A COURSE IN MIRACLES

T-2.V The Function of the Miracle Worker

1. Before miracle workers are ready to undertake their function in this world, it is essential that they fully understand the fear of release. ²Otherwise they may unwittingly foster the belief that release is imprisonment, a belief that is already very prevalent. ³This misperception arises in turn from the belief that harm can be limited to the body. ⁴That is because of the underlying fear that the mind can hurt itself. ⁵None of these errors is meaningful, because the miscreations of the mind do not really exist. ⁶This recognition is a far better protective device than any form of level confusion, because it introduces correction at the level of the error. ⁷It is essential to remember that only the mind can create, and that correction belongs at the thought level. ⁸To amplify an earlier statement, spirit is already perfect and therefore does not require correction. ⁹The body does not exist except as a learning device for the mind. ¹⁰This learning device is not subject to errors of its own, because it cannot create. ¹¹It is obvious, then, that inducing the mind to give up its miscreations is the only application of creative ability that is truly meaningful.

Expanded
Before miracle workers are ready to undertake their [miracle-workers’] function in this world, it is essential that they [miracle-workers] fully understand the fear of release. ²Otherwise they [miracle-workers] may unwittingly foster the belief that release is imprisonment, a belief that is already very prevalent. ³This misperception [release is imprisonment] arises in turn from the belief that harm can be limited to the body. ⁴That is because of the underlying fear that the mind can hurt itself. ⁵None of these errors is meaningful, because the miscreations of the mind do not really exist. ⁶This recognition [miscreations of the mind do not really exist] is a far better protective device than any form of level confusion, because it [recognizing miscreations of the mind do not really exist] introduces correction at the level of the error. ⁷It is essential to remember that only the mind can create, and that correction belongs at the thought level. ⁸To amplify an earlier statement, spirit is already perfect and therefore does not require correction. ⁹The body does not exist except as a learning device for the mind. ¹⁰This learning device [the body] is not subject to errors of its [the-body’s] own, because it [the body] cannot create. ¹¹It is obvious, then, that inducing the mind to give up its [the-mind’s] miscreations is the only application of creative ability that is truly meaningful.
Substituted
Before miracle workers are ready to undertake miracle-workers’ function in this world, it is essential that miracle-workers fully understand the fear of release. ²Otherwise miracle-workers may unwittingly foster the belief that release is imprisonment, a belief that is already very prevalent. ³The misperception that release is imprisonment, arises in turn from the belief that harm can be limited to the body. ⁴That is because of the underlying fear that the mind can hurt itself. ⁵None of these errors is meaningful, because the miscreations of the mind do not really exist. ⁶Recognising that miscreations of the mind do not really exist is a far better protective device than any form of level confusion, because recognizing miscreations of the mind do not really exist introduces correction at the level of the error. ⁷It is essential to remember that only the mind can create, and that correction belongs at the thought level. ⁸To amplify an earlier statement, spirit is already perfect and therefore does not require correction. ⁹The body does not exist except as a learning device for the mind. ¹⁰The body, as a learning device, is not subject to errors of the-body’s own, because the body cannot create. ¹¹It is obvious, then, that inducing the mind to give up the-mind’s miscreations is the only application of creative ability that is truly meaningful.
Simplified
Fear of release comes from believing the mind can hurt itself. The mind cannot hurt itself. The mind’s miscreations do not exist. The body is a learning device for the mind.

2. Magic is the mindless or the miscreative use of mind. ²Physical medications are forms of “spells”, but if you are afraid to use the mind to heal, you should not attempt to do so. ³The very fact that you are afraid makes your mind vulnerable to miscreation. ⁴You are therefore likely to misunderstand any healing that might occur, and because egocentricity and fear usually occur together, you may be unable to accept the real Source of the healing. ⁵Under these conditions, it is safer for you to rely temporarily on physical healing devices, because you cannot misperceive them as your own creations. ⁶As long as your sense of vulnerability persists, you should not attempt to perform miracles.

