LESSON 16 I have no neutral thoughts.

1. 1The idea for today is a beginning step in dispelling the belief that your thoughts have no effect. 2Everything you see is the result of your thoughts. 3There is no exception to this fact. 4Thoughts are not big or little; powerful or weak. 5They are merely true or false. 6Those that are true create their own likeness. 7Those that are false make theirs.

2. 1There is no more self-contradictory concept than that of “idle thoughts.” 2What gives rise to the perception of a whole world can hardly be called idle. 3Every thought you have contributes to truth or to illusion; either it extends the truth or it multiplies illusions. 4You can indeed multiply nothing, but you will not extend it by doing so.

3. 1Besides your recognizing that thoughts are never idle, salva­tion requires that you also recognize that every thought you have brings either peace or war; either love or fear. 2A neutral result is impossible because a neutral thought is impossible. 3There is such a temptation to dismiss fear thoughts as unimportant, trivial and not worth bothering about that it is essential you rec­ognize them all as equally destructive, but equally unreal. 4We will practice this idea in many forms before you really under­stand it.

4. 1In applying the idea for today, search your mind for a minute or so with eyes closed, and actively seek not to overlook any “little” thought that may tend to elude the search. 2This is quite difficult until you get used to it. 3You will find that it is still hard for you not to make artificial distinctions. 4Every thought that occurs to you, regardless of the qualities that you assign to it, is a suitable subject for applying today’s idea.

5. 1In the practice periods, first repeat the idea to yourself, and then as each one crosses your mind hold it in awareness while you tell yourself:

2This thought about _________ is not a neutral thought.

3That thought about _________ is not a neutral thought.

4As usual, use today’s idea whenever you are aware of a particu­lar thought that arouses uneasiness. 5The following form is sug­gested for this purpose:

6This thought about ____________ is not a neutral thought, because I have no neutral thoughts.

6. 1Four or five practice periods are recommended, if you find them relatively effortless. 2If strain is experienced, three will be enough. 3The length of the exercise period should also be re­duced if there is discomfort.