Difference between revisions of "ACIM Workbook - Lesson 131"
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| − | No one can fail who seeks to reach the truth. | + | No one can fail who seeks to reach the [[truth]]. |
| − | Failure is all about you while you seek for goals that cannot be achieved. | + | [[Failure]] is all about you while you seek for [[goals]] that cannot be [[achieved]]. |
| − | You look for permanence in the impermanent, for love where there is none, | + | You look for permanence in the impermanent, for [[love]] where there is none, |
| − | for safety in the midst of danger; immortality within the darkness of the | + | for safety in the midst of [[danger]]; [[immortality]] within the darkness of the |
| − | dream of death. Who could succeed where contradiction is the setting of his | + | dream of [[death]]. Who could succeed where [[contradiction]] is the setting of his |
| − | searching, and the place to which he comes to find stability? | + | searching, and the place to which he comes to find [[stability]]? |
| − | Goals that are meaningless are not attained. There is no way to reach them, | + | Goals that are meaningless are not [[attained]]. There is no way to reach them, |
| − | for the means by which you strive for them are meaningless as they are. | + | for [[the means]] by which you strive for them are meaningless as they are. |
| − | Who can use such senseless means, and hope through them to gain in | + | Who can use such senseless means, and [[hope]] through them to gain in |
| − | anything? Where can they lead? And what could they achieve that offers | + | anything? Where can they lead? And what could they [[achieve]] that offers |
| − | any hope of being real? Pursuit of the imagined leads to death because it is | + | any hope of being real? Pursuit of the [[imagined]] leads to [[death]] because it is |
| − | the search for nothingness, and while you seek for life you ask for death. | + | the search for nothingness, and while you seek for life you ask for [[death]]. |
| − | You look for safety and security, while in your heart you pray for danger | + | You look for safety and security, while in your [[heart]] you pray for danger |
| − | and protection for the little dream you made. | + | and [[protection]] for the little dream you made. |
| − | Yet searching is inevitable here. For this you came, and you will surely do | + | Yet searching is [[inevitable]] here. For this you came, and you will surely do |
| − | the thing you came for. But the world can not dictate the goal for which you | + | the thing you came for. But the world can not [[dictate]] the goal for which you |
| − | search, unless you give it power to do so. Otherwise, you still are free to | + | search, unless you give it [[power]] to do so. Otherwise, you still are free to |
choose a goal that lies beyond the world and every worldly thought, and one | choose a goal that lies beyond the world and every worldly thought, and one | ||
that comes to you from an idea relinquished yet remembered, old yet new; | that comes to you from an idea relinquished yet remembered, old yet new; | ||
| − | an echo of a heritage forgot, yet holding everything you really want. | + | an [[echo]] of a [[heritage]] forgot, yet holding [[everything]] you really want. |
| − | Be glad that search you must. Be glad as well to learn you search for | + | Be glad that search you must. Be glad as well to [[learn]] you search for |
| − | Heaven, and must find the goal you really want. No one can fail to want this | + | [[Heaven]], and must find the goal you really want. No one can fail to want this |
| − | goal and reach it in the end. God's Son can not seek vainly, though he try to | + | [[goal]] and reach it in the end. God's Son can not seek vainly, though he try to |
| − | force delay, deceive himself and think that it is hell he seeks. When he is | + | force [[delay]], [[deceive]] himself and think that it is [[hell]] he seeks. When he is |
| − | wrong, he finds correction. When he wanders off, he is led back to his | + | wrong, he finds [[correction]]. When he [[wanders]] off, he is led back to his |
appointed task. | appointed task. | ||
| − | No one remains in hell, for no one can abandon his Creator, nor affect His | + | No one remains in hell, for no one can [[abandon]] his [[Creator]], nor affect His |
| − | perfect, timeless and unchanging Love. You will find Heaven. Everything | + | [[perfect]], timeless and unchanging [[Love]]. You will find [[Heaven]]. Everything |
you seek but this will fall away. Yet not because it has been taken from you. | you seek but this will fall away. Yet not because it has been taken from you. | ||
It will go because you do not want it. You will reach the goal you really | It will go because you do not want it. You will reach the goal you really | ||
want as certainly as God created you in sinlessness. | want as certainly as God created you in sinlessness. | ||
| − | Why wait for Heaven? It is here today. Time is the great illusion it is past or | + | Why wait for Heaven? It is here today. Time is the great [[illusion]] it is [[past]] or |
