Absence from Felicity: The Story of Helen Schucman and Her Scribing of A Course In Miracles

by Kenneth Wapnick

This biography of Helen Schucman—the scribe of A Course in Miracles, dictated by Jesus—focuses on the lifetime conflict between her spiritual nature and her ego, and the relationship of this conflict to her scribing of the Course. The book includes extensive excerpts from Helen's own recollections, the personal messages she received from Jesus, and her dreams and letters—all never before in print. Presented here as well is some of the personal instructional material from Jesus. This material constituted an integral part of the original dictation of the Course, which was later removed as directed by Jesus.Absence from Felicity highlights the process of the Course's scribing, Helen's personal experiences of Jesus, and her relationship with William Thetford, her close friend and psychologist-colleague at the Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City, as well as her collaborator in the scribing of A Course in Miracles. The last part of the book contains reminiscences of Helen by Kenneth Wapnick, the author, which draw upon his intimate relationship with the scribe that spanned the last eight years of her life. Finally, in the context of Helen's experiences, there is a discussion of Jesus which focuses on the appearance and the reality of our relationship with him.

Genres: Spirituality

512 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1991

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I resisted reading this book for a long time, even though I've been studying ACIM for about 9 years. I thought it didn't really matter how the content came about, but I found it a fascinating story. Also, unlike many of Wapnick's books, it is more than just deeper analysis of stuff you've already encountered. It deepened my understanding of ACIM.

I gather from the book that Helen might have criticized herself for keeping the ego after ACIM came through, but it occurs to me these things would not have needed to be "said" to an ego-free recipient, and therefore we wouldn't be able to read these insights if she had renounced the ego. More kept coming after the main text.

There are several beautiful prayers that were given for her and for Bill Thetford that I think I will jot down before I return this to the library.

[Suzann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This biography of Helen Schucman, the scribe for "A Course in Miracles," is absolutely riveting. Such a detailed accounting of Ms. Schucman's experience could only be written by someone who was there. Dr. Kenneth Wapnick was deeply embedded in the late Ms. Schucman's life, and his chronicling of the Course is, for me, an important addition to the Course itself.

Despite its 511 pages of small type, filled with letters, conversations, important dates, notes, and pieces of Schucman's own unpublished autobiography, the book reads smoothly, because Dr. Wapnick is awesomely organized. I can't imagine putting together a book like this!

"Absence from Felicity" is packed with fascinating information - both about the Course and about Schucman's personal issues she faced while scribing this important work.

I'm so glad I "went for it." It deepened my understanding of the Course immensely.

[Christopher Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I tried reading A Course in Miracles years ago, but gave up when I felt that the instructions were repetative and muddled. Reading this book has helped me to understand for whom the Course was really intended, and why it had to repeat its message several times over.

As a companion to A Course in Miracles, this book is invaluable. I heartily recommend it to you.

[Phil Mullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this about a decade ago, at a time when I was practicing the Course less intensely.

This 2nd reading (after my morning work with the Course itself) was **much** more profitable.
By now Bill & Helen are real people to me, with real failings & neuroses. To have such people
as scribe & typist of a new spiritual path, is even **more** impressive. Ken Wapnick did his
usual careful, scholarly good job of documenting & quoting, & I appreciate his work more & more.

[Mark Tranter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book about the scribes of A Course in Miracles.

[Abbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ken never ceases to amaze me. This book was so detailed and organized. I enjoyed every part of Helen’s story and am beyond impressed with her integrity and efforts, despite her strong ego, to scribe the Course.

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dry read.

[Maurya · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are into ACIM, then I think this is a must read as it puts it all into perspective on how the course came to be. Not a page turner, and causes thinking.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written from a insider perspective and surely not intended to be truly objective, but this is a really detailed account of the "scribing" of ACIM. This book is an invaluable resource to scholars of religious studies and the new age movement (especially since scholarly accounts of ACIM are nonexistent, so far as I know).

[Edith Kreuk · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a beautiful layer under A Course in Miracles. It’s nice to know how the book was written. And it explained a lot to me. But I didn’t like the second part of the book. The discussions described are endless and boring. The rest of the book is easier to read.

[Lori Koppelman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found it extremely interesting to find out how A Course in Miracle was scribed. Completely recommend for any students of ACIM.