November 1, 2016
How many times have we “sacrificed” something for another or for the greater good? Do we sacrifice anything real and eternal? If we look with different eyes on what we “sacrifice” we might see that it is something that is not real at all, but temporary and physical. Our ego, which we see as our identity and believe to be who we are, relies on the idea that sacrifice is necessary. The Course tells us this about ego, sacrifice and relationships:
In one way or another, every relationship the ego makes is based on the idea that by sacrificing itself, it becomes bigger. The “sacrifice,” which it regards as purification, is actually the root of its bitter resentment. For it would prefer to attack directly, and avoid delaying what it really wants. Yet the ego acknowledges “reality” as it sees it, and recognizes that no one could interpret direct attack as love. Yet to make guilty is direct attack, although it does not seem to be. For the guilty expect attack, and having asked for it they are attracted to it. T-15.VII.6L1-6
One of the mistakes we often make is to think the ego is independent from each of us. The ego is an idea we made and convinced ourselves is not of our making and thus is beyond our control. We each gave and continuously give our egoic thought system the control we think it has over our thinking and believe it is out of our control. The idea of sacrifice is clearly imbued with the belief in lack and scarcity, though we are unwilling to see this obvious condition. Our relationships in this world are where we get to demonstrate what we believe about ourselves and each other. If we believe sacrifice is necessary, we will sacrifice to seek love.
In such insane relationships, the attraction of what we do not want seems to be much stronger than the attraction of what we do want. For each one thinks that they have sacrificed something to the other, and hates them for it. Yet this is what we think we want. We are not in love with the other at all. We merely believe we are in love with sacrifice. Thus, we can blame each other for the sacrifice we have made for the other in our search for what we want when we don’t find it there.
Whenever you are angry, you can be sure that you have formed a special relationship which the ego has “blessed,” for anger is its blessing. Anger takes many forms, but it cannot long deceive those who will learn that love brings no guilt at all, and what brings guilt cannot be love and must be anger. All anger is nothing more than an attempt to make someone feel guilty, and this attempt is the only basis the ego accepts for special relationships. Guilt is the only need the ego has, and as long as you identify with it, guilt will remain attractive to you. Yet remember this; to be with a body is not communication. And if you think it is, you will feel guilty about communication and will be afraid to hear the Holy Spirit, recognizing in Its Voice your own need to communicate. T-15.VII.10:1-6
What blessing do we really want? Do we want the ego’s blessing – anger, or do we want Spirit’s blessing – love? Sunday’s ACIM Weekly Thought was:
“Miracles are thoughts. Thoughts can represent the lower or bodily level of experience, or the higher or spiritual level of experience. One makes the physical, and the other creates the spiritual.” (T-1.I.12:1-3)
Will we align our relationships with the lower or physical level or the higher or spiritual level? Our experience will tell us which we choose. It is our choice to release the lower or physical level and give up sacrifice and choose the higher or spiritual level. It is the difference between “special” and holy relationships. Release your need to sacrifice and offer the miracle of a healed relationship free of attack, guilt and sacrifice. Real love will become apparent in that release.
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