Month: March 2022

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Limitations and the Reappearance

March 3, 2022 Joseph Dewey

Limitations and the Reappearance

DK makes another interesting statement in Chapter Two of the Reappearance:

He [Christ when he comes again] will be limited by the quality and the caliber of the invocative appeal of humanity and that, in its turn, is conditioned by the attained point in evolution.

The average believer thinks that Christ will be unlimited when he comes again, but here we are told of a limitation.

Question: What does this statement tell us about the quality of the teachings that Christ will give us?

What is the key to make sure that Christ will share great mysteries with us?

The key to answering this question is to examine closely the statement quoted from DK. What will limit the Christ? It will be the invocative appeal of humanity. And this invocative appeal is conditioned by our point in evolution.

This is a principle which applies to us collectively and individually.

You may have heard the truism that it takes an intelligent person to ask an intelligent question. In other words, on an individual level a certain point in evolution must be reached before an intelligent question (invocation) can even be asked. Then on a group level a certain average point in evolution must be reached before an intelligent purpose can be desired.

In simple English, the teacher can only teach that which is questioned by the individual or desired by the group. If there is no curiosity to know then the teacher is limited in the amount of light he can convey.

Sometimes an avatar will go beyond the invocation of the group if a higher purpose demands it. For instance, the world was crying out for love in the days of Jesus, but he gave the world more than it asked for. Even so, it only received what it invoked. This is why some wonder at how much the human race has failed to incorporate the message of Christ over the last 2000 years. Because he gave out a greater message on love than was invoked what happened is that much of the message went over the heads of the human race.

Even so, the effort was not in vain for the fullness of his message planted seeds of fruition within us that will materialize when he comes back again. That which was taught but not invoked 2000 years ago will be explained and amplified this time around and will finally be digested, understood and put to use. That use will be illustrated as “right human relations.”

What is the key to make sure that Christ will share great mysteries with us?

One of the ways we can prepare for Christ is to stretch our imaginations and ask questions we have never asked before. It doesn’t matter if we do not get the immediate answer. Instead consider that the Master himself may give it to you.

In this chapter DK makes two interesting statements about gaining knowledge.

First, he says that if any man does the will of God he shall know.

Then he says “the word ‘know’ concerns the certainty of the knowledge the initiate has gained through experiment, experience and expression.”

Finally, he says “Christ passes on steadily to increasingly potent experiences, and that in His divine experience there is nothing static or permanent – except his unalterable love for humanity.”

This last statement runs contrary to the nothingness philosophy which wants us to enter a permanent unchanging bliss. Instead DK tells us of Christ himself BECOMING through increasing intense experiences where nothing is permanent.

Look at these hints on how to increase our knowing and tell us what they mean to you. Especially contemplate the words “experiment, experience and expression.”

Here is another quote from Chapter Two that emphasizes our responsibility in materializing the Second Coming.

“Today, humanity stands at a peculiar and unique middle point, between an unhappy past and a future which is full of promise if the reappearance of the Christ is recognized and preparation for His coming is undertaken. The present is full of promise and also full of difficulty; in the hands of human beings today and in the immediate present, lies the destiny of the world and – if it may be reverently said – the immediate activity of the Christ. The agony of the war, and the distress of the entire human family led Christ, in the year 1945, to come to a great decision – a decision which found expression in two most important statements. He announced to the assembled spiritual Hierarchy and to all His servants and disciples on Earth that He had decided to emerge again into physical contact with humanity, if they would bring about the initial stages of establishing right human relations …” The Reappearance of Christ, Page 30

Notice that “servants and disciples” are responsible to “bring about the initial stages of establishing right human relations.”

Why do you suppose it is important that Christ wait until there is some stability and right relationship on earth rather than coming in a time of turmoil to fix our problems?

“Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.” Edgar Allan Poe

Nov 8, 2004

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ACIM Conversations, Part 14

March 2, 2022July 3, 2022 Joseph Dewey

ACIM Conversations, Part 14
Where Did God Come From?

The following represents a realistic, but fictionalized discussion, between A Course in Miracles student and a more seasoned one we label “teacher,” designed to reveal the truth behind some of the more obscure teachings of ACIM

Student: I’ve got a question I’ll bet you can’t answer. Where did God come from?

Teacher: That is the great mystery, but another question just as intriguing is how is it that anything exists, including God?

Student: I recall the Course stating merely that “God Is” but that doesn’t tell us why or how God is.

