Lesson 10
My thoughts do not mean anything.
W-pI.10.1. This idea applies to all the thoughts of which you are aware, or become aware in the practice periods. 2 The reason the idea is applicable to all of them is that they are not your real thoughts. 3 We have made this distinction before, and will do so again. 4 You have no basis for comparison as yet. 5 When you do, you will have no doubt that what you once believed were your thoughts did not mean anything.
W-pI.10.2. This is the second time we have used this kind of idea. 2 The form is only slightly different. 3 This time the idea is introduced with “My thoughts” instead of “These thoughts,” and no link is made overtly with the things around you. 4 The emphasis is now on the lack of reality of what you think you think.
W-pI.10.3. 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. 2 Now we are emphasizing that the presence of these “thoughts” means that you are not thinking. 3 This is merely another way of repeating our earlier statement that your mind is really a blank. 4 To recognize this is to recognize nothingness when you think you see it. 5 As such, it is the prerequisite for vision.
W-pI.10.4. Close your eyes for these exercises, and introduce them by repeating the idea for today quite slowly to yourself. 2 Then add:
3 This idea will help to release me from all that I now believe.
4 The exercises consist, as before, in searching your mind for all the thoughts that are available to you, without selection or judgment. 5 Try to avoid classification of any kind. 6 In fact, if you find it helpful to do so, you might imagine that you are watching an oddly assorted procession going by, which has little if any personal meaning to you. 7 As each one crosses your mind, say:
8 My thought about _____ does not mean anything. 9 My thought about _____ does not mean anything.
W-pI.10.5. Today’s thought can obviously serve for any thought that distresses you at any time. 2 In addition, five practice periods are recommended, each involving no more than a minute or so of mind searching. 3 It is not recommended that this time period be extended, and it should be reduced to half a minute or less if you experience discomfort. 4 Remember, however, to repeat the idea slowly before applying it specifically, and also to add:
5 This idea will help to release me from all that I now believe.
Journal
This lesson is so exciting. Everything we see in the world is a reflection or projection of what is in our mind, so learning to recognize these thoughts as unreal so they can be released to the Holy Spirit will free the mind and thus free the world. What would our illusion be like if it was a reflection of only what we think with God? Can you imagine?
I had thoughts about what I should write and how it should be worded. Those thoughts do not mean anything. I laugh when I realize what I am doing and I deleted the sentence I was struggling with. I then relaxed my mind and waited for words to express what needed to be said. When I first did these lessons, I accepted that this somehow made sense but I couldn’t figure out how I was supposed to live in the world without these thoughts. It turns out, I live very well, very peacefully, very happily.
Through consistent practice of watching my thoughts and releasing those that are clearly just chatter or that are costing me my peace of mind, I have a quieter mind. When the mind does become busy, I am very uncomfortable with it and I ask the Holy Spirit to look with me at all this nonsense so that He can purify my mind and I am happy once again. I have discovered that with a quieter mind, I am aware of the inspired thoughts that were there all along but unnoticed because of all the noise in my mind.
Right now, though, all we are being asked to do is to practice the idea that our present thoughts do not mean anything and to do this without judging which thoughts to use. And if we start to feel uneasy or bored, we can remember that “This idea will help to release me from all that I now believe.” It is exciting to think about what will replace these useless beliefs.