Category: A Course in Miracles

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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:

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ACIM Conversations, Part 12

February 26, 2022July 3, 2022 Joseph Dewey

ACIM Conversations, Part 12

The Eternal Idea

Student: Last time we talked about the fascinating teaching calling the separation “an instant that is relived again and again and still again.” M-2.3 & 4 We concluded that it is not the same Sons who are doing this but it fulfilled the desire of the newly created Sons wanting to have the experience. Does this mean that the separation will never be completely healed?

Teacher: Yes and no.

Student: Why am I not surprised that the answer is not simple?

Teacher: It is simple once it is understood. Let us first review an important principle taught in the Course. Do you recall that it teaches that the purpose of the Son is to create?

Student: Yes.

Teacher: And that which the Son creates are more Sons which expands the real universe itself?

Student: Yes, I found that an interesting teaching that the Course plainly teaches but went over my head.

Teacher: And here is the crucial question. How long do the creations of the Son last?

Student: I believe it is eternity.

Teacher: Correct. Read again the passage we ended with in our last discussion

Student: “What God and His Sons create is eternal” T-8.VI.3 and “The circle of creation has no end.” T-28.II.1

Teacher: On the other hand, all things in this world of form, time and space are not eternal but will have an end. Read this:

Student: “The stars will disappear, and night and day will be no more. All things that come and go, the tides, the seasons and the lives of men; all things that change with time and bloom and fade will not return. Where time has set an end is not where the eternal is.” T-29.VI.2

Teacher: So, even the sun and the stars which last billions of years will someday have an end. All things will eventually end in this world, even the universe itself. If this is the case, how could it be created by the Son when all that the Son creates is eternal?

Student: Good question. I guess we are to believe the Son went temporarily insane, split his mind and in his wrong mind created this world of illusion.

Teacher: And what is the difference between the world of illusion and the eternal world?

Student: Everything in this world has a beginning and an end while everything in heaven is eternal

Teacher: And because everything in time and space will have an end and be as if it never was, the Course sometimes refers to this world as something that does not exist, but even a temporary dream has an existence, just not an existence in the waking world. Read these quotes:

Student: “Here the world of idols has been set by the idea this power and place and time are given form, and shape the world where the impossible has happened.” T-29.VIII.6 “Truth and illusions both are equal now, for both have happened. The impossible becomes the thing you need forgiveness for, salvation from.” W-pI.99.2

Teacher: So what happened?

Student: The impossible.

Teacher: And what is that?

Student: I suppose it is the creation or making of this temporary world of illusion

Teacher: And why is it called impossible?

Student: Because what the Son creates is supposed to be eternal and all things in this world are not eternal and will have an end.

Teacher: Since it is impossible for the Son, who is like the Father, to create anything that is not eternal then how could that which is temporary also be eternal?

Student: You got me there. That doesn’t sound possible.

Teacher: Yet it is possible. Do you remember what the Course called the separation in the beginning?

Student: It called it “a mad idea.”

Teacher: And can an idea be destroyed?

Student: I suppose it can be put aside, but I would have to say that you cannot destroy it

Teacher: And the Course affirms this. It says, “my words make perfect sense because they come from God. They are as sensible now as they ever were, because they speak of ideas that are eternal.” T-9.IV.4

We are told that this mad idea first surfaced in a past so ancient that it is beyond the reach of any memory, but here we are still talking about it. Is this not proof that even a mad idea is eternal?

Student: It would seem so.

Teacher: So the Son who can only create the eternal gets the mad idea to create that which is not eternal. Again, I ask how can that which is not eternal be eternal?

Student: You tell me.

Teacher: No. You tell me after you read again the quote from the beginning of our conversation.

Student: (He reads that the mad idea is) “an instant that is relived again and again and still again.” M-2.3 & 4

Teacher: So how can that which is not eternal be eternal?

Student: I think I finally see it. All ideas of the Son are eternal and the idea to create the temporary is also eternal if the temporary is created “again and again and still again.”

Teacher: And who is it that would desire to enter into the dreamworld again?

Student: The newly created Sons.

Teacher: The time will come when all the stars and the whole universe will be no more. Does this mean that the idea behind the universe of time and space is no more?

Student: The idea would still be there.

Teacher: And would there be anything stopping a group of all powerful Sons from manifesting it again, if they desired?

Student: I suppose not.

Teacher: And on a miniature scale let me ask you this. Do you just have one dream during one night or do you have many dreams over many nights?

Student: Many dreams.

Teacher: And correspondingly would the Sons of God just have one dream and wake up with no Sons ever having a dream again?

Student: What you’re saying does make sense. Various Sons create a dream like this world “again and again and still again,” for an idea is eternal and cannot be destroyed.

Teacher: So that which is temporary can be eternal if it repeats forever- as the Course says “The circle of creation has no end.” T-28.II.1

Student: I can see now that all things the Son creates is eternal just as the Course says. It is like an eternal round or circle of creation. This is fascinating to contemplate.

Links to The Mysteries of A Course in Miracles:

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ACIM Conversations, Part 11

February 19, 2022July 3, 2022 Joseph Dewey

ACIM Conversations, Part 11
The Four Groups of Sons

Student: We have dispelled the idea that we are just watching a rerun of our lives (See Part 9) and discussed the Course’s meaning when it refers to the one Son or Sonship. But in connection with this many believe that the Course teaches that every move we make is predestined like every frame in a movie projector is already filmed and nothing can change the next scene to be projected.

Teacher: What do you think of that idea?

Student: It just doesn’t sound right to me, especially considering that the Course teaches we will not have memories of this illusion when we return, and it will be to us as if this dream never happened just like our dreams at night. Why would we recall to memory that which is no longer remembered?

Teacher: Good question. Why do you suppose that many think we are reliving memories when we are told we will have no memories?

