March 16, 2021

Lesson 75 –

The light has come.

We are ready to pass out of the old and into the new. We have passed out of darkness into light. We have recognized that we are the light of the world. We are, in fact, light. Our journey is not finished yet, but we have begun to see differently with the guidance of the light of Spirit within us. We recognize that we are one with the Mind of Oneness. There is no separation.

The light has come. You are healed and you can heal. The light has come. You are saved and you can save. You are at peace, and you bring peace with you wherever you go. Darkness and turmoil and death have disappeared. The light has come.   W-pI.75.1:1-7

Today is a day of celebration, a day of happiness. Our eyes have opened to a new reality where the world appears different than it did before. The light within us has wiped away the darkness our egoic thought system convinced us was real. We rejoice as we feel love and peace rising within our Mind revealing our holiness. We are complete and whole. We are abundant with everything we could ever need. Stop a moment and recognize the peace that has settled in our awareness. We can rest a little while in this peace. We can relish the unconditional love that surrounds and enfolds us. All of this flows freely through our consciousness as we allow it to be. Feel the deep joy that permeates everything we experience. We have returned home to Heaven in this holy instant. Rest and enjoy this moment. We will return here again and again as we learn about who we really are and our function in this world.

Do not dwell upon the past. Let it go for a moment. Keep a completely open mind, unburdened of all past ideas and beliefs we have made up. We forgive the world and look on it anew as if we never saw it before. We don’t know what the world really looks like yet and so we wait patiently to have it revealed to us in peace. There is another way to see and perceive the world. We are so used to perceiving the world as we have our whole life that it seems impossible to see a different world. However, it is possible. The shift comes from following the guidance of Spirit within us to reveal Heaven in this world we have perceived so differently.

Realize that your forgiveness entitles you to vision. Understand that the Holy Spirit never fails to give the gift of sight to the forgiving. Believe the Holy Spirit will not fail you now. You have forgiven the world. The Holy Spirit will be with you as you watch and wait. The Holy Spirit will show you what true vision sees. It is the Holy Spirit’s Will, and you have joined with Them. Wait patiently for Them. They will be there. The light has come.  You have forgiven the world.   W-pI.75.7:1-11

Let yourself be guided to this light. It is always within us whether or not we recognize it. Be assured we are the light of the world and that is our natural state of being. There is no fear in this place. When doubts come into our minds, look again to Spirit for guidance. We will never be forsaken. Only our egoic thought system can block this light from our awareness, and the minute we withdraw our belief in it, it is gone. When doubt arises, say to yourself: The light has come. I have forgiven the world. The light has come. I have forgiven you. Nothing can stand in the way of the light we are.

We dedicate this day to the serenity in which Oneness would have you be. Keep it in your awareness of yourself and see it everywhere today, as we celebrate the beginning of your vision and the sight of the real world, which has come to replace the unforgiven world you thought was real.   W-pI.75.11:1-2

March 9, 2021

Lesson 68 –

Love holds no grievances.

Why are we here in this world? To remember who we are and who all of us are. We are created whole. We are created complete. We are created with all we will ever need, abundant and free. And, we blocked our awareness of that knowledge by believing we are separate. We appear to have walled off this little bit of mind that we call “me” and identify as our past experiences experienced by our egoic thought system. We convinced ourselves we are separate from our Creator and each other. Now we seem to have all these grievances we carry around and on which we dwell incessantly. What have we done?

You who were created by love like itself can hold no grievances and know your Self. To hold a grievance is to forget who you are. To hold a grievance is to see yourself as a body. To hold a grievance is to let the ego rule your mind and to condemn the body to death. Perhaps you do not yet fully realize just what holding grievances does to your mind. It seems to split you off from your Source and make you unlike Them. It makes you believe that They are like what you think you have become, for no one can conceive of their Creator as unlike themself.   W-pI.68.1:1-7

Our true and real Self knows who we are. Self has never lost its awareness of who we are.

Shut off from our Self, which remains aware of Its likeness to Its Creator, our Self seems to sleep, while the part of our mind that weaves illusions in its sleep appears to be awake. All this arises from holding grievances. One who holds grievances denies they were created by love. Our dream of hate has made us fearful of even love and fearful of all we are One with! Is it any wonder we feel split down the middle and conflicted?

