11 Mar 2022 Comments Off on Lesson 70 – My salvation comes from me.

Lesson 70 – My salvation comes from me.

Commentary (full lesson beneath commentary)

All guilt is solely an invention of the ego mind.  The power of decision is my own — not “Amy’s” but the choosing ability that pre-dates ego mind.  This free will to choose, choose the memory of God within, rather than choosing the imaginary ego game of separation, is salvation.

Salvation is in the mind, right where God put it — salvation is the umbilical cord to the Self we’ve never left.  All we need do is walk through the clouds and into the Light.

Accept Jesus’ offer and take His hand … with both hands so temptation to hold onto insane dreams does not prevail.  His hand is really there, unlike all the ego’s idle fantasies.  “Then let the power of God work in you and through you, that His Will and yours be done.”

Body is only used for the Holy Spirit’s purpose now.  It is necessary to go to go through the clouds before reaching the light.  But cloud patterns cannot endure and have nothing truly of value.  Mouth smiles.  Heart opens.  Ego undone; clouds disappear when The Light has come.

LESSON 70

My salvation comes from me.

All temptation is nothing more than some form of the basic temptation not to believe the idea for today.  Salvation seems to come from anywhere except from you.  So, too, does the source of guilt.  You see neither guilt nor salvation as in your own mind and nowhere else.  When you realize that all guilt is solely an invention of your mind, you also realize that guilt and salvation must be in the same place.  In understanding this you are saved.

The seeming cost of accepting today’s idea is this:  It means that nothing outside yourself can save you; nothing outside yourself can give you peace.  But it also means that nothing outside yourself can hurt you, or disturb your peace or upset you in any way.

Today’s idea places you in charge of the universe, where you belong because of what you are.  This is not a role that can be partially accepted.  And you must surely begin to see that accepting it is salvation.

It may not, however, be clear to you why the recognition that guilt is in your own mind entails the realization that salvation is there as well.  God would not have put the remedy for the sickness where it cannot help.  That is the way your mind has worked, but hardly His.  He wants you to be healed, so He has kept the Source of healing where the need for healing lies.

You have tried to do just the opposite, making every attempt, however distorted and fantastic it might be, to separate healing from the sickness for which it was intended, and thus keep the sickness.  Your purpose was to ensure that healing did not occur.  God’s purpose was to ensure that it did.

Today we practice realizing that God’s Will and ours are really the same in this.  God wants us to be healed, and we do not really want to be sick, because it makes us unhappy.  Therefore, in accepting the idea for today, we are really in agreement with God.  He does not want us to be sick.  Neither do we.  He wants us to be healed.  So do we.

We are ready for two longer practice periods today, each of which should last some ten to fifteen minutes.  We will, however, still let you decide when to undertake them.  We will follow this practice for a number of lessons, and it would again be well to decide in advance when would be a good time to lay aside for each of them, and then adhering to your own decisions as closely as possible.

Begin these practice periods by repeating the idea for today, adding a statement signifying your recognition that salvation comes from nothing outside of you.  You might put it this way:

My salvation comes from me.  It cannot come from anywhere else.

Then devote a few minutes, with your eyes closed, to reviewing some of the external places where you have looked for salvation in the past;–in other people, in possessions, in various situations and events, and in self-concepts that you sought to make real.

Recognize that it is not there, and tell yourself:

My salvation cannot come from any of these things.  My salvation comes from me and only from me.

Now we will try again to reach the light in you, which is where your salvation is.  You cannot find it in the clouds that surround the light, and it is in them you have been looking for it.  It is not there.  It is past the clouds and in the light beyond.  Remember that you will have to go through the clouds before you can reach the light.  But remember also that you have never found anything in the cloud patterns you imagined that endured, or that you wanted.

Since all illusions of salvation have failed you, surely you do not want to remain in the clouds, looking vainly for idols there, when you could so easily walk on into the light of real salvation.  Try to pass the clouds by whatever means appeals to you.  If it helps you, think of me holding your hand and leading you.  And I assure you this will be no idle fantasy.

For the short and frequent practice periods today, remind yourself that you salvation comes from you, and nothing but your own thoughts can hamper your progress.  You are free from all external interference.  You are in charge of your salvation.  You are in charge of the salvation of the world.

