Lesson 8 ~ My mind is preoccupied with past thoughts.

The mind's preoccupation with the past is the reason I really do not see or understand anything. The only things I "see," are my thoughts projected outward. My mind cannot grasp the present, which is the only "time" there is.  In its current state of insanity, the mind does not understand "time" or anything else.

The only completely True thought about the past is that it is not here in the present. The "past" does not exist at all, but I will deal with that idea separately. To think about the past at all, is to think about illusions.  When the mind thinks about the past or anticipates the future it is actually blank, because it is thinking about illusions, therefore thinking about nothing Real at all.

Today, with God Guiding me, I begin to train my mind to recognize this non-thinking state.  While thoughtless ideas preoccupy my mind, Truth is blocked.   Recognizing that my mind is merely blank rather than believing it is filled with Real ideas, is the first step in opening the way to Vision.

Today, do these exercises with eyes closed to remind me that, anything "outside" me is not Real.

Four or five times today, with my eyes closed (and as little effort as possible), search my mind for a minute or so, merely noting the thoughts I find there.  Name each thought by the central figure or theme it contains and pass on to the next.  With each thought say, "I seem to be thinking about _____ (person, object, or emotion), but my mind is preoccupied with thoughts of the past."

If I find myself becoming anxious, three or four times is plenty.  It may be helpful to include my anxiety, or any emotion that the idea conjures, for instance, "I feel anxious when I seem to be thinking about _____, but my mind is preoccupied with thoughts of the past."

Lesson 7 ~ I see only the past.

Old ideas about "time" are very difficult to change because everything I believe is rooted in "time."  In fact, everything I now believe depends on my not learning new ideas about "time."  Everything I seem to see is in the "past."  This idea is difficult to believe at first.

Look at a cup, for example.  Do I see a cup, or am I merely reviewing past experiences of seeing and using a cup?  I have in my memory all my experiences of picking up a cup, being thirsty, drinking from a cup, feeling the rim against my lips, setting a cup down....maybe even breaking a few.  Even my aesthetic reactions to the cup ~ the weight, the texture, the shape, the amount of space it occupies, its coolness or warmth ~ is based on my past experiences.  How else would I know whether or not my cup will break if I drop it?  How else would I know not to spill its contents all over my shirt?  What do I know about this cup except what I learned in the past? I would have no idea what this cup is, except for my past learning.  Do I, then, really "see" it?

I see only the past, this is why nothing I see means anything. I have given everything I see all the meaning it has for me.  I do not understand anything I see.  My thoughts do not mean anything.  I am never upset for the reason I think.  The reason for any and all upset is this:  I see something that is not there.....I see the past.  

This is equally true of whatever I look at.  Look around and apply this idea today, indiscriminately, to whatever catches my eye.  For example:  "I see only the past in this pencil;" "I see only the past in this shoe;" "I see only the past in this hand;" "I see only the past in that body;" "I see only the past in that face."  Omit nothing, but do not linger over anything in particular.  Do this three or four times today, a minute or so is enough.  Perhaps I have never seen a certain body or face before and come across someone I have never met....yet I have seen "eyes," "noses," "mouths," "cheekbones," "eyebrows," "hair," etc.   I know what a normal human face should look like.

Do these exercises using minimal effort.  Do not obsess about details.  I am beginning to question the reality of what I see "outside" myself.  I am beginning to comprehend the illusory experience of a world "apart from" God....a world "outside" myself.

Lesson 6 ~ I am upset because I see something that is not there.

These exercises build on the ones before.

Name both the form of upset (anger, fear, worry, depression, etc), and the apparent source (____).  Be specific:  "I am angry at _____ because I see something that is not there;"  "I am worried about ____ because I see something that is not there."  For a minute or so, search my mind for the things that seem to upset me, then apply the idea.  Do this three or four times today.

There are no levels of upset.  All upsets ~ small or large ~ are equally disturbing to my peace of mind. Whether I spill a little milk, am annoyed by a slow internet connection, getting a divorce or dealing with grief. All of these ~ equally ~ disturb my mind. Hold no particular upset that seems of significant importance to me. Do not specifically ignore a seemingly trivial upset.  For the purposes of these exercises regard them as all the same.

Lesson 5 ~ I am never upset for the reason I think.

This idea can be used with any person, situation or event which seems to be causing me pain. Though the idea is universal, I will begin by using it specifically, searching my mind for past upsets or current concerns.  The upset may seem to be fear, worry, depression, anxiety, anger, hatred, jealousy or any number of forms.  My upsets seem to be varied and different....this is not so.  I will learn that all upsets are the same.   For now, I will deal with each specifically.  Search my mind for no more than a minute or so, trying to identify a number of different forms of upset that are disturbing to me, regardless of the importance I may give them. Three or four times during the day is enough.

