Lesson 5 - Never Upset For The Reason I Think

Lesson 5: I Am Never Upset for the Reason I Think

Description:

In this episode of Deep Dive in A Course In Miracles, we examine Lesson 5: “I am never upset for the reason I think.” This practice encourages us to identify various forms of upset—anger, fear, frustration—and apply this powerful idea to each of them. By doing so, we begin to recognize that the perceived causes of our emotions are illusions. This lesson helps us see all forms of upset as fundamentally the same and invites us to approach them with equal detachment. Join us as we explore how this transformative exercise can shift our perception and lead to greater emotional freedom.

Briefing Doc: A Course in Miracles - Lesson 5

Main Theme: The true source of upset.

Central Idea: We are never upset for the reason we think. It is our thoughts, not external situations, that cause emotional disturbances.

Important Points:

• The illusion of variety in negative emotions: Fear, worry, depression, anger, and other forms of upset may seem distinct but share the same root: a mistaken thought.

• The importance of practical application: The lesson’s idea must be applied concretely to each situation or person that seems to cause upset. Explicitly name the type of upset and the perceived cause:

• “I am not angry at [reason] for the reason I think.”

• “I am not afraid of [reason] for the reason I think.”

• Rejection of a hierarchy of upsets: There are no “small” upsets. Every disturbance, regardless of its apparent intensity, disrupts inner peace.

• “There are no small upsets. They are all equally disturbing to my peace of mind.”

• Equal treatment of all forms of upset: It is essential not to assign more importance to certain sources of upset over others.

• “I cannot keep this form of upset and let the others go. For the purposes of these exercises, then, I will regard them all as the same.”

Recommended Exercises:

1. Identify sources of upset and associated feelings, explicitly naming them.

2. Apply the lesson’s key phrase to each identified situation.

3. Repeat the exercise several times a day.

Conclusion:

Lesson 5 encourages us to question our perceptions and recognize that the power over our emotions lies within us. By understanding that the source of upset is in our thoughts, we can begin to free ourselves from suffering and reclaim inner peace.