From ACIM Volume III: Manual for Teachers :16.
He will be told all that his role should
be, this day and every day. And those who share that role with him will find
him, so they can learn the lessons for the day together. Not one is absent whom
he needs; not one is sent without a learning goal already set, and one which
can be learned that very day. (1.5-7)
What must they do to learn to give the day
to God? There are some general rules which do apply, although each one must use
them as best he can in his own way. Routines as such are dangerous, because
they easily become gods in their own right, threatening the very goals for
which they were set up. Broadly speaking, then, it can be said that it is well
to start the day right.(2.3-7)
At
the outset, we can safely say that time devoted to starting the day right does
indeed save time.(3.4)
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. (4.1-9)
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.
(5.1-4)
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. (5.6-7)
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. (6.1-2)
The avoidance of magic is the avoidance of
temptation. For all temptation is nothing more than the attempt to substitute
another will for God’s. (9.1-2)
Perhaps he needs to remember, “God is with me. I cannot be deceived”. Perhaps he prefers other words, or only one, or none at
all. Yet each temptation to accept magic as true must be abandoned through his
recognition, not that it is fearful, not that it is sinful, not that it is
dangerous, but merely that it is meaningless. (10.5-6)
“There is no will
but God’s”. His teachers know that this is so, and have learned that everything
but this is magic. All belief in magic is maintained by just one simple-minded
illusion;—that it works. All through his training, every day and every hour,
and even every minute and second, must God’s teachers learn to recognize the
forms of magic and perceive their meaninglessness. (11.6-9)
Remember: Expect Miracles!
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