October 27, 2020

Lesson 302 –

Where darkness was I look upon the light.

We have no need to remain in darkness. Darkness is not real and can be sent away in an instant if we want it to be so. We are light. We are the light of the world. We shine the dark away with our light. The light is within us – all of us – and thus we are the light of the world. Darkness cannot persist in the presence of light, for darkness is simply the absence of light. When we look upon the light, there is no more darkness.

I think most of us are afraid of the light when we have enveloped ourselves in darkness. We have become accustomed to the darkness since we denied the light within us. Light speaks to and reveals who we really are. Darkness conceals who we really are from our awareness. As we each step into the light we find we are surrounded by and filled with love and peace. We find ourselves relaxing into the comfort of our true Identity. What more could we ever want? This is our purpose while we are in this world. We are meant to see clearly.

Our Love awaits us as we go to Oneness, and walks beside us showing us the way. Love fails in nothing. Love the End we seek, and Love the Means by which we go to Oneness.   W-pII.302.2:1-3

A simple shift in thought, a simple change of mind, a simple realignment of our thought system is all we need. The result is a healed mind rejoined with all other minds willing and waiting to reunite in Oneness. Is this what you are really seeking? I think so. Then let go of any thought or belief that doesn’t serve you. Allow the truth about who you are to wash over you and lift you up. Help and guidance is there within us, too. The Course offers us this prayer as an example:

Creator, our eyes are opening at last. Your holy world awaits us, as our sight is finally restored and we can see. We thought we suffered. But we had forgot the Child whom You created. Now we see that darkness is our own imagining, and light is there for us to look upon. Christ’s vision changes darkness into light, for fear must disappear when love has come. Let me forgive Your holy world today, that I may look upon its holiness and understand it but reflects my own.   W-pII.302.1:1-7

The world we think we see has many false appearances. And they are not based in reality. The chaotic world we think we see is a world seen through the lens of past experiences and misperceptions. It is made by the thoughts of split minds that have denied their innate holiness. Our effort to make our own identity separate from Oneness has denied the true essence of creation. Our essence is holy. Our essence is complete and limitless. As we allow our eyes to open to the reality of who we really are and the connectedness of all creation, we find the essence of holiness within us that we truly are. As we look upon the world with our Spirit eyes we see beyond the pain and suffering and chaos to the light and holiness beyond. The light is much stronger than the darkness we had adopted and gave in to. Even though the light is stronger, it will never force us to “deprive” ourselves of that darkness. Light knows that darkness cannot really hurt us, so It waits for us to accept the light and allow the light to rise in our mind where it already is. Make the choice for light today and allow your eyes to open to the love and peace of perfect light in Oneness. It’s the only rational choice. Be willing to make it now.

October 20, 2020

Lesson 295 –

The Holy Spirit looks through me today.

Our journey in this world consists of the healing of our mind – learning to allow our mind to perceive correctly. Part of this healing is learning to allow our mind to see through the eyes of the Holy Spirit, which abides within our mind. The Course often refers to this as seeing with Spirit eyes or Christ Vision. The Workbook lessons teach us to see differently. Another teaches, “I could see peace instead of this.” The practice is to learn to look beyond the appearance of things and allow our holy mind to show us realty rather than illusion or misperception.

Christ asks that Christ may use my eyes today, and thus redeem the world. Christ asks this gift that Christ may offer peace of mind to me, and take away all terror and all pain. And as they are removed from me, the dreams that seemed to settle on the world are gone. Redemption must be one. As I am saved, the world is saved with me. For all of us must be redeemed together. Fear appears in many different forms, but love is one.   W-pII.295.1:1-7

Redemption is simply the correction of our vision, the healing of our mind. Redemption is our return to the awareness of who we really are. It is the recognition and remembrance of who we really are in Oneness. Something that has always been, is now, and always will be. We are complete, whole, and holy – nothing more and nothing less. We have denied our true essence and thus see ourselves separate for awhile. But our true nature is within us waiting for our recognition. The essence of our Higher Self remains in us. The only reason we don’t see this is our belief that we are not as we are created. A simple recognition and shift in thinking will reunite our mind in correct thinking. Though the world is no more than a dream, its holy purpose is to be the classroom where we learn to allow ourselves to return home to the truth of our natural essence.