Say, then:

My salvation comes from me.  Nothing outside of me can hold me back.  Within me is the world’s salvation and my own.

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.

by Amy Torres in Spiritual Psychotherapy, Thoughts on A Course in Miracles, Today's ACIM Lesson, Undoing the Ego, Unlearning Classroom, Workin' the Workbook Tags: My experience with the ACIM Workbook Lessons

10 Mar 2022 Comments Off on Lesson 69 – My grievances hide the light of the world in me.

Lesson 69 – My grievances hide the light of the world in me.

Commentary (full lesson beneath commentary)

The veil is lifted and the tears of God’s Son evaporate in the Light.  Clouds seem to be the only reality.  Yet, beyond the clouds is Light brighter than any celestial bodies.

Detach from the content that generally occupies consciousness … rise and expand … emerge from the binding limits of the ego and discover you are within a spacious freedom of Mind.

Lifted up and carried ahead, the wind at your back and your sails full of Spirit … God meets you here and carries you Home.

LESSON 69

My grievances hide the light of the world in me.

No one can look upon what your grievances conceal.  Because your grievances are hiding the light of the world in you, everyone stands in darkness, and you beside him.  But as the veil of your grievances is lifted, you are released with him.  Share your salvation now with him who stood beside you when you were in hell.  He is your brother in the light of the world that saves you both.

Today let us make another real attempt to reach the light in you.  Before we undertake this in our more extended practice period, let us devote several minutes to thinking about what we are trying to do.  We are literally attempting to get in touch with the salvation of the world.  We are trying to see past the veil of darkness that keeps it concealed.  We are trying to let the veil be lifted, and to see the tears of God’s Son disappear in the sunlight.

Let us begin our longer practice period today with the full realization that this is so, and with real determination to reach what is dearer to us than all else.  Salvation is our only need.  There is no other purpose here, and no other function to fulfill.  Learning salvation is our only goal.  Let us end the ancient search today by finding the light in us, and holding it up for everyone who searches with us to look upon and rejoice.

Very quietly now, with your eyes closed, try to let go of all the content that generally occupies your consciousness.  Think of your mind as a vast circle, surrounded by a layer of heavy, dark clouds.  You can see only the clouds because you seem to be standing outside the circle and quite apart from it.

From where you stand, you can see no reason to believe there is a brilliant light hidden by the clouds.  The clouds seem to be the only reality.  They seem to be all there is to see.  Therefore, you do not attempt to go through them and past them, which is the only way in which you would be really convinced of their lack of substance.  We will make this attempt today.

After you have thought about the importance of what you are trying to do for yourself and the world, try to settle down in perfect stillness, remembering only how much you want to reach the light in you,–now!  Determine to go past the clouds.  Reach out and touch them in your mind.  Brush them aside with your hand; feel them resting on your cheeks and forehead and eyelids as you go through them.  Go on; clouds cannot stop you.

If you are doing the exercises properly, you will begin to feel a sense of being lifted up and carried ahead.  Your little effort and small determination call on the power of the universe to help you, and God Himself will raise you from darkness into light.  You are in accord with His Will.  You cannot fail because your will is His.

Have confidence in your Father today, and be certain that He has heard you and answered you.  You may not recognize His answer yet, but you can indeed be sure that it is given you and you will yet receive it.  Try, as you attempt to go through the clouds to the light, to hold this confidence in your mind.  Try to remember that you are at last joining your will to God’s.  Try to keep the thought clearly in mind that what you undertake with God must succeed.  Then let the power of God work in you and through you, that His Will and yours be done.

In the shorter practice periods, which you will want to do as often as possible in view of the importance of today’s idea to you and your happiness, remind yourself that your grievances are hiding the light of the world from your awareness.

Remind yourself also that you are not searching for it alone, and that you do know where to look for it.  Say, then:

My grievances hide the light of the world in me.  I cannot see what I have hidden.  Yet I want to let it be revealed to me, for my salvation and the salvation of the world.

Also, be sure to tell yourself:

If I hold this grievance the light of the world will be hidden from me,

if you are tempted to hold anything against anyone today.

