shado,s and illusions BUI!T on sin- The Son o+ "od percei*es ,hat he ,ould see# 'ecause perception IS a ,ish +ul+illed- erception changes# MA(E to ta:e the place o+ changeless :no,ledge- Bet is truth unchanged- It cannot BE percei*ed# 'ut only :no,n4hat is percei*ed ta:es many +orms# 'ut 2O2E has meaning- Brought to truth# its senselessness is ?uite apparent- Lept A ART +rom truth# it SEEMS to ha*e a meaning and 'e real- erception=s la,s are O OSITE to truth# and ,hat IS true o+ :no,ledge is 2OT true o+ A2BT1I2" that is apart +rom it- Bet has "od gi*en Ans,er to the ,orld o+ sic:ness# 4hich applies to A!! its +orms"od=s Ans,er is eternal# though It operates in time# ,here It is needed- But# 'ecause It IS o+ "od# the la,s o+ time do not a++ect Its ,or:ings- It is in this ,orld# 'ut 2OT a part
> G5% >

o+ it- 3or It is real# and d,ells ,here all reality MUST 'e- Ideas lea*e not their source# and their e++ects 'ut SEEM to 'e apart +rom them- Ideas are o+ the mind- 4hat is pro@ected OUT# and seems to 'e EXTER2A! to the mind# is 2OT outside at all# 'ut an e++ect o+ ,hat is in# and has 2OT le+t its source- "od=s Ans,er lies ,here the 'elie+ in sin MUST 'e# +or only there can its e++ects 'e utterly undone# and ,ithout cause-

613

erception=s la,s must 'e re*ersed# 'ecause they ARE re*ersals o+ the la,s o+ truthThe la,s o+ truth 3OREHER ,ill 'e true# and cannot BE re*ersedP yet can 'e SEE2 as upside do,n- And this must 'e corrected ,here the illusion o+ re*ersal lies- It is impossi'le that one illusion 'e !ESS amena'le to truth than are the rest- But it IS possi'le that some are gi*en greater HA!UE# and less ,illingly O33ERE( to truth +or healing and +or help2O illusion has A2B truth in it- Bet it appears some are MORE true than others# although this clearly ma:es no sense at all- All that a hierarchy o+ illusions can sho, is RE3ERE2CE# 2OT reality4hat rele*ance has pre+erence to the truthE Illusions are illusions# and are +alseBour pre+erence gi*es them 2O reality- 2ot one is true in A2B ,ay# and all must yield ,ith e?ual ease to ,hat "od ga*e as Ans,er to them all- "od=s 4ill is One- And A2B ,ish that SEEMS to go A"AI2ST 1is 4ill has 2O +oundation in the truth- Sin is not error# +or it goes BEBO2( correction to impossi'ility- Bet the 'elie+ that it is real has made some errors seem +ore*er AST the hope o+ healing# and the lasting grounds +or hell- I+ this ,ere so# ,ould 1ea*en 'e opposed 'y its o,n opposite# as real as itThen ,ould "od=s 4ill 'e split in t,o# and all creation 'e su'@ected to the la,s o+ t,o opposing po,ers# until "od 'ecomes impatient# splits the ,orld apart# and relegates attac: unto 1imsel+- Thus has 1e lost 1is Mind# proclaiming sin has ta:en 1is reality +rom 1im# and 'rought 1is !o*e at last to *engeance= heels- 3or such an insane picture# an insane de+ense can 'e e<pected# 'ut can 2OT esta'lish that the picture must 'e true2othing "IHES meaning ,here no meaning IS- And truth needs 2O de+ense to ma:e it true- Illusions 1AHE no ,itnesses# and no e++ects- 4ho loo:s on them is 'ut decei*ed3orgi*eness is the only +unction here# and ser*es to 'ring the @oy this ,orld denies to e*ery aspect o+ "od=s Son ,here sin ,as thought to rule- erhaps you do not see the role +orgi*eness plays in ending death# and A!! 'elie+s that rise +rom mists o+ guiltSins are 'elie+s ,hich you impose 'et,een your 'rother and yoursel+- They limit you to time and place# and gi*e a little space to youP A2OT1ER little space to him- This separating o++

614

is sym'oli9ed# in your perception# 'y a 'ody ,hich is clearly separate and a thing apartBet ,hat this sym'ol RE RESE2TS is 'ut your ,ish to BE apart and separate3orgi*eness ta:es A4AB ,hat stands 'et,een your 'rother and yoursel+- It is the ,ish that you 'e JOI2E( ,ith him# and 2OT apart- 4e call it ),ish. 'ecause it still concei*es o+ other choices# and has not yet reached 'eyond the ,orld o+ choice entirelyBet is this ,ish in line ,ith 1ea*en=s state# and not in O OSITIO2 to "od=s 4illAlthough it +alls +ar short o+ gi*ing you your +ull inheritance# it (OES remo*e the o'stacles ,hich BOU ha*e placed 'et,een the 1ea*en ,here you are# and RECO"2ITIO2 o+
> G5& >

,here and ,hat you are- 3acts are unchanged- Bet +acts can 'e denied and thus un:no,n# though they ,ere :no,n BE3ORE they ,ere deniedSal*ation# per+ect and complete# as:s 'ut a !ITT!E ,ish that ,hat is true 'e trueP a !ITT!E ,illingness to o*erloo: ,hat is not there- A !ITT!E sigh that spea:s +or 1ea*en as a pre+erence to this ,orld ,hich death and desolation seem to rule- In @oyous ans,er ,ill creation rise ,ithin you# to RE !ACE the ,orld you see ,ith 1ea*en# ,holly per+ect and complete- 4hat is +orgi*eness# 'ut a ,illingness that truth 'e trueE 4hat can remain unhealed and 'ro:en +rom a Unity 4hich holds all things ,ithin Itsel+E There is 2O sinAnd EHERB miracle is possi'le the I2STA2T that the Son o+ "od percei*es his ,ishes and the 4ill o+ "od are One(ecem'er $6# &5J7 4hat is the 4ill o+ "odE 1e ,ills 1is Son ha*e e*erything- And this 1e guaranteed ,hen 1e created him AS e*erything- It is impossi'le that anything 'e lost# i+ ,hat you 1AHE is ,hat you ARE- This is the miracle 'y ,hich creation 'ecame BOUR +unction# sharing it ,ith "od- It is not understood A ART +rom 1im# and there+ore has no meaning in this ,orld- 1ere does the Son o+ "od as: 2OT too much# 'ut 3AR too little- 1e ,ould sacri+ice his o,n identity 4IT1 e*erything# to +ind a !ITT!E treasure o+ his o,n- And this he cannot do# ,ithout a sense o+ isolation# loss# and loneliness- This IS the treasure he has sought to +ind- And he COU!( only 'e a+raid o+ itIs +ear a treasureE Can uncertainty 'e ,hat you 4A2TE Or is it a mista:e a'out your ,ill# and ,hat you REA!!B areE !et us consider ,hat the error IS# so it can 'e corrected# 2OT protected- Sin is 'elie+ attac: can 'e pro@ected OUTSI(E the mind ,here the 'elie+

615

arose- 1ere is the +irm con*iction that ideas CA2 lea*e their source made real and meaning+ul- And 3ROM this error does the ,orld o+ sin and sacri+ice arise- This ,orld is an attempt to pro*e your innocence# ,hile cherishing attac:- Its +ailure lies in that you STI!! 3EE! guilty# though ,ithout understanding 41B- E++ects are SE ARATE( +rom their source- They SEEM to 'e BEBO2( you to control or to pre*ent4hat has 'een LE T apart can ne*er @oin- Cause and e++ect are one# 2OT separate"od ,ills you learn ,hat al,ays has 'een true- That he created you as part o+ 1im# and this must still 'e true BECAUSE ideas lea*e not their source- Such is creation=s la,P that each idea the mind concei*es 'ut A((S to its a'undance# 2EHER ta:es a,ay- This is as true o+ ,hat is idly ,ished as ,hat is truly ,illed# 'ecause the mind can ,ish to 'e decei*ed# 'ut CA22OT ma:e it 'e ,hat it is not- And to 'elie*e ideas can lea*e their source is to in*ite illusions to 'e true# 4IT1OUT SUCCESS- 3or ne*er ,ill success BE possi'le in trying to decei*e the Son o+ "odThe miracle is possi'le ,hen cause and conse?uence are 'rought together# 2OT :ept separate- The healing o+ e++ect 4IT1OUT the cause can merely shi+t e++ects to other +orms- And this is 2OT release- "od=s Son could ne*er 'e content ,ith !ESS than +ull sal*ation# and ESCA E +rom guilt- 3or other,ise he still demands that he must ma:e
> G5$ >

SOME sacri+ice# and thus denies that EHERBT1I2" is his# unlimited 'y loss o+ any :indA tiny sacri+ice is @ust the same in its E33ECTS as is the 41O!E idea o+ sacri+ice- I+ loss in A2B +orm is possi'le# then is "od=s Son made incomplete and not himsel+- 2or ,ill he :no, himsel+# nor recogni9e his ,ill- 1e has +ores,orn his 3ather A2( himsel+# and made them 'oth his enemies in hateIllusions ser*e the purpose they ,ere MA(E to ser*e- And 3ROM their purpose# they deri*e ,hate*er meaning that they seem to ha*e- "od ga*e to A!! illusions that ,ere made A2OT1ER purpose that ,ould @usti+y a miracle# 41ATEHER +orm they too:In e*ery miracle A!! healing lies# +or "od ga*e Ans,er to them all as one- And ,hat is one to 1im must BE the same- I+ you 'elie*e ,hat is the same is di++erent# you 'ut decei*e yoursel+- 4hat "od calls one ,ill 'e +ore*er one# 2OT separate- 1is Lingdom IS unitedP thus it ,as created# and thus ,ill it e*er 'e- The miracle 'ut calls your ancient name# ,hich you ,ill recogni9e 'ecause the truth is in your memory- And to this name your 'rother calls +or his release and yours- 1ea*en is shining on the Son o+ "od(eny him not# that BOU may 'e released-

616

Each instant is the Son o+ "od re'orn# until he chooses 2OT to die again- In e*ery ,ish to hurt he chooses death# instead o+ ,hat his 3ather ,ills +or him- Bet e*ery instant o++ers li+e to him# 'ecause his 3ather ,ills that he should li*e- In cruci+i<ion is redemption laid# +or healing is not needed ,here there is no pain or su++ering- 3orgi*eness is the A2S4ER to attac: o+ any :ind- So is attac: (E RIHE( o+ its e++ects# and hate is ans,ered in the 2ame o+ !o*e- To you to ,hom it has 'een gi*en to sa*e the Son o+ "od +rom cruci+i<ion and +rom hell and death# all glory 'e +ore*er- 3or you 1AHE po,er to sa*e the Son o+ "od 'ecause his 3ather ,illed that it 'e so- And in your hands does A!! sal*ation lie# to 'e 'oth o++ered and recei*ed as oneTo use the po,er "od has gi*en you as 1e ,ould ha*e it used is natural- It is 2OT arrogant to 'e as 1e created you# or to ma:e use o+ ,hat 1e ga*e to ans,er A!! 1is Son=s mista:es# and set him +ree- But it IS arrogant to !AB ASI(E the po,er that 1e ga*e# and choose a little# senseless ,ish instead o+ ,hat 1e ,ills- The gi+t o+ "od to you is limitless- There is 2O circumstance it cannot ans,er# and 2O pro'lem ,hich is not resol*ed ,ithin its gracious light- A'ide in peace# ,here "od ,ould ha*e you 'eAnd 'e the means ,here'y your 'rother +inds the peace in ,hich BOUR ,ishes are +ul+illed!et us unite in 'ringing 'lessing to the ,orld o+ sin and death- 3or ,hat can sa*e each one o+ us# can sa*e us all- There is no di++erence among the Sons o+ "odThe Unity that specialness denies ,ill sa*e them all# +or ,hat is One can 1AHE no specialness- And EHERBT1I2" 'elongs to each o+ them- 2o ,ishes lie 'et,een a 'rother and his o,n- To get +rom one is to depri*e them all- And yet to 'less 'ut one gi*es 'lessing to them all as one- Bour ancient name 'elongs to e*eryone# as theirs to you- Call on your 'rother=s name and "od ,ill ans,er# +or on 1im you call- Could 1e re+use to ans,er ,hen 1e has A!REA(B ans,ered all ,ho call on 1imE A miracle can ma:e no change at all- But it CA2 ma:e ,hat al,ays has 'een true 'e RECO"2IUE( 'y those
> G58 >

,ho :no, it not- And 'y this little gi+t o+ truth 'ut let to 'e itsel+P the Son o+ "od allo,ed to 'e himsel+# and all creation +reed to call upon the 2ame o+ "od as one(ecem'er $5# &5J7 The one remaining pro'lem that you ha*e is that you see an inter*al 'et,een the TIME ,hen you +orgi*e# and ,ill recei*e the 'ene+its o+ trust- This 'ut re+lects the little you ,ould :eep 'et,een BOURSE!HES# that you might 'e a !ITT!E separate- 3or time

617

and space are O2E illusion# ,hich ta:es di++erent +orms- I+ it has 'een pro@ected BEBO2( your minds# you thin: o+ it as time- The nearer it is 'rought to ,here it IS# the more you thin: o+ it in terms o+ space- There is a (ISTA2CE you ,ould :eep apart +rom one another- And this space you see as time# 'ecause you still 'elie*e you are EXTER2A! to each other- This ma:es trust impossi'le- And you can 2OT 'elie*e that trust ,ould settle e*ery pro'lem 2O4Thus do you thin: it SA3ER to remain a !ITT!E care+ul and a !ITT!E ,atch+ul o+ interests percei*ed as separate- 3rom this perception# you cannot concei*e o+ gaining ,hat +orgi*eness o++ers 2O4- The inter*al you thin: lies in 'et,een the gi*ing and recei*ing o+ the gi+t SEEMS to 'e one in ,hich you sacri+ice# and su++er loss- Bou see EHE2TUA! sal*ationP not IMME(IATE results- Sal*ation IS immediate- Unless you so percei*e it# you 4I!! 'e a+raid o+ it# 'elie*ing that the ris: o+ loss is great 'et,een the time its UR OSE is made yours and its E33ECTS ,ill come to you- In this +orm is the error still o'scured that is the SOURCE o+ +ear- Sal*ation 4OU!( ,ipe out the space you see 'et,een you still# and let you I2STA2T!B 'ecome as one- And it is 1ERE you +ear the loss ,ould lie(o not pro@ect this +ear to time# +or time is 2OT the enemy that you percei*e- Time is as neutral as the 'ody is# e<cept in terms o+ ,hat you see it 3OR- I+ you ,ould :eep a little S ACE 'et,een you still# you ,ant a little TIME in ,hich +orgi*eness is ,ithheld a little ,hile- This ma:es the inter*al BET4EE2 the time in ,hich +orgi*eness is ,ithheld and gi*en seem dangerous# ,ith terror @usti+ied- Bet space 'et,een you is apparent 2O4# and cannot BE percei*ed in +uture time- 2o more can it 'e OHER!OOLE(# e<cept ,ithin the present- 3UTURE loss is not your +ear- But RESE2T @oining IS your dread4ho can +eel desolation e<cept 2O4E A 3UTURE cause as yet 1AS no e++ectsAnd there+ore MUST it 'e that# i+ you +ear# there is a RESE2T cause- And it is T1IS that needs correction# 2OT a +uture state- The plans BOU ma:e +or sa+ety all are laid ,ithin the +uture# ,here you CA22OT plan- 2o purpose has 'een "IHE2 it as yet# and ,hat 4I!! happen has as yet no cause- 4ho can predict e++ects ,ithout a causeE And ,ho could

618

+ear e++ects U2!ESS he thought they had BEE2 caused# and @udged disastrous 2O4E Belie+ in sin arouses +ear# and li:e its cause# is loo:ing +or,ardP loo:ing 'ac:# 'ut OHER!OOLI2" ,hat is here and no,Bet only here and no, its cause must 'e# i+ its e++ects A!REA(B ha*e 'een @udged as +ear+ul- And# in o*erloo:ing T1IS# is it protected and :ept separate +rom healing- 3or a
> G5G >

miracle is 2O4- It stands A!REA(B there# in present grace# ,ithin the only inter*al o+ time ,hich sin and +ear ha*e o*erloo:ed# 'ut ,hich is all there IS to time- The ,or:ing out o+ A!! correction ta:es no time at all- But the ACCE TA2CE o+ the ,or:ing out can SEEM to ta:e +ore*er- The change o+ purpose the 1oly Spirit 'rought to your relationship has I2 it all e++ects that you ,ill see- They can 'e loo:ed at 2O4- 4hy ,ait till they un+old in time# and +ear they may 2OT come# although already T1EREE Bou ha*e 'een told that e*erything 'rings good that comes +rom "od- And yet it SEEMS as i+ this is not so- "ood in disaster=s +orm is di++icult to credit in ad*ance2or is there really SE2SE in this idea- 4hy S1OU!( the good appear in e*il=s +ormE And is it not deception i+ it doesE Its CAUSE is here# i+ it appears at all- 4hy are not its e++ects apparent# thenE 4hy in the +utureE And you see: to 'e content ,ith sighing# and ,ith )reasoning#. you do not understand it no,# 'ut 4I!! some day- And T1E2 its meaning ,ill 'e clearThis is 2OT reason# +or it is un@ust# and clearly hints at punishment until the time o+ li'eration is at hand"i*en a change o+ purpose +or the good# there is 2O reason +or an inter*al in ,hich disaster stri:es# to 'e percei*ed as good some day# 'ut no, in +orm o+ pain- This is a SACRI3ICE o+ no,# ,hich COU!( not 'e the cost the 1oly Spirit as:s +or ,hat he ga*e 4IT1OUT a cost at all- Bet this illusion has a cause ,hich# though untrue# must 'e A!REA(B in your mind- And T1IS illusion is 'ut one e++ect ,hich it engenders# and one +orm in ,hich its outcome is percei*ed- This inter*al in time# ,hen retri'ution is percei*ed to 'e the +orm in ,hich the good appears# is 'ut one aspect o+ the little space that lies 'et,een you# un+orgi*en stillBe not content ,ith +uture happiness- It has 2O meaning# and is 2OT your @ust re,ard- 3or you ha*e cause +or +reedom 2O4- 4hat pro+its +reedom in a prisoner=s +ormE 4hy S1OU!( deli*erance 'e disguised as deathE (elay is senseless# and the

619

)reasoning. ,hich ,ould maintain e++ects o+ RESE2T cause must 'e delayed until a 3UTURE time is merely a denial o+ the +act that conse?uence and cause MUST come as one- !oo: not to time# 'ut to the little space 'et,een you still# to 'e deli*ered 3ROMAnd do not let it 'e (IS"UISE( as time# and so preser*ed BECAUSE its +orm is changed# and ,hat it IS cannot 'e recogni9ed- The 1oly Spirit=s purpose 2O4 is yoursShould not 1is happiness 'e yours as ,ellE January $# &5JK Thin: 'ut ho, holy you must 'e# +rom ,hom the Hoice +or "od calls lo*ingly unto your 'rother# that you may a,a:e in him the Hoice that ans,ers to BOUR call- And thin: ho, holy 1E must 'e# ,hen in him sleeps your O42 sal*ation# ,ith 1IS +reedom @oined1o,e*er much you ,ish he 'e condemned# "od is in him- And ne*er ,ill you :no, 1e is in BOU as ,el# ,hile you attac: 1is chosen home# and 'attle ,ith 1is hostRegard him gently- !oo: ,ith lo*ing eyes on him ,ho carries Christ ,ithin him# that you may 'ehold 1is glory# and re@oice that 1ea*en is 2OT separate +rom you> G56 >

Is it too much to as: a little trust +or him ,ho carries Christ to you# that you may 'e +orgi*en A!! your sins# and le+t ,ithout a single one you cherish still- 3orget not that a shado, held 'et,een your 'rother and yoursel+ o'scures the 3ace o+ Christ and memory o+ "od- And ,ould you trade Them +or an ancient hateE The ground ,hereon you stand is holy ground BECAUSE o+ Them 4ho# standing there ,ith you# ha*e 'lessed it ,ith Their innocence and peace- The 'lood o+ hatred +ades# to let the grass gro, green again# and let the +lo,ers 'e all ,hite and spar:ling in the summer sun- 4hat ,as a place o+ death has no, 'ecome a li*ing temple in a ,orld o+ lightBecause o+ Them- It is Their resence 4hich has li+ted holiness again to ta:e its ancient place upon an ancient throne- Because o+ Them ha*e miracles sprung up as grass and +lo,ers on the 'arren ground ,hich hate had scorched and rendered desolate4hat hate has ,rought ha*e They undone- And no, you stand on ground so holy 1ea*en leans to @oin ,ith it# and ma:e it li:e Itsel+- The shado, o+ an ancient hate has gone# and all the 'light and ,ithering ha*e passed +ore*er +rom the land ,here They ha*e come4hat is a hundred or a thousand years to Them# or tens o+ thousandsE 4hen They come# time=s purpose is +ul+illed- 4hat ne*er 4AS passes to nothingness ,hen They

620

ha*e come- 4hat hatred claimed is gi*en up to lo*e# and +reedom lights up e*ery li*ing thing and li+ts it into 1ea*en# ,here the lights gro, e*er 'righter as each one comes home- The incomplete is made complete again# and 1ea*en=s @oy has 'een increased 'ecause ,hat is its o,n has 'een restored to it- The 'loodied earth is cleansed# and the insane ha*e shed their garments o+ insanity# to @oin Them on the ground ,hereon you stand1ea*en is grate+ul +or this gi+t o+ ,hat has 'een ,ithheld so long- 3or They ha*e come to gather in Their O,n- 4hat has 'een loc:ed is openedP ,hat ,as held A ART +rom light is gi*en up# that light may shine on it# and lea*e no space nor distance lingering 'et,een the light o+ 1ea*en and the ,orld- The holiest o+ all the spots on earth is ,here an ancient hatred has 'ecome a present lo*e- And They come ?uic:ly to the li*ing temple# ,here a home +or Them has 'een set up- There is no place in 1ea*en holier- And They 1AHE come to d,ell ,ithin the temple o++ered them# to 'e T1EIR resting place as ,ell as BOURS4hat hatred has released to lo*e 'ecomes the 'rightest light in 1ea*en=s radianceAnd all the lights in 1ea*en 'righter gro, in gratitude +or ,hat has 'een restoredAround you angels ho*er lo*ingly# to :eep a,ay all dar:ened thoughts o+ sin# and LEE the light ,here it has entered in- Bour +ootprints lighten up the ,orld# +or ,here you ,al: +orgi*eness goes ,ith you- 2o>one on earth 'ut o++ers than:s to one ,ho has restored his home# and sheltered him +rom 'itter ,inter and the +ree9ing cold- And shall the !ord o+ 1ea*en and 1is Son gi*e !ESS in gratitude +or so much MOREE 2o, is the temple o+ the !i*ing "od re'uilt as host again to 1im 'y 4hom it ,as created- 4here 1e d,ells# 1is Son d,ells ,ith 1im# 2EHER separate- And They gi*e than:s that They are ,elcome made at last- 4here stood a cross stands no, the risen Christ# and ancient scars are healed ,ithin 1is sight- An ancient miracle has come to
> G5J >

'less and to RE !ACE an ancient enmity that came to :ill- In gentle gratitude do "od the 3ather A2( the Son return to ,hat is Theirs# and ,ill +ore*er 'e- 2o, is the 1oly Spirit=s purpose done- 3or They ha*e comeO 3or They ha*e come at lastO January K# &5JK 4hat# then# remains to 'e undone# +or you to REA!IUE Their resenceE Only thisP

621

you ha*e a (I33ERE2TIA! *ie, o+ 4E12 attac: is @usti+ied# and 41E2 you thin: it is un+air# and 2OT to 'e allo,ed- 4hen you percei*e it AS un+air# you thin: that a response o+ anger no, is @ust- And thus you see ,hat IS the same as (I33ERE2T- Con+usion is not limited- I+ it occurs at all# it 4I!! 'e total- And its presence# in 41ATEHER +orm# ,ill hide Their resence- They are :no,n ,ith clarity# or not at all- Con+used perception ,ill 'loc: :no,ledge- It is 2OT a ?uestion o+ the SIUE o+ the con+usion# or 1O4 MUC1 it inter+eres- Its simple RESE2CE shuts the door to Theirs# and :eeps Them there un:no,n4hat does it MEA2 i+ you percei*e attac: in certain 3ORMS to 'e un+air to youE It means that there MUST 'e some +orms in ,hich BOU T1I2L IT 3AIR- 3or other,ise# ho, could some 'e e*aluated as U2+airE Some# then# are "IHE2 meaning# and percei*ed as sensi'le- And only SOME are seen as meaning!ESS- And this (E2IES the +act that A!! are senselessP EDUA!!B ,ithout a cause or conse?uence# and CA22OT ha*e e++ects o+ A2B :ind- Their resence is o'scured 'y A2B *eil ,hich stands 'et,een Their shining innocence and your a,areness it is your o,n# and EDUA!!B 'elongs to e*ery li*ing thing along ,ith you- "od limits not- And ,hat is limited can 2OT 'e 1ea*en- So it MUST 'e hellUn+airness and attac: are O2E mista:e# so +irmly @oined that ,here one is percei*ed# the other MUST 'e seen- Bou cannot BE un+airly treated- The 'elie+ you ARE is 'ut another +orm o+ the idea you are depri*ed 'y someone 2OT yoursel+- ROJECTIO2 o+ the cause o+ sacri+ice is at the root o+ e*erything percei*ed to 'e un+air# and 2OT your @ust deserts- Bet it is BOU ,ho as: this o+ yoursel+# in deep in@ustice to the Son o+ "odBou 1AHE no enemy e<cept yoursel+# and you are enemy indeed to him# 'ecause you do not :no, him AS yoursel+- 4hat COU!( 'e more un@ust than that he 'e depri*ed o+ ,hat he IS# denied the right to 'e himsel+# and as:ed to sacri+ice his 3ather=s !o*e and yours# as 2OT his dueE Be,are o+ the temptation to percei*e yoursel+ un+airly treated- In this *ie,# you see: to +ind an innocence ,hich is 2OT Theirs# 'ut yours alone# and at the cost o+ someone E!SE=S guilt- Can innocence 'e purchased 'y the gi*ing o+ BOUR guilt to someone elseE And IS this innocence# ,hich your attac: on him attempts to getE Is it not retri'ution +or

622

your o,n attac: upon the Son o+ "od you see:E Is it not SA3ER to 'elie*e that you are innocent o+ this# and *ictimi9ed despite your innocenceE 4hate*er ,ay the game o+ guilt is played# T1ERE MUST BE !OSS- Someone must !OSE his innocence that someone E!SE can ta:e it +rom him# ma:ing it his o,n> G57 >

Bou thin: your 'rother is un+air to you BECAUSE you thin: that one must 'e un+air to MALE the other innocent- And in this game do you percei*e one UR OSE +or your ,hole relationship- And this you see: to A(( unto the purpose "IHE2 it- The 1oly Spirit=s purpose is to let the resence o+ your holy "uests 'e :no,n to you- And TO this purpose nothing CA2 'e added# +or the ,orld is purposeless e<cept +or this- To add or ta:e a,ay +rom this O2E goal is 'ut to ta:e a,ay A!! purpose +rom the ,orld and +rom yoursel+- And each un+airness that the ,orld appears to lay upon you# you ha*e laid on it# 'y rendering it purposeless# ,ithout the +unction that the 1oly Spirit sees- And simple @ustice has 'een thus denied to e*ery li*ing thing upon the earth4hat this in@ustice does to you ,ho @udge un+airly# and ,ho see as you ha*e @udged# you cannot calculate- The ,orld gro,s dim and threatening# and not a trace o+ all the happy spar:le that sal*ation 'rought can you percei*e# to lighten up your ,ay- And so you see BOURSE!3 depri*ed o+ light# a'andoned to the dar:# un+airly le+t ,ithout a purpose in a +utile ,orld- The ,orld is +air 'ecause the 1oly Spirit has 'rought in@ustice to the !ight ,ithin# and there has A!! un+airness 'een resol*ed# and 'een RE !ACE( ,ith @ustice and ,ith lo*e- I+ you percei*e in@ustice any,here# you need 'ut say# )By this do I (E2B the resence o+ the 3ather and the Son- And I ,ould rather :no, o+ Them than see in@ustice# ,hich Their resence shines a,ay-. The ,ish to 'e un+airly treated is a compromise attempt that ,ould COMBI2E attac: and innocence- 4ho can com'ine the ,holly incompati'le# and ma:e a unity o+ ,hat can 2EHER @oinE 4al: you the gentle ,ay# and you ,ill +ear no e*il and no shado,s in the night- But place no terror sym'ols on the path# or you ,ill ,ea*e a cro,n o+ thorns +rom ,hich your 'rother and yoursel+ ,ill 2OT escape- Bou CA22OT cruci+y yoursel+ alone- And i+ you are un+airly treated# he MUST su++er the un+airness that you seeBou CA22OT sacri+ice yoursel+ alone- 3or sacri+ice is total- I+ it could occur at all# it ,ould entail the ,hole o+ "od=s creation# and the 3ather ,ith the sacri+ice o+ his 'elo*ed Son-

623

In your RE!EASE +rom sacri+ice is 1IS made mani+est# and sho,n to 'e his o,n- But e*ery pain you su++er do you see as proo+ that 1E is guilty o+ attac:- Thus ,ould you ma:e yoursel+ to 'e the sign that he has !OST his innocence# and need 'ut loo: on you to reali9e that 1E has 'een condemned- And ,hat to BOU has 'een un+air ,ill come to 1IM in righteousness- The un@ust *engeance that you su++er no, 'elongs to 1IM# and ,hen it RESTS# on him are BOU set +ree- 4ish not to ma:e yoursel+ a li*ing sym'ol o+ his guilt# +or you ,ill 2OT escape the death you ma:e +or him# and in 1IS innocence you +ind your o,n4hene*er you consent to su++er pain# to 'e depri*ed# un+airly treated# or in need o+ A2BT1I2"# you 'ut accuse your 'rother o+ attac: upon "od=s Son- Bou hold a picture o+ your cruci+i<ion 'e+ore his eyes# that he may see his sins are ,rit in 1ea*en in your 'lood and death# and go 'e+ore him# closing o++ the gate# and damning him to hellBet this is ,rit in hell and 2OT in 1ea*en# ,here you are BEBO2( attac:# and pro*e his I22OCE2CE- The picture o+ yoursel+ you o++er him you sho, BOURSE!3# and gi*e it all your +aith- The 1oly Spirit o++ers you# to gi*e to him# a picture o+ yoursel+ in ,hich there
> G5K >

is 2O pain# and 2O reproach at all- And ,hat ,as martyred to his guilt 'ecomes the per+ect ,itness to his innocenceThe po,er o+ ,itness is 'eyond 'elie+# 'ecause it 'rings con*iction in its ,a:e- The ,itness is 'elie*ed BECAUSE he points 'eyond himsel+# to ,hat he RE RESE2TSA sic: and su++ering you 'ut represents your 'rother=s guiltP the ,itness ,hich you send# lest he +orget the in@uries he ga*e# +rom ,hich you s,ear he ne*er ,ill escape- This sic: and sorry picture BOU accept# i+ only it can ser*e to punish him- The sic: are merciless to e*eryone# and in contagion do they see: to :ill- (eath seems an easy price# i+ they can say# )Behold me# 'rother# at your hand I die-. 3or sic:ness is the ,itness to his guilt# and death ,ould pro*e his errors MUST 'e sinsSic:ness is 'ut a )little. deathP a +orm o+ *engeance not yet total- Bet it spea:s ,ith certainty +or ,hat it represents- The 'lea: and 'itter picture you ha*e sent your 'rother# BOU ha*e loo:ed upon in grie+- And e*erything that it has sho,n to him ha*e you 'elie*ed# BECAUSE it ,itnessed to the guilt in him# ,hich you percei*ed and lo*ed2o, in the hands made gentle 'y 1is touch# the 1oly Spirit lays a picture o+ a (I33ERE2T you- It is a picture o+ a 'ody still# +or ,hat you REA!!B are can not 'e seen nor pictured-

624

But T1IS one has 2OT 'een used +or purpose o+ attac:# and there+ore ne*er su++ered pain at all- IT ,itnesses to the eternal truth that you can not BE hurt# and points BEBO2( itsel+ to 'oth BOUR innocence and 1ISSho, T1IS unto your 'rother# ,ho ,ill see that e*ery scar is healed# and e*ery tear is ,iped a,ay in laughter and in lo*e- And he ,ill loo: on his +orgi*eness there# and ,ith healed eyes ,ill loo: BEBO2( it# to the innocence that he 'eholds in you- 1ere is the proo+ that he has 2EHER sinnedP that 2OT1I2" that his madness 'id him do ,as e*er done# or e*er had e++ects o+ any :ind- That 2O reproach he laid upon his heart ,as EHER @usti+ied# and 2O attac: can touch him ,ith the poisoned sting o+ +ear- Attest his innocence and 2OT his guilt- BOUR healing is his com+ort and 1IS healthBECAUSE it pro*es illusions ,ere not trueIt is not 4ill +or !i+e# 'ut ,ish +or death# that is the moti*ation +or this ,orld- Its O2!B purpose is TO ROHE "UI!T REA!- 2o ,orldly thought or act or +eeling has a moti*ation other than this one- These are the ,itnesses that are called +orth to 'e 'elie*ed# and lend con*iction to the system they spea: +or and represent- And each has many *oices# spea:ing to your 'rother and yoursel+ in di++erent tongues- And yet to 'oth the message is the same- Adornment o+ the 'ody see:s to sho, ho, lo*ely are the ,itnesses +or guilt- Concerns a'out the 'ody demonstrate ho, +rail and *ulnera'le is your li+eP ho, easily destroyed is ,hat you lo*e- (epression spea:s o+ death and *anity o+ real concern ,ith anything at allThe strongest ,itness to +utility# ,hich 'olsters all the rest and helps them paint the picture in ,hich sin is @usti+ied# is sic:ness in ,hate*er +orm it ta:es- The sic: ha*e reason +or each one o+ their unnatural desires and strange needs- 3or ,ho could li*e a li+e so soon cut short# and 2OT esteem the ,orth o+ passing @oysE 4hat pleasures COU!( there 'e that ,ill endureE Are not the +rail E2TIT!E( to 'elie*e that e*ery stolen scrap o+
> G55 >

pleasure is their righteous payment +or their little li*esE Their death ,ill pay the price +or all o+ them# i+ they en@oy their 'ene+its or not- The end o+ li+e must come# ,hate*er ,ay that li+e 'e spent- And so ta:e pleasure in the ?uic:ly passing and ephemeralThese are 2OT sins# 'ut ,itnesses unto the strange 'elie+ that sin and death are real# and innocence and sin ,ill end ali:e# ,ithin the termination o+ the gra*e- I+ this ,ere

625

true# there 4OU!( 'e reason to remain content to see: +or passing @oys# and cherish little pleasures ,here you can- But in this picture is the 'ody 2OT percei*ed as neutral and 4IT1OUT a goal inherent in itsel+- 3or it 'ecomes the sym'ol o+ reproach# the sign o+ guilt ,hose conse?uences still are there to see# so that the cause can 2EHER 'e deniedBour +unction is to ROHE to him that sin can 1AHE no cause- 1o, +utile MUST it 'e to see yoursel+ a picture o+ the proo+ that ,hat your +unction IS can ne*er 'eThe 1oly Spirit=s picture changes not the 'ody into something it is not- It only ta:es a,ay +rom it A!! signs o+ accusation and o+ 'lame+ulness- ictured 4IT1OUT a purpose# it is seen as neither sic: nor ,ell# nor 'ad nor good- 2o grounds are o++ered that it may 'e @udged in A2B ,ay at all- It has no li+e# 'ut neither is it dead- It stands apart +rom A!! e<perience o+ +ear OR lo*e- 3or no, it ,itnesses to 2OT1I2" yet# its purpose 'eing open# and the mind made +ree again to choose ,hat it is 3OR- 2o, is it not condemned# 'ut ,aiting +or a purpose to 'e "IHE2# that it may +ul+ill the +unction that it ,ill recei*eInto this empty space# +rom ,hich the "OA! o+ sin has 'een remo*ed# is 1ea*en +ree to 'e remem'ered- 1ere its peace can come# and per+ect healing ta:e the place o+ death- The 'ody can 'ecome a sign o+ li+e# a promise o+ redemption# and a 'reath o+ immortality to those gro,n sic: o+ 'reathing in the +etid scent o+ death- !et it ha*e healing as its UR OSE- Then ,ill it send +orth the message it recei*ed# and 'y its health and lo*eliness proclaim the truth and *alue that it represents- !et it recei*e the po,er to represent an endless li+e# +ore*er unattac:ed- And to your 'rother let its message 'e# )Behold me# 'rother# at your hand I li*e-. The simple ,ay to let this 'e achie*ed is merely thisP to let the 'ody ha*e no purpose +rom the past# ,hen you ,ere sure you L2E4 its purpose ,as to +oster guilt- 3or this insists your crippled picture is a lasting sign o+ ,hat it represents- This lea*es no space in ,hich a (I33ERE2T *ie,# A2OT1ER purpose# can 'e gi*en it- Bou do 2OT :no, its purpose- Bou 'ut ga*e I!!USIO2S o+ a purpose to a thing you made to hide your +unction +rom yoursel+- This thing 4IT1OUT a purpose cannot hide the +unction that the 1oly Spirit ga*e- !et# then# ITS purpose and BOUR +unction 'oth 'e reconciled at last# and seen as oneIs healing +righteningE To many# yes- 3or accusation is a 'ar to lo*e# and damaged

626

'odies ARE accusers- They stand +irmly in the ,ay o+ trust and peace# proclaiming that the +rail can 1AHE no trust# and that the damaged 1AHE no grounds +or peace- 4ho has 'een in@ured BB his 'rother# and could lo*e and trust him stillE 1e 1AS attac:ed# and ,ill attac: again- rotect him not# 'ecause your damaged 'ody sho,s that you must 'e protected 3ROM him- To +orgi*e may 'e an act o+ charity# 'ut 2OT his due- 1e may 'e
> 6%% >

ITIE( +or his guilt# 'ut 2OT e<onerated- And i+ you +orgi*e him his transgressions# you 'ut A(( to all the guilt that he has really earnedThe unhealed CA22OT pardon- 3or they are the ,itnesses that pardon is un+airThey ,ould retain the CO2SEDUE2CES o+ the guilt they o*erloo:- Bet no>one CA2 +orgi*e a sin ,hich he 'elie*es is real- And ,hat has conse?uences MUST 'e real# 'ecause ,hat it has (O2E is there to see- 3orgi*eness is 2OT pity# ,hich 'ut see:s to pardon ,hat it :no,s to 'e the truth- "ood cannot BE returned +or e*il# +or +orgi*eness does not +irst ESTAB!IS1 sin# and T1E2 +orgi*e it- 4ho can say and MEA2# )My 'rother# you ha*e in@ured me# and yet# 'ecause I am the BETTER o+ the t,o# I pardon you my hurt-. 1IS pardon and BOUR hurt can 2OT e<ist together- One (E2IES the other# and MUST ma:e it +alseTo ,itness sin and yet +orgi*e it is a parado< ,hich reason cannot see- 3or it maintains ,hat has 'een done to you (ESERHES no pardon- And# 'y "IHI2" it# you grant your 'rother mercy# 'ut retain the proo+ he is not REA!!B innocent- The sic: remain accusersThey cannot +orgi*e their 'rothers A2( themsel*es as ,ell- 3or no>one in ,hom true +orgi*eness reigns can su++er- 1e holds not the proo+ o+ sin# 'e+ore his 'rother=s eyesAnd thus he MUST ha*e o*erloo:ed it# and remo*ed it +rom his o,n- 3orgi*eness CA22OT 'e +or one# and not the other- 4ho +orgi*es IS healed- And in his healing lies the ROO3 that he has truly pardoned# and retains no trace o+ condemnation that he still ,ould hold against himsel+ or any li*ing thing3orgi*eness is not real U2!ESS it 'rings a healing to your 'rother A2( yoursel+BOU must attest his sins had no e++ect on BOU# to demonstrate they ,ere not real1o, else COU!( he 'e guiltlessE And ho, COU!( his innocence 'e @usti+ied U2!ESS his sins

627

ha*e no e++ect to 4ARRA2T guiltE Sins are 'eyond +orgi*eness @ust BECAUSE they ,ould entail e++ects ,hich CA22OT 'e undone and o*erloo:ed entirely- In their U2(OI2" lies the proo+ that they ,ere merely errors- !ET yoursel+ 'e healed# that you may 'e +orgi*ing# o++ering sal*ation to your 'rother A2( yoursel+- A 'ro:en 'ody sho,s the mind has 2OT 'een healed- A miracle o+ healing pro*es that separation is 4IT1OUT e++ect4hat you ,ould pro*e to him you ,ill 'elie*e- The po,er o+ ,itness COMES +rom your 'elie+- And e*erything you say or do or thin: 'ut testi+ies to ,hat you teach to himBour 'ody can 'e means to teach that it has ne*er su++ered pain 'ecause o+ himAnd in its healing can it o++er him mute testimony to his innocence- It is T1IS testimony that can spea: ,ith po,er greater than a thousand tongues- 3or here is his +orgi*eness ROHE( to him- A miracle can o++er nothing !ESS to him than it has gi*en unto you- So does your healing sho, your mind is healed# and has +orgi*en ,hat he did 2OT do- And so is 1E con*inced his innocence ,as ne*er lost# and healed along ,ith youThus does the miracle undo all things the ,orld attests can ne*er BE undone- And hopelessness and death MUST disappear 'e+ore the ancient clarion call o+ li+e- This call has po,er 3AR 'eyond the ,ea: and misera'le cry o+ death and guilt- The ancient Calling o+ the 3ather to 1is Son# and o+ the Son unto his o,n# ,ill yet 'e the last trumpet
> 6%& >

that the ,orld ,ill e*er hear- Brother# there is no death- And this you learn ,hen you 'ut ,ish to sho, your 'rother that you had no hurt o+ him- 1e thin:s your 'lood is on his hands# and so he stands condemned- But it is gi*en you to S1O4 him# 'y your healing# that his guilt is 'ut the +a'ric o+ a senseless dream1o, @ust are miraclesO 3or they 'esto, an e?ual gi+t o+ +ull deli*erance +rom guilt upon your 'rother A2( yoursel+- BOUR healing sa*es 1IM pain# as ,ell as you- And BOU are healed BECAUSE you ,ished him ,ell- This is the la, the miracle o'eysP That healing sees no specialness at all- It does 2OT come +rom pity# 'ut +rom lo*e- And lo*e ,ould pro*e A!! su++ering is 'ut a *ain imagining# a +oolish ,ish# ,ith 2O e++ectsBour health is a result o+ your desire to see your 'rother ,ith no 'lood upon his hands# nor guilt upon his heart made hea*y ,ith the proo+ o+ sin- And ,hat you ,ish is "IHE2 you to seeThe )cost. o+ your serenity is his- This is the )price. the 1oly Spirit and the ,orld

628

interpret di++erently- The ,orld percei*es in it a statement o+ the )+act. that your sal*ation SACRI3ICES his- The 1oly Spirit :no,s BOUR healing is the ,itness U2TO his# and CA22OT 'e apart +rom him at all- As long as he consents to su++er# BOU ,ill 'e unhealedBut you can sho, him his su++ering is purposeless and ,holly ,ithout cause- Sho, him BOUR healing# and he ,ill consent no more to su++er- 3or his innocence 1AS BEE2 esta'lished in your sight A2( his- And laughter ,ill RE !ACE your sighs BECAUSE "od=s Son remem'ered that he IS "od=s Son4ho# then# +ears healingE Only those to ,hom their 'rother=s sacri+ice and pain is seen to represent their o,n serenity- Their helplessness and ,ea:ness represent grounds on ,hich they @usti+y his pain- The constant sting o+ guilt he su++ers ser*es to pro*e that he is sla*e# and they are +ree- The constant pain T1EB su++er demonstrates that they are +ree BECAUSE they hold him 'ound- And sic:ness is desired to pre*ent a shi+t o+ 'alance in the sacri+ice- 1o, could the 1oly Spirit 'e deterred an instant# e*en less# to reason ,ith an argument +or sic:ness such as thisE And need BOUR healing 'e delayed 'ecause you pause to listen to insanityE Correction is 2OT your +unction- It 'elongs to One 4ho :no,s o+ +airness# 2OT o+ guilt- I+ you assume correction=s role# you !OSE the +unction o+ +orgi*eness- 2o>one can +orgi*e until he learns correction is BUT to +orgi*e# and 2EHER to accuse- Alone# you CA22OT see they are the same# and there+ore is correction 2OT o+ you- Identity and +unction are the same# and BB your +unction do you :no, yoursel+- And thus# i+ you con+use your +unction ,ith the +unction o+ Another# you MUST 'e con+used a'out yoursel+ and ,ho you are- 4hat is the separation 'ut a ,ish to ta:e "od=s 3unction +rom 1im and (E2B that it is 1isE Bet i+ it is 2OT 1is it is not BOURS# +or BOU must lose ,hat you ,ould ta:e a,ayIn a split mind# identity MUST seem to 'e di*ided- 2or can anyone percei*e a +unction uni+ied ,hich has con+licting purposes and di++erent ends- Correction# to a mind so split# MUST 'e a ,ay to punish sins you thin: are BOURS in someone else- And thus does he 'ecome your *ictim# 2OT your 'rother# (I33ERE2T +rom you in that he is MORE "UI!TB#
> 6%$ >

629

thus in need o+ your correction# as the one MORE I22OCE2T than he- This splits 1IS +unction o++ +rom yours# and gi*es you 'oth a (I33ERE2T role- And so you CA22OT 'e percei*ed as one# and ,ith a single +unction that ,ould MEA2 a shared identity ,ith 'ut O2E endCorrection BOU ,ould do MUST separate# 'ecause that is the +unction gi*en it BB you- 4hen you percei*e correction is the SAME as pardon# then you also :no, the 1oly Spirit=s Mind and yours are One- And so your O42 identity is +ound- Bet must 1e ,or: ,ith ,hat is "IHE2 1im# and you allo, 1im only 1A!3 your mind- And thus 1e represents the OT1ER hal+# and seems to ha*e a (I33ERE2T purpose +rom the one you cherish# and you T1I2L is yours- Thus does your +unction seem (IHI(E(# ,ith a hal+ I2 O OSITIO2 to a hal+- And these t,o hal*es appear to represent a split ,ithin a sel+ percei*ed as t,oConsider ho, this sel+ perception MUST e<tend# and do not o*erloo: the +act that EHERB thought e<tends# 'ecause that is its purpose# 'eing ,hat it really IS- 3rom an idea o+ sel+ AS T4O# there comes a 2ECESSARB *ie, o+ +unction split BET4EE2 the t,oAnd ,hat you ,ould correct is only 1A!3 the error# ,hich you thin: is A!! o+ it- Bour BROT1ER=S sins 'ecome the central target +or correction# lest your errors and his o,n 'e seen as one- BOURS are mista:es# 'ut 1IS are sins# and 2OT the same as yours1IS merit punishment# ,hile yours# in +airness# should 'e o*erloo:edIn T1IS interpretation o+ correction# your o,n mista:es you ,ill not e*en SEE- The 3OCUS o+ correction has 'een placed OUTSI(E yoursel+# on one ,ho CA22OT 'e a part o+ you ,hile this perception lasts- 4hat is condemned can ne*er 'e returned to its accuser# ,ho has hated it# A2( 1ATES IT STI!!- This is your 'rother# +ocus o+ your hate# un,orthy to 'e part o+ you# and thus OUTSI(E your sel+# the other hal+# ,hich is deniedOnly ,hat is le+t# 4IT1OUT his presence# is percei*ed as A!! o+ you- To this remaining hal+ the 1oly Spirit must represent the OT1ER hal+# until you recogni9e it IS the other hal+- And this 1e does 'y gi*ing BOT1 o+ you a +unction that is one# 2OT di++erentCorrection IS the +unction gi*en 'oth# 'ut neither one alone- And ,hen it is +ul+illed as S1ARE(# it MUST correct mista:es in 'oth o+ you- It CA22OT lea*e mista:es in one unhealed# and ma:e the other +ree- T1AT is (IHI(E( purpose# ,hich cannot BE shared#

