A COURSE IN MIRACLES began with the sudden decision of two
people to join in a common goal. It does not matter who they
are except that the story shows with God all things are possible.
They were anything but spiritual. Their relationship with
each other was difficult and often strained, and they were
concerned with personal and professional acceptance and status.
In general, they had considerable investment in the values
of the world. Their lives were hardly in accord with anything
that the Course advocates. As the one who received the material
describes herself:
 |
"Psychologist, educator, conservative in
theory and atheistic in belief, I was working in a prestigious
and highly academic setting. And then something happened that
triggered a chain of events I could never have predicted...
The head of my department...unexpectedly announced that he
was tired of the angry and aggressive feelings our attitudes
reflected, and concluded that, 'there must be another way.'
As if on cue I agreed to help him find it. Apparently this
Course is the other way."
Although their intention was serious, they had great difficulty
in starting out on their joint venture. But they had given the
Holy Spirit the "little willingness" that, as the
Course itself was to emphasize again and again, is sufficient
to enable Him to use any situation for His purposes and provide
it with His power.
To continue the first-person account: "Three
startling months preceded the actual writing, during which
time my friend suggested that I write down the highly symbolic
dreams and descriptions of the strange images that were coming
to me. Although I had grown more accustomed to the unexpected
by that time, I was still very surprised when I wrote, 'This
is a course in miracles...' That was my introduction to the
Voice. It made no sound, but seemed to be giving me a kind
of rapid, inner dictation which I took down in a shorthand
notebook. The writing was never automatic. It could be interrupted
at any time and later picked up again. It made me very uncomfortable,
but it never seriously occurred to me to stop. It seemed to
be a special assignment I had somehow, somewhere agreed to
complete. It represented a truly collaborative venture between
my friend and myself, and much of its significance, I am sure,
lies in that. I would take down what the Voice 'said' and
read it to him the next day, and he typed it from my dictation.
I expect he had his special assignment, too. Without his encouragement
and support I would never have been able to fulfill mine.
The whole process took about six years. The Text came first,
then the Workbook for Students, and finally the Manual for
Teachers. Only a few minor changes have been made. Chapter
titles and subheadings have been inserted in the Text, and
some of the more personal references that occurred at the
beginning have been omitted. Otherwise the material is substantially
unchanged."
The names of the collaborators in the recording of the Course
do not appear in the books because the Course can and should
stand on its own. It is not intended to become the basis for
another cult. Its only purpose is to provide a way in which
some people will be able to find their own Internal Teacher.
Return to Top
 Next
Page - What It Is
Yes,
I would like to purchase this book
|
