Changes

I request that you keep this [[assignment]] [[light]] and not see this as yet another [[burden]] of great [[magnitude]] on your lives, but simply your impressions and observations and suggestions, big or small, critical or praiseworthy. We will assess all comment for its [[worth]].

I request that you keep this [[assignment]] [[light]] and not see this as yet another [[burden]] of great [[magnitude]] on your lives, but simply your impressions and observations and suggestions, big or small, critical or praiseworthy. We will assess all comment for its [[worth]].

My comment, our comment, to you is "well done". You have stuck with this program since its [[inception]] . You have tackled many [[concepts]] foreign to you, and you have grown through this [[process]] and have conquered much of this subject matter and have grown as a result. It is all that we could have [[hoped]] for or asked when we began this [[process]], and we are excited and elated at your progress. We simply desire to be more [[perfect]], to grow towards perfection in this process as in all processes. Therein you may be helpful to us.

My comment, our comment, to you is "well done". You have stuck with this program since its inception . You have tackled many [[concepts]] foreign to you, and you have grown through this [[process]] and have conquered much of this subject matter and have grown as a result. It is all that we could have [[hoped]] for or asked when we began this [[process]], and we are excited and elated at your progress. We simply desire to be more [[perfect]], to grow towards perfection in this process as in all processes. Therein you may be helpful to us.

I thank you for your [[consideration]] of these matters, and I would return to solicit your comments at a later time.

I thank you for your [[consideration]] of these matters, and I would return to solicit your comments at a later time.

Jessona (Jonathan): This is Jessona, and I give you a hearty "hello".

Jessona (Jonathan): This is Jessona, and I give you a hearty "hello".

===='''''[[Creativity]]'''''====

===='''''[[Creativity]]'''''====

It is witnessed your alertness to our [[encouragement]] that you [[practice]] [[stillness]], and we also [[discern]] your willingness to apply your mental [[abilities]] toward [[comprehension]] of the [[meanings]] expressed to you through the teachings of [[the teachers]]. There is a time in the normal and healthy [[cycle]] of the mental environment that you let your mind be at [[play]], to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_association_%28psychology%29 free associate], to not be concerned over evaluative [[judgments]] of [[worth]], to let the activity of mind be restful. In doing so, you will [[discover]] rising to the surface previously unconsidered [[ideas]] that you would not have dredged up through a concerted and [[disciplined]] mental probing. So, I encourage you to be [[playful]], to let the mind go, to let it romp in the playground. The musicians among you [[understand]] how often it is in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jam_session jam] with other musicians that a new hookline appears that makes for a new [[song]] that is not necessarily [[discovered]] by deliberately sitting down to [[compose]] a hookline. The [[mind]] at [[play]] is the rearrangement of [[potentials]]. The mind at [[work]] is the application of potentials. The mind in [[stillness]] is an event that has no [[comparison]].

It is witnessed your alertness to our [[encouragement]] that you [[practice]] [[stillness]], and we also [[discern]] your willingness to apply your mental [[abilities]] toward [[comprehension]] of the [[meanings]] expressed to you through the teachings of [[the teachers]]. There is a time in the normal and healthy [[cycle]] of the mental environment that you let your mind be at [[play]], to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_association_%28psychology%29 free associate], to not be concerned over evaluative [[judgments]] of [[worth]], to let the activity of mind be restful. In doing so, you will [[discover]] rising to the surface previously unconsidered [[ideas]] that you would not have dredged up through a concerted and [[disciplined]] mental probing. So, I encourage you to be [[playful]], to let the mind go, to let it romp in the playground. The musicians among you [[understand]] how often it is in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jam_session jam] with other musicians that a new hookline appears that makes for a new [[song]] that is not necessarily [[discovered]] by deliberately sitting down to [[compose]] a hookline. The [[mind]] at [[play]] is the rearrangement of [[potentials]]. The mind at [[work]] is the application of potentials. The mind in [[stillness]] is an event that has no [[comparison]].

