Susan Dugan and Bruce Rawles read and talk about ACIM Workbook Lesson 195 – “Love is the way I walk in gratitude.” – in this YouTube video. We elaborate on the contrast between ego’s “fake” (comparative) gratitude and the real gratitude of our Inner Kindness Teacher who reminds us that sustainable gratitude depends on thankfulness that isn’t subject to change, diminishment, or alteration. This seemed a timely topic considering the unprecedented challenges this year has presented the world on a global scale in light of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday in the United States.
Here are the first three paragraphs of Lesson 195:
“Gratitude is a lesson hard to learn for those who look upon the world amiss. The most that they can do is see themselves as better off than others. And they try to be content because another seems to suffer more than they. How pitiful and deprecating are such thoughts! For who has cause for thanks while others have less cause? And who could suffer less because he sees another suffer more? Your gratitude is due to Him alone Who made all cause of sorrow disappear throughout the world.
It is insane to offer thanks because of suffering. But it is equally insane to fail in gratitude to One Who offers you the certain means whereby all pain is healed, and suffering replaced with laughter and with happiness. Nor could the even partly sane refuse to take the steps which He directs, and follow in the way He sets before them, to escape a prison that they thought contained no door to the deliverance they now perceive.
Your brother is your “enemy” because you see in him the rival for your peace; a plunderer who takes his joy from you, and leaves you nothing but a black despair so bitter and relentless that there is no hope remaining. Now is vengeance all there is to wish for. Now can you but try to bring him down to lie in death with you, as useless as yourself; as little left within his grasping fingers as in yours.” – W-195.1–3
(This video was recorded on November 20, 2020.)
If you have questions or comments about this video, prior videos in this ACIM-related video series or other Course-related topics, please email them via the ACIMblog.com contact form. Susan and Bruce will review and try to respond to questions and suggestions for future conversations. We look forward to extending the conversation with you!
Here are some prior ACIM-related conversations with Susan Dugan and Bruce Rawles.