A Course in Miracles Text Made Simple

To gain the most from A Course in Miracles Text Made Simple, we recommend that
you read the corresponding chapter and section in the Text of the Second or
Third Edition of A Course in Miracles published by the Foundation for Inner Peace.

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Chapter 8: The Journey Back

Section VIII: The Body as Means or End

Read ACIM Chapter 8, Section VIII (pages 155-157)

What decides what the body is used for?

In the last section we were told that the body has no purpose at all apart from the mind. It is the mind that decides what the body is used for. In this dream of a world that comes from the belief in separation, the mind seems to have a choice of voices or guides to listen to. One voice seeks only to separate and uses the body to attack for this purpose. The other Voice seeks only to unify and uses the body to communicate with ‘other’ minds to remind them of our unity. We are always free to choose which voice to listen to, though only one is real.

What is the body to the ego?

When we choose to listen to the unreal voice of the ego, we will always be directed to perceive separation, which attacks our wholeness in God. To the ego then, the body is a weapon, to be used in defense of separation. The ego equates us with the body which seems to demonstrate that we have separated from God. By equating us with the body, the ego teaches us that we are separate from God and therefore do not share God’s strength. The ego also teaches that because we no longer share God’s strength, we are weak and vulnerable. “Sickness is a way of demonstrating that you can be hurt. It is a witness to your frailty, your vulnerability, and your extreme need to depend on external guidance. The ego uses this as its best argument for your need for its guidance.” (6:1-3)

What happens when we give the function of judgment to the Holy Spirit?

On the other hand the Holy Spirit sees the body as a means of communicating our unity. “The Holy Spirit teaches you to use your body only to reach your brothers, so he can teach His message through you. This will heal them and therefore heal you.” (9:1-2) As we are willing to give the function of judgment to the Holy Spirit, we will see the false ideas of the ego for what they are and lay them aside. We will lay down our perceptions of littleness and vulnerability. We will let go of all attempts to use the body lovelessly. “Health is the beginning of the proper perspective on life under the guidance of the one Teacher Who knows what life is, being the Voice for Life Itself.” (9:10)

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