“My mind holds only what I think with God,” is the key thought we will contemplate as we go through this next review, so let’s begin by looking deeply at what that means.
Interestingly, the dictionary does not define ‘think’ as the ongoing mental chatter in the mind, although most people tend to think that chatter is thinking. The dictionary defines ‘think’ as “to have a conscious mind” or “to have in consciousness.”
Therefore, “My mind holds only what I think with God” means that anything we are conscious of that is not truth is temporary. Only truth is lasting. And it is this simple fact that sets the stage for the contemplation of every lesson that we will review over the next ten days.
Sometimes A Course in Miracles uses the term “real thoughts” to refer to the thoughts we think with God. Real thoughts are the environment of pure consciousness. You can think of them as attitudes or ways of being. Real thoughts include:
~ All-is-well (peace)
~ Open embracing acceptance (love)
~ An inherent sense freedom—a sense of soaring from within (joy)
~ Intimacy with everything (oneness).
Patience, allowance and compassion are the reflections of our real thoughts.
So, “My mind holds only what I think with God” means that only these qualities are lasting. Everything else that appears in consciousness is temporary and passing.
With this in mind, we are asked to contemplate each day’s review lessons. The review instructions say, “Let each word [in the review lessons] shine with the meaning God has given it, as it was given to you through His Voice. Let each idea which you review that day give you the gift He has laid in it for you …”
As an example, here is my contemplation of today’s review lessons. They were contemplated with “My mind holds only what I think with God” in mind:
Forgiveness is the key to happiness. Forgiveness does not give value to the temporary. It gives value only to that which is lasting. Therefore, it lets the temporary come and go while it reflects only on truth.
Forgiveness offers everything I want, because all that I want is truth. Even when I make the mistake of seeking by letting attention dwell temporarily with mental chatter, I am really looking for the qualities of consciousness. Therefore, letting go of mental chatter and resting in consciousness is the answer that provides everything I want.