Are YOU ready to read the book “A Course in Miracles”? E178

December 31, 2024

SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcast | Goodpods

Today, we’re diving into a question that could change the way you approach your spiritual journey and life in general. And the question is: Are you ready to read A Course in Miracles?

Now, maybe you’ve heard of this book. Maybe a friend mentioned it, or it’s been sitting on your shelf, quietly calling your name. Perhaps you even opened it, read a few lines… and put it down, feeling overwhelmed, confused, or just not ready. And that’s okay. A Course in Miracles isn’t just any book—it’s a spiritual commitment, one that asks you to see the world, and yourself, in a completely new way.

So, how do you know if you’re ready? Today, we’ll explore this question together. Whether you’re curious, hesitant, or simply intrigued, this episode is for you.

RATHER WATCH THAN LISTEN/READ? CLICK PLAY!

Before we go any further, let me be clear: in this episode, we’re not diving into the content of A Course in Miracles. But I have an announcement at the end of the episode, that will give you the ultimate chance to dive into this book together with me. But in this episode, we’re talking about the experience of reading it—the highs, the struggles, and why, for so many, it’s unlike anything they’ve ever encountered.

This book isn’t just read; it’s lived. At first, it can feel like a monumental struggle. Its language is dense, its ideas are radical, and it often challenges the way you see everything. But here’s the thing: if you stick with it, there comes a moment—a shift—when the struggle transforms into one of the most profound and liberating experiences of your spiritual awakening. By the end of this episode, you’ll understand why this book inspires such devotion, why it’s so challenging, and most importantly, whether you’re ready to embark on this journey.

What is your experience with the book so far?

I actually checked just now—I ordered A Course in Miracles in April 2023, which means it’s been sitting on my shelf for over a year and a half. But I didn’t start reading it until September of this year. Looking back, I realize that ordering the book was my way of preparing myself, even though I wasn’t consciously aware of it at the time. It wasn’t until I opened it that I understood: this is the moment I’m ready.

And I’ve heard this story from so many others. They buy the book, keep it at home, and only pick it up when something shifts inside them. Some try to read it earlier, but it doesn’t resonate, so they put it back on the shelf. If that’s you, know that it’s perfectly okay.

Maybe you’ve had friends mention this book, and you’ve wondered what the fuss is about. If so, perhaps A Course in Miracles is waiting in the wings, ready to become a part of your life when the time is right. I truly believe the book ‘opens up’ when you’re ready, when your heart and mind align to receive it.

And maybe—just maybe—listening to this episode is your sign. Or, you might finish the episode and think, ‘Nope, not for me,’ and that’s okay too. Trust that as divine guidance. It means there’s a better time waiting for you to embark on this journey.

Who actually wrote this book?

Let’s take a moment to talk about who actually wrote it and what it’s all about.

The book was first published in 1976, authored by Helen Schucman with the support of her colleague, William Thetford. Helen Schucman and Bill Thetford had been in a conflict-ridden work relationship for years until one day they decided to join in the common goal of demonstrating “another way,” a way for people to get along by cooperating instead of competing. Neither were religious and yet their joining invited into their relationship not only the Holy Spirit but also the figure of Jesus, who initially appeared in Helen’s inner visions and then began dictating A Course in Miracles to her. Whether you accept that idea or not, what’s clear is that this text has had a profound impact on countless spiritual seekers.

The Course itself is structured into three sections:

The Text provides a dense, theoretical foundation for its spiritual teachings.
The Workbook for Students offers 365 lessons—one for each day of the year—designed to help readers practice its principles in daily life.
The Manual for Teachers, a guide for those who feel called to share the Course’s teachings with others.

No matter how you view its origins, this book invites you into a transformative spiritual journey, one that challenges and redefines the way we see ourselves and the world around us.

What could stop you from reading this book – and why it didn’t stop me

Now let’s talk about the things that might stop you from reading A Course in Miracles—and why, ultimately, I didn’t let them stop me.

First, let’s address the obvious: it’s written in Christian language. If I had come across this book just a few years ago, I would’ve put it down immediately. The Christian terminology—words like Father, Son of God, and the use of male-centric language like He and Him—would have completely turned me off.

But, as I said earlier, this book seems to come to you when you’re ready. And when I finally picked it up, I realized that my readiness came from growing beyond my limiting beliefs, my likes and dislikes, and my past judgments. I was suddenly open enough to let this language speak to me, to look past the words and connect with the deeper truth they pointed toward.

At its core, A Course in Miracles teaches a non-dualistic spirituality centred on forgiveness and the belief that love is the ultimate reality. It reinterprets many traditional Christian ideas. For instance, it presents Jesus not as someone above us, but as an equal—a brother—who made a different decision: the decision for God.

For some, especially traditional Christians, this reinterpretation can feel challenging. But for me, it wasn’t about replacing or dismissing prior teachings; it was about deepening my understanding. It’s about recognizing that this book is inviting us to see terms like Father and Son of God in a new light—beyond the surface meaning, into something universal and profound.

What made me keep reading in the end was this indescribable feeling. It’s hard to put into words, but you feel it—deep in your soul—that what you’re reading is Truth with a capital T. Not just on a mental level, but an all-encompassing knowing. It’s as if the book itself speaks directly to your spirit, bypassing all the doubts of the mind. That’s what kept me going. And if you ever feel this same pull to anything, I encourage you to follow it.

What happens to you when you are reading the Course?

So, what happens to you when you’re reading A Course in Miracles? Let me be clear: anything can happen. But one thing is certain—you will be challenged. This book will bring you face-to-face with your deepest fears, doubts, and insecurities. It will shake your identity, challenge your belief systems, and most importantly, confront your ego.

