The Circle of Atonement - Dedicated to A Course in Miracles
Our 2009 Catalog
Photo by Vince Resor
A Message from Robert
Begin the year with
A Course in Miracles
We all try to start the new year with hope. Part of that hope is that this is the year when we will stop putting off our highest ideals and finally live up to them. Isn't that why we make our New Year's resolutions?
A Course in Miracles actually echoes these sentiments, only it says that the main thing we have been putting off is our awakening to God. And it encourages us to make this the year when we finally remedy that:
This year determine not to deny what has been given you by God.
This is the year for the application of the ideas that have been given you.
This year invest in truth, and let it work in peace.
If you feel that pull to make this the year that you live up to your highest aspirations, please consider signing up for one of our programs (see Featured Programs on the right). They can be started at any time, but starting them at the year's beginning might just make this the year that you have always hoped for.
In peace,
Robert Perry
Founder, Circle of Atonement
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A Better Way Newsletter
November Issue of A Better Way #83 by Robert Perry. The article for this month is "It's For Real: Finding and Fulfilling Your Special Function," by Robert Perry. In this article, Robert continues the exploration of the special function begun in the last issue of A Better Way. This time, he addresses the more down-to-earth side of the special function, drawing from his personal experience and the example of Helen Schucman to answer practical questions such as "How do I find my special function?", "How do I make myself fit for it?", and "How do I deal with my resistance to it?" Click here to read A Better Way.
Articles
Kent Whitaker: Forgiving the Son Who Murdered My Family by Greg Mackie. Since forgiveness is the central teaching of A Course in Miracles, I love true stories of forgiveness in extreme situations. I found another recently in a story featured on Oprah. This is the story of Kent Whitaker, who forgave his son for an act so horrifying it is hard to even imagine: arranging the murder of his own family. Though Kent's forgiveness was from a born-again Christian perspective, I find some striking parallels with the Course. Read more
How could perfect beings make the imperfect decision to separate? I have some problems with A Course in Miracles. My biggest problem with the Course is this: It says God is perfect, and He created a perfect Son. However, we made a highly imperfect decision when we chose to separate. How could perfect beings have possibly made such an imperfect (and candidly quite stupid) decision? In fact, such a decision should have been, by definition, impossible.. Read more
Never Correct a Brother's Error? by Greg Mackie. The "Correction of Error" section in the Text (T-9.III) is a section that confounds many Course students. It is often taken to say that you should never correct a brother's error at any time for any reason. But does this section really say that? Greg examines the section carefully and draws from other Course material—especially the sections immediately following—to come up with an answer that may surprise you.
Interpretation and the Future of the Course by Robert Perry. Course students tend to have an uneasy relationship with the whole idea of interpreting the Course, yet the issue of interpretation is crucial, for how we interpret the Course determines our whole relationship with it. There are many perspectives on how to interpret the Course but the key question is "What did Jesus think about interpretation?" Robert offers an answer to that question based on the Course material itself, an answer that provides a whole new vision of Course interpretation.
I Follow in the Way Appointed Me by Greg Mackie. Lesson 317 is a powerful and beautiful lesson. It says that each of us has a specific part to play in God's plan for salvation, and completing that part is essential for the world's salvation and our own. In this article, Greg shares his personal reflections on this lesson and invites you to explore its implications for your life as well.
Why Does the Course Model Itself After Education Rather Than Religion? by Robert Perry. Isn't it odd that Jesus, the central figure in American religion, reappeared (if we are to believe A Course in Miracles) not to devout Christians, but to two university psychologists and authored through them an educational course? Why has he jumped ship from religion to education? Robert offers his reflections.
Are Miracles Only in Our Minds? by Robert Perry. Robert responds to a reader who claims that miracles occur only in our minds and that "any discussion of extending help or healing to people who are suffering 'out there' merely perpetuates separation [since] there is no 'out there.'"
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".
