As for the Rest…
29\. As for the Rest…
This manual is not intended to answer all questions that both teacher
and pupil may raise. In fact, it covers only a few of the more obvious
ones, in terms of a brief summary of some of the major concepts in the
text and workbook. It is not a substitute for either, but merely a
supplement. While it is called a manual for teachers, it must be
remembered that only time divides teacher and pupil, so that the
difference is temporary by definition. In some cases, it may be helpful
for the pupil to read the manual first. Others might do better to begin
with the workbook. Still others may need to start at the more abstract
level of the text.
Which is for whom? Who would profit more from prayers
alone? Who needs but a smile, being as yet unready for more? No one
should attempt to answer these questions alone. Surely no teacher of God
has come this far without realizing that. The curriculum is highly
individualized. And all aspects are under the Holy Spirit's particular
care and guidance. Ask and He will answer. The responsibility is His,
and He alone is fit to assume it. To do so is His function. To refer the
questions to Him is yours. Would you want to be responsible for
decisions about which you understand so little? Be glad you have a
Teacher Who cannot make a mistake. His answers are always right. Would
you say that of yours?
There is another advantage—and a very important one—in
referring decisions to the Holy Spirit with increasing frequency.
Perhaps you have not thought of this aspect, but its centrality is
obvious. To follow the Holy Spirit's guidance is to let yourself be
absolved of guilt. It is the essence of the Atonement. It is the core of
the curriculum. The imagined usurping of functions not your own is the
basis of fear. The whole world you see reflects the illusion you have
done so, making fear inevitable. To return the function to the One to
Whom it belongs is thus the escape from fear. And it is this that lets
the memory of love return to you. Do not, then, think that following the
Holy Spirit's guidance is necessary merely because of your own
inadequacies. It is the way out of hell for you.
Here again is the paradox often referred to in the course.
To say, “Of myself I can do nothing” is to gain all power. And yet it is
but a seeming paradox. As God created you, you have all power. The image
you made of yourself has none. The Holy Spirit knows the truth about
you. The image you made does not. Yet despite its obvious and complete
ignorance, this image assumes it knows all things because you have given
that belief to it. Such is your teaching and the teaching of the world
which was made to uphold it. But the Teacher Who knows the truth has not
forgotten it. His decisions bring benefit to all, being wholly devoid of
attack. And therefore incapable of arousing guilt.
Who assumes a power that he does not have is deceiving
himself. Yet to accept the power given him by God is but to acknowledge
his Creator and accept His gifts. And His gifts have no limit. To ask
the Holy Spirit to decide for you is simply to accept your true
inheritance. Does this mean that you cannot decide anything without
consulting Him? No indeed! That would hardly be practical, and it is the
practical with which this course is most concerned. If you have made it
a habit to ask for help when and where you can, you can be confident
that wisdom will be given you when you need it. Prepare for this each
morning, remember God when you can throughout the day, ask the Holy
Spirit's help when it is possible to do so, and thank Him for His
guidance at night. And your confidence will be well founded indeed.
Never forget that the Holy Spirit does not depend on your
words. He understands the requests of your heart and answers them. Does
this mean that while attack remains attractive to you, He will respond
with evil? Hardly! For God has given Him the power to translate your
prayers of the heart into His language. He understands that an attack is
a call for help. And He responds with help accordingly. God would be
cruel if He let your words replace His Own. A loving father does not let
his child harm himself or choose his own destruction. He may ask for
injury, but his father will protect him still. And how much more than
this does your Father love His Son?
Remember you are His completion and His Love. Remember your
weakness is His strength. But do not read this hastily or wrongly. If
His strength is in you, what you perceive as your weakness is but
illusion. And He has given you the means to prove it so. Ask all things
of His Teacher, and all things are given you. Not in the future but
immediately—now. God does not wait, for waiting implies time and He is
timeless. Forget your foolish images, your sense of frailty and your
fear of harm, your dreams of danger and selected “wrongs.” God knows but
His Son, and as he was created, so he is. In confidence I place you in
His hands, and I give thanks for you that this is so.
*And now in all your doings be you blessed.
God turns to you for help to save the world.
Teacher of God, His thanks He offers you,
And all the world stands silent in the grace
You bring from Him. You are the Son He loves,
And it is given you to be the means
Through which His Voice is heard around the world
To close all things of time, to end the sight
Of all things visible, and to undo
All things that change. Through you is ushered in
A world unseen, unheard, yet truly there.
Holy are you, and in your light the world
Reflects your holiness, for you are not
Alone and friendless. I give thanks for you
And join your efforts on behalf of God,
Knowing they are on my behalf as well
And for all those who walk to God with me.*
*FINIS*