A Course in Miracles is a course in miracles a self-study spiritual thought system. It uses Christian terminology but is ecumenical and emphasizes experience over belief in a theology.

The Course was scribed from 1965 through 1972 by two Columbia University psychologists, Helen Schucman and Bill Thetford. No author’s name appears on the Course.
The Text

Since its first publication in 1976, A Course in Miracles has had an amazing effect on people all over the world. It has influenced the lives of millions of readers, both men and women, of every religious background. It has also become a modern spiritual classic, and has gained nearly scriptural status in the eyes of some.

The Course is a self-study spiritual thought system that consists of three books: the Text, which lays out the concepts that make up its thought system; the Workbook for Students, which contains 365 daily lessons and emphasizes experience rather than belief in a theology; and the Manual for Teachers, which provides answers to questions that often arise for students. The Course uses Christian terminology but is ecumenical in nature, recognizing that thousands of different paths lead to God.

Its goal is undoing the illusion of separation in all its forms. It emphasizes forgiveness as the means, teaching a completely new way of forgiving that results in healing and freedom. The Course does not teach the meaning of love, as that is beyond what can be taught, but it does remove the blocks to the awareness of love’s presence, which is your natural inheritance.

The language of the Course is poetic and written in blank verse, which has led some to compare it with some of the world’s great literature. Its thought system is intellectually sophisticated, and combines spiritual inspiration with deep psychological understanding of such phenomena as belief and defense systems, perception and identity.
The Workbook

When Helen Schucman began to write A Course in Miracles, she had no idea that it would have such an impact. In the fall of 1965, she had a series of heightened dreams and experiences that culminated in a voice saying to her, “This is a course in miracles; please take notes.” She did, and scribes completed the workbook within seven years. The book was published in 1976, and has since sold over three million copies. A Course in Miracles is not a religion, but rather a self-study spiritual thought system. It emphasizes experience over belief in a theology and states that it is only one of thousands of paths that all lead to God.

The goal of A Course in Miracles is to undo the illusion of separation, which can be done primarily through forgiveness. The thought system of the Course is intellectually sophisticated, and combines spiritual inspiration with deep psychological understanding of such phenomena as beliefs and defense systems. The workbook lessons are meant to train your mind to think differently, which is a prerequisite to experiencing the true power of love.

In the workbook, there are 365 daily exercises, with each lesson centering on a single central idea. These ideas are meant to help you see everyone and everything in the world in a new way. While the lessons require little time or effort, they must be practiced consistently in order to work.

Journey Through the ACIM Text is a companion to The Text of A Course in Miracles. It is not a line-by-line exegesis of the material, but rather a symphonic portrait that is intended to lead you through the text as though you are listening to a great piece of music. Its themes are presented, and passages that illustrate them are pointed out. The book is often used by study groups to guide their discussion of the Course’s text.
The Manual for Teachers

The Manual is written for students of the Course who have become mature enough to extend its thought system to others. This extension can take one of two forms. In the first, a teacher of the Course, like a spiritual shepherd or mentor, guides pupils along the path of the curriculum, skilfully guiding them in the use and application of its teachings. In the other form, a miracles healer, a Course in Miracles version of an Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor, goes to those who have health problems and shines the healing light of forgiveness on their minds.

The Course uses Christian terminology, but is not a religion and states that “a universal theology is impossible, but a universal experience is not only possible but necessary.” While it uses Christian concepts, its language is poetic and its thought system combines spiritual inspiration with intellectual sophistication. Ultimately, it is not about a specific faith but about undoing guilt through forgiveness, shifting perception from fear to love and opening the door to God’s presence.

Once the Course was published in 1976, it had a powerful impact. While it often caused controversy, gaining a reputation as a new religious movement, it also attracted countless followers. Thousands have made it their life’s work.

The Course’s influence has expanded since its publication, and it is now taught worldwide. It has been read by tens of millions of people and has gained the status of a modern spiritual classic, with some even considering it to be scripture. A number of books and audio recordings have been produced to help students understand its principles. It has also led to the creation of an international community that gathers in support of its principles, and there are now over three million members.
The Course’s Language

For those new to ACIM, the language of the Course can seem cryptic and mystical. This is partly because the book uses poetic or blank verse and some of its words are obscure. It is also partly because the Course challenges many of our assumptions about the nature of reality and the human condition. These challenges can cause confusion for students whose egos are invested in rejecting or maintaining the truth of the Course.

The Course is a spiritual thought system and does not present itself as a religion. However, it employs Christian terminology and references Jesus in its lessons. It also evokes universal spiritual themes, including Eastern Spirituality. In fact, the Course’s metaphysics is more aligned with Eastern mysticism than with traditional western Christianity.

It is important to recognize that ACIM teaches us that there are thousands of ways to God. The Course does not tell us which of these paths is the right one for anyone. It does, however, teach us that all paths lead to God in the end. The course teaches us to let go of our ego beliefs about how the world works and instead to trust in God’s Love for everyone.

For those interested in learning more about the teachings of A Course in Miracles, there are a number of books available. These include A Course in Miracles, The Workbook for Students, and the Manual for Teachers. They are also available online. Many people find these teachings helpful in healing relationships and finding true happiness. You can also learn more about the Course’s approach to forgiveness in these audiobooks: Live Your Happy, From the Christ Mind scribed by Rev. Maria Felipe, and Healing Family Relationships by Rev. Myron Jones.
The Course’s Thought System

A Course in Miracles (ACIM) is a self-study spiritual thought system that teaches forgiveness as the way to inner peace and the remembrance of our truth. It makes a fundamental distinction between the real and the unreal; between knowledge and perception, and removes the blocks that prevent us from experiencing the divine presence of Love’s awareness.

It is a metaphysical book that uses Christian terminology as symbols that are familiar in western culture, but which also evokes universal, non-dual spiritual themes, especially Eastern spirituality. Its language is poetic and written in blank verse, which has led to comparisons with some of the world’s great literature. Its teaching is intellectually sophisticated, combining spiritual inspiration with deep psychological understanding of phenomena such as belief and defense systems, perception and identity. Its concept of reality and illusion draws from Hinduism, especially Advaita Vedanta, in which the idea of maya is similar to the Course’s concept of content.

While the Course does not claim to be a religion, it clearly states that it is one of many paths which all lead to God in the end. Its curriculum is designed as a three-volume set, with the Text laying out its concepts; the Workbook for Students, which provides practice through daily lessons, emphasizing experience rather than believing in a theology; and the Manual for Teachers, which extends the curriculum to others.

The best way to begin this course is by studying the ACIM Text and working through the 365 lessons in the Workbook. This will help you to overcome negative emotions and to find the path of healing. Then you can experience the blissful drops of serene miracles in your life. But before this, you need to be prepared for the journey by having a positive attitude and audacious self-confidence.