1970's           1990's            2006

Ken Wapnick

Website authored by Joe Jesseph

I decided to publish this Web site, which presents some biographical information about Ken Wapnick, as well as excerpts from some of his writings, because I have seen on the Internet much misinformation about him, who he is and what he teaches.  I did not ask Ken for permission to publish a site specifically about him, but I do have his permission to reproduce on the Internet certain excerpts from his writings which I thought might be helpful and of interest to readers.

I once told Ken that I thought his biography should be published.  He said that Helen Schucman (scribe of A Course in Miracles as well as his loving colleague and friend) had once asked him to write an autobiography, which he did, but then he decided there was no good reason to publish it.  At that time he simply told me "We (meaning he and his wife Gloria) are not important."

From time to time, as it seemed appropriate in connection with a book about A Course in Miracles, Ken has written some accounts of his personal life and spiritual journey.  In addition he and Gloria have permitted themselves to be interviewed and the results published.  In these pages I am either reproducing or offering links to some of that material along with certain excerpts from Ken's writings about the Course itself.

While Ken may not regard his person as important, in my eyes and those of my wife as well as others who are  acquainted with him, what is important about Ken is his sincere and continuing dedication to Jesus and his Course. This dedication has required that he be both a writer and teacher, and has brought him into a public prominence which I'm sure he never sought and would have been horrified to contemplate in younger years before he found A Course in Miracles.  He is now clearly the world's leading authority on the Course, the most widely published author of books about ACIM®, and, in my opinion at least, a wonderful teacher of God by example as well as by the agency of words. He has also been often targeted for opposition and criticism.

In my opinion Ken is a living example of one who has responded to Jesus' request as found in the Course:

For this alone I need; that you will hear the words I speak, and give them to the world.
You are my voice, my eyes, my feet, my hands through which I save the world. (W-pI.rV.IN. 9:2-3)

He embodies the fulfillment of this prayer (not unlike the famous prayer attributed to St. Francis) found early in the ACIM Text:

I am here only to be truly helpful.
I am here to represent Him Who sent me.
I do not have to worry about what to say or
what to do, because He Who sent me will direct me.
I am content to be wherever He wishes, knowing
He goes there with me.
I will be healed as I let Him teach me to heal.
(T-2.V(A).18:2-6)

I have been personally acquainted with Ken since 1988 and served with him on the staff of the Foundation for A Course in Miracles from 1989 to 1992.  Since that time I have continued to stay in touch with him and to offer volunteer services to the Foundation, primarily in connection with the Internet both in terms of seeking to have the copyright of ACIM respected and, with a greater sense of personal satisfaction, to engage in activities that I think of as adding a little more candle power to the beacon of the Lighthouse which is the logo and symbol of the Foundation for A Course in Miracles as well as the title of its newsletter.

This Web site is offered to those who seek information about Ken. It will be obvious that I hold a very deep and abiding respect for Ken Wapnick. To me Ken is a friend and brother, but I do not regard him as special.  Rather I regard him as a teacher who has been faithful to his calling and has neither sought nor offered special status in relationship to others.

Every good teacher hopes to give his students so much of his own
learning that they will one day no longer need him.  This is the one true goal of the teacher.   (T-4.I.5:1-2)

In gratitude,
 

Joe Jesseph
 
 

LINKS TO BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION:
 

Introduction to Forgiveness and Jesus

 

Introduction to Absence from Felicity

 

Interview with Ken and Gloria by Tom Davies

 

Interview with Ken and Gloria by Ian Patrick

A page of links to excerpts from Ken's writings =>
 
 

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A Course in Miracles® is a registered service mark and trademark of the
Foundation for A Course in Miracles®.  The Course is published by the
Foundation for Inner Peace and portions herein are reproduced with permission.