A COURSE IN MIRACLES WHAT IS PEACE?
In this world it is believed that peace has an opposite and that opposite is war/conflict. The meaning of peace has taken on the symbol of a temporary cessation of war. War is believed to be an inevitable outcome of human behavior. In fact, many people would state that war is good for the economy, population control and re-defining strategic lines of political power. In mankind believing that there is a value for war/conflict there can never be an experience of peace.
War/conflict is a result of fear; a belief that there is not enough abundance, prosperity and love for all of mankind. Fear has only one opposite … love. Peace is an attribute of love and does not “know” any opposite. Peace is a state of mind. A mind that knows what it is and has a clear awareness and understanding that opposites do not exist. A mind at peace knows that its will and God’s will are the same. A mind at peace knows only the love that is always eternally present. A mind at peace has no need for judgment because love extends far beyond judgments to embrace and bless all of God’s creations. A mind at peace knows the truth and in knowing the truth has no need for thoughts and so is very still.
A mind at peace knows only abundance and therefore cannot attack others or itself. A mind at peace transcends time and therefore only experiences miracles that are not limited by time. A mind at peace is “whole” and cannot experience separateness outside of itself. It knows only oneness. A mind at peace can only hear the voice of God. A mind at peace has forgiven all of its misperceptions of fear, hate, envy, guilt, etc. as being real. Coming into a state of peace requires consistent and diligent practice and a willingness to “see things differently.” In practicing peace we begin to teach peace and in teaching peace, we learn peace. In this world, our relationship with others and with ourselves is just a reflection of the conflict within our own minds. In practicing we begin to recognize forgiveness as the key to letting the belief in our past go — the past that has judged our brothers and ourselves as being guilty, unworthy, victims, aggressors, weak and failures. There is no reason in eternity to deny us the experience of peace…right now
