Have you ever wondered what it would be like to translate A Course in Miracles into "teen-speak?"  For example, instead of having sentences delving profoundly into the benefits of atonement, miracle mindedness, and forgiveness, perhaps Jesus would simply say, "Hey bro, You are Love, now get off your case!"  Definitely, if it were appropriate to our highest good, Jesus would have had Helen publish a pamphlet the size of a Chinese food menu.  Yet, since our "thought system has become so twisted and so complex," he chose to introduce simple truth with dedicated fervor, knowing our confused mind "cannot see that [the ego] means nothing."
 
Although the Course's verbose style forces us to read slower, no matter how slow we read, the Course's simplicity was never intended to become lost in the translation.  Despite its scholarly appearance, the main purpose was not to prolong complexity.  Beyond its perfect iambic pentameter and vivid verse, the Course has always intended to provide clarity where before the ego gives only shadows.  Any human being can admit how easy it is to become lost in shadows, especially when you do not know your way.  Likewise, any beginning Course student can share how sifting through sentence after sentence of the Course's profound concepts appears to bring more challenges than solutions.  For this reason, I adhere to the adage "keep it simple" whenever I choose to explore the Text, Workbook or Manual for Teachers.

FULL STORY 

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 In the year of our Lord, two thousand and eight, the dream insisted it be heard by the fitful sleeping man. That dream came in the form of a poem that would not yield to sleep. After it became obvious that arising and recording the words would be the only way to ensure any rest, the man awoke and looked at his bedside clock. It read exactly 3:33 am. At that time, a tale of two brothers named, oddly enough, Nicobod and Ichobod, was born. Unknown to the dreamer and soon-to-be poet, much more than he could possibly know was also being bred.

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* J. Michaels is the author of : The Poet's Quill a spiritual poetry collection, Treasure of the Mind  a novella based on the death of his son, plus poetry collections  Common Ground, Emerald Mandala , and Mystic Twine, all scheduled for publication in the next few months.  His web site is http://greybeardsociety.org