| − | in the future. Yet this cannot be, if it is where God wills His Son to be. How | + | in the [[future]]. Yet this cannot be, if it is where God wills His Son to be. How |
| − | could the Will of God be in the past, or yet to happen? What He wills is | + | could the [[Will of God]] be in the past, or yet to happen? What He wills is |
now, without a past and wholly futureless. It is as far removed from time as | now, without a past and wholly futureless. It is as far removed from time as | ||
| − | is a tiny candle from a distant star, or what you chose from what you really | + | is a tiny candle from a distant [[star]], or what you chose from what you really |
want. | want. | ||
| − | Heaven remains your one alternative to this strange world you made and all | + | [[Heaven]] remains your one [[alternative]] to this [[strange]] world you made and all |
| − | its ways; its shifting patterns and uncertain goals, its painful pleasures and | + | its ways; its shifting [[patterns]] and uncertain goals, its [[painful]] [[pleasures]] and |
| − | its tragic joys. God made no contradictions. What denies its own existence | + | its [[tragic]] [[joys]]. God made no [[contradictions]]. What denies its own existence |
| − | and attacks itself is not of Him. He did not make two minds, with Heaven as | + | and attacks itself is not of Him. He did not make two [[minds]], with Heaven as |
the glad effect of one, and earth the other's sorry outcome which is Heaven's | the glad effect of one, and earth the other's sorry outcome which is Heaven's | ||
opposite in every way. | opposite in every way. | ||
| − | God does not suffer conflict. Nor is His creation split in two. How could it | + | God does not suffer [[conflict]]. Nor is His [[creation]] split in two. How could it |
| − | be His Son could be in hell, when God Himself established him in Heaven? | + | be His Son could be in [[hell]], when God Himself established him in [[Heaven]]? |
Could he lose what the Eternal Will has given him to be his home forever? | Could he lose what the Eternal Will has given him to be his home forever? | ||
| − | Let us not try longer to impose an alien will upon God's single purpose. He | + | Let us not try longer to impose an alien will upon God's single [[purpose]]. He |
is here because He wills to be, and what He wills is present now, beyond the | is here because He wills to be, and what He wills is present now, beyond the | ||
reach of time. | reach of time. | ||
| − | Today we will not choose a paradox in place of truth. How could the Son of | + | Today we will not choose a [[paradox]] in place of [[truth]]. How could the Son of |
| − | God make time to take away the Will of God? He thus denies himself, and | + | God make time to take away the [[Will of God]]? He thus denies himself, and |
| − | contradicts what has no opposite. He thinks he made a hell opposing | + | contradicts what has no opposite. He thinks he made a [[hell]] opposing |
| − | Heaven, and believes that he abides in what does not exist, while Heaven is | + | [[Heaven]], and believes that he abides in what does not exist, while Heaven is |
the place he cannot find. | the place he cannot find. | ||
| − | Leave foolish thoughts like these behind today, and turn your mind to true | + | Leave [[foolish]] [[thoughts]] like these behind today, and turn [[your mind]] to true |
| − | ideas instead. No one can fail who seeks to reach the truth, and it is truth we | + | ideas instead. No one can fail who seeks to reach the [[truth]], and it is truth we |
seek to reach today. We will devote ten minutes to this goal three times | seek to reach today. We will devote ten minutes to this goal three times | ||
today, and we will ask to see the rising of the real world to replace the | today, and we will ask to see the rising of the real world to replace the | ||
foolish images that we hold dear, with true ideas arising in the place of | foolish images that we hold dear, with true ideas arising in the place of | ||
| − | thoughts that have no meaning, no effect, and neither source nor substance | + | thoughts that have no [[meaning]], no [[effect]], and neither source nor substance |
in the truth. | in the truth. | ||
| − | This we acknowledge as we start upon our practice periods. Begin with this: | + | This we acknowledge as we start upon our [[practice]] periods. Begin with this: |
| − | <center>''I ask to see a different world, and think a different kind of thought from | + | <center>''I ask to see a [[different]] world, and think a different kind of thought from |
those I made.''</center> | those I made.''</center> | ||
| − | <center>''The world I seek I did not make alone, the thoughts I want to think are not | + | <center>''The world I seek I did not make [[alone]], the thoughts I want to think are not |
my own.''</center> | my own.''</center> | ||
| − | For several minutes watch your mind and see, although your eyes are | + | For several minutes watch [[your mind]] and see, although your eyes are |
