Living a Course in Miracles: An Essential Guide to the Classic Text

by Jon Mundy

The essential guide to one of the most influential spiritual works ever written.
In 1976, a mysterious “Inner Voice” called out to a woman named Helen Schucman, dictating a system of belief that ultimately became A Course in Miracles. This book, totaling 1,333 pages, went on to sell more than two million copies around the world. Its lessons are meant to be digested one at a time; those who study ACIM do so over years, often struggling to progress through its resonant but difficult-to-comprehend truths.


Jon Mundy-who knew the Course's founders and the text from the very beginning-is the perfect guide to the book's central tenets. Using passages from ACIM, he illuminates its teachings on such subjects as the self, forgiveness, desire, health, money, addiction, and the afterlife. Through Jon's lively storytelling and in-depth knowledge of the Course's wisdom, readers gain wisdom that might otherwise have taken them a lifetime to grasp.

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction, Self Help, Mysticism, Religion

257 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2011

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I see great value in A Course in Miracles, whenever I've attempted to read passages in it, my eyes glaze over, my brow furrows and I give up after a few paragraphs. Jon Mundy's audiobook was refreshingly approachable and easy to digest. I have listened to it a number of times and learn something new each time.

[Reja Janaki Joy Green]

I met the author of this book, Jon Mundy, this past weekend at the ACIM 2011 Bi-annual Conference in San Francisco where He gave a fantastic presentation. We learned from Jon that he has taught university courses in religion beginning in 1967 and believes the Course is "...the most important book since the bible."

We also learned that he knew the scribes of A Course in Miracles personally when they met in 1974.

I've just started reading this book but I can already say that I'm enjoying it thoroughly. Jon has a wonderful way of integrating quotes from the Course as he begins to describe our current situation and then moves into the situations that brought about this miraculous work.

to be continued...... ;-)

[Dean Paradiso · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel that Jon Mundy is one of the closest author's to the true spirit of A Course in Miracles. He neither waters down the message, nor presents it in a way that is inaccessible to modern thinking. He also attempts to make the message relevant and interesting through his own personal stories. Although this book/audiobook is quite a slog to get through in length, it's worth the ride, since it contains much in the way of explaining the gist of what A Course in Miracles is about, and what it sets out to do, on a basic level. Of course, the Course goes way beyond what is presented here, though I would recommend JM's book here as a good place to start in approaching the Course, for those that may need some supplementary explanation.

[Erin Hearts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought-provoking and incredibly deep. I would need to read it again to get more out of it. This is the way I've felt about A Course in Miracles. It's taken me two years of study just to start to understand the practices. I will continue! I listened to this as an audiobook on my commute to work. I would recommend that version.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insight to ACIM.

What if you realized this world is an hallucination ? What if you really understood you made it up? T-20.VIII.7:3-4

[Ivy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back in 1997 I worked in a New Age bookstore. I sold crystals and tarot cards and I loved it. A lot of people around me were reading ACiM books, but it was a bit too deep for me at that point in my life.

Fast forward a few decades, and I have to say I'm really glad I came back to this. While it uses the language I recall from my days spend in church as a kid, ACiM isn't really Christian per se. Like many other books steeped in spirituality and mysticism, it draws from all of the world's religions, looking for the commonalities that can help us be better people.

Mr. Mundy did suggest that those following ACiM should not swear, or use the "f" word in particular. That I cannot do. But the rest of the advice has been helpful as I re-establish my mindfulness practice.

[Patricia]

I first met Jon in 2005. A couple of years ago he visited Argentina to celebrate some gatherings and these events gave me the chance to share some time with him. This book is just like him. Simple, practical and true. We have to learn how to open our hearts and let Love be the guide. And this book is a great first step in such joyous decision!!

[Angelica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, I was at first not keen on the author’s narration, but I gave it a go and I’m so glad I did. This had a wealth of information for anyone studying ACIM. He really made some things truly click and I had so many lightbulb moments that I neglected to bookmark, so I will go through the title again and take more notes. I’ve now bought one of his other audiobooks, the other two in my wishlist. I’ve also bought the Kindle versions in order to highlight parts that really struck a deep resonance with me. I do highly recommend this audiobook if you are starting out with ACIM like I am. It’s brilliant.

[Denise Lucille · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love listening to John Mundy's voice. I listen to this book when I need a calm reassuring perspective on things. I did the Course in Miracles in 2007 and really enjoyed it. John is a great author and interpreter of the course. I enjoyed reading this book and continue to enjoy his interpretation of ACIM. He occasionally throws in a sense of humor which makes it even more interesting. Highly recommend if you are interested in ACIM.

