The intent of these questions and answers is to allow the mind to stop questioning, and become open to receiving instead. I hope the answers that have been given me here are helpful to you and they inspire stillness within your own mind. Through stillness we receive all that A Course in Miracles offers us and we begin to understand these questions experientially.
Thank you to everyone who submitted or asked your questions.
(If you have a question that is not listed below, contact me here.)
20 Questions one might ask while studying 'A Course in Miracles'
2. Can any one hear Jesus as Helen did?
3. What is A Course in Miracles FOR?
4. What's up with the language? Is it Christian?
5. Does it matter what ACIM edition I use?
6. How do I use A Course in Miracles?
7. At what point does one move from student to teacher of ACIM?
8. What might some possible outcomes of applying the Lessons be?
9. What if when doing the lessons, I miss a day? a week?
10. When do I turn to the Manual for Teachers?
11. Since A Course in Miracles, is a Course, do I have to pass it?
12. What do I do after I have completed the 1 year of Lessons?
13. When I first began reading ACIM I was put off by the 'male language'. Why is it that all of ACIM is written in male pro-nouns?
14. Is the world/body real? If not, What is the real world ACIM speaks of?
15. What is the Son of God?
16. Do we keep our individuality upon enlightenment, or do we merge back into the oneness of God?
17. Can anyone be a miracle worker?
18. Would it be correct to say that we are all doing nothing here and would it be correct to say that the course teaches that there is no soul or that a person means nothing?
19. So how do we do this salvation thing?
20. What is the difference between atonement and salvation?
Frequently Asked Questions
(Jesus, Ego, Miracle, God, Forgiveness, Holy Spirit)
How was it written?
Jesus is the author of A Course in Miracles. He dictated every word, sentence and paragraph to Helen in between 1965 to 1972, and the first edition was released in 1975 and published through the Foundation for Inner Peace. (For more information on the different versions of ACIM visit this blog.)
The inner voice was direct, authoritative and yet loving and gentle. Helen had continual dreams to prepare her for listening and learning from this voice, and began writing daily as soon as she heard the inner voice dictate to her, "This is a Course in Miracles. Please take notes." Helen was the "just scribe" and her partner and editor in this endeavor was Dr. Willliam Thetford, appointed by Jesus Himself. He worked as a professor at Columbia University and Helen was his professional research assistant. They joined together and proclaimed "There must be a better way" when they were fed up with the endless fights and disagreements between them, and all the people at their University. "The Way" was dictated from Jesus to Helen, and edited by Bill, and it was called A Course in Miracles.
2. Can any one hear Jesus as Helen did?
Yes. We all can hear Jesus as Helen did, but we need training in order to do so.
We all share One Mind and it is this One Mind through which Jesus communicates to anyone who will listen. The aim of ACIM is to reestablish communication within each of us with this One Mind so that we may be set free as Jesus was. We are often distracted by listening to the voice of the ego, that we do not hear the voice of Christ/our One Mind. That does not mean however that this voice is not speaking to us all through the day as it states in the workbook lesson #49 from A Course in Miracles: "It is quite possible to listen to God's Voice all through the day without interrupting your regular activities in any way. The part of your mind in which truth abides is in constant communication with God, whether you are aware of it or not. It is the other part of your mind (the ego) that functions in the world and obeys the world's laws. It is this part that is constantly distracted, disorganized and highly uncertain."
3. What is A Course in Miracles FOR?
It is for assisting in the opening and awakening of our holy Vision. It is to help our minds to accept the LIGHT and TRUTH that is not of this world.
Once light is realized, the Mind is able to make a decision and "shift" into a NEW direction. This new direction is towards God instead of away from Him and for our greatest good not demise. This Light transforms the Mind and places it back into the service of the Soul instead of the ego. This is a change of direction in Purpose, Will and Self that A Course in Miracles aims to teach. The intent is to experience what it teaches, not just read about it.
