A Course in Miracles [Hardcover]

Helen Schucman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2006

When Columbia University professor of medical psychology Helen Schucman began hearing a voice, she transcribed what she heard. She eventually identified the voice that she was hearing as none other than Jesus, delivering a message of compassion and forgiveness for the modern world. This book sold millions of copies worldwide and is currently used in thousands of study groups.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The acim ("A Course in Miracles") is a unique metaphysical course. I have a few pointers and ideas here to consider. I do not attempt to alter or miscreate the "course" in any way but to offer a spin on it. Know this; the course is not that revolutionary as it borrows most of its concepts and ideas from Hindu and possibly Zoroastrian thought systems. These are the main issues I have with the "course"; The cause of the separation just does not make sense to me as presented by the "course". The solution is also seemingly single minded, aka "silver bullet" theory that Americans are so fond of. The problem for me is the ever present philosophical issue is whether to accept or reject the "reality" we dream? This is the million dollar question that faces philosophers and thinkers. The intellectual notion is to reject it but there is a big problem lies therein too. So the actual answer to me at least is to accept life and live it knowing that it is a dream. Personally, I do not have a problem of rebirth and live a life of a child or 20-year old unless the circumstances are just too hard. Who knows that ahead of the time? You cannot fight the dream only gradually accept and realize that taking it seriously is unwise. I know many people who ended up cracking up because they "fight" the ego too hard. As for the cause of the separation, I have learned it differently in Yoga and it makes more sense, at least to me. What I have learned as the "first cause" as it was a "desire of expression" that "made" the Universe as is. The problem is mainly the separation but there are other issues too. But even since it is not created but emanated from Infinity. (A perfect god (infinity) cannot "create" the imperfect Universe, hence the emanation.) The "course" also lacks addressing issues of importance; i.e. how do we handle injustice, corruption and political issues in the "dream"? Do we even bother voting? Lot of people might misunderstand the "course" and apply it rather single mindedly, I am afraid. I do believe in forgiveness as the key, but there might be other facets too, like "service". I do not believe or like any "silver bullet" theory that "western" esoterism is so fond of. These seeming inconsistencies had stemmed the birth of a cottage industry, writing about a book, teaching the course and of course reinterpreting some of the ideas presented in the over 1000 page of material. Gary Renard is one author, teacher whose interpretation attempts to plug these logical potholes. He, however does not go far enough. Gary had a 9-year long interaction with two ascended masters who rephrased and reinterpreted the main ideas of the "course". My advise is use your intelligence and common sense to understand these important yet unsettling ideas and keep one important fact in mind. The Hindu Vedas had described "acim" long before Jesus ever walked the earth. --Editors' Review (Murine Press) --This text refers to the Perfect Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 640 pages
• Publisher: Welcome Rain Publishers (November 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566491444
• ISBN-13: 978-1566491440
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #991,087 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Reprint of 1st Edition, February 4, 2007

By 

Thomas W. Fox (Louisville, KY USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Course in Miracles (Hardcover)

This volume is an exact reproduction of the 1985 15th printing of "A Course in Miracles Text," 1st edition. In fact, it is a photo reproduction reprint of that classic. I know it is the 1985 version of ACIM because it contains the Preface, which was not included in prior printings. As "A Course in Miracles Text" 1st edition, I'd give it 5 stars. I took one star away because the publisher, Welcome Rain, does not make it clear that this volume is not the complete Course in Miracles. It lacks the Workbook and the Manual for Teachers.

Otherwise, it is a very handsome hardback book. The binding is tight, but not too tight. The volume lays flat when open, without cracking the spine. A less expensive, less opaque, and more pulpy paper was used in this printing (so the use of highlighters might not work well), but it made for a more compact volume. It is about two-thirds as thick as the original FIP product.

The text is clear and easy to read, and as a reprint of the 1st edition it doesn't have the annoying paragraph and sentence numbering system of the 2nd edition.

Obviously I like the Course, and I also like this version of the Course. It's a nifty little hardbound volume, and its reasonable price makes it just right for gift-giving.

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Original edition of 'A Course in Miracles' by Bill Thetford, April 6, 2007

By 

Caryl Westwood "Caryl for Miracles" (Santa Fe, New Mexico) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Course in Miracles (Hardcover)

I have been studying 'A Course in Miracles' since 1977. The teachings became core beliefs in the way I view and live in the world. From the moment I began reading the 'Course' my life began to change in quantum leaps. After many years of study I had some questions that were not clearly answered but accepted on Faith. When the copyright trial began in the 1990's, originated by Ken Wapnick, most of the original scribed material from Helen and Bill became available on the Internet. Though Dr. Wapnick documented in ' Absence of Felicity' he clearly stated that he only corrected spelling errors and made sub-headings in the Text. Fortunately the copyright lawsuits made the vast amount of material scribed available to the public. This book is a product of the litigation that lasted for seven years. This text is the original editing of Bill Thetford and vastly different than the books that became available in the mid-seventies. The definitions of 'Levels of Mind' are perfectly clear. Our Identity with Soul is beautifully expressed. The Wapnick edition may lead one to the same conclusions as the Thetford edition of the 'Course', however some deeply important aspects of the teachings were altered that are clearly revealed in this lovely edition of 'A Course in Miracles'. This edition draws a different picture of the world, the universe, our Soul and that God Created the Universe as in Heaven. Waking to the Truth of our Self we will experience Heaven on Earth.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Course in Miracles, July 6, 2007

By 

Tnorga - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Course in Miracles (Hardcover)

If you are ready to confront your egos creation of the illusion you call your life, then this book is for you. Realizing that we seperated from our natural state of oneness with God is the first step to getting back to him.