May 23rd 2016 Review II
Lesson 90
Review of Lessons 79 - 80
- Intention: We are now ready for another review. We will begin where our last review left off, and cover two ideas each day. The earlier part of each day will be devoted to one of these ideas, and the latter part of the day to the other. For each idea, we will have one longer exercise period, and frequent shorter ones in which we practice each of them.
- Long Practice: Spend a total of about fifteen minutes thinking about each each idea and its associated comments. Devote
some three or four minutes to reading them over slowly, several times
if you wish, then close your eyes and spend the rest of the time
listening attentively.
Repeat the first phase of the exercise (reading slowly) if you find your mind wandering, but try to spend the major part of the time listening quietly but attentively. There is a message waiting for you. Be confident that you will receive it. Remember that it belongs to you, and that you want it.
Do not allow your intent to waver in the face of distracting thoughts. Realize that, whatever form such thoughts may take, they have no meaning and no power. Replace them with your determination to succeed. Do not forget that your will has power over all fantasies and dreams. Trust it to see you through, and carry you beyond them all.
Regard these practice periods as dedications to the way, the truth and the life. Refuse to be sidetracked into detours, illusions and thoughts of death. You are dedicated to salvation. Be determined each day not to leave your function unfulfilled.
- Short Practice: Repeat
the original form of the idea often, and apply it for general
applications. When appropriate, use the specific forms included in the
comments which follow the statements of the ideas. These, however, are
merely suggestions. It is not the particular words you use that matter.
(79) Let me recognize the problem so it can be solved.
Let me realize today that the problem is always some form of grievance that I would cherish. Let me also understand that the solution is always a miracle with which I let the grievance be replaced. Today I would remember the simplicity of salvation by reinforcing the lesson that there is one problem and one solution. The problem is a grievance; the solution is a miracle. And I invite the solution to come to me through my forgiveness of the grievance, and my welcome of the miracle that takes its place.
Specific applications of this idea might be in these forms:
This presents a problem to me which I would have resolved.
The miracle behind this grievance will resolve it for me.
The answer to this problem is the miracle that it conceals.
The miracle behind this grievance will resolve it for me.
The answer to this problem is the miracle that it conceals.
(80) Let me recognize my problems have been solved.
I seem to have problems only because I a am misusing time. I believe that the problem comes first, and time must elapse before it can be worked out. I do not see the problem and the answer as simultaneous in their occurrence. That is because I do not yet realize that God has placed the answer together with the problem, so that they cannot be separated by time. The Holy Spirit will teach me this, if I will let Him. And I will understand it is impossible that I could have a problem which has not been solved already.
These forms of the idea will be useful for specific applications:
I need not wait for this to be resolved.
The answer to this problem is already given me, if I will accept it.
The answer to this problem is already given me, if I will accept it.
Time cannot separate this problem from its solution.
Insights/Comments:
- This lesson reminds us that there is only one solution to all problems--the miracle. All problems are veils of grievances that mask the miracle, so the solution is always to look past the veil to reveal the miracle. To forgive is to look past a grievance and let the miracle behind it be revealed. Forgiveness therefore is the means to miracles, for it opens our awareness to what was always there but which we did not before perceive because it was veiled by a grievance. To look past a grievance we must first look directly at it--we can call this step observing the problem. Having observed it we must remind ourselves of what is always true--that a problem is always the mask of a grievance and that behind the mask is the face of a miracle. Now, remembering that a miracle is always hidden behind the problem, we forgive the problem, look past it, let it go, so that we can perceive the miracle. By forgiving, looking past, or letting go of a problem we naturally begin to relax and it is in this act of relaxation that we begin to perceive the miracle hidden behind the problem. The more relaxed we become, the more the miracle reveals itself to our awareness. To summarize then: Observe the problem; remember it is a grievance masking a miracle; look past the grievance, which allows us to relax, opening awareness to the solution, the miracle.
- Because the problem and the answer are like two sides of a coin, their need not be any time between observing the problem and finding the solution, even though we typically think in terms of needing time to "solve" a problem. Time is simply a delay tactic we use to decide when we really want to apply the solution, either because we are not yet ready, or because we have a belief that certain problems require certain amounts of time before they can be solved. Clearly this time delay is unnecessary, but because it might make us less fearful or more comfortable with the solution, it may be helpful in accepting the miracle. Use it with discretion though, remembering that there is no need to suffer waiting for a solution that is already present.
