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− | The answer to this question is much like the preceding one. There are, of | + | The answer to this question is much like [[Is Reincarnation So?|the preceding one]]. There are, of |
− | course, no "unnatural" powers, and it is obviously merely an appeal to | + | course, no "unnatural" powers, and it is obviously merely an [[appeal]] to |
− | magic to make up a power that does not exist. It is equally obvious, | + | [[magic]] to make up a [[power]] that does not exist. It is equally obvious, |
− | however, that each individual has many abilities of which he is unaware. As | + | however, that each [[individual]] has many [[abilities]] of which he is unaware. As |
| his awareness increases, he may well develop abilities that seem quite | | his awareness increases, he may well develop abilities that seem quite |
− | startling to him. Yet nothing he can do can compare even in the slightest | + | startling to him. Yet nothing he can do can [[compare]] even in the slightest |
− | with the glorious surprise of remembering Who he is. Let all his learning | + | with the glorious [[surprise]] of remembering Who he is. Let all his [[learning]] |
− | and all his efforts be directed toward this one great final surprise, and he | + | and all his [[efforts]] be directed toward this one great final surprise, and he |
− | will not be content to be delayed by the little ones that may come to him on | + | will not be content to be [[delayed]] by the little ones that may come to him on |
| the way. | | the way. |
| | | |
− | Certainly there are many "psychic" powers that are clearly in line with this | + | Certainly there are many "[[psychic]]" powers that are clearly in line with [[ACIM|this |
− | course. Communication is not limited to the small range of channels the | + | course]]. [[Communication]] is not limited to the small range of [[channels]] the |
| world recognizes. If it were, there would be little point in trying to teach | | world recognizes. If it were, there would be little point in trying to teach |
− | salvation. It would be impossible to do so. The limits the world places on | + | [[salvation]]. It would be impossible to do so. The limits the world places on |
− | communication are the chief barriers to direct experience of the Holy Spirit, | + | communication are the chief [[barriers]] to direct [[experience]] of the [[Holy Spirit]], |
− | Whose Presence is always there and Whose Voice is available but for the | + | Whose [[Presence]] is always there and Whose [[Voice]] is available but for the |
− | hearing. These limits are placed out of fear, for without them the walls that | + | hearing. These limits are placed out of [[fear]], for without them the walls that |
| surround all the separate places of the world would fall at the holy sound of | | surround all the separate places of the world would fall at the holy sound of |
− | His Voice. Who transcends these limits in any way is merely becoming | + | His Voice. Who [[transcends]] these limits in any way is merely [[becoming]] |
− | more natural. He is doing nothing special, and there is no magic in his | + | more [[natural]]. He is doing nothing [[special]], and there is no [[magic]] in his |
| accomplishments. | | accomplishments. |
| | | |
− | The seemingly new abilities that may be gathered on the way can be very | + | The seemingly new [[abilities]] that may be gathered on the way can be very |
− | helpful. Given to the Holy Spirit, and used under His direction, they are | + | helpful. Given to the [[Holy Spirit]], and used under His [[direction]], they are |
| valuable teaching aids. To this, the question of how they arise is irrelevant. | | valuable teaching aids. To this, the question of how they arise is irrelevant. |
− | The only important consideration is how they are used. Taking them as ends | + | The only important [[consideration]] is how they are used. Taking them as ends |
− | in themselves, no matter how this is done, will delay progress. Nor does | + | in themselves, no matter how this is done, will [[delay]] [[progress]]. Nor does |
− | their value lie in proving anything; achievements from the past, unusual | + | their [[value]] lie in proving anything; achievements from the past, unusual |
− | attunement with the "unseen," or "special" favors from God. God gives no | + | [[attunement]] with the "unseen," or "special" favors from God. [[God]] gives no |
| special favors, and no one has any powers that are not available to | | special favors, and no one has any powers that are not available to |
| everyone. Only by tricks of magic are special powers "demonstrated." | | everyone. Only by tricks of magic are special powers "demonstrated." |
| | | |
− | Nothing that is genuine is used to deceive. The Holy Spirit is incapable of | + | Nothing that is genuine is used to [[deceive]]. The [[Holy Spirit]] is incapable of |
