“You will cross the bridge into reality simply because you will recognize that God is on the other side, and nothing at all is here.”
T-16.V.17
It takes great learning to realize and to accept, that this world which seems to offer so much in fact offers absolutely nothing at all. But who could expect hope of satisfaction of an illusion? It may seem more than an illusion and the hopes, aspirations, fantasies and relationships that are all part of it may also appear to be very real. Yet the purpose of this Course is to teach that your Home is on “the other side” and you will never find what you seek in a place that has no existence and no reality or meaning. Every lesson contained in all your relationships in time can only finally offer you the need to relinquish the incessant urge to seek outside yourself. The world of perception is empty of truth, for perception itself is a contrived device for seeing what is not there to be seen, or better still, for not seeing at all. And all the obstacles to the awareness of Love’s Presence are the raising of false gods to be worshipped in place of truth and where the illusion of love is accepted as its reality instead.
“The core of the separation illusion lies simply in the fantasy of destruction of love’s meaning. And unless love’s meaning is restored to you, you cannot know yourself who share its meaning. ” T-16.V.15
The vision of holiness, the strength of God within our minds, and the greatest power given us for undoing illusions, looks upon the holiness that lies beyond the body’s incapacity to see. The eyes, so long held shut are opening at last. Each miracle of forgiveness demonstrates the reality of That which we have been seeking since the very first tick of time. The eternal Self we thought we had lost, and Whose holiness looks on holiness, finding Its own reflection in everyone and everything it sees. Forgiveness offers more than healing and happy dreams, it is the very real means for the resurrection of the sleeping mind from dreams of death and the complete escape from illusions. Its transforming power leads to the sight of what was hidden by the world of death and suffering; Christ is unveiled to those who learn to see again. Immortality and the journey far beyond the ruins of perception to the glory of Christ at home in his Father’s house, is our certain destiny. All this forgiveness offers and so much more, for beyond the fear of death that would darken and curtail the unlimited vision of Christ, lies the memory of God Who wills only to fill us with Himself.
“I am come as a light into a world that does deny itself everything.”
“When you unite with me you are uniting without the ego, because I have renounced the ego in myself and therefore cannot unite with yours. Our union is therefore the way to renounce the ego in you.”
T-8.V.4
“If I am with you in the loneliness of the world, the loneliness is gone. My purpose, then, is still to overcome the world… If my light goes with you everywhere, you shine it away with me. The light becomes ours, and you cannot abide in darkness any more than darkness can abide wherever you go. The remembrance of me is the remembrance of yourself, and of Him Who sent me to you.” T-8.IV.2
“Would you join in the resurrection or the crucifixion? Would you condemn your brothers or free them? Would you transcend your prison and ascend to the Father?” T-11.VI.2
“The song of Easter is the glad refrain the Son of God was never crucified. Let us lift up our eyes together, not in fear but faith. And there will be no fear in us, for in our vision will be no illusions; only a pathway to the open door of Heaven, the home we share in quietness and where we live in gentleness and peace, as one together.”
T-20.II.8
“He [your brother] seemed to be crucified beside you. And yet his holiness remained untouched and perfect, and with him beside you, you shall this day enter with him to Paradise, and know the peace of God.” T-20.III.9
