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===The Illusion of Needs===

===The Illusion of Needs===

You who want peace can find it only by complete forgiveness. No learning is acquired by anyone unless he wants to learn it and believes in some way that he needs it. While lack does not exist in the creation of God, it is very apparent in what you have made. It is, in fact, the essential difference between them. Lack implies that you would be better off in a state somehow different from the one you are in. Until the 'separation', which is the meaning of the 'fall', nothing was lacking. There were no needs at all. Needs arise only when you deprive yourself. You act according to the particular order of needs you establish. This, in turn, depends on your perception of what you are.

You who want [[peace]] can find it only by complete [[forgiveness]]. No [[learning]] is acquired by anyone unless he wants to learn it and believes in some way that he needs it. While lack does not exist in the [[creation]] of God, it is very apparent in what you have made. It is, in fact, the essential [[difference]] between them. Lack implies that you would be better off in a state somehow different from the one you are in. Until the '[[separation]]', which is the meaning of the 'fall', nothing was lacking. There were no needs at all. Needs arise only when you deprive yourself. You [[act]] according to the particular order of needs you establish. This, in turn, depends on your [[perception]] of what you are.

A sense of separation from God is the only lack you really need correct. This sense of separation would never have arisen if you had not distorted your perception of truth, and had thus perceived yourself as lacking. The idea of order of needs arose because, having made this fundamental error, you had already fragmented yourself into levels with different needs. As you integrate you become one, and your needs become one accordingly. Unified needs lead to unified action, because this produces a lack of conflict.

A sense of [[separation]] from [[God]] is the only lack you really need [[correct]]. This sense of separation would never have arisen if you had not [[distorted]] your perception of [[truth]], and had thus perceived yourself as lacking. The [[idea]] of order of needs arose because, having made this fundamental error, you had already [[fragmented]] yourself into levels with different needs. As you [[integrate]] you become [[one]], and your needs become one accordingly. Unified needs lead to unified action, because this produces a lack of [[conflict]].

The idea of orders of need, which follows from the original error that one can be separated from God, requires correction at its own level before the error of perceiving levels at all can be corrected. You cannot behave effectively while you function on different levels. However, while you do, correction must be introduced vertically from the bottom up. This is because you think you live in space, where concepts such as 'up' and 'down' are meaningful. Ultimately, space is as meaningless as time. Both are merely beliefs.

The idea of orders of need, which follows from the original [[error]] that one can be [[separated]] from God, requires correction at its own level before the error of perceiving levels at all can be corrected. You cannot [[behave]] effectively while you [[function]] on different levels. However, while you do, correction must be introduced vertically from the bottom up. This is because you [[think]] you live in [[space]], where concepts such as 'up' and 'down' are meaningful. Ultimately, space is as meaningless as [[time]]. Both are merely [[beliefs]].

The real purpose of this world is to use it to correct your unbelief. You can never control the effects of fear yourself, because you made fear, and you believe in what you made. In attitude, then, though not in content, you resemble your Creator, Who has perfect faith in His creations because He created them. Belief produces the acceptance of existence. That is why you can believe what no one else thinks is true. It is true for you ''because'' it was made by you.

The real [[purpose]] of [[this world]] is to use it to correct your unbelief. You can never [[control]] the effects of [[fear]] yourself, because you made fear, and you believe in what you made. In [[attitude]], then, though not in [[content]], you resemble your [[Creator]], Who has perfect [[faith]] in His creations because He created them. [[Belief]] produces the [[acceptance]] of [[existence]]. That is why you can believe what no one else thinks is true. It is true for you ''because'' it was made by you.

All aspects of fear are untrue because they do not exist at the creative level, and therefore do not exist at all. To whatever extent you are willing to submit your beliefs to this test, to that extent are your perceptions corrected. In sorting out the false from the true, the miracle proceeds along these lines:

All aspects of [[fear]] are untrue because they do not exist at the [[creative]] level, and therefore do not exist at all. To whatever extent you are willing to submit your [[beliefs]] to this test, to that extent are your [[perceptions]] corrected. In sorting out the false from the true, the miracle proceeds along these lines:

:Perfect love casts out fear.

:''[[Perfect]] [[love]] casts out [[fear]].''

:If fear exists,

:''If fear exists,''

:Then there is not perfect love.

:''Then there is not perfect love.''

But:

But:

:Only perfect love exists.

:''Only perfect love exists.''

:If there is fear,

:''If there is fear,''

:It produces a state that does not exist.

:''It produces a state that does not exist.''

Believe this and you will be free. Only God can establish this solution, and this faith ''is'' His gift.

[[Believe]] this and you will be free. Only [[God]] can establish this solution, and this [[faith]] ''is'' His gift.

