Day 10
Practicing the Workbook of A Course in Miracles
The Workbook for Students is the second volume of A Course in Miracles. It consists of 365 daily lessons in which we take the ideas presented in the Text and practice them, applying them to ourselves and to the persons, events, and situations in our lives.
The importance of the practice
Whereas the Text is about the ideas, the Workbook is all about the practice. The importance of this practice comes through clearly in the Workbook’s opening lines:
A theoretical foundation such as the text is necessary as a background to make the exercises in this workbook meaningful. Yet it is the exercises that will make the goal of the course possible (W-In.1:1-2)
Why is the practice necessary to achieve the goal of the Course? Because that is where the ideas become living realities within us. That is where we experience them and learn that they really are true. As the Workbook says, “It is their use that will give them meaning to you, and show you they are true" (W-In.7:6).
What is the practice?
Most of the Workbook’s practice consists of repeating the ideas to ourselves in the form of short, potent statements, like “I could see peace in this situation instead of what I now see in it.” Done slowly and sincerely, these are powerful practices, which can instantly shift our perception and emotion.
The Workbook, however, is incredibly varied. It contains:
- meditation instruction
- forgiveness practices
- practices for dispelling daily upsets
- training in how to hear inner guidance
- and much more
The day we learn to have
The Workbook begins very lightly, with just two one-minute practice periods. But it gradually draws us into longer and more frequent practice. Before long, we begin and end our day with quiet time with God. We practice on the hour (when we can), periodically during the hour, and whenever our peace is disturbed. Here is what is said in the front matter of the Complete and Annotated Edition:
As we apply [the idea] to ourselves, to others, and to our daily situations and events, our perception shifts and we see with new eyes. We feel peace where before we felt anxiety and agitation. We ultimately learn to enfold each day in peace, so that we begin the day in a state of peace, renew that peace throughout the day, recover it when it is shaken, and end the day resting in that same peace.
Questions you may have
- Should I do the lessons in order? Yes. The Workbook leads you through a carefully designed ascending progression, much like learning to play a musical instrument.
- Can I repeat a lesson? You can, but don’t get stalled by refusing to go forward until you’ve done it perfectly. Take your best shot and move on.
- Should I do the Workbook once or repeat it every year? You should do it as many times as it takes for the practice to become a part of you, so that you can practice well without the Workbook’s support.
The Workbook is a training program in the Course’s system of spiritual practice. It has the power to ground in us a lifelong habit of spiritual practice and usher us into a new internal way of life.
Tomorrow we will be sharing what you need to know about the Course’s final volume, the Manual for Teachers.
See you then,
Robert Perry
Founder
Circle of Atonement
Reminder:
This content is for registered participants of Getting to Know A Course in Miracles, a free 14-day guided journey from The Circle of Atonement. You are welcome to invite any friends to register for the series at no charge by sharing the following link: circleofa.org/events.
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