God is the Light in which I see.”
Today we are continuing with the idea for yesterday, adding another
dimension to it. You cannot see in darkness, and you cannot make
light.You can make darkness and then think you see in it, but light
reflects life, and is therefore an aspect of creation. Creation and
darkness cannot coexist, but light and life must go together, being
but different aspects of creation.
In order to see, one must recognize that light is within, not
without.You do not see outside yourself. Nor is the equipment for
seeing outside you. An essential part of this equipment is the light
that makes seeing possible. It is with you always, making vision
possible in every circumstance.
Today we are going to attempt to reach that light. For that
purpose, we will use a form of practice which has been suggested
once before, and which we will utilize increasingly. It is a particularly
difficult form for the undisciplined mind because it represents a major
goal of mind training. It embodies precisely what the untrained mind
lacks.Yet the training must be accomplished if you are to see.
Have at least three practice periods today, each lasting three to
five minutes. A longer time is highly recommended, but only if you
find the time merely slipping by with little or no sense of strain.The
form of exercise we will use today is the most natural and easy one in
the world for the trained mind, just as it seems to be the most
unnatural and difficult for the untrained mind.
Your mind is no longer wholly untrained.You are quite ready to
learn the form of exercise we will use today, but you may find that
you will encounter strong resistance.The reason is very simple.While
you practice in this form, you leave behind everything that you now
believe, and all the thoughts which you have made up. Properly
speaking, this is the release from hell. Perceived through the ego’s
eyes, it is loss of identity and a descent into hell.
If you can stand aside from the ego ever so little, you will have
no difficulty in recognizing that its opposition and fears are
meaningless.You might find it helpful to remind yourself from time
to time that to reach light is to escape from darkness, whatever you
may believe to the contrary. God is the Light in which you see.You
are attempting to reach Him.
Begin the practice period by repeating today’s idea with your
eyes open, and close them slowly, repeating the idea several times
more. Then try to sink into your mind, letting go every kind of
interference and intrusion by quietly sinking past them.Your mind
cannot be stopped in this unless you choose to stop it. It is merely
taking its natural course. Try to observe your passing thoughts
without involvement, and slip quietly by them.
While no particular form of approach is advocated, what is
needful is a sense of the importance of what you are doing; its
inestimable value to you; and an awareness that you are attempting
something very holy. Salvation is your happiest accomplishment. It is
also the only one that has any meaning, because it is the only one
that has any use to you at all.
If resistance rises in any form, pause long enough to repeat
today’s idea, keeping your eyes closed unless you are aware of fear. In
that case, you will probably find it more reassuring to open your eyes
briefly.Try, however, to return to the exercises as soon as possible.
If you are doing the exercises correctly, you should experience
some sense of relaxation, and even a feeling that you are approaching,
if not actually entering into light.Try to think of light, formless and
without limit, as you pass by the thoughts of this world. And do not
forget that they cannot hold you to the world unless you give them
the power to do so.
Throughout the day, repeat the idea often, with eyes open or
closed as seems better to you at the time. Do not forget.Above all, be
determined not to forget today.
