Do you ever feel like the weight of the world is resting on your shoulders?
If you’re an empath, you might often absorb so much energy from others that it becomes overwhelming. Let’s see if A Course in Miracles can offer you a new perspective and help you navigate this experience with greater ease.
Lesson 23, one of my favorite lessons from the Course, reminds us of a powerful truth:
“I can escape from the world I see by giving up Attack Thoughts.”
Understanding this concept can be life-changing, especially for empaths who often feel overwhelmed by external energies.
Let’s dive into it step by step.
What Are Attack Thoughts
If you’re an empath, Attack Thoughts can feel especially heavy because you tend to take on the emotions and judgments of those around you. In A Course in Miracles, Attack Thoughts are those rooted in fear, judgment, or separation – whether they’re directed at yourself or others. They can show up as self-doubt, people-pleasing tendencies, or the constant need to protect your energy.
It’s interesting to note that A Course in Miracles teaches us our Attack Thoughts are not a reaction to a dangerous external world; rather, they shape our perception, making us believe the world is something we need to defend ourselves from. Once we become aware of this, we can gently begin to shift our perception, allowing ourselves to experience the world in a new way – without the constant need to control everything around us.
Does any of this sound familiar?
- “I’m too sensitive for this world.”
- “People don’t really get me.”
- “I have to protect myself all the time.”
If any of these thoughts resonate with you, know that you’re not alone.
Recognizing these thoughts is the first step toward releasing them and creating a more loving and peaceful experience.
Every thought you have makes up some segment of the world you see. It is with your thoughts, then, that we must work, if your perception of the world is to be changed. – A Course in Miracles
The World Reflects Your Thoughts
As an empath, you’re naturally in tune with the energy around you, which makes it easy to believe that the external world is the source of your inner chaos. But, as the Course clearly states, the world is simply reflecting what’s going on inside. If you’re feeling drained, it’s an invitation to take a closer look at your thoughts and beliefs.
There is no point in trying to change the world. It is incapable of change because it is merely an effect. – A Course in Miracles
When we hold onto negative thoughts, we unknowingly attract more of what we don’t want. Whether it’s self-judgment or judgment of others, these Attack Thoughts create energetic patterns that keep us feeling stuck.
A Course in Miracles reminds us that holding onto these thoughts doesn’t just bring us down – it keeps us trapped in a cycle of overwhelm.
The good news?
You can break free by letting go of these inner judgments.
As the lesson 325 wisely states: “What I see reflects a process in my mind, which starts with my idea of what I want.” This means our thoughts and desires shape the reality we experience.
A Simple Practice to Release Attack Thoughts
Letting go of Attack Thoughts isn’t about forcing yourself to think positively all the time; it’s about gently choosing a different perspective. Here’s a simple practice to help:
- Notice the thought: Become aware of those moments when you feel heavy or overwhelmed.
- Acknowledge its impact: Recognize how it’s influencing your energy and emotions.
- Ask yourself: Is this thought serving my highest good?
- Choose again: Silently repeat the lesson: “I can escape from the world I see by giving up Attack Thoughts about ____________________.” (Insert the Attack Thoughts you noticed at that moment).
By personalizing the lesson with your own specific Attack Thoughts” – whether it’s “I’m not good enough” or “I’ll never succeed” – you bring greater awareness to the patterns that are keeping you stuck. This helps you address the exact beliefs that are limiting you, making it easier to release them and experience a shift in perception.
This simple shift can help you release resistance and open yourself up to a more peaceful and aligned way of being.
“When I am healed, I am not healed alone.” This beautiful teaching from A Course in Miracles (Lesson 137) reminds us that as we heal, we create space for others to heal alongside us.
Seeing Overwhelm as Cosmic Invitation
If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed or disconnected, consider this your gentle reminder to pause and shift your perspective. You have the power to change how you experience the world – one loving thought at a time.
So, take a moment and ask yourself: “Am I ready to free myself from myself?”
Remember, this is a journey, not a one-time fix. Be kind and patient with yourself, and trust that each moment offers a new opportunity to choose again.
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