ACIM is for the training of our mind. Because of this, it knocks down our old thought system by offering us a NEW way of seeing and thinking, and this can be very painful at times because the ego resists what is for our own good. All pain and suffering is temporary and ultimately not Gods Will. Our goal is peace and salvation for all the world. Our goal is to have a loving relationship with Jesus, our True Self, the Holy Spirit, God and all our brothers and sisters; a relationship that is creative, fulfilling, cooperative and joyful.
Our job is to simply read the text and apply the lessons as they are given, and soon we learn through our experiences that God is Love and we can trust His universal plan for us. We are meant to be happy here and to create together! A Course in Miracles is the tool to help us to remove any blocks to our happiness and creative ability to give and to serve. ACIM is a "fast route" home into the heart of God and our life's purpose.
4. What's up with the language? Is it Christian?
ACIM is not meant to be a religious or Christian text. It is described as a text of Truth that uses Spiritual, Meta-physical and Universal themes. The language is similar to that of the bible, but the content is only Loving and speaks only of a God of Love.
In the Use of Terms of A Course in Miracles it says that "A universal theology is impossible, but a universal experience is not only possible but necessary. It is this experience toward which the course is directed." The bible/Christianity is a lot more based on "belief" rather than solid fact through the Holy Spirit, and so this belief is subject to fallacy and fear. ACIM reinterprets many key quotes from the bible, and thus explains what Jesus really meant when saying the things he said.
5. Does it matter what ACIM edition I use?
Absolutely not. What matters is the CONTENT of the Course and not what book of form we use. There is a story behind every book and so because of that there is much to learn in regards to what book is of highest integrity. But I always like to say that if you listen to your inner voice and trust your heart, you will know what book is the perfect one for you. I personally use the sparkly version and know it to be the one Jesus would have us read as both students and teachers of ACIM.
Here is a blog I wrote sharing more specifically on the different edited versions of ACIM.
6. How do I use A Course in Miracles?
There are 365 workbook lessons, 1 for every day of the year. We are meant to read a lesson each day and follow the outlines that it has given us for its application. The intent of the lessons is divided into 2 parts. The first part is the process of undoing the ego and letting the old conclusions made about ourself, our relationships and our world be dislodged from our perception. The second part focus' on affirming and accepting our relationship with God and the creative power we share with Him and all our brothers. These parts work together in our minds when applied correctly, to restore us back to health, sanity, happiness and peace through a change of Mind and Purpose.
The Text is meant to accompany us on our process of applying the lessons. The text has 31 chapters and each one builds on the last to create a whole and complete vision of Gods Truth in our Minds upon completion. The text is dense, and often misunderstood. So be patient with your self, pray about it if you need clarity, and know that you are learning an entirely new language of the Soul. The world has taught us to think in one way, and Jesus is teaching us an entirely new way of SEEING and THINKING about the world. If resistance enters, let it rise. If anger enters, let it rise. If guilt enters, let it rise. We want to see what we still have in our minds that we may heal it and let it be undone. We are guilty for nothing, we just think we are and anger is a results of the incorrect thoughts we have made and accepted about our self and others.
The Teachers Manual answers all the questions a new Teacher of God may have. We are meant to teach what we have learned. We are to help others as we have been helped. We are meant to save others as we have been saved. We cannot truly know we are healed and whole, until we give it. Jesus is offering us his power, peace and miracle mindedness- to do as he did- all we have to do is have the willingness to say YES to being a Teacher of God with Him and we are taught every thing we need to know to do just that.
7. At what point does one move from student to teacher of ACIM?
We become a Teacher of God when we have experienced our oneness with God and hear only His Voice. His voice is the true teacher not "us".
Unfortunately what can happen is that ACIM is turned into a profession where students proclaim they are teachers and begin making money through teaching A Course in Miracles. ACIM is NOT meant to become a profession. When we truly learn what ACIM teaches, we will have an EXPERIENCE of what Truth is, what God is and what we are, along with our brothers. This experience realigns our mind WITH God and places our thinking in proper perceptual order. This proper order IS miracle mindedness, but here, we also know that we cannot GET things or make MONEY from a free gift that Jesus has given us to wake up and be happy.
