17 Jan 2022 Comments Off on Lesson 17: I see no neutral things.
Lesson 17: I see no neutral things.
Commentary (full lesson beneath commentary)
Perception is not the cause of reality, although we think it is.
Perception is the effect of our thinking. Our thinking is really not-thinking, and perception is really effect. Not-thinking produces perception so that we don’t Think. Perception is the MacGuffin … perception is the grand distraction, the best the ego can do to maintain its sprint away from Heaven.
Then, with dry humor, Jesus concludes, “In view of [perception’s] highly variable nature, this is hardly likely. (that perception is cause)”
The lesson tells us that no matter what we believe, we do not see anything that is really alive or really joyous … and this is because we are not yet aware of a thought that is really true and therefore really happy.
I see no neutral things because I think no neutral thoughts because I’m using thinking to obscure Thought. I’m actually not-thinking and calling it Thinking, but now I can’t be fooled by that anymore. This is the awakening process.
LESSON 17
I see no neutral things.
This idea is another step in the direction of identifying cause and effect as it really operates in the world. You see no neutral things because you have no neutral thoughts. It is always the thought that comes first, despite the temptation to believe that it is the other way around. This is not the way the world thinks, but you must learn that it is the way you think. If it were not so, perception would have no cause, and would itself be the cause of reality. In view of its highly variable nature, this is hardly likely.
In applying today’s idea, say to yourself, with eyes open:
I see no neutral things because I have no neutral thoughts.
Then look about you, resting your glance on each thing you note long enough to say:
I do not see a neutral _____________, because my thoughts about ___________ are not neutral.
For example, you might say:
“I do not see a neutral wall, because my thoughts about walls are not neutral.
“I do not see a neutral body, because my thoughts about bodies are not neutral.
As usual, it is essential to make no distinctions between what you believe to be animate or inanimate; pleasant or unpleasant. Regardless of what you may believe, you do not see anything that is really alive or really joyous. That is because you are unaware as yet of any thought that is really true, and therefore really happy.
Three or four specific practice periods are recommended, and no less than three are required for maximum benefit, even if you experience resistance. However, if you do, the length of the practice period may be reduced to less than the minute or so that is otherwise 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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