Day 199

Today's Lesson:

I am not a body. I am free.

Freedom must be impossible as long as we perceive a body as ourselves. The body is a limit. Who would seek for freedom in a body looks for it where it can not be found. The mind can be made free when it no longer sees itself as in a body, firmly tied to it and sheltered by its presence. If this were the truth, the mind were vulnerable indeed!

The mind that serves the Holy Spirit is unlimited forever, in all ways, beyond the laws of time and space, unbound by any preconceptions, and with strength and power to do whatever it is asked. Attack thoughts cannot enter such a mind, because it has been given to the Source of love, and fear can never enter in a mind that has attached itself to love. It rests in God. And who can be afraid who lives in Innocence, and only loves?

It is essential for our progress in this course that we accept today's idea, and hold it very dear. Be not concerned that to the ego it is quite insane. The ego holds the body dear because it dwells in it, and lives united with the home that it has made. It is a part of the illusion that has sheltered it from being found illusory itself.

Here does it hide, and here it can be seen as what it is. Declare our innocence and we are free. The body disappears, because we have no need of it except the need the Holy Spirit sees. For this, the body will appear as useful form for what the mind must do. It thus becomes a vehicle which helps forgiveness be extended to the all-inclusive goal that it must reach, according to God's plan.

Cherish today's idea, and practice it today and every day. Make it a part of every practice period we take. There is no thought that will not gain thereby in power to help the world, and none which will not gain in added gifts to us as well. We sound the call of freedom round the world with this idea. And would we be exempt from the acceptance of the gifts we give?

The Holy Spirit is the home of minds that seek for freedom. In Him they have found what they have sought. The body's purpose now is unambiguous. And it becomes perfect in the ability to serve an undivided goal. In conflict-free and unequivocal response to mind with but the thought of freedom as its goal, the body serves, and serves its purpose well. Without the power to enslave, it is a worthy servant of the freedom which the mind within the Holy Spirit seeks.

Be free today. And carry freedom as our gift to those who still believe they are enslaved within a body. Be we free, so that the Holy Spirit can make use of our escape from bondage, to set free the many who perceive themselves as bound and helpless and afraid. Let love replace their fears through us. Accept salvation now, and give our minds to Him Who calls to us to make this gift to Him. For He would give us perfect freedom, perfect joy, and hope that finds its full accomplishment in God.

We are God's Son. In immortality we live forever. Would we not return our minds to this? Then practice well the thought the Holy Spirit gives us for today. Our brothers stand released with us in it; the world is blessed along with us, God's Son will weep no more, and Heaven offers thanks for the increase of joy our practice brings even to it. And God Himself extends His Love and happiness each time we say:

I am not a body. I am free. I hear the Voice that God has given me, and it is only this my mind obeys.

Miracles I'm noticing:

We had our Course gathering again last night and it was so good to get together with some people I haven't seen in a while. Summer is always a busy time to get together, and it was great to catch up and study together. I'm always reminded that wherever two or more are gathered, there is God, and it's always so wonderful to experience that with these wonderful friends.

As I watch my career unfold before my eyes, I am witness to the power of this Course in my life. Each time I notice something I wouldn't have noticed even six months ago, I'm given a gift of awareness to the power of my Sight. As I realize that love trumps fear and Spirit trumps ego, I am given a gift.

I really am free, the Universe is abundant, and love is all around, even in the midst of what might be called sorrow or tragedy.

As I read the text for today, certain words jump out, given the Bob Proctor material I'm immersed in right now. Today's text says "the holy instant is a practical device, witnessed to by its results." We're learning here as well as from the Proctor material, that to see how our lives are working, we need only look at the results. The holy instant here is that moment in which we can choose a different path. We can alter everything in our experience instantly by making a new choice.

Where are you seeing the results of the choices you've made in your life? Where might you like to see a new result? It's as simply as changing your mind about your current results. If you believe there must be a better way, you will see instantly what that better way might be, as long as you're looking inside instead of outside yourself. That's surely a miracle!