Changes

Minearisa(Bill): I am Minearisa, your Instructor in Residence. My fondest greetings to you all. I was the one who began with a combination of [[statement]] and entreaty, yes, more than simply a [[prayer]].

Minearisa(Bill): I am Minearisa, your Instructor in Residence. My fondest greetings to you all. I was the one who began with a combination of [[statement]] and entreaty, yes, more than simply a [[prayer]].

===Lesson===

===Lesson===

In your [[culture]] you are a [[paradoxical]], puzzling, and at times very [[frustrating]] mixture of two [[opinions]] in regards to your [[physicality]], your physical existence. The one [[tradition]] coming from your [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greek_religion#Morality Greek ancestors] and manifest in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victorian_era Victorian][http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puritanism /Puritan] [[morality]] does not celebrate the [[existence]] of the physical realm, but views it as a veil of tears, a scene of punishment administration and the natural world as a foe to be battled, [[struggled]] with and [[conquered]]. Even your [[English]] language, as it was used in the presentation of the [[Urantia Papers]], conveys misleading nuances when the term, "[[animal nature]]", is used in the book. It is difficult to shade that phrase, "animal nature", in such a way that it doesn't capture [[negative]] hues in its coloration. It suggests to many people the [[idea]] that the physical [[body]] and the physical world is less desirable and somehow tainted with [[evil]]. To ascribe to the animal nature [[inherent]] [[negative]] qualities is theologically problematic for then the question inevitably arises, "What is God about if He or His [[Creator Sons]] are creating this sort of stuff?"

In your [[culture]] you are a [[paradoxical]], puzzling, and at times very [[frustrating]] mixture of two [[opinions]] in regards to your [[physicality]], your physical existence. The one [[tradition]] coming from your [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greek_religion#Morality Greek ancestors] and manifest in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victorian_era Victorian][https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puritanism /Puritan] [[morality]] does not celebrate the [[existence]] of the physical realm, but views it as a veil of tears, a scene of punishment administration and the natural world as a foe to be battled, [[struggled]] with and [[conquered]]. Even your [[English]] language, as it was used in the presentation of the [[Urantia Papers]], conveys misleading nuances when the term, "[[animal nature]]", is used in the book. It is difficult to shade that phrase, "animal nature", in such a way that it doesn't capture [[negative]] hues in its coloration. It suggests to many people the [[idea]] that the physical [[body]] and the physical world is less desirable and somehow tainted with [[evil]]. To ascribe to the animal nature [[inherent]] [[negative]] qualities is theologically problematic for then the question inevitably arises, "What is God about if He or His [[Creator Sons]] are creating this sort of stuff?"

The other [[tradition]], in almost [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schizophrenia schizophrenic] like [[contrast]], is the idea that the physical is the [[ultimate]] aspect of [[reality]]; that one should [[glory]] in their physical nature. This point of view as it is expressed in many [[native]] religions is closer to the [[truth]] than the first point of view. Its positive aspects are that it acknowledges your continuity with your animal cousins, that it affirms that you evolved from physical life forms. It is positive in that it recognizes the [[connection]] you have with the rest of your [[material]] environment. It is [[mythological]] where it does not have the [[companionship]] of [[revelation]] to clarify the nature of Deity. But, from a [[primitive]] understanding and from the information available to it when these [[myths]] were constructed, it is more faithful to the true nature of the "[[animal nature]]". When it has been [[perverted]] it has been to the exclusion of the spiritual realm, which has not been true in native religions, but rather the [[decadence]] of [[disappointment]] from those who are [[disillusioned]] with Victorian/Puritan morality and physical negativism, and who consequently embrace unabashedly the view that we are "nothing more than animals". Today the [[worship]] of [[materialism]] is a perversion of this second opinion, that the material realm is the all important realm.

