I have spent the last 33 years of my life involved with a program of Spiritual Development known as “A Course in Miracles”. Over time, it has had a beneficial and transforming effect on everything I do. Not that I claim to have attained any high state of Spiritual Enlightenment, but all my humble activities have profited from my own re-orientation to a higher purpose.
“ACIM” as it is sometimes called is often mistaken for a “new-age religion”. It certainly is not. It is more properly considered a self-study program for Spiritual growth. “Religion” – literally means to “bind together”. It applies to teachings applied to a group of people to bring them into conformity with a specific dogma or belief. It is to “instruct the faithful in the truth”.
ACIM is a personal endeavor to ascertain the truth of one’s own being through conscientious examination of one’s own mind, beliefs, convictions, etc. There is little attempt to inculcate a particular rubric or doctrinal belief system among the students. There are clear distinctions made in ACIM. For instance, “there is NO sin”, “you are and have always been a perfect child of a loving God”, the entire world you see – particularly its stresses and pain – is illusory”, and “Jesus is no different from you – in truth you are both forms of God”.
Even though ACIM is a uniquely personal endeavor, it is often studied in loosely organized groups meeting in homes, churches, or other convenient locations. Some churches are less authoritarian than others and are thus, frequently the site of ACIM study groups.
The study of Miracles is probably more like a psychologically-based personal growth group than anything else. There are no “right” answers, no non-negotiable demands. No emphasis on being “saved”, not even an acknowledgement of the existence of “sin”. The whole thrust of the teaching is to recover a sense of the original wonder of being a wholly perfect creation of a loving Creator. For most humans, this is only a far-away dream, but this is the ACIM student’s Holy Grail. To fully appreciate the UN-fallen state of God’s perfect child, we learn that our seeming shortcomings are but mistakes in our clouded self-perception. Yes, I am aware of just how radical this view is.
Typically the meetings commence with a period of quiet meditation, followed by an opportunity to gossip, chat and share experiences. Frequently passages from the 3 volume work A Course in Miracles will be read aloud with comments invited from those present. Students frequently report examples from their recent daily life and draw comparisons or evaluations. The leader merely facilitates, sometimes clarifying, mostly just listening as those present grope for their own understanding of the book and their own life. There are no sermons, creeds, homilies or didactic recitations. After a time, usually one and a half to two hours, the group will again grow quiet, meditate for 5 to 10 minutes and then disband. Sometimes refreshments will be provided by a member.
The intensely personal nature of these discussions tends to build close friendships and alliances among the students. There is typically a sense of “family” and belonging that develops. Especially in the earlier days of “The Course”, there was a certain air of conspiratorial collegiality that was often noticed, due to its radical departures from conventional dogmas. Many present day students experience a great relief from the contradictions and pressures of conventional religions.
It has been a great 33 years. I have experienced many epiphanies and adventures along the way. I have finally abandoned the hope of ever “getting there” and have learned to settle for the increasingly joyous trip along the path! It is wonderful to realize that above all else, with all my seeming “flaws”, my Creator loves me and I do indeed totally return that love.
Kellie R. Love
September 4, 2008