A Course in Miracles, also known as ACIM or a course in love, is a self-study spiritual thought system that teaches forgiveness. It is a curriculum that consists of three volumes: a Text, Workbook for Students, and Manual for Teachers. The Course describes itself as "a universal spiritual teaching, not a religion." Its goal is to change the way that human consciousness typically works.
The Course was “scribed” by Helen Schucman (pseudonym) through a process of inner dictation that she identified as coming from Jesus. A clinical and research psychologist at Columbia University Medical Center, Helen was aided by her colleague Dr. William Thetford, who served as her department head and also held appointments at the Washington School of Psychiatry, Cornell University Medica1 College, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons.
During the writing of the Course, both Helen and William regarded the material as being channeled directly from Jesus. The voice that spoke through them was described as loving and gentle, but Helen occasionally felt frightened by the content of the messages. She and William referred to the Voice as being all-powerful and all-knowing, but they also recognized that it had a limited understanding of the world and of human relationships.
After completing the Course in Acim manuscript form, Helen sent a copy to several people in 1972-3. It was soon thereafter that she met Kenneth Wapnick, who became her co-scribe and the editor of the Course's first professionally printed edition. This version, which is now referred to as the HLC (Hugh Lynn Version) or later CIMS (Claremont Institute of Mind Studies), was published in 1975 as a four-volume book-set: volume 1 contained the Text, volumes two and three each contained the Workbook for Students, and volume 4 contains the Teacher's Manual. This is the version of the Course that is most familiar to most students today.
Although the Course makes clear that it is not a religion, many of its statements appear to contradict biblical scripture. For example, the Course teaches that one cannot truly understand God unless he or she realizes that there is no separation from Him. However, it is believed by many that the Bible teaches that there is separation from God and that the only way to return to wholeness is through an atoning sacrifice.
The Course is a powerful spiritual book, and its concepts have been widely adopted by a diverse population of followers. Some of these followers have found that the Course provides them with a framework for living their lives that helps them to experience true joy, peace and love. Moreover, the principles of the Course are designed to be intellectually sophisticated, and they blend spiritual inspiration with profound psychological understanding of phenomena such as beliefs and defense systems, perception and identity. Thus, the Course has had a profound impact on modern culture. It has also become a powerful influence within the Christian church, and some mainline clergy have given it glowing endorsements.
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