The idea for today can be regarded as the central thought toward which
all our exercises are directed. God’s is the only will. When you have
recognized this, you have recognized that your will is His. The belief
that conflict is possible has gone. Peace has replaced the strange idea
that you are torn by conflicting goals. As an expression of the Will of
God, you have no goal but His.
There is great peace in today’s idea. And the exercises for today are
directed towards finding it. The idea itself is wholly true. Therefore
it can not give rise to illusions. Without illusions conflict is
impossible. Let us try to recognize this today, and experience the peace
this recognition brings.
Begin the longer practice periods by repeating these thoughts several
times, slowly and with firm determination to understand what they mean
and to hold them in mind:
“There is no will but God’s.
I cannot be in conflict.”
Then spend several minutes in adding some related thoughts, such as:
“I am at peace.”
“Nothing can disturb me. My will is God’s.”
“My will and God’s are one.”
“God wills peace for His Son.”
During this introductory phase, be sure to deal quickly with any
conflict thoughts that may cross your mind. Tell yourself immediately:
“There is no will but God’s.
These conflict thoughts are meaningless.”
If there is one conflict area which seems particularly difficult to
resolve, single it out for special consideration. Think about it briefly
but very specifically, identify the particular person or persons and the
situation or situations involved, and tell yourself:
“There is no will but God’s.
I share it with Him.
My conflicts about _____ cannot be real.”
After you have cleared your mind in this way, close your eyes and try to
experience the peace to which your reality entitles you. Sink into it,
and feel it closing around you. There may be some temptation to mistake
these attempts for withdrawal, but the difference is easily detected. If
you are succeeding, you will feel a deep sense of joy and an increased
alertness, rather than a feeling of drowsiness and enervation. Joy
characterizes peace. By this experience will you recognize that you have
reached it.
If you feel yourself slipping off into withdrawal, quickly repeat the
idea for today and try again. Do this as often as necessary. There is
definite gain in refusing to allow retreat into withdrawal, even if you
do not experience the peace you seek.
In the shorter periods, which should be undertaken at regular and
predetermined intervals today, say to yourself:
“There is no will but God’s.
I seek His peace today.”
Then try to find what you are seeking. A minute or two every half-hour,
with eyes closed if possible, would be well spent on this today.