A Course in Miracles,
Lesson 199 I am not a body.
I am free.
Freedom must be impossible.
As long as you perceive a body as yourself,
The body is a limit.
Those who would seek for freedom in a body look for it where it cannot be found.
Your mind can be made free when it no longer sees itself as in a body,
Firmly tied to the body,
Sheltered by its presence.
If this were the truth,
The mind would be vulnerable indeed.
The mind that serves the Holy Spirit is unlimited forever,
Unlimited in all ways beyond the laws of time and space.
The mind that serves the Holy Spirit is unbound by any preconception.
It is bound with strength and power to do whatever it is asked.
Attack thoughts cannot enter such a mind,
Because this mind has been given to the source of love.
Fear can never enter a mind that has attached itself to love.
This mind that has been given to the source of love rests in God.
Who can be afraid when they live in innocence and only love?
I am not a body.
I am free.
It is essential for your progress in this course that you accept this idea and hold it very dear.
I am not a body.
I am free.
Be not concerned that to our ego this notion is quite insane.
Our ego holds the body dear because it dwells in it.
Our ego lives united with the body,
The home that it has made.
Our body is a part of the illusion that has sheltered our ego from finding itself to be an illusion.
In the body,
Here,
Does our ego hide,
And in the body our ego can be seen as what it is.
So we declare our innocence,
And we are free.
Our body disappears because we have no need of it,
Except for the need that the Holy Spirit sees.
For the Holy Spirit,
The body will appear as a useful form for what our mind must do.
Our body thus becomes a vehicle which helps forgiveness to be extended to the all-inclusive goal that it must reach according to God's plan.
I am not a body.
I am free.
Cherish this idea and practice it today and every day.
I am not a body.
I am free.
Make this statement a part of every practice period,
And there is no thought that will not gain,
Thereby,
In power to help the world.
I am not a body.
I am free.
Make this statement a part of every practice period,
And there is no thought that will not gain in added gifts to you as well.
I am not a body.
I am free.
We sound the call of freedom round the world with this idea.
Should you be exempt from the acceptance of the gifts you give?
The Holy Spirit is the home of minds that seek for freedom.
In the Holy Spirit,
They have found what they have sought.
The body's purpose is now unambiguous,
And the body becomes perfect in the ability to serve an undivided goal in conflict-free and unequivocal response to the mind,
But with the thought of freedom as its goal.
The body serves,
And serves its purpose well,
Without the power to enslave.
The body is a worthy servant of the freedom which the mind,
Within the Holy Spirit,
Seeks.
Be free today.
Carry freedom as your gift to those who still believe that they are enslaved within a body.
Be you free,
So that the Holy Spirit can make use of your escape from bondage.
Be you free,
For you to help set free the many who perceive themselves as bound,
Helpless,
And afraid.
Let love replace their fears through you.
Accept salvation now,
And give your mind to the one who calls to you,
To make this gift of your mind to him,
For he would give you perfect freedom,
Perfect joy.
He would give you hope that finds its full accomplishment in God.
You are God's child.
In immortality,
You live forever.
Would you not return your mind to this?
Then,
Practice well the thought the Holy Spirit gives you for today.
I am not a body,
I am free.
Your brothers and sisters stand release with you.
I am not a body,
I am free.
In this thought,
The world is blessed along with you.
God's child will weep no more.
Heaven offers thanks for the increase of joy your practice brings,
Even to it.
God himself extends his love and happiness each time you say,
I am not a body,
I am free.
I hear the voice that God has given me.
It is only this voice my mind obeys.
Ponder on this.
I hear the voice that God has given me.
It is only this voice my mind obeys.
If I seek for freedom in a body,
I look for it where it cannot be found.
My mind can be made free when it no longer sees itself as in a body.
My body is a vehicle which helps forgiveness be extended according to God's plan.
I hear the voice that God has given me.
It is only this voice my mind obeys.
Body,
I am free.
It is essential for your progress in this course that you accept this idea and hold it very dear.
I am not a body,
I am free.
Nothing real can be threatened.
Nothing unreal exists.
Herein lies the peace of God.