closed, the senseless world you think is real. Review the thoughts as well | closed, the senseless world you think is real. Review the thoughts as well | ||
| − | which are compatible with such a world, and which you think are true. Then | + | which are [[compatible]] with such a world, and which you think are true. Then |
let them go, and sink below them to the holy place where they can enter not. | let them go, and sink below them to the holy place where they can enter not. | ||
| − | There is a door beneath them in your mind, which you could not completely | + | There is a door beneath them in your [[mind]], which you could not completely |
lock to hide what lies beyond. | lock to hide what lies beyond. | ||
Seek for that door and find it. But before you try to open it, remind yourself | Seek for that door and find it. But before you try to open it, remind yourself | ||
| − | no one can fail who seeks to reach the truth. And it is this request you make | + | no one can fail who seeks to reach the [[truth]]. And it is this request you make |
| − | today. Nothing but this has any meaning now; no other goal is valued now | + | today. Nothing but this has any [[meaning]] now; no other goal is [[valued]] now |
nor sought, nothing before this door you really want, and only what lies past | nor sought, nothing before this door you really want, and only what lies past | ||
it do you seek. | it do you seek. | ||
Put out your hand, and see how easily the door swings open with your one | Put out your hand, and see how easily the door swings open with your one | ||
| − | intent to go beyond it. Angels light the way, so that all darkness vanishes, | + | [[intent]] to go beyond it. [[Angels]] [[light]] the way, so that all [[darkness]] vanishes, |
| − | and you are standing in a light so bright and clear that you can understand | + | and you are standing in a light so bright and clear that you can [[understand]] |
| − | all things you see. A tiny moment of surprise, perhaps, will make you pause | + | all things you see. A tiny moment of [[surprise]], perhaps, will make you pause |
| − | before you realize the world you see before you in the light reflects the truth | + | before you [[realize]] the world you see before you in the light reflects the truth |
| − | you knew, and did not quite forget in wandering away in dreams. | + | you knew, and did not quite forget in [[wandering]] away in dreams. |
| − | You cannot fail today. There walks with you the Spirit Heaven sent you, | + | You cannot fail today. There walks with you the [[Spirit]] [[Heaven]] sent you, |
that you might approach this door some day, and through His aid slip | that you might approach this door some day, and through His aid slip | ||
effortlessly past it, to the light. Today that day has come. Today God keeps | effortlessly past it, to the light. Today that day has come. Today God keeps | ||
| − | His ancient promise to His holy Son, as does His Son remember his to Him. | + | His [[ancient]] [[promise]] to His holy Son, as does His Son remember his to Him. |
This is a day of gladness, for we come to the appointed time and place | This is a day of gladness, for we come to the appointed time and place | ||
| − | where you will find the goal of all your searching here, and all the seeking | + | where you will find the [[goal]] of all your searching here, and all the seeking |
of the world, which end together as you pass beyond the door. | of the world, which end together as you pass beyond the door. | ||
Remember often that today should be a time of special gladness, and refrain | Remember often that today should be a time of special gladness, and refrain | ||
| − | from dismal thoughts and meaningless laments. Salvation's time has come. | + | from dismal thoughts and meaningless [[laments]]. [[Salvation]]'s [[time]] has come. |
| − | Today is set by Heaven itself to be a time of grace for you and for the | + | Today is set by Heaven itself to be a time of [[grace]] for you and for the |
| − | world. If you forget this happy fact, remind yourself with this: | + | world. If you forget this happy [[fact]], remind yourself with this: |
<center>''Today I seek and find all that I want.''</center> | <center>''Today I seek and find all that I want.''</center> | ||
| − | <center>''My single purpose offers it to me.''</center> | + | <center>''My single [[purpose]] offers it to me.''</center> |
| − | <center>''No one can fail who seeks to reach the truth.''</center> | + | <center>''No one can fail who seeks to reach the [[truth]].''</center> |
[[Category: Workbook I]] | [[Category: Workbook I]] | ||
Latest revision as of 20:32, 15 August 2015
No one can fail who seeks to reach the truth.
Failure is all about you while you seek for goals that cannot be achieved. You look for permanence in the impermanent, for love where there is none, for safety in the midst of danger; immortality within the darkness of the dream of death. Who could succeed where contradiction is the setting of his searching, and the place to which he comes to find stability?
