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A Course in Miracles: Based On the Original Handwritten Notes Of Helen Schucman - Complete & Annotated Edition
A Course in Miracles has become a contemporary spiritual classic. Since it was originally published in 1976, readers have recognized in its words truths that they had never heard before, yet somewhere inside seemed to have always known. However, in the process of editing for publication, roughly forty-five thousand words were edited out, mostly from the first seven chapters of the Text, and the wording of the first four chapters was edited to the point where only about a fifth of their sentences retained their original wording.
The Complete and Annotated Edition aims to restore the material that was lost. It was created by going back to Helen's shorthand Notes and editing afresh, retaining the original words to the maximum degree possible. By going back to the words that Helen Schucman heard in her mind and wrote down in her notebooks, it attempts to bring the reader into a more direct encounter with the power of those words. It includes, either in its main body or in appendices, those approximately forty-five thousand words that had been removed in the original published edition.
The teaching in this edition does not contradict the teaching found in other editions of A Course in Miracles. However, we believe that this edition will allow the Course's true meaning and character to shine through a little more clearly. And we hope that this will enable students to better see the Course for what it is, relate to it as it is, and apply its profound truths to their lives.
Features of the Complete and Annotated Edition
* The first four chapters of the Text are roughly twice as long as they are in the familiar Foundation for Inner Peace edition.
* Material whose meaning had been changed by editing is now presented in its original form. For instance, we have restored the original statement "Prepare you not for the undoing of what never was," which had been changed in the FIP edition to "Prepare you now for the undoing of what never was."
* Material that had been rearranged and placed in a different order by editing has, in almost all cases, been restored to its original order.
* Extensive footnotes have been included to clarify difficult passages, identify unclear pronouns, define psychological terms, point out allusions to things in the general culture, and list Course references and Bible references.
* Thirty-three cameo essays have been written. These essays comment on personal guidance given by the source of the material to the scribes (Helen Schucman and William Thetford). This guidance, while too personal for the Course proper, clarifies the application of Course principles to the lives of the scribes, and by extension, to the lives of all students.
* Material that never made it out of Helen's notebooks is included, such as this "Love him steadily, whatever he does, whatever he says, and he will see the miracle of God and you will learn of salvation. If this seems hard to do, remember it is what you want of me."
* Dictation that is too personal for the Course proper but too short to be the subject of a cameo essay is commented on in the Editing Notes (available online).
* All original emphasis of words is retained (either as italics or as gray underlines), as this helps illuminate the meaning.
* Most of the Text section titles and many of the Text section divisions are new.
* Documentation (and often explanation) of editing changes
The Complete and Annotated Edition aims to restore the material that was lost. It was created by going back to Helen's shorthand Notes and editing afresh, retaining the original words to the maximum degree possible. By going back to the words that Helen Schucman heard in her mind and wrote down in her notebooks, it attempts to bring the reader into a more direct encounter with the power of those words. It includes, either in its main body or in appendices, those approximately forty-five thousand words that had been removed in the original published edition.
The teaching in this edition does not contradict the teaching found in other editions of A Course in Miracles. However, we believe that this edition will allow the Course's true meaning and character to shine through a little more clearly. And we hope that this will enable students to better see the Course for what it is, relate to it as it is, and apply its profound truths to their lives.
Features of the Complete and Annotated Edition
* The first four chapters of the Text are roughly twice as long as they are in the familiar Foundation for Inner Peace edition.
* Material whose meaning had been changed by editing is now presented in its original form. For instance, we have restored the original statement "Prepare you not for the undoing of what never was," which had been changed in the FIP edition to "Prepare you now for the undoing of what never was."
* Material that had been rearranged and placed in a different order by editing has, in almost all cases, been restored to its original order.
* Extensive footnotes have been included to clarify difficult passages, identify unclear pronouns, define psychological terms, point out allusions to things in the general culture, and list Course references and Bible references.
* Thirty-three cameo essays have been written. These essays comment on personal guidance given by the source of the material to the scribes (Helen Schucman and William Thetford). This guidance, while too personal for the Course proper, clarifies the application of Course principles to the lives of the scribes, and by extension, to the lives of all students.
* Material that never made it out of Helen's notebooks is included, such as this "Love him steadily, whatever he does, whatever he says, and he will see the miracle of God and you will learn of salvation. If this seems hard to do, remember it is what you want of me."
* Dictation that is too personal for the Course proper but too short to be the subject of a cameo essay is commented on in the Editing Notes (available online).
* All original emphasis of words is retained (either as italics or as gray underlines), as this helps illuminate the meaning.
* Most of the Text section titles and many of the Text section divisions are new.
* Documentation (and often explanation) of editing changes
- GenresSpirituality
2000 pages, Hardcover
Published January 20, 2017
52 people are currently reading
252 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 28, 2024
I will never stop reading this book! I read, study and practice from it every day. I also teach it and do pastoral counseling based on it and two of its supplements. It’s my chosen spiritual path, for which I’m eternally grateful.
January 21, 2019
For years I flirted with the idea of reading ACIM. I've started and petered out. Read supporting material but never really got into The Course itself. Then I came to an appreciation of non-duality and this material started making sense.
There is some material that is challenging and more specifically directed to individuals, as well as references to people and situation specific to the time during which The Course was transmitted. I love this edition and at the same time found the instruction I receive from the Circle of Atonement invaluable in understanding and interpreting the material.
There is some material that is challenging and more specifically directed to individuals, as well as references to people and situation specific to the time during which The Course was transmitted. I love this edition and at the same time found the instruction I receive from the Circle of Atonement invaluable in understanding and interpreting the material.
July 21, 2021
After hearing about this spiritual classic forever, I finally got around to reading it! For me it was a "crash course" as I wanted to finish it quickly before its due date at the library, and it is a long book! I took notes so that I can go back and reflect more slowly on some of the more poignant ideas presented in it. There are many inspiring quotes and beautiful prayers in the book, and a primary emphasis upon forgiveness of oneself and others as the ultimate miracle.
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August 13, 2019Good insight
March 26, 2017
Disclaimer: I've read my older text; however, I'm still reading this version, which includes original material, footnotes, and cameos. When I would read my first copy of A Course in Miracles, I'd make margin notes, and cross references, while yearning for a concordance edition. It seems I no longer need to yearn for this since Circle of Atonement has completed this task. It reads like a labor of love. In my geeky splendor I read my two texts side by side and note the changes.
Those who want a deeper understanding or additional materials will appreciate this voluminous version.
Those who want a deeper understanding or additional materials will appreciate this voluminous version.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews