A Shared Experience of Spiritual Awakening

• To overcome fear, find certainty, and teach truth.
• To gain an experiential understanding of the Course.
• To train your mind to think and see differently.
• To awaken to your true identity and function.
• To find your own voice; express your authentic self.

To teach is to learn

The course emphasizes that to teach is to learn, so that teacher and learner are the same. It also emphasizes that teaching is a constant process; it goes on every moment of the day, and continues into sleeping thoughts as well.

To teach is to demonstrate

To teach is to demonstrate. There are only two thought systems, and you demonstrate that you believe one or the other is true all the time. From your demonstration others learn, and so do you. The question is not whether you will teach, for in that there is no choice. The purpose of the course might be said to provide you with a means of choosing what you want to teach on the basis of what you want to learn. You cannot give to someone else, but only to yourself, and this you learn through teaching.

Teaching is a method of conversion

Teaching is but a call to witnesses to attest to what you believe. It is a method of conversion. This is not done by words alone. Any situation must be to you a chance to teach others what you are, and what they are to you. No more than that, but also never less.

To teach is to diminish self-doubt

Teaching but reinforces what you believe about yourself. Its fundamental purpose is to diminish self-doubt. This does not mean that the self you are trying to protect is real. But it does mean that the self you think is real is what you teach.

To teach is to become perfect here

This is a manual for the teachers of God. They are not perfect, or they would not be here. Yet it is their mission to become perfect here, and so they teach perfection over and over, in many, many ways, until they have learned it. And then they are seen no more, although their thoughts remain a source of strength and truth forever.

~A Course In Miracles, Manual for Teachers Introduction~

Take
First take in the message yourself. A lot happens when you read from the text or practice the workbook lessons. Start with an open mind and soak up the truth.

Expect
Expect what you read and practice to translate itself into your personal life. Let the light work miracles. Focus on what the topic promises and see the world change.

Activate
Let your subconscious rise to awareness. Discover what you have learned by seeing the change in you and your situation. Find that real answers to real questions are within you, that you are A Course in Miracles, and that you can begin to extend this truth.

Contribute
What have you learned so far? What idea or experience do you want to strengthen? You have a lot of active awareness to give and share. So inspire, explain, relate and communicate.

Heal

In the acceptance and integration of the truth, lies your healing. You may sit in the chair or lie on your bed after the class and hear the uncompromising truths you were sharing replay in your head. Now it is time to take comfort in your teaching and to let go of all remaining uncertainties.  Relax and reap the fruits of your labor.

Conventional to participatory

The class shifts from a conventional model, one teacher before a class of students, to a participatory model; each individual gets a chance to teach.

Conceptual to experiential

The TEACH process turns a conceptual understanding into an actual experience of the Course.
Take, expect, activate, contribute, and heal.

Complementary

Different voices speak on the same topic and complement one another as they jointly touch on all aspects of the Course experience.

Equality

Each teacher, whether beginning or advanced, gets an equal amount of time to teach. There are no levels of teaching and no means are applied to measure the infinite value of each individual’s contribution.

Safe and supportive

The class is a safe and supportive learning environment. The class functions without judgment, discussion, interruption or unnecessary confrontation. You are free and safe to share.

Authentic voice

Whether your mind is full of great ideas or completely blank, trust yourself and your abilities to communicate the truth. You can tell a story or use an analogy; you can read a whole lesson or teach from only one line or paragraph; you can sing, preach or pray; stand still, confess or explain. Give yourself the time and space to find your authentic voice.