A Course in Miracles is a spiritual thought system that consists of three volumes: The Text, the Workbook, and the Manual for Teachers. Helen Schucman received the Course through a a course in miracles process of inner dictation and did not claim to be its author, instead calling herself its scribe.

Kenneth Wapnick describes the course as non-sectarian, expressing a universal spirituality.
The Text

Since it was first published in 1976, A Course in Miracles (ACIM) has captured the hearts and minds of millions of readers worldwide. In a time of turmoil and fear, its simple but profound teachings of love and forgiveness have offered hope and healing.

A Course in Miracles is a self-study spiritual thought system that offers an unparalleled pathway to ultimate liberation. Described by the New York Times as "the esoteric bible that has gone mainstream," ACIM is one of the fastest-growing spiritual paths in the world. It is also a major influence on the growing number of people who identify themselves as spiritual but not religious.

The three-volume course consists of the Text, which lays out the concepts that form its theory; the Workbook for Students, consisting of 365 daily lessons designed to teach the experience of forgiveness; and the Manual for Teachers, which provides answers to questions commonly asked by students. Unlike many other religions, it does not seek to establish a church or a theology; instead, it emphasizes that the truth is universal and accessible to anyone who wants to receive it.

Although the course uses Christian terminology, it is not a religion and does not advocate any particular beliefs. It is a universal spiritual teaching that combines aspects of the teachings of all major religions and philosophies of the world. It is a restatement of the core wisdom found in all religions and states that "a universal theology is impossible, but a universal experience is not only possible but necessary."

The book is edited and produced by Helen Schucman, a clinical psychologist who received the material as a process of inner dictation from Jesus Christ beginning in 1965. The editors have added extensive footnotes to clarify difficult passages, identify unclear pronouns, define psychological terms and point out allusions to things in the general culture and biblical references. Thirty-three cameo essays comment on personal guidance given to the scribes, which, though too personal to appear in the course proper, helps explain how Course principles can be applied in everyday life.
The Workbook

A Course in Miracles is a modern spiritual self-study curriculum that has influenced the lives of millions of people worldwide. It consists of three sections: a book of 365 daily lessons intended to influence students' perceptions, a Text detailing the course's core philosophy, and a Manual for Teachers.

While the Course is not a religious text in any traditional sense, it draws upon Christian teachings as well as a number of other faith traditions. The lessons are not simply theoretical, however, but also very practical. Each lesson is accompanied by an exercise designed to help students put the theory into practice in their lives.

The workbook is divided into seven chapters that address topics such as the meaning of love, the forgiveness of sin and guilt, and our relationships with ourselves and others. The final chapter contains the "Epilogue," a statement about God and His plan for the world, as well as a list of definitions that help explain terms used throughout the lessons.

In early editions of the Workbook, there were many errors that were later corrected in a revised version known as the Complete and Annotated Edition (CE). The CE was created by going back to Course scribe Helen Schucman's shorthand notes and editing them anew. It includes all of the original material that was omitted in earlier editions, as well as several appendices of additional information.

It is not uncommon for people to have difficulty understanding A Course in Miracles, due to its extremely dense and often technical language. For those who are able to get past this obstacle, though, the Course can be a source of profound change and personal growth.

The Course is a thought system that combines spiritual inspiration with deep psychological understanding of such concepts as belief and defense systems, atonement, and the nature of time. The lessons are both intellectually challenging and emotionally arousing. They offer an opportunity to re-examine every value that one holds and, in doing so, to begin living from a place of greater love. While the Course can be read and studied in isolation, most students will ultimately join a study group or an organization that provides support for practicing ACIM.
The Manual for Teachers

A Course in Miracles, or ACIM, is a self-study curriculum that presents a spiritual way of life that mixes Christian terminology with Eastern mysticism, perennial philosophy, and modern psychological insights. First published in 1976, it has been sold without paid advertising to over three million people from every walk of life and every major religion. It has gained particular popularity and awareness since 1992, when Marianne Williamson spoke about it on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Known also as “ACIM,” it has become a significant influence on the rapidly growing number of people who think of themselves as "spiritual but not religious."

The Course is comprised of three volumes, the Text, the Workbook for Students, and the Manual for Teachers. Usually, it is assumed that the Manual for Teachers is simply meant to answer questions, or as one writer puts it, "it is a brief summary of Course principles in question-and-answer form." In fact, the manual has a different purpose, as explained by Helen Schucman herself: "The purpose of the manual is to aid the teacher and the pupil in their relationship" (Manual, p. xv).

The purpose of the manual is to clarify the role of the teacher, so that he or she is clearly understood as a healer who uses the teachings of the Course for his or her own salvation and the healing of others. Hence the emphasis on forgiveness, which is central to both the teaching and the healing process. The Manual also clarifies the role of the pupil, describing him or her as someone who has already made the choice to be healed and therefore has already begun the journey to find his or her own healing.

A Course in Miracles Made Easy is the first book to explain how to understand and apply these principles in everyday life. Written by a longtime student of the Course and teacher of it, Alan Cohen, this concise guide takes the big picture ideas in the Manual and explains them in straightforward, easy-to-understand lessons, with plenty of examples and applications to help the reader make them real and practical.
The Song of Prayer

A Course in Miracles (ACIM) has become a modern spiritual classic. Its influence has been felt in the worlds of religion and psychology, as well as in a growing number of people who identify as “spiritual but not religious.” It has also generated intense discussion about its meaning and significance.

In 1965 Helen Schucman was working in a mental hospital in New York City when she began to hear an inner voice that spoke to her about forgiveness and the nature of God. Over the next ten years, she received what became A Course in Miracles: a 622-page textbook, a 478-page Workbook, and an 88-page Teacher's Manual. She believed she was receiving the words through a process she called inner dictation. She later disclosed to a friend, William Tetford, that the voices told her they were Jesus and His Holy Spirit Teacher. He encouraged her to follow their direction, and she did so, recording the material in shorthand.

This book discusses the metaphysics of ACIM, the ego's perception of God and its role in the world, and how forgiveness changes our view of the universe. It also explains the role of Jesus in this teaching, as well as its application to everyday life and its practical implications. It includes a discussion of the meaning of miracles, and the role of love in our lives.

Written in 1977, this pamphlet is a comprehensive summary of the fundamental principles of A Course in Miracles. It addresses the level confusion that many students and teachers experience concerning mind and body; it clarifies what forgiveness is, and spells out how to heal relationships, free yourself from fear, and live a life of grace. It also describes the role of Christ and the atonement. This book is an insightful crowning touch to The Course. It was designed specifically for professional therapists, but its wisdom will resonate with all Course students. It also includes a helpful index and scriptural references.