Lesson 15

"My thoughts are images that I have made."

It is because the thoughts you think you think appear as images, that you do not recognize them as nothing. And 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 are seeing now. This 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 have 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.

"This                                                  is an image that I have made."

"That                                                  is an image that I have made."

Continue to look at each subject while you repeat the idea to yourself. The idea should be repeated quite slowly each time.

Try to make the selection as random as possible. Do not continue the application periods unless you feel completely comfortable with it. This idea can be applied as data throughout the day.

Lesson 16

"I have no neutral thoughts."

This idea is the beginning step in dispelling the belief that your thoughts have no effect. Everything you see is the result of your thoughts. There is no exception to this fact. Thoughts are not big or little; powerful or weak. They are merely true or false. Those that are true create their own likeness. Those that are false make theirs. There is no more self-contradictory concept than that of "idle thoughts." What gives rise to the perception of a whole world can hardly be called idle. Every thought you have contributes to truth or to illusion; either it extends the truth or it multiplies illusions. You can indeed multiply nothing, but you will not extend it by doing so.

Besides you recognizing that thoughts are never idle, salvation requires that you also recognize that every thought you have brings either peace or a war; either love or fear. The neutral result is impossible because the neutral thought is impossible. There is such a temptation to dismiss fear thoughts as unimportant, trivial and not worth bothering about that it is essential you recognize them all as equally destructive, but equally unreal.

"This thought about                                                  is not a neutral thought."

"That thought about                                                  is not a neutral thought, because I have no neutral thoughts."

You'll practice this idea in many forms before you really understand it. Use today's idea whenever you are aware of a particular thought that arouses uneasiness. The length of the exercised period should be reduced if there is discomfort.

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. If it were not so, perception would have no cause, and would itself be the cause of reality.

"I see no neutral things because I have no neutral thoughts."

Look about you, resting your glance on each thing that you note long enough to say:

"I do not see a neutral                                                  because my thoughts about                                                  are not neutral."

"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."

It is essential to make no distinction between what you believe to be animate or inanimate; pleasant or unpleasant.

Lesson 18

"I am not alone in experiencing the effects of my seeing."

This idea is another step in learning that the thoughts which gives rise to what you see are never neutral or unimportant. It also emphasizes the idea that minds are joined, which will be given increasing stress later on. Today's idea does not refer to what you see as much as how you see it. Therefore, the exercises for today emphasize this aspect of your perception.

Look about you, selecting subjects for the application of the idea for today as randomly as possible, and keeping your eyes on each one long enough to say:

"I am not alone in experiencing the effects of how I see                                                 ."

"I am not alone in experiencing the effects of my seeing."

A minute or so, or even less, will be sufficient for each practice period.

Lesson 19

"I am not alone in experiencing the effects of my thoughts."

The idea for today is obviously the reason why your seeing does not affect you alone. You will notice that at times the ideas related to thinking precedes those related to perceiving, while at other times the order is reversed. The reason is that the order does not matter. Thinking and its results are really simultaneous, for cause and effect are never separate.

We are again emphasizing the fact that minds are joined. This is rarely a wholly welcome idea at first, since it seems to carry with it an enormous sense of responsibility, and may even be regarded as an "invasion of privacy." There are no private thoughts.

The minute or so of mind searching which today's exercise requires is to be undertaken with eyes closed. The idea for today is to be repeated first, and then the mind should be carefully searched for the thoughts it contains at the time. As you consider each one, name it in terms of the central person or theme it contains, and holding it in your mind, say:

"I am not alone in experiencing the effects of this thought about                                                 ."

The requirement of as much indiscriminateness as possible in selecting subjects for the practice period should be quite familiar by now, and will no longer be repeated each day. Do not forget, that random selection of subjects for all practice periods remains essential throughout. Lack of order in this connection will ultimately make the recognition of lack of order in miracles meaningful to you.

Lesson 20

"I am determined to see."

Thus far there has been virtually no attempt to direct the time for undertaking these practice periods. Minimal effort has been required, and not even active cooperation and interests have been asked. This approach has been intentional, and carefully planned. We have not lost sight of the crucial importance of the reversal of your thinking. The salvation of the world depends on it. If you regard yourself as being forced, or if you give in to resentment and opposition, you will not see.

We now attempt to introduce structure. Do not misconstrue it as an effort to exert force or pressure. You want to be happy. You want peace. You do not have them now, because your mind is totally undisciplined, and you cannot distinguish between joy and sorrow, pleasure and pain, love and fear. You are now learning to tell them apart. And great indeed will be your reward.

Your decision to see is all that vision requires. What you want is yours. Do not mistake the little effort that is asked of you for an indication that our goal is of little worth. In your determination to see is vision given you.

Remind yourself throughout the day that you want to see. Today's idea tacitly implies the recognition that you do not see now. As you repeat the idea, you're stating that your determined to change our present state for a better one, and one you really want.

Repeat today's idea slowly and positively at intervals throughout the day. The repetition should be applied to any situation, person or event that upsets you. You can see them differently, and you will. What you desire, you will see. Such is the real law of cause and effect as it operates in the world.

Lesson 21

"I am determined to see things differently."

The idea for today is a continuation and extension of the preceding one. This time specific mind searching periods are necessary, in addition to applying the idea to particular situations as they may arise. In the practice periods, begin by repeating the idea to yourself. Then close your eyes and search your mind carefully for situations past, present or anticipated to arouse anger in you. The degree of the emotion you experienced does not matter. You will become increasingly aware that a slight twinge of annoyance is nothing but a veil drawn over intense fury.

Try not to let the "little" thoughts of anger escape you in the practice periods. You will probably be tempted to dwell more on some situations or persons than on others, or on the fallacious grounds that they are more "obvious." This is not so. It is merely an example of the belief that some forms of attack are more justified than others.

"I am determined to see                                                  [name of person] differently."

"I am determined to see                                                  [specify the situation] differently."

Try to be as specific as possible. You may focus your anger on a particular attribute of the particular person, believing that the anger is limited to this aspect. If your perception is suffering from this form of distortion, say:

"I am determined to see                                                  [specify the attribute] in                                                  [name of person] differently."