A Course in Miracles (ACIM) is a transformational self-study book that has changed the lives of millions. The first part, the text, provides a theoretical foundation; the second, the workbook, has 365 daily exercises that will make the theory meaningful to your life. Whether you are a new or returning student, this Complete and Annotated edition will be your guide to ACIM.
Text
In 1965, Columbia University psychologist Helen Schucman began to have a series of visions, heightened dreams, and psychic experiences. These culminated in a call she received to write the book that would become a course in miracles, now a modern spiritual classic and the most widely distributed text on forgiveness.
It consists of three books: the Text, which lays out the concepts that comprise the course’s thought system; the Workbook for Students, which contains 365 daily lessons geared toward practical application and emphasizes experience rather than belief in a theology; and the Manual for Teachers, which answers questions that frequently arise. The course is not a religion; it has no church, no hierarchy, and no formal institution to control or dictate its teachings. Nonetheless, it has influenced the lives of millions worldwide and continues to grow in popularity each year.
The course is not a book of rules or a religious creed, but rather a means for shifting the focus from fear and guilt to love and forgiveness. The goal is to heal the ego’s separation from God by undoing the illusion of separation, which can only be done through forgiveness. It also teaches that the path to God is not a journey to some other place, but instead is a shift in perception and a return to the innermost reality of all beings.
Although the Course uses Christian terminology, it expresses universal experiences and is rooted in non-dual spirituality, particularly Eastern spirituality. Its metaphysics is closer to Eastern Vedanta than to traditional Western Christianity, with Bill Thetford calling it the “Christian Vedanta.” The Course also challenges some of Christianity’s most fundamental beliefs, including its understanding of sin and crucifixion.
The first edition of the Course was published in 1976, and has since become one of the most influential works on spirituality and healing. Since then, a number of revisions and additions have been made. These include the introduction of the concept of time in the text, and a number of new lessons, which were added to address the needs of those who were not yet ready for the full material presented in the original book.
Workbook
A Course in Miracles is a spiritual teaching. It is a self study educational program for changing your mind so that you can experience more peace and love in your life. It teaches that miracles are more than just changing your perception of reality; they actually change the world as you see it. The workbook has 365 lessons. Each day, you read the lesson and do the exercises in the book. Then you write down what you experienced and how you changed during the practice session. The workbook lessons are practical and very powerful.
The course is designed for anyone, but it is written on a high intellectual level and has sophisticated metaphysical, theological, and psychological concepts integrated into its thought system. It also uses poetic language and blank verse. This makes it comparable to some of the world’s great literature. The workbook also contains many of the same themes as other religions, including God, Jesus, forgiveness, and peace.
Its ontology is based on ancient refrains that echo the world’s most hallowed traditions. The underlying concept of the universe is that it is changing all the time. It teaches that the only thing that can prevent the changes from taking place is a lack of awareness of them.
There are several versions of the course, including “The Complete and Annotated Edition” published by the Foundation for Inner Peace. This is the current official edition authorized by Helen Schucman and includes all of the notes and urtext material. It does not include any supplements, although the new “Sparkly Edition” (which is also known as the Thetford Foundation version) does have some urtext content and does not contain any supplements.
Another option is the “A Course in Miracles Combined Volume” from the Circle of Atonement, which does not include any notes but does have some urtext material and no supplements. The “Original Edition” from the Miracles in Action Press is also available, which has some urtext content and no supplements. A new edit based more firmly on the Notes is being marketed as the “Complete and Authentic Original Edition.” This will be released soon.
Manual for Teachers
A Course in Miracles is a profound spiritual book that is not a religion. It has been used by people of all walks of life, from men and women from all major religions to those who consider themselves “spiritual but not religious.” Its three volume set includes the Text which lays out the concepts that make up the course’s thought system; the Workbook for Students, comprised of 365 daily meditations, emphasizes experience over belief in a theology; and the Manual for Teachers, which provides answers to questions that often arise for students.
A number of study groups have formed around A Course in Miracles. This is not surprising, since ACIM offers both an intellectual and experiential approach within its 650 page Text (providing the philosophical foundation of the teaching), 500 page Workbook, prescribing a daily transformative discipline, and 90 page Manual for Teachers. This large body of material makes it necessary to have help in understanding it all.
It is for this reason that many ACIM students sooner or later join a study group, whether at a local church, in their community, or on the internet. These study groups are designed to provide support and guidance in understanding the material, and are led by individuals who have been trained in how to facilitate ACIM lessons.
The study groups meet regularly and have discussion about the material, practice the exercises, and share experiences and insights. They also discuss the meaning of particular words in the text and how to apply its principles to their lives. This is an excellent way to get a feel for what the course is all about and how it can change your life.
In a nutshell, ACIM is all about awakening to your true nature as love. This process is facilitated by the daily Workbook lessons and the underlying principle of forgiveness. The goal is to learn to see the world differently, through God’s eyes. The first step is to let go of the beliefs and values that no longer serve you. This is a difficult process, but it is well worth the effort.
Study Groups
Study groups help students stay on track with course materials and may even improve grades. However, they are not for everyone and must be tailored to the needs of the group. Some groups may need to meet more often while others can manage a weekly session. Study groups should also have clear goals in mind and ground rules for each meeting. For example, a study group might agree to focus on answering difficult homework questions or reviewing key concepts in each chapter.
For the most effective study groups, each member should be prepared for each meeting. This will help them maximize the time spent together and will ensure that members don’t waste valuable time on unproductive topics. The group should also determine a set schedule for each meeting to avoid scheduling conflicts. It is also important to determine a location that is comfortable and productive.
In addition to regular study group meetings, some groups may choose to hold presentations. These are beneficial to the learning process because they force students to take notes and present their thoughts to others. In addition, students are less likely to skip studying when they know they will be required to present in front of their peers.
While the urtext version is an excellent choice for many students, there are also new editions available that offer more clarity. The “Sparkly Edition” published by the Thetford Foundation is similar to the Original Edition but has some capitalization and punctuation changes and contains no supplements. The Complete and Annotated Edition is another popular option that features extensive footnotes to clarify challenging passages.
The Complete and Annotated edition of ACIM is the most recently updated version of the book and contains the original handwritten notes that Helen Schucman took during her time composing A Course in Miracles. This edition is designed to allow students to experience the wisdom of this spiritual masterpiece as it was originally transcribed by Helen. It also includes an appendix with 33 cameo essays that outline ways to apply the course’s lessons in daily life. The Complete and Annotated edition is available for purchase on the Course in Miracles website.