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− | In my defenselessness my safety lies. | + | In my [[defenselessness]] my [[safety]] lies. |
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− | You who feel threatened by this changing world, its twists of fortune and its | + | You who [[feel]] threatened by this changing world, its twists of fortune and its |
− | bitter jests, its brief relationships and all the "gifts" it merely lends to take | + | bitter jests, its brief [[relationships]] and all the "gifts" it merely lends to take |
| away again; attend this lesson well. The world provides no safety. It is | | away again; attend this lesson well. The world provides no safety. It is |
− | rooted in attack, and all its "gifts" of seeming safety are illusory deceptions. | + | rooted in [[attack]], and all its "gifts" of seeming safety are illusory [[deceptions]]. |
− | It attacks, and then attacks again. No peace of mind is possible where | + | It attacks, and then attacks again. No [[peace of mind]] is possible where |
− | danger threatens thus. | + | [[danger]] threatens thus. |
| | | |
− | The world gives rise but to defensiveness. For threat brings anger, anger | + | The world gives rise but to [[defensiveness]]. For threat brings [[anger]], anger |
− | makes attack seem reasonable, honestly provoked, and righteous in the | + | makes attack seem reasonable, [[honestly]] provoked, and [[righteous]] in the |
− | name of self-defense. Yet is defensiveness a double threat. For it attests to | + | name of [[self-defense]]. Yet is defensiveness a double threat. For it attests to |
− | weakness, and sets up a system of defense that cannot work. Now are the | + | [[weakness]], and sets up a system of defense that cannot work. Now are the |
− | weak still further undermined, for there is treachery without and still a | + | [[weak]] still further undermined, for there is [[treachery]] without and still a |
− | greater treachery within. The mind is now confused, and knows not where | + | greater treachery within. [[The mind]] is now [[confused]], and knows not where |
− | to turn to find escape from its imaginings. | + | to turn to find [[escape]] from its imaginings. |
| | | |
| It is as if a circle held it fast, wherein another circle bound it and another | | It is as if a circle held it fast, wherein another circle bound it and another |
− | one in that, until escape no longer can be hoped for nor obtained. Attack, | + | one in that, until escape no longer can be hoped for nor obtained. [[Attack]], |
− | defense; defense, attack, become the circles of the hours and the days that | + | [[defense]]; defense, attack, become the circles of the hours and the days that |
− | bind the mind in heavy bands of steel with iron overlaid, returning but to | + | bind the [[mind]] in heavy bands of steel with iron overlaid, returning but to |
| start again. There seems to be no break nor ending in the ever-tightening | | start again. There seems to be no break nor ending in the ever-tightening |
− | grip of the imprisonment upon the mind. | + | grip of the [[imprisonment]] upon the mind. |
| | | |
− | Defenses are the costliest of all the prices which the ego would exact. In | + | Defenses are the costliest of all the prices which the [[ego]] would exact. In |
− | them lies madness in a form so grim that hope of sanity seems but to be an | + | them lies madness in a form so grim that [[hope]] of [[sanity]] seems but to be an |
− | idle dream, beyond the possible. The sense of threat the world encourages is | + | idle [[dream]], beyond the possible. The sense of threat the world [[encourages]] is |
− | so much deeper, and so far beyond the frenzy and intensity of which you | + | so much deeper, and so far beyond the frenzy and [[intensity]] of which you |
− | can conceive, that you have no idea of all the devastation it has wrought. | + | can conceive, that you have no idea of all the [[devastation]] it has wrought. |
| | | |
− | You are its slave. You know not what you do, in fear of it. You do not | + | You are its [[slave]]. You know not what you do, in [[fear]] of it. You do not |
− | understand how much you have been made to sacrifice, who feel its iron | + | [[understand]] how much you have been made to [[sacrifice]], who feel its iron |
− | grip upon your heart. You do not realize what you have done to sabotage | + | grip upon your [[heart]]. You do not realize what you have done to [[sabotage]] |
| the holy peace of God by your defensiveness. For you behold the Son of | | the holy peace of God by your defensiveness. For you behold the Son of |
− | God as but a victim to attack by fantasies, by dreams, and by illusions he | + | God as but a [[victim]] to attack by fantasies, by dreams, and by [[illusions]] he |
− | has made; yet helpless in their presence, needful only of defense by still | + | has made; yet helpless in their [[presence]], needful only of defense by still |