Teacher: But the Course tells us more than you might suppose. Read this:

Student: “God is an idea, and so your faith in Him is strengthened by sharing. What you find difficult to accept is the fact that, like your Father, you are an idea.” T-15.VI.4

Teacher: So, what does this tell us about God?

Student: It says that God is an idea. Seems like an odd statement.

Teacher: And what does it say about us?

Student: It says that we are also ideas, like our Father, God.

Teacher: Now read what the Course says about ideas:

Student: “Ideas leave not their source, and their effects but seem to be apart from them. Ideas are of the mind.” T-26.VII.4 “He created you as part of Him, and this must still be true because ideas leave not their source.” T-26.VII.13

Teacher: We are told that we are ideas and ideas do not leave their source. What is our source?

Student: That would be God for he created us as the verse says.

Teacher: And God is also an idea so the big question is, what is His source?

Student: Are you saying that God has a source of creation as we do?

Teacher: I’m just going by what the Course says. But it does seem to say God was created.

Student: This I’ve got to see. Where is that reference?

Teacher: Read this:

Student: “Your will to create was given you by your Creator, Who was expressing the same Will IN HIS CREATION.” T-2.VIII.1

Teacher: Who’s creation is the verse talking about?

Student: Our Creator.

Teacher: And who is our creator?

Student: God

Teacher: And God is an idea with a creation and a source. What is that source of ideas?

Student: You got me.

Teacher: You were told in the verse we just read. Here read it again:

Student: “Ideas are of the mind.” T-26.VII.4

Teacher: Let us summarize what we have gathered so far. You are an idea who has not left its source, which is God. But God is also similarly a creation and an idea who has not left His source. Finally, the source of all ideas is “the mind.” Is it possible that some type of universal mind created the idea that we call God?

Student: If God is a creation and an idea then something had to create him.

Teacher: To shed further light we must ask this question. What is God?

Student: I’ve always just thought He was the creator of all things, but since the Course says he had a creation – now I am not sure.

Teacher: In an earlier discussion we talked about the purpose of the Son. What was that?

Student: To create like the Father.

Teacher: And what does he create?

Student: More Sons.

Teacher: And when a Son creates a Son what relationship does he have to his creation?

Student: I suppose he becomes a father to the new Son.

Teacher: And read again what your Father does for you

Student: “He extends His Fatherhood to you so that you can extend yourself AS HE DID. You do not understand this because you do not understand Him.” T-8.VI.6

Teacher: So when you extend yourself as your Father did what do you do?

Student: Fulfill my function of creating additional Sons.

Teacher: Think on this. Your Sons will call you Father, Is it not logical that your Father, who created Sons, also has a Father and is himself a Son?

Student: That would seem to be a logical conclusion. So, is God just a created Son then?

Teacher: Remember God is an idea. So, what is the idea we are talking about here?

Student: It seems to be an eternal chain of Fathers and Sons.

Teacher: Yes, and that eternal chain of Fathers and Sons is the idea that we call God. And what is the source of that idea?

Student: We are told it is mind.

Teacher: Therefore, if we follow the Course’s teachings the closest we can come to the origin of all things is mind, or perhaps intelligence would be a good alternative word.

Student: So where does mind come from?

Teacher: The Course doesn’t give us a hint on this, but it does say “If I did not think I would not exist, because life is thought.” W-pI.54.2.

Therefore, without mind neither God nor the Sons could even exist. To go further in understanding you must tap into universal mind yourself wherein lies the answer to all things.

Links to The Mysteries of A Course in Miracles:

Read the Introduction HERE, Read Chapter One HERE. Chapter Two HERE, Chapter Three HERE, Chapter Four HERE, Chapter Five HERE Chapter Six HERE, Chapter Seven HERE, Chapter Eight HERE, Chapter Nine HERE, Chapter Ten HERE, Chapter Eleven HERE, Chapter Twelve HERE, Chapter Thirteen HERE, Chapter Fourteen HERE, Fifteen HERE, Sixteen HERE, Seventeen HERE, Eighteen HERE, Nineteen HERE, Twenty HERE, Twenty-One HERE, Twenty-Two HERE, Twenty-Three HERE, Twenty-Four HERE, Twenty-Five HERE, Twenty-Six HERE, Twenty-Seven HERE, Twenty-Eight HERE, Twenty-Nine HERE, Thirty HERE

ACIM Conversations, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, Part 14, Part 15, Part 16, Part 17, Part 18, Part 19, Part 20, Part 21, Part 22, Part 23, Part 24, Part 25

For Free Book go HERE and other books HERE

JJ’s Amazon page HERE

ACIM Conversations, Part 13

March 1, 2022July 3, 2022 Joseph Dewey

ACIM Conversations, Part 13
Should I Support Improving the World?

