Note from Gary: This exquisite article draws an elegant parallel between the messages of A Course in Miracles and those of The Wizard of Oz. Skillfully done! A must read.
By Sheri Baker.
In its unique melodic style, A Course in Miracles (ACIM) tells a story — the story of us. It explains who we are and how we got here, along with the most expedient way to return to the home we yearn for, but have long forgotten. Although many of us are challenged by the message of the Course, the story is actually quite a familiar one. According to ACIM, “No one but knows whereof we speak” (Workbook, Lesson 182), and “You know the ancient song, and know it well.” (Text, Chapter 21)
As offbeat as our “song” may sound, especially when we first encounter the Course, the truth is we’ve known the tune since our Creation. On occasion, we even manage to hum a few bars. Though we don’t always recognize it, our story plays out right in front of us in a variety of subtle ways, often disguised as literary fantasy. Consider the classic tale, “The Wizard of Oz,” a masterful adventure that in many ways echoes our own.
Curious about what lies over the rainbow, Dorothy leaves the only reality she’s ever known after taking a big bang to the head. Like us, she enters a dream state she is convinced is real. In the dream, she’s presented with two choices — follow either the loving Light, represented by Glinda the good witch, or the fearful darkness, personified by the wicked witch of the West.
Feeling called to return to her family, Dorothy takes Glinda’s advice and walks her spiritual path, raising her awareness brick by yellow brick. She courageously works her way through a frightful forest of disgruntled apple trees, flying monkeys and the relentless negativity of the frightening, but ultimately powerless wicked witch. Likewise, for us to return home — to the knowledge of who we truly are — we’ve got to make our way through a similar jungle of fear-based thought patterns, limited beliefs and unresolved negative emotions. It’s a scary prospect for even the most intrepid spiritual thrill seeker, but walking our own brick road is much gentler, as ACIM teaches, with the knowledge of Who walks the path with us.
Like us, Dorothy doesn’t make her journey alone. In addition to Glinda — the ever present Voice for God — she’s joined by a scarecrow, tin man, and cowardly lion, “mighty companions,” as ACIM says, who assist her when the going gets tough. Each of her loyal friends feels a lack inside themselves, be it a brain, heart, or courage, but as a result of their own journeys, prove they possess these traits already.
Reaching Oz, Dorothy discovers that to fulfill her heart’s desire, she has no need for the magical wizard, or anything else outside of her. She realizes she has always had the power to return to the home she never actually left. “Then why didn’t you tell her before?” the scarecrow demands of Glinda. “Because she wouldn’t have believed me. She had to learn it for herself.”
Sound familiar? Despite our own tendency to disbelieve truth when we hear it, there’s a part of us that feels comforted by what the Course has to say. “Listen, and see if you remember an ancient song you knew so long ago and held more dear than any melody you taught yourself to cherish since.” (Text, Chapter 21)
It takes courage to remember our song because we’re afraid it means parting with the only world we think we know. As ACIM says, “You could remember, yet you are afraid, believing you would lose the world you learned since then.” (Text, Chapter 21)
Had Dorothy not walked her path and faced her fears, she would never have realized there’s really nothing of value to lose. “If I ever go looking for my heart’s desire again,” she says, “I won’t look any further than my own backyard. Because if it isn’t there, I never really lost it to begin with.”
Awakening from the illusion, Dorothy realizes she hasn’t left behind anyone she loves. They were merely actors in her dream, and are together always. As scary as it might be, we have within us the same ability to face our own wicked witches, and find the peace that comes from knowing our true self. After all, “There’s no place like home.”
If cowardly lion could find the courage to accept his truth, there’s certainly hope for the rest of us.
#(Comments)#
:"I like this parallel."
The Identity of the "Voice" (Sheri Baker on ACIM: Article #6)
In its unique melodic style, A Course in Miracles (ACIM) tells a story — the story of us. It explains who we are and how we got here, along with the most expedient way to return to the home we yearn for, but have long forgotten. Although many of us are challenged by the message of the Course, the story is actually quite a familiar one. According to ACIM, “No one but knows whereof we speak” (Workbook, Lesson 182), and “You know the ancient song, and know it well.” (Text, Chapter 21)
As offbeat as our “song” may sound, especially when we first encounter the Course, the truth is we’ve known the tune since our Creation. On occasion, we even manage to hum a few bars. Though we don’t always recognize it, our story plays out right in front of us in a variety of subtle ways, often disguised as literary fantasy. Consider the classic tale, “The Wizard of Oz,” a masterful adventure that in many ways echoes our own.
