ACIM ~ Lesson 142. "My mind holds only what I think with God."

Lesson 142. "My mind holds only what I think with God."

(123) "I thank my Father for His gifts to me."
(124) "Let me remember I am one with God."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As there are no commentaries for the next ten lessons, it might be
helpful to just give a brief excerpt from both Lessons 123 and 124, and the
commentary by Kenneth Wapnick.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(123) "I thank my Father for His gifts to me."

(4) "Today in gratitude we lift our hearts above despair, and raise our thankful
eyes, no longer looking downward to the dust. We sing the song of thankfulness
today, in honor of the Self that God has willed to be our true Identity in Him.
Today we smile on everyone we see, and walk with lightened footsteps as we go to do what is appointed us to do."

*"What is appointed us to do" is forgive, which means I first become aware of
how much I do not want to let go of my judgments and specialness, how much I do
not want to smile on everyone I see. Indeed, I want only to smile at those from
whom I want something; a desire that is selective, specific, and special. My
first step in learning to forgive, therefore, is being aware of how much I do
not want to, how much I do not want to change my perceptions. It is only when I
become aware of my withholding a smile or a gentle word from you, that I can see
I am withholding it from myself. Thus, I am not only <not> interested in being
with you, but also not being with Jesus, and I certainly am not interested in
returning to God. We need to see the causal connection between the <effect>, how
we are towards others -- separate, insensitive, and special -- and the <cause>,
not wanting to return home and remember God's Son. We look at that wish without
judgment, thereby forgiving ourselves -- our function on earth. How could one
not feel gratitude for such a function, for only through forgiveness can our
hearts be lifted above despair to share the vision of the Son of God: the Self
that God created one with Him.*

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(124) "Let me remember I am one with God."

(12) "Let me remember I am one with God,
at one with all my brothers and my Self,
in everlasting holiness and peace."


*... try to be aware of how you do not want to speak these words. To say it
again -- without pressuring yourself, focus on what you do not want to do or let
go of. Becoming aware of these ego thoughts will allow you to realize that
another part of your mind does in fact want to make these words your own. This
will make the day meaningful, for you will have learned how much your commitment
is to yourself and to the Sonship.*