Re: IA´s Journal
I Need Do Nothing
You still have too much faith in the body as a source of strength. What plans do you make that do not involve its comfort or protectionor enjoyment in some way? This makes the body an end and not a means in your interpretation, and this always means you still find sin attractive. No one accepts Atonement for himself who still accepts sin as his goal. You have thus not met your one responsibility. Atonement is not welcomed by those who prefer pain and destruction. There is one thing that you have never done; you have not utterly forgotten the body. It has perhaps faded at times from your sight, but it has not yet completely disappeared. You are not asked to let this happen for more than an instant, yet it is in this instant that the miracle of Atonement happens. Afterwards you will see the body again, but never quite the same. And every instant that you spend without awareness of it gives you a different view of it when you return. At no single instant does the body exist at all. It is always remembered or anticipated, but never experienced just now. Only its pastand future make it seem real. Time controls it entirely, for sin is neverwholly in the present. In any single instant the attraction is imaginary, andtherefore must be thought of in the past or in the future. It is impossible toaccept the holy instant without reservation unless, just for an instant, you arewilling to see no past or future. You cannot prepare for it without placing itin the future. Release is given you the instant you desire it. Many have spenta lifetime in preparation, and have indeed achieved their instants of success.This course does not attempt to teach more than they learned in time, but itdoes aim at saving time. You may be attempting to follow a very long road tothe goal you have accepted. It is extremly difficult to reach Atonement byfighting against sin. Nor is a lifetime of contemplation and long periods ofmeditation aimed at detachment from the body necessary. All such attempts willultimately succeed because of their purpose. Yet the means are tedious and verytime comsuming, for all of them look to the future for release from a state ofpresent unworthiness and inadequasy. Your way will be different, not in purposebut in means. A holy relationship is a means of saving time. One instant spenttogether restores the universe to both of you. You are prepared. Now you needbut to remember you need do nothing. It would be far more profitable now merelyto concentrate on this than to consider what you should do. When peace comes atlast to those who wrestle with temptation and fight against the giving in tosin; when the light comes at last into the mind given to comtemplation; or whenthe goal is finally achieved by anyone, it always comes with just one happyrealization; ”I need do nothing.” Here is the ultimate release which everyonewill one day find in his own way, at his own time. You do not need this time.Time has been saved for you because you and your brother are together. This isthe special means this course is using to save you time. You are not making useof the course if you insist on using means which have served others well,neglecting what was made for you. Save time for me by only this onepreparation, and practice doing nothing else. ”I need do nothing” is astatement of allegiance, a trully undivided loyalty. Beleive it for just oneinstant, and you will accomplish more than is given to a century ofcomtemplation, or of struggle against temptation. To do anything involves thebody. And if you recognize you need do nothing, you have withdrawn the body´svalue from your mind. Here is the quick and open door through which you slippast centuries of effort, and escape from time. This is the way in which sinloses all attraction right now. For here is time denied, and past and futuregone. Who needs do nothing has no need for time. To do nothing is to rest, andmake a place within you where the activity of the body ceases to demandattention. Into this place the Holy Spirit comes, and there abides. He willremain when you forget, and the body´s activities return to occupy yourconsious mind. Yet there will always be this place of rest to which you canreturn. And you will be more aware of this quiet center of the storm than allits ragin activity. This quiet center, in which you do nothing, will remainwith you, giving you rest in the midst of every busy doing on which you aresent. For from this center will you be directed how to use the body sinlessly.It is this center will you be directed how to use the body sinlessly. It isthis center, from which the body is absent, that will keep it so in yourawareness of it.
Love
Core Affirmation: I am loved and I am worthy,
I am safe and I am free.
I am powerfully protected.
I am master of my body and ruler of my mind.
By Robert Bruce
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