Changes

WILL: The [[love]] of [[God]] [[surrounds]] us. The love of God enfolds us. The love of God [[supports]] us. Wherever we gather, He is.

WILL: The [[love]] of [[God]] [[surrounds]] us. The love of God enfolds us. The love of God [[supports]] us. Wherever we gather, He is.

===='''''[[Vision]]''''', '''''[[Stillness]]'''''====

===='''''[[Vision]]''''', '''''[[Stillness]]'''''====

Good evening, I am your teacher, Will, who [[loves]] you. [[Material]] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_eye human eyes] are excellent for some [[applications]]. They are excellent for [[judging]] midpoints. They are excellent for judging the [[distances]] between [[things]]. They are excellent for zeroing in on brightly [[colored]] objects. But, as in all things, there is a tradeoff. Human [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_vision night vision] is not so great. The arrangement of the particular [[cells]] which makes human eyes so useful during the daytime is itself the cause of humans' poor [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_vision night vision]. When you try to locate a [[dark]] object in a field or even a luminescent body in the nighttime sky by looking right at it, it is difficult to see. The harder you look the less sure you are that it is even there. But if you relax a bit, look off to the side just a little, then you see that it was there all along.

Good evening, I am your teacher, Will, who [[loves]] you. [[Material]] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_eye human eyes] are excellent for some [[applications]]. They are excellent for [[judging]] midpoints. They are excellent for judging the [[distances]] between [[things]]. They are excellent for zeroing in on brightly [[colored]] objects. But, as in all things, there is a tradeoff. Human [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_vision night vision] is not so great. The arrangement of the particular [[cells]] which makes human eyes so useful during the daytime is itself the cause of humans' poor [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_vision night vision]. When you try to locate a [[dark]] object in a field or even a luminescent body in the nighttime sky by looking right at it, it is difficult to see. The harder you look the less sure you are that it is even there. But if you relax a bit, look off to the side just a little, then you see that it was there all along.

===Lesson===

===Lesson===

There is every kind of way doing [[stillness]] practice represented in this [[group]]. Some people go at it as if it was a daytime [[vision]] exercise. They pursue it relying only on their strong stills. Others attempt day and night [[practice]], with mixed results. Yet others are pursuing so single mindedly with the kind of vision [[analogous]] to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_vision night vision]. They can't see what it is they are after and begin to question what they are doing there in the first place. I think some of you might fall into these categories and so, for this reason, we [[welcome]] the [[visit]] recently of one of our daughters. I will say to you now that we approve of her [[technique]]. It is a good technique for beginners, especially for those people who are staring harder and harder, feeling less and less [[sure]]. It is a useful [[technique]]. That should bring back a little [[balance]] into the [[effort]]. That is all I have to say. Perhaps you have some [[questions]].

There is every kind of way doing [[stillness]] practice represented in this [[group]]. Some people go at it as if it was a daytime [[vision]] exercise. They pursue it relying only on their strong stills. Others attempt day and night [[practice]], with mixed results. Yet others are pursuing so single mindedly with the kind of vision [[analogous]] to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_vision night vision]. They can't see what it is they are after and begin to question what they are doing there in the first place. I think some of you might fall into these categories and so, for this reason, we [[welcome]] the [[visit]] recently of one of our daughters. I will say to you now that we approve of her [[technique]]. It is a good technique for beginners, especially for those people who are staring harder and harder, feeling less and less [[sure]]. It is a useful [[technique]]. That should bring back a little [[balance]] into the [[effort]]. That is all I have to say. Perhaps you have some [[questions]].

===Dialogue===

===Dialogue===

JUDY: Will, this is Judy and I wanted to ask a question specifically about my [[stillness]] [[practice]]. I seem to have divided it into [[three]] parts. The first part is I'm [[thinking]] about the day and thinking through what all needs and how I would like to meet [those needs]. The second part is [[listening]] and trying to be still for any [[impressions]] or any [[insights]] I might receive. Third, inviting [[the Father]] to be with me in the [[stillness]]. It seems pretty [[comfortable]] but I would like some [[feedback]] on my [[technique]].

JUDY: Will, this is Judy and I wanted to ask a question specifically about my [[stillness]] [[practice]]. I seem to have divided it into [[three]] parts. The first part is I'm [[thinking]] about the day and thinking through what all needs and how I would like to meet [those needs]. The second part is [[listening]] and trying to be still for any [[impressions]] or any [[insights]] I might receive. Third, inviting [[the Father]] to be with me in the [[stillness]]. It seems pretty [[comfortable]] but I would like some [[feedback]] on my [[technique]].

