Customer Reviews

An Introduction to A Course in Miracles

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

When my 3-vol. book "A Course in Miracles" arrived, I eagerly began reading the Text, and after finishing the first chapter, was also sampling parts of the Workbook for Students as well as the Manual for Teachers. Seeing great promise in all of this and wanting it all immediately would provide much more frustration than I was already feeling because "A Course in Miracles" is long, and presented in small methodical steps which also induces much soul-searching. All very wonderful, but time consuming, and when one is hungering for a "quick fix" or wondering where it'll all lead to, it gets your head spinning. So two days later when my copy of "An Introduction to A Course in Miracles" arrived, I read it cover to cover and now feel very satisfied! This short book could stand on it's own, giving a very readable and easily understandable synopsis of the Course which made me feel more in tune with what I had already read, and more ready to be able to start applying its' ideas now. I know that I'll be keeping the "Introduction to ..." right with the "Course ..." because I'll want to reread it periodically to take a break from the more intense work of the text, and to keep a lighter overview of it in mind! It already has been, and I'm sure will be a 'sanity saver' for me!

I have found this book very helpful in being something of a brief over-view of "A Course In Miracles." I have given this book to three people, all as an attempt to "explain" what the Course is (as opposed to wanting to "convince" them to read the Course). None of the people I gave this book to ended up becoming students of the Course (not that I know of - one friend has remained skeptical of the Course [if not verging on hostile]), but they at least had a little "mental slot" for what the Course is. They at least knew what I was talking about when I said "The Course says..."

The Course is a very complex theory of spiritual psychotherapy that can at times be overwhelming even for "students" (to be a student simply means you read the book). So, how then does one explain the "basis" for what the Course is to a non-student? Why, they give them this book.

Now, if one is a student of the Course I would suggest going beyond - far beyond - this book and turning to the work of Kenneth and Gloria Wapnick. But if one is simply curious as to what the Course is, and where it came from, I would recommend reading this book. I'm sure you will find it as helpful and brief - very brief! - as I did. And the price is very nice.

I have given out dozens of copies of this book over the last few years and the book has always been gratefully received. A Course says there is no order of difficulty in miracles. This brief book is the best simple introductory work on A Course available and a bridge to those of my friends who want to know what I am studying (I am a student of A Course) but who do not feel they have the time for an in depth treatment of the subject. A "must read" for any student of A Course and for inquirers at all levels. Buy several copies to have available to give to your friends. You'll be glad you did. Highly recommended.

The above reviews reflect the fear that pervades Christian and religious dogma throughout time. These are NOT real reviews of this book. This book is wonderful and for the INEVITABLE students of the course.

What those reviews do not realize is that the course is EXACTLY what the original writings of Chrisitianity say. They have just misconstrued Jesus' words and now their fear is speaking.

When you know the truth of your own religion then you should state your belief...until then do not speak from positions of ignorance.

I recommend this book highly to anyone (Including & especially) all Chrisitian denominations for relief from an inacurate account of a dualistic God who spouts nothing but fear. The Bible is corrected in the course by the author the Bible should have been written by in the first place. Not the apostiles but Jesus himself. He is not spouting dogma as the fear of the apostles in the bible, he is speaking love.

This fears many Chrisitians (it doesn't have to) who do not understand the course at all. In fact, if they would go back and read their own reviews they could see the obvious fear, dogma and hate in them. Jesus promoted love, compassion and understanding for ALL people and beliefs even within the bible. So what happened to it here on Amazon? I will ask them "How is your life...good or filled with judgement and grief? your reviews state the judgement. Another small reflection of the crusades and the inquisition. Traditional fear-filled Chrisitianity has failed many of us (and growing immensely) because it is skewed and filled with innacuracies. THIS IS A FACT. There are people who study in detail, Jesus, Buddha and all religions of the world through time who know WHAT WAS REALLY said.

Little children, do not defend the parables of the Bible, open your hearts and use your minds. Learn, not from some TV evangelist or some minister (they ALL say different things about different parts of the bible. This was something we had to research while in school). Learn from your heart, not from your fear. It is obvious those earlier reviews are coming from a place of fear.

I first "discovered" the voluminous ACIM and the slim "An Introduction to A Course in Miracles" in 1996 when "Introduction to ACIM" was still published as "by Robert Perry", the author.

