In this video recording of a class given as part of the School For A Course In Miracles (SFACIM) curriculum led by Lyn Corona and Tim Wise, Bruce Rawles reads and discusses (with plenty of interaction from fellow class members) portions of Workbook Lessons 4, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 which emphasize how our separate (ego) thoughts don’t mean anything. There are almost 1000 (995) instances of mean or meaning or some variation thereof in ACIM! Fortunately, the Course provides ample examples of our eternally shared thoughts where the real meaning that we truly want resides… in our all-inclusive relationship to our Creator and to each other.
Here are the first 3 paragraphs of Workbook Lesson 4 (emphasis in bold added to highlight variations of the word meaning:
“Lesson 4
These thoughts do not mean anything. They are like the things I see in this room [on this street, from this window, in this place].
1. Unlike the preceding ones, these exercises do not begin with the idea for the day. ²In these practice periods, begin with noting the thoughts that are crossing your mind for about a minute. ³Then apply the idea to them. ⁴If you are already aware of unhappy thoughts, use them as subjects for the idea. ⁵Do not, however, select only the thoughts you think are “bad.” ⁶You will find, if you train yourself to look at your thoughts, that they represent such a mixture that, in a sense, none of them can be called “good” or “bad.” ⁷This is why they do not mean anything.
2. In selecting the subjects for the application of today’s idea, the usual specificity is required. ²Do not be afraid to use “good” thoughts as well as “bad.” ³None of them represents your real thoughts, which are being covered up by them. ⁴The “good” ones are but shadows of what lies beyond, and shadows make sight difficult. ⁵The “bad” ones are blocks to sight, and make seeing impossible. ⁶You do not want either.
3. This is a major exercise, and will be repeated from time to time in somewhat different form. ²The aim here is to train you in the first steps toward the goal of separating the meaningless from the meaningful. ³It is a first attempt in the long-range purpose of learning to see the meaningless as outside you, and the meaningful within. ⁴It is also the beginning of training your mind to recognize what is the same and what is different. (W-4.1:1–3:4)”
In ACIM there are 23 instances of the word “cruel”; 52 of “murder”; 21 of “savage”; 15 of “vicious”; 7 of “fierce”; 4 of “wicked” so we see a variety of ways to discern ego’s mean-spirited insanity. We’re also – fortunately! – given 219 instances of the word “kind”; 187 of “gentle”; and 1 of “compassion.” The author of this staggeringly profound Course wants you and me to “Take pity on yourself, so long enslaved. (T-22.in.1:1)”
This class was recorded on January 13, 2021.