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Study of Text, Chapter 12, II.The Investment in Reality, P 7. 2-4-16

III. The Investment in Reality, P 7

7 If only the loving thoughts of God’s Son are the world’s reality, the real world must be in his mind. His insane thoughts, too, must be in his mind, but an internal conflict of this magnitude he cannot tolerate. A split mind is endangered, and the recognition that it encompasses completely opposed thoughts within itself is intolerable. Therefore the mind projects the split, not the reality. Everything you perceive as the outside world is merely your attempt to maintain your ego identification, for everyone believes that identification is salvation. Yet consider what has happened, for thoughts do have consequences to the thinker. You have become at odds with the world as you perceive it, because you think it is antagonistic to you. This is a necessary consequence of what you have done. You have projected outward what is antagonistic to what is inward, and therefore you would have to perceive it this way. That is why you must realize that your hatred is in your mind and not outside it before you can get rid of it; and why you must get rid of it before you can perceive the world as it really is.

Journal
Jesus has done a really good job of explaining how it is we have made this world as it is. To recap this as I understand it, the mind is split because it believes two opposing thought systems. The mind finds this intolerable and so projects the split. We have projected what we hate and what feels hostile to reality, and so the projected world we experience is hostile.

In the meantime, reality remains in the mind, but we are so intent on our projection, so involved with it, that we have become identified as it. We have lost touch with our real mind because all our attention is on maintaining our projection. A Course in Miracles is helping us to remember that the hatred and the danger we perceive is not really out there. It is in our mind and this is where it must be relinquished if we want to see the real world.

Today’s lesson is very helpful for this purpose at it reminds us of our true self. Our mind is part of God. We are very holy. As I remind myself of this today, I am choosing to relinquish attack on an outside force that doesn’t really exist outside the mind. Instead, I am choosing to accept my true nature, the real me.

For instance, there is someone in my life that seems to be hateful to others a lot of the time. Interestingly enough, she thinks I hate her. This makes sense in light of what Jesus is explaining here. She is projecting hatefulness from the mind and seeing it in others, and seeing it projected back onto her.

I told her that I did not hate her, but it felt wrong in my own ears and yet I know I don’t hate her. I actually appreciate her in spite of my frustration with her. What has actually happened is that what I see when I look at her is the split mind, the part of the mind I hate. I don’t hate her or her actions; I hate that part of my mind.

So now I know what to do with this confusion in my mind. Using today’s lesson, I am withdrawing my projections onto her and I am choosing to focus on the truth in us both. I think I hate, but my mind is part of God’s. I am very holy. I don’t feel holy, I feel hateful and guilty for being hateful, but this can only be the split mind and I am tired of defending it. Instead, I am going to let it go.

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Posted by Rev. Myron Jones.

Study of Text, Chapter 12: !. The Investment in Reality, P 6. 2-2-16

III. The Investment in Reality, P 6
6 To identify with the ego is to attack yourself and make yourself poor. That is why everyone who identifies with the ego feels deprived. What he experiences then is depression or anger, because what he did was to exchange Self-love for self-hate, making him afraid of himself. He does not realize this. Even if he is fully aware of anxiety he does not perceive its source as his own ego identification, and he always tries to handle it by making some sort of insane “arrangement” with the world. He always perceives this world as outside himself, for this is crucial to his adjustment. He does not realize that he makes this world, for there is no world outside of him.

Journal
I have become very aware of this split in my mind. I sometimes identify with my true self and when I do, I see the world as perfect. No matter what seems to be happening, I see it as perfect. I am happy and I am at peace and what is happening around me has nothing to do with that state of mind. It does not encourage nor discourage it. At those times I am experiencing my mind and it is a lovely thing to experience.

Other times I identify with the ego mind. When that happens it seems to me that the world is frightening. I see people filled with terror and rage, and they seem to be all around me, a threat to me that must be defended against. I feel confused and depressed. This is true no matter what is actually happening in the world. Whatever is going on is perceived as a threat, and everyone as my enemy. At those times I am experiencing my mind and it is a dark place.

Usually, the darkness is not so dark as it used to be. And even in the dark I perceive the light and move toward it. This was not always so. I used to live in that dark place a lot. When that was true, I was always at war with someone or something, or I was self medicating to dull the effects such a world induced in me. I used relationships in an effort to gain some kind of relief, or at least so I would have someone to suffer with me. These were some of the arrangements I made with the world in an effort to survive it.

Now, I understand that there was never anything out there, no world at all. It was and still is, only in my mind. I am still coming to terms with this, and can be drawn back into the illusion of a world outside myself, but I cannot be lost in it now. I know too much to go back. I also know how to find my way out of the dark now. It is my mind and I can allow the light to shine away the darkness. I simply choose light. Who would have thought it was so simple?

Yet it still feels difficult at times, even knowing that the answer is always the same because the problem is always the same. I only have to accept the Atonement for the false thoughts that are making the world (my mind) seem dark. When I fail to do that it is because I still imagine I need to be the “me” I made through the ego.

