This idea applies to all the thoughts of which you are aware, or become aware of in the practice periods. The reason the idea is applicable to all of them is that they are not your real Thoughts. We have made this distinction before, and will again. You have no basis in your experience for comparison yet. When you do, you will have no doubt that what you once believed were your thoughts did not mean anything.

This is the second time we have used this kind of idea. The form this time is only slightly different. This time the idea is introduced with “My thoughts about the past…” instead of “My thoughts about the things I look upon…,” and no link is made overtly with the things around you. The emphasis is now on the lack of reality of what you think you think.

This aspect of the conception-perception correction process began with the idea that the thoughts about the things you look upon are meaningless, outside rather than within, and then stressed their past rather than their present status. Now we emphasize that the presence of these “thoughts” means that you are not actually thinking at all. This is merely another way of repeating our earlier statement that at such times your mind is really a blank. To recognize this is to recognize nothingness where you believed was something actual. This recognition is part of sorting out what is the same and what is different, and is a prerequisite for vision.

Close your eyes to practice this idea, and introduce each exercise period by repeating the idea for today quite slowly to yourself:

“My past thoughts are meaningless.”

Then add:

“This idea will help to release me from all that I now believe.”

The exercises consist, as before, in searching your mind, without selection or judgment, for all the thoughts that are accessible to your awareness. Try to avoid classification of any kind. In fact, if you find it helpful to do so, you might imagine that you are watching an oddly assorted procession going by, which has little if any personal meaning to you. As each thought crosses your mind, say:

“This thought about _____ is meaningless.”

“That thought about _____ is meaningless.”

Practice today’s idea three or four times during the day for a minute or so each time.