Lesson 054: ”Review of Lessons 16-20.”
AI Reframe: My thoughts influence everything. I choose to open to clearer perception.
Suggested Practice:
Begin the day by reading the five ideas with their comments included. (https://acim.org/acim/review-i/lesson-54/en/s/457)
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.”
Message
Today’s five review ideas focus on our thoughts and their effects.
I have no neutral thoughts.
I see no neutral things.
I am not alone in experiencing the effects of my seeing.
I am not alone in experiencing the effects of my thoughts.
I am determined to see.
Of all of them, the first held my attention the most—mainly because, honestly, I don’t remember it from the first round. How curious.
With all the different mediation practices I’ve done, it was my understanding, from each, that thoughts were to be treated like clouds. Just let them float on by. From that, I assumed that treating them this way “neutralized” them.
Funny (interesting) thing is, even when I brushed them aside, they looped back—only to be brushed aside again.
Reading the summary for “I have no neutral thoughts,” I can see more clearly: thoughts have power. They either lead me down a fear-based road or toward something that uplifts and inspires.
For instance today, I repeatedly had some version of the thought “You’ve got an eye appointment today. Do I have my insurance card? I better check. I better set the alarm on my watch so I don’t forget.” Each one carried a little charge of anxiety.
Funny (ha-ha) thing is, later I discovered it wasn’t an eye appointment at all—it was for a hearing aid. Whole different event. Whole different batch of stressful thoughts.
On the other hand, when I first woke up this morning, I had another thought—one that came only once: “Organize that messy kitchen cabinet.” After my morning routine, I went straight to the kitchen and did it. No anxiety. No spiral. Now when I open it, it calms and delights me.
Knowing that thoughts have power, I can see the value in noticing which ones tighten me and which ones soften me. The tight ones don’t get to run the show. The soft ones? I’ll follow those.
“Thoughts have power.”
— “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
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