1
The role of teaching and learning is actually reversed in the thinking
of the
world. The reversal is characteristic. It seems as if the
teacher/teacheress
and the learner are separated, the teacher/teacheress giving something
to the
learner rather than to himself/herself. Further, the act of teaching
is
regarded as a special activity in which one engages only a relatively
small
proportion of one's time. The course, on the other hand, emphasizes
that to
teach is to learn, so that teacher/teacheress and learner are the
same. It also
emphasizes that teaching is a constant process—it goes on every moment
of the
day and continues into sleeping thoughts as well.
2 To
teach is to demonstrate. There are only two thought systems, and you
demonstrate that you believe one or the other is true all the time.
From your
demonstration, others learn and so do you. The question is not whether
you will
teach, for in that there is no choice. The purpose of the course might
be said
to provide you with a means of choosing what you want to teach on the
basis of
what you want to learn. You cannot give to someone else, and this you
learn
through teaching. Teaching is but a call to witnesses to attest to
what you
believe. It is a method of conversion. This is not done by words
alone. Any
situation must be to you a chance to teach others what you are and
what they
are to you. No more than that, but also never less.
3
The curriculum that you set up is therefore determined exclusively by
what you
think you are and what you believe the relationship of others is to
you. In the
formal teaching situation, these questions may be totally unrelated to
what you
think you are teaching. Yet it is impossible not to use the content of
any
situation on behalf of what you really teach and therefore learn. To
this the
verbal content of your teaching is quite irrelevant. It may coincide
with it or
it may not. It is the teaching underlying what you say that teaches
you.
Teaching but reinforces what you believe about yourself. Its
fundamental
purpose is to diminish self doubt. This does not mean that the self
you are
trying to protect is real. But it does mean that the self you think is
real is
what you teach.
4
This is inevitable. There is no escape from it. How could it be
otherwise?
Everyone who follows the world's curriculum, and everyone here does
follow it
until he/she changes his/her mind, teaches solely to convince
himself/herself
that he/she is what he/she is not. Herein is the purpose of the world.
What
else, then, would its curriculum be? Into this hopeless and closed
learning
situation which teaches nothing but despair and death, God sends
teachers/teacheresses. And as they teach lessons of joy and hope,
their
learning finally becomes complete.
5
Except for God's teachers/teacheresses, there would be no hope of
salvation,
for the world of sin would seem forever "real." The self-deceiving
must deceive, for they must teach deception. And what else is hell?
This is a
manual for the teachers/teacheresses of God. They are not perfect or
they would
not be here. Yet it is their mission to become perfect here, and so
they teach
perfection over and over in many, many ways until they have learned
it. And
then they are seen no more, although their thoughts remain a source of
strength
and truth forever. Who are they? How are they chosen? What do they do?
How can
they work out their own salvation and the salvation of the world? This
manual
attempts to answer these questions.
1
A teacher/teacheress of God
is anyone who chooses to be one. His/her qualifications consist solely
in this;
somehow, somewhere he/she has made a deliberate choice in which he/she
did not
see his/her interests as apart from someone else's. Once he/she has
done that,
his/her road is established and his/her direction is sure. A light has
entered
the darkness. It may be a single light, but that is enough. He/she has
entered
an agreement with God even if he/she does not yet believe in HimHer.
He/she has
become a bringer of salvation. He/she has become a teacher/teacheress
of God.
2
They come from all over the world. They come from all religions and
from no
religion. They are the ones who have answered. The Call is universal.
It goes
on all the time everywhere. It calls for teachers/teacheresses to
speak for it
and redeem the world. Many hear it, but few will answer. But it is all
a matter
of time. Everyone will answer in the end, but the end can be a long,
long way
off. It is because of this that the plan of the teachers/teacheresses
was
established. Their function is to save time. Each one begins as a
single light,
but with the Call at its center, it is a light that cannot be limited.
And each
one saves a thousand years of time as the world judges it. To the Call
itself,
time has no meaning.
3
There is a course for every teacher/teacheress of God. The form of the
course
varies greatly. So do the particular teaching aids involved. But the
content of
the course never changes. Its central theme is always, "God's
SonDaughter
is guiltless, and in hisher innocence is hisher salvation." It can be
taught by actions or thoughts, in words or soundlessly, in any
language or in
no language, in any place or time or manner. It does not matter who
the
teacher/teacheress was before he/she heard the Call. He/she has become
a savior/savioress
by his/her answering. He/she has seen someone else as himself/herself.
He/she
has therefore found his/her own salvation and the salvation of the
world. In
his/her rebirth is the world reborn.
4
This is a manual for a special curriculum, intended for
teachers/teacheresses
of a special form of the universal course. There are many thousands of
other
forms, all with the same outcome. They merely save time. Yet it is
time alone
that winds on wearily, and the world is very tired now. It is old and
worn and
without hope. There was never a question of outcome, for what can
change the
Will of God? But time, with its illusions of change and death, wears
out the
world and all things in it. Yet time has an ending, and it is this
that the
teachers/teacheresses of God are appointed to bring about. For time is
in their
hands. Such was their choice, and it is given them.
1
Certain pupils have been assigned to each of God's
teachers/teacheresses, and
they will begin to look for him/her as soon as he/she has answered the
Call.
They were chosen for him/her because the form of the universal
curriculum that
he/she will teach is best for them in view of their level of
understanding.
His/her pupils have been waiting for him/her, for his/her coming is
certain.
Again, it is only a matter of time. Once he/she has chosen to fulfill
his/her
role, they are ready to fulfill theirs. Time waits on his/her choice
but not
whom he/she will serve. When he/she is ready to learn, the
opportunities to
teach will be provided for him/her.
2 In
order to understand the teaching-learning plan of salvation, it is
necessary to
grasp the concept of time which the course sets forth. Atonement
corrects
illusions, not the truth. Therefore it corrects what never was.
Further, the
plan for this correction was established and completed simultaneously,
for the
Will of God is entirely apart from time. So is all reality, being of
HimHer.
The instant the idea of separation entered the mind of God's
SonDaughter, in
that same instant was God's Answer given. In time this happened very
long ago.
In reality it never happened at all.
3
The world of time is the world of illusion. What happened long ago
seems to be
happening now. Choices made long since appear to be open, yet to be
made. What
has been learned and understood and long ago passed by is looked upon
as a new
thought, a fresh idea, a different approach. Because your will is
free, you can
accept what has already happened at any time you choose, and only then
will you
realize that it was always there. As the course emphasizes, you are
not free to
choose the curriculum or even the form in which you will learn it. You
are
free, however, to decide when you want to learn it. And as you accept
it, it is
already learned.
4
Time really, then, goes backward to an instant so ancient that it is
beyond all
memory and past even the possibility of remembering. Yet because it is
an
instant that is relived again and again and still again, it seems to
be now.
And thus it is that pupil and teacher/teacheress seem to come together
in the
present, finding each other as if they had not met before. The pupil
comes at
the right time to the right place. This is inevitable because he/she
made the
right choice in that ancient instant which he/she now relives. So has
the
teacher/teacheress, too, made an inevitable choice out of an ancient
past. God's
Will in everything but seems to take time in the working-out. What
could delay
the Power of eternity?
5
When pupil and teacher/teacheress come together, a teaching-learning
situation
begins. For the teacher/teacheress is not really the one who does the
teaching.
God's Teacheress speaks to any two who join together for learning
purposes. The
relationship is holy because of that purpose, and God has promised to
send
Spirit into any holy relationship. In the teaching-learning situation,
each one
learns that giving and receiving are the same. The demarcations they
have drawn
between their roles, their minds, their bodies, their needs, their
interests,
and all the differences they thought separated them from one another
fade and
grow dim and disappear. Those who would learn the same course share
one
interest and one goal. And thus he/she who was the learner becomes a
teacher/teacheress of God himself/herself, for he/she has made the one
decision
that gave his/her teacher/teacheress to him/her. He/she has seen in
another
person the same interests as his/her own.
1
The teachers/teacheresses of God have no set teaching level. Each
teaching-learning situation involves a different relationship at the
beginning,
although the ultimate goal is always the same—to make of the
relationship a
holy relationship in which both can look upon the SonDaughter of God
as
sinless. There is no one from whom a teacher/teacheress of God cannot
learn, so
there is no one whom he/she cannot teach. However, from a practical
point of
view, he/she cannot meet everyone, nor can everyone find him/her.
Therefore,
the plan includes very specific contacts to be made for each
teacher/teacheress
of God. There are no accidents in salvation. Those who are to meet
will meet
because together they have the potential for a holy relationship. They
are
ready for each other.
2
The simplest level of teaching appears to be quite superficial. It
consists of
what seem to be very casual encounters—a chance meeting of two
apparent
strangers in an elevator, a child who is not looking where he/she is
going
running into an adult "by accident," two students who happen to walk
home together. These are not chance encounters. Each of them has the
potential
for becoming a teaching-learning situation. Perhaps the seeming
strangers in
the elevator will smile to one another; perhaps the man/woman will not
scold
the child for bumping into him/her; perhaps the students will become
friends.
Even at the level of the most casual encounter, it is possible for two
people
to lose sight of separate interests, if only for a moment. That moment
will be
enough. Salvation has come.
3 It
is difficult to understand that levels of teaching the universal
course is a
concept as meaningless in reality as is time. The illusion of one
permits the
illusion of the other. In time, the teacher/teacheress of God seems to
begin to
change his/her mind about the world with the single decision, and then
learns
more and more about the new direction as he/she teaches it. We have
covered the
illusion of time already, but the illusion of levels of teaching seems
to be
something different. Perhaps the best way to demonstrate that these
levels
cannot exist is simply to say that any level of the teaching-learning
situation
is part of God's plan for Atonement, and HisHer plan can have no
levels, being
a reflection of HisHer Will. Salvation is always ready and always
there. God's
teachers/teacheresses work at different levels, but the result is
always the
same.
4
Each teaching-learning situation is maximal in the sense that each
person
involved will learn the most that he/she can from the other person at
that
time. In this sense, and in this sense only, we can speak of levels of
teaching. Using the term in this way, the second level of teaching is
a more
sustained relationship in which for a time two people enter into a
fairly
intense teaching-learning situation and then appear to separate. As
with the
first level, these meetings are not accidental, nor is what appears to
be the
end of the relationship a real end. Again, each has learned the most
he/she can
at the time. Yet all who meet will someday meet again, for it is the
destiny of
all relationships to become holy. God is not mistaken in HisHer
SonDaughter.
5
The third level of teaching occurs in relationships which, once they
are
formed, are lifelong. These are teaching-learning situations in which
each
person is given a chosen learning partner who presents him/her with
unlimited
opportunities for learning. These relationships are generally few
because their
existence implies that those involved have reached a stage
simultaneously in
which the teaching-learning balance is actually perfect. This does not
mean
that they necessarily recognize this; in fact, they generally do not.
They may
even be quite hostile to each other for some time, and perhaps for
life. Yet
should they decide to learn it, the perfect lesson is before them and
can be
learned. And if they decide to learn that lesson, they become the
saviors/savioresses
of the teachers/teacheresses who falter and may even seem to fail. No
teacher/teacheress of God can fail to find the Help he/she needs.
1
The surface traits of God's teachers/teacheresses are not at all
alike. They do
not look alike to the body's eyes, they come from vastly different
backgrounds,
their experiences of the world vary greatly, and their superficial
"personalities" are quite distinct. Nor at the beginning stages of
their functioning as teachers/teacheresses of God have they as yet
acquired the
deeper characteristics that will establish them as what they are. God
gives
special gifts to teachers/teacheresses because they have a special
role in HisHer
plan for Atonement. Their specialness is, of course, only
temporary—set in time
as a means of leading out of time. These special gifts, born in the
holy
relationship toward which the teaching-learning situation is geared,
become
characteristic of all teachers/teacheresses of God who have advanced
in their
own learning. In this respect they are all alike.
2
All differences among the SonsDaughters of God are temporary.
Nevertheless, in
time it can be said that the advanced teachers/teacheresses of God
have the
following characteristics:
3
This is the foundation on which their ability to fulfill their
function rests.
Perception is the result of learning. In fact, perception is learning
because
cause and effect are never separated. The teachers/teacheresses of God
have
trust in the world because they have learned it is not governed by the
laws the
world made up. It is governed by a Power Which is in them but not of
them. It
is this Power that keeps all things safe. It is through this Power
that the teachers/teacheresses
of God look on a forgiven world.
4
When this Power has once been experienced, it is impossible to trust
one's own
petty strength again. Who would attempt to fly with the tiny wings of
a sparrow
when the mighty power of an eagle has been given him/her? And who
would place
his/her faith in the shabby offerings of the ego when the gifts of God
are laid
before him/her? What is it that induces them to make the shift?
5
First, they must go through what might be called "a period of
undoing." This need not be painful, but it usually is so experienced.
It
seems as if things are being taken away, and it is rarely understood
initially
that their lack of value is merely being recognized. How can lack of
value be
perceived unless the perceiver is in a position where he/she must see
things in
a different light? He/she is not yet at a point at which he/she can
make the
shift entirely internally. And so the plan will sometimes call for
changes in
what seem to be external circumstances. These changes are always
helpful. When
the teacher/teacheress of God has learned that much, he/she goes on to
the
second stage.
6
Next, the teacher/teacheress of God must go through a "period of
sorting-out." This is always somewhat difficult because, having
learned
that the changes in his/her life are always helpful, he/she must now
decide all
things on the basis of whether they increase the helpfulness or hamper
it. He/she
will find that many if not most of the things he/she valued before
will merely
hinder his/her ability to transfer what he/she has learned to new
situations as
they arise. Because he/she has valued what is really valueless, he/she
will not
generalize the lesson for fear of loss and sacrifice. It takes great
learning
to understand that all things, events, encounters, and circumstances
are
helpful. It is only to the extent to which they are helpful that any
degree of
reality should be accorded them in this world of illusion. The word
"value" can apply to nothing else.
7
The third stage through which the teachers/teacheresses of God must go
can be
called a "period of relinquishment." If this is interpreted as giving
up the desirable, it will engender enormous conflict. Few
teachers/teacheresses
of God escape this distress entirely. There is, however, no point in
sorting
out the valuable from the valueless unless the next obvious step is
taken. The
third step is rarely if ever begun until the second is complete.
Therefore, the
period of overlap is apt to be one in which the teacher/teacheress of
God feels
called upon to sacrifice his/her own best interests on behalf of
truth. He/she has
not realized as yet how wholly impossible such a demand would be.
He/she can
learn this only as he/she actually does give up the valueless. Through
this
he/she learns that where he/she anticipated grief, he/she finds a
happy
light-heartedness instead; where he/she thought something was asked of
him/her,
he/she finds a gift bestowed on him/her.
