Annotations are a simple, reliable way to refer to specific places in ACIM that are independent of media, format, or language. Reasons for using annotations include:
- With digital editions (including apps that don’t usually have page numbers, annotations provide a quick way to find places in ACIM, regardless of device, operating system, consistent across both print and online versions.
- With over two dozen translations (and counting), annotations provide a uniform reference to specific places in ACIM, regardless of language.
- Annotations are concise and uniquely identify specific quotes without having to write out lengthy descriptions of where to find them.
Please use annotations to help everyone; with more and more online usage and more and more translations, annotations become more and more helpful and minimize confusion! We encourage everyone to adopt this simple and intuitive notation system when referencing the Course, so that we can all be ‘on the same page’ … without having to literally be on the same (virtual) page.
ABBREVIATIONS
- Preface : Preface by page number only (example: Preface p. X)
- T : Text
- W : Workbook For Students, followed by either pI (for part I, which includes lessons 1-220), or pII (for part 2)
- M : Manual for Teachers
- C : Clarification of Terms
- P : Psychotherapy: Purpose, Process and Practice (supplement included in newer editions)
- S : The Song of Prayer (supplement included in newer editions)
Other references and abbreviations:
- In: Introduction
- r: Review (workbook)
- FL: Final Lessons (workbook)
- Ep: Epilogue
[SECTION] : The section numbers are in Roman Numerals to give a visual break to the string of numbers.
EXAMPLES
Here are some examples; note how much longer the Detail form is compared with the Annotation!
Preface:
“Forgiveness is the means by which we will remember. Through forgiveness the thinking of the world is reversed.”
Annotation: Preface: p. XIII
Detail: Preface page xiii
Text:
“There is no need to learn through pain.”
Annotation: T-21.I.3:1
Detail: Text Chapter 21 Section I Paragraph 3 Sentence 1
“Perception always involves some misuse of mind…The mind is very active. When it chooses to be separated it chooses to perceive….The mind chooses to divide itself when it chooses to make its own levels….Even in miscreation the mind is affirming its Source, or it would merely cease to be.” Annotation: T-3.IV.5:1-3,8,10
Detail: Text Chapter 3 Section IV Paragraph 5 Sentences 1 to 3, 8 and 10
Workbook:
“A brother smiles upon another, and my heart is gladdened. Someone speaks a word of gratitude or mercy, and my mind receives this gift and takes it as its own.”
Annotation: W-pII.315.1:3-4
Detail: Workbook Part II Lesson 315 Paragraph 1 Sentences 3 through 4
Workbook Review and Introduction:
“There is a central theme that unifies each step in the review we undertake, which can be simply stated in these words; My mind hold only what I think with God.”
Annotation: W-pI.rIV.In.2:1,2
Detail: Workbook Part I Review IV Introduction Paragraph 2 Sentences 1 and 2
Manual for Teachers:
“Wisdom is not judgment; it is the relinquishment of judgment. Make then but one more judgment. It is this: There is Someone with you Whose judgment is perfect.”
Annotation: M-10.4:5-7
Detail: Manual for Teachers Chapter 10 Paragraph 4 Sentences 5 through 7
Clarification of Terms:
“All terms are potentially controversial, and those who seek controversy will find it. Yet those who seek clarification will find it as well. They must, however, be willing to overlook controversy, recognizing that it is a defense against truth in the form of a delaying maneuver.”
Annotation: C-In.2:1-3
Detail: Clarification of Terms Introduction Paragraph 2 Sentences 1 through 3
Psychotherapy (supplement):
“It is in the instant that the therapist forgets to judge the patient that healing occurs.”
Annotation: P-3.II.6:1
Detail: Psychotherapy: Purpose, Process, and Practice Chapter 3 Section II Paragraph 6 Sentence 1
The Song of Prayer (supplement):
“The secret of true prayer is to forget the things you think you need.”
Annotation: S-1.I.4:1
Detail: The Song of Prayer Chapter 1 Section I Paragraph 4 Sentence 1
There are also two places on the two primary Foundation websites that give additional examples of the Annotation System for quoting from ACIM and also for finding quotes quickly:
- Foundation for Inner Peace (FIP): ACIM Annotation System
- Foundation for A Course In Miracles (FACIM): Annotation