LESSON 81 MARCH 22 (61) "I am the light of the world." (62) "Forgiveness is my function as the light of the world." Practice instructions Longer: Two times (once for each of the ideas), for about fifteen minutes. For three or four minutes, slowly read over the idea and comments (repeatedly if you wish) and think about them. Close your eyes and spend the remainder of the practice period listening for the message the Holy Spirit has for you. We can see this time of listening as having the following components: 1. Listen "quietly but attentively" (3:1)-listen in stillness and with all your attention. 2. Hold an attitude of confidence ("this message belongs to me"), desire ("I want this message"), and determination ("I'm determined to succeed"). 3. Listening for ten minutes can easily be one big invitation to mind wandering, and so the majority of instruction for this exercise deals with this issue. For out-of-control mind wandering, go back and repeat the first phase. For more minor wandering, realize the distracting thoughts have no power and that your will has all the power, and then replace the thoughts with your will to succeed. Do so with firmness. "Do not allow your intent to waver" (4:1). "Refuse to be sidetracked" (5:2). This is not mentioned in the instructions, but you may find it helpful to actually ask for the message, at the beginning and then periodically throughout. You may say, for instance, "What is Your message for me today?" You may even want to use this request as the specific vehicle for dispelling wandering thoughts. Frequent reminders: Frequent. Repeat the idea as a way of reaffirming your determination to succeed. First half of day: first lesson Second half of day: second lesson Response to temptation: Whenever you are tempted to be upset. Repeat some variation on the idea, modified to apply to this particular upset. You may use one of the three "specific forms" (W-pI.rII.In.6:1) suggested after each lesson. Notice how they are directed at a specific upset. Virtually every one is aimed at an upsetting "this" or an upsetting "name." Or you may generate one of your own specific forms, by using a variation on the practice of letting related thoughts come. Simply lean back and let your mind come up with a sentence that applies the essence of the idea to your current upset. For examples, see the specific forms suggested after each lesson. Commentary "I am the light of the world." Lighting up the world is our function. The Course is teaching us to remember Who we are, and to begin to live as Who we are. We are lights, and we can live as lights in this world, through our forgiveness sharing the happy news of freedom from all guilt. As St. Francis of Assisi prayed, "Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace." May I leave everyone I meet a little brighter today. May the world seem a little less dark for everyone I encounter. May each one I touch feel more loveable as a result of meeting me. May I ask to see the light in every situation; may I respond to darkness with light. "Forgiveness is my function as the light of the world." If I do not feel like the light of the world this day, let me forgive another; everyone I forgive will show me the light in myself. It's even okay that I don't yet understand what true forgiveness really is; that can't stop me if I am willing to learn, and I am willing. Every situation that seems to bring distress is a chance to learn what forgiveness really is. I don't want to use the circumstances of my day for any purpose other than God's. Let everything be grist for the mill. LESSON 82 MARCH 23 (63) "The light of the world brings peace to every mind through my forgiveness." (64) "Let me not forget my function." Practice instructions See Review II practice instructions on page XXX. Commentary My forgiveness serves three primary purposes, according to this review: 1. The light of the world is expressed through me, in this world, by means of forgiveness. Part II of the Workbook says that forgiveness is the reflection of love in this world (W-pII.352.1:4); it also refers to it as "truth's reflection" (W-pII.357.1:1). The full reality of love cannot be known in this world, but we can know its reflection, which is forgiveness. The reality of what I am is reflected here as I forgive. 2. I become aware of my own reality, the light of the world, by means of my forgiveness. What comes through me shows me what I am. I become increasingly aware of the Holy Spirit in me, and the Christ of which He speaks, by seeing His effects through me (T-9.IV.5:5). To learn that I am love, I must teach love. Forgiveness, love's reflection, is how I do that in this world. 3. The world is healed by means of my forgiveness, and so am I. As I forgive those around me, they see love reflected through me, and they see themselves in the light of love and are healed. It is easy to see why forgiveness plays such a major role in the Course. It is easy to feel motivated to "forgive the world, that it may be healed along with me" (1:5). I like practicing the line "Let peace extend from my mind to yours, [name]" (2:2). I will practice it now, as I write this, thinking of all of you who will be receiving this message: May peace extend from my mind to yours. With forgiveness as my function, and with forgiveness having so many profound effects, I do not want to forget it today. It helps me become aware of my Self, and so I want to practice it today. Let me use everything today as an opportunity to learn forgiveness.