In Lesson 1, we (by which I mean I, but hopefully you also?) practiced the idea that nothing we see means anything.
I have to laugh at this because, of course, most of the time I am giving meaning to EVERYTHING… judging it good (and wanting more) or judging it bad (and getting annoyed- or angry- about it). But that is why I am here, to learn to improve my spiritual vision. To see things differently.
… I am willing to see things differently.
Today, we expand on the idea that Nothing I See Means Anything…
Lesson 2: I have given everything I see all the meaning it has for me.
See Official Lesson 2
(Source: Foundation for Inner Peace)
Lesson 2
I have given everything I see in this room [on this street, from this window, in this place] all the meaning it has for me.
1. The exercises with this idea are the same as those for the first one. Begin with the things that are near you, and apply the idea to whatever your glance rests on. Then increase the range outward. Turn your head so that you include whatever is on either side. If possible, turn around and apply the idea to what was behind you. Remain as indiscriminate as possible in selecting subjects for its application, do not concentrate on anything in particular, and do not attempt to include everything you see in a given area, or you will introduce strain.
2. Merely glance easily and fairly quickly around you, trying to avoid selection by size, brightness, color, material, or relative importance to you. Take the subjects simply as you see them. Try to apply the exercise with equal ease to a body or a button, a fly or a floor, an arm or an apple. The sole criterion for applying the idea to anything is merely that your eyes have lighted on it. Make no attempt to include anything particular, but be sure that nothing is specifically excluded.
Well, this is good news I suppose. That if I have given everything I see the meaning that it has, then I should be able to change the meaning- yes? Now I get that the lesson suggests to not specifically include or exclude anything during that days exercise… and yet I’ve committed to applying the lessons to money, so I will practice during moments where I am engaged with money.
I have given this $20 bill all the meaning that it has for me.
I have given this spreadsheet (my budget) all the meaning it has for me.
I have given my bank account all the meaning it has for me.
… and actually, considering pretty much every thing that is around me at any given time has been purchased with money I can easily go ahead and include those things too.
I have given this car all the meaning it has for me.
I have given this house all the meaning it has for me.
Quite frankly, I attach a lot of meaning to stuff (possessions, people, circumstances, etc). And to money. I look forward to being less attached to things. My persona balks at nothing having the things it likes be meaningless, “what do you mean my XYZ means nothing?!”
Very interesting!
I have given everything I see all the meaning it has for me.
I look forward to seeing what shifts as we go through the lessons.