Student: There has been a lot of conversation among students lately about the war in Ukraine and other world problems. Some of them seem to want to ignore problems in the world, and sometimes even their personal lives, saying that the world is an illusion and has not even happened so just be at peace and see the situation as unreal as if it is not even there. That sounds a little cold to me. What is your take on this?

Teacher: Let us suppose that you were driving down the road and a child runs out into the street in front of you. Do you put on the brakes to avoid killing the kid or do you just say to yourself, “This is a dream that is not happening? I need do nothing.”

Student: I would think you would have to be insane to not put on the brakes.

Teacher: Yet, perhaps you have encountered those who think we are insane for thinking to do anything in the world to make it better.

Student: Yes, I have encountered some who seem to think this way. I find it disturbing.

Teacher: Yet, you cannot blame those who see in black and white, for the Course does say that “Nothing that you see means anything.” W-pI.7.1 and the world “is not there at all.” T-20.III.5

Student: Yes, and if you take that plus the nothing has happened idea too far then one would have no motivation to do anything to prevent harm.

Teacher: Let us be real here. Do you know any hard-core literalists who would not apply the brakes to avoid hitting a child or to assuage themselves with peace and do nothing if a loved one was being raped in front of their eyes?

Student: I think that those people would be supporting a more common view in situations like that.

Teacher: So, why do you suppose the Course places such emphasis on the nonreality of this world?

Student: I guess the idea is to present the final solution of the separation to us so students will be focused on seeking the spiritual rather than the material world of illusion.

Teacher: Good conclusion, but we must ask this question. What is the final state that we are asked to achieve?

Student: First, we are to change our thinking so we will see the real world, or this world correctly perceived, and finally we awaken and this world disappears.

Teacher: And what did Jesus say to Helen happened to his body when he awakened?

Student: I’m not sure.

Teacher: Read this quote:

Student: “My body disappeared because I had no illusion about it. The last one had gone. It was laid in the tomb, but there was nothing left to bury.” From “Special Messages”, by Jesus through Helen Schuchman.

Teacher: Again, what happened to his body when he awakened?

Student: His body disappeared.

Teacher: Then if you read the rest of the text you’ll see that he was able to make his body appear and disappear at will. It would be cool to have that kind of power wouldn’t it?

Student: Indeed. I can see why one would be fearless if one did.

Teacher: Do any of your fellow students who keep proclaiming that nothing matters because nothing we see is real have this power to make their bodies disappear and reappear at will?

Student: Definitely not.

Teacher: Why not, since they say that our bodies are not even here? Why cannot they not demonstrate that which they claim to be a reality?

Student: I’m not sure. Maybe they do not believe strongly enough.

Teacher: It goes deeper than that. Consider this from the Course: “It is impossible to see two worlds which have no overlap of any kind. Seek for the one; the other disappears. But one remains.” W-pI.130.5

Which world are you seeing at this moment?

Student: I suppose I am seeing the world of the dream.

Teacher: And what would happen if you saw the spiritual world instead?

Student: This one would disappear according to your quote.

Teacher: Kind of like what happened to the body of Jesus when he was fully awake?

Student: That seems to be the teaching.

Teacher: Have any of your friends who say they and the world are not here had their bodies disappear and have left behind all perception of the world?

Student: Definitely not. They still perceive me and our bodies.

Teacher: As we mentioned, the Course was given to us to guide us back to spirit. How long do you think this journey will take?

Student: I’m not sure, but I do know that I am not there yet.

Teacher: Read this passage which may shed some light:

Student: “the separation occurred over millions of years, the Last Judgment will extend over a similarly long period, and perhaps an even longer one.” T-2.VIII.2

Teacher: So how long did it take us to get here at this point?

Student: Millions of years.

Teacher: Actually, Helen’s original notes said “many millions.” And how long will the return process take?

Student: As long or longer than it did to get here. I can see now why there has to be reincarnation as Helen believed.