When I resist the light, it is because I imagine I am guilty and need the darkness in which to hide. If I resist the joy and the peace of reality, it is because I don’t feel worthy of it. I believe in the world I imagine, and am afraid of what I have done. At those times I find it intolerable to accept responsibility and so I pretend it is outside me and I am the victim.

Thank God that A Course in Miracles is helping me to accept my innocence. That is what happens when I accept the Atonement for the ego thoughts in my mind. My innocence is revealed and I am able to accept responsibility for what I made, knowing that it is nothing. I remain as God created me. My mind is perfectly protected and completely unassailable.

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Study of Text, Chapter 12: !. The Investment in Reality, P 5. 2-1-16

III. The Investment in Reality, P 5

5 Salvation is for the mind, and it is attained through peace. This is the only thing that can be saved and the only way to save it. Any response other than love arises from a confusion about the “what” and the “how” of salvation, and this is the only answer. Never lose sight of this, and never allow yourself to believe, even for an instant, that there is another answer. For you will surely place yourself among the poor, who do not understand that they dwell in abundance and that salvation is come.

Journal
My screensaver says this: The peace of God is everything I want. The peace of God is my own goal; the aim of all my living here, the end I seek, my purpose and my function and my life while I abide where I am not at home. The peace of God is my mantra now, it is the words I turn to when the mind becomes confused about what is wanted and needed. It is a simple declaration of intent and the only prayer I need.

With the idea of retirement approaching, next year, probably, I have noticed the ego mind sending messages of doom and gloom. It will appear as thoughts like, “I won’t be able to afford this when I retire,” and “What if I get sick and need an expensive medicine?” It comes up with many little concerns, chipping away at my happiness if I listen to them.

My response is usually that the peace of God is everything I want. Do I want to get my hair done at the stylish shop where I go now? Or is the peace of God everything I want? How about the medicine scare tactic? Maybe I will need some new medicine that is very expensive and I won’t be able to afford it. If I need something it will be available, and if it is not available I don’t need it, the other Voice tells me. The peace of God is everything you need, it says.

I was thinking about something after I heard this. When I was first married my husband had a good job with excellent insurance. All doctor’s visits were fully reimbursed. I spent a lot of time at the doctor’s office with one little thing after another. I never thought much about it. Then when we were divorced I didn’t have a job with good insurance. I didn’t go to the doctor often. Both ways I seemed to be fine. I just couldn’t afford to be sick without insurance so I wasn’t. There was a good lesson in that.

Anyway, I really believe that the peace of God is everything I want and when I get confused about that, I return to my mantra and the fear falls away. The words aren’t magic, but the belief that this is really everything I want, fills my mind and there is no room for fear, nor any desire for it. When I get tired of peace and decide I want a little drama, I “forget” my mantra. I have to because otherwise the drama can’t get a foothold. But always, I return to my senses and I remember what it is that I truly want.

© 2016, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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Study of Text, Chapter 12: !. The Investment in Reality, P 4. 1-29-16

III. The Investment in Reality, P 4
4 Recognize what does not matter, and if your brothers ask you for something “outrageous,” do it because it does not matter. Refuse, and your opposition establishes that it does matter to you. It is only you, therefore, who have made the request outrageous, and every request of a brother is for you. Why would you insist in denying him? For to do so is to deny yourself and impoverish both. He is asking for salvation, as you are. Poverty is of the ego, and never of God. No “outrageous” requests can be made of one who recognizes what is valuable and wants to accept nothing else.

Journal
What I understand from this is that my brother is always asking for love and that is what I want to give him. There is no circumstance in which love is not the answer. Here is an example of how I made a choice for love in my life.

When I left my husband, he wanted me to come back. I couldn’t understand why he wanted that. When I asked him if he was happy in the marriage, he admitted he wasn’t, and yet he thought he wanted the marriage to continue. What I eventually recognized is that what he really wanted was to be loved.

It took awhile for us to work this out because I was confused about how to do this and still not be married to him. Finally, I did my own mind healing work and I forgave the relationship completely. When I did this, he began to feel the forgiveness, and then I was led to apologize to him for my part in the relationship. This was the thing he needed to hear.

I couldn’t do it at first because I thought it was outrageous to apologize. I believed in his guilt and so no matter what I said, that belief was what he heard. Once I truly let the grievance go, I just naturally gave him what he needed. He never apologized to me for his part but that is OK. I didn’t need an apology because I no longer believed in his guilt. We are friends now.

© 2016, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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Study of Text, Chapter 12, III.The Investment in Reality, P 3. 1-28-16

III. The Investment in Reality, P 3

3 Whenever you become angry with a brother, for whatever reason, you are believing that the ego is to be saved, and to be saved by attack. If he attacks, you are agreeing with this belief; and if you attack, you are reinforcing it. Remember that those who attack are poor. Their poverty asks for gifts, not for further impoverishment. You who could help them are surely acting destructively if you accept their poverty as yours. If you had not invested as they had, it would never occur to you to overlook their need.

