Changes

==Session==

==Session==

===Dialogue===

===Dialogue===

TOMAS: Good evening, my joyous flock.

TOMAS: Good evening, my [[joyous]] flock.

Group: Good evening.

Group: Good evening.

TOMAS: Merium and I are here and glad of it, glad for your company and indeed glad for the association. Mary Theresa, how wonderful to feel your [[presence]] once again. It is a delight to have your sparkling [[personality]] among us. How have you been, my child?

TOMAS: Merium and I are here and glad of it, glad for your company and indeed glad for the [[association]]. Mary Theresa, how wonderful to feel your [[presence]] once again. It is a delight to have your sparkling [[personality]] among us. How have you been, my child?

Mary Theresa: Fine, thank you. Still the same old talker, Tomas. I talk too much. I'm going to listen tonight, to you.

Mary Theresa: Fine, thank you. Still the same old talker, Tomas. I talk too much. I'm going to [[listen]] tonight, to you.

TOMAS: We have been exercising the [[dialogue|art of conversation]]. It is a difficult art to master and we have had many [[challenges]] on hand. It is a joy that you have much to [[share]]. It is a benefit for those of you who are gifted in that gab, but for those who are [[shy]] and inhibited, it is a strain, and so the [[community]] seeks a [[balance]].

TOMAS: We have been exercising the [[dialogue|art of conversation]]. It is a difficult art to master and we have had many challenges on hand. It is a joy that you have much to share. It is a benefit for those of you who are gifted in that gab, but for those who are shy and inhibited, it is a strain, and so the community seeks a balance.

Thus, like [[the Master]] gives self [[respect]] to those who have lost it and takes it away from those who have too much, he also seeks to [[distribute]] himself in and through his fellows with equilibrium and [[balance]] as well. It is part of the orchestration, and this [[orchestra]] has been [[tuning]] its instruments, learning when to play and when to await the direction from the Conductor.

Thus, like the Master gives self respect to those who have lost it and takes it away from those who have too much, he also seeks to distribute himself in and through his fellows with equilibrium and balance as well. It is part of the orchestration, and this orchestra has been tuning its instruments, learning when to play and when to await the direction from the Conductor.

I would like to say that we have enjoyed your [[structured]] [[sharing]] this evening. [[Forgive]] the word "structured"; we cannot find the correct descriptive adjective to relate without [[offending]] those of you who [[disdain]] words like [[discipline]] and structure, but the tonal [[quality]] of your sharing time was rife with [[sincerity]], integrity, [[trust]], [[companionship]], [[courage]] and various other apparent [[fruits of the spirit]]. It is a [[joy]] to behold these fruits in action, in and among yourselves. It promotes confidence in your self and in each other. It promotes brotherhood/sisterhood. It is a method of [[communication]] that employs [[intimacy]] as opposed to familiarity.

I would like to say that we have enjoyed your structured sharing this evening. Forgive the word "structured"; we cannot find the correct descriptive adjective to relate without offending those of you who disdain words like discipline and structure, but the tonal quality of your sharing time was rife with sincerity, integrity, trust, companionship, courage and various other apparent fruits of the spirit. It is a joy to behold these fruits in action, in and among yourselves. It promotes confidence in your self and in each other. It promotes brotherhood/sisterhood. It is a method of [[communication]] that employs [[intimacy]] as opposed to familiarity.

Just for fun, this evening I will add to the [[smorgasbord]] and tell you briefly the [[difference]] between [[intimacy]] and familiarity, on which I have spoken before, and with which Leah has entertained herself.

Just for fun, this evening I will add to the smorgasbord and tell you briefly the difference between intimacy and familiarity, on which I have spoken before, and with which Leah has entertained herself.

You have heard it said, "familiarity breeds [[contempt]]" and yet here we are [[encouraging]] you to become conversationalists of an ilk you are unfamiliar with. You presume, perhaps, that we would have you give your deep dark [[secrets]] to each other in this structured [[communication]]. No, we are not asking you to divulge the [[skeletons]] in your family closet. Familiarity is a crude second place to what we are fostering, which is [[intimacy]].

