Forgiveness is the decision
not to suffer
A Course in Miracles is one of the most popular and
means making a decision to release pain and suffering
down what the voice said and over the next 7 years,
Mary Bobokis is a Holistic Counsellor in the Illawarra
controversial texts in contemporary spirituality. It has been
by deciding to no longer attack ourselves (or others)
developed the format for A Course in Miracles.
region who uses the principles of A Course in Miracles
dismissed by traditional Christians, been called new-age
through anger, blame, guilt, fear etc. Forgiveness means
These 3 books, together with some supplementary
in her therapy sessions. At the core of her work she
hogwash and it has even been described as a cult.
letting go of our judgement of hurtful situations, people
documents, are commonly found bound together as a
uses forgiveness to help her clients release problematic
However, A Course in Miracles is also widely respected and
or of ourselves, and deciding to be happy. Quite simply,
single volume. The third (the most current) edition looks like
thoughts, beliefs and emotions to bring about peace. Mary
looked upon as one of the greatest self-study spiritual texts
forgiveness is the decision not to suffer.
this:
is also an energy healer and utilises energetic releases in her
Why is forgiveness important?
Every student of the Course has a different relationship with
in the modern world, helping many people bring peace, joy,
happiness and love into their lives.
A Course is Miracles’ only purpose is to provide people with
a way in which they can find their own Internal Teacher.
What is A Course in Miracles?
A Course in Miracles is a text, workbook and manual on
We forgive so that we no longer carry with us or hold onto
the pain of our hurt and suffering. Making the decision to let
it go, leave it in the past, putting an end to our pain, allows
room for us to be happy, at peace and reconnected to our
spirit.
how to apply the principles of Unconditional Love and
Understanding the theory is one thing, however it is
Forgiveness to daily life to end suffering and pain, bringing
seek.
used in the theory.
Forgiveness is the bridge to compassion, to inner peace,
The Course is not an easy read, it is a multi-faceted,
and to a peaceful world.
psycho-spiritual manual for a lifetime’s work on one’s self.
Gerald G. Jampolsky, M.D. ‘Love is Letting Go of Fear’
practice. Some will embrace it and make it a core of their
being. If you are not a student of the Course, it is my sincere
desire that the Course finds you, as it did for me, and it
brings you much peace and happiness. And if you are a
moving towards the inner peace and happiness that we
text, whilst the manual clarifies the terms and concepts
read it as a supplement to their existing spiritual or religious
from remaining stuck in our thoughts and emotions to
lessons (one for every day of the year) of the theory of the
the Course. Some people will read it to feel good. Some
through the daily application of forgiveness that we shift
Peace into our lives. The workbook provides 365 practical
It involves a radical shift in how we see the world and
student, keep forgiving! - Ken Wapnick
Mary is organising a workshop introducing
the concepts of A Course in Miracles at the
Lotus Wellbeing Centre, bringing to the
Illawarra her trusted teachers of A Course
in Miracles James Walker PhD and Gail
is therefore prone to misunderstanding, confusion and
How did A Course in Miracles come to be:
misrepresentation.
Helen Schucman and William “Bill” Thetford were
and Gail in the Illawarra bringing with them
Ken Wapnick, one of the prominent figures involved in the
Professors of Medical Psychology at Columbia University
their extensive knowledge and experience of
scribing and editing of the Course states the Course is ‘an
in New York City in the 1960s. Helen and Bill were highly
living their lives by the Course’s principles.
unparalleled pathway for ultimate liberation; unique as a
competitive colleagues who had developed considerable
anger and resentment towards each other. Exhausted by
This will be a fantastic opportunity to get
book as it is a spiritual path’.
The key message of A Course in Miracles is forgiveness:
The goal of A Course in Miracles is to remove the blocks to
our awareness of God, happiness and Love that prevent us
from experiencing peace and joy in every moment.
The way to remove these blocks is by healing our minds
through the practice of forgiveness.
this bitter relationship Bill exclaimed during a meeting that
‘there must be another way’. Helen uncharacteristically
agreed and was keen to find a new approach.
Helen began to have symbolic dreams and hear