Journal
I remember when I used to be very afraid of many things, and felt guilty about even more; I attacked myself and others all the time. I was impoverished, not knowing who I was. I felt small and frail and vulnerable and so I felt the need to defend myself. Not so much now. I still forget my identity and become defensive against others, many who are as impoverished as I once was. But most of the time, I recognize their need, and instead of making them feel more impoverished, I offer them the love they think they lack.

I don’t do this perfectly, but when I attack, usually in my mind only now, I see what is happening and I ask for healing. If I am upset by their attack it can only be because I believe in my poverty as well as theirs, and I am making it feel more real to both of us. As I write about this it all seems so straightforward and simple and I think I know exactly how I will react, but I have seen from experience that if there is fear or guilt in my mind, I will act from that.

Last night at a meeting I noticed that my competitor was there and he was talking to my customer. They were sitting together and laughing and I felt a knot of fear in my belly. I was impoverished, and knew it. It was easy last night to release that false thought to Spirit, but it is not always so easy. When it is hard it just means there is a lot of fear in my mind that I need to let go.

It is never about the other person or the circumstances, only about my own mind. When I remember that, I can be a healing channel for us all. When I forget, I have an opportunity to choose again. Each time I choose God, my memory of reality gets stronger and it is easier to remember the next time.

© 2016, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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study of Text, Chapter 12: !. The Investment in Reality, P 2. 1-26-16

III. The Investment in Reality, P 2
2 Suppose a brother insists on having you do something you think you do not want to do. His very insistence should tell you that he believes salvation lies in it. If you insist on refusing and experience a quick response of opposition, you are believing that your salvation lies in not doing it. You, then, are making the same mistake he is, and are making his error real to both of you. Insistence means investment, and what you invest in is always related to your notion of salvation. The question is always twofold; first, what is to be saved? And second, how can it be saved?

Journal
I have a brother who is very religious. He believes as strongly in his version of religion as I do in A Course in Miracles. It used to be that when we were together we tried not to talk about the only thing that really matters to us since we seem to have no meeting place on this subject. Over time I have made a different choice. I don’t bring up religion, but if he wants to talk about it, I let him. I open my mind to the Holy Spirit in him and listen.

He thinks this is where his salvation lies, that is, to share his beliefs with me is salvation to him. To refuse to hear him would mean that I think that not hearing his beliefs is my salvation. When I close my ears to him, I am making the same mistake he is and making our error real to us both. I know that A Course in Miracles is not the only path home and I know that where he is on his path is perfect for him at this time.

So why would I resist his words. He is sharing his joy, why wouldn’t I accept his gift gladly and in gratitude that he loves me and wants me to have it. Am I invested in the idea that my way is the only way? If so, I have a thought in my mind that I can bring to Holy Spirit to be healed. I don’t have to join him in his beliefs, but I can be a listener. God honors our miscreations simply because they are ours. That doesn’t mean he accepts them as truth. I can emulate that generosity and love and honor my brother’s ideas whether I embrace them or not.

© 2016, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
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Study of Text, Chapter 12: !. The Investment in Reality, P 1. 1-25-16

III. The Investment in Reality, P 1

1 I once asked you to sell all you have and give to the poor and follow me. This is what I meant: If you have no investment in anything in this world, you can teach the poor where their treasure is. The poor are merely those who have invested wrongly, and they are poor indeed! Because they are in need it is given you to help them, since you are among them. Consider how perfectly your lesson would be learned if you were unwilling to share their poverty. For poverty is lack, and there is but one lack since there is but one need.

Journal
This is an interesting paragraph. Jesus is explaining the purpose of a biblical quote, the meaning behind the words. In the Bible he was quoted as having asked that a man sell all he had and give it to the poor in order to follow him. It seems that what he meant was that his followers should give up their investment in the world. I suppose selling material possessions would be a symbol of having given up the love or need of them, that is, giving up the attachment to the world of form.

What would be the meaning behind giving to the poor? He tells us here that the poor are all who fail to know where their treasure lies. If we have no investment in the world, we can teach others through our words, our deeds, and through our freedom that they will remain poor as long as they think the world and all that is in the world, is valuable. We could not teach freedom unless we were free.

As long as we think there is something to long for, some need as yet unmet, we are not free. Need is poverty, it is the expression of lack. There is only one thing we need and that is our awakening. Once we let go of the attachment to the things we own, and the things we want to own, we are free to follow Jesus to our awakening.

Does this mean that I should sell all my belongings and my house and walk the earth unburdened by them? Being without things will not bring me to the awakening. If I were without all these things and felt poor for it, I would not be free. However, being without the need for these things will allow me to discover my true treasure. I can have a lovely home and many beautiful things and enjoy them without needing them. This leaves my mind free and open to what does matter. It is not things that tie me to the world, it is the need for these things that does that.

© 2016, Pathways of Light. https://www.pathwaysoflight.org
You may freely share copies of this with your friends, provided this notice is included.