James K Anderson

I am someone who did a lot of searching on my own while living a relatively normal life, mostly in Chicago. A few remarkable incidents in college compelled me to search for God as soon as I graduated. I knew God would not be found in religion so, at the age of 22, I began reading books outside of organized groups. I read Edgar Cayce, Carlos Castaneda, Jane Roberts, Yogananda, and a few hundred others.

I made amazing discovery after discovery on my personal quest. First of all, I thought I was just looking for God but it turned out that I was also looking for myself. I also came to realize that my search was not an intellectual one, but an experiential one. Nothing of any importance happened in my life that reflected my unrelenting search until I began to actively change my approach. I understood that I had to let go of any expectations I had about this journey, because that was not the point, as much as it would be nice.

I realized that, in spite of my strong affection for people, I really didn’t like this world and the direction it always seems to be headed. Collectively, the human race is like a virus, destroying everything in its path, despite the individuals trying to make this life better for everyone. We are severely disconnected from each other when it comes to making collective, intelligent decisions. In spite of our individual kindness and hope, it seems that each of us is out for him or herself and there is no effective way to change society’s direction.

I finally found A Course in Miracles at age 40 but after many attempts, I was just not able to read it. I just wasn’t ready.

After 20 more years and certain events, when I finally was able to read it, it had an immediate and powerful effect. I was overwhelmed by it and able to apply it to everything I had gathered in my head for the previous 37 years or so. All the knowledge I had gained up until that point seemed small and slightly off the mark. I realized I had had a very limited understanding of God and life. The Course was a vastly different book from anything I had come across before, and it seems obvious to me that it could not have been written by a human.

It is breathtaking and insightful, beautiful and consistent, clever beyond description, and every time I read it, I feel as if I am reading it as a different person and learning more that had been previously shielded from me until I was ready to assimilate it.

I have been meditating for over 30 years, I read the Course every day, still live in Chicago quietly taking up a small amount of space, hoping my writing will help at least one other person see life differently than they had before.