1. A theoretical foundation such as the text provides is necessary as a framework to make the exercises in this workbook meaningful. 2Yet it is doing the exercises that will make the goal of the course possible. 3An untrained mind can accomplish nothing. 4It is the purpose of this workbook to train your mind to think along the lines the text sets forth.
2. The exercises are very simple. 2They do not require a great deal of time, and it does not matter where you do them. 3They need no preparation. 4The training period is one year. 5The exercises are numbered from 1 to 365. 6Do not undertake to do more than one set of exercises a day.
3. The workbook is divided into two main sections, the first dealing with the undoing of the way you see now, and the second with the acquisition of true perception. 2With the exception of the review periods, each day’s exercises are planned around one central idea, which is stated first. 3This is followed by a description of the specific procedures by which the idea for the day is to be applied.
4. The purpose of the workbook is to train your mind in a systematic way to a different perception of everyone and everything in the world. 2The exercises are planned to help you generalize the lessons, so that you will understand that each of them is equally applicable to everyone and everything you see.
5. Transfer of training in true perception does not proceed as does transfer of the training of the world. 2If true perception has been achieved in connection with any person, situation or event, total transfer to everyone and everything is certain. 3On the other hand, one exception held apart from true perception makes its accomplishments anywhere impossible.
6. The only general rules to be observed throughout, then, are: First, that the exercises be practiced with great specificity, as will be indicated. 2This will help you to generalize the ideas involved to every situation in which you find yourself, and to everyone and everything in it. 3Second, be sure that you do not decide for yourself that there are some people, situations or things to which the ideas are inapplicable. 4This will interfere with transfer of training. 5The very nature of true perception is that it has no limits. 6It is the opposite of the way you see now.
7. The overall aim of the exercises is to increase your ability to extend the ideas you will be practicing to include everything. 2This will require no effort on your part. 3The exercises themselves meet the conditions necessary for this kind of transfer.
8. Some of the ideas the workbook presents you will find hard to believe, and others may seem to be quite startling. 2This does not matter. 3You are merely asked to apply the ideas as you are directed to do. 4You are not asked to judge them at all. 5You are asked only to use them. 6It is their use that will give them meaning to you, and will show you that they are true.
9. Remember only this; you need not believe the ideas, you need not accept them, and you need not even welcome them. 2Some of them you may actively resist. 3None of this will matter, or decrease their efficacy. 4But do not allow yourself to make exceptions in applying the ideas the workbook contains, and whatever your reactions to the ideas may be, use them. 5Nothing more than that is required.