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− | If I defend myself I am attacked. | + | If I [[defend]] myself I am [[attacked]]. |
| | | |
| Who would defend himself unless he thought he were attacked, that the | | Who would defend himself unless he thought he were attacked, that the |
| attack were real, and that his own defense could save himself? And herein | | attack were real, and that his own defense could save himself? And herein |
− | lies the folly of defense; it gives illusions full reality, and then attempts to | + | lies the [[folly]] of [[defense]]; it gives [[illusions]] full [[reality]], and then attempts to |
− | handle them as real. It adds illusions to illusions, thus making correction | + | handle them as real. It adds illusions to illusions, thus making [[correction]] |
− | doubly difficult. And it is this you do when you attempt to plan the future, | + | doubly difficult. And it is this you do when you attempt to [[plan]] the [[future]], |
− | activate the past, or organize the present as you wish. | + | activate the [[past]], or organize the [[present]] as you wish. |
| | | |
− | You operate from the belief you must protect yourself from what is | + | You operate from the [[belief]] you must protect yourself from what is |
| happening because it must contain what threatens you. A sense of threat is | | happening because it must contain what threatens you. A sense of threat is |
− | an acknowledgment of an inherent weakness; a belief that there is danger | + | an acknowledgment of an inherent [[weakness]]; a belief that there is [[danger]] |
− | which has power to call on you to make appropriate defense. The world is | + | which has [[power]] to call on you to make appropriate defense. The world is |
− | based on this insane belief. And all its structures, all its thoughts and | + | based on this [[insane]] belief. And all its structures, all its thoughts and |
− | doubts, its penalties and heavy armaments, its legal definitions and its | + | doubts, its penalties and heavy armaments, its legal [[definitions]] and its |
− | codes, its ethics and its leaders and its gods, all serve but to preserve its | + | codes, its [[ethics]] and its [[leaders]] and its gods, all serve but to preserve its |
− | sense of threat. For no one walks the world in armature but must have terror | + | sense of threat. For no one walks the world in armature but must have [[terror]] |
− | striking at his heart. | + | striking at his [[heart]]. |
| | | |
− | Defense is frightening. It stems from fear, increasing fear as each defense is | + | Defense is frightening. It stems from [[fear]], increasing fear as each [[defense]] is |
− | made. You think it offers safety. Yet it speaks of fear made real and terror | + | made. You think it offers [[safety]]. Yet it speaks of fear made real and terror |
− | justified. Is it not strange you do not pause to ask, as you elaborate your | + | [[justified]]. Is it not strange you do not pause to ask, as you elaborate your |
− | plans and make your armor thicker and your locks more tight, what you | + | plans and make your [[armor]] thicker and your locks more tight, what you |
| defend, and how, and against what? | | defend, and how, and against what? |
| | | |
| Let us consider first what you defend. It must be something that is very | | Let us consider first what you defend. It must be something that is very |
− | weak and easily assaulted. It must be something made easy prey, unable to | + | weak and easily [[assaulted]]. It must be something made easy [[prey]], unable to |
− | protect itself and needing your defense. What but the body has such frailty | + | protect itself and needing your defense. What but the [[body]] has such frailty |
− | that constant care and watchful, deep concern are needful to protect its little | + | that constant [[care]] and watchful, deep concern are needful to protect its little |
− | life? What but the body falters and must fail to serve the Son of God as | + | [[life]]? What but the body falters and must fail to serve the Son of God as |
− | worthy host? | + | [[worthy]] host? |
| | | |
− | Yet it is not the body that can fear, nor be a thing of fear. It has no needs but | + | Yet it is not the body that can [[fear]], nor be a thing of fear. It has no needs but |
| those which you assign to it. It needs no complicated structures of defense, | | those which you assign to it. It needs no complicated structures of defense, |
− | no health-inducing medicine, no care and no concern at all. Defend its life, | + | no health-inducing [[medicine]], no care and no concern at all. Defend its life, |
− | or give it gifts to make it beautiful or walls to make it safe, and you but say | + | or give it gifts to make it [[beautiful]] or walls to make it safe, and you but say |