8
Now comes a "period of settling down." This is a quiet time in which
the teacher/teacheress of God rests a while in reasonable peace. Now
he/she consolidates
his/her learning. Now he/she begins to see the transfer value of what
he/she has
learned. Its potential is literally staggering, and the
teacher/teacheress of
God is now at the point in his/her progress at which he/she sees in it
his/her whole
way out. "Give up what you do not want and keep what you do." How
simple is the obvious! And how easy to do! The teacher/teacheress of
God needs
this period of respite. He/she has not yet come as far as he/she
thinks. Yet
when he/she is ready to go on, he/she goes with mighty companions
beside him/her.
Now he/she rests a while and gathers them before going on. He/she will
not go
on from here alone.
9
The next stage is indeed a "period of unsettling." Now must the
teacher/teacheress
of God understand that he/she did not really know what was valuable
and what
was valueless. All that he/she really learned so far was that he/she
did not
want the valueless and that he/she did want the valuable. Yet his/her
own
sorting-out was meaningless in teaching him/her the difference. The
idea of
sacrifice, so central to his/her thought system, had made it
impossible for
him/her to judge. He/she thought he/she had learned willingness, but
now he/she
sees that he/she does not know what the willingness is for. And now
he/she must
attain a state that may remain impossible for a long, long time.
He/she must
learn to lay all judgment aside and ask only what he/she really wants
in every
circumstance. Were not each step in this direction so heavily
reinforced, it
would be hard indeed!
10
And finally, there is a "period of achievement." It is here that
learning is consolidated. Now what was seen as merely shadows before
becomes
solid gains, to be counted on in all "emergencies" as well as
tranquil times. Indeed, the tranquility is their result—the outcome of
honest
learning, consistency of thought, and full transfer. This is the stage
of real
peace, for here is the Realm of God fully reflected. From here the way
to the
God Realm is open and easy. In fact, it is here. Who would "go"
anywhere if peace of mind is already complete? And who would seek to
change tranquility
for something more desirable? What could be more desirable than this?
11
All other traits of God's teachers/teacheresses rest on trust. Once
that has
been achieved, the others cannot fail to follow. Only the trusting can
afford
honesty, for only they can see its value. Honesty does not apply only
to what
you say. The term actually means consistency. There is nothing you say
that
contradicts what you think or do; no thought opposes any other
thought; no act
belies your word; and no word lacks agreement with another. Such are
the truly
honest. At no level are they in conflict with themselves. Therefore it
is
impossible for them to be in conflict with anyone or anything.
12
The peace of mind which the advanced teachers/teacheresses of God
experience is
largely due to their perfect honesty. It is only the wish to deceive
that makes
for war. No one at one with himself/herself can even conceive of
conflict.
Conflict is the inevitable result of self-deception, and
self-deception is
dishonesty. There is no challenge to a teacher/teacheress of God.
Challenge
implies doubt, and the trust on which God's teachers/teacheresses rest
secure
makes doubt impossible. Therefore they can only succeed. In this, as
in all
things, they are honest. They can only succeed because they never do
their will
alone. They choose for all humankind, for all the world and all things
in it,
for the unchanging and unchangeable beyond appearances, and for the
SonDaughter
of God and hisher CreatorManifestor. How could they not succeed? They
choose in
perfect honesty, sure of their choice themselves.
To this I must
say
that I still have some distance to walk, before I do not have any
conflicts
with anything or anybody any where at any plan of existence, but I
work on the
issue by the help of the process of forgiveness like the Course
suggests.
13
God's teachers/teacheresses do not judge. To judge is to be dishonest,
for to
judge is to assume a position you do not have. Judgment without
self-deception
is impossible. Judgment implies that you have been deceived in your
brothers/sisters.
How then could you not have been deceived in yourself? Judgment
implies a lack
of trust, and trust remains the bed-rock of the teacher/teacheress of
God's
whole thought system. Let this be lost, and all his/her learning goes.
Without
judgment are all things equally acceptable, for who could judge
otherwise?
Without judgment are all men/women brothers/sisters, for who is there
who
stands apart? Judgment destroys honesty and shatters trust. No
teacher/teacheress
of God can judge and hope to learn.
14
Harm is impossible for God's teachers/teacheresses. They can neither
harm nor
be harmed. Harm is the outcome of judgment. It is the dishonest act
that
follows a dishonest thought. It is a verdict of guilt upon a
brother/sister and
therefore on one's self. It is the end of peace and the denial of
learning. It
demonstrates the absence of God's curriculum and its replacement by
insanity.
No teacher/teacheress of God but must learn—and fairly early in
his/her training—that
harmfulness completely obliterates his/her function from his/her
awareness. It
will make him/her confused, fearful, angry, and suspicious. It will
make the Holy
Spirit's lessons impossible to learn. Nor can God's Teacheress be
heard at all
except by those who realize that harm can actually achieve nothing. No
gain can
come of it.
15
Therefore God's teachers/teacheresses are wholly gentle. They need the
strength
of gentleness, for it is in this that the function of salvation
becomes easy.
To those who would do harm, it is impossible. To those to whom harm
has no
meaning, it is merely natural. What choice but this has meaning to the
sane?
Who chooses hell when he/she perceives a way to the Realm of God? And
who would
choose the weakness that must come from harm in place of the
unfailing,
all-encompassing, and limitless strength of gentleness? The might of
God's teachers/teacheresses
lies in their gentleness, for they have understood their evil thoughts
came
neither from God's SonDaughter nor hisher CreatorManifestor. Thus did
they join
their thoughts with HimHer, Who is their Source. And so their will,
which
always was HisHer own, is free to be itself.
16 Joy is the inevitable result of gentleness. Gentleness means that fear
is now impossible, and what could come to interfere with joy? The open
hands of
gentleness are always filled. The gentle have no pain. They cannot
suffer. Why
would they not be joyous? They are sure they are beloved and must be
safe. Joy
goes with gentleness as surely as grief attends attack. God's
teachers/teacheresses
trust in HimHer. And they are sure HisHer Teacheress goes before them,
making
sure no harm can come to them. They hold HisHer gifts and follow in
HisHer way
because God's Voice directs them in all things. Joy is their song of
thanks.
And the Christ Consciousness/the Mercy Consciousness looks down on
them in
thanks as well. It’s need of them is just as great as theirs of it.
How joyous
it is to share the purpose of salvation!
17
God's teachers/teacheresses have learned how to be simple. They have
no dreams
that need defense against the truth. They do not try to make
themselves. Their
joy comes from their understanding Who CreatedManifested them. And
does what
God CreatedManifested need defense? No one can become an advanced
teacher/teacheress
of God until he/she fully understands that defenses are but the
foolish
guardians of mad illusions. The more grotesque the dream, the fiercer
and more
powerful its defenses seem to be. Yet when the teacher/teacheress of
God
finally agrees to look past them, he/she finds nothing was there.
Slowly at
first, he/she lets himself/herself be undeceived. But he/she learns
faster as
his/her trust increases. It is not danger that comes when defenses are
laid
down. It is safety. It is peace. It is joy. And it is God.
18
The term generosity has special meaning to the teacher/teacheress of
God. It is
not the usual meaning of the word; in fact, it is a meaning that must
be
learned and learned very carefully. Like all the other attributes of
God's teachers/teacheresses,
this one rests ultimately on trust, for without trust, no one can be
generous
in the true sense. To the world, generosity means "giving away" in
the sense of "giving up." To the teachers/teacheresses of God, it
means "giving away" in order to keep. This has been emphasized
throughout the text and the workbook, but it is perhaps more alien to
the
thinking of the world than many other ideas in our curriculum. Its
greater
strangeness lies merely in the obviousness of its reversal of the
world's
thinking. In the clearest way possible and at the simplest of levels,
the word
means the exact opposite to the teachers/teacheresses of God and to
the world.
19
The teacher/teacheress of God is generous out of self-interest. This
does not
refer, however, to the self the world speaks of. The
teacher/teacheress of God
does not want anything he/she cannot give away because he/she realizes
it would
be valueless to him/her by definition. What would he/she want it for?
He/she could
only lose because of it. He/she could not gain. Therefore he/she does
not seek
what only he/she could keep because that is a guarantee of loss.
He/she does
not want to suffer. Why should he/she ensure himself/herself pain? But
he/she does
want to keep for himself/herself all things that are of God and
therefore for HisHer
SonDaughter. These are the things that belong to him/her. These he/she
can give
away in true generosity, protecting them forever for himself/herself.
20
Those who are certain of the outcome can afford to wait, and wait
without
anxiety. Patience is natural to the teacher/teacheress of God. All
he/she sees
is certain outcome, at a time perhaps unknown as yet but not in doubt.
The time
will be as right as is the answer. And this is true for everything
that happens
now or in the future. The past as well held no mistakes—nothing that
did not
serve to benefit the world as well as him/her to whom it seemed to
happen.
Perhaps it was not understood at the time. Even so, the
teacher/teacheress of
God is willing to reconsider all his/her past decisions if they are
causing
pain to anyone. Patience is natural to those who trust. Sure of the
ultimate
interpretation of all things in time, no outcome already seen or yet
to come
can cause them fear.
21
The extent of the teacher/teacheress of God's faithfulness is the
measure of
his/her advancement in the curriculum. Does he/she still select some
aspects of
his/her life to bring to his/her learning while keeping others apart?
If so,
his/her advancement is limited and his/her trust not yet firmly
established.
Faithfulness is the teacher/teacheress of God's trust in the Word of
God to set
all things right—not some but all. Generally, his/her faithfulness
begins by
resting on just some problems, remaining carefully limited for a time.
To give
up all problems to one Answer is to reverse the thinking of the world
entirely.
And that alone is faithfulness. Nothing but that really deserves the
name. Yet
each degree, however small, is worth achieving. Readiness, as the text
notes,
is not mastery.
22
True faithfulness, however, does not deviate. Being consistent, it is
wholly
honest. Being unswerving, it is full of trust. Being based on
fearlessness, it
is gentle. Being certain it is joyous, and being confident, it is
tolerant.
Defenselessness attends it naturally, and joy is its condition.
Faithfulness,
then, combines in itself the other attributes of God's
teachers/teacheresses.
It implies acceptance of the Word of God and definition of
SonDaughter. It is
to them that faithfulness in the true sense is always directed. Toward
them it
looks, seeking until it finds. And having found, it rests in quiet
certainty on
that alone to which all faithfulness is due.
23
The centrality of open-mindedness, perhaps the last of the attributes
the teacher/teacheress
of God acquires, is easily understood when its relation to forgiveness
is
recognized. Open-mindedness comes with lack of judgment. As judgment
shuts the
mind against God's Teacheress, so open-mindedness invites Her to come
in. As
condemnation judges the SonDaughter of God as evil, so open-mindedness
permits
himher to be judged by the Voice for God on HisHer behalf. As the
projection of
guilt upon himher would send himher to hell, so open-mindedness lets
the Christ
Consciousness’/the Mercy Consciousness’ image be projected on himher.
Only the
open-minded can be at peace, for they alone see reason for it.
24
How do the open-minded forgive? They have let go all things that would
prevent
forgiveness. They have in truth abandoned the world and let it be
restored to
them in newness and in joy so glorious they could never have conceived
of such
a change. Nothing is now as it was formerly. Nothing but sparkles now
which
seemed so dull and lifeless before. And above all are all things
welcoming, for
threat is gone. No clouds remain to hide the face of the Christ
Consciousness/the Mercy Consciousness. Now is the goal achieved.
Forgiveness is
the final goal of the curriculum. It paves the way for what goes far
beyond all
learning. The curriculum makes no effort to exceed its legitimate
goal.
Forgiveness is its single aim at which all learning ultimately
converges. It is
indeed enough.
25
You may have noticed that the list of attributes of God's
teachers/teacheresses
does not include those things which are the SonDaughter of God's
inheritance.
Terms like love, sinlessness, perfection, knowledge and eternal truth
do not
appear in this context. They would be most inappropriate here. What
God has
given is so far beyond our curriculum that learning but disappears in
its
presence. Yet while its presence is obscured, the focus properly
belongs on the
curriculum. It is the function of God's teachers/teacheresses to bring
true
learning to the world. Properly speaking it is unlearning that they
bring, for
that is "true learning" in the world. It is given to the
teachers/teacheresses
of God to bring the glad tidings of complete forgiveness to the world.
Blessed
indeed are they, for they are the bringers of salvation.
1
Healing involves an understanding of what the illusion of sickness is
for.
Healing is impossible without this.
2
Healing is accomplished the instant the sufferer no longer sees any
value in
pain. Who would choose suffering unless he/she thought it brought
him/her something,
and something of value to him/her? He/she must think it is a small
price to pay
for something of greater worth. For sickness is an election, a
decision. It is
the choice of weakness in the mistaken conviction that it is strength.
When
this occurs, real strength is seen as threat and health as danger.
Sickness is
a method, conceived in madness, for placing God's SonDaughter on
hisher Father’sMother's
throne. God is seen as outside, fierce and powerful, eager to keep all
power
for HimHerself. Only by death can HeShe be conquered by HisHer
SonDaughter.
3
And what, in this insane conviction, does healing stand for? It
symbolizes the
defeat of God's SonDaughter and the triumph of hisher FatherMother
over himher.
It represents the ultimate defiance in a direct form which the
SonDaughter of
God is forced to recognize. It stands for all that heshe would hide
from himherself
to protect hisher life. If heshe is healed, heshe is responsible for
hisher thoughts.
And if heshe is responsible for hisher thoughts, heshe will be killed
to prove
to himher how weak and pitiful heshe is. But if heshe chooses death
himherself,
hisher weakness is hisher strength. Now has heshe given himherself
what God
would give to himher and thus entirely usurped the throne of hisher
CreatorManifestor.
4
Healing must occur in exact proportion in which the valuelessness of
sickness
is recognized. One need but say, "There is no gain to me at all in
this," and he/she is healed. But to say this one must first recognize
certain facts. First, it is obvious that decisions are of the mind,
not of the
body. If sickness is but a faulty problem-solving approach, it is a
decision.
And if it is a decision, it is the mind and not the body that makes
it. The
resistance to recognizing this is enormous because the existence of
the world
as we perceive it depends on the body being the decision-maker. Terms
like
"instincts," "reflexes" and the like represent attempts to
endow the body with non-mental motivators. Actually, such terms merely
state or
describe the problem. They do not answer it.
5
The acceptance of sickness as a decision of the mind for a purpose for
which it
would use the body is the basis of healing. And this is so for healing
in all
forms. A patient decides that this is so, and he/she recovers. If
he/she decides
against recovery, he/she will not be healed. Who is the physician?
