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− | It has been said that there is a kind of peace that is not of this world. How is | + | It has been said that there is a kind of [[peace]] that is not of this world. How is |
− | it recognized? How is it found? And being found, how can it be retained? | + | it [[recognized]]? How is it found? And being found, how can it be retained? |
− | Let us consider each of these questions separately, for each reflects a | + | Let us consider each of these [[questions]] separately, for each [[reflects]] a |
− | different step along the way. | + | different [[step]] along the way. |
| | | |
− | First, how can the peace of God be recognized? God's peace is recognized | + | First, how can the peace of [[God]] be [[recognized]]? God's peace is recognized |
| at first by just one thing; in every way it is totally unlike all previous | | at first by just one thing; in every way it is totally unlike all previous |
− | experiences. It calls to mind nothing that went before. It brings with it no | + | [[experiences]]. It calls to [[mind]] nothing that went before. It brings with it no |
− | past associations. It is a new thing entirely. There is a contrast, yes, between | + | [[past]] [[associations]]. It is a new thing entirely. There is a contrast, yes, between |
| this thing and all the past. But strangely, it is not a contrast of true | | this thing and all the past. But strangely, it is not a contrast of true |
− | differences. The past just slips away, and in its place is everlasting quiet. | + | [[differences]]. The past just slips away, and in its place is everlasting [[quiet]]. |
− | Only that. The contrast first perceived has merely gone. Quiet has reached | + | Only that. The contrast first [[perceived]] has merely gone. Quiet has reached |
− | to cover everything. | + | to cover [[everything]]. |
| | | |
− | How is this quiet found? No one can fail to find it who but seeks out its | + | How is this [[quiet]] found? No one can fail to find it who but seeks out its |
− | conditions. God's peace can never come where anger is, for anger must | + | conditions. [[God]]'s [[peace]] can never come where [[anger]] is, for anger must |
− | deny that peace exists. Who sees anger as justified in any way or any | + | [[deny]] that peace exists. Who sees anger as [[justified]] in any way or any |
| circumstance proclaims that peace is meaningless, and must believe that it | | circumstance proclaims that peace is meaningless, and must believe that it |
| cannot exist. In this condition, peace cannot be found. Therefore, | | cannot exist. In this condition, peace cannot be found. Therefore, |
− | forgiveness is the necessary condition for finding the peace of God. More | + | [[forgiveness]] is the [[necessary]] condition for finding the peace of God. More |
− | than this, given forgiveness there <must> be peace. For what except attack | + | than this, given forgiveness there ''must'' be peace. For what except [[attack]] |
− | will lead to war? And what but peace is opposite to war? Here the initial | + | will lead to [[war]]? And what but peace is opposite to war? Here the initial |
− | contrast stands out clear and apparent. Yet when peace is found, the war is | + | [[contrast]] stands out clear and apparent. Yet when peace is found, the war is |
− | meaningless. And it is conflict now that is perceived as nonexistent and | + | meaningless. And it is [[conflict]] now that is perceived as nonexistent and |
| unreal. | | unreal. |
| | | |
− | How is the peace of God retained, once it is found? Returning anger, in | + | How is the [[peace]] of [[God]] retained, once it is found? Returning [[anger]], in |
− | whatever form, will drop the heavy curtain once again, and the belief that | + | whatever [[form]], will drop the heavy curtain once again, and the [[belief]] that |
− | peace cannot exist will certainly return. War is again accepted as the one | + | peace cannot exist will certainly return. [[War]] is again [[accepted]] as the one |
− | reality. Now must you once again lay down your sword, although you do | + | [[reality]]. Now must you once again lay down your sword, although you do |
| not recognize that you have picked it up again. But you will learn, as you | | not recognize that you have picked it up again. But you will learn, as you |
− | remember even faintly now what happiness was yours without it, that you | + | remember even faintly now what [[happiness]] was yours without it, that you |
− | must have taken it again as your defense. Stop for a moment now and think | + | must have taken it again as your [[defense]]. Stop for a moment now and think |
− | of this: Is conflict what you want, or is God's peace the better choice? | + | of this: Is conflict what you want, or is God's peace the better [[choice]]? |
− | Which gives you more? A tranquil mind is not a little gift. Would you not | + | Which gives you more? A tranquil [[mind]] is not a little gift. Would you not |
| rather live than choose to die? | | rather live than choose to die? |
| | | |
− | Living is joy, but death can only weep. You see in death escape from what | + | Living is [[joy]], but [[death]] can only [[weep]]. You see in death [[escape]] from what |
| you made. But this you do not see; that you made death, and it is but | | you made. But this you do not see; that you made death, and it is but |
− | illusion of an end. Death cannot be escape, because it is not life in which the | + | [[illusion]] of an end. Death cannot be escape, because it is not life in which the |
− | problem lies. Life has no opposite, for it is God. Life and death seem to be | + | [[problem]] lies. [[Life]] has no opposite, for it is [[God]]. Life and death seem to be |
− | opposites because you have decided death ends life. Forgive the world, and | + | opposites because you have decided death ends life. [[Forgive]] the world, and |
− | you will understand that everything that God created cannot have an end, | + | you will [[understand]] that [[everything]] that God created cannot have an end, |
− | and nothing He did not create is real. In this one sentence is our course | + | and nothing He did not create is real. In this one sentence is [[ACIM|our course]] |
− | explained. In this one sentence is our practicing given its one direction. And | + | explained. In this one sentence is our practicing given its one [[direction]]. And |
− | in this one sentence is the Holy Spirit's whole curriculum specified exactly | + | in this one sentence is the [[Holy Spirit]]'s whole [[curriculum]] specified exactly |
| as it is. | | as it is. |
| | | |
− | What is the peace of God? No more than this; the simple understanding that | + | What is the [[peace]] of [[God]]? No more than this; the simple [[understanding]] that |
− | His Will is wholly without opposite. There is no thought that contradicts | + | His Will is wholly without [[opposite]]. There is no thought that [[contradicts]] |
− | His Will, yet can be true. The contrast between His Will and yours but | + | [[Will of God|His Will]], yet can be true. The contrast between His Will and yours but |
− | seemed to be reality. In truth there was no conflict, for His Will is yours. | + | seemed to be [[reality]]. In [[truth]] there was no [[conflict]], for His Will is yours. |
| Now is the mighty Will of God Himself His gift to you. He does not seek to | | Now is the mighty Will of God Himself His gift to you. He does not seek to |
| keep it for Himself. Why would you seek to keep your tiny frail imaginings | | keep it for Himself. Why would you seek to keep your tiny frail imaginings |
− | apart from Him? The Will of God is One and all there is. This is your | + | apart from Him? The [[Will of God]] is One and all there is. This is your |
− | heritage. The universe beyond the sun and stars, and all the thoughts of | + | [[heritage]]. [[The universe]] beyond the [[sun]] and [[stars]], and all the [[thoughts]] of |
− | which you can conceive, belong to you. God's peace is the condition for His | + | which you can [[conceive]], belong to you. God's peace is the condition for His |
− | Will. Attain His peace, and you remember Him. | + | Will. [[Attain]] His peace, and you remember Him. |
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| [[Category:Manual for Teachers]] | | [[Category:Manual for Teachers]] |
| + | [[Category: Peace]] |
| + | [[Category: Attainment]] |