Line 5: |
Line 5: |
| | | |
| | | |
− | Sickness is a defense against the truth. | + | [[Sickness]] is a [[defense]] against the [[truth]]. |
| | | |
− | No one can heal unless he understands what purpose sickness seems to | + | No one can [[heal]] unless he [[understands]] what [[purpose]] sickness seems to |
− | serve. For then he understands as well its purpose has no meaning. Being | + | serve. For then he understands as well its purpose has no [[meaning]]. Being |
− | causeless and without a meaningful intent of any kind, it cannot be at all. | + | causeless and without a meaningful [[intent]] of any kind, it cannot be at all. |
− | When this is seen, healing is automatic. It dispels this meaningless illusion | + | When this is seen, healing is [[automatic]]. It dispels this meaningless [[illusion]] |
| by the same approach that carries all of them to truth, and merely leaves | | by the same approach that carries all of them to truth, and merely leaves |
| them there to disappear. | | them there to disappear. |
| | | |
− | Sickness is not an accident. Like all defenses, it is an insane device for self- | + | Sickness is not an [[accident]]. Like all defenses, it is an [[insane]] device for [[self]]- |
− | deception. And like all the rest, its purpose is to hide reality, attack it, | + | [[deception]]. And like all the rest, its purpose is to hide [[reality]], [[attack]] it, |
− | change it, render it inept, distort it, twist it, or reduce it to a little pile of | + | [[change]] it, render it inept, [[distort]] it, twist it, or reduce it to a little pile of |
| unassembled parts. The aim of all defenses is to keep the truth from being | | unassembled parts. The aim of all defenses is to keep the truth from being |
− | whole. The parts are seen as if each one were whole within itself. | + | whole. The [[parts]] are seen as if each one were whole within itself. |
| | | |
− | Defenses are not unintentional, nor are they made without awareness. They | + | [[Defenses]] are not unintentional, nor are they made without [[awareness]]. They |
− | are secret, magic wands you wave when truth appears to threaten what you | + | are [[secret]], magic [[wands]] you wave when truth appears to threaten what you |
− | would believe. They seem to be unconscious but because of the rapidity | + | would [[believe]]. They seem to be [[unconscious]] but because of the rapidity |
− | with which you choose to use them. In that second, even less, in which the | + | with which you [[choose]] to use them. In that second, even less, in which the |
| choice is made, you recognize exactly what you would attempt to do, and | | choice is made, you recognize exactly what you would attempt to do, and |
| then proceed to think that it is done. | | then proceed to think that it is done. |
| | | |
− | Who but yourself evaluates a threat, decides escape is necessary, and sets up | + | Who but yourself [[evaluates]] a threat, [[decides]] [[escape]] is [[necessary]], and sets up |
| a series of defenses to reduce the threat that has been judged as real? All | | a series of defenses to reduce the threat that has been judged as real? All |
| this cannot be done unconsciously. But afterwards, your plan requires that | | this cannot be done unconsciously. But afterwards, your plan requires that |
− | you must forget you made it, so it seems to be external to your own intent; a | + | you must forget you made it, so it seems to be external to your own [[intent]]; a |
− | happening beyond your state of mind, an outcome with a real effect on you, | + | happening beyond your state of [[mind]], an outcome with a real effect on you, |
| instead of one effected by yourself. | | instead of one effected by yourself. |
| | | |
− | It is this quick forgetting of the part you play in making your "reality" that | + | It is this quick forgetting of the part you play in making your "[[reality]]" that |
− | makes defenses seem to be beyond your own control. But what you have | + | makes defenses seem to be beyond your own [[control]]. But what you have |
− | forgot can be remembered, given willingness to reconsider the decision | + | forgot can be remembered, given willingness to reconsider the [[decision]] |
− | which is doubly shielded by oblivion. Your not remembering is but the sign | + | which is doubly shielded by [[oblivion]]. Your not remembering is but the [[sign]] |
− | that this decision still remains in force, as far as your desires are concerned. | + | that this decision still remains in force, as far as your [[desires]] are concerned. |
