Today we practice differently, and take a stand against our anger that our fears
may disappear and offer room to love. Here is salvation in the simple words in
which we practice with today's idea. Here is the answer to temptation which
can never fail to welcome in the Christ where fear and anger had prevailed
before. Here is Atonement made complete, the world passed safely by and Heaven
now restored. Here is the answer of the Voice of God.
Complete abstraction is the natural condition of the mind. But part of it is now
unnatural. It does not look on everything as one. It sees instead but fragments
of the whole, for only thus could it invent the partial world you see. The
purpose of all seeing is to show you what you wish to see. All hearing but
brings to your mind the sounds it wants to hear.
Thus were specifics made. And now it is specifics we must use in practicing. We
give them to the Holy Spirit that He may employ them for a purpose which is
different from the one we gave to them. Yet He can use but what we made to teach
us from a different point of view, so we can see a different use in everything.
One brother is all brothers. Every mind contains all minds, for every mind is
one. Such is the truth. Yet do these thoughts make clear the meaning of
creation? Do these words bring perfect clarity with them to you? What can they
seem to be but empty sounds, pretty, perhaps; correct in sentiment, yet
fundamentally not understood nor understandable. The mind that taught itself to
think specifically can no longer grasp abstraction in the sense that it is
all-encompassing. We need to see a little that we learn a lot.
It seems to be the body that we feel limits
our freedom, makes us suffer and at last puts out our life. Yet bodies are but
symbols of a concrete form of fear. Fear without symbols calls for no response,
for symbols can stand for the meanings. Love needs no symbols, being true. But
fear attaches to specifics, being false.
Bodies attack but minds do not. This thought is surely reminiscent of our text,
where it is often emphasized. This is the reason bodies easily become fear's
symbols. You have many times been urged to look beyond the body, for its sight
presents the symbol of love's "enemy" Christ's vision does not see. The
body is the target for attack, for no-one thinks he hates a mind. Yet what but
mind directs the body to attack? What else could be the seat of fear except what
thinks of fear?
Hate is specific. There must be a thing to be attacked. An enemy must be
perceived in such a form he can be touched and seen and heard, and ultimately
killed. When hatred rests upon a thing, it calls for death as surely as God's
Voice proclaims there is no death. Fear is insatiable, consuming everything its
eyes behold; seeing itself in everything; compelled to turn upon itself and to
destroy.
Who sees a brother as a body sees him as fear's symbol. And he will attack
because what he beholds is his own fear external to himself, poised to attack,
and howling to unite with him again. Mistake not the intensity of rage projected
fear must spawn. It shrieks in wrath, and claws the air in frantic hope it can
reach to its maker and devour him.
This do the body's eyes behold in one whom Heaven cherishes, the angels love
and God created perfect. This is his reality. And in Christ's vision is his
loveliness reflected in a form so holy and so beautiful that you could scarce
refrain from kneeling at his feet. Yet you will take his hand instead, for you
are like him in the sight that sees him thus.
Attack on him is enemy to you, for you will not perceive that in his hands is
your salvation. Ask him but for this, and he will give it to you. Ask him not to
symbolize your fear. Would you request that love destroy itself? Or would you
have it be revealed to you and set you free?
Today we practice in a form we have attempted earlier. Your readiness is closer
now, and you will come today nearer Christ's vision. If you are intent on
reaching it, you will succeed today. And once you have succeeded, you will not
be willing to accept the witnesses your body's eyes call forth. What you will
see will sing to you of ancient melodies you will remember. You are not forgot
in Heaven. Would you not remember it?
Select one brother, symbol of the rest, and ask salvation of him. See him first
as clearly as you can in that same form to which you are accustomed. See his
face, his hands and feet, his clothing. Watch him smile, and see familiar
gestures which he makes so frequently. Then think of this; what you are seeing
now conceals from you the sight of one who can forgive you all your sins; whose
sacred hands can take the nails which pierce your own away, and lift the crown
of thorns which you have placed upon your bleeding head.
Ask this of him that he may set you free:
"Give me your blessing, holy Son of God. I would behold you with the eyes of Christ, And see my perfect sinlessness in you."
And He will answer Whom you called upon,
for He will hear the Voice of God in you, and answer in your own. Behold him now
whom you had seen as merely flesh and bone, and recognize that Christ has come
to you.
Today's idea is your safe escape from anger and from fear. Be sure you use it
instantly, should you be tempted to attack a brother and perceive in him the
symbol of your fear. And you will see him suddenly transformed from enemy to
Savior; from the devil into Christ.
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