A Course in Miracles: Combined Volume

This is a dense, intellectual work that needs to be studied many many times to be properly understood. If you study it enough, it SHOULD become clear to you. I believe that I understand it quite well, but then I have given it much study. In my opinion, it is a book without parallel, and very much the best book ever written. It does not confuse the reader deliberately, although it IS complex - it is like a good philosophical work, it is full of new concepts that cannot be explained by merely referencing something already written. It is clearly a "New Age" work, in that many of its ideas are clearly identifiable with the "New Age", and because it is thought to have been "channeled", received by a process of inner dictation from a disembodied source, by the scribe, Helen Schucman. Not everybody is willing to give it the study that it would need for them to properly understand it, which is probably something of a shame, in my opinion. In a sense, it is a particularly pure brand of Christianity; it supposedly comes from Jesus, and many of its ideas find their parallels within Pentecostal belief, for instance the idea that "littleness and glory are the only choices available to you", and that if you choose one, you will forfeit the other. It is not intended as a substitute for the Holy Bible, nor to mislead Christians or to start a new cult. I find that it makes Christianity more accessible. It is a misconception to suggest that it is an attempt to belittle or destroy traditional Christianity. As for its study, it is a self-study guide. There are study groups which you might be able to join, but the Course itself does not specifically advocate them, or say that you need one. In my experience, and I speak from experience, not some fleeting opinion or guess, the Course is neither a cult vehicle, nor does it lend itself to a cult anymore than traditional Christianity, although, of course, a cult can be built around almost anything, if the designers of such a cult so choose. I found this book after two years of searching for something in this vein. I consider it to be quite a fortunate find. I have been studying it, on and off, for 20 years now. It is full of profound truths and incisive common sense and logic, and largely revolves around the discussion of the futility of the agenda of Freud's "Ego", as being merely an emotional reaction to the grandeur of God, and not offering anything of value in itself. The whole thing centres around forgiveness, a concept which it redefines to remove the guilt implied in the whole concept of forgiving someone of a known wrong. This is easily, easily, the best book I have ever read, and I have read many. I realise that its intense intellectualism is not for everybody, nor will be its overall religious theme, but I must recommend it to the seeker. Brent Haskell's "The Other Voice" makes an excellent companion text.

This is a book for people who feel there is more of life than survival. This is a book for people who never felt at Home here in this world. This a book for all those in search for peace in the midst of havoc. I was introduced to A Course in Miracles five years ago, as a birthday present from a friend. And it’s a life changing present! ☺ This is not book to just read. This is a “guide” to peace, which requires to be practiced if you wanna see changes in your life. It’s a “guide” that introduce new way of seeing, quite opposite of what we have been taught all our lives, and therefore a pathway to unshakable peace and Love. For the last 5 years I have been through the Workbook for 4 times and each time, new insights come into my awareness, each time bring me closer to peace and complete freedom of suffering. I think for different people it is different experience, but the way this book worked for me is: I started with the Workbook lessons and was doing only the lessons for few years. Doing the Workbook lessons helped to prepare my mind to be able to grasp the concepts in the Text. It requires rereading and rereading, because as your mind becomes more open, you will find new messages, insights in this book. Never end with just one reading and pursuing intellectual understanding, because this book is not to learn the words and information, but to help you experience a different way of living life. If you trust this guide, you will give yourself the most rewarding experience. It requires vigilance and diligence from your side, but the place where it will bring you have no comparison to anything else. This book will teach you that your thoughts are the only source of your misery. And once you are ready to accept this and take responsibility for all that you think and feel, you would hold the key to your freedom and peace in your own hands. This book will teach you that you have no enemies, but you are surrounded with best of friends….so good friends of yours that they are prepared to play even “dirty” to help you evolve on your path. A Course in Miracles is a tool. We are all pure gold covered with dirt. And A Course in Miracles is one tool that can help us removing the dirt, so we can shine again in our purity. Just Love it!!

The Course in Miracles is a deeply profound set of teaching based on the theme of Forgiveness. It aims to set us free from fear; free from fear of the future, free from fear of other people and above all free from fear of God. It is mainly a set of 365 lessons (one per day for the year) plus the text which helps create an understanding of the lessons. As for myself, I did not read the text for the first couple of years. I just keep working through the lessons and repeating them. When I eventually read the text I laughed with delight at how it turns things around and sets things to rights. Some may not be keen on the Shakespearean style of the wording, but once you get used to it I find this adds to the power of the words. It helps take me into another way of thinking and feeling. The unusual wording helps awaken thinking outside of the usual as well. I first came across Course in Miracles in the late 70's and have studied it again and again at different phases of my life. It has been invaluable. I bought this version as I wanted the whole thing in a compact size for traveling. I wanted a physical book so this works for me splendidly. Course in Miracles has a somewhat Christian flavour and some might be put off by that. But I have met a number of non-Christians who have adapted to it with no problems and have gained immensely, as as it has a universal appeal. Even so, although I have written a book about Forgiveness I avoided quoting a Course in Miracles (or the Bible, or indeed any authoritative sources) as my work is meant to be religion-neutral so that anyone can use it and adapt the exercises to their needs (religious or not). William Fergus Martin, Author Forgiveness is Power: A User's Guide to Why and How to Forgive Kindle Version Forgiveness is Power: A User's Guide to Why and How to Forgive

My journey began approx. 10 years ago with a coach via our business; then was introduced to The Secret, from there to several other authors - Gary Zukav, Louise Hay, Wayne Dyer and the list continues; then about a year and a half ago to Eckhart Tolle and through Eckhart Tolle (also via Oprah) to Marianne Williamson - and through her I arrived at the Course in Miracles. It's been quite a journey, with varying degrees of ups and downs and one could say - as far as the external world is concerned - probably more downs than ups. HOWEVER, I do know now that all that has happened and is happening is precisely the way it is meant to happen, that it is perfect, that all that happens is a learning experience. Am I a completely changed person? Far from it; but I also know that the fear of the future and what the future would hold would completely overwhelm me were it not for these teachings. And with every day and every day's workbook exercises, it brings one a step closer. It is incredibly tough for me - especially the lessons on grievances and letting go of grievances, the lessons on forgiveness, slowly coming to grasp the concept that there really is not anything to forgive and the list continues BUT, I do know now that this is the only book I ever will need going forward. Anyone who knows me would attest to the fact that I would be a probably very unlikely candidate for these teachings - typical ambitious career focused girl, very focused on external accomplishments - and I still am to a large degree. But I also know that something has shifted and is shifting. Things are happening, have happened and continue to happen that are difficult to explain - but I do know with 100% certainty that this is just the beginning and I will forever be grateful to Marianne Williamson for bringing these teachings to life to so many people. A true life changer

The content of this book is truly miraculous - however, it is such hard work to get through and seems to me to be somewhat outdated in its presentation. And I do accept that this kind of information/study is like any other and requires application, but in the long run, I would have to be living on a desert island with nothing else to do to get through it!

I have not read all of the book and it includes with in it a workbook to go through lessons for each day of the year. Review to date this book is remarkable it is the way the truth and wisdom I love it and feel blessed to have it .

I was first brought to this book through Gabrielle Bernstein's `Spirit Junkie'. I think that without first being introduced to the concepts contained in `A Course in Miracles' through `Spirit Junkie', this book would have been too overwhelming. Having said that, once you have overcome the spiritual language and the thickness of the book, its words and concepts will change your life for good. It has made me see the world through new eyes and I now wake up each day full of positivity. This book has become my spiritual bible as well as my moral compass, whenever I need a boost; there is always a massage to meet the occasion. This book will change your life for the good, or at least see the world in a more positive way.

A very heavy read, which is what I expected. To understand the text I can only manage a few pages at a time. A book for the long haul I think. I'm not traditionally religous and find the style of writing (I appreciate that the information is claimed to be "channelled") difficult to understand as the message is not obvious. A very challenging read, which I intend to persevere with. y

This is an excellent book, but it's deep, intense and a difficult read; very similar to a King James Bible, both in format and verbiage - even the pages are made of 'bible paper' ! I could only read a chapter or 2 a day due to the style of writing, again Biblical. One must be truly dedicated to getting through this book, it's almost a form of deep meditation just to read and absorb it, but if you can, you will be a better person for it. It seems as long as a Bible as well !

After hearing about ACIM for a couple of years, I finally decided to buy it. The book far exceeds my expectations. It provides a framework for spiritual growth that is amazing and unusual, but appears to be highly effective. My sister started the Course at the same time, and we talk briefly by telephone every day to compare our insights and understandings. It is very helpful to have this exchange of ideas, because sometimes the wording can be a bit complicated, and the concepts are sometimes difficult to understand. Usually one or the other of us can offer an insight that clarifies the other's confusion. We are only on Day 57 now, but we both see some changes. I am very curious to see how I will have changed after one year.

