Lesson 81 2021

Regard these practice periods as dedications to the way, the truth and the life. Refuse to be sidetracked into detours, illusions and thoughts of death. You are dedicated to salvation. Be determined each day not to leave your function unfulfilled.

Review II Introduction

W-pI.rII.in.1. We are now ready for another review. 2 We will begin where our last review left off, and cover two ideas each day. 3 The earlier part of each day will be devoted to one of these ideas, and the latter part of the day to the other. 4 We will have one longer exercise period, and frequent shorter ones in which we practice each of them.

W-pI.rII.in.2. The longer practice periods will follow this general form: Take about fifteen minutes for each of them, and begin by thinking about the ideas for the day, and the comments that are included in the assignments. 2 Devote some three or four minutes to reading them over slowly, several times if you wish, and then close your eyes and listen.

W-pI.rII.in.3. Repeat the first phase of the exercise period if you find your mind wandering, but try to spend the major part of the time listening quietly but attentively. 2 There is a message waiting for you. 3 Be confident that you will receive it. 4 Remember that it belongs to you, and that you want it.

W-pI.rII.in.4. Do not allow your intent to waver in the face of distracting thoughts. 2 Realize that, whatever form such thoughts may take, they have no meaning and no power. 3 Replace them with your determination to succeed. 4 Do not forget that your will has power over all fantasies and dreams. 5 Trust it to see you through, and carry you beyond them all.

W-pI.rII.in.5. Regard these practice periods as dedications to the way, the truth and the life. 2 Refuse to be sidetracked into detours, illusions and thoughts of death. 3 You are dedicated to salvation. 4 Be determined each day not to leave your function unfulfilled.

W-pI.rII.in.6. Reaffirm your determination in the shorter practice periods as well, using the original form of the idea for general applications, and more specific forms when needed. 2 Some specific forms are included in the comments which follow the statement of the ideas. 3 These, however, are merely suggestions. 4 It is not the particular words you use that matter.

My Thoughts

Here is how Jesus wants us to do these lessons.

Read

Contemplate

LISTEN quietly and attentively for clarification

Trust that it will come

Here are some ideas from this introduction that stand out to me. When Jesus tells us to listen for a message, this message may come to you as thoughts with words, but it may not. It may simply be a feeling such as peace or love, maybe gratitude. Sometimes gratitude fills me so completely I wonder if I can hold all of it. It may come as an insight that you had not had before or a certainty that had been missing.

He tells us to be confident. These messages are meant for us and we are entitled to them. They belong to us.

He tells us not to let our intent waver, not be distracted by other thoughts.

He tells us to be determined.

He tells us we have power over our wandering mind and over the illusion.

 He says it most clearly in this paragraph.

W-pI.rII.in.5. Regard these practice periods as dedications to the way, the truth and the life. 2 Refuse to be sidetracked into detours, illusions and thoughts of death. 3 You are dedicated to salvation. 4 Be determined each day not to leave your function unfulfilled.

Lesson 81

 Our ideas for review today are:

W-pI.81.1. (61) I am the light of the world.

2 How holy am I, who have been given the function of lighting up the world! 3 Let me be still before my holiness. 4 In its calm light let all my conflicts disappear. 5 In its peace let me remember Who I am.

W-pI.81.2. Some specific forms for applying this idea when special difficulties seem to arise might be:

2 Let me not obscure the light of the world in me.
3 Let the light of the world shine through this appearance.
4 This shadow will vanish before the light.

My Insights

I am being asked to see myself as apart from the image of this body/personality I had always thought was me. What I really am is the light of the world. Let today be dedicated to embracing that identity instead. It has purpose here far above and beyond the purpose the ego sees in existence.

W-pI.81.3. (62) Forgiveness is my function as the light of the world.

2 It is through accepting my function that I will see the light in me. 3 And in this light will my function stand clear and perfectly unambiguous before my sight. 4 My acceptance does not depend on my recognizing what my function is, for I do not yet understand forgiveness. 5 Yet I will trust that, in the light, I will see it as it is.

W-pI.81.4. Specific forms for using this idea might include:

2 Let this help me learn what forgiveness means.
3 Let me not separate my function from my will.
4 I will not use this for an alien purpose.

My Insights

Jesus is telling me that my function is forgiveness, and through accepting my function of forgiveness I am the light of the world. Then he tells me that I can accept my function without understanding it. The light I am will help me to understand forgiveness. I think of it this way. My function is forgiveness and as I accept this function, the Holy Spirit will teach me forgiveness. So, whatever happens today, whatever is said to me or done to me, I will use it for my purpose. I will let the Holy Spirit teach me forgiveness in each circumstance. This is my true will.

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