Lesson 121. Forgiveness is the key to happiness.
Forgiveness can be seen merely as seeing the false without accepting it as true.
Today’s workbook lesson describes the ego mind, calling it the unforgiving mind:
“The unforgiving mind is full of fear, … is sad, without the hope of respite and release from pain. It suffers and abides in misery, peering about in darkness, seeing not, yet certain of the danger lurking there. It is torn with doubt, confused about itself and all it sees; afraid and angry, weak and blustering, afraid to go ahead, afraid to stay, afraid to waken or to go to sleep, afraid of every sound, yet more afraid of stillness; terrified of darkness, yet more terrified at the approach of light.”
When this mind is believed, the experience is hell. Freedom comes from the death of this mind–the end of this way of thinking.
Today’s workbook lesson says of the ego mind, “It does not ask, because it thinks it knows. It does not question, certain it is right.” The lesson also says that we learn forgiveness “from a Teacher other than yourself, Who represents the other Self in you.”
It is time for us to begin asking within for understanding and guidance. If we are to find freedom, we need to let the teacher who knows the way take the lead.
The ego mind does not ask, because it thinks it knows. Therefore, we will ask. We will not come from ego. We will accept that we do not know, and we will ask. I encourage you to take time at least 1-3 times a week to sit quietly and ask within for whatever you need to see or realize now. Leave the question open, and let the genuine answer come.
As I sat down this morning with Inner Wisdom with the intent to hear what I needed to hear, I heard the word “focus.” Thus, my openness to seeing suggested the question I should ask and made room for the answer. Here is my question and Inner Wisdom’s response:
Where would you have me focus today?
Focus is indeed the issue. Your focus determines where you believe yourself to reside. Is this an inner or an outer focus? Are you focused on accomplishing; on finishing; on keeping your commitments? Are you able to focus on the perfection of being? Are you able to focus on your heart? This focus is a soft one, with no goal or direction. This focus is, in itself, pure openness, without expectation. In order to maintain this focus, you must ask, what would you have me do, see, hear, now? Mind you, this is not a doing, not a question that is asked as a mantra, but rather an attentiveness to what is naturally unfolding. It entails a willingness to allow anything or nothing to unfold. Rest within the assuredness that your willingness to give up your thoughts of knowing or practices or processes is the emptiness that allows for true understanding. The thinking mind cannot anticipate our next steps. Our steps are really just a stroll rather than the big, bounding, leaping steps of ego focused on a goal. Our steps will meander through the garden as we contemplate spaciousness, acceptance and trust that we need not manipulate anything. In this lack of desire to manipulate (to go, to accomplish), we rest in stillness that needs nothing added unto it for the experience of peace and aliveness. This stillness is peace and aliveness. You are that. Focus here and notice the contrast between this mode of being and the experience you have when you are trying to get somewhere or achieve something. These are the first steps in letting such notions go and in experiencing the truth of being that which you are.
