“The Original Edition Preserves the Course as originally scribed.”
The Original Edition (OE) published by the Course in Miracles Society presents A Course in Miracles as it stood at the completion of its scribing in 1972, before the later editorial revisions made in 1973–1975.
The Course was scribed by Helen Schucman, with the assistance of Bill Thetford. The earliest form of the material—typed from Helen’s shorthand notes—is known as the Urtext, a large and unedited compilation. From this, a carefully retyped manuscript was produced, with Bill Thetford designated to oversee changes, limited to correcting typing errors and removing specifically personal material.
This completed 1972 manuscript later became known as the HLC (Hugh Lynn Cayce) manuscript, as it was shared with Hugh Lynn Cayce at the Association for Research and Enlightenment (A.R.E.) in the hope of publication.
How the Original Edition Differs from Later Versions
After the 1972 completion, additional editing was undertaken by Kenneth Wapnick and Helen Schucman, resulting in the widely distributed 1975 edition. These edits involved further removal of personal material and stylistic changes to prepare the Course for publication.
The Original Edition preserves the Course prior to those later edits, reflecting the form it had reached at the end of the original scribing process.
How the Original Edition Was Restored
Although the HLC manuscript is a primary historical source, it is not relied upon alone.
When the HLC manuscript was rediscovered and digitized in 1999, it was found to contain occasional omissions, typing inconsistencies, and minor transcription errors. In addition, some omissions occurred earlier during the original typing process from shorthand notes.
To ensure accuracy, the Original Edition restores omitted material, corrects typing errors, and cross-checks all content against Helen Schucman’s original shorthand notebooks, which serve as the controlling source.
Any restored or clarified wording is carefully indicated in brackets, and no new editorial rewriting has been introduced.
What the Original Edition Is — and Is Not
- It is not a new version or reinterpretation
- It does not introduce new teachings or edits
- It is a faithful preservation of the Course as it existed in 1972
- It reflects only the changes made during the original typing process under Bill Thetford’s guidance
Historical Context
The 1972 manuscript remained largely unseen until it surfaced publicly in 1999. Its broader publication became legally possible after a 2003 U.S. court ruling determined that the copyright on the 1975 edition was invalid, placing the Course in the public domain—including its earlier manuscript forms.
In summary:
The Original Edition of A Course in Miracles is the Course as it was completed in 1972—faithfully preserved from the earliest manuscript tradition and verified against the original shorthand notes—before later editorial revisions were introduced.
For information on other editions of A Course in Miracles,
visit here: Version Comparisons
And for more information on the editing of A Course in Miracles,
visit here: Editing Changes