body be the source of sin, and keep it in the prison-house it chose
and guards, and hold itself at bay, a sleeping prisoner to the snarling
dogs of hate and evil, sickness and attack; of pain and age, of grief and
suffering. Here are the thoughts of sacrifice preserved, for here guilt
rules, and orders that the world be like itself; a place where nothing
can find mercy, or survive the ravages of fear except in murder and in
death. For here are you made sin, and sin cannot abide the joyous and
the free, for they are enemies which sin must kill. In death is sin
preserved, and those who think that they are sin must die for what
they think they are.
Let us be glad that you WILLsee what you believe, and that it
has been given you to CHANGEwhat you believe.The body will but
follow. It can never lead you where you would not be. It does not
guard your sleep, nor interfere with your awakening. Release your
body from imprisonment, and you will see no-one as prisoner to
what you have escaped. You will not want to hold in guilt your
chosen enemies, nor keep in chains to the illusion of a changing love
the ones you think are friends.
The innocent release in gratitude for THEIRrelease. And what
they see upholds their freedom from imprisonment and death. Open
your mind to change, and there will be no ancient penalty exacted
from your brother OR yourself. For God has said there IS no
sacrifice that can be asked; there ISno sacrifice that can be made.
THE REAL ALTERNATIVE
There is a tendency to think the world can offer consolation and
escape from problems which its purpose is to KEEP.Why should this
be? Because it is a place where choice among illusions seems to be
the ONLY choice. And you are in control of outcomes of your
choosing. Thus you think, within the narrow band from birth to
death, a little time is given you to use for you alone; a time when
everyone conflicts with you, but you can choose which road will
lead you out of conflict, and away from difficulties which concern
you not.Yet they AREyour concern. How, then, can you escape from
them by leaving them behind? What must go with you, you will take
with you whatever road you choose to walk along.
REALchoice is no illusion. But the world has none to offer. All
31 THE SIMPLICITY OF SALVATION