| As the title implies, A Course in Miracles is a | | | | in order to better understand the Course's |
| teaching device. It teaches us what is real and | | | | message. In this era of electronic and social |
| what is unreal, and leads us to the direct | | | | media, A Course in Miracles can be obtained in |
| experience of our own Inner Teacher. | | | | e-book format, on CD, and through iPhone Apps. |
| The Course is arranged in three parts: a text, a | | | | You can interact with other Course students on |
| workbook for students and a manual for | | | | Facebook, Yahoo Groups, Twitter, and numerous |
| teachers. The Text presents the concepts | | | | other websites. |
| underlying the Course. The workbook contains | | | | Experiencing the Course |
| 365 daily lessons that give students the | | | | The Course is designed to be a self-study tool. |
| opportunity to apply and experience the concepts | | | | However, many students find that their first |
| on a practical level. The teacher's manual is | | | | interaction with the material is difficult and |
| presented in a question and answer format, | | | | overwhelming - the change in perspective that it |
| addressing typical questions that a student may | | | | offers is contrary to traditional thinking. Taking an |
| ask; it also provides a clarification of terms used | | | | introductory class with a trained facilitator or |
| throughout the Course. | | | | teacher allows for a gentler opening to these new |
| On How it All Began | | | | ideas and a more fulfilling experience. |
| The Course was written by Helen Schucman and | | | | There are many classes and courses of study |
| Bill Thetford, two highly trained and successful | | | | based upon the philosophy of A Course in |
| Professors of Psychology at Columbia University's | | | | Miracles, and even specific classes on key Course |
| College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York | | | | concepts, such as True Forgiveness or Cause and |
| City. Helen was the scribe for the Course, writing | | | | Effect. Such classes give students the chance to |
| down in shorthand the internal messages she | | | | experience the theory and application of specific |
| received. Bill typed what Helen wrote. It took a | | | | material more deeply. Through such deep |
| total of seven years to complete A Course in | | | | experience, many students find the reassurance |
| Miracles, which was first published in 1976 in the | | | | of inner peace and the joy of knowing the Inner |
| United States. Helen wrote additional pamphlets. | | | | Teacher. |
| Her Song of Prayer was published in 1977 and | | | | "This Course is a beginning, not an end... No more |
| The Gift of God in 1978. | | | | specific lessons are assigned, for there is no more |
| Over the past 34 years, the popularity of A | | | | need of them. Henceforth, hear but the Voice for |
| Course in Miracles has grown and spread | | | | God... He will direct your efforts, telling you exactly |
| worldwide. It has been translated into 18 different | | | | what to do, how to direct your mind, and when |
| languages and more translations are in the works. | | | | to come to Him in silence, asking for His sure |
| Throughout the world, people gather with other | | | | direction and His certain Word (Workbook, p. 487). |
| like-minded students to read the Course together | | | | |