The idea for today begins to describe the conditions that prevail in the new way of perceiving. Peace of mind is clearly an internal matter. It must begin with your own thoughts, and then extend outward. It is from your peace of mind that a peaceful perception of the world arises.
Three longer practice periods are required for today’s exercises. One in the morning and one in the evening is advised, with an additional one to be undertaken at any time in between that seems most conducive to readiness. All applications should be done with your eyes closed. It is your inner world to which the applications of today’s idea should be made.
Some five minutes of mind-searching are required for each of the longer practice periods. Search your mind for anxiety-provoking situations, “offending” personalities or events, or anything else about which you are harboring unloving thoughts or feelings of fear—any thoughts or feelings that do not bring you peace. Note each one casually, repeating the idea for today slowly, as you watch them arise in your mind, and let each one go, to be replaced by the next.
If you begin to experience difficulty in thinking of specific subjects, continue to repeat the idea to yourself in an unhurried manner, without applying it to anything in particular. Be sure, however, not to make any specific exclusions.
The shorter applications are to be frequent, and made whenever you feel your peace of mind is threatened in any way. The purpose is to protect yourself from the temptation throughout the day to mis-project onto your “outer” world thoughts and feelings you feel uncomfortable with in your inner world. If a specific form of the temptation to mis-project – that is, to cast unloving or uncomfortable thoughts or feelings onto a person or situation – arises in your awareness, the exercise should take this form:
“I can see Peace in (person or situation) instead of (what I now think or feel) about them (or it).”
If the disturbance of your peace of mind takes the form of more generalized adverse emotions, such as depression, anxiety, or worry, use the idea in its original form.
If you find you need more than one shorter application of today’s idea to help you change your mind in any specific context, try to take several minutes and devote them to repeating the idea until you feel some sense of relief. It will help you if you tell yourself specifically:
“I can replace my thoughts (or feelings) of frustration (or anxiety, insult, anger, depression, etc.) about (person or situation) with Peace.”