Accept This Gift: Selections from A Course in Miracles

by Frances E. Vaughan, Roger Walsh

Since 1976, the channeled writings of A Course in Miracles have touched millions of readers, seekers, and students of self-development. The widely regarded spiritual and psychological scholars Frances Vaughan, Ph.D., and Roger Walsh, M.D., Ph.D., distilled the most poignant passages from the Course in their beloved volume Accept This Gift -now returned to print in this Tarcher Cornerstone Edition.

This slender, immensely powerful book provides the perfect gleanings for anyone at any level of interest in A Course in Miracles .

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction, Self Help, Philosophy

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 6, 1981

Reviews

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

From beginning to ending this book invites us to open our minds and hearts to a deeper understanding of the path to enlightenment and our responsibility on such a journey. We are reminded that our spiritual journey is a very personal one. How far we succeed in discovering the mysteries of the universe rests squarely upon our own shoulders. What we seek out is who we will become. It is essential that we never forget that we must own our choices and become a seeker for our life's purpose.

Throughout this book we are encouraged to delve deeper, push harder and seek further. One of the points brought forth in this book that I found quite interesting was the concept of mistaken identity verses true identity. We are taught that when we focus on ourselves as a body embracing the idea of self-concept our ego steps in to take over the mind. The ego literally confuses our mind, using fear to drive our desires and action. The ego only holds the power we give it. One of the greatest challenges we face is to first recognize how much ego controls our life, second to dispel ego with truth and third to let our spirit guide us to our true identity.

We must learn to own our part in the obstacles along our path. Those obstacle block us from true awakening. Things such as: pain, fear, guilt, judgement, anger and defensiveness, break down our spirit by creating the illusion of perceived wrongs done to us. We defend ourselves against this negative encounters by pointing the finger outward, while systematically ignoring the whole truth of said encounters. It is so much easier to hide behind the illusion than it is to face the truth head on. However, it is only by facing the truth with integrity and openness that we are able to break through the illusions, become aware of reality and embrace our path to enlightenment.

[Nina Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a remarkable book of spiritual growth that I pick up to read every now and then. I picked it up yesterday and read all the way through it, as it is a short book based on “A Coarse in Miracles.” I recommend it for anyone who is ready for these concepts.

[mayhugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Enlightenment is but a recognition, not a change at all." jest read again, always necessary, vital.

[George · Rating 2 out of 5]

A me too time: chapter 7 'obstacles on the path'
============
nothing can hurt you, unless you give it the power to do so
Pain is a sign you have misunderstood yourself

the guiltless mind cannot suffer
only my own forgiveness sets me free

Fear is an appeal for help
Look at what you are afraid of
Only anticipation will frighten you

All anger is an attempt to make someone feel guilty
you will fear what you attack. If you attack error in another
you will only hurt yourself

Comparison is an ego device
No one who loves can judge
Wisdom is not judgement but release from judgement
===============
i suppose the above relates back to course of miracles, but to me it impressed me like the study of Tao which too needs further 'me too' clarification as in

[Daniel Jansky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of passages from A Course in Miracles. This selection leaves behind most of the philosophy and metaphysics of the Course and is more practical than theoretical. So it has a lot of good advice. Giving it a 4 star rating however because I disagree with the actual Course excessively. But this is kind of a boiled down introduction that rescues some of the gems in the book.

[Nat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I accept this gift of a book gratefully!

A really great introduction to ACIM, beautifully arranged into poem-like themes. There is so much wisdom within these pages—a book to revisit again and again! I will progress to the actual Course when the time is right.

Shout out to Eckhart Tolle for recommending it, and for his teachings so that I could (mostly) understand this book.

[Anna S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Profound; to those who are ready.

[Lori · Rating 1 out of 5]

For a free book, it was overpriced

[Susan Steed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this hippy shit.

[Ocean Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

very accessible and easy to read. in certain places though the language is very unclear even though it's simple. good, but ultimately too superficial

[mirrororrim · Rating 2 out of 5]

It could have been simpler and easier to understand.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

READ. THIS. NOW.

[Nathan · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good and interesting work. It is not mind blowing or revolutionary by any means. Many of the notions presented here are common, New Age-type ideas. They are presented like little snacks for thought. My main criticism is not that they are platitudes, empty concepts, or cheesy nonsensical notions for those undergoing an existential crises. It is the lack of argument and rigor. Perhaps it is my roots, and perhaps I should read the original text (I realize it is a bunch of excerpts; if this was the actual work itself it would only get 2 stars), but I do not see any foundation or basis for many of the claims presented here. I am not asking for strict, hardcore verifiability, but a little more ground to go on. Secondly, many of the ideas presented here are in fact notions like 'surrender the ego' and so on - stuff which at one time was rich and very strong, but has become reduced to charlatanism (i.e., Eckhart Tolle and the second-rate Marjoe Gortner who wrote the Alchemist). Here is an example, contained in this section 'Time'

"When you have learned to look on everyone with no reference at all to the past, either his or yours as you perceive it, you will be able to learn from what you see now."

I get the general point, and at first it looks quite profound. When you think about it just a little bit closer you realize it is impossible and nonsensical. It is not because I have a huge ego that I think this is impossible (well I probably do, but that's not the point) it is because experience isn't constructed that way. We cannot be free of the past, any more than we are free of the future. If we took this advice to heart, you would not even recognize your own mother; which is, of course, impossible. Or

"Illusions only battle with themselves"

I have no idea what that means.

There are some interesting points when taken superficially. Some of these ideas are applicable and do have merit. So it is not totally wrong. I just don't want to be taught to get rid of my illusions by a book which has many illusions. And illusions they are, because what at once seems profound and insightful is really basic and simple. Kind of like a cognitive magic trick. Once you see how the trick is made, you can never un-see it.

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a gift from my beautiful South American daughter, to celebrate her 20th year as part of our family.

Great books don't just inform us, they change us. They spark explosions within our brains and miracles within our hearts.
This is one of those books.

[Heather Mattern · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO good!! Has beckoned me to return to The Course. <3

[♥ Susan]

Actually I have this ebook, but the ebook edition is not listed on GR.

[Stacy Kohmetscher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, sweet & a poignt reminder.