ACIM Lesson 308 This instant is the only time there is.
I have conceived of time in such a way that I defeat my aim. ²If I elect to reach past time to timelessness, I must change my perception of what time is for.
The Only Time There Is
This instant is the only time there is.
1. I have conceived of time in such a way that I defeat my aim. ²If I elect to reach past time to timelessness, I must change my perception of what time is for. ³Time’s purpose cannot be to keep the past and future one. ⁴The only interval in which I can be saved from time is now. ⁵For in this instant has forgiveness come to set me free. ⁶The birth of Christ is now, without a past or future. ⁷He has come to give His present blessing to the world, restoring it to timelessness and love. ⁸And love is ever-present, here and now.
2. Thanks for this instant, Father. ²It is now I am redeemed. ³This instant is the time You have appointed for Your Son’s release, and for salvation of the world in him.
We Are In Time But not Trapped Here
Time is not actually real, but in order to have our present experience time is necessary. The experience of separation requires that we be apart from each other in both time and space. Consequently, since we opted for the experience of separation, we are now in time. The good news is that we are not stuck here as there are two ways of using time. However, when we are lost in our experience, we see only one way. That is, we use time to go deeper into the illusion.
Using Time to Go Deeper Into the Illusion
We do this is as we avoid the present moment by thinking of the past or the future. We cannot be in the past and also be in the present. It may seem that we can do this because the body appears to be in the present. However, the body is not who or where we are. We are mind and we are wherever we place our attention. As long as our focus is on the past or the future, we are not aware of the present. As a result, the misuse of time keeps us bound to the illusion. This is so because it is in the present that forgiveness sets us free from time.
Using Time to Escape From the Illusion
As we come to understand how we now use time, the solution becomes apparent. We can, instead, use time to escape from the illusion. Here is an example from my own life. I used to be mired down by guilt over past behavior as are many of us. I could be perfectly happy and suddenly I would remember something from the past that caused regret. My happiness evaporated immediately. Additionally, as I thought about my guilt, I reinforced the belief in guilt and that made it harder to forgive it.
The Birth of Christ Is Now
When I finally began to understand that I am innocent because I was created innocent, this changed. I was able at last to forgive the past and let it go. This is important to my happiness, but even more important to my awakening. I can now stay in the present moment more than I could before. I am grateful for this shift because awakening happens only in the present moment. The birth of Christ is now, without a past or future. This didn’t happen all at once. I used time to come to accept that I was innocent and that I could return to my natural state. In addition, I used time to direct my mind to that outcome. This is the right use of time.
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