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ACIM Workbook - Lesson 134 (view source)
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Let me perceive forgiveness as it is.
Let me [[perceive]] [[forgiveness]] as it is.
Let us review the meaning of "forgive," for it is apt to be distorted and to be
Let us review the [[meaning]] of "forgive," for it is apt to be [[distorted]] and to be
perceived as something that entails an unfair sacrifice of righteous wrath, a
perceived as something that entails an unfair [[sacrifice]] of righteous [[wrath]], a
gift unjustified and undeserved, and a complete denial of the truth. In such a
gift unjustified and undeserved, and a complete [[denial]] of the [[truth]]. In such a
view, forgiveness must be seen as mere eccentric folly, and this course
view, forgiveness must be seen as mere eccentric [[folly]], and [[ACIM|this course]]
appear to rest salvation on a whim.
appear to rest salvation on a whim.
This twisted view of what forgiveness means is easily corrected, when you
This twisted view of what forgiveness means is easily [[corrected]], when you
can accept the fact that pardon is not asked for what is true. It must be
can [[accept]] the [[fact]] that [[pardon]] is not asked for what is true. It must be
limited to what is false. It is irrelevant to everything except illusions. Truth
limited to what is [[false]]. It is irrelevant to everything except [[illusions]]. Truth
is God's creation, and to pardon that is meaningless. All truth belongs to
is God's [[creation]], and to pardon that is meaningless. All truth belongs to
Him, reflects His laws and radiates His Love. Does this need pardon? How
Him, [[reflects]] His laws and [[radiates]] [[His Love]]. Does this need pardon? How
can you forgive the sinless and eternally benign?
can you forgive the sinless and eternally benign?
The major difficulty that you find in genuine forgiveness on your part is that
The major difficulty that you find in genuine forgiveness on your part is that
you still believe you must forgive the truth, and not illusions. You conceive
you still [[believe]] you must forgive the truth, and not illusions. You [[conceive]]
of pardon as a vain attempt to look past what is there; to overlook the truth,
of pardon as a vain attempt to look past what is there; to overlook the truth,
in an unfounded effort to deceive yourself by making an illusion true. This
in an unfounded effort to [[deceive]] yourself by making an illusion true. This
twisted viewpoint but reflects the hold that the idea of sin retains as yet
twisted [[viewpoint]] but [[reflects]] the hold that the idea of sin retains as yet
upon your mind, as you regard yourself.
upon [[your mind]], as you regard yourself.
Because you think your sins are real, you look on pardon as deception. For
Because you think your sins are real, you look on [[pardon]] as [[deception]]. For
it is impossible to think of sin as true and not believe forgiveness is a lie.
it is impossible to think of [[sin]] as true and not believe forgiveness is a [[lie]].
Thus is forgiveness really but a sin, like all the rest. It says the truth is false,
Thus is forgiveness really but a sin, like all the rest. It says the truth is false,
and smiles on the corrupt as if they were as blameless as the grass; as white
and [[smiles]] on the [[corrupt]] as if they were as blameless as the grass; as white
as snow. It is delusional in what it thinks it can accomplish. It would see as
as snow. It is [[delusional]] in what it thinks it can accomplish. It would see as
right the plainly wrong; the loathsome as the good.
right the plainly wrong; the loathsome as the [[good]].
Pardon is no escape in such a view. It merely is a further sign that sin is
Pardon is no [[escape]] in such a view. It merely is a further [[sign]] that sin is
unforgivable, at best to be concealed, denied or called another name, for
unforgivable, at best to be [[concealed]], denied or called another name, for
pardon is a treachery to truth. Guilt cannot be forgiven. If you sin, your guilt
pardon is a [[treachery]] to truth. [[Guilt]] cannot be forgiven. If you sin, your guilt
is everlasting. Those who are forgiven from the view their sins are real are
is everlasting. Those who are forgiven from the view their sins are real are
pitifully mocked and twice condemned; first, by themselves for what they
pitifully mocked and twice [[condemned]]; first, by themselves for what they
think they did, and once again by those who pardon them.
think they did, and once again by those who pardon them.
