T 16 A 1. To empathize does NOT mean to JOIN IN SUFFERING, for this is what you must REFUSE to understand. This is the EGO’s interpretation of empathy, and is ALWAYS used to form a special relationship, in which SUFFERING is shared. 

The CAPACITY to empathize is VERY useful to the Holy Spirit, provided you let Him use it in His way. His way is very different. He does NOT understand suffering, and would have you teach IT IS NOT UNDERSTANDABLE. When He relates through you, He does NOT relate through the ego to another ego. He does NOT join in pain, knowing that HEALING pain is NOT accomplished by delusional attempts to ENTER INTO IT, and lighten it by SHARING the delusion.

Recognize this?

How direct this is relating to you? Very direct. Empathy is a real ‘value’ in human existence. It is treasured and seen as a high standard of social behavior. Ponder for a moment: What does empathy mean to me and how do I practice it? If we read a little further you will discover, it is not what empathy is.

T 16 A 3. You do NOT know what empathizing means.

But of this you may be sure; if you will merely sit quietly by, and let the Holy Spirit relate THROUGH you, you will EMPATHIZE WITH STRENGTH, and both of you will gain in strength, and NOT in weakness. 

Your part is only to remember this; 

you do not want anything that YOU value to come of the relationship. You will neither to hurt it, NOR TO HEAL IT in your own way. You do NOT know what healing IS. All you have learned of empathy IS FROM THE PAST.

Feet back on the ground

You do NOT know what empathizing means and you do NOT know what healing is. One thing for sure, and you can probably agree with this: ‘you do not want anything that YOU value to come of the relationship’. Or maybe you can’t agree at all with this expression. But all we share here is in your best interest. It has nothing to do with what you think is your best interest. The Alternative that is offered here is complete and whole. It has a total Constancy. It speaks from the place of equality, total freedom and a unity without opposite.

By admitting all these expressions as, I don’t know what empathy, healing, love, best interest, etc mean, you can be taught. Then you can discover the Essence and Truth about you.

Chapter 16: The Forgiveness of Illusions

• Content chapter 16: The Forgiveness of Illusions
• 0:00 A: Introduction
• 3:33 B:True Empathy
• 7:43 C: The Magnitude of Holiness
• 17:05 D: The Reward of Teaching
• 25:17 E: Illusion and Reality of Love
• 38:23 F Specialness and Guilt
• 52:30 G: The Bridge to the Real World
• 1:02:47 H: The End of Illusions
• 1:13:19 The End