"Nothing real can be threatened. Nothing unreal exists.
Herein Lies the peace of God."
|
|
A
Course in Miracles
TEXT
CHAPTER 29
The Awakening
IV. God's Witnesses
20
Condemn your savior not because he thinks he is a body. For beyond his dreams is his reality. But he must learn he is a savior first, before he can remember what he is. And he must save who would be saved. On saving you depends his happiness. For who is savior but the one who
gives
salvation? Thus he learns it must be his to give. Unless he gives, he will not know he has, for giving is the
proof
of having. Only those who think that God is lessened by their strength could fail to understand this must be so. For who
could
give unless he has, and who could lose by giving what must be
increased
thereby?
21
Think you the Father lost Himself when He created you? Was He made weak because He shared His love? Was He made incomplete by your perfection? Or are you the
proof
that He is perfect and complete? Deny Him not His witness in the dream His Son prefers to his reality. He must be savior
from
the dream he made, that he be free of it. He must see someone else as
not
a body, one with him, without the wall the world has built to keep apart all living things who know not that they live. Within the dream of bodies and of death is yet one theme of truth—no more, perhaps, than just a tiny spark, a space of light created in the dark, where God still shines.
22
You cannot wake yourself. Yet you can
let
yourself be wakened. You can overlook your brother's dreams. So perfectly can you forgive him his illusions, he becomes your savior from your dreams. And as you see him shining in the space of light where God abides within the darkness, you will see that God Himself is where his body is. Before this light the body disappears, as heavy shadows must give way to light. The darkness cannot choose that it remain. The coming of the light
means
it is gone. In glory will you see your brother then and understand what
really
fills the gap so long perceived as keeping you apart.
23
There, in its place, God's Witness has set forth the gentle way of kindness to God's Son. Whom you forgive is given power to forgive you your illusions. By your gift of freedom is it given unto you. Make way for love, which you did not create, but which you
can
extend. On earth this means forgive your brother, that the darkness may be lifted from your mind. When light has come to him through your forgiveness, he will not forget his savior, leaving him unsaved. For it was in
your
face he saw the light that he would keep beside him as he walks through darkness to the everlasting light.
24
How holy are you, that the Son of God can be your savior in the midst of dreams of desolation and disaster. See how eagerly he comes and steps aside from heavy shadows that have hidden him and shines on you in gratitude and love. He is himself, but not himself alone. And as his Father lost not part of Him in your creation, so the light in him is brighter still because you gave your light to him to save him from the dark. And now the light in you must be as bright as shines in him. This is the spark that shines within the dream—that you can help him waken and be sure his waking eyes will rest on you. And in his glad salvation,
you
are saved.
ON LINE
SEARCHABLE Original Edition
Current Schedule [PDF]
|
|
A
Course in Miracles
TEXT
CHAPTER 29
The Awakening
V. Dream Roles
25
Do you believe that truth can be but
some
illusions? They are dreams
because
they are not true. Their equal lack of truth becomes the basis for the miracle, which means that you have understood that dreams are dreams and that escape depends not on the dream, but only on awaking. Could it be some dreams are kept and others wakened from? The choice is not between which dreams to keep, but only if you want to live in dreams or to awaken from them. Thus it is the miracle does not select some dreams to leave untouched by its beneficence. You cannot dream some dreams and wake from some, for you are either sleeping or awake. And dreaming goes with only one of these.
26
The dreams you think you like would hold you back as much as those in which the fear is seen. For
every
dream is but a dream of fear, no matter what the form it seems to take. The fear is seen within, without, or both. Or it can be disguised in pleasant form. But never is it absent from the dream, for fear is the material of dreams from which they all are made. Their form can change, but they cannot be made of something else. The miracle were treacherous indeed if it allowed you still to be afraid because you did not
recognize
the fear. You would not then be willing to awake, for which the miracle prepares the way.
27
In simplest form it can be said attack is a response to function unfulfilled as
you
perceive the function. It can be in you or someone else, but where it is perceived, it will be there it is attacked. Depression or assault must be the theme of every dream, for they are made of fear. The thin disguise of pleasure and of joy in which they may be wrapped but slightly veils the heavy lump of fear which is their core. And it is
this
the miracle perceives, and not the wrappings in which it is bound.
28
When you are angry, is it not because someone has failed to fill the function
you
allotted him? And does not this become the "reason" your attack is justified? The dreams you think you like are those in which the functions you have given have been filled, the needs which you ascribe to you are met. It does not matter if they be fulfilled or merely wanted. It is the idea that they
exist
from which the fears arise. Dreams are not wanted more or less. They are desired or not. And each one represents some function which you have assigned, some goal which an event, or body, or a thing
should
represent and
should
achieve for you. If it succeeds, you think you like the dream. If it should fail, you think the dream is sad. But whether it succeeds or fails is not its core but just the flimsy covering.
