Changes

*January 30, 1994

*January 30, 1994

===Opening===

===Opening===

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.

Good evening and greetings to you all, as well as to our returning visitor. I am your teacher, Will, who loves you.

Good evening and greetings to you all, as well as to our returning [[visitor]]. I am your teacher, Will, who loves you.

===Lesson===

===Lesson===

During the times of the resolution of the dispute in the Christian church, later known as the Catholic church, later yet known as the Roman Catholic church, regarding the nature of the conception of Jesus of Nazareth, the bishops settled upon a code of conduct. A triumvirate to be taught to the people. They agreed at length upon the triumvirate of faith, hope and charity. Numerous exhortations were argued and rejected, but a parallel was drawn to the Son, who was thought by the majority of the best minds present to represent the direct son of the Father and the member of the trinity thought by them to be represented by Jesus of Nazareth in human flesh. And the hope of the future, the hope of the life everlasting, the hope of the eternal salvation. This preachment of hope, when taught among the common people, not by the bishops but by village priests and itinerant mendicants and religious activists was subtly transmuted into a doctrine of passive wistfulness and a reliance contaminated by the notions of Divine providence. This hope that was taught in the villages became understood by the common people as a derivation or a product of the original faith which was, after all and accurately so, a keystone of the new covenant.

During the times of the [[resolution]] of the [[dispute]] in the [[Christian]] church, later known as the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Catholicism church], later yet known as the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_catholicism Roman Catholic church], regarding the [[nature]] of the conception of [[Jesus]] of [[Nazareth]], the bishops settled upon a code of [[conduct]]. A [[triumvirate]] to be taught to the people. They [[agreed]] at length upon the triumvirate of [[faith]], [[hope]] and [[charity]]. Numerous exhortations were [[argued]] and rejected, but a [[parallel]] was drawn to [[the Son]], who was thought by the [[majority]] of the best [[minds]] present to [[represent]] the direct son of [[the Father]] and the member of the [[Trinity]] thought by them to be represented by [[Jesus]] of [[Nazareth]] in human [[flesh]]. And the [[hope]] of the [[future]], the hope of the life everlasting, the hope of the eternal [[salvation]]. This preachment of [[hope]], when taught among the common people, not by the bishops but by village [[priests]] and [[itinerant]] mendicants and religious activists was subtly [[transmuted]] into a doctrine of [[passive]] wistfulness and a reliance [[contaminated]] by the notions of divine [[providence]]. This [[hope]] that was taught in the villages became understood by the common people as a derivation or a product of the original [[faith]] which was, after all and accurately so, a keystone of the new [[covenant]].

In [[modern]] times the [[doctrinal]] teaching, the standard of [[conduct]] of [[hope]], has become [[trivialized]] to the [[point]] of [[virtual]] [[meaninglessness]] and so, while acknowledging that the original concept of the [[Christian]] church was sound, we say to you that [[hope]] is not a [[technique]] for eternal [[salvation]]. We tell you forthrightly that wistfulness will not get the job done. It will not do for the instruction of your [[children]]. It will not serve your [[neighbors]] and it will not prove effective for you as [[individuals]]. We say to you, rather than [[hope]], let [[courage]] be your standard of [[conduct]]. We exhort you to [[assert]] yourselves to the best of your [[understanding]] to help each person whom you meet encounter that [[spark]] within known as Father fragment or the [[Thought Adjuster]], the living God within each of you. We exhort you to be bold in [[proclaiming]] your [[faith]] as you [[understand]] it. Not in an [[effort]] to [[manipulate]] or to [[dominate]] your fellows, but to serve as an [[inspiration]] and as an example of [[normal]] people in a demanding and often demented [[society]] attempting with each identifiable [[event]] to elect among the many [[choices]] which [[path]] would be the path preferred by the [[Heavenly Father]] and to move in that [[direction]].