− | your home is open to the thief of time, corruptible and crumbling, so unsafe | + | your [[home]] is open to the [[thief]] of time, corruptible and crumbling, so unsafe |
| it must be guarded with your very life. | | it must be guarded with your very life. |
| | | |
− | Is not this picture fearful? Can you be at peace with such a concept of your | + | Is not this picture fearful? Can you be at [[peace]] with such a [[concept]] of your |
− | home? Yet what endowed the body with the right to serve you thus except | + | home? Yet what [[endowed]] the body with the right to serve you thus except |
− | your own belief? It is your mind which gave the body all the functions that | + | your own belief? It is [[your mind]] which gave the body all the [[functions]] that |
− | you see in it, and set its value far beyond a little pile of dust and water. Who | + | you see in it, and set its [[value]] far beyond a little pile of dust and water. Who |
− | would make defense of something that he recognized as this? | + | would make defense of something that he [[recognized]] as this? |
| | | |
| The body is in need of no defense. This cannot be too often emphasized. It | | The body is in need of no defense. This cannot be too often emphasized. It |
− | will be strong and healthy if the mind does not abuse it by assigning it to | + | will be [[strong]] and [[healthy]] if the [[mind]] does not [[abuse]] it by assigning it to |
− | roles it cannot fill, to purposes beyond its scope, and to exalted aims which | + | roles it cannot fill, to [[purposes]] beyond its scope, and to exalted aims which |
| it cannot accomplish. Such attempts, ridiculous yet deeply cherished, are the | | it cannot accomplish. Such attempts, ridiculous yet deeply cherished, are the |
| sources for the many mad attacks you make upon it. For it seems to fail | | sources for the many mad attacks you make upon it. For it seems to fail |
− | your hopes, your needs, your values and your dreams. | + | your [[hopes]], your needs, your [[values]] and your [[dreams]]. |
| | | |
− | The "self" that needs protection is not real. The body, valueless and hardly | + | The "[[self]]" that needs [[protection]] is not real. The body, valueless and hardly |
− | worth the least defense, need merely be perceived as quite apart from you, | + | worth the least defense, need merely be [[perceived]] as quite apart from you, |
| and it becomes a healthy, serviceable instrument through which the mind | | and it becomes a healthy, serviceable instrument through which the mind |
| can operate until its usefulness is over. Who would want to keep it when its | | can operate until its usefulness is over. Who would want to keep it when its |
| usefulness is done? | | usefulness is done? |
| | | |
− | Defend the body and you have attacked your mind. For you have seen in it | + | [[Defend]] the [[body]] and you have attacked [[your mind]]. For you have seen in it |
− | the faults, the weaknesses, the limits and the lacks from which you think the | + | the faults, the [[weaknesses]], the [[limits]] and the lacks from which you think the |
| body must be saved. You will not see the mind as separate from bodily | | body must be saved. You will not see the mind as separate from bodily |
− | conditions. And you will impose upon the body all the pain that comes from | + | conditions. And you will impose upon the body all the [[pain]] that comes from |
| the conception of the mind as limited and fragile, and apart from other | | the conception of the mind as limited and fragile, and apart from other |
− | minds and separate from its Source. | + | minds and separate from its [[Source]]. |
| | | |
− | These are the thoughts in need of healing, and the body will respond with | + | These are the thoughts in need of [[healing]], and the body will respond with |
− | health when they have been corrected and replaced with truth. This is the | + | [[health]] when they have been [[corrected]] and replaced with [[truth]]. This is the |
| body's only real defense. Yet is this where you look for its defense? You | | body's only real defense. Yet is this where you look for its defense? You |
| offer it protection of a kind from which it gains no benefit at all, but merely | | offer it protection of a kind from which it gains no benefit at all, but merely |
| adds to your distress of mind. You do not heal, but merely take away the | | adds to your distress of mind. You do not heal, but merely take away the |
− | hope of healing, for you fail to see where hope must lie if it be meaningful. | + | [[hope]] of healing, for you fail to see where hope must lie if it be meaningful. |
| | | |
− | A healed mind does not plan. It carries out the plans that it receives through | + | A healed mind does not plan. It carries out the plans that it [[receives]] through |