Each person and each situation is an opportunity to allow ourselves to approach it with Spirit eyes, with Christ Vision and see clearly. The world we see transforms in this light. All darkness disappears in this light. We begin to understand and thus help each other on this journey we travel together. The lesson gives us this prayer to help us ask for guidance:

My Creator, Christ has asked a gift of me, and one I give that it be given me. Help me to use the eyes of Christ today, and thus allow the Holy Spirit’s Love to bless all things which I may look upon, that Christ’s forgiving Love may rest on me.   W-pII.295.2:1-2

Love is where this seeing will take us. Real Love is not a burden. It rests lightly on us yet carries us in holiness. The blessings of Oneness and love are infinite. They have no limit. And when we allow these blessings to flow into us, they flow to all the world. As it is blessed, the world transforms before our eyes to reveal that love is all there is. Be willing for this truth to be unfolded before you. This idea may seem insane at first, but it will become evident as we allow our eyes to be opened. Allow yourself to be blessed with Oneness and Love. You will find healing and wholeness there. And there you will find the greatest peace.

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.

October 6, 2020

Lesson 281 –

I can be hurt by nothing but my thoughts.

This may seem preposterous on the surface. Yet, we might ask, “How can my thoughts hurt me?” This is in no way about our bodies, for our bodies are not real. Even our thoughts can’t hurt us unless they block our awareness of who we are. Our true nature is wholeness, completeness, holiness, and that can’t be undone. But when we decide to align our minds with the idea of separation we block our awareness of who we really are and believe we can be hurt. And this belief is as easily undone when we turn back to the awareness of who we really are. Our thoughts are where truth and reality lie when we perceive them correctly through the Mind of Oneness.

I will not hurt myself today. For I am far beyond all pain. My Creator placed me safe in Heaven, watching over me. And I would not attack the One Child my Creator loves, for what my Creator loves is also mine to love.   W-pII.281.21-4

The truth is we are One with our Creator and therefore there is no separation, no distance, no less or more than. We all think with one thought system, one reality and it is all good and infinite. There is nothing but love and peace simply because nothing else was created. We think we see something less because we blocked our awareness of peace and love and unity and dreamed up separation. Even though separation is no more than illusion, it seems very real to us because we deny our Unity and connectedness. This lesson offers us this prayer for those times we feel inadequate and feel we are hurting.

Source, Your Child is perfect. When I think that I am hurt in any way, it is because I have forgotten who I am, and that I am as You created me. Your Thoughts can only bring me happiness. If ever I am sad or hurt or ill, I have forgotten what You think, and put my little meaningless ideas in place of where Your Thoughts belong, and where they are. I can be hurt by nothing but my thoughts. The Thoughts I think with You can only bless. The Thoughts I think with You alone are true.   W-pII.281.1:1-7

Our wholeness is established in our creation as is our divine nature and holiness. If we feel hurt in any way, we have let the idea that we can be hurt into our minds by denying our true Identity. The world around us may seem in utter chaos. Yet, we know that chaos is merely a myriad of separation thoughts swirling in minds that believe they are not unified. Rest in the knowledge that all minds are joined in peace and love. Rest in the reality of Oneness, for we are all One. No longer need we dwell on the hurt we think we feel, for it is not real. Step into the peace and love within all of us and rise above the battleground of chaos. Our joined mind will see clearly and understand the chaos of the world as mistaken thought, transcending all of it and melting into the peace of Oneness. Let Heaven rise in you today as you are willing.

September 29, 2020

Lesson 274 –

Today belongs to love. Let me not fear.

I would venture to say that we all want our day to be filled with love and peace, the kind of love and peace that allows us to rest and just be. There is nothing needy or cloying or demanding about this attitude. It allows our mind to be still. It recognizes that we are whole and complete. It holds precious the knowledge that we have all we need within us. Isn’t this what we really seek? We keep looking outwardly to the world for this guidance, but it can only be found within us, holy and forever present. This lesson offers us this simple instruction:

A special blessing comes to us today, from the One Who is our Source. Give this day to Oneness, and there will be no fear today, because the day is given unto love.   W-pII.274.2:1-2

