Library of Christ Mind Teachings
ACIM Original Edition
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1 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.
2 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 which 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 unreality. And on this alone it is correct.
3 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 which it does not
possess and crowd it with images that do not exist. To the ego,
illusions are safety devices, as they must also be to you who equate
yourself with the ego.
4 The exercises for today, which should be done about three or four
times for not more than a minute or so at most each time, are to be
practiced in a somewhat different way from the preceding ones. With eyes
closed, repeat today’s idea to yourself. Then open your eyes and look
about you slowly, saying:
5 I am looking at a meaningless world.
6 Repeat this statement to yourself as you look about. Then close your
eyes and conclude with:
7 A meaningless world engenders fear because I think I am in
competition with God.
8 You may find it difficult to avoid resistance in one form or another
to this concluding statement. Whatever form such resistance may take,
remind yourself that you are really afraid of such a thought because of
the “vengeance” of the “enemy.” You are not expected to believe the
statement at this point and will probably try to dismiss it as
preposterous. Note carefully, however, any signs of overt or covert fear
which it may arouse. This is our first attempt at stating an explicit
cause and effect relationship of a kind which you are very inexperienced
in recognizing. Do not dwell on the concluding statement, and try not
even to think of it except during the exercise periods. That will
suffice at present.