Healing: Return & Relinquish
Key Concepts
The Nature of the Body: ACIM teaches that the body is merely a "framework for developing abilities" and a communication tool, not something that actually exists in ultimate reality. It's described as a "separation device" and "symbol of what you think you are." God did not create the body because it is destructible and therefore not of the Kingdom.
Sickness as a Decision: A central tenet is that sickness is always a decision of the mind, not something that happens to the body. Sickness is described as "an election; a decision" that represents "the choice of weakness, in the mistaken conviction that it is strength."
The Role of Perception: Only perception can be sick because only perception can be wrong. Healing involves correcting perception rather than fixing physical symptoms.
The Relationship Between Mind Healing and Physical Healing
Mind Over Body: ACIM firmly establishes that "if the mind can heal the body but the body cannot heal the mind, then the mind must be stronger." The text emphasizes that decisions are of the mind, not the body, and that the body cannot act independently of the mind's direction.
Healing Process: Physical healing occurs through a shift in mental perception. The text states: "Healing is accomplished the instant the sufferer no longer sees any value in pain" and "One need but say, 'There is no gain at all to me in this' and he is healed."
The Prerequisite for Healing: The single requirement for healing is "the recognition that sickness is of the mind, and has nothing to do with the body." This recognition "costs the whole world you see" because it places responsibility with the mind rather than external circumstances.
Mind as the Physician: The text declares that "the mind of the patient himself" is the only true physician. The outcome is determined by what the patient's mind decides. While external healers may appear to help, "they but give form to his own choice."
Instant Healing Potential: ACIM suggests that "there is no form of sickness that would not be cured at once" if the patient could simply recognize the mind's role and withdraw all value from the illness.
In essence, ACIM views physical healing as entirely dependent on mental healing. The body is seen as having no independent power—it merely reflects the mind's decisions and beliefs. True healing occurs when the mind recognizes that sickness serves no purpose and chooses health instead. This represents a radical departure from conventional medicine, placing all healing power in the realm of consciousness and perception rather than physical intervention.
Return & Relinquish
Decisions cannot be difficult. This is obvious if you realize that you must already have made a decision not to be wholly joyous if that is how you feel. Therefore, the first step in the undoing is to recognize that you actively decided wrongly but can as actively decide otherwise. Be very firm with yourselves in this, and keep yourselves fully aware of the fact that the undoing process, which does not come from you, is nevertheless within you because God placed it there. Your part is merely to return your thinking to the point at which the error was made and give it over to the Atonement in peace. Say to yourselves the following as sincerely as you can, remembering that the Holy Spirit will respond fully to your slightest invitation:
“I must have decided wrongly, because I am not at peace. I made the decision myself, but I can also decide otherwise. I will to decide otherwise, because I want to be at peace. I do not feel guilty, because the Holy Spirit will undo all the consequences of my wrong decision if I will let Him. I will to let Him, by allowing Him to decide for God for Me.”
Text OE:5.95-96
Tom Fox
Somerset, Kentucky
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