A Course in

Miracles on
Sex
 A Course in
Miracles on Sex

Uncopyrighted work by Simona Rich

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction 6

Quotation sources 7

Sex is for procreation only 8

Why we are sexually attracted to others 9

Sex as a level confusion issue 11

The tethered mind 13

Disentangling the mind 15

The pain and pleasure game 17

The insatiable ego 21

The predatory ego 23

Belief determines our actions 24

A desert is a desert is a desert 26

The Christ-led life 28

On sexual fantasies 29

Sex depletes you of energy 30

Seeking closeness to escape from death 32

Good will arrange unions if needed 33

About Simona Rich 35

Related quotes 36

The end. 42
 Introduction
In ACIM shorthand notes, the root word "sex" is
mentioned 58 times (this is according to my own
counting, skipping this word mentioned in the footnotes
of the shorthand notes). However, it’s entirely missing
from the Foundation for Inner Peace edition, which is the
official edition of ACIM.

That's because Hellen Schucman, the scribe of the course,

did not want the word "sex" mentioned in the book. She
lived in different times, where this subject was taboo. But
I’m glad indeed that her shorthand notes were allowed to
resurface, so that serious ACIM students could be
enlightened about this important subject.

"I want to finish the instructions about sex, because

this is an area the miracle worker MUST
understand." (T 1 B 40b)

I find that many ACIM teachers soften this teaching or

teach in opposition to it. This is trying to adjust the
teaching to the illusion, which cannot save. Twist one bit
of truth, and you have an illusion, which is not the way to
escape from the dreams we made.
 Quotation sources
In this booklet, I'll be quoting from both Urtext and
Hellen's shorthand notes, as these two sources contain the
most information about the topic of sex. I'll quote from
Circle of Atonement ACIM, too.

I won’t be mentioning particular editions in quotations

except for COA ACIM, which will be quoted as “CE”. If a
passage is from notes, you’ll see “N” in quote reference. If
neither “CE” nor “N” references show up, it’s taken from
the Urtext or from the shorthand notes included in the
Urtext.

I'll quote a lot here, as I want to show you how clear Jesus,
the author of ACIM, is on this topic.

For those interested in Hellen's shorthand notes, you are

welcome to download the PDF book from this link (note:
the following link leading to a PDF document comes from
a website that's not https secured, so I cannot guarantee
its safety).

Urtext can be accessed through this Archive.org link, and

the free way to access COA ACIM is here or through their
ACIM CE phone app.
 Sex is for
procreation only
"Inappropriate sex drives (or misdirected miracle-
impulses) result in guilt if expressed, and depression
if denied." (T 1 B 40c)

Inappropriate sex drives are those not intended for

procreation. Jesus says in ACIM that "Sex relations are
intended for children." (n 4:52). Similarly, he says that
"The only VALID use of sex is procreation" (T 1 B 40f).

So procreation is the only undistorted use of sex. Other

uses are distorted miracle impulses, often resulting in
depression and fear (N 4:106), and the perpetuation of the
dream.

You are damned if you express it, you are damned if you
don’t, so to speak - but it’s possible to uproot this ego
mechanism altogether, which will be mentioned how to
do further on in the text.
 Why we are
sexually attracted to
others
We interpret love messages from God as sexual attraction
to certain individuals, because of us being identified with
our egos. The ego distorts and translates divine impulses
into bodily ones, as it considers the body to be its home.

“Bodily appetites are not physical in origin, because

the ego regards the body as its home and does try to
satisfy itself through it.” (T-4.IV.4 CE)

That's why it's so important to cut the roots of

mechanisms which make us identified with bodies, and
sex is one of them. As it's told, "All shallow roots must be
uprooted, because they are not deep enough to sustain
you." (T 1 B 37q)
It's important to understand the whole mechanism of
being driven to have sex for pleasure, and uproot it. Denial
of it won't uproot it, but Jesus is definitely not against
doing your best to abstain from it (N 5:4).
 Sex as a level
confusion issue
Apart from ego distorted miracle impulses, another reason
we are driven to have sex is to experience what we lost in
Heaven, which is being in communion with God (T 1 B
24h).

But trying to find happiness with the instruments of the

world cannot accomplish this, as it's level confusion (T 1 B
37af).

