ACIM Chapter 13. VII. Attainment of the Real World, P 16, 17

ACIM Chapter 13. VII. Attainment of the Real World, P 16, 17

VII. Attainment of the Real World, P 16

16 In me you have already overcome every temptation that would hold you back. We walk together on the way to quietness that is the gift of God. Hold me dear, for what except your brothers can you need? We will restore to you the peace of mind that we must find together. The Holy Spirit will teach you to awaken unto us and to yourself. This is the only real need to be fulfilled in time. Salvation from the world lies only here. My peace I give you. Take it of me in glad exchange for all the world has offered but to take away. And we will spread it like a veil of light across the world’s sad face, in which we hide our brothers from the world, and it from them.

“In me you have already overcome every temptation that would hold you back.”

In the Course, Jesus has told us that we need do nothing. Again, here, he is telling us that it has all been done for us. He overcame temptation, and when it was done by him, it was done for us. This is part of what it means to be One in the Mind of Christ. What is done by one is done for all. So, what does this mean to me? How does this affect me?

I think what it means is that I can relax and take this journey in peace. That I can notice the ego thoughts in my mind and know they are meaningless; therefore, I am guiltless. I can see them and let them go to the Holy Spirit. I don’t have to worry about what I find in my mind, nor do I have to struggle with it or change it. The only change required of me is that I change my mind about wanting to keep the ego deceptions. I change my mind, not out of fear or because they are evil, but because they hold me back, and I am ready to return to God.

Jesus is my brother, and everyone else is, too.

More than that, we are one. As I accept that we are one, I accept my true nature and the nature of my Creator. In that instant of acceptance, I let go of the separate self and the separate will that allowed me to experience this illusion. In that instant, I know that God’s Will is truly my will and the only will I have. Jesus is the first of us to complete the journey, and in his completion is ours. Now, all we need to do is to accept it as completed.

All the work that seems necessary is removing all that blocks our awareness. I allow the removal of these blocks daily as I choose peace rather than judgment, love rather than fear, innocence rather than guilt. I am just reminding myself of my true nature and deciding for it instead of the made-up self I chose long ago. Yes, Jesus has undone it, but I must accept it for myself. I do this as I have looked at the effect of separation and seen that I am no longer interested. What I want the Holy Spirit cannot undo, but my disinterest allows the mind to be healed.

I am awakening to Jesus and to those others who have gone before me.

They are helping me to remember. Each time I look on a brother’s confusion and refuse to become confused myself, I am a step closer. Each time I am attacked and refuse to defend myself, I am a step closer. Every time I see evil and ugliness, unkindness and guilt and fear, and instead of reacting to it, I ask for another way to see, I am a step closer.

This is how we do it. No need to be afraid, no need to doubt. It is done for us, and as we accept what has been done, we join our brother Jesus in awakening the rest of the Sonship. I am resolute in my decision for union. I will see my brother as myself, and if I falter even for a moment, I will ask for help, and Help will answer me.

VII. Attainment of the Real World, P 17

17 We cannot sing redemption’s hymn alone. My task is not completed until I have lifted every voice with mine. And yet it is not mine, for as it is my gift to you, so was it the Father’s gift to me, given me through His Spirit. The sound of it will banish sorrow from the mind of God’s most holy Son, where it cannot abide. Healing in time is needed, for joy cannot establish its eternal reign where sorrow dwells. You dwell not here, but in eternity. You travel but in dreams, while safe at home. Give thanks to every part of you that you have taught how to remember you. Thus does the Son of God give thanks unto his Father for his purity.

Ah, the dichotomy of it. I think I am here in time and space, being something I cannot be. Often, I forget it can only be a dream, and I believe in it. I believe I am Myron, and I believe this is my life and where I exist. Even when I know this is not so, I still experience it as if it were the truth. The difference now is that I can accept that this is a dream, and when I forget, I can shift back to remembering.

As I experience purification, the dream is a happier dream.

But still a dream. The truth is I exist in eternity, in joy and purity. That means I am in eternity now, even as I dream of being in time. As I have allowed my mind to be healed of this fantasy, I have learned to love and appreciate Jesus for his dedication to our awakening. He says his task is incomplete until he lifts every voice with his. I want to join you in this, Jesus. I want to help you awaken everyone.

Right now, I help by accepting the Atonement for myself. I notice each sorrow I seem to experience and ask to see differently. They are far fewer than they used to be, but the ones that come up now are the beliefs I have held close, and so it seems hard sometimes. But this I know; I choose. I choose to keep the beliefs, or I choose to let them go.

Dear Brother, I dedicate myself, as have you, to the Awakening. I surrender the self, and I willingly accept guidance.

The Manual for Teachers says this about Jesus.

It is possible to read his words and benefit from them without accepting him into your life. Yet he would help you yet a little more if you will share your pains and joys with him, and leave them both to find the peace of God.

I love you Brother, and I gratefully accept you into my life. I gratefully share my pains and joys with you. And I most gratefully leave them both to find the peace of God.

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