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.
Read ACIM Chapter 12, Section V (pages 225-227)
This section shows us why we feel weak and vulnerable. It also reminds us that we are invulnerable, because, in truth, we are not separate from Love. Since Love is our strength, the decision to separate from Love (God) leaves us feeling separate from our source of strength, and therefore weak.
Believing that separation (attack) really happened and weakened us, we believe that attacking others will weaken them. This cycle of attack and defend begins with the self-attack of believing we have separated from God. That is why we are again being reminded that the only place to heal is in our own mind because that is where the problem lies.
The Course doesn’t tell us not to attack. It helps us learn that attack has no effect. As we learn this we do not have to “discipline” ourselves not to attack; we simply don’t do it because we see no benefit from it. As always the Course leads us to the root of the problem, which is the belief that we have separated from the Source of our real strength — the Holy Spirit’s Love.
We chose the ego’s curriculum when we chose to believe in a world of form and separate bodies with private thoughts and unique personalities. This curriculum teaches that separation is real and the oneness of Love is not. So the goal of any ego curriculum is to maintain separation and not know Love. Since this is completely contrary to our true nature, this curriculum introduces a split in our mind, which must be maintained in order to make the ego’s curriculum believable. The ego will always avoid any learning that might open our minds to a curriculum that leads us back to our unity with our Creator.
Yet because Love is our true nature, we still do truly want to learn to recognize What we are. Beneath the insane choices of the split mind, it is still our choice to learn the truth. But we will not learn as long as we insist in teaching ourselves that separation is real. We are told, “Resign now as your own teacher. This recognition will not lead to depression. It is merely the result of an honest appraisal of what you have taught yourself, and of the learning outcomes that have resulted.” (8:3-5)
We can only learn truly when we follow the guidance of our inner Teacher, the Holy Spirit, Who provides us with constant, clear-cut direction if we let Him. “You need offer only undivided attention. Everything else will be given you.” (9:4-5)
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