A Course In Miracles Lesson 34

A Course In Miracles – Lesson 34 states:

I could see peace instead of this.

Following the logic of the last few lessons, if what I am seeing in my life is full of conflict and if there is another way of seeing the world, then that other way of seeing would be a peaceful one rather than a perception of conflict.  This may seem like an obvious statement.  But the reason it is made here is because A Course In Miracles is a process of changing one’s way of thinking, changing one’s path of logic.  We start with obvious suppositions, a technique used often in the scientific process.  It is a type of logical structure that involves the formula of conclusions, if X… then Y… 

Logic is not scientific.  Logic is highly subjective and scientists know this.  That is why they feel a scientific method is needed.  They know their perception is biased and they constantly open their work to peer review for subjectivity checks.  This practice is proof that the way the mind thinks is not a reliable source of information.  The way we think is our choice.  We either choose peace or conflict.  

Peace of mind, must, as the phrase indicates, come from within the mind.  Peace is not inherently in the outside world to be found.  We could be in the most serene setting and find ourselves in utter distress.  The external setting does not induce peace.  It is something we locate from within through an act of will.

Peaceful experiences are only possible when we locate a peaceful way of thinking.  When we achieve peace in our minds and bodies, we radiate peace out to the world.

In fact, whatever state we achieve in our minds and bodies are radiated out into the world, be it peaceful or conflicted.  This is why placing energy on finding peace within ourselves is the most effective way to bring peace to the world.

A Course In Miracles Lesson 34 asks you to try and consider today’s idea at three distinct times.  Morning, noon, and evening.  See if you can sit for 5 minutes three times today.  Close your eyes and observe the conflicts in your thoughts.  Let them come and go as they will.  See them and say to each one, “I could see peace instead of this.”

Allow your mind a bit of time to wander and come upon a situation in your life that causes tension.  Do not try to reach or think of a conflict.  Let it arise naturally.  And then say to that situation, “I could see peace instead of what I now see in this situation.”

If you find you are navigating a large emotional weight of depression, anxiety, or anger, use the original statement instead of the one above.  Say to the experience of depression, “I could see peace instead of this.”

If you’d like to sit more than three times today, feel free to apply this meditation at any time you experience a stressful situation.  Remember: I can replace my feelings of depression, anxiety, and anger with feelings of peace.  I can replace my thoughts about (this person or this situation) with peace.

Peace is possible.  Do you believe that?  Your belief is required due to the nature of how the mind works.  Your mind does not have inherent set beliefs.  Everything you believe is your choice.  If you want to reduce experiences of conflict, introduce the idea that peace is possible.  Notice if you think this is true.  If you do not think it is true, ask yourself if you would like for it to be true.  I create my own thoughts and I decide what I give my attention to.    Let us review the path of logic that has been presented over the last few lessons.

I am not the victim of the world I see.

I have invented the world I see.

There is another way of looking at the world.

I could see peace instead of this.