Student: From my studies the Course appears to teach it both ways. It says we will have no memories yet it also says we are here reliving memories.

Teacher: Let us take a look at a passage that talks about reliving the past. Here is one:

“Time really, then, goes backward to an instant so ancient that it is beyond all memory, and past even the possibility of remembering. Yet because it is an instant that is relived again and again and still again, it seems to be now… The world of time is the world of illusion. What happened long ago seems to be happening now. Choices made long since appear to be open; yet to be made. What has been learned and understood and long ago passed by is looked upon as a new thought, a fresh idea, a different approach.” M-2.3 & 4

This does sound like we are reliving a very ancient instant “again and again and still again.”

Student: Yeah, it makes it sound like we are in the movie Groundhog Day. In our past discussion we talked about how illogical it would be to relieve a nightmare once, but here it makes it sound like we are reliving the same one, not once but many times. As for me I want to move on from my painful past experiences, not relive them endlessly.

Teacher: Can you conceive of how this quote we gave about reliving the past could be in harmony with your instinct about not choosing to relive a painful past?

Student: Sorry. I can’t. It sounds insane that any Son would voluntarily choose to relive a nightmare “again and again and still again.”

Teacher: Yes, it would be insane. Who wants to relieve even a good day over and over?

Student: Good point. I’m all ears regarding your explanation.

Teacher: To understand this conundrum we have to recall the meaning of the Son or Sonship that we discussed earlier. You will recall that we agreed that the Son represents one great life, but with many parts called the “Sons of God.”

Student: Yes

Teacher: And did all the Sons enter the illusion?

Student: No. Part stayed in heaven.

Teacher: Have you noticed that when the Course talks about something that part of the Sonship does it speaks as if the whole Sonship is doing it?

Student: Yes. Sometimes it seems to be speaking to just me, or maybe to Helen, but I could see that it applied to the whole Sonship.

Teacher: Would you say that it makes sense that the action or thought of the part affects the whole?

Student: Seems to. After all, the Course tells us that the separation “shattered heaven.”

Teacher: Did you realize that there are four groups of Sons within the Sonship? We previously discussed two which were the Sons who never left heaven and the Sons who separated. Do you remember a third?

Student: Apparently there are some who separated and then awakened and are fully in heaven. You say there is a fourth group? Who would that be?

Teacher: New Sons, or Sons created after the initial separation.

Student: Wow! That is an interesting statement but I do not recall reading about new Sons.

Teacher: You have to take what the Course says and add 2+2 to equal 4. Tell me what does the Course say the purpose of the Sonship is?

Student: I guess to be one and live in joy and peace.

Teacher: It’s more than that. Here read these two quotes:

Student: “You were created only to create” T-14.I.4 “His joy lay in creating you, and 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, what is the purpose of the Sonship?

Student: To create like the Father.

Teacher: Yes and even the Bible in John, chapter one, we are told that Christ, another name for the Sonship, created all things. Now tell me this. What is it that the Son creates as the Father did?

Student: The Universe

Teacher: Now read this:

Student: “There is no end to God and His Son, for we are the universe… See His creations as His Son” T-11.I.5

Teacher: Here we see that the Son is synonymous with the universe itself. It says, “The universe consists of nothing but the Son of God, who calls upon his Father.” W-pI.183.10 Again I ask what is it that the Son creates as the Father did?

Student: More Sons.

Teacher: Exactly. Now read this:

Student: “A co-creator with the Father must have a Son. Yet must this Son have been created like Himself.” T-24.III.6 “You are part of God, as your sons are part of His Sons.” T-7.I.3

Teacher: So when the Son creates what does he produce?

Student: More Sons just like the Father.

Teacher: In fact, the Course tells us that we will attain to the position of fatherhood. read this:

Student: “Without your Father you will not know your fatherhood. The Kingdom of God includes all His Sons AND THEIR CHILDREN, who are as like the Sons as they are like the Father.” T-7.XI.7

Wow. This is quite a teaching. How did I miss this?

Teacher: We tend to remember what fits in with our current belief system. Now is the time to add 2+2 and see what we come up with. We are told that the initial separation occurred in a past so ancient that it is beyond memory but Sons still want to access this dreamworld and relive it. We concluded that Sons who have awakened would have no desire to do this since they view it as a nightmare compared to heaven. But there is a fourth group of Sons in heaven who may be curious as to what it would be like to enter the dream. And who might they be?

Student: The Sons who were created after the initial separation. This is fascinating. I think I see where you are going.

Teacher: And kids are always curious aren’t they? Since all things are accessible to all Sons the newly created sons would become aware of the separation that the parents experienced. Even if the parents told them that it was a nightmare their curiosity would still remain. What do you think? Does adding 2+2 tell you that some of them decided to relive the dream, but on their own terms?

Student: That does make a lot of sense when you think about it.

Teacher: Since creation is eternal then the new Sons would have additional Sons and they also would be curious and some of these would want to experience the dream

Student: A light just went off in my head! I can see what the passage means that says the Sonship is reliving the separation “again and again and still again.” It is not individual Sons who have awakened who are doing this, but newly created Sons and later their Sons and then their Sons and so on.

Teacher: So on for how long?

Student: Who knows? Maybe eternity.

Teacher: After all, it is written that “What God and His Sons create is eternal” T-8.VI.3 and “The circle of creation has no end.” T-28.II.1

Student: I’ll tell you this. You have certainly gave me a lot to think about today

Teacher: There more to come. Prepare yourself.

Links to The Mysteries of A Course in Miracles:

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ACIM Conversations, Part 10

February 15, 2022July 3, 2022 Joseph Dewey

ACIM Conversations, Part 10
The Meaning Behind the Son

Student: I am interested in your thoughts concerning the seemingly contrary statements in the Course talking about how the separation is over, and then sounding as if it is not over. I haven’t heard anyone come close to explaining that to my satisfaction.

