A Course in Miracles is the Bible of the so-called "spiritual but not religious" movement. Its intellectually sophisticated thought system combines spiritual inspiration with deep psychological understanding of belief and defense systems, perception and identity.
It is a thousand-page self-study guide to spiritual awakening that includes 365 meditation exercises. It was allegedly dictated over a seven-year period by an "inner voice" the authors identify as Jesus or the Holy Spirit.
What is a course in miracles?
A course in miracles (aka ACIM) is a three-volume set of books that combines the best of spiritual inspiration with the best of human psychological understanding. It was first published in 1976 and has racked up many awards and accolades along the way.
A Course in Miracles is not just a book, it is also a movement and a philosophy that has captured the imaginations of men and women across the globe. It is the brainchild of a pair of Columbia University psychologists who were fed up with their own petty piety and the world’s inability to get along. The genesis of the course was a process of inner dictation that started in 1965 and took ten years to perfect. The most important lesson is that despite all the division in our lives, we are all connected by a thread of pure light and that love and light will never be extinguished.
The most exciting part of this is that the process has been a revelation to many people, both the spiritually minded and those who prefer a less structured approach. It’s a little too early to say whether the ACIM movement is going to last for generations to come, but it is certainly a harbinger of change that has already been felt in many parts of the world.
In the end, a course in miracles is a matter of choice and personal interpretation. However, the best way to experience the magic is through a combination of study and practice. This is a process that will take some time and commitment, but it will pay off in the long run.
Who is the author of a course in miracles?
A course in miracles (also called ACIM) is a self-study spiritual system that has captured the minds and hearts of millions of people and delivered inner peace where fear and pain once reigned. The book was originally written by Helen Schucman, a clinical and research psychologist, and edited by her colleague at Columbia University, William Thetford, over a period of seven years in the 1960s and 70s.
The three-volume set was allegedly dictated by an "Inner Voice" that the authors claimed identified itself as Jesus or the Holy Spirit. It was first published in 1976 by the Foundation for Inner Peace, and since then has sold more than three million copies to men and women in every walk of life and every major faith.
It is a complex and difficult book to digest, but it has helped millions of people heal their inner conflicts. It teaches that fear is an illusion, and love is the key to personal growth and spiritual healing.
As the author, Patrick Miller has studied a variety of contemporary spiritual practices and disciplines. He has applied the principles and disciplines of A Course in Miracles, the Enneagram system of personality, Jungian depth psychology, shamanism and related fields to his own life.
He was trained as an investigative journalist and began writing about spirituality, human potential, and creativity after a seven-year illness initiated his journey into the inner worlds. He has also worked in a number of publishing houses and is the founder of Fearless Books and Literary Services, which publishes a wide range of print and e-books on modern spirituality.
During his studies, Patrick has met many people who had encountered various forms of spiritual healing in their lives. He was inspired to write this book because it offers an alternative approach to this often-troubling topic.
In it, he presents a distilled explanation of the spiritual principles and practices of A Course in Miracles and explains how they can be applied to everyday life. He brings to light the loving and uplifting message of this profound spiritual path so that it can be more easily understood by anyone who seeks a clearer pathway towards lasting inner peace.
What is the structure of a course in miracles?
A Course in Miracles is a spiritual thought system that is organized as a teaching curriculum. It is divided into three books: the Text lays out the concepts that make up its system of thought, the Workbook (365 lessons) explains how to apply these ideas, and the Manual for Teachers provides answers to questions commonly asked by students.
The Course is a channeled spiritual teaching, which means that it has been given to the world through the consciousness of a human teacher who believed it to be Jesus Christ. It has been adopted as an inspired scripture by people who see it as an authoritative basis for their ongoing spiritual lives.
When it was first published in 1974, A Course in Miracles was not well-known and many people were not familiar with it or its teachings. Today, it is a remarkably popular book.
However, some of the ways in which people have been using this book can be confusing to newcomers, especially when it is compared to other religions or spiritual paths. Some people have been misled into believing that it is Christian, for example, as the language is peppered with Christian symbols such as 'Holy Spirit' and 'Atonement'.
These phrases are common in Christian theology, but A Course in Miracles uses these terms as symbols of universal non-dual spiritual themes. In fact, it is more reminiscent of Eastern Philosophies than of Christianity.
It also has a lot of similarities to Vedanta, a philosophy that originated in India. It is a holistic, comprehensive, and inspirational approach to the nature of reality that transcends the limitations of the ego’s beliefs.
Some students use this book as a spiritual training manual to help them develop a more conscious mind, and are very successful in doing so. Others use it as a tool to heal their own psychological and emotional problems.
Another way in which A Course in Miracles is different from other religions and spiritual teachings is that it teaches seven central practices: prayer, meditation, forgiveness, love, service, healing, and silence. This is a comprehensive and rigorous approach to spiritual practice, and is a powerful path for achieving the highest goals of a spiritual life.
Who is the best teacher of a course in miracles?
The best teacher of a course in miracles is your own inner teacher. This is why no teacher, however magnificent, can come close to a person's inner guiding spirit who is always at work in the heart and soul of every single person on this planet.
The teachings of A Course in Miracles can be very difficult to understand without a qualified teacher who has extensive experience in the Course’s thought system, as well as an understanding of how it applies to everyday life. Fortunately, there are many experienced Course teachers to choose from who can provide you with an excellent foundation for understanding the Course and for living it in your daily life. acim
David Hoffmeister is a world-renowned Course teacher who has helped millions around the globe learn to live in peace and joy, through the practical application of nondual teachings found in ACIM. He has a unique style that speaks to all people, regardless of background or belief systems.
Mystic David is a living demonstration that the truth of life is always available to all who are willing to listen. He has dedicated his life to sharing this message of peace and healing with the world, and his gentle demeanor and articulate, non-compromising expression are a gift to all.
He has been studying and practicing the teachings of A Course in Miracles for over 35 years, and he has traveled to 44 countries to share this message with students worldwide. His books, audios, and videos have been translated into 12 languages and taken into the hearts and minds of millions of people.
One of the most common questions I receive from students is why A Course in Miracles teaches that we are separate from God and is based on a Western Advaita/nondualistic philosophy rather than a more Eastern view of nondualism. This can be very confusing and frustrating to some students.
In response to this, the Course explains that it is one of thousands of different forms of "the universal course" and that this is not the only way or path to the experience of God, but that everyone will find their own.
