Lesson 61 – I am the light of the world.

Commentary (full lesson beneath commentary)

In 2011, this is what I journaled for Lesson 61:  I am the light of the world.  I imagine God’s Heavenly Light streaming down from above, entering my crown chakra and pouring through me.  A three-dimensional light activates my pineal gland, then my spiritual eye, then my throat, heart, solar plexus, dan tien and root chakra.

This light looks like the chandeliers at the Metropolitan Opera House.  God gives them a spin with His Hand like twirling a dreidel and I alight from within.  I am lying on my back in supta baddha konasana and offer Him my hands and feet as well.  My palms and soles sparkle to life with diamond light energy.  I am alive.  I am activated.  I am the light of the world.  That is my only function here.  To shine with Love.  That is why I am here.

I also love how today’s lesson defines arrogance and humility.  The ego mistakes humility for self-debasement.  But true humility is to accept God’s assignment for us that we are the light of the world, the bringers of salvation through His Guidance.  How exciting to find out that Lesson 61 is the first of a number of giant steps we will take in the next few weeks!  We are the light of the world.

In 2015, this moment, it is known that Light, not the body, is true Identity.  “Light” is just a word that tries to describe the real state of Mind from which we spring.  The person does not even exist, not really.

Losing interest in the person is the greatest liberation.  I am the Light of the world.  This “I am” is not personal.  It is the first layer of identity, the first level of duality, the anandamaya kosha — the bliss sheath.  “I am” is the point at which we emerge from God to view God and experience God.  We have not yet chosen the ego.

“Am” is God-Self.  At this initial point of duality there is the ability to simply re-merge into “am.”  It happens naturally when the memory of God within stirs, rubs the sleep out of its eyes, and realizes it is the Light, not the person.  This is the culmination of undoing (salvation, forgiveness).  This is the right-minded outcome of following Inner Guidance (grace, Holy Spirit).

The Light of the world dispels all darkness and illusions.  In doing so, it reminds Itself it is the Light.  Aum.

LESSON 61

I am the light of the world.

Who is the light of the world except God’s Son?  This, then, is merely a statement of the truth about yourself.  It is the opposite of a statement of pride, of arrogance, or of self-deception.  It does not describe the self-concept you have made.  It does not refer to any of the characteristics with which you have endowed your idols.  It refers to you as you were created by God.  It simply states the truth.

To the ego, today’s idea is the epitome of self-glorification.  But the ego does not understand humility, mistaking it for self-debasement.  Humility consists of accepting your role in salvation and in taking no other.  It is not humility to insist you cannot be the light of the world if that is the function God assigned to you.  It is only arrogance that would assert this function cannot be for you, and arrogance is always of the ego.

True humility requires that you accept today’s idea because it is God’s 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.

You will want to think about this idea as often as possible today.  It is the perfect answer to all illusions, and therefore to all temptation.  It brings all the images you have made about yourself to the truth, and helps you depart in peace, unburdened and certain of your purpose.

As many practice periods as possible should be undertaken today, although each one need not exceed a minute or two.  They should begin with telling yourself:

I am the light of the world.  That is my only function.  That is why I am here.

Then think about these statements for a short while, preferably with your eyes closed if the situation permits.  Let a few related thoughts come to you, and repeat the idea to yourself if your mind wanders away from the central thought.

Be sure both to begin and end each day with a practice period.  Thus 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.  These two practice periods may be longer than the rest, if you find them helpful and want to extend them.

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.  God has built His plan for salvation of His Son on you.

Listen to You Are the Light of the World, a brief yet potent mindfulness exercise.  Let’s practice together!  Watch and hear Amy reading each ACIM Lesson on Youtube.  Also, check out Workin’ the Workbook, Amy’s online class which supports the ACIM Workbook practice.