A Course
In Miracles

Authorized Online Edition
Workbook For Students

 
 

REVIEW IV

Introduction

1. 1Now we review again, this time aware we are preparing for the second part of learning how the truth can be applied. 2Today we will begin to concentrate on readiness for what will follow next. 3Such is our aim for this review, and for the lessons following. 4Thus, we review the recent lessons and their central thoughts in such a way as will facilitate the readiness that we would now achieve.

2. 1There is a central theme that unifies each step in the review we undertake, which can be simply stated in these words:

2My mind holds only what I think with God.

3That is a fact, and represents the truth of What you are and What your Father is. 4It is this thought by which the Father gave creation to the Son, establishing the Son as co-creator with Himself. 5It is this thought that fully guarantees salvation to the Son. 6For in his mind no thoughts can dwell but those his Father shares. 7Lack of forgiveness blocks this thought from his awareness. 8Yet it is forever true.

3. 1Let us begin our preparation with some understanding of the many forms in which the lack of true forgiveness may be care­fully concealed. 2Because they are illusions, they are not per­ceived to be but what they are; defenses that protect your unforgiving thoughts from being seen and recognized. 3Their purpose is to show you something else, and hold correction off through self-deceptions made to take its place.

4. 1And yet, your mind holds only what you think with God. 2Your self-deceptions cannot take the place of truth. 3No more than can a child who throws a stick into the ocean change the coming and the going of the tides, the warming of the water by the sun, the silver of the moon on it by night. 4So do we start each practice period in this review with readying our minds to under­stand the lessons that we read, and see the meaning that they offer us.

5. 1Begin each day with time devoted to the preparation of your mind to learn what each idea you will review that day can offer you in freedom and in peace. 2Open your mind, and clear it of all thoughts that would deceive, and let this thought alone engage it fully, and remove the rest:

3My mind holds only what I think with God.

4Five minutes with this thought will be enough to set the day along the lines which God appointed, and to place His Mind in charge of all the thoughts you will receive that day.

6. 1They will not come from you alone, for they will all be shared with Him. 2And so each one will bring the message of His Love to you, returning messages of yours to Him. 3So will communion with the Lord of Hosts be yours, as He Himself has willed it be. 4And as His Own completion joins with Him, so will He join with you who are complete as you unite with Him, and He with you.

7. 1After your preparation, merely read each of the two ideas assigned to you to be reviewed that day. 2Then close your eyes, and say them slowly to yourself. 3There is no hurry now, for you are using time for its intended purpose. 4Let each word shine with the meaning God has given it, as it was given to you through His Voice. 5Let each idea which you review that day give you the gift that He has laid in it for you to have of Him. 6And we will use no format for our practicing but this:

8. 1Each hour of the day, bring to your mind the thought with which the day began, and spend a quiet moment with it. 2Then repeat the two ideas you practice for the day unhurriedly, with time enough to see the gifts that they contain for you, and let them be received where they were meant to be.

9. 1We add no other thoughts, but let these be the messages they are. 2We need no more than this to give us happiness and rest, and endless quiet, perfect certainty, and all our Father wills that we receive as the inheritance we have of Him. 3Each day of practicing, as we review, we close as we began, repeating first the thought that made the day a special time of blessing and of happiness for us; and through our faithfulness restored the world from darkness to the light, from grief to joy, from pain to peace, from sin to holiness.

10. 1God offers thanks to you who practice thus the keeping of His Word. 2And as you give your mind to the ideas for the day again before you sleep, His gratitude surrounds you in the peace wherein He wills you be forever, and are learning now to claim again as your inheritance.