Lesson One
Crucial
Posted by aplecompte on November 21st, 2009
“Nothing I see in this room means anything.” This is explained in Lesson 51: “The reason this is so is that I see nothing, and nothing has no meaning.”
I see nothing! That is a big one! My cat is nothing? My partner isn’t real? My body is nothing? Yes, they are nothing and have no meaning.
This is the first lesson and the whole Course hinges on it. Realizing I see nothing and that nothing has no meaning is the requirement for forgiveness.
To forgive is to see the false as false. I must fully realize that the meaning I gave to what I perceive is false. Because only when the mind understands that the perception is false and has no meaning will it let it go.
Another word for “forgive” is “overlook.” Here I need to be honest with myself. This does not allow me to take a shortcut by overlooking an upsetting perception, by skipping over it or pretending it’s insignificant. Especially at the beginning, I must look at the upsetting perception and determine that it is false before my mind can completely let it go. Only this will relieve the upsetting emotion that comes with it.
To determine it is false I must understand why it is false. It is false because it is based on my mistaken beliefs in a world of scarcity, separation and attack. These beliefs developed from the ego’s foundational false belief that I separated from God. Beliefs are the key to changing your mind. “No belief is neutral. Every one has the power to dictate each decision that you make.” T-24.in.2
I must fully understand that what I think I see is only an illusion in my mind. Only then can I dismiss it, let it go.
It is necessary that I recognize this, that I may learn to see. What I think I see now is taking the place of vision. I must let it go by realizing it has no meaning, so that vision may take its place. W-51
To recognize that I see nothing, that an upsetting perception is is not real, I trace it back to the false beliefs behind it. When I really understand that the belief is false, I can let it go. Instantly the Holy Sprit replaces my misperception with true perception. Goodbye upset; welcome joy!
Tags: Ego, Forgiveness
