What is the World?

Thoughts on “What is the World?” in the ACIM Workbook

(Full text of “What is the World” in the workbook)

The world is the collection of projections by the ego thought system. The world is true in the sense that it faithfully reflects whatever is projected onto or extended toward it. That is the only aspect of the world that is true. Keep in mind that the mind is the interface that translates and transfers impulse into image.

When the mind is given an impulse of divine quality coming from Source it will translate, transfer and express that quality into an image that your physical senses identify as having an appearance and a duration. The quality that gave rise to the extension has not gone away, it remains at the very core of the appearance for the duration of its temporary life. The divine quality is the true character of all expressions. It uses a temporary appearance to call you to recognize it.

When the mind is not given an impulse of divine quality it will feed on whatever stray thought may be available and will translate and transfer the quality of that thought into an image that your senses identify as having an appearance and duration. The quality that gave rise to the expression has not gone away, it remains at the center of the appearance for the duration of its temporary life.

The way to tell the difference between an image that extends from Source and an image that projects from a stray thought is the quality of its core that you can sense when you open up to it. Images that are Source in expression are free, joyful, peaceful, they make you feel lighter, they enable new possibilities to emerge, they are inclusive, they benefit the whole. Images that are stray thought in expression are the opposite: constricting, depressing, full of strife, they require effort, they narrow things down, they exclude and separate, and they only (seem to) benefit a few. The first kind makes you feel optimistic, hopeful and ready to go, the second kind makes you feel pessimistic and grit your teeth.

“Creation” refers to the first kinds of extensions, which are inspired by Source’s qualities such as Love, Forbearance, Patience, Joy, Freedom, Peace, and so forth. The true nature of Creation is all that Source is, as it moves, undulates and changes with the vibrations in the realm you call 3D. Source is forever stable and unchanging in its emanation of divine qualities; Creation is forever stable in its reception and extension of divine qualities.

The collection of projected stray thoughts – the world – veils and obscures Creation in the experience of the one allowing the projections to happen through their mind. As long as they take their cue from the world they will see a justification in the world for their thoughts about the world. The world is a loop-to-loop projection.

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