Today’s idea is really another form of the preceding one, except that it
is more specific as to the emotion aroused. Actually, a meaningless
world is impossible. Nothing without meaning exists. However, it does
not follow that you will not perceive something that has no meaning. On
the contrary, you will be particularly likely to think you do perceive
it.
Recognition of meaninglessness arouses intense anxiety in all the
separated ones. It represents a situation in which God and the ego
“challenge” each other as to whose meaning is to be written in the empty
space which meaninglessness provides. The ego rushes in frantically to
establish its own “ideas” there, fearful that the void may otherwise be
used to demonstrate its own unreality. And on this alone it is correct.
It is essential, therefore, that you learn to recognize the meaningless,
and accept it without fear. If you are fearful, it is certain that you
will endow the world with attributes which it does not possess, and
crowd it with images that do not exist. To the ego illusions are safety
devices, as they must also be to you who equate yourself with the ego.
The exercises for today, which should be done about three or four times
for not more than a minute or so at most each time, are to be practiced
in a somewhat different way from the preceding ones. With eyes closed,
repeat today’s idea to yourself. Then open your eyes and look about you
slowly:
“I am looking at a meaningless world.”
Repeat this statement to yourself as you look about. Then close your eyes
and conclude with:
“A meaningless world engenders fear because I think I am in
competition with God.”
You may find it difficult to avoid resistance, in one form or another,
to this concluding statement. Whatever form such resistance
may take, remind yourself that you are really afraid of such a thought
because of the “vengeance” of the “enemy.”You are not expected to
believe the statement at this point, and will probably try to dismiss it
as preposterous. Note carefully, however, any signs of overt or covert
fear which it may arouse. This is our first attempt at stating an
explicit cause and effect relationship of a kind which you are very
inexperienced in recognizing. Do not dwell on the concluding statement,
and try not even to think of it except during the exercise periods. That
will suffice at present.