IP article by A Hughes
maz
By Alden Hughes sup...@miracleshealingcenter.com
Those of you who have discovered the unearthly masterpiece, A Course in
Miracles, will no doubt be aware of, and grateful for, its divine message of
the remembernce of God and reality through love and forgiveness, that are
only made possible in the realization that this world is a dream of your own
making. You may remember reading, amongst the literture concerning the
scribing of the Course, references to the use of a poetic form called iambic
pentameter.
The purpose of this volume is to present the poetry of the Course in a
totally accessible manner. You need know nothing about poetic forms and
meters to begin enjoying immediately. You may, however, wish to read this
introduction, as a search to ascertain the extent of the poetic form within
the Course reveals another astounding dimension in its structual integrity.
Iambic pentameter is usually described as "lines consisting of five iambs",
which in turn are described as "metric feet of two sylables each, the second
syllable being the stronger". Put simply, a line of iambic pentameter
sounds like this:
Da-DUM Da-DUM Da-DUM Da-DUM Da-DUM
This form is also called "blank verse", a more general term denoting even
rhythm without rhyming. Because the Course is presented entirely as prose
the extent to which this form is used is a surprising and exciting
discovery.
The Text of A Course In Miracles can be seen as three distinct parts, two of
twelve chapters each, and the last of seven chapters, each differentiated
from the other by the use of meter. Within this structure, a gradual
transition is made from prose to blank verse.
The first twelve chapters of the Course are written in a rhythmic prose, and
the protrait of the human condition given is prosaic indeed. The very last
sentence of Chapter 12 is the first glimpse of what, metrically speaking, is
to come: "Your Father could not cease to love His Son. (a line of iambic
pentameter)
The second part begins with the first seven sections of Chapter
13 becoming increasingly iambic, until in section seven, "The Attainment of
the Real World", each paragraph contains on average only three of four
arhythmic lines, non-iambic lines. This is the metric charateristic of the
second twelve chapters. Occasionally, paragraphs begin with emphatic
statements of light reality, given in iambic pentameter: "There is a light
that this world cannot give;" is the first such occurence. "You do not
really want the world you see;" "We cannot sing redemption's hymn alone;"
"Your faith in nothing is deceiving you." These glorious statements are
each elucidated conceptually in the paragraphs that follow from them, but
each also offers an opportunity to enter into real communication.... You are
being prepared for a new mode of data transmission.
Deeper into the second part, increasingly strong "insertions" of iambic
pentameter occur; longer passages that persist further into the paragraphs.
For instance, in Chapter 21:
Thus they define their life and where they live, adjusting to it as they
think they must, afraid to lose the little that they have. And so it is with
all who see the body as all they have and all their brothers have. and fail
again.
Coincident with the approach of total iambic pentameter, (the last seven
chapters), Jesus makes this statement (in Chapter
22): "This is a crucial period in this course, for here the separation of
you and the ego must be made complete." And this:
This course will be believed entirely or not at all. For it is wholly true
or wholly false, and cannot be but partially believed.
Chapter 25 is the beginning of the final part. In Chapters 25 and 26 the
final transition is made into perfect iambic pentameter, making feasible the
presentation as poetry in the two same manner as the works of Shakespeare
are presented, with columns of the short blank verse lines to a page. It is
at this final part that this volume of transformative rhythm and poetry
takes up the Text. Encoded into the ongoing presentation of conceptual
ideas is the true communicaiton the Course aims to teach. Each line is a
perfectly whole package of information.
Some parts of these two chapters are still not regular enough to allow
breakdown into lines of iambic pentameter and so are presented (in Russell's
book) as prose. Also, the regular iambic pentameter in these two chapters
and early in Chapter
27, often containsidiosyncrasies, such as lines that contain one extra
syllable, or short lines of only four or six syllables. These discrepancies
are used to emphasize ideas in the same manner that the iambic pentameter
was used in the middle chapters of the text, only rather than lifting you
into communication, they drop you out momentarily, the aim being to teach
you to recognize the difference.
In the last five chapters of the text the iambic pentameter is perfect.
Jesus never abbreviates words to achieve this, but it does account for what
seemed to be accasionally unusual syntax - but which now makes perfect
sense, read as poetry.
A transition from prose to poetry also occurs in the Workbook, but it is
much simpler, and quicker. The first ninety lessons are plain prose, with
the exception of Lesson 78, which is totally poetic (iambic pentameter).
