Yoga Book Club

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Yoga Book Club & Study Group.

Svadhyaya means self-study & the study of philosophical texts. This is the purpose of this club.

In 2024 we will be reading and working through A Course in Miracles (ACIM)

What is ACIM?

A Course in Miracles (ACIM) consists of three distinct volumes, each with its own focus. The Text presents the theory of the Course, laying out its central ideas in a holistic, symphonic like progression. The Workbook for Students provides daily lessons that focus on integrating the Course’s ideas into your life. The Manual for Teachers (which is for everyone, because we are all students and teachers) is written in question-and answer form to address many of the most important and practical Course topics.

A Course in Miracles is a radical teaching that aims at completely changing how we view the world, ourselves, and God. It revises many of the core “truths” we have been taught about the nature of the world and the purpose of our lives within that world. It
also reinterprets some of the teachings of traditional Christianity. You may find ideas in the Course that seem strange, confusing, unbelievable, or even absurd at first. Rest assured, many others have felt the same way. But don’t let this deter you. Only by implementing the ideas and putting them into practice will you recognize their validity and the profound impact they can have on your life.
The Workbook’s Introduction gives us this very important instruction, which applies not only to the study of the Workbook, but to the entire Course.

“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.… and whatever your reactions to the ideas may
be, use them. Nothing more than that is required.”

(Workbook for Students, Introduction, paragraph 9, sentences 1–5)

the Course requires a year-long commitment, repetition and practice.

“WHAT IS THE GOAL OF STUDYING THE COURSE?”

The Course offers some answers to this question.

“Knowledge is not the motivation for learning this course. Peace is.” (Text, Chapter 8,Section I, paragraph 1, sentences 1–2)

“Forget not that the motivation for this course is the attainment and the keeping of the state of peace. Given this state the mind is quiet, and the condition in which God is remembered
is attained.” (Text, Chapter 24, Introduction, paragraph 1, sentences 1–2

So one of the gifts of the Course is a mind that is less prone to fear and increasingly calm and peaceful, no matter what else maybe going on in your life.

A Course in Miracles is a guidebook for finding our way back to the remembrance of God and our true, eternal Self, which is forever one with God. This is the same reason one practices the science of yoga
“The decision whether or not to listen to this course and follow it
is but the choice between truth and illusion.” (Text, Chapter 16, Section
V, paragraph 16, sentence 1) In yoga illusion is Maya.
“This course will teach you how to remember what you are,
restoring to you your Identity.” (Text, Chapter 14, Section X, paragraph
12, sentence 4) The same goal as yoga

Why dedicate JBYS’s Book Club to ACIM for 2024?

The Course is essentially self-study. Study groups can also be quite valuable to the new student and much can be gained from the experience of other students. Longtime students share their wisdom while newer students can ask questions that spark helpful discussion. A study group further keeps all accountable to doing the daily lessons in the workbook as well as reading the text. It also gives those in the group the ability to discuss what is being read and done

Not sure if you want to make this commitment or want to know more about ACIM before you do? Nicole recommends you read:

Join Us on Wednesday, January 10th

at 6pm*

*we will set exact days and times to meet regularly this first day.