− | listening to wisdom that is not its own. It waits until it has been taught what | + | [[listening]] to [[wisdom]] that is not its own. It waits until it has been taught what |
| should be done, and then proceeds to do it. It does not depend upon itself | | should be done, and then proceeds to do it. It does not depend upon itself |
| for anything except its adequacy to fulfill the plans assigned to it. It is | | for anything except its adequacy to fulfill the plans assigned to it. It is |
− | secure in certainty that obstacles can not impede its progress to | + | secure in certainty that [[obstacles]] can not impede its [[progress]] to |
| accomplishment of any goal that serves the greater plan established for the | | accomplishment of any goal that serves the greater plan established for the |
− | good of everyone. | + | [[good]] of everyone. |
| | | |
− | A healed mind is relieved of the belief that it must plan, although it cannot | + | A healed mind is relieved of the [[belief]] that it must plan, although it cannot |
− | know the outcome which is best, the means by which it is achieved, nor | + | know the outcome which is best, [[the means]] by which it is [[achieved]], nor |
− | how to recognize the problem that the plan is made to solve. It must misuse | + | how to recognize the [[problem]] that the plan is made to solve. It must misuse |
| the body in its plans until it recognizes this is so. But when it has accepted | | the body in its plans until it recognizes this is so. But when it has accepted |
| this as true, then is it healed, and lets the body go. | | this as true, then is it healed, and lets the body go. |
| | | |
− | Enslavement of the body to the plans the unhealed mind sets up to save | + | Enslavement of the [[body]] to the [[plans]] the unhealed mind sets up to save |
| itself must make the body sick. It is not free to be the means of helping in a | | itself must make the body sick. It is not free to be the means of helping in a |
− | plan which far exceeds its own protection, and which needs its service for a | + | plan which far exceeds its own [[protection]], and which needs its [[service]] for a |
− | little while. In this capacity is health assured. For everything the mind | + | little while. In this capacity is health assured. For [[everything]] the mind |
| employs for this will function flawlessly, and with the strength that has been | | employs for this will function flawlessly, and with the strength that has been |
| given it and cannot fail. | | given it and cannot fail. |
| | | |
− | It is, perhaps, not easy to perceive that self-initiated plans are but defenses, | + | It is, perhaps, not easy to [[perceive]] that self-initiated plans are but [[defenses]], |
− | with the purpose all of them were made to realize. They are the means by | + | with the [[purpose]] all of them were made to realize. They are [[the means]] by |
− | which a frightened mind would undertake its own protection, at the cost of | + | which a frightened mind would undertake its own [[protection]], at the cost of |
− | truth. This is not difficult to realize in some forms which these self- | + | [[truth]]. This is not difficult to realize in some forms which these self- |
− | deceptions take, where the denial of reality is very obvious. Yet planning is | + | [[deceptions]] take, where the denial of reality is very obvious. Yet planning is |
| not often recognized as a defense. | | not often recognized as a defense. |
| | | |
− | The mind engaged in planning for itself is occupied in setting up control of | + | The mind engaged in planning for itself is occupied in setting up [[control]] of |
− | future happenings. It does not think that it will be provided for, unless it | + | [[future]] happenings. It does not think that it will be provided for, unless it |
− | makes its own provisions. Time becomes a future emphasis, to be controlled | + | makes its own provisions. [[Time]] becomes a [[future]] emphasis, to be controlled |
− | by learning and experience obtained from past events and previous beliefs. | + | by learning and [[experience]] obtained from [[past]] events and previous [[beliefs]]. |
| It overlooks the present, for it rests on the idea the past has taught enough to | | It overlooks the present, for it rests on the idea the past has taught enough to |
− | let the mind direct its future course. | + | let the mind direct its future [[course]]. |
| | | |
− | The mind that plans is thus refusing to allow for change. What it has learned | + | [[The mind]] that plans is thus refusing to allow for [[change]]. What it has learned |
− | before becomes the basis for its future goals. Its past experience directs its | + | before becomes the basis for its [[future]] goals. Its past [[experience]] directs its |
− | choice of what will happen. And it does not see that here and now is | + | [[choice]] of what will happen. And it does not see that here and now is |