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.

by Amy Torres in Spiritual Psychotherapy, Thoughts on A Course in Miracles, Today's ACIM Lesson, Undoing the Ego, Unlearning Classroom, Workin' the Workbook Tags: My experience with the ACIM Workbook Lessons

09 Mar 2022 Comments Off on Lesson 68 – Love holds no grievances.

Lesson 68 – Love holds no grievances.

Commentary (full lesson beneath commentary)

This lesson makes me think of Lesson 23 which tells us there is no point in lamenting the world because it is merely an effect of our attack thoughts, our thirst for vengeance.  First, it says, we have to identify the cause of our attack thoughts (which is that we chose the ego as our teacher) and second, we have to let go of the ego.  Our fantasy images will be replaced the moment we let go–that is where the Holy Spirit steps in, because He’s been there all along.

Lesson 68 develops this theme, explaining “your Self seems to sleep, while the part of your mind that weaves illusions in its sleep appears to be awake.”  This idea literally awakens something in us that Knows Better.  That’s our Self 🙂

Lesson 68 goes on to say, “It is as sure that those who hold grievances will forget who they are, as it is certain that those who forgive will remember.”  Grievances are blocking the Self from my awareness.

Then the lesson advises that we try ” … to think of yourself as completely at peace with everyone and everything, safe in a world that protects you and loves you, and that you love in return.  Try to feel safety surrounding you, hovering over you and holding you up.  Try to believe, however briefly, that nothing can harm you in any way.”  Happy sigh, how relaxing, how liberating, how peaceful.

LESSON 68

Love holds no grievances.

You who were created by love 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 Him.  It makes you believe that He is like what you think you have become, for no one can conceive of his Creator as unlike himself.

Shut off from your Self, which remains aware of Its likeness to Its Creator, your Self seems to sleep, while the part of your mind that weaves illusions in its sleep appears to be awake.  Can all this arise from holding grievances?  Oh, yes!  For he who holds grievances denies he was created by love, and his Creator has become fearful to him in his dream of hate.  Who can dream of hatred and not fear God?

It is as sure that those who hold grievances will redefine God in their own image, as it is is certain that God created them like Himself, and defined them as part of Him.  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.

Would you not be willing to relinquish your grievances if you believed all this were so?  Perhaps you do not think you can let your grievances go.  That, however, is simply a matter of motivation.  Today we will try to find out how you would feel without them.  If you succeed even by ever so little, there will never be a problem in motivation ever again.

Begin today’s extended practice period by searching your mind for those against whom you hold what you regard as major grievances.  Some of these will be quite easy to find.  Then think of the seemingly minor grievances you hold against those you like and even think you love.  It will quickly become apparent that there is no one against whom you do not cherish grievances of some sort.  This has left you alone in all the universe in your perception of your yourself.

Determine now to see all these people as friends.  Say to them all, thinking of each one in turn as you do so:

I would see you as my friend, that I may remember you are part of me and come to know myself.

Spend the remainder of the practice period trying to think of yourself as completely at peace with everyone and everything, safe in a world that protects you and loves you, and that you love in return.  Try to feel safety surrounding you, hovering over you and holding you up.  Try to believe, however briefly, that nothing can harm you in any way.  At the end of the practice period tell yourself:

Love holds no grievances.  When I let all my grievances go I will know I am perfectly safe.

The short practice periods should include a quick application of today’s idea in this form, whenever any thought of grievance arises against anyone, physically present or not:

Love holds no grievances.  Let me not betray my Self.

In addition, repeat the idea several times an hour in this form:

Love holds no grievances.  I would wake to my Self by laying all my grievances aside and wakening in Him.

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.

by Amy Torres in Spiritual Psychotherapy, Thoughts on A Course in Miracles, Today's ACIM Lesson, Undoing the Ego, Unlearning Classroom, Workin' the Workbook Tags: My experience with the ACIM Workbook Lessons

08 Mar 2022 Comments Off on Lesson 67 – Love created me like itself.

Lesson 67 – Love created me like itself.