This special blessing is ours for eternity, in any situation and wherever we are. The world around us may seem to be in chaos and we may feel buffeted by its chaos. But, we can make another choice even when it seems there is no other. We must be willing, just a little, for this blessing of love and peace is oh so powerful. It raises our mind above the battleground of thoughts disconnected from Love and Oneness to the transcending level of love and peace of mind. We will still be in the midst of the chaotic world, but we will perceive it differently. We will understand that the chaos of the world does not disturb our peace of mind. Only our attachment to the world and separation blocks our own awareness of the peace and love within us. We may choose at any moment we so desire to change our mind and align with the blessing of infinite love and peace Oneness offers us always. When we decide to allow a different perspective to come to our mind, this prayer is offered by this lesson:

Source [Creator], today I would let all things be as You created them, and give Your Holy Child [Me] the honor due their sinlessness; the love of one to another and their Friend. Through this I am redeemed. Through this as well the truth will enter where illusions were, light will replace all darkness, and Your One Holy Child will know they are as You created them.   W-pII.274.1:1-3

As the light of understanding quells all darkness, so does love cast out all fear. Fear cannot exist in the presence of love just as darkness cannot exist in the light. We are beings of light and love. Peace is our natural state of mind. The Course teaches that we are the light of the world. The light of love and peace shine from our being. We simply need to recognize this infinite and divine light. Pure love and peace radiate from that light within us in an infinite supply. This is who we really are, and this is our true home. Receive this blessing of love and peace, for it is already ours.

September 22, 2020

Lesson 267 –

My heart is beating in the peace of God.

The question for this section of lessons addresses, “What is the body?” The Course teaches us that the body is not real, an illusion made to reinforce our belief in separation. Yet, the body can have a holy purpose. It can be a learning device that helps us realize we are not separate at all. Learning to perceive the body correctly helps us perceive the world correctly, too. We can view the world around us and our body through its holy purpose rather than its separation purpose. When we choose to see with holy eyes rather than separation eyes, we see holiness and holy purpose.

Surrounding me is all the life that Source created in Source’s Love. It calls to me in every heartbeat and in every breath; in every action and in every thought. Peace fills my heart, and floods my body with the purpose of forgiveness. Now my mind is healed, and all I need to save the world is given me. Each heartbeat brings me peace; each breath infuses me with strength. I am a messenger of Source, directed by Source’s Voice, sustained by Source in love, and held forever quiet and at peace within Source’s loving Arms. Each heartbeat calls Source’s Name, and every one is answered by Source’s Voice, assuring me I am at home in Source.   W-pII.267.1:1-7

Sometimes we may feel trapped in this world. It may appear that we are at its mercy, a victim of all its circumstances. Connecting with our higher inner Spirit, some call our higher holy Spirit, allow us to see the world and its circumstances beyond their appearances. We always have a choice whether or not to see differently. A fresh look guided by Spirit can often make a big difference in our state of mind. At this time, the world may appear very challenging. Yet, a new understanding, a new interpretation, may help us cope with these challenges. Looking through the eyes of Source will give us the understanding we need or the patience and strength we need to cope. The presence of love and peace within us rises to our hearts and minds as we allow our Oneness to enfold our thinking. This lesson offers this prayer to help us focus:

Let me attend Your Answer, not my own. Source, my heart is beating in the peace the Heart of Love created. It is there and only there that I can be at home.   W-pII.267.2:1-3

Let your heart and mind return home to its awareness in Oneness where all is One. Peace and Love are found here. This is our true home in Heaven while in the world. It is available now just for our willingness to step into the awareness of who we really are. We are One with Source. We are Source. We can stop fighting the world and ourselves and rest in our Source in peace and love. May our beating heart remind us of our holiness and the awareness of who we really are. Let it be so.

September 15, 2020

Lesson 260 –

Let me remember God created me.

Our task in this world and on this journey is to rediscover who w really are. We are to rediscover our holiness. We are to rediscover our true Identity. We are to rediscover our Source and what that Source really is. The knowledge of all this is within us, for it has never left us. All we have done or could possibly do is deny this truth – the truth of our holiness. This denial is not damaging to our Identity. This denial has only the power to block our awareness of our holiness. Our denial is reversed simply by choosing not to deny our true Identity any longer. We may succeed at reversing our denial at times and fail at other times. Our Source does not think less of us at any time for It knows who we really are and that we are still and always One with Source and therefore whole, complete, and holy. It is a matter of remembering.

