LESSON 131. No one can fail who seeks to reach the truth.
This lesson makes a very simple statement. We might see that statement as a promise, but that would discount the foundation upon which the statement rests. No one can fail who seeks to reach the truth, because the truth is what we are. This is not a mere promise, this is a fact.
It is within our power to realize truth because it is only by our own decision that we hide the truth of ourselves from ourselves. We began the Gentle Healing Year 1 program by discussing how we can rewire our brains by becoming conscious casters of attention. This was no idle promise either. Any of you who have practiced removing believing attention from negative, hateful, attacking thoughts (and, frankly, I know you all have been practicing this), know the power of your own decision.
The truth is there to be found within us, beyond the chatter of the thinking mind that would maintain the belief that we are individuals, separate from one another and separate from our source. Through our conscious casting of attention, through awareness watching awareness, and through our other practices, we have had a taste of truth. What remains except the commitment to practice, to seek the truth of our being, every time we are given the opportunity?
Today’s lesson asks us to close our eyes for a moment and consider the insanity of the world.
“For several minutes watch your mind and see, although your eyes are closed, the senseless world you think is real. Review the thoughts as well which are compatible with such a world, and which you think are true. Then let them go, and sink below them to the holy place where they can enter not.”
If you have not yet done so, take a moment to really practice this part of the lesson—do what it asks. Don’t just read the passage and agree with it. What insanity do you see playing out in your life? What insanity do you see playing out in the world. Can you look at that insanity and see that it is the result of our collective and continued adherence to the belief that we are separate beings with separate interests in competition for limited resources and rewards?
The truth is, we do have another choice. As NTI Hebrews tells us, we are the leaders in our own awakening. This is no inconsequential statement. What this means is that if you wish to transcend the insanity of the thinking mind, you cannot wait for better circumstances to appear, you cannot wait for a great teacher to transmit to you the secret knowledge of the cosmos. No one is coming in to save you.
Your sincere practice and desire to awaken are the ingredients needed for your great awakening. You already are that which you seek. How could your desire to learn that truth be withheld from you?
As Nisargadatta Maharaj said of awakening to the truth, “We discover it by being earnest, by searching, inquiring, questioning daily and hourly, by giving one’s life to this discovery.” This discovery is within our reach. No one can fail who seeks to reach the truth.
