Lesson 053: ”Review of Lessons 11-15.”
AI Reframe: My interpretations often distort what’s here, but I’m practicing seeing with new eyes.
Suggested Practice:
Begin the day by reading the five ideas with their comments included. (https://acim.org/acim/review-i/lesson-53/en/s/456)
For the remainder of the day, do two-minute practices as often as possible focusing on the ideas and comments that resonate for you in the particular practice session.
”After you have read the idea and the related comments, the exercises should be done with your eyes closed and when you are alone in a quiet place, if possible.”
”This is emphasized for practice periods at your stage of learning. ²It will be necessary, however, that you learn to require no special settings in which to apply what you have learned. ³You will need your learning most in situations that appear to be upsetting, rather than in those that already seem to be calm and quiet. ⁴The purpose of your learning is to enable you to bring the quiet with you, and to heal distress and turmoil.”
View timelapse of the coloring of today’s mandala
on My YouTube Channel:
https://youtu.be/XS2DU_nSKLg?si=x2NecFbnsnRiiNzw.
Message
The five ideas from today’s review circle around meaning, fear, and authorship
My meaningless thoughts are showing me a meaningless world.
I am upset because I see a meaningless world.
A meaningless world engenders fear.
God did not create a meaningless world.
My thoughts are images that I have made.
Last night I had this dream:
I’m in my home [different from my awake home]. I’m in the large open living space [kitchen, living, dining] with a group of people who came over as if part of a discussion group or book club. I feel responsible for making sure everyone is taken care of—like a good host.
Someone asks about the other living space in the house. Of course there is another one. Doesn’t everyone have two?
We walk through an archway into the other living space that also has a kitchen, living, and dining area, only smaller, cozier, and much nicer. I rarely allow myself into this other space because it’s so beautiful I’m afraid I’ll ruin it. I want to keep it pristine. This space also has a full-sized ebony grand piano. I had forgotten that it was there. I go to start playing it.
Suddenly, the door opposite from where we entered bursts open and a different group of strangers barge in. They’ve come ready to party. They’re loud, invasive, and somewhat intimidating.
I’m frustrated by all these people. I want to be alone in this space so I can play my piano in peace.
Until I wrote this out just now, I didn’t quite understand it and its relationship to today’s lesson. That last word, though, is the key—pun not intended but absolutely appropriate.
The initial living space is where I’m at in my day-to-day, busy-busy-busy, ego-based mind. The other living space is my peaceful place. A place I love to be in but don’t allow myself because it’s “too nice”. It’s a place where I enjoy playing the piano.
It just occurred to me that growing up, learning how to play the piano was something I enjoyed doing when no one else was around. No one around to judge or comment on my playing. I could play the way I wanted to—in peace.
The people bursting through that other door? My invasive, meaningless, party-animal thoughts. Loud. Demanding. Creating chaos where there was none. Manufacturing fear in a room that had only ever held music.
Ultimately, this dream reminds me that I am the one choosing which ‘room’ I occupy. The busy, ego-chatter space… or the quiet room with the piano. I am also the one deciding who gets an audience.
I choose the peace room.
I choose the piano.
I choose the quiet that was never actually threatened.
“The world I see reflects my thoughts. If I see suffering and loss, I’m not allowing my real thoughts.”
— “The Course in Miracles Experiment” by Pam Grout
Blessings & Peace,
Maureen,
The Mandala Lady
transforming soul whispers into mandalas and channeled messages for clarity, peace, and love
About the 2026 Mandalas of the Day — ▶️ A Note About A Course in Miracles
Mandala of the Day 