Marianne Williamson is an internationally acclaimed author and speaker. Six of her books have been New York Times bestsellers.
A Course in Miracles (ACIM) is not a religion but a self-study spiritual thought system that teaches that a universal theology is impossible, but a shared experience is possible. It consists of three books: the Text, the Workbook for Students and the Manual for Teachers.
What is A Course in Miracles?
In short, A Course in Miracles (ACIM) is a self-study spiritual thought system that integrates profound spiritual teachings with far-reaching psychological insights. Published in 1976, the three-volume set is a modern classic and has sold more than three million copies worldwide. It is not a religion, but rather a way of remembering who we are through reclaiming the power to forgive.
Initially, the authors of ACIM were two Columbia University psychologists who felt frustrated with the anger and divisiveness that permeated their lives. They decided to find a new path and began a process of inner dictation, receiving the material in the form of 365 daily lessons that were accompanied by a textbook. The work was completed over ten years beginning in 1965. There is no name of an author on the text, and the Course clearly states that "a universal theology is impossible, but a universal experience is not only possible, but necessary."
Williamson's initial interest in the Course was sparked by her personal experiences with forgiveness. In 1983, she began giving non-denominational, spiritual lectures based on the Course. She also founded Project Angel Food, a nonprofit organization that provides food to homebound people with AIDS. She has written fourteen books and gained a devoted following, including several Hollywood celebrities.
The popularity of the Course has been fueled by its ability to touch the deepest parts of people's lives and change their perspectives. It is considered to be the Bible of the so-called "spiritual but not religious" movement, a significant shift in social and spiritual perspective that has emerged over the last few decades.
Although the book is difficult to read and follow, its message can be life-changing for those who make a commitment to it. Some readers choose to study the Course in groups or with a teacher, while others simply use it as a guide to living their own lives more peacefully and lovingly. a course in miracles
A Course in Miracles has influenced the work of many writers, including Marianne Williamson. A prolific writer, her lectures on topics like the power of love to overcome hatred and the need for universal healthcare have drawn large audiences. She has also been a frequent guest on TikTok and speaks at universities across the country. She has even announced her candidacy for president of the United States in 2020, promising to harness the power of love to defeat Donald Trump.
What is the purpose of the Course?
The purpose of ACIM is to lead the mind of the student back to the awareness of Love’s presence. It does this by eliminating the blocks that prevent us from seeing through the illusion of separation. There are many ways that this happens, and it’s up to the individual to find what works best for them. It may be a chapter a week, or a section a day, or a workbook lesson a month. It also may mean finding a group or online community to support you as you go through the lessons.
The Course uses Christian terminology and symbols that are familiar in western culture, but it evokes universal spiritual themes. It is designed as a spiritual thought system and teaching curriculum, with three books: the Text which lays out its concepts; the Workbook for Students, which offers a practice system emphasizing experience over belief in a theology; and the Manual for Teachers, which provides answers to common questions. The Course clearly states that it is not a religion, but a system of psychological training to help the student relinquish the fear-based beliefs and perceptions that block their relationship with God.
Unlike most self-help books, the Course is both deeply spiritual and very practical. Its daily Workbook lessons offer a systematic, step-by-step approach to application of the principles it teaches. The Course does not require extensive study or lengthy periods of practice to see results, but it is profoundly individualized and requires the willing suspension of the ego’s belief that its opinions are right and ours are wrong.
Until recently, the Course was largely out of sight and out of mind, an esoteric bible that had gone mainstream, a major influence among those who think of themselves as “spiritual but not religious.” But as of 2019 it has been revived by the New York Times as a movement with its own “decent following.” It has become a modern spiritual classic and gained a scriptural status in the minds of readers across the globe. In its wake, different organizations have emerged to perform a variety of functions, from publishing the book to facilitating workshops and conferences to operating churches that offer ministerial ordinations.
How does the Course work?
When the Course first appeared, in 1976, it was no ordinary self-help book. It was a three-volume set of profound spiritual teachings, accompanied by far-reaching psychological insights, that has touched millions of lives. It was written through a process of “inner dictation” over ten years by a Columbia University psychologist, Helen Schucman, though it contains no author’s name and refers to itself as the “I AM.”
The Course’s main message is that all human problems are caused by the illusion of separation and can be solved only through forgiveness. Forgiveness is the key that opens the door to God, the Source of all love and healing. The Course draws from older traditions, including Christian Science and New Thought, a related 19th-century metaphysical movement, but its primary language is that of love and forgiveness. It also incorporates esoteric ideas drawn from Eastern mysticism and Freudian psychology.
Unlike most religions, the Course does not attempt to establish a new theology. It is ecumenical in its approach, and it acknowledges that the wisdom found in every major world religion is “essentially the same.” It emphasizes that the most important step on any spiritual path is recognizing that all problems are caused by fear. The Course states, “You are not separate from anything or anyone.”
Marianne Williamson read the Course as a young woman and it changed her life. She has been a popular speaker for more than 35 years and is an established figure in the New Age pantheon. She has collaborated with Deepak Chopra, Eckhart Tolle and other well-known New Age thinkers and has counseled celebrities, including Cher and Steven Tyler.
But not everyone in the New Age community is rallying behind her political campaign. Most followers of the Course see it as a spiritual text for personal transformation, not as a call to action. Some believe that politics is the antithesis of spirituality and have no interest in engaging with politicians who rely on its messages. Others, however, say that the Course is a tool to help us navigate the challenging times ahead and that her candidacy is a natural extension of its mission.
What is the difference between the Course and other spiritual teachings?
The Course has a lot in common with other spiritual teachings. It draws on older traditions like Christian Science and New Thought, a related 19th-century metaphysical movement. It incorporates Freudian language and, more importantly, teaches that life is illusory and conflict dissolves when one realizes that everything is interconnected. This change in perception, the book says, produces miracles.
But the Course also blazes a different path. It says that the only path to God is the path that has been chosen for you, and that only your soul can determine what that is. It doesn't say this in a judgmental or exclusive way; it is possible, the Course suggests, to sincerely love many paths at once.
For some people, this is a point of contention. It's easy to see why. If the Bible is your spiritual path, for example, it makes sense to attend religious services and other community gatherings that honor it. But it's important to keep the lines clear between the Bible and A Course in Miracles.
Similarly, it's not necessarily wrong to read other spiritual books or to attend other religious services, but the Course warns that it is possible to confuse your true path with a path that you're merely following for the sake of social conformity or for material gain. This is why it encourages students to pause and become still often, and it suggests that the meaning of some passages may not be immediately apparent.
For the past 35 years, Marianne Williamson has been a bestselling author and thought leader in the New Age tradition, promoting her teachings as she travels around the world. She's been a frequent guest on shows like Oprah, Larry King Live and Good Morning America. She's also published 13 books, including the political tract "A Politics of Love."