This image which showed up in my news feed today reminded me of the many times I passed one of the many beggars here in the centre of Århus.  – The beggar with his hand stretched out and the hat in front of him … a perfect situation for mind watching. My reaction and my thoughts mirror perfectly what and who I think I am this very moment.

This brother holds the mirror – the call to awaken from the dream of separation and differences! What a gift! Am I ready to receive this gift, or is my mind preoccupied with meaningless ego thoughts this very moment – and do I have to look away or throw a couple of coins into the hat to lessen the feeling of discomfort/guilt?

Not only an encounter with a beggar is an opportunity for awakening and salvation. Each and every encounter offers me this opportunity to meet my Self!

“When you meet anyone, remember it is a holy encounter. As you see him you will see yourself. As you treat him you will treat yourself. As you think of him you will think of yourself. Never forget this, for in him you will find yourself or lose yourself. Whenever two Sons of God meet, they are given another chance at salvation. Do not leave anyone without giving salvation to him and receiving it yourself. For I am always there with you, in remembrance of you. 

“The goal of the curriculum, regardless of the teacher you choose, is “Know thyself. “There is nothing else to seek. Everyone is looking for himself and for the power and glory he thinks he has lost. Whenever you are with anyone, you have another opportunity to find them. Your power and glory are in him because they are yours. The ego tries to find them in yourself alone, because it does not know where to look. The Holy Spirit teaches you that if you look only at yourself you cannot find yourself, because that is not what you are. Whenever you are with a brother, you are learning what you are because you are teaching what you are. He will respond either with pain or with joy, depending on which teacher you are following. He will be imprisoned or released according to your decision, and so will you. Never forget your responsibility to him, because it is your responsibility to yourself. Give him his place in the Kingdom and you will have yours.” (ACIM Chapter 8.3)