Day 3
Who Authored A Course in Miracles?
Once we learn that A Course in Miracles was authored through Helen Schucman by an inner voice, the natural question is whose voice was it?
The answer, though simple, was uncomfortable to Helen and remains so for many students to this day. In A Course in Miracles, the author speaks about his teachings in the gospels, his miracles, his disciples, his crucifixion, and his resurrection. The author, in other words, clearly speaks about himself as Jesus.
This is an enormous and perhaps even a shocking claim because of the towering importance of Jesus as a cultural figure. Jesus occupies a singular place in our world, especially in the Western psyche. It is hard to escape the long shadow he has cast across history and culture.
For many of us, however, the image of Jesus is tinged with darkness. Jesus has become a living symbol of our guilt, as he forever hangs from a cross that our sins supposedly nailed him to. Tradition has also taught us to see a vast gulf between us and him. As “lowly sinners,” our job is to believe in his divinity as the only begotten Son of God. As a result, while there is something in him that attracts nearly everyone, he has also become a deeply problematic figure.
It can thus be welcome news to discover that Jesus in the Course is profoundly different. Here, he is an equal, one of us, who simply made a different decision:
My mind will always be like yours, because we were created as equals. It was only my decision that gave me all power in Heaven and earth. My only gift to you is to help you make the same decision for yourself. (T-5.III.8:3)
Rather than being a symbol of our sinfulness, in the Course Jesus is here to help us uncover our hidden holiness. Rather than asking us to worship his divinity, he ceaselessly looks upon and loves the divinity in us. In the Course, it’s not about his life story. Instead, he is here to selflessly serve our journey. He is simply an elder brother who completed his part in God's plan "perfectly" (C-5.2:2) and can now help us find our way home.
It is impossible to objectively verify that the Course was written by Jesus. And the Course says that we aren’t required to enter into a relationship with him. But in its pages, he comes across as a figure of pure goodness, the perfect companion for the journey home.
To get a sense of this for yourself, I encourage you to read the following quotes slowly, imagining they are being spoken directly to you:
I take the journey with you. For I share your doubts and fears a little while, that you may come to me who recognize the road by which all doubts and fears are overcome. We walk together.
(W-Re.5.In.6:1-3)
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Walking with him is just as natural as walking with a brother whom you knew since you were born, for such indeed he is.
(C-4.4:6)
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If you want to be like me, I will help you, knowing that we are alike. If you want to be different, I will wait until you change your mind. (T-8.III.10:1-2)
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If it helps you [in meditation], think of me holding your hand and leading you. And I assure you this will be no idle fantasy.
(W-70.9:3-4)
In the pages of A Course in Miracles, we have an opportunity to find the Jesus we have always been drawn to and the message he has always sought to impart to us.
Tomorrow we will talk about the new way of life that Jesus taught Helen and Bill, the life that is at the heart of the path of the Course.
See you then,
Robert Perry
Founder
Circle of Atonement
Reminder:
This content is for registered participants of Getting to Know A Course in Miracles, a free 14-day guided journey from The Circle of Atonement. You are welcome to invite any friends to register for the series at no charge by sharing the following link: circleofa.org/events.
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