WILL: In an [[ideal]] situation our lives would be geared towards [[preparing]] ourselves for an [[opportunity]] for one-to-one [[communication]] with the Maker so that as the appointed hour drew near we would find our worldly concerns falling away layer by layer, issue by issue, and when the [[time]] had truly arrived we would feel [[peace]] within ourselves that would be ideally suited for [[linking]] up with the [[eternal]] and [[cosmic]] [[peace]] of [[God]] Himself. That is not our situation here. Each person is on his or her own [[resources]] to develop the [[techniques]] which suit the [[moment]] and the situation in preparation for [[communication]] with the Heavenly Mystery. There is no such thing as a right thing or a wrong thing. There are only [[practices]] which, plotted on a number line, would be seen as more productive or less productive. But then, the [[fact]] is that your very lives are so very inconsistent, so very changeable from hour to hour that the [[differences]] between weeks [[encompass]] shifts in mental [[attitudes]] not commonly found on [[other planets]] which would occur over years.

WILL: In an [[ideal]] situation our lives would be geared towards [[preparing]] ourselves for an [[opportunity]] for one-to-one [[communication]] with the Maker so that as the appointed hour drew near we would find our worldly concerns falling away layer by layer, issue by issue, and when the [[time]] had truly arrived we would feel [[peace]] within ourselves that would be ideally suited for [[linking]] up with the [[eternal]] and [[cosmic]] [[peace]] of [[God]] Himself. That is not our situation here. Each person is on his or her own [[resources]] to develop the [[techniques]] which suit the [[moment]] and the situation in preparation for [[communication]] with the Heavenly Mystery. There is no such thing as a right thing or a wrong thing. There are only [[practices]] which, plotted on a number line, would be seen as more productive or less productive. But then, the [[fact]] is that your very lives are so very inconsistent, so very changeable from hour to hour that the [[differences]] between weeks [[encompass]] shifts in mental [[attitudes]] not commonly found on [[other planets]] which would occur over years.

===='''''[[Practice]]''''', '''''[[Communication]]'''''====

===='''''[[Practice]]''''', '''''[[Communication]]'''''====

This is the long way of saying, whatever works for you is fine. I know that your question is [[sincere]]. I will say that until some orderly [[pattern]] of [[thought]] [[progress]] is adopted by each of the members of this [[group]], it is impossible for one of us to say, well you should apply this [[technique]] with regularity. If by review of the day you mean the productive [[events]] of the day, those with any [[spiritual]] component whatever, then, by [[definition]], that would be a productive [[technique]]. On the other hand, a review of [[material]] [[events]] having no spiritual value would be unproductive. If by review we are talking about [[opportunities]] for [[kindness]], for [[service]], or for [[insight]] of our place in the scheme, then that would be useful. Recently the [[reading]] [[group]] read the story of [[171:5 The Blind Man at Jericho|Bartimeus]], [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healing_the_blind_near_Jericho] who called on [[the Master]] in spite of the [[efforts]] of bystanders and other [[disciples]] to [[silence]] him. His [[voice]] was heard. [[The Father]] hears you. This [[technique]] can be useful.

This is the long way of saying, whatever works for you is fine. I know that your question is [[sincere]]. I will say that until some orderly [[pattern]] of [[thought]] [[progress]] is adopted by each of the members of this [[group]], it is impossible for one of us to say, well you should apply this [[technique]] with regularity. If by review of the day you mean the productive [[events]] of the day, those with any [[spiritual]] component whatever, then, by [[definition]], that would be a productive [[technique]]. On the other hand, a review of [[material]] [[events]] having no spiritual value would be unproductive. If by review we are talking about [[opportunities]] for [[kindness]], for [[service]], or for [[insight]] of our place in the scheme, then that would be useful. Recently the [[reading]] [[group]] read the story of [[171:5 The Blind Man at Jericho|Bartimeus]], [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healing_the_blind_near_Jericho] who called on [[the Master]] in spite of the [[efforts]] of bystanders and other [[disciples]] to [[silence]] him. His [[voice]] was heard. [[The Father]] hears you. This [[technique]] can be useful.

