1. The real world is the state of mind in which the only purpose of the world is seen to be forgiveness. 2Fear is not its goal, for the escape from guilt becomes its aim. 3The value of forgiveness is perceived and takes the place of idols, which are sought no longer, for their “gifts” are not held dear. 4No rules are idly set, and no demands are made of anyone or anything to twist and fit into the dream of fear. 5Instead, there is a wish to understand all things created as they really are. 6And it is recognized that all things must be first forgiven, and then understood.
2. Here, it is thought that understanding is acquired by attack. 2There, it is clear that by attack is understanding lost. 3The folly of pursuing guilt as goal is fully recognized. 4And idols are not wanted there, for guilt is understood as the sole cause of pain in any form. 5No one is tempted by its vain appeal, for suffering and death have been perceived as things not wanted and not striven for. 6The possibility of freedom has been grasped and welcomed, and the means by which it can be gained can now be understood. 7The world becomes a place of hope, because its only purpose is to be a place where hope of happiness can be fulfilled. 8And no one stands outside this hope, because the world has been united in belief the purpose of the world is one which all must share, if hope be more than just a dream.
3. Not yet is Heaven quite remembered, for the purpose of forgiveness still remains. 2Yet everyone is certain he will go beyond forgiveness, and he but remains until it is made perfect in himself. 3He has no wish for anything but this. 4And fear has dropped away, because he is united in his purpose with himself. 5There is a hope of happiness in him so sure and constant he can barely stay and wait a little longer, with his feet still touching earth. 6Yet is he glad to wait till every hand is joined, and every heart made ready to arise and go with him. 7For thus is he made ready for the step in which is all forgiveness left behind.
4. The final step is God’s, because it is but God Who could create a perfect Son and share His Fatherhood with him. 2No one outside of Heaven knows how this can be, for understanding this is Heaven itself. 3Even the real world has a purpose still beneath creation and eternity. 4But fear is gone because its purpose is forgiveness, not idolatry. 5And so is Heaven’s Son prepared to be himself, and to remember that the Son of God knows everything his Father understands, and understands it perfectly with Him.
5. The real world still falls short of this, for this is God’s Own purpose; only His, and yet completely shared and perfectly fulfilled. 2The real world is a state in which the mind has learned how easily do idols go when they are still perceived but wanted not. 3How willingly the mind can let them go when it has understood that idols are nothing and nowhere, and are purposeless. 4For only then can guilt and sin be seen without a purpose, and as meaningless.
6. Thus is the real world’s purpose gently brought into awareness, to replace the goal of sin and guilt. 2And all that stood between your image of yourself and what you are, forgiveness washes joyfully away. 3Yet God need not create His Son again, that what is his be given back to him. 4The gap between your brother and yourself was never there. 5And what the Son of God knew in creation he must know again.
7. When brothers join in purpose in the world of fear, they stand already at the edge of the real world. 2Perhaps they still look back, and think they see an idol that they want. 3Yet has their path been surely set away from idols toward reality. 4For when they joined their hands it was Christ’s hand they took, and they will look on Him Whose hand they hold. 5The face of Christ is looked upon before the Father is remembered. 6For He must be unremembered till His Son has reached beyond forgiveness to the Love of God. 7Yet is the Love of Christ accepted first. 8And then will come the knowledge They are one.
8. How light and easy is the step across the narrow boundaries of the world of fear when you have recognized Whose hand you hold! 2Within your hand is everything you need to walk with perfect confidence away from fear forever, and to go straight on, and quickly reach the gate of Heaven itself. 3For He Whose hand you hold was waiting but for you to join Him. 4Now that you have come, would He delay in showing you the way that He must walk with you? 5His blessing lies on you as surely as His Father’s Love rests upon Him. 6His gratitude to you is past your understanding, for you have enabled Him to rise from chains and go with you, together, to His Father’s house.
9. An ancient hate is passing from the world. 2And with it goes all hatred and all fear. 3Look back no longer, for what lies ahead is all you ever wanted in your heart. 4Give up the world! 5But not to sacrifice. 6You never wanted it. 7What happiness have you sought here that did not bring you pain? 8What moment of content has not been bought at fearful price in coins of suffering? 9Joy has no cost. 10It is your sacred right, and what you pay for is not happiness. 11Be speeded on your way by honesty, and let not your experiences here deceive in retrospect. 12They were not free from bitter cost and joyless consequence.
10. Do not look back except in honesty. 2And when an idol tempts you, think of this:
3There never was a time an idol brought you anything except the “gift” of guilt. 4Not one was bought except at cost of pain, nor was it ever paid by you alone.
5Be merciful unto your brother, then. 6And do not choose an idol thoughtlessly, remembering that he will pay the cost as well as you. 7For he will be delayed when you look back, and you will not perceive Whose loving hand you hold. 8Look forward, then; in confidence walk with a happy heart that beats in hope and does not pound in fear.
11. The Will of God forever lies in those whose hands are joined. 2Until they joined, they thought He was their enemy. 3But when they joined and shared a purpose, they were free to learn their will is one. 4And thus the Will of God must reach to their awareness. 5Nor can they forget for long that it is but their own.