ACIM Lesson 176a Review 161

We now review again. This time we are ready to give more effort and more time to what we undertake. We recognize we are preparing for another phase of understanding. We would take this step completely, so that we may go on again more certain, more sincere, with faith upheld more surely. Our footsteps have not been unwavering, and doubts have made us walk uncertainly and slowly on the road this course sets forth. But now we hasten on, for we approach a greater certainty, a firmer purpose, and a surer goal.

All quotes are from A Course in Miracles, copyright ©2007, Third Edition used with permission from the publisher and copyright holder, the Foundation for Inner Peace, 448 Ignacio Blvd., #306, Novato, CA 94949, acim org.

Transcript

Welcome to Active Meditation,

A Course in Miracles,

Lesson 176,

Review,

Lesson 161.

God is love,

And therefore so am I.

Steady our feet,

Let our doubts be quiet,

Let our holy minds be still,

And speak to us.

Lead our practicing,

We will listen to your word and make it ours.

We accept the word you offer us to unify our practicing as we review the thoughts that you have given us in these lessons.

Review,

Lesson 161.

Give me your blessing,

Holy child of God.

Today,

We practice differently.

We take a stand against our anger.

We take this stand so that our fears may disappear and offer room to love.

It seems to be the body that we feel limits our freedom.

Our body makes us suffer and at last puts out our life.

Yet,

Bodies are but symbols for a concrete form of fear.

Fear without symbols calls for no response,

For symbols can stand for the meaningless.

Love needs no symbols being true.

Fear attaches to specifics being false.

Bodies attack,

But minds do not.

This is the reason bodies easily become fear's symbols.

You have many times been urged to look beyond the body,

For the body's sight presents symbol of love's enemy.

Christ's vision does not see the body as a symbol of fear.

The body is the target for attack,

For no one thinks they hate a mind.

Yet,

What but mind directs the body to attack?

What else could be the seed of fear,

Except what thinks of fear?

Let's review the practice.

We will identify one brother or sister as a symbol,

Then ask them for salvation.

Do this now.

Select the person who you will ask for salvation.

Now be silent while you do this.

Now that you have them in mind,

See this person as clearly as you can.

In the same body to which you are accustomed,

Notice their face,

Their hands and feet,

Their clothing.

Watch them smile.

Observe their familiar gestures which they make so frequently.

Now think of this.

What you are seeing now conceals from you the sight of one who can forgive you all your sins.

Ask this of this person that they may set you free.

Ask them,

Give me your blessing,

Holy child of God.

I would behold you with the eyes of Christ.

I see my perfect sinlessness in you.

Christ will answer through this person whom you called upon.

Christ will hear the voice for God in you and answer in your own.

Behold this person now whom you have seen as merely flesh and bone and recognize that Christ has come to you.

Repeat again to this person,

Give me your blessing,

Holy child of God.

I would behold you with the eyes of Christ.

I see my perfect sinlessness in you.

This idea is your safe escape from anger and from fear.

Be sure you use it instantly should you be tempted to attack someone and perceive in them a symbol of your fear.

You will see them suddenly transformed from enemy to Savior,

From the devil into Christ.

Ponder on this.

Give me your blessing,

Holy child of God.

I would behold you with the eyes of Christ.

Give me your blessing,

Holy child of God.

Give me your blessing,

Holy child of God.

God is love and therefore so am I.

Nothing real can be threatened.

Nothing unreal exists.

Herein lies the peace of God.