It
is well to start the day right. Starting the day right does indeed save time. How much
time should be so spent? This must depend on the teacher of God himself.
This course is always practical. It may be that the teacher
of God is not in a
situation that fosters quiet thought as he awakes. If this is so, let him but
remember that he chooses to spend time with God as soon as possible, and let
him do so. Duration is not the major concern. One can easily sit still an hour
with closed eyes and accomplish nothing. One can as easily give God only an
instant, and in that instant join with Him completely. Perhaps the one
generalization that can be made is this; as soon as possible after waking take
your quiet time, continuing a minute or two after you begin to find it
difficult. You may find that the difficulty will diminish and drop away. If
not, that is the time to stop.
The same procedures should be followed at night. Perhaps
your quiet time should be fairly early in the evening, if it is not feasible
for you to take it just before going to sleep. It is not wise to lie down for
it. It is better to sit up, in whatever position you prefer. … If possible, however, just before going to
sleep is a desirable time to devote to God. It sets your mind into a pattern of
rest, and orients you away from fear. If it is expedient to spend this time
earlier, at least be sure that you do not forget a brief period, - not more
than a moment will do, - in which you close your eyes and think of God.
There is one thought in particular that should be
remembered throughout the day. It is a thought of pure joy; a thought of peace,
a thought of limitless release, limitless because all things are freed within
it.
God's teachers' major lesson is to learn how to
react to magic thoughts wholly without anger. The sole responsibility of God's
teacher is to accept
the Atonement for himself. Atonement means correction, or the undoing of errors. When this has been
accomplished, the teacher of God becomes a miracle worker by definition.
Correction has one answer to
all this, and to the world that rests on this:"You but mistake interpretation for the truth. And you are wrong.
But a mistake is not a sin, nor has reality been taken from its throne by your mistakes.
God reigns forever, and His laws alone prevail upon you and upon the world.
His Love remains the only thing there is. Fear is illusion, for you are like Him."
How can the peace of God be recognized? God's peace
is recognized at first by just one thing; in every way it is totally unlike all
previous experiences. How is the peace of God retained, once it is found? Returning
anger, in whatever form, will drop the heavy curtain once again, and the belief
that peace cannot exist will certainly return.
What is the peace of God? No more than this; the simple
understanding that His Will is wholly without opposite. There is no
thought that contradicts His Will, yet can be true. The contrast
between His Will and yours but seemed to be reality. In truth
there was no conflict, for His Will is yours.
A teacher of God should be as helpful to those who
believe in reincarnation as to those who do not.
The prayer for things of this world will bring
experiences of this world. If the prayer of the heart asks for this, this will be
given because this will be received. It is impossible that the prayer of the heart remain
unanswered in the perception of the one who asks.
The teacher of God must, however, learn to use words
in a new way, to let his words be chosen for him by ceasing to decide for
himself what he will say, "I will step back and let Him lead the
way." The teacher of God accepts the words offered him,
and gives as he receives. The teacher of God does not control the direction of
his speaking. The teacher of God listens and hears and speaks.
A major hindrance in this aspect of his learning is the
teacher of God's fear about the validity of what he hears. And what he hears
may indeed be quite startling. It may also seem to be quite irrelevant to the
presented problem as he perceives it, and may, in fact, confront the teacher
with a situation that appears to be very embarrassing to him. All these are
judgments that have no value. They are his own, coming from a shabby
self-perception which he would leave behind. Judge not the words that come to
you, but offer them in confidence. They are far wiser than your own.
Christ's face is seen in every living thing, and nothing
is held in darkness, apart from the light of forgiveness. There is no
sorrow still upon the earth. The joy of Heaven has come upon it.
Atonement might be equated with total escape from the past and
total lack of interest in the future. Heaven is here. There is nowhere else. Heaven is now.
To ask the Holy Spirit to decide for you is simply to
accept your true inheritance. Does this mean that you cannot say anything without
consulting Him? No, indeed! That would hardly be practical, and
it is the practical with which this course is most concerned. If you have
made it a habit to ask for help when and where you can, you can be confident
that wisdom will be given you when you need it. Prepare for this each morning,
remember God when you can throughout the day, ask the Holy Spirit's help when
it is feasible to do so, and thank Him for the His guidance at night.
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