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The opposite of illusions is not disillusionment but truth. Only to the ego, to which truth is meaningless, do they appear to be the only alternatives, and different from each other. In truth they are the same. Both bring the same amount of misery, though each one seems to be the way to lose the misery the other brings. Every illusion carries pain and suffering in the dark folds of the heavy garments in which it hides its nothingness. Yet by these dark and heavy garments are those who seek illusions covered, and hidden from the joy of truth.

The opposite of [[illusions]] is not [[disillusionment]] but [[truth]]. Only to the [[ego]], to which truth is meaningless, do they appear to be the only alternatives, and different from each other. In truth they are the same. Both bring the same amount of [[misery]], though each one seems to be the way to lose the misery the other brings. Every illusion carries [[pain]] and suffering in the dark folds of the heavy garments in which it hides its nothingness. Yet by these dark and heavy garments are those who seek illusions covered, and hidden from the [[joy]] of truth.

Truth is the opposite of illusions because it offers joy. What else but joy could be the opposite of misery? To leave one kind of misery and seek another is hardly an escape. To change illusions is to make no change. The search for joy in misery is senseless, for how could joy be found in misery? All that is possible in the dark world of misery is to select some aspects out of it, see them as different, and define the difference as joy. Yet to perceive a difference where none exists will surely fail to make a difference.

[[Truth]] is the opposite of [[illusions]] because it offers [[joy]]. What else but joy could be the opposite of misery? To leave one kind of misery and seek another is hardly an [[escape]]. To change illusions is to make no [[change]]. The search for joy in misery is senseless, for how could joy be found in misery? All that is possible in the dark world of misery is to select some aspects out of it, see them as different, and define the [[difference]] as joy. Yet to [[perceive]] a difference where none exists will surely fail to make a difference.

Illusions carry only guilt and suffering, sickness and death, to their believers. The form in which they are accepted is irrelevant. No form of misery in reason's eyes can be confused with joy. Joy is eternal. You can be sure indeed that any seeming happiness that does not last is really fear. Joy does not turn to sorrow, for the eternal cannot change. But sorrow can be turned to joy, for time gives way to the eternal. Only the timeless must remain unchanged, but everything in time can change with time. Yet if the change be real and not imagined, illusions must give way to truth, and not to other dreams that are but equally unreal. This is no difference.

[[Illusions]] carry only [[guilt]] and [[suffering]], sickness and [[death]], to their believers. The form in which they are [[accepted]] is irrelevant. No form of misery in reason's eyes can be [[confused]] with joy. Joy is eternal. You can be sure indeed that any seeming [[happiness]] that does not last is really [[fear]]. Joy does not turn to sorrow, for the [[eternal]] cannot change. But sorrow can be turned to joy, for time gives way to the eternal. Only the timeless must remain unchanged, but [[everything]] in time can change with time. Yet if the change be real and not [[imagined]], illusions must give way to truth, and not to other [[dreams]] that are but equally unreal. This is no difference.

Reason will tell you that the only way to escape from misery is to recognize it and go the other way. Truth is the same and misery the same, but they are different from each other in every way, in every instance and without exception. To believe that one exception can exist is to confuse what is the same with what is different. One illusion cherished and defended against the truth makes all truth meaningless, and all illusions real. Such is the power of belief. It cannot compromise. And faith in innocence is faith in sin, if the belief excludes one living thing and holds it out, apart from its forgiveness.

Reason will tell you that the only way to [[escape]] from misery is to recognize it and go the other way. [[Truth]] is the same and misery the same, but they are different from each other in every way, in every instance and without exception. To [[believe]] that one exception can exist is to [[confuse]] what is the same with what is different. One illusion cherished and [[defended]] against the truth makes all truth meaningless, and all illusions real. Such is the [[power]] of belief. It cannot [[compromise]]. And faith in [[innocence]] is faith in sin, if the belief excludes one living thing and holds it out, apart from its [[forgiveness]].

Both reason and the ego will tell you this, but what they make of it is not the same. The ego will assure you now that it is impossible for you to see no guilt in anyone. And if this seeing is the only means by which escape from guilt can be attained, then the belief in sin must be eternal. Yet reason looks on this another way, for reason sees the source of an idea as what will make it either true or false. This must be so, if the idea is like its source. Therefore, says reason, if escape from guilt was given to the Holy Spirit as his purpose, and by one to whom nothing he wills can be impossible, the means for its attainment are more than possible. They must be there, and you must have them.

