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==Session==

===Opening===

−

Dear [[Michael]] and [[Mother Spirit]], Looking over what’s been a few years of your [[lessons]] to this [[group]], I noticed one of the major [[themes]] both of you talk about, right next to the [[fatherhood]] of [[God]], His [[Free will|will]] in the [[Creation]], and the [[~~Siblinghood~~|brotherhood and sisterhood]] of all the people living on [[Urantia]]; right next to this is the [[uniqueness]] of each [[personality]] and the growing/[[developing]] [[individuality]] of each [[person]]. It seems the major [[difference]] here is that the [[intrinsic]] [[uniqueness]] of each [[personality]] is created by [[God]], whereas [[individuality]] is what we are able to [[develop]] ourselves in all aspects of our [[being]]--[[body]], [[mind]], [[spirit]], and [[soul]]. In this sense we are [[created]] [[unique]] [[personalities]] but we grow into becoming [[individuals]] by a [[process]]--as [[psychologists]] put it--of [[individualization]]. Is this correct, or could you [[clarify]] this distinction a bit more for us? Thank you.

+

Dear [[Michael]] and [[Mother Spirit]], Looking over what’s been a few years of your [[lessons]] to this [[group]], I noticed one of the major [[themes]] both of you talk about, right next to the [[fatherhood]] of [[God]], His [[Free will|will]] in the [[Creation]], and the [[Siblings|brotherhood and sisterhood]] of all the people living on [[Urantia]]; right next to this is the [[uniqueness]] of each [[personality]] and the growing/[[developing]] [[individuality]] of each [[person]]. It seems the major [[difference]] here is that the [[intrinsic]] [[uniqueness]] of each [[personality]] is created by [[God]], whereas [[individuality]] is what we are able to [[develop]] ourselves in all aspects of our [[being]]--[[body]], [[mind]], [[spirit]], and [[soul]]. In this sense we are [[created]] [[unique]] [[personalities]] but we grow into becoming [[individuals]] by a [[process]]--as [[psychologists]] put it--of [[individualization]]. Is this correct, or could you [[clarify]] this distinction a bit more for us? Thank you.

MICHAEL: Good evening, my sons, this is Michael, and I am glad as always to be with you this evening. [[Mother Spirit]] and I do [[appreciate]] the [[effort]] you go through to get here, and then the way you open your [[hearts]] to feel and open your [[minds]] to [[entertain]] and get an inner [[experience]] from what we say. You keep in [[mind]], my dear ones, this is what we truly wish to offer and [[share]] with you. Each lesson we give is not a [[formal]] [[lecture]] but only something for you to [[entertain]] as best you can. Just let yourselves feel along with what we’re saying and [[share]] a [[moment]] with the way we see [[things]]. Have no [[fear]] if it doesn’t accord with your basic [[beliefs]]. This [[experience]] can do you no harm and you will pop up again to yourself. But you will have had this [[experience]], for at least to some extent and for a little while, of [[sharing]] our [[thoughts]] with us. We do know to whom we’re speaking and the probable [[audience]] that will be reading these [[words]] in the [[future]], so we are in part directing ourselves at this larger [[audience]] as well. That being said, we do enjoy your comments and our [[discussions]] with you here, so we’re glad to see you.

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*(Human complexity)

−

What you mentioned in your introduction is correct. As [[Mother Spirit]] and I have [[confessed]] a [[number]] of times, we do delight in introducing our [[children]] to themselves--to all that you are, both for your own inner [[awareness]] and so you can see this in others. Yes, you are a highly [[complex]] [[being]], but [[consider]] for now just the [[conscious]] part of you, the part of you that you know of right now as you are sitting here or [[reading]] these [[words]]. This is [[normally]] what we mean by you. This is the--you--that we address. This is your [[conscious]], [[thinking]] [[self]]. This is the part of you that has ready [[access]] to your [[memories]] and all your more [[immediate]] [[plans]] for the [[future]]. This is the part of you that has rather elaborate [[schedules]] to carry out, both by yourself and in all your [[relationships]]. Yet being such a [[complex]] [[person]], this [[conscious]] [[self]]--as you may be [[aware]]--is only a small part of your [[total]] [[personhood]]. Your [[God]]-created [[personality]], [[endowed]] with [[spirit]], has the [[power]] to make all of you real to you. It is your [[personality]] that [[Self Realization|real-izes]] your life--makes your life real.

