Customer Reviews

The Message of A Course In Miracles: A Translation of the Text in Plain Language

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A long time student of ACIM, I am finally becoming a very joyous and consistent student of its teachings, in great part because of this book and its author's other writings and mentoring services. I have always been frustrated with the Course's sometimes impenetrable language and style of presentation, beautiful though it may be. I have always longed for a version of the Course that is clear and easy to understand, while retaining its expressive power. This book is what I have longed for! It even far exceeds my fondest hope! Not only is the meaning clear, paragraph by paragraph, but the overall meaning of the Course is now revealed to be completely consistent, as one would expect. If I were advising new students as to where to begin, I would certainly want them to have this treasured volume on hand. I think it might become their central text. But for those long-time students I can only say: you will be understanding the Course as you never have before.

I have been studying a A Course In Miracles since 1997 off and on. One of the reasons my studies and practice of the Workbook Lessons has been off and on has been because of the language and form of expression used in ACIM. It just does not fit how I think. I like the way Stutsman writes in the Sept 21 review in saying the Course has "sometimes impenetrable language and style of presentation, beautiful though it may be". I agree with the Stutsman review completely and could have written that review myself. Also in addition to plain language I think certain concepts are expressed in a way that is less Christian sounding, more monotheist, more universal, and less gender dependent, without changing the meaning or value of the concepts being expressed.

In addition I can hardly wait for the Workbook plain language version to be written. I often have found myself internally translating the words of the lessons to a plain language version just so I can remember the key concepts and affirmations of the lessons in the workbook, so I can hardly wait for the publication of the Workbook Lessons next year!!

I have been studying and practicing the Course on my own for six years. From page one of this book, it is like putting on glasses and seeing the Course clearly for the first time. This is really something.

I love Liz Cronkhite's translation of ACIM. I could barely get through the Course even though I'd been studying it for years. I knew there was something great underneath all the lofty, abstract and difficult language but I just couldn't get my head around it no matter how hard I tried. Liz's translation is like unburying a treasure. Liz did a great job putting these concepts into simple terms so even I could get the meaning. It has really furthered my awareness of God and is going to be a major tool in my attaining Peace. Whether you're a seasoned student of the Course or brand new to it, this book is a must-have for really understanding the meaning.

My husband and I have been ACIM students since 1980. We love the Course and its teachings. Liz has done an incredible job translating the blue book into plain language. Her book is also beautifully written and it does not take away from the blue book one bit. On the contrary, it enhances the message and in the end it is more beautiful than ever. Every morning we read out loud as we drink our coffee, we compare it to what the "blue book" says and we say "Thank You Liz" -- You are a blessing and the beauty continues to shine through these pages. It has helped us with our awareness of our function. We're looking forward to the next volume. In gratitude, B&T

I wonder how many of you out there have ridden a pony. Oh, I don't mean a young horse...I mean a translation of a text written in some language of which one has not the firmest of grasps which helps one figure out what on earth the original text is saying.

When I was in high school, slightly after the discovery of the alphabet, one rode through Caesar's Gaellic Wars on a pony. That is to say, one threw up one's hands (and one's Latin dictionary) and consulted the pony, which was a literal translation of the text.

This version of ACIM is a splendid, shining pony, far above, in comprehension and style, those dreary little pamphlets we relied upon to muck our way through Caesar.

It is NOT ACIM, and it certainly does NOT offer the subtleties of Dr. Wapnick's commentaries (which perhaps are NOT for everyone); I don't think anyone in their Right Mind can maintain that. But it is a splendid pony, helping one do a run through of the Text. And its endearing bonus is the inbuilt insights of the translator.

I much feared an ersatz version of ACIM when this book was published. Instead I found a splendid pony. I got on and I'm riding.

And guess what? It's fun!

Scott Hutton

(Sidebar to those indentured to fear: this work is also a night mare. That is NOT to say a bad dream...that is to say a worthy mare upon whom one can ride through the terrors of the night.)

I left a version of this opinion in response to another reviewer's comments. After reading it over, I thought it might be useful posted here as well. Clearly, this presentation of A Course in Miracles is primarily meant for people who are drawn to the Course but who've had trouble understanding the language. I have a copy and from what I can see, it's a sincere effort on the part of someone with many years of study/living A Course in Miracles. Also, the writer's reliance upon listening to her inner teacher in offering this volume certainly seems to make it more than just "a book about her impressions of A Course in Miracles," as one reviewer described it. In the "Translator's Introduction" Ms. Cronkhite writes that it "is not simply a straight translation of the Text into more accessible language" but that it is "an interpretation of the Text through its whole message, and through the translator's own experiences of Oneness through direct Revelation of God, and in a Holy relationship." This is a following of guidance and a desire to share that with others on the path. Perhaps the best thing to do is concentrate on the first part of the book's title -- "The MESSAGE of A Course in Miracles" -- and proceed from there. To go deeper and be closer to the original presentation, to experience language as presented by the scribe, Helen Schucman, there are the various "authorized" Foundation for Inner Peace (FIP) editions available for purchase through Amazon, as well as online offerings at various websites of everything from Helen's notebooks through the Urtext (the earliest form of the text), etc. Since Ms. Cronkhite's volume is missing the Manual and the Workbook (essential for a truly practical application of the Course), serious students will surely seek out the missing elements on their own. But, as far as providing a thoughtful, readable presentation of what A Course in Miracles conveys, this "plain language" text is a welcome aid to anyone called to the "curriculum" of ACIM.

i introduced my friend to the original ACIM a few months ago and they didn't show much interest. Later i gave her this "edition" and she couldn't put it down. she's now ordered an original version for herself. stays true to the course's message and can be a good introduction to someone new to ACIM.

I have tried many times to study ACIM, but the language was beyond me. It seemed to "talk' in circles. Liz's translation has brought it all home to me and now I feel I will finally get through the course and be able to apply it's wisdom to my life. Thank you Liz for this must have book!

A translation of A Course In Miracles from its incredibly beautiful prose to something someone here in form has to say is down right laughable. To get the message of the Course is all about reading it and reading it some more and some more, over and over again. It can not be dumbed down and still be the same book, the same Course, the same anything resembling "A Course In Miracles". Changing Jesus' words and thinking you are saying the same thing is preposterous. This book is not supposed to be an easy read. It is meant to be mined for the precious metals of thought and original statements of Truth contained therein. People are drawn to the Course for reasons they themselves may not know. This is not the kind of book one picks up to read cover to cover and then puts away. It is a book to study. There are so many wonderful gems of information and instruction layered purposefully into the writing, including the beautiful flow of the language, to try to translate that, and from what I read the author misses much, is quite impossible. If the author wanted to write a book about her impressions of A Course In Miracles, then by all means write on, but not under the guise of "The Message of..." as a translation. To put this forth as though it were the Course, using her words in place of Jesus' words I find to be disingenuous and just another way to "market" herself. If you are not reading, "A Course In Miracles", you are not reading, "A Course In Miracles", and you are reading something else. Please do not call it "A Course In Miracles".