Changes

The [[Holy Spirit]] would undo all of this now. [[Fear]] is not of the present, but only of the [[past]] and [[future]], which do not exist. There is no fear in the present when each instant stands clear and [[separated]] from the past, without its [[shadow]] reaching out into the future. Each instant is a clean, untarnished [[birth]], in which the Son of God [[emerges]] from the past into the present. And the present extends forever. It is so [[beautiful]] and so clean and free of guilt that nothing but [[happiness]] is there. No darkness is remembered, and [[immortality]] and [[joy]] are now.

The [[Holy Spirit]] would undo all of this now. [[Fear]] is not of the present, but only of the [[past]] and [[future]], which do not exist. There is no fear in the present when each instant stands clear and [[separated]] from the past, without its [[shadow]] reaching out into the future. Each instant is a clean, untarnished [[birth]], in which the Son of God [[emerges]] from the past into the present. And the present extends forever. It is so [[beautiful]] and so clean and free of guilt that nothing but [[happiness]] is there. No darkness is remembered, and [[immortality]] and [[joy]] are now.

This lesson takes no time. For what is time without a past and future? It has taken time to misguide you so completely, but it takes no time at all to be what you are. Begin to practice the Holy Spirit's use of time as a teaching aid to happiness and peace. Take this very instant, now, and think of it as all there is of time. Nothing can reach you here out of the past, and it is here that you are completely absolved, completely free and wholly without condemnation. From this holy instant wherein holiness was born again you will go forth in time without fear, and with no sense of change with time.

This lesson takes no [[time]]. For what is time without a [[past]] and [[future]]? It has taken time to misguide you so completely, but it takes no time at all to be what you are. Begin to [[practice]] the [[Holy Spirit]]'s use of time as a teaching aid to [[happiness]] and [[peace]]. Take this very instant, now, and think of it as all there is of time. Nothing can reach you here out of the past, and it is here that you are completely [[absolved]], completely free and wholly without [[condemnation]]. From this holy instant wherein holiness was born again you will go forth in time without [[fear]], and with no sense of [[change]] with time.

Time is inconceivable without change, yet holiness does not change. Learn from this instant more than merely that hell does not exist. In this redeeming instant lies Heaven. And Heaven will not change, for the birth into the holy present is salvation from change. Change is an illusion, taught by those who cannot see themselves as guiltless. There is no change in Heaven because there is no change in God. In the holy instant, in which you see yourself as bright with freedom, you will remember God. For remembering Him is to remember freedom.

Time is inconceivable without change, yet [[holiness]] does not change. Learn from this instant more than merely that [[hell]] does not exist. In this redeeming instant lies [[Heaven]]. And Heaven will not change, for the [[birth]] into the holy [[present]] is [[salvation]] from change. Change is an [[illusion]], taught by those who cannot see themselves as guiltless. There is no change in Heaven because there is no change in [[God]]. In the holy instant, in which you see yourself as bright with [[freedom]], you will remember God. For remembering Him is to remember freedom.

If you are tempted to be dispirited by thinking how long it would take to change your mind so completely, ask yourself, "How long is an instant? "Could you not give so short a time to the Holy Spirit for your salvation? He asks no more, for He has no need of more. It takes far longer to teach you to be willing to give Him this than for Him to use this tiny instant to offer you the whole of Heaven. In exchange for this instant He stands ready to give you the remembrance of eternity.

If you are [[tempted]] to be dispirited by [[thinking]] how long it would take to change [[your mind]] so completely, ask yourself, "How long is an instant? "Could you not give so short a time to the Holy Spirit for your [[salvation]]? He asks no more, for He has no need of more. It takes far longer to teach you to be willing to give Him this than for Him to use this tiny instant to offer you the whole of Heaven. In exchange for this instant He stands ready to give you the [[remembrance]] of [[eternity]].

You will never give this holy instant to the Holy Spirit on behalf of your release while you are unwilling to give it to your brothers on behalf of theirs. For the instant of holiness is shared, and cannot be yours alone. Remember, then, when you are tempted to attack a brother, that his instant of release is yours. Miracles are the instants of release you offer, and will receive. They attest to your willingness to be released, and to offer time to the Holy Spirit for His use of it.

You will never give this holy instant to the [[Holy Spirit]] on behalf of your release while you are unwilling to give it to your brothers on behalf of theirs. For the instant of [[holiness]] is [[shared]], and cannot be yours [[alone]]. Remember, then, when you are tempted to [[attack]] a brother, that his instant of release is yours. [[Miracles]] are the instants of release you offer, and will [[receive]]. They attest to your willingness to be released, and to offer time to the Holy Spirit for His use of it.

How long is an instant? It is as short for your brother as it is for you. Practice giving this blessed instant of freedom to all who are enslaved by time, and thus make time their friend for them. The Holy Spirit gives their blessed instant to you through your giving it. As you give it, He offers it to you. Be not unwilling to give what you would receive of Him, for you join with Him in giving. In the crystal cleanness of the release you give is your instantaneous escape from guilt. You must be holy if you offer holiness.

How long is an instant? It is as short for your brother as it is for you. [[Practice]] giving this blessed instant of [[freedom]] to all who are enslaved by [[time]], and thus make time their friend for them. The [[Holy Spirit]] gives their blessed instant to you through your giving it. As you give it, He offers it to you. Be not unwilling to give what you would receive of Him, for you join with Him in giving. In the [[crystal]] cleanness of the release you give is your instantaneous [[escape]] from [[guilt]]. You must be holy if you offer holiness.

How long is an instant? As long as it takes to re-establish perfect sanity, perfect peace and perfect love for everyone, for God and for yourself. As long as it takes to remember immortality, and your immortal creations who share it with you. As long as it takes to exchange hell for Heaven. Long enough to transcend all of the ego's making, and ascend unto your Father.

How long is an instant? As long as it takes to re-establish [[perfect]] [[sanity]], perfect [[peace]] and perfect [[love]] for everyone, for God and for yourself. As long as it takes to remember [[immortality]], and your immortal creations who [[share]] it with you. As long as it takes to exchange hell for Heaven. Long enough to [[transcend]] all of the [[ego]]'s making, and [[ascend]] unto [[your Father]].

Time is your friend, if you leave it to the Holy Spirit to use. He needs but very little to restore God's whole power to you. He Who transcends time for you understands what time is for. Holiness lies not in time, but in eternity. There never was an instant in which God's Son could lose his purity. His changeless state is beyond time, for his purity remains forever beyond attack and without variability. Time stands still in his holiness, and changes not. And so it is no longer time at all. For caught in the single instant of the eternal sanctity of God's creation, it is transformed into forever. Give the eternal instant, that eternity may be remembered for you, in that shining instant of perfect release. Offer the miracle of the holy instant through the Holy Spirit, and leave His giving it to you to Him.  

[[Time]] is your friend, if you leave it to the [[Holy Spirit]] to use. He needs but very little to restore God's whole [[power]] to you. He Who transcends time for you [[understands]] what time is for. Holiness lies not in time, but in [[eternity]]. There never was an instant in which God's Son could lose his [[purity]]. His changeless state is beyond time, for his purity remains forever beyond [[attack]] and without variability. Time stands still in his holiness, and changes not. And so it is no longer time at all. For caught in the single instant of the eternal sanctity of God's [[creation]], it is [[transformed]] into forever. Give the eternal instant, that eternity may be remembered for you, in that shining instant of perfect release. Offer the miracle of the holy instant through the Holy Spirit, and leave His giving it to you to Him.  

[[Category: Chapter 15 - The Holy Instant]]

[[Category: Chapter 15 - The Holy Instant]]