| more fantasies, and dreams by which illusions of his safety comfort him. | | more fantasies, and dreams by which illusions of his safety comfort him. |
| | | |
− | Defenselessness is strength. It testifies to recognition of the Christ in you. | + | [[Defenselessness]] is [[strength]]. It testifies to recognition of the Christ in you. |
− | Perhaps you will recall the text maintains that choice is always made | + | Perhaps you will recall [[ACIM|the text]] maintains that choice is always made |
| between Christ's strength and your own weakness, seen apart from Him. | | between Christ's strength and your own weakness, seen apart from Him. |
− | Defenselessness can never be attacked, because it recognizes strength so | + | Defenselessness can never be [[attacked]], because it recognizes [[strength]] so |
− | great attack is folly, or a silly game a tired child might play, when he | + | great attack is [[folly]], or a silly game a tired child might play, when he |
| becomes too sleepy to remember what he wants. | | becomes too sleepy to remember what he wants. |
| | | |
− | Defensiveness is weakness. It proclaims you have denied the Christ and | + | [[Defensiveness]] is [[weakness]]. It proclaims you have denied the Christ and |
− | come to fear His Father's anger. What can save you now from your delusion | + | come to fear His Father's [[anger]]. What can save you now from your [[delusion]] |
| of an angry god, whose fearful image you believe you see at work in all the | | of an angry god, whose fearful image you believe you see at work in all the |
− | evils of the world? What but illusions could defend you now, when it is but | + | [[evils]] of the world? What but illusions could defend you now, when it is but |
| illusions that you fight? | | illusions that you fight? |
| | | |
− | We will not play such childish games today. For our true purpose is to save | + | We will not play such childish [[games]] today. For our true [[purpose]] is to save |
− | the world, and we would not exchange for foolishness the endless joy our | + | the world, and we would not exchange for foolishness the endless [[joy]] our |
− | function offers us. We would not let our happiness slip by because a | + | function offers us. We would not let our [[happiness]] slip by because a |
− | fragment of a senseless dream happened to cross our minds, and we mistook | + | fragment of a senseless dream happened to cross our [[minds]], and we mistook |
− | the figures in it for the Son of God; its tiny instant for eternity. | + | the figures in it for the Son of God; its tiny instant for [[eternity]]. |
| | | |
− | We look past dreams today, and recognize that we need no defense because | + | We look past [[dreams]] today, and recognize that we need no [[defense]] because |
| we are created unassailable, without all thought or wish or dream in which | | we are created unassailable, without all thought or wish or dream in which |
− | attack has any meaning. Now we cannot fear, for we have left all fearful | + | attack has any [[meaning]]. Now we cannot fear, for we have left all fearful |
| thoughts behind. And in defenselessness we stand secure, serenely certain | | thoughts behind. And in defenselessness we stand secure, serenely certain |
− | of our safety now, sure of salvation; sure we will fulfill our chosen purpose, | + | of our safety now, sure of [[salvation]]; sure we will fulfill our chosen purpose, |
− | as our ministry extends its holy blessing through the world. | + | as our ministry extends its holy [[blessing]] through the world. |
| | | |
− | Be still a moment, and in silence think how holy is your purpose, how | + | Be still a [[moment]], and in [[silence]] think how holy is your purpose, how |
− | secure you rest, untouchable within its light. God's ministers have chosen | + | secure you rest, untouchable within its [[light]]. God's ministers have chosen |
− | that the truth be with them. Who is holier than they? Who could be surer | + | that the [[truth]] be with them. Who is holier than they? Who could be surer |
| that his happiness is fully guaranteed? And who could be more mightily | | that his happiness is fully guaranteed? And who could be more mightily |
| protected? What defense could possibly be needed by the ones who are | | protected? What defense could possibly be needed by the ones who are |
| among the chosen ones of God, by His election and their own as well? | | among the chosen ones of God, by His election and their own as well? |
| | | |
− | It is the function of God's ministers to help their brothers choose as they | + | It is the [[function]] of God's ministers to help their brothers [[choose]] as they |
− | have done. God has elected all, but few have come to realize His Will is but | + | have done. God has elected all, but few have come to realize [[His Will]] is but |
− | their own. And while you fail to teach what you have learned, salvation | + | their own. And while you fail to teach what you have learned, [[salvation]] |