630

and so it CA22OT 'e the +unction ,hich the 1oly Spirit sees as 1is- And you can rest assured that 1e ,ill 2OT +ul+ill a +unction that 1e cannot understand# and recogni9e as 1is- 3or only thus can 1e :eep BOURS preser*ed intact# (ES ITE your separate *ie,s o+ ,hat your +unction IS- I+ 1e U 1E!( di*ided +unction# you ,ere lost indeed- 1is I2ABI!ITB to see 1is goal di*ided and distinct +or each o+ you preser*es your Sel+ +rom 'eing made a,are o+ any +unction OT1ER than Its O,nAnd thus is healing gi*en BOT1 o+ you- Correction MUST 'e le+t to One 4ho :no,s correction and +orgi*eness ARE the same- 4ith 1A!3 a mind# this is 2OT understood!ea*e# then# correction to the Mind That IS united# +unctioning as One BECAUSE It is not split in purpose# and concei*es a single +unction as Its O2!B one- 1ere is the +unction "IHE2 It concei*ed to 'e Its O,n# and 2OT apart +rom that Its "i*er :eeps BECAUSE it has 'een shared- In 1is ACCE TA2CE o+ this +unction lies the means ,here'y your
> 6%8 >

mind is uni+ied- 1is SI2"!E purpose uni+ies the hal*es o+ you that you percei*e as separate- And each +orgi*es the other# that he may accept his OT1ER hal+ as ART o+ himo,er can 2OT oppose- 3or opposition ,ould 4EALE2 it# and ,ea:ened po,er is a contradiction in ideas- 4ea: strength is meaningless- And po,er used to ,ea:en is EM !OBE( to limit- Thus it MUST 'e limited and ,ea:# 'ecause that is its purposeo,er is U2opposed# to 'e itsel+- 2o ,ea:ness CA2 intrude upon it ,ithout changing ,hat it IS# to something it is not- To ,ea:en IS to limit# and impose an opposite that CO2TR(ICTS the concept it attac:s- And BB its contradiction does it JOI2 to the idea a something it is not# and ma:e it unintelligi'le- 4ho can understand a dou'le concept# such as ),ea:ened>po,er#. or as )hate+ul>lo*eE. Bou ha*e decided that your 'rother IS a sym'ol +or a )hate+ul>lo*e#. a ),ea:enedpo,er#. and# a'o*e all# a )li*ing>death-. And so he has 2O meaning to you# +or he stands +or ,hat is meaningless- 1e represents a dou'le thought# ,here hal+ is cancelled out 'y the remaining hal+- Bet e*en this is ?uic:ly contradicted 'y the hal+ it cancelled out# and so they BOT1 are gone- And no, he stands +or nothing- Sym'ols ,hich 'ut represent ideas that cannot BE# must stand +or empty space and nothingness- Bet nothingness and empty space can 2OT 'e inter+erence- 4hat CA2 inter+ere ,ith the a,areness o+ reality

631

is the 'elie+ that there is SOMET1I2" T1EREThe picture o+ your 'rother that you see means nothing- There is nothing to attac: or to denyP to lo*e or hate# or to endo, ,ith po,er or to see as ,ea:- The picture has 'een ,holly cancelled out# 'ecause it sym'oli9ed a contradiction ,hich cancelled out the T1OU"1T it represents- And thus the picture has no cause at all- 4ho can percei*e e++ect 4IT1OUT a causeE 4hat can the causeless BE 'ut nothingness- The picture o+ your 'rother that you see is ,holly a'sent# and has ne*er 'een- !et# then# the empty space it occupies 'e RECO"2IUE( as *acant# and the time de*oted to its seeing 'e percei*ed as idly spent# a time unoccupiedAn empty space ,hich is 2OT seen as +illed# an unused inter*al o+ time 2OT seen as spent and +ully occupied# 'ecome a silent in*itation to the truth to enter# and to ma:e Itsel+ at home- 2o preparation CA2 'e made that ,ould enhance the in*itation=s real appeal- 3or ,hat you lea*e as *acant "O( ,ill +ill# and ,here 1E is# there MUST the truth a'ide- Un,ea:ened o,er# ,ith 2O opposite# is ,hat creation IS- 3or this there are 2O sym'ols- 2othing points BEBO2( the truth# +or ,hat can stand +or MORE than e*erythingE Bet true undoing must 'e :ind- And so the +irst replacement +or your picture is A2OT1ER picture# o+ A2OT1ER :indAs nothingness cannot BE pictured# so there IS no sym'ol +or totality- Reality is ultimately :no,n 4IT1OUT a +orm# unpictured and unseen- 3orgi*eness is not yet a o,er :no,n as ,holly +ree o+ limits- Bet it sets no limits BOU ha*e chosen to impose3orgi*eness is the means 'y ,hich the truth is represented TEM ORARI!B- It lets the 1oly Spirit ma:e EXC1A2"E o+ pictures possi'le# until the time ,hen aids are meaningless# and learning done- 2o learning aid has use ,hich can e<tend BEBO2( the
> 6%G >

goal o+ learning- 4hen its aim 1AS BEE2 accomplished# it is +unctionless- Bet# in the learning inter*al# it 1AS a use ,hich no, you +ear# 'ut yet ,ill lo*eThe picture o+ your 'rother "IHE2 you to occupy the space so lately le+t unoccupied and *acant# ,ill not need de+ense o+ A2B :ind- 3or you ,ill gi*e it OHER41E!MI2" pre+erence- 2or delay an instant in deciding that it is the O2!B one you ,ant- It does 2OT stand +or dou'le concepts- Though it is 'ut 1A!3 the picture# and IS incomplete# 4IT1I2 itsel+ it is the same- The other hal+ o+ ,hat it represents remains un:no,n# 'ut is not cancelled out- And thus is "od le+t +ree to ta:e the +inal step 1imsel+- 3or this you need 2O pictures and 2O learning aids- And ,hat ,ill ultimately ta:e the place o+ EHERB learning aid ,ill merely BE3orgi*eness *anishes and sym'ols +ade# and nothing that the eyes ha*e e*er seen#

632

or ears ha*e heard# remains to 'e percei*ed- A o,er ,holly limitless has come# 2OT to destroy# 'ut to RECEIHE Its O,n- There is no C1OICE o+ +unction any,here- The choice you +ear to lose you ne*er 1A(- Bet only this A EARS to inter+ere ,ith po,er unlimited and SI2"!E thoughts# complete and happy# 4IT1OUT opposite- Bou do not :no, the peace o+ po,er ,hich opposes 2OT1I2"- Bet no OT1ER :ind can 'e at all- "i*e ,elcome to the o,er 'eyond +orgi*eness# and 'eyond the ,orld o+ sym'ols and o+ limitations- 1e ,ould merely BE# and so 1e merely ISIn ?uietness are all things ans,ered# and is e*ery pro'lem ?uietly resol*ed- In con+lict there can BE no ans,er and no resolution- 3or its UR OSE is to ma:e 2O resolution possi'le# and to ensure 2O ans,er ,ill 'e plain- A pro'lem set in con+lict 1AS no ans,er# +or it is seen in di++erent ,ays- And ,hat ,ould 'e an ans,er +rom one point o+ *ie, is 2OT an ans,er in another light- Bou ARE in con+lict- Thus it must 'e clear you cannot ans,er anything at all# +or con+lict 1AS no limited e++ects- Bet# i+ "od ga*e an Ans,er# there MUST 'e a ,ay in ,hich your pro'lems are resol*ed# +or ,hat 1e ,ills already has 'een doneThus it MUST 'e that time is not in*ol*ed# and e*ery pro'lem can 'e ans,ered no,Bet it must also 'e that in your state o+ mind# solution is impossi'le- There+ore# "od must ha*e gi*en you a ,ay o+ reaching to A2OT1ER state o+ mind# in ,hich the ans,er is A!REA(B T1ERE- Such is the 1oly Instant- It is here that A!! your pro'lems should 'e 'rought and !E3T- 1ere they BE!O2"# +or here T1EIR ans,er is- And ,here its ans,er is# a pro'lem MUST 'e simple and 'e easily resol*ed- It MUST 'e pointless to attempt to sol*e a pro'lem ,here the ans,er cannot 'e- Bet# @ust as surely# it MUST 'e resol*ed# i+ it is 'rought to ,here the ans,er ISAttempt to sol*e 2O pro'lems 'ut ,ithin the 1oly Instant=s surety- 3or there the pro'lem 4I!! 'e ans,ered and resol*ed- Outside# there ,ill 'e no solution# +or there IS no ans,er there that could 'e +ound- 2o,here outside a single# simple ?uestion is e*er ASLE(- The ,orld can O2!B as: a dou'le ?uestion# ,ith MA2B ans,ers# none o+ ,hich ,ill do- It does not as: a ?uestion to BE ans,ered# 'ut only to restate its point o+ *ie,- All ?uestions as:ed ,ithin this ,orld are 'ut a ,ay o+ !OOLI2"# 2OT a ?uestion
> 6%6 >

633

as:ed- A ?uestion as:ed in hate cannot 'e ans,ered# 'ecause it IS an ans,er in itsel+- A dou'le ?uestion as:s and ans,ers# 'oth attesting the same thing# in di++erent +ormThe ,orld as:s 'ut O2E ?uestion- It is thisF )O+ these illusions# ,hich o+ them are trueE 4hich ones esta'lish peace and o++er @oyE And ,hich can 'ring escape +rom all the pain o+ ,hich this ,orld is madeE. 4hate*er +orm the ?uestion ta:es# its purpose is the same- It as:s 'ut to ESTAB!IS1 sin is real# and ans,ers in the +orm o+ pre+erence)4hich sin do you pre+erE. That is the one that you should choose- The OT1ERS are not true4hat can the 'ody get that you ,ould ,ant the most o+ allE It is your ser*ant and your +riend- But tell it ,hat you ,ant# and it ,ill ser*e you lo*ingly and ,ell- And this is 2OT a ?uestion# +or it TE!!S you 41AT you ,ant# and 41ERE to go to as: +or it- It lea*es no room to ?uestion its 'elie+s# e<cept that ,hat it states ta:es ?uestion=s 3ORMA pseudo>?uestion has no ans,er- It (ICTATES the ans,er# e*en as it as:s- Thus is all ?uestioning ,ithin the ,orld a +orm o+ propaganda +or itsel+- Just as the 'ody=s ,itnesses are 'ut the senses +rom 4IT1I2 itsel+# so are the ans,ers to the ?uestions o+ the ,orld contained ,ithin the ?uestions- 4here ans,ers represent the DUESTIO2S they add nothing ne,# and nothing has 'een learned- An 1O2EST ?uestion is a learning tool ,hich as:s +or something that you do 2OT :no,- It does 2OT set conditions +or response# 'ut merely as:s ,hat the RES O2SE should 'e- But no>one in a con+lict state is +ree to ASL this ?uestion# +or he does not 4A2T an honest ans,er# ,here the con+lict E2(SOnly ,ithin the 1oly Instant can an honest ?uestion honestly 'e as:ed- And +rom the meaning o+ the DUESTIO2 does the meaning+ulness o+ the ans,er come- 1ere is it possi'le to separate your ,ishes 3ROM the ans,er# so it can 'e "IHE2 you# and also 'e RECEIHE(- The ans,er is pro*ided e*ery,here# 'ut it is only here it can 'e 1EAR(- An honest ans,er as:s 2O sacri+ice# 'ecause it ans,ers ?uestions truly as:ed- The ?uestions o+ the ,orld 'ut as: o+ ,hom is sacri+ice demanded# as:ing 2OT i+ sacri+ice is meaning+ul at all- And so# U2!ESS the ans,er tells )o+ ,hom#. it ,ill remain unrecogni9ed# unheard# and thus the DUESTIO2 is preser*ed intact# 'ecause it ga*e the ans,er to ITSE!3The 1oly Instant is the inter*al in ,hich the mind is still enough to hear an ans,er

634

that is 2OT entailed ,ithin the ?uestion as:ed- It o++ers something ne, and (I33ERE2T +rom the ?uestion- 1o, COU!( it 'e ans,ered i+ it 'ut repeats itsel+- There+ore# attempt to sol*e 2O pro'lem in a ,orld +rom ,hich the ans,er has 'een 'arred- But 'ring the pro'lem to the only place ,hich holds the ans,er lo*ingly 3OR you- 1ere are the ans,ers ,hich ,ill SO!HE your pro'lems# 'ecause they stand A ART +rom them# and see ,hat CA2 'e ans,eredP ,hat the DUESTIO2 is- 4ithin the ,orld# the ans,ers merely raise A2OT1ER ?uestion# though they lea*e the +irst unans,ered- In the holy instant# you can 'ring the ?uestion TO the ans,er# and recei*e the ans,er that ,as MA(E +or youThe O2!B ,ay to heal is to 'e healed- The miracle e<tends 4IT1OUT your help# 'ut you ARE needed that it can BE"I2- ACCE T the miracle o+ healing# and it 4I!! go +orth 'ecause o+ ,hat it IS- It is its 2ATURE to e<tend itsel+ the instant it is 'orn- And it is 'orn the instant it is o++ered and RECEIHE(- 2o>one can as: A2OT1ER to 'e healed- But he can let 1IMSE!3 'e healed# and thus o++er the other ,hat he has recei*ed- 4ho can
> 6%J >

'esto, upon another ,hat he does not 1AHEE And ,ho can S1ARE ,hat he denies 1IMSE!3E The 1oly Spirit spea:s to BOU- 1e does not spea: to someone E!SEBet BB your listening# 1is Hoice e<tends# BECAUSE you ha*e accepted ,hat 1e says1ealth is the ,itness unto health- As long as it is unattested# it remains ,ithout con*iction- Only ,hen (EMO2STRATE( has it BEE2 pro*ed# and MUST compel 'elie+2o>one is healed through dou'le messages- I+ you ,ish O2!B to 'e healed# you healBour single UR OSE ma:es this possi'le- But i+ you are A3RAI( o+ healing# then it cannot come through you- The O2!B thing that is re?uired +or a healing is a lac: o+ +earThe +ear+ul are 2OT healed# and cannot heal- This does 2OT mean the con+lict must 'e gone +ore*er +rom your mind- 3or i+ it ,ere# there ,ere no 2EE( +or healing anymoreBut it (OES mean# i+ only +or an instant# you lo*e ,ithout attac:- An instant is su++icientMiracles ,ait not on timeThe holy instant is the miracle=s a'iding>place- 3rom there# each one is 'orn into this ,orld# as ,itness to a state o+ mind ,hich has TRA2SCE2(E( con+lict# and has reached to peace- It carries com+ort +rom the place o+ peace into the 'attle>ground# and

635

(EMO2STRATES that ,ar has no e++ects- 3or all the hurt that ,ar has sought to 'ringP the 'ro:en 'odies and the shattered lim's# the screaming dying and the silent dead# are gently li+ted up and com+orted- There IS no sadness# ,here a miracle has come to healAnd nothing more than @ust O2E instant o+ your lo*e 4IT1OUT attac: is necessary# that all this occurIn that one instant are you healed# and in that single instant is all healing done- 4hat stands A ART +rom you# ,hen you accept the 'lessing that the holy instant 'ringsE Be not a+raid o+ 'lessing +or the One 4ho 'lesses you lo*es all the ,orld# and lea*es nothing ,ithin the ,orld that COU!( 'e +eared- But i+ you S1RI2L +rom 'lessing# ,ill the ,orld indeed seem +ear+ul# +or you ha*e 4IT11E!( its peace and com+ort# lea*ing it to die4ould not a ,orld so 'itterly 'ere+t 'e loo:ed on as a condemnation 'y the one ,ho COU!( ha*e sa*ed it# 'ut stepped 'ac: 'ecause he ,as A3RAI( o+ 'eing healedE The eyes o+ all the dying 'ring reproach# and su++ering ,hispers# )4hat is there to +earE. Consider ,ell its ?uestion- It is as:ed o+ you on your 'ehal+- A dying ,orld as:s only that you rest an instant +rom attac: upon yoursel+# that it 'e healed- Come to the holy instant and 'e healed# +or nothing that is there recei*ed is le+t 'ehind# on your returning to the ,orld- And BEI2" 'lessed# you ,ill 'ring 'lessing- !i+e is gi*en you# to gi*e the dying ,orld- And su++ering eyes no longer ,ill accuse# 'ut shine in than:s to you ,ho 'lessing ga*e- The holy instant=s radiance ,ill light BOUR eyes# and gi*e them sight to see 'eyond A!! su++ering# and see Christ=s 3ace I2STEA(- 1ealing RE !ACES su++ering- 4ho loo:s on one cannot ERCEIHE the other# +or they CA22OT 'oth 'e there- And ,hat BOU see the ,orld ,ill ,itness# and ,ill ,itness TOThus is BOUR healing e*erything the ,orld re?uires# that it may 'e healed- It needs O2E lesson that has per+ectly 'een learned- And then# ,hen BOU +orget it# ,ill the ,orld remind you gently o+ ,hat you ha*e taught- 2o rein+orcement ,ill its than:s ,ithhold +rom you ,ho let yoursel+ 'e healed# that it might li*e- It ,ill call +orth its
> 6%7 >

,itnesses to sho, the 3ace o+ Christ to you ,ho 'rought the sight to them# 'y ,hich T1EB ,itnessed it- The ,orld o+ accusation is replaced 'y one in ,hich all eyes loo: lo*ingly upon the 3riend ,ho 'rought them their release- And happily your 'rother ,ill percei*e the many +riends he thought ,ere enemiesro'lems are not speci+ic# 'ut they ta:e speci+ic +orms# and these speci+ic shapes ma:e up the ,orld- And no>one understands the nature o+ his pro'lem- I+ he (I(# it ,ould 'e there no more +or him to see- Its *ery 2ATURE is that it is 2OT- And thus# 41I!E he percei*es it# he can 2OT percei*e it as it is- But 1EA!I2" is apparent in speci+ic instances# and generali9es to include them all- This is 'ecause they really ARE

636

the same# (ES ITE their di++erent +orms- All learning aims at trans+er# ,hich 'ecomes complete ,ithin t,o situations ,hich are seen as one- 3or O2!B common elements are there- But this can only 'e attained 'y One 4ho does not see the (I33ERE2CES you seeThe total trans+er o+ your learning is 2OT made 'y you- But that it 1AS 'een made# I2 S ITE o+ all the di++erences you see# con*inces BOU that they could not 'e realBour healing 4I!! e<tend# and 4I!! 'e 'rought to pro'lems that you thought ,ere 2OT your o,n- And it ,ill A!SO 'e apparent that your many (I33ERE2T pro'lems ,ill 'e sol*ed# as any O2E o+ them has 'een escaped- It CA22OT 'e their di++erences ,hich made this possi'le# +or learning does not @ump +rom situations to their opposites# and 'ring the SAME e++ects- All healing MUST proceed in la,+ul manner# in accord ,ith la,s that ha*e 'een properly percei*ed# 'ut 2EHER *iolated- 3ear you not the ,ay that BOU percei*e them- Bou ARE ,rong# 'ut there is One ,ithin you 4ho is RI"1T!ea*e# then# the trans+er o+ your learning to the One 4ho REA!!B understands its la,s# and 4ho ,ill guarantee that they remain un*iolated and unlimited- Bour part is merely to apply ,hat 1e has taught you TO BOURSE!3# and 1e ,ill do the restAnd thus the po,er o+ your learning ,ill 'e ROHE( to you# 'y all the many (I33ERE2T ,itnesses it +inds- Bour 'rother 3IRST among them ,ill 'e seen# 'ut thousands stand 'ehind him# and 'eyond each one them there are a thousand more- Each one may SEEM to ha*e a pro'lem ,hich is (I33ERE2T +rom the rest- Bet they are sol*ed TO"ET1ERAnd their common Ans,er sho,s the DUESTIO2S could not ha*e 'een separateeace 'e to you ,hom is healing o++ered- And you ,ill learn that peace is gi*en you# ,hen you accept the healing +or yoursel+- Its TOTA! *alue need not 'e appraised 'y BOU# to let you understand that you ha*e 'ene+ited +rom it- 4hat occurred ,ithin the instant ,hich lo*e entered in 4IT1OUT attac:# ,ill stay ,ith you +ore*er- BOUR healing ,ill 'e O2E o+ its e++ects# as ,ill your 'rother=s- E*ery,here you go# ,ill you 'ehold its multiplied e++ects- Bet all the ,itnesses that you 'ehold ,ill 'e 3AR less than all there really ARE- In+inity cannot 'e understood 'y merely counting up the separate parts"od than:s you +or your healing# +or 1e :no,s it is a gi+t o+ lo*e unto 1is Son# and there+ore is it gi*en unto 1im-

637

ain demonstrates the 'ody must 'e real- It is a loud# o'scuring *oice# ,hose shrie:s ,ould silence ,hat the 1oly Spirit says# and :eep 1is ,ords +rom your a,arenessain compels attention# dra,ing it a,ay +rom 1im# and +ocusing upon itsel+- Its purpose is the
> 6%K >

same as pleasure# +or they 'oth are means TO MALE T1E BO(B REA!- 4hat shares a common purpose IS the same- This is the la, o+ purpose# ,hich unites all those ,ho share in it ,ithin itsel+- leasure and pain are EDUA!!B unreal# 'ecause their purpose CA22OT 'e achie*ed- Thus are they means +or nothing# +or they ha*e a goal ,ithout a meaning- And they share the lac: o+ meaning that their UR OSE hasSin shi+ts +rom pain to pleasure# and again to pain- 3or EIT1ER ,itness is the same# and carries 'ut one message# )Bou are here# 4IT1I2 this 'ody# and you CA2 'e hurtBou can ha*e pleasure# too# 'ut O2!B at the cost o+ pain-. These ,itnesses are @oined 'y many more- Each one SEEMS di++erent 'ecause it has a di++erent 2AME# and so it seems to ans,er to a di++erent SOU2(- E<cept +or this# the ,itnesses o+ sin are all ali:eCall pleasure )pain#. and it ,ill hurt- Call pain a pleasure# and the pain BE1I2( the pleasure ,ill 'e +elt no more- Sin=s ,itnesses 'ut shi+t +rom name to name# as one steps +or,ard# and another# 'ac:- Bet ,hich is +oremost ma:es 2O di++erence- Sin=s ,itnesses hear 'ut the call o+ deathThis 'ody# purposeless ,ithin itsel+# holds all your memories and all your hopesBou use its eyes to see# its ears to hear# and let it TE!! you ,hat it is it +eels- IT (OES 2OT L2O4- It tells you 'ut the 2AMES you ga*e it to use# ,hen BOU call +orth the ,itnesses to its reality- Bou cannot choose AMO2" them ,hich are real# +or any one you choose is li:e the rest- This name or that# 'ut nothing more# you choose- Bou do not MALE a ,itness true# 'ecause you called him 'y truth=s 2AME- The truth is +ound in him I3 IT IS TRUT1 1E RE RESE2TS- And other,ise he lies# i+ you should call him 'y the 1oly 2ame o+ "od 1imsel+"od=s 4itness sees no ,itnesses A"AI2ST the 'ody- 2either does 1e har:en to the ,itnesses 'y OT1ER names ,hich spea: in OT1ER ,ays +or its reality- 1e L2O4S it is not real- 3or 2OT1U2" could contain ,hat you 'elie*e it holds ,ithin- 2or COU!( it

638

tell a art o+ "od 1imsel+ ,hat It should +eel# and ,hat Its 3unction is- Bet must 1e lo*e ,hate*er BOU hold dear- And +or each ,itness to the 'ody=s death# 1e sends a ,itness to your !i+e in 1im 4ho :no,s no death- Each miracle 1e 'rings is ,itness that the 'ody is 2OT real- Its pains and pleasures does 1e heal ali:e# +or A!! sin=s ,itnesses do 1is replaceThe miracle ma:es 2O distinctions in the names 'y ,hich sin=s ,itnesses are calledIt merely pro*es that ,hat they RE RESE2T has no e++ects- And this it pro*es BECAUSE its o,n e++ects ha*e come to ta:e their place- It matters not the name 'y ,hich you called your su++ering- IT IS 2O !O2"ER T1ERE- The One 4ho 'rings the miracle percei*ed them all as one# and called 'y name o+ )+ear-. As +ear is ,itness unto death# so is the miracle the ,itness unto !i+e- It is a ,itness no>one can deny# +or it is the E33ECTS o+ li+e it 'rings- The dying li*e# the dead arise# and pain has *anished- Bet a miracle spea:s not 'ut +or itsel+# 'ut ,hat it RE RESE2TS- !o*e# too# has sym'ols in a ,orld o+ sinThe miracle +orgi*es BECAUSE it stands +or ,hat is past +orgi*eness# and is TRUE1o, +oolish and insane it is to thin: a miracle is BOU2( 'y la,s ,hich it came solely to U2(O- The la,s o+ SI2 ha*e di++erent ,itnesses# ,ith di++erent strengthsAnd
> 6%5 >

T1EB attest to di++erent su++ering- Bet to the One 4ho sends +orth miracles to 'less the ,orld# a tiny sta' o+ pain# a little ,orldly pleasure# and the throes o+ death itsel+ are 'ut a single soundP a call +or healing# and a plainti*e cry +or help ,ithin a ,orld o+ miseryIt is their SAME2ESS that the miracle attests- It is their SAME2ESS that it ROHESThe la,s ,hich call them (I33ERE2T are dissol*ed# and S1O42 as po,erless- The UR OSE o+ a miracle is to accomplish this- And "od 1imsel+ has "UARA2TEE( the strength o+ miracles +or ,hat they ,itness TOBe ,itnesses unto the miracle# and 2OT the la,s o+ sin- There is no 2EE( to su++er any more- But there IS need that you 'e healed# 'ecause the su++ering o+ the ,orld has made it dea+ to its sal*ation and deli*erance- The resurrection o+ the ,orld a,aits BOUR healing and BOUR happiness# that you may (EMO2STRATE the healing o+ the ,orldThe holy instant ,ill replace A!! sin# i+ you 'ut carry its e++ects ,ith you- And no>one ,ill

639

E!ECT to su++er more- 4hat 'etter +unction COU!( you ser*e than thisE Be healed that you may heal# and su++er not the la,s o+ sin to 'e applied to BOU- And Truth 4I!! 'e re*ealed to you ,ho chose to let !o*e=s sym'ols TALE T1E !ACE o+ sinSu++ering is an emphasis upon all that the ,orld has done to in@ure BOU- 1ere is the ,orld=s demented *ersion o+ sal*ation clearly sho,n- !i:e to a dream o+ punishment# in ,hich the dreamer is unconscious o+ ,hat 'rought on the attac: against himsel+# he sees himsel+ attac:ed un@ustly# and 'y something 2OT himsel+- 1E is the *ictim o+ this )something else#. a thing OUTSI(E himsel+ +or ,hich he has no reason to 'e held responsi'le- 1e must 'e innocent BECAUSE he :no,s not ,hat 1E does# 'ut ,hat is done TO him- Bet is his o,n attac: upon himsel+ apparent still# +or it is he ,ho 'ears the su++ering- And he CA22OT escape BECAUSE its source is seen outside himsel+2o, you are 'eing sho,n you CA2 escape- All that is needed is you loo: upon the pro'lem as it IS# and 2OT the ,ay that you ha*e set it up- 1o, COU!( there 'e another ,ay to sol*e a pro'lem ,hich is HERB simple# 'ut has 'een o'scured 'y hea*y clouds o+ complication# ,hich ,ere MA(E to :eep the pro'lem unresol*edE 4IT1OUT the clouds# the pro'lem ,ill emerge in all its primiti*e simplicity- The choice ,ill 2OT 'e di++icult# 'ecause the pro'lem is a'surd ,hen clearly seen- 2o>one has di++iculty ma:ing up his mind to let a simple pro'lem 'e resol*ed# i+ it is SEE2 as hurting him# and also *ery easily remo*edThe )reasoning. 'y ,hich the ,orld is made# on ,hich it rests# 'y ,hich it is maintained# is simply thisF )BOU are the cause o+ ,hat I do- Bour presence JUSTI3IES my ,rath# and you e<ist and thin: A ART +rom me- 4hile BOU attac:# I MUST 'e innocentAnd ,hat I su++er +rom IS your attac:-. 2o>one ,ho loo:s upon this )reasoning. EXACT!B as it is could +ail to see it does 2OT +ollo,# and it ma:es 2O sense- Bet it SEEMS sensi'le 'ecause it !OOLS as i+ the ,orld 4ERE hurting you- And so it seems as i+ there is no 2EE( to go 'eyond the o'*ious in terms o+ causeThere is I2(EE( a need- The ,orld=s ESCA E +rom condemnation is a need ,hich those 4IT1I2 the ,orld are @oined in sharing- Bet they do not recogni9e their common need- 3or each one thin:s that# i+ he does his part# the condemnation o+ the ,orld ,ill
> 6&% >

rest on him- And it is this that he percei*es to BE his part in its deli*eranceHengeance

640

must ha*e a +ocus- Other,ise# is the a*enger=s :ni+e in his o,n hand# and pointed to himsel+- And he MUST see it in A2OT1ER hand# i+ he ,ould 'e a *ictim o+ attac: he did 2OT choose- And thus he su++ers +rom the ,ounds a :ni+e he does not 1O!( has made upon himsel+This is the UR OSE o+ the ,orld he sees- And# !OOLE( AT thus# the ,orld pro*ides the means 'y ,hich this purpose SEEMS to 'e +ul+illed- The means ATTEST the purpose# 'ut are 2OT themsel*es a cause- 2or ,ill the CAUSE 'e changed 'y seeing it A ART +rom its e++ects- The cause RO(UCES the e++ects# ,hich then 'ear ,itness to the CAUSE# and 2OT themsel*es- !oo:# then# BEBO2( e++ects- It is 2OT here the CAUSE o+ su++ering and sin must lie- And d,ell not on the su++ering and sin# +or they are 'ut RE3!ECTIO2S o+ their cause- The part you play in SA!HA"I2" the ,orld +rom condemnation IS your o,n escape3orget not that the ,itness to the ,orld o+ e*il cannot spea: EXCE T +or ,hat has seen a 2EE( +or e*il in the ,orld- And this is ,here BOUR guilt ,as +irst 'eheld- In separation +rom your 'rother ,as the +irst attac: upon yoursel+ 'egun- And it is T1IS the ,orld 'ears ,itness to- See: not another cause# nor loo: among the mighty legions o+ its ,itnesses +or its undoing- They SU ORT its claim on your allegiance- 4hat CO2CEA!S the truth is not ,here you should loo: to 3I2( the truth- The ,itnesses to sin all stand ,ithin O2E little space- And it is 1ERE you +ind the CAUSE o+ your perspecti*e on the ,orldOnce you ,ere una,are o+ ,hat the cause o+ e*erything the ,orld appeared to thrust upon you# unin*ited and unas:ed# must REA!!B 'e- O+ one thing you ,ere sureP o+ all the many causes you percei*ed as 'ringing pain and su++ering to you# your guilt ,as 2OT among them- 2or did you# in A2B ,ay# REDUEST them +or yoursel+- This is ho, A!! illusions come a'out- The one ,ho ma:es them does 2OT see himsel+ as ma:ing them# and their reality does 2OT depend on him- 4hate*er cause they ha*e is something ?uite A ART +rom him# and ,hat he sees is SE ARATE +rom his mind1e CA22OT dou't his dreams= reality BECAUSE he does not see the part he plays in MALI2" them# and MALI2" them seem real- 2o>one can ,a:en +rom a dream the

641

,orld is dreaming 3OR him- 1e 'ecomes a part o+ someone E!SE=S dream- 1e CA22OT choose to ,a:en +rom a dream he did not ma:e- 1elpless he stands# a *ictim to a dream concei*ed and cherished 'y a SE ARATE mind- Careless indeed o+ him this mind must 'e# as thoughtless o+ his peace and happiness as is the ,eather# or the time o+ dayIt lo*es him not# 'ut casts him as it ,ill# in any role that satis+ies its dreamSo little is his ,orth that he is 'ut a dancing shado,# leaping up and do,n# according to a senseless plot concei*ed ,ithin the idle dreaming o+ the ,orld- This is the O2!B picture you can see# the O2E alternati*e that you can choose# the OT1ER possi'ility o+ cause# i+ you 'e 2OT the dreamer o+ your dreams- And this IS ,hat you choose# i+ you deny the cause o+ su++ering is in BOUR mind- Be glad indeed it is# +or thus are BOU the
> 6&& >

O2E decider o+ your destiny in time- The choice IS yours to ma:e 'et,een a sleeping death and dreams o+ e*il# or a happy ,a:ening and @oy o+ li+e4hat COU!( you choose 'et,een# 'ut li+e or death# ,a:ing or sleeping# ,ar or peace# your dream or your realityE But i+ the choice is REA!!B gi*en you# then you must see the causes o+ the things you choose BET4EE2 e<actly AS they are and 41ERE they are- 4hat choices can 'e made 'et,een t,o states# 'ut O2E o+ ,hich is clearly recogni9edE 4ho could 'e +ree to choose BET4EE2 e++ects# ,hen only O2E is seen as up to youE An honest choice could 2EHER 'e percei*ed as one in ,hich the choice is split 'et,een a tiny you and an enormous ,orld# ,ith (I33ERE2T dreams a'out the truth in youThe gap 'et,een reality and dreams lies not 'et,een the dreaming o+ the ,orld and ,hat you dream in secret- T1EB are one- The dreaming o+ the ,orld is 'ut a part o+ your o,n dream you ga*e a,ay# and sa, as i+ it ,ere its start and ending# 'oth- Bet ,as it started 'y your SECRET dream# ,hich you do 2OT percei*e# although it CAUSE the part you see and do not dou't is real- 1o, COU!( you dou't it# ,hile you lie asleep# and dream in secret that its CAUSE is realE A 'rother SE ARATE( +rom yoursel+# an ancient enemy# a murderer ,ho stal:s you in the night and plots your death# yet plans that it 'e lingering and slo,#> O+ this you dream- And# U2(ER2EAT1 this dream# is yet another# in ,hich BOU 'ecome the murderer# the secret enemy# the sca*enger and the destroyer o+ the 'rother

642

and the ,orld you +ear ali:e- 1ere is the CAUSE o+ su++ering# the space BET4EE2 your dreams and your reality- The little gap you do not e*en see# the 'irthplace o+ illusions and o+ +ear# the time o+ terror and o+ ancient hate# the instant o+ disasterP> all are here1ere is the CAUSE o+ unreality- And it is here that it ,ill 'e undone- BOU are the dreamer o+ the ,orld o+ dreams- 2o OT1ER cause it has# nor e*er ,ill2othing more +ear+ul than an idle dream has terri+ied "od=s Son# and made him thin: that he has lost his innocence# denied his 3ather# and made ,ar upon himsel+So +ear+ul is the dream# so seeming real# he could not ,a:en to reality ,ithout the s,eat o+ terror and a scream o+ mortal +ear# unless a gentler dream preceded his a,a:ing# and allo,ed his calmer mind to ,elcome# 2OT to +ear# the Hoice that called ,ith lo*e to ,a:en him- A gentler dream# in ,hich his su++ering ,as healed# and ,here his 'rother ,as his +riend- "od ,illed he ,a:en gently# and ,ith @oy- And "AHE him means to ,a:en 4IT1OUT +ear- Accept the dream 1e ga*e# I2STEA( o+ yours- It is 2OT di++icult to shi+t a dream# ,hen once the dreamer has 'een recogni9edRest in the 1oly Spirit# and allo, 1is gentle dreams to ta:e the place o+ those you dreamed in terror# and in +ear o+ death- 1e 'rings 3OR"IHI2" dreams# in ,hich the choice is 2OT ,ho is the murderer# and ,ho shall 'e the *ictim- In the dreams 1E 'rings# there IS no murder# and there IS no death- The dream o+ guilt is +ading +rom your sight# although your eyes are closed- A smile has come to lighten up your sleeping +aceThe sleep is peace+ul no,# +or these are happy dreams- (ream so+tly o+ your sinless 'rother# ,ho unites ,ith you in holy innocence- And# +rom T1IS dream# the !ord o+ 1ea*en ,ill 1imsel+ a,a:en 1is 'elo*ed Son> 6&$ >

(ream o+ your 'rother=s :indnesses I2STEA( o+ d,elling in your dreams on his mista:es- Select his thought+ulness to dream a'out# I2STEA( o+ counting up the hurts he ga*e- 3orgi*e him his illusions# and gi*e than:s to him +or all the help+ulness he ga*eAnd do not 'rush aside his many gi+ts# 'ecause he is not per+ect in your dreams- 1e represents his 3ather# 4hom you see as o++ering 'oth li+e A2( death to youBrother# 1e gi*es BUT li+e# and ,hat you see as gi+ts your 'rother o++ers RE RESE2T the gi+ts you dream your 3ather gi*es to you- !et all your 'rother=s gi+ts 'e seen in light o+ charity and :indness o++ered you- And let no pain distur' your dream o+ deep appreciation +or his gi+ts to youThe 'ody is the central +igure in the dreaming o+ the ,orld- There IS no dream

643

,ithout it# nor does it e<ist ,ithout the dream# in ,hich it acts as i+ it ,ere a person# to 'e seen and 'e 'elie*ed- It ta:es the central place in e*ery dream# ,hich tells the story o+ ho, it ,as made 'y OT1ER 'odies# 'orn into the ,orld OUTSI(E the 'ody# li*es a little ,hile# and dies# to 'e united in the dust ,ith other 'odies# dying li:e itsel+- In the 'rie+ time allotted it to li*e# it see:s +or other 'odies as its +riends and enemies- Its sa+ety is its main concern- Its com+ort is its guiding rule- It tries to loo: +or pleasure# and a*oid the things that ,ould 'e hurt+ul- A'o*e all# it tries to teach itsel+ its pains and @oys are di++erent# and CA2 'e told apartThe dreaming o+ the ,orld ta:es many +orms# 'ecause the 'ody see:s in many ,ays to ROHE it is autonomous and real- It puts things on itsel+ that it has 'ought ,ith little metal discs or paper strips the ,orld proclaims as *alua'le and good- It ,or:s to get them# doing senseless things# and tosses them a,ay +or senseless things it does not 2EE(# and does not e*en 4A2T- It hires OT1ER 'odies# that they may protect it# and collect more senseless things that it can call its o,n- It loo:s a'out +or special 'odies ,hich can S1ARE its dream- Sometimes it dreams it is a con?ueror o+ 'odies ,ea:er than itsel+- But in some phases o+ the dream# it is the sla*e o+ 'odies ,hich ,ould hurt and torture itThe 'ody=s serial ad*entures# +rom the time o+ 'irth to dying is the theme o+ e*ery dream the ,orld has e*er had- The )hero. o+ this dream ,ill ne*er change# nor ,ill its purpose- Though the dream itsel+ ta:es many +orms# and SEEMS to sho, a great *ariety o+ places and e*ents ,herein its )hero. +inds itsel+# the dream has 'ut O2E purpose# taught in many ,ays- This single lesson does it try to teach again# and still again# and yet once moreP > that it is CAUSE and 2OT e++ect- And BOU are ITS e++ect# and CA22OT 'e its cause- Thus are you 2OT the dreamer# 'ut the (REAM- And so you ,ander idly in and out o+ places and e*ents that IT contri*esThat this is all the BO(B does is true# +or it IS 'ut a +igure in a dream- But ,ho REACTS to +igures in a dream U2!ESS he sees them as i+ they ,ere realE The I2STA2T that he sees them as they ARE# they 1AHE no more e++ects on him BECAUSE he understands he "AHE them their e++ects BB CAUSI2" T1EM# and MALI2" them seem real1o, ,illing are you to ESCA E e++ects o+ all the dreams the ,orld has e*er hadE Is it your ,ish

644

to let 2O dream appear to 'e the cause o+ ,hat it is BOU doE Then let us merely loo:
> 6&8 >

upon the dream=s 'eginning# +or the part you see is 'ut the SECO2( part# ,hose CAUSE lies in the +irst2o>one asleep and dreaming in the ,orld remem'ers his attac: upon himsel+- 2oone 'elie*es there really ,as a time ,hen he :ne, nothing o+ a 'ody# and could ne*er ha*e concei*ed this ,orld as real- 1e ,ould ha*e seen at once that these ideas are one illusion# too ridiculous +or anything 'ut to 'e laughed a,ay- 1o, serious they no, appear to 'eO And no>one can remem'er ,hen they ,ould ha*e met ,ith laughter and ,ith dis'elie+- 4e CA2 remem'er this# i+ ,e 'ut loo: directly at their CAUSE- And ,e ,ill see the grounds +or laughter# 2OT a cause +or +ear- !et us return the dream he ga*e a,ay unto the dreamer# ,ho percei*es the dream as SE ARATE +rom himsel+# and done to himInto eternity# ,here all is one# there crept a tiny# mad idea# at ,hich the Son o+ "od remem'ered not to laugh- In his +orgetting did the thought 'ecome a serious idea# and possi'le o+ 'oth accomplishment and real e++ects- Together# ,e can laugh them BOT1 a,ay# and understand that time can 2OT intrude upon eternity- It IS a @o:e to thin: that time can come to circum*ent eternity# ,hich MEA2S there is no timeA timelessness in ,hich is time made realP a art o+ "od 4hich can attac: Itsel+P a separate 'rother as an enemyP a mind 4IT1I2 a 'odyP all are +orms o+ circularity# ,hose ending starts at its 'eginning# ending at its causeThe ,orld you see depicts EXACT!B ,hat you thought BOU did- E<cept that 2O4 you thin: that ,hat you did is 'eing done to BOU- The guilt +or ,hat BOU thought is 'eing placed OUTSI(E yoursel+# and on a guilty ,orld ,hich dreams your dreams and thin:s your thoughts I2STEA( o+ you- It 'rings ITS *engeance# not your o,n- IT :eeps you narro,ly con+ined ,ithin a 'ody# ,hich it punishes 'ecause o+ all the sin+ul things the 'ody does ,ithin ITS dream- Bou ha*e 2O po,er to ma:e the 'ody stop its e*il deeds# 'ecause you did 2OT ma:e it# and can 2OT control its actions# or its purpose# or its +ateThe ,orld 'ut demonstrates an ancient truthP you 4I!! 'elie*e that others do to you EXACT!B ,hat you thin: you did to them- But# once deluded into 'laming T1EM# you ,ill not see the CAUSE o+ ,hat they do BECAUSE you 4A2T the guilt to rest on them-

645

1o, childish is this petulant de*ice to :eep your innocence 'y pushing guilt OUTSI(E yoursel+# 'ut 2EHER letting it goO It is not easy to percei*e the @est# ,hen all around you do your eyes 'ehold its hea*y conse?uences# 'ut 4IT1OUIT their tri+ling cause4ithout the cause do its e++ects seem serious and sad indeed- Bet they 'ut +ollo,- And it is their CAUSE ,hich +ollo,s nothing# and is 'ut a @estIn gentle laughter does the 1oly Spirit percei*e the cause# and loo:s 2OT to e++ects1o, else could 1e correct BOUR error# ,ho ha*e OHER!OOLE( the cause entirelyE 1e 'ids you 'ring each terri'le e++ect to 1im# that you may loo: TO"ET1ER on its +oolish cause# and laugh ,ith 1im a ,hile- BOU @udge e++ects# 'ut 1E has @udged their CAUSEAnd 'y 1is @udgment are e++ects remo*ed- erhaps you come in tears# 'ut hear 1im say#
> 6&G >

)My 'rother# 1oly Son o+ "od# 'ehold your idle dream# in ,hich this could occur#. and you ,ill lea*e the holy instant ,ith your laughter and your 'rother=s JOI2E( ,ith 1isThe secret o+ sal*ation is 'ut thisF That BOU are doing this U2TO BOURSE!3- 2o matter ,hat the +orm o+ the attac:# this STI!! is true- 4hoe*er ta:es the role o+ enemy and o+ attac:er# STI!! is this the truth- 4hate*er seems to 'e the cause o+ any pain and su++ering you +eel# this is STI!! true- 3or you ,ould not react at all to +igures in a dream you :ne, that BOU ,ere dreaming- !et them 'e as hate+ul and as *icious as they may# they COU!( ha*e no e++ect on you# unless you +ailed to recogni9e it is BOUR dreamThis single lesson learned ,ill set you +ree +rom su++ering# 41ATEHER +orm it ta:esThe 1oly Spirit ,ill repeat this O2E inclusi*e lesson o+ deli*erance# until it has 'een learned# RE"AR(!ESS o+ the +orm o+ su++ering that 'rings you pain- 4hate*er hurt you 'ring to 1im# 1e ,ill ma:e ans,er ,ith this *ery simple truth- 3or this one ans,er TALES A4AB the cause o+ e*ery +orm o+ sorro, and o+ pain- The +orm a++ects 1is ans,er not at all# +or 1e ,ould teach you 'ut the SI2"!E cause o+ all o+ them# no matter 41AT their +orm- And you ,ill understand that miracles re+lect the simple statement# )I ha*e done this thing# and it is this I ,ould undo-. Bring# then# all +orms o+ su++ering to 1im 4ho :no,s that e*ery one is li:e the rest1e sees 2O di++erences ,here none e<ist# and 1e ,ill teach you ho, each one is CAUSE(2one has a (I33ERE2T cause +rom all the rest# and A!! o+ them are easily undone 'y 'ut

646

a SI2"!E lesson truly learned- Sal*ation is a secret you ha*e :ept 'ut +rom yoursel+The uni*erse proclaims it so- But# to its ,itnesses# you pay no heed at all- 3or they attest the thing you do not 4A2T to :no,- They seem to :eep it secret 3ROM you- Bet you need 'ut learn you choose 'ut 2OT to listen# 2OT to see1o, di++erently ,ill you percei*e the ,orld# ,hen this is recogni9edO 4hen you +orgi*e the ,orld BOUR guilt# BOU ,ill 'e +ree o+ it- Its innocence does 2OT demand your guilt# nor does BOUR guiltlessness rest on ITS sins- This is the o'*iousP a secret :ept +rom no>one 'ut yoursel+- And it is this that has maintained you SE ARATE +rom the ,orld# and :ept your 'rother SE ARATE +rom you- 2o, need you 'ut to learn that BOT1 o+ you are innocent OR guilty- The one thing that is impossi'le is that you 'e U2!ILE each otherP that they BOT1 'e true- This is the only secret yet to learn- And it ,ill 'e 2O secret you are healedT1E MIRAC!E (OES 2OT1I2" - All it does is to U2do- And thus it cancels out the inter+erence to ,hat 1AS BEE2 done- It does not add# 'ut merely ta:es a,ay- And ,hat it ta:es a,ay is long since gone# 'ut# 'eing :ept in memory# A EARS to ha*e immediate e++ects- This ,orld ,as o*er long ago- The thoughts that made it are no longer in the mind that thought o+ them# and lo*ed them +or a ,hile- The miracle 'ut sho,s the past is gone# and ,hat has truly gone 1AS no e++ects- REMEMBERI2" a cause can 'ut produce I!!USIO2S o+ its presence# 2OT e++ectsAll the e++ects o+ guilt are here no more- 3or guilt is o*er- In its passing ,ent its conse?uences# le+t ,ithout a cause- 4hy ,ould you cling to it in memory# i+ you did not
> 6&6 >

