How to Talk about A Course in Miracles with Friends & Family

Have you ever been asked about A Course in Miracles by a friend or family member and been completely tied up in knots trying to explain it? In this episode, Robert and Emily talk about how to share the Course without being embarrassed or overly evangelical, and how to respond to concerns from friends and family members who are anti-Course (because they think it’s dangerous, culty, or heretical) and, also, how to respond to concerns from those who are open to learning more about the Course but take issue with its language being too Christian or too masculine, its complexity, and so on. If you’re ready to come out of “the Course closet” and talk about the Course as your path, you won’t want to miss this conversation.
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00:00 Introduction
02:01 Being in the Course closet
05:32 Experiences in talking about the Course
07:40 Process of sharing the Course overview
09:48 First step: set the example silently
12:45 Second step: Share how the Course has helped you
14:49 Third step: Bring the teachings into conversations about other topics
21:12 Fourth step: Introduce them to Course materials and resources (if they are open)
24:44 Fifth step: Share concepts directly
30:48 Concern: Is the Course a cult?
38:34 Concern: Is the Course dangerous?
43:00 Concern: How should you discuss the Course with traditional Christians?
46:55 Concern: What about Helen Schucman's end of life?
53:33 Concern: What if you find the Christian language of the Course off-putting?
56:28 Concern: What if you find the masculine language of the Course off-putting?
58:29 Concern: Does the Course encourage spiritual bypassing?
01:00:49 Concern: What if I find the language in the Course too complex?
01:03:36 What does Emily say when someone asks about A Course in Miracles?
01:06:27 Advice for discussing the Course with friends and family
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#spiritualawakening #spiritualpath #spiritualpodcasts
We are here to help you with both the theory and application of what A Course In Miracles (ACIM) offers. Since 1993, the Circle’s purpose has been to bring to students and the world the profound and unparalleled wisdom of A Course in Miracles. We are the publisher of the Complete and Annotated Edition of the Course (what we call the "CE").
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[@lainey3521]

I've sometimes explained that the Course is a program of psycho-spiritual training that helps us lead more peaceful, more loving and happier lives (though I'm wary that 'psycho-spiritual' may make it sound either kookie or ominous - but plain 'mind training' is no better!). Perhaps the next step is to explain projection (a perfectly acceptable term these days), and how much we read into situations that isn't really there. And I've had great success explaining that hell is a state we create for ourselves every day, but that heaven is possibe too! And just: love. Not many can object to that concept!

[@jennybreakey]

Such great harmony between you both (as always) when doing a video. And if I need a place/space to recommend to someone who is interested in the Course, the Circle is the go-to place/space I recommend, as the Circle just has so many resources (free and paid) that is amazing.

[@peacelovejoy8786]

I love this conversation it's over due! Raised Christian Science it wasn't a big stretch for me. I think it was Carol Howe who said, " ACIM isn't for sissies" and I use that line quite a bit. This peaks their ego and usually I have their attention for a while. Another line, "ACIM is a roadmap out of hell and will extract us from the quicksand of fear!" Depending on who I'm talking to "ACIM is for Intellectuals, but I'm a big exception! 😏 I suffered from panic attacks but not anymore is another ice breaker too. I have better luck by inviting the Holy Spirit into the conversation first thing🙏😍❤ Blessings of Love ~ Roberta

[@jennybreakey]

I like that - 'ACIM isn't for sissies' 🥰

[@Cure.treat.comfort_Hippocrates]

Love Love Love this video AND your comment Roberta!! I will absolutely add this to my conversations hence forth… - Carol’s sissie comment!!!! 😊😂 - welcome Holy Spirit into the conversation : yes!!!! - and use the prayer Bill was given - ‘I’m here only to be truly helpful’ prayer…. Excellent conversation again!! Thank you CofA, Robert and Emily…. I share as and when I feel a clear go ahead - Loving Holy Spirit Discernment plus wisdom with Joy!! xx Thanks again each one 🙏 xx ❤️‍🩹🙏🤗♥️👏 xx Only by Love (not by can opener 😂 ) does Christ [L♥️VE) shine through…. and gently disintegrates yuk [like Bill’s Prescence alone was beneficial - that’s Christ shining through.(aaaaahhhhh 😌😯👏) ps: I am reminded what Mooji said one day - huge!! He said something like ‘God’s grace shines on everyone AND exactly the same on poop too!! 🤗 It is complex to convey Spiritual meaning with any words re context and heart minus baggage etc etc xx

[@binathere2574]

Piques

[@lindisreactions2412]

I want to speak about “spiritual shaming”. Coming from a very religious Catholic Church in Mexico, I suffered from what my therapist called: “Trauma from religious abuse”. When my family and friends knew that I distanced myself from Catholicism and changed to a Course In Miracles, they all neglected me, including my kids. I know this is a great opportunity for real forgivenes, but still I’m ashamed to come out of the ‘Course Closet’ completely. So this talk is very good for me.

[@margaretbutler4174]

Shame is an ego tool to prevent from allowing the surfacing of (the bringing to the light of ) the enforced separation that ego lords over us all, I think. I just came through a massive dark night of the soul/purification regarding shame and fear/terror. It's the place where , as the Course explains, people have killed themselves because they don't have sufficient awareness that the light IS on the other side of it. Course explains early on that if we don't do the earlier lessons and understand them well enough, (the promise/certainty God's word will save us,& that we're created in His image, not the rotten thing ego wants us to beieve) the grandeur of the opportuities to heal are terrifying, rather than beautific. My experience is that this is a very hard journey...the Course as much as says so (all are called, few will follow Jesus says), but it can be done...eventually, when it's our time, we do it (if there'd been an easier, softer way (an AA saying) I'd have done it)!