Commentary (full lesson beneath commentary)

Peacefulness created me peaceful.
Wholeness created me whole.
Innocence created me innocent.
Loveliness created me lovely.
Lovingness created me loving.
Love created me loveable.
Truth created me true.
Eternity created me eternal.
Infinity created me infinite.
Oneness created me Sonshipness.
Joyfulness created me joyous.
Health created me healthy.
Alignment created me aligned.
Perfection created me perfect.
Holiness created me holy moly!
This is so much fun I could do it all day 🙂

LESSON 67

Love created me like itself.

Today’s idea is a complete and accurate statement of what you are.  This is why you are the light of the world.  This is why God appointed you as the world’s savior.  This is why the Son of God looks to you for his salvation.  He is saved by what you are.  We will make every effort today to reach this truth about you, and to realize fully, if only for a moment, that it is the truth.

In the longer practice period, we will think about your reality and its wholly unchanged and unchangeable nature.  We will begin by repeating this truth about you, and then spend a few minutes adding some relevant thoughts, such as:

Holiness created me holy.
Kindness created me kind.
Helpfulness created me helpful.
Perfection created me perfect.

Any attribute which is in accord with God as He defines Himself is appropriate for use.  We are trying today to undo your definition of God and replace it with His Own.  We are also trying to emphasize that you are part of His definition of Himself.

After you have gone over several such related thoughts, try to let all thoughts drop away for a brief preparatory interval, and then try to reach past all your images and preconceptions about yourself to the truth in you.  If love created you like itself, this Self must be in you.  And somewhere in your mind It is there for you to find.

You may find it necessary to repeat the idea for today from time to time to replace distracting thoughts.  You may also find that this is not sufficient, and that you need to continue adding other thoughts related to the truth about yourself.  Yet perhaps you will succeed in going past that, and through the interval of thoughtlessness to the awareness of a blazing light in which you recognize yourself as love created you.  Be confident that you will do much today to bring that awareness nearer, whether you feel you have succeeded or not.

It will be particularly helpful today to practice the idea for the day as often as you can.  You need to hear the truth about yourself as frequently as possible, because your mind is so preoccupied with false self-images.  Four or five times an hour, and perhaps even more, it would be most beneficial to remind yourself that love created you like itself.  Hear the truth about yourself in this.

Try to realize in the shorter practice periods that this is not your tiny, solitary voice that tells you this.  This is the Voice for God, reminding you of your Father and of your Self.  This is the Voice of truth, replacing everything that the ego tells you about yourself with  the simple truth about the Son of God.  You were created by love like itself.

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.

by Amy Torres in Spiritual Psychotherapy, Thoughts on A Course in Miracles, Today's ACIM Lesson, Undoing the Ego, Unlearning Classroom, Workin' the Workbook Tags: My experience with the ACIM Workbook Lessons

07 Mar 2022 Comments Off on Lesson 66 – My happiness and my function are one.

Lesson 66 – My happiness and my function are one.

Commentary (full lesson beneath commentary)

First premise: God gives us only happiness.  Second premise: God has given us our function.

Happiness and forgiveness are the same content in different forms.  The Love of God is the Love of God.  We are asked for great honesty today.  We are told, “You will listen to madness or hear the truth.”  Great honesty uncovers Truth.

Today we stride swiftly toward understanding that the same is the same and the Truth is True.  The truth of Lesson 66 rolls through in sweeping tingling waves of expansion.  The ego tries to tighten me up, but choosing God’s plan for salvation takes “me” out of the equation allowing the Holy Spirit to undo undue fear, revealing Love.

The only meaningful use of time is to “go past this wholly meaningless battle and arrive at the truth about your function.  We will not engage in senseless arguments about what it is.”

LESSON 66

My happiness and my function are one.

You have surely noticed an emphasis throughout our recent lessons on the connection between fulfilling your function and achieving happiness.  This is because you do not really see the connection.  Yet there is more than just a connection; they are the same.  Their forms are different, but their content is completely one.

The ego does constant battle with the Holy Spirit on the fundamental question of what your function is.  So does it do constant battle with the Holy Spirit about what your happiness is.  It is not a two-way battle.  The ego attacks and the Holy Spirit does not respond.  He knows what your function is.  He knows that it is your happiness.