Curious about what lies over the rainbow, Dorothy leaves the only reality she’s ever known after taking a big bang to the head. Like us, she enters a dream state she is convinced is real. In the dream, she’s presented with two choices — follow either the loving Light, represented by Glinda the good witch, or the fearful darkness, personified by the wicked witch of the West.
Feeling called to return to her family, Dorothy takes Glinda’s advice and walks her spiritual path, raising her awareness brick by yellow brick. She courageously works her way through a frightful forest of disgruntled apple trees, flying monkeys and the relentless negativity of the frightening, but ultimately powerless wicked witch. Likewise, for us to return home — to the knowledge of who we truly are — we’ve got to make our way through a similar jungle of fear-based thought patterns, limited beliefs and unresolved negative emotions. It’s a scary prospect for even the most intrepid spiritual thrill seeker, but walking our own brick road is much gentler, as ACIM teaches, with the knowledge of Who walks the path with us.
Like us, Dorothy doesn’t make her journey alone. In addition to Glinda — the ever present Voice for God — she’s joined by a scarecrow, tin man, and cowardly lion, “mighty companions,” as ACIM says, who assist her when the going gets tough. Each of her loyal friends feels a lack inside themselves, be it a brain, heart, or courage, but as a result of their own journeys, prove they possess these traits already.
Reaching Oz, Dorothy discovers that to fulfill her heart’s desire, she has no need for the magical wizard, or anything else outside of her. She realizes she has always had the power to return to the home she never actually left. “Then why didn’t you tell her before?” the scarecrow demands of Glinda. “Because she wouldn’t have believed me. She had to learn it for herself.”
Sound familiar? Despite our own tendency to disbelieve truth when we hear it, there’s a part of us that feels comforted by what the Course has to say. “Listen, and see if you remember an ancient song you knew so long ago and held more dear than any melody you taught yourself to cherish since.” (Text, Chapter 21)
It takes courage to remember our song because we’re afraid it means parting with the only world we think we know. As ACIM says, “You could remember, yet you are afraid, believing you would lose the world you learned since then.” (Text, Chapter 21)
Had Dorothy not walked her path and faced her fears, she would never have realized there’s really nothing of value to lose. “If I ever go looking for my heart’s desire again,” she says, “I won’t look any further than my own backyard. Because if it isn’t there, I never really lost it to begin with.”
Awakening from the illusion, Dorothy realizes she hasn’t left behind anyone she loves. They were merely actors in her dream, and are together always. As scary as it might be, we have within us the same ability to face our own wicked witches, and find the peace that comes from knowing our true self. After all, “There’s no place like home.”
If cowardly lion could find the courage to accept his truth, there’s certainly hope for the rest of us.
#(Comments)#
:"I like this parallel."
The Identity of the "Voice" (Sheri Baker on ACIM: Article #6)
If Helen Schucman didn’t write A Course in Miracles, to whom do we attribute this literary masterpiece?
When I first noticed the Course in a bookstore many years ago, I thought only someone with a healthy ego would publish a book instructing others how to perform miracles. As far as I knew, the only person qualified to write such a book had died about 2,000 years earlier, and had presumably long given up any desire to pen a bestseller.
To my surprise, the author’s identity was not readily apparent. How odd. Most writers love to take credit for their work, emblazoning their names on book covers and title pages, yet the name of the author of A Course in Miracles was conspicuously absent.
Helen repeatedly said she was merely the scribe of the Course, and disavowed any connection with the actual writing. The inner dictation process she described proceeded in spite of her frequent protests. If the Course really came through Helen’s inspiration, why would she have protested at all? Why not simply stop writing?
It’s also no secret that Helen was not a big fan of the content that came through her, a fact that would be highly unlikely had she been the actual source of the material. Even though she had difficulty applying Course principles to her own life, she never doubted the authenticity of the material, nor the identity of its author.
