Love created me like itself.
What we are in truth is beyond language because it is beyond division into separate parts. What we are in truth is beyond what can be perceived because it is beyond interpretation. Yet – because we believe in division, or separation, and in the interpretation – we need a means of salvation that both recognizes the trap we are in and sees the trap as wholly illusory.
A Course in Miracles uses language and the familiar imagery and mythology of Christianity to help us learn that we are can never be contained by symbols of any kind – be they words or crucifixes or historical saviors.
Thus, Lesson 62 begins by asking us to repeat – in language – ideas about ourselves that point towards the wordless truth. We say that holiness created us holy (W-pI.67.2:3) or perfection created us perfect (W-pI.67.2:6). In Love – in “unchanging and unchangeable” (W-pI.67.2:1) reality – there are no distinctions that would allow us to imagine “perfection” or “imperfection” or “almost perfect” or “less than perfect.”
But here – in these bodies and this world – those words, and those like them, reassure us that we are both loved and lovable. And in the calm that reassurance evokes we are able to let go of the specificity of language and the imagery inherent in thought and approach God.
. . . try to reach past all your images and preconceptions about yourself to the truth in you. If love created you like itself, this Self must be in you. And somewhere in your mind It is there for you to find (W-pI.67.3:1-3).
A Course in Miracles recognizes that this approach may not succeed – or succeed only briefly. But its confidence in our ultimate success is infectious. We cannot really fail, we can only put off Joy and Peace a while. It’s not fun to do this, but it’s not fatal.
Our willingness – and the perseverance which flows from it – are together the guarantee that we will not fail in reaching the Holy Ground of our being. We will pass through ego’s distractions and complications . . .
. . . through the interval of thoughtlessness to the awareness of a blazing light in which you recognize yourself as love created you. Be confident that you will do much today to bring that awareness nearer . . . (W-pI.67.4:3-4).
All that stands in the way of our happiness is our preoccupation with false images of our self, which make all kinds of grief, confusion and chaos possible (e.g., W-pI.67.5:2). Lesson 62 is an opportunity – through the repetition of key ideas and then, in a state of quiet stillness – to enter the actual truth of what we are.
Within us is a Teacher that knows the way to God in the very context of the mess we have made trying to hide from God. When we assure ourself that God creates us like unto God, we are not heeding the “tiny, solitary voice” of ego (W-pI.67.6:1).
This is the Voice for God, reminding you of your Father and of your Self. The is the Voice of truth, replacing everything that the ego tells you about yourself with the simple truth about the Son of God. You were created by love like itself (W-pI.67.6:2-4).
This is the way home, and this is the promise we will make it there together.
Beautifully written, Sean. Yes, indeed we are yearning for wholeness….ACIM is the way….and all it’s wonderful teachers in their mysterious disguises.
Thank you for reading, Francesca 🙂