I have finished my [[expression]]. Thank you.

I have finished my [[expression]]. Thank you.

===Dialogue===

===Dialogue===

Mary: When I discover I've learned something or deepened my understanding, it's usually at the oddest times, when my mind is wandering. It's not usually when I'm studying a lesson, though those insights at the time of my mind wandering are seeded by study.

Mary: When I [[discover]] I've learned something or deepened my [[understanding]], it's usually at the oddest times, when my [[mind]] is [[wandering]]. It's not usually when I'm [[studying]] a lesson, though those [[insights]] at the time of my mind wandering are [[seeded]] by study.

Jessona: As one engaged in fostering culture on this world, I take delight in observing how each civilization develops over time, to witness those developments as they crystallize into traditions and cultural standards, and to witness how they undergo revolutionary change or even gradual development into new practices and procedures.

Jessona: As one [[engaged]] in fostering [[culture]] on [[this world]], I take delight in [[observing]] how each [[civilization]] develops over [[time]], to witness those developments as they crystallize into [[traditions]] and cultural standards, and to witness how they undergo revolutionary [[change]] or even [[gradual]] development into new [[practices]] and procedures.

The culinary arts on Urantia, are, in themselves, fascinating. The artistic quality of cooking, cuisine, to use that word, is a morontia equivalent. Feeding the body to sustain its energy is a physical activity, but the development of recipe and presentation has morontia equivalents. This can be likened to the mind at play in regard to many potentials, for it is in the playfulness of food preparation that you have the many varieties of cultural dishes. They, like religion and philosophy, crystallize into a form that is repeated. Its good merit is the preservation of the expression of beauty from the past. Its defect is the elimination of that creative playfulness that would invent new forms of food presentation. Yes, I do stress to you the benefit of play, that it isn't just recreational reversion; it can contribute significantly to progress and bring results that deliberate workfulness may not bring about.

The [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culinary_arts culinary arts] on Urantia, are, in themselves, [[fascinating]]. The artistic [[quality]] of cooking, cuisine, to use that word, is a [[morontia]] equivalent. Feeding the body to sustain its [[energy]] is a physical activity, but the [[development]] of recipe and presentation has morontia equivalents. This can be likened to the [[mind]] at [[play]] in regard to many [[potentials]], for it is in the playfulness of food [[preparation]] that you have the many varieties of cultural dishes. They, like [[religion]] and [[philosophy]], crystallize into a [[form]] that is repeated. Its good merit is the [[preservation]] of the [[expression]] of beauty from the [[past]]. Its defect is the elimination of that creative playfulness that would [[invent]] new forms of food presentation. Yes, I do stress to you the benefit of [[play]], that it isn't just recreational reversion; it can contribute significantly to [[progress]] and bring results that deliberate workfulness may not bring about.

Jonathan: Lantarnek, this homework, should we write a general reflection? Should we itemize lessons learned, lessons desired? Should we give A through E answers as to how well we think the Teaching Mission is progressing and how well we feel fulfilled? What kind of preparation would you like for your next visit?

Jonathan: Lantarnek, this [[homework]], should we write a general [[reflection]]? Should we itemize lessons learned, lessons [[desired]]? Should we give A through E answers as to how well we think the [[Teaching Mission]] is progressing and how well we feel fulfilled? What kind of [[preparation]] would you like for your next [[visit]]?

Lantarnek (Mark): I would reflect back on what Jessona just offered you, and encourage you to be light about this, to simply reflect back on our work together and to come up with whatever rises to the surface off the top of your head, so to speak. I do not desire that this be a significant labor on your part but rather your impressions which , as they rise to the surface, tend to become predominant factors in your experience. The directions you proposed are each one valid, and I would ask you to simply pick an avenue of approach to your consideration of this matter and let your impressions rise to the surface. Again, I do not require of you great study or serious problem solving. This is more your opinion of this process and what about it is significant to you. If you have any suggestions bring them to the surface but do not force the issue and require yourself to enumerate examples in a forced fashion. Simply allow yourself the time this next week to let significant impressions rise to the surface.

