Lesson 32

Lesson 32

I have invented the world I see.

Today we are continuing to develop the theme of cause and effect. You are not the victim of the world you see because you invented it. You can give it up as easily as you made it up. You will see it or not see it, as you wish. While you want it you will see it; when you no longer want it, it will not be there for you to see.

The idea for today, like the preceding ones, applies to your inner and outer worlds, which are actually the same. However, since you see them as different, the practice periods for today will again include two phases, one involving the world you see outside you, and the other the world you see in your mind. In today’s exercises, try to introduce the thought that both are in your own imagination.

Again we will begin the practice periods for the morning and evening by repeating the idea for today two or three times while looking around at the world you see as outside yourself. Then close your eyes and look around your inner world. Try to treat them both as equally as possible. Repeat the idea for today unhurriedly as often as you wish, as you watch the images your imagination presents to your awareness.

For the two longer practice periods three to five minutes are recommended, with not less than three required. More than five can be utilized, if you find the exercise restful. To facilitate this, select a time when few distractions are anticipated, and when you yourself feel reasonably ready.

These exercises are also to be continued during the day, as often as possible. The shorter applications consist of repeating the idea slowly, as you survey either your inner or outer world. It does not matter which you choose.

The idea for today should also be applied immediately to any situation that may distress you. Apply the idea by telling yourself:

I have invented this situation as I see it.

In addition, repeat the idea for today as often as possible during the day. Remind yourself that you are making a declaration of independence in the name of your own freedom. And in your freedom lies the freedom of the world.

The idea for today is also a particularly useful one to use as a response to any form of temptation that may arise. It is a declaration that you will not yield to it, and put yourself in bondage.

Journal

“I have invented this situation as I see it.”

If my mind should stray to the ego thought that I am a victim, I remind myself of the truth that I have invented this situation as I see it. I am the scriptwriter of my story. I have an appointment at a hospital in Houston next week. They will be running some tests and then the next day I will see the doctor to talk about surgery.

If all of this were taking place here in the area where I live, it would be no big deal to me. But driving to and in Houston, the expense of staying at a hotel for at least two nights, maneuvering through this huge hospital, well, I find I am dreading all of this. I could see myself as a victim but then I remember that I have invented this situation as I see it.

I, as part of the Sonship, made this world, and I decided to participate in it. I come to a particular incarnation with a specific purpose that will help me to awaken and thus help the Sonship to awaken. So regardless of whether the story seems to be interesting or happy or painful, whether I seem to be following my heart or letting the ego make my decisions, I am accomplishing my purpose.

Within the story, which at this time includes this trip to the hospital, I have another decision to make. How will I choose to perceive this situation? Will I decide that I hate the whole idea and that I am a victim? If that is the case, I will learn from it but it will be pretty uncomfortable for me.

Or will I accept this part of the story with the same enthusiasm I accept other parts that are more to my liking? In that case, I will still learn from it, but I will do so without suffering, and I will learn more quickly the lesson it contains because I will not be conflicted in my purpose. Either way, it is my choice and no one is making me feel what I feel.

The only thing that could make it feel like a victim is my decision to feel like that. I’m glad that I no longer see value in being a victim so that I don’t hold onto those feelings anymore. The moment I decided that this is going to be interesting and maybe fun, any feeling of victimhood just fell away. See, I invent the situation as I experience it by how I choose to see it and it is just that easy.

Past Entries

This lesson tells me why I am not the victim of the world I see. I made the world I see. It is my invention, a story in my mind that I have projected outward to form images I can believe in and defend. The wonder of accepting these lessons is that it releases me from the bondage of the world I see.

In order to experience this world as if it was true, we had to reverse cause and effect in our mind. If we were to remember that we are the cause of the world, then we could not believe in it and our experience of it would be unbelievable. To keep the illusion in place we had to remember not to laugh because if we remembered that we were the cause, what could we do but laugh at the whole thing. We certainly wouldn’t be able to appreciate the experience we sought.

When I worried and fretted about my retirement or my value at work, I had that experience only because I believe that I am a victim of my workplace and a victim of my finances. The moment I remembered that I invented these situations and that they only have meaning because I assigned it that meaning, the experience was over.

Just the other day I had allowed something I was concerned about to pull me deeply into the ego. I am too aware to fully believe in the ego stories anymore, but I can still get triggered. This time I was triggered and got caught in the drama of it and was in that bizarre place of believing my own dream, even though I knew it couldn’t be true.

It’s weird to be there. It is like there is a shroud over my mind that keeps me trapped in the story with freedom just out of reach. Finally, I was tired of the drama and tired of the misery and fear and so I wholeheartedly asked that the thought that caused it all be removed from my mind.

Sure, I had asked before, but I was still mesmerized by the story I had invented and didn’t fully want to awaken from it, but now I did. And it was done. The effects of the thought disappeared when the thought was removed for me. When we chose to believe in our made up world, we needed a way out of the belief and the Holy Spirit is that way.

I invented that little drama and as per plan, immediately forgot that I did. I had my experience of it as if the drama was the cause of my upset. And when I changed my mind, I called on the Holy Spirit to remove it from my mind and, as Jesus said in this lesson: “While you want it you will see it; when you no longer want it, it will not be there for you to see.”

Normally, I share the details of my experiences, but I can’t this time. When the thought was removed, it was gone from my memory as well. I can’t remember what the issue was about. Maybe later it will float into my awareness, but for now it has been removed with its effects and the only thing left is happiness and peace.