(ESIRE its e++ectsE Remem'ering is as selecti*e as perception# 'eing its past tenseIt is perception o+ the past# as i+ it ,ere occurring 2O4 and still ,ere there to seeMemory# li:e perception# is a s:ill made up 'y you# to ta:e the place o+ ,hat "od "AHE in your creation- And# li:e all the things you made# it can 'e used to ser*e A2OT1ER purpose# and to 'e means +or something E!SE- It can 'e used to heal# and 2OT to hurt# i+ you so ,ish2othing employed +or healing represents an e++ort to do anything at all- It is a recognition that you 1AHE no needs ,hich mean that something must 'e (O2E- It is an unselecti*e memory# ,hich is 2OT used to I2TER3ERE ,ith truth- All things the 1oly

647

Spirit can employ +or healing ha*e 'een gi*en 1im 4IT1OUT the content and the purposes +or ,hich they ha*e 'een made- They are 'ut s:ills 4IT1OUT an application- They A4AIT their use- They ha*e 2O dedication and 2O aim- The 1oly Spirit can indeed ma:e use o+ memory# +or "od 1imsel+ is there- But this is 2OT a memory o+ past e*ents# 'ut O2!B o+ a RESE2T stateBou are so long accustomed to 'elie*e that memory holds only ,hat is past# that it is hard +or you to reali9e it is a s:ill that CA2 remem'er 2O4- The limitations on remem'ering the ,orld imposes on it are as *ast as those you let the ,orld impose on BOU- There IS no lin: o+ memory to the past- I+ BOU ,ould ha*e it there# then there it ISBut O2!B your desire made the lin:# and O2!B you ha*e held it to a part o+ time ,here guilt appears to linger still- The 1oly Spirit=s use o+ memory is ?uite A ART +rom time- 1e does 2OT see: to use it as a means to LEE the past# 'ut rather as a ,ay TO !ET IT "OMemory holds the message it recei*es# and does ,hat it is "IHE2 it to do- It does 2OT ,rite the message# nor appoint ,hat it is 3OR- !i:e to the 'ody# it is purposeless ,ithin itsel+- And i+ it seems to ser*e to cherish ancient hate# and o++er you the pictures o+ in@ustices and hurts ,hich you ,ere sa*ing# this is ,hat you as:ed its message BE# and this is ,hat it IS- Committed to its *aults# the history o+ all the 'ody=s past is hidden thereAll o+ the strange associations made to :eep the past ali*e# the present dead# are stored ,ithin it# ,aiting your command that they 'e 'rought to you# and li*ed again- And thus do their e++ects appear to 'e I2CREASE( 'y time# ,hich TOOL A4AB their causeBet time is 'ut another phase o+ ,hat (OES 2OT1I2"- It ,or:s hand in hand ,ith all the other attri'utes ,ith ,hich you sought to :eep concealed the truth a'out yoursel+Time neither ta:es a,ay# nor can restore- And yet you ma:e strange use o+ it# as i+ the past had CAUSE( the present# ,hich is 'ut a CO2SEDUE2CE# in ,hich no change can 'e made possi'le# 'ecause its cause has "O2E- And change must ha*e a cause that ,ill endure# or else it ,ill not last- 2o change can 'e made in the present# i+ its cause is ASTO2!B the past is held in memory# as you ma:e use o+ it# and so it is a ,ay to hold the past A"AI2ST the no,Remem'er 2OT1I2" that you taught yoursel+# +or you ,ere 'adly taught- 4ho

648

,ould :eep a senseless lesson in his mind# ,hen he can learn and can preser*e a BETTER oneE 4hen ancient memories o+ hate appear# remem'er that their cause is goneAnd so you CA22OT understand ,hat they are 3OR- !et not the cause that you ,ould gi*e them
> 6&J >

2O4 'e ,hat it ,as that made them ,hat they ,ere# or seemed to 'e- Be "!A( that it is gone# +or this is ,hat you ,ould 'e pardoned 3ROM- And see# instead# the 2E4 e++ects o+ cause accepted 2O4# ,ith conse?uences 1EREThey ,ill surprise you ,ith their lo*eliness- The ancient 2E4 ideas they 'ring ,ill 'e the happy conse?uences o+ a cause so ancient that it 3AR e<ceeds the span o+ memory ,hich your perception sees- This is the Cause the 1oly Spirit has remem'ered 3OR you# ,hen you ,ould +orget- It is 2OT past# 'ecause 1e let It not 'e unremem'ered- It has ne*er changed# 'ecause there ne*er ,as a time in ,hich 1e did not :eep It sa+ely in your mind- Its conse?uences ,ill indeed SEEM ne,# 'ecause you thought that you remem'ered not their Cause- Bet# ,as It 2EHER a'sent +rom your mind# +or it ,as 2OT your 3ather=s 4ill that 1e 'e unremem'ered 'y 1is only Son4hat BOU remem'er ne*er 4AS- It came +rom causelessness ,hich you CO23USE( ,ith cause- It CA2 deser*e 'ut laughter# ,hen you learn you ha*e remem'ered conse?uences ,hich ,ere causeless# and could ne*er BE e++ects- The miracle reminds you o+ a Cause +ore*er present# per+ectly untouched 'y time and inter+erence2EHER changed +rom ,hat It IS- And BOU are Its e++ects# as changeless and as per+ect as Itsel+Its memory does 2OT lie in the past# nor ,aits the +uture- It is 2OT re*ealed in miraclesThey 'ut remind you that It has not gone- 4hen you +orgi*e It +or BOUR sins# It ,ill no longer BE deniedBou ,ho ha*e sought to lay a @udgment on your o,n Creator cannot understand it is 2OT 1e 4ho laid a @udgment on 1is Son- Bou ,ould (E2B 1im 1is e++ects# yet ha*e they ne*er BEE2 denied- There 4AS no time in ,hich 1is Son could 'e condemned +or ,hat ,as causeless# and A"AI2ST 1is 4ill- 4hat BOUR remem'ering ,ould ,itness to# is 'ut the +ear o+ "od- 1e has not (O2E the thing you +ear- 2o more ha*e BOU- And so

649

your innocence has 2OT 'een lost- Bou need 2O healing to 'e healed- In ?uietness# see in the miracle a lesson in allo,ing Cause to ha*e Its O42 e++ects# and doing 2OT1I2" that ,ould inter+ereThe miracle comes ?uietly into the mind that stops an instant# and is still- It reaches gently +rom that ?uiet time# and +rom the mind it healed in ?uiet then# to other minds to S1ARE its ?uietness- And they ,ill JOI2 in doing nothing to pre*ent its radiant e<tension 'ac: into the Mind that caused A!! minds to 'e- Born out o+ sharing# there can BE no pause in time to cause the miracle delay in hastening to all un?uiet minds# and 'ringing them an instant=s stillness# ,hen the memory o+ "od returns to them- Their O42 remem'ering is ?uiet no,# and ,hat has come to ta:e its place ,ill not 'e ,holly unremem'ered a+ter,ards1e to 4hom time is gi*en o++ers than:s +or e*ery ?uiet instant gi*en 1im- 3or in that instant is 1is memory allo,ed to o++er all its treasures to the Son o+ "od# +or ,hom they ha*e 'een :ept- 1o, gladly does 1e o++er them unto the one +or ,hom 1e has 'een gi*en themO And 1is Creator S1ARES 1is than:s# 'ecause 1e ,ould not 'e depri*ed o+ 1is e++ects- The instant=s silence that 1is Son accepts gi*es ,elcome to eternity and 1im#
> 6&7 >

and lets Them enter ,here They ,ould a'ide- 3or in that instant does the Son o+ "od do 2OT1I2" that ,ould ma:e himsel+ a+raid1o, instantly the memory o+ "od arises in the mind that has no +ear to :eep the memory a,ay- Its o,n remem'ering has gone- There IS no past to :eep its +ear+ul image in the ,ay o+ glad a,a:ening to present peace- The trumpets o+ eternity resound throughout the stillness# yet distur' it not- And ,hat is 2O4 remem'ered is not +ear# 'ut# rather# is the Cause that +ear ,as made to render unremem'ered and undoneThe stillness spea:s in gentle sounds o+ lo*e the Son o+ "od remem'ers +rom BE3ORE his o,n remem'ering came I2 BET4EE2 the present and the past# to shut them out2o, is the Son o+ "od at last a,are o+ RESE2T Cause and Its 'enign e++ects- 2o, does he understand ,hat he has made is causeless# ma:ing 2O e++ects at all- 1e 1AS done nothing- And in seeing T1IS# he understands he ne*er had a 2EE( +or doing A2BT1I2"# and ne*er did- 1is Cause IS Its e++ects- There ne*er 4AS a cause 'esides It# that could generate a (I33ERE2T past or +uture- ITS e++ects are changelessly eternal# BEBO2( +ear# and AST the ,orld o+ sin entirely- 4hat has 'een lost# to see the causeless

650

2OTE And ,here is sacri+ice# ,hen memory o+ "od has come to TALE T1E !ACE o+ lossE 4hat 'etter ,ay to close the little gap 'et,een illusions and reality than to allo, the memory o+ "od to +lo, ACROSS it# ma:ing it a 'ridge an instant ,ill su++ice to reach 'eyondE 3or "od has closed it ,ith 1imsel+- 1is memory has 2OT gone 'y# and le+t a stranded Son +ore*er on a shore ,here he can glimpse A2OT1ER shore ,hich he can ne*er reach- 1is 3ather ,ills that he 'e li+ted up# and gently carried o*er- 1E has 'uilt the 'ridge# and it is 1e 4ho ,ill transport 1is Son across it- 1a*e no +ear that 1e ,ill +ail in ,hat 1e ,ills- 2or that you 'e e<cluded +rom the 4ill that IS +or you4ithout a cause there can 'e no e++ects# and yet #,ithout e++ects# there is no CAUSEThe cause a cause is MA(E 'y its e++ectsP the 3ather IS a +ather 'y 1is Son- E++ects do not CREATE their cause# 'ut they ESTAB!IS1 its causation- Thus the Son gi*es +atherhood to his Creator# and RECEIHES the gi+t that he has gi*en 1im- It is BECAUSE he is "od=s Son that he must A!SO 'e a +ather# ,ho creates as "od created him- The circle o+ creation has no end- Its starting and its ending are the same- But# in itsel+# it holds the uni*erse o+ all creation# ,ithout 'eginning and ,ithout an end3atherhood is creation- !o*e MUST 'e e<tended- urity is not con+ined- It is the 2ATURE o+ the innocent to 'e +ore*er uncontained# ,ithout a 'arrier or limitationThus is purity 2OT o+ the 'ody- 2or can it 'e 3OU2( ,here limitation is- The 'ody CA2 'e healed 'y its E33ECTS# ,hich are as limitless as is itsel+- Bet must all healing come a'out 'ecause the mind is recogni9ed as 2OT ,ithin the 'ody# and its innocence is ?uite A ART +rom it# and ,here A!! healing IS- 4here# then# is healingE O2!B ,here its cause is "IHE2 its e++ects- 3or sic:ness is a meaningless attempt to gi*e e++ects to causelessness# and MALE it 'e a cause> 6&K >

Al,ays in sic:ness does the Son o+ "od attempt to ma:e himsel+ his cause# and 2OT allo, himsel+ to 'e his 3ather=s Son- 3or this impossi'le desire# he does not 'elie*e that he is !o*e=s E33ECTS# and must 'e cause BECAUSE o+ ,hat he is- The cause o+ healing is the O2!B Cause o+ e*erything- It has 'ut O2E e++ect- And# in that recognition# causelessness

651

is "IHE2 no e++ects# and none are SEE2- A mind ,ithin a 'ody# and a ,orld o+ other 'odies# each ,ith SE ARATE minds# are your )creations#. you the )other. mind# creating ,ith e++ects U2!ILE yoursel+- And# AS their +ather# you must 'e li:e them2othing at all has happened 'ut that you ha*e put yoursel+ to sleep# and dreamed a dream in ,hich you ,ere an alien to yoursel+# and 'ut a part o+ someone E!SE=S dreamThe miracle does not a,a:en you# 'ut merely sho,s you ,ho the (REAMER is- It teaches you there IS a choice o+ dreams ,hile you are still asleep# depending on the UR OSE o+ your dreaming- (o you ,ish +or dreams o+ healing# or +or dreams o+ deathE A dream is li:e a memory# in that it pictures ,hat you 4A2TE( sho,n to you- An empty storehouse# ,ith an open door# holds A!! your shreds o+ memories and dreamsBet# i+ you are the (REAMER# you percei*e this much at leastP that BOU ha*e caused the dream# and can accept A2OT1ER dream as ,ell- But# +or this change in content o+ the dream# it MUST 'e reali9ed that it is BOU ,ho dreamed the dreaming that you do not li:e- It is 'ut an e++ect that BOU ha*e caused# and you ,ould not BE cause o+ this e++ectIn dreams o+ murder and attac: are BOU the *ictim# in a dying 'ody slain- But# in +orgi*ing dreams is 2O>O2E as:ed to 'e the *ictim and the su++erer- These are the happy dreams the miracle e<changes +or your o,n- It does 2OT as: you ma:e anotherP O2!B that you see you made the one you ,ould EXC1A2"E +or thisThis ,orld is CAUSE!ESS# as is e*ery dream that anyone has dreamed ,ithin the ,orld- 2o plans are possi'le# and no design e<ists that could 'e +ound and understood4hat else could 'e EX ECTE( +rom a thing that has no causeE Bet i+ it 1AS no cause# IT 1AS 2O UR OSE- Bou may cause a dream# 'ut ne*er ,ill you gi*e it real E33ECTS- 3or that ,ould change its CAUSE# and it is this you CA22OT do- The dreamer o+ a dream is 2OT a,a:e# 'ut does 2OT :no, he sleeps- 1e sees I!!USIO2S o+ himsel+ as sic: or ,ell# depressed or happy# 'ut ,ithout a sta'le cause ,ith "UARA2TEE( e++ectsThe miracle esta'lishes you dream a dream# and that its content is not true- This is a crucial step in dealing ,ith illusions- 2o>one is A3RAI( o+ them# ,hen he percei*es 1E MA(E T1EM U - The +ear ,as held in place BECAUSE he did not see that he ,as AUT1OR

652

o+ the dream# and not a +igure I2 the dream- 1e gi*es 1IMSE!3 the conse?uences that he dreams he ga*e his 'rother- And it is 'ut this the dream has put together and has o++ered him# to sho, him that his ,ishes ha*e 'een done- Thus does he +ear his O42 attac:# 'ut sees it at another=s hands- As *ictim# he is su++ering +rom its e++ects# 'ut 2OT their cause1e authored 2OT his o,n attac:# and he is innocent o+ ,hat he causedThe miracle does nothing 'ut to sho, him that 1E has done nothing- 4hat he +ears is cause 4IT1OUT the conse?uences ,hich ,ould MALE it cause- And so it ne*er ,asThe separation started ,ith the dream the 3ather ,as depri*ed o+ 1is e++ects# and po,erless to :eep them# since 1e ,as no longer their Creator- In the dream# the dreamer made
> 6&5 >

1IMSE!3# 'ut ,hat he made has TUR2E( against him# ta:ing on the role o+ its creator# as the dreamer had- And# as he hated 1IS Creator# so the +igures in the dream ha*e hated 1IM- 1is 'ody is their sla*e# ,hich they a'use 'ecause the moti*es 1E has gi*en it ha*e T1EB adopted as their o,n- And hate it +or the *engeance IT ,ould o++er T1EMIt is T1EIR *engeance on the 'ody ,hich appears to pro*e the dreamer COU!( not 'e the ma:er o+ the dream- E++ect and cause are +irst split o++# and then REHERSE(# so that e++ect 'ecomes a causeP the cause# e++ect- This is the separation=s +inal step# ,ith ,hich sal*ation# ,hich proceeds to go the OT1ER ,ay# 'egins- This +inal step is an e++ect o+ ,hat has gone 'e+ore# A EARI2" as a cause- The miracle is the +irst step in gi*ing BACL to cause the +unction o+ causation# 2OT e++ect- 3or T1IS con+usion has produced the dream# and# ,hile it lasts# ,ill ,a:ening 'e +eared- 2or ,ill the Call to ,a:ening 'e heard# 'ecause it SEEMS to 'e the call to +ear!i:e EHERB lesson ,hich the 1oly Spirit re?uests you learn# the miracle is clear- It (EMO2STRATES ,hat 1e ,ould ha*e you learn# and S1O4S you its e++ects are ,hat you 4A2T- In its +orgi*ing dream# are the E33ECTS o+ yours undone# and hated enemies percei*ed as +riends# ,ith merci+ul intent- Their enmity is seen as causeless no,# BECAUSE they did not ma:e it- And you can accept the role o+ ma:er o+ their hate BECAUSE you see that it has no e++ects- 2o, are you +reed +rom this much o+ the dreamP the ,orld is neutral# and the 'odies ,hich still seem to mo*e a'out as separate things 2EE( 2OT BE

653

3EARE(- And so they are 2OT sic:The miracle returns the CAUSE o+ +ear to you ,ho made it- But it A!SO sho,s that# 1AHI2" no e++ects it is 2OT cause# 'ecause the +unction o+ causation is to 1AHE e++ectsAnd ,here e++ects are gone# there IS no cause- Thus is the 'ody healed 'y miracles BECAUSE they sho, the mind MA(E sic:ness# and employed the 'ody to 'e *ictim# or E33ECT# o+ ,hat it made- But 1A!3 the lesson ,ill not teach the ,hole- The miracle is useless i+ you learn 'ut that the BO(B can 'e healed# +or this is 2OT the lesson it ,as sent to teach- The lesson is the MI2( ,as sic: that thought the 'ody COU!( 'e sic:P pro@ecting OUT its guilt caused 2OT1I2"# and had 2O e++ectsThis ,orld is +ull o+ miracles- They stand in shining silence ne<t to e*ery dream o+ pain and su++ering# o+ sin and guilt- They are the dream=s A!TER2ATIHE# the choice to 'e the dreamer# rather than deny the acti*e role in ma:ing up the dream- They are the glad e++ects o+ ta:ing 'ac: the conse?uence o+ sic:ness to its cause- The 'ody is released# 'ecause the mind ac:no,ledges )this is not (O2E TO me# 'ut I am doing this-. And thus the mind is +ree to ma:e another choice instead- Beginning here# sal*ation ,ill proceed to change the course o+ e*ery step in the descent to separation# until all the steps ha*e 'een retraced# the ladder gone# and A!! the dreaming o+ the ,orld undone4hat ,aits in per+ect certainty BEBO2( sal*ation is not our concern- 3or you ha*e 'arely started to allo, your +irst# uncertain steps to 'e directed up the ladder separation led you do,n- The miracle alone is your concern at present- 1ere is ,here ,e MUST 'egin- And# ha*ing started# ,ill the ,ay 'e made serene and simple in the rising up to ,a:ing and the ending o+ the dream- 4hen you accept a miracle# you do not A(( your
> 6$% >

dream o+ +ear to one that is A!REA(B 'eing dreamed- 4ithout SU ORT the dream ,ill +ade a,ay# ,ithout e++ects- 3or it is your SU ORT that strengthens it- 2o mind is sic: until another mind A"REES that they are separate- And thus# it is their JOI2T decision to 'e sic:I+ you 4IT11O!( agreement# and accept the part BOU play in ma:ing sic:ness real# the other mind cannot pro@ect its guilt ,ithout your aid in !ETTI2" it percei*e itsel+ as separate and apart +rom BOU- Thus is the 'ody 2OT percei*ed as sic: 'y BOT1 your minds# +rom SE ARATE points o+ *ie,- U2ITI2" ,ith a 'rother=s mind pre*ents the CAUSE o+ sic:ness# and percei*ed e++ects- 1ealing is the e++ect o+ minds that @oin# as

654

sic:ness comes +rom minds ,hich separate- The miracle does nothing @ust BECAUSE the minds ARE @oined# and CA22OT separate- Bet# in the dreaming# has this 'een re*ersed# and separate minds are seen as 'odies# ,hich ARE separated# and ,hich cannot JOI2(o not allo, your 'rother to 'e sic:# +or i+ he is# ha*e BOU a'andoned him to his o,n dream# 'y S1ARI2" it ,ith him- 1e has not seen the cause o+ sic:ness ,here it is# and BOU ha*e o*erloo:ed the gap 'et,een you# ,here the sic:ness has 'een 'redThus are you JOI2E( in sic:ness# to preser*e the little gap unhealed# ,here sic:ness is :ept care+ully protected# cherished# and upheld 'y +irm 'elie+# lest "od should come to 'ridge the little gap that leads to 1im- 3ight not 1is coming ,ith illusions# +or it is 1is coming that you 4A2T a'o*e all things that seem to glisten in the dream- The end o+ dreaming is the end o+ 3EAR# and lo*e ,as 2EHER in the ,orld o+ dreamsThe gap IS little- Bet it holds the seeds o+ pestilence and e*ery +orm o+ ill# 'ecause it is a 4IS1 to :eep apart# and 2OT to @oin- And thus it seems to gi*e a CAUSE to sic:ness ,hich is 2OT its cause- The UR OSE o+ the gap is all the cause that sic:ness has3or it ,as made to :eep you separated in a 'ody ,hich you see as i+ it ,ere the CAUSE o+ painThe cause o+ pain is separation# 2OT the 'ody# ,hich is only its E33ECT- Bet separation is 'ut empty space# enclosing nothing# doing nothing# and as unsu'stantial as the *acant place 'et,een the ripples that a ship has made in passing 'y- And co*ered @ust as +ast# as ,ater rushes in to close the gap# and as the ,a*es# in @oining# co*er it4here is the gap BET4EE2 the ,a*es# ,hen they ha*e @oined# and co*ered up the space ,hich seemed to :eep them separate +or a little ,hileE 4here is the grounds +or sic:ness ,hen the minds ha*e @oined to close the gap BET4EE2 them# ,here the seeds o+ sic:ness seemed to gro,E "od 'uilds the 'ridge# 'ut only in the space le+t clean and *acant 'y the miracle- The ,eeds o+ sic:ness and the shame o+ sin 1e CA22OT 'ridge# +or 1e cannot destroy the alien ,ill that 1e created not- !et its e++ects 'e gone# and clutch them not ,ith eager hands# to :eep them +or yoursel+- The miracle ,ill 'rush them all aside# and thus ma:e room +or 1im 4ho ,ills to come# and 'ridge 1is Son=s returning to 1imsel+Count# then# the sil*er miracles and golden dreams o+ happiness as all the treasures

655

you ,ould :eep ,ithin the storehouse o+ the ,orld- The door is open# 2OT to thie*es# 'ut to your star*ing 'rothers# ,ho mistoo: +or gold shining pe''le# and ,ho stored a,ay a heap o+ sno, that shone li:e sil*er- They ha*e nothing le+t 'ehind the open door> 6$& >

4hat is the ,orld e<cept a little gap# percei*ed to tear eternity apart# and 'rea: it into days and months and yearsE And ,hat are BOU ,ho li*e ,ithin the ,orld# e<cept a picture o+ the Son o+ "od in 'ro:en pieces# each concealed ,ithin a separate and uncertain 'it o+ clayE Be not a+raid# 'ut let your ,orld 'e lit ,ith miracles- And ,here the gap ,as seen to stand BET4EE2 you# @oin your 'rother there- And sic:ness ,ill 'e seen 4IT1OUT a cause- The dream o+ healing in +orgi*eness lies# and gently sho,s you BOU ha*e ne*er sinned- The miracle ,ould lea*e 2O proo+ o+ guilt to 'ring you ,itness to ,hat ne*er 4AS- And# in your storehouse# it ,ill ma:e a place o+ ,elcome +or your 3ather and your Sel+- The door is open# that all those may come ,ho ,ould no longer star*e# and ,ould en@oy the +east o+ plenty set 'e+ore them there- And they ,ill meet ,ith your in*ited "uests the miracle has as:ed to come to youThis is a +east unli:e indeed to those the dreaming o+ the ,orld has sho,n- 3or 1ERE# the more that anyone recei*es# the more is le+t +or all the rest to share- The "uests ha*e 'rought unlimited supply ,ith Them- And no>one is depri*ed# or can depri*e1ere is a +east the 3ather lays 'e+ore 1is Son# A2( shares it e?ually ,ith him- And in Their sharing there can BE no gap# in ,hich a'undance +alters and gro,s thin- 1ere can the lean years enter not# +or time ,aits not upon this +east# ,hich 1AS no end- 3or !o*e has set Its ta'le in the space that seemed to :eep your "uests A ART +rom youAccepting the Atonement +or yoursel+ means 2OT to gi*e support to someone=s dream o+ sic:ness and o+ death- It means that you share 2OT his ,ish to separate# and let him turn illusions on himsel+- 2or do you ,ish that they 'e turned instead on BOUThus ha*e they 2O e++ects- And BOU are +ree o+ dreams o+ pain 'ecause you let 1IM 'eU2!ESS you help him# you ,ill su++er pain ,ith him 'ecause that is your ,ish- And you 'ecome a +igure in 1IS dream o+ pain# as he in BOURS- So do you BOT1 'ecome illusions and ,ithout identity- Bou could 'e anyone or anything# depending on ,hose e*il dream you share- Bou can 'e sure o+ @ust O2E thingP that you are e*il# +or you share in dreams

656

o+ +earThere is a ,ay o+ +inding certainty RI"1T 1ERE A2( 2O4- Re+use to 'e a part o+ +ear+ul dreams 41ATEHER +orm they ta:e- 3or you ,ill lose identity in them- Bou 3I2( yoursel+ 'y 2OT accepting them as causing you# and "IHI2" you e++ects- Bou stand apart +rom them# 'ut 2OT apart +rom him ,ho dreams them- Thus you separate the dreamer +rom the dream# and @oin ,ith O2E# 'ut let the OT1ER go- The dream is 'ut illusion in the mind- And ,ith the MI2( you 4OU!( unite# 'ut 2EHER ,ith the dreamIt is the (REAM you +ear# and 2OT the mind- Bou see them as the same# 'ecause you thin: that BOU are 'ut a dream- And ,hat is real and ,hat is 'ut illusion I2 BOURSE!3 you do not :no, and cannot tell apart!i:e you# your 'rother thin:s 1E is a dream- Share not in his illusion o+ himsel+# +or BOUR identity depends on his reality- Thin:# rather# o+ him as a mind in ,hich illusions still persist# 'ut as a mind ,hich 'rother is to you- 1e is not 'rother made 'y ,hat he (REAMS# nor is his 'ody# )hero. o+ the dream# your 'rother- It is his REA!ITB that is your
> 6$$ >

'rother# as is yours to him- Bour mind and his ARE @oined in 'rotherhood- 1is 'ody and his dreams 'ut SEEM to ma:e a little gap# ,here yours ha*e @oined ,ith hisAnd yet# 'et,een your MI2(S there IS no gap- To @oin his dreams is thus to meet him 2OT# 'ecause his dreams ,ould SE ARATE +rom you- There+ore release him# merely 'y your claim on 'rotherhood# and 2OT on dreams o+ +ear- !et him ac:no,ledge ,ho he IS# 'y not supporting his illusions 'y your +aith# +or i+ you do# you ,ill ha*e +aith in BOURS- 4ith +aith in yours# 1E ,ill not 'e released# and BOU are :ept in 'ondage to his dreams- And dreams o+ +ear ,ill haunt the little gap# inha'ited 'ut 'y illusions ,hich you ha*e SU ORTE( in each other=s mindsBe certain# i+ you do BOUR part# he ,ill do his# +or he ,ill JOI2 you ,here BOU stand- Call not to him to meet you in the gap BET4EE2 you# or you MUST 'elie*e that it is BOUR reality# as ,ell as his- Bou CA22OT do his part# 'ut this you (O ,hen you 'ecome a passi*e +igure in his dream I2STEA( o+ dreamer o+ your o,nIdentity in dreams is meaningless BECAUSE the dreamer and the dream are one4ho S1ARES a dream must BE the dream he shares# 'ecause# BB sharing is a cause produced- Bou share con+usion# and you ARE con+used# +or in the gap no sta'le sel+ e<ists- 4hat is the same seems di++erent# 'ecause ,hat IS the same appears to 'e unli:e1is dreams are yours# 'ecause you !ET them 'e- But# i+ you too: your O42 a,ay ,ould he 'e +ree o+ them# and o+ his o,n as ,ell- Bour dreams are ,itnesses to his# and his

657

attest the truth o+ yours- But i+ you see there IS no truth in yours# his dreams ,ill disappear 'e+ore his eyes# and he ,ill understand ,hat MA(E the dreamThe 1oly Spirit is in BOT1 your minds# and 1e IS One# 'ecause there is no gap that separates 1is Oneness +rom Itsel+- The gap 'et,een your 'odies matters not# +or ,hat is @oined in 1im is A!4ABS one- 2o>one is sic:# i+ someone E!SE accepts his union 4IT1 him- 1is desire to 'e a sic: and separated mind can 2OT remain ,ithout a ,itness or a cause- And 'oth ARE gone# i+ someone ,ills to 'e united ,ith him- 1e has dreams that he ,as separated +rom his 'rother# ,ho# 'y sharing 2OT his dream# has le+t the space 'et,een them *acant- And the 3ather comes to @oin 1is Son the 1oly Spirit @oinedThe 1oly Spirit=s 3unction is to ta:e the 'ro:en picture o+ the Son o+ "od# and put the pieces into place again- This holy picture# healed entirely# does 1e hold out to e*ery separate piece that thin:s it is a picture I2 ITSE!3- To each he o++ers his identity# ,hich the 41O!E picture represents# instead o+ @ust a little# 'ro:en 'it# ,hich he insisted ,as himsel+- And ,hen he sees T1IS picture# he ,ill RECO"2IUE himsel+- I+ you share not your 'rother=s e*il dreams# this IS the picture that the miracle ,ill place ,ithin the little gap# le+t clean o+ all the seeds o+ sic:ness and o+ sin- And here the 3ather ,ill recei*e 1is Son# 'ecause 1is Son ,as gracious to himsel+I than: you# 3ather# :no,ing you ,ill come to close each little gap that lies 'et,een the 'ro:en pieces o+ Bour holy Son- Bour 1oliness# complete and per+ect# lies in e*ery one o+ them- And they ARE @oined# 'ecause ,hat is in one IS in them all- 1o, holy is the smallest grain o+ sand# ,hen it is recogni9ed as 'eing part o+ the completed picture o+
> 6$8 >

"od=s SonO The +orms the 'ro:en pieces seem to ta:e mean nothing- 3or the 4hole is in each one- And e*ery aspect o+ the Son o+ "od is @ust the same as e*ery other partJoin not your 'rother=s dreams# 'ut @oin ,ith 1IM# and ,here you @oin 1is Son# the 3ather IS4ho see:s +or su'stitutes ,hen he percei*es 1E 1AS !OST 2OT1I2"E 4ho ,ould 4A2T to ha*e the )'ene+its. o+ sic:ness# ,hen he has recei*ed the simple happiness o+ healthE 4hat "od has gi*en cannot BE a loss# and ,hat is not o+ 1im has 2O e++ects-

658

4hat# then# ,ould you percei*e ,ithin the gapE The seeds o+ sic:ness come +rom the 'elie+ that there is JOB in separation# and its gi*ing up 4OU!( BE A SACRI3ICEBut miracles are the result# ,hen you do not insist on seeing in the gap ,hat is not thereBour ,illingness to !ET illusions go is all the 1ealer o+ "od=s Son re?uires- 1e ,ill place the miracle o+ healing ,here the seeds o+ sic:ness ,ere- And there ,ill 'e 2O loss# 'ut O2!B gain4hat is a sense o+ sic:ness 'ut a sense o+ limitationE O+ a splitting O33 and separating 3ROME A gap percei*ed BET4EE2 oursel*es and ,hat is seen as healthE The good is seen OUTSI(EP the e*il# I2- And thus is sic:ness separating O33 the sel+ +rom good# and LEE I2" e*il there- "od is the A!TER2ATE to dreams o+ +ear- 4ho shares in them can 2EHER share in 1im- But ,ho 4IT1(RA4S his mind +rom sharing them IS sharing 1imThere IS no other choice- E<cept you share it# 2OT1I2" can e<ist- And BOU e<ist 'ecause "od shared 1is 4ill ,ith you# that 1is creation might createIt is the S1ARI2" o+ the e*il dreams# o+ hate and malice# 'itterness and death# o+ sin and su++ering# o+ pain and loss# that ma:es them real- U2S1ARE( they are percei*ed as meaningless- The +ear is gone +rom them BECAUSE BOU (I( 2OT "IHE T1EM BOUR SU ORT- 4here +ear has gone# there lo*e MUST come# 'ecause there ARE 'ut these alternati*es- 4here one appears# the other (ISappears- And ,hich you S1ARE 'ecomes the only one you 1AHE- Bou 1AHE the one ,hich you accept# 'ecause it is the only one you 4A2T- Bou share 2O e*il dreams# i+ you +orgi*e the dreamer# and percei*e that he is 2OT the dream he made- And so he CA22OT 'e a part o+ BOURS# +rom ,hich you BOT1 are +ree- 3orgi*eness SE ARATES the dreamer +rom the e*il dream# and thus releases himRemem'er i+ you S1ARE an e*il dream# you ,ill 'elie*e you ARE the dream you share- And# +earing it# you ,ill not 4A2T to :no, your o,n identity# 'ecause you thin: that IT is +ear+ul- And you 4I!! deny your Sel+# and ,al: upon an alien ground ,hich your Creator did not ma:e# and ,here you seem to 'e a )something. you are notBou

659

4I!! ma:e ,ar upon your Sel+# 4hich SEEMS to 'e your enemy# and 4I!! attac: your 'rother# as a part o+ ,hat you hate- There is no compromise- Bou are your Sel+ or an illusion- 4hat CA2 'e 'et,een illusion and the truthE A middle ground# ,here you can 'e a thing that is 2OT you# MUST 'e a dream# and CA22OT 'e the truthBou ha*e concei*ed a little gap 'et,een illusions and the truth to 'e the place ,here all your sa+ety lies# and ,here your Sel+ is sa+ely hidden 'y ,hat you ha*e made1ere is a ,orld esta'lished that is sic:# and this the ,orld the 'ody=s eyes percei*e1ere are the sounds it hearsP the *oices ,hich its ears ,ere made to hear- Bet sights and
> 6$G >

sounds the 'ody can percei*e are meaningless- It cannot see nor hear- It does not :no, ,hat seeing ISP ,hat listening is 3OR- It is as little a'le to percei*e as it can @udge# or understand# or :no,- Its eyes are 'lind# its ears are dea+- It CA22OT thin:# and so it cannot 1AHE e++ects4hat is there "od created to 'e sic:E And ,hat that 1e created not can BEE !et not your eyes 'ehold a dreamP your eyes 'ear ,itness to illusion- They ,ere made to loo: upon a ,orld that is not thereP to hear the *oices that can ma:e no sounds- Bet are there other sounds and other sights ,hich CA2 'e seen and heard and U2(ERSTOO(3or eyes and ears are senses ,ithout sense# and ,hat they see and hear they 'ut report- It is not T1EB that hear and see# 'ut BOU# ,ho UT TO"ET1ER e*ery @agged piece# each senseless scrap and shred o+ e*idence# and MALE a ,itness to the ,orld you ,ant!et not the 'ody=s ears and eyes percei*e these countless +ragments seen ,ithin the gap that BOU imagined# and let T1EM persuade their ma:er his imaginings ,ere realCreation pro*es reality 'ecause it S1ARES the +unction A!! creation shares- It is not made o+ little 'its o+ glass# a piece o+ ,ood# a thread or t,o perhaps# and put together to ATTEST its truth- Reality does not depend on T1IS- There IS no gap ,hich separates the truth +rom dreams and +rom illusions- Truth has le+t no room +or them in A2B place or time- 3or It +ills e*ery place and e*ery time# and ma:es them ,holly indi*isi'leBou ,ho 'elie*e there IS a little gap 'et,een you do not understand that it is 1ERE that you are :ept as prisoners in a ,orld percei*ed to 'e EXISTI2" here- The ,orld you see does not e<ist BECAUSE the place ,here you percei*e it is not real- The gap is care+ully concealed in +og# and misty pictures rise to co*er it ,ith *ague# uncertain +orms and changing shapes# +ore*er unsu'stantial and unsure- Bet in the gap is 2OT1I2"-

660

And there ARE no a,esome secrets and no dar:ened tom's ,here terror rises +rom the 'ones o+ death- !oo: at the little gap# and you 'ehold the innocence and emptiness o+ sin that you ,ill see ,ithin yoursel+# ,hen you ha*e lost the +ear o+ recogni9ing lo*e4ho punishes the 'ody is insane- 3or here the little gap is SEE2# and yet it is 2OT here- It has not @udged ITSE!3# nor made itsel+ to 'e ,hat it is not- IT does not see: to ma:e o+ pain a @oy# and loo: +or lasting pleasure in the dust- It does not TE!! you ,hat its purpose is# and CA22OT understand ,hat it is +or- IT (OES 2OT HICTIMIUE# 'ecause it has no ,ill# no pre+erences# and 2O (OUBTS- It does not ,onder ,hat it is- And so it has no 2EE( to 'e competiti*e- It CA2 'e *ictimi9ed# 'ut CA22OT +eel itsel+ as *ictimIt accepts no role# 'ut does ,hat it is told# 4IT1OUT attac:It is indeed a senseless point o+ *ie, to hold responsi'le +or sight a thing that cannot see# and 'lame it +or the sounds you do not li:e# although it cannot hear- IT su++ers not the punishment you gi*e# 'ecause it 1AS no +eeling- It 'eha*es in ,ays you ,ant# 'ut 2EHER ma:es the choice- It is not 'orn and does not die- It can 'ut +ollo, aimlessly the path on ,hich it has 'een set- And i+ that path is changed# it ,al:s as easily another ,ayIt ta:es no sides# and @udges not the road it tra*els- It percei*es no gap 'ecause IT (OES 2OT 1ATE- It can 'e USE( +or hate# 'ut it cannot 'e hate+ul MA(E there'y> 6$6 >

The thing you hate and +ear and loathe and 4A2T# the 'ody does not :no,- Bou send it +orth to SEEL +or separation and to BE separate- And T1E2 you hate it# 2OT +or ,hat it is# 'ut +or the uses you ha*e MA(E o+ it- Bou shrin: +rom ,hat IT sees and ,hat IT hears# and hate its +railty and its littleness- And you despise its acts# 'ut 2OT your o,nIt sees and acts +or BOU- It hears BOUR *oice- And it is +rail and little 'y BOUR ,ish- It SEEMS to punish you# and thus (ESERHE your hatred +or the limitations ,hich it 'rings to you- Bet you ha*e made o+ it a sym'ol o+ the limitations ,hich you ,ant your MI2( to ha*e and see and LEE The 'ody RE RESE2TS the gap 'et,een the little 'it o+ mind you call your o,n# and all the rest o+ ,hat is REA!!B yours- Bou hate it# yet you thin: it IS your sel+# and that# 4IT1OUT it# ,ould your sel+ 'e lost- This is the secret *o, that you ha*e made ,ith

661

e*ery 'rother ,ho ,ould ,al: apart- This is the secret oath you ta:e again# ,hene*er you percei*e yoursel+ attac:ed- 2o>one can su++er i+ he does 2OT see himsel+ attac:ed# A2( !OSI2" BB ATTACL- Unstated and unheard in consciousness is e*ery pledge to sic:ness- Bet it is a promise to another to 'e hurt 'y him# and to attac: him in returnSic:ness is anger ta:en out upon the 'ody# so that IT ,ill su++er pain- It is the o'*ious e++ect o+ ,hat ,as made in secret# I2 A"REEME2T ,ith another=s secret ,ish to 'e apart +rom you# as you ,ould 'e apart +rom him- Unless you BOT1 agree this is your ,ish# it CA2 ha*e no e++ects- 4hoe*er says# )There IS no gap 'et,een my mind and yours#. has :ept "O(=S promise# 2OT his tiny oath to 'e +ore*er +aith+ul unto deathAnd 'y his healing IS his 'rother healed- !et T1IS 'e your agreement ,ith each oneP that you 'e one ,ith him and 2OT apart- And he ,ill :eep the promise that you ma:e ,ith him# 'ecause it is the one ,hich he has made to "od# as "od has made to him"od :eeps 1is promisesP 1is Son :eeps his- In his creation did his 3ather say# )Bou are 'elo*ed o+ Me and I o+ you +ore*er- Be you per+ect as Mysel+# +or you can ne*er 'e apart +rom Me-. 1is Son remem'ers not that he replied )I ,ill#. though in that promise he ,as 'orn- Bet "od reminds him o+ it e*ery time he does not share a promise to 'e sic:# 'ut lets his mind 'e healed and uni+ied- 1is secret *o,s are po,erless 'e+ore the 4ill o+ "od# 4hose promises he shares- And ,hat he su'stitutes is 2OT his ,ill# ,ho has made promise o+ himsel+ to "od"od as:s +or nothing# and 1is Son# li:e 1im# need as: +or nothing- 3or there is no lac: in him- An empty space# a little gap# ,ould BE a lac:- And it is only there that he could ,ant +or something he has not- A space ,here "od is not# a gap 'et,een the 3ather and the Son is 2OT the 4ill o+ either# ,ho ha*e promised to 'e One- "od=s promise is a promise to 1IMSE!3# and there is no>one ,ho could BE untrue to ,hat 1e ,ills as part o+ ,hat 1e IS- The promise that there IS no gap 'et,een 1imsel+ and ,hat 1e is cannot BE +alse- 4hat ,ill can come 'et,een ,hat MUST 'e One# and in 4hose ,holeness there can BE no gapsE The 'eauti+ul relationship you ha*e ,ith all your 'rothers is a part o+ you BECAUSE it is a part o+ "od 1imsel+- Are you not sic:# i+ you deny yoursel+ your ,holeness and your health# the Source o+ help# the Call to healing and the Call to healE Bour Sa*iour
> 6$J >

662

,aits +or healing# and the ,orld ,aits ,ith him- 2or are BOU apart +rom it- 3or healing ,ill 'e one# or not at all# its oneness 'eing ,here the healing !IES- 4hat could CORRECT +or separation 'ut its oppositeE There is no middle ground# in A2B aspect o+ sal*ationBou accept it ,holly# or accept it not- 4hat is unseparated must 'e JOI2E(- And ,hat is @oined cannot BE separateEither there IS a gap 'et,een you and your 'rother# or you ARE as one- There is no in 'et,een# no other choice# and no allegiance to 'e split BET4EE2 the t,o- A split allegiance is 'ut +aithlessness to 'oth# and merely sets you spinning round# to grasp uncertainly at any stra, that seems to hold some promise o+ relie+- Bet ,ho can 'uild his home upon a stra,# and count on it as shelter +rom the ,indE The 'ody can 'e made a home li:e this# BECAUSE it lac:s +oundation in the truth- And yet# BECAUSE it does# it can 'e seen as 2OT your home# 'ut merely as an aid to help you reach the home ,here "od a'ides4ith T1IS as purpose IS the 'ody healed- It is 2OT used to ,itness to the dream o+ separation and disease- 2or is it idly 'lamed +or ,hat it did not do- It ser*es to help the 1EA!I2" o+ "od=s Son# and# +or T1IS purpose# it cannot BE sic:- It ,ill not @oin a purpose not your o,n# and you ha*e chosen that it 2OT 'e sic:- All miracles are 'ased upon this choice# and "IHE2 you the instant it is made- 2o +orms o+ sic:ness are immune# 'ecause the choice cannot 'e MA(E in terms o+ +orm- The choice o+ SICL2ESS seems to 'e a +orm# yet it is one# as is its opposite- And BOU are sic: or ,ell# accordinglyBut 2EHER you alone- This ,orld is 'ut the dream that you can BE alone# and thin: ,ithout a++ecting those apart +rom you- To 'e alone MUST mean you are apart# and i+ you are# you cannot BUT 'e sic:- This SEEMS to pro*e that you must 'e A ART- Bet all it means is that you tried to :eep a promise to 'e true to +aithlessness- Bet +aithlessness IS sic:ness- It is li:e the house set upon stra,- It SEEMS to 'e ?uite solid and su'stantial I2 ITSE!3- But its sta'ility cannot 'e @udged A ART +rom its +oundation- I+ it rests on stra,s# there is no need to 'ar the door and loc: the ,indo,s# and ma:e +ast the 'olts- The ,ind 4I!! topple it# and rain 4I!! come# and carry it into o'li*ion4hat is the SE2SE in see:ing to 'e sa+e in ,hat ,as MA(E +or danger and +or +earE

663

4hy 'urden it ,ith +urther loc:s and chains and hea*y anchors# ,hen its ,ea:ness lies# 2OT in itsel+# 'ut in the +railty o+ the little gap o+ nothingness ,hereon it standsE 4hat CA2 'e sa+e ,hich rests upon a shado,E 4ould you 'uild your home upon ,hat 4I!! collapse 'eneath a +eather=s ,eightE Bour home is 'uilt upon your 'rother=s healthP upon his happiness# his sinlessness# and e*erything his 3ather promised him- 2o secret promise you ha*e made I2STEA( has sha:en the 3oundation o+ his homeThe ,inds ,ill 'lo, upon it# and the rain ,ill 'eat against it# 'ut ,ith 2O e++ect- The ,orld ,ill ,ash a,ay# and yet this house ,ill stand +ore*er# +or its strength lies not ,ithin itsel+ alone- It is an ar: o+ sa+ety# resting on "od=s promise# that 1is Son is sa+e +ore*er in 1imsel+- 4hat gap can interpose itsel+ 'et,een the sa+ety o+ this shelter and its SourceE 3rom here# the 'ody can 'e seen as ,hat it is# and neither less nor more in ,orth than the e<tent to ,hich it can 'e used to li'erate "od=s Son unto his home- And# ,ith
> 6$7 >

this holy purpose# is it made a home o+ holiness a little ,hile# 'ecause it shares your 3ather=s 4ill ,ith BouThere is no time# no place# no state ,here "od is a'sent- There is 2OT1I2" to 'e +eared- There is no ,ay in ,hich a gap could 'e concei*ed o+ in the 4holeness that is 1is- The compromise the least and littlest gap ,ould represent in 1is eternal !o*e is ?uite impossi'le- 3or it ,ould mean 1is !o*e could har'or @ust a hint o+ hateP 1is gentleness turn sometimes to attac:P and 1is eternal patience sometimes +ail- All this do you BE!IEHE# ,hen you percei*e a gap 'et,een your 'rother and yoursel+- 1o, could you trust 1im# thenE 3or 1e must 'e decepti*e in 1is !o*e- Be ,ary# thenP let 1im not come too close# and lea*e a gap 'et,een you and 1is !o*e# through ,hich you can escape i+ there 'e need +or you to +lee1ere is the +ear o+ "od most plainly seen- 3or lo*e is treacherous to those ,ho +ear# since +ear and hate can 2EHER 'e apart- 2o>one ,ho hates 'ut is a+raid o+ lo*e# and there+ore MUST he 'e a+raid o+ "od- Certain it is he :no,s not ,hat lo*e MEA2S1e +ears to lo*e and lo*es to hate# and so he thin:s that lo*e is +ear+ulP hate is lo*e- This is the conse?uence the little gap MUST 'ring to those ,ho cherish it# and thin: that it is their sal*ation and their hope- The +ear o+ "odO N the greatest o'stacle that peace must +lo,

