Is ACIM a self-study course?

It seems that everybody points out that the Course is a "self-study" course. However, Robert Perry points out that no mention of this can be found in any versions of the Course and that, in fact, it says just the opposite in the Teacher's Manual. If any are interested, here is the article:

Source: http://www.circleofa.com/articles/selfstudy.html

Because it states in the introduction to the workbook lessons that it is doing the exercises contained in the workbook that will make the goal of the course possible, and that "an untrained mind can accomplish nothing" that it is generally understood that the Course is self-study. One does the exercises on their own. The purpose of the workbook is to train the mind in a systematic way to a different perception of everyone and everything in the world. There are a few general rules to follow in the practices but, even if the lessons were read together in a group, the actual practices are individual. I am sure that is the reason that it is stated that taking the course is a self-study.

Well there definitely is an individual element to actually practicing the Course in terms of doing the exercises; that much is clear. But the lessons are affirmations or perhaps contemplative type prayers. They are not really a means of study. I think that when it comes to actual study, analysis, reflection, clarification and stuff like that we are each other's teachers and each other's students. Further, the manual appears to indicate that there are also teachers' Teachers.

It clearly states that the lessons and the practices are what make the goal of the Course possible and that the workbook is for training the mind; that the first half is devoted to undoing and the second half is devoted to the acquisition of true perception. The second half of the workbook is devoted to seeking direct experience of truth.

The text devotes a lot of words toward explaining to the intellect what the curriculum is all about. But mere intellectual apprehension is far short of the goal. Intellectual apprehension merely brings the mind to a place of willingness. But knowing and direct experience cannot occur with mere intellectual apprehension. All that is left is still unanswered questions; questions that only direct experience of the truth can answer. The Holy Spirit is our bridge builder between this world and the truth, spanning the gap in between in our minds. Because mind training is necessary in order to bridge this gap, only fear stands in the way, and only fear would be a reason for the intellect to decide against taking the course (the curriculum), or to only take it in a half-hearted, non-commital way with the application of very little effort.

The lessons are not mere affirmations, or contemplative type prayers.

It is strange. As soon as I saw the topic title I wondered, "Why does everyone think this is a self-study course?" Everyone seems to say that. I do not know where it comes from. I wonder if it does say it is individual or something like that? I think our paths are individual and we will each perceive the Course differently according to our needs.

No need to start a war over Text vs the WB. They are both important and the role of each is described in the Course somewhere.

BTW, nice avatar, star!

It clearly states that the lessons and the practices are what make the goal of the Course possible and that the workbook is for training the mind; that the first half is devoted to undoing and the second half is devoted to the acquisition of true perception. The second half of the workbook is devoted to seeking direct experience of truth.

The text devotes a lot of words toward explaining to the intellect what the curriculum is all about. But mere intellectual apprehension is far short of the goal. Intellectual apprehension merely brings the mind to a place of willingness. But knowing and direct experience cannot occur with mere intellectual apprehension. All that is left is still unanswered questions; questions that only direct experience of the truth can answer. The Holy Spirit is our bridge builder between this world and the truth, spanning the gap in between in our minds. Because mind training is necessary in order to bridge this gap, only fear stands in the way, and only fear would be a reason for the intellect to decide against taking the course (the curriculum), or to only take it in a half-hearted, non-commital way with the application of very little effort.

The lessons are not mere affirmations, or contemplative type prayers.

Affirmations and contemplative prayer have all the Power of God in them. I am not in any way putting these lessons down or saying that they don't accomplish much in terms of the atonement and our becoming miracle workers. I am just distinguishing them from study which Jesus says is a crucial element to learning the Course in the beginning of Chapter 3 of the HLC:

....This is a course in MIND TRAINING. All learning involves attention and study at some level. Some of the later parts of the course rest too heavily on these earlier sections not to require their study. You will also need them for preparation. Without this, you may become much too fearful when the unexpected DOES occur to make constructive use of it. However, as you study these earlier sections, you will begin to see some of their implications, which will be amplified considerably later on.....

This makes it clear to me that the WB lessons are not all it takes to learn the Course. Or maybe there is some inconsistency between what Jesus says in the text and the WB, I really don't know.

Regarding 'study' itself as a form of behavior, there is the ego's way to do it and The Holy Spirit's way.

yes, self study, a study of self. you are all part of me. the fun factor is that it doesn't feel fully like i'm talking to myself as yet, glimpses of it now. i think that will depend on how willing i am to learn as He did the thinking for me. He will go into great details with easy examples. then i will understand.

Yes, a "self" study and a "Self" study....

:biggrin:

:rofll:

Oh yes, in this sense, it absolutely is a "self/Self-study" Course.

Regarding talking to oneself, I think that my brother is me in terms of a joined identity but that is all, kind of like members of a family having the same blood lines and last names.