You have heard it said, "familiarity breeds contempt" and yet here we are encouraging you to become conversationalists of an ilk you are unfamiliar with. You presume, perhaps, that we would have you give your deep dark secrets to each other in this structured communication. No, we are not asking you to divulge the skeletons in your family closet. Familiarity is a crude second place to what we are fostering, which is intimacy.

There are those of you who misconstrue my use of the word intimacy to be related to [[intercourse]] of a different ilk also than I intend to convey. This [[social]] intercourse, the art of [[communication]], is based upon your sonship/daughtership. That you are each indwelt by [[The Father]], that you recognize that you are brothers and sisters in the [[spirit]], affords you an understanding of that comforting [[presence]] of [[The Father within]] that would allow for [[intimacy]] of [[expression]] without lapsing into [[familiarity]].

There are those of you who misconstrue my use of the word intimacy to be related to intercourse of a different ilk also than I intend to convey. This social intercourse, the art of communication, is based upon your sonship/daughtership. That you are each indwelt by The Father, that you recognize that you are brothers and sisters in the [[spirit]], affords you an understanding of that comforting presence of The Father within that would allow for intimacy of expression without lapsing into familiarity.

"Familiarity breeds [[contempt]]." It is like [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sibling_rivalry sibling rivalry] -- and there are always [[opportunities]] for you to lapse into sibling rivalries, even among yourselves -- but if you have practiced communicating intimately, as a [[dignified]] son and daughter of the [[Most High]]s, as a well-rounded, well-balanced [[personality]], you refrain from the smallness [[inherent]] in familiarity. Your level of communication has been elevated to a new [[plateau]]. It affords The Father [[opportunity]] to include Himself in your [[rapport]].

"Familiarity breeds contempt." It is like sibling rivalry -- and there are always opportunities for you to lapse into sibling rivalries, even among yourselves -- but if you have practiced communicating intimately, as a dignified son and daughter of the [[Most High]]s, as a well-rounded, well-balanced personality, you refrain from the smallness inherent in familiarity. Your level of communication has been elevated to a new plateau. It affords The Father opportunity to include Himself in your rapport.

For instance, in a [[marriage]], many of you have seen or known couples -- perhaps you are party to one -- where the [[husband]] and [[wife]] have known each other for so long, part of their [[communication]] is this [[affectionate]] bickering that goes on between them, and that they are [[comfortable]] with, but that is irksome to [[strangers]], although it is understood by strangers, for they themselves are [[guilty]] of that [[practice]].

For instance, in a [[marriage]], many of you have seen or known couples -- perhaps you are party to one -- where the husband and wife have known each other for so long, part of their communication is this affectionate bickering that goes on between them, and that they are comfortable with, but that is irksome to strangers, although it is understood by strangers, for they themselves are guilty of that practice.

The husband and wife, after many, many years of [[association]], have become familiar. They have seen each other at their worst and tripped over the children's toys and bungled life's [[opportunities]] and the other has been there to [[witness]] each other's failings. This would demean the [[nobility]] of the association except for the [[understanding]] that you are [[ascension]] candidates reaching towards [[perfection]], that you are not fools but [[human]]s, attempting to elevate your [[modus operandi]] from an [[animal]] level to a [[human]] level, even to a [[superhuman]] level of functioning and [[cooperation]] and [[communication]].

The husband and wife, after many, many years of association, have become familiar. They have seen each other at their worst and tripped over the children's toys and bungled life's opportunities and the other has been there to witness each other's failings. This would demean the nobility of the association except for the understanding that you are [[ascension]] candidates reaching towards perfection, that you are not fools but [[human]]s, attempting to elevate your modus operandi from an animal level to a human level, even to a superhuman level of functioning and cooperation and communication.

It is fostered in your [[churches]] that [[Christ]] be the true head of the [[family]], and herein truly is the secret of the [[happy]] [[home]], for if Christ is the head of the family, the [[marriage]] is met by and through [[The Father]] and He is involved in every [[conversation]], He is a party to all of life's circumstances, all of life's [[foibles]], [[challenges]], [[failures]], successes, struggles, [[pains]], rejoicing, growth, ad infinitum. When The Father is with you, you are not belittle-able. You have been elevated.

