Commentary on A Course in Miracles: Lesson 17

Survival mode.

Welcome to Daily Miracles, a running commentary on the 365 lessons of A Course in Miracles, an influential spiritual text from the 1970s. I am James Leroy Wilson and I invite you to join me as I go through this material for the first time.

I see no neutral things. (ACIM, W-17)

The lesson goes on to say,

²You see no neutral things because you have no neutral thoughts. ³It is always the thought that comes first, despite the temptation to believe that it is the other way around. ⁴This is not the way the world thinks, but you must learn that it is the way you think. ⁵If it were not so, perception would have no cause, and would itself be the cause of reality. (ACIM, W-17.1:2–5)

This makes me think, are we only seeing what we’re thinking about? I’m reminded of the work of Donald Hoffman, who argues humans have evolved so that we don’t see what’s really there, we see only what we think will help us to survive.

But a “survival” mindset sounds like a fearful mindset. When I see the air conditioner, I might think of the comfort it gives in the summertime, but I also think it’s because summers are too hot. I might also think about the higher electric bill that comes from using it, or that it’s so loud that I might not hear something that could be important.

None of my thoughts about the air conditioner are neutral.

The lesson is right. Because I’m in survival mode, I see no neutral thing.

James Leroy Wilson writes Daily Miracles, The Daily Bible Chapter, JL Cells, and The MVP Chase. Thanks for your subscriptions and support!

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