In this episode of the ForgiveNest Podcast, Alison Anton delves into the distinction between perception and knowledge in A Course in Miracles. Alison explains that the concept of knowledge according to the Course is of God, timeless and certain, contrasted with perception, which is inherently uncertain and variable. Key points include the role of right-perception in understanding our brothers and as the stepping stone to knowledge. The episode also features a practical exercise for seeing our brothers as they truly are, a crucial step in the Atonement process. Watch and read the full transcript here: AlisonAnton.substack.com Podcast Category: Faith and Spirituality Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Perception Versus Knowledge 00:19 Understanding Perception and Knowledge 01:12 Exercises for Correct Perception 02:28 Degrees of Perception 03:30 True Perception and Knowledge 05:58 Miracles and Right Perception 08:17 Recognizing Our Brothers 10:32 Practical Application and Conclusion ACIM Quotes & Prayers: Note: Alison Anton uses the Complete and Annotated Edition (CE) of A Course in Miracles. This edition is based on the original handwritten notes of Helen Schucman, scribe of A Course in Miracles. Publisher: Circle of Atonement. …you must get your perceptions straightened out before you can know anything. [ACIM CE T-3.V.1:4] Misperception produces fear, and true perception induces love. Neither produces certainty because all perception varies. That is why it is not knowledge. [ACIM CE T-3.V.2:6-8] True perception is the basis for knowledge, but knowing is the affirmation of truth. [ACIM CE T-3.V.2:6-9] The miracle is a way of perceiving, not a way of knowing. It is the right answer to a question, but you do not ask questions at all when you know. Questioning delusions is the first step in undoing them. The miracle, or the right answer, corrects them. [ACIM CE T-3.V.3-4] You know when you have ceased to ask questions. [ACIM CE T-3.V.4:7] Visions are the natural perception of the spiritual eye, but they are still corrections. The spiritual eye is symbolic, and therefore not a device for knowing. It is, however, a means of right perception, which brings it into the proper domain of the miracle but not of revelation. [ACIM CE T-3.V.6:1-3] So the spiritual eye is what we use for true perception, and true perception is what we use (ultimately) for revelation — in other words knowledge. If our faculties of clairvoyance are heightened or if we tend toward deep-level visions, we might confuse these with revelation. We might think this is knowledge. But again, we have to recognize that if we perceive anything at all — even if it’s something we see with our inner eye versus our physical eye — if we see at all it’s not knowledge. The last part of this section is truly important for us as well. Jesus brings it back around to that in order to know God, we have to know God’s Sons, who are our brothers. Through our fear-based mis-perception we’ve forgotten who each other is, and have made us into strangers. It is because you have made him into a stranger that you are afraid of him. What is he to you? He is your brother. What else do you need to know? But do know that. This is not a matter of perception but a fact. Perceive him correctly, so that you can know him. [ACIM CE T-3.V.10:5-11] Jesus, help me see my brother [name] as he really is, and thus release both him and me. [ACIM CE T-3.V.10:13] There are no strangers in God’s creation. [CE T-3.V.12:1] He recognizes them perfectly. [CE T-3.V.12:5] When they do not recognize each other, they do not recognize Him. [CE T-3.V.12:6] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alisonanton.substack.com
