A theoretical foundation such as the text provides is necessary as a framework to make the exercises in this workbook meaningful. Yet it is doing the exercises that will make the goal of the course possible. An untrained mind can accomplish nothing. It is the purpose of this workbook to train your mind to think along the lines the text sets forth.
The exercises are very simple. They do not require a great deal of time, and it does not matter where you do them. They need no preparation. The training period is one year. The exercises are numbered from 1 to 365. Do not undertake to do more than one set of exercises a day.
The workbook is divided into two main sections, the first dealing with the undoing of the way you see now, and the second with the acquisition of true perception. With the exception of the review periods, each day’s exercises are planned around one central idea, which is stated first. This is followed by a description of the specific procedures by which the idea for the day is to be applied.
The purpose of the workbook is to train your mind in a systematic way to a different perception of everyone and everything in the world. The exercises are planned to help you generalize the lessons, so that you will understand that each of them is equally applicable to everyone and everything you see.
Transfer of training in true perception does not proceed as does transfer of the training of the world. If true perception has been achieved in connection with any person, situation or event, total transfer to everyone and everything is certain. On the other hand, one exception held apart from true perception makes its accomplishments anywhere impossible.
The only general rules to be observed throughout, then, are: First, that the exercises be practiced with great specificity, as will be indicated. This will help you to generalize the ideas involved to every situation in which you find yourself, and to everyone and everything in it. Second, be sure that you do not decide for yourself that there are some people, situations or things to which the ideas are inapplicable. This will interfere with transfer of training. The very nature of true perception is that it has no limits. It is the opposite of the way you see now.
The overall aim of the exercises is to increase your ability to extend the ideas you will be practicing to include everything. This will require no effort on your part. The exercises themselves meet the conditions necessary for this kind of transfer.
Some of the ideas the workbook presents you will find hard to believe, and others may seem to be quite startling. This does not matter. You are merely asked to apply the ideas as you are directed to do. You are not asked to judge them at all. You are asked only to use them. It is their use that will give them meaning to you, and will show you that they are true.
Remember only this; you need not believe the ideas, you need not accept them, and you need not even welcome them. Some of them you may actively resist. None of this will matter, or decrease their efficacy. But do not allow yourself to make exceptions in applying the ideas the workbook contains, and whatever your reactions to the ideas may be, use them. Nothing more than that is required.
14 Responses
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May 20th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Thanks for the opportunity to do this course. I look forward to it. The trick, at least one of them anyway, will be to do the exercises without any judgment.
September 2nd, 2008 at 12:20 pm
I have read A Return to Love, it took me nearly 4 months to read, incredibly deep and enlightened, I have purchased A Course in Miracles, I’ve now signed up for the daily e-lessons, I’m not a religious person but quite spiritual, I now feel incredibly scared, light headed and nervous, not sure why? Any HELP out there?
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Gordon,
It’s completely normal to feel scared and nervous when embarking on any spiritual path which includes the process of transformation.
It comes down to the ego. Our ego wants to help, support, and protect us… but it does so based on old information from our past. The ego right now believes that transformation means it (the ego) will die, and if it dies it cannot protect you any longer.
So the first step, which is part of what A Course In Miracles teaches, is to start observing the ego as separate from you. To start realizing that you are not the fear that you feel right now.
As you work through the course, you’ll have plenty of “aha” moments as well as moments of being scared. And that’s okay.
Just pay attention to yourself and be open to whatever happens.
September 18th, 2008 at 9:24 am
I heard about A Course in Miracles from a lady I met at the airport. She was reading A New Earth and we started chatting because I’d already read it. She told me about A Course in Miracles. I AM SO EXCITED!!! I love it when things are literally handed to you at the exact point that you either need it or are ready for it.
September 26th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
I read a lot of spiritual books. I don’t think it is co-incidental that the some of authors I respect (Marianne Willamson, Ekhart Tolle etc) made a lot of reference to A Course in Miracles. Their books led me to your doorsteps and for this I am grateful. I can’t wait to get started.
October 18th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
I don’t actually believe in coincidences, but a certain event completely unrelated to spirituality (or so I thought…) led me here. From what I have read so far, I think that I already perceive the world in much the same way that is being presented. I’ve always wondered why others didn’t. That brings me to my first stumbling block…I think I already know this stuff and chances are I don’t know SQUAT! Also, while reading the intro, I found myself already “breaking the rules”. Not only am I going to have trouble not judging future exercises, but I had trouble not judging the introduction! I found myself thinking, “I’m not going to just accept whatever I am told without questioning it!” Kinda struck me that whoa…maybe just accepting something and having faith in my higher power to guide me is EXACTLY what I need. The Book of Psalms says, “Be still and know that I am God,” and that is exactly the attitude I am going to try to use to embark on this journey. I am truly excited about what is to come…
Thanks Chris!
October 19th, 2008 at 2:22 am
Scarlett,
Thanks for sharing a bit about yourself, and your experiences! From what you’ve shared, I will be very curious to hear about your further experiences with the course… no matter what they entail, it is bound to be a wonderful learning experience (or reinforcement of existing knowns… either way it’s a win!)
Have a wonderful day
April 15th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
I couldn’t complete my squidoo -or whatever it is called because I know nowt re Paypal
April 15th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
Grr – made it already about not being able to complete the form
August 1st, 2009 at 11:45 am
Dear Chris,
I am looking forward to this course.
Can you send me more info about Writing My Life?
All the Best,
Christi Spivey
August 6th, 2009 at 1:48 am
This is my second attempt with ACIM. I had only completed 3 months of lessons and then let it go. I know I have resistance to being “present” still. But with a new “aha” perspective of this resistance I’m able to see just a little more clearly than I did before.
Thank you
September 2nd, 2009 at 9:20 pm
Thanks for the opportunity to discuss my concerns with you. I have been lead to this site through many authors that I respect Ekhart Tolle, Marianne Williamson, Lousie Hays, Oprah Winfrey, and Iyanla VanZant to name a few.
I have been afraid of ACIM because of the power that I think is foreign and mystical and not Christian but I am constantly drawn into it.
And as the other commenter says I will be still and Know that God is God and will lead me in the right direction.
My question is about the ego. If the ego leads you to think things that are untrue about yourself and others and the goal is total forgiveness. How do you protect yourself when others miss use or hurt you?
September 3rd, 2009 at 8:47 pm
Calhoun,
Great question! I did a video on forgiveness that may be of help:
http://www.inscribeyourlife.com/forgiveness.html
-Chris
August 11th, 2010 at 8:34 pm
Chis,
Thank You so much for this site.
I heard of it from Eckhart Tolle.
I’m sure it will be of great help on my path.