[acimlessons_list] Lesson 69 - March 10

[Sue Roth]

Lesson 69 - March 10

"My grievances hide the light of the world in me."

PRACTICE SUMMARY

Purpose: to lift the veil of grievances that has hidden the light of the
world in you, so that you can experience that light and let it shine
salvation onto the world. This is yet another attempt to experience the
light in you (see 41.5:3 and 44.3:1).

Longer: 1 time, for 10-15 minutes

* Spend several minutes cultivating the heightened attitude that is so
crucial to Course-based meditation. Think about what you are about to
attempt, about its importance to you and to the world. You are trying to
lift the veil and get in touch with the light of the world, so you can hold
it up for all to see and be blessed by. You are trying to reach your only
need, your only function, goal, and purpose. Be determined to reach it. 

* Then, with eyes closed, let go of all your thoughts. Picture your true
mind as a vast sphere of radiant light, totally engulfed by a layer of dark
clouds (your grievances). From your vantage point outside the sphere, all
you can see are clouds. 

* Now begin the meditation. As before, you can see it as having three
aspects:
   1.	The basic motion is one of traveling through the clouds and into the
light. 
	"Reach out and touch them in your mind. Brush them aside with your
hand; 
	feel them resting on your cheeks, and forehead and eyelids as you go
through them" (6:3-4).
   2.	If your mind wanders, repeat the idea and then continue your journey
through the clouds.
   3.	Most of all, hold that heightened attitude you cultivated in the
first phase, 
	an attitude of desire (remember how much you want to reach the
light), 
	determination (be determined to get there), and confidence 
	(realize you cannot fail, because this is in accord with God's
Will).

* If you do your part properly, the power of God will do the rest. You will
feel His power lifting you up and carrying you into the light.

Frequent reminders: as often as possible (suggestion: several times an hour)
Say, "My grievances hide the light of the world in me. I cannot see what I
have hidden. Yet I want to let it be revealed to me [meaning, by God], for
my salvation and the salvation of the world."

Response to temptation: whenever you are tempted to hold a grievance
Say, "If I hold this grievance the light of the world will be hidden from
me."

COMMENTARY

I am the light of the world, but the light cannot shine out because my
grievances hide it. When I let my grievances go, the light is released, and
releases my brother and myself. My job with everyone I meet is to share my
salvation with him.

Today's practice is another time of attempting to "reach the light in you,"
or in other words, to become aware of my Self as God created It, wholly
loving and wholly loveable. Notice how the form of this practice is similar
to what we've seen before; it is a pattern that is repeated often in the
Workbook in different forms. In general, the pattern is one of attempting to
move past, or move through, or let go of the thoughts that normally occupy
my mind, settling down in deep stillness, and reaching beyond my surface
thoughts to something deep within myself, a Self I am not normally aware of.
This could be called the Course method of meditation. It is one of the tools
given to us by the Workbook, and should be learned and used even after
Workbook practice per se has ended.

What we are trying to reach is "dearer to us than all else" (3:1). Reaching
it, finding it, and releasing it to the world is our only purpose and only
function on earth. "Learning salvation is our only goal" (3:4). I love the
poignant imagery of this sentence: "We are trying to let the veil be lifted,
and to see the tears of God's Son disappear in the sunlight" (2:5). Can you
feel that tug with me, that longing to release the light of the world that
is in you?

"There is a light that this world cannot give. Yet you can give it, as it
was given you. And as you give it, it shines forth to call you from the
world and follow it. For this light will attract you as nothing in this
world can do." (T-13.VI.11:1-4)