Guided Audio
Summary
Lesson 22 teaches that we are not victims of the world we see. It emphasizes our power to choose our perception and take responsibility for our experiences. The lesson invites us to recognize that we are not at the mercy of external circumstances or other people’s actions. It encourages us to realize that our interpretation of the world is within our control. By acknowledging our ability to choose how we perceive and respond to situations, we reclaim our inner strength and freedom.
Lesson Text
Today’s idea accurately describes the way anyone who holds attack thoughts in his mind must see the world. Having projected his anger onto the world, he sees vengeance about to strike at him. His own attack is thus perceived as self defense. This becomes an increasingly vicious circle until he is willing to change how he sees. Otherwise, thoughts of attack and counter-attack will preoccupy him and people his entire world. What peace of mind is possible to him then?
It is from this savage fantasy that you want to escape. Is it not joyous news to hear that it is not real? Is it not a happy discovery to find that you can escape? You made what you would destroy; everything that you hate and would attack and kill. All that you fear does not exist.
Look at the world about you at least five times today, for at least a minute each time. As your eyes move slowly from one object to another, from one body to another, say to yourself:
I see only the perishable.
I see nothing that will last.
What I see is not real.
What I see is a form of vengeance.
At the end of each practice period, ask yourself:
Is this the world I really want to see?
The answer is surely obvious.