Only the
mind of the patient himself/herself. The outcome is what he/she
decides that it
is. Special agents seem to be ministering to him/her, yet they but
give form to
his/her own choice. He/she chooses them to bring tangible form to
his/her desires.
And it is this they do, and nothing else. They are not actually needed
at all.
The patient could merely rise up without their aid and say, "I have no
use
for this." There is no form of sickness that would not be cured at
once.
6
What is the single requisite for this shift in perception? It is
simply this:
the recognition that sickness is of the mind and has nothing to do
with the
body. What does this recognition "cost"? It costs the whole world we
see, for the world will never again appear to rule the mind. For with
this
recognition is responsibility placed where it belongs—not with the
world but on
him/her who looks on the world and sees it as it is not. He/she looks
on what
he/she chooses to see. No more and no less. The world does nothing to
him/her. He/she
only thought it did. Nor does he/she do anything to the world because
he/she was
mistaken about what it was. Herein is the release from guilt and
sickness both,
for they are one. Yet to accept this release, the insignificance of
the body
must be an acceptable idea.
7
With this idea is pain forever gone. But with this idea goes also all
confusion
about creationmanifestation. Does not this follow of necessity? Place
cause and
effect in their true sequence in one respect, and the learning will
generalize
and transform the world. The transfer value of one true idea has no
end nor
limit. The final outcome of this lesson is the remembrance of God.
What do
guilt and sickness, pain, disaster, and all suffering mean now? Having
no
purpose, they are gone. And with them also go all the effects they
seemed to
cause. Cause and effect but replicate creationmanifestation. Seen in
their
proper perspective, without distortion and without fear, they
re-establish the
God Realm.
8 If
the patient must change his/her mind in order to be healed, what does
the teacher/teacheress
of God do? Can he/she change the patient's mind for him/her? Certainly
not. For
those already willing to change their mind he/she has no function
except to
rejoice with them, for they have become teachers/teacheresses of God
with him/her.
He/she has, however, a more specific function for those who do not
understand
what healing is. These patients do not realize they have chosen
sickness. On
the contrary, they believe that sickness has chosen them. Nor are they
open-minded on this point. The body tells them what to do, and they
obey. They
have no idea how insane this concept is. If they even suspected it,
they would
be healed. Yet they suspect nothing. To them the separation is quite
real.
9 To
them God's teachers/teacheresses come to represent another choice
which they
had forgotten. The simple presence of a teacher/teacheress of God is a
reminder. His/her thoughts ask for the right to question what the
patient has
accepted is true. As God's messengers, teachers/teacheresses are the
symbols of
salvation. They ask the patient for forgiveness for God's SonDaughter
in hisher
own name. They stand for the alternative. With God's Word in their
minds they
come in benediction, not to heal the sick but to remind them of the
remedy God
has already given them. It is not their hands that heal. It is not
their voice
that speaks the Word of God. They merely give what has been given
them. Very gently
they call to their brothers/sisters to turn away from death. Behold,
you SonDaughter
of God, what life can offer you. Would you choose sickness in place of
this?
10
Not once do the advanced teachers/teacheresses of God consider the
forms of
sickness in which their brother/sister believes. To do this is to
forget that
all of them have the same purpose and therefore are not really
different. They
seek for God's Voice in this brother/sister who would so deceive
himself/herself
as to believe God's SonDaughter can suffer. And they remind him/her
that he/she
has not made himself/herself and must remain as God CreatedManifested
him/her.
They recognize illusions can have no effect. The truth in their minds
reaches
out to the truth in the minds of their brothers/sisters, so that
illusions are
not reinforced. They are thus brought to truth, and truth is not
brought to
them. So are they dispelled, not by the will of another but by the
union of the
One Will with itself. And this is the function of God's
teachers/teacheresses —to
see no will as separate from their own, nor theirs as separate from
God's.
1
Healing is always certain. It is impossible to let illusions be
brought to
truth and keep the illusions. Truth demonstrates illusions have no
value. The teacher/teacheress
of God has seen the correction of his/her errors in the mind of the
patient,
recognizing it for what it is. Having accepted the Atonement for
himself/herself,
he/she has also accepted it for the patient. Yet what if the patient
uses
sickness as a way of life, believing healing is the way to death? When
this is
so, a sudden healing might precipitate intense depression, and a sense
of loss
so deep that the patient might even try to destroy himself/herself.
Having
nothing to live for, he/she may ask for death. Healing must wait, for
his/her protection.
2
Healing will always stand aside when it would be seen as threat. The
instant it
is welcome it is there. Where healing has been given, it will be
received. And
what is time before the gifts of God? We have referred many times in
the text
to the storehouse of treasures laid up equally for the giver and the
receiver
of God's gifts. Not one is lost, for they can but increase. No
teacher/teacheress
of God should feel disappointed if he/she has offered healing and it
does not
appear to have been received. It is not up to him/her to judge when
his/her gift
should be accepted. Let him/her be certain it has been received and
trust that
it will be accepted when it is recognized as a blessing and not a
curse.
3 It
is not the function of God's teachers/teacheresses to evaluate the
outcome of
their gifts. It is merely their function to give them. Once they have
done
that, they have also given the outcome, for that is part of the gift.
No one
can give if he/she is concerned with the result of the giving. That is
a
limitation on the giving itself, and neither the giver nor the
receiver would
have the gift. Trust is an essential part of giving; in fact, it is
the part
that makes sharing possible, the part that guarantees the giver will
not lose
but only gain. Who gives a gift and then remains with it to be sure it
is used
as the giver deems appropriate? Such is not giving but imprisoning.
4 It
is the relinquishing of all concern about the gift that makes it truly
given.
And it is trust that makes true giving possible. Healing is the change
of mind
that the Holy Spirit in the patient's mind is seeking for him/her. And
it is
the Holy Spirit in the mind of the giver Who gives the gift to
him/her. How can
it be lost? How can it be ineffectual? How can it be wasted? God's
treasure
house can never be empty. And if one gift were missing, it would not
be full.
Yet is its fullness guaranteed by God. What concern, then, can a
teacher/teacheress
of God have about what becomes of his/her gifts? Given by God to God,
who in
this holy exchange can receive less than everything?
1
This question really answers itself. Healing cannot be repeated. If
the patient
is healed, what remains to heal him/her from? And if the healing is
certain, as
we have already said it is, what is there to repeat? For a
teacher/teacheress
of God to remain concerned about the result of healing is to limit the
healing.
It is now the teacher/teacheress of God himself/herself whose mind
needs to be
healed. And it is this he/she must facilitate. He/she is now the
patient, and
he/she must so regard himself/herself. He/she has made a mistake and
must be
willing to change his/her mind about it. He/she lacked the trust that
makes for
giving truly, and so he/she has not received the benefit of his/her
gift.
2
Whenever a teacher/teacheress of God has tried to be a channel for
healing,
he/she has succeeded. Should he/she be tempted to doubt this, he/she
should not
repeat his/her previous effort. That was already maximal because the
Holy
Spirit so accepted it and so used it. Now the teacher/teacheress of
God has
only one course to follow. He/she must use his/her reason to tell
himself/herself
that he/she has given the problem to One Who cannot fail, and
recognize that
his/her own uncertainty is not love but fear and therefore hate.
His/her position
has thus become untenable, for he/she is offering hate to one to whom
he/she offered
love. This is impossible. Having offered love, only love can be
received.
3 It
is in this that the teacher/teacheress of God must trust. This is what
is
really meant by the statement that the one responsibility of the
miracle worker
is to accept the Atonement for himself/herself. The teacher/teacheress
of God
is a miracle worker because he/she gives the gifts he/she has
received. Yet
he/she must first accept them. He/she need do no more, nor is there
more that
he/she could do. By accepting healing, he/she can give it. If he/she
doubts
this, let him/her remember Who gave the gift and Who received it. Thus
is
his/her doubt corrected. He/she thought the gifts of God could be
withdrawn.
That was a mistake, but hardly one to stay with. And so the
teacher/teacheress
of God can only recognize it for what it is and let it be corrected
for him/her.
4
One of the most difficult temptations to recognize is that to doubt a
healing
because of the appearance of continuing symptoms is a mistake in the
form of
lack of trust. As such, it is an attack. Usually it seems to be just
the
opposite. It does appear unreasonable at first to be told that
continued
concern is attack. It has all the appearances of love. Yet love
without trust
is impossible, and doubt and trust cannot coexist. And hate must be
the
opposite of love, regardless of the form it takes. Doubt not the gift,
and it
is impossible to doubt its result. This is the certainty that gives
God's teachers/teacheresses
the power to be miracle workers, for they have put their trust in
HimHer.
5
The real basis for doubt about the outcome of any problem that has
been given
to God's Teacher/Teacheress for resolution is always self-doubt. And
that
necessarily implies that trust has been placed in an illusory self,
for only
such a self can be doubted. This illusion can take many forms. Perhaps
there is
a fear of weakness and vulnerability. Perhaps there is a fear of
failure and
shame associated with a sense of inadequacy. Perhaps there is a guilty
embarrassment stemming from false humility. The form of the mistake is
not
important. What is important is only the recognition of a mistake as a
mistake.
6
The mistake is always some form of concern with the self to the
exclusion of
the patient. It is a failure to recognize him/her as part of the self
and thus
represents a confusion in identity. Conflict about what you are has
entered
your mind, and you have become deceived about yourself. And you are
deceived
about yourself because you have denied the Source of your
creationmanifestation.
If you are offering only healing, you cannot doubt. If you really want
the
problem solved, you cannot doubt. If you are certain what the problem
is, you
cannot doubt. Doubt is the result of conflicting wishes. Be sure of
what you
want, and doubt becomes impossible.
1
The belief in order of difficulties is the basis for the world's
perception. It
rests on differences; on uneven background and shifting foreground, on
unequal
heights and diverse sizes, on varying degrees of darkness and light,
and thousands
of contrasts in which each thing seen competes with every other in
order to be
recognized. A larger object overshadows a smaller one. A brighter
thing draws
the attention from another with less intensity of appeal. And a more
threatening idea or one conceived of as more desirable by the world's
standards
completely upsets the mental balance. What the body's eyes behold is
only
conflict. Look not to them for peace and understanding.
2
Illusions are always illusions of differences. How could it be
otherwise? By
definition, an illusion is an attempt to make something real that is
regarded
as of major importance but is recognized as being untrue. The mind
therefore
seeks to make it true out of its intensity of desire to have it for
itself.
Illusions are travesties of creationmanifestation, attempts to bring
truth to
lies. Finding truth unacceptable, the mind revolts against truth and
gives
itself an illusion of victory. Finding health a burden, it retreats
into
feverish dreams. And in these dreams, the mind is separate, different
from
other minds, with different interests of its own and able to gratify
its needs
at the expense of others.
3
Where do all these differences come from? Certainly they seem to be in
the
world outside. Yet it is surely the mind that judges what the eyes
behold. It
is the mind that interprets the eyes' messages and gives them
"meaning." And this meaning does not exist in the world outside at
all. What is seen as "reality" is simply what the mind prefers. Its
hierarchy
of values is projected outward, and it sends the body's eyes to find
it. The
body's eyes will never see except through differences. Yet it is not
the
messages they bring on which perception rests. Only the mind evaluates
their
messages, so only the mind is responsible for seeing. It alone decides
whether
what is seen is real or illusory, desirable or undesirable,
pleasurable or
painful.
4 It
is in the sorting out and categorizing activities of the mind that
errors in
perception enter. And it is here correction must be made. The mind
classifies
what the body's eyes bring to it according to its preconceived values,
judging
where each sense datum fits best. What basis could be faultier than
this?
Unrecognized by itself, it has itself asked to be given what will fit
into these
categories. And having done so, it concludes that the categories must
be true.
On this the judgment of all differences rests because it is on this
that
judgments of the world depend. Can this confused and senseless
"reasoning" be depended on for anything?
5
There can be no order of difficulty in healing merely because all
sickness is
illusion. Is it harder to dispel the belief of the insane in a larger
hallucination as opposed to a smaller one? Will he/she agree more
quickly to
the unreality of a louder voice he/she hears than to that of a softer
one? Will
he/she dismiss more easily a whispered demand to kill than a shout?
And do the
number of pitchforks the devils he/she sees carrying affect their
credibility
in his/her perception? His/her mind has categorized them as real, and
so they
are real to him/her. When he/she realizes they are all illusions, they
will
disappear. And so it is with healing. The properties of illusions
which seem to
make them different are really irrelevant, for their properties are as
illusory
as they are.
6
The body's eyes will continue to see differences, but the mind which
has let
itself be healed will no longer acknowledge them. There will be those
who seem
to be "sicker" than others, and the body's eyes will report their
changed appearances as before. But the mind will put them all in one
category—they are unreal. This is the gift of its Teacheress—the
understanding
that only two categories are meaningful in sorting out the messages
the mind
receives from what appears to be the outside world. And of these two,
but one
is real. Just as reality is wholly real, apart from size and shape and
time and
place—for differences cannot exist within it—so too are illusions
without
distinction. The one answer to sickness of any kind is healing. The
one answer
to all illusions is truth.
1
Changes are required in the minds of God's teachers/teacheresses. This
may or
may not involve changes in the external situation. Remember that no
one is
where he/she is by accident, and chance plays no part in God's plan.
It is most
unlikely that changes in his/her attitudes would not be the first step
in the
newly-made teacher/teacheress of God's training. There is however no
set pattern,
since training is always highly individualized. There are those who
are called
upon to change their life situation almost immediately, but these are
generally
special cases. By far the majority are given a slowly-evolving
training program
in which as many previous mistakes as possible are corrected.
Relationships in
particular must be properly perceived and all dark cornerstones of
unforgiveness removed. Otherwise, the old thought-system still has a
basis for
return.
2 As
the teacher/teacheress of God advances in his/her training, he/she
learns one
lesson with increasing thoroughness. He/she does not make his/her own
decisions; he/she asks his/her Teacheress for answer, and it is this
he/she follows
as his/her guide for action. This becomes easier and easier as the
teacher/teacheress
of God learns to give up his/her own judgment. The giving up of
judgment, the
obvious prerequisite for hearing God's Voice, is usually a fairly slow
process,
not because it is difficult, but because it is apt to be perceived as
personally insulting. The world's training is directed toward
achieving a goal
in direct opposition to that of our curriculum. The world trains for
reliance
on one's judgment as the criterion for maturity and strength. Our
curriculum
trains for the relinquishment of judgment as the necessary condition
of
salvation.