Expanded
Magic is the mindless or the miscreative use of mind. ²Physical medications are forms of “spells”, but if you are afraid to use the mind to heal, you should not attempt to do so [use the mind to heal]. ³The very fact that you are afraid makes your mind vulnerable to miscreation. ⁴You are therefore likely to misunderstand any healing that might occur, and because egocentricity and fear usually occur together, you may be unable to accept the real Source of the healing. ⁵Under these conditions [egocentricity and fear], it is safer for you to rely temporarily on physical healing devices, because you cannot misperceive them [physical healing devices] as your own creations. ⁶As long as your sense of vulnerability persists, you should not attempt to perform miracles.
Substituted
Magic is the mindless or the miscreative use of mind. ²Physical medications are forms of “spells”, but if you are afraid to use the mind to heal, you should not attempt to use the mind to heal. ³The very fact that you are afraid makes your mind vulnerable to miscreation. ⁴You are therefore likely to misunderstand any healing that might occur, and because egocentricity and fear usually occur together, you may be unable to accept the real Source of the healing. ⁵Under egocentricity and fear, it is safer for you to rely temporarily on physical healing devices, because you cannot misperceive physical healing devices as your own creations. ⁶As long as your sense of vulnerability persists, you should not attempt to perform miracles.
Simplified
Do not use the mind to heal if there is fear or egocentricity. Use physical medications instead.

3. I have already said that miracles are expressions of miracle-mindedness, and miracle-mindedness means right-mindedness. ²The right-minded neither exalt nor depreciate the mind of the miracle worker or the miracle receiver. ³However, as a correction, the miracle need not await the right-mindedness of the receiver. ⁴In fact, its purpose is to restore him to his right mind. ⁵It is essential, however, that the miracle worker be in his right mind, however briefly, or he will be unable to reestablish right-mindedness in someone else.

Expanded
I have already said that miracles are expressions of miracle-mindedness, and miracle-mindedness means right-mindedness. ²The right-minded neither exalt nor depreciate the mind of the miracle worker or the miracle receiver. ³However, as a correction, the miracle need not await the right-mindedness of the receiver. ⁴In fact, its [the-miracle’s] purpose is to restore him [the miracle receiver] to his [the-miracle-receiver’s] right mind. ⁵It is essential, however, that the miracle worker be in his [the-miracle-worker’s] right mind, however briefly, or he [the miracle worker] will be unable to reestablish right-mindedness in someone else.
Substituted
I have already said that miracles are expressions of miracle-mindedness, and miracle-mindedness means right-mindedness. ²The right-minded neither exalt nor depreciate the mind of the miracle worker or the miracle receiver. ³However, as a correction, the miracle need not await the right-mindedness of the receiver. ⁴In fact, the-miracle’s purpose is to restore the miracle receiver to the-miracle-receiver’s right mind. ⁵It is essential, however, that the miracle worker be in the-miracle-worker’s right mind, however briefly, or the miracle worker will be unable to reestablish right-mindedness in someone else.
Simplified
Right mindedness is miracle-mindedness. Miracle mindedness exresses miracles. The miracle restores right-mindedness. The miracle worker needs to be right-minded.

4. The healer who relies on his own readiness is endangering his understanding. ²You are perfectly safe as long as you are completely unconcerned about your readiness, but maintain a consistent trust in mine. ³If your miracle working inclinations are not functioning properly, it is always because fear has intruded on your right-mindedness and has turned it upside down. ⁴All forms of not-right-mindedness are the result of refusal to accept the Atonement for yourself. ⁵If you do accept it, you are in a position to recognize that those who need healing are simply those who have not realized that right-mindedness is healing.

Expanded
The healer who relies on his own readiness is endangering his understanding. ²You are perfectly safe as long as you are completely unconcerned about your readiness, but maintain a consistent trust in mine [my readiness]. ³If your miracle working inclinations are not functioning properly, it is always because fear has intruded on your right-mindedness and has turned it [your right-mindedness] upside down. ⁴All forms of not-right-mindedness are the result of refusal to accept the Atonement for yourself. ⁵If you do accept it [the Atonement], you are in a position to recognize that those who need healing are simply those who have not realized that right-mindedness is healing.
Substituted
The healer who relies on his own readiness is endangering his understanding. ²You are perfectly safe as long as you are completely unconcerned about your readiness, but maintain a consistent trust in my readiness. ³If your miracle working inclinations are not functioning properly, it is always because fear has intruded on your right-mindedness and has turned your right-mindedness upside down. ⁴All forms of not-right-mindedness are the result of refusal to accept the Atonement for yourself. ⁵If you do accept the Atonement, you are in a position to recognize that those who need healing are simply those who have not realized that right-mindedness is healing.
Simplified
Trust in my readiness. Miracles come from right-mindedness. Fear turns right-mindedness upside down. Fear is the result of not accepting the Atonement. Healing restores right-mindedness.

