LESSON 46 God is the Love in which I forgive.

1. 1God does not forgive because He has never condemned. 2And there must be condemnation before forgiveness is necessary. 3For­giveness is the great need of this world, but that is because it is a world of illusions. 4Those who forgive are thus releasing themselves from illusions, while those who withhold forgiveness are binding themselves to them. 5As you condemn only yourself, so do you forgive only yourself.

2. 1Yet although God does not forgive, His Love is nevertheless the basis of forgiveness. 2Fear condemns and love forgives. 3Forgiveness thus undoes what fear has produced, returning the mind to the awareness of God. 4For this reason, forgiveness can truly be called salvation. 5It is the means by which illusions dis­appear.

3. 1Today’s exercises require at least three full five-minute practice periods, and as many shorter ones as possible. 2Begin the longer practice periods by repeating today’s idea to yourself, as usual. 3Close your eyes as you do so, and spend a minute or two in searching your mind for those whom you have not forgiven. 4It does not matter “how much” you have not forgiven them. 5You have forgiven them entirely or not at all.

4. 1If you are doing the exercises well you should have no difficulty in finding a number of people you have not forgiven. 2It is a safe rule that anyone you do not like is a suitable subject. 3Mention each one by name, and say:

4God is the Love in which I forgive you, [name].

5. 1The purpose of the first phase of today’s practice periods is to put you in a position to forgive yourself. 2After you have applied the idea to all those who have come to mind, tell yourself:

3God is the Love in which I forgive myself.

4Then devote the remainder of the practice period to adding related ideas such as:

5God is the Love with which I love myself.

6God is the Love in which I am blessed.

6. 1The form of the application may vary considerably, but the central idea should not be lost sight of. 2You might say, for example:

3I cannot be guilty because I am a Son of God.

4I have already been forgiven.

5No fear is possible in a mind beloved of God.

6There is no need to attack because love has forgiven me.

7The practice period should end, however, with a repetition of today’s idea as originally stated.

7. 1The shorter practice periods may consist either of a repetition of the idea for today in the original or in a related form, as you prefer. 2Be sure, however, to make more specific applications if they are needed. 3They will be needed at any time during the day when you become aware of any kind of negative reaction to any­one, present or not. 4In that event, tell him silently:

5God is the Love in which I forgive you.