The Last Unanswered Question

Cinderella and the Lizard discuss. The Last Unanswered Question

Cinderella opened the ACIM book randomly. It delivered page 430 in the ‘text’ section, entitled “The Last Unanswered Question.”

Do you not see that all your misery comes from the strange belief that you are powerless? Answer this:

1.    Do you desire a world you rule instead of one that rules you?

Cinderella: Yes. I would have always said yes, but I think I answer this as a more informed student now that I have 'been to the Ball'.

2.    Do you desire a world where you are powerful instead of one where you are helpless?

Cinderella:  It is much the same as the last question, except that the change in language alters the consideration. There is a cultural bias against ‘powerful’ people, so I feel a little fear flag waving in Lizard land.  On the matter of helplessness, this is the subject of your most popular scary story, Lizard. When the scary thing looks likely, helplessness abounds. Though I do not like to say so, I can admit that you have made the responsibility of power (or success) appear frightening while the tragedy of helplessness is merely sad. I am disappointed in my answer to this question.

Lizard: Do you deny the likelihood, that you will become ever less employable as you age, decreasing your income and quickly pushing you below the independent survival level?! This is a realistic threat miss Cindy. You yourself have amassed evidence to support it!

Cinderella: I do not deny this. In fact, it is practically my ASSURED future as long as I keep focusing my attention on it. We don't know what opportunities may appear when spirit is engaged with every action and the future is permitted to take care of itself. We DO know this lizard: Whatever one focuses on grows larger…and draws ever closer to being a realized experience. Since you are designed to look for danger, this is the foundation of your ‘Flight’ response. 

I would offer to ‘run’ from this specter, but I have just caught myself countering your fear-based vision with a fear-based response. Very tricky of you.

No. I shall not choose a change because I fear another. I shall only choose anew because it offers me more possibilities and resources than what you are offering.
Let me be clear: I have not resolved to be stupid or frivolous or wasteful. That is YOUR fear, Lizard.

Do you desire a world in which you have no enemies and cannot sin (i.e forget your divine connection and/or become fearful of imagined futures)?

Lizard: Interesting. Perhaps it’s too much of a burden to be ‘miss goody two-shoes’ all the time. Hmm? Don’t you want to reserve a slim opportunity to entertain just a wee bit of fear? Come now…it can be a real thrill...and it IS the only way I can warn you when you are 'on thin ice'.

Cinderella: No, I do not want to lose another moment of divine engagement. All the more reason to get started practicing right away.

Lizard: Practicing, did you say? Oh yes, yes, by all means. Don’t let me stop you.

Cinderella: Lizard? I know that tone of voice. You have ALREADY stopped me haven’t you? Have you been reading ahead?!

The Last Unanswered Question:
Do you want to see what you denied BECAUSE it is the Truth?

The earlier three are decisions that can be made and unmade and made again, but Truth is constant and implies a state where vacillations are impossible.

Cinderella: Ah. So if I have resolved to practice then I have embraced vacillation, and thus condemned myself to a continuation of the present state of affairs.Worse...I have allowed the Lizard a toe-hold.

Lizard: Well, no need to be hard on yourself, Missy. You are so smart about these things. You know full well that changing a program is a process, not magic. Do you really think that you can just say the word and be COMPLETELY different immediately? Hmm? I thought not. I’ve never seen it happen myself.

Cinderella: Well, it has happened to me. A few times in fact.  Magically, overwhelmingly different, and instantly so. In one case I was seeking communion. In others I was validated externally. In another I simply made a decision. I was never analyzing my frame of mind, as I am here. The divine center was engaged when I made ‘right’ choices and REALIZED their rightness. It was sort of like playing a musical note and suddenly hearing the rest of the orchestra. Thankfully I was playing the RIGHT note and my role in the music was clear and thrilling.

That’s IT! What’s missing is not the awareness of a divine center, but the acceptance of it, the atonement with it. One can imagine that if the orchestra was no longer heard, the solo musician would wander from the score and unwittingly create mere noise.

No one decides against his happiness, but he may do so if he does not SEE he does it.

Cinderella:  That’s why external validation seems to work so well, because it REMINDS me of what I forgot. I forgot that I need to 'accept the call' as Joseph Campbell would say. (And he has so much more to say about failing to accept the call.)

It's as though I have been standing in the corridor, listening to the orchestra, wishing I was a part of it all.  I remain outside, afraid to go inside and play, telling myself that I have not been invited, or don't know the music, or I'm not good enough yet. Sound familiar, Lizard?

WOW. All this time it's been YOU holding me back. Your petty fears used to keep me from 'accepting the call'. Why do you think such a decision would be dangerous, Lizard?

Lizard: Don't berate me mistress. I am but a lowly lizard with a limited program. I do the best I can on your behalf, honestly.


Cinderella: I understand, but we shall remedy this issue in your perception right now. What are you really afraid of?


Lizard: Well. Remember...one upon a time, while still very young, you practically lived in that orchestra chamber. You were the star of the show and nothing would keep you from a joyous performance. Then people betrayed your family. It was all very confusing, but the gist of it was that people, especially people who group themselves under a name, are never to be trusted with your survival or protection. Only I can do that. I had been asleep on the job, apparently, and resolved to never be caught by such surprise again. I have kept your head low and your talents in hiding because they make you a target of rejection and criticism. You don't need their approval. Much safer to toil along. Creative expression is overrated, I believe. 
Now here you are trying to bloom again and suggesting to me that I should abandon you to the public again.


Cinderella: I see. And I do remember. I was weakend then Lizard, and needed your protection. There was no one to show me how to heal properly at that time. But time has passed, and I have sought and found healing. You must admit, I am not as thin skinned as I was. I am a grown up now, and must heed the call or wither away, literally. What once kept me safe is now stifling. Will you help me become the person I was designed to be?

Lizard: I? How can I help? I am a trouble seeker. I can only make you afraid.


Cinderella: You can unplug those emotional and social shields. I cannot promise that I will not stumble, as I have very little practice in the social world, but there is no physical danger. I will survive any emotional bumps and bruises. You must keep your shields turned off in all such cases. Allow spirit to heal me and others. It is marvelously skilled in such things.


Well, do we have a deal? Doing 'nothing' will be hard work for you, I know, but I have confidence in you. And no practicing! As Yoda says, "Do or Do Not. There is no Try."

Lizard: I am up to the task, mistress. I live to serve.

Cinderella: Lizard?
Lizard: Yes, mum.

Cinderella: All that business about fear of future earnings collapse, was that a spin-off of this fundamental distrust that we just discussed?

Lizard: Yes, mum. I suppose. I don't really know where the stories come from. They seem to generate themselves. There must be some creative program at work somewhere,

Cinderella: Well. Perhaps we should find more suitable work for Creativity. Yes? Come. Let us commit to AART.

• Awareness…that divinity resides within. The divine orchestra continues to play. I am a channel for such divine spirit. I will lend an ear and listen closely to the music within.
• Acceptance…that divinity calls me to play my part. Having heard the orchestra, I will find my place in the score and play. I belong there. Divinity has been waiting for me.
• Remembrance…that my music is uniquely mine and yet integrally everyone's. I am an instrument.with a sound and a tune to share, but I sound best in harmony with the divine symphony.
• Thankfulness…that my purpose is at last clear. I (personally) am sent to see and to share. The shields have been disengaged. Spirit is unimpeded. I submit myself to this purpose.