IA´s Journal

LESSON 55

Today´s review includes thefollowing:

21 ”I am determined to seethings differently.”

What I see now are but signs ofdisease, disaster and death. This cannot be what God created for His belovedSon. The very fact that I see such things is proof that I do not understandGod. Therefore I also do not understand His Son. What I see tells me that I donot know who I am. I am determined to see the witnesses to the truth in me,rather than those which show me an illusion of myself.

22 ”What I see is a form ofvengeance.”

The world I see is hardly therepresentation of loving thoughts. It is a picture of attack on everything byeverything. It is anything but a reflection of Love of God and the love of Hisson. It is my own attack thoughts that give rise to this picture. My lovingthoughts will save me from this perception of world, and give me the peace Godintentded me to have.

23 ”I can escape from this worldby giving up attack thoughts.”

Herein lies salvation, andnowhere else. Without attack thoughts I could not see a world of attack. As forgivenessallows love to return to my awareness, I will see a world of peace and safetyand joy. And it is this I choose to see, in place of what I look on now.

24 ”I do not perceive my ownbest interests.”

How could I recognize my ownbest interests when I do not know who I am? What I think are my best interestswould merely bindme closer to the world of illusions. I am willing to followthe Guide God has given me to find out what my own best interests are,recognizing that I cannot perceive them by myself.

25 ”I do not know what anythingis for.”

To me, the purpose of everythingis to prove that my illusions about myself are real. It is for this purposethat I attempt to use everyone and everything. It is for this that I believethe world is for. Therefore I do not recognize its real purpose. The purpose Ihave given the world has led to frightening picture of it. Let me open my mindto the world´s real purpose by withdrawing the one I have given it, andlearning the truth about it.

Love

LESSON 56

26 ”My attack thoughts areattacking my invulnerablility.”

How can I know who I am when Isee myself as under constant attack? Pain, illness, loss, age and death seem tothreaten me. All my hopes and wishes and plans appear to be at the mercy of aworld I cannot control. Yet perfect security and complete fulfillment are myinheritance. I have tried to give my inheritance away in exxchange for theworld I see. But God has kept my inheritance safe for me. My own real thoughtswill teach me what it is.

27 ”Above all else I want tosee.”

Recognizing that what I seereflects what I think I am. I realize that vision is my greatest need. Theworld I see attests to the fearful nature of the self-image I have made. If Iwould remember who I am, it is essential that I let this image of myself go. Asit is replaced by truth, vision will surely be given me. And with this vision,I will look upon the world and on myself with charity and love.

28 ”Above all else I want to seedifferently.”

The world I see holds my fearfulself-image in place, and guarantees its continuance. While I see the world as Isee it now, truth cannot enter my awareness. I would let the door behind thisworld be opened for me, that I may look past it to the world that reflects theLove of God.

29 ”God is in everyting I see.”

Behind every image I have made,the truth remains unchanged. Behind every veil I have drawn across the face oflove, its light remains undimmed. Beyond all my insane wishes is my will,united with the Will of my Father. God is still everywhere and in everythingforever. And we who are part of Him will yet look past all appearances, andrecognize the truth beyond them all.

30 ”God is in everything I seebecause God is in my mind.”

In my own mind, behind all myinsane thoughts of separation and attack, is the knowledge that all is oneforever. I have not lost the knowledge of who I am because I have forgotten it.It has been kept for me in the Mind of God. Who has not left His Thoughts. AndI, who am among them, am one with them and one with Him.

Love

LESSON 57

Today let us review these ideas:

31 ”I am not the victim of theworld I see.”

How can I be the victim of aworld that can be completely undone if I so choose? My chains are loosened. Ican drop them off merely by desiring to do so. The prison door is open. I canleave simply by walking out. Nothing holds me in this world. Only my wish tostay keeps me a prisoner. I would give up my insane wishes and walk into thesunlight at last.

32 ”I have invented the world Isee.”

I made up the prison in which Isee myself. All I need do is recognize this and I am free. I have deludedmyself into believing it is possible to imprison the Son of God. I was bitterlymistaken in the belief, which I no longer want. The Son of God must be foreverfree. He is as God created him , and not what I would make of him. He is whereGod would have him be, and not where I thought to hold him prisoner.

33 ”There is another way oflooking at the world.”

Since the purpose of the worldis not the one I ascribe to it, there must be another way of looking at it. Isee everything upside down, and my thoughts are the opposite of truth. I seethe world as a prison for God´s Son. I must be, then, that the world is reallya place where he can be set free. I would look upon the world as it is, and seeit as a place where the Son of God finds his freedom.

34 ”I could see peace instead ofthis.”

When I see the world as a placeof freedom, I realize that it reflects the laws of God instead of the rules Imade up for it to obey. I will understand that peace, not war, abides in it.And I will perceive that peace also abides in the hearts of all who share thisplace with me.