1
Judgment, like other devices by which the world of illusions is
maintained, is totally misunderstood by the world. It is actually
confused with
wisdom and substitutes for truth. As the world uses the term, an
individual is
capable of "good" and "bad" judgment, and his/her education
aims at strengthening the former and minimizing the latter. There is,
however,
considerable confusion about what these categories mean. What is "good
judgment" to one is "bad judgment" to another. Further, even the
same person classifies the same action as showing "good" judgment at
one time and "bad" judgment at another time. Nor can any consistent
criteria for determining what these categories are be really taught.
At any
time, the student may disagree with what his/her would-be
teacher/teacheress
says about them, and the teacher/teacheress himself/herself is
inconsistent in
what he/she believes.
2 "Good judgment" in these terms does not mean anything. No more
does "bad." It is necessary for the teacher/teacheress of God to
realize not that he/she should not judge, but that he/she cannot. In
giving up
judgment, he/she merely gives up what he/she did not have. He/she
gives up an
illusion; or better, he/she has an illusion of giving up. He/she has
actually
merely become more honest. Recognizing that judgment was always
impossible for
him/her, he/she no longer attempts it. This is no sacrifice. On the
contrary,
he/she puts himself/herself in a position where judgment through
him/her rather
than by him/her can occur. And this judgment is neither "good" nor
"bad." It is the only judgment there is, and it is only one:
"God's SonDaughter is guiltless, and sin does not exist."
3 The aim of our curriculum, unlike the goal of
the world's learning, is the recognition that judgment in the usual
sense is
impossible. This is not an opinion, but a fact. In order to judge
anything
rightly, one would have to be fully aware of an inconceivably wide
range of
things, past, present, and to come. One would have to recognize in
advance all
the effects of his/her judgments on everyone and everything involved
in them in
any way. And one would have to be certain there is no distortion in
his/her
perception, so that his/her judgment would be wholly fair to everyone
on whom
it rests, now and in the future. Who is in a position to do this? Who
except in
grandiose fantasies would claim this for himself/herself?
4 Remember how many times you thought you knew
all the "facts" you needed for judgment, and how wrong you were! Is
there anyone who has not had this experience? Would you know how many
times you
merely thought you were right, without ever realizing you were wrong?
Why would
you choose such an arbitrary basis for decision-making? Wisdom is not
judgment;
it is the relinquishment of judgment. Make then but one more judgment.
It is
this there is Someone with you Whose judgment is perfect. HeShe does
know all
the facts, past, present, and to come. HeShe does know all the effects
of
judgment on everyone and everything involved in any way. And HeShe is
wholly
fair to everyone, for there is no distortion in perception.
5 Therefore lay judgment
down, not with regret but with a sigh of gratitude. Now are you free
of a
burden so great that you could merely stagger and fall down beneath
it. And it
was all illusion. Nothing more. Now can the teacher/teacheress of God
rise up
unburdened and walk lightly on. Yet it is not only this that is
his/her
benefit. His/her sense of care is gone, for he/she has none. He/she
has given
it away, along with judgment. He/she gave himself/herself to Her Whose
judgment
he/she has chosen now to trust instead of his/her own. Now he/she
makes no
mistakes. His/her Guide is sure. And where he/she came to judge,
he/she comes
to bless. Where now he/she laughs, he/she used to come to weep.
6 It is not difficult to
relinquish judgment. But it is difficult indeed to try to keep it. The
teacher/teacheress of God lays it down happily the instant he/she
recognizes
its cost. All of the ugliness he/she sees about him/her is its
outcome. All of
the pain he/she looks upon is its result. All of the loneliness and
sense of
loss, of passing time and growing hopelessness; of sickening despair
and fear
of death—all these have come of it. And now he/she knows that these
things need
not be. Not one is true. For he/she has given up their cause, and
they, which
never were but the effects of his/her mistaken choice, have fallen
from
him/her. Teacher/teacheress of God, this step will bring you peace.
Can it be
difficult to want but this?
1
This is a question everyone must ask. Certainly peace seems to be
impossible.
Yet the Word of God promises other things that seem impossible, as
well as
this. HisHer Word has promised peace. It has also promised that there
is no
death, that resurrection must occur, and that rebirth is man's/woman’s
inheritance. The world you see cannot be the world God loves, and yet
HisHer Word
assures us that HeShe loves the world. God's Word has promised us that
peace is
possible here, and what HeShe promises can hardly be impossible. But
it is true
that the world must be looked at differently if HisHer promises are to
be
accepted. What the world is, is but a fact. You cannot choose what
this should
be. But you can choose how you would see it. Indeed, you must choose
this.
2
Again we come to the question of judgment. This time, ask yourself
whether your
judgment or the Word of God is more likely to be true. For they say
different
things about the world, and things so opposite that it is pointless to
try to
reconcile them. God offers the world salvation; your judgment would
condemn it.
God says there is no death; your judgment sees but death as the
inevitable end of
life. God's Word assures you that HeShe loves the world; your judgment
says it
is unlovable. Who is right? For one of you is wrong. It must be so.
3
The text explains that the Holy Spirit is the Answer to all problems
you have
made. These problems are not real, but that is meaningless to those
who believe
in them. And everyone believes in what he/she made, for it was made by
his/her believing
it. Into this strange and paradoxical situation—one without meaning
and devoid
of sense, yet out of which no way seems possible—God has sent Judgment
to
answer yours. Gently His Judgment substitutes for yours. And through
this
substitution is the ununderstandable made understandable. How is peace
possible
in this world? In your judgment it is not possible and can never be
possible.
But in the Judgment of God, what is reflected here is only peace.
4
Peace is impossible to those who look on war. Peace is inevitable to
those who
offer peace. How easily, then, is your judgment of the world escaped!
It is not
the world that makes peace seem impossible. It is the world you see
that is
impossible. Yet has God's Judgment on this distorted world redeemed it
and made
it fit to welcome peace. And peace descends on it in joyous answer.
Peace now
belongs here because a Thought of God has entered. What else but a
Thought of
God turns hell to the God Realm merely by being what it is? The earth
bows down
before its gracious Presence, and it leans down in answer to raise it
up again.
Now is the question different. It is no longer, "Can peace be possible
in
this world?" but instead, "Is it not impossible that peace be absent
here?"
1
The answer to this question is "one." One wholly perfect
teacher/teacheress
whose learning is complete suffices. This One, sanctified and
redeemed, becomes
the Self Who is the SonDaughter of God. Heshe who was always wholly
Spirit now
no longer sees himherself as a body or even as in a body. Therefore
heshe is
limitless. And being limitless, Thoughts are joined with God's forever
and
ever, perception of himherself is based upon God's Judgment, not
hisher own.
Thus does heshe share God's Will, and bring HisHer Thoughts to still
deluded
minds. Heshe is forever One because heshe is as God CreatedManifested
himher. Heshe
has accepted the Christ Consciousness/the Mercy Consciousness, and
heshe is
saved.
2
Thus does the son/daughter of humankind become the SonDaughter of God.
It is
not really a change; it is a change of mind. Nothing external alters,
but
everything internal now reflects only the love of God. God can no
longer be
feared, for the mind sees no cause for punishment. God's
teachers/teacheresses
appear to be many, for that is the world's need. Yet being joined in
one
purpose, and one they share with God, how could they be separate from
each
other? What does it matter if they then appear in many forms? Their
minds are
one; their joining is complete. And God works through them now as One,
for that
is what they are.
3
Why is the illusion of many necessary? Only because reality is not
understandable to the deluded. Only a very few can hear God's Voice at
all, and
even they cannot communicate messages directly through the Spirit
Which gave
them. They need a medium through which communication becomes possible
to those
who do not realize that they are Spirit. A body they can see. A voice
they
understand and listen to without the fear that truth would encounter
in them.
Do not forget that truth can come only where it is welcomed without
fear. So do
God's teachers/teacheresses need a body, for their unity could not be
recognized directly.
4
Yet what makes them God's teachers/teacheresses is their recognition
of the
proper purpose of the body. As they advance in their profession, they
become
more and more certain that the body's function is but to let God's
Voice speak
through it to human ears. And these ears will carry to the mind of the
hearer
messages which are not of this world, and the mind will understand
because of
their Source. From this understanding will come the recognition in
this new teacher/teacheress
of God of what the body's purpose really is; the only use there really
is for
it. This lesson is enough to let the thought of unity come in, and
what is one
is recognized as one. The teachers/teacheresses of God appear to share
the
illusion of separation, but because of what they use the body for,
they do not
believe in the illusion despite appearances.
5
The central lesson is always this—that what you use the body for, it
will
become to you. Use it for sin or for attack, which is the same as sin,
and you
will see it as sinful. Because it is sinful, it is weak, and being
weak, it
suffers and it dies. Use it to bring the Word of God to those who have
it not,
and the body becomes holy. Because it is holy it cannot be sick, nor
can it
die. When its usefulness is done, it is laid by, and that is all. The
mind
makes this decision, as it makes all decisions which are responsible
for the
body's condition. Yet the teacher/teacheress of God does not make this
decision
alone. To do that would be to give the body another purpose from the
one that
keeps it holy. God's Voice will tell him/her when he/she has fulfilled
his/her role,
just as It tells him/her what his/her function is. He/she does not
suffer either
in going or remaining. Sickness is now impossible to him/her.
6
Oneness and sickness cannot co-exist. God's teachers/teacheresses
choose to
look on dreams a while. It is a conscious choice. For they have
learned that
all choices are made consciously, with full awareness of their
consequences.
The dream says otherwise, but who would put his/her faith in dreams,
once they
are recognized for what they are? Awareness of dreaming is the real
function of
God's teachers/teacheresses. They watch the dream figures come and go,
shift
and change, suffer and die. Yet they are not deceived by what they
see. They
recognize that to behold a dream figure as sick and separate is no
more real
than to regard it as healthy and beautiful. Unity alone is not a thing
of dreams.
And it is this God's teachers/teacheresses acknowledge as behind the
dream,
beyond all seeing and yet surely theirs.
1
Although in truth the term sacrifice is altogether meaningless, it
does have
meaning in the world. Like all things in the world, its meaning is
temporary
and will ultimately fade into the nothingness from which it came when
there is
no more use for it. Now its real meaning is a lesson. Like all
lessons, it is
an illusion, for in reality there is nothing to learn. Yet this
illusion must
be replaced by a corrective device, another illusion that replaces the
first,
so both can finally disappear. The first illusion, which must be
displaced
before another thought system can take hold, is that it is a sacrifice
to give
up the things of this world. What could this be but an illusion, since
this
world itself is nothing more than that?
2 It
takes great learning both to realize and to accept the fact that the
world has
nothing to give. What can the sacrifice of nothing mean? It cannot
mean that
you have less because of it. There is no sacrifice in the world's
terms that
does not involve the body. Think a while about what the world calls
sacrifice.
Power, fame, money, physical pleasure—who is the hero to whom all
these things
belong? Could they mean anything except to a body? Yet a body cannot
evaluate.
By seeking after such things, the mind associates itself with the
body,
obscuring its identity and losing sight of what it really is.
3
Once this confusion has occurred, it becomes impossible for the mind
to
understand that all the "pleasures" of the world are nothing. But
what a sacrifice—and it is sacrifice indeed—all this entails! Now has
the mind
condemned itself to seek without finding, to be forever dissatisfied
and
discontented, to know not what it really wants to find. Who can escape
this
self-condemnation? Only through God's Word could this be possible. For
self-condemnation is a decision about identity, and no one doubts what
he/she believes
he/she is. He/she can doubt all things but never this.
4
God's teachers/teacheresses can have no regret on giving up the
pleasures of
the world. Is it a sacrifice to give up pain? Does an adult resent the
giving
up of children's toys? Does one whose vision has already glimpsed the
face of the
Christ Consciousness/the Mercy Consciousness look back with longing on
a
slaughter house? No one who has escaped the world and all its ills
looks back
on it with condemnation. Yet he/she must rejoice that he/she is free
of all the
sacrifice which its value would demand of him/her. To them he/she
sacrifices
all his/her freedom. To them he/she sacrifices all his/her peace. And
to
possess them must he/she sacrifice his/her hope of the God Realm and
remembrance of his/her Father’sMother’s Love. Who in his/her sane mind
chooses
nothing as a substitute for everything?
5
What is the real meaning of sacrifice? It is the cost of believing in
illusions. It is the price that must be paid for the denial of truth.
There is
no pleasure of the world that does not demand this, for otherwise the
pleasure
would be seen as pain. And no one asks for pain if he/she recognizes
it. It is
the idea of sacrifice that makes him/her blind. He/she does not see
what he/she
is asking for. And so he/she seeks it in a thousand ways and in a
thousand
places, each time believing it is there and each time disappointed in
the end.
"Seek but do not find," remains this world's stern decree, and no one
who pursues the world's goals can do otherwise.
6
You may believe this Course requires sacrifice of all you really hold
dear. In
one sense that is true, for you hold dear the things that crucify
God's SonDaughter.
And it is the Course's aim to set himher free. But do not be mistaken
about
what sacrifice means. It always means the giving up of what you want.
And what,
oh teacher/teacheress of God, is it that you want? You have been
called by God,
and you have answered. Would you now sacrifice that Call? Few have
heard it as
yet, and they can but turn to you. There is no other hope in all the
world that
they can trust. There is no other voice in all the world that echoes
God's. If
you would sacrifice the truth, they stay in hell. And if they stay,
you will
remain with them.
7 Do
not forget that sacrifice is total. There are no "half sacrifices."
You cannot give up the God Realm partially. You cannot be a little bit
in hell.
The Word of God has no exceptions. It is this that makes it holy and
beyond the
world. It is its holiness that points to God. It is its holiness that
makes you
safe. It is denied if you attack any brother/sister for anything. For
it is
here the split with God occurs. A split that is impossible. A split
that cannot
happen. Yet a split in which you surely will believe, because you have
set up a
situation that is impossible. And in this situation the impossible can
seem to
happen. It seems to happen at the "sacrifice" of truth.
8
Teacher/teacheress of God, do not forget the meaning of sacrifice, and
remember
what each decision you make must mean in terms of cost. Decide for
God, and
everything is given you at no cost at all. Decide against HimHer, and
you
choose nothing at the expense of the awareness of everything. What
would you
teach? Remember only what you would learn. For it is here that your
concern
should be. Atonement is for you. Your learning claims it, and your
learning
gives it. The world contains it not, but learn this Course and it is
yours. God
holds out HisHer Word to you, for HeShe has need of
teachers/teacheresses. What
other way is there to save HisHer SonDaughter?
1
Can what has no beginning really end? The world will end in an
illusion, as it
began. Yet will its ending be an illusion of mercy. The illusion of
forgiveness, complete, excluding no one, limitless in gentleness, will
cover
it, hiding all evil, concealing all sin, and ending guilt forever. So
ends the
world that guilt had made, for now it has no purpose and is gone. The
fathermother
of illusions is the belief that they have a purpose; that they serve a
need or
gratify a want. Perceived as purposeless, they are no longer seen.
