Changes

==Preface==

==Preface==

This Preface was written in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1977 1977], in response to many requests for a brief introduction to ''[[A Course in Miracles]]''. The first two parts - ''How It Came''; ''What It Is'' - [[Helen Schucman]] wrote herself; the final part - What It Says - was written by the [[process]] of inner dictation described in the Preface.

This Preface was written in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1977 1977], in response to many requests for a brief introduction to ''[[A Course in Miracles]]''. The first two parts - ''How It Came''; ''What It Is'' - [[Helen Schucman]] wrote herself; the final part - What It Says - was written by the [[process]] of inner dictation described in the Preface.

==How It Came==

==How It Came==

''A Course in Miracles'' began with the sudden [[decision]] of two people to join in a common [[goal]]. Their names were Helen Schucman and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Thetford William Thetford], Professors of Medical Psychology at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_University_College_of_Physicians_and_Surgeons Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons] in New York City. It does not matter who they were, except that the story shows that 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. Helen, the one who received the material, describes herself:

''A Course in Miracles'' began with the sudden [[decision]] of two people to join in a common [[goal]]. Their names were Helen Schucman and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Thetford William Thetford], Professors of Medical Psychology at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_University_College_of_Physicians_and_Surgeons Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons] in New York City. It does not matter who they were, except that the story shows that 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. Helen, the one who received the material, describes herself:

<blockquote>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.</blockquote>

<blockquote>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.</blockquote>

To continue Helen's first-person account:

To continue Helen's first-person account:

<blockquote>Three startling months preceded the actual [[writing]], during which time Bill 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 Bill 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 seven years. ''[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=A_Course_in_Miracles_-_Contents#The_Text The Text]'' came first, then the ''[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=A_Course_in_Miracles_-_Contents#Workbook_Part_I Workbook for Students]'', and finally the ''[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=A_Course_in_Miracles_-_Contents#Manual_for_Teachers 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.</blockquote>

<blockquote>Three startling months preceded the actual [[writing]], during which time Bill 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 Bill 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 seven years. ''[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=A_Course_in_Miracles_-_Contents#The_Text The Text]'' came first, then the ''[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=A_Course_in_Miracles_-_Contents#Workbook_Part_I Workbook for Students]'', and finally the ''[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=A_Course_in_Miracles_-_Contents#Manual_for_Teachers 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.</blockquote>

==What It Is==

==What It Is==

As the title implies, ''the Course'' is arranged throughout as a [[teaching]] device. It consists of three books: a 669-page Text, a 488-page workbook for Students, and a 92-page Manual for Teachers. The order in which [[students]] choose to use the books, and the ways in which they [[study]] them, depend on their particular needs and preferences.

As the title implies, ''the Course'' is arranged throughout as a [[teaching]] device. It consists of three books: a 669-page Text, a 488-page workbook for Students, and a 92-page Manual for Teachers. The order in which [[students]] choose to use the books, and the ways in which they [[study]] them, depend on their particular needs and preferences.

The [[curriculum]] the Course proposes is carefully [[conceived]] and is explained, step by [[step]], at both the [[theoretical]] and [[practical]] levels. It emphasizes application rather than theory, and [[experience]] rather than theology. It specifically states that "a [[universal]] theology is impossible, but a universal experience is not only possible but [[necessary]]" (Manual, p. 77). Although [[Christian]] in statement, the Course deals with universal spiritual themes. It emphasizes that it is but one version of the universal [[curriculum]]. There are many others, this one differing from them only in form. They all lead to God in the end.  

The [[curriculum]] the Course proposes is carefully [[conceived]] and is explained, step by [[step]], at both the [[theoretical]] and [[practical]] levels. It emphasizes application rather than theory, and [[experience]] rather than theology. It specifically states that "a [[universal]] theology is impossible, but a universal experience is not only possible but [[necessary]]" (Manual, p. 77). Although [[Christian]] in statement, the Course deals with universal spiritual themes. It emphasizes that it is but one version of the universal [[curriculum]]. There are many others, this one differing from them only in form. They all lead to God in the end.  

''[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=A_Course_in_Miracles_-_Contents#The_Text The Text]'' is largely theoretical, and sets forth the [[concepts]] on which the Course's [[thought]] system is based. Its ideas contain the [[foundation]] for the ''[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=A_Course_in_Miracles_-_Contents#Workbook_Part_I Workbook]'''s lessons. Without the practical application the Workbook provides, the Text would remain largely a series of [[abstractions]] which would hardly suffice to bring about the thought reversal at which the Course aims.