Both reason and the [[ego]] will tell you this, but what they make of it is not the same. The ego will [[assure]] you now that it is impossible for you to see no [[guilt]] in anyone. And if this seeing is the only means by which [[escape]] from guilt can be [[attained]], then the belief in sin must be [[eternal]]. Yet reason looks on this another way, for reason sees the source of an [[idea]] as what will make it either true or false. This must be so, if the idea is like its source. Therefore, says reason, if escape from guilt was given to the [[Holy Spirit]] as his [[purpose]], and by one to whom nothing he wills can be impossible, the means for its [[attainment]] are more than possible. They must be there, and you must have them.

This is a crucial period in this course, for here the separation of you and the ego must be made complete. For if you have the means to let the Holy Spirit's purpose be accomplished, they can be used. And through their use will you gain faith in them. Yet to the ego this must be impossible, and no one undertakes to do what holds no hope of ever being done. You know what your Creator wills is possible, but what you made believes it is not so. Now must you choose between yourself and an illusion of yourself. Not both, but one. There is no point in trying to avoid this one decision. It must be made. Faith and belief can fall to either side, but reason tells you misery lies only on one side and joy upon the other.

This is a crucial period in [[ACIM|this course]], for here the [[separation]] of you and the [[ego]] must be made complete. For if you have the means to let the [[Holy Spirit]]'s [[purpose]] be accomplished, they can be used. And through their use will you gain [[faith]] in them. Yet to the ego this must be impossible, and no one undertakes to do what holds no [[hope]] of ever being done. You know what your [[Creator]] wills is possible, but what you made believes it is not so. Now must you [[choose]] between yourself and an illusion of yourself. Not both, but one. There is no point in trying to avoid this one [[decision]]. It must be made. [[Faith]] and [[belief]] can fall to either side, but reason tells you misery lies only on one side and [[joy]] upon the other.

Forsake not now your brother. For you who are the same will not decide alone nor differently. Either you give each other life or death; either you are each other's savior or his judge, offering him sanctuary or condemnation. This course will be believed entirely or not at all. For it is wholly true or wholly false, and cannot be but partially believed. And you will either escape from misery entirely or not at all. Reason will tell you that there is no middle ground where you can pause uncertainly, waiting to choose between the joy of Heaven and the misery of hell. Until you choose Heaven, you are in hell and misery.

[[Forsake]] not now your brother. For you who are the same will not [[decide]] alone nor differently. Either you give each other [[life]] or [[death]]; either you are each other's [[savior]] or his [[judge]], offering him [[sanctuary]] or [[condemnation]]. This course will be believed entirely or not at all. For it is wholly true or wholly false, and cannot be but partially believed. And you will either escape from misery entirely or not at all. Reason will tell you that there is no middle ground where you can pause uncertainly, waiting to choose between the [[joy]] of [[Heaven]] and the misery of [[hell]]. Until you choose Heaven, you are in hell and misery.

There is no part of Heaven you can take and weave into illusions. Nor is there one illusion you can enter Heaven with. A savior cannot be a judge, nor mercy condemnation. And vision cannot damn, but only bless. Whose function is to save, will save. How he will do it is beyond your understanding, but when must be your choice. For time you made, and time you can command. You are no more a slave to time than to the world you made.

There is no part of Heaven you can take and [[weave]] into [[illusions]]. Nor is there one illusion you can enter Heaven with. A savior cannot be a [[judge]], nor [[mercy]] [[condemnation]]. And [[vision]] cannot [[damn]], but only [[bless]]. Whose [[function]] is to save, will save. How he will do it is beyond your [[understanding]], but when must be your choice. For time you made, and time you can command. You are no more a slave to [[time]] than to the world you made.

Let us look closer at the whole illusion that what you made has power to enslave its maker. This is the same belief that caused the separation. It is the meaningless idea that thoughts can leave the thinker's mind, be different from it and in opposition to it. If this were true, thoughts would not be the mind's extensions, but its enemies. And here we see again another form of the same fundamental illusion we have seen many times before. Only if it were possible the Son of God could leave his Father's Mind, make himself different and oppose his will, would it be possible that the self he made, and all it made, should be his master.

Let us look closer at the whole [[illusion]] that what you made has power to enslave its maker. This is the same [[belief]] that caused the [[separation]]. It is the meaningless idea that thoughts can leave the thinker's [[mind]], be different from it and in opposition to it. If this were true, thoughts would not be [[the mind]]'s [[extensions]], but its [[enemies]]. And here we see again another form of the same fundamental illusion we have seen many times before. Only if it were possible the Son of God could leave his Father's Mind, make himself different and oppose his will, would it be possible that [[the self]] he made, and all it made, should be his master.