664

across has not yet gone- The rest are past# 'ut this one still remains to 'loc: your path# and ma:e the ,ay to light seem dar: and +ear+ul# perilous and 'lea:Bou had (ECI(E( that your 'rother is your enemy- SOMETIMES a +riend# perhaps# pro*ided that your separate interests made your +riendship possi'le a little ,hile- But 2OT ,ithout a gap 'et,een you# lest he turn again into an enemy- !et him come close to you# and you @umped 'ac:P as you approached# he instantly ,ithdre,- A cautious +riendship# limited in scope and care+ully restricted in amount# 'ecame the treaty you had made ,ith him- Bou shared a ?uali+ied entente# in ,hich a clause o+ separation ,as a point on ,hich you 'oth agreed to :eep intact- And *iolating this ,as thought to 'e a 'reach o+ treaty not to 'e allo,edThe gap 'et,een you is 2OT one o+ space 'et,een t,o separate 'odies- This 'ut SEEMS to 'e di*iding o++ your separate minds- It is the SBMBO! o+ a promise# made to meet ,hen you pre+er# and separate until you 'oth elect to meet again- And then your 'odies seem to get in touch# and signi+y a meeting>place to @oin- But al,ays is it possi'le to go your separate ,ays- Conditional upon the )right. to separate ,ill you agree to meet +rom time to time# and :eep apart in inter*als o+ separation# ,hich protect you +rom the )sacri+ice. o+ lo*e- T1E BO(B SAHES BOU# +or it gets a,ay +rom total )sacri+ice#. and gi*es you time in ,hich to 'uild again your separate sel*es# ,hich you 'elie*e (IMI2IS1 as you meetThe 'ody COU!( not separate your minds unless you 4A2TE( it to 'e a cause o+ separation and o+ distance seen 'et,een you- Thus do you E2(O4 it ,ith a po,er that lies 2OT ,ithin itsel+- And herein lies its po,er o*er you- 3or no, you thin: that IT determines ,hen you meet# and limits your a'ility to ma:e communion ,ith each other=s mind- And no, it TE!!S you ,here to go and ho, to go thereP ,hat is +easi'le +or you to
> 6$K >

underta:e# and ,hat you CA22OT do- It dictates ,hat its health can tolerate# and ,hat ,ill tire it and ma:e it sic:- And its )inherent. ,ea:nesses set up the limitations on ,hat BOU ,ould do# and :eep your UR OSE limited and ,ea:The 'ody 4I!! accommodate to this# i+ you ,ould ha*e it so- It 4I!! allo, 'ut limited indulgences in )lo*e#. ,ith inter*als o+ hatred in 'et,een- And it 4I!! ta:e command o+ ,hen to )lo*e#. and ,hen to shrin: more sa+ely into +ear- It ,ill 'e sic: BECAUSE you do not :no, ,hat lo*ing means- And so you MUST misuse each

665

circumstance and e*eryone you meet# and see in them a purpose 2OT their o,n- It is not lo*e that as:s a sacri+ice- But +ear (EMA2(S the sacri+ice o+ lo*e# +or in lo*e=s presence +ear cannot a'ide- 3or hate to 'e maintained lo*e MUST 'e +eared# and only SOMETIMES presentP SOMETIMES goneThus is lo*e seen as treacherous# 'ecause IT seems to come and go uncertainly# and o++er no sta'ility to you- Bou do 2OT see ho, limited and ,ea: is BOUR allegiance# and ho, +re?uently you ha*e demanded that it go a,ay# and lea*e you ?uietly alone in )peace-. The 'ody# innocent o+ A2B goal# is your e<cuse +or *aria'le goals BOU hold# and +orce the 'ody to maintain- Bou do not +ear its ,ea:ness# 'ut its lac: o+ strength OR ,ea:ness- 4ould you recogni9e that 2OT1I2" stands 'et,een youE 4ould you :no, there IS no gap 'ehind ,hich you can hideE There IS a shoc: that comes to those ,ho learn their Sa*iour is their enemy no more- There IS a ,ariness that is aroused 'y learning that the 'ody is not real- And there ARE o*ertones o+ seeming +ear around the happy message )"od is !o*e-. Bet all that happens ,hen the gap is gone is peace eternal- 2othing MORE than that# and nothing less- 4ithout the +ear o+ "od# ,hat could induce you to a'andon 1imE 4hat toys or trin:ets in the gap could ser*e to hold you 'ac: an instant +rom 1is !o*eE 4ould you A!!O4 the 'ody to say )2o. to 1ea*en=s calling# ,ere you not a+raid to +ind a !OSS o+ sel+ in +inding "odE Bet CA2 your Sel+ 'e lost 'y 'eing +oundE 4hy ,ould you not percei*e it as RE!EASE +rom su++ering to learn that you are +reeE 4hy ,ould you not ACC!AIM the truth# instead o+ loo:ing on it as an enemyE 4hy does an EASB path# so clearly mar:ed it is impossi'le to lose the ,ay# seem thorny# rough# and +ar too di++icult +or you to +ollo,E Is it not 'ecause you see it as the road to hell# instead o+ loo:ing on it as a simple ,ay# ,ithout a sacri+ice or A2B loss# to +ind yoursel+ in 1ea*en and in "odE Until you reali9e you gi*e up 2OT1I2"P until you understand there IS no lossP you ,ill ha*e some regrets a'out the ,ay that you ha*e chosenAnd you ,ill 2OT see the many gains your choice has o++ered youBet though you do not see them# they are there- Their CAUSE has 'een e++ected# and they MUST 'e present ,ere their cause has entered in- Bou ha*e accepted healing=s

666

Cause# and so it MUST 'e you are healed- And 'eing healed# the po,er to heal must A!SO no, 'e yours- The miracle is not a separate thing that happens suddenly# as an e++ect ,ithout a cause- 2or is it# in itsel+# a cause- But ,here its Cause is MUST it 'e2o, IS it caused# though not as yet percei*ed- And its e++ects are T1ERE# though not yet seen> 6$5 >

!oo: in,ard no,# and you ,ill not 'ehold a reason +or regret# 'ut cause indeed +or glad re@oicing and +or hope o+ peaceIt 1AS 'een hopeless to attempt to +ind the hope o+ peace upon a 'attleground- It 1AS 'een +utile to demand escape +rom sin and pain o+ ,hat ,as made to ser*e the +unction o+ RETAI2I2" sin and pain- 3or pain and sin are O2E illusion# as are hate and +ear# attac: and guilt 'ut one- 4here they are causeless# their e++ects ARE gone# and lo*e MUST come ,here*er they are not- 4hy are you not re@oicingE Bou ARE +ree o+ pain and sic:ness# misery and loss# and A!! e++ects o+ hatred and attac:- 2o more is pain your +riend and guilt your god# and you should 4E!COME the e++ects o+ lo*eBour "uest 1AS come- Bou as:ed 1im# and 1e came- Bou did not hear 1im enter# +or you did not ,holly ,elcome 1im- And yet 1is gi+ts came ,ith 1im- 1e has laid them at your +eet# and as:s you no, that you ,ill loo: on them# and ta:e them +or your o,n1e 2EE(S your help in gi*ing them to all ,ho ,al: apart# 'elie*ing they are separate and alone- They 4I!! 'e healed ,hen you accept your gi+ts# 'ecause your "uest ,ill ,elcome e*eryone ,hose +eet ha*e touched the holy ground ,hereon you stand# and ,here 1is gi+ts +or them are laidBou do not see ho, much you no, can "IHE# 'ecause o+ e*erything you ha*e recei*ed- Bet 1e 4ho entered in 'ut ,aits +or BOU to come ,here you in*ited 1IM to 'e- There is no other place ,here 1e can +ind 1is host# nor ,here 1is host can meet ,ith 1im- And no,here else 1is gi+ts o+ peace and @oy# and all the happiness 1is resence 'rings# can 'e o'tained- 3or they are ,here 1e is that 'rought them ,ith 1im# that they might 'e yours- Bou cannot see your "uest# 'ut you CA2 see the gi+ts 1e 'roughtAnd ,hen you !OOL on them# you ,ill 'elie*e 1is resence MUST 'e there- 3or ,hat you no, can do could not BE done ,ithout the lo*e and grace 1is resence holds-

667

Such is the promise o+ the lo*ing "odP 1is Son ha*e li+e and e*ery li*ing thing 'e part o+ him# and nothing else has li+e- 4hat BOU ha*e )gi*en. li+e is 2OT ali*e# and sym'oli9es 'ut your ,ish to 'e ali*e A ART +rom li+e# ali*e in death# ,ith death percei*ed as li+e# and li*ing# death- Con+usion +ollo,s on con+usion here# +or O2 con+usion has this ,orld 'een 'ased# and there is nothing else it rests upon- Its 'asis does not change# although it SEEMS to 'e in constant change- But ,hat is that e<cept the state con+usion really MEA2SE Sta'ility to those ,ho are con+used is meaningless- And shi+t and change 'ecome the la, on ,hich they predicate their li*esThe 'ody does not change- It represents the larger dream that change is OSSIB!ETo change is to attain a state unli:e the one in ,hich you +ound yoursel+ 'e+oreThere IS no change in immortality# and 1ea*en :no,s it not- Bet here on earth# it has a dou'le purpose# +or it can 'e made to teach opposing things- And they re+lect the teacher ,ho is teaching them- The 'ody can A EAR to change ,ith time# ,ith sic:ness or ,ith health# and ,ith e*ents that seem to alter it- And this 'ut means the mind remains unchanged in its 'elie+ o+ ,hat the UR OSE o+ the 'ody is> 68% >

Sic:ness is a demand the 'ody 'e a thing that it is not- Its 2OT1I2"2ESS is guarantee that it can 2OT 'e sic:- In your demand that it 'e MORE than this lies the idea o+ sic:ness3or it as:s that "od 'e !ESS than all 1e really is- 4hat# then# 'ecomes o+ BOU# +or it IS you o+ ,hom the sacri+ice is as:edE 3or 1e is told that part o+ him BE!O2"S to 1im no longer- 1e must sacri+ice your sel+# and in 1is sacri+ice are BOU made more# and 1e is lessened 'y the loss o+ you- And ,hat is "O2E +rom 1im 'ecomes your god# ROTECTI2" you +rom 'eing part o+ 1imThe 'ody that is as:ed to 'e a god 4I!! 'e attac:ed# 'ecause its nothingness has not 'een recogni9ed- And so it seems to 'e a thing ,ith po,er I2 ITSE!3- As something# it CA2 'e percei*ed and thought to +eel and act# and hold you in its grasp as prisoner to itsel+- And it CA2 +ail to 'e ,hat you demanded that it 'e- And you 4I!! hate it +or its littleness# unmind+ul that the +ailure does not lie in that it is not MORE than it should 'e# 'ut O2!B in BOUR +ailure to percei*e that it is nothing- Bet its nothingness IS your sal*ation# +rom ,hich you ,ould +leeAs something is the 'ody as:ed to 'e "od=s enemy# replacing ,hat 1e is ,ith

668

littleness and limit and despair- It is 1IS loss you cele'rate ,hen you 'ehold the 'ody as a thing you lo*e# or loo: upon it as a thing you hate- 3or i+ 1e 'e the sum o+ e*erything# then ,hat is 2OT in 1im does not e<ist# and 1is completion IS its nothingness- Bour Sa*iour is 2OT dead# nor does he d,ell in ,hat ,as 'uilt as temple unto death- 1e li*es in "od# and it is this that ma:es him Sa*iour unto BOU# and O2!B this- 1is 'ody=s nothingness releases yours +rom sic:ness and +rom death- 3or ,hat is yours cannot 'e more 2OR less than ,hat is hisCondemn your Sa*iour not 'ecause he thin:s he is a 'ody- 3or 'eyond his dreams is his reality- But he must learn he is a Sa*iour +irst# 'e+ore he can remem'er ,hat he isAnd he must sa*e ,ho ,ould BE sa*ed- On sa*ing BOU depends his happiness3or ,ho is Sa*iour# 'ut the one ,ho "IHES sal*ationE Thus he learns it must 'e his to gi*eU2!ESS he gi*es# he ,ill not :no, he 1AS# +or gi*ing is the proo+ o+ ha*ing- Only those ,ho thin: that "od is lessened 'y their strength could +ail to understand this must 'e so3or ,ho COU!( gi*e unless he has# and ,ho could lose 'y gi*ing ,hat must 'e I2CREASE( there'yE Thin: you the 3ather !OST 1imsel+ ,hen 1e created youE 4as 1E made ,ea: 'ecause 1e shared 1is !o*eE 4as 1e made incomplete 'y BOUR per+ectionE Or are you the proo+ that 1e IS per+ect and completeE (eny 1im not 1is ,itness in the dream 1is Son pre+ers to his reality- 1e must 'e Sa*iour 3ROM the dream he made# that he 'e +ree o+ it- 1e must see someone E!SE as 2OT a 'ody# one ,ith him# ,ithout the ,all the ,orld has 'uilt to :eep apart all li*ing things ,ho :no, not that they li*e- 4ithin the dream o+ 'odies and o+ death# is yet one theme o+ truthP no more# perhaps# than @ust a tiny spar:# a space o+ light created in the dar:# ,here "od shines stillBou cannot ,a:e yoursel+- But you can !ET yoursel+ 'e ,a:ened- Bou can o*erloo: your 'rother=s dreams- So per+ectly can you +orgi*e him his illusions# he 'ecomes your Sa*iour +rom BOUR dreams- And as you see him shining in the space o+ light ,here "od
> 68& >

a'ides ,ithin the dar:ness# you ,ill see that "od 1imsel+ is ,here his 'ody isBe+ore this light the 'ody disappears# as hea*y shado,s MUST gi*e ,ay to light- The dar:ness cannot C1OOSE that it remain- The coming o+ the light MEA2S it is gone- In glory ,ill

669

you see your 'rother then# and understand ,hat REA!!B +ills the gap so long percei*ed as :eeping you apartThere# in its place# "od=s 4itness has set +orth the gentle ,ay o+ :indness to "od=s Son- 4hom you +orgi*e is "IHE2 po,er to +orgi*e you your illusions- By your gi+t o+ +reedom is it gi*en unto BOU- Ma:e ,ay +or lo*e ,hich you did not create# 'ut ,hich you CA2 e<tend- On earth this means +orgi*e your 'rother# that the dar:ness may 'e li+ted +rom BOUR mind- 4hen light has come to him through your +orgi*eness# he ,ill not +orget his Sa*iour# lea*ing him unsa*ed- 3or it ,as in BOUR +ace he sa, the light that he ,ould :eep 'eside him# as he ,al:s through dar:ness to the e*erlasting !ight1o, holy are you# that the Son o+ "od can 'e your Sa*iour in the midst o+ dreams o+ desolation and disaster- See ho, eagerly he comes# and steps aside +rom hea*y shado,s that ha*e hidden him# and shines on you in gratitude and lo*e- 1e is himsel+# 'ut not himsel+ alone- And as his 3ather lost not part o+ 1im in your creation# so the light in him is 'righter still# 'ecause you ga*e your light to him# to sa*e him +rom the dar:- And no, the light in you must 'e as 'right as shines in him- This is the spar: that shines ,ithin the dreamP that you can help him ,a:en# and 'e sure his ,a:ing eyes ,ill rest upon you +irst# and in his glad sal*ation BOU are sa*ed(o you 'elie*e that truth can 'e 'ut SOME illusionsE They are dreams BECAUSE they are not true- Their EDUA! lac: o+ truth 'ecomes the 'asis +or the miracle# ,hich MEA2S that you ha*e understood that dreams are dreamsP and that escape depends# 2OT on the dream# 'ut O2!B on a,a:ing- COU!( it 'e some dreams are LE T# and others 4ALE2E( 3ROME The choice is 2OT 'et,een ,hich dreams to :eep# 'ut O2!B i+ you ,ant to li*e in dreams or to a,a:en +rom them- Thus it is the miracle does not select SOME dreams to lea*e untouched 'y its 'ene+icence- Bou cannot dream some dreams and ,a:e +rom some# +or you are either sleeping OR a,a:e- And dreaming goes ,ith only O2E o+ theseThe dreams you T1I2L you li:e ,ould hold you 'ac: as much as those in ,hich the +ear is seen- 3or EHERB dream is 'ut a dream o+ +ear# no matter ,hat the +orm it seems to ta:e- The +ear is seen ,ithin# ,ithout# or 'oth- Or it can 'e disguised in pleasant +orm- But ne*er is it ABSE2T +rom the dream# +or +ear is the material o+ dreams# +rom ,hich they A!! are made- Their +orm can change# 'ut they cannot 'e MA(E o+ something else- The miracle ,ere treacherous indeed i+ it allo,ed you still to 'e a+raid# 'ecause you did not RECO"2IUE the +ear- Bou ,ould not then 'e 4I!!I2" to a,a:e# +or ,hich the

670

miracle prepares the ,ayIn simplest +orm# it can 'e said attac: is a response to +unction un+ul+illed AS BOU ERCEIHE T1E 3U2CTIO2- It can 'e in you or someone else# 'ut ,here it is percei*ed# it ,ill 'e there it is attac:ed- (epression or assault must 'e the theme o+ e*ery dream# +or they are made o+ +ear- The thin disguise o+ pleasure and o+ @oy in ,hich they may 'e
> 68$ >

,rapped 'ut slightly *eils the hea*y lump o+ +ear ,hich is their core- And it is T1IS the miracle percei*es# and 2OT the ,rappings in ,hich it is 'ound- 4hen you are angry# is it not 'ecause someone has +ailed to +ill the +unction you allotted himE And does not T1IS 'ecome the )reason. your attac: is @usti+iedE The dreams you T1I2L you li:e are those in ,hich the +unctions BOU ha*e gi*en ha*e 'een +illedP the needs ,hich BOU ascri'e to you are met- It does not matter i+ they 'e +ul+illed# or merely ,anted- It is the idea that they EXIST +rom ,hich the +ears arise(reams are not ,anted more or less- They are desired or not- And each one represents some +unction ,hich you ha*e assignedP some goal ,hich an e*ent# or 'ody# or a thing S1OU!( represent# and S1OU!( achie*e +or you- I+ it succeeds# you thin: you !ILE the dream- I+ it should +ail# you thin: the dream is sad- But ,hether it succeeds or +ails is not its core# 'ut @ust the +limsy co*ering1o, happy ,ould your dreams 'ecome# i+ you ,ere 2OT the one ,ho ga*e the )proper. role to e*ery +igure that the dream contains- 2o>one can +ail 'ut your I(EA o+ him# and there IS no 'etrayal BUT o+ this- The core o+ dreams the 1oly Spirit gi*es is 2EHER one o+ +ear- The co*erings may not appear to change# 'ut ,hat they MEA2 has changed BECAUSE they co*er something else- erceptions are determined 'y their purpose# in that they seem to BE ,hat they are 3OR- A shado, +igure ,ho attac:s 'ecomes a 'rother gi*ing you a chance to help# i+ this 'ecomes the 3U2CTIO2 o+ the dreamAnd dreams o+ sadness thus are turned to @oy4hat is your 'rother 3ORE Bou do not :no,# 'ecause BOUR +unction is o'scure to you- (o 2OT ascri'e a role to him ,hich you imagine ,ould 'ring happiness to youAnd do not try to hurt him# ,hen he +ails to ta:e the part ,hich you assigned to him in ,hat you dream your li+e ,as meant to 'e- 1e as:s +or help in e*ery dream he has# and you ha*e 1elp to gi*e him i+ you see the 3U2CTIO2 o+ the dream as 1e percei*es its

671

+unction# 4ho can utili9e all dreams as means to ser*e the 3unction gi*en 1imBecause 1e lo*es the dreamer# 2OT the dream# each dream 'ecomes an o++ering o+ lo*e- 3or at its center is 1is !o*e +or you# ,hich lights 41ATEHER +orm it ta:es ,ith lo*eThere is a place in you ,here this ,hole ,orld has 'een +orgotten- 4here no memory o+ sin and o+ illusion linger still- There is a place in you ,hich time has le+t# and echoes o+ eternity are heard- There is a resting place so still no sound e<cept a hymn to 1ea*en rises up to gladden "od the 3ather and the Son- 4here 'oth a'ide are They remem'ered 'oth- And ,here They are is 1ea*en and is peace- Thin: not that you can change Their d,elling place- 3or your Identity a'ides in Them# and ,here They are# +ore*er must BOU 'eThe changelessness o+ 1ea*en is in you# so deep ,ithin that nothing in this ,orld 'ut passes 'y# unnoticed and unseen- The still in+inity o+ endless peace surrounds you gently in its so+t em'race# so strong and ?uiet# tran?uil in the might o+ its Creator# nothing can intrude upon the sacred Son o+ "od ,ithin- 1ere is the role the 1oly Spirit gi*es to you ,ho ,ait upon the Son o+ "od# and ,ould 'ehold him ,a:en and 'e gladF 1e is a part o+ you# and you o+ him# BECAUSE he is his 3ather=s Son# and not +or A2B purpose
> 688 >

you may see in him- 2othing is as:ed o+ you 'ut to ACCE T the Changeless and Eternal that a'ide in him# +or BOUR Identity is thereThe peace in you CA2 'ut 'e +ound in him- And e*ery thought o+ lo*e you o++er him 'ut 'rings you nearer to your ,a:ening to peace eternal and to endless @oy- This sacred Son o+ "od is li:e yoursel+P the mirror o+ his 3ather=s !o*e +or you# the so+t reminder o+ his 3ather=s !o*e 'y ,hich he ,as created# and ,hich still a'ides in him# as It a'ides in you- Be *ery still# and hear "od=s Hoice in him# and let It tell you ,hat his +unction is1e ,as created that BOU might 'e ,hole# +or only the complete can 'e a part o+ "od=s Completion# 4hich created youThere is no gi+t the 3ather as:s o+ you 'ut that you see in all creation 'ut the shining glory o+ 1is "i+t to you- Behold 1is Son# 1is per+ect gi+t# in ,hom his 3ather shines +ore*er# and to ,hom is all creation gi*en as his o,n- BECAUSE he has it is it gi*en you# and ,here it lies in him 'ehold BOUR peace- The ?uiet that surrounds you d,ells in him# and 3ROM this ?uiet come the happy dreams in ,hich your hands are @oined in

672

innocence- These are not hands that grasp in dreams o+ pain- They hold no s,ord# +or they ha*e le+t their hold on e*ery *ain illusion o+ the ,orld- And# 'eing empty# they recei*ed instead a 'rother=s hand in ,hich completeness layI+ you 'ut :ne, the glorious goal that lies 'eyond +orgi*eness# you ,ould not :eep hold on any thought# ho,e*er light the touch o+ e*il on it may appear to 'e- 3or you ,ould understand ho, great the cost o+ holding anything "od did not gi*e in minds that can direct the hand to 'less# and lead "od=s Son unto his 3ather=s house- 4ould you not 4A2T to 'e a +riend to him# created 'y his 3ather as 1is homeE I+ "od esteems him ,orthy o+ 1imsel+# ,ould BOU attac: him ,ith the hands o+ hateE 4ho ,ould lay 'loody hands on 1ea*en itsel+# and hope to +ind its peaceE Bour 'rother thin:s he holds the hand o+ death- Belie*e him not- But learn# instead# ho, 'lessed are you ,ho can release him# @ust 'y o++ering him yoursA dream is gi*en you in ,hich he is your Sa*iour# 2OT your enemy in hate- A dream is gi*en you in ,hich you ha*e +orgi*en him +or all his dreams o+ deathP a dream o+ hope you S1ARE ,ith him# instead o+ dreaming e*il separate dreams o+ hate- 4hy does it seem so hard to share this dreamE Because# unless the 1oly Spirit gi*es the dream its +unction# it ,as made +or hate# and ,ill continue in death=s ser*ices- Each +orm it ta:es in some ,ay calls +or death- And those ,ho ser*e the lord o+ death ha*e come to ,orship in a separated ,orld# each ,ith his tiny spear and rusted s,ord# to :eep his ancient promises to dieSuch is the core o+ +ear in e*ery dream that has 'een :ept apart +rom use 'y 1im 4ho sees a di++erent +unction +or a dream- 4hen dreams are S1ARE(# they lose the +unction o+ attac: and separation# e*en though it ,as +or this that e*ery dream ,as madeBet nothing in the ,orld o+ dreams remains ,ithout the hope o+ change and 'etterment# +or here is 2OT ,here changelessness is +ound- !et us 'e glad indeed that this is so# and see: not the eternal in this ,orld- 3orgi*ing dreams are means to step aside +rom dreaming
> 68G >

o+ a ,orld OUTSI(E yoursel+- And leading +inally 'eyond A!! dreams# unto the peace o+ e*erlasting li+e1o, ,illing are you to +orgi*e your 'rotherE 1o, much do you desire peace# instead o+ endless stri+e and misery and painE These ?uestions are the same# in di++erent +orm3orgi*eness IS your peace# +or herein lies the end o+ separation# and the dream o+ danger and destruction# sin and deathP o+ madness and o+ murder# grie+ and loss- This is the

673

)sacri+ice. sal*ation as:s# and gladly o++ers peace I2STEA( o+ this- S,ear not to die# thou holy Son o+ "odO Bou ma:e a 'argain that you cannot :eep- The Son o+ !i+e cannot BE :illed- 1e is immortal as his 3ather- 4hat he is cannot 'e changed- 1e is the only thing in all the uni*erse that MUST 'e One4hat SEEMS eternal all ,ill ha*e an end- The stars ,ill disappear# and night and day ,ill 'e no more- All things that come and go# the tides# the seasons# and the li*es o+ manP all things that change ,ith time and 'loom and +ade# ,ill not return- 4here time has set an end is not ,here the Eternal is- "od=s Son can ne*er change 'y ,hat man made o+ him- 1e ,ill 'e as he ,as# and as he is# +or time appointed not his destiny# nor sets the hour o+ his 'irth and death- 3orgi*eness ,ill not change him- But time ,aits upon +orgi*eness# that the things o+ time may disappear 'ecause they ha*e no use2othing sur*i*es its purpose- I+ it 'e concei*ed to die# then die it must# unless it does not ta:e this purpose as its o,n- Change is the only thing that can 'e made a 'lessing here# ,here purpose is 2OT +i<ed# ho,e*er changeless it A EARS to 'e- Thin: not that BOU can set a goal unli:e "od=s urpose 3OR you# and esta'lish it as changeless and eternal- Bou CA2 gi*e yoursel+ a purpose that you do not ha*e- But you can 2OT remo*e the o,er to change your mind# and see A2OT1ER purpose there- Change is the gi+t "od 1e ga*e to all that BOU ,ould ma:e eternal# to ensure that O2!B 1ea*en ,ould not pass a,ayBou ,ere 2OT 'orn to die- Bou CA22OT change# 'ecause your 3unction 1AS 'een +i<ed 'y "od- All other goals are set in time# and change that time might 'e preser*ed# EXCE TI2" O2E- 3orgi*eness does not aim at LEE I2" time# 'ut at its ending# ,hen it has no use- Its purpose ended# it is gone- And ,here it once held seeming s,ay is no, restored the 3unction "od esta'lished +or 1is Son in +ull a,areness- Time can set no end to Its +ul+illment# nor Its changelessness- There is no death# 'ecause the li*ing share the 3unction their Creator ga*e to them- !i+e=s +unction CA22OT 'e to die- It must 'e li+e=s EXTE2SIO2# that it 'e as One +ore*er and +ore*er# 4IT1OUT endThis ,orld ,ill 'ind your +eet and tie your hands and :ill your 'ody# O2!B i+ you

674

thin: that it ,as made to cruci+y "od=s Son- 3or e*en though it 4AS a dream o+ death# you need not let it stand +or this to you- !et T1IS 'e changed# and nothing in the ,orld 'ut MUST 'e changed as ,ell- 3or nothing here 'ut is de+ined as ,hat you see it 3OR1o, lo*ely is the ,orld ,hose purpose is +orgi*eness o+ "od=s SonO 1o, +ree +rom +ear# ho, +illed ,ith 'lessing and ,ith happinessO And ,hat a @oyous thing it is to d,ell a little ,hile in such a happy placeO 2or CA2 it 'e +orgot# in such a ,orld# it IS a little ,hile ;til timelessness comes ?uietly to ta:e the place o+ time> 686 >

See: not outside yoursel+- 3or it ,ill +ail# and you ,ill ,eep each time an idol +alls1ea*en cannot 'e +ound ,here it is not# and there can 'e no peace EXCE TI2" thereEach idol that you ,orship ,hen "od calls ,ill ne*er ans,er in 1is place- There IS no other ans,er you can su'stitute# and +ind the happiness 1is Ans,er 'rings- See: not outside yoursel+- 3or all your pain comes simply +rom a +utile search +or ,hat you ,ant# insisting 41ERE it must 'e +ound- 4hat i+ it is not thereE (o you pre+er that you 'e right or happyE Be you glad that you are told ,here happiness a'ides# and see: no longer else,here- Bou ,ill +ailBut it is gi*en you to :no, the truth# and 2OT to see: +or it outside yoursel+- 2o>one ,ho comes here 'ut must still ha*e hope# some lingering illusion# or some dream that there is something OUTSI(E o+ himsel+ that ,ill 'ring happiness and peace to him- I+ e*erything is I2 him# this cannot 'e so- And there+ore# BB his coming# he denies the truth a'out himsel+# and see:s +or something MORE than e*erything# as i+ a part o+ it ,ere separated o++# and +ound ,here all the REST o+ it is 2OT- This is the purpose he 'esto,s upon the 'odyP that it see: +or ,hat he lac:s# and gi*e him ,hat ,ould ma:e himsel+ completeAnd thus he ,anders aimlessly a'out# in search o+ something that he cannot +ind# 'elie*ing him to 'e ,hat he is not- The lingering illusion ,ill impel him to see: out a thousand idols# and to see: 'eyond them +or a thousand more- And each ,ill +ail him# all e<cepting oneP +or he ,ill die# and does not understand the idol that he see:s IS 'ut his death- Its 3ORM appears to 'e outside himsel+- Bet does he see: to :ill "od=s Son ,ithin# and ROHE that he is *ictor o*er him- This is the purpose EHERB idol has# +or this the role that is assigned to it# and this the role that cannot BE +ul+illed4hene*er you attempt to reach a goal in ,hich the 'ody=s 'etterment is cast as

675

ma@or 'ene+iciary# you try to 'ring a'out your death- 3or you 'elie*e that you can su++er lac:# and lac: IS death- To sacri+ice is to "IHE U # and thus to 'e ,ithout# and to ha*e su++ered loss- And# BB this gi*ing up is li+e renounced- See: not outside yoursel+The search implies you are not ,hole ,ithin# and +ear to loo: upon your de*astation# and pre+er to see: outside yoursel+ +or ,hat you are- Idols must +all BECAUSE they ha*e no li+e# and ,hat is li+eless IS a sign o+ death- Bou came to die# and ,hat ,ould you e<pect# 'ut to ERCEIHE the signs o+ death you see:E 2o sadness and no su++ering proclaims a message OT1ER than an idol +ound that represents a parody o+ li+e ,hich# in its li+elessness# is really death# concei*ed as real and gi*en li*ing +orm- Bet each must +ail and crum'le and decay# 'ecause a +orm o+ death cannot BE li+e# and ,hat is sacri+iced cannot BE ,holeAll idols o+ this ,orld ,ere made to :eep the truth ,ithin +rom 'eing :no,n to you# and to maintain allegiance to the dream that you must +ind ,hat is OUTSI(E yoursel+ to 'e complete and happy- It is *ain to ,orship idols in the hope o+ peace- "od d,ells ,ithin# and your completion lies in 1im- 2o idol ta:es 1is place- !oo: not to idols- (o not see: outside yoursel+> 68J >

!et us +orget the purpose o+ the ,orld the past has gi*en it- 3or other,ise# the +uture 4I!! 'e li:e the past# and 'ut a series o+ depressing dreams# in ,hich all idols +ail you# one 'y one# and you see death and disappointment e*ery,here- To change all this# and open up a road o+ hope and o+ release in ,hat appeared to 'e an endless circle o+ despair# you need 'ut to decide you do not L2O4 the purpose o+ the ,orld- Bou "IHE it goals it does not ha*e# and thus do BOU decide ,hat it is +or- Bou try to see in it a place o+ idols# +ound outside yoursel+# ,ith po,er to ma:e complete ,hat is ,ithin 'y splitting ,hat you are BET4EE2 the t,oBou C1OOSE your dreams# +or they are ,hat you ,ish# percei*ed AS I3 it had 'een gi*en you- And idols do ,hat you ,ould ha*e them do# and 1AHE the po,er you ascri'e to them- And you pursue them *ainly in the dream# 'ecause you ,ant their po,er as your o,n- Bet ,here ARE dreams# 'ut in a mind asleepE And CA2 a dream succeed in ma:ing real the pictures it pro@ects outside itsel+E Sa*e time# my 'rothers# !earn ,hat time is 3OR- And speed the end o+ idols in a ,orld made sad and sic: 'y seeing idols there- Bour holy minds are altars unto "od# and ,here 1e is 2O idols can a'ideThe +ear o+ "od is 'ut the +ear o+ loss o+ idols- It is 2OT the +ear o+ loss o+ your

676

reality- But BOU ha*e made o+ your reality an idol# ,hich you must protect A"AI2ST the light o+ truth- And all the ,orld 'ecomes the means 'y ,hich this idol can 'e sa*edSal*ation thus appears to T1REATE2 li+e# and o++er death- It is not so- Sal*ation see:s to pro*e there IS no death# and O2!B li+e e<ists- The sacri+ice o+ death is 2OT1I2" lost- An idol CA22OT ta:e the place o+ "od- !et 1im remind you o+ 1is !o*e +or you# and do not see: to dro,n 1is Hoice in chants o+ deep despair to idols o+ yoursel+- See: not outside your 3ather +or your hope- 3or hope o+ happiness is 2OT despair4hat is an idolE (o you thin: you :no,E 3or idols are unrecogni9ed as such# and ne*er seen +or ,hat they really are- That is the only po,er ,hich they ha*e- Their purpose is o'scure# and they are +eared# and ,orshipped# 'oth# BECAUSE you do not :no, ,hat they are +or# and ,hy they ha*e 'een made- An idol is an image o+ your 'rother# ,hich you ,ould *alue MORE than ,hat he IS- Idols are made that 1E may 'e replaced# no matter ,hat their +orm- And it is this ,hich 2EHER is percei*ed and recogni9ed- Be it a 'ody or a thing# a place# a situation or a circumstance# an o'@ect o,ned or ,anted# or a right demanded or achie*ed# it is the same!et not their +orm decei*e you- Idols are 'ut su'stitutes +or your reality- In some ,ay you 'elie*e they ,ill complete your little sel+# +or sa+ety in a ,orld percei*ed as dangerous# ,ith +orces massed against your con+idence and peace o+ mind- They ha*e the po,er to supply your lac:s# and add the *alue ,hich you do not ha*e- 2o>one 'elie*es in idols ,ho has not ensla*ed himsel+ to littleness and loss- And thus must see: 'eyond his little sel+ +or strength to raise his head# and stand apart +rom all the misery the ,orld re+lectsThis is the penalty +or loo:ing not ,ithin +or certainty# And +or a ?uiet calm ,hich li'erates you 3ROM the ,orld# and lets you stand apart in ?uiet and in peace unlimited> 687 >

An idol is a +alse impression# or a +alse 'elie+P some +orm o+ antiChrist ,hich constitutes a gap BET4EE2 the Christ and ,hat you see- An idol is a ,ish# made tangi'le and gi*en +orm# and thus percei*ed as real# and seen OUTSI(E the mind- Bet they remain ideas# and CA22OT lea*e the mind that is their source- 2or is their +orm apart +rom the idea it

677

represents- All +orms o+ antiChrist oppose the Christ- And +all 'e+ore 1is 3ace li:e a dar: *eil ,hich SEEMS to shut you o++ +rom 1im# alone in dar:ness- Bet the light is thereA cloud does not put out the sun- 2o more a *eil can 'anish ,hat it seems to separate# nor dar:en 'y one ,hit the !ight Itsel+This ,orld o+ idols IS a *eil across the 3ace o+ Christ# BECAUSE its purpose is to separate your 'rother +rom yoursel+- A dar: and +ear+ul purpose# yet a thought ,ithout the po,er to change one 'lade o+ grass +rom something li*ing to a sign o+ death- Its +orm is no,here# +or its source a'ides ,ithin your mind# ,here "od a'ideth not- 4here IS this place# ,here 41AT is e*ery,here has 'een e<cluded# and 'een :ept apartE 4hat hand could 'e held up to 'loc: "od=s ,ayP ,hose *oice could ma:e demand 1e enter notE The )more>than>e*erything. is 2OT a thing to ma:e you trem'le and to ?uail in +earChrist=s enemy is no,here- 1e can ta:e 2O +orm in ,hich he EHER ,ill 'e real4hat is an idolE 2othingO It must 'e 'elie*ed BE3ORE it seems to come to li+e# and "IHE2 po,er that it may 'e +eared- Its li+e and po,er are its 'elie*er=s gi+t# and this is ,hat the miracle restores to ,hat 1AS li+e and po,er ,orthy o+ the gi+t o+ 1ea*en and eternal peace- The miracle does not restore the truth# the light the *eil 'et,een has 2OT put out- It merely !I3TS the *eil# and !ETS the truth shine unencum'ered# 'eing ,hat It is- It does not 2EE( 'elie+ to 'e Itsel+# +or It 1AS BEE2 created# so It IS- An idol is ESTAB!IS1E( 'y 'elie+# and ,hen it is ,ithdra,n# the idol )dies-. This is the antiChristP the strange idea there is a po,er AST omnipotence# a place BEBO2( the in+inite# a time transcending the eternal- 1ere the ,orld o+ idols has 'een set 'y the idea this po,er and place and time are gi*en +orm# and shape the ,orld ,here the impossi'le has happened- 1ere the deathless come to dieP the all>encompassing to su++er lossP the timeless to 'e made the sla*es o+ time- 1ere does the changeless changeP the peace o+ "od# +ore*er gi*en to all li*ing things# gi*e ,ay to chaos- And the Son o+ "od# as per+ect# sinless# and as lo*ing as his 3ather# come to hate a little ,hileP to su++er pain# and +inally to die41ERE is an idolE 2o,hereO Can there 'e a gap in ,hat is in+inite# a place ,here time can I2TERRU T eternityE A place o+ dar:ness set ,here all is light# a dismal alco*e

678

separated o++ +rom ,hat is endless# 1AS no place to 'e- An idol is 'eyond ,here "od has set all things +ore*er# and has le+t no room +or anything EXCE T 1is 4ill to 'e2othing and no,here MUST an idol 'e# ,hile "od is e*erything and e*ery,here- 4hat purpose has an idol# thenE 4hat is it 3ORE This is the only ?uestion ,hich has many ans,ers# each depending on the one o+ ,hom the ?uestion has 'een as:edThe ,orld BE!IEHES in idols- 2o>one comes unless he ,orshipped them# and still attempts to see: +or one that yet might o++er him a gi+t reality does 2OT containEach ,orshipper o+ idols har'ors hope his S ECIA! deities ,ill gi*e him MORE than other
> 68K >

men possess- It MUST 'e )more-. It does not really matter more o+ ,hatP more 'eauty# more intelligence# more ,ealthP or e*en more a++liction and more pain- But MORE o+ SOMET1I2" is an idol 3OR- And ,hen one +ails another ta:es its place# ,ith hope o+ +inding more o+ something E!SE- Be not decei*ed 'y +orms the )something. ta:esAn idol is a means +or getting MORE- And it is T1IS that is against "od=s 4ill"od has not many sons# 'ut only One- 4ho can ha*e more# and ,ho 'e gi*en lessE In 1ea*en ,ould the Son o+ "od 'ut laugh# i+ idols could intrude upon his peace- It is +or 1IM the 1oly Spirit spea:s# and tells you idols 1AHE no purpose here- 3or MORE than 1ea*en can you ne*er ha*e- I+ 1ea*en is ,ithin ,hy ,ould you see: +or idols ,hich ,ould ma:e o+ 1ea*en less# to gi*e you MORE than "od 'esto,ed upon your 'rother A2( on you# as One ,ith 1imE "od "AHE you all there is- And to 'e sure you could not lose it# did 1e A!SO gi*e the same to e*ery li*ing thing as ,ell- And thus IS e*ery li*ing thing a part o+ you as o+ 1imsel+- 2o idol can esta'lish you as MORE than "od- But BOU ,ill ne*er 'e content ,ith 'eing !ESSThe sla*e o+ idols is a 4I!!I2" sla*e- 3or ,illing he MUST 'e# to let himsel+ 'o, do,n in ,orship to ,hat has no li+e# and see: +or po,er in the po,erless- 4hat happened to the holy Son o+ "od# that this could BE his ,ishP to let himsel+ +all lo,er than the stones upon the ground# and loo: to idols that they raise him upE 1ear# then# your story in the dream you made# and as: yoursel+ i+ it 'e not the truth that you 'elie*e that it is 2OT a dreamF A dream o+ @udgment came into the mind that "od created per+ect as 1imsel+- And in that dream ,as 1ea*en changed to hell# and "od made enemy unto 1is Son-

679

1o, can "od=s Son A4ALE2 +rom the dreamE It is a dream o+ @udgment- So must he @udge 2OT# and he 4I!! ,a:en- 3or the dream ,ill seem to last ,hile he is ART o+ itJudge not# +or he ,ho @udges 4I!! ha*e need o+ idols# ,hich ,ill hold the @udgment o++ +rom resting on himsel+- 2or CA2 he :no, the Sel+ he has condemned- Judge not# 'ecause you ma:e yoursel+ a ART o+ e*il dreams# ,here idols are your )true. identity# and your sal*ation +rom the @udgment laid# in terror and in guilt# upon yoursel+- All +igures in the dream are idols# made to sa*e you 3ROM the dream- Bet they are ART o+ ,hat they ha*e 'een made to sa*e you 3ROMThus does an idol LEE the dream ali*e and terri'le# +or ,ho ,ould ,ish +or one U2!ESS he ,ere in terror and despairE And this the idol RE RESE2TS# and so its ,orship IS the ,orship o+ despair and terror# and the dream +rom ,hich they come- Judgment is an I2@ustice to "od=s Son# and it IS @ustice that ,ho @udges 1IM ,ill not escape the penalty he laid upon 1IMSE!3 ,ithin the dream he made- "od :no,s o+ @usticeP 2OT o+ penalty- But in the dream o+ @udgment# you attac: and are condemned- And 4IS1 to 'e the sla*e o+ idols# ,ho are interposed BET4EE2 your @udgment and the penalty it 'ringsThere CA2 'e no sal*ation in the dream# as BOU are dreaming it- 3or idols MUST 'e part o+ it# to sa*e you +rom ,hat you 'elie*e you ha*e accomplished# and ha*e done to ma:e you sin+ul# and put out the !ight ,ithin you- !ittle children# It is there- Bou do 'ut dream# and idols are the toys you dream you play ,ith- 4ho has need o+ toys 'ut childrenE
> 685 >

They pretend they rule the ,orld# and gi*e their toys the po,er to mo*e a'out# and tal: and thin: and +eel# and spea: +or them- Bet e*erything their toys appear to do is in the minds o+ those ,ho play ,ith them- But they are eager to +orget that they made up the dream in ,hich their toys are real# and recogni9e their ,ishes are their o,n2ightmares are childish dreams- The toys ha*e turned against the child ,ho thought he made them real- Bet CA2 a dream attac:E Or CA2 a toy gro, large and dangerous and +ierce and ,ildE This does the child 'elie*e BECAUSE he +ears his thoughts# and gi*es them to his toys instead- And their reality 'ecomes his o,n# 'ecause they seem to SAHE

680

him +rom his thoughts- Bet do they LEE his thoughts ali*e and real# 'ut seen OUTSI(E himsel+# ,here they can turn against him +or his treachery to them- 1e thin:s he 2EE(S them that he may escape his thoughts# 'ecause he thin:s the T1OU"1TS are realAnd so he ma:es o+ A2BT1I2" a toy# to ma:e his ,orld remain outside himsel+# and play that 1E is 'ut a part o+ itThere is a time ,hen childhood should 'e passed and gone +ore*er- See: not to retain the toys o+ children- ut them all a,ay# +or you ha*e need o+ them no moreThe dream o+ @udgment is a children=s game# in ,hich the child 'ecomes the +ather# po,er+ul# 'ut ,ith the little ,isdom o+ a child- 4hat hurts him is destroyedP ,hat helps him# 'lessed- E<cept he @udges this as does a child# ,ho does not L2O4 ,hat hurts and ,hat ,ill heal- And 'ad things seem to happen# and he is a+raid o+ all the chaos in a ,orld he thin:s is go*erned 'y the la,s he made- Bet is the real ,orld una++ected 'y the ,orld he thin:s is real- 2or ha*e its la,s 'een changed 'ecause he did not understandThe real ,orld still is 'ut a dream- E<cept the +igures ha*e 'een changed- They are not seen as idols ,hich 'etray- It is a dream in ,hich no>one is used to su'stitute +or something else# or interposed 'et,een the thoughts the mind concei*es and ,hat it sees- 2o>one is used +or something he is not# +or childish things ha*e all 'een put a,ayAnd ,hat ,as once a dream o+ @udgment no, has changed into a dream ,here all is @oy# 'ecause that is the UR OSE that it has- Only +orgi*ing dreams can enter here# +or time is almost o*er- And the +orms ,hich enter in the dreams are no, percei*ed as 'rothers# not in @udgment# 'ut in lo*e3orgi*ing dreams ha*e little need to last- They are not made to separate the mind +rom ,hat it thin:s- They do not see: to pro*e the dream is 'eing dreamed 'y someone E!SE- And in these dreams a melody is heard ,hich e*eryone remem'ers# though he has not heard it since 'e+ore all time 'egan- 3orgi*eness# once complete# 'rings timelessness so close the song o+ 1ea*en can 'e heard# not ,ith the ears# 'ut ,ith the holiness that ne*er le+t the altar ,hich a'ides +ore*er deep ,ithin the Son o+ "od- And ,hen he hears this song again# he :no,s he 2EHER heard it not- And ,here IS time# ,hen dreams o+ @udgment ha*e 'een put a,ayE

681

4hene*er you +eel +ear in any +orm# S and you ARE +ear+ul i+ you do not +eel a deep content# a certainty o+ help# a calm assurance 1ea*en goes ,ith you# S 'e sure you made an idol# and 'elie*e it ,ill 'etray you- 3or# 'eneath your hope that it ,ill sa*e you# lie the guilt and pain o+ sel+>'etrayal and uncertainty# so deep and 'itter that the dream cannot
> 6G% >

conceal completely all your sense o+ doom- Bour sel+>'etrayal MUST result in +ear# and +ear IS @udgment# leading surely to the +rantic search +or idols and +or death3orgi*ing dreams remind you that you li*e in sa+ety# and ha*e 2OT attac:ed yoursel+So do your childish terrors melt a,ay# and dreams 'ecome a sign that you ha*e made a ne, 'eginning# 2OT another try to ,orship idols# and to LEE attac:3orgi*ing dreams are :ind to e*eryone ,ho +igures in the dream- And so they 'ring the dreamer +ull release +rom dreams o+ +ear- 1e does not +ear his @udgment# +or he has @udged noone# nor has sought to 'e released T1ROU"1 @udgment +rom ,hat @udgment MUST impose- And all the ,hile he is remem'ering ,hat he +orgot ,hen @udgment seemed to 'e the ,ay to SAHE him +rom its penaltyMay $$# &5JK The )ne, 'eginning. no, 'ecomes the +ocus o+ the curriculum- The goal is clear# 'ut no, you need speci+ic methods +or attaining it- The speed 'y ,hich it can 'e reached depends on only thisP your ,illingness to practice e*ery step- Each one ,ill help a little# e*ery time it is attempted- And# together# they ,ill lead you 'oth +rom dreams o+ @udgment to +orgi*ing dreams# and out o+ pain and +ear- They are not ne, to you# 'ut they are more ideas than rules o+ thought to you as yet- So no, ,e need to practice them a,hile# until they are the rules 'y ,hich you li*e- 4e see: to ma:e them ha'its no,# so you ,ill ha*e them ready# and +or A2B needsRU!ES 3OR (ECISIO2 (ecisions are continuous- Bou do not al,ays :no, ,hen you are ma:ing themBut# ,ith a little practice in the ones you recogni9e# a set 'egins to +orm ,hich sees you through the rest- It is not ,ise to let yoursel+ 'ecome preoccupied ,ith e*ery step you ta:e- The proper set# adopted consciously each time you ,a:e# ,ill put you ,ell aheadAnd i+ you +ind resistance strong and dedication ,ea:# you are not ready- (O 2OT