It is as sure that those who hold grievances will redefine their Creator in their own image, as it is certain that the Creator created them like Itself, and defined them as part of Them. It is as sure that those who hold grievances will suffer guilt, as it is certain that those who forgive will find peace. It is as sure that those who hold grievances will forget who they are, as it is certain that those who forgive will remember.   W-pI.68.3:1-3

Don’t you think you’d be willing to relinquish your grievances if you believed all this were so? Perhaps we do not think we can let our grievances go. That, however, is simply a matter of motivation. Maybe we can be willing to try to find out how we would feel without them. If we succeed even by ever so little, and taste just a bit of who we really are, we’ll never have a problem with motivation again. Just a taste will open our eyes to the love and peace of the real world.

As we go through the day, we can try to think of ourselves as completely at peace with everyone and everything, safe in a world that protects us and loves us. A world that we love in return. Try to feel safety surrounding us, hovering over us, and supporting us. Try to believe, however briefly, that nothing can harm us in any way. This way we begin to shift our perception of who we are and how we see the world. Each little try, each little step opens our mind to Oneness and the awareness of who we really are. Be patient. None of the grievances we hold have any substance. Let them go and love and peace will flood our hearts and minds as we remember who we really are in Oneness.

March 2, 2021

Lesson 61 –

I am the light of the world.

This is a simple truth for every one of us. It is a statement of who and what we are. It is the perfect answer to any question we may have. It is the solution to any problem we may have. It opens the door to our inner wisdom and inspiration. It is not a statement of pride, it is not boastful or arrogant. It refers to us as we are created by our Source. It simply states the truth. This is my favorite lesson. It speaks to me of who I am and who you are. It opens the door to freedom. Some may find this challenging at first, but it is a powerful idea that leads us on our journey in this world.

True humility requires that you accept today’s idea because it is our Oneness’ Voice which tells you it is true. This is a beginning step in accepting your real function on earth. It is a giant stride toward taking your rightful place in salvation. It is a positive assertion of your right to be saved, and an acknowledgment of the power that is given you to save others.   W-pI.61.3:1-4

Even if this idea seems too preposterous to believe, sit with it for a short while. Try not to fight or deny it, but rather try to be a little willing to accept that there might be just a grain of truth in it. As you allow this idea to arise, you will awaken with an acknowledgment of the truth about yourself, reinforce it throughout the day, and turn to sleep as you reaffirm your function and your only purpose here. Your egoic thought system will reject this idea quite strongly. That’s OK, for it is expected. This is a powerful idea. Step away from it if it seems to challenging, then come back to it in a while.

Today’s idea goes far beyond the ego’s petty views of what you are and what your purpose is. As a bringer of salvation, this is obviously necessary. This is the first of a number of giant steps we will take in the next few weeks. Try today to begin to build a firm foundation for these advances. You are the light of the world. Oneness has built Its plan for the salvation of the One Child on you.   W-pI.61.7:1-6

Let your mind be open to a new vision. Being the Light of the world is not some onerous task. It is a state of being that brings great joy to our mind and heart. It is imbued with infinite love and peace. It opens us to the recognition of who we are and always have been. The spark of this light is within us. It cannot be extinguished. It is waiting to be released so it can shine brightly to all we encounter on our journey. I find that whenever I feel down or challenged, I remember this idea and my world brightens instantly, even when I seem to be in the midst of chaos. Let the light within you shine and the world around you will change It is a time to rejoice.

February 23, 2021

Today I begin with a quote from the Rev. Dr. Howard Thurman from his “Meditations of the Heart.

“There is in every person an inward sea, and in that sea there is an island and on that island there is an altar and standing guard before the altar is the ‘angel with the flaming sword.’ Nothing can get by that angel to be placed upon the altar unless it has the mark of your inner authority. Nothing passes ‘the angel with the flaming sword’ to be placed upon your altar unless it be part of ‘the fluid area of your consent.’ This is your crucial link with the Eternal.”

This passage touched my heart as it was read at this Sunday’s worship at First Unitarian Church of San Jose. What do we consent to allow into our life and mind? This consent determines the world we see and experience in this moment.

