I am determined to see things differently.^I

1. Today’s idea is, of course, a continuation and extension of the previous one.

²This time, however, in addition to applying the idea to specific situations as they arise, designated periods of mind searching are also required.

³You are asked to undertake five practice periods today, each lasting a full minute.

2. Begin each practice by repeating the idea silently.

²Then close your eyes and search your mind carefully for past, present, or anticipated situations that arouse anger in you.

³This anger may take the form of any kind of reaction, from mild irritation to intense rage.

⁴The intensity of the emotion you feel does not matter.

⁵You will increasingly recognize that a slight twinge of annoyance is nothing but a thin veil drawn over seething fury.

3. Therefore, try not to let these “insignificant” thoughts of anger escape you during the practice periods. ²Remember that you do not really recognize what arouses anger in you, and nothing you believe in this regard means anything.^II

³You will probably be tempted to focus on certain situations more than others, under the mistaken belief that they are more “obvious.”

⁴This is not so.

⁵This merely proves that you believe some forms of attack are more justified than others.

4. As you search your mind for all the ways in which attack thoughts present themselves, consider each one and say to yourself:

²I am determined to see ____ [name of person] differently.

³I am determined to see ____ [specify the situation] differently.

5. Try to be as specific as possible.

²You may, for example, focus your anger on a particular attribute of a certain person, believing your anger is limited to that aspect.

³If your perception of that person is distorted in this way, say:

⁴I am determined to see ____ [specify the disliked attribute] in ____ [name of person] differently.^III

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^I Although all the Lessons in this Workbook are important and deserve absolute attention, this one is fundamental, and it will become a recurring declaration with which you will face, throughout your life, every circumstance that disturbs you. You will repeat it unceasingly, for it is the necessary invocation of the Holy Spirit to return to sanity. It is what will allow you to escape anger, fear, and depression.

In fact, this phrase from Bill to Helen was what gave rise to the beginning of the dictation of this Course. She answered that she was willing to help him and… shortly thereafter, Helen heard in her mind: “This is a Course in miracles, please take notes.”

Realize that, for this formula to work, it is essential that you “wholeheartedly” want to see whatever disturbs you in a different way. Your will is the only factor that governs your perception; therefore, you will see what you truly want to see. Yet it is certain that, in that moment of anger or distress, you are unable to conceive what you really want to come of that situation. Do not worry, this is not necessary at all, for that is precisely the function of the Holy Spirit. All you need to do is sincerely ask Him to show you a better way to interpret what is before you, and then wait, listen, and open your eyes wide to what will be shown to you.

Practice today’s idea exactly as instructed and with all your heart, whenever something displeases you, frightens you, or makes you angry, however slightly. But since you are only beginning to learn to listen, it may be difficult for you to quiet your mind enough to hear the Holy Spirit.

To hear the Voice of the Holy Spirit within you, keep in mind the following:

The Holy Spirit ALWAYS answers your call.

He does not speak with words, but with pure content; you are the one who translates that content into words.

The Holy Spirit is the Voice of God within the illusion; therefore, the content of that communication is always the resolution of a perceived conflict. The conflict itself is imaginary, and its resolution is also imaginary; it is but a reflection of God’s Love in your dream of death.

The only requirements to hear His Voice are:

• Willingness to hear it.

• Trust that you will hear it.

• Silence to listen to His Word.

Nothing more than that, but nothing less than that either.

However, if it is still difficult for you to hear Him, you have a simpler and more direct resource to dispel that illusion: invoke God. Call upon your Father. Turn your mind to Him. And completely forget the world as you do so. Let nothing matter to you in that moment, for that is a holy time that Eternity Itself and the angels protect.

This is a “shortcut” to leap directly from illusion to holiness that will never fail you. It is a state you will learn to call upon more and more frequently, until the moment comes when it never leaves you.

That direct invocation of God returns you to your natural state of holiness. But now, in this Lesson, you must learn from the Holy Spirit a mastery that will prove essential for you to fulfill your role as savior of the world. So, when something disturbs you, say silently to yourself: “I want to see this differently; show me how.” And listen to His answer.

^II W-5: “I am never upset for the reason I think” and W-10: “My thoughts do not mean anything.”

^III  Of the infinite possibilities for interpreting what is perceived, which in itself means nothing, your ego-mind interprets every situation from a specific viewpoint that reflects the idea you have of yourself—your ego. When you become receptive to seeing things differently, you give up remaining anchored in that fixed position and allow the Holy Spirit to lead you to see them from another perspective, which is precisely the one that best aligns with God’s plan for salvation.

What you now see is as illusory as what you saw before, but it will heal your dream of separation by removing its component of anger and fear. This relinquishment of deciding for yourself—for your ego—what is best for you requires no effort on your part, but it does, of course, require great humility, a good measure of trust, and a touch of wisdom.