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Lesson 218: Review of Lesson 198: Only my condemnation injures me.

Reframe: Self-judgment is the only thing that limits me.

Suggested Practice:

Overall Approach to the Review of Lessons 181-200:

“Besides the time you give morning and evening, which should not be less than fifteen minutes, and the hourly remembrances you make throughout the day, use the idea as often as you can between them. ³Each of these ideas alone would be sufficient for salvation, if it were learned truly. ⁴Each would be enough to give release to you and to the world from every form of bondage, and invite the memory of God to come again. …

“These practice sessions … are centered round a central theme with which we start and end each lesson. ²It is this:

³I am not a body. ⁴I am free.
⁵For I am still as God created me.

Special thought for today’s Lesson: 

198: Only my condemnation injures me.

²My condemnation keeps my vision dark, and through my sightless eyes I cannot see the vision of my glory. ³Yet today I can behold this glory and be glad. (ACIM, W-218.1:2-3)

⁶The day begins and ends with this. ⁷And we repeat it every time the hour strikes, or we remember, in between, we have a function that transcends the world we see. ⁸Beyond this, and a repetition of the special thought we practice for the day, no form of exercise is urged, except a deep relinquishment of everything that clutters up the mind, and makes it deaf to reason, sanity and simple truth. (ACIM, W-rVI.in.1:1–3:8)

“…Permit no idle thought to go unchallenged. ³If you notice one, deny its hold and hasten to assure your mind that this is not what it would have. ⁴Then gently let the thought which you denied be given up, in sure and quick exchange for the idea we practice for the day.”

“When you are tempted, hasten to proclaim your freedom from temptation, as you say:”

This thought I do not want. ³I choose instead _____________

“And then repeat the idea for the day, and let it take the place of what you thought.” (ACIM, W-rVI.in.5:1–6:4)

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Message

The message of today’s lesson reminds me of that childhood taunt: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” From the Course’s perspective, this is true. No matter what is said to us or what names people call us, the words themselves are neutral—regardless of the energy or intention behind them. The only fact is that they said it, not that what they said is fact.

How we decide to respond to what’s said is the key to whether we suffer or maintain our peace.

The same applies to what we say to ourselves. If I make a mistake, am I condemning myself for it or doing what I can to address it with ease and grace? If I’m afraid to start a new project, am I condemning myself for being scared (and procrastinating) or am I acknowledging the fear while taking micro steps forward? For instance, when I catch myself condemning my klutziness after knocking something over, I stop and remind myself to forgive the condemnation and reaffirm that I am still as God created me.

Applying this to today’s lesson: Am I seeing through the ego’s eyes, viewing myself through fear, limiting beliefs, and grievances—keeping my vision dark and hiding me from my true Self, my divinity, my light? Or am I ready to embrace my light and see my glory?

That is the question. One worth asking myself regularly. I’m reminded of my religious upbringing, where “glory” was assigned to God and the saints, not to us mere humans. Tapping into the idea of “my glory” makes me feel like I can accomplish anything that brings me joy, especially knowing that God/Source/Universe wants that for me too. My challenge is keeping my doubting ego at bay.

When I think of someone as glorious, I wouldn’t dream of condemning them the way I condemn myself. Why should I be the exception? This doesn’t mean I get a free pass to act however I want—it means I owe myself the same basic respect I’d offer anyone else.

Here’s how I experience the Course: I see myself doing a dance, like the cha cha—two steps forward as my glorious self, one step back as my ego self. With each lesson, I feel progress. The more I experience the blessings of embracing and practicing the lessons, the more likely I am to stop condemning myself with the ego’s fears and instead thrive by beholding my glory.

Getting back to the name-calling adage: while names may never hurt me, my self-condemnation does. Today’s lesson invites us to embrace our glory instead.

“Or do I want to create a new day, a new reality, a new world ?”
— “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

 About the 2026 Mandalas of the Day — ▶️ A Note About A Course in Miracles