Today’s lesson from A Course In Miracles is a review of 5 lessons from the past few weeks.

Lesson 54 –

Review of Lessons 16-20

(16) I have no neutral thoughts.

Neutral thoughts are impossible because all thoughts have power. They will either make a false world or lead me to the real one. But thoughts cannot be without effects. As the world I see arises from my thinking errors, so will the real world rise before my eyes as I let my errors be corrected. My thoughts cannot be neither true nor false. They must be one or the other. What I see shows me which they are.   W-pI.54.1:1-8

(17) I see no neutral things.

What I see witnesses to what I think. If I did not think I would not exist, because life is thought. Let me look on the world I see as the representation of my own state of mind. I know that my state of mind can change. And so I also know the world I see can change as well.   W-pI.54.2:1-6

(18) I am not alone in experiencing the effects of my seeing.

If I have no private thoughts, I cannot see a private world. Even the mad idea of separation had to be shared before it could form the basis of the world I see. Yet that sharing was a sharing of nothing. I can also call upon my real thoughts, which share everything with everyone. As my thoughts of separation call to the separation thoughts of others, so my real thoughts awaken the real thoughts in them. And the world my real thoughts show me will dawn on their sight as well as mine.   W-pI.54.3:1-7

(19) I am not alone in experiencing the effects of my thoughts.

I am alone in nothing. Everything I think or say or do teaches all the universe. A Child of God cannot think or speak or act in vain. They cannot be alone in anything. It is therefore in my power to change every mind along with mine, for mine is the power of God.   W-pI.54.4:1-6

(20) I am determined to see.

Recognizing the shared nature of my thoughts, I am determined to see. I would look upon the witnesses that show me the thinking of the world has been changed. I would behold the proof that what has been done through me has enabled love to replace fear, laughter to replace tears, and abundance to replace loss. I would look upon the real world, and let it teach me that my will and the Will of God are one.   W-pI.54.5:1-5

What thoughts do we consent to give power to? The thoughts to which we give our power determine the world we see and experience. What thoughts and beliefs do you consent allow on your inner altar? There thoughts and beliefs determine the world you see and experience. Let us be determined to see clearly the real world.

February 16, 2021

Lesson 47 –

God is the strength in which I trust.

Let me begin by saying that I firmly believe we each get the teachings of the Course in our own way. Our higher Holy Spirit Self interprets each idea in a way that makes these teachings very personal – adapted to our own experience. That said, my experience of the Course’ teachings is uniquely mine. My hope and prayer is that you will benefit from my understanding even while you are being guided to your own understanding through your journey.

The Course teaches us that we are all One, that we are all connected at the level of Spirit. The Course also teaches that we are all One with God, we are all of One Mind, the Mind of God. I like to refer to this connectedness as Oneness. For me, this discards the idea that God is “out there” somewhere away form us. This may be a stretch for you right now, but I ask you to be a little open to this idea. I do know and realize that if I rely on my own strength it is often inadequate. It just seems that I don’t have enough. When I rely only on myself for strength, I am relying on my own egoic thought system – that false identity made on the basis of my belief that I am separate from everyone and God. When I trust in this egoic separate strength, it is woefully lacking. However, when I trust in the strength of Oneness (God) the strength I tap into is all powerful. The lesson offers this:

If you are trusting in your own strength, you have every reason to be apprehensive, anxious and fearful. What can you predict or control? What is there in you that can be counted on? What would give you the ability to be aware of all the facets of any problem, and to resolve them in such a way that only good can come of it? What is there in you that gives you the recognition of the right solution, and the guarantee that it will be accomplished?   W-pI.47.1:1-5

The Course teaches us that we have all the strength we need. This strength is within us – meaning the collective us in Oneness. This strength is apparent when we are conscious of our connectedness in Oneness. The journey of the Course is the transformation of our awareness of who we really are in Oneness. It is a journey to reawaken the awareness of our holiness, our comopleteness, our strength. The journey brings us to the awareness of a deep peace and love that exist always within us whether or not we see it at any given moment. This lesson will help us reach past our own weakness to the Source of real strength. Try looking past the appearance of things that seem to make us weak to something deeper or higher that rings true to our higher consciousness.

