Commetary on ACIM Lesson 316

© 2010 Rev. David Seacord

To recognize that there has never been a time when our needs have not been met is to understand that we live by the grace of God. Yet to consciously experience this Grace as it is being bestowed upon us, that is our true Joy.

Is the difference obvious? One is an understanding that is gainable by contemplation..... the other is the result of a deep surrender to God as a Presence.

I believe it was a monk named Brother Lawrence who wrote a little book called 'The Practice of the Presence of God'. (I could be incorrect about that though.) Anyway, what I can say is that such a practice transforms the life of anyone so practicing, especially as the practice extends from a few moments a day to becoming the ground of being one IS. Does this sound familiar? Similar to the Course? Of course.

A song often in my head sings "everywhere I look, I see your face".... Ah, again, the Presence appears, checking to see if we can see it in this form, that form, all forms, no form.

What happens then, when we can? All that is left is to give up being something separate, something observing Presence, and yield our beingness into it. This is called 'merging with the Beloved', 'samadhi', 'cosmic consciousness', 'nirvana', 'the peace that passeth understand', and 'the mystical ecstasy'. It is the fulfillment of our existence, and the purpose for which we were created.

That purpose? To be and to give our Infinite God-Source a personal way to Know His Own Limitless Love.

Namaste,

David

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Lesson 316

All gifts I give my brothers are my own.

As every gift my brothers give is mine, so every gift I give belongs to me. Each one allows a past mistake to go, and leave no shadow on the holy mind my Father loves. His grace is given me in every gift a brother has received throughout all time, and past all time as well. My treasure house is full, and angels watch its open doors that not one gift is lost, and only more are added. Let me come to where my treasures are, and enter in where I am truly welcome and at home, among the gifts that God has given me.

Father, I would accept Your gifts today. I do not recognize them. Yet I trust that You Who gave them will provide the means by which I can behold them, see their worth, and cherish only them as what I want.