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ACIM Workbook - Lesson 185 (view source)
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I want the peace of God.
I want the [[peace]] of [[God]].
To say these words is nothing. But to mean these words is everything. If
To say these [[words]] is nothing. But to mean these words is [[everything]]. If
you could but mean them for just an instant, there would be no further
you could but mean them for just an [[instant]], there would be no further
sorrow possible for you in any form; in any place or time. Heaven would be
sorrow possible for you in any [[form]]; in any place or time. [[Heaven]] would be
completely given back to full awareness, memory of God entirely restored,
completely given back to full [[awareness]], [[memory]] of God entirely restored,
the resurrection of all creation fully recognized.
the [[resurrection]] of all creation fully recognized.
No one can mean these words and not be healed. He cannot play with
No one can mean these words and not be [[healed]]. He cannot [[play]] with
dreams, nor think he is himself a dream. He cannot make a hell and think it
[[dreams]], nor think he is himself a dream. He cannot make a [[hell]] and think it
real. He wants the peace of God, and it is given him. For that is all he wants,
real. He wants the peace of God, and it is given him. For that is all he wants,
and that is all he will receive. Many have said these words. But few indeed
and that is all he will [[receive]]. Many have said these words. But few indeed
have meant them. You have but to look upon the world you see around you
have meant them. You have but to look upon the world you see around you
to be sure how very few they are. The world would be completely changed,
to be sure how very few they are. The world would be completely [[changed]],
should any two agree these words express the only thing they want.
should any two [[agree]] these words [[express]] the only thing they want.
Two minds with one intent become so strong that what they will becomes
Two minds with one [[intent]] [[become]] so strong that what they will becomes
the Will of God. For minds can only join in truth. In dreams, no two can
the [[Will of God]]. For minds can only join in [[truth]]. In [[dreams]], no two can
share the same intent. To each, the hero of the dream is different; the
[[share]] the same [[intent]]. To each, the [[hero]] of the dream is different; the
outcome wanted not the same for both. Loser and gainer merely shift about
outcome wanted not the same for both. Loser and gainer merely shift about
in changing patterns, as the ratio of gain to loss and loss to gain takes on a
in changing [[patterns]], as the [[ratio]] of gain to loss and loss to gain takes on a
different aspect or another form.
different aspect or another form.
Yet compromise alone a dream can bring. Sometimes it takes the form of
Yet [[compromise]] alone a dream can bring. Sometimes it takes the form of
union, but only the form. The meaning must escape the dream, for
[[union]], but only the [[form]]. The [[meaning]] must [[escape]] the dream, for
compromising is the goal of dreaming. Minds cannot unite in dreams. They
compromising is the goal of dreaming. Minds cannot unite in dreams. They
merely bargain. And what bargain can give them the peace of God?
merely [[bargain]]. And what bargain can give them the [[peace]] of God?
Illusions come to take His place. And what He means is lost to sleeping
[[Illusions]] come to take His place. And what He means is lost to sleeping
minds intent on compromise, each to his gain and to another's loss.
minds intent on [[compromise]], each to his gain and to another's loss.
To mean you want the peace of God is to renounce all dreams. For no one
To mean you want the peace of God is to [[renounce]] all [[dreams]]. For no one
means these words who wants illusions, and who therefore seeks the means
means these words who wants [[illusions]], and who therefore seeks [[the means]]
which bring illusions. He has looked on them, and found them wanting.
which bring illusions. He has looked on them, and found them wanting.
Now he seeks to go beyond them, recognizing that another dream would
Now he seeks to go beyond them, recognizing that another dream would
offer nothing more than all the others. Dreams are one to him. And he has
offer nothing more than all the others. [[Dreams]] are one to him. And he has
learned their only difference is one of form, for one will bring the same
learned their only [[difference]] is one of form, for one will bring the same
despair and misery as do the rest.
despair and [[misery]] as do the rest.
The mind which means that all it wants is peace must join with other minds,
The [[mind]] which means that all it wants is [[peace]] must join with other minds,
for that is how peace is obtained. And when the wish for peace is genuine,
for that is how peace is obtained. And when the [[wish]] for peace is genuine,
the means for finding it is given, in a form each mind that seeks for it in
[[the means]] for finding it is given, in a form each mind that seeks for it in
honesty can understand. Whatever form the lesson takes is planned for him
[[honesty]] can [[understand]]. Whatever form the lesson takes is planned for him
in such a way that he can not mistake it, if his asking is sincere. But if he
in such a way that he can not mistake it, if his asking is [[sincere]]. But if he
asks without sincerity, there is no form in which the lesson will meet with
asks without sincerity, there is no form in which the lesson will meet with
acceptance and be truly learned.
[[acceptance]] and be truly learned.
Let us today devote our practicing to recognizing that we really mean the
Let us today devote our practicing to recognizing that we really mean the
words we say. We want the peace of God. This is no idle wish. These words
[[words]] we say. We want the [[peace]] of [[God]]. This is no idle wish. These words
do not request another dream be given us. They do not ask for compromise,
do not request another dream be given us. They do not ask for [[compromise]],
nor try to make another bargain in the hope that there may yet be one that
nor try to make another [[bargain]] in the [[hope]] that there may yet be one that
can succeed where all the rest have failed. To mean these words
can succeed where all the rest have failed. To mean these words
acknowledges illusions are in vain, requesting the eternal in the place of
acknowledges [[illusions]] are in vain, requesting the [[eternal]] in the place of
shifting dreams which seem to change in what they offer, but are one in
shifting dreams which seem to [[change]] in what they offer, but are one in
nothingness.
nothingness.