This divine and holy experience as mentioned before is the goal of ACIM, and it drives our every thought, every word and every action. We can then TRUST that the voice which speaks IS of God and it is this voice that teaches and heals through us. WE are not the teachers/practitioners, it is Spirit THROUGH us that does the teaching and healing.
Prior to this inner experience where our mind is changed to think with God, we will have to practice giving what we WANT to receive. We will have moments where we teach those around us, based on our own demonstration of what we are learning. When we are ready to serve truly, you will find that others come and ask you for help. When they ask, you can trust that is the Spirit in them that asks, and thus YOU can trust the Spirit in you to give. Just pray to be most helpful, and you will be. Let life unfold before you and let life teach you how to teach. You will be ready, when life presents you with opportunities to give and to serve our brothers. Prior to this opening, just focus on healing your own mind with the goal being to experience the Truth of God and feel His peace in your own heart and mind in order to give and teach it authentically.
Just remember, ACIM is not meant to be turned into another "job" or "profession". Its a way of being, its a way of seeing, its a way of life. Demonstrate what you are learning through ACIM and all will be added unto you
8. What might some possible outcomes of applying the Lessons be?
One may experience profound gratitude, joy and elation through out the process. What we are being reminded of is our identity, our Father, our Home, our Love and true gifts that have been given us to give. All of which, when recognized by the Soul, lights one from the inside with ever expanding happiness that includes everyone and all things. It is a whole and complete experience that has no words to describe it but IS profoundly felt.
One may also experience terrible resistance, anger or fear. All of which is an effect of Reason being welcomed into the mind which frightens our previous thinking mind, the ego. When reason is applied to the thinking of the world, it collapses. This does not mean YOU collapse, but your illusory thoughts about you collapse. And this is a GREAT thing! This means your false identity of yourself can fall away and be replaced with the Truth about you. But it will be accompanied often times with fear and resistance. Just let that be... and know you are learning to move beyond this resistance TO the peace.
The ego will want you to turn away from ACIM, even tell you that what it says is not true and try to confuse you. Just know, that to learn ACIM is egos demise, and thus it will kick and scream like a temper tantrum to get you to listen to IT. Dont listen! Just remember the Goal of the Course in happiness, and if you continue to apply it as it suggests you WILL experience its results.
Both of these may be experienced as if you are on a roller coaster. All of this is happening so that you become so aware of the 2 thought systems in your mind (ego and God) that it brings you to the point of CHOICE. We get brought to the point where we see that we must "choose again", and thus choose the experience of continued happiness instead of persistent pain. This is literally a choice between MINDS.
Just be happy that there are only 2 ways of experiencing A Course in Miracles. One brings great fear and the other great joy! And if we don't like our current experience, we are learning of the corrective agent (Holy Spirit) that resides in our minds to transform our current perception and to change our minds. So all is good! Be patient with the process and all will level out the more you practice what is given us in ACIM and ASK for a change of mind to experience ONLY the good that God promises you.
9. What if when doing the lessons, I miss a day? a week?
Get right back on where you left off. This is not a race and you are not condemned for forgetting. Just remember that you can always choose to get back on track and your Soul will thank you for it. If you feel you need to go back to the beginning, thats fine too. You can even stay with a particular lesson that really speaks to you for a few days at a time. Whatever you feel meets your needs at the time, go for it.
I have often used A Course in Miracles as a "random guide". Meaning that I would hold it in my hands, pray for whats most helpful at this time for me to know/learn, and open to a random page. Wherever it landed is always exactly what I needed to hear at that time. But for the most part, stick with the lessons from beginning to end and go through the text as best you can all the way through.