682

3I"1T BOURSE!3- But thin: a'out the :ind o+ day you ,ant# and tell yoursel+ there IS a ,ay in ,hich this *ery day can happen @ust li:e that- Then try again to 1AHE the day you ,ant&- The outloo: starts ,ith thisF )Today I ,ill ma:e 2O decision 'y mysel+-. This means that you are choosing 2OT to 'e the @udge o+ ,hat to do- But it must A!SO mean you ,ill not @udge the situations ,here you ,ill 'e called upon to ma:e response- 3or i+ you @udge them# you 1AHE set the rules +or ho, you should react to them- And then A2OT1ER ans,er cannot BUT produce con+usion and uncertainty A2( 3EAR- This is your ma@or pro'lem no,- Bou still ma:e up your minds# and T1E2 decide to as: ,hat you should do- And ,hat you hear may not resol*e the pro'lem AS BOU SA4 IT 3IRST- This leads to +ear# 'ecause it contradicts ,hat you percei*e# and so you
> 6G& >

+eel attac:ed- A2( T1ERE3ORE A2"RB- There are rules 'y ,hich this ,ill not happenBut it does occur# at +irst# to e*eryone ,ho listens ,ell$- Throughout the day# at any time you thin: o+ it# and ha*e a ?uiet moment +or re+lection# tell yoursel+ again the :ind o+ day you ,antP the +eelings you ,ould ha*e# the things you 4A2T to happen# and the things you 4OU!( e<perience- And say# A+orC )I+ I ma:e no decision 'y mysel+# This is the day that ,ill 'e "IHE2 me-. These t,o procedures# practiced ,ell# ,ill ser*e to let you 'e directed 4IT1OUT +ear# +or opposition ,ill not 3IRST arise# and T1E2 'ecome a pro'lem in itsel+- But there ,ill still 'e times ,hen you ha*e @udged A!REA(B- 2o, the ans,er ,ill pro*o:e attac:# unless you ?uic:ly straighten out your mind to 4A2T an ans,er that ,ill ,or:- Be certain this has happened# i+ you +eel yoursel+ un,illing to sit 'y# and as: to ha*e the ans,er "IHE2 you- This means you 1AHE decided 'y yoursel+# A2( CA22OT SEE T1E DUESTIO2- 2o, you need a ?uic: restorati*e BE3ORE you as:8- Remem'er once again the day you ,ant# and recogni9e that something has occurred ,hich is not part o+ it- Then reali9e that you ha*e as:ed a ?uestion 'y yoursel+# and MUST ha*e set an ans,er in your terms- Then say# )I 1AHE no ?uestion- I +orgot ,hat to decide-. This cancels out the terms ,hich you ha*e set# and lets the A2S4ER sho, you ,hat the ?uestion MUST ha*e really 'een- Try to o'ser*e this rule ,ithout delay (ES ITE your opposition- 3or you ha*e A!REA(B gotten angry# and your +ear o+ 'eing ans,ered in a di++erent ,ay +rom ,hat BOUR *ersion o+ the ?uestion as:s ,ill gain momentum

683

until you 'elie*e the day you ,ant is one in ,hich you get BOUR ans,er to your ?uestionAnd you ,ill not get it# +or it ,ould destroy the day 'y ro''ing you o+ ,hat you REA!!B ,ant- This can 'e *ery hard to reali9e# ,hen once you ha*e decided 'y yoursel+ the rules ,hich ROMISE you a happy day- But these decisions still can 'e undone# 'y simple methods ,hich you CA2 acceptG- I+ you are so un,illing to recei*e you cannot e*en let your DUESTIO2 go# you can 'egin to change your mind ,ith thisF )At least I can decide I do not !ILE ,hat I +eel no,-. This much is o'*ious# and pa*es the ,ay +or the ne<t easy step# ,hich +ollo,s li:e this6- 1a*ing decided that you do not li:e the ,ay you +eel# ,hat could 'e easier than to continue ,ith > )And so I 1O E I ha*e 'een ,rong-. This ,or:s A"AI2ST the sense o+ opposition# and reminds you that help is not 'eing thrust upon you# 'ut is something that you ,ant and that you need BECAUSE you
> 6G$ >

do not li:e the ,ay you +eel- This tiny opening ,ill 'e enough to let you go ahead ,ith @ust a +e, more steps you need to !ET yoursel+ 'e helpedJ- 2o, you ha*e reached the turning point# 'ecause it has occurred to you that BOU ,ill gain# i+ ,hat you ha*e decided is 2OT so- Until this point is reached# you ,ill 'elie*e your happiness (E E2(S on 'eing right- But this much reason ha*e you no, attainedP BOU ,ould 'e 'etter o++ i+ you ,ere 4RO2"- This tiny grain o+ ,isdom ,ill su++ice to ta:e you +urther- Bou are 2OT coerced# 'ut merely hope to ha*e a thing you 4A2TAnd you can say in per+ect honesty# )I 4A2T another ,ay to loo: at this-. 2o, you ha*e changed your mind a'out the day# and ha*e REMEMBERE( ,hat you really ,ant- Its UR OSE has no longer 'een o'scured 'y the insane 'elie+ you ,ant it +or the goal o+ 'eing RI"1T ,hen you are 4RO2"- This is the REA(I2ESS +or as:ing 'rought to your a,areness# +or you CA22OT 'e in con+lict ,hen you as: +or ,hat you ,ant# and SEE that it is this +or ,hich you as:7- This +inal step is 'ut ac:no,ledgment o+ !ACL o+ opposition to 'e helped- It is a statement o+ an open mind# not certain yet# 'ut ,illing to 'e sho,nF ) erhaps there IS another ,ay to loo: at this4hat can I !OSE 'y as:ingE. Thus are you made ready +or a ?uestion that ma:es sense# and so the A2S4ER ,ill ma:e sense as ,ell- 2or ,ill you +ight A"AI2ST it# +or you see that it is BOU ,ho ,ill 'e

684

helped 'y itIt MUST 'e clear that it is easier to ha*e a happy day i+ you REHE2T unhappiness +rom entering at all- But this ta:es practice in the rules ,hich ,ill ROTECT you +rom the ra*ages o+ +ear- 4hen T1IS has 'een achie*ed# the sorry dream o+ @udgment has 3OREHER 'een undone- But# mean,hile# you ha*e need +or practicing the rules +or its undoing!et us# then# consider once again the *ery +irst o+ the decisions ,hich are o++ered here4e said you can 'egin a happy day ,ith the determination 2OT to ma:e decisions 'y yoursel+- This SEEMS to 'e a +ree decision in itsel+- And yet# you CA22OT ma:e decisions 'y yoursel+- The only ?uestion really is 4IT1 41AT you choose to ma:e them- That is really allThe +irst rule# then# is not coercion# 'ut a simple statement o+ a simple +act- Bou 4I!! not ma:e decisions 'y yoursel+ 41ATEHER you decide- 3or they are made ,ith idols or ,ith "od- And you as: help o+ Christ or antiChrist# and ,hich you choose 4I!! @oin ,ith you# and tell you ,hat to doBour day is 2OT at random- It is set 'y ,hat you choose to li*e it 4IT1# and 1O4 the +riend ,hose counsel you ha*e sought percei*es your happiness- Bou A!4ABS as: ad*ice 'e+ore you can decide on A2BT1I2"- !et T1IS 'e understood# and you can see there cannot BE coercion here# nor grounds +or opposition that you may 'e +reeThere IS no +reedom +rom ,hat must occur- And i+ you thin: there is# you MUST 'e ,rong> 6G8 >

The second rule as ,ell is 'ut a +act- 3or you and your ad*isor must A"REE on ,hat you ,ant BE3ORE it can occur- It is 'ut this A"REEME2T ,hich permits all things to happen- 2OT1I2" can 'e caused ,ithout some +orm o+ union# 'e it ,ith a dream o+ @udgment or the Hoice +or "od- (ecisions cause results BECAUSE they are not made in isolation- They are made 'y you and your ad*isor# +or yoursel+# A2( 3OR T1E 4OR!( AS 4E!!- The day you ,ant you o++er to the ,orld# +or it 4I!! 'e ,hat you ha*e as:ed +or# and ,ill rein+orce the rule o+ your ad*isor through the ,orld- 4hose :ingdom is the ,orld +or you todayE 4hat :ind o+ day ,ill you decide to ha*eE It needs 'ut t,o ,ho ,ould ha*e happiness this day to promise it to all the ,orldIt needs 'ut t,o to understand that they cannot decide alone# to "UARA2TEE the @oy they as:ed +or ,ill 'e ,holly shared- 3or they ha*e understood the 'asic la, ,hich MALES decision po,er+ul# and gi*es it all e++ects that it ,ill EHER ha*e- It needs 'ut t,oThese t,o ARE @oined 'e+ore there CA2 'e a decision- !et this 'e the O2E reminder that

685

you :eep in mind# and you ,ill ha*e the day you ,ant# and gi*e it to the ,orld 'y ha*ing it yoursel*es- Bour @udgment has 'een !I3TE( +rom the ,orld 'y your decision +or a happy day- And as you ha*e recei*ed so MUST you gi*eMay $8# &5JK (o you not understand that to oppose the 1oly Spirit IS to +ight yoursel+E 1e tells you 'ut BOUR ,illP 1e spea:s +or BOU- In 1IS (i*inity is 'ut your o,n- And all 1e :no,s is 'ut BOUR :no,ledge# sa*ed +or BOU# that you may do BOUR ,ill through 1im- "od ASLS you do your ,ill- 1e @oins ,ith BOU- 1e did not set 1is :ingdom up alone- And 1ea*en itsel+ 'ut represents your ,ill# ,here e*erything is created +or you2o spar: o+ li+e 'ut ,as created ,ith your glad consent# as you ,ould ha*e it 'e- And not one Thought that "od has e*er had 'ut ,aited +or your 'lessing to 'e 'orn- "od is no enemy to you- 1e as:s no more than that 1e hear you call 1im 3riend1o, ,onder+ul it is to do your ,illO 3or that IS +reedom- There is nothing else that e*er should 'e called 'y +reedom=s name- U2!ESS you do your ,ill# you are 2OT +reeAnd ,ould "od lea*e 1is Son 4IT1OUT ,hat he has chosen +or himsel+E "od 'ut ensured that you ,ould ne*er !OSE your ,ill# ,hen 1e ga*e you 1is per+ect Ans,er1ear It no,# that you may 'e reminded o+ 1is !o*e# and learn BOUR ,ill- "od ,ould not ha*e 1is Son made prisoner to ,hat he does not ,ant- 1e JOI2S ,ith you in ,illing you 'e +ree- And to O OSE 1im is to ma:e a choice against BOURSE!3# and choose that BOU 'e 'ound!oo: once again upon your enemy# the one you chose to hate instead o+ lo*e- 3or thus ,as hatred 'orn into the ,orld# and thus the rule o+ +ear esta'lished here- 2o, hear "od spea: to you through 1im 4ho is 1is Hoice# and BOURS as ,ell# reminding you that it is 2OT your ,ill to hate# and 'e a prisoner to +ear# a sla*e to death# a !ITT!E creature ,ith a !ITT!E li+e- Bour ,ill is 'oundlessP it is 2OT your ,ill that it 'e 'ound> 6GG >

4hat lies in you has @oined ,ith "od 1imsel+ in all creation=s 'irth- Remem'er 1im 4ho has created you# and through BOUR ,ill created e*erything2ot one created thing 'ut gi*es you than:s# +or it is 'y your ,ill that it ,as 'orn- 2o light o+ 1ea*en shines e<cept +or you# +or it ,as set in 1ea*en 'y your ,ill- 4hat cause ha*e you +or anger in a ,orld ,hich merely ,aits BOUR 'lessing to 'e +reeE I+ BOU 'e prisoner# then "od 1imsel+ could not 'e +ree- 3or ,hat is done to him ,hom "od so lo*es is done to "od 1imsel+- Thin: not 1E ,ills to 'ind you# 4ho has made you cocreator o+ the uni*erse along ,ith 1im- 1e ,ould 'ut LEE your ,ill +ore*er and +ore*er

686

limitlessThe ,orld a,aits the +reedom you ,ill gi*e# ,hen you ha*e recogni9ed that BOU are +ree- But you ,ill not +orgi*e the ,orld until you ha*e +orgi*en 1im 4ho "AHE your ,ill to you- 3or it is BB your ,ill the ,orld is gi*en +reedom- 2or can BOU 'e +ree A ART +rom 1im 4hose holy 4ill you share- "od turns to BOU to as: the ,orld 'e sa*ed# +or 'y your O42 sal*ation is it healed- And no>one ,al:s upon the earth 'ut must depend on BOUR decision# that he learn death 1AS no po,er o*er him 'ecause he shares BOUR +reedom# as he shares your ,ill- It IS your ,ill to heal him# and 'ecause you ha*e decided 4IT1 him# he is healed- And no, is "od +orgi*en# +or you chose to loo: upon your 'rother as a +riendMay $G# &5JK Idols are ?uite speci+ic- But your ,ill is uni*ersal# 'eing limitless- And so it has 2O +orm# nor is content +or its e<pression in the terms o+ +orm- Idols are !IMITSP they are the 'elie+ that there are 3ORMS ,hich ,ill 'ring happiness# and that# BB limiting# is all attained- It is as i+ you said# )I ha*e no need o+ e*erything- This !ITT!E thing I ,ant# and it ,ill BE as e*erything to me-. And this MUST +ail to satis+y# 'ecause it IS your ,ill that e*erything 'e yours- (ecide +or idols# and you as: +or !OSS- (ecide +or truth# and e*erything IS yoursIT IS 2OT 3ORM BOU SEEL- 4hat +orm can 'e a su'stitute +or "od the 3ather=s !o*eE 4hat +orm can ta:e the place o+ all the lo*e in the di*inity o+ "od the SonE 4hat idol can ma:e t,o o+ ,hat IS oneE And CA2 the limitless 'e limitedE Bou do not 4A2T an idol- It is 2OT your ,ill to ha*e one- It ,ill not 'esto, on you the gi+t you see:4hen you decide upon the 3ORM o+ ,hat you ,ant# you !OSE the understanding o+ its purposeSo you see BOUR ,ill ,ithin the idol# thus reducing it to a S ECI3IC +orm- But this could ne*er BE your ,ill# 'ecause ,hat shares in all creation CA22OT 'e content ,ith SMA!! ideas and !ITT!E thingsBehind the search +or EHERB idol lies the yearning +or completion- 4holeness has no +orm BECAUSE it is unlimited- To see: a special person or a thing to A(( to you to ma:e yoursel+ complete# can only mean that you 'elie*e some 3ORM is missingAnd# 'y +inding this# you ,ill achie*e completion in a 3ORM you li:e- This is the purpose o+ an idolP that you ,ill not loo: BEBO2( it# to the source o+ your 'elie+ that you ARE
> 6G6 >

687

incomplete- O2!B i+ you had sinned could this 'e so- 3or sin is the I(EA you are alone# and separated O33 +rom ,hat is ,hole- And thus it 4OU!( 'e necessary +or the search +or ,holeness to 'e made BEBO2( the 'oundaries o+ limits on yoursel+It 2EHER is the idol that you ,ant- But ,hat you thin: it O33ERS you you ,ant indeed# and ha*e the RI"1T to as: +or- 2or could it 'e OSSIB!E it 'e denied- Bour ,ill to 'e complete IS 'ut "od=s ,ill# and this is gi*en you BB 'eing 1is- "od :no,s not +orm- 1e CA22OT ans,er you in terms ,hich ha*e no meaning- And BOUR ,ill could not BE satis+ied ,ith empty +orms# made 'ut to +ill a gap ,hich is not there- It is not this you 4A2T- Creation gi*es no SE ARATE person and no SE ARATE thing the po,er to complete the Son o+ "od- 4hat idol CA2 'e called upon to gi*e the Son o+ "od ,hat he already 1ASE Completion is the 3U2CTIO2 o+ "od=s Son- 1e has no need to SEEL +or it at allBeyond A!! idols stands his holy ,ill to 'e 'ut ,hat he IS- 3or MORE than ,hole is meaningless- I+ there ,ere change in himP i+ he could 'e reduced to A2B +orm and limited to ,hat is 2OT in him# he ,ould not BE as "od created him- 4hat idol CA2 he need to 'e himsel+E 3or CA2 he gi*e a part o+ him a,ayE 4hat is not ,hole cannot MALE ,hole- But ,hat is REA!!B as:ed +or CA22OT 'e denied- Bour ,ill IS granted2OT in any +orm that ,ould content you not# 'ut in the ,hole# completely lo*ely Thought "od holds o+ youMay $7# &5JK 2othing that "od :no,s not e<ists- And ,hat 1e :no,s e<ists +ore*er# changelessly3or thoughts endure as long as does the mind that thought o+ them- And in the Mind o+ "od there is no ending# nor a time in ,hich 1is Thoughts ,ere a'sent# or could su++er change- Thoughts are not 'orn and cannot die- They share the attri'utes o+ their creator# nor ha*e they a separate li+e# apart +rom him- The thoughts BOU thin: are in your mind# as you are in the Mind 4hich thought o+ you- And so there ARE no separate parts in ,hat e<ists ,ithin "od=s Mind- It is +ore*er One# eternally united and at peaceThoughts SEEM to come and go- But all this means is that you are sometimes A4ARE o+ them# and sometimes not- An unremem'ered thought is 'orn again too BOU ,hen it returns to your a,areness- Bet it did not die ,hen you +orgot it- It ,as A!4ABS there#

688

'ut BOU ,ere una,are o+ it- The Thought "od holds o+ you is per+ectly unchanged 'y your +orgetting- It ,ill al,ays 'e e<actly as it ,as 'e+ore the time ,hen you +orgot# and ,ill 'e @ust the same ,hen you remem'er- And it is the same 4IT1I2 the inter*al ,hen you +orgot- The Thoughts o+ "od are 3AR 'eyond all change# and shine +ore*erThey a,ait not 'irth- They ,ait +or ,elcome and remem'eringThe Thought "od holds o+ you is li:e a star# unchangea'le in an eternal s:y- So high in 1ea*en it is set that those outside o+ 1ea*en :no, not it is there- But still and ,hite and lo*ely ,ill it shine through all eternity- There ,as no time it ,as not thereP no instant ,hen its light gre, dimmer or less per+ect e*er ,as- 4ho :no,s the 3ather :no,s this
> 6GJ >

light# +or 1e is the eternal s:y ,hich holds it sa+e# +ore*er li+ted up and anchored sure- Its per+ect purity does not depend on ,hether it is seen on earth or not- The s:y em'races it# and so+tly holds it in its per+ect place# ,hich is as +ar +rom earth as earth +rom 1ea*enIt is not the distance nor the time ,hich :eeps this star in*isi'le to earth- But those ,ho see: +or idols CA22OT :no, this star is thereBeyond all idols is the Thought "od holds o+ you- Completely una++ected 'y the turmoil and the terror o+ the ,orld# the dreams o+ 'irth and death that here are dreamed# the myriad o+ +orms that +ear can ta:e# ?uite undistur'ed# the Thought "od holds o+ you remains EXACT!B as It al,ays ,as- Surrounded 'y a stillness so complete no sound o+ 'attle comes remotely near# It rests in certainty and per+ect peace- 1ere is your O2E reality :ept sa+e# completely una,are o+ all the ,orld that ,orships idols# and that :no,s not "od- In per+ect sureness o+ Its changelessness and o+ Its rest in Its eternal home# the Thought "od holds o+ you has ne*er le+t the Mind o+ its Creator# 4hom it :no,s as Its Creator :no,s that It is there4here could the Thought "od holds o+ you EXIST 'ut ,here you areE Is your reality a thing A ART +rom you# and in a ,orld ,hich your reality :no,s 2OT1I2" o+E Outside you there IS no eternal s:y# no changeless star# and 2O reality- The Mind o+ 1ea*en=s Son in 1ea*en is# +or there the Mind o+ 3ather and Son @oined in creation ,hich can 1AHE no end- Bou ha*e not t,o realities# 'ut One- 2or can you 'e A4ARE o+ more

689

than one- An idol OR the Thought "od holds o+ you is your reality- 3orget not# then# that idols MUST :eep hidden ,hat you are# 2OT +rom the Mind o+ "od# 'ut +rom your o,nThe star shines stillP the s:y has ne*er changed- But you# the holy Son o+ "od 1imsel+# are una,are o+ your realityMay 8&# &5JK Bou 4I!! attac: ,hat does not satis+y# and thus you ,ill not see you made it upBou A!4ABS +ight illusions- 3or the truth 'ehind them is so lo*ely and so still in lo*ing gentleness# ,ere you A4ARE o+ it# you ,ould +orget de+ensi*eness entirely# and rush to its em'race- The truth could ne*er BE attac:ed- And this you :ne, ,hen you made idols- They ,ere made that this might 'e +orgotten- Bou attac: 'ut 3A!SE ideas# and 2EHER truth+ul ones- All idols ARE the +alse ideas you made to +ill the gap you thin: arose 'et,een yoursel+ and ,hat is true- And you attac: them +or the things you thin: they RE RESE2T- 4hat lies BEBO2( them cannot BE attac:edThe ,earying# dissatis+ying gods you made are 'lo,n>up children=s toys- A child IS +rightened ,hen a ,ooden head springs up as a closed 'o< is opened suddenly- Or ,hen a so+t and silent ,ooly 'ear 'egins to s?uea: as he ta:es hold o+ it- The rules he made +or 'o<es and +or 'ears ha*e +ailed him# and ha*e 'ro:en his control o+ ,hat surrounds him- And he is a+raid 'ecause he thought the rules ROTECTE( him2o, must he learn the 'o<es and the 'ears did 2OT decei*e him# 'ro:e no rules# nor mean
> 6G7 >

his ,orld is made chaotic and unsa+e- 1E 4AS MISTALE2- 1e misunderstood ,hat MA(E him sa+e# and thought that it had le+tThe gap that is not there is +illed ,ith toys in countless +orms- And each one seems to 'rea: the rules you set +or it- It ne*er 4AS the thing you thought- It MUST appear to 'rea: your rules +or sa+ety# since the RU!ES are ,rong- But BOU are not endangeredBou can laugh at popping heads and s?uea:ing toys# as does the child ,ho learns they are no threat to him- But ,hile he li:es to play ,ith them# he still percei*es them as o'eying rules he made +or his en@oyment- So there still are rules ,hich they can seem to 'rea:# and +righten him- Bet IS he at the mercy o+ his toysE And CA2 they represent a threat to himE Reality o'ser*es the la,s o+ "od# and 2OT the rules you set- It is 1is la,s ,hich "UARA2TEE your sa+ety- All illusions that you 'elie*e a'out yoursel+ o'ey 2O la,sThey seem to dance a little ,hile# according to the rules you set +or them- But then they

690

+all# and cannot rise again- They are 'ut toys# my children- (o not grie*e +or themTheir dancing ne*er 'rought you @oy# 'ut neither ,ere they things to +righten you# nor ma:e you sa+e i+ they o'eyed your rules- They must 'e neither cherished 2OR attac:ed# 'ut merely loo:ed upon as children=s toys# ,ithout a SI2"!E meaning o+ their o,n- See O2E in them# and you ,ill see them all- See 2O2E in them# and they ,ill touch you notAppearances decei*e BECAUSE they are appearances# and not reality- (,ell not on them in A2B +orm- They 'ut OBSCURE reality- And they 'ring +ear BECAUSE they hide the truth- (o not attac: ,hat you ha*e made to !ET you 'e decei*ed- 3or thus you pro*e that you 1AHE BEE2 decei*ed- Attac: 1AS po,er to ma:e illusions real- Bet ,hat it ma:es is nothing- 4ho could 'e made +ear+ul 'y a po,er that can ha*e no REA! e++ects at allE 4hat could it BE 'ut an illusion# ma:ing things appear li:e to itsel+E !oo: calmly at its toys# and understand that they are idols ,hich 'ut dance to *ain desires- "i*e them not your ,orship# +or they are not there- But this is EDUA!!B +orgotten in attac:"od=s Son needs 2O de+ense against his dreams- 1is idols do not threaten him at all1is O2E mista:e is that he thin:s them real- 4hat can the po,er o+ illusions (OE Appearances can 'ut decei*e the mind that 4A2TS to 'e decei*ed- And you can ma:e a simple choice that ,ill +ore*er place you +ar BEBO2( perdeception- Bou need not concern yoursel+ ,ith 1O4 this ,ill 'e done# +or this you cannot understand- But you 4I!! understand that mighty changes ha*e 'een ?uic:ly 'rought a'out# ,hen you decide one *ery simple thingP you do not 4A2T ,hate*er you 'elie*e an idol gi*es- 3or thus the Son o+ "od declares that he is +ree o+ idols- And thus IS he +reeSal*ation is a parado< indeedO 4hat could it 'e EXCE T a happy dreamE 3or you are as:ed 'ut to +orgi*e all things that no>one e*er didP to o*erloo: ,hat is not thereP and not to loo: upon the unreal as reality- Bou are 'ut as:ed to let your ,ill 'e done# and see: no longer +or the things you do not ,ant- And you are as:ed to let yoursel+ 'e +ree o+ all the dreams o+ ,hat you ne*er ,ere# and see: no more to su'stitute the strength o+ idle ,ishes +or the 4ill o+ "od- 1ere does the dream o+ separation start to +ade and
> 6GK >

disappear- 3or here the gap that is not there 'egins to 'e percei*ed ,ithout the toys o+ terror that you made2o more than this is as:ed- Be glad indeed sal*ation as:s so little# 2OT so much- It as:s +or 2OT1I2" in reality- And e*en in illusions it 'ut as:s +orgi*eness 'e the su'stitute

691

+or +ear- Such is the O2!B rule +or happy dreams- The gap is emptied o+ the toys o+ +ear# and then its unreality is plain- (reams are +or 2OT1I2"- And the Son o+ "od CA2 ha*e no need o+ them- They o++er him no single thing that he could e*er ,ant- 1e is deli*ered +rom illusions 'y his ,ill# and 'ut restored to ,hat he IS- 4hat could "od=s plan +or his sal*ation BE# e<cept a means to gi*e him to 1imsel+E June 8# &5JK The real ,orld is the state o+ mind in ,hich the O2!B purpose o+ the ,orld is seen to 'e +orgi*eness- 3ear is 2OT its goal# and the ESCA E +rom guilt 'ecomes its aimThe HA!UE o+ +orgi*eness is percei*ed# and TALES T1E !ACE o+ idols# ,hich are sought no longer# +or their )gi+ts. are not held dear- 2o rules are idly set# and no demands are made o+ anyone or anything to t,ist and +it into the dream o+ +ear- Instead# there is a ,ish to understand all things created as they really are- And it is recogni9ed that all things must 'e 3IRST +orgi*en# and T1E2 understood- 1ere# it is thought that understanding is ACDUIRE( 'y attac:- There it is clear that BB attac: is understanding !OSTThe +olly o+ pursuing guilt as "OA! is +ully recogni9ed- And idols are not ,anted there# +or guilt is recogni9ed as the sole cause o+ pain in any +orm- 2o>one is tempted 'y its *ain appeal# +or su++ering and death ha*e 'een percei*ed as things 2OT ,anted# and not stri*en 3OR- The possi'ility o+ +reedom has 'een grasped and ,elcomed# and the means 'y ,hich it can 'e gained can no, 'e understood- The ,orld 'ecomes a place o+ hope# 'ecause its only purpose is to BE a place ,here hope o+ happiness can 'e +ul+illedAnd no>one stands outside this hope# 'ecause the ,orld has 'een united in 'elie+ the purpose o+ the ,orld is one ,hich all must S1ARE# i+ hope 'e more than @ust a dream2ot yet is 1ea*en ?uite remem'ered# +or the purpose o+ +orgi*eness still remainsBet e*eryone is certain he ,ill go BEBO2( +orgi*eness# and he 'ut remains until it is made per+ect in himsel+- 1e has no ,ish +or anything 'ut this- And +ear has dropped a,ay# 'ecause he is united in his purpose ,ith 1IMSE!3- There is a hope o+ happiness in him so sure and constant he can 'arely stay# and ,ait a little longer ,ith his +eet still touching earth- Bet is he glad to ,ait till e*ery hand is @oined# and e*ery heart made ready to arise and go ,ith him- 3or thus is 1E made ready +or the step in ,hich is all +orgi*eness

692

le+t 'ehindThe +inal step is "od=s# 'ecause it is 'ut "od 4ho could create a per+ect Son# and share 1is 3atherhood ,ith him- 2o>one outside o+ 1ea*en :no,s ho, this can 'e3or understanding this is 1ea*en itsel+- E*en the real ,orld has a purpose still 'eneath creation and eternity- But +ear is gone# 'ecause its purpose is +orgi*eness# 2OT idolatry- And so is 1ea*en=s Son prepared to 'e 1imsel+# and to remem'er that the Son o+ "od :no,s
> 6G5 >

e*erything his 3ather understands# and understands it per+ectly ,ith 1im- The real ,orld still +alls short o+ this# +or this is "od=s O,n purposeP O2!B 1is# and yet completely shared and per+ectly +ul+illedThe real ,orld is a state in ,hich the mind has learned ho, easily do idols go ,hen they are still percei*ed# 'ut ,anted not- 1o, ,illingly the mind can let them go ,hen it has understood that idols are nothing and no,here# A2( ARE UR OSE!ESS- 3or only then can guilt and sin 'e seen 4IT1OUT a purpose# and as meaningless- Thus is the real ,orld=s purpose gently 'rought into a,areness# to RE !ACE the goal o+ sin and guiltAnd all that stood BET4EE2 your image o+ yoursel+ and ,hat you ARE# +orgi*eness ,ashes @oy+ully a,ay- Bet "od need not create 1is Son A"AI2# that ,hat is his 'e gi*en BACL to him- The gap 'et,een your 'rother and yoursel+ ,as ne*er there- And ,hat the Son o+ "od :ne, in creation he MUST :no, again4hen 'rothers @oin in purpose in the ,orld o+ +ear# they stand A!REA(B at the edge o+ the real ,orld- erhaps they still loo: 'ac:# and thin: they see an idol that they ,antBet has their path 'een surely set A4AB +rom idols to,ard reality# +or ,hen they @oined their hands# it ,as Christ=s hand they too:- And they 4I!! loo: on 1im 4hose hand they hold- The +ace o+ Christ is loo:ed upon BE3ORE the 3ather is remem'ered- 3or 1e MUST 'e unremem'ered till 1is Son has reached BEBO2( +orgi*eness to the lo*e o+ "odBet is the lo*e o+ Christ accepted +irst- And T1E2 ,ill come the :no,ledge They are One1o, light and easy is the step across the narro, 'oundaries o+ the ,orld o+ +ear# ,hen you ha*e RECO"2IUE( 4hose hand you holdO 4ithin your hand is e*erything you need to ,al: ,ith per+ect con+idence a,ay +rom +ear +ore*er- And to go straight on# and ?uic:ly reach the gate o+ 1ea*en itsel+- 3or 1e 4hose hand you hold ,as ,aiting 'ut +or you to @oin 1im- 2o, that you ha*e come#

693

,ould 1E delay in sho,ing you the ,ay that 1e must ,al: ,ith youE 1is 'lessing lies on you as surely as 1is 3ather=s lo*e rests upon 1im- 1is gratitude to you is past your understanding# +or you ha*e ena'led 1im to rise +rom chains# and go ,ith you TO"ET1ER to 1is 3ather=s house- An ancient hate is passing +rom the ,orld# and ,ith it goes A!! hatred and A!! +ear- !oo: 'ac: no longer# +or ,hat lies ahead is all you EHER ,anted in your hearts"i*e up the ,orldO But not to sacri+ice- Bou ne*er 4A2TE( it- 4hat happiness ha*e you sought here that did not 'ring you painE 4hat moment o+ content has not 'een 'ought at +ear+ul price in coins o+ su++eringE Joy 1AS no cost- It is your sacred right# And ,hat you pay +or is 2OT happiness- Be speeded on your ,ay 'y honesty# and let not your e<periences here decei*e in retrospect- They ,ere not +ree +rom 'itter cost and @oyless conse?uence- (o not loo: 'ac: e<cept in honesty- And ,hen an idol tempts you# thin: o+ thisP there ne*er ,as a time an idol 'rought you A2BT1I2" e<cept the )gi+t. o+ guilt- 2ot one ,as 'ought EXCE T at cost o+ pain- 2or ,as it e*er paid 'y you aloneBe merci+ul unto your 'rother# then- And do not choose an idol thoughtlessly# remem'ering that he ,ill pay the cost as ,ell as you- 3or he ,ill 'e delayed ,hen you loo: 'ac:# and you ,ill not percei*e 4hose hand you hold- !oo: +or,ard# then# and
> 66% >

,al: in con+idence# ,ith happy hearts that 'eat in hope and do not pound in +earThe 4ill o+ "od +ore*er lies in those ,hose hands are @oined- Until they @oined# they thought 1e ,as their enemy- But ,hen they @oined and S1ARE( a purpose# they ,ere +ree to learn their ,ill is one- And thus the 4ill o+ "od must reach to their a,areness- 2or can they +orget +or long that It is 'ut their o,nJune 7# &5JK Anger is 2EHER @usti+ied- Attac: has 2O +oundation- It is here escape +rom +ear 'egins# and ,ill 'e made complete- 1ere is the real ,orld gi*en in e<change +or dreams o+ terror- 3or it is on this +orgi*eness rests# A2( IS BUT 2ATURA!- Bou are 2OT as:ed to o++er pardon ,here attac: is due# and 4OU!( 'e @usti+ied- 3or this ,ould mean that you +orgi*e a sin 'y o*erloo:ing ,hat is REA!!B there- T1IS IS 2OT AR(O2- 3or it ,ould

694

assume that# 'y responding in a ,ay ,hich is 2OT @usti+ied# your AR(O2 ,ill 'ecome the ans,er to attac: ,hich 1AS 'een made- And thus is pardon inappropriate# 'y 'eing granted ,here is it 2OT dueardon is A!4ABS @usti+ied- It has a sure +oundation- Bou do 2OT +orgi*e the un+orgi*a'le# nor o*erloo: a REA! attac: that calls +or punishment- Sal*ation does not lie in 'eing as:ed to ma:e unnatural responses# ,hich are inappropriate to ,hat is realInstead# it merely as:s that you respond appropriately to ,hat is 2OT real# 'y not percei*ing ,hat has not occurred- I+ pardon 4ERE un@usti+ied# you 4OU!( 'e as:ed to sacri+ice your rights ,hen you return +orgi*eness +or attac:- But you are merely as:ed to see +orgi*eness as the 2ATURA! reaction to distress ,hich rests on error# and thus calls +or help- 3orgi*eness is the O2!B sane response- It LEE S your rights +rom 'eing lost to youThis understanding is the O2!B change that lets the real ,orld rise to ta:e the place o+ dreams o+ terror- 3ear cannot ARISE unless attac: is @usti+ied- And i+ it 1A( a real +oundation# pardon ,ould ha*e none- The real ,orld is achie*ed ,hen you percei*e the 'asis o+ 3OR"IHE2ESS is ?uite real and +ully @usti+ied- 4hile you regard it as a gi+t un,arranted# it MUST uphold the guilt you ,ould )+orgi*e-. Un@usti+ied +orgi*eness IS attac:- And this is all the ,orld can e*er gi*e- It pardons )sinners. sometimes# 'ut remains A4ARE that they ha*e sinned- And so they do not MERIT the +orgi*eness that it gi*esThis is the +alse +orgi*eness ,hich the ,orld employs to LEE the senseless sin ali*e- And recogni9ing "od is @ust# it seems impossi'le 1is pardon COU!( 'e realThus is the +ear o+ "od the sure result o+ seeing pardon as unmerited- 2o>one ,ho sees himsel+ as guilty CA2 a*oid the +ear o+ "od- But he is SAHE( +rom this dilemma i+ 1E can +orgi*eThe mind MUST thin: o+ its Creator as it loo:s upon itsel+- I+ you can see your 'rother MERITS pardon# you ha*e learned +orgi*eness is BOUR right# as much as his- 2or ,ill you thin: that "od intends +or you a +ear+ul @udgment ,hich your 'rother does not merit3or it is the truth that you CA2 merit neither more nor less than he> 66& >

3orgi*eness RECO"2IUE( as merited ,ill heal- It gi*es the miracle its strength to OHER!OOL illusions- This is ho, you learn that you must 'e +orgi*en too- There CA2 'e no appearance that can 2OT 'e o*erloo:ed- 3or# i+ there ,ere# it ,ould 'e necessary

695

3IRST there 'e some sin ,hich stands BEBO2( +orgi*eness- There ,ould 'e an error that is MORE than a mista:eP a special 3ORM o+ error# ,hich remains unchangea'le# eternal# and 'eyond correction or escape- There ,ould 'e one mista:e ,hich had the po,er to U2(O creation# and to ma:e a ,orld ,hich could RE !ACE it# and (ESTROB the 4ill o+ "od- Only i+ this ,ere possi'le could there 'e SOME appearances ,hich could ,ithstand the miracle# and 2OT 'e healed 'y itThere is no surer proo+ idolatry is ,hat you ,ish than a 'elie+ there are some +orms o+ sic:ness and o+ @oylessness +orgi*eness CA22OT cure- This means that you pre+er to :eep SOME idols# and are not prepared# as yet# to let A!! idols go- And thus you thin: that SOME appearances are real# and not appearances at all- Be not decei*ed a'out the MEA2I2" o+ a +i<ed 'elie+ that SOME appearances are harder to loo: past than others are- It A!4ABS means you thin: +orgi*eness must 'e limited- And you ha*e set a goal o+ partial pardon and a limited escape +rom guilt 3OR BOU- 4hat can this 'e# e<cept a +alse +orgi*eness o+ BOURSE!3# and e*eryone ,ho seems A ART +rom youE It MUST 'e true the miracle can heal A!! +orms o+ sic:ness# or it CA22OT 1EA!- Its purpose cannot 'e to @udge ,hich 3ORMS are real# and ,hich A EARA2CES are true- I+ one appearance must remain A ART +rom healing# one illusion must 'e part o+ truthAnd you could 2OT escape all guilt# 'ut only SOME o+ it- Bou must +orgi*e "od=s Son E2TIRE!B- Or you ,ill :eep an image o+ yoursel+ that is not ,hole# and ,ill remain a+raid to loo: ,ithin# and +ind escape +rom EHERB idol there- Sal*ation rests on +aith there CA22OT 'e some +orms o+ guilt ,hich you can 2OT +orgi*e- And so there cannot 'e appearances ,hich ha*e replaced the truth a'out "od=s Son!oo: on your 'rother ,ith the ,illingness to see him as he is- And do not :eep a part o+ him outside your ,illingness that he 'e healed- To heal is to ma:e ,hole- And ,hat is ,hole can ha*e no missing parts that ha*e 'een :ept outside- 3orgi*eness rests on recogni9ing this# and 'eing "!A( there cannot 'e some +orms o+ sic:ness ,hich the miracle must !ACL the po,er to heal- "od=s Son is per+ect# or he cannot 'e "od=s Son2or ,ill you L2O4 him# i+ you thin: he does not merit the escape +rom guilt in A!! its +orms and A!! its conse?uence- There IS no ,ay to thin: o+ him 'ut this# i+ you ,ould :no, the truth a'out yoursel+F

696

)I than: you# 3ather# +or your per+ect Son# And in his glory ,ill I see my o,n-. 1ere is the @oy+ul statement that there are 2O +orms o+ e*il ,hich can o*ercome the 4ill o+ "odP the glad ac:no,ledgment that guilt has 2OT succeeded# 'y your ,ish# to ma:e illusions real- And ,hat is this# e<cept a simple statement o+ the truthE !oo: on your 'rother ,ith this hope in you# and you ,ill understand he COU!( not ma:e an error that could change the truth in him- It is 2OT di++icult to o*erloo: mista:es that ha*e 'een gi*en no e++ects- But ,hat you see as ha*ing po,er to ma:e an idol o+ the Son o+
> 66$ >

"od# you ,ill 2OT pardon- 3or he has 'ecome to you a gra*en image# and a sign o+ death- Is T1IS your Sa*iourE Is his 3ather 4RO2" a'out 1is SonE Or ha*e BOU 'een decei*ed in him ,ho has 'een gi*en you to heal# +or BOUR sal*ation and deli*eranceE June &8# &5JK 4ould "od ha*e le+t the meaning o+ the ,orld to BOUR interpretationE I+ 1e had# it 1AS no meaning- 3or it cannot 'e that meaning changes constantly# and yet is true- The 1oly Spirit loo:s upon the ,orld as ,ith O2E purpose# changelessly esta'lishedAnd 2O situation can a++ect its aim# 'ut MUST 'e in accord ,ith it- 3or O2!B i+ its aim could change ,ith e*ery situation could each one 'e O E2 to interpretation ,hich is di++erent e*ery time you thin: o+ it- Bou A(( an element into the script you ,rite +or e*ery minute in the day# and all that happens no, means something else- Bou TALE A4AB another element# and e*ery meaning shi+ts accordingly4hat do your scripts re+lect e<cept your plans +or ,hat the day S1OU!( 'eE And thus you @udge disaster and success# ad*ance# retreat# and gain and loss- These @udgments all are made according to the roles the script assigns- The +act they ha*e no meaning in themsel*es is (EMO2STRATE( 'y the ease ,ith ,hich these la'els change ,ith other @udgments# made on di++erent aspects o+ e<perience- And then# in loo:ing 'ac:# you thin: you see A2OT1ER meaning in ,hat ,ent 'e+ore- 4hat ha*e you really done# e<cept to sho, there 4AS no meaning thereE And BOU assigned a meaning in the light o+ goals that change# ,ith EHERB meaning shi+ting as they changeOnly a CO2STA2T purpose can endo, e*ents ,ith sta'le meaning- But it must ACCOR( O2E MEA2I2" TO T1EM A!!- I+ they are gi*en (I33ERE2T meanings# it MUST mean that they re+lect 'ut di++erent purposes# and this is A!! the meaning that they

697

ha*e- Can this BE meaningE Can con+usion BE ,hat meaning meansE erception CA22OT 'e in constant +lu<# and ma:e allo,ance +or sta'ility o+ meaning A2B41ERE- 3ear is a @udgment ne*er @usti+ied- Its presence has no meaning 'ut to sho, you ,rote a +ear+ul script# and are a+raid accordingly- But 2OT 'ecause the thing you +ear has +ear+ul meaning in itsel+A common purpose is the O2!B means ,here'y perception can 'e sta'ili9ed# and O2E interpretation gi*en to the ,orld and all e<periences here- In this shared purpose is one @udgment shared 'y e*eryone and e*erything you see- Bou do not ha*e to @udge# +or you ha*e learned one meaning has 'een "IHE2 e*erything# and you are "!A( to see it e*ery,here- It cannot change BECAUSE you ,ould percei*e it e*ery,here# unchanged 'y circumstance- And so you O33ER it to all e*ents# and !ET them o++er you sta'ilityEscape +rom @udgment simply lies in thisP > All things ha*e 'ut one purpose# ,hich you share ,ith all the ,orld- And nothing I2 the ,orld can BE opposed to it# +or it 'elongs TO e*erything# as it 'elongs to youIn SI2"!E purpose is the end o+ all ideas o+ sacri+ice# ,hich MUST assume a (I33ERE2T purpose +or the one ,ho gains and him ,ho loses- There could BE no
> 668 >

thought o+ sacri+ice apart +rom this idea- And it IS this idea o+ di++erent goals ,hich ma:es perception shi+t and meaning change- In one united goal does this 'ecome impossi'le# +or your A"REEME2T ma:es interpretation sta'ili9e and last- 1o, can communication REA!!B 'e esta'lished# ,hile the sym'ols ,hich are used mean di++erent thingsE The 1oly Spirit=s goal gi*es one interpretation# meaning+ul to you A2( to your 'rotherThus can you communicate ,ith him# and he ,ith you- In sym'ols ,hich you BOT1 can understand# the sacri+ice o+ meaning is undoneAll sacri+ice entails the !OSS o+ your a'ility to see relationships AMO2" e*entsAnd# loo:ed at SE ARATE!B# they 1AHE no meaning- 3or there is no light 'y ,hich they can 'e seen and understood- They 1AHE no purpose- And ,hat they are 3OR cannot BE seen- In any thought o+ loss# there IS no meaning- 2o>one has agreed ,ith you on ,hat it means- It is a part o+ a distorted script# ,hich cannot 'e interpreted ,ith meaning- It must 'e +ore*er unintelligi'le- This is 2OT communication- Bour dar: dreams are 'ut

698

the senseless# isolated scripts you ,rite in sleep- !oo: not to separate dreams +or meaningO2!B dreams o+ pardon can 'e shared- They mean the same to 'oth o+ you(o not interpret out o+ solitude# +or ,hat you see means nothing- It ,ill shi+t in ,hat it stands +or# and you ,ill 'elie*e the ,orld is an uncertain place# in ,hich you ,al: in danger and uncertainty- It is 'ut your I2TER RETATIO2S ,hich are lac:ing in sta'ilityAnd they are 2OT in line ,ith ,hat you really are- This is a state so seemingly unsa+e that +ear MUST rise- (o not continue thus# my 'rothers- 4e ha*e O2E Interpreter- And through 1is use o+ sym'ols are ,e @oined# so that they mean the same to A!! o+ us- Our common language lets us spea: to all our 'rothers# and to understand ,ith them +orgi*eness has 'een gi*en to us all# and thus ,e CA2 communicate againJune &7# &5JK Appearances decei*e# BUT CA2 BE C1A2"E(- Reality is changeless- It does not decei*e at all- And i+ you +ail to see BEBO2( appearances# you ARE decei*ed- 3or e*erything you see ,ill change# and yet you thought it real 'e+ore# and no, you thin: it real again- Reality is thus reduced to +orm# and CA AB!E o+ change- Reality is changelessIt is this that MALES it real# and LEE S it separate +rom all appearances- It MUST transcend all +orm to 'e itsel+- It CA22OT change- The miracle is means to demonstrate that A!! appearances can change BECAUSE they are appearances# and CA22OT ha*e the changelessness reality entails- The miracle attests sal*ation 3ROM appearances 'y S1O4I2" they can changeBour 'rother has a changelessness in him 'eyond appearance and deception 'othIt is o'scured 'y changing *ie,s o+ him ,hich you ERCEIHE as his reality- The happy dream a'out him ta:es the +orm o+ the appearance o+ his per+ect healthP his per+ect +reedom +rom all +orms o+ lac:P and sa+ety +rom disaster o+ all :inds- The miracle is proo+ he is not 'ound 'y loss or su++ering in any +orm# BECAUSE IT CA2 SO EASI!B BE C1A2"E(- This demonstrates that it ,as ne*er real# and COU!( not stem +rom his
> 66G >

reality- 3or that is changeless# and has no e++ects ,hich anything in 1ea*en or on earth could e*er alter- But appearances are sho,n to 'e unreal BECAUSE they change4hat is temptation 'ut a ,ish to ma:e illusions realE It does not SEEM to 'e the ,ish that 2O reality 'e so- But it IS an assertion that some 3ORMS o+ idols ha*e a po,er+ul appeal ,hich ma:es them 1AR(ER to resist than those you ,ould not 4A2T to ha*e reality- Temptation# then# is nothing more than thisP > a prayer the miracle touch not some

