A Course in Miracles

Chapter 3 - Retraining The Mind

Creating Vs the Self-Image

Every system of thought must have a starting point. It begins with either a making (ego) or a creating(God) , a difference which we have discussed already. Their resemblance lies in their power as (thought system) foundations.Their difference lies in what rests upon them.

Both are cornerstones for systems of belief by which men live.

it is a mistake to believe that a thought system which is based on lies is weak. Nothing made by a child of God is without power. It is essential to realize this, because otherwise you will not understand why you have so much trouble with this course, and will be unable to escape from the prisons which you have made for yourselves.

You cannot resolve the authority problem by depreciating the power of your minds.

To do so is to deceive yourself, and this will hurt you because you know the strength of the mind. You also know that you cannot weaken it, any more than you can weaken God.

The Devil & The Separation

The “devil” is a frightening concept because he is thought of as extremely powerful and extremely active. He is perceived as a force in combat with God, battling Him for possession of the Souls He created. He deceives by lies, and builds kingdoms of his own, in which everything is in direct opposition to God. Yet he attracts men rather than repels them, and they are seen as willing to “sell” him their Souls in return for gifts they recognize are of no real worth. This makes absolutely no sense.

The whole picture is one in which man acts in a way he himself realizes is self-destructive, but which he does not choose to correct, and therefore perceives the cause as beyond his control.

We have discussed the fall, or separation, before, but its meaning must be clearly understood without symbols. The separation is not symbolic.

It is an order of reality or a system of thought that is real enough in time, though not in eternity. All beliefs are real to the believer.

The fruit of only one tree was “forbidden” to man in his symbolic garden. But God could not have forbidden it, or it could not have been eaten.

If God knows His children, and I assure you that He does, would He have put them in a position where their own destruction was possible?

The “tree” which was forbidden was named the “tree of knowledge.” Yet God created knowledge, and gave it freely to His creations.

The symbolism here has been given many interpretations, but you may be sure that any interpretation which sees either God or His creations as capable of destroying their own Purpose is in error.

Eating of the fruit of the tree of knowledge is a symbolic expression for incorporating into the self the ability for (ego) self-creating.

This is the only sense in which God and His Souls are not co-creators. The belief that they are (co-creators) is implicit in the “self concept,” a concept now made acceptable by its weakness, and explained by a tendency of the self to create an image of itself.

Its fear aspect is often ascribed to fear of retaliation by a “father figure,” a particularly curious idea in view of the fact that no one uses the term to refer to the physical father. It refers to an image of a father in relation to an image of the self.

Images are perceived, not known. Knowledge cannot deceive, but perception can. Man can perceive himself as self-creating, but he cannot do more than believe it. He cannot make it true. And, as we said before, when you finally perceive correctly, you can only be glad that you cannot. But until then, the belief that you can (create yourself) is the central foundation stone in your (ego) thought system, and all your defenses are used to attack ideas which might bring it to light.

You still believe you are images of your own creation. Your minds are split with your Souls on this point, and there is no resolution while you believe the one thing that is literally inconceivable. That is why you cannot create, and are filled with fear about what you make.

The mind can make the belief in separation very real and very fearful, and this belief is the “devil.” It is powerful, active, destructive, and clearly in opposition to God because it literally denies His Fatherhood.

Look at your lives, and see what the devil has made. But know that this making will surely dissolve in the light of truth, because its foundation is a lie.