Teacher: I have some thoughts on this that may shed some light. Allow me to ask a few questions. They may not seem related at first but hopefully we’ll tie them together.

Student: I’m game.

Teacher: How many Sons are there according to the Course?

Student: The Course tells us there is only one Son.

Teacher: And how many parts are there participating in this one Son?

Student: Billions here on earth alone. If we count all of them in the universe it would be beyond that which we can count.

Teacher: Did all the parts of the Son separate or just part of them?

Student: We learned earlier that part of them separated and part stayed home as related in the parable of the Prodigal Son and Helen’s writings. (See Part 8)

Teacher: And when the Course is talking about things that apply to the Sonship, or the Son, is it talking about an individual part or the whole Sonship?

Student: I would say it would be the whole Sonship unless indicated to be otherwise.

Teacher: And would the decisions of the Sonship be governed by the whole Sonship or just those who are awake and not separated in dreams?

Student: That is a very interesting question I have not seen asked before. That is a difficult one.

Teacher: Tell me this. If you have a business partner and he is asleep and you cannot wake him, can he participate in the enterprise?

Student: I suppose not.

Teacher: Then how about the Sonship which is asleep – like you are me? Are we even aware of what the Sonship is doing?

Student: I’d like to be, but I have no awareness of it.

Teacher: So, when the Course speaks to those who are asleep (you and me) about the Sonship which is fully awake and in heaven what must it really be saying?

Student: You’ve guided me to something which should have been obvious, but I had never before considered. There has always been a large number of the Sonship who have either returned to heaven or never left. These would be fully awake.

Teacher: And for these parts of the Sonship who are as one and fully awake, would it be as if the separation never happened?

Student: I suppose it would. That would explain the “never happened” comments of the Course which seem to disagree with others indicating something did happen.

Teacher: The Course speaks of those who have maintained the unity of the Son:

“The Son of God, who sleepeth not, has kept faith with his Father for you.” T-13.I.7

This tells us that there has always been united Sons who did, not or are not sleeping, supporting the Oneness.

Then there is this:

“The Kingdom of Heaven is the dwelling place of the Son of God, who left not his Father and dwells not apart from Him.” T-18.VI.1

What does this tell us?

Student: Here it seems to be talking about the whole and not the part. It seems to be saying that the Son as a whole has always had many parts that are awake and thus the Son has never left the Father.

Teacher: Would that be true even if parts did fall sleep and not participate?

Student: I’ve never thought of it that way before, but it would seem so.

Teacher: We use this same type of wording for things we do on earth. Let us suppose you placed an order for 1000 widgets from the AAA Manufacturing company with two shifts – one in the day and the other at night. In reality your order was put together by the day shift while the night shift was inactive and slept. When someone asks you who made the widgets do you explain that it was the day shift or just say it was AAA Manufacturing?

Student: It would be silly to break it down. I’d just say AAA Manufacturing.

Teacher: Would it be correct to say that AAA Manufacturing never sleeps or never ceases to do their job even though half of the are not at the job at any given moment?

Student: I think I see where you are going with this. Even though part of the Sonship is “traveling in dreams” part is still awake fulfilling the function of the united Son.

Teacher: Does this then solve your dilemma over the seeming contradiction in the Course at one time talking as if nothing has happened to the Sonship, but other times as if something did happen?

Student: I suppose it is like AAA Manufacturing. Nothing happened to interfere with their life and purpose, but at the same time there were those were asleep who would soon need to wake up and do their job.

Teacher: Yes. Each person in the company has a part, and is needed, and the time will come that those who are sleeping in this world will need to wake up as indicated here.

“God’s extending outward, though not His completeness, is blocked when the Sonship does not communicate with Him as one. So He thought, ‘My children sleep and must be awakened.’” T-6.V.1

Student: Interesting. I guess God needs us back at our posts and we are approaching the time we must wake up.

Teacher: Indeed. We cannot play around in dreamland forever.

Links to The Mysteries of A Course in Miracles:

For Free Book go HERE and other books HERE

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ACIM Conversations, Part 9

February 12, 2022August 20, 2022 Joseph Dewey

ACIM Conversations, Part 9
Are We Watching a Movie?

Student: Perhaps the strangest teaching where there is not agreement is this. Some say that we are not even in the dream anymore, that it was over long ago, and we are just recalling or observing this life like we do a movie here that has been already made with all events unalterably set. It just seems like we are here because we are very involved in the movie.

Teacher: Yes, I have heard that idea before. There are two things you want to do when you hear a supposed teaching from the Course that seems odd. The first is to make sure you understand it as is actually taught in the Course and, secondly, ask yourself if the teaching makes any sense, especially in relation to the other teachings. Do these people think we are living the original dream all over again?

Student: Seems that way.

Teacher: So, this conversation would be a part of the original dream?

Student: Yes

Teacher: If our dialog here is a part of the original script then why would we be talking about watching a rerun before reruns even existed, or before the movie was ever watched?

Student: That is an interesting point. It would be like watching Star Wars and Yoda stops in the middle of training Luke and says, “You know this is a movie script and we are really in a movie theater watching a rerun.”

Teacher: Good insight. Here we are supposedly repeating the original script as if it is not the original script. Does that make sense?

Student: Not at all

Student: I’m not sure if I understand the Course correctly on some statements about the separation, as sometimes it sounds like the separation is over and I’m in heaven just recalling it, and other times it tells me I’m dreaming right now in need of salvation and need to awaken.

Teacher: We’ll get to that, but first let us use our right-thinking minds and look at this doctrine. Am I right that the belief is that the separation was over long ago and we are really in heaven fully awake?

Student: Yes.

Teacher: And instead of being in the dream they say we are really in heaven reviewing old memories?

Student: Yes, they say it is comparable to us watching a film. Everything in the movie has already happened and we are just kind of watching it and identifying with the old memories and characters. Even this conversation would be in the movie and there is nothing you can do to change what you will say next.

