The psychology of 'A Course in Miracles' in secular and metaphysical contexts

This dissertation examines the psychology implicit in the modern spiritual teaching, A Course in Miracles (ACIM). A commercially available ACIM concordance computer program was used to help explicate ACIM's views on psychological issues. In Part I of the dissertation these concepts are presented in a secularized form without reference to ACIM metaphysics and spirituality. This presentation of ACIM psychology is meant to help the secular public to evaluate the psychology of ACIM without having to also agree with ACIM metaphysics. This secularized version of ACIM psychology attempts to provide insights into the causes of emotional pain and dysfunctional behavior, but it does not attempt to explain what one can do about them. ACIM does promote a plan to address these psychological problems but it is a spiritual solution. It cannot be described in secular terms. For this reason the concepts discussed in the secular version of ACIM's personality theory are revisited in Part II of the dissertation. Reviewing these concepts in their full metaphysical context helps to explain why ACIM believes that a spiritual solution is required. It also provides insight into how and why a secular student of psychology might begin to develop an interest in spiritual matters.