699

dreams# 'ut LEE their unreality o'scure# and "IHE to them reality instead- And 1ea*en gi*es no ans,er to the prayer# nor CA2 the miracle 'e gi*en you to heal appearances you do not li:e- BOU 1AHE ESTAB!IS1E( !IMITS- 4hat you as: IS gi*en you# 'ut not o+ "od 4ho :no,s no limits- BOU ha*e limited BOURSE!3Reality is changeless- Miracles 'ut sho, ,hat you ha*e interposed BET4EE2 reality and your a,areness is unreal# and does not inter+ere at all- The cost o+ the 'elie+ there must 'e some appearances BEBO2( the hope o+ change is that the miracle cannot come +orth +rom you consistently- 3or you ha*e ASLE( it 'e ,ithheld +rom po,er to heal all dreams- There is no miracle you cannot ha*e ,hen you (ESIRE healing- But there is no miracle that CA2 'e gi*en you U2!ESS you ,ant it- C1OOSE ,hat you ,ould heal# and 1e 4ho gi*es all miracles has not 'een gi*en +reedom to 'esto, 1is gi+ts upon "od=s Son- 4hen he is tempted# he (E2IES reality- And he 'ecomes the ,illing sla*e o+ ,hat he chose insteadBECAUSE reality is changeless is a miracle already there to heal all things that change# and o++er it to you to see in happy +orm# de*oid o+ +ear- It 4I!! 'e gi*en you to loo: upon your 'rother thus- But 2OT ,hile you ,ould ha*e it other,ise in some respects3or this 'ut means you ,ould not ha*e him healed and ,hole- The Christ in him is per+ect- Is it this that you ,ould loo: uponE Then let there 'e no dreams a'out him ,hich you ,ould RE3ER to seeing this- And you 4I!! see the Christ in him 'ecause you !ET 1im come to you- And ,hen 1e has appeared to you# you ,ill 'e certain you are li:e 1im# +or 1e is the changeless in your 'rother A2( in youThis ,ill you loo: upon# ,hen you decide there is not one appearance you ,ould hold in place o+ ,hat your 'rother really IS- !et no temptation to pre+er a dream allo, uncertainty to enter here- Be not made guilty and a+raid ,hen you are tempted 'y a dream o+ ,hat he is- But do not gi*e it po,er to RE !ACE the changeless in him in your sight o+ him- There is no +alse appearance 'ut ,ill +ade# i+ you re?uest a miracle insteadThere is no pain +rom ,hich he is not +ree# i+ you ,ould ha*e him 'e 'ut ,hat he is4hy should you +ear to see the Christ in himE Bou 'ut 'ehold yoursel+ in ,hat you seeAs he is healed are BOU made +ree o+ guilt# and his appearance IS your o,n to you-

700

June $G# &5JK 1o, simple is sal*ationO All it says is ,hat ,as ne*er true is not true no,# and ne*er ,ill 'e- The impossi'le has 2OT occurred# and CA2 ha*e no e++ects- And that is allCan this BE hard to learn 'y anyone ,ho 4A2TS it to 'e trueE O2!B un,illingness to learn
> 666 >

it could ma:e such an easy lesson di++icult- 1o, hard is it to see that ,hat is +alse can not 'e true# and ,hat is true can not 'e +alseE Bou can no longer say that you percei*e no di++erences in +alse and true- Bou ha*e 'een told EXACT!B ho, to tell one +rom the other# and @ust ,hat to do i+ you 'ecome con+used- 4hy# then# do you persist in learning 2OT such simple thingsE There IS a reason- But con+use it not ,ith di++iculty in the simple things sal*ation as:s you learn- It teaches 'ut the *ery o'*ious- It merely goes +rom one apparent lesson to the ne<t# in easy steps ,hich lead you gently +rom one to another# ,ith no strain at allThis CA22OT 'e con+using# yet you ARE con+used- 3or someho, you 'elie*e that ,hat is TOTA!!B con+used is easier to learn and understand- 4hat you ha*e taught yoursel*es is such a giant learning +eat it is indeed incredi'le- But you accomplished it 'ecause you ,anted to# and did not pause in diligence to @udge it hard to learn# or too comple< to grasp2o>one ,ho understands ,hat you ha*e learned# ho, care+ully you ha*e learned it# and the pains to ,hich you ,ent to practice and repeat the lessons endlessly# in e*ery +orm you could concei*e o+ them# could EHER dou't the po,er o+ your learning s:illThere is no greater po,er in the ,orld- The ,orld ,as MA(E 'y it# and e*en no, depends on nothing else- The lessons you ha*e taught yoursel*es ha*e 'een so o*erlearned and +i<ed they rise li:e hea*y curtains# to o'scure the simple and the o'*iousSay not you cannot learn them- 3or your po,er to learn is strong enough to teach you that your ,ill is 2OT your o,nP your thoughts do 2OT 'elong to youP and e*en BOU are someone else4ho could maintain that lessons such as these are easyE Bet you ha*e learned more than this- Bou ha*e continued# ta:ing e*ery step# ho,e*er di++icult# ,ithout complaint# until a ,orld ,as 'uilt that suited you- And e*ery lesson that ma:es up the ,orld arises +rom the +irst accomplishment o+ learningP an enormity so great the 1oly Spirit=s Hoice

701

seems small and still 'e+ore its magnitude- The ,orld 'egan ,ith one strange lesson# po,er+ul enough to render "od +orgotten# and 1is Son an alien to himsel+# in e<ile +rom the home ,here "od 1imsel+ esta'lished him- Bou ,ho ha*e taught yoursel*es the Son o+ "od is guilty# say not that you cannot learn the simple things sal*ation teaches you!earning is an a'ility you made# and ga*e yoursel*es- It ,as 2OT made to do the 4ill o+ "od# 'ut to uphold a ,ish that It COU!( 'e opposed# and that a ,ill A ART +rom It ,as yet more real than It- And this has learning sought to demonstrate# and you 1AHE learned ,hat it ,as made to teach- 2o, does your ancient o*erlearning stand implaca'le 'e+ore the Hoice o+ Truth# and teach you that Its lessons are not trueP too hard to learn# too di++icult to see# and too opposed to ,hat is REA!!B true- Bet you 4I!! learn them# +or their learning is the O2!B purpose +or your learning s:ill the 1oly Spirit sees in all the ,orld- 1is simple lessons in +orgi*eness ha*e a po,er mightier than yours# 'ecause they call +rom "od and +rom your Sel+ to youIs this a !ITT!E Hoice# so small and still It cannot rise a'o*e the senseless noise o+ sounds ,hich ha*e no meaningE "od ,illed not 1is Son +orget 1im- And the po,er o+
> 66J >

1is 4ill is in the Hoice That spea:s +or 1im- 4hich lesson ,ill you learnE 4hich outcome is ine*ita'le# sure as "od# and +ar 'eyond all dou'ts and ?uestionE CA2 it 'e your little learning# strange in outcome# and incredi'le in di++iculty# ,ill ,ithstand the simple lessons 'eing taught to you in e*ery moment o+ each day# since time 'egan and learning had 'een madeE The lessons to 'e learned are only t,o- Each has its outcome in a di++erent ,orldAnd each ,orld +ollo,s surely +rom its source- The certain outcome o+ the lesson that "od=s Son is guilty is the ,orld you see- It IS a ,orld o+ terror and despair- 2or IS there hope o+ happiness in it- There IS no plan +or sa+ety you can ma:e that e*er ,ill succeedThere IS no @oy that you can see: +or here# and hope to +ind- But this is 2OT the only outcome ,hich your learning can produce- 1o,e*er much you may ha*e o*erlearned your chosen tas:# the lessons ,hich re+lects the !o*e o+ "od is stronger still- And you 4I!! learn "od=s Son is innocent# and see A2OT1ER ,orldThe outcome o+ the lesson that "od=s Son is guiltless is a ,orld in ,hich there is no

702

+ear# and e*erything is lit ,ith hope# and spar:les ,ith a gentle +riendliness- 2othing 'ut calls to you in so+t appeal to 'e your +riend# and let it @oin ,ith you- And ne*er does a call remain unheard# misunderstood# or le+t unans,ered in the language in ,hich the call itsel+ ,as made- And you ,ill understand it ,as T1IS call that e*eryone and e*erything ,ithin the ,orld has A!4ABS made- But BOU had not percei*ed it as it ,as- And no, you see BOU ,ere mista:en- Bou had 'een decei*ed 'y +orms the call ,as hidden inAnd so you did not hear it# and had lost a +riend ,ho A!4ABS ,anted to 'e part o+ youThe so+t# eternal calling o+ each part o+ "od=s creation to the ,hole is heard throughout the ,orld this second lesson 'rings- There is no li*ing thing ,hich does not share the uni*ersal ,ill that it 'e ,hole# and that you do not lea*e its call unheard- 4ithout your ans,er is it le+t to die# as it is sa*ed +rom death ,hen you ha*e heard its calling as the ancient call to li+e# and understood that it is 'ut your o,n- The Christ in you remem'ers "od ,ith all the certainty ,ith ,hich 1e :no,s 1is !o*e- But O2!B i+ 1is Son is innocent can 1e BE !o*e- 3or "od ,ere +ear indeed# i+ he ,hom 1e created innocent could 'e a sla*e to guilt- "od=s per+ect Son remem'ers his creation- But in guilt he has +orgotten ,hat he really isThe +ear o+ "od results as surely +rom the lesson that 1is Son is guilty as "od=s!o*e must 'e remem'ered ,hen he remem'ers learns his innocence- 3or hate must +ather +ear# and loo: upon its +ather as itsel+- 1o, ,rong are you ,ho +ail to hear the call that echoes past each seeming call to death# that sings 'ehind each murderous attac:# and pleads that lo*e restore the dying ,orldO Bou do not understand 4ho calls to you 'eyond each +orm o+ hate# each call to ,ar- But you ,ill recogni9e 1im as you gi*e 1im ans,er in the language that 1e calls- 1e ,ill appear ,hen you ha*e ans,ered 1im# and you ,ill :no, in 1im that "od is !o*e4hat is temptation 'ut a ,ish to ma:e the ,rong decision on ,hat you ,ould learn# and ha*e an outcome ,hich you do not ,antE It is the RECO"2ITIO2 that it is a state o+ mind U24A2TE( that 'ecomes the means ,here'y the choice is reassessedP another
> 667 >

outcome seen to 'e pre+erred- Bou are decei*ed i+ you 'elie*e you ,ant disaster and disunity and pain- 1ear not the call +or this ,ithin yoursel+- But listen# rather# to the

703

deeper call 'eyond it# that appeals +or peace and @oy- And all the ,orld ,ill "IHE you @oy and peace- 3or as you hear you ans,er# and 'eholdO > your ans,er is the proo+ o+ ,hat you learned- Its outcome is the ,orld you loo: uponJuly &# &5JK !et us 'e still an instant# and +orget all things ,e e*er learned# all thoughts ,e had# and e*ery preconception that ,e hold o+ ,hat things mean# and ,hat their purpose is!et us remem'er not our o,n ideas o+ ,hat the ,orld is +or- 4e do not :no,- !et e*ery image held o+ e*eryone 'e loosened +rom our minds and s,ept a,ay- Be innocent o+ @udgment# una,are o+ any thoughts o+ e*il or o+ good that e*er crossed your mind o+ anyone- 2o, do ,e :no, him not- But you ARE +ree to learn o+ him# and learn o+ him ane,- 2o, is he 'orn again to you# and you are 'orn again to him# 4IT1OUT the past that sentenced him to die# and you ,ith him- 2o, is he +ree to li*e# as you are +ree# 'ecause an ancient learning passed a,ay# and le+t a place +or truth to 'e re'ornAn ancient lesson is not e*er come 'y the opposing o+ the ne, and old- It is not HA2DUIS1E( that the truth 'e :no,n# nor +ought against to !OSE to truth=s appealThere is no 'attle ,hich must 'e prepared# no time to 'e e<pended# and no plans that need 'e laid +or 'ringing in the ne,- There IS an ancient 'attle 'eing ,aged A"AI2ST the truth# 'ut truth does not respond- 4ho COU!( 'e hurt in such a ,ar# unless he hurts himsel+E 1e 1AS no enemy in truth- And CA2 he 'e assailed 'y dreamsE !et us re*ie, again ,hat seems to stand BET4EE2 you and the truth o+ ,hat you are- 3or there are steps in its relin?uishment- The +irst is a decision ,hich BOU ma:e- But a+ter,ards# the truth is "IHE2 youBou ,ould ESTAB!IS1 truth- And 'y your ,ish# you set t,o choices to 'e made each time you thin: you must decide on anything- 2EIT1ER is true- 2or ARE they di++erentBet must ,e see them 'oth# 'e+ore you can loo: AST them# to the O2E Alternati*e that IS a di++erent choice- But not in dreams you made# that this might 'e OBSCURE( to you4hat BOU ,ould choose 'et,een is 2OT a choice# and gi*es 'ut the I!!USIO2 it is +ree# +or it ,ill ha*e O2E outcome either ,ay- Thus is it really not a choice at all- The leader and the +ollo,er emerge as SE ARATE roles# each seeming to possess ad*antages you ,ould not ,ant to lose- So in their +usion there appears to 'e the hope o+ satis+action and o+ peaceBou see yoursel+ di*ided into 'oth these roles# +ore*er split 'et,een the t,o- And

704

e*ery +riend or enemy 'ecomes a means to help you sa*e yoursel+ +rom thiserhaps you call it lo*e- erhaps you thin: that it is murder @usti+ied at last- Bou hate the one you ga*e the leader=s role ,hen BOU ,ould ha*e it# and you hate as ,ell his 2OT assuming it# at times you ,ant to let the +ollo,er in you arise# and gi*e a,ay the role o+ leadershipAnd this is ,hat you made your 'rother 3OR# and learned to thin: that this his purpose
> 66K >

IS- Unless he ser*es it# he has not +ul+illed the +unction that ,as gi*en him 'y youAnd thus he merits death# 'ecause he has no purpose and no use+ulness to youAnd ,hat o+ himE 4hat does he ,ant o+ BOUE 4hat COU!( he ,ant# 'ut ,hat you ,ant o+ himE 1erein is li+e as easily as death# +or ,hat you choose you choose as ,ell +or him- T,o calls you ma:e to him# as he to you- Bet,een these t,o IS choice# 'ecause +rom them there IS a di++erent outcome- I+ he 'e the leader or the +ollo,er to you# it matters not# +or you ha*e chosen death- But i+ he calls +or death or calls +or li+e# +or hate or +or +orgi*eness and +or help# is 2OT the same in outcome- 1ear the one# and you are separate +rom him# and are lost- But hear the other# and you @oin ,ith him# and in your ans,er is sal*ation +ound- The *oice you hear in him is 'ut your o,n- 4hat does he as: you +orE And listen ,ell- 3or he is as:ing ,hat ,ill come to you# 'ecause you see an image o+ yoursel+# and hear your *oice re?uesting ,hat you ,ant- Be+ore you ans,er# pause to thin: o+ thisF The ans,er that I gi*e my 'rother is 4hat I am as:ing +or- And ,hat I learn O+ him is ,hat I learn a'out mysel+Then let us ,ait an instant and 'e still# +orgetting e*erything ,e thought ,e heardP remem'ering ho, much ,e do not :no,- This 'rother neither leads nor +ollo,s us# 'ut ,al:s 'eside us on the sel+same road- 1e is li:e us# as near or +ar a,ay +rom ,hat ,e ,ant as ,e ,ill let him 'e4e ma:e no gains he does not ma:e ,ith us# and ,e +all 'ac: i+ he does not ad*ance- Ta:e not his hand in anger 'ut in lo*e# +or in his progress do you count your o,n- And ,e go separately along the ,ay unless you :eep him sa+ely 'y your sideBECAUSE he is your e?ual in "od=s!o*e ,ill BOU 'e sa*ed +rom all appearances# and ans,er to the Christ 4ho calls to you- Be still and listen- Thin: not ancient thoughts-

705

3orget the dismal lessons that you learned a'out this Son o+ "od ,ho calls to youChrist calls to all ,ith EDUA! tenderness# seeing no leaders and no +ollo,ers# and hearing 'ut O2E Ans,er to them all- Because 1e hears one Hoice# he cannot hear a (I33ERE2T ans,er +rom the one 1e ga*e ,hen "od appointed 1im 1is only SonBe *ery still an instant- Come ,ithout all thought o+ ,hat you e*er learned 'e+ore# and put aside all images you made- The old ,ill +all a,ay 'e+ore the ne,# ,ithout your opposition or intent- There ,ill 'e no attac: upon the things you thought ,ere precious# and in need o+ care- There ,ill 'e no assault upon your ,ish to hear a call that ne*er has 'een made- 2othing ,ill hurt you in this holy place to ,hich you come to listen silently# and learn the truth o+ ,hat you really ,ant- 2o more than this ,ill you 'e as:ed to learnBut as you hear it# you ,ill understand you need 'ut come a,ay 4IT1OUT the thoughts you did not ,ant# and that ,ere 2EHER true3orgi*e your 'rother A!! appearances# ,hich are 'ut ancient lessons that you taught yoursel+ a'out the sin+ulness in BOU- 1ear 'ut his call +or mercy and release +rom all the +ear+ul images he holds o+ ,hat 1E is# and o+ ,hat BOU must 'e- 1e is a+raid to ,al:
> 665 >

,ith you# and thin:s perhaps a 'it 'ehind# a 'it ahead# ,ould 'e a sa+er place +or him to 'e- Can BOU ma:e progress i+ you thin: the same# ad*ancing only ,hen he ,ould step 'ac:# and +alling 'ac: ,hen he ,ould go aheadE 3or so do you +orget the @ourney=s goal ,hich is 'ut to decide to ,al: 4IT1 him# so neither leads nor +ollo,s- Thus it is a ,ay you go together# 2OT alone- And in T1IS choice is learning=s outcome changed# +or Christ has 'een re'orn to BOT1 o+ youAn instant spent ,ithout your old ideas o+ ,ho your great Companion is and ,hat he S1OU!( 'e as:ing +or# ,ill 'e enough to let this happen- And you ,ill percei*e his purpose is the same as yours- 1e as:s +or ,hat BOU ,ant# and needs the SAME as youIt ta:es# perhaps# a di++erent 3ORM in him# 'ut it is 2OT the +orm you ans,er to- 1e as:s and BOU recei*e# +or you ha*e come ,ith 'ut O2E purposeP that you 'oth may learn you lo*e each other ,ith a 'rother=s lo*e- And AS a 'rother# must his 3ather 'e the same as yours# as he is li:e yoursel+- Together is your @oint inheritance remem'ered and accepted

706

'y you 'oth- Alone it is denied to 'oth o+ youIs it not clear that ,hile you still insist on leading or on +ollo,ing# you thin: you ,al: alone# ,ith no>one 'y your sideE This is the road to no,here# +or the light cannot 'e gi*en ,hile you ,al: alone# and so you cannot SEE ,hich ,ay you go- And so there IS con+usion# and a sense o+ endless dou'ting# as you stagger 'ac: and +or,ard in the dar:ness and alone- Bet are these 'ut appearances o+ ,hat the @ourney is# and ho, it must 'e made- 3or ne<t to you is One 4ho holds the light 'e+ore you# so that e*ery step is made in certainty and sureness o+ the road- A 'lind+old can indeed o'scure your sight# 'ut cannot ma:e the ,ay itsel+ gro, dar:- And 1e 4ho tra*els ,ith you 1AS the lightJuly 6# &5JK Only the sel+>accused condemn- As you prepare to ma:e a choice that ,ill result in (I33ERE2T outcomes# there is +irst one thing that must 'e o*erlearned- It must 'ecome a ha'it o+ response so typical o+ e*erything you do# that it 'ecomes your +irst response to all temptation# and to e*ery situation that occurs- !earn this# and learn it ,ell# +or it is here delay o+ happiness is shortened 'y a span o+ time you cannot reali9e- Bou 2EHER hate your 'rother +or 1IS )sins.# 'ut O2!B +or your o,n- 4hate*er +orm his sins appear to ta:e it 'ut o'scures the +act that you 'elie*e it to 'e yours# and T1ERE3ORE meriting a @ust attac:4hy should his sins BE sins# i+ you did not 'elie*e they could not 'e +orgi*en in youE 4hy are they real in him# i+ you did not 'elie*e that they are BOUR realityE And ,hy do you attac: them e*ery,here e<cept you hate yoursel+E Are BOU a sinE Bou ans,er )yes. 41E2EHER you attac:# +or BB attac: do you assert that you are guilty# and must gi*e as you deser*e- And ,hat CA2 you deser*e 'ut ,hat you AREE I+ you did not 'elie*e that you (ESERHE( attac:# it ne*er ,ould occur to you to "IHE attac: to anyone at all- 4hy should youE 4hat ,ould 'e the gain to youE 4hat could the outcome 'e that you ,ould 4A2TE And ho, COU!( murder 'ring you 'ene+itE
> 6J% >

Sins are in 'odies- They are not percei*ed in minds- They are not seen as purposes# 'ut actions- Bodies act# and minds do not- And there+ore must the 'ody 'e at +ault +or ,hat it does- It is not seen to 'e a passi*e thing# o'eying your commands# and doing nothing o+ itsel+ at all- I+ you are sin you ARE a 'ody# +or the mind acts not- And purpose

707

must 'e in the 'ody# 2OT the mind- The 'ody must act on its o,n# and moti*ate itsel+- I+ you are sin# you loc: the mind 4IT1I2 the 'ody# and you gi*e its purpose to its prisonhouse# ,hich acts instead o+ it- A @ailer does not +ollo, orders# 'ut E23ORCES orders on the prisonerBet is the BO(B prisoner# and 2OT the mind- The 'ody thin:s no thoughts- It has no po,er to learn# to pardon# or ensla*e- It gi*es no orders that the mind need ser*e# nor sets conditions that it must o'ey- It holds in prison 'ut the ,illing mind that ,ould a'ide in it- It sic:ens at the 'idding o+ the mind that ,ould 'ecome its prisoner- And it gro,s old and dies# 'ecause that mind is sic: ,ithin ITSE!3- !earning is all that causes changeAnd so the 'ody# ,here no learning CA2 occur# could ne*er change unless the mind RE3ERRE( the 'ody change in its appearances# to suit the purpose gi*en 'y the mind3or it CA2 learn# and there is A!! change madeThe mind that thin:s it is a sin has 'ut O2E purposeP that the 'ody 'e the source o+ sin# and LEE it in the prison house it chose# and guards# and holds itsel+ at 'ay# a sleeping prisoner to the snarling dogs o+ hate and e*il# sic:ness and attac:P o+ pain and age# o+ grie+ and su++ering- 1ere are the thoughts o+ sacri+ice preser*ed# +or here guilt rules# and orders that the ,orld 'e li:e itsel+P a place ,here nothing can +ind mercy# or sur*i*e the ra*ages o+ +ear e<cept in murder and in death- 3or here are you made sin# and sin cannot a'ide the @oyous nor accept the +ree# +or they are enemies ,hich sin must :illIn death is sin preser*ed# and those ,ho thin: that they are sin MUST die +or ,hat they are!et us 'e glad that you 4I!! see ,hat you 'elie*e# and that it 1AS 'een gi*en you to C1A2"E ,hat you 'elie*e- The 'ody ,ill 'ut +ollo,- It can 2EHER lead you ,here you ,ould not 'e- IT does not guard your sleep# nor inter+ere ,ith your a,a:eningRelease your 'ody +rom imprisonment# and you ,ill see no>one as prisoner to ,hat you ha*e escaped- Bou ,ill not 4A2T to hold in guilt your chosen enemies# nor :eep in chains to the illusion o+ a changing lo*e the ones you thin: are +riends- The innocent release in gratitude +or T1EIR release- And ,hat they see upholds their +reedom 3ROM imprisonment and death- Open your mind to change# and there ,ill 'e no ancient penalty e<acted +rom

708

your 'rother OR yoursel+- 3or "od has said there IS no sacri+ice that can 'e as:edP there IS no sacri+ice that can 'e madeJuly &J# &5JK There is a tendency to thin: the ,orld can o++er consolation and escape +rom pro'lems ,hich its purpose is to LEE - 4hy should this 'eE Because it is a place ,here choice among illusions seems to 'e the O2!B choice- And BOU are in control o+ outcomes o+
> 6J& >

your choosing- Thus you thin:# ,ithin the narro, 'and +rom 'irth to death# a little time is gi*en you to use +or you aloneP a time ,hen e*eryone con+licts ,ith you# 'ut you can choose ,hich road ,ill lead you out o+ con+lict# and A4AB +rom di++iculties ,hich concern you not- But they ARE your concern- 1o,# then# can you escape +rom them 'y lea*ing them 'ehindE 4hat MUST go ,ith you# you ,ill ta:e ,ith you ,hate*er road you choose to ,al: alongReal choice is no illusion- But the ,orld has none to o++er- A!! its roads 'ut lead to disappointment# nothingness and death- There IS no choice in its alternati*es- See: not ESCA E +rom pro'lems here- The ,orld ,as made that pro'lems could not BE escapedBe not decei*ed 'y all the di++erent names its roads are gi*en- They ha*e 'ut one endAnd each is 'ut the means to "AI2 that end# +or it is here that all its roads ,ill lead# ho,e*er di++erently they seem to startP ho,e*er di++erently they seem to go- Their end is certain# +or there is no choice among them- All o+ them ,ill lead to death- On some you tra*el gaily +or a ,hile# 'e+ore the 'lea:ness enters- And on some the thorns are +elt at once- The choice is not 41AT ,ill the ending 'e# 'ut 41E2 it comesThere IS no choice ,here e*ery end is sure- erhaps you ,ould pre+er to try them all# 'e+ore you REA!!B learn they are 'ut one- The roads this ,orld can o++er seem to 'e ?uite large in num'er# 'ut the time must come ,hen e*eryone 'egins to see ho, li:e they are to one another- Men ha*e died on seeing this# 'ecause they sa, no ,ay EXCE T the path,ays o++ered 'y the ,orld- And# learning T1EB led no,here# lost their hopeAnd yet this ,as the time they COU!( ha*e learned their greatest lesson- All must reach this point# and go BEBO2( it- It is true indeed there is no choice at all ,ithin the ,orldBut this is 2OT the lesson in itsel+- The lesson has a UR OSE# and in T1IS you come to

709

understand ,hat it is 3OR4hy ,ould you see: to try another road# another person or another place# ,hen you 1AHE learned the ,ay the lesson starts# 'ut do not yet percei*e ,hat it is +orE Its purpose is the A2S4ER to the search that all must underta:e ,ho still 'elie*e there is another ans,er to 'e +ound- !earn no,# 4IT1OUT despair# there is no hope o+ ans,ers in the ,orld- But do not @udge the lesson ,hich is 'ut BE"U2 ,ith this- See: not another signpost in the ,orld ,hich seems to point to still another road- 2o longer loo: +or hope ,here there is none- Ma:e +ast your learning 2O4# and understand you 'ut ,aste time unless you go BEBO2( ,hat you ha*e learned to ,hat is yet to learn- 3or +rom this lo,est point ,ill learning lead to heights o+ happiness# in ,hich you see the UR OSE o+ the lesson shining clear# and per+ectly ,ithin your learning grasp4ho ,ould 'e ,illing to 'e turned A4AB +rom all the road,ays o+ the ,orld# U2!ESS he understood their real +utilityE Is it not need+ul that he should BE"I2 ,ith this# to see: another ,ay insteadE 3or ,hile he sees a choice ,here there is none# ,hat po,er o+ decision can he useE The great RE!EASE o+ po,er must 'egin ,ith learning ,here it really 1AS a use- And ,hat decision has po,er# i+ it 'e applied in situations ,ithout choiceE The learning that the ,orld can o++er 'ut O2E choice# no matter ,hat its +orm may 'e# is the 'eginning o+ acceptance that there is a REA! alternati*e insteadTo
> 6J$ >

+ight A"AI2ST this step is to de+eat your purpose here- Bou did not come to learn to +ind a road the ,orld does not containThe search +or (I33ERE2T path,ays in the ,orld is 'ut the search +or di++erent 3ORMS o+ truth- And this ,ould LEE the truth +rom 'eing reached- Thin: not that happiness is EHER +ound 'y +ollo,ing a road A4AB +rom it- AThis ma:es 2O sense# and CA22OT 'e the ,ay- To you ,ho seem to +ind this course to 'e too di++icult to learn# let me repeat that# to achie*e a goal# you must proceed in its direction# not A4AB +rom it-C And EHERB road that goes the other ,ay ,ill 2OT ad*ance the purpose to 'e +ound- I+ T1IS 'e di++icult to understand# then IS this course impossi'le to learn- But only then3or other,ise# it is a simple teaching in the o'*iousThere IS a choice ,hich you ha*e po,er to ma:e#,hen you ha*e seen the real alternati*es- U2TI! that point is reached you 1AHE no choice# and you can 'ut decide ho, you ,ould choose the 'etter to decei*e yoursel+ again- This course attempts to

710

teach no more than that the po,er o+ decision cannot lie in choosing di++erent +orms o+ ,hat is still the SAME illusion and the SAME mista:e- All choices in the ,orld depend on thisP > Bou choose BET4EE2 your 'rother and yoursel+# and you ,ill gain as much as he ,ill lose# and ,hat you lose is ,hat is gi*en him- 1o, utterly O OSE( to truth is this# ,hen ,hat the lesson=s purpose is to teach that ,hat your 'rother loses BOU ha*e lost# and ,hat he gains is ,hat is gi*en BOU1e has not le+t 1is ThoughtsO But you +orgot 1is resence# and remem'er not 1is !o*e- 2o path,ay in the ,orld can lead to 1im# nor any ,orldly goal is one ,ith 1is4hat road in all the ,orld ,ill lead ,ithin# ,hen EHERB road ,as made to separate the @ourney +rom the purpose it MUST ha*e# unless it 'e 'ut +utile ,anderingE All roads that lead A4AB +rom ,hat you are ,ill lead you to con+usion and despair- Bet has 1e ne*er le+t 1is Thoughts to die# ,ithout their Source +ore*er in themsel*es- 1e has not le+t 1is Thoughts- 1e could no more depart +rom them than they could :eep 1im out- In unity ,ith 1im do they a'ide# and in their Oneness BOT1 are :ept completeThere IS no road that leads a,ay +rom 1im- A @ourney 3ROM yoursel+ does not e<ist- 1o, +oolish and insane it is to thin: that there COU!( 'e a road ,ith such an aim4here could it goE And ho, could you 'e made to tra*el on it# ,al:ing there ,ithout your o,n reality at one ,ith youE 3orgi*e yoursel+ your madness# and +orget all senseless @ourneys and all goal>less aims- They ha*e no meaning- Bou can 2OT escape +rom ,hat you are- 3or "od IS merci+ul# and did not let 1IS Son a'andon 1im- 3or ,hat 1e is 'e than:+ul# +or in that is BOUR escape +rom madness and +rom death- 2o,here 'ut ,here 1e is can BOU 'e +ound- There IS no path that does not lead to 1imJuly &K# &5JK The learning o+ the ,orld is 'uilt upon a concept o+ the sel+ ad@usted to the ,orld=s reality- It +its it ,ell- 3or this an image is that suits a ,orld o+ shado,s and illusions1ere it ,al:s at home# ,here ,hat it sees is one ,ith it- The 'uilding o+ a concept o+ the sel+
> 6J8 >

is ,hat the learning o+ the ,orld is 3OR- This is its purposeP that you come 4IT1OUT a sel+# and MALE one as you go along- And 'y the time you reach )maturity#. you ha*e per+ected it to meet the ,orld on e?ual terms# at one ,ith its demands- A concept o+ the

711

sel+ is made 'y BOU- It 'ears 2O li:eness to yoursel+ at all- It is an idol# made to ta:e the place o+ your reality as Son o+ "odThe concept o+ the sel+ the ,orld ,ould teach is not the thing that it appears to 'e3or it is made to ser*e t,o purposes# 'ut one o+ ,hich the mind can recogni9e- The +irst presents the +ace o+ innocence# the aspect acted O2- It is this +ace that smiles and charms and e*en seems to lo*e- It searches +or companions# and it loo:s at times ,ith pity on the su++ering# and sometimes o++ers solace- It 'elie*es that it is good# ,ithin an e*il ,orldThis aspect can gro, angry# +or the ,orld is ,ic:ed# and una'le to pro*ide the lo*e and shelter innocence deser*es- And so this +ace is o+ten ,et ,ith tears# at the in@ustices the ,orld accords to those ,ho ,ould 'e generous and goodThis aspect 2EHER ma:es the +irst attac:- But e*ery day a hundred little things ma:e small assaults upon its innocence# pro*o:ing it to irritation# and at last to open insult and a'use- The +ace o+ innocence the concept o+ the sel+ so proudly ,ears can tolerate attac: in sel+>de+ense# +or is it not a ,ell>:no,n +act the ,orld deals harshly ,ith de+enseless innocenceE 2o>one ,ho ma:es a picture o+ himsel+ omits this +ace# +or he has need o+ itThe other side# he does not ,ant to see- Bet it is here the learning o+ the ,orld has set its sights- 3or it is here the ,orld=s reality is set# to see to it the idol lastsBeneath the +ace o+ innocence there is a lesson that the concept o+ the sel+ ,as made to teach- It is a lesson in a terri'le displacement# and a +ear so de*astating that the +ace ,hich smiles a'o*e it must +ore*er loo: a,ay# lest it percei*e the treachery it hidesThe lesson teaches thisP )I am the thing you made o+ me# and as you loo: on me you stand condemned# 'ecause o+ ,hat I am-. On this conception o+ the sel+ the ,orld smiles ,ith appro*al# +or it guarantees the path,ays o+ the ,orld are sa+ely :ept# and those ,ho ,al: on them ,ill not escape1ere is the central lesson that ensures your 'rother is condemned eternally- 3or ,hat BOU are has no, 'ecome his sin- 3or this is no +orgi*eness possi'le- 2o longer does it matter ,hat he does# +or your accusing +inger points to him# un,a*ering and deadly in its aim- It points to you as ,ell# 'ut this is :ept still deeper in the mists 'elo,

712

the +ace o+ innocence- And in these shrouded *aults are all his sins and yours preser*ed# and :ept in dar:ness# ,here they cannot 'e percei*ed as errors# ,hich the light ,ould surely sho,- Bou can 'e neither B!AME( +or ,hat you are# nor can you C1A2"E the things it ma:es you do- And you are each the sym'ol o+ your sins to one another# silently# and yet ,ith ceaseless urgency# condemning still your 'rother +or the hated thing you areConcepts are learned- They are not natural- Apart +rom learning they do not e<istThey are not gi*en# and they must 'e made- 2ot one o+ them is true# and many come +rom +e*erish imaginations# hot ,ith hatred and distortions 'orn o+ +ear- 4hat is a concept 'ut a thought to ,hich its ma:er gi*es a meaning o+ his o,nE Concepts maintain the
> 6JG >

,orld- But they can 2OT 'e used to demonstrate the ,orld is real- 3or all o+ them are made 4IT1I2 the ,orld# 'orn in its shado,# gro,ing in its ,ays# and +inally )maturing. in its thought- They are ideas o+ idols painted ,ith the 'rushes o+ the ,orld# ,hich cannot ma:e a single picture representing truthA concept o+ the sel+ is meaningless# +or no>one here can see ,hat it is +or# and there+ore cannot picture ,hat it IS- Bet is all learning ,hich the ,orld directs 'egun and ended ,ith the single aim o+ teaching you this concept o+ yoursel+# that you ,ill choose to +ollo, this ,orld=s la,s# and ne*er see: to go BEBO2( its roads# nor reali9e the ,ay you see yoursel+- 2o, must the 1oly Spirit +ind a ,ay to help you see this concept o+ the sel+ must 'e undone# i+ A2B peace o+ mind is to 'e gi*en you- 2or can it 'e unlearned e<cept 'y lessons aimed to teach that you are something else- 3or other,ise# you ,ould 'e as:ed to ma:e e<change o+ ,hat you no, 'elie*e +or total loss o+ sel+# and greater terror ,ould arise in youThus are the 1oly Spirit=s lesson plans arranged in easy steps# that# though there 'e some lac: o+ ease at times# and some distress# there is no shattering o+ ,hat ,as learned# 'ut @ust a re>translation o+ ,hat seems to 'e the e*idence on its 'ehal+- !et us consider# then# ,hat proo+ there is that you are ,hat your 'rother made o+ you- 3or e*en though you do not yet percei*e that this is ,hat you thin:# you surely learned 'y no, that you BE1AHE as i+ it ,ere- (oes he REACT +or youE And did he :no, e<actly ,hat ,ould

713

happenE Could he see your +uture# and ordain 'e+ore it came ,hat you should do in EHERB circumstanceE 1e must ha*e made the ,orld as ,ell as you# to ha*e such prescience in the things to comeThat you are ,hat your 'rother made o+ you seems most unli:ely- E*en i+ he did# ,ho ga*e the +ace o+ innocence to youE Is this BOUR contri'utionE 4ho is# then# the )you. ,ho made itE And ,ho is decei*ed 'y all your goodness# and attac:s it soE !et us +orget the concept=s +oolishness# and merely thin: o+ thisP there are t,o parts to ,hat you thin: yoursel+ to 'e- I+ one ,as generated 'y your 'rother# ,ho ,as there to ma:e the otherE And +rom ,hom must something 'e :ept hiddenE I+ the ,orld 'e e*il# there is still no need to hide ,hat BOU are made o+- 4ho is there to seeE And ,hat 'ut is attac:ed could 2EE( de+enseE erhaps the reason ,hy this concept must 'e :ept in dar:ness is that# in the light# the one ,ho ,ould not thin: it true is BOU- And ,hat ,ould happen to the ,orld you :no,# i+ all its underpinnings ,ere remo*edE Bour concept o+ the ,orld (E E2(S upon this concept o+ the sel+- And BOT1 ,ould go# i+ either one ,ere e*er raised to dou't- The 1oly Spirit does not see: to thro, you into panic- So 1e merely as:s i+ @ust a !ITT!E ?uestion might 'e raised- There ARE alternati*es a'out the thing that you must 'e- Bou might# +or instance# 'e the thing you chose to ha*e your BROT1ER 'eThis shi+ts the concept o+ the sel+ +rom ,hat is ,holly passi*e# and at least ma:es ,ay +or acti*e choice# and some ac:no,ledgment that interaction must ha*e entered inThere is some understanding that you chose +or BOT1 o+ you# and ,hat he represents has meaning that ,as gi*en it 'y BOU- It also sho,s some glimmering o+ sight into
> 6J6 >

perception=s la, that ,hat you see re+lects the state o+ the ERCEIHER=S mind- Bet ,ho ,as it that did the choosing +irstE I+ you are ,hat you chose your 'rother 'e# alternati*es ,ere there to choose 'et,een# and someone must ha*e +irst decided on the one to choose# and let the others goAlthough this step has gains# it does not yet approach a 'asic ?uestion- Something must ha*e gone BE3ORE these concepts o+ the sel+- And something must ha*e done the learning ,hich ga*e rise to them- 2or can this 'e e<plained 'y either *ie,- The main ad*antage o+ the shi+ting to the second +rom the +irst is that you someho, entered in the choice 'y BOUR decision- But this gain is paid in almost e?ual loss# +or no, BOU stand accused o+ guilt +or ,hat your BROT1ER is- And you must S1ARE his guilt# 'ecause you chose it 3OR him# n the image o+ your o,n- 4hile O2!B he ,as treacherous 'e+ore# no, must BOU 'e condemned along ,ith himThe concept o+ the sel+ has al,ays 'een the great preoccupation o+ the ,orld- And

714

e*eryone 'elie*es that he must +ind the ans,er to the riddle o+ himsel+- Sal*ation can 'e seen as nothing more than the ESCA E +rom concepts- It does not concern itsel+ ,ith content o+ the mind# 'ut ,ith the simple statement T1AT IT T1I2LS- And ,hat can thin: has choice# and CA2 'e sho,n that di++erent thoughts ha*e di++erent conse?uenceAnd it can learn that EHERBT1I2" it thin:s re+lects the deep con+usion that it +eels a'out ho, it ,as made# and ,hat it is- And *aguely does the concept o+ the sel+ appear to ans,er ,hat it does not :no,See: not your Sel+ in sym'ols- There can 'e no concept that can stand +or ,hat you are- 4hat matters it ,hich concept you accept# ,hile you percei*e a sel+ ,hich interacts ,ith e*il# and reacts to ,ic:ed thingsE Bour concept o+ yoursel+ ,ill still remain ?uite meaningless- And you ,ill not percei*e that you can interact 'ut ,ith yoursel+- To see a guilty ,orld is 'ut the sign your learning has 'een guided 'y the ,orld# and you 'ehold it as you see yoursel+- The concept o+ the sel+ em'races all you loo: upon# and 2OT1I2" is outside o+ this perception- I+ you can 'e hurt 'y A2BT1I2"# you see a picture o+ your secret ,ishes- 2othing more than this- And in your su++ering o+ A2B :ind# you see your o,n concealed desire to :illBou ,ill ma:e many concepts o+ the sel+ as learning goes along- Each one ,ill sho, the changes in your o,n relationships# as your perception o+ yoursel+ is changedThere ,ill 'e some con+usion e*ery time there is a shi+t# 'ut 'e you than:+ul that the learning o+ the ,orld is loosening its grasp upon your mind- And 'e you sure and happy in the con+idence that it ,ill go at last# and lea*e your mind at peace- The role o+ the accuser ,ill appear in many places and in many +orms# and each ,ill seem to 'e accusing youBut ha*e no +ear it ,ill not 'e undone- The ,orld can teach no images o+ you unless you 4A2T to learn them- There ,ill come a time ,hen images ha*e all gone 'y# and you ,ill see you :no, not ,hat you areIt is to this unsealed and open mind that truth returns# unhindered and un'ound4here concepts o+ the sel+ ha*e 'een laid 'y is truth re*ealed e<actly as it is- 4hen e*ery concept has 'een raised to dou't and ?uestion# and 'een recogni9ed as made on 2O
> 6JJ >

assumptions ,hich ,ould stand the light# then is the truth le+t +ree to enter in its sanctuary

715

clean and +ree o+ guilt- There is no statement that the ,orld is more a+raid to hear than thisF )I do not :no, the thing I am# and T1ERE3ORE do not :no, ,hat I am doing# ,here I am# or ho, to loo: upon the ,orld and on mysel+-. Bet in this learning is sal*ation 'orn- And ,hat you are ,ill TE!! you o+ Itsel+August $8# &5JK Bou see the +lesh or recogni9e the Spirit- There is no compromise 'et,een the t,oI+ one is real the other must 'e +alse# +or ,hat is real denies its opposite- There is no choice in *ision 'ut this one- 4hat you decide in this determines all you see# and thin: is real# and hold as true- On this one choice does all your ,orld depend# +or here ha*e you esta'lished ,hat you are# as +lesh or Spirit in your o,n 'elie+- I+ you choose +lesh# you ne*er ,ill escape the 'ody as your o,n reality# +or you ha*e chosen that you ,ant it soBut choose the Spirit# and all 1ea*en 'ends to touch your eyes# and 'less your holy sight# that you may see the ,orld o+ +lesh no more e<cept to heal and com+ort and to 'lessSal*ation is undoing- I+ you choose to see the 'ody# you 'ehold a ,orld o+ separation# unrelated things# and happenings that ma:e no sense at all- This one appears and disappears in death- That one is doomed to su++ering and loss- And no>one is e<actly as he ,as an instant pre*ious- 2or ,ill he 'e the same as he is no, an instant hence4ho could ha*e trust ,here so much change is seen# +or ,ho is ,orthy i+ he 'e 'ut dustE Sal*ation is undoing o+ all this- And constancy arises in the sight o+ those ,hose eyes sal*ation has released +rom loo:ing at the cost o+ :eeping guilt# 'ecause they chose to let it go insteadSal*ation does not as: that you 'ehold the Spirit and percei*e the 'ody not- It merely as:s that this should 'e your C1OICE- 3or BOU can see the 'ody 4IT1OUT help# 'ut do not understand ho, to 'ehold a ,orld A ART +rom it- It is your ,orld sal*ation ,ill undo# and let you see another ,orld your eyes could ne*er +ind- Be not concerned 1O4 this could e*er 'e- Bou do not understand ho, ,hat BOU see arose to meet your sight- 3or i+ you did# it ,ould 'e gone- The *eil o+ ignorance is dra,n across the e*il and the good# and must 'e passed that 'oth may disappear# so that perception +inds no hiding place1o, is this doneE It is not done at all- 4hat COU!( there 'e ,ithin the uni*erse ,hich "od created that must still 'e doneE Only in arrogance could you concei*e that

716

BOU must ma:e the ,ay to 1ea*en plain- The means are "IHE2 you 'y ,hich to see the ,orld that ,ill replace the one you made- Bour ,ill 'e doneO In 1ea*en as on earth this is +ore*er true- It matters not ,here you 'elie*e you are# or ,hat you thin: the truth a'out yoursel+ must really 'e- It ma:es no di++erence ,hat you loo: upon# nor ,hat you
> 6J7 >

choose to +eel or thin: or ,ish- 3or "od 1imsel+ hath said# )Thy ,ill 'e done-. And it IS done to you accordinglyBou ,ho 'elie*e that you can choose to see the Son o+ "od as you ,ould ha*e him 'e# +orget not that no CO2CE T o+ yoursel+ ,ill stand against the truth o+ ,hat you areUndoing truth ,ould 'e impossi'le- But concepts are not di++icult to change- One *ision# clearly seen# that does not +it the picture as it ,as percei*ed 'e+ore# ,ill change the ,orld +or eyes that learn to see# BECAUSE T1E CO2CE T O3 T1E SE!3 1AS C1A2"E(Are BOU in*ulnera'leE Then the ,orld is harmless in your sight- (o BOU +orgi*eE Then is the ,orld +orgi*ing# +or you ha*e +orgi*en it its trespasses- And so it loo:s on you ,ith eyes that see as yoursAre BOU a 'odyE So is all the ,orld percei*ed as treacherous# and out to :illAre you a Spirit# deathless# and ,ithout the promise o+ corruption and the stain o+ sin upon youE So the ,orld is seen as sta'le# +ully ,orthy o+ your trustP a happy place to rest in +or a ,hile# ,here nothing need 'e +eared 'ut only lo*ed- 4ho is un,elcome to the :ind in heartE And ,hat could hurt the truly innocentE Bour ,ill 'e done# you holy Child o+ "od- It does not matter i+ you thin: you are in earth or 1ea*en- 4hat your 3ather ,ills +or you can ne*er change- The truth in you remains as radiant as a star# as pure as light# as innocent as !o*e Itsel+- And you ARE ,orthy that your 4ill 'e doneAugust $J# &5JK !earning is change- Sal*ation does not see: to use a means as yet too alien to your thin:ing to 'e help+ul# nor to ma:e the :inds o+ change you could not recogni9eConcepts are needed ,hile perception lasts- And changing concepts IS sal*ation=s tas:- 3or it must deal in contrasts# not in truth# ,hich has no opposite and cannot change- In this ,orld=s concepts are the guilty )'adP. the )good. are innocent- And no>one here 'ut holds a concept o+ himsel+ in ,hich he counts the )good. to pardon him the )'ad-. 2or does he trust the )good. in anyone# 'elie*ing that the )'ad. must lur: 'ehindThis concept emphasi9es treachery# and trust 'ecomes impossi'le- 2or could it change