Level confusion means trying to mix things of different

levels, such as endowing Spirit with evil (ego, worldly)
attributes (T 1 C 17).

Another instance of level confusion mentioned in ACIM is

a belief that "what is amiss on one level can adversely
affect another" (T2 C 4).

Or, when it comes to sex, we could explain level confusion

as what is amiss on one level (mind level) is hoped to be
fulfilled by another level (physical level, through the
body).
It's very important not to engage in level confusion as that
distorts our perception of reality, resulting in
inappropriate behavior (T 1 B 36f).

So this means that when we, as a result of being identified

with bodies, are driven to fill the gap of divine love
through physical pleasure, our minds become clouded.

We start acting on illusions and not on the truth.

Obviously, this causes us to make mistakes and to
continue living in an illusion.
 The tethered mind
The source of love is not found in the world. It cannot be
experienced through bodies, though the temporary
pleasure may dull the mind into believing this.

However, the mind continues being ever hungry for more

love, because it was feeding on the illusion of love.

Love is only found in the union with God and our brothers
and sisters, who are Spirit, and not bodies. Jesus says it's
not possible to relate with our brothers and sisters
through bodies, as how can we relate with something that
doesn't exist? (T 1 B 37ad)

Union can only be achieved through the mind, and,

therefore, ACIM teaches that the only valid use of the
body is for communication:

"The ego uses the body for attack, for pleasure, and
for pride. The insanity of this perception makes it a
fearful one. The Holy Spirit sees it only as a means of
communication." (N 6:215)
 "Remember that the Holy Spirit interprets the body
only as a means of communication. (...) The ego
separates through the body. The Holy Spirit reaches
through it to others." (N 7:131)

So in order to awaken, the body should be used only as a

communication device, to reach other separated minds for
purpose of healing and union.

That’s what’s called “extension” in ACIM; when we reach

others beyond the bodies to their minds, in order to
connect with them and heal them.

In this way, the body becomes a useful tool for salvation.

Using the body for ego appetites will only result in

disillusionment and the feeling of loneliness, as the ego
only uses the body to keep the dream of separation going.
 Disentangling the
mind
Through the pleasure and pain game, the ego makes us
identified with bodies by chaining our minds to them.
Jesus tries to break that identification through advising us
what not to do in this dream world.

That's why we are advised never to attack, never to blame,

not to feel as victims, not accuse others of being evil, and
not to feel guilty. That's why we are always encouraged to
forgive everything, and not to give into the ego urge to get
into an attack mode.

As the mind abides by these suggestions, it starts getting

disentangled from the mesh of this illusion, becoming
mobile, able to travel through time and space, and finally
achieving liberation.

I've seen some people online argue that if the body is an

illusion, anything it does is an illusion, and therefore we
can have as much sex as we want.
This is the same as saying that since bodies do not exist,
let's attack, let's not forgive, and let's break all the rules
and hurt everyone. This, of course, would keep us bound
to this illusion indefinitely.

If people are not ready to let go of sex, they should be

honest with themselves about this, instead of trying to
twist the teachings of ACIM. In its original editions, Jesus
is clearly telling that the sexual urge mechanism should
be uprooted unless it's used to create a family.

Sex keeps us stuck in the illusion by tethering our minds

to this dream world. If we believe there's anything to gain
in this world, anything at all (pleasure, happiness, safety),
we will stay bound to this dream world.

As Jesus encourages us, "Leave the world of death behind,

and return quietly to Heaven. There is nothing of value
here, and everything of value there." (T - 14. VI. 5 CE)

As we realize what the mechanism of sexual desire does to

us and uproot it through the help of Christ, another chain
falls off our minds, making it a better communication
device to transmit divine knowledge to the world, and to
eventually fully awaken from this dream.
 The pain and
pleasure game
ACIM teaches that whatever produces pleasure, will
produce pain eventually, as pleasure and pain are the
same.

Our confused mind, dulled by the pain, interprets lesser

pain as relief and therefore it feels pleasurable. However,
with time, pleasure shows its true face - that of pain:

"Sin shifts from pain to pleasure and again to pain.

