My thoughts* on ACIM Urtext Lesson 6, for January 6, 2024. Belief in the Possibility of Separation Causes Us to See What is NOT There

I am upset because I see something that is not there.

* All right. So yesterday I said it was because of belief in separation. But couldn’t that be the same thing as seeing something that is not there??

* My comfort level after five years in the Atonement and learning to Trust the Holy Spirit on a whole different level is having me walk in circles that I could not before and be comfortable in my own skin. Even when I know the dynamics of what others say they believe would exclude my existence or worthiness.

* I “see others” with the eyes of the Holy Spirit and look beyond the unacceptance to the acceptance that I know we have as Christ. It is really hard to explain and I had to move/relocate to allow this understanding to feel safe for me.

* Yet the people are of similar mindsets here. I cannot explain this. I can only trust that the Holy Spirit is Guiding my footsteps and will take me where I can best learn as well as help with the work that I feel that Jesus has called me to.

1. The exercises with this idea are very similar to the preceding ones. ²Again, it is necessary to name both the form of upset (anger, fear, worry, depression and so on) and the perceived source very specifically for any application of the idea. ³For example:

⁴I am angry at _________ because I see something that is not there.

⁵I am worried about _________ because I see something that is not there.

* Maybe I needed to review this lesson when I was at my last residence. Hmm. I cannot change what is past but I can use that memory to tell myself to not get caught up in what I think is happening. I am writing this out because I am a kinesthetic learner and need to perform an action to best retain what I am learning.

* I can tell that I want to apply this to the way that I am looking at my relationship with one of my daughter’s.

2. Today’s idea is useful for application to anything that seems to upset you, and can profitably be used throughout the day for that purpose. ²However, the three or four practice periods which are required should be preceded by a minute or so of mind searching, as before, and the application of the idea to each upsetting thought uncovered in the search.

3. Again, if you resist applying the idea to some upsetting thoughts more than to others, remind yourself of the two cautions stated in the previous lesson:

²There are no small upsets. ³They are all equally disturbing to my peace of mind.

* Yes, I needed this reminder. This is why I am so pleased to be sharing this Workbook each day. I can easily forget the beautiful things that Jesus is teaching me here.

⁴And:

⁵I cannot keep this form of upset and let the others go. ⁶For the purposes of these exercises, then, I will regard them all as the same.

* I, debi, cannot keep this form of upset toward my daughter and let others go. It is a 100% “God IS or He isn’t” kind of existence that I want to live. Debi, do not let that thought stop in your mind ever again. If it comes, observe it, and say “No, I do not accept that as real or as something that I need to be afraid of or as a thorn in my lower back. Argh. I have let the idea of separation from my children grab me in my lower back so that I cannot walk, and I will not accept that from myself any longer. Separation is not real. Even temporarily, it is only a part of the illusion that seems real, and I am not going to allow myself the time or energy to nurture that emotion or attitude. I yield to the Holy Spirit and know that I will receive assistance to overcome this weakness that my “story” has held.

* Let me recognize God’s Love and Presence in my existence in every way. Let me rejoice and celebrate life and its diversity. Let me give up my attachment to the suffering I have told myself for eons that is my burden to carry because of the separation from God that I believed in. Let me be gentle with myself as the Holy Spirit takes me from Holy Instant to Holy Instant where I remember God and His Son and their love and delight in one another and NOTHING will I consider to be Real that is outside of that LOVE.

(ACIM, W-6.1:1–3:6)

Till next time, God bless, debi.