Lesson 57 – Review of Lessons 31-35

Commentary (full lesson beneath commentary)

“I am not the victim of the world I see” is potent for me.  The metaphor of prison speaks to me.  I remember loving the movie The Shawshank Redemption because I related to Morgan Freeman’s character, Red, who called himself  an “institutional man.”

He understood that life inside the prison felt safe for him, and he was deeply afraid to face life on the outside.  Only because he had a friend who gave him another destination did he have the courage to walk into the freedom which was rightfully his.

My chains are loosened, says Jesus.  I can drop them off merely by desiring to do so … and I do so desire ….

The door is open and I can simply walk out!  Just walk through the door … give up insane wishes … and walk into the Light!

LESSON 57

Today let us review these ideas:

1.  (31)  I am not the victim of the world I see.

How can I be the victim of a world that can be completely undone if I so choose?  My chains are loosened.  I can drop them off merely by desiring to do so.  The prison door is open.  I can leave simply by walking out.  Nothing holds me in this world.  Only my wish to stay keeps me a prisoner.  I would give up my insane wishes and walk into the sunlight at last.

2.  (32)  I have invented the world I see.

I made up the prison in which I see myself.  All I need do is recognize this and I am free.  I have deluded myself into believing it is possible to imprison the Son of God.  I was bitterly mistaken in this belief, which I no longer want.  The Son of God must be forever free.  He is as God created him, and not what I would make of him.  He is where God would have him be, and not where I thought to hold him prisoner.

3.  (33)  There is another way of looking at the world.

Since the purpose of the world is not the one I ascribed to it, there must be another way of looking at it.  I see everything upside down, and my thoughts are the opposite of truth.  I see the world as a prison for God’s Son.  It must be, then, that the world is really a place where he can be set free.  I would look upon the world as it is, and see it as a place where the Son of God finds his freedom.

4.  (34)  I could see peace instead of this.

When I see the world as a place of freedom, I realize that it reflects the laws of God instead of the rules I made up for it to obey.  I will understand that peace, not war, abides in it.  And I will perceive that peace also abides in the hearts of all who share this place with me.

5.  (35)  My mind is part of God’s.  I am very holy.

As I share the peace of the world with my brothers, I begin to understand that this peace comes from deep within myself.  The world I look upon has taken on the light of my forgiveness, and shines forgiveness back at me.  In this light I begin to see what my illusions about myself kept hidden.  I begin to understand the holiness of all living things, including myself, and their oneness with me.

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.