The Circle of Atonement - Dedicated to A Course in Miracles
Daily Reading
Workbook Lesson:Lesson # 77—I am entitled to miracles. [more] Lesson Index.
Text Reading: T-8.I—The Direction of the Curriculum.
Lesson & Reading Plan Calendar
Today's Inspiration: Your mind can be possessed by illusions, but spirit is eternally free. (T-1.IV.2:8)
A Better Way Newsletter
February Issue of A Better Way #98 by Robert Perry. This month's article is "The Religion of the Ego," by Robert Perry. Most Course students would call themselves "spiritual but not religious." But what if the truth is that we're all religious? In this article, Robert shows how, according to the Course, the religious impulse is inherent in all of us. And until we change our minds, we are all devoted followers of the religion of the ego. Click here to read A Better Way.
Integrated ACIM
In our online copy of the entire text of A Course in Miracles, each section and paragraph contains links to all the articles and commentaries of ours that reference that section or paragraph. In all, it contains over 6,700 such links. Therefore, if you need clarity on a particular statement in the Course, you can just go to that place and click on the "related articles" link. If you want clarity on a certain section or lesson, you can go there and click on the "commentary" link. Links in green are available to everyone. Links in red are to commentaries and articles available in our various reading programs and the Circle Course Community. You must be subscribed to the program to access the links in red.
Articles
Is ecological interconnectedness really oneness? by Greg Mackie. This question has been in my mind a lot as I've witnessed all the excitement around the movie Avatar. Personally, while I thought the movie was technically brilliant and enjoyable (though predictable) as entertainment, I didn't see anything especially spiritual about it. But ever since, I've heard countless people, including Course students, rave about how spiritual it is because it's such a lesson in oneness (a oneness the Na'vi in Avatar apparently experience through those tendril thingies in their tails). But my view is that ecological interconnectedness, the primary "oneness" highlighted in Avatar, is not real oneness—at least not the oneness affirmed by A Course in Miracles.
Hurts So Good? by Greg Mackie. Recently, I heard a spiritual teacher present what was to me an odd (and definitely non-Course) rationale for forgiveness: We can forgive those who attack us because we secretly agreed to have them attack us in order to teach us a loving spiritual lesson. It's all perfect; everything that happened is part of a loving divine plan that everyone agreed to before we came to this world. Even when people hurt us terribly, deep down they're really doing it for our good. If this is so, what reason do we have to resent them? We can thank them for all the good they've done for us through their attacks, and be at peace.
How Can Forgiveness Diminish the Pain of Being Attacked? by Greg Mackie. What can one do when being attacked? Certainly I understand forgiveness for and prayer for the attacker, but that does little if anything to diminish the pain of being attacked. Witness the many suicides that are precipitated by such events. What wisdom does A Course in Miracles have for this?
To Think or Not to Think? Why Not Do Both? by Greg Mackie. I recently read an article based on the work of Eckhart Tolle called "To Think or Not to Think?" It presents a view that is virtually universal in alternative spiritual circles: a view that greatly minimizes the value of good old-fashioned discursive thinking, seeing it as mainly a barrier to real insight and spiritual growth. This is an unfortunate view in my opinion, for I believe that discursive thinking — thinking characterized by elements such as logic, reasoning, discernment, and analysis — is absolutely vital to the spiritual journey, a tool that we simply cannot do without. It is certainly vital to the path of A Course in Miracles.
How Jesus Helps by Allen Watson. How Jesus, in A Course in Miracles, offers to help us yet a little more if we accept his presence in our lives.
Our Purpose
Our purpose is to be a bridge into the profound and unparalleled wisdom of A Course in Miracles. We clarify the Course's often difficult language in order to make possible a deeper understanding of its teachings. We then help you put those teachings into practice, explaining how to apply them in your everyday life.
Our work grows out of our commitment to be as faithful as possible to what A Course in Miracles says. It also grows out of our years of dedication to walking this path ourselves and to helping others walk it. Our deepest desire is to see the Course's purpose realized in the lives of students and in the world.
As a student working with the Circle of Atonement you will be able to count on us for daily companionship and support. We are here to help you with both the theory and the application of this priceless teaching. You need never feel alone in the process. Based on the feedback we have received, we believe that our support can save you years on your journey back to God.
The Missing Piece
About
2,000 years ago Jesus offered a revolutionary message to the world
which, even now, has not been fully grasped. The church quickly
institutionalized his radical teachings into an organized religion
about worshipping him, obscuring the true meaning of his
transformative message. It is our belief that Jesus has appeared
again to humanity in the pages of
A Course in Miracles to
frame his ancient message for contemporary ears. As the authentic
voice of Jesus, A Course in Miracles provides the crucial
"missing piece" that supplies the healing Jesus
originally intended for the world. An important part of our mission
here at the Circle of Atonement is to ensure that Jesus'
vital message will never be lost to the world again.
Read our piece,
"The Promise of the Course: A Statement of Intent".