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The most shocking thing you'll notice if you open A Course In Miracles is the deceivingly pretentious introduction that never fails to spark intrigue. And by that I mean, ahem!... Check out the first five sentences... "This is a course in miracles. It is a required course. Only the time you take it is voluntary. Free will does not mean that you can establish the curriculum. It means only that you can elect what you want to take at a given time." Required? The only choice is when I take it at any-given-time? And yet, there is enormous wisdom in it. It takes browsing a few pages to realize that actually, it is required, because it is the only spiritual message there is. It is the same message we hear from anyone that has ever grown into spiritual high levels and tried to tell us how to join them. It is the way. Yes, there is a heavy "Christian" tone to the book. BUT, to my surprise, and unlike the stories I heard in both, catholic-elementary AND catholic-high-school (such was my luck) --- this book interprets things correctly. For example... take a contentious phrase, something like: "revenge is mine". Can you imagine how someone can 'interpret' that to a captivated audience of easily scared listeners? or, worse, can you imagine the reaction of someone who may be furious and stumbling on such a page? It could be dangerous. But the book makes the meaning clear, at least for me..... this is what it says (I paraphrase): Revenge is mine means you NEVER take revenge. You do the right thing, but you do not take revenge because the results of the actions of s/he, whom you perceive as your perpetrator, are NOT up to you, but up to a higher power. Phew! Early this year I took to A Course In Miracles again and found gems within it. I wanted to share some of the most interesting ones with you. Here they are: 1.- INFINITE PATIENCE DELIVERS IMMEDIATE RESULTS The first time I read this one I laughed. I mean, c'mon! Immediate results, oh yeah, ha ha ha. I decided I to put it to the test, that very day. I needed to open a new bank account, and I knew these things take forever. Also I kind of needed it to work because I was already late for work. So I wanted it to work. When the bank representative asked for the usual documents and apologized for the computer being slow, I took it as a sign. I said to myself: infinite patience delivers immediate results. Then... I said to him: "Take your time. No rush at all". (I was sweating inside) But I meant it. The account was open within 12 minutes (I tracked it). I've never seen that happen in a NYC bank before. I was early for work. You see, the thing with this spell is that it has magic in it: it removes "time" from the equation. The first part has the word "infinite" in it: We are outside of time, no beginning, no end, NO TIME. That in turn, is coupled with "patience", which is a human demonstration of infinity. The second part has the word "immediate" in it, which means NOW. NO TIME. And it is coupled with the word "result", meaning: something happens, NOW. NO TIME = INFINITY = NO TIME = SOMETHING HAPPENS NOW. And all we had to do was have an open mind and remember the affirmation. Stepping into the present with an open heart (as you would if you really wanted it to work), gives you an advantage... You are operating from infinity. Try it. You tell me. 2.- A MIRACLE IS A SHIFT IN PERCEPTION The power of an alchemist lies not in turning dust into gold. That is just a metaphor to show the strength of the mind that lies behind such a miracle. A real miracle is one that happens when in spite of desperation, hurt, defeat, bankruptcy, we still shift our perception from lack, to abundance. We have our feet on the ground, we know where we are, but we also trust the infinite force that is keeping us alive right now, and we know we are abundant, in this moment, because we are here. How is that for a miracle? The Course in Miracles re-defines the meaning of a 'miracle' as something quite mundane which we can do only if we are strong enough. Why do we need to be strong enough? Because changing our habits is not easy. Looking at a situation in a different light requires humility. We need to feel the fire of anger, let it go, and re-open our minds for new possibilities. The stuff of alchemists... 3.- I DON'T PERCEIVE MY OWN BEST INTERESTS This one blew my mind right of its skull. I mean, how true is that? Give it a minute, let it sink in. There is a story of that enlightened monk who, one night, gets a visit from the parents of the teen-age girl that lives next door. The parents are furious, and they accuse him of getting their daughter pregnant. They tell him he will have to look after the baby. And that they will tell everyone in the village. That he is a fraud. The monk says: Is that so? No reaction. He is aware that he does not perceive his own best interests. The baby is born. He takes care of it. And the monk's reputation is ruined, of course. A year later the parents come back and apologize, they tell him their daughter confessed that the child was fathered by the butcher. And, that they want the baby back. The monk says: Is that so? The baby goes back to his parents. The monk's reputation is restored. Further, perhaps he now becomes a legend. We are talking about it now. The story survives because there is truth in it. --- How does that introduction I told you about in the beginning continue? Check out the next two lines... "The course does not aim at teaching the meaning of love, for that is beyond what can be taught. It does aim, however, at removing the blocks to the awareness of love's presence, which is your natural inheritance." And removing the veils to our awareness is what we do in our practice every day. Here is to YOU, Dear Veils: Take your time to clear yourselves from my perception. Take all the time you need... I have infinite patience...

The only book u need ever read this lifetime! 10stars highly recommended ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