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− | I want the peace of God. | + | I want the [[peace]] of [[God]]. |
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− | 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. |
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− | 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. |
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− | 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? |
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− | 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. |
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− | 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? |
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| [[Category: Workbook I]] | | [[Category: Workbook I]] |
| + | [[Category: Peace]] |