Teacher: Sounds like I do not have free will then.

Student: It would seem that way.

Teacher: The Course definitely tells us we do have free will, so that has to be considered.

Student: They say we just have the illusion of free will.

Teacher: I see. The problem with the film analogy is that it doesn’t correspond correctly.

Student: How’s that?

Teacher: When you watch a guy being tortured or being shot in a movie, do you actually feel his pain?

Student: Not really.

Teacher: If you really felt the pain inflicted in some of these movies, would you pay to attend?

Student: I’d go out of my way to avoid them.

Teacher: You mean you wouldn’t go to see the movie even if it was free?

Student: Not really, not if I had to experience their pain.

Teacher: How about your current life? Have you had painful experiences?

Student: Yes, I had one accident that gave me a lot of pain for over a year.

Teacher: Would you volunteer to relive it as if it were real so you feel the pain again?

Student: I’d have to be crazy to do such a thing.

Teacher: Yet, that is what some are saying we are doing. There we were in heaven enjoying peace, love and bliss and all of a sudden, we get the idea to relive all the pain of our earth lives over again. Can you imagine that you would have decided to do that?

Student: Doesn’t make sense.

Teacher: The Course calls this dream experience a nightmare a couple dozen times. Would you of your own free will ask to relive nightmares that last for many lifetimes reaching millions of years?

Student: You’d have to be beyond crazy to do that.

Teacher: So, after you healed up from your accident, did you have any desire to relive the pain as if you were going through it again?

Student: Heavens no. I was glad to have that in the past and just wanted to move on to new more enjoyable things

Teacher: It appears that neither you or I can think of any reason that we would want to relive nightmares. In fact, the Course tells us that when the veil is lifted and we awaken that “Nothing that you remember now will you remember.” T-19.IV.D.6 How could we relive this life if we have moved on, and it is not even in our memory in heaven, kind of like our dreams fade from our memory after we wake up here?

Student: You know… I don’t think that the believers in this idea have thought this through. The more we examine this, the more insane it seems.

Teacher: Yes, the Course calls this separation insane. If life in the dream state is really insane, from heaven’s view, it would be double insanity to decide to relive it and make it real.

Student: It certainly seems that way, but some of the wording in the Course seems contradictory.

Teacher: Do you have any examples?

Student: I have been studying this and have come up with some like this one:

“This world was over long ago. The thoughts that made it are no longer in the mind that thought of them and loved them for a little while. The miracle but shows the past is gone, and what has truly gone has no effects.” T-28.I.1

Then it talks about “that one instant still called back, as if it could be made again in time. You keep an ancient memory before your eyes.” T-26.V.5

This does make it sound like we have kept the memory of this world, contrary to the verse you just quoted about there being no memory in heaven and there is no problem of separation to deal with.

Teacher: Yet there are many passages that deal with this problem that isn’t supposed to exist such as:

“Just as 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

Doesn’t that sound like we are in the middle of the problem rather than fully in heaven with no problem?

Student: Seems that way.

Teacher: And doesn’t this world with its pain as well as enjoyments seem real to you and me as well as billions of others?

Student: Indeed.

Teacher: Is something causing this to be happening or nothing?

Student: Of course, it has to be something.

Teacher: And what would that be?

Student: I suppose it is our thoughts.

Teacher: Yes, the Course says this:

“The separation is a system of thought real enough in time, though not in eternity” T-3.VII.3

Would you say that we are in time?

Student: Seems that way.

Teacher: And we should not discount this experience in time as not happening, for it is written:

“It is a mistake to believe that a thought system based on lies is weak. Nothing made by a child of God is without power. It is essential to realize this, because otherwise you will be unable to escape from the prison you have made.” T-3.VII.1

Thus, what has happened is that we have made an illusion which is a prison from which we must escape. Does that sound like a different take than that you are fully in heaven with the separation behind you?

Where do you think you are now – on earth or in heaven?

Student: I certainly seem to be on earth. I can feel pain if I pinch myself.

Teacher: A lot of this confusion comes from how the Course defines its terms and applies them. We shall discuss this in greater depth later.

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ACIM Conversations, Part 8

February 10, 2022August 20, 2022 Joseph Dewey

ACIM Conversations, Part 8
Is there Son One or Many?

Student: Another point of disagreement is over what the Son is. Some say the Son is completely non dual, embracing the idea that He is one life with no parts. The other side agrees He is one life but that you, I and all others are parts like cells in our body and are a part of the whole.

Teacher: Let us first look at the implications if we go with the idea that the Son is one life with no parts. How do they explain that there are billions of us Sons right here on planet Earth?

Student: A guy I was communicating with said that I am dreaming you and all the others. When I wake up there will just be me and all others will be no more, like when you dream and wake up and all the people you dreamed about are just gone.

Teacher: When you dreamed about that nice lady a while back and then woke up, who was the one who still existed in our world. You or the lady?

Student: It was me. It was such a nice dream that I was disappointed that she was no longer there.

Teacher: And when you wake up from this earthly dream, which one will be the true self or Son – you or me?

Student: Haha. I think I see where you are going. I would hope it would be me as I want to continue to exist.

Teacher: How about the guy you were talking with about this? Do you suppose he thinks he will be the one who continues existence?

Student: I would suppose he does.

Teacher: Now think of it for a moment. If this greater dream is an exact correlation to our night dreams, then there is only one entity that is real and the rest will literally disappear on waking. So, the question is – which one of the seven billion people on the planet is the real dreamer?

Student: Good question. I’m sure each ACIM student thinks it is him or herself.

Teacher: Does anyone give a reference from the Course to back up this idea?

Student: Yes. Here is the quote: “What is the same can not be different, and what is one can not have separate parts.” T-25.I.7

They say that the Son is one and therefore cannot have separate parts.