| everything it needs to guarantee a future quite unlike the past, without a | | everything it needs to guarantee a future quite unlike the past, without a |
− | continuity of any old ideas and sick beliefs. Anticipation plays no part at all, | + | continuity of any old ideas and sick beliefs. [[Anticipation]] plays no part at all, |
− | for present confidence directs the way. | + | for present [[confidence]] directs the way. |
| | | |
− | Defenses are the plans you undertake to make against the truth. Their aim is | + | [[Defenses]] are the plans you undertake to make against the [[truth]]. Their aim is |
| to select what you approve, and disregard what you consider incompatible | | to select what you approve, and disregard what you consider incompatible |
− | with your beliefs of your reality. Yet what remains is meaningless indeed. | + | with your beliefs of your [[reality]]. Yet what remains is meaningless indeed. |
− | For it is your reality that is the "threat" which your defenses would attack, | + | For it is your reality that is the "threat" which your defenses would [[attack]], |
− | obscure, and take apart and crucify. | + | obscure, and take apart and [[crucify]]. |
| | | |
− | What could you not accept, if you but knew that everything that happens, all | + | What could you not [[accept]], if you but knew that [[everything]] that happens, all |
| events, past, present and to come, are gently planned by One Whose only | | events, past, present and to come, are gently planned by One Whose only |
− | purpose is your good? Perhaps you have misunderstood His plan, for He | + | [[purpose]] is your [[good]]? Perhaps you have misunderstood His plan, for He |
− | would never offer pain to you. But your defenses did not let you see His | + | would never offer [[pain]] to you. But your defenses did not let you see His |
− | loving blessing shine in every step you ever took. While you made plans for | + | loving [[blessing]] shine in every [[step]] you ever took. While you made plans for |
− | death, He led you gently to eternal life. | + | [[death]], He led you gently to [[eternal]] life. |
| | | |
− | Your present trust in Him is the defense that promises a future undisturbed, | + | Your [[present]] [[trust]] in Him is the defense that [[promises]] a future undisturbed, |
− | without a trace of sorrow, and with joy that constantly increases, as this life | + | without a trace of sorrow, and with [[joy]] that constantly increases, as this life |
| becomes a holy instant, set in time, but heeding only immortality. Let no | | becomes a holy instant, set in time, but heeding only immortality. Let no |
− | defenses but your present trust direct the future, and this life becomes a | + | defenses but your present trust direct the future, and this [[life]] [[becomes]] a |
− | meaningful encounter with the truth that only your defenses would conceal. | + | meaningful encounter with the [[truth]] that only your defenses would [[conceal]]. |
| | | |
− | Without defenses, you become a light which Heaven gratefully | + | Without defenses, you become a [[light]] which [[Heaven]] [[gratefully]] |
| acknowledges to be its own. And it will lead you on in ways appointed for | | acknowledges to be its own. And it will lead you on in ways appointed for |
− | your happiness according to the ancient plan, begun when time was born. | + | your [[happiness]] according to the ancient plan, begun when time was born. |
| Your followers will join their light with yours, and it will be increased until | | Your followers will join their light with yours, and it will be increased until |
| the world is lighted up with joy. And gladly will our brothers lay aside their | | the world is lighted up with joy. And gladly will our brothers lay aside their |
| cumbersome defenses, which availed them nothing and could only terrify. | | cumbersome defenses, which availed them nothing and could only terrify. |
| | | |
− | We will anticipate that time today with present confidence, for this is part of | + | We will [[anticipate]] that time today with present [[confidence]], for this is part of |
| what was planned for us. We will be sure that everything we need is given | | what was planned for us. We will be sure that everything we need is given |
| us for our accomplishment of this today. We make no plans for how it will | | us for our accomplishment of this today. We make no plans for how it will |
| be done, but realize that our defenselessness is all that is required for the | | be done, but realize that our defenselessness is all that is required for the |
− | truth to dawn upon our minds with certainty. | + | truth to [[dawn]] upon our [[minds]] with [[certainty]]. |
| | | |
