Lesson 158
Today I learn to give as I receive.
We have learned much about the art of giving and receiving from previous lessons:
Lesson 108: “To give and to receive are one in truth.”
Lesson 125: “In quiet I receive God’s Word today.”
Lesson 126: “All that I give is given to myself.”
While today’s focus is more centered on learning how we truly give. Our practice yesterday in Lesson 157 (“Into His Presence would I enter now”), took us beyond learning to full experience and embodiment. It is through such an experience that we come to understand that we cannot truly give such an instance directly. Sure, we can help one in need with money, food, clothing, etc., but to truly give what is eternal we cannot give like material goods. In essence, how can we give what is already theirs to begin with?
“The revelation that the Father and the Son are one will come in time to every mind. Yet is that time determined by the mind itself, not taught” (ACIM Lesson 158 2:8-9).
Thus, we cannot give what one already has, as he or she is just merely waiting for the appointed time to experience his or her rightful revelation. According to our lesson today, we are all on a particular journey that has already been completed. We are simply watching the details play themselves out. This idea, gives much credit to déjà vu, yes?
Déjà vu originates in the French language, meaning, “already seen.” Many have experiences where they have been in a certain place before, had certain conversations, and have been with specific people. Déjà vu can be likened to the moments we realize we are just watching the details of our journey play out. It does not mean that we do not still have a choice and can alter things. Of course we can. This just means that we can use those “already seen” moments as waymarkers to let us know that revelation is inevitable. Our arrival Home is inevitable. It is as though those moments of déjà vu say, “Yes, my dear, you are on the journey. Enjoy the ride!” Those moments let us know that, indeed, the time and place of our remembrance are certain and that we are, purely, sitting in the cosmic theater watching our own movie play out on the BIG screen.
“The script is written. When experience will come to end your doubting has been set. For we but see the journey from the point at which it ended, looking back on it, imagining we make it once again; reviewing mental what has gone by” (ACIM Lesson 158 4:3-5).
Since we are always safe at Home, perfect and loved, merely watching the show, staring yours truly, play out on the cosmic movie screen, is there any need to take it so seriously? Do you see how this is an invitation to enjoy and revel in the perfection of each moment? Do you see how this invites us into true experience of all that is happy, peaceful, and loving? Do you see how in this manner all beings are doing the same thing, just watching their version of the movie, awaiting their revelation moment to play out?
Thus, this is why we cannot truly give of our experience to another. Yet, what we can give is the truth learned from our experience by means of our vision. We can come to truly see each other as Christ, as the Light of the World. Regardless of how our brothers and sisters may appear in their outer shell, they are still Light. No matter what actions they are doing to others or themselves, they are still Light. Nothing can hinder their brilliance, or ours. That is the Truth we can give another, seeing one as we truly are.
“Christ’s vision has one law. It does not look upon a body, and mistake it for the Son home God created. It beholds a light beyond the body; an idea beyond what can be touched, a purity undimmed by errors, pitiful mistakes, and fearful thoughts of guilt from dreams of sin. It sees no separation. And it looks on everyone, on every circumstance, all happenings and all events, without the slightest of fading of the light it sees” (ACIM Lesson 158 7:1-5).
Cultivating Sacred Sight has been a focal point in our walk together. Today, we look upon the world with the eyes of Christ and gift to others the sight we have given ourselves. It does not matter if your brother or sister experiences this yet for himself or herself. It is inevitable that they will, as they already have. Their moment of revelation in their movie is on its way.
“Thus are his sins forgiven him, for Christ has vision that has power to overlook them all. In His forgiveness are they gone. Unseen by One they merely disappear, because a vision of the holiness that lies beyond them comes to take their place. It matters not what form they took, nor how enormous they appeared to be, nor who seemed to be hurt by them. They are no more” (ACIM Lesson 158 9:1-5).
Throughout the day we gift the world with that which we have already seen. We have already seen the wholeness, the holiness, the perfection, the love, and the Light that is in everything. We look into the eyes of another, even our furry friends, and see the Truth of our Oneness. In beholding the Sacred Sight of our brothers and sisters, it means we honor that which is in ourselves as well. We are extending the Light that we have received and in return we receive the Light again. Could there be a holier exchange?
Each moment is ripe with the opportunity to see that which already Is. We come today to live life as the full remembrance and to extend our vision of that experience to the world. It is through our Sacred Sight that we can gift the world and ourselves with peace, as we learn the love our eyes can behold beyond holy cosmic movie. Namaste.