That is exactly what I'm saying. Its sort of like where the course
says that the question how "did the ego happen" is moot.

The way of doing the course is by doing it.
The course does not say how.

The "real world" in ACIM jargon is a gestalt. If you see it you cannot see
"the ego" which is also a gestalt the seeing of which precludes seeing the "real world."

I have not read the Course thoroughly, which is one of the reasons I have joined this tribe, in order to 'see' it from the 'perspective' of others. So my answer to the first question is 'I don't know' on what the Course teaches regarding such.

But it seems only 'natural' that persistence would be fundamental, because 'complete' unconditional forgiveness does not come 'naturally' to the human condition --we are raised otherwise. Many may talk the talk, but rarely as children did we see 'true' forgiveness exercised.

Organized Protestant Christianity was the foundation to my awakening . . . many a preacher spoke of forgiveness, as Christ did -- although I never really saw it in action --especially within my own family.

Nor was it ever preached in the churches that I attended that first --one must 'forgive' oneself; to love oneself unconditionally. In fact, it is preached in the churches that to love oneself is a sin, selfish and dirty.

But how can we offer that which we do not possess? How can I 'forgive another' if I have not first PERSISTENTLY practiced forgiving myself for the errors that I make? How can I offer unconditional love to another, if I do not love myself? And does it not take unconditional love to carry forgiveness of any and all 'attacks'? I would like to note that forgiveness does not mean acceptance of the behavior, simply acceptance of the person.

It is through deep, merciful introspection that one is able to understand themselves, and then others they encounter.

Understanding what is the source of my 'error' --the wounds and false teachings of the past that motivated my behavior that did not truly speak of who I am, was critical in my being able to see beyond the 'attack' of another person and recognize it for what it truly was.

When another lashes out, it is because they carry much pain and fear and do not want to be alone in this. Just like when there is abounding peace, joy and hope in our hearts, this too, we want to share with others. We are independent, yet interconnected, one to the other.

Taking this a step further (and again, I do not know if the Course expounds on this) . . . we attract others to us -and they, us to them, that which reflects what is within.

If we are in a place that we have 'wounds' that need to be seen and healed, we will cross paths with an individual with reflective issues. At any given moment, we are blessed with the opportunity to recognize what is going on behind the 'illusion' of the interaction, and heal the pain within our hearts and psyche. But it requires being 'affectionately dettached', much like a scientist, in order to see not just the others actions, but our own.

And again, on the other side, when we persistently work through the process of knowing, healing and loving ourselves, we then see this reflected back to us in those who enter our lives. My recent experience in tribe.net has been a most blessed example of such. Like attracts like. We are here to heal one another, to help one another remember the Truth, to love one another, and this starts from within.

When we are coming from a place of wholeness within ourselves (not perfection mind you, for we are working within the framework of the current human condition), we begin to see that the 'attack' of another is truly not a 'personal' attack on us, and forgiveness begins to become more natural . . .and the more 'natural' and effortless it is to forgive, we begin to completely understand what it means when the Course says there is nothing to forgive.

I hope this is but one among many things that will aid you in your search.

Infinite Light and Love~