Lesson 61
I am the light of the world.
Welcome back post-review! It almost feels like we are recommencing after a summer or winter break. We have been given time to review previous lessons and to let them sink deeper, integrating them more and more. Now we find ourselves, more ready than ever, to step further into Truth.
As we take our next step today, it is a glorious one: “I am the light of the world.” Could anything be more encouraging? More beautiful? More true? The Course lets us know from the start in today’s lesson that,
“This, then, is merely a statement of the truth about yourself (ACIM Lesson 61 1:2).”
Dear Brothers and Sisters, this is what you are! Light! Today’s lesson shines a light upon the Light in which you are. It is that pure, simple, and true.
We could close the book on A Course in Miracles at this statement yet there is still an opportunity for more integration. Today’s words may ring throughout your entire physical and energetic body on many levels. One of them, however, could be the fashionable ego throwing it’s hat up in the air in jubilation as “it knew you were awesome, bright, brilliant, and all that!” Does this sound or feel familiar? This idea that you are just that special? Yes, you are that special. But not just you but we all are. Did you just feel your being get deflated? If so, what you have experienced is egoic arrogance. A statement like today’s is wonderful food for such an entity that enjoys specialness. Let us not discount the ego that rears it’s head when it is told how wonderful it is. It has a purpose on our journey as well. And it is what we are bringing into the light to integrate today.
When we follow egoic arrogance with today’s statement it is nice and wonderful…until it isn’t. I am sure you know what I am talking about. You feel all good and whole and like a Daughter of God then something doesn’t go your way as the day progresses and then you start to act and feel completely opposite than Light. Next, you are left with words in your head that say something like this: “I knew I wasn’t the light. This wouldn’t have happened if I was. I knew I was just crap and unworthy. I knew things would eventually go wrong and go against me. I knew it. I knew it. I knew it.” And the pity party commences.
“Today’s idea goes far beyond the ego’s petty views of what you are and what you purpose is (ACIM Lesson 61 7:1).”
Today we start our journey towards Truth versus truth. There is a difference but at the same time they are the same. The awareness of our truth helps recognize our Truth. This concept may bake your noodle but I ask you to explore that Truth for yourself today and in lessons to come. It is all about integration and recognizing the voice for ego versus the Voice for God.
The Truth that you are the light of the world as it is stated in the Course, is a Truth that never changes regardless if life does or doesn’t seem to go your way. It is a Truth that can never, ever, be taken from you. But above all, it must be Truth that is claimed by you, not for you. You must awaken to your Light. Thus, today we begin to learn to abide in Truth with our humble divine arrogance and not in egoic truth.
“Humility consists of accepting your role in salvation and in taking no other. It is not humility to insist you cannot be the light of the world if that is the function God assigned to you. It is only arrogance that would assert this function cannot be for you, and arrogance is always of the ego (ACIM Lesson 2:3-5).”
Have you ever thought before that it is arrogant to not claim that you are the light of the world? Yes, it is actually arrogant to not claim your Divinity. It is actually blasphemous. Like you could ever not be it. It is not possible. Even when you think you are opposite of the Light of the world, guess what? You still are. And there is nothing you can do about it. When you try to be otherwise, you’re forcing your will and not abiding in the Will of God. Once more, that is okay too. As no matter what you do, you are always the Light. In all your illusions, thoughts, dreams, roles, etc, you are still the Light.
“It is the perfect answer to all illusions, and therefore to all temptation. It brings all the images you have made about yourself to the truth, and helps you depart in peace, unburdened and certain of your purpose (ACIM Lesson 4:2-3).”
What a relief, once more that our efforting gets us nowhere. Thus, today we invite humility to show us what it is like to claim our Light with divine arrogance and not egoic arrogance. How can we live as the Light of the world? What is like to be humbly arrogant? What is it like to claim your Light? Typically we either abide in egoic arrogance or we go to the other end of the spectrum to meek and mild. The world would have us stay small but that is not the Will of God. The meek shall inherit the earth, no?
“True humility requires that you accept today’s idea because it is God’s Voice Which tells you it is true. This is the beginning step in accepting your real function on earth (ACIM Lesson 61 3:1-2).”
I have dear brother in Christ that introduces himself as Christ. I have witnessed his beautiful art of claiming his divinity many times. At restaurants, with strangers, in his home, and in his gift of extending love to others. At first I was taken aback as he introduced himself to me that way when we first met (in this lifetime, of course). But as our communion unfolded over a few years, I could see that he was exercising his right to claim his divinity in the world. It was a beautiful lesson for me to witness. He was and is a great teacher that has invited me to stand up and claim my Light, however that is to be on my journey. For him, it is calling himself Christ. For me, it is claiming my light in other ways, such the process of writing. How is it for you?
I am sure we are all familiar with the slogan,
It is your bright light that lighting the way in front of you. And there are many signs around you to show you such Truth. The light that you see in the sun, that is You. The brightness you see in the stars and moon, that too, is You. The light you see in the eyes of another, yep, that is You, too.
In addition to the practice periods today, tilt your head up to the sun. Close your eyes and feel the warmth. Know that this embrace of light is what you are. Maybe light a candle and gaze at the flame. Know that the flicker of light that you see is truly what you are and imagine how you light the entire world beyond the candle you see in front of you. This light of yours….let it shine. Everywhere you go. Because it cannot be so.
“You are the light of the world. God has built His plan for the salvation of His Son on you (ACIM Lesson 7:5-6).”
As we close, I leave you with a more than appropriate song for today, This Little Light of Mine. There is a beautiful introduction to this version with words taken from fellow Course student, Marianne Williamson. Shine On Brothers and Sisters! Namaste…which can also be translated to “I recognize the Light that abides in Me and You.” I do, indeed, see and honor your Light.