Since the title implies, A Course in Miracles is a teaching device. It teaches us what's real and what's unreal, and leads us to the direct connection with our personal Inner Teacher.

The Course is arranged in three parts: a text, a workbook for students and an information for teachers. The Text presents the concepts underlying the Course.The workbook contains 365 daily lessons that provide students the ability to use and feel the concepts on a functional level. The teacher's manual is presented in a question and answer format, addressing typical questions that the student may ask; in addition it supplies a clarification of terms used throughout the Course.

On How it All Began

The Course was compiled by Helen Schucman and Bill Thetford, two highly trained 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 this moment is your miracle, writing down in shorthand the inner messages she received. Bill typed what Helen wrote. It took a total of seven years to complete A Course in Miracles, which was 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.

In the last 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 works. Across the world, people gather with other like-minded students to see the Course together to be able to better understand the Course's message. In this era of electronic and social media marketing, A Course in Miracles could be obtained in e-book format, on CD, and through iPhone Apps. You can interact with other Course students on Facebook, Yahoo Groups, Twitter, and numerous other websites.

Experiencing the Course

The Course is made to be considered a self-study tool. However, many students discover that their first interaction with the material is difficult and overwhelming - the change in perspective that it offers is unlike traditional thinking. Taking an introductory class with an educated facilitator or teacher provides for a gentler opening to these new ideas and an even more fulfilling experience.

There are lots of classes and courses of study in relation to the philosophy of A Course in Miracles, and even specific classes on key Course concepts, such as for instance True Forgiveness or Cause and Effect. Such classes give students the opportunity to experience the idea and application of specific material more deeply. Through such deep experience, many students discover the reassurance of inner peace and the joy of knowing the Inner Teacher.

"This Course is a beginning, not an end... No further specific lessons are assigned, for there's no more need of them. Henceforth, hear nevertheless the Voice for God... He will direct your efforts, letting you know exactly what direction to go, how exactly to direct your mind, and when to come to Him alone, asking for His sure direction and His certain Word (Workbook, p. 487).