Voice From Heaven

LESSON 13A Meaningless World Engenders Fear.Today’s idea is really another form of the preceding one, except that it is more specific as to the emotion aroused. Actually, a meaningless world is impossible. Nothing without meaning exists. However, it does not follow that you will not think you perceive something that has no meaning. On the contrary, you will be particularly likely to think you do perceive it.Recognition of meaninglessness arouses intense anxiety in all the separated ones. It represents a situation in which God and the ego “challenge” each other as to whose meaning is to be written in the empty space that meaninglessness provides. The ego rushes in frantically to establish its own ideas there, fearful that the void may otherwise be used to demonstrate its own impotence and unreality. And on this alone it is correct.It is essential, therefore, that you learn to recognize the meaningless, and accept it without fear. If you are fearful, it is certain that you will endow the world with attributes t

LESSON 12I Am Upset Because I See A Meaningless World.The importance of this idea lies in the fact that it contains a correction for a major perceptual distortion. You think that what upsets you is a frightening world, or a sad world, or a violent world, or an insane world. All these attributes are given it by you. The world is meaningless in itself.These exercises are done with eyes open. Look around you, this time quite slowly. Try to pace yourself so that the slow shifting of your glance from one thing to another involves a fairly constant time interval. Do not allow the time of the shift to become markedly longer or shorter, but try, instead, to keep a measured, even tempo throughout. What you see does not matter. You teach yourself this as you give whatever your glance rests on equal attention and equal time. This is a beginning step in learning to give them all equal value.As you look about you, say to yourself:I think I see a fearful world, a dangerous world, a hostile world,a sad world, a wicked world

LESSON 11My Meaningless Thoughts Are Showing Me A Meaningless World.This is the first idea we have had that is related to a major phase of the correction process; the reversal of the thinking of the world. It seems as if the world determines what you perceive. Today’s idea introduces the concept that your thoughts determine the world you see. Be glad indeed to practice the idea in its initial form, for in this idea is your release made sure. The key to forgiveness lies in it.The practice periods for today’s idea are to be undertaken somewhat differently from the previous ones. Begin with your eyes closed, and repeat the idea slowly to yourself. Then open your eyes and look about, near and far, up and down, - anywhere. During the minute or so to be spent in using the idea merely repeat it to yourself, being sure to do so without haste, and with no sense of urgency or effort.To do these exercises for maximum benefit, the eyes should move from one thing to another fairly rapidly, since they should not linger on

LESSON 10My Thoughts Do Not Mean Anything.This idea applies to all the thoughts of which you are aware, or become aware in the practice periods. The reason the idea is applicable to all of them is that they are not your real thoughts. We have made this distinction before, and will do so again. You have no basis for comparison as yet. When you do, you will have no doubt that what you once believed were your thoughts did not mean anything.This is the second time we have used this kind of idea. The form is only slightly different. This time the idea is introduced with “My thoughts” instead of “These thoughts,” and no link is made overtly with the things around you. The emphasis is now on the lack of reality of what you think you think.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. Now we are emphasizing that the presence of these “thoughts” means that you

We are sharing in this episode in a direct meeting with Master Teacher the second part of the video presentation "The Greatest Story Ever Told Series, -- All Good Ever Came Out Of Nazareth -- 'A Great Story Is Finished'," of Episode XII, in which he offers us the recognition of not being a body and what ultimately the resurrection is. We are coming to an Experience which releases the time concept, which brings the time association into the present moment in which all is realized in seeing it all in another way. ◊We are using Part 2 of the Master Teacher's video GS-06b of the The Greatest Story Ever Told Series -- All Good Ever Came Out Of Nazareth -- 'A Great Story Is Finished'," --- https://themasterteacher.tv/video/catalogue/volume-one/the-greatest-story-ever-told-series/GS-06bYouTube: https://youtu.be/f10vR7EXbag

LESSON 9I See Nothing As It Is Now.This idea obviously follows from the two preceding ones. But while you may be able to accept it intellectually, it is unlikely that it will mean anything to you as yet. However, understanding is not necessary at this point. In fact, the recognition that you do not understand is a prerequisite for undoing your false ideas. These exercises are concerned with practice, not with understanding. You do not need to practice what you already understand. It would indeed be circular to aim at understanding, and assume that you have it already.It is difficult for the untrained mind to believe that what it seems to picture is not there. This idea can be quite disturbing, and may meet with active resistance in any number of forms. Yet that does not preclude applying it. No more than that is required for these or any other exercises. Each small step will clear a little of the darkness away, and understanding will finally come to lighten every corner of the mind that has been cleared of th

