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A Course In Miracles

CHAPTER 23: THE WAR AGAINST YOURSELF

Introduction

“Do you not see the opposite of frailty and weakness is sinlessness?” (1:1)

“The sinless cannot fear, for sin of any kind is weakness.” (1:3)

“No one is strong who has an enemy, and no one can attack unless he thinks he has.” (1:5)

“How strange indeed becomes this war against yourself! You will believe that everything you use for sin can hurt you and become your enemy.” (2:1-2)

“It is certain you will fear what you attack as it is sure that you will love what you perceive as sinless. He walks in peace who travels sinlessly along the way love shows him.” (2:4-5)

“Walk you in glory, with your head held high, and fear no evil. The innocent are safe because they share their innocence. Nothing they see is harmful, for their awareness of the truth releases everything from the illusion of harmfulness.” (3:1-3)

“And every error disappeared because they saw it not.” (3:6)

“Let not the little interferers pull you to littleness.” (4:1)

“Think what a happy world you walk, with truth beside you! Do not give up this world of freedom for a little sigh of seeming sin, nor for a tiny stirring of guilt’s attraction. Would you, for all these meaningless distractions, lay Heaven aside?” (4:3-5)

“Let us not let littleness lead God’s Son into temptation.” (5:1)

“Nothing around you but is part of you. Look on it lovingly, and see the light of Heaven in it.” (6:1-2)

“In kind forgiveness will the world sparkle and shine, and everything you once thought sinful now will be reinterpreted as part of Heaven.” (6:4)

“For here is your salvation and your freedom.” (6:7)

In summary, the: “Introduction” is saying:

What we do not realize, during our day-to-day life as we walk this world, is that all living things are part of us. All human beings are part of our One Self. And what we do to them, we are essentially doing to ourself. To see ourself as separate from everything else, is to see ourself as a body. And to see ourself as a body, is also referred to as “sin” or “separation” in A Course In Miracles. Therefore, to see sin is to see only the body – and be completely oblivious to the Light we all share within ourselves. Here, the word “sin” is interchangeable with the word “body” or “separation.” And so, we learn that to see someone sinless is to actually see them as bodiless. Let us re-read several quotes from above:

“Do you not see the opposite of frailty and weakness is sinlessness (bodilessness)?” (1:1)

“The sinless (bodiless) cannot fear, for sin (a body) of any kind is weakness.”

“It is certain you will fear what you attack as it is sure that you will love what you perceive as sinless (bodiless). He walks in peace who travels sinlessly (bodilessly) along the way love shows him.” (2:4-5)

It is thus true forgiveness then, to see one another as sinless, or bodiless, for we have looked beyond form and overcome the temptation to believe our eyes – that we are bodies – and have instead felt the truth of our Oneness. And herein lies our salvation and our freedom and the end of the war against our Self.

I. The Irreconcilable Beliefs

“The memory of God comes to the quiet mind. It cannot come where there is conflict, for a mind at war against itself remembers not eternal gentleness.” (1:1-2)

“Conflict within you must imply that you believe the ego has the power to be victorious.” (1:5)

“Do you not realize a war against yourself would be a war on God? Is victory conceivable? And if it were, is this a victory that you would want?” (2:1-3)

“This is no war; only the mad belief the Will of God can be attacked and overthrown.” (2:8)

“Brother, the war against yourself is almost over. The journey’s end is at the place of peace.” (4:1-2)

“The war against yourself was undertaken to teach the Son of God that he is not himself, and not his Father’s Son. For this, the memory of his Father must be forgotten. It is forgotten in the body’s life, and if you think you are a body, you will believe you have forgotten it. Yet truth can never be forgotten by itself, and you have not forgotten what you are. Only a strange illusion of yourself, a wish to triumph over what you are, remembers not.” (5:1-5)

“What you remember is a part of you. For you must be as God created you.” (7:1-2)

“See how the conflict of illusions disappears when it is brought to truth!” (9:1)

“You who are beloved of Him are no illusion, being as true and holy as Himself. The stillness of your certainty of Him and of yourself is home to Both of You, Who dwell as one and not apart.” (10:1-2)

“You dwell in peace as limitless as its Creator, and everything is given those who would remember Him.” (10:7)

“The meeting of illusions leads to war.” (12:2)

“Peace is the state where love abides, and seeks to share itself. Conflict and peace are opposites. Where one abides the other cannot be; where either goes the other disappears. So is the memory of God obscured in minds that have become illusions’ battleground. Yet far beyond this senseless war it shines, ready to be remembered when you side with peace.” (12:5-9)