− | Mistake not this for fact. Defenses must make facts unrecognizable. They | + | Mistake not this for [[fact]]. Defenses must make facts unrecognizable. They |
| aim at doing this, and it is this they do. | | aim at doing this, and it is this they do. |
| | | |
− | Every defense takes fragments of the whole, assembles them without regard | + | Every [[defense]] takes fragments of [[the whole]], assembles them without regard |
− | to all their true relationships, and thus constructs illusions of a whole that is | + | to all their true [[relationships]], and thus constructs [[illusions]] of a whole that is |
− | not there. It is this process that imposes threat, and not whatever outcome | + | not there. It is this [[process]] that imposes threat, and not whatever outcome |
− | may result. When parts are wrested from the whole and seen as separate and | + | may result. When parts are wrested from the whole and seen as [[separate]] and |
− | wholes within themselves, they become symbols standing for attack upon | + | wholes within themselves, they become [[symbols]] standing for attack upon |
− | the whole; successful in effect, and never to be seen as whole again. And | + | the whole; successful in [[effect]], and never to be seen as whole again. And |
| yet you have forgotten that they stand but for your own decision of what | | yet you have forgotten that they stand but for your own decision of what |
| should be real, to take the place of what is real. | | should be real, to take the place of what is real. |
| | | |
− | Sickness is a decision. It is not a thing that happens to you, quite unsought, | + | Sickness is a [[decision]]. It is not a thing that happens to you, quite unsought, |
− | which makes you weak and brings you suffering. It is a choice you make, a | + | which makes you [[weak]] and brings you [[suffering]]. It is a choice you make, a |
− | plan you lay, when for an instant truth arises in your own deluded mind, and | + | plan you lay, when for an instant truth arises in your own [[deluded]] [[mind]], and |
| all your world appears to totter and prepare to fall. Now are you sick, that | | all your world appears to totter and prepare to fall. Now are you sick, that |
| truth may go away and threaten your establishments no more. | | truth may go away and threaten your establishments no more. |
| | | |
− | How do you think that sickness can succeed in shielding you from truth? | + | How do you think that sickness can succeed in shielding you from [[truth]]? |
− | Because it proves the body is not separate from you, and so you must be | + | Because it proves the [[body]] is not separate from you, and so you must be |
− | separate from the truth. You suffer pain because the body does, and in this | + | separate from the truth. You suffer [[pain]] because the body does, and in this |
− | pain are you made one with it. Thus is your "true" identity preserved, and | + | pain are you made one with it. Thus is your "true" [[identity]] preserved, and |
− | the strange, haunting thought that you might be something beyond this little | + | the strange, [[haunting]] thought that you might be something beyond this little |
− | pile of dust silenced and stilled. For see, this dust can make you suffer, twist | + | pile of dust [[silenced]] and stilled. For see, this dust can make you suffer, twist |
− | your limbs and stop your heart, commanding you to die and cease to be. | + | your limbs and stop your [[heart]], commanding you to die and cease to be. |
| | | |
− | Thus is the body stronger than the truth, which asks you live, but cannot | + | Thus is the [[body]] stronger than the truth, which asks you live, but cannot |
− | overcome your choice to die. And so the body is more powerful than | + | overcome your [[choice]] to die. And so the body is more powerful than |
− | everlasting life, Heaven more frail than hell, and God's design for the | + | everlasting [[life]], [[Heaven]] more frail than [[hell]], and God's design for the |
− | salvation of His Son opposed by a decision stronger than His Will. His Son | + | [[salvation]] of His Son opposed by a decision stronger than His Will. His Son |
− | is dust, the Father incomplete, and chaos sits in triumph on His throne. | + | is dust, [[the Father]] incomplete, and chaos sits in triumph on His throne. |
| | | |
− | Such is your planning for your own defense. And you believe that Heaven | + | Such is your planning for your own [[defense]]. And you believe that [[Heaven]] |