For either witness is the same and carries but one
message: "You are here, within this body, and you
can be hurt. You can have pleasure too, but only at
the cost of pain." (...) Call pleasure pain, and it will
hurt. Call pain a pleasure, and the pain behind the
pleasure will be felt no more." (T-27.VII.2 CE)
"Under fear's orders the body will pursue guilt,
serving its master, whose attraction to guilt
maintains the whole illusion of his existence. This,
then, is the attraction to pain. Ruled by this
perception, the body becomes the servant of pain,
seeking it dutifully and obeying the idea that pain is
pleasure. It is this idea that underlies all of the ego's
heavy investment in the body. And it is this insane
relationship which it keeps hidden yet feeds upon.
To you, it teaches that the body's pleasure is
happiness. But to itself, it whispers, "It is death."" (T-
19.IV.B.17 CE)

"Pain demonstrates the body must be real. It is a

loud, obscuring voice whose shrieks would silence
what the Holy Spirit says and keep His words from
your awareness. Pain compels attention, drawing it
away from Him and focusing upon itself. Its purpose
is the same as pleasure, for they both are means to
make the body real. What shares a common purpose
is the same." (T-27.VII.1 CE)
 "It is impossible to seek for pleasure through the
body and not find pain. It is essential that this
relationship be understood, for it is one the ego sees
as proof of sin. It is not really punitive at all. It is but
the inevitable result of equating yourself with the
body, which is the invitation to pain." (T-19.IV.B.16
CE).

I especially like this last quote, because it gives such a

clarity why pleasure is not what is seems to be. It's the
tool of the ego to keep you bound to the body, and
therefore death.

This is the invitation to pain. Bound souls are attracted to

pleasure like flies to honey, but the result is the chaining
to the mortal bodies.

Pleasure is not pleasurable. It only seems pleasurable to

the confused mind full of pain. It’s a lesser pain which
feels like a relief, and therefore desirable.

Through this understanding, we leave this mechanism

altogether, which results in the lessening identification
with the body, and regaining the memory of us as Spirit.
Once we start internalizing the pleasure and pain
understanding, it can be compared to rethinking of going
to a particular lake which one greatly enjoys.

The bottom of this lake has sharp glass pieces, so every

time you leave the lake, you leave with bloody feet.

It eventually starts dawning on you that the bloody feet is

the result of the joyful time in the lake, and, therefore, you
decide to no longer go to that lake, and thus save your
feet.
 The insatiable ego
The ego tries to gain through the body in many ways, and
not only through sex.

It may encourage overeating to feel secure, it may

encourage hoarding things, endless money-making
schemes to feel safe, collecting other bodies that adore
one’s body (fans), or using others to prop oneself up.

Its goal is to prove its reality. The bigger the status it gets,
the safer it feels through money or material possessions,
the more bodies look up to it, the more reality it ascribes
to itself.

One of the ways the ego uses sexual desire is for

separation and judgment. It exalts some body shapes, and
devalues others, always measuring others in relation to
what it can get from them.

"It is wrong to deny the beauty of some souls

because of body-structures of which you are afraid."
(N 4:52).
Obsessed by sexual desire, the bound mind is unable to
see through the bodies, viewing other imprisoned minds
as objects of desire or disgust. These are all forms of
attack, as they promote separation.

All souls should be equally loved, as all are children of

God. When the body is used for communication only, the
mind goes beyond the body to reach other minds, thus
uniting with brothers and sisters, and healing them and
oneself (as what we do to others it is done to us).

What a difference it is to relate in such a way, compared

to the hunting for some special ones to share our time
with in secret. ACIM says that we should not do anything
with others we would not share with the rest of the
humanity. (T-16.IV.4 CE)

No body should be exalted as special or used for special

purposes, as specialness doesn't exist in the Kingdom of
God. As we align our behavior in this dream world to the
laws existing in Heaven, we create a bridge Home.
 The predatory ego
Judging others as sexual objects keeps you rooted in the
body, because your sight stops at the body. As you use
your body for communication only, communication is
capable of reaching a soul. This is the way we extend
beyond ourselves to reach the broken parts of One Self.

As you abstain from sex, the predatory ego cannot obtain

its pleasure through the body, and thus gets weaker. As
the ego is getting undone, you start seeing the glimpses
into the world of Spirit. It's not so much seeing, it's more
like knowing - language can only go so far.