===Distortions of Miracle Impulses===

===Distortions of Miracle Impulses===

Your distorted perceptions produce a dense cover over miracle impulses, making it hard for them to reach your own awareness. The confusion of miracle impulses with physical impulses is a major perceptual distortion. Physical impulses are misdirected miracle impulses. All real pleasure comes from doing God's Will. This is because ''not'' doing it is a denial of Self. Denial of Self results in illusions, while correction of the error brings release from it. Do not deceive yourself into believing that you can relate in peace to God or to your brothers with anything external.

Your [[distorted]] [[perceptions]] produce a dense cover over [[miracle]] [[impulses]], making it hard for them to reach your own [[awareness]]. The [[confusion]] of miracle impulses with [[physical]] impulses is a major perceptual distortion. Physical impulses are misdirected miracle impulses. All real [[pleasure]] comes from [[doing God's Will]]. This is because ''not'' doing it is a [[denial]] of [[Self]]. Denial of Self results in [[illusions]], while correction of the error brings release from it. Do not [[deceive]] yourself into believing that you can relate in [[peace]] to God or to your brothers with anything external.

Child of God, you were created to create the good, the beautiful and the holy. Do not forget this. The Love of God, for a little while, must still be expressed through one body to another, because vision is still so dim. You can use your body best to help you enlarge your perception so you can achieve real vision, of which the physical eye is incapable. Learning to do this is the body 's only true usefulness.

Child of God, you were created to create the [[good]], the [[beautiful]] and the [[holy]]. Do not [[forget]] this. The [[Love]] of God, for a little while, must still be [[expressed]] through one body to another, because [[vision]] is still so dim. You can use your body best to help you enlarge your [[perception]] so you can achieve real [[vision]], of which the physical eye is incapable. [[Learning]] to do this is the body 's only true usefulness.

Fantasy is a distorted form of vision. Fantasies of any kind are distortions, because they always involve twisting perception into unreality. Actions that stem from distortions are literally the reactions of those who know not what they do. Fantasy is an attempt to control reality according to false needs. Twist reality in any way and you are perceiving destructively. Fantasies are a means of making false associations and attempting to obtain pleasure from them. But although you can perceive false associations, you can never make them real except to yourself. You believe in what you make. If you offer miracles, you will be equally strong in your belief in them. The strength of your conviction will then sustain the belief of the miracle receiver. Reality is 'lost' through usurpation, which produces tyranny. As long as a single 'slave' remains to walk the earth, your release is not complete. Complete restoration of the Sonship is the only goal of the miracle-minded.

[[Fantasy]] is a [[distorted]] form of vision. Fantasies of any kind are distortions, because they always involve twisting [[perception]] into unreality. [[Actions]] that stem from distortions are literally the [[reactions]] of those who know not what they do. Fantasy is an attempt to [[control]] [[reality]] according to false needs. Twist reality in any way and you are [[perceiving]] destructively. Fantasies are a means of making false [[associations]] and attempting to obtain [[pleasure]] from them. But although you can perceive false associations, you can never make them real except to yourself. You [[believe]] in what you make. If you offer miracles, you will be equally strong in your belief in them. The [[strength]] of your [[conviction]] will then sustain the belief of the miracle receiver. Reality is 'lost' through [[usurpation]], which produces [[tyranny]]. As long as a single '[[slave]]' remains to walk the earth, your release is not complete. Complete restoration of the Sonship is the only [[goal]] of the miracle-minded.

This is a course in mind training. All learning involves attention and study at some level. Some of the later parts of the course rest too heavily on these earlier sections not to require their careful study. You will also need them for preparation. Without this, you may become much too fearful of what is to come to make constructive use of it. However, as you study these earlier sections, you will begin to see some of the implications that will be amplified later on.

This is a [[course]] in [[mind]] [[training]]. All learning involves [[attention]] and [[study]] at some level. Some of the later parts of the course rest too heavily on these earlier sections not to require their careful study. You will also need them for [[preparation]]. Without this, you may [[become]] much too fearful of what is to come to make constructive use of it. However, as you study these earlier sections, you will begin to see some of the implications that will be amplified later on.

 

A solid [[foundation]] is [[necessary]] because of the [[confusion]] between [[fear]] and [[awe]] to which I have already referred, and which is often made. I have said that awe is inappropriate in connection with the Sons of God, because you should not [[experience]] awe in the [[presence]] of your [[equals]]. However, it was also emphasised that awe is proper in the [[Presence]] of your Creator. I have been careful to [[clarify]] my role in the Atonement without either over- or understating it. I am also trying to do the same with yours. I have stressed that awe is not an appropriate [[reaction]] to me because of our [[inherent]] [[equality]]. Some of the later [[steps]] in this course, however, involve a more direct approach to God Himself. It would be unwise to start on these steps without careful [[preparation]], or awe will be confused with [[fear]], and the experience will be more [[traumatic]] than beatific. [[Healing]] is of God in the end. The means are being carefully [[explained]] to you. [[Revelation]] may occasionally reveal the end to you, but to reach it the means are needed.

[[Category: The Text]]

[[Category: The Text]]