In modern times the doctrinal teaching, the standard of conduct of hope, has become trivialized to the point of virtual meaninglessness and so, while acknowledging that the original concept of the Christian church was sound, we say to you that hope is not a technique for eternal salvation. We tell you forthrightly that wistfulness will not get the job done. It will not do for the instruction of your children. It will not serve your neighbors and it will not prove effective for you as individuals. We say to you, rather than hope, let courage be your standard of conduct. We exhort you to assert yourselves to the best of your understanding to help each person whom you meet encounter that spark within known as Father fragment or the Thought Adjuster, the living God within each of you. We exhort you to be bold in proclaiming your faith as you understand it. Not in an effort to manipulate or to dominate your fellows, but to serve as an inspiration and as an example of normal people in a demanding and often demented society attempting with each identifiable event to elect among the many choices which path would be the path preferred by the Heavenly Father and to move in that direction.

It takes [[faith]] to determine which of the [[paths]] is likely to be most productive. We have in the [[past]] suggested a sturdy rule: that with the most [[love]] in it as being that [[path]] which most closely [[conforms]] with the universal [[ideal]] and is [[harmonious]] with the personal [[presence]] of the Heavenly Father. Yet, it still requires [[courage]] to act upon that [[illumination]]. You will initially think that it is lonely ground that you travel, but that is because you are beginners. Soon enough and before you are seriously tempted to quit you will detect that you are not [[alone]]. Others accompany you, particularly those who need [[assistance]]. There are [[beings]] among you whose [[purpose]] is to [[strengthen]] you, if you are so willing. Nothing can be done with the human [[heart]] that is closed by conscious [[decision]] or held incommunicado by animal [[fear]] or social fears of societal [[prejudice]] and [[humiliation]]. But for those who set out on the [[path]] and quail at certain of the prospects, help is on the way. Stay with the correct path. It is good [[training]] for you and it gives us an opportunity to [[exercise]] certain of our [[skills]] which we are infrequently called on to employ.

It takes faith to determine which of the paths is likely to be most productive. We have in the past suggested a sturdy rule: that with the most love in it as being that path which most closely conforms with the universal ideal and is harmonious with the personal presence of the Heavenly Father. Yet, it still requires courage to act upon that illumination. You will initially think that it is lonely ground that you travel, but that is because you are beginners. Soon enough and before you are seriously tempted to quit you will detect that you are not alone. Others accompany you, particularly those who need assistance. There are beings among you whose purpose is to strengthen you, if you are so willing. Nothing can be done with the human heart that is closed by conscious decision or held incommunicado by animal fear or social fears of societal prejudice and humiliation. But for those who set out on the path and quail at certain of the prospects, help is on the way. Stay with the correct path. It is good training for you and it gives us an opportunity to exercise certain of our skills which we are infrequently called on to employ.

[[Courage]] does not mean [[heroic]] [[efforts]]. It may sound [[ironic]] to say, but it is enough if you do not break and run at the first [[impediment]]. [[Courage]] is not measured by a single [[event]]. We see courage as your willingness to [[expose]] yourselves repeatedly without a [[perfect]] understanding of the [[activities]] in which you are [[engaged]]. Courage means to speak squarely to one [[stranger]] and then another and then another, dealing with all fairly and turning the [[topic]] of the [[conversation]] from [[personal]] concerns to [[spiritual]] concerns. With the necessary [[practice]] you can become quite [[skillful]], I [[assure]] you. You already know that people are willing to talk. It merely requires some [[guidance]] on your part to elevate the stream from the rehearsed [[speech]] which they are likely to deliver to you onto matters of [[consequence]].

Courage does not mean heroic efforts. It may sound ironic to say, but it is enough if you do not break and run at the first impediment. Courage is not measured by a single event. We see courage as your willingness to expose yourselves repeatedly without a perfect understanding of the activities in which you are engaged. Courage means to speak squarely to one stranger and then another and then another, dealing with all fairly and turning the topic of the conversation from personal concerns to spiritual concerns. With the necessary practice you can become quite skillful, I assure you. You already know that people are willing to talk. It merely requires some guidance on your part to elevate the stream from the rehearsed speech which they are likely to deliver to you onto matters of consequence.

