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ACIM Manual for Teachers - Section 10 (view source)
Revision as of 17:26, 6 October 2015
, 17:26, 6 October 2015no edit summary
Judgment, like other devices by which the world of illusions is maintained,
[[Judgment]], like other devices by which the world of [[illusions]] is maintained,
is totally misunderstood by the world. It is actually confused with wisdom,
is totally misunderstood by the world. It is actually [[confused]] with [[wisdom]],
and substitutes for truth. As the world uses the term, an individual is
and substitutes for [[truth]]. As the world uses the term, an [[individual]] is
capable of "good" and "bad" judgment, and his education aims at
capable of "good" and "bad" judgment, and his [[education]] aims at
strengthening the former and minimizing the latter. There is, however,
strengthening the former and minimizing the latter. There is, however,
considerable confusion about what these categories mean. What is "good"
considerable confusion about what these categories mean. What is "good"
judgment to one is "bad" judgment to another. Further, even the same
judgment to one is "bad" judgment to another. Further, even the same
person classifies the same action as showing "good" judgment at one time
person [[classifies]] the same action as showing "good" judgment at one time
and "bad" judgment at another time. Nor can any consistent criteria for
and "bad" judgment at another time. Nor can any [[consistent]] criteria for
determining what these categories are be really taught. At any time the
determining what these categories are be really taught. At any time the
student may disagree with what his would-be teacher says about them, and
student may disagree with what his would-be teacher says about them, and
the teacher himself may well be inconsistent in what he believes. "Good"
the teacher himself may well be inconsistent in what he [[believes]]. "Good"
judgment, in these terms, does not mean anything. No more does "bad."
judgment, in these terms, does not mean anything. No more does "bad."
It is necessary for the teacher of God to realize, not that he should not judge,
It is [[necessary]] for the [[teacher of God]] to realize, not that he should not judge,
but that he cannot. In giving up judgment, he is merely giving up what he
but that he cannot. In giving up [[judgment]], he is merely giving up what he
did not have. He gives up an illusion; or better, he has an illusion of giving
did not have. He gives up an [[illusion]]; or better, he has an illusion of giving
up. He has actually merely become more honest. Recognizing that judgment
up. He has actually merely [[become]] more [[honest]]. Recognizing that judgment
was always impossible for him, he no longer attempts it. This is no
was always impossible for him, he no longer attempts it. This is no
sacrifice. On the contrary, he puts himself in a position where judgment
[[sacrifice]]. On the contrary, he puts himself in a position where judgment
<through> him rather than <by> him can occur. And this judgment is
<through> him rather than <by> him can occur. And this judgment is
neither "good" nor "bad." It is the only judgment there is, and it is only one:
neither "good" nor "bad." It is the only judgment there is, and it is only one:
"God's Son is guiltless, and sin does not exist."
"God's Son is [[guiltless]], and [[sin]] does not exist."
The aim of our curriculum, unlike the goal of the world's learning, is the
The aim of our [[curriculum]], unlike the goal of the world's [[learning]], is the
recognition that judgment in the usual sense is impossible. This is not an
[[recognition]] that judgment in the usual sense is impossible. This is not an
opinion but a fact. In order to judge anything rightly, one would have to be
[[opinion]] but a [[fact]]. In order to judge anything rightly, one would have to be
fully aware of an inconceivably wide range of things; past, present and to
fully aware of an inconceivably wide range of things; [[past]], [[present]] and [[future|to
come. One would have to recognize in advance all the effects of his
come]]. One would have to recognize in advance all the effects of his
judgments on everyone and everything involved in them in any way. And
judgments on everyone and everything involved in them in any way. And
one would have to be certain there is no distortion in his perception, so that
one would have to be certain there is no [[distortion]] in his [[perception]], so that
his judgment would be wholly fair to everyone on whom it rests now and in
his judgment would be wholly fair to everyone on whom it [[rests]] now and in
the future. Who is in a position to do this? Who except in grandiose
the [[future]]. Who is in a position to do this? Who except in [[grandiose]]
fantasies would claim this for himself?
fantasies would claim this for himself?