+

What you mentioned in your introduction is correct. As [[Mother Spirit]] and I have confessed a [[number]] of times, we do delight in introducing our [[children]] to themselves--to all that you are, both for your own inner [[awareness]] and so you can see this in others. Yes, you are a highly [[complex]] [[being]], but [[consider]] for now just the [[conscious]] part of you, the part of you that you know of right now as you are sitting here or [[reading]] these [[words]]. This is [[normally]] what we mean by you. This is the--you--that we address. This is your [[conscious]], [[thinking]] [[self]]. This is the part of you that has ready [[access]] to your [[memories]] and all your more [[immediate]] [[plans]] for the [[future]]. This is the part of you that has rather elaborate schedules to carry out, both by yourself and in all your [[relationships]]. Yet being such a [[complex]] [[person]], this [[conscious]] [[self]]--as you may be [[aware]]--is only a small part of your [[total]] [[personhood]]. Your [[God]]-created [[personality]], [[endowed]] with [[spirit]], has the [[power]] to make all of you real to you. It is your [[personality]] that [[Self Realization|real-izes]] your life--makes your life real.

You are [[endowed]] with [[creative]] [[spirit]] so, from a very early age of gaining a [[continuous]] [[consciousness]], you’ve formulated an interior, [[subjective]]/[[imaginative]] world that is [[unique]] to you. This [[Inner Life|inner]] [[reality]] begins to have greater and greater [[contact]] with the outside world, first through your [[mother]] and [[father]], then your [[siblings]] and [[Friends|playmates]], and soon enough you are thrown into a kindergarten or a first grade classroom with a dozen others to relate to. Then here comes that whole big wider adult world out there. You’ve all come up through these [[stages]].

−

Meanwhile you have a [[body]] that is 99.9999 percent [[unconscious]] for, as we’ve said, all [[~~your~~ science]] has still to [[Fathom|plumb]] the [[depths]] of what this [[body]] of yours is constantly doing. You have a [[mind]] that [[~~connects~~]] your [[personality]] with your [[body]], and a large part of this [[consciousness]] is what we call [[material]] [[mind]], based directly upon your [[organic]] [[being]]. This is the kind of [[mind]] you [[share]] to a [[degree]] with the highest [[primates]], only, just in terms of [[brain]] size and [[nervous system]] [[capacity]], you far exceed by several orders of [[magnitude]] any other [[animal]] on the [[planet]]. In addition, much of your modern [[psychology]] has correctly taught you that a large part of your [[mind]] is also [[unconscious]]. These are all the endless, intricate details of [[habituation]], [[abilities]], [[mind]]/[[body]] [[coordination]]--all the thousands of [[things]] you’ve [[learned]] to do and [[associate]] [[automatically]]. This includes your [[reasoning]] facilities. These too are largely [[unconscious]]. Consider all of the conditioning that you acquired as you contacted the larger [[Environment|outside world]] and absorbed unconsciously from your [[parents]] and their [[political]] [[viewpoints]] and [[religion]], and from [[being]] a member of this country or that, part of an ethnic [[group]], a [[racial]] group. All of these [[spiritual]]/[[mental]] [[associations]] from [[personal]] [[experience]] give your life [[meaning]] and [[value]].

+

Meanwhile you have a [[body]] that is 99.9999 percent [[unconscious]] for, as we’ve said, all your [[science]] has still to [[Fathom|plumb]] the [[depths]] of what this [[body]] of yours is constantly doing. You have a [[mind]] that [[connect]]s your [[personality]] with your [[body]], and a large part of this [[consciousness]] is what we call [[material]] [[mind]], based directly upon your [[organic]] [[being]]. This is the kind of [[mind]] you [[share]] to a [[degree]] with the highest [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primate primates], only, just in terms of [[brain]] size and [[nervous system]] [[capacity]], you far exceed by several orders of [[magnitude]] any other [[animal]] on the [[planet]]. In addition, much of your modern [[psychology]] has correctly taught you that a large part of your [[mind]] is also [[unconscious]]. These are all the endless, intricate details of [[habituation]], [[abilities]], [[mind]]/[[body]] [[coordination]]--all the thousands of [[things]] you’ve [[learned]] to do and [[associate]] [[automatically]]. This includes your [[reasoning]] facilities. These too are largely [[unconscious]]. Consider all of the conditioning that you acquired as you contacted the larger [[Environment|outside world]] and absorbed unconsciously from your [[parents]] and their [[political]] [[viewpoints]] and [[religion]], and from [[being]] a member of this country or that, part of an ethnic [[group]], a [[racial]] group. All of these [[spiritual]]/[[mental]] [[associations]] from [[personal]] [[experience]] give your life [[meaning]] and [[value]].