So who wrote A Course in Miracles? Not only was my “big ego” theory wrong, it was way wrong. Turns out, the actual “voice” behind this universal guide for spiritual transformation has no ego at all.
According to Helen, the voice of the Course clearly identified itself as Jesus. When reading the book, not only is it evident that he wrote the material, it becomes almost impossible to believe it could have come from anyone else. After all, how many people can discuss crucifixion and resurrection in terms of their own experience?
Aside from being written in a beautiful, symphonic, other worldly style, the Course puts forth concepts and principles that ring true at a level so profound, it literally touches everyone. Who but an enlightened being could bring such depth of awareness to the printed page?
Naturally, some people take issue with the Course’s authorship, not surprising since we also have a problem with our own. Fortunately, for those who find this idea a bit of a stretch, Jesus himself tells us we do not need to believe he wrote the Course in order to fully appreciate its message. If what you read helps you to become happier, more loving and peaceful, and does so consistently, would it really matter who was behind the pen?
Amidst all her fear and trepidation about serving as scribe of a mysterious document with unspecified parameters dictated by an inner voice, Helen Schucman pursued the task anyway because she felt called to do so. The document she scribed would become known as A Course in Miracles, and she would eventually consider it her life’s work.
In an interview published by The Foundation For Inner Peace, copyright holder for A Course in Miracles, Helen said, “It made me uncomfortable, but it never seriously occurred to me to stop. It seemed to be a special assignment I had somehow, somewhere agreed to complete.”
That assignment began in earnest shortly after she and her colleague, Bill Thetford, expressed their intention to unite their efforts to find a better way for people to relate to each other. Helen began to experience a series of visions and dreams of spiritual significance. She found them rather disconcerting, but felt they were preparing her for something. For what, however, she didn’t know.
As a research psychologist, Helen was naturally more comfortable with scientific inquiry than thinking of an esoteric, mystical nature. Needless to say, she found it distressing to take notes from an inner voice she knew could not have been her own.
Bill assured Helen that if she didn’t like what was coming through her, she could simply stop scribing. She followed his advice to use shorthand to take down the inner dictation, and then read it back to him so he could type it up. In a truly collaborative venture, Bill kept an ever reluctant Helen on track throughout the project, allaying her constant apprehension.
Helen described the process of hearing the “voice” to be much like an internal tape recorder that could be started and stopped at any time, allowing her to pick up wherever she left off, even in mid sentence. This was all the more remarkable considering that much of the Course is written in perfect iambic pentameter, a unique symphonic Shakespearean style that stretched far beyond Helen’s own writing abilities, not to mention those of the world’s most celebrated authors.
One has only to read a brief passage from the Course to appreciate its inspired writing style. Also impressive is the account of its journey from completed manuscript to worldwide distribution. When the seven-year scribing process was completed, the right people and resources simply showed up on cue to fulfill their roles, serving as an exquisite demonstration of the Course principle to “stand back and let Him lead the way.”
Everyone answered their call, but who or what was on the other end of the “phone?
It was a miracle itself, later defined by the Course as a shift in perception from fear to love, that launched Helen and Bill’s incredible venture when the two agreed to set aside their separate interests and perceived differences to come together for the greater good. It would take many more miracles to bring the Course to publication and beyond.
e-hugs, Gary
When I first noticed the Course in a bookstore many years ago, I thought only someone with a healthy ego would publish a book instructing others how to perform miracles. As far as I knew, the only person qualified to write such a book had died about 2,000 years earlier, and had presumably long given up any desire to pen a bestseller.
To my surprise, the author’s identity was not readily apparent. How odd. Most writers love to take credit for their work, emblazoning their names on book covers and title pages, yet the name of the author of A Course in Miracles was conspicuously absent.
Helen repeatedly said she was merely the scribe of the Course, and disavowed any connection with the actual writing. The inner dictation process she described proceeded in spite of her frequent protests. If the Course really came through Helen’s inspiration, why would she have protested at all? Why not simply stop writing?
It’s also no secret that Helen was not a big fan of the content that came through her, a fact that would be highly unlikely had she been the actual source of the material. Even though she had difficulty applying Course principles to her own life, she never doubted the authenticity of the material, nor the identity of its author.
