A Course in Miracles and Heaven
If anyone is thought to be fully in heaven then Jesus would be at the top of the list, but we are told this:
“Because my feet are on the ground and my hands are in Heaven, I can bring down the glories of Heaven to my brothers on earth.” UR T 1 B 40ab
Unlike the Father, who does not have feet on the ground here, Jesus does. And why is this?
Because “We cannot sing redemption’s hymn alone. My task is not completed until I have lifted every voice with mine.” T-13.VII.17
The Course explains why Jesus is motivated to bring heaven to all:
“The Sonship in its Oneness transcends the sum of its parts. However, this is obscured as long as any of its parts is missing. That is why the conflict cannot ultimately be resolved until all the parts of the sonship have returned. Only then can the meaning of wholeness in the true sense be understood.” T-2.VII.6
So, even though Jesus has his hands in heaven and enjoys a bliss only dreamed of by most, none of us including him, can understand the meaning of wholeness when parts of the Sonship are missing for “At God’s altar Christ waits for the restoration of Himself in you.” T-11.IV.7
Then there is this: “the reawakening of every Son of God is necessary to enable the Sonship to know its Wholeness.” T-6.I.12
The Course indicates that Jesus has passed the gates of heaven, but even he cannot enjoy a fullness until all have awakened
Think you when this has been achieved that you will rest without them (your brothers who sleep)? You could no more leave one of them outside than I could leave you, and forget part of myself. T-20.IV.7
“Souls cannot rest until everyone has found salvation.” UR T 1 B 24a. 24
In other words, heaven is not fully heaven unless the whole family is awakened and present.
In the meantime, we can enjoy many heavenly experiences as we journey home and take our brothers and sisters with us.
Confusion Over Heaven
The Course is confusing to many on its teachings about this world and heaven.
On one hand it says “There is no need for help to enter Heaven for you have never left.” C-5.1
Then on the other hand the Course tells us that “heaven waits” for our return.
“His Son removed himself from His gift by refusing to accept what had been created for him, and what he had created in the Name of his Father. Heaven waits for his return, for it was created as the dwelling place of God’s Son.” T-10.V.11
Jesus even makes this plea: “Return with me to Heaven, walking together with your brother out of this world.” T-18.I.12
For every indication that we are in heaven now, or never left, there are a dozen dealing with the idea that we have had a separation and are experiencing an insane nightmare from which we need to awaken and escape. In fact, the Course gives us 365 lessons to help us awaken to the heavenly state.
So what is the real truth of the matter?
The problem is that when there is an apparent contradiction the natural tendency is to take sides. One side has to be right and the other wrong. And when one observes the discussion on this and other issues this is indeed what happens.
But there is another path mentioned by Jesus which is often called the straight and narrow:
“Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matt 7:14
He says something similar in several places in the Course:
“All are called but few choose to listen.” T-3.IV.7
“Only very few can hear God’s Voice at all, and even they cannot communicate His messages directly through the Spirit which gave them.” M-12.3
The question is then what is the difference between the few and the many? The many are caught up in the black and white world of duality whereas the few look at what the Course calls the “content” of what is taught. When looking at the content no side has to be taken for a student can see truth in both sides.
When you go to bed and dream are you said to have left your home?
No.
“You travel but in dreams, while safe at home.” T-13.VII.17
In this sense then we have not left our heavenly home for the real part of ourselves remains in heaven.
When we dream at night where are we? Technically we are in our bed in the world, but consciously we are off in dreamland.
If one says he is in the bedroom that would be correct, but it would also be correct to say that he is in the dream and needs to awaken to function again in the world.
Similarly, the Course is correct in saying we never left heaven because the real part of ourselves is still there, but it is also correct in saying we are in a dream and need to awaken.
If we see the content and context of both statements, we find there is nothing to argue about.
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