Read on the ACIM CE App: https://acimce.app/:W-271
Lesson 271
Christ’s is the vision I will use today.
Practice Instructions
See complete instructions in a separate document. A short summary:
- Read the commentary paragraph slowly and personally.
- Pray the prayer, perhaps several times.
- Morning and evening: Repeat the idea and then spend time in Open Mind Meditation.
- Hourly remembrance: Repeat the idea and then spend time in Open Mind Meditation.
- Frequent reminders: Repeat the idea and then spend a quiet moment in meditation.
- Response to temptation: Repeat the idea whenever upset, to restore peace.
- Read the “What Is” section slowly and thoughtfully once during the day.
Commentary
Once again the Workbook faces us with the fact that we choose what we want to see, and see it. It tells us this process is going on continuously, constantly: “Each day, each hour, every instant, I am choosing what I want to look upon, the sounds I want to hear, the witnesses to what I want to be the truth for me” (1:1). The latter part of that sentence is significant because it gives us the reason for our choice: we choose to see what we want to be the truth for ourselves. For instance, if I am constantly seeing people who are victims, it is because there is a part of me that wants to be a victim. I may think that I do not want to be a victim, but if the alternative is to be responsible for everything that happens to me—it sounds pretty good! Every time I see a victim, I am secretly wanting to be able to blame someone else for my faults.
The main point of this lesson is not our negative choices, however. The point is that there is a choice. There is an alternative. If I listen to the ego my choice will be to see sin, guilt, fear, and death. If I listen to the Holy Spirit, however, I will want something different to be the truth about myself, and therefore I will want to see something else in the world—and I will see it. Seeing it in the world is how I will know it is the truth about myself. Instead of wanting to see witnesses to sin, I will want to see witnesses to the truth, and what I look for I will find.
As my perception merges more and more with Christ’s vision, I will approach the point where perception will entirely disappear (1:3). The changed perception will show me what the Course calls the real world; the disappearance of perception refers to the end of the world and our awakening to Heaven.
How do I want to see myself? If I want to see myself as love, let me seek today to see love in my brothers and sisters. If I want to see myself as innocent, let me look for innocence in others. If I want to see myself as without guilt, let me seek to see others without guilt. Today, let me remember:
When you meet anyone, remember it is a holy encounter. As you see him, you will see yourself. As you treat him, you will treat yourself. As you think of him, you will think of yourself. (T-8.II.6:1-4)
Everyone you see in light brings your light closer to your own awareness. (T-13.VI.10:3)
Teach no one that he is what you do not want to be. (T-7.VI.4:9)