May 10
"It
is impossible to see two worlds."
PRACTICE
SUMMARY
Purpose: To learn that it is impossible to see two worlds. To learn each
world is all of one piece because it stems from one emotion. To make no
compromises with illusions; to leave them all behind and seek the truth.
Another giant stride.Longer: 6 times for 5 minutes
* Give these minutes gladly, in gratitude. Begin by remembering you are seeking the other world, the truth. And so empty your hands of illusions, of the world's petty treasures. Ask for God's strength to help you see the other world. Say: "It is impossible to see two worlds. Let me accept the strength God offers me and see no value in this world, that I may find my freedom and deliverance."
* You have called on God and He will be there, grateful to take this giant step with you. And you will see His gratitude expressed in new perception, which your eyes alone cannot see. You will not doubt this sight nor doubt that God's strength helped you in choosing it.
Response To Temptation: Whenever any part of hell tempts you to accept it as real, remember that the range of your choice is only Heaven or hell, and that whichever one you choose will fill your perception. Say: "It is impossible to see two worlds. I seek my freedom and deliverance, and this is not a part of what I want."
COMMENTARY
Today's lesson is extremely uncompromising. The first two paragraphs are as clear a statement of the Course's understanding of perception as there is in all three volumes. What we value we want to see; what we want to see determines our thinking; and what we see simply reflects our thinking. "No one can fail to look upon what he believes he wants" (1:6). Or as it is twice stated succinctly in the Text, "Projection makes perception" (T-13.V.3:5 and T-21.IN.1:1).On top of that, since we can't hate and love simultaneously, we can't project totally opposite worlds simultaneously. We project the world of fear or the world of love. And, "The world you see is proof you have already made a choice as all-embracing as its opposite" (6:2). In other words, the world we see proves that our minds have made an all-embracing choice for fear. "Fear has made everything you think you see" (4:1).
As I said, this is very uncompromising. It does not allow for any part of this world to be excluded from the category of "projection of fear." The world we see is "quite consistent from the point of view from which you see it. It is all a piece because it stems from one emotion [fear], and reflects its source in everything you see" (6:4, 5). If we try to exclude part of it from this portrait, maintaining that "Surely this part is good," we are trying to "accept a little part of hell as real" (11:1). It guarantees that the whole picture will be "hell indeed."
On the other hand, the Course does not try to foster any rejection of the world. It tells us that only the part of it we look upon with love is real (T-12.VI.3:2, 3). Therefore we are urged to love all of it equally, and thus "make the world real unto yourself" (T-12.VI.3:6). Our attempts at salvaging "parts" of the world as real are mistaken in that they separate and make certain parts special, more loveable than the rest.
As we see it, through eyes of fear, this world is without any value whatsoever. Let us accept God's Strength and "see no value in the world." If we are willing to do this we will see another world, with sight that "is not the kind of seeing that your eyes alone have ever seen before" (9:4). "When you want only love you will see nothing else" (T-12.VII.8:1).
To be a little more practical for a moment: I have found the final words of this lesson to be an incredibly useful phrase in times of distress of all kinds: "This is not a part of what I want." If I see only what I want to see, and I am seeing something distressing, let me affirm my choice to change my mind: "I don't want this any more." Although my application of it is still very inconsistent, I have seen this simple affirmation make separateness in a relationship evaporate. I have seen it make a sense of poverty evaporate. I have seen it change my body, and give it an energy I thought I had lost. I have watched it reverse impending illnesses. I recommend it highly to you all.
Copyright © 1996, The Circle of Atonement, Sedona,
Arizona, USA.
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