10. When do I turn to the Manual for Teachers?
When your heart is singing to you that its time to teach! To teach, to share, to give is indeed a holy and sacred act. It is one that is lead by the heart and soul, and is filtered through the mind. This is why our minds must be cleansed and purified so that we become still enough to hear the voice for God and follow through with this loving guidance that teachers through us. Once we hear the Voice for God (Holy Spirit or our Soul) within, we are able to give the blessings and miracles that we are receiving. The Manual helps us to be prepared in being Gods Teachers.
Even if you feel that you are not quite ready to fully share, you can still read through the Manual, as it answers some powerful and curious questions that are often quite helpful.
11. Since A Course in Miracles, is a Course, do I have to pass it?
There is no passing or failing, for the Course in Miracles is a way of LIVING and BEING.
It reminds us that as humans, we make mistakes, but there is a correction for our mistakes. So once we go through the whole of A Course in Miracles we are asked to apply what we have learned, and give what we have learned. This would technically be us "passing" for we would have reached the goal of "Perfect Peace" if we followed what it says entirely. But you really cannot fail, this is life's curriculum and you will take it over and over again until you learn it; and you will learn it, when you are good and ready. You can choose to be good and ready, NOW, and you will be supported every step of the way.
"You have one test, as sure as God, by which to recognize if what you learned is true. If you are wholly free of fear of any kind, and if all those who meet, or even think of you, share in your perfect peace, then you can be sure that you have learned God’s lesson, and not yours. " -ACIM 14.6
12. What do I do after I have completed the One year if Lessons?
A Course in Miracles is meant to unlock within you your True Self, that you may fulfill your function in Gods plan and follow His Laws. The laws of God are those of giving. "To Have, Give all, To all" "To Have Peace, Teach Peace, to Learn it." "Be vigilant only for God and His Kingdom"- Text 6 ACIM
Once we complete the lessons, and the text, we are told to GIVE as we have received. We are not to make another character, or identity for ourselves, but instead we are to ask our Soul "why am I here? What is my function to fulfill?" and listen to receive the answer and be willing to follow Its direction when it comes. So find your attention moving to the Teachers Manual and on what brings you JOY to do/serve here. What ever our part is here, it will bring you joy and is often intertwined with where you are passionate for a particular area of life/the world.
So maybe ask yourself "What am I passionate about?" "If I could help others in some way, or help the world in some way, what would that be?" "What do I love to do?" Start to become curious and inquisitive as to what your part is, and remember, that God Wills us happiness!.... if what you are doing is not bringing you happiness, you can change your mind about it and change what you are doing. You are not meant to be stagnant and doing the same mundane thing every day. God works through spontaneity, where anything is possible! You may also be asked to learn new skills or talents as to best help contribute to this world. Whatever it mat be, its meant to bring you joy.
13. When I first began reading ACIM I was put off by the 'male language'. Why is it that all of ACIM is written in male pro-nouns?
The main purpose of ACIM is to help us to remember What We Are. The answer is shown to us as being beyond all gender, beyond all characterization, beyond all concepts and beyond this world. For that reason, whether male or female is used does not matter. Jesus is speaking to us as SOULS which is far beyond gender.
As you notice the language includes much Shakespearean and iambic-pentameter style, as well as poetic runs and specific language that helps to assist the reader in reaching beyond time. Because the language style has to remain specific and focused, it has to remain the same all the way through. To say "The Son of God and Daughter of God" "Him and Her' etc....takes the minds focus OFF of the CONTENT of the message and focus' it on the form with much distraction of the he said, she said, repetition.......
One is asked to move beyond the words and the gender, to the CONTENT. The content is where the message is. The Sparkly Edition of A Course in Miracles for example, is where SOUL is put back into ACIM as it was originally intended to be. The references to Soul, Light, Spiritual Eye... have helped to include ALL gender, and NO gender at the same time. Other than this, it is asked to remember that simplicity is the key and by saying "He/Son" it includes ALL females of this world, for what we are in Truth is beyond all gender.
No matter what, in accepting WHO WE ARE, we have to go beyond both male and female in our self and the world, and so whether both are used in ACIM or not is irrelevant... as the focus is beyond the body and onto our eternal reality which is gender-less. I wrote a blog about "words as symbols" here that might be helpful in understanding this idea.
