A Course in Miracles is a profound spiritual text that presents the idea that sickness is not a random external event, but a chosen defense mechanism against the ultimate truth of our divine and perfect nature. Lesson 136, titled ‘Sickness is a Defense Against the Truth,’ explores this concept in depth.
The lesson begins by asserting that sickness is meaningless because it is causeless. It argues that our true self, as part of the Divine, is inherently perfect and invulnerable. Understanding this, we recognize that sickness is an illusion and healing becomes automatic.
The text describes sickness as a defense mechanism, a self-deception tool used to distort reality. It suggests that we choose sickness to silence the disturbing thought of our true nature, something beyond the physical mortal self. By suffering, we prove that we are not separate from the body, thus making us feel separate from the truth.
The lesson goes on to explain that our choice to get sick or die appears to give the body more power than everlasting life, making God’s design for our salvation seem weak. It further suggests that our defenses attempt to impose laws on the universe, although the universe remains unaffected by these laws.
However, the lesson clarifies that these illusions are believed only by the one who created them. God and the universe remain unaffected by our plans to change His will. The lesson asserts that truth has a power far beyond defense, and by giving up our defenses, we can welcome the truth at any time.
The lesson concludes by suggesting that with the acceptance of truth, healing will flash across our minds, dispelling sickness and its associated illusions. It asserts that the body’s health is fully guaranteed when it’s not limited by the rules we imposed on it before. However, it warns that we must guard this realization carefully and remind ourselves of our true nature when attack thoughts arise.
Overall, this lesson offers a radical reimagining of sickness and healing, suggesting that they are not physical but spiritual phenomena. It encourages us to recognize our participation in creating our reality and the power we have in choosing truth over illusion. It presents a transformative approach to understanding our existence and advocates for the recognition and acceptance of our inherent divine nature as a pathway to healing.
