[acimlessons_list] Lesson 37 - February 6

[Sue Roth]

Lesson 37 - February 6

"My holiness blesses the world."

Practice Summary

Purpose: to introduce you to your true function (this is the first lesson to
deal with the topic of function). You are here to bless, and to make no
demands. This blessing involves first acknowledging your own holiness, and
then seeing others in its holy light. Try to see today's practice periods in
this way, as practice in the reason you are here.

Longer: 4 times, for 3-5 minutes
*	Repeat the idea and, for a minute or so, look about you and apply it
to the objects you see, saying, "My holiness blesses [this chair, that
window, this body, etc.]."
*	Close your eyes and apply the idea to any person you think of,
saying, "My holiness blesses you, [name]."
*	For the remainder you may continue with this second phase of
practice, go back to the first, or alternate between them. 
*	Conclude by repeating the idea with eyes closed and then once more
with eyes open.

Frequent reminders: as often as you can
This can take one of two forms: 
1.	Repeat the idea slowly.
2.	Apply the idea silently to anyone you meet, using his or her name.
Really try to do this. It takes real presence of mind to repeat the idea
right when you meet up with someone, but it can be done. Or it can be done
after the interaction is over. The Workbook will repeat this practice in
several future lessons, which shows the importance it has. This practice has
the power to transform an ordinary encounter into a holy encounter.

Response to temptation: Whenever you have an adverse reaction to someone
Immediately apply the idea to him or her ("My holiness bless you, [name]").
See this as a real act of blessing this person with your holiness. This will
keep your holiness in your awareness, while your anger will blot it from
your mind.


COMMENTARY

There is a principle stated in Chapter 13 of the Text that applies to this
lesson: "To perceive truly is to be aware of all reality through the
awareness of your own" (T-13.VI.1:1). Or, in terms a bit closer to our
lesson for today: "Since you and your neighbor are equal members of one
family, as you perceive both so you will do to both. You should look out
from the perception of your own holiness to the holiness of others"
(T-1.III.6:6,7).

Unless we recognize our own holiness we will not see the holiness of all of
God's creations. What we perceive is, after all, merely the reflection of
how we see ourselves. Conversely, how we perceive others <shows> us how we
must be seeing ourselves.

In this lesson, we are told, we see "the first glimmerings of your true
function in the world, or why you are here" (1:1). Our job is stated simply
but with great profundity: "Your purpose is to see the world through your
own holiness" (1:2).

Have you ever met someone you would consider very holy? I have. The most
remarkable thing about them is that they seem to see everyone as holy. When
you are around them, you even feel holy yourself! They seem to be seeing
something in you that normally you cannot see; their seeing it draws it out
of you. And just exactly that is why we are in the world; just exactly that
is what all of us are here to do. We are here to see the world through our
own holiness, to draw out of everyone around us their native holiness, to
perceive them in such a way that the power of our perception lifts them up
out of self-doubt and self-loathing into an awareness of their own
magnificence.

We have this power! "As you share my unwillingness to accept error in
yourself and others, you must join the great crusade to correct it; listen
to my voice, learn to undo error and act to correct it. The power to work
miracles belongs to you" (T-1.III.1:6,7). "Those who are released must join
in releasing their brothers, for this is the plan of the Atonement"
(T-1.III.3:3). This is the plan by which we, empowered by God's Spirit
within us, can save the world. We release one another by perceiving each
other through our own holiness, creating a resonance within them as their
own holy nature, long suppressed, responds to our perception of them.

"Thus are you and the world blessed together. No one loses; nothing is taken
away from anyone; everyone gains through your holy vision" (Lesson 37, 1:3,
4). "My holiness blesses the world;" that is what I am here for. I am here
to bring blessing to the world, and the message I bring is--<so are you>. No
one loses; everyone gains. What an incredible outlook this is!

This undoes the entire idea of sacrifice because it is a message of total
equality. We are here to acknowledge each other, and when we do we have
achieved our glorious purpose. Any other way of looking at things winds up
demanding sacrifice; somebody, somewhere, has to lose. But with the vision
of Christ we can look out at all the world and proclaim, "They are all the
same; all beautiful and equal in their holiness" (T-13.VIII.6:1).

"Your holiness blesses him by asking nothing of him. Those who see
themselves as whole make no demands" (2:6). Oh, that we might learn the
lesson of asking nothing, making no demands! Have you ever, even perhaps if
only for a brief time, been with someone who was so complete they made no
demands on you? They had no need they were, overtly or covertly, asking you
to fill. They loved you just as you were; they accepted you without
expecting anything from you. Isn't that what we all want in our
relationships? Isn't that what unconditional love is?

Well, the way to have what you want is to give it away. This is what all of
us are destined to do, and will do eventually, even if it seems beyond us
now. Aware of your holiness and your own completion, you will stand and
bless the world.

"Your holiness is the salvation of the world. It lets you teach the world
that it is one with you, not by preaching to it, not by telling it anything,
but merely by your quiet recognition that in your holiness are all things
blessed along with you" (3:1-2).