This idea is another step in the direction of identifying cause and effect as it really operates. You see no neutral things because you have no neutral thoughts. It is always the thought that comes first, despite the temptation to believe that it is really the other way around. This is not the way the world thinks, but you must learn that it is the way you think. If it were not so, perception would have no cause, and would itself be the cause of reality. In view of its highly variable nature, this is hardly likely.
In applying today's idea, say to yourself, with eyes open:
I see no neutral things because I have no neutral thoughts.
Then look about you, resting your glance on each thing that catches your eye long enough to say:
I do not see a neutral _, because my thoughts about _ are not neutral.
For example, you might say:
I do not see a neutral wall, because my thoughts about walls are not neutral.
I do not see a neutral body, because my thoughts about bodies are not neutral.
As usual, it is essential to make no distinction between what you believe to be animate or inanimate; pleasant or unpleasant. Regardless of what you may believe, you do not see anything which is really alive and really joyous. That is because you are unaware as yet of any thoughts which are true, and therefore really happy.
Three or four specific practice periods are recommended, and no less than three are required for maximum benefit, even if you experience resistance. However, if you do, the length of the practice period may be reduced to less than the minute or so which is otherwise recommended.
✨ Summary & practice
The world is never neutral.
Lesson 17 is the direct consequence of the previous one: if you have no neutral thoughts, then you do not see neutral things. This is another step toward identifying cause and effect. The Course insists on a crucial point: it is always the thought that comes first, despite the temptation to believe the opposite. This is not how the world thinks, but you must learn that this is how you think. Otherwise, perception would have no cause and would itself be the cause of reality. Do you see the Course’s relentless logic?
The exercise is done with eyes open. First repeat the idea, then look around you, letting your gaze rest on each thing long enough to say: 'I do not see a neutral wall because my thoughts about walls are not neutral. I do not see a neutral body because my thoughts about bodies are not neutral.' It is essential not to make any distinction between what you believe to be animate or inanimate, pleasant or unpleasant. The Course adds that you do not see anything truly alive or joyful, because you are still unaware of true thought.
This lesson applies to the external world the principle established by lesson 16 about the internal world. Together, they form a coherent whole: neutral thoughts do not exist, therefore neutral things do not exist. Lesson 18 will expand further by showing that the effects of your seeing affect more than just you. And lesson 19 will do the same for your thoughts. You can see the progression: first the power of your thoughts (16), then their impact on your perception (17), then their universal reach (18–19), and finally the determination to see (20).
For today, three or four exercise periods. With eyes open, look around you. For each thing, say: 'I do not see this as neutral because my thoughts about it are not neutral.' Even if you feel resistance, at least three periods are required. Be gentle with yourself, but be consistent.
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