For anyone who wants a broad overview of ACIM, "An Introduction" is the place to begin. In the last 10 years I have read many books, pamphlets, web pages and more dealing with ACIM. "An Introduction" still remains No.1 on my list of ACIM primers.

I usually purchase several (even a dozen) copies at a time to have on hand to give to friends or others who express interest (positive, negative or betwixt) in ACIM. "Introduction" is well and simply written, addresses a variety of topics about ACIM (including it's primary principles and provenance), and is a relatively easy read (great for airplane trips--as long as you're not the pilot).

ACIM is not everyone's "cup of char". "An Introduction" will probably help you decide if the tea of ACIM is suitable for your humble clay cup.

Namaste!

While I have read the entire Course, Workbook for Students and Manual for Teachers, I feel that this book is an excellent primer to get the gist of what the text is all about, and being a much shorter read, you'll still get a LOT out of it.

It gives you the gist of it all, and is perhaps perfect for people without a lot of time in their schedule to do a lot of reading.

I highly recommend it for its purity, truth, and the inner peace it can bring into your life.

Barbara Rose, author of Stop Being the String Along: A Relationship Guide to Being THE ONE
Editor, inspire! magazine

Upon becoming a student in The Course, I have found this to be an excellent gift to people who express an interest in this journey. I have been able to provide this for them, instead of my nterpretation, and for some it spoke the right words for them to investigate further.

This intro book to A Course in Miracles is such an excellent first step into the main book. It's an overview which is the most accurately reflective summary I've read. I highly recommend it. At last mankind's ancient call for the way home has been answered by A Course In Miracles. It is a step-by-step pathway to healing and knowing one's Self through forgiveness of others. There never has been a book like it.

I have just read the numerous reviews on this book and see two sides, the extreme christian view who sees everying as a threat to faith and the extreme liberal new agie side who believes most everything that the other side does not. I find the book well written (and this audio book well done) and coming from a psychology and theology background can see the attempt to marry them up. The author is obviously knolwedgeable about his subject matter and it peaks some interest in me to read some more of his works when I get the time. If this book causes you to fear for your religion you must have a sheltered life somewhere or some insecurities. You do not have to believe everything you read. This book does appear to have a taste of Freud, a smudge of Hinduism and a few other eastern thought ideas. So for those who like this sort of mix, enjoy. The rest of us can look, read and move on.

The original version of the Course is absolutely LOADED with male references such as Father, Son, Sonship, he, his, him, Son of God, men. Females are almost never mentioned nor referred to. As a female, I find this exclusive language to be very irritating and have more than once given up in disgust. Also the writing can be extremely OBTUSE, and is in need of a good editor.

I even thought I would make myself write a gender-neutral version in desperation, since I really believe in the message of the ACIM thought system. But thank heavens someone already did it! Called Miracles Unplugged , the editor, Reverend Pamela Schauer taught ACIM courses for 15 years.

The inclusive version is not burdened by religiously and (for some) emotionally loaded words like:

atonement, creator, Christ, crucify, devil, evil, God, heaven, hell, Holy Spirit, idols, imprisoned, minister, redemption, resurrection, revelation, salvation, saved, savior, second coming, sins, Sonship.

In her version the above words have been removed and the following have been substituted:

our sacred mind, forgiveness, companion, expression, divine essence, higher identity or true identity, punish, lower consciousness, guilt, source, them, you, we, wholeness and knowledge, lower consciousness, spiritual interpreter, illusions, limited, teacher, light or truth, enlightenment, direct communication, freedom, freed, teacher, higher consciousness, errors, ultimate oneness.

These substitutions make the beautiful ACIM thought system more accessible for those who are not Christian and for those who are, for what ever reason, alienated from Christianity. I believe the Unplugged version could be used by folks of various religious persuasions without discomfort or alienation. Certain biblical references and passages claiming to be Christ speaking have been deleted or changed to make these messages less exclusive while retaining the information needed to understand the loving and healing thought system.


Some of the members in our ACIM group, some of them men, prefer to use the Unplugged version. However, some others miss the use of the words Holy Spirit, and some of the explanations of biblical passages and references to Christ and use either the Original Edition or the other classic versions.

I just wanted to give folks a heads up that there is another option out there. It is a great and healing thought system, which ever version you study from!