We Are All One

ACIM Workbook Lesson  262 – for Monday, September 19, 2011

Affirmation:  “Let me perceive no differences today.”

“Father, You have one Son.  And it is he that I would look upon today.  He is Your one creation.  Why should I perceive a thousand forms in what remains as one?  Why should I give this one a thousand names, when only one suffices?  (WB426)”

Reflections:

This passage seems to say, basically, that we are One.  We are one with our brothers and sisters, and we are one with God.  There is an extended discussion in the Text about whether or not we are the same or we are different.  Our personalities differ (according to the Manual), but at base we are One.  This means that we are just as capable of misdeeds as are our brothers and sisters who might know less about salvation than we think we know.  (We may be mistaken about how much we think we know.)  We have the capability to go astray.  This is quite in line with virtually all religious teaching.  Whether “once saved, always saved” is a theological issue that ACIM does not address, nor do I want to address it.  I am reminded of the fact that Jesus cautions us in the Text not to be involved in controversial issues.  Theology often divides us from our brothers and sisters.  We need the open-mindedness that the Manual says is one of the last traits that the teachers of God will develop.

If we look today upon the brothers and sisters whom we encounter, and we realize that we are actually One with them, we will need to try to see with the eyes of Christ, of our Self.  (This does not mean simply Jesus.)

We are the Son/Daughter of God.  Let us spend some time today asking God to teach us the meaning of this great truth.

Prayer:

Dear Father/Mother,

I would recognize today that my brothers and sisters share the Self that we actually are.  Differences are perceptual only.  And we would choose only a cleansed perception, one that has seen God’s truth and would share His knowledge.  We would leave egoic perception of differences behind.

Help me to intuit how my brother and sister can be the same as I am.  Do not let theology delay me today.  Help me to find this knowledge deep inside, where You dwell.  And when I find that knowledge, help me to act on it when I next am tempted to turn on a brother or sister with attack or anger.

Amen.