A Course in Miracles teaches us that 'the role of teaching and learning is reversed in the thinking of the world.'
When I read this, it made sense and is in line with my beliefs. It also follows the rules of the best teachers. It goes on to say, that 'the reversal is characteristic. It seems as if the teacher and the learner are separated, the teacher giving something to the learner rather than to himself. Further, the act of teaching is regarded as a special activity, in which one engages only a relatively small proportion of one's time. The course, on the other hand, emphasizes that to teach <is> to learn, so that teacher and learner are the same. It also emphasizes that teaching is a constant process; it goes on every moment of the day, and continues into sleeping thoughts as well.'
'To teach is to demonstrate. From your demonstration others learn, and so do you. You cannot give to someone else, but only to yourself, and this you learn through teaching. Teaching is but a call to witnesses to attest to what you believe. It is a method of conversion. This is not done by words alone. Any situation must be to you a chance to teach others what you are, and what they are to you. No more than that, but also never less.' 'The curriculum is set up determined exclusively by what you think you are, and what you believe the relationship of others is to you.'
And so my Journey begins. When the student is ready to learn, the opportunities to teach will be provided for him. And so it is.
The course opens up with a renewed clarity and understanding. It begins simply and moves forward as we grow in awareness. When we are met with only this present moment, that began with forgiveness, a whole new sense of calm reawakens within us.
The characteristics of the Student are simple; to only be open to the experience; to know that from within this journey comes change. Miracles come to us daily, yet in our busy lives, we often cannot see this. The course begins also by making aware to us our attachments.
We have learned also to see miracles as BIG and small, which we often come to believe and accept the small miracles as 'luck' and the BIG ones as difficult to manifest, by means, often, that we are unworthy of or need make extreme sacrifice. The only sacrifice is forgiveness of all and a change in perception. All miracles come from releasing our hold on our unworthiness, and which is attached to our past, and a belief that we are not whole. Miracles are brought forth when we bring forth acceptance.
You are whole. You are worthy.
The characteristics of a Teacher, I will embrace as I enter into this journey:
Trust, this is the foundation on which the teachers ability to fulfill their function rests. It is through this power that the teachers of God look on a forgiven world.
Honesty, all other traits of God's teachers rest on trust.
Tolerance, God's teachers do not judge.
Gentleness, Harm is the outcome of judgment.
Joy, is the inevitable result of gentleness. Gentleness means that fear is now impossible.
Defenselessness, God's teachers have learned how to be simple.
Generosity, it means giving away in order to keep.
Patience, is natural to the teacher of God.
Faithfulness, is the teacher of God's trust in the Word of God to set all things right; not some, but all.
Open-mindedness, comes with lack of judgment.
The exercises are simple. They do not require a great deal of time. Only an awareness and connection as you do them. They do not need an preparation or skill level. The purpose is to re-train you mind to think as it was intended, and to enter into a place of love.
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.
Second, be sure that you do not decide for yourself that there are some people, situations or things to which the ideas are inapplicable. 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.
So, we enter into this journey, this experience, together, bringing us to a place of love and peace within. Namaste
