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− | Strictly speaking, words play no part at all in healing. The motivating factor | + | Strictly speaking, [[words]] play no part at all in [[healing]]. The [[motivating]] factor |
− | is prayer, or asking. What you ask for you receive. But this refers to the | + | is [[prayer]], or asking. What you ask for you [[receive]]. But this refers to the |
− | prayer of the heart, not to the words you use in praying. Sometimes the | + | prayer of the [[heart]], not to the words you use in praying. Sometimes the |
− | words and the prayer are contradictory; sometimes they agree. It does not | + | words and the prayer are [[contradictory]]; sometimes they agree. It does not |
− | matter. God does not understand words, for they were made by separated | + | matter. [[God]] does not understand words, for they were made by [[separated]] |
− | minds to keep them in the illusion of separation. Words can be helpful, | + | [[minds]] to keep them in the [[illusion]] of separation. Words can be helpful, |
− | particularly for the beginner, in helping concentration and facilitating the | + | particularly for the beginner, in helping concentration and [[facilitating]] the |
− | exclusion, or at least the control, of extraneous thoughts. Let us not forget, | + | [[exclusion]], or at least the [[control]], of extraneous thoughts. Let us not forget, |
− | however, that words are but symbols of symbols. They are thus twice | + | however, that words are but [[symbols]] of symbols. They are thus twice |
− | removed from reality. | + | removed from [[reality]]. |
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| As symbols, words have quite specific references. Even when they seem | | As symbols, words have quite specific references. Even when they seem |
− | most abstract, the picture that comes to mind is apt to be very concrete. | + | most [[abstract]], the picture that comes to [[mind]] is apt to be very concrete. |
− | Unless a specific referent does occur to the mind in conjunction with the | + | Unless a specific referent does occur to [[the mind]] in conjunction with the |
− | word, the word has little or no practical meaning, and thus cannot help the | + | word, the [[word]] has little or no [[practical]] [[meaning]], and thus cannot help the |
− | healing process. The prayer of the heart does not really ask for concrete | + | [[healing]] [[process]]. The prayer of the heart does not really ask for concrete |
− | things. It always requests some kind of experience, the specific things asked | + | things. It always requests some kind of [[experience]], the specific things asked |
− | for being the bringers of the desired experience in the opinion of the asker. | + | for being the bringers of the desired experience in the [[opinion]] of the asker. |
− | The words, then, are symbols for the things asked for, but the things | + | The [[words]], then, are [[symbols]] for the things asked for, but the things |
− | themselves but stand for the experiences that are hoped for. | + | themselves but stand for the experiences that are [[hoped]] for. |
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− | The prayer for things of this world will bring experiences of this world. If | + | The [[prayer]] for [[things]] of this world will bring [[experiences]] of this world. If |
− | the prayer of the heart asks for this, this will be given because this will be | + | the prayer of the [[heart]] asks for this, this will be given because this will be |
− | received. It is impossible that the prayer of the heart remain unanswered in | + | [[received]]. It is impossible that the prayer of the heart remain unanswered in |
− | the perception of the one who asks. If he asks for the impossible, if he wants | + | the [[perception]] of the one who asks. If he asks for the impossible, if he wants |
− | what does not exist or seeks for illusions in his heart, all this becomes his | + | what does not exist or seeks for [[illusions]] in his heart, all this [[becomes]] his |
− | own. The power of his decision offers it to him as he requests. Herein lie | + | own. The [[power]] of his [[decision]] offers it to him as he requests. Herein lie |
− | hell and Heaven. The sleeping Son of God has but this power left to him. It | + | [[hell]] and [[Heaven]]. The [[sleeping]] Son of God has but this power left to him. It |
− | is enough. His words do not matter. Only the Word of God has any | + | is enough. His words do not matter. Only the [[Word of God]] has any |
− | meaning, because it symbolizes that which has no human symbols at all. | + | [[meaning]], because it symbolizes that which has no human symbols at all. |
− | The Holy Spirit alone understands what this Word stands for. And this, too, | + | The [[Holy Spirit]] alone understands what this Word stands for. And this, too, |
| is enough. | | is enough. |
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− | Is the teacher of God, then, to avoid the use of words in his teaching? No, | + | Is the [[teacher of God]], then, to avoid the use of [[words]] in his teaching? No, |
| indeed! There are many who must be reached through words, being as yet | | indeed! There are many who must be reached through words, being as yet |
− | unable to hear in silence. The teacher of God must, however, learn to use | + | unable to hear in [[silence]]. The teacher of God must, however, learn to use |
− | words in a new way. Gradually, he learns how to let his words be chosen for | + | words in a new way. [[Gradually]], he learns how to let his words be chosen for |
− | him by ceasing to decide for himself what he will say. This process is | + | him by ceasing to [[decide]] for himself what he will say. This [[process]] is |
− | merely a special case of the lesson in the workbook that says, "I will step | + | merely a special case of the lesson in [[ACIM Workbook - Lesson 155|the workbook]] that says, "I will [[step]] |
− | back and let Him lead the way." The teacher of God accepts the words | + | back and let Him lead the way." The [[teacher of God]] accepts the words |
− | which are offered him, and gives as he receives. He does not control the | + | which are offered him, and gives as he [[receives]]. He does not [[control]] the |
− | direction of his speaking. He listens and hears and speaks. | + | direction of his speaking. He [[listens]] and hears and speaks. |
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− | A major hindrance in this aspect of his learning is the teacher of God's fear | + | A major hindrance in this aspect of his [[learning]] is the [[teacher of God]]'s fear |
| about the validity of what he hears. And what he hears may indeed be quite | | about the validity of what he hears. And what he hears may indeed be quite |
− | startling. It may also seem to be quite irrelevant to the presented problem as | + | startling. It may also seem to be quite irrelevant to the presented [[problem]] as |
− | he perceives it, and may, in fact, confront the teacher with a situation that | + | he [[perceives]] it, and may, in fact, confront the teacher with a situation that |
− | appears to be very embarrassing to him. All these are judgments that have | + | appears to be very [[embarrassing]] to him. All these are [[judgments]] that have |
− | no value. They are his own, coming from a shabby self-perception which he | + | no [[value]]. They are his own, coming from a shabby [[self]]-[[perception]] which he |
− | would leave behind. Judge not the words that come to you, but offer them in | + | would leave behind. Judge not the [[words]] that come to you, but offer them in |
− | confidence. They are far wiser than your own. God's teachers have God's | + | [[confidence]]. They are far wiser than your own. [[God's teachers]] have God's |
− | Word behind their symbols. And He Himself gives to the words they use | + | Word behind their [[symbols]]. And He Himself gives to the words they use |
− | the power of His Spirit, raising them from meaningless symbols to the Call | + | the power of His Spirit, raising them from meaningless symbols to [[the Call]] |
− | of Heaven itself | + | of [[Heaven]] itself |
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