The self-study spiritual thought system known as a course in miracles (ACIM) has captured the hearts and minds of millions. It is a comprehensive set of channeled literature including the 642 page Text and 478 page Workbook for Students, along with an 88 page Manual for Teachers.

As its primary dictum states, ACIM is an “individualized curriculum.” The way you come to understand the Course will vary somewhat from anyone else’s.
The Text

A Course in Miracles (ACIM) is a self-study spiritual thought system that has transformed the lives of millions. Its universal message of forgiveness has delivered inner peace where fear and pain once prevailed. Its principles are simple enough for anyone to understand, yet many students struggle to grasp them. In an effort to help them do so, we have created this reading plan.

This ACIM study plan helps you decode the unique terminology used in the course. It also teaches you how to approach the Text of A Course in Miracles so that it becomes a practical guide to inner peace in this world of individualized perception.

The text of A Course in Miracles is poetic and often written in blank verse. Its literary style has been compared to that of the world’s great literature. Its intellectually sophisticated thought system combines spiritual inspiration with deep psychological understanding of such topics as beliefs and defense systems, perception, and identification.

Unlike most academic textbooks, A Course in Miracles does not follow a linear progression of ideas. Instead, it is more like a symphony in which themes are introduced, set aside, and reintroduced to form an interlocking matrix that contains the whole while enhancing the impact of recurring themes.

In this way, A Course in Miracles is a comprehensive and cohesive whole that cannot be understood apart from the parts. Its overall purpose is to lead the student back to himself or herself by teaching him or her that reality does not occur in the world of appearances, but rather in the world of truth. This realization is the essence of a miracle, which is defined as a change in belief or perception from an ego perspective to a God perspective.

Although A Course in Miracles uses Christian language, it is not a religion. It does not have a formal institute with churches, priests, or hierarchy. Its teachings are based on the experience of love and forgiveness as taught by Jesus. However, it does not attempt to replace or compete with any religion. In fact, it teaches that the world that appears to be real is illusion and that truth, which is love, is the only true reality.
The Workbook

A Course in Miracles is a self-study curriculum that leads to a transformation of your thought system and the ability to experience miracles. It consists of four volumes: The Text, The Workbook for Students, The Manual for Teachers, and Supplements. It is a spiritual path with profound teachings and practical, step-by-step guidance. It was developed by psychologist Dr. Helen Schucman and has been used by countless people to achieve spiritual transformation and inner peace.

The 365 daily lessons in the Workbook for Students help you bypass your ego and open your heart to receive the message of the Course. They are designed to be applied to any situation you face in life. While the idea behind these lessons is simple, many people find them difficult to understand and apply. However, they offer the key to changing your thought system and allowing the miracles of A Course in Miracles to be experienced in your life.

Some of the ideas the Workbook presents you may find hard to believe, and others may seem quite startling. This does not matter. It is the application of these ideas that is important. Eventually, their use will give them meaning to you and show you that they are true.

When you start studying the Workbook, it is recommended that you spend some time with the text to prepare your mind. This will allow you to better understand the meaning behind the exercises in the workbook. Then, as you go through the workbook lessons, be patient with yourself. While enlightenment can come very quickly, it is unlikely to happen on any one lesson. Just try your best to apply the ideas in each lesson and move on to the next the following day.

If you are having trouble getting through the workbook, it is helpful to join a study group. This can be done in person where you live or through online groups. If you are unable to find a study group, MiraclesOne offers online classes that are facilitated by trained teachers. The lessons will guide you through the 365 workbook lessons in an organized way.
The Manual for Teachers

A Course in Miracles consists of three volumes: a 669-page Text, describing the theoretical foundation upon which the thought system is based; a 488-page Workbook for Students, containing 365 daily lessons designed to train the student's mind along the lines set forth in the Text; and a 92-page Manual for Teachers, answering questions likely to arise during the course of study. In addition, two supplements-Psychotherapy and The Song of Prayer-are included.

A major problem for many people is the fact that, although it was written as a self-study course, A Course in Miracles is not really a book for self-study. It was written on a very high intellectual level, with sophisticated metaphysical, theological, and psychological concepts integrated into its teachings throughout all three books. Additionally, much of the material is poetic and written in blank verse. As a result, some people find themselves overwhelmed by the volume and the difficulty of understanding its content.

Another obstacle to understanding the Course is its layered structure, with its web of themes that intertwine and repeat. When a new idea is introduced, the previous ideas must be reassessed and understood. If a student ignores this requirement, they run the risk of imposing their own interpretations on the material, which may not be accurate. The most difficult aspect of the Course, however, is its concept of forgiveness.

In spite of these difficulties, A Course in Miracles is very practical. Its daily Workbook lessons are designed to teach the principle of forgiveness, and its overall goal is to lead the student to peace of mind. In fact, the Course states that "knowledge is not the goal of this course; peace is."

Although there are free online versions of the Course, it's best to get a physical copy so that you can refer to it often. In addition, many students benefit from a study group that meets in person or on the phone with other ACIM students. This can be a valuable source of encouragement and support as you make the transition from the world of illusion to the world of reality.
The Study Guide

A Course in Miracles is a universal spiritual teaching that has captured the hearts and minds of millions. It offers a way out of the pain and fear of this world by teaching forgiveness. It has also taught people how to heal themselves and be free of the effects of past experiences. But the Course can seem daunting to new students. The text is often difficult to read and the lessons are sometimes cryptic and unfamiliar. This study guide will help you navigate the book and get a better understanding of what it is really saying.

The study guide is designed to familiarize you with the main principles and terms used in ACIM. It will also provide you with a foundation to study the book by yourself or in a group setting. The multiple session ACIM study plan will enable you to work at your own pace and allow you time to review each lesson before the next class.

While A Course in Miracles has been read and studied by millions, there is still a great deal of confusion about the course. For example, some people believe that the course is a religion or that it tells you how to practice your own religion. While the course uses Christian symbols and terminology, it is a spiritual teaching and not a religious one. The course does not claim to be the only path that leads to God and states in fact that it is only one of thousands of forms of the universal course (M.1.4).

The key to success with the Course is a willingness to let go of your ego and to trust in the guidance of your Inner Teacher. The only way to truly understand the Course is to actually read it and apply its principles in your daily life. It is also helpful to be open to learning from others, to listen to their thoughts and ideas about the course and to discuss the reading with them. But it is important to remember that the Course is an individualized curriculum and the way that you understand it will be unique to you.