Teacher: Notice that the text says “separate parts” instead of parts. We seem to appear as separated parts in this dream state, but the Course says that in the true reality this is not the case. The Son is a unity but does have parts, but they are united parts. Here, read this:

Student: “It should especially be noted that God has only one son. If all His creations are His Sons, every one must be an integral part of the whole Sonship. 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.” T-2.VII.6

Teacher: Did you notice that “parts of the Sonship” are mentioned?

Student: Yes. It looks like this passage should resolve the dispute. It tells us that God has one Son, but mentions parts of the Sonship several times.

Teacher: Also, did you notice that even though it tells us God has one Son that it speaks of Sons plural in the next sentence?

Student: Yes. Interesting.

Teacher: Take a guess as to how many times the Course speaks of Sons plural rather than Son singular?

Student: Not sure. I do remember reading it written as Sons a number of times. I’d say at least a couple dozen.

Teacher: It is written “Sons” 82 times.

Student: Wow! You could explain away a couple instances as some transcribing or editing error, but not 82 times. The author is definitely telling us that there is more than one part.

Teacher: Do you remember the parable of the Prodigal son?

Student: Yes. The Course references it so it must represent a teaching that Jesus really gave his disciples.

Teacher: How many sons in the story?

Student: Two. One stayed home with the father and the other went into the world.

Teacher: Which one represented us in the dream?

Student: That would be the one who left the Father.

Teacher: And who is represented by the Son who stayed home?

Student: I do not know. Never thought about it. Are you going to tell me that not all the Sons left heaven?

Teacher: I don’t have to. Read this from the original text of the Course:

Student: “The Atonement actually began long before the Crucifixion. Many Souls offered their efforts on behalf of the Separated Ones but they could not withstand the strength of the attack, and had to be brought back. Angels came, too, but their protection was not enough, because the Separated ones were not interested in peace. They had already split themselves, and were bent on dividing rather than reintegrating.” UR T 2 B 43

Teacher: There are two groups of Sons mentioned here. Which group corresponds to the Prodigal Son?

Student: This is interesting. Not sure that I noticed this before. Obviously, it would be the “Separated ones” who are the prodigal.

Teacher: And who corresponds to the Son who stayed with the Father?

Student: It says “Souls offered their efforts on behalf of the Separated Ones but they could not withstand the strength of the attack, and had to be brought back.” They must be Sons who never left the Father as mentioned in the parable.

Teacher: We have here two major parts to the Sonship. Those who stayed in heaven, and those who separated and came to this world of illusion. But notice that both groups are written as plural here.

Student: Yes. I see that. It speaks of “Souls” plural concerning those who never left and “Separated ones” for those who left.

Teacher: Is there any way this account could be true if the Sonship were one with no parts?

Student: Can’t think of any. I’m surprised there is so much division on this teaching.

Teacher: So, how would you sum up the true concept of the Sonship based on what the Course actually says?

Student: There is one Son, but in the eternal realm, all the parts are united as one life, even the eternal parts of the sleeping Son.

Teacher: The Course clarifies this saying that “God has but one son, knowing them all as One.” T-9.VI.3 “them all” obviously refers to the parts.

Student: This discussion has caused something significant to dawn on me.

Teacher: And that would be…?

Student: A lot of students believe there is just one Son with no parts that is awake in heaven now because of numerous references to us being the one Son or the only Son. It is true that even though we are separated and, in the dream, we are still identified with the one Son who is still awake and in heaven. But what is overlooked is that not all the Sons left heaven. There has always been many Sons who never left who are fully awake and the eternal part of ourselves are still one with them.

Teacher: Good thinking. Now, on this subject we have one more point to clarify. Remember how we corresponded our night dreams to our dream here and they didn’t seem to match? What was the difference?

Student: When I wake up from a night dream all the characters are gone and there is just me left. When the Son sleeps, many real parts are involved.

Teacher: And what has to wake up for all the characters to disappear?

Student: I’m not sure. We know that Jesus woke up, but we are still here.

Teacher: So, to correspond to waking up in the morning, apparently more than one part has to awaken. What has to awaken to make the whole dream disappear?

Student: Okay, I think I get it. The Sonship is one but with many parts so the whole Sonship must awaken. Having a few parts awake would be like me in the morning being still asleep but being slightly aware that it is time to wake up.

Teacher: Exactly, and the Course agrees with you. “Together is your joint inheritance remembered and accepted by you both. Alone it is denied to both of you. … you may not fully understand as yet that you could never be released alone.” T-31.II.11

Does our awakening fully happen alone or with others?

Student: So, according to this, I just cannot awaken alone, enter heaven and then you disappear. You must awaken with me.

Teacher: This previous quote clarifies this. Go ahead and read it again:

Student: “It should especially be noted that God has only one Son. If all His creations are His Sons, every one must be an integral part of the whole Sonship. 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

Teacher: How many parts of the Sonship must awaken and return before the separation is healed?

Student: All of them.

Teacher: Would you say that all the parts awakening corresponds to you waking up in the morning no longer dreaming?

Student: That sounds right. But what about you, me and others? Do they disappear?

Teacher: Their egos disappear but the real part remains. You and I will be there as united parts sharing in the mind and life of the one Sonship.

Student: I’m glad to have this settled in harmony with the Course. This talk of me or others disappearing into nothingness sounded creepy and just wrong.

Teacher: Yes, the real truth always brings peace and a sense of joyousness.

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ACIM Conversations, Part 7

February 7, 2022August 20, 2022 Joseph Dewey

ACIM Conversations, Part 7
The Mind Which is in Heaven

Student: I’ve been discussing some of the points of our discussions online and am getting some strange comments. Some simply maintain we are not here because the separation did not happen. Instead, we are all fully in heaven.

Teacher: Yes, a source of some ACIM humor centers around the idea we are not here, but some take this literally to the extreme.

