new age

The Course doesn't have to be confusing and real progress can be made. But the student must not change the Course. He must look at what is in his mind, and the metaphysics must be understood. I don't know of a better place to start than with this book in 2 volumes.

A COURSE IN MIRACLES says, "The name of Jesus as such is but a symbol. But it stands for a love that is not of this world." The Course also says that, "A Symbol must stand for something other than itself." Further, the Course says, "Words are symbols of symbols, thus they are twice removed from reality." In Course theory, reality is a non-specific, completely abstract state where no time, no form, and no individual identity exist.

Built upon this metaphysical framework, the student comes to realize that Jesus as spoken of in the Course is only a symbol. This is not the literal Jesus of the Christian era. When the "scribe" of the Course said it was channeled from Jesus, what she meant was that the Course is channeled from that place of infinite love within her mind. That place exists within all of our minds. The "scribe" of the Course chose to call that place of love within her mind "Jesus." But the scribe of the Course never meant it literally. The Course metaphysics are based upon the idea that no individual identity exists, so how could it literally mean that Jesus (someone with an individual identity) channeled this Course? What it really means is that Jesus is a symbol, and the word "Jesus" is twice removed from reality (in reality, as defined by the Course, there are no names). But in this physical and temporal world we do have names, and many of us have suffered because of or are afraid of the very word "Jesus." It could be said that more healing is needed regarding that very name "Jesus" than any other name in the world. And that is why the Course uses that name, so that we will confront the name and come to terms with how much pain it causes so many of us. And upon confronting that pain, we will heal from it. And we will come to realize that what Jesus stands for in A COURSE IN MIRACLES (non-judgmental and abstract love that does not die and knows nothing but Itself), is actually within us. "Is he the Christ? O yes, along with you.(Clarification of Terms, page 87)"

A COURSE IN MIRACLES distinguishes two levels of reality: Level One, and Level Two. In Level One there is no time, no matter, no form, no individual identity. There is only the abstract presence of Love as God. Level Two, however, is this physical world that we live in. Within this world there certainly is evil, hatred, war, and anger, and the Course would never deny that. But in Course theory this entire world - the entire world! - is an illusion (not just the "bad" things in the world are illusions, but everything in the world. Anything that changes, grows, or dies, is an illusion in Course theory [and everything in this world does]). But it is while living in this illusory world that we learn the lessons of forgiveness that will lead us back to our awareness of Level One (Heaven).

This book, THE MESSAGE OF A COURSE IN MIRACLES, expands on these very complex concepts. In this book Kenneth Wapnick talks about the fact that A COURSE IN MIRACLES is a "perfect non-duality." The Course teaches that God and only God is real, and everything else illusory. Further, God has nothing to do with this physical world which is the domain of the ego. God doesn't even know that we exist as individuals.

I would recommend these books to students who have been studying the Course for about a year or more, but not necessarily for beginners. Some terribly complex ideas are covered in these two books. For a beginner, perhaps the book THE MOST COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT A COURSE IN MIRACLES, also by Kenneth Wapnick (along with his wife, Gloria Wapnick). My own personal opinion of these books? I love them! They are a little slice of heaven for me.

For twenty-eight years the author of these two volumes has been intimately associated with "A Course in Miracles." He was a close companion of the woman who channeled ("scribed") the Course, Helen Schucman. To my mind he is the most authentic teacher of the Course. Those who know him as I do know that he teaches both by example as well as through his writings and classes.

I read the disparaging comments by another reviewer and know that this reviewer belongs to an organization which seeks to discredit Dr. Wapnick. The claim about finances is totally inaccurate. Ken and Gloria started the "Foundation for A Course in Miracles" in 1984. It is a non-profit Foundation which has received income from donations, the sale of books and tapes, and from the classes and workshops it offers -- all moderately priced. Over the 16 years since its inception this Foundation has grown and has acquired assets which include 90 acres of lakeside property in the Catskill mountains of New York where its study and retreat center has been located. This property inlcudes ten buildings and the equipment necessary to maintain them. A 1998 financial statement indicated that this non-profit Foundation had $9 million in assets. It's officers, which include Ken and Gloria, are paid a salary.

Wapnick's teachings are thoroughly documented in the Course and are designed to help students better understand and study it for themselves. This is a very important and valuable two-volume set for any serious student of ACIM. I highly recommend it.