Please take time this morning to read, “What is Salvation,” to contemplate Lesson 237, and to spend time in meditation. If you have 30-minutes for meditation and would like a gentle audio to guide you, I recommend this meditation:
Now would I be as God created me.
Today, as I write this tip, a number of events are in the American news:
The United States President faces impeachment and his personal lawyer faces prosecution for an alleged scheme to dig up dirt on a political opponent.
A Fort Worth police officer responding to a call for a welfare check shot and killed a woman through a window in her home where she was playing video games with her 8-year-old nephew.
A new study estimates that the opioid epidemic has cost the U.S. economy about $631 billion over the past four years due in large part to the unrealized lifetime earnings of those who died prematurely due to drug overdoses and health care costs associated with opioid use.
Japan is struggling to recover from one of the most destructive typhoons in decades to hit the country.
Nearly a thousand prisoners with suspected terrorist ties reportedly escaped a prison camp in Syria as Turkish forces launched a massive military operation against US allies, when the US abruptly withdrew support. As troops moved deeper into their territory, those allies announced a new deal with the government in Damascus, a sworn enemy of Washington that is backed by Russia,
On the day when you read this tip, there will be something else in the news, but there will be something. There may also be a challenge occurring in your personal life.
I am reminded of something Ramana Maharshi said when bandits broke into his ashram to rob it. In the process of the robbery, they beat Ramana Maharshi. One of his devotees, upon seeing what the men had done to Maharshi, grabbed an iron instrument lying near by and wanted to go after the robbers and get revenge. Ramana Maharshi replied, “We are sadhus [spiritual disciples]. We should not give up our dharma [way of being].”
This, I feel, is the meaning of today’s workbook lesson.
Now would I be as God created me.
“Now” implies now, regardless of appearances and events. Even if I am being robbed and beaten, I will be as God created me. I will be the peace of God, because that is what I am. Through being peace, I “allow the light in me to shine upon the world throughout the day. I bring the world the tidings of salvation which I hear as God my Father speaks to me.”
Remaining as the peace that I am under all circumstances is the meaning of Jesus’ statement, “Turn the other cheek.”
Today, as you go through your day, there will be events in world news and circumstances that arise in your personal experience. As these things occur, remember to be the presence of peace. Even if you find yourself getting upset, remain the presence of peace throughout the upset by practicing rest-accept-trust or the Loving All Method.
Now would I be as God created me.
This is what the world needs from us. This is what we need from us. This is the practice of our truth, our dharma.
