[acimlessons_list] Lesson 171--June 20

Fri Jun 16 12:08:22 EDT 2006

Lesson 171 * June 20

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

(151) "ALL THINGS ARE ECHOES OF THE VOICE FOR GOD."

(152) "THE POWER OF DECISION IS MY OWN."

PRACTICE INSTRUCTIONS

See Review V practice instructions on page XXX.

COMMENTARY

Another review! As you read through the introduction to the review, you will
notice that there are no detailed practice instructions. The summary, given
in paragraph 11, is the only reference to the actual practice we are meant
to follow. A morning time, an evening time, and keeping the idea in our
remembrance throughout the day--that's all the instruction we are given.
Actually, the full instructions were given in Lesson 153, paragraphs 15-18.
There, the instructions were said to be "a form we will maintain for quite a
while" (W-pI.153.15:1). That "while" is still continuing.

In the ten days of review, I will be commenting mainly on the review
introduction, rather than the daily ideas being reviewed. Today I'll cover
the first three paragraphs, and then one paragraph a day for the remaining
nine review lessons. The theme idea for the review is: "God is but Love, and
therefore so am I." We are told (4:2) that each of the twenty thoughts we
are reviewing clarifies some aspect of the theme thought; I will also
attempt to point out some ways the theme is connected to each day's two
thoughts.

The introduction to our review opens with a powerful appeal to us to take
our practicing seriously, to "give more effort and more time to what we
undertake" (1:2). Once again, as in Review IV, we are reminded that this
series of lessons is meant to help us in "preparing for another phase of
understanding" (1:3). Review IV made it clear that this is a reference to
the second part of the Workbook: "This time...we are preparing for the
second part of learning how the truth can be applied" (W-pI.rIV.In.1:1). The
realization that we are preparing for something more, a shift into another
phase, is meant to motivate our efforts so that we "take this step
completely, that we may go on again more certain, more sincere, with faith
upheld more surely" (1:4). One gets the sense that the effectiveness of the
second half of the Workbook depends, in large measure, on how much time and
effort we are willing to put into our practicing right now.

I remember the first few times I did the Workbook, I always felt the second
half was a bust. Anticlimactic. I also remember that I made no serious
effort to follow the practice instructions; I just read the lesson every
morning. I am absolutely certain that there is a direct connection between
those two facts: my feeble practice, and my sense of anticlimax.

The Workbook recognizes that we have been wavering, and that we have had
doubts that caused us to be less than diligent in practicing. It does not
berate us over this, but it does make clear that if we want the results, we
have to follow the program. The reward will be "a greater certainty, a
firmer purpose and a surer goal" (1:6).

The prayer in paragraphs two and three would be, in my opinion, a good one
to use every day during this review. It needs no comment; the meaning of
every line is quite clear. It is a prayer for diligence in practicing. It is
an affirmation of faith that, even if we forget, stumble, or wander off, God
will remember for us, raise us up, and call us back.

Today's two thoughts connect easily to the theme idea. If God is only Love,
and I am also only love, then everything echoes His Voice. Everything is
nothing but an aspect of Him. The decision I face, today and every day, is
whether or not to accept this fact. Will I live today as an expression of
the Love of God, or will I choose to attempt what must be impossible: to be
something else?
    COMMENTARIES ON LESSONS FROM THE WORKBOOK OF A COURSE IN MIRACLES
    by Allen Watson, with Practice Summaries by Robert Perry
    The Circle of Atonement--Visit our website at <http://www.circleofa.com>

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Portions from Clarification of Terms (c) Copyright 1975, Psychotherapy:
Purpose, Process and Practice, (c) 1976, The Song of Prayer, (c) 1978, are
used by permission of the copyright holder, The Foundation for "A Course in
Miracles," 41397 Buecking Drive, Temecula, CA 92590.

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