It is sin's unreality that makes forgiveness natural and wholly sane, a deep
It is sin's unreality that makes [[forgiveness]] natural and wholly sane, a deep
relief to those who offer it; a quiet blessing where it is received. It does not
relief to those who offer it; a [[quiet]] [[blessing]] where it is received. It does not
countenance illusions, but collects them lightly, with a little laugh, and
countenance [[illusions]], but collects them lightly, with a little [[laugh]], and
gently lays them at the feet of truth. And there they disappear entirely.
gently lays them at the feet of truth. And there they disappear entirely.
Forgiveness is the only thing that stands for truth in the illusions of the
[[Forgiveness]] is the only thing that stands for truth in the illusions of the
world. It sees their nothingness, and looks straight through the thousand
world. It sees their nothingness, and looks straight through the thousand
forms in which they may appear. It looks on lies, but it is not deceived. It
[[forms]] in which they may appear. It looks on [[lies]], but it is not [[deceived]]. It
does not heed the self-accusing shrieks of sinners mad with guilt. It looks
does not heed the self-accusing shrieks of sinners mad with guilt. It looks
on them with quiet eyes, and merely says to them, "My brother, what you
on them with [[quiet]] eyes, and merely says to them, "My brother, what you
think is not the truth."
think is not the truth."
The strength of pardon is its honesty, which is so uncorrupted that it sees
The [[strength]] of pardon is its [[honesty]], which is so uncorrupted that it sees
illusions as illusions, not as truth. It is because of this that it becomes the
[[illusions]] as illusions, not as truth. It is because of this that it becomes the
undeceiver in the face of lies; the great restorer of the simple truth. By its
undeceiver in the face of lies; the great restorer of the simple [[truth]]. By its
ability to overlook what is not there, it opens up the way to truth, which has
ability to overlook what is not there, it opens up the way to truth, which has
been blocked by dreams of guilt. Now are you free to follow in the way
been blocked by [[dreams]] of guilt. Now are you free to follow in the way
your true forgiveness opens up to you. For if one brother has received this
your true forgiveness opens up to you. For if one brother has [[received]] this
gift of you, the door is open to yourself.
gift of you, the door is open to yourself.
There is a very simple way to find the door to true forgiveness, and perceive
There is a very [[simple]] way to find the door to true [[forgiveness]], and [[perceive]]
it open wide in welcome. When you feel that you are tempted to accuse
it open wide in welcome. When you [[feel]] that you are [[tempted]] to [[accuse]]
someone of sin in any form, do not allow your mind to dwell on what you
someone of sin in any form, do not allow [[your mind]] to dwell on what you
think he did, for that is self-deception. Ask instead, "Would I accuse myself
think he did, for that is self-deception. Ask instead, "Would I accuse myself
of doing this?"
of doing this?"
Thus will you see alternatives for choice in terms that render choosing
Thus will you see alternatives for [[choice]] in terms that render choosing
meaningful, and keep your mind as free of guilt and pain as God Himself
meaningful, and keep [[your mind]] as free of guilt and [[pain]] as God Himself
intended it to be, and as it is in truth. It is but lies that would condemn. In
[[intended]] it to be, and as it is in truth. It is but lies that would condemn. In
truth is innocence the only thing there is. Forgiveness stands between
truth is [[innocence]] the only thing there is. Forgiveness stands between
illusions and the truth; between the world you see and that which lies
illusions and the truth; between the world you see and that which lies
beyond; between the hell of guilt and Heaven's gate.
beyond; between the [[hell]] of guilt and [[Heaven]]'s gate.
Across this bridge, as powerful as love which laid its blessing on it, are all
Across this bridge, as powerful as [[love]] which laid its [[blessing]] on it, are all
dreams of evil and of hatred and attack brought silently to truth. They are
dreams of [[evil]] and of [[hatred]] and [[attack]] brought [[silently]] to [[truth]]. They are
not kept to swell and bluster, and to terrify the foolish dreamer who believes
not kept to swell and bluster, and to terrify the [[foolish]] dreamer who believes
in them. He has been gently wakened from his dream by understanding
in them. He has been gently wakened from his dream by [[understanding]]
what he thought he saw was never there. And now he cannot feel that all
what he thought he saw was never there. And now he cannot feel that all
escape has been denied to him.
[[escape]] has been denied to him.