[@peacelovejoy8786]

@@margaretbutler4174 The journey "acim" is challenging. Not because the path is hard in and of itself, but because of our resistance to remembering who we are in Truth. The Course isn't hard, it's just completely different from what you've been taught. Training the mind to think differently, threatens the ego. Blessings from Oregon❤️🙏

[@peacelovejoy8786]

An easier softer way! Great "AA" reference, I love it! 12yrs 4-12-11 ❤️😉

[@peacelovejoy8786]

SIN Self Inflicted Nonsense

[@heidilyn5275]

As an ex Mormon have appreciated a lack of salesmanship. Excellent conversation as always. Thank you.

[@donnakelman9604]

Thank you so much for this episode. As yesterday my husband was questioning me about it & I found myself calm & collected to begin with, yet the more he flat out denied what I was saying, I found my ego go on the defensive & ended the conversation saying to myself "I won't talk about ACIM again until I have completed the workbook" & I'm only on lesson 35. So once again with Love, thank you. dx

[@j4quick]

Love this conversion. I am not alone.

[@familycaredurban2414]

Long awaited. ❤ Thank you, Mr & Mrs Perry. 😊

[@elisew.2534]

Excellent! Thank you 💚

[@kellyr58]

A Course In Miricles is a guide to help us leave this dimension FOREVER and enter The Kingdom of Heaven. Amen.

[@dorydeisenroth5512]

sooo helpful...an important discussion!!!

[@jenniferjerome3789]

Really good video. I wish some of the spiritual speakers who pull quotes for acim would acknowledge that they study it. Wayne dyer always quoted from it, Oprah Winfrey, and i think Carolyn Myss just to name a few.

[@romy3424]

I appreciated hearing that Course teachers sometimes feel embarrassed talking about the Course to non-Course students, and that even Robert finds the language of the Course taxing to read. I find that the Course being an intellectually challenging work is a big factor in why I tend not to share it with others. I'm more likely to recommend something accessible like Byron Katie's Work.

[@peacelovejoy8786]

Alan Cohen too ❤️

[@energization]

Brilliant podcast on a very important subject! Thank you very much. I got here through a long progression of associations, fundamental Christianity, 12 steps, New Thought, and finally exactly what I needed! Again, thanks for covering this topic in a way that serves us all. One final thought, this being that idea we don’t start with introducing those fundamental concepts, well I have accepted that God is omnipresent. I have also accepted that my concept of the meaning of the word God is limited, but from that point, I can move forward recognizing and accepting that God could not possibly be both loving and cruel. So non-duality definitely works for me. And I think God on a daily basis that I do have that still small voice within me because otherwise, I know I am hopelessly lost.

[@carolinebertilsson]

Really important topic, thank you for bringing this up! 🙏👌❤

[@bettyasaleh2831]

Thank you for this 😊🙏♥️

[@avila.j]

This is great info thank you for this

[@chuckstaab868]

I find the course has allowed me to truly see the commonality of the meny thousands of the universal coriculum,,,this made the course my tool of unity,,,,my own course dogma falls away in the hollyspirts unicity. At the same level of clearity, I find fidelity to the course in its Experience and its approach,,,,superior, Timesaving and balanced with the full version in you're Care

[@margaretbutler4174]

I offer this: that shame is an ego tool to prevent from allowing the surfacing of (the bringing to the light of ) the enforced separation that ego lords over us all, I think. I just came through a massive dark night of the soul/purification regarding shame and fear/terror. It's the place where , as the Course explains, people have killed themselves because they don't have sufficient awareness that the light IS on the other side of it. Course explains early on that if we don't do the earlier lessons and understand them well enough, (the promise/certainty God's word will save us,& that we're created in His image, not the rotten thing ego wants us to believe) the grandeur of the opportunities to heal are terrifying, rather than beautific. My experience is that this is a very hard journey...the Course as much as says so (all are called, few will follow Jesus says), but it can be done...eventually, when it's our time, we do it (if there'd been an easier, softer way (an AA saying) I'd have done it)!

[@susanjoycesabo8450]

I always mention The Course in my annual holiday letter, sent to about 35 people. The recipients are mostly traditional Christian, heavily Roman Catholic with many Presbyterians as well. They know that I also identify with Tibetan Buddhism and consider that as my religion. ACIM is my spiritual path.

[@leahleeds4289]

I just tell people I’m interested in the topic of miracles and learning about them.

[@snoopy13946]

This is or can be such a thorny area to deal with. I’ve had some success with saying “it’s not Buddhism but a bit like Buddhism without the rituals and with its own approach”. That seems to lessen fear in the questioner. With others I just say it’s a discipline that allows you to be more peaceful and loving. That also goes down pretty well. If it doesn’t go down well, I don’t mind, I just move on.

[@dag118]

My brother is a monsignor in Catholic Church. Brought it up one day and got shut right down. Will just leave it there.

[@edwardwohrlin7613]

I don't think people want to change their perspective on their life unless they are unhappy, confused and are looking for a way.of reducing their pain and suffering..if they are crying for help, they may be open to your insights.

[@chuckstaab868]

This is an issue!!!! Ha ha! OMG I love you guys . That says something!!! Ha ha! Don't recomend ,the world is a dream. Ha ha ha

[@binathere2574]

Ken Wapnick says its not necessary to talk to anyone about the course.

[@rebeccadr]

Spirit is neither male nor female.