Carol's Introduction to A Course in Miracles

The following article, outlining part of my own search for "what's missing," appeared in the March-April 1997 edition of the Holy Encounter, a newsletter distributed by the Miracle Distribution Center in Fullerton, CA.

One of the greatest turning points of my life, unrecognized at the time, occurred in 1977 when we received a thank-you gift, the first copy of "New Realities" magazine, containing the initial article about A Course In Miracles.  In addition to a brief history of its origin and several interviews, the article quoted the introduction to the text. Upon reading that introduction for the first time, I felt an instant recognition and an unexplainable sense of urgency about getting started.

Etched in my memory is that late afternoon when, holding the newly-delivered, unopened package in my hands, I knew without question that if I could just know what these books contained my "search" would be over.  I was unclear about the exact nature of this "search," but it had been going on all my life. By this time, I had invested at least twenty years in actively looking for "something."

 I was not driven by desperation or tragedy but by lack of interest in worldly endeavors. I had "succeeded" by the world's standards and was increasingly restless and dissatisfied.  We all have our own individualized curriculum, but for me, those two decades of endless reading, attending the few workshops or classes available, and experiencing my own "classroom," consisting of a husband, two sons, and extended families was preliminary to my encounter with the Course.  And when I finally received it after all those years of questioning, the reading and study of it (the focus on practice came a little later!) immediately became the central part of my life, second only to raising my children.

Less than a year after my first introduction to A Course In Miracles came a second encounter of the most miraculous kind.  We attended a lecture in Denver, my home at the time, featuring Judy Skutch Whitson speaking about the early days of the Course. At the conclusion of her presentation we moved to another building and there, standing off by himself, was a man I intuitively knew was Bill Thetford.  The great sense of familiarity I felt with the Course was amplified several-fold when I saw Bill. He was a man without a mask, nothing to hide, no agenda to pursue. He was just an authentic and graceful human being, a rarity in my experience.  We exchanged pleasantries for ten beautiful minutes before a larger crowd arrived, ending our private meeting.  I drove home in silence pondering the sense of connection I had experienced in his presence.

Months passed and I heard Bill and the Skutches had moved to Tiburon, California. Filing that information into my mental data bank, life continued as usual--children, friends and constant involvement with the Course, which had become my vocation. Several months later, a dear friend and co-facilitator announced that he was going to Tiburon for five weeks of advanced training in his profession and I knew, without doubt, this was not a coincidence.

I began almost to hear Bill's voice in my mind calling us to come out. A strong intuitive instinct urged me to make contact with Bill, while my ego mind assured me I had nothing to offer him and that it was a ridiculous idea to consider.  There was definitely a war going on in my awareness! My initial compromise was to write Bill a letter of introduction for Jaison, asking that they might meet and to thank him for his contribution in bringing the Course forward.

To my astonishment, Bill called a couple of weeks later and said he would certainly meet with Jaison and inquired about my coming out.  After first declining his invitation, I came to my senses, ignored my customary caution and accepted the incredible gift being offered.  As I flew over the Rocky Mountains 18 years ago, I marveled at what was going on. I was actually acting on an intuitive urge and assuming that I had a place to fill, rather than repressing it in favor of the ego's instruction to "play it safe."

As a result of meeting with Bill, Jerry Jampolsky, the Skutches, and others who had been acquainted with the Course from the beginning, life changed radically. Bill and I starting meeting every few months, either in San Francisco or with my family
in Denver.  Our interaction was part of his becoming comfortable with his role in bringing forward this extraordinary work and my learning to accept my value. Most certainly Bill's presence was a great blessing for all of us who were privileged to know him well.

I also started working with Jerry Jampolsky in various capacities and all of us occasionally presented the Course together publicly in the late 70's and early 80's.

A next step and a great learning experience about commitment, was to design and teach a fifteen-week class on the Course. From that class grew the decision to join with others and create one of the early Attitudinal Healing Centers in Denver. Through the Center, we taught many more classes in Denver and other parts of Colorado, sometimes with Bill in attendance anonymously, which was another real stretch! Out of that endeavor grew a study guide entitled "Homeward To An Open Door:  Exploring Major Principles of A Course In Miracles." (A Paperback Book you can order from this Web site).

As the years passed, the Course remained central in my experience. The children grew up and it was time for another tremendous shift. It became clear that our marriage of 24 years had served its purpose and it was time to move on.

Ultimately moving to Florida in 1990, my life has been devoted to teaching, consulting, writing, mentoring other facilitators of ACIM, creating audio and video tapes, and designing and building six large teaching models--all with the intention of making the Course clear and practical to all who seek for peace of mind.

It's been a marvelous adventure to date, mostly wondrous and sometimes painful, but not to be traded for anything in the world.  Quite a trip from one small magazine article!