We have been quite casual about our practice periods thus far. There has been virtually no attempt to direct the time for undertaking them, minimal effort has been required, and not even active cooperation and interest have been asked. This casual approach has been intentional, and very carefully planned. We have not lost sight of the crucial importance of the reversal of your thinking. The salvation of the world depends on it. Yet you will not see if you regard yourself as being coerced, and if you give in to resentment and opposition.
This is our first attempt to introduce structure. Do not misconstrue it as an effort to exert force or pressure. You want salvation. You want to be happy. You want peace. You do not have them now because your minds are totally undisciplined, and you cannot distinguish between joy and sorrow, pleasure and pain, love and fear. You are now learning how to tell them apart. And great indeed will be your reward.
Your decision to see is all that vision requires. What you want is yours. Do not mistake the little effort that is asked of you for a sign that our goal is of little worth. Can the salvation of the world be a trivial purpose? And can the world be saved if you are not? God has one Son, and he is the resurrection and the life. His will is done because all power is given him in Heaven and on earth. In your determination to see is vision given you.
The exercises for today consist in reminding yourselves throughout the day that you want to see. Today's idea also tacitly implies the recognition that you do not see now. Therefore, as you repeat the idea, you are stating that you are determined to change your present state for a better one, and one you really want.
Repeat today's idea slowly and positively at least twice an hour today, attempting to do so every half hour. Do not be distressed if you forget to do so, but make a real effort to remember. The extra repetitions should be applied to any situation, person or event which upsets you. You can see them differently, and you will. What you desire you will see. Such is the real law of cause and effect as it operates in the world.
✨ Summary & practice
The yes that opens all doors
Lesson 20 marks a decisive turning point. Until now, the exercises were deliberately informal, without strict structure. The Course explains that this approach was intentional and carefully planned. But now it is time to introduce structure. Why? Because you want salvation, you want to be happy, you want peace. But you do not have them now because your mind is undisciplined and cannot distinguish joy from sorrow, pleasure from pain, love from fear. It is time to learn to tell them apart.
The central idea is that your decision to see is all that vision requires. What you want is yours. The Course warns you: do not make the mistake of thinking the small effort required indicates the low value of the goal. Can the salvation of the world be a trivial aim? God has only one Son, and He is the resurrection and the life. In your determination to see, vision is given to you. The exercise is to remember the idea throughout the day. By repeating it, you affirm that you are determined to change your present state for a better one.
This lesson is a pivot in the Course’s structure. Lessons 1–19 were preparatory; they dismantled your false beliefs. From lesson 20 onward, the Course begins to require more active participation. Lesson 21 ('I am determined to see things differently') will extend this determination by making it more specific. The following lessons (22–30) will use this determination as a foundation to explore more advanced themes like vengeance, invulnerability, and the presence of God in everything you see.
For today, repeat the idea as often as possible throughout the day. Each time, remember that your decision to see is all that is required. You do not need to make enormous efforts. Simply choose. And that choice is already the entire journey.
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