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 precede those related to perceiving, while at other times the
order is reversed. The reason is that the order does not actually
matter.Thinking and its results are really simultaneous, for cause and
effect are never separate.
Today 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.”Yet it is a fact that there are no
private thoughts. Despite your initial resistance to this idea, you will
yet understand that it must be true if salvation is possible at all. And
salvation must be possible because it is the Will of God.
The minute or so of mind searching which today’s exercises
require are to be undertaken with eyes closed. The idea is to be
repeated first, and then the mind should be carefully searched for the
thoughts it contains at that time. As you consider each one, name it
in terms of the central person or theme it contains, and holding it in
your mind as you do so, 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 to
you by now, and will no longer be repeated each day, although it will
occasionally be included as a reminder. Do not forget, however, 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.
Apart from the “as needed” application of today’s idea, at least
three practice periods are required, shortening the length of time
involved, if necessary. Do not attempt more than four.

BRITNEY ADDED: People tend to think that it is only their actions and words that effect others. Jesus is bringing to our attention that it is our thoughts that create effects, and we are effected by peoples thoughts because for this is a collective collaborative experience on earth. (and in relationships directly)

Today we can apply the thought" I am not alone in experiencing the effects of my thoughts about _______" to any person or theme that is prevalent in our minds. We are to remember that we have No private thoughts, for private thoughts insinuate a private world. We are learning there are no private thoughts, and we are not alone in experiencing the effects of our thoughts, because our thoughts are all creative and powerful. In this recognition when we can accept our joint reality that we truly share One Mind.

Situations are comprised of the thoughts of many. Sometimes it is helpful to step back and retreat inwards, for this allows us to gain compusure and understanding within. let this be your practice today, to step back from whats happening in life, and turn inwards so that you may experience with your inner teacher (holy spirit) that you are not alone in experiencing the effects of your thoughts.

Love and Peace!