A Course in Miracles is a self-study spiritual thought system. It consists of three books: the Text, the Workbook for Students and the Manual for Teachers.

The Course teaches that forgiveness is the path to peace. It also emphasizes healing and a profoundly different approach to love. Its principles can seem radical and not "of this world." Yet they are very effective.
What is ACIM?

ACIM is a spiritual teaching that is part of the “spiritual but not religious” movement that has grown worldwide over the last few decades. Though not a religion, it promotes a form of non-dualism that has no particular religious affiliation and is open to all. It is difficult to estimate how many people are currently practicing ACIM because it has no formal organization and its curriculum is so broad, covering everything from abolition of the ego to forgiveness to healing relationships. Many of the teachings are adapted from the Bible, but ACIM also has some unique ideas and concepts that have never been seen before, even by many of its own followers. For example, the idea that “all barriers to love are merely rebarriers to the recognition of God’s oneness” has been widely shared as a meme on the Internet and is actually quoted word-for-word in the Course’s workbook of 365 daily lessons.

Despite the fact that Helen Schucman, the author of A Course in Miracles, was a self-professed atheist, she soon began to experience a series of visions, heightened dreams and psychic experiences. These culminated in the fall of 1965, when she heard an inner voice say, “This is a course in miracles, please take notes.” The Course was written as an inner dictation over seven years beginning in 1965, and it was published in 1976 by the Foundation for Inner Peace. It has become a modern spiritual classic and has been translated into 26 other languages.

The Course’s manual, the Book of Instruction, assumes that many experienced students of A Course in Miracles will fulfill their function as teachers by becoming personal mentors to newer students and shepherding them through the curriculum. It is expected that by fulfilling their role as teachers of the Course, these individuals will help to restore humanity’s forward spiritual progress by dislodging the ego from its control over the world. a course in miracles

Despite the fact that the Course is so controversial, it has managed to attract a significant number of students who are attracted by its promise of “unlimited freedom and unlimited happiness.” However, those with long experience in ACIM have noticed that for most, these lofty goals seem elusive. In addition, many long-time students eventually move on to other spiritual practices and philosophies that appear more practical and less ambitious.
ACIM’s Purpose

A Course in Miracles is a profoundly spiritual thought system and self-study curriculum that combines deep spiritual inspiration with far-reaching psychological insights. It explains the nature of time, the human mind, and how to achieve happiness and inner peace. Its language is poetic and lyrical, making it sometimes reminiscent of the world’s great literature. Its intellectually sophisticated thought system encompasses topics as diverse as the origin of evil and the concept of God.

The Course’s alleged author, Helen Schucman, first received its texts in the form of inner dictation from an entity she identified as Jesus Christ. It took her ten years to complete the three-volume set, which was published in 1976 by the Foundation for Inner Peace. Since then, more than three million copies have been sold, without paid advertising, to men and women from every religion and walk of life.

ACIM’s message is intended to be a healing one for both the individual and the world. It calls for a total transformation of perception, a rejection of materialism and an active pursuit of spiritual joy. It also teaches forgiveness, which is seen as the key to happiness and peace.

Its sweeping, mystical language and challenging ideas have made it both appealing to people seeking alternative spiritual guidance and troubling to traditional Christians. It has given rise to a loose network of study groups and a handful of accredited churches inspired by the teachings. No one tracks the number of people who are attracted to the teaching, but it is likely in the millions.

The Course is also influential among the growing population of “spiritual but not religious” (SBNR) individuals in western societies. Its emphasis on love, forgiveness, and trust has resonated with SBNRs as well as with those who are interested in the idea of a universal spirituality. It is a major influence on the so-called “New Age” movement, although it makes no claim of being the one true path to salvation. It does, however, suggest that a religion based upon its teachings could produce fruits of happiness and inner peace.
ACIM’s Structure

As a thought system, ACIM is unique in its emphasis on forgiveness as a moment-by-moment practice. It also encourages a shift in perception that recognizes Spirit as the only Reality, and the physical world as an illusion (similar to Buddhist and Hindu concepts of samsara and maya). Unlike most thought systems, which progress in a linear way with ideas building upon each other, ACIM is cyclical with its themes being introduced, set aside, and reintroduced over time.

The text of A Course in Miracles was originally scribed and typed during 1965-1972 by Helen Schucman and Bill Thetford, two Columbia University medical psychology professors. The manuscript was later published in 1976 by the Foundation for Inner Peace.

Since then, the standard edition of the book has sold over 3 million copies worldwide in 25 languages. It has become the Bible of the “spiritual but not religious” movement, and has had a significant impact on a variety of writers and spiritual teachers including Eckhart Tolle and Wayne Dyer.

Although it uses Christian terminology, A Course in Miracles is not a religion; it is a spiritual teaching that is ecumenical. Its metaphysics owe more to Eastern mysticism than to traditional Western religion, and it challenges some of the most fundamental aspects of Christianity, particularly its doctrines of sin and crucifixion.

In the last quarter century, a number of teachers have developed seminars and study groups based on the material of the course. One such organization, the Foundation for Inner Peace, maintains a nationwide network of workshops and other events. The Foundation also publishes a series of manuals and guides to assist students in interpreting the text and applying its principles.

In addition to its educational and support services, the Foundation sponsors a network of accrediting centers for ACIM practitioners. These centers provide a range of training and certification programs for interested individuals. It is also possible to receive private coaching and guidance through the Foundation’s online resources. Unlike a typical workshop, these courses are designed to focus on total comprehension of the course’s teachings through topical and subject matter studies. These classes also incorporate clues from the three parts of the course – the Text, Workbook Lessons, and Manual for Teachers – in order to bring about a deeper understanding of its underlying teachings.
ACIM’s Goals

The goal of ACIM is a radical shift in perception that will lead you to experience God's Love, which is universal and all-encompassing. This experience is what the Course describes as "unconditioned joy" that transcends all pain and suffering, and that is what is promised at the end of the journey. This is where you will find your freedom and true happiness.

The Course is a spiritual thought system, not a religion, and its teachings challenge much of what we think we know about Christianity and our world. Its unique mix of reinterpreted Christian language, modern psychological thought and Eastern metaphysics makes it a very different kind of spiritual teaching than any that has gone before. As a discipline, it is intense and demanding. For example, it emphasizes forgiveness as a moment-by-moment practice that changes attitudes and behaviors. It also encourages acceptance of spirit as the only reality and the physical world as a massive illusion—similar to the Buddhist notions of samsara and maya.

It is organized as a curriculum consisting of three books: The Text, which lays out the concepts that comprise the Course's thought system; the Workbook for Students, with 365 daily lessons that emphasize experience over belief in a theology; and the Manual for Teachers, which answers questions about the thought system. The Course clearly states that it is not a replacement for any other religious tradition or philosophy, but is merely one of many spiritual paths that lead to the same goal: peace of mind.

A Course in Miracles is published by the Foundation for Inner Peace and is available in hardcover, e-book, and audio. It is available from most bookstores, including Amazon.com, and is read by millions of people around the globe. It has been translated into over twenty-five languages.

The Miracle Network publishes the bi-monthly Miracle Worker magazine, which includes news and thoughts from ACIM practitioners worldwide, information about upcoming conferences and seminars, listings of study groups and events, and a monthly speaker. The Miracle Network also produces videos and podcasts that provide in-depth explanations of key Course ideas and themes, including the only known recording of the voice of the Course scribe, Helen Schucman.