14. Is the world/body real? If not, What is the real world ACIM speaks of?
The world of earth is an idea in our minds as is our body. If you look closely at the body, it is a swarm of cells, molecules and atoms. If you look closely at the world, it is a ball of mass spinning through space that is made up of mere matter in a solar system of blackness and other planets and stars. Both body and the world are the effects of our powerful mind of creation. To look to this world or the body for answers is backwards, the form is the last level of creation, it is merely the effect. If any one Wills true change in their lives or world, one must turn to the mind and change your mind about what you think you are and where you think your home is.
Jesus reminds us to "seek first the Kingdom of Heaven, and all else will be added unto you". He is bringing to light where our True Home is, in the Kingdom of Heaven with God, which is eternal and does not change. When we have the experience of our Home in Heaven with God, we reflect it here on earth. What we reflect here is what is referenced in ACIM as the "Real World." With this reminder of what IS true, we can look back on the old world and recognize that it is just the effect of a thought of separation from God (fear); for in Truth, we could never be separate from God and Gods Love is the ONLY thing that is real. The instant we accept this idea as TRUE, we are given everything!! We can then GIVE everything to this world and watch it transform. This is how we co-create a "happy dream" or "real world" as it is spoke of in ACIM. By accepting the world we WANT to see and contributing to IT, creating it together and making it available for others to share in with us. Our company for example, is building technology to help with the rise and fulfillment of the real world. You can learn more about MakeShyft here. It is the perfect example of the universal ideas spoken of in ACIM made practical for us to experience here.
So directly, NO this world and body is not real. But it is very real to the mind that thinks its real! And so if one believes the body and world is real it will appear so to them in their perception. This does not mean it is TRUE according to Gods Plan and His idea of what we are, but it appears true to the perceiver. This is why just saying "this world is not real" does not help. What does help however, is demonstrating what IS real, and GIVING what is real to all.
"Why wait for Heaven? Those who seek the light are merely covering their eyes. The light is in them now. " Lesson 188
15. What is the Son of God?
The Son of God as mentioned to us in ACIM, as the definitive language to describe Gods Children who are created in Gods image and likeness. This means that Gods Sons are holy, whole, perfect and eternal. They cannot experience pain or suffer in any way. They cannot lack or be afraid as they are perfectly safe and entirely Loved and Love-able.
To be the "Son" of God is representative of the "Sun" or the "Light" of the Universe. Whoever is the Son is the LIGHT that clears away all darkness and heals all pain. To say the "Light" or the "Child" or the "Love" of God works just as well as the Son of God, but there is a specific CONTENT that must be applied to all of them, which makes them all the same. When the content/intent of all those words is realized as the SAME then the Truth of what "Son of God" means, can be realized and known to each of us.
The crucial part to all of this, is the reminder that we did not create ourselves! God created us, and he created us perfect. So any time we lose track of this as our true identity, we WILL feel fear, attack, hatred, blame, pain, isolation, terror, sickness and death. All of these intense emotions and experiences arise from the separated self. The Son of God is the Self that is ONE with God and ONE with all our brothers and all the Universe. There is nothing missing from this Son of God. Our minds must open to see ourselves in this new way.... but try not to compare this language to the past, or to religion or to your own learned idea of what the "Son of God" is. If you really want to know, you can turn within in prayer, and ask to know yourself as God Created you.... you will soon understand what the Son of God means for you and about you, as well as what it means about everyone else :) The Son of God is not reserved for one person, as in Jesus, the Son of God is for ALL living souls, as we are all equal children of God.
"I am the holy son of God Himself. Free of all limits. Safe and Healed and Whole. Free to forgive, and free to save the world" Lesson 199
16. Do we keep our individuality upon enlightenment, or do we merge back into the oneness of God?
Enlightenment is spoken of as the "Light" that has been welcomed into the mind. To be enlightened is to know yourself AS light and give this light to all the world. Individuality is a way for the world to express where we are different from others. Enlightenment shows where we are the SAME. So to be enlightened is to see yourself through a new lens and to respect and honor your Self and others AS the Same.