717

,hile you percei*e the )'ad. in you- Bou could not recogni9e your )e*il. thoughts as long as you see *alue in attac:- Bou 4I!! percei*e them sometimes# 'ut ,ill 2OT see them as meaningless- And so they come in +ear+ul +orm# ,ith content still concealed# to sha:e your sorry concept o+ yoursel+# and 'lac:en it ,ith still another )crime-. BOU cannot gi*e yoursel+ your innocence# +or you are too con+used a'out yoursel+- But should O2E 'rother da,n upon your sight as ,holly ,orthy o+ +orgi*eness# then your concept o+ yoursel+ IS ,holly changedBOUR )e*il. thoughts ha*e 'een +orgi*en ,ith his# 'ecause you let them all a++ect BOU not- 2o longer did you choose that you should 'e the sign o+ )e*il. and o+ guilt in him- And as you ga*e your trust to ,hat is )good. in him# you ga*e it to the )good. in you- In terms o+ concepts# it is thus you see him MORE than @ust a 'ody# +or the )good. is 2EHER ,hat the 'ody seems to 'e- The actions o+ the 'ody are percei*ed as coming
> 6JK >

+rom the )'aser. part o+ you# and thus o+ him as ,ell- By +ocusing upon the )good. in him# the 'ody gro,s decreasingly persistent in your sight# and ,ill at length 'e seen as little more than @ust a shado, circling round the )good.And this ,ill 'e your concept o+ BOURSE!3# ,hen you ha*e reached the ,orld 'eyond the sight your eyes alone can o++er you to see- 3or you ,ill not interpret ,hat you see ,ithout the Aid that "od has gi*en you- And in 1is sight there IS another ,orldBou li*e in that ,orld @ust as much as this# +or BOT1 are concepts o+ yoursel+# ,hich can 'e interchanged# 'ut ne*er @ointly held- The contrast is +ar greater than you thin:# +or you ,ill lo*e this concept o+ yoursel+# BECAUSE IT 4AS 2OT MA(E 3OR BOU A!O2EBorn as a gi+t +or someone 2OT percei*ed to 'e yoursel+# it has 'een gi*en BOU- 3or your +orgi*eness# o++ered unto him# has 'een accepted no, +or BOT1 o+ you1a*e +aith in him ,ho ,al:s ,ith you# so that your +ear+ul concept o+ yoursel+ may change- And loo: upon the )good. in him# that you may not 'e +ear+ull o+ your )e*il. thoughts# 'ecause they do not cloud your *ie, o+ him- And all this shi+t re?uires is that you 'e 4I!!I2" that this happy change occur- 2o more than this is as:ed- On its 'ehal+# remem'er ,hat the concept o+ yoursel+ ,hich no, you hold has 'rought you in its ,a:e# and ,elcome the glad contrast o++ered you- 1old out your hand# that you may ha*e the gi+t o+ :ind +orgi*eness# ,hich you o++er one ,hose need +or it is @ust the same as yours- And let the cruel concept o+ yoursel+ 'e changed to one ,hich 'rings the peace o+ "od-

718

The concept o+ yoursel+ ,hich no, you hold ,ould "UARA2TEE your +unction here remain +ore*er unaccomplished and undone- And thus it dooms you to a 'itter sense o+ deep depression and +utility- Bet it need not 'e +i<ed# unless you choose to hold it past the hope o+ change# and :eep it static and concealed ,ithin your mind- "i*e it instead to 1im 4ho understands the changes that it needs to let it SERHE the +unction gi*en you to 'ring you peace# that you may o++er peace to ha*e it yours- Alternati*es are in your mind to use# and you CA2 see yoursel+ another ,ay- 4ould you not rather loo: upon yoursel+ as 2EE(E( +or sal*ation o+ the ,orld# instead o+ as sal*ation=s enemyE Sept- 8%# &5JK The concept o+ the sel+ stands li:e a shield# a silent 'arricade 'e+ore the truth# and hides it +rom your sight- All things you see are images 'ecause you loo: on them as through a 'arrier ,hich dims your sight and ,arps your *ision# so that you 'ehold nothing ,ith clarity- The light is :ept +rom e*erything you see- At most# you glimpse a shado, o+ ,hat lies 'eyond- At least you merely loo: on dar:ness# and percei*e the terri+ied imaginings that come +rom guilty thoughts and concepts 'orn o+ +ear- And ,hat you see is hell# +or +ear IS hell- All that is gi*en you is +or releaseP the sight# the *ision and the inner "uide all lead you OUT o+ hell ,ith those you lo*e 'eside you# and the uni*erse ,ith them> 6J5 >

Behold your role ,ithin the uni*erseO To e*ery part o+ true creation has the !ord o+ !o*e and !i+e entrusted A!! sal*ation +rom the misery o+ hell- And to each one has 1e allo,ed the grace to 'e a Sa*iour to the holy ones especially entrusted to his careAnd this he learns ,hen +irst he loo:s upon O2E 'rother as he loo:s upon himsel+# and sees the mirror o+ himsel+ in him- Thus is the CO2CE T o+ himsel+ laid 'y# +or nothing stands BET4EE2 his sight and ,hat he loo:s upon# to @udge ,hat he 'eholds- And in this single *ision does he see the 3ace o+ Christ# and understands he loo:s on e*eryone as he 'eholds this One- 3or there is light ,here dar:ness ,as 'e+ore# and no, the *eil is li+ted +rom his sightThe *eil across the 3ace o+ Christ# the +ear o+ "od and o+ sal*ation# and the lo*e o+ guilt and death# > they all are di++erent names +or @ust O2E errorP that there is a space 'et,een you and your 'rother# :ept apart 'y an illusion o+ yoursel+ ,hich holds him o++ +rom you# and you a,ay +rom him- The s,ord o+ @udgment is the ,eapon ,hich you gi*e

719

to the illusion o+ yoursel+# that it may +ight to :eep the space that holds your 'rother o++ unoccupied 'y lo*e- Bet ,hile you hold this s,ord# you MUST percei*e the 'ody as BOURSE!3# +or you are 'ound to separation +rom the sight o+ him ,ho holds the mirror to another *ie, o+ ,hat 1E is# and thus ,hat BOU must 'e4hat is temptation 'ut the 4IS1 to stay in hell and miseryE And ,hat could this gi*e rise to BUT an image o+ yoursel+ that CA2 'e misera'le# and remain in hell and tormentE 4ho has learned to see his 'rother 2OT as this 1AS sa*ed himsel+# and thus IS he a Sa*iour to the rest- To e*eryone has "od entrusted all# 'ecause a ARTIA! sa*iour ,ould 'e one ,ho is 'ut partly sa*ed- The holy ones ,hom "od has gi*en each o+ you to sa*e are e*eryone you meet or loo: upon# not :no,ing ,ho they areP all those you sa, an instant and +orgot# and those you :ne, a long ,hile since# and those you ,ill yet meet# the unremem'ered and the not yet 'orn- 3or "od has gi*en you 1is Son to sa*e +rom e*ery concept that he e*er heldBet ,hile you ,ish to stay in hell# ho, COU!( you 'e the Sa*iour o+ the Son o+ "odE 1o, ,ould you :no, his holiness# ,hile you see him apart +rom yoursE 3or holiness is seen through holy eyes that loo: upon the innocence ,ithin# and thus EX ECT to see it e*ery,here- And so they call it +orth in e*eryone they loo: upon# that he may 'e ,hat they e<pect o+ him- This is the Sa*iour=s *isionP that he see 1IS innocence in all he loo:s upon# and sees his o,n sal*ation e*ery,here- 1e holds 2O concept o+ himsel+ 'et,een his calm and open eyes and ,hat he sees- 1e BRI2"S the light to ,hat he loo:s upon# that he may see it as it really is4hate*er +orm temptation seems to ta:e# it A!4ABS 'ut re+lects a ,ish to 'e a sel+ ,hich you are not- And 3ROM that ,ish a concept rises# teaching that you ARE the thing you ,ish to 'e- It ,ill remain your concept o+ yoursel+ until the ,ish that +athered it no longer is held dear- And ,hile you cherish it# you ,ill 'ehold your 'rother in the li:eness o+ the sel+ ,hose image has the ,ish 'egot o+ BOU- 3or *ision CA2 'ut represent a ,ish# 'ecause it has 2O po,er to create- Bet it can loo: ,ith lo*e or loo: ,ith hate# depending
> 67% >

only on the simple choice o+ ,hether you ,ould @oin ,ith ,hat you see# or :eep yoursel+ apart and separateThe Sa*iour=s *ision is as innocent o+ ,hat your 'rother is as it is +ree o+ any @udgment

720

made upon yoursel+- It sees no past in anyone at all- And thus it ser*es a ,holly open mind# unclouded 'y old concepts# and prepared to loo: on O2!B ,hat the present holds- It cannot @udge 'ecause it does not :no,- And RECO"2IUI2" this# it merely as:s# )4hat is the meaning o+ ,hat I 'eholdE. Then is the Ans,er gi*en# and the door held open +or the 3ace o+ Christ to shine upon the one ,ho as:s in innocence to see BEBO2( the *eil o+ old ideas and ancient concepts held so long and dear A"AI2ST the *ision o+ the Christ in youBe *igilant against temptation# then# remem'ering that it is 'ut a ,ish# insane and meaningless# to ma:e yoursel+ a thing ,hich you are not- And thin: as ,ell upon the thing that you ,ould 'e instead- It is a thing o+ madness# pain and deathP a thing o+ treachery and 'lac: despair# o+ +ailing dreams and no remaining hope e<cept to die# and end the dream o+ +ear- T1IS is temptationP nothing MORE than this- CA2 this 'e di++icult to choose A"AI2STE Consider ,hat temptation is# and see the real alternati*es you choose 'et,een- There ARE 'ut t,o- Be not decei*ed 'y ,hat appears as many choicesThere is hell or 1ea*en# and o+ these you choose 'ut O2E!et not the ,orld=s light# gi*en unto you# 'e hidden +rom the ,orld- It 2EE(S the light# +or it is dar: indeed# and men despair 'ecause the Sa*iour=s *ision is ,ithheld# and ,hat they see is death- Their Sa*iour stands# un:no,ing and un:no,n# 'eholding them ,ith eyes unopened- And T1EB cannot see until he loo:s on them ,ith seeing eyes# and o++ers them +orgi*eness ,ith his o,n- Can you to ,hom "od says# )Release My SonO. 'e tempted 2OT to listen# ,hen you learn that it is BOU +or ,hom 1e as:s releaseE And ,hat BUT this is ,hat this course ,ould teachE And ,hat BUT this is there +or you to learnE Temptation has O2E lesson it ,ould teach# in A!! its +orms# 41EREHER it occursIt ,ould persuade the holy Son o+ "od he is a 'ody# 'orn in ,hat must die# una'le to escape its +railty# and 'ound 'y ,hat it orders him to +eel- It sets the limits on ,hat he can doP its po,er is the only strength he hasP his grasp cannot e<ceed its tiny reach4ould you BE this# i+ Christ appeared to you in all 1is glory# as:ing you 'ut this# )Choose once again i+ you ,ould ta:e your place among the Sa*iours o+ the ,orld# or ,ould remain in hell# and hold your 'rothers there-. 3or 1e 1AS come# and 1e IS as:ing thisOcto'er &%# &5JK

721

1o, do you ma:e the choiceE 1o, easily is this e<plainedO Bou A!4ABS choose 'et,een BOUR ,ea:ness and the strength o+ Christ in you- And ,hat you choose is ,hat you thin: is real- Simply 'y ne*er using ,ea:ness to direct your actions# you ha*e gi*en it no po,er- And the !ight o+ Christ in you is gi*en charge o+ e*erything you do3or you ha*e 'rought your ,ea:ness unto 1im# and 1e has gi*en you 1is strength
> 67& >

instead- Trials are 'ut lessons ,hich you +ailed to learn presented once again# so ,here you made a +aulty choice 'e+ore you no, can ma:e a 'etter one# and thus escape all pain ,hich ,hat you chose 'e+ore has 'rought to you- In e*ery di++iculty# all distress# and each perple<ity you +ace# Christ calls to you# and gently says# )My 'rother# choose again-. 1e ,ould not lea*e one source o+ pain unhealed# nor any image le+t to *eil the truth1e ,ould remo*e all misery +rom you ,hom "od created alters unto @oy- 1e ,ould not lea*e you com+ortless# alone in dreams o+ hell# 'ut ,ould release your minds +rom e*erything that hides 1is 3ace +rom you- 1is holiness is yours 'ecause 1e is the O2!B po,er that is real in you- 1is strength is yours 'ecause 1e is the Sel+ that "od created as 1is O2!B Son- The images you ma:e can not pre*ail against ,hat "od 1imsel+ ,ould ha*e you 'eBe ne*er +ear+ul o+ temptation# then# 'ut see it as it isP another chance to choose again# and let Christ=s strength pre*ail in e*ery circumstance and e*ery place you raised an image o+ yoursel+ 'e+ore- 3or ,hat appears to hide the 3ace o+ Christ is po,erless 'e+ore 1is Ma@esty# and disappears 'e+ore 1is holy sight- The Sa*iours o+ the ,orld# ,ho see li:e 1im# are merely those ,ho chose 1is strength instead o+ their o,n ,ea:ness# seen A ART +rom 1im- They ,ill redeem the ,orld# +or they are @oined in all the po,er o+ the 4ill o+ "od- And ,hat they ,ill is O2!B ,hat 1e ,ills!earn# then# the happy ha'it o+ response to A!! temptation to percei*e yoursel+ as ,ea: and misera'le ,ith these ,ordsF )I am as "od created me1is Son can su++er nothingAnd I AM 1is Son-. Thus is Christ=s strength I2HITE( to pre*ail# replacing all your ,ea:ness ,ith the strength that comes +rom "od# and that can 2EHER +ail- And thus are miracles as natural as +ear and agony A EARE( to 'e 'e+ore the choice +or holiness ,as made- 3or I2 that choice are +alse distinctions gone# illusory alternati*es laid 'y# and nothing le+t to I2TER3ERE ,ith truth-

722

Bou ARE as "od created you# and so is e*ery li*ing thing you loo: upon# RE"AR(!ESS o+ the images you see- 4hat you 'ehold as sic:ness and as pain# as ,ea:ness and as su++ering and loss# is 'ut temptation to percei*e BOURSE!3 de+enseless and in hellBield 2OT to this# and you ,ill see A!! pain in EHERB +orm 41EREHER it occurs 'ut disappear as mists 'e+ore the sun- A miracle has come to heal "od=s Son# and close the door upon his dreams o+ ,ea:ness# opening the ,ay to his sal*ation and release- Choose once again ,hat you ,ould ha*e him 'e# remem'ering that e*ery choice you ma:e esta'lishes your o,n identity as you ,ill see it# and 'elie*e it IS(eny me not the little gi+t I as:# ,hen in e<change I lay 'e+ore your +eet the peace o+ "od# and po,er to 'ring this peace to e*eryone ,ho ,anders in the ,orld# uncertain# lonely# and in constant +ear- 3or it is gi*en you to JOI2 ,ith him# and through the Christ in you un*eil his eyes# and let him loo: upon the Christ in him- My 'rothers in sal*ation#
> 67$ >

do not +ail to hear my *oice and listen to my ,ords- I as: +or nothing 'ut your O42 release- There is no place +or hell ,ithin a ,orld ,hose lo*eliness can yet 'e so intense and so inclusi*e it is 'ut a step +rom there to 1ea*en- To your tired eyes I 'ring a *ision o+ a di++erent ,orld# so ne, and clean and +resh you ,ill +orget the pain and sorro, that you sa, 'e+oreBut this a *ision is ,hich you must S1ARE ,ith e*eryone you see- 3or other,ise you ,ill 'ehold it not- To "IHE this gi+t is ho, to ma:e it yours- And "od ordained# in lo*ing :indness# that it BE +or you- !et us 'e glad that ,e can ,al: the ,orld# and +ind so many chances to percei*e another situation ,here 1is gi+t can once again 'e recogni9ed as ours- And thus ,ill all the *estiges o+ hell# the secret sins and hidden hates 'e gone# and all the lo*eliness ,hich they concealed appear li:e la,ns o+ 1ea*en to our sight# to li+t us high a'o*e the thorny roads ,e tra*elled on 'e+ore the Christ appeared1ear me# my 'rothers# hear and @oin ,ith me- "od has ordained I cannot call in *ainAnd in 1is certainty I rest content- 3or you 4I!! hear# and you 4I!! choose againAnd in this choice is e*eryone made +ree- I than: Bou# 3ather# +or these holy ones ,ho are my 'rothers as they are Bour Sons- My +aith in them is Bours- I am as sure that they ,ill come to me as Bou are sure o+ ,hat they are# and ,ill +ore*er 'e- They ,ill accept the gi+t I

723

o++er them 'ecause Bou ga*e it me on their 'ehal+- And as I ,ould 'ut do Bour holy 4ill# so ,ill they choose- And I gi*e than:s +or themSal*ation=s song ,ill echo through the ,orld ,ith e*ery choice they ma:e- 3or ,e are one in purpose# and the end o+ hell is near- In @oyous ,elcome is my hand outstretched to e*ery 'rother ,ho ,ould @oin ,ith me in reaching past temptation and ,ho loo:s ,ith +i<ed determination to,ard the light that shines 'eyond in per+ect constancy"i*e me my o,n# +or they 'elong to Bou- And can Bou +ail in ,hat is 'ut Bour 4illE I gi*e Bou than:s +or ,hat my 'rothers are# and as each one elects to @oin ,ith me# the song o+ than:s +rom earth to 1ea*en gro,s +rom tiny# scattered threads o+ melody to one inclusi*e chorus +rom a ,orld redeemed +rom hell# and gi*ing than:s to BouAnd no, ,e say )Amen-. 3or Christ has come to d,ell in the a'ode Bou set +or 1im 'e+ore time ,as# in calm Eternity- The @ourney closes# ending at the place ,here it 'egan2o trace o+ it remains- 2ot one illusion is accorded +aith# and not one spot o+ dar:ness still remains to hide the 3ace o+ Christ +rom anyone- Thy 4ill is done# complete and per+ectly# and all creation recogni9es Bou and :no,s Bou as the only Source it hasClear in Bour !i:eness does the !ight shine +orth +rom e*erything that li*es and mo*es in Bou3or ,e ha*e reached ,here all o+ us are One# and ,e ARE home ,here Bou ,ould ha*e us 'e> 678 >

S ECIA! MESSA"ES
> 67G > > 676 >

S ECIA! MESSA"E AOcto'er 6# &576C Be com+orted- Bou are not as:ed to do anything- There is a time ,hen to step 'ac: is all that is as:ed o+ you- It is a time o+ rest and not o+ strainP a time o+ peace and not a time o+ con+lict- That time is almost here- It seems +ear+ul 'ecause it is not under your control- But thin: a minuteP stop and thin: honestly a'out ,hat your control has doneP ,hat it has 'rought to youBou ha*e 'een caught in a trap +rom ,hich you ne*er could escape- Con+lict# guilt and +ear ha*e come ,ith you and ne*er le+t your side- Each one o+ you has done this di++erently# yet each has come to the same placeP the same impasse- And no, it seems to each o+ you that there is no escape- 3or it is true that you cannot escape alone- Bour stories seem to di++er# +or they do ta:e di++erent +orms- Bet their one content ma:es you

724

'rothers- (,ell not upon the di++erences or you are lost- It is in recogni9ing the common contentP the common need# that you are sa*eO The mess that is your li*es is an illusion- 4hat can the +orm o+ dreams resol*eE There is no ans,er to a ?uestion not yet as:ed# +or it ,ould not 'e recogni9ed- As: only thisF 4ill I +ul+ill the +unction gi*en meE 4hat else is there to as:E 4hy must I :no, the +orm in ,hich the ans,er comes to meE "od ans,ers# )Bes. and it is done- 2o more than this is meaning+ul to youIt is not 1e 4ho ,ould ,ithhold the +uture and lea*e you +ear+ul- Bou could not accept 1is )yes. in +orms you ,ould not understand- Things still in time un+old as is appointed them# and many things remain undone as yet- lans 'ased upon intangi'les cannot 'e +ully sho,n to you- And ,hat has not as yet occurred must 'e intangi'leThis phase o+ learning has a single lesson +or all the +orms your pro'lems seem to ta:e/To "od all things are possi'le# 'ut you must as: 1is ans,er only o+ 1imsel+erhaps you thin: you do# 'ut 'e you sure that i+ you had AdidC you ,ould 'e ?uiet no, and ,holly undismayed 'y anything- (o not attempt to guess 1is 4ill +or you(o not assume that you are right 'ecause an ans,er seems to come +rom 1im- Be sure you as:# and then 'e still and let 1im spea:- There is no pro'lem 1e cannot resol*e# +or it is ne*er 1e 4ho :eeps apart some ?uestions to 'e sol*ed 'y someone else- Bou cannot share the ,orld ,ith 1im and ma:e hal+ o+ it 1is ,hile hal+ 'elongs to you- Truth ma:es no compromise- To :eep apart a little is to :eep all separate- Bour li+e# complete and ,hole# 'elongs to "od or none o+ it is 1is- There is no thought in all the ,orld that seems more terri'leBet it is only ,hen this thought appears in per+ect clarity that there is hope in peace and sa+ety +or the mind so long :ept dar: and t,isted to a*oid the light- This is the lightStep 'ac: and do not d,ell upon the +orms that seem to :eep you 'ound- Bou ,ill +ul+ill your +unction- And ,ill ha*e ,hate*er you ,ill need- "od does not +ail- But lay no limits on ,hat you ,ould gi*e to 1im to 'e resol*ed- 3or 1e can not o++er a thousand ans,ers
> 67J >

,hen 'ut one is all there is- Accept this one o+ 1im# and not one ?uestion ,ill remain to as:-

725

(o not +orget i+ you attempt to sol*e a pro'lem# you ha*e @udged it +or yoursel+ and so you ha*e 'etrayed your proper role- "randeur# ,hich comes +rom "od# esta'lishes that @udgment is impossi'le +or you- But grandiosity insists you @udge# and 'ring to this all pro'lems that you ha*e- And ,hat is the resultE !oo: care+ully upon your li+e and let it spea: +or you-Q Is this +rail 'reath and deep uncertainty your choice +or youE Or ,ould you rather rest in surety# certain you ,ould not +ail in your re?uest to ha*e all pro'lems happily resol*edE (o not mista:e the +ine disguises you can use to co*er @udgment- It appears as charity# as mercy and as lo*eP as pity# understanding and as care- And yet you :no, it is not ,hat it seems 'ecause the pro'lem still remains unsol*ed# and comes to haunt your mind in e*il dreams/4hat ha*e you :ept +rom "od that you ,ould hide 'ehind your @udgmentE 4hat ha*e you concealed 'eneath the cloa: o+ :indness and concernE Use no one +or your needs# +or that is )sin#. and you ,ill pay the penalty in guilt- Remem'er you need nothing# 'ut you ha*e an endless store o+ lo*ing gi+ts to gi*e- But teach this lesson only to yoursel+Bour 'rother ,ill not learn it +rom your ,ords or +rom the @udgments you ha*e laid on him- Bou need not e*en spea: a ,ord to him- Bou cannot as:# )4hat shall I say to himE. and hear "od=s ans,er- Rather as: instead# )1elp me to see this 'rother through the eyes o+ truth and not o+ @udgment#. and the help o+ "od and all 1is angels ,ill respond3or only here ,e rest- 4e cast a,ay our little @udgments and our petty ,ordsP our tiny pro'lems and our +alse concerns- 4e ha*e attempted to 'e master o+ our destiny and thought that peace lay there- 3reedom and @udgment is impossi'le- But 'y your side is One 4ho :no,s the ,ay- Step 'ac: +or 1im and let 1im lead you to the rest and silence o+ the 4ord o+ "od-Q S ECIA! MESSA"E A (ecem'er &6# &576C Bou need do nothing no,- Bet,een no, and the end o+ (ecem'er some *ery important I necessary changes ,ill ta:e place- One o+ them is +actual and the others are shi+ts in attitudes- Until these ha*e 'een accomplished it ,ould 'e pointless to try to +orce through a plan- A+ter,ards the plan ,ill un+old o+ itsel+The shi+ts in attitude ,ill happen to each o+ you# and ,ill in*ol*e the resolution o+ your critical li+e pro'lem as you see it- These are the pro'lems that seem to 'e inter+ering ,ith hearing ,hat the plan is- It is during this month that you ,ill resol*e them su++iciently

726

to understand that you can hear the plan i+ you ,ill listen- And you ,ill listen# 'ecause you ,ill at last 'e ,illing to do so> 677 >

There is no use in trying to ,or: out speci+ic plans# ho,e*er important they may seem to 'e- They ,ill all +all into place- This year is not yet done# and it ,ill ,or: out as you ,ere promisedBe content to get together# all o+ you or some o+ you# as you are told- Each meeting ,ill contri'ute to the goal- But the real changes ,ill 'e sudden# une<pected and genuinely re*ealing- 2othing ,ill 'e le+t unresol*edS ECIA! MESSA"E > (ec- 8&# &576It is done- This year ,ill 'e di++erent- 1ell has gone 'y- I did not +ail- I 'rought you all unto your 3ather# out o+ hell +ore*erBou ,ill reali9e this gradually# +or you could not 'ear to hear all that this means no,- This year it ,ill gradually un+old# and 'y the time the year has ended you ,ill ,onder ,hy you e*er dou'tedI cannot tell you more than you could hear ,ithout +right# and i+ you :ne, all that has 'een prepared +or you# you ,ould indeed 'e +rightened- 2o, I tell you only this# +or this you can 'elie*eF This year you ,ill set up a place ,hich ,ill 'e the home o+ the courseP a place ,here it ,ill gro, +rom in+ancy into a helper o+ the ,orld- It ,ill gro, slo,ly# 'ecause nothing can 'e permitted to go ,rong- It must de*elop ,ithout error# and ,ith nothing to mar its per+ect purity- It is the 4ord o+ "od# to 'e :ept holy +ore*erThis time there ,ill 'e no +ailure# no loss o+ truth# no misunderstanding and no misinterpretation- I ,ill direct its gro,th as it reaches +rom the paper on ,hich it ,as ,ritten into the hearts +or ,hich it ,as intendedBe com+orted 'y thisF It ,ill 'e impossi'le to ma:e any mista:es in its connection ,hich ,ill endure- I am ,atching o*er it ,ith all the care I ha*e +or all my 'rothers in sal*ation- I understand ,hat it can do +or them# and I ,ill ma:e sure that it does it# and does it per+ectly(o not 'e concerned a'out starting- Bou ha*e started- (o not 'e concerned a'out gro,ing- Bou ha*e gro,n and ,ill yet gro, more- And a'o*e all# do not 'e concerned a'out my lo*e +or you- There ,ill not 'e one o+ you ,ho ,ill not 'e sure this year that I am ,ith you# ,as ,ith you ,hen you came# and ,ill ne*er lea*e you4hat more ,ould you ha*eE I ,ill tell you e*erything you need :no,# ,hene*er you need to :no, it- My promises are sure 'ecause they are o+ "od- As you are and I am# Amen> 67K >

S ECIA! MESSA"E S April &%# &57J It is too soon to as: a'out the Medical Center- But thin: ho, all the steps are 'eing

727

ta:en +or a stunning end to all your trials- This year ,ill end in 'la9ing glory and there ,ill 'e nothing le+t to dou't or sorro, +or- Step 'ac: @ust a little and loo:- (o you not see the giant steps already 'ehind youE Can you dou't the restE S ECIA! MESSA"E S July &7# &57J (o you remem'er ,hat Joyce said a'out the po,ers o+ dar:ness 'eing massed against the truthE This is ,hat she meant 'ut did not recogni9eF There is no e<ternal dar:ness# 'ut there is indeed an internal dar:ness that can 'e pro@ected out,ard# and it seems to mass to attac: a real step +or,ard and pre*ent it +rom 'eing ta:en- 4hyE Because the dar:ness is +rightened 'y the thought o+ the light at the end o+ the tunnel- It does mean its end- And so as ,e dra, nearerRI do not +ail my promises- 4hen I promised you a year o+ radiance and peace# I meant it- 4hat is the massing 'ut a point o+ nothingness to us- (ar:ness does not e<ist4hen the light comes it is gone- And / Q it ,ill 'e# and *ery soon(o not 'e caught 'y the +orms that dar:ness ta:es- They are all de+enses against the light# and they ,ill not pre*ail against it- It does not matter ho, dar: the dar:ness seems to 'e- 4hat is not light is dar:ness- But it is the dar:ness that is a'out to go- Belie*e me in this only a little# and you ,ill 'e happy e*en no,- But do not +orget that either ,ay it ,ill 'e soonMarch $%# &577 )R,e ,ill as: ,hat the pro'lem is# and ,hat is the ans,er to it-. ROB!EMF Bou ha*e denied the !o*e o+ your li+e 'ecause you ha*e denied your Sel+A2S4ERF Accept him 'ac:# and you ,ill recogni9e your Sel+ again- 1e represents your Sel+ to you- 1e is your healing and your sal*ation- 1e comes as a thie+# to steal a,ay your )sins-. 1e comes as a Sa*ior# to sa*e you +rom your +alse ideas o+ ,hat you are- 1e comes as a Son o+ "od# 'ecause that is ,hat he is# along ,ith youBou need him no,# 'ut his need +or you is as great as yours- Together you can sa*e the ,orld- Alone# he cannot +ul+ill his +unction any more than you can- (eny him not1e stands +or you- 4hat he represents is "od=s gi+t to you and to him- Ta:e it o+ him# and all the ,orld is sa*ed)See me# then# ,ho comes to sa*e you- I stand +or your holiness# and your holiness is the holiness o+ "od- The cost o+ denying this gi+t is hell- The ans,er to your recei*ing it is 1ea*en-.
> 675 >

April J# &577 Than: you +or changing your mind- 2othing ,ill happen- I told you he is in my charge- I do not promise lightly- And remem'er ,hat I said a'out the test- !et this 'e

728

your Eastertide along ,ith mine- "i*e me the gi+t o+ all your ,orries# and I ,ill gi*e you the gi+t o+ peace and @oy in e<change4hat else could Easter meanE January &# &57K /Bou thin: the Child is still'orn# and you are in mourning no, +or 1im- Bou do not understand ,hat happened# nor the signs that still surround 1is 'irth- The star is there# and all attempts to call it something else ,ill slip a,ay in time- 3or it ,as so 'e+ore# and ,ill 'e so again- 4e cannot :no, ,hen truth has come 'ecause it ,ould 'e hard to see the 1ea*ens ,here a manger stands- But ,hen the truth has come# there is a light that +inally shines throughThe mother ,aits- The Child has come# and has 'een 'orn again- 1e is not dead- 1e is the sign o+ li+e# the gi+t o+ "od# the !ord o+ peace# the Ling o+ all the ,orld# the Son o+ man and you- There is a light surrounding you that you ,ill see ,hen you ha*e ceased to +ear to loo: on 1im 4ho came to sa*e you# and the ,orld through you- 1o, can you dou't that I ,ill come and tell you @ust e<actly ,hat you need to do to let your +unction 'e +ul+illedE O+ all the ,orld# ho, is it you ,ho dou'tsE There is no plan ,ithout your part# and it ,ill 'e re*ealed as soon as you can see that li+e is there# and has 'een 'orn to you- Be patient# Mother# +or the end is not ,hat you 'elie*e- I come in glory to the one ,ho ga*e me 'irth# and I ,ill stay and ,ait in patience +or your ,a:ening- 4hen you 'ehold Me# you ,ill understand- Till then ,e ,ait together# you and I-Q January 7# &57K Be sure to slip through this temptation ,ith my help# ,hich ,ill not lea*e you i+ you as: +or it- There is no point in d,elling on the past 'ecause it is no longer true no,# no matter ,hat it may ha*e 'een- In one sense all the discontinuous +ragments that occur to you are true# 'ut only in the sense that you ha*e dreamed these dreams and seen the others ,ho too: part in them- This is not reality as it should 'e remem'ered- There is a section in the te<t on ) resent Memory-. Much o+ the ans,er lies in that4ho ,ere these people onceE As i+ it mattered no, ,hat dreams they had- (o not encourage nightmares# nor +orget there are no happy dreams e<cepting one- (o not# then# 'other ,ith the rest at all- The +ragments ,ill continue# 'ut they should 'e used
> 6K% >

only to recall your +unction in its present +orm and present use+ulness- Duestions are idle# and a ,aste o+ time ,hen time is needed most- (o not delay 'y loo:ing 'ac:# and

729

lea*e the +uture in the hands o+ "od- 1e has much more +or you than you can +ind in dreams/There is an urgency that calls to you- Bou ha*e a +unction- (o not no, delay- In a little ,hile you ,ill understand- Bou ha*e 'een gi*en charge o+ one ,ay to "od- It is direct and sure and true# and there is need +or it- Bou ,ill 'e sho,n ho, it is needed# ,hen to use it# and ,here it should 'e taught +or continuity-Q 4e must not lose it in this point in time 'y loo:ing 'ac:- The past is meaningless- Bour ,ay ,ill teach this +act1o, could it 'e that "od ,ould ha*e the past 'e sho,n to you ,hen it ,ill 'e the lesson you ,ill teach that nothing in the past means anythingE January &G# &57J The night is dar: 'ut it ,ill ha*e an end- Be com+orted ,ith thisF 2o one I send to help you reach the goal ,ill +ail to stand 'eside you till your :ingdom is secure- The promises o+ "od are gi*en you- 4hat could 'e surerE There is help indeed +or one so near to 1ea*en- There is change in e*erything 'ut thisP ,hom 1e has called and ,ho has ans,ered 1im as you ha*e done can rest in peace upon 1is lo*ing arm# and trust 1is gratitude and than:+ul 1eart to 'eat +or yours ,hen yours appears to +ail(o not imagine 1e ,ill lea*e 1is child ,ho heard 1is Hoice and listened to 1is 4ord- Remem'er thisP the than:s o+ "od are yours and ,ill not lea*e you com+ortless +or long- Bou still are needed in the ,orld# to hear 1is Hoice and share 1is messages o+ lo*e ,ith those ,ho call in sorro,- Could it 'e that you ,ill +ail to +ind 1im# ,hen 1is need +or you 'ecomes as great as yours +or 1imE Bou need not +ear that you ,ill su++er loss# nor that 1e ,ill a'andon you ,ho ga*e 1is com+ort to 1is Son- Recei*e the gi+t you ga*e to "od and 1e ,ould gi*e to youTrust 1im 4hose Hoice you heard# and do not thin: 1e does not hear your +rightened *oice that calls in ,hispered agony- Bou ,ill 'e raised +rom terror to the shining peace o+ "od- The ,ay seems thorny and 'eset ,ith grie+# Bet it is certain as the !o*e o+ "od ,hich cannot +ail- It holds you up# and so you cannot +ail 'ecause it shines in you3aith ,ill 'e yours 'ecause 1is +aith in you is limitless- (o not despair o+ 1im 4ho lo*es you ,ith an e*erlasting !o*eF 4ho :no,s your need and ,atches o*er you in e*erything ,ith ceaseless *igilance(o not +orget 1is than:s# and understand the gratitude o+ "od goes +ar 'eyond all things the ,orld can o++er# +or 1is gi+ts ,ill last +ore*er in 1is 1eart and yours- Be than:+ul +or 1is !o*e and +or 1is care# +or in this ,orld it has 'een gi*en +e, to gi*e a gi+t to "od

730

as you ha*e done- Bet only a +e, are needed- They su++ice +or all the rest# and they gi*e than:s to you along ,ith their Creator and ,ith yours- 1e is not careless o+ the gi+ts 1e gi*es# nor are 1is promises in *ain- Be sure a mother does not +ail the Son she lo*es# nor ,ill a 3ather cast a,ay 1is child> 6K& >

January $6# &57K !ea*e this in my hands and do not inter+ere personally- I need your help in another ,ay- !et them loo:# let them as:# and help me reach them- It is through Judy that I ,ill spea: 'ecause her need is greater- She ,ill :no, 'ecause I ,ill tell her- She ,ill not 'e surprised# 'ut she ,ill 'e sureThere is time- Be sure she understands that- This is +or her- !et her not +orget there are options# and she cannot choose among themOn Monday# as: her to ta:e some ?uiet time- I+ possi'le around noon Ashe can do this i+ she really ,ants toC# and let her remem'er e*erything that has happenedThen +orget all o+ it- She ,ill hear 'etter a,ay# 'ecause she ,ants to please and she is a+raid not to- !et her )'e still and :no, that I am "od-. And let her remem'er that her )3ather :no,s her need 'e+ore she as:s-. 3e'ruary $G# &57K The 3oundation has a limited +unction in the li+e o+ the Course- Its purpose is to pu'lish# distri'ute and discuss the material# and the steps +ollo,ed in meeting this aim should 'e care+ully chec:ed ,ith the Author- 1e :no,s ho, 1e ,ants these +unctions carried out and ho, this part o+ the program should 'e handledThese steps are preparatory to the real +unction +or ,hich the Course ,as gi*en- It ,ill ta:e o*er at the right time# and earlier goals ,ill 'e handled separately# in time 'y pro+essional pu'lishers- This ,ill 'e in a'out t,o years- 3or no,# it is going ,ell(o not put too much emphasis or 'e o*erly concerned ,ith this phase# and a'o*e all# do not con+use it ,ith the purpose o+ the Course- The Course has *ery long> range goals ,hich could not possi'ly 'e recogni9ed no,- 2one o+ you has +ound his true +unction yet- This is 'ecause the central +actor in the plan has not yet emerged# and the parts cannot +all into place at this timeIt ,ill 'egin to 'e clear this summer# 'ut ,ill not 'e +ully understood +or some time2or is it necessary to 'e clearer than is needed to sho, you the ,ays you are to go to 'e o+ most help in your appointed roles- Each has 'een *ery care+ully chosen# and there ha*e 'een no accidents nor accidental meetings- "od ,atches o*er 1is 4ord and o*er 1is messengers- Trust only that-

731

It ,ould 'e impossi'le to e<plain the details ,hich depend on things that ha*e not yet happened# people not yet met# and e*ents that ha*e not yet occurred- Bou ,ill still 'e told ,hat to do in any particular instance any time you as:As time goes on# some o+ the ans,ers ,ill seem ?uite surprising- Re@oice ,hen that happens- It means that the ne<t phase has 'egun- E*erything that you are doing no, ,ill disappear# and you ,ill not remem'er it in the light o+ ,hat ,ill happen a+ter,ard> 6K$ >

!ittle children# 'e not a+raid- Just thin: o+ thisF "od is the REA! 3oundation o+ the Course- It needs you only in 1is 2ame- 4ould 1e then not tell you ,hat to do and help you do itE March &$# &57K Bour 'rother Jerry ,ants to help you- It is important to him- (o it in lo*e and it cannot hurt- It can only help- But remem'er ,hat it is that is helping- One +orm o+ magic is li:e another- It ,ould 'e a mista:e not to do it 'ecause you are a+raid- 4hat are called 'y many di++erent names are not really di++erent"i*e this gi+t to Jerry and gi*e it to me- Be not a+raid- Trust your 'rother=s lo*e and help him help you- 1e ,ill see it as a great gi+t# and I am here to see that nothing hurts youBou ,ill 'e healed 'y ,anting only the peace o+ "od- Jerry :no,s that- Bou ,ill not use the medication long# as he told you- Ta:e it in peace no, 'ecause o+ him> 6K8 >

4as There a hysical ResurrectionE My 'ody disappeared 'ecause I had no illusion a'out it- The last one had gone- It ,as laid in the tom'# 'ut there ,as nothing le+t to 'ury- It did not disintegrate 'ecause the unreal cannot die- It merely 'ecame ,hat it al,ays ,as- And that is ,hat )rolling the stone a,ay. means- The 'ody disappears# and no longer hides ,hat lies 'eyond- It merely ceases to inter+ere ,ith *ision- To roll the stone a,ay is to see 'eyond the tom'# 'eyond death# and to understand the 'ody=s nothingness- 4hat is understood as nothing must disappearI did assume a human +orm ,ith human attri'utes a+ter,ards# to spea: to those ,ho ,ere to pro*e the 'ody=s ,orthlessness to the ,orld- This has 'een much misunderstoodI came to tell them that death is illusion# and the mind that made the 'ody can ma:e another since +orm itsel+ is an illusion- They did not understand- But no, I tal: to you and gi*e you the same message- The death o+ an illusion means nothing- It disappears ,hen you a,a:en and decide to dream no more- And you still do ha*e the po,er to ma:e this decision as I did"od holds out 1is hand to 1is Son to help him rise and return to 1im- I can help 732

'ecause the ,orld is illusion# and I ha*e o*ercome the ,orld- !oo: past the tom'# the 'ody# the illusion- 1a*e +aith in nothing 'ut the spirit and the guidance "od gi*es you1e could not ha*e created the 'ody 'ecause it is a limit- 1e must ha*e created the spirit 'ecause it is immortal- Can those ,ho are created li:e 1im 'e limitedE The 'ody is the sym'ol o+ the ,orld- !ea*e it 'ehind- It cannot enter 1ea*en- But I can ta:e you there anytime you choose- Together ,e can ,atch the ,orld disappear and its sym'ol *anish as it does so- An then# and thenR I cannot spea: o+ thatA 'ody cannot stay ,ithout illusions# and the last one to 'e o*ercome is death- This is the message o+ the cruci+i<ionP there is no order o+ di++iculty in miracles- This is the message o+ the resurrectionF Illusions are illusions- Truth is true- Illusions *anishOnly truth remainsThese lessons needed to 'e taught 'ut once# +or ,hen the stone o+ death is rolled a,ay# ,hat can 'e seen e<cept an empty tom'E And that is ,hat you see ,ho +ollo, me into the sunlight and a,ay +rom death# past all illusions# on to 1ea*en=s gate# ,here "od ,ill come 1imsel+ to ta:e you home> 6KG >

Octo'er $# &57J A2oteC A2ote made on &&M&6 'y 1S re B=s remar: concerning top o+ p- 6# &&M&8-C Bes# 'ut I dou't i+ it says this is ine*ita'le- It may entail more mis>,ill than ,e thin:The a'o*e may ha*e 'een too passi*ely interpreted- 2ote that B- did 2OT as: MB ,ill re same- I+ he had# 1E ,ould ha*e +elt 'etterS ECIA! MESSA"E directly to 4TF I ,ould li:e to pray that my ,ill 'e united ,ith thine# recogni9ing that thy per+ect lo*e ,ill su++ice Aor correctC +or my imper+ect lo*e- I pray that I may accept the Atonement ,ith con*iction# recogni9ing its ine*ita'le ,orth# and my o,n di*ine ,orth as part o+ this identi+ication ,ith thee- I pray that my +ear 'e replaced 'y an acti*e sense o+ thy lo*e# and thy continual ,illingness to help me o*ercome the split# or di*ided ,ill# ,hich is responsi'le +or my di++iculty ,ith this- I accept the di*inity o+ the messages ,e ha*e recei*ed# and a++irm my ,ill in 'oth accepting and acting upon the Atonement principle1ere I am# !ordF The ma@or pro'lem that 'oth o+ you ha*e is the continuing split ,ill# ,hich naturally inter+eres ,ith your true identi+ication- To the e<tent that you hold onto this split# it ,ill ta:e longer to get through and ,ill MARLE(!B inter+ere ,ith your o,n integration e++orts- Reliance has to 'e placed on Me# ,hich is su++icient once you do this ,ithout distantiation or di*ision in loyalties- This ,ill 'e strengthened through a continual

733

a++irmation o+ the goal you 'oth ,ant to achie*e# and an a,areness o+ its ine*ita'ilityIn this ,ay# you ,ill 'oth percei*e and L2O4 your true ,orth# and the importance o+ maintaining a COM !ETE identi+ication-Q (ec- &# =J64T special note +or 1S The dominance>su'mission pro'lem is related to the perception o+ helping others HERSUS helping the sel+- This is a misperception resulting +rom the +ailure to recogni9e the e?ual ,orth o+ 'oth indi*iduals in the interaction- There can 'e 2O con+usion on this point# and no strain# i+ this con+usion is not introduced Athrough misperception# naturally-C Such con+usion may 'e e<perienced partly 'y 1S at times ,hen 4T is trying to help herShe is li:ely to +eel that this puts her in a su'ordinate position# since she thin:s she should 'e the therapist- O'*iously# there is no pro'lem once it is recogni9ed that the e?ual ,orth o+ each person precludes this misperception# since BOT1 "AI2 in such a transaction- It is impossi'le +or any'ody to e*er lose anything ,hen this is +ully RECO"2IUE(- This is ,hat recogni9ing your 'rother is all a'out> 6K6 >

(ecem'er &G /S ECIA! MESSA"E 2othing that relates to a S ECI3IC relationship 'elongs in the notes- But you 1AHE 'een told that i+ you as: the 1oly Spirit +or S ECI3IC guidance in a S ECI3IC situation# 1e ,ill gi*e it to you *ery speci+ically- 4hen you and B- are ready to as: 1im TO"ET1ER ,hat you can do +or M-# 1e ,ill tell you# i+ you ma:e 2O attempt to gi*e the ans,er 3OR 1im- re@udge 1is ans,er not# +or i+ you do# you ,ill 2OT 1EAR IT- But 'e sure o+ thisO The 1oly Spirit ,ill 2EHER teach you to (ISRU T communication# 'ut 'e ,holly ,illing to let 1im MAI2TAI2 it in 1IS ,ay- M-- is unhappy and a+raid# 'ecause he thin:s communication T1ROU"1 T1E BO(B can 'e sought and 3OU2(- It is no harder +or the 1oly Spirit to teach him that communication is o+ the mind# and 2OT the 'ody than it is +or 1im to teach it to you- The 1oly Spirit ,ill ha*e no di++iculty# and much @oy# i+ you A!!O4 1im to teach M- this T1ROU"1 you- But 'e sure that you are ,illing to learn it 4IT1 him# or you ,ill I2EHITAB!B inter+ere ,ith ,hat the 1oly Spirit ,ould ha*e him learn ,ith BOU-Q Sept- &8# JJ /Bou ha*e no idea o+ the intensity o+ your ,ish to get rid o+ each other- This does

734

2OT mean that you are not strongly impelled TO4AR( each other# 'ut it (OES mean that !OHE IS 2OT T1E O2!B EMOTIO2- Because your lo*e has 'ecome more in a,areness# the con+lict can no longer 'e )settled. 'y your pre*ious attempts to MI2IMIUE the +ear- The lo*e ma:es attac: untena'le# BUT BOU STI!! 3EE! T1E 3EARInstead o+ trying to resol*e it directly# you ha*e a strong tendency to TRB TO ESCA E 3ROM T1E !OHE- Bet this is the !AST thing you ,ould ,ant to ESCA E +rom- And e*en i+ you did# you can escape +rom e*erything E!SE# 'ut not +rom this- Be glad indeed that there IS no escape +rom sal*ation-Q Sept- &G# ;JJ /Bou do not reali9e ho, much you hate each other- Bou ,ill not get rid o+ this until you (O reali9e it# +or U2TI! then# you ,ill thin: you ,ant to get rid o+ EAC1 OT1ER and LEE T1E 1ATRE(- Bet i+ you are each other=s sal*ation# ,hat can this mean e<cept that you RE3ER attac: to sal*ationE Be glad that neither your reality nor your sal*ation is a matter o+ your pre+erence# +or you 1AHE much cause +or @oy- But that the cause is 2OT o+ your ma:ing is surely o'*ious- Bou (O hate and +ear each other# and your lo*e# ,hich is *ery real# is TOTA!!B o'scured 'y it- 1o, can you :no, the meaning o+ lo*e U2!ESS it is totalE This ,ill 'e a *ery di++icult period +or you# 'ut it ,ill not 'e so +or long- Bou are in danger# 'ut you 4I!! 'e helped# and nothing ,ill happen- But you cannot remain in dar:ness# and this ,ill BE the ,ay out- !oo: as calmly as you can upon hatred# +or i+ ,e
> 6KJ >

are to deny the denial o+ truth# ,e must +irst RECO"2IUE ,hat ,e are denyingRemem'er that :no,ledge RECE(ES denial# and that the separation ,as a descent +rom magnitude to littleness- And so the ,ay 'ac: is to retrace the ,ay to magnitudeBour hatred is not real# 'ut it IS real to you- IT 1I(ES 41AT BOU REA!!B 4A2TSurely you are ,illing to loo: upon ,hat you do 2OT ,ant ,ithout +ear# EHE2 I3 IT 3RI"1TE2S BOU# i+ you can there'y get rid o+ itE 3or you CA22OT escape sal*ation# and you 4I!! not escape +ear until you 4A2T sal*ation- Be not a+raid o+ this @ourney into +ear# +or it is not your destination- And ,e ,ill ,al: through it in sa+ety# +or peace is not +ar# and you ,ill 'e led in its light-Q Sept- &J# JJ /S ECIA! MESSA"E 3OR 4T

