October 13, 2020
Lesson 288 –
Let me forget my friend’s past today.
One of the important concepts the Course teaches us is that our perception is key. Do we see clearly or do we see through the lens of past misperceptions? Do we see each other as the holy beings we are in Oneness, recognizing our connectedness? Seeing through the clear vision of holiness and Spirit is our salvation – our transformation to recognizing our own true Self, our true being. We usually view each other through the lens of our own past and another’s past as we perceive it. This perception is not about who another really is, but who we have judged them to be based on the past. Healing our mind is being willing to let go of all that past stuff and recognizing their true being which is One with us. In the eyes of our Creator we are as we are created – whole, complete, and holy. And forgiveness – a change in our mind – is the path to opening our mind to this truth. The lesson explains it this way:
Forgive me, then, today. And you will know you have forgiven me if you behold your friend in the light of holiness. They cannot be less holy than can I, and you can not be holier than them. W-pII.288.2:1-3
Letting go of our attachment to our thoughts and beliefs about the past is an act of freedom. Not only do we free our friend from the prison of our judgement about them, we free ourselves from the bonds of our judgmental thoughts. Our thoughts are what we give power over our minds. Our thoughts govern how we perceive ourselves and others. It may seem difficult or even impossible to change our thoughts and thus change our minds, but we have within us the means and power to do this. And, we have Spirit within us, forever connected to our Source and Creator, to guide us in how to change our thoughts. The world and the ones we journey with are all here to help us make this transformation. We’ll make mistakes along the way, but that’s OK because that’s how we learn. Mistakes are no more than mistakes and can always be corrected and forgiven. The lesson gives us this prayer to help us ask for guidance:
This is the thought that leads the way to You, and brings me to my goal. I cannot come to You without my friend. And to know my Source, I first must recognize what You created one with me. My friend’s is the hand that leads me on the way to You. Their sins are in the past along with mine, and I am saved because the past is gone. Let me not cherish it within my heart, or I will lose the way to walk to You. My friend is my savior. Let me not attack the savior You have given me. But let me honor them who bear Your Name, and so remember that It is my own. W-pII.288.1:1-9
This path may seem simplistic. It is simple, but our habitual attachment to the past makes our thoughts something we must be vigilant for. Look at each thought as we recognize it and ask, “Is this a loving thought?” If yes, then go with it. If, no, let it go and proceed to the next thought. We cannot change the innate holiness of our being, but we can recognize our holiness more fully. As we continue on this healing journey, we will find peace within our mind. We will find ourselves thinking more loving thoughts. And we will begin to become aware of who we really are. Spirit holds the remembrance of our holiness and goodness in our mind for us. Our goal is to let its awareness rise in our mind. This awareness is always in the present moment which rises when we let go of the past. May we do so now and find what we seek.
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