The holy relationship is the expression of the holy instant in living in this world. ²Like everything about salvation, the holy instant is a practical device, witnessed to by its results. ³The holy instant never fails. ⁴The experience of it is always felt. ⁵Yet without expression it is not remembered. ⁶The holy relationship is a constant reminder of the experience in which the relationship became what it is. ⁷And as the unholy relationship is a continuing hymn of hate in praise of its maker, so is the holy relationship a happy song of praise to the Redeemer of relationships.
The holy relationship, a major step toward the perception of the real world, is learned. ²It is the old, unholy relationship, transformed and seen anew. ³The holy relationship is a phenomenal teaching accomplishment. ⁴In all its aspects, as it begins, develops and becomes accomplished, it represents the reversal of the unholy relationship. ⁵Be comforted in this; the only difficult phase is the beginning. ⁶For here, the goal of the relationship is abruptly shifted to the exact opposite of what it was. ⁷This is the first result of offering the relationship to the Holy Spirit, to use for His purposes.
²Only a radical shift in purpose could induce a complete change of mind about what the whole relationship is for. ³As this change develops and is finally accomplished, it grows increasingly beneficent and joyous. ⁴But at the beginning, the situation is experienced as very precarious. (A Course in Miracles, T-17.V.1:1–2:7;5:2-4. See also ACIM Text Made Simple.)
Relationships in the world are central to the Course’s lessons for awakening us to our true relationship with God. Our only real relationship is with God. Because all of God’s Sons are one with Him, our relationship with Him is our relationship with everyone. The Holy Spirit uses our relationships in the world as a classroom to lead us to the experience of our oneness in Love.
The ego’s purpose for relationships is completely opposite to the Holy Spirit’s. The ego’s denial of our oneness with God plays out in its relationships in the world. It starts with perceiving everyone as separate. Then it projects guilt on these separate identities. It judges everything and everyone. Some may be judged as good, others as bad, but always distinct and different from the perceiver. This ego practice anchors our ego identification, keeping awareness of Love’s oneness at bay.
The acceptance of the Holy Spirit’s purpose for a relationship makes the ego’s shenanigans disjunctive. They do not fit the Holy Spirit’s goal. It is helpful to be patient with ourselves as we practice following the Holy Spirit’s lead in our relationship. Having firmly established our identification with the ego, it takes time to break away from this misidentification and redirect our attention to the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit will not let us down, but we need to accept His help. The benefit His lessons offer is a life experience of increasing happiness, a quiet mind and an increasing flow of Love. It is worth the effort.
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