And again, if you're not ready to not have sex, that's

perfectly fine. It's one thing to be honest with yourself and
acknowledge that you're not at a point of giving up sex.
It's another thing to try to twist the teachings of ACIM to
deceive yourself about it.

As you continue to study the course, you will deeply

understand the effects of sex, and you will understand that
this activity is not only pointless, but harmful. And this
understanding will eventually result in you walking away
from it, whether in this life, or the next one.
 Belief determines
our actions
"Man is free to believe what he chooses. What he
does attests to what he believes." (T 1 B 24l)

If we believe we are bodies, of course we will try to seek

pleasure through them.

But once a firm understanding that we are Spirit roots

itself into our being (or, to better say, when we re-member
this), we will no longer deceive ourselves that any sort of
lasting happiness could be found in the desert of this
world.

As we stop introducing worldly ideas into our upper

subconscious minds, fewer obstacles are placed for
miracle impulses to arise undistorted, and for proper
communication to take place between us and the Creator.

This results in the right view of the world, and relating to

others in healing and healthy ways.
The fewer body-related thoughts and needs we entertain,
the quicker we will heal our minds and understand our
true nature and Home.

"The deeper layers of your subconscious always

contain the impulse to miracles, but you are free to
fill its superficial levels, which are closer to
consciousness, with the impulses of this world, and
to identify yourself with them. This results in
denying yourself access to the miracle level
underneath." (T-1.28.7 CE)

Sex is a mistranslated miracle impulse by a personally

willful consciousness. If translated properly, it will result
in true closeness with others (mind-to-mind closeness).
However, with ego-bound individuals, it's interpreted as
sexual attraction. (N 4:106-107)

As we abstain from this mechanism and do not clutter our

consciousness with bodily thoughts, miracle impulses
start arising undistorted, which results in the healing of
other minds as well as our own. Whatever we touch, then,
turns into light and love.
 A desert is a
desert is a desert
Since the material this world is made of is fear, happiness
cannot be found here. Pleasure is the relief from greater
pain and fear, but that's not happiness.

True happiness can only be found in the Kingdom of God.

But as long as search for happiness through bodies
continues, it will not be possible to experience true joy and
wholeness that's of the Spirit.

"... invite Me to enter anywhere temptation arises. I

will change the situation from one of inappropriate
sexual attraction to one of impersonal miracle-
working". (T 1 B 40i)

Here we find yet another way to transform the sexual

impulse - by inviting Christ to transform it to a miracle.
The other one is by simply understanding that it’s
damaging, and dropping it as a result, like how you would
not go for a pleasurable swim if you understood that the
bottom of the lake is filled with sharp glass pieces which
cut your feet.

As we allow the sexual urge to be transformed to a

miracle impulse, not only we heal our own minds, but also
the minds of others, as all minds are connected.

So by making the choice to awaken rather than staying in

the pain and pleasure game, we are making it easier for
others to leave the swamp of worldly pains and pleasures.
 The Christ-led life
The end goal is to leave your entire worldly life for Christ
to manage, as that’s when the body will be in perfect
health and safety. (T-2.IX.1, T-1.35.6, T-2.IV.3, T-28.VII.7
CE)

As we surrender to our Spirit aspect, the Christ Mind, our

body is managed perfectly and in a healthy way, whilst we
are aware of the Kingdom of God. To be guided in all
things is a way out of the desert of this world. (T 1 B 40n)

I talk more about the total guidance in all things of this

world in my yet-to-be-released video on my Leaving the
Matrix YouTube channel. Be on the lookout for the video
of a similar title.
 On sexual fantasies
Even sexual fantasies twist reality and therefore prevent
us from leaving the desert of this world.

Fantasies are "distorted forms of thinking" and are a

"debased form of vision". It's an attempt to control reality
according to false internal needs. "Twist reality in any way,
and you are perceiving destructively." (T 1 B 41r)

"Sexual fantasies are means of making false

associations, and obtaining pleasure from them." (T
1 B 41s)

Fantasies are yet another tool in the arsenal of the ego to

defend against the reality of God.

