How to Start A Course in Miracles

Welcome

If you're reading this, something has drawn you to A Course in Miracles. Maybe a friend mentioned it, or you found a quote that resonated, or you're searching for a deeper experience of peace. Whatever brought you here, you're welcome.

A Course in Miracles (often called ACIM or simply "the Course") is a complete self-study spiritual thought system. It was scribed by Helen Schucman between 1965 and 1972 and published in 1976. Since then, it has been translated into 27 languages and studied by millions worldwide.

The Three Books

The Course consists of three volumes, and understanding their purpose helps you know where to begin.

The Text

The Text lays out the theoretical foundation of the Course. At 31 chapters, it's dense, poetic, and sometimes challenging — but also profoundly beautiful. Many students find it helpful to read the Text alongside the Workbook, but it's not required to begin.

The Workbook for Students

This is where most people start, and it's what ACIM.live focuses on. The Workbook contains 365 lessons — one for each day of the year. Each lesson offers a specific idea to practice throughout the day. The lessons are designed to shift your perception gradually, from fear to love.

The Manual for Teachers

The Manual addresses common questions about the Course and clarifies its concepts. Despite its name, it's not just for teachers — it's for anyone who wants deeper understanding.

Where to Begin

Our recommendation: Start with the Workbook.

The Workbook is practical and structured. One lesson per day, no prerequisites. The early lessons are deceptively simple — "Nothing I see in this room means anything" — but they lay a foundation for everything that follows.

Here are some practical tips for beginning:

• Don't skip ahead. Each lesson builds on the ones before it.
• Don't worry about understanding. The Course says understanding will come. Just do the practice.
• If you miss a day, just continue. Don't go back. Don't feel guilty. Just pick up where you are.
• Keep it simple. Each lesson gives specific instructions. Follow them without adding anything.
• Be gentle with yourself. This is not a performance. There is no grade.

Ready to Begin?

Start with Lesson 1 — the first step of 365. Or visit today's lesson to join wherever the year currently stands.

For a deeper look at the Workbook approach, read our Workbook Guide.

*A Course in Miracles is published by the Foundation for Inner Peace. The full text is available at acim.org.*