A course in miracles is a spiritual thought system. It consists of three books: the Text, the Workbook for Students and the Manual for Teachers. It was received through a process of inner dictation by Columbia University psychologists in 1965. It is ecumenical in nature and emphasizes experience over belief in a theology.
It is not a religion
While there can be individuals who exhibit cult behavior within the Course community, it is important to remember that A Course in Miracles does not have a centralized leadership or dictated rules. It is also very different from a religion, which demands strict loyalty and adherents are punished for deviations.
The Course was compiled by Helen Schucman and William Thetford, professors of medical psychology at Columbia University. They claimed to have received it through a process of inner dictation and identified the voice as Jesus or the Holy Spirit. They worked on it for ten years and published the work in 1976.
The Course is a masterwork of spiritual strategy that indoctrinates its readers in Eastern metaphysics and human potential psychology while at the same time insulates them against biblical Christianity and true Christian faith. It also appeals to personal pride and can become emotionally addictive. It is very different from Christianity, which has many rules and preaches that any deviations are sinful and will lead to hell.
It is a spiritual thought system
A Course in Miracles is a spiritual thought system that seeks to teach us to see reality through a lens of love and forgiveness. It offers a set of practices that include thinking, repetition and meditation. It is a unique intellectual system, but it has some of the appearance of an epic story.
It also has no centralized hierarchy of authority and suggests that the highest authority lies within you. Unlike most spiritual teachings,A course in miracles does not restrict access to information or limit questions. It has no methods of enforcement and sees all people as equal children of God.
The ACIM Text, which consists of 31 chapters of dense and articulate spiritual wisdom, defines miracles as shifts in perception that remove the blocks to the awareness of love’s presence. In Year 2, Aaron and Mark will guide you through each daily lesson for 365 days in a row to help you unlock the truth of A Course in Miracles.
It is a self-study curriculum
A Course in Miracles is designed as a self-study curriculum and is divided into three books: the Text, the Workbook for Students, and the Manual for Teachers. The Text lays out the ideas that comprise the thought system; the Workbook has 365 daily lessons that shift students’ perceptions and release them from fear; and the Manual for Teachers answers questions and provides further guidance.
Although the Course uses Christian terminology, it evokes universal spiritual themes and is non-sectarian. Its teaching that the world is an illusion and separation never happened encourages a oneness of all life, regardless of religious affiliation.
Moreover, the Course teaches that relationships are the home of true religion and emphasizes the importance of spiritual mentorship. The teacher-pupil relationship is a prime example of this. Fortunately, there are many ACIM teachers who are available to guide students on this journey. David Hoffmeister, for example, offers a wide variety of videos and audios in which he guides students through the Course’s texts and lessons.
It is very practical
In the religion and spirituality section of any bookstore, it can be disconcerting to browse through so many books offering simplistic thought systems and minimal practices. A Course in Miracles is different. It offers a comprehensive discipline that claims to offer an effective path to the highest spiritual goals – the goals of enlightenment, liberation, moksha, satori, or atonement. Its practices are intellectually sophisticated and combine spiritual inspiration with deep understanding of such concepts as belief systems, defense mechanisms, and personal identity.
It is a practical book based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. Its main purpose is to help us wake up to the reality of love and our own true self. It is not intended to be the only way to God, as some religions have claimed. Rather, it is meant to be one of thousands of paths to God. Some people will not relate to it at all, and others will find that other paths are better suited to their needs and inclinations.
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