Changing Lives Through A Course in Miracles8843708
As the title implies, A Course in Miracles is a teaching device. It teaches us what is real and what is unreal, and leads us to the direct experience of our own Inner Teacher.
The Course is arranged in 3 components: a text, a workbook for students and a manual for teachers. The Text presents the ideas underlying the Course. The workbook contains 365 daily lessons that give students the chance to apply and experience the concepts on a sensible level. The teacher's manual is presented in a query and answer format, addressing common concerns that a student may ask it also provides a clarification of terms used throughout the Course.
On How it All Started
The Course was written by Helen Schucman and Bill Thetford, two highly educated and successful Professors of Psychology at Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. Helen was the scribe for the Course, writing down in shorthand the internal messages she received. Bill typed what Helen wrote. It took a total of seven years to complete A Course in Miracles, which was first published in 1976 in the United States. Helen wrote additional pamphlets. Her Song of Prayer was published in 1977 and The Gift of God in 1978.
Over the past 34 years, the popularity of A Course in Miracles has grown and spread worldwide. It has been translated into 18 different languages and more translations are in the functions. All through the world, people gather with other like-minded students to read the Course with each other in order to much better understand the Course's message. In this era of electronic and social media, A Course in Miracles can be obtained in e-book format, on CD, and via iPhone Apps. You can interact with other Course students on Facebook, Yahoo Groups, Twitter, and many other websites.
Experiencing the Course
The Course is designed to be a self-study tool. Nevertheless, many students find that their first interaction with the material is difficult and overwhelming - the alter in viewpoint that it offers is contrary to conventional thinking. Taking an introductory class with a educated facilitator or teacher allows for a gentler opening to these new ideas and a much more fulfilling experience.
There are many classes and courses of study based upon the philosophy of A Course in Miracles, and even specific classes on key Course ideas, such as True Forgiveness or Cause and Effect. Such classes give students the chance to experience the theory and application of particular material more deeply. Via such deep encounter, many students find the reassurance of inner peace and the joy of knowing the Inner Teacher.
