Supplements to A Course in Miracles [Paperback]

Foundation for Inner Peace (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1996

This is a supplement to the self-study course in miracles, which includes songs and prayers and psychotherapy. The course introduces miracles as naturally occuring expressions of love, and although Christian in language, it is a perennial philosophy, presented in a way which is meaningful for present times.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Viking Adult (March 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670869945
• ISBN-13: 978-0670869947
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #565,095 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Combined volume of two pamphlets "scribed" by Helen Schucman, April 29, 2002

By 

Andrew Olivo Parodi (Oregon, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Supplements to A Course in Miracles (Paperback)

These are two pamphlets combined into one volume. They were taken down in the same "inner dictation" that produced A COURSE IN MIRACLES.

The first pamphlet is:

PSYCHOTHERAPY: PURPOSE, PROCESS, AND PRACTICE.

Introduction
Chapter 1: The Purpose of Psychotherapy
Chapter 2: The Process of Psychotherapy
I. The Limits on Psychotherapy
II. The Place of Religion in Psychotherapy
III. The Role of the Psychotherapist
IV. The Process of Illness
V. The Process of Healing
VI. The Definition of Healing
VII. The Ideal Patient-Therapist Relationship
Chapter 3: The Practice of Psychotherapy
I. The Selection of Patients
II. Is Psychotherapy a Profession?
III. The Question of Payment

Forty-seven pages in all, this is recommended reading for all students of A COURSE IN MIRACLES. But Kenneth Wapnick PhD., himself a psychiatrist, has suggested that this booklet be read after the student of the Course has read the Course proper. Also, he cautions against anyone taking this booklet to their therapist unless the therapist has asked for it or is familiar with the Course. As with the Course proper, this booklet is primarily intended for personal study in aiding the reader in healing his own perspective.

The second pamphlet in this volume is:

THE SONG OF PRAYER

Chapter 1: Prayer
Introduction
I. True Prayer
II. The Ladder of Prayer
III. Praying for Others
IV. Praying with Others
V. The Ladder Ends
Chapter 2: Forgiveness
Introduction
I. Forgiveness of Yourself
II. Forgiveness-to-Destroy
III. Forgiveness-for-Salvation
Chapter 3: Healing
Introduction
I. The Cause of Sickness
II. False versus True Healing
III. Separation versus Union
IV. The Holiness of Healing

Forty-four pages in all, this is a beautifully written booklet that ends with one of my favorite passages in all of the Course material:

"So now return your holy voice to Me. The song of prayer is silent without you. The universe is waiting your release because it is its own. Be kind to it and yourself, and then be kind to Me. I ask but this; that you be comforted and live no more in terror and in pain. Do not abandon Love. Remember this; whatever you may think about yourself, whatever you may think about the world, your Father needs you and will call to you until you come to Him in peace at last." - Paragraph 10, page 44

Kenneth Wapnick, PhD., founder of "Foundation for A Course In Miracles" has commented that THE SONG OF PRAYER is important in the Course curriculum in part because it is the only place within all the scribed material (A COURSE IN MIRACLES, as well as SUPPLEMENTS TO A COURSE IN MIRACLES) in which "forgiveness-to-destroy" is mentioned. In Course theory, true forgiveness means that you forgive another for what they have not done; this entails recognizing that the one who has "sinned" against you is not a body in reality, that individual identity is an illusion, and that the world is not real. From that perspective, one is able to see how illusory sin is and that in reality there is nothing to forgive. What you are really doing by forgiving is remembering that the other is a part of yourself and there is no sin in reality. Forgiveness, therefore, is ultimately an illusion. But, as the Course points out, it is the only illusion in this world that does not lead to other illusions. "Forgiveness-to-destroy," on the other hand, makes sin very real and then excuses it. What really occurs is a reinforcement of guilt and the belief in the separation both from the other person and from God. "Forgiveness-to-destroy" is therefore a ploy of the ego, an attempt to perpetuate itself.

These two pamphlets are invaluable, but Mr. Wapnick suggests that they be viewed as they are titled: supplements. In other words, it is best to wait until one has read the three volumes of the Course proper before one tackles this material. And these pamphlets are best if viewed in the context of the Course material and thought system, not as their own separate entities.

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars INVALUABLE ADDITION FOR STUDENTS OF "A COURSE IN MIRACLES", July 22, 2000

By 

The Reverend F. Hugh Magee - See all my reviews

This review is from: Supplements to A Course in Miracles (Paperback)

Students of A COURSE IN MIRACLES will want to be aware of this little volume, which represents two subsequent additions to the Course. Though they are very short, they both pack the same wallop as the Course and are of the same consistent quality and depth.

The first of these two monographs has to do with with some rather technical questions relating to the professional life of Helen Schucman, the scribe of the Course. Though well worth reading, it is likely to be of less interest to Course students than the second monograph.

The second monograph, THE SONG OF PRAYER, is an absolute must for those who would pursue the Course teachings to the limit. If there is anything available in print that could be considered superior to the Course itself, this is it! The final paragraphs of THE SONG OF PRAYERE go beyond anything I have ever read anywhere.

Both monographs were received in the same manner as was A COURSE IN MIRACLES and therefore, for all intents and purposes, they can be considered as virtual appendices of the Course proper.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spiritual Therapy, August 3, 2000

By 

Stacy Clark (Boulder, CO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Supplements to A Course in Miracles (Paperback)

I highly recommend this book as excellent reading for any therapist who comes from a spiritual perspective, especially those who are student of A Course in Miracles or any of many other spiritual paths. It reinterprets some of Freud's ideas of transference, countertransference and projection in spiritual terms.

If you have ever wondered how to solve your own issues that come up when you work with others, this book can be a great help. It is best when used in conjunction with the whole Course in Miracles.