Lesson 7: I See Only the Past
Lesson 7 of A Course in Miracles introduces a powerful idea: that everything we see is based on the past. This may seem strange at first, but it ties together the concepts from the previous lessons, helping us understand why we so often misinterpret what we see.
Understanding the Lesson: Seeing Through the Past
The key message in this lesson is that we don’t see things as they truly are, but through the lens of past experiences. When we look at something, whether it’s a cup or a person, we’re really seeing a collection of past memories. Our reactions—whether they’re emotional, practical, or aesthetic—are based on what we’ve learned and experienced before. As the lesson teaches,
"I see only the past in this pencil."
"I see only the past in this shoe."
"I see only the past in that face."
For example, when looking at a cup, we don’t just see the object as it is now. Instead, we recall past moments of drinking from it, feeling its texture, or remembering whether it breaks easily. Everything we know about the cup comes from past experiences, not from the cup itself in the present moment.
The Subtle Influence of Past Experiences
Ken Wapnick explains that our tendency to see only the past is deeply tied to our attachment to past beliefs. We often make judgments based on our previous experiences, without realising that we are reinforcing old patterns.
For instance, when we see someone, we might immediately think we know how to respond: This person is my boss, so my resentment is justified. That person is my competition, so I must outshine them. These judgments are based on past experiences, shaping reactions such as anger or mistrust. The lesson teaches us that these reactions aren’t based on the present reality, but are conditioned by the past. Often, these patterns are subtle and automatic, which is why it takes practice to notice and break free from them.
A Moment of Realisation
I can say that this lesson has never quite clicked for me in the past like it has today. Even when I think of my husband, I realise that I’m seeing him through the lens of all the experiences we’ve had together. I’ve come to expect certain reactions from him because I’m basing them on how he’s responded to things previously. This lesson has made me reflect on how much I’ve been seeing the past in my closest relationships. It’s a powerful reminder to be more present and to see people as they are, not as I’ve come to expect them to be.
The Connection to Previous Lessons
Lesson 7 ties together many of the key ideas from the earlier lessons. It helps explain why nothing we see means anything (Lesson 1), why we’ve given everything its meaning (Lesson 2), and why we don’t understand what we see(Lesson 3). All of these ideas are based on the understanding that our thoughts and perceptions are rooted in the past.
In Lesson 6, we learned that we are upset because we see something that isn’t there. Today’s lesson explains why we see things that aren’t there—because we’re seeing only the past. Our minds are constantly bringing old experiences into our current perceptions, preventing us from seeing the present clearly.
Practicing the Lesson: Applying the Idea to Daily Life
To practice this lesson, we are asked to apply the idea—"I see only the past"—to everything we look at throughout the day. As we look around, we’re invited to notice how our thoughts are shaped by past experiences. For example, when looking at a shoe, we might recall past experiences of wearing shoes, buying shoes, or noticing how shoes feel. All of these thoughts are based on the past—none of them are about the present moment.
We are also reminded not to linger on any one object for too long. The idea is to briefly acknowledge that we’re seeing the past in each thing, then move on. This helps us start to recognise how much of our perception is influenced by memory and past associations.
Breaking Free from the Past
Wapnick explains that our attachment to the past is what keeps us from seeing the truth. By constantly viewing everything through the filter of past experiences, we reinforce the ego’s belief in separation and maintain the illusion that the past is real.
However, as A Course in Miracles teaches, the past is an illusion, and our job is to begin seeing beyond it. When we start to recognise that we’re seeing only the past, we begin to loosen our attachment to old beliefs and patterns of thought. This is an important step toward releasing the ego’s hold and moving toward a greater understanding of love and unity.
Recognising the Illusion of the Past
Lesson 7 of A Course in Miracles helps us realise that we aren’t truly seeing the present moment, but instead are seeing everything through the lens of the past. This recognition is essential in the process of retraining our minds to see clearly and without the influence of past conditioning.
Ken Wapnick’s insight reminds us that our reactions and perceptions are deeply rooted in past experiences. By practicing this lesson, we can begin to break free from those old patterns and move closer to seeing the truth beyond the illusions created by the past.
Have you noticed how much of what you see is based on past experiences? Does this lesson make you more aware of how you view the people closest to you?
Bibliography
A Course in Miracles.
Foundation for Inner Peace.
A Course in Miracles: Combined Volume, 3rd Edition. Foundation for Inner Peace, 2007.
URL: https://acim.org.Wapnick, Kenneth.
Journey Through the Workbook of "A Course in Miracles".
Foundation for A Course in Miracles, 1999.
