1. 1It is because the thoughts you think you think appear as im­ages that you do not recognize them as nothing. 2You think you think them, and so you think you see them. 3This is how your “seeing” was made. 4This is the function you have given your body’s eyes. 5It is not seeing. 6It is image making. 7It takes the place of seeing, replacing vision with illusions.

2. 1This introductory idea to the process of image making that you call seeing will not have much meaning for you. 2You will begin to understand it when you have seen little edges of light around the same familiar objects which you see now. 3That is the beginning of real vision. 4You can be certain that real vision will come quickly when this has occurred.

3. 1As we go along, you may have many “light episodes.” 2They may take many different forms, some of them quite unexpected. 3Do not be afraid of them. 4They are signs that you are opening your eyes at last. 5They will not persist, because they merely symbolize true perception, and they are not related to knowledge. 6These exercises will not reveal knowledge to you. 7But they will prepare the way to it.

4. 1In practicing the idea for today, repeat it first to yourself, and then apply it to whatever you see around you, using its name and letting your eyes rest on it as you say:

2This _________ is an image that I have made.
3That _________ is an image that I have made.

4It is not necessary to include a large number of specific subjects for the application of today’s idea. 5It is necessary, however, to continue to look at each subject while you repeat the idea to yourself. 6The idea should be repeated quite slowly each time.

5. 1Although you will obviously not be able to apply the idea to very many things during the minute or so of practice that is recommended, try to make the selection as random as possible. 2Less than a minute will do for the practice periods, if you begin to feel uneasy. 3Do not have more than three application periods for today’s idea unless you feel completely comfortable with it, and do not exceed four. 4However, the idea can be applied as needed throughout the day.