United A Course In Miracles Study Group

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Comment by Chris Anderson on September 28, 2009 at 8:19am

http://www.inner-growth.info/power_of_now_tolle/eckhart_tolle_home.htm

Comment by Chris Anderson on September 1, 2009 at 10:04am

The previous comment I posted was a thought of discernment about our Course related activities. My intention was not to diminish groups and collectives where the Course is read and discussed... merely to point out that the real work is done in a solitary way, a personal return to the Divine. I encourage discussion groups and similar avenues of sharing and enjoy any opportunity made available wherein I can dialogue about the Course... but I do not make any assertion of mastery of the Course and certainly would eschew any identity other than being a student of the Course, wherein I teach as an extension of learning. I believe we all need to return to the "work", ACIM, for our guidance rather than be invested in the Course as a "ministry" or religion.
In Love
Himself

Comment by Chris Anderson on August 31, 2009 at 5:55pm

Dialogue from Martha Lucia Espinosa

Is it “OK” to become an ACIM minister? To join an ACIM based religious order, cult, or organization or to start one?

Sometimes it can take the wind our of our sails as a friend recently put it to realize that it is no longer illegal for people to do what they want to with the contents of this beloved course, as seen by the many who have been its students for years before the copyright decision by a NY judge to place it in the public domain changed everything. Sometimes it even hurts for those who would see themselves as ‘true’ followers or students.

Unfortunately, we cannot say that activities like publishing mock-up copies of A Course in Miracles, altering it or breaking it apart or starting religions and cults in its name are illegal activities. They aren't even unethical any more, though they could be seen as such, since the material was originally stolen and disseminated widely through the internet before the copyright decision was made by a court.
But no, they are not illegal, and no longer can they be called that as everything is now blessed by the legal system of this country and its copyright laws.

However, could they be mistaken? Yes, according to the purpose that Helen Schucman, the actual scribe of the course identified for the course back in 1977, and which I quote here, bold and underline are mine:

"The names of the collaborators in the recording of the Course do not appear on the cover 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."

http://www.acim.org/ACIM/HowItCame.htm

Comment by Starlene Breiter on August 27, 2009 at 10:49am

Thanks for the book review Chris! Going to check that out :)

Comment by Chris Anderson on August 23, 2009 at 10:01pm

I found this book review that I had written back in 96 and decided to share it with the group...

Who Told You That You Were Naked?
by John Jacob Raub

Been thinking about diving into A Course in Miracles, but can’t bring yourself to make the commitment? Well, here’s a great way to get to the core concepts of the Course in a highly accessible, beautifully written book that you can pick up and read cover to cover in one afternoon.

First printed in 1992 and now in its sixth printing, this book by Trappist monk John Jacob Raub serves as a lucid and healing interpretation of both the old and new testaments as well as the “Bible for the New Age,” A Course in Miracles. Raub brings the message of the Christ consciousness into glowing life, guiding the reader to insights about the nature of guilt and shame, the truth about original sin, and the inescapable destiny we share as we move toward the next level of evolution.

In quoting from the book; “The kingdom of God can always be found in what is in front of our eyes, whether that situation is fraught with evil or not. And in this kingdom, God does not ask why things are as they are, but ‘What is your response to the way things are?’ We can make a response to the way things are if we are continually thinking, ‘Why should this be?’

“Since the why of life is not central in the kingdom, the Buddhist saying of having a ‘don’t-know mind’ has sense to it — we are to respond with discernment that includes seeing God’s presence in every situation, and not to freeze ourselves in railing against reality.”

Raub's book assists the reader to recognize that we have an unbreakable bond with God, that we can never fall outside the kingdom of Heaven, and urges and empowers us to move beyond guilt, fear, and confusion... to fully embrace our real nature — the complete and whole creation of an infinite, loving God.

Comment by Starlene Breiter on August 22, 2009 at 8:45am

A link to the book online...
http://www.unitedbeings.com/acim/toc.html

Comment by Anamere on July 10, 2009 at 10:51pm

Hi Willow,

I know I'm not alone in saying I can't wait to have you join us: we all would love to have you on the call.

You know, I tried studying ACIM alone and in a group close to home. I just couldn't "get it" to be honest. I decided to work on the daily lessons and didn't read the text. There is so much that the lessons don't explain and I feel reading the text clears alot up. At first I just really struggled to stick with it. I certainlyh wasn't reading the text portion daily (like I do with the lessons) by any means.

The group teleconfrence is awesome and it works perfectly into my schedule. I mean I've totally commited to it and nobody has to know I'm still in my P.J.'s and have hair sticking to the side of my head most days ;)

Can't wait to have you join... and P.J's are certainly welcome, hair sticking to side of head is totally optional ;)

Comment by Willow on July 10, 2009 at 10:21pm

Star
Thank you for the invitation. I do have the book and have started to read a little in it. I will try to get started on the recordings when I return from Vacation... I think a group setting would be inspiring and supportive, especially all of you.
Hugs
Willow

Comment by Starlene Breiter on June 26, 2009 at 12:08am

You know, it is useful to buy the book, but at the same time, you can find it online as well. If you look under the links section of the uacim.com website you will see where I put the link to the entire book.

I personally love taking notes in my book, so I like having one, but if you are good reading it online then it is not necessary at all.

If you or anyone wants to join in the calls, just let me know and I will give you the number and access code to call. We meet most days at 7:30AM M-F and 8:30AM Sat & Sun... Eastern Time Zone.

Comment by Gary on June 25, 2009 at 11:09pm

Should we but the book?