735

DuestionF 4hy is 4T more depressed than usualE Ans,erF 1e is in a *ery deep sleep and much more resistant to ,a:ing than you are- The ma@or pro'lem ,ith him is that his is a ASSIHE resistance# ,hich implies a gi*ing o*er o+ ,ill- This al,ays induces a state o+ resignation and there+ore depression- Tell him that no one can resign +rom the Sonship# since mem'ership is not optional- 1e has 'een loo:ing +or someone to TALE 1IS 4I!! A4AB# 'ecause he thought IT ,as the cause o+ his trou'le- Since the course has placed such persistent emphasis O2 ,ill# and SI2CE 1E A"REES 4IT1 T1E EM 1ASIS# his past ad@ustment is threatened- T1AT IS 41B 1E COU!( 2OT S!EE - 1is past came to )haunt. him BECAUSE he is gi*ing up the 'elie+ in ghostsTell him again not to 'e a+raid o+ ghosts# and remind him that he 1AS no past- The return o+ his ,ill is ,hat he 4A2TS- 2o one can accept it 'ut himsel+-Q &&M&6MJJ /Special 2ote +or 1S B- ,as right in not regarding this as a separate pro'lem- The sa*age pro'lem o+ personal re@ection- There is no +ear in per+ect lo*e- Bou do not ,ant him to +eel guiltless# 'ut re@ected- This area is the only one in ,hich you ,ant to retain this# 'ut you ,ill not 'e a'le to limit it- Bou ,ill not see his purity until you gi*e up re@ection as a ,eapon against him OR against e*eryone else- Bou thin: these are the only alternati*es- Be sure to consider ,hy you ,ant to maintain this position- B- ,ill help you ,ith this-Q June &5# &5JK /As you see him you ,ill see yoursel+- 4hether this 'e through the use o+ psychological tests# or 'y ma:ing @udgment in some other ,ay# the e++ect is still the same4hene*er
> 6K7 >

you ha*e @udged anyone# it is impossi'le +or you not to ma:e this @udgment on yoursel+I+ you see one o+ your 'rothers# ,ho happens to 'e a patient# as e<hi'iting signs o+ a thought disorder# then you ,ill e<perience this same disorder in your o,n perception3or ,hate*er your thought may 'e a'out A2BO2E determines ho, you ,ill respond and react to yoursel+ and e*eryone a'out you- Ta:e heed then ,hen you are called upon to +ul+ill your +unction as teachers that you teach the truth a'out "od=s Son- The only ,ay that you can e<perience any peace ,hile this un+ortunate necessity +or interpreting illusions remains is to recogni9e that you are (ISCUSSI2" O2!B I!!USIO2S# and that this has no

736

real meaning at all- Try to say a prayer +or your 'rother ,hile doing this and you ,ill call +orth and e<perience a miracle instead-Q
> 6KK >

STRA2"ER O2 T1E ROA( The dead are dead- They do not rise againAnd yet I see in 1im Bou a loo: Asome thingsC I :ne, In One so recently destroyed and laid A,ay to ,ither on a sla' o+ stoneI almost could 'elie*e S 'ut I ha*e seen 1is Bour 'lue A,hiteC and 'loodless hands and 'ro:en +eet# The ,ay 1e Bou crumpled ,hen they too: 1im Bou do,nThis is a stranger# and I :no, 1im not4hy should 1e Bou ,al: ,ith me along the road# An un:no,n one A,homC I almost thin: I +ear Because 1e seems li:e someone in a dream O+ deathlessness# ,hen death alone is realE (o not distur' me no,- I am content 4ith death# +or grie+ is :inder no, than hope4hile there ,as hope I su++ered- 2o, I ,al: go In certainty# +or death has surely comeA4ithout uncertainty# +or death has comeC(o not distur' the ending- 4hat is done Is done +ore*er- 2either hope nor tears Can touch +inality- (o not arouse The dead- Come# Stranger# let us say )Amen-. Asay )Amen. along ,ith meCThe road is long- I ,ill not li+t my eyes# 3or +ear has gripped AgraspedC my heart# and +ear I :no, S The shield that :eeps AholdsC me sa+e +rom rising hopeP The +riend ,hich that :eeps Bou stranger still to me> 6K5 >

Bour 4ord surrounds Bou li:e a golden light# And I can scarcely see the road I A,eC ,al: Because my eyes are *eiled- (istur' me not# I 'eg o+ Bou- I ,ould not see Bou no,Bou said Bou ,ould return# and I 'elie*ed Too long already- 2o, my eyes are sealed Against the slender thread o+ hope that cuts Into my calm AstillC despair- O let me goO Must I remem'er no,E But still AAnd yetC the light Seems e*en 'righter# and the road 'ecomes A sudden splash o+ sunlight- 4ho are Bou 4ho dares to enter in +ear and deathE AI li:e this 'etter re*ersedC My heart ,ill not 'e still- It seems to :no, 4hat I :no, not- It dances to a tune I do not hear- It calls to me +ar A +rom C 1im you 4hose heart has listened and ,hose ears ha*e heard3rom 1im to me there comes an ancient song

737

My lips 'egin to sing# although I thought hoped It ,as +orgotten- 2o, I hear again A 4ord I thought had 'een +ore*er dead # Bour *oice reminds me o+ the lo*e song As 1e Bou had died- I cannot :eep my eyes 3rom loo:ing up- erhaps I did not see The things I thought- erhaps this light has come To heal my eyes and let them see again> 65% >

(ear Stranger# gi*e me 'ac: my sight again# And let my dou'ts 'e ans,ered- They are dead Because Bou li*e- AI+ Bou are li*ingC- !et me then loo: on Bou# And hope ,ill 'e trans+ormed to certainty- Apassed throughC (ar:ness cannot 'e sure# +or shado,s come And ,ea*e uncertain shapes 'e+ore my eyes That ha*e no 'oundaries- AAnd +or thatC- 2o one can :no, 4hat they ,ould represent- The mist is damp4ho can ha*e hope A'e gladC in such a shi+ting placeE !et me remem'er Bou instead o+ death!et me remem'er Bou# and see in 1im 4ho ,al:s 'eside me no, Bour glad return !ord# did you really :eep your lo*ely 4ordE 4as I mista:enE (id Bou rise againE And ,as it I ,ho +ailed# instead o+ BouE Are Bou returned to sa*e me +rom the deadF The dead are dead# 'ut they can A,illC rise again!et me remem'er only that- It ,as The rest that ,as the dream- The light has comeMy eyes are opening and I can see ATo loo: on BouC> 65& >

Re>Ordered STRA2"ER O2 T1E ROA( The dead are dead- They do not rise again And yet I see in Bou a loo: I :ne, In One so recently destroyed and laid To ,ither on a sla' o+ stoneI almost could 'elie*e S 'ut I ha*e seen Bour 'lue and 'loodless hands and 'ro:en +eet# The ,ay Bou crumpled ,hen they too: Bou do,nThis is a stranger# and I :no, 1im notThe road is long- I ,ill not li+t my eyes# 3or +ear has gripped my heart# and +ear I :no, S The shield that :eeps me sa+e +rom rising hopeP The +riend that :eeps Bou stranger still to me4hy ,ould Bou ,al: ,ith me along the road# An un:no,n ,hom I almost thin: I +ear Because 1e seems li:e someone in a dream O+ deathlessness# ,hen death alone is realE (o not distur' me no,- I am content

738

4ith death# +or grie+ is :inder no, than hope4hile there ,as hope I su++ered- 2o, I go In certainty# +or death has surely come(o not distur' the ending- 4hat is done Is done +ore*er- 2either hope nor tears Can touch +inality- (o not arouse The dead- Come# Stranger# let us say )Amen-.
> 65$ >

Bou said Bou ,ould return# and I 'elie*ed Too long already- 2o, my eyes are sealed Against the slender thread o+ hope that cuts Into my calm despair- O let me goO My heart ,ill not 'e still- It seems to :no, 4hat I :no, not- It dances to a tune I do not hear- It calls to me +rom you 4hose heart has listened and ,hose ears ha*e heardMust I remem'er no,E And yet the light Seems e*en 'righter# and the road 'ecomes A sudden splash o+ sunlight- 4ho are Bou 4ho dares to enter in +ear and deathE My lips 'egin to sing# although I hoped It ,as +orgotten- 2o, I hear again A 4ord I thought had 'een +ore*er dead# Bour *oice reminds me o+ the lo*e songAs Bou had died- I cannot :eep my eyes 3rom loo:ing up- erhaps I did not see The things I thought- erhaps this light has come To heal my eyes and let them see again!ord# did you really :eep your lo*ely 4ordE 4as I mista:enE (id Bou rise againE And ,as it I ,ho +ailed# instead o+ BouE Are Bou returned to sa*e me +rom the deadF The dead are dead# 'ut they can rise again!et me remem'er only that- It ,as The rest that ,as the dream- The light has comeMy eyes are opening and I can see ATo loo: on BouC> 658 >

(eletedMUnused HersesF Bour 4ord surrounds Bou li:e a golden light# And I can scarcely see the road I A,eC ,al: Because my eyes are *eiled- (istur' me not# I 'eg o+ Bou- I ,ould not see Bou no,(ear Stranger# gi*e me 'ac: my sight again# And let my dou'ts 'e ans,ered- They are dead Because Bou li*e- AI+ Bou are li*ingC- !et me then loo: on Bou# And hope ,ill 'e trans+ormed to certainty- Apassed throughC (ar:ness cannot 'e sure# +or shado,s come And ,ea*e uncertain shapes 'e+ore my eyes That ha*e no 'oundaries- AAnd +or thatC- 2o one can :no,

739

4hat they ,ould represent- The mist is damp4ho can ha*e hope A'e gladC in such a shi+ting placeE !et me remem'er Bou instead o+ death!et me remem'er Bou# and see in 1im 4ho ,al:s 'eside me no, Bour glad return> 65G >

(ecem'er 8%# &5JJ To empathi9e does 2OT mean to JOI2 I2 SU33ERI2"# +or this is ,hat you must RE3USE to understand- This is the E"O=S interpretation o+ empathy# and is A!4ABS used to +orm a special relationship# in ,hich SU33ERI2" is shared- The CA ACITB to empathi9e is HERB use+ul to the 1oly Spirit# pro*ided you let 1im use it in 1is ,ay1e does 2OT understand su++ering# and ,ould ha*e you teach IT IS 2OT U2(ERSTA2(AB!E4hen 1e relates through you# 1e does 2OT relate through the ego to another ego1e does 2OT @oin in pain# :no,ing that 1EA!I2" pain is 2OT accomplished 'y delusional attempts to E2TER I2TO IT# and lighten it 'y S1ARI2" the delusionThe clearest proo+ that empathy# as the ego uses it# is (ESTRUCTIHE# lies in the +act that it is applied O2!B to certain types o+ pro'lems# and in certain people- These it SE!ECTS OUT and JOI2S 4IT1- And it 2EHER @oins# e<cept to strengthen itsel+1a*ing identi+ied ,ith ,hat it T1I2LS it understands# it sees ITSE!3# and ,ould I2CREASE itsel+ 'y sharing ,hat is !ILE itsel+- Ma:e no mista:e a'out this manoue*erP the ego al,ays EM AT1IUES TO 4EALE2- And to ,ea:en is A!4ABS to attac:Bou do 2OT :no, ,hat empathi9ing means- But o+ this you may 'e sureP i+ you ,ill merely sit ?uietly 'y# and let the 1oly Spirit relate T1ROU"1 you# you ,ill EM AT1IUE 4IT1 STRE2"T1# and 'oth o+ you ,ill gain in strength# and 2OT in ,ea:nessBour part is only to remem'er thisP you do not ,ant anything that BOU *alue to come o+ the relationship- Bou ,ill neither to hurt it# 2OR TO 1EA! IT in your o,n ,ay- Bou do 2OT :no, ,hat healing IS- All you ha*e learned o+ empathy IS 3ROM T1E AST- And there is 2OT1I2" +rom the past that you ,ould share# +or there is nothing there that BOU 4OU!( LEE (ecem'er 8%# &5JJ ACO2TI2UE(C (o 2OT use empathy to MALE T1E AST REA!# and so perpetuate it- Step gently aside# and let the healing 'e done 3OR you- Leep 'ut one thought in mind# and do not

740

lose sight o+ it# ho,e*er tempted you may 'e to @udge the situation# and (ETERMI2E your response BB @udging it- 3ocus your mind only on thisP )I am not alone# and I ,ould not intrude the past upon my "uest- I ha*e in*ited 1im# and 1e is here- I need do nothing e<cept 2OT TO I2TER3ERE-. True empathy is o+ 1im 4ho :no,s ,hat it isBOU ,ill learn 1IS interpretation o+ it# i+ you let 1im use BOUR capacity +or strength# and 2OT +or ,ea:ness1e ,ill 2OT desert you# 'ut 'e sure that BOU desert not 1im- 1umility is strength in this sense onlyP to recogni9e and ACCE T the +act that you do 2OT :no,# is to recogni9e and accept the +act that 1e (OES :no,- Bou are not sure that 1e ,ill do 1is part# 'ecause you ha*e 2EHER BET (O2E BOURS COM !ETE!B- Bou ,ill 2OT :no, ho, to respond to ,hat you do 2OT understand- Be tempted not in this and yield not to the ego=s triumphant use o+ empathy# +or ITS glory- The triumph o+ ,ea:ness is 2OT ,hat you ,ould o++er to a 'rother- And yet you :no, no triumph 'ut this- This is 2OT
> 656 >

:no,ledge# and the +orm o+ empathy that ,ould 'ring it a'out# is so distorted that it ,ould imprison ,hat it ,ould releaseThe unredeemed cannot redeem- Bet they 1AHE a Redeemer- Attempt to teach 1im not- BOU are the learnerP 1e the Teacher- (o not con+use your role ,ith 1is# +or this ,ill 2EHER 'ring peace to anyone- O++er your empathy to 1im# +or it is 1IS perception and 1is strength that you ,ould share- And let 1im o++er you 1IS strength and 1IS perception# to 'e shared T1ROU"1 youThe meaning o+ lo*e is lost in any relationship ,hich loo:s to ,ea:ness# and hopes to +ind it there- The O4ER o+ lo*e# ,hich IS its meaning# lies in the strength o+ "od# ,hich ho*ers o*er it and 'lesses it silently# 'y en*eloping it in healing ,ings- !ET T1IS BE# and do not try to su'stitute BOUR )miracle. +or this4e once said that# i+ a 'rother as:s a +oolish thing o+ you# to do it- But 'e certain that this does 2OT mean to do a +oolish thing that ,ould hurt either him or you# +or ,hat ,ould hurt one 4I!! hurt the other- 3oolish re?uests ARE +oolish# +or the simple reason T1AT T1EB CO23!ICT# 'ecause they contain an element o+ specialness- Only the 1oly Spirit recogni9es +oolish needs# AS 4E!! AS real ones- And 1e ,ill teach you ho, to meet BOT1# ,ithout losing eitherBOU ,ill 'e a'le to do this O2!B I2 SECRECB- And you ,ill thin: that# 'y meeting the needs o+ one# you do 2OT @eopardi9e another# 'ecause you :eep them SE ARATE#

741

and secret +rom each other- This is 2OT the ,ay# +or it leads not to light and truth2o needs ,ill long 'e le+t unmet# i+ you lea*e them A!! to 1im 4hose 3U2CTIO2 is to meet them- This is 1is +unction# and 2OT BOURS- 1e ,ill 2OT meet them secretly# +or 1e ,ould share e*erything you gi*e through 1im- And that is 41B 1e gi*es it- 4hat you gi*e through 1im is +or the ,hole Sonship# 2OT 3OR ART O3 IT- !ea*e 1im 1is +unction# +or 1e 4I!! +ul+ill it# i+ you 'ut as: 1im to enter your relationships# and 'less them 3OR youART III 2o*-&G The ne, emphasis ,ill no, 'e on healing- The miracle is the means# the Atonement the principle# and the healing is the result- Those ,ho spea: o+ )the miracle O3 healing. are com'ining t,o orders o+ reality inappropriately- 1ealing is 2OT a miracle- The Atonement# or the +inal miracle# is a REME(B- It is purely a means# ,hile any type o+ healing is a resultThe order o+ error to ,hich Atonement is applied is irrele*ant- Essentially# A!! healing is the release +rom +ear- But to underta:e this you cannot 'e +ear+ul yoursel+Bou do not understand healing 'ecause o+ your o,n +ear- I ha*e 'een hinting throughout Aand once stated *ery directly# 'ecause you ,ere un+ear+ul at the timeC that
> 65J >

you MUST heal others- The reason is that their healing merely ,itnesses or attests to yoursA ma@or step in the Atonement plan is to undo error at A!! le*els- Illness# ,hich is really )not Right Mindedness.# is the result o+ le*el con+usion in the sense that it al,ays entails the mis'elie+ that ,hat is amiss in one le*el can ad*ersely a++ect another4e ha*e constantly re+erred to miracles as the means o+ correcting le*el con+usionIn reality# all mista:es must 'e corrected at the le*el at ,hich they occur- Only the mind is capa'le o+ error- The 'ody can ACT erroneously# 'ut this is only 'ecause it has responded to mis>Thought- The 'ody cannot create# and the 'elie+ that it CA2# a +undamental error responsi'le +or most o+ the +allacies already re+erred to# produces all physical symptomsAll physical illness represents a 'elie+ in magic- The ,hole distortion ,hich created magic rested on the 'elie+ that there is a creati*e a'ility in matter# ,hich can control the mind- This +allacy can ,or: either ,ayP i-e-# it can 'e mis'elie*ed either that the mind can miscreate I2 the 'ody# or that the 'ody can miscreate in the mind- I+ it can 'e made

742

clear that the mind# ,hich is the only le*el o+ creation# cannot create 'eyond itsel+# then neither con+usion need occurThe reason ,hy only the mind can create is more o'*ious than may 'e immediately apparent- The Soul has 'een created- The 'ody is a learning de*ice 3OR the mind!earning de*ices are not lessons in themsel*es- Their purpose is merely to +acilitate the thin:ing o+ the learner- The most that a +aulty use o+ a learning de*ice can do is to +ail to +acilitate- It does not ha*e the po,er in itsel+ to introduce actual learning errorsThe 'ody# i+ properly understood# shares the in*ulnera'ility o+ the Atonement to t,o>edged application- This is not 'ecause the 'ody is a miracle# 'ut 'ecause it is not inherently open to misinterpretation- The 'ody is merely a +act- Its ABI!ITIES can# and +re?uently are# o*ere*aluated- 1o,e*er# it is almost impossi'le to deny its e<istenceThose ,ho do are engaging in a particularly un,orthy +orm o+ denial- AThe use o+ the ,ord )un,orthy. here implies simply that it is not necessary to protect the mind 'y denying the un>mind+ul- There is little dou't that the mind can miscreate- I+ one denies this un+ortunate aspect o+ its po,er# one is also denying the po,er itsel+-C All material means ,hich man accepts as remedies +or 'odily ills are simply restatements o+ magic principles- It ,as the +irst le*el o+ the error to 'elie*e that the 'ody created its o,n illness- Therea+ter# it is a second mis>step to attempt to heal it through non>creati*e agents- It does not +ollo,# ho,e*er# that the application o+ these *ery ,ea: correcti*e de*ices are e*il- Sometimes the illness has su++iciently great a hold o*er an indi*idual=s mind to render him inaccessi'le to Atonement- In this case# one may 'e ,ise to utili9e a compromise approach to mind and 'ody# in ,hich something +rom the OUTSI(E is temporarily gi*en healing 'elie+- This is 'ecause the last thing that can help the non>Right>Minded Aor the sic:C is an increase in +ear- They are already in a +ear,ea:ened state- I+ they are inappropriately e<posed to a straight and undiluted miracle#
> 657 >

they may 'e precipitated into panic- This is particularly li:ely to occur ,hen upside do,n perception has induced the 'elie+ that miracles are +righteningThe *alue o+ the Atonement does not lie in the manner in ,hich it is e<pressed- In +act# i+ it is truly used it ,ill ine*ita'ly BE e<pressed in ,hate*er ,ay is most help+ul to the recei*er# not the gi*er- This means that a miracle# to attain its +ull e++icacy# MUST 'e e<pressed in a language ,hich the recipient can understand ,ithout +ear- It does not +ollo, 'y any means that this is the highest le*el o+ communication o+ ,hich he is

743

capa'le- But it (OES mean that it is the highest le*el o+ communication o+ ,hich he is capa'le 2O4The ,hole aim o+ the miracle is to RAISE the le*el o+ communication# not to impose regression Aas improperly usedC upon it- Be+ore it is sa+e to let miracle ,or:ers loose in this ,orld# it is essential that they understand +ully the +ear o+ release- Other,ise# they may un,ittingly +oster the mis'elie+ that release is imprisonment# ,hich is *ery pre*alentThis misperception arose +rom the attempted protection de*ice Aor misde+enseC that harm can 'e limited to the 'ody- This ,as 'ecause o+ the much greater +ear A,hich this one counteractsC that the mind can hurt itsel+- 2either error is really meaning+ul# 'ecause the miscreations o+ the mind do not really e<ist- That recognition is a +ar 'etter protection de*ice than any +orm o+ le*el con+usion# 'ecause o+ the ad*antages o+ introducing correction at the le*el o+ the errorIt is essential that the remem'rance o+ the +act that O2!B mind can create at all remain ,ith you- Implicit in this is the corrolary that correction 'elongs at the thought le*el# and 2OT at either le*el to ,hich creation is inapplica'le- To repeat an earlier statement# and also to e<tend it some,hat# the Soul is already per+ect# and there+ore does not re?uire correction- The 'ody does not really e<ist# e<cept as a learning de*ice +or the mind- This learning de*ice is not su'@ect to errors o+ its o,n# 'ecause it ,as created# 'ut is 2OT creatingIt should 'e o'*ious# then# that correcting the creator Aor inducing it to gi*e up miscreationC is the only application o+ creation ,hich is inherently meaning+ul at all4e said 'e+ore that magic is essentially mindless# or the destructi*e AmiscreatedC use o+ mind- hysical medicines are a +orm o+ )spells-. In one ,ay# they are a more 'enign +orm# in that they do not entail the possession +allacy ,hich (OES enter ,hen a mind 'elie*es that it can possess another- Since this is considera'ly less dangerous# though still incorrect# it has its ad*antages- It is particularly help+ul to the therapist ,ho really ,ants to heal# 'ut is still +ear+ul himsel+- By using physical means to do so# he is not engaging in any +orm o+ ensla*ement# e*en though he is not applying the AtonementThis means that his mind is dulled 'y +ear# 'ut is not acti*ely engaged in distortionThose ,ho are a+raid o+ using the mind to heal are right in a*oiding it# 'ecause the *ery +act that they are a+raid 1AS made them *ulnera'le to miscreation- They are there+ore li:ely to misunderstand any healing they might induce# and# 'ecause egocentricity and

744

+ear usually occur together# may 'e una'le to accept the real Source o+ the healing> 65K >

Under these conditions# it is sa+er +or them to rely TEM ORARI!B on physical healing de*ices# 'ecause they cannot mispercei*e them as their o,n creations- As long as their o,n *ulnera'ility persists# it is essential to preser*e them +rom e*en attempting miracles4e said in a pre*ious section that the miracle is an e<pression o+ miracle> MindednessMiracle>Mindedness merely means Right>Mindedness in the sense that ,e are no, using it- Right>Mindedness neither e<alts nor depreciates the mind o+ the miracle ,or:er nor o+ the miracle recei*er- 1o,e*er# as a creati*e act# the miracle need not a,ait the Right> Mindedness o+ the recei*er- In +act# its purpose is to restore him TO his Right MindBut it is essential that the miracle ,or:er 'e in his Right Mind# or he ,ill 'e una'le to reesta'lish Right>Mindedness in someone elseThe healer ,ho relies on his o,n readiness is endangering his understanding- 1e is per+ectly sa+e as long as he is completely unconcerned a'out 1IS readiness# 'ut maintains a consistent trust in MI2E- AErrors o+ this :ind produce some *ery erratic 'eha*ior# ,hich usually point up an underlying un,illingness to co>operate- 2ote that 'y inserting the car'on 'ac:,ards# B- created a situation in ,hich t,o copies did not e<ist- This re+lected t,o le*els o+ con+idence lac:# one in My readiness to heal# and the other in his o,n ,illingness to gi*e-C These errors ine*ita'ly introduce ine++iciency into the miracle ,or:er=s 'eha*ior# and temporarily disrupt his miracle>mindedness- 4e might also ma:e *ery similar comments a'out your o,n hesitation a'out dictating at all- This is a larger error only 'ecause it results in greater ine++iciency- I+ you don=t say anything# no'ody can use it# including Me- 4e ha*e esta'lished that +or all correcti*e processes# the +irst step is :no, that this is +ear- Unless +ear had entered# the correcti*e procedure ,ould ne*er ha*e 'ecome necessary- I+ your miracle ,or:ing propensities are not ,or:ing# it is al,ays 'ecause +ear has intruded on your Right>Mindedness# and has literally upset it- Ai-eturned it upside do,nCAll +orms o+ not>Right>Mindedness are the result o+ re+usal to accept the Atonement 3OR BOURSE!3- I+ the miracle ,or:er (OES accept it# he places himsel+ in the position

745

to recogni9e that those ,ho need to 'e healed are simply those ,ho ha*e 2OT done soThe reason ,hy you +elt the *ast radiation range o+ your o,n inner illumination is 'ecause you ,ere a,are that your Right>Mindedness IS healingThe sole responsi'ility o+ the miracle ,or:er is to accept Atonement himsel+- This means that he :no,s that mind is the only creati*e le*el# and that its errors ARE healed 'y the Atonement- Once he accepts this# 1IS mind can only heal- By denying his mind any destructi*e potential# and reinstating its purely constructi*e po,ers# he has placed himsel+ in a position ,here he can undo the le*el con+usion o+ others- The message ,hich he then gi*es to others is the truth that T1EIR MI2(S are really similarly constructi*e# and that their o,n miscreations cannot hurt them- By a++irming this# the miracle ,or:er releases the mind +rom o*ere*aluating its o,n learning de*ice Athe 'odyC# and restores the mind to its true position as the learner- It should 'e re>emphasi9ed that the 'ody does not learn# any more than it creates- As a learning de*ice# it merely +ollo,s the
> 655 >

learner# 'ut i+ it is +alsely endo,ed ,ith sel+ initiati*e# it 'ecomes a serious o'struction to the learning it should +acilitateO2!B the mind is capa'le o+ illumination- The Soul is already illuminated# and the 'ody in itsel+ is too dense- The mind# ho,e*er# can BRI2" its o,n illumination TO the 'ody 'y recogni9ing that density is the opposite o+ intelligence# and there+ore unamena'le to independent learning- It is# ho,e*er# easily 'rought into alignment ,ith a mind ,hich has learned to loo: 'eyond density to,ard lightCorrecti*e learning al,ays 'egins ,ith a,a:ening the spiritual eye# and turning a,ay +rom 'elie+ in physical sight- The reason this entails +ear is 'ecause man is a+raid o+ ,hat his spiritual eye ,ill see# ,hich ,as ,hy he closed it in the +irst place- 4e said 'e+ore that the spiritual eye cannot see error# and is capa'le only o+ loo:ing 'eyond it to the de+ense o+ Atonement- There is no dou't that the spiritual eye does produce e<treme discom+ort 'y ,hat it sees- The thing that man +orgets is that the discom+ort is not the +inal outcome o+ its perception- 4hen the spiritual eye is permitted to loo: upon the de+ilement o+ the altar# it also loo:s immediately to,ard Atonement- 2othing ,hich the spiritual eye percei*es can induce +ear- E*erything that results +rom accurate spiritual a,areness merely is channeli9ed to,ard correction- (iscom+ort is aroused only to 'ring the need to correct +orci'ly into a,areness-

746

4hat the physical eye sees is not correcti*e# nor can it 'e corrected 'y any de*ice ,hich can 'e physically seen- As long as a man 'elie*es in ,hat his physical sight tells him# all his correcti*e 'eha*ior ,ill 'e misdirected- The reason ,hy the real *ision is o'scured is 'ecause man cannot endure to see his o,n de+iled altar- But since the altar has BEE2 de+iled# this +act 'ecomes dou'ly dangerous unless it IS percei*ed- This perception is totally not>threatening 'ecause o+ the Atonement- The +ear o+ healing arises in the end +rom an un,illingness to accept the une?ui*ocal +act that healing is necessary- The +ear arises 'ecause o+ the necessary ,illingness to loo: at ,hat man has done to himsel+1ealing ,as an a'ility ,hich ,as lent to man a+ter the Separation# 'e+ore ,hich it ,as completely unnecessary- !i:e all aspects o+ the space>time 'elie+# healing a'ility is temporary- 1o,e*er# as long as time persists# healing remains among the stronger human protections- This is 'ecause healing al,ays rests on charity# and charity is a ,ay o+ percei*ing the true per+ection o+ another# e*en i+ he cannot percei*e it himsel+- Most o+ the lo+tier concepts o+ ,hich man is capa'le no, are time>dependent- Charity is really a ,ea:er re+lection o+ a much more po,er+ul lo*e>encompassment# ,hich is +ar 'eyond any +orm o+ charity that man can concei*e o+ as yet- Charity is essential to Right> Mindedness# in the limited sense to ,hich Right>Mindedness can no, 'e attained- Charity is a ,ay o+ loo:ing at another AS I3 he had already gone +ar 'eyond his actual accomplishment in time- Since his o,n thin:ing is +aulty# he cannot see the Atonement himsel+# or he ,ould ha*e no need +or charity at all- The charity ,hich is accorded him is 'oth and ac:no,ledgment that he IS ,ea:# and a recognition that he COU!( BE strongerThe ,ay in ,hich 'oth o+ these 'elie+s are stated clearly implies their dependence on time#
> J%% >

ma:ing it ?uite apparent that charity lies ,ithin the +rame,or: o+ human limitations# though to,ard the higher le*els4e said 'e+ore# t,ice in +act# that only Re*elation transcends time- The miracle# as an e<pression o+ true human charity# can only shorten it a 'est- It must 'e understood# ho,e*er# that ,hene*er a man o++ers a miracle to another# he IS shortening the su++ering o+ 'oth- This introduces a correction into the Record# ,hich corrects retroacti*ely as ,ell as progressi*elyAInsert +or page J&C

747

This section is inserted here 'ecause it deals ,ith a more +undamental misuse o+ :no,ledge# re+erred to in the Bi'le as the cause o+ the 3all Aor SeparationC- There are se*eral introductory remar:s ,hich are intended to ma:e these e<planations less +earpro*o:ingThe +irst is a couplet ,hich I dre, to your attention during the +ragments o+ Midsummer 2ight=s (ream# ,hich you heard last nightF )Be as thou ,ast ,ont to 'e See as thou ,ast ,ont to see-. It is note,orthy that these ,ords ,ere said 'y O'eron in releasing Titania +rom her o,n errors# 'oth o+ 'eing and percei*ing- These ,ere the ,ords ,hich re> esta'lished her true identity as ,ell as her true a'ilities and @udgment- The similarity here is o'*iousThere are also some de+initions# ,hich I as:ed you to ta:e +rom the dictionary# ,hich ,ill also 'e help+ul- Their some,hat unusual nature is due to the +act that they are not +irst de+initions in their chronological appearance- 2e*ertheless# the +act that each o+ them does appear in the dictionary should 'e reassuringro@ect A*er'CF to e<tend +or,ard or outro@ect AnounCF a plan in the mind 4orldF a natural grand di*ision- A2ote that you originally ,rote ),ord. instead o+ ),orld.-C 4e ,ill re+er later to pro@ection as related to 'oth mental illness and mental healthIt ,ill also 'e commented on that !uci+er literally pro@ected himsel+ +rom hea*en- 4e also ha*e o'ser*ed that man can create an empty shell# 'ut cannot create nothing at allThis emptiness pro*ides the screen +or the misuse o+ pro@ectionThe "arden o+ Eden# ,hich is descri'ed as a literal garden in the Bi'le# ,as not originally an actual garden at all- It ,as merely a mental state o+ complete need>lac:E*en in the literal account# it is note,orthy that the pre>Separation state ,as essentially one in ,hich man needed nothing- The Tree o+ Lno,ledge# again an o*erly>literal concept# Aas is clearly sho,n 'y the su'se?uent re+erence to )eating o+ the +ruit o+ the tree.C is a sym'olic re+erence to some o+ the misuses o+ :no,ledge re+erred to in the section immediately preceding this one- There is# ho,e*er# considera'le clari+ication o+ this
> J%& >

concept# ,hich must 'e understood 'e+ore the real meaning o+ the )detour into +ear. can 'e +ully comprehended- ro@ection# as de+ined a'o*e# Athis re+ers to the *er'C is a +undamental attri'ute o+ "od# ,hich he also ga*e to his Son- In the Creation# "od pro@ected his Creati*e A'ility out o+ 1imsel+ to,ard the Souls ,hich 1e created# and also im'ued

748

them ,ith the same lo*ing ,ish Aor ,illC to create- 4e ha*e commented 'e+ore on the 3U2(AME2TA! error in*ol*ed in con+using ,hat has 'een created ,ith ,hat is 'eing created- 4e ha*e also emphasi9ed that man# inso+ar as the term relates to Soul# has not only 'een +ully Created# 'ut also 'een created per+ect- There is no emptiness in himThe ne<t point# too# has already 'een made# 'ut 'ears repetition here- The Soul# 'ecause o+ its o,n li:eness to its Creator# is creati*e- 2o Child o+ "od is capa'le o+ losing this a'ility# 'ecause it is inherent in ,hat he IS4hene*er pro@ection in its inappropriate sense is utili9ed# it al,ays implies that some emptiness Aor lac: o+ e*erythingC must e<ist# and that it is ,ithin man=s a'ility to put his o,n ideas there I2STEA( o+ the truth- I+ you ,ill consider care+ully ,hat this entails# the +ollo,ing ,ill 'ecome ?uite apparentF 3irst# the assumption is implicit that ,hat "od has Created can 'e changed 'y the mind o+ ManSecond# the concept that ,hat is per+ect can 'e rendered imper+ect Aor ,antingC is intrudedThird# the 'elie+ that man can distort the Creations o+ "od Aincluding himsel+C has arisen# and is tolerated3ourth# that since man can create himsel+# the direction o+ his o,n creation is up to himThese related distortions represent a picture o+ ,hat actually occurred in the Separation- 2one o+ this e<isted 'e+ore# nor does it actually e<ist no,- The ,orld# as de+ined a'o*e# 4AS made as a natural grand di*ision# or pro@ecting out,ard o+ "odThat is ,hy e*erything ,hich 1e Created is li:e 1imIt should 'e noted that the opposite o+ pro is con- Strictly spea:ing# then# the opposite o+ pro@ecting is con@ecting# a term ,hich re+erred to a state o+ uncertainty or guess ,or:Other errors arise in connection ,ith ancillary de+enses# to 'e considered later3or e<ample# de@ection# ,hich is o'*iously associated ,ith depression# in@ection# ,hich can 'e misinterpreted readily enough# in terms o+ possession +allacies Aparticularly penetrationC# and re@ection# ,hich is clearly associated ,ith denial- It should 'e noted also that re@ection can 'e used as re+using# a term ,hich necessarily in*ol*es a perception o+ ,hat is re+used as something un,orthyro@ection as underta:en 'y "od ,as *ery similar to the :ind o+ inner radiance ,hich the Children o+ the 3ather inherit +rom 1im- It is important to note that the term )pro@ect out,ard. necessarily implies that the real source o+ pro@ection is internalThis is as true o+ the Son as o+ the 3ather> J%$ >

The ,orld# in its original connotation# included 'oth the proper creation o+ man 'y

749

"od# A2( the proper creation 'y man in his Right Mind- The latter re?uired the endo,ment o+ man 'y "od ,ith +ree ,ill# 'ecause all lo*ing creation is +reely gi*en- 2othing in either o+ these statements implies any sort o+ le*el in*ol*ement# or# in +act# anything e<cept one continuous line o+ creation# in ,hich all aspects are o+ the same order4hen the )lies o+ the serpent. ,ere introduced# they ,ere speci+ically called lies 'ecause they are not true- 4hen man listened# all he heard ,as untruth- 1e does not ha*e to continue to 'elie*e ,hat is not true# unless he chooses to do so- All o+ his miscreations can disappear in the ,ell :no,n )t,in:ling o+ an eye.# 'ecause it is a *isual misperceptionMan=s spiritual eye can sleep# 'ut as ,ill shortly appear in the notes Are+erence Bo'# ele*ator operatorC a sleeping eye can still see- One translation o+ the 3all# a *ie, emphasi9ed 'y Mary Ba:er Eddy# and ,orthy o+ note# is that )a deep sleep +ell upon Adam.4hile the Bi'le continues to associate this sleep as a :ind o+ anaesthetic utili9ed +or protection o+ Adam during the creation o+ E*e# Mrs- Eddy ,as correct in emphasi9ing that no,here is there any re+erence made to his ,a:ing up- 4hile Christian Science is clearly incomplete# this point is much in its +a*orThe history o+ man in the ,orld as he sa, it has not 'een characteri9ed 'y any geniune or comprehensi*e re>a,a:ening# or re>'irth- This is impossi'le as long as man pro@ects in the spirit o+ miscreation- It still remains ,ithin him to pro@ect as "od pro@ected his o,n Spirit to him- In reality# this is his O2!B choice# 'ecause his +ree ,ill ,as made +or his o,n @oy in creating the per+ectAll +ear is ultimately reducea'le to the 'asic misperception o+ man=s a'ility to USUR the po,er o+ "od- It is again emphasi9ed that he neither CA2 nor 1AS 'een a'le to do this- In this statement lies the real @usti+ication +or his escape +rom +ear- This is 'rought a'out 'y his acceptance o+ the Atonement# ,hich places him in a position to reali9e that his o,n errors ne*er really occurred4hen the deep sleep +ell upon Adam# he ,as then in a condition to e<perience nightmares# precisely 'ecause he ,as sleeping- I+ a light is suddenly turned on ,hile someone is dreaming# and the content o+ his dream is +ear+ul# he is initially li:ely to interpret the light itsel+ as part o+ the content o+ his o,n dream- 1o,e*er# as soon as he a,a:ens# the light is correctly percei*ed as the release +rom the dream# ,hich is no

750

longer accorded reality- I ,ould li:e to conclude this ,ith the Bi'lical in@unction )"o ye and do li:e,ise-. It is ?uite apparent that this depends on the :ind o+ :no,ledge ,hich ,as 2OT re+erred to 'y the )Tree o+ Lno,ledge. ,hich 'ore lies as +ruit- The :no,ledge that illuminates rather than o'scures is the :no,ledge ,hich not only ma:es you +ree# 'ut also sho,s you clearly that you ARE +ree> J%8 >

!ead in +or p- J& Aa+ter insertC The preceding sections ,ere inserted 'ecause o+ the necessity o+ distinguishing 'et,een real and +alse :no,ledge- 1a*ing made this distinction# it is ,ell to return to the errors already listed a ,hile 'ac:- It might 'e ,ell to recapitulate them hereThe +irst in*ol*ed the +allacy that only the physical is real- The second in*ol*ed things rather than people- The third in*ol*es the endo,ment o+ the physical ,ith nonphysical properties- And the +ourth clari+ied the misuse o+ :no,ledge- All o+ them ,ere su'sumed under possession +allacies- The denial mechanism +or three has already 'een set +orth in some detail# and ,ill also continue a+ter the +ollo,ingF May 8&# &5J7 S ECIA! MESSA"E Bou still ha*e too much +aith in the 'ody as a source o+ strength- 4hat plans do you ma:e that do 2OT in*ol*e its com+ort or protection or en@oyment in some ,ayE This ma:es it an end and not a means in your interpretation# and this A!4ABS means BOU STI!! 3I2( SI2 ATTRACTIHE- 2o>one accepts Atonement +or himsel+ ,ho still accepts sin as his goal- Bou ha*e thus not met your one responsi'ility- Atonement is not ,elcomed 'y those ,ho RE3ER pain and destructionBou ha*e made much progress# and are really trying to ma:e still more# 'ut there is one thing you ha*e ne*er doneP not +or one instant ha*e you utterly +orgotten the 'odyIt has +aded at times +rom your sight# 'ut it has not yet COM !ETE!B (ISA EARE(Bou are not as:ed to let this happen +or more than an instant# 'ut it is in this instant that the miracle o+ Atonement happens- A+ter,ards# you ,ill see the 'ody again# 'ut ne*er ?uite the same- And e*ery instant that you spend 4IT1OUT a,areness o+ it gi*es you a di++erent *ie, o+ it# ,hen you returnAt no SI2"!E instant does the 'ody e<ist at all- It is al,ays remem'ered or anticipated# 'ut 2EHER e<perienced @ust no,- Only its past and +uture ma:e it seem real- Time controls it entirely- 3or sin is ne*er present- In any SI2"!E instant# the attraction o+ guilt ,ould 'e

751

e<perienced as pain and nothing else# and ,ould 'e a*oided- IT 1AS 2O ATTRACTIO2 2O4- Its ,hole attraction is imaginary# and there+ore MUST 'e thought o+ +rom the past# or in the +utureIt is impossi'le to accept the holy instant 4IT1OUT RESERHATIO2 unless# JUST 3OR A2 I2STA2T# you are ,illing to see no past or +uture- Bou cannot RE ARE +or it ,ithout placing it in the 3UTURE- Release is gi*en you the I2STA2T you desire itMany ha*e spent a li+etime in preparation# and ha*e# indeed# achie*ed their instants o+ successThis course does not attempt to teach more than they learned in time- But it does aim at SAHI2" timeBou are attempting to +ollo, a *ery long road to the goal you ha*e accepted- It is e<tremely di++icult to reach Atonement 'y +ighting against sin- Enormous e++ort is e<pended in the attempt to ma:e holy ,hat is hated and despised- 2or is a li+etime o+ contemplation# and long periods o+ meditation aimed at (ETAC1ME2T +rom the 'ody necessaryAll such attempts ,ill ultimately succeed# 'ecause o+ their purpose- But the means are tedious and *ery time consuming# +or all o+ them !OOL TO T1E 3UTURE +or release +rom a state o+ present un,orthiness and inade?uacyBour ,ay ,ill 'e di++erent- 2OT in purpose# 'ut in means- A 1O!B RE!ATIO2S1I IS A MEA2S O3 SAHI2" TIME- One instant spent TO"ET1ER restores the uni*erse to BOT1 o+ you- Bou ARE prepared- 2o, you need 'ut remem'er BOU 2EE( (O 2OT1I2"- It ,ould 'e 3AR more pro+ita'le no, merely to concentrate on this# than to consider ,hat you S1OU!( do4hen peace comes at last to those ,ho ,restle ,ith temptation# and +ight against gi*ing in to sinP ,hen the light comes at last into the mind gi*en to contemplation# or ,hen the goal is +inally achie*ed 'y anyone# it A!4ABS comes ,ith @ust O2E happy reali9ation# N )I need do nothing-. 1ere is the ultimate release that e*eryone ,ill one day +ind in his o,n ,ay# at his o,n time- 4e do not need this time- Time has 'een SAHE( +or you# 'ecause you are together- This is the special means this course is using# to sa*e you timeBou are not ma:ing use o+ the course i+ you insist on using means that ha*e ser*ed others ,ell# neglecting ,hat ,as made +or BOU- Sa*e time +or me 'y only this one preparation# and practice doing 2OT1I2" E!SE- )I need do nothing. is a statement o+ allegiance# a truly undi*ided loyalty- Belie*e it +or @ust one instant# and you ,ill accomplish

752

more than is gi*en to a century o+ contemplation# or o+ struggle against temptationTo (O anything in*ol*es the 'ody- And# i+ you recogni9e you 2EE( do nothing# you 1AHE ,ithdra,n the 'ody=s *alue +rom your mind- 1ere is ?uic: and open door through ,hich you slip past centuries o+ e++ort# and ESCA E +rom time- This is the ,ay in ,hich sin loses A!! attraction RI"1T 2O4- 3or here is time denied# and past and +uture gone- 4ho need do nothing has no need +or time- To do nothing is to rest# and ma:e a place ,ithin you ,here the acti*ity o+ the 'ody ceases to demand attention- Into this place the 1oly Spirit comes# and there a'ides1e ,ill remain ,hen you +orget# and the 'ody=s acti*ities return to occupy your conscious mind- But there ,ill al,ays 'e this place o+ rest# to ,hich you can returnAnd you ,ill 'e more a,are o+ the ?uiet center o+ the storm# than all its raging acti*ityThis ?uiet center# I2 41IC1 BOU (O 2OT1I2"# ,ill remain ,ith you# gi*ing you rest in the midst o+ e*ery 'usy doing on ,hich you are sent- 3or# 3ROM this center# ,ill you 'e directed ho, to use the 'ody sinlessly- It is this center# +rom ,hich the 'ody is ABSE2T# that ,ill :eep it so# in your a,areness o+ itMarch &&# &5JK Special MessageF 4hen you come to the place ,here the 'ranch in the road is ?uite apparent# you cannot go ahead- Bou MUST go one ,ay or the other- 3or no,# i+ you go straight ahead# the ,ay you ,ere going 'e+ore you came to the 'ranch# BOU 4I!! "O 2O41EREThe ,hole purpose o+ coming this +ar is to decide 41IC1 BRA2C1 BOU 4I!! TALE 3ROM 1ERE O2- The ,ay you came no longer matters- IT CA2 2O !O2"ER SERHE2o>one ,ho reaches this +ar CA2 ma:e the ,rong decision- But he CA2 delay- And there is no part o+ the @ourney that seems more hopeless and +utile than standing ,here the road 'ranches# and not deciding ,hich ,ay to go- It is only the +irst +e, steps along the right ,ay that seem hard# 'ecause you 1AHE chosen# 'ut you still thin: you can go 'ac: and ma:e the other choiceThis is not so- A choice made ,ith the po,er o+ 1ea*en to uphold it cannot BE undone- Bour ,ay IS decidedThere ,ill 'e nothing you ,ill 2OT 'e told# i+ you ac:no,ledge this-

rinted in 1ungary

)Into eternity# ,here all is one# there crept a tiny# mad idea# at ,hich the

753

Son o+ "od remem'ered not to laugh- In his +orgetting did the thought 'ecome a serious idea# and possi'le o+ 'oth accomplishment and real e++ects- Together# ,e can laugh them BOT1 a,ay# and understand that time can 2OT intrude upon eternity- It IS a @o:e to thin: that time can come to circum*ent eternity# ,hich MEA2S there is no time---.

754