The other [[tradition]], in almost [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schizophrenia schizophrenic] like [[contrast]], is the idea that the physical is the [[ultimate]] aspect of [[reality]]; that one should [[glory]] in their physical nature. This point of view as it is expressed in many [[native]] religions is closer to the [[truth]] than the first point of view. Its positive aspects are that it acknowledges your continuity with your animal cousins, that it affirms that you evolved from physical life forms. It is positive in that it recognizes the [[connection]] you have with the rest of your [[material]] environment. It is [[mythological]] where it does not have the [[companionship]] of [[revelation]] to clarify the nature of Deity. But, from a [[primitive]] understanding and from the information available to it when these [[myths]] were constructed, it is more faithful to the true nature of the "[[animal nature]]". When it has been [[perverted]] it has been to the exclusion of the spiritual realm, which has not been true in native religions, but rather the [[decadence]] of [[disappointment]] from those who are [[disillusioned]] with Victorian/Puritan morality and physical negativism, and who consequently embrace unabashedly the view that we are "nothing more than animals". Today the [[worship]] of [[materialism]] is a perversion of this second opinion, that the material realm is the all important realm.

The very difficult job that we have before us as [[teachers]] is to bring these two apparently polar [[opposite]] views together and weld them into one [[unified]] [[understanding]]. We have addressed the fact that you are both of animal origin and of [[divine]] origin; that in your animal/human body is housed, as in a [[temple]], the very [[presence]] of the Eternal God, Who willingly submits Himself to the [[decisions]] of the human [[personality]] expressed through the human and therefore the animal nature of the human mind.

The very difficult job that we have before us as [[teachers]] is to bring these two apparently polar [[opposite]] views together and weld them into one [[unified]] [[understanding]]. We have addressed the fact that you are both of animal origin and of [[divine]] origin; that in your animal/human body is housed, as in a [[temple]], the very [[presence]] of the Eternal God, Who willingly submits Himself to the [[decisions]] of the human [[personality]] expressed through the human and therefore the animal nature of the human mind.

God, the [[Eternal Son]], down-steps Himself in each of His [[Bestowal Sons]] in order to experience all the levels of creation including what has been called the lowest, (meaning the most [[fundamental]], rather than the least [[value]] level),the level of [[mortal]] existence. If mortal existence in the physical realm were tainted with inherent evil then the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnosticism Gnostics] would be correct. [[The Gods]] would not approve of or [[participate]] in life in the flesh. But, of course, the Gnostics are wrong, for the flesh is the wonderful [[experiment]] of the [[Life Carriers]] as they have designed the [[personality]] vehicles from animal origins to the point where those vehicles, through their [[mind]] endowments, are capable of contact with [[divinity]].

God, the [[Eternal Son]], down-steps Himself in each of His [[Bestowal Sons]] in order to experience all the levels of creation including what has been called the lowest, (meaning the most [[fundamental]], rather than the least [[value]] level),the level of [[mortal]] existence. If mortal existence in the physical realm were tainted with inherent evil then the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnosticism Gnostics] would be correct. [[The Gods]] would not approve of or [[participate]] in life in the flesh. But, of course, the Gnostics are wrong, for the flesh is the wonderful [[experiment]] of the [[Life Carriers]] as they have designed the [[personality]] vehicles from animal origins to the point where those vehicles, through their [[mind]] endowments, are capable of contact with [[divinity]].

Since [[this world]] has received its [[Bestowal Son]], Who was also the [[Creator Son]], all normal minded mortals routinely receive their Spirit Endowment, the [[Thought Adjusters]]. You are very [[privileged]] in this regard. It is part of your [[apostleship]], your [[morontia]] conscious life, to combine in your understanding and your [[behavior]] the sanctity of your life as a mortal, passing between the [[extremes]] of puritanical [[rejection]] of the flesh and [[hedonistic]] [[worship]] of the flesh; and by the [[union]] of [[divinity]] with [[humanity]] demonstrate in your life the best way, the [[truth]] that you are creatures of flesh and blood, created by the [[command]] and design of those [[Supreme Creators|universe Creators and Administrators]] whom the Father has so designated.

