Lesson 157

Into His Presence would I enter now.

For the full lesson text, visit acim.org.

Lesson Practice

Today's lesson — "Into His Presence would I enter now." — invites you into a deeper experience of the Course's central teaching. As with every lesson in the workbook, the emphasis is on application rather than intellectual understanding. Let the idea for today accompany you throughout your day.

Begin your practice periods by repeating the idea slowly to yourself. Then close your eyes and let your mind be still for a moment. Don't try to force any particular experience — simply hold the idea gently in your awareness and notice what arises.

Throughout the day, return to today's idea whenever you remember. Each time you apply it — especially in moments of stress, conflict, or uncertainty — you strengthen your connection to the peace that lies beneath all surface appearances.

Key Themes

• God: This lesson touches on the Course's teaching about God, inviting you to explore what this means in your direct experience.
• Holy-spirit: This lesson touches on the Course's teaching about holy-spirit, inviting you to explore what this means in your direct experience.
• Peace: This lesson touches on the Course's teaching about peace, inviting you to explore what this means in your direct experience.
• Receiving: This lesson touches on the Course's teaching about receiving, inviting you to explore what this means in your direct experience.

Practice Notes

• Repeat the idea for today slowly and with intention at the start of each practice period
• Close your eyes and sit quietly for a moment after repeating the idea
• Apply the idea specifically to situations and people throughout your day
• Don't judge yourself if you forget — simply return to the idea when you remember
• Let the practice be gentle and without pressure

Contemplation

Sit with today's idea for a few quiet moments. There is no need to analyze or understand it intellectually. The workbook's approach is experiential — understanding comes through practice, not through thinking about practice.

What would your day look like if you truly held this idea in mind? How might your responses to people and situations shift? Let these questions rest lightly in your awareness without demanding answers.

From Walking the Workbook

Beloved, today's lesson is an invitation into the Course's deepest practice.

Enter. The Presence. Now. The lesson is simple. It is not asking for elaboration. The mind that has been doing the practice for a hundred and fifty-seven days is invited to sit, today, in the relationship the practice has been describing. Quietly. Without busyness. Present.

For many practitioners, this lesson is the first time the Course is asked of them as a contemplative practice in the explicit sense. The instruction is not metaphorical. Sit. Enter. Be.

For today. Apply the idea. Sit longer than usual. Several minutes if you can.

A musical companion to today's lesson is available below.

Walking the Workbook, Volume Two is the ACIM.live companion for Lessons 121 through 240 — the middle third of the year, including the central forgiveness lessons and the closing of Part I. Read more about the book →

*This is original commentary and practice guidance, not the Course text itself. For the complete lesson, please visit The Foundation for Inner Peace.*