Then here we come along, as if you weren’t already [[complex]] enough, informing you that a large part of your [[being]], your [[spiritual]] and [[mental]] [[being]], is [[literally]] [[Mother Spirit]] and [[dimensions]] of her [[Holy Spirit]]: part of your [[thinking]], part of your [[intuition]], your [[knowledge]], your [[understanding]], your [[courage]], even your [[wisdom]] and your [[worship]]. All are being augmented by her. You have my spirit, my [[Spirit of Truth]] inside you as an [[orientation]] towards an endless [[adventure]] of [[discovery]] of what is true, what is real, what works. All will keep expanding.

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*(Uniqueness and individuality)

−

So, my [[children]]: you are all of this and you live with this [[complexity]] within and without. You are correct in your introduction. Your [[personality]] is a direct [[creation]] of [[God]]’s. Your [[individuality]] is what you have slowly [[earned]] as a way of [[expressing]] all of this [[complexity]] I just mentioned. You are [[learning]] how to [[express]] yourself. Every baby, every child, every adolescent grows up in the [[shadow]] of greater [[authority]] with an [[automatic]] [[acceptance]] of its [[realities]], and yet too, from questioning these given-at-[[birth]] [[realities]], you [[emerge]] as [[individuals]] by bringing this [[acceptance]] into [[conscious]] [[choice]]. This is a slow and not always [[successful]] [[development]], yet the [[story]] of the [[effort]] is another kind of [[soul]] [[wealth]] you [[possess]].

+

So, my [[children]]: you are all of this and you live with this [[complexity]] within and without. You are correct in your introduction. Your [[personality]] is a direct [[creation]] of [[God]]’s. Your [[individuality]] is what you have slowly [[earned]] as a way of [[expressing]] all of this [[complexity]] I just mentioned. You are [[learning]] how to [[express]] yourself. Every baby, every child, every adolescent grows up in the [[shadow]] of greater [[authority]] with an [[automatic]] [[acceptance]] of its [[realities]], and yet too, from questioning these given-at-[[birth]] [[realities]], you [[emerge]] as [[individuals]] by bringing this [[acceptance]] into [[conscious]] [[choice]]. This is a slow and not always successful [[development]], yet the [[story]] of the [[effort]] is another kind of [[soul]] [[wealth]] you [[possess]].

This acquirement of yours, this [[individuality]] you can [[perceive]] in each other, this [[quality]] of [[soul]] you call [[character]]; I think that you’ll [[agree]] that there’s nowhere you can go to buy [[character]]. You have to [[earn]] it. And it is [[earned]] only through [[experience]]. Today you get so much from your [[books]] and [[reading]], from your TV and [[movies]] and [[internet]], yet [[character]] is mainly based on [[personal]] direct [[experience]] with other [[persons]] and with [[physical]] [[reality]] itself. [[Character]] also means the [[abilities]] you’ve acquired as an [[individual]] as you [[emerged]] from all the [[groups]] in which you were raised. The [[spiritual]] [[process]] itself--[[God]] [[ordained]]--the [[progress]] of [[individual]] [[maturity]]--is [[universal]] among all [[personal]] [[beings]].

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In the more [[primitive]] [[tribal]] [[societies]], [[surrounded]] by other tribes like [[bubbles]] in foam, and [[being]] [[intrinsically]] ferocious, and territorial, and involved in near incessant [[warfare]]: at that [[stage]] of immature [[social]] [[culture]] very little [[individuality]] can--[[literally]]--be afforded. In a way it’s just too expensive. The whole [[tribe]] has to be, and throughout [[history]] has been locked down into a thousand and one [[taboos]] that [[control]] almost every [[waking]] [[moment]] of their members’ lives. As your [[Urantia Book]] notes: the [[tribal]] marks upon [[individuals]] often involved a lot of very [[painful]] cutting, yet this [[identification]] was considered [[absolute]] ([[necessity]]) for [[security]]. These [[tribal]] marks [[signified]] to the other tribes that if any harm was done to you, you had your whole tribe’s backing for revenge, to avenge your [[death]].