[Libby Andrews · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book contained some interesting and valid pointers to living a better life, however it was all wrapped up in the word of God, with biblical quotes and all. That is the reason I have marked it down. It read like it was written by yet another fanatical American zealot. The good points centered around detachment from ego, forgiveness, being kind, not judging etc.

[Mark Laux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jon is a personal friend and spiritual mentor. He is one of the remaining direct connections to the original group of A Course in Miracles students who read ACIM before it was published.

This book, as with all of Jon's work, has a very deep understanding of all things spiritual. He is also a mystic himself, so he understand that part of nature that is often overlooked.

[Karen J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read the Course in Miracles several times, I still feel like there's much I don't understand. This book clarifies many of the important concepts. Mundy also adds information from other religions, scholars, and philosophers, which added to my understand. I plan on keeping this book. It's an excellent reference to the key concepts such as atonement, forgiveness, guilt, and the ego.

[Lingui5t · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little disjointed. Lots of quick, simple sentences and never lands anywhere long. In that way, a bit of a hummingbird of a book.

I enjoy reading about ACIM. This book was mostly anecdotes this author has collected and was a little bit superficial; perhaps just not right for my situation. Still liked it.

[Blanca Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!

I loved everything about this book. The way it explains the course, the examples, the quotes, and above all, the lessons learned. I will definitely reread this book, I put it down right now with my heart full of love...❤️

[Wes Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mind opening

This book has really helped me to absorb the Course in Miracles. Each chapter opens new insights and understanding. This book helps me to live a better life.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A keeper for reference and to reread when needed.

[Agatha Glowacki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great summation of CIM, very well organized and. Laid out

[Nozer Kanga · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent guide and easy to read. Provides good insight. Found it helpful and inspiring.

[Bryan Hatch · Rating 3 out of 5]

The content of the material is wonderful. Listening to the narrator was challenging.

[Angela]

Made in all of 31 minutes into this audiobook before giving up. Not for me.

[Michelle Dominguez Zorzano · Rating 3 out of 5]

Practical tools to find joy and enlightenment.

[Toni Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book makes a course in miracles accessible. If you’ve read a course in miracles or want to read a course in miracles, I recommend reading this book as well.

I truly enjoyed it!

[KBiagioli · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Course in Miracles is not always easy to understand, but Mundy's Living a Course in Miracles puts the Course's ideas and prescriptions into easier-to-understand and follow language.

[David Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was the book I was told by the Holy Spirit I would like.

[Charmin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A teacher's soft introduction into a very big book that is spiritually transformative, A Course in Miracles.

HIGHLIGHTS:
1. The main ingredient in happiness is freedom;

2. Special relationships (e.g. marriage) are the classroom for us to practice forgiveness and thereby remember love.

3. Letting people be who they are is one of the hardest things for us to do.

4. Thinking we can fix other people means we think we know "how" to fix them.

5. The ego is what keeps us separate from God, believing in our own specialness.

6. The degree to which we are true to ourselves is the degree to which we pay attention to inner intelligence.

Action: (1) do an annual spiritual check-up. (2) Build up the courage to dive into the spiritual depths of the original book, A Course in Miracles.

[Rhayna · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Mundy brilliantly simplifies the often complex ideas in A Course in Miracles. He breaks down the teachings in a way that’s easy to understand and apply to daily life. It’s like having a wise friend guide you through these deep spiritual lessons, making them feel approachable and practical.

What I love most is how this book inspires you to grow. Mundy’s writing makes you believe you can truly become a better person, bringing more peace and purpose into your life. It’s a warm, encouraging read that helps you live out the Course’s teachings with more love and meaning.

[Summer Szell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a book that I really enjoyed, not that it was an easy read by any means. However, it was a meaningful read for where I am at this point in life. I'm definitely ready to start living the course. This is one of those books that will have you pondering after many pages and bringing awareness to oneself at others.

[Martine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interspersed with passages from A Course in Miracles, with personal commentary interwoven with spiritual parables made this book a pleasure to read. The chapters are structured in a way to help make the ACIM more accessible to all readers, since the original text of ACIM may be overwhelming initially.

[Karin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a lot easier to read than A course in Miracles, that's for sure! I only wish Jon had put more examples of how to apply these principles in life, even if it were only in What if, scenerios. Are real examples really hard to come by?

Another alternate view of this life and the next.

[Doan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the many parables throughout the book. There were some parts that were a little hard to get through - only because it became a little repetitive and tedious, but more parts that were moving and touching