PART II. SECTION 8. What is the Real World?
Lesson 291 This Is A Day Of Stillness And Peace
- Christ’s vision looks through me today. His sight shows me all things forgiven and at peace and offers this same vision to the world. And I accept this vision in its name, both for myself and for the world as well. What loveliness we look upon today! What holiness we see surrounding us! And it is given us to recognize it is a holiness in which we share; it is the Holiness of God Himself.
- This day my mind is quiet, to receive the Thoughts You offer me. And I accept what comes from You, instead of from myself. I do not know the way to You. But You are wholly certain. Father guide Your Son along the quiet path that leads to You. Let my forgiveness be complete and let the memory of You return to me.[1]
As we enter into our devotional practice, setting aside time each day to consciously lay aside our false self with all of its calls, demands, and desires and dedicating our time to connect and identify with only our Holy Spirit, we begin to perceive the world differently. The worries and cares, the grudges and concerns that had once plagued our minds and usurped our peace melts away.
For me, the letting go of the false self is experienced as the freedom and adventure of getting to know the truly wonderful Being who has been my true and Holy Self all along. Waiting with the certainty of God, my Holy Spirit quietly and gently waited for me to grow tired and bored with my ego identity and return to who and what I really am in Christ.
Life with my missionary mother has taken me into the byways and highways of the world, just as my life with my husband has taken me pert near all over the world. I have been at home in migrant camps, trailer parks, shabby apartments, slums, and projects just as I have made homes in five-star hotels, mansions, villas, and high-rise condominiums at privileged addresses. When I look back over the last sixty years of my life, sometimes I am amazed at all the opportunities that this little country gal from Mooresburg Road has been afforded. And yet getting to know the real me has been one of the most exciting adventures that I have ever experienced.
When I got to know myself in Christ and began to see the world through the eyes of my Holy Self, all things were forgiven, all things became calm and at peace and this is what I began to offer to the world in turn – to my husband, to my children and grandchildren, to my cats and chickens, to my friends and family members. My mind became quiet and still – gone were the voices of contempt, of mockery, ridicule, shame, and blame. My mind began to experience the real world where the calls of this world to become agitated, regretful, angry, and spiteful were gone and all I could see were calls to love and joy and peace.
What loveliness we look upon today! Jesus exclaims. What holiness we see surrounding us! When we get in touch with who and what we really are we begin to see the world as it really is – past the shadow of the ego, past the dark clouds that would obscure its light. The world and our Holy Spirits, our Holy Selves are one for we share the Holiness of God Himself.
Today as we set aside time for our holy habit, quiet your mind by shutting down all the calls of the world. They will still be there after your blessed time with God. Accept the thoughts which come from your Holy Spirit; shut down the voice of your unholy ego which has been erected in His place. That “my-self” has no idea who and what it is because it is a conglomeration of conflicting wishes, desires, drives, and impulses. It has puffed itself up with grudges and opinions and likes and dislikes. It needs constant attention and reassurance and offerings. You do not want it anymore!
That “my-self” has no idea how to find its way to God because it was designed and manufactured in opposition to the true Creation of God. Your Holy Self knows the way. Your Holy Spirit will guide you to God because your real Self knows Him as Father.
It is a quiet path that leads to God. It is not loud and clamorous; it is not showy and glamorous. It is path that has no room at all for the ego-self, it is a path for those who are forgiven and offer forgiveness to all, it is a path for those who know that the ego-self offers nothing because it is a lie and there is no truth in it; it is a path for those who long for the stillness and peace that only comes from God.
[1] A Course In Miracles. Workbook for Students. Lesson 291. Foundation for Inner Peace, Second Edition (1992). p. 444.
Audio credit: the friar patch @ http://www.eckiefriar.com
the friar patch 