Now is our Source remembered, and Therein we find our true Identity at last. Holy indeed are we, because our Source can know no sin. And we who are Source’s Children are like each other, and alike to Source.   W-pII.260.2:1-3

We have spent a lifetime practicing and learning the illusion of separation. It is reinforced in our minds time and time again as we move in this world. We aren’t even aware that we are learning to believe ideas that are not real or true. Our egoic thought system has gradually been trained and reinforced to believe in this illusion we call our “identity.” We have participated in its creation and have thus made it seem very real and true. Yet, in this process, we have denied the presence of real love, peace, and joy within and around us. So, we seek outside ourselves for that inside us which we have blocked from our minds.  The journey back to the awareness of who we really are is a journey in our mind and this world. And this world is our learning tool. Every encounter and experience in this world can either reinforce our belief in our denial or be an opportunity to release a mistaken belief and rediscover the truth about who we really are. This lesson suggests this prayer to help us reconnect with the awareness of who we really are.

Source, I did not make myself, although in my insanity I thought I did. Yet, as Your Thought, I have not left my Source, remaining part of Who created me. Your Child, my Source, calls on You today. Let me remember You created me. Let me remember my Identity. And let my sinlessness arise again before Christ’s vision, through which I would look upon all others and myself today.   W-pII.260.1:1-5

This shift in the awareness of who we really are begins with a willingness to be open to the revealing of our true nature. The holiness within us has not forgotten that we are holy. It has simply waited for our mind to give it an opportunity to reveal it to us. Our holiness will not force itself upon us, for that would result in extreme insanity. So it waits for us to open our mind enough to allow it to rise in our awareness. There is no need to be forceful or violent in this process. Peace, love, and joy wait for our willingness to allow them to rise from within us. In this way do we reawaken to the awareness of who we really are. We return to the knowledge that we are still One with our Source and each other as we flow into the awareness that we are Oneness.

September 8, 2020

Lesson 256 –

My Self is ruler of the universe.

This lesson is in a section of the Workbook for Students titled “What Is Sin?” One might ask what sin has to do with being ruler of the universe. Sin is nothing more than a mistaken idea or belief. Belief in sin is an illusion that blocks our mind from the awareness of our holiness – the awareness of who we really are. Sin can do no harm in the real world, for sin is not real. However, it can do harm to our peace of mind while we believe it. The Course puts it this way:

The way to Oneness is through forgiveness here. There is no other way. If sin had not been cherished by the mind, what need would there have been to find the way to where you are? Who would still be uncertain? Who could be unsure of who they are? And who would yet remain asleep, in heavy clouds of doubt about the holiness of those whom Oneness created sinless? Here we can but dream. But we can dream we have forgiven those in whom all sin remains impossible, and it is this we choose to dream today. Oneness is our goal; forgiveness is the means by which our minds return to Oneness at last.   W-pII.256.1:1-9

The return to the awareness of our Oneness with all Creation is our purpose. The world is our classroom and our learning device to realize our return. We can’t harm our real Self, but we all really want to step into the awareness of our real Self and the world that awareness brings to our holy sight and mind. As we begin to forgive ourselves and others, we begin to see the world differently. We recognize the hurt we and others feel due to our belief in sin and pain. And thus see beyond pain to the holiness, peace and love that has always been within us.

In this way is our true Self ruler of the universe. Ruler of the universe does not mean controlling others, but controlling our awareness of who we really are and thus how we see the world. Is it really this simple? Yes, but our desire to continue to believe we are “sinful” has the power to block our awareness of what is and always has been real. In the story of the Garden of Eden, eating the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil – the tree of illusion or duality – changed and blocked our awareness of who we really are. All attempts to rule or control the universe from that perspective are doomed to failure. We are trying to rule with lies. I think we all know how that turns out. The joy of this method is that no one need change anything except their own perception. I am responsible for my mind’s alignment and you are responsible for your mind’s alignment. The result is peace of mind. So, here is the prayer the Course gives us to help us see the way:

And so, our Creator, would we come to You in Your appointed way. We have no goal except to hear Your Voice, and find the way Your sacred Word has pointed out to us   W-pII.256.2:1-2

Even in this world of chaos, we can stand with our mind firmly planted in Heaven surrounded and filled with peace and love. It  really is our choice. We need only to let go of our belief in and attachment to the illusion of sin. We then realize our true role as ruler of the universe.

September 1, 2020

Lesson 246 –

To love my Creator is to love the One Child.

