Lesson 126
All that I give is given to myself.
We began to witness the potential of today’s statement in Lesson 108, “To give and to receive are one in truth.” We go one step further as the Course invites us to explore how the art of forgiveness works in conjunction with the loop of giving and receiving. If you recall from Lesson 46, “God is the Love in which I forgive,” we were given our first glimpse at the main premise of A Course in Miracles, the power of forgiveness. We then deepened our understanding and learned the importance of what forgiveness truly is as it pertained to our role in salvation as we saw that, “Forgiveness is my function as the Light of the world,” in Lesson 62. It must be clear to any Course student by this point that the art of forgiveness is the means by which we come to release ourselves and our fellow brothers and sisters from bondage.
Yet there still may be some house cleaning to be done as we resolve any residue of misunderstanding that lies within the mind regarding the true meaning of forgiveness. Forgiveness, as the world would have us believe, means that one is greater than another and holds the potential to keep another bond in regret and guilt. We were taught to believe that forgiveness is something that someone must work for and earn. Thus, leaving the one to be forgiven weak, while the other has all the power. Does this sound like Oneness to you? If we are all Children of God, how can one of us hold something above another?
“Thus is forgiveness basically unsound; a charitable whim, benevolent yet undeserved, a gift bestowed at times, at other times withheld” (ACIM Lesson 126 4:1).
To the ego, this sort of “power trip idea” of forgiveness sounds wonderful but only if you hold the upper hand. It is the ego’s game to make you think that someone has done something wrong to you. With the body’s eyes, the ego sees other separate bodies concluding that we all separate and apart from one another with the ability to hurt and be hurt by said separate beings. To the ego, we hold the continuous potential of victimhood. Yet this is an old paradigm way of thinking and not the way in which we have begun to see with our Sacred Sight. Thank goodness salvation does not depend on the ego’s charity or benevolence for us to see our way Home.
Our Walk in Miracles has been lit by our Sacred Sight and knowing. We have come to experience that although we may be in separate bodies, we still share in One Heart, in One Cosmic Energy. Thus, nothing is truly separate, not even our thoughts or actions. What one does, affects the whole. Do we not see this when we witness atrocities that happen in the world? We may not know anyone in Germany or Africa but can deeply feel the effects of various acts of hate. This occurs on the flip side as well, when you witness an act of love, does your heart not expand also? We are all energetic beings that are in tune and fully aware of the expansion and contraction of the One Heart, whether we realize it or not.
Our unified connection of energy may endear anyone to see the importance to the commitment of today’s lesson. If not, that is where the practice periods are helpful. Once more we work with the art of “releasing” versus an old idea of “forgiving.” In our quiet time we are not lording our power over another but rather letting our hearts speak the words, “I release you.” You will be sure to see that as you free another, you also free yourself. It is the pure art of giving and receiving.
“Yet would He ask you for a gift unless it was for you?” (ACIM Lesson 126 7:2)
Today highlights the intention from which we give, purifying our means as this that we give, we also receive. For example, we do not give out of debt or depletion or with a sore attitude. We come to be taught how to give with an open and whole heart. If it is freedom you desire, become aware of your purest intentions as you give freedom to another and watch it cycle back to yourself.
“And true forgiveness, as the means by which it is attained, must heal the mind that gives, for giving is receiving. What remains as unreceived has not been given, but what has been given must have been received” (ACIM Lesson 126 7:5-6).
Once more the Cosmic Saleswoman lures us into her tempting ideas. Is it really possible to forgive and be forgiven? Is it really possible to release another and release myself? She invites us today to see that this is so and to experience its value for ourselves. This is the means by which we lose nothing, only gain.
“It is the thought that will release your mind from every bar to what forgiveness means, and let you realize its worth to you” (ACIM Lesson 126 9:3).
Today is truly a confirmation for what you have already suspected, that liberation and love are just a breath away. We come to accept the guidance today that we have begun to hear, that all-knowing Voice that lies within us. Let this voice affirm for you that the steps before you are easy, healing, loving, and fully liberating.
“Be willing to be taught. Be glad to hear the Voice of truth and healing speak to you, and you will understand the words He speaks, and recognize He speaks your words to you” (ACIM 10:3-4).
Become the living art of giving and receiving forgiveness today and witness how you are the liberator you have been waiting for. Feel how good it is to your soul. Feel how it uplifts your feet as you Walk in Miracles. As you claim your Light, your function, and the Love which guides you, you invite us all to trust our own steps towards salvation. Namaste.