Messages & Miracles~ACIM~Lesson 9

Today was a day filled. And a day to reflect. I awoke from a rather confusing dream this morning. It actually caused me to feel drained & tired. A pull, perhaps, from the universe reminding me to slow down; it's time to learn. I had much to accomplish and accomplish I did, I did so, at a nice pace. There really was no hurry, nor is there ever, this is something that we choose.

Out with the old, in with the new, which typically takes us back to that place of reflection. My lessons for today brought a sense of peace; from the reflections of my lessons in the Course of Miracles.  In the meantime, I received an A+ for yesterdays lesson!

'I see nothing as it is now.'

The wonderment of awareness beacons me further along the journey♡This, and the truths of the past week, allowed me to stay focused and in the present. The practices in A Course in Miracles start us off by understanding our memories; offering to show us how to use them. Memories are merely a tool. They are just thoughts. We, all too often choose to believe them, in their sincerity & integrity; and we give them more fire. Memories are thoughts that we are manifesting in the now, and as each moment goes on, they  become increasingly more untrue, the reality of them more vague. We begin to add our own 'twist' to them, add anothers point of view; our co-workers, our friends, family, even strangers. It's important to remember that they draw into our reality from their memories of similar (and not so similar experiences.), which only serves to add more fuel to the fire. Our past becomes more alive with greater fear, anger, guilt, or shame.

It is important, that if it is something that has hurt us in any way, to allow yourself to grieve; grieve until you come to a place where your power exists and take it back. The change begins when we set the Intention to Grieve Solution-based. I do know, from my experience and teachings, that once we change our awareness of what is happening to us, change our vibrational frequency, that we draw more of same into our lives. If we raise our vibration to acceptance, love, forgiveness, & strength at the end of our 'hurt,' we face the world with this frequency and strength. Suddenly, we are the victor rather than the victim!

Driving in the truck, as I looked at the beauty of my surroundings, I reminded myself of this, over and over. What I discovered was that although I was 'tired,' I did not have to be grumpy. I did not had to feed the tired. I did not have to go to a place of self pity or doubt.  I just allowed myself to be fully gentle and accepting of my thoughts, feelings, and ideas, and always in the present. 'Back to the Present,' is an exercise that I teach, and this time I relearned in a whole new way. I experienced new surrounding everywhere I went; calmly, from a place of love. My vibrational frequency was accepting. 

'I see nothing as it is now.'

This idea follows a new awareness from the two preceding ones. Although you are able to accept the concept on an intellectual level; it is unlikely that it's full impact will mean much to you yet.

Know that understanding is not necessary at this point. In fact, the opposite is true; the recognition that you do not understand is a prerequisite for undoing your false ideas.

These exercises are concerned with practice, not with understanding.  It is difficult for the untrained mind to believe that what it seems to picture is not there. This idea can be quite disturbing, and may be met with active resistance in any number of forms. Yet that does not preclude applying it. Its application is all that is required for this (or any other exercises). Each small step will clear a little of the darkness away.

Understanding will come, to lighten every corner of the mind that has been cleared of the debris that darkens it.

These exercises, for which three or four practice periods are sufficient, involve looking about you and applying the idea for the day to whatever you see. Remembering the need for its indiscriminate application, and the essential rule of excluding nothing.  For example:

I do not see this typewriter as it is now.
I do not see this telephone as it is now.
I do not see this arm as it is now.

Begin with things that are nearest you, and then extend the range outward:

I do not see that coat rack as it is now.
I do not see that door as it is now.
I do not see that face as it is now.

If we 'firmly' see something; a situation, person, thing, experience, only as it is, we take away its opportunity to change. 

It is emphasized again that while complete inclusion should not be attempted, specific exclusion must be avoided. Be sure you are honest with yourself in making this distinction.

The day is before me♡a wonderment at that♡Life loves me♡Life blesses me with the greatest of abundance; love, joy, happiness, peace within & around. Lori-Lynn xxxooo