By Gonny For Nullity.nl – by Gonny
In a world filled with confusion, lies, and misinformation, truth often seems like a rare commodity. German philosopher Hannah Arendt once wrote: “The aim of totalitarian lies is not to make people believe them but to make people believe in nothing.” Her words highlight a profound truth: a world where trust in truth is lost becomes a world where people lose connection—with themselves and with one another.
From the perspective of A Course in Miracles, this world of shadows is recognized as the dream of the ego. A dream in which separation is the norm and love is obscured by fear. It is a world where we blindly follow the projections of our own thoughts, mistaking them for reality, forgetting to look beyond them to the changeless truth.
Plato’s Cave: The Collective Shadow
Arendt’s analysis brings to mind Plato’s allegory of the cave. In the allegory, people live as prisoners, staring at shadows cast on a wall by a fire behind them. Having never known anything else, they take these shadows to be reality.
These shadows symbolize the collective illusions of the ego. Political systems, social norms, media, and even our personal fears and beliefs can become shadows that deceive us. But A Course in Miracles reminds us that what we see is merely a projection. The ego casts these shadows to make us believe we are separate from truth, from love, and from one another.
The Realm of Lies
Arendt warns that a society unable to distinguish between truth and lies is entirely at the mercy of the realm of lies. From the perspective of A Course in Miracles, this ‘realm’ is nothing more than an illusion. The ego has no reality of its own—it survives only through our attention and belief. When we focus on fear and separation, the world seems dark. But this world is nothing more than a dream, an illusion that disappears the moment we remember who we truly are.
Our Role in Awakening
Seeing through the illusion begins with ourselves. As the Course teaches: “I am not a body. I am free. For I am still as God created me.” This reminds us that nothing we see in the world defines our true identity. We are love, and that love remains untouched, no matter what shadows the ego projects.
So what is our role in this world of illusion? We are here to help ourselves and our brothers remember the light we all share. Not by preaching or judging, but by being an example. When we act from love, we invite others to do the same.
Practical Application: Choosing the Light
How can we apply this in our daily lives? Here are a few simple steps to help us see beyond the shadows:
1. Recognize the illusion: When faced with fear, judgment, or confusion, pause for a moment. Ask yourself: “What am I believing right now? Does this come from love or from fear?”
2. Choose again: The Course reminds us that we can always choose again. Say to yourself: “Let me see the truth instead of this illusion.”
3. Bring love into the situation: Whether it’s a conversation, a conflict, or simply your own thoughts, ask yourself: “How can I bring love into this situation?”
At Nullity.nl, we aim not only to shed light on the world’s illusions but also to show the possibilities of transcending them. We want to invite our readers to see that truth is always available, even in a world of shadows. By connecting Hannah Arendt’s insights with Plato’s lessons and the wisdom of A Course in Miracles, we can show that awakening is possible—for everyone.
The question we can pose to our readers is this: What will you choose today? Will you keep staring at the shadows, or will you dare to turn around and see the light?
The light is always waiting. All we need to do is open ourselves to it.