35 ”My mind is part of God´s. Iam very holy.”

As I share the peace of theworld with my brothers, I begin to understand that this peace comes from deep withinmyself. The world I look upon has taken on the light of my forgiveness, andshines forgiveness back at me. In this light I begin to see what my illlusionsabout myself kept hidden. I begin to understand the holiness of all livingthings, including myself, and their oneness with me.

Love

LESSON 58

The ideas are for review today:

36 ”My holiness envelopseverything I see.”

From my holiness does theperception of the real world come. Having forgiven, I no longer see myself asguilty. I can accept the innocence that is the truth about me. Seen throughunderstanding eyes, the holiness of the world is all I see, for I can pictureonly the thoughts I hold about myself.

37 ”My holiness blesses theworld.”

The perception of my holinessdoes not bless me alone. Everyone and everything I see in its light shares inthe joy it brings to me. There is nothing that is apart from this joy, becausethere is nothing that does not share my holiness. As I recogninze my holiness,so does the holiness of the world shine forth for everyone to see.

38 ”There is nothing my holinesscannot do.”

My holiness is unlimited in itspower to heal, because it is unlimited in its power to save. What is there tobe saved from enxept illusions? And what are all illusions except false ideasabout myself? My holiness undoes them all by asserting the truth about me. Inthe presence of my holiness, which I share with God Himself, all idols vanish.

39 ”My holiness is my salvation.”

Since my holiness saves me fromall guilt, recognizing my holiness is recognizing my salvation. It is alsorecognizing the salvation of the world. Once I have accepted my holiness,nothing can make me afraid. And because I am unafraid, everyone must share inmy understanding, which is the gift of God to me and to the world.

40 ”I am blessed as a Son of God.”

Herein lies my claim to all goodand only good. I am blessed as a Son of God. All good things are mine, becauseGod intended them for me. I cannot suffer any loss or deprivation or painbecause of who I am. My Father supports me, protects me, and directs me in allthings. His care for me is infinite, and is with me forever. I am eternallyblessed as His Son.

Love

LESSON 59

The following ideas are for review today:

41 ”God goes with me wherever I go.”

How can I be alone when God always goes with me? How can I be doubtful and unsure of myself when perfect certainty abides in Him? How can I be disturbed by anything when He rests in me in absolute peace? How can I suffer when love and joy surrounds me through Him? Let me not cherish illusions about myself. I am perfect because God goes with me wherever I go.

42 ”God is my Strength. Vision is His gift.”

Let me not look to my own eyes to see today. Let me be willing to exchange my pitiful illusions of seeing for the vision that is given by God. Christ´s vision is His gift, and He has given it to me. Let me call upon this gift today, so that this day may help me to understand eternity.

43 ”God is my Source. I cannot see apart from Him.”

I can see what God wants me to see. I cannot see anything else. Beyond His Will lie only illusions. It is these I choose when I think I can see apart from Him. It is these I choose when I try to see through the body´s eyes. Yet the vision of Christ has been given me to replace them. It is through this vision that I choose to see.

44 ”God is the Light in which I see.”

I cannot see in darkness. God is the only light. Therefore, if I am to see, it must be through Him. I have tried to define what seeing is, and I have been wrong. Now it is given me to understand that God is the Light in which I see. Let me welcome vision and the happy world it will show me.

45 ”God is the Mind with which I think.”

I have no thoughts I do not share with God. I have no thoughts apart from Him, because I have no mind apart from His. As part of His Mind, my thoughts are His and His Thoughts are mine.

Love

LESSON 60

These ideas are for today´sreview:

46 ”God is the Love in which Iforgive.”

God does not forgive becasue Hehas never condemned. The blameless cannot blame, and those who have acceptedtheir innocence see nothing to forgive. Yet forgiveness is the means by which Iwill recognize my innocence. It is the reflection of God´s Love on earth. Itwill bring me near enough to Heaven that the Love of God can reach down to meand raise me up to Him.

47 ”God is the Strength in whichI trust.”

It is not my own strengththrough which I forgive. It is through the strength of God in me, which I amremembering as I forgive. As I begin to see, I recognize His reflection onearth. I forgive all things because I feel the stirring of His strength in me.And I begin to remember the Love I chose to forget, but Which has not forgottenme.

48 ”There is nothing to fear.”

How safe the world will look tome when I can see it! It will not look anything like what I imagine I see now.Everyone and everything I see will lean toward me to bless me. I will recognizein everyone my dearest Friend. What could there be to fear in a world that Ihave forgiven, and that has forgiven me?

49 ”God´s Voice speaks to me allthrough the day.”