−

Only bit by bit by living [[experience]], [[gradually]], as tribes became [~~http~~://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_state city states], then [[Nationalism|nation states]] and [[empire]]s, right up to the [[present]] day; more and more are [[societies]] able to afford greater [[individuality]]. As you look around your world today, still, here in 2010, you can see almost this entire [[spectrum]] on the [[planet]], from [[primitive]] near-[~~http~~://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleolithic stone-age] [[tribes]], up through [[autocratic]] [[societies]] in which only a small amount of [[individuality]] is [[tolerated]]; up to the point where, in some of the more [[technologically]] developed, [[democratic]] [[cultures]], you have what you might call a blossoming--I could even say--a [[flamboyance]] (Michael chuckles)--a flamboyance of [[individuality]] in all aspects of peoples’ lives: [[homes]] and furnishings, [[personal]] [[possessions]], [[social]] class and standing, [[physical]] presentation through [[dress]] and [[style]], [[mind]] and [[creative]] [[spirit]] presentation through [[invention]] and [[art]]; on and on…

+

Only bit by bit by living [[experience]], [[gradually]], as tribes became [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_state city states], then [[Nationalism|nation states]] and [[empire]]s, right up to the [[present]] day; more and more are [[societies]] able to afford greater [[individuality]]. As you look around your world today, still, here in 2010, you can see almost this entire [[spectrum]] on the [[planet]], from [[primitive]] near-[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleolithic stone-age] [[tribes]], up through [[autocratic]] [[societies]] in which only a small amount of [[individuality]] is [[tolerated]]; up to the point where, in some of the more [[technologically]] developed, [[democratic]] [[cultures]], you have what you might call a blossoming--I could even say--a [https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flamboyant flamboyance] (Michael chuckles)--a flamboyance of [[individuality]] in all aspects of peoples’ lives: [[homes]] and furnishings, [[personal]] [[possessions]], [[social]] class and standing, [[physical]] presentation through [[dress]] and style, [[mind]] and [[creative]] [[spirit]] presentation through [[invention]] and [[art]]; on and on…

===='''''[[Maturity]]''''', '''''[[Expression]]'''''====

*(Soulful maturity and character)

−

[[Soulful]] [[maturity]] has always been a determining aspect from the earlier [[tribal]] [[stage]], on up through [~~http~~://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Ages medieval times], or even today when you have--[[Simultaneous|concurrently]] on the [[planet]]--nearly the full [[spectrum]]. In early [[civilizations]] it is [[difficult]] for [[individuals]] to [[express]] themselves [[wisely]] and their [[relative]] immaturity comes out more as [[license]]; in the [[group]], more as [[social]] [[chaos]] or [[simple]] [[anarchy]]. [[Consider]] the various [[episodes]] of this all through [[planetary]] [[history]] and today when [[societies]] [[relax]] their grip--so to speak--in certain [~~http~~://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacchanal bacchanal], high feast celebrations, and [[individuals]] are not [[mature]] enough to keep from harming themselves and others in [[orgies]] of irresponsibility. [[Societies]] only [[mature]] as the people within them find ways of [[expression]] which are [[peaceful]], [[creative]], positive, and [[mutually]] [[respectful]] of other [[individuals]].

+

[[Soulful]] [[maturity]] has always been a determining aspect from the earlier [[tribal]] [[stage]], on up through [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Ages medieval times], or even today when you have--[[Simultaneous|concurrently]] on the [[planet]]--nearly the full [[spectrum]]. In early [[civilizations]] it is [[difficult]] for [[individuals]] to [[express]] themselves [[wisely]] and their [[relative]] immaturity comes out more as [[license]]; in the [[group]], more as [[social]] [[chaos]] or [[simple]] [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anarchy anarchy]. [[Consider]] the various [[episodes]] of this all through [[planetary]] [[history]] and today when [[societies]] [[relax]] their grip--so to speak--in certain [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacchanal bacchanal], high feast celebrations, and [[individuals]] are not [[mature]] enough to keep from harming themselves and others in [https://www.wikpedia.org/wiki/Orgy orgies] of irresponsibility. [[Societies]] only [[mature]] as the people within them find ways of [[expression]] which are [[peaceful]], [[creative]], positive, and [[mutually]] [[respectful]] of other [[individuals]].