Student: What do you say to a guy who is here enough to write or talk to me, but claims he is not here, but in heaven and even says there is no “here”?

Teacher: I think you’ll find that many with this mindset are more interested in expressing with what they consider to be the correct phraseology than in really communicating.

For instance, if we literally go by what some passages in the Course says, we could say that there is no “here” anywhere, neither is there a “place”. The problem is that, even if you accept this, it is impossible to communicate many things in language without using those two words, especially in relation to our world. Even the Course itself has to resort numerous times to referring to “here,” “there” and “place” in relation to the illusion. Sometimes these students correct others in such details in an effort to demonstrate their superior knowledge.

Student: I’ve noticed. But what do you say to a guy who tells me I am wrong for using “here” and “place” by insisting we are not here but safe in heaven?

Teacher: You might tell him that he gets an A for being technically correct, but an F in effective communication. The important thing in discussions like these is not in being right, but in communicating so the two minds become as one, which is our natural state. This is what you and I have been doing.

Student: Yes, it is enjoyable having a discussion where we are just trying to figure out what the Course is really saying rather than proving who is right.

Teacher: That said, let us look at what the Course is really saying when it gives statements that seem to tell us we are in heaven now and not in the dream. The most common one quoted was one we referenced in our last session. Here it is again:

“You dwell not here, but in eternity. You travel but in dreams, while safe at home.” T-13.VII.17

Have you encountered any comment on this quote?

Student: Yes. This is one of those used to support the idea we are not here. Instead, we are really in heaven.

Teacher: Yet, it says we travel in dreams. Who or what is traveling?

Student: Good question, as students just focus on the “not here” part. I guess part of the mind.

Teacher: Many times the Course compares our separation to our dreams here. By comparison, could you say that the you of this world travels in dreams when you sleep at night?

Student: I suppose.

Teacher: And when you travel in dreams at night and having a nightmare are you really in danger or are you safe in your bed?

Student: I’m safe in my bed.

Teacher: Is the you that is safe in your bed asleep or awake?

Student: Asleep.

Teacher: And correspondingly, is your real self in heaven asleep or awake?

Student: I believe the Course tells us we are asleep.

Teacher: The fact that we are in a dreamlike sleep is verified numerous places in the Course. For instance, concerning Adam, who represents the separated Sons, it says:

“Yet the Bible says that a deep sleep fell upon Adam, and nowhere is there reference to his waking up.” T-2.I.3

Then we have this:

“The special ones are all asleep, surrounded by a world of loveliness they do not see. Freedom and peace and joy stand there, beside the bier on which they sleep, and call them to come forth and waken from their dream of death. Yet they hear nothing. They are lost in dreams of specialness.” T-24.III.7

We are definitely in a dreamworld, but the question is, where is our real self?

Student: In a regular dream I am linked to a living body in the outer world, but the life of the body thinks it is in the dreamworld. So, if I use a correspondence, I need to ask what is still in the eternal world that I am connected to? I know there are no bodies there.

Teacher: Good thinking. In this world we appear to live in bodies. What is our dwelling place in heaven?

Student: There are no bodies, so it must be our minds.

Teacher: The Course agrees:

“What has been given you? The knowledge that you are a mind, in Mind and purely mind.” W-pI.158.1

Your “mind is part of creation and part of its Creator.” W-pI.52.5 What is the difference between your mind before and after the separation?

Student: We were awake before, and asleep afterwards.

Teacher: Yes, and what else?

Student: Let me see… The Course tells us our minds were split after the separation.

Teacher: Actually, it tells us that “The separation is merely another term for a split mind.” T-5.III.9

Into what did the mind split?

Student: I know there’s a higher and lower mind. It seems like the Course calls them right and wrong mindedness.

Teacher: We are told that “you have split your mind into what knows and does not know the truth.” W-pI.139.5 and “the mind is split between the ego and the Holy Spirit.” T-3.VI.7

Then it makes this interesting statement:

“Any split in mind must involve a rejection of part of it, and this is the belief in separation.” T-6.II.1

Student: So, one part of our mind rejects the other part. That seems strange.

Teacher: But then we must consider this statement: “It is impossible to see two worlds.” W-pI.130.5

Which world are you seeing now?

Student: This world. I guess you could call it the dream world.

Teacher: And which world are you not seeing?

Student: Unfortunately, that would be the eternal world.

Teacher: And why do you not see heaven?

Student: Your quote says because one part of my mind rejects the other part.

Teacher: So, while part of your mind is dreaming of being an ego and making it seem real, what is the other part doing?

Student: Since we can only see one world, then the real part is rejected and must be asleep.

Teacher: Yes, it’s safe at home but asleep, kind of like your body is safe in bed while you may be having what appears to be a dangerous nightmare.

Student: Would this be why the Course says that God is lonely without us? We see this world but not the world where God is and thus, He cannot communicate with us?

Teacher: Exactly it says that “He is lonely when the minds He created do not communicate fully with Him.” T-4.VII.6

Student: I just found a quote along that same line of thought: “His completeness, is blocked when the Sonship does not communicate with Him as one. So He thought, ‘My children sleep and must be awakened.’” T-6.V.1

Teacher: Since our mind is split and we are just seeing this world, how can we become aware of the eternal world or the mind of God?

Student: That’s the Holy Spirit’s job. He can be our eyes to the true reality if we let him.

Teacher: Yes, it says, “The Holy Spirit mediates higher to lower communication, keeping the direct channel from God to you open for revelation.” T-1.II.5

What then do you conclude from this conversation? Are you really in heaven or not?

Student: Apparently my mind is split and the real part is in heaven, but is asleep and not in full communication with God. The ego part split off and sees this world of illusion and does not see the eternal world. Because the real self is asleep, the Holy Spirit was created and sent to assist us in receiving truth from heaven and waking up.

Teacher: Good summary.