The Kingdom of God is so satisfying that no fantasy is

necessary. The introduction of worldly thoughts, desires,
wishes, hates and memories cloud the mirror of the mind,
making it impossible to perceive what actually is.

It's this willful perception, this belief that we can see what
we want, and that we can create without God, is what
prevents us from going back Home.
Sexual fantasies are depleting and always destructive,
because people in fantasies are perceived as objects which
is dehumanizing. (T 1 B 41v)

Jesus also says that sex depletes you of energy, and some
(like Freud) confused that with relaxation and peace. (T 1
B 41w, T 1 B 41x).

It is, in a way, relaxing when you’re depleted of energy, but

it’s much better to feel energized than relaxed because of
energy depletion. And this is achieved by miracles, as they
are natural energizers. Miracles always strengthen, and
never deplete. (T 1 B 41x)

It’s the miracle, and not sex, which gives peace, and peace
should not be confused with depletion of energy. Through
the tranquility that’s the effect of the miracle, both the
giver and the receiver can enter into a state of Grace. (T 1
B 41x)
Therefore, even fantasies and imaginations of all sorts
should be given up by those serious about leaving the
desert of this world.

As we start behaving in harmony with the Kingdom of

God, the satisfying nature of reality becomes obvious,
ending any needs to fantasize.

And though the fantasies of a desperate ego sometimes

seem imposing and real, nothing can disturb the reality of
God.

"Your self-deceptions cannot take the place of truth,

no more than can a child who throws a stick into the
ocean change the coming and the going of the tides,
the warming of the water by the sun, the silver of the
moon on it by night." (W-Re.4.In.4 CE)
 Seeking closeness to
escape from death
"It is sure that those who select certain ones as
partners in any aspect of living, and use them for
any purpose which they would not share with others,
are trying to live with guilt rather than die of it. This
is the choice they see. And love to them is only an
escape from death. They seek it desperately, not in
the peace in which it would gladly come quietly to
them. And when they find the fear of death is still
upon them, the "love" relationship loses the illusion
that it Is what it is Not. For, when the barricades
against it are broken, fear rushes in and hatred
triumphs." (T-16 E 4)

It is told in ACIM the love that can change was never love.
(W-127.2) Those who know of changing love, do not know
what love is.
Those who think that love can be given to one and
withheld from others, do not know love. (W-127.2) This is
the ego understanding of love that keeps the separation of
illusion firmly in place.

We should stay in the light, as we were created to do the

good, the lovely, and the beautiful. Anything that's done in
secret with the selected ones is of darkness, as light never
hides, and it’s the ego that values secrets, exalts some, and
rejects others.
 God will arrange
unions if needed
Finally, there are those people whose life’s mission is
indeed to have children. For those meant to have children,
God will be the best match-maker. If the union is left up
to God, He will arrange the best possible setup. (T-1.18.5.3
CE)

And those who are not meant to have children yet long for
them, there are many spiritual orphans in need of
guidance. (T-1.18.5.4-6 CE)

You can be a mother or a father of many, by spreading the

message of salvation, not necessarily through words, but
certainly through a personal example of how to live.
 Let’s Connect
YouTube
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SimonaRich.com

About Me
I’ve been in the self-improvement field for over
seventeen years, traveling the world and
coaching those in need of my help.

As ACIM has entered my life for the third and

hopefully the final time, I’ve settled on my farm
to seriously study and apply these profound
teachings.

It’s the ACIM principle of teaching in order to

learn that encouraged me to publish this
booklet. As we share the truth with others, we
recognize it in ourselves.

You are welcome to

donate if you found
this book useful!
Wise @simonar175
 Related quotes
“The union of bodies thus becomes the way in which
you would keep minds apart. For bodies cannot
forgive. They can do only as the mind directs. The
illusion of the autonomy of the body and its ability
to overcome loneliness is but the working of the
ego’s plan to establish its own autonomy. As long as
you believe that to be with a body is companionship,
you will be compelled to attempt to keep your
brother in his body, held there by guilt. And you will
see safety in guilt and danger in communication. For
the ego will always teach that loneliness is solved by
guilt, and that communication is the cause of
loneliness. And despite the evident insanity of this
lesson, you have learned it.” (T-15.VIII CE)

