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 intrusions 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.
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