A Course in Miracles - The psychology of spiritual healing

Since its publication in 1976, A Course in Miracles has helped transform the lives of millions of people worldwide. The Course’ profound spiritual message coupled with its 21st century approach to psychology, make it a l healing tool that has its parallel in the collective wisdom of Eastern and Mystical  spiritual traditions dating back to 5,000 years ago.

The Course teaches that there are two emotions: fear and love. Fear takes many forms: anger, doubt, worry, depression and anxiety. Love is compassion and courage, trust, honesty, and forgiveness, among other attributes. Love is the recognition of connection to everything there is. Its authority inspires students of the Course to look at the depth of their go into the depths of their psyches to bring to light any hidden shards of fear.

Despite its birth in academia, the Course has received very little academic acknowledgement. The Course was written by Dr. Helen Schucman, a research psychologist at Columbia-Presbyterian medical center in New York City, who took dictation from an inner voice. Its insight into the human psyche can cut short the therapeutic process by years. Forgiveness of oneself and others, coupled with an understanding of one’s original nature accelerate healing.  The Course provides a comprehensive thought system or worldview that allows one to live in the world with more peace, love, honesty and compassion. The course also provides a theological explanation of the origin of the universe that are similar to insights offered by many of the great mystical traditions.

A Course in Miracles offers “the next step” in psychological health in that it provides a thought system and a methodology for achieving inner peace. Although meditation and quiet time are recommended, students are asked to practice the course at all times and in all places in their daily lives.  Thus, it is a very practical healing tool for today’s hectic life styles.

A COURSE IN MIRACLES workshops and classes

Dr. Dubitsky’s A Course in Miracles worskhsops include discussions of the origins of the Course, including Dr. Schucman’s role, as well as the role of Bill Thetford, Ph.D., a former editor of the Journal of Abnormal Psychology.  An overview of its key teachings is presented as well.  These teachings are contrasted with teachings from Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism and indigenous cultures. The presentation also frames A Course in Miracles within the major schools psychological thought: psychodynamic, cognitive, behavioral, interpersonal/social, and humanistic/transpersonal. In addition, samples of the actual material are presented so that the course’s power and poetry can be appreciated.

Workshop objectives

1. Provide background of A Course in Miracles
2. Explain key Course teachings
3. Position  A Course in Miracles’ teachings within a context of wisdom traditions
4. Compare A Course in Miracles’ thought system to the psychological perspectives      being taught in academic psychology programs.
5. Discuss why A Course in Miracles offers a psychology of healing
6. Discuss  the Course’s methodology of healing