A Course in Miracles (ACIM) is a new spiritual thought system that was channeled by Helen Schucman. ACIM emphasizes that we are all one and we are not separate. The group is based on love and sharing. It also encourages a sense of community and gratitude.
Ruth Hanna, Jan Worley, Mary Purviance and John Hutkin were the local acim students that helped establish a continuing sense of community in St. Louis. They began a series of local gatherings and annual retreats.
ACIM is not a religion
ACIM is not a religion because it lacks a founder, organization, hierarchy, and rituals. However, it requires a significant level of commitment and faith to practice and demonstrate its teachings. Moreover, the idealistic metaphysics of ACIM denies obvious empirical-level truths like physical laws, sickness, death, and personal weakness ("sinfulness"), which may make it seem ludicrous to conventionally minded persons and more mature mystics who recognize that the ultimate Truth includes the relative plane of phenomena as well.
Despite its many critics, ACIM remains a best-seller and continues to have a strong influence on the rapidly growing number of people who think of themselves as spiritual but not religious. The New York Times describes it as “an esoteric bible that has gone mainstream.” While the Course is not a religion, it does promote a spiritual lifestyle and encourages forgiveness. It also promotes a spiritual path that has no beginning or end, but which is always ongoing.
The original text of the Course was transcribed and edited by Helen Schucman from 1965 to 1972 in what is called the “UrText.” After Thetford’s major editing work on the book, he shared it with Kenneth Wapnick and others, who further refined and edited the material into the three-volume book-set now known as the standard edition of A Course in Miracles.
While there are many ACIM publications and teachers, the Foundation for Inner Peace (FIP) is the most prominent publishing house. The standard edition of the Course was published in 1976 and consists of volumes one, two, and three, containing the “Text,” the “Workbook,” and the “Teacher’s Manual.”
The Foundation has a large following among those interested in nondual spirituality, and it is one of the most influential groups within the global Unity School network. The Course is also gaining ground in the New Age movement and among those who are drawn to the work of Marianne Williamson, who has written books that teach its principles. However, there is a noxious exclusivism to the way the Course is taught by its "Voice," which implies that other spiritual paths are inferior. This is hubris and narrow-mindedness, and it is why the Course should be avoided by persons who are attracted to external sources of authority that tell them what to believe and what rules to follow.
It is not a program
Unlike most ACIM study groups, ours is non-dual and welcomes beginners and experienced Course students alike. This is in keeping with the Course’s philosophy that we are all teachers and students to one another. Members can ask questions and participate in discussion and reflection on the concepts taught in ACIM.
The meeting starts with introductions and a prayer. Then Jennifer Feiereisel will lead the class through the text and workbook lessons. She takes clues from all three parts of the book (Text, Introduction, and Manual for Teachers) to help participants better understand difficult concepts. She encourages students to join in as Spirit leads and to go with the flow of the group.
For those who have never read the text before, it is recommended that they start with the Preface, followed by the Introduction and the Clarification of Terms. After that, they should read the first 90 lessons of the Workbook. The group can also choose to review a particular lesson from the Manual for Teachers at any time, following Spirit’s guidance.
It is important to remember that ACIM is not a religion, and there is no one-and-only way to God. It is a new thought system that requires commitment and faith, as do other religious and spiritual practices. However, it is a practical guidebook to healing that helps us re-pattern our thoughts and perceptions about reality and the world.
It is not a book
A Course in Miracles is a spiritual thought system that offers a new way of seeing the world and experiencing happiness. It is designed to remove the blocks to the awareness of love’s presence in our lives. It is based on the idea that nothing real can be threatened and that we are not alone. Its teachings are based on Christian terms but can be applied to any religion or non-religious philosophy. The Course is a self-study text, but it is also taught in groups. These group classes, led by Jennifer Feiereisel, are designed to help people understand the Course more clearly.
Jennifer’s class breaks down difficult concepts through topical and subject matter studies. She draws from all three parts of the Course (Text, Workbook Lessons, and Manual for Teachers) to bring clarity and understanding. Her classes offer support and guidance, while allowing each participant to choose their own level of participation.
She uses her knowledge of the Course to offer encouragement and support to those who are new to ACIM or those who have been studying it for years. She has a special gift for helping the students understand how to apply the principles of the Course to their daily life. Her classes are fun and lively, but always grounded in the principles of the Course.
Some of the topics covered in her class include examining how fear and anger affect our perception of reality, learning how to let go of the past, and letting go of guilt and shame. She encourages participants to ask questions and share their experiences with the group. The class includes a one-hour lunch break.
If you are interested in starting an acim group, there are many resources available online to guide you through the process. Regardless of how your group is structured, there are some things that should be kept in mind: *Make everyone feel welcome. Begin with introductions and a brief statement of purpose for the meeting. *State that the study group is a safe place to discuss problems in a loving manner and without criticism or judgment. *Avoid crosstalk, which is the exchange of ideas that detracts from the goal of the group. *Consider having a facilitator to help keep the discussion on track. *End the meeting with a prayer, meditation, holding hands, or whatever is appropriate for your group.
It is not a method
Unlike many other religious and spiritual teachings, ACIM does not have a founder or any formal organization. Its only requirement is faith and a willingness to accept and demonstrate its new thought system. Nevertheless, it requires commitment and effort as do all spiritual and religious practices. Our study group is facilitated by an experienced ACIM student and is open to beginners and advanced students alike.
Rev. Tony’s class is geared towards those who are very dedicated to their spiritual growth and willing to take total responsibility for their lives. It is based on the non-dual tradition of removing the unreal to reveal what is real – your True Nature as God created you.
This ACIM class, facilitated by Jennifer Feiereisel, is designed to focus on total comprehension of the Course’s teachings. Jennifer utilizes subject matter studies and passages from all three parts of the Course – the Text, Workbook Lessons, and Manual for Teachers – to help students understand what the Course is really saying. She also encourages students to take leaps of faith as she guides them through their learning process.
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