Difference between revisions of "ACIM Workbook - Lesson 121"
(Created page with 'Image:lighterstill.jpgright|frame <center>'''Forgiveness is the key to happiness.'''</center> Forgiveness is the key to happiness. Here is the an...') |
|||
Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
− | Forgiveness is the key to happiness. | + | [[Forgiveness]] is the key to [[happiness]]. |
− | Here is the answer to your search for peace. Here is the key to meaning in a | + | Here is the answer to your search for [[peace]]. Here is the key to [[meaning]] in a |
world that seems to make no sense. Here is the way to safety in apparent | world that seems to make no sense. Here is the way to safety in apparent | ||
− | dangers that appear to threaten you at every turn, and bring uncertainty to | + | [[dangers]] that appear to threaten you at every turn, and bring uncertainty to |
− | all your hopes of ever finding quietness and peace. Here are all questions | + | all your [[hopes]] of ever finding [[quietness]] and peace. Here are all questions |
answered; here the end of all uncertainty ensured at last. | answered; here the end of all uncertainty ensured at last. | ||
− | The unforgiving mind is full of fear, and offers love no room to be itself; no | + | The unforgiving [[mind]] is full of [[fear]], and offers love no room to be itself; no |
place where it can spread its wings in peace and soar above the turmoil of | place where it can spread its wings in peace and soar above the turmoil of | ||
the world. The unforgiving mind is sad, without the hope of respite and | the world. The unforgiving mind is sad, without the hope of respite and | ||
− | release from pain. It suffers and abides in misery, peering about in darkness, | + | release from [[pain]]. It suffers and abides in misery, peering about in [[darkness]], |
seeing not, yet certain of the danger lurking there. | seeing not, yet certain of the danger lurking there. | ||
− | The unforgiving mind is torn with doubt, confused about itself and all it | + | The unforgiving mind is torn with [[doubt]], [[confused]] about itself and all it |
− | sees; afraid and angry, weak and blustering, afraid to go ahead, afraid to | + | sees; afraid and [[angry]], [[weak]] and blustering, afraid to go ahead, afraid to |
− | stay, afraid to waken or to go to sleep, afraid of every sound, yet more | + | stay, afraid to waken or to go to [[sleep]], afraid of every sound, yet more |
− | afraid of stillness; terrified of darkness, yet more terrified at the approach of | + | afraid of stillness; terrified of [[darkness]], yet more terrified at the approach of |
− | light. What can the unforgiving mind perceive but its damnation? What can | + | light. What can the unforgiving mind [[perceive]] but its [[damnation]]? What can |
− | it behold except the proof that all its sins are real? | + | it behold except the [[proof]] that all its [[sins]] are real? |
− | The unforgiving mind sees no mistakes, but only sins. It looks upon the | + | The unforgiving mind sees no [[mistakes]], but only sins. It looks upon the |
− | world with sightless eyes, and shrieks as it beholds its own projections | + | world with sightless eyes, and shrieks as it beholds its own [[projections]] |
− | rising to attack its miserable parody of life. It wants to live, yet wishes it | + | rising to [[attack]] its miserable [[parody]] of life. It wants to live, yet wishes it |
− | were dead. It wants forgiveness, yet it sees no hope. It wants escape, yet can | + | were dead. It wants [[forgiveness]], yet it sees no [[hope]]. It wants [[escape]], yet can |
conceive of none because it sees the sinful everywhere. | conceive of none because it sees the sinful everywhere. | ||
− | The unforgiving mind is in despair, without the prospect of a future which | + | The unforgiving mind is in despair, without the prospect of a [[future]] which |
− | can offer anything but more despair. Yet it regards its judgment of the world | + | can offer anything but more despair. Yet it regards its [[judgment]] of the world |
− | as irreversible, and does not see it has condemned itself to this despair. It | + | as irreversible, and does not see it has [[condemned]] itself to this despair. It |
− | thinks it cannot change, for what it sees bears witness that its judgment is | + | thinks it cannot [[change]], for what it sees bears witness that its judgment is |
− | correct. It does not ask, because it thinks it knows. It does not question, | + | correct. It does not ask, because it thinks it knows. It does not [[question]], |
certain it is right. | certain it is right. | ||
− | Forgiveness is acquired. It is not inherent in the mind, which cannot sin. As | + | [[Forgiveness]] is acquired. It is not [[inherent]] in [[the mind]], which cannot sin. As |
− | sin is an idea you taught yourself, forgiveness must be learned by you as | + | sin is an idea you taught yourself, forgiveness must be [[learned]] by you as |
− | well, but from a Teacher other than yourself, Who represents the other Self | + | well, but from a [[Teacher]] other than yourself, Who represents the other [[Self]] |
in you. Through Him you learn how to forgive the self you think you made, | in you. Through Him you learn how to forgive the self you think you made, | ||
− | and let it disappear. Thus you return your mind as one to Him Who is your | + | and let it disappear. Thus you return [[your mind]] as one to Him Who is your |
Self, and Who can never sin. | Self, and Who can never sin. | ||
− | Each unforgiving mind presents you with an opportunity to teach your own | + | Each unforgiving mind presents you with an [[opportunity]] to teach your own |
− | how to forgive itself. Each one awaits release from hell through you, and | + | how to forgive itself. Each one awaits release from [[hell]] through you, and |
− | turns to you imploringly for Heaven here and now. It has no hope, but you | + | turns to you imploringly for [[Heaven]] here and now. It has no hope, but you |
− | become its hope. And as its hope, do you become your own. The | + | become its [[hope]]. And as its hope, do you [[become]] your own. The |
unforgiving mind must learn through your forgiveness that it has been saved | unforgiving mind must learn through your forgiveness that it has been saved | ||
− | from hell. And as you teach salvation, you will learn. Yet all your teaching | + | from hell. And as you teach [[salvation]], you will learn. Yet all your teaching |
and your learning will be not of you, but of the Teacher Who was given you | and your learning will be not of you, but of the Teacher Who was given you | ||
to show the way to you. | to show the way to you. | ||
− | Today we practice learning to forgive. If you are willing, you can learn | + | Today we [[practice]] [[learning]] to [[forgive]]. If you are willing, you can learn |
− | today to take the key to happiness, and use it on your own behalf. We will | + | today to take the key to [[happiness]], and use it on your own behalf. We will |
− | devote ten minutes in the morning, and at night another ten, to learning how | + | devote ten minutes in the [[morning]], and at night another ten, to learning how |
− | to give forgiveness and receive forgiveness, too. | + | to give forgiveness and [[receive]] forgiveness, too. |
The unforgiving mind does not believe that giving and receiving are the | The unforgiving mind does not believe that giving and receiving are the | ||
same. Yet we will try to learn today that they are one through practicing | same. Yet we will try to learn today that they are one through practicing | ||
− | forgiveness toward one whom you think of as an enemy, and one whom you | + | forgiveness toward one whom you think of as an [[enemy]], and one whom you |
− | consider as a friend. And as you learn to see them both as one, we will | + | consider as a [[friend]]. And as you learn to see them both as one, we will |
− | extend the lesson to yourself, and see that their escape included yours. | + | [[extend]] the lesson to yourself, and see that their escape included yours. |
− | Begin the longer practice periods by thinking of someone you do not like, | + | Begin the longer [[practice]] periods by [[thinking]] of someone you do not like, |
− | who seems to irritate you, or to cause regret in you if you should meet him; | + | who seems to [[irritate]] you, or to cause [[regret]] in you if you should meet him; |
one you actively despise, or merely try to overlook. It does not matter what | one you actively despise, or merely try to overlook. It does not matter what | ||
− | the form your anger takes. You probably have chosen him already. He will | + | the form your [[anger]] takes. You probably have chosen him already. He will |
do. | do. | ||
− | Now close your eyes and see him in your mind, and look at him a while. | + | Now close your eyes and see him in [[your mind]], and look at him a while. |
− | Try to perceive some light in him somewhere; a little gleam which you had | + | Try to [[perceive]] some [[light]] in him somewhere; a little gleam which you had |
− | never noticed. Try to find some little spark of brightness shining through the | + | never noticed. Try to find some little [[spark]] of brightness shining through the |
ugly picture that you hold of him. Look at this picture till you see a light | ugly picture that you hold of him. Look at this picture till you see a light | ||
somewhere within it, and then try to let this light extend until it covers him, | somewhere within it, and then try to let this light extend until it covers him, | ||
− | and makes the picture beautiful and good. | + | and makes the picture [[beautiful]] and [[good]]. |
− | Look at this changed perception for a while, and turn your mind to one you | + | Look at this [[changed]] [[perception]] for a while, and turn your mind to one you |
− | call a friend. Try to transfer the light you learned to see around your former | + | call a friend. Try to [[transfer]] the light you learned to see around your former |
− | "enemy" to him. Perceive him now as more than friend to you, for in that | + | "enemy" to him. [[Perceive]] him now as more than friend to you, for in that |
− | light his holiness shows you your savior, saved and saving, healed and | + | light his [[holiness]] shows you your [[savior]], saved and saving, healed and |
whole. | whole. | ||
Then let him offer you the light you see in him, and let your "enemy" and | Then let him offer you the light you see in him, and let your "enemy" and | ||
− | friend unite in blessing you with what you gave. Now are you one with | + | friend [[unite]] in [[blessing]] you with what you gave. Now are you one with |
them, and they with you. Now have you been forgiven by yourself. Do not | them, and they with you. Now have you been forgiven by yourself. Do not | ||
− | forget, throughout the day, the role forgiveness plays in bringing happiness | + | forget, throughout the day, the role forgiveness plays in bringing [[happiness]] |
to every unforgiving mind, with yours among them. Every hour tell yourself: | to every unforgiving mind, with yours among them. Every hour tell yourself: | ||
Latest revision as of 21:53, 11 August 2015
Forgiveness is the key to happiness.
