Published by Hay House
October 2004
$19.95
Whether you have been studying A Course In Miracles (ACIM) for over twenty years, or you have just begun this incredible path, or you are thinking about getting involved with ACIM, I highly recommend that you read The Disappearance of the Universe by Gary Renard.
ACIM paints its metaphysics using very broad, all-encompassing strokes. However, many Course students have at times wished that it presented a more specific application of its principles as they relate to particular events in their lives. In The Disappearance of the Universe, the principles and ideals of ACIM are presented in direct relationship to topics such as religion (Catholicism, Buddhism, Unity, Religious Science, Christian Science and others), past lives, sex, politics, illusions, the news, relationships, quantum-physics, the mind-body-spirit movement, 9/11 and much more. It brings a great deal of clarity to being able to see the reality of love, regardless of the topic, situation or event. This book will resonate with anyone seeking the truth.
Reviewed by Reverend Tony Senf, a student of ACIM for over twenty years. He currently leads a study group at Unity of Greater Cleveland and Unity Center Church. Tony also conducts an intensive weekend workshop based on ACIM entitled Beyond Forgiveness. Contact Tony at www.NewEraNetwork.net or (440)546-1519.
Published by Foundation for Inner Peace
June 1976
$30.00
A Course in Miracles (ACIM) is a comprehensive, self-study, spiritual thought system, which teaches that undoing guilt through forgiveness is the way to universal love and peace – or remembering God. It focuses on healing through relationships by making them "holy." It also stresses that it is but one out of thousands of versions of the universal curriculum. A mixture of traditional Christianity and Eastern philosophies, as well as an expression of non-sectarian, non-denominational spirituality, ACIM is a universal spiritual teaching, not a religion. This three-volume curriculum (Text, Workbook and Manual for Teachers) has also been referred to as a spiritual psychotherapy.
The Text presents the theory and explains the basis for fear and guilt, and how they can be overcome through miracles. Miracles are defined as maximal "expressions of love," as well as the shift in perception from fear to love.
The Workbook for students consists of 365 lessons, one for each day of the year, which begins the process of changing our perception to that of love instead of fear. But it doesn't end there. As stated in the preface, "At the end, the reader is left in the hands of his or her own Internal Teacher [Spirit], Who will direct all subsequent learning as He sees fit."
The Manual for Teachers is written in question-and-answer form and provides answers to some of the common questions. It also includes a Clarification of Terms, which gives distinctions for much of the Course's terminology.
What is ACIM? The summary introduction from the Text is brief and poignant. It reads: "This is a course in miracles. It is a required course. Only the time you take is voluntary. Free will does not mean that you can establish the curriculum. It means only that you can elect what you want to take at a given time. The course does not aim at teaching the meaning of love, for that is beyond what can be taught. It does aim, however, at removing the blocks to the awareness of love's presence, which is your natural inheritance. The opposite of love is fear, but what is all-encompassing can have no opposite."
This course can therefore be summed up very simply in this way:
"Nothing real can be threatened.
Nothing unreal exists.
Herein lies the peace of God."
Reviewed by Reverend Tony Senf, a student of ACIM for over twenty years. He currently leads a study group at Unity of Greater Cleveland and Unity Center Church. Tony also conducts an intensive weekend workshop based on ACIM, entitled Beyond Forgiveness. Contact Tony at www.NewEraNetwork.net or (440) 546-1519.
Published by Amber Allen Publishing
November 1997
$12.95
The Four Agreements has been on the New York Times Best Seller list for over four years, and for good reason. According to Miguel Ruiz, everything we do in life is based on agreements that we have made – agreements with ourselves, other people, with God, with life and, most importantly, ourselves. These agreements define us; how we behave and respond to other people and situations. Many, if not most, of these agreements are disempowering and take away from our ability to enjoy life fully.
Ruiz proposes that there are only four agreements that we really need to have with ourselves to experience a happy and fulfilled life. By fully adopting these agreements as a way of life, we can eliminate a great deal of stress that robs us of the happiness that we all truly desire. These agreements are: be impeccable with your word, don't take anything personally, assume nothing, and always do your best. They seem so simple, yet they are very powerful. As we adopt them into our lives, they will help us deal more constructively with the situations that challenge us.
The book is an effortless read, but it is powerful in its message, which you can refer to many times over as you use it to guide your way to your own personal freedom from stressful living.
Reviewed by Dennis Ehren, DC, the director of the Ehren Chiropractic & Wellness Center. He can be contacted at (216) 221-9990.
Published by Amber Allen Publishing
April 2004
$14.00
In his book The Voice of Knowledge, author Miguel Ruiz reminds us of a simple truth: the only way to end our emotional suffering and enjoy life is to stop believing in lies – mainly the ones about ourselves.
When we come into this world, we come in pure and authentic. Our actions are guided by instinct and emotions. Every day is filled with love, wonder and enjoyment as we listen to the silent “voice of our integrity.” But as we learn the language of our parents, we start to become programmed from those we love and trust and the “voice of knowledge” begins to fill our heads. What is that voice telling us? Mostly lies. Lies that define us and guide our lives. Lies that limit our enjoyment of life. Lies such as “Big boys don't cry,” “I'm not good enough,” “I'm not perfect,” “I could never do what that person does,” and so on.
In this book, Ruiz shows us how to recover the silent voice of our integrity and find inner peace. When we no longer listen to the voice of knowledge, our lives become as they were when we were young – an expression of our authentic self. Then we return to truth and love, and we live in happiness once again.
Reviewed by Dennis Ehren, DC, the director of the Ehren Chiropractic & Wellness Center. He can be contacted at (216) 221-9990.
