Please invite the Holy Spirit for interpretation, thank you. Text in bold. Comments *.

*This is from a lengthy discussion between Helen, Bill, and Jesus about possession.

*Jesus is noting some untrue beliefs about possession.

1. *That the body can be possessed or is a possession.
2. *That property can be possessed, used to protect the self in the idea of body possession.
3. *A form or witchcraft that confuses the sacred spirit with something that be conniving, as in possession by a spirit.

4.Knowledge can also be misinterpreted as a means of possession.

Here, the content is not physical, and the underlying fallacy is more likely to be the confusion of mind and brain.

The attempt to unite nonphysical content with physical attributes is illustrated by
statements like “the thirst for knowledge.”

(No Helen, this is NOT what the “thirst” in the Bible means. The term was used only because of man’s limited comprehension, and is probably better dropped.)

*I love the intimacy of their conversation!

*And look at what Jesus said here. Note the second statement, which acknowledges that he reaches out to us where we are. He does elaborate on it a bit later.

The fallacious use of knowledge can result in several errors, including:
a. The idea that knowledge will make the individual more attractive to others. This is
a possession-fallacy.

*Fallacious means false; based on a mistaken belief.

*Makes me wonder about the idea of making oneself attractive for the sake of others. Not that we do not want to be well-groomed for ourselves, in general.

b. The idea that knowledge will make the individual invulnerable. This is the reaction formation against the underlying fear of vulnerability.

*Can you relate? I can say that I sense this in life.

*And we do tend to look at those with education as if they are gods, do we not?

*Remember how we used to look at doctors? Maybe some of us still see them as gods, when it is you and I that have steward ship over these temples we are using, that we call bodies.

* I have sought knowledge all of my life, for understanding though, I cannot say I remember thinking it would make me invulnerable.

*Though, maybe I thought it would make me safer. And I do believe that knowledge can do that.

c. The idea that knowledge will make the individual worthy. This is largely pathetic.

*Wow, and he is talking to two college professors! Strong language here.

*(And you thought Jesus was a wuss!)

Both you and B. should consider type 4) very carefully. Like all these fallacies, it contains a denial mechanism, which swings into operation as the fear increases, thus cancelling out the error temporarily, but seriously impairing efficiency.

*Is it any wonder that Helen did not want these published in her lifetime?

*Jesus is really calling her out. Do you suppose he does this to each of us? I do.

*Helen told Judy, when she was dying that she had the feeling that she had to die, so that the work of ACIM could move forward. I personally believe it was a choice she made.

*Her ego would not allow this information to be brought out. And she and Ken had put up enough barriers that Bill really was not involved, as he should have been according to what Jesus said, and the way the Course had been printed it took away Jesus’s role in the plan for humanity, nearly entirely.

*This is what I experienced, even as the Holy Spirit led me to this work; and while I was a sincere follower of Jesus’s teachings. In other words, I had a relationship with him, but the edited version of the Course did not address who he really is to us.

*Not that I begrudge the walk I had. I firmly believe that this particular work needed to come to the awareness of those who would allow the Spirit as He directed them to it.

Thus, you claim you can’t read, and B. claims that he can’t speak. Note that depression is a real risk here, for a Child of God should never REDUCE his efficiency in ANY way.
The depression comes from a peculiar pseudo-solution which reads:

A Child of God is efficient.
I am not efficient.
Therefore, I am not a Child of God.

This leads to neurotic resignation, and this is a state which merely INCREASES the
depression.

*Knowledge does not teach humanity his divinity. The Holy Spirit does.

*It is the Holy Spirit that bears witness of Christ and Christ is you, me, and Jesus.

*How many ways does humanity think that it is not good enough? Not worthy.

The corresponding denial mechanism for 1) is the sense of PHYSICAL inability, or IMPOTENCE.

*And then we add the “body-shaming” that we do to ourselves and each other. 😥

*Here, Jesus is speaking of “mental-shaming”, because the truth is that the “educated persons” know that they have limited knowledge, even while others place them on a pedestal.

*This is where Jesus is showing them that this mentality leads to depression.

The denial mechanism for 2) is often bankruptcy. Collectors of things often
drive themselves well beyond their financial means, in an attempt to force discontinuance.

*He seems to be saying that the professional and educated individuals sometimes feel they must “strut their stuff” or “keep up with the Jone’s” and go too far. Makes sense.

*The need to have possessions is one of those addictions that never gets satiated. There is always something more to want.

If this idea of cessation cannot be tolerated, a strange compromise involving BOTH
insatiable possessiveness and insatiable throwing-away (bankruptcy) may result.

*Insatiable means never satisfied. Do you see the vicious cycle we send ourselves on?

An example is the inveterate or compulsive gambler, particularly the horse-racing addict.

Here, the conflicted drive is displaced both from people AND things, and is invested in animals.

The implied DEROGATION of people is the cause of the underlying EXTREME
superstition of the horse racing addict.

*Note that it is really a “hating of self” that is being manifested in different ways.

*Do not think that just because you do not use the word “hate” when you think of yourself that it is not there. As Jesus is pointing out here, it shows up in our actions. And it is a natural result of the original error of belief that we have separated from God.

The alcoholic is in a similar position, except that his hostility is more inward than outward directed.

*Okay, so the hate can go outward, toward others, or inward, toward the self.

Defenses aimed at protecting (or retaining) error are particularly hard to undo, because they introduce second-order misperceptions which obscure the underlying errors still further.

*No wonder it is so difficult to communicate with others!

*The “second-order misperceptions” come from not acknowledging the first error of separation.

*This is a powerful discussion, between Helen and Jesus. I am not certain that Bill is in on this one while it is being given, even though he is mentioned. It seems to be Helen that is getting some profound truths in her own academic language, for the purpose of allowing her to see Jesus’s credibility, and to arouse her desire to assist; as well as, to learn more about him and his message, as well.

*Jesus will take as long as it needs to help us engage in the work. And, trust me, it is something that we will all be engaged in, sooner or later.

*Let’s make it sooner and shorten the amount suffering humanity insists on putting itself through, shall we!?!

Till next time, God bless, Namaste~