Their
uselessness is recognized, and they are gone. How but in this way are
all
illusions ended? They have been brought to truth, and truth saw them
not. It
merely overlooked the meaningless.
2
Until forgiveness is complete, the world does have a purpose. It
becomes the
home in which forgiveness is born and where it grows and becomes
stronger and
more all embracing. Here is it nourished, for here it is needed. A
gentle Savior/Savioress,
born where sin was made and guilt seemed real. Here is Her home, for
here there
is need of Her indeed. She brings the ending of the world with Her. It
is Her call
God's teachers/teacheresses answer, turning to Her in silence to
receive Her Word.
The world will end when all things in it have been rightly judged by
Her judgment.
The world will end with the benediction of holiness upon it. When not
one
thought of sin remains, the world is over. It will not be destroyed
nor
attacked nor even touched. It will merely cease to seem to be.
3
Certainly this seems to be a long, long while away. "When not one
thought
of sin remains" appears to be a long-range goal indeed. But time
stands
still and waits on the goals of God's teachers/teacheresses. Not one
thought of
sin will remain the instant any one of them accepts the Atonement for
himself/herself.
It is not easier to forgive one sin than to forgive all of them. The
illusion
of orders of difficulty is an obstacle the teacher/teacheress of God
must learn
to pass by and leave behind. One sin perfectly forgiven by one
teacher/teacheress
of God can make salvation complete. Can you understand this? No; it is
meaningless to anyone here. Yet it is the final lesson in which unity
is
restored. It goes against all the thinking of the world, but so does
the God
Realm.
4
The world will end when its thought system has been completely
reversed. Until
then, bits and pieces of its thinking will still seem sensible. The
final
lesson which brings the ending of the world cannot be grasped by those
not yet
prepared to leave the world and go beyond its tiny reach. What, then,
is the
function of the teacher/teacheress of God in this concluding lesson?
He/she need
merely learn how to approach it, to be willing to go in its direction.
He/she need
merely trust that, if God's Voice tells him/her it is a lesson he/she
can
learn, he/she can learn it. He/she does not judge it either as hard or
easy. The
Teacheress points to it, and he/she trusts that She will show him/her
how to
learn it.
5
The world will end in joy because it is a place of sorrow. When joy
has come,
the purpose of the world has gone. The world will end in peace because
it is a
place of war. When peace has come, what is the purpose of the world?
The world
will end in laughter because it is a place of tears. Where there is
laughter,
who can longer weep? And only complete forgiveness brings all this to
bless the
world. In blessing it departs, for it will not end as it began. To
turn hell
into the God Realm is the function of God's teachers/teacheresses, for
what
they teach are lessons in which the God Realm is reflected. And now
sit down in
true humility and realize that all God would have you do you can do.
Do not be
arrogant and say you cannot learn HisHer own curriculum. HisHer Word
says otherwise.
HisHer Will be done. It cannot be otherwise. And be you thankful it is
so.
1
Indeed yes! No one can escape God's Final Judgment. Who could flee
forever from
the truth? But the Final Judgment will not come until it is no longer
associated with fear. One day each one will welcome it, and on that
very day it
will be given him/her. He/she will hear his/her sinlessness proclaimed
around
and around the world, setting it free as God's Final Judgment on
him/her is received.
This is the judgment in which salvation lies. This is the judgment
that will
set him/her free. This is the judgment in which all things are freed
with him/her.
Time pauses as eternity comes near, and silence lies across the world
that
everyone may hear this judgment of the SonDaughter of God:
3 Is
this your judgment on yourself, teacher/teacheress of God? Do you
believe that this
is wholly true? No, not yet, not yet. But this is still your goal—why
you are
here. It is your function to prepare yourself to hear this judgment
and to
recognize that it is true. One instant of complete belief in this, and
you will
go beyond belief to certainty. One instant out of time can bring
time's end.
Judge not, for you but judge yourself and thus delay this Final
Judgment. What
is your judgment on the world, teacher/teacheress of God? Have you yet
learned
to stand aside and hear the Voice of Judgment in yourself? Or do you
still
attempt to take HisHer role from HimHer? Learn to be quiet, for HisHer
Voice is
heard in stillness. And Judgment comes to all who stand aside in quiet
listening and wait for HimHer.
4
You who are sometimes sad and sometimes angry, who sometimes feel your
just due
is not given you and your best efforts meet with lack of appreciation
and even
contempt, give up these foolish thoughts. They are too small and
meaningless to
occupy your holy minds an instant longer. God's judgment waits for you
to set
you free. What can the world hold out to you, regardless of your
judgments on
its gifts, that you would rather have? You will be judged, and judged
in
fairness and in honesty. There is no deceit in God. HisHer promises
are sure.
Only remember that HisHer promises have guaranteed that HisHer
judgment, and HisHer
alone, will be accepted in the end. It is your function to make that
end be
soon. It is your function to hold it to your heart and offer it to all
the
world to keep it safe.
1 To
the advanced teacher/teacheress of God, this question is meaningless.
There is
no program, for the lessons in the curriculum change each day. Yet
he/she is
sure of but one thing—they do not change at random. Seeing this and
understanding it is true, he/she rests content. He/she will be told
all that
his/her role should be, this day and every day. And those who share
that role
with him/her will find him/her, so they can learn the lessons for the
day
together. Not one is absent whom he/she needs; not one is sent without
a
learning goal already set, and one which can be met that very day. For
the
advanced teacher/teacheress of God, then, this question is
superfluous. It has
been asked and answered, and he/she keeps in constant contact with the
Answer. He/she
is set and sees the road on which he/she walks stretch surely and
smoothly
before him/her.
2
But what about those who have not reached his/her certainty? They are
not yet
ready for such lack of structuring on their own part. What must they
do to
learn to give the day to God? There are some general rules which do
apply,
although each one must use them as best he/she can in his/her own way.
Routines
as such are dangerous because they easily become gods in their own
right,
threatening the very goals for which they were set up. Broadly
speaking, then,
it can be said that it is well to start the day right. It is always
possible to
begin again, should the day begin with error, yet there are obvious
advantages
in terms of saving time if the need for this can be avoided.
3 At
the beginning, it is wise to think in terms of time. This is by no
means the
ultimate criterion, but at the outset, it is probably the simplest to
observe.
The saving of time is an essential early emphasis which, although it
remains
important throughout the learning process, becomes less and less
emphasized. At
the outset, we can safely say that time devoted to starting the day
right does
indeed save time. How much time should be so spent? This must depend
on the teacher/teacheress
of God himself/herself. He/she cannot claim that title until he/she
has gone
through the workbook, since we are learning within the framework of
our course.
After completion of the more structured practice periods which the
workbook
contains, individual need becomes the chief consideration.
4
This course is always practical. It may be that the teacher/teacheress
of God
is not in a situation which fosters quiet thought as he/she awakes. If
this is
so, let him/her but remember that he/she chooses to spend time with
God as soon
as possible, and let him/her do so. Duration is not the major concern.
One can
easily sit still an hour with closed eyes and accomplish nothing. One
can as
easily give God only an instant, and in that instant join with HimHer
completely. Perhaps the one generalization that can be made is this—as
soon as
possible after waking, take your quiet time, continuing a minute or
two after
you begin to find it difficult. You may find that the difficulty will
diminish
and drop away. If not, that is the time to stop.
5
The same procedures should be followed at night. Perhaps your quiet
time should
be fairly early in the evening if it is not feasible for you to take
it just
before going to sleep. It is not wise to lie down for it. It is better
to sit
up, in whatever position you prefer. Having gone through the workbook
you must
have come to some conclusions in this respect. If possible, however,
just
before going to sleep is a desirable time to devote to God. It sets
your mind
into a pattern of rest and orients you away from fear. If it is
expedient to
spend this time earlier, at least be sure that you do not forget a
brief
period—not more than a moment will do—in which you close your eyes and
think of
God.
6
There
is one thought in particular that should be remembered throughout the
day. It
is a thought of pure joy, a thought of peace, a thought of limitless
release—limitless because all things are freed within it. You think
you made a
place of safety for yourself. You think you made a power that can save
you from
all the fearful things you see in dreams. It is not so. Your safety
lies not
there. What you give up is merely the illusion of protecting
illusions. And it
is this you fear, and only this. How foolish to be so afraid of
nothing!
Nothing at all! Your defenses will not work, but you are not in
danger. You
have no need of them. Recognize this, and they will disappear. And
only then
will you accept your real protection.
7
How simply and how easily does the day slip by for the
teacher/teacheress of
God who has accepted protection! All that he/she did before in the
name of
safety no longer interests him/her. For he/she is safe and knows it to
be so. He/she
has a Guide Who will not fail. He/she needs make no distinctions among
the
problems he/she perceives, for HeShe to Whom he/she turns with all of
them
recognizes no order of difficulty in resolving them. He/she is as safe
in the
present as he/she was before illusions were accepted into his/her mind
and as
he/she will be when he/she has let them go. There is no difference in
his/her state
at different times and different places because they are all one to
God. This
is his/her safety. And he/she has no need for more than this.
8
Yet there will be temptations along the way the teacher/teacheress of
God has
yet to travel, and he/she has need of reminding himself/herself
throughout the
day of his/her protection. How can he/she do this, particularly during
the time
when his/her mind is occupied with external things? He/she can but
try, and
his/her success depends on his/her conviction that he/she will
succeed. He/she must
be sure success is not of him/her but will be given him/her at any
time, in any
place and circumstance he/she calls for it. There are times his/her
certainty
will waver, and the instant this occurs he/she will return to earlier
attempts
to place reliance on himself/herself alone. Forget not this is magic
and that
magic is a sorry substitute for true assistance. It is not good enough
for
God's teacher/teacheress because it is not enough for God's
SonDaughter.
9
The avoidance of magic is the avoidance of temptation. For all
temptation is
nothing more than the attempt to substitute another will for God's.
These
attempts may indeed seem frightening, yet they are merely pathetic.
They can
have no effects, neither good nor bad, neither rewarding nor demanding
sacrifice, healing nor destructive, quieting nor fearful. When all
magic is
recognized as merely nothing, the teacher/teacheress of God has
reached the most
advanced state. All intermediate lessons will but lead to this and
bring this
goal nearer to recognition. For magic of any kind, in all its forms,
simply
does nothing. Its powerlessness is the reason it can be so easily
escaped. What
has no effects can hardly terrify.
10
There is no substitute for the Will of God. In simple statement, it is
to this
fact that the teacher/teacheress of God devotes his/her day. Each
substitute
he/she may accept as real can but deceive him/her. But he/she is safe
from all deception
if he/she so decides. Perhaps he/she needs to remember "God is with
me. I
cannot be deceived." Perhaps he/she prefers other words, or only one
or
none at all. Yet each temptation to accept magic as true must be
abandoned
through his/her recognition not that it is fearful, not that it is
sinful, not
that it is dangerous, but merely that it is meaningless. Rooted in
sacrifice
and separation, two aspects of one error and no more, he/she merely
chooses to
give up all that he/she never had. And for this "sacrifice" is the
God Realm restored to his/her awareness.
11
Is not this an exchange that you would want? The world would gladly
make it if
it knew it could be made. It is God's teachers/teacheresses who must
teach it
that it can. And so it is their function to make sure that they have
learned
it. No risk is possible throughout the day except to put your trust in
magic,
for it is only this that leads to pain. "There is no will but God's."
teachers/teacheresses know that this is so and have learned that
everything but
this is magic. All belief in magic is maintained by just one
simple-minded
illusion—that it works. All through his/her training, every day and
hour, and
even every minute and second, must God's teachers/teacheresses learn
to
recognize the forms of magic and perceive their meaninglessness. Fear
is
withdrawn from them, and so they go. And thus the Gate of the God
Realm is
reopened, and its light can shine again on an untroubled mind.
1
This is a crucial question both for teacher/teacheress and pupil. If
this issue
is mishandled, the teacher/teacheress has hurt himself/herself and has
also
attacked his/her pupil. This strengthens fear and makes the magic seem
quite real
to both of them. How to deal with magic thus becomes a major lesson
for the teacher/teacheress
of God to master. His/her first responsibility in this is not to
attack it. If
a magic thought arouses anger in any form, God's teacher/teacheress
can be sure
that he/she is strengthening his/her own belief in sin and has
condemned himself/herself.
He/she can be sure as well that he/she has asked for depression, pain,
fear,
and disaster to come to him/her. Let him/her remember, then, it is not
this
that he/she would teach because it is not this that he/she would
learn.
2
There is, however, a temptation to respond to magic in a way that
reinforces
it. Nor is this always obvious. It can, in fact, be easily concealed
beneath a
wish to help. It is this double wish that makes the help of little
value and
must lead to undesired outcomes. Nor should it be forgotten that the
outcome
that results will always come to teacher/teacheress and to pupil. How
many
times has it been emphasized that you give but to yourself? And where
could
this be better shown than in the kinds of help the teacher/teacheress
gives to
those who need his/her aid? Here is his/her gift most clearly given
him/her.
For he/she will give only what he/she has chosen for himself/herself.
And in
this gift is his/her judgment upon the holy SonDaughter of God.
3 It
is easiest to let error be corrected where it is most apparent, and
errors can
be recognized by their results. A lesson truly taught can lead to
nothing but
release for teacher/teacheress and pupil who have shared in one
intent. Attack
can enter only if perception of separate goals has entered. And this
must
indeed have been the case if the result is anything but joy. The
single aim of
the teacher/teacheress turns the divided goal of the pupil into one
direction,
with the call for help becoming his/her one appeal. This then is
easily
responded to with just one answer, and this answer will enter the
teacher’s/teacheress's
mind unfailingly. From there it shines into his/her pupil's mind,
making it one
with his/hers.
4
Perhaps it will be helpful to remember that no one can be angry at a
fact. It
is always an interpretation that gives rise to negative emotions,
regardless of
their seeming justification by what appears as facts. Regardless, too,
of the
intensity of the anger that is aroused. It may be merely slight
irritation,
perhaps too mild to be even clearly recognized. Or it may also take
the form of
intense rage accompanied by thoughts of violence, fantasized or
apparently
acted out. It does not matter. All of these reactions are the same.
They
obscure the truth, and this can never be a matter of degree. Either
truth is
apparent or it is not. It cannot be partially recognized. Who is
unaware of
truth must look upon illusions.
5
Anger in response to perceived magic thoughts is the basic cause of
fear.
