LESSON 48
There is nothing to fear.
The idea for today simply states a fact. It is not a fact to those who believe in illusions, but illusions are not facts. In truth there is nothing to fear. It is very easy to recognize this. But it is very difficult to recognize it for those who want illusions to be true.
Today's practice periods will be very short, very simple and very frequent. Merely repeat the idea as often as possible. You can use it with your eyes open at any time and in any situation. It is strongly recommended, however, that you take a minute or so whenever possible to close your eyes and repeat the idea slowly to yourself several times. It is particularly important that you use the idea immediately, should anything disturb your peace of mind.
The presence of fear is a sure sign that you are trusting in your own strength. The awareness that there is nothing to fear shows that somewhere in your mind, though not necessarily in a place you recognize as yet, you have remembered God, and let His strength take the place of your weakness. The instant you are willing to do this there is indeed nothing to fear.
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Lesson 48
“There is nothing to fear.”
My true Self knows that there is nothing to fear. My true Self knows that this world is nothing but a dream. When I open to my true Self, this knowing that everything is really all right comes into my awareness. My true Self knows that big deals are never justified. My true Self radiates the peace of God. My true Self remembers that everyone is in Heaven now and never left. My true Self knows that every problem has just been made up by false thinking. My true Self is centered in the truth.
If I think something other than the thoughts of my true Self are real, my only real and lasting solution is to open my mind to the thoughts of my true Self. I am the decision maker. Either I wander in dreams of separation, making them real, or I choose to open my mind to what is real. My true Self knows that if it is not Love, it is a call for Love. If it is not Love, it is an illusion.
As I continue to practice opening to my true Self, I know that all is well. Everything that is real is safe in the Mind of God. There is nothing to fear. “Nothing real can be threatened. Nothing unreal exists. Herein lies the peace of God.” It is always my choice. Do I want fear? Do I want conflict? If so, I will choose the ego thought system. Do I want peace and understanding of the truth? If so, I will have an open mind to listen to my true Self.
My study and application of what I am learning from the Course has increased my day-to-day level of peace dramatically. Yet if I look honestly at the thoughts I carry through the day, there is still an underlying level of fear in much of my thinking. Now I call it by a different name. I may call it concern, mild frustration, impatience, minor irritation, planning for the future, ruminating, etc. Occasionally there are more overt flare-ups of fear in which I recognize defensiveness or anger.
The Course tells me that there is no difference between a mild, unsettled feeling and intense rage. I could only experience either of them if I believed myself to be separate from the strength and Love of God. The Course offers no exceptions. It does not say there is nothing to fear except (fill in the blank). The fact that I still make exceptions means that I still need to be reminded again and again that there is nothing to fear. Period. No exceptions, no qualifiers.
One simple fact: There is nothing to fear. The ego brings up all kinds of “Yes but what about…” That is only its attempt to maintain its illusion of reality. That question “What about…” is best directed to the Holy Spirit. Offered to the Holy Spirit, He will respond with an answer that shows me there is no foundation for fear. To receive that answer, I must have an open mind. I must be willing to acknowledge that I of myself do not know what anything means. If I think I know what anything means the Holy Spirit’s answer will be invisible to me, even though it is right in front of my nose.
The Holy Spirit’s voice is as loud as my willingness to listen. My prayer is, “I am willing to listen. Help me with my unwillingness, Holy Spirit. Help me feel your peace so that I may receive your understanding.” This is my heart’s desire. I know in my heart that this is the way to release from hell and return to Heaven.
What an excellent time to practice this lesson with talk of war and terrorist attacks. Not that I need huge temptations to wander into fear. I too find an underlying current of fear running through my life. At least now I am aware of it when it happens. At one time in my life, I did not even know I was living in fear. It just seemed natural and normal and I had no idea that I could escape from it. I look forward to today's practice because I know I will be taking another step forward into a better life.
I, too, have had more peace in my life since beginning the practice of these lessons; however, all of the "minor" forms of fear have still hung around. Overly concern for others; planning for the future; impatience, etc. Today I release all outcomes, all attempts to control, all "theories" on what others should be doing, to Holy Spirit. I am in charge of my thoughts. The outcome is certain. Today I choose to think lovingly on everyone that crosses my mind. There is nothing to fear.
This instant I rest in God because my true Self knows there is nothing to fear. Too many times I forget this because too often I forget my true Self, but today I will do as the lesson suggests in practicing these words frequently. These words mean the difference between life and death for me, the difference between hope and despair, the difference between sadness and joy. These words are truly powerful and "feed" my being, my state of mind, my existence. Thank you Father for these words; thank you for your Love.
What a simple, powerful sentence: "There is nothing to fear." I too find an undercurrent of fear in my life now -- no doubt related to the Orange Alert, and also to personal things, fears I have about people I care for. And yet... have I meditated much in the past week? No. Today I will go back to my meditation, and find that quiet place where God is, and there truly is no fear. I will try, again, to believe that with all my heart, with no exceptions.
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