Library of Christ Mind Teachings
ACIM Original Edition
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1 Perception is not an attribute of God. His is the realm of knowledge.
Yet He has created the Holy Spirit as the Mediator between perception
and knowledge. Without this link with God, perception would have
replaced knowledge forever in your minds. With this link with God,
perception will become so changed and purified that it will lead to
knowledge. That is its function as the Holy Spirit sees it. Therefore,
that is its function in truth.
2 In God you cannot see. Perception has no function in God and does not
exist. Yet in salvation, which is the undoing of what never was,
perception has a mighty purpose. Made by the Son of God for an unholy
purpose, it must become the means for the restoration of his holiness to
his awareness. Perception has no meaning. Yet does the Holy Spirit give
it a meaning very close to God’s. Healed perception becomes the means by
which the Son of God forgives his brother and thus forgives himself.
3 You cannot see apart from God because you cannot be apart from God.
Whatever you do, you do in Him because whatever you think, you think
with His Mind. If vision is real, and it is real to the extent to which
it shares the Holy Spirit’s purpose, then you cannot see apart from God.
4 Three five-minute practice periods are required today, one as early as
possible and another as late as possible. The third may be undertaken at
the most convenient and suitable time which circumstances and readiness
permit.
5 At the beginning of these practice periods, repeat the idea to
yourself with eyes open. Then glance around you for a short time,
applying the idea specifically to what you see. Four or five subjects
for this phase of the exercises are sufficient. You might say, for
example:
6 God is my Source. I cannot see this desk apart from Him. God is my
Source. I cannot see that picture apart from Him.
7 Although this part of the exercise period should be relatively short,
be sure that you select the subjects for this phase indiscriminately,
without self-directed inclusion or exclusion.
8 For the second and longer phase of the exercise period, close your
eyes, repeat today’s idea again, and then let whatever relevant thoughts
occur to you add to the idea in your own personal way. Thoughts such as:
9 I see through the eyes of forgiveness.
I see the world as blessed.
The world can show me myself.
I see my own thoughts, which are like God’s.
10 Or any thought related more or less directly to today’s idea is
suitable. The thoughts need not bear an obvious relationship to the
idea, but they should not be in opposition to it.
11 If you should find your mind wandering, if you begin to be aware of
thoughts which are clearly out of accord with today’s idea, or if you
seem to be unable to think of anything, open your eyes, repeat the first
phase, and then try the second phase again. Do not allow any protracted
period to occur in which you become preoccupied with irrelevant
thoughts. Return to the first phase of the exercises as often as
necessary to prevent this.
12 In applying today’s idea in the shorter practice periods, the form
may vary according to the circumstances and situations in which you find
yourself during the day. When you are with someone else, for example,
try to remember to tell him silently,
13 God is my Source. I cannot see you apart from Him.
14 This form is equally applicable to strangers and to those you know
well. Try, in fact, not to make distinctions of this kind at all.
15 The idea should also be applied throughout the day to various
situations and events which may occur, particularly to those which
distress you in any way. For this kind of application, use this form:
16 God is my Source. I cannot see this apart from Him.
17 If no particular subject presents itself to your awareness, merely
repeat the idea in its original form.
18 Try today not to allow long periods of time to slip by without
remembering today’s idea and thus remembering your function.