So who wrote A Course in Miracles? Not only was my “big ego” theory wrong, it was way wrong. Turns out, the actual “voice” behind this universal guide for spiritual transformation has no ego at all.
According to Helen, the voice of the Course clearly identified itself as Jesus. When reading the book, not only is it evident that he wrote the material, it becomes almost impossible to believe it could have come from anyone else. After all, how many people can discuss crucifixion and resurrection in terms of their own experience?
Aside from being written in a beautiful, symphonic, other worldly style, the Course puts forth concepts and principles that ring true at a level so profound, it literally touches everyone. Who but an enlightened being could bring such depth of awareness to the printed page?
Naturally, some people take issue with the Course’s authorship, not surprising since we also have a problem with our own. Fortunately, for those who find this idea a bit of a stretch, Jesus himself tells us we do not need to believe he wrote the Course in order to fully appreciate its message. If what you read helps you to become happier, more loving and peaceful, and does so consistently, would it really matter who was behind the pen?
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Answering the call (Sheri Baker on ACIM: Article #5)
Have you ever sensed a higher calling, a lofty mission only you can fulfill? If experience has taught me anything, it’s that when Divinely-inspired forces place that call, it’s usually a good idea to answer on the first ring.
Amidst all her fear and trepidation about serving as scribe of a mysterious document with unspecified parameters dictated by an inner voice, Helen Schucman pursued the task anyway because she felt called to do so. The document she scribed would become known as A Course in Miracles, and she would eventually consider it her life’s work.
In an interview published by The Foundation For Inner Peace, copyright holder for A Course in Miracles, Helen said, “It made me uncomfortable, but it never seriously occurred to me to stop. It seemed to be a special assignment I had somehow, somewhere agreed to complete.”
That assignment began in earnest shortly after she and her colleague, Bill Thetford, expressed their intention to unite their efforts to find a better way for people to relate to each other. Helen began to experience a series of visions and dreams of spiritual significance. She found them rather disconcerting, but felt they were preparing her for something. For what, however, she didn’t know.
As a research psychologist, Helen was naturally more comfortable with scientific inquiry than thinking of an esoteric, mystical nature. Needless to say, she found it distressing to take notes from an inner voice she knew could not have been her own.
Bill assured Helen that if she didn’t like what was coming through her, she could simply stop scribing. She followed his advice to use shorthand to take down the inner dictation, and then read it back to him so he could type it up. In a truly collaborative venture, Bill kept an ever reluctant Helen on track throughout the project, allaying her constant apprehension.
Helen described the process of hearing the “voice” to be much like an internal tape recorder that could be started and stopped at any time, allowing her to pick up wherever she left off, even in mid sentence. This was all the more remarkable considering that much of the Course is written in perfect iambic pentameter, a unique symphonic Shakespearean style that stretched far beyond Helen’s own writing abilities, not to mention those of the world’s most celebrated authors.
One has only to read a brief passage from the Course to appreciate its inspired writing style. Also impressive is the account of its journey from completed manuscript to worldwide distribution. When the seven-year scribing process was completed, the right people and resources simply showed up on cue to fulfill their roles, serving as an exquisite demonstration of the Course principle to “stand back and let Him lead the way.”
Everyone answered their call, but who or what was on the other end of the “phone?
###
Sowing the Seeds of a New Psychology (Sheri Baker on ACIM: Article #4)
“This is a course in miracles. Please take notes.”
It was a simple instruction given to Helen Schucman in October 1965 by what she referred to as an inner voice. She had no idea what this so-called course was about, how long she would be expected to take notes, or why she had been selected to assume the role of scribe in the first place.
At the time she received this mysterious directive, Helen was working as a research psychologist at the prestigious Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in New York. Seven years earlier, she had been hired for the position by William Thetford, director of the Psychology Department.
As is typical in many work environments, Helen and Bill often found it difficult to relate to each other and their colleagues in a harmonious way. The two professors were highly educated in the field of psychology, but apparently it would take more than their PhDs to understand how to manage the ongoing conflicts in their personal and professional relationships. They definitely needed a new template for human interaction.
A few months before the “voice” issued its curious request of Helen, Bill had given her a heartfelt speech about the general inability of people to get along with each other. Exasperated over this dilemma, he insisted “there must be a better way.” Without hesitation, Helen responded, “I’ll help you find it.”
