As a spiritual thought system, a course in miracles (ACIM) challenges the belief that the physical world is a mass illusion. It emphasizes forgiveness as a daily transformative practice. Its principles have been incorporated into the teachings of many popular spiritual teachers, including Eckhart Tolle, Wayne Dyer and Gabrielle Bernstein. And it's had a profound influence on the growing number of people who consider themselves "spiritual but not religious."
The three-volume set of books was published in 1976 and has sold, without paid advertising, to men and women of all walks of life, from all major faiths, with one common thread: They all agree that they are interested in learning to forgive.
Its premise is that the greatest "miracle" is simply the act of gaining a full awareness of love's presence in one's life. It claims that it is the antidote to hatred, bitterness and isolation. Its teachings are not only practical, but also intellectually sophisticated. Its spiritual inspiration is combined with a deep psychological understanding of such issues as belief systems, defense mechanisms and perception. The language is poetic and written in blank verse, which has led some to compare it with the works of Shakespeare or the poetry of Rumi.
But despite these impressive credentials, many people have difficulty grasping ACIM's philosophy. And some find its practice demanding, even though it is designed to be a self-study curriculum that can be done alone. Others join study groups or one of a few churches that have been inspired by the teachings. While no one tracks "membership," the number of people who have been influenced by ACIM is in the millions.
This article is a brief digest of the history and significance of A Course in Miracles, by a journalist who has followed the phenomenon for over 30 years. It is not meant to be an explanation of the principles of the Course, but rather a guide to help readers determine whether it is the right path for them.
The Course's origin story begins with two Columbia University psychologists, Helen Schucman and William Thetford. Tired of the anger and division that permeated their work environment, they made a decision to find a new way. In the fall of 1965, Helen heard an inner voice say, “This is A course in miracles, please take notes.” It took seven years to write down the Course, in shorthand, with Thetford typing and dictating. No human author's name appears on the book, but the narrator reveals himself as Jesus.
Originally intended as a tool to teach forgiveness in the hospitals, it was later adopted by the Foundation for Inner Peace and published as a three-volume set of books. The Text lays out the concepts that comprise its thought system, the Workbook contains 365 daily lessons that encourage a practical application of the ideas, and the Manual for Teachers adds expositions on specific aspects of the curriculum. It is not intended to be a religion, but rather a means of reaching out and offering healing to the whole world.
