The Most Commonly Asked Questions About 'A Course in Miracles'

Rating:
Summary: Indispensable for Course students
Review: "A Course In Miracles" is founded on the definition of God as a formless, timeless, presence of abstract love that ultimately doesn't even know that we exist as individuals. Further, the Course says the entire physical world is an illusion that never happened. Can you fully understand or grasp this? Can I? No. And the Course says it's better not to try, and it refers to such attempts as "senseless musings." Rather, the Course is aimed at our experience here in this world that, though ultimately illusory, is the classroom in which we learn the lessons of forgiveness.

Based on such an impossible-to-grasp theory, it goes without saying that this Course is not always easy to understand. This is not a Course for everyone ("There are many paths, and they all lead to God in the end"). But for those who believe it is the path for them, this book will make the path understandable. This book is all in question and answer format, with no additional commentary by the authors. The book does close, however, with a mission statement for the Foundation for A Course In Miracles, founded by the two authors of this book, as well as a catalogue of products from the Foundation.

Seventy-two questions are answered, and they are divided into five chapters:

CHAPTER 1: "The Nature of Heaven" - In this chapter the abstract philosophy of the Course is addressed, such as Course theory that God did not create and in fact does not even know about the physical world. Is this the same God of the Bible? Why are masculine terms exclusively used in the Course? These questions, ten in all, are answered in this chapter.

CHAPTER 2: "The Nature of the Separation" - In this chapter, in 12 questions and answers, the theory of the separation is addressed. The "separation" is the Course theory that all the problems in the world are really only one problem: the separation from God. What's more, the separation never occurred in reality. Well then why am I suffering in a world of pain? If God didn't create the world, who did? What is the Course's view of time? What does the Course mean when it says there is no death? These questions, among others, are answered.

CHAPTER 3: "Application and Practice of 'A Course In Miracles'" - In 24 questions and answers, we go beyond the abstract theory of the Course and focus on our physical lives in this world. Though this world, as taught in A Course In Miracles, is ultimately illusory, it is by living in this world that we learn the lessons we are meant to learn. Does the Course have a code of ethics and morality? Are babies born innocent? Can you be a student of the Course and still serve on a jury, be a doctor, lawyer, etc.? If this is all a dream, does that mean the abuse I suffered as a child should be denied or ignored? If this world and the body are illusory, does that mean it is wrong to enjoy them? These and other questions are answered.

CHAPTER 4: "Jesus" - Six of the most commonly asked questions about Jesus' role in the Course are answered here. Is this the same Jesus as the Jesus of the Bible? Where in the Course does it say that Jesus is the author? Why does Jesus say in the Course that I should forgive him? You'll find the answers here.

CHAPTER 5: "The Curriculum of 'A Course In Miracles'" - Here the way in which the Course should be studied is addressed. Should a student start with the Text, the Workbook, or the Manual for Teachers? What should one say to a friend or family member about the Course? Should children study the Course? Should I practice the Course in seclusion without worldly distractions? Should students of the Course only go to therapists familiar with the Course? Seventeen questions in all are answered in this chapter.

This book certainly is not intended for cover-to-cover reading. I consider this more of a reference book, perfect for occasional "check ups" on Course comprehension. Often, I use this book just for meditations. And, I must admit, some of the answers, particularly the more abstract ones dealing with the illusory nature of the world and time, as well as the concept of their being no right or wrong, can be quite overwhelming - even after five years of studying the Course.

This isn't an easy Course, and it wasn't intended to be. But this book makes it a little more understandable. Of course, when the ego finally lets go the student will finally see how simple it really is (...still waiting for that to happen).

Rating:
Summary: A Most Helpful Book for students of "A Course in Miracles"
Review: ...though maybe not to your ego's satisfaction. These are the questions asked by every Course student at some time or another. It's a tad dry for cover-to-cover reading, but it's a truly excellent reference! Strongly recommended for any serious ACIM student.

Rating:
Summary: Answers all the toughest questions related to ACIM...
Review: ...though maybe not to your ego's satisfaction. These are the questions asked by every Course student at some time or another. It's a tad dry for cover-to-cover reading, but it's a truly excellent reference! Strongly recommended for any serious ACIM student.

Rating:
Summary: A Most Helpful Book for students of "A Course in Miracles"
Review: Ken and Gloria Wapnick are the most experienced, authentic and helpful explicators of "A Course in Miracles" one can find. Ken was intimately associated with Helen Schucman, the woman who channeled and scribed the Course. His book about Helen, "Absence from Felicity," is an important work for serious Course students. The book I am reviewing here provides helpful answers to 72 of the most commonly asked questions about ACIM which Ken and Gloria have encountered over the many years of their operating the Foundation for "A Course in Miracles" and in their teaching about the Course. The theology and psychology of the Course are profound. It's thought system is unique in the Western world and raises many questions which readers can find addressed in this useful little book