A Course in Miracles offers steppingstones and metaphors that point to the change of mind it takes to make a future different from the past. When you have gone through a phase of changing the mind this way, you dip into deeper states of mind called mysticism. Here, you begin to discover the sameness of the world and start to question even the idea of linear time, and the idea that the future could be different from the past. “The past is gone, the future but imagined. These concerns are but defenses against present change of focus in perception.” (W-181.5) This is an entirely different idea than making a future different from the past because when you have gone this deep, even thoughts about the future will be distractions away from the moment—the gateway to eternity. But A Course in Miracles is so practical, just like learning to ride a bike, we have to go out and pedal, and take our steps! We need to use the metaphors and the steppingstones that have been given to us. And it’s also very individualized; the Spirit reaches the mind through whichever form of communication the mind is open to, yet the supporting joy and love underneath the form is the same. This is based on our invitation.