Part 1

Undoing the Way We See Now

Lesson 44

God is the light in which I see.

Today we are continuing with the idea for yesterday, adding another dimension to it. You cannot see in darkness, and you cannot make light. You can make darkness and then think you see in it, but light reflects life, and is therefore an aspect of creation. Creation and darkness cannot coexist, but light and life must go together, being but different aspects of creation.

     2 In order to see, one must recognize that light is within, not without. You do not see outside yourself, nor is the equipment for seeing outside. An essential part of this equipment is the light that makes seeing possible. It is with you always, making vision possible in every circumstance.

     3 Today we are going to attempt to reach that light. For that purpose we will use a form of practice which we have suggested once before, and will utilize increasingly. It is a particularly difficult form for the undisciplined mind because it represents a major goal of mind training. It embodies precisely what the untrained mind lacks. Yet the training must be accomplished if you are to see.

     4 Have at least three practice periods today, each lasting three to five minutes. Longer is highly recommended, but only if you find the time merely slipping by with little or no sense of strain. The form of exercise we will use is the most natural and easy one in the world for the trained mind, just as it seems to be the most unnatural and difficult for the untrained mind.

     5 Your mind is no longer wholly untrained. You are quite ready to learn the form of exercise we will use today, but you may find that you will encounter strong resistance. The reason is very simple: While you practice in this form, you leave behind everything that you now believe and all the thoughts which you have made up. Properly speaking, this is the release from hell.

     6 If you can stand aside from the ego by ever so little, you will have no difficulty in recognizing that it’s opposition and fear are meaningless. You might find it helpful to remind yourself from time to time that to reach the light is to escape from darkness, whatever you may believe to the contrary. God is the light in which you see. You are attempting to reach Him.

     7 Begin the practice period by repeating today’s idea with your eyes open, and then close them slowly, repeating the idea several times more. Then try to sink into your mind, letting go ever kind of interference and intrusion by quietly sinking past it. It is merely taking its natural course. Try to observe your passing thoughts without involvement and slip quietly by them.

     8 While no particular form of approach is advocated, what is needful is a sense of the importance of what you are doing, its inestimable value to you, and an awareness that you are attempting something very holy.⁵⁸ Salvation is your happiest accomplishment. It is also the only one that has any meaning, because it is the only one that has any use to you at all.

     9 If resistance rises in any form, pause long enough to repeat today’s idea, keeping your eyes closed unless you are aware of fear. In that case, you will probably find it more reassuring to open your eyes briefly. Try, however, to return to the exercises as soon as possible.

     10 If you are doing them correctly, you should experience some sense of relaxation, and even a sense of approaching, if not actually entering into, light. Try to think of light, formless and without limit, as you pass by the thoughts of this world. And do not forget that they cannot hold you to the world unless you give them power to do so.

     11 Throughout the day, repeat the idea often, with eyes open or closed as seems better at the time. Do not forget. Above all, be determined not to forget today.

Personal Notes:

“God is the light in which I see.” To reach the light is to escape from darkness.

God is the light in which I see whatever needs to be done.

God is the light in which I see the beauty of the day before me.

God is the light in which I see my children and grandchildren.

God is the light in which I see my home, family, and friends.

God is the light in which I see the circumstances before me unfolding.

God is the light in which I see myself.

God is the light in which I see A Course in Miracles lighting the way for me to light the way for others.

God is the light in which I see freedom, love, joy, peace.

I pray for all my brothers, sisters, and myself for continued guidance, wisdom, discernment, protection and illumination of purpose in The Way, The Truth, The Life in Christ Jesus, Amen. Thank you for sharing with me. Walk in Love my friend!

God is Love

Love is God

I choose Love

Footnote 58. “Form of approach” may refer to specific forms of mentally approaching God, such as traveling through clouds (Lesson 69), sinking beneath the churning surface to the calm depths (Lesson 47), or imagining that Jesus is holding your hand and leading you (Lesson 70). The point in this sentence is that having a heightened sense of the importance, value, and holiness of what you are attempting is more important than “the particular form of approach” you use.