A Course in Miracles describes a course in miracles itself as a curriculum, not an instruction manual. It is therefore highly individualized, and as the Manual for Teachers notes, there is no single best way to study it.
The text is written on a very high intellectual level, and contains sophisticated metaphysical, theological, and psychological concepts. This makes it difficult to understand without substantial study.
What is a Course in Miracles?
A Course in Miracles (abbreviated ACIM) is a self-study spiritual thought system that contains profound spiritual teachings and far-reaching psychological insights. It combines these themes in a 1250-page, three volume book first published in 1976, and it has since touched the lives of over three million people, ranging from students in every walk of life to leaders in religious and secular communities around the world.
The three parts of the Course are known as the Text, the Workbook for Students, and the Manual for Teachers. The first two books lay out the concepts that make up its thought system, and they emphasize experience rather than belief in a specific theology. Although it uses Christian terminology, the Course is ecumenical in its perspective and reflects universal spiritual themes, including those of Eastern spirituality.
Despite its intellectually sophisticated language, the Course is accessible to those who are willing to open their hearts to it. It is not a religion, but a curriculum that teaches forgiveness as the way to peace of mind. It also teaches that the true function of religion is to bring healing and love to the world.
For this reason, ACIM could be considered the Bible of the “spiritual but not religious” movement that has slowly grown over the past few decades. While no one tracks “membership” in this loose affiliation of students, the number is estimated to be in the millions worldwide.
Unlike the Bible, however, ACIM is not read in order. Those studying the Course will likely choose to read it at a pace that feels right for them, and they will often alternate between reading the Text and the Workbook. In addition, it is common for those who study the Course to become mentors and teach others what they have learned from it. They may even start a community that focuses on the study and application of the principles laid out in the Course. This is often done by holding classes or workshops in which the Course is taught to new students. It is a powerful and life-transforming spiritual path.
Who can benefit from A Course in Miracles?
If you are open to learning about a spiritual philosophy that offers hope in the face of our current challenges, you can benefit from A Course in Miracles. It is not a religious teaching, but rather a metaphysical one. It teaches that all paths lead to God and that there is no need to find a new religion, but that we can use a familiar one in a different way. It is a restatement of core wisdom found in every major world religion. It is also ecumenical, recognizing that there are "many thousands of forms of the universal course."
The language of A Course in Miracles is poetic and often written in blank verse, which has led to comparisons with some of the world's greatest literature. The thought system is intellectually sophisticated and combines spiritual inspiration with deep psychological understanding of such concepts as belief and defense systems, perception and identity.
A Course in Miracles is designed to teach you how to change the way your mind typically works, so that you can experience more joy and peace. Changing the way your mind works is not something that happens by osmosis, however; it requires focused effort on a regular basis. This is why ACIM is sometimes referred to as spiritual psychotherapy.
When you do the workbook as directed, a powerful transformation takes place in your life. You learn to see the world differently, and your relationships with others become more loving and supportive. As a result, you are better able to handle the difficult circumstances that life brings your way.
In the past few decades, A Course in Miracles has gained a large following among people who think of themselves as being spiritual but not religious. The New York Times has called it "an esoteric bible that has gone mainstream."
There are several ways to study A Course in Miracles, including joining a support group or attending monthly ACIM webinars. Alan's free pre-recorded webinar series, "ACIM Made Easy," is a great place to start. In each session, he illuminates one aspect of ACIM and provides lots of meaningful and practical examples.
What is the best way to study A Course in Miracles?
A Course in Miracles is a self-study spiritual classic that has been studied and practiced by millions worldwide. It offers profound teachings and practical step-by-step guidance for achieving spiritual transformation. Its purpose is to assist you in finding the freedom that comes from recognizing the love that is your true essence and the source of all healing.
Originally scribed between 1965 and 1972 by Columbia University professor Helen Schucman and Bill Thetford, with the help of Ken Wapnick and other scholars, A Course in Miracles was first published in 1976 and has sold more than 2 million copies. Its language is both poetic and intellectually sophisticated. The book has a unified thought system that combines spiritual inspiration with a deep understanding of such subjects as belief systems and defense mechanisms.
The Course consists of three volumes: the Text, the Workbook and the Manual for Teachers. Its teachings are both spiritually inspirational and psychologically insightful, but they can be difficult to comprehend unless you have a good foundation of knowledge in the areas covered. Many ACIM students struggle with the lessons for years before they begin to make sense, often feeling overwhelmed by their length and complexity.
There are many ways to study ACIM, and the best way is to read it with an open mind and a willingness to let go of your current beliefs and values. You can also join a study group or find an online community of ACIM students to support you and hold you accountable in your commitment to the Course.
It is also helpful to have a copy of the Text so you can refer back to it when you encounter confusing or challenging passages. You can purchase a copy of A Course in Miracles at Amazon or other bookstores. It is also available in PDF format, free of charge, at this website.
A useful companion to the ACIM Text is A Course in Miracles Made Easy, a reader-friendly guide that breaks down the Big Picture ideas of the Course into smaller pieces that are easier to understand and apply. This is an essential tool for both longtime ACIM students and those who are just starting out. It also makes a perfect complement to the Daily Lesson Insights and is frequently used by ACIM study groups.
What is the purpose of the workbook?
A workbook is a collection of spreadsheets that are used to help people learn about a subject. The workbooks have questions in them with spaces for answers, and the questions are usually sequenced to increase in difficulty. This makes the workbooks useful for students who are studying on their own.
A Course in Miracles is a self-study book that can be used as a tool for spiritual transformation. It contains Helen Schucman’s original handwritten notes that have been carefully transcribed and edited by scholars. The Complete and Annotated edition of the Course includes footnotes that clarify challenging passages as well as 33 cameo essays describing ways to apply the Course in everyday life.
In addition to providing a framework for learning, the workbooks also provide an opportunity for students to level up their confidence before taking exams. This is because the questions in the workbooks are designed to cover almost all of the possible topics that could be included on an exam.
