This idea obviously follows from the two preceding ones. But while you may be able to accept it intellectually, it is unlikely that it will mean anything to you as yet. However, understanding is not necessary at this point. In fact, the recognition that you do not understand is a prerequisite for undoing your false ideas. These exercises are concerned with practice, not with understanding. You do not need to practice what you already understand. It would indeed be circular to aim at understanding, and assume that you have it already.
That’s reasonable. It’s impossible to teach something new to someone who thinks they already understand everything. That’s why it is so important to maintain an open mind. (Although not so open your brains fall out.)
Marianne Williamson says of this lesson that we are often so filled with baggage and scripts about what has happened before that we can’t see a situation as it is now. We are unable to live in the present with all of that baggage. Every day is different so don’t bring yesterday’s drama into today. Let today be different.
- I do not see this plant as it is now.
- I do not see this house as it is now.
- I do not see those shoes as they are now.
- I do not see that dog as it is now.
- I do not see those oranges as they are now.
- I do not see those books as they are now.
- I do not see that piano as it is now.
- I do not see that Methodist Hymnal as it is now.
- I do not see that tea pot as it is now.