Changes

Andirondek: "This is true, but there must be a [[balance]] achieved between [[listening]] and looking for [[fault]], for shortcomings, and [[mortals]] are often on the short end in terms of [[listening]]."

Andirondek: "This is true, but there must be a [[balance]] achieved between [[listening]] and looking for [[fault]], for shortcomings, and [[mortals]] are often on the short end in terms of [[listening]]."

===='''''[[Service]]''''', '''''[[Self Evaluation]]'''''====

===='''''[[Service]]''''', '''''[[Self Evaluation]]'''''====

Daniel (Bill): "I would add further comment. I am Daniel. The [[problem]] with religions introspection is that it tends to be [[egoistic]] and self-centered. In terms of your [[culture]], you have a saying, 'a watched pot never boils.' The energy consumed in introspecting about one's spiritual level takes one's [[attention]] away from others, from [[service]] [[motivation]], and draws the world into the suction of a self-centered [[thinking]] [[process]]. [[Jesus]] was the perfect human being because he turned over every decision to the guidance of his [[Indwelling Adjuster]], his Father. And to the extent that a person, a mortal, can stop worrying about his or her spiritual [[status]] and [[desire]] above all to do the same thing, to say that it is my will that your will be done, and turn their [[attention]] to others in [[service]], will they then approximate to some degree or another the life of [[our Master]]. It is not my [[intention]] as your teacher to [[encourage]] you in morbid [[self]]-[[examination]]. I have directed that you try to remember [[events]] and [[interpretations]] of them as children at times in order for you to move through the process of [[self]] and other [[forgiveness]]. But I would be remiss if my teaching should lead you to [[focus]] on this self-[[identity]] process at the expense of turning over to God for the [[guidance]] of the present moment, for the present moment is the moment in which you have contact with God. Has this [[clarified]] for you, my dear?"

Daniel (Bill): "I would add further comment. I am Daniel. The [[problem]] with religions introspection is that it tends to be [[egoistic]] and self-centered. In terms of your [[culture]], you have a saying, 'a watched pot never boils.' The energy consumed in introspecting about one's spiritual level takes one's [[attention]] away from others, from [[service]] [[motivation]], and draws the world into the suction of a self-centered [[thinking]] [[process]]. [[Jesus]] was the perfect human being because he turned over every decision to the guidance of his [[Indwelling Adjuster]], his Father. And to the extent that a person, a mortal, can stop worrying about his or her spiritual [[status]] and [[desire]] above all to do the same thing, to say that it is my will that your will be done, and turn their [[attention]] to others in [[service]], will they then approximate to some degree or another the life of [[our Master]]. It is not my [[intention]] as your teacher to [[encourage]] you in morbid [[self-examination]]. I have directed that you try to remember [[events]] and [[interpretations]] of them as children at times in order for you to move through the process of [[self]] and other [[forgiveness]]. But I would be remiss if my teaching should lead you to [[focus]] on this self-[[identity]] process at the expense of turning over to God for the [[guidance]] of the present moment, for the present moment is the moment in which you have contact with God. Has this [[clarified]] for you, my dear?"

Virginia: "I really thank both of you teachers and I think what you've said is what I would want to hear, because I did [[believe]] that it is not negating of [[self]] that produces [[spirituality]], but rather wanting to [[do the will of God]], and yet, certainly it does... there has to be some sort of [[examination]] of where I am and what I'm doing in order to make sure that my [[desire]] is to do that of my Father."

Virginia: "I really thank both of you teachers and I think what you've said is what I would want to hear, because I did [[believe]] that it is not negating of [[self]] that produces [[spirituality]], but rather wanting to [[do the will of God]], and yet, certainly it does... there has to be some sort of [[examination]] of where I am and what I'm doing in order to make sure that my [[desire]] is to do that of my Father."

