Lesson 11 – My meaningless thoughts are showing me a meaningless world.
Commentary (full lesson beneath commentary)
My personal thoughts are meaningless. The previous lessons have systematically been showing me that. My meaningless thoughts would, therefore, have to produce a meaningless outcome: world, people, beliefs. A world without meaning could seem very scary when we’re still interested in actualizing our personal potential, when we’re still raising children … these are periods of life when the world is obviously meaningful to us.
We might experience this lesson with feelings of despair, disorientation, anxiety. We might believe we’re being told to abandon our lives, though we are not. Keep reading, I like to say. There is more to be revealed and it is all filled with Love.
Then there comes a time when we’re satisfied enough with our accomplishments and have fulfilled our responsibilities that we’re ready to move into spiritual vision. OR, we’re desperate enough, lonely enough, defeated enough that we’re willing to see another way. Still, we may fight. How can my thoughts determine the world I see? I’m not that powerful. And I don’t want that much responsibility. Even so, we are invited to do the exercises if we feel Called by Spirit, despite resistance, disbelief, lack of comprehension, etc.
For maximum benefit, we are told, the eyes should move from one thing to another fairly rapidly, not lingering on anything and the words should be unhurried, even leisurely. This reminds me of the Sufi turn. The turn of Rumi and the whirling dervishes. Leaving the eyes softly open and gazing outward at eye level, the feet do not move until God gently pushes us, as children on a swing.
And when we do start to turn, the eyes report a rapidity of motion, a pleasant vaguely stripe-y blur that appears much faster than the pace of the body and feet. The effort trains us to coordinate our thinking process with our eyesight process which leads us to true perception under the tutelage of the Holy Spirit.
Oh, how liberating to realize that my thoughts are meaningless but I am Guided and no longer have to think!
It would be best to be open to the One Wordless God-Thought pouring through me at all times. Contrary to how that seems to the ego – that I am just a puppet, a slave to the Master’s Mind, it turns out that I’ve plugged into my Original Source and have restored power to my seemingly human system. This does override the ego, but that turns out to be of no concern.
I feel more alive, at peace, happier, unafraid, and relaxed than ever before.
LESSON 11
My meaningless thoughts are showing me a meaningless world.
This is the first idea we have had that is related to a major phase of the correction process; the reversal of the thinking of the world. It seems as if the world determines what you perceive. Today’s idea introduces the concept that your thoughts determine the world you see. Be glad indeed to practice the idea in its initial form, for in this idea is your release made sure. The key to forgiveness lies in it.
The practice periods for today’s idea are to be undertaken somewhat differently from the previous ones. Begin with your eyes closed, and repeat the idea slowly to yourself. Then open your eyes, and look about, near and far, up and down,–anywhere. During the minute or so to be spent in using the idea merely repeat it to yourself, being sure to do so without haste, and with no sense of urgency or effort.
To do these exercises for maximum benefit, the eyes should move from one thing to another fairly rapidly, since they should not linger on anything in particular. The words, however, should be used in an unhurried, even leisurely fashion. The introduction to this idea, in particular, should be practiced as casually as possible. It contains the foundation for the peace, relaxation and freedom from worry that we are trying to achieve. On concluding the exercises, close your eyes and repeat the idea once more slowly to yourself.
Three practice periods today will be sufficient. However, if there is little or no uneasiness and an inclination to do more, as many as five may be undertaken. More than this is not recommended.
Let’s practice together! Watch and listen to me reading each ACIM Lesson on Youtube. Also, check out Workin’ the Workbook, my online class which supports the ACIM Workbook practice.
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