Evolving Beings

I am so excited to write to you about yet another exciting movie that is just about to come out –  A Course in Miracles Unleashed. Its offcial US release date is September 1, 2008 and the worldwide release will take place on October 1, 2008.

For those of you who have read A Course in Miracles-Original Edition, it will be exciting to share in the uplifting and life-changing experiences of others, while reaffirming your own findings.

For those of you who have not read or heard of the book A Course in Miracles-Original Edition, I am sure this movie will provide a great introduction to the concepts outlined in the Course and compel you to explore it further.

Enjoy the trailer and read on for some more history and facts about The Course in Miracles.

The Origins of the Course

A Course in Miracles came forth from the joint efforts of Helen Schucman and William Thetford who were both Professors of Medical Psychology at Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City.

Schucman and Thetford were regarded as highly intellectual people, who were anything but spiritual. Their relationship with each other was difficult and often strained, and they were concerned with personal and professional acceptance and status.

The events that led to A Course in Miracles began with Helen having some vivid dreams and then an internal voice that began to speak to her. This spiritual personality introduced itself as Jesus Christ. Then for 7 years, from 1965 through 1972, during various sequences, Helen began to take down the notes in shorthand as the voice spoke to her and instructed.

During the process, Schucman claimed to have the mental equivalent of a tape recorder in her thoughts, which she described as being able to turn on and off at will, at her convenience, so that she might be able to transcribe into shorthand notes, what she was internally hearing. She felt she had a “special assignment” and as uncomfortable as it sometimes made her, she was motivated to fulfill it.

Each day she would then read back these notes to William Thetford, who would type them out while she read them. After all the ACIM material had been initially transcribed it was then edited for publication by Dr. Schucman and the other two primary editors, Dr. William Thetford and Dr. Kenneth Wapnick.

To date many editions of A Course in Miracles have been published, starting with the first one in 1975.

About the Course

This is a course in miracles. It is a required course. Only the time you take it is voluntary.

ACIM Introduction

The Course is a complete self-study spiritual thought system and is arranged as a teaching device. It consists of 3 books: the Text, the Workbook for Students and the Manual for Teachers. There is no requirement to read the books in any particular order.

The text is largely theoretical and sets forth the concepts that the Course is based on.

The workbook is composed of 365 lessons, one for each day of the year, where one can begin to put the theory into practice. The lessons of course can be done at any pace one chooses.

The manual for teachers is written in question and answer format and contains additional clarification.

A Course in Miracles states that “its goal for you is happiness and peace.” (Text, p. 241) (T-13.II.7:1)

Although Christian in nature, the Course deals with universal spiritual themes and is in no way intended to become the extension of or the basis for a new or already existing religion.

It examines, explains and most importantly redefines topics such as: God, the Holy Spirit, miracles, time, ego, soul, sin, forgiveness, salvation, judgment, sacrifice, fear, conflict and love, for application at both theoretical and practical levels.

The world we see merely reflects our own internal frame of reference – the dominant ideas, wishes and emotions in our minds.

ACIM

Over the years since the Course came out, there have been countless accounts of people waking up and stepping out of their pain. One of the most profound teachers of the Course, for whom it started just like that, is the now famous author, Marianne Williamson. Over the past few decades she has dedicated herself to learning and teaching the Course and has accordingly published many books that put the concepts of the Course into even more practical terms and applications.

Summary

Personally, I find that this text serves as an excellent stepping stone or transition into the light of evolution and enlightenment, especially for those who live life based on fear, guilt and based on traditions and obligations.

It allows one to widen the gap and their perspective on what is real and what isn’t, what matters and what is futile, what is permanent and what is transitory and most importantly begin to taste freedom and live out their fullest potential.

It is as if Jesus were coming back to say “You misunderstood, you got me all wrong.” I know for many conservative Christians that is as heretical as it gets and so be it. As with all enlightened work no one is forced to do or believe anything. It is only when we are ready and open to hear the inner truth that has been within us all along that we can move to the next level of awareness. That is actually one of the best foundations of the course as it moves us to understand that there is really nothing to learn, there is just to remember – remember who we really are and what the essence and point of it all is.

A Course in Miracles has already transformed millions of lives and will continue to transform many more. As the age of awakening continues to inspire people to live life based on consciousness and love, we will each be examples of our own miracles.

Nothing real can be threatened. Nothing unreal exists.

ACIM

I look forward to the release of this movie and to hearing about your experiences with how the Course in Miracles changed your life.

Resources

1. A Course in Miracles – Home Page

2. Foundation for A Course in Miracles

3. A Course in Miracles – Wikipedia

4. A Course in Miracles Unleashed

Related Books

A Course in Miracles-Original Edition (Hardcover)
by Helen Schucman

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A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of “A Course in Miracles” (Paperback)
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The Age of Miracles: Embracing the New Midlife (Hardcover)
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The Gift of Change: Spiritual Guidance for Living Your Best Life (Paperback)
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*Photograph provided by alban_acim

About the author:
Evita Ochel, B.Sc., B.Ed., CHN - is the founder and editor of EvolvingBeings.com – an online publication featuring various topics on spirituality and metaphysics. Evita teaches consciousness expansion and heart-centered living to help people attain deep meaning, peace and happiness in their life. She is also a nutritional science and holistic health expert for optimal health and longevity. Learn more about Evita Ochel or Follow her on Twitter.