Student: I have found, though, that this whole subject is very complex and has numerous branches that seem to add opposition to our conclusions today. If you settle on what the Course teaches on one point, someone will switch to other quotes that seem to disagree.

Teacher: Can you give me an example?

Student: Even after this dialog is presented, some will say that the separation was over ages ago and we are fully in heaven, but just doing something like watching a rerun of a movie of our lives. They will say we are not even here in the dream, for the dream was over long ago.

Teacher: The Course does give some subtle teachings on this that are subject to numerous interpretations. Again, we have to look at the whole rather than the part. We’ll see what we can do to simplify in another encounter.

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ACIM Conversations, Part 6

February 5, 2022August 20, 2022 Joseph Dewey

ACIM Conversations, Part 6
Is Anything Happening?

Student: Another discussion I see a lot is something that sounds kind of silly to someone who is not a Course student. It is whether or not we are here. The idea is that this world never happened and we never left heaven and are still there. Others say something did happen and we are here but in an illusionary sense. What do you think?

Teacher: The big question is what does the Voice in ACIM say about it? This is another situation where various passages from the Course, taken in isolation, can support either side of the argument. For instance, quotes used by those who say nothing happened say the physical body is not eternal and “does not exist.” T-6.V.A.2 and “The world you see does not exist.” T-28.V.7. But what about you? Does it seem that you are here living on planet earth?

Student: Yes, it seems that way to me and everyone here.

Teacher: How could that be if you are not here?

Student: Here is a passage I’ve seen quoted. It says: “You dwell not here, but in eternity. You travel but in dreams, while safe at home.” T-13.VII.17

Teacher: Yes, the Course basically tells us we seem to be here because we “travel but in dreams.” In other words, it tells us that this world seems real because we dreamed it up, kind of like presented in some science fiction movies like the Matrix.

Student: I loved that movie.

Teacher: Tell me this. When Neo returned to the real world, did anyone there declare Neo’s experience fighting Mr. Smith never happened?

Student: Not that I recall.

Teacher: Did you have a dream last night?

Student: Yes. I dreamed I was romancing this beautiful lady. It was a pleasant dream, unlike Neo’s.

Teacher: Did you actually have a dream then?

Student: I guess I would say yes.

Teacher: So, in what sense did the dream never happen?

Student: It didn’t happen in my waking world. I was kind of disappointed when I woke up and the lady was no longer by my side.

Teacher: So, it was as if the events of the dream never happened in this world, but it was a definite happening that you had the dream and the experience in the dream. Is that correct?

Student: I would have to agree.

Teacher: So, where is the true reality, and the dream according to the Course?

Student: The true reality is the eternal world that we came from before the dream began. The dream is this temporary world in time and space that we perceive with the physical eyes.

Teacher: Would you say it is literally correct to say that your dream last night as well as your dream of this world never happened?

Student: I think it is misleading to claim this without explaining the point of reference. Even though my dream did not happen in this world, it is true that I had a dream. I would also think that even though this temporary world does not exist in the eternal world, that it is still something that happened – just as my dream of the lady really happened here.

Teacher: Good point. So, even though your dream last night is not happening in this world, would you say it was a real experience?

Student: I’d have to say yes. It was an experience and I can still relive it in my mind.

Teacher: And how about your life here on earth? Discounting the fact that it is a dream, not existing in the waking state in heaven, how about your experience here? Have you had an experience or not?

Student: I’d have to say that I have had quite an experience and, dream or no dream, I’ve had a real experience. The problem is that the Course sometimes reads like nothing has happened, and other times like something has happened. Can you shed some light here?

Teacher: The answer is quite simple. When you awaken from a nightmare, you may have a sense of relief and exclaim, “Wow, I’m glad that never happened!” What are you really saying when you say this? Are you saying the dream never happened?

Student: No. I would be merely saying that the dream never happened in what we consider reality – our waking state.

Teacher: Does it make sense then that the Course is expressing a similar view when speaking of things in our world as not being real or never happening?

Student: That would make sense.

Teacher: The Course even speaks along these lines: “You recognize from your own experience that what you see in dreams you think is real while you are asleep. Yet the instant you waken you realize that everything that seemed to happen in the dream did not happen at all.” T-10.I.2

It didn’t happen at all in the waking state, but still a dream did happen.

Student: Have you found references from the Course that indicate something did happen concerning our world?

Teacher: Quite a few actually. The Course tells us the separation began with a mad idea and “the thought become a serious idea, and possible of both accomplishment and real effects.” T-27.VIII.6

Would you say that a mad idea capable of real effects is something that happened?

Student: One would think so.

Teacher: In addition, it says that “the separation occurred over millions of years.” T-2.VIII.2 To say something “occurred” is basically the same thing as saying something happened, is it not?

Student: I would think so.

Teacher: Then after this occurrence, or happening, God responded with a very significant creation. It is written that God created the “Holy Spirit, Who was God’s answer to the separation.” T-17.IV.4 “He has created the Holy Spirit as the Mediator between perception and knowledge.” W-pI.43.1

Would God have created the Holy Spirit in response to something that never happened?

Student: That wouldn’t make sense.

Teacher: Finally, we are told that the separation “shattered heaven.” T-18.I.12 One would think then that the separation was not only a happening, but must have been a very significant event to create such a disturbance.

Student: Must have been to have shattered heaven.

Teacher: To sum it up, we can say that when the separation occurred a good portion of the Sonship entered a dream state, and when the Course speaks of things that are not real or didn’t happen, it is speaking in relation to the eternal world.

Student: Yeah. Our conversation is happening in our world but is not seen as happening in heaven.

Teacher: The Course encapsulates our situation in this quote: “What you believe is true for you. In this sense the separation has occurred, and to deny it is merely to use denial inappropriately.” T-2.VII.5

Student: Sounds like we should not deny the separation, but understand it.

