Lesson 161

W-pI.161.1. Today we practice differently, and take a stand against our anger, that our fears may disappear and offer room to love. ² Here is salvation in the simple words in which we practice with today's idea. ³ Here is the answer to temptation which can never fail to welcome in the Christ where fear and anger had prevailed before. ⁴ Here is Atonement made complete, the world passed safely by and Heaven now restored. ⁵ Here is the answer of the Voice for God.

W-pI.161.2. Complete abstraction is the natural condition of the mind. ² But part of it is now unnatural. ³ It does not look on everything as one. ⁴ It sees instead but fragments of the whole, for only thus could it invent the partial world you see. ⁵ The purpose of all seeing is to show you what you wish to see. ⁶ All hearing but brings to your mind the sounds it wants to hear.

W-pI.161.3. Thus were specifics made. ² And now it is specifics we must use in practicing. ³ We give them to the Holy Spirit, that He may employ them for a purpose which is different from the one we gave to them. ⁴ Yet He can use but what we made, to teach us from a different point of view, so we can see a different use in everything.

W-pI.161.4. One brother is all brothers. ² Every mind contains all minds, for every mind is one. ³ Such is the truth. ⁴ Yet do these thoughts make clear the meaning of creation? ⁵ Do these words bring perfect clarity with them to you? ⁶ What can they seem to be but empty sounds; pretty, perhaps, correct in sentiment, yet fundamentally not understood nor understandable. ⁷ The mind that taught itself to think specifically can no longer grasp abstraction in the sense that it is all-encompassing. ⁸ We need to see a little, that we learn a lot.

W-pI.161.5. It seems to be the body that we feel limits our freedom, makes us suffer, and at last puts out our life. ² Yet bodies are but symbols for a concrete form of fear. ³ Fear without symbols calls for no response, for symbols can stand for the meaningless. ⁴ Love needs no symbols, being true. ⁵ But fear attaches to specifics, being false.

W-pI.161.6. Bodies attack, but minds do not. ² This thought is surely reminiscent of our text, where it is often emphasized. ³ This is the reason bodies easily become fear's symbols. ⁴ You have many times been urged to look beyond the body, for its sight presents the symbol of love's "enemy" Christ's vision does not see. ⁵ The body is the target for attack, for no one thinks he hates a mind. ⁶ Yet what but mind directs the body to attack? ⁷ What else could be the seat of fear except what thinks of fear?

W-pI.161.7. Hate is specific. ² There must be a thing to be attacked. ³ An enemy must be perceived in such a form he can be touched and seen and heard, and ultimately killed. ⁴ When hatred rests upon a thing, it calls for death as surely as God's Voice proclaims there is no death. ⁵ Fear is insatiable, consuming everything its eyes behold, seeing itself in everything, compelled to turn upon itself and to destroy.

W-pI.161.8. Who sees a brother as a body sees him as fear's symbol. ² And he will attack, because what he beholds is his own fear external to himself, poised to attack, and howling to unite with him again. ³ Mistake not the intensity of rage projected fear must spawn. ⁴ It shrieks in wrath, and claws the air in frantic hope it can reach to its maker and devour him.

W-pI.161.9. This do the body's eyes behold in one whom Heaven cherishes, the angels love and God created perfect. ² This is his reality. ³ And in Christ's vision is his loveliness reflected in a form so holy and so beautiful that you could scarce refrain from kneeling at his feet. ⁴ Yet you will take his hand instead, for you are like him in the sight that sees him thus. ⁵ Attack on him is enemy to you, for you will not perceive that in his hands is your salvation. ⁶ Ask him but for this, and he will give it to you. ⁷ Ask him not to symbolize your fear. ⁸ Would you request that love destroy itself? ⁹ Or would you have it be revealed to you and set you free?

W-pI.161.10. Today we practice in a form we have attempted earlier. ² Your readiness is closer now, and you will come today nearer Christ's vision. ³ If you are intent on reaching it, you will succeed today. ⁴ And once you have succeeded, you will not be willing to accept the witnesses your body's eyes call forth. ⁵ What you will see will sing to you of ancient melodies you will remember. ⁶ You are not forgot in Heaven. ⁷ Would you not remember it?

W-pI.161.11. Select one brother, symbol of the rest, and ask salvation of him. ² See him first as clearly as you can, in that same form to which you are accustomed. ³ See his face, his hands and feet, his clothing. ⁴ Watch him smile, and see familiar gestures which he makes so frequently. ⁵ Then think of this: What you are seeing now conceals from you the sight of one who can forgive you all your sins; whose sacred hands can take away the nails which pierce your own, and lift the crown of thorns which you have placed upon your bleeding head. ⁶ Ask this of him, that he may set you free:

W-pI.161.12. And He will answer Whom you called upon. ² For He will hear the Voice for God in you, and answer in your own. ³ Behold him now, whom you have seen as merely flesh and bone, and recognize that Christ has come to you. ⁴ Today's idea is your safe escape from anger and from fear. ⁵ Be sure you use it instantly, should you be tempted to attack a brother and perceive in him the symbol of your fear. ⁶ And you will see him suddenly transformed from enemy to savior; from the devil into Christ.