Lesson 9: I See Nothing As It Is Now
Lesson 9 builds on the ideas from the previous lessons. It asks us to reflect on the fact that we’re not really seeing things as they are right now because our minds are still wrapped up in the past. It’s a concept that can be tough to fully accept at first, but the point of this lesson isn’t to understand everything right away—it’s about practicing and slowly letting these ideas sink in.
Not Seeing Things Clearly
The idea that “I see nothing as it is now” follows naturally from the earlier lessons. If our minds are preoccupied with past thoughts (as Lesson 8 pointed out), and we’re only seeing the past, then it makes sense that we’re not truly seeing what’s in front of us. What we see is distorted by our past experiences and expectations.
But here’s the thing: we don’t have to fully understand this right away. In fact, the lesson teaches us that recognising we don’t understand is actually the first step toward undoing our false ideas. This practice is more about doing the exercises than fully grasping the concepts at this stage. We don’t need to practice what we already understand!
Practicing Without Resistance
It’s hard to believe that what we see isn’t really there, especially when we’re looking at things we’ve always taken for granted—like a cup, a chair, or a person. The idea that what we’re seeing is just a projection of our mind’s thoughts can feel awkward. But this lesson reassures us that it’s okay if this concept is difficult or even disturbing. We just need to start practicing, even if we don’t fully understand yet.
Seeing Through the Past
I can relate to the resistance that comes with this lesson. It’s not easy to let go of the idea that what we see is real. For example, when I look at my phone, I don’t just see the device. I see all the photos I’ve taken, the contacts, the emails, and messages. It’s full of memories and connections, and I know that if I lost it, I’d probably have a small panic attack—because it holds so much of my past. I realise now that I’m not seeing the phone for what it is right now; I’m seeing all the layers of past experiences it represents.
This practice is helping me to understand that I don’t need to fully grasp everything right away. I feel reassured that I can simply do the exercises without overthinking them, and that understanding will come in time. It’s freeing to know that I don’t need to have all the answers right now.
The Practice for Today
The exercise is simple. You look at things around you and remind yourself that you’re not seeing them as they are now. For example:
I do not see this phone as it is now.
I do not see this cup as it is now.
I do not see this keyboard as it is now.
Just glance at it, say the statement, and move on. Apply this idea indiscriminately, meaning you don’t leave anything out. Whatever you see, remind yourself that you’re not seeing it as it truly is.
What This Lesson Means
The purpose of this lesson is to help us start clearing away the mental fog created by our past-based thoughts. It’s not about trying to force understanding, but about opening ourselves up to the possibility that we’re not seeing things clearly. As we keep practicing, little by little, the “darkness” in our minds will clear, and we’ll begin to see more truth.
Lesson 9 teaches us that we see nothing as it is right now, because our minds are too caught up in the past. The exercises help us begin the process of letting go of these past-based perceptions and opening ourselves up to the present.
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.