Since [[this world]] has received its [[Bestowal Son]], Who was also the [[Creator Son]], all normal minded mortals routinely receive their Spirit Endowment, the [[Thought Adjusters]]. You are very [[privileged]] in this regard. It is part of your [[apostleship]], your [[morontia]] conscious life, to combine in your understanding and your [[behavior]] the sanctity of your life as a mortal, passing between the [[extremes]] of puritanical [[rejection]] of the flesh and [[hedonistic]] [[worship]] of the flesh; and by the [[union]] of [[divinity]] with [[humanity]] demonstrate in your life the best way, the [[truth]] that you are creatures of flesh and blood, created by the [[command]] and design of those [[Supreme Creators|universe Creators and Administrators]] whom the Father has so designated.

We have repeatedly emphasized that the [[mortal]] life is terribly important. That is because we [[understand]] that the [[experience]] of being in flesh and blood is unique. It is a one time experience. While there is provision for deficiency rectification in the [[mansion world]] experiences, still this does not mean that you can be irresponsible or cavalier about your mortal career. Try and do all you can to walk this mortal life on the same [[path]] that our Lord and Master, [[Jesus]], did, so that you can say that you truly are His followers, that you walk where He walked.

We have repeatedly emphasized that the [[mortal]] life is terribly important. That is because we [[understand]] that the [[experience]] of being in flesh and blood is unique. It is a one time experience. While there is provision for deficiency rectification in the [[mansion world]] experiences, still this does not mean that you can be irresponsible or cavalier about your mortal career. Try and do all you can to walk this mortal life on the same [[path]] that our Lord and Master, [[Jesus]], did, so that you can say that you truly are His followers, that you walk where He walked.

Your hands, your arms, your [[bodies]] were designed to be in contact with other hands, arms, bodies. There is a natural [[emotional]] and spiritual overtone to the [[touching]] of flesh with each other. It is unfortunate that the [[fear]] of possible [[negative]] consequences has made your already [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schizophrenia schizophrenic] culture shy away from physical [[expressions]] of [[love]], of [[companionship]], of approval, of [[pleasure]]. But I expect that the natural [[impulse]] to touch and hold each other will overcome this fear and that the last word will not be the teaching which causes everyone to look over their shoulder in [[suspicion]] and view each other as threatening, rather than as brothers and sisters.

Your hands, your arms, your [[bodies]] were designed to be in contact with other hands, arms, bodies. There is a natural [[emotional]] and spiritual overtone to the [[touching]] of flesh with each other. It is unfortunate that the [[fear]] of possible [[negative]] consequences has made your already [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schizophrenia schizophrenic] culture shy away from physical [[expressions]] of [[love]], of [[companionship]], of approval, of [[pleasure]]. But I expect that the natural [[impulse]] to touch and hold each other will overcome this fear and that the last word will not be the teaching which causes everyone to look over their shoulder in [[suspicion]] and view each other as threatening, rather than as brothers and sisters.

When the [[Urantia Book]] says not to be [[discouraged]] by the fact that you are [[human]], it is fighting against that impulse that some people feel [[expressed]] in these words, "How come somebody as [[noble]], bright, and high minded as I am is stuck in this crummy [[body]]!" (Chuckling). Your body is not crummy! (Laughter) Your body is an incredibly [[complex]] instrument of [[personality]] [[expression]]. The [[Life Carriers]] are very proud of their work. In fact, on this [[experimental planet]], with a few exceptions, they feel that they have accomplished their goals. Now, my friends, I will terminate my [[lecture]] and initiate conversation. Would you care to interact with these thoughts? The floor is yours.