Teacher: Yes, it will take a while, for even though individuals may awaken, the Course tells us the whole Sonship will not be fully in heaven until all awaken and return. Consider this passage: “As long as a single “slave” remains to walk the earth, your release is not complete. Complete restoration of the Sonship is the only goal of the miracle-minded.” T-1.VII.3

The purpose of the Course is to speed up the process of return. Now let me ask you this. Let us say that instead of looking at many millions of years for your return to happen that you could achieve it in a dozen more lifetimes spanning just a couple thousand years. Would you say it is worthwhile to make an effort to improve the conditions of those lifetimes so you and others could have the “happy dream” rather than one that resembles a nightmare?

Student: I’d say it would be worthwhile effort for even one lifetime.

Teacher: Perhaps the greatest example given to us as to how to handle the pain of the world was given by Jesus himself, as related in the New Testament. The scriptures tell us plainly that Jesus worked tirelessly to relieve the pain the people. He caused the lame to walk, the deaf to hear, the blind to see and cured many diseases. When he approached a suffering soul did he ever tell them their problem was not happening and because nothing was happening he did nothing?

Student: No. He worked actively to assist them.

Teacher: Did he ever tell them to not worry about their problem because there were not even there?

Student: Ha ha. Now you’re being funny, but it didn’t seem funny when I hear Course students ay such things.

Teacher: Do you recall the first miracle performed by Jesus?

Student: Yes. That was when he turned the water into wine. That was one of my favorites.

Teacher: They were having a large wedding feast at Cana and they unexpectedly ran out of wine. Everyone was in a great mood and they expected the wine to continue to flow. If it did not the mood would have been spoiled and what was supposed to be a great memory would have been tarnished. Would you say that this miracle improved the quality of the experience for the wedding guests?

Student: Definitely.

Teacher: Now let us use a correspondence here and imagine this group as representative of the world as a whole. If students could make the lives of the world as a whole a happier experience – as did Jesus with a group – would that be a good thing?

Student: I would think so.

Teacher: It is indeed true that when any experience in time ends, whether it be an hour of a million years, it may just seem like an instant when it is over, but when we are in the dream even a few years of pain seems like forever. Because we are obviously seeing this world of illusion and subject to time does it not make sense to do what we can to make life here a pleasant experience for ourselves and others?

Student: Yes. That reminds me of the story by Jesus of the Good Samaritan. A man was attacked by thieves and left for dead. Two pious religious ones ignored him and felt spiritually justified in doing so, but a third, a Samaritan, who was generally considered an enemy by the Jews, stopped to help. This was an example that we are supposed to follow.

Teacher: Yea. Be funny if one of those who didn’t help thought to himself, “This is a dream and that man is not even there.”

Student: Yeah, it would be funny, but not funny. So, if we follow the example of Jesus and do what we can to relieve pain and make the world a better place how then do we handle the injunctions from the Course about seeing the world as if it does not exist?

Teacher: This quotation by the Course from Jesus reveals a lot:

“I must understand uncertainty and pain, although I know they have no meaning. Yet a savior must remain with those he teaches, seeing what they see, but still retaining in his mind the way that led him out, and now will lead you out with him. God’s Son is crucified until you walk along the road with me.” W-pI.rV.in.6

So what does this verse tell us should be the attitude of those who want to be teachers or saviors of others?

Student: It says they “must understand uncertainty and pain” of others who are in the dream.

Teacher: And if he understands will he tell the afflicted to get over it because it is not happening?

Student: That wouldn’t be helpful.

Teacher: But even though a teacher may understand the pain he can see the world as an illusion and escape the pain for himself and eventually lead others to the place of peace. In the process this can happen:

“His Word assures us that He loves the world. God’s Word has promised that peace is possible here, and what He promises can hardly be impossible.” M-11.1

Then this passage is beautifully written:

“Peace now belongs here, because a Thought of God has entered. What else but a Thought of God turns hell to Heaven merely by being what it is? The earth bows down before its gracious Presence, and it leans down in answer, to raise it up again. Now is the question different. It is no longer, ‘Can peace be possible in this world?’ but instead, ‘Is it not impossible that peace be absent here?’” M-11.4

Student: I love that and I love the idea of making the earth a better place whether it be for a few years, a lifetime or many lifetimes.

Teacher: Yes, we all have dreams, but good dreams are so much more pleasant than nightmares. Since we have free will let us go with the good dreams while we are here.

Links to The Mysteries of A Course in Miracles: