A
Course in Miracles
Workbook
For Students
Introduction
A theoretical foundation such
as the text is necessary as a background to make these exercises
meaningful—yet it is the exercises which will make the goal
(of awakening) possible. An
untrained mind can accomplish nothing.
It is the
purpose of these exercises to train the mind to think along the
lines which the course sets forth.
The exercises
are very simple.
They do
not require more than a few minutes, and it does not matter where
or when you do them. They need no preparation.
They are
numbered, running from 1 to 365. The training period is one year.
Do not
undertake more than one exercise a day.
The purpose
of these exercises is to train the mind to a different perception
of everything in the world.
The workbook
is divided into two sections:
Part
1 the first dealing with the undoing of what you see now,
and
Part
2 the second with the restoration of sight.
It is recommended
that each exercise be repeated several times a day, preferably in
a different place each time, and if possible in every situation
in which you spend any long period of time.
The purpose
is to train the mind to generalize the lessons, so that you will
understand that each of them is as applicable to one situation as
it is to another.
Unless
specified to the contrary, the exercise should be practiced with
the eyes open, since the aim is to learn how to see.
The only
rule that should be followed throughout is to practice the exercises
with great specificity. Each one applies to every situation
in which you find yourself, and to everything you see in
it.
Each day’s
exercises are planned around one central idea, the exercises themselves
consisting of applying that idea to as many specifics as possible.
Be sure
that you do not decide that there are some things you see to which
the idea for the day is inapplicable. The aim of the exercises will
always be to increase the application of the idea to everything.
This will not require effort.
Only be
sure that you make no exceptions in applying the idea. Some of the
ideas you will find hard to believe, and others will seem quite
startling. It does not matter. You are merely asked to apply
them to what you see.
You
are not asked to judge them, nor even to believe
them.
You are
asked only to use them. It is their use which will give
them meaning to you, and show you they are true.
Remember
only this—you need not believe them, you need not accept them,
and you need not welcome them. Some of them you may actively resist.
None of
this will matter, nor decrease their efficacy. But allow yourself
to make no exceptions in applying the ideas the exercises contain.
Whatever
your reactions to the ideas may be, use them.
Nothing
more than this is required.
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