Lantarnek (Mark): I would [[reflect]] back on what Jessona just offered you, and [[encourage]] you to be [[light]] about this, to simply reflect back on our work [[together]] and to come up with whatever rises to the surface off the top of your head, so to speak. I do not [[desire]] that this be a significant labor on your part but rather your impressions which , as they rise to the surface, tend to become predominant [[factors]] in your experience. The [[directions]] you proposed are each one valid, and I would ask you to simply pick an avenue of approach to your [[consideration]] of this matter and let your impressions rise to the [[surface]]. Again, I do not require of you great [[study]] or serious [[problem solving]]. This is more your [[opinion]] of this [[process]] and what about it is significant to you. If you have any suggestions bring them to the surface but do not force the issue and require yourself to enumerate examples in a [[forced]] fashion. Simply allow yourself the time this next week to let significant impressions rise to the surface.

Does this help to clarify?

Does this help to [[clarify]]?

Jonathan: Yes, that's good. In my upbringing an instructor would test the students to see if they have grasped the lessons. I admire how you celestials teachers test yourselves to see how well you have done.

Jonathan: Yes, that's good. In my upbringing an instructor would test the [[students]] to see if they have grasped the lessons. I admire how you [[celestial]] [[teachers]] test yourselves to see how well you have done.

Lantarnek: Admiration, my friend, is something we share for each other, and it is necessary from time to time to hear honestly from the student and to see what items of significance rise to the surface. This further helps us in our determination of human nature and of interest in areas or subjects. We certainly place great value on your direct observations as students in the classroom. I know that we share, the students and the teachers, a desire to be more perfect in this process. This is simply another self-evaluative step we take together.

Lantarnek: Admiration, my friend, is something we [[share]] for each other, and it is [[necessary]] from time to time to hear [[honestly]] from the student and to see what items of significance rise to the surface. This further helps us in our determination of human nature and of interest in areas or subjects. We certainly place great [[value]] on your direct [[observations]] as students in the classroom. I know that we [[share]], the students and the teachers, a desire to be more [[perfect]] in this [[process]]. This is simply another self-evaluative [[step]] we take together.

I could have asked each of you directly here today just to enumerate off the top of your head what your thoughts are. I thought it best to perhaps give you a period of days to reflect. Either way may have been appropriate. I thought perhaps you would be more comfortable with the second option.

I could have asked each of you directly here today just to enumerate off the top of your head what your [[thoughts]] are. I thought it best to perhaps give you a period of days to [[reflect]]. Either way may have been appropriate. I thought perhaps you would be more comfortable with the second [[option]].

Jonathan: I know the transcriber would enjoy that.

Jonathan: I know the transcriber would enjoy that.

Mary: I have trouble taking the lesson [[ideas]] and [[ideals]] and connecting with what happens in [[life]]. I understand when we are talking about it, but I wish I was better at grasping what was really going on in ministry situations, the crux of the matter. I wish you would say, "This [[experience]] you talked about, what was really going on was [[intimacy]]" or [[tolerance]], or a concrete example of [[triangles]]. I realize it takes awhile for [[seeds]] to sprout.

 

Mary: I have trouble taking the lesson ideas and ideals and connecting with what happens in life. I understand when we are talking about it, but I wish I was better at grasping what was really going on in ministry situations, the crux of the matter. I wish you would say, "This experience you talked about, what was really going on was intimacy" or tolerance, or a concrete example of triangles. I realize it takes awhile for seeds to sprout.

 

 

Point number two, you are getting there for yourselves. It is witnessed. It is a matter of record to the universe of universes that you are proceeding in a glorious fashion at a very difficult task, which is point number three.