So think about this, my [[children]]. [[Think]] about: how capable you are of being a [[mature]] [[individual]] yourself, [[expressing]] your [[individuality]] in a way that does not offend or threaten others, but seeks a loving [[response]]? This [[touches]] upon the theme of [[response]]-[[ability]], your ability to respond to others. As you and others around you become ever more [[mature]], so you can afford to allow each other greater [[latitude]] of [[individual]] [[expression]].

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This is the [[glory]] of an advancing [[civilization]] and we’ve teased you with the notion that in the next, [[morontia]] [[phase]] of your life, stunning will be the [[fact]] of having [[survived]] and now living in a more [[soulful]] kind of [[reality]], a more [[transparent]] kind of [[reality]] where you can [[perceive]] each others’ [[souls]] and [[character]] so much more [[clearly]], so much more [[spiritually]]. Yet you can [[touch]] so much of this here and [[now]]. This is one [[reason]] we’ve given all these [[lessons]] on your [[uniqueness]], my [[children]]: so you can feel this in yourselves; and having felt this in yourself, you can begin to see and [[feel]] it in others. You can let others be more and more who they are. You can [[welcome]] their [[character]]. You will be [[mature]] enough, strong enough inside to be able to see [[individuals]], not just [[stereotype]]s and [[prejudice]]s. This is the [[growth]] of [[personality]] abilities--your [[abilities]]. This is the [[growth]] of the [[soul]]. This is just another [[evolution]] of [[mature]] [[individuals]] living in an ever more [[mature]] [[society]]. Another name for it is [[freedom]], freedom with [[responsibility]]. They grow [[together]].

−

So [[consider]] these [[things]], my [[children]]. Think of how much [[equanimity]] and [[balance]] and a kind of tough openness you have--to [[welcome]] others and [[encourage]] them to be more who they are. This is what feeds your [[soul]]. This is how you will grow more and more on into [[eternity]] as you come into [[contact]] with not only with other [[human beings]], but with other whole orders of [[personal]] [[beings]]. This is definitely part of the way [[God]] has set up the [[creation]] for you and everyone else. [[Welcome]] it with a [[joyful]] [[heart]]. [[Welcome]] [[home]].

+

So [[consider]] these [[things]], my [[children]]. Think of how much equanimity and [[balance]] and a kind of tough openness you have--to [[welcome]] others and [[encourage]] them to be more who they are. This is what feeds your [[soul]]. This is how you will grow more and more on into [[eternity]] as you come into [[contact]] with not only with other [[human beings]], but with other whole orders of [[personal]] [[beings]]. This is definitely part of the way [[God]] has set up the [[creation]] for you and everyone else. [[Welcome]] it with a [[joyful]] [[heart]]. [[Welcome]] [[home]].

Now if you have any questions or comments this evening along these lines or any other, I certainly welcome the [[character]] you show.

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MICHAEL: Yes and no--(Michael laughs). You are correct that the [[personality]] you are, just staring out here, starts from scratch but with a [[physical]] [[heredity]] from your [[parents]] and grandparents. Then you acquire the [[culture]] into which you were born. These are just given to you, and so, true enough, your [[personality]] has to [[emerge]] out of this more or less [[chance]] circumstance to earn your [[individuality]] and [[character]], both for yourself and others. This is what [[Mother Spirit]] called somewhat whimsically, a “conglomeration of circumstances” from the [[standpoint]] of your [[personality]].

−

You had no previous [[existence]] from which you [[chose]] your particular world situation of your [[parents]] and so forth. So yes, you have to slowly find ways to [[express]] yourself out through all this stuff that was just put upon you, that both gives your life [[meaning]] and yet also threatens to stifle your [[unique]] [[expressions]]. In the more [[primitive]] [[societies]] great [[individual]] [[expression]] is simply not permitted. Due to the oppressive [[necessities]] of [[economic]] [[survival]] and constant [[warfare]], it cannot be afforded. Rather, each [[individual]] seeks--quite unconsciously--not to stand out but to copy and be like everyone else for [[security]]. The chief and [[leaders]] of the tribe are just as much [[enslaved]] in their own way to the [[taboos]] and mores as are the least members in this truly [[organic]] [[unit]]. As the living [[human]] [[energies]] needed for [[economic]] [[survival]] and [[self]] [[defense]] lessen there is a [[~~complimentary~~]] [[adjustment]] towards a more [[liberal]] [[attitude]] regarding [[self]] [[expression]] and [[individual]] [[choice]] in all aspects of [[behavior]]. This is the [[growth]] of [[individual]] [[recognition]] and [[freedom]] in the ways I mentioned earlier.

