ACIM Workbook Lesson 126 ~ May 5
http://courseinmiracles.com/workbook_lessons/part_1/lesson126.htm
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" Lesson 126
"All that I give is given to myself."
Today's idea, completely alien to
the ego and the thinking of the world,
is crucial to the thought reversal which
this course [would] bring about. If you believed
this statement there would be no problem in
complete forgiveness, certainty of goal,
and sure direction. You would understand
the means by which salvation comes to you,
and would not hesitate to use it now.
Let us consider what you do believe
in place of this idea. It seems to you
that other people are apart from you,
and able to behave in ways which have
no bearing on your thoughts, nor yours on theirs.
Therefore your attitudes have no effect
on them, and their appeals for help are not
in any way related to your own.
You further think that they can sin without
affecting your perception of yourself,
while you can judge their sins and yet remain
apart from condemnation and at peace.
When you forgive a sin, there is no gain
to you directly. You give charity
to one unworthy merely to point out
that you are "better," on a higher plane
than he whom you forgive. He has not earned
your charitable tolerance, which you
bestow on one unworthy of the gift
because his sins have lowered him beneath
a true equality with you. He has
no claim on your forgiveness. It holds out
a gift to him but hardly to yourself.
Thus is forgiveness basically unsound;
a charitable whim, benevolent
yet undeserved; a gift bestowed at times,
at other times withheld. Unmerited,
withholding it is just, nor is it fair
that you should suffer when it is withheld.
The sin which you forgive is not your own.
Someone apart from you committed it.
And if you then are gracious unto him
by giving him what he does not deserve,
the gift is no more yours than was his sin.
If this be true, forgiveness has no grounds
on which to rest dependably and sure.
It is an eccentricity in which
you sometimes choose to give indulgently
an undeserved reprieve. Yet it remains
your right to let the "sinner" not escape
the justified repayment for his sins.
Think you the Lord of Heaven would allow
the world's salvation to depend on this?
Would not His care for you be small indeed
if your salvation rested on a whim?
You do not understand forgiveness. As
you see it, it is but a check upon
overt attack, without requiring
correction in your mind. It cannot give
you peace as you perceive it. It is not
a means for your release from what you see
in someone other than yourself. It has
no power to restore your unity
with him to your awareness. It is not
what God intended it to be for you.
Not having given Him the gift He asks
of you, you cannot recognize His gifts,
and think He has not given them to you.
Yet would He ask you for a gift unless
it was for you? Could He be satisfied
with empty gestures, and evaluate
such petty gifts as worthy of His Son?
Salvation is a better gift than this,
and true forgiveness, as the means by which
it is attained, must heal the mind that gives,
for giving is receiving. What remains
as unreceived has not been given, but
what has been given must have been received.
Today we try to understand the truth
that giver and receiver are the same.
You will need help to make this meaningful
because it is so alien to the thoughts
to which you are accustomed. But the help
you need is there. Give Him your faith today
and ask Him that He share your practicing
in truth today. And if you only catch
a tiny glimpse of the release which lies
in the idea we practice for today,
this is a day of glory for the world.
Give fifteen minutes twice today to the
attempt to understand today's idea.
It is the thought by which forgiveness takes
its proper place in your priorities.
It is the thought that will release your mind
from every bar to what forgiveness means,
and let you realize its worth to you.
In silence close your eyes upon the world
which does not understand forgiveness, and
seek sanctuary in the quiet place
where thoughts are changed and false beliefs laid by.
Repeat today's idea, and ask for help
in understanding what it really means.
Be willing to be taught. Be glad to hear
the Voice of truth and healing speak to you,
and you will understand the words He speaks,
and recognize He speaks your words to you.
As often as you can, remind yourself
you have a goal today; an aim which makes
this day of special value to yourself
and all your brothers. Do not let your mind
forget this goal for long, but tell yourself:
"All that I give is given to myself.
The help I need to [see] that this is true
Is with me now. And I will trust in Him."
Then spend a quiet moment, opening
your mind to His correction and His Love.
And what you hear of Him you will believe,
for what He gives will be received by you. "
~ Urtext of ACIM
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