Thoughts are things?

Lesson# 15

My thoughts are images that I have made.

The following is taken from the lesson...

It is because the thoughts you think you think appear as images that you do not recognize them as nothing. You think you think them, and so you think you see them. This is how your "seeing" was made. This is the function you have given your body's eyes. It is not seeing. It is image making. It takes the place of seeing, replacing vision with illusions.

This introductory idea to the process of image making that you call seeing will not have much meaning for you. You will begin to understand it 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.

As we go along, you may have many "light episodes." They may take many different forms, some of them quite unexpected. Do not be afraid of them. They are signs that you are opening your eyes at last. They will not persist, because they merely symbolize true perception, and they are not related to knowledge. These exercises will not reveal knowledge to you. But they will prepare the way to it.

In practicing the idea for today, repeat it first to yourself, and then apply it to whatever you see around you, using its name and letting your eyes rest on it as you say:

That ______ is an image that I have made.

It is not necessary to include a large number of specific subjects for the application of today's idea. It is necessary, however, to continue to look at each subject while you repeat the idea to yourself. The idea should be repeated quite slowly each time.

Although you will obviously not be able to apply the idea to very many things during the minute or so of practice that is recommended, try to make the selection as random as possible. Less than a minute will do for the practice periods, if you begin to feel uneasy. Do not have more than three application periods for today's idea unless you feel completely comfortable with it, and do not exceed four. However, the idea can be applied as needed throughout the day.

My comments... This lesson comes easier to me than many of the others. It makes sense, especially as one recalls the previous lessons. "Thoughts are things", we've been taught to believe, but this further expands that meaning into thoughts are things that WE create. I have yet to experience any "light" surrounding those items I focus upon, but I'm hopeful that as this comes together - all things such as this will be revealed to me.

Not God's fault

Lesson# 14

God did not create a meaningless world.

The following is taken from the lesson...

The idea for today is, of course, the reason why a meaningless world is impossible. What God did not create does not exist. And everything that does exist exists as He created it. The world you see has nothing to do with reality. It is of your own making, and it does not exist.

The exercises for today are to be practiced with eyes closed throughout. The mind-searching period should be short, a minute at most. Do not have more than three practice periods with today's idea unless you find them comfortable. If you do, it will be because you really understand what they are for.

The idea for today is another step in learning to let go the thoughts that you have written on the world, and see the Word of God in their place. The early steps in this exchange, which can truly be called salvation, can be quite difficult and even quite painful. Some of them will lead you directly into fear. You will not be left there. You will go far beyond it. Our direction is toward perfect safety and perfect peace.

With eyes closed, think of all the horrors in the world that cross your mind. Name each one as it occurs to you, and then deny its reality. God did not create it, and so it is not real. Say, for example:

• God did not create that war, and so it is not real.
• God did not create that airplane crash, and so it is not real.
• God did not create that disaster [specify], and so it is not real.

Suitable subjects for the application of today's idea also include anything you are afraid might happen to you, or to anyone about whom you are concerned. In each case, name the "disaster" quite specifically. Do not use general terms. For example, do not say, "God did not create illness," but, "God did not create cancer," or heart attacks, or whatever may arouse fear in you.

This is your personal repertory of horrors at which you are looking. These things are part of the world you see. Some of them are shared illusions, and others are part of your personal hell. It does not matter. What God did not create can only be in your own mind apart from His. Therefore, it has no meaning. In recognition of this fact, conclude the practice periods by repeating today's idea:

God did not create a meaningless world.

The idea for today can, of course, be applied to anything that disturbs you during the day, aside from the practice periods. Be very specific in applying it. Say: God did not create a meaningless world.

He did not create [specify the situation which is disturbing you],and so it is not real.

My comments... I know I sound like a broken record with many of my comments. I keep expressing the trouble I am having with these "exercises" and their mystical qualities... There doesn't seem to be a direct path - to get anywhere you must first do these things, exercises, pay this price, etc. Why are we not told... "Just do this..." instead of these preparation exercises? Do I sound frustrated? I am. I search for answers and I keep being told . . . not yet . . . first you must do these things. Visualize, read, pray, keep searching... do these next 300 exercises and THEN you'll know. Yikes!

Sorry for the rant, I think it is a combination of frustration and lack of understanding. This whole "make believe" world where we have wars and bad people - and babies and sweetness, but God has nothing to do with any of it... makes my head swim.