LESSON 44 God is the light in which I see.

1. 1Today we are continuing the idea for yesterday, adding an­other dimension to it. 2You cannot see in darkness, and you cannot make light. 3You can make darkness and then think you see in it, but light reflects life, and is therefore an aspect of creation. 4Creation and darkness cannot coexist, but light and life must go together, being but different aspects of creation.

2. 1In order to see, you must recognize that light is within, not without. 2You do not see outside yourself, nor is the equipment for seeing outside you. 3An essential part of this equipment is the light that makes seeing possible. 4It is with you always, making vision possible in every circumstance.

3. 1Today we are going to attempt to reach that light. 2For this purpose, we will use a form of exercise which has been suggested before, and which we will utilize increasingly. 3It is a particularly difficult form for the undisciplined mind, and represents a major goal of mind training. 4It requires precisely what the untrained mind lacks. 5Yet this training must be accomplished if you are to see.

4. 1Have at least three practice periods today, each lasting three to five minutes. 2A longer time is highly recommended, but only if you find the time slipping by with little or no sense of strain. 3The form of practice we will use today is the most natural and easy one in the world for the trained mind, just as it seems to be the most unnatural and difficult for the untrained mind.

5. 1Your mind is no longer wholly untrained. 2You are quite ready to learn the form of exercise we will use today, but you may find that you will encounter strong resistance. 3The reason is very simple. 4While you practice in this way, you leave behind everything that you now believe, and all the thoughts that you have made up. 5Properly speaking, this is the release from hell. 6Yet per­ceived through the ego’s eyes, it is loss of identity and a descent into hell.

6. 1If you can stand aside from the ego by ever so little, you will have no difficulty in recognizing that its opposition and its fears are meaningless. 2You might find it helpful to remind yourself, from time to time, that to reach light is to escape from darkness, whatever you may believe to the contrary. 3God is the light in which you see. 4You are attempting to reach Him.

7. 1Begin the practice period by repeating today’s idea with your eyes open, and close them slowly, repeating the idea several times more. 2Then try to sink into your mind, letting go every kind of interference and intrusion by quietly sinking past them. 3Your mind cannot be stopped in this unless you choose to stop it. 4It is merely taking its natural course. 5Try to observe your passing thoughts without involvement, and slip quietly by them.

8. 1While no particular approach is advocated for this form of ex­ercise, what is needful is a sense of the importance of what you are doing; its inestimable value to you, and an awareness that you are attempting something very holy. 2Salvation is your hap­piest accomplishment. 3It is also the only one that has any mean­ing, because it is the only one that has any real use to you at all.

9. 1If resistance rises in any form, pause long enough to repeat today’s idea, keeping your eyes closed unless you are aware of fear. 2In that case, you will probably find it more reassuring to open your eyes briefly. 3Try, however, to return to the exercises with eyes closed as soon as possible.

10. 1If you are doing the exercises correctly, you should experience some sense of relaxation, and even a feeling that you are ap­proaching, if not actually entering into light. 2Try to think of light, formless and without limit, as you pass by the thoughts of this world. 3And do not forget that they cannot hold you to the world unless you give them the power to do so.

11. 1Throughout the day repeat the idea often, with eyes open or closed as seems better to you at the time. 2But do not forget. 3Above all, be determined not to forget today.