Teacher: Exactly.

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ACIM Conversations, Part 5

February 4, 2022August 19, 2022 Joseph Dewey

ACIM Conversations, Part 5
Is Heaven on Earth?

Teacher: In our last discussion we established that there are two major steps given in the Course necessary to fully awaken and enter heaven. Step one is seeing the real world. Step two is when the Father takes us back home. What hurdles do you suppose we need overcome before we even enter the real world?

Student: Applying forgiveness is a big one. Also, we must overcome fear, grievances. We must be willing to see Christ within our brothers, as well as ourselves, and the oneness of all life. It seems that there are quite a few steps, or hurdles as you say.

Teacher: It seems you have missed the most important and first step. Can you tell me what it is?

Student: Can’t think of anything more important than forgiveness which is stressed by the Course.

Teacher: But will you apply anything in the Course if you do not want to investigate the meaning of life?

Student: I think I see what you are getting at. The first step is asking questions about our true nature.

Teacher: Yes. We are told “the purpose of this course is to help you remember what you are… the reason for the course is that you do not know what you are.” T-9.I.2

If we do not ask this question, then we will never get to the other steps or even take the Course.

Student: I’m confused over the idea that we need to take all these steps to get to heaven, if we are already there as some think.

Teacher: Have you noticed that there are two groups who think we are already in heaven – those who think we experience heaven on earth and those who say we never left?

Student: I have, and it hurts my brain considering some of the paradoxical discussions around these things.

Teacher: Let us explore the mystery and start with the first one. Why do you suppose that many think we can be in heaven right here on earth while still in bodies?

Student: The Course makes it sound that way in the passages previously quoted such as: “Heaven is here. There is nowhere else. Heaven is now. There is no other time.” M-24.6

Teacher: To resolve these passages that seem to contradict, the student must realize that sometimes the Voice speaks from the view of the eternal world, and other times, for the sake of communication, it speaks from our point of view on this world. Statements made from these two viewpoints can both be true, but appear to contradict. Concerning your quote, one may assume it is spoken from the eternal view of the true reality.

From this view, heaven is always here because only the real is here, and our world does not even exist. There is nowhere that is not real. Heaven is now because from the eternal view, there is no past or future but only now. There is no other time because the present is the only time there is.

Student: So heaven cannot be here on this earth because our world does not even exist in the true reality. Is that right?

Teacher: Yes and no.

Student: Now that’s the type of answer I was talking about that makes my brain hurt.

Teacher: I’ll try and go easy on your brain. While in this illusionary dream state, we will not find heaven in what appears to be outside of us anywhere on earth or in any object. That’s like trying to find God in an idol, like the golden calf. But while residing on earth, there is a place we can look to find heaven. Where do you suppose that would be?

Student: Jesus said the Kingdom of God is within. It is stated in the Bible and affirmed in the Course.

Teacher: The Course makes numerous statements to the effect that we have heaven and divinity within us, such as:

“The Christ in you inhabits not a body. Yet He is in you. And thus it must be that you are not within a body.” T-25.in.1

“Do not try to look beyond yourself for truth, for truth can only be within you. Say, therefore: Christ is in me, and where He is God must be, for Christ is part of Him.” T-9.I.14

So, the truth, Christ, God and the Holy Spirit are all found within, but it tells us they not within the body. Where are they?

Student: That’s an interesting question because when one thinks of going within, the tendency is to focus within the body

Teacher: Indeed. But the body is merely a projection of our thought, so we do not want to go within the projected image, but we want the real thing instead. What is that?

Student: The real part of our self is one with Christ, so I guess it just means to focus on your divine mind and all is available.

Teacher: Technically, “within” may not be accurate, but it is probably the best word to use to direct our focus. In reality, our true self is one with all there is, and it may be more correct to say we need to look beyond this world to the true reality.

Student: So, when I look beyond the illusion to my true self, am I then in heaven?

Teacher: Have you tried to do this?

Student: Yes.

Teacher: And did you find heaven?

Student: I’m not sure, but I found a really nice peace and sense of oneness.

Teacher: Did you feel that you had reached the ultimate state of existence?

Student: It felt heavenly, but I also felt there was more. Much more actually. It seems there is something beyond a normal consciousness.

Teacher: Now read this passage:

Student reads: “It is impossible to see two worlds which have no overlap of any kind. Seek for the one; the other disappears. But one remains. They are the range of choice beyond which your decision cannot go. The real and the unreal are all there are to choose between, and nothing more than these.” W-pI.130.5

Teacher: There are two worlds. One is the world of illusion and the other is called heaven. Which do you see now?

Student: I see your body, which the Course says does not exist, so I suppose I am seeing the illusion.

Teacher: Yes, and I see your body so I am in the same situation. The Course says this: “The body stands between the Father and the Heaven.” T-23.IV.7 As long as we see our bodies, and this world instead of the heavenly, we are obviously not fully in heaven.

Student: You said “not fully.” Are you saying we are part way there?

Teacher: The honest seeker can catch a glimpse of heaven in his quiet moments when he takes his attention off this world, but then as he goes about his daily activities, he sees only this world, though he can also have a sense of the peace of heaven.

Student: Sounds like seekers are having experiences in both worlds.

Teacher: Yes, when we begin to wake up it is like going outside and being aware of the sun overhead and how powerful it is. But compare that to being the sun, which would be much more encompassing.

Student: So, you are saying we can get a sense of heaven while we live here and see this world, but it will be something else to leave this world and be fully awake.

Teacher: Yes. Here’s a quote verifying that thought: “No one on earth can grasp what Heaven is, or what its one Creator really means.” M-23.6

So, we can get a sense of heaven while here on earth, but we cannot fully grasp what it is until we return.

Student: That is kind of what I felt in my highest spiritual moments, or my holy instant.

Links to The Mysteries of A Course in Miracles: