My thoughts* on ACIM Urtext Lesson 34, for February 3, 2024. I could see peace instead of this.
I could see peace instead of this.
* That is far away OR close to me.
1. The idea for today begins to describe the conditions that prevail in the other way of seeing. ²Peace of mind is clearly an internal matter. ³It must begin with your own thoughts, and then extend outward. ⁴It is from your peace of mind that a peaceful perception of the world arises.
* I find myself being focused on this process. The Holy Spirit wants me to extend the peace that I have inside outward. This is an active process that I want to be aware of both what is going on outside of myself and inside.
* Note that our witness of a peaceful world comes from this part of the process. AND that this is after the full forgiveness of the belief in the possibility of separation from God has been forgiven, not to mention the denial of God at all has been resolved. Without that, one is only playing with the ego and the idea of separation rather than preparing the psyche of Christ for His Return to Heaven.
* I have had the peace that passes understanding for some time WITHIN. It is only recently that the Holy Spirit is saying that I have the capacity to morph the trauma that I see in the world into a witness of the peace that knowledge of God allows.
2. Three longer practice periods are required for today’s exercises. ²One in the morning and one in the evening are advised, with an additional one to be undertaken at any time in between that seems most conducive to readiness. ³All applications should be done with your eyes closed. ⁴It is your inner world to which the applications of today’s idea should be made.
3. Some five minutes of mind searching are required for each of the longer practice periods. ²Search your mind for fear thoughts, anxiety-provoking situations, “offending” personalities or events, or anything else about which you are harboring unloving thoughts. ³Note them all casually, repeating the idea for today slowly as you watch them arise in your mind, and let each one go, to be replaced by the next.
4. If you begin to experience difficulty in thinking of specific subjects, continue to repeat the idea to yourself in an unhurried manner, without applying it to anything in particular. ²Be sure, however, not to make any specific exclusions.
5. The shorter applications are to be frequent, and made whenever you feel your peace of mind is threatened in any way. ²The purpose is to protect yourself from temptation throughout the day. ³If a specific form of temptation arises in your awareness, the exercise should take this form:
⁴I could see peace in this situation instead of what I now see in it.
6. If the inroads on your peace of mind take the form of more generalized adverse emotions, such as depression, anxiety or worry, use the idea in its original form. ²If you find you need more than one application of today’s idea to help you change your mind in any specific context, try to take several minutes and devote them to repeating the idea until you feel some sense of relief. ³It will help you if you tell yourself specifically:
⁴I can replace my feelings of depression, anxiety or worry [or my thoughts about this situation, personality or event] with peace.
* THIS IS REAL. However, do not think that it can be done without an acceptance of God. He is not to be feared but SEEN as the Source of Love and Power, not to mention our very existence, that He is.
(ACIM, W-34.1:1–6:4)
Till next time, God bless, debi.
