There is a very simple way to find the door to true forgiveness, and perceive it open wide in welcome. When you feel that you are tempted to accuse someone of sin in any form, do not allow your mind to dwell on what you think he did, for that is self-deception. Ask instead, “Would I accuse myself of doing this?”
Thus will you see alternatives for choice in terms that render choosing meaningful, and keep your mind as free of guilt and pain as God Himself intended it to be, and as it is in truth. It is but lies that would condemn. In truth is innocence the only thing there is. Forgiveness stands between illusions and the truth; between the world you see and that which lies beyond; between the hell of guilt and Heaven’s gate.
Across this bridge [of true forgiveness], as powerful as love which laid its blessing on it, are all dreams of evil and of hatred and attack brought silently to truth. (A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson 134, W-pI.134.9:1-11:1. See also ACIM Lesson 134 Insights.)
When we are tempted to judge another, we need to answer the question, “Would I accuse myself of doing this?” with complete honesty. This means we must ask the Holy Spirit for help with this answer, for the ego offers only self deception. “The ego is nothing more than a part of your belief about yourself.” (T-4.VI.1:6) Its answers are always based on a false belief.
If we ask the Holy Spirit’s help with this answer, He will show us how our projection on another is a reflection of our belief about what we are. The Holy Spirit is not deceived by the form of the error perceived in a brother. The ego deceives with form that has no real content. The Holy Spirit looks beyond the form to show us our mistaken beliefs and the truth beyond them.
As He shows us our mistaken belief, His vision reveals the truth of our changelessness in God’s Love. He knows that we are Love and nothing else, united with our Creator. By joining with the Holy Spirit to see beyond the form, we learn that nothing has happened to harm or change God’s Son, our true Self. Now forgiveness comes easy, for we recognize there is truly nothing to forgive.
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