In a world of light and life or subsequent developing spheres, you begin the process with the basic premise that you are a developing world, that you are developing toward the Father, and you have morontia guidelines to where to develop. Your case is starkly different from that. You have been raised and have grown up for your educational life living one reality. It is your own reality and the reality of those around you. To most individuals on your world it will be the only reality encompassed throughout their entire existence. For you, you at a later phase in your life, have been and are being introduced to a subsequent reality, a different reality than the one you have lived to this point. You are making attempts and you are succeeding at overlaying this separate reality onto the reality which you live daily. Your degree of success is what you are striving for in your daily actions and routine. To somehow transform the reality you have known since birth with the addition of another separate and higher reality, to commingle the two as one, is an arduous task. It does not come easily for those of your nature. It is as if living two realties, two lives, two different ways of life. Your choosing to more and more let go of your previous reality in favor of and as a result of choosing a higher more spiritual reality, this is a monumental task. This task is so monumental that it is often not even scratched the surface of in this existence.

Lantarnek: Three points could be made here, if I can take this time.            Number one is we, as [[teachers]], walk a fine line between laying things out, as you state, and allowing you to [[discover]] the [[truths]] for yourselves. We constantly have to monitor our [[zeal]] for providing you with the [[insights]] and the lessons which you crave and allowing you the [[freedom]] and [[growth]] and [[opportunity]] and experience to absorb this for yourselves. So, it may seem at times to you as though we might even be withholding or somehow not providing for you when in fact we are struggling to bite our tongue, so to speak, to allow you the [[freedom]] to get there for yourselves.

You are now torn between these two realities. Your soul, your indwelling spirit, desires that you adopt more fully this higher reality that you are now aware of. But your life and habits and those around you are all existent in this different reality. So therein lies your challenge, which you will have for the rest of the time on this world, to make peace with yourself over this apparent duality of realities. I am here to tell you that the more you try, the more you succeed, the easier it is to make the two into one, to apply the higher reality to the lower and more base elements of your life. In each aspect of the life you came to know since infancy you can enhance, you can increase, the spiritual nature of this reality at each step. This is your great challenge.

Point number two, you are getting there for yourselves. It is witnessed. It is a matter of [[record]] to [[the universe]] of universes that you are proceeding in a [[glorious]] fashion at a very difficult task, which is point number three.

===='''''[[Urantia]]''''', '''''[[Spirituality]]'''''====

In a world of [[light and life]] or subsequent developing spheres, you begin the [[process]] with the basic premise that you are a developing world, that you are developing toward [[the Father]], and you have [[morontia]] guidelines to where to develop. Your case is starkly [[different]] from that. You have been raised and have grown up for your educational life living one [[reality]]. It is your own reality and the reality of those around you. To most [[individuals]] on your world it will be the only reality [[encompassed]] throughout their entire existence. For you, you at a later phase in your life, have been and are being introduced to a subsequent reality, a [[different]] reality than the one you have lived to this point. You are making attempts and you are succeeding at overlaying this separate reality onto the reality which you live daily. Your degree of success is what you are striving for in your daily [[actions]] and routine. To somehow [[transform]] the reality you have known since [[birth]] with the addition of another separate and higher reality, to commingle the two as one, is an arduous task. It does not come easily for those of your [[nature]]. It is as if living two realties, two lives, two different ways of life. Your [[choosing]] to more and more let go of your previous reality in [[favor]] of and as a result of choosing a higher more [[spiritual]] reality, this is a [[monumental]] task. This task is so monumental that it is often not even scratched the surface of in this existence.

After this existence there will not be this great separation of realities, there will not be this great choice made at every crossroads of your life because you will be aware of your destiny, of your surroundings, much more clearly. But in this life you must grapple with this issue.

You are now torn between these two [[realities]]. [[Your soul]], your [[indwelling spirit]], desires that you adopt more fully this higher reality that you are now [[aware]] of. But your life and [[habits]] and those around you are all existent in this different reality. So therein lies your [[challenge]], which you will have for the rest of the time on [[this world]], to make [[peace]] with yourself over this apparent [[duality]] of realities. I am here to tell you that the more you try, the more you succeed, the easier it is to make the two into one, to apply the higher reality to the lower and more base elements of your [[life]]. In each aspect of the life you came to know since [[infancy]] you can enhance, you can increase, the [[spiritual]] nature of this reality at each [[step]]. This is your great [[challenge]].

