You as an Example of Practicing the Workbook
Do the practice for the sake of the benefits to you
Do the practice in order to benefit others
Do the practice to be a living example to your group
Do the practice for the sake of the benefits to you
We have already seen this. You do the practice because it brings you peace, joy, and a sense of relief and because it moves you forward toward the goal of salvation.
Yet it is the exercises that will make the goal of the course possible. (W-In.1:2)
The purpose of the workbook is to train the mind in a systematic way to a different perception of everything in the world. (W-In.3:1)
What is needful is a sense of the importance of what you are doing, its inestimable value to you, and an awareness that you are attempting something very holy. (W-44.8:1)
You are trying to reach your real home. You are trying to reach the place where you are truly welcome. You are trying to reach God. (W-49.4:6-8)
Each [hourly practice period] you do will be a giant stride toward your release, and a milestone in learning the thought system which this course sets forth. (W-94.7:2)
Each time today you tell [yourself the lesson], you add another treasure to your growing store. (W-96.13:1)
Is it not worth five minutes of your time each hour to be able to accept the happiness which God has given you? (W-98.5:1)
You can exchange a little of your time for peace of mind and certainty of purpose, with the promise of complete success. (W-98.6:2)
Do the practice in order to benefit others
The Text emphasizes “keeping your perception right-side up, so you will always be ready, willing, and able” to give miracles to others (T-1.46.11:1). You do this through the practice.
The Workbook emphasizes (in 11 lessons by my count) that our practice directly benefits others, shining from our minds into their minds:
Repeat today’s idea as frequently as possible, and understand each time you do so someone hears the voice of hope, the stirring of the truth within his mind, the gentle rustling of the wings of peace. (W-95.16:2)
The Holy Spirit will be glad to take five minutes of each hour from your hands and carry them around this aching world where pain and misery appear to rule. He will not overlook one open mind that will accept the healing gift they bring, and He will lay them everywhere He knows they will be welcome. (W-97.5:1-2)
For each five minutes spent in listening, a thousand minds are opened to the truth, and they will hear the holy Word you hear. And when the hour is past, you can again release a thousand more who pause to ask that truth be given them along with you. (W-106.9:2-3)
Question: If you really believed the above passages, what effect do you think that would have on your practice?
Do the practice to be a living example to your group
The Course speaks of the power of being an example: a person who is seen as a model that should be followed. Here are some key quotes about the importance of being an example:
Teaching is done in many ways: by formal means, by guidance, and above all by example. (T-5.V.11:1)
Yet we can realize our function here, and words can speak of this and teach it too, if we exemplify the words in us. (W-WI.14.2:5)
His [the therapist’s] only meaningful contribution is to present an example of one whose direction has been changed for him, and who no longer believes in nightmares of any kind. (T-9.V.8:3)
So…
Our most powerful teaching is done by example.
Our verbal teaching only takes on power as it is backed up by our example.
Our “only meaningful contribution is to present an example of one whose direction has been changed for him.”
Questions
If you yourself aren’t really doing the practice, how will this deprive your group and its members?
How will it benefit your group and its members if you are a real example of the practice and its benefits?