There is not a moment in whichGod´s Voice ceases to call on my forgiveness to save me. There is not a momentin which His Voice fails to direct my thoughts, guide my actions and lead myfeet. I am walking steadily on toward truth. There is nowhere else I can go, becauseGod´s Voice is the only voice and the only guide that has been given to HisSon.

50 ”I am sustained by the Loveof God.”

As I listen to God´s Voice, I amsustained by His Love. As I open my eyes, His Love lights up the world for meto see. As I forgive, His Love reminds me that his Son is sinless. And as ilook upon the world with the vision He has given me, I remember that I am HisSon.

Love

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 insalvation and in taking no other. It is not humility to insist you cannot be light of the world if that is the function God assigned to you. It is only arrogance that would assert this functiuon 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 no 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 situations 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 the 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 the salvation of His Son on you.

Love

LESSON 62

”Forgiveness is my function asthe light of the world.”

It is your forgiveness that willbring the world of darkness to the light. It is your forgiveness that lets yourecognize the light in which you see. Forgiveness is the demonstration that youare the light of the world. Through your forgiveness does the truth aboutyourself return to your memory. Therefore, in your forgivness lies yoursalvation. Illusions about yourself and the world are one. That is why allforgiveness is a gift to yourself. Your goal is to find out who you are, havingdenied your Identity by attacking creation and its Creator. Now you arelearning how to remember the truth. For this attack must be replaced byforgiveness, so that thoughts of life may replace thoughts of death. Rememberthat in every attack you call upon your own weakness, while each time youforgive you call upon the trength of Christ in you. Do you not then begin tounderstand what forgiveness will do for you? It will remove all sense ofweakness, strain and fatigue from your mind. It will take away all fear andguilt and pain. It will restore the invulnerablility and power God gave His Sonto your awareness. Let us be glad to begin and end this day by practicingtoday´s idea, and to use it as freqently as possible throughout the day. Itwill help to make the day as happy for you as God wants you to be. And it willhelp those around you, as well as those who seem to be far away in space andtime, to share this happiness with you. As often as you can, closing your eyesif possible, say to yourself today:

”Forgiveness is my function asthe light of the world.
I would fulfill my function thatI may be happy.”

Then devote a minute or two toconsidering your function and the happiness and release it will bring you. Letrelated thoughts come freely, for your heart will recongize these words, and inyour mind is the awareness they are true. Should your attention wander, repeatthe idea and add:

”I would remember this because Iwant to be happy.”

Love

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?

Love

LESSON 64

”Let me not forget my function.”

Today´s idea is merely anotherway of saying ”Let me not wander into temptation.” The purpose of the world yousee is to obscure your function of forgivneness, and provide you with ajustification for forgetting it.It is the temptation to abandon God and His Sonby talking on a physical appearance. It is this the body´s eyes look upon.Nothing is body´s eye´s 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 theHoly Spirit has another use for all the illusions you have made, and thereforeHe sees another purpose in them. To the Holy Spirit, the world is a place whereyou learn to forgive yourself what you think of as your sins. In thisperception, the physical appearance of temptation becomes the spiritualrecognition of salvation. To review our last few lessons, your function here isto be the light of the world, a function given you by God. It is only thearrogance of the ego that leads you to question this, and only the fear of theego that induces you to regard yourself as unworthy of the task assigned to youby God Himself. The world´s salvation awaits your forgiveness, because throughit 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 willyou be happy. That is because your function is to be happy by using the meansby which happiness becomes inevitable. There is no other way. Therefore, everytime you choose whether or not to be happy. Let us remember this today. Let usremind ourselves of it in the morning and again at night, and all through the dayas well. Prepare yourself in advance for all the decisions you will make todayby remembering they are all really very simple. Each one will lead to happinessor unhappiness. Can such a simple decision really be difficult to make? Let notthe form of the decision deceive you. Complexity of form does not implycompexity of content. It is impossible that any decision on earth can have acontent different from just this one simple choice. That is the only choice theHoly Spirit sees. Therefore it is the only choice there is. Today, then, let uspractice with these thoughts:

”Let me not forget my function.
Let me not try to substitutemine for God´s .
Le me forgive and be happy.”

At least once devote ten orfifteen minutes today to reflecting on this with closed eyes. Related thoughtswill come to help you, if you remember the crucial importance of your functionto you and to the world. In the frequent applications of today´s ideathroughout the day, devote several minutes to reviewing these thoughts, andthen thinking about them and about nothing else. This wil be difficult, atfirst particularly, since you are not proficient in the mind discipline that itrequires. You may need to repeat ”Let me not forget my function” quite often tohelp you concentrate. Two forms of shorter practice periods are required. Attimes, do the exercises with your eyes closed, trying to concentrate on thethoughts you are using. At other times, keep your eyes open after reviewing thethoughts, and then look slowly and unselectively around you, telling yourself:

”This is the world it is myfunction to save.”

Love