Lesson 40 – I am blessed as a Son of God.

Commentary (full lesson beneath commentary)

In Lesson 40 we are instructed to repeat the central idea, “I am blessed as a Son of God,” every 10 minutes, a form of  mindfulness.  I think of mindfulness as good self talk.

Good self talk is an internal process — a way of thinking.  Most of us have an ongoing mental stream of self-criticism or discontent with others.  We don’t even know there is another way to think.

On the human level, good self talk is kind, encouraging, comforting and loving.  The results include increased confidence, calm and empathy.  I first came across it in yoga during savasana, the deep relaxation at the end of the asana practice.  My teacher, Dharma Mittra, guided us to express gratitude to our organs, like so, “Thank you, heart.  Thank you, kidneys.  Thank you, liver.  Thank you, stomach.”

This was completely novel to me, and my heart embraced loving myself and the greater Intelligence that made the body work.  Spontaneously, I felt more connected to myself and something Greater as well.

Jesus tells us, in Lesson 40, that we are going to begin to assert some of the happy things to which we are entitled, “being what you are.”  Because we are Happy, Peaceful, Love, Contentment, Calm, Quiet, Assured, Confident, we are to remind ourselves of this Fact every 10 minutes.  We are not talking ourselves into trying to believe that we are Happy, Peaceful, etc.  We are shifting our attention from the ego to the Truth.

Then, we are invited to add attributes we associate with being a Son of God to this list.  Sometimes I like to think of “Son” as “Sun” because it follows naturally that I am an extension of God’s Loving Light.  I am one of God’s Great Rays.  I am Radiant, I am Innocence, I am Whole, I am Safe, I am Fearless, I am Relaxed, I am Luminous Love.

“I am blessed as a Son of God. I am innocent, fearless, Whole. I am fulfilled, nourished, radiant with Purpose.” Often I figure out my attributes by noticing what I don’t want: I don’t want to be hungry, I don’t want to be driven by body needs, I don’t want to have body pain, I don’t want to make demands on others, I don’t want to have expectations of others, I don’t want others to suffer, etc.

Then I translate: I am full with the Love of God. I am formless, changeless, Spirit. I am whole and free. I am at peace, fulfilled, content. I need nothing because I am that I am.  I am relaxed, happy, at peace, filled with purpose, filled with love.  Therefore, we are all Whole, Unified, at Peace and Joyful.

Lesson 40 is a potent, uplifting lesson.  Jesus tells us that this exercise is possible to practice “quite well under any circumstances, if you really want to.”  This means that I can say it in my mind while talking on the phone, working with clients, teaching students, interacting with shop keepers, driving, etc.

How beautiful to be looking at another and saying to myself, “I am blessed as a Son of God.  Therefore you are blessed as a Son of God.  We are happy, peaceful, unified, innocent, fearless, content.”  If you’d like to practice together, click here for my mindfulness MP3s.

LESSON 40

I am blessed as a Son of God.

Today we will begin to assert some of the happy things to which you are entitled, being what you are.  No long practice periods are required today, but very frequent short ones are necessary.  Once every ten minutes would be desirable, and you are urged to attempt this schedule and to adhere to it whenever possible.  If you forget, try again.  If there are long interruptions, try again.  Whenever you remember, try again.

You need not close your eyes for the exercise periods, although you will probably find it more helpful if you do.  However, you may be in a number of situations during the day when closing your eyes would not be feasible.  Do not miss a practice period because of this.  You can practice quite well under any circumstances, if you really want to.

Today’s exercises take little time and no effort.  Repeat the idea for today, and then add several of the attributes you associate with being a Son of God, applying them to yourself.  One practice period might, for example, consist of the following:

I am blessed as a Son of God.
I am happy, peaceful, loving and contented.

Another might take this form:

I am blessed as a Son of God.
I am calm, quiet, assured and confident.

If only a brief period is available, merely telling yourself that you are blessed as a Son of God will do.

Let’s practice together!  Watch and listen to Amy reading each ACIM Lesson on Youtube.  Also, check out Workin’ the Workbook, Amy’s online class which supports the ACIM Workbook practice.