I. The Invitation to the Holy Spirit, Paragraph 4
9-26-13
4 The Holy Spirit is the only part of the Holy Trinity that has a symbolic function. He is referred to as the Healer, the Comforter and the Guide. He is also described as something “separate,” apart from the Father and from the Son. I myself said, “If I go I will send you another Comforter and He will abide with you.” His symbolic function makes the Holy Spirit difficult to understand, because symbolism is open to different interpretations. As a man and also one of God’s creations, my right thinking, which came from the Holy Spirit or the Universal Inspiration, taught me first and foremost that this Inspiration is for all. I could not have It myself without knowing this. The word “know” is proper in this context, because the Holy Spirit is so close to knowledge that He calls it forth; or better, allows it to come. I have spoken before of the higher or “true” perception, which is so near to truth that God Himself can flow across the little gap. Knowledge is always ready to flow everywhere, but it cannot oppose. Therefore you can obstruct it, although you can never lose it.
I’ve always tried to understand what the Holy Spirit is but find it easier to understand what the Holy Spirit is for. The Holy Spirit’s function is to bring us the truth, to help us undo the mistaken idea of separation so that knowledge can flow unimpeded throughout the Mind. Knowledge is meant for us but to receive knowledge we must not oppose it. The ego opposes knowledge because knowledge would undo it, so we need the Holy Spirit to correct our thinking and heal our mind.
This process of asking for and receiving help from the Holy Spirit is simple. First we learn to recognize the ego in our mind, and realize we don’t want it. Then we ask the Holy Spirit to heal our mind, or correct our thinking, or purify our thoughts. Or we ask for the Atonement. I use whatever words come to me in that moment. Sometimes I just say, “Help” or, “God.” The words don’t matter; it is the prayer of our heart that He hears.
Jesus said that he understood he could not have the Holy Spirit’s help unless he understood that It is for everyone. This is so essential, this understanding of Its universal nature. Everything in the Course revolves around the fact that I must forgive myself and everyone else. I cannot leave unforgiven a single person or a single circumstance. I cannot make anything special or separate. I must join with my brother wherever he appears and under whatever circumstances. No one can be condemned because the Holy Spirit is in everyone, guiding, comforting and healing. I go to God in union with my brother or not at all.
Understanding this it makes no sense at all to cling to my judgments. Whether I judge the murderer I read about in the paper or the clerk at the store, I close myself to the knowledge it is the Holy Spirit’s function to bring forward. I close myself to God. In doing so I suffer, and I but do it to myself.
“Today, Holy Spirit, bring to me the one You would have me forgive. Help me to remember what it is I truly desire. When I am tempted to see the behaviors and hear the confused words of my brother, reveal to me his innocence so that I may know mine as well. Please help me to experience the joy that comes when we place nothing between us, nothing to prevent union.”
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