Unbeknownst to either of them, that instant of joining sealed a powerful agreement to usher into the world an extraordinary spiritual document that turns many psychological assumptions upside down. This “better way” of relating to others would ultimately emerge as A Course in Miracles.
Not surprisingly, the realm of the miraculous was not confined solely to the content of the book. From inception to birth, the story of the Course plays out like a divinely-orchestrated dance with a stellar lineup of participants keeping perfect step to the beat.
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Nothing Less Than A Miracle (Sheri Baker on ACIM: Article #3)
WIIFM
It’s not a radio station or a game for the Nintendo Wii console. It’s a popular acronym for “What’s In It For Me?” — five words that drive most every decision we make.
You may not consciously ask the question, but it’s got to be in your thought process somewhere or you wouldn’t be able to fix breakfast. It helps you evaluate the risks versus rewards for all your actions.
I wondered WIIFM when I first laid eyes on A Course in Miracles (ACIM) more than 25 years ago. I expected it to be a textbook on the art of manifesting supernatural events, and figured knowing how to turn water into wine might actually come in handy someday.
Fortunately, the Course did not meet my expectations. It far exceeded them.
Because of its name, people often come to the Course with the idea of learning how to manipulate their thoughts to make things happen in the world. As a student and teacher of this highly unconventional curriculum of spiritual transformation, I can tell you that the Course does emphasize the power of our thinking, but only toward one goal: awakening to the truth of who we are.
Shifting our fear-based thoughts to those rooted in love is the miracle. And, ironically, when we can make this internal shift, what we traditionally think of as the miraculous may naturally occur as a welcome byproduct. It’s water, not wine, that still flows through my faucets, but I have experienced other effects of inspired thinking that defy rational explanation, such as instantaneous healing, and the collapse of time and space.
In studying the Course, what I initially anticipated would merely be another in a series of interesting books one encounters along the road to higher awareness, has turned out to be my primary spiritual path. If you have an open mind and a willingness to look deeper into what the Course says, it can serve as a disciplined mind-training to help you break down what it refers to as our false, “upside down perceptions.” It also provides answers to some of life’s most provocative questions:
- Who am I and why am I here?
- How can I better connect with my highest guidance?
- Why do I get sick and how can I heal?
- How can I best help others heal?
- Why do some relationships work and some don’t?
- How can I be more loving and forgiving?
- Why am I so resistant to hearing and living my truth?
- What is the meaning of happiness?
- How can I achieve peace of mind?
New perspectives on these and other fascinating mysteries of life can bring you infinite rewards regardless of your entry point into this profound spiritual document. Have you heard about ACIM and simply want to know more about it? Are you a Course student already, but crave a greater depth of understanding of its content? Perhaps you’re primarily interested in learning how to maximize your healing efforts.
Whether or not you connect with ACIM is a decision only you can make. To be sure, the truth will set you free, but first it must tear down many of your currently-held assumptions. To facilitate this process, my intention in this article series is simply to present some of the thought-provoking ideas in the Course which you may find interesting and insightful, as well as practical and useful in your daily living and quest for spiritual illumination.
It took a long time to find my path, and even longer to make sense out of it. I sampled numerous offerings from what I refer to as the cosmic “spiritual buffet table” before recognizing the “food” for thought that would serve as my soul’s primary sustenance. Even if you discover ACIM concepts do not speak to you at this time, it can be helpful to investigate what doesn’t work for us before we can recognize what will. Legend has it that Thomas Edison made 1,000 unsuccessful attempts to invent the light bulb. When asked how it felt to fail 1,000 times, he said, “I didn’t fail. The light bulb was an invention with 1,000 steps.”
In a way, coming to the realization of how magnificent we are is a journey of 1,000 steps as well. If you’re still contemplating a further look at the Course and wondering WIIFM, the answer is nothing less than a miracle. And who knows? One day from that bottle of Evian may even spring forth a robust Cabernet.
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A Path to Peace – An Introduction - (Sheri Baker on ACIM: Article #2)
As with any journey, we begin with the first step. Only this journey is different from any other. In one respect, it starts now. In another, it’s already over. In truth, it’s a “journey without distance,” and isn’t really happening at all.
