What is a Miracle?
Exploring the foundational concept of “A Course in Miracles.”
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Since its publication in the 1970s, A Course in Miracles has served as a psycho-spiritual self-study program adopted by countless individuals worldwide. Study of the text, workbook, and manual for teachers aims to elevate one’s awareness of the presence of love in one’s life and remove the blocks to such an awareness. In the decades since A Course in Miracles came into the world, it has served as a lens through which one can make sense of the everyday, the spiritual, the metaphysical, the past, and the present. A healing balm of peace, A Course in Miracles is an illuminating path toward peace, love, and hope.
Nonetheless, as meaningful and productive as the Course has been for so many, it has also been a source of frustration, dismay, and irritation for others.
The language of the Course, particularly the text, is dense and abstract. Ideas and concepts are introduced and discussed cyclically. At times, it is unclear what a pronoun might refer to. In other instances, guiding tenets are discussed in depth and expounded upon. Yet, a clear and direct statement providing a definition for many of the Course’s key terms might be challenging to find. Such is the matter with the concept of the miracle itself.
A Course in Miracles is all about miracles. But what is a miracle?
You’d think this would be easy to discuss, clarify, or address. However, given the Course’s language, discerning exactly just what a miracle is requires a closer examination of the texts that comprise it.
Chapter 1 of the text provides 50 principles for miracles. These principles articulate how miracles function, their role in our lives, and the incredible transformative capabilities they provide for us to live in harmony with God and each other.
From the 50 miracle principles, we can glean the following:
Miracles are expressions of love.
Everything that comes from love is a miracle.
Miracles are thoughts.
A miracle is a service.
A miracle is a correction.
A miracle is a learning device.
Everyone is entitled to miracles.
To be sure, the 50 principles and the full body of the Course expand upon and elaborate on the above statements. At the core, though, we could surmise that a miracle is an expression of love at the level of thought, word, or action. It is the move from darkness to light, the abandonment of fear.
Anytime we choose love to guide us in what we think and do, we are choosing the miracle. Miracles are not spectacles (such as parting the seas or walking on water). A miracle is aligning ourselves with our true identity, which is as the children of God. The miracle is the reflection of us loving as God loves, and living our lives in harmony with each other, ourselves, and the Earth itself.
When we lean into the miracle ( the space of love, peace, and harmony), we demonstrate that the world's illusions bear no influence on the truth of who we are and the truth we recognize and acknowledge in one another. In this way, the miracle is a learning device. In demonstrating that we live our lives in accord with love, we teach others that we are not at the effect of lovelessness. In extending love to others, we do the service of overlooking the ego (their ego and our own) in recognition of the divine within.
We can claim the miracle at any moment. The miracle is always available in the only time there is, which is the present. When we center ourselves upon the proclamation that we are entitled to miracles, we become more readily able to acknowledge the miracles that abound among us and enact the miracles that God would have us enact.
A Course in Miracles is clear that God is not calling on us to be martyrs. God calls us to be miracle workers and transform the world from a nightmare into a happy dream.
One of my favorite prayers in the Course is in chapter two of the text. The prayer reminds us of our role and the work we can do to live healthier, happier, and miraculous lives. This prayer is a beautiful reminder of how to go about the day open to, and ready to give, miracles.
I am here only to be truly helpful. I am here to represent Him Who sent me. I do not have to worry about what to say or what to do, because He Who sent me will direct me. I am content to be wherever He wishes, knowing He goes there with me. I will be healed as I let Him teach me to heal.
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Have a great week, everyone.
That is one of my favorite prayers as well. It conveys how easy this can be if we don't twist ourselves into knots overthinking it. Thank you for reminding us. ❤️
Yes, God is calling us to be miracle workers. Sometimes we are aware of his call and easily choose to act upon them. Since miracles aren’t spectacles, we sometimes need to make ourselves more open to them. My favorite part of this article is the prayer at the end. “ I am here to be helpful……….” every day I try my best to be that helpful person He is asking me to be. Sometimes I fail. But most times I hope I succeed. Even though I am not always aware of my impact on others.