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 VIII. (pages 642-644)
We are deceived when we look at separate images that are in a constant state of change and think that they are reality. Because everything in this world is in a constant state of change, it cannot be real.
Jesus makes this clear to us when he says, “Reality is changeless. It is this that makes it real, and keeps [Reality] separate from all appearances. [Reality] must transcend all form to be itself. [Reality] cannot change. (1:6-8)
The miracle shows us that appearances (what we see through the body’s eyes) are simply appearances of the false idea of separation and nothing more. Because these appearances change, they are not reality. To these changing appearances, the Holy Spirit always offers us the miracle of healed perception.
Healed perception shows us the truth that: “Your brother has a changelessness in him beyond appearance and deception, both. …The happy dream about him takes the form of the appearance of his perfect health, his perfect freedom from all forms of lack, and safety from disaster of all kinds. The miracle (healed perception) is proof he is not bound by loss or suffering in any form, because it can so easily be changed. ” (2:3, 5-6)
In paragraph three we see that temptation is just a reflection of how appealing some forms of separation may still be to us. We may still want some forms of differences to be reality instead of Love’s changeless oneness. We may still be tempted to think that some forms of limitation and lack of Love are real. We still resist seeing the truth regarding our chosen forms of believing in uniqueness (separate special bodies that are in a constant state of change).
Jesus explains, “Temptation, then, is nothing more than this; a prayer the miracle touch not some dreams, but keep their unreality obscure and give to them reality instead. …You have established limits. What you ask is given you, but not of God Who knows no limits. You have limited yourself.” (3:4, 6-8)
Because of the power of our mind, we are always seeing what we desire to see. As long as we still want to see separation, that is what we will see. But desiring to see stories of separate bodies does not make the stories real. It only makes them seem real. The miracle that comes from our true Self shows us that these stories are not real. In paragraph 4 we learn: “There is no miracle you cannot have when you desire healing. But there is no miracle that can be given you unless you want it.” (4:5-6) So here we see that it is up to us when we will receive the miracles of healed perception that is always there from our true Self when we are ready. When we truly want peace instead of conflict, that is when we will receive healed perception, which releases us from the fearful thoughts of the ego.
Jesus tells us: “The Christ in [your brother] is perfect. Is it this that you would look upon? Then let there be no dreams about him that you would prefer to seeing this. And you will see the Christ in him because you let Him come to you. And when He has appeared to you, you will be certain you are like Him, for He is the changeless in your brother and in you.” (5:5-9 italics added)
Here we are seeing that our real purpose at all times is to receive the miracle of healed perception. Through healed perception we will remember (return to the truth) that the perfect Love in every brother is all that is real about him. Through healed perception we will see that only Love is there. The special forms we see in the dream of birth and death could never be real. We can relax now. We can let go of these false thoughts because they were never real.
Jesus encourages us to accept the miracle when he says, “There is no false appearance but will fade, if you request a miracle instead. There is no pain from which he is not free, if you would have him be but what he is. Why should you fear to see the Christ in him? You but behold yourself in what you see. As he is healed are you made free of guilt, for his appearance is your own to you.” (6:5-9)
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