My thoughts* on ACIM Urtext Lesson 10, for January 10, 2024. Do not think of this as a spiritual lobotomy that robs you of YOU.

My thoughts do not mean anything.

* Do not think of this as a spiritual lobotomy that robs you of YOU.

* Your thoughts as they currently exist do not mean anything BECAUSE God is eliminated from them and ONLY God IS.

1. This idea applies to all the thoughts of which you are aware, or become aware in the practice periods. ²The reason the idea is applicable to all of them is that they are not your real thoughts. ³We have made this distinction before, and will do so again. ⁴You have no basis for comparison as yet. ⁵When you do, you will have no doubt that what you once believed were your thoughts did not mean anything.

* Even for those who thought that they believed in God. And, in fact, it may be one of the most challenging of mindsets (to have been a believer in God) because with this belief previously there “obviously” had to be evil in the world that God needed to take care of. You will be able to let go of this idea when you are willing to accept the concept that there literally can be nothing outside of God because He is after all, ALL-POWERFUL (OMNIPOTENT), ALL-KNOWING (OMNISCIENT), and EVERYWHERE (OMNIPRESENT) as recorded in the standard works. Note that this may need to include the understanding that propaganda and corrupt communication- resources have been around for a long time and that we MUST be willing to THINK FOR OURSELVES, by choosing to listen to the Voice of God within each of us.

* You might be a “resistant believer” like Helen who considered herself an angry atheist for a while. She “knew” He was there, but she tried to get Him to conform to her understanding of “how things ought to be.” For example; even though she was told intuitively that her gall bladder surgery would NOT go smoothly she asked God to prove Himself to her by “ensuring” that it would go well. God is not going to interfere with the learning path that we have chosen NOR the directives or directors of the Universal Plan that is showing The Son of God as a Whole that He does have the ability to RESTORE TO REALITY THAT WHICH HAS ALLOWED ITSELF TO BE MISDIRECTED.

* Do you feel the Presence of a Loving, Trusting, and Faithful PARENT here? I do.

2. This is the second time we have used this kind of idea. ²The form is only slightly different. ³This time the idea is introduced with “My thoughts” instead of “These thoughts,” and no link is made overtly with the things around you. ⁴The emphasis is now on the lack of reality of what you think you think.

* And here lies the gate that blocks us from Heaven. “The lack of reality of what you think you think.”

* Herein lies the true meaning of the concept of illusion as Jesus uses the term in A Course in Miracles. It is not form that has ANY bearing on Reality or No Reality. Form is totally neutral and benign, non-affective to the Son of God and each of His Parts.

3. This aspect of the correction process began with the idea that the thoughts of which you are aware are meaningless, outside rather than within; and then stressed their past rather than their present status.

* Note the sophistication of the techniques of teaching that Jesus has incorporated here. As students who think that we “know what the Course is teaching” this can be easily overlooked. I know that I overlooked it the first several times I reviewed it.

* Jesus begins totally with where we “think” we are which is ~ in a world of form ONLY ~ then shows us how the thoughts we THINK we are thinking COULD ONLY BE OUR PAST ASSOCIATIONS with things and concepts or ideas.

* Then the “idea” that we could not be truly thinking begins to shine like a light in the far distance within our minds.

²Now we are emphasizing that the presence of these “thoughts” means that you are not thinking. ³This is merely another way of repeating our earlier statement that your mind is really a blank.

* Note next WHERE Jesus is trying to take you and me.

⁴To recognize this is to recognize nothingness when you think you see it. ⁵As such, it is the prerequisite for vision.

* The “vision” will not come through our eyes but through the allowance of God’s Presence and His Guidance which has ALWAYS been waiting to show us the Way Home.

4. Close your eyes for these exercises, and introduce them by repeating the idea for today quite slowly to yourself. ²Then add:

³This idea will help to release me from all that I now believe.

⁴The exercises consist, as before, in searching your mind for all the thoughts that are available to you, without selection or judgment.

⁵Try to avoid classification of any kind. ⁶In fact, if you find it helpful to do so, you might imagine that you are watching an oddly assorted procession going by, which has little if any personal meaning to you. ⁷As each one crosses your mind, say:

⁸My thought about _________ does not mean anything.

⁹My thought about _________ does not mean anything.

* See how “aware and compassionate” Jesus is? “⁶In fact, if you find it helpful to do so, you might imagine that you are watching an oddly assorted procession going by, which has little if any personal meaning to you.” This is a great assist for those of us who are visual, audio, or tactile/touch (kinesthetic) learners.

5. Today’s thought can obviously serve for any thought that distresses you at any time.

* Now, this can be difficult to remember in the moment of distress (which is not how one would even be willing to do the actual exercises of the Course) however, in reviewing these Workbook Lessons I am invited to put this reminder into my toolbox for handling distressful situations.

* Even moving into happy circumstances can present a great deal of distress and I suspect that this will be the dilemma that will be faced by many as we move into our higher level of consciousness.

* I know that it is challenging for me and what I am experiencing right now. At the same time, my faith in the Living, Loving, Faithful, and Trusting Heavenly Father that believes/no, knows Who I am and What I can do when I am finally willing to do it is supporting me and allowing me to move forward.

²In addition, five practice periods are recommended, each involving no more than a minute or so of mind searching. ³It is not recommended that this time period be extended, and it should be reduced to half a minute or less if you experience discomfort.

⁴Remember, however, to repeat the idea slowly before applying it specifically, and also to add:

⁵This idea will help to release me from all that I now believe.

(ACIM, W-10.1:1–5:5)

Till next time, God bless, debi.