Behold the great projection, but look on it with the decision that it must be healed, and not with fear. Nothing you made has any power over you unless you still would be apart from your Creator, and with a will opposed to his. For only if you would believe his Son could be his enemy does it seem possible that what you made is yours. You would condemn his joy to misery, and make him different. And all the misery you made has been your own. Are you not glad to learn it is not true? Is it not welcome news to hear not one of the illusions that you made replaced the truth?

Behold the great [[projection]], but look on it with the [[decision]] that it must be [[healed]], and not with [[fear]]. Nothing you made has any power over you unless you still would be apart from your [[Creator]], and with a will opposed to his. For only if you would believe his Son could be his enemy does it seem possible that what you made is yours. You would [[condemn]] his [[joy]] to [[misery]], and make him different. And all the misery you made has been your own. Are you not glad to [[learn]] it is not true? Is it not welcome news to hear not one of the [[illusions]] that you made replaced the [[truth]]?

Only your thoughts have been impossible. Salvation cannot be. It is impossible to look upon your savior as your enemy and recognize him. Yet it is possible to recognize him for what he is, if God would have it so. What God has given to your holy relationship is there. For what he gave the Holy Spirit to give to you he gave. Would you not look upon the savior that has been given you? And would you not exchange, in gratitude, the function of an executioner you gave him for the one he has in truth? Receive of him what God has given him for you, not what you tried to give yourself.

Only your [[thoughts]] have been impossible. [[Salvation]] cannot be. It is impossible to look upon your [[savior]] as your enemy and recognize him. Yet it is possible to [[recognize]] him for what he is, if God would have it so. What God has given to your [[holy relationship]] is there. For what he gave the [[Holy Spirit]] to give to you he gave. Would you not look upon the savior that has been given you? And would you not exchange, in [[gratitude]], the function of an executioner you gave him for the one he has in truth? Receive of him what God has given him for you, not what you tried to give yourself.

Beyond the bodies that you interposed between you, and shining in the golden light that reaches it from the bright, endless circle that extends forever, is your holy relationship, beloved of God himself. How still it rests, in time and yet beyond, immortal yet on earth. How great the power that lies in it. Time waits upon its will, and earth will be as it would have it be. Here is no separate will, nor the desire that anything be separate. Its will has no exceptions, and what it wills is true. Every illusion brought to its forgiveness is gently overlooked and disappears. For at its center Christ has been reborn, to light his home with vision that overlooks the world. Would you not have this holy home be yours as well? No misery is here, but only joy.

Beyond the [[bodies]] that you [[interposed]] between you, and shining in the golden [[light]] that reaches it from the bright, endless circle that extends forever, is your [[holy relationship]], beloved of God himself. How still it [[rests]], in time and yet beyond, [[immortal]] yet on earth. How great the [[power]] that lies in it. Time waits upon its will, and [[earth]] will be as it would have it be. Here is no separate will, nor the desire that anything be separate. Its will has no exceptions, and what it wills is true. Every [[illusion]] brought to its [[forgiveness]] is gently overlooked and disappears. For at its center Christ has been reborn, to light his [[home]] with vision that overlooks the world. Would you not have this holy home be yours as well? No misery is here, but only joy.

All you need do to dwell in quiet here with Christ is share his vision. Quickly and gladly is his vision given anyone who is but willing to see his brother sinless. And no one can remain beyond this willingness, if you would be released entirely from all effects of sin. Would you have partial forgiveness for yourself? Can you reach Heaven while a single sin still tempts you to remain in misery? Heaven is the home of perfect purity, and God created it for you. Look on your holy brother, sinless as yourself, and let him lead you there.  

All you need do to dwell in [[quiet]] here with Christ is [[share]] his [[vision]]. Quickly and gladly is his vision given anyone who is but willing to see his brother sinless. And no one can remain beyond this willingness, if you would be released entirely from all [[effects]] of [[sin]]. Would you have partial [[forgiveness]] for yourself? Can you reach [[Heaven]] while a single sin still [[tempts]] you to remain in misery? Heaven is the [[home]] of perfect [[purity]], and God created it for you. Look on your holy brother, sinless as yourself, and let him lead you there.  

[[Category: Chapter 22 - Salvation and the Holy Relationship]]

[[Category: Chapter 22 - Salvation and the Holy Relationship]]