Changes

==Session==

==Session==

===Opening===

===Opening===

TOMAS: Good afternoon, faithful flock, beloved students. My heart reaches out to embrace you, to welcome you home to your friends in the realms of the spirit.

TOMAS: Good afternoon, [[faithful]] flock, beloved [[students]]. My [[heart]] reaches out to [[embrace]] you, to welcome you [[home]] to your friends in the realms of the spirit.

This is a continuation of a sort, in that, in my series of lessons on Fruits of the Spirit, I neglected purposely, I neglected to discourse regarding Enduring Peace, offering instead the fruit of Comforting Presence, as it seemed a reasonable step in the direction of Enduring Peace which is a fruit of the spirit we are still aspiring to see, even though each of you as individuals and in Stillness are able to, by varying degrees, tap into the peace which passes all understanding, thereby whetting your appetite for the living water which is deep in the Well.

This is a continuation of a sort, in that, in my series of lessons on [[Fruits of the Spirit]], I neglected purposely, I neglected to [[discourse]] regarding ''Enduring [[Peace]]'', offering instead the fruit of ''Comforting [[Presence]]'', as it seemed a reasonable step in the [[direction]] of ''Enduring Peace'' which is a fruit of the spirit we are still [[aspiring]] to see, even though each of you as individuals and in [[Stillness]] are able to, by varying degrees, tap into the peace which passes all [[understanding]], thereby whetting your appetite for the [[living water]] which is deep in the [[Well]].

===Lesson===

===Lesson===

When you mean to, when you set out to carry your state of grace into your arena and take with you the fruit of the spirit Enduring Peace, it is somehow short-lived more than enduring as it is experienced in the social arena. It is because, in part because you are still combative and competitive, but this bellicose nature is being bridled by your awareness of your impact on others, and this is qualified by how the Spirit of Truth is being interpreted in your life as a result of your perceptions due to your mindal mechanics.

When you mean to, when you set out to carry your state of [[grace]] into your arena and take with you the [[fruit of the spirit]] ''Enduring [[Peace]]'', it is somehow short-lived more than enduring as it is experienced in the [[social]] arena. It is because, in part because you are still combative and [[competitive]], but this bellicose nature is being [[bridled]] by your awareness of your [[impact]] on others, and this is qualified by how the [[Spirit of Truth]] is being [[interpreted]] in your life as a result of your [[perceptions]] due to your mindal [[mechanics]].

Enduring peace is the kind of peace that is with you even in a social state of chaos, a confused environment, under confusing circumstances, circumstances which are in a constant state of vacillation as a result of its having no anchor, and so the fact that you have been born of the spirit is a guarantee that in some measure it will hold true that you are enduring in your reflection of peace. This is a reasonable facsimile of Comforting Presence.

Enduring peace is the kind of peace that is with you even in a [[social]] state of [[chaos]], a [[confused]] environment, under confusing circumstances, circumstances which are in a constant state of vacillation as a result of its having no [[anchor]], and so the [[fact]] that you have been [[born of the spirit]] is a guarantee that in some measure it will hold true that you are [[enduring]] in your [[reflection]] of [[peace]]. This is a reasonable facsimile of ''Comforting [[Presence]]''.

But what this says, so far, attentive ones, is that while you may know peace within and while you may walk with it into your arena, and abide therein with poise, sooner or later in your involvement, in your experiential aspects, your pacific predilections will run aground and you will find yourself bumping your head against the wall, bucking horns with your adversaries, convincing another of the rightness of your opinion or whatever variable allows for the irritant to muzzle your expressions of fraternal harmony.

But what this says, so far, [[attentive]] ones, is that while you may know [[peace]] within and while you may walk with it into your arena, and abide therein with [[poise]], sooner or later in your involvement, in your [[experiential]] aspects, your pacific predilections will run aground and you will find yourself bumping your head against the wall, bucking horns with your [[adversaries]], convincing another of the rightness of your [[opinion]] or whatever variable allows for the irritant to muzzle your [[expressions]] of fraternal [[harmony]].

You therefore want to develop some skills in your attitudes and associations with other, so that your stance of peace is not taken for disinterest and your lack of confrontational tendencies misconstrued as vulnerable. Jesus was called the Prince of Peace, but there was nothing wimpy about him. He was a man among men; he was rugged. Having the fruit of the spirit Enduring Peace affords you the opportunity to see your own destiny unfold before you, for it is not subject to the countenance of others, and it does not put off or alienate, but rather harbors affection for ones fellows.

You therefore want to [[develop]] some [[skills]] in your [[attitudes]] and associations with other, so that your stance of [[peace]] is not taken for disinterest and your lack of [[confrontational]] tendencies misconstrued as [[vulnerable]]. [[Jesus]] was called the [[Prince of Peace]], but there was nothing wimpy about him. He was a man among men; he was rugged. Having the fruit of the spirit Enduring Peace affords you the opportunity to see your own destiny unfold before you, for it is not subject to the countenance of others, and it does not put off or alienate, but rather harbors affection for ones fellows.

"Enduring" is the qualifier, and enduring is so far removed from your culture of today which is so inundated with fast food, quick print, easy on, easy off and disposable representations of reality. You have no frame of reference for what is enduring. Enduring a five minute line at the bank is often more than you can bear; how can you in good faith respect the quality of enduring peace as a way of life? And yet, if it is not undertaken as a way of life, by you first, and soon by many others, until most have complied by the new standard, how else will we develop such an appreciation for world wide and all pervasive enduring peace as a quality of reality throughout the universe?

"Enduring" is the qualifier, and enduring is so far removed from your culture of today which is so inundated with fast food, quick print, easy on, easy off and disposable representations of reality. You have no frame of reference for what is enduring. Enduring a five minute line at the bank is often more than you can bear; how can you in good faith respect the quality of enduring peace as a way of life? And yet, if it is not undertaken as a way of life, by you first, and soon by many others, until most have complied by the new standard, how else will we develop such an appreciation for world wide and all pervasive enduring peace as a quality of reality throughout the universe?