But [[communication]] between [[human]] and [[Creator]] may be likened to [[tuning]] of a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musical_instrument musical instrument]. It takes [[practice]]. It takes [[precision]]. I'm searching for a [[word]]. It takes [[composition]] or triangulation, just as the [[notes]] played upon the [[scale]]. [[The Father]]'s [[scale]] is vast and takes in every [[potentiality]] and, for this reason alone, [[communication]] will not always feel comfortable or even recognizable, but that type of [[tuning]] is communication nonetheless. Our [[visitor]] made a good [[point]] last week when she described this [[process]] as cumulative. That you work away trying to cause yourself to be still, perhaps [[achieving]] some success and no matter what the time length set aside for [[communication]] it is always in the last few moments that you feel - it's always in the last few moments that you feel something happening, some bond, some [[contact]] however fleeting, some identification, as if you had a [[visit]] and then it's back to the ordinary work until next time. Is that helpful?

But [[communication]] between [[human]] and [[Creator]] may be likened to [[tuning]] of a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musical_instrument musical instrument]. It takes [[practice]]. It takes [[precision]]. I'm searching for a [[word]]. It takes [[composition]] or triangulation, just as the [[notes]] played upon the [[scale]]. [[The Father]]'s [[scale]] is vast and takes in every [[potentiality]] and, for this reason alone, [[communication]] will not always feel comfortable or even recognizable, but that type of [[tuning]] is communication nonetheless. Our [[visitor]] made a good [[point]] last week when she described this [[process]] as cumulative. That you work away trying to cause yourself to be still, perhaps [[achieving]] some success and no matter what the time length set aside for [[communication]] it is always in the last few moments that you feel - it's always in the last few moments that you feel something happening, some bond, some [[contact]] however fleeting, some identification, as if you had a [[visit]] and then it's back to the ordinary work until next time. Is that helpful?

JUDY: Yes, but there is one point I would like you to [[clarify]]. What did you mean by "an orderly [[pattern]] of [[thought]] process"?

JUDY: Yes, but there is one point I would like you to [[clarify]]. What did you mean by "an orderly [[pattern]] of [[thought]] process"?

JUDY: Will, its me again. Your answer to Ron's question about [[education]] caused me to [[think]] about that and in this [[group]] we have talked about [[emotional]] [[progress]] leading to [[spiritual progress]] and it seems to be a similar kind of [[work]]. Since I have spent the last twenty years involved in [[education]], it is obvious that is important to me. I have [[opportunities]] to speak to [[groups]] of educators periodically and my [[message]] is generally to help teachers work with kids to help them become [[emotionally]] safe and emotionally well. Am I on the right track in terms of this [[contributing]] to the [[spirituality]] of [[young people]]?

JUDY: Will, its me again. Your answer to Ron's question about [[education]] caused me to [[think]] about that and in this [[group]] we have talked about [[emotional]] [[progress]] leading to [[spiritual progress]] and it seems to be a similar kind of [[work]]. Since I have spent the last twenty years involved in [[education]], it is obvious that is important to me. I have [[opportunities]] to speak to [[groups]] of educators periodically and my [[message]] is generally to help teachers work with kids to help them become [[emotionally]] safe and emotionally well. Am I on the right track in terms of this [[contributing]] to the [[spirituality]] of [[young people]]?

WILL: Persons, for example those taught [[personally]] by [[Jesus]] of [[Nazareth]] upon his [[Paper 132 - The Sojourn at Rome|visit to Rome]], did not even remember the man, yet proved to be [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Column pillars] of [[the kingdom]] when approached by that very teaching but a few years later. Yes, your work is [[good]]. It is on the right track. You may not see the results. Others will. We will. And you will at some time. You are a [[creature]] of your [[time]]. It is not possible to teach today in the [[manner]] generally [[accepted]] in a planet well advanced in the ages of [[light and life]]. People today would think such suggestions hopelessly [[idealistic]]. [[Food]] for [[fools]]. Today's [[teachers]] are appropriate for today. That is why no [[materializations]].

WILL: Persons, for example those taught [[personally]] by [[Jesus]] of [[Nazareth]] upon his [[Paper 132 - The Sojourn at Rome|visit to Rome]], did not even remember the man, yet proved to be [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Column pillars] of [[the kingdom]] when approached by that very teaching but a few years later. Yes, your work is [[good]]. It is on the right track. You may not see the results. Others will. We will. And you will at some time. You are a [[creature]] of your [[time]]. It is not possible to teach today in the [[manner]] generally [[accepted]] in a planet well advanced in the ages of [[light and life]]. People today would think such suggestions hopelessly [[idealistic]]. [[Food]] for [[fools]]. Today's [[teachers]] are appropriate for today. That is why no [[materializations]].

===Closing===

===Closing===