Workbook Lesson 221 – Peace to my mind. Let all my thoughts be still.
Today we begin Part II of A Course in Miracles Workbook for Students. In the Introduction to Part II, we are told, “Words will mean little now. … For now we seek direct experience of truth alone. The lessons that remain are merely introductions to the times in which we leave the world of pain, and go to enter peace. … For we wait in quiet expectation for our God and Father. He has promised He will take the final step Himself. And we are sure His promises are kept.”
In other words, the workbook lessons prepare us for meditation. They prepare our minds and hearts for sitting in awareness-watching-awareness.
I have always found it helpful to spend time in contemplation (which often includes writing) before going to meditation. Lately, “tip” writing has been that time for me. Previously, it may have been contemplating something from Awakening Together’s Minister Preparation Program (MPP), the Seven Steps to Awakening, or something else. A period of contemplation followed by meditation is the recommendation for all of us now.
The Introduction also says, “We will not consider time a matter of duration now. We will use as much as we will need for the result that we desire.”
Each one must find the time he/she needs for adequate contemplation and meditation.
What is “adequate?” Whatever time it takes to realize genuine wisdom and/or shifts each day.
I contemplate until contemplation feels complete, which means I have received my “daily bread.” And then I meditate for as long as the day will allow, meaning I meditate until I need to move into my workday. For me, the total time spent in contemplation and meditation is typically 3 – 4 hours per day. To do this, I get up at 5am each day. When I was a new student, I typically spent 60-90 minutes per day in focused spiritual time. As you can see, my focused time has increased over time.
Now our format for the workbook lessons is this:
1 – Each day read and contemplate the “special theme” that we are currently working with. The first one is, “What is Forgiveness?”
2 – Contemplate the day’s workbook lesson.
3 – Spend time in meditation.
4 – Recall the day’s workbook lesson hourly.
5 – Spend at least a brief time with the workbook lesson and/or meditation before going to bed at night.
Instead of writing a tip for our first special theme, “What is Forgiveness,” I invite you to listen to an audio on that theme. If you cannot listen this morning, listen later in the day, in the evening before going to bed or within the next day or two.
Please take time this morning to read, “What is Forgiveness,” to contemplate Lesson 221, and to spend time in meditation. If you have 30-minutes for meditation and would like a gentle audio to guide you, I recommend this meditation by Michael Langford and Karen Worth:
