Listen
with your Heart
8.
What Is the
Real World?
The real
world is a symbol, like the rest of what perception offers. Yet it
stands for what is opposite to what you made. Your world is seen
through eyes of fear, and brings the witnesses of terror to your mind.
The real world cannot be perceived except through eyes forgiveness
blesses, so they see a world where terror is impossible, and witnesses
to fear can not be found.
The real
world holds a counterpart for each unhappy thought reflected in your
world; a sure correction for the sights of fear and sounds of battle
which your world contains. The real world shows a world seen
differently, through quiet eyes and with a mind at peace. Nothing but
rest is there. There are no cries of pain and sorrow heard, for nothing
there remains outside forgiveness. And the sights are gentle. Only
happy sights and sounds can reach the mind that has forgiven itself.
What
need has such a mind for thoughts of death, attack and murder? What can
it perceive surrounding it but safety, love and joy? What is there it
would choose to be condemned, and what is there that it would judge
against? The world it sees arises from a mind at peace within itself.
No danger lurks in anything it sees, for it is kind, and only kindness
does it look upon.
The real
world is the symbol that the dream of sin and guilt is over, and God’s
Son no longer sleeps. His waking eyes perceive the sure reflection of
his Father’s Love; the certain promise that he is redeemed. The real
world signifies the end of time, for its perception makes time
purposeless.
The Holy
Spirit has no need of time when it has served His purpose. Now He waits
but that one instant more for God to take His final step, and time has
disappeared, taking perception with it as it goes, and leaving but the
truth to be itself. That instant is our goal, for it contains the
memory of God. And as we look upon a world forgiven, it is He Who calls
to us and comes to take us home, reminding us of our Identity which our
forgiveness has restored to us.
This
is a day
of stillness and of peace.
Christ’s
vision looks through me today. His sight shows me all things forgiven
and at peace, and offers this same vision to the world. And I accept
this vision in its name, both for myself and for the world as well.
What loveliness we look upon today! What holiness we see surrounding
us! And it is given us to recognise it is a holiness in which we share;
it is the Holiness of God Himself.
This
day my mind is quiet, to receive the Thoughts You offer me. And I
accept what comes from You, instead of from myself. I do not know the
way to You. But You are wholly certain. Father, guide Your Son along
the quiet path that leads to You. Let my forgiveness be complete, and
let the memory of You return to me.