− | For fifteen minutes twice today we rest from senseless planning, and from | + | For fifteen minutes twice today we [[rest]] from senseless planning, and from |
− | every thought that blocks the truth from entering our minds. Today we will | + | every [[thought]] that blocks the truth from entering our minds. Today we will |
− | receive instead of plan, that we may give instead of organize. And we are | + | [[receive]] instead of plan, that we may give instead of [[organize]]. And we are |
| given truly, as we say: | | given truly, as we say: |
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| <center>''and I will learn what my defenses hide.''</center> | | <center>''and I will learn what my defenses hide.''</center> |
| | | |
− | Nothing but that. If there are plans to make, you will be told of them. They | + | Nothing but that. If there are [[plans]] to make, you will be told of them. They |
− | may not be the plans you thought were needed, nor indeed the answers to | + | may not be the plans you thought were needed, nor indeed the [[answers]] to |
− | the problems which you thought confronted you. But they are answers to | + | the [[problems]] which you thought confronted you. But they are answers to |
− | another kind of question, which remains unanswered yet in need of | + | another kind of [[question]], which remains unanswered yet in need of |
| answering until the Answer comes to you at last. | | answering until the Answer comes to you at last. |
| | | |
| All your defenses have been aimed at not receiving what you will receive | | All your defenses have been aimed at not receiving what you will receive |
− | today. And in the light and joy of simple trust, you will but wonder why you | + | today. And in the [[light]] and [[joy]] of simple [[trust]], you will but [[wonder]] why you |
− | ever thought that you must be defended from release. Heaven asks nothing. | + | ever thought that you must be defended from release. [[Heaven]] asks nothing. |
− | It is hell that makes extravagant demands for sacrifice. You give up nothing | + | It is [[hell]] that makes extravagant demands for [[sacrifice]]. You give up nothing |
− | in these times today when, undefended, you present yourself to your Creator | + | in these times today when, undefended, you present yourself to your [[Creator]] |
| as you really are. | | as you really are. |
| | | |
| He has remembered you. Today we will remember Him. For this is | | He has remembered you. Today we will remember Him. For this is |
− | Eastertime in your salvation. And you rise again from what was seeming
| + | [[Easter]]time in your [[salvation]]. And you rise again from what was seeming |
− | death and hopelessness. Now is the light of hope reborn in you, for now you | + | [[death]] and hopelessness. Now is the [[light]] of [[hope]] reborn in you, for now you |
| come without defense, to learn the part for you within the plan of God. | | come without defense, to learn the part for you within the plan of God. |
− | What little plans or magical beliefs can still have value, when you have | + | What little plans or [[magical]] [[beliefs]] can still have value, when you have |
− | received your function from the Voice for God Himself? | + | received your function from the [[Voice]] for God Himself? |
| | | |
− | Try not to shape this day as you believe would benefit you most. For you | + | Try not to shape this day as you [[believe]] would benefit you most. For you |
− | can not conceive of all the happiness that comes to you without your | + | can not conceive of all the [[happiness]] that comes to you without your |
− | planning. Learn today. And all the world will take this giant stride, and | + | planning. [[Learn]] today. And all the world will take this giant stride, and |
− | celebrate your Eastertime with you. Throughout the day, as foolish little | + | celebrate your Eastertime with you. Throughout the day, as [[foolish]] little |
− | things appear to raise defensiveness in you and tempt you to engage in | + | things appear to raise defensiveness in you and [[tempt]] you to engage in |
− | weaving plans, remind yourself this is a special day for learning, and | + | weaving plans, remind yourself this is a special day for [[learning]], and |
| acknowledge it with this: | | acknowledge it with this: |
| | | |
− | <center>''This is my Eastertime. And I would keep it holy.''</center> | + | <center>''This is my [[Easter]]time. And I would keep it holy.''</center> |
| <center>''I will not defend myself, because the Son of God''</center> | | <center>''I will not defend myself, because the Son of God''</center> |
− | <center>''needs no defense against the truth of his reality.''</center> | + | <center>''needs no [[defense]] against the [[truth]] of his [[reality]].''</center> |
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| [[Category: Workbook I]] | | [[Category: Workbook I]] |