~no victims forever~lesson 31:

Lesson 31

“I am not the victim of the world I see…“

Talk about an idea that flip one immediately right-side-up, giving one freedom to view from a more honest, straightforward perspective. This one is it. It is a today’s lesson says; “a declaration of release, a declaration of independence in the name of one’s own freedom. And in one freedom lies the freedom of the world. Today, this moment~ this NOW, I am free. And free is as far as my vision extends. Thank your, Father, for your gifts to me… I am not a victim of the word I see. There are no victims, I see none at all. There are only saviors and the life we share in forgiveness …

This ‘no victim’ imperative is a crucial concept throughout the Course. And one that literally saved my little soul. Lord, how I had victimized myself. .. and oh my god, the guilt I felt for, well, pretty much everything in my life~ coulda, shoulda, woulda~ I’m sorry… (nauseating, really~ the guilty mind).

But freedom , now, that makes for beautiful majestic viewing… Ah, the sight given by the guiltless mind…

The world I see… is out-pictured by me~ how then can I be a victim of it?

I am not even a victim of my perceptions... I can always choose to see things differently. In chapter 4 of the Course, Jesus talks about this choice using the metaphor of the crucifixion, resurrection, and ‘last useless journey’; a journey I know well… let this be ours…

“You can speak from the spirit or from the ego, as you choose. If you speak from spirit you have chosen to "Be still and know that I am God." 3These words are inspired because they reflect knowledge. If you speak from the ego you are disclaiming knowledge instead of affirming it, and are thus dis-spiriting yourself. Do not embark on useless journeys, because they are indeed in vain. The ego may desire them, but spirit cannot embark on them because it is forever unwilling to depart from its Foundation.
The journey to the cross should be the last "useless journey." Do not dwell upon it, but dismiss it as accomplished. If you can accept it as your own last useless journey, you are also free to join my resurrection. Until you do so your life is indeed wasted. It merely re-enacts the separation, the loss of power, the futile attempts of the ego at reparation, and finally the crucifixion of the body, or death. Such repetitions are endless until they are voluntarily given up. Do not make the pathetic error of "clinging to the old rugged cross." The only message of the crucifixion is that you can overcome the cross. Until then you are free to crucify yourself as often as you choose. This is not the gospel I intended to offer you. We have another journey to undertake, and if you will read these lessons carefully they will help prepare you to undertake it.” (T-4.2-3)

It is impossible to really experience myself as victimized any more in any situation (no matter how good the story is). There is always something in the back of my mind going,” ha, ha, ha…what a racket…give it a rest…you know it’s not true… nobody did nothin’ to you…including yourself…give up ~ give in to peace…” ~and right back to where I started.

Another section of the Course that I love around this subject is the introduction part of Chapter 10. “The Idols of sickness” Here’s what it says:

Nothing beyond yourself can make you fearful or loving, because nothing beyond you. Time and eternity are both in your mind, and will conflict until you perceive time solely as a means to regain eternity. You cannot do this as long as you believe that anything happening to you is caused by factors outside yourself. You must learn that time is solely at your disposal, and that nothing in the world can take this responsibility from you. You can violate God's laws in your imagination, but you cannot escape from them. They were established for your protection and are as inviolate as your safety.
God created nothing beside you and nothing beside you exists, for you are part of Him. What except Him can exist? Nothing beyond Him can happen, because nothing except Him is real. Your creations add to Him as you do, but nothing is added that is different because everything has always been. What can upset you except the ephemeral, and how can the ephemeral be real if you are God's only creation and He created you eternal? Your holy mind establishes everything that happens to you. Every response you make to everything you perceive is up to you, because your mind determines your perception of it.
God does not change His Mind about you, for He is not uncertain of Himself. And what He knows can be known, because He does not know it only for Himself. He created you for Himself, but He gave you the power to create for yourself so you would be like Him. That is why your mind is holy. Can anything exceed the Love of God? Can anything, then, exceed your will? Nothing can reach you from beyond it because, being in God, you encompass everything. Believe this, and you will realize how much is up to you. When anything threatens your peace of mind, ask yourself, "Has God changed His Mind about me?" Then accept His decision, for it is indeed changeless, and refuse to change your mind about yourself. 11 God will never decide against you, or He would be deciding against Himself. )T-10.in.1-3).

Unified in purpose, we are the ONE… Let this day, be our declaration of freedom ~ of independence from the world we made ~ the declaration of our total dependence on God; this hour, this moment, this Holy Instant of release… appreciation and miracles~ All glory to God!