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As its title implies, the Course
is arranged throughout as a teaching device. It consists of
three books: a 622-page Text, a 478-page Workbook for Students,
and an 88-page Manual for Teachers. The order in which a student
should use the books, and the way in which he studies them,
depend on his or her particular needs and preferences.
The curriculum the Course proposes is carefully conceived and
is explained, step by step, at both the theoretical and practical
levels. It emphasizes application rather then theory, and experience
rather than theology. It specifically states that "a
universal theology is impossible, but a universal experience
is not only possible but necessary" (Manual, p. 73).
Although Christian in statement, the Course deals with universal
spiritual themes. It emphasizes that it is but one version of
the universal curriculum. There are many others, this one differing
from them only in form. They all lead to God in the end.
The Text is largely theoretical, and sets forth the concepts
on which the Course's thought system is based. Its ideas contain
the foundation for the Workbook's lessons. Without the practical
application the Workbook provides, the Text would remain largely
a series of abstractions which would hardly suffice to bring
about the thought-reversal at which the Course aims.
The Workbook includes 365 lessons, one for each day of the year.
It is not necessary, however, to do the lessons at that tempo,
and one might want to remain with a particularly appealing lesson
for more than a day. The instructions urge only that not more
than one lesson a day should be attempted. The practical nature
of the Workbook is underscored by the introduction to its lessons,
which emphasizes experience through application rather than
a prior commitment to a spiritual goal:
"Some of the ideas the Workbook presents you will
find hard to believe, and others may seem to be quite startling.
This does not matter. You are merely asked to apply the
ideas as you are directed. You are not asked to judge them
at all. You are asked only to use them. It is their
use that will give them meaning to you, and will show you
that they are true.
Remember only this; you need not believe the ideas, you
need not accept them, and you need not even welcome them.
Some of them you may actively resist. None of this will
matter, or decrease their efficacy. But do not allow yourself
to make exceptions in applying the ideas the Workbook contains,
and whatever your reactions to the ideas may be, use them.
Nothing more than that is required" (Workbook, p. 2.)
Finally, the Manual for Teachers, which is written in question
and answer form, provides answers to some of the more likely
questions a student might ask. It also includes a clarification
of a number of the terms the Course uses, explaining them
within the theoretical framework of the Text.
The Course makes no claim to finality, nor are the Workbook
lessons intended to bring the student's learning to completion.
At the end, the reader is left in the hands of his or her
own Internal Teacher, Who will direct all subsequent learning
as He sees fit. While the Course is comprehensive in scope,
truth cannot be limited to any finite form, as is clearly
recognized in the statement with which the Workbook ends:
"This Course is a beginning, not an end ..No more
specific lessons are assigned, for there is no more need
of them. Henceforth, hear but the Voice for God ...He will
direct your efforts, telling you exactly what to do, how
to direct your mind, and when to come to Him in silence,
asking for His sure direction and His certain Word"
(Workbook, p. 477).
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Page - What It Says
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