A Course in Miracles (ACIM) Review

[Faheemkhatri4]

A Course in Miracles (ACIM) is a self-study system of'spiritual psychology' that combines profound spiritual teachings with far-reaching practical psychological insights. It has been used by a course in miracles millions worldwide.

Kenneth Wapnick is a clinical psychotherapist who cofounded the Foundation for Inner Peace, which publishes A Course in Miracles. He is a world-renowned expert on the Course and its spiritual implications for your life.
What is A Course in Miracles?

Originally published in 1976, A Course in Miracles (ACIM) is a three-volume spiritual teaching that has become one of the world’s best selling books. It has touched millions of lives around the globe, and continues to do so, without any publicity or advertising. It is a self-study curriculum that consists of a Text, which lay out the ideas that make up its thought system; a Workbook for Students, comprised of 365 daily lessons, that emphasize experience over belief in a specific theology; and a Manual for Teachers that answers common questions. While it uses Christian terminology, the Course is ecumenical in nature and clearly states that there are thousands of spiritual paths that lead to God in the end.

The Course was received by Helen Schucman, a Columbia University psychologist, through a process of inner dictation beginning in 1965. Its language is poetic and mystical, making it comparable to some of the world’s great literature. The thought system is intellectually sophisticated, and combines profound spiritual inspiration with deep psychological insights into such topics as belief systems and defense mechanisms.

A Course in Miracles is a spiritual classic that has acquired almost scriptural status for many readers. While the Text and Workbook require a degree of discipline and commitment, they are not difficult to read or understand — as long as you have the desire to do so. The real challenge is in applying the principles of the Course to our daily lives. The best way to do this is by studying the Course at a pace that works for you.
The Text

A Course in Miracles (ACIM) is a modern spiritual classic. It is a volume of written materials arranged as a self-study curriculum that leads to a consistent state of peace and happiness. Its principles can seem radical and not of this world, but they have been life-transforming for countless people.

Helen Schucman, a Columbia University graduate student, was studying for her PhD in clinical psychology when she experienced a series of inner visions, heightened dreams and psychic experiences that culminated in an inner voice saying, "This is a course in miracles; please take notes."

The Course offers a completely new way of viewing reality. It teaches that the real world, which reflects truth, is one of love and unity, and that the appearance of conflict, pain and suffering are simply misperceptions. It also teaches that forgiveness is the key to releasing guilt and returning to God.

ACIM's teachings are based on universal laws and principles of forgiveness, compassion and service. Although the Course uses Christian terminology, it is ecumenical and does not endorse any particular religion. Its metaphysics is more aligned with Eastern mysticism than with traditional Christianity. In fact, it is sometimes referred to as the Christian Vedanta.

The Course's language is poetic and largely written in blank verse. This has led some people to compare it with some of the world's great literature. Its thought system is both spiritually inspired and intellectually sophisticated. Many students have found that it takes a lifetime to fully understand and apply its teachings. Often, those who have achieved the greatest level of understanding are teachers of the Course. Kenneth Wapnick has a deep and thorough understanding of the Course's teachings, and he is able to share them with clarity and humor.
The Workbook

The Workbook of A Course in Miracles provides a step-by-step approach to unwinding the ego thought system and healing limiting beliefs. It is a practical application of the teachings of ACIM. It has been called “the Bible of the spiritual but not religious movement.” The ACIM teaches that every person can experience the peace, joy and fulfillment that they have long desired by learning to apply these simple but profound teachings in their daily lives.

The poetic language of the ACIM Text is often compared to some of the world’s great literature. It is also intellectually sophisticated, combining spiritual inspiration with deep psychological understanding of such topics as belief systems and defenses. The Course is a restatement of the core wisdom taught by all major world religions, and it explicitly states that it is not a religious faith.

When the first edition of A Course in Miracles was published in 1976, it immediately became a contemporary spiritual classic. Since then, it has continued to touch the hearts and change the lives of people all over the world. Many have recognized in its words truths that they had not previously heard, but which they somehow always seemed to have known.

Helen Schucman, a former teacher of psychology, began having a series of heightened dreams and psychic experiences in 1965. Eventually she claimed to receive a book, which she named A Course in Miracles, through a process of inner dictation from an entity that she identified as Jesus Christ. She later established the Foundation for A Course in Miracles, a study and re-treat center in Crompond, New York, along with Kenneth Wapnick and William Thetford. She has also served on the executive board of the Foundation for Inner Peace, the non-profit corporation that publishes and distributes the Course.
The Manual for Teachers

All students of A Course in Miracles (ACIM) know that the book is comprised of three volumes: the Text, the Workbook for Students, and the Manual for Teachers. Each has its own unique purpose, though all are meant to be read and practiced.

The ACIM textbook is a self-study spiritual thought system that uses Christian terminology, but is ecumenical in nature and clearly states that it is not a religion. It presents a universal theme of forgiveness and emphasizes that experience is more important than belief in a theology. The ACIM also makes it clear that it is one of thousands of ways to God, and it does not claim to be the only way.

While the language of the Course is poetic and written in blank verse, it is also intellectually sophisticated, combining spiritual inspiration with deep psychological understanding of topics such as the relationship between fear and guilt and the meaning of time and space. Its teachings are presented in a form that is both accessible and scholarly, and its message is one of the most profound and enduring to ever reach the world.

The goal of the ACIM is to foster spiritual development through forgiveness and love. The most practical way to do this is through the daily ACIM lessons. These daily readings and reflections are very practical, focusing on unwinding the ego’s limiting beliefs through practicing forgiveness. Rather than demanding large amounts of time and long practices, the daily lessons are intended to be practical, and they are a great way to start each day! The ACIM Supplements, which include the Song of Prayer and Psychotherapy: Purpose, Process and Practice, further provide opportunities to apply the principles learned in the daily Lessons.
The Teachings

Despite its intellectually sophisticated language, A Course in Miracles is highly accessible. Its lessons, which are contained in the Text and Workbook, take a very practical approach to healing one’s relationship with the world by unwinding the ego’s thought system of judgment and guilt. The daily ACIM lessons are a step-by-step approach to forgiveness.

It is a self-study spiritual thought system and does not claim to be a religion. It uses Christian terminology to make it familiar to western culture, but it evokes universal, non-dual spiritual themes and is highly ecumenical in its view that all paths lead to God. It states that while a universal theology is impossible, a universal experience is not only possible but necessary.

Helen Schucman, who authored A Course in Miracles, was a psychologist working at Columbia University. She claims that the three-volume set of books was received through a process of inner dictation between 1965 and 1972. After ten years of preparation, the book was published in 1976 by the Foundation for Inner Peace and has since sold more than three million copies without any paid advertising.

The workbook contains 365 daily lessons and is designed to help students apply the principles of the Course to their everyday life. Kenneth Wapnick, an ACIM teacher and author of Living A Course in Miracles: Using the Messages to Heal Relationships, offers a deep understanding of the Course’s thought system and its applications in our daily lives. He helps students overcome the resistance and fear that can arise when studying this work and shows how it can transform our life by helping us shift from a focus on reversal and separation to a focus on love and forgiveness.