To gain the most from A Course in Miracles Lesson Insights, we recommend that you
read the corresponding lesson in the Workbook of the Second or
Third Edition of A Course in Miracles published by the Foundation for Inner Peace.
Click link to go to:
Previous Lesson •
Next Lesson •
Lesson Index
ACIM Workbook Lesson 8 Insights
“My mind is preoccupied with past thoughts.”
This undoing process takes a mind that is open to thought reversal. It takes a mind that is willing to see that it sees only its thoughts projected outward and that all its thinking within the world of separation is just a reflection of a blank mind.
This takes a willingness to step back and look at our thoughts again and again and again and see that they are thoughts that are just coming from the past, from the tiny mad idea to see separation instead of be awake to the truth of Love’s oneness. This undoing process of letting go of the past is necessary before our real thoughts can come into our mind.
The Holy Spirit is always present to help us undo all our false thinking. This practice of looking at our thoughts with Holy Spirit more and more consistently helps us join with our constant Companion and see everything differently. As we do this again and again and again, we will not see as the world sees. We will see past bodies and become aware of Love’s oneness, which is always there. We will see that only Love is real. We will remember that all calls for Love need only one thing, and that is our extension of Love.
As we practice this undoing process again and again, we will not take the world of separate bodies so seriously. We will see that our story and everyone’s story is just reflecting the thoughts that come from our separated, blank minds. We will gradually come to remember our true Identity — formless Love that is everywhere in the eternal present. We will remember that we have only one purpose and that is to return to the truth of everyone’s oneness in the mind of God. Seeing that our thoughts are only reflecting the past is an important step in undoing our hold on false ideas.
These beginning lessons are, step by step, laying the foundation for forgiveness. Today’s idea introduces the idea that the thoughts that I have been aware of merely represent a blank mind. If I accept this as true, the next logical step is to remember that all the things I think happened did not occur. They were merely a blank mind deceiving itself through empty images. If I accept this as true, that nothing has really happened, then the the next logical conclusion is that there is nothing to forgive. The Course says that true forgiveness simply recognizes there is nothing to forgive.
These early lessons introduce ideas that turn the ego thought system upside down. The exercises seem almost simplistic. Thankfully we are not asked to wholly accept the truth of these statements. We are asked only to do the exercise as prescribed. The truth of these statements will dawn upon our minds naturally as we follow the exercises and our willingness expands. Though the exercises may seem simplistic at this time, they are laying the foundation for complete release from all fear, for complete release from hell. This is the gift these lessons offer us. They are indeed worth the practice.
As I come to trust in my Christ-self, I allow it to be more present in my life. I make no demands on what should be present. I merely allow the Christ-self to be present to Its own way of being grace. I place no expectations on how this must be for me. My lesson in this comes in the now of time. When I look about me I see only what past thoughts have formed. I do not see the now in which my Christ-self lives. When I focus on the now only and let my preoccupation with thoughts of the past slide away, I can feel peace and joy.
As I focus more and more on the now, I can surrender to my Christ-self thoughts. They become my occupation. I live by the grace of these thoughts. When I take the time in quiet reflection to remember who I am, and that there is no need to struggle to achieve this, I can continue my life with greater self confidence. I can know that knowing God will be mine in the end because it is already mine. And the only time I can know this is now, for I cannot see this in my past projected ego thoughts.
As I consciously choose willingness to let my mind be healed, to let my conscious union with God be made known to me with the help of Holy Spirit, I can feel secure that this will happen. As it can only happen in the now, every moment I give my willingness to Holy Spirit, living by the grace of God awareness can be present for me. Today I choose to let go of my preoccupation with past thoughts and let the now thoughts of my Christ-self be present, sure that this can happen with Holy Spirit leading the way.
© 2003, Pathways of Light. http://pathwaysoflight.org
You may freely share copies of this with your friends, provided this notice is included.
Click link to go to:
Previous Lesson •
Next Lesson •
Lesson Index
Have these ACIM Lesson Insights been helpful to you?
Your contribution in support of this site is greatly appreciated. To make a contribution or become a member online, click here.
Or send a check or money order to Pathways of Light, 13111 Lax Chapel Rd, Kiel, WI 53042. (USD only, please) Thank you for your support.
Request Free Printed Program & Product Catalog
Or call 1-800-323-PATH (7284) (US & Canada) or 920/894-2339.
Click here to email your questions.
Español: Para mas información oprime aquí para enviar tus preguntas por correo electrónico.
United Kingdom: E-mail info@pathwaysoflight.org.uk or call +44 0870 0673853
Give us your feedback or report site problems.
Electronic "Magazine" — Sign up to receive periodic emails with thoughts to ponder, inspirational articles and the latest news.
Subscribe to daily emails of Workbook Lesson Insights.
ACIM Text Made Simple — answers to hundreds of questions about the Text. Click here.
Daily Inspiration Blog — Thoughts to inspire your day. Click here.
Inspiring journals by Pathways of Light ministers applying the principles of ACIM. Click here.
Miracles News — hundreds of inspiring miracle stories. Click here.
2011 A Course in Miracles conference in San Francisco — with guest speaker, Marianne Williamson. The theme for the conference is Listen, Learn, Do. Click here for more information.
A Course in Miracles The Movie — Experience the transformative power of A Course In Miracles firsthand with several visionaries as they share stories, insights and more. This powerful movie is designed for ACIM teachers & students to support them and their communities. 33% discount. More.
2-DVD Seminar: Love Has Forgotten No One — by Gary Renard. In this four hour seminar, Gary presents keys to solving our problems at the cause and includes a chapter-by-chapter preview of his upcoming book, Love Has Forgotten No One. More.
A Dialogue on Forgiveness — DVD by Tom Carpenter & Robert Holden, Ph.D. If you ever find yourself caught by the ego, this DVD will help you return to recognizing the truth about yourself and everyone. It will help you laugh at the ego's antics and let it go. More.
Visions of Illumination — by Rev. Mary Gerard Lenihan. This book will inspire your willingness to experience your own visions of Illumination as you follow Mary's example to open more fully and receive insight from your true Self. More.
The Mirror on Still Water — from our Elder Brother Jesus — scribed by Joel Wright. This book brings A Course in Miracles to life. Out of all the scribed books we have ever read, after ACIM, we would put this at the top of the 'must read' list. More.
What Is Enlightenment? …and why aren't we there yet? 2-DVD Video/Audio 4-CD Workshop by Jon Mundy, PhD, author of Missouri Mystic. Learn to recognize blocks to enlightenment and how to drop defenses so that you can accept God's Gift of Love. More.
Healing Family Relationships — Applying the Principles of A Course in Miracles 6 CD audio book by Rev. Myron Jones. Learn how family relationships offer fertile grounds for forgiveness and healing your judgments of the world. More.
Undoing the Ego II, Taking It to a Deeper Level 8 DVD Workshop — by Nouk Sanchez and Tomas Vieria, authors of the best selling book, Take Me to Truth. You can experience this 8 DVD workshop as often as you want in the comfort of your home. It reveals how you can release the unconscious saboteur that blocks you from the experience of true happiness and inner peace! Click here for more information.
3 Awakening Workshops in a 12 CD Album by Regina Dawn Akers and Laurent Elie Levy: • Loving What Is • Realizing the Master I Am • True Revelation Through Letting Go. Based on The Holy Spirit's Interpretation of the New Testament (NTI). More.
Take Me to Truth: Undoing the Ego by Nouk Sanchez & Tomas Vieira — This book is a powerful guide to undoing the ego and returning to awareness of Love's eternal presence. More.