5. The sole responsibility of the miracle worker is to accept the Atonement for himself. ²This means you recognize that mind is the only creative level, and that its errors are healed by the Atonement. ³Once you accept this, your mind can only heal. ⁴By denying your mind any destructive potential and reïnstating its purely constructive powers, you place yourself in a position to undo the level confusion of others. ⁵The message you then give to them is the truth that their minds are similarly constructive, and their miscreations cannot hurt them. ⁶By affirming this you release the mind from overevaluating its own learning device, and restore the mind to its true position as the learner.

Expanded
The sole responsibility of the miracle worker is to accept the Atonement for himself [the-miracle-worker’s-self]. ²This means you recognize that mind is the only creative level, and that its [the-mind’s] errors are healed by the Atonement. ³Once you accept this [mind is the only creative level], your mind can only heal. ⁴By denying your mind any destructive potential and reïnstating its [your-mind’s] purely constructive powers, you place yourself in a position to undo the level confusion of others. ⁵The message you then give to them [others] is the truth that their [the-others’] minds are similarly constructive, and their [the-others’] miscreations cannot hurt them [the others]. ⁶By affirming this you release the mind from overevaluating its [the-mind’s] own learning device, and restore the mind to its [the-mind’s] true position as the learner.
Substituted
The sole responsibility of the miracle worker is to accept the Atonement for the-miracle-worker’s-self. ²This means you recognize that mind is the only creative level, and that the-mind’s errors are healed by the Atonement. ³Once you accept mind is the only creative level, your mind can only heal. ⁴By denying your mind any destructive potential and reïnstating your-mind’s purely constructive powers, you place yourself in a position to undo the level confusion of others. ⁵The message you then give to others is the truth that the-others’ minds are similarly constructive, and the-others’ miscreations cannot hurt the others. ⁶By affirming this you release the mind from overevaluating the-mind’s own learning device, and restore the mind to the-mind’s true position as the learner.
Simplified
Accept the Atonement for yourself. Accepting the Atonement will heal your mind. Healing your mind will heal other minds.

6. It should be emphasized again that the body does not learn any more than it creates. ²As a learning device it merely follows the learner, but if it is falsely endowed with self-initiative, it becomes a serious obstruction to the very learning it should facilitate. ³Only the mind is capable of illumination. ⁴Spirit is already illuminated and the body in itself is too dense. ⁵The mind, however, can bring its illumination to the body by recognising that it is not the learner, and is therefore unamenable to learning. ⁶The body is, however, easily brought into alignment with a mind that has learned to look beyond it toward the light.

Expanded
It should be emphasized again that the body does not learn any more than it [the body] creates. ²As a learning device it [the body] merely follows the learner, but if it [the body] is falsely endowed with self-initiative, it [the body] becomes a serious obstruction to the very learning it [the body] should facilitate. ³Only the mind is capable of illumination. ⁴Spirit is already illuminated and the body in itself [the-body’s-self] is too dense. ⁵The mind, however, can bring its [the-mind’s] illumination to the body by recognising that it [the body] is not the learner, and is therefore unamenable to learning. ⁶The body is, however, easily brought into alignment with a mind that has learned to look beyond it [the body] toward the light.
Substituted It should be emphasized again that the body does not learn any more than the body creates. ²As a learning device the body merely follows the learner, but if the body is falsely endowed with self-initiative, the body becomes a serious obstruction to the very learning the body should facilitate. ³Only the mind is capable of illumination. ⁴Spirit is already illuminated and the body’s-own-self is too dense. ⁵The mind, however, can bring the-mind’s illumination to the body by recognising that the body is not the learner, and is therefore unamenable to learning. ⁶The body is, however, easily brought into alignment with a mind that has learned to look beyond the body toward the light.
Simplified
The body does not learn. The body helps the mind to learn. Look beyond the body to the light.

