Changes

Today's lesson is on [[education]] and [[spiritual growth]]. This is an interesting [[topic]] in many ways. As you may have guessed, a very important part of this [[Teaching Mission]] is, as its title says, [[education]]. The way that we understand education varies somewhat from the [[concept]] as grasped in the [[material]] life. There is the presentation of a novel [[concept]] to the [[student]]. And the act of presenting the concept requires not only [[diligent]] [[effort]] on the part of the [[teacher]] but also the spiritual ingredient of [[love]] for the [[student]] and the sincere [[desire]] to impart that which has been gained through [[effort]], that is, [[information]]. Without these two elements, as well as a third element, namely the [[sincere]] [[receptivity]] of the student, himself or herself, and the student's [[reciprocal]] love of [[knowledge]] and search for [[truth]], then no real learning will occur. This is like a [[chemical]] [[reaction]] you may say. And, in [[fact]], [[physical]] and [[electrical]] [[forces]] are very much involved in the [[education]] [[process]]. There is actual [[exchange]] of [[energy]] between the [[teacher]] and the [[student]] when true [[learning]] occurs. I am sure that everyone here has sensed that at one time or another during your lives. Think back, and remember the occasion when you acquired [[knowledge]] - and the [[teacher]] - and the occasion was marked by that different [[feeling]] within; not just a [[pedagogic]] [[exercise]], but not so different from a [[dance]] in which both partners must [[coordinate]] their [[efforts]] and [[actions]] in order to achieve a successful result. There is nothing [[passive]] about [[education]], about the [[learning]] [[process]], and it may well prove to be the most [[difficult]] work that you perform for much of the first part of your eternal career. Additionally, part of [[the mission]] for each and every will [[creature]] created by [[the Father]] is to continue learning for the full period of your [[existence]]. Father has placed in all [[creatures]] abilities that are geared to [[assist]] in [[learning]]. Even the [[virus]] of [[Urantia]] is able to learn, and the [[act]] of learning can most definitely be placed in the category of "[[miracle]]." Like the [[secret]] of life, the secret of [[learning]] is unfathomable to the [[mortal mind]]. And like life, the mortal is able to perpetuate learning. And the [[analogy]] extends further for - as you are [[aware]] - many mortals believe they are [[responsible]] for life, and they are responsible for learning - lacking [[humility]] - in [[ignorance]] and denial of [[truth]]. As you grow in your ability to [[worship]] through your [[efforts]], you will find that your capacity to learn is enhanced - yet another beneficial result of [[spirit growth]] - not a [[reward]] as you understand rewards, but more a result of following Father's plan rather than [[resisting]]. There has been talk in some of our recent lessons about [[Caligastia]]. And it is interesting to note here that the moment Caligastia [[received]] the [[idea]] of [[rebellion]] during [[communication]] with [[Lucifer]] was the moment at which his ability to learn ceased, and his ability to [[worship]]. And it could be said that he started to die at that [[moment]], truly die, not a [[material]] [[death]], but the [[profound]] [[death]] of the [[spirit]].

Today's lesson is on [[education]] and [[spiritual growth]]. This is an interesting [[topic]] in many ways. As you may have guessed, a very important part of this [[Teaching Mission]] is, as its title says, [[education]]. The way that we understand education varies somewhat from the [[concept]] as grasped in the [[material]] life. There is the presentation of a novel [[concept]] to the [[student]]. And the act of presenting the concept requires not only [[diligent]] [[effort]] on the part of the [[teacher]] but also the spiritual ingredient of [[love]] for the [[student]] and the sincere [[desire]] to impart that which has been gained through [[effort]], that is, [[information]]. Without these two elements, as well as a third element, namely the [[sincere]] [[receptivity]] of the student, himself or herself, and the student's [[reciprocal]] love of [[knowledge]] and search for [[truth]], then no real learning will occur. This is like a [[chemical]] [[reaction]] you may say. And, in [[fact]], [[physical]] and [[electrical]] [[forces]] are very much involved in the [[education]] [[process]]. There is actual [[exchange]] of [[energy]] between the [[teacher]] and the [[student]] when true [[learning]] occurs. I am sure that everyone here has sensed that at one time or another during your lives. Think back, and remember the occasion when you acquired [[knowledge]] - and the [[teacher]] - and the occasion was marked by that different [[feeling]] within; not just a [[pedagogic]] [[exercise]], but not so different from a [[dance]] in which both partners must [[coordinate]] their [[efforts]] and [[actions]] in order to achieve a successful result. There is nothing [[passive]] about [[education]], about the [[learning]] [[process]], and it may well prove to be the most [[difficult]] work that you perform for much of the first part of your eternal career. Additionally, part of [[the mission]] for each and every will [[creature]] created by [[the Father]] is to continue learning for the full period of your [[existence]]. Father has placed in all [[creatures]] abilities that are geared to [[assist]] in [[learning]]. Even the [[virus]] of [[Urantia]] is able to learn, and the [[act]] of learning can most definitely be placed in the category of "[[miracle]]." Like the [[secret]] of life, the secret of [[learning]] is unfathomable to the [[mortal mind]]. And like life, the mortal is able to perpetuate learning. And the [[analogy]] extends further for - as you are [[aware]] - many mortals believe they are [[responsible]] for life, and they are responsible for learning - lacking [[humility]] - in [[ignorance]] and denial of [[truth]]. As you grow in your ability to [[worship]] through your [[efforts]], you will find that your capacity to learn is enhanced - yet another beneficial result of [[spirit growth]] - not a [[reward]] as you understand rewards, but more a result of following Father's plan rather than [[resisting]]. There has been talk in some of our recent lessons about [[Caligastia]]. And it is interesting to note here that the moment Caligastia [[received]] the [[idea]] of [[rebellion]] during [[communication]] with [[Lucifer]] was the moment at which his ability to learn ceased, and his ability to [[worship]]. And it could be said that he started to die at that [[moment]], truly die, not a [[material]] [[death]], but the [[profound]] [[death]] of the [[spirit]].

