Transformation Review

            Awakening To Your Own Call: "Exploring A Course In Miracles" - by Jon Mundy 

In "Awaken To Your Own Call", Jon Mundy, co-founder of the popular "On Course" magazine, gives a comprehensive introduction to the principles found in "A Course In Miracles". I found this book very useful because, although I have always been attracted to the teachings in "A Course In Miracles" (which is a three book set that has become a modern spiritual classic without any promotion other than word of mouth), I have often found myself putting the work down out of frustration. The teachings are profound, but I have difficulty with some of the language used in the text. That's why I find myself looking for the writings of those who have spent years studying and lecturing on the Course. For me, it helps to hear or read about how others interpret certain passages and ideas.

Jon begins "Awaken To Your Own Call" by introducing the "Course", telling what it is, how it came into being, his personal journey to the Course, and his memories of Dr. Helen Schucman ( the woman who "channelled" the Course). This is very useful to those unfamiliar with the work. He then moves on to discuss the "Myth" of the Ego and how the Course distinguishes the two ways of seeing in this world of illusion - through the eyes of the ego and through the eyes of the Holy Spirit (the Voice for God). A discussion of how the mind makes up its own world follows which leads into information concerning Vision - what it is and what it isn't - and what it means to have the "Vision of Christ".

Chapter 4 does an excellent job explaining the ego's thought system concerning Sin and Forgiveness and Chapter 5 delves into understanding the Guilt we all spend so much time getting stuck in. With this foundation laid, the author moves on to the topic of Fear and how we can free ourselves from its crippling effects. An excellent presentation of all of our major defenses against these blocks to the awareness of Love's presence follows. The Ego's solutions to dealing with fear and guilt are laid bare in discussions about repression, which the Course calls "denial" and transferrence, which the Course terms "projection". This is excellent material and truly helps us to understand the teachings of the Course.

While Part I presents the basic principles of the Course, Part II focuses on how to apply these teachings in practical ways during our day to day lives. Part III delves into the metaphysical aspects of the teachings, giving an excellent interpretation of the message of the Crucifixion and Part IV focuses on the Law of Love and Fulfilling our Personal Destiny.

I encourage anyone who has attempted to study the Course and had difficulties, or who is just beginning to study the Course, to add this book to your library. It can be a terrific reference for when you find yourself getting bogged down in some of the terminology used in the work. "A Course In Miracles" is a much too profound and important work to discard because of having difficulty understanding it. Books such as "Awaken To Your Own Call" can keep you on track in your study when you hit the snags. I highly recommend it.