Imagine a spiritual day of perfect love, perfect peace, complete forgiveness and oneness. This is the goal that A Course in Miracles teaches.

ACIM uses Christian terminology but is not a religion. It is a combination of spiritual and psychological teachings and practices. Helen Schucman and Bill W. are not credited as a course in miracles bookstore authors, but rather as scribes for the voice that dictated the lessons.
What is A Course in Miracles?

A Course in Miracles (ACIM) is a self-study system of “spiritual psychology” that has been used by over one million people worldwide. It combines profound spiritual teachings with far-reaching and practical psychological insights. Its unique combination of spiritual AND psychological understanding is particularly helpful for those whose lives have been shaped by western culture.

The ACIM curriculum consists of three volumes: the Text, the Workbook and the Manual for Teachers. The first two contain the core teachings of the course. The Manual for Teachers offers suggestions for applying the course's thought system to everyday life.

It also discusses the role of a teacher of the course, the relationship between Jesus and the Course, and the difference between love and fear. The language of the Course is poetic, written in blank verse and has led many to compare it with some of the world's great literature. Its intellectually sophisticated thought system combines spiritual inspiration with deep psychological insight into such topics as belief and defense systems, forgiveness, and identity.

A central theme of the Course is the undoing of the illusion of separation that pervades our world. It does this primarily through the teaching of forgiveness. The Course states that “the journey to God is merely the remembrance of who you are.” As the quote attributed to the mystical poet Rumi goes, "In your forgiveness lies the salvation of the world."

The path of the course takes us beyond the beliefs and behaviors of the ego to a state of peace and happiness. It is a way to experience the perfection of God's love and oneness with ourselves, others and all of creation. It is the recognition that our true nature is the same as God's, and that this truth is what all of reality is based on.

The Course is widely viewed as challenging to traditional religious beliefs and practices. Its claim that it is the only way to reach God is controversial, as is its stance on Jesus Christ and other aspects of Christianity. Nonetheless, it is the Bible of the growing "spiritual but not religious" movement, and has inspired many churches dedicated to its teachings.
The Text

The Course in Miracles is a spiritual and psychological path, not a religion. It uses Christian symbols and terms, but is almost the opposite of Christianity the way it is commonly practiced. It is based on Love's forgiveness, not guilt and punishment. It is a course in letting go of the ego and remembering who we really are, in perfect peace, freedom, love, and oneness with everyone and everything, including God.

The course is comprised of a 669 page Text that provides the theoretical framework upon which its thought system is based; a 488 page Workbook for Students, containing 365 daily lessons designed to train the student's mind along the lines set forth in the Text; and a 92 page Manual for Teachers, which offers clarification and answers to some of the questions likely to be raised by the study of the Course. Two additional supplements, the Song of Prayer and the Psychotherapy Workbook, can also be used with the course.

While the language of the Course is poetic and often written in blank verse, it has been described as intellectually sophisticated. It combines spiritual inspiration with deep psychological understanding of such concepts as perception and identity, the nature of belief systems and defense mechanisms.

Many people buy the Course and read it, but don't know where to start or how to go about it. It is important to read it at a pace that feels right for you - reading it all in a few days would probably be overwhelming, but it is fine to read one chapter a week or even a few paragraphs each day. What matters is that you try to apply the principles of the course in your life, and remember that it is only by doing the Workbook exercises that you will learn the truth about the world - what it is really all about.
The Workbook

The workbook of A Course in Miracles consists of 365 daily lessons that are designed to help you practice the principles taught in the Text. The workbook is a practical application of the principles of the Course and teaches a simple method for transforming your mind. The daily exercises are based on letting go of the beliefs that cause you pain and replacing them with the thoughts of Love. It is a path to true freedom, peace and joy.

A Course in Miracles is not a religious course, though it uses Christian symbols and makes references to Jesus Christ. It is a spiritual and psychological path that offers an alternate point of view, challenging us to question the values that keep the world in conflict. It is a powerful tool for transformation, teaching us to see things differently and to recognize God’s Presence in all things.

After taking down the Course itself, Helen Schucman scribed two supplementary pamphlets, Psychotherapy and Song of Prayer, which were completed in 1975 and 1977 respectively. For many Course students, these pamphlets provide an important context for understanding the lessons in the Workbook.

When practicing the Workbook, it is helpful to reflect on the kind of day you want and then set that as your goal. This helps you keep your focus on the goal rather than on the problems and challenges of the day. It also allows you to choose a lesson from the workbook that reflects that goal. This is often done at the beginning of each day.

In addition to the Workbook lessons, you can practice using the Course’s method of meditation, which consists of reading the lesson, spending a short period of time focusing on its meaning, and then reciting the associated prayer slowly and sincerely. This is done while listening for the Voice of God, which is always present and willing to teach you. This is a very different way of approaching meditation than the traditional techniques that most people are used to.
Meditation

There are many different types of meditation, and the type that is best for you will depend on your personal preferences. Some people like to meditate in groups, while others prefer to practice on their own or with the help of a guide. Some forms of meditation focus on breathwork, while others aim to reduce stress and anxiety levels. Meditation can also improve self-esteem and the way a person perceives his or her own thoughts and feelings.

The course of A Course in Miracles encourages daily prayer and meditation. It recommends that people spend some time each day reading the Bible or a spiritual text and then reflecting on it, using their own words. The course teaches that this is an effective way to grow in holiness, and it is recommended by St. Teresa of Avila and other religious saints.

The Course offers a unique approach to the spiritual life and meditation. It focuses on changing beliefs and perceptions, not events in the world around you. The goal is to wake up from the dream of the ego, to move from fear and judgment to peace and love. A change of mind and perception is a miracle, according to the course.

For those that want to add meditation to their daily prayers, the course suggests a number of different techniques. One is to choose a Bible verse that speaks to you and then meditate on it for a few minutes each day. The verse can be something as simple as a few words or as complex as an entire chapter of the Bible. It is important to research the verse before meditating on it so you can understand what the word means, any unfamiliar words or phrases that need explanation and any biblical background that may help you interpret it correctly.

Another form of meditation involves focusing on your own thought processes, and it is often referred to as mindfulness. This can help you learn how to recognize your own thought patterns and understand why they are so limiting. You can then use that knowledge to make positive changes in your thinking.