A Course in Miracles is a self-study spiritual thought system designed to bring the student a consistent state of peace and happiness. It acim podcast uses Christian terminology and symbols but evokes universal, non-dual spiritual themes.

The text was scribed and typed up during the years of 1965-1972 by two Columbia University psychologists, Helen Schucman and Bill Thetford, who received the teachings as inner dictation from an entity they believed to be Jesus. It was published by the Foundation for Inner Peace in 1976.
What is a Course in Miracles?

A Course in Miracles (ACIM) is a spiritual thought system which teaches how to let go of limiting beliefs and belief systems. It is an experiential study designed to bring a consistent state of happiness and peace into the mind. It can be difficult to understand, but it can also be very practical.

A course in miracles began with two psychologists at Columbia University, who were frustrated by the anger and divisiveness that they saw in themselves and the world around them. The two decided to seek a better way of living and received a series of inner visions, heightened dreams, and psychic experiences.

During the course of this process, Helen Schucman was asked to write down what she had seen and heard. After several years of dictation, the Course was eventually published in 1976.

The Course is based on a simple statement: "A universal theology is impossible, but a universal experience is not only possible, but necessary." It lays out a carefully structured approach that leads to an experience beyond words.

Its language is rich, and it combines both intellectual sophistication and spiritual inspiration. Its thought system is rooted in a deep understanding of such phenomena as belief and defense systems, perception, and identity.

ACIM is not a religion, but it does have its own symbols. It is an approach to spirituality that can be applied to a wide range of situations, ranging from daily life to deep inner spiritual development.

In order to gain a full understanding of the principles and language of A Course in Miracles, it is helpful to study with an experienced teacher. Kenneth Wapnick has a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology and has been studying and practicing A Course in Miracles since 1977.
The Text

A Course in Miracles is a thought system that combines spiritual inspiration with deep psychological understanding of such phenomena as belief and defense systems, perception and identity. It has become a contemporary spiritual classic and, since it was first published in 1976, has sold millions of copies worldwide.

The text of the Course is written in a very sophisticated and profound language that can be challenging to understand. However, once you have pierced through how it says what it says, you will discover its loving means for undoing your self-defeating beliefs and returning to a state of Eternal Oneness with God.

Unlike most linearly structured texts, A Course in Miracles is symphonically presented, with its themes and principles woven into the teachings throughout like leitmotivs in a musical composition. This series begins with an introductory class on the form and content of the text, and then presents a chapter-by-chapter analysis of the entire Text in order to show how each of these chapters is symphonically related to its larger context.

In addition to the Text, the series includes a workbook and a manual for teachers. These two resources are designed to facilitate students’ study of the Course in a gentle, consistent manner.

The workshop consists of 32 two-hour classes by Kenneth Wapnick, and is an ideal way to deepen your understanding and appreciation of A Course in Miracles. These classes also offer a great complement to the Daily Lesson Insights, which are posted here every day and have been used by many ACIM study groups around the world.
The Workbook

It is a fascinating book that has been used to help thousands of people shift their focus from an external world they are at the effect of, to an internal one where they are the cause of their own experience. It mixes Christian terminology with Eastern mysticism, perennial philosophy and modern psychological insights into a thought system that is intellectually sophisticated yet spiritually inspiring.

A Course in Miracles is a self-study curriculum that presents a spiritual way of life based on contact with the Holy Spirit or "internal teacher." The thought system was created by Helen Schucman and is an ecumenical spiritual teaching which states that “A universal theology is impossible, but a universal experience is not only possible but necessary.”

The workbook contains 365 lessons, each one designed to train the mind of the student along the lines set forth by the Text. Students are encouraged to read each lesson slowly and to practice it on a daily basis, even if it takes them a year or more to finish.

You can also join a study group in person or online and meet with other students who are learning the same material as you are. Be open to the thoughts and experiences of others but also ask your inner teacher for discernment in what is right for you.

A Course in Miracles has been made popular by the writings of Jerry Jampolsky, Marianne Williamson, Iyanla Vanzant and Gary Renard. It has also made inroads into Unity churches and prisons, and is now being taught in many classrooms worldwide.
The Manual for Teachers

Almost everyone who has studied A Course in Miracles knows that there are three books: the Text, the Workbook for Students and the Manual for Teachers. Each has a specific purpose and is intended to be used in conjunction with the others.

The first book, the Text, lays out the thought system of A Course in Miracles and describes the philosophical foundation upon which its teaching is based. The Workbook is comprised of 365 daily lessons designed to train the student along the lines set forth in the Text.

It is important to note that although A Course in Miracles is a highly intellectual work, it can be easily understood by anyone who is open and willing to study the material. In fact, it is a wonderful teaching guide for people of all ages and backgrounds.

In addition, the workbook consists of many exercises and activities that can be done by any person in any situation, no matter how limited or chaotic. A good starting place for students is to read the Text and then do the exercises in the Workbook.

As students progress through the Workbook, they are often asked to write their own lessons or share them with others. This is a powerful and effective way of putting the teaching into practice, and it can be a very rewarding experience for both teacher and pupil.

One of the most common questions that students ask is how they can become teachers themselves. This is a challenging question to answer and requires a considerable amount of patience on the part of both the teacher and pupil.

The Manual for Teachers is an excellent resource for aspiring teachers to learn the principles of A Course in Miracles, and to discover how these principles can help them become a more loving, compassionate, healing teacher. It also contains a variety of exercises for teachers to use in their classrooms and to improve their communication skills.
Kenneth Wapnick

Kenneth Wapnick is a PhD in psychology and a former high school dean of students who became interested in spiritual teachings during his work as a clinical psychologist. After earning a PhD, he began studying various spiritual teachers, and his interest in spirituality grew until he decided to convert to Catholicism.

He was drawn to the Course in Miracles because he found it more practical and accessible than many other spiritual teachings. He also found that it presented a non-dualistic metaphysics, which made it easier for him to accept and integrate its principles into his own life.

For the past 30 years he has been working with A Course in Miracles as an instructor and mentor to students. His workshops and seminars are designed to help students understand the Course's thought system in a way that will enable them to apply its principles in their daily lives.

The first workshop is titled "What Does the Course In Miracles Say?" This workshop explores the central principles of A Course in Miracles, and provides an overview of the two levels of its presentation. It also addresses some of the common misunderstandings of the Course that have hindered students' understanding of its teachings.

Another workshop, titled "The Development of Trust," explores the six stages in the process of shifting one's trust from the ego's offerings to total trust in Jesus or the Holy Spirit. It presents students with the opportunity to practice this process through experiential exercises and by focusing on the experience of trusting God's offering in their own lives.

The third workshop, titled "Awaken from the Dream," examines the non-dualistic metaphysics of A Course in Miracles. It presents a myth from the Course that illustrates the central principle of "not making error real" through the application of forgiveness in the world. It also highlights the Course's views of time and special relationships.