The real world is a symbol, like the rest of what perception offers. Yet
it stands for what is opposite to what you made. Your world is seen
through eyes of fear, and brings the witnesses of terror to your mind.
The real world cannot be perceived except through eyes forgiveness
blesses, so they see a world where terror is impossible, and witnesses
to fear can not be found.

The real world holds a counterpart for each unhappy thought reflected in
your world; a sure correction for the sights of fear and sounds of
battle which your world contains. The real world shows a world seen
differently, through quiet eyes and with a mind at peace. Nothing but
rest is there. There are no cries of pain and sorrow heard, for nothing
here remains outside forgiveness. And the sights are gentle. Only happy
sights and sounds can reach the mind that has forgiven itself.

What need has such a mind for thoughts of death, attack and murder? What
can it perceive surrounding it but safety, love and joy? What is there
it would choose to be condemned, and what is there that it would judge
against? The world it sees arises from a mind at peace within itself. No
danger lurks in anything it sees, for it is kind and only kindness does
it look upon.

The real world is the symbol that the dream of sin and guilt is over,
and God’s Son no longer sleeps. His waking eyes perceive the sure
reflection of his Father’s Love; the certain promise that he is
redeemed. The real world signifies the end of time, for its perception
makes time purposeless.

The Holy Spirit has no need of time when it has served His purpose. Now
He waits but that one instant more for God to take His final step, and
time has disappeared, taking perception with it as it goes, and leaving
but the Truth to be Itself. That instant is our goal, for it contains
the memory of God. And as we look upon a world forgiven, it is He Who
calls to us and comes to take us home, reminding us of our Identity
Which our forgiveness has restored to us.