Daniel: "I would advise you to turn away from a [[formalized]] approach to this [[self]]-[[appraisal]], except when you stumble. When you stumble, and you know clearly that you have [[erred]], that you have done that which is in error, then take a good look at it until the [[picture]] is [[clear]], stand up, get back on your [[journey]], and give it no more [[thought]] in terms of your [[regret]] or [[guilt]]. Remember the lesson, yes, but put your gaze forward. That is all." Virginia: "Thank you, Daniel."

Daniel: "I would advise you to turn away from a [[formalized]] approach to this [[self-appraisal]], except when you stumble. When you stumble, and you know clearly that you have [[erred]], that you have done that which is in error, then take a good look at it until the [[picture]] is [[clear]], stand up, get back on your [[journey]], and give it no more [[thought]] in terms of your [[regret]] or [[guilt]]. Remember the lesson, yes, but put your gaze forward. That is all." Virginia: "Thank you, Daniel."

 

===Closing===

===Closing===

Aaron (Bob D.): "This is Aaron. My friends, I would offer a few [[words]] of closing this evening. But in response to Virginia's [[intelligent]] question that has sparked much [[desire]] to answer, I would first try to offer you a [[story]] about a [[young man]] who had a [[self-righteous]] sense of [[purpose]]. The [[ego]] and [[spirit]] both have [[functions]] within the being, and this youth certainly had a well-developed sense of [[self]], such that he felt the desire to [[express]] himself for the edification of all others. [[Youth]] often lacks [[wisdom]] and this boy was no exception. He had the yearning of his [[personality]], but it was clouded with the ego who desired [[attention]]. Obviously his efforts produced [[frustration]] as many did not desire to [[listen]] to his [[self-righteousness]] and [[attitude]]. In his [[disillusionment]] this man was forced to reckon with himself and his immaturity. A long [[process]] of [[self]]-[[reflection]] ensued where the ego and the personality played out various [[exercises]], first against each other, [[eventually]] with each other. The personality realized that the ego desired [[attention]]. In the [[wisdom]] of the [[First Source]], the slow, nurturing of a [[relationship]] between the self and the spirit began, rather than an endless [[cycle]] of battling, trying to destroy the [[self]], which has never been something that is overly effective. Awareness was the result of the [[relationship]] of this period of [[introspection]] and the [[ego]] was not [[dormant]], but rather began to [[trust]] the [[leadings]] of the [[spirit]], that what would satisfy the self more would be the wishes of this eternally [[mature]] outlook. Therefore, over time there developed an ability within this youth, now mature adult, to wisely minister to those within his life.  

Aaron (Bob D.): "This is Aaron. My friends, I would offer a few [[words]] of closing this evening. But in response to Virginia's [[intelligent]] question that has sparked much [[desire]] to answer, I would first try to offer you a [[story]] about a [[young man]] who had a [[self-righteous]] sense of [[purpose]]. The [[ego]] and [[spirit]] both have [[functions]] within the being, and this youth certainly had a well-developed sense of [[self]], such that he felt the desire to [[express]] himself for the edification of all others. [[Youth]] often lacks [[wisdom]] and this boy was no exception. He had the yearning of his [[personality]], but it was clouded with the ego who desired [[attention]]. Obviously his efforts produced [[frustration]] as many did not desire to [[listen]] to his [[self-righteousness]] and [[attitude]]. In his [[disillusionment]] this man was forced to reckon with himself and his immaturity. A long [[process]] of [[self]]-[[reflection]] ensued where the ego and the personality played out various [[exercises]], first against each other, [[eventually]] with each other. The personality realized that the ego desired [[attention]]. In the [[wisdom]] of the [[First Source]], the slow, nurturing of a [[relationship]] between the self and the spirit began, rather than an endless [[cycle]] of battling, trying to destroy the [[self]], which has never been something that is overly effective. Awareness was the result of the [[relationship]] of this period of [[introspection]] and the [[ego]] was not [[dormant]], but rather began to [[trust]] the [[leadings]] of the [[spirit]], that what would satisfy the self more would be the wishes of this eternally [[mature]] outlook. Therefore, over time there developed an ability within this youth, now mature adult, to wisely minister to those within his life.