What is a Course in Miracles?

A Course in Miracles is a modern spiritual classic that has changed the lives of millions. It combines acim profound spiritual teachings with far-reaching psychological insights, and has become a widely-read and respected book. It is often called "the Bible of the non-religious," and has become a significant influence on the growing number of people who identify as "spiritual but not religious."

Helen Schucman, a Columbia University psychologist, was searching for a way to deal with her intense anger and divisions with her husband Bill in 1965 when she began to experience a series of visions, heightened dreams, and psychic experiences. Then she heard an inner voice say to her, “This is a course in miracles; please take notes.” Helen agreed to listen and began the long process of dictation that would result in the three-volume set of books now known as A Course in Miracles. The dictation continued for seven years, and when it was completed the book was published in 1976 by the Foundation for Inner Peace. The name of the author is not given in the book, which instead credits Helen as scribe and “the voice” as the author (the voice is said to be Jesus’).

A Course in Miracles does not present itself as a religion but rather as a self-study spiritual thought system. It consists of a Text, which lays out the concepts that form its thought system; a Workbook for Students, a collection of 365 daily lessons that emphasizes experiential learning; and a Manual for Teachers, which provides answers to questions frequently asked by students. The Course uses Christian terminology as symbols, but evokes universal spiritual themes that are common to all religions.

The goal of A Course in Miracles is to teach us to remember who we really are, and to experience the forgiveness that leads to the state of eternal happiness described by the Bible and all major world religions as perfect peace, perfect love, perfect freedom, and perfect oneness. This is achieved through the practice of changing our beliefs and perceptions, moving away from the ego’s version of reality and toward God’s.