29
How happy would your dreams become if you were
not
the one who gave the "proper" role to every figure which the dream contains. No one can fail but your
idea
of him, and there is no betrayal
but
of this. The core of dreams the Holy Spirit gives is
never
one of fear. The coverings may not appear to change, but what they mean
has
changed because they cover something else. Perceptions are determined by their purpose in that they seem to
be
what they are
for
. A shadow figure who attacks becomes a brother giving you a chance to help if this becomes the function of the dream. And dreams of sadness thus are turned to joy.
30
What
is
your brother for? You do not know because
your
function is obscure to you. Do not ascribe a role to him which you imagine would bring happiness to you. And do not try to hurt him when he fails to take the part which you assigned to him in what you dream your life was meant to be. He asks for help in every dream he has, and you have help to give him if you see the function of the dream as He perceives its function, Who can utilize all dreams as means to serve the function given Him. Because He loves the dreamer not the dream, each dream becomes an offering of love. For at its center is His love for you, which lights whatever form it takes with love.
ON LINE
SEARCHABLE Original Edition
Current Schedule [PDF]
|
|
A Course in Miracles
WORKBOOK
Part II
What is the Second Coming?
1
Christ's Second Coming, which is sure as God, is merely the correction of mistakes and the return of sanity. It is a part of the condition which restores the never lost and re-establishes what is forever and forever true. It is the invitation to God's Word to take illusion's place, the willingness to let forgiveness rest upon all things without exception and without reserve.
2
It is the all-inclusive nature of Christ's Second Coming that permits it to embrace the world and hold you safe within its gentle advent, which encompasses all living things with you. There is no end to the release the Second Coming brings, as God's creation must be limitless. Forgiveness lights the Second Coming's way because it shines on everyone as one.
3
The Second Coming ends the lessons which the Holy Spirit teaches, making way for the Last Judgment, in which learning ends in one last summary that will extend beyond itself and reaches up to God. The Second Coming is the time in which all minds are given to the hands of Christ, to be returned to Spirit in the name of true creation and the Will of God.
4
The Second Coming is the one event in time which time itself cannot affect. For everyone who ever came to die or yet will come or who is present now is equally released from what he made. In this equality is Christ restored as one identity, in which all Sons of God acknowledge that they all are one. And God the Father smiles upon His Son, His one creation and His only joy.
5
Pray that this Second Coming will be soon, but do not rest with that. It needs your eyes and ears and hands and feet. It needs your voice. And most of all it needs your willingness. Let us rejoice that we can do God's Will and join together in its holy light. Behold, the Son of God is one in us, and we can reach our Father's Love through him.
ON LINE
SEARCHABLE Original Edition
Current Schedule [PDF]
|
|
A Course in Miracles
WORKBOOK
Lesson 306
The gift of Christ is all I seek today.
1
What but Christ's vision would I use today when it can offer me a day in which I see a world so like to Heaven that an ancient memory returns to me? Today I can forget the world I made. Today I can go past all fear and be restored to love and holiness and peace. Today I am redeemed and born anew into a world of mercy and of care; of loving kindness and the peace of God.
2
And so, our Father, we return to You, remembering we never went away, remembering Your holy gifts to us. In gratitude and thankfulness, we come, with empty hands and open hearts and minds, asking but what You give. We cannot make an offering sufficient for Your Son. But in Your Love the gift of Christ is his.
ON LINE
SEARCHABLE Original Edition
Current Schedule [PDF]
|
|
ACIM Edmonton
Sarah's Reflections
Lesson 306
The gift of Christ is all I seek today.
Sarah's Commentary:
A Course in Miracles truly is a radical path. There is no grey area. Truth is true and nothing else is true. In this Lesson, we affirm that Christ is
all
I seek today. We are reminded that there is nothing else of value but to know our true Self. Separation is the decision not to know who we are. Now we choose to know the Self and to recognize that only what is eternal is worth seeking. Yet for most of us, there are still other things we seek. It is not helpful to feel guilty about this, but we simply need to acknowledge how much fear and resistance we have to the love, holiness, and peace that is our natural inheritance. Jesus tells us,
"And if you find resistance strong and dedication weak, you are not ready.
Do not fight yourself."
(T.30.I.1.6-7) (ACIM OE T.30.II.2) Putting demands on ourselves is not helpful. Jesus never demands. All demands come from the ego. What is helpful to our journey through this Course is to trust the process.
"You are perfectly safe as long as you are completely unconcerned about your readiness, but maintain a consistent trust in mine."
(T.2.V.4.209) (ACIM OE T.2.III.64) With dedication and consistent practice, when you are ready, the truth will dawn on your mind.
Most of us still look outside of ourselves for happiness in the belief there are still things in the world that will complete us. We are not yet convinced that all we want to know is the Christ Self that we are. Our minds are split, and while we continue to follow this path and still seek outside of ourselves for completion, we will feel increasing conflict. Yet as we step more and more firmly on the path to awakening, we experience more and more peace until our desire for things to go our way increasingly falls away.
It is possible to attend to events in our day and continue to watch our thoughts so the events of the day can serve as a helpful backdrop to our awakening. As we go about our day, judgments, grievances, and perceived needs can all be given over to the Holy Spirit when we notice them arise in our minds. If we want a peace that can't be disturbed, no matter what is going on outside of us, a peace that is deep, quiet, and wholly changeless, and one that cannot be found in this world, we need the miracle to shift our perceptions.
