11 My meaningless thoughts are showing me a meaningless world.

MT: If I understand this right, JC, the world is meaningless and a source of angst because my thoughts about it are meaningless, and that, in turn, is because my mind is closed off to the Thought of God.
JC: Yes, exactly. You notice that, as you look around as instructed, your eyes become tired and you want to close them.
MT: I did notice that. You are sneaking in meditation!
JC: If you wish to call it meditation.
MT: Thank you for this intro to whatever-it-is. Thank you for What Is.
JC: Welcome to the Kingdom.



12 I am upset because I see a meaningless world.


Today, God, I am willing to let Your meaning define the world I see. I am willing to set aside my judgments and opinions, the thoughts I clutch to my chest as sage and precious and wise. Today You tell me what to think and do and be. Today I dwell with You in Paradise.



13 A meaningless world engenders fear.

MT: Dear JC, I start the day in a restless mood. I've distanced myself from the Work in the last few days, and I find my "meaningless thoughts" an increasing nuisance. Please provide.
JC: What is your wish?
MT: I want peace of mind. Yes, a meaningless world engenders fear, and that's what I am seeing today. I want God's meaning, not mine, but my thoughts populate my head like an unruly mob.
JC: There is meaning beyond the sun and stars, stretching out as far as the eye can see. Go there right now, and rest your weary head for awhile. Allow the peace of God to descend and wrap your heart in its soft embrace. The world you think you see recedes, and in its place you have Silence, the music of the spheres.



14 God did not create a meaningless world.


MT: This fundamental thought is the answer to famine, pestilence, and war. Let me no longer rail at God for disasters I, or collectively, we all have made. We made up this fantastic illusion, and proceeded to act as if it were real. In a way, it's a comforting thought. It puts us back in the driver's seat. But, JC, what about natural disasters? Earthquakes and floods and tsunamis?
JC: Metaphysics has something to say about that, but let's not concern ourselves with it right now. The ego wants everything explained in order to argue and find fault. Be content with the fact that you can now reach to a loving God, from whom only the good comes to you. Be content with asking only for what you really want, and setting that which you do not want resolutely aside. Miracles will become commonplace in your life from now on.



15 My thoughts are images that I have made.


How many times I've said: I know this already. How many times you've shown me: there's a whole lot more to it than you think. I'm being eased into a new way of seeing everything and everybody, by gradual steps that prevent a collapse into fear. Thank you, JC, for your loving guidance and for this magnificent map that points the way home.



17 I see no neutral things
.

MT: I just got angry, JC, and I didn't even notice it as it happened! I was in a dream. So much for the lesson.
JC: Decisions happen in a split second, indeed. It is good that you noticed it, albeit after the fact.
MT: I did not see a neutral trash can. I saw Scott's effort to control me, to put one over me. I saw my "need" to fight for fairness.
JC: Thus are you blinded to God's Reality. Which do you want, a drab ugly world that you must struggle to control, or a world of light and beauty that floods you with gratitude?



19 I am not alone in experiencing the effects of my thoughts.


JC: Every thought creates form at some level. The level of "we-agree-to-attack" is especially noxious.
MT: It could be scary to think that thoughts are really available to others.
JC: The ability to read thoughts comes with increased openness to higher energy levels. Forgiveness is what opens one to higher energy levels, so the remedy for fear is already at hand.
MT: I delved into the history of World War II, because it affected my family so profoundly. Seems like Europe agreed to conflict, that Germans agreed to mass murder. But I think that most would claim they were victims of forces beyond their control.
JC: What about you, today, here?
MT: I've done a lot of housecleaning, JC. I've even forgiven Bill's tyrannical dotage, mostly. I can resuscitate those bad feelings but mostly I choose not to. Been there, done that.
JC: A profound forgiveness of the self is next on the celestial schedule. You were created sinless, and sinless you remain, for ever and ever.
MT: I know that, in theory. Don't think I've gotten it in the gut. Ah, what it would be like, to walk the world in complete forgiveness! I could walk on water, even!



20 I am determined to see.


MT: In more ways than one, JC. The deterioration of my physical eyes is a wakeup call, I reckon.
JC: Spiritual sight is yours. Claim it now.
MT: Shoot. I cringe when you say that. I always back out of the experience of God.
JC: Not always--you leapt into new seeing a couple of times in your life, and remember how you felt?
MT: I was beside myself, weeping in gratitude. Now I wait outside the gates of Heaven again.
JC: So what do you think? How shall we untie this knot, you and I?
MT: Oh, I'm glad you include you in the picture. Makes sense, if we're one.
JC: And how do we untie the knot of your isolation and lack? You lug around the bars of your prison, blind to the freedom that surrounds you. Freedom is to be had here and now.
MT: I'm asking for a shove, JC. My ego is like a mule digging in its heels.
JC: Give what you want to get for yourself. Who will you offer freedom to, today?
MT: Oh yes, the golden rule of giving and receiving that I so quickly forget! I will offer freedom to those on my path this day, that freedom will be given me.



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