A COMPANION JOURNAL 

Why this Companion Journal?

Have you been struggling to find a deep sense of connection with your Source, your God? If you have encountered “A Course in Miracles”, you know is powerful, and could change your world, as it has for many others. If you have opened the book and tried to make sense of the teachings presented, they probably seemed confusing. You most likely found yourself resisting the Course, forgetting or feeling lost in what you read, and/or finally putting the book down in frustration.

This three-volume set of blue books remained on my bookshelf for 30 years after I purchased it. I hoped that someday I could decipher its wisdom and make it useful in my life.  Finally, the day came when someone offered me a helping hand, and I was able to gradually open my mind to its teachings.  I learned a major secret -  that I didn’t have to start on page one.

In the middle of the course we find 365 lessons, called the Workbook, written to give us not just an intellectual rational for our relationship with a real God, but more importantly, a daily experience of being one with our Source. Author and teacher Robert Holden is quoted as saying that “A Course in Miracles” is the only book that has been purchased by millions but read by only a few.”  Why does this book seem so hard to understand?  Its basic teachings are quite simple – love, healing, and forgiveness.

I have found that my world-centered self gets really defensive as I read the lessons, and this conscious self doesn’t begin to comprehend what is being taught. How can I perceive a deeper truth when my mind is already certain it has its truth all figured out?  For this we need a helping hand!

In writing to you, my fellow travelers, I decided to reflect on just what my worldly self is thinking when being introduced to these lessons.  In this journal, I have given my ego self a voice in which to dialogue with these teachings.  It is my voice, and perhaps it may reflect your voice as well.  My reflections are intended to serve as a bridge from our egos to the voice of Truth, helping us receive truth as we are ready to listen.

In addition to the reflections, Deb has given us an image to remind us of the thoughts being taught as we are asked to remember the daily lesson.  This image is meant to be colored, perhaps with colored pencils. Through our own action, the images are brought to life with color to clarify what we are seeing. It also reminds us that we are the creators of our own worlds.

The final page of each lesson is a place for you to write your thoughts and insights as you experience the lesson and do the suggested exercise.  I can’t emphasize enough the importance of actually doing the exercise each day as instructed.  It is key to experiencing the teaching and making it real for you.  Then no words are needed and you will suddenly understand the whole course easily and simply.  That is why the exercise in a condensed form is repeated at the end of each reflection.

The purpose of this course is to free us from struggle, from pain and suffering.  Instead, the course opens our way to peace and joy.  The author so wants us all to be happy, and find the unconditional love that we are all searching for.  It is all quite easy.  It simply requires us to change our minds and find a different perspective from which to view our experiences.  In the Course it is called Vision, seeing the world through the eyes of the God within us. This is a wonderful idea, and a tall order!  Please join us on this adventure to discovering the real truth!