The transition occurs entirely with ten lessons. Lesson 91 is prose. The
following lessons have increasing percentages of verse, but the distinction
is kept very clear. Any paragraph will either be enirely prose, or entirely
poetry. It is astonishing to discover that everything in the Workbook from
lesson 100 on is in iambic pentameter ~ the introductions to Reviews, the
"instructions on themes of special relevance," such as 'What is
Forgiveness', the prayers and the Epilogue.
Attempts to read the poetic form directly from the original prose layout
often result in diminished comprehension. Conversely, the presentation as
blank verse guarantees placing correct emphasis for understanding, (though
not understanding itself), and the elegance and eloquence of Jesus' poetry
and the regular rhythmic lope offer an expanded experience of the Course to
the musical mind.
The magnitude and beauty of the Course, simply as a work of literature and
without regard to its miraculous content, adequately belie any notion of its
human authorship. The divinity of the ideas expressed is beyond question.
Certainly the poetic and prosaic forms contained in A Course in Miracles are
there because that was necessary for the healing of God's Son, since this is
the Holy Spirit's only purpose.
For more information write me: sup...@miracleshealingcenter.comoo.com
Alden
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Carrie
would like to at least try to live. put into our lives?
maz
would like to at least try to live. put into our lives?<
No i don't think that. I think it is distinguishing the Course on the level
of form for several reasons.
1love, maz
Carrie
To me, I think the whole purpose of having "beliefs" is to live them.
Talking about them might be secondary to this, and might also be an excuse
NOT to live them.
maz
Oh sure. But what does this have to do with Blank Verse phenomenon of ACIM?
thanks for sharing, Carrie.
1love, maz
Carrie
I think making a big deal of the format of the words takes attention away
from just experiencing (intergrating?) the words and living them.
But, on the TV quiz show Jeopardy a few night ago they had "ionic
pentameter" and I knew what it was LOL
It's not even just this, it's poetry, or literature in general. Picking
it apart and saying it's this form or that, and giving it names. Why does it
matter? We read it, or say it, and get something from it, whatever it is.
aumorchestra
> maz wrote:
> >>>> Do you think this is ego distraction from what it say, we (who
> >>>> believe it)
> >>> would like to at least try to live. put into our lives?<
>
> >>> No i don't think that. I think it is distinguishing the Course on
> >>> the level of form for several reasons.
> >>> 1love, maz
>
> >> To me, I think the whole purpose of having "beliefs" is to live
> >> them. Talking about them might be secondary to this, and might also
> >> be an excuse
> >> NOT to live them.
>
> > Oh sure. But what does this have to do with Blank Verse phenomenon of
> > ACIM? thanks for sharing, Carrie.
> > 1love, maz
>
> I think making a big deal of the format of the words takes attention away
> from just experiencing (intergrating?) the words and living them.
You might think that. But, No honey. The truth imo is, making a big
deal out people recognizing the TRULY big deal op IP in ACIM is your
distraction and your way of not living the words.
Why? Because appreciating a scientific phenomenon and sharing it does
not conflict with anything. Judging this as a distraction is creating
conflict.
But I know you know that, and maybe its ok for you that I love Jesus
chosing this format, and share my love for him doing so. Thanks for
your sharing of what makes you happy.
namazte
Carrie
Okay
Arguing over whether the format gets in the way of the words and living
them isn't living them either LOL
expires
No big deal, just a simple facts IMO:
I find "iambic pentameter"-hype boring.
Anyone upset about me being bored by IP-hype
is creating conflict. But then, them being
upset about me finding IP-hype boring is
even more boring FMPOV ;-))
--expires
maz
"Carrie" <starch...@charter.net> schreef in bericht
news:mX_Mm.26865$ZF3....@newsfe13.iad...
lol, thanks Carrie. Thank you very much btw for sharing your Art! much
appreciated.
maz
maz
"expires" <expires.20...@maxi-bayern.de> schreef in bericht
news:he2ksm$g44$1...@svr7.m-online.net...
LOL, you know the saying pearls before swine. Thanks for sharing your
boredom, but I might be not humble enough to share this gem. Please gear me
to the Hype. I want to be part of it.
oneLove, zam
expires
maz <m...@solcon.nl_> wrote:
> expires wrote:
>> maz wrote:
You can't become a part of what
you are already a part of: Seeing
your siblings/equals as pigs ;-))
--expires
maz
A bit confused as ever, I see. Pigs truly are very intelligent and very
clean. I love pigs. And you are not one of them. Pigs, I mean.
