Library of Christ Mind Teachings
ACIM Original Edition
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1 The idea for today is a beginning step in dispelling the belief that
your thoughts have no effect. Everything you see is the result of your
thoughts. There is no exception to this fact. Thoughts are not big or
little, powerful or weak. They are merely true or false. Those which are
true create their own likeness. Those which are false make theirs.
2 There is no more self-contradictory concept than that of “idle
thoughts.” What gives rise to the perception of a whole world can hardly
be called idle. Every thought you have contributes to truth or to
illusion; either it extends the truth or it multiplies illusions. You
can indeed multiply nothing, but you will not extend it by doing so.
3 In addition to never being idle, salvation requires that you recognize
that every thought you have brings either peace or war, either love or
fear. A neutral result is impossible because a neutral thought is
impossible. There is such a temptation to dismiss fear thoughts as
unimportant, trivial, and not worth bothering about that it is essential
you recognize them all as equally destructive but equally unreal. We
will practice this idea in many forms before you really understand it.
4 In applying the idea for today, search your mind for a minute or so,
with eyes closed, and actively seek not to overlook any “little” thought
which tends to elude the search. This is quite difficult until you get
used to it. You will find that it is still hard for you not to make
artificial distinctions. Every thought that occurs to you, regardless of
the quality which you assign to it, is a suitable subject for applying
today’s idea.
5 In the practice periods, first repeat the idea, and then as each one
crosses your mind, hold it in awareness while you tell yourself:
6 This thought about _____ is not a neutral thought.
That thought about _____ is not a neutral thought.
7 As usual, use today’s idea whenever you are aware of a particular
thought which arouses uneasiness. The following form is suggested for
this purpose:
8 This thought about _____ is not a neutral thought,
because I have no neutral thoughts.
9 Four or five practice periods are recommended if you find them
relatively effortless. If strain is experienced, three will be enough.
The length of the exercise period should also be reduced if there is
discomfort.