Today devote your practice periods to careful searching of your mind, to
Today [[devote]] your [[practice]] periods to careful searching of [[your mind]], to
find the dreams you cherish still. What do you ask for in your heart? Forget
find the dreams you cherish still. What do you ask for in your [[heart]]? Forget
the words you use in making your requests. Consider but what you believe
the words you use in making your requests. [[Consider]] but what you [[believe]]
will comfort you, and bring you happiness. But be you not dismayed by
will [[comfort]] you, and bring you [[happiness]]. But be you not dismayed by
lingering illusions, for their form is not what matters now. Let not some
lingering [[illusions]], for their form is not what matters now. Let not some
dreams be more acceptable, reserving shame and secrecy for others. They
dreams be more acceptable, reserving [[shame]] and [[secrecy]] for others. They
are one. And being one, one question should be asked of all of them, "Is this
are one. And being one, one question should be asked of all of them, "Is this
what I would have, in place of Heaven and the peace of God?"
what I would have, in place of [[Heaven]] and the peace of God?"
This is the choice you make. Be not deceived that it is otherwise. No
This is the [[choice]] you make. Be not [[deceived]] that it is otherwise. No
compromise is possible in this. You choose God's peace, or you have asked
[[compromise]] is possible in this. You choose God's peace, or you have asked
for dreams. And dreams will come as you requested them. Yet will God's
for dreams. And [[dreams]] will come as you requested them. Yet will God's
peace come just as certainly, and to remain with you forever. It will not be
peace come just as certainly, and to remain with you forever. It will not be
gone with every twist and turning of the road, to reappear, unrecognized, in
gone with every twist and turning of the road, to reappear, unrecognized, in
forms which shift and change with every step you take.
forms which shift and [[change]] with every [[step]] you take.
You want the peace of God. And so do all who seem to seek for dreams. For
You want the [[peace]] of God. And so do all who seem to seek for [[dreams]]. For
them as well as for yourself, you ask but this when you make this request
them as well as for yourself, you ask but this when you make this request
with deep sincerity. For thus you reach to what they really want, and join
with deep [[sincerity]]. For thus you reach to what they really want, and join
your own intent with what they seek above all things, perhaps unknown to
your own [[intent]] with what they seek above all things, perhaps [[unknown]] to
them, but sure to you. You have been weak at times, uncertain in your
them, but sure to you. You have been weak at times, uncertain in your
purpose, and unsure of what you wanted, where to look for it, and where to
[[purpose]], and unsure of what you wanted, where to look for it, and where to
turn for help in the attempt. Help has been given you. And would you not
turn for help in the attempt. Help has been given you. And would you not
avail yourself of it by sharing it?
avail yourself of it by [[sharing]] it?
No one who truly seeks the peace of God can fail to find it. For he merely
No one who truly seeks the [[peace]] of God can fail to find it. For he merely
asks that he deceive himself no longer by denying to himself what is God's
asks that he [[deceive]] himself no longer by denying to himself what is [[God's
Will. Who can remain unsatisfied who asks for what he has already? Who
Will]]. Who can remain unsatisfied who asks for what he has already? Who
could be unanswered who requests an answer which is his to give? The
could be unanswered who requests an answer which is his to give? The
peace of God is yours.
peace of God is yours.
For you was peace created, given you by its Creator, and established as His
For you was peace created, given you by its [[Creator]], and established as His
Own eternal gift. How can you fail, when you but ask for what He wills for
Own [[eternal]] gift. How can you fail, when you but ask for what He wills for
you? And how could your request be limited to you alone? No gift of God
you? And how could your request be limited to you [[alone]]? No gift of God
can be unshared. It is this attribute that sets the gifts of God apart from
can be unshared. It is this [[attribute]] that sets the gifts of God apart from
every dream that ever seemed to take the place of truth.
every dream that ever seemed to take the place of [[truth]].
No one can lose and everyone must gain whenever any gift of God has been
No one can lose and everyone must gain whenever any gift of God has been
requested and received by anyone. God gives but to unite. To take away is
requested and [[received]] by anyone. God gives but to [[unite]]. To take away is
meaningless to Him. And when it is as meaningless to you, you can be sure
meaningless to Him. And when it is as meaningless to you, you can be sure
you share one Will with Him, and He with you. And you will also know
you [[share]] one Will with Him, and He with you. And you will also know
you share one Will with all your brothers, whose intent is yours.
you share one Will with all your brothers, whose [[intent]] is yours.
It is this one intent we seek today, uniting our desires with the need of every
It is this one [[intent]] we seek today, uniting our [[desires]] with the need of every
heart, the call of every mind, the hope that lies beyond despair, the love
[[heart]], [[the call]] of every [[mind]], the [[hope]] that lies beyond despair, the [[love]]
attack would hide, the brotherhood that hate has sought to sever, but which
[[attack]] would hide, the brotherhood that [[hate]] has sought to sever, but which
still remains as God created it. With Help like this beside us, can we fail
still remains as God created it. With Help like this beside us, can we fail
today as we request the peace of God be given us?
today as we request the peace of God be given us?
[[Category: Workbook I]]
[[Category: Workbook I]]
[[Category: Peace]]