Goals that are meaningless are not attained. There is no way to reach them, for the means by which you strive for them are meaningless as they are. Who can use such senseless means, and hope through them to gain in anything? Where can they lead? And what could they achieve that offers any hope of being real? Pursuit of the imagined leads to death because it is the search for nothingness, and while you seek for life you ask for death. You look for safety and security, while in your heart you pray for danger and protection for the little dream you made.
Yet searching is inevitable here. For this you came, and you will surely do the thing you came for. But the world can not dictate the goal for which you search, unless you give it power to do so. Otherwise, you still are free to choose a goal that lies beyond the world and every worldly thought, and one that comes to you from an idea relinquished yet remembered, old yet new; an echo of a heritage forgot, yet holding everything you really want.
Be glad that search you must. Be glad as well to learn you search for Heaven, and must find the goal you really want. No one can fail to want this goal and reach it in the end. God's Son can not seek vainly, though he try to force delay, deceive himself and think that it is hell he seeks. When he is wrong, he finds correction. When he wanders off, he is led back to his appointed task.
No one remains in hell, for no one can abandon his Creator, nor affect His perfect, timeless and unchanging Love. You will find Heaven. Everything you seek but this will fall away. Yet not because it has been taken from you. It will go because you do not want it. You will reach the goal you really want as certainly as God created you in sinlessness.
Why wait for Heaven? It is here today. Time is the great illusion it is past or in the future. Yet this cannot be, if it is where God wills His Son to be. How could the Will of God be in the past, or yet to happen? What He wills is now, without a past and wholly futureless. It is as far removed from time as is a tiny candle from a distant star, or what you chose from what you really want.
Heaven remains your one alternative to this strange world you made and all its ways; its shifting patterns and uncertain goals, its painful pleasures and its tragic joys. God made no contradictions. What denies its own existence and attacks itself is not of Him. He did not make two minds, with Heaven as the glad effect of one, and earth the other's sorry outcome which is Heaven's opposite in every way.
God does not suffer conflict. Nor is His creation split in two. How could it be His Son could be in hell, when God Himself established him in Heaven? Could he lose what the Eternal Will has given him to be his home forever? Let us not try longer to impose an alien will upon God's single purpose. He is here because He wills to be, and what He wills is present now, beyond the reach of time.
Today we will not choose a paradox in place of truth. How could the Son of God make time to take away the Will of God? He thus denies himself, and contradicts what has no opposite. He thinks he made a hell opposing Heaven, and believes that he abides in what does not exist, while Heaven is the place he cannot find.
Leave foolish thoughts like these behind today, and turn your mind to true ideas instead. No one can fail who seeks to reach the truth, and it is truth we seek to reach today. We will devote ten minutes to this goal three times today, and we will ask to see the rising of the real world to replace the foolish images that we hold dear, with true ideas arising in the place of thoughts that have no meaning, no effect, and neither source nor substance in the truth.
This we acknowledge as we start upon our practice periods. Begin with this:
For several minutes watch your mind and see, although your eyes are closed, the senseless world you think is real. Review the thoughts as well which are compatible with such a world, and which you think are true. Then let them go, and sink below them to the holy place where they can enter not. There is a door beneath them in your mind, which you could not completely lock to hide what lies beyond.
Seek for that door and find it. But before you try to open it, remind yourself no one can fail who seeks to reach the truth. And it is this request you make today. Nothing but this has any meaning now; no other goal is valued now nor sought, nothing before this door you really want, and only what lies past it do you seek.
Put out your hand, and see how easily the door swings open with your one intent to go beyond it. Angels light the way, so that all darkness vanishes, and you are standing in a light so bright and clear that you can understand all things you see. A tiny moment of surprise, perhaps, will make you pause before you realize the world you see before you in the light reflects the truth you knew, and did not quite forget in wandering away in dreams.
You cannot fail today. There walks with you the Spirit Heaven sent you, that you might approach this door some day, and through His aid slip effortlessly past it, to the light. Today that day has come. Today God keeps His ancient promise to His holy Son, as does His Son remember his to Him. This is a day of gladness, for we come to the appointed time and place where you will find the goal of all your searching here, and all the seeking of the world, which end together as you pass beyond the door.
Remember often that today should be a time of special gladness, and refrain from dismal thoughts and meaningless laments. Salvation's time has come. Today is set by Heaven itself to be a time of grace for you and for the world. If you forget this happy fact, remind yourself with this:
