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− | In the ultimate sense, reincarnation is impossible. There is no past or future, | + | In the [[ultimate]] sense, [[reincarnation]] is impossible. There is no [[past]] or [[future]], |
− | and the idea of birth into a body has no meaning either once or many times. | + | and the idea of [[birth]] into a [[body]] has no [[meaning]] either once or many times. |
| Reincarnation cannot, then, be true in any real sense. Our only question | | Reincarnation cannot, then, be true in any real sense. Our only question |
| should be, "Is the concept helpful?" And that depends, of course, on what it | | should be, "Is the concept helpful?" And that depends, of course, on what it |
− | is used for. If it is used to strengthen the recognition of the eternal nature of | + | is used for. If it is used to [[strengthen]] the recognition of the [[eternal]] nature of |
− | life, it is helpful indeed. Is any other question about it really useful in | + | [[life]], it is helpful indeed. Is any other question about it really useful in |
− | lighting up the way? Like many other beliefs, it can be bitterly misused. At | + | lighting up the way? Like many other [[beliefs]], it can be bitterly misused. At |
− | least, such misuse offers preoccupation and perhaps pride in the past. At | + | least, such misuse offers preoccupation and perhaps [[pride]] in the past. At |
− | worst, it induces inertia in the present. In between, many kinds of folly are | + | worst, it induces [[inertia]] in the present. In between, many kinds of [[folly]] are |
| possible. | | possible. |
| | | |
− | Reincarnation would not, under any circumstances, be the problem to be | + | [[Reincarnation]] would not, under any circumstances, be the [[problem]] to be |
− | dealt with <now>. If it were responsible for some of the difficulties the | + | dealt with ''[[now]]''. If it were [[responsible]] for some of the difficulties the |
− | individual faces now, his task would still be only to escape from them now. | + | [[individual]] faces now, his task would still be only to [[escape]] from them now. |
− | If he is laying the groundwork for a future life, he can still work out his | + | If he is laying the groundwork for a [[future]] life, he can still work out his |
− | salvation only now. To some, there may be comfort in the concept, and if it | + | [[salvation]] only now. To some, there may be [[comfort]] in the concept, and if it |
− | heartens them its value is self-evident. It is certain, however, that the way to | + | heartens them its [[value]] is self-evident. It is certain, however, that the way to |
− | salvation can be found by those who believe in reincarnation and by those | + | [[salvation]] can be found by those who believe in reincarnation and by those |
| who do not. The idea cannot, therefore, be regarded as essential to the | | who do not. The idea cannot, therefore, be regarded as essential to the |
− | curriculum. There is always some risk in seeing the present in terms of the | + | [[curriculum]]. There is always some [[risk]] in seeing the present in terms of the |
− | past. There is always some good in any thought which strengthens the idea | + | past. There is always some [[good]] in any thought which [[strengthens]] the idea |
− | that life and the body are not the same. | + | that life and the [[body]] are not the same. |
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− | For our purposes, it would not be helpful to take any definite stand on | + | For our [[purposes]], it would not be helpful to take any definite stand on |
− | reincarnation. A teacher of God should be as helpful to those who believe in | + | [[reincarnation]]. A [[teacher of God]] should be as helpful to those who [[believe]] in |
| it as to those who do not. If a definite stand were required of him, it would | | it as to those who do not. If a definite stand were required of him, it would |
− | merely limit his usefulness, as well as his own decision making. Our course | + | merely [[limit]] his usefulness, as well as his own [[decision]] making. [[ACIM|Our course]] |
− | is not concerned with any concept that is not acceptable to anyone, | + | is not concerned with any concept that is not [[acceptable]] to anyone, |
− | regardless of his formal beliefs. His ego will be enough for him to cope | + | regardless of his formal [[beliefs]]. His [[ego]] will be enough for him to cope |
− | with, and it is not the part of wisdom to add sectarian controversies to his | + | with, and it is not the part of [[wisdom]] to add [[sectarian]] [[controversies]] to his |
− | burdens. Nor would there be an advantage in his premature acceptance of | + | burdens. Nor would there be an [[advantage]] in his premature acceptance of |
− | the course merely because it advocates a long-held belief of his own. | + | the course merely because it advocates a long-held [[belief]] of his own. |
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− | It cannot be too strongly emphasized that this course aims at a complete | + | It cannot be too strongly emphasized that [[ACIM|this course]] aims at a complete |
− | reversal of thought. When this is finally accomplished, issues such as the | + | [[reversal]] of [[thought]]. When this is finally accomplished, issues such as the |
− | validity of reincarnation become meaningless. Until then, they are likely to | + | validity of [[reincarnation]] become meaningless. Until then, they are likely to |
− | be merely controversial. The teacher of God is, therefore, wise to step away | + | be merely controversial. The [[teacher of God]] is, therefore, [[wise]] to step away |
− | from all such questions, for he has much to teach and learn apart from them. | + | from all such [[questions]], for he has much to teach and learn apart from them. |
− | He should both learn and teach that theoretical issues but waste time, | + | He should both learn and teach that [[theoretical]] issues but waste time, |
− | draining it away from its appointed purpose. If there are aspects to any | + | draining it away from its appointed [[purpose]]. If there are aspects to any |
− | concept or belief that will be helpful, he will be told about it. He will also | + | concept or [[belief]] that will be helpful, he will be told about it. He will also |
| be told how to use it. What more need he know? | | be told how to use it. What more need he know? |
| | | |
− | Does this mean that the teacher of God should not believe in reincarnation | + | Does this mean that the [[teacher of God]] should not [[believe]] in [[reincarnation]] |
− | himself, or discuss it with others who do? The answer is, certainly not! If he | + | himself, or [[discuss]] it with others who do? The answer is, certainly not! If he |
− | does believe in reincarnation, it would be a mistake for him to renounce the | + | does believe in reincarnation, it would be a [[mistake]] for him to [[renounce]] the |
− | belief unless his internal Teacher so advised. And this is most unlikely. He | + | [[belief]] unless his internal Teacher so advised. And this is most unlikely. He |
| might be advised that he is misusing the belief in some way that is | | might be advised that he is misusing the belief in some way that is |
− | detrimental to his pupil's advance or his own. Reinterpretation would then | + | detrimental to his [[pupil]]'s advance or his own. Reinterpretation would then |
− | be recommended, because it is necessary. All that must be recognized, | + | be recommended, because it is [[necessary]]. All that must be recognized, |
− | however, is that birth was not the beginning, and death is not the end. Yet | + | however, is that [[birth]] was not the beginning, and [[death]] is not the end. Yet |
− | even this much is not required of the beginner. He need merely accept the | + | even this much is not required of the beginner. He need merely [[accept]] the |
− | idea that what he knows is not necessarily all there is to learn. His journey | + | idea that what he knows is not necessarily all there is to learn. His [[journey]] |
| has begun. | | has begun. |
| | | |
− | The emphasis of this course always remains the same;--it is at this moment | + | The emphasis of [[ACIM|this course]] always remains the same;--it is at this moment |
− | that complete salvation is offered you, and it is at this moment that you can | + | that complete [[salvation]] is offered you, and it is at this moment that you can |
− | accept it. This is still your one responsibility. Atonement might be equated | + | [[accept]] it. This is still your one [[responsibility]]. [[Atonement]] might be equated |
− | with total escape from the past and total lack of interest in the future. | + | with total [[escape]] from the [[past]] and total lack of interest in the [[future]]. |
− | Heaven is here. There is nowhere else. Heaven is now. There is no other | + | [[Heaven]] is here. There is nowhere else. Heaven is now. There is no other |
− | time. No teaching that does not lead to this is of concern to God's teachers. | + | [[time]]. No teaching that does not lead to this is of concern to God's teachers. |
− | All beliefs will point to this if properly interpreted. In this sense, it can be | + | All [[beliefs]] will point to this if properly [[interpreted]]. In this sense, it can be |
− | said that their truth lies in their usefulness. All beliefs that lead to progress | + | said that their [[truth]] lies in their usefulness. All [[beliefs]] that lead to [[progress]] |
− | should be honored. This is the sole criterion this course requires. No more | + | should be honored. This is the sole criterion [[ACIM|this course]] requires. No more |
− | than this is necessary. | + | than this is [[necessary]]. |
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| [[Category:Manual for Teachers]] | | [[Category:Manual for Teachers]] |
| [[Category: Reincarnation]] | | [[Category: Reincarnation]] |
| + | [[Category: Belief]] |