Let's dive into lesson 42, titled "God is my strength. Vision is his gift." Interestingly, this resonates with my personal "anchor lesson," lesson 47, which states, “God is the strength in which I trust.”
The lesson unfolds in two key points. Firstly, it emphasizes that God's strength comprises the core. The second point highlights that vision is a divine gift. While we may explore deeper aspects on another occasion, it's important to mention our awareness of gender-neutral language. The course primarily uses male pronouns, and we strive to make it more neutral or, as I'm doing now, acknowledge that it might be alienating to some. We're mindful of this and aim to be as inclusive as possible in our communication.
The first paragraph of this lesson conveys two crucial thoughts and establishes a cause-and-effect relationship, elucidating why success in achieving the course's goal is inevitable. The assertion is that you will succeed because it aligns with the will of God. Your power comes from God's strength, not your own, and vision is bestowed upon you as God's gift, not of your making.
This section offers immediate encouragement, affirming that success in studying the course is assured. This affirmation holds particular significance given the extensive nature of "A Course in Miracles," comprising 365 lessons, one for each day, and over a thousand additional pages of theory. The curriculum is dense and requires years to fully engage with. The teacher, Jesus, asserts that success in the course is guaranteed, grounded in God's strength and the course's purpose to facilitate unimpeded vision—a divine gift. This statement is both powerful and uplifting, conveying a profound message in a straightforward manner.
In the second paragraph, it emphasizes that we can receive God's gifts—strength, deepening, and division—regardless of our location or circumstances. This is a significant blessing, not a mere platitude. Divine assistance is accessible in any situation, providing powerful strength to help us transcend the nightmare and transition into the miracle.
The passage continues, stating that our journey through time and space is purposeful, not random. Being in the right place at the right time is tied to our commitment to reconnecting with God. When we recognize this connection, our lives gain purpose. Conversely, if our minds remain separated and unaddressed, life can feel like a chaotic nightmare more often than not.
The remainder of this lesson focuses on practical application. The recommended practice involves meditating and reflecting on one's thoughts for three to five minutes, twice daily—short sessions after waking and before bedtime. During these sessions, we allow thoughts that reinforce the ideas that God is our strength and that vision is a gift from God. For example, we might contemplate, “Vision must be possible. God gives truly. God's gifts to me must be mine because He gave them to me.”
If the practice feels challenging, take a moment to relax and then resume the process of allowing thoughts to surface. The lesson notes that students might be surprised by how much of the course they've absorbed and how much they know. Recognizing various insights becomes possible through this practice.
For instance, I reflected on the day I took the GRE, the grad school equivalent of the SAT for competitive PhD programs. I vividly recall feeling depressed afterward, convinced I had performed poorly and spent a week in inconsolable anxiety. When the results arrived, the scoring, similar to the SATs at the time (out of 800), placed me in the middle 600s for all sections. This was unexpected, as I had anticipated scores in the 200s. In other words, I unexpectedly excelled in each of the three sections. Initially, I doubted these results, thinking there might be a mix-up with someone else's. Nonetheless, these results secured my admission into the PhD program of my choice.
The point I want to emphasize is that it was a mere projection. Recently, I explained to someone that I projected my inner insecurity and chaos into the exam, conjuring phantasms of horror. This aligns with a core course principle – the tendency to fabricate scenarios when immersed in a nightmare and projecting it into the environment. As we engage in this exercise, memories from the past may surface.
In the lesson, a line suggests, “There's no limit to the number of short practice periods beneficial today. The idea is to continue bringing these thoughts together.” Repetition is crucial in this meditation. It's not to say it's worthless if not done perfectly; all efforts are helpful. However, it's essential to humble oneself and revisit an exercise, avoiding going through the motions merely to check it off the daily to-do list.
This is a coaching best practice. In my role as the executive coach, my responsibility is to repeatedly emphasize, throughout our history of collaboration, the importance of consistently and effectively utilizing all the tools provided in the miracle mindset toolbox. Unfortunately, the continual reliance on these concepts, principles, and practices can easily be neglected without careful nurturing.
Expanding on that, as a coach, my approach needs to mirror the gentle, affirming, and supportive tone conveyed by the teacher in this lesson. I draw inspiration from the lesson's assurance that success is inevitable, emphasizing that clients will undoubtedly succeed. The focus remains on maintaining a positive mindset, steering clear of concerns like company collapse or financial challenges. The key is consistent practice of this mindset to avoid fluctuating between highs and lows. The aim is to stay consistently plugged into a state of euphoria and optimism. It's crucial, however, to avoid falling into a trap of delusion or mental illness by ensuring a proper tracking of everything. Assuming proper tracking, the teacher authorizes a state of consistent optimism and guarantees our success.
To conclude today's discourse, I typically end with a practical exercise. This lesson incorporates a deliberate practical exercise: meditate at the start and end of your day. Consider adding an extra midday meditation if you find your focus and energy lacking during the earlier and later sessions. I encourage you to complete the exercise outlined in today's lesson daily, both at the beginning and end of the day, and perhaps a midday meditation for optimal results.
