[acimlessons_list] LESSON 1 - January 1

[Susan Carrier]

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ COMMENTARIES ON LESSONS FROM THE WORKBOOK OF A COURSE IN MIRACLES
+ by Allen Watson, with Practice Summaries by Robert Perry, 
+ of The Circle of Atonement
+ Visit our website at <http://www.circleofa.com <http://www.circleofa.com/>
>
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 
LESSON 1 - January 1

"Nothing I see in this room [on this street, from this window, in this
place] means anything."


PRACTICE SUMMARY

Purpose: to teach that everything you see is equally meaningless, that no
real differences exist between any of the things you see.

Exercise: 2 times-morning and evening, preferably, for 1 minute (but do not
hurry)
Look leisurely about you, applying the idea specifically and
indiscriminately to whatever you see, first in your immediate area and then
farther. Say, for example, "This table does not mean anything."

Remarks: It is essential to specifically exclude nothing. Do not, however,
try to include everything. Do not hurry; leisure is essential.

COMMENTARY

The early lessons do not seem particularly inspiring to most people, but
they are carefully planned to begin undermining the ego thought system.
"Nothing I see...means anything." We are so certain, in our ego arrogance,
that we really understand a lot of things. The lesson is trying to plant the
idea that we don't really understand anything we see, that our vaunted
understanding is an illusion. As long as we think we understand what
something is and what it means, we will not begin to ask the Holy Spirit for
its true meaning. Our belief that we understand closes our mind to any
higher understanding. We need to become like little children, who realize
they do not know, and ask someone who does know.

Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind is the title of a wonderful little book that
introduces Zen thought. The idea is that we grow most rapidly and reliably
when we admit we are beginners that do not know, and need instruction in
everything. A "beginner's mind" is an open mind, ready to find unrecognized
meaning in everything. 
 
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ Commentary by Allen Watson
+ Practice Summary: Robert Perry
+ Available in book format from The Circle
+ of Atonement (Vol. 1 reprint due by end of 2004, write us for info)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ The Workbook Commentaries are Copyright 1995, 2001, 2002, 2003 by The 
+ Circle of Atonement, P.O. Box 4238,
+ W. Sedona, AZ 86340.
+ All rights reserved.
+
+ Please notify us of any intent to use them beyond the scope of this 
+ e-mail list; write to info at circleofa.com.
+
+ WWW: <http://www.circleofa.com/>
+ Email: <info at circleofa.com>
+ Back Issues Lesson Archive: <http://www.circleofa.com/curwkbk.html>
+ or <http://five.pairlist.net/pipermail/acimlessons_list/>, click "Date"
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

To unsubscribe from ACIMLESSONS_LIST send email to
acimlessons_list-request at circleofa.com with "unsubscribe" as the subject

To unsubscribe from ACIMWKBK_LIST send email to
acimwkbk_list-request at circleofa.com with "unsubscribe" as the subject

For more information about unsubscribing, subscribing, and changing settings
for your subscription, send an e-mail message to the same address with the
word "help" as the subject. You can also change your subscription options by
visiting the list website:
<http://five.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/acimlessons_list> OR
<http://five.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/acimwkbk_list>
Scroll to the bottom to change your personal options. 
____________________________________________

Tell your friends to subscribe. They can simply send an e-mail message to
<acimwkbk_list-request at circleofa.com> with the word "subscribe" in the
subject, changing "acimwkbk" to "acimlessons" if they want only the
commentaries, without member discussion.
_______________________________________________

Please support the Workbook commentaries! Make a donation to the Circle:
<https://www.paypal.com/xclick/business=info%40circleofa.com&item_name=donat
ion+to+support+Workbook+commentaries&image_url=http%3A//www.circleofa.coion+
to+support+Workbook+m/images/main_title.gif&return=http%3A//www.circleofa.co
m&cancel_return=http%3A//www.circleofa.com&cn=Note+to+the+Circle&tax=0&curre
ncy_code=USD>
(If clicking the above link does not work, try copying it and pasting it
into the address field of your web browser, and clicking on "Go".)
_______________________________________________

Portions from Clarification of Terms, Copyright 1975, Psychotherapy:
Purpose, Process and Practice, (c) 1976, The Song of Prayer, (c) 1978, are
copyrighted by The Foundation for "A Course in Miracles," 41397 Buecking
Drive, Temecula, CA 92590.