My thoughts are images that I have made.
(1:1) It is because the thoughts you think you think appear as images that you do not recognize them as nothing.
The “images” are what we perceive in the world outside us. The ego takes our thoughts of separation — sin, guilt, and fear – and projects them so that we “see” them in the world, rather than accepting their presence within. Thus, we perceive these thoughts as images of a person, room, coat hanger, clock, and everything else. We can have an image of a vengeful or benevolent God, a happy or miserable world, but all images of specific forms are projections of our separation thoughts. Because we believe we see something outside, we believe that what we see is real.
This process, then, becomes the ego’s ultimate line of defense. Since we believe that the world outside is real, we never think about the fact that the images we perceive outside are coming from our inner thoughts, and if we do not know they are coming from our thoughts, there is no way we can realize that the thoughts themselves are really nothing. The entire thought system of the ego, and all the specific thoughts associated with it, are nothing — a defense against the reality of Who we are, our true Identity as Christ.
The phrase “the thoughts you think you think” is extremely important. We actually think we are thinking, as we discussed in the earlier lessons. In fact, we could say that the fundamental ego problem is that we think – not what we think so much as the fact that we think we can think (cf., again, T-31.V.14:3-4). We believe our thoughts are our thoughts. In other words, we believe they belong to us, and we do not realize that the only true Thought is the Thought of our Identity as Christ, which is one with God’s Thought.
Thus, the fact that we believe we can think presupposes that we have an autonomous mind or self that is outside and independent of God. Once again you can see how, even though the language of these early lessons is simple, it is a deceptive simplicity in that it covertly reveals the Course’s metaphysical foundation.
(1:2-6) You think you think them [your thoughts], and so you think you see them. This is how your “seeing” was made. This is the function you have given your body’s eyes. It is not seeing. It is image making.
Jesus puts “seeing” in quotes because this is really not seeing. Since we literally see nothing, how could we see anything? The ego has us substitute the magnitude of our Identity as Christ for the littleness of our autonomous individuality, which is what we cherish above all else. In order to have us keep this individuality intact, the ego then has us identify it with the sin of separating from God. This leads to guilt, which means we believe we deserve to be punished. This is the competition with God discussed in Lesson 13.
This constellation of separation and sin is so terrifying that we deny and project it out in order to forget it, which itself protects the thought of individuality. We are then left with the images we have made, but with no recollection of how we made them. At that point there is absolutely no hope for correction. Again, by “image making” Jesus means that we literally make up an image of our own thoughts. Since our thoughts are nothing, the images that come from them must also be nothing.
(1:7) It takes the place of seeing, replacing vision with illusions.
Rather than sharing Christ’s or the Holy Spirit’s vision, based on the Atonement thought that says the separation never happened, the ego replaces that vision or thought with its own. Thus we first make these ego thoughts real in our minds, and then project them out and “see” them as real things outside us. Jesus teaches us in this lesson that the images we perceive outside ourselves are but the reflections or shadows of the thoughts we have made real within.
He, of course, is not really talking about images of a clock, waste paper basket, or pencil. His ultimate purpose is to have us realize that the most frightening aspect of this process is the image we have made of ourselves – separated, autonomous beings, in control of our lives. This image of ourselves comes from a thought, too — wanting to be separate — and that is why, as I have been saying, if you really pay attention to these lessons they should strike terror in your heart, for they literally say you do not exist. You thus want to explore more and more how frightening these thoughts are, trying to identify how you defend against them. This is extremely important – watch how you defend against what these lessons are teaching you.
(2:1) This introductory idea to the process of image making that you call seeing will not have much meaning for you.
Jesus is once again making a mild understatement. The idea will not have much meaning for us because we do not want to accept what it is saying. One of the more important lines of defense that the ego uses is to prevent our understanding what Jesus is really saying here. That is why he says, again, this will probably not have much meaning for you. He does not even say “probably.” He says it will not have much meaning for you, and that is because we are defending against that very meaning as a means of defending our individual identity.
(2:2-4) You will begin to understand it when you have seen little edges of light around the same familiar objects which you see now. That is the beginning of real vision. You can be certain that real vision will come quickly when this has occurred.
In my earlier tape set, “The Workbook of A Course in Miracles: Its Place in the Curriculum Theory and Practice,” I went into this passage in depth. Rather than repeat that here, let me say briefly that Jesus is not talking about literally seeing edges of light around objects. This was originally meant for a friend of Helen and Bill’s. You will do much better to understand this statement in terms of the content. When Jesus says you will see “little edges of light” around objects, he is really talking about the light of understanding or vision that is coming to you. In other words, you will understand that the objects are images you made as projections of the thoughts of separation you do not want to look at in your mind. If you try to take this literally you will guiltily feel yourself to be a failure when you do not see “little edges of light” around objects, not to mention glorifying those who claim they do.
(3:1-4) As we go along, you may have many “light episodes.” They may take many different forms, some of them quite unexpected. Do not be afraid of them. They are signs that you are opening your eyes at last.
If you do have perceptions of light, all well and good, but Jesus is saying that what would really instill fear in you is your sudden recognition that this thing you are looking at is not there at all. When suddenly a “light” goes on in your mind and you realize: “My God! This is what Jesus is talking about,” and you realize that if this waste paper basket is not really there, being a projection of a thought, what about those who believe they are perceiving the waste paper basket? Again, that recognition is the source of fear. No one really cares if a waste paper basket is there or not, but you do care whether you are there or not.
(3:5-7) They will not persist, because they merely symbolize true perception, and they are not related to knowledge. These exercises will not reveal knowledge to you. But they will prepare the way to it.
In many places, especially in the text, Jesus makes it clear that the goal of A Course in Miracles is not Heaven, knowledge, or love (T-in.1:6-7;T-8.in.1:1-2), but the correction of the ego’s false perception, which would be true perception or vision, the peace that forgiveness or the miracle brings about.
Jesus also makes the same point in the text that he does here in 3:5: “…visions, however holy, do not last” (T-3.III.4:6). That is because all forms, however holy their content, are still part of the illusion of separation. Therefore they but reflect truth, and are not the truth itself.
The remaining two paragraphs reiterate the need to be non-selective yet not compulsive, as well as emphasizing the crucial idea of specific application whenever we find ourselves tempted to be upset. These emphases are the content behind the exercises’ form:
(4-5) In practicing the idea for today, repeat it first to yourself, and then apply it to whatever you see around you, using its name and letting your eyes rest on it as you say:
This __________ is an image that I have made.
That __________ is an image that I have made.
It is not necessary to include a large number of specific subjects for the application of today’s idea. It is necessary, however, to continue to look at each subject while you repeat the idea to yourself. The idea should be repeated quite slowly each time.
Although you will obviously not be able to apply the idea to very many things during the minute or so of practice that is recommended, try to make the selection as random as possible. Less than a minute will do for the practice periods, if you begin to feel uneasy. Do not have more than three application periods for today’s idea unless you feel completely comfortable with it, and do not exceed four. However, the idea can be applied as needed throughout the day.
Being faithful to the specifics of the daily exercises allows us to generalize the lesson of the inherent sameness of all things to each and every experience of our lives. Such generalization is the heart of forgiveness, and the key to achieving the peace that is Jesus’ goal for us.