Today we will try to go past this wholly meaningless battle and arrive at the truth about your function.  We will not engage in senseless arguments about what it is.  We will not become hopelessly  involved in defining happiness and determining the means for achieving it.  We will not indulge the ego by listening to its attacks on truth.  We will merely be glad that we can find out what truth is.

Our longer practice today has as its purpose your acceptance of the fact that not only is there a very real connection between the function God gave you and your happiness, but that they are actually identical.  God gives you only happiness.  Therefore, the function He gave you must be happiness, even if it appears to be different.  Today’s exercises are an attempt to go beyond these differences in appearance, and recognize a common content where it exists in truth.

Begin the ten-to-fifteen-minute practice period by reviewing these thoughts:

God gives me only happiness.
He has given my function to  me.
Therefore my function must be happiness.

Try to see the logic in this sequence, even if you do not yet accept the conclusion.  It is only if the first two thoughts are wrong that the conclusion could be false.  Let us, then, think about the premises for a while, as we are practicing.

The first premise is that God gives you only happiness.  This could be false, of course, but in order to be false it is necessary to define God as something He is not.  Love cannot give evil, and what is not happiness is evil.  God cannot give what he does not have, and He cannot have what He is not.  Unless God gives you only happiness, He must be evil.  And it is this definition of Him you are believing if you do not accept the first premise.

The second premise is that God has given you your function.  We have seen that there are only two parts of your mind.  One is ruled by the ego, and is made up of illusions.  The other is the home of the Holy Spirit, where truth abides.  There are no other guides but these to choose between, and no other outcomes possible as a result of your choice but the fear that the ego always engenders, and the love that the Holy Spirit always offers to replace it.

Thus, it must be that your function is established by God through His Voice, or is made by the ego which you have made to replace Him.  Which is true?  Unless God gave your function to you, it must be the gift of the ego.  Does the ego really have gifts to give, being itself an illusion and offering only the illusion of gifts?

Think about this during the longer practice period today.  Think also about the many forms the illusion of your function has taken in your mind, and the many ways in which you tried to find salvation under the ego’s guidance.  Did you find it?  Were you happy?  Did they bring you peace?  We need great honesty today.  Remember the outcomes fairly, and consider also whether it was ever reasonable to expect happiness from anything the ego ever proposed.  Yet the ego is the only alternative to the Holy Spirit’s Voice.

You will listen to madness or hear the truth.  Try to make this choice as you think about the premises on which our conclusion rests.  We can share in this conclusion, but in no other.  For God Himself shares it with us.  Today’s idea is another giant stride in the perception of the same as the same, and the different as the different.  On one side stand all illusions.  All truth stands on the other.  Let us try today to realize that only the truth is true.

In the shorter practice periods, which would be most helpful today if undertaken twice an hour, this form of the application is suggested:

My happiness and function are one, because God has given me both.

It will not take more than a minute, and probably less, to repeat these words slowly and think about them a little while as you say them.

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.

by Amy Torres in Spiritual Psychotherapy, Thoughts on A Course in Miracles, Today's ACIM Lesson, Undoing the Ego, Unlearning Classroom, Workin' the Workbook Tags: My experience with the ACIM Workbook Lessons

06 Mar 2022 Comments Off on Lesson 65 – My only function is the one God gave me.

Lesson 65 – My only function is the one God gave me.

Commentary (full lesson beneath commentary)

We are clearing the mind to make it a clean slate on which our true function is written for us.  Our true function is forgiveness as the light of the world.  Let us forgive and be happy.  We are learning to recognize the means for letting forgiveness be done through us.  No other purpose can bring me greater happiness.

Let me not substitute my function for God’s–let me not wander into temptation.  It is a long and winding road that wastes time with idle thoughts.  My only function is the one God gave me.  I want no other and have no other.  Forgiveness is my function as the light of the world.  Forgiveness and happiness are the same.  Forgiveness = happiness.  “The light that belongs to you is the light of joy.” And “Joy calls forth an integrated willingness to share it, and promotes the mind’s natural impulse to respond as one.” (T-5,Intro:4&6) 

First I recognize that salvation is my function, and then I relinquish all other goals I have invented for myself.  This will lead to peace of mind.  Salvation, my function, forgiveness–they are all the same.  They are all the change of mind that undoes “me” and and then “I” am revelation-ready.

