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Lesson 199: ”I am not a body. I am free.”

Reframe: I am more than form; I am inherently free.

Suggested Practice:

From the Introduction to Lessons 181-200:

”Our next few lessons make a special point of firming up your willingness to make your weak commitment strong; your scattered goals blend into one intent. ²You are not asked for total dedication all the time as yet. ³But you are asked to practice now in order to attain the sense of peace such unified commitment will bestow, if only intermittently. … And so we start our journey beyond words by concentrating first on what impedes your progress still. …⁴So we now attempt to go past all defenses for a little while each day. ⁵No more than this is asked, because no more than this is needed. ⁶It will be enough to guarantee the rest will come.”

Do two 15-minutes practices today.

“Cherish today’s idea, and practice it today and every day. ²Make it a part of every practice period you take. ³There is no thought that will not gain thereby in power to help the world, and none which will not gain in added gifts to you as well.⁴We sound the call of freedom round the world with this idea.” (ACIM, W-199.5:1-4)

“Be free today. ²And carry freedom as your gift to those who still believe they are enslaved within a body. ³Be you free, so that the Holy Spirit can make use of your escape from bondage, to set free the many who perceive themselves as bound and helpless and afraid. ⁴Let love replace their fears through you. ⁵Accept salvation now, and give your mind to Him Who calls to you to make this gift to Him. ⁶For He would give you perfect freedom, perfect joy, and hope that finds its full accomplishment in God.” (ACIM, W-199.7:1-6)

⁴Then practice well the thought the Holy Spirit gives you for today. ⁵Your brothers stand released with you in it; the world is blessed along with you, God’s Son will weep no more, and Heaven offers thanks for the increase of joy your practice brings even to it. ⁶And God Himself extends His Love and happiness each time you say:

⁷I am not a body. ⁸I am free.
⁹I hear the Voice that God has given me,
and it is only this my mind obeys.
(ACIM, W-199.8:4-9)

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Message

In general terms, I’ve heard it said that we are consciousness traveling in carbon-based bodies that are birthed, grow, age, deteriorate, and die. Consciousness—our consciousness—is forever and beyond what we know and experience in these human forms.

Not only are we consciousness, the Course says we are holy creations in divine union with God, whole and complete as we are. Looking in a mirror or at our bodies, this may be a challenging concept to grasp. I get it in principle but often forget as I go about my day focusing on one task after another. It’s only when I stop that I would even consider it, mainly because being in these bodies seems so real.

To help us remember, we’re asked today and onward to make this idea part of every practice.

From the first paragraph of the Lesson:

”Freedom must be impossible as long as you perceive a body as yourself. ²The body is a limit. ³Who would seek for freedom in a body looks for it where it can not be found. ⁴The mind can be made free when it no longer sees itself as in a body, firmly tied to it and sheltered by its presence.” (ACIM, W-199.1:1-4)

The sentence “The body is a limit” reminded me that the ego is also a limit—full of fears, grievances, and limiting beliefs based on its limited access to anything beyond the body and its experiences. A question comes to mind that feels worthy of exploring further:

What would my human experience be like if I freed myself from my ego’s limitations? That’s a big question. One I’m going to need to spend more time with beyond this post.

The first step for me would be to give myself permission to truly accept that I am free and more than just this body. I get it in principle but have not fully committed. Once I do, the next step would be to ask: now that I know this, what would I do differently?

For instance, if I’m afraid to promote a new painting for fear of rejection, I could sit with that fear, ask Holy Spirit to help me see it differently, and then take one small action from that new perspective—bringing me another step closer to freedom.

Today was about opening the door a little wider toward embracing my true Self while in this body. I’m beginning to see that it’s possible—that even in this human form, I can be free of the ego’s limitations. I feel them loosening their hold on me, like shackles falling from my wrists.

I’m starting to feel that freedom is possible. And it begins with remembering I am not this body.

“The real me is beyond all laws of time and space, unbound by all preconceptions.”
— “The Course in Miracles Experiment” by Pam Grout

Blessings & Peace,

Maureen,
The Mandala Lady

transforming soul whispers into mandalas & channeled messages
for clarity, peace, and joy

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