Consider what this reaction means, and its centrality in the world's
thought
system becomes apparent. A magic thought, by its mere presence,
acknowledges a
separation from God. It states in the clearest form possible that the
mind
which thinks it believes it has a separate will that can oppose the
Will of God
and succeed. That this can hardly be a fact is obvious. Yet that it
can be
believed as fact is surely so. And herein lies the birthplace of
guilt. Who usurps
the place of God and takes it for himself/herself now has a deadly
"enemy." And he/she must stand alone in his/her protection and make
himself/herself
a shield to keep him/her safe from fury that can never be abated and
vengeance
that can never be satisfied.
6
How can this unfair battle be resolved? Its ending is inevitable, for
its
outcome must be death. How then can one believe in one's defenses?
Magic again
must help. Forget the battle. Accept it as a fact, and then forget it.
Do not
remember the impossible odds against you. Do not remember the
immensity of the
"enemy," and do not think about your frailty in comparison. Accept
your separation, but do not remember how it came about. Believe that
you have
won it, but do not retain the slightest memory of Who your great
"opponent" really is. Projecting your "forgetting" onto HimHer,
it seems to you HeShe has forgotten too.
7
But what will now be your reaction to all magic thoughts? They can but
reawaken
sleeping guilt, which you have hidden but have not let go. Each one
says
clearly to your frightened mind, "You have usurped the place of God.
Think
not HeShe has forgotten." Here we have the fear of God most starkly
represented. For in that thought has guilt already raised madness to
the throne
of God HimHerself. And now there is no hope. Except to kill. Here is
salvation
now. An angry FatherMother pursues guilty SonDaughter. Kill or be
killed, for
here alone is choice. Beyond this there is none, for what was done
cannot be
done without. The stain of blood can never be removed, and anyone who
bears
this stain on him/her must meet with death.
8
Into this hopeless situation God sends His teachers/teacheresses. They
bring
the light of hope from God HimHerself. There is a way in which escape
is
possible. It can be learned and taught, but it requires patience and
abundant
willingness. Given that, the lesson's manifest simplicity stands out
like an
intense white light against a black horizon, for such it is. If anger
comes
from an interpretation and not a fact, it is never justified. Once
this is even
dimly grasped, the way is open. Now it is possible to take the next
step. The
interpretation can be changed at last. Magic thoughts need not lead to
condemnation, for they do not really have the power to give rise to
guilt. And
so they can be overlooked and thus forgotten in the truest sense.
9
Madness but seems terrible. In truth it has no power to make anything.
Like the
magic which becomes its servant/maidservant, it neither attacks nor
protects.
To see it and to recognize its thought system is to look on nothing.
Can
nothing give rise to anger? Hardly so. Remember then,
teacher/teacheress of
God, that anger recognizes a reality that is not there, yet is the
anger
certain witness that you do believe in it as fact. Now is escape
impossible
until you see you have responded to your own interpretation which you
have
projected on an outside world. Let this grim sword be taken from you
now. There
is no death. This sword does not exist. The fear of God is causeless.
But HisHer
love is Cause of everything beyond all fear and thus forever real and
always
true.
1
Correction of a lasting nature—and only this is true correction—cannot
be made
until the teacher/teacheress of God has ceased to confuse
interpretation with
fact or illusion with truth. If he/she argues with his/her pupil about
a magic
thought, attacks it, tries to establish its error or demonstrate its
falsity,
he/she is but witnessing to its reality. Depression is then
inevitable, for
he/she has "proved," both to his/her pupil and himself/herself that
it is their task to escape from what is real. And this can only be
impossible.
Reality is changeless. Magic thoughts are but illusions. Otherwise
salvation
would be only the same age-old impossible dream in but another form.
Yet the
dream of salvation has new content. It is not the form alone in which
the
difference lies.
2
God's teachers/teacheressess' major lesson is to learn how to react to
magic
thoughts wholly without anger. Only in this way can they proclaim the
truth
about themselves. Through them, the Holy Spirit can now speak of the
reality of
the SonDaughter of God. Now She can remind the world of sinlessness,
the one
unchanged, unchangeable condition of all that God CreatedManifested.
Now She can
speak the Word of God to listening ears and bring the Christ
Consciousness’/the
Mercy Consciousness’ vision to the eyes that see. Now is She free to
teach all
minds the truth of what they are, so they will gladly be returned to
Her. And
now is guilt forgiven, overlooked completely in Her sight and in God's
Word.
3
Anger but screeches, "Guilt is real." Reality is blotted out as this
insane belief is taken as replacement for God's Word. The body's eyes
now
"see"; its ears alone are thought to hear. Its little space and tiny
breath become the measure of reality. And truth becomes diminutive and
meaningless. Correction has one answer to all this and to the world
that rests
on this:
5 In
order to heal, it thus becomes essential for the teacher/teacheress of
God to
let all his/her own mistakes be corrected. If he/she senses even the
faintest
hint of irritation in himself/herself as he/she responds to anyone,
let him/her
instantly realize that he/she has made an interpretation that is not
true. Then
let him/her turn within to his/her Eternal Guide, and let Her judge
what the
response should be. So is he/she healed, and in his/her healing is
his/her pupil
healed with him/her. The sole responsibility of God's
teacher/teacheress is to
accept the Atonement for himself/herself. Atonement means correction,
or the
undoing of errors. When this has been accomplished, the
teacher/teacheress of
God becomes a miracle worker by definition. His/her sins have been
forgiven him/her,
and he/she no longer condemns himself/herself. How can he/she then
condemn
anyone? And who is there whom his/her forgiveness can fail to heal?
1
Justice is the divine correction for injustice. Injustice is the basis
for all
the judgments of the world. Justice corrects the interpretations to
which
injustice gives rise and cancels them out. Neither justice nor
injustice exists
in the God Realm, for error is impossible and correction meaningless.
In this
world, however, forgiveness depends on justice since all attack can
only be
unjust. Justice is the Holy Spirit's verdict upon the world. Except in
judgment,
justice is impossible, for no one in the world is capable of making
only just
interpretations and laying all injustices aside. If God's SonDaughter
were
fairly judged, there would be no need for salvation. The thought of
separation
would have been forever inconceivable.
2
Justice, like its opposite, is an interpretation. It is, however, the
one
interpretation that leads to truth. This becomes possible because,
while it is
not true in itself, justice includes nothing that opposes truth. There
is no
inherent conflict between justice and truth; one is but the first
small step in
the direction of the other. The path becomes quite different as one
goes along.
Nor could all the magnificence, the grandeur of the scene and the
enormous
opening vistas that rise to meet one as he/she travels on, be foretold
from the
outset. Yet even these, whose splendor reaches indescribable heights
as one
proceeds, falls short indeed of all that awaits one when the pathway
ceases and
time ends with it. But somewhere one must start. Justice is the
beginning.
3
All concepts of your brothers/sisters and yourself, all fears of
future states,
and all concern about the past stem from injustice. Here is the lens
which,
held before the body's eyes, distorts perception and brings witness of
the
distorted world back to the mind that made the lens and holds it very
dear.
Selectively and arbitrarily is every concept of the world built up in
just this
way. "Sins" are perceived and justified by this careful selectivity
in which all thought of wholeness must be lost. Forgiveness has no
place in
such a scheme, for not one "sin" but seems forever true.
4
Salvation
is God's justice. It restores to your awareness the wholeness of the
fragments
you perceive as broken off and separate. And it is this that overcomes
the fear
of death. For separate fragments must decay and die, but wholeness is
immortal.
It remains forever and forever like its CreatorManifestor, being one
with HimHer.
God's Judgment is justice. Onto this—a judgment wholly lacking in
condemnation,
an evaluation based entirely on love—you have projected your
injustice,
attributing to God the lens of warped perception through which you
look. Now it
belongs to HimHer and not to you. You are afraid of HimHer and do not
see you
hate and fear your Self as enemy.
5
Pray for God's justice, and do not confuse HisHer mercy with your own
insanity.
Perception can make whatever picture the mind desires to see. Remember
this. In
this lies either the God Realm or hell, as you elect. God's justice
points to the
God Realm just because it is entirely impartial. It accepts all
evidence that
is brought before it, omitting nothing and assessing nothing as
separate and
apart from all the rest. From this one standpoint does it judge, and
this
alone. Here all attack and condemnation becomes meaningless and
indefensible.
Perception rests, the mind is still, and light returns again. Vision
is now
restored. What had been lost has now been found. The peace of God
descends on
all the world and we can see. And we can see!
1 It
has been said that there is a kind of peace that is not of this world.
How is
it recognized? How is it found? And being found, how can it be
retained? Let us
consider each of these questions separately, for each reflects a
different step
along the way.
2
First, how can the peace of God be recognized? God's peace is
recognized at first
by just one thing—in every way it is totally unlike all previous
experiences.
It calls to mind nothing that went before. It brings with it no past
associations. It is a new thing entirely. There is a contrast, yes,
between
this thing and all the past. But strangely, it is not a contrast of
true
differences. The past just slips away and in its place is everlasting
quiet.
Only that. The contrast first perceived has merely gone. Quiet has
reached to
cover everything.
3
How is this quiet found? No one can fail to find it who but seeks out
its
conditions. God's peace can never come where anger is, for anger must
deny that
peace exists. Who sees anger as justified in any way or any
circumstance
proclaims that peace is meaningless and must believe that it cannot
exist. In
this condition peace cannot be found. Therefore forgiveness is the
necessary
condition for finding the peace of God. More than this, given
forgiveness there
must be peace. For what except attack will lead to war? And what but
peace is
opposite to war? Here the initial contrast stands out clear and
apparent. Yet
when peace is found, the war is meaningless. And it is conflict now
that is
perceived as non-existent and unreal.
4
How is the peace of God retained once it is found? Returning anger in
whatever
form will drop the heavy curtain once again, and the belief that peace
cannot
exist will certainly return. War is again accepted as the one reality.
Now must
you once again lay down your sword, although you may not recognize
that you
have picked it up again. But you will learn, as you remember even
faintly now
what happiness was yours without it, that you must have taken it again
as your
defense. Stop for a moment now, and think of this: is conflict what
you want,
or is God's peace the better choice? Which gives you more? A tranquil
mind is
not a little gift. Would you not rather live than choose to die?
5
Living is joy, but death can only weep. You see in death escape from
what you
made. But this you do not see—that you made death, and it is but
illusion of an
end. Death cannot be escape because it is not life in which the
problem lies.
Life has no opposite, for it is God. Life and death seem to be
opposites
because you have decided that death ends life. Forgive the world, and
you will
understand that everything which God CreatedManifested cannot have an
end, and
nothing HeShe did not CreateManifest is real. In this one sentence is
our
course explained. In this one sentence is our practicing given its one
direction. And in this the Holy Spirit's whole curriculum is specified
exactly
as it is.
6
What is the peace of God? No more than this—the simple understanding
that HisHer
Will is wholly without opposite. There is no thought that contradicts
HisHer Will
yet can be true. The contrast between HisHer Will and yours but seemed
to be
reality. In truth there is no conflict because HisHer Will is yours.
Now is the
mighty Will of God HimHerself HisHer gift to you. HeShe does not seek
to keep
it for HimHerself. Why would you seek to keep your tiny, frail
imaginings apart
from HimHer? The Will of God is one and all there is. This is your
heritage.
The universe beyond the sun and stars and all the thoughts of which
you can
conceive belong to you. God's peace is the condition for HisHer Will.
Attain peace,
and you remember HimHer.
1
Strictly speaking, words play no part at all in healing. The
motivating factor
is prayer, or asking. What you ask for, you receive. But this refers
to the
prayer of the heart, not to the words you use in praying. Sometimes
the words
and the prayer are contradictory; sometimes they agree. It does not
matter. God
does not understand words, for they were made by separated minds to
keep them
in the illusion of separation. Words can be helpful, particularly for
the
beginner, in helping concentration and facilitating the exclusion or
at least
the control of extraneous thoughts. Let us not forget, however, that
words are
but symbols of symbols. They are thus twice removed from reality.
2 As
symbols, words have quite specific references. Even when they seem
most
abstract, the picture that comes to mind is apt to be very concrete.
Unless a
specific referent does occur to the mind in conjunction with the word,
the word
has little or no practical meaning and thus cannot help the healing
process.
The prayer of the heart does not really ask for concrete things. It
always
requests some kind of experience, the specific things asked for being
the
bringers of the desired experience in the judgment of the asker. The
words,
then, are symbols for the things asked for, but the things themselves
but stand
for the experiences which are hoped for.
3
The prayer for things of this world will bring experiences of this
world. If
the prayer of the heart asks for this, this will be given because this
will be
received. It is impossible that the prayer of the heart remain
unanswered in
the perception of the one who asks. If he/she asks for the impossible,
if
he/she wants what does not exist or seeks for illusions in his/her
heart, all
this becomes his/her own. The power of his/her decision offers it to
him/her,
as he/she requests. Herein lie hell and the God Realm. The sleeping
SonDaughter
of God has but this power left to him/her. It is enough. His/her words
do not
matter. Only the Word of God has any meaning because it symbolizes
that which
has no human symbols at all. The Holy Spirit alone understands what
this Word
stands for. And this, too, is enough.
4 Is
the teacher/teacheress of God then to avoid the use of words in
his/her teaching?
No, indeed. There are many who must be reached through words, being as
yet
unable to hear in silence. The teacher/teacheress of God must,
however, learn
to use words in a new way. Gradually, he/she learns how to let his/her
words be
chosen for him/her by ceasing to decide for himself/herself what
he/she will
say. This process is merely a special case of the workbook lesson "I
will
step back and let HimHer lead the way." The teacher/teacheress of God
accepts the words which are offered him/her and gives as he/she
receives. He/she
does not control the direction of his/her speaking. He/she listens and
hears
and speaks.
5 A
major hindrance in this aspect of his/her learning is the
teacher/teacheress of
God's fear about the validity of what he/she hears. And what he/she
hears may
indeed be quite startling. It may also seem to be quite irrelevant to
the
presented problem as he/she perceives it, and may, in fact, confront
him/her with
a situation that appears to be very embarrassing. All these are
judgments which
have no value. They are his/her own, coming from a shabby
self-perception that
he/she would leave behind. Judge not the words that come to you, but
offer them
in confidence. They are far wiser than your own. God's
teachers/teacheresses
have God's Word behind their symbols. And HeShe HimHerself gives to
the words
they use the power of HisHer Spirit, raising them from meaningless
symbols to
the call of the God Realm itself.
1
Healing and Atonement are not related; they are identical. There is no
order of
difficulty in miracles because there are no degrees of Atonement. It
is the one
complete concept possible in this world because it is the source of a
wholly
unified perception. Partial Atonement is a meaningless idea, just as
special
areas of hell in the God Realm is inconceivable. Accept Atonement, and
you are
healed. Atonement is the Word of God. Accept HisHer Word, and what
remains to
make sickness possible? Accept HisHer Word, and every miracle has been
accomplished.
