Library of Christ Mind Teachings
ACIM Original Edition
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1 You may not realize that the ego has set up a plan for salvation in
opposition to God’s. It is this plan in which you believe. Since it is
the opposite of God’s, you also believe that to accept God’s plan in
place of the ego’s is to be damned. This sounds preposterous, of course.
Yet after we have considered just what the ego’s plan is, perhaps you
will realize that, however preposterous it may be, you do believe it.
2 The ego’s plan for salvation centers around holding grievances. It
maintains that if someone else spoke or acted differently, if some
external circumstance or event were changed, you would be saved. Thus
the source of salvation is constantly perceived as outside yourself.
3 Each grievance you hold is a declaration and an assertion
in which you believe that says, “If this were different, I would be
saved.” The change of mind that is necessary for salvation is thus
demanded of everyone and everything except yourself.
4 The role assigned to your own mind in this plan, then, is
simply to determine what other than itself must change if you are to be
saved. According to this insane plan, any perceived source of salvation
is acceptable, provided that it will not work. This ensures that the
fruitless search will continue, for the illusion persists that, although
this hope has always failed, there are still grounds for hope in other
places and in other things. Another person will yet serve better;
another situation will yet offer success.
5 Such is the ego’s plan for your salvation. Surely you can
see how it is in strict accord with the ego’s basic doctrine, “Seek but
do not find.” For what could more surely guarantee that you will not
find salvation than to channelize all your efforts in searching for it
where it is not?
6 God’s plan for salvation works simply because, by following
His direction, you seek for salvation where it is. But if you are to
succeed, as God promises you will, you must be willing to seek there
only. Otherwise your purpose is divided, and you will attempt to follow
two plans for salvation which are diametrically opposed in all ways. The
result can only bring confusion, misery, and a deep sense of failure and
despair.
7 How can you escape all this? Very simply. The idea for
today is the answer. Only God’s plan for salvation will work. There can
be no real conflict about this, because there is no possible alternative
to God’s plan that will save you. His is the only plan that is certain
in its outcome. His is the only plan that must succeed.
8 Let us practice recognizing this certainty today. And let
us rejoice that there is an answer to what seems to be a conflict with
no resolution possible. All things are possible to God. Salvation must
be yours because of His plan, which cannot fail.
9 Begin the two longer practice periods for today by thinking
about today’s idea, and realizing that it contains two parts, each
making equal contribution to the whole. God’s plan for your salvation
will work, and other plans will not. Do not allow yourself to become
depressed or angry at the second part; it is inherent in the first. And
in the first is your full release from all your own insane attempts and
mad proposals to free yourself. They have led to depression and anger.
But God’s plan will succeed. It will lead to release and joy.
10 Remembering this, let us devote the remainder of the
extended practice periods to asking God to reveal His plan to us. Ask
Him very specifically:
11 What would You have me do?
Where would You have me go?
What would You have me say, and to whom?
12 Give Him full charge of the rest of the practice period, and let Him
tell you what needs to be done by you in His plan for your salvation. He
will answer you in proportion to your willingness to hear His Voice.
Refuse not to hear. The very fact that you are doing the exercises
proves that you have some willingness to listen. This is enough to
establish your claim to God’s answer.
13 In the shorter practice periods tell yourself often that God’s plan
for salvation, and only His, will work. Be alert to all temptation to
hold grievances today, and respond to them with this form of today’s
idea:
14 Holding grievances is the opposite of God’s plan for
salvation.
And only His plan will work.
15 Try to remember the idea for today some six or seven times
an hour. There could be no better way to spend a half-minute or less
than to remember the Source of your salvation and to see it where it is.