Here is the answer to your search for peace. Here is the key to meaning in a world that seems to make no sense. Here is the way to safety in apparent dangers that appear to threaten you at every turn, and bring uncertainty to all your hopes of ever finding quietness and peace. Here are all questions answered; here the end of all uncertainty ensured at last.
The unforgiving mind is full of fear, and offers love no room to be itself; no place where it can spread its wings in peace and soar above the turmoil of the world. The unforgiving mind is sad, without the hope of respite and release from pain. It suffers and abides in misery, peering about in darkness, seeing not, yet certain of the danger lurking there.
The unforgiving mind is torn with doubt, confused about itself and all it sees; afraid and angry, weak and blustering, afraid to go ahead, afraid to stay, afraid to waken or to go to sleep, afraid of every sound, yet more afraid of stillness; terrified of darkness, yet more terrified at the approach of light. What can the unforgiving mind perceive but its damnation? What can it behold except the proof that all its sins are real?
The unforgiving mind sees no mistakes, but only sins. It looks upon the world with sightless eyes, and shrieks as it beholds its own projections rising to attack its miserable parody of life. It wants to live, yet wishes it were dead. It wants forgiveness, yet it sees no hope. It wants escape, yet can conceive of none because it sees the sinful everywhere.
The unforgiving mind is in despair, without the prospect of a future which can offer anything but more despair. Yet it regards its judgment of the world as irreversible, and does not see it has condemned itself to this despair. It thinks it cannot change, for what it sees bears witness that its judgment is correct. It does not ask, because it thinks it knows. It does not question, certain it is right.
Forgiveness is acquired. It is not inherent in the mind, which cannot sin. As sin is an idea you taught yourself, forgiveness must be learned by you as well, but from a Teacher other than yourself, Who represents the other Self in you. Through Him you learn how to forgive the self you think you made, and let it disappear. Thus you return your mind as one to Him Who is your Self, and Who can never sin.
Each unforgiving mind presents you with an opportunity to teach your own how to forgive itself. Each one awaits release from hell through you, and turns to you imploringly for Heaven here and now. It has no hope, but you become its hope. And as its hope, do you become your own. The unforgiving mind must learn through your forgiveness that it has been saved from hell. And as you teach salvation, you will learn. Yet all your teaching and your learning will be not of you, but of the Teacher Who was given you to show the way to you.
Today we practice learning to forgive. If you are willing, you can learn today to take the key to happiness, and use it on your own behalf. We will devote ten minutes in the morning, and at night another ten, to learning how to give forgiveness and receive forgiveness, too.
The unforgiving mind does not believe that giving and receiving are the same. Yet we will try to learn today that they are one through practicing forgiveness toward one whom you think of as an enemy, and one whom you consider as a friend. And as you learn to see them both as one, we will extend the lesson to yourself, and see that their escape included yours.
Begin the longer practice periods by thinking of someone you do not like, who seems to irritate you, or to cause regret in you if you should meet him; one you actively despise, or merely try to overlook. It does not matter what the form your anger takes. You probably have chosen him already. He will do.
Now close your eyes and see him in your mind, and look at him a while. Try to perceive some light in him somewhere; a little gleam which you had never noticed. Try to find some little spark of brightness shining through the ugly picture that you hold of him. Look at this picture till you see a light somewhere within it, and then try to let this light extend until it covers him, and makes the picture beautiful and good.
Look at this changed perception for a while, and turn your mind to one you call a friend. Try to transfer the light you learned to see around your former "enemy" to him. Perceive him now as more than friend to you, for in that light his holiness shows you your savior, saved and saving, healed and whole.
Then let him offer you the light you see in him, and let your "enemy" and friend unite in blessing you with what you gave. Now are you one with them, and they with you. Now have you been forgiven by yourself. Do not forget, throughout the day, the role forgiveness plays in bringing happiness to every unforgiving mind, with yours among them. Every hour tell yourself: