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Study of Manual for Teachers 5-5-12

Day 125
4 Is the teacher of God, then, to avoid the use of words in his teaching? No, indeed! There are many who must be reached through words, being as yet unable to hear in silence. The teacher of God must, however, learn to use words in a new way. Gradually, he learns how to let his words be chosen for him by ceasing to decide for himself what he will say. This process is merely a special case of the lesson in the workbook that says, “I will step back and let Him lead the way.” The teacher of God accepts the words which are offered him, and gives as he receives. He does not control the direction of his speaking. He listens and hears and speaks.

This paragraph is very clear. Yes, the Holy Spirit needs us to speak because not everyone is ready to learn without the use of words. I have found the words of other teachers to be, at first, essential. This is why I was given the Course, and then directed to teachers of the Course. Then later, I found words from teachers to be helpful in gaining more clarity, in being reminded of what I know but had forgotten.

And finally, now I notice that I read something, or am told something, and it seems to be as if a key has turned and the lock falls open. An example would be that I heard a teacher say that she had a specific experience, and quickly I begin to have the same experience. It is not a matter of following her directions, or trying to do what he did. It is not anything I do at all. I almost feel like hearing about the experience gave me permission to have the experience, or opened my mind to the possibility of having the experience. And so I do.

I have also experienced the contrast between teaching on my own as opposed to stepping back and allowing the words to be given to me. Being a clear and open channel through which the words that are needed can flow through me is vastly preferable. How do I know what anyone needs to hear? How could I possibly know what words will trigger their memory of truth?

I can always tell when I have stopped being a channel and taken over the conversation. I feel a sense of “wrongness” as I speak. I know that what I am saying is coming from me. I have had the experience of just stopping in the middle of a sentence and laughing as I say something like, “I notice that I am just telling you what I know and really, you don’t need to hear what I think I know. This is a good time to renew our prayer to ask Holy Spirit to be in charge of our time together.”

I have also had the experience of suddenly realizing that I am speaking from my self rather than Holy Spirit, and yet be so in love with my own words that I don’t stop. It doesn’t feel good, and I am always regretful. At that point I simply forgive myself and move on, this time with Holy Spirit.

It is really hard when I relate so closely to the student’s situation that I begin to believe in the problem. This interrupts the connection with Spirit. Depending on the level of confusion I am feeling I can usually work through this by offering my healing as well as the students healing to Holy Spirit and allowing the flow to continue. But sometimes I cannot.

I prefer to be very honest with my student about this. Maybe we can pray together. Maybe I can suggest someone else to work with if I am so guided. Perhaps I will be given the thought to use Accessing Inner Wisdom Counseling. This is a process of using a meditation process to help the student access their own Inner Wisdom for the answer they need. I simply act as a guide and scribe, holding a sacred place for them as they receive the guidance they need. The important thing is that if my true desire is to step back and allow my words to be chosen for me, then I will be given the means to do this.

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