− | quails before such mad attacks as these, with God made blind by your | + | quails before such mad [[attacks]] as these, with God made [[blind]] by your |
− | illusions, truth turned into lies, and all the universe made slave to laws | + | [[illusions]], truth turned into [[lies]], and all [[the universe]] made [[slave]] to laws |
| which your defenses would impose on it. Yet who believes illusions but the | | which your defenses would impose on it. Yet who believes illusions but the |
| one who made them up? Who else can see them and react to them as if they | | one who made them up? Who else can see them and react to them as if they |
| were the truth? | | were the truth? |
| | | |
− | God knows not of your plans to change His Will. The universe remains | + | God knows not of your plans to change [[His Will]]. [[The universe]] remains |
− | unheeding of the laws by which you thought to govern it. And Heaven has | + | unheeding of the [[laws]] by which you thought to [[govern]] it. And [[Heaven]] has |
− | not bowed to hell, nor life to death. You can but choose to think you die, or | + | not bowed to [[hell]], nor [[life]] to [[death]]. You can but choose to think you die, or |
− | suffer sickness or distort the truth in any way. What is created is apart from | + | suffer sickness or [[distort]] the [[truth]] in any way. What is created is apart from |
− | all of this. Defenses are plans to defeat what cannot be attacked. What is | + | all of this. Defenses are plans to [[defeat]] what cannot be attacked. What is |
− | unalterable cannot change. And what is wholly sinless cannot sin. | + | unalterable cannot [[change]]. And what is wholly sinless cannot [[sin]]. |
| | | |
− | Such is the simple truth. It does not make appeal to might nor triumph. It | + | Such is the simple truth. It does not make [[appeal]] to might nor triumph. It |
− | does not command obedience, nor seek to prove how pitiful and futile your | + | does not command [[obedience]], nor seek to prove how pitiful and futile your |
| attempts to plan defenses that would alter it. Truth merely wants to give you | | attempts to plan defenses that would alter it. Truth merely wants to give you |
− | happiness, for such its purpose is. Perhaps it sighs a little when you throw | + | [[happiness]], for such its [[purpose]] is. Perhaps it sighs a little when you throw |
− | away its gifts, and yet it knows, with perfect certainty, that what God wills | + | away its gifts, and yet it knows, with perfect [[certainty]], that what God wills |
− | for you must be received. | + | for you must be [[received]]. |
| | | |
− | It is this fact that demonstrates that time is an illusion. For time lets you | + | It is this fact that [[demonstrates]] that [[time]] is an [[illusion]]. For time lets you |
| think what God has given you is not the truth right now, as it must be. The | | think what God has given you is not the truth right now, as it must be. The |
− | Thoughts of God are quite apart from time. For time is but another | + | [[Thoughts of God]] are quite apart from time. For time is but another |
| meaningless defense you made against the truth. Yet what He wills is here, | | meaningless defense you made against the truth. Yet what He wills is here, |
| and you remain as He created you. | | and you remain as He created you. |
| | | |
− | Truth has a power far beyond defense, for no illusions can remain where | + | [[Truth]] has a [[power]] far beyond [[defense]], for no [[illusions]] can remain where |
− | truth has been allowed to enter. And it comes to any mind that would lay | + | truth has been allowed to enter. And it comes to any [[mind]] that would lay |
− | down its arms, and cease to play with folly. It is found at any time; today, if | + | down its arms, and cease to [[play]] with [[folly]]. It is found at any time; today, if |
− | you will choose to practice giving welcome to the truth. | + | you will choose to [[practice]] giving welcome to the truth. |
| | | |
| This is our aim today. And we will give a quarter of an hour twice to ask the | | This is our aim today. And we will give a quarter of an hour twice to ask the |
− | truth to come to us and set us free. And truth will come, for it has never | + | [[truth]] to come to us and set us free. And truth will come, for it has never |
| been apart from us. It merely waits for just this invitation which we give | | been apart from us. It merely waits for just this invitation which we give |