Use both the name and cause of the upset:  "I am not angry at  _____ for the reason I think;"  "I am not afraid of _____ for the reason I think;" "I do not hate _____ for the reason I think;"  "I am not anxious about _____ for the reason I think;"  "I am not worried about _____ for the reason I think;" "I am not depressed about _____ for the reason I think." Avoid assigning importance to any problem, they are all the same. There are no levels of upset, whether a minor inconvenience or a major health issue. They are all equally disturbing to my Peace of mind.  This may not appear to be so, but trust the Teacher.  Regard them as all the same.

If I am not angry, afraid or hateful for the reasons I think...then what is the reason?  If there is ONE reason for all upset, then what is it?  There is one problem, despite all "evidence" to the contrary:  my apparent separation from God.  There is one solution:  my "return" ~ or Awakening ~ to my Reality with Him.  For now I think I am a "soul" within a "body" "born to parents" on a specific "date in time" on "planet earth" being part of the "Milky Way galaxy," with "billions" of "galaxies" beyond.  I am mistaken about that.

While I see myself as a body, it would be foolish to pretend otherwise because when I realize I am not a body, I will not have to "pretend" or "act" otherwise....I will KNOW. For now do these exercises specifically.  Deal with the world at hand.....the world that seems real to me. I am learning to judge that the world may not be as Real as I thought.  I am learning to question "reality" to learn of my True Reality.  Heaven is all around me......I am learning to See.

Lesson 4 ~ The thoughts I have do not mean anything.

Just for a minute, three or four times today, notice the thoughts that cross my mind.

Apply this idea to each one, "this thought I have about _____ does not mean anything." Do not select only "bad" thoughts, but also those that seem "neutral" or "happy."  If I train myself to look at my thoughts, I will see that they represent such a mixture, that in a sense, none of them can be called "good" or "bad."

The thoughts I have in the world of illusion cover up my Real thoughts.  "Good" thoughts are only shadows of Heaven.  "Bad" thoughts block Heaven from my mind completely.  I do not want either kind.

This is a major exercise and will be repeated in different forms.  The aim here is to train my mind in the first steps toward the goal of separating the meaningless from the meaningful.  I am learning to see the meaningless as outside me and the meaningful within.  It is also the beginning of training my mind to recognize what is the same and what is different.  All illusions are the same, the form does not matter.

Do not do this exercise for more than a minute or so.  I am too inexperienced as yet to avoid a tendency to become pointlessly preoccupied or slightly obsessive.

Pass no judgment on the type of thoughts I have.  I will learn they are all the same.

Lesson 3 ~ I do not understand anything I see.

Just as in the first two lessons, I look around indiscriminately and without judgment to apply this lesson.  Anything is suitable if I see it.  Some things may have emotionally-charged meaning for me (pets? coveted objects? people?).  Pay no attention to my "feelings" about anything I choose. Whatever I see becomes a proper subject for applying the idea.  These are not exercises in judgment.

The point of these exercises is to help clear my mind of all past associations ~ all former meaning I have given ~ to see things exactly as they appear now and to realize how little I really understand about them. It is essential that I keep a perfectly open mind, unhampered by judgment, in selecting the things in which to apply the idea.  For the purpose of this lesson, one thing is just like another; equally suitable, equally useful.

'I do not understand anything I see in this room'.  'I do not understand anything I see on this street'.  'I do not understand anything I see from this window'.  'I do not understand anything I see in this place', etc."

Lesson 2 ~ I give everything I see all the meaning it has.

Begin with things that are near me.  Apply the idea to whatever my glance rests on. Increase the range outward, just as I did with Lesson One.  Remain as indiscriminate as possible and do not concentrate on anything in particular.  Do not attempt to include everything or I will experience strain.

Merely glance easily around me.  Apply the exercise with equal ease to a body or a button, a fly or the floor, an arm or an apple.  The sole criteria for applying this idea to anything is merely than my eyes have spotted it.

Be sure nothing is specifically excluded, yet make no attempt to include everything.

The exercises seem quite simplistic.  Do not judge them, nor consider my "feelings" in the matter.  Just do what I am asked to do.  If I do my part God will do the rest.