The path to peace may be filled with other such mind-bending twists and turns, but it’s a road well worth traveling. If you’re game, I’d like to walk with you along the path and point out some of the interesting sights — or insights — along the way.
These insights come from A Course in Miracles (ACIM), a book that has been referred to as the most profound spiritual document known to humanity. Its philosophy is irrefutably sound and straightforward, yet it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.
Before we delve into Course principles, I’d like to provide some background into what it is and how it came to be. ACIM is a channeled book with a poetic style unrivaled by the most eloquent authors in history. Its goal of inner peace aligns perfectly with the peace of mind toward which EFT is ultimately aimed. Not surprisingly, these two healing powerhouses complement each other magnificently. One might say that the Course is the “way” or the path, and EFT is the “means” or the technique to achieve this goal.
I enjoy talking about A Course in Miracles, but I don’t believe it’s the only avenue to enlightened thought by any means. It happens to be my primary path because it speaks to my heart, and I’ve successfully road-tested much of what it says into my own life and healing practice. In future writings, I will explore some of its most relevant themes in the hope you will find it helpful in your healing efforts, both for yourself and others.
The truth is we’re all on a path to peace. Some of us are consciously aware that we are; some of us are not. Fortunately, an individual plan has been mapped out for each one of us to help get us there. Our sole responsibility, according to ACIM, is merely to accept our part in the overall plan and acknowledge the inner peace which is our Divine inheritance.
By integrating EFT — in its most basic or optimal form — with the spiritual principles outlined in the Course, we have the ability to pursue our path out of fear more quickly and easily than ever before. We can bump along this highway in a fog or follow our own specific roadmap with headlights on high beam. As always, the choice is ours.
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Gary Craig's introduction to Sheri Baker's articles on A Course In Miracles (ACIM) ... A bridge from Gold Standard EFT to Optimal EFT (Sheri Baker on ACIM: Article #1)
Dear Friends,
It’s focus will be on blending A Course In Miracles (ACIM) with Gold Standard EFT and, in the process, providing a bridge from the tapping form of EFT (Gold Standard EFT) to the higher order involved in the spiritually oriented Optimal EFT.
ACIM is a set of spiritual principles that, to me, is the most stunning document ever written. Accordingly, its many thought provoking ideas find their way into Optimal EFT. To others, however, its radical concepts are far too “belief busting” to be of practical use. As a result, Sheri’s series will be of most interest to those who (1) are already ACIM students and want to learn more from this accomplished student or (2) would like quality exposure to these spiritual teachings, particularly as they relate to EFT.
I am so impressed with Sheri's knowledge and dedication in this area that I counsel with her frequently for advanced ACIM topics. She is also a seasoned EFT'er and is one of the few to pass one of our previous certification exams with a score of 100%. For those interested, her writings will be an informational and fun trip into an eye-opening spiritual spiral that has dramatically shifted my world view.
For many readers this series by my dear colleague, Sheri Baker, will be compelling … insightful … refreshing … a magic carpet ride that will whisk us off into the glorious land of our true selves.
However, it is not for everyone.It’s focus will be on blending A Course In Miracles (ACIM) with Gold Standard EFT and, in the process, providing a bridge from the tapping form of EFT (Gold Standard EFT) to the higher order involved in the spiritually oriented Optimal EFT.
ACIM is a set of spiritual principles that, to me, is the most stunning document ever written. Accordingly, its many thought provoking ideas find their way into Optimal EFT. To others, however, its radical concepts are far too “belief busting” to be of practical use. As a result, Sheri’s series will be of most interest to those who (1) are already ACIM students and want to learn more from this accomplished student or (2) would like quality exposure to these spiritual teachings, particularly as they relate to EFT.
I am so impressed with Sheri's knowledge and dedication in this area that I counsel with her frequently for advanced ACIM topics. She is also a seasoned EFT'er and is one of the few to pass one of our previous certification exams with a score of 100%. For those interested, her writings will be an informational and fun trip into an eye-opening spiritual spiral that has dramatically shifted my world view.
Note, however, that this series is NOT required to advance your understanding of Optimal EFT. Spiritual teachings vary widely and Optimal EFT can be used to advance you along any pursuit of your choice. So this offering is simply an option ... a path from which to borrow ... for those who find it attractive.