Now try to slip past all concerns related to your own sense of inadequacy. It is obvious that any situation that causes you concern is associated with feelings of inadequacy, for otherwise you would believe that you could deal with the situation successfully. It is not by trusting yourself that you will gain confidence. But the strength of God in you is successful in all things.   W-pI.47.5:1-4

As you sit with this idea, try to reach into your mind to a place of real safety. You will recognize that you have reached it when you feel a sense of deep peace, however briefly. Let go of all the trivial things that churn and bubble on the surface of your mind, and reach beneath and beyond them to the Realm of Heaven, that place in you where there is perfect peace. This is a place in you where nothing is impossible. This is a place in you where the strength of Oneness abides. This is the real Self you are.

Remember that peace is our right, because we are giving our trust to the strength of Oneness within all of us. This peace, this strength, is our natural state of being. Nothing in this world can threaten that peace and strength when we join and rely on that Oneness.

February 9, 2021

Lesson 40 –

I am blessed as a Child of God.

As ones who have chosen to see and believe ourselves as separate and undeserving, we begin the process of learning to see ourselves differently – as we really are. We begin to open our minds to the idea that we are holy, that we are complete, that we are whole. This may seem very foreign to what we believe about ourselves. We can start by beginning to see ourselves as blessed. This is a place to begin. If we narrow our perception to just the present moment, we may begin to find a release, a freedom we may not have been aware of midst the chaos of the world. Right now, in this present moment, we have all we need. In this moment we are OK. In this instant we are perhaps willing to open just a little to new possibilities.

Why wouldn’t we be blessed? We are created by our Creator in that Creator’s image. Whatever name we use for our Creator – God, Oneness, Spirit – we are created in that  image. Could our Creator be something we don’t want to be like? Perhaps we have made an image that is less than holy and loving. Where did that image develop? We can take a new look and be open to having been mistaken. I remember years ago when I was struggling with the idea of a judgmental God and feeling like I was unworthy. One day amidst the backcountry of the Sierra Nevada I came to the realization that God could not be so unloving as to condemn God’s Creation. It just didn’t make any sense to me. From that moment on I felt a weight lifted from me. I began to open to all the blessings that flowed in my life. Kirtana, a singer/songwriter I love, wrote a song titled “Sweet Streams” that spoke to me. The message is that blessings are continuously coming our way and that only our denial and unwillingness to receive them keeps them away from us.

So, we begin to open ourselves to a few blessings. This lesson will start that process. We probably won’t be completely convinced this minute, but we need to start somewhere and begin to open to the change this attitude will bring. Today’s lesson begins thus:

Today we will begin to assert some of the happy things to which you are entitled, being what you are.   W-pI.40.1:1

The lesson tells us to think this idea often, very often. We welcome such happy thoughts and a bounty of blessings coming our way. Some may appear to be material, but the blessings that never stop giving are the formless ones. They bring love and peace, comfort and release. They put our minds at ease and allow us to rest. Take the time today to visit this idea often. The lesson says every 10 minutes, but as often as it occurs to us is sufficient.

I am blessed as a Child of God. I am blessed as a Child of Oneness. I am blessed as a spiritual being. I am blessed period!

Let this idea seep into your mind and find yourself abundantly blessed beyond all imagination. This is the awakening of our consciousness. This is reconnection with the Oneness we are. Let it be so – right now.

February 2, 2021

Lesson 33 –

There is another way of looking at the world.

The lessons and teachings of the Course are designed to help us correct the way we see the world, ourselves, and each other. We each see the world through the lens of our past experiences. Some we have been taught. Some we have deduced for ourselves to the best of our abilities at the time. I think we all have seen that no two people see the same event in the same way. Sometimes we wonder if this person was really at the same event we were at. The same is true in how we see – or perceive – the world. Our egoic thought system is incapable of looking at the world objectively with no prejudice or judgement. So, no matter how objectively we think we are seeing the world, there is always another way to see this world. The lessons are about learning to see the real world rather than the world we seem to see.

