PRACTICE Is it always necessary to practice the Workbook? This single question reflects one of the most widely misunderstood aspects of practicing A Course In Miracles. No doubt, the second volume of the Course, the “Workbook For Students,” is a powerful spiritual practice; however, Course practitioners––including highly reputed teachers––seem to have vastly conflicting views with regard to its role. At one end of the spectrum, some view the Workbook simply as one among many effective ways to practice the Course. Others, however, view it as the one-and-only way. In fact, some students truly believe, if they complete all three hundred sixty five Workbook lessons––perfectly, without faltering––they’ll somehow transform into an enlightened saint. Is the Workbook that powerful? If a practitioner chooses A Course In Miracles as her primary path, is it always necessary to practice the Workbook? Or do we, as students of the Course, have more flexibility and freedom than we realize? To answer these questions, let’s turn to the Course itself. The following instructions apply to novice and veteran students alike: “In some cases, it may be helpful for the pupil to read the manual first. Others might do better to begin with the workbook. Still others may need to start at the more abstract level of the text. Which is for which? Who would profit more from prayers alone? …No one should attempt to answer these questions alone… The curriculum is highly individualized, and all aspects are under the Holy Spirit's particular care and guidance.” 1 These seven sentences––culled from Chapter 29 of the Manual––and reflecting the most explicit non-specific practice instructions to be found throughout the Course––contain the answers to our query. First, the above passage is entirely clear: the student isn’t wedded to any practice, Workbook or otherwise; rather, she’s free to work with whichever Course practice she’s naturally drawn to. Second, the phrase, “the curriculum is highly individualized,” couldn’t be more straightforward: some practitioners benefit from the Workbook whereas others profit more from practices found throughout the remaining volumes of the Course. Third, the statement “…all aspects [of the curriculum] are under the Holy Spirit's particular care and guidance” is significantly more subtle than might appear at first blush. The Course could just as easily have stated “…all aspects of the curriculum are under the care of a more intuitive, more deeply loving component of the student’s own psyche, variously referred to as ‘Holy Spirit,’ ‘Inner Guide’ or ‘Internal Teacher’.” The practical implication is clear: when the Course student has concerns or questions about practice––for example, when she is trying to choose a Course practice––rather than consulting a real-world teacher, she defers to her own Internal Teacher. Finally––and this last point is implicit to the above passage––any one Course practice isn’t necessarily better or worse, more or less spiritual than any other. Let’s summarize what we’ve learned thus far: (a) students are free to work with any Course practice of their liking; (b) every student has unique practice requirements; (c) to choose a practice, the student consults her own Internal Teacher and (d) any one practice isn’t more or less effective than any other. Taken together, these four points summarize the Course’s fundamental stance on issues of practice. In a word, the Course doesn’t promote one particular method but rather, it encourages us to rely upon those practices we’re naturally drawn to. One caveat is of note. The Manual does advise the student or “teacher of God” to go through the Workbook once.2 Chapter 16 of the Manual states, “…[the teacher of God] cannot claim that title until he has gone through the workbook.”3 To be clear: this is a recommended one-time task. Once the task has been accomplished, the practitioner is free to use any practice of her liking. Conclusion/Discussion Now that we’ve consulted the Course itself, the answer to our original question––is it always necessary to practice the Workbook––is clear. It’s a flat-out, “No.” It isn’t always necessary to practice the Workbook. However, make no mistake: many students, this writer included, benefit from the traditional Workbook as a steady diet: a-lesson-a-day, day after day, year after year. On the other hand, other students fare much better when they rely upon non-Workbook practices found throughout the Text or Manual. “Which is for which?” This question can only be answered by the student herself as she consults her own Internal Teacher. Even if we consider our question from a common sense point of view, clearly, people make their most significant strides when they rely upon practices that reflect their own unique personality and cognitive styles. If, for example, the Workbook seems too regimented, the student is free to choose from literally hundreds of non-Workbook practices found throughout the remaining volumes that constitute A Course In Miracles. Moreover, it’s not uncommon for veteran practitioners to craft their own Course-based practices. Nevertheless, overly ambitious students frequently try to push themselves into completing all three hundred sixty five Workbook lessons even though, in their heart of hearts, they truly don’t want to. Not surprisingly, midway through, such students often give up. In fact, after repeated failed attempts to complete the Workbook, it’s not uncommon for students to give up on the Course altogether. This is a very unfortunate but common occurrence and it happens, in part, because practitioners mistakenly equate the Workbook with the entire Course. For the record: the Workbook is not the entire Course. It’s only one part of the Course; and it certainly isn’t the only way to practice it. Course students would do well to heed the wise counsel of a renown spiritual teacher of old, Siddhartha Gautama who, while lying on his deathbed––immediately before passing away––upon noticing his chief disciple weeping, summoned up his remaining energy in order to utter his final teaching: “Be a light unto yourself.” These were his final words before passing on.4 If we apply this simple yet remarkably powerful bit of wisdom––be a light unto yourself––to the practice of the Course, three practice guidelines become apparent: Guideline number one: instead of reading someone else’s commentaries about the Course (like this one) read the body of work known as A Course In Miracles yourself. Make it your own. Don’t adopt someone else’s beliefs, and misconceptions, about the Course simply because it’s difficult to crack open the book and read it. Guideline number two: strive to be disciplined and self-motivated. More important than choosing the perfect practice is actually using it. Several minutes of daily practice is far better than several hours of fantasy about practice. Guideline number three: consult that more intuitive, more deeply loving part of your own psyche known as the Internal Teacher; and as you consult this inner guide, ask yourself: at this point in your life, is the Workbook for you? If it is, go for it. But if it isn’t, place the Workbook aside and choose only those Course practices that touch your heart’s song. To conclude, I’ll quote Mr. Jon Nagy, a fine Course teacher and author who, when asked about the necessity of doing the Workbook, simply replied, “Don’t live in the Workbook. Live in the truth.” 5 Peter Solon, Ph.D. Licensed Psychologist Bellingham, Washington, USA Mcleod Ganj, Dharamsala, India 1. M-29.1:5-7, 2:1-6. 2. A debt of gratitude to Dr. Kenneth Wapnick for directing me to this critical point in Chapter 16 of the Manual For Teachers. 3. M-16.3:7. 4. The Buddha. 5. Jon Nagy, February 25, 2007, Personal communication. ~
* Not affiliated with the Foundation For Inner Peace or Foundation For A Course In Miracles
. RETURN TO “PRACTICE” HOME PAGE
BE A LIGHT  UNTO YOURSELF
 
 
          A Commentary On The Necessity
          Of Practicing The Course Workbook
 
   Peter Solon, Ph.D. (FULL BIO)
~
 
*
INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF A COURSE IN MIRACLES