Oct 22nd 2015 Review II
Lesson 81
Review of Lessons 61 - 62
- 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 (slow reading) 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 situations. 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.
(61) I am the light of the world.
How holy am I, who have been give the function of lighting up the world! Let me be still before my holiness. In its calm light let all my conflicts disappear. In its peace let me remember Who I am.
Some specific forms for applying this idea when special difficulties seem to arise might be:
Let me not obscure the light of the world in me.
Let the light of the world shine through this appearance.
This shadow will vanish before the light.
(62) Forgiveness is my function as the light of the world.
It is through accepting my function that I will see the light in me. And in this light will my function stand clear and perfectly unambiguous before my sight. My acceptance does not depend on my recognizing what my function is, for I do not yet understand forgiveness. Yet I will trust that, in the light, I will see it as it is.
Specific forms for applying this idea might include:
Let this help me learn what forgiveness means.
Let me not separate my function from my will.
I will not use this for an alien purpose.
Insights/Comments:
- Our practice is only to find the quiet within us that rests on the convictions that: we are the holy children of God; that the apparent problem of separation is only an illusion; and that in God's reality, which is the only reality there is, no problem exists. Our only function then, is to forgive the apparent illusions to the contrary. With these convictions firmly grounded in our awareness and memory, we deal with every situation that arises in whatever way we think is appropriate, but with a calm and peaceful resolve, because we know that it is an illusion--granted, a convincing illusion, but still only an illusion.
What does it mean to deal with every situation with a calm and peaceful resolve? It means to have no judgment about the situation or the people involved. It means to have no preferences about the outcome. It means that we let our actions flow naturally according to what the particular situation requires of us or inspires in us, without judgment and without attachment. And it means that we do this as best we can, from where we are in each present moment with whatever resources, knowledge, and wisdom we have available to us. And to that extent will we be at peace, remembering that God created us perfect, Spirit, and free.
No comments:
Post a Comment