Susan Dugan and Bruce Rawles read aloud and discuss the Epilogue from the Manual for Teachers (after the Clarification of Terms) of A Course In Miracles – in this YouTube video.
The word doubt appears 177 times in ACIM, while the word certain appears ten more times; 187 times. Perhaps that is a reminder that while doubt can seem to weigh heavily in our minds at times, the certainty of our happy outcome is guaranteed. When we let this sink in, we may find that we smile more frequently (ACIM, W-155.1:2)
We’re all charged with the responsibility of looking honestly at our choice – moment to moment – for one of two thought systems (inclusion or separation) and to assess whether we want ego’s doubt, sin, guilt, fear, and conflict – or our Inner Kindness teacher’s certainty, forgiveness and the genuine hope given to us where we think we are – in a colossal, but inconsequential dream from the perspective of our eternally shared Self. That Self is unchanged, unchanging, and unchangeable.
This encouraging concluding section of ACIM provides both deep inspiration and unwavering assurance that our attainment of everlasting Peace is happily inevitable; we can afford to gently, non-derisively, compassionately laugh at our misunderstandings, mistrust, and misinterpretations that our insane egos would have us swallow. Our self-inflicted trepidations are ultimately unfounded, regardless of the magnitude or scope or seeming source – including those threats that appear to be external since the outcome is certain.
Meanwhile, we have work to do, to be gently vigilant with our mind and paying careful attention to the relationships we have with everyone and everything – our forgiveness classroom – where we can look with Holy Spirit at our projections, bring them back inside the mind (where they never really left) and see that our discomforts and diseases are merely the results of taking our nightmarish dreams seriously.
Here are the first three paragraphs of the Manual’s Epilogue:
“Forget not once this journey is begun the end is certain. ²Doubt along the way will come and go and go to come again. ³Yet is the ending sure. ⁴No one can fail to do what God appointed him to do. ⁵When you forget, remember that you walk with Him and with His Word upon your heart. ⁶Who could despair when hope like this is his? ⁷Illusions of despair may seem to come, but learn how not to be deceived by them. ⁸Behind each one there is reality and there is God. ⁹Why would you wait for this and trade it for illusions, when His Love is but an instant farther on the road where all illusions end? ¹⁰The end is sure and guaranteed by God. ¹¹Who stands before a lifeless image when a step away the Holy of the Holies opens up an ancient door that leads beyond the world?
2. You are a stranger here. ²But you belong to Him Who loves you as He loves Himself. ³Ask but my help to roll the stone away, and it is done according to His Will. ⁴We have begun the journey. ⁵Long ago the end was written in the stars and set into the Heavens with a shining Ray that held it safe within eternity and through all time as well. ⁶And holds it still; unchanged, unchanging and unchangeable.
3. Be not afraid. ²We only start again an ancient journey long ago begun that but seems new. ³We have begun again upon a road we travelled on before and lost our way a little while. ⁴And now we try again. ⁵Our new beginning has the certainty the journey lacked till now. ⁶Look up and see His Word among the stars, where He has set your Name along with His. ⁷Look up and find your certain destiny the world would hide but God would have you see.” (ACIM, C-ep.1:1–3:7)
(This video was recorded on September 16, 2021.)
If you have questions or comments about this video, prior videos in this ACIM-related video series, or other Course-related topics, please email them via the ACIMblog.com contact form. Susan and Bruce will review and try to respond to questions and suggestions for future conversations. We look forward to extending the conversation with you!
Here are some prior ACIM-related conversations with Susan Dugan and Bruce Rawles.