− | waits and darkness holds the world in grim imprisonment. Nor will you | + | waits and [[darkness]] holds the world in grim imprisonment. Nor will you |
− | learn that light has come to you, and your escape has been accomplished. | + | learn that light has come to you, and your [[escape]] has been accomplished. |
| For you will not see the light, until you offer it to all your brothers. As they | | For you will not see the light, until you offer it to all your brothers. As they |
− | take it from your hands, so will you recognize it as your own. | + | take it from your hands, so will you [[recognize]] it as your own. |
| | | |
− | Salvation can be thought of as a game that happy children play. It was | + | [[Salvation]] can be thought of as a [[game]] that [[happy]] children [[play]]. It was |
| designed by One Who loves His children, and Who would replace their | | designed by One Who loves His children, and Who would replace their |
− | fearful toys with joyous games, which teach them that the game of fear is | + | fearful toys with joyous games, which teach them that the game of [[fear]] is |
| gone. His game instructs in happiness because there is no loser. Everyone | | gone. His game instructs in happiness because there is no loser. Everyone |
| who plays must win, and in his winning is the gain to everyone ensured. | | who plays must win, and in his winning is the gain to everyone ensured. |
− | The game of fear is gladly laid aside, when children come to see the | + | The game of [[fear]] is gladly laid aside, when children come to see the |
| benefits salvation brings. | | benefits salvation brings. |
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− | You who have played that you are lost to hope, abandoned by your Father, | + | You who have played that you are lost to [[hope]], [[abandoned]] by [[your Father]], |
− | left alone in terror in a fearful world made mad by sin and guilt; be happy | + | left alone in [[terror]] in a fearful world made mad by [[sin]] and [[guilt]]; be [[happy]] |
− | now. That game is over. Now a quiet time has come, in which we put away | + | now. That game is over. Now a [[quiet]] time has come, in which we put away |
| the toys of guilt, and lock our quaint and childish thoughts of sin forever | | the toys of guilt, and lock our quaint and childish thoughts of sin forever |
− | from the pure and holy minds of Heaven's children and the Son of God. | + | from the pure and [[holy]] minds of Heaven's children and the Son of God. |
| | | |
| We pause but for a moment more, to play our final, happy game upon this | | We pause but for a moment more, to play our final, happy game upon this |
− | earth. And then we go to take our rightful place where truth abides and | + | [[earth]]. And then we go to take our rightful place where [[truth]] abides and |
− | games are meaningless. So is the story ended. Let this day bring the last | + | games are meaningless. So is the [[story]] ended. Let this day bring the last |
| chapter closer to the world, that everyone may learn the tale he reads of | | chapter closer to the world, that everyone may learn the tale he reads of |
− | terrifying destiny, defeat of all his hopes, his pitiful defense against a | + | terrifying [[destiny]], [[defeat]] of all his hopes, his pitiful defense against a |
− | vengeance he can not escape, is but his own deluded fantasy. God's | + | [[vengeance]] he can not escape, is but his own deluded [[fantasy]]. God's |
− | ministers have come to waken him from the dark dreams this story has | + | ministers have come to [[waken]] him from the dark dreams this story has |
− | evoked in his confused, bewildered memory of this distorted tale. God's Son | + | evoked in his confused, bewildered [[memory]] of this distorted tale. God's Son |
− | can smile at last, on learning that it is not true. | + | can [[smile]] at last, on learning that it is not true. |
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− | Today we practice in a form we will maintain for quite a while. We will | + | Today we [[practice]] in a form we will maintain for quite a while. We will |
− | begin each day by giving our attention to the daily thought as long as | + | begin each day by giving our [[attention]] to the daily thought as long as |
− | possible. Five minutes now becomes the least we give to preparation for a | + | possible. Five minutes now becomes the least we give to [[preparation]] for a |
− | day in which salvation is the only goal we have. Ten would be better; | + | day in which [[salvation]] is the only goal we have. Ten would be better; |
− | fifteen better still. And as distraction ceases to arise to turn us from our | + | fifteen better still. And as [[distraction]] ceases to arise to turn us from our |
− | purpose, we will find that half an hour is too short a time to spend with | + | [[purpose]], we will find that half an hour is too short a time to spend with |
