A Course in Miracles Text Made Simple

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Chapter 27: The Healing of the Dream

Section VII. The Dreamer of the Dream

Read A Course in Miracles, Chapter 27, Section VII. (pages 581-585)

What is the purpose of suffering to the ego thought system?

To the ego thought system, suffering is salvation. Why? The ego’s basic underlying belief is that we are guilty for choosing to experience separation and trying to be different from the oneness of our Source. Finding this guilt intolerable, we attempt to ‘buy our innocence’ by projecting this guilt onto an outside world. We do this by focusing on the idea that we are suffering at “another’s” hands.

This dream script of suffering at the hands of another is the ego’s chosen method to hide the underlying ego belief that we are guilty to the core (original sin). As long as we hold onto the ego thought system we will be attracted to stories of suffering and thinking that suffering is our salvation.

How long will we hold onto this ‘suffering is salvation’ ego script? We will hold onto the idea of suffering as long as we insist that the source of the suffering is outside of our own split mind.

How do we release ourselves from this repeating cycle of suffering?

Jesus very carefully defines the mistaken ideas that set up the repeating cycle: “The ‘reasoning’ by which the world is made, on which it rests, by which it is maintained, is simply this: ‘You are the cause of what I do. Your presence justifies my wrath, and you exist and think apart from me. While you attack I must be innocent. And what I suffer from is your attack.’ No one who looks upon this ‘reasoning’ exactly as it is could fail to see it does not follow and it makes no sense. Yet it seems sensible, because it looks as if the world were hurting you.” (3:1-6) Seeing that the problem is in our own thinking and not ‘out there’ is seeing the problem where it is.

Jesus then explains that to reverse this repeating cycle of suffering is to let go of condemnation, which is the purpose of the world according to the ego. To free ourselves from suffering we need to let go of the ego’s pattern of projecting guilt onto another to make it look like we are the innocent victim. He says, “The world’s escape from condemnation is a need which those within the world are joined in sharing.” (4:2)

What is the purpose of the world according to the ego?

The purpose of the world is to see a guilty world that is outside of us. By projecting the guilt that is still in our minds, we do not recognize that what we are seeing is coming from our own minds and is not ‘out there.’

Jesus expands on this: “Of one thing you were sure: of all the many causes you perceived as bringing pain and suffering to you, your guilt was not among them. Nor did you in any way request them for yourself. This is how all illusions came about. The one who makes them does not see himself as making them, and their reality does not depend on him. Whatever cause they have is something quite apart from him, and what he sees is separate from his mind. He cannot doubt his dreams’ reality, because he does not see the part he plays in making them and making them seem real.” (7:4-9) By deceiving ourselves into believing the world is outside us, we keep the ego thought system in place.

How do we awaken without fear?

Jesus tells us that as we open to our inner Comforter and Guide, we are brought to a gentler dream that precedes our awakening. With the Holy Spirit as our Guide, we let go of condemnation and blame because we recognize that it is not ‘out there.’ With Holy Spirit we are brought to dreaming of our brother’s innocence instead of seeing him as guilty. We are brought to a happy dream instead of dreams of fear and guilt.

“He brings forgiving dreams, in which the choice is not who is the murderer and who shall be the victim. In the dreams He brings there is no murder and there is no death. The dream of guilt is fading from your sight, although your eyes are closed. A smile has come to lighten up your sleeping face. The sleep is peaceful now, for these are happy dreams.” (14:4-8) So here we see that the happy dream is dreaming of our brother’s innocence instead of seeing him as guilty.

How does Jesus specifically describe the happy dream?

In the happy dream, we have deep appreciation for the gifts each brother brings with him as we see his innocence. Jesus tells us: “Dream softly of your sinless brother, who unites with you in holy innocence. And from this dream the Lord of Heaven will Himself awaken His beloved Son. Dream of your brother’s kindnesses instead of dwelling in your dreams on his mistakes. Select his thoughtfulness to dream about instead of counting up the hurts he gave. Forgive him his illusions, and give thanks to him for all the helpfulness he gave. And do not brush aside his many gifts because he is not perfect in your dreams. He represents his Father, Whom you see as offering both life and death to you.” (15:1-7)

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