"In gratitude and thankfulness we come, with empty hands and open hearts and minds, asking but what You give."
(W.306.2.2)
Every personal goal I have today is secondary to the primary purpose for the day. Our only purpose today is to
"go past all fear, and be restored to love and holiness and peace."
(W.306.1.3) In any situation where I find myself today, I will try to remember that it is the gift of Christ I seek in every encounter. It changes the kind of day we have if we can remember our purpose, regardless of what seems to be happening in our day. It is good practice to commit the mind to remembering purpose whenever fear arises in any form. We are called to remember that we will be
"restored to love and holiness and peace"
(W.306.1.3), when we go past all fear. It all depends on our willingness. There is nothing to seek. The love, holiness, and peace are already in us. Our fear and resistance keep us from being aware of our eternal condition.
Our own goals are based on the belief that there are things in the day that can bring us something we want. They are based on the illusion that we are in control of our lives. Yet events seem to just happen. We can't plan for what is given. We need to trust that everything happening in our lives provides the opportunity to continue to learn to forgive. Thus, everything is orchestrated for us, and by us, for our good. We will be much more willing to accept whatever shows up when our purpose is held firmly in the mind. Jesus tells us there is nothing we can offer ourselves that will ever substitute for the peace already in us.
"If you would be a happy learner, you must give everything you have learned to the Holy Spirit, to be unlearned for you."
(T.14.II.6.1) (ACIM OE T.13.VII.61) This means that we must give him our judgments and misperceptions to be translated for us. When we hold firmly to our purpose, and when we are willing to trust that all things work together for good, we can stay focused on recognizing the ultimate good that can come out of any situation. It is not an intellectual perspective, but one we can actually apply in every circumstance, whatever it may be. It is to remember that the only truth is peace and love. The light is always with us and in us. Purification, as discussed in the Course, is letting go of what was never true so the light in us can shine forth. Purification is a necessary part of this process.
"Miracles are everyone's right, but purification is necessary first."
(T.1.I.7.1) (ACIM OE T.I.7)
When we describe a situation, we each see it from our own unique perspective. Yet the experience of Christ's vision is all the same. When we have the experience of Oneness, we have the experience of the only thing that is real and true, which will be experienced by everyone in the same way. We can
"see a world so like to Heaven"
(W.306.1.1) when we are completely willing to do so. It is there for us at this very moment. This experience of Heaven is the experience of the real world, which is described as a world of mercy and care, loving-kindness, and the peace of God. When we have this experience, we will remember that we never left. Then an ancient memory returns to us. This is the forgotten song, calling us to return home.
"Listen,---perhaps you catch a hint of an ancient state not quite forgotten; dim, perhaps, and yet not altogether unfamiliar, like a song whose name is long forgotten, and the circumstances in which you heard completely unremembered."
(T.21.I.6.1) (ACIM OE T.21.II.8)
"And so, our Father, we return to You, remembering we never went away; remembering Your holy gifts to us."
(W.306.2.1)
Today, I am grateful my way of seeing is wrong, and I turn to the Holy Spirit, asking for help to see through the eyes of Christ. I am grateful there is nothing to seek. The truth of what I am is already present in my mind. I am grateful for the willingness to do the work of uncovering the blocks to the truth I hold in my mind. I am grateful that I am patient with myself in this process, knowing I am using time for the purpose of healing. I am grateful for whatever shows up in my day, recognizing that it can all be used for healing. There is nothing good or bad about my day. I can be a happy learner, allowing it all to be used for healing purposes. I am grateful that I can look at my dark thoughts without judging myself for them, knowing they can be healed only when I am willing to bring awareness to them. I am grateful that I can always turn inward for inspiration because what I use for hate, the Holy Spirit uses for love. I am grateful that I can always rely on His Love within me. All power of our Creator is in each one of us. The gift of Christ is all I seek today.
Love and blessings, Sarah
|
|
Join ACIM Students on Free Conference Calls
Circle of Atonement Commentaries
|
|
Course in Miracles Society (@ACIM_Original) | Twitter
Follow us on TWITTER and join the ACIM community. Just use the hashtag #ACIM when you post! Students share Inspirational Quotes, Events, Personal Insights, ACIM News, and more.
Read more
twitter.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
COURSE IN MIRACLES SOCIETY
non-profit
Tax-Deductible Donation
|
Presently all CIMS projects are supported by free will gifts of time, talent, and money. If you would like to support any of the activities of the Society in any way, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Because of the international character of CIMS, the internet is our primary means of communicating and collaborating.
To make a Tax-Deductible Donation in support of the Daily Lessons just click
Here or the "DONATION" Lily.
ALSO, by means of your will or other estate plan, you can name "Course in Miracles Society" as the beneficiary of a portion of your estate, or of particular assets in your estate. In this way, you are honoring your loved ones while also providing critical support to the extension of LOVE.
|
|
CIMS | 800-771-5056 | cims@jcim.net | jcim.net
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
