Understanding Light
Light is an interesting subject and I believe that understanding it is crucial to a full comprehension of A Course in Miracles.
Let us first define it in a way that registers as true. When you think of it, perhaps the best universal definition is “light is that which reveals.” In addition, the Course says that “light is understanding.” T-9.V.6 In its highest sense “light reflects life, and is therefore an aspect of creation.” W-pI.44.1
If you are in a dark room and turn on a flashlight then the light reveals what is in the room. Then on another level, when a truth is spoken, understanding is revealed to the mind and is enhanced.
There are two major divisions of light. The first is the light which is in the true reality the Course calls heaven. This is called “the eternal light” T-22.VI.5 and “perfect” for “God Himself shines in perfect light.” T-4.IV.9 And of ourselves in our true state it is said that “God’s guiltless Son is only light.” T-13.VI.8 for “We are one, united in this light.” W-pII.239.2
This light is beyond perception for “Perception did not exist until the separation introduced degrees, aspects and intervals” T-3.IV.1
The second type of light is light which can be perceived or light which came into existence at the separation. This light is not eternal, but has a beginning and an end. The most consistent light we normally perceive is the sun but “the sun that opened up the world to beauty will vanish.” T-17.II.4, or have an end, for all things that are perceived will have an end, and in the ultimate reality of ACIM are said to be not real. As the Course defines reality only things eternal are real.
At the separation form and perception of form became a possibility and that is where we are now with vision.
After the separation lower light appeared in two worlds mentioned by the Course. The highest is “the real world, in which everything reflects the eternal… God gave you the real world in exchange for the one you made out of your split mind” T-12.III.8
“This world of light, this circle of brightness is the real world.” T-18.IX.9 “It is not lit with artificial light, and night comes not upon it. There is no day that brightens and grows dim.” T-13.VII.1
Whereas the real world is called a “world of light” this world we see with our physical eyes is called “the world of darkness” T-25.IV.5 and “you made your way of seeing that you might see in darkness, and in this you are deceived.” T-13.V.9 “Yet in darkness, in the private world of sleep, you see in dreams although your (spiritual) eyes are closed. And it is here that what you see you made.” T-13.V.8
The light of this world is so different from the light reflected from heaven in the real world that it is called darkness by comparison, and if we look upon the darkness, we cannot see the true light. The Course teaches that we will see one or the other:
`You cannot see both worlds, for each of them involves a different kind of seeing, and depends on what you cherish. The sight of one is possible because you have denied the other. Both are not true, yet either one will seem as real to you as the amount to which you hold it dear. T-13.VII.2.
In addition to light that can be seen with spiritual or physical vision there is light that comes through understanding, and the Course spends a good deal of time guiding us to embrace this light. The light that brings understanding is seen with the mind, for God “keeps your mind lit by His light because His light is what your mind is.” T-7.III.5
“True light that makes true vision possible is not the light the body’s eyes behold. It is a state of mind that has become so unified that darkness cannot be perceived at all.” W-pI.108.2.
Because of the separation “the mind is split between the ego and the Holy Spirit,” T-3.VI.7
That split is called right and wrong mindedness. Concerning these it says:
“The term “right-mindedness” is properly used as the correction for “wrong-mindedness,” and applies to the state of mind that induces accurate perception. It is miracle-minded because it heals misperception.” T-3.IV.4
Even though “His light is what your mind is,” the separation caused a division so what was created to see true light split so in this world we seem to see in darkness instead.
The great quest then is to forgive this world so we can see the true light. “To forgive is to overlook” T-9.IV.1 so to see the true light we must learn to overlook or see what exists beyond this world. The beginning of this occurs “when you have seen little edges of light around the same familiar objects which you see now. That is the beginning of real vision. You can be certain that real vision will come quickly when this has occurred.” W-pI.15.2
And indeed, many of the 365 lessons prepare our minds to see beyond this world to the greater light in both perception and understanding.
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