Welcome to Active Meditation.
A Course in Miracles,
Lesson 20.
I am determined to see.
As we prepare for this exercise,
We place our body in a comfortable position and close our eyes.
We relax by noting where the tension is in our body.
And to increase the relaxation,
We remove all expression from our face.
Do all this now.
This is a Course in Miracles.
It is a required Course.
Only the time you take it is voluntary.
Free will does not mean that you can establish the curriculum.
It means only that you can elect what you want to take at a given time.
The Course does not aim at teaching the meaning of love,
For that is beyond what can be taught.
It does aim,
However,
At removing the blocks to the awareness of love's presence,
Which is your natural inheritance.
The opposite of love is fear,
But what is all-encompassing can have no opposite.
This Course can therefore be summed up very simply in this way.
Nothing real can be threatened.
Nothing unreal exists.
We have been quite casual about our practice periods thus far.
There has been virtually no attempt to direct the time for undertaking them.
Minimal effort has been required.
And not even active cooperation and interest have been asked.
This approach has been intentional and very carefully planned.
We have not lost sight of the crucial importance of the reversal of your thinking.
The salvation of the world depends on it.
Yet,
You will not see if you regard yourself as being coerced and if you give in to resentment and opposition.
This is our first attempt to introduce structure.
Do not misconstrue it as an effort to exert force or pressure.
You want salvation.
You want to be happy.
You want peace.
You do not have them now because your mind is totally undisciplined and you cannot distinguish between joy and sorrow,
Pleasure and pain,
Love and fear.
You are now learning how to tell them apart.
And great indeed will be your reward.
Let's practice.
Keep your eyes closed.
Say to yourself,
Say to your mind,
I am determined to see.
Do this now.
I am determined to see.
I am determined to change my present state for a better one,
One I really want.
Your decision to see is all that vision requires.
What you want is yours.
Do not mistake the little effort that is asked of you for an indication that our goal is of little worth.
Can the salvation of the world be a trivial purpose?
And can the world be saved if you are not?
God has one son and he is the resurrection and the life.
His will is done because all power is given him in heaven and on earth.
In your determination to see,
His vision given you.
Today's idea also tacitly implies the recognition that you do not see now.
Therefore,
As you repeat the idea,
You are stating that you are determined to change your present state for a better one.
And one you really want.
Let's practice again.
Keep your eyes closed.
Say to yourself,
Say to your mind,
I am determined to see.
I am determined to change my present state for a better one,
One I really want.
Now be quiet while you do this.
The exercises for today consist in reminding yourself throughout the day that you want to see.
Repeat today's idea slowly and positively at least twice an hour today,
Attempting to do so every half hour.
Do not be distressed if you forget to do so,
But make a real effort to remember.
The extra repetitions should be applied to any situation,
Person or event that upsets you.
You can see them differently and you will.
What you desire,
You will see.
Such is the real law of cause and effect as it operates in the world.
I am determined to see.
I am determined to change my present state for a better one,
One I really want.
Remember only this.
You need not believe the ideas.
You need not accept them.
And you need not even welcome them.
Some of them you may actively resist.
None of this will matter or decrease their efficacy.
But do not allow yourself to make exceptions in applying the ideas the workbook contains.
And whatever your reactions to the ideas may be,
Use them.
Nothing more than that is required.
Let's return to our regular level of thought and feeling.
Take a few deep breaths.
Return to the waking state.
To time and space.
I now know.
I am aware.
I am.
Nothing real can be threatened.
Nothing unreal exists.
Herein lies the peace of God.
