How does one overcome illusions? Surely not by force or anger, nor by opposing them in any way. Merely by letting reason tell you that they contradict reality. They go against what must be true. The opposition comes from [illusions], and not reality. Reality opposes nothing. What merely is needs no defense, and offers none. Only illusions need defense because of weakness. And how can it be difficult to walk the way of truth when only weakness interferes? You are the strong one in this seeming conflict. And you need no defense. Everything that needs defense you do not want, for anything that needs defense will weaken you.
Forget not, when you feel the need arise to be defensive about anything, you have identified yourself with an illusion. And therefore feel that you are weak because you are alone. This is the cost of all illusions. Not one [illusion] but rests on the belief that you are separate. Not one that does not seem to stand, heavy and solid and immovable, between you and your brother. And not one that truth cannot pass over lightly, and so easily that you must be convinced, in spite of what you thought it was, that it is nothing. If you forgive your brother, this must happen. For it is your unwillingness to overlook what seems to stand between you and your brother that makes it look impenetrable, and defends the illusion of its immovability. (A Course in Miracles, T-22.V.1;6. See also ACIM Text Q & A.)
Our strength lies in our unity with God, the only Source of strength. We feel fearful and defensive only because we have identified with an illusion of our self, which denies God’s strength in us. Our belief in a false self that is powerless makes us unaware of our real strength. God’s strength is always with us, whether we are aware of it or not.
As long as we believe we are a powerless, separate self, we will defend this image even unto death. We need to be taught that there is another Self, the one Self we all share that is united with the strength of God. The Holy Spirit will teach us to see past the false separate image we project on our brother. Beyond that false image is the Light of Love, harmless yet with power that needs no defense.
Forgiveness teaches us that what appears to happen between “battling” images has no effect on our one Self. There is truly no need to defend what cannot harm nor be harmed. Today we forgive by welcoming the Holy Spirit’s vision, which will always show us the Light of Love beyond all images of separation.
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