LESSON 8My Mind Is Preoccupied With Past Thoughts.This idea is, of course, the reason why you see only the past. No one really sees anything. He sees only his thoughts projected outward. The mind’s preoccupation with the past is the cause of the misconception about time from which your seeing suffers. Your mind cannot grasp the present, which is the only time there is. It therefore cannot understand time, and cannot, in fact, understand anything.The one wholly true thought one can hold about the past is that it is not here. To think about it at all is therefore to think about illusions. Very few have realized what is actually entailed in picturing the past or in anticipating the future. The mind is actually blank when it does this, because it is not really thinking about anything.The purpose of the exercises for today is to begin to train your mind to recognize when it is not really thinking at all. While thoughtless ideas preoccupy your mind, the truth is blocked. Recognizing that your mind has been merely b

LESSON 7I See Only The Past.This idea is particularly difficult to believe at first. Yet it is the rationale for all of the preceding ones.•It is the reason why nothing that you see means anything.•It is the reason why you have given everything you seeall the meaning that it has for you.•It is the reason why you do not understand anything you see.•It is the reason why your thoughts do not mean anything,and why they are like the things you see.•It is the reason why you are never upset for the reason you think.•It is the reason why you are upset because you seesomething that is not there.Old ideas about time are very difficult to change, because everything you believe is rooted in time, and depends on your not learning these new ideas about it. Yet that is precisely why you need new ideas about time. This first time idea is not really so strange as it may sound at first.Look at a cup, for example. Do you see a cup, or are you merely reviewing your past experiences of picking up a cup, being thirsty, drinking fr

In this episode we are continuing to look at the teaching of Christ-Jesus and His Course in Miracles in regard to the idea of how to come to an experience of guiltlessness. The human conceptual ego mind will offer the continuation of guilt feelings by holding up disordered thoughts. It is the acceptance of the Atonement and application of a thinking with HIM which the mind training of A Course in Miracles facilitates that brings about this freeing up the mind from guilt. ◊ We are sharing A Course in Miracles as given in in the Notes correlating with — chapter 5-VI-11-end of the Complete & Annotated Edition, published in FIP-Edition as chapter 5–V-6-end, and parts of the Introduction to the Workbook — ACIM-Reflections (100) with Devavan.

LESSON 6I Am Upset Because I See Something That Is Not There.The exercises with this idea are very similar to the preceding ones. Again, it is necessary to name both the form of upset (anger, fear, worry, depression and so on) and the perceived source very specifically for any application of the idea.For example:I am angry at because I see something that is not there.I am worried about because I see something that is not there.Today’s idea is useful for application to anything that seems to upset you, and can profitably be used throughout the day for that purpose. However, the three or four practice periods which are required should be preceded by a minute or so of mind searching, as before, and the application of the idea to each upsetting thought uncovered in the search.Again, if you resist applying the idea to some upsetting thoughts more than to others, remind yourself of the two cautions stated in the previous lesson:There are no small upsets.They are all equally disturbing to my peace of mind.And:I cann

LESSON 5I Am Never Upset For The Reason I Think.This idea, like the preceding one, can be used with any person, situation or event you think is causing you pain. Apply it specifically to whatever you believe is the cause of your upset, using the description of the feeling in whatever term seems accurate to you. The upset may seem to be fear, worry, depression, anxiety, anger, hatred, jealousy or any number of forms, all of which will be perceived as different. This is not true. However, until you learn that form does not matter, each form becomes a proper subject for the exercises for the day. Applying the same idea to each of them separately is the first step in ultimately recognizing they are all the same.When using the idea for today for a specific perceived cause of an upset in any form, use both the name of the form in which you see the upset, and the cause which you ascribe to it. For example:I am not angry at _______ for the reason I think.I am not afraid of _______ for the reason I think.But again, th

LESSON 4These Thoughts Do Not Mean Anything.Unlike the preceding ones, these exercises do not begin with the idea for the day. In these practice periods, begin with noting the thoughts that are crossing your mind for about a minute. Then apply the idea to them. If you are already aware of unhappy thoughts, use them as subjects for the idea. Do not, however, select only the thoughts you think are “bad.” You will find, if you train yourself to look at your thoughts, that they represent such a mixture that, in a sense, none of them can be called “good” or “bad.” This is why they do not mean anything.In selecting the subjects for the application of today’s idea, the usual specificity is required. Do not be afraid to use “good” thoughts as well as “bad.” None of them represents your real thoughts, which are being covered up by them. The “good” ones are but shadows of what lies beyond, and shadows make sight difficult. The “bad” ones are blocks to sight, and make seeing impossible. You do not want either.This is a

LESSON 3 I Do Not Understand Anything I See.Apply this idea in the same way as the previous ones, without making distinctions of any kind. Whatever you see becomes a proper subject for applying the idea.Be sure that you do not question the suitability of anything for application of the idea. These are not exercises in judgment. Anything is suitable if you see it. Some of the things you see may have emotionally-charged meaning for you. Try to lay such feelings aside, and merely use these things exactly as you would anything else.The point of the exercises is to help you clear your mind of all past associations, to see things exactly as they appear to you now, and to realize how little you really understand about them.It is therefore essential that you keep a perfectly open mind, unhampered by judgment, in selecting the things to which the idea for the day is to be applied. For this purpose one thing is like another; equally suitable and therefore equally useful.- Jesus Christ in ACIM