In summary, section 1: “The Irreconcilable Beliefs” is saying:

We cannot be both a body and a bodiless creation of Love and Light. Both identities cannot be true, and therefore, these two beliefs are irreconcilable with each other, for one belief is a false illusionary self-perception. The conflict between these two self-perceptions, is the war within ourself. Yet if only the truth about us is true, then how can there be two opposing sides, if one is false? We are therefore, at war with nothing; an idea that only seems to be true. An idea we can let go of at any time and rest in peace. Let the stillness of the certainty of our Oneness in God triumph over all contrary beliefs. We dwell in peace as limitless as our Creator. Only illusions – bodies – can war with one another. Peace comes to the mind that sees there is no war, for to see yourself as One, banishes the idea of separation from your mind. With this change in belief, are all irreconcilable beliefs thus reconciled.

II. The Laws of Chaos

“The “laws” of chaos can be brought to light, though never understood. Chaotic laws are hardly meaningful, and therefore out of reason’s sphere. Yet they appear to be an obstacle to reason and to truth. Let us, then, look upon them calmly, that we may look beyond them, understanding what they are, and not what they would maintain. It is essential it be understood what they are for, because it is their purpose to make meaningless, and to attack the truth. Here are the laws that rule the world you made.” (1:1-6)

“The first chaotic law is that the truth is different for everyone. Like all these principles, this one maintains that each is separate and has a different set of thoughts that set him off from others.” (2:1-2)

“Each one establishes this for himself, and makes it true by his attack on what another values. And this is justified because the values differ, and those who hold them seem to be unlike, and therefore enemies.” (2:4-5)

“Think how this seems to interfere with the first principle of miracles. (“There is no order of difficulty in miracles.” Principle 1.). For this establishes degrees of truth among illusions, making it seem that some of them are harder to overcome than others.” (3:1-2)

“Errors of any kind can be corrected because they are untrue.” (3:4)

“The second law of chaos, dear indeed to every worshiper of sin, is that each one must sin, and therefore deserves attack and death.” (4:1)

“Think what this seems to do to the relationship between the Father and the Son. Now it appears that They can never be One again.” (5:1-2)

“And fear of God and of each other now appears as sensible, made real by what the Son of God has done both to himself and his Creator.” (5:7)

“The arrogance on which the laws of chaos stand could not be more apparent than emerges here. Here is a principle that would define what the Creator of reality must be; what He must think and what He must believe; and how He must respond, believing it. (6:1-2)

“This leads directly to the third preposterous belief that seems to make chaos eternal. For if God cannot be mistaken, He must accept His Son’s belief in what he is, and hate him for it.” (6:5-6)

“See how the fear of God is reinforced by this third principle. Now it becomes impossible to turn to Him for help in misery.” (7:1-2)

“The ego values only what it takes. This leads to the fourth law of chaos, which, if the others are accepted, must be true. This seeming law is the belief you have what you have taken. By this, another’s loss becomes your gain, and thus it fails to recognize that you can never take away save from yourself.” (9:1-4)

“And now there is a vague unanswered question, not yet “explained.” What is this precious thing, this priceless pearl, this hidden secret treasure, to be wrested in righteous wrath from this most treacherous and cunning enemy? It must be what you want but never found.” (11:1-3)

“For it was taken from you by this enemy, and hidden where you would not think to look. He hid it in his body, making it the cover for his guilt, the hiding place for what belongs to you. Now must his body be destroyed and sacrificed, that you may have that which belongs to you.” (11:5-7)

“This is the reason why you must attack. Here is what makes your vengeance justified. Behold, unveiled, the ego’s secret gift, torn from your brother’s body, hidden there in malice and in hatred for the one to whom the gift belongs.” (12:6-8)

“And all of your relationships have but the purpose of seizing it and making it your own.” (12:12)

“Never is your possession made complete.” (13:1)

“No one wants madness, nor does anyone cling to his madness if he sees that this is what it is. What protects madness is the belief that it is true.” (14:1-2)

“These do not seem to be the goals of chaos, for by the great reversal they appear to be the laws of order.” (15:1)

“And yet, how can it be that laws like these can be believed?” (16:1)

“Some forms it takes seem to have meaning, and that is all.” (16:7)

“You would maintain, and think it true, that you do not believe these senseless laws, nor act upon them.” (18:1)

“Brother, you do believe them. For how else could you perceive the form they take, with content such as this?” (18:3-4)

“There is no life outside of Heaven.” (19:1)

“In any state apart from Heaven life is illusion. At best it seems like life; at worst, like death.” (19:3-4)

