102,815
edits
Changes
→Session 2
*October 4, 1992
*October 4, 1992
===Lesson===
===Lesson===
WILL: The love of God surrounds us. The love of God enfolds us. The love of God supports
WILL: The [[love]] of [[God]] [[surrounds]] us. The love of God enfolds us. The love of God [[supports]]
us. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
us. [[Blessed]] is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Good evening, my friends. Thank you for your company tonight. I am your teacher, Will,
who loves you.
Good evening, my [[friends]]. Thank you for your company tonight. I am your [[teacher]], Will,
We are approaching our anniversary passage. We used this long stillness exercise to attempt
who [[loves]] you.
to examine your practice. I think that this would be a good point to exchange questions and
===='''''[[Stillness]]'''''====
answers about individual stillness practice since that is the key to our entire effort. If every person
We are approaching our anniversary passage. We used this long [[stillness]] exercise to attempt
chooses to participate, it will take at least two Sunday meetings. So during this coming week
to [[examine]] your [[practice]]. I think that this would be a good [[point]] to exchange questions and
please make an extra effort to attempt the stillness and compose a question relating to your own
answers about [[individual]] [[stillness]] practice since that is the key to our entire [[effort]]. If every person
[[chooses]] to [[participate]], it will take at least two Sunday meetings. So during this coming week
please make an extra [[effort]] to attempt the [[stillness]] and [[compose]] a [[question]] relating to your own
practice. We will begin next week.
practice. We will begin next week.
Its not always comfortable being alone with God. The experience is usually full of intrusive
thoughts. You wonder where to put your feet, how you should hold your mouth, if you should
Its not always comfortable being [[alone]] with [[God]]. The [[experience]] is usually full of intrusive
think some certain thing or not think some certain things. It is difficult to instruct people in what
[[thoughts]]. You wonder where to put your feet, how you should hold your mouth, if you should
they should do. We have had almost a year of discovery. I think it is a good start although I will
[[think]] some certain thing or not think some certain things. It is [[difficult]] to instruct people in what
tell you frankly that regularity is more important than success. It is never time to sleep on your
they should do. We have had almost a year of [[discovery]]. I think it is a [[good]] start although I will
tell you frankly that regularity is more important than [[success]]. It is never time to [[sleep]] on your
awards.
awards.
The stillness practice, in one way, is going into the quiet place in yourself. Many people find
this place to be theoretical. They agree that it must be somewhere but all the doors look the
The [[stillness]] [[practice]], in one way, is going into the [[quiet]] place in yourself. Many people find
same. For most people, successful stillness practice means marking the door. Once you move
this place to be [[theoretical]]. They [[agree]] that it must be somewhere but all the doors look the
away from the door you are subject to all of the other factors of life. The times that you are
same. For most people, successful [[stillness]] [[practice]] means marking the door. Once you move
excited, the times that you are relaxed, the times that the pressures of daily life catch up, the times
away from the door you are subject to all of the other [[factors]] of life. The times that you are
that they are discharged. The times that you worry about the things that have yet to pass and
[[excited]], the times that you are [[relaxed]], the times that the [[pressures]] of daily life catch up, the times
that they are discharged. The times that you [[worry]] about the things that have yet to pass and
those that already have. When you find the door with the mark on it, straighten your back and
those that already have. When you find the door with the mark on it, straighten your back and
open it. You see nothing. This is frustrating to most people.
open it. You see nothing. This is [[frustrating]] to most people.
I think the best description of it is standing on the bow of a large ship so far above the water
and so far projected forward that even the ship's prow, cutting through the waves makes no sound
I think the best [[description]] of it is standing on the bow of a large ship so far above the [[water]]
that reaches the listener. You look out into the fog, all your senses keen and there is simply no
and so far [[projected]] forward that even the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prow ship's prow], cutting through the [[waves]] makes no [[sound]]
information. No thoughts, no vision, no smells, no sounds, no feelings. And yet, you are
that reaches the [[listener]]. You look out into the [[fog]], all your [[senses]] keen and there is [[simply]] no
surrounded with concern and love and guidance. We are prohibited from interfering with the time
[[information]]. No [[thoughts]], no [[vision]], no smells, no sounds, no [[feelings]]. And yet, you are
you have with the Father.
[[surrounded]] with concern and [[love]] and [[guidance]]. We are [[prohibited]] from [[interfering]] with the time
Communication, when it develops, is not at all like this experience. True stillness identification
you have with [[the Father]].
and soul connection with the Heavenly Father. Communication with one of us is a busy affair.
It's full of mistakes, suggestions, ineptly phrased remarks and information that generally leads the
[[Communication]], when it [[develops]], is not at all like this [[experience]]. True [[stillness]] identification
human immediately off upon unproductive tangents. Stillness is pure. Communication is like a
and [[soul]] [[connection]] with the [[Heavenly Father]]. [[Communication]] with one of us is a [[busy]] affair.
library in a foreign country and it is not quiet. It is a messy business. Stillness is asked.
It's full of [[mistakes]], suggestions, ineptly phrased remarks and [[information]] that generally leads the
Communication is offered. They are not the same. In fact, they have virtually nothing to do with
[[human]] immediately off upon unproductive [[tangents]]. [[Stillness]] is [[pure]]. [[Communication]] is like a
one another. Stillness will prepare you for communication. It doesn't work the other way around.
[[library]] in a foreign country and it is not [[quiet]]. It is a messy business. [[Stillness]] is asked.
[[Communication]] is offered. They are not the same. In [[fact]], they have [[virtually]] nothing to do with
one another. [[Stillness]] will [[prepare]] you for [[communication]]. It doesn't work the other way around.
So, we approach an anniversary. It is time to get serious. That doesn't mean we won't have
So, we approach an anniversary. It is time to get serious. That doesn't mean we won't have
jokes. It doesn't mean we won't make mistakes. It is time to get serious about stillness practice.
[[jokes]]. It doesn't mean we won't make [[mistakes]]. It is time to get serious about [[stillness]] [[practice]].
Next week we will begin discussions. This week try to get a mark on the door that will last so
Next week we will begin [[discussions]]. This week try to get a mark on the door that will last so
that you can come and go as you please. Finding your way back is always a problem. Until next
that you can come and go as you please. Finding your way back is always a [[problem]].
week, Shalom.
Until next week, [[Shalom]].
==Session 3==
==Session 3==
*October 11, 1992
*October 11, 1992