Susan Dugan and Bruce Rawles read and talk about three paragraphs from Lesson 192: “I have a function God would have me fill.” (ACIM, W-192) from the Workbook of A Course In Miracles – in this YouTube video.
Our choice of thought system – ego or Holy Spirit – is the only meaningful choice from the Course’s perspective. This is the only factor that determines whether we see the world as a prison or a classroom, whether we see ourselves at the mercy of everyone and everything, or able and glad to be merciful to everyone and everything. The Course’s practice of true (non-dual) forgiveness leads us gently, happily, and inexorably from the tyranny of provincial, narcissistic specialness and ego’s imprisoning separate interests to the freedom of all-inclusive, truly egalitarian shared interests – from futile fearful folly to the peace of gentle grace.
We must slowly but surely – with prodigious help from our Inner Kindness Teacher – transfer our identity from the prison of the body to the classroom of Spirit. The body is completely neutral, but we’ve made it special needlessly. Here’s another commentary on how we’ve used the body as a host to insanity instead of kindness:
“7. This is the host of God that you have made. ²And neither God nor His most holy Son can enter an abode that harbors hate, and where you have sown the seeds of vengeance, violence and death. ³This thing you made to serve your guilt stands between you and other minds. ⁴The minds are joined, but you do not identify with them. ⁵You see yourself locked in a separate prison, removed and unreachable, incapable of reaching out as being reached. ⁶You hate this prison you have made, and would destroy it. ⁷But you would not escape from it, leaving it unharmed, without your guilt upon it.
8. Yet only thus can you escape. ²The home of vengeance is not yours; the place you set aside to house your hate is not a prison, but an illusion of yourself. ³The body is a limit imposed on the universal communication that is an eternal property of mind. ⁴But the communication is internal. ⁵Mind reaches to itself. ⁶It is not made up of different parts, which reach each other. ⁷It does not go out. ⁸Within itself it has no limits, and there is nothing outside it. ⁹It encompasses everything. ¹⁰It encompasses you entirely; you within it and it within you. ¹¹There is nothing else, anywhere or ever.” (ACIM, T-18.VI.7:1–8:11)
Here are the last three paragraphs from Lesson 192: “I have a function God would have me fill.”:
“8. Who can be born again in Christ but him who has forgiven everyone he sees or thinks of or imagines? ²Who could be set free while he imprisons anyone? ³A jailer is not free, for he is bound together with his prisoner. ⁴He must be sure that he does not escape, and so he spends his time in keeping watch on him. ⁵The bars that limit him become the world in which his jailer lives, along with him. ⁶And it is on his freedom that the way to liberty depends for both of them.
9. Therefore, hold no one prisoner. ²Release instead of bind, for thus are you made free. ³The way is simple. ⁴Every time you feel a stab of anger, realize you hold a sword above your head. ⁵And it will fall or be averted as you choose to be condemned or free. ⁶Thus does each one who seems to tempt you to be angry represent your savior from the prison house of death. ⁷And so you owe him thanks instead of pain.
10. Be merciful today. ²The Son of God deserves your mercy. ³It is he who asks that you accept the way to freedom now. ⁴Deny him not. ⁵His Father’s Love for him belongs to you. ⁶Your function here on earth is only to forgive him, that you may accept him back as your Identity. ⁷He is as God created him. ⁸And you are what he is. ⁹Forgive him now his sins, and you will see that you are one with him.” (ACIM, W-192.8:1–10:9)
“We are the prisoners of the prisoners we have taken.”
(This video was recorded on July 15, 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.