Corresponding Manual for Teachers Section
Chapter 4: Teacher / Individual Questions
3. How Should the Teacher of the Divine Spend Their Day?
To the Teacher of the Divine who has advanced in their own learning this question has already been answered. For these teachers there is no learning “program,” for the lessons in the Curriculum of awakening are presented to them anew each day. The teacher is sure of one thing: the lessons being learned through the Guidance of their Teacher do not change at random. Seeing this, and understanding it is true, they rest content. They will be told all that their role should be, this day and every day. And those who are to share in the experience with them will find them, so that together they can learn the awakening lessons being taught. Everyone needed is present, and everyone is brought together with a learning goal already set, and one that can be learned that very day.
For the Teacher of the Divine advanced in their own learning this question, then, is superfluous. It has been asked and answered, and they keep in constant contact with the Answer. They are set in their learning journey, and they see the Path on which they walk stretch surely and smoothly before them.
But what about those who have not reached this Certainty? They are not yet ready for such lack of structuring on their own part. What must they do to learn to give the day to the Divine? There are some general rules that do apply, although each one must use them as best they can in their own way. Routines as such can easily become “gods” or idols in their own right, undermining the very Goals, including Freedom and Peace, for which they were established.
Broadly speaking, then, it can be said that it is well to start the day right. This was described in the guidelines for right decision-making in the Text. It is always possible to start the day again, should it begin with error. Yet there are obvious advantages in terms of saving time if the need for this can be avoided.
At the beginning it is wise to think in terms of time. This is by no means the ultimate criterion, but at the outset it is probably the simplest to observe. The saving of time is an essential early emphasis which, although it remains important throughout the learning process, becomes less and less emphasized. At the outset, we can safely say that time devoted to starting the day right does indeed save time. How much time should be so spent? This must depend on the Teachers of the Divine themselves, who in the context of this Course are those who have completed this Course’s Workbook lessons, since we are learning within the framework of our Course. After completion of the more structured practice periods that the Workbook contains – which integrate and direct the mind along the lines of the thought foundation that the Text presents – individual learning needs become the chief consideration in the use of time.
This Course is always practical. It may be that the Teacher of the Divine is not in a situation that fosters quiet thought as they wake. If this is so, let them simply remember that they choose to spend time with the Divine as soon as possible, and let them do so. Duration is not the major focus. One can easily sit still an hour with closed eyes and accomplish nothing valuable toward awakening. One can just as easily give the Divine only an Instant, and in that Instant join with It completely. Perhaps the one generalization that can be made is this: as soon as possible after waking have 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 in this minute or two. If not, that is the time to stop.
The same procedures should be followed before entering your sustained period of sleep. If possible, just before entering into sleep is a desirable time to devote to the Divine. It sets the mind of the Teacher of the Divine into a pattern of rest, and orients them away from fear. If it is not feasible for them to have their quiet time just before going to sleep, then they would do well to find an appropriate time earlier in the period of the day prior to their entering sleep. It is not wise to lie down for this time, but best to sit up, in whatever position the teacher prefers. Having gone through the Workbook, they will have come to some conclusions in this respect. If it is expedient to have their quiet time earlier than just prior to entering sleep, but the conditions are still not favorable for quiet, they should at least be sure that they do not forget a brief period – even a moment can do in the Holy Instant – in which they close their eyes and join with the Divine in thought and with gratitude.
There is one Thought in particular that the Teacher of the Divine should remember throughout the day. This is the Thought of pure Joy, of Peace, of limitless Release, limitless because all things are freed within It along with them. In this Thought are all things seen to be innocent and safe. This is how the Presence of Love is recognized. It is in this Presence that the Teacher of the Divine should spend their day. This is both the Goal of our learning and the Means to achieving It.
