Lesson 33: There is another way of looking at the world.

Feb 2 (edited) in Feed

🧩 OPENING THE DOOR TO A NEW PERSPECTIVE: FROM JUDGEMENT TO VISION

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🌟 This is one of these lessons Jesus brings up a "blockbuster of a theme", to use Kenneth Wapnick terms, without delving into it with any great length of explanation. He merely introduces the idea in one sentence, almost casually, and then proceeds immediately to give us very detailed practical instructions as to how to apply it. But nothing is ever casual about Jesus's approach. He takes our training seriously and each time he introduces a new important idea with little explanation, it's because he intends to come back to it later, developing it from a slightly different angle so that we can relate to it with more and more familiarity while keeping us alert.

🌟 Kenneth frequently compares this approach to the recurring musical themes found in classical music symphonies. In this analogy, a central "theme" is introduced at the outset and then elaborated upon, undergoing various transformations and variations throughout the entirety of the symphony.

📘 "Today’s idea is an attempt to recognize that you can shift your perception of the world in both its outer and inner aspects." (ACIM, W-33.1:1)

🌟 So, today's idea, "There is another way of looking at the world", should be good news after all the deconstructing of our "perceived reality" Jesus had us go through. Many of us, students, at this stage of the lessons are usually eager to reintroduce meaningfulness in our meaningless world and today's idea represents this next step:

🔎 “We can shift the perception because there is something within our minds to which we can go for meaningful change. This “something” is the decision maker; the only aspect of our dream in which we find true choice. It is not our outer perceptions that need to be changed, but the inner perception of ourselves: are we children of God, or of the ego; is our reality the changeless Oneness of Christ, or the changing individuality of separation; is our teacher the Holy Spirit or the ego? In other words, this other way of looking at the world begins in our minds, with our choice through which eyes we choose to see: vision or judgment.” Excerpt from Journey through the Workbook of "A Course in Miracles", Kenneth Wapnick, Vol. 1, p.102.

🌟 In short, entertaining the idea of another way brings us back to the fact that nothing is set in stone and that we always have a choice when it comes to our peace of mind.

🎯 CONSTANT VIGILANCE!

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🌟 After describing to us how to apply the idea in our morning and evening 5 minutes of practice, Jesus, once again instructs us on how to apply the idea very specifically, during our day, as soon as we notice losing our peace of mind:

📘 "The shorter exercise periods should be as frequent as possible. ²Specific applications of today’s idea should also be made immediately, when any situation arises which tempts you to become disturbed. ³For these applications, say: "There is another way of looking at this." Remember to apply today’s idea the instant you are aware of distress. ²It may be necessary to take a minute or so to sit quietly and repeat the idea to yourself several times. ³Closing your eyes will probably help in this form of application." (ACIM, W-33.3:1–4:3)

🌟 The idea, as Kenneth is putting it so nicely, is to develop an increasing vigilance in our daily lives so that we can make new choices when our peace is disturbed. Jesus is nothing if not practical. The idea is to yield no more to the temptation of giving power to situations (but really... thoughts) potentially upsetting or disturbing in any way. Even catching ourselves when we do, as to become aware of what we are doing to ourselves—and others as minds are joined—when it happens, is an improvement over mindlessness. From there, we can ask for help from Jesus and the Holy Spirit by stating "There is another way of looking at this" and inviting a new perspective:

🔎 “These exercises are intended to be practical and helpful. Jesus is not simply presenting us with a set of metaphysical principles to master intellectually. He is training us to become increasingly vigilant as we go through our day. As soon as we become aware of feeling distressed, upset, angry, frightened, or guilty, we would quickly go to him and say: “Help!” Even if we can say nothing else, we can at least acknowledge there is another thought in our minds, another teacher we could choose. Even if we do not choose that teacher at the moment, we at least know he is there. (...) If you happen to be working with today’s lesson, as quickly as possible after catching yourself feeling separate or victimized, say: “I can look at this differently.” If you can do nothing else, you are at least keeping the door open, reminding yourself there is another thought system or teacher you could choose, but because you are so fearful, you would much rather be right and miserable than wrong and happy (T-29.VII.1:9). However, you are being honest about what is going on; an immensely helpful part of learning to forgive.” Excerpt from Journey through the Workbook of "A Course in Miracles", Kenneth Wapnick, Vol. 1, p.102.

🤫 Now, a little secret for all my Harry Potter lovers out there: there is no "unforgivable curse". But... we still need to exert CONSTANT VIGILANCE over our thoughts! And while there is no "unforgivable curse", Jesus gave us many specific counter-curses to apply to any unloving thought we may be tempted to yield to. Here is a selective list:

🪄 MIGHTY COUNTER-CURSES FOR WANDERERS IN DISTRESS IN DAILY LIFE:

📘 "This thought about _________ does not mean anything" (ACIM, W-4.4:2)

📘 "I am not angry at/afraid of _________ for the reason I think." (ACIM, W-5.2:3-4)

📘 "I seem to be thinking about [name of a person], about [name of an object], about [name of an emotion], (...) ³But my mind is preoccupied with past thoughts." (ACIM, W-8.5:2-3)

📘 "I am not alone in experiencing the effects of how I see _____." (ACIM, W-18.3:2)

📘 "I am not alone in experiencing the effects of this thought about _____________." (ACIM, W-19.3:4)

📘 "I am determined to see ____________ [name of person] differently. I am determined to see ________________ [specify the situation] differently." (ACIM, W-21.4:2-3)

📘 "I can escape from the world I see by giving up attack thoughts about _________." (ACIM, W-23.6:4)

📘 "I am concerned about _________. (..) I am afraid _________ will happen. (..) That thought is an attack upon myself." (ACIM, W-26.7:2–9:2)

📘 "Above all else I want to see this _________ differently." (ACIM, W-28.8:2)

📘 "There is another way of looking at this." (ACIM, W-33.3:4)

🪄 AND INDEED, SHOULD WE CHOOSE THE RIGHT TEACHER:

📘 "God is in everything I see [or think]." (ACIM, W-29)

💙🪄 Remember, beloved... CONSTANT VIGILANCE! 🪄💙

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* My comment on this lesson follows my studying of the in-depth comment of the same lesson by Kenneth Wapnick in his published work, Journey through the Workbook of "A Course in Miracles". While it may sometimes contain my thoughts on it, it is essentially my humble take and summary of the masterful work of Kenneth. I share them here in the hope that someone might find them helpful.

** I also share, in these ACIM posts, the wallpaper images that I use on my phone and change every day to help me commit to my lesson, in the hope that some might enjoy them as well. Here is the link to a Dropbox folder where you can download the lessons's wallpaper for mobile I have uploaded so far.

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