+

You had no previous [[existence]] from which you [[chose]] your particular world situation of your [[parents]] and so forth. So yes, you have to slowly find ways to [[express]] yourself out through all this stuff that was just put upon you, that both gives your life [[meaning]] and yet also threatens to stifle your [[unique]] [[expressions]]. In the more [[primitive]] [[societies]] great [[individual]] [[expression]] is simply not permitted. Due to the oppressive [[necessities]] of [[economic]] [[survival]] and constant [[warfare]], it cannot be afforded. Rather, each [[individual]] seeks--quite unconsciously--not to stand out but to copy and be like everyone else for [[security]]. The chief and [[leaders]] of the tribe are just as much [[enslaved]] in their own way to the [[taboos]] and mores as are the least members in this truly [[organic]] [[unit]]. As the living [[human]] [[energies]] needed for [[economic]] [[survival]] and [[self]] [[defense]] lessen there is a [[complementary]] [[adjustment]] towards a more [[liberal]] [[attitude]] regarding [[self]] [[expression]] and [[individual]] [[choice]] in all aspects of [[behavior]]. This is the [[growth]] of [[individual]] [[recognition]] and [[freedom]] in the ways I mentioned earlier.

So yes, my son, it is a kind of [[emergence]] of the [[personality]], yet not so much beyond the [[body]] and [[mind]]--leaving these behind, but [[actually]] using these as a means of [[expression]]. You will always have an [[energy]]-[[form]] [[expressive]] of your [[personality]] which is [[analogous]] to your present [[physical]] [[bodies]], only more accurately/[[spiritually]] so--inside to outside--as [[time]] goes on and you [[advance]] from one [[sphere]] to the next. Does this seem to be in [[accord]] with what you [[understand]]?

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Student: It does indeed [[sound]] exciting.

−

Michael: Well, it’s quite an [[adventure]]--believe me. You’ll never [[forget]] those first few minutes of walking out of the [~~http~~://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_47#47:3_THE_FIRST_MANSION_WORLD Resurrection Hall] and looking around and seeing that [[sky]], and the [[plant]] and [[animal]] life, and each other. There’ll be no hiding, no dissembling your [[surprise]] and [[wonder]].

+

Michael: Well, it’s quite an [[adventure]]--believe me. You’ll never [[forget]] those first few minutes of walking out of the [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_47#47:3_THE_FIRST_MANSION_WORLD Resurrection Hall] and looking around and seeing that [[sky]], and the [[plant]] and [[animal]] life, and each other. There’ll be no hiding, no dissembling your [[surprise]] and [[wonder]].

Student: Yes. Thank you, Father [[Michael]].

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MICHAEL: We look forward to it.

−

Student: Yes, Michael. I’ve been reading the [[Course in Miracles]] because I wanted a blend of [[Buddhist]] teachings and…well, something I felt wasn’t being met. The teachings are [[beautiful]] and [[enlightening]], and opened for me a whole new [[paradigm]] of man’s [[nature]] in the here and now. But something was nagging me, maybe my own [[resistance]] or [[ambivalence]]; but the [[experience]] was very [[profound]] with the teachings and the meetings, and the [[healing]] exercises too. Then the [[Course in Miracles]]--which are supposedly the teachings of [[Jesus]]--gave me the same open and expansive [[feelings]] as when I was [[participating]] in the other [[groups]]. It was like manna from [[heaven]], like: Yes, this is what I was looking for in the meetings, and meditating on, and wondering about. It’s very similar to the [~~http~~://en.~~wikipedia~~.~~org~~/~~wiki/Ascended_Master_Teachings~~ Teachings of the Masters], and the ''Great Freedom'' workshops. It opens up new [[visions]] of what really is.