FYI, Sheri has written a one-of-a-kind study guide that blends ACIM with EFT. It is called “Tapping into the Truth – The Healing Power of Integrating A Course In Miracles and EFT.” To the right is a brief video introducing Sheri and her study guide. More details at her website www.sheribaker.com
e-hugs, Gary
Sheri : "Glad you liked it, Janice. There are so many parallels between Dorothy's story and our own. It's interesting how many ways our truth can make itself known to us."
John R Steinrock Sheri, you've insight about OZ and ACIM is a brilliant, delightful and very useful way to convey the wisdom of the Course to others. Its a miracle."
Sheri "Thank you, John. It's a joy to be able to help in any way with the understanding of this magnificent spiritual thought system. Hopefully, with a greater understanding comes greater peace of mind. And, as you say, that is a miracle."
Donna "Thank you. This was so good!"
Sheri Pending Awaiting Moderation
God only knows (Sheri Baker on ACIM: Article #9)
Think about all the common expressions in reference to the Almighty. We verbalize “Oh my God!” when we feel shock, awe, or disbelief. Its trendy abbreviation “OMG!” permeates text messaging almost as a form of punctuation, kinda like saying “wow” or “really.” It’s part of many other popular phrases, such as “Thank God,” “Godspeed,” “God willing,” and “God forbid.” Even a sneeze is met with a compassionate, “God bless you.” But as often as we use the term, do we really know who or what God is?
In our ongoing quest to unlearn everything we only think we know, our concept of God may very well be at the top of the list. Many people question the very existence of God. This has long been a subject of debate among theologians and non-believers alike. From its perspective, A Course in Miracles (ACIM) is resolute in its proclamation that God does indeed exist. “God is not symbolic. He is Fact.” (Text, Chapter 3)
Though ACIM does not waver on its stance concerning the existence of God, it does not give a precise definition of the word. The reason, ACIM explains, is because words themselves are the product of our unhealed minds which assign meaning to them based on our various interpretations of ourselves and the world. Hence the difficulty in selecting a word which provides the same understanding for everyone.
Depending on our life experience, we all have very individualized thoughts about God. Some of us visualize God as a wise old man, with a long white beard, perched high on a cloud, accepting requests for things we want. Others conjure up an angry God, apparently upset about something a couple of us did with a piece of fruit in a garden eons ago, and determined ever since to pursue a vengeful punishment on the rest of us. Insurance companies have their own spin on the word, usually defining an “act of God” as a disastrous event, albeit a natural one, such as a hurricane, tsunami, or earthquake.
From a Course perspective, none of these descriptions of God is true. Despite the limitations of language, it does, however, offer many insights into the nature of God:
- God is the Creator and Source of all life.
- God created us; we did not create God.
- The essence of God is Spirit. God is not a physical being, and did not create the physical world.
- God has no gender, form, or boundary. God is changeless and eternal.
- God is perfect Love, and only Love is real.
- God is One, and has no opposite.
- God is all that is. If God is Love, then this means God cannot be anything else but Love. And as extensions of God, Love is who we are as well.
If you’re among those for whom the word “God” brings up negative connotations, substituting the word “Love” would be an accurate, and perhaps more acceptable alternative.Will we ever join together in our understanding of God? Absolutely, but not as one might expect under any type of single religious umbrella. As ACIM states, “A universal theology is impossible, but a universal experience is not only possible but necessary.” (Manual, Clarification of Terms, Introduction)
This universal experience the Course refers to is one of love. At some point, we will recognize that our way of thinking and doing is not bringing us what we truly desire, and that only a collective experience of love, or God, will help us reawaken to the peace which is already within us. Just when might we realize our glorious destiny?
God only knows.
Letting Go What We Think We Know (Sheri Baker on ACIM: Article #8)
“You must unlearn what you have learned.”
One of the things many of us learn early on is that knowledge is power, and that’s true, but not in the way we typically think. ACIM equates knowledge with the oneness of Heaven, yet we tend to think of it as the accumulation of facts and figures. We embark on what we expect to be a lengthy spiritual journey to gather information which might shed light on who we are. While we’re at it, we also spend enormous amounts of time and energy looking for love somewhere out in the world in the hope we’ll feel more complete.
