The World You See
There is a lot going on in the world and our lives. Or, as the neo-philosopher Calvin Broadus Jr. (otherwise known as Snoop Dogg) would say, there’s “so much drama in the LBC.”
At work: deadlines to meet, challenging colleagues and bosses to deal with. Maybe unhappy customers. Lots of pressure.
In our personal lives: trying to carve out enough time with family and friends. Concern over our health or the wellbeing of people we care about. Perhaps worry over finances and the future of our loved ones.
Societally, dealing with political fracas, national & international tension, environmental suitability, market stability, and what the future might hold.
Clearly the world at large – and people specifically – impinge on our sense of happiness and joy.
But do they really?
Is it possible that our experiences of the world are not based on what’s going on but rather result from a choice in our mind?
“It seems as if the world determines what you perceive. [But,] your thoughts determine the world you see.”
We are always making one of two choices in our mind: ego or presence. And which we choose determines what we see.
When we choose the ego, we experience a fearful, dangerous, hostile, sad, wicked, and crazy world. One to which we can all relate.
But when we choose the mind of presence, an entirely new world opens up to us. One that, in the words of the Course, would make you indescribably happy.
The choice is up to us, as is the world we experience. But we always get one at the expense of the other. Thus we should choose wisely.
How do know we which choice we made? By how we feel.
So whenever we are not experiencing that sense of joyful tranquility, we gently remind ourselves that we made the choice for the ego and now can make a different choice.
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