You may not be aware at this time, but the actions you are taking now are exactly correct for making this transition in your lives. It's not a sudden thing; it's not an overwhelming or profound occurrence, it is a day by day choosing, an application of what you have learned in our classrooms into your daily lives. Be gentle with yourselves. You are thinking of these ideals and thinking of bringing them into your lives. That is all that is required of you as a mortal of the realm. You are successful; you simply desire to be more successful. This is a good motivation, but do not let it be a discouraging force. Proceed onward exactly as you are now. Do the things you think you should do, you know, you feel you should do. Forgive yourself the shortcomings that you have as a mortal of the realm.

After this existence there will not be this great [[separation]] of realities, there will not be this great [[choice]] made at every [[crossroads]] of your [[life]] because you will be aware of your [[destiny]], of your [[surroundings]], much more clearly. But in this life you must grapple with this issue.

Do these words help your understanding?

You may not be [[aware]] at this time, but the [[actions]] you are taking now are exactly correct for making this [[transition]] in your lives. It's not a sudden thing; it's not an overwhelming or [[profound]] occurrence, it is a day by day [[choosing]], an application of what you have learned in our classrooms into your daily lives. Be [[gentle]] with yourselves. You are [[thinking]] of these [[ideals]] and thinking of bringing them into your lives. That is all that is required of you as a [[mortal]] of the realm. You are successful; you simply [[desire]] to be more successful. This is a good [[motivation]], but do not let it be a [[discouraging]] force. Proceed onward exactly as you are now. Do the things you think you should do, you know, you feel you should do. [[Forgive]] yourself the shortcomings that you have as a [[mortal]] of the realm.

Mary: Yes, I realize you struggle with not putting more on the table than we can eat. Through these keys you give us of stillness, reflection, reversion, balance we work on these problems together. It's beautiful.

Mary: Yes, I realize you [[struggle]] with not putting more on the table than we can eat. Through these keys you give us of [[stillness]], [[reflection]], reversion, [[balance]] we work on these [[problems]] together. It's [[beautiful]].

Lantarnek: I am forced to point out to you that when you reach these apexes of dilemma, you must see this as success because if you had no dilemma, you would have no options, no choices to be made in your life, no growth subsequent to choice. If you come to a point where you feel that you are not doing all you could and you wish there was more that could apply to your life from the spiritual side, that is a wonderful sign. We sing with joy when you reach these points of frustration, of desire, that they may be your catalyst to once again take a step forward. So, do not see this frustration or impatience as defeat in any way. It is the exact opposite. It is success, because you now know the presence and the way in which you would like to effect your life with spiritual change.

Lantarnek: I am [[forced]] to point out to you that when you reach these apexes of [[dilemma]], you must see this as success because if you had no dilemma, you would have no [[options]], no choices to be made in your life, no [[growth]] subsequent to choice. If you come to a point where you feel that you are not doing all you could and you wish there was more that could apply to your life from the [[spiritual]] side, that is a wonderful [[sign]]. We [[sing]] with [[joy]] when you reach these points of [[frustration]], of [[desire]], that they may be your [[catalyst]] to once again take a [[step]] forward. So, do not see this [[frustration]] or impatience as [[defeat]] in any way. It is the exact opposite. It is success, because you now know the [[presence]] and the way in which you would like to effect your life with [[spiritual]] [[change]].

[[Category: The Teaching Mission: Dialogues]]

[[Category: The Teaching Mission: Dialogues]]

[[Category: Mark Rogers]]

[[Category: Mark Rogers]]

[[Category: Truth]]

[[Category: Truth]]

[[Category: Education/TeaM]]

[[Category: Expression]]

[[Category: Progress]]

[[Category: 1999]]

[[Category: 1999]]