Vision depends upon today’s idea. The Light is in it, for it reconciles all seeming opposites. And what is Light except the Resolution, born of Peace, of all your conflicts and mistaken thoughts into one Concept that is wholly true? Even that one will disappear because the Thought behind it will appear instead, to take Its place. And we are at peace forever, for the dream is over now.
The Light Which makes true vision possible is not the light the body’s eyes perceive. It is a state of mind that has become so unified that darkness cannot be perceived at all. And thus what is the same in Truth is seen as One, while what is not the same remains unnoticed, for it is not there. This is the Light that shows no opposites, and perception, being healed, then has Power to heal. This is the Light that brings your peace of mind to other minds, to share it and be glad that they are One with you and with themselves. This is the Light that heals because It brings single perception, based upon one frame of reference from which one Meaning comes.
Here are both giving and receiving seen as different aspects of one Thought whose Truth does not depend on which is perceived as occurring first, nor which appears to occur as a result. Here it is seen and understood that both giving and receiving occur together, and that the Thought that unites them always remains complete. And in this understanding is the foundation on which all opposites are reconciled, because they are perceived from the same frame of reference through which the unified Thought is seen.
One Thought, completely unified, will serve to unify all thought. This is the same as saying one Correction will suffice for all correction, or that to forgive one brother or sister wholly is enough to bring awakening to all minds. For these are but some unique cases of one Law that holds true for every kind of learning, if it be directed by the One Who knows the Truth.
To learn that giving and receiving are the same has great usefulness because the idea can be applied so easily and seen as true. And when this unique case has proved that the idea always works in every circumstance where it is applied, the Thought behind it can be generalized to other areas of doubt and double vision. And from there It will extend, and finally arrive at the One Thought that underlies them all.
Today we practice with the unique case of giving and receiving. We will use this simple lesson in the obvious because it has results we are sure to receive. To give is to receive. Today we will attempt to offer Peace to everyone, and see how quickly Peace returns to us. Light is Tranquility, and in that Peace is Vision given us, and we can see.
So we begin today’s hourly five-minute practice periods with this holy Thought:
“To give and to receive are One in Truth. I will receive what I am giving now.”
Then close your eyes, and for five minutes think of what you would offer everyone, to receive it as yours. You might, for instance, say:
“To everyone I offer quietness.”
“To everyone I offer peace of mind.”
“To everyone I offer gentleness.”
State each gift slowly, and then pause a while, understanding that you will receive the gift you give, and it will come to you as you give it. You will find you have abundant return, for this is what you are offering. It might be helpful, too, to think of one or more sisters and brothers to whom to give your gifts. They represent all others, and through them you give to all.
Our very simple lesson for today will teach you much. Effect and cause will be far better understood from this time on, and we will make much faster progress now. Think of the exercises for today as quick advances in your learning, made still faster and more certain each time you say:
“To give and to receive are One in Truth.”