Lesson 1 ~ Nothing I see in the dream-world means anything

The first lesson introduces me the idea of illusion.  I am asked to question everything I think I see.  I start by looking at the things around me.  If I become anxious or strained, obsessive, or ritualistic in doing this, STOP. These are simple exercises, that should produce no strain at all. I may not feel that anything is happening. The exercises may seem silly.  I need not be concerned about my feelings.  I need not be concerned about outcomes.  I just do my small part.  This is the beginning of realizing that everything I thought Real, is an illusion.  Just do the exercises and do not worry about how this will be accomplished.  I am working with God.  He will do His part and I will do mine.

"Look slowly around and practice applying this idea, very specifically to whatever I see:  This table does not mean anything; this chair does not mean anything; this hand does not mean anything; this foot does not mean anything; this pen does not mean anything, etc."  ~~~~~~ There is no order. There is no level of importance to anything I see, it is all the same.

"Look farther away from my immediate area, and apply the idea to a wider range: That door does not mean anything; that body does not mean anything; that lamp does not mean anything; that sign does not mean anything; that shadow does not mean anything, etc."  ~~~~~~  Do not exclude anything, but at the same time do not attempt to include everything.  Remember:  no strain.

Do these exercises in the morning and in the evening, or in the afternoon or just before bedtime, or after breakfast and just before supper.  Do them twice today, for just a minute or two.  No more than 5 minutes.  Remember: no strain.

"A comfortable sense of leisure is essential."

Epilogue

ACIM is a beginning, not an end.  I have learned that I am never alone and that God always answers me when I call on Him.  Whatever troubles me, I can be certain that God has the answer.  In Him, all my problems disappear.  I can be as certain as the sun's path across the sky, that I will Awaken and be with God.  Yet I can be more certain still.  It is not possible to change the course of those whom God has called to Him.  I will obey my True Will, which is also the Will of God.  I will follow Him Whom I have accepted as my Guide, to speak of what I really want and what I really need. God speaks of Freedom and Truth.

No more specific lessons are assigned; there is no more need of them.  From here on, I will hear God for myself.  He will direct my efforts, telling me exactly what to do, what thoughts to think, what words to speak, what interpretation to give everyone and everything.

The end of dreams is certain. To this I say "Amen."  I will be told exactly what God Wills for me each time there is a choice to make.  Each choice I make for Truth will bring Heaven nearer my reach.  Hell will never claim me, for there is no hell except the dream of hell, and dreams are nothing at all.  I walk with my Father from this time on, and turn to Him for Guidance, Peace and Sure Direction.  I only need ask Him, "what should I think?", "what should I say?", "what should I do?" and He will tell me.  Joy paves my way.  I go Home to an open door which God Himself has held open to welcome me. 

I will trust my way to Him and say "Amen."  I ask His Will in everything I do and wait in confidence for His answers.  He teaches me how to see with His Vision and love with His Love.  I never walk alone. God's Love surrounds me.  His Peace fills my mind. 

Be sure of this:  I will never be left comfortless.

Final Lessons

My final lessons will be as free of words as possible.  More and more, I will use words only to remind me that I seek to go beyond words.  Turn to Him Who leads the way. To Him, I trust these lessons.  To Him I give all my efforts.  I will not return again to my belief in "sin," which made the world seem ugly and unsafe, attacking and destroying, dangerous in all its ways, treacherous beyond the hope of trust and escape from pain.

God's Way is the only way to find Peace.  God Himself appointed this Way and it is the Way all will eventually travel.  In the world of illusion ~ the dream of time ~ God's Plan seems to be far in the future.  Yet, in Truth, It is already here.  I receive God's Gift of Peace and offer it to my brothers, saving the world.

Dedicate my mind and direct all my thoughts to serve the function of salvation.  My function on earth is to forgive the world.  This is the only True function I have in the world of illusions. I seek God's end to the dream, not my own. I will not fail to recognize God Himself in all that I forgive.  In forgiveness God's Memory is restored to me.

In my brother is my salvation.  I seemingly divided the Sonship to show me a world "apart from" God.  God uses the divided Sonship for forgiveness of each other and the dream.  In this forgiveness is my salvation.

The "wrath of God" is a dream.  I am no longer wholly insane.  I understand that anger is insane, attack is mad and vengeance is merely foolish fantasy. I learned I have been mistaken.

Is a father angry at his son because the son failed to understand Truth?  I come in honesty to God and say 'I did not understand.'  And I ask Him to help me learn His lessons.  Would God hurt His Own Son, or would He rush to meet him and say, "This is my Son and all that I have is his!"?  Be certain that these are His Own Words to me.