October 15, 2019
We can learn a lot about ourselves and where we are by looking at our state of mind. Be honest with yourself about this. The beliefs we hold about ourselves have a great affect on our state of mind. It has everything to do with our state of mind. We are created whole. We are created sinless. We are created holy and incorruptible. Do any of us really believe any of this about ourselves? We have convinced ourselves we are at the mercy of a world we don’t understand, circumstances and others who would attack us and deprive us. And we are offended when anyone says we might be mistaken.
The state of sinlessness is merely this: The whole desire to attack is gone, and so there is no reason to perceive the One Child of God as other than they are. The need for guilt is gone because it has no purpose, and is meaningless without the goal of sin. Attack and sin are bound as one illusion, each the cause and aim and justifier of the other. Each is meaningless alone, but seems to draw a meaning from the other. Each depends upon the other for whatever sense it seems to have. And no one could believe in one unless the other were the truth, for each attests the other must be true. T-25.V.1:1-6
We tend to dwell on our shortcomings and imperfections. And then we compare our own with another’s. Most often we form the opinion and belief that ours are less momentous than another’s. How convenient for us! Yet, we still experience dissatisfaction, disappointment and unhappiness. Somehow it’s just not enough, so we attack instead. Perhaps we attack another or perhaps ourselves. It becomes a never-ending circle of guilt and blame. Dare we think there could be another way? If we asked ourselves and really listened for an answer, there just might be a better way.
The Course proposes another way. The Course tells us we already know the way but have blocked our awareness of it. This way is already within us and we find it by looking beyond the appearance of the world to a reality beyond. We have made assumptions about what is real and what is not throughout our lives. Our state of mind is the indicator of the health of our beliefs – the health of our state of mind. This is what the Course means by the healing of the mind. No one need do anything for healing except change their own mind.
The One Holy Child asks only one thing of us; that we return to them what is their due, that we may share in it with them. Neither of us has this alone. It remains useless to each of us alone. Together, it will give to each an equal strength to save the other, and save themselves alike. Forgiven by you, your savior offers you salvation. Condemned by you, they offer condemnation to you. In everyone we see the reflection of what we choose to have them be to us. We find what we are looking for walking side by side with each other.
It is no sacrifice that they be saved, for by their freedom will you gain your own. To let their function be fulfilled is but the means to let yours be. And so you walk toward Heaven or toward hell, but not alone. How beautiful their sinlessness will be when you perceive it! And how great will be your joy, when they are free to offer you the gift of sight the One gave to them for you! They have no need but this; that you allow them freedom to complete the task the One gave to them. Remembering but this; that what they do you do, along with them. And as you see them, so do you define the function they will have for you, until you see them differently and let them be what the One appointed that they be to you. T-25.V.5:1-8
Turn to the one next to you and allow Spirit to show you a new way of seeing them. They are your savior in this moment as you are their savior. There is nothing for us to lose except dissatisfaction and unhappiness. Would it not be worth a change of mind to realize the joy of Heaven that lies within every one of us? Be willing to take the step, and then actually take it. We do not take this step alone, ever, for we truly ate all One.
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