− | God. Nor will we willingly give less at night, in gratitude and joy. | + | God. Nor will we willingly give less at night, in [[gratitude]] and [[joy]]. |
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− | Each hour adds to our increasing peace, as we remember to be faithful to | + | Each hour adds to our increasing [[peace]], as we remember to be [[faithful]] to |
− | the Will we share with God. At times, perhaps, a minute, even less, will be | + | the Will we [[share]] with God. At times, perhaps, a minute, even less, will be |
| the most that we can offer as the hour strikes. Sometimes we will forget. At | | the most that we can offer as the hour strikes. Sometimes we will forget. At |
| other times the business of the world will close on us, and we will be unable | | other times the business of the world will close on us, and we will be unable |
| to withdraw a little while, and turn our thoughts to God. | | to withdraw a little while, and turn our thoughts to God. |
| | | |
− | Yet when we can, we will observe our trust as ministers of God, in hourly | + | Yet when we can, we will observe our [[trust]] as ministers of God, in hourly |
− | remembrance of our mission and His Love. And we will quietly sit by and | + | remembrance of our mission and [[His Love]]. And we will [[quietly]] sit by and |
− | wait on Him and listen to His Voice, and learn what He would have us do | + | wait on Him and [[listen]] to His [[Voice]], and learn what He would have us do |
| the hour that is yet to come; while thanking Him for all the gifts He gave us | | the hour that is yet to come; while thanking Him for all the gifts He gave us |
| in the one gone by. | | in the one gone by. |
| | | |
− | In time, with practice, you will never cease to think of Him, and hear His | + | In [[time]], with [[practice]], you will never cease to think of Him, and hear His |
− | loving Voice guiding your footsteps into quiet ways, where you will walk in | + | loving Voice [[guiding]] your [[footsteps]] into quiet ways, where you will walk in |
− | true defenselessness. For you will know that Heaven goes with you. Nor | + | true [[defenselessness]]. For you will know that [[Heaven]] goes with you. Nor |
− | would you keep your mind away from Him a moment, even though your | + | would you keep [[your mind]] away from Him a moment, even though your |
− | time is spent in offering salvation to the world. Think you He will not make | + | time is spent in offering [[salvation]] to the world. Think you He will not make |
| this possible, for you who chose to carry out His plan for the salvation of | | this possible, for you who chose to carry out His plan for the salvation of |
| the world and yours? | | the world and yours? |
| | | |
− | Today our theme is our defenselessness. We clothe ourselves in it, as we | + | Today our theme is our [[defenselessness]]. We clothe ourselves in it, as we |
− | prepare to meet the day. We rise up strong in Christ, and let our weakness | + | [[prepare]] to meet the day. We rise up strong in Christ, and let our [[weakness]] |
| disappear, as we remember that His strength abides in us. We will remind | | disappear, as we remember that His strength abides in us. We will remind |
| ourselves that He remains beside us through the day, and never leaves our | | ourselves that He remains beside us through the day, and never leaves our |
− | weakness unsupported by His strength. We call upon His strength each time | + | weakness unsupported by His [[strength]]. We call upon His strength each time |
− | we feel the threat of our defenses undermine our certainty of purpose. We | + | we feel the threat of our [[defenses]] undermine our certainty of [[purpose]]. We |
| will pause a moment, as He tells us, "I am here." | | will pause a moment, as He tells us, "I am here." |
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− | Your practicing will now begin to take the earnestness of love, to help you | + | Your practicing will now begin to take the [[earnestness]] of [[love]], to help you |
− | keep your mind from wandering from its intent. Be not afraid nor timid. | + | keep [[your mind]] from [[wandering]] from its [[intent]]. Be not afraid nor [[timid]]. |
| There can be no doubt that you will reach your final goal. The ministers of | | There can be no doubt that you will reach your final goal. The ministers of |
− | God can never fail, because the love and strength and peace that shine from | + | God can never fail, because the [[love]] and [[strength]] and peace that [[shine]] from |
| them to all their brothers come from Him. These are His gifts to you. | | them to all their brothers come from Him. These are His gifts to you. |
| Defenselessness is all you need to give Him in return. You lay aside but | | Defenselessness is all you need to give Him in return. You lay aside but |
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| [[Category: Workbook I]] | | [[Category: Workbook I]] |
| + | [[Category: Nonresistance]] |