7. Corrective learning always begins with the awakening of spirit, and the turning away from the belief in physical sight. ²This often entails fear, because you are afraid of what your spiritual sight will show you. ³I said before that the Holy Spirit cannot see error, and is capable only of looking beyond it to the defense of Atonement. ⁴There is no doubt that this may produce discomfort, yet the discomfort is not the final outcome of the perception. ⁵When the Holy Spirit is permitted to look upon the defilement of the altar, He also looks immediately toward the Atonement. ⁶Nothing He perceives can induce fear. ⁷Everything that results from spiritual awareness is merely channelized toward correction. ⁸Discomfort is aroused only to bring the need for correction into awareness.

Expanded
Corrective learning always begins with the awakening of spirit, and the turning away from the belief in physical sight. ²This often entails fear, because you are afraid of what your spiritual sight will show you. ³I said before that the Holy Spirit cannot see error, and is capable only of looking beyond it [error] to the defense of Atonement. ⁴There is no doubt that this may produce discomfort, yet the discomfort is not the final outcome of the perception. ⁵When the Holy Spirit is permitted to look upon the defilement of the altar, He [the Holy Spirit] also looks immediately toward the Atonement. ⁶Nothing He [the Holy Spirit] perceives can induce fear. ⁷Everything that results from spiritual awareness is merely channelized toward correction. ⁸Discomfort is aroused only to bring the need for correction into awareness.
Substituted
Corrective learning always begins with the awakening of spirit, and the turning away from the belief in physical sight. ²This often entails fear, because you are afraid of what your spiritual sight will show you. ³I said before that the Holy Spirit cannot see error, and is capable only of looking beyond error to the defense of Atonement. ⁴There is no doubt that this may produce discomfort, yet the discomfort is not the final outcome of the perception. ⁵When the Holy Spirit is permitted to look upon the defilement of the altar, the Holy Spirit also looks immediately toward the Atonement. ⁶Nothing the Holy Spirit perceives can induce fear. ⁷Everything that results from spiritual awareness is merely channelized toward correction. ⁸Discomfort is aroused only to bring the need for correction into awareness.
Simplified
Begin by turning away from belief in spiritual sight. This will awaken your spirit. Don’t be afraid of what spiritual sight will show you. Looking beyond error may produce discomfort. The discomfort tells you correction is needed. The Holy Spirit only sees Atonement, not error. There is no fear in the Atonement. Atonement brings correction.

8. The fear of healing arises in the end from an unwillingness to accept unequivocally that healing is necessary. ²What the physical eye sees is not corrective, nor can error be corrected by any device that can be seen physically. ³As long as you believe in what your physical sight tells you, your attempts at correction will be misdirected. ⁴The real vision is obscured, because you cannot endure to see your own defiled altar. ⁵But since the altar has been defiled, your state becomes doubly dangerous unless it is perceived.

Expanded
The fear of healing arises in the end from an unwillingness to accept unequivocally that healing is necessary. ²What the physical eye sees is not corrective, nor can error be corrected by any device that can be seen physically. ³As long as you believe in what your physical sight tells you, your attempts at correction will be misdirected. ⁴The real vision is obscured, because you cannot endure to see your own defiled altar. ⁵But since the altar has been defiled, your state becomes doubly dangerous unless it [your state] is perceived.
Substituted
The fear of healing arises in the end from an unwillingness to accept unequivocally that healing is necessary. ²What the physical eye sees is not corrective, nor can error be corrected by any device that can be seen physically. ³As long as you believe in what your physical sight tells you, your attempts at correction will be misdirected. ⁴The real vision is obscured, because you cannot endure to see your own defiled altar. ⁵But since the altar has been defiled, your state becomes doubly dangerous unless your state is perceived.
Simplified
Do not try to heal anything your physical eye sees. Do not be afraid to look at your own defiled altar.