“Salvation is nothing more than ‘right-mindedness,’ which is not the One-mindedness of the Holy Spirit, but which must be achieved before One-Mindedness is restored.” (T-4.II.10:1)  “This is the gift by which God leans to us and lifts us up, taking salvation’s final step Himself.” (W-168)

LESSON 65

My only function is the one God gave me.

The idea for today reaffirms your commitment to salvation.  It also reminds you that you have no other function than that.  Both these thoughts are obviously necessary for a total commitment.  Salvation cannot be the only purpose you hold while you still cherish others.  The full acceptance of salvation as your only function necessarily entails two phases; the recognition of salvation as your function, and the relinquishment of all the other goals you have invented for yourself.

This is the only way in which you can take your rightful place among the saviors of the world.  This is the only way in which you can say and mean, “My only function is the one God gave me.”  This is the only way in which you can find peace of mind.

Today, and for a number of days to follow, set aside ten to fifteen minutes for a more sustained practice period, in which you try to understand and accept what the idea for today really means.  Today’s idea offers you escape from all your perceived difficulties.  It places the key to the door of peace, which you have closed upon yourself, in your own hands.  It gives you the answer to all the searching you have done since time began.

Try, if possible, to undertake the daily extended practice periods at approximately the same time each day.  Try, also, to determine this time in advance, and then adhere to it as closely as possible.  The purpose of this is to arrange your day so that you have set apart the time for God, as well as for all the trivial  purposes and goals you will pursue.  This is part of the long-range disciplinary training your mind needs, so that the Holy Spirit can use it consistently for the purpose He shares with you.

For the longer practice period, begin by reviewing the idea for the day.  Then close your eyes, repeat the idea to yourself once again, and watch your mind carefully to catch whatever thoughts cross it.  At first, make no attempt to concentrate only on thoughts related to the idea for the day.  Rather, try to uncover each thought that arises to interfere with it.  Note each one as it comes to you, with as little involvement or concern as possible, dismissing each one by telling yourself:

This thought reflects a goal that is preventing me from accepting my only function.

After a while, interfering thoughts will become harder to find.  Try, however, to continue a minute or so longer, attempting to catch a few of the idle thoughts that escaped your attention before, but do not strain or make undue effort in doing this.  Then tell yourself:

On this clean slate let my true function be written for me.

You need not use these exact words, but try to get the sense of being willing to have your illusions of purpose be replaced by truth.

Finally, repeat the idea for today once more, and devote the rest of the practice period to trying to focus on its importance to you, the relief its acceptance will bring you by resolving your conflicts once and for all, and the extent to which you really want salvation in spite of your own foolish ideas to the contrary.

In the shorter practice periods, which should be undertaken at least once an hour, use this form in applying today’s idea:

My only function is the one God gave me.  I want no other and I have no other.

Sometimes close your eyes as you practice this, and sometimes keep them open and look about you.  It is what you see now that will be totally changed when you accept today’s idea completely.

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.

by Amy Torres in Spiritual Psychotherapy, Thoughts on A Course in Miracles, Today's ACIM Lesson, Undoing the Ego, Unlearning Classroom, Workin' the Workbook Tags: My experience with the ACIM Workbook Lessons

05 Mar 2022 Comments Off on Lesson 64 – Let me not forget my function.

Lesson 64 – Let me not forget my function.

Commentary (full lesson beneath commentary)

Let me not wander into temptation, let me not forget my function.  Today we focus on all related thoughts to strengthen and reinforce today’s idea:  The purpose of the body is to tempt me to forget God.  The Holy Spirit saves me by using all physical temptation for the spiritual recognition of our True Identity.

Choosing to fulfill my function is choosing to be happy.  My function is forgiveness.  Forgiveness brings the darkness to the Light.  The Light of the world brings peace to every mind through my forgiveness.  God has appointed “me” to save the world and my brothers by accepting salvation for myself.  I am God’s conduit for salvation.  Opening as a conduit reminds me that I am the Light and then the vortex shifts from horizontal to vertical.

The body which seems to be “me”  is the classroom where I seem to receive God’s direction for now.  All correction is actually happening in my mind, but it’s okay for me to experience mind expansion, relaxation, release of fear, peace, strengthened conviction, confidence in Reality through signs in my body.  This is the awakening process in time.  Waking itself will erase all time and answer all questions which ultimately need no answers.