“In seeking the special relationship, you look not for

glory in yourself. You have denied that it is there,
and the relationship becomes your substitute for it.
And vengeance becomes your substitute for
Atonement, and escape from vengeance becomes
your loss.” (T-16.VII.6 CE)
“The special relationship is a strange and unnatural
ego device for joining hell and Heaven, and making
them indistinguishable. And the attempt to find the
imagined “best of both worlds” has merely led to
fantasies of both, and to the inability to perceive
either one as it is. The special relationship is the
triumph of this confusion. It is a kind of union from
which union is excluded, and the basis for the
attempt at union rests on exclusion. What better
example could there be of the ego’s maxim “Seek
and do not find”?” (T-16.V.7 CE)

“Whenever any form of special relationship tempts

you to seek for love in ritual, remember love is
content, and not form of any kind. The special
relationship is a ritual of form, aimed at the raising
of the form to take the place of God at the expense
of content. There is no meaning in the form, and
there will never be.” (T-16.V.13 CE)
“It is impossible to let the past go without
relinquishing the special relationship. ²For the
special relationship is an attempt to reenact the past
and change it. Imagined slights, remembered pain,
past disappointments, perceived injustices and
deprivations, all enter into the special relationship,
which becomes a way in which you seek to restore
your wounded self-esteem. What basis would you
have for choosing a special partner without the
past? Every such choice is made because of
something “evil” in the past to which you cling and
for which must someone else “atone.””(T-16.VII.1
CE)

“In your waking dreams, the special relationship has

a special place: It is the means by which you try to
make your sleeping dreams come true. From this
you do not waken, and it is this that keeps you
asleep. The special relationship is your
determination to keep your hold on unreality and to
prevent yourself from waking. And while you see
more value in sleeping than in waking, you will not
let go of it.” (T-18.II.6 CE)
“You see the world you value. On this side of the
bridge, you see the world of separate bodies, seeking
to join each other in separate unions and to become
one by losing. When two individuals seek to become
one, they are trying to decrease their magnitude.
Each would deny his power, for the separate union
excludes the universe. Far more is left outside than
would be taken in, for God is left without and
nothing taken in. If one such union were made in
perfect faith, the universe would enter into it. Yet the
special relationship which the ego seeks does not
include even one whole individual. For the ego wants
but part of him, and sees only this part and nothing
else.” (T-16.VI.5 CE)

“The holy instant is His most helpful tool in

protecting you from the attraction of guilt, the real
lure in the special relationship. You do not recognize
that this is its real appeal, for the ego has taught you
that freedom lies in it. Yet the closer you look at the
special relationship, the more apparent it becomes
that it must foster guilt, and therefore must
imprison.” (T-16.VI.3 CE)
“Suffering and sacrifice are the gifts with which the
ego would “bless” all unions. And those who are
united at its altar accept suffering and sacrifice as
the price of union. In their angry alliances, born of
fear of loneliness and yet dedicated to the
continuance of loneliness, they seek relief from guilt
by increasing it in the other. For they believe that
this decreases it in them. The other seems always to
be attacking and wounding them, perhaps in little
ways, perhaps “unconsciously,” yet never without
demand of sacrifice. The fury of those joined at the
ego’s altar far exceeds your awareness of it. For what
the ego really wants, you do not realize.” (T-15.VII.9
CE)

“It is in the special relationship, born of the hidden

wish for special love from God, that the ego’s hatred
triumphs. For the special relationship is the
renunciation of the love of God, and the attempt to
secure for the self the specialness that He denied.”
(T-16.V.5 CE)
“The special relationship is totally without meaning
without a body. And if you value it, you must also
value the body. And what you value you will keep.
The special relationship is a device for limiting your
self to a body, and for limiting your perception of
others to theirs. The great rays would establish the
total lack of value of the special relationship if they
were seen. For in seeing them the body would
disappear because its value would be lost. And so
your whole investment in seeing it would be
withdrawn from it.” (T-16.VI.4 CE)

“The conviction of littleness lies in every special

relationship, for only the deprived could value
specialness.” (T-16.V.10 CE)

“The search for the special relationship is the sign

that you equate your self with the ego and not with
God. For the special relationship has value only to
the ego. To it, unless a relationship has special value,
it has no meaning.” (T-16.VI.1 CE)
The End.