This is our second post today about a question from a student. In the first post, Almine responded. In this post Team Almine will give some feedback and insight.
In our post of October 6th 2012 a very interesting discussion started in the comment section, regarding the differences between a book and an online course with Almine. I highly recommend taking a look there to get the background to this story and thus a sneak peek into the workings of spiritual journeys. However, a secondary question that was posted there will be the subject of this post. Xristiana wrote:
Q. Why are the courses so much more expensive than the books, since they are quicker and easier to do? Is it because there is much more information in them? In that case, it is understood. ~ Xristiana
Answer from Team Almine
This is a good question, Xristiana. There are several reasons why courses are more expensive than books. We will discuss two here.
To begin with, there is more information in the online courses, due to the audio clips with Almine. As an example we can take Journey into the Labyrinth, a 470 page book which is an extrapolation of the online course Revisiting the Labyrinth. In fact, this book only consists of the written parts of the first 1/3 of that online course. So, in the first 25 days or so you get the information of that whole book and Almine’s deeper insights in the audios. Then you still have 2/3’s of the course to go! So, one reason the courses are more expensive is just the amount of information given.
Secondly, there is the fact that this is cutting edge information. The online courses are meant to be a digital version of a mystery school where deeper and deeper insights are shared with Almine and other students. You can connect with these other students on our forum Ascension.net. In these courses, Almine shares the newest insights into duality, life, power, etc. With the help of text, art and audio she goes ever deeper into the mystery of beingness. Literally this is information, cutting edge information, that is not available anywhere else. We have found that this mystery school element where you get the newest, deepest insights cannot be properly packaged in a book alone. Even the older online courses still have information in them that is brand new in that it has not been shared anywhere else, so this cutting edge principle is still valid for them too. So, apart from quantity, it is also a question of “quality”: It is the cutting edge in mystical work.
Still, as a lot of you will attest to, the books are also filled with some pretty deep information. A good question to put things in a different light might even be “why are the books so cheap?”. This is just a little perspective changer to ponder…
Xristiana, thank you for giving us the opportunity to clarify this matter. We hope it has given some more understanding and insight.
Second post today
PS: To add all the valuable information to this topic, here is Xristiana’s original question, starting off the whole conversation and our subsequent reply:
Q. Hi, I’ve had this question in my mind that I thought I’d express. 
I have taken one of Almine’s courses (Mystical Secrets of the Toltec Way) and read many of her books. After reading this one and seeing the preview, I am wondering why the distinction between books and courses. What make a book, what makes a course?
I am not sure if this concerns only me or if other’s have had similar thoughts but for me, reading a book, especially Almine’s books, means studying them, working through them, taking notes, taking them into my life etc. So, I really can’t understand the difference between a course and a book.
Unless I’m missing something…
thanks ~ Xristiana
Answer by Team Almine
Perhaps I can give you an answer here, Xristiana (and welcome to the blog).
I think it has to do with the speed that we are able to make a book (transcribe handwritten texts, optimize all images, edit, grammar check, re-read, and last but not least the actual publishing itself). This takes an enormous amount of effort, yet the information just keeps on flowing. Thus, to be able to keep up with the changing insights and get the insights to those who are interested as fast as possible, the online courses are far more practical for both Almine and her support team. Mind you, some courses have turned into books (Exceptional Child, Journey into the Labyrinth as an example)…
It all has to do with sheer volume and getting things out there as soon as we can. Online courses are just easier to do such things. Otherwise, far less information would come out…
I hope this has enlightened your question somewhat…
BTW, glad to hear you are enjoying Almine’s materials
Niels
Team Almine
The difference has always been pretty obvious to me, probably because I don’t have a lot of focus when reading a book. Or I should say, I use them more intuitively, based on feeling… i.e. i pick them up, open to random page and take whatever that page has to offer in. This may not be the best way.. but i find if i do have a question about what I read, I look back to previous pages for the answer. Anyway, I may not be the best example because I don’t resonate well with “structure” :-D. and probably why I have not signed up for a course, But I know if I did want to focus on a particular thing in that way, a course would be the way to go for sure. 😀
Thank you all for your insights.
Yes, this does clarify things for me. I will continue to appreciate both, but I perfectly understand the difference, through experience too! I initially wondered if there was something I was missing because from former education, we are accustomed to another meaning for “course”; as a step by step process leading on to something. 🙂
Both books and courses are essential, each providing valuable insights and tools (for me).
Keep up the good work and thank you Team Almine for this discussion.
I simply wanted to comment on the key difference of the books and the online course since i have had the opportunity to study and practice a few of them now. I am always amaized with the depth of information and the additional tools provided in the online couse. I have experienced intant relief of pains as have looked at the deeper meaning representing each joint and the marriage of both feminine and masculine within. Words can be really limited describing the experience. So for a practioner and i work quite extensively with belvaspata it only enhanses the effectivness of the modality when you are not simply healing but allowing people to gain the preceptions which tap into the root of the problem, dispelling the illusion of desease layer after layer. With the tools from the courses we become an archetype effecting all life and healing not only ourselves but everything that surrounds us. I hope this provides you with a glimpse of my own personal experience. I am indeed so greatful to experience and share this knowlegde with others as well.
With so much love, praise and gratitude i wish the same for all of humanity.
Erlisa