It is a simple decision:

Let me not forget my function … forgiveness lets me recognize light, accept light, shine light, and bring darkness to light …
Let me not try to substitute mine for God’s … my function is Self-serving and salvation serves me and all my brothers.
Let me forgive and be happy … choosing forgiveness brings me happiness–it’s that simple and that easy … let me forgive and be happy.

LESSON 64

Let me not forget my function.

Today’s idea is merely another way of saying “Let me not wander into temptation.”  The purpose of the world you see is to obscure your function of forgiveness, and provide you with a justification for forgetting it.  It is the temptation to abandon God and His Son by taking on a physical appearance.  It is this the body’s eyes look upon.

Nothing the body’s eyes seem to see can be anything but a form of temptation, since this was the purpose of the body itself.  Yet we have learned that the Holy Spirit has another use for all the illusions you have made, and therefore He sees another purpose in them.  To the Holy Spirit, the world is a place where you learn to forgive yourself what you think of as your sins.  In this perception, the physical appearance of temptation becomes the spiritual recognition of salvation.

To review our last few lessons, your function here is to be the light of the world, a function given you by God.  It is only the arrogance of the ego that leads you to question this, and only the fear of the ego that induces you to regard yourself as unworthy of the task assigned to you by God Himself.  The world’s salvation awaits your forgiveness, because through it does the Son of God escape from all illusions, and thus from all temptation.  The Son of God is you.

Only by fulfilling the function given you by God will you be happy.  That is because your function is to be happy by using the means by which happiness becomes inevitable.  There is no other way.  Therefore, every time you choose whether or not to fulfill your function, you are really choosing whether or not to be happy.

Let us remember this today.  Let us remind ourselves of it in the morning and again at night, and all through the day as well.  Prepare yourself in advance for all the decisions you will make today by remembering they are all really very simple.  Each one will lead to happiness or unhappiness.  Can such a simple decision really be difficult to make?  Let not the form of the decision deceive you.  Complexity of form does not imply complexity of content.  It is impossible that any decision on earth can have a content different from just this one simple choice.  That is the only choice the Holy Spirit sees.  Therefore it is the only choice there is.

Today, then, let us practice with these thoughts:

Let me not forget my function.
Let me not try to substitute mine for God’s.
Let me forgive and be happy.

At least once devote ten or fifteen minutes today to reflecting on this with closed eyes.  Related thoughts will come to help you, if you remember the crucial importance of your function to you and to the world.

In the frequent applications of today’s idea throughout the day, devote several minutes to reviewing these thoughts, and then thinking about them and about nothing else.  This will be difficult, at first particularly, since you are not proficient in the mind discipline that it requires.  You may need to repeat “Let me not forget my function” quite often to help you concentrate.

Two forms of shorter practice periods are required.  At times, do the exercises with your eyes closed, trying to concentrate on the thoughts you are using.  At other times, keep your eyes open after reviewing the thoughts, and then look slowly and unselectively around you, telling yourself:

This is the world it is my function to save.

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.

by Amy Torres in Spiritual Psychotherapy, Thoughts on A Course in Miracles, Today's ACIM Lesson, Undoing the Ego, Unlearning Classroom, Workin' the Workbook Tags: My experience with the ACIM Workbook Lessons

04 Mar 2022 Comments Off on Lesson 63 – The light of the world brings peace to every mind through my forgiveness.

Lesson 63 – The light of the world brings peace to every mind through my forgiveness.

Commentary (full lesson beneath commentary)

If salvation is accepted, salvation is given.  What seems like many minds boils down to one ego thought appearing in countless shapes and forms.  God’s Son is the One Self.  Salvation saves the One Self, which is Itself, from continuing delusional belief in an illusory idea that there could be an identity other than God, by unraveling that idea and discovering it has no Source.

The light of the world brings peace to every mind through my forgiveness.  This “my” becomes completely impersonal as the importance of Lesson 63 is embraced.  In accepting Light, darkness is dissolved, and happiness blossoms effortlessly.  Forgiveness lays all concepts at the feet of Truth.  Having given self-concept to  Self, there is nothing but uncluttered space and loving laughter.  Life is a bowl of cherries!