Today’s idea is an attempt to recognize that you can shift your perception of the world in both its outer and inner aspects.   W-pI.33.1:1

The Course tells us the world we see is an illusion. It is merely our own perception of what we see. Thus, we can change or reinterpret what we see. This idea can be daunting when we believe that what we think we see is real. Shifting our perception of the world is not a task meant to be undertaken alone. We may seem to be alone and separate in this world. Yet, even that is a mistaken idea. Whatever our spiritual beliefs, we are all connected with Spirit and each other on a higher spiritual level or level of consciousness, which I like to  call Oneness. We cannot be separated from this Oneness no matter what we believe about ourselves. Perhaps we can begin by just entertaining the idea that there is another way to see the world.

We begin by simply looking around us and considering this possibility about each thing we see. We are not expected to immediately see a transformed world, for that’s a giant leap from where we may be right now. Let yourself just keep an open mind to the possibility of this idea. We have all the time we need to make this journey. So, allow Spirit or Oneness to be your guide. This shift is done in steps customized to each one’s own needs and pace.

Be patient with yourself. We have begun this journey with a desire to see change in our perception and the world. The journey takes time. It is our own journey even as we share it with each other, too. When it appears upsetting, step away for a moment and take a breath or two. We are whole, we are complete, we are limitless, and we have all we need to remember our wholeness and holiness. We have each other’s support even if we can’t see it right now. Relax and allow yourself to be guided by the wisdom and light within that knows the Holy One you really are. Peace and Love are there within you waiting to be shared with all in Oneness.

January 26, 2021

Lesson 26 –

My attack thoughts are attacking my invulnerability.

The Course teaches us that we see and perceive ourselves according to the thoughts we think. No matter what the world looks like around us we perceive ourselves as either vulnerable or invulnerable. Our perception of ourselves determines how we experience our journey in this world. The real world is nothing but love and peace. And it cannot be threatened. Most of us would say that the world is threatening. How could this be if we are really whole, complete, and holy? How could this be if we are really unchangeable and invulnerable? The key lies in whether we are fearful of being attacked. What do we believe about who we are?

Because your attack thoughts will be projected, you will fear attack. And if you fear attack, you must believe that you are not invulnerable. Attack thoughts therefore make you vulnerable in your own mind, which is where the attack thoughts are. Attack thoughts and invulnerability cannot be accepted together. They contradict each other.   W-pI.26.2:1-5

We are learning the power of our thoughts and how they affect our perception, in this case, about ourselves. We cannot believe conflicting ideas about ourselves for they are incompatible. The truth about us, thought unchangeable, is blocked from our awareness when we believe anything that contradicts it. Truth knows we are invulnerable, so it takes a back seat and waits until we ae ready to believe or even entertain the truth about us. Though we may believe we are vulnerable to attack thoughts and fear attack, our higher Self knows better and refuses to attack us or force us into the insanity we would endure in our minds from these totally confliction thought systems. The Course explains it this way:

The idea for today introduces the thought that you always attack yourself first. If attack thoughts must entail the belief that you are vulnerable, their effect is to weaken you in your own eyes. Thus they have attacked your perception of yourself. And because you believe in them, you can no longer believe in yourself. A false image of yourself has come to take the place of what you are.   W-pI.26.3:1-5

Take a step away as you practice this lesson today. Set aside your beliefs just for a moment or two. We are beginning to learn how what we believe about ourselves and who we are affects our perception, and thus, our experience of the world we journey in and through. Be willing to entertain the thought that the fear of attack we feel may be founded on untrue beliefs about ourselves. Look up the lesson. Follow its direction for practice. Be open to the change it offers us. The truth is we are invulnerable and our attack thoughts affect only our awareness of our invulnerability. Relax and accept the awareness of the light within us the Course offers us. Remember, nothing real can be threatened and our true Self is certainly real.

January 19, 2021

Lesson 19 –

I am not alone in experiencing the effects of my thoughts.

The Course teaches us that our minds are joined – there is no separation in reality. Our bodies appear to indicate we are separate from each other, but our bodies are temporary, serving only to be used to help teach us we are not separate. Everything is connected. The Course puts it this way:

The idea for today is obviously the reason why your seeing does not affect you alone. You will notice that at times the ideas related to thinking precede those related to perceiving, while at other times the order is reversed. The reason is that the order does not matter. Thinking and its results are really simultaneous, for cause and effect are never separate.   W-pI.19.1:1-4

If we accept the idea that we are of one Mind, it follows that there are no private thoughts. This idea may seem to be impossible right now. Everything we have experienced until now supports the idea that our thoughts are only our own. This is not intended to make us feel afraid of our thoughts. They are only thoughts, after all. However, our thoughts do have an impact on our consciousness – our awareness of who we really are. And, the thoughts we believe will act as either a block to the awareness of our Oneness or will open our minds to this awareness instead.

