Lesson 140. Only salvation can be said to cure.
As we learned in Workbook Lesson 80, this lesson reiterates that there is but one problem and one solution. Though we may believe we must solve a myriad of problems in order to be safe, happy and/or loved, this belief is simply untrue.
We labor under this mistaken belief because we are mistaken about who we are.
Indeed, the thinking mind has convinced us that, not only can it scope out the source, the nature and the extent of the problem, but it generally offers us a multitude of possible remedies. The truth is, it is this problem/solution cycle that spins constantly in the thinking mind and distracts us from the truth of what we are.
When people believe they suffer because of a specific problem in form, it is easy to think their answer lies in resolving that specific problem. However, one problem follows another problem in the changing world of form. The only answer that resolves all problems is awakening to truth.
This is why our core practices have been withdrawing our believing attention from the chatter of the thinking mind and turning to awareness watching awareness.
As today’s Lesson advises, “The mind that brings illusions to the truth is really changed. There is no change but this. For how can one illusion differ from another but in attributes that have no substance, no reality, no core, and nothing that is truly different?”
We do not need to resolve our worldly problems in order to practice awareness-watching-awareness daily. Awareness is always present. During awareness-watching-awareness, we aren’t looking for anything in form to change as a result of our practice. Instead, we are taking a break from all illusions in order to focus solely on truth for a period of time.
It is okay to seek resolution to problems that come up in the dream. If there is a headache, it is okay to take aspirin. If a job ends, it is ok to look for another job. However, keep in mind that this is all dream stuff. Let the dream be the dream, AND remain clear on the goal. It is possible to do both by keeping the mind focused in the direction of truth. This is often referred to as “being in the world but not of it.”
Let’s remember, the goal is not to change the dream. The goal is to awaken from it.