Any copy of one of your weekly news magazines or any daily paper has numerous [[topics]] which we think would be spiritually provocative as [[topics]] of [[conversation]]. Particularly so far as leading people to consider the [[consequences]] of certain policies. Is God punishing the Californians? Do they deserve what is happening to them? Are the floods of the midwest the floods predicted in the [[Bible]]? More people than you would [[immediately]] guess are willing to [[discuss]] these [[topics]], even among your [[generation]]. There are many among whom these notions were planted years before as [[children]] in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_religion organized religions]. Once the [[conversation]] begins, we [[think]] that the door then is open to elicit [[statements]] of people's [[relationship]] with God. What is their concept? What is the [[degree]] of [[participation]]? Has He turned His [[face]] away from us? Will He return as [[promised]] in the form of His son? Can the humans pull it off [[alone]] or is more [[necessary]]? The part that takes the [[courage]] is to take [[control]] of the situation and to elevate the topic of the conversation. That is the [[difficult]] part. That is what takes the [[courage]]. Nearly all of you are comfortable at this point with conversation with [[strangers]]. The next step is, turn the conversation to topics of [[consequence]]. For if you have any success at opening the door of another [[mind]], even the slightest crack, you will be doing the work that [[the Master]] would have you do, as if he was standing by your side and by your [[thought]], [[word]] and [[deed]] you exhibited your [[understanding]] of his teaching such that you allowed yourself to serve as a conduit from the [[Heavenly Father]] who shines His [[love]] through you upon another and that you provide this [[service]] without self effacement and without [[trivializing]] His [[message]] and His [[interaction]] with another life form destined to someday join Him in [[heaven]] as a full and functioning member of the roster of fully tested and reliable human [[survivors]]. Those who have traveled the entire length of [[creation]] experiencing every level and strata of universe citizenry on their [[path]] from [[birth]] to [[perfection]]. This is my lesson for you tonight.

Now, on the topic of [[stillness]] [[practice]], our suggestion to you some weeks ago regarding setting aside the [[waking]] moments is intended to be an adjunct and not a substitute for stillness [[practice]]. The [[Heavenly Father]] does not require stillness practice. You do. You are the ones who will benefit. He is already [[perfect]]. These are [[rehabilitation]] [[exercises]] for you. To [[focus]] yourselves for a few minutes of each earth day on something of imponderable [[consequence]]. You are not [[expected]] to see immediate results. You are not expected to see significance in this [[conduct]]. You are expected to [[calm]] your [[animal]] [[minds]] through your own control of runaway [[ego]] which seek to [[organize]] areas in which the ego has no fitness. You have stray [[thoughts]] because your ego attempts to [[organize]] your [[adoration]] of the [[Heavenly Father]]. The human [[ego]] is an adaptive [[tool]] that efficiently serves the demands of the [[material]] life, but it has nothing whatever to do with the [[spirit]] life. Each time you do [[stillness]] practice you build spirit life whether you know it or not by creating a new [[life]] not under the [[control]] of the human ego. Countless [[generations]] of [[wise]] men on [[your planet]] have engaged in [[techniques]] similar to these and found good results. This is not new. It is not some trick whereby we enslave you unknowingly. It is [[rehabilitation]] for you. You're [[free]] to [[participate]] or not participate. The only thing that will [[change]] is you. But then I think we will all readily admit that things need some changing. In order to make [[spirit progress]] you must change. We are changing. That is what [[progress]] is. Try harder in this regard. That is all I have to say.

I have enjoyed your company in these last few weeks. I will say to those who work in [[Context|atmospheres]] where you do not meet people, go out on the streets at least once a day. Take lunch away from your work places if possible. If [[finances]] do not allow, take your lunch time away from your work places. Walk on the streets. See people. Show the flag. They need it. It is good [[practice]] for you. No person can [[grow]] [[Isolation|shut away]] from all others. Have [[courage]]. There is nothing to [[fear]].

==Session==

==Session==

*February 6, 1994

*February 6, 1994