To forgive is to heal. The teacher/teacheress of God has taken
accepting the
Atonement for himself/herself as his/her only function. What is there,
then,
he/she cannot heal? What miracle can be withheld from him/her?
2
The progress of the teacher/teacheress of God may be slow or rapid,
depending
on whether he/she recognizes the Atonement's inclusiveness or for a
time
excludes some problem areas from it. In some cases, there is a sudden
and
complete awareness of the perfect applicability of the lesson of the
Atonement
to all situations. This, however, is comparatively rare. The
teacher/teacheress
of God may have accepted the function God has given him/her long
before he/she has
learned all that his/her acceptance holds out to him/her. It is only
the end
that is certain. Anywhere along the way, the necessary realization of
inclusiveness may reach him/her. If the way seems long, let him/her be
content.
He/she has decided on the direction he/she will take. What more was
asked of him/her?
And having done what was required, would God withhold the rest?
3
That forgiveness is healing needs to be understood if the
teacher/teacheress of
God is to make progress. The idea that a body can be sick is a central
concept
in the ego's thought system. This thought gives the body autonomy,
separates it
from the mind, and keeps the idea of attack inviolate. If the body
could be
sick, Atonement would be impossible. A body that can order a mind to
do as it
sees fit would merely take the place of God and prove salvation is
impossible.
What then is left to heal? The body has become lord/lady of the mind.
How could
the mind be returned to the Holy Spirit unless the body is killed? And
who
would want salvation at such a price?
4
Certainly sickness does not appear to be a decision. Nor would anyone
actually
believe he/she wants to be sick. Perhaps he/she can accept the idea in
theory,
but it is rarely if ever consistently applied to all specific forms of
sickness, both in the individual's perception of himself/herself and
of all others
as well. Nor is it at this level that the teacher/teacheress of God
calls forth
the miracle of healing. He/she overlooks the mind and body, seeing
only the
face of the Christ Consciousness/the Mercy Consciousness shining in
front of him/her,
correcting all mistakes and healing all perception. Healing is the
result of
the recognition by God's teacher/teacheress of Who it is that is in
need of
healing. This recognition has no special reference. It is true of all
things
that God CreatedManifested. In it are all illusions healed.
5
When a teacher/teacheress of God fails to heal, it is because he/she
has
forgotten Who he/she is. Another's sickness thus becomes his/her own.
In
allowing this to happen, he/she has identified with another's ego and
has thus
confused him/her with a body. In so doing, he/she has refused to
accept the
Atonement for himself/herself and can hardly offer it to his/her
brother/sister
in the name of the Christ Consciousness/the Mercy Consciousness.
He/she will,
in fact, be unable to recognize his/her brother/sister at all, for
his/her FatherMother
did not CreateManifest bodies, and so he/she is seeing in his/her
brother/sister
only the unreal. Mistakes do not correct mistakes, and distorted
perception
does not heal. Step back now, teacher/teacheress of God. You have been
wrong.
Lead not the way, for you have lost it. Turn quickly to your
Teacheress, and
let yourself be healed.
6
The offer of Atonement is universal. It is equally applicable to all
individuals in all circumstances. And in it is the power to heal all
individuals of all forms of sickness. Not to believe this is to be
unfair to
God and thus unfaithful to HimHer. A sick person perceives
himself/herself as
separate from God. Would you see him/her as separate from you? It is
your task
to heal the sense of separation that has made him/her sick. It is your
function
to recognize for him/her that what he/she believes about
himself/herself is not
the truth. It is your forgiveness that must show him/her this. Healing
is very
simple. Atonement is received and offered. Having been received, it
must be
accepted. It is in the receiving, then, that healing lies. All else
must follow
from this single purpose.
7
Who can limit the power of God HimHerself? Who then can say who can be
healed
of what and what must remain beyond God's power to forgive? This is
insanity
indeed. It is not up to God's teachers/teacheresses to set limits upon
HimHer
because it is not up to them to judge HisHer SonDaughter. And to judge
HisHer SonDaughter
is to limit hisher FatherMother. Both are equally meaningless. Yet
this will
not be understood until God's teacher/teacheress recognizes that they
are the
same mistake. Herein does he/she receive Atonement, for he/she
withdraws
his/her judgment from the SonDaughter of God, accepting himher as God
CreatedManifested
himher. No longer does he/she stand apart from God, determining where
healing
should be given and where it should be withheld. Now can he/she say
with God,
"This is my beloved SonDaughter, CreatedManifested perfect and forever
so."
1
God's gifts can rarely be received directly. Even the most advanced of
God's teachers/teacheresses
will give way to temptation in this world. Would it be fair if their
pupils
were denied healing because of this? The Bible says, "Ask in the name
of
Jesus Christ." Is this merely an appeal to magic? A name does not
heal,
nor does an invocation call forth any special power. What does it mean
to call
on Jesus Christ? What does calling on his name confer? Why is the
appeal to him
part of healing?
2 We
have repeatedly stated that one who has perfectly accepted the
Atonement for himself
can heal the world. Indeed, he has already done so. Temptation may
recur to
others, but never to this one. He has become the risen Son of God. He
has
overcome death because he has accepted life. He has recognized himself
as God CreatedManifested
him, and in so doing he has recognized all living things as part of
him. There
is now no limit on his power because it is the Power of God. So has
his name
become the name of God, for he no longer sees himself as separate from
HimHer.
3
What does this mean to you? It means that in remembering Jesus, you
are
remembering God. The whole relationship of the SonDaughter to the
FatherMother
lies in him. His part in the SonDaughtership is also yours, and his
completed
learning guarantees your own success. Is he still available for help?
What did
he say about this? Remember his promises, and ask yourself honestly
whether it
is likely that he will fail to keep them. Can God fail HisHer
SonDaughter? And
can one who is one with God be unlike HimHer? Who transcends the body
has
transcended limitation. Would the greatest teacher/teacheress be
unavailable to
those who follow him?
4
The name of Jesus Christ as such is but a symbol. But it stands for
love that
is not of this world. It is a symbol that can safely be used as a
replacement
for the many names of all the gods you pray to. It becomes the shining
symbol
for the Word of God, so close to what it stands for that the little
space
between the two is lost the moment that the name is called to mind.
Remembering
His name is to give thanks for all the gifts that God has given you.
And
gratitude to God becomes the way in which He is remembered, for love
cannot be
far behind a grateful heart and thankful mind. God enters easily, for
these are
the true conditions for your coming home.
5
Jesus has led the way. Why would you not be grateful to him? He has
asked for
love, but only that he might give it to you. You do not love yourself.
But in
his eyes your loveliness is so complete and flawless that he sees in
it an
image of his FatherMother. You become the symbol of his FatherMother
here on
earth. To you he looks for hope because in you he sees no limit and no
stain to
mar your beautiful perfection. In his eyes the vision of the Christ
Consciousness/the Mercy Consciousness shines in perfect constancy. He
has
remained with you. Would you not learn the lesson of salvation through
his learning?
Why would you choose to start again when he has made the journey for
you?
6 No
one on earth can grasp what the God Realm is or what its one
CreatorManifestor
really means. Yet we have witnesses. It is to them that wisdom would
appeal.
There have been those whose learning far exceeds what you can learn.
Nor would
we teach the limitations we have laid on us. No one who has become a
true and
dedicated teacher/teacheress of God forgets his/her brothers/sisters.
Yet what
he/she can offer them is limited by what he/she learns
himself/herself. Then
turn to one who laid all limits by and went beyond the farthest reach
of
learning. He will take you with him, for he did not go alone. And you
were with
him then, as you are now.
7
This course has come from him because his words have reached you in a
language
you can love and understand. Are other teachers/teacheresses possible
to lead
the way to those who speak in different tongues and appeal to
different
symbols? Certainly there are. Would God leave anyone without a very
present help
in time of trouble? A savior/savioress who can symbolize HimHerself?
Yet do we
need a many-faceted curriculum, not because of content differences but
because
symbols must shift and change to suit the need. Jesus has come to
answer yours.
In him you find God's Answer. Do you then teach with him, for he is
with you;
he is always here.
1 In
the ultimate sense, reincarnation is impossible. There is no past nor
future,
and the idea of birth into a body has no meaning either once or many
times.
Reincarnation cannot, then, be true in any real sense. Our only
question should
be, "Is the concept helpful?" And that depends of course on what it
is used for. If it is used to strengthen the recognition of the
eternal nature
of life, it is helpful indeed. Is any other question about it really
useful in
lighting up the way? Like many other beliefs, it can be bitterly
misused. At
least, such misuse offers preoccupation and perhaps pride in the past.
At
worst, it induces inertia in the present. In between many kinds of
folly are
possible.
2
Reincarnation would not, under any circumstances, be the problem to be
dealt
with now. If it were responsible for some of the difficulties the
individual
faces now, his/her task would still be only to escape from them now.
If he/she is
laying the groundwork for a future life, he/she can still work out
his/her salvation
only now. To some there may be comfort in the concept, and if it
heartens them,
its value is self-evident. It is certain, however, that the way to
salvation
can be found by those who believe in reincarnation and by those who do
not. The
idea cannot, therefore, be regarded as essential to the curriculum.
There is
always some risk in seeing the present in terms of the past. There is
always
some good in any thought which strengthens the idea that life and the
body are
not the same.
3
For our purposes, it would not be helpful to take any definite stand
on
reincarnation. A teacher/teacheress of God should be as helpful to
those who
believe in it as to those who do not. If a definite stand on it were
required
of him/her, it would merely limit his/her usefulness as well as
his/her own
decision-making. Our course is not concerned with any concept that is
not
acceptable to anyone, regardless of his/her formal beliefs. His/her
ego will be
enough for him/her to cope with, and it is not part of wisdom to add
sectarian
controversies to his/her burdens. Nor would there be an advantage in
his/her premature
acceptance of the course merely because it advocates a long-held
belief of
his/her own.
4 It
cannot be too strongly emphasized that this course aims at a complete
reversal
of thought. When this is finally accomplished, issues such as the
validity of
reincarnation become meaningless. Until then they are likely to be
merely
controversial. The teacher/teacheress of God is therefore wise to step
away
from all such questions, for he/she has much to teach and learn apart
from
them. He/she should both learn and teach that theoretical issues but
waste
time, draining it away from its appointed purpose. If there are
aspects to any
concept or belief that will be helpful, he/she will be told about it.
He/she will
also be told how to use it. What more need he/she know?
5
Does this mean that the teacher/teacheress of God should not believe
in
reincarnation himself/herself or discuss it with others who do? The
answer is
certainly not! If
he/she does believe in reincarnation, it would be a mistake for him/her
to
renounce the belief unless his/her Internal Teacheress so advised. And
this is
most unlikely. He/she might be advised that he/she is misusing the
belief in
some way which is detrimental to his/her pupil's advance or his/her
own.
Reinterpretation would then be recommended because it would be
necessary. All
that must be recognized, however, is that birth was not the beginning
and death
is not the end. Yet even this much is not required of the beginner.
He/she need
merely accept the idea that what he/she knows is not necessarily all
there is
to learn. His/her journey has begun.
6
The emphasis of this course always remains the same—it is at this
moment that
complete salvation is offered you, and it is at this moment that you
can accept
it. This is still your one responsibility. Atonement might be equated
with
total escape from the past and total lack of interest in the future.
The God
Realm is here. There is nowhere else. The God Realm is now. There is
no other
time. No teaching that does not lead to this is of concern to God's
teachers/teacheresses.
All beliefs will point to this if properly interpreted. In this sense
it can be
said that their truth lies in their usefulness. All beliefs that lead
to
progress should be honored. This is the sole criterion this course
requires. No
more than this is necessary.
1
The answer to this question is much like the preceding one. There are,
of
course, no "unnatural" powers, and it is obviously merely an appeal
to magic to make up a power that does not exist. It is equally
obvious,
however, that each individual has many abilities of which he/she is
unaware. As
his/her awareness increases, he/she may well develop abilities that
seem quite
startling to him/her. Yet nothing he/she can do can compare even in
the
slightest with the glorious surprise of remembering who he/she is. Let
all
his/her learning and all his/her efforts be directed toward this one
great
final surprise, and he/she will not be content to be delayed by the
little ones
that may come to him/her on the way.
2
Certainly there are many "psychic" powers that are clearly in line
with this course. Communication is not limited to the small range of
channels
the world recognizes. If it were, there would be little point in
trying to
teach salvation. It would be impossible to do so. The limits the world
places
on communication are the chief barrier to direct experience of the
Holy Spirit,
Whose Presence is always there and Whose Voice is available but for
the
hearing. These limits are placed out of fear, for without them the
walls that
surround all the separate places of the world would fall at the holy
sound of Her
Voice. Who transcends these limits in any way is merely becoming more
natural. He/she
is doing nothing special, and there is no magic in his/her
accomplishments.
3
The seemingly new abilities that may be gathered on the way can be
very
helpful. Given to the Holy Spirit and used under Her direction, they
are
valuable teaching aids. To this the question of how they arise is
irrelevant.
The only important consideration is how they are used. Taking them as
ends in
themselves, no matter how this is done, will delay progress. Nor does
their
value lie in proving anything—achievements from the past, unusual
attunement
with the "unseen," or special favors from God. God gives no special
favors, and no one has any powers that are not available to everyone.
Only by
tricks of magic are special powers "demonstrated."
4
Nothing that is genuine is used to deceive. The Holy Spirit is
incapable of
deception, and She can use only genuine abilities. What is used for
magic is
useless to Her, but what She uses cannot be used for magic. There is,
however,
a particular appeal in unusual abilities which can be curiously
tempting. Here
are strengths which the Holy Spirit wants and needs. Yet the ego sees
in these
same strengths an opportunity to glorify itself. Strengths turned to
weakness
are tragedy indeed. Yet what is not given to the Holy Spirit must be
given to
weakness, for what is withheld from love is given to fear and will be
fearful
in consequence.
5
Even those who no longer value the material things of the world may
still be
deceived by "psychic" powers. As investment has been withdrawn from
the world's material gifts, the ego has been seriously threatened. It
may still
be strong enough to rally under this new temptation to win back
strength by
guile. Many have not seen through the ego's defenses here, although
they are
not particularly subtle. Yet, given a remaining wish to be deceived,
deception
is made easy. Now the "power" is no longer a genuine ability and
cannot be used dependably. It is almost inevitable that, unless the
individual
changes his/her mind about its purpose, he/she will bolster its
uncertainties
with increasing deception.
