Rev. Dr. Jon Mundy is an author, lecturer, the publisher of Miracles magazine and Director of All Faiths Seminary International’s Miracles Studies Program in New York City. He is a retired university professor who taught classes in Philosophy, Religion and Psychology from 1967 to a course in miracles. He is also an Interfaith Minister.
What is a Course in Miracles?
A Course in Miracles (ACIM) is a spiritual thought system contained within three books: the Text, which lays out the principles of its teachings; the Workbook for Students, which contains 365 daily lessons; and the Manual for Teachers, which answers questions often raised by students. It is a self-study curriculum designed to be used by individuals, although many of its followers belong to ACIM study groups or churches. A Course in Miracles combines profound spiritual teachings with far-reaching, practical psychological insights and has touched the lives of millions worldwide.
Helen Schucman, an associate professor of psychology at Columbia University, began a process of inner dictation in 1965 that would result in the writing of A Course in Miracles. The book was published in 1976 and is now distributed through the Foundation for Inner Peace. No one knows the true author of the Course, which calls itself "a universal course in spirituality."
The Course's fundamental message is that everyone is loved and nothing matters except awakening to this truth. Its teachings are based on forgiveness, which is the only way to release the ego's grip on our lives and experience the love that we are in truth. This is what the Course calls a miracle, a shift in perception and belief from the ego's story about ourselves to God's story.
It uses Christian terminology and symbols, but is not a religion. It is ecumenical in nature and states that "a universal theology is impossible, but a universal experience is not only possible but necessary." It describes itself as a restatement of the core wisdom found in all major world religions.
Described by The New York Times in 2019 as an esoteric Bible that has gone mainstream, A Course in Miracles has become a significant influence on the so-called "spiritual but not religious" movement. Despite its complexity and seemingly daunting number of pages, the Course is a very accessible book, and its lessons can be learned quickly and applied immediately. It can be studied by anyone who is willing to question the values that they have been taught to believe are true and open themselves up to a completely different view of the world and their place in it.
How can I benefit from a Course in Miracles?
Anyone can benefit from a Course in Miracles, regardless of their level of intellectual ability. However, it should be noted that the book is written on a high intellectual level with sophisticated metaphysical, theological, and psychological concepts integrated throughout its three books. Thus, it could be difficult to understand if one is not intellectually inclined.
While it is possible to study the Course as a self-study curriculum, most students do so in conjunction with a class or a group of other Course students. A group can be a very helpful support system and a source of accountability, which is crucial for many students. The Course also assumes that experienced students will serve as teachers of the Course to newer students, leading them in their studies and practice.
Although the Course uses Christian terminology, it is ecumenical in its approach and does not claim to be the only way. It is a form of spiritual psychotherapy, not a religion. It is not a cult either, as there are no churches or formal institutions associated with it.
The Course teaches that forgiveness is the key to happiness and freedom from guilt. It teaches that the ego is a mistaken identity, and that we can replace it with the truth of our identity as Sons of God. It also teaches that the love of God is available to everyone.
Those who have read the book have reported that it changes their lives by transforming their negative thoughts into positive ones. They also find that they are happier, more compassionate, and less judgmental of others. The Course encourages us to practice forgiveness in our daily life, and it helps to heal all our relationships. It can also help to relieve anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. It can also increase our awareness of the beauty of the world around us. By doing so, we can start to see the miracles that are all around us. These benefits can make the Course in Miracles a valuable tool for spiritual growth.
Who is Jon Mundy?
Jon Mundy began his career as a journalist and then became a minister in the United Methodist Church. He has written more than 100 articles for Yoga Journal, THE SUN, Elephant Journal online, and other publications. He has intensively studied A Course in Miracles, the Enneagram system of personality, Jungian depth psychology, shamanism, and other fields of contemporary spirituality. He has also applied these teachings to his own life and he writes about his experience.
Identified by the New York Times in 2019 as an “esoteric bible that has gone mainstream,” A Course in Miracles (ACIM) is a major influence on the rapidly growing number of people who identify as “spiritual but not religious.” It has been described as the Bible of the SBNR movement. While the Course uses Christian terminology, it is not a religion and states that “a universal theology is impossible, but a common experience is.”
Mundy was introduced to ACIM in 1976 when he met Helen Schucman the scribe of the text over a year before its publication. She served as his counselor until her death in 1980. He has been preaching the essentials of the Course from a United Methodist pulpit since that time.
He currently lives in the Hudson Valley in New York. He has two grown children, and a new granddaughter. He enjoys being in nature, hiking, kayaking, and playing with the family dog. He also enjoys a good laugh and has a strong interest in history.
He is the author of Living A Course in Miracles and Eternal Life: The Message and Legacy of a Profound Spiritual Path. He is also the publisher of Miracles magazine and Director of the Miracles Studies program for All Faiths Seminary International in New York City. He teaches A Course in Miracles internationally and also gives lectures on the subject.
What are the benefits of a Course in Miracles?
A Course in Miracles (ACIM) is the esoteric bible of the "spiritual but not religious" movement. It has shaped the spiritual perspective of millions of people worldwide. Its followers have formed self-help groups, started new religions, and found success in many areas of life. Its teachings have had a profound influence on the growth of that part of the world's population that believes it is more important to be happy and peaceful than right or wrong.
The benefits of ACIM are enormous and countless. It has been reported that the Course's teachings have led to miracles, healings, improved relationships, peace of mind, and greater happiness in general. The most profound benefit of ACIM, however, is a change in the way we see ourselves, others, and God. The change comes through the experience of the "miracles" that are mentioned in the title - the transformation from the ego's perception of reality and our place in it to a truer understanding of love, forgiveness, and oneness.
Studying ACIM requires commitment and dedication. It is not easy to understand at first. It is easy to get frustrated and give up if the material seems too difficult or too demanding. Many people spend years struggling with it. They may go through periods of loving it and hating it, tearing pages out or burning them, then buying more copies and starting again.
If a student is willing to stick with it, though, the results are amazing. After a period of time, students often find themselves quoting the Course in normal conversation. They might feel compelled to buy it for everyone they know, or at least make it available in some way. They begin to notice that their thoughts and feelings are different, and their joy in life increases dramatically.
It is not unusual for a student to become so committed to ACIM that it becomes part of their life. Then, they can begin to experience the miracles that the Course promises - the healing of their relationships, of their ego identity, and of the world around them.