How are things in your corner of the Kingdom, expires. Do you get a chance
to follow up on our last exchange? I'd love that. If not, all is well too.
Happy trails,
mARTin
Carrie
Maybe if we all just posted pictures/art (or music) we'd all get along
better all the time LOL
maz
"or music"? no its AND music. I'm a song searching for the root of Truth.
I'm a song, I'm a song, everybody sing along.
(maz)
expires
Pigs intelligent? Depends which pigs you have in mind.
Anyway, my love of beings doesn't depend on them being
or seeming intelligent. Love that depends on perception
is hardly real love at all, IMHO.
My corner of the Kingdom? Hmmm, can't say I have any
tendency to have sympathy for any kind of monarchy :)
"follow up on our last exchange"? I certainly often
think briefly about that, but the "right" mood hasn't
arisen once yet, so those 3 unstarted drafts will have
to wait patiently -- "sorry", no idea for how long ;)
--expires
maz
ah you are such a relentless rebel, "monarchy" and "Kingdom" have nothing
to do with each other in ACIM. But you will find out, i'm sure. LOL. Love
you, maz
Carrie
I actually debated using the word "and" but thought, not everyone can make
music, and not everyone can do art. And, maybe not everyone gets something
from one or the other or both. Actually it could be or OR and, in a way.
Words also. Poems, uplifting stories, lessons. Not everyone can do it all
(thus the OR). I know what you mean, though.
expires
Most unlikely, and no big deal anyway :)
--expires
maz
IMHO, The IP in ACIM is truly a very very BIG DEAL which will show its
significance somewhere down the history line. Its ok if you don't see that,
because even if it was a small deal or no deal, it remains to be a Divine
Fact, tangible, provable, undisputable, scientifically evident and
convincing. Which is just very cool.
Love does not depend on perception, but perception can reflect Love. As in
"I love what I see because I see it in order to love it." (paraphrased acim)
Wie war das Oktoberfest?
pfuerti, maz
expires
My two previous above responses in no way had
anything to do with IP ("iambic pentameter"),
so what re-triggered your IP-"propaganda", if not
your IP-obsession? And I see no need to "dispute"
*your* perception of a "Divine Fact". FMPOV IP
proves nothing. Or, in view of your last response,
IP might be considered to prove/demonstrate how
very distracting IP-obsession can be, like any
obsession/attachment with/to form.
Probably all perception involves reflection.
What then is the mirror? Anyway, love that needs
a reason/"because" to love, FMPOV is hardly real
love. FMPOV love is beyond all reason, so I love
the disappearance of forms no less than their
appearance. Do you sometimes love to forget?
"Oktoberfest"? <German>Keine Ahnung</German> :)
FMPOV all/any ideas/thoughts are form too: So
if ACIM doesn't agree with me on that, then I
see no way for me to *wholly* agree with ACIM ;)
--expires
Carrie
>>
>> Most unlikely, and no big deal anyway :)
>> --expires
>
> IMHO, The IP in ACIM is truly a very very BIG DEAL which will show its
> significance somewhere down the history line. Its ok if you don't see
> that, because even if it was a small deal or no deal, it remains to
> be a Divine Fact, tangible, provable, undisputable, scientifically
> evident and convincing. Which is just very cool.
>
> Love does not depend on perception, but perception can reflect Love.
> As in "I love what I see because I see it in order to love it."
> (paraphrased acim)
>
> Wie war das Oktoberfest?
>
> pfuerti, maz
Words are just symbols, twice removed.
Though words are still needed (for those unable yet to hear in silence)
it's not always the words that teach.
I have a theory that the course, and the bible and other such books have
their real value as "vehicles" (for lack of a better word) to convey
energy/feelings JOINING. The words themselves aren't that important, it's
the joining when one picks up the book. LIke people will pick up a bible,
even if they don't read in it, and feel better. Reminded they are not alone
and God is there.
deb
"expires" <expires.20...@maxi-bayern.de> wrote in message
news:he8svg$454$1...@svr7.m-online.net...
Hi Expires, good to see you post. Your speaking of love reminds me
of a recent Nis quote. :))
When the sense of distinction and separation is absent, you may call it
love. ~Nisargadatta
expires
Hi Deb, thanks for your feedback. BTW, odd coincidence
perhaps: I haven't been reading anything at all for about
three months now (except this newsgroup), and about five
hours ago I said to someone I was talking to "Might be a
good idea for me to read some 'Nis' again" ;-))
--expires