Unlike the preceding ones, these exercises do not begin with the idea for the
day. In these practice periods, begin with noting the thoughts that are crossing
your mind for about a minute. Then apply the idea to them. If you are already
aware of unhappy thoughts use them as subjects for the idea. Do not, however,
select only the thoughts you think are "bad." You 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." This is why they do
not mean anything.
In selecting the subjects for the application of today's idea, the usual
specificity is required. Do not be afraid to use "good" thoughts as well as
"bad." None of them represents your real thoughts, which are being covered
up by them. The "good" ones of which you are aware are but shadows of what
lies beyond, and shadows make sight difficult. The "bad" ones are blocks to
sight, and make seeing impossible. You do not want either.
This is a major exercise, and will be repeated from time to time in somewhat
different form. The aim here is to train you in the first steps toward the goal
of separating the meaningless from the meaningful. It is a first attempt in the
long-range purpose of learning to see the meaningless as outside you, and the
meaningful within. It is also the beginning of training your mind to recognize
what is the same and what is different. In using your thoughts for application
of the idea for today, identify each thought by the central figure or event it
contains; for example:
"This thought about _____ does not mean
anything.
It is like the things I see in this room [or wherever you are]."
You can also use the idea for a particular
thought which you recognize as harmful. This practice is useful, but is not a
substitute for the more random procedures to be followed for the exercises. Do
not, however, examine your mind for more than a minute or so. You are too
inexperienced as yet to avoid a tendency to become pointlessly preoccupied.
Further, since these exercises are the first of their kind, you may find the suspension of judgement in connection with thoughts
particularly difficult. Do not repeat these exercises more than three or four
times during the day. We will return tlo them later.
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