We are sharing in this episode in a direct meeting with Master Teacher the first part of the video presentation "The Greatest Story Ever Told Series, -- What Good Ever Came Out Of Nazareth? - 'A Great Story Begins'", of Episode XI, in which he offers us the recognition of what it means to be the Savior of the World. He starts in directing the mind to prophesy and the dilemma of seeing it not fulfilled - as Jesus was seemingly not recognized as the Savior in his hometown Nazareth. This can only be solved by accepting full responsibility and recognizing that what is seen in the dream is not really there. ◊We are using Part 1 of the Master Teacher's video GS-06a of the The Greatest Story Ever Told Series, -- What Good Ever Came Out Of Nazareth? - 'A Great Story Begins' --- https://themasterteacher.tv/video/catalogue/volume-one/the-greatest-story-ever-told-series/GS-06a of the The Greatest Story Ever Told Series, -- What Good Ever Came Out Of Nazareth? - 'A Great Story Begins' --- https://themasterteacher.tv/vide

I Have Given Everything I See All The Meaning That It Has For Me.The exercises with this idea are the same as those for the first one. Begin with the things that are near you, and apply the idea to whatever your glance rests on. Then increase the range outward. Turn your head so that you include whatever is on either side. If possible, turn around and apply the idea to what was behind you. Remain as indiscriminate as possible in selecting subjects for its application, do not concentrate on anything in particular, and do not attempt to include everything you see in a given area, or you will introduce strain.Merely glance easily and fairly quickly around you, trying to avoid selection by size, brightness, color, material, or relative importance to you. Take the subjects simply as you see them. Try to apply the exercise with equal ease to a body or a button, a fly or a floor, an arm or an apple. The sole criterion for applying the idea to anything is merely that your eyes have lighted on it. Make no attempt to i

WORKBOOK PART IINTRODUCTIONA theoretical foundation such as the text provides is necessary as a framework to make the exercises in this workbook meaningful. Yet it is doing the exercises that will make the goal of the course possible. An untrained mind can accomplish nothing. It is the purpose of this workbook to train your mind to think along the lines the text sets forth. The exercises are very simple. They do not require a great deal of time, and it does not matter where you do them. They need no preparation. The training period is one year. The exercises are numbered from 1 to 365. Do not undertake to do more than one set of exercises a day. The workbook is divided into two main sections, the first dealing with the undoing of the way you see now, and the second with the acquisition of true perception. With the exception of the review periods, each day's exercises are planned around one central idea, which is stated first. This is followed by a description of the specific procedures by which the idea for t

EPILOGUEThis course is a beginning, not an end. Your Friend goes with you. You are not alone. No one who calls on Him can call in vain. Whatever troubles you, be certain that He has the answer, and will gladly give it to you, if you simply turn to Him and ask it of Him. He will not withhold all answers that you need for anything that seems to trouble you. He knows the way to solve all problems, and resolve all doubts. His certainty is yours. You need but ask it of Him, and it will be given you. You are as certain of arriving home as is the pathway of the sun laid down before it rises, after it has set, and in the half-lit hours in between. Indeed, your pathway is more certain still. For it can not be possible to change the course of those whom God has called to Him. Therefore obey your will, and follow Him Whom you accepted as your voice, to speak of what you really want and really need. His is the Voice for God and also yours. And thus He speaks of freedom and of truth. No more specific lessons are assigned,

This holy instant would I give to You. Be You in charge. For I would follow You, Certain that Your direction gives me Peace.And if I need a word to help me, He will give it to me. If I need a thought, that will He also give. And if I need but stillness and a tranquil, open mind, these are the gifts I will receive of Him. He is in charge by my request. And He will hear and answer me, because He speaks for God my Father and His holy Son.- Jesus Christ in A Course in Miracles, Lesson 365

In this episode we are continuing to look at the teaching of Christ-Jesus and His Course in Miracles in regard to the idea of trusting and following Him. The mind has this power of decision to make part of the ego its reality or align its thinking with the Holy Spirit, but in learning to think with God there will be no fear nor guilt nor any sense of separation in you. Our Friend goes with us, we walk with Him. To this we say "Amen". ◊ We are sharing A Course in Miracles as given in in the Notes correlating with — chapter 5-VI-1-8 of the Complete & Annotated Edition, published in FIP-Edition as chapter 5–V-1-6, and parts of the daily Lessons 361-365 with its Epilogue of the Workbook — ACIM-Reflections (99) with Devavan.YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMHs0rndlcQ

This holy instant would I give to You. Be You in charge. For I would follow You, Certain that Your direction gives me Peace.And if I need a word to help me, He will give it to me. If I need a thought, that will He also give. And if I need but stillness and a tranquil, open mind, these are the gifts I will receive of Him. He is in charge by my request. And He will hear and answer me, because He speaks for God my Father and His holy Son.- Jesus Christ in A Course in Miracles, Lesson 364