− | today. We introduce it with a healing prayer, to help us rise above | + | today. We introduce it with a [[healing]] [[prayer]], to help us rise above |
| defensiveness, and let truth be as it has always been: | | defensiveness, and let truth be as it has always been: |
| | | |
− | <center>''Sickness is a defense against the truth.''</center> | + | <center>''Sickness is a defense against the [[truth]].''</center> |
− | <center>''I will accept the truth of what I am,''</center> | + | <center>''I will [[accept]] the truth of what I am,''</center> |
− | <center>''and let my mind be wholly healed today.''</center> | + | <center>''and let my [[mind]] be wholly healed today.''</center> |
| | | |
− | Healing will flash across your open mind, as peace and truth arise to take | + | [[Healing]] will flash across your open [[mind]], as [[peace]] and truth arise to take |
− | the place of war and vain imaginings. There will be no dark corners | + | the place of [[war]] and vain imaginings. There will be no [[dark]] corners |
− | sickness can conceal, and keep defended from the light of truth. There will | + | sickness can [[conceal]], and keep defended from the [[light]] of truth. There will |
− | be no dim figures from your dreams, nor their obscure and meaningless | + | be no dim figures from your [[dreams]], nor their obscure and meaningless |
− | pursuits with double purposes insanely sought, remaining in your mind. It | + | pursuits with double purposes insanely sought, remaining in [[your mind]]. It |
− | will be healed of all the sickly wishes that it tried to authorize the body to | + | will be healed of all the sickly wishes that it tried to authorize the [[body]] to |
− | obey. | + | [[obey]]. |
| | | |
− | Now is the body healed, because the source of sickness has been opened to | + | Now is the body healed, because the [[source]] of sickness has been opened to |
− | relief. And you will recognize you practiced well by this: The body should | + | relief. And you will recognize you [[practiced]] well by this: The body should |
− | not feel at all. If you have been successful, there will be no sense of feeling | + | not [[feel]] at all. If you have been successful, there will be no sense of feeling |
− | ill or feeling well, of pain or pleasure. No response at all is in the mind to | + | ill or feeling well, of [[pain]] or [[pleasure]]. No response at all is in the mind to |
| what the body does. Its usefulness remains and nothing more. | | what the body does. Its usefulness remains and nothing more. |
| | | |
− | Perhaps you do not realize that this removes the limits you had placed upon | + | Perhaps you do not realize that this removes the [[limits]] you had placed upon |
− | the body by the purposes you gave to it. As these are laid aside, the strength | + | the body by the [[purposes]] you gave to it. As these are laid aside, the [[strength]] |
| the body has will always be enough to serve all truly useful purposes. The | | the body has will always be enough to serve all truly useful purposes. The |
− | body's health is fully guaranteed, because it is not limited by time, by | + | body's [[health]] is fully guaranteed, because it is not limited by time, by |
− | weather or fatigue, by food and drink, or any laws you made it serve before. | + | [[weather]] or [[fatigue]], by food and drink, or any laws you made it serve before. |
| You need do nothing now to make it well, for sickness has become | | You need do nothing now to make it well, for sickness has become |
| impossible. | | impossible. |
| | | |
− | Yet this protection needs to be preserved by careful watching. If you let | + | Yet this [[protection]] needs to be preserved by careful watching. If you let |
− | your mind harbor attack thoughts, yield to judgment or make plans against | + | [[your mind]] harbor [[attack]] [[thoughts]], yield to [[judgment]] or make plans against |
| uncertainties to come, you have again misplaced yourself, and made a | | uncertainties to come, you have again misplaced yourself, and made a |
− | bodily identity which will attack the body, for the mind is sick. | + | bodily [[identity]] which will attack the body, for the mind is sick. |
| | | |
| Give instant remedy, should this occur, by not allowing your defensiveness | | Give instant remedy, should this occur, by not allowing your defensiveness |
− | to hurt you longer. Do not be confused about what must be healed, but tell | + | to [[hurt]] you longer. Do not be confused about what must be healed, but tell |
| yourself: | | yourself: |
| | | |