Do you believe that truth can be but some illusion? They are dreams because they are not true. Their equal lack of truth becomes the basis for the basis for the miracle, which means that you have understood that dreams are dreams; and that escape depends, not on the dream, but only on awaking...
The choice is not between dreams or to awaken from them....
For every dream is but a dream of fear, no matter what the form it seems to take. The fear is seen within, without, or both. Or it can be disguised in pleasant form. But never is it absent from the dream, for fear is the material of dreams, from which they are all made. Their form can change, treacherous indeed if it allowed you still to be afraid because you did not recognize the fear. You would not be willing to awake, for which the miracle prepares the way...
When you are angry, it is not because someone has failed to fill the function you allotted him? And does not this become the "reason" your attack is justified? The dreams you think you like are those in which the functions you have given have been filled; the needs which you ascribe to you are met. It doesn't matter if they be fulfilled or merely wanted. It is the idea that they exist from which the fears arise. Dreams are not wanted more or less. They are not desired or not. Each one represents some function that you have assigned; some goal which an event, or body, or a thing should represent, and should achieve for you. If it succeeds you think you like the dream. If if should fail you think the dream is sad. But whether it succeeds or fails is not it's core, but just the flimsy covering?...
How happy would your dreams become if you were not the one who gave the "proper" role to every figure which the dream contains. No one can fail but your idea of him, and there is no betrayal but this. The core of dreams the Holy Spirit gives is never one of fear...
Perceptions are determined by their purpose, in that they seem to be what they are for...
What is your brother for? You do not know, because your function is obscure to you. Do not ascribe a role to him that you imagine would bring happiness to you. And do not try to hurt him when he fails to take the part that you assigned to him, in what you dream your life was meant to be...
Who can utilize all dreams as means to serve the function given Him. Because He loves the dreamer, not the dream, each dream becomes an offering of love. For at its center is His love for you, which lights whatever form it takes with love...
The choice is not between dreams or to awaken from them....
For every dream is but a dream of fear, no matter what the form it seems to take. The fear is seen within, without, or both. Or it can be disguised in pleasant form. But never is it absent from the dream, for fear is the material of dreams, from which they are all made. Their form can change, treacherous indeed if it allowed you still to be afraid because you did not recognize the fear. You would not be willing to awake, for which the miracle prepares the way...
When you are angry, it is not because someone has failed to fill the function you allotted him? And does not this become the "reason" your attack is justified? The dreams you think you like are those in which the functions you have given have been filled; the needs which you ascribe to you are met. It doesn't matter if they be fulfilled or merely wanted. It is the idea that they exist from which the fears arise. Dreams are not wanted more or less. They are not desired or not. Each one represents some function that you have assigned; some goal which an event, or body, or a thing should represent, and should achieve for you. If it succeeds you think you like the dream. If if should fail you think the dream is sad. But whether it succeeds or fails is not it's core, but just the flimsy covering?...
How happy would your dreams become if you were not the one who gave the "proper" role to every figure which the dream contains. No one can fail but your idea of him, and there is no betrayal but this. The core of dreams the Holy Spirit gives is never one of fear...
Perceptions are determined by their purpose, in that they seem to be what they are for...
What is your brother for? You do not know, because your function is obscure to you. Do not ascribe a role to him that you imagine would bring happiness to you. And do not try to hurt him when he fails to take the part that you assigned to him, in what you dream your life was meant to be...
Who can utilize all dreams as means to serve the function given Him. Because He loves the dreamer, not the dream, each dream becomes an offering of love. For at its center is His love for you, which lights whatever form it takes with love...
Taken from ACIM P. 612-613
This lesson really rang true for me and fit right into the book I'm currently reading as well. It reminds me of the story "Acceptance Was The Answer" found in the big book of Alcoholics Anonymous. When emotions arise in me it is about me, some aspect of my past, a fear, an unhealed wound or something like that. The other person, place or thing involved is living their own dream and their emotions and actions are based on their past, fears, and those things. So when they do or don't do something that brings up an emotion in me it is a reminder to me that it is time for me to look within and resolve that issue which is troubling me.
Considering where I am today.....guess it's about time to look within.........I'll let ya know how it turns out.