He does not have to fight to save himself. He does not have to kill the
He does not have to fight to save himself. He does not have to kill the
dragons which he thought pursued him. Nor need he erect the heavy walls
[[dragons]] which he thought pursued him. Nor need he erect the heavy walls
of stone and iron doors he thought would make him safe. He can remove the
of stone and iron doors he thought would make him safe. He can remove the
ponderous and useless armor made to chain his mind to fear and misery. His
ponderous and useless [[armor]] made to chain his [[mind]] to [[fear]] and [[misery]]. His
step is light, and as he lifts his foot to stride ahead a star is left behind, to
[[step]] is light, and as he lifts his foot to stride ahead a star is left behind, to
point the way to those who follow him.
point the way to those who follow him.
Forgiveness must be practiced, for the world cannot perceive its meaning,
Forgiveness must be [[practiced]], for the world cannot perceive its [[meaning]],
nor provide a guide to teach you its beneficence. There is no thought in all
nor provide a [[guide]] to teach you its [[beneficence]]. There is no [[thought]] in all
the world that leads to any understanding of the laws it follows, nor the
the world that leads to any understanding of the [[laws]] it follows, nor the
Thought that it reflects. It is as alien to the world as is your own reality.
Thought that it [[reflects]]. It is as [[alien]] to the world as is your own [[reality]].
And yet it joins your mind with the reality in you.
And yet it joins your mind with the reality in you.
Today we practice true forgiveness, that the time of joining be no more
Today we [[practice]] true forgiveness, that the [[time]] of joining be no more
delayed. For we would meet with our reality in freedom and in peace. Our
[[delayed]]. For we would meet with our [[reality]] in [[freedom]] and in [[peace]]. Our
practicing becomes the footsteps lighting up the way for all our brothers,
practicing becomes the [[footsteps]] lighting up the way for all our brothers,
who will follow us to the reality we share with them. That this may be
who will follow us to the reality we [[share]] with them. That this may be
accomplished, let us give a quarter of an hour twice today, and spend it with
accomplished, let us give a quarter of an hour twice today, and spend it with
the Guide Who understands the meaning of forgiveness, and was sent to us
the Guide Who understands the meaning of forgiveness, and was sent to us
Then choose one brother as He will direct, and catalogue his "sins," as one
Then choose one brother as He will direct, and catalogue his "sins," as one
by one they cross your mind. Be certain not to dwell on any one of them,
by one they cross [[your mind]]. Be certain not to dwell on any one of them,
but realize that you are using his "offenses" but to save the world from all
but [[realize]] that you are using his "[[offenses]]" but to save the world from all
ideas of sin. Briefly consider all the evil things you thought of him, and
ideas of sin. Briefly consider all the [[evil]] things you thought of him, and
each time ask yourself, "Would I condemn myself for doing this?"
each time ask yourself, "Would I [[condemn]] myself for doing this?"
Let him be freed from all the thoughts you had of sin in him. And now you
Let him be freed from all the [[thoughts]] you had of sin in him. And now you
are prepared for freedom. If you have been practicing thus far in willingness
are [[prepared]] for freedom. If you have been practicing thus far in willingness
and honesty, you will begin to sense a lifting up, a lightening of weight
and [[honesty]], you will begin to sense a lifting up, a lightening of weight
across your chest, a deep and certain feeling of relief. The time remaining
across your chest, a deep and certain [[feeling]] of relief. The time remaining
should be given to experiencing the escape from all the heavy chains you
should be given to experiencing the [[escape]] from all the heavy chains you
sought to lay upon your brother, but were laid upon yourself.
sought to lay upon your brother, but were laid upon yourself.
Forgiveness should be practiced through the day, for there will still be many
Forgiveness should be practiced through the day, for there will still be many
times when you forget its meaning and attack yourself. When this occurs,
times when you forget its [[meaning]] and [[attack]] yourself. When this occurs,
allow your mind to see through this illusion as you tell yourself:
allow [[your mind]] to see through this [[illusion]] as you tell yourself:
<center>''Let me perceive forgiveness as it is.''</center>
<center>''Let me perceive forgiveness as it is.''</center>
<center>''I will not lay this chain upon myself.''</center>
<center>''I will not lay this chain upon myself.''</center>
In everything you do remember this:
In [[everything]] you do remember this:
<center>''No one is crucified alone,''</center>
<center>''No one is [[crucified]] alone,''</center>
<center>''and yet no one can enter Heaven by himself.''</center>
<center>''and yet no one can enter [[Heaven]] by himself.''</center>
[[Category: Workbook I]]
[[Category: Workbook I]]