A Course in Miracles is a 1976 book by Helen Schucman. Its underlying premise is that the greatest "miracle" is simply gaining a full awareness of love's presence in one's life.
The Course is a self-study spiritual thought system which emphasizes experience over belief in a theology. It uses Christian terminology but is ecumenical, teaching that all paths lead to God.
The Text
The Course is a three-volume set of books: the 669-page Text, the Workbook for Students with 365 daily lessons, and the Manual for Teachers. It is considered by many philosophers and psychologists to be one of the most important trans-personal psychological works of this century and perhaps of the millennium.
The goal of the course is undoing the illusion of separation in all its forms, and teaching a profoundly different way of forgiving that leads to healing and freedom. It also teaches about love and forgiveness, and remembering the truth about yourself, others, God and reality.
Helen Schucman claims that she did not write the Course, but received it by "inner dictation" from Jesus Christ. She and Bill Thetford are named as the scribes of the Course, although they give credit to the voice that dictated it. They call this the "Urtext" of the Course. It is a version that differs from the standard printed versions in several ways.
The Workbook
The Workbook is a self-study curriculum and A course in miracles teaching tool that contains 365 daily lessons. Its goal is to help you learn to recognize the presence of love in your life and experience the peace that comes with that recognition.
It was scribed by Helen Schucman in a process of inner dictation that she identified as coming from Jesus. It was published in 1976 by the Foundation for Inner Peace, and since then has been translated into more than 25 languages.
The text provides the theoretical framework for the lessons in the Workbook, but it is the application of these ideas that will make them meaningful. While it is possible to have enlightenment on any of the lessons, it is important not to be discouraged if this does not happen right away. Enlightenment is a gradual process.
The Manual
A Course in Miracles describes itself as "a unified system of thought designed to change the way you look at the world." It does not seek to replace your current beliefs or morals, but rather to remove the blocks to a full awareness of love's presence.
Its metaphysics are more aligned with Eastern mysticism than traditional Christian theology, and it explicitly rejects such teachings as the doctrines of sin and crucifixion. It also challenges significant elements of modern Christianity and draws upon ideas from other religions as well.
The Book of A Course in Miracles has been a major influence on the so-called spiritual but not religious movement, and is widely read as a bible for this new view of the world. The curriculum it offers consists of three books: the Text, which sets out the concepts that form its thought system; the Workbook for Students, comprised of 365 daily lessons; and the Manual for Teachers, which provides answers to questions about the curriculum.
The Teachings
A Course in Miracles is a self-study spiritual thought system which consists of three books: the 669-page Text, which lays out the theoretical foundation upon which the curriculum is based; the 488-page Workbook for Students, which contains 365 daily lessons and emphasizes experience rather than belief in a theology; and the 92-page Manual for Teachers, which clarifies terms and provides answers to questions that arise. It is an ecumenical teaching, utilizing Christian terminology but open to all faiths.
In its teachings, the Course defines a miracle as any change in perception and mind from the ego's story of reality to the truth. This enables a person to "glide" through life, free of the burdens of guilt and fear, experiencing peace of mind, and being love, which is happiness. A Course in Miracles also teaches that forgiveness is the only way to God and the only healing there is. It is a path to happiness that is truly unique.