When we welcome the light, only what is true remains and what is false falls away. So if we were holding onto individuality as a way to deny the truth, it will indeed fall, but only to create space for what IS true about us. Individuality is expressing what is individual, when we are enlightened the individual ceases to be and there is only ONE.
Whats important to remember here, is that when we ask for God's Will, or to Know ourselves, or to accept Enlightenment, we are asking for some serious stuff. This stuff is a POWER that is not of this world. Through our willingness to ACCEPT this power and to PURIFY our minds in the process, we are given everything both in the world and beyond the world. So in truth, as an enlightened being, we are given EVERYTHING and will lose NOTHING. Whatever falls away in the Light's Presence was illusory to begin with, and thus there is no loss.
We do indeed "merge back into the oneness of God", but it is our MIND that joins with God. If we are here on earth we have a part to play, a mission in God's Plan to fulfill that brings us happiness and fulfillment of our Life's purpose. So there is no way we can merge so fully, without being helpful to our fellow brothers who are still sleeping. So even though you may have a personal revelatory experience that enlightens your mind to where you KNOW you are One with God, you will still have to use the holy spirit to remain vigilant for God, you will still have to listen and do as guided, you will still have to play an integral part in helping humanity to help everyone become enlightened along with you.
To be enlightened is not an escape route to leave the world or to be still for a bazillion hours on a mountain top in the Himalayans. To be enlightened is to know you ARE light, that ONLY light exists and to SEE through the light that is in your mind TO the light in the minds of others, to help enlighten them along with you. It becomes an act of giving what you have received, as you rest in a place of BEing that is joyful and helpful to you and all the world. So you can still express yourself in the myraid of ways, talents and skills that have been given you. You will be still recognized as your name and express through your body, but the meaning of all that will have changed for you. You will know who you are and you will be at peace.
"Enlightenment is but a recognition, not a change at all" Lesson 188
17. Can anyone be a miracle worker?
It says in the Teachers Manual "A Teacher of God is anyone who choose to be one". It is literally as simple as that. However, the Course is structured in a way, that you will not know you ARE a miracle worker and you will not know what to do AS a miracle worker; until you practice mind training and forgiveness to be equipt to LISTEN to the Voice for God and to DO as guided. Jesus says in the principals of miracles " I will provide the opportunities to do them, but YOU must be ready and willing, since you are already able." It is the experience of miracles that brings conviction, and the experience will only happen when we become ready and willing FOR them.
All miracles happen through joint agreement. The agreement of brother and of God. Thus the mind must be in communication with God and the Spirit in our brothers, in order to be the giver and receiver of miracles. "Miracles are for believers and by believers." They are also natural, and should not be under conscious control but CHRIST control, thus it is necessary to heal and train our minds to think with Christ.
If you are eager to extend, to serve, to love and to give to our brothers... then you are about ready to BE Gods Miracle Worker. Until you are in full service to Humanity, there is still forgiveness that needs to happen. And forgiveness is an integral step before the mind is ready for miracles. "Miracles are everyone's right, but purification is necessary first." -Principal of Miracles #7
So your Soul is ready, you just have to say YES to your Soul entirely. You are a miracle worker as God Loves you and Trusts you as His Holy Child. Until you can accept this with out fear, you are not ready. And thats okay. We are here to learn and you are exactly where you need to be at this time to learn it. :)
18. Would it be correct to say that we are all doing nothing here and would it be correct to say that the course teaches that there is no soul or that a person means nothing?
No I wouldn't say the Course is teaching that. What the Course is teaching us, is what IS here (beyond what we see with the phsyical sight) and what IS here is our shared Reality in God. This Reality is an experience of us AS Souls, where there is love, peace, joy and endless creation. All of ACIM points us to this inner experience of our unity and the Love of God that is actively present within us NOW.