The ego, as described in the Course, believes it’s the centre of the universe. It views others as objects, tools for its gratification, often at their expense. Under the ego’s guidance, we seek to complete ourselves by taking from others, especially through a sense of specialness—being smarter, more powerful, or more beautiful than everyone else. If we’re honest with ourselves, we all recognise this voice. It whispers constantly in our minds, telling us to be on guard, to compete, to make others pay.

But here’s the truth: the ego is not our friend. While we might think it protects us or helps us survive, the Course teaches that the ego is always negative. It sends us chasing after love and happiness in ways it knows will fail. Why? Because the ego thrives on turmoil. It’s at war with the world, with God, and most painfully, with us. The ego doesn’t make the world safer—it’s what makes the world feel dangerous.

The Course reminds us, however, that the ego isn’t who we are. We are limitless beings, Sons of God, who falsely believe we’re imperfect humans. The ego is just a false belief, and its power comes entirely from us. We don’t have to fight it or control it. We simply have to stop listening to it.

Facing the ego through the Course isn’t easy, but it’s transformative. It’s a journey toward discovering the truth of who you really are.

How I have been reading the Course so far

Let me share a bit about how I’ve been reading the Course so far. I actually talked about this in an earlier episode. Back in September of this year, I took one of my solo trips—a time I dedicate to deeper inner work. During these trips, I usually choose a book or course to guide me through whatever I’m currently navigating. And this time, I decided it was finally the right moment for A Course in Miracles to be that book. It was the only thing I read during that trip.

The experience was absolutely mind-blowing. It touched my soul on a level I’ve never experienced before. So many things became clear to me in just that week, even though I only got through the first 100 pages. But I’ll be honest—it takes time. Often, I had to read a sentence or a paragraph several times before I could grasp its meaning. And sometimes, I didn’t fully get it at all. In those moments, I chose to trust that those parts weren’t meant to make sense to me just yet. I took a lot of notes, especially on the passages that resonated deeply.

This isn’t a book you can read like any other self-development book. It’s not something to approach with your conscious, analytical mind but rather with your soul and your heart. There’s no step-by-step process laid out—it’s about awakening your spirituality. Even in just a few days, this text pulled so many veils from my eyes.

Unfortunately, since that week in September, I haven’t made much progress. I’ve read a few pages here and there, but I’ve come to realize that this book demands a deeper commitment than just sporadic reading. And that leads me to the announcement I mentioned at the beginning of the episode.

My commitment to the Course: The Workbook

I decided to go through the workbook and take you with me on this journey. The Workbook of A Course in Miracles is a one-year program that teaches how to train the mind in a systematic way to have a different perception of everything in the world. It consists of a series of daily exercises in which we first get in touch with our current perceptions and then choose a new way of looking at things.

I will share with you my experience going through the workbook. Each day and with each lesson, I will record my reflections on the lesson and what I have learned from it. I will provide you with my best understanding of the content and how it applies to my life. At the same time, I will help you on your journey, it will deepen my understanding. But I am very clear on this, that I am sharing a student experience as I am going through the workbook and the rest of the text for the first time.

What I won’t be doing is putting too much pressure on myself to finish the workbook in 2025. There will be days when it will be difficult for me to do the study, record for you, and edit everything so I can upload it in time. It might just take me a little bit longer than a year, and that is ok for me.

Obviously you don’t have to go through the workbook with me, to get a lot out of the videos that I will be sharing as of the 1st of January 2025. But you might just be interested in the inspiration from the book or the insights that I can share with you from my own journey. But obviously this is as well an invite for you to start the workbook along with me if this is something you have been thinking about for a while. Or maybe you have done it in the past and are ready for another round of the workbook.

I invite you to subscribe to my YouTube channel to follow my biggest commitment to spirituality that I have ever made. I might even do monthly Q&A sessions live on my YouTube channel where you can ask me specific questions or share your personal experiences with the Course.

Your Invitation to Join the Journey

Thank you so much for joining me in this episode of the Raise Your Energy Podcast. I hope today’s exploration of A Course in Miracles has given you some clarity and insight—not only about the book itself but also about whether you might be ready to embark on this transformative journey.

As I’ve shared, this book is not just something you read; it’s something you experience, and it can profoundly change the way you see yourself and the world. If this episode has resonated with you, or if you feel that little nudge in your heart, perhaps now is the perfect time to begin—or to prepare for—your own journey with the Course.

Don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel and subscribe if you’d like to join me on my commitment to the Workbook starting January 1st. I’m excited to share my reflections and insights with you and to grow together through this process.

Until next time, keep raising your energy and following your inner guidance. Thank you for being here, and I’ll see you in the next episode!

Two easy ways to show your appreciation!

If you found value in today’s episode, here’s what you can do to show your support:

First, consider making a donation to the podcast. Every little bit helps to cover the costs of producing and hosting the show. And ensures that I can continue to bring you the latest insights and opinions on the topic of energy and improving your life.

Second, leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. This helps boost the podcast’s visibility and attract new listeners, which helps me create more tailored content for you to enjoy.

So whether you choose to donate, leave a rating and review, or both, know that you’re an integral part of my vision. You are helping everyone who struggles with burnout or high-stress levels to experience how awesome their life can be. So, thank you for your support!

Raw and Real: Calling Myself Out On My Bullsh*t Episode 175
Facing My Ego: A Shocking Realization About Myself! Episode 165
Breaking Free: How Solo Trips Transformed My Life Episode 163

Join the Energy Academy

Feel fully ENERGIZED at the end of your day without working harder and longer. Make the right changes to raise your energy levels to new heights.

Learn the process of change and apply it to anything in your life. Never struggle again to overcome habits and behaviours that suck the energy out of your life!

Follow me on social media