1. God does not forgive because He has never condemned. \u00b2And there must be condemnation before forgiveness is necessary. \u00b3Forgiveness is the great need of this world, but that is because it is a world of illusions. \u2074Those who forgive are thus releasing themselves from illusions, while those who withhold forgiveness are binding themselves to them. \u2075As you condemn only yourself, so do you forgive only yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Yet although God does not forgive, His Love is nevertheless the basis of forgiveness. \u00b2Fear condemns and love forgives. \u00b3Forgiveness thus undoes what fear has produced, returning the mind to the awareness of God. \u2074For this reason, forgiveness can truly be called salvation. \u2075It is the means by which illusions disappear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Today\u2019s exercises require at least three full five-minute practice periods, and as many shorter ones as possible. \u00b2Begin the longer practice periods by repeating today\u2019s idea to yourself, as usual. \u00b3Close your eyes as you do so, and spend a minute or two in searching your mind for those whom you have not forgiven. \u2074It does not matter \u201chow much\u201d you have not forgiven them. \u2075You have forgiven them entirely or not at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. If you are doing the exercises well you should have no difficulty in finding a number of people you have not forgiven. \u00b2It is a safe rule that anyone you do not like is a suitable subject. \u00b3Mention each one by name, and say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4<\/sup>God is the Love in which I forgive you, [name].<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. The purpose of the first phase of today\u2019s practice periods is to put you in a position to forgive yourself. \u00b2After you have applied the idea to all those who have come to mind, tell yourself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3<\/sup>God is the Love in which I forgive myself.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 4<\/sup>Then devote the remainder of the practice period to adding related ideas such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5<\/sup>God is the Love with which I love myself.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 6<\/sup>God is the Love in which I am blessed.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 6. The form of the application may vary considerably, but the central idea should not be lost sight of. \u00b2You might say, for example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3<\/sup>I cannot be guilty because I am a Son of God.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 4<\/sup>I have already been forgiven.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 5<\/sup>No fear is possible in a mind beloved of God.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 6<\/sup>There is no need to attack because love has forgiven me.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n 7<\/sup>The practice period should end, however, with a repetition of today\u2019s idea as originally stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 7. The shorter practice periods may consist either of a repetition of the idea for today in the original or in a related form, as you prefer. \u00b2Be sure, however, to make more specific applications if they are needed. \u00b3They will be needed at any time during the day when you become aware of any kind of negative reaction to anyone, present or not. \u2074In that event, tell him silently:<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5<\/sup>God is the Love in which I forgive you.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n