It is fostered in your churches that Christ be the true head of the family, and herein truly is the secret of the happy home, for if Christ is the head of the family, the marriage is met by and through The Father and He is involved in every conversation, He is a party to all of life's circumstances, all of life's foibles, challenges, failures, successes, struggles, pains, rejoicing, growth, ad infinitum. When The Father is with you, you are not belittle-able. You have been elevated.

And when we hear you [[sharing]] as you shared this evening -- [[quietly]], calmly, sincerely -- we hear you speak intimately, for you are aware that [[The Father]] is hearing you; indeed, it is possible that The Father may be speaking through you, and so we pay closer [[attention]]. We [[honor]] your words, for you are His child.

And when we hear you sharing as you shared this evening -- quietly, calmly, sincerely -- we hear you speak intimately, for you are aware that The Father is hearing you; indeed, it is possible that The Father may be speaking through you, and so we pay closer attention. We honor your words, for you are His child.

It puts it in a different light than the familiarity of your [[culture]] and your [[society]] - which is not to be disdained! [[Familiarity]] is indeed a viable [[method]] of [[communication]] -- but we have been working on this new [[understanding]] of [[sharing]] amongst each other. In that [[intimacy]] you may promote an aspect of [[association]] that is rich in [[ethics]] and [[humor]] and [[affection]].

There were other things I had [[hoped]] to discuss this evening, and Merium, of course, is [[eager]] also to spend some time with you. Your evening, once again, has already been full. I, however, will [[persevere]], since we are all together. One moment.

 

There were other things I had hoped to discuss this evening, and Merium, of course, is eager also to spend some time with you. Your evening, once again, has already been full. I, however, will persevere, since we are all together. One moment.

MERIUM: I am Merium. I am glad to be here and to be called up to address you.

MERIUM: I am Merium. I am glad to be here and to be called up to address you.

Group: Nice to have you with us.

Group: Nice to have you with us.

MERIUM: I have come forth primarily this evening to greet you, Mary Theresa, my little pumpkin. How are you? I am not as familiar with you as I shall be. Oops! Did I say "familiar"? (Group laughter)

MERIUM: I have come forth primarily this evening to greet you, Mary Theresa, my little pumpkin. How are you? I am not as familiar with you as I shall be. Oops! Did I say "familiar"? (Group [[laughter]])

Mary Theresa: It's okay with me!

Mary Theresa: It's okay with me!

MERIUM: It is okay with me, too. I am joking for I am lightness personified, you see. I am a counter-balance to our Tomas, and I josh more readily. Perhaps I am the answer to the exaltation of the ego! I do not say that to disparage Tomas or to make unflattering innuendo, but to be joyous and to proclaim my understanding of your thought processes, your feelings and, indeed, your human condition. I am well versed in the human condition, having "been there, done that."

MERIUM: It is okay with me, too. I am [[joking]] for I am lightness [[personified]], you see. I am a counter-[[balance]] to our Tomas, and I josh more readily. Perhaps I am the answer to the exaltation of the [[ego]]! I do not say that to disparage Tomas or to make unflattering [[innuendo]], but to be joyous and to [[proclaim]] my understanding of your [[thought]] [[processes]], your [[feelings]] and, indeed, your [[human condition]]. I am well versed in the human condition, having "been there, done that."

Since last week, we have discussed your session of last week, and in particular the question that Elizabeth asked, and Tomas did not feel that he had answered Elizabeth's question in fullness. I am not sure that I can rise to the occasion to attempt to further elucidate her concern, but I would like to try.

Since last week, we have [[discussed]] your session of last week, and in particular the question that Elizabeth asked, and Tomas did not feel that he had answered Elizabeth's question in fullness. I am not sure that I can rise to the occasion to attempt to further elucidate her concern, but I would like to try.

You recall, Elizabeth, that you had asked a question in which you had suggested that someone had suggested that individuals volunteer to do "dumb things" so that lessons can be learned. I have paraphrased that for the sake of simplification. Do you recall, Elizabeth?

You recall, Elizabeth, that you had asked a question in which you had suggested that someone had suggested that individuals volunteer to do "dumb things" so that lessons can be learned. I have paraphrased that for the sake of simplification. Do you recall, Elizabeth?