− | deception, and He can use only genuine abilities. What is used for magic is | + | deception, and He can use only genuine [[abilities]]. What is used for [[magic]] is |
| useless to Him. But what He uses cannot be used for magic. There is, | | useless to Him. But what He uses cannot be used for magic. There is, |
− | however, a particular appeal in unusual abilities that can be curiously | + | however, a particular [[appeal]] in unusual abilities that can be curiously |
− | tempting. Here are strengths which the Holy Spirit wants and needs. Yet the | + | [[tempting]]. Here are [[strengths]] which the [[Holy Spirit]] wants and needs. Yet the |
− | ego sees in these same strengths an opportunity to glorify itself. Strengths | + | [[ego]] sees in these same strengths an [[opportunity]] to glorify itself. [[Strengths]] |
− | turned to weakness are tragedy indeed. Yet what is not given to the Holy | + | turned to [[weakness]] are [[tragedy]] indeed. Yet what is not given to the Holy |
− | Spirit must be given to weakness, for what is withheld from love is given to | + | Spirit must be given to weakness, for what is withheld from [[love]] is given to |
− | fear, and will be fearful in consequence. | + | [[fear]], and will be fearful in consequence. |
| | | |
− | Even those who no longer value the material things of the world may still | + | Even those who no longer [[value]] the material [[things]] of the world may still |
− | be deceived by "psychic" powers. As investment has been withdrawn from | + | be [[deceived]] by "[[psychic]]" powers. As investment has been withdrawn from |
− | the world's material gifts, the ego has been seriously threatened. It may still | + | the world's material gifts, the [[ego]] has been seriously threatened. It may still |
| be strong enough to rally under this new temptation to win back strength by | | be strong enough to rally under this new temptation to win back strength by |
− | guile. Many have not seen through the ego's defenses here, although they | + | [[guile]]. Many have not seen through the ego's [[defenses]] here, although they |
| are not particularly subtle. Yet, given a remaining wish to be deceived, | | are not particularly subtle. Yet, given a remaining wish to be deceived, |
− | deception is made easy. Now the "power" is no longer a genuine ability, and | + | [[deception]] is made easy. Now the "power" is no longer a genuine ability, and |
− | cannot be used dependably. It is almost inevitable that, unless the individual | + | cannot be used dependably. It is almost [[inevitable]] that, unless the [[individual]] |
− | changes his mind about its purpose, he will bolster his "power's" | + | [[changes]] his [[mind]] about its [[purpose]], he will bolster his "power's" |
| uncertainties with increasing deception. | | uncertainties with increasing deception. |
| | | |
− | Any ability that anyone develops has the potentiality for good. To this there | + | Any [[ability]] that anyone develops has the [[potentiality]] for [[good]]. To this there |
| is no exception. And the more unusual and unexpected the power, the | | is no exception. And the more unusual and unexpected the power, the |
− | greater its potential usefulness. Salvation has need of all abilities, for what | + | greater its [[potential]] usefulness. [[Salvation]] has need of all abilities, for what |
− | the world would destroy the Holy Spirit would restore. "Psychic" abilities | + | the world would destroy the [[Holy Spirit]] would restore. "[[Psychic]]" abilities |
− | have been used to call upon the devil, which merely means to strengthen the | + | have been used to call upon the [[devil]], which merely means to strengthen the |
− | ego. Yet here is also a great channel of hope and healing in the Holy Spirit's | + | [[ego]]. Yet here is also a great [[channel]] of [[hope]] and [[healing]] in the [[Holy Spirit]]'s |
− | service. Those who have developed "psychic" powers have simply let some | + | [[service]]. Those who have developed "psychic" powers have [[simply]] let some |
− | of the limitations they laid upon their minds be lifted. It can be but further | + | of the [[limitations]] they laid upon their [[minds]] be lifted. It can be but further |
− | limitations they lay upon themselves if they utilize their increased freedom | + | limitations they lay upon themselves if they utilize their increased [[freedom]] |
− | for greater imprisonment. The Holy Spirit needs these gifts, and those who | + | for greater [[imprisonment]]. The Holy Spirit needs these gifts, and those who |
− | offer them to Him and Him alone go with Christ's gratitude upon their | + | offer them to Him and Him alone go with [[Christ]]'s [[gratitude]] upon their |
− | hearts, and His holy sight not far behind. | + | [[hearts]], and His holy [[sight]] not far behind. |
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| [[Category:Manual for Teachers]] | | [[Category:Manual for Teachers]] |
| [[Category: Parapsychology/TeaM]] | | [[Category: Parapsychology/TeaM]] |
| + | [[Category: Ability]] |