“Life not in Heaven is impossible, and what is not in Heaven is not anywhere. Outside of Heaven, only the conflict of illusion stands; senseless, impossible and beyond all reason, and yet perceived as an eternal barrier to Heaven. Illusions are but forms. Their content is never true.” (19:6-9)

“The laws of chaos govern all illusions. Their forms conflict, making it seem quite possible to value some above the others.” (20:1-2)

“From the belief in sin, the faith in chaos must follow. It is because it follows that it seems to be a logical conclusion; a valid step in ordered thought. The steps to chaos do follow neatly from their starting point.” (21:1-3)

“The whole descent from Heaven lies in each one.” (21:6)

“Brother, take not one step in the descent to hell. For having taken one, you will not recognize the rest for what they are. And they will follow. Attack in any form has placed your foot upon the twisted stairway that leads from Heaven. Yet any instant it is possible to have all this undone. How can you know whether you chose the stairs to Heaven or the way to hell? Quite easily. How do you feel? Is peace in your awareness?” (22:1-9)

“If not, you walk alone. Ask, then, your Friend to join with you, and give you certainty of where you go.” (22:12-13)

In summary, section 2: “The Laws of Chaos” is saying:

There are four laws of chaos, the “laws” or beliefs that lead us away from the bliss of Heaven, down into the depths of suffering in the ego’s world.

One: The belief we are separate and can have separate desires, wishes and demands that will be what completes our perceived idea of happiness. Some of these separate things and people are more desirable than others in this world; in other words, some forms of illusion are more preferable than others. This idea of separation is also called “sin.”

Two: The belief that each one of us must sin, or must be separate. The ego believes this idea is irreversible and permanent. The ego also believes that the death of the body is proof this is true. Only what is separate can die on its own. Now it seems that our Oneness with God and each other can never be true.

Three: The belief that God also believes our mistaken idea we are separate; that He accepts this definition of ourselves and will punish us for our mistakes in this world. If we believe God will punish us, how can we possibly turn to Him for help?

Four: The belief that we must demand others behave in ways we feel will make us happy. For indeed, all unhappiness stems from someone else not behaving in the way our ego would prefer. If they do not do as we desire, we become upset, we attack and make demands in a variety of ways; sometimes claiming to act out of self-defense and at other times claiming to be unfairly treated. And by increasing another’s guilt, does our ego attempt to control their actions.

And what is it we seek from others, even to the point of murder? What could the attempt to cause another to feel pain and guilt possibly give us? We are demanding from them what we think we do not have: Love. It is this the ego seeks, yet will never find, for it looks outside of you. All the ego knows is that somehow, Love is associated with our bodies. And it thinks it can pull It from our corpse through murder or perhaps through guilting others into behaving as we would deem loving. And we think such attack and control is justified, yet all we become is another’s jailer. Never can we truly possess another body, for that is not who we are. The body is nothing. What we truly seek, is the sense of loving completion and contentment that can only be given through the awareness of our Oneness with God, Who Unites All Things. This feeling, this experience, is Heaven. And there is no life outside of this. All perceived separate forms are but representations of our belief in sin; separation. Once this belief is accepted, the descent into hell is swift for it leads but downward into chaos. Your peace will be lost once you believe you are alone and separated from God’s Great Love and seek for it where you will not find it. You will then feel the laws of chaos come into action in the form of your loss of peace. During these times, gently remind yourself you do not walk alone. God goes with you wherever you go, for what God has created as One, can never be separated, nor ruled by the laws of chaos.

III. Salvation Without Compromise

“Is it not true you do not recognize some of the forms attack can take? If it is true attack in any form will hurt you, and will do so just as much as in another form that you do recognize, then it must follow that you do not always recognize the source of pain.” (1:1-2)

“The wrapping does not make the gift you give. An empty box, however beautiful and gently given, still contains nothing.” (2:2-3)

“Withhold forgiveness from your brother and you attack him. You give him nothing, and receive of him but what you gave.” (2:5-6)

“Salvation is no compromise of any kind. To compromise is to accept but part of what you want; to take a little and give up the rest. Salvation gives up nothing. It is complete for everyone.” (3:1-4)

“This course is easy just because it makes no compromise. Yet it seems difficult to those who still believe that compromise is possible.” (4:1-2)

“Forgiveness cannot be withheld a little. Nor is it possible to attack for this and love for that and understand forgiveness.” (4:5-6)

“Those who believe that peace can be defended, and that attack is justified on its behalf, cannot perceive it lies within them.” (5:1)

“To be released from conflict means that it is over. The door is open; you have left the battleground.” (6:2-3)