Currently, in this world at this time, people have forgotten that we are Souls with the power to heal and create and love as God Love's..... and so people of the world experience its opposite, which is endless suffering, lack and fear. The course is a course in MIND TRAINING, so that we learn to SEE what is TRULY here (peace and love as Souls) and NOT what we have made the world to be (fear and suffering of bodies).
There is no where in ACIM that says there is "no-thing" or "no-one" here.... it teaches us the difference between illusion and Truth. Thats all. Illusion's are of form and often classified as "person's or people", yes, but we are learning to look BEYOND the form/illusion/body/individual and ONTO what IS True. This is what the atonement (at-one-ment) is FOR . Through the eyes of the atonement and the acceptance of it, we are taught how to see beyond the dream, beyond the separation, beyond the bodies, and onto what we are as God created us, where we are ONE in truth. Saying there is "noone here" is a cop-out to the truth about what IS here in my eyes
The law is God's Law that teaches us to "GIVE as you would want to RECIEVE". Who would give/teach nothingness, only receives nothingness thus fear. One who gives/teaches everything, will receive everything and thus limitless Love!
We are being invited through ACIM to SEE only love, THINK only loving thoughts, and GIVE only love to everyone... so that we experience this LIMITLESS and EXPANSIVE joy and love that God promises each of us. This is receiving EVERYTHING and thus we will KNOW that we are in Heaven now.
Side note: In the FIP version of ACIM 'Soul' was taken out, and so many people who have used this version think that Soul is not what we are. But 'Soul' (and many other things) have been put back into the Sparkly version of ACIM to help those of us who want to learn about the 'Soul', and hear what Jesus has to say about it as our identity.
19. So how do we do this salvation thing?
The way I "do this salvation thing" is to have supreme accuracy in how I use my mind and what I use it for. Salvation is OF the mind and thus vigilance is needed for its allowance through us. When I am focused on One Goal, being God, and His plan's unfoldment through me, I am in an active state of allowing salvation to be what it is. I think of salvation as "to save and be saved". It our function here. In Truth, this is already done, but to those in the dream who believe their thoughts and this world is their reality, are in need of a change of mind TO align WITH salvation's (God's) laws.
Salvation is an acceptance of what we ARE, God's Kids, and NOTHING else. This "nothing else" is just as important as accepting what we are. We cannot be split on this idea or be confused of what we are. It is integral for us to recognize the games we play on ourselves that lead to fear and realize it always has something to do with seeing ourselves as different from others or being something other than God's Child. If we are different, we will respond separately, and we will live in an entirely different world than what God promises. Unfortunately, (yet fortunately) this world that most humans live on is of fear... so they need ANOTHER game to play INSTEAD of the game of fear... and this other game IS salvation. It is temporary much like this world, but its PURPOSE is what differs.
Salvation is a CHOICE, nothing more... and so every ounce of mind training we do, should focus on bringing us closer to making our choice be for God (salvation) and only God. It's for the good of us and all the world! There is nothing to lose when we choose to do this "salvation thing" :)
"Salvation is a game happy children play." ~ACIM
20. What is the difference between Atonement and Salvation?
Both in all honesty can be interchangeable, as the goal is the same. But to accept the atonement, means to accept the ONE SELF, the ONE MIND that you are. Salvation is the act of BEING saved and SAVING others.
Once we accept atonement, we are now realigned with the laws of God and can fulfill out function here in joy. The part that we play here contributes to salvation of all the world. Salvation is where ALL of Gods sons are saved; aNd once we are saved through the atonement, we can help save others.
The beautiful part is, salvation is already DONE. Time is already OVER. We are all already SAVED. It just looks, while we are on earth in time, that things must happen for us all to be saved......and that is where forgiveness of our errors comes in. Forgiveness is given us to feel worthy enough to accept the atonement. Forgiveness will help us to SEE salvation is accomplished and be filled with JOY to do our part in the restoration of it to ALL minds. Forgiveness is an undoing, atonement is an accepting, salvation is a giving.