Perception selects, and makes the world you see. It literally picks it out as the mind directs. The laws of size and shape and brightness would hold, perhaps, if other things were equal. They are not equal. For what you look for you are far more likely to discover than what you would prefer to overlook. The still, small Voice for God is not drowned out by all the ego’s raucous screams and senseless ravings to those who want to hear It. Perception is a choice and not a fact. But on this choice depends far more than you may realize as yet. For on the voice you choose to hear, and on the sights you choose to see, depends entirely your whole belief in what you are. Perception is a witness but to [your belief in what you are], and never to reality.
Reality needs no cooperation from you to be itself. But your awareness of [reality] needs your help, because [awareness] is your choice. Listen to what the ego says, and see what it directs you see, and it is sure that you will see yourself as tiny, vulnerable and afraid. You will experience depression, a sense of worthlessness, and feelings of impermanence and unreality.
There is another vision and another Voice in which your freedom lies, awaiting but your choice. And if you place your faith in Them [another vision and Voice], you will perceive another self in you. This other self sees miracles as natural. [Miracles] are as simple and as natural to [this other true Self] as breathing to the body. They are the obvious response to calls for help, the only one [this Self] makes. Miracles seem unnatural to the ego because it does not understand how separate minds can influence each other. Nor could they do so. But minds cannot be separate. This other self is perfectly aware of this. And thus it recognizes that miracles do not affect another’s mind, only its own. They always change your mind. There is no other [mind]. (, A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson 1, T-21.V.1:1-10;2:1-4;3. See also ACIM Text Made Simple.)
Our true Self sees past the ego’s images of separation and listens to the Voice that speaks to us of our unity in Love. As we give our attention to this one Self that is united with the Reality of Love, we recognize our oneness with our brothers. This one Self responds to behaviors of fear and guilt with helpfulness. These behaviors are recognized as calls for Love. The natural response is to answer with Love. This is the miracle that heals our mistaken belief that separation is real.
Let us join together in the practice of following Holy Spirit’s lead to answer calls for Love with helpfulness and Love. This practice will bring healing to our minds.
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