This can happen to [[mortal]] [[beings]], of course. It is rare, but these are the ones who elect non-survival. You are given all of the [[perceptual]] [[qualities]] that your particular [[brain]] is able to accommodate to [[assist]] you in [[learning]] in the form that you now [[assume]] on [[Urantia]]. Your capacity to [[see]], hear, [[feel]], [[tastes]], [[smell]], are major tenants of your [[perceptual]] [[cognition]]. And there are a great many sub-categories that are also very useful. The entire human [[brain]] participates in [[learning]], although this may not yet be recognized by your [[scholars]]. And in fact the entire [[body]] also [[participates]], but not with exactly the [[intensity]] that the [[brain]] does. How is [[education]] and learning different among will creatures [[compared]] to those who lack free will? Because of the capacity to make [[free will]] decisions, an extremely important [[dimension]] in processing [[information]] belongs to the will creatures.

This can happen to [[mortal]] [[beings]], of course. It is rare, but these are the ones who elect non-survival. You are given all of the [[perceptual]] [[qualities]] that your particular [[brain]] is able to accommodate to [[assist]] you in [[learning]] in the form that you now [[assume]] on [[Urantia]]. Your capacity to [[see]], hear, [[feel]], [[tastes]], [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Senses#Smell.2C_Taste.2C_and_Touch smell], are major tenants of your [[perceptual]] [[cognition]]. And there are a great many sub-categories that are also very useful. The entire human [[brain]] participates in [[learning]], although this may not yet be recognized by your [[scholars]]. And in fact the entire [[body]] also [[participates]], but not with exactly the [[intensity]] that the [[brain]] does. How is [[education]] and learning different among will creatures [[compared]] to those who lack free will? Because of the capacity to make [[free will]] decisions, an extremely important [[dimension]] in processing [[information]] belongs to the will creatures.

Without this added [[sense]] - for it is a sense as your [[vision]] is - a being is unable to [[learn]] sufficiently to [[achieve]] the requisite [[spiritual growth]] needed for [[survival]]. So you see, that is why the appearance of creatures capable of [[freewill]] [[decision]] making is such a critical [[event]] on a [[planet]]. A critical and wondrous and [[miraculous]] [[event]] indeed. When you pass from this life and move on to the next level, the [[joy]] that you have now, from such [[experiences]] as [[procreation]], will be imparted through [[learning]] and through [[worship]] and through [[assisting]] Father and His loving servants in creating that which is. Your [[memories]] of [[joy]] will most definitely be preserved as this [[emotion]] is really important in [[spirit growth]]. Since you are of [[animal]] origin and nothing is wasted, those strong [[feelings]] that are beneficial to [[animal]] [[survival]] - [[procreation]], [[hunger]] and seeking of [[food]], the [[desire]] to [[rest]] the body, [[aggression]] in the [[face]] of [[danger]] - once free will arrives, it becomes possible for the possessor of [[free will]] to [[channel]] these strong animal [[emotions]] into the [[service]] of the spirit most constructively. For each of you here doing that, channelling these [[emotions]] into your own personal [[spiritual growth]] is a part - an important part - of your own personal [[mission]] here on [[Urantia]].

Without this added [[sense]] - for it is a sense as your [[vision]] is - a being is unable to [[learn]] sufficiently to [[achieve]] the requisite [[spiritual growth]] needed for [[survival]]. So you see, that is why the appearance of creatures capable of [[freewill]] [[decision]] making is such a critical [[event]] on a [[planet]]. A critical and wondrous and [[miraculous]] [[event]] indeed. When you pass from this life and move on to the next level, the [[joy]] that you have now, from such [[experiences]] as [[procreation]], will be imparted through [[learning]] and through [[worship]] and through [[assisting]] Father and His loving servants in creating that which is. Your [[memories]] of [[joy]] will most definitely be preserved as this [[emotion]] is really important in [[spirit growth]]. Since you are of [[animal]] origin and nothing is wasted, those strong [[feelings]] that are beneficial to [[animal]] [[survival]] - [[procreation]], [[hunger]] and seeking of [[food]], the [[desire]] to [[rest]] the body, [[aggression]] in the [[face]] of [[danger]] - once free will arrives, it becomes possible for the possessor of [[free will]] to [[channel]] these strong animal [[emotions]] into the [[service]] of the spirit most constructively. For each of you here doing that, channelling these [[emotions]] into your own personal [[spiritual growth]] is a part - an important part - of your own personal [[mission]] here on [[Urantia]].