This group of lessons addresses the question, “What is the world?” The Course has taught us that the world is an illusion – it is not real. Yet, the Course also teaches that the world, though an illusion, has a purpose on our spiritual journey. The world is where we are presented with situations designed to teach us lessons. These lessons include learning to recognize who we really are, who those we journey with really are, that we are all One, and that we are complete, holy, whole and loved. We are to return to the awareness of who we really are. We are to relearn to love unconditionally and that giving and receiving love are the same. As we love our Creator, we also love each other and ourselves as we are all joined in Oneness. There is no “other” in reality. The text of this lesson tells us this:

Let me not think that I can find the way to Oneness, if I have hatred in my heart. Let me not try to hurt the Creator’s One Child, and think that I can know their Creator or my Self. Let me not fail to recognize myself, and still believe that my awareness can contain my Creator, or my mind conceive of all the love my Creator has for me, and all the love which I return to my Creator [Oneness].   W-pII.246.1:1-3

There is a way for us to find our journey home to the awareness of who we really are. It is part of a divine plan that can take any form, but a form that is unique for each of us. Every one we meet, every situation we find ourselves in has a purpose in our journey if we will allow ourselves to recognize it. We might ask ourselves a simple question when we are faced with a challenging situation or person. “How can I see this differently?” We tend to jump to conclusions when we find ourselves challenged. Yet, we have everything we need to handle whatever is facing us. Take a step away to look at it differently. Let your mind open to other possibilities through the lens of love. There are other possibilities and choices when we allow ourselves to be open to them. The Course gives us this prayer:

I will accept the way You choose for me to come to You, my Creator. For in that will I succeed, because it is Your Will. And I would recognize that what You will is what I will as well, and only that. And so I choose to love Your One Child. Amen.   W-pII.246.2:1-5

You see, as we are One with our Creator and each other, we cannot have divided wills. What we really want for ourselves is also what the Creator wants for us. And it’s Love and more Love. The endless supply of abundant unconditional Love. Ask, open your spirit eyes [your mind] and you will see.

August 25, 2020

Lesson 239 –

The glory of my Creator is my own.

This lesson, as was last week’s, is in a section of lessons addressing the question, “ What is Salvation?” I realize that for some, salvation is a difficult idea. But let’s look at it differently. The Course teaches us how to heal our mind. And the healing of our mind brings us into the awareness of our Oneness with our Creator and all Creation. Salvation is the return to the awareness of who we really are. It is a return to love and peace. It is a return to the awareness of our wholeness, our completeness, our limitlessness, and our holiness. Today’s lesson infers a return to the awareness of our glory shared with our Creator and all Creation. Stepping into this awareness takes a little willingness to release our need to micro-control the world around us. We begin by releasing it, letting it go. How many times have you heard that phrase? It’s even in Broadway musicals!

This lesson gives us this truth:

Let not the truth about ourselves today be hidden by a false humility. Let us instead be thankful for the gifts our Creator gave us. Can we see in those with whom our Creator shares Its glory any trace of sin and guilt? And can it be that we are not among them, when our Creator loves Us, the One Child, forever and with perfect constancy, knowing they are as Oneness created them?   W-pII.239.1:1-4

Oneness, for me, expresses the connectedness of everything – us with our Creator and each other. It takes a little willingness to begin being open to this mind shift. And, it takes time to adopt this way of thinking as our natural and habitual way of thinking. It is very possible and, with a little vigilance and forgiveness, rewarding. If we are willing to let go of our habitual ways of thinking, we will be led by that which is holy within us to the lessons we need to learn that will change our way of thinking.

We have a light that shines within us. That light always shines, even when we are unaware of it. The Course has taught us we are the light of the world. It is always accessible as our guide in whatever we encounter if we are willing to recognize it. Feel challenged? Take a moment to reflect and look within. Perhaps ask Spirit to guide your thoughts. Be willing to look beyond the appearance of anything the world seems to place in front of us. There is another way. There is a loving way. There is a peaceful way. The Course suggests a prayer to help us see:

We thank You, Creator, for the light that shines forever in us. And we honor it, because You share it with us. We are one, united in this light and one with You, at peace with all creation and ourselves.   W-pII.239.2:1-3

Oneness is our truth and our reality. Unity of purpose is our natural state. It is time to bring that unity, that Oneness, into our awareness and release the illusion of separation. This is where we find peace, love, and happiness. It’s already within us, but by recognizing it we can actually live it in this world and thus make a difference. Our strength is in Oneness. Let’s set our eyes on the light within us – Oneness.