[acimlessons_list] Review VI, Lesson 210 - July 29

[Sue Roth]

Review VI, Lesson 210 - July 29

CENTRAL THEME:

"I AM NOT A BODY. I AM FREE. FOR I AM STILL AS GOD CREATED ME."

REVIEW OF:

(190) "I CHOOSE THE JOY OF GOD INSTEAD OF PAIN."

PRACTICE INSTRUCTIONS

See Review VI practice instructions.

COMMENTARY

If we saw, clearly, that this was our choice--<joy> or <pain>--would there
be any difficulty in making the choice?

Learning that this <is> the only choice is what takes so much time.

We are so confused about what brings us joy. We are quite convinced that our
bodies can bring us joy. We are certain that a good romantic relationship
would bring us joy. (Is that an oxymoron, "a good romantic relationship"?)
We are very sure that giving up certain things in this world would bring us
a great deal of pain. It takes time, and sometimes the illusion of "giving
up," to learn that we give up nothing. "It takes great learning both to
realize and to accept the fact that the world has nothing to give"
(M-13.2:1).

"Pain is my own idea" (1:2). What a stunning statement! Pain is an idea I
thought up independently of God. In fact, pain <is> thinking independently
of God. Pain is trying to find happiness <in this world>. I have taught
myself that the greatest pleasure of all is total autonomy, complete
independence, absolute self-sufficiency. I have chosen this, and in doing
so, invented pain. Now, I am unlearning what I taught myself. Now, I am
learning to choose God's Will instead of what I made, joy instead of pain.
"I am teaching you to associate misery with the ego and joy with the spirit"
(T-4.VI.5:6).

Let me realize today that in saying, "I am not a body," I am choosing joy
instead of pain. In continuing to affirm, "I am a body," I am choosing pain
instead of joy.