Forgiveness of ourselves and others provides the means by which we can use relationships to let go of the past with its burden of guilt and grievances. In the context of the course, “forgiveness” means recognizing that what you thought your brother did to you has not occurred. Forgiveness shows us only the extensions of love or the calls for love, not the attack or hate. By changing our perception in this way, we can remove the blocks to the awareness of love’s presence, which the course says is our natural inheritance.
Unlike some other thought systems, a course in miracles does not suggest withdrawal from the world. It teaches that our relationships offer us unique and valuable opportunities for learning, awakening and healing. The course offers a variety of approaches by which relationships based on fear and lack can be healed.
A course in miracles teaches that there are only two basic thought systems, one of perception and the other of knowledge. The thought system of perception is inherently illusory because it is based upon interpretation, not on fact. It is founded on our belief in our separation from god and from one another. It is a world of appearances, of birth and death, of time and constant change. This thought system of perception is what the course calls the ego, which is actually a set of beliefs that center around the body as our reality and the limit of our being. The course teaches that the real world, which reflects truth, can be seen only through spiritual vision, and not through the body’s eyes.
The world of knowledge is one of unity, love, sinlessness and abundance. The course views reality as a course in miracles composed only of god’s thoughts, which are loving, constant, timeless and eternal. Sin is regarded as lack of love, or as a mistake calling for correction and love, rather than for guilt and punishment.
We are also inspired to announce the launch of our new and improved acim reader, tailored specifically to enhance your journey with a course in miracles. A goal of a course in miracles is to train us to listen to god’s voice, the holy spirit. This extension of god’s mind serves as our inner guide, who will direct our thoughts, telling us exactly what to do, and directing all our efforts. To be truly effective, we must learn to rely on our own internal teacher rather than looking for help outside ourselves. The daily workbook lessons provide a systematic, step-by-step approach by which one can apply the principles of the course. On one level, a course in miracles is a restatement of the core of wisdom found in every major world religion.
Using our context-sensitive search tool, you can search through a course in miracles, consisting of the text, workbook for students, manual for teachers, and clarification of terms. As we are led from the world of the ego to the world of love, our perception of ourselves as separated persons is corrected, and we remember our higher, or true self. We remember we were created by god as his child, and we are enabled to accept the christ within, and to see with christ’s vision. We recognize our oneness with god, our self, and all our brothers, and are able, finally, to “teach only love,” which is our true function as children of god.
This three-volume set of books was received through a process of inner dictation by a psychologist at columbia university, beginning in 1965. After ten years of preparation, the course was first published in 1976 by the foundation for inner peace. Since then, more than three million of these books have been sold, without the benefit of any paid advertising, to men and women in every walk of life and every major faith. David hoffmeister and the living miracles center represent a global community whose focus is on jesus' teachings as found in a course in miracles. This acim-based community is an expression of living a course in miracles in the non-dual experience of forgiveness. Their primary purpose is to inspire love and they offer countless events, courses, and free online resources in support of this purpose.
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