+

Student: Yes, Michael. I’ve been reading the [[Course in Miracles]] because I wanted a blend of [[Buddhist]] teachings and…well, something I felt wasn’t being met. The teachings are [[beautiful]] and [[enlightening]], and opened for me a whole new [[paradigm]] of man’s [[nature]] in the here and now. But something was nagging me, maybe my own [[resistance]] or ambivalence; but the [[experience]] was very [[profound]] with the teachings and the meetings, and the [[healing]] exercises too. Then the [[Course in Miracles]]--which are supposedly the teachings of [[Jesus]]--gave me the same open and expansive [[feelings]] as when I was [[participating]] in the other [[groups]]. It was like manna from [[heaven]], like: Yes, this is what I was looking for in the meetings, and meditating on, and wondering about. It’s very similar to the [https://books.google.com/books?id=gRgbZEaPjtUC&q=Life+and+Teaching+of+the+Masters+of+the+Far+East&dq=Life+and+Teaching+of+the+Masters+of+the+Far+East&hl=en&ei=JroZTPa1IMOBlAeK0ZCjCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCkQ6AEwAA Teachings of the Masters], and the ''Great Freedom'' workshops. It opens up new [[visions]] of what really is.

They say that as you [[mature]] then you are more open to broader [[meanings]] in what these teachings have always [[expressed]], but you weren’t ready for yet. So that’s where I’m at. I’m [[understanding]] things I first encountered in 1976. I had to pay [[attention]] to this feeling nagging at me that I was still missing the point, even though I might have heard it before.

MICHAEL: Yes, my son, I [[think]] you are in accord with what I talked about this evening. You notice that, after a few years when you go back and read the same thing--be it a [[philosophical]] or [[religious]] [[text]], or a work of [[literature]]--a great [[novel]] or [[play]]--even, or especially, the [[Urantia book]] with its [[complexity]]--you can see it in a whole new [[light]]. A book is a [[physical]] [[thing]]; it hasn’t changed: the new [[reading]] is giving you a sense of how you have changed and [[grown]] in the meanwhile. And this is not only what we call [[material]] [[mind]], [[physical]] [[brain]] and [[nervous system]] changes; this is your [[soul]]. This is the [[meaning]] and [[value]] of life itself that you’ve acquired, being [[reflected]] in [[everything]] you [[perceive]], especially a great work of art or something like the [[Course in Miracles]].

+

===='''''[[Potential]]'''''====

*(Nagging feelings of unfulfilled potential)

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*(Apprehensions of survival)

−

MICHAEL: There definitely is a kind of [[anxiety]] at times that [[grows]] up in a living being such as yourself, just in being hyper-[[aware]] you are alive and susceptible to so many [[things]] to stay alive. Yet right in the midst of these, shall we say, [[apprehensions]] of what it takes to ''survive'', you can have an equal [[realization]] of the positive completeness of your whole [[being]]. You [[exist]]. You’re happening. And that is enough. (Michael laughs) [[Compared]] to the [[anxiety]], it’s more than enough. And so you [[glow]] for a while, until, as you note, the day-to-day [[things]] make themselves known and once again there arises a [[feeling]] of [[anxiety]] to meet them.

+

MICHAEL: There definitely is a kind of [[anxiety]] at times that [[grows]] up in a living being such as yourself, just in being hyper-[[aware]] you are alive and susceptible to so many [[things]] to stay alive. Yet right in the midst of these, shall we say, apprehensions of what it takes to ''survive'', you can have an equal [[realization]] of the positive completeness of your whole [[being]]. You [[exist]]. You’re happening. And that is enough. (Michael laughs) [[Compared]] to the [[anxiety]], it’s more than enough. And so you [[glow]] for a while, until, as you note, the day-to-day [[things]] make themselves known and once again there arises a [[feeling]] of [[anxiety]] to meet them.

Here is where [[wisdom]] from long [[experience]] can lead you to [[trust]] this [[feeling]] is only--if [[profoundly]]--your [[animal]] nature’s [[instinctual]] way of revving you up to meet the [[challenge]]. Your [[heart]] starts pounding and you [[feel]] yourself coming [[awake]], anxious and alert, like a little [[animal]] inside you is pricking up its ears to scan for a threat. To feel this as a positive [[thing]], to [[trust]] this--and trust yourself--that even this fearfully [[anticipating]] part of you is trying to help you [[survive]] and succeed; this does take [[wisdom]] and [[understanding]] as well as [[determination]]. All those who have succeeded in [[intense]] [[competition]] have learned how to [[trust]] and use this upwelling surge of [[anxious]] [[energy]].

Line 123: Line 124:

MICHAEL: Yes. You are [[touching]] upon a real [[dimension]] where it is just you and [[God]]. That’s a very [[transcendent]] [[dimension]] indeed.

