1. God indeed can be reached directly, for there is no distance between Him and His Son. His awareness is in everyone’s memory, and His Word is written on everyone’s heart. Yet this awareness and this memory can arise across the threshold of recognition only where all barriers to truth have been removed. In how many is this the case? Here, then, is the role of God’s teachers. They, too, have not attained the necessary understanding as yet, but they have joined with others. This is what sets them apart from the world. And it is this that enables others to leave the world with them. Alone they are nothing. But in their joining is the Power of God.

So for those who feel independent, that they need no one, realize that together we are everything; apart we do not exist. The Holy Spirit in our brother is a very valuable help in times of need.

2. There are those who have reached God directly, retaining no trace of worldly limits and remembering their own Identity perfectly. These might be called the Teachers of teachers because, although they are no longer visible, their image can yet be called upon. And they will appear when and where it is helpful for them to do so. To those to whom such appearances would be frightening, they give their ideas. No one can call on them in vain. Nor is there anyone of whom they are unaware. All needs are known to them, and all mistakes are recognized and overlooked by them. The time will come when this is understood. And meanwhile, they give all their gifts to the teachers of God who look to them for help, asking all things in their Name and in no other.

Hint: Be holy in the Presence of God, or you will not know that you are there. For what is unlike God cannot enter His Mind, because it was not His Thought and therefore does not belong to Him. And your mind must be as pure as His if you would know Him. You cannot enter God’s Presence with dark companions beside you, but you also cannot enter alone. All your brothers must enter with you, for until you have accepted them you cannot enter. For you cannot understand wholeness unless you are whole, and no part of the Son can be excluded if he would know the Wholeness of his Father. So in your mind, accept the entire Sonship and bless it with the light your Father gave it. Then you will be worthy to dwell in the temple with Him, because it is your will NOT to be alone. Even time cannot separate you from God if you use it on behalf of the eternal! Use time to bless everyone. (T-11.III.7,8)

3. Sometimes a teacher of God may have a brief experience of direct union with God. In this world, it is almost impossible that this endure. It can, perhaps, be won after much devotion and dedication, and then be maintained for much of the time on earth. But this is so rare that it cannot be considered a realistic goal. If it happens, so be it. If it does not happen, so be it as well. All worldly states must be illusory. If God were reached directly in sustained awareness, the body would not be long maintained. Those who have laid the body down merely to extend their helpfulness to those remaining behind are few indeed. And they need helpers who are still in bondage and still asleep, so that by their awakening can God’s Voice be heard.

We are their helpers! So, yes, even asleep we have value!

4. Do not despair, then, because of limitations. It is your function to escape from them, but not to be without them. If you would be heard by those who suffer, you must speak their language. If you would be a savior, you must understand what needs to be escaped. Salvation is not theoretical. Behold the problem, ask for the answer, and then accept it when it comes. Nor will its coming be long delayed. All the help you can accept will be provided, and not one need you have will not be met. Let us not, then, be too concerned with goals for which you are not ready. God takes you where you are and welcomes you. What more could you desire, when this is all you need?

MANUAL FOR TEACHERS

26. CAN GOD BE REACHED DIRECTLY?

RECAP

1. God indeed can be reached directly, for there is no distance between Him and His Son. His awareness is in everyone’s memory and His Word is written on everyone’s heart. So if His Word seems familiar to you, it is because It is given you in your creation.

2. Yet this memory can arise across the threshold of recognition only where the barriers to truth have been removed. These barriers are removed through forgiveness, through learning from Jesus what is true and what is false, and through accepting the Atonement for yourself.

3. There are those who have reached God directly, retaining no trace of worldly limits and remembering their own Identity perfectly. These might be called the Teachers of teachers because, although they are no longer visible, their image can yet be called upon. And they will appear in a blazing light when and where it is helpful for them to do so and when they will not be seen as fearful.

4. Yet to those to whom their appearance would be frightening, they give their ideas. No one can call upon them in vain, and there is no one of whom they are not aware. All needs are known to them, and all mistakes are recognized and yet overlooked by them; nothing unreal can affect them in any way. And there are legions of them, just to help you.

5. These Teachers of teachers give all their gifts to the teachers of God who look to them for help, asking all things in their Name and in no other. Remember their Presence, and ask for help.

6. Sometimes a teacher of God may have a brief experience of direct union with God. Yet in this world it is almost impossible that this endure. It can be won after much devotion and dedication, and then be maintained for much of the time on earth. But this is rare and thus it is not a realistic goal. If it happens, then so be it. If it does not happen, so be that as well. You will awaken to the awareness of His Presence soon enough. Remember, not one will be lost, not even you!

7. If God were reached directly in sustained awareness, the body would not be long maintained. There are those who have laid down the body merely to extend their helpfulness to those remaining behind, but those are few indeed. Yet those who have done so need helpers who are still in bondage and still asleep, so that by their awakening God’s Voice can be heard. So no matter where you are in the plan of Atonement, you are needed by His Teachers. Are you available to be truly helpful?

8. Some may despair because of limitations. It is your function to escape from them, but not to be without them. Because if you would be heard by those who suffer, you must speak their language. If you would be a savior in this world, you must understand what needs to be escaped to be of the most assistance. You will rise above limitations to be a witness to the truth with the Help provided for you. Do not despair. GOD IS.

9. Salvation is not theoretical. Behold the problem, ask for the answer, and then accept it when it comes. Nor will its coming be long delayed. In fact, all the help you can accept will be provided, and not even one need you have will not be met. Have faith in this and be ready and open to receive, even if it comes from or through someone from whom you least expect it or want it. Remember, all good is from God.

10. Let us not, then, be too concerned with goals for which you are not ready. God takes you where you are and welcomes you. What more could you desire, when this is all you need?