It is not necessary to follow fear through all the circuitous routes by which it burrows underground and hides in darkness, to emerge in forms quite different from what it is. Yet it is necessary to examine each one as long as you would retain the principle that governs all of them. When you are willing to regard [fears], not as separate, but as different manifestations of the same idea, and one you do not want, they go together. The idea is simply this: You believe it is possible to be host to the ego or hostage to God.
You are unwilling to recognize that the ego, which you invited, is treacherous only to those who think they are its host. The ego will never let you perceive this, since this recognition would make it homeless. For when the recognition dawns clearly, you will not be deceived by any form the ego takes to protect itself from your sight. Each form will be recognized as but a cover for the one idea that hides behind them all; that love demands sacrifice, and is therefore inseparable from attack and fear. And that guilt is the price of love, which must be paid by fear.
You will not succeed in being partial hostage to the ego, for it keeps no bargains and would leave you nothing. Nor can you be partial host to it. You must choose between total freedom and total bondage, for there are no alternatives but these. You have tried many compromises in the attempt to avoid recognizing the one decision you must make. And yet it is the recognition of the decision, just as it is, that makes the decision so easy. Salvation is simple, being of God, and therefore very easy to understand. Do not try to project [salvation] from you and see it outside yourself. In you are both the question and the answer; the demand for sacrifice [the question] and the peace of God [the Answer]. (A Course in Miracles, T-15.X.5:1-4;6:4-8;9. See also ACIM Text Made Simple.)
All the distress, unhappiness and guilt we experience in the world is the effect of a single choice. By choosing to believe we are separate from the Love of God, we have denied the peace, happiness and eternal Love that is our natural state. That choice invites the ego into our mind.
We identify with the ego as our identity because we believe we want to be separate and unique. The price we pay for this choice is fear and guilt. Yet we are always free to choose once again. We are free to choose to accept God’s gift of all of Himself. In this acceptance we remember that we dwell in the peace of God eternally.
© Copyright 2018, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
You may freely share copies of this with your friends, provided this notice is included.
Has this page been helpful to you?
Your contribution in support of this site is greatly appreciated. To make a tax deductible contribution or become a member online, go to http://www.pathwaysoflight.org/polshop/home.php?cat=254.
Or send a check or money order to Pathways of Light, 6 Oak Court, Ormond Beach, FL 32174-2623 (USD only, please) Thank you for your support.