Corresponding Manual for Teachers Section

Chapter 4: Teacher / Individual Questions

9. What Is the Real Meaning of Sacrifice?

Although in truth the term “sacrifice” is altogether meaningless, it does have meaning in the world. Like all things in the world its meaning is temporary, and will ultimately fade into the nothingness from which it came when there is no more use for it. Now its real meaning is a lesson about wanting. Like all lessons it is an illusion, for in reality there is nothing to learn. Yet this illusion must be replaced by a corrective device: another illusion that replaces the first, so both can finally disappear.

The first illusion, which must be displaced before another thought system can take hold, is that it is a sacrifice to give up the things of this world. What could this be but an illusion, since this world itself is nothing more than that?

The second illusion is the decision to “give up” or let go of all sacrifice in exchange for something truly wanted. It takes great learning both to realize and to accept the fact that the world has nothing to give. What can the sacrifice of nothing mean? It cannot mean that you have less because of it.

There is no sacrifice in the world’s terms that does not involve the body. Think a while about what the world believes are treasures that can be gained and lost, such as physical attractiveness, pleasure, strength, wealth, and fame. What is the hero to whom all these ideas belong? Could they mean anything except to the ego in its purpose for the body? Yet a body cannot evaluate the value of anything; only a mind can. By seeking after such things the mind associates itself with the body, obscuring its identity and losing sight of what it really is.

Once this confusion has occurred, it becomes impossible for the mind to understand that all the “pleasures” of the world are nothing. But what a sacrifice all of the world’s illusions entail. And it is sacrifice indeed! Now has the mind condemned itself to seek without finding, to be forever dissatisfied and discontent, to know not what it really wants to find. Who can escape this self-condemnation? Only through the Divine’s Word – the Atonement – could escape from this be possible. For self-condemnation is a decision about identity, and no one doubts what they believe they are. They can doubt all things, but never this.

The Divine’s Teachers can have no regret on giving up the pleasures of the world. Is it a sacrifice to give up pain? Does an adult resent the giving up of children’s toys? Does one whose vision has already glimpsed the Face of Divine Essence glance back with longing on a slaughterhouse? Everyone who has escaped the world of illusions and all its suffering beholds it from the Real World with forgiveness and compassion. Yet they must rejoice that they are free of all the sacrifice its “values” formerly demanded of them. To these values they once sacrificed all their peace. To them they sacrificed all their freedom. And to possess these “pleasures” required them to sacrifice their hope of Heaven and remembrance of their Creator’s Love. Who in their sane mind chooses nothingness as a substitute for Everything?

What is the real meaning of sacrifice? It is the cost of believing in illusions. It is the price that must be paid for the denial of Truth. There is no pleasure of the world that does not demand this, for otherwise the pleasure would be seen as ultimately one of pain. And no one asks for pain if they recognize it. It is the idea of sacrifice that makes them blind. They do not see the pain they are asking for. And so they seek in a thousand ways and in a thousand places the pleasure that conceals the pain of the world, each time believing the pleasure free of pain is there, and each time disappointed in the end. “Seek but do not find” remains the ego’s and this world’s stern decree, which everyone who pursues the world’s goals must obey.

You may believe that this Course requires sacrifice of all you really hold dear. In one sense that is true, for you have held dear the things that have brought you and your sisters and brothers suffering. And it is the Course’s aim to set you free. But do not be mistaken about what sacrifice means. As an idea it always means the giving up of what you want. And what, oh Teacher of the Divine, is it that you want? You have been called by the Divine, and you have answered. Would you give up that Call in place of giving up illusions? Few have heard the Call as yet, but your sisters and brothers can hear you who have answered It. There is no other hope in all the world that they believe they can trust than the sisters and brothers they can perceive. There is no other voice in all the world that they can hear that echoes the Divine’s for them. If you would give up the Truth because you believe that what it requires you to let go of is too great a cost, then your sisters and brothers will stay in their nightmare of separation. And if they stay, you will remain with them.

Remember that sacrifice is total. There are no “half sacrifices.” You cannot give up Heaven partially. You cannot be a little bit in hell. The Word of the Divine has no exceptions. It is this that makes It holy and beyond the world. It is Its Holiness that points to the Divine. It is Its Holiness that makes you safe. It is denied if you oppose or fear any brother or sister for any reason and to any degree. For it is there that the split with the Divine occurs. A split that is impossible. A split that cannot happen. Yet a split in which you surely will believe, because you have set up a situation that is impossible. And in this situation the impossible can seem to happen. It seems to happen at the “sacrifice” of Truth.

Teachers of the Divine, remember the meaning of sacrifice, and remember what each decision you make must mean in terms of cost. Decide for the Divine, and Everything is given you at no cost at all. Decide against It by forgetting who you are, and you choose nothing at the expense of the awareness of Everything.

What would you teach? Remember only what you would learn. For it is here that your focus should be. Atonement is for you. Your learning receives It and your teaching gives It, assuring that It is yours. The world does not recognize or lead to the Atonement, but this Course does. The Divine holds out Its Word to you, for It has need of teachers. What other way is there to awaken Its Children?