COURSE IN MIRACLES: Based On The Original Handwritten Notes Of Helen Schucman--Complete & Annotated Edition Hardcover – January 20, 2017

I am grateful to Robert Perry and the team at Circle of Atonement for several reasons.1. A complete and faithfully restored version of ACIM - The Purple Book - which restores 40,000 words that were left out of the original 1976 publication. It is THE definitive version to get for serious Course students, in my opinion.2. Robert’s tendency to NOT interpret the Course. When a question arises, he invariably says, “Well, let’s see what the Course says about this…” and doesn’t make stuff up that isn’t word-for-word in the Course. That’s a rare quality in teachers I don’t often see.3. The wonderful ACIM CE App, which includes the entire book and audiobook for free, but I would highly recommend donating whatever you can to support this magnificent effort.4. The many great articles you can find on circleofa.org that adds clarity to one’s study of the Course. Whenever I have a question about a point in the Course I don’t understand, I google the question, adding circleofa.org to the search box, and there’s usually a well-thought-out article written on the subject.5. A great podcast that points out the many mistakes that Course students make, and how to correct these, as well as thought-provoking discussions and Course history that further enriches one’s personal study.6. The Cameos included in the Purple Book, which provide relatable case studies of how Helen and Bill personally struggled with this material as they were getting it all down on paper. It adds a personal dimension not included in the Blue Book that is incredibly helpful for students, and they are very enjoyable as well.7. Did I leave anything out? Oh yeah, you guys ROCK! Thank you so much, with much love and gratitude, from a long-time student of the Course. I simply can’t thank you enough for all your hard work.

What a wonderful edition! I have just received it. I can already see passages that I didn't see in other editions and they resonate so much! The paper is thin (much like Bible paper) but very very smooth. I am happy with the book!

I already know very well, the 3rd edition from the Foundation for Inner Peace. I have also knwon the urtext existed and had glanced at bits of it once.This version, which is closer to being an original before the many revisions into more formal and poetic language, is very interesting. The more I read it, the more different it seems from the 3rd edition. For instance, there are many notes inbetween the lines of the Course. These notes seem to be Helens imbedded notes, most of which seem to be Jesus adding his commentary on what is already his own dictation. There are also 30 essays in the back, that I dont think most ACIM students have ever read. These essays reveal more about Helen and her interactions with Jesus. And there footnotes on almost every page on what bible verses the lines in the Course is referring to. I find this also fascination, given that most students prefer to think of the ACIM as some sort of New Age text, rather than a christian text. The Course itself seems to teach that it is Jesus giving the correct interpretations on a religion that has been misinterpreted because of the ego. In this sense, the Course is "christian" and is correcting misinterpretations on christianity.I find this version to be more grounded in guiding us in this world in how to have miracles in our daily lives. The whole book feels more like a psychology workbook. I think this is good.For anyone thinking about reading the Course, or is struggling with the text, I highly recommend that you flip around to interesting titles and sections that appeal to you. The Course is a complete thought system, and understanding any chunk of it, will have you understand most of it. I think the Course should not be read in order, in fact I have always hated chapter one, and have always thought of it as an awkward chapter, when the real content seems to start in the section of the atonement and the undoing of fear. The Course says to read the book in a certain order, and do the lessons once a day. I completely dont do this. I read multiple lessons in one reading, especially the prayers and affirmations in the workbook. I read different titles and sections. Again, some part are easier to read than others, and the book doesn't necessary start of easy or get harder as you progress. Many sections towards the end of the main text or just as easy to understand as some chapters near the beginning. The more you flip around, the smaller the book will seem to you.I think most student s would benefit from reading the 3rd edition first, as this addition seems to be more of notes and commentary on the Course. since its a Course on the Course, it could technically be deemed as a "meta-course" on A Course In Miracles.