Chapter 2 III. The Altar of God

In A Course in Miracles, Chapter 2 explores The Altar of God and its deeper meaning for our spiritual journey. This passage highlights how we often turn to physical things to soothe our inner fears and anxieties when, in reality, true peace can only be found by looking inward.

The Body and Atonement

The passage begins by explaining that since the separation, we’ve used defences to maintain it, often through the body. There’s a deep misunderstanding that the body can help us find "atonement"—whether it's through controlling it, protecting it, or even through indulgences. But what we learn here is that peace and Atonement can never be reached through physical means. The body, and all we do to it or through it, will never be the answer.

I can really relate to this idea in the way I sometimes use food as a way to deal with fear or anxiety. If I’m stressed, I might reach for that cookie or overeat, knowing full well it’s not really going to solve anything. In the moment, it feels like a quick fix, but the peace I’m looking for doesn’t come from something external like food.

The passage talks about how the real altar isn’t physical at all—it’s an inner altar. When we focus too much on physical things to make ourselves feel better, whether that’s food, possessions, or even achievements, we’re just reinforcing the separation from our true selves. The body may seem like a temple, but the real "temple" is inside, at the centre of our spiritual being.

Spiritual Vision vs. Physical Comfort

Spiritual vision, the passage explains, doesn’t focus on the outer world or what we see with our physical eyes. It doesn’t see the body as the answer, nor does it believe that peace or fulfilment comes from anything external. Instead, spiritual vision is about recognising that true peace and healing come from within, from the Atonement at the altar of God inside us.

This makes me think about how many times we try to soothe ourselves with something physical. When I feel anxious, for instance, I might eat something that I know isn’t good for me. It’s almost like trying to fill a gap, to satisfy a deeper need. But the more I work on this mindset, the more I realise that my true desire isn’t for the food at all—it’s for peace, comfort, and security, which can only come from the inside.

It’s a work in progress, though! Every time I reach for something to ‘fix’ my feelings, I try to remind myself that what I truly need can’t be found in that external thing, whether it’s food, shopping, or seeking approval from others. The work lies in finding that peace within myself and trusting that it’s already there, just waiting for me to let go of my external defences.

Accepting Atonement

The passage also touches on the idea that we’ll all eventually accept the Atonement, though we may procrastinate or resist it along the way. This really resonates with me because it’s easy to delay inner work when we have so many external distractions. Whether it's food, achievements, or relationships, we often fill our time and minds with things that seem important but don’t really address the root of our discomfort.

However, as the passage says, this avoidance only leads to more pain. The more we resist looking within and dealing with the separation, the more suffering we create for ourselves. It’s as though we keep trying to find the answer outside, but the solution is always waiting for us at the altar within.

In my own life, I’ve noticed that humanity in general is expert at this avoidance. When I avoid looking at what's really bothering me—whether it's through comfort eating or focusing on external goals or wants—it never truly resolves anything. The feeling of peace only comes when I’m willing to sit with those uncomfortable thoughts and turn inward.

This chapter teaches that the Atonement is always within us and that no amount of physical effort or external validation can bring us the limited peace we seek. Whether we’re overeating to soothe an anxiety or chasing after external success or possessions, it’s never going to fill that gap. Instead, the true healing lies in accepting the Atonement and trusting in the inner altar of peace that’s already within us.

For me, this passage is a reminder that I don’t need to rely on something outside of myself—whether it’s food, approval, or success—to feel whole. What I need is already there. It’s just a matter of letting go of the external distractions and tuning into the peace that’s always waiting at the altar of God within me.

Bibliography:

• A Course in Miracles. Foundation for Inner Peace. A Course in Miracles: Combined Volume, 3rd Edition. Foundation for Inner Peace, 2007. URL: https://acim.org.