6
Any ability that anyone develops has the potentiality for good. To
this there
is no exception. And the more unusual and unexpected the power, the
greater its
potential usefulness. Salvation has need of all abilities, for what
the world
would destroy, the Holy Spirit would restore. "Psychic" abilities
have been used to call upon the devil, which merely means to
strengthen the
ego. Yet here is also a great channel of hope and healing in the Holy
Spirit's
service. Those who have developed "psychic" powers have simply let
some of the limitations they laid upon their minds be lifted. It can
be but
greater limitations they lay upon themselves if they utilize their
increased
freedom for greater imprisonment. The Holy Spirit needs these gifts,
and those
who offer them to Her and Her alone go with the Christ
Consciousness’/the Mercy
Consciousness’ gratitude upon their hearts, and Her holy sight not far
behind.
1
God indeed can be reached directly, for there is no distance between
HimHer and
HisHer SonDaughter. HisHer awareness is in everyone's memory, and
HisHer Word
is written on everyone's heart. Yet this awareness and this memory can
arise
across the threshold of the unconscious only where all barriers to
truth have
been removed. In how many is this the case? Here then is the role of
God's teachers/teacheresses.
They too have not attained the necessary understanding as yet, but
they have
joined with others. This is what sets them apart from the world. And
it is this
that enables others to leave the world with them. Alone they are
nothing. But
in their joining is the Power of God.
2
There are those who have reached God directly, retaining no trace of
worldly
limits and remembering their own Identity perfectly. These might be
called the teachers/teacheresses
of teachers/teacheresses because, although they are no longer visible,
their
image can yet be called upon. And they will appear when and where it
is helpful
for them to do so. To those to whom such appearances would be
frightening, they
give their ideas. No one can call on them in vain. Nor is there anyone
of whom
they are unaware. All needs are known to them, and all mistakes are
recognized
and overlooked by them. The time will come when this is understood.
And
meanwhile they give all their gifts to the teachers/teacheresses of
God who
look to them for help, asking all things in their name and in no
other.
3
Sometimes a teacher/teacheress of God may have a brief experience of
direct
union with God. In this world, it is almost impossible that this
endure. It
can, perhaps, be won after much devotion and dedication and then be
maintained
for most of the time on earth. But this is so rare that it cannot be
considered
a realistic goal. If it happens, so be it. If it does not happen, so
be it as
well. All worldly states must be illusory. If God were reached
directly in sustained
awareness, the body would not be long maintained. Those who have laid
the body
down merely to extend their helpfulness to those remaining behind are
few
indeed. And they need helpers who are still in bondage and still
asleep, so
that by their awakening can God's Voice be heard.
4 Do
not despair, then, because of limitations. It is your function to
escape from
them, but not to be without them. If you would be heard by those who
suffer,
you must speak their language. If you would be saviors/savioresses,
you must
understand what needs to be escaped. Salvation is not theoretical.
Behold the
problem, ask for the answer, and then accept it when it comes. Nor
will its
coming be long delayed. All the help you can accept will be provided,
and not
one need you have will not be met. Let us not, then, be too concerned
with
goals for which you are not ready. God takes you where you are and
welcomes
you. What more could you desire, when this is all you need?
1
Death is the central dream from which all illusions stem. Is it not
madness to
think of life as being born, aging, losing vitality, and dying in the
end? We
have asked this question before, but now we need to consider it still
more
carefully. It is the one fixed, unchangeable belief of the world that
all
things in it are born only to die. This is regarded as "the way of
nature," not to be raised to question but to be accepted as the
"natural" law of life. The cyclical, the changing and unsure, the
undependable and the unsteady, waxing and waning in a certain way upon
a
certain path—all this is taken as the Will of God. And no one asks if
a benign
CreatorManifestor could will this.
2 In
this perception of the universe as God CreatedManifested it, it would
not be
possible to think of HimHer as loving. For who has decreed that all
things pass
away, ending in dust and disappointment and despair could but be
feared. HeShe holds
your little life in HisHer hand but by a thread, ready to break it off
without
regret or care, perhaps today. Or if HeShe waits, yet is the ending
certain.
Who loves such a god knows not of love because he/she has denied that
life is
real. Death has become life's symbol. HisHer world is now a
battleground where
contradiction reigns, and opposites make endless war. Where there is
death is
peace impossible.
3
Death is the symbol of the fear of God. love is blotted out in the
idea, which
holds it from awareness like a shield held to obscure the sun. The
grimness of
the symbol is enough to show it cannot co-exist with God. It holds an
image of
the SonDaughter of God in which heshe is "laid to rest" in
devastation's arms, where worms wait to greet himher and to last a
little while
by hisher destruction. Yet the worms as well are doomed to be
destroyed as
certainly. And so do all things live because of death. Devouring is
nature's
"law of life." God is insane, and fear alone is real.
4
The curious belief that there is part of dying things that may go on
apart from
what will die does not proclaim a loving God nor re-establish any
grounds for
trust. If death is real for anything, there is no life. Death denies
life, but
if there is reality in life, death is denied. No compromise in this is
possible. There is either a god of fear or One of Love. The world
attempts a
thousand compromises and will attempt a thousand more. Not one can be
acceptable to God's teachers/teacheresses because not one could be
acceptable
to God. HeShe did not make death because HeShe did not make fear. Both
are
equally meaningless to HimHer.
5
The "reality" of death is firmly rooted in the belief that God's
SonDaughter
is a body. And if God CreatedManifested bodies, death would indeed be
real. But
God would not be loving. There is no point at which the contrast
between the
perception of the real world and that of the world of illusions
becomes more
sharply evident. Death is indeed the death of God if HeShe is Love.
And now HisHer
own creationmanifestation must stand in fear of HimHer. HeShe is not
FatherMother
but destroyer. HeShe is not CreatorManifestor but avenger. Terrible
HisHer Thoughts
and fearful HisHer image. To look on HisHer creationsmanifestations is
to die.
6
"And the last to be overcome will be death." Of course! Without the
idea of death, there is no world. All dreams will end with this one.
This is
salvation's final goal, the end of all illusions. And in death are all
illusions born. What can be born of death and still have life? But
what is born
of God and still can die? The inconsistencies, the compromises, and
the rituals
the world fosters in its vain attempts to cling to death and yet to
think love
real are mindless magic, ineffectual and meaningless. God is, and in
HimHer all
CreatedManifested things must be eternal. Do you not see that
otherwise HeShe has
an opposite, and fear would be as real as love?
7
Teacher/teacheress of God, your one assignment could be stated thus:
accept no
compromise in which death plays a part. Do not believe in cruelty nor
let
attack conceal the truth from you. What seems to die has but been
misperceived
and carried to illusion. Now it becomes your task to let the illusion
be
brought to the truth. Be steadfast but in this; be not deceived by the
"reality" of any changing form. Truth neither moves nor wavers nor
sinks down to death and dissolution. And what is the end of death?
Nothing but
this: the realization that the SonDaughter of God is guiltless now and
forever.
Nothing but this. But do not let yourself forget it is not less than
this.
1
Very simply, the resurrection is the overcoming or surmounting of
death. It is
a reawakening or a rebirth, a change of mind about the meaning of the
world. It
is the acceptance of the Holy Spirit's interpretation of the world's
purpose;
the acceptance of the Atonement for oneself. It is the end of dreams
of misery
and the glad awareness of the Holy Spirit's final dream. It is the
recognition
of the gifts of God. It is the dream in which the body functions
perfectly,
having no function except communication. It is the lesson in which
learning
ends, for it is consummated and surpassed with this. It is the
invitation to
God to take HisHer final step. It is the relinquishment of all other
purposes,
all other interests, all other wishes, and all other concerns. It is
the single
desire of the SonDaughter for the FatherMother.
2
The resurrection is the denial of death, being the assertion of life.
Thus is
all the thinking of the world reversed entirely. Life is now
recognized as
salvation, and pain and misery of any kind perceived as hell. Love is
no longer
feared but gladly welcomed. Idols/idolress have disappeared, and the
remembrance of God shines unimpeded across the world. The face of the
Christ
Consciousness/the Mercy Consciousness is seen in every living thing,
and
nothing is held in darkness apart from the light of forgiveness. There
is no
sorrow still upon the earth. The joy of the God Realm has come upon
it.
3
Here the curriculum ends. From here on no directions are needed.
Vision is
wholly corrected and all mistakes undone. Attack is meaningless, and
peace has
come. The goal of the curriculum has been achieved. Thoughts turn to
the God
Realm and away from hell. All longings are satisfied, for what remains
unanswered or incomplete? The last illusion spreads over the world,
forgiving
all things and replacing all attack. The whole reversal is
accomplished.
Nothing is left to contradict the Word of God. There is no opposition
to the
truth. And now the truth can come at last. How quickly will it come as
it is
asked to enter and envelop such a world!
4
All living hearts are tranquil, with a stir of deep anticipation, for
the time
of everlasting things is now at hand. There is no death. The
SonDaughter of God
is free. And in hisher freedom is the end of fear. No hidden places
now remain
on earth to shelter sick illusions, dreams of fear, and misperceptions
of the
universe. All things are seen in light, and in the light their purpose
is
transformed and understood. And we, God's children, rise up from the
dust and
look upon our perfect sinlessness. The song of the God Realm sounds
around the
world, as it is lifted up and brought to truth.
5
Now there are no distinctions. Differences have disappeared, and Love
looks on
Itself. What further sight is needed? What remains that vision could
accomplish? We have seen the face of the Christ Consciousness/the
Mercy
Consciousness, his/her sinlessness, his/her love behind all forms,
beyond all
purposes. Holy are we because his/her holiness has set us free indeed,
and we
accept his/her holiness as ours, as it is. As God CreatedManifested
us, so will
we be forever and forever, and we wish for nothing but HisHer Will to
be our
own. Illusions of another will are lost, for unity of purpose has been
found.
6
These things await us all, but we are not prepared as yet to welcome
them with
joy. As long as any mind remains possessed of evil dreams, the thought
of hell
is real. God's teachers/teacheresses have the goal of wakening the
minds of
those asleep and seeing there the vision of the Christ
Consciousness’/the Mercy
Consciousness’ face to take the place of what they dreamed. The
thought of
murder is replaced with blessing. Judgment is laid by and given Her
Whose
function judgment is. And in Her Final Judgment is restored the truth
about the
holy SonDaughter of God. He/she is redeemed, for he/she has heard
God's Word
and understood its meaning. He/she is free because he/she let God's
Voice
proclaim the truth. And all he/she sought before to crucify are
resurrected
with him/her, by his/her side as he/she prepares with them to meet
his/her God.
1
This manual is not intended to answer all questions that both
teacher/teacheress
and pupil may raise. In fact, it covers only a few of the more obvious
ones in
terms of a brief summary of some of the major concepts in the text and
workbook.
It is not a substitute for either, but merely a supplement. While it
is called
a manual for teachers/teacheresses, it must be remembered that only
time
divides teacher/teacheress and pupil, so that the difference is
temporary by
definition. In some cases, it may be helpful for the pupil to read the
manual
first. Others might do better to begin with the workbook. Still others
may need
to start at the more abstract level of the text.
2
Which is for whom? Who would profit more from prayers alone? Who needs
but a
smile, being as yet unready for more? No one should attempt to answer
these
questions alone. Surely no teacher/teacheress of God has come this far
without
realizing that. The curriculum is highly individualized. And all
aspects are
under the Holy Spirit's particular care and guidance. Ask and She will
answer.
The responsibility is Hers, and She alone is fit to assume it. To do
so is Her function.
To refer the questions to Her is yours. Would you want to be
responsible for
decisions about which you understand so little? Be glad you have a
Teacheress
Who cannot make a mistake. Her answers are always right. Would you say
that of
yours?
3
There is another advantage—and a very important one—in referring
decisions to
the Holy Spirit with increasing frequency. Perhaps you have not
thought of this
aspect, but its centrality is obvious. To follow the Holy Spirit's
guidance is
to let yourself be absolved of guilt. It is the essence of the
Atonement. It is
the core of the curriculum. The imagined usurping of functions not
your own is
the basis of fear. The whole world you see reflects the illusion you
have done
so, making fear inevitable. To return the function to the One to Whom
it
belongs is thus the escape from fear. And it is this that lets the
memory of
love return to you. Do not, then, think that following the Holy
Spirit's
guidance is necessary merely because of your own inadequacies. It is
the way
out of hell for you.
4
Here again is the paradox often referred to in the course. To say, "Of
myself I can do nothing" is to gain all power. And yet it is but a
seeming
paradox. As God CreatedManifested you, you have all power. The image
you made
of yourself has none. The Holy Spirit knows the truth about you. The
image you
made does not. Yet despite its obvious and complete ignorance, this
image
assumes it knows all things because you have given that belief to it.
Such is
your teaching and the teaching of the world which was made to uphold
it. But
the Teacheress Who knows the truth has not forgotten it. Her decisions
bring
benefit to all, being wholly devoid of attack. And therefore incapable
of
arousing guilt.
5
Who assumes a power that he/she does not have is deceiving
himself/herself. Yet
to accept the power given him/her by God is but to acknowledge his/her
CreatorManifestor
and accept HisHer gifts. And HisHer gifts have no limit. To ask the
Holy Spirit
to decide for you is simply to accept your true inheritance. Does this
mean
that you cannot decide anything without consulting Her? No indeed!
That would
hardly be practical, and it is the practical with which this course is
most
concerned. If you have made it a habit to ask for help when and where
you can,
you can be confident that wisdom will be given you when you need it.
Prepare
for this each morning, remember God when you can throughout the day,
ask the
Holy Spirit's help when it is possible to do so, and thank Her for Her
guidance
at night. And your confidence will be well founded indeed.
6
Never forget that the Holy Spirit does not depend on your words. She
understands
the requests of your heart and answers them. Does this mean that while
attack
remains attractive to you, She will respond with evil? Hardly! For God
has
given Her the power to translate your prayers of the heart into Her
language. She
understands that an attack is a call for help. And She responds with
help
accordingly. God would be cruel if HeShe let your words replace HisHer
Own. A
loving father/mother does not let his/her child harm himself/herself
or choose
his/her own destruction. He/she may ask for injury, but his/her
father/mother
will protect him/her still. And how much more than this does your
FatherMother
love HisHer SonDaughter?
7
Remember you are HisHer completion and Love. Remember your weakness is
HisHer strength.
But do not read this hastily or wrongly. If HisHer strength is in you,
what you
perceive as your weakness is but illusion. And HeShe has given you the
means to
prove it so. Ask all things of HisHer Teacheress, and all things are
given you.
Not in the future but immediately—now. God does not wait, for waiting
implies
time and HeShe is timeless. Forget your foolish images, your sense of
frailty
and your fear of harm, your dreams of danger and selected "wrongs."
God knows but HisHer SonDaughter, and as heshe was CreatedManifested,
so heshe is.
In confidence I place you in HisHer hands, and I give thanks for you
that this
is so.