When we’re ready, we’re presented with the truth — ACIM being only one version of it — and we’re shocked to find out that our journey of self discovery actually has no distance at all, that love isn’t found outside but inside of us, and that the world of time and space doesn’t even exist. Mr. Spock, the world’s most beloved Vulcan, expressed this truth when he quoted a basic Course principle, “Nothing unreal exists,” in the movie, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.
As each of us makes our voyage home, we will encounter these and other ACIM concepts which turn our thinking upside down. One of the many mind-benders associated with the Course involves its use of language. Although the Course expresses a nonsectarian, non-denominational spirituality, it speaks to us in Christian terminology, but in a non traditional way. Words such as sin, forgiveness, miracle, God, Atonement, and Heaven do not mean what we typically think they do.
I once heard A Course in Miracles referred to as an “equal opportunity course” because there’s something in it to offend everybody. Those raised in the Jewish faith, for example, are typically distraught at the outset by the Christian terms, yet followers of Christianity are equally bothered because ACIM uses these terms in a way very different from what they were initially taught. If we’re not willing to unlearn some of the old definitions, we will get entirely different messages from the book than than the ones intended.
Setting aside everything we know or think we know can be challenging to say the least, and is therefore a gradual process. ACIM gently leads us on this journey of unlearning to the knowledge of who we truly are.
As we proceed along our own highly individualized curriculum to higher awareness, it’s important to know we are not alone. There is a powerful force within us — call it Holy Spirit, Unseen Therapist, or whatever name feels most comfortable to you — that guides our every step. As on ongoing reminder, and in the spirit of this article’s nod to science fiction, allow me to restate what is probably the most iconic Star Wars quote of all, “May the Force be with you!”
Before we delve into the principles of A Course in Miracles (ACIM) which guide this journey of awakening, let’s wrap up our introduction to ACIM by looking at a few of the significant numbers associated with the book: 1972 — 7 — 1,500 — 5,000 — 1976 — 1,249 — 483,621 — 3 — 365 — 2 — 25 — one.
In 1972, after 7 long years of dedicated work, Helen Schucman completed her scribing of A Course in Miracles. Unsure of what to do next, she locked away the 1,500-page typewritten manuscript in a filing cabinet in the office she shared with Bill Thetford, her colleague and collaborator.
Considering the magnitude of its message and the authority by which it was written, it became increasingly evident to Helen and Bill that the Course’s content was not meant for them alone. All they knew to do, however, was to sit and wait. Two months after the scribing was completed, another psychologist, Ken Wapnick, joined the pair and assisted with the meticulous task of editing. They added paragraph and section breaks, along with chapter headings, to facilitate reading, and ensured consistent capitalization and punctuation. The voice of the Course — Jesus — was concerned only with delivering its message (i.e. the content), and entrusted the minimal editing (the form) to the three PhDs.
Next to join the group was Judy Skutch, who helped catapult the Course toward its inevitable worldwide distribution. Due in no small part to her efforts and enthusiasm, the first 5,000 copies of A Course in Miracles were published in hardback version on June 22, 1976.
The curriculum of the Course consists of 1,249 pages containing 483,621 words, divided into 3 books: Text, Workbook for Students, and Manual For Teachers. The Text provides the theoretical foundation which puts forth the concepts and principles upon which this spiritual thought system is based. The Workbook consists of 365 daily lessons, providing the practical training to help us shift our thinking from fear to love. The Manual answers frequently asked questions, and clarifies a number of terms used throughout the Course.
After the Course was scribed, 2 supplemental documents were received by Helen through the same inner dictation process. Psychotherapy: Purpose, Process and Practice describes how to apply the Course’s theoretical principles of healing to the field of psychotherapy, and The Song of Prayer: Prayer, Forgiveness, Healing helps us understand the nature of prayer in the context of healing.
Our foray into ACIM numbers concludes with a mention of those which tell us where to find specific quotes within the book. Because the Course is printed in several editions, not to mention about 25 translations, in future articles I will utilize a self-explanatory reference system instead of page numbers to identify each quote’s location.
Where does all of this lead? Ultimately, to the recognition of who we are — perhaps the most significant number of all — one.