Internet: Email Commentary Applies "A Course in Miracles" to Current Events

In times of stress and distress people turn to their spiritual teachers for answers and comfort. Greg Mackie, a teacher with the Circle of Atonement, an "A Course in Miracles" teaching center in Sedona, Ariz., has responded to this need with a weekly email commentary, "Course Meets World."

In times of stress and distress people turn to their spiritual teachers for answers and comfort. Greg Mackie, a teacher with the Circle of Atonement, the noted A Course in Miracles teaching center in Sedona, Ariz., has responded to this need with his weekly email commentary, Course Meets World.

Not only does Greg respond to the great disasters like the Virginia Tech slaughter and the ongoing terrorism spawned by religious zealots, but he uses studies and special interest news events to illustrate how the world is seen through the light of A Course in Miracles.

Here is how Greg explains his commentary: "Each week, I will present material drawn from the world's media -- a newspaper article, a blog, an Internet discussion, etc. (with a link to the original source). Then, I will discuss the relationship I see between it and A Course in Miracles. For example, I might show how it echoes things said in the Course, or contrast what it says with the Course's view of the same topic. The goal is to bring a Course perspective to topics being discussed in the larger world."

The most recent commentary is "Hearing the Music," in response to a recent Washington Post story about how one of the greatest violinists of our time, Joshua Bell, playing one of the greatest violins ever made, was overlooked in the hustle and bustle of daily life when he posed as a street musician in a DC subway station. Greg writes that this echoes what A Course in Miracles has to say about the nature of perception.

Other recent topics include: "The Power of Negative Thinking," how sometimes negative thinking may be just what we need; "What Can We Do Together?" about a Muslim who is leading an Interfaith effort toward peace; and "Does Hell Exist?"

Readers of "Course Meets World" are enthusiastic about how it helps to put the tragedies of the world in perspective. One subscriber writes, "I'm delighted to subscribe to your 'Course Meets World Commentary.' In my view, this new service of yours is a big contribution to any of us sometimes struggling to see and apply Course thought to the 'real' world around us. I sometimes find myself just trying to withdraw from an onslaught of negative external input (like not watching the evening TV news) instead of just looking at it and applying Course principles. Your commentary on 'Course Meets World' is a big help to me to keep my head straight while interfacing with the world around me - thank you."

Another reader expresses a similar view: "I love that you are out there cruising, looking for the activity of the Holy Spirit in today's world. I so appreciate the clarity and directness with which you bring information back to those who attempt to keep ourselves 'protected' from the pain and suffering by keeping our heads out of newspapers and politics. This material has nurtured and encouraged me. I feel very blessed."

While "Course Meets World" is of primary interest to students of A Course in Miracles, the commentaries are designed to be inspiring and thought provoking for anyone. The email commentary is published on Wednesday each week. An archive is available at the Circle of Atonement website.

A Course in Miracles is a spiritual path which aims to train people to work miracles -- to accept and extend to others the shifts in perception that awaken people to God. The Circle of Atonement was founded by ACIM teacher and author Robert Perry. Its mission is "To discern the author's vision of A Course in Miracles and manifest that in our lives, in the lives of students, and in the world." The Circle holds classes in Sedona, Ariz., as well as online. Their press, Circle Publishing, has many books, tapes, and CDs available, including Robert Perry's recent Return to the Heart of God.

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