When the [[Urantia Book]] says not to be [[discouraged]] by the fact that you are [[human]], it is fighting against that impulse that some people feel [[expressed]] in these words, "How come somebody as [[noble]], bright, and high minded as I am is stuck in this crummy [[body]]!" (Chuckling). Your body is not crummy! (Laughter) Your body is an incredibly [[complex]] instrument of [[personality]] [[expression]]. The [[Life Carriers]] are very proud of their work. In fact, on this [[experimental planet]], with a few exceptions, they feel that they have accomplished their goals. Now, my friends, I will terminate my [[lecture]] and initiate conversation. Would you care to interact with these thoughts? The floor is yours.

Your [[science]] is [[understanding]] mental illness better and better as time goes on. It is now [[accepted]] that there is a [[genetic]] predisposition to certain [[temperamental]] [[types]]. Some temperamental types are more prone to depression. Others are more prone to [[aggression]]. Some are more prone to other [[manifestations]] such as attentional difficulties, [[anger]] control problems, alcoholism and other drug [[addictions]]. So there is a genetic component in all of this. Those people who have a family history of depression have to [[accept]] that they are more prone to it. Then, the next area of [[information]] which is useful is the discovery that stress is handled in many people by a resulting imbalance in the brain [[chemistry]] which coupled with depressive genetics may [[manifest]] itself as that kind of chronic depression. Yes, of course, severe depression is so physically debilitating because it is a physical/chemical imbalance where a person is not in their right mind and therefor cannot use their faculties in a normal [[manner]]. The business of choosing to be cheerful on a daily basis would be outside the realm of [[possibility]] for such a one.

Your [[science]] is [[understanding]] mental illness better and better as time goes on. It is now [[accepted]] that there is a [[genetic]] predisposition to certain [[temperamental]] [[types]]. Some temperamental types are more prone to depression. Others are more prone to [[aggression]]. Some are more prone to other [[manifestations]] such as attentional difficulties, [[anger]] control problems, alcoholism and other drug [[addictions]]. So there is a genetic component in all of this. Those people who have a family history of depression have to [[accept]] that they are more prone to it. Then, the next area of [[information]] which is useful is the discovery that stress is handled in many people by a resulting imbalance in the brain [[chemistry]] which coupled with depressive genetics may [[manifest]] itself as that kind of chronic depression. Yes, of course, severe depression is so physically debilitating because it is a physical/chemical imbalance where a person is not in their right mind and therefor cannot use their faculties in a normal [[manner]]. The business of choosing to be cheerful on a daily basis would be outside the realm of [[possibility]] for such a one.

Now, as to what to do, the answer is to seek the proper, appropriate, medical help which is available today in the form of [[medication]], [[counseling]], [[exercise]], and the avoidance of [[isolation]]. All of these things are [[necessary]] for a person to recover from the illness. When you become physically ill with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pneumonia pneumonia] most people don't stay [[home]] and pray that it will go away. They seek a [[physician]] to assist them or go to a [[hospital]] for support.

Now, as to what to do, the answer is to seek the proper, appropriate, medical help which is available today in the form of [[medication]], [[counseling]], [[exercise]], and the avoidance of [[isolation]]. All of these things are [[necessary]] for a person to recover from the illness. When you become physically ill with [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pneumonia pneumonia] most people don't stay [[home]] and pray that it will go away. They seek a [[physician]] to assist them or go to a [[hospital]] for support.

Bob: But some do not respond to that and they do die. But that is the result of their own [[choosing]], I assume. But what about the case of the person whose [[existence]] is really is out of their hands? They are depressed to the point that they can't [[function]]. They are in chronic pain and they can't function; a myriad of things that could happen. Does the [[responsibility]] fall to their [[friends]]? At that point do we become our brother's keeper?

Bob: But some do not respond to that and they do die. But that is the result of their own [[choosing]], I assume. But what about the case of the person whose [[existence]] is really is out of their hands? They are depressed to the point that they can't [[function]]. They are in chronic pain and they can't function; a myriad of things that could happen. Does the [[responsibility]] fall to their [[friends]]? At that point do we become our brother's keeper?