Library of Christ Mind Teachings
ACIM Original Edition
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God indeed can be reached directly, for there is no distance between Him
and His Son. His awareness is in everyone’s memory, and His Word is
written on everyone’s heart. Yet this awareness and this memory can
arise across the threshold of the unconscious only where all barriers to
truth have been removed. In how many is this the case? Here then is the
role of God’s teachers. They too have not attained the necessary
understanding as yet, but they have joined with others. This is what
sets them apart from the world. And it is this that enables others to
leave the world with them. Alone they are nothing. But in their joining
is the Power of God.
2 There are those who have reached God directly, retaining no
trace of worldly limits and remembering their own Identity perfectly.
These might be called the teachers of teachers, because, although they
are no longer visible, their image can yet be called upon. And they will
appear when and where it is helpful for them to do so. To those to whom
such appearances would be frightening, they give their ideas. No one can
call on them in vain. Nor is there anyone of whom they are unaware. All
needs are known to them, and all mistakes are recognized and overlooked
by them. The time will come when this is understood. And meanwhile they
give all their gifts to the teachers of God who look to them for help,
asking all things in their name and in no other.
3 Sometimes a teacher of God may have a brief experience of
direct union with God. In this world, it is almost impossible that this
endure. It can, perhaps, be won after much devotion and dedication and
then be maintained for most of the time on earth. But this is so rare
that it cannot be considered a realistic goal. If it happens, so be it.
If it does not happen, so be it as well. All worldly states must be
illusory. If God were reached directly in sustained awareness, the body
would not be long maintained. Those who have laid the body down merely
to extend their helpfulness to those remaining behind are few indeed.
And they need helpers who are still in bondage and still asleep, so that
by their awakening can God’s Voice be heard.
4 Do not despair, then, because of limitations. It is your
function to escape from them, but not to be without them. If you would
be heard by those who suffer, you must speak their language. If you
would be saviors, you must understand what needs to be escaped.
Salvation is not theoretical. Behold the problem, ask for the answer,
and then accept it when it comes. Nor will its coming be long delayed.
All the help you can accept will be provided, and not one need you have
will not be met. Let us not, then, be too concerned with goals for which
you are not ready. God takes you where you are and welcomes you. What
more could you desire, when this is all you need?