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 A Course in Miracles, Chapter 30, Section V. (pages 635-638)
The only purpose of the real world is forgiveness instead of the guilt the ego mind focuses on. This means that the purpose of the real world is to see the innocence the Holy Spirit sees behind every ‘separate’ body or personality. This purpose of forgiveness leads us to see that everyone in the dream is still the same as God created them, and that in reality nothing has happened to change God’s one Son. As we open to the real world through forgiveness, we recognize that we are still united as Love in the Mind of Love. Forgiveness, or letting go of the ego’s false ideas of separation, is seen as all the world is for. (also see Workbook Lesson 122: Forgiveness offers everything I want on page 217.)
Jesus helps us see that the cause of all pain comes from believing that separation from our Source really happened. Belief in attack thoughts (thoughts that attack God’s oneness) brings guilt with them and therefore pain.
Jesus tells us in paragraph two that in the real world we see how silly it is to believe in thoughts of separation and guilt: “The folly of pursuing guilt as goal is fully recognized. And idols are not wanted there, for guilt is understood as the sole cause of pain in any form. [In the real world] no one is tempted by [guilt’s] vain appeal, for suffering and death have been perceived as things not wanted and not striven for.” (2:3-5)
Jesus explains this in paragraph three: “There is a hope of happiness in him so sure and constant he can barely stay and wait a little longer, with his feet still touching earth. Yet is he glad to wait till every hand is joined, and every heart made ready to arise and go with him. For thus is he made ready for the step in which is all forgiveness left behind. The Final step is God’s, because it is but God Who could create a perfect Son and share His Fatherhood with him.” (3:5-7, 4:1 italics added)
He tells us, “The real world is a state in which the mind has learned how easily do idols go when they are still perceived but wanted not. How willingly the mind can let them go when it has understood that idols are nothing and nowhere, and are purposeless. For only then can guilt and sin be seen without a purpose, and as meaningless.” (5:2-4 italics added)
Jesus makes it clear here that the real world is a state of mind where we no longer want to see separation. We are willing to take every perception of separation to the Holy Spirit to be undone for us because we see that these perceptions only bring us pain and suffering. We no longer want to see a gap between ourselves, every brother and God.
The key to returning to the real world is to join Jesus or the Holy Spirit in the one purpose of returning to God, our Source. “For when they joined their hands it was Christ’s hand they took, and they will look on Him Whose hand they hold.” (7:4) As we join with Jesus, we are reminded of our real purpose. We are brought to a state of mind where we remember that there are no differences and, because we have not really left God, we remain as God created us.
Jesus tells us, “The face of Christ is looked upon before the Father is remembered.” (7:5) At the end of this section we see that when we let go of the idea that there is ‘a little gap’ between us, we willingly join with every brother.
He tells us, “The Will of God forever lies in those whose hands are joined. Until they joined, they thought He was their enemy. But when they joined and shared a purpose, they were free to learn their will is one. And thus the Will of God must reach to their awareness. Nor can they forget for long that it is but their own.” (11:1-5)
Jesus knows that we are still in a stage where we can still be tempted by the idols of the world. He helps us with this by telling us:
“Do not look back except in honesty. And when an idol tempts you, think of this: There never was a time an idol brought you anything except the ‘gift’ of guilt. Not one was bought except at cost of pain, nor was it ever paid by you alone.” (10:1-4)
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