[acimlessons_list] Review V, Lesson 172 - June 21

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+ COMMENTARIES ON LESSONS FROM THE WORKBOOK OF A COURSE IN MIRACLES
+ by Allen Watson, with Practice Summaries by Robert Perry, 
+ of The Circle of Atonement
+ Visit our website at <http://www.circleofa.com>
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Review V, Lesson 172 - June 21

"GOD IS BUT LOVE, AND THEREFORE SO AM I."

(153) "IN MY DEFENSELESSNESS MY SAFETY LIES."

(154) "I AM AMONG THE MINISTERS OF GOD."

PRACTICE INSTRUCTIONS

See Review V practice instructions.

COMMENTARY

<Paragraph 4 of the review introduction:>

"This is the thought..." (4:1). The words refer to sentence 3 of the
paragraph, the theme thought for the review. As we review, we are to dwell
on this thought first, every day, every morning and evening, and often
through the day. Each additional thought from the previous lessons
"clarifies some aspect of this thought, or helps it be more meaningful, more
personal and true, and more descriptive of the holy Self we share and now
prepare to know again" (4:2). It would be good, in our reviewing, to
meditate on how this central thought relates to the other two ideas. The
focus is on the theme thought; the additional thoughts are meant to clarify
it or expand on it.

Notice the word "prepare" used again in sentence 2. The new "phase of
understanding" (1:3) that we are preparing for will have something to do
with once again coming to know our true Self. The first half of the Workbook
has concentrated on undoing our old thought system; the second half will
move us on into reclaiming the knowledge of the Self we thought we had lost.

The holy Self we are is simply an extension of God. He is Love; so are we.
We are what He is, extended. That is what we are preparing to remember; more
than simply to remember, to <know>. That one word implies worlds. I can
write the words, I can agree with them, but do I <know> what I am saying?
Knowing that I am an extension of God's Love will change everything about my
life, banish all fear, and give me a sense of holy purpose unparalleled by
anything I have ever before experienced.

What is this Self, which I am, like? It is "perfectly consistent in Its
thoughts; knows Its Creator, understands Itself, is perfect in Its knowledge
and Its love, and never changes from Its constant state of union with Its
Father and Itself" (4:5). This is a description of me and you as God created
us. This is what our practicing is preparing us to "know again."

Isn't this a goal worth "more effort and more time"? (1:2). Try to imagine
what it will be like (not "would be" but "will be") to be perfectly
consistent in all your thoughts. Try to get a sense of what it will be like
to know God and yourself perfectly. Try to imagine living in a constant
state of union with the Father, and with your Self, without variation or
change in that state of union.

Today's two review ideas help us to see the way to our goal, negatively and
positively. If I am Love, how can I be defensive? To be what I am in truth,
I must lay down my defensiveness. And if I am Love, what can I be but a
minister of God? What can my purpose here be but to extend His Love, to
reach out and touch my brothers with the touch of Christ? 
 
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+ Commentary by Allen Watson
+ Practice Summary: Robert Perry
+ Available in book format from The Circle
+ of Atonement (Vol. 1 reprint due by end of 2004, write us for info)
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