“You can look down on it in safety from above and not be touched. But from within it you can find no safety.” (6:6-7)

“Can guilt be absent from a battlefield?” (6:12)

In summary, section 3: “Salvation Without Compromise” is saying:

What is salvation? It is but the inner recognition of our Oneness; the full realization we are not separate, but joined as One in God. To realize this, to truly feel it and believe it, is salvation from all else your eyes currently perceive as reality. For in this knowing, you are released from the world, just as you have released the world from what you thought it was. You have left the battlefield and ascended to the vantage point above it – observing the world around you, but no longer engaging in battle with it. This shift in perception is forgiveness. To continue to engage with others as though they are separate from you is to continue to engage in attack, for such behavior attacks your perception of Oneness through seeing each other as separate. Herein lies your whole conflict with the world. Peace is an uncompromising stance. You cannot see some separation here and none there. Either you are One or you are not. Either you believe this is true, or you do not. Do not try to justify some forms of separation – usually with those you do not like – while accepting union with other forms – usually with those you claim to love. You believe in Oneness with all or none. Salvation, our Oneness, is either true or false. There is no compromise.

IV. Above the Battleground

“Do not remain in conflict, for there is no war without attack. The fear of God is fear of life, and not of death. Yet He remains the only place of safety.” (1:1-3)

“Every illusion is an assault on truth, and every one does violence to the idea of love because it seems to be of equal truth.” (1:12)

“Murder and love are incompatible. Yet if they both are true, then must they be the same, and indistinguishable from one another. So will they be to those who see God’s Son a body.” (2:2-4)

“God does not share His function with a body.” (3:1)

“It is not sinful to believe the function of the Son is murder, but it is insanity.” (3:3)

“Each form of murder and attack that still attracts you and that you do not recognize for what it is, limits the healing and the miracles you have the power to extend to all.” (4:3)

“This is your part; to realize that murder in any form is not your will. The overlooking of the battleground is now your purpose.” (4:6-7)

“Be lifted up, and from a higher place look down upon it. From there will your perspective be quite different. Here in the midst of it, it does seem real.” (5:1-3)

“Yet from above, the choice is miracles instead of murder. And the perspective coming from this choice shows you the battle is not real, and easily escaped.” (5:6-7)

“When the temptation to attack rises to make your mind darkened and murderous, remember you cansee the battle from above. Even in forms you do not recognize, the signs you know. There is a stab of pain, a twinge of guilt, and above all, a loss of peace.” (6:1-3)

“When they occur leave not your place on high, but quickly choose a miracle instead of murder. And God Himself and all the lights of Heaven will gently lean to you, and hold you up. For you have chosen to remain where He would have you, and no illusion can attack the peace of God together with His Son.” (6:5-7)

“Perhaps you think the battleground can offer something you can win. Can it be anything that offers you a perfect calmness, and a sense of love so deep and quiet that no touch of doubt can ever mar your certainty? And that will last forever?” (8:7-9)

“Those with the strength of God in their awareness could never think of battle.” (9:1)

“For everything fought for on the battleground is of the body; something it seems to offer or to own.” (9:3)

“The senselessness of conquest is quite apparent from the quiet sphere above the battleground.” (9:5)

“Who with the Love of God upholding him could find the choice of miracles or murder hard to make?” (9:8)

In summary, section 4: “Above the Battleground” is saying:

The world of separate forms we currently see, is the battleground on which the conflict between our separation and Unity is fought. Except there is no actual battle, for the world of separate forms merely covers the truth beneath a blanket of illusions. We are not separate. Yet every illusion of separation we see is an assault on the truth of our Union. It is a form of murder; the desire to separate from God and thus end the existence of our Unified Holy Self. When we believe our separated selves are the truth above all else, we are attempting violence against the idea of our eternal Union. However, we are not wholly conscious of these thoughts. We do not believe we are seceding from God at all, but are desperately trying to come Home to Him. Yet, now that it is understood exactly what we are doing when we think lovelessly about another, we can end the battle altogether. We can rise above it by rising above the idea we are bodies. The choice to do this, is a miracle, for it takes great willingness and a mind ready to awaken, to decide to perceive others as they are in truth; as part of God’s Stillness and not a body. If you can see that everything fought for on the battleground is of the body; something it seems to offer or to own, you will then rise above the battleground, no longer affected by the body and its needs. This choice effectively ends the war against yourself.

This concludes CHAPTER 23: THE WAR AGAINST YOURSELF

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A Course In Miracles: CHAPTER 23: THE WAR AGAINST YOURSELF (Summary)