To give and to receive are one in truth.
Vision depends upon today’s idea. ²The light is in it, for it reconciles all seeming opposites. ³And what is light except the resolution, born of peace, of all your conflicts and mistaken thoughts into one concept which is wholly true?
³To give is to receive. ⁴Today we will attempt to offer peace to everyone, and see how quickly peace returns to us. ⁵Light is tranquility, and in that peace is vision given us, and we can see.
So we begin the practice periods with the instruction for today, and say:
²To give and to receive are one in truth.
³I will receive what I am giving now.⁴Then close your eyes, and for five minutes think of what you would hold out to everyone, to have it yours. ⁵You might, for instance, say:
⁶To everyone I offer quietness.
⁷To everyone I offer peace of mind.
⁸To everyone I offer gentleness.Say each one slowly and then pause a while, expecting to receive the gift you gave. ²And it will come to you in the amount in which you gave it. (A Course in Miracles, W-108.1:1-3;7:3–9:2. See also ACIM Lesson 108 Insights.)
It may be helpful to begin this exercise by applying it to a friend or loved one. Allow yourself time to feel in yourself the gift you want to give, and this offer that gift to the one you chose. Allow time for you to see that gift fully given to your friend. Then become aware of how you feel as you give this gift. You will find you receive great blessing as you extend the blessing. It is a great demonstration that to give and receive is the same. With practice, we can learn to give blessings to those whom we consider adversaries.
This same principle applies in the ego’s dream of separation. Judging another is disturbing to our own peace of mind. This is why forgiveness is the key to peace and happiness. We may believe we are forgiving another, but in fact, we are forgiving ourself as we forgive another.
The practice of giving peace of mind to others can help us take great strides in our own mind healing. We learn the important principle of our unity with every brother and our Father. It is because of this unity that giving and receiving are one.
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