Today we are again emphasizing the fact that minds are joined. This is rarely a wholly welcome idea at first, since it seems to carry with it an enormous sense of responsibility, and may even be regarded as an “invasion of privacy.” Yet it is a fact that there are no private thoughts. Despite your initial resistance to this idea, you will yet understand that it must be true if salvation is possible at all. And salvation must be possible because it is the Will of God.   W-pI.19.2:1-5

The purpose of this lesson is to begin to open ourselves to a new way of thinking. It also teaches us that our thoughts create a way of experiencing the world we perceive. I act differently in the world when I think thoughts of love and kindness than when I think thoughts of hate and attack. And each person I encounter will experience my actions according to my own thoughts, attitudes, and actions. At a higher level, we each experience another’s openness to joining according to each other’s thoughts.

The Course doesn’t expect us to instantly shift the way we think. That is what the practice  of the lessons is about. We have spent a lifetime learning to think the way we currently think. It will take time and practice to shift the way we think. The Course and Spirit will gently guide us as we allow. A little willingness is what is asked for and is all Spirit needs to begin to guide our thoughts to a more correct thought system. Be alert and observant. Our openness to learning will help us be successful. Our success is guaranteed for we will be returning to the awareness of who we really are and the awareness of the light of truth which is already within us. Turn to that light. The reality of love and peace will rise in our minds as we do. Let it be so.

January 12, 2021

Lesson 12 –

I am upset because I see a meaningless world.

The question that comes to my mind is, “Why do I see a meaningless world?” This is a very important question. It is at the root of our perception of the world and whether our perception of the world is even real. Another lesson teaches us that we have given our perception of the world all the meaning it has. Our perception of anything is the key to whether or not we see reality. The Course teaches us that there is only love in reality and anything perceived other than love is a mistaken perception or understanding. This seems absolutely impossible to our separated minds that see us as separate. This lesson puts it this way:

The importance of this idea lies in the fact that it contains a correction for a major perceptual distortion. You think that what upsets you is a frightening world, or a sad world, or a violent world, or an insane world. All these attributes are given it by you. The world is meaningless in itself.   W-pI.12.1:1-4

As we look around us and allow our thoughts to bring up what about the world we see upsets us, we might think we see a fearful world, a dangerous world, a hostile world, a sad world, a wicked world, a crazy world, or a number of other thoughts. We needn’t take any of these thoughts to heart, just observe them without judgement. Each of these thoughts is simply a perception of what we see. Positive ideas may also come to mind. Include them with the negative. Again, they are all simply perceptions and have no meaning in themselves.

What is meaningless is neither good nor bad. Why, then, should a meaningless world upset you? If you could accept the world as meaningless and let the truth be written upon it for you, it would make you indescribably happy. But because it is meaningless, you are impelled to write upon it what you would have it be. It is this you see in it. It is this that is meaningless in truth. Beneath your words is written the Word of Oneness. The truth upsets you now, but when your words have been erased, you will see Oneness’. That is the ultimate purpose of these exercises.   W-pI.12.5:1-9

The Course is teaching us to see differently – more clearly. The world is one of our learning devices. During this time we are having this human experience, we are learning to perceive correctly, correcting the mistaken way we have been perceiving everything. Be patient and allow the Spirit within to guide this change. We have the time we need, for that is the purpose of time. The world may appear insane to us right now. That’s OK. So, take a step away from it for a moment and allow Spirit to give us a new interpretation. Opening ourselves to the idea that the world is meaningless helps give us that permission. Our perception of the world will change. Perhaps in small steps. Perhaps a giant leap once in awhile. Spirit will never give us anything we can’t handle. Every experience, every situation is an opportunity to practice this shift. Relax and allow a change in thought to rise in your mind. This is a journey. Relax and see where it takes you.You are perfectly safe in the hands of Spirit and in Oneness.