−

Student: One last thing. A [[person]] I met years ago had a [[tragic]], life-altering [[experience]] when her husband shot her and then killed himself. This was back in 2003. Anyway, I kind-of lost [[touch]] with her, but she was always in the back of my [[mind]]--a [[beautiful]] [[woman]] with beautiful kids. Then last Sunday, on Mother’s Day, I saw a picture of her for a fundraiser. Apparently she [[survived]], but she’s a [~~http~~://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quadraplegic quadriplegic], and she needs [[assistance]]; but she’s very [[determined]]. Since I always had her in my [[mind]], I’m asking: would it be [[wise]] for me to see her and [[connect]] with her somehow?--maybe be of [[assistance]] or just to talk with her about [[things]]. I think she always admired me because I always seemed so [[happy]], you know, doing her landscaping. I would see her and would feel something wasn’t right in her [[relationship]] with her [[husband]]. But she would see me and comment on how happy I seemed--stuff like that. So anyway, I was just [[wondering]] if it would be [[wise]] for me to [[communicate]] with her--if I’m able to do that.

+

Student: One last thing. A [[person]] I met years ago had a [[tragic]], life-altering [[experience]] when her husband shot her and then killed himself. This was back in 2003. Anyway, I kind-of lost [[touch]] with her, but she was always in the back of my [[mind]]--a [[beautiful]] [[woman]] with beautiful kids. Then last Sunday, on Mother’s Day, I saw a picture of her for a fundraiser. Apparently she [[survived]], but she’s a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quadraplegic quadriplegic], and she needs [[assistance]]; but she’s very [[determined]]. Since I always had her in my [[mind]], I’m asking: would it be [[wise]] for me to see her and [[connect]] with her somehow?--maybe be of [[assistance]] or just to talk with her about [[things]]. I think she always admired me because I always seemed so [[happy]], you know, doing her landscaping. I would see her and would feel something wasn’t right in her [[relationship]] with her [[husband]]. But she would see me and comment on how happy I seemed--stuff like that. So anyway, I was just [[wondering]] if it would be [[wise]] for me to [[communicate]] with her--if I’m able to do that.

MICHAEL: My son, I have two [[words]] for you. Can you guess what they are?

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MICHAEL: Be in my [[peace]].

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===='''''[[Growth]]'''''====

(Stages of personal civilization)

−

We’ve had some [[wonderful]] [[discussions]] this evening. I did want to give you a sense of the [[development]], not only of the way each [[individual]] recapitulates [[evolution]] as an [[embryo]], but also recapitulates the [[evolution]] of [[culture]] as they grow up through [~~http~~://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Childhood childhood] and [~~http~~://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolescence adolescence], all the way from the constantly warring [[primitive]] [[tribal]] level--[[think]] of your little two- and three-year-olds squabbling out in the sandbox with, fortunately, the inability to do one another in--all the way up through your [~~http~~://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machiavellian Machiavellian] plotting of high school gangs; to, hopefully, each [[person]] continuing to [[grow]] beyond their [[parents]]’ [[generation]]’s [[understanding]]. Each [[individual]]’s [[maturity]] adds to the [[society]]’s [[maturity]] as well--ever more [[free]]; ever more allowing of each [[individual]]’s [[freedom]] because it is accompanied with [[responsibility]]--deeply caring for each other, wanting to be able to [[respond]] to another.

+

We’ve had some [[wonderful]] [[discussions]] this evening. I did want to give you a sense of the [[development]], not only of the way each [[individual]] recapitulates [[evolution]] as an [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embryo embryo], but also recapitulates the [[evolution]] of [[culture]] as they grow up through [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Childhood childhood] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolescence adolescence], all the way from the constantly warring [[primitive]] [[tribal]] level--[[think]] of your little two- and three-year-olds squabbling out in the sandbox with, fortunately, the inability to do one another in--all the way up through your [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machiavellian Machiavellian] plotting of high school gangs; to, hopefully, each [[person]] continuing to [[grow]] beyond their [[parents]]’ [[generation]]’s [[understanding]]. Each [[individual]]’s [[maturity]] adds to the [[society]]’s [[maturity]] as well--ever more [[free]]; ever more allowing of each [[individual]]’s [[freedom]] because it is accompanied with [[responsibility]]--deeply caring for each other, wanting to be able to [[respond]] to another.

===Closing===

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