9. Healing is an ability that developed after the separation, before which it was unnecessary. ²Like all aspects of the belief in space and time, it is temporary. ³However, as long as time persists, healing is needed as a means of protection. ⁴This is because healing rests on charity, and charity is a way of perceiving the perfection of another even if you cannot perceive it in yourself. ⁵Most of the loftier concepts of which you are capable now are time-dependent. ⁶Charity is really a weaker reflection of a much more powerful love-encompassment that is far beyond any form of charity you can conceive of as yet. ⁷Charity is essential to right-mindedness in the limited sense in which it can now be attained.

Expanded
Healing is an ability that developed after the separation, before which [the separation] it [healing] was unnecessary. ²Like all aspects of the belief in space and time, it [healing] is temporary. ³However, as long as time persists, healing is needed as a means of protection. ⁴This is because healing rests on charity, and charity is a way of perceiving the perfection of another even if you cannot perceive it [the perfection] in yourself. ⁵Most of the loftier concepts of which you are capable now are time-dependent. ⁶Charity is really a weaker reflection of a much more powerful love-encompassment that is far beyond any form of charity you can conceive of as yet. ⁷Charity is essential to right-mindedness in the limited sense in which it [charity?] can now be attained.
Substituted
Healing is an ability that developed after the separation; before the separation healing was unnecessary. ²Like all aspects of the belief in space and time, healing is temporary. ³However, as long as time persists, healing is needed as a means of protection. ⁴This is because healing rests on charity, and charity is a way of perceiving the perfection of another even if you cannot perceive the perfection in yourself. ⁵Most of the loftier concepts of which you are capable now are time-dependent. ⁶Charity is really a weaker reflection of a much more powerful love-encompassment that is far beyond any form of charity you can conceive of as yet. ⁷Charity is essential to right-mindedness in the limited sense in which charity can now be attained.
Simplified
The separation introduced the need for healing. The need for healing persists as long as belief in space–time persists. Charity is a limited form of healing where you can see the perfection in others while not necessarily seeing the perfection in yourself.

10. Charity is a way of looking at another as if he had already gone far beyond his actual accomplishments in time. ²Since his own thinking is faulty he cannot see the Atonement for himself, or he would have no need of charity. ³The charity that is accorded him is both an acknowledgment that he needs help, and a recognition that he will accept it. ⁴Both of these perceptions clearly imply their dependence on time, making it apparent that charity still lies within the limitations of this world. ⁵I said before that only revelation transcends time. ⁶The miracle, as an expression of charity, can only shorten it. ⁷It must be understood, however, that whenever you offer a miracle to another, you are shortening the suffering of both of you. ⁸This corrects retroactively as well as progressively.

Expanded
Charity is a way of looking at another as if he [the other] had already gone far beyond his [the-other’s] actual accomplishments in time. ²Since his [the-other’s] own thinking is faulty he [the-other] cannot see the Atonement for himself [the-other’s-self], or he [the-other] would have no need of charity. ³The charity that is accorded him [the-other] is both an acknowledgment that he [the-other] needs help, and a recognition that he [the-other] will accept it. ⁴Both of these perceptions clearly imply their [these-perceptions’] dependence on time, making it apparent that charity still lies within the limitations of this world. ⁵I said before that only revelation transcends time. ⁶The miracle, as an expression of charity, can only shorten it [time]. ⁷It must be understood, however, that whenever you offer a miracle to another, you are shortening the suffering of both of you. ⁸This corrects retroactively as well as progressively.
Substituted
Charity is a way of looking at another as if the other had already gone far beyond the-other’s actual accomplishments in time. ²Since the-other’s own thinking is faulty, the-other cannot see the Atonement for the-other’s-self, or the-other would have no need of charity. ³The charity that is accorded the-other is both an acknowledgment that the-other needs help, and a recognition that the-other will accept it. ⁴Both of these perceptions clearly imply these-perceptions’ dependence on time, making it apparent that charity still lies within the limitations of this world. ⁵I said before that only revelation transcends time. ⁶The miracle, as an expression of charity, can only shorten time. ⁷It must be understood, however, that whenever you offer a miracle to another, you are shortening the suffering of both of you. ⁸This corrects retroactively as well as progressively.
Simplified
Charity is limited to the world of perception. The miracle is an expression of charity. The miracle shortens time.

T-2.IV Healing as Release from FearT-2.V.A Special Principles of Miracle Workers