Remember how many times you thought you knew all the "facts" you
Remember how many times you thought you knew all the "[[facts]]" you
needed for judgment, and how wrong you were! Is there anyone who has
needed for [[judgment]], and how wrong you were! Is there anyone who has
not had this experience? Would you know how many times you merely
not had this [[experience]]? Would you know how many times you merely
thought you were right, without ever realizing you were wrong? Why would
thought you were right, without ever realizing you were wrong? Why would
you choose such an arbitrary basis for decision making? Wisdom is not
you [[choose]] such an [[arbitrary]] basis for [[decision]] making? [[Wisdom]] is not
judgment; it is the relinquishment of judgment. Make then but one more
judgment; it is the relinquishment of judgment. Make then but one more
judgment. It is this: There is Someone with you Whose judgment is perfect.
judgment. It is this: There is Someone with you Whose judgment is [[perfect]].
He does know all the facts; past, present and to come. He does know all the
He does know all the [[facts]]; past, present and to come. He does know all the
effects of His judgment on everyone and everything involved in any way.
effects of His judgment on everyone and [[everything]] involved in any way.
And He is wholly fair to everyone, for there is no distortion in His
And He is wholly [[fair]] to everyone, for there is no distortion in His
perception.
perception.
Therefore lay judgment down, not with regret but with a sigh of gratitude.
Therefore lay [[judgment]] down, not with [[regret]] but with a sigh of [[gratitude]].
Now are you free of a burden so great that you could merely stagger and fall
Now are you free of a [[burden]] so great that you could merely stagger and fall
down beneath it. And it was all illusion. Nothing more. Now can the teacher
down beneath it. And it was all [[illusion]]. Nothing more. Now can the [[teacher
of God rise up unburdened, and walk lightly on. Yet it is not only this that is
of God]] rise up unburdened, and walk lightly on. Yet it is not only this that is
his benefit. His sense of care is gone, for he has none. He has given it away,
his benefit. His sense of care is gone, for he has none. He has given it away,
along with judgment. He gave himself to Him Whose judgment he has
along with judgment. He gave himself to Him Whose judgment he has
chosen now to trust, instead of his own. Now he makes no mistakes. His
chosen now to [[trust]], instead of his own. Now he makes no mistakes. His
Guide is sure. And where he came to judge, he comes to bless. Where now
[[Guide]] is sure. And where he came to judge, he comes to [[bless]]. Where now
he laughs, he used to come to weep.
he [[laughs]], he used to come to [[weep]].
It is not difficult to relinquish judgment. But it is difficult indeed to try to
It is not difficult to relinquish [[judgment]]. But it is difficult indeed to try to
keep it. The teacher of God lays it down happily the instant he recognizes
keep it. The [[teacher of God]] lays it down happily the instant he [[recognizes]]
its cost. All of the ugliness he sees about him is its outcome. All of the pain
its cost. All of the ugliness he sees about him is its outcome. All of the [[pain]]
he looks upon is its result. All of the loneliness and sense of loss; of passing
he looks upon is its result. All of the [[loneliness]] and sense of loss; of passing
time and growing hopelessness; of sickening despair and fear of death; all
time and growing hopelessness; of sickening [[despair]] and [[fear]] of [[death]]; all
these have come of it. And now he knows that these things need not be. Not
these have come of it. And now he knows that these things need not be. Not
one is true. For he has given up their cause, and they, which never were but
one is true. For he has given up their cause, and they, which never were but
the effects of his mistaken choice, have fallen from him. Teacher of God,
the effects of his mistaken [[choice]], have fallen from him. Teacher of God,
this step will bring you peace. Can it be difficult to want but this?
this step will bring you [[peace]]. Can it be difficult to want but this?
[[Category:Manual for Teachers]]
[[Category:Manual for Teachers]]
[[Category: Judgment]]