LESSON 63

The light of the world brings peace to every mind through my forgiveness.

How holy are you who have the power to bring peace to every mind!  How blessed are you who can learn to recognize the means for letting this be done through you!  What purpose could you have that would bring you greater happiness?

You are indeed the light of the world with such a function.  The Son of God looks to you for his redemption.  It is yours to give him, for it belongs to you.  Accept no trivial purpose or meaningless desire in its place, or you will forget your function and leave the Son of God in hell.  This is no idle request that is being asked of you.  You are being asked to accept salvation that it may be yours to give.

Recognizing the importance of this function, we will be happy to remember it very often today.  We will begin the day by acknowledging it, and close the day with the thought of it in our awareness.  And throughout the day we will repeat this as often as we can:

The light of the world brings peace to every mind through my forgiveness.   I am the means God has appointed for the salvation of the world.

If you close your eyes, you will probably find it easier to let the related thoughts come to you in the minute or two that you should devote to considering this.  Do not, however, wait for such an opportunity.  No chance should be lost for reinforcing today’s idea.  Remember that God’s Son looks to you for his salvation.  And Who but your Self must be His Son?

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.

by Amy Torres in Spiritual Psychotherapy, Thoughts on A Course in Miracles, Today's ACIM Lesson, Undoing the Ego, Unlearning Classroom, Workin' the Workbook Tags: My experience with the ACIM Workbook Lessons

03 Mar 2022 Comments Off on Lesson 62 – Forgiveness is my function as the light of the world.

Lesson 62 – Forgiveness is my function as the light of the world.

Commentary (full lesson beneath commentary)

Forgiveness and salvation are two ways of saying undoing.  Undoing darkness produces Light.  Giving darkness to the Holy Spirit is my function.  It is an uncluttering of the mind.  Uncluttering the mind leads to spacious unknowing.  Not knowing anything is happiness.  So very simple.

LESSON 62

Forgiveness is my function as the light of the world.

It is your forgiveness that will bring the world of darkness to the light.  It is your forgiveness that lets you recognize the light in which you see.  Forgiveness is the demonstration that you are the light of the world.  Through your forgiveness does the truth about yourself return to your memory.  Therefore, in your forgiveness lies your salvation.

Illusions about yourself and the world are one.  That is why all forgiveness is a gift to yourself.  Your goal is to find out who you are, having denied your Identity by attacking creation and its Creator.  Now you are learning how to remember the truth.  For this attack must be replaced by forgiveness, so that thoughts of life may replace thoughts of death.

Remember that in every attack you call upon your own weakness, while each time you forgive you call upon the strength of Christ in you.  Do you not then begin to understand what forgiveness will do for you?  It will remove all sense of weakness, strain and fatigue from your mind.  It will take away all fear and guilt and pain.  It will restore the invulnerability and power God gave His Son to your awareness.

Let us be glad to begin and end this day by practicing today’s idea, and to use it as frequently as possible throughout the day.  It will help to make the day as happy for you as God wants you to be.  And it will help those around you, as well as those who seem to be far away in space and time, to share this happiness with you.

As often as you can, closing your eyes if possible, say to yourself today:

Forgiveness is my function as the light of the world.
I would fulfill my function that I may be happy.

Then devote a minute or two to considering your function and the happiness and release it will bring you.  Let related thoughts come freely, for your heart will recognize these words, and in your mind is the awareness they are true.  Should your attention wander, repeat the idea and add:

I would remember this because I want to be happy.

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.

by Amy Torres in Spiritual Psychotherapy, Thoughts on A Course in Miracles, Today's ACIM Lesson, Undoing the Ego, Unlearning Classroom, Workin' the Workbook Tags: My experience with the ACIM Workbook Lessons

02 Mar 2022 Comments Off on Lesson 61 – I am the light of the world.

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.

by Amy Torres in Spiritual Psychotherapy, Thoughts on A Course in Miracles, Today's ACIM Lesson, Undoing the Ego, Unlearning Classroom, Workin' the Workbook Tags: My experience with the ACIM Workbook Lessons