''[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=A_Course_in_Miracles_-_Contents#The_Text The Text]'' is largely theoretical, and sets forth the [[concepts]] on which the Course's [[thought]] system is based. Its ideas contain the [[foundation]] for the ''[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=A_Course_in_Miracles_-_Contents#Workbook_Part_I Workbook]'''s lessons. Without the practical application the Workbook provides, the Text would remain largely a series of [[abstractions]] which would hardly suffice to bring about the thought reversal at which the Course aims.

''[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=A_Course_in_Miracles_-_Contents#Workbook_Part_I The Workbook]'' includes 365 lessons, one for each day of the year. It is not [[necessary]], however, to do the lessons at that tempo, and one might want to remain with a particularly appealing lesson for more than one day. The instructions urge only that not more than one lessons a day should be attempted. The practical nature of the Workbook is underscored by the introduction to its lessons, which emphasizes [[experience]] through application rather than a prior [[commitment]] to a spiritual goal:

''[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=A_Course_in_Miracles_-_Contents#Workbook_Part_I The Workbook]'' includes 365 lessons, one for each day of the year. It is not [[necessary]], however, to do the lessons at that tempo, and one might want to remain with a particularly appealing lesson for more than one day. The instructions urge only that not more than one lessons a day should be attempted. The practical nature of the Workbook is underscored by the introduction to its lessons, which emphasizes [[experience]] through application rather than a prior [[commitment]] to a spiritual goal:

<blockquote>Some of the [[ideas]] the workbook presents you will find hard to [[believe]], and others may seem to be quite startling. This does not matter. You are merely asked to apply the ideas as you are directed to do. You are not asked to judge them at all. You are asked only to use them. It is their use that will give them [[meaning]] to you, and will show you that they are true.</blockquote>

<blockquote>Some of the [[ideas]] the workbook presents you will find hard to [[believe]], and others may seem to be quite startling. This does not matter. You are merely asked to apply the ideas as you are directed to do. You are not asked to judge them at all. You are asked only to use them. It is their use that will give them [[meaning]] to you, and will show you that they are true.</blockquote>

<blockquote>Remember only this; you need not [[believe]] the ideas, you need not [[accept]] them, and you need not even [[welcome]] them. Some of them you may actively [[resist]]. None of this will matter, or decrease their efficacy. But do not allow yourself to make exceptions in applying the ideas the workbook contains, and whatever your [[reactions]] to the ideas may be, use them. Nothing more that that is required (Workbook, p. 2)</blockquote>

<blockquote>Remember only this; you need not [[believe]] the ideas, you need not [[accept]] them, and you need not even [[welcome]] them. Some of them you may actively [[resist]]. None of this will matter, or decrease their efficacy. But do not allow yourself to make exceptions in applying the ideas the workbook contains, and whatever your [[reactions]] to the ideas may be, use them. Nothing more that that is required (Workbook, p. 2)</blockquote>

Finally, the ''[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=A_Course_in_Miracles_-_Contents#Manual_for_Teachers Manual for Teachers]'', which is written in question and answer form, provides answers to some of the more likely questions a student might ask. It also includes a [[clarification]] of a number of the terms the Course uses, explaining them within the theoretical framework of the Text.  

Finally, the ''[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=A_Course_in_Miracles_-_Contents#Manual_for_Teachers Manual for Teachers]'', which is written in question and answer form, provides answers to some of the more likely questions a student might ask. It also includes a [[clarification]] of a number of the terms the Course uses, explaining them within the theoretical framework of the Text.  

''The Course'' makes no claim to [[finality]], nor are the Workbook lessons intended to bring the student's [[learning]] to completion. At the end, the [[reader]] is left in the hands of his or her own Internal Teacher, Who will direct all subsequent learning as He sees fit. While the Course is [[comprehensive]] in scope, [[truth]] cannot be limited to any finite form, as is clearly recognized in the statement at the end of the Workbook:

''The Course'' makes no claim to [[finality]], nor are the Workbook lessons intended to bring the student's [[learning]] to completion. At the end, the [[reader]] is left in the hands of his or her own Internal Teacher, Who will direct all subsequent learning as He sees fit. While the Course is [[comprehensive]] in scope, [[truth]] cannot be limited to any finite form, as is clearly recognized in the statement at the end of the Workbook: