Ask: What's with "remembered not" to laugh?
“…How curious that the
text says ‘remembered not to laugh’ instead of ‘forgot to laugh’ (because it is
impossible to be separate from God). Since it was such a mistake, what’s
with ‘remembered’???” – KA
Actually, it is “remembered not”. The “not” is what makes it mean “forgot”. Here is the phrase
you referenced:
“Into eternity, where
all is one, there crept a tiny, mad idea, at which the Son of God remembered
not to laugh. In his forgetting did the thought become a serious idea, and
possible of both accomplishment and real effects.” (T-27.VIII.6)
Well, you want to remember to laugh? It is all because Helen
Schucman had a love for iambic pentameter, the meter in which Shakespeare
wrote. A Course in Miracles was
dictated to her in this beat so that she would be more open to and comfortable
with it. She would find it beautiful. Unfortunately, this led to some awkward
passages, just as you shared. Instead of “forgot” we get “remembered not”. However,
the next line clarifies with “in his forgetting”. The tyranny of this meter is why
there are also many confusing double negatives sprinkled throughout ACIM.
I took care of all of that when I translated ACIM into plain
language [The Message of A Course in
Miracles (Text) and Practicing A
Course in Miracles/The Way of A Course in Miracles (Workbook/Manual for
Teachers)]. I removed unclear, awkward phrasing and double negatives, among
other things.
Here is that phrase in The
Message of A Course in Miracles:
“Into Eternity, Where
All is One, there crept a tiny, mad idea of separation at which you who are One
with God forgot to laugh. In your forgetting, the thought became serious to
you, its accomplishment seemed possible, and its effects seemed real.”
(MACIM-27.8.6)
It’s not as beautiful to read but I hope it is clearer!
>>>>>
One’s own obstacles of guilt and
fear and the dense, formal way it is written make it hard for many students to
understand A Course in Miracles. Some
of my clients choose to spend our time together reading and discussing ACIM. They
find this direct, one-on-one approach where they can get their specific
questions answered shifts their understanding and practice faster than a study
group. You can email me at Liz@acimmentor.com
to set up an appointment. Learn more at www.acimmentor.com.
If you have a question the answer to
which you think will help others email it to me at Liz@acimmentor.com
and indicate that you want it answered in the newsletter/blog.
Comments
It is not used because of being poetic, but it has to be used this way.
We cannot 'forget', ideas do not leave their source. Every thought which is once generated stays in eternity. However our focus can change. Remembering is turning the focus to something. Remembering not to laugh means we are focusing on not to laugh option. However we always have a chose to remember (focus on) laugh. It is not forgotten. It is always there however when we turn our back, we cannot see that option.