Lesson 34 I Could See Peace Instead Of This

Part 1 Undoing the Way We See Things Now

Lesson 34 I could see peace instead of this.

1. The idea for today begins to describe the conditions that prevail in the other way of seeing.  Peace of mind is clearly an internal matter.  It must begin with your own thoughts, and then extend outward.  It is from your peace of mind that a peaceful perception of the world arises.
2. Three longer practice periods are required for today’s exercises.  One in the morning and one in the evening are advised, with an additional one to be taken at any time in between that seems most conducive to readiness.  All applications should be done with your eyes closed.  It is your inner world to which the applications of today’s idea should be made.
3. Some five minutes of mind searching are required for each of the longer practice periods.  Search your mind for fear thoughts, anxiety-provoking situations, “offending” personalities or events, or anything else about which you are harboring unloving thoughts.  Note them all casually, repeating the idea for today slowly as you watch them arise in your mind, and let each one go, to be replaced by the next.
4. If you begin to experience difficulty in thinking of specific subjects, continue to repeat the idea to yourself in an unhurried manner, without applying it to anything in particular.  Be sure, however, not to make any specific exclusions.
5. The shorter applications are to be frequent and made whenever you feel your peace of mind is threatened in any way.  The purpose is to protect yourself from temptation throughout the day.  If a specific form of temptation arises in your awareness, the exercise should take this form: I could see peace in this situation instead of what I now see in it.
6. If the inroads on your peace of mind take the form of more generalized adverse emotions, such as depression, anxiety, or worry, use the idea in its original form.  If you find you need more than one application of today’s idea to help you change your mind in any specific context, try to take several minutes and devote them to repeating the idea until you feel some sense of relief.  If will help you if you tell yourself specifically:

I can replace my feelings of depression, anxiety, or worry [or my thoughts about this situation, personality or event] with peace.[1]

Notes and Personal Application (2019):  I am thinking of my sister and how fraught with mean tricks and discourtesies the relationship has been and now the sad, blighted results.  I could see peace in this situation instead of feeling anger and resentment.

I am thinking of a sister-in-law, and how annoyed I would get at her bad table manners and lack of basic reciprocation, as in not even returning phone calls.  I could see peace instead of impatience and offense.

I am thinking of my niece and the ways in which I lashed out at her mistakes and shortcomings, her lies and spite – I could see peace instead of frustration and annoyance.

I am thinking of James and how he throws a wet blanket over me when he acts jealous or talks to me in a patronizing tone.  I could see peace instead of resentment.

I am thinking of our son who would not allow our grandson to come over and spend the weekend, and I can see peace instead of longing and disappointment.

I am thinking of our neighbor helping himself to our gravel, and that nasty letter he and his wife had their lawyer send to us about asking their permission every time we used the driveway which is on our property.  I am thinking of how he told the surveyor not to let us know where our property line ran, and I can see peace instead of shock and anger.

I am thinking of a former job and the troubled people and situations which I encountered there, and I can see peace instead of victimizing myself or others.

I am thinking of how offensive I find a particular preacher, calling his son and weird wife a prophet, how he seemed to want to take over my mom’s funeral service, and I can see peace instead of sneering about him.

Notes and Personal Application (2020):  During this morning’s devotional, we discussed how peace of mind is worth more than all the treasures of the world.  We did a few practice sessions with problems that are troubling to both of us – both in the past and present.  We talked about how we can no longer victimize ourselves when we realize that we are all in the same boat and have all contributed and miscreated relationships and situations that cannot be sustained and bring no lasting love, peace, or joy.  We know that we can replace all our feelings of sadness, worries, or any negative thoughts about any condition, behavior, or experience with peace by giving it to the Holy Spirit and relaxing in God’s love and care.   We know this, but today we are going to align our wills with God’s Will and put this to practice:

I could see peace instead of worrying and fretting over the troubles of my friend and holy brother.

I could see peace instead of condemning myself for not having Grover Good ready to publish by the deadline.

I could see peace instead of holding a grudge toward someone who recently tried to steal my joy.

I could see peace instead of worrying about their motive.

I could see peace instead of cussing the cat for scratching the furniture.

I could see peace instead of sighing over the gritty, grimy garage.

I could see peace instead of the weeds and decaying leaves on the patio.

I could see peace instead of being afraid of the dark.

I could see peace instead of the ache in my back. 

I could see peace instead of overloading my schedule with things to do and places to go.